Ha Ji-won (하지원)

Grand Bell Film Fest Puzzles Movie Fans

Source | 2009/11/08 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Movie fans may have highly anticipated the 46th Grand Bell (Daejong) Film Festival, which took place Friday in southern Seoul, but the outcome of the event was unexpected.

The festival's award ceremony had many shaking their heads, as some of the most successful films took home fewer trophies than expected, while the lack of participating stars left the event feel a bit empty.

This year's Best Picture award went to "The Divine Weapon", pushing aside hit blockbusters "Haeundae" and "Mother - 2009".

"Mother - 2009", which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, managed only to win the Best Supporting Actor award, while "Haeundae", which was nominated in nine categories and was one of the biggest films of the year, won only Best Producer.

"Take Off" was nominated in seven categories but only won Best Director, while "Closer to Heaven" took home Best Actor. "Haeundae" and "Take Off" attracted a total of 12.93 million movies goers, alternating ...| More

Koo Hye-seon, Won Bin and Lee Min-ho join forces for 'Good Downloader Campaign'

Source | 2009/11/02 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Top starts such as Koo Hye-seon, Lee Min-ho, Im Soo-jeong and Won Bin team up to promote legal download. Following declaration ceremony of 'Good Downloader Campaign' held during Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), an event titled, 'Good Downloader Supporters Day', takes place with10 stars in support of the initiative proposed by the campaign at Myung-dong Avenuel, Lotte Cinema on Nov. 10.

Divided into 4 teams, under the leadership of actor Ahn Seong-gi, chairman of the Good Downloader Committee, a total of 10 leading directors and actors and actresses join the event. They include director Jang Jin of 'Good Morning President' and Koo Hye-seon of 'The Madonna', director Bong Joon-ho and actor Won Bin of 'Mother - 2009', director Park Chan-wook and actress IOm Soo-jeong of 'I`m a Cyborg, but That`s OK', and director Park Gwang-choon and actor Kim Soo-ro, Lee Min-ho and Park Bo-yeong of 'Our School ET'.

Especially, those star supporters charged no fee for their participation...| More

Jang generates buzz with return to big screen

Source | 2009/10/28 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Actress stars in new film 'Sky and Sea' after a long break
After a long hiatus, singer-turned-actress Jang Nara has returned to the big screen with the film "Sky and Sea".

It's been six years since she starred in her last movie, "Oh! Happy Day" in 2003.

Asked why she chose this particular film to make her comeback, Jang said she has a lot in common with Sky and Sea's protagonist and that she was drawn to the movie's heartwarming story.

"It is a movie that will comfort you when you are exhausted, like warm soup helps soothe your burning tongue after eating spicy food", the actress said.

Sky and Sea is a drama that follows the life of Haneul (played by Jang), who lives a detached life due to a disability. Haneul meets Bada (played by actress Hyeon Junie) and Jingu (played by Yoo Ah-in), and the three grow up emotionally while building tight bonds with each other.

The film's director, Oh Dal-gyoon, is well known for this type of human story, particularly through his 2006 f...| More

[ChanMi's star news] Kang Hye-jeong and Tablo married!

Source | 2009/10/26 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Epic High's Tablo and actress Kang Hye-jeong have said their vows.

The two had their wedding for which many stars came to congratulate them!

The stars were director Park Chan-wook, Kim Seon-ah, Eom Ji-won, Ha Ji-won, Ahn Seong-gi, Ryoo Deok-hwan, Kong Hyo-jin, Im Ha-ryong, and more!

...| More

Nominees for Grand Bell Awards Stir Controversy

Source | 2009/10/26 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The Grand Bell (Daejong) Awards, a prestigious film award in Korea, have stirred controversy yet again. The list of Best Leading Actress nominees that was announced October 21 includes Kim Min-seon ("Portrait Of A Beauty"), Soo-ae ("Sunny"), Kim Hye-ja ("Mother - 2009"), Choi Kang-hee ("Ae-ja") and Jang Nara ("Sky And Sea").

Nominees for the Best Picture award are "Mother", "Sky And Sea", "The Divine Weapon", "Haeundae" and "Take Off".

The controvery arose because actress Ha Ji-won of "Closer to Heaven" and "Haeundae", which drew more than 10 million vieiwers, and actress Kim Ha-neul of the hit movie "My Girlfriend is an Agent" were not included on the list. Morever, the movie "Thirst", which received the Jury Award at this year's Cannes Film Festival, and Kim Ji-woon's "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" also failed to be nominated for the Best Picture or the Best Director awards.

"Sky And Sea", which is to open on October 28 just a week before the awards ceremony, has been nomina...| More