Lee Eun-joo (이은주)

A true tale of escape from North Korea

2008/06/25 | Source | Permalink |

Expect some tears to well up in your eyes. "Crossing", directed by Kim Tae-gyoon, is coming out tomorrow.

The film is a desperate journey for survival. North Korean defector Yong-soo (Cha In-pyo) crosses the Tumen River, which lies on the boundary between the reclusive nation and China, to escape his brutal homeland.

There, he hopes to earn money for his frail, pregnant wife and starving son, Joon (Sin Myeong-cheol).

His original aim was to cross back to the North with some money and medicine. But before he knows it, he is joining a group of other North Koreans entering the German Embassy in Shenyang, in northeastern China, and eventually ends up in South Korea.

Yong-soo misses his family, and saves up money in the hope of going back to them. Later on, however, he finds out that his wife is already dead and that Joon is on a quest to join his father.

The story isn't fictional.

It's roughly based on the true trials of Yoo Sang-jun, an actual North Korean defector who b...| More

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A backward glance for Mr. Bae

2008/05/27 | Source | Permalink |

Failures become most obvious in retrospect. The past allows you to see situations objectively. At least that's how life works for director Bae Chang-ho.

Currently, The Korean Association of Cinematheques is holding a "Retrospective on Bae Chang-ho" in Seoul Art Cinema in Jongno, central Seoul.

The featured films include Bae's debut work, "People in the Slum" (1982) and "Whale Hunting" (1984). The retrospective started last Tuesday and ends this Sunday.

"At first, opening a retrospective was a burden for me", Bae said. "On second thought, however, it was a chance to look back on my career from a third-person point of view".

Those films that Bae thought were failures based on audience attendance turned out to be significant for the lessons they taught him.

"Looking back relates to the future", the director said. "For future reference when making films, it's important to be in touch with what the public is interested in".

"Deep Blue Night" (1985), which plays tomorrow at...| More

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The 'Remembrance Night' for the third anniversary of Lee Eun-joo's death

2008/02/28 | Source | Permalink |

The 'Remembrance Night' was held on 22nd, in a café in Seoul Kang-nam to commemorate the third anniversary of Lee Eun-joo's death.

On this 'Remembrance Night', a large number of film producers, directors and colleagues whom she worked with, visited and spend time recollecting the memories of the actress. The visitors include, director Kim Dae-seung of the film "Bungee jumping of their own", director Kim Jong-hak, Lee Hyeon-seung, Byeon Hyeok and script writer Lee Yu-jin of the drama "Phoenix". The senior actors including Ahn Seong-gi, Han Seok-kyu, Park Joong-hoon and her colleague, Kim Ji-soo also attended the ceremony.

The late Lee Eun-joo's agency, Tree Actors Co., will be continue to arrange a small meaningful day as this every year to commemorate her and her achievements rather than grieve over her death.
...| More

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3rd anniversary, not 2nd. pochiW 2008-03-15 12:27:16

Fans Commemorate Death of Actress Lee Eun-joo

2008/01/23 | Source | Permalink |

Fans of the late actress Lee Eun-joo have gathered to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of her death at Chungah Park in Ilsan where her ashes lay.

An official at the park said although almost three years have passed since her tragic death, her fans still remain loyal. He said many fans visited the crypt at Chungah Park a few weeks before the third anniversary of her passing.

Lee committed suicide on February 22, 2005 at the age of 25. At the time, Lee had established herself as one of the top young Korean actresses, starring in numerous successful films including 'Lover's Concerto' and 'The Scarlet Letter' as well as small-screen drama series such as 'Phoenix'.

Three years have passed but in the minds and hearts of Lee's fans, the memories of their beloved actress remain as clear as ever....| More

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[TALK OF THE TOWN] Celebrities sing praises of 20th World AIDS Day

2007/11/14 | Source | Permalink |

Pop singer In Soon-e, contemporary poet Kim Nam-jo and 12-year-old actor Park Ji-bin are releasing a digital album to commemorate the 20th World AIDS Day, which falls on Dec. 1.
The project is supported by the Korea Federation for HIV/AIDS Prevention, a group that helps prevent AIDS and eradicate misunderstanding and biases about the disease.
All proceeds from the album will be donated to organizations that work in this field.
Kim Wu-joo, a professor of medical science at Korea University, will speak about the current status of AIDS in Korea at the launch of the album, which will take place today at 5:50 p.m. at the Lotte Hotel in central Seoul.
In, 50, has an African-American father and a Korean mother. Since her debut in 1978, she has experienced a great of racial discrimination, making her aware of the problems minority groups can face in Korea.
In fact, the AIDS album is the capstone of In's career in charity work, which she began in 2003. She first volunteered at the Gangd...| More

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