[VOD]The three vehicles donated by Bae Yong Joon and a medical team
left from Tokyo and headed to Fukushima to help tsunami victims.
17.5.11
[VOD]The three vehicles donated by Bae Yong Joon and a medical team left Tokyo and headed to Fukushima to help tsunami victims.
[VOD]The three vehicles donated by Bae Yong Joon and a medical team
left from Tokyo and headed to Fukushima to help tsunami victims.
[News] Jang Dong-gun will depart to attend Cannes.
[News] Jang Dong-gun will depart to attend Cannes.
Cr. - hancinema
Hallyu Star Jang Dong-gun will depart to France to attend the Cannes International Film Festival today.
He will depart form Incheon International Airport on the 12th in the afternoon and participate in 3 nights and 4 days of the festival's events. He will attend the product release of his won movie "My Way" by director Kang Jae-gyu and focus on promoting it with movie makers as the main target.
"My Way" is a Korea, China and Japan coproduction about the complicated destinies of two men during the Second World War with Jang Dong-gun, Joe Odagiri and Fan Bingbing.
First being revealed through this product release, "My Way" will enter sales towards foreign buyers in Cannes.
This is the first time in six years Jang Dong-gun is attending this event after 2005 movie "Taegukgi". The 64th Cannes International Film Festival will be held from the 11th to the 22nd.
Congratulations Graduate (17th May) & Happy Birthday (18th May) To...Tanya...
Happy Birthday (18th May), To...Tanya...
Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Contemplate your blessings now,
As your birthday nears.
Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there.
Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are.
Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
We count blessings every day!"
...Happy Birthday...
Congratulations Graduate (17th May), To...Tanya...
To live a successful life
Does not require
Money, fame, power, prestige
Or status symbols...
It's more a matter of
Being true to your own beliefs and principles,
Doing your best,
Even in the smallest of things,
And never taking for granted
The simple joys in life--
Such as laughter, a perfect day,
Or a loyal friend.
For all the money in the world
Can't buy self-esteem, character,
Contentment, love or happiness--
And these are the very things
That make life
Worth living.
However you define
Happiness and success,
May you find and enjoy them
Every day of your life.
...Congratulations as you graduate...
From...Roytavan & TWSSG TEAM
[News] Jang Keun-suk TV series No. 1 on Taiwanese cable.
[News] Jang Keun-suk TV series No. 1 on Taiwanese cable.
Cr. - 10asia
Hallyu star Jang Keun-suk starrer "Marry Me, Mary" is the most-watched show on cable television in Taiwan, according to the show's promoter Ytree Media on Monday.
Ytree announced in a press release that "Marry Me, Mary," which began its run in Taiwan on May 2, has become the No. 1 show amongst Taiwanese cable channels with a viewership rating of 0.98 percent.
This is a high score given that the average rating that hit dramas in Taiwan score between 0.7 to 0.9 percent.
"Mary" has been popular in the Asia region after showing for two months in Korea from early November to late December of last year, being presold to Taiwan's Star TV during the Taipei TV Festival in September 2010 as well as being sold to China's distribution company Golden Luck 社 the following month.
Based on the online comic by famed writer Won Soo-yeon, "Mary," which also stars actress Moon Geun-young, is about Mary (Moon) who makes realizations about love and herself while being in two fake marriages for 100 days to completely different men -- Mugyul (Jang) and Jung-in (played by actor Kim Jae-uck).
Jang began his career at the early age of five as a catalog model and is well-known for his roles in MBC's sitcom "Nonstop 4" and drama "Beethoven Virus."
The actor rose to super stardom in Korea and throughout Asia last year as the eccentric lead singer of the idol group A.N.JELL in the SBS TV series "He's Beautiful" alongside actress Park Shin-hye.
He is currently working on the upcoming film "You're My Pet" (translated title) alongside actress Kim Ha-neul as well as touring several countries in Asia for his "2011 Jang Keun-suk Asia Tour ."
[News] Lee Jin-wook joins Han Ye-seul in "Spy Myung-wol" new drama.
[News] Lee Jin-wook joins Han Ye-seul in "Spy Myung-wol" new drama.
Cr. - 10asia
Lee Jin-wook has joined the cast of an upcoming TV series starring top Korean actress Han Ye-seul, according to the show's producer on Monday.
Lee Kim Production stated through a press release that Lee has taken on a drama tentatively titled "Spy Myung-wol" where he will play a North Korean officer who helps North Korean female spy Han Myung-wol, played by actress Han, carry out her orders.
The show, about the spy falling in love with a popular Hallyu star, will be Lee's first acting role since being discharged from the military in March as well as Han's return to the small screen after a year and a half hiatus.
Helmed by Hwang In-hyuk whose works include "The Iron Empress" and "SungKyunKwan Scandal," "Spy Myung-wol" is set to show in the Monday and Tuesday primetime slot starting July 4 after current series "Babyfaced Beauty" ends its run on major broadcaster KBS.
Lee, 29, made his debut as a model for an advertisement in 2003, and expanded his career into acting through which he has starred in several TV series including "Someday (OCN, 2006)," "Air City (MBC, 2007)" and "City of Glass (SBS, 2008)."
He had been dating top Korean actress Choi Ji-woo after meeting her through "Air City" from February 2009 onward but ended their releationship early this year.
[News] Jeon Do-youn, Jung Jae-young finish shooting new action flick.
[News] Jeon Do-youn, Jung Jae-young finish shooting new action flick.
Cr. - 10asia
Top Korean actors Jeon Do-youn and Jung Jae-young have finished shooting an upcoming action flick, according to a press release from the film's producer Sidus FHN on Monday.
Sidus announced in a press release that Jeon and Jung, who played the lead roles of Cha Ha-yeon and Tae Gun-ho, respectively, completed filming the movie tentatively titled "Countdown" which will open in local theaters during the latter half of this year.
"Countdown," helmed by Korean auteur Huh Jong-ho, tells the story of Cha Ha-yeon, a female con artist who risks her life for a final deal with cold-hearted debt collector Tae Gun-ho.
"We will show a completely different side to who we are as actors in ‘Countdown,’” both Jeon and Jung were quoted as saying. "We have high expectations for the film and we hope that the audience will enjoy it as well."
Jeon has received over dozens of top recognitions on both the small and big screen since her debut in 1990. She won the award for Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 for her role in director Lee Chang-dong's film "Secret Sunshine."
She recently starred in director Im Sang-soo's modern adaptation of "The Housemaid," which also stars Lee Jung-jae and veteran actress Yoon Yeo-jung, which was screened during various film festivals last year.
Jung Jae-young, whose real name is Jeong Ji-hyeon, began his acting career with several small roles in films in the early 1990s and since starred in a score of big hit movies including "The Quiet Family (1998)," "So Cute (2004)," "Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005)" and recently won the Blue Dragon Award for best actor for his role in "Moss."
[News] Wu Chun, Han Geng risk their lives to create martial art actors.
[News] Wu Chun, Han Geng risk their lives to create martial art actors.
Cr. - HK Morning
The Gao Xiaosong directed, Sammo Hung Kam Bo action directed, Han Geng, Wu Chun, Barbie Hsu (Tsui Hei Woon), Yuen Biao and Annie Yi Nengjing starred MY KINGDOM yesterday held its first trailer press conference. Han Geng, Wu Chun struck the drums for the occasion. The film will open in August. Two popular idols Wu Chun and Han Geng talked about the production and joked that they wanted to become action director Hung Kam Bo's disciples to form "Beijing Martial Art Gate" (sounds like CHINESE CONNECTION Chinese title).
In the trailer, everyone fought for a "top martial art actor" golden plaque. In the film Wu Chun and Han Geng played martial art acting disciples who grew up together. They carried their school's destiny to win back the title and finally they had to fight to the death.
In the trailer the martial art designs were the biggest attractions. Han Geng and Wu Chun's close combat on the ladder was eye opening. Wu Chun said that for this scene he was on the wire for a week and was bruised all over from it. First time actor Han Geng held nothing back to complete his stunts. A few days into the production he already pulled a muscle. The stunt team described him as "fresh seafood". When asked who was stronger, they humbly said that the other was the real "major martial art actor".
Hung Kam Bo said that out of over two movie films, less than ten had an excellent script. MY KINGDOM would be one of them. He spent a year to put in his years of experience as a martial art actor into the action designs. Director Gao Xiaosong praised Hung Kam Bo as the top action director today.
At the press conference, two videos of Hung Kam Bo personally played the human punching bag to guide Wu Chun and Han Geng in a fight scene. Wu Chun said that Hung Kam Bo has always hoped to help even more martial art new comers. Three months before the shoot he already organized a training and taught them move by move.
[News] Andy Lau Tops Forbes Chinese Celebrities List.
[News] Andy Lau Tops Forbes Chinese Celebrities List.
Cr. - http://english.cri.cn/
Having performed in five movies and at least 20 concerts in the past year, actor-singer Andy Lau topped the 2011 Forbes Chinese Celebrities List that was released on Friday, May 13, 2011.
The 50-year-old entertainer, still energetic and prolific after 30 years in showbiz, played leading roles in five movies in one year, including "Shaolin" and "Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame", according to Forbes Magazine, which produced the list based on each celebrity's earnings, publicity and influence of the year.
In late December, Lau staged 20 shows at the Hong Kong Coliseum to mark his 30th anniversary in show business.
Following Lau on the list is Jay Chou , whose major offerings in the year included the album, "The Era", as well as a supporting role in the Hollywood blockbuster, "The Green Hornet".
Pop diva Faye Wong , who launched a comeback in 2010 after years of enjoying a hiatus, ranked third.
Jackie Chan , last year's chart-topper, fell to fourth place this year.
The top ten of the 2011 Forbes Chinese Celebrities List are:
1. Andy Lau
2. Jay Chou
3. Faye Wong
4. Jackie Chan
5. Yao Ming
6. Donnie Yen
7. Zhang Ziyi
8. Jet Li
9. Fan Bingbing
10. Zhao Benshan
[Photo & News] "Ripley" main poster revealed.
[Photo & News] "Ripley" main poster revealed.
Cr. - hancinema
"Ripley" main poster revealed, MBC TV drama "Ripley" has revealed its main poster.
In the poster, the 4 main casts of the drama are standing still amongst 20 other supporting actors in black suits, portraying the modern day people who are divided among themselves.
Other than the 4, the supporting actors have covered their faces with white masks making their expressions unreadable, and it symbolizes the twofold lives of people in the modern society.
However, the 4 main casts expressed their characters. Lee Da-hae is looking strong like Mi-ri who lives through the world in her own way.
Kim Seung-woo is elite Hotelier Jang Myeong-hoon, who thinks his emotions can be controlled with ration, shows a bold but lonely image.
Micky Yuchun is Yoo Ta-ka who dreams of success with his very own values and makes his surroundings bright even when standing among a crowd of black suited people.
Kang Hye-jeong is Hee-joo who gets her identity and education forged by Mi-ri and appeals with her unique personality even in the grotesque concept shoot.
"Ripley" is based in a hotel in the middle of the city in the 21st century that leads the cultural fashion market and deals with the modern day people's work and love. It will be released on the 30th of May after "The Duo".
16.5.11
[News] Han Suk-kyu and Jang Hyuk... Sin Se-kyung comes back to screens after a year.
[News] Han Suk-kyu and Jang Hyuk... Sin Se-kyung comes back to screens after a year.
Cr. - hancinema
Sin Se-kyung is returning to the screens. She has become the lead role along with Han Suk-Kyu and Jang Hyuk.
Sin Se-kyung has recently confirmed SBS TV drama "Deep-rooted Tree" as her next project. Therefore this is the first time a in a year she will be coming back to the brown screens after sitcom "High Kick Through The Roof". Drama "Deep-rooted Tree" is based on an original by writer Lee Jeong-myeong. It deals with the declaration of the Hunminjeongeum (Korean script) during the King Sejong era.
"Deep-rooted Tree" has a fancy cast. Writers Kim Yung-hyun and Park Sang-yun from "Dae Jang Geum", "H.I.T", "Queen Seon-deok", etc, director Park Sang-yun who has promoted the art of video with "War of Money", "Painter of the Wind" and more.
Sin Se-kyung is So Ee, a maid who stands in the middle of the invention of the Korean language. Han Suk-Kyu has been cast as King Sejong and Jang Hyuk is Chae Yoon, a slave turned public official. Sin Se-kyung said, "I have once been Queen Seon-deok's sister in the drama "Queen Seon-deok" and as this is my second project with writers Kim Yung-hyun and Park Sang-yeon I will show you a mature and professional side of me". Meanwhile, the drama "Deep-rooted Tree" is coming this 28th of September.
[News] Jang Dong-gun "Hyun Bin on his break said 'it's bearable'".
[News] Jang Dong-gun "Hyun Bin on his break said 'it's bearable'".
Cr. - hancinema
Jang Dong-gun revealed life in the Marines for his favorite junior Hyun Bin.
Jang Dong-gun at the 64th Cannes Film Festival spoke about his recent anecdote with actor Hyun Bin who was on a short break.
He said, "I worried a lot as a close friend. I did think he would do well. When he came out on break I asked him if it was harder than he thought and he said, "it's bearable"".
He continued, "My manager is also from the Marines and he said 'Hyun Bin will go in strong but come out dying'. However, his first words were, 'It's bearable'".
About Hyun Bin, Jang Dong-gun said, "He's become confident and he's learnt to enjoy many things. I think he will make it through the army well".
When he was asked if the growing Hyun Bin is a competitor for him, he said, "I have never thought of him as a competitor. We have a 10 years age gap and if he sees me as a competitor, then I should be thankful".
Meanwhile, Hyun Bin who gained enormous popularity through the drama "Secret Garden" entered the Marines in early March and came out on a short break at the end of April. He is currently serving at Baekryeong-do. Jang Dong-gun has successfully finished with the product briefing of movie "My Way" coming this December.
[News] Cast of MBC’s “Best Love” reveals how they came up with the name “National Treasure Girl”.
[News] Cast of MBC’s “Best Love” reveals how they came up with the name “National Treasure Girl”.
Cr. - allkpop
As reported previously, actress Gong Hyo Jin teamed up with Yoo In Na, Lee Hee Jin, and Bae Seul Gi to form the fictional “National Treasure Girl” girl group on MBC’s upcoming drama, “Best Love.”
On May 15th, MBC’s “Happy Time” revealed how the drama came up with the unique group name by explaining that it was a combination of the 80s sister duo, National Treasure Sisters, and SNSD (or Girls’ Generation).
Although they aren’t a real group, they’ve already created countless of headlines and ranked in at the top of search portals with their popularity.
15.5.11
[VOD & News] 'Sector 7' (7광구) Trailer Released.
[VOD & News] 'Sector 7' (7광구) Trailer Released.
Cr. - javabeans
You’ve seen the stills of a tough-looking Ha Ji-won in sci-fi action blockbuster Sector 7 — now watch her in action in the movie’s new preview, where she battles some kind of mutant sea monster while out on an oil rig.
The movie concept admittedly isn’t too original or complicated — it’s positioned itself as a “Host at sea” and amped up the badass Ha Ji-won angle — but if they can sneak in some clever surprises, it could be a fun summer flick. I thought The Host was awesome and don’t expect this one to be nearly as good in story (too similar to escape the knockoff vibe), but for sheer action/octane, Sector 7 is going in with guns blazing — gnarly CG monsters, explosions, fierce hand-to-tentacle combat, 3-D camera work.
Other cast members include hard-bodied heartthrob Oh Ji-ho (Chuno), veteran Ahn Sung-ki (Fair Love), and funnyman Park Chul-min (Birth of the Rich, Partner) — but who are we kidding, it’s all about Ha Ji-won. With movies like Haeundae and…well…Haeundae, Ha is setting herself up to be Korea’s foremost (and possible only) female action star. (Kim Haneul, Kim So-yeon, Su Ae — they’ve had some moments, but are distant seconds.) She’s had a string of successes lately — Secret Garden, Haeundae, My Love By My Side — so anticipation is running high for her next project.
Directing is Kim Ji-hoon, who did war movie May 18 and also has another action movie on his plate, disaster film The Tower starring Sohn Ye-jin. Korea’s sure rife with disasters. Must be something in the water. (Bah-dum-ching! Heh, couldn’t resist.)
Sector 7 has already been sold abroad to four other countries. No release date yet, but it’s expected to come out in the summer.
[News] Lee Da-hae hit with lawsuit for breach of contract.
[News] Lee Da-hae hit with lawsuit for breach of contract.
Cr. - javabeans
More trouble for actress Lee Da-hae, who is being hit with a lawsuit for dropping out of Coffee, the period spy film that cast Kim So-yeon to replace her.
According to the Seoul Central District Court on May 13, film production company Ocean Film filed suit for damages against the star and her management, DBM Entertainment. Ocean Film contends, “Ms. Lee agreed to appear in our movie Coffee and received 100 million won in salary. However, she decided to take a broadcast drama instead and informed us of her intent to drop the movie.” Now they are demanding payment for breach of contract, and are suing for 360 billion won (approx $330,000 USD), citing compensation for damages.
DBM’s legal representative stated in a press release that they would fight back through whatever legal means necessary. Addressed in the statement were: the signing of Lee’s official contract, Lee’s salary for the movie, and the cause for her departure.
According to Lee’s management, they admitted to telling Ocean Film verbally that she wanted to do the film, but that no official contract had been completed. They did say, “We did draw up a simple informal contract when Ocean Film came to us asking for help in attracting investments. But we didn’t sign a contract booking Lee, so we have not received even one penny from Ocean Film. Therefore there are no grounds for them to demand damages twice as much as her pay.”
DBM also cited the failure of the production company to secure its proposed 10 billion won funding (which would have been necessary for Coffee to be the blockbuster it had been touting itself as) for leaving the project. That reason may be valid and true, but it doesn’t do much for Lee’s image as a star who leaves projects when they threaten to diminish her stature — sorry to say, but her public image has taken a lot of hits in recent years, and this doesn’t help things any. Especially given the existence of a contract promising her appearance — no matter how informal it may be.
Speaking of that contract, it sounds like Ocean Film may be trying to wring some money out of DBM, but the fact that there is one out there may complicate matters for the management team. Coffee was initially scheduled to begin filming in December 2010, but underwent various delays. DBM explained that Lee’s schedule for her upcoming drama Ripley was starting to conflict, so she dropped the film.
Lee’s new drama Ripley, on the other hand, will be premiering on MBC on May 30. I guess it was too much to hope for that she’d start a project without controversy, for once. Then again, it may help stir interest in the drama, in which Lee actually plays a controversial type of character, one based on an infamous liar and fraudster who set off a wave of scandals back in ’07. I suspect the drama character will be a much toned-down version of that type, though it would be great if they went whole hog and embraced her as an anti-heroine.
[News] Nagasawa Masami, Okada Junichi play lead voices in Ghibli’s “Kokurikozaka Kara”.
[News] Nagasawa Masami, Okada Junichi play lead voices in Ghibli’s “Kokurikozaka Kara”.
Cr. - tokyograph
Studio Ghibli has announced its voice cast for its new feature film “Kokurikozaka Kara,” scheduled to open in theaters on July 16. Nagasawa Masami (23) has been cast as the main character, and V6 member Okada Junichi (30) has been cast as the main male character.
The movie is the second film directed by Miyazaki Hayao’s son Goro, who debuted with “Gedo Senki” (“Tales from Earthsea”). As reported last year, the movie is adapted from a shoujo manga of the same name by Takahashi Chizuru and Sayama Tetsuro.
The story takes place in 1963 Yokohama, where the Komatsuzaki family runs an old lodging house. Nagasawa will voice Komatsuzaki Umi, the family’s daughter. The film revolves around her everyday life at high school, particularly with another student named Kazama Shun (played by Okada), in whom she takes an interest.
Other characters are being voiced by Fubuki Jun (58), Takeshita Keiko (57), Naito Takashi (55), Kagawa Teruyuki (45), Ishida Yuriko (41), Omori Nao (39), and Kazama Shunsuke (27).
[News] AKB48's Maeda Atsuko Stars in New "Hana Kimi" Drama Series.
[News] AKB48's Maeda Atsuko Stars in New "Hana Kimi" Drama Series.
Cr. - tokyograph
Fuji TV announced today that the 2007 drama series "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise" is coming back this summer, but with an entirely new cast. Instead of the original lead actress Horikita Maki, the new series will be led by AKB48 's Maeda Atsuko.
Based on the popular manga series by Nakajo Hisaya, "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" (abbreviated as "Hana Kimi") tells the story of a girl named Ashiya Mizuki who lives in the United States. She falls in love with a young high jumper named Sano Izumi after seeing him on television, but when he suddenly quits the sport, she decides to take action. In order to get close to Sano and help him return to high jumping, she moves to Japan and disguises herself as a boy to enroll in Sano's all-boys high school.
In the first drama series, the male leads were played by Oguri Shun and Ikuta Toma, though the show also featured other popular actors like Mizushima Hiro and Okada Masaki. The new show will reportedly have a fresh cast, and the setting and story will also be changed. Rather than being a sequel to the first series, Fuji TV's announcement suggests that this will be a new retelling of the story. However, plot details are being kept secret for now.
The original series averaged 17.3% ratings over its 12-episode run, and the finale reached 21.0%.
Naturally, AKB48 will be in charge of the new show's theme song, "Ike☆Para." This will be the group's 22nd single, whose center member will be decided in AKB48′s Senbatsu election, which starts on June 9.
The drama series will start in July and air on Sundays at 9:00pm.
[News] Kim Tae Hee visits her brother, Lee Wan.
[News] Kim Tae Hee visits her brother, Lee Wan.
Cr. - allkpop
Kim Tae Hee recently paid a visit to her younger brother at his military base.
On May 11th, pictures of Kim Tae Hee visiting Lee Wan at his military base were uploaded onto the official homepage of TV program, “Military Rediscovery”.
In the photos, netizens were able to see Kim Tae Hee signing T-shirts for the soldiers while Lee Wan happily looked on.
The producers of the program stated that Kim Tae Hee told Lee Wan, “The military is a really good place. If you didn’t go to the military, how would you learn how to clean and do your laundry?” She also said, “By the time you come out from the military, you will have become a man.”
[News] Yoon Shi-yoon eyes drama for next project.
[News] Yoon Shi-yoon eyes drama for next project.
Cr. - dramabeans
From King of Baking to King of Vegetables? One of last year’s biggest breakout stars, Baker King Kim Tak-gu‘s Yoon Shi-yoon is reportedly planning a comeback to dramaland, this time as a master of… veggies? The upcoming drama currently in development is called Bachelor’s Vegetable Store [총각네 야채가게], which is a weird-sounding title, I know, but then again, so is Baker King Kim Tak-gu, which was a ratings hit. Guess you can’t judge a drama by its title? But… I LIKE to judge a drama by its title!
The story is based on the life of a real person, a man named Lee Young-seok, who started a small vegetable store as a young man in 1990. It was a tiny space, only ten pyeong. (An old-school unit of measurement, still used colloquially to denote space, like square footage. The unit pyeong is derived from the amount of space for one average-sized person to lie on the ground and spread out their arms and legs… What? I looked it up for curiosity’s sake. Also, I’m bad at conversions, so I needed a different way to explain it.) So — about the size of a tiny studio apartment, or so.
Anyway, he went on to be a huge success, and is sort of an icon as a small-business pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps success story. His store became known in the neighborhood as “The Bachelor’s Vegetable Store,” because that’s what an ajumma would call a young man who is a local business owner. He’d be too young to call “Boss” like a normal shop owner ajusshi, so they would call him chong-gak, meaning bachelor, or single man. I know, Korea’s weird with the very specific monikers denoting age and marital status, but on the other hand, one title is super informative?
Besides, if Yoon Shi-yoon is playing the owner, can you really see an ajumma calling him anything but chong-gak, other than “hey you, kid”? It has the potential for a nice uplifting slice-of-life drama, and could be great if they keep the story small and rich with the details of what Seoul was like in the 90s. Looks like it’s one to keep an eye on.
Bachelor’s Vegetable Store is in development, and plans to premiere later this year.
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