Kwon O-joong (권오중)

Tutoring popular among television stars... Why? 'For professional acting'

2008/07/03 | Source | Permalink |

It is becoming common for actors to go have private tutoring before filming dramas. Many dramas these days have the theme of professionalism, and the main characters want to show the career realistically.

SBS "Gourmet" is about cooks who compete for the top cook spot, and it is a key point for the main characters to make it seem more realistic. The production company, JS Pictures, made Kim Rae-won, Kwon O-joong, and Won Ki-joon attend cooking school three months before filming.

Main characters of dramas to come later in the year are also receiving training or lessons. Yoon Soy, the female lead of SBS "City of Glass", set to air in September, and Jeong Da-yeong are attending Baek Ji-yeon's Speech Korea. These actors come out as announcers. A representative of Yoon Soy said, "Baek Ji-yeon has said that if they're going to do it, they might as well do it well. They are attending the same classes as future announcers".

MBC "Beethoven Virus" is about members of an orchestra, so the...| More

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'Sikgaek' sets off on new culinary journey

2008/06/16 | Source | Permalink |

The comic-book series was a hit. The movie version topped national charts. Will the "Sikgaek" drama get high viewer ratings?

Set to air this Tuesday night on SBS, this 24-episode drama is based on Heo Yeong-man's bestselling comic series of the same name. While the film version of the series, titled "Le Grand Chef", topped national charts last year, that doesn't guarantee the upcoming drama a free ride to the top.

With SBS melodramas "All In" (2003) and "Love Story in Harvard" (2004-2005) screenwriter Choi Wan-gyoo orchestrating the plot of the TV version, what originally started out as a soulful exploration of the regional flavors of Korean cuisine in Heo Yeong-man's series may morph into a sappy and highly dramatic romance on the small screen.

Judging from the 40-minute preview screening last week, SBS' "Sikgaek" promises to bring classic drama-making elements to audiences nationwide. Rivalry, love triangles and heritage all factor into this miniseries. Glossy shots of Korea...| More

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Last drama by male stars to enter army… Who will round it off?

2008/04/03 | Source | Permalink |

Stars who are anticipating entering military service are coming back with dramas at the end of the year. There is a big chance that their works in progress will be their last, because they can no longer push back military service.

Eric Moon will be playing Kang Chil-woo in the fantasy historical drama "Best Chil Woo". His character leads a double life, a law enforcement officer by day and leader of killers by night.

Eric Moon, who is negotiating the details, is planning to enter military service in September after the drama. The results of the drama are more important because he will enter the army shortly afterwards.

Lee Dong-geon, also expected to enter the army at the end of the year, will come back in the MBC drama "Every Night". He is currently in grief for his brother, who died in Australia, and is planning to film the drama after his funeral.

Jo Hyeon-jae stars as a cold fund manager in KBS drama "Three Daddies, One Mommy". He plays a character who donates his sperm...| More

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cant wait 4 kim rae won's drama AND movie! im so sad Already that he will be entering military service soon !!! irenefchan 2008-06-02 06:21:56

'Sikgaek' offers visual taste of Korean cuisine

2008/03/12 | Source | Permalink |

Food has rarely played a leading role in a miniseries. But in "Sikgaek", the SBS drama slated to air on May 26, food takes center stage. And not just any kind of food. Korean cuisine gets the spotlight this time around.

Based on Heo Yeong-man's bestselling comic book series of the same name, this 24-episode drama follows Korean chef Seong-chan, played by Kim Rae-won, on his travels throughout Korea. Driving a beat-up truck, Seong-chan searches for the essence of Korean food, looking for it in the remotest parts of this country.

With cuisine playing such a big role, the production team needed a food expert. And they knew exactly who to turn to.

Kim Soo-jin, president of her own food consulting group, Food and Culture Korea, handled food direction for the film version of Heo Yeong-man's "Sikgaek", which hit screens nationwide as "Le Grand Chef", and topped national charts last year.

The mouthwatering dishes cooked up on the big screen served as testimony to her ability to tu...| More

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[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Gold Digger' buffs Han's charm, but misses

2007/12/17 | Source | Permalink |

In "Miss Gold Digger" ("Yonguijudo Miss Shin"), Han Ye-seul dominates the running time -- for 98 percent, to be exact -- as a likable beauty who compares and contrasts four different potential Mr. Rights.

But the movie's heroine Shin Mi-su played by Han is not an original character. Rather it's a combination of Kim Ah-joong, who hit it big early this year with "200 Pounds Beauty" featuring herself as a symbol of transformation through plastic surgery, and Jeon Ji-hyeon, who represents a cranky yet enchanting beauty, as showcased in the classic romantic comedy "My Sassy Girl".

When Shin puts on chic dresses and sexy club outfits, she looks like Kim A-jung's after-surgery version. And when Shin throws up something unmentionable to a man after heavy drinking, she seems to imitate what Jeon Ji-hyeon did to Cha Tae-hyeon in the notorious subway scene.

But Han Ye-seul is neither Kim Ah-joong nor Jeon Ji-hyeon. All three of the actresses are regarded as similarly iconic beauties in t...| More

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