EBS Revamps Spring Schedule, Offering DocusBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) will go through a facelift this spring to attract more students and also get a head start in 3D programming. ``I have been working as president since October last year. For the past months, we have been working very hard to bring a fresher EBS for viewers, and I believe this is a time of transition,'' Kwak Duk-hoon, the president of EBS, said during a press conference at the Press Center, central Seoul, Tuesday. The three keywords of the reform are ``3D,'' ``Nurturing Competent Koreans'' and ``Originality.'' Following the recent breakthroughs in 3D technology, the public broadcaster is bringing more interesting documentaries and programs that will be shown in 3D theaters. EBS surprised fans with its programs such as ``Koreanosaurus'' and ``Early Humans, Edge of Asia'' over the past two years, and it will continue to try to wow viewers with ``The Mammoths, Titans of the Ice Age,'' ``Koreanosaurus 2'' and ``Angkor Wat.'' ``The Mammoths, Titans of the Ice Age'' (April 26 to 28, 9:50 p.m.) wilFeb 17, 2010
Web Site Brings Breaking K-Pop NewsBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The popularity of K-pop around the world has led to a growing demand for English news and information about idols like Big Bang, TVXQ, 2PM and Girls' Generation. Addressing this seemingly insatiable appetite for K-pop news is the Web site allkpop.com. Allkpop.com, a breaking celebrity news and gossip site, was officially launched in October 2007, the brainchild of Johnny Noh and Paul Han. Longtime fans of K-pop music, Noh and Han started to notice a burgeoning interest in K-pop in the U.S. in the mid-2000s. ``We realized there was a lot of interest here in the States, but there weren't any adequate resources for fans to get their information. Since we ourselves are longtime fans of K-pop, we wanted to start a site to help spread this now global phenomenon,'' Noh told The Korea Times in an e-mail interview. Noh and Han may have started the site as a hobby, but it has now become a full-time business for 6Theory Media, the parent company of Allkpop. ``Our love and interest in K-pop eventually led to the creation of the site.Feb 16, 2010
Birdie Buddy Aiming to Captivate TV ViewersBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The small screen has had its fair share of sports dramas, so the question must be asked: Are local viewers ready for another one? The makers of ``Boys Over Flowers'' are recreating the famous comic book series ``Birdie Buddy'' as a golf drama this year, and despite the reliable production team, it's still too early to predict success. Another Sports Drama? Sports dramas here have not yet tasted true success: ``Strike Love'' (a show about baseball) failed to captivate viewers with its weak storyline, while ``Triple'' (figure skating) ended up being a run-of-the-mill melodrama. ``Dream'' (martial arts) and ``No Limit'' (football) also lost their spark due to their lack of realism and shaky storylines. But the crew and actors of the 20-episode ``Birdie Buddie,'' as well as cartoonist Lee Hyun-sae, firmly believe this time will be different. ``It's true that sports dramas have failed to win the hearts of viewers. This is another challenge for all of us,'' said Song Byung-jun, the head of production company Group8, at a press conference Feb 16, 2010
Bae Chul-soos 20-Year Journey in Pop MusicBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Bae Chul-soo, one of the most influential radio DJs here, is offering a special gift for his fans and music lovers who have been following his career for the last 20 years. Bae is celebrating the 20th anniversary for his popular radio show ``Bae Chul-soo's Music Camp'' on March 19. The 57-year-old has delivered pop music to numerous homes from 1990 and thanks to him, the Korean public got to listen to music from around the world every day. To add more meaning to the event, he has teamed up with global music giants Sony BMG, Universal Music and Warner Music Korea to release 100 albums he thinks represent our time. ``I can't believe how fast 20 years has passed by. We had a rough ride in the first couple of years, but they paid off. I've spent a happy 20 years,'' Bae said during a press conference at MBC, southern Seoul, Monday. Bae's Big Project The 100 albums were released on Monday at major bookstores and online music stores. Thirty albums will be released after being cut for production thanks to Bae's project and fans can noFeb 10, 2010
Singer J.ae Back, Sentimental as EverBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Music these days is like the genre of thriller novels: the songs stick in your memory for a while, but never really leave a lasting impression. For idol bands, this method is an effective way to show off their talent in the fast-paced music industry, while listeners get a chance to hear the next ``bestseller." But for singers like J.ae, who debuted in the late 1990s, music is more than just consumable material ― it provides an original soundtrack to life. The 32-year-old singer is back with a ``special'' album titled ``Sentimental,'' and although she admitted that she was so tired she couldn't feel her tongue, she looked enthusiastic and thrilled to meet her fans. ``I sleep about four hours a day because of all the promotions, interviews and my midnight radio show. I'm tired, but I'm (still) smiling,'' J.ae told The Korea Times during an interview last week. ``Sentimental'' has eight tracks, all impeccably written and produced with a hint of nostalgia for the 1990s and featuring the sweet and emotional voice of J.ae. ``This album waFeb 9, 2010
Top Actresses Heading Toward Small ScreenBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Fans of TV dramas already have an ample lineup of witty programs to choose from, but the list will become more colorful with a number of top actresses returning to the small screen. Movie star Son Ye-jin is tapping into the small screen market with ``Personal Interest'' (working title) after appearing in the dark thriller ``Walking the White Night'' (2009). Son will appear as Park Gae-in, the CEO of a famous furniture company, who dreams of having a gay guy friend. She gets close to her dream when she ends up living with Jeon Jin-ho, whom she mistakes as the perfect match for her. Jeon will be played by ``Boys Over Flowers'' star Lee Min-ho. The actress expressed the difficulty of portraying her ``White Night'' character during press events and interviews, and it seems like she will be able to brush away the mysterious and dark personality. The movie may have not topped the box office, but it showed how fearless the 28-year-old is when it comes to acting. ``I wanted to be involved in a bright and fun drama and I liked the character ―Feb 8, 2010
Drama to Feature the World of OB/GYNBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Paying a visit to the obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) clinic can be uncomfortable, especially in South Korea where many women fear to go, or even talk about. But new SBS drama ``OB/GYN'' is aiming to change this perspective and help women learn more about pregnancy and birth, and further encourage them to pay regular visits. Jang Seo-hee, the colorful actress who won the Grand Prize at the SBS Drama Awards last year, will lead the television series as a gynecologist. The 38-year-old actress has never played it safe when choosing her roles, which includes a vengeful wife (``Cruel Temptation,'' SBS) and a hopeless ghost (``Ghost House,'' 2004), and viewers will get to watch her donning a set of white scrubs, a mask and a pixie cut. ``The drama is not just about medical situations and terms, but about people who experience happiness and pain at the gynecologist. (Filming it) made me grow as a person,'' Jang said during a press conference at Konkuk University Hospital, last Wednesday. The drama is expected to heighten the overall inFeb 2, 2010
Hiroshi Tamaki to Woo Fans at ConcertBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Popular Japanese actor Hiroshi Tamaki flew into Seoul over the weekend to promote his new album, ``Times...'' and an up-coming concert in March. Best known for his role as a brilliant conductor in the Japanese drama ``Nodame Cantabile,'' Tamaki showed his stylish side by wearing a long gray top and a black jacket during a press conference at the Imperial Palace Hotel, Nonhyeon-dong, southern Seoul, Friday. Tamaki expressed excitement at finally being able to perform for his Korean fans on his ``Alive'' concert tour, March 6 at the Melon AX-Hall, Gwangjang-dong. While the concert will feature his Japanese pop songs, Tamaki promised to learn Korean to better communicate with his fans. ``I want to talk to my fans during the concert. I hope I can understand my fans as well. I will work hard to learn more Korean by March. ... I hope my fans will have a good time with me,'' he said, with a smile. Originally from Nagoya, Tamaki started as a model and made his debut in the drama ``Am I Weird?'' in 1998. He made a splash when hJan 31, 2010
Project Runway Korea Season 2 LaunchesBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Fashion design buffs will get to watch another season of the hit reality show ``Project Runway Korea'' this month on cable channel On Style. The first season of the Korean version of the American program wrapped up last year with the winner Lee Woo-kyung winning 50 million won, a sedan and a spread in fashion magazine ELLE. The competition will continue with more challenging missions, distinctive contestants and catchy designs. The program joined hands with the Seoul Metropolitan Government for the 11-episode season, giving it an overall boost in size and content. ``I was surprised to see such talented contestants during the first season. It actually made me realize how talented we Koreans are when it comes to making things with our hands,'' supermodel and host Lee So-ra said during a press conference in Myeong-dong, Seoul, Monday. ``When we started auditioning, I realized that there were many people who were preparing just for this show. There were designers who studied specific things to make it to the show and I was very touched.'' Jan 26, 2010
Musical to Bring Hong Gil-dong to LifeBy Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The story of Hong Gil-dong, Korea’s version of Robin Hood, written by Heo Gyun during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), has inspired a slew of films, dramas, animations and even online games. He was the hero of the novel and at the same time a real person who was born and lived in Jangseong County, South Jeolla Province, according to historical records. Now, the tale will be adapted into a musical, titled simply “Hong Gil-dong,” co-produced by the county and the Seoul Symphony Orchestra. Starring idol group Super Junior members, Ye-sung and Sung-min in the lead role, the musical will portray the chivalrous figure who helped the needy by stealing from the rich and punishing corrupt officials. But the piece will highlight the human side of his suffering in trying to create an equal world for the poor Joseon people. “It is the first musical to be financed by a municipal government. We hope the musical will be a human story about Jangseong’s man and shed fresh light on the figure not as a tyrant but as a hero. Also, we hope the musicalJan 20, 2010