Kim Su-jin-I (김수진)

Vive La Korean Food! Hallyu Revitalizes Culinary Tradition

Source | 2008/03/20 | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Garfield the cartoon cat often says, "you are what you eat". Rightly so, the art and science of eating and culinary customs and styles define a people's culture, tradition and spirit.

While Korea possesses a unique gastronomic culture, many have turned to imported pastas and pastries. But a few years ago, the TV drama "Jewel in the Palace" (aka. "Dae Jang Geum") rekindled the general public's interest. The culinary adventures of a Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) court lady traveled overseas, leading hallyu or the "Korean wave" far and wide, gaining fans even in Zimbabwe.

Recently, the box office hit "Le Grand Chef" and popular TV soap "Golden Bride" also featured mouthwatering Korean dishes, sizzling the enthusiasm. Hansik, or Korean traditional cuisine, has gained momentum and is out to go global.

Let's go behind the scenes to see who cooked up the visually scrumptious delights and ways you can get a tasting!

Regal & Refined

Those who watch...| More

'Gourmet' offers visual taste of Korean cuisine

Source | 2008/03/12 | Permalink |

Food has rarely played a leading role in a miniseries. But in "Gourmet" ("Sikgaek"), the SBS drama slated to air on May 26, food takes center stage. And not just any kind of food. Korean cuisine gets the spotlight this time around.

Based on Heo Yeong-man's bestselling comic book series of the same name, this 24-episode drama follows Korean chef Seong-chan, played by Kim Rae-won, on his travels throughout Korea. Driving a beat-up truck, Seong-chan searches for the essence of Korean food, looking for it in the remotest parts of this country.

With cuisine playing such a big role, the production team needed a food expert. And they knew exactly who to turn to.

Kim Su-jin-I, president of her own food consulting group, Food and Culture Korea, handled food direction for the film version of Heo Yeong-man's "Sikgaek", which hit screens nationwide as "Le Grand Chef", and topped national charts last year.

The mouthwatering dishes cooked up on the big screen served as testimony to her a...| More

Trainers make stars shine brighter

Source | 2007/02/17 | Permalink |

Recent movies out in theaters probably left you dumbfounded for a couple of good reasons. You gaped at Kwon Oh-joong's sleek kung fu moves. (Wasn't he the chubby dude in that silly sit-com about a gynecologist's family?) Your eyes opened wide when you found out Kim Ah-joong can sing. (She has a goddess-like figure and now she even sings?)
However stupefied, or scornful, you are, kudos to our celebrities who refuse to use understudies. But more kudos go out to the trainers who stayed behind the scenes coaching stars throughout the filming. Movieweek, a JoongAng film weekly, met with these hidden stars of recent films and the hidden-stars-to-be of blockbusters coming to theaters.

Kung fu master
Actor Kwon O-joong depended on Park Chan-dae, a kung fu master, for more than three months as he practiced his martial arts moves prior to the filming of the "Three Kims".
For up to five hours a day, five days a week, Mr. Park stayed with Kwon, transforming him into the heroic kung fu coach ...| More