| [MOVIE REVIEW] New comedy tests Cha's star power (Source) |
2008/10/30 |
No Korean actor automatically conjures up a comic image on the silver screen as much as Cha Tae-hyeon
This is largely due to the huge success of his role in "My Sassy Girl", which opened the floodgates for the Korean Wave of cinema across Asia. This cuts both ways, however.
Cha comes back to the big screen with another comic role in "Speedy Scandal" (Gwasok Scandal), to be released on Dec. 4. It is hardly surprising that he plays a character who is supposed to create, well, comic relief.
What's surprising, though, is that he has accepted a role whose identity is somewhat similar to his own experiences as a leading star in Korea. In the film, directed by Kang Hyeong-cheol, Cha plays Nam Hyun-su, a former idol who captured the hearts of teenage fans.
Yes, he "was" a big star in the good old days, but he is now in his mid-30s, and his star power has significantly diminished.
But Nam retains some of his recognition. That is why he keeps a DJ post at a local radio show, a sit... |More
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| Song Hye-kyo Returns to Small Screen (Source) |
2008/10/21 |
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Korean dramas are full of entertainment, with cliched yet dramatic plots, cute and handsome male characters, both main and supporting, and always a young pretty heroine.
Among these heroines is Song Hye-kyo, 26, who will appear in the new drama "Worlds Within". She returns to the small screen for the first time in four years after her hit series "Full House" with top singer/actor "Rain".
"For the past four years, I have been working on three films and so I was more accustomed to the movie filming atmosphere. TV dramas require quick reactions and with help from the director, I'm now back on track", Song said at a press conference of the program Monday at a hotel in Seoul.
The makers of the drama also made headlines, as the producer Pyo Min-soo, who brought "Full House", and writer Noh Hee-kyeong have teamed up. It is the first time in six years for the makers to get together for a program.
Despite criticism that large-scale dramas lack dep... |More
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| Legendary painter Hyewon hits silver screen (Source) |
2008/10/13 |
Shin Yun-bok, better known as Hyewon, is hitting the silver screen next month, adding to the growing trend in celebrating and rediscovering the legendary painter of the Joseon period.
"Portrait of a Beauty" (Miindo), directed by Jeon Yeon-soo, is the first big-screen movie devoted to the veiled life of the 18th century genius.
The movie comes at a time when the nation is in the grip of fascination about Hyewon. Last year, a novel titled "Painter of the Wind" touched off a Hyewon boom in the country's culture scene. A major television network has recently followed suit by launching a drama series of the same title based on the novel. Both the novel and the drama are based on a wild supposition that Hyewon was a woman disguised as a man.
"Portrait of a Beauty" seems to be a latecomer in the Hyewon frenzy, but filmmaker Jeon set about the project several months earlier than the television adaptation.
One disadvantage is that Moon Geun-yeong, a top-rated actress, plays Hyewon f... |More
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| SONG Hye-kyo's Fetish premieres at PIFF (Source) |
2008/09/18 |
Pan-Asian favourite SONG Hye-kyo sets another step on the global scene with her English-language debut "Fetish". The indie film will premiere at this year's Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF). Fetish is the feature film directorial debut of SON Soo-peom.
SONG's latest film was the costume drama about the historical figure "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007" which also starred YOO Ji-tae and was directed by JANG Yoon-hyeon. The film was partly shot in North Korea where it also enjoyed a special screening.
SONG's other silver screen efforts are the romantic film "My Girl and I" and John Woo's 1949. Her popularity across Asia is mostly due to the success of her television dramas.
Busan will host the 13th Pusan International Film Festival in October, from the 2nd until the 10th.
Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)... |More
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| Song Hye-kyo Teams Up with Michelle Yeoh (Source) |
2008/07/03 |
Hallyu star Song Hye-kyo teams up with Michelle Yeoh from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Memories of a Geisha" fame to target the Asian public.
According to the film magazine "Variety", Song recently signed a contract with Stella Entertainment, located near Taiwan, for her work overseas.
Stella Entertainment was established by Yeoh, Terrance Chang (who produced "Mission: Impossible 2" and "Face-Off") and entertainment agent David Tang.
Variety magazine wrote that "Song Hye-kyo became extremely popular [with the Asian public] after co-starring with "Rain" in the TV drama, 'Full House'. She also starred in 'My Girl and I', as well as 'Hwangjinyi'. She was also cast in the director Son Soo-peom's independent film which was also his U.S.A. debut, 'Fetish'."
Song also signed a new contract with Eden Nine, the Korean agency representing Won Bin. Won Bin and Song both plan on more active participation in the Asian entertainment industry.... |More
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