Oh Yeon-soo (오연수)

Korean dramas carve a niche in Japan

Source | 2008/09/05 | Permalink |

The full force of the Korean Wave hit Japan in 2004. Four years later, the phenomenon known here as "hallyu" has succeeded in creating a comfortable niche for itself in the Japanese TV and music world.

In November, 2004, the initial frenzy clogged Narita Airport, as thousands of Bae Yong-joon fans flocked to welcome him to Japan, ten people were injured as the crowd outside his Tokyo hotel scrambled to get a peek at him. Today, the hallyu boom has evolved into a calmer, sustained and widespread interest in Korean pop culture that has increased the Japanese public's desire to better understand the customs, lifestyle and cuisine of their closest neighbor.

Of course, not everyone has rushed to ride the Korean Wave, but it has succeeded in widening the perceptions and perspectives of many. Here on the northern island of Hokkaido, where Korean TV dramas are especially popular, signs of the hallyu presence are everywhere. Ladies gently jostle each other out of the way to get at the wid...| More

New drama rides on toy boy plotline

Source | 2008/05/01 | Permalink |

MBC's new weekend drama "Bitter Sweet Life" will debut tomorrow. Following on the heels of the romantic comedy "Last Scandal", this 24-episode miniseries plans to capitalize on a winning plotline: Young man falls for older woman.

Actress Oh Yeon-soo, who starred in the popular MBC drama "Jumong" (2006), will be playing the older woman. Actor Lee Dong-wook, who won women over in the romantic comedy "The Perfect Couple" ("The Best Romance", 2007) and the hit SBS drama "My Girl" (2005), will be her young lover.

In anticipation of the forthcoming drama, one domestic viewer wrote on the drama's official bulletin board, "I am so sad that 'Last Scandal' is over. I have not seen the new drama yet, so I cannot say much about it. But I hope that it is not sad like 'Winter Bird'".

Judging from the title and the tagline on the official website, which reads "Love, temptation, desire, mystery", the miniseries promises to follow in the footsteps of the MBC melodrama "Winter Bird" (2007). So ...| More

Lee Dong-wook stars in "Sweet Life" a new MBC TV drama currently in production

Source | 2008/04/24 | Permalink |

Actor Lee Dong-wook (age: 27) returns to the small screen after a 2-year hiatus.

He will star in "Bitter Sweet Life", a special MBC weekend TV drama that is set to premiere on May 3, 2008 in the leading role. His co-star will be actress Oh Yeon-soo (age: 37). The show is a romance about how Joon-soo, the character that Lee Dong-wook will play, falls in love with a married woman whom he met by coincidence during a trip to Japan.

It would seem to be another TV drama about a scandalous affair but Lee Dong-wook offers a different take on the drama by emphasizing that "it's not story about a typical romance or extramarital affair". Yet, he didn't go into any details to elaborate on the differences. "If I reveal any aspect of the plot, it would be a major spoiler so I don't know what I can or cannot say about the show" he said. But he did drop a hint that the tagline in the "Sweet Life" synopsis that says, "There's a devil inside me", reveals something about his character.

While fil...| More

Oh Yeon-soo, Kiss scene in the snow with 10-year-younger Lee Dong-wook

Source | 2008/04/24 | Permalink |

Oh Yeon-soo plays Hye-jin in the new weekend special "Bitter Sweet Life", who leaves for Japan by herself after seeing the dishonesty of her husband. Joon-su (Lee Dong-wook), who saw her from the airport, has the same plans as her, and their feelings grow and continue to a kiss.

Filming in Japan started in February for a month in Japan's Hokkaido and Sapporo Otaru, where Hye-jin goes after her husband's betrayal and Joon-soo after the death of a friend. Despite Oh Yeon-soo(37) and Lee Dong-wook(27)'s ten-year age difference, they acted like real lovers and created a romantic and passionate atmosphere.

Oh Yeon-soo also had a kiss scene with Oh Ji-ho, also ten years younger, four years ago in KBS "A Second Proposal". Oh Yeon-soo and Lee Dong-wook said, "It was so cold that we wanted the kiss scene, and all the other filming, to end quickly".

The mystery melodrama "Bitter Sweet Life" will air May 3, and aims to show the dangers of a 15-year married couple and the brutality of you...| More

'Car accident' Park Si-yeon 'Jaw injury.. receiving treatment'

Source | 2008/04/24 | Permalink |

Actress Park Si-yeon was in a car accident while moving drama filming locations on the 18th.

She was moving for filming of MBC drama "Bitter Sweet Life" when she was involved in an accident. She is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital emergency room.

A representative from her company said, "The car that Park Si-yeon was in collided with the car in front. There weren't big injuries but her jaw was injured and she is in a state of shock".

"We will join filming as soon as she recovers".

The new drama "Bitter Sweet Life" is planned to air in May, and she will be acting with Oh Yeon-soo and Lee Dong-wook.
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