[Article] Five Fun Facts About Jo In Sung.

[Article] Five Fun Facts About Jo In Sung.
Cr. - kdramastars

Actor Jo In Sung attracted a lot of attention for his recent appearance as Oh Soo, the conflicted gambler and con man in "That Winter, The Wind Blows."

But despite the sensation caused by his excellent acting and long lean good looks, many fans don't know a lot about him. Here are some facts to help fill out your knowledge.

1. He flunked out of acting school. Although he majored in performing arts at Chunnam Science College and Dongguk University, he was kicked out because of poor class attendance. He started his acting career by appearing in a daytime sitcom, "Nonstop 2."

2. One reason that many kdrama fans may not know him is that between 2005 and 2013, he did not do any drama work. In 2004, he starred with Ha Ji Won and So Ji Sub in "What Happened in Bali." This performance earned him a Best Actor Award at the Baeksang Arts Awards and trophies at the SBS Drama Awards, among them one for best kiss. In 2005, he appeared in Spring Days with Go Hyun Jung, but in between that drama and "That Winter The Wind Blows," he worked in film, appeared on variety shows, and served his two years of military service in the Air Force. The film he is best known for is "A Frozen Flower," in which he played Hong Rim, the king's military commander and the queen's lover. For the role, he learned martial arts, fencing and horseback riding.

3. When asked who his ideal girlfriend would be, he picked ice skater Yuna Kim. Why? She's tenacious. "There are times when I do not like my own acting and get mad at myself," said In Sung when he appeared on a recent talk show. "During those times, I bite my lip and still act, but when Yuna Kim falls while she skates, she just stands back up in the ring and does it again." So, remember, if you want to attract this actor's attention, never ever give up.

4. Jo In Sung cannot buy clothes off the rack. Because his legs are so much longer than average, all his clothes for "That Winter, The Wind Blows" had to be custom made.

5. As to how he spends his spare time, he likes to read, collects hats and plays basketball, which his 6' 2' frame could give him an advantage at. He also likes to watch TV especially "We Got Married."

After his great performance in "That Winter, The Wind Blows," kdrama fans will no doubt be hearing more about this talented actor.

[Article] The Girls that Lost the Chance to Be with Lee Ki Woo.

[Article] The Girls that Lost the Chance to Be with Lee Ki Woo. 
Cr. - enewsworld

Love is in the air with another celebrity couple publicly declaring their love for all to see.

But before Lee Chung Ah said ‘Yes,’ Lee Ki Woo was quite possibly the unluckiest man ever, because he′s pretty much never gotten the girl since making his debut in 2009.

Watching Lee Ki Woo in dramas and movies always gave us the worst case of second-lead syndrome, because there are just too many girls who slipped out through his fingers.

But now that he is so in love with Lee Chung Ah, we want to highlight the ladies who lost their chance to be with the most perfect guy ever, standing at 190 centimeters, with a beautiful heart of gold.

Son Ye Jin

He might have eventually gotten married to her, but he never had Son Ye Jin’s heart in the movie Classic. They were forcibly destined for each other through an arranged marriage, and while Lee Ki Woo did like her in that special way, he gave her up and ended up becoming the bridge that linked her with his best friend.

Jung Da Bin

He was the sweet sunbae oppa who adored his friend’s younger sister, but the late Jung Da Bin had her eyes on the rough and rude bad boy, Song Seung Hun in the movie He Was Cool. Even though Lee Ki Woo took care of her with the utmost care, he was so oppa-zoned that it wasn’t even funny.

Shin Min Ah

He had her. She was his fiancée, but when there is no love, it just doesn’t stay together.

Shin Min Ah was forced into an engagement with Lee Ki Woo in KBS’ A Love to Kill after his rich family basically did everything to make her into a top actress.

But as perfect as he may be, Shin Min Ah falls for the bad boy, Rain, who’s actually tricking her to get revenge for a misunderstanding that he created on his own. Even so, Shin Min Ah falls for Rain, ditches Lee Ki Woo, and then returns to Lee Ki Woo, but not before she ditches him again.

Way to break his heart more than once.

Choi Ji Woo

Once again, Lee Ki Woo is the perfect man with a great job, but no luck with the ladies.

He pursued Choi Ji Woo, an aspiring actress in SBS’ A Star’s Lover, but his awesome resume was nothing compared to the beautiful words of Yoo Ji Tae, a poor ghostwriter, who writes his way into Mari’s heart.

History then repeats itself, and once again, Lee Ki Woo is left with all the money in the world, but no dream girl to share it with.

Lee Chung Ah

It was the drama where they met, but their love never unfolded, because Lee Chung Ah was too busy chasing after Cha Chi Soo (Jung Il Woo) to pay attention to the Pillar in tvN’s Flower Boy Ramen Shop.

Although there were times she almost fell for Lee Ki Woo’s charms, Lee Chung Ah stayed firm on her feelings for Jung Il Woo, and sadly, Lee Ki Woo was left with no one at the end of the drama, except his giant milk carton.

But at least everything worked out in the end.

[Article] Five Fun Facts About Jang Keun Suk.

[Article] Five Fun Facts About Jang Keun Suk.
Cr. - kdramastars

Jang Keun Suk is a fan favorite for his performances in the dramas "You're Beautiful," "Love Rain" and "Mary Stayed Out All Night." Referred to as a "Prince of Asia" he is now also half of the kpop band Team H, and with DJ Big Brother, released records this year in Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

If you're a fan you probably know all of this but here are five fun facts you may not know.

1. His career started as part of a real estate transaction. His parents were selling their home and the prospective buyer, an agent, saw his potential. He suggested that young Keun Suk try his hand at modeling. The child actor made his acting debut in a 1997 sitcom, "Selling Happiness."

2. He loves to cook. He is so fond of cooking that he released a Japanese cookbook with 20 of his favorite recipes. What does he love to eat? His all-time favorite dish is Kimchi Jigae, a stew made with kimchi, scallions, onion, pork and seafood. He says his mom's is the best. His other favorite food in the world is Gejang, a seafood stew made of marinated crabs. His grandmother's is one of his favorite dishes in the world. Besides that he is fond of sashimi, eels and Japanese hot spring eggs.

3. He was almost a member of F4. He was offered the role of Gu Jun Pyo in "Boys Over Flowers," but chose instead to play the trumpeter Kang Gun Woo in "Beethoven Virus."

4. According to an interview in Steady magazine, his ideal date would include riding the bus together, finding delicious food at a street stand and riding the Ferris wheel at an amusement park. But he would also like to take his date to a nice restaurant for dinner and wine. He looks forward to listening to her favorite songs and walking in the park with her. His ideal type is pretty, neat, generous, and wears feminine clothes.

5. Just in case you wondered what animal he might be, if he had a choice, it would be a rabbit. Not only was he born in the Year of the Rabbit, but these cute furry creatures munch mostly on grass, which would mean he would never have to diet. Her became a vegetarian in order to lose weight for his role as a ballet dancer in the film, "You're My Pet." But then, he admits, he loses weight very easily.

Do you know any other fun facts about Jang Keun Suk? Let us know.

[Article] Five Fun Facts About Park Shin Hye.

[Article] Five Fun Facts About Park Shin Hye.
Cr. - kdramastar

Thanks to her wonderful performances in dramas such as "Flower Boys Next Door" and "You're Beautiful," Park Shin Hye is a much-loved actress. But being a fan may not mean you know everything about her.

Here are five facts that may surprise you about this versatile actress.

1. She likes baseball. In fact, she likes the game so much her nickname is Randy-Shin Hye. She earned this nickname when she opened a baseball game. She looked so good throwing a ball on the field that she was dubbed Randy Johnson after a famous MLB player.
Her favorite baseball team is naturally her hometown team, the Kia Tigers.

2. Despite her sweet innocent looks, she can do a rocking job of covering a sexy Beyonce song. Fans loved it when she performed Beyonce's Single Ladies in her recent Phillippines concert. Although she started as a child actress, she has said more than once that she is in no hurry to graduate to adult roles and plans to make the transition slowly, choosing her roles carefully.

3. She has been in the business for more than a decade. She debuted on television at age 13, playing the younger version of the character Han Jung Suh the drama Stairway to Heaven. That year, she also starred in the series Tree of Heaven as Hana, a girl who fell in love with his stepbrother. She was 17 when she made her movie debut as the lead actress in Evil Twin, a horror flick.

4. She likes working for charity and donates her time whatever she can. Two years ago, she helped raise funds for Japanese earthquake victims. In 2011, she was designated as the 25th Goodwill Ambassador of Korea Food for the Hungry (KFH).

Earlier this year, she and Ryu Seung Ryong, who played her father in the film, "Miracle in Cell Number 7," celebrated the end of filming by serving 800 homeless and elderly people some rice cake soup. Earlier this year, she took part in InStyle's 10th anniversary event, which donated the proceeds to charity. She has also distributed food to the needy at a traveling soup kitchen.

5. She's a good student. Although many celebrities are dubbed "ghost students" for missing classes due to busy filming schedules, Park Shin Hye managed to film a movie and a drama this year and still retain a 3+ GPA at Chungang University's drama and cinema program. She also participates in many extracurricular activities. Currently working on her graduate thesis, she feels that her schoolwork deserves a fair share of her time.

Are you a fan of Park Shin Hye? Do you have a fun fact we missed? If so, let us know.

[Article] Korean Entertainment ‘One Star A Week’: Jang Keun Suk electrifies eels leaving only enticement.

[Article] Korean Entertainment ‘One Star A Week’: Jang Keun Suk electrifies eels leaving only enticement.
Cr. - jangkeunsukforever / Chinadaily
English Translation: Wen Lee from ECI

Editor’s note: in the entertainment industry where new replaces the old at a very high speed, popularity is very short-lived. One can be today’s entertainment headline but replaced tomorrow by someone else. But no matter where their star journeys head to, the most glorious moment should be remembered, SINA Korean Entertainment’s ‘One Star a Week’ takes you along to see & appreciate their successful paths.

This week’s ‘One Star a Week’ is Hallyu star Jang Keun Suk. Recently, he released the first full length album ‘I Just Wanna Have Fun’ by his special group Team H, simultaneously in China & Japan. With his showy & passionate character, handsome & fashionable image, he repeatedly receives good results in his career.

He has many fans in Asia, earning him the title ‘Asia Prince’, became a Hallyu representative figure. Have fun in life, that’s Jang Keun Suk’s greatest attraction.

A 20 year star who never grows up

At the end of 2012 was Jang Keun Suk’20th anniversary, from child model to decent youths in dramas then to deeply passionate male lead actor in idol dramas today. Until now, JKS spent 4/5 of his life as an artist. And passionate Chinese fans put an advertisement at Seoul subway stations as a gift to Jang Keun Suk to celebrate his 20th anniversary.

Although Jang Keun Suk is an experienced old actor, but he is still like a child, he would be playful with his fans on the internet & in real life. Jang Keun Suk would be playful with fans now &again, and interact with Psy, sometimes make fun of himself, & complain abt his staff, full of pranks just like a naughty boy.

He once hurt himself while shaving in Taiwan, during presscon he wouldn’t put down his mic, insisted on covering the plastered cut with the mic, he looked so cute, also demonstrated his self-controlled & professionalism in front of the cameras.

Although his image & status has changed through the years, no matter whether it’s the young & innocent before or the matured person he is now, his target is still to perform & sing for people, still yearn for the youthful lifestyle, still the same person full of dreams & passionately chasing his dreams.

Frank, honest & kind hearted

Frank & honest, Jang Keun Suk is often misunderstood for being egoistic & proud, but actually he’s only being passionate & confident. The real Jang Keun Suk is not what some ppl say that he’s self-centred. In fact, his confidence comes from him possessing the capabilities, his acting is becoming more & more solid, a natural talent in music sense & voice, fashion sense, can say he is born to be an artist. He has capabilities & a perfectionist which he himself also cannot deny.

At the same time, when he smiles he’s warm & friendly but the hot blooded young Jang Keun Suk is not to be withhold when he’s angry. Last year when he came to China, he blurted out an expletive on Weibo bcos some fans were chasing him in cars irresponsibly, on the other hand he worried if his popularity has faded when his fans were behaving & didn’t follow him.

 In any case, he actually meant well as he was worried abt safety for his fans, he suggested safe & reasonable method to follow him. Afraid of loneliness, Jang Keun Suk tends to nag, he keeps interacting with fans on the internet, & will worry if nobody communicates with him.

Increase in popularity has brought financial gains for Jang Keun Suk, he has good plans to use his money. One of that is he sponsors 2million Won scholarship for 20 school mates at Hanyang University each year. JKS once did a dance performance at his university during an event, enjoying the innocent life in the ivory tower.

Good result for a non-professional singer

Team H is a group formed by Jang Keun Suk & his good friend BB. In 2011, they released a mini album which was well received, ended up in various Japanese music charts, became a new Korean singer who received the best results in Japan. At interviews then, Jang Keun Suk used purple to describe his sexy, crazy charm.

The full length album about to be released consists of Jang Keun Suk’ favourite showy, high profile, rock style. The theme is to be oneself & have fun, they also recorded the two title songs ‘What Is Your Name’ & ‘Feel The Beat’ in Korean, Chinese & Japanese versions to meet fans’ needs.

Not only Jang Keun Suk practiced hard on his foreign languages, the MV shooting also encountered the coldest weather in Korea, the MV might look hot but it actually was more like Antarctic. To promote the new album, Team H will do an Asia tour starting in Japan, will soon appear in Shanghai, bringing Eels Prince and eels an electrical agreement. (莎莎)

[News] Song Seung Heon Poses with G.O, Taecyeon, So Ji Sub, and Dong Joon for a Group Photo.

[News] Song Seung Heon Poses with G.O, Taecyeon, So Ji Sub, and Dong Joon for a Group Photo.
Cr. - soompi


Korea’s hottest men recently got together for a sizzling photo. On October 10, Song Seung Heon shared a photo of himself with his good-looking colleagues much to fans’ delight. The actor tweeted, “Afterparty following Ji Sub’s ‘A Company Man‘ Premiere~ Great guys~” and attached the group photo.

In the photo, Song Seung Heon posed with So Ji Sub, MBLAQ’s G.O., 2PM’s Taecyeon, and ZE:A’s Dong Joon following the VIP preview of So Ji Sub’s new movie “A Company Man,” which took place at the COEX in Gangnam.

Many celebrities attended the event, including Lee Byung Heon, Song Seung Heon, Han Hyo Joo, Yoo Seung Ho, 2PM, After School, ZE:A and more. After the star-studded premiere, it appears that So Ji Sub got together with his friends for a celebratory drink. Dressed in all black, the five male stars lit up the photograph with their handsome looks.

Netizens who’ve seen the photo commented, “Daebak. That’s like the five greatest looking guys in Korea in one photo,” “They look so close,” “I wish I was there,” “Hope the movie does well,” and more.

[Article] Japanese Netizens: Anti-Hallyu or Not?

[Article] Japanese Netizens: Anti-Hallyu or Not?
Cr. - soompi

I came across an article on a Korean news site that talked about how anti-Hallyu sentiments in Japan are affecting Korean stars like Kim Tae Hee and Girls' Generation. The writer started out by writing about how Kim Tae Hee was the victim of anti-Hallyu Japanese Internet users. These users protested her recent appearance in a Japanese cosmetics commercial and their complaints cancelled the press conference for the commercial. The anti-Hallyu Japanese netizens also sprang up when Kim Tae Hee was set to star in her Fuji TV drama, "Boku to Star no 99nichi." The reason behind the protests was a statement Kim Tae Hee made in 2005, proclaiming Dokdo as a part of Korea.

If you are not familiar with it, the islands known as "Dokdo" in Korea, "Takeshima" in Japan and "Liancourt Rocks" in the English world, are the source of a long, on-going territorial dispute between Korea and Japan. Both countries are claiming that the islands belong to them. Kim Tae Hee's assertion that the islands belong to Korea got her labeled as "Anti-Japan Actress" by some Japanese netizens.



The writer continued to back up his claims of "anti-Korean" Japanese netizens by pointing to protests against Girls' Generation being chosen to represent e-ma throat candies. The writer noted that while some netizens praised Girls' Generation for being chosen, others wrote, "Why couldn't they choose a Japanese actor for this role?" Finally, the writer took to the recent Jang Keun Suk issue, where it was claimed that he made inappropriate remarks about a Japanese AV actress. Something that he never said. The writer seemed to paint these sentiments as "typical" in Japan.

However, I would argue that they are "typical" for certain Internet forums, but probably don't represent the vast majority of people. I will admit that I've been quite busy this month and haven't watched as much Japanese news as I normally do, but I haven't seen or heard anything in the Japanese mainstream media regarding the previous issues. I've heard nothing about Kim Tae Hee, I've heard nothing about protests against Girls' Generation and I certainly haven't heard anything about Jang Geun Suk.

While this doesn't mean that people aren't talking about these things, I would suspect that most people really don't care that much. The problem that a lot of Korean media outlets are faced with is that Japanese people don't use the internet in the same way as Korean people. Most people in Japan don't post online. In fact, a lot of people don't know how to post online. Many people will only write something if they are assured that their comments will be anonymous, and even then they will leave non-controversial comments.

Unfortunately, there are only a few large online communities that are open to viewers. This means that Korean news outlets are limited to the same community that happens to attract a number of anti-Hallyu people. So, please keep that in mind when you guys read reports of Anti-Hallyu sentiment from "Japanese netizens." Because in most cases, it's probably the same group of people.

[VOD & News] Jung Il Woo Practices His Lines in a Sports Car, “Baller”.

[News] Jung Il Woo Practices His Lines in a Sports Car, “Baller”.
Cr. - soompi

On-site photos of Jung Il Woo practicing his lines in a sports car for “Flower Boys of the Ramen Shop” were revealed on October 11.

Jung Il Woo will play the role of “Cha Chi Soo” in the drama, who is in every sense of a word a “baller.” (He is portrayed as a Jaebol, which is the elite-rich class of South Korea.) He is brash and rude but also has a hidden side to him which is both cute and innocent.

Netizens have commented, “Looking at Jung Il Woo work so diligently makes me anticipate ‘Flower Boys of the Ramen Shop’ even more,” “He looks more mature. I think he is a real man now,” “He even looks great when he is reading his lines.”

“Flower Boys of the Ramen Shop” will replace Uee’s “Birdie Buddy” time slot (Mon-Tue at 11pm) and will have its first broadcast on October 31.

[Article] Entertainment insiders see stocks rise on Korean Wave.

[Article] Entertainment insiders see stocks rise on Korean Wave.
Cr. - koreajoongangdaily

Despite the dip in the local stock market, shareholders of entertainment agencies that have churned out such K-pop bands as Super Junior and 2NE1 are seeing the value of their shares skyrocket - all thanks to the Korean Wave.

The richest of them all is Lee Soo-man, founder and chairman of SM Entertainment, which has produced groups like Girls' Generation, Super Junior, TVXQ, f(X) and SHINee. As of yesterday, the singer-turned-entrepreneur's 24.43 percent stake in SM was valued at a whopping 186.86 billion won ($158.38 million). The stock climbed 1.3 percent yesterday to a record high of 41,500 won, even though the Kosdaq closed down 1.28 percent. Earlier in 2009, the stock was valued at only 1,500 won per share, almost 0.03 percent of the current price.

Having contributed to spreading the Korean Wave not only throughout Asia, its previous focus, but also to the United States and Europe in recent months, SM saw its stocks shoot up 2.5 times this year and now has a market capitalization of 688 billion won.

"The recent success in Paris of concerts by all the bands with SM in June indicates that SM may have a good shot at expanding outside of Asia", said Kim Chang-won, an analyst with Daewoo Investment & Securities.

BoA, a minority shareholder in SM who has 1.25 percent stake in the company amounting to 4.62 billion won as of yesterday, ranks sixth in terms of stock value among Korean entertainers. The 25-year-old singer, who once was active in the United States, is part of the early generation of singers that SM produced in early 2000. Kang Ta, a member of H.O.T., the most popular boy band in the mid-1990s, is eighth on the list, with 1.29 billion won.

Korea's second stock-rich entertainer is Yang Hyun-suk, founder and CEO of YG Entertainment, which has produced Big Bang and 2NE1. As a top shareholder in the company with a 47.7 percent stake, Yang owned 88.91 billion won in shares as of yesterday. The stock value is based on the over-the-counter market price. Having passed a preliminary evaluation for listing in June, YG, the nation's second-largest entertainment firm, is planning an initial public offering in the Kosdaq market on Oct. 13.

YG's over-the-counter price has risen steadily in recent months. Should the momentum continue, market observers predict that Yang will soon join Lee in the 100-billion-won club.

The nation's third stock-rich entertainer is actor Bae Jong-joon, widely referred to as Yon-sama, the nickname he was given by Japanese fans in the early 2000s following the success of his 2002 series "Winter Sonata".

The actor, who runs a few restaurants in both Korea and Japan and has invested in a few TV dramas including KBS's "Dream High", owns a 34.6 percent stake in his agency, KeyEast. As of yesterday, his stake in the agency was valued at 14.28 billion won.

Bae is followed by Park Jin-young, CEO of JYP Entertainment, which has the Wonder Girls and Miss A. The dancer-singer-businessman's 6.14 percent stake in the company he founded tallied at 7.5 billion won yesterday, with a market capitalization of 119.5 billion won, almost one-sixth of SM.

[Article] The Meaning of Chuseok.

[Article] The Meaning of Chuseok.
Cr. - http://english.chosun.com/

Foreign women married to Koreans pose with songpyeon or crescent-shaped rice cakes they made in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province on Sept. 6, 2011. /Newsis

Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving celebrates nature's bounty. At a time of the year when rice paddies and other plots of farmland are filled with bumper crops, even the poorest farmers make rice wine and pick the ripest fruit and present them on altars for ancestral rites.

Koreans in the past chose the best times of the year for holidays and prepared sumptuous tables to honor their ancestors and share the food with their family and friends.

There is a Korean saying that goes, "Not more, not less. Just be like Hangawi (another name for Chuseok)". The saying refers to the fact that the Chuseok holiday falls on the best time of the year with moderately cool weather and warm sun and, more importantly, abundant food from the fresh harvest.

It was common to prepare a lavish meal and enjoy it with the entire family and friends who had toiled hard in the field from spring until fall after performing ancestral rites.

These days, Chuseok has lost a lot of its true meaning, with fewer and fewer people holding ancestral rites, and preparing smaller amounts of food to put on ritual tables and to share. But one thing remains the same about Chuseok: it is till a time of the year when family and relatives travel long distances to get together and pay their respects to their ancestors.

[News] Shin Se Kyung’s old graduation photos reveal her natural beauty.

[News] Shin Se Kyung’s old graduation photos reveal her natural beauty.
Cr. - allkpop

Shin Se Kyung’s graduation photos from elementary school were recently revealed through an online community post under the title, “Maturity different from others, Shin Se Kyung’s elementary school graduation picture“.

Below the picture was the text, “In ‘Happy Together‘, Han Jung Soo mentioned he saw Shin Se Kyung when she was in elementary school and thought, ‘Pretty lady’, which he completely agreed with when she saw Shin Se Kyung’s graduation picture.”

The three photos – taken from elementary school to high school to her present age – showcase her everlasting beauty.

Netizens remarked, “She was pretty even when she was young“, “It’s enough for Han Jung Soo to mistake her as a lady“, and “Natural beauty“.

[Article] Book probes transnational identity of 'Hallyu'.

[Article] Book probes transnational identity of 'Hallyu'.
By Chung Ah-young
Cr. - http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/


Clockwise from left, scenes from the dramas "Dae Jang Geum" ("Jewel in the Palace") and "Jumong" and the film "Il Mare" / Korea Times file

K-pop fever has been reignited, as illustrated by the success of recent concerts in Paris. Fans that have yet to see Korean performers on stage are forming flash mobs and group dances as they clamor for more K-pop concerts. The popularity of K-pop culture has truly become international.

Korean television dramas, songs and movies originally grew popular in the early 1990s. The influence of "hallyu" or Korean wave, spread through Asian countries and reduced Western cultural dominance in the Asian market.

A newly released book further investigates the worldwide phenomenon of Korean popular culture. Titled "Hallyu: Influence of Korean Popular Culture in Asia and Beyond", the book, edited by Kim Do-kyun and Kim Min-sun and published by Seoul National University Press, delves into the origin of the phenomenon from the past to the present and analyzes the transnational identity of hallyu.



Consisting of 16 chapters, scholars from various fields such as communications, sociology, history and international relations in the United States and Europe. Korea wrote research articles after observing hallyu over the few last years.

The book has two purposes: the first is to analyze hallyu in various perspectives and the second, to present Korean perspectives on the hallyu phenomenon by providing international readers with analyses by Korean scholars.

In the past, Western popular culture, led by American cultural hegemony, mostly ruled the international landscape. However, recently its transnational mobility across Asia and beyond has produced many socio-cultural and political spinoffs.

Kim Yuona, associate professor of global communications at the American University of Paris, explores the reason of the popularity of Korean cultural products, particularly television dramas in the article "Globalization of Korean Media: Meanings and Significance".

Kim sheds light on various perspectives of the popularity of Korean dramas - emotion, reflexive modernity and family. The first common response in various transnational locations is that Korean television dramas are "emotionally powerful". "The audiences enjoy savoring the subtlety of emotions, and K-dramas are perceived to have captured the delicacy of emotions through adept direction techniques", Kim writes in the article.



Korean television dramas are infused with urban middle-class scenes that effectively portray youthful sentimentality and provide images for an increasingly regionalized "Asian modernity". Asian values, which put more emphasis on familial relationships, filial piety and sibling love, are widely dealt with as the central themes which are loved by cross-generational viewers in Asian countries.

As hallyu spreads throughout parts of Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, North America is becoming the test market for new exports. In "Medium Hot, Korean Cool: Hallyu Envy and Reverse Mimicry in Contemporary U.S. Pop Culture" by Chung Hye-seung at Oakland University, the author deals with indirect effects of hallyu in the U. S. While Korean movie star, Lee Byung-Hun and pan-Asian pop idol, Rain, have appeared in the recent Hollywood blockbusters "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" (2009) and "Ninja Assassin" (2009) respectively, most hallyu stars are virtually unknown to mainstream American audiences who have limited access to subtitled Korean films and television programs. However, rather than be pessimistic about hallyu not making an entry into mainstream U.S. culture, the chapter examines a "micro invasion" of Korean culture on American primetime television and in mainstream Hollywood films.



"Lost in Cinematic Translation?: The Lake House, "Il Mare" and the Hollywoodization of Korean Culture" written by Bae Keun-min, a Ph.D. candidate at the College of Communications at Pennsylvania State University investigates how Hollywood has been producing its adaptations of "made-in-Korea content". The article analyzes the cultural values reflected in the original Korean film, "Siworae" and the extent to which these values were removed or replaced with American values when it was reborn as "The Lake House",the first-ever Hollywood version of a Korean film.

Sueen Noh, adjunct instructor in the department of broadcasting, telecommunications and mass media of Temple University, discusses the phenomenon of Korean popular culture in the Middle East provoked by Korean dramas such as "Dae Jang Geum" ("Jewel in the Palace") and "Jumong". The article titled "Unveiling the Korean Wave in the Middle East" says that the recent popularity of Korean cultural products in the Middle East such as Iran and Egypt is "reconnecting the Silk Road in the 21st century".
The newest hallyu phenomenon is found in the Middle East, which is geographically much farther from Korea than its predecessors. Korean television dramas reinforce traditional values of Confucianism that Iranians find more closely aligned to Islamic culture, implying that cultural proximity contributes to the Islamic Korean wave.

"Reflecting traditional family values, Korean culture is deemed 'a filter for Western values' in Iran", the article says. The chapter also examines the burgeoning Arabic fandom of Korean popular culture, more specifically, the women's negotiation of their gender and cultural identity in their online community through Facebook.

The articles in the book are academic in general but it is a useful informative tool for those who want to understand the basics and nature of hallyu through various perspectives.

[Article] Korea's Rank of nobility of Joseon Dynasty in historical drama 'Dong Yi'.

[Article] Korea's Rank of nobility of Joseon Dynasty in historical drama 'Dong Yi'.
Original : http://twssg.blogspot.com/
Source : http://www.wikipadia.org
Translation by Roytavan

According to 'Dong Yi' MBC drama Directed by Mr. Lee Byung Hoon who had been directed many hits and phenomenal Korean Historical Dramas like "Yi San" and "Dae Jang Geum" or "Jewel in The Palace". The Screenwriter is Kim Yi Young who also wrote "Yi San". The story of "Dong Yi" is about Lady Choi Suk Bin the concubine of King Sukjong of the Joseon Dynasty who is the mother of King Yeongjo of Joseon. But before all of the glory, Lady Choi Suk Bin had a very difficult and a hard life story. It a little bit like Dae Jang Geum series, it's about the struggle of young lady who is smart, bright, honest, little bit stubborn, and never give up with a big luck to survive and restore her family name.



Korea's nobility culture in this historical drama show 'The Lady Ranks in Joseon Palace' Live as a King in Joseon dynasty is so amazing, even the King's woman also has a rank in the palace. Here are the ranking tops on the list is Wangbi (王妃 Queen Consort, address as Jungjong). There is only primary Consort at a time.

Then comes to other Consorts which is difference between Jeong is equivalent to upper 1st class or right honour) & Jong (equivalent lower 1st class or the left honour). Heebin (禧嬪1st rank Jeong, this is the rank that Jang Ok Jung will assume later & becomes the notorious Jang Hee Bin). Sukbin (淑嬪1st rank Jong), this is the title that Choi Dong Yi will assume later after she gave birth to a son (King Yeongjo of Joseon)

Then comes (Gwiin 貴人1st rank Jong but lower than the “Bin”) was Soeui (昭儀 2nd rank Jeong), Sukeui (淑儀 2nd rank Jong), Soyong (昭容 3rd rank Jeong), Sukyong (淑容 3rd rank Jong), Sowon (昭媛 4th rank Jeong), Sukwon (淑媛 4th rank Jong) . With so many members in the house, the Royal Household's budget could be really huge.



Rank of nobility of Joseon Dynasty - During the kingdom.

King (王 왕 wang), the king, with the style of His Majesty (殿下 전하 jeonha) or, not as correct but yet still quite commonly, His Royal Highness (媽媽 마마 mama). Before the style of "jeon ha" were used a variety of titles for the king. Native names such as "naratnim" (나랏님) and "Imgeum" (임금) were also used colloquially. For references to late monarchs the title was Great Predecessor King (先大王 선대왕 seondaewang) or Great King (大王 대왕 daewang); for foreign envoys the title used was State King (國王 국왕 gugwang); and for those in the court who needed to mention the king outside his presence, and thus more formality was required in addressing the monarch, the title was Current King (今上 금상 geum-sang),Sovereign (主上 주상 jusang or 上監 상감 sanggam), or Grand

Palace (大殿 대전 daejeon). The style remained the same for all titles with the exception of queens dowager and the relatively few kings who abdicated, who simply addressed or mentioned the king without using his style.

Queen consort (王妃 왕비 wangbi), the queen consort, with the style of Her Royal Highness (媽媽 마마 mama). The title used in the court language was Center Palace (中宮殿 중궁전 junggungjeon or 中殿 중전 jungjeon). Queens consort that remained married to the king until their death were generally given a title consisting of two Hanja in the front and the customary suffix Queen (王后 왕후 wanghu) in the back.

King Former (上王 상왕 sangwang), a king who has voluntarily abdicated for his son to take his place. They usually remained influential or even powerful through the remaining years of their lives. The style of His Majesty (殿下 전하 jeonha) or, less frequently but yet still quite commonly, His Royal Highness (媽媽 마마 mama) was used.

Queen Dowager (大妃 대비 daebi), the current incumbent of the throne's mother, with the style of Her Royal Highness (媽媽 마마 mama). Queens dowager often exercised a great deal of influence on the king's influence through their regencies, which took place when the king was too young to rule in his own name, or simply through their role as the mother or even a senior female relative of the monarch.

Grand King Former (太上王 태상왕 taesangwang), an abdicated king whose relinquishment of power precedes that of another former king. The style of His Majesty (殿下 전하 jeonha) or, less frequently but yet still quite commonly, His Royal Highness (媽媽 마마 m-ma) was used.

Royal Queen Dowager (王大妃 왕대비 wangdaebi), a former consort preceding the least senior queen dowager or current king's aunt or grandmother, with the style of Her Royal Highness (媽媽 마마 mama).

Grand Royal Queen Dowager (大王大妃 대왕대비 daewangdaebi), a former consort senior to two other queend dowagers or the current king's great-grandmother, with the style of Her Royal Highness (媽媽 마마 mama).

Grand Internal Prince (大院君 대원군 daewongun), the father of a king who was unable to take the throne himself as he was not part of the generation following that of the last incumbent of the throne (kings who are honored at the royal Jongmyo Shrine must be senior generation-wise for the current incumbent to pay homage there). There have been cases when grand chief princes acted as regents for their sons, the last person to do so having been the Regent Heungseon.

Grand Internal Princess Consort (府大夫人 부대부인 budaebuin), the mother of a king whose father himself never reigned.

Internal Prince (府院君 부원군 buwongun), the queen consort's father.

Internal Princess Consort (府夫人 부부인 bubuin), the queen consort's mother.

Prince (君 군 gun), a son born to the match between the king and a concubine or a descendant of a grand prince. The style used is His Young Highness (아기씨 agissi) before marriage and the style His Excellency (大監 대감 daegam) afterward.

Princess Consort (郡夫人 군부인 gunbuin), the consort of a prince.

Grand Prince (大君 대군 daegun), a prince born to the official match between the king and queen with the style of His Young Highness (아기씨 agissi) before marriage and the style His
Excellency (大監 대감 daegam) afterward. The title of a grand prince is not inherited and his sons are generally referred to as mere princes.

Grand Princess Consort (府夫人 부부인 bubuin), the consort of a grand prince.

Prince Royal (元子 원자 wonja), the firstborn son of the king before being formally invested as heir apparent, with the style of His Royal Highness (媽媽 마마 mama). Generally, princes royal were the son who was born first between the king and his official wife, but there were exceptions when the title of Prince Royal was given to the firstborn son of the king through a concubine, the most notable case having occurred in the reign of King Sukjong.

Royal Prince Successor (王世子 왕세자 wangseja) the heir apparent to the throne, with the eldest son of the king given precedence over his brothers given that there were no major problems with his conduct, with the simplified title

Prince Successor (世子 세자 seja) being frequently used instead of the full name with the style of His Royal Highness (邸下 저하 jeoha). In less formal but still official court language, the title Eastern Palace (東宮 동궁 donggung) or

Spring Palace (春宮 춘궁 chungung) and the style His Royal Highness (媽媽 마마 mama) was used intermittently with "Prince Successor," although the style was frequently dropped by more senior members of the royal family.

Royal Princess Successor Consort (王世子嬪 왕세자빈 wangsaejabin), the consort of the heir apparent, or simply

Princess Successor Consort (世子嬪 세자빈 saejabin), with the style of Her Royal Consort Highness (마노라 manora or 마누라 manura). Later, as the distinction between "Her Royal Highness" and "Her Royal Consort Highness" became unclear due to the influence of the Andong Kim clan, the style Her Royal Highness (媽媽 마마 mama) also came to apply to the consort of the heir apparent. The style ~ Royal Highness also came to apply to grand princes, princes, and princess as well for the same reason.

Princess (公主 공주 gongju), the daughter of the official match between the king and his official wife, with the style of Her Young Highness (아기씨 agissi) before marriage and Her Excellency (자가 jaga) afterward.

Princess (翁主 옹주 ongju), the daughter of the king and one of his concubines, with the style of Her Young Highness (아기씨 agissi) before marriage and Her Excellency (자가 jaga) afterward.

Royal Prince Successor Brother (王世弟 왕세제 wangseje), the younger brother of the king who has been formally invested as heir presumptive as the king has no offspring.

Royal Prince Successor Descendant (王世孫 왕세손 wangseson), the son of the prince successor and the princess successor consort, and the grandson of the king, with the style of His Highness (閤下 합하 hap-a).



Rank of nobility of Joseon Dynasty - During the empire.

Hwangje (皇帝 황제), the emperor, with the style of His Imperial Majesty (陛下 폐하 pyeha)

Hwanghu (皇后 황후), the empress (consort), with the style of Her Imperial Majesty

Hwangtaehu (皇太后 황태후), the empress dowager

Taehwangtaehu (太皇太后 태황태후), the empress dowager, current Emperor's living grandmother

Hwangtaeja (皇太子 황태자), the crown prince of the Empire, the eldest son of the emperor, with the style of His Imperial Highness (殿下 전하 jeonha)

Hwangtaeja-bi (皇太子妃 황태자비), the crown princess (consort) of Empire, with the style of Her Imperial Highness

Chinwang (親王 친왕), the prince (imperial), son of Emperor, with the style of His Imperial Highness

Chinwangbi (親王妃 친왕비), the princess (imperial) (consort), with the style of Her Imperial Highness

Gongju (公主 공주), the princess of the Empire, the daughter of the emperor and his empress consort, with the style of Her Imperial Highness

Ongju (翁主 옹주), the princess of the Empire, the daughter of emperor and one of his concubines, with the style of Her Imperial Highness



ฐานันดรศักดิ์ราชวงศ์เกาหลีในสมัยโชซอน - สมัยราชอาณาจักรโชซอน

วัง (王 왕), คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระเจ้าแผ่นดินแห่งโชซอน, ขานแทนพระนามว่า ชอนฮา (殿下 전하) หรือ"มามา" (媽媽 마마) ก่อนจะมีการเรียกแทนพระนามพระเจ้าแผ่นดินว่า "ชอนฮา" มีการใช้คำว่า "'นารัทนิม"' (나랏님) และ "'อิมกึม"' (임금) ซึ่งเป็นภาษาพูด มีฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับอดีตพระเจ้าแผ่นดิน เรียกว่าซอนแดวัง (先大王 선대왕 ) ; แดวัง (大王 대왕) หรือมหาราช สำหรับพระเจ้าแผ่นดินผู้ทรงคุณงามความดีแก่แผ่นดิน ; กุกวัง (國王 국왕) ใช้ขานแทนพระนามราชทูตจากต่างแผ่นดิน การกล่าวถึงพระเจ้าแผ่นดินในฐานะบุคคลที่สามสำหรับฝ่ายใน มักขานแทนพระนามว่า "กึมซาง" (今上 금상) - ฝ่าบาท, ขานแทนด้วยรัชสมัยของพระเจ้าแผ่นดินว่า (主上 주상 "จูซาง" หรือ 上監 상감 "ซางกัม"), หรืออาจขานแทนด้วยพระตำหนักที่ประทับของพระเจ้าแผ่นดิน ซึ่งเป็นตำหนักใหญ่ของพระราชวังว่า "แดจอน" (大殿 대전-ตำหนักใหญ่)

วังบี (王妃 왕비), คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระมเหสีแห่งโชซอน, ขานแทนพระนามว่า มามา (媽媽 마마) หรือ ชุงกุงจอน/ชุงจอน (中宮殿 중궁전 ชุงกุงจอน หรือ 中殿 중전 ชุงจอน) สำหรับฝ่ายใน ซึ่งหมายถึงพระตำหนักกลางของพระราชวังอันเป็นที่ประทับของพระมเหสี สำหรับพระราชินีที่ยังคงพระชนม์ชีพอยู่ จะมีฐานันดรศักดิ์วังฮู (王后 왕후) ต่อท้ายพระนาม

ซังวัง (上王 상왕), คือฐานันดรศักดิ์ที่สำหรับอดีตพระเจ้าแผ่นดินซึ่งทรงสละราชสมบัติให้กับพระราชโอรส, ขานแทนพระนามว่า ชอนฮา (殿下 전하 jeonha) หรือ มามา (媽媽 마마)

วังแดบี (王大妃 왕대비 วังแดบี), คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระชายาในอดีตพระราชา พระปิตุจฉาหรือพระอัยยิกาในพระราชาองค์ปัจจุบัน, ขานแทนพระนามว่า มามา

แดวังแดบี (大王大妃 대왕대비), คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระชายาในอดีตพระราชานับขึ้นไปอีก2ขั้น หรือพระปัยยิกา (ย่าทวด) ในพระราชาองค์ปัจจุบัน, ขานแทนพระนามว่า มามา

แดวอนกุน (大阮君 대원군), คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระราชชนกในพระราชาองค์ปัจจุบัน ซึ่งไม่เคยขึ้นครองราชย์

บูแดบูอิน (府大夫人 부대부인) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระชายาในพระราชชนก (ซึ่งไม่เคยขึ้นครองราชย์) ของพระเจ้าแผ่นดิน

บูวอนกุน (府院君 부원군) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระบิดาในพระมเหสี

บูบูอิน (府夫人 부부인) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระมารดาในพระมเหสี

กุน (君 군) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระโอรส ประสูติแต่พระเจ้าแผ่นดินกับพระสนม หรือพระโอรสในองค์ชายใหญ่ (แดกุน), ขานแทนพระนามว่า อากีซี (아기씨) ก่อนทรงเข้าพิธีมงคลสมรส และ "แดกัม" (大監 대감) หลังเข้าพิธี

กุนบูอิน (郡夫人 군부인) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระชายาใน"กุน"

แดกุน (大君 대군) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระราชโอรส ประสูติแต่พระเจ้าแผ่นดินกับพระมเหสี, ขานแทนพระนามว่า อากีซี (아기씨) ก่อนทรงเข้าพิธีมงคลสมรส และ "แดกัม" (大監 대감) หลังเข้าพิธี พระโอรสใน"แดกุน" จะมีฐานันดร"กุน"

บูบูอิน (府夫人 부부인) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระชายาใน"แดกุน"

วอนจา (元子 원자) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระราชโอรสองค์แรก ประสูติแต่พระเจ้าแผ่นดินกับพระมเหสี (หรือประสูติแต่พระสนมในบางกรณี) ก่อนได้รับการเลื่อนพระอิสริยยศเป็นรัชทายาท, ขานแทนพระนามว่า มามา (媽媽 마마)

วังเซจา (王世子 왕세자) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับองค์ชายรัชทายาท หรือเรียกฐานันดรอย่างลำลองว่า เซจา (世子 세자) , ขานแทนพระนามว่า จอฮา (邸下 저하) หรือขานแทนพระนามโดยลำลอง (ซึ่งเรียกพระนามโดยปรกติโดยฝ่ายใน) ว่า ตงกุง (東宮 동궁-ตำหนักบูรพา) หรือ ชุงกุง (春宮 춘궁) ซึ่งแปลว่าตำหนักทิศตะวันออกอันเป็นที่ประทับขององค์ชายรัชทายาท; สมาชิกราชวงศ์ที่มีพระอิสริยยศสูงกว่า มักขานฐานันดรอย่างลำลองและขานแทนพระนาม"มามา (媽媽 마마)

วังเซจาบิน (王世子嬪 왕세자빈) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระชายาในองค์ชายรัชทายาท ("วังเซจา") หรือเรียกฐานันดรอย่างลำลองว่า เซจาบิน (世子嬪 세자빈) ขานแทนพระนามว่า มาโนรา หรือ "มานูรา" (마노라 manora หรือ 마누라 manura) ภายหลังจากที่ราชสำนักได้รับอิทธิพลจาก"ตระกูลคิมจากอันดง" ทำให้การขานแทนพระนามเกิดความสับสน และหันไปขานแทนพระนามวังเซจาบินว่า "มามา" (媽媽 마마)

กงจู (公主 공주) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระราชธิดา ประสูติแต่พระเจ้าแผ่นดินกับพระมเหสี, ขานแทนพระนามว่า อากีซี (아기씨) ก่อนทรงเข้าพิธีมงคลสมรส และ "จากา" (자가) หลังเข้าพิธี

องจู (翁主 옹주) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระราชธิดา ประสูติแต่พระเจ้าแผ่นดินกับพระสนม, ขานแทนพระนามว่า อากีซี (아기씨) ก่อนทรงเข้าพิธีมงคลสมรส และ "จากา" (자가) หลังเข้าพิธี

วังเซเจ (王世弟 왕세제) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระอนุชาในพระเจ้าแผ่นดิน ซึ่งได้รับการแต่งตั้งเป็นพระอนุชารัชทายาทในกรณีที่พระเจ้าแผ่นดินพระองค์ นั้นไม่มีพระโอรส

วันเซซน (王世孫 왕세손) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระโอรสประสูติแต่องค์ชายรัชทายาท ("วังเซจา") และพระชายาในองค์ชายรัชทายาท ("วังเซจาบิน") หรือพระนัดดาชายในพระเจ้าแผ่นดิน , ขานแทนพระนามว่า ฮัปอา (閤下 합하)



ฐานันดรศักดิ์ราชวงศ์เกาหลีในสมัยโชซอน - สมัยจักรวรรดิเกาหลี

ฮวางเจ (皇帝 황제) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระจักรพรรดิแห่งจักรวรรดิเกาหลี, ขานแทนพระนามว่า พเย-ฮา (陛下 폐하) สมเด็จพระจักรพรรดิพระองค์แรกคือสมเด็จพระจักรพรรดิควางมู

ฮวางฮู (皇后 황후) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระจักรพรรดินี (พระมเหสี) แห่งจักรวรรดิเกาหลี สมเด็จพระจักรพรรดินีพระองค์แรกคือสมเด็จพระจักรพรรดินีเมียงซอง

ฮวางแทฮู (皇太后 황태후) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระจักรพรรดินี (พระมเหสี) ในพระจักรพรรดิองค์ก่อนหน้า หรือพระราชชนนีในพระจักรพรรดิองค์ปัจจุบัน

แทฮวางแทฮู (太皇太后 태황태후) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระจักรพรรดินี (พระมเหสี) ในพระจักรพรรดิองค์ก่อนหน้านับขึ้นไป2ขั้น หรือพระอัยยิกา (ย่า) ในพระจักรพรรดิองค์ปัจจุบัน

ฮวางแทจา (皇太子 황태자) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับองค์ชายรัชทายาท ขานแทนพระนามว่า "ชอนฮา" (殿下 전하)

ฮวางแทจาบี (皇太子妃 황태자비) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระชายาในองค์ชายรัชทายาท

ชินวัง (親王 친왕) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับองค์ชาย หรือพระราชโอรสประสูติแต่พระจักรพรรดิ

ชินวังบี (親王妃 친왕비) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระชายาในองค์ชาย หรือพระชายาในพระราชโอรสประสูติแต่พระจักรพรรดิ

กงจู (公主 공주) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระราชธิดา ประสูติแต่พระเจ้าแผ่นดินกับพระมเหสี

องจู (翁主 옹주) คือฐานันดรศักดิ์สำหรับพระราชธิดา ประสูติแต่พระเจ้าแผ่นดินกับพระสนม

[News] Kim Ah Joong gets injured on the set of “Amazing”.

[News] Kim Ah Joong gets injured on the set of “Amazing”.
Cr. - allkpop

It’s being reported that on July 7th, actress Kim Ah Joong tumbled down the stairs and knocked herself unconscious while filming for her upcoming Chinese-American film, “Amazing“.

Kim Ah Joong was in the midst of shooting a scene at a hotel in Shanghai, where she was supposed to chase the male lead down a stairwell. Unfortunately, she sprained her ankle and fell forward, hitting her head against the banister on her way down. Because she was unable to regain consciousness, she was rushed to the emergency room of a local hospital.

CT and X-ray results fortunately showed that she didn’t sustain any injuries or damages, and she was eventually allowed to return to the film set to complete the rest of the shoot.

Representatives revealed, “There are some scratches on her knees and arms, but more than anything, she and the rest of her staff were highly shocked over the unexpected accident. Those around her suggested that she take a break, but she found out that her co-star, Eric Mabius, had to leave for the States in two days. She didn’t want to affect his schedule, so she returned to the film set instead.”

They continued, “The staff gave her a round of applause for her passion and determination. Mabius in particular was very touched with her considerate act.”

[Article] Kim So-yeon & Jo Jin-mo : Intelligence Chase over Coffee "Russian Coffee" (GABI '가비').

[Article] Intelligence Chase over Coffee "Russian Coffee" (GABI '가비').
By RA Jegy@cinematoday.korea.com

"Russian Coffee" Directed by Jang Yoon-hyeon. It's the end of 19th century, and Gojong, King of Josoen flees to the Russian legation to save himself from foreign threats. The king comes into contact with western culture during his stay there, and tastes coffee for the first time in his life. After he returns to the palace, Gojong continues to enjoy coffee, while an assassination attempt takes place to kill the king by poisoning his coffee to prevent him from establishing the Korean Empire.

"Russian Coffee" is a story about turn-of-the-century turmoil told through the genre of mellow, thriller and spy films. Adapted from Kim Tak-hwan's novel Noseoa "Russian Coffee" , a tragic love story and intelligence action of Joseon's first woman barista tangled with a Russian spy and Emperor Gojong form the main storyline. Kim Tak-hwan is also the writer of Secret of Monument for Virtuous Lady , which was made into a movie


"Detective K", the biggest Korean film hit during the first quarter that earned 4 million viewers since its release in February. The Title of the novel 'Noseoa "Russian Coffee"' means Russian coffee. It is interesting how the film connects facts with fiction, such a setting as the first barista of Joseon. The scene where Gojong takes his first sip of coffee, something very new at the time, and the Russian legation and steam locomotive scenes recreated by computer graphics will be quite a spectacle to watch.



Director Jang Yoon-hyun was the pioneer of early Korean Indie films, leading the way with The Night Before Strike (1990) and announced at the start of the Korean New Wave in the late 1990s with "The Contact" (1997) and "Tell Me Something" (1999). With "Russian Coffee" , JANG intends to jump back up from his slump of the last century, when he consecutively failed with "Some" and "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007". When asked why he took the job, director JANG answers "The original novel was such an interesting piece". He says "At first I became interested out of curiosity, wanting to know the first person who made coffee in Korea. Yet the more I researched about it, the more I learned new things, which I added onto thescreenplay". He also adds "So many spectacles will appear on screen, making one wonder did all that really exist during that time".

Chungmuro's eyes are on JANG, watching whether he will overcome his last two misfortunes and make a successful return. The film will be distributed by Cinema Service, an enterprise of KANG Woo-suk, the magic hands of Chungmuro.
Once the biggest distributor in the business, it is true Cinema Service is having some difficulties after the recent films company distributed didn't do too well. Much attention is given to whether '"Russian Coffee"' will be a breakthrough for Cinema Service. Also it is interesting to predict whether film adapted from Kim Tak-hwan's novel will make a hit one after another.



The film stars Hanryu star Joo Jin-mo ("A Frozen Flower"), a great performer Park Hee-soon ("Seven Days") as well as Yoo Seon ("Moss") and Kim So-yeon ("IRIS"). JOO plays a first class sniper Ilyich of Russian crooks hovering around Gojong, and Kim So-yeon, Tanya the barista who serves coffee to the Emperor. Making her screen debut with "Change" (1997), except for "Seven Swords" (2005), a TSUI Hark film made together by Korea and China, KIM's works have been mostly on TV. "Russian Coffee" will make her return to the big screen after 15 years. The mysterious woman, queen of the social circle with

Two names, BAE Jung-ja in Korean and Sadako in Japanese, played by Yoo Sun. Production Company Ocean Films commented "The film stays almost true to history with about 30% of it being fiction". Ilyich and Tanya are fictional while BAE is a person who actually existed. The film started in at the end of March and shooting will continue until late June. Total production cost is estimated to be about US$6.5 million (7 billion KRW), and the film is scheduled to be released at the end the end of the year.

[Talk of Town] Who is leader cast for 'Dream High Season 2'?

[Talk of Town] Who is leader cast for 'Dream High Season 2'?
Original : http://twssg.blogspot.com/

"Dream High" the best idol drama co-production of Bae Yong-joon’s Keyeast and Park Jin-young’s JYP Entertainment. The storyline is the beginning of creation 'Idol feast' Idol's acting skills and some controversy will arouse the concern of 20 percent, but the audience got up all this way for popularity. After viewers' Season 2 production has been steadily claiming.

KBS side in making this the second story showed a positive reaction 'Season 2' production confirm the compositions. Netizens already confirmed production became a virtual cast, including trying to have seen the hot reaction.



Last month, A representative of KBS said on last month 'We will be producing a second season for ‘Dream High’, and it will feature stories about the youth generation. This has been in discussion since the conclusion of season one. Whether we’ll be casting rookie idols like ‘Dream High’ and ‘Jungle Fish,’, or whether we’ll be going through an audition process is still up for discussion. There’s a high probability that the season will begin airing in January of 2012, just in time for winter break. So what might change for “Dream High Season 2″? The representative did not reveal much, but said, “The original format of ‘Dream High’ was great, so we’re planning to carry it over.”

'Dream High Season 2' will be air in January 2012, co-produced again by Bae Yong-joon’s Keyeast and Park Jin-young’s JYP Entertainment. After the succesful run of KBS2 TV 'Dream High' and 'Dream High Season 2' confirmed, speculation has started over which of the star-studded cast will be returning, as well as which new faces will be joining them.



In a poll being conducted on a korean portal site, our multi-talented leader Taeyeon (SNSD) has already quickly taken the lead as the celebrity netizens would most like to see on 'Dream High Season 2', Joining her in the rankings are Jessica and Yuri, was well as a long list of other well-known names such as Chan-sung, So-hee, Bae Yong-joon and Hye-rim.

To be honest, the likeliness of and SNSD member actually joining the cast is incredibly thin, with SM rejecting pretty much all the ‘Love-calls’ that the girls are getting due to their busy busy schedules. Chances are the next time we’ll see a SoShi girl acting it’ll be an SM production – and even then it’s going to be a while as SM doesn’t have any acting plans in store for them for the time being. Still, it’s nice to know that Korean netizens want to see SNSD girls in more areas of entertainment as well.



With news of a Season 2 for Dream High under production, one of the main questions about Season 2 is whether or not actress Park Eun Bin will be a part of the cast.

Lots of netizens want her appearance in the second Dream High after the word got out. Park Eun Bin came out as a cameo to act as the grown up Hyesung, who was Suzy’s younger sister. Since then, netizens have been speculating that season 2 will be about Hyesung and have reasoned that it would be the logical flow of story. Lots of reactions are “I want to see Park Eun Bin in Season 2” and “Eun Bin could become the next Soohyun and end up on M Countdown.”

Dream High was about high school students who are attending a school of the arts and shares stories about their goals, obstacles, hopes, and the happiness that they encounter while working hard to achieve their goals. The show turned many idol singers into actors such as IU, Wooyoung, and Suzy.

[Article] Campus romance to pull at 'Heartstrings'.

[Article] Campus romance to pull at 'Heartstrings'.
By meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr

Director Pyo brings performing arts school to small screen
The life and love of university performing arts students will hit the small screen today through MBC’s new drama “Heartstrings.”

Star director Pyo Min-soo returns with “fresh green” stories set at a performing arts school.

“The word ‘youth’ reminds me of many things. I will portray the sweat and passion of artistic people in this drama,” Pyo said during a press conference last Thursday. “This drama is about people dreaming of art.”

Pyo is known for expressing the delicate world of professionals such as “Full House” (2004) and “The World That They Live in” (2008).



Heartthrob Jung Yong-hwa, CNBLUE’s singer and guitarist, plays Lee Sin, an applied music student and guitarist of a school band “The Stupid.” It’s his second time to star in a television drama, following “You’re Beautiful” (SBS, 2009).

The singer-actor’s eyes lit up when he talked about the role.

“I fell in love with my character and researched him a lot. He might seem curt and cold, but he is dedicated to music, his family and this dance professor,” he said.

“I got the idea from Kaede Rukawa in hit manga ‘Slam Dunk,’ who only knows basketball.”

Snappy actress Park Shin-hye once again performs together with Jung after “You’re Beautiful.”

Park plays Lee Gyu-won, a student of Korean traditional music playing the “gayageum” (traditional 12-string instrument). She falls for Lee Shin after watching his band, but her feelings take an unexpected turn when she is chosen as the heroine of the school’s 100th anniversary show.

She actually practiced the gayageum for about a month to play the instrument in the drama herself.

“I’ve got calluses and blisters on my hand, but at least, I can play the instrument enough for it to appear authentic on screen,” Park said.

The Korean title for the drama is “You’ve Fallen for Me,” but the production came up with a totally different English title “Heartstrings,” which recalls the instruments they play — the guitar and gayageum.

Song Chang-ui plays Kim Seok-hyun, a famed director from Broadway who returns to his alma mater to direct the centennial performance. When he returns to the school, he meets ex-girlfriend Jeong Yun-su, who left him to pursue her dance career but gave up due to injury.



The drama is co-produced by the Seoul Institute of the Arts, which provided its campus for filming. Song is a graduate of this arts-specialized university and returned to the campus to shoot the drama.

“The campus was moved from downtown Seoul to the current Ansan location when I was at the school. The classrooms, library and the atmosphere made me feel nostalgic,” Song said.

Actress Soh Yi-hyun plays a tragic dance professor Jeong, who is loved by both Lee Sin and Kim. CNBLUE band member Kang Min-hyuk also joins the drama playing a timid student.

Pyo thinks the student-professor relationship is a reciprocal one.

“What I think of the relationship between a teacher and a pupil is more like the relationship between Jung and me. I learn from him, while he learns from me. It is not a unilateral relationship, but we both give and receive something from each other.”

In the drama, the characters will grow through the 16 episodes, learning from each other whether they are students or teachers, he said.

The drama has already been sold to some eight countries before airing, including Japan, China and North America.

“Jung and Park’s popularity abroad ignited overseas sales of the drama,” an official of JS Pictures, the production company, said.

The show airs at 9:55 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays on MBC.