Bae Doo Na 배두나

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November 10, 2017

 

Bae Doona And Cho Seung Woo’s “Forest Of Secrets” In Talks For A Second Season

 

Source: Soompi by C. Hong

 

 

The drama “Forest of Secrets” might be getting a second season.

 

On November 10, a source from Studio Dragon stated that they were considering the possibility of Season 2 and that nothing has been decided in concrete.

 

Details about casting, production, and organization time are naturally still up in the air, but Season 1 writer Lee Soo Yeon has been confirmed to be writing the script.

 

The first season of “Forest of Secrets” starred Cho Seung Woo as a prosecutor and “Sense8” actress Bae Doona as a police officer investigating corruption and murder in the District Attorney’s Office. It aired last June.

 

Source (1)

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December 7, 2017

 

“Forest Of Secrets” Makes New York Times’s Top 10 International Dramas

 

Source: Soompi by christinahyeri

“Forest of Secrets” (also known as “Stranger”) made the list for Top 10 International Dramas selected by the New York Times!

 

The New York Times recognizes 30 TV programs every year, selecting 10 aired in the United States, 10 international shows, and 10 best shows that ended in 2017.

 

“Forest of Secrets” is the only Korean work that made it onto the list.

 

Movie critic Mike Hale commented on the work, “The murder mystery ‘Stranger’ has less of the usual awkwardness and obviousness of many South Korean dramas as well as another big advantage: It stars the immensely likable Bae Doo-na as a fearless cop.”

 

“Forest of Secrets” was writer Lee Soo Yeon’s debut work. The plot is about a loner prosecutor named Hwang Shi Mok who meets a warm-hearted detective named Han Yeo Jin.

 

Congratulations to “Forest of Secrets”!

 

Source (1) (2)

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December 9, 2017

 

‘Stranger’ recognized by The New York Times

 

Source: INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

 

Cable channel tvN’s murder mystery drama “Stranger” starring actor Bae Doo-na, left, and Cho Seung-woo, right, was named one of the “Best International Series of 2017” by The New York Times.

 

The show was described as having “less of the usual awkwardness and obviousness of many South Korean dramas as well as another big advantage: It stars the immensely likable Bae Doo-na as a fearless cop.”

 

Bae has positioned herself firmly in Hollywood ever since her role in the 2012 movie “Cloud Atlas.” Cho is known for his roles in the 2015 movie “Inside Men” and on the SBS drama “God’s Gift: 14 Days” (2014) with Lee Bo-young.

 

Other series included on the list were “Call My Agent!” from France, “Chewing Gum” from England and “Fauda,” an Israeli political series.

 

By Hong You-kyoung

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December 16, 2017

 

32 hot hits from the Korean Wave
Gangnam, Sandara, ‘Jewel in the Palace,’ ‘Train to Busan,’ boys’ makeup make it to this Lifestyle list in celebration of Inquirer’s 32nd anniversary

 

By: Fran Katigbak - Philippine Daily Inquirer
 

1 Psy and “Gangnam Style”—It’s a bit jarring. A pudgy-looking singer named Psy, wearing a suit and sunnies while doing a horseback-riding dance to a song about an elitist lifestyle. But the man, the video and the moves led to a record-breaking hit, a musical jab at Seoul’s high-end district.

 

2 “Nobody” by the Wonder Girls—Hearing the groove of the retro-dance ditty was enough to get you into the flirty shoulders flick while singing, “I want nobody, nobody but you!”

 

3 Sandara Park and 2NE1—Sandara grew up before the public eye, from adorable “Krung-Krung” to K-pop star and member of 2NE1, the edgy, hip-hop/R&B/dance all-girl quartet. Though the group has disbanded, Sandara continues to perform all over Asia. She’s a beauty ambassador, style influencer, plus—and this is why Filipinos love her—an avid promoter of the Philippines.

 

4 Rain—He’s the first multiplatform artist who inspired the global obsession for K-pop. His diversity spans film and TV to the music industry.

 

5 Boy bands—BTS, EXO, Super Junior, Big Bang, Shinwa, SHINee, Highlight (formerly known as Beast) are just some of the biggest K-pop exports. These hot boy bands also show that distinct grooming—stylish threads, bright-color hair and makeup—on guys can be cool.

 

6 Girl groups—K-pop’s female singing squads brought glamour and a unique flavor to pop that no other artist in the world has achieved. Bubble-gum sweet, innocent, sexy, fierce—they can do it all while maintaining pretty, youthful looks and slim waists. Some of the best in the last decade or so are Girls’ Generation, Wonder Girls, Kara, 2NE1, f(x), 4Minute, Apink, miss A, Brown Eyed Girls.

 

7 Variety TV shows—The diversity of South Korean TV programs has given access to all things Hallyu. Among the latest on cable TV and streaming/download apps are “Music Bank,” “Pops in Seoul,” “The Music Trend (Inkigayo),” “Fantastic Duo,” “Immortal Songs,” “Battle Trip,” “Gag Concert,” “Running Man.”

 

8 “The Return of Superman”—No other reality TV series has documented the dynamics between dads and their kids, where children end up stealing the show.

 

9 K-drama and “classic” Koreanovela—Fans just can’t get enough of them. If one is serious about being a K-drama stan (obsessive fan), start the education with such classics as “Coffee Prince,” “Winter Sonata,” “Jewel in the Palace,” “Boys Over Flowers,” “Lovers in Paris.”

 

10 “Goblin”—It has changed the concept of goblins, and sets the bar very high for what a fantasy K-drama should be. No longer the ugly creatures of European folklore, goblins are, instead, dokkaebi—or, at least to viewers, Gong Yoo lookalikes with immense power and immortality.

 

11 OST as introduction to K-pop—OST, or original soundtrack, completes the K-drama experience while offering a mashup of musical genres. The songs will rekindle memories, the joy and kilig you felt while watching the show.

 

12 Tourism Korea—Travelers would visit Korea to see K-drama sets and sites, load up on makeup and skincare products, as well as enjoy Korean cuisine.

 

13 K-drama lingo—As it turned out, Ate Luds, more famous as Inday Badiday, was on to something with her parting words on her 1988-’97 TV show “Eye to Eye”: “Saranghamnida, Bo.” We now understand—and sometimes even inject our daily conversations with—aigo (oh man, OMG), anneio (no), unni, oppa, araso (alright/okay), mianhaeyo (I’m sorry), all thanks to binge-watching K-dramas.

 

14 (Botched) Hollywood adaptations of Korean films—While it’s flattering that Western cinema paid homage to SK films, did Hollywood adaptations of “Il Mare,” “Oldboy,” “My Sassy Girl” and “A Tale of Two Sisters” have to #fail miserably?

 

15 “Train to Busan”—This frenetic film directed by Yeon Sang-ho and starring Gong Yoo had us feeling paranoid that a real zombie apocalypse might assault the MRT trains.

 

16 Devotion to “oppa” and “unni”—Often the leading men and women of K-dramas, gorgeous celebrities like Lee Minho, Lee Jong Suk, Gong Yoo, Lee Dong Wook, Jo In Sung, Song Hye Kyo, Ha Ji-won, Jun Ji Hyun, Park Shin Hye and Gong Hyo-jin are among the finest South Korean actors.

 

17 Korean celebrities in Hollywood—Top of mind are Rain, Bae Doona (“Sense8,” “Cloud Atlas”), Steven Yeun (“The Walking Dead”) and Lee Byung-hun (“G.I. Joe” films, “Red 2,” “The Magnificent Seven,” “Terminator Genisys”).

 

18 Korean cuisine—It’s not only our taste for Korean dishes that has improved but also our vocabulary. Bibimbap, samgyeopsal, jjajangmyeon, haemul pajeon, tteokbokki—these multisyllabic words easily roll off our tongues. Supermarkets and convenience stores have also been stocked with Korean treats and desserts like ice cream brand Melona.

 

19 Technology—SK tech giants Samsung and LG delivered premium android products. These brands also produced reliable home and kitchen appliances.

 

20 Kia—The automobile company has boosted its image worldwide by aligning itself with celebrity athletes like LeBron James, Michelle Wie and Rafael Nadal, and sponsoring major sports events like tennis’ Australian Open and football’s Europa League.

 

21 Korean cosmetic brands—The Face Shop, Etude, Tony Moly, Nature Republic, Missha, Club Clio—SK’s beauty industry have invaded our vanity kits.

 

22 Makeup with skincare benefits—BB cream, CC cream, cushion compact combine makeup and skincare that’s especially formulated for Asian complexion.

 

23 The 10-step skincare routine—It seems like excessive vanity to spend a lot of time applying stuff and prepping one’s face, but then again, many practitioners claim it actually works. Perhaps its most important lesson is simply to care about our skin.

 

24 Unconventional beauty trends—Dewy skin, gradient lips, straight brows. And then the “aegyo sal”—as in cute eye bags or the puffy under-eye area which could now be highlighted or applied with makeup to add to one’s youthful look.

 

25 Korean salons—Korean hairstylists have turned the art of cutting hair into a performance. At the time they opened, Tony & Jackey and Park Jun’s Beauty Lab jazzed up our salon experience with digital perm, standout idol-inspired hairstyles and coloring.

 

26 Matchy-matchy couple outfits—Also known as the Couple Look, this style trend isn’t just for couples who want to brag about their relationship status, but also a fun way for friends and family to exercise collective creativity in coming up with similar outfits.

 

27 Idol fashion—It’s a huge marketing strategy for fashion brands to dress up celebs for events, TV shows and the red carpet. When stars and their looks go viral, it’s eye candy for the fans and fashionistas.

 

28 Korean street style—Glossies and social media have expanded their world from covering not just the four fashion capitals, but also documenting sartorial inspirations from the streets of Seoul.

 

29 Apps and websites for Korean media content—Viu is just one of several apps in the region that have made binge-watching SK shows easier, not to mention legal and with better subtitles.

 

30 “Aegyo”—The combination of cute baby voice, facial expressions and hand gestures can sometimes be annoying, though effective and fascinating to see on K-pop idols.

 

31 The finger heart—No, it’s not a weird cross, or a way to tell somebody to back off. Pressing the thumb to the forefinger means sending your love.

 

32 Children’s animation—South Korea has produced animated TV programs and content that have become very popular with kids worldwide, including “Pororo the Little Penguin,” “Tayo the Little Bus,” “Pucca,” “Canimals” and “Pinkfong.”

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April 21, 2018

 

Bae Doona In Talks To Play The Lead In A Remake Of Japanese Drama

 

Source: Soompi by C. Hong

 

 

Earlier this week, a media outlet reported that actress Bae Doona had received a casting offer for a remake drama.

 

The show is a remake of the popular Japanese drama from 2013, “The Greatest Divorce” (literal translation). The Japanese drama was penned by Sakamoto Yuji, who also wrote the Japanese drama “Mother” (on which the recent Korean version was based).

 

This will be Bae Doona’s first TV drama since last June’s “Forest of Secrets” on tvN. In response to the casting reports, a source from her agency SBD Entertainment stated that she is looking over the offer and nothing has been confirmed. A source from “The Greatest Divorce” said cautiously that they are in talks.

 

“The Greatest Divorce” is about how people in their 30s in the modern age, when divorce is common, navigate their attitudes about marriage and family. It will be directed by Yoo Hyun Gi and produced by Monster Union and The Eye Entertainment.

 

Source (1) (2)

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June 27, 2018

 

Korean movie stars invited to the Academy

 

Source: INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

 

Actors Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong, Kim Min-hee and Bae Doo-na have been invited to become members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences on Tuesday.

 

The Hollywood organization is the most exclusive club in the film industry. Its members organize and vote for the annual Academy Awards. 

 

This year, 928 film professionals from 59 countries were offered membership.

 

Many renowned local film industry professionals have joined the Academy over the past four years, including actor Lee Byung-hun, director Lee Chang-dong and more.

 

This year’s membership class marks the academy’s largest and most diverse list in its history. On the 2018 list, 49 percent are female, 38 percent are people of color and the ages range from as young as 14 years old to 86 years old. The class is also the academy’s largest yet, exceeding last year’s list of 774 members.

 

New members will get a chance to celebrate together at private receptions to be held in the fall.

By Sung Ji-eun

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June 29, 2018

 

 

 

Actress Bae Doo-na attends the opening of the annual Mise-en-Scene Short Film Festival in Seoul on Thirsday. (The Chosun Ilbo)

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July 20, 2018

 

Cha Tae Hyun, Bae Doona, Son Seok Gu, And Lee El Confirmed For New Remake Drama

 

Source: Soompi  by S. Park

 

 

The cast has been finalized for the upcoming KBS 2TV drama “The Greatest Divorce” (working title).

 

“The Greatest Divorce” is a romantic comedy that will question if marriage is the true completion of love. The drama will explore the difference in women and men’s thoughts about love, marriage, and family. It’s a remake of ‘Matrimonial Chaos,’ a popular Japanese drama written by Sakamoto Yuji who also wrote the original drama that was recently remade into tvN’s “Mother.”

 

Cha Tae Hyun, Bae Doona, Lee El, and Son Seok Gu will portray two different married couples. Cha Tae Hyun will appear as a stubborn man named Jo Seok Moo who seems to have a loose screw. He prefers to be alone rather than somewhere with many people. Unlike his real-life friendly image, the actor will transform into the mean-spirited yet sensitive Jo Seok Moo.

 

Bae Doo Na will portray Kang Hwi Roo. In contrast to her husband Jo Seok Moo, Kang Hwi Roo is a woman who’s easygoing about everything.  At times, she can be restless and hasty, but is an optimistic and lovable character.

 

Lee El will play the role of Jo Seok Moo’s first love Jin Yoo Young. She seems introverted and unstable, but has a strong hold on her own perspectives.

 

Son Seok Gu will appear as the mysterious Lee Jang Hyun. People have a hard time figuring out what his thoughts and he’s always wanted by many women. He made his acting debut in the second season of the U.S. series “Sense8” and left an impression on viewers as a villain in “Mother.”

 

“The Greatest Divorce” will be directed by Yoo Hyun Ki whose previous works include “Brain,” “Seoyoung, My Daughter,” and “Unkind Ladies.” The drama is scheduled to air in October.

 

Source (1)

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July 27, 2018

 

Bae Doo-na owns red lipstick look in magazine shoot

 

Actress Bae Doo-na looked on form wearing bright red lipstick and matching nail polish in a photo shoot with the fashion magazine Marie Claire.

 

The “Sense 8” star stepped up her lip game for the shoot, posing in a number of different black outfits including a mesh dress that showed off her figure, as well as a leather jacket that complemented her straight black hair.

 

The actress exuded charisma with makeup from Giorgio Armani Beauty, a luxury Italian cosmetic brand.

 

(Marie Claire)

 

Wearing light pink blush on her impeccable skin, the bold makeup brought out her confidence. 

 

Known for her acting and her signature short hair, Bae has appeared in a number of Hollywood films such as “Cloud Atlas” and “Jupiter Ascending.”

 

Bae is set to return to both the big and small screens this year, starring in the new KBS series “Best Divorce” and the film “Drug King,” which is scheduled to hit theaters later this year.

By Yim Hyun-su (hyunsu@heraldcorp.com)

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August 13, 2018

 

Korean Stars Take on Hollywood
4 Successful Transitions, 4 Incoming Hopefuls

by Pierce Conran KoBiz

 

As Korea’s film industry has seen its global recognition steadily increase over the past two decades, we’ve seen directors go overseas, a slew of foreign versions of Korean stories, and, increasingly, Korean performers breaking out overseas. Many have gotten the call from Hollywood, and while not all have had the impact they may have hoped for, several Korean names have managed to establish themselves in Tinseltown. Below, KoBiz lists the biggest Korean acting exports to Los Angeles, as well as some recent and future hopefuls.

 

LEE Byung-hun

 

Undoubtedly, the most successful Korean actor to break into Hollywood has been superstar LEE Byung-hun. After leading such Korean classics as PARK Chan-wook’s Joint Security Area /JSA (2000) and KIM Jee-woon’s A Bittersweet Life (2005), LEE made his Hollywood debut in 2009, when he appeared as Storm Shadow in the action tentpole G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. 

 

Four years later he reprised the role for the sequel G.I. Joe: Retaliation, the same year that he played a hitman in the star-driven action-thriller RED 2. He then took on the role of the antagonist in Terminator Genisys in 2015 and a year after that appeared in both the thriller Misconduct and Antoine Fuqua’s western remake The Magnificent Seven.

 

BAE Doo-na

 

 

Not far behind LEE is Korean star BAE Doo-na, who rose to fame through roles in PARK Chan-wook’s Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) and BONG Joon-ho’s The Host (2006). BAE kicked off her international acting career in the Japanese youth drama Linda Linda Linda (2005), followed by KOREEDA Kirokazu’s Air Doll in 2009.

 

The call from Hollywood came in 2012, when she played the clone Sonmi-451, in addition to several other parts, in the Wachowskis’ adaptation of David Mitchell’s sprawling sci-fi opus Cloud Atlas. She continued working with the Wachowskis, first in their space opera Jupiter Ascending and then their high-concept sci-fi action series Sense8. She featured as one of the main characters of the hit Netflix show, playing fan favorite Sun, which recently capped off its run with a 2-hour finale special that followed its two seasons.

 

JUNG Ji-hoon

 

Globally famous pop star JUNG Ji-hoon (aka Rain) made his film debut in PARK Chan-wook’s I'm a Cyborg, but That's OK (2006), which he quickly followed up when he took on his first American role in the Wachoswki’s action tentpole Speed Racer in 2008 in which he played Racer Taejo Togokahn. 

 

He next took on the lead role in the 2009 martial arts neo-noir Ninja Assassin, which was produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowskis, who cast him after being impressed with his work on the previous year’s Speed Racer. Most recently, JUNG Ji-hoon appeared in the gangster thriller The Prince with Bruce Willis and John Cusack in 2014.

 

KIM Yun-jin

 

The most enduring Korean name in the Hollywood sphere has surely been KIM Yun-jin, who, after becoming one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation in Korea, featuring in films such as Swiri (1999), landed a role as one of the main cast members in the smash hit ABC TV series Lost which aired for six seasons from 2004 until 2010. KIM played the popular character Sun-hwa on the show.

 

KIM returned to the ABC fold when she featured as one of the leads of the affair drama Mistresses, a remake of the British series of the same name, which ran for four seasons from 2013 to 2016.

 

GANG Dong-won

 

One of Korea’s most recognizable faces, star of hits such as The Priests (2015), A Violent Prosecutor (2016), Master (2016) and the recent KIM Jee-woon sci-fi action noir ILLANG : THE WOLF BRIGADE, GANG Dong-won is set to make his long-awaited Hollywood debut in the upcoming disaster action drama Tsunami LA.

 

GANG joined the production of the film, from Con Air director Simon West, in April of this year. The disaster film has already secured a Korean distributor, as J&C Media Group has announced they will release the film in Korea in 2019, at the same time as it hits theaters in the United States.

 

Claudia KIM

 

When the Marvel franchise moved to Korea to shoot scenes for The Avengers: Age of Ultron, a call went out for a supporting part to be played by a local actress. Following auditions, it was Korean TV actress Claudia KIM (aka KIM Soo-hyun) who was the lucky young performer to secure the role.

 

KIM followed that up with a part on the big-budget Netflix series Marco Polo, in which she appeared both before the release of the Marvel blockbuster in 2014, and then after, for its second season in 2016. She then appeared alongside Matthew McConaughey in the Stephen King fantasy action adaptation The Dark Tower in 2017. KIM will next be seen in a supporting role in the fantasy sequel Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

 

LEE Joon-gi

 

Busan native LEE Joon-gi, a popular model, actor, and singer, started his acting career on the small screen before becoming a hitmaker on the silver screen with titles such as LEE Joon-ik’s King And The Clown (2005) and the Gwangju drama May 18 (2007).

 

LEE made the move to Hollywood last year when he received a co-starring role in the hit horror-action franchise Resident Evil. He appeared alongside Milla Jovovich in the sixth and final installment of the series titled Resident Evil: The Final Chapter in 2017.

 

CL

K-pop sensation CL, a member of the hit band 2NE1 and one of the visible Korean performers in the Los Angeles music scene, will soon add a new string to her bow, that of Hollywood star, when the action-thriller Mile 22 comes out later this year. 

 

Aside from a small role in the 2009 romantic comedy Girlfriends, CL (aka LEE Chae-rin) doesn’t really have any screen credits to her name, which makes Mile 22 not only her Hollywood debut but her first serious acting role.

 

From director Peter Berg, Mile 22 features Mark Wahlberg as a CIA covert agent who must retrieve a man with valuable information, played by Indonesian action star Iko Uwais, and transport him through 22 miles of hostile territory.

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October 5, 2018

 

Spouses seek ‘Best Divorce,’ end up learning what love is

 

By Im Eun-byel The Korea Herald
    

Two couples learn the true meaning of love by going through a divorce in KBS2’s upcoming rom-com drama series “The Best Divorce.”

 

The Monday-Tuesday series is an adaptation of a popular Japanese drama that made a splash on Fuji TV in 2013. In it, two more or less average couples start divorce proceedings just because they can’t get along. 

 

Actors Cha Tae-hyun and Bae Doo-na pose for photos at a media event

held Friday at Times Square, a shopping center in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. (Yonhap)

 

“The drama is based on how men and women think differently about dating and marriage. Men and women have differences in their thinking about why marriage is difficult,” producer Yoo Hyun-ki said at a press event held Friday in western Seoul. 

 

“The original production had (a distinctive) voice, and it raised issues in Japanese society. We’re going to follow (the storyline and other details), but a remake has to be different in some ways, being a separate creation,” Yoo said. 

 

“There are differences between Korean and Japanese society. While the original work’s female characters are more timid and passive, (the characters) in our production are more active and know what they want to do,” the producer added. 

 

Starring Bae Doo-na and Cha Tae-hyun as the main couple, the show depicts the pair continuing to live together for practical reasons as they wait for their house to be sold. During this time, they grant each other the freedom to date other people. 

 

“I was worried because this is a remake of a hit drama. I had thought, ‘If we can’t perfectly localize the drama, why should we (try to improve on) a masterpiece?’ But reading (the script) I really liked the lines and somehow thought, I can do this role well,” Bae said. 

 

“I know that some people might feel uncomfortable with the title. But this is a fun, amusing drama in its essence, depicting how four mischievous characters go through a divorce,” she added. 

 

Actor Cha, who is adored by many for his sweet, gentle character, is to play Bae’s husband. From starring in the weekly entertainment series “2 Days & 1 Night” on KBS, he has gained a large fan base. 

 

The “Along with the Gods” star has mainly played kindly, good-natured characters. But this time he will be a cranky husband with a short temper. 

 

“The role is different from my usual roles. But I liked the script and the role, and I really wanted to work with Bae. That accounted for 70 percent of my choice,” he said.

 

Married in real life, Cha says he can relate to some parts of the drama but can’t understand other aspects because they differ from his reality. In cases like that, the show’s staff members help him get a clearer understanding of the issues. 

 

“Although it deals with the (heavy) subject of divorce, the story is light and fun,” he commented. 

 

The 16-episode drama starring Cha Tae-hyun, Bae Doo-na, Lee El and Son Suk-ku is scheduled to air its premiere episode on Monday at 10 p.m. 

 

By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com)

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October 17, 2018

 

'Matrimonial Chaos' hints at challenges of localization

SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- The new television series "Matrimonial Chaos" showed a strong performance, despite some critical reviews about localization, by landing at No. 2 in its debut week on the weekly TV chart, data showed Wednesday.

 

The KBS romantic comedy, which is the Korean remake of the popular Japanese series on Fuji TV from 2013, recorded a Content Power Index (CPI) score of 257.9 for Oct. 8-14.

 

The Monday-Tuesday series, also known as "The Bes Divorce," revolves around a couple whose marriage ends in divorce but decides to live under one roof for the time being for a smooth legal separation.

 

The lead female actor Bae Doo-na, who plays the wife, Kang Hui-ru, made a welcoming comeback to a terrestrial TV network after an almost eight-year hiatus.

 

A poster of the television show "The Best Divorce," provided by KBS (Yonhap)

 

During a recent media event to promote the series, she said despite some reservations she had before shooting about how to remake the already successful Japanese series, she became confident that the drama has been adapted successfully to reflect the Korean culture about marriage.

 

That conviction, however, has yet to resonate with some viewers who complain about the lead male character's lack of depth compared with that of the original series and one-dimensional supporting characters. The story is also developing too slowly and is close to being boring, others point out. The Korean one has been extended to 16 episodes from the original 10.

 

To be fair, it is still too early to judge the show's level of localization and performance, as it has just begun and there are still 14 more episodes to go.

 

The CPI, created by CJ E&M and Nielsen Korea, measures the level of popularity, social media presence and influence on consumer behavior of entertainment TV programs aired on three major terrestrial networks -- MBC, SBS and KBS -- and seven cable channels owned by CJ E&M -- including tvN, Mnet and OCN -- during prime time. JTBC, another cable network that airs some highly popular entertainment shows and dramas, is not included in the measurement.

 

jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr

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October 31, 2018

 

Korean actresses struggle to repeat Hollywood success at home

 

By Im Eun-byel The Korea Herald

 

Korean actresses struggle to repeat Hollywood success at home       

 

After meeting global audiences via Hollywood productions, actresses Bae Doo-na and Kim Yun-jin have returned to their home turf, taking lead roles in local TV series. 

 

Bae stars in KBS2’s “The Best Divorce,” a Korean remake of a popular Japanese drama, in the role of a warmhearted wife who divorces her cranky husband. Continuing to live with each other after the divorce for practical reasons, the two come to understand what true love is. 

 

Bae Doo-na speaks at a press event held to promote MBC TV series “The Best Divorce” in October in western Seoul. (KBS)

The actress has returned home after trotting around the world, shooting the third season of Netflix series “Sense8,” created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski. Her relationship with the famed directors started in 2010, when she took part in Hollywood film “Cloud Atlas.” 

 

According to Bae, who has appeared in numerous local and foreign productions since, the scenes of the US and Korea are greatly different.

 

“The power of US productions comes from the huge production budget and human resources while Korea has this great energy that comes from the people. We work hard together and become almost like a family,” Bae said at a press conference held last month to promote “The Best Divorce.”

 

Prior to the romantic-comedy series, the actress last year starred in tvN’s “Stranger,” which was well received, reaching an average viewership rating between 4 and 5 percent -- considered high for a cable channel. 

 

This time, the romance genre may have been too much of a challenge even for the international star. The Monday-Tuesday drama that started Oct. 8 has been putting up a hard fight, but is marking an average viewership rating of 2.7 percent. The 32-part drama is at its halfway point. 

 

Though the storyline is sweet and heartwarming, it is obvious and didactic, with the characters coming to appreciate the value of the people around them. 

 

Kim Yun-jin has returned to her home turf as well, taking the lead role in SBS series “Ms. Ma, Goddess of Revenge.” The story is loosely based on the fictional character of Miss Marple from Agatha Christie’s crime novels and short stories. 

 

Kim Yun-jin speaks during a press event held to promote SBS series “Ms. Ma,

Goddess of Revenge” in September in western Seoul. (SBS)

 

Kim generated buzz in 2004 by starring in American TV sensation “Lost.” The drama finished with its sixth season in 2010 and Kim was able to secure a spot in the US entertainment scene by starring in another US hit series, “Mistresses.” 

 

In the SBS mystery-thriller series, which premiered Oct. 6, Kim plays a mother seeking revenge for her daughter’s death. After being locked up in a mental institution for killing her daughter, she digs into the mystery to clear her name. 

 

The Saturday-Sunday drama, also at its halfway point, has marked an average viewership rating of 6.9 percent, trailing behind MBC’s “Hide and Seek,” which has been raking in an average viewership share of 12 percent. 

 

Though Kim has taken part in local films while pursuing her career in the US, the SBS series is her first return to the local TV scene in 19 years. At a press event held for promotions of the show, she said it was hard to find time to star in local TV productions as Korean production schedules are much tighter. 

 

“I normally worked four days a week in the US, but since shooting (this series), I have not been able to find the time to do laundry,” she said. 

 

“I have never imagined shooting 20 scenes a day, but everything goes so quickly. I was very worried when I first saw the shooting schedule, but things happened smoothly according to the timetable and I found it truly amazing.” 

By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com)

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November 13, 2018

 

Netflix Orders 2nd Season of KINGDOM
Period Zombie Series with BAE Doo-na Goes Live January 25

by Pierce Conran KoBiz

 

 

Kingdom, the highly anticipated Korean period horror-action Netflix Original series, has been given a second season order ahead of its January 25 international debut on the streaming platform.

 

The renewal announcement was made by Netflix CEO Reed HASTINGS on Thursday, November 8 in Singapore. “It is really rare that we greenlight a second season of a show before the first has been seen,” said HASTINGS.

 

Set in the 15th century during the Joseon Era, Kingdom focuses on a nation in turmoil, both politically and because of a mysterious plague that turns its hosts into zombies. The show comes from writer KIM Eun-hee, a major name in the TV drama world whose works include Signal. Headlining the series are BAE Doo-na (Cloud Atlas), RYU Seung-ryong (Miracle in Cell No.7, 2013) and JU Ji-hoon (Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, 2017).

 

The show reunites director KIM Seong-hun and global star BAE, who last collaborated on the hit disaster drama Tunnel, which welcomed seven million viewers (USD 51 million) in the summer of 2016. BAE is a familiar face to Netflix viewers, as she was one of the leads in the sci-fi series Sense8, which was directed by the WACHOWSKIS and ran for two seasons, finishing with a feature-length finale.

 

Kingdom is the first Korean show developed and produced by Netflix, though the company did work with BONG Joon-ho on last year’s Cannes competition entry Okja and has previously acquired global rights to a number of Korean films and TV series.

 

Source: Pierce Conran

[rubie]

November 19, 2018

 

New film looks at dramatic life of notorious Korean drug kingpin of the 1970s

By Shim Sun-ah

 

SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Yonhap) -- Set in the 1970s South Korea "when even exporting drugs was praised as a patriotic act," according to promotional material, "Drug King" tells the true life story of an ordinary low-level narcotics dealer who becomes a notorious Korean drug kingpin.

 

"It's a fun movie about the ups and downs of a man who lived as a drug lord under the '70s nationwide slogan of 'Let's become wealthier,'" Woo Min-ho, director of the new film, said during a promotional press conference at a theater in Seoul on Monday. "I think it was a gloomy but glorious age at the same time. Our actors and filming staff tried to depict the era in multidimensional ways."

 

This image provided by Showbox is a scene from "Drug King". (Yonhap)

 

In the '60s and '70s, South Korea achieved marvelous economic growth, driven by exports, from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War, but endured military dictatorship by then President Park Chung-hee.

 

The movie's protagonist, Lee Doo-sam, was inspired by the notorious real-life figure with the same name, a drug kingpin based in the country's southern coastal city of Busan.

 

"I heard the story of him for the first time from the head of the production company behind 'Inside Men,'" Woo said, referring to his 2015 box office hit. "I felt it was ironic and exciting that South Korea had a heyday of meth because of Japan's strong anti-drug laws in the '70s. Korea produced meth with raw materials from Japan and exported the complete products back to the country under a system like today's OEM."

 

Song Kang-ho, of the 2017 smash-hit historical drama movie "A Taxi Driver," plays the title character, Lee, and Cho Jung-seok plays Kim In-gu, a righteous prosecutor who comes down from Seoul to Busan to apprehend Lee. Actress Bae Doo-na plays a lobbyist named Kim Jeong-ah who guides Lee into the upper echelons of the drug industry.

 

When questioned about the casting process, Woo said he initially thought that it would be impossible to cast Song, an A-list actor, but that if Song agreed to take part, it could open the way for participation from other talented actors.

 

"I now feel my dream has come true because Song chose to be in the film without hesitation."

 

It marks Song's first appearance on the big screen after "A Taxi Driver," seen by 12 million people.

 

"The film's opening was originally scheduled for this summer but was postponed to December for many reasons. But thanks to the delay, we became able to more intensely do the post-production work," said the veteran actor. "I think the result is a film in which director Woo gave his all, and I'm one of those who highly anticipate its release."

 

Song said since he has mainly taken roles of a petit bourgeois or folks who feel like ordinary neighbors he expects to show off his different side in the forthcoming film.

 

Bae of the Hollywood film "Cloud Atlas" and the Netflix series "Sense8" speaks three different foreign languages -- English, Japanese and French -- for the lobbyist role.

 

"I thought it would be a good chance to use what I have studied while filming in other countries so far. So it wasn't difficult to speak those languages," she said.

 

To reconstruct streets from the period, the production team made costumes for the cast members, whose total number was around 4,000, with '70s retro style fabrics from Japan.

 

The actress said it was really fun to shoot the film because the costumes team transformed her into a fashionable lobbyist of the period in a departure from her normal roles as plain citizens.

 

When asked how his new feature is different from "Inside Men," the director answered that he thinks they are two different films.

 

"It's a crime movie but not a typical one. It focuses on the people who lived in the '70s," he said.

 

He also emphasized that "Drug King" is a purely commercial film through which he intended to convey no specific social message.

 

"As an epic spanning a decade and multiple characters who lived in the '70s, it has much to see. You can have a new experience from the film, which is not too heavy but not too light."

 

The film is set to open in theaters on Dec. 19.

 

sshim@yna.co.kr

[rubie]

November 20, 2018

 

Star-Studded Crime Flick to Hit Theaters Next Month
 

Source: The Chosun Ilbo

 

 

A new crime flick is raising expectations with its star-studded cast ahead of its release next month.

 

Based on the true story of a Korean narco kingpin in the 1970s, the film stars Song Kang-ho in the lead role, Cho Jung-seok as a devoted prosecutor determined to track him down, and Bae Doo-na as an influential lobbyist who helps the main character's drug business.

 

The three attended a press conference in Seoul on Monday along with other cast members and director Woo Min-ho. 

 

Cast members pose at a press event for director Woo Min-ho's new film in Seoul on Monday. From left, Kim So-jin, Cho Jung-seok, Song Kang-ho, Bae Doo-na, Kim Dae-myung and Woo

 

Woo said, "I didn't think this cast was possible. But I knew if we could get Song to participate, we could put together a great cast around him."

 

Song downplayed his importance to the film, however, saying, "Woo says he was able to cast other actors because of me, but that's not true. I think actors trust him. I think this is the first film to deal primarily with the underground drug world, although it has been partially addressed in many other films. I think the actors, including myself, were attracted by this."

 

Woo's other works include "Inside Men," for which he won the best director award at the annual Daejong Film Awards in 2016. 

 

The new film will hit local theaters on Dec. 19. 

 

Source: OhMyStar

 

 

 

 

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Source: Cine Made in Asia @cinemadeinasia

 

 

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January 5, 2019

 

Korean Actors Brush up on English-Language Skills

 

By Pyo Tae-jun The Chosun Ilbo

 

In his latest film "Take Point," Ha Jung-woo's lines are mostly in English as he heads a group of mercenaries. Ha admits that playing the part was "quite a challenge."

 

"It drove me nuts whenever my language coach pointed out an incorrect pronunciation when I said a line while trying to immerse myself into my character," he said.

 

But as Korean films ride a wave of K-pop enthusiasm overseas, it has to be done. Ha took one-on-one English language lessons for six months before filming began.

 

He and his teacher, Christine Kim, would go for walks during lessons to make speaking English become more natural. "I made him memorize the words, accent and gestures of his favorite basketball player Kobe Bryant and Tom Cruise after watching YouTube," Kim said. "We never sat down when we met for lessons and I trained him to speak in English while walking or moving. A natural sense of language comes with gestures or movements."

 

In the movie "Default," which is about the 1997 Asian financial crisis, French actor Vincent Cassel and his co-star Kim Hye-soo speak to each other in English. And in "The Drug King," which opened last month, Bae Doo-na also speaks English. She has employed a dialect coach since the early 2000s as she has appeared in a couple of Hollywood films.

 

Lee Byung-hun, who played a U.S. Marine in the TV drama, "Mr. Sunshine," took English conversation classes at a crammer in Gangnam. Park Jung-geun, the personal tutor for Lee as well as Yoo Ji-tae and Han Hyo-joo, said, "Learning English while sitting down and focusing primarily on grammar is no help at all when acting in a scene. The secret is using hands and learning other gestures.

[rubie]

January 21, 2019

 

Netflix's first original Korean drama 'Kingdom' unveiled to media

 

By Park Boram

 

SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- Netflix on Monday unveiled to media its first original Korean drama series, which has drawn much anticipation for its big budget and acclaimed creative team.

 

"Kingdom," which premieres globally on the U.S. video streaming service Friday, is a genre-defining six-episode zombie mystery thriller set in the last Korean kingdom of Joseon. It took nearly eight years to produce the series, with its production cost reaching 2 billion won (US$1.7 million) per episode, according to the producers.

 

Netflix chose famed Korean screenwriter Kim Eun-hee, the author of the popular 2016 TV series "Signal," and director Kim Seong-hun, whose 2016 film "Tunnel" became a solid box office hit, as its first partners for local drama production.

 

Actor Ryu Seung-ryong, actress Bae Doo-na, actor Ju Ji-hoon, screenwriter Kim Eun-hee and director Kim Seong-hun (from L) pose for photos during a press conference on Jan. 21, 2019, held to announce the release of the first Korean edition of the Netflix Original series "Kingdom." (Yonhap)

 

Screenwriter Kim drew the story from a 19th century royal court document that recorded tens of thousands of deaths in the capital amid the outbreak of an unidentified epidemic.

 

"I started to design this story in 2011 ... I thought an epidemic would be an interesting subject that could portray the sufferings of that time. In the end, I wanted to talk about hunger ... as the desire of people narrows down to the craving to eat as they turn into zombies," Kim said in a press conference for the television series in Seoul.

 

She said the details of her zombie story were put into the Netflix show to the greatest extent because the platform has no age limits for content, which local TV channels have.

 

The series marks the established director Kim Seong-hun's debut on the small screen.

"I filmed the series thinking that I am filming three two-hour movies. They carry very tiny details that a single two-hour film cannot carry."

 

The first season of "Kingdom" also brings together Ju Ji-hoon, arguably one of the top movie actors of today, and Bae Doo-na, who built a solid filmography in Hollywood.

 

"If you enjoy the series at once, you can take it as a 300-minute film, or if you want to take it as a TV series, you can watch one episode a day. The joy of choosing is up to you," Bae said.

 

Ju plays Joseon Dynasty crown prince, Lee Chang, who is accused of treason in a political power game after the king is taken with a deadly epidemic and falls into the zombie state of half death and half life.

 

Driven out of the royal court amid a rapidly spreading epidemic, the prince races to the very fringe of the country in search of a renowned doctor who holds the key to the mystery of the king's illness and the accusation of treason against the prince.

 

There, Lee is faced with lower-class epidemic victims who have turned into zombies. Pursued both by the deathly zombies and the royal forces, he goes on the adventurous journey to prove his innocence and find a secret medicinal herb.

 

The doctor's apprentice, Seo-bi, portrayed by Bae, plays the key aide during the prince's tumultuous journey back to the court.

 

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"It's a story that can captivate people (worldwide) by combining original Korean beauty and its narration with the original Western subject matter of (zombies)," said Ryu Seung-ryong, who plays the kingdom's power-hungry No. 2 who plots to bring the treason charge against the prince and seeks eventually to take the ill-fated king's throne.

 

"It's a story that could resonate with people from any place in the world and from any time period with its focus on hunger and the struggle for power," the veteran actor said. "It could be a work that makes Korea's unique beauty known to the world."

 

"There's a saying that a work will become a hit if its actors and production staff experience hardship," Ju said, adding that he suffered a minor bone fracture in his left ankle, hip neuralgia and a minor burn. "I had to work very hard as the show is very wild and spectacular."

pbr@yna.co.kr

 

 

[rubie]

January 22, 2019

Netflix Unveils Korean Zombie Series

 

Source: The Chosun Ilbo via HanCinema.net

 

Ryu Seung-ryong (left), Bae Doona (center) and Joo Ji-hoon pose at a press event for their new Netflix series "Kingdom" in Seoul on Monday.

 

The first Korean drama series produced by Netflix is due to be released around the world this week. A press event for the series was held in Seoul on Monday before it goes to air on Friday for 139 million subscribers in 190 countries.

 

Set during the Chosun Dynasty, the six-episode zombie drama revolves around a doomed crown prince who investigates a mysterious epidemic. The series stars Bae Doona, Joo Ji-hoon and Ryu Seung-ryong. It is directed by Kim Seong-hun, who directed the 2016 film "Tunnel", and written by Kim Eun-hee-I, who scripted the hit TV series "Signal". 

 

Netflix has been increasingly involved in Korean entertainment productions to expand its presence in Asia, where Korean films and TV series and shows are popular. It made a huge investment in director Bong Joon-ho's 2016 film "Okja", and produced the first entertainment show "Busted! I Know Who You Are" last year. It also cooperated with leading management agency YG Entertainment to air a YG-produced sitcom starring Seung-ri of boy band Big Bang.

 

With "Kingdom", its aim seems to be to lure more Western viewers by incorporating a zombie theme familiar to them.

 

The cast said they were excited to be starring in a series airing on the world's leading streaming service.

 

"We are all actually new faces [to global Netflix viewers] except for Bae Doona, who is already recognized for her roles in Netflix's TV series", like "Sense 8", Joo said. "I'm really excited that viewers across the world will watch it".

 

"Making a six-episode drama was new for me, as I had only worked on two-hour film projects. I tried to keep in mind how people from different cultures would respond to it", the director said.

 

Photos: The Chosun Ilbo

 

 

 

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