Im Chae-moo (임채무)

"Don't Go Away" premieres as the No. 1 morning TV drama

2008/04/24 | Source | Permalink |

Premiering on April 14, 2008 in the time slot of 7:50 am, "Don't Go Away", a morning TV drama, recorded a viewership rating of 11.9% (TNS). This makes it the highest rating show among all morning TV dramas produced by rival networks.

In addition, the ratings for "Don't Go Away" are nearly equal to the 12% viewership ratings that "Heart of Destiny" recorded when it premiered on October 1, 2007. "Don't Go Away" is the follow-up drama to "Heart of Destiny". The network is hoping that "Don't Go Away" will rise in its ratings and become a beloved TV drama like "Heart of Destiny".

Viewers of the first episode of "Don't Go Away" sent in many positive comments to the network. "Even though the story is about tensions in the family, I could feel the underlying warmth between the family members", one viewer said. Another viewer said, "I will keep watching "Don't Go Away. It's so entertaining". And there were other comments such as "It's a notch above the other TV dramas. I think it will be ...| More

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Sitcom 'Unstoppable Wedding' Becomes Popular in Asia

2007/12/12 | Source | Permalink |

The daily sitcom 'Unstoppable Wedding on KBS 2TV is gaining popularity abroad after it was introduced in a Japanese magazine.

The first episode, which was first aired in November, features popular veteran and young actors including Kim Soo-mi, Im Chae-moo, Seo Do-yeong, Lee Jeong, Kim Dong-wuk and Park Chae-kyeong. Members of idol group FT Island and Girls' Generation have also made appearances on the show.

The sitcom is becoming popular in Asia, including China and Japan.

The appearance of Seo Do-yeong, Lee Jeong and Girls' Generation has played a significant role in the rising popularity of the sitcom.

Interview requests for Seo Do-yeong have been pouring in since 'Hallyupia'--a Japanese magazine on the Korean Wave--featured an article on 'Unstoppable Wedding'.

Attention is now focused on whether the sitcom will be able to bring about another Korean Wave in Asia....| More

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'Highway Star' Has Several Holes

2007/02/15 | Source | Permalink |

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

The success of recent movies that center on music such as "Radio Star" and "200 Pounds Beauty" can be attributed to their successful appeal to the ear as well as the eye.

Because of its enjoyable music, the new comedy "Highway Star" has potential to follow its predecessors.

But as a comedy, it's a bit disappointing. Its clumsy story is loosely developed and doesn't produce many jokes, and its humor often seems to come from out of the blue.

Directed by Kim Sang-chan and Kim Hyun-soo, the film is about a rocker who makes it big in trot music, which is similar to melodramatic Japanese enka songs. (It's a sudden and amazing turn. Let's say Eminem suddenly wants to sing Frank Sinatra songs.)

In the film, Dal-ho (played by Cha Tae-hyeon) is the lead vocalist of a rock band who has dreams of stardom but works in a rural club accompanying a trot singer.

One day, Mr. Jang (Im Chae-moo), the head of a shabby recording company, notices Dalho's tal...| More

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Chameleon Actor Takes on New Color

2007/02/13 | Source | Permalink |

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Actor Im Chae-moo was considered a sex icon in the 1980s, but he took on the image of a courteous and generous gentleman in television melodramas after he turned 40.

At 57, the veteran actor is again a new man, or new actor, so to speak. He plays the head of a shabby recording company in the new movie "Highway Star".

With his dragon tattoos, he strikes an intimidating figure. Yet the dragons hang loosely over his aging midriff. His gentlemanly aura is gone, replaced by the seriousness _ and weirdness _ of an old music executive.

What prompted him to throw away his trademark image and go through this drastic change?

Im said actors should be able to do anything, and he thinks acting is always a serious job no matter which genre he chooses.

"Comedies are now a quite popular genre, in which I play a role. I didn't do silly or stupid things on purpose. I try to be faithful to a script", Im said during an interview with The Korea Times on Fri...| More

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[MOVIE REVIEW]'Highway Star' lacks comic energy

2007/02/08 | Source | Permalink |

Lee Kyung-kyu tries out his filmmaking luck again, but faces a daunting task

By Yang Sung-jin

Lee Kyeong-gyoo, a leading television personality, has an old score to settle for the silver screen. Back in 1992, he produced and directed an action film titled "A Bloody Battle for Revenge". He even took the title role, a grandiose attempt that drew much media attention.

But the film miserably crumbled at the box office. The real problem, however, was that the public would not forget Lee's failure, thanks partly to the generous publicity thrown into his boldness. Worse, "A Blood Battle" earned a much-dreaded status - a synonym with a huge box-office flop.

Lee is now eager to restore his damaged credibility with "Highway Star", a comedy that he has co-produced. It seems that Lee has learned a painful lesson from the past: instead of stepping forward to publicize the film, Lee remains largely out of the spotlight. Lee has set up In & In Pictures, a movie production company, and per...| More

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