Kim Soo-mi (김수미)

'Fortune' Shows Crude Depiction of Love/Fate

Source | 2009/10/29 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Funnyman Im Chang-jeong returns opposite yet another screen beauty, Park Ye-jin, in the slapstick "Fortune Salon". It appears difficult for the "Sex Is Zero" star to shed his typecast character in this half-way sex (rather than romantic) comedy, which rather strenuously tries to show that love (or lust) can prevail in the face of cruel destiny.

But more often than not, fate laughs at chance.
It's a shame because the movie could have done so much more with the classic premise of fate versus free will set against the exotic shamanist subculture that exists in modern Korea. Instead, it makes a disgrace out of one of the oldest traditions/religions here.

South Korea has long been rooted in shamanist beliefs. The fortune-telling market here amasses up to 3 trillion won annually. "Saju" (reading one's fate using one's birth date), physiognomy and, most recently, Western tarot-card reading booths and parlors can be easily spotted around town.

The f...| More

Kim Soo-mi, "Lee Sang-woo, If I had a daughter, I would give her to him"

Source | 2008/06/19 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Lee Sang-woo has transformed from Koo Se-ju to 'Joon'.

Lee Sang-woo, who captured women's hearts in SBS "First Wives' Club", is attempting to capture female movie goers as an innocent, charming man in the movie "Beyond All Magic".

If Koo Se-ju in "First Wives' Club" was the wealthy, good-looking, well-mannered, ideal man, the Lee Sang-woo in "Beyond All Magic" is the awkward charming boy you remember as your first love.

Lee Sang-woo plays Joon, who provokes the evil intentions of three mother-daughter couples. With his lacking yet bright, uncorrupted spirit, he shows Nam-hee (Shin Hye-jin) the forgotten feelings of love, Kan-nan (Kim Soo-mi) the wonderful memories of her 20s, and Na-rae (Lee Da-hee) the importance of family.

Interest for Lee Sang-woo comes from more than the three characters in the movie. After the press conference, the message board was filled with messages such as "Lee Sang-woo seems warm-hearted" and "His acting, body, and looks are all perfect".

Kim ...| More

'Delivering Love' ("Beyong All Magic") Doesn't Come Through

Source | 2008/06/12 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Cinema allows artistry to soar high and far, allowing reality to mix freely with products of far-fetched imagination. However, there exists a marked difference between being surreal and just plain baffling. While visually pleasing, "Delivering Love" ("Beyong All Magic"), the directorial debut of Jo Nam-ho, is, unfortunately, the latter. The movie thoroughly disappoints, particularly since it stars some of South Korea's biggest actresses like Shim Hye-jin and Kim Soo-mi.

Unfolding in a rural village with scenic fruit plantations and quaint traditional houses, the film is a visual delight. A painter character does wonders to an old truck and other mundane spaces. But the film fails to keep the narrative on track and viewers will ultimately find themselves lost. If not, then you will be most likely be distracted by the intolerably cliched and corny script, which breaks the flow of the drama by inspiring giggles at all the wrong moments.

Nam-hui (Sh...| More

Korean movies leap into box-office fray

Source | 2008/05/29 | 0 comments | Permalink |

In late April, Iron Man arrived in the Korean cinema, smashing the box office into very profitable pieces. In mid-May, Prince Caspian took the baton and kept up the pressure on Korean competitors. Last weekend, whip-wielding Indy joined the Hollywood-only party, roped in plenty of movie tickets sales.

The bombardment of Hollywood films dragged down the share of Korean films to a record low. But the bleak development was widely predicted since only a couple of new Korean releases were made. June might be slightly different, as eight Korean movies are set for release.

"Girl Scout", directed by Kim Sang-man, will hit theaters on June 5, featuring well-known actors such as Kim Seon-ah, Nah Moon-hee, Lee Kyeong-sil. The film will test whether the audiences still have an appetite for a chase-the-money drama with fewer funny moments than publicized.

Waiting in line for the June 12 release are four Korean films: "Life is Cool", "Beyond All Magic", "Spare" and "Like Father, Like Son". ...| More

Sitcom 'Unstoppable Wedding' Becomes Popular in Asia

Source | 2007/12/12 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The daily sitcom 'Unstoppable Wedding on KBS 2TV is gaining popularity abroad after it was introduced in a Japanese magazine.

The first episode, which was first aired in November, features popular veteran and young actors including Kim Soo-mi, Im Chae-moo, Seo Do-yeong, Lee Jeong, Kim Dong-wuk and Park Chae-kyeong. Members of idol group FT Island and Girls' Generation have also made appearances on the show.

The sitcom is becoming popular in Asia, including China and Japan.

The appearance of Seo Do-yeong, Lee Jeong and Girls' Generation has played a significant role in the rising popularity of the sitcom.

Interview requests for Seo Do-yeong have been pouring in since 'Hallyupia'--a Japanese magazine on the Korean Wave--featured an article on 'Unstoppable Wedding'.

Attention is now focused on whether the sitcom will be able to bring about another Korean Wave in Asia....| More