Han Sang-hee (한상희)

Big Bang Members Branch Out as Soloists

2008/07/14 | Source | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Boy band Big Bang seems to have it all, from loving fans, stylish fashion trends, easy-to-memorize songs and the members' distinctive characteristics. Now, the ambitious group is expanding their talents in other fields including movies, musicals and even television, but not under the team Big Bang. The members are going solo for the time being.

Other pop groups, including now disbanded g.o.d. and Fin.K.L, and the still running Shinhwa, Girls' Generation and Super Junior, have already pursued individual careers in the entertainment business. Big Bang, having colorful members who each hold their own specific talent, have joined this "trend" and started to heighten their individual image, which will hopefully contribute to the team as a whole.

Dae-sung recently released a trot, or traditional Korean pop genre, album "Gui-soon, Look at Me". The 19-year-old singer will also perform in the internationally famed musical "Cats". He will appear as Rum Tu...| More

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Movie-Based Dramas to Fill TV Screens

2008/07/08 | Source | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Amid the ongoing search for catchy, stylish, attractive ideas for local dramas, many drama-makers have turned to themes that have already been seen to be popular. Movie-based dramas are no longer new, but the race for the best-made remake is expected to get more competitive with "IRIS", "Tazza" (working title), "Friends: The Unfinished Tale" (working title) and "Beat".

The 1999 movie "Shiri" was a steppingstone for Korean cinema, being considered the first blockbuster movie that captivated local movie fans with its distinctive plot and action scenes. Now the hit movie that depicted the lives of secret agents is coming back to television screens as "IRIS". In order to bring movie-like elements onto the smaller screen, the drama will be written and produced by Taewon Entertainment and Kang Je-gyu Film, both famous movie agencies here, and will boast a budget of 20 billion won. Korean heartthrob Lee Byeong-heon ("All In", 2003) will appear as the myst...| More

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TV Announcer, Comedian Tie Knot

2008/07/06 | Source | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Top Korean comedian Yoo Jae-seok tied the knot on Sunday with MBC announcer Na Kyung-eun at the Shilla Hotel.

The 35-year-old is currently one of the most popular comedians in Korea, hosting four programs including MBC's "Infinity Challenge" and KBS's "Happy Together".

Na, 27, became an MBC announcer in 2004 and is currently hosting a radio program called "Chocolate".

The couple first met during "Infinity Challenge" in 2006, when Na appeared only by voice, asking questions to the hosts of the program.

The two have been dating secretly since then and finally decided to get married early this year.

"I have hosted a lot of weddings, but it's my first time actually being the groom. I am so nervous I'm shaking", Yu said to reporters during a press conference prior to the wedding.

"I have never been in front of so many reporters before. It's overwhelming", Na added.

When asked about plans to have children, the nervous Yu drew laughter b...| More

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Song Hye-kyo Signs Contract With Stellar

2008/07/02 | Source | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Korean actress Song Hye-kyo has signed a contract with Stellar Entertainment to expand her acting and other activities on the Asian market.

Stellar Entertainment is an agency founded by Michelle Yeoh, the Chinese megastar of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) and "Memoirs Of A Geisha" (2005), and Terence Chang, the producer of "Mission Impossible 2" (2002) and "Face Off" (1997).

According to the June 30 issue of movie magazine "Variety", Stellar announced that the 26-year-old Song signed a management contract on overseas activities with the agency. Stellar has its headquarters in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

With Asia's attention regarding Song increasing due to her recent role with singer "Rain" in the Korean soap opera "Full House", she appeared in the movies "My Girl and I" and "Hwang-jin-y - Movie - 2007i", and recently finished shooting an independent film "Fetish", directed by Son Soo-peom....| More

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Korean Chick Lit Books Turned Into Dramas

2008/05/27 | Source | Permalink |

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia, Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporters

Chick lit books have always been popular among young Korean women, especially the "Shopaholic" series by Sophie Kinsella and "The Devil Wears Prada" by Lauren Weisberger.

Korean chick lit books are also gaining popularity, and two popular books are being turned into television dramas.

The glamorous world of the fashion industry will be the backdrop for the up-coming SBS drama "Style", based on a novel written by Baek Young-ok, a former fashion reporter.

A producer from SBS said Tuesday it has finalized the purchase of the rights to turn "Style" into a drama. The drama is expected to air by March next year.

There is no word yet on who will play the lead role in the TV soap. In "Style", the main character is a 31-year-old female reporter at a fashion magazine. It gives an inside look at the world of fashion and luxury. It also deals with office politics, fierce competition in the fashion world and the luxury goods indu...| More

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