Kim Jin-soo (김진수)

'Gourmet' Brings Korean Cuisine Back to TV Screen

2008/06/10 | Source | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Seoul Broadcast System (SBS)'s "Gourmet" ("Sikgaek") will once again bring the delicious and colorful dishes of Korean cuisine to the television screen next week. While the hit drama "Jewel in the Palace" (2003) wowed fans with royal cuisine, "Gourmet" ("Sikgaek") will offer a wider range of dishes from traditional to everyday recipes.

"The drama is aimed to show the true potential of Korean food", said Choi Jong-soo, the producer of the drama, at a press conference Monday.

The drama is based on cartoonist Heo Yeong-man's popular namesake cartoon that first appeared as a newspaper series in 2002. The journey of the ambitious and talented chef-to-be Lee Sung-chan was also released as a movie, "Le Grand Chef" in 2007.

Korean heartthrob Kim Rae-won ("My Little Bride", 2004) will star as the warm hearted chef-in-training Lee, while actress Nam Sang-mi (TV drama "Sweet Spy", 2005) will play a silly country girl, Kim Jin-soo, who trails Lee with h...| More

Rotoscoped Film Shows Life in '4D'

2008/06/05 | Source | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Director Choe Ik-hwan ("Whispering Corridors 4: 'Voice Letter"') brings "Life Is Cool", South Korea's first rotoscoped film. In this HD film project by CJ Entertainment, local production company DNA, which whipped up animation and graphics for "The Animatrix", creates hip visuals for a friendly love story.

Rotoscoping is a process in which animators trace over a live action sequence, frame by frame. It goes beyond computer-generated imagery for larger than life effects. By utilizing what's only possible in animation, it gives 3D action added dimension ― it's tech savvy and digital but breathes life into the film.

"Life" took only a month of actual shooting but almost two years and 140 artists for rotoscoping. One may wonder, why go through the trouble, as leading lady Park Ye-jin said. The director said he was inspired by "Waking Life", a rotoscoped film that captures human life despite being digital.

The movie takes advantage of the be...| More

Korean movies leap into box-office fray

2008/05/29 | Source | Permalink |

In late April, Iron Man arrived in the Korean cinema, smashing the box office into very profitable pieces. In mid-May, Prince Caspian took the baton and kept up the pressure on Korean competitors. Last weekend, whip-wielding Indy joined the Hollywood-only party, roped in plenty of movie tickets sales.

The bombardment of Hollywood films dragged down the share of Korean films to a record low. But the bleak development was widely predicted since only a couple of new Korean releases were made. June might be slightly different, as eight Korean movies are set for release.

"Girl Scout", directed by Kim Sang-man, will hit theaters on June 5, featuring well-known actors such as Kim Seon-ah, Nah Moon-hee, Lee Kyeong-sil. The film will test whether the audiences still have an appetite for a chase-the-money drama with fewer funny moments than publicized.

Waiting in line for the June 12 release are four Korean films: "Life is Cool", "Beyond All Magic", "Spare" and "Like Father, Like Son". ...| More