[News] Drama, Movies, Actors & Actresses

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June 7, 2010

Korean drama on East Timor, 'A Barefoot Dream,' to be shown at U.N.

By Kim Hyun

SEOUL, June 7 (Yonhap) -- "A Barefoot Dream," an intriguing drama about a South Korean coach and his youth football team in East Timor, will be screened at the U.N. headquarters later this week, its Seoul-based producer said Monday.

The film will be shown at a 600-seat conference room on Thursday and attended by ambassadors to the U.N., journalists and officials of the global body, Showbox said. Director Kim Tae-gyoon and the lead actor who plays the coach, Park Hee-soon, will also be present.

The movie, set to be released in Korea on June 24, is the first movie to be shot in the conflict-ridden East Timor. The Southeast Asian country gained sovereignty in 2002 after 400 years of Portuguese colonial rule and another 25 years of Indonesian occupation. Soon after gaining independence, civil war soon ensued, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. In response, Korea dispatched its Sangnoksu Unit to East Timor as part of a U.N. peacekeeping force in 1999.

Showbox said the U.N. screening was arranged by Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which helped the filming in East Timor last winter. "The ministry told us that an official, after watching it in a premier, really liked the film and recommended its screening at the U.N. This is going to be the first commercial feature film ever, other than documentaries, to be shown at the U.N. headquarters," Choi Geun-ha, a Showbox spokeswoman, said.

The film is based on the life story of Kim Shin-hwan, a former footballer who initiated a youth football team in East Timor and led them to surprise victories in international tournaments in 2004 and 2005. A gregarious, warm-hearted diplomat dispatched to East Timor (played by Ko Chang-seok) provides key support for the team in the film.

Four of the dozens of the Timorese children featured in the film had flown to Korea to attend the Seoul premier last month. The movie started a donation campaign here to help build a football field in East Timor.

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

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June 6, 2010

T.O.P. a revelation in ‘71: Into the Fire’

Heavy on action, thin on character development, “71: Into the Fire” fails to stir up emotions amid hastily edited battle sequences stitched together through fast cuts making them mostly incomprehensible.

The film is based on the true story of a band of 71 high school-aged students that fended off a North Korean platoon full of battle-hardened soldiers during a skirmish in the frontlines of Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province. Although meant to be cannon fodder in the initial phases of the conflict when trained infantrymen were lacking, this band of young soldiers were able to withhold the offensive during the 12-hour standoff.

The cast of the Korean War drama “71: Into the Fire” led by Big Bang member T.O.P Taewon Entertainment

However, in what should have been a wrenching tale of innocence lost in the middle of one of the bloodiest wars of the 20th century, the Lee Jae-han helmed film -- while boasting plenty of fireworks -- unfortunately lacks soul and the emotional punch required for depicting such a tragic account.

Giving weight to the film’s subject matter will be the 60th anniversary of the Korean War this year, which the film’s financers undoubtedly had in mind when they began production.

One of the film’s saving graces is the solid performance of Big Bang member Choi Seung-hyun, or T.O.P., as he’s known by fans of the K-pop idol group. Anchoring his first starring role in a feature-length film, the 23 year old holds his own and then some alongside screen heartthrob Kwon Sang-woo and the always ham-fisted veteran Cha Seung-won.

As Jang-beom, the leader of the student brigade, Choi is given the tall order of defending against a North Korean offensive at a time when the communist state was on the brink of victory after pushing South Korean and allied forces all the way to the southern tip of the peninsula.

Kwon plays Gap-jo, a loose cannon whose entire family was wiped out by North Korean forces and is the yin to Jang-beom’s yang. He is thirsty for communist blood and welcomes the idea of fighting the reds. With all of the hallmarks for a memorable screen rebel, Kwon sadly makes a hash of it by indicating his tough guy swagger in unconvincing fashion.

Kwon’s performance doesn’t reveal someone whose uncontrollable rage and sorrow for having lost his entire family is on the brink of a mental breakdown. How can the viewers be convinced of that when Kwon himself isn’t convinced of his character’s tragic backstory? His propensity to wobble his head a la early-George Clooney when delivering intense dialogue is also enough to pull viewers out of key scenes almost entirely. It becomes such a distraction that we completely forget what had happened to his family.

Meanwhile, Cha’s portrayal of Mu-ryang, the leader of the North Korean squadron that ultimately engages the 71 students at the film’s climax, is reserved and not so clear cut. It is neither a sympathetic or a malevolent portrait of a man who is convinced what his communist state is doing is right in their mission to liberate the Korean Peninsula from the “imperialist Americans.” At one point in the lead up to the final battle, the gruff Mu-ryang proposes to the youngsters that their lives would be spared if they surrender. He later tells his visibly astonished commanding officer, “They’re not soldiers, they’re just kids.”

Little moments such as these make the film feel as though it could have potentially been one of the better ones about the conflict.

The biggest problem throughout the film is the tentative approach the director and his writers took with the portrayal of the young soldiers. Lee clearly respects the audience’s intelligence a bit too much. He assumes that the viewers will be able to come to their own conclusions on what might be running through the minds of these youngsters without addressing much of the fear, insecurity, and the pressure resting on their fragile shoulders.

For one, we already know the sheer insanity in the concept of ordering a rag tag group of ill-trained teenagers to resist a North Korean onslaught. What the filmmakers do not realize is that the audience also needs to become familiar with these kids who remain largely anonymous. Because the film doesn’t take the time to build its characters and develop a convincing portrayal of the bonding among the ill-fated members of the platoon, we don’t care much in the end when they inevitably meet their demise.

The only effort made to provide some sort of background information are the shallow flashbacks of Jang-beom before the start of war and just when he leaves home and from the warmth of his mother’s embrace. During the post-screening press conference, Lee said the film’s two-hour run time was not enough to develop his characters any further than that.

Perhaps this story should have been told in the form of a television series to do justice to all that were involved in the true life account.

By Song Woong-ki (kws@heraldm.com) koreaherald.com

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June 7, 2010

N.O.A Entertainment signs M.O.U. with Chinese company

Reporter : Lynn Kim Editor : Jessica Kim

M.O.U signing between Korean agency N.O.A. Entertainment and China Guoan Culture

& Media Investment Co., Ltd. [N.O.A. Entertainment]

Korean entertainment agency N.O.A Entertainment, which represents top actors Ha Jung-woo and Jeon Do-youn, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China Guoan Culture & Media Investment Co., Ltd.

According to an official at N.O.A., the agency signed with the Chinese company on Sunday, establishing a strategic partnership through which both parties will cooperate in producing various cultural contents such as films and television dramas, as well as managing entertainment businesses in Korea and China.

"By signing this M.O.U., the agency's artists will have a variety of choices when choosing their acting work and be able to broaden their activities beyond Korea and into the Asian market," said Na Byung-joon, President of N.O.A. He added that he already has a team working in China and will further promote the agency's new business ventures such as setting up a joint overseas branch.

An official at China Guoan Culture & Media Investment explained that they are "glad to have signed an M.O.U. with an agency that is highly trustworthy and represents internationally acclaimed actors." "We will actively provide effective marketing and consulting for Korean companies that are having difficulty promoting Korean pop culture and carrying out their business in China," the official was quoted as saying.

N.O.A. Entertainment manages the careers of numerous Korean stars including Gong Yoo, Ji Jin-hee, Kong Hyo-jin and Lim Soo-jung.

China Guoan Culture & Media Investment Co., Ltd., listed in the top thirty business companies in China, is one of the key affiliated companies under conglomerate CITIC Guoan Group.

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

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June 7, 2010

'CGV LA' to Open in Hollywood

A movie theater screening Korean films exclusively will open in Hollywood in the U.S. city of Los Angeles.

CJ CGV, the largest theater chain in South Korea, said Monday that “CGV LA” will open in Los Angeles on Friday. The theater will have the capacity to accommodate 600 moviegoers.

Ahead of its opening, CGV LA will hold this week a special preview of Korean films new to local theaters including “Like the Moon Escaping from the Clouds” and “Secret Reunion.”

CGV plans to align its screening of Korean films with the films’ screening in South Korea and will introduce various new Korean short films.

CGV is hoping that CGV LA will help Korean films penetrate the U.S. market.

Source: KBS World

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June 7, 2010

Kim Jun's "Pygmalion" most popular Japanese mobile drama

Reporter : Lucia Hong Editor : Jessica Kim

Korean actor/singer Kim Jun for his Japanese drama "The Love of Pygmalion" [beeTV]

Korean singer and actor Kim Jun's Japanese drama has remained the most-watched mobile show in Japan for two weeks straight, according to his agency Planet 905 on Monday.

Planet 905 announced in a press release that "The Love of Pygmalion," shown on mobile-exclusive broadcaster Bee TV, has remained the No. 1 drama amongst all shows shown on some 40 other channels in the country.

Starring Kim as the male lead, "Pygmalion," about a woman named Mika (played by Japanese actress Minamisawa Nao) who has lost her memories about her lover Hyung-joon (played by Kim), has been gaining increasing popularity since first going on air on March 20.

A representative from show's Japanese producer spoke highly of the drama saying, "It is popular amongst viewers in their 20s and 30s. ‘Pygmalion’ has targeted the middle-aged female group, which is a rare occurrence."

Kim, 26, made his debut in the entertainment industry in 2007 as a rapper of K-pop group T-MAX. He rose to stardom playing one of the famous F4 characters in "Boys" last year. He is currently promoting T-MAX's first studio release titled "Born to the Max."

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

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June 7, 2010

Veteran actress Yun on Kang Ho-dong show

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff reporter

Yun Jeong-hie

Veteran actress Yun Jeong-hie, who made a comeback through the critically acclaimed film "Poetry,'' has appeared on a popular TV program hosted by Kang Ho-dong which is due to air soon, said the movie's promoter Monday.

The 65-year-old returned to the big screen after a 15-year hiatus in the Lee Chang-dong film, which recently won the Best Screenplay award at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival.

During the recording of the comedian's talk show "Golden Fish-Mureuppak Guru,'' she spoke about her career as a screen star, having appeared in over 300 movies and TV soaps in the 1960s before marrying the pianist Paik Kun-woo. She shared some of her experiences on the set of "Poetry,'' and also dished out anecdotes about her romance with Paik, which had been considered something of a modern-day fairytale here but details of which were undisclosed to the media.

The episode is due to air at the end of the month. Previous guests on the show include figure skating champion Kim Yu-na and pop star Rain.

Source: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

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June 8, 2010

Rain makes a splash with win at MTV Movie Awards

Rain shows off his badass bod in a scene from “Ninja Assassin.”

Korean singer and actor Rain won the award for Biggest Badass Star at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, held yesterday at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Rain is the first native Korean to ever win an award from MTV and the fourth Asian star to win one after Lucy Liu, Jackie Chan and Ken Jeong.

The Korean hallyu (Korean wave) star won the award for his role as Raizo in the movie “Ninja Assassin,” directed by the Wachowski Brothers, beating out Hollywood heavyweights such as Angelina Jolie, Chris Pine, Channing Tatum and Sam Worthington.

The Biggest Badass Star award is one of the new categories introduced in this year’s MTV Movie Awards. Actor Lee Byung-hun was also nominated but failed to make the final list.

Rain accepts the award for Biggest Badass Star

at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles yesterday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Before his departure to the City of Angels, Rain commented that his participation in the MTV Movie Awards is meaningful and shows how far he has come. As he accepted his award, he joked that he started working out when he heard he was nominated for the badass award. Although Rain won a movie award, he is known in Korea and other Asian countries as a singer, dancer, actor and businessman. He appeared in the film “I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK” in 2008, which won the Alfred Bauer Prize at the 59th Berlin Film Festival. The same year, he was selected as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People Who Shape the World.

This year, he was nominated as one of the Top 10 Most Outstanding Asians in Hollywood. He has appeared in several popular Korean dramas. The multitalented Korean star recently released his latest mini-album called “Back to Basic,” which included the tracks “Love Song” and “Hip Song.”

The MTV Movie Awards are a pop culture-focused fete, complete with prizes for such events as best kiss and best villain. This year’s event was hosted by stand-up comedian and actor Aziz Ansari.

By Yim Seung-hye Contributing writer [estyle@joongang.co.kr] joongangdaily.joins.com

Rain Wins Biggest Badass Star Award from MTV

Singer and actor Rain was named the Biggest Badass Star at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday (local time).

Rain is the first Korean and the fifth Asian to receive an MTV Movie Award since its launch in 1992, following Jackie Chan ("Rush Hour"), Zhang Ziyi ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"), Lucy Liu ("Kill Bill"), and Chiaki Kuriyama ("Kill Bill"). "I think I've been rewarded for the hardships I had to endure and overcome while working on 'Ninja Assassin,'" Rain said through his agent.

The winners were chosen through an online poll. "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" swept the major awards this year, winning Best Movie, Best Male Performance, Best Female Performance, and Best Kiss. /Reuters-Yonhap

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

Rain Wins MTV Movie Award

Rain has done it again!?

The singer/actor has become the first Korean and the fourth Asian to win an award from the MTV Movie Awards. He's in good company with Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, and Ken Jeong.

At the 2010 MTV Movie Awards held in Los Angeles over in the United States, Rain won the award for "Biggest Badass" for his starring role in "Ninja Assassin". He was up against some of Hollywood's biggest names such as Angelina Jolie, Channing Tatum, Sam Worthington, and Chris Pine. He even gave his short acceptance speech in English.

He's a busy man with concerts lined up for Japan. Starting on the 22nd, he'll be performing in Tokyo, then Fukuoka, Osaka, Nagoya, and Sapporo. He also has a drama project lined up called "도망자" or "Fugitive".

Source: KBS Global

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June 8, 2010

Bae Yong-joon's agency denies signing Kim Hyun-joong

Reporter : Park So-yoen Editor : Lynn Kim

Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong [Asia Economic Daily]

Bae Yong-joon's agency KEYEAST has denied recent rumors that they have signed with singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong.

In a phone call with Asia Economic Daily on Monday, an official at KEYEAST dismissed such reports as "groundless" and said that they "have not signed with Kim Hyun-joong." Several media reports had claimed that Kim, whose contract with agency DSP Entertainment expired yesterday, signed an exclusive management contract with Bae's agency.

Last month, it was reported that Kim and Bae had a private meeting, which some people thought hinted at their future partnership. At the time, DSP downplayed the rumor, saying it was only a personal meeting between Kim and Bae, a close friend and mentor figure to the young star.

There was even talk that the pop idol was likely to sign with an agency which recently signed on three TVXQ members -- Hero Jaejoong, Xiah Junsu and Micky Yoochun -- who are currently embroiled in a legal battle with major talenthouse SM Entertainment.

Kim, 23, is the leader of boy band SS501, one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia since their debut in 2005. The singer has also done some acting work, most notably in the smash hit drama "Boys Over Flowers" last year alongside actors Lee Min-ho and Ku Hye-sun.

Reporter : Park So-yoen muse@ Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

June 4, 2010

Kim Hyun-joong Fans Share the Love On His Birthday

Fans of Kim Hyun-joong, the leader of popular idol group SS501, united to make a very generous donation in honor of Kim's birthday on June 6th. Rather than spending money on sending Kim a nice birthday present, about 200 fans chose to use that money for a bigger cause: to help those that are more underprivileged. These members of Kim's fan club collected a total of 6,060,000 won under the title of Kim Hyun-joong's birthday fund. This money will be added to the Kim Hyun-joong scholarship fund that they also helped raise last February. It will contribute to various university expenses such as day care centers, admission fees, etc.

This is actually a growing trend in Korea where fans will do good deeds and collect generous sums for charity under the name of their beloved kpop celebrity.

Source: KBS Global

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June 8, 2010

'A Good Night Sleep for the Bad' shines with drab lowlifes

By Kim Hyun

SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- Director Kwon Young-chul, in writing the script for his first feature film, looked back at the cold, gripping fears that he and many South Koreans suffered during the Asian financial crisis that struck the nation in the winter of 1997.

Companies were wiped out in droves and fathers were laid off en masse. Kwon, no exception, was forced to drop out of college after his family was swept up in the economic meltdown. This collective sense of fear and helplessness, which pervaded Korean society in the late '90s and which the director believes still hangs over post-IMF Korea, is an underlying mentality behind his enchantingly sour film noir.

"A Good Night Sleep for the Bad," a title taken from Japanese master Akira Kurosawa's 1960 gritty film "The Bad Sleep Well," hones in on three men in their early 20s who make a career out of stealing and swindling amid the mercenary cruelty of society. Yun-seong (Kim Heung-soo) is pulled into a gambling ploy by a man he calls "uncle," the greedy right-hand man of his imprisoned father, and this sets off a vicious cycle of violence and retaliation, robbery and murder, which compels him to breathlessly ride through it all without time to consider right or wrong.

His sister and two friends are another collection of no-good youth. Foul-mouthed Jong-gil (Oh Tae-kyung) makes a living as a porn actor, while comely Yeongjo (Seo Jang-won) is a gigolo. Hae-gyeong (Jo Ahn), Yun-seong's little sister, is no innocent teenager and she desperately tries to become a television celebrity at all costs. A strong narrative and well-proportioned characters capture the audience. The explicit sexuality and heavy violence are depressing but oddly convincing as fear drives the young men into vile destruction. The movie opens and closes on an empty, unsightly bleak road where the blood-soaked young men wage a final battle of their own.

The director said he wanted to discuss how individuals are torn apart and commonly accepted morals become helpless in the face of horror, a theme resonating with his own experience. "No sooner did the IMF crisis come than I, and people of my age, took the first steps into society as an adult. We met the huge monster called the IMF," Kwon said after a press premier in Seoul on Monday. The 1997-98 crisis is commonly referred to here by the acronym of the global lender, the International Monetary Fund, that bailed out the Korean economy at the expense of mass restructuring and U.S.-style reforms. "I tried to talk about the endless fear that this society enforces on youth and how they desperately attempt to avoid it, digging the bottom of the society while their lungs fill with the mud."

The rated-18 independent film, produced by Film Line with support from the Korean Film Council and Seoul Film Commission, is set to be released on June 24 in local theaters.

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

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June 8, 2010

Park Si-hoo to attend TV festival in Shanghai today

Reporter : Lucia HongEditor : Jessica Kim

Korean actor Park Si-hoo [Eygai Entertainment]

Korean actor Park Si-hoo left Korea in the morning to attend a TV festival in Shanghai later in the day, according to his agency Eyagi Entertainment on Tuesday.

Eyagi announced through a press release that Park will take part in the 16th annual "Shanghai TV Festival" as the Hallyu ambassador for the event for which he will attend the inauguration party, meet with fans and take part in interviews.

Park's popularity in the country has been picking up lately, especially with his latest drama "Princess Prosecutor" as the most-searched Korean series on a Chinese portal site. "I have been getting a lot of support from my fans in China. Just thinking about meeting my fans there is very exciting," the actor was quoted in saying.

Park, whose real name is Park Pyung-ho, made his debut in 2005 through KBS2 TV series "Delightful Girl Choon Hyang" and has since appeared in several dramas including "Iljimae" (SBS, 2008) and "What Star Did You Come From" (MBC, 2006).

He is preparing to hold fan meetings in five cities in Japan starting June 20.

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

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June 8, 2010

Park Yong Ha’s Japanese Fans To Establish School in Africa

Actor Park Yong Ha’s Japanese fans have made donations to establish a school in Africa.

According to a statement from Park Yong Ha’s agency, Yona Entertainment, which was released on June 7, Japanese cable broadcasting channel Mnet Japan had received 4.2 million yen (amounting to 57 million won) from Park Yong Ha’s Japanese fans as donations and delivered the contributions to Good Neighbors, which is an international humanitarian and development NGO, last month.

Park Yong Ha had appeared in a program entitled “Hope TV” on SBS last August. In the program, he had participated in volunteer activities in Chad, located on the African continent, and the program had been introduced in Japan last January on Mnet Japan through a program entitled “Innocent World - Park Yong Ha’s Trip to Africa.” At that time, Mnet Japan held an event to draw donations from his fans to help children in Africa. Good Neighbors is planning to build a school named “Yona School” in the suburban area of Chad’s capital city of N Djamena and provide formal education for local children. Yona is the nickname of Park Yong Ha.

Good Neighbors held a groundbreaking ceremony to establish a school in the local area at the end of last month, and Park Yong Ha visited Chad again from May 22 for one week to participate in the ceremony and he also participated in other voluntary activities. His activities will be introduced again through SBS’s “Hope TV.”

A spokesperson from his agency said, “The small country village lags behind without enough infrastructure, and more than that, there is no school, so the Yona school will be very useful for children living there.”

Park Yong Ha recently has been cast as the main actor of the drama remake of the Hong Kong movie “Tianmimi” and he will go on concert tours from June 19, targeting 16 cities in Japan.

Source: KBS Global

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June 9, 2010

Kim Nam-joo to star in "Queen of Housewives" season 2

Reporter : Cho Bum-jaEditor : Lynn Kim

"Queen of Housewives" actress Kim Nam-joo (right) and co-star Oh Ji-ho [MBC]

Korean actress Kim Nam-joo will be making a comeback to the small screen in the second season of last year's smash hit TV series "Queen of Housewives." According to various media reports, the actress will be reprising her role as the very determined, go-getter type housewife Chun Ji-ae in the sequel tentatively titled "Queen of Tears."

Although Kim will be re-uniting with director Ko Dong-sun and writer Park Ji-eun who created the original series, her former co-stars Oh Ji-ho and Yoon Sang-hyun have yet to confirm their commitment to the new show.

"Housewives", about a 30-something woman who struggles to help her husband succeed, became one of the most-watched shows during its run early last year, topping Korea's TV ratings charts for three consecutive weeks.

Kim, 39, made a successful comeback by taking on "Housewives," her first acting job since marrying actor Kim Seung-woo in 2005 and giving birth to a daughter. Her comedic portrayal of a modern Korean housewife won her numerous accolades including being named 'Actor of the Year' by Korea's Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism last December.

"Tears" is scheduled to air in September after historical drama "Dong Yi - Jewel in the Crown" ends its run.

Reporter : Cho Bum-ja anju1015@ Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

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June 8, 2010

Korean films to compete in Shanghai New Talent section

Two Korean features are to compete in the upcoming Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) (June 12 – 20), in the Asian New Talent Award Film Competition. The section, which offers cash prizes of US $22,000 to best film and best director, seeks to "search and promote young Asian film talents to stimulate regional vitality in the film industry."

The selected films are The Executioner, directed by CHOI Jin-ho, which premiered last October at Pusan and had its local release in November of last year, and Goodbye Mom, directed by JUNG Ki-hoon, a drama released in September of 2009. The New Talent section presents films in a variety of genres by first and second-time directors.

On the jury of the section is noted Korean auteur HUR Jin-ho, director of Happiness and the China-set A Good Rain Knows. SIFF also holds a World Main Competition section, however, no Korean films were selected for 2010.

Source: Nigel D’Sa (KOFIC)

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June 8, 2010

71: Into The Fire to open June 16

John H. Lee’s big-budget war drama 71: Into The Fire is to have its local release nationwide on June 16, according to Taewon Entertainment, the film’s producer. High anticipation for the film resulted in moving its scheduled June 25 opening ahead to the 16th. The film has drawn much hype both at home and abroad for its production values, powerful historical narrative, and A-list casting.

The film is inspired by the true-life story of 71 student soldiers who fought a fierce and impossible battle to protect a support line along the Nakdong River during the Korean War. It stars top actors Cha Seung-won, Kim Seung-woo, Kwon Sang-woo and Choi Seung-hyeon (known also as T.O.P from the pop idol group Big Bang.) The film’s release pays tribute to the 60th Anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25, 1950.

South Korean sales agent Finecut recently did brisk sales of the film at the Cannes Film Festival’s film market, selling it to Ascot Elite for German-speaking Europe and Benelux, to UK’s Showbox for the United Kingdom, as well as Singapore and Russia.

Source: Nigel D’Sa (KOFIC)

June 9, 2010

[PHOTO] "Into Fire" cast, director at film screening

Photographer : Park Sung-KiEditor : Jessica Kim

From left, actors Kim Seung-woo, Kwon Sang-woo, Cha Seung-won, T.O.P and director Lee Jae-han

pose at a VIP screening for their film "Into Fire" held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul, South Korea on June 8, 2010.

Film "Into Fire" cast and director [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Actor Jung Woo-sung at the VIP screening for film "Into Fire"

held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul, South Korea on June 8, 2010.

Actress Son Tae-young, wife of actor Kwon Sang-woo, at the VIP screening

for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul, South Korea on June 8, 2010.

Actress E Ji-ah at the VIP screening for film "Into Fire"

held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul, South Korea on June 8, 2010.

Actress Kim Nam-joo, wife of actor Kim Seung-woo, at the VIP screening

for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul, South Korea on June 8, 2010.

Photographer : Park Sung-Ki musictok@ Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia 1 l 2 l 3 l 4 l 5

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June 8, 2010

Finecut presells I Saw the Devil to three more territories

The eagerly anticipated new thriller from Korea’s master stylist Kim Jee-woon, I Saw the Devil is ratcheting up the number of pre-sales deals for sales rep Finecut, with England, Taiwan and Turkey picking up rights. The horror-thriller stars top actor Lee Byung-hun (The Good, The Bad, The Weird) and marks the mainstream comeback of famed thespian Choi Min-sik (Old Boy).

U.K. based film distribution company Optimum Releasing picked-up rights to the thriller which is close to wrapping production and due out locally in late-summer. Optimum had previously bought rights to several Korean films including The Host and Chaw for U.K. release. Taiwanese distributor Catchplay and Turkey’s Bir Film also purchased release rights to the film. In addition, Finecut previously struck a major sales deal with ARP for France during the Cannes festival market. ARP had bought rights to Kim’s 2008 feature The Good, The Bad, The Weird. Kim’s filmography includes A Bittersweet Life (2005), A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) and The Foul King (2000).

I Saw the Devil is the tale of an extreme psychopath (played by Choi) who kills for pleasure. When the daughter of a retired police chief becomes victim of his next horrific pleasure-kill, her fiancé, a secret agent (played by Lee), tracks him down and designs a vengeance as gruesome as is in his power to deliver.

Source: Nigel D’Sa (KOFIC)

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June 9, 2010

Han Ji-hye says shooting Chinese drama "Embroidery" was "precious"

Reporter : Lynn KimEditor : Jessica Kim

Korean actress Han Ji-hye (left) and Chinese director Huang Jian-zhong [Yedang Entertainment]

Korean actress Han Ji-hye has said that filming Chinese TV drama "Heavenly Embroidery" (working title) with noted director Huang Jian-zhong was a "precious" experience, according to her agency Yedang Entertainment.

The actress, who plays the female lead in the 26-episode drama, shared her sentiments after wrapping up three months of on location shoot through a press release distributed Tuesday. "There were some language barriers but it was a precious time that made me realize we can communicate with our eyes and acting," the actress was quoted as saying. "Shooting this drama was very significant because I learned and felt a lot not only as an actress but as a human being."

She explained that although she had "worries" about working in unfamiliar settings and in a foreign country, she went to work believing that it was "a new challenge" that she had to take on because she still has "much to fill in as an actor." Han also thanked the actors and staff members on the show as well as director Huang, who "treated a foreign actress like family."

Set in the city of Suzhou, dubbed "Venice of the East," the drama is about the dreams and passions of embroiderers surrounding a legendary artwork called "Heavenly Embroidery." Han plays the role of Chun Chae-hee, a young Korean woman who came to China to find her mother and becomes a genius embroiderer with her hard work and innate talent for the art form.

Born Lee Ji-hye, Han made her debut as a supermodel in 2001 and has since appeared in many notable dramas and films. Some of her best-known works include "Summer Scent" (KBS2, 2003), "Sweet 18" (KBS, 2004), "My Boyfriend Is Type B" (2005) and "East of Eden" (MBC, 2008-2009).

She will be attending the "Shanghai TV Festival 2010," to be held June 8 to 10, as part of promoting "Embroidery."

"Embroidery" is scheduled to air in November through major Chinese broadcaster CCTV.

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

[rubie]

June 9, 2010

Ku Hye-sun cries happy tears upon meeting Yoona

Reporter : Cho Bum-ja Editor : Lynn Kim

Korean actress Ku Hye-sun [Asia Economic Daily]

Korean actress Ku Hye-sun, a self-proclaimed fan of Girls' Generation singer Yoona, recently cried tears of joy when she met her celebrity crush for the first time on a TV show.

During an appearance on KBS2 TV's celebrity talk show "Win Win," which aired Tuesday, the actress explained that she is a big fan of the popular girl band member. "I really love Girls' Generation member Yoona these days," said Ku on the show. "I got her mobile phone number through the group's choreographer and we exchange text messages but I have never met her in person."

Then when Yoona appeared on the set as a surprise guest, Ku was so excited and ecstatic that she started shedding tears and remarked, "This is awesome, I can't stop crying." Yoona commented, "I couldn't believe that Hye-sun would text me because she likes me."

Ku, who had originally planned to debut as a singer, started acting in several TV dramas and became a household name throughout Asia after starring in the hit KBS drama "Boys Over Flowers" last year.

Known to many as also a talented artist, novelist and scriptwriter, she recently made her directorial debut with her first feature film "Magic" which premiered at the Jeonju International Film Festival in April.

Reporter : Cho Bum-ja anju1015@ Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

[rubie]

June 9, 2010

Won Bin unveils photos from film "The Man From Nowhere"

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok Editor : Lynn Kim

Korean actor Won Bin in a scene from film "The Man From Nowhere" [CJ Entertainment]

Top Korean actor Won Bin has unveiled pics from his upcoming film tentatively titled "The Man From Nowhere," which wrapped up shooting yesterday.

CJ Entertainment, which produced the film, released to the press several candid photos of the actor taken on the movie set, topless and sporting tight abs. Won, who underwent rigorous workouts and a strict diet regimen for his role, shot his final scene yesterday which reportedly serves as a crucial turning point in the plot.

"Nowhere," directed by Lee Jeong-bum, is an action flick that tells the story of a lonely man (played by Won Bin) living in seclusion who comes out into the world again to save a young girl next door (played by actress Kim Sae-ron).

Won Bin debuted in 1997 with TV series "Propose" with his breakthrough role coming three years later in KBS drama "Autumn Fairy Tale", in which he co-starred with two other Hallyu stars Song Seung-heon and Song Hye-kyo.

He made his movie debut in "Guns & Talks" in 2001 and has not returned to television since. He was last seen in director Bong Joon-ho's critically acclaimed film "Mother" last year.

"Nowhere" opens in Korea in August.

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok kave@ Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

June 10, 2010

Won Bin returns as the man from nowhere

Won Bin will soon return to the screen in his first role since his appearance in last year’s award-winning film “Mother.”

In the new film, “Ajeossi” (“The Man from Nowhere”), Won Bin plays Cha Tae-sik, a desolate man who has cut himself off from the world. When his only friend So-mi, the girl next door who refers to him as “ajeossi” (uncle), is kidnapped, Tae-sik decides to end his isolation and return to the real world.

Child actress Kim Sae-ron, who starred in the award-winning film “A Brand New Life” (2009) will also appear in this action-packed film, which is directed by Lee Jeong-beom. Lee made noir film “Cruel Winter Blues” in 2006, earning rave reviews from critics. The film is currently in production and scheduled for release in August.

By Kim Meesoo Contributing writer joongangdaily.joins.com

[rubie]

June 9, 2010

"Father's Home" to compete at TV festival in Shanghai

Reporter : Ko Jae-wan Editor : Lucia Hong

Korean actors Kim Soo-hyun, Baek Il-sup and Choi Min-soo of SBS' "Father's Home" [Asia Economic Daily]

SBS special drama "Father's Home" will be competing at a TV festival in Shanghai this Friday, according to the show's broadcaster on Wednesday.

SBS said through a press release that the show will compete under the TV Films in Competition category at the 16th annual Shanghai TV Festival held for five days from Monday.

Director Kim Soo-ryong and scenarist Lee Seon-hee have left Korea to attend the fest which will announce a winner on June 11, the last day of the event.

The Shanghai TV Festival is a prominent awards ceremony in the Asian TV industry, acknowledging and screening the best entries in drama, movies, documentaries and animation.

Korea received the Magnolia Award, concentrating on first-class international television productions, in 2005 for KBS' "Becoming a Popular Song" and in 2007 for SBS' drama "Golden Bride."

"Father's Home," starring actor Choi Min-soo and Kim Soo-hyun, is about a father and son and the circle of fatherhood according to Buddhist teachings that all living beings are trapped in the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Reporter : Ko Jae-wan star@ Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

[rubie]

June 9, 2010

WFP unveils photos of Jang Dong-gun in Laos

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok Editor : Lucia Hong

Korean actor Jang Dong-gun and local children of Laos [WFP/photographed by Toru Tokota]

Photographs of Korean actor Jang Dong-gun visiting Laos in March were unveiled today.

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on its official website revealed pictures of Jang, the goodwill ambassador for the WFP, of when he was in Laos three months ago to shoot a promotional antipoverty documentary.

The documentary features Jang visiting local schools in the country to provide free meals for its students -- their province was hit by a typhoon last September causing a flood to ruin the country's crops. The photos showed the actor meeting and talking with the local children, transporting food to the area and fulfilling other duties.

Jang, considered one of Korea's most popular actors, has starred in numerous television dramas such as "All About Eve" and movies including "Friend," "TaeGukGi: Brotherhood Of War" and "Typhoon."

He is currently working on filming for war film "My Way" alongside Korean actress Son Ye-jin. Just last month, he made headlines for marrying Korean actress Ko So-young, his co-star in 1999 film "Love Wind, Love Song."

Korean actor Jang Dong-gun playing with the children of Laos [WFP/photographed by Toru Tokota]

Korean actor Jang Dong-gun providing food for the people of Laos [WFP/photographed by Toru Tokota]

Korean actor Jang Dong-gun carrying a sack of rice [WFP/photographed by Toru Tokota]

Korean actor Jang Dong-gun playing with a local child [WFP/photographed by Toru Tokota]

Korean actor Jang Dong-gun talking with local children [WFP/photographed by Toru Tokota]

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