'Saimdang' fails to make the grade Lee Young-ae doubles as modern-day art history instructor Seo Ji-yoon and the Joseon-era artist Saimdang in “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors.” / Courtesy of SBSBy Park Jin-haiThe new SBS period drama “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors” had to wait two years to air since the first shooting took place in 2015.The show fell victim to the chilly Korea-Sino relationship following the Korean government’s announcement that it would deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on its territory to protect the country from North Korean provocations.The drama starring Lee Young-ae, heroine of the 2003 drama “Dae Jang Geum,” which had global success, is the actress’s comeback project after a 14-year hiatus, drawing much anticipation from Asian fans. The soap opera is said to be the next “Dae Jang Geum.” But after some initial hype and much publicity, the drama has fast been losing its appeal.The initial two episodes posted relatively good viewership of 15.5 percent and 16.3 percent, topping viewership among dramas in the Feb 3, 2017
Actor Lee Jong-suk holds successful fan meeting in Japan Lee Jong-suk / YonhapKorean actor Lee Jong-suk held a string of successful fan events on his Asia tour, his agency said Friday."The 2017 Lee Jong-suk Fanmeeting 'Variety' in Japan" brought a total of 5,000 fans to Omiya Sonic City Big Hall, Saitama, Japan, on Wednesday and Thursday, according to YG Entertainment.The two-day occasion, an encore to the previous one held last September but on a larger scale that accommodated 2,500 people each day, sold out despite it being held on a weekday, YG added.The scale was enlarged due to the great support from local fans it received last time, when over 8,000 people applied for the event, three times higher than the initial goal.The latest show consisted of various programs including singing performances and a giveaway session where Lee gave chocolates and bouquets to fans for the upcoming Valentine's Day. He also delivered the news that, after just recently wrapping up his new film "V.I.P" directed by Park Hoon-jung, he is set to start shooting an upcoming SBS drama, tentatively titled "While You Were Sleeping."Lee was given the grand prize atFeb 3, 2017
China's ban shifting hallyu to Southeast Asia By Kim Jae-heunChina’s recent restrictions on K-pop and K-dramas are shifting the Korean wave, or hallyu, to Southeast Asia, officials said Thursday.China has cancelled a series of concerts and the airing of Korean TV dramas and shows after the Korean government decided to deploy a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.Many entertainment industry officials said THAAD provided China with “a perfect excuse” to rein in hallyu.Beijing has long sought to check the growing popularity of Korean cultural content even before the THAAD issue, they said.“China is blocking hallyu not only because of THAAD. I think it’s just an excuse,” said Yoon, an official who runs an entertainment company here. He declined to disclose his full-name.He said China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has sought to curb further rises in the popularity of hallyu as too many Korean dramas were being aired in prime time there.Yoon, who has been working in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, said that hallyu was boomiFeb 2, 2017
'Lovebirds' shows real life of newlywed celebrity couple Koo Hye-sun, left, and Ahn Jae-hyun in a scene from “The Lovebrids.” / Courtesy of tvNBy Park Jin-haiTvN’s new “reality” show, “The Lovebirds: Year 1,” will zoom in on newlywed celebrity couple ― model-turned-actor Ahn Jae-hyun and actress Koo Hye-sun.The latest venture of director Na Young-suk, who has produced a series of successful reality shows including “2 Days & 1 Night” and “Three Meals a Day,” will document the daily life of the couple, who tied the knot last May after they appeared together in the KBS medical drama “Blood.”Na said the couple’s unique way of loving and living drew his attention. “Normally, I decide the concept of a show first and try to look for a suitable cast. But with this show it was the other way round,” the director said during a media event to promote the show at the Stanford Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday. “I happened to know Ahn while he was in my show New Journey to the West, and as he married Koo, I got to know of the actress. Their way of liviFeb 1, 2017
Interview 'Romantic Doctor' marks turning point in Yoo Yeon-seok's life Yoo Yeon-seok, left, in a scene from “Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim” / Courtesy of MBCYoo Yeon-seok poses during an interview in Seoul, last week. / Courtesy of King Kong EntertainmentBy Park Jin-haiYoo Yeon-seok, a 32-year old actor, who shot to fame in 2013 hit drama “Reply 1994,” has achieved another milestone with his latest role in the medical drama “Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim.”The recently ended 20-part drama told the story of a celebrated surgeon who leaves his former famous workplace to work in a small rural hospital, where he becomes “Teacher Kim.” Teacher Kim, played by veteran actor Han Seok-kyu, teaches two young doctors the true meaning of their profession. The drama drew a large viewer rating, reaching a record 27.6 percent.Yoo portrayed a young talented doctor Kang Dong-joo whose background holds him back. After meeting Teacher Kim, Kang changes from a success-obsessed doctor to one with sincere aspirations.Yoo didn’t expect the drama to be so successful. “I didn’t expect that the drama would be loJan 31, 2017
TV Schedule - January 30, 2017 (Monday) EBS 05:00 - EBSe Living English 05:30 - Atlas 06:00 - Travel Korea (R) 06:20 - World Theme Travel (R) 07:00 - Survive in Jungle 07:30 - Roboca Poli 07:45 - Little Bus Tayo 08:00 - Dingdongdang Kindergarten 1 08:05 - Idiom Yaho 08:20 - Dingdongdang Kindergarten 2 08:30 - Mother Katuri 08:45 - Vroomiz 09:00 - Farting King Ppung Ppung 09:15 - Super Wings 09:30 - Space Jungle 09:40 - Parent—Great Mother (R) 10:30 - Travel Korea (R) 10:50 - The Best Recipe 11:20 - World Theme Travel (R) 12:00 - EBS News 12:10 - I Live in Korea (R) 12:40 - Knowledge Channel e 12:45 - EBS Special Project (R) 13:40 - Fun EBS Math 13:50 - Let’s Draw 13:55 - Tickey Tok! (R) 14:25 - Science Show (R) 14:55 - Mofi and Friends 15:05 - Peter Rabbit 15:20 - Space Adventurer Jet 15:35 - Magic Box 15:45 - Super Wings (R) 16:15 - Farting King Ppung Ppung (R) 16:30 - Vroomiz (R) 16:45 - Dingdongdang Kindergarten 1 (R) 16:50 - Idioms Yaho (R) 17:05 - Dingdongdang Kindergarten 2 (R) 17:15 - Cruze Family(R) 19:00 - Fire Robot 19:30 - EBS News 19:50 - Marriage Migrant and Mother-in-law (R) 20:40 - Docu Today 20:Jan 27, 2017
TV Schedule - January 29, 2017 (Sunday) EBS 05:00 - EBSe Living English 05:30 - Korean Is Easy 06:00 - Discovery ofaFamily 06:30 - Hopeful Scenery 07:00 - Pororo (R) 07:15 - Survive in Jungle (R) 07:45 - Sophie Rubie (R) 08:00 - Cubie Zoo (R) 08:30 - Let’s Gather Dingdongdaeng (R) 09:00 - Little Bus Tayo (R) 09:25 - Okido (R) 09:50 - Vroomiz (R) 10:20 - Global ProjectSharing 10:50 - Kung Fu Panda 2 12:20 - Meow Meow Bowwow Cuties 12:30 - Ah! Sunday-Miraculous Run (R) 13:45 - Mystery Human Docu (R) 14:15 - Sound of Music 17:20 - Discovery! Science Story 17:35 - World Theme Travel (R) 20:15 - Real Theater-Happiness (R) 21:05 - Ah! Sunday-Miraculous Run 22:25 - Secret of Longevity (R) 22:55 - Korean Movie Special 00:45 - Views of Brazil from the Sky 01:25 - Global Project Sharing (R) Arirang 05:00 - Arirang Special(R) 05:30 - On stage [K] (R) 06:00 - Arirang Special (R) 07:00 - Upfront (R) 08:00 - Foreign Correspondents(R) 08:30 - Hansik of the Day (R) 09:00 - Arirang Special (R) 09:30 - Bizline (R) 10:00 - Simply K-Pop(R) 11:00 - Discover World Weekend 12:00 - After School Club (R) 13:00 - Peace Insight(R) 13:15 - ToJan 27, 2017
TV Schedule - January 28, 2017 (Saturday) EBS 05:00 - EBSe Living English 05:30 - Korean is Easy 06:00 - There Are no Bad Dogs 06:30 - Sneak Peek of Unification 07:00 - Roboca Poli 07:30 - Doodada Kung 08:00 - Fire Robot 08:30 - Come Together Dingdongdaeng 09:00 - Brave Fire Engine Ray 09:25 - Kung Fu Panda 11:00 - Knowledge Channel e 11:10 - There Are no Bad Dogs 12:00 - The Best Recipe 14:30 - Sharing 0700 15:10 - Travel Korea 16:45 - The Eye of the World 17:35 - Global Finding Daddy 18:25 - EBS Special Project 19:15 - Marriage Migrant and Mother-in-law 20:05 - EBS Docu Prime 21:55 - Finding Hidden Korea 22:45 - World Movie 00:40 - The Secret of Chatsworth House 2 01:15 - EBS Space Gong Gam Special Arirang 05:00 - Arirang Special 06:00 - 4 Angles 06:30 - Peace Insight 06:45 - THE S.O.S. 07:00 - Foreign Correspondents 07:30 - On stageJan 26, 2017
TV Schedule - January 27, 2017 (Friday) EBS 05:00 - EBSe Living English 05:30 - Hopeful Scenery 06:00 - Travel Korea (R) 06:20 - Amazing World of Nature 06:50 - Docu Today 07:00 - Doodada Kung 07:30 - Mofi and Friends 07:40 - Tayo’s SsingSsing Theater 07:50 - Meow Meow Bowwow Cuties Special 08:00 - Mother Katuri 08:30 - Tell Me Bonggu 2 08:45 - Sophie Rubie 09:00 - Todak Todak Heart 09:20 - Fire Robot 09:30 - Magic Box 09:40 - Dookie Expedition 10:30 - Travel Korea 10:50 - The Best Recipe 11:20 - The Sole Earth 12:00 - EBS News 12:10 - Cultural Heritage Korea 12:20 - The Emergence of Intellectual Information Society 13:40 - Pitt, the Great Detective 2 14:00 - Pororo (R) 14:30 - Doodada Kung 15:00 - How to Train a Dragon 15:25 - The Jungle Book 15:40 - Frien-zoo 16:00 - Todak Todak Heart 16:20 - Let’s Draw 16:30 - Flowering Heart 17:00 - Marsha and the Bear 17:20 - Space Jungle 17:30 - Cubie Zoo 18:00 - Elena of Avalor 19:00 - Galaxy Safety Project 19:30 - EBS News 19:50 - Global Finding Daddy Special 20:Jan 26, 2017
'Dae Jang Geum' star returns with 'Saimdang' after 14 years Lee Young-ae featured in a promotional poster for “Saimdang”By Park Jin-haiLee Young-ae, star of the 2003 period drama “Dae Jang Geum” that started the K-drama hype, has returned in SBS’s latest TV series “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors.”This is the 45-year-old actress’s first return to the small screen in 14 years.Co-starring actor Song Seung-heon, the time-slip fantasy drama will tell the story of Shin Saimdang, a Joseon-era artist and writer who is widely known to the Korean people as a model of Confucian ideals.Instead of the “mother of wisdom” image during the ancient patriarchal society, Lee will portray the often overlooked side of Shin Saimdang (1504-1551), revisiting her passionate life as a gifted artist.Lee is cast for the double role of modern-day art history instructor So Ji-yoon, who happens to find what is believed to be Saimdang’s diary, and the Joseon-era artist Saimdang herself.The plot of the drama triggered so much curiosity and fun, the actress said.“I thought Saimdang would probably not like herJan 25, 2017
