Yeon Jeong-hoon (연정훈)

Actress Han Ji-hye Debuts as Singer

Source | 2009/05/15 | Permalink |

Actress Han Ji-hye of the "East of Eden" fame will make her debut as a solo singer. Her digital single will be released on online music sites on Monday, May 18. The song "Luv Luv" will be featured as part of the OST for a cable TV program about Han's attempt at becoming a shoe designer.

On her first appearance as a singer, Han says that she is very nervous, but welcomes the challenge. She also says that recording the song was a great experience and that her song would make people happy.

She has impressed the audience and TV critics with her sensitive portrayal of Ji-hyun, a girl who loves Dong-wook (played by Yeon Jeong-hoon) but marries Myung-hoon (played by Park hae-jin), in TV drama "East of Eden". After successfully wrapping up the show earlier this year, she has signed up for a cable TV reality show that tracks her attempts to become a shoe designer. Her first appearance as a singer will take place at the taping of "Kim Jeong-eun's Chocolate" on May 16. ...| More

"East of Eden" in Trouble?

Source | 2008/12/26 | Permalink |

Mega drama "East of Eden" seems to be experiencing some internal troubles, as its star Song Seung-heon skipped Wednesday's reading without any advance notice. The cast of "East of Eden" has held reading sessions every Wednesday.

Some speculate that Song's absence had to do with the recent bow-out of Lee Da-hae, a female costar. Lee decided to quit the show because, unlike in the original synopsis, her character's importance in the show was greatly reduced. Consequently, actors and actresses who played Lee's parents and associates are also likely to be dropped from the show.

The spectacular drama was famous for its star-studded cast featuring Song, Han Ji-hye, Yeon Jeong-hoon, Lee Yeon-hee, and Lee Da-hae, as well as its complicated plot involving babies switched at birth, family rivalry, revenge, and, of course, star-crossed lovers. However, the show recently faced some troubles with ridiculous plot development and late scripts. Some actors voiced their complaints when the show's...| More

[ChanMi's star news] Fashion show beckons female stars

Source | 2008/12/21 | Permalink |

Song Seung-heon, Lee Yeon-hee, Yeon Jeong-hoon, Han Ji-hye, Lee Da-hae, and Park Hae-jin were in the drama "East of Eden" for which this fashion show has been for.

They have opened the set where the drama has been filmed.

Designer Andre Kim held his fashion show which all its profits would go to the needy.

Here, Han Ji-hye emcees the whole program....| More

Actress Han Ji-hye feels destined for Eden

Source | 2008/11/25 | Permalink |

Model-turned-actress Han Ji-hye is currently absorbed in being Ji-hyun, her character in the MBC TV soap opera "East of Eden".

Ji-hyun is a tragic character who is destined to leave her lover Dong-wook (Yeon Jeong-hoon). In a particularly gut-wrenching twist of fate, she was forced to have a child with Myung-hoon (Park Hae-jin), the son of the head of a large construction company who killed Dong-wook's father.

The drama has now hit its climax, with Ji-hyun turning into a charismatic business woman who helps run the company.

The 50-episode series, which airs every Monday and Tuesday at 9:55 p.m., attracted 25.6 percent of the viewers watching television at that time last week.

"Ji-hyun is an attractive character", Han, 24, said. "It's like peeling the layers of an onion - her life is full of surprises".

Five years since she began her career as an entertainer, Han says she's learning lessons in love and life through the character of Ji-hyun.

Though Han is more than than...| More

Comedy, tragedy go head to head

Source | 2008/08/25 | Permalink |

With the Beijing Olympics over, broadcasting networks face the challenge of filling the void. Both KBS and MBC have already stepped up to the plate with two brand-new dramas: "Love and Marriage" and "East of Eden".

Despite the recent dismissal of the network's former head, Jung Yun-joo, KBS is determined to prove that it will continue to air quality shows. The channel's latest Monday and Tuesday night installment, "Love and Marriage", seeks to boost viewer ratings.

KBS faces some stiff competition. MBC, which failed to score high viewer ratings with their last Monday and Tuesday night series "When It's At Night, is aiming high with its epic drama, "East of Eden".

Featuring a star-studded cast, including heartthrob Song Seung-heon, this 50-episode series reportedly racked up 25 billion won ($23 million) in production costs. Like the novel by Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck, this drama charts the tumultuous struggles between two households. The similarities, however, end there...| More