[News] Drama, Movies, Actors & Actresses

[deka_if]

2009.11.17

Hallyu's four kings set to stir Japan

The Four Great Kings of Hallyu: top Korean actors Lee Byung-hun, Jang Dong-gun, Song Seung-

hun and Won Bin (from left) are set to gather at Tokyo Dome. [10Asia]

Will there be another miracle at Tokyo Dome, a place that was heated up by the presence of Yonsama near the end of September? After the news broke out that a mega-scale Hallyu event "Here Comes A Miracle: Hallyu's Four Cards - FOUR OF A KIND" was going to be held on December 17, with stars Lee Byung-hun, Jang Dong-gun, Song Seung-hun and Won Bin, people are wondering how huge of a crowd the event will succeed in attracting. The event -- to be held twice (at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) on November 17 -- will be directed by Japan's famous producer and lyricist Akimoto Yasushi with Korean filmmaker Heo Jin-ho in charge of the cinematography. Akioto Yasushi is currently the producer of AKB48, Japan's top girl band of the moment, but he was more famous as the producer of 1980s female idol group Onyanko Club, one of whose members, Kudo Shizuka, became the wife of Kimura Takuya. He has a good reputation among Hallyu fans in Japan, after directing Lee's fan meeting in 2005 at Tokyo Dome and producing all of the actors events in Japan ever since.

The Akimoto-Heo duo is planning a "dramatic reading" at the event, which producer Akimoto described as "a reading of a movie, which will be read and acted out by four actors on stage in accordance with Heo's cinematography. Placing four of Korea's top actors on one stage is nothing short of a miracle. I am also looking forward to this once in a lifetime performance by them." This could be seen as a fresh approach to wipe out the common consensus that "Hallyu events are expensive but do not contain much to see."

The fans are showing tremendous reaction to the news. With each celebrity being huge Hallyu stars, the local fans could not believe all four would appear at a single event and even doubted the authenticity of the news. But some of the fans are complaining about the high ticket price of JPY 15,800 yen. There are even negative comments on the website not only about the ticket price but also about the four stars attending the same event. One fan wrote, "It feels they're putting steak, eel, sushi and seafood soup all on one table. Truthfully, it's overwhelming" while another wrote "Wouldn't it be better to have a separate event, each star per event?" But with the full-throttle publicity by the event's host TBS, ticket reservations have started on November 2 at convenience store around the country and general ticket sales are set to kick of on November 28.

Won Bin, left, in "Mother" and Jang Dong-gun in "Good Morning President"

Amidst all these happenings, two of the "Hallyu Four Cards" Won Bin and Jang Dong-gun are meeting fans with new movies prior to the event. Won Bin visited Japan on November 27 to attend the premiere screening for the film "Mother", which opened in Japan. First Lady Miyuki, wife of Prime Minister Hatoyama and an avid Hallyu fan, attended the event and tickets were sold out in two minutes. Won Bin graced the covered of weekly entertainment magazine "Pia" during the Tokyo Film Festival in October, and Japanese media covered Won's first visit in five years after he served his Korea's military duties.

On another note, the Korean Film Council will be hosting "Korean Film Showcase 2009" at the Yurakucho Subaruza Theater from November 21 thru November 30. A total of ten Korean movies will be shown at the showcase, including Jang Dong-gun's "Good Morning President", "The Executioner" and "Castaway on the Moon". Director Jang Jin of "Good Morning President" is scheduled to visit Japan and have a Q&A session as well. Will the 'Four Cards' of the Hallyu prove they are the wild card which will reignite the withered Korean Wave?

Reporter: Im Da-ham (Tokyo Correspondent)

Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr, Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

2009.11.17

"Boys", "Gag" nominated for Asian TV Awards

"Boys Over Flowers", top, and "Gag Concert" [KBS2]

KBS2 TV's drama "Boys Over Flowers" and comedy show "Gag Concert" have been nominated for the 2009 Asian TV Awards, according to a press release on Monday.

Korea's major broadcaster KBS explained that "Boys" scored a nomination in the TV Drama category and "Gag" in the comedy section. Korean actor Lee Min-ho and actress Koo Hye-sun, the hero and heroine of "Boys", are both nominees for the Best Actor and Best Actress award, respectively.

"Asian TV Awards", hosted by Singapore's media magazine Television Asian and sponsored by Singapore Media Development Authority, is considered Asia's equivalent of the Emmys.

The event selects the best television programs that aired in the region including Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand. Over 1,000 television programs were submitted in 33 categories this year.

The winners of the 14th Asian Television Awards will be announced at the ATA 2009 Gala Dinner in Singapore on December 3.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

2009.11.17

Kwon Sang-woo starrer pic starts filming next week

The cast of "Into The Fire": from left, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Seung-woo, Cha Seung-won and T.O.P.

A new movie starring four of Korea's most popular celebrities -- namely Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Seung-woo, Cha Seung-won and T.O.P. - is set to go into shoot starting next week, according to the film's distributor on Monday.

The four actors will start filming for the blockbuster war flick, tentatively titled "Into The Fire" in English, on November 25, CJ Entertainment said in a press release.

The film, set for release in 2010, is about a fierce battle between 71 student soldiers and North Korean regular army soldiers during the Korean War.

"Fire", directed by Lee Jae-han, is a follow-up project by Taewon Entertainment, a production company that created the current blockbuster TV series "IRIS" starring Lee Byung-hun.

Lee directed the 2004 hit film "A Moment To Remember", which topped the box office in Korea and in Japan, and recently directed the Japanese movie "Sayonara itsuka", starring actress Nakayama Miho of "Love Letter".

Hallyu star Kwon has starred in several successful movies including "My Tutor Friend" in 2003 and "Love, So Divine" in 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 hit throughout Asia.

Cha is a Korean model-turned-actor who has appeared in several hit films and two actors from hit TV drama "IRIS" -- Kim Seung-woo who is actress Kim Nam-joo's husband and T.O.P. of popular idol group Big Bang -- will also star in "Fire".

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

November16, 2009

Now showing on evening TV : provocative, racy themes

What do you get when you combine a broken family and betrayal, throw in some adultery and revenge and top it all off with a dash of violence? A daytime soap opera.

Provocative, exaggerated and often unbelievable story lines have defined daytime soap operas almost as long as they’ve been in existence. The formula is a no-brainer: The more dramatic, the better. Sprinkle in a few scenes where a mean mother-in-law slaps her son’s wife on the cheek or a guilt-free man lashes out at a woman with chauvinistic, insulting remarks and chances are the ratings will soar.

While this is nothing new in the world of daytime soap operas, these racy and controversial elements are quickly creeping into prime-time dramas as well, when children are more likely to see them. They’re also getting even more provocative - and therefore controversial - as shows go all-out to gain more viewers.

The trend has even given birth to the word makjang, which literally means “blind-end,” implying that things have gone all the way to one extreme and can’t get any worse. Koreans call soap operas with these outrageously over-the-top scenes makjang dramas.

Now the debate over these shows - what types of programs can be classified as makjang dramas and whether they should be regulated - is heating up as some observers and officials say they are eroding the nation’s morals and possibly harming children as well.

Calls for regulations

While upset parents are among those questioning these dramas, the shows are now drawing attention from the government as well.

“A husband and his mistress lying on the bed together while the wife watches, an indication of spousal rape, a name-calling quarrel between a husband and a wife - I thought all of these scenes were crazy,” Choi Gu-sik, a ruling Grand National Party lawmaker, said last week during a parliamentary questioning of the government’s education, social and cultural policies.

He was referring to the MBC program “Bapjwo” (Prepare a Meal) and the SBS show “Wife’s Temptation,” deemed the latest additions to Korea’s makjang dramas.

His comments came on the heels of similar statements by another GNP lawmaker, Jin Seong-ho, last month.

“I’ve seen other adultery-themed dramas in the past, but none so provocative,” Jin said during the parliamentary audit of government ministries and organizations. “It’s lamentable how dramas like Bapjwo are being aired at 8 p.m. when the family is watching TV together.”

In response to these growing concerns, Lee Jin-kang - chair of the Korea Communications Standards Commission, the country’s television and communications watchdog - recently took aim at makjang dramas, vowing to monitor and, if necessary, punish the producers behind these shows and the broadcasters that air them.

Lawmakers grilled government policy makers on makjang dramas - which feature provocative and extreme themes like adultery and rape - in last week’s questioning of government policy.But there are differences of opinion even within the commission, highlighting how tricky the issue is. During one of its recent regular meetings, members of the organization discussed punishing those behind Bapjwo. But they were starkly divided: Four members were in favor of forcing the show’s producers to publish an apology, while the other four voted for giving the producers a warning. The commission couldn’t hammer out a final solution and decided to deliberate and decide a punishment later.

Bapjwo, which wrapped up on Oct. 23 after 106 episodes, was about an estranged married couple. The most controversial scene implied spousal rape.

Ambiguity a problem

Many observers, however, believe that the government only has a limited amount of power to control the situation. A big challenge appears to be how policy makers will determine whether or not a drama can be classified as makjang and, then, whether a show has gone too far.

An online dictionary created by Internet users defines makjang dramas as those shows “that contain complex, twisted relationships, unreasonable and extreme situations and provocative scenes.” It adds that they “frequently feature incidents that rarely happen to a person in a lifetime.”

Oh Myeong-hwan, a professor at the Yong-in Songdam College, said in a recent forum on makjang dramas hosted by the Citizen Network for Media Reset that these programs can be described as those where “the characters continue to defiantly show unruly behaviors.”

The forum was the first of its kind hosted by a civic group, indicating public awareness of and concern about the issue.

Yet many shows, even tame ones by most standards, could arguably fit these definitions. And what is perverse and twisted to one person may not be to another depending on individual values and principles.

Another challenge stems from the fact that any action by the Korea Communications Standards Commission must, by law, come after the dramas air - when the damage, if any, has already been done, observers say. Possible punishments range from the light, like cautioning or warning broadcasters, to the heavy, like demoting responsible personnel. But aside from the case of the news program “PD Diary,” where the government cracked down significantly on the show after an episode on mad cow disease that they said purposely misled viewers, officials have done little to discourage questionable TV content.

The drama Wife’s Temptation received a strong warning, but that’s more or less it.

And as much criticism as these shows generate, they often prove to be ratings monsters. Bapjwo, for instance, recorded a 20.5 percent rating, quite a feat for a daily drama. Wife’s Temptation, meanwhile, achieved a record 40.4 percent rating. Anything above a 40 percent rating is said to reach “national drama” status, meaning that it’s loved by a big chunk of the country.

The producers and stars of “Wife is Back” said at a recent press event that the program

will present an emotional, convincing story line, unlike its prequels. [JoongAng Ilbo]

In these cases the old maxim “even bad publicity is good publicity” holds true. It therefore takes a strong conviction on the part of broadcasters to say no to the temptation of immediate gains.

Oh Hyeon-chang, the producer of Bapjwo, said he “doubts whether dramas can really be the subject of objective deliberation,” adding that he believes internal gatekeeping is the only viable solution.

Supply and demand at work

Some experts say that producers often rely on adultery-revenge dramas in times of economic stress. The story line helps viewers forget about reality. Also, struggling broadcasters can save money, as these types of dramas rarely need A-list stars.

But producers of these dramas point to different reasons.

“There is a clear difference between the setting being makjang and the process being makjang,” said a member of the creative team involved in SBS’s “wife” trilogy: Wife’s Temptation, “Two Wives” and “Wife is Back.” In other words, it is acceptable if viewers understand and relate to the reasons behind the actions of the characters.

Wife is Back, which began airing earlier this month, revolves around a woman who gets revenge on the husband of her identical twin sister. The sister was forced to leave her husband and their child by her mother-in-law. A member of the creative team behind the series, who declined to be named, said that some of Korea’s classic literature, like the folktale “Janghwa Hongryeon,” also has unreasonable, extreme settings. But as long as the characters’ decisions and actions in the process speak to readers or viewers, she thinks it’s O.K.

Janghwa Hongryeon is about two girls and their conflict with a mean stepmother who abused them. The girls commit suicide and their ghosts take revenge on the stepmother.

The writer of Wife’s Temptation, Kim Soon-ok, echoes this view. Kim, whose latest show “Angel’s Temptation” launched in mid-October, was also quoted by Yonhap as saying that she wanted to create a piece like “Hamlet.”

“In Hamlet, the protagonist finds out that it was his mother and uncle that killed his father,” Kim said in that interview. “But nobody says Hamlet is makjang.” Kim says that’s because people can relate to why the characters do what they do.

Angel’s Temptation has already received its share of criticism. The story revolves around a wife who starts a fire to kill her husband. The husband, however, miraculously survives and literally gets a new body and face through surgery to seek revenge.

Presumed and proven effects

Some critics argue that something must be done to regulate makjang dramas. And many are particularly concerned about the possible impact on teenagers.

Psychology experts like Hwang Sang-min of Yonsei University assert that when crimes are committed by characters on TV dramas and they are portrayed as if they are common and usual, it can affect youngsters who have yet to form a strong sense of self-control and morality.

The three people entangled in a love-triangle in Wife’s Temptation, for instance, all commit suicide - a particularly touchy subject here in Korea.

Critics say broadcasters have essentially become less concerned with protecting teenagers, pointing to recent data revealing an increase in violations of state-designated Teenager Protection Time. Korean Broadcasters are not allowed to show programs rated “Suitable for Adults 18 and Older” during this time, which runs from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Professor Oh also argues that Korea’s image abroad and the reputation of its people suffer when these dramas are exported to other countries.

But some industry insiders argue that makjang dramas should be recognized as a new trend, saying they break away from the stereotype of the oft-melodramatic daily dramas.

For that reason, respected drama writers like Lee Gi-won, who was behind the hit medical show “Great White Tower,” have become avid fans.

“If you look at America’s ‘Desperate Housewives,’ it’s not just about sex, scandals and crimes, but also how these middle-aged women find solutions to crisis, love and happiness,” says TV critic Lee Yun-jeong.

“As long as Korean dramas come up with more relatable, mature themes for conflict and crisis, other than the typical cheating husbands and mean mother-in-laws, I think I will look forward to makjang dramas.”

Credits : Kim Hyung-eun [hkim@joongang.co.kr]

Source : JoongAng Daily

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2009.11.17

Tensions heighten between TVXQ and agency

Boy band TVXQ at Mnet's MKMF in 2008. [Lee Won-woo/10Asia]

The rift between three members of boy band TVXQ and their agency SM Entertainment grew deeper last week as the singers failed to notify SM on whether they are willing to resume their activities in Korea next year as a five-member group.

The agency, in a legal dispute with Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu who asked a court in late July to nullify their exclusive contract with SM, had announced during a press conference in early November that it would give the three singers 10 days to make the decision but the three did not hand a response to SM by the deadline last Thursday.

"TVXQ will not be able to make a comeback to the local music scene early next year since in actuality, they refused to be members of the group," SM said in a statement, adding they are "sorry to see such an outcome despite our will to see the band continue its activities."

SM added that the three members however, told the company that they would not take part in a concert set to take place in Shenzhen of China on November 21, leaving the future of other pre-scheduled shows uncertain.

The concert was one of the total 12 shows TVXQ was set to perform at as part of their third Asia tour which had been agreed upon in the middle of last year, and the three singers had agreed to participate and perform at all shows already set, despite the ongoing legal battle, SM explained.

A legal representative for the Hero, Micky and Xiah refuted SM's argument, saying SM notified the group of the concert after the three singers had applied for provisional disposition of their 13-year contract with SM and failed to disclose a contract detailing the terms regarding the show.

"Even their fans know the concert in Shenzhen had not originally been on their agenda...... The three asked SM to provide them with the contract but they never got to see it so they decided not to perform," Lim Sang-hyuk, attorney at law firm KIM & SHIN said.

He also added that the three members are still willing to talk with the agency as soon as issues over their unfair contract and shares of profit are resolved.

TVXQ, who debuted in 2004 with album "Hug", is one of Korea's most successful K-pop groups. They are stars throughout Asia, reportedly having the largest fanbase in the world, and have enjoyed great success in the Japanese music industry in particular.

The band became the first foreign artist to top the Oricon singles charts six times with their 27th single "Share the World/We are!" released this year.

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

2009.11.17

Apple to release limited edition of Lee Byung-hun iPod

Hallyu star Lee Byung-hun [Asia Economic Daily]

Apple will be releasing a limited edition of its MP3 player iPod Touch under Korean actor Lee Byung-hun's name.

Apple's premium reseller Macgate said on Monday that the "LBH iPod Limited Edition" will come with an 8G iPod Touch player signed by the actor and photographed postcards of Lee. Only 3,000 units of the edition will be sold.

"We decided to release our first-ever limited edition under Lee's name because he represents the image of iPod touch, which is innovation and change," an official at Macgate was quoted as saying. "Lee has accomplished so much as an international movie star and has become a cultural messenger for Asia."

The LBH edition, to be sold exclusively in Korea, will be available at Macgate stores around the country and at Hyundai Department Stores and its online store, H-mall. Advance sales for the item started yesterday.

Lee has appeared in numerous Korean dramas and films, including hit TV series "All In" and director Park Chan-wook's 2000 film "Joint Security Area". He is currently starring in the blockbuster TV series "IRIS" with actress Kim Tae-hee and T.O.P. of idol group Big Bang.

The 39-year-old actor debuted in Hollywood this year with a supporting role in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" alongside Channing Tatum and Sienna Miller. He also had a major role in the film "I Come With The Rain", an action thriller starring Josh Hartnett and Takuya Kimura.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

2009-11-17

Hyun Bin: 'There is No Right Answer for Happiness'

Actor Hyun Bin's long hair and baggy jacket do not make him look any different from what he looked like before. But the way he appears in the movie "I Am Happy" is anything but the same. The look in his eyes and his whole body say that he is a different person. His character definitely stands apart from his characters in the TV dramas "My Name is Kim Sam-soon" and "Worlds Within."

To Hyun Bin, the movie "I Am Happy" was like his graduation. Though the actor is currently preparing for his next production in the U.S.--the remake of the movie "Late Autumn"--he squeezed time from his busy schedule to attend the screening of "I Am Happy." We met with him on November 16 at a cafe in southern Seoul.

"I Am Happy" was screened at last year's Pusan International Film Festival as the closing film. It finally opened more than a year later. Hyun Bin said, "I wasn't worried about the late opening and about how many viewers would come to see it. It was quality time for me because I thought a lot about myself and learned a great deal. That's why this movie is special to me."

Director Yoon Jong-chan of "I Am Happy" is known for being very stern on the set. Hyun Bin described him as someone who knows well how to use the carrot and the stick. He said, "During filming, he would scold me so severely that I felt ashamed. He did that to help me better portray my character's feelings when I had a hard time doing it. Once I performed well, he praised me. I have learned a lot from him."

Hyun Bin says what he has learned from director Yoon will come in handy for him in his future roles. In "I Am Happy," Hyun Bin plays a man named Man-soo who is hospitalized with megalomania because he is unable to deal with harsh reality. He was once a kind-hearted man who silently accepted his mother suffering from dementia and his gambling-addicted elder brother, who later kills himself and leaves a huge debt behind.

Feeling guilty and unable to withstand the pressures of life, Man-soo eventually loses his mind. At the psychiatric ward, he pretends to be a man whose mother owns a hotel in Switzerland and can send him money anytime if he just signs a check.

With each scene in the movie being so overwhelming, Hyun Bin says he "wanted to die" when he was filming the movie. He said, "In hindsight, I have no idea how I managed to do the role. The scene where I struggle to get out of the water in my dream was the last one to be filmed. It was filmed in a 5 meter-deep swimming pool. We started at night and finished in the morning. I complained to the director for torturing me till the last minute. I even pushed him into the water."

But Hyun Bin in no way complains without a reason. He lost four kilograms while filming the movie, even though it contains no action scenes. The very first scene had to be reshot several times. In the scene where Man-soo takes his sick mother to a karaoke room, Man-soo buys his mother her favorite dried squid and beer and the two sing. Then he leans against the wall and begins crying. He is shown with his back to the camera. Hyun Bin said that he put forth his utmost effort when shooting this scene. What viewers see onscreen was filmed after the director's "okay" sign. Nobody knows exactly when the "okay" sign ended.

But even this heart-wrenching scene, in which the actor lost control of his emotions, was not the most difficult for him. The scene that presented him with the most challenge was the one that shows him silently repairing cars at a car repair shop. He said, "That scene was the very first one to be filmed. I felt enormous pressure. Though I discussed my character often with the director, I felt like I was being tested because I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing."

To the public, Hyun Bin looks like a man who has it all. On the question whether he is happy, he gave an unexpected answer. He said, "I thought a lot about the title of this movie. But the more I thought about 'happiness,' the more frustrating it became. There is no answer to that question. I still can't say for sure if I am happy. It's a double-edged sword. It's all up to me."

Source : KBS GLOBAL

[deka_if]

2009.11.17

"Actresses" cast attend press conference

From left, actresses Kim Ok-vin, Kim Min-hee, Choi Ji-woo, Koh Hyeon-jeong, Lee Mi-sook and Yoon Yeo-jung pose during a photo session of a press conference for their film "Actresses" held at the COEX Megabox theater in Seoul, South Korea on November 17, 2009. The pic, helmed by director E J-yong, is set for release on December 10.

From left, actresses Choi Ji-woo and Koh Hyeon-jeong.

[Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

From left, actresses Choi Ji-woo and Koh Hyeon-jeong talk to each other during a press conference for film "Actresses" held at the COEX Megabox theater in Seoul, South Korea on November 17, 2009. The pic, helmed by director E J-yong, is set for release on December 10.

From left, actresses Kim Ok-vin and Choi Ji-woo. [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Actress Choi Ji-woo (right) tends to Kim Ok-vin's hair during a press conference for film "Actresses" held at the COEX Megabox theater in Seoul, South Korea on November 17, 2009. The pic, helmed by director E J-yong, is set for release on December 10.

From left, actresses Koh Hyeon-jeong and Kim Min-hee.[Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

From left, actresses Koh Hyeon-jeong and Kim Min-hee talk to each other during a press conference for film "Actresses" held at the COEX Megabox theater in Seoul, South Korea on November 17, 2009. The pic, helmed by director E J-yong, is set for release on December 10.

Photographer : Park Sung-Ki musictok@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Choi Ji-woo, Lee Mi-sook at "Actresses" conf

Actress Choi Ji-woo attends a press conference for film "Actresses" held at the COEX Megabox theater in Seoul, South Korea on November 17, 2009. The pic, helmed by director E J-yong, is set for release on December 10.

Actress Choi Ji-woo [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Actress Choi Ji-woo [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Actress Choi Ji-woo [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Actress Lee Mi-sook attends a press conference for film "Actresses" held at the COEX Megabox theater in Seoul, South Korea on November 17, 2009. The pic, helmed by director E J-yong, is set for release on December 10.

Actress Lee Mi-sook [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Actress Lee Mi-sook [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Photographer : Park Sung-Ki musictok@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[giung]

[PHOTO] Koh Hyeon-jeong, Kim Min-hee at "Actresses" conf

기사입력2009.11.17 16:01최종수정2009.11.17 16:22 0 0

Actress Koh Hyeon-jeong speaks during a press conference for film "Actresses" held at the COEX Megabox theater in Seoul, South Korea on November 17, 2009. The pic, helmed by director E J-yong, is set for release on December 10.

Actress Koh Hyeon-jeong poses during a photo session of a press conference for film "Actresses" held at the COEX Megabox theater in Seoul, South Korea on November 17, 2009. The pic, helmed by director E J-yong, is set for release on December 10.

Actress Kim Min-hee speaks during a press conference for film "Actresses" held at the COEX Megabox theater in Seoul, South Korea on November 17, 2009. The pic, helmed by director E J-yong, is set for release on December 10.

Actress Kim Min-hee poses during a photo session of a press conference for film "Actresses" held at the COEX Megabox theater in Seoul, South Korea on November 17, 2009. The pic, helmed by director E J-yong, is set for release on December 10.

Photographer : Park Sung-Ki musictok@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

17-11-2009

Actress Panda Narrator

Actress Song Hye-kyo

Actress Song Hye-kyoActress Song Hye-kyo has been picked as a narrator for a documentary film featuring pandas facing the threat of extinction due to an earthquake that hit Sichuan Province, China, last year.

photo by nate.com

Song, 28, was appointed as Asia's first panda goodwill ambassador by the Chinese government in June.

Song will shed light on the pandas' hidden world and the threat of their extinction during the documentary, ``Good Morning Panda,'' co-produced by South Korea and China. It will be broadcast through EBS TV's Docu Prime Wednesday.

The panda, a mammal native to China, is loved all over the world owing to its cute appearance.

Song, who visited a panda habitat in Sichuan Province after becoming a goodwill envoy, has been working to publicize the need to preserve pandas across Asia while calling for international support for the project.

Credits : sahds@koreatimes.co.kr

[deka_if]

2009.11.17

Ryu Si-won kicks off tour in Japan

Korean singer and actor Ryu Si-won [Asia Economic Daily]

Korean singer and actor Ryu Si-won kicked off his Japan tour over the weekend, according to his agency on Tuesday.

The Tokyo concert, which was held over the weekend of November 14, was attended by some 30,000 fans.

"There's always many mistakes made at the first concert, but as always I did my best for my fans," Ryu was quoted as saying after the concert. "I would like to thank the fans who attended the concert from the bottom of my heart."

R's Company explained that the star's four-city concert in Tokyo, Nagoya, Yokohama and Osaka will each be held under a different theme and meaning.

For example, the concerts at Tokyo's Saitama Super Arena and Nagoya's Aichi Gymnasium will highlight Ryu's accomplishments up to the present, while the ones in Yokohama and Osaka will be promote the star's future flights.

The Yokohama Arena, where Ryu will perform on December 2, can hold 17,000 people and is considered one of the top 100 places to hold concerts and exhibitions.

The president of R's Company explained that Osaka is "the so-called center of the Hallyu Wave" and it will be a place where Korean culture will be promoted and "a new beginning will start for Ryu".

The 37-year-old star has appeared in numerous hit TV dramas since his debut in 1994. Some of his best-known dramas include "Wedding"(2005, KBS), "Beautiful Days"(2001, SBS), "Secret" and "Truth" (both 2000, MBC).

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

16-11-2009

Beckons Collegian Cineastes, Stars

"Cries and Whispers," a student film rendered in stereoscopic 3D, will open the

2009 International College Peace Film Festival (ICPFF) in Chuncheon, Gangwon

Province, Nov. 26-29. / Courtesy of ICPFF

Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, will become a playground for cinephiles and student directors during an international collegian film festival, Nov. 26 to 29. But as much as the event aims to foster future talent, educational initiatives will invite cineastes of international renown, including Japanese superstar Joe Odagiri.

The 2009 International College Peace Film Festival (ICPFF) will open under the theme ``Dreaming of Becoming a Cineaste?'' featuring over 300 films from some 30 countries, ranging from experimental to animation flicks. College students will vie for prizes in a competition, while works by esteemed filmmakers will be shown in an out-of-competition section.

"Cries and Whispers," a graduation piece by a team of Youngsan University students, will open the festival. ``This is the first time we've seen a student film rendered in stereoscopic 3D. The filmmakers were of course short on budget but received funding from 3D Lab. Korea, and the students' pioneer spirit is very noteworthy," said the festival.

This year, the festival received over 600 student submissions from 21 countries, of which 74 (31 features and 43 animations) will compete for seven prizes. The star-studded jury members include Odagiri and animator Koji Yamamura. The grand prize winner will be featured as the festival's closing film.

Other notable guests are Luis Nieto, the Colombian-French auteur known for his zany ideas, particularly in Coca-Cola commercials; rising British director Matthew Walker; stop-motion animation maestro Neil Burns; American indie filmmaker Fran Krause; Academy Award-winning animator Konstantin Bronzit; and Thai director Pimpaka Towira, who is noted for films dealing with women's issues and social problems.

Guests will give special workshops and lectures, and some of their works will be shown in the non-competitive section. The 180 films from 21 countries will be shown in various sub-sections such as Asian Women and Money. Also notable is a retrospective of works by ``Breathless'' actor-producer-director Yang Ik-june.

Also, in the spirit of the film festival's namesake initiative to promote peace, participants can take part in various activities, including a tour of the nearby Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas.

Meanwhile, the festival is striving to become more global and is collaborating with other overseas events, including the Shanghai International Student Film Festival and New York Global Film Festival.

Movie screenings will take place at CGV Theater Chuncheon while workshops, lectures and other special sideline events will be held at Gangwon University.

Since several international events have been recently cancelled amid fear of Influenza A (H1N1), the festival organizers said various measures would be taken, such as having medical staff, hand-sanitizing equipment, masks and infrared cameras onsite.

For more information, visit www.icpff.org. Some of the English content has yet to be posted.

Credits : Lee Hyo-won, Staff Reporter

Source : The Korea Times

[deka_if]

2009-11-17

Actresses to Present Off-Screen Personas Onscreen

The cast of the movie, “The Actresses,” from clockwise from top left: Youn Yuh-jung,

Lee Mi-suk, Koh Hyun-jung, Kim Ok-vin, Kim Min-hee andChoi Ji-woo. The latest feature

by E J-yong, the movie will hit theaters Dec. 10. / Courtesy of Showbox/Mediaplex

It was no red carpet event but cameras flashed without cease as some of the country's highest-profile actresses appeared at a theater in southern Seoul, Tuesday morning.

It was a promotional event for E J-yong's new movie, appropriately titled ``The Actresses,'' which brings together six screen beauties, each representing different generations: charismatic veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung, 62; Lee Mi-suk, still sultry at 49 and indeed looking sexy in a sequin mini dress; headline-making divorcee Koh Hyun-jung, 38; hallyu star Choi Ji-woo, 34, who appeared before the press after a one-year hiatus in a chic white pant suit ensemble; fashionable starlet Kim Min-hee, 27, who strut out wearing all black and glamorous jewels; and rising ``Thirst'' (Park Chan-wook) heroine Kim Ok-vin, 22, who sported a short, red-dyed haircut matching her red dress.

The project is sort of like a Korean, female version of ``Ocean's Eleven,'' but goes a step further in that each actress plays herself. ``Hello, I'm Youn Yuh-jung and I played Youn Yuh-jung,'' said Youn, and laughter filled the room as each leading lady introduced her ``character.''

``I wanted to make an unconventional movie. It's basically about actresses; I provided the basis for conflict and the actresses took it from there. The six women represent Korean actresses as a whole, and instead of creating something fictional I thought it would be interesting to feature each actress' charms and show something real,'' said the director.

The movie sets the framework in which the unscripted story takes shape: the six actresses come together for a special Vogue magazine shoot, and conflict ensues as the women, each used to having the limelight to herself, must cooperate with one another to choose dresses, for example.

``I'd always wanted to meet my co-stars, who are all such big actresses whom I respect so much,'' said Kim Ok-vin about her decision to star in the film. Kim, along with other actresses, all took part in the small-budget project without receiving any guarantees.

``When else would we get such an opportunity to bring together all these actresses and also to play ourselves onscreen?'' said Koh.

``We weren't given a script and just filmed it scene by scene, depending on the situation,'' explained Lee. ``Everything felt rather surreal, and I think a lot of it was real.'' Youn added that it was because they actually drank champagne on the set. ``What soberness conceals, drunkenness reveals,'' she said.

And it wasn't easy to play oneself onscreen, the stars said. ``Actresses express themselves through fictional characters, rather than our personal selves. But I trusted the director and decided to show who I am in real life,'' said Lee.

But only the actresses know what is fiction and what is real.

A clip of the movie showed how Koh thought of Choi, who has the most international exposure among the cast, as being stuck up, and the two bickered rather aggressively.

``Our relationship wasn't that great,'' said Choi.

Koh replied, ``I wasn't being confrontational but Ji-woo was being really sensitive. I mean … when I was staring at her I contemplated how I should act, but she's so pretty that I got really jealous.''

A sense of rivalry ensued between the two 20-somethings as well. ``One male crew member said that Ok-vin is the type to be more popular among men, and I admit it's true but it made me really envious,'' said Kim Min-hee.

All the actresses agreed that their first impressions of one another were often wrong. ``I thought Ji-woo would be stuck-up but she's very kind and warm-hearted. Ok-vin, on the other hand, was just as quirky as I thought she'd be,'' said Lee.

When asked to nickname themselves, Youn said she was ``the old lady'' whereas Kim Ok-vin said she was ``the youngest'' and Koh described herself as ``the middle woman.'' Choi thought she was ``the pain in the head'' while Lee said she was ``the nosy one.'' Kim Min-hee's co-stars pointed out that she was ``the skinny girl.''

``The Actresses'' hits theaters Dec. 10. Distributed by Showbox/Mediaplex.

Credits : Lee Hyo-won (hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr)

Source : The Korea Times

[deka_if]

2009.11.17

Actor Go Joo-won signs with Jun Jin's agency

Korean actor Ko Joo-won [Asia Economic Daily]

Korean actor Ko Joo-won has signed with an entertainment agency that manages former boy band Shinhwa member Jun Jin, according to a press release on Tuesday.

Open-World Entertainment confirmed today that Ko has signed a four-year contract with the company. "We signed him on because we have high regards of Ko's passion and determination for acting," an official at the agency was quoted as saying.

The official went on to explain that the actor, who has received several offers for acting projects, is preparing for a comeback around January or February next year.

Koh, 28, debuted in 2003 in the SBS TV series "Hit" and has appeared in several TV dramas including "The Bizarre Bunch"(KBS, 2005), "Famous Princesses"(KBS2, 2006) and "The King and I"(SBS, 2007).

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

2009.11.17

Se7en reveals photo with actress girlfriend

From left, singer Se7en and actress Park Han-byul [se7en's Cyworld page]

Singer Se7en expressed his affection for his actress girlfriend Park Han-byul on Tuesday, posting a photograph the two took together on his personal website.

"A snap on Byul's set. Happy b'day," Se7en wrote under the photo he revealed on his private account of social networking website Cyworld, publicly congratulating Park's 25th birthday today.

The couple, both managed under top talenthouse YG Entertainment, admitted in June this year that they have been in a seven-year relationship.

Park, who became popular for her attractive looks even ahead of her debut in 2003 through photos of her posted on the web, has appeared in several dramas and movies. She currently appears in hit daily TV series "The Jolly Widows".

Se7en, whose real name is Choi Dong-wook, debuted in the same year as Park and has enjoyed a successful career not only in Korea but also throughout several countries throughout Asia including Japan, China, Thailand and Taiwan.

He will make an appearance on stage in Korea for the first time in two years, performing as a guest at his friend and hit boy band Big Bang leader G-Dragon's first solo concert set for December 5 and 6.

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

2009.11.18

Lee Jun-ki says "Hero" is the perfect fit

On set of MBC TV series "Hero"

From left, actor Lee Jun-ki and actress Yoon So-yi act out a scene from MBC TV

series "Hero" on set at a dance hall in Seoul, South Korea on November 16, 2009.

[Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

A TV series airing in the same time slot has surpassed ratings of 30 percent and the actress who had taken on the lead female role pulled out from the drama just a week ahead of its showing due to an injury which continued to worsen. We are talking about MBC TV series "Hero" which is set to premiere this week. Hence the drama may not be under the most favorable of conditions but a somewhat merry atmosphere dominated the set of the upcoming Wednesday and Thursday night TV series. Below are excerpts from an interview with the lead actor and actress Lee Jun-ki and Yoon So-yi on Monday.

Actor Lee Jun-ki [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

Q: It must've not been easy for you having the female lead opposite you change from Kim Min-jung to Yoon So-yi.

Lee Jun-ki (Lee): It's true that I was very frustrated and had a hard time. Both I and the crew were hoping Kim would recover quickly so that we could all start shooting together but she ended up pulling out which was disheartening for me since I'm playing the main character for this drama. But I was able to pull myself together quickly because Yoon made up her mind on this difficult decision. I think I was able to portray my character Do-hyuk better because I got the chance to look back on his relationship with Jae-in.

Yoon So-yi (Yoon): I joined the cast late so I actually felt a bit awkward on set at first but Lee took the lead well. He helped me to get along with the crew, asked me to join in with everyone for meals and even adjusted his schedule for me. I was a bit out of it for the first three days but I've been getting along much better with Lee's character Do-hyuk since then.

Q: The new shooting schedule must be a strain on your bodies as well.

Yoon: What's so sly about the human body is that it adjusts very quickly, regardless of how much or how little you let it go to sleep. (laugh) I'm still young. The psychological pressure is actually greater. The pressure that I should adjust quickly. And we're rushing since I still have a lot of scenes left to shoot so I'm worried that I might miss something.

Lee: I too, am still at a pretty young age so I shouldn't complain about such things. One thing though is that before, I used to show off my physical strength on set but these days, I talk less.

Q: You've gone through sort of an internal disturbance. What's the atmosphere like on set?

Lee: I just enjoy coming out here. It's fun just being on set and I never stop laughing. I feel like I've finally met the perfect fit for me in terms of the role and drama. I try a larger variety of acting for each take than I used to. Before, I used to prepare in advance and just show exactly that but I now try out more things than what I rehearsed using all sorts of expressions and ways of speech. I really want to give as much as I can for this role.

Q: Why do you think you're having so much fun with this?

Lee: It sort of feels like I'm just hanging out on set. I was dashing this way and rushing that way in the beginning which added a bit more of the fun element to each scene and like today, we got to wear disguises for the dance hall scene. Even Mr. Baek Yoon-shik is moving around more for his role in this drama.

Q: We heard that this scene, where you sneak into the dance hall, was shot for the third episode of the drama. Is this when you've become a newspaper reporter?

Lee: No, the scene at the dance hall is an incident linked with Jae-in. I think I'll probably become a reporter from the fourth or fifth episode, acting a journalist at Yongduk Ilbo which speaks up for and is close to the commoners.

Q: What do you mean by saying the paper is close to the commoners?

Lee: You probably already know this but the story is based on the incidents surrounding several small-timers who decide to set up a newspaper. Our competition on the other hand, is a huge newspaper company composed of elites from society. The person who sets up Yongduk Ilbo is not a mainstreamer so he represents the commoners who cannot mix with the mainstreamers. Do-hyuk's heart has been wounded since a very young age but he is a character who is very passionate and confidant.

Actress Yoon So-yi [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

Q: Did you meet with an actual reporter or study characters from other works to play the role of a reporter?

Lee: First of all, our drama isn't about showing how professionally I can portray a reporter's job. I rather thought that my character would be more appealing if he is someone who doesn't think he's a reporter but tries to be one. I didn't base my character on anyone in particular. But I do look up columns or interesting articles to catch the nuance reporters take on for scenes where I'm out to cover a story or try to represent the lower middle class of society.

Q: Which area would you be interested in covering if you actually became a reporter

Lee: I have always wanted to be a reporter for domestic news. Everyone becomes chivalrous at some point during their school days upon seeing social irregularities. I also liked to write back then and running around on my feet. So when I was doing part-time jobs before becoming an actor, I thought I should study hard and become a domestic news reporter if I ever did get the chance to.

Q: Yoon, we heard that you too have always wanted to play your role as a female detective.

Yoon: I made my debut in an action film so I've been very interested in detectives. That's why I looked for a female detective role whose character stands out and I could try expressing a lot with. I wanted to take on this role because my character Jae-in is different when she is working as a detective versus when she is with Do-hyuk versus when she is with her family.

Lee: I looked forward to her action scenes a lot but they weren't all that... (laugh) Although she is pretty good.

Yoon: I underwent training during my final year of high school but my body has become very stiff because I've been lazy for the past five years. I want to be good at the actions scenes but I'm also worried it might leave too strong of an impression.

Q: The atmosphere on set is good and the drama sounds interesting but you must be pressured because KBS TV series "Iris" is taking the lead for Wednesday and Thursday night dramas.

Lee: I think it was two weeks ago? My mind actually became more at ease after "Iris" surpassed a viewership rating of 30 percent. I had actually felt more pressure when it was in the 20 percent-range because playing the main character means you're responsible for the drama's success. But I've become more at ease after "Iris" breached the 30 percent mark because now it means we'll have to be lucky. I think I won't regret it at least if we seek to portray sincerity. I think this has led to us to focus more on making a good drama and not worry too much over how well it does. That's why we don't even need the feel to talk about "Iris" ratings anymore.

Q: Then what sort of drama do you hope "Hero" to be for the viewers?

Lee: Our competitors are all great but our drama too has a genuineness and appeal about it. It will receive great response by viewers who see that in our drama. I'm in shoot these days with the thought that I'm preparing a good gift to present to the viewers. I will do my best so the drama will be remembered as a well-made and fun drama which will linger in people's minds.

Reporter : Wee Geun-woo eight@10asia.co.kr

Photographer : Lee Jin-hyuk eleven@10asia.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

17-11-2009

Cable TV OCN to Present Joseon's Sherlock Holmes

Cable channel OCN will air the

investigation series "Jeong Yak-

yong'' every Friday at midnight.

The first episode starts Nov. 27.

/ Courtesy of OCN

Cable channel OCN will air the investigation series ``Jeong Yak-yong'' every Friday at midnight. The first episode starts Nov. 27./ Courtesy of OCN

A legendary scholar from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) is reborn as a charismatic detective through cable channel OCN's ``Jeong Yak-yong.''

The eight-episode television mini-series is aimed at attracting crime film and drama fans with colorful characters and a traditional backdrop.

``There are so many frightening things happening these days, and I wanted to portray them with traditional characters in a traditional backdrop,'' Kim Hong-sun, the director, said at a press conference Monday in central Seoul.

Jeong (1762-1836) was a successful scholar and an avid believer of practical learning. He also worked as a royal commissioner and wrote numerous reports of cases he worked on during his term.

The 45-minute-long episodes will show various cases, including theft, adultery and even murder, with handsome Park Jae-jung playing the role of the smart and dynamic Jeong, the ``Sherlock Holmes of the Joseon Kingdom.''

``I felt pressure when I realized I had to bring the brilliant scholar back to life. Instead of studying too much about him, I tried to step out of myself and try to embrace the character,'' Park said.

Along with Park, actor Hong Seok -cheon will, for the first time, star in a period drama.

Actress Jeong Yang will also appear as the sexy, silly and single Hong-chun.

The director decided he wanted to create a show focusing on Jeong after studying the historical period.

``I wanted to be critical but humorous at the same time. I thought the best way to bring both atmospheres was going back to the Joseon Kingdom. In the case of the character, I started researching for ideas in ancient books from the era and discovered that Jeong worked as a commissioner and also had a special relationship with the King,'' he told The Korea Times during a separate interview.

According to his research, Jeong was not only a gifted scholar, but he had a keen eye for investigation. By creating eight plots based on real cases and adding a bit of tradition, the director said he was ready to offer something different.

``Of course, it's very hard these days to surprise viewers because they are already exposed to so many films, television series and more. In the case of crime series, they have seen more than enough. Like any other genre, crime works have a certain formula, and I'm following the basic formula but with unique characters and plots,'' he said.

Mentioning the ``CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' series, Kim added that it is not about mimicking a successful program, but making a good one.

``I think it's every producer's dream. The program may be long or short, but the same effort is put into the progress. Referring to this one, I don't want people to think it was made for a cable channel. I want the viewers to watch `Jeong Yak-yong' as an investigation series, not just a quickly made, short and mediocre show,'' he said.

The show starts Nov. 27 and will air every Friday at midnight on OCN.

Credits : By Han Sang-hee, Staff Reporter (sanhee@koreatimes.co.kr)

Source : The Korea Times

[deka_if]

2009.11.18

Rain's "Ninja" LA premiere to air on GomTV

A scene from Rain's upcoming film "Ninja Assassin" [Warner Brothers Korea]

The red carpet event for the Los Angeles premiere of superstar Rain's Hollywood film "Ninja Assassin" will be aired exclusively on video portal GomTV next week, according to producer Warner Brothers on Wednesday.

GomTV will record the event, set to be held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood tomorrow, and air it at 9 p.m. on November 23, Warner explained.

The main cast and crew of the action flick, including Rain, actress Naomie Harris, director James McTeigue, and producers Joel Silver and the Wachowski Brothers, are expected to turn up for the premiere.

Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, will play the lead role Raizo who is an unfortunate character fighting against the very organization that trained him to become the best secret assassin in the world. His co-star Harris has appeared in the "Pirates of the Carribbean" movie series.

The Wachowski Brothers, famous for "The Matrix" trilogy, and Silver, who created the "Die Hard" and "Lethal Weapon" series, spent ten years working on "Ninja". McTeigue has also worked on "The Matrix" triology and "Star Wars Episode 22" but is most famous for his directorial debut pic "V for Vendetta".

"Ninja", set for a worldwide release on November 26, has been hyped as one of the 50 most anticipated films of the year by U.K. newspaper The Times and one of the top 10 movies selected by the San Francisco Examiner.

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[deka_if]

2009-11-18

Six Actresses Get Together for Film

The production announcement for the movie "Actress" on November 17 at the COEX Megabox was unprecedented. First, actress Lee Mi-sook appeared wearing a gorgeous glittering dress. She was followed by actresses Kim Min-hee, Ko Hyun-jung, Choi Ji-woo, Kim Ok-bin and Yoon Yeo-jung. The last one to appear was director Lee Jae-yong.

"Actress" is a story about six actresses of several generations who get together for a fashion magazine photo shoot on Christmas eve. Each actress plays herself in the movie. The six actresses are also the co-scriptwriters.

In the movie, the actresses talk and act at their own discretion in the given circumstances. Sometimes it is even hard to tell whether they are acting or whether that is how they are in real life.

In the scene that was shown at the production announcement, Ko Hyun-jung and Choi Ji-woo have a fight, which looks very true-to-life. Lee Mi-sook said that she was startled to see the two fighting for real, because when the scene was filmed Ko Hyun-jung had yet to appear in the TV drama "Queen Seondeok," while Choi Ji-woo was a "Korean Wave" star.

"I saw her for the first time. She looked so pretty that I honestly became jealous," said Ko Hyun-jung. Choi Ji-woo, for her part, said that her heart was racing during the fight and that she had completely lost control of her facial expressions. What viewers will see onscreen is not acting but a real-life situation.

Ko Hyun-jung added, "We were not on bad terms with one another. But at the same time we were not that close. Actresses are very simple-hearted people. We just wanted to see what it's like to fight. Plus, we're of a similar height. It was fine. It's still thrilling for me to think about it."

Choi Ji-woo said, "We shot the fighting scene on the first day we met. I was very angry when she gave me a piercing look and hit me on my forehead with her finger."

The production announcement, which was held in the form of a talk show, brought together the nation's top actresses for the first time in a while. They chatted while watching scenes from the movie. They whispered to one another and made candid remarks that were somewhat shocking to hear.

Director Lee came up with the idea to produce this movie when he and two of the actresses, Yoon Yeo-jung and Ko Hyun-jung--both his close friends--went out for a drink. "I wanted to create something unconventional. I wanted to show the public how charming actresses are in real life. Their opinions, talent and abilities were fully reflected in this movie," said Lee.

Source : KBS Global

[deka_if]

2009.11.18

Lee Seung-gi recovered from influenza flu

Singer Lee Seung-gi [sBS]

Singer Lee Seung-gi, who was diagnosed with the influenza flu a week ago, has fully recovered and will resume his activities this week.

"Lee has regained his health...... We are sorry for causing concern and making many people worry," said Lee's agency Hook Entertainment.

The 22-year-old actor was forced to spend time off after being confirmed to have infected the H1N1 influenza virus last Tuesday, cancelling a joint concert with Son Dambi set for November 12 in Los Angeles.

Lee will resume his onscreen activities tomorrow starting with talk show "Kangshimjang", meaning 'strong heart', where he is a co-host alongside TV personality Kang Ho-dong.

His solo concert, the first in three years, will also take place as scheduled. The show will take place on December 12 and 13 at Seoul's Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium.

Lee has been one of the most successful figures in all realms of the entertainment industry since his debut in 2004, placing many of his songs atop music charts and leading TV series "The Shining Inheritance" to see ratings of around 47 percent. He also makes a regular appearance on KBS variety show "1 Night 2 Days".

Reporter : Kang Seung-hun tarophine@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>