Korean movie news

2008/04/29 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- Popular Korean boy band Super Junior has been named as honorary ambassador for events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Seoul and Bangkok, Korea's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday (Apr. 29).

"Super Junior, who are popular in both Korea and Thailand, are expected to play a major role in publicizing the friendly relationship between the two nations", the ministry said in a press release.

The 13-member group plans to support public relations activities for the anniversary by holding a concert in Bangkok later this year and attending a variety of joint events including art performances and an investment fair, it added.

The Thai government appointed actor Tony Jaa, who starred in a 2003 action film "Ong-bak", as its honorary ambassador for the anniversary.
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2008/04/29 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- Japan's major mobile service operators will offer a service this summer that contains pictures and videos of South Korean pop idol "Rain", his management agency said Tuesday.

The J. Tune Entertainment said it has reached an agreement with Japan-based wireless service provider ACCEL Corporation to provide the contents through three mobile service phone carriers -- NTT DoCoMo Inc., KDDI Corp. and Softbank Mobile Corp. -- starting in June.
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2008/04/29 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

Singer and actress Jang Nara, 27, carried the Olympic flame in Seoul.

Jang's management agency said although it had been informed of Jang's selection earlier, it refrained from publicizing the affair to allow the singer to carry the torch without any unnecessary complications. Jang carried the torch from the Jongno area on the afternoon of April 27.

Some 80 citizens, including celebrities, took turns carrying the Olympic flame through 80 districts in Seoul before it arrived at Seoul City Plaza at 7:00 p.m. The torch left for the North Korean capital Pyeongyang at 11:00 p.m. Sunday.

Singers "Rain" and Bada were among the celebrities who carried the torch....

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2008/04/29 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

Actor Ha Jeong-woo has gone from cold-blooded murderer to a professional Casanova whom women pay to be with.

In his new movie, "The Moonlight of Seoul" ("Beastie Boys" in Korean), the actor plays a man who serves drinks and dances with women at a host bar.

The role is a substantial departure from the brutal killer he played in the hit thriller "The Chaser", which attracted five million viewers nationwide.

In "Moonlight", Ha plays Jae-hyeon, who lives for the day, talks big and tries to con people. While using his roommate/girlfriend to get 50 million won, he brings other women to their home. Instead of being driven away by his brazenness, plenty of women seem eager to vie for his affection.

To perfect his role, Ha said he read interviews of 200 men who worked at host bars and met some of them. He told the Dong-A Ilbo, "Some of these guys are real professionals. They know how to get their clients to open their wallets. They even have detailed manuals to win their hearts".

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2008/04/29 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

The trend on television these days is "reality" and these are beginning to dominate productions.

Reality shows depict the stories of people of their lives. Unlike a drama or a talk show, the flow is more natural and most importantly, unpredictable. The programs delve deeper into meaning and look at those who are different. Boredom turns to entertainment.

Mnet Media launched their "star reality" programs a while ago, and they have become widely popular among other cliche programs.

"Off the Record Lee Hyo-lee" takes a look into the life of Korea's top singer. The cameras literally barge into her house, her studio and even her closet. Being a famous singer may have helped, but the program's popularity soared because it showed the "real" Lee. Fans are able to discover her personal side.

"Seo In-young's KAIST" also takes the camera closer to celebrities. The program was produced to give Seo, a member of the female pop group Jewelry, the chance...

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2008/04/28 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

Korean games are blossoming in the capital of games, Japan.
While many Korean television shows and feature films have lost their appeal, Korean games still remain strong in a market that is awash with top-notch games.
"Ragnarok of Gravity" has been in the top ranks of the Japanese game industry for seven years as of 2007. Last year, Ragnarok sales amounted to 57 billion won ($57 million).
"Red Stone", developed by L&K Logic, is also a major hit in Japan. Last year, the company earned 50 billion won from the game.
This year, NCsoft's role-playing game "Lineage II" is succeeding against the top seeds of the online games played in Japan.
Popular Japanese television shows have been finding it difficult to maintain the same level of excitement that they enjoyed for more than three years.
The hit television show "Winter Sonata" earned 50 billion won ($US 50 million) in Japan during its debut in 2004. However, since then earnings have started to fall.
On the contrary, online games have...

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2008/04/28 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

Singer and actor "Rain" had an embarrassing moment at the premier of his Hollywood debut film "Speed Racer" at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday. The 26-year-old Korean superstar was introduced as Taejo Togokhan, the name of his character in the movie, instead of his real name Jung Ji-hoon, or his better-known stage name.

The premier drew reporters from around the world, come to see the latest work by directors Andy and Larry Wachowski, the creators of the worldwide blockbuster "The Matrix". Several Hollywood luminaries also turned out, including Jodie Foster, Tim Robbins and Jon Voight.

The first Wachowski movie in five years, "Speed Racer" is based on a Japanese animation called "Mach GoGoGo" about aspiring young car racers. Anticipation is building among movie lovers eager to see how the innovative directors, known for the revolutionary visual style they pioneered with the "Matrix" series, will use the latest computer technology to tell the tale.

"Rain"'s name mi...

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I find the fact that got his name wrong upsetting. This is such a great opportunity for the young man, to botch it up like that is criminal. Kimberly Sarreal 2008-04-28 19:54:17

2008/04/28 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

The Korean Wave has been spreading Korean pop culture across Asia and beyond for more than a decade, although it has barely reached Poland, in the centre of Europe. It is sad to admit, but Korean culture (traditional as well as the "new wave") does not exist in Polish minds as a distinctive identity. It is often mixed in with Chinese and Japanese cultures, which are more defined in Poland yet still often confused with each other.

Still, it is trendy nowadays in Poland to go to an East Asian restaurant, buy Chinese souvenirs, own Japanese-style furniture, follow feng-shui rules, watch an Asian movie or send kids to taekwondo or karate classes.

Although Polish knowledge of Korean culture is minimal, the present article aims to show that there is a gentle Korean wind that is blowing into Poland faster than the mainstream Wave.

There is, however, still no trace of: (1) the Korean entertainment industry invading the Polish media market; (2) any Polish fans adopting the lifestyles o...

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2008/04/28 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

"A Tale of Legendary Libido" (Garoojigi), directed by Sin Han-sol, is loosely based on "Byeon Gang-soe Tale", one of the most notoriously decadent and sexually provocative theatrical songs which took its current form in the late 19th century.

Byeon Gang-soe is a Joseon-era version of Austen Powers, as he has an amazing sexual energy. The original tale, transmitted by word of mouth, was documented and extensively edited by Shin Jae-hyo (1812-1884). Many of the explicit sexual descriptions were cut out in the process; nevertheless, the extant version contains imagery and expressions that are shockingly frank about sexuality, even by today's relatively liberal standards.

The challenges facing director Shin were obvious. First, the highly inflated and exaggerated metaphors throughout the risque story could not be easily revised for mainstream moviegoers, including some adults who are not familiar with the sex comedy genre. Second, the theme has been adapted for the big screen several...

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2008/04/27 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

The world's premier film event, Festival de Cannes, will open for the 61st time May 14-25 in the southern French port city. While there are no Korean entrees this year in the main competition section, five films ― including the world premiere of the anticipated blockbuster "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" ― will shine in other sections of the festival.

"The Good, the Bad, the Weird", directed by Kim Ji-woon, will be shown in the Out of Competition section. This "oriental Western" features exciting horseback races and train rides in vast Mongolian plains.

It stars three of the hottest Korean actors ― hallyu star Lee Byeong-heon (TV soap "All In"), heartbreaker Jeong Woo-seong ("Daisy") and bona fide actor Song Kang-ho ("Secret Sunshine").

The film will receive its own gala event, complete with a red carpet event. It is anticipated to be a big highlight along with the premiere of films like Woody Allen's "Vicky Christina Barcelon...

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