Yang Yoon-ho (양윤호)

Convergence of movie and TV drama continues to evolve

Source | 2009/11/05 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Simultaneous production of drama and its theatrical version increases efficiency
Generalization of digital shooting breaks down barriers of human resources & technology
Respect of different ways of producing broadcast programs and movies brings higher efficiency

Combination of movie & TV drama continues to evolve. Exchange between Chungmuro, Korean equivalent to Hollywood, and Yeo-ui-do, hub of broadcasting networks, was born as filmmakers produced TV dramas and drama PDs made movies. The exchange has brought the boom of 'Cross Over' such as 'TV Movie' and 'Theatrical Version'. Recently, there is an increasing number of works whose two versions as TV drama and movie were simultaneously made even in the stage of planning. The film and broadcasting industries expect this kind of 'format convergence' to be a chance to increase efficiency and quality in each genre and call for thorough preparedness based on understanding of features that each medium has.

◇'IRIS'
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'Iris' to Finally Unfold on Small Screen

Source | 2009/10/06 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

The upcoming drama "Iris" is expected to be about more than top stars, sleek suits and action scenes.

The 20-episode television soap will finally air next week, and the actors and crew got together one last time for a press conference Monday, at Sogong-dong, central Seoul, to offer what they have in store,

"It's already our third press conference. I have never seen a drama that held so many promotional events", quipped Lee Byeong-heon, who stars as the National Security Service agent Kim Hyun-jun.

The espionage series will deal with love, hate and betrayal between spies from both South and North Korea and the dangerous tasks and choices the protagonist, played by Lee, must accomplish. "Iris" follows the recent trend in film and drama making, according to the two directors Kim Kyoo-tae and Yang Yoon-ho.

"`Iris' is fast paced and there are no cliché coincidences like soaps we see on local television today. Everybody enjoys the espionage genr...| More

'Iris' to Bring Spy Story to Small Screen

Source | 2009/05/24 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

"Iris" is gearing up for a new genre of drama ― espionage action. The new series, expected to air in September, has fans anticipating where it will refuel the passion for hallyu.

"Iris" is not only based on the hit movie "Shiri" (1998), but also stars some of Korea's best-known actors.

Lee Byeong-heon, Kim Tae-hee, Jeong Joon-ho, Kim Seung-woo, Kim So-yeon and Big Bang member T.O.P. (Choi Seung-hyeon) will appear in the "blockbuster action melodrama", and even the actors said they were worried how the drama makers will pull out all the charms from the colorful actors.

"We approached `Iris' like it was a spy film, so viewers will get to watch movie-like scenes along with the emotional details that have made Korean drama so popular over the years at the same time", Kim Gyoo-tae, the director, said.

"One of the most interesting issues here is the division of South and North Korea. It's something that the world is interested in, but we t...| More

Korean drama 'Iris' to generate W3 Bln in Japan

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

The Korean drama "Iris" starring top actor Lee Byeong-heon is expected to generate some 200 million yen (3 billion won) in economic benefits in Japan's Akita prefecture, where it will be shot.

Kyodo News says the prefecture officially announced the Korean drama will be shot there for 3 weeks from mid-March. Officials expect the economic effect will include a rise in tourist numbers.

Scenes shot there will mainly focus on Lee, who is playing an intelligence agent fleeing Korea and infiltrating Japan. The production agency Taewon says Akita was picked for its snow covered scenery. As for the exact location in Akita, either Oga or Senboku districts will be the likely choice.

Akita governor Sukeshiro Terata said, "I get a glimpse of Korean dramas when my wife watches them. But 'Iris' starring Lee, highly popular in Japan, will have considerable positive impact to our prefecture".

Akita officials plan to form a corporate support team to help the shooting as well as a reception f...| More

Pakistan & Myanmar Hold Korean Film Fests

Source | 2008/11/06 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The South Korean Embassy and Pakistan National Council of the Arts are holding a Korean Film Festival at the National Art Gallery in Islamabad, November 5 – 6. The event will screen four Korean features spanning eight years.

The festival will open with IM Kwon-taek's 100th feature, "Beyond the Years" (2007), a music-themed reprisal of his '93 classic "Sopyeonje". Rounding out the program are BONG Joon-ho's monster hit "The Host" (2006), and two films from the year 2000, PARK Dae-yeong's comedy "Just Do It!" and YANG Yoon-ho's firefighting blockbuster "Libera Me". KOFIC supported English-subtitled prints for those two films.

Meanwhile, over in Myanmar, the former capital city of Yangon hosts a 4-day Korean film festival, kicking off Nov. 7th. Screening at the Thamada Cinema are five Korean movies including JEON Yoon-soo's "Le Grand Chief" (2007), KIM Dong-hyun's "Hello, Stranger" (2007), LIM Tae-hyeong's "Little Brother" ("Hello Brother", 2005) and two other features to be showc...| More