Beautiful Days (Drama - 2001)

Korean Drama OST Concert to Be Staged in Japan

Source | 2009/04/24 | Permalink |

The "Korean Wave Gala Concert 2009" will be held at the Tokyo International Forum on July 11.

The concert will feature Korean singers who took part in the original soundtracks of Korean dramas which have been popular in Japan. They include Ryu, who sang the theme song of "Winter Sonata", Zero of "Beautiful Days", July of "Stairway to Heaven", and Hong Jong-myung of "Beautiful Lady" and "Happy Together" (starring Lee Byeong-heon).

Actor Park Hae-jin, who appeared in "Famous Princesses" and "East of Eden", will attend as a special guest. ...| More

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

Han Bo-bae of "Last Scandal", comeback with child role in daily drama

Source | 2008/05/29 | Permalink |

Han Bo-bae of MBC "Last Scandal" will star in KBS TV novel "My Pitiful Sister" as the child main role.

"My Pitiful Sister" will portray the lives of three sisters after they lose their parents.

Han Bo-bae will be the younger version of the eldest sister Song In-ok (Jeon Hye-jin).

Song In-ok is an optimistic character who doesn't lose hope and confidence even in hard situations. Han Bo-bae, who received much love for being Choi Jin-sil's goofy daughter in "Last Scandal", will make a complete transformation as a warm, committed older sister.

KBS TV novel "My Pitiful Sister" will first air on June 9 after " Beautiful Days ". ...| More

The 'Fans of the Korean Waves' says, "We love Korean dramas, because…"

Source | 2008/02/21 | Permalink |

A monthly magazine of the 'Korean Drama Script Writers Association' have printed an exclusive article on the perspectives of the Asian 'Korean Waves lovers' toward the Korean dramas.

Under the title, "The voice of the Asian fans toward the Korean dramas" the article includes a thorough analysis of the elements of attraction in the Korean dramas by the critiques of various Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, China and Japan.

Reporter Jen Ku Yang from 'The Hong Kong Economics Newspaper' said, "For example, previously, many Hong Kongnese only thought of Korea as a violent and unsettled country with large-scaled street demonstrations and violent conflicts. But from the sitcom "No one can stop them", they now see Korea as a creative, stable and scientifically advanced modern society. Also the drama "Be Strong, Geum-Soon!" mirrored the advancements in Korea". However, he pointed out that, "Compare to China or Japan, there are lesser viewers who watch the Korean ...| More

Japanese Fans Launch Official Fan Club for Choi Ji-woo

Source | 2008/02/11 | Permalink |

Japanese fans have officially launched a fan club for Korea's top actress Choi Ji-woo, who has led the Korean wave by starring in hit TV dramas such as 'Winter Sonata', 'Beautiful Days' and 'Stairway to Heaven'.

The name of the fan club is 'Lily', a flower which fans say well-represents Choi's pure and innocent image.

The official website of the fan club will open on March 1 after a pilot run. In the summer, the website will organize various events in which the actress will take part.

On lunar New Year's day, Choi unveiled a new year's message which she personally wrote on the website.

She also left a video message for her Japanese fans expressing her happiness over the launch of her long-awaited Japanese fan club. In her message, she also promised the fans that she will work hard to show her true self through 'Lily' and hoped she would be able to meet them in person soon....| More