Park Han-byeol (박한별)

2008/04/10 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

Talented stars have been popular since high school. It is obvious that stars would graduate from art schools, such as Anyang Art High School, where "Rain", Se7en, Park Han-byeol graduated from, and Kaywon Art High School, where Hwang Jeong-min, Kim Ji-soo, and Jo Seung-woo graduated from. But there are also many stars who come from regular schools.

Suhmoon High School is the most prominent. Some graduates are Lee Hyo-lee, Han Ji-min of "Lee San", super model/actress Lee Hwa-seon, actress Park So-eun, and singer Lee So-eun. Lee Hyo-lee was popular with the guy students for her beauty and Han Ji-min received casting requests. Lee Seung-yeon, Jeong Kyeong-soon, and Oh Jee-hye are also alumni. A rival to this school is Eunkwang High School nearby. There are rumors that there were many guys who came to see Lee Jin, Song Hye-kyo, and Han Hye-jin.

Some graduates of Whimoon High are Shinhwa member Kim Dong-wan, actors like Lee Dong-geon, Yoo Ji-tae, Park Yong-woo, Han Jae-seok, Koo Bon-s...

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2008/03/20 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

In the star-studded gangster film "Fate", friends become foes and "pretty" actors get rough. Actor-turned-director Kim Hae-gon casts hallyu TV stars Kwon Sang-woo ("Stairway to Heaven") and Song Seung-heon ("Autumn in my Heart") and other familiar faces to play unfamiliar roles.

"Fate" is a quintessential commercial flick that feeds on star power, provocative action and melodrama. While weak storytelling and exhausting running time wane the fun, the actors' engaging performances fill in the missing links.

In the dark criminal world of Seoul, U-min (Song), Cheol-jung (Kwon), Do-wan (Kim In-kwon) and Yeong-hwan (Ji Seong) are close friends in a gang. One day, with the help of an older member Gang-seop (Ahn Nae-seong), U-min, Cheol-jung and Do-wan attack the gang's casino so they can start new lives. But their plan goes awry when Cheol-jung betrays them, and U-min goes to prison. He becomes the scapegoat to save his friends' lives.

After serving...

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2008/03/18 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

"Fate" is the talk of the town as actor-turned director Kim Hae-gon brings together not just one but four of the hottest Korean actors in his second feature film: hallyu stars Kwon Sang-woo (2003 SBS drama "Stairway to Heaven") and Seung-heon ("Autumn in My Heart" 2000 KBS2), heartthrob Ji Seong ("All In", 2003 SBS) and bona-fide actor Kim In-kwon ("My Father", 2007).

"The Fate" tells the story of a group of close friends who rule the underworld of Seoul. One day they scheme to steal casino money, so they leave their mob. They almost succeed ― until Cheol-jung (Kwon) betrays them. While Wu-min (Song) is forced to go to prison on behalf of the gang, everyone's lives are torn apart by lustful desires and other mishaps. After serving his two-year term, Wu-min tries to rectify things, including reclaiming his beautiful girlfriend (Park Han-byeol). But unfortunate twists of fate set off one misunderstanding after another, and best friends become t...

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2008/03/13 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

On a breezy spring day in March 2008, the entertainment investigation team of Sports Khan sensed an emergency. The argument between female stars about their influence has become fierce, almost to the point of battle. Accordingly, under the supervision of Detective Choi, the entertainment investigation team had a briefing on the 'Map of Various Powerful Female Stars'. A record of the questions and answers from the briefing are provided.

Detective Choi: As you all know, we've gathered here to discuss the toppling balance of the influence of top female celebrities. Firstly, the 'super model' group has almost taken over the 'Miss Korea' group and has become the 'big sister' of the entertainment industry. Also, the new 'internet beauty' group is extended its boundaries. Contrary to these changes, the 'horror story' group is still steadily on the top.

Chairman Oh: Surprising. 'Super models' are not only tall but are growing in power? What is their weapon? Sushi knives? Wooden sticks?
...

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2008/02/06 | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

Apart from being famous worldwide, Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Al Gore and Zinedine Zidane have one other thing in common -- they were born in the Year of the Rat, according to the traditional zodiac system still widely used in Korea.

With the first day of the Lunar New Year tomorrow, rats, the first among the 12 animals in the zodiac, symbolize diligence, fecundity and cleverness. Kim Hoon, a top-rated writer, was born in the rat year, and nobody questions his diligence.

Forget dirty, germ-spreading rodents because the zodiac only focuses on the positive traits of each animal. There are plenty of role models for those who identify themselves with the rodent. Mickey Mouse is a fine example. Or Remy of "Ratatouille", a young rat who cooks delicious meals at a French restaurant.

Since there are only 12 animals, it is hardly surprising that Korea has many celebrities who were born in the Year of the Rat. But what's unusual is that many of today's leading stars, now in their mid-30s, we...

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