[News] Drama, Movies, Actors & Actresses

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June 24, 2010

Jang Keun-suk named celebrity supporter for Korea's tourism

Reporter : Lynn Kim Editor : Jessica Kim

Korean actor Jang Keun-suk [Tree J. Company]

Hallyu star Jang Keun-suk will be offering his star power to help promote Korea's tourism as a celebrity supporter for the "2010-2012 Visit Korea" campaign, according to his agency Tree J. Company on Thursday.

Tree J. explained in a press release that the actor, who attended the "Inspiring Night in Korea" event organized by Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), was one of the five people who were selected for the campaign and received a pendant from Korea's First Lady Kim Yoon-ok at the ceremony.

Earlier this year, Jang was also appointed by KTO as the publicity ambassador for the city of Seoul. "After I became the publicity ambassador for Seoul, I showed video footage of the beautiful city to my overseas fans during my Asian tour," the actor was quoted as saying. "Now I think I need to promote various places in Korea, not just Seoul."

Jang, 23, has appeared in several notable television dramas and films including "Beethoven Virus" (MBC, 2008) and "The Case of Itaewon Homicide" (2009). He became a phenomenon in Korea and throughout Asia after starring in the hit TV series "Minamishineyo" (SBS, 2009), in which he portrayed an eccentric lead singer of idol group A.N.JELL.

The "Inspiring Night in Korea" event, which took place at Seoul's Changdeok Palace, was attended by some 1,000 people including veteran actor Yoo In-chon, who is now Korea's Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and top Korean actress Choi Ji-woo, who promotes KTO's "Smile Campaign."

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

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June 24, 2010

Lee Da-hae make big screen debut with "Song of Springs"

Reporter : Lucia Hong Editor : Jessica Kim

Korean actress Lee Da-hae [DBM Entertainment]

Korean actress Lee Da-hae will be making her big screen debut in an upcoming historical movie, according to the movie's producer Sang Sang Entertainment on Thursday.

A press release from Sang Sang announced that Lee will play the female lead named Ara in the film "Song of Springs," based on the novel of the same name written by novelist Kim Hoon, opposite Lee Sung-jae and Ahn Sung-ki.

"Springs" will be helmed by famed director Joo Kyeong-joong, who won best director at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for "A Little Monk."

"Springs" has already been sold to Japan and China after garnering attention for Japanese producer Satoru Iseki taking part in the overseas distribution and marketing for the film.

Lee has appeared in several dramas since her debut in 2001. Her most notable works include her role in "Lotus Flower Fairy" and rose to stardom in Korea and throughout Asia with "My Girl."

She recently played the lead female role alongside Korean actors Jang Hyuk and Oh Ji-ho in the hit KBS historical drama "The Slave Hunters" which recorded viewership ratings in the high 30 percent range.

Filming for "Song of Springs" will begin in the summer and the premiere date has been set for around the summer of next year.

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

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June 24, 2010

Lee Jun-ki to star in military musical

Reporter : Lynn Kim Editor : Jessica Kim

Official poster for military musical production "Voyage of Life" [tentative title] starring Lee Jun-ki. [Ministry of National Defense and Korea Musical Theatre Association]

Korean actor Lee Jun-ki, who is currently serving in the military, has been cast in an upcoming musical production tentatively titled "Voyage of Life," according to a press release by the show's PR manager on Thursday.

"Life," co-produced by the Ministry of National Defense and Korea Musical Theatre Association, is a special production commemorating the Korean War. Cast members include current military officers and several Korean actors serving in the army including Lee, Joo Ji-hoon and Kim Da-hyun.

The story was inspired by two real-life incidents that occurred during the Korean War -- the Jangjin battle, considered one of the most horrific defeats during the War, and Heungnam Evacuation Operation, where 14,000 refugees were rescued by a cargo ship.

"Life" will be helmed by noted musical director Kwon Ho-sung with legendary musical producer Yun Ho-jin as chief executive director.

Lee Jun-ki, who shot to fame after starring in the 2005 hit film "The King and the Clown," entered the military on May 3 after he was notified by the government to report to the military. At the time, he tried to defer his entrance date in order to finish up shooting for film "Grand Prix" and upcoming blockbuster TV series "Faith," but eventually pulled out from both projects when he was unable to do so.

He has been serving his mandatory two-year military duties at Korea's Defense Media Agency.

"Life" will run at the National Theater of Korea from August 21 to August 29.

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

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June 24, 2010

E Ji-ah graces cover of both Korea and China CeCi

Reporter : Lucia Hong Editor : Jessica Kim

Korean actress E Ji-ah on the cover of fashion magazine CeCi [CeCi]

Korean actress E Ji-ah has simultaneously graced the cover of the July issue of a fashion magazine in Korea and China, according to a press release from KEYEAST on Thursday.

KEYEAST announced in a press release that the July issue of CeCi and CeCi China both featured E on the cover page of the magazine as well as a photo spread inside.

A representative who was on site of the shoot said, "It's a rare occasion that the magazine featuring the same star is sold in both Korea and China at the same time. This shows that E is popular in the greater China region as an rising Hallyu star."

The photo spread shows E in everyday settings, without being dolled up and in comfortable clothing. The July issue with E on the cover, which went on sale last Sunday in Korea, has hit the stands of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and 40 other cities in China.

E, 29, made her debut in the 2007 historical epic "Four Gods" as Suzini, the love interest of Hallyu star Bae Yong-jun. She also appeared in the big screen with "My Love, Ugly Duckling" alongside actor Kang Ji-hwan. She is currently busy shooting "Athena," the spin-off to last year's hit blockbuster drama "IRIS" alongside Jung Woo-sung, Cha Seung-won and Soo-ae.

Photographs of Korean actress E Ji-ah featured in the July issue of CeCi [CeCi]

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

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June 24, 2010

Actors pose at "Love Request" press conference

Photographer : Park Sung-Ki Editor : Jessica Kim

From left, actors Han Go-eun, Yoo Seung-ho, Jeon Gwang-ryol, Ko Doo-shim, Han Go-eun, Park Shin-yang and Lee Sung-jae. [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

From left, actors Han Go-eun, Yoo Seung-ho, Jeon Gwang-ryol, Ko Doo-shim, Han Go-eun, Park Shin-yang and Lee Sung-jae pose at a press conference announcing that public network KBS will air a special series of its program "Love Request," held at the broadcaster's headquarters in Seoul, South Korea on June 24, 2010. KBS planned the special series to commemorate South Korea's hosting of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in November this year.

Actor Park Shin-yang poses at a press conference announcing that public network KBS will air a special series of its program "Love Request," held at the broadcaster's headquarters in Seoul, South Korea on June 24, 2010. KBS planned the special series to commemorate South Korea's hosting of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in November this year.

Actress Han Go-eun fixes her hair at a press conference announcing that public network KBS will air a special series of its program "Love Request," held at the broadcaster's headquarters in Seoul, South Korea on June 24, 2010. KBS planned the special series to commemorate South Korea's hosting of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in November this year.

Actress Han Go-eun poses during a photo session of a press conference announcing that public network KBS will air a special series of its program "Love Request," held at the broadcaster's headquarters in Seoul, South Korea on June 24, 2010. KBS planned the special series to commemorate South Korea's hosting of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in November this year.

From left, actress Han Eun-jung and actor Park Shin-yang talk to each other during a press conference announcing that public network KBS will air a special series of its program "Love Request," held at the broadcaster's headquarters in Seoul, South Korea on June 24, 2010. KBS planned the special series to commemorate South Korea's hosting of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in November this year.

Actress Han Eun-jung poses during a photo session of a press conference announcing that public network KBS will air a special series of its program "Love Request," held at the broadcaster's headquarters in Seoul, South Korea on June 24, 2010. KBS planned the special series to commemorate South Korea's hosting of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in November this year.

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

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June 24, 2010

Yoo Seung-ho hopes to continue charity work overseas

Reporter : Lim Hye-seon Editor : Lynn Kim

Korean actor Yoo Seung-ho [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Korean actor Yoo Seung-ho, who recently took part in his first charity work overseas, has said that he wants to continue helping people abroad.

The actor took part in a special series feature tentatively titled "The Grand Journey of Hope," which was organized by KBS TV's popular charity TV show "Love Request" to mark the upcoming G-20 summit in Seoul in November. "It was a good experience," the actor said at the show's press conference held at KBS headquarters in Seoul on Thursday. "But it was disappointing that I couldn't really do anything for them."

The 17-year-old actor had visited India and Sri Lanka, which had provided medical assistance to Korea during the Korean War.

He explained, "Many people were in pain because of the civil war. I met a child who had lost his parents and heard his story." "I didn't know what to do because it was my first time [overseas] and I don't think I was much of a help. If I get another opportunity to go overseas for charity, I am going to work harder," he added.

The "Hope" project was co-sponsored by KBS, KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) and ChildFund Korea.

An official at KBS explained that they produced the series because they want to "deliver love and hope to our neighbors in the world who are suffering from war, poverty and disease just as Korea had suffered sixty years ago."

Ten Korean celebrities, including Yoo, visited ten countries and took part in recording a charity compilation album as well as a photo exhibit. All proceeds from the album and the exhibition will be delivered to the ten countries.

The stars' charity trips will be featured on "Love Request" episodes, which encourages viewers to make donations by calling their number. With the donations, KBS and ChildFund Korea will build hospitals, schools and child care facilities in the countries and continue providing financial support.

Yoo Seung-ho rose to fame after starring in the 2002 hit film "The Way Home" and has since appeared in numerous television dramas and films. He was most recently seen in KBS2 TV series "Master of Study."

Yoo will be featured in the fourth episode of "Hope," which airs July 24 at 6:00 p.m.

Reporter : Lim Hye-seon lhsro@ Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

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June 24, 2010

'Barefoot Dream' fuels football fever

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff reporter

A scene from "A Barefoot Dream" by Kim Tae-kyun. The sports drama was inspired

by the true story of a South Korean footballer who discovers hope while coaching

East Timorese children. It is the first feature film to be screened at the U.N.

Headquarters in New York. / Courtesy of Showbox/Mediaplex

With South Korea set to compete Saturday in the World Cup round-16 match, the football fever here is hotter than ever.

A timely release is "A Barefoot Dream," about the so-called "Hiddink of Korea: that coaches penniless East Timorese children (named after the Dutchman who led the Taeguk Warriors to the 2002 World Cup semifinals).

Made with the support of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and having been the first ever feature film to be screened at the U.N., "Barefoot" is a solid, politically correct (and a bit sugar coated) sports movie that is all about the love of the game.

It showcases all the hallmarks of the classic underdog movie, with adrenaline-pumping sequences, but is also so much more. It is a humane tale about "jeong" or collective compassion that touches upon the timeless themes of hope and redemption while offering an incisive observation of a developing country.

Yet even for those who could care less about malnourished kids kicking ball in an obscure place, it offers lighthearted entertainment with mass appeal to audiences both near and far. Like any good movie, it transports viewers to a whole new time and space to meet some of the most endearing individuals. You might easily find yourself cheering for the boys as if watching a real match and feeling like you can taste the sultry air of the tropical island.

Kim Tae-kyun, who directed the North Korean refugee film "Crossing," again shows off his knack for filming dramatic stories in tough locations. But life is often stranger than fiction, and the story of Kim Shin-hwan, the footballer-turned-businessman who is now East Timor’s national hero, needs minimal dramatization _ though the lead actor Park Hee-soon ("Seven Days"), deserves much credit for bringing a vibrant, antiheroic character who has mastered the art of Konglish (Korean-style broken English).

Park stars as Won-kwang, a once promising football player who is now often taken for a conman after a string of failed business ventures. But this Don Quixote, albeit a rather greedy one eager for financial success, heads over to East Timor. It’s a land still recovering from civil war so roads and buildings need to be built, he thinks, which naturally equals money.

He has nothing to lose but is dismayed to realize that nothing awaits him in the small Southeast Asian country. Just as he is about to head back to the airport, however, he spots children playing football in the street.

Yet Won-kwang is no humanitarian who is inspired to volunteer to coach impoverished children; the sight of kids running around barefoot comes to him as a sign that there is a potential market for sports goods and he opens a store stocked with Nike footwear. But soon he realizes that there aren’t many people who can afford the $60 shoes. He thus decides to "lease" them to the kids, and have them pay a dollar a day over two months.

What began as a business deal, however, blooms into an opportunity of a lifetime for not only the children but first and foremost for Won-kwang. "Hope, deceitful as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route," once said Francois Duc de La Rochefoucauld, and our protagonist realizes that fortune and happiness are two different things as he forms a youth football team.

But teamwork is also far from easy; some of the boys, scarred by civil strife that claimed members of their family, are at one another’s throats. Collaborating in a team sport however paves the path for friendship and forgiveness similar to orchestra projects that has brought together youths from Palestine and Israel.

Meanwhile the team is given the chance to take part in an international tournament in Japan. What would be the first ever overseas event for the newly independent nation, however, entails many hurdles as the team cannot afford the flight fare. Would they be able to make their dreams come true?

The film features some of the most captivating performances by the children, who are members of Kim’s actual football team and East Timor’s first ever movie stars. Supporting characters played by Ko Chang-suk ("Rough Cut"), Kei Shimizu and Im Won-hee pepper the film with life and laughter. Xanana Gusmao, the actual East Timorese former president (now prime minister), also makes a special appearance as himself.

Source: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

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June 25, 2010

Director twists classic tale

Unlike the original folktale “The Story of Chun-hyang,” in which the heroine falls in love with an aristocrat, Chun-hyang (Jo Yeo-jeong), right, instead falls in love with a nobleman’s servant, Bang-ja (Kim Joo-hyeok), in the new movie “The Servant.” [JoongAng Ilbo]

Football season is regarded as the worst time to release new films because people are glued to the tube, not going to the cinema. But the new Korean film “Banjajeon,” or “The Servant,” which opened on June 2, has broken that widely held belief and has attracted more than two million moviegoers so far.

That’s a hard thing to achieve, especially without A-list actors. But The Servant, which puts a twist on the popular Korean folktale “The Story of Chun-hyang” has proven steamy enough to lure people away from the World Cup excitement.

In the original tale, Lee Mong-ryong, the son of a magistrate, falls in love with Chun-hyang, the daughter of a gisaeng courtesan, while on a visit to Namwon, North Jeolla. When Mong-ryong is called to Hanyang (today’s Seoul), leaving Chun-hyang behind, an official named Byeon Hak-do comes to town as the region’s new district manager. Ruthless and cold-blooded, Byeon wants to seduce Chun-hyang, but she resists because of her commitment to Mong-ryong. An enraged Byeon tortures Chun-hyang, but he is later punished by Mong-ryong, who has become a high-ranking official.

The movie turns this plot upside down as Chun-hyang falls in love with Bang-ja, Mong-ryong’s servant. Unlike the original folktale, Chun-hyang is an ambitious young lady who plays a game of love that ultimately pits Bang-ja against Mong-ryong.

Behind these plot twists is Kim Dae-woo, who wrote, produced and directed the film.

Kim, 48, made his directorial debut with the successful period film “Forbidden Quest” in 2006. The film tells the story of a man from the yangban class who writes pornographic novels. Since yangban members are generally depicted as rigid and morally superior, Forbidden Quest attracted quite a bit of attention when it opened.

Q. Why did you pick “The Story of Chun-hyang”?

A. I wanted to distort the naive ending of the folktale, in which the master, Mong-ryong, simply marries Chun-hyang. This happily-ever-after ending is biased, as it only represents the dreams of ordinary people. I wanted to make a movie about what happens when two men from opposing classes fall in love with the same girl - and The Story of Chun-hyang seemed like a perfect fit.

Kim Dae-woo

In the movie Bang-ja and Chun-hyang fall in love, but why aren’t they happy?

I wanted to define the movie with just one word - love. But love is a contradiction. In love, we experience the pull of conflict: competition and possession, love and hate, closeness and distance. That is the complexity of love.

Which character has changed the most from the original folktale?

That, of course, is Bang-ja. In the legend, Bang-ja is a submissive character. He doesn’t have the courage to tell Chun-hyang how he feels, but loves her, devotedly. By distorting the ending of the legend, and letting Bang-ja get the love of his life, I hoped to move the audience.

The supporting characters Byeon Hak-do (Song Sae-byeok) and the elderly man Ma (Oh Dal-soo) bring a lot of laughs to the movie.

I cast Song right after I saw him in the movie “Mother.” As I expected, he mastered his character’s multiple personalities. Both actors are very talented at interpreting scripts.

Many have said that Jo Yeo-jeong’s beauty went unnoticed until this movie.

That has been a delightful comment for me, as a director, to hear. If a nude scene just stirs up the media, then the director is at fault. In this movie, the image of Jo and the character of Chun-hyang share many qualities - both are small but bright, brave yet cruel.

Do you think the outrageous nude scene helped make the film a box-office hit?

Well, it certainly didn’t hurt. Nude scenes are difficult for both the actors and the director. I don’t require the actors to do a nude scene “beautifully,” because a nude scene isn’t just a love scene - it is also an action shot. Therefore, I demonstrate the scene to them as I envision it, everything from the sound to the positions. At first, everyone laughed, but then they took it seriously. Nude scenes are really some of the most difficult to film - it’s like shooting a scene in a forest, in a hurricane, where 1,000 lions battle 100 elephants. [Laughs.]

By Ki Sun-min [estyle@joongang.co.kr] joongangdaily.com

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June 25, 2010

Actress Kim Jung-eun poses at the opening ceremony of the Mise-en-Scene Short Film Festival in Seoul on Thursday.

Uhm Jung-hwa

Kim Min-hee

Song Seung-hun

Directors Bong Jun-ho (left) and Park Chan-wook

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

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June 25, 2010

[iNTERVIEW] Kwon Sang-woo - Part 1 -2

Photographer : Chae ki-won Editor : Lee Ji-Hye Editor : Jessica Kim

Kwon Sang-woo [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

Kwon Sang-woo is back to wearing a school uniform. He who placed films "My Tutor Friend" and "The Spirit of Jeet Kun Do" atop the local box office with roles as a high school student, is back as a student soldier full of rebelliousness in "71 Into the Fire" about the Korean War. Now a father of a son, a school uniform might have not been the right character for him to play. But in "Fire," based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought against one of the most elite troops of the North Korean army, Kwon's eyes and expressions are the very eyes and expressions of a student soldier full of vehemence. The wailing directed to the oppressive system of Korean high schools that his character Hyun-soo let out in "Jeet Kun Do," has taken on an intensity that goes between life and death to save his country and his colleagues. 10Asia sat down to speak with Kwon who says the sacrifices the student soldiers made was "noble and heartbreaking."

10: How did you feel after the first press screening for the movie?

Kwon Sang-woo: It's honestly up to the heavens to decide whether something will make it big or not. But I have faith that it won't turn a blind eye on us. (laugh) I like the emotions that films contain. The death of the student soldiers will touch your heart as you go towards the end.

10: Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P) seemed to cry a lot while watching the movie.

Kwon: Yes, he cried quite a lot. (laugh) But I understand how he feels because "71 Into the Fire" is his first film. I think I knew nothing either when I was his age. How the tears flowed after I shot my last action scene in "Spirit of Jeet Kun Do." I think that might be what he felt.

10: I heard you had a hard time with the filming because it was so cold this winter.

Kwon: We shot from last November to early April and it was so cold. When we shot the scene in the field of reeds, the wind was so strong that our tent flew away. And we'd feel heavy because we'd be wearing two sets of long johns each while sweating at the same time so it was quite tough.

10: Do you think that once again, the film will do well because you're wearing a school uniform for your role? It's happened everytime so far. And are you not concerned, as an actor, that your character will become fixed in such a way?

Kwon: I think people see me in that way because the movies I've worn school uniforms in have always been successful. I don't know, maybe I should star in movies where I wear a school uniform all the time. (laugh)

10: Let's talk about the movie. Student soldier Koo Gap-jo is a rebellious person but gradually changes.

Kwon: You can consider Choi's character as the narrator of the film and the one-dimensional main character while Koo is the character who is led by his own emotions when the main incident of the movie starts. He goes through very strong emotional ups and downs and I paid a lot of attention to it because he's an important character to the film. You can take it that the film actually starts when he loses his friend and goes crazy.

10: Your character Koo Gap-jo takes charge of the other student soldiers with his physical strength. Were you ever similar to him in any way when you were younger?

Kwon: I had fun but I never stepped out of line. I was goofy but I was classy about the things I did. (laugh) I also studied enough while fighting and goofing off to the extent that it would go unnoticed. I was famous for being the strongest guy in our school up till elementary school but the kids started growing really fast in middle school... they grew very tall and that's when I started getting beat up a lot. (laugh)

10: Then it must have significance to you in doing a movie in a school setting with such memories about your schooldays.

Kwon: It does have significance. "Jeet Kun Do" had significance to me in that I played a role in a school which is the miniature version of society and "Fire" too because I had to play the role of a student soldier who sacrifices his life for his country and embrace a much larger society -- namely North and South Korea.

10: The emotions between Oh Jang-beom (played by Choi Seung-hyun) and Koo Gap-jo (Kwon Sang-woo) change in the final scene when they fight against the North Korean army.

Kwon: I considered that scene to be the most important because it introduces Koo's background. It is where the one of the larger themes emerges -- that he wasn't a student but he was happy to be one after volunteering for it to save his country. That was the saddest moment for me and it really touched my heart. I personally think the scene itself was played out better than it was written in the scenario. I think the acting, expression and emotions were all expressed well.

10: Is that what attracted you to "Fire"?

Kwon: I wouldn't have done it if it was a typical war movie. It was refreshing in that it was about student soldiers and their death was noble and heartbreaking. I think that's what differentiated it the most. Those who have never used a gun before have to shoot them and they face off the North Korean People's Army with eggs. I think that's the strength of our film. It may come off as a blockbuster because of the large budget that went into it but it's actually a story-oriented film. The story was what attracted me rather than the visuals that would go into it.

Kwon Sang-woo [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

10: I understand that you communicated with director Lee Jae-han in many ways too.

Kwon: I think it becomes difficult when the actor has to play a character which does not suit him and when he does not understand the movie. The reason I was able to have fun shooting this film although it was tough was because I suited me well. It seemed that the director judged that my idea of my character fit his idea of the character.

10: Were you not bored on set because it was all guys?

Kwon: No. It was actually more fun because it was just guys. There were many characters and my senior actors were a lot of fun too -- I had a lot of fun. And the city we were shooting in was small so eating and having a drink was our source of pleasure. With Cha Seung-won, we would look over what has been shot, tell each other what's good and also talk about things other than the movie. It's disappointing that we don't get to see each other much after returning to Seoul.

10: I think you'd feel different about wars after shooting a war movie.

Kwon: I took part in a war in simulation through a movie but it's something that shouldn't happen in real life. I went to the Hiroshima war museum in Japan and what I saw was horrendous. Wars these days are not like back in the days and like what happened during the Korean War. It moved my heart to see that such young people were sacrificed and I think young people these days would do the same if they were put in the same situation. I think patriotism is an emotion that everyone has in a corner of their heart. I think a lot of people will watch the movie because it'll stir that emotion.

10: You were told at the screening at Stanford University that you resemble James Dean when your character smokes.

Kwon: I actually can't smoke. And I told myself that I would never smoke again after having to in this film. (laugh) I don't smoke it in the first place for my health. But I'm grateful to hear that I look like James Dean. (laugh)

10: Actors refer to a lot of information to focus on their characters. Is there any information in particular that you looked into regarding student soldiers?

Kwon: I think such things don't help. It's important to have emotions and feeling. I think acting is a plan that you set up within yourself. And it has to work well. You're the one that has to work and it's important how you approach and focus on what's in the scenario.

10: You must be under a different determination with your son Rookie coming into the world.

Kwon: I really missed him when we were filming. But it was the thoughts about him that helped me to shoot the movie. It's an emotion that only people who have married and have had a child before can understand. The feeling that I'll be able to sacrifice for him if I'm in an extreme situation. I feel no different in how I engage but I do want to do a good job and show it to Rookie.

10: You must've gone through a lot of distress too because there was so much talk surrounding your marriage.

Kwon: It hasn't shaken me up enough to call it distressing. What did we do wrong? All we did was marry because we loved each other. We didn't commit a crime. I don't care about what's on the Internet either. My happiness comes from going home and spending time with my mom, wife and son Rookie. (laugh)

10: Is there a way in which you overcome slumps?

Kwon: I don't think there is a particular time that one experiences slumps but that it's rather dependent on the success or failure of a movie or drama role. A slump is something that you cannot shake off nor erase from your memory. We live in a cold-hearted world and I was in a slump these past few years because none of my productions did well. Actors can't help paying attention to such things. The movies or dramas that didn't do well, didn't do well for several reasons and I think I should be more careful in making selections now in order to avoid making the same mistake again. Things have not been going so great for me so this one has to do well. (laugh)

10: The audience are also looking forward to you playing a role again in a romantic comedy film like "My Tutor Friend."

Kwon: I think there's a timing for those. And I think they're not in these days but I do want to do one again if there's a good scenario. And I think I'd do well at it too. There are so many things that I still want to do. I want to also try doing a sad comedy and a sad love story.

10: What sort of actor do you want to be remembered as by people?

Kwon: I hope I'm remembered as an actor whose work the audience looks forward to rather than an actor who acts well. I think that's what I need to hear for now.

Reporter: Won Sung-yoon Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@ Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@, Lee Ji-Hye seven@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia 1 l 2 l 3 l 4

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June 25, 2010

[iNTERVIEW] Um Ki-joon Man of Vendetta

Reporter : Jang Kyung-Jin Photographer : Lee Jin-hyuk Editor : Jessica Kim

Um Ki-joon [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

He caught a cold for the first time in ten years. He got a nosebleed on the last day of the show for musical "Monte Cristo" and does six interviews a day. He has 15-year acting career with scores of musical numbers under his belt but he recently jumped into films, a new sphere of acting he has never taken on before, and is experiencing everything from scratch. 10Asia sat down with Um Ki-joon, who after 21 musicals, four plays and eight dramas, has taken on his first big screen role in "Man of Vendetta."

10: I understand that you're not the type that usually does a lot of interviews so you must be extremely busy with promoting your movie. It must be your first time experiencing this as much as this is your first movie.

Um Ki-joon: Yes. I had heard there would be 'many' but I didn't know it would be like this. When I went to the press conference for "The World That They Live In," questions were mostly directed to Hyun Bin and Song Hye-kyo so I had just sat there quietly...... I've done 15 interviews so far and will do another six tomorrow. I'm thinking of minor roles from now on. (laugh)

10: It's been exactly a year since you last said that you want to do movies that "Man of Vendetta" is coming out.

Um: I got the scenario for it by the time "The World That They Live In" was wrapping up and I told them that I'm interested but there was no talk of it after that for a while. And then it was around the time I was doing TV series "Heroes" that CEO Jeong Hoon-tak made a decision. But just because he agreed to making it, it didn't mean that the director and producer had also agreed to it. (laugh) It was while I was doing musical "Killer Jack" that I met the director for the first time. So I waited exactly a year for the movie to happen.

10: I thought it had all been planned out but it looks like you were waiting on it the whole time. (laugh) Why did you want to do this movie so badly?

Um: I'm still in the position where I have to be chosen. (laugh) The most fundamental criteria I look at when choosing a movie or drama is the character. I also tend to choose to play characters that I have never played before and my character as Byung-chul in "Vendetta" is the very example of such a case. For the longest time, I've also had a yearning to play a role like Gary Oldman's in "Leon." I was able to reenact the role of a psychopath serial killer based on my imagination because he is someone who you rarely get to experience in life, even indirectly.

10: But throughout the movie, it was a bit disappointing to see that your character was a big fragmentary. The roles you had played so far always had a story of their own.

Um: I actually used to say I wouldn't do roles that don't have their own stories but my character in this film doesn't need one. It actually becomes more risky for him to have a story if you take the entire film into consideration. I think it's more clean cut the way it is right now. And I personally believe that it's up to the audience to come up with a story for the characters.

10: It must've not been easy rehearsing for musical "Monte Cristo" because it overlapped with the filming for "Vendetta." I heard you even had a nosebleed on the last show in Seoul.

Um: I think I caught a cold for the first time in 10 years. I was waiting for my cue on the last show and I felt my nose run so I wiped it, seeing it was red. Everybody ran to me, pressing my nose and blocking it. It was really hard trying to inhale it while singing and performing.

10: You had mostly performed in small or medium sized musicals for ten years and did big musicals starting in 2009. Are there any technical difficulties to that?

Um: I've done three grand-scale musicals and of them, "Monte Cristo" was the hardest. With "The Three Musketeers," my character wasn't too expressive so it was relatively okay but the songs were difficult and expressions very detailed with "Monte Cristo." And it was even harder to relay those emotions to the third floor. I had to express myself well enough for a grand theater performance but I found my concentration breaking while trying to do that. My character had to express detailed emotions through his lines and reactions in "Monte Cristo" so it's impossible to do that just though my movements. So "Monte Cristo" was a musical that has a limit to how much emotion can be delivered when shown in a large theater.

10: That is why some people say it is best to watch performances you are in sitting in the first row. But this also means that you're not suitable for the large theater.

Um: Emotional expression comes through the slightest look, expression and vocal tone of an actor but from the third floor, one will probably be only to hear that actor's voice. And it's not like you can set up a screen... Well, I guess it wouldn't be bad. If they got my bust shot on cameras on both sides of me, my tiny head would look big. Oh, but then they'd notice every mistake I make. (laugh)

10: That's why you're actually better for the small or big screen. At the same time though, it must've not been easy to start from the bottom in a new area after having been quite the ticket seller on the musical stage.

Um: I'm better for the small theaters than large theaters and I think that's why it was easier to act in front of the camera. During my earlier experiences of going on the small screen, I was told that I adjust very quickly. I tried really hard so that I wouldn't get cut. (laugh)

10: What kind of efforts did you put in?

Um: I said to musical actor Oh Man-suk that we must survive. And you can only do that by being talented so I did as much watching as I could. Even on days that I didn't have shoots, I would go on set and keep watching and I tried hard to become close with the crew. More than anything, you have to quickly learn what it is to act within an angle. But us actors can't help being quick at it. Things become hard if you're slow.

10: You played the bad guy in this film. And I'm sure there are many more characters you want to play because you're very avaricious.

Um: I want to try a cheerful romantic comedy for the big screen and a special agent on the small screen. Like a policeman or public official who is high on drugs. I want to do something related to drugs. (laugh)

10: It's such an out-of-the-ordinary character.

Um: I think something builds up inside of me, the larger the variety is to the characters I play, and I think that's what has gotten me where I am so far with acting. I know I should be able to do normal acting too but I think that's actually harder. That's why I think I should train myself with strong characters and then try playing ordinary roles. I still need to improve on my acting for the time being so I can't do those roles or the audience will be able to tell that I'm acting. (laugh)

10: It seems that your way of thinking is still focused on one's acting skills.

Um: I think everything will become better once my acting improves. Acting is also the only thing that I know how to do and can do. If I was not able to act for some reason starting now? I might commit suicide.

10: But don't you have not enough time to look around if you focus on one thing so much?

Um: That's why there is so much I don't know. I don't know slang or pop songs. And I don't know the existence of other dramas. that's why I talk a lot with my manager in the car. (laugh)

10: You said you want to do "Jekyll & Hyde" when you turn 35. You're 35 this year.

Um: I said I would do it this year but they didn't ask me to. I think Mr. Shin Choon-soo still considers me as a young boy because he let me appear in a musical when I was very young. (laugh) I'll be doing a play called "Closer" from July to September and I've been begging to be given a role in a drama that I really want to do. (laugh) If I can't do the drama, I'll take a break. I like the sea and swimming so if I have to take a short break, I'll go to the East Sea and if I can take a long break, I'm planning on going to Thailand. I heard the South Sea is nice too but I have to drive there myself so it can't be too far away. (laugh)

Reporter : Jang Kyung-Jin three@ Photographer : Lee Jin-hyuk eleven@ Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia 1 l 2 l 3

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June 25, 2010

Kwon Sang-woo indicted for hit-and-run accident 2 weeks ago

Reporter : Ko Jae-wan Editor : Lynn Kim

Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo [Asia Economic Daily]

The police have booked Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo without physical detention for a hit-and-run accident that happened two weeks ago.

According to Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Thursday, the actor had been driving on the wrong side of the road near Cheongdam-dong on June 12, around 2:55 a.m. and collided into a parked car when he was discovered by the police.

He then ran his car into the police vehicle trying to back out from the collision and drove away for about 300 meters before hitting a flowerbed. He abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene.

Kwon showed up at the police station two days later and underwent investigation for the accident.

He reportedly told the authorities, "The police car was following me and I got scared... I was not drunk driving." He was only charged for the hit-and-run since the police could not check his alcohol level at the time of the accident.

Meanwhile, Kwon's agency released a press release on Friday, explaining that Kwon's car had "slipped in the rain and collided into a parked car" and ran into the police vehicle while he was backing up his car to take necessary means to take care of the accident.

Kwon was trying to park his car in front of the wedding hall where the accident occurred, but hit a flowerbed in the parking lot. He then panicked and left the scene, but a source close to Kwon later showed up and admitted the accident.

The agency added that Kwon is "deeply regretting his mistake due to poor driving and his leaving the scene."

Kwon has starred in several notable television dramas and films including "My Tutor Friend" (2003) and "Love, So Divine" (2004). His most famous role to date however, was in the 2003 TV series "Stairway to Heaven", which co-starred another Hallyu star Choi Ji-woo and became a smash hit throughout Asia.

He currently stars in the film "71 - Into The Fire," which is based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought during the Korean War.

Reporter : Ko Jae-wan star@ Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

[Grace1003]

Korean Football Legend Cha Bum Geun Praises Yoon Eun Hye

June 23, 2010 in News by CDBloom

On June 22, Korean football/soccer legend Cha Bum Geun surprised netizens when he revealed his acquaintance with Yoon Eun Hye. He then revealed an episode with Yoon Eun Hye to the fans in his Q&A section on social network, me2day.net.

Cha Bum Geun is the greatest Korean football/soccer legend, as he was the first Korean to play overseas and dominate the German league when the league was considered the best in the world. He also served previously as the manager of the Korean World Cup team. His son, Cha Du Ri is also one of the most popular players on the current World Cup team.

Cha Bum Geun, who manages in the Korean Football League, currently works as the popular analyst for the 2010 World Cup. He was recently asked by many fans regarding his ability to talk and relate to the younger generation. He stated that he is able to talk and relate to young people because he enjoys interacting with his children’s friends.

One of Sae Jjie’s friend is Yoon Eun Hye’s younger brother. His name is Bahn Seok and he virtually lived at our house. One day, we were watching a loud awards ceremony when my wife gave me a number and asked me to make a call. But my cell phone wouldn’t work so I asked what this was all about. Ban Seok who was next to me said his sister has to win an award and they were also voting by ARS. My entire family sat there trying to make the phone call, but we weren’t able to get the vote through.

Later when Du Ri was getting married, we got a letter from Yoon Eun Hye. She thanked us for being so kind to her brother. She even gave us lots of congratulatory money.

I was told that she’s only two years older than my youngest child, but isn’t she very considerate and proper?

My wife was very moved and touched by the letter. She still has that letter kept in the family housekeeping account book. And she praises Yoon Eun Hye, whenever she sees or hears about her.

[ Sae Jjie and Du Ri are Cha Bum Geun's sons. ARS is just an automated phone voting system. Congratulatory money is given at weddings to help with the expenses of starting a new family, since Korea's housing costs are very high. ]

Source: me2day.net

http://yooneunhye.ne...s-yoon-eun-hye/

[rubie]

June 25, 2010

Kim Min-joung, Yoo Seung-ho to promote Chungmuro film fest

Reporter : Ko Jae-wan Editor : Lucia Hong

Korean actress Kim Min-joung (left) and actor Yoo Seung-woo (right) [Chungmuro International Film Fsetival]

Korean stars Kim Min-joung and Yoo Seung-ho have been selected as publicity ambassadors for the 4th annual Chungmuro International Film Festival in Seoul (CHIFFS).

"These two actors are adored by the public because they have solid acting skills and familiarity," explained chairman of CHIFFS Kim Soo-yong. "Their classic looks and modern sensibility fit the image of the film festival."

The Chungmuro International Film Festival, known as one of the biggest international film events in Seoul, introduces the audience to contemporary films based on the theme of ‘Discovery, Restoration and Creation.’ "I am honored to be able to work as the publicity ambassador of CHIFFS because Chungmuro is the symbol of films and it represents Korea," Kim was quoted as saying.

Yoo also expressed his gratitude, saying "I am happy just thinking about watching all the good films with the audience. I will work hard to promote the Chungmuro International Film Festival." Last year, Kim and Yoo were voted two of the top ten child stars who have successfully transitioned into adult actors. Yoo was ranked No.1 in the survey, followed by Kim at No.3.

Kim, 28, made her debut in 1990 in a MBC series special and since starred in numerous dramas and movies. Her most notable roles on the small screen include "Wedding Dress," "KAIST," "Stranger Than Paradise" and "New Heart." She also appeared in movies such as "Kid Cop," "Flying Boys" and "The Scam."

Yoo, 18, rose to fame after his role in the 2002 hit film "The Way Home." He has appeared in a score of dramas and movies including "Queen Seon-deok," "The Story of the First King's Four Gods" and recently in the KBS2 TV series "Master of Study."

CHIFFS will be held in Seoul from September 2 to September 10.

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

[rubie]

June 25, 2010

Kwon Sang-woo slapped with hit-and-run charge

Actor Kwon Sang-woo has been booked without detention for fleeing the scene of an accident after hitting a police car and a parked vehicle, according to Gangnam Police Station on Thursday.

Kwon bumped into the front of a parked Genesis around 2:55 a.m. on June 12 while driving his Cadillac in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, said the police. Kwon then reversed the car, only to hit a police car which was approaching Kwon from behind. He then hit a tree in a nearby parking lot. Kwon finally fled on foot.

Kwon appeared at the Gangnam Police Station on June 14, two days after the incident. He was booked on a hit-and-run charge as it was too late to measure his blood-alcohol level.

Sohn Tae-young (left) poses at the ESCADA 2010 F/W

Collection fashion show in Cheongdam-dong on Thursday,

the day her actor husband Kwon Sang-woo (right) was booked

for hit-and-run charges. Yonhap News

Kwon is said to have told the police that he fled because he was frightened to have been in an accident and to see that a police car was following him. The police sent the case to the prosecutor’s office on Wednesday.

On Friday, Kwon’s agent said the accident was due to inexperienced driving and that Kwon deeply regrets his actions. The agent, however, did not comment on suspicions Kwon may have fled the scene because he was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Kwon’s accident is expected to affect his latest movie “Into the Fire,” which was released on June 16, and the television drama “Dae Mul,” with which Kwon is planning to make a comeback on the small screen.

“Into the Fire” producers and Kwon’s agent said that Kwon will be excluded from the nationwide promotion tours for the time being, while the “Dae Mul” team said that there will be no changes in Kwon’s schedule. The new drama is scheduled to start shooting early next month.

Meanwhile, Kwon’s wife, actress Sohn Tae-young, appeared at an ESCADA fashion show at the brand’s flagship store in Cheongdam-dong on the day Kwon was booked.

By Park Min-young (claire@heraldm.com) koreaherald.com

Actor Kwon Sang-woo booked for hit-and-run

By Bae Ji-sook

Staff reporter

Actor Kwon Sang-woo was booked Thursday for an alleged hit-and-run. The star went to the police station two days after the initial accident.

According to officials at the Seoul Central Public Prosecutors' Office, Kwon was driving in southern Seoul early in the morning of June 12 and hit a parked car.

He did not stop, but instead tried to flee the scene only to hit another car- this time a patrol car. He drove for a further 300 meters, ignoring orders from the police to stop, then hit a tree in a parking lot nearby. He left his car and ran off.

Kwon showed up on June 14 at the Gangnam Police Station. He reportedly asked for leniency saying he was embarrassed by being chased by a police vehicle.

Since two days had passed, the investigators were unable to conduct a sobriety test. The actor denied driving under the influence of alcohol and the case was passed to the prosecution on fleeing the scene of an accident charges only.

Kwon's agent said Thursday that the actor was deeply remorseful. "Kwon's car skidded in the rain and hit a car parked nearby. He was trying to reverse to look at the damage but made matters worse by hitting a patrol car. He tried to park his car at a nearby parking lot to talk to the police officers. But when he hit the trees, he panicked and left the scene," his agency said.

"We immediately visited the scene, admitted wrongdoing and took over the questioning process. Kwon deeply regrets his immature driving skills and running away."

Kwon is now on a nationwide promotion tour for his newest flick "71- Into the Fire." He is also signed up to star in a TV drama later this year.

Source: bjs@koreatimes.co.kr

[rubie]

June 25, 2010

[REVIEW] TV series "Road No.1" - Premiere episode

Editor : Lynn Kim

A scene from TV series "Road No.1" [MBC]

"Road No.1" - Premiere episode (MBC TV, 9:55 PM)

The blood of a fellow soldier runs beside a man who has survived death by a thread. The shaking hand which will never be able to paint again. The look in the eye of a betrayed man who leaves the woman he loves in the fire. The wheeled cannon tank approaching the two men, who face a war before battling each other over one woman. These are several scenes that sum up the premiere episode of TV series "Road No.1."

Instead of explaining the story or describing the situations, "Road No.1" reveals emotions among the characters and their circumstances with short dialogue and images of certain moments. The love between Soo-yeon (played by Kim Ha-neul), the daughter of the master, and Jang-woo (played by So Ji-sub), the son of the servant, begins during their childhood as something of a compassion. Over the years, it changes into a heated passion that cannot be cooled by a shower of rain.

However, "Road No.1" omits showing viewers the process of their changing emotions and only shows their happy, shining days together and painful moments of the breakup. It is definitely unkind to play out the story like this, going onto the next phase of the story without providing ample explanation of the previous. But in a drama where the melodramatic structure between characters Jang-woo, Soo-yeon and Tae-ho (played by Yoon Kye-sang) has to be set up before the war breaks out and breaks up the three characters, perhaps such storytelling was absolutely necessary. The relationship between Jang-woo and Tae-ho, who had displayed subtle tension after only meeting three or four times, will be a key element in not turning the melodrama of "Road No.1" into a cliche.

And what is left now in the show is the war. Will the war in "Road No.1" merely be a collection of spectacles and the setting of its melodrama? Or will it be a 'real' war of people who had lived and are still living in this land, which had the Korean War only sixty years ago and makes the experience all the more painful? It will be all right to wait and see how it turns out. Because the war in "Road No.1" has just begun.

- Written by Yoonina (TV critic)

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

[rubie]

June 25, 2010

Lee Byung-hun to appear in US morning talk show

By Ines Min

Staff reporter

Hallyu star Lee Byung-hun

Korean hallyu star Lee Byung-hun will be making an appearance on "Good Morning America," one of the U.S.' most watched news programs, it was announced this week.

The ABC Network show is preparing a special production in commemoration of the 60th anniversary since the outbreak of the Korean War (1950-53). "Long War" will focus on the rapid development of the country over the past six decades, featuring interviews with Lee Byung-hun, President Lee Myung-bak and Doosan President Park Yong-man to cover culture, politics and the economy, respectively.

Lee met with the program heads last week in Gangnam, southern Seoul, to discuss his rise to leading-role Hollywood blockbuster fame. They compared his success to that of the "Miracle on the Han," a term used for the exponential economic growth of the country.

The 39-year-old actor played Storm Shadow in the 2009 "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" film with a reprisal role in the sequel. He recently completed filming for his next movie "I Saw the Devil," which will be released this summer.

The broadcast date of the special has not been announced.

Source: inesmin@koreatimes.co.kr

June 28, 2010

Lee Byung Hun to Appear on "Good Morning America" on ABC TV

Star actor Lee Byung Hun will appear on American ABC TV's leading program "Good Morning America," his agency said on June 23.

According to the spokesperson for his agency, ABC TV is planning to produce a special program to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War entitled "Long War," which is to introduce Korea's development and changes after the Korean War, and the program will contain interviews with people representing Korea's politics, economy, and culture.

Lee Byung Hun was selected as the person who represents Korean culture and finished filming the interview in Seoul on June 12.

The spokesperson also said, "When the ABC program interviewed Lee, they focused on his achievement of becoming popular in Asian countries as a person who came from a small country and who has become a major actor in Hollywood blockbuster films." The program's broadcasting date has not yet been decided.

Lee Byung Hun can soon be seen in his new movie, "I Saw The Devil," which will be released soon, and he will also appear in the Hollywood blockbuster "GI Joe 2."

Source: KBS Global

[rubie]

June 26, 2010

Actress Ku Hye-sun throws a ball before the opening of a baseball match between Doosan Bears and Kia Tigers at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on Friday.

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

[rubie]

June 28, 2010

Jang Keun-suk holds Japan fan meeting with Park Shin-hye

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc Editor : Lynn Kim

Korean actors Jang Keun-suk (right) and Park Shin-hye at their Japan fan meeting on June 26, 2010. [Market Insight]

Korean actors Jang Keun-suk and Park Shin-hye, who starred in the hit TV series "Minamishineyo," held a sold-out fan meeting in Japan over the weekend, according to the show's PR manager Man Insight.

The two actors met with some 4,000 Japanese fans at the fan meeting, held at Tokyo's C.C Lemon Hall on June 26, Man Insight said in a press release.

The fan event, held twice at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., was organized by major Japanese entertainment agency AVEX. Tickets for the two shows reportedly sold out in five minutes.

"'Minamishineyo' is very popular among young fans in Japan," an executive at AVEX was quoted as saying. "It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say there hasn't been a Hallyu drama that has caused this much craze in several years."

The series, which was first introduced in Japan through Hallyu-exclusive cable channel KNTV, will air on Fuji TV as part of the "Hallyu Alpha Summer Festival" starting July 20.

Jang, 23, has appeared in several notable television dramas and films including "Beethoven Virus" (MBC, 2008) and "The Case of Itaewon Homicide" (2009).

He became a phenomenon in Korea and throughout Asia after starring in the hit TV series "Minamishineyo" (SBS, 2009), in which he portrayed an eccentric lead singer of idol group A.N.JELL.

Korean actors Jang Keun-suk (right) and Park Shin-hye performing at their Japan fan meeting on June 26, 2010. [Market Insight]

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@ Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

[rubie]

June 28, 2010

Kwon Sang-woo likely to receive fine for car accident

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc Editor : Jessica Kim

Kwon Sang-woo [Asia Economic Daily]

Actor Kwon Sang-woo, who was belatedly known to have been indicted on charges of fleeing after colliding his car into several vehicles more than two weeks ago, is expected to receive a fine for the incident.

"There is a high possibility the case will be closed with Kwon receiving just a fine," an official at Seoul's Gangnam Police Station told Asia Economic Daily over the phone on Sunday, saying that the case was turned over to prosecutors as an incident in which Kwon did not take immediate action for the damage he inflicted.

The case was originally reported to be a hit-and-run but the official explained there were no casualties involved and damage was done only to property such as objects and vehicles.

Earlier, police had also stated that Kwon had been driving on the wrong side of a road in the posh affluent Cheongdam district before the accident occurred but the official said "there was some exaggeration" and that the actor rather had crossed over a centerline to turn into an alley.

Confusion ran throughout the country last week when news broke out that Kwon, also one of the most popular Korean actors in Japan, had been involved in an alleged hit-and-run.

Police had said he had collided into a parked car when police discovered him driving on the wrong side of the road, then ran his car into the police vehicle trying to back out from the collision, and drove away for about 300 meters before hitting a flowerbed.

He abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene, showing up at the police station two days later to undergo investigation for the incident.

Kwon's agency explained through a press release on Friday that the actor's car had "slipped in the rain and collided into a parked car," running into the police vehicle while he was backing up his car to take necessary means to take care of the accident.

Kwon then tried to park his car in front of a wedding hall where the accident occurred, but hit a flowerbed in the parking lot. He panicked and left the scene, but a source close to Kwon later showed up and admitted to the accident.

The agency added that Kwon is "deeply regretting his mistake due to poor driving and his leaving the scene."

Kwon has starred in several notable television dramas and films including "My Tutor Friend" (2003) and "Love, So Divine" (2004).

His most famous role to date however, was in the 2003 TV series "Stairway to Heaven", which co-starred another Hallyu star Choi Ji-woo and became a smash hit throughout Asia.

He currently stars in the film "71 - Into The Fire," which is based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought during the Korean War.

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@ Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

Kwon Sang-woo to stay on TV series "Big Thing"

Reporter : Park So-yoen Editor : Jessica Kim

Actor Kwon Sang-woo [Asia Economic Daily]

Despite speculation that actor Kwon Sang-woo will pull out from his upcoming TV series tentatively titled "Big Thing" after coming under fire for colliding his car into several vehicles and then leaving the scene, producers have reaffirmed their position to keep the actor on the show.

"Kwon Sang-woo will not step down [from the show] -- it is our CEO's conviction that we will go with whoever we decided on in the first place," an official with producer Lee Kim Productions told Asia Economic Daily over the phone on Monday.

Kwon had taken the country by surprise last week when he was belatedly known to have been indicted on charges of fleeing after colliding his car into several vehicles, including a police car, more than two weeks ago.

Police had originally reported the case as a hit-and-run but is said to have turned over the case to prosecutors as an incident in which Kwon did not take immediate action for the damage he inflicted since there were no casualties involved and damage was done only to property.

Top Korean actress Ko Hyun-jung, who will play the heroine of the series, was said to have signed onto the show on the condition that Kwon will play the male lead.

"Big," based on a comic book series, is about a first-class gigolo played by Kwon, who helps a human rights lawyer played by Ko, to achieve her dream of becoming Korea's first female president.

The show, set to go into shoot starting July, is scheduled to premiere on October 6.

Kwon has starred in several dramas and movies since his debut in 2001. He rose to stardom in Asia after starring in 2003 TV series "Stairway to Heaven" and has recently been promoting war pic "71 Into the Fire."

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