Kim Tae-hyeon (김태현)

Comedian Park Crosses Inter-Korean Border

2008/02/20 | Source | Permalink |

By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

Hit entertainer of "Infinite Challenge", Park Myeong-soo became the first comedian to cross the Military Demarcation Line by an overland route, Wednesday.

"I heard that I am the first entertainer to cross the border through the land route. It is an honor for my family", Park said.

As a part of an OBS program "Park Myeong-soo Meets the CEO", Park visited the joint industrial complex in Gaeseong in North Korea. During a one-day trip to the North, he met with South Korean businessmen and workers in the complex.

"I did not know that Gaeseong is only 12 kilometers away from Dorasan Station. It is so sad that we couldn't go there because of the division of the Korean peninsula", Park told reporters at the station.

He is famous for his "bawling out", but he said that he would not have outbursts at North Koreans to keep the peaceful mood between the South and North.

Park, who made his debut in MBC's "Gag Contest" in 1993, is a comedian who also...| More

What nude scenes mean for actresses

2006/03/27 | Source | Permalink |

Just two decades ago, it was rare for movie fans to see actresses do nude scenes because of strict censorship and most stars were hesitant about undressing for the camera.

But as the domestic moviemaking trend took an innovative turn towards liberal expression, nude scenes no longer made much news. And interestingly, baring all turned into an effective strategy for actresses to prove their acting skills, commitment and passion for acting.

"I think of nude scenes as a crucial passage to become a real actress", said actress Eom Ji-won after shooting director Hong Sang-soo's "Tale of Cinema". "After stripping in front of the camera, I felt that I could now take any role".

Even veteran actresses with over 10 years experience have chosen to shoot nude scenes to reach a higher level of acting.

Top actresses Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Hye-soo each gained new perspectives in "Happy End" and "Hypnotized", respectively.

But despite the changes, differing views on nudity often cause conf...| More

Korean Version of Hit "Love Actually" Features Six Couples In Love

2005/10/06 | Source | Permalink |

by Seung-Jae Lee (sjda@donga.com)

"Let's make a Korean version of 'Love Actually. What sort of love stories should we bring together? Wouldn't it be fun to have a man and a woman who are mutual enemies end up falling in love? Since the economy is so bad these days, a story about a couple keeping their love alive in the face of poverty would appeal to many. Let's balance out the generations by including a romance between middle-aged lovers. But romantic love isn't the only kind of love there is. Right, let's portray inter-generational love between an unwed mother and her daughter. Well... That's all good, but it seems a little ordinary so far. Isn't there something provocative to really spice up the movie? How about the love of a nun? That would invite too much criticism. Not if we make her a novice preparing for the life of a nun. We need some homosexual romance as well. But nothing that goes too far-we're not trying to spark controversy here. We should make it sweet and touching, l...| More

"Don't Underestimate Third-Rate": Overturning Life with a "Spin Kick"

2004/07/21 | Source | Permalink |

Manse High School's "ruling fist" Yong-gaek (Kim Dong-wan) and his posse. One day, after an altercation on a crowded bus, the troublemakers beat up the members of the school's taekwondo team, once the pride of Manse High but since sunken in ignominy as a third-rate club. The members end up in the hospital, while Yong-gaek and his pals are thrown in jail. The only choices offered to the scalawag group are either to leave the school or to join the taekwondo team.

"Spin Kick" is a youth-oriented sports movie about taekwondo. Its themes are the favorite fare of sports comics like "Slam Dunk" and "H2": the dreams of youth, the overcoming of challenges, and the fight for preeminence. The cast includes such new-generation stars as Kim Dong-wan of the singing group Shinhwa and Hyeon Bin of MBC's sitcom "Nonstop 4", but unlike "Temptations of a Wolf" and "He was Cool", both of which open on the same day, it lacks a strong melodramatic flair. Although the movie features a "ruling fist" cha...| More