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May 27, 2013
Korea's Moon wins short film award
Source: The Korea Times
Moon Byoung-gon, center, is presented the Best Short Film award for his film “Safe” by actor Mads Mikkelson, left, and director Jane Campion. / AP-Yonhap
Korean director Moon Byoung-gon won the top prize for short films for "Safe" at the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival on Sunday.
It marks the first time that a Korean film has won an award for a short film at Cannes.
"Safe," the winner of the Short Film Palme d'Or, draws a sad portrait of contemporary people through a female college student working part-time at an exchange booth in a gambling parlor and a gambling-addicted man.
"I'm bewildered and didn't know if I would win a prize. I'm all the more happy to receive this award because I completely had no expectation that I'd win," Moon told Yonhap News Agency after the awards ceremony.
No Korean feature film was invited for this year's event.
The 30-year-old director studied film at Seoul's Chung-Ang University and has director two shorts -- "No More Coffee Break" (2008) and "Finis Operis" (2011). The latter film was featured at Cannes in its Critics' Week in 2011. |
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May 27, 2013
Beast's comeback set for July
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Much-loved boy band Beast will make a comeback in July, according to the CEO of its agency, Cube Entertainment, on the company’s official Web site.
“We are ready to deliver three big pictures we have for Beast’s comeback for which many of you were waiting,” said Hong.
“We strived to match up the puzzle so that everyone who has been cheering for the [group] can be happy,” he explained as the comeback date has been delayed longer than expected.
The group is scheduled to be back in the music scene this month. To make up for the delay, the group will release its title track, tentatively named “Is It Okay” tomorrow, before the official album release in July.
Also, the group will plan a fan meet next month while the members prepare for the new album.
“We are trying to make another turning point for Beast with this new album so that it can become a global star and do many more things,” said the CEO.
The group also plans to have a concert in Korea in July. |
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May 27, 2013
Baek, Jung release wedding plans
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
The soon-to-be-married couple of singer Baek Ji-young and actor Jung Suk-won announced more details about their June wedding.
MBC producer Kim Young-hee, who coordinated “I Am a Singer,” a hit survival show among professional singers in 2011 in which Baek participated, will officiate the wedding ceremony as per the couple’s request.
The wedding will be divided into two parts as a reception will continue right after the ceremony.
Singer Kim Sung-soo of Cool, who is also known to have introduced the couple to each other, will take the microphone as an emcee. During the reception, Kim Chang-ryeol of DJ Doc will take over the podium and create a party-like atmosphere. Some fellow singers, such as Sung Si-kyung and Kim Bum-soo, will congratulate the couple on their wedding day by singing a song.
The couple’s wedding invitation was released on Twitter as Yoo Sung-eun, semifinalist of the survival program, “The Voice of Korea,” in which Baek is a judge, posted her copy online. |
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May 27, 2013
Lee's new role not quite so 'Heartless'
'I have many flaws. But to be more like my role, I am at least pretending to be a perfectionist'
Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor Lee Jae-yoon talks to passers-by while promoting the JTBC drama, “Heartless City,” on May 13 in Myeongdong, central Seoul. [NEWSIS]
From a gangster to a detective that goes after gangsters. In JTBC’s new drama “Heartless City,” Lee Jae-yoon went through quite a transformation.
Jae played the gangster brother of main character Dahae (played by Soo Ae) in the SBS drama, “King of Ambition,” that concluded last month. The 29-year-old is now playing a detective in the police narcotics division in the new JTBC drama that started yesterday. Oddly, one can see Lee as either of the men.
“I’m glad that finally I’m playing a role which is likable for viewers,” Lee said. “As ‘Heartless City’ is Korea’s first TV drama that falls in the genre of ‘film noir,’ I hope to show a befitting performance.”
In “Heartless City,” Lee plays the role of Ji Hyeong-min. He graduated from the police academy with top scores and gets promoted at a young age. He dreams of revenge against a drug ring that caused the death of the woman he loved.
The new drama alleges to be Korea’s first TV drama that is in the film noir genre, a cinematic genre that deals with crimes. It revolves around a struggle between undercover agents and members of an infamous drug ring, and the love interests of the three main characters that emerge in the process.
“Heartless City” is expected to be in a heated competition with the new KBS drama, “Shark,” that features Son Ye-jin and Kim Nam-gil and also started yesterday. The two dramas start airing between 9:50 and 10:00 p.m., a golden hour for dramas, Mondays and Tuesdays. Ilgan Sports sat down with Lee for a short interview.
“Heartless City” claims to be Korea’s first “film noir” TV drama. [JoongAng Ilbo]
Q.Why did you choose Heartless City?
A.More than anything else, I really liked the script. I was sure that I could show a different side of me. I was also attracted to the fact that this is Korea’s first TV drama that is categorized as film noir. I am honored to work with renowned directors and actors. I will not spare any bones to give a good performance.
You play an “elite” detective. How does the character compare to you?
Ji Hyeong-min is a perfectionist, which is something that I’m not. I have many flaws. But to be more like my role, I am at least pretending to be a perfectionist. Also, in real life, I’m really close to Jeong Gyeong-ho (who plays Jeong Si-heon, one of the bosses in the drug ring). But in the drama, we are enemies. That’s also different.
You played an obnoxious character in “King of Ambition.”
Yes. It was regrettable how disliked my character ? and I ? was in that piece. I don’t mind playing a villain, but there is a desire in me that wants to portray a cool guy. In that sense, I am really happy to portray a strong, good-hearted man in the new drama. It’s a new experience and I’m learning a lot.
What is the highlight of “Heartless City?”
I think it’s the tension between me and Jeong. Plus, Nam Gyu-ri, who plays an undercover agent, is also an attraction as she hasn’t really played that kind of role before. The veteran actors like Son Chang-min and Choi Moo-seong are also pillars of our drama. Just looking at them act is a huge honor and pleasure for me.
There are many action scenes. How are you coping with that?
There haven’t been any injuries. In fact, I love action pieces and I always wanted to play in action scenes. There are very intense fighting scenes that involve cars, bare hands, and weapons, which make the drama very suspenseful and dynamic. It is something that hasn’t been tried in a terrestrial TV drama. I believe while the noir factor will appeal to men, the love interests will appeal to women. |
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May 27, 2013
Shin Hyun-joon marries a student
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor and host of a popular entertainment show Shin Hyun-joon got married Sunday to a bride who is 12 years his junior at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Hannam, central Seoul. Before the evening wedding, he shared his excitement over the new chapter of his life.
“In fact, I never thought about getting married, but when I first saw my wife, I had a very strong feeling that I would marry this person,” said Shin. “I’m very happy right now, and I’ll do my best to have a good life.”
He also shared the story of how he proposed. After his future bride told him that she thinks the South Sea is beautiful, he booked a room overlooking the ocean in the southern part of the country. When they were by the poolside, he proposed to her while he was giving her a necklace. In a wedding that was closed to media, movie director Lim Kwon-taek of the 2002 movie “Painted Fire” officiated the ceremony. Shin’s two close friends, actor Jung Jun-ho and singer-turned-entertainer Tak Jae-hoon were emcees. The bride is a student studying in the United States for advanced degrees in music. The two got married after dating for six months. |
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May 28, 2013
Actress Han, footballer Ki to marry on July 1
YonhapNews
SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- Actress Han Hye-jin and Ki Sung-yueng, an all-around midfielder for Swansea City in the English Premier League, announced Tuesday that they will tie the knot on July 1.
"We will get married on July 1," Han said on Twitter.
Earlier this month, the couple first announced their plan to get married, without specifying the exact date and venue.
The announcement has drawn much public attention because of their fame and the fact that Han is eight years older than the 24-year-old footballer, which is rare in South Korea.
Han said the wedding was scheduled for Swansea City's offseason period.
"If we miss this year, we'd have no choice but to wait till next year. So we hurried, thinking this would be the best timing," she said.
The couple said they will have a closed-door Christian wedding ceremony at Seoul's Intercontinental Hotel.
Ki is scheduled to fly back to Britain to join a team training session a day after the wedding, Han said, adding that she will go to Britain to stay with him after finishing shooting for a new movie and a TV talk show.
Meanwhile, Han seems highly likely to resign as an MC of the SBS TV talk show "Healing Camp" as she showed an intent to go to Britain to live there.
"We're now carefully discussing whether she will quit the show and, if so, when," Han's management agency, Namoo Actors Co., said. |
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May 28, 2013
Han Hye-jin to move to U.K. after getting married
The Korea Herald
Han Hye-jin and Ki Sung-yueng
Actress Han Hye-jin said she would move to the U.K. to be with husband-to-be Ki Sung-yueng after her wedding.
Han said via Twitter on Tuesday that “My fiance Ki and I will be tying the knot on July 1. We will exchange vows to become husband and a wife.”
Ki will return to the U.K. right after the wedding to join training with English Premier League club Swansea and Han will follow him after wrapping up her part for a film and broadcast program.
Han’s agency said that though nothing has been decided yet, she might stop hosting “Healing Camp” as she is carefully thinking about her next move.
From news reports |
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May 29, 2013
IU's agency fights back against rumor
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Singer IU’s agency has said that it will ask police for an investigation into who first spread stories about IU’s rumored marriage with a member of a local boy band.
On Monday, IU was said to be preparing for an October wedding with a member of boy band - assumed to be Eunhyuk of Super Junior by netizens. The rumors also said IU was advised not to marry by officials at her agency.
“We are very sorry that such unsubstantiated rumors have been so easily distributed and recognized as truth,” the agency said in a statement.
“We will hold the first distributor and anyone who was active in distributing the rumors responsible through a legal action.”
IU and Eunhyuk were previously at the center of attention when a photo of the two stars was accidentally posted on IU’s Twitter account.
At the time, the agency explained that Eunhyuk visited IU’s home when she was sick.
They supposedly took the photo on a sofa while IU was resting and thus wearing pajamas. |
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May 29, 2013
Han Hye-jin releases wedding plans
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Han Hye-jin shared more details about her upcoming July wedding with footballer Ki Sung-yeung yesterday on Twitter.
“We are getting married on July 1,” said Han. “I sometimes feel suffocated due to the many rumors [about us], but we have consoled each other by saying we should never forget what’s most precious.”
She also said that she had decided not to respond to every little detail in rumors and reports as she felt burdened by the uptick in attention.
“Our decision to marry is very recent,” said Han, adding that the couple had to rush the wedding due to Ki’s football schedule.
For fans worrying about Han leaving the entertainment scene, she said, “I will continue to meet [fans] ... even after I get married.”
The wedding will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Gangnam District, southern Seoul.
They have not decided on a honeymoon destination as Ki must return to Swansea City for training on the day after the wedding. |
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May 29, 2013
Lee Hyo-ri helps out makeup artist
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Lee Hyo-ri, former member of girl group FIN K.L., met with Eugene, a former member of girl group S.E.S., which was FIN K.L.’s rival in the 1990s, on a TV program Eugene hosted yesterday.
On “Get It Beauty,” Lee appeared as a guest to support her makeup artist Hong Seong-hee, who was scheduled to take part in yesterday’s show. It is said that Lee wanted to show her gratitude as Hong has worked with Lee for about a decade.
“Recently, [we] filmed a new music video for three consecutive days without sleeping, and I was very thankful for Hong for having been there day and night for the three days,” said Lee. “I wanted to give at least a little help to her.”
Except Eugene, other guests on the show and audience members were startled to see Lee walking into the studio. During the show, secrets to styling were revealed. Hong explained how to use bronzer and eyeliner. As Hong demonstrated her own tricks, Lee also paid attention as she thought it is strange to watch others wear makeup in a similar style. |
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May 29, 2013
Rain to join Cube after military release
By Julie Jackson The Korea Herald
Cube Entertainment CEO Hong Seung-seong announced on Tuesday that singer, actor and producer Rain has agreed to sign an exclusive contract with the agency after the star is discharged from his mandatory military service in July.
Hong previously served as the president of JYP Entertainment during the early stages of Rain’s career and was one of the first who cast and trained the young star in the making.
“You’ll be able to witness the beginning of Rain’s second wave now, who knows no limits and who has shown his potential by becoming a world-class entertainer,” said Hong in a press statement.
Rain entered the military in October 2011 where he has been serving as a PR officer for the Defense Media Agency. He is scheduled to be released from the military on July 10, when he will join his future label mates Beast, 4Minute and G.NA among others, and begin his activities under his new agency. |
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May 29, 2013
Wedding imminent for Lee Min-jung, Lee Byung-hun?
The Korea Herald
The wedding of celebrity couple Lee Min-jung and Lee Byung-hun might be come sooner rather than expected, as the actress reportedly caught the bouquet at her close friend’s wedding.
Lee Min-jung, 31, attended her friend’s wedding in Seoul on May 25 together with her 43-year-old boyfriend Lee Byung-hun, one of Korea’s best-known actors, with two Hollywood movies under his belt.
The two actors confirmed their relationship last year, raising anticipation for another star couple.
The actress’ agency, however, said Monday that “the two actors do not have any specific plans for marriage yet.”
From news reports |
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May 30, 2013
Actor Kim Soo-hyun mounts a new challenge in new film
'Teletubbies helped bring out the foolish character in me,' says actor
Jin Eun-soo, Intern reporter The Korea Herald
Kim Soo-hyun (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)
Actor Kim Soo-hyun, 25, said he has attempted to elevate his acting a step further by taking the role of an elite North Korean spy named Won Ryu-hwan in the forthcoming film “Secretly Greatly.”
“Won is the character who has four different colors,” said Kim in an interview.
“They are the elite North Korean spy’s language, his professional South Korean, the disguised fool’s awkward talks, and his socialized language after getting used to the surroundings.”
Kim said he learned the North Korean accent from a defector, but learned the dim-witted man’s attitude from “Teletubbies.”
The actor also underwent grueling training sessions for a series of intensive action scenes. But what’s more burdensome than the physical challenge was the pressure he felt.
“It was big pressure for me to choose the next film after having received so much love from ‘Moon Embracing the Sun.’ I started to become a coward and was afraid of going outside,” Kim said.
“Then I realized something was wrong and realized that I was being overly conscious of other people and that nobody actually cares that much about me,” he said.
The movie, directed by Jang Cheol-soo, is set to be released nationwide on June 5. |
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May 28, 2013
g.o.d’s Son Ho-young moved to general ward
By Lee Hyun-jeong The Korea Herald
Singer Son Ho-young, who attempted suicide, was transferred from an intensive care unit to a general ward on Sunday, his agency said.
According to CJ E&M’s officials, Son’s condition improved but he still needs more psychological stability.
The member of former pop group g.o.d was visited at his hospital room by fellow members Kim Tae-woo and Danny Ahn, though they could not have a long conversation due to Son’s health status, the agency said.
Son’s suicide attempt, which came on the heels of his girlfriend’s suicide, worried many fans who were hoping for a g.o.d reunion, which was hinted at during a television show last year.
The agency said that although the reunion is possible, no concrete plans have been discussed and Son’s recovery is the top priority for now.
The five-member group debuted in 1999, and has been inactive since 2005. |
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May 30, 2013
Dozens booked in gov't crackdown on torrent downloads
By Shim Sun-ah YonhapNews
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- Dozens of operators of an online peer-to-peer file sharing service and its heavy users have been booked for allegedly circulating illegal copies of movies, computer software and television programs, the culture ministry said Thursday.
Announcing the outcome of a five-month-long crackdown on 10 out of the nation's estimated 60 domestic torrent download sites, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said police have booked 12 operators and 41 users without physical detention for illegally uploading more than 1,000 seed files, the ministry said.
Torrent is a protocol supporting the practice of peer-to-peer file sharing that is used to distribute large amounts of data over the Internet.
The system has recently emerged as one of the biggest threats to the nation's creative industries, allowing users to download new music, movies and various television programs, and even high-priced smartphone applications for free, and is quicker than other P2P and online storage services.
The crackdown, conducted jointly with the police and the Korea Copyright Commission, a subsidiary body of the ministry, was aimed at raising public awareness on the illegality of sharing various files on torrent sites without permission from their copyright holders, officials said.
"Torrent sites have been out of the reach of the authorities' probe as the complex method of sharing files makes it difficult for them to catch illegalities," the ministry said in a press release.
According to the copyright commission, the 10 torrent sites had 3.78 million subscribers and 2.38 million illegal files for sharing. The commission estimated 866.7 billion won (US$768 million) worth of copyrighted files was infringed upon as those files were downloaded 715 million times.
The ministry cautioned people not to download files on the system because they can be legally punished as a provider of illegal files as the system makes every user who downloads the files automatically upload them for other users. |
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