Hong Kyung-min (홍경민)

Retro Musical Boom Hits Stage

Source | 2009/01/21 | Permalink |

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Bell-bottomed trousers, a nickel silverware lunchbox, roller-skating rink, black school uniform and disco music might remind you of the 1970s and 80s.

A retro boom that began last year on stage is expected to continue this year, attracting an older generation.

Musicals such as "Really Really Like You", "Go! Waikiki" and "Midnight Serenade", set in the 1970s and 80s, are hitting the stage.

The musicals and their memorable hit songs from the era resonate on stage, along with retro dance moves and fashion items, arousing nostalgia.

"Really Really Like You", based on a '70s hit film of the same name, is on stage at the National Theater of Korea until Jan. 25 and will move to Hoam Art Hall from Jan. 29 through Feb. 22.

After premiering last June, the musical drew about 100,000 audience members and toured around 12 cities, including Busan, Daegu and Daejeon.

Starring celebrated performers such as Park Hae-mi, Jo Kap-kyeong, Park Sang-mye...| More

[ChanMi's star news] Hong Kyung-min received an electronic game instead of salary!

Source | 2008/11/27 | Permalink |

In the new film "Speedy Scandal" actor Hong Kyung-min declined the salary he was to receive for being the cameo in the film. Instead, he wanted the electronic game system instead!

Hong's role was a comic character who harasses the reporter who wrote an evil news article.

He said that he decided this because of his good friend, actor Cha Tae-hyeon and because he is quite fond of games!...| More

[ChanMi's star news] Stars come to Actor Ahn's funeral to condole Jeong Seon-hee

Source | 2008/09/10 | Permalink |

Actress Ko Hyeon-jeong Goes Candid on Popular Radio Shows

2008/07/28 | Permalink |

Actress Ko Hyeon-jeong, known for avoiding media spotlight, plans to come out of her mysterious veil by making guest appearance on two popular radio shows including 'Starry Night'(95.9Mhz) on MBC FM on August 1 and on 'Choi Hwa-jeong's Power Time'(107.7Mhz) on SBS FM. It will be Ko's first official media appearance in more than a year since MBC drama series 'Heat' ended.

Ko, a former pageant queen who rose to superstardom in the 90s through her roles on popular TV drama series, will candidly talk about what she has been up to as well as her future plans.

Her close friends and popular celebrity radio DJs Park Kyeong-rim and Choi Hwa-jeong reportedly persuaded the actress to appear on the radio shows. Singers Kim Jang-hoon and Hong Kyung-min will also make guest appearances on 'Starry Night' alongside the actress.

Ko recently signed a contract to star in a brand new film by director Hong Sang-soo and is getting ready to make her silver screen comeback. ...| More

[UPGRADING KOREAN CULTURE (3)]Online fans reshaping pop music world

Source | 2007/03/21 | Permalink |

This is the third in an eight-part series of articles that looks into the country's cultural and entertainment sectors and explores ways to help sharpen their competitive edge. - Ed.

By Lee Yong-sung

More and more Korean pop stars are making some serious noise all across Asia. Not to mention such established stars as BoA and "Rain", many young, up and coming singing and dancing talents are now targeting overseas markets from the very beginning, even before their debut here.

For one thing, this is a barometer showing the growing popularity of Korean pop musicians in the rest of Asia, which must be highly encouraging for both musicians and producers. Behind this are, however, ever-diminishing album sales in the local pop music industry.

According to the Music Industry Association of Korea, last year's best-selling album was Dongbangshingi's (TVXQ outside the country) third album "O Union", which sold 349,317 copies last year, beating its rival SG Wannabe whose third album, "P...| More