Park Kwang-su (박광수)

[THE HIGH TIDE OF THE KOREAN WAVE(25)] Hallyu: the Koreanization of world culture

Source | 2008/03/21 | Permalink |

In the last few years, Korean films, TV dramas and pop music have become immensely popular abroad, a phenomenon known as the Korean Wave. This is the 25th in a series of essays by a select group of scholars and journalists looking at the spread of Korean pop culture in Southeast Asian countries and beyond. - Ed.

"Hallyu", or the Korean Wave, marks the long overdue re-emergence of Korean culture into the global arena. Korean culture's newfound international vogue situates South Korean cinema, TV melodramas, K-pop, and computer games as active participants in the transformation of world culture.

These "domestic" electronic audio-visual cultural creations are no longer limited to just the Korean peninsula and the global Korean diaspora despite that they are produced in the Korean language - a language that is not one of the globalized imperial languages such as English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese.

Despite this linguistic barrier, hallyu is now a recognized agent of gl...| More

Ahn Seong-gi Charms in "My New Partner"

Source | 2008/03/13 | Permalink |

Veteran actor Ahn Seong-gi returns with another leading role in comedy-caper "My New Partner", opening March 6 across Korea. AHN is a face familiar to audiences of all ages, with a screen career that spans some 50 years. By the mid-80's he was Korea's most bankable lead, starring in many of the decade's top films.

In "My New Partner", AHN plays Min-ho, a veteran police detective who winds up teaming with his estranged son Yeong-joon (played by JO Han-seon), a cold-hearted cop fresh on the job. The pair have a chance to mend their damaged relationship as they try to crack a big drug case in Busan.

Actor AHN has appeared in over 100 films, winning numerous awards and working with top directors such as IM Kwon-taek, BAE Chang-ho, LEE Chang-ho, PARK Kwang-su and LEE Myeong-se. His most recent films include "May 18" (2007), "Radio Star" (2006), "Hanbando" (2006), "Duelist" (2005) and "Silmido" (2003).

My New Parnter has already drawn positive reviews from the local press f...| More

LEE Chang-Dong Tribute in Fribourg

Source | 2008/03/04 | Permalink |

The most comprehensive retrospective yet of critically acclaimed Korean director LEE Chang-dong will be featured at the 22nd Fribourg International Film Festival running March 1- 8 in Switzerland. Along with the director's latest film, "Secret Sunshine", which won JEON Do-yeon a Best Actress award at last year's Cannes Film Festival, LEE's three previous features will also screen. Additionally, two films directed by PARK Kwang-su, for which LEE penned the screenplays, will round out the program.

LEE's directing debut "Green Fish" (1997) was selected to screen in competition at the 38th Thessaloniki Film Festival, where he was celebrated as Korea's 'new hope'. Building on the critical success of "Green Fish", LEE wrote and directed a milestone in Korean cinema, "Peppermint Candy" (1999), a harrowing journey in reverse through 20 years of contemporary Korean history. His 2002 film "Oasis" won him the Best Director prize at Venice and brought actress MOON So-ri into the limeligh...| More

Kim Seung-woo and Bae Doona go to Cambodia

Source | 2007/06/04 | Permalink |

Actor Kim Seung-woo and actress Bae Doona went to Cambodia for to film.

The crew for the upcoming drama series 'How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor' including the two left for a ten-day shoot in Cambodia on the 2nd. This is the first time a Korean drama series is being filmed on location in Cambodia.

The series 'How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor' questions what a perfect neighbor is while reflecting upon those who vow to live together forever as a married couples.

Kim Seung-woo plays Baek Soo Chan, a former player, while Bae Doona takes on the role of Jung Yoon Hee, a comic secretary for a conglomerate chairman. Son Hyeon-joo, Kim Seong-ryrong, Ahn Seon-yeong, Kim Roi-Ha, Park Kwang-Su, and others will also be starring in the series.

The crew will film the various episodes that happen between the main characters who meet in a foreign location by chance.

The series 'How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor' will start airing on July 11th....| More

Bae Doona to Join Kim Seung-woo in Drama Series

Source | 2007/04/25 | Permalink |

Actor Kim Seung-woo and Bae Doona were both cast in the SBS drama series 'How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor', performing together again after four years.

Kim Seung-woo and Bae Doona who appeared together in the 2003 KBS drama series 'Rosemary' with Yoo Ho-Jeong will once again play the role of lovers as a former host and clumsy secretary.

'How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor' draws the story of four people who reside in corporate housing of an automotive company. The series has also gathered attention for featuring illustrator and comic creator Park Kwang-su, his first time acting, along with Park Si-Hoo, Son Hyeon-Joo, Kim Roi-Ha, Ahn Seon-yeong, Park Won-Sook, and others.

Bae DooNa formerly starred in the movie 'The Host' and in the cable series 'Someday' broadcasted on OCN....| More