Karl Yune (칼 윤)

[THE HIGH TIDE OF THE KOREAN WAVE(36)] The Korean Wave and Korean-Americans

Source | 2008/06/20 | Permalink |

The epicenter of the Korean Wave was East Asia, but gradually Korean popular culture has reached the shores of other continents as well.

Although its popularity in non-Asian regions is not as pronounced as it has been in East/Southeast Asia, the growing interest in and visibility of Korean popular culture in different parts of the world signifies its emerging position in the global cultural landscape.

In this increasing dissemination of Korean culture, the role of overseas Koreans is noteworthy since they are usually at the center of the consumption of their culture in foreign countries. Before the emergence of the Korean Wave, it was mostly introduced to the local population by Koreans living in other countries.

Since the Korean Wave has grown internationally, overseas Koreans have become crucial forces behind its promotion, as they are probably the most enthusiastic and closest followers of Korean pop culture in most non-Asian countries.

Korean-Americans' role in the spre...| More

A Korean Wave Rises in Hollywood

Source | 2008/04/08 | Permalink |

More and more young Korean-American actors and actresses are making their presence felt in Hollywood, the global Mecca of the movie world. One of them is Aaron Yoo. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Yoo entered the entertainment industry and made his name with a supporting role in Paramount Pictures' "Disturbia" last year. Now he's enjoying growing popularity with his latest work in Columbia Pictures' "21", which opened in the U.S. last month.

In a recent interview with the Chosun Ilbo, Yoo acknowledged that good fortune has played a major part in his success so far, but he also believes his confidence in his acting ability has been another contributing factor. An admirer of Marlon Brando, James Dean and Cary Grant, the young actor expressed a hope to appear in a Korean movie if he gets a chance.

Yoo is only one of several ethnic Koreans who have made their names in Hollywood of late. Leonard Nam, who was born in Argentina and studied acting in New York, recen...| More

Daniel Henney Digs Into Own Life for New Movie

Source | 2007/01/18 | Permalink |

The movie "My Father" drew attention even before it started shooting because it stars the half-Korean heartthrob Daniel Henney. The film follows a Korean adopted by an American family who comes to Korea to seek out his biological parents, only to find that his father is on death row.

Henney plays James, who volunteers to join the U.S. Forces Korea as a way to find his biological parents. On the first day of shooting on Jan. 10, he successfully shed his gentlemanly image for his role as the young adopted man who slowly opens his heart to his jailed father. "I will try hard to use my personal experience of living in the U.S. to play James, who has lived his life feeling estranged as an adopted child", Henney said.

"My Father" is the feature debut of director Hwang Dong-hyeok, who attracted plaudits at home and abroad with his short film "Miracle Mile" starring Karl Yune. Kim Young-cheol plays Henney's father. ...| More

Can the Korean Wave Crash Hollywood?

Source | 2007/01/04 | Permalink |

The Korean pop-culture wave has swept Asia. Now what? The challenges to Korean stars continue, and their next target is the heart of the international movie market, Hollywood. Park Joong-hoon, Lee Byeong-heon and Jeong Joon-ho already have their engines revving. With their dreams seeming to come into focus, the group of top stars may even be seen in Hollywood this year.

Park Joong-hoon, the first to break into Hollywood with the film "The Truth About Charlie" (2002), is now involved in his second project, working title "Bibimbap". "Bibimbap" is a romantic comedy that tells the story of a Caucasian restaurant critic who falls in love with an Asian chef. If everything works out, it will be the actor's first starring role in a Hollywood film.

The U.S. magazine Variety recently said of the actor, "Of all Korea's top-ranked male stars, Lee Byeong-heon may be best placed to break through internationally". As a K-Wave star with a huge following in Japan, Lee is also already linguistical...| More

Film festivals duel for enthusiasts

Source | 2005/07/16 | Permalink |

July 16, 2005 ㅡ Critics have compared the rivalry between the two film festivals with the legend of David and Goliath, David being the brave shepherd who killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stone. On the opening night of the Real Fantastic Film Festival (ReaFan), which was created by the dismissed staff from the Puchon International Fantastic Festival (PiFan), it was evident that the biblical history was indeed repeating itself.
At Seoul Art Cinema on Thursday night, the theater that usually hosts a small number of arthouse film enthusiasts was filled with hundreds of filmgoers and notable celebrities. They came to see "Aelita", one of the first Russian science fiction films and the opening screening for the ReaFan.
The festival, which is small enough that it had skipped a red carpet extravaganza and special events to celebrate the opening, began modestly with a short introduction by Kim Hong-joon, the former chairman of PiFan. Earlier this year, he was fired by Hong G...| More