Yoo Ah-in (유아인)

Pretty boys serve up a musical dramedy

Source | 2009/04/03 | Permalink |

The manga of Fumi Yoshinaga has been a guilty pleasure of mine since I worked for the company that publishes her work in the United States a few years ago. Like many female Japanese comic artists she is obsessed with pretty boys, which doesn't do much for me but her characters are complex and inhabit gentle slice-of-life stories, crafted with the humor of a skilled and sympat"hetic observer of human drama.

Yoshinaga's only real mainstream hit is "Antique Bakery", about the son of a rich family who decides to open a Western-style cake shop, which is odd because he hates cake. A series of subplots introduces an ensemble of other characters most of them also beautiful men. (The original manga, along with my favorite Yoshinaga title, "Flower of Life", is available from Seoul import stores such as http://www.whatthebook.com)

The Korean film version is simply called "Antique", and though it's moved the story to Seoul and given all the characters Korean names, it's mostly faithful to th...| More

[ChanMi's movie news] Jang Nara

Source | 2009/02/14 | Permalink |

 

Singer and actress Jang Nara is returning in 6 years to the screens! The new film, "Sky and Ocean" is to be released this fall starring Jang!

For the last couple years, Jang has been actively working in China through dramas and music.

She has released "Dream of Asia" album last March and has been touring China, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia....| More

Jang Nara 'Not Obssessed with Changing Image'

Source | 2009/02/06 | Permalink |

"I only had several acting roles in the early days of my career but my onscreen image became so fixed I was perplexed. But now, I'm not. I don't choose drama roles for the sake of changing my image. More important is the quality of the script and whether I am able to do it".

Jang Nara (28) returns to the big screen in the film "Sky and Sea", her first movie role since her last 2003 film "Oh! Happy Day". In a press conference at an Apgujeong club Thursday, she was responding to a question on whether she was wary of an image transformation.

Jang shot to stardom upon her debut with her cute and jovial image. She is now 29 in Korean age but still maintains the same adorable look. She plays a pure-hearted 23 year old in the new movie "Sky and Sea".

"I turn 30 next year. I needed makeup to look younger in the film. Looking at my made-up appearance in the mirror was embarrassing (laugh). I think staying young at heart is most important. Staying away from excessive dieting is also a k...| More

6 Korean Films to Screen at Berlin Festival

Source | 2009/01/30 | Permalink |

The film "Antique" by Min Gyoo-dong has been invited to this year's 59th Berlin International Film Festival.

Based on a bestselling manga of the same title, the film will be shown out of competition in a themed section named Culinary Cinema.

"My Dear Enemy" by Lee Yoon-ki, "Land of Scarecrows" by Noh Kyeong-tae, "Members of the Funeral" by Baek Seung-bin, "The Day After" by Lee Suk-gyung and "Treeless Mountain" by Kim So-yong have been invited to the festival's Forum section.

"Antique", stars Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Jae-wook, Andy Gillet, Yoo Ah-in, and Choi Ji-ho. ...| More

Film 'Antique' to Visit Berlin Film Festival

Source | 2009/01/20 | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

The film "Antique", directed by Min Gyoo-dong, has been invited to the Berlin International Film Festival, according to the production company Soo Film.

The delightful story of four pretty boys managing a cake shop will knock on the doors of the non-competitive "Culinary Cinema" section, which is in its third year and brings various food-themed films from around the world. The section also features gala screenings of the films followed by meals prepared by some of Europe's finest chefs.

The film, starring Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Jae-wook and Yoo Ah-in, is based on the namesake Japanese best-selling novel and was a hit among young women who enjoyed watching the model-turned actors making cakes and revealing their secrets in the movie.

Min is expected to visit Berlin during the festival and attend the official gatherings and meetings.

Other films that have been invited for the section include "Food Inc". by documentary filmmaker Robert Kenner, "Mi...| More