Noh Hee-kyeong (노희경)

Song Hye-kyo, Hyeon Bin to Visit Japan

Source | 2009/07/20 | 0 comments | Permalink |

KBS TV2 Monday-Tuesday series "Worlds Within" starring Song Hye-kyo

Actress Song Hye-kyo and actor Hyeon Bin will visit Japan in September to promote the TV drama "Worlds Within" (directed by Pyo Min-soo and written by Noh Hee-kyeong). The two actors were invited by the Japanese agency Avex, which will release the drama DVD and OST album in Japan on September 18. Song and Hyeon will participate in an event marking the release on September 26 at the Pacifico Yokohama Convention Hall.

The day before the event, Hyeon will hold a fan meeting at the Pacifico Yokohama National Hall.

The Japanese satellite TV channel that aired a high-definition version of "Worlds Within" back in April has begun airing the series again this month.
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Noh Hee-kyeong: 'It Hurts to Hate Others'

Source | 2009/06/12 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Writer Noh Hee-kyeong, who is famous for the TV dramas "Worlds Within" and "Her Beautiful Story", recently talked on KBS TV1's "Literature With A Voice" about her reconciliation with her father, who abandoned their family. 

The show's production team said on June 6 that Noh talked about her father, who left the family for another woman and never once sent him money for living. But after Noh learned that her father was terminally ill, she took care of him and reconciled with him. Noh said, "During those difficult moments, I realized how judgmental I was toward my father. I put away any hatred and looked at my father from an objective point of view, and for the first time in my life I felt thankful to him. It hurts to hate others. When you don't love anyone, it's you who is the victim", reciting a line from her essay, "Those Who Don't Love Are Guilty". 

During the taping of the show, Noh also recited Shin Dong-yep's poem "Meager Coverings" and Park No-hae's poem...| More

Korean Literature Braves Economic Woes

Source | 2009/05/01 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Korean literature is booming more than ever despite the economic downturn that has dealt a serious blow to the local publishing industry.

According to the Kyobo Bookstore, sales of Korean literature publications including poems, essays and novels dramatically increased by 35.7 percent in the first quarter over the same period last year. The number of Korean literature books sold in the same period rose 36.2 percent.

"There was an exceptionally sharp rise in the sales of Korean literature publications in the first quarter compared to the same

period in previous years. Sales had seen an average increase of around 20 percent, but this year's sales have greatly surpassed that", Jin Young-kyun, a manager at the bookstore, said.

Yes 24, the online bookstore, has also seen first quarter of sales soar by 37.4 percent, a drastic growth rate from 14 percent in 2007 and last year's 3 percent.

At the center of the popularity, "Take Care of My Mom...| More

'Sandglass' Voted Best Korean Soap Since 1980

Source | 2009/02/11 | 0 comments | Permalink |

"Sandglass" (1994) was voted the best Korean TV soap opera since 1980 by 20 star producers and drama writers, including Kim Jong-hak, Choi Wan-gyoo and Noh Hee-kyeong.

"Sandglass", written by Song Ji-na and directed by Kim, was praised for its realistic portrayal of how dark political situations affect individuals' lives. It was so popular that people often went home early from work to catch it.

"Jewel in the Palace" ("Dae Jang Geum" - 2004), which was hyped as the ultimate TV soap opera, came in second. "Eyes of Dawn" took third place, followed by "Winter Sonata" and "You and I". ...| More

[YEAR-END REVIEW (5) DRAMA] Drama market gets globalized, theme-driven

Source | 2008/12/25 | 0 comments | Permalink |

With the new year less than a week away, the drama market merits a moment of reflection. The year 2008 proved to be a trying time for Korean dramas.

Pummeled by an economic crisis and competition from hit American and Japanese series, the domestic market cut down on the number of miniseries it aired in November. Yet despite cutbacks, a few stellar pieces stood out this year that, along with a dramatic increase in theme-driven dramas, softened the blow.

Here is a recap of the highs and lows of 2008, along with a glimpse into 2009.

Drama Recession

Around November, KBS, MBC and SBS responded to the economic downturn by slashing their drama budget. KBS discontinued their 7:40 p.m. daily KBS 2 TV dramas, MBC their special weekend dramas and SBS their Friday premium dramas as part of their autumn program reforms.

Various factors contributed to the reduction, including an increase in wages for celebrities and screenwriters, which upped production costs, along with a decrease in...| More