Ji Jin-hee (지진희)

Drama 'Iljimae' has tough act to follow

2008/05/20 | Source | Permalink |

New historical drama "Iljimae", airing tonight on SBS, will be hard pressed to live up to its predecessor, "On Air".

"On Air", featuring Kim Ha-neul and Park Yong-ha, topped viewer ratings charts last Thursday, when its final episode was broadcast. A strong script and four top notch actors carried this miniseries to success.

The new drama also must compete with MBC's "Spotlight". With big stars Son Ye-jin and Ji Jin-hee playing reporters and talented screenwriter Lee Ki-won at the helm, "Spotlight" may nab viewer ratings for the Wednesday and Thursday night slot, leaving "Iljimae" out in the cold.

But the verdict isn't out yet.

Based on an ancient Korean hero of the same name, the historical drama "Iljimae" revolves around the good deeds of a Korean Robin Hood. However unlike Hong Gil-dong, a Korean hero who also stole from the rich and gave to the poor, Iljimae is primarily motivated by revenge.

Hallyu star Lee Joon-ki will be taking on the complex role of this hero. An...| More

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Wishing Lee Joon-ki, cast and crew lots of luck... I look forward to seeing this drama when it is available to the US with Eng Subs. HGD will be hard to beat. Kimberly Sarreal 2008-05-20 19:47:44

The world Hyeon Bin and Song Hye-kyo act in

2008/05/15 | Source | Permalink |

Drama's big names have gathered. Director Pyo Min-soo of "In-soon is Pretty" will direct, and writer Noh Hee-kyeong of "More Beautiful Than a Flower" and "Goodbye Solo" will write, and Hyeon Bin of "My Name is Kim Sam-soon" and Song Hye-kyo of "Full House" will act. It's an outstanding group worthy of the drama "On Air". Their work is "The World They Live In", a drama about a director's work and love. Hyeon Bin plays a promising director, Jeong Ji-oh, and Song Hye-kyo plays director Joo Joon-yeong, who has experienced directing plays and tries a miniseries. Overcoming the complications that arise from unspoken barriers within the drama field is the foundation of the story. Of course, it also ties in love into the competition of the two producers. The production company, YEG, said, "Director Pyo Min-soo, who has a prominent way of subtly expressing emotions, and writer Noh Hee-kyeong held a long search for actors who could embrace the character in the best way".

"The World They Live ...| More

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'Spotlight' Shows Lives of Reporters

2008/05/13 | Source | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

With MBC's new drama "Spotlight", viewers will get a glimpse into the lives of broadcast news reporters covering the city beat.

"Spotlight" depicts the journey toward success of a passionate city desk reporter Seo Woo-jin, played by top actress Son Ye-jin. Ji Jin-hee from the hit drama "Jewel in the Palace" ("Dae Jang Geum") will star as her strict, yet caring mentor, Oh Tae-seok. The drama will follow Seo's drudge through the grind to eventually become an anchorwoman.

At the press conference held last week in southern Seoul, reporters and camera crews swarmed the room for a shot of Son.

"Spotlight" is the first drama in two years for Son, 26, who has starred in movies like "The Classic" (2003) and "The Art of Seduction" (2005).

"I read the synopsis and had a strong impression. I especially liked the fact that (Seo) continues to strive to achieve her dreams. I was captivated by her passion and energy", Son said.

A short clip of the dr...| More

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Reporters get the spotlight

2008/05/12 | Source | Permalink |

MBC's upcoming drama "Spotlight", which airs this Wednesday night, promises to bring back a bit of excitement to the small screen.

Following on the heels of its more-than-lackluster predecessor "Who Are You - Drama", "Spotlight" focuses on the gritty and enterprising lives of city desk broadcast news reporters. The drama tracks one woman's rise to fame, from her struggles at the city desk to her eventual success as an anchorwoman.

With a plot like that, the success of "Spotlight" rides on the strength of its heroine and on its scripting.

And the script promises to be solid. The drama's writer Lee Ki-won possesses a finesse for drawing out the dark political power struggles that go on in the workplace. And his intense and cutthroat writing will play out well in the newsroom. Lee also wrote last year's hit medical drama "White Tower".

"I focused on the inner struggles that reporters face as humans", Lee said at a press conference held last week. "While there is romance, more ...| More

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"Only for reality…" Imitation surgery and training

2008/05/01 | Source | Permalink |

'Acting tutors' for actors who have professional roles

'Professional dramas' that show the world of professionals, such as reporters, entertainers, doctors, athletes, and music, are becoming a popular genre.

Last year's "Surgeon Bong Dal-hee" and "White Tower" and this year's "New Heart" and "On Air" are drawing popularity. "Spotlight" and "Beethoven Virus", which will show the daily life of a classical musician, is in production or awaiting broadcast.

Professional dramas easily attain high ratings even without great artistic elements, for it shows a world that viewers don't experience.

So it's picked as the best 'success chord'. But there is the pressure of training hat actors must go through to become like these professionals. How do actors acquire the skills to act like a true professional?

For "Spotlight", Ji Jin-hee had drinks with reporters all night and received 'tutoring' from them. To increase the reality of it, a producer who had been a reporter helped Ji Jin-h...| More

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