Cha In Pyo 차인표

[Guest piano_lady]

Book releases for Tango and Goodbye, Hill

March 17th, 2009 // by javabeans

Gu Hye-sun's "Tango"; Cha In-pyo

More book news.

....sorry...had to remove this part....it's not relevant

But the more interesting book news, in my opinion, is that of veteran Hallyu actor Cha In-pyo (Crossing, Hanbando, Star In My Heart). Because while this is his debut novel, don't write this off as a vanity project or mere ego-fluffery — his book deals with the issue of comfort women, which is a topic I find deeply compelling (the sexual slavery of hundreds of thousands of women, mostly Korean but also including Chinese, Filipina, Vietnamese, and those of other Southeast Asian nationalities, by the Japanese military in its imperial expansion years leading up to and during WWII).

SONG OF THE DAY

Ryuichi Sakamoto - "Tango." I mentioned there was another version of this song in the last post and someone asked for it. This is the Japanese-language version of the same song. [ Download ] Incidentally, there's also a slower Portuguese version: [ Download ] (Personally I like the Spanish one best.)

Cha In-pyo's book is titled Goodbye, Hill [잘가요, 언덕], and takes place in the 1930s.

Cha's involvement in the project started in 1997, when he heard the story of "Grandmother Hoon," who had been dragged off to be a comfort woman in Cambodia during the war. She continued living in that country until she visited her native Korea in 1997, and Cha's interest was piqued upon hearing the news reports. For the past decade, he has been working on the idea, researching, writing, and editing his manuscript.

The description for Cha's Goodbye, Hill:

"This book is set in the 1930s, in a Tiger Village at the foot of Baekdusan [Mount Baekdu]. One youthful hunter, Yong-yi, comes to the village to capture a tiger to exact revenge for injuring his mother, and encounters Soon-yi, the daughter of the village chief. Along with Japanese officer Kazuo, these three draw a story of forgiveness and reconciliation."

Cha explains, "I wrote this book because I wanted to tell the story of our grandmothers and grandfathers who endured hardship in the time when our country was at its weakest."

The issue of comfort women is something I have a strong academic interest in. The historic bad blood between the Koreans and Japanese is famous, but the matter isn't a nationalistic one so much as it is a travesty of basic human rights, that these women's sufferings have been swept under the table for more than a half-century without reparation or public apology. It's also a hotbed for controversy (there are those who deny it happened, which is seen by others as akin to Holocaust denials).

It's a hard topic to write about, and I hope Cha In-pyo does it justice, but in any case it's clear he's put a lot of care into it. You've also got to respect the man for taking it on with the stated themes of "forgiveness and peace."

Cha In-pyo's Goodbye, Hill will be published on March 25. Gu Hye-sun's Tango releases April 1.

http://www.dramabeans.com/2009/03/book-rel...hill/#more-5639

[rubie]

March 19, 2009

Actor Cha In-pyo to Release Debut Novel

Cha In-pyo

Actor Cha In-pyo is debuting as a novelist. His first novel will be released nationwide on Mar. 25. A meeting with readers is also scheduled at SangSangMaDang in Seoul on Apr. 6.

His novel evolves around the sorrowful history of Korea since the Japanese colonial period of the 1930s, including comfort women forced into sex slavery during the Pacific War.

Yes24, an online bookstore organizing Cha's meeting with readers, said, "Cha started writing the novel after he learned of the story of a comfort woman who visited Korea in 1997 from Cambodia. Since then, he has frequently visited the House of Sharing, the shelter of comfort women, to collect data. The novel is based on his 10 years of research."

Credits: englishnews@english.chosun.com

[rubie]

March 25, 2009

Actor Cha In-pyo releases his first novel

Korean Wave star Cha In-pyo has published "Jalgayo, Eondeok (Goodbye, Hill)," marking the first novel written by a Korean actor.

Cha, widely known in both Korea and China for his roles in high-profile television dramas and films, said he started working on the story in 1997, when a Korean comfort woman returned to the country after years of isolation and neglect.

"When I saw her coming back to Korea on television after spending years in Cambodia, I noticed her small figure, and I cried a lot because I realized her precious life was completely destroyed," said Cha at a news conference held in Seoul yesterday.

The Korean comfort woman, known here as Grandmother Hun, inspired Cha to write a 20-page story in the summer of 2008. But Cha was forced to give up on his literary endeavor due to his tight acting schedule. It was in September 2008 when he turned the story into a 232-page novel about a Korean couple in a village on the edge of Mount Baekdu in the 1930s who get swept by the turbulence of the times.

The novel revolves around the importance of peace and forgiveness through the main characters, including a boy who comes to a village to get revenge on a tiger that hurt his mother, a local girl and a Japanese military officer. "When I was writing this novel, I realized there was a huge gap between what I wanted to write and what I knew. To write properly, I checked basic historical facts and related details, ranging from the Japanese military system to the flowers growing on Mount Baekdu," he said.

Cha is known for his enthusiasm in helping out the underprivileged, working for charity organizations such as Compassion for years together with his wife, Shin Ae-ra. Last year, Cha raised public awareness about North Korean refugees by taking the lead role in the film "Crossing." When the film was released here, he delivered his message about the serious problems facing many North Koreans who risked their lives to escape from the North.

"If there is common ground between 'Crossing' and this novel, it's compassion for other people. What's important is that we should actively engage in helping out those in need instead of feeling a brief compassion," Cha said.

The 41-year-old actor said he felt grateful for the efforts and suffering of the previous generations, especially concerning the poverty-stricken eras of Korea. Cha said he hopes readers would notice the importance of Korean grandfathers and grandmothers who weathered the difficult times, a suffering that is now almost forgotten. "When I visited the house where elderly Korean comfort women were staying in April 2007, I saw eight old ladies sitting in line to take their last photographs. I wondered whether our future generation would ever remember and appreciate their suffering," Cha said.

The comfort women issue, involving Korean and other Asian women who were forced to work as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II, remains still unresolved due to the denial of the Japanese government. "What I fear is that the same tragedy could be repeated as long as there is no one taking responsibility for the past atrocities," Cha said.

By Yang Sung-jin (insight@heraldm.com) via koreaherald.co.kr

[rubie]

April 3, 2009

Actor Touches Comfort Women in Novel

By Chung Ah-young

Staff Reporter

Actor Cha In-pyo speaks to reporters

about his debut novel “Goodbye Hill”

in the recent press conference. / Yonhap

Among a slew of the books written by celebrities these days, actor Cha In-pyo's book is conspicuous for many reasons.

First of all, the book is the first novel ever penned by an actor in Korea. Secondly, it is not a vanity project or self-focused ego-fluff, but rather deals with the issue of comfort women. Comfort women refer to the sexual slavery of numerous women, mostly Korean but also including Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian nationalities and even Europe, by the Japanese military in its imperial expansion years.

Cha's involvement in the book titled "Goodbye Hill" goes back to 1997, when he first heard the story of "Grandmother Hoon." She had been hauled off as a comfort woman to Cambodia during the colonial period and continued living in that country for 70 years until she visited her native Korea in 1997.

The 41-year-old actor's interest was first piqued upon hearing the news reports. So for the past decade, he worked on the idea, researching, writing, and editing his manuscript.

Set in Tiger Village at the foot of Mt. Baekdu in the 1930s, a youthful hunter, Yongi comes to a village with his hunter father to capture the tiger that killed his mother, and encounters Suni, the daughter of the village chief. While staying in the village, Yongi and Suni becomes close, but after capturing the tiger that threatens the villagers and their livestock, he has to depart along with his father, making her heart grow fonder toward him.

Several years later, a dark shadow is cast upon the village as Japanese troops led by Kazuo enter it. Kazuo is a warm-hearted and humane officer who gets along with villagers well and falls in love with Suni.

But Kazuo has to obey orders from his senior officers to conscript unmarried women aged between 14 and 20. In the village, only Suni remains free. But the relentless senior officer orders Kazuo to conscript Suni and exploit other services from the villagers. She is dragged to another camp as a "comfort woman" along with other women from various regions. Hearing upon it, Yongi attacks the Japanese military camp with fire arrows and saves her. At the same time, the dismissed Kazuo also tries to save her but Yongi and Suni have already run away.

Amid the tightening pursuit by the Japanese soldiers, Kazuo also tries to look for the girl to apologize for his country's brutality toward Korean citizens, especially women, and plans to smuggle her into Japan. Yongi and Suni take shelter in a rusty dugout where he and his father used to hunt tigers in the past. But the Japanese soldiers find them and Kazuo who tries to set Suni free on the mountain. They shoot Kazuo and Yongi and take her back to the camp.

Then, 70 years later, Suni returns home as she didn't know the country has been liberated from Japanese occupation. The historic sour relations between Korea and Japan is decades-long, but the matter in the book isn't a nationalistic one so much as it is a travesty of basic human rights. These women's sufferings have been swept under the table for more than half a century without reparation or public apology.

Cha carefully approaches the issue through the basic human relations rather than directly portraying the agonies of the comfort women, and the three main characters ? Yongi, Suni and Kazuo ? draw a story of forgiveness and reconciliation in the novel.

His depiction of Suni's childhood seems to be reminiscent of "Rain Shower" by Hwang Sun-won. But at the same time, the awkward portrayal and over-stated message in a simple and flat plot renders it fairy tale-like. "At first, I planned to write just a fairy tale for my son. But as I wrote the novel, the scale got bigger ... I have never learned how to write. So I finished the novel with patience rather than skill," Cha said.

Cha said that he wrote the book because he wanted to tell his descendants the story of grandmothers and grandfathers who endured hardship when Korea was at its weakest. "I think many former 'comfort women' are asking the Japanese government to make a public apology not just because they want compensation for their lost years but so it does not repeat its evil doings on our descendants," Cha said.

Cha went to Mt. Baekdu in 2006 to portray the region and visited the ex-comfort women's care center in 2007 to better understand them. Cha known as a socially-conscientious celebrity for his adoptions and charitable activities for the needy along with his wife and actress Shin Ae-ra, finds something in common with his latest film, "Crossing" which portrays North Korean defectors.

"If I find something in common between the film and the book, it's compassion for others. Having an interest in and compassion for others leads to knowing and studying them. It is not a temporary thought but a lifetime matter," he said.

It's a hard topic to write about, and in any case it's clear he has put a lot of care into it. "I don't know how to forgive (a tiger) that doesn't apologize to me," Yongi says. "You don't forgive it because the tiger begs for forgiveness but for your mother who has become a star,'' Suni says in a sentence about forgiveness.

Credits: chungay@koreatimes.co.kr

[rubie]

April 22, 2009

Book-Writing Fever Sweeps the Nation

Last Friday, April 17, a banner with the photo of actor-turned-writer Cha In-pyo was hung at the entrance of the underground café near Hongik University in Seoul. The passage on the white banner with sparse pink polka dots read, “Cha In-pyo’s Full-Length Novel…Goodbye Hill…Meet with the writer one evening in April.” Some 50 readers were waiting with high expectation to meet the budding writer Cha In-pyo, not the actor Cha.

Nice to meet you, everyone. This is Cha In-pyo. I’m used to standing in front of many people as an actor, but my heart flutters and I’m nervous to meet people as a writer. Thank you for coming at this busy evening hour.

The readers’ reactions are a mix of curiosity and expectation for the fact that the novel is written by an actor.

- I read the book because it was written by actor Cha In-pyo. I was curious about how such a busy actor could manage to publish a book like this, so I wanted to meet him in-person and talk with him.

- I came because I was curious about the fiction that Cha wrote. I wanted to hear his thoughts and connect with them. First, I thought it was ghostwritten. But he said it took him 10 years to actually complete the book. So that’s why I wanted to figure out his thoughts and what he wanted to deliver through his work. I came because I felt like I could understand him better by hearing him speak in person.

- I like him as an actor because of his good image and I also admire his great deeds. I pre-ordered the book before it was published and I was happy to come to this kind of gathering to meet him.

Cha In-pyo came into the spotlight when he starred in the 1994 hit TV series “Love in Your Heart.” In the drama, Cha played the saxophone and left a deep impression with the public as a strong, masculine actor. Then he married his co-star, Shin Ae-ra. Since then, he has been actively involved in a charity organization called “Compassion” that supports underprivileged children worldwide. His work there gave him the honorable image of a so-called “angel of contribution.” Now, he welcomes yet another transition in his public persona.

Cha’s debut fiction “Goodbye Hill” takes place in Tiger Village at the foot of Mount Baekdu in the 1930s. The book conveys messages of forgiveness and reconciliation through the story of the three main characters - the young hunter Yongi who came to the village to take his revenge on the tiger that killed his mother, the village chief’s daughter, Suni, and the Japanese officer Kazuo.

- I think he penned the novel based on his deep knowledge about comfort women and Korean history under Japanese colonial rule. The book is as easy to read as a children’s story and helps us understand domestic history. We only get a vague knowledge about the issues surrounding comfort women through other media outlets, but this book helps the reader identify with their problems.

- I shed tears while I read the book. My heart ached but the story is about forgiving others. I reflected on myself after I read the fiction. I don’t think there is any specific criterion for defining good authors. If the reader likes the book, then it’s a good work. In that sense Cha is the best. The title “Writer Cha In-pyo” is still a bit unfamiliar, but I can’t wait to read more books by him.

So why did the performer with some 16-years of acting experience suddenly publish a novel which doesn’t even relate to the wealth of stories he’s accumulated through his career? Why did he compose a feature-length fiction hundreds of pages long? Cha explains.

Writing is my hobby. Originally, I didn’t plan to publish a novel. From time to time I even stayed away from writing. But I completed the book because of my son. He used to ask me to tell him a bedtime story and I would read him my creative tales. When I told him the stories, I could see he was reacting to them - he cried when they were sad and laughed when they were happy. So I believed that if my son could sympathize with the story, the public could too. Seeing how my son reacted, I thought it would be nice to share the tales with other people.

The bedtime stories Cha told his son every night for the last ten years were reborn as a novel. Though writing is a hobby for him, he didn’t have any plans to publish his works. As a matter of fact, Cha is not the only celebrity to publish a novel. Top stars have been releasing books for quite some time, but the recent publications have been recognized for their outstanding work and increasing readership.

The vocal leader Tablo of the hip-hop group Epik High published a book entitled Pieces of You a few years ago. It is a collection of 10 short essays set in New York. The book came into the spotlight when the American author Tobias Wolff, who taught the singer creative writing at Stanford University, raved about it.

Earlier this year, the idol group Big Bang’s autobiography Shouting to the World sold 300-thousand copies in only two months. Here is Seung-ri, a member of the group.

We tried hard to be truthful and write what actually happened to us, rather than depicting the episodes in a dramatic way. Readers will realize how we overcame difficulties before our debut through the true stories included in the book.

The honest and emotional stories from the famous idol group helped readers see the singers as average people.

In the past, most people who published books were poets, novelists or professional writers. But the writers of the books published these days vary in ages and professions. Here is Oh Byeong-gon, the author of How to Write the First Book of My Life.

It’s much easier to compose a book these days. People can easily collect opinions through on-line blogs and publish them. At the same time, people try to develop their own brand and wish to be recognized as professionals by writing books. Now, a regular person can easily publish a book based on their own experiences and interests.

Amateurs started to join the ranks of professional novelists thanks to the Internet. A well-organized travel journal on one’s blog has been published as a travel book, and a netizen who predicted the financial outlook in the cyber world became a famous author of a book on the economy. Even some who’ve written reviews about music, movies, and books gained fame and became professionals in the field. Here is Oh again.

We are living in the 2.0 Web age which is characterized by participation and communication. The previous one-way information channel has developed into a form of two-way communications these days. Quite a lot of people have published books through their blogs. The personal stories on blogs that garner positive public response easily attract publishers. That’s what’s behind this recent book-writing fever.

More and more people are making efforts to improve their writing as more diverse ways to tell their personal stories are developed. To cater to the rising demand for instruction, some 15 books about improving writing skills have been published annually in the past few years. Courses on writing are being offered not only at professional institutions, but also in local community centers. Despite the expensive enrollment fees, the classes are drawing a crowd, and some unlikely students. Here is lecturer Kim Sang-cheon from Hangyeorye Educational and Cultural Center.

We can feel the book-writing boom these days. In addition to university students, many office workers are showing interest in the writing courses, demonstrating a change in the environment. As we live in a knowledge-based society, writing is becoming an essential part of life. I can also say that society is diversifying. People feel the need to write well in this environment where we have to pay respect, be considerate, and keep communicating with others.

Every Saturday afternoon from two o’clock to four o’clock, some 20 students are engrossed in the creative writing course held at the Hangyeorye Educational and Cultural Center. The students explain why they are attending these classes.

- Since I often have to do field work, I frequently have to write and express my opinion logically in reports. I used to have a hard time organizing my thoughts, but as I practice writing, I have become familiar with proper structure, and now feel confident about writing.

- I have my own Weblog and I’ve been writing on my own. But I enrolled in the course to learn some writing methods so that I can compose better. I took this opportunity to study a topic I’ve been thinking about. I hope to communicate with young people and write books about music. I want to write about popular music and life, or music and passion.

The lectures on writing are diverse, ranging from nonfiction works, such as biographies, to fictional writing like novels, poetry, essays and more. Students can pick a class that suits them and practice writing so they may someday publish a book incorporating their own personality. That’s why the concept of actor Cha’s debut novel is a like an adult fairy-tale; his fiction even included an original sound track with heartwarming visual imageries during the promotional period.

The song called “Under the Mother Star” is the theme song of Cha’s publication “Goodbye Hill.” Following is an excerpt of the song:

“All the mothers living on the mother star are looking after their children,

For they can’t give them a hug for a while,

The warm star light is giving them a hug instead.”

From the tale of the mother star in the song, listeners can feel the warmth of a mother’s love. As readers watch the music video on the CD attached to the book as part of the promotion when the book was first published, they can imagine the main character’s bright smile of courage and hope, despite his grief over the loss of his mother, as he sees the mother star shining in the night sky.

People feel excitement when their travel journals or accounts of their experiences are read by others and receive positive comments. These comments offer encouragement that anyone can become a writer - it’s a brand new experience in life.

Source: KBS World, captures from daum.net

[Guest riehae]

Oh... novel...

That's something really good.

He's really talented.

[Guest mdkna]

admire cha in pyo and his wife so much such a good role model!! he's one in a million and his wife too

hoping to see more of him/his family on screens

credit to syah:

in one of the letters that cha in pyo wrote to this wife shin ae ra during his military period was: "I love you more than last year, I love you more than yesterday, I will love you even more tomorrow" their marriage is still going strong as ever so sweet

[rubie]

April 21, 2010

Celebrity Couple Honored for Charity Work

Celebrity couple Cha In-pyo and Shin Ae-ra will be honored with the fourth Pony Chung Innovation Award.

Created in 2006, the award comes from the Pony Chung Scholarship Foundation, which was established in memory of the late Hyundai Motor founder Chung Se-young. It recognizes individuals or organizations that bring about innovative and positive changes in politics, economics, society and culture.

The Pony was the name of Korea's first domestically produced passenger car, unveiled by Hyundai Motor in 1974. The vehicle proved a worldwide success and earned the Hyundai Motor founder the nickname "Pony Chung."

The foundation said it selected the celebrity couple for the award in recognition of their volunteering, charity and sponsorship activities. By openly adopting two girls the couple has contributed to ending prejudice against adopted children, it said.

The award ceremony will be held on May 11 at the headquarters building of Hyundai Development Company in Seoul.

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com

[rubie]

July 21, 2010

Cha In-pyo joins Kwon Sang-woo for TV series "Big Thing"

Reporter: Lynn Kim

Korean actor Cha In-pyo [Asia Economic Daily]

Korean actor Cha In-pyo will be joining Kwon Sang-woo and Ko Hyun-jung for the upcoming TV series "Big Thing," according to the show's production company Lee Kim Productions.

Lee Kim announced in a press release on Wednesday that Cha has been cast for the role of Kang Hyun-seok, a charismatic politician who falls in love with Ko's character Seo Hae-rim.

Based on a popular comic series of the same name, "Big" is about a gigolo played by Kwon, who helps a human rights lawyer played by Ko, to achieve her dream of becoming Korea's first female president.

"Big" had drawn much publicity when Ko chose the series as her next acting project after starring in last year's smash hit "Queen Seon-deok."

Cha, 42, rose to instant stardom when he starred in his first TV series "Love In Your Arms" (MBC, 1994) opposite actress Shin Ae-ra whom he later married.

He has since appeared in numerous television dramas and films including "Fireworks" (SBS, 2000), "Her House" (MBC, 2001), "Perfect Love" (SBS, 2003) and "Crossing" (2008).

"Big," which starts shooting this month, will premiere on the small screen on October 6.

Reporter: Lynn Kim lynn2878 @ <Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved> 10Asia

[rubie]

July 21, 2010

Cha In-pyo added to the cast of Daemul

July 21st, 2010 // by javabeans

Veteran drama actor (and ’90s hottie) Cha In-pyo (Reputable Family) is jumping onboard the Daemul train, joining stars Go Hyun-jung and Kwon Sang-woo in the much-buzzed-about production.

Cha will play a political rival to Go Hyun-jung’s character Seo Hye-rim. As a former human rights lawyer, he runs for office against her but loses, and she is elected the nation’s first female president. Kwon plays Ha Ryu, a high-class gigolo. (Ah, well if he’s high-class…)

Cha’s character is also a member of a top chaebol family that with a strong presence in the political world. Not only is he Seo Hye-rim’s political rival, his relationship with her is also complicated by love and conspiracy.

Directing Daemul is Oh Jong-rok, who by the way is not the original director from the drama’s first attempt at production. Oh also directed Piano and Style (and I have to remind myself that the reason Style ranks on my unwatchable list wasn’t because of the directing, but rather the awkward writing and acting).

The drama premieres in early October.

Via Mk.co.kr l dramabeans.com

[rubie]

July 30, 2010

U.S. Youngsters Ensure Comfort Women Don't Fade from View

A group of Korean-American youngsters have persuaded the U.S. House of Representatives to renew its calls on Japan to apologize for forcing women into sexual slavery during World War II. Three years ago, the House of Representatives adopted Resolution 121, which demands that Japan issue further apologies to the former "comfort women," but Tokyo took no action and the matter faded from view.

That was when 20 high-school interns at the Korean-American Voters' Council of New York and New Jersey convinced House representatives to adopt another special statement on Tuesday calling on Japan to abide by the resolution and issue an apology.

The House Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment in the statement said the Japanese government has yet to acknowledge the violation of human rights and issue an apology, even though the country's prime minister changed several times since the last resolution. It stressed that time is running out since the “comfort women” are in their twilight years.

Eni Faleomavaega, who heads the Subcommittee on Asia, plans to read the special statement at the main House session and send it out to the Japanese government.

High-school interns of the Korean-American Voters' Council of New York and New Jersey pose for a group photo with actor Cha In-pyo (left) at the center on Tuesday. They convinced U.S. lawmakers to renew its calls on Japan to apologize for forcing women into sexual slavery during World War II.

The youngsters began their efforts five weeks ago. They discovered that the House usually checks up on the results of resolutions two to three years after they are passed but there was no follow-up when it came to Resolution 121. They contacted the representatives at the committee who spearheaded the resolution and urged further action. "It's a human rights issue so the representatives were very willing to listen to our comments," said Chung Il-hyung, one of the students. The students wrote to eight representatives, including Gary Ackerman (D-New York), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida) and Scott Garrett (R-New Jersey) and visited the House on Monday.

On the day the special statement was adopted, Korean actor Cha In-pyo, who has been campaigning on the issue, visited the KAVC and bought pizzas for the interns to show his appreciation. "I am proud that the students were able to explain the problem to the representatives and prompt them to take action," Cha said. The student interns had gathered 80,000 signatures that led to the adoption of the comfort women resolution three years ago and set up a memorial for the women in New York and New Jersey last year.

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

[Guest sengli]

this looks really good

[rubie]

Wow.. haven't been here for quite awhile but must say that I've thoroughly enjoyed CIP's charismatic performance in Daemul last year. He and GHJ really made the series such a memorable drama.

May 23, 2011

Cha In Pyo and Shin Ae Ra to Appear in ‘We Are Family’

Source: KBS Global

Star actors such as Cha In Pyo, Shin Ae Ra, and Yoo Sun and singers such as Sean and Park Ji Yoon will appear in a special program for Family Month entitled “We Are Family” on KBS 1TV.

Compassion Korea, which is an international aid organization for children, said on May 19, “Ten supporting entertainers of Compassion Korea will participate in filming the program ‘We Are Family’ on May 25.” Cha In Pyo will introduce a child head-of-household named Miriam from Uganda, and singer Sean will introduce an episode that happened during his trip to a tomb village in Cebu, Philippines with four teenagers who had mentioned that they had never had any dream in their lives. Sean said, “On Children’s Day, I had to leave heading to the Philippines, and I felt bad because I could not spend time with my own children, Ha Eum, Ha Rang, and Ha Yul. But when I arrived there and met children there, I came to have the thought, ‘Those children are also very precious just like my own children and I hope that more people could become family to those children.’” Actresses Um Jeong Hwa, Um Ji Won, and Ye Ji Won, and weightlifter Jang Mi Ran will send video message to ask people to participate in setting up one-on-one relationships with children who need help. Singers such as Park Ji Yoon and Hwang Bo, and actresses such as Lee Yoon Mi and Park Si Eun will sing singer In Soon Yi’s song “Dream of a Goose” together during the program. Music composer Joo Young Hoon, actor Yoo Sun, and singers Yoon Hyung Joo, Kim Jong Seo, and Koo Joon Yeop will also appear on the program.

“We Are Family,” in which many stars who support Compassion Korea will appear, will be broadcast on May 28 at 5:35 pm.

[Guest kaedejun]

Cha In Pyo's Telecinema film A Dream Comes True is now on Hulu!

via DramaFever!

[rubie]

June 14, 2011

Actor Cha In-pyo publishes second novel

A heartwarming story can give hope to those who want to give up their lives: Cha

By Claire Lee ( dyc@heraldm.com ) koreaherald.com

Actor Cha In-pyo remembers one day he went out for a bike ride in 1998.

Korea was going through a major financial crisis. While riding his bike along the Han River he ran into a middle-aged man who was sobbing alone near a notorious suicide spot. Cha did not know what to do, so he just passed him by.

Cha In-pyo (Yonhap News)

Cha's newly-released novel, "Today's Forecast," is the result of Cha's sense of guilt about that particular incident.

"Caring words from strangers can really make a difference in lives of people who are suffering," Cha said at a press conference in central Seoul, Tuesday.

Cha, who in 2009 published his first novel, "Farewell, My Hill" - a fictional and historical account on Korea's former sex slaves for the Japanese military during World War II - said he decided to start his writing career to share one important message: Every life is precious and deserves dignity.

A mix of comical moments and serious drama, Cha's "Today's Forecast" portrays a day in the life of three socially marginalized characters: Na Go-dan, a homeless man who used to work as a waiter and eventually opened a restaurant; Lee Bo- chool, who makes 40,000 won a day as an extra for a TV drama; and former street gangster Park Dae-soo, whose daughter suffers from a fatal disease he can't afford the treatment for.

"Many people ask me why I write novels when my actual job is to act," Cha told reporters. "I wanted to spread a message that giving up one's own life is not an option that is given to human beings. And that we can only continue to live our lives till the very end while supporting and comforting the ones around us. "

Having established himself as a prominent actor in Korea since his debut in 1993, Cha said frequent Korean celebrity suicides in recent years had disheartened him.

"When a famous figure commits suicide, it can mislead people who are also on the verge of killing themselves that it is alright to do it," Cha said. "Too many celebrities would appear on a TV show and easily say things like, 'I've thought of suicide before.' I think that's equivalent of 'I've thought of killing someone before.' Influential figures should be more considerate about their public remarks. "

Though the novel contains some coarse language and cynical worldviews, Cha said he wants teenagers to read his book. "It is important for me to let my young readers to get the main message of this book."

When asked about being a successful actor, Cha said he, too, has had personal problems that he had to overcome.

Having no training in writing, Cha said he's been trying to read as much as possible. "Author Choi In-ho is one of my favorite writers," he said. "I think the only possible way for me to learn to be a decent writer was to read some good writing."

So why did he choose to spread his message through writing, rather than TV or film?

"Because books last," he said. "It would be very meaningful if someone picks up this book a hundred years from now and gets inspired, or it helps him through his life."

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More photos from innolife.net

[susu0510]

Oh! Congrats Cha In Pyo. Such a warm-heart man!

Hope he'll come back with another nice drama

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December 28, 2011

Cha In Pyo, Hwang Woo Seul Hye, Others Meet for ′We Need a Fairy′

CJ E&M enewsWorld Ko Hong Ju

Cha In Pyo and Hwang Woo Seul Hye took on the heavy burden of attempting to revive sitcoms on KBS, by taking on leading roles in KBS2′s upcoming sitcom, We Need a Fairy (working title).

The sitcom is the first to air in four years on KBS, and the station isn′t taking any chances, casting a mixture of big names and new stars, in order to draw in more potential viewers.

Photos of the first script reading, which occurred on December 22, were released recently, showing the cast members, including Cha In Pyo, Hwang Woo Seul Hye, Shim Hye Jin, Park Hee Jin, Lee Doo Il, Yoon Ji Min, Park Min Woo, and Woori, preparing for the filming in an amicable atmosphere.

Cha, who′s taken on the role of Cha Se Ju, ‘the icon of gentleman’, showed his gentle side but spiced up the character, who always dreams of breaking away from the monotony of daily life, with his off-the-wall side.

Hwang Woo Seul Hye portrayed a four-dimensional fairy, Chae Hwa, in a lovely and lively way, foreshowing the birth of a new unique character.

Notably, Shim Hye Jin, who plays the role of Cha Hwa’s mother, read comical lines with her characteristic acting, causing the team to constantly burst out in laughter.

Cha In Pyo shared his feelings on his first appearance in a sitcom, “I’m so happy that I can work with good fellow actors and hoobaes (juniors). I hope we can shoot the sitcom in a healthy and happy mood from the beginning to the end.”

The first episode of We Need A Fairy is set to air on February 3, 2012.

Photo credit: Moss Company

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February 16, 2012

Cha In Pyo Says He’ll Make People Regret Turning Down ′Fairy′

CJ E&M enewsWorld Choi, EunHwa

Cha In Pyo is out to make anyone who turned down his role regret it.

Cha attended the press conference for the KBS sitcom We Need a Fairy held in Seoul on February 15 with Hwang Woo Seul Hye, Shim Hye Jin, Yoon Ji Min, Lee Doo Il, Park Min Woo and Woori.

Cha joked about his comical role, “I learned that my role came to me after going to Jun Kwang Ryul, and I’ll work so hard Kwang Ryul hyung (big brother) will regret he didn’t take this role,” making his audience laugh.

Cha added, “I thought that this year I should be in a sitcom. After saying I would be in this piece, I received another offer to be in a sitcom from another broadcasting company, and so I learned that many people want Cha In Pyo to be a laughable figure. If the public wants, I’ll work hard to become a laughingstock.”

Cha In Pyo was cast for the role of the legendary entertainment president Cha Se Ju, who has never fallen behind in show business. Cha will be grabbing attention with his all-new comical charms, completely different from the gentleman image he appealed in the past.

This is also Cha’s first sitcom role in his 19 year acting career.

“I didn’t choose this role to change my image; my wife recommended it for me,” Cha said about his new stance. “She said it’s time I showed off the same things I show at home, not my packaged self.”

We Need a Fairy is based on Korea’s traditional Fairy and Woodcutter story, and will be about the adventures of two fairies, mother, Wang Mo (Shim Hye Jin) and daughter, Chae Hwa (Hwang Woo Seul Hye) who are forced to stay on earth after losing their fairy clothes. The first episode will air on February 27.

Photo credit: Kim Byung Kwan

Reach reporter Choi Eunhwa on Twitter @silvercandy88!

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February 22, 2012

Cha In-pyo to stage rally for North Korean defectors

By Carla Sunwoo [carlasunwoo@joongang.co.kr] koreajoongangdaily.com

Actor Cha In-pyo will stage a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul on Feb. 21, urging China not to repatriate 24 North Korean defectors in its custody.

The Chinese government has come under increasing international pressure to change its policy of repatriating North Korean citizens who have crossed illegally into China. In the past, North Korean defectors have been imprisoned or tortured after being forcibly returned to the North.

Cha will seek to mobilize this international pressure at the event, asking citizens from around the globe to help stop the repatriations.

The 44-year-old actor will ask the government officials not to see the North Koreans as part of a policy issue but rather to relate to them “as fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters.”

He will urge the Chinese government “to give the defectors the chance to relocate, to be able to love and to live.”

Some 30 other celebrities and 30 North Korean youth defectors will join Cha at the rally.

The 30 youths attend Yeomung School, an alternative school for children who have defected from the North and are currently residing in South Korea.

“It’s a sorrowful life, being a teenage defector, always fearing for the remaining family members back in North Korea,” said a representative from the school. “There are some students who still have family back in North Korea, and for their safety, they weren’t able to take part in the public appeal. Thus, the celebrities said that they would step in for these students.”