...Hallyu began roughly 12 years ago when the rest of Asia discovered Korean soap operas. One of the breakthrough dramas was a series 'Winter Sonata' starring Choi Ji-woo & Bae Young-Joon. After that, more Korean dramas saw their way to foreign shores and Korean films and music started to follow suit. Korean marketing people started to see a Korea-centric trend. They dubbed this flow "The Korean Wave" or Hallyu....
21.8.12
[Photo & News] Lee Min Ho’s “Faith” Already Popular in China.
Cr. - soompi
Actor Lee Min Ho has again proved his popularity in China. On August 20, Lee Min Ho’s new drama “Faith” was shown to be the drama with the most hits in China’s video streaming site Youku.com and revealed on letv.com.
“Faith” premiered only recently and thus its status as most-streamed video has caused interest.
On the main page, “Faith” was shown to take on the No. 1 spot, while another Lee Min Ho drama, “City Hunter” took No. 2. The two dramas were also the top-rated dramas in the international competition.
This is one of the times that a South Korean drama took the top rank in the letv.com site.
Lee Min Ho’s “City Hunter” has already surpassed 100 million hits on Youku.com, so netizens in China are keen and watching with interest how “Faith” will fare. With his dramas doing very well in China, Lee Min Ho has been christened a “Prince of the Continent.”
15.8.12
[News] Rain’s "R2B: Return to Base" presold to 30 countries.
Cr. - 10asia
Rain’s action film “R2B: Return to Base” has garnered enormous attention from foreign film buyers, being sold to 30 countries before it opens in local theaters.
CJ Entertainment, the movie’s domestic distribution company said in press release Tuesday that the film has been presold to foreign buyers from 30 different countries including Asian and European countries.
The firm explained that due to Rain’s popularity in the regions that they have struck up deals early on with Asian countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
European buyers are also set to release the film in England, France, Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland, while expressing their surprise in the action sequences that were shot in high altitude just like Hollywood blockbusters.
To meet the high expectations from overseas countries, CJ will hold a special Asian screening at a theater in Seoul on August 14, where they will invite 2,000 Asian fans to enjoy the film that will be subtitled in English, Japanese and Chinese.
The action pic, co-starring actor Yoo Jun-sang of “My Husband Got a Family” (KBS, 2012) and actress Shin Se-gyeong, tells the story of the life, love and comradeship of fighter pilots amid a risky situation in Korea.
Rain's long-awaited film will open in local theaters on August 15.
[Photo & News] "Masquerade" main stars Lee Byung-hun, Han Hyo-joo speak at presser. Cr. - 10asia
Hallyu actor Lee Byung-hun and actress Han Hyo-joo were in attendance for the press conference for their upcoming historical film "Masquerade" held at a movie theater in Seoul, South Korea on August 13, 2012.
With director Choo Chang-min at the mic, "Masquerade" focuses on the story the episodes that a low class man goes through in order to become king of the country.
Lee plays the double role of Gwanghae, the 15th King of the Joseon Dynasty, and Ha-sun, a man born into low class.
Unlike the other historical figures in Korean history, King Gwanghae is known to be one of the misfortunate figures in the Joseon Dynasty's history. As he was deposed by the Westerners faction in a coup, historians did not give him a temple name like Taejo or Sejong.
Meanwhile, Han plays the queen and actor Ryu Seung-ryeong helps Ha-sun rise to sit on the King's throne.
Both Lee and Han's first historical film, "Masquerade" is slated to open in local theaters over the Korean Thanksgiving holidays.
[News] TVXQ!, Kim Hyun-joong achieve gold status in Japan with latest singles.
Cr. - 10asia
Top K-pop acts TVXQ! and Kim Hyun-joong have achieved gold status in Japan after selling more than 100,000 copies their latest singles.
TVXQ!’s 11th Japanese single “Android” and Kim Hyun-joong’s second Japanese single “HEAT” have both achieved the gold status after moving a big number of over 100,000 albums, according to the Recording Industry Association of Japan's (RIAJ) July report.
The success of both records was predictable, as they easily moved over 100,000 records in just a week after the album’s release.
TVXQ!'s latest single "Android" scored the No. 1 spot on Oricon's weekly singles chart after moving 152,000 copies since going on sale on July 11.
Kim has also registered high sales of around 183,000 copies in just a week after the album went on sale on July 4, Oricon's website showed.
Meanwhile, TVXQ!'s DVD titled "TOHOSHINKI LIVE TOUR 2012 TONE" has also reached gold status according to RIAJ’s July report.
The DVD was released in Japan on July 25 and topped Oricon's weekly DVD chart after selling over 151,000 copies during the first week of sales.
TVXQ! and Kim Hyun-joong are handful of artists that are receiving overwhelming popularity in both Korea and Japan.
The two stars have been breaking numerous records which have been built by themselves or former Hallyu stars on Oricon’s chart.
[Article] National Mother’s Day of Thailand.Original : http://twssg.blogspot.com/ The 12 August is Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's birthday or วันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าฯ พระบรมราชินีนาถ in Thai language. This public holiday is celebrated nationwide as Mother's Day ("WAN MAE HENG CHAT" - วันแม่แห่งชาติ). The Queen is considered as the mother of all Thai people.
Starting a few weeks before the Queen's birthday, all buildings are covered up with Royal symbols and portraits of Her Majesty all over the Thai kingdom.
Born in 1932, Her Majesty the Queen has captured the hearts of the Thai people through her devotion to improving the welfare and well-being of her subjects. The Queen is also known for her efforts in reviving Thailand's folk arts and crafts. Her Majesty's SUPPORT Foundation (Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques) has been established in 1976 to include craft shops in the city and popular tourist areas. It also includes two Thai Folk Arts and Crafts Training Centers at Chitralada Villa and at Bangsai in Ayutthaya.
Every year in August, huge portraits of Her Majesty are raised in temples, administrative buildings, schools, houses, shops by individual people and organizations.
Despite her high office as Queen of the nation, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit is a mother highly regarded by her children. She brought them up in the mold of traditional Thai values in which the junior pay respect to the elder, obey their seniors and learn to be self-sufficient. The benevolence of Her Majesty the Queen praised by her subjects explains the love she has earned from her people who regard her as Mother of the Nation.
On the 12 August early morning time, Thai Buddhist people go to temple and make offerings to monks as usual.
On 12 August, jasmine, symbolic of the selfless virtue of a mother who gives life to her children, is seen everywhere in Thailand. Charitable activities, food offering to monks and donations are part of the events of the day to express children's gratitiude to every mother.
National flags decorate buildings to wish Her Majesty many happy returns of the day and a long life ("SONG PHRA CHAROEUN" - ทรงพระเจริญ).
In civil administrations, there are specific gatherings for the Queen's birthday. On this occasion, civil servants wear their most beautiful clothes. Then they listen to Buddhist sermons and to their director's speech.
During this day or the day before, mothers go to Thai schools. Children say little speechs about their love to their mother. Then every child stand in front of his mother, greet her feet ("WAI" - ไหว้) and say their love towards their mother.
This article is about the Buddhist concept. Vasa.Vassa (from Pali vasso, Sanskrit varaa?, both "rain", Thai: พรรษา, pansa or phansaa;
also called Rains Retreat, is the traditional retreat during the rainy season lasting for three lunar months from July to October. During this time Buddhist monks remain in a single place, generally in their temples. In some monasteries, monks dedicate the Vassa to intensive meditation practice.
During Vassa, many Buddhist lay people reinvigorate their spiritual training and adopt more ascetic practices, such as giving up meat, alcohol, or smoking (Vassa is sometimes known as "Buddhist Lent"). And in countries such as Thailand, the laity will often take monastic vows for the Vassa period and then return to lay life. Commonly, the number of years a monk has spent in monastic life is expressed by counting up the number of Vassas he has observed.
The retreat has largely been given up by Mahayana Buddhists, as Mahayana Buddhism typically flourished in regions where a rainy season did not exist, or was not significant.
The origins of the vassa tradition are ascribed to early Buddhist times. Gautama Buddha ordered his disciples to observe a pre-existing practice whereby holy men avoided travelling for a three month period during the rainy season, in order to avoid damaging crops.
The period begins on the first day of the waning moon in the eighth lunar month; the preceding day is Asalha Puja. The focus of celebration by the laity is the first day of vassa, Wan Kao Pansa, during which worshippers donate candles and other necessities to temples, a ceremony which has reached its most extravagant form in the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival.
Vassa is followed by two of the major festivals of the year among Theravada Buddhists, Wan Awk Pansa and Kathina. The end of Vassa is marked by joyous celebration. The following month, the Kathina ceremony is held, during which the laity gathers to make formal offerings of robe cloth and other requisites to the Sangha.
[VOD & Article] วันเข้าพรรษา (The Buddhist Lent Day) "Khao Pansa". Cr. - TWSSG TEAM
วันเข้าพรรษา (The Buddhist Lent Day: The First Day of Rainy Season Retreat)
Buddhist Lent : The commencement of the three-month Buddhist Lent, Known among Thais as Khao Phansa, traditionally falls on the first day of the waxing moon of the eighth lunar month. During this period, coinciding with the rainy season, Buddhist monks and novices remain closeted in their particular monasteries, discouraged from spending nights elsewhere.
The custom of spending three months of the rainy season in a fixed place is a ritual successfully observed since the time of the Lord Buddha. In those day, however, villagers attributed young seedling damage at the start of the planting season to unnecessary travel by monks. Realizing that monks on pilgrimages could accidentally tread on young plants, the Lord Buddha decreed that his followers spend three months of the rainy season in permanent dwellings.
In cases of necessity, such as taking care of sick monks or parents or conducting religious functions, monks may travel and stay away from their monasteries during this period. However, they are required to return within seven days.
To observe Buddhist Lent, Buddhists usually perform merit making, giving alms to monks, attending sermons and participating in candlelight processions, They also strictly observe Buddhist ethics, especially on holy days.
During the three-month annul “rain retreat,” monks study more and teach those who have chosen this period to enter monkhood. Laymen usually visit temples to offer monks food, clothing, medicine, flower, joss sticks, Lenten candles and other offerings. Such practices they consider highly meritorious.
In ancient times, the number of flowers, joss sticks and small candles presented to a temple was usually equal to the number of monks in that temple. Where there were surplus candles, villagers tended to make numerous small candles into large one for presenting to temples. The large candles being stronger, with more light and longer lasting.
Buddhists believe that offering candles to monks as a means of light will also brighten up their future. These candles are known as Thian Phansa.
To make the Buddhist Lent, a Candle Festival takes place in all parts of Thailand. In the northeastern region, especially Ubon Ratchathani Province, which celebrates its famous Buddhist Lenten Candle Procession each year, the festival takes place on a grand scale.
Asalha Puja (known as Asanha Bucha in Thailand, Thai: อาสาฬหบูชา) is a Theravada Buddhist festival which typically takes place in July, on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. Asalha Puja, also known as Dhamma Day, is one of Theravada Buddhism’s most important festivals, celebrating as it does the Buddha’s first sermon in which he set out to his five former associates the doctrine that had come to him following his enlightenment.
This first pivotal sermon, often referred to as “setting into motion the wheel of dhamma,” is the teaching which is encapsulated for Buddhists in the four noble truths: all life is suffering (dukka); suffering is caused by craving (tanha); there is a state (nibbana) beyond suffering and craving; and finally, the way to nibbana is via the eightfold path. Whatever differences there may be between various schools and traditions of Buddhism, they all revolve around the central doctrine of the four noble truths.
This first sermon is not only the first structured discourse given by the Buddha after his enlightenment, it also contains the essence of all his subsequent teaching. At the end of the talk, one of the five participants recounted his understanding of what had been said and asked to be received as a disciple, a request the Buddha granted, thus establishing the first order of monks. The sermon in the Deer Park as depicted at Wat Chedi Liem, Thailand
The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to sermons. The following day is known in Thailand as Thai: วันเข้าพรรษา Wan Khao Phansa; it is the first day of Thai: พรรษา vassa, the Theravada rains retreat.
In Indonesia, this festival is centered at Mendut Temple, near Borobudur.
Asalha Puja Day (อาสาฬหบูชา)
After attaining enlightenment at Buddha-Gaya on the full moon of Visakha, the Lord Buddha was at peace with himself. It was not until two months later, at the Deer Park near Benares, that he delivered his first sermon to his first five disciples. This sermon brought into being the Buddhist religion.
It was on the full moon of Asalha, the eighth lunar month, that the Buddha delivered the first sermon to Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji. These five Brahmins had been in search of the highest wisdom. They accidentally met the Buddha and asked him to show them the way to enlightenment.
The Buddha delivered what is known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, or the Wheel of Dharma. The main theme involves the Four Noble Truths: suffering, the cause of suffering, the end of suffering, and the way to end suffering. These truths are universal truths.
In the First Truth, the Buddha explained that in any existence one is bound to suffer and be subject to change, which is the normal condition of life. You cannot be with your lover forever. One day a separation will happen as you grow older, become weaker and die.
The Second Truth covers the cause of suffering. Quite logically, the Buddha explained suffering in terms of cause and effect. Only through the destruction of the causes of existence will one be able to remove suffering.
The Third and the Fourth Truths show the way out from suffering. This will bring one to the state of perfect calm and bliss, a complete freedom from all forms of suffering. One can reach this level by following the Middle Way, which consists of right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. This is the ultimate way to complete happiness.
After listening to this unforgettable sermon, Kondanna was the first to attain enlightenment. Subsequently, the four other Brahmins also reached a new level of consciousness by listening to the wisdom of the Buddha.
The Order of Sangha was thus formed, hence completing the Triple Gem, which consists of the Buddha, his teaching, and the monks who further propagate the Buddha’s teaching.
Since then, Asalha Puja Day has become one of the most important days of celebration in the Buddhist religion. For on that day the Buddha delivered his first sermon, the Buddhist religion was formally established, and the Sangha came into being to complete the Triple Gem.
On this sacred day, Buddhists throughout Thailand go to their local temples to make merit and practise Dharma. They also donate basic necessities to the monks and listen to sermons to refresh their minds. At the end of the evening, they attend the wien thien ceremony, in which - while holding lotuses, joss-sticks and candles - they walk around the main temple building while praying along with the monks’ sermons. It is such a sacred day that it really helps purify one’s spirit after experiencing the full ceremony, leaving you with a peaceful heart.
The following day after Asalha Puja, Lent Commencement Day begins. Lent - or the rainy season retreat - is a monastic practice observed during the time of the Lord Buddha. In those days, there were not that many monks so they frequently moved from place to place to deliver the Buddha’s sermons.
But during the rainy season it was difficult for the monks to travel. It was also the time of year when farmers cultivated their land to grow crops. Fearing that the monks may trample farmers’ crops, the Buddha decreed they remained in one place. For three months, monks could not leave their location once the rainy-season retreat had commenced. Only in matters of urgency were they allowed to venture out beyond their residence and, even then, they had to return before dawn.
This practice is still prevalent today. Most Thai men prefer to enter the monkhood at the start of lent to study Buddhism. It is a time of peace, with little disturbance from the outside world.
[News] Keyeast Entertainment heads to China. Cr. - http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/
Actor Bae Yong-joon of agency Keyeast Entertainment is set to take his business to China.
The agency announced on Monday that it has signed a contract with a Hallyu content management company called Star Lake Agency as part of efforts to extend its reach in Asia.
“Through the mutual contract, stars belonging to Keyeast will be able to take on roles in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan,” a spokesperson from Keyeast said.
Some of the agency’s stars include Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Hyun-joong and Lim Soo-jung.
Star Lake Agency had previously distributed Bae’s photo essay on Korean tourist destinations in China.
Kim Soo-hyun will also take an active role in promoting himself in Japan. Amid speculation by entertainment insiders as to whether Kim’s fame in Korea will catch on in Japan, Keyeast said it is confident that Kim will appeal to the Japanese public.
“He has a unique style that sets him apart from all the other Hallyu stars who are popular in Japan,” the agency said.
[News] Jang Keun Suk is invited to UMF Korea as a special guest. Cr. - http://en.korea.com/
Jang Keun Suk has been invited to a world-famous music festival.
Jang will perform with Big Brother as a member of the project group Team H at the UMF Korea – Ultra Music Festival, which will be held at the Olympic Arena on August 4.
The UMF Korea is the most famous electronic dance music festival in the world. Jang is expected to give an energetic performance for audiences because he once spoke of his aspiration to perform in Europe this fall.
Including the British DJ Marc Vedo, who became popular in SPACE Ibiza, one of the most famous clubs in the world, by remixing songs of Boy George and George Michael, and DJ MAURI & MORA, who is well-known as a composer and a producer of such world-famous DJs and artists as DJ Tiësto, many world-famous DJs and bands will perform at the UMF Korea.
The UMF Korea will be held at the Olympic Arena in the Jamsil Stadium on August 3 and 4.
[News] Kim Hyun Joong successfully completes his Asia fan meet tour. Cr. - allkpop
On July 29th, Kim Hyun Joong completed his eight city Asia tour with a final fan meet in Bangkok, Thailand.
The fan meet was planned as a way of showing his gratitude for the amount of love he’s received from fans all over Asia since his debut. The tour kicked off in Singapore in May and has since traveled through Hong Kong, China, Thailand, and more for a total of five countries and eight cities. In total, he’s met with over 40,000 fans.
The tour aided in helping him solidify his fanbase and demonstrate his power as a rising Hallyu star. One representative stated, “Kim Hyun Joong is one of Korea’s greatest artists in that his high quality stages and fan services are able to satisfy both his fans and officials. More are now focused on his future activities as one of the leaders of global Hallyu.”
Kim Hyun Joong performed nearly 20 songs live for each concert, along with exciting events like laser shows to bring the fan meet up to the level of that of a full blown concert. As the concert’s focus was on his connection to the fans, he planned several special stages with them, such as one where he reenacted movie scenes with them or another where he called up one special fan and serenaded her with a song.
He concluded each event by locking eyes and shaking hands with every single one of them as they filed out.
[News] Jung Il-woo opens official fan club in Japan. Cr, - http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/
Jung Il-woo has recruited the help of a major Japanese media advertising company Hakuhodo Casting & Entertainment to launch his official fan club. The Japanese fan club was launched recently and the Web site will list all of Jung’s Japanese promotions and fan club events as the star’s career on the island nation is forecasted to soar.
Jung rose to fame this year through the MBC hit drama “The Moon that Embraces the Sun,” playing the half-brother character to Kim Soo-hyun’s king.
He was also awarded Asia’s Male Actor of the Year at this year’s Huading Awards in China in late May.
The annual awards show in Beijing recognizes the Chinese public’s favorite entertainers. Jung became the first non-Chinese entertainer to be nominated and win an award since the awards started seven years ago.
Accepting the award, Jung thanked his Chinese fans in Mandarin and said it was an honor to take home the coveted award.
While KBS and SBS' live broadcasting of the 2012 London Olympics is keeping people go wild, MBC’s “Golden time” still fared well during Monday and Tuesday's primetime slot.
“Golden time” proudly crushed the ratings competition of primetime TV shows by attracting 13.8 percent of the total viewers in the last week of July, according to data compiled by the TNmS (Total National Multimedia Statistics) Wednesday.
The series, which kicked off the run on July 9, has been steadily growing in popularity by well describing the serious and realistic scenes of professional doctors at a general hospital.
The medical drama starring actor Lee Sun-kyun and actress Hwang Jung-eum also sat atop the AGB Nielsen's ratings poll with 13.1 percent during the same time frame.
Meanwhile, KBS and SBS postponed the premiere of their new dramas, KBS' “Lovers of Haeundae" (Translated title) and SBS' “The Faith,” to cover a semifinal judo match of the men's 81-kilogram segment and the finals of the women's archery at the London Olympics.
[News] Ha Ji-won's brother did not commit suicide. Cr. - http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/
On July 28, the internet was buzzing with scandal that actor Jeon Tae-soo, brother of actress Ha Ji-won, would commit suicide.
The fiasco was unleashed when someone had hacked into Jeon's Twitter account and declared, "I'm sorry that I haven't been able to shine as an actor, especially sorry toward my managers".
The hacker added, "It's okay to go and write about this, I'll just be dead".
Jeon's agency said that the actor had misplaced his phone a few days ago and that it had alerted the cyber crime investigation police to find the perpetrator.
Meanwhile, Jeon had been filming a Chinese drama and returned to Korea on July 5.
[News] tvN’s daily series “Yellow Boots” sells to 4 countries. Cr. - 10asia
Korean cable channel tvN's ongoing mystery series “Yellow Boots" has been sold to four countries in Asia.
The show's production company, CJ E&M, said in a press release Tuesday that Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia have bought the distribution rights to the Lee Yu-ri and Hyeon Woo-seong starrer.
“The deal with the four countries went over very well just like the major broadcasters. And we have also been flooded with numerous inquiries regarding the distribution rights for 'Yellow Boots' from other regions such as Thailand and Vietnam," a CJ E&M official was quoted as saying.
The rep added that they believe the aforementioned countries were interested in buying the rights for the series based on its overall concept and stimulating storyline.
Meanwhile, “Yellow Boots” is scheduled to hit the airwaves on Taiwan's Video Channel, a cable channel for Hallyu dramas, at the end of October, and it will air in the other countries during the second half of this year.
The ongoing daily series, which kicked off its run on February 27, tells the revenge story of a woman who lost everything because of her stepsister's jealous rage.
Helmed by director Choi Eun-kyung, "Yellow Boots" has topped ratings chart amongst other cable programs for the 18th consecutive week.
The series was recently extended by eight more episodes and will wrap up its run with its finale on August 30.
