...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....
[News] Kim Nam Gil says, “My ideal type is a pretty, wise woman”.
Cr. - en.korea
Actor Kim Nam Gil recently said people don’t recognize him well after he was discharged from military service.
On the episode of MBC Music’s The Track that aired on January 3, Kim appeared as a guest and said, “I was discharged from military service in July last year, but people don’t recognize me anymore.”
Regarding his feeling after he was discharged from military service, Kim said, “I don’t think people recognize me well now even if I freely walk on the street. It’s been two years since people started forgetting about me. I can’t say I’m an actor anymore.”
Regarding his ideal type, Kim said, “I like a pretty, wise woman who understands me well.” The host asked him if he likes a pretty girl, and he got laughs by saying, “I should say yes.”
After he was discharged from military service, Kim became a producer of the film Ensemble. He’s currently doing photo shoots and holding fan meetings in Korea and Japan.
[News] Actress Lee Yoon Ji reveals her plans for the New Year, “I want to wear a doctor’s gown.”
Cr. - en.korea
Actress Lee Yoon Ji candidly revealed her plans for the New Year.
In the video that was uploaded on the official Youtube channel of her agency, Namoo Actors, on January 3, Lee Yoon Ji said, “I have so many things I want to do in year 2013, but I narrowed them down to five.” with a bright smile.
Showing the memo and pictures with a memo app, she held up her smartphone and explains, “I want to act in romantic comedy, action, mellow, and medical TV series.”
She wittingly said, “If I were to act in an action series, I will be glad to show you my kicks. I really enjoyed watching the series, Golden Time last year, and I’d love to wear a doctor’s gown.”
She also added, “I would also like to do some work related to music besides acting.”
This video was taken before doing the makeup as Ban Ya, the character she plays on SBS’s The Great Feng Shui. Fans commented: “Do your best this year as well!” “How can you be so pretty even without makeup?” “I want to see you act in a romantic comedy series.”
Lee Yoon Ji received the Grand Prize at 2012 MBC Actors Awards with the SBS series, 'The King To Hearts' and is currently playing the role of Ban Ya, who has suffered from complex events that made her an ambitious yet loving woman.
On January 2, a staff member of Song Hye Kyo’s agency tweeted a photo of the actress with the caption “Song wishes you a happy new year and good health.”
The photo was reportedly taken on the set of SBS’s Wednesday-Thursday series 'That Winter,' The Wind Blows. In the photo, the beauty, 31, looks poised and radiant as usual.
Song plays opposite to Jo In Sung in her new series, which is written by No Hee Kyung. The series is a story about a couple who don’t believe in love, and it starts to air on January 13.
[News] Kwon Sang Woo and Soo Ae Go on a Winter Beach Date in “Night King”.
Cr. - soompi
Kwon Sang Woo and Soo Ae revealed a scene of their romantic winter beach date.
Broadcast in January, SBS Monday/Tuesday drama, “Night King” the agency released a drama still photo on December 31. The picture was of the two stars filming outdoors in Gangwon Providence.
Having decided to give up on schooling due to hardships, Da Hae (Soo Ae) receives help from Ha Ryu (Kwon Sang Woo) and gets into college. To celebrate, the two go on a short trip. After driving all night, the couple finally arrives at the beach looking at the sunrise of the east. They promise eternal love to each other and spend their first night together.
It was exceptionally cold on this night during the shooting, but Kwon Sang Woo and Soo Ae managed to melt away the bitter cold with their covenant of hot, passionate love. However something happens that will replace the happy state the characters are in.
[News] Lee Jong Suk Poses with "School 2013" Cast Members.
Cr. - ohkpop
Actor Lee Jong Suk, who currently stars as Go Nam Soon in KBS’s “School 2013,” took a shot with fellow cast members.
The photo, titled “Why Lee Jong Suk doesn’t need heel-inserted shoes,” was recently posted on several online community forums. In the picture, Lee Jong Suk, Park Sae Young, and Kim Jong Hyun show off a cute pose for the camera. To match Lee Jong Hyun’s height, Lee Jong Suk bended his legs, and at the same time, showed to his fans that his long legs are one of the many great attributes he possesses.
Netizens who saw the photo wrote, “He really is tall,” “My man is tall but has a small face as well,” “That’s why he debuted as a model,” and “He has everything.”
Actor Kim Rae Won has successfully finished recording his appearance on SBS’ Healing Camp.
Kim Rae Won was revealed to have recently finished recording for the popular talk show on SBS. A representative for Kim Rae Won shared that the actor was nervous as it was his first talk show appearance in a while but thanks to the show’s MCs, he was able to quickly adapt and share a lot of personal stories.
Since being released from his mandatory military service in 2011, the actor staged a successful comeback on the small screen with the drama A Thousand Day’s Promise and will soon be seen in the movie My Little Hero.
The actor’s last talk show appearance was in 2009 on MBC’s Kneedrop Guru and with much having happened in Kim Rae Won’s life since then, including his mandatory military service, many fans are wondering what sort of things the actor will share on Healing Camp.
His appearance on the show will air sometime in mid to late January.
[VOD / Photo & News] Upcoming Drama tvN 'Flower Boys Next Door' Press Conference.
Original - http://twssg.blogspot.com/
The stars of tvN′s 'Flower Boys Next Door' Yoon Si-Yoon, Park Shin-Hye and Kim Ji-Hoon attend during a press conference to promote the tvN drama 'Flower Boys Next Door' at Imperial Palace Hotel on January 3, 2013 in Seoul, South Korea.
'Flower Boys Next Door' based on the webtoon titled I Watch Him Every Day. It is a romantic comedy about a girl named Go Dok Mi who locks her self in her ′tower′ from the world, is caught spying on the man living next door by Enrique Geum.
Enrique Geum is a genius creative director, who is good-looking, stylish and bohemian and can′t get enough of soccer. He will form a love line with Go Dok Mi.
Go Dok Mi is a ′city Rapunzel′ who never ventures outdoors, yet has her own set of charms that makes men go weak.
The drama officially launching promotions for the highly-anticipated drama set to premiere on January 7.
On December 31 in Sangam-dong, Seoul, SBS hosted the 2012 SBS Drama Awards to celebrate the top actors of the year.
Lee Min Ho, winner of the Best Excellence Award for mini series from 'Faith' and Teen′s Award.
Lee speech thank you for Fans,
"First of all, I am really honored to be selected as one of the candidates amongst all the outstanding sunbae whom I respected.
At the same time, I feel ashamed winning the award this time.
Last year, I won the same award; but I feel especially ashamed this year. There were lots of gossips & rumors about this drama ‘The Great Doctor’ even before it started filming.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude towards the people who helped to complete this drama. In addition, this year’s summer was the toughest, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to all the staff & actors.
Last year when I was on this stage, I said I hope that in my next project, it would be the whole team instead of myself alone rewarding. It cannot be realised this year, I feel sorry and it’s a bit pity.
Every actor in The Great Doctor, I miss you. Hope that we could gather together in this new year, forget everything and have a drink. For all the local & overseas fans who always support and love me, you really grant me a lot of positive energy every time when we meet. Whenever I see your gaze, I feel more reponsibility on me. I will be committed to return your love with better projects.
Singer and actor Rain and actress Kim Tae-hee are in love, an online entertainment news outlet reported on Tuesday.
"The two became close when they appeared in a commercial together in 2011," Dispatch.com wrote. When Rain was transferred to Seoul from a front-line boot camp in March last year to serve in a promotional role, they began contacting each other more frequently and started dating from September, it added.
Dispatch also published pictures of the two riding in a foreign car together at night, adding that they "started seeing each other after Rain actively courted Kim. They went out on dates in parks and in the car while covering their faces with their hats and masks."
"Rain and Kim met each other every Sunday in December after Rain finished a radio program he hosts for the Defense Media Agency. Kim mostly came to pick him up using her car," it reported. "They also spent Christmas together. Rain had five days of holidays from Dec. 23, and Kim spent Dec. 23 and 24 in Rain's house and came back to her house before midnight."
After the article was published online, Kim's agency issued a press release late on Tuesday night to officially acknowledge their relationship.
"It is true the two have feelings for each other, and they are currently getting to know each other better. It's been about a month since the relationship began," the press release read. "Because they are such well-known celebrities, there are few places they can meet in public and they also have little time to meet due to their busy schedules."
Rain, who debuted as a singer in 1998, won worldwide acclaim for his overseas tour in 2007 as well as critical praise for his appearance in Hollywood films including "Ninja Assassin" (2009). He entered the Army to complete his mandatory military service in October 2011 and will be discharged on July 10 this year.
Kim, who graduated with a degree in fashion design from prestigious Seoul National University, became a top star after appearing in hit TV series like "Stairway to Heaven" and "Iris."
Rain has been criticized for not taking his military duties seriously enough as it is not normal for a soldier serving in the Army to take every Sunday off, when he is believed to have been going on dates with Kim.
Can you picture Kim Nam-gil and Jang Na-ra together?
Kim sure didn’t think so as he came out to deny the rumor that linked the two actors together.
“It’s ridiculous,” Kim said regarding the supposed gift that Kim lavished on her recently.
Although Kim did pay for a snack van to visit the set of the drama “School” in which Jang stars, Kim’s agency said that the occasion was actually intended for friend and fellow actor Choi Daniel.
“Although Kim and Jang are friends, there’s nothing more to it,” said the agency, adding that Kim wanted to shout his friend with whom he plays soccer from time to time.
The rumor began circulating online when comedian Kim Young-chun claimed that a catering van stopped by the set of “School,” in which he also stars, as a gift from Kim to Jang for the actress’ recent win at the KBS Acting Awards.
[VOD & News] Joo Won Sang Gaksital’s Opening OST at 2012 KBS Drama Awards.
Original - http://twssg.blogspot.com/
Joo Won and Suzy got the Popularity Awards at '2012 KBS Drama Awards'.
Joo Won of course through his phenomenal drama “Gaksital”, and Korea’s “First Love” girl Suzy got this award through her drama “Big”.
Thankfully, Joo Won was not teary at this first awards of the night…which means I’m sure there more awards for him tonight at the event.
Joo Won (Bridal Mask) Best Actor in a Long Series '2012 KBS Drama Awards'.
Joo Won Sang Gaksital’s Opening OST at 2012 KBS Drama Awards.
2012 KBS Drama Awards had an attractive opening by Joo Won. Our Gaksital surprised me when he started singing Gaksital opening OST with a very high note voice. Oh yeah, Joo Won, he used to be known as an actor who sang well.
But this opening was great. There were a choir of men with white hanbok and female dancers with modern hanbok and the mask. Joo Won wore his grey suit and with also with the charisma. He looked great, as always.
Gaksital was probably KBS’s 2012 most memorable drama for almost all age viewers. Even Joo Won once said in interview “To all kids, please…Gaksital is now over.” But yeah, it’s memorable.
Joo Won Sang Gaksital’s Opening OST at 2012 KBS Drama Awards. (Bridal Mask)
[News] Producer of “Iris” and “Athena” Found Dead in Assumed Suicide.
Cr. - ohkpop
Cho Hyeon Gil, head of H Plus Communication and producer of such popular dramas as Iris and Athena: Goddess of War, was found dead in his car on January 2.
The producer and his car was found in the parking lot of a restaurant he owns in Gangnam. Police have reported that the man froze to death, and seeing how he had been in his car alone in severe subzero temperatures with a burnt coal briquette and a suicide note, have assumed he died in a suicidal attempt.
An acquaintance of Cho Hyeon Gil said cautiously, “Last Monday (December 31) he left a post on his Facebook page reading ′I feel good now that I′ve set everything aside′. I′m thinking he committed suicide.”
The family of the deceased, however, are insisting that the death was an accident.
Cho Hyeon Gil′s cousin told enews, “The deceased had surgery for valvular heart disease and myocardial infarction, and he had another surgery two months ago in his gallbladder. I believe he died because of a shock he received to his weak heart. He had no reason to commit suicide, as he had no problems regarding his business or his finances.”
The wake is taking place at the Gangnam Severance Hospital. Actors Kim Seung Woo and Lim Hyung Joon have dropped by, while Jang Dong Gun, Kim Sun Ah, baseball player Ryu Hyun Jin and director Yun Je Gyun have sent flowers.
One acquaintance said at the wake, “He planned to look over baseball player Ryu Hyun Jin and produce a film this year. Everything was going great, but I′m sad to hear the sudden bad news.”
Cho Hyeon Gil produced or designed such films as Wet Dreams, Marrying the Mafia II, Who Slept With Her, 71-Into the Fire, Eye for an Eye and The Last Present, and also looked over the production of dramas Iris and Athena: Goddess of War.
He was previously said to be the man responsible for the Kara incident in 2011, in which Han Seung Yeon, Jung Nicole and Kang Ji Young nearly left their team, but he has since denied such claims. He owned a restaurant with Nicole′s mother, but she recently turned in all her shares and left the business.
[VOD & New] Sung Yu-ri Trailer released for the upcoming Korean movie "Noona".
Original - http://twssg.blogspot.com/
"Noona" upcoming Korean movie Trailer released leader cast starring by Sung Yu-ri.
Sung Yu-ri shows some range on the set of her latest film, Noona, directed by Lee Won-shik. She picked up the project knowing that an indie film wasn’t necessarily going to be a commercial success, but because she really wanted to stretch herself as an actress.
She portrays a character with a difficult life, as the sole caretaker for her family and the victim of domestic abuse. On this particular day, Sung spent twelve hours getting soaked in the rain, filming an intense crying scene.
The movie is based on a true story of a young woman who was drowning, and her younger brother who jumped in to save her, and died. She survives, and struggles with the aftermath. Though a small film, it’s a meaty role, and one that the industry anticipates will be her turning point as an actress.
The story of ‘Noona’ tells about the meeting of Yeon Hee who suffers from domestic violence, with a high school student. They share their feelings together as well as find healing and relief from each other.
It's a story of a waitress who was suffering from domestic violence; she eventually finds her true self by meeting a student. This movie won Supporting Preproduction Award in 7th Seoul Christian Film Festival (in 2009).
This movie is starring Sung Yu-ri as the main role.
[VOD & News] Park Yoo Chun Wins Awards from All Three Main Channels Across His Acting Career.
Cr. - enewsworld
Park Yoo Chun recorded a grand slam, winning awards in the Drama Awards for all three main channels.
The actor topped off his acting career at the 2012 SBS Drama Awards held on December 31. He swept the Excellence Award, Best Couple Award, Viewer Popularity Award and the Top 10 Star Award for a total of four awards for Rooftop Prince, his first drama with SBS.
In 2010, Park Yoo Chun debuted with a Rookie Award at the KBS Drama Awards for Sungkyunkwan Scandal. In 2011 he went on to win another Rookie Award at the MBC Drama Awards for Miss Ripley, and in 2012 he won the Excellence Award at the 2012 MBC Drama Awards for I Miss You and another at the 2012 SBS Drama Awards for Rooftop Prince.
He thus managed to complete his collection of trophies from all three main channels - SBS, KBS and MBC - in 2012.
Park Yoo Chun said at the SBS Drama Awards while accepting his award, "Thank you for your support. I had fun while shooting Rooftop Prince, and I′m even more happy now that I′ve received such a great award. I have so many people I want to thank. I want to share this moment with my father in heaven, who I missed so much while shooting Rooftop Prince, and whom I′ll always miss forever. I never really got to tell him that I love him when he was alive. I want to tell him now that I do love him."
Park Yoochun - Best Actor Award for Mini Series '2012 MBC Drama Awards'.
Park Yoochun -Excellence Award (Rooftop Prince) / '2012 SBS Drama Awards'.
Cast of "Marrying the Mafia 5: Return of Mafia", BEAST member and actor Yoon Doo-joon(left), actress Kim Min-jung(center) and actor Jung Jun-ho(right) dressed in hanbok.
[News] Cast of "Marrying the Mafia 5" with New Year's Greetings.
Cr. Photo - kstar10
Original - http://twssg.blogspot.com/
Cast of "Marrying the Mafia 5: Return of Mafia", BEAST member and actor Yoon Doo-joon(left), actress Kim Min-jung(center) and actor Jung Jun-ho(right) dressed in hanbok for New Year's Greetings.
Lotte Entertainment released the final cast listing for the fifth installment of the ‘Marrying the Mafia‘ series, which began in 2002 and has brought in over 17.5 million theater goers ever since.
In the role of Three J’s ‘Jang Jung Jong’ will be Park Geun Young, followed by Yoo Dong Geun playing ‘Jang In Tae’, Sung Dong Il playing ‘Jang Suk Tae’, Jung Jun Ho playing ‘Park Dae Seo’, Kim Min Jung playing ‘Hyojung’, and finally Yoo Min playing the mysterious secretary of ‘Park Dae Seo’.
"Marrying the Mafia 5: Return of Mafia" storyline about Hong Deok-Ja decided to quit the family mafia businesses and leave for
a food company in Japan with her two sons In-Jae and Sook-jae. However
things don't work out that easy as they faced problems with comedic
results.
While
Korea’s three major broadcasters provided year-end ceremonies for
dramas and K-pop on New Year’s Eve, the MBC drama “The Horse Doctor”
topped the Monday and Tuesday primetime ratings chart.
The
historical series stretched its winning streak for twelfth week in a
row after scoring 18.1 percent of viewers on New Year’s Day, according
to data polled by TNmS [Total National Multimedia Statistics] on
January 2.
Helmed by acclaimed producer Lee Byung-hoon of epic
drama “Jewel in The Palace” (MBC, 2003-2004), “The King’s Doctor”
centers around a veterinarian [played by Cho Seung-woo] who becomes a
royal physician in the Joseon Dynasty.
Meanwhile, Cho
Seung-woo was honored with the Grand Award for his role in the hit
drama at the 2012 MBC Drama Awards. Actress Kim So-eun also received
the Best Rookie Actress prize with her role in the same drama.
Next up was the KBS drama “School 2013,” which earned the support of 15.7 percent during the same time frame.
The
series, starring actress Jang Nara, actors Choi Daniel and Lee
Jong-suk, has captured not just teenage audiences but their parents by
its portrayal of school lives and problems in Korea.
At the
bottom of the chart was the SBS drama “The King of Drama,” starring
actor Kim Myung-min, Jung Ryeo-won and Super Junior`s Siwon and only
posted 7.4 percent.
Meanwhile, AGB Nielson Media Research showed slightly similar viewer rating of the three dramas with TNmS’ on January 1, 2013.
While
“The Horse Doctor” dominated the chart with 18.1 percent, “School
2013” and “The King of Drama” followed next with 15.2 and 6.6
percent, respectively.
After Oh Yeon Seo’s label admitted that the pair were dating, fans began to question the Lee Joon-Oh Yeon Seo couple on ‘We Got Married‘.
On the issue, Lee Joon’s label said, “We haven’t talked to Lee Joon yet. We didn’t know anything about it. We only found out her relationship through the news. We haven’t heard anything from the ‘We Got Married’ staff yet.”
The relationship is even more in the spotlight because during the ‘2012 MBC Drama Awards‘ held on December 30th, Lee Joon and Lee Jang Woo had presented together, during which they asked Oh Yeon Seo to pick one out of the two of them. Oh Yeon Seo had stated she’d pick Lee Joon at that time.
[Photo & News] The Cast of ‘Flower Boys Next Door’ Fight Off the Cold.
Cr. - enewsworld
With less than a week until its premiere and temperatures dropping every single day, the cast of tvN’s Flower Boys Next Door are going through a physical and mental battle against the cold.
On January 2, Oh Boy Project tweeted, “Even in the cold wave of negative nine degrees celcius, the filming for Flower Boys Next Door continues! It’s cold just looking at the pictures.
The photos revealed the main cast of the upcoming drama.
Park Shin Hye had herself wrapped up in several blankets and jackets, while Yoon Shi Yoon and Kim Yoon Hae huddled around the portable furnace and held a small heating pack in their hands.
Kim Ji Hoon seemed to have mentally lost it, in the cold, sitting in his chair and probably wondering what he’s doing in the middle of cold. The same could be said about Park Soo Jin, who stares at her Thermos mug, perhaps searching for something warm somewhere.
Flower Boys Next Door is about a girl, rarely goes outside of her house. Instead, she spies on her handsome neighbors to find excitement in life.
[VOD & News] ‘IRIS II’ Anticipation Grows with the Release of Teasers.
Cr. - english.KBS
The teaser clips for KBS’ new WED/THURS drama “IRIS II” is gaining heated attention.
The teaser showing highlights from the new drama was released through the KBS Drama Awards aired on Dec. 31st.
Although the clip only lasted two minutes, the speed and beautiful cinematography and the grand scale of the drama took the audience’s breath away.
The images showed footages from Hungary and Cambodia, as well as a heated chase scene that made the viewers clench their fists in anticipation.
Viewers commented, “Just by the teaser, I can tell it will surpass the quality of the original series IRIS”, “It looks and feels like a Hollywood movie!”, “It’s surprising a teaser can get me so excited. I can’t wait to watch the drama”, I was spellbound by Jang Hyuk and Lee Bum Soo’s intense action scenes” etc.
Related officials said, “The actors have been putting in 200% spurred by the support from fans both online and offline. They are busy filming despite the frigid weather. They will provide the audience with a great drama”.
IRIS II takes place three years after the death of NSS agent Kim Hyun Joon (played by Lee Byung Hun) with new characters as well as some actors who will be reprising their roles from the previous drama. The conflict between IRIS and NSS will grow, with secrets of both organizations to be unveiled that was hidden in the first IRIS.
The cast includes Jung Yoo Gun (played by Jang Hyuk), Ji Soo Yeon (played by Lee Da Hae), Yoo Jung Won (played by Lee Bum Soo), Choi Min (played by Oh Yeon Soo), Seo Hyun Woo (played by Yoon Doo Joon) as well as Baek San (played by Kim Young Chul) and Park Chul Young (played by Kim Seung Woo).
![Actress Kim So-eun, who received the Best Rookie Actress prize with her role in the MBC drama `The King`s Doctor.` [MBC]](http://kstar10.tenasia.co.kr/x.picDir/00/00/00/93/850_856_zzim/sorce/4b729e6305fb0e0750003ad272f8b174.jpg)
