Spring Waltz (Drama - 2006)

Han Hyo-joo: 'Good People Deserve to be Happy'

Source | 2009/06/05 | Permalink |

The weekend drama "Shining Inheritance", starring actress Han Hyo-joo, has gained enormous popularity among viewers, recording viewer ratings of 30 percent on May 31. The main character, Ko Eun-sung, who is played by Han, is a woman in her early 20s who stands up against injustice and is determined to get back on her feet against all odds. "Good people like Ko Eun-sung deserve to be happy", said Han, 22, smiling.

We met with Han on June 2 on a rainy day in a cafe in Apgujeong-dong. Han said, "Ko Eun-sung is kindhearted, but not as kindhearted as people think. She is frank but she doesn't hold a grudge against anyone. I hope viewers will receive encouragement from my character, who overcomes all the hardships and gets back on her feet".

Ko Eun-sung came from a once well-off family and studied in the United States, but one day she lost her parents, her autistic brother and all her money. At one point, she wanted to take her life, but thanks to her irrepressible energy she came to h...| More

Korean TV experience hall - Four Seasons House

Source | 2008/11/27 | Permalink |

Visit the TV drama exhibition hall "Four Seasons House", all about the "Four Seasons" TV drama series.

"Four Seasons House" is the place that displays various drama props and sets used in famous scenes, as well as photos of filming locations.

The "Four Seasons" TV drama series, directed by Yoon Seok-ho, are: "Spring Waltz", "Summer Scent", "Autumn in My Heart" and "Winter Sonata".

Various drama sets, including Seo Do-yeong's room ("Spring Waltz") and the spot where Min-wu proposed to Hye-won ("Summer Scent") are preserved as they were when they were filmed. Also, the clothing Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo wore in the drama and various drama props are on display.

Four Seasons House holds various special events, including concerts featuring the scores of the dramas with snacks on every fourth Saturday, which provide long lasting memories for foreign tourists and Korean fans.

Four Seasons House is open everyday except holidays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays ...| 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

[ChanMi's take] Is it a movie or a drama?

Source | 2008/06/28 | Permalink |

Haven't you noticed? Dramas these days are upgrading more than ever!

Except a few unsuccessful dramas, beautiful works like "Sorry, I love you", "Alone In Love", "Spring Waltz", "Fashion 70s", and "Princess Hours" are like movies. I could name so much more dramas I've watched that are like movies starting with "My Sweet Seoul". The audience are submerged into the world that they watch on the ...| More

Chasing the Korean dream

Source | 2008/04/11 | Permalink |

By Yasmin Lee G Arpon
Deputy Editor of the Asia News Network

'Koreanovelas' Fever is sweeping the Philippines

In the last few years, Korean films, TV dramas and pop music have become immensely popular abroad, a phenomenon known as the Korean Wave. This is the second in a series of essays by a select group of foreign scholars and journalists looking at the spread of Korean pop culture in Southeast Asian countries and beyond. - Ed.

The names Johnny, Jenny and Andrew may not ring a bell for Koreans, but for Filipinos, they started the so-called Korean Wave in the Philippines. They were the "Filipinized" names of the main characters in the drama "Autumn in My Heart", better known as "Endless Love 1" when it was shown in the Philippines. It was the first-ever Korean drama to air in the country.

In 2002, the Taiwanese drama "Meteor Garden" swept through the Philippines and the rest of Asia, paving the way for Chinese dramas to enter local markets. The drama was aired on the ABS-...| More