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March 22, 2013
Jeon Do-yeon Gets Special Honor at Florence Film Fest
The ChosunIlbo
Jeon Do-yeon, who received the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for "Secret Sunshine" in 2007, is gaining international recognition again, this time as the first Korean actress to have a session dedicated to her at the Florence Korea Film Festival. In its 11th year, the feast of Korean cinema in the Italian city runs until Sunday.
Eight of Jeon's films are on the schedule, including "The Contact," "Happy End," "Untold Scandal," "My Mother the Mermaid," "Secret Sunshine," "My Dear Enemy," "The Housemaid" and "Countdown." |
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March 22, 2013
Rain won't appear at own libel suit
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Singer and actor Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, again did not comply with a court order compelling him to appear as a witness in a hearing on Wednesday for a libel trial against a businessman surnamed Lee.
Rain refused to attend the hearing as he is currently serving his mandatory military duty, according to local media reports. It was also said that he feels uncomfortable making public appearances after his relationship with actress Kim Tae-hee went public.
This is the third time the singer did not comply with the court order.
Seoul Central District Court will summon him once more. It is also considering a summons after he is discharged from the military in July.
Rain filed a defamation lawsuit against businessman Lee in 2010 and two journalists who used Lee as a source. The articles said Rain colluded with the president of a fashion company and embezzled company funds.
Later, Rain dropped the charges against the reporters but is still pursuing the case against Lee. |
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March 22, 2013
Jang Keun-suk crashes car into bus
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor Jang Keun-suk drove into a bus on the Incheon Expressway on Thursday, the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency said yesterday.
No one was injured from the accident, although parts of Jang’s sports car and the bus were damaged.
He got a flat tire as he was driving and lost control of his car. His Porsche 911 Carrera S then hit the bus in front of him.
“Jang’s car was seriously damaged by the collision and an ensuing fire. The fire was put out with an extinguisher from the bus,” one eyewitness told local media.
Another report quoted an official close to Jang as saying that the star was not seriously injured and so will continue to make scheduled events. The official also said Jang will get a thorough physical after a rehearsal in Thailand.
Jang was on his way to the airport and left for Thailand to perform a concert there with his project group “Team-H” on the same day.
Jang formed the group with music producer Big Brother. |
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March 23, 2013
Star Power Wanes at Box Office
The ChosunIlbo
Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle "The Last Stand," which was released in Korea on Feb. 21, has tanked at the box office and dropped off the list after attracting only 66,698 spectators in just under a month.
The film is directed by Kim Ji-woon, who shot to fame with "The Good, the Bad and the Weird," but the combination of top director and star was unable to attract viewers. This appears to be part of a wider trend where star power is fading in favor of strong storylines.
Film booking site Maxmovie asked 2,754 members of its website from Feb. 26 to March 6 what they consider when choosing a movie and found that a massive 74.2 percent said the plot is the most important factor.
In a similar survey 10 years ago, only 39.6 percent gave the same answer. On the other hand, 17.9 percent named the cast as the most important criterion in 2003, but this year that had dropped to a vanishing 3.4 percent.
Only 2.5 percent said they select a movie because of the director in 2003, and now that too has dropped slightly to 2.1 percent.
The failure of "My Way," starring Jang Dong-gun and directed by Kang Je-gyu clearly reflects the trend. "Taegukgi" (2004), which also starred Jang and was directed by Kang, drew over 10 million spectators.
Kim Hyung-ho of Maxmovie said, "As the market expands and more and more films come out, people are choosing films based on plot or genre rather than stars and directors."
The poll reflects what is happening in the box office. "The Berlin File," was directed by Ryoo Seung-wan and stars Ha Jung-woo and Jeon Ji-hyun. "South Bound" was directed by Lim Soon-rye, who shot to fame with "Forever the Moment" and consistently successful actor Kim Yoon-seok.
Yet in the weeks that the two films were released, they were easily topped by "Miracle in Cell No. 7," which attracted over 12.5 million cinemagoers, although it starred latecomer Ryoo Seung-ryong and was made by the obscure director Lee Hwan-kyung.
Star actors earn W500-600 million (US$1=W1,119) per film plus a bonus if the movie is a success. The CEO of a film PR company said, "Putting famous actors and directors on the posters doesn't guarantee commercial success. But it still helps attract attention up until the release."
Perhaps this was the reason why "The Berlin File" was ahead of "Miracle in Cell No. 7" in the first week of its release.
Now producers are starting to cast ensembles of actors with similar clout. Last year’s box office hits "The Thieves" and "The Grand Heist" had about a dozen starring actors.
In the past, romantic comedies and melodramas tended to feature just one or two stars, but now they have three or four.
Film critic Jeon Chan-il said, "The diminishing influence of stars means filmmakers and producers now have to consider the varied needs of cinemagoers and their changing tastes, so more and more films have a whole bevvy of stars." |
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March 23, 2013
Young Director Finds New Formula for Romantic Comedy
The ChosunIlbo
Roh Deok
A bit apart from the typical romantic comedy, director Roh Deok offers a fresh approach to the love life and dating patterns of young couples in her new film "Very Ordinary Couple."
"Very Ordinary Couple" is a personal film for her, as the film is based on the 33-year-old director's own love life and those of her circle of friends.
It begins with the break-up of a couple who had a secret three-year relationship at the bank where they both work and vividly describes their emotional ups and downs after the break-up.
Both pretend they are no longer interested in each other but spend much of their spare time looking at their ex's social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter to investigate any signs of new relationships. They also argue over dating expenses from when they were seeing each other.
Though there may be some exaggeration, the film is successful in portraying the current landscape of love in Korea among young people in a bittersweet way.
"I enjoyed being in relationships and also listening to my friends' love stories. I wanted to reflect in my work the delicate emotions that people feel while dating," Roh said.
The director of such a film might be expected to have a lot of experience with relationships, but Roh said this isn't true.
"Compared to friends my age, I've still got a long way to go," she said.
Very Ordinary Couple (2012)
Genres: Romance and Comedy
Running Time: 112 min.
Directed by: Roh Deok
Starring: Kim Min-hee, Lee Min-ki
Synopsis: The probability of a couple that had broken up getting back together and having a successful relationship is just 3%. Dong-hee and Young, who had broken up over a minor tiff, later realize their love for each other and end up getting back together. But will they be able to fit into the 3% bracket? |
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March 21, 2013
Choi Ji-woo most favored hallyu star
The Korea Times
Actress Choi Ji-woo has been chosen as the most favored hallyu star by Asians visiting here.
Regen Medical Group asked 179 foreigners who visited Gyeongbok Palace on March 7 and 8, and found Choi was the most preferred Korean star among tourists.
Choi got support from 82, followed by Lee Young-ae and Park Shin-hye who were endorsed by 48 and 43 foreigners, respectively.
A hospital official said Choi enjoyed popularity among Japanese and those from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
“Those who opted for Choi seemingly due to her slim and long face line coupled with long eyes, which are suitable for expressing one’s emotion to others,” the official said.
The hospital carried out the survey to find out what type of hallyu starts Asian tourists prefer, to utilize the result for its marketing tactics targeting those wanting to visit here for plastic surgery. |
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March 24, 2013
KARA plans on several one-act plays
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
KARA is planning to have a short drama of its own. Kim Kyu-tae, chief producer of SBS drama “That Winter, the Wind Blows,” will collaborate with the girl group on the project, according to local media reports.
Kim is planning to shoot a one-act play with each of the group’s five members. They will be aired in Korea and then in Japan, though dates have not yet been confirmed.
“This is the first time for the producer to direct such one-act plays and is also a new challenge for KARA members,” said an official at Kim’s agency, according to the reports. “We are currently thinking about a melodramatic piece, but the details are not yet decided.”
It is said that Kim’s move will encourage more directors to produce one-act plays of the kind in which KARA plans to participate.
The agency also added that it will know more details about the production of the plays when “That Winter, the Wind Blows” comes to an end in April.
At that time, it will also determine the network that will broadcast the plays. |
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March 24, 2013
Sechs Kies member plans to marry
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Ko Ji-yong, former member of boy band Sechs Kies in the 1990s, will be married in October, according to local media reports.
One of Ko’s close friends said that parents of the future bride and groom recently met and agreed on having a wedding in October.
Ko’s fiancee is a doctor surnamed Heo at Seoul Paik Hospital. Both are 34 years old and have been planning a wedding since last year.
When wedding rumors began to spread last year, netizens showed great interest in Ko’s girlfriend for her beauty.
The two said they met through mutual friends.
“Ko only shared the news about his wedding with his close friends,” the friend was quoted as saying. “As he now has an ordinary life working for a corporation, he feels that a public wedding could be burdensome for his fiancee.”
Ko had made no official public appearances in the entertainment industry since his idol group dissolved in 2000. |
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March 24, 2013
Jo Kwon saved from gas by phone call
By Moon Gwang-lip Korea JoongAng Daily
Jo Kwon of 2AM received emergency treatment for acute gas poisoning on Saturday.
The star was reportedly napping in his car before a taping of “MBC Show! Music Core” and awoke feeling ill, Star News reported.
“He happened to be awakened by a telephone call and smelled gas, felt dizzy and had a headache,” a source said. “So he went to the emergency room.”
The gas came from a leaking fuel container attached to a portable heater in the car, the report said.
Jo’s condition was not immediately known, but he left the hospital for the filming and later returned.
He had a full checkup and was later released with a warning about possible pneumonia, his agency said.
Jo also discussed the incident on social media.
“Thank you sincerely for your concern,” he tweeted yesterday. “I will quickly show you how I have managed to recover.”
The 24-year-old is scheduled to make his acting debut on April 1 through the KBS 2TV drama “God of Job.” |
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March 24, 2013
Park Jin-young reveals closure of U.S. operations
By Julie Jackson The Korea Herald
CEO and founder of one of the country’s “big three” record labels JYP Entertainment Park Jin-young, also referred to as JYP, revealed on Friday that he has shut the doors of his company’s New York City office and U.S. subsidiary corporation “JYP Creative” in November of last year after only a year in operation.
The subsidiary JYP Creative was first established in November 2011 and it was reported that Park invested approximately $1.2 million in the branch to assist in his agency’s promotional activities in the U.S. However, after a year of operation, the company reportedly saw a net loss of around $1.5 million by the end of 2012, forcing the CEO to liquidate the branch.
Park Jin-young
Representatives of JYP Entertainment stated in news reports that although they have closed down their U.S. office, the agency’s plans of promoting its artists in the U.S. have not changed.
With Park’s high ambitions for Korean artists to finally break through into the U.S. music market, the producer -- whose biggest claim to fame was the introduction of K-pop star Rain -- decided to open a New York City office as a stepping stone to his JYP USA enterprise. The office first opened its doors in the summer of 2007, but the building was later riddled with numerous state building code and legal violations. The midtown Manhattan three-story building was listed by JYP Entertainment as a location that was to be used as office space. However, the building was hit with several construction violation notices that accused Park of using the first floor of the building as a music studio, contradicting the conditions of occupancy that stated that all the floors were being used as work offices.
In 2010, Park’s Manhattan office was under serious scrutiny for illegally using the building to temporarily house the members of the K-pop girl group the Wonder Girls, one the agency’s top clients, during their stay in the States. The city of New York stated that the building was “perilous to human life” because the space did not meet the construction safety requirements and it was deemed a fire hazard because there was not even a sprinkler system in the rooms where the girls had slept. The Department of Buildings issued a “Partial Vacate Order,” closing down a portion of the building until the building code violations were resolved.
The music mogul’s U.S. ambitions have not ended with his NYC office; Park also established JYP Foods Inc. and opened up the Korean BBQ restaurant “Kristalbelli” in 2011 near New York’s Korea Town. Although it was also stated that the restaurant is currently struggling financially, the restaurant has not been shut down and will continue to operate.
Although Park has made several attempts in infiltrating his agency and himself into the U.S. market, he has yet to make a significant enough impact. JYP’s leading girl group the Wonder Girls has made a number of attempts in the American music market with the girls releasing several English singles including joining the North American leg of the Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009. The group had announced their plans of releasing a full-length English album during the time of their 2009 tour in North America, however nearly four years later, the album has still not yet been released. In 2011 the girls returned home from their international activities and in late November of last year the Wonder Girls announced that the members are temporarily suspending their activities after the announcement of leader Sunye’s marriage, and stated that members would be focusing on their individual activities. |
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March 25, 2013
Actress Kim Hye-soo Sorry for MA Plagiarism
The ChosunIlbo
Kim Hye-soo
Actress Kim Hye-soo has apologized for plagiarizing a substantial part of her master's thesis at Sungkyunkwan University in 2001. She copied part of the thesis on actor communication verbatim from at least four books.
A professor at Seoul National University who read Kim's thesis said, "It's the kind of brazen cut-and-paste job that even undergraduates wouldn’t dare to attempt."
Kim in a statement through her agency said, "I admit that I plagiarized my thesis because it was written when I was working full-time. I think I wasn't aware of the seriousness of plagiarism. I am sorry."
Kim Mi-hwa
She is not alone among celebrities in cutting academic corners. Comedian and TV personality Kim Mi-hwa is also suspected of plagiarizing her master's thesis from the same university in 2011, copying from five other theses.
The university said it was tipped off by an anonymous caller and a research ethics committee will review the paper.
Kim Mi-hwa admitted violating the rules by failing to attribute quotations properly but claims she researched "the important parts" herself. |
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March 25, 2013
Radio host Kim Mi-hwa quits over plagiarism scandal
YonhapNews
SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- Comedian-turned-radio host Kim Mi-hwa said Monday she would resign after being accused of plagiarism.
Kim has been the target of public debate over the past few days after a local daily reported Saturday that she had plagiarized major portions of her master's thesis in 2011 from various authors.
She has been working as the host of a news program on the CBS FM radio channel since November 2011.
"I will step down as the host of the news program on Monday," Kim wrote on her Twitter account. "I think this is the right way to assume responsibility for causing trouble."
She then apologized in public for the plagiarism and pledged to take proper punishment if her entire thesis turns out to be based on earlier works.
Debuting as a comedian for the nation's largest broadcaster KBS in 1983, Kim rose to stardom with her comic character, "Sunakjil," a rather ugly newly-wed wife grunting and sometimes behaving violently toward her handsome husband. The 48-year-old star later became a TV and radio show host but was fired from her MBC radio program in April 2011 after criticizing then President Lee Myung-bak. She earned a master's degree in journalism from Seoul's Sungkyunkwan University the same year.
Also on Monday, actress Kim Hye-soo admitted that she plagiarized her thesis for her master's degree in journalism from the same university and made a public apology.
"It was wrong regardless of the reason," Kim said in response to wide media suspicions on Friday that she plagiarized other authors.
"I admit to having made a mistake in the process of writing the thesis because I didn't have any exact idea about plagiarism in 2001. I deeply repent for the mistake of the past," Kim told reporters before a news conference to promote a new TV series in which she is to appear.
The 43-year-old actress also said she has already offered to return the degree to the university. |
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March 25, 2013
Yesung to begin Army service
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Yesung of Hallyu idol Super Junior is next in line to serve in the Army among the group’s members after Lee Teuk entered mandatory military duty in October, their agency said yesterday. He will be going within this year.
The announcement from the group was first delivered during the two-day concert Super Show 5, which kicked off its world tour at Olympic Park in southwestern Seoul over the weekend.
“I have spent five years as a trainee, and another eight years as Super Junior with fans,” said Yesung during the concert. “I’m very thankful for the love the fans have given and I want to continue to be with you as Super Junior in the future.”
However, the idol star has not received his official notice. The exact date of his enlistment has not been set yet.
Hee-cheol has been in his military service since September 2011. Another member, Kangin, completed his mandatory service and has reunited with the group. |
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March 25, 2013
Cha Seung-won says he sometimes feels 'foolish'
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Model-turned-actor Cha Seung-won said he sometimes feels that he looks “foolish” during a recording for the cable channel talk show “Baek Ji-yeon’s People Inside,” according to a local media report yesterday.
Cha shared his experiences in the entertainment industry as he transformed into an actor.
“Sometimes I think I look so foolish,” said Cha. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. I need to have enough time to reflect so that I don’t look like that again.”
He also said that he trains himself to act in his everyday life.
“I contemplate on the balcony and sing in the sauna,” said the actor. “I want to make the best use out of what’s inside me.” |
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March 25, 2013
Onew of SHINee and After School’s Jungah are 'only friends': Agencies
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Member Onew of SHINee and Jungah of After School are reported to have been in a year-long relationship, according to exclusive local media report yesterday.
The report quotes unnamed source that the two have been dating despite their busy schedules after Onew have publicly said that he likes a type of woman like Jungah.
Onew is six years younger than Jungah.
After the report broke out early yesterday, each agency representing the group denied the scandal saying that the two are only good friends.
SHINee’s agency SM Entertainment told another local media outlet that it had confirmed with Onew that the two are nothing more than friends.
Agency of After School also rebutted that they had meals together before, and it is perplexed to see such a rumor break. |
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March 25, 2013
Fin K.L. members reunite in new drama
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Sung Yu-ri and Lee Jin, who were members of girl group Fin K.L., will reunite in a TV drama as Lee accepted a role in a drama that Sung will also appear in.
According to King Kong Entertainment, Lee will play the daughter-in-law of a rich family and who feels uncomfortable in her surroundings, in SBS drama “Secrets About Your Birth.”
“I think I can meet [fans] with some new looks through this [drama],” said Lee. “I have great respect for the writer and the director, and I’m excited to work with the other actors and actresses.”
Before Lee joined the drama, Sung decided to take part the program, scheduled to go on air April 27. Sung will play a woman who suffers from memory loss. |
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March 25, 2013
2PM's comeback video to play in theaters, New York and London
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Popular boy band 2PM is coming back in May. Its agency JYP Entertainment also announced yesterday that the group will hold a concert in Korea in June.
The agency also released a trailer that indicates the comeback for the group.
In it, the members kept in a chained box underwater get out of it at 2 p.m. and swim to the surface.
The trailer is played in the theater chain Megabox for two weeks since yesterday.
The agency will also work on a promotion to play the trailer more than 70 times a day on screens in Times Square in New York and Piccadilly Square in London.
The concert titled “What Time Is It?” will be performed in Jamsil Sports Complex in Southern Seoul for two days starting June 21. |
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March 25, 2013
Comedian admits plagiarizing thesis
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Comedian Kim Mi-hwa said she would resign from hosting a radio program after being accused of plagiarizing her master’s thesis for a degree she received in 2011 from Sungkyunkwan University.
“Due to my carelessness, I have become the center of plagiarism allegations,” Kim tweeted on Sunday.
“I was an older student who started studying around age 40, and I wasn’t familiar with the process as it was my first time writing a thesis.”
She also added that she will accept the punishment dealt to her.
Kim earlier said she cited the work of a local professor originally created by a foreign professor but did not clarify the source.
“If inappropriate citations make the entire thesis plagiarism, I will accept that result and take the punishment,” Kim said.
Meanwhile, actress Kim Hye-soo, who received a master’s degree from the same school in 2001, also apologized for plagiarism after allegations arose last week. |
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March 25, 2013
Lee Honey returns with 'Chicago' role
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Lee Honey is returning to musicals after a three-year hiatus.
She will play Roxie Hart in “Chicago,” a character who is a wannabe actress sent to jail for killing her ex-boyfriend, according to King Kong Entertainment.
“I’ve liked the musical ‘Chicago’ for a long time, and I wanted to be in it. I’m delighted that I get to play Roxie,” said Lee, according to the agency. “I’m very thrilled and nervous to return to the stage in a musical after such a long time. I’ll do my best.”
Chicago will kick off in Daegu on May 10 and then continue to Ulsan, Busan, Gwangju and Daejeon.
On July 6, it will start its run in Seoul at the National Theater of Korea until Aug. 31.
She previously played a leading role in musical “Legally Blonde” with Jessica of Girls’ Generation and actress Kim Ji-woo. She also took a role in “Polaroid” in 2008.
Meanwhile, Lee said early this year that she has been dating singer-turned-actor Yoon Kye-sang, a former member of g.o.d. |
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March 25, 2013
Ki Sung-yeung's shoes reveal lover
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Actress Han Hye-jin and footballer Ki Sung-yeung
Actress Han Hye-jin and footballer Ki Sung-yeung are once again at the center of media attention as Ki wore shoes marked with Han’s initials during a match last week.
An exclusive report of Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily, found that the two may be in a relationship despite previously denials. Han broke up with her boyfriend of nine years, Naul of Brown Eyed Soul, in December.
On Ki’s green footwear, someone had inscribed the letters “HJ SY 24.”The number belongs to Ki in the Premier League.
One source told Ilgan Sports that Ki announced he will wear the inscribed footwear while playing for the national team against Qatar today.
However, Ki did not mention what those letters indicate.
After the London Olympics last year, Ki was a guest on the program “Healing Camp,” on which Han is a host, and said that Han would be his ideal bride should he decide that he wants to get married. |
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