Kim Mi-hyun (김미현)

Jang, Han Top Actors of 2nd Half

Source | 2006/12/14 | Permalink |

Actor Jang Dong-gun and actress Han Ga-in have earned the most votes in a recent popularity survey. "Rain" and Lee Hyo-lee topped the singers' list and Yoo Jae-seok and Jo Hye-ryeon took the comedian vote.

The results come from a September survey conducted by a marketing research firm on 1,400 Korean men and women in five major cities.

Among actors, Jang, with 23 percent of the votes, again ranked atop the poll as he did in the year's first half. Trailing behind was Ahn Seong-gi (9.5%), Song Il-gook (8.9%), Lee Joon-ki (5.3%) and Han Seok-kyu (5.2%). Kwon Sang-woo, Kang Dong-won, Bae Yong-joon, Choi Soo-jong and Won Bin rounded out the top ten.

In the actress category, Han Ga-in led the group with 9.5 percent followed by Kim Tae-hee (8%), Lee Young-ae (7.9%), Kim Hye-soo (7.0%), Song Hye-kyo and Jeon Ji-hyeon with a tie, Lee Na-young, Lee Mi-yeon, Han Hye-jin and Jeon Do-yeon.

Among male singers, Rain garnered 20 percent of the votes trailed by trot singers Tae Jin-a (8.7%)...| More

Filmmakers offer investors starring role

Source | 2004/03/17 | Permalink |

Movie companies shine spotlight on stock markets, online sales

Unable to gain access to investors by traditional means, Korean filmmakers are rewriting the script to give stock traders and cyber fans starring roles.

The industry currently generates an estimated 700 billion won ($605 million) per year, which is meager compared to Hollywood where a single project may cost more than $100 million.

But with current blockbusters "Silmido" and "Taegukgi" streaking through attendance levels, filmmakers and analysts say the local movie industry has proven that it can produce movies with tremendous commercial value.

"Movies are not yet a driving economic force, but it has the potential to become just that in coming years", said Ko Jung-min, chief researcher at Samsung Economic Research Institute.

For many filmmakers, access to the local stock markets is not possible because they lack enough equity to meet requirements.

However, Myung Films Co. and KangJeGyu Films, ranking...| More