[News] Drama, Movies, Actors & Actresses

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May 27, 2010

Bae Yong-joon promotes Korean learning with Nintendo DS

Reporter.Lynn Kim Editor.Jessica Kim

Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon in an advertising campaign for Nintendo DS [Nintendo]

Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon will be reprising his role as a virtual Korean language teacher for Nintendo DS, a popular hand-held game console created by the Japanese maker.

Bae's agency KEYEAST announced in a press release Thursday that the actor collaborated with Nintendo for the second time to follow-up on their hit software creation named "Learning Korean with Bae Yong-joon DS."

Last September, the Japanese video game developer had released a Korean learning game featuring Bae, which became a best-selling education software on the Japanese Amazon website and sold over 30,000 copies in just three months of its release. "After releasing the beginner-level software, we had received numerous inquiries and requests whether we will be launching one for intermediate and advance level users," an official at KEYEAST was quoted as saying. "We hope that this software will further promote Korean language overseas and help many more foreigners to study Korean effectively."

The new software comes in two versions -- the "Dating" version and "Test" version. While the former version helps users learn the language in natural settings such as at the airport or dining out at Korean restaurants, the latter focuses on more academic elements of Korean learning for advanced-level users and includes a sample TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exam.

The Hallyu star appears in the program as a virtual Korean teacher and provides easy, friendly explanations for users during the language lessons.

Bae, 37, shot to mega-stardom in Korea and throughout Asia with the success of 2002 KBS TV series "Winter Sonata" and gained a huge following in Japan in particular, where he earned the nickname "Yonsama". He has also been actively promoting Korean culture in Asia, publishing a photo essay titled "Discovering the Beauty of Korea" last year, which contains self-taken photographs of various cultural artisans that the actor met during his year-long travel around the country.

The new Nintendo DS software will be released in Japan in August with advance sales orders starting this month.

Reporter: Lynn Kim lynn2878@ Editor: Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

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May 27, 2010

"Into Fire" to premiere in Korea on June 16

Reporter.Lucia Hong Editor.Jessica Kim

Movie poster of Korean war pic "Into Fire" [Taewon Entertainment]

The premiere date for Korean war film "Into Fire" has been pulled up by a day to June 16, according to the film's producer Taewon Entertainment on Thursday.

An offical at Taewon explained that they decided to move up the film's release to Wednesday, instead of the usual Thursday, on high anticipation for the film. "Into Fire" had started to garner much hype even ahead of going into production due to its A-list cast composed of actors Cha Seung-won, Kim Seung-woo, Kwon Sang-woo and T.O.P from idol group Big Bang,

The film had also caught the eye of several foreign countries at the film market held concurrently with this year's Cannes Film Festival, selling to the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore and Russia. Distributors in other countries including Australia, China, Switzerland, Taiwan and Spain are showing great interest in purchasing rights for the film.

"Into Fire," paying tribute to the 60th anniversary of the war, is based on the true events during the Korean War where 71 student soldiers fought to protect a support line along the Nakdong River.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@ Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

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May 27, 2010

Film Director Kawk Ji Kyun Commits Suicide

Film Director Kawk Ji Kyun (real name Kwak Jeong Kyun), who was the most powerful director during the 1980s and 1990s, as he had made famous movies such as “Portrait of the Days of Youth,””Walking to Heaven,” and “Wanderer In Winter,” was found dead in his home on May 25. He was 56 years old. According to a spokesperson in the movie industry, his older brother found him in his house and reported it to the police. His brother had come by Kwak’s house because he could not contact him for several days. When the body was found, director Kwak was lying beside a burned briquette and his will was found on his laptop computer.

It was made public that he wrote in his will, “As there is no work, it is very painful and hard for me.” A friend said, “Director Kwak Ji Kyun had suffered from depression since ten years ago. He has felt distressed because he cannot make films.” The late director entered into the movie industry as an assistant director in 1980 with the movie “The Hidden Hero” and debuted as a director in 1986 with the movie “Wanderer In Winter.”

After he debuted as a director, he made movies such as “Love Triangle (1987),””Long After That (1989),”” Reminisce (1989),”” Portrait of the Days of Youth (1991),””Walking To Heaven (1992),””Days of Roses (1994),””Deep Blue (1997),” and “Plum Blossom (2000).” He usually produced melodrama films focused on wandering in youth. In his emotional and trendy films, many star actors such as Choi Min Soo, Kang Soo Yeon, Lee Mi Sook, Jeong Bo Seok, Kang Seok Woo, Bae Jong Wookm Choi Soo Ji, and Lee Bo Hee were cast, and they worked with the late director Kawk.

He was distinguished as a director and he had garnered various awards including the Best New Director awards, Best Director award, and Best Adaptation award in the Grand Bell Awards, the Best New Director award in the Critics Choice Awards, Today's Writer Award, and Christian Culture Award. But, after he filmed the movie “Plum Blossom,” he had to take a break for a long time. After many twists and turns during a six year break, he presented the movie “Fly High,” in which Ji Hyun Woo and Im Jeong Eun appeared as the main leads, in 2006.

He was once a star director and regarded as a star in the movie industry, but he had to go through many difficulties when he made the movie “Fly High.” He was astonished at how much things had changed during that time and said during the interview that he made his best effort to follow the trend of the times and not to fall behind the trend of the new generation even in his fifties. But, his movie completely failed and since then for four years, he could not make his next film.

A person in movie industry said, “After director Kwak failed in his last film, he went to his hometown of Daejeon and confined himself to his home. He was a very good person, so many juniors visited him, but as he has introspective personality, he did not leave Daejeon and his depression had grown. It is too sad.” He lived and died as a single man. His mortuary is the Sungshim Funeral Hall in Daejeon.

Source: KBS Global

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May 27, 2010

'Korea Day' Opens at Shanghai Expo

South Korea launched on Wednesday “Korea Day” at the 2010 Expo Shanghai as part of the ongoing five-day “Korea Week.”

A number of Korean and Chinese government representatives attended the "Korea Day" ceremonial events at the Korean Pavilion, which has been one of the top draws at the expo.

A wide variety of cultural events have been organized for the five-day period, including a multimedia show featuring top Korean stars.

The Korean Pavilion has thus far attracted 680-thousand visitors, a figure equivalent to about ten percent of all those who have visited the expo.

Source: KBS World

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May 27, 2010

Lee Min-ho to meet and greet fans on June 20

Reporter.Lucia Hong Editor.Jessica Kim

Korean actor Lee Min-ho [starhaus Entertainment]

Korean actor Lee Min-ho will hold a fan meeting on June 20, according to his agency Starhaus Entertainment on Thursday.

Starhaus announced through a press release that the actor will meet with his fans at the event titled "2010, The Special Day with Minoz" at the Grand Peace Palace located in Kyung Hee University in June. The event will be attended by some 4,500 fans from both Korea and overseas to celebrate Lee's birthday on June 22 and the second anniversary of his fan club.

Lee had raised anticipation for the upcoming fan meeting after leaving a message on his official site on the last day his latest drama "Personal Taste" aired: "Thank you for everything that you have done and I hope we can spend a great time at my fan meeting."

Tickets for his 2,500-seat fan meeting last year sold out in just one minute of going on sale. Korean celebrities Kim Su-ro, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Ki-bang, K.Will, Park Bo-young and idol group T-Max had made special guest appearances. Tickets for Lee's upcoming fan meeting will be available at online reservation site Auction today at 5 p.m.

Lee, 22, rose to fame in Korea and throughout Asia starring in last year's hit KBS series "Boys Over Flowers." In "Personal Taste," which ended its run last Thursday, he played a man pretending to be gay to live with a female roommate, alongside Korean actress Son Ye-jin.

Picture of upcoming Lee Min-hoo's fan meeting "2010, the Special day with Minoz" [starhaus Entertainment]

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@ Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

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May 27, 2010

Glamorous Actress Seo Woo getting popular after Cannes film festival

Soap operas and films starring glamorous actress Seo Woo, 25, has been spotlighted as attractive ones these days.

The Housemaid directed by Im Sang-soo has remained top in the local box office as of Thursday and is expected to top the 2 million mark this weekend. The film starring Seo Woo was invited to the competition division at the 63rd Cannes international film festival which ended Sunday.

The actress plays a role as Haera, a young wife at a family of high society, competing with veteran actress Jeon Do-yeon who plays the title role, in acting. Seo Woo produces a real-like bed scene with actor Lee Jung-jae, attracting applause from movie-goers. She also plays a ferocious woman without a blink or qualm.

Although the Housemaid joined the international film festival in the competition division, Seo Woo was obliged to give up her first chance of walking the red carpet at Cannes, as she had to shoot a new film, "New Sister."

Source: koreatimes.co.kr

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May 27, 2010

Korean film “Poetry” to premiere in U.S. this fall

Editor.Jessica Kim

Official poster for film "Poetry" [uni-korea]

Korean film “Poetry,” which won the award for best screenplay at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, will premiere in the United States this fall, according to the film’s distributer Unikorea Culture & Art Investment Co., Ltd. on Thursday.

Unikorea said KINO LORBER picked up the rights for the film in the U.S., showing their confidence in “Poetry” by quoting Manohla Dargis from the New York Times who said, “Actor Yoon Jeong-hee’s performance in the film was the most memorable production out of the (Cannes) festival.”

The company also claimed that they are aiming at claiming a prize in the foreign language film category in the upcoming Academy Awards in the U.S after its release in the autumn of this year.

KINO LORBER is known for having bought many international films including “Happy Together” by Wang Kar Wai, "Funny Games” by Micahel Haneke, “Metropolis” by Fritz Lang and “Scandar Capti” by Ajami, as well as Korean films such as “The President’s Last Bang (2005),” “Untold Scandal (2004),” and “Tell Me Something (1999).”

"Poetry" had first stirred attention when French film distributor Diaphana decided to invest and purchase rights for the movie even before it went into production by solely reviewing the basic outline of the story. The film then sold its rights to nine countries including Taiwan, Spain, Greece, Russia, former Yugoslavia, Benelux, and Brazil, during the Cannes Film Market held concurrently with the Cannes Film Festival.

“Poetry” is negotiating with several other states, namely Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, who have also shown strong interest in buying rights for the film. "Poetry," starring veteran actress Yoon Jeong-hee as an elderly woman who learns how to write her own poems while fighting Alzheimer's, was released in Korea on May 13.

Intern Reporter : Yoon-hyung Kim Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

Yoon Jeong-hee says expected "Poetry" to win Palme d'Or at Cannes

Senior Reporter.Kang Myoung-Seok Editor.Lee Ji-Hye, Lynn Kim

Korean director Lee Chang-don (left) and actress Yoon Jeong-hee at the press conference for film "Poetry" held in Seoul on May 26, 2010. [Film Marketing Agency Sister PR]

Veteran Korean actress Yoon Jeong-hee, the heroine of Cannes' best screenplay winner "Poetry", has said that she had expected the pic to win the coveted Palme d'Or at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival over the weekend.

Speaking at the film's press conference, held Wednesday at Seoul's Hyundai Department Store in Shin-chon district, the actress explained that although the screenplay is "the most important thing in a movie," the huge reception the film received at the fest "made [her] dream of winning Palme d'Or." "But the fact that our film was nominated at the greatest film festival in the world makes me happy," said the actress. "You probably know through reading the articles but there was a lot of praise by foreign media outlets."

Yoon went on to explain, "Director Tim Burton said my acting was the best and a film critic said he was upset that I didn't win. But I think that in itself is as good as winning the award."

In the film, Yoon played an elderly woman who learns how to write her own poems while fighting Alzheimer's -- a role that director Lee Chang-dong specifically created for her. With her subtle portrayal of an old woman who experiences unexpected incidents in life, she was considered one of the favorites to take the best actress title. It eventually went to French actress Juliette Binoche who starred in "Certified Copy."

When Lee, also attending the press conference, said he would like to work with her again after she gets older, the 65-year-old actress beamed and remarked, "Thank you -- it is my wish to stay a movie star until the age of ninety."

Meanwhile, director Lee Chang-dong spoke of the pressure he felt over his film being in the run for the Palme d'Or at the film fest. "A film is a creation which contains its unique set of values and virtues, not something you can keep a score of or contend for victory. So the stress over feeling competitive because of people's expectations? That's what burdened me."

When asked why he thought the film won best screenplay, Lee joked that it was because there were not many films this year that had exceptionally good scripts. He added however, "The head of jury, Tim Burton, told me that he was inspired and moved. I think on an emotional level, he got what the film was attempting to grasp an understanding of."

Lee, 55, is one of the most internationally acclaimed Korean filmmakers who directed his first feature film "A Single Spark" in 1995. He has won numerous awards at international film events with his subsequent films "Peppermint Candy" (2000), "Oasis" (2003) and "Secret Sunshine" (2007) which took the best actress trophy at Cannes for Jeon Do-youn.

Senior Reporter : Kang Myoung-Seok two@ Editor : Lee Ji-Hye seven@ Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

From left, director Lee Chang-dong and actress Yoon Jeong-hee attend a press conference for film "Poetry" held at Hyundai Department Store's U Plex in Seoul, South Korea on May 26, 2010. The film won the award for best screenplay at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival.

Director Lee Chang-dong attends a press conference for film "Poetry" held at Hyundai Department Store's U Plex in Seoul, South Korea on May 26, 2010. The film won the award for best screenplay at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival.

Actress Yoon Jeong-hee, heroine of Lee Chang-dong film "Poetry," attends a press conference held at Hyundai Department Store's U Plex in Seoul, South Korea on May 26, 2010. The film won the award for best screenplay at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival.

Photographer : Park Sung-Ki musictok@ Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr l 10.asiae.co.kr

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May 27, 2010

Actress Kim best in kissing scene

Actor Lee Sung-jae, 40, has introduced an episode on his kissing with veteran actress Kim Hae-soo, 40.

"I felt thrilled before having a kiss scene with her in the film, Kick the Moon (2001). I asked her to lead me kindly," Lee said. She was very shy, saying that it was the first time that she had ever had a kissing scene shot in a movie, according to Lee.

"But, when we got to the shooting, she aggressively kissed me …," Lee said. "Oops...oh…." Lee did not go on to talk, making the guests on the stage for videotaping burst into laughter.

The episode on the kiss scene was aired in a KBS talk show, "Happy Together" last Thursday.

Source: koreatimes.co.kr

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May 27, 2010

[REVIEW] TV series "Bad Boy"

Editor.Lynn Kim

"Bad Boy" - One hour to taste the devilish charms

Actor Kim Nam-gil in a scene from TV series "Bad Boy" [sBS]

TV series "Bad Boy" - First episode (SBS TV, 9:55 PM)

"Where am I heading toward -- heaven or hell?" The character Gun-wook (played by Kim Nam-gil) made his entrance into the drama like an angel who fell from heaven. And in the last scene of the episode, he fell deep into the water as if he had fallen from hell. The premiere episode of SBS TV series "Bad Boy" was all about this fatally charming man who is hard to clearly define -- he has the face of an angel and, at the same time, of a devil.

The reason that Gun-wook approaches the character Monet (played by Jung So-min), the youngest daughter of the conglomerate Haeshin Group, is because he wants to plot revenge on the family for the brief period that he lived as Hong Tae-sung, the second son of Haeshin Group. Although the desire of the main female character Jae-in (played by Han Ga-in), who wants to gain power, is unveiled in a rather sophisticated way, the drama makes no special effort to explain the basic storyline and relationships between its characters. Instead, it focuses on using fancy visual work, like a music video, to repeatedly show a man who is scarred on both the inside and outside, and the women who are captivated by him. The images of his downfall, death and wounds are played out in variated forms. Stories that were divided up like pieces of a puzzle only fall into place at the end of the episode when the character reflects back on his past.

In this unfriendly story, the bad boy character Gun-wook in "Bad Boy" captivates every woman that he meets -- from a young child to older women to younger women. There are moments when the drama goes too over-the-top in describing the process. But aside from everything, if the producers are focusing on how to portray the extreme level of charm that this bad boy had, they have definitely succeeded. And in the second episode, actor Kim Jae-wook, who played a homosexual character in his previous drama but is still devilish in his charms, appears as the current Hong Tae-sung who shares the same fate with Shim Gun-wook and becomes his rival in everything. These two actors are enough to bring a whole ton of devilishness to the drama. Whether the devilish charms of the characters will be enough to lure viewers into watching the drama "Bad Boy" -- well, we will have to wait and see about that.

- Written by Yoonina (TV critic) Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

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May 28, 2010

Rain to fly into LA next week for MTV awards

Reporter.Cho Bum-ja

Asia’s most celebrated star Rain will fly off to Los Angeles next week to attend this year's MTV Movie Awards, according to his agency on Friday. An official at J. Tune Entertainment said Rain will depart from Korea on June 3 to attend the 2010 MTV Movie Awards for which he has received an invitation from MTV's headquarters.

The singer and actor has been named one of the five nominees in the "Biggest Badass Star" category for his role as a ninja in Hollywood flick "Ninja Assassin" last year alongside Hollywood blue-chips Angelina Jolie, Channing Tatum, Chris Pine and Sam Worthington. Nominees were selected by fans who cast online votes on MTV's website to choose their favorite 'badass' actor out of 22 potential nominees.

Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, has released six studio albums to date and has held several tours throughout Asia and in the U.S. including a sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden. The singer also ventured into acting, starring in several hit television dramas including "Sang Doo! Let's Go To School" (KBS, 2003), "Full House" (KBS, 2004) and later making his big screen debut in Park Chan-wook's surrealist comedy pic "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK."

He made his Hollywood debut in 2008 through the Wachowski Brothers' action flick "Speed Racer." The Korean star reportedly made such a great impression on the famous sibling duo that they offered him the lead role in last year's martial arts flick "Ninja Assassin."

Reporter: Cho Bum-ja anju1015@ Intern Reporter: Yoon-hyung Kim Editor: Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

Park Young Ha To Star in Remake Drama of Movie ‘Tianmimi’

Hallyu star Park Young Ha has been cast as the male lead in the remake drama of the Hong Kong movie ‘Tianmimi,’ the production company Verdi Media reported in the news on May 27.

According to a person in the production company, the drama “Tianmimi” will be made in collaboration with writer Oh Soo Yeon, who has written dramas such as “Winter Sonata” and “Autumn Story,” together with production director Jo Young Soo, who made the drama “Oh! Pil-seung, Bong Soon-Young.” As soon as the female lead is cast, it will begin filming from the end of July. The target date for airing will be around the end of this year and the broadcasting station has not yet been decided.

The melodrama movie “Tianmimi” was made in 1996 by director Kexin Chen, and actor Liming and actress Maggie Cheung played the main male and female leads. The movie was a great success in Asian countries and it ranked atop the rankings in Korea among movies that people want to watch again.

A person in the production company said, “As the movie ‘Tianmimi’ has already proven itself by its three billion movie fans in Asian countries, we will do our best to produce a good drama with a Hallyu star and production staff members to make another Hallyu drama.”

Source: KBS Global

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May 28, 2010

CJ Entertainment, 1492 Pictures join hands for film production

SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- CJ Entertainment, South Korea's largest film producer and distributor, and Hollywood's 1492 Pictures are now in pre-production on three films expected to hit theaters as early as next year, the two firms announced at a press conference Friday.

The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in November, which entitled CJ Entertainment to joint production rights with the U.S. producer and to prior claim on distribution in South Korea, Japan and China.

The production partnership was the first of its kind between Korea and Hollywood. "It's a true honor for us to be here in Korea at the beginning of what I believe is a beautiful and amazing partnership," said Chris Columbus, founder of 1492 Pictures and director of the first two Harry Potter films and producer of the third one.

The two sides are jointly developing "Killer Pizza," a teenage adventure based on Greg Taylor's novel of the same title, "Carpe Demon," a comic adventure based on Julie Kenner's novel, and "The Graveyard Book" based on Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel. Production is expected to be completed in the latter part of next year.

Several other producers have proposed partnership with the Hollywood firm, but "we were rather reluctant, but when we met CJ Entertainment, we found kindred spirits," Columbus said. Several Korean movies have "completely moved" him, including Bong Joon-ho's "Mother" and Park Chan-wook's "Old Boy" among others.

Ongoing projects will not involve Korean directors but may cast Korean actors.

"This is where we are laying the groundwork for our global advance ... We'd like to play a role as a bridge for many others (in the local movie industry)," Kim Jung-ah, chief of CJ Entertainment, said.

Source: hkim@yna.co.kr yonhapnews.co.kr

CJ and "Harry Potter" producer to co-produce 3 films

Reporter.Ko Kyoung-seok Editor.Lucia Hong

At the press conference for CJE and 1492 Pictures from left to right: 1492 Pictures CEO

Chris Columbus, CJE CEO Katharine Kim and film producer Michael Barnathan [CJ Entertainment]

Korea's major film distribution and production company CJ Entertainment (CJE) will be co-producing three films with Hollywood's 1492 Pictures, the producer of the "Harry Potter" series.

At a press conference on Friday, CJE's CEO Katharine Kim and 1492 CEO Chris Columbus announced plans regarding their joint production of the films and development of future development strategies.

The two firms had struck a deal in November last year through which they agreed to cooperate on their global businesses based on a strategic partnership where for the next three years, CJ has the rights to produce and develop productions by 1492 as well as be given the priority to distribute and invest in those productions in Korea, Japan and China.

They are in the planning and writing stages for three movies based on action, fantasy, adventure which will be shown in 3D titled, "Killer Pizza," "Carpe Demon" and "The Graveyard Book." "The partnership between 1492 Pictures and CJ Entertainment is truly inspiring. We have no doubts that the upcoming co-produced movies will do well in the global market," explained 1492 Pictures CEO Chris Columbus. He continued to talk about the future endeavors, "We hope to prepare more genre of films and focus on going into other markets including TV, Internet, games and music."

CJE CEO Katharine Kim said, "Currently we are in the planning stages of all three films but we are looking for other projects to produce. We hope to establish ourselves to help talented members to venture overseas."

1492 Pictures was founded in 1995 by famed director Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe run the company as well. They have produced the first three "Harry Potter" pictures, "Night at the Museum" and "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief."

CJE is one of the biggest production and distribution companies in the country who is in charge of the success of Korean films "Haeundae" and "Joing Security Area (JSA)."

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok kave@ Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

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May 28, 2010

"Into Fire" director, Kwon Sang-woo attend Stanford seminar

Editor in Chief.Hwang Yong-hee Editor.Lynn Kim

Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo (left) and director Lee Jae-han of film "Into Fire" speak a press conference

after attending a seminar for the 60th anniversary of Korean War held at Stanford University, Stanford, California

on May 27, 2010. [Hwang Yong-hee/Asia Economic Daily]

Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo and director Lee Jae-han attended a special seminar for their upcoming war film "Into Fire" at the prestigious Stanford University Asia-Pacific Research Center on May 27 (U.S. time).

The two were among the seven speakers invited to speak at the seminar, held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War and organized by the Korean Studies Program at the university. The event featured a screening of the film followed by a panel discussion. "It is significant that a research center that has expertise in Asian issues would hold a seminar about the Korean War," said Lee at the event.

Lee further explained that the Asia-Pacific Research Center had supported the film since its planning stages and he had promised to attend the seminar even before he started shooting the pic. The director appeared satisfied with the partnership, saying "it will probably help the film enormously when it is shown in the U.S." It is the second time that the Stanford Asia-Pacific Research Center had supported an Asian film -- in 2006, it had backed Clint Eastwood's film "Letters from Iwo Jima" about the battle between the U.S. and Japan during World War II.

Lee, who studied filmmaking at New York University, directed his first feature film "A Moment to Remember" (2004) which starred top Korean actors Jung Woo-sung and Son Ye-jin. He is reportedly planning to make his debut in the U.S. through directing the Hollywood remake of John Woo pic "The Killer."

"Into Fire," based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought during the Korean War, stars actors Cha Seung-won, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Seung-woo and T.O.P of idol group Big Bang.

The film opens in Korea on June 16.

Editor in Chief: Hwang Yong-hee hee21@ Editor: Lynn Kim lynn2878@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

Actor Kwon Sang-woo of film "Into Fire" speaks at a press conference after attending a seminar for the 60th anniversary of Korean War held at Stanford University, California on May 27, 2010 (U.S. time).

Actor Kwon Sang-woo attends a press conference after attending a seminar for the 60th anniversary of Korean War held at Stanford University, California on May 27, 2010 (U.S. time).

Editor in Chief: Hwang Yong-hee hee21@ Editor: Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr l 10.asiae.co.kr

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May 26, 2010

Claziqquai vocal becomes underwear model

Claziqquai female vocal Horan, 31, was selected as an underwear model of M Corset, a female-underwear manufacturer in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul.

"Horan's mysterious moods and modern looks match well with our brand, Lefee," said Jang Sung-min, a deputy director of the marketing department at M Corset. "We also chose her because she is a passionate musician as well as a multi-entertainer challenging vast areas beyond music."

Horan has many fans due to her intelligence as well as sexy looks. She now appears in a new KBS drama, "Call of Duty" as a secret officer of Korea Intelligence Agency.

Source: koreatimes.co.kr

May 27, 2010

Actress Song, unchanging beauty

Song Hye-kyo, 28, Korea’s top actress, has been praised highly by Hong Kong entertainment media, Oriental Daily News. She is acting in China for new movie ‘Il Dae Jong Sa(Legend of Yip Man).

“Song Hye-kyo is eager to learn Chinese language and martial arts at the hotel even during her brief break. The beauty actress was also spotted buying DVD on acting,” the daily said.

The daily reported why director Wong Karwai regards Song as his ‘new favorite actress.’

Especially, noteworthy is her body in “perfect shape.” Oriental Daily reported that the Korean star has worked out every day to keep her body in shape. She is gorgeous even without using cosmetics.

Song has also been praised for being studious for her acting during the shooting .

Source: koreatimes.co.kr

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May 27, 2010

'Servant': erotic twist on folktale falters

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff reporters

Actors Kim Joo-hyuck, left, and Jo Yeo-jung appear in Kim Dae-woo's period comedy

"The Servant," which gives the traditional love story of "Chun-hyang" an erotic twist.

It will open in theaters on June 3. / Courtesy of CJ Entertainment

Kim Dae-woo, who made his directorial debut with the period sex comedy "Forbidden Quest" after penning the script for E. J-yong’s "Untold Scandal," returns with yet another racy story set during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

The Joseon era can be likened to the Victorian Age, with strict gender and class segregation and Confucian codes of conduct imposed upon every aspect of life. A contemporary look into the period’s hushed sexuality has given flight to films brimming with Peeping Tom-style coquetry, and Kim is no newcomer to this.

"Bang-ja," his second feature film, capitalizes on the subtly sexy silhouette of "hanbok’’ (Korean traditional costumes) and the urgency of forbidden romances. The movie boasts exquisite production values and creative twists to the country’s most representative folktale of Chun-hyang.

However, as a whole the movie fails to grip the viewer throughout the rather dragged out narrative (in spite of some explicit sex scenes). A well-organized script does not necessarily translate well audio-visually when it tries to pack in too much by trying to be funny, sexy and touching in a rather erratic manner; perhaps better editing could have achieved a balance of the comedy, eroticism and pathos exploring the themes of human desire but it ends up just skimming the surface.

Box office prospects are not all gloomy however. While performances by some of the most talented lead actors, including even the uncanny Ryoo Seung-bum, get lost in the murky storytelling, supporting roles by funnyman Oh Dal-soo and Song Sae-byeok, a rough diamond of an actor who appeared briefly in Bong Joon-ho’s "Mother,’’ keep the movie afloat, providing some lighthearted, oversexed entertainment apt for commercial projects.

The story of Chun-hyang is perhaps the country’s most representative folktale about the star-crossed romance between Myong-ryong, the son of a nobleman governor, and Chun-hyang, the lowly daughter of a former courtesan. They marry in secret but Mong-ryong is forced to leave his bride to prepare for the state examination. The faithful and virtuous Chung-hyang waits patiently, all the while suffering imprisonment and torture when she refuses the advances of the new governor. But the two live happily ever after, when Mong-ryong returns and saves her.

Kim (almost) de-romanticizes the tale by featuring a risqué love triangle among a foxy femme fatale Chung-hyang, a rather unattractive Mong-ryong and his dashing manservant Bang-ja. As the title suggests, Bang-ja (Kim Joo-hyuck) is the protagonist who unfortunately has to shadow Mong-ryong (Ryoo) including when they cast eyes upon the lovely Chun-hyang (the attractive Jo Yeo-jung).

What unfolds is a tale of comic sexual intrigue, as Mong-ryong pursues Chung-hyang who is hot one minute and cold the next. But what he doesn’t know however is that she is already enjoying a dalliance with the handsome Bang-ja, who, in addition to his good looks, has learned some tricks from a Casanova cook played by Oh Dal-soo.

The premise here is that Bang-ja is a "momjong’’ or enslaved manservant that cost less than cattle back in the day. The director indeed demonstrates that slaves too were human and propelled by desire. But Kim has perhaps taken the lowly status of his character too literally, and has a woefully forgetful screen presence.

The most potentially intriguing aspect of the film should have been the characters’ hidden intentions. Mong-ryong, despite his power and wealth, suffers from jealousy and an inferiority complex toward his manservant, while the social ladder-climbing gold digger Chun-hyang truly loves Bang-ja but is hungrier for power than romance.

In theaters June 3.

Source: koreatimes.co.kr

[rubie]

May 29, 2010

[10LINE] Korean actress Jeon Do-youn

Senior Reporter.Kang Myoung-Seok Editor.Jang Kyung-Jin, Lucia Hong

Clockwise from top center: actress Lee Hye-young, actress Moon So-ry,

director Lee Chang-dong, actor Song Kang-ho, and director Im Sang-soo [10Asia]

Jeon Do-youn

"A friend who says she wants to become like me so badly that she will seal the deal at the risk of her future has only seen the pretty and fancy side to me. It's not difficult to become like me. It's just hard for someone to want to become like you."

- Jeon Do-youn's line from her cameo appearance on SBS TV series "On Air."

About life as an actress. About life as Jeon Do-youn.

Kang Shin-hye

The reporter who worked for the teenage magazine Hi-teen in 1990. During her senior year in high school she was recommended to become a cover model for the magazine when she was there to receive her prize from a postcard contest. Even though starring in the commercial kicked off her career in the entertainment industry, Jeon Do-youn didn't think about becoming a long time entertainer or succeeding as an actress. At the beginning of her career her strict family criticized her for spending the whole night on "a commercial with only a 15 second appearance."

Choi Yoon-suk

The director who cast Jeon Do-youn for MBC's "Our Heaven" after seeing her commercial. He also cast her for MBC's "General Hospital." She played a bright and assertive character and became popular because of the bickering relationship between her and the late Choi Jin-youn. She suffered from the rumors that she was cast instead of being an open recruited actress and was in the center of controversy for her role in "General Hospital" for exposing her breast because her character had breast cancer. Jeon was in a state of dejection after the focus was set on the development of three new actors in "Our Heaven." For Jeon, in all ages for a new actress to find her place she had to go through a lot of distress. As a new actress she was acknowledged by director Ko Heung-sik and scenarist Park Jung-ran because "an actor has nothing to lose when the director and scenarist show interest" and she was convinced to star in SBS' "Scent of Love."

Han Suk-kyu

Co-star in the movie "The Contact." At the time, Jeon Do-youn without any exception seemed to be a “straight and polite person” even as a new actress. Jeon was able to claim success through "The Contact" and was able to position herself as an actress. In the state "of just getting by with the start of the job" and at the moment of "becoming lethargic because was an entertainer with no vision" escaped it after receiving the scenario for "The Contact." However, without a firm position as an actress she was distressed when high-profiled actors would say "That Jeon Do-youn only comes out on television and isn't an actress." But how a regular telemarketer was able to find love through her computer was something new for the younger audience who discovered Korean movies in the 1990s. The way how Jeon naturally posted memos on the wall or cut up an envelope with scissors or to act out everyday situations scored herself the title of a fresh new female character during the latter half of the 1990s.

Lee Hye-young

Co-actress in the film "No Blood No Tears." For Jeon who thought "one of the reasons for the short-lived careers of actresses is because the actress has an understanding of being the pretty one on screen" took a role in the movie with Lee Hye-young where two women are put into the rough world of men, thinking "one part of the movie is everyday existence." Jeon was consistently beaten up without any time to rest by her co-star Jeong Jae-young and would sometimes curse. And she performed a double role in the movie "My Mother the Mermaid" and first-handily dove into the ocean for the role as a female diver. With the thought of "the limit of showing something through tears" starred in different productions that widened her acting range and "tired not to overlap with her melodrama image" with her roles in "No Blood No Tears," "My Mother the Mermaid" and "Untold Scandal." Director Ryoo Seung-Wan of "No Blood No Tears" explained she "can calculate the reaction for a movie with nearly 2,000 cuts" and Jeon was able to reach full maturity in her acting skills. "Most actresses start off with 'Oh that actress is pretty' but 'Jeon Do-youn can act well'" is the new path that she found by the time she reached thirty.

Lee Chang-dong

Director of movie "Secret Sunshine." Jeon Do-youn said that she did not have the confidence to act in "Secret Sunshine" after reading the scenario, but director Lee said, "If you said that you had the confidence for this role then I wouldn't have believed you" and encouraged her. And she won the best actress award at Cannes Film Festival for her role in "Secret Sunshine." Instead of showing off her acting skills and abilities through her role in "Secret Sunshine," she was able to act out accordingly to director Lee when he said, "The acting skills of Jeon Do-youn is terribly good. Impeccably good. However, that is it so stop acting." Through the movie "Secret Sunshine" she left the impression of Jeon Do-youn to the audience and acted out as if the actual Jeon Do-youn lost her child. And Jeon was able to endure and act a female character that lost her husband and child, couldn't freely forgive anyone and as someone who couldn't be easily comforted. It was the kind of acting that only Jeon Do-youn can pull off and not any other actor or actress. Just like what movie producer Shim Bo-kyung said, "I knew that Jeon Do-youn will show us more in the future" because of her role in "Secret Sunshine" and Jeon stepped into a new territory for any actress.

Song Kang-ho

Co-star from the movie "Secret Sunshine." She got out of her seat after seeing Song Kang-ho act in "Memories of Murder" and before "Secret Sunshine" premiered in theaters Song said, "For actor Sul Kyong-gu, he has the movie 'Peppermint Candy' then for Jeon Do-youn, her movie is 'Secret Sunshine.'" Just like their previous works they left behind their specialty and naturally fell into their characters. The moviegoers were aware of Jeon Do-youn and Song Kang-ho in "Secret Sunshine" and they were immersed with the film as if they were part of the movie. For the two actors it doesn't matter the production or the name of the character, instead they are remembered for the 'acting abilities' of Jeon Do-youn and Song Kang-ho and their skills are broaden as they add on more movies. Song starred in the movies "Secret Sunshine," "Thirst" and "Secret Reunion" which mixed in action and comedy, but it is hard to find a production like that for a Korean actress. And for an actress like Jeon the possibilities in starring in a melodrama like SBS' "Shoot for the Stars" and "Lovers in Prague" increases. Both actors act really well. However, they are two different sexes and the gap seems bigger than one thinks.

Kang Si-kyu

Jeon Do-youn's husband. "Once you fall in love you die" is what Jeon thought and when she got married she thought of quitting because "you can escape work through marriage." However thinking about "is there anything else besides acting that I can go crazy about" and decided not to rely her whole life on marriage and that is when she met Kang Si-kyu. It was while she was filming "Secret Sunshine" that she became close with Kang when she "needed to be consoled because of her devastated inner side" he played a big role in comforting her. And Jeon explained him as "a guy who gives both faith and trust but is fun at the same time."

Moon So-ry

The first actress that Jeon had drinks with because she "is in a state of panic and doesn't know what to do in front of a pretty girl." No one can deny the acknowledgeable acting skills of these two actresses who have starred in director Lee Chang-dong's movie. However, Moon's movie "Sa-Kwa" didn't premiere for awhile even after she finished filming and after receiving the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, Jeon had a hard time because she didn't get any scenarios. Also she didn't appear in any commercials keeping in mind the productions rather than maintaining her image. The ironic thing is as one acts a role with wide range then 운신 becomes smaller. Still, Jeon kept working because "being on set is fun" and after meeting with veteran actress Hwang Jung-soon at an award ceremony "I don't know what the limit is as an actress even after working for 13 years, the only thing left now is getting married" and cried. Jeon didn't plan on staying in the entertainment industry for a long time when she made her debut and instead of being greedy to increase her popularity she just kept on acting.

Im Sang-soo

Director of the movie "The Housemaid." Even after making its premiere "The Housemaid" is still highly disputed, but it is for certain that without Jeon Do-youn this production would have been impossible to be made. For a well-known actress like Jeon or any actor to have chosen this movie, it is hard to find an actor who is able to drastically act out a skin baring scene. With Jeon's role in the movie as an 'idiot' who doesn't know much about the world, she maximized the specialty of the character just like she has shown in her previous films. No matter in what setting, Jeon is able to overcome situations even with the considerable number of movies that she was in and the story was about a clever woman who is unable to be avoided. In the midst of it all, Jeon created a drama through the inner conflict of the female character. With "The Housemaid" it may have seemed a trial for the audience on how they will perceive the maximization of the abilities of Jeon. As an actress, she has always been great and risky at times, what will she show us after "The Housemaid?"

Senior Reporter: Kang Myoung-Seok two@ Editor: Jang Kyung-Jin three@, Lucia Hong luciahong@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

[rubie]

May 28, 2010

[iNTERVIEW] Han Jeong-su - Part 1 & 2

Reporter.Choi Ji-Eun Photographer.Chae ki-won Editor.Jang Kyung-Jin, Lynn Kim

Korean actor Han Jeong-su [photographed by Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

Han Jeong-su says "2010 was the luckiest year of my life"

Three years ago, when Han Jeong-su was appearing in the SBS TV series "The King And I," he had the words "Justice, Courage, Passion, Wisdom, Faith" set as the background on his mobile phone screen. This sincere man who said he "wants to live with a sense of justice, not like a coward" and believes "how you live life is more important that what you achieve in life" is a rare find in the 21st century. And this year, in KBS TV series "The Slave Hunters" and SBS' "Princess Prosecutor," he played characters that were most similar to himself. And during that time, his mobile phone has changed to an iPhone, and its background from those five words to cartoon characters from his favorite comics "One Piece." 10Asia met with actor Han Jeong-su, who has remained the same in his beliefs over the years.

Q: "Princess Prosecutor" ended its run last week. What have you been up to?

Han Jeong-su (Han): We watched Thursday's final episode together and went on an overnight trip to Jebu-do the next evening. [Actress Kim] So-yeon, all the actors and crew had all lost 5 kilograms because everyone exhausted from staying up all night but the atmosphere on set was really great. The staff were really great -- the cinematographer, lighting director and director Jin Hyuk, of course. Nobody caused a big fuss, no matter how hard things got.

Q: You appeared in KBS drama "The Lucifer" but "Princess Prosecutors" was the first modern drama where you had a big role. You usually worked on traditional dramas including KBS' "Conspiracy in the Court" and the recent "The Slave Hunters." I wondered what it would be like to see you play a modern character when we still had an image of Choi Jan-goon [Han's character in "The Slave Hunters"] in our minds.

Han: To be honest, I was only half sure myself. I thought, wouldn't it be strange or awkward? It was my first lead role and I didn't have time to prepare for the character Yoon Se-joon because the filming schedules for "The Slave Hunters" and "Princess Prosecutor" overlapped. It was so exhausting and stressful that I started having alopecia areata. I went to the hair-dresser and he was like, "Hey, there is a balding spot here..." He took a picture and I saw an oval-shaped bald spot. (laugh) I was extremely nervous but I started feeling comfortable after about five episode.

Q: It must have not been easy to go back and forth from shooting a traditional dramas and a modern drama. You have to deliver your lines in a different way.

Han: That was the hardest. So when you watch the beginning part [of "Princess Prosecutor"], you are like, "Is this Prosecutor Yoon or Choi Jang-goon?" (laugh) I don't think I have the ability yet to go from playing the deep-voiced Choi Jang-goon in "The Slave Hunters" one day and then loosen up and switch to being Prosecutor Yoon the next morning. I got some bad reviews and even I could see that I wasn't that good. But after the tenth episode, the character started to change a little and I think my acting loosened up too. What is really disappointing about shooting dramas is that just when you start to feel a bit comfortable and try to do what you want [with the role], it ends. (laugh) It was like that with playing Choi Jan-goon and Prosecutor Yoon too. Just when I was getting comfortable, it was the end of it.

Q: Wasn't it burdening to play a "good-looking prosecutor whose nickname was Gregory Peck?" (laugh)

Han: I wasn't burdened about that at all because you can't change your looks anyway. (laugh) But I felt a huge pressure about making changes acting-wise because Choi Jang-goon and Prosecutor Yoon weren't completely different characters. I was worried that people might say "That is not Prosecutor Yoon. That is Choi Jang-goon" and I think that is something all actors have to carry with them forever. I heard that actor Al Pacino, whom I admire, had told one newcomer actor "Don't do the kind of acting that you want to do. Do the kind that you are good at." He may be right, but an actor who tries to do different things could be great too. Personally, I want to act a variety of characters. Like a really hilarious character and a hard-core noir one too.

Q: But all your characters hae been pretty consistent. From "Conspiracy in the court" to "King And I", "The Slave Hunters" and "Princess Prosecutor," you played characters who were loyal and right-minded.

Han: I like that I have an image of someone that people can trust. I am grateful for that. It is not easy to get a trustworthy image. We have a local election coming up and all the politicians probably want that kind of image too but it is probably difficult. In that sense, I am lucky. I would like to keep that image but it could be broken as I eventually end up playing various roles.

Actor Han Jeong-su [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

Q: The uniqueness of Prosecutor Yoon is that he seems like a straight-arrow but his thoughts are very flexible. It was impressive that when everyone was talking badly of Ma Hye-ri (played by Kim So-yeon), who tried to oppose the organization's hierarchy, he tried to be as understanding as possible.

Han: He looks stiff but he is open-minded. And that is why he says about Ma Hye-ri, "So she thinks so. Could she be really wrong?" I liked that about him and such trait is sort of like me too. I am not someone who is exceptionally good at something. I don't have any special talents, I am not exceptionally smart or athletic but if there is one good thing about me, it is that I try to be open minded about what other people say.

Q: "Princess Prosecutor" was your first modern drama and your first romantic role.

Han: Yeah. In the film "Hypnotized," my character didn't really romance, he just did a bed-scene. And at the beginning of "The Slave Hunters," my character was about to have a little romance but he didn't even get to see the female characters later on. (laugh) It was the first time [in "Princess Prosecutor"] that there were romantic emotions going back and forth between a man and a woman, and I learned a lot. The emotional flow is extremely delicate in a melodrama so there was a lot to worry about as well, but it was fun.

Q: But there must have been moments when you thought, "I couldn't have done this in real life.. only when I am acting."

Han: Oh, no way. My hands and feet would cringe... (laugh) Actually, Prosecutor Yoon wasn't a very romantic person and he is not good at showing his affections. But in the second half of the drama, he really got himself close to Prosecutor Jin (played by Choi Song-hyun). He even said things like, "Why didn't I notice? How cute you are?" I could not have said that. I thought he would remain a serious character til the end but Prosecutor Yoon really surprised me. He even proposed.

Q: Is there any particular scene that you remember from the shooting?

Han: There was a scene where he is riding in a car and telling Ma Hye-ri about the memories he has about his dead wife. It was an emotional scene so I had to keep talking for at least three, four minutes while being on the verge of tears. But there were too many speed bumps on the road. Speed bumps would keep coming up whenever I was about to say something, so we had to keep doing it over agin. What was worse, we kept getting the red light. (laugh) We ended up re-shooting the scene at a different location, but I liked that scene.

Q: I heard you and director Kwak Jung-hwan of "The Slave Hunters" go back a long way. How did you first meet him?

Han: We met when we were preparing to shoot a four-part drama on KBS, about two years before I shot "Conspiracy in the Court." It was about a male detective investigating a case with a female government employee who is an expert in psychometry. But the drama got flopped and I had forgotten about it. Then one day he called me and asked me to work with him again. I didn't have any work at the time, so I had no reason to say no. But actually, my character in "Conspiracy in the Court" died early too. Around the fourth episode in an eight-part drama. (laugh) And after another two years, he called and said he was doing a drama called "The Slave Hunters" and asked if I wanted to join. I said yes again and when I got the synopsis later, I found out that my character Choi Jang-goon was very cool.

Q: It was interesting that when you first met director Kwak Jung-hwan, you guys hit it off while talking about Che Guevara.

Han: Director Kwak asked me why I act, and I told him that I thought the 21st century was an age of culture rather than ideology. I think that is when I mentioned Che Guevara. It is quite important for a director and an actor to share their consciousness, not just what they think about acting. Their thoughts have to agree when they are working together. The underlying concept in "Conspiracy in the Court" and "The Slave Hunters" is that they are stories about people who want to try to change the world in a better way. I think you can make a better drama when you agree on things like that,

Korean actor Han Jeong-su [photographed by Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

Q: You often played characters that were considered "cool" by men rather than women.

Han: Yeah. I want women to like me but I think they like sensitive and affectionate men like the character Lawyer Seo (played by Park Shi-hoo). Well, it's fine. Being an actor that men like... (laugh)

Q: Your abs caused a stir during "The Slave Hunters" and I heard that you are extremely into sports -- you once even said that you wanted to be a mixed martial arts fighter. What kind of influence do you think training one's body has one's mental health?

Han: I like exercising by myself, so I just work out at the gym more than anything. I think that, as a man, you start to feel confident psychologically when your body gains a certain amount of strength. So I tell younger actors, "Don't just drink every day. Do some exercise. It's good for your health and good for your mind too." Contrary to how I look, I can't drink alcohol so I don't have any other way to relieve stress. It's either going to the gym or going to sleep. (laugh)

Q: I think it is important for everyone to have confidence, but particularly more so for an actor. You have to believe that you are an attractive person before you can make the director, producers or viewers to believe that about you.

Han: That is right. There is a certain psychological battle among actors and with the director too. To be precise, it is more like reading the other person's strengths and forming an image of him on a subconscious level rather than a battle. And I think that is why having confidence is quite important. Confidence is not just something that you can obtain by sitting around and thinking "I am cool. I am good at sports and I am good looking." You have to discipline yourself enough and have to get used to it.

Q: You wandered for a pretty long time in your twenties. You changed your major in college and switched to acting after studying music. And even then, things didn't work out well in the beginning. It is not easy for an actor to become famous after he passes a certain age.

Han: No. But in a way, I feel relieved about it. If I had been in the spotlight, living fancy at a young and then gone down, it would have been very difficult for me. But now that I have gotten somewhat older, I think I have enough strength to handle something like that should it happen to me. When I look at young idol group singers these days, people are crazy about them but I worry about them. The same with young child actors too. It saddens me to watch them live their lives skipping things that they need to experience and learn at their age. I think it is better to get started after the age of twenty, when you are not a child, and then succeed in your early thirties. By that time, you know a little about the world and you start to have the power to endure whatever happens. It came a bit too late, in my case. (laugh)

Actor Han Jeong-su [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

Q: I see that you bought an iPhone.

Han: Actually, I don't do much with this except go on Twitter.

Q: You have written some stuff on DC Inside Gallery and Twitter -- you seem to enjoy communicating with people.

Han: I am trying to communicate more as I get older. When I was young, I thought I was a little different from other people because I am an actor. But now I don't think I am. I feel that it is more important, as you get older, to talk to people, know what they think about and what they think about me. That is life and, at the end of the day, acting comes from life too. So I try to be around people more and more.

Q: You rarely do any variety programs or talk shows but I heard that you recently appeared in SBS variety show "Steel Heart." What did you say on the show?

Han: I am not a good storyteller but I like telling funny stories. And I like making people laugh. But my agency actually doesn't let me go on talk shows. They are worried I might cause trouble. (laugh) The "Steel Heart" episode that I taped was a special episode for the World Cup, which will air in June. My late father was on the national soccer team, so I talked about that.

Q: You had a good start for the year 2010 -- from "The Slave Hunters" to "Princess Prosecutor."

Han: This has been the luckiest year of my life so far. So I have been buying a lot of lottery tickets. (laugh) I haven't won yet but with the luck that I've had this year, I think I might.

Q: What would you do if you won the lottery?

Han: I would like to set up a film production company. But a smaller, more detailed dream I have is to have a nice little office that has a great view. Where I can read scripts and watch movies.

Q: Saying that you want to set up a film production company sounds like you want to make your own movies. What kind of stories do you want to tell?

Han: Of course I have stories that I want to tell, but I don't think that is important. I could tell my story but that doesn't mean people will come to watch it. I would just end up telling the story to myself. The important thing is to tell a very entertaining story and to fit in your own story into that. Like "The Slave Hunters." For example, I was in a band in my twenties and did a lot of ridiculous things in life. So I have a lot of funny anecdotes and I think I can put them together somehow.

Q: For your next project, I heard that you were considering doing a play, not a drama or movie. That is a little unexpected.

Han: I haven't made up my mind completely yet but I am looking at a script. It's called "Fool For Love," which was written by actor and writer Sam Shepard. It's about a man and a woman who fall in love and later find out that they are half-siblings. It is sort of like the typical storyline in a Korean drama. (laugh) The play deals with the passion and conflicts between the two characters in depth. I haven't done plays since my school days, but it is a very fun process. We fight like cats and dogs but when the show is over, everyone ends up and crying and hugging, no matter how bad a fight you had. That is the charm of doing plays.

Q: You used to say that it was your dream to fly. Do you still feel that way?

Han: Um... I was really surprised when [Korean singer] Kim Gun-mo said the same thing during his appearance on [celebrity talk show] "Kneedrop Guru" but it is still my dream. I want to learn how to fly a light airplane someday.

Reporter : Choi Ji-Eun five@ Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@ Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ , Jang Kyung-Jin three@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr l 10.asiae.co.kr

Actor Han Jeong-su poses during an interview with 10Asia.

Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@ Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr l 10.asiae.co.kr

[rubie]

May 29, 2010

Ku Hye-sun Breaks Free from Acting

Ku Hye-sun

"When I was an actress, many walls restricted me," says Ku Hye-sun. "I had to refrain from any actions that did not match the image of the character I was playing, and there was so much pressure not to break the mysterious image that an actress should have. But when I started directing, those walls came down and I became a much more positive person."

Ku tells the story of her inner self as an actress and a director in her new film "Magic."

"When I was shooting the film, I was very nervous, but now that it's done, I am much more calm and excited in a good way," she says. Ku has proven to be a versatile artist, who has published a novel with her own illustrations, composed songs, and produced films. It is an unusual path for a well-known actress, who would be justified in sticking to her established path.

"Many artists don't just do one thing. They get inspiration by doing other things, and express that inspired artistic imagination in various ways. In fact, there were so many things I wanted to do even as a child so I never could choose just one," she says.

What is so attractive about being a director? "Directors can make everything move in the way they want it to, but they also carry a great responsibility. Actresses face so many restrictions because they need to guard their image. My nature doesn't work that way, so I was under intense stress," she confesses.

Instead, she turned to music and art, and then she started seeing more possibilities and better scenarios came to her. "Directing was such a positive experience as I could reflect on the arrogance I had as an actress," she says.

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com

[rubie]

May 28, 2010

Actor banks on his lucky charm

Actor Kwon Sang-woo is hoping his new film “71-Into the Fire”

will help him mount a comeback with his fans. [JoongAng Ilbo]

Kwon Sang-woo, 33, was once one of the most eligible bachelors in the country, with a string of hit films and TV shows early in the decade. After seeing his popularity take a hit in recent years, he is now hoping to make a comeback with his role in the new film “71 - Into the Fire.”

In the movie, set to be released on June 16, Kwon stars as Koo Kap-jo, a 17-year-old student soldier fighting against the North Korean army during the 1950-53 Korean War.

But he was almost excluded from the cast. “I almost wasn’t cast because I’m too old [for the role],” Kwon said with a laugh at a press conference held earlier this month in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam, southern Seoul.

Kim Seung-woo, who plays an officer from the South in the film, said that he, too, had concerns about the difference between Kwon’s real age and that of the character he plays. “When I heard that Kwon was cast as a character who is the same age as [Choi] Seung-hyun, I was really worried because [Kwon] is around our age,” Kim said.

Choi Seung-hyun, who is widely known as T.O.P., a member of the boy band Big Bang, was born in 1987. Kwon was born in 1976.

Kim said he changed his mind after filming began, adding his own bit of wisdom about the film’s chances for success. 'When we were in production, Kwon actually looked younger than [Choi],” Kim said. “And because no film in which Kwon has appeared wearing a school uniform has ever failed, I expect [this film will be a success].”

Oddly enough, the uniform has been something of a lucky charm for the actor. The movies in which he has appeared wearing a school uniform have indeed been successful.

Kwon even talked about the phenomenon at a press conference last March, saying, “So far, the movies that I’ve made in which I have to wear a school uniform have done well.”

In the movie “My Tutor Friend” (2003), Kwon stars as a high school student and spends much of the movie in uniform.

For his role in the film, a romantic comedy, Kwon received best new artist awards at both the Daejong Film Awards and the Baeksang Arts Awards, which is a major film and arts awards ceremony in Korea. And in “Once Upon a Time in High School” (2004), Kwon plays the leading character, Hyun-soo, a high school transfer student. The film attracted more than 3 million viewers and won critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of school life in the 1970s. For his performance, Kwon again received an acting award at the Daejong Film Awards that year.

According to statistics from the Korean Film Council, My Tutor Friend attracted 4.9 million viewers and Once Upon a Time in High School attracted 3.1 million. Considering that total attendance at the movies nationwide was about 64 million in 2003 and 80 million in 2004, that’s enough to classify both films as hits.

With or without the uniform, Kwon’s success continued for most of the rest of the decade. He appeared in movies and TV dramas that became popular in both Korea and Japan.

But his popularity started to wane due to a series of scandals that emerged before and after his marriage to actress Son Tae-young in 2008. “After I got married, membership in my fan cafe dwindled from 240,000 to 135,000 - it was like a stock market crash,” Kwon said in an appearance on a talk show hosted by Kang Ho-dong on MBC in 2009.

He said his TV endorsement contracts also started to disappear. Before he got married, he had an average of seven TV commercials per year, but by early 2009 that number had dwindled down to zero.

Still, Kwon feels confident that his new film will help him regain his popularity.

“I’m predicting audiences of 10 million,” he said at the recent press conference.

By Suh Yun-young Contributing writer [estyle@joongang.co.kr] joongangdaily.joins.com

[rubie]

May 28, 2010

Lee's 'Poetry' gets U.S., France distribution

Korean director aiming for a foreign-language Oscar

By Park Soo-mee

SEOUL – Lee Chang-dong’s “Poetry,” which won the best screenplay at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival, will be released in the fall in the U.S. as Kino Lorber, a New-York based distributor, bought the film’s U.S. rights, co-producer Uni Korea reported said.

The film is aiming for a best foreign-language film Oscar, according to the film’s producer. Kino Lorber has previously distributed arthouse Asian films including Wong Kar-wai’s “Happy Together” and Im Sang-soo’s “President’s Last Bang.”

Separately, "Poetry" was picked up by distributors in nine other countries including France’s Diaphana.

“Poetry” is a story of 60-something woman and an amateur poet who tries to explore the true meaning of life and beauty as she learns about a disturbing incident surrounding her grandson.

Lee's fifth feature film, “Poetry” will be the director's first theater release in the United States.

Source: hollywoodreporter.com

Lee, Yoon contemplate next collaboration

After winning the best screenplay award with his film “Poetry” at the Cannes Film Festival,

director Lee Chang-dong (left) and actress Yoon Jung-hee speak about their experiences

with the festival at a press conference in Korea on Wednesday. [NEWSIS]

Director Lee Chang-dong and actress Yoon Jung-hee arrived in Korea on Wednesday after their turn at the Cannes Film Festival, where Lee picked up the best screenplay award for his film “Poetry.”

Lee was bombarded with compliments from the foreign press and film industry officials. But he was rather self-deprecating when asked what made Poetry so successful at the festival, which came to an end on Sunday local time. “Maybe it was because there weren’t any other good screenplays at this year’s festival. I believe that’s what made the jury choose me,” Lee said, without emotion.

He also talked about the pressure and anxiety that come with being part of a festival such as Cannes. “I believe that every film has its own beauty and value, but it was a little stressful for me, and I watched the film festival as if it were the Olympic Games. “I also didn’t like that I became a person who cares about results. I left Cannes on Sunday morning because being there [when the results came out] would have been too much for me, so I went to Paris with my family to meet friends.”

But Lee did admit there was one award he was watching closely - the best actress award. “Everyone at Cannes was expecting Yoon to receive the best actress award,” the 56-year-old director recalled. “I know she gave everything she had while we were filming, and I thought it would be nice for Yoon to win the award.”

Yoon interrupted him to say, “I didn’t do my best just for an award. Your screenplay was so beautiful and I really wanted to bring the character you created to life.”

Yoon, who returned to film for the first time in 16 years to make this film with Lee, seemed to have enjoyed her experience at Cannes. “I was so happy during the film festival because even total strangers approached me and complimented on my acting and the film,” Yoon said. “One Russian film critic I met at an airport said she was angry because I didn’t receive the best actress award. For me, that kind of praise is the most precious of presents. I mean it.”

In the 60s and 70s, Yoon was the queen of the nation’s film scene. She now lives in France with her husband, pianist Paik Kun-woo, and has ventured only occasionally back to the world of film. Her last film before Poetry was “Manmubang” in 1994.

Still, she seemed pleased to be part of the film world again. “For me, a film festival is a place where you can meet many talented directors, actors and actresses. Without Cannes, how could I have met Tim Burton?” she said, her voice rising with excitement. When asked whether they would work together again, the response was positive. “If possible, I’d like to work with Yoon again when she turns 80 or 90, when she has more wrinkles and salt and pepper hair,” Lee said.

In response, Yoon beamed and said, “How did you know that my dream is to act until I’m 80 or 90?

By Sung So-young [so@joongang.co.kr] joongangdaily.joins.com

[rubie]

May 30, 2010

Tokyo's Okubo a mecca for fans of Korean pop culture

The crowds at Hanryu hyakkaten (Korean Department Store). (Mainichi)

Once viewed as the somewhat dull neighbor of major shopping and entertainment district Shinjuku and college town Takadanobaba, Tokyo's Okubo district is quickly becoming a kind of go-to district for Korean pop culture. I get off the train at JR Shin-Okubo Station and walk east on Okubo-dori Avenue. Signs are written in Hangul and there's a faint whiff of spices in the air.

Immediately up ahead is Hanryu Hyakkaten, or "Korean Department Store." It's crowded with shoppers, as if a big sale is taking place. The 400 square meter floor space is filled with Korean pop-star paraphernalia, Korean CDs and DVDs, Korean cosmetics and food. Women crowd around a cart filled with goods related to boy band TVXQ, which is no longer active but is still popular, and throw wall hangings and photo collections of Korean stars into their shopping baskets. The most popular goods are for the pop groups Big Bang and SS501, and the actor Lee Byung-hun. The dates of performances by Korean stars are recorded on a big calendar on the wall.

"There have been 20 percent more customers here than last year," says store manager Lee Kun-haeng. "We get over 2,000 people on weekends and holidays." Last year, the store made 600 million yen in sales. The goal this year is a billion.

With half of the store's customers now young women, the earlier image of middle-aged women as the main fan demographic of things Korean no longer holds, according to Lee. Okubo is filled with teenagers and twenty-somethings looking for K-Pop paraphernalia. I run into three junior high school girls from Tokyo's Higashi-Yamato. Fans of Big Bang, it's their first visit to the district, and they've spent over 5,000 yen on Big Bang stickers and other goods.

Miyuki Mitsunaga, a 45-year-old part-time worker and TVXQ fan, tells me she's come to Shin-Okubo at the urging of her 14-year-old daughter, who influenced her into becoming a fan, too. "They have such great voices," she says. "They're cute, and they move me with their performances. I want to support them."

A bustling Okubo street. (Mainichi)

Fifteen years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine middle-schoolers travelling long distances just to go to Shin-Okubo. The alleys of this area used to be filled with what looked like foreign prostitutes, although that's said to have changed as a result of police crackdowns. "There used to be an Imperial Army facility nearby before World War II, and military men would rent homes around here," says a man in his 70s who's lived in a house here for a long time.

Although the area previously had a run-down image and was nicknamed "Shokuan-dori" (Unemployment Center Boulevard), since the '90s, Korean restaurants began popping up, and with the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea and the popularity of the Korean television drama "Fuyu no sonata" (Winter Sonata) among Japanese audiences, restaurants rapidly spread out onto Okubo-dori Avenue and smaller alleyways in the area.

What many fans of Korean dramas and other things Korean come to these restaurants for is not as much the food as the seats themselves. A woman from Tokyo's Kita Ward who brought a friend to dine at the eatery Omuni Shokudo (Mom's Eatery) sat where Korean actor Hyun Bin once sat during a visit. "Even if we're not here at the same time, I'm happy to be in the same place he once was," she says.

Actor Jo In-sung, pop group SS501, and other Korean stars are said to have visited the restaurant Daehan Minguk (Republic of Korea), where the walls are filled with posters and photos on which fans have written messages. Fans flock to the restaurant to sit where their favorite stars did, reserving seats ahead of time.

It is a Sunday afternoon, and woman in her late 40s from Hiroshima is eating a menu item named after her favorite band, FT Island. She was unable to grab a seat that one of the group's members had sat on, but she's happy enough looking at the posters on the walls: "They're all so good looking, it makes me giddy." Having travelled to Tokyo on an overnight bus with her 16-year-old daughter, she'll get on the overnight bus home after going to an event held by her daughter's favorite pop group.

A 49-year-old part-time worker from Yamanashi Prefecture is waiting to be seated where the trio SG Wannabe once sat. "Once I get to the seat, I touch the wall around it, wondering whether they touched it, too." Her husband suffered a brain hemorrhage eight years ago and uses a wheelchair. She says she first heard SG Wannabe's songs when she was "just being a good homemaker," and was hooked. For the first time in her life, she became a groupie. "I like them because they tell us they love us from the stage," she says. According to her, her husband waits for her at home, taking care of their dogs, and is happy to see her get so excited. "It makes him happy when I come back from a concert and tell him with a smile on my face that my eyes met so-and-so's. It's not like I'm actually going out with someone else," she adds. "Korean pop culture is something I live for now."

What feeds this Japanese fever for things Korean is the abundance of Korean television shows. This year, major Japanese broadcasting network Fuji Television began regular broadcasting of Korean dramas on a timeslot they named Hanryu (alpha). The series "Karei Naru Isan" (Brilliant Legacy), which aired in March, recorded a viewer rating of 9.7 percent. Meanwhile, TBS, another major broadcaster, has been showing "IRIS" starring Lee Byung-hun since April, marking the first time that TBS has shown a Korean drama series during prime time.

The Internet, too, has helped foster this craze. A 28-year-old TVXQ fan from Chiba Prefecture says that she and three people she met on the Japanese social networking service Mixi have met up in person through their shared interest in the pop band. I see preparations for the June opening of a Korean food stall market progressing in an alley north of Shokuan-dori. Okubo is becoming increasingly loud and dazzling. A difference between Okubo and Tokyo Disneyland, however, is the fact that real people have long lived in Okubo and continue to do so.

Friendships have been forged between Japanese and Korean children living in the area, but there is also some clashing of cultures, including such lifestyle differences as the way trash is set out by residents for pick-up. Thirty-seven percent, or 8,424 (as of Jan. 1, 2010), of Okubo district residents are foreign nationals. Many of the Korean population in the area are relative newcomers who arrived in Japan in the '80s or later. A local branch of a committee comprised of such newcomer Koreans meets once a month to clean up the area. "The rule is: when in Rome, do as the Romans do," says leader of the organization Pak Chae-se.

A Japanese man in his 70s says, "There are a growing number of elderly people here, and if a massive earthquake were to hit, it may be a young Korean who comes to rescue you." Back in front of Shin-Okubo Station, around lunch time and in the afternoon, 38-year-old Kim Chong-son distributes copies of a self-made map of Korean eateries in the area to passersby. In April, Kim distributed his first issue -- 12,000 free maps supported by ad revenue -- with the expectation of an Okubo boom. He made 20,000 copies of the second issue in May, which featured a total of some 150 establishments, including restaurants and gift shops.

I see women walking the streets here as they snack on hotteok, a pancake-like snack sold by street vendors. It is a sight reminiscent of girls eating crepes on the streets of Tokyo's Harajuku district. Later in the afternoon, 13 people are in line in front of a Korean barbecue restaurant. Pork belly barbecue is very popular here right now.

However, I run into a Korean man in his 50s who is not satisfied with the recent trend. "(Getting to know a culture) through photos of Korean stars and eating Korean food is superficial," he says. "Okubo should become a place where people can appreciate traditional Korean culture, too."

Challenges still lie ahead, but it will continue to grow, and people will continue to gather here, hoping to touch another culture.

By Tetsu Miyata, Evening Edition Staff Writer mdn.mainichi.jp