[News] Drama, Movies, Actors & Actresses

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October 28, 2010

Posters for new romantic comedy "First Love" revealed

Reporter: Lucia Hong luciahong @ Editor: Jessica Kim jesskim @ <Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia

Movie poster for upcoming romantic comedy "First Love" [CJ Entertainment]

Movie posters for an upcoming Korean romantic comedy tentatively titled "First Love" were unveiled today.

The first poster reveals Korean actor Gong Yoo holding a name card to help find Lim Soo-jung her first love while the latter shows Lim hugging a giant heart.

Based on a musical which has been performed over 1,200 times on stage since its premiere in 2006, "First Love" is about Seo Ji-woo (Lim) who during her trip to India re-encounters her first love and asks for the help of Han Ki-jun (Gong Yoo) to search for him.

Lim made her debut as a model in 1998 and rose to stardom after starring in the horror film "A Tale of Two Sisters." She later starred in the hit TV series "I'm Sorry, I Love You" and films "Lump of Sugar" and "WOOCHI."

Born Gong Ji-cheol, Gong Yoo made his debut with a role in KBS 'TV show "School 4" in 2001. He appeared in several dramas such as "Hello My Teacher" and "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince" and movies "My Tutor Friend" and "She's On Duty."

The movie is set to open in local theaters in December.

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October 29, 2010

'Best Star Actors in Second Half of 2010 Are Won Bin and Shin Min Ah'

Source: KBS Global

The research institute Leespr announced on October 28 that Lee Seung Ki and Girls Generation, and Won Bin and Shin Min Ah have been surveyed as the most popular female and male singers and actors, respectively, during the second half of 2010.

The institute had conducted a survey from September 25 until 30 targeting 1,324 people from the age of 13 to 65 to ask their about favorite stars during the second half of 2010. Actors Won Bin and Shin Min Ah earned 17.6% and 26.7%, respectively, and became the most popular male and female actors. Among male actors, Jang Dong Gun and Kang Dong Won ranked second and third by gaining 15.6% and 10.1% support. Actress Kim Tae Hee and Kim Hye Soo followed Shin by gaining 13.5% and 8.5% of the votes. For the male singer category, Lee Seung Ki ranked at the top with 14.7% support, defeating Rain (14.4%) and 2PM (12.2%). Among female singers, Girls Generation gained the highest voting of 24.6% and Lee Hyo Ri (14.0%) and 2NE1 (10.3%) followed. In the male comedian category, Yoo Jae Seok gained 38.7% support and beat his rival Kang Ho Dong (23.9%). Lee Soo Keun (21.9%), Kim Byong Man (11.5%) came after them. Female comedian Shin Bong Sun, who gained 38.4% of the votes, ranked in first place, defeating Park Mi Sun (22.2%) and Kim Shin Young (18.6%).

In the category of sports stars, Park Ji Sung and Kim Yuna earned an overwhelming majority. Park Ji Sung gained 45.6% support and overwhelmed other male sports stars such as Park Tae Hwan (12.5%), Park Chan Ho (10.0%), and Lee Cheong Yong (9.9%). Kim Yuna gained 61.9% support and defeated other female stars including Jang Mi Ran (18.9%), Yeo Min Ji (13.2), and Park Se Ri (8.6) by a huge margin. The survey had been conducted as a form of individual interview in the capital area including Seoul and in the major cities of Busan, Daegu, Incheon, and Kwangju. For the separate categories, two from the female and male group had answered the survey, and the survey had an accuracy of 95% with a margin of error plus or minus 2.69% in the confidence interval.

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November 2, 2010

Poster launches ‘Warrior’s Way’ ads

By Hannah Kim Contributing writer joongangdaily.com

The marketing campaign for actor Jang Dong-gun’s first Hollywood film “The Warrior’s Way” is getting underway with distributors in the United States and Britain using Korean distributor SK Telecom’s poster for their ad campaigns.

The poster was unveiled at a press screening for the 15th Pusan International Film Festival last month. It has been chosen as the official movie poster by the U.K.’s Entertainment Film Distributors Ltd. and American distributor Relativity Media.

“The poster portrays Jang and the other characters well. It is very well-made,” SK Telecom quoted Relativity Media as saying in a statement on Nov. 1.

The Warrior’s Way is about a swordsman, played by Jang, who has retreated to an American town in the desert but is forced to fight again to protect the people he loves.

The film also stars Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth and Danny Huston.

It will open in theaters in the both United States and Korea on Dec. 2.

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November 1, 2010

Korean film "Passerby # 3" wins award at film fest in Japan

Reporter: Ko Kyoung-seok kave @ Editor: Lucia Hong luciahong @ <Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia

Korean film "Passerby # 3" [Film 34]

Korean film "Passerby # 3" won an award at the 23rd annual Tokyo International Film Festival over the weekend.

The pic, director Shin Su-won's first feature, received the award for Best Asian-Middle Eastern Film Award, according to fest's official website.

"Passerby # 3," starring rookie actors Park Hyun-young and Baek So-myung, was invited to be screened under the 'Winds of Asia-Middle East Film Panorama of Asia-Middle East' category which features movies from Korea to Israeli.

It also won the honor of "JJ-Star Award" at the 11th Jeonju International film Festival this year.

"Passerby # 3," about a woman (Park) who is about to reach her forties that quits her job to pursue her dream as a filmmaker and write the perfect scenario, will open in local theaters on November 18.

November 3, 2010

Korean Indie Movie Wins Award at Tokyo International Film Fest

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

The fantasy musical film "Passerby #3" by Korean director Shin Su-won won the Best Asian-Middle Eastern Film Award at the 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival which ended on Sunday. It competed in the "Winds of Asia-Middle East: Film Panorama of Asia-Middle East" section.

The movie tells the story of a 39-year-old working mother who struggles to realize her dream of becoming a film director.

Other Korean films to have won the honor include "Timeless Bottomless Bad Movie" (1997) by Jang Sun-woo, "Memories of Murder" (2003) by Bong Joon-ho and "A Brand New Life" (2009) by Ounie Lecomte.

"Passerby #3" was made with a budget of just W47 million (US$1=W1,114), much of it raised by director Shin who also served as investor, script writer and producer. The film also won the JJ-Star Award at the 11th Jeonju International Film Festival this spring. It will be released in Korea on Nov. 18.

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November 2, 2010

Kim Ha-neul cast as female lead for upcoming thriller

Reporter: Lucia Hong luciahong @ Editor: Jessica Kim jesskim @ <Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia

A still from the upcoming thriller "Blind" [NEW]

Korean actress Kim Ha-neul has been cast as the female lead for a new upcoming thriller film.

A press release from movie promoter's NEW on Tuesday announced that Kim will be playing the female lead role opposite Korean actor Yoo Seung-ho in a crime pic titled "Blind."

"When I received the scenario it was a role that I felt would test my level as an actress. I want to put all my energy into the movie and meet the expectations of the staff and fans," Kim was quoted as saying.

"Blind," helmed by Ahn Sang-hoon, is about a visually impaired woman (Kim) who witnesses a horrendous crime while Yoo will play the male lead who acts as the 'eyes' for Kim's character.

The movie had won the awards as the best and most popular project at the "2009 Hit By Pitch" hosted by the Producers Guild of Korea which aims at enhancing producers' expertise and revitalizing film productions.

"Blind" is scheduled to open in local theaters in summer of 2011.

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November 2, 2010

Park Si-hoo to promote "Princess Prosecutor" in Japan

Reporter: Lucia Hong luciahong @ Editor: Jessica Kim jesskim @ <Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia

Korean actor Park Si-hoo [Eygai Entertainment]

Korean actor Park Si-hoo will visit Japan this week to promote his drama "Princess Prosecutor."

Eyagi Entertainment announced Tuesday that Park will be flying into Japan on Thursday for promotional activities for "Princess Prosecutor," which began its run on Japan's KNTV on October 18. "I am excited to see my fans in Japan even though I haven't had that much time to prepare many things for them since I have been busy shooting my new drama 'Queen of Reversal,'" Park was quoted as saying.

Director Jin Hyuk, actor Choi Sung-ho and Korean group Monday Kiz will also attend the event to be held at the Nakano Sun Plaza.

Park, whose real name is Park Pyung-ho, made his debut through KBS2 TV series "Delightful Girl Choon Hyang" in 2005 and has since starred in "What Star Did You Come From," "Iljimae" and "Princess Prosecutor."

He visited Japan on multiple occasions in mid-June for his fan meetings.

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November 3, 2010

Han Chae-young cast as heroine in Chinese film "Big Deal"

Kim, Hee heidikim @ <Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia

Actress Han Chae-young [bH Entertainment]

Actress Han Chae-young has landed the leading role for an upcoming Chinese film titled "Big Deal."

Han's agency BH Entertainment announced through a press release that Han will make her acting debut in China with the new film by Chinese female director Liwen Ma, a winner of the Golden Rooster award for Best Director in 2005.

The movie will portray the struggles young people experience in the process of establishing their own businesses.

Han's male partner will be played by Blue Lan Zheng Long who appeared in Taiwanese TV series "Meteor Garden," a mega-hit drama in Asia. The movie will also star Felix Chong from Hong Kong, well known for his supporting roles and singer and actor Jason Zhang.

BH Entertainment explained that the film will be screened in over 800 theaters in 30 provinces in China and also premiere in Korea, Taiwan, Japan and other neighboring countries in Asia as well as the United States.

"Han is being sought after from other respectable producers and directors in mainland China. She will lead a more active career in the country from now on, "Jason at HS Media, Han's casting director for the film, was quoted as saying in the statement.

Han who grew up in Chicago, made her debut in Korea through local horror flick "The Record" in 2000. She became well-known in China as well after rising to stardom with KBS mini-series "Delightful Girl Choon-hyang." Han also appeared in hit drama "Boys Over Flowers" in 2009.

Last month Han signed with Hollywood agency CAA (Creative Artists Agency) to expand her career into the US.

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November 3, 2010

Are cable dramas turning the tables?

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com)koreaherald.com

This year has seen a jump in the quality and number of made-for-cable dramas, signaling a shift in a market hitherto dominated by major broadcasting networks.

“In the past, cable was seen as an outlet for watching reruns and overseas content,” said Park Ho-sik, senior manager of the production division at cable channel OCN.

Now, the scene is changing. Cable is quickly becoming an experimental platform where racier, bloodier shows, shows that break the mold, can find a spotlight.

Long before “The Slave Hunters” made waves on KBS, MBCPLUS Media found a niche market for historical thrillers in 2007 with their cable series, “BSG Police (ByeolSunGeom).”

According to MBCPLUS Media drama producer Lee Hong-cheol, the CSI-style Joseon Dynasty series first hit MBC as a seven-episode pilot around 2005 to 2006 but failed to nab high viewer ratings.

The cable subsidiary of the network, however, saw potential in the series’ original concept and decided to air it as a police procedural on its MBC Dramanet channel. Ratings went up as high as 4.3 percent, the equivalent, says Lee, of getting a whopping 40 percent on a major broadcasting network.

A second season followed in 2008, with a third season hitting cable this year, cementing an American-style season-based trend for the show.

MBCPLUS Media is not the only cable company to adopt season-based formatting. CJ Media-owned channel tvN just finished airing the seventh season of their Bridget Jones-esque series, “Missy Young-Ae.”

The cast of cable channel tvN’s latest original drama, “Once Upon a Time in Saengchori,” slated to air its first episode Nov. 5 (tvN)

Unlike “BSG Police,” whose main cast changes after every season, “Missy Young-Ae” has kept lead actress Kim Hyeon-sook for all seven seasons, a notable achievement because, according to Lee, it is not easy to hold onto a series’ original cast.

Lee believes that the Korean drama industry has yet to fully realize an investment and profit system that would enable them to keep paying for the ensuing hike in cast members’ salaries following each season.

Furthermore, viewers are still accustomed to tuning into cable to watch reruns of broadcast dramas, says Lee, making them significant rivals for original cable shows.

OCN’s Park also cites broadcast dramas as their biggest competitors, with other cable programs, like Mnet’s “SuperstarK” running a close second.

While American broadcasting networks function on a season-based cycle that tends to leave summer open to cable networks to air original shows and nab viewer shares, Korean broadcasting networks air dramas all-year round, leaving less opportunity for cable to squeeze in and snap up audiences. Despite the stiff competition, Korean cable dramas have slowly been gaining a foothold in the market starting as far back as 2002, when MBCPLUS aired their first original cable series.

This year promises to set new milestones.

Amidst a slew of fresh made-for-cable dramas including SBS Plus’ “Kiss and the City” (the title says it all), tvN’s stab at historical-mystery in “Unsolved” and their upcoming comedy, “Once Upon a Time in Saengchori” two original OCN series stand out as potential game changers.

OCN first entered the original content market with “Love Puzzle” in 2004, expanding their portfolio with the racy and popular “The Family Affairs,” a thriller aptly-titled “Coma” and a gangster-comedy, “Kid Gang.” These, however, were all television films. “Quiz from God,” which started airing on Oct. 8, is the channel’s first original drama.

Featuring “Like A Virgin” star Ryu Deok-hwan as the quirky lead, the medical-mystery pairs strong cinematography and compelling plot twists with a procedural format.

Ratings for the fourth episode went up to 1.65 percent and averaged 1.198 percent (AGB Nielsen Media Research), which may seem trifling, but when translated into cable speak it means that the drama held top ratings for its timeslot in the cable and satellite sphere.

Next up on OCN is “A Yaksa,” which OCN’s Park describes as “a little more hardboiled than ‘The Slave Hunters’” and “like ‘300’ and ‘Spartacus.’” The 12-episode series, according to a press release, will be entirely filmed in advance and is racking up production costs of 3 billion won ($2.7 million).

Set in the Joseon period, the series centers on a secret royal organization surrounded by dark dealings.

Gladiator slaves will be part-and-parcel of the blood-drenched spectacle that revolves around the organization’s head Baek Rok (“Searching For The Elephant” actor Jo Dong-hyeok), his brother Baek Gyeol (“Spring Waltz” star Seo Do-young) and heroine Jung Yeon (singer-turned-actress Jeon Hye-bin).

Viewing will be restricted to audiences aged 19 and over, and judging from the amount of blood spewing from knife-sliced bodies during the brief preview reel, the rating is more than justified. Even more fascinating, however, is the set-up of the preview, which presents scenes from Starz’s “Spartacus,” HBO’s “Band of Brothers” and HBO-BBC’s “Rome” before flashing the statement, “We have been waiting for a series like this.”

OCN’s Park shed light on this marketing tack when he revealed that they benchmark HBO the most, a natural move considering that the American cable network has been credited with propelling made-for-cable dramas into the spotlight through highly successful shows like “Sex and the City.” “HBO explores a lot of diverse genres,” he explained.

After “A Yaksa” hits the small screen in December, Park hopes to air original cable dramas once a week all-year long. “It requires a lot of investment, though, because that means 52 episodes need to be produced,” he said. For example, if each episode costs around 200 million won ($179,540) to make, than annual production costs would nearly reach 10 billion won ($8.98 million).

Why is OCN going to all this trouble?

“We need to make content that can be identified with OCN,” said Park. “We need our own work to cement that brand.”

In a market increasingly saturated by original programming, it may become crucial, indeed, to formulate a brand that viewers associate with quality content.

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November 4, 2010

[iNTERVIEW] Resilient actress relishes dramatic return

By Kang Hye-ran [estyle@joongang.co.kr] joongangdaily.com

Like the character she plays in “Daemul,” actress Go Hyun-jung

has had a life filled with drama. By Kang Hye-ran

Actresses typically fall into one of two main categories: the ingenue whose looks help her win plumb roles and the studied veteran who outshines her peers in every scene.

Although Go Hyun-jung has the looks of an ingenue, Go’s talent puts her among some of the best actresses of her generation. She wasn’t the leading character when she played Lady Misil in the hit period drama “Queen Seondeok,” but her interpretation of the power-hungry main rival to the queen was impressive enough to make viewers remember the show as Misil’s story, not the queen’s. She later won the highest award for an actress at the 2009 MBC Drama Awards for her work.

Ten months later and Go has returned to television as the nation’s first woman president in “Daemul,” which means “big shot” in Korean. In the drama, Go plays Seo Hye-rim, who gets into politics after the government fails to rescue her husband, who is being held hostage in Afghanistan.

With its gripping plot and star-studded cast, which also includes pan-Asian actor Kwon Sang-woo, the drama’s third episode earned an audience share of 26.4 percent, a high figure for such a new program.

The show’s ratings have been helped by its controversial plot, which includes events from Korea’s recent past such as a presidential impeachment and the sinking of a Navy warship.

Like the character she plays, Go has had a life filled with drama.

She got her start as runner-up in the Miss Korea pageant in 1989, which launched her acting career. Her big break came in the 1995 SBS drama “Sandglass.” The drama dealt with modern Korean history from 1970 to the 1990s and was one of the highest rated dramas in history, with average ratings of 50.8 percent. People would rush home just to see a new episode, saying “it’s time to go home,” which meant they had to go home to watch Sandglass.

Go gained notoriety for her marriage to Chung Yong-jin, vice chairman of Shinsegae Group, and the messy divorce that followed in November 2003, in which she temporarily lost custody of her children.

In Korea, divorce is still a big blow to actresses but Go has overcome the stigma and proven that she still has the power to rule the screen.

Here are excerpts from an interview with Go, conducted on location during the shooting of Daemul in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi, last month.

Go Hyung-jung is Korea’s first woman president in “Daemul.” Provided by SBS

Q. Which character do you feel is closer to your personality - Misil or Seo Hye-rim?

A. I think I’m closer to Seo Hye-rim but I admire Misil’s charisma. Hye-rim is someone who believes in herself, though she is not as ambitious or strategic as Misil. Misil is more of a dictator, whereas Hye-rim has a skeptical personality. I want Seo Hye-rim to be the type of president that the audience can feel comfortable with.

Seo Hye-rim seems a little idiotic or out of sorts at times. Was that intentional?

I don’t think Hye-rim is an idiot, but she is so earnest that some of her actions come across as silly. And even a serious drama like this one needs some moments of comic relief.

But in general, I think the real idiots are the people who talk a lot but take no action.

What do you think is the secret to your strong image compared to other actresses?

I guess it comes out when I have that sudden anger.

Now that I think about it, I’ve admired the elder actors and actresses who are able to make the whole crowd freeze when they step into a scene. That is only possible for people who have self confidence. But I don’t think having a strong image as an actress is always a good thing.

There has been opposition to Daemul from the political arena. How do you respond to that?

I don’t understand why. This is just a fictional drama. Honestly, I’m worried that the drama might bring up painful memories for those who actually experienced some of the events we portray. In that way it’s also cathartic.

There are lots of magnificent politicians in the country and the whole nation knows that. This drama is just a fictionalized version of the weaknesses of politics.

Your character is similar to certain existing female politicians.

If you can compare my character with a real politician then that means I haven’t done my job. I should do better. I don’t want to make people wish that there is such a character in real life.

Have you ever thought of being a politician?

Never! I don’t like to stand in front of people. Being in politics is totally different from acting. The position requires responsibility, sacrifice and a certain amount of artifice.

How would you like to be remembered as an actress?

I want to be known as an actress who is fierce.

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November 4, 2010

Actress Moon juggles two men on screen

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com) koreaherald.com

Actress Moon Geun-young has come a long way from the wide-eyed teen who won audiences over in saccharine rom-coms like “My Little Bride” (2004) and “Dancing Princess” (2005).

Shedding her sugar-sweet persona, she took on one challenging role after another, beginning with SBS’ “The Painter of Wind” (2008), where she evocatively straddled the gender line as renowned Joseon period artist Shin Yun-bok.

Undeterred by low viewer ratings, Moon continued to push the envelope with the soap-operatic “A Sister of Cinderella” (2010), where she tried on pessimistic for size.

Sullen yet honest proved a winning combination. The KBS series drew in average ratings of 17.9 percent, earning it a seat on the Wednesday-Thursday night prime time throne.

Not one to try to reap the windfall of a small screen success, the 23-year-old maverick gave the stage a spin, picking Patrick Marber’s powerful play, “Closer,” as her thespian rite of passage.

She caused a stir as the strip dancing, promiscuous Alice (played by Natalie Portman in the movie adaptation), driving the message home: Moon was all grown-up.

Actress Moon Geun-young (center) links arms with actors Jang Keun-suk (left) and Kim Jae-wook at the press conference

for their upcoming drama, KBS’ “Marry Me, Mary!” in Seoul on Wednesday. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)

Which is why when news broke that she was cast in the KBS rom-com “Marry Me, Mary!” more than a few might have raised their eyebrows.

Why after tackling all those risky, plucky roles would she return to a syrupy, youthful romance?

“I was simply charmed by Mary’s character,” said Moon at the drama’s press conference on Wednesday.

The actress ― decked out in a strapless affair ― explained how she selects characters that help expand her repertoire, not, as some might assume, to break a mold or stereotype. While at first glance Moon might appear to be taking a step backward, in truth, her new role represents an interesting step forward.

The last time she starred as an unwilling bride subjected to an arranged marriage, she played innocent and guileless, a helpless victim to her situation.

This time around, she takes matters into her own hands.

Her new character is an optimistic, perky yet directionless 20-something who, when confronted with the threat of an arranged marriage, convinces indie band singer Mu-gyul (“He’s Beautiful!” star Jang Keun-suk) to pretend to be her husband. Things don’t work out the way she intended, and Mary finds herself entertaining potential romances with two men, her intended husband, the wealthy Jung-in (“Coffee Prince” actor Kim Jae-wook), and lead vocalist Mu-gyul.

Charmed by Jung-in but in love with Mu-gyul, Mary must decide whether or not she wants a pragmatic or a romantic future.

Jang, cast yet again in the role of a band member, sung nothing but praises for his precocious co-star, describing her as “very honest and lacking in pretension.” “I was attending a meeting at the production company when I heard Moon was cast and cried out, ‘Hurrah!’ right then and there,” he said. “I wanted to work with someone around my age,” Jang, also a former child actor, elaborated. “And I thought that Moon would have experiences of growing up that were similar to mine.”

Indeed, both Moon and Jang have managed to make the transition from child star to adulthood, all under the intense scrutiny of the public eye.

At the press conference Wednesday, Moon drew from her well of personal experience and reached out to teen star Ko Ah-seong. “The Masters of the Art of Study” actress Ko has been under fire for her early admission into Sungkyunkwan University, after news of her entry through rolling admissions spurred rumors that she is receiving preferential treatment.

“I did not do anything shameful, but because I am a celebrity I was criticized and treated like I did something wrong and it was really hard so much so that I felt like I lost my sense of pride,” said Moon, who suffered through a similar experience when she was admitted into Sungkyunkwan University several years ago through the same route. “But if she is able to stay strong and confident, then I believe she will be able to get through this.”

As she expressed emotional support for actress Ko, Moon seemed wise beyond her years. Every now and then, however, Moon revealed flashes of youthful innocence.

When the topic of marriage came up, she talked about how she used to dream of getting married when she turned 24 or 25. “Because that is when my beauty will peak,” the young actress explained in a moment of girlish naivete, pressing her small palms up against her rosy cheeks and smiling.

“Marry Me, Mary!” ― an adaptation of “Full House” comic book artist Won Soo-yeon’s recent series ― starts airing Nov. 8 on Monday and Tuesday nights at 9:55 p.m. on KBS 2 TV.

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November 4, 2010

YouTube version of Kim Hyun-joong "Naughty Kiss" a big hit

Reporter: Lucia Hong luciahong @ Editor: Jessica Kim jesskim @ <Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia

Picture of Kim Hyun-joong and Jung So-min from an online episode of "Naughty Kiss" [Group 8]

The online version of MBC's latest drama "Naughty Kiss" being aired on YouTube is proving to be popular amongst both local and international fans.

According to a press release from the show's promoter Group 8, the first episode of the YouTube version of "Naughty Kiss," which was uploaded on Tuesday, received over 520,000 hits.

The show was also viewed by people from all over the world including Asia, North America, Europe, Africa, China and Japan, who have left over a total 3,400 comments underneath, the most number of remarks a video in the entertainment category to receive.

The online episodes show the married life of Baek Sung-jo (played by Kim Hyun-joong) and Oh Hani (played by Jung So-min).

The show also features English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish subtitles provided by online community (www.viikii.net).

Fans who have seen the series online left comments saying, "Yaaay ~ Thank you for the subtitles!" "This show is too cute! This episode reminds me of when my hubby and I first got together ..."

"The numerous hits and favorable reviews from fans for the drama shows that Korean content can compete in the global market," Group 8 CEO Song Byung-joon was quoted as saying, adding that it is effective to see the different responses from the international fans .

"Naughty Kiss" (MBC) which finished its run last month had been sold to 12 countries before going on air and a total 11 countries in Asia including Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong.

YouTube version of "Naughty Kiss" will air every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and feature seven ten-minute long episodes for three weeks.

"Naughty Kiss" CAN be seen on its Official YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com / ytkiss).

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November 4, 2010

Korea and Canada produce first joint movie

Reporter: Lucia Hong luciahong @ Editor: Jessica Kim jesskim @ <Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia

Korean singer Im Chang-jung (left) and actress Kim Gyu-ri (right) [Wellmade Star M/10Asia]

Producers in Korea and Canada have come together to create a full-length Korean feature, the first movie ever to be co-produced by the two countries.

WE Pictures, the Korean side of the film's producer, announced in a press release on Thursday that they have come together with Vancouver-based Seoul Sisters to co-produce a romantic comedy titled "Shotgun Love."

Seoul Sisters, a production company run by Korean-Canadians, will provide 22 percent of the film's budget, the statement said.

Starring popular singer and actor Im Chang-jung and actress Kim Gyu-ri, formerly named Kim Min-sun, is about how a 30-something man named Sang-yeol (Im) stuck in a dead-end job, marries his colleague So -yeon (Kim) after finding out that she is pregnant with his child.

The film cranks out on November 12 and will be released in local theaters in early 2011 through major local distributor Lotte Entertainment.

WE Pictures, interested in producing Korean films for an international market, has horror film "Soul Station" and sci-fi flick "ELYSIUM" in development.

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November 5, 2010

[Jainnie's Cine Korea]

A hard look at corruption with some unusual suspects

By Cho Jae-eun [jainnie@joongang.co.kr] joongangdaily.com

Choi Cheol-gi (Hwang Jeong-min), right, brings in an actor for questioning in a scene from “The Unjust.”

Provided by CJ Entertainment

In his latest film, “The Unjust,” Korea’s favorite action kid Ryu Seung-wan shows hidden depth as a competent director with an intricate story about corruption and moral decadence that avoids the pitfalls of political thriller cliches.

When news of a child getting murdered shocks and angers the nation, the pressure of a direct presidential order leads to a scheme organized by a dirty sponsor, Jang Suk-gu (Yoo Hae-jin), and an executive police officer, Choi Cheol-gi (Hwang Jeong-min). The two hire an actor to play the role of the criminal. At this point, public prosecutor Ju Yang (Ryu Seung-beom) gets involved and when Choi arrests Ju’s sponsor, a real estate mogul, Ju seeks revenge. But he accidentally finds out the scheme between the police officer and the dirty sponsor and uses this knowledge to his advantage.

The Unjust presents a web of characters typical of the political thriller genre, which usually has the bad guys conflicting with the good. The unsettling thing about The Unjust, however, is that all four characters are ultimately “bad” and it is hard for the audience to like any of them. None of them have an “aha!” moment that saves them from their corrupt ways. But while lesser films would try to squeeze some tears out of the audience, The Unjust remains unapologetic about the characters’ deception and unfortunate fate.

What saves their collective menace from appearing flat are their moments of weakness. Each encounter their “Hamlet with the bloody sword” moments in their own way, but none of them can swim out of the mess they are in.

The film’s conflicting themes - money versus status, justice versus personal gain, or the public against the state - show that struggle is relative and that no matter which side you are on, you are faced with decisions that have no guarantees.

Whether it is the criminal actor at the bottom of the food chain, the power-hungry police officer who strives for higher status, or the prosecutor who feels insecure about having gotten his job through personal connections, the characters all act based on fear, fueled by their own insecurity or greed.

In a mature step forward as a storyteller, director Ryu tempers his rebellious style to bring out a certain rawness in the sensitive, yet complicated plot.

*This film can be seen with English subtitles at four CGV theaters in Gangnam, Yongsan, Myeong-dong and Guro. CGV, in conjunction with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, plans to screen 20 Korean films with English subtitles throughout the year.

[rubie]

November 5, 2010

A road movie with a romance at heart

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

‘Rolling Home with a Bull’ follows an unlikely trio: a poet (Kim Young-pil, right), his ex-girlfriend (Gong Hyo-jin)

and a bull. This road movie, based on the idea of a Buddhist pilgrimage, offers sumptuous images of the nation’s rural areas.

Provided by Lotte Entertainment

It’s been a bloody year at the box office with a flood of violent films hitting the silver screen. Filmmakers seem to be almost competing against each other to see who can shock the audience the most with plots in which villains use every murder tool imaginable, from a guillotine to a nail gun.

Considering this latest trend, “Rolling Home with a Bull” directed by Lim Soon-rye is definitely a departure. It contains no violence or foul language. Rather, it depicts the journey of a bull, a poet and his ex-girlfriend. At its core, it is a romance, and it walks a fine line between being a road movie and one about religion.

Sun-ho (Kim Young-pil) is a poor poet and farmer who has received little recognition for his artistic work. Sick and tired of shoveling bull feces, he hits the road to sell the bull, which belongs to his father. While he is on his way to the cattle market, Sun-ho receives his first phone call from his ex-girlfriend Hyun-su (Kong Hyo-jin) in seven years. She has some sobering news to deliver: her husband, Min-kyu, who was once friends with Sun-ho, has died.

As director Lim told reporters at a press screening for the film late last month, the journey of the three companions was inspired by the concept of a Buddhist pilgrimage to find one’s self. The film is based on the Korean novel of the same title.

“Although the novel is based on a Buddhist pilgrimage, I thought it could be developed into an unconventional love story,” said Lim, one of a few female directors in Korea.

In telling its story, the film employs many Buddhist symbols, including a bull, lotus and temple bell, throughout the film. As a Buddhist monk explains in one scene: in Buddhism the bull symbolizes enlightenment. The Buddhist motifs are not overwhelming, though. Instead, the film stays true to its genre.

As the unlikely trio travel around rural Korea, the screen fills with images beautiful enough to make viewers get itchy feet. “I think it’s hard to see the landscape of this country in recent Korean films. I wanted to spotlight the subtle beauty of nature, such as flowers, the sea and [rice] paddy fields,” Lim told reporters. “In this film, the bull and the environment are as important as the story.”

Rolling Home with a Bull is also a love story. But the film does not elaborate on the details about the three friends and their past. Instead, it provides a vague sketch and lets the viewer fill in the rest. What we do know is that the three used to be close friends but they grew apart after Hyun-su and Min-gyu got married. Somehow, their relationship goes sour, but the audience is left to determine the reason. “I liked the screenplay because it wasn’t that detailed,” Gong said. “It gave me more room to think about my character.”

The willowy 29-year-old actress started her career 12 years ago as a model, but after turning in strong performances in various roles, she quickly gained attention as a serious actress. Kim Young-pil, a long-time stage actor, also stars in the film. “I also believe their present relationship provides plenty of hints to their past,” Gong said. “If a movie is direct and obvious, viewers leave the theater with a single message, but if it’s not, the film can be interpreted in many ways. I think Korean moviegoers are mature enough to enjoy this type of film.”

Rolling Home with a Bull was screened at the 15th Pusan International Film Festival and opened yesterday at theaters nationwide.

[rubie]

November 5, 2010

Actress Lee Da-hae to attend Mont Blanc brand launch event

Reporter: Heidi Kim heidikim@ Editor: Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia

Actree Lee Da-hae [DBM Entertainment]

Actress Lee Da-hae took off to China today to attend a brand launching event for "Mont Blanc."

Lee's agency DBM Entertainment said through a press release that Lee left Korea on Friday to take part in Mont Blanc's AP Mega Event taking place in Beijing tomorrow.

Some 2,000 celebrities around the world are expected to show up on the red carpet of the event including Hollywood actor Nicholas Cage, Chinese actress Vicki Zhao, Hong Kong actress Cherie Chung and Chinese actress and singer Li Bingbing.

DBM, relaying the words of a Mont Blanc official, explained that they decided to hand out an official invitation to Lee in recognition of her wide popularity in China proved by her Chinese twitter wei-bo that boasts some 200,000 followers and her appearances in Chinese TV commercials.

DBM's statement went on that they believed Lee's popularity will only grow with time thanks to success of her latest KBS mini-series "The Slave Hunters (2010)." Lee's "lovely Asian looks" that fits with the luxurious image that Mont Blanc pursues also added to their decision.

Lee, 26, debuted in 2001 and has appeared in many hit Korean dramas including "My Girl (2005)," "Green Rose (2005)" and "The East of Eden (2008)." She has also participated in various types of charity work and became the first Korean actress to receive the Presidential award for frugality this year on October 26.

[rubie]

November 5, 2010

Korean Film Council Breaks New Ground at AFM

by Park Soo-mee hollywoodreporter.com

SEOUL -- In a way, the attendance of the Korean Film Council at this year's American Film Market was a new venture. With the high rent charged by Santa Monica hotels and few country pavilions as participants, AFM's sales-driven market never seemed fitting for a low-key government-supported film body.

This year, it was different. Aside from assisting Korean sales companies who are attending the market, the council, which is officially participating in the U.S. trade show for the first time, has paid to bring in Korean 3D converting studios and postproduction firms. Their ideal scenario is to show Korea's capacity as a production Mecca and promote a comprehensive location and co-production package for Hollywood studios.

For the council, which is expected to introduce a cash incentive of up to 3 billion won ($2.6 million) as early as next year for foreign production shooting in Korea, the goal is to expand the Korean film business abroad to more than just sales of Korean films.

But that doesn't discourage Korean sales companies to make an aggressive move for the biggest international film market. On the sales side, M-Line's psychological thriller Haunters, starring two Korean stars Kang Dong-won and Ko Soo, and Jang Jin's Quiz King will lead the company's lineup for European and Asian regions.

CJ Entertainment brings A Better Tomorrow, a remake of the Hong Kong action flick by John Woo, and The Man from Nowhere, starring a Korean heartthrob Won Bin, along with 3D promo screenings of Tarbosaurus, a 3D action adventure, and the theater version of Bolts and Blip by Peter Lepeniotis, the animator of Toy Story 2.

Seoul-based sales company Finecut brings Bedevilled and Kim Ji-woon's crime thriller I Saw the Devil and Showbox leads The Haunted House Project and A Barefoot Dream, the Korean candidate for this year's Oscar.

"The sales companies seem generally pleased," says Kim Ha-won from the Korean Film Council who organized a promotional event "Shoot in Korea!" at Le Merigot JW Mariott on Friday. "We've been hearing stories that there are more buyers and the market is vibrant."

VFX firms and 3D converting studios took up a major portion of Korean participants this year.

Stereo Pictures had pre-arranged meetings with Paramount and Sony Pictures before their departure. Other companies, including Mopac and Highway 3D, are targeting the North American market through the venue.

"We're in good hands at the moment," says Kim Ju-seong of Highway 3D. "We are currently discussing a plan to do a 3D film directed by Thomas Jane and a number of productions with China. Our main priority is to show the capacity of Korean VFX technology to let the studios know that we care capable of handling advanced postproduction."

[rubie]

November 6, 2010

Stars of TV drama "Queen of Reversal" pose on the set of the show in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province

on Friday. From left, Ha Yoo-mi, Jung Jun-ho, Kim Nam-joo and Chae Jeong-an

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

[rubie]

November 8, 2010

Park Shin-yang, Kim Ah-joong starrer drama title set as "Sign"

Reporter: Ko Jae-wan star @ Editor: Jessica Kim jesskim @ <Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia

The title to an upcoming TV series starring Park Shin-yang and Kim Ah-joong has been set as "Sign," according to producers GoldenThumb Pictures & Entertainment and Apollo Pictures on Monday.

"Heaven" had been the tentative title to the show, Korea's first medical drama on forensic scientists at a national institute for scientific institution.

In the series, Park plays a cold-hearted yet genius forensic scientist who dissects human bodies and Kim opposite him as an accident-prone newcomer forensic scientist who worships US drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" character Gil Grissom.

"Sign," helmed by famed producer Jang Hang-joon from movies "Break Out" and "Attack the Gas Station 2," will be a 16-part series which will air on public network SBS starting January 5, after "The President" starring Ko Hyun-jung and Kwon Sang-woo ends its run.

Park began his career in his debut film "Yuri" in 1996 and has starred in various movies such as "The Promise" (1998), "Let's Play, Dharma" (2001) and "The Big Swindle" (2004).

The actor rose to fame for his role in hit SBS series "Love in Paris" alongside Korean actress Kim Jung-eun.

Kim has appeared in various TV series and movies since making her debut in 2004, including KBS 'drama "Accidental Couple" and in the film "200 Pounds Beauty."

She was recently cast as the female lead in the 20 billion won US-China joint production of the sports adventure film "Amazing."

[rubie]

November 3, 2010

Jang Dong-gun Promoting In Hollywood

Source: KBS Global

Jang Dong-gun has officially entered Hollywood and is starting his active promotional activities!

One of Korea's most recognized actors, Jang has been invited to make an appearance at the Pacific Media Expo 2010 in Pasadena, California with director Lee Seung-moo. He will be staying in the US for a period of six days, giving interviews with American media and press and holding fan meetings.

The project that has officially opened the door for Jang into Hollywood is "The Warrior's Way", starring Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush, Danny Huston, and Tony Cox. It's about a powerful warrior who sees a baby left behind during a fight and decides to change his ways. He moves and settles in the eastern parts of the US, trying to live a quiet life until a group of antagonists come and disrupt the peace.

The film will be hitting about 1,500 screens in the US starting on December 2nd. It will then hit Korean theatres the following day.

November 7, 2010

EXCLUSIVE: 'Speed 2' Producer Looks East for 'Warrior's Way'

by Jonathan Landreth hollywoodreporter.com

Michael Peyser's movie, which stars Korean hunk Jang Dong-gun, Kate Bosworth and Tony Cox, will get distribution in U.S. day-and-date with Korean premiere.

The Warrior's Way, a fantasy-action film in which ninjas battle cowboys in America's Badlands, was written, produced and directed in English by Koreans, stars Korean hunk Jang Dong-gun, Kate Bosworth and Tony Cox, the foul-mouthed midget from Bad Santa. It was made for about $40 million after New Zealand subsidies.

This modern, multicultural mashup would appear to some to be a shift in the career of Hollywood producer Michael Peyser. But then again, Peyser -- producer of films such as U2 3D, Woody Allen's Purple Rose of Cairo and Speed 2 with Keanu Reeves -- has a broad and active imagination, one that lately has turned East, thanks perhaps in part to the ranks of Asian students who enroll in his cinema class at USC.

"Hollywood is the fancy restaurant, but there's no reason we can't have branches all over the world," said Peyser, who describes Warrior's, the film he co-produced with Lee Joo-ick and Barrie Osborne, as being set "somewhere between Sergio Leone and Baz Lurhmann."

Delayed by the financial downturn and then rescued by Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media, Warrior's, from newcomer writer-director Sngmoo Lee, will get distribution on 1,500-2,000 screens across the U.S. on Dec. 3, day-and-date with its Korean premiere. "We want the fanboys and gamers to say this is way cool," Peyser said, noting that his 16-year-old daughter and her friends already like what they've seen. "The girls will love it because not only is there a girl hero, but they'll want to go around the corner with our star Dong-gun. He's a hunka hunka burnin' love. A new Clint Eastwood, a new Johnny Depp."

Jang, the Seoul-born actor who earned critics' praise for his 2000 portrayal of a high schooler who joins the mob in Friend, speaks English well enough to be headed to L.A. for a Nov. 14 appearance at the Beverly Hilton and the Regency Westside Pavilion with co-stars Bosworth and Geoffrey Rush.

"The film's all in English, but there's not a lot of yappin'," Peyser said. "You're not lost if you don't understand English," Kathy Morgan is selling Warrior's at AFM and Relativity will spend $15 million-$20 million on P&A, Peyser said, adding that he expects Korean distributor SKT to gross at least $20 million. Warrior" will release through Alliance in Canada.

Peyser, a transplanted New Yorker and self-proclaimed 3D expert ("Unfortunately, I'm one of only 10 people in the world who really knows anything about it"), is proud to have found a way to transport his career in Hollywood around the globe to Korea and New Zealand. He next plans to spend more time in other Eastern markets where growth is strong.

This despite a disappointment in 2007 in India: Peyser, Osbourne, 3D modeler John LaBrie and FX supervisor Madhusudhanan set up Geon Studios in Bollywood only to walk away after differences with local partner Sahara Studios.

Undaunted, Peyser's looking now at China. After a U.S.-China film summit that drew 500 guests to the Writers Guild Theater on the eve of AFM, Peyser cornered the head of the China Film Co-Production Corp. after a panel discussion that also included the former head of 20th Century Fox.

"Everybody else was trying to talk with Bill Mechanic, but I went right up to Zhang Xun and said, 'I don't speak Chinese, but it's really, really nice to meet you,' " Peyser recalled. "Everybody should be really nice to Madame Zhang. Beyond packing the house, she's going to be paying the bills for the next 50 years."

Peyser expects to be in Shanghai in May -- for what, exactly, he's not quite ready to say.

[rubie]

November 4, 2010

Jeon Do-yeon, Lee Hyori, Daniel Henney On CNN

Source: KBS Global

Top stars Jeon Do-yeon, Lee Hyori, and Daniel Henney will be featured on a CNN show called "CNNGo", that features some of the best cities to visit in Asia, introducing Seoul to the world. According to CNN, the Seoul special is set to air from November 11-15.

Jeon Do-hyeon has been the lone Korean actress to have won the Best Actress Award at the Cannes International Film Festival, Lee Hyori is Korea's most representative pop icon, and Daniel Henney has set his foot in the Hollywood door through "X-Men Origins: Wolverine". In addition to the trio who will be each introducing different parts of Seoul, architect Baek Ji-won, photographer Kim Joong-man,"Planet B-Boy" film director Benson Lee will also be featured.

CNN revealed that there will also be a program called "iList" set to air November 6-12, highlighting Korea. One of CNN's main anchors, Anna Coren, will be touching upon various Seoul hot spots while CNN reporters will be showing different ways that Korea is spreading its influence on the world through its technology, environmental, and entertainment industries. Different aspects that are unique to Korea will also be introduced, such as Jeju Island, shipping industry, Korean beef hanwoo, and the Seoul traditional orchestra.

On another CNN program, "Talk Asia", Korean architect Cho Min-seok will be featured.

CNN added that this is already the third time the broadcasting giant has visited Korea for a special feature. These various programs will be reaching 260 million viewers, informing them of Korea's culture and people.