Miss World to Provide Helping Hands to HaitiBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Incheon will soon become the center of activities for aspiring beauty, camaraderie and cultural exchanges with the opening of the Mr. World 2010 competition in March. ``Equally guys are as beautiful as women. There is Miss World, so why not have a Mr. World?’’ said Miss World Organization Chairwoman Julia Morley in Seoul, Sunday, about holding a beauty pageant for men. The Miss World Organization is co-hosting the Mr. World competition with the Hankook Ilbo media group. The Korea Times is part of the media group, the host of the Miss Korea pageant since 1957. ``The world’s most desirable man’’ can be described as a James Bond type, who is not only physically capable of daredevil abilities such as skydiving but also polished in cooking, treating a lady and presenting themselves, she said. Last November, five Korean candidates were chosen to represent their country in the upcoming event, which will bring together men from some 80 nations. ``Mr. World Korea is an extremely talented man,’’ said Morley about meeting Korea’s grand priJan 17, 2010
Solo Singers Get Ready for 2010By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Boy and girl bands may have conquered music charts last year, but solo singers are aiming at comebacks in 2010. But will they be able to win over fans amid the popularity of idol groups? Lee Hyo-ri and Kim Jong-kook, the two stars of the first season of the popular show ``Family is Out!'' are returning to the small screen as singers this February. Netizens expressed their anticipation as the news spread that they were returning to the idol group dominated music scene, and experts are expecting a year of more diversity. Lee, a former member of girl group fin.K.L in the late '90s, has become an icon among fellow singers and fans alike. Thanks to her likable personality, charismatic stage presence and fashion, she has not only topped music charts, but was also chosen as the most stylish singer in the nation at various events. The 30-year-old's popular songs and wardrobe have influenced many, and fans and music experts are waiting in anticipation for future hits and styles. Expectations are high, but some doubt that the diva can add anythiJan 12, 2010
Networks to Offer More DocumentariesBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Major networks are gearing up for the new year with interesting documentaries touching on historic events and current issues. The year 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of Korea, the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the 50th anniversary of the 4/19 Student Movement and the 10th anniversary of the inter-Korean Summit. Networks MBC, KBS and SBS are preparing to captivate fans with documentaries shedding light on these historical events. KBS is bringing ``Our 50 Years, Korea's 50 Years,'' featuring the 4/19 Movement and the people involved with it. The program will search for those who participated and listen to their stories, and also provide historical context for younger viewers. The four-episode documentary ``Sovereignty Lost, The Question We Ask Ourselves'' will examine the issue of the annexation treaty that was signed in 1910. The two Koreas technically stand at war and in order to remind us of this and prepare for the future, KBS is making shows that will focus on unification. Stay tuned for ``War and Jan 10, 2010
SBS Reveals New Family Line-upBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The final line-up for the second season of the popular show ``Family is Out!'' (SBS) has been revealed. The first season garnered fans with stars including top comedian and host Yu Jae-suk and singers Lee Hyo-ri and Yoon Jong-shin. The second season brings together another interesting cast, including actor and host Kim Won-hee, actor Yoon Sang-hyun, comedians Ji Sang-ryeol and Shin Bong-sun, Yoo-na from the popular girl group Girls' Generation and boy band 2PM's Ok Taec-yeon, along with a new format. Details of the upgraded format have not been confirmed yet. The first season wraps up next month, while shooting for the second season will start in late January. Meanwhile, fans of the program have been expressing their opinions on the shake-up on the program's Web page, with some supporting the new format and hosts, and others arguing that they should scrap the second season and come up with a new show. ``Just because (SBS) decided to cast popular members from top idol groups does not mean the show will get high ratings,'' a netiJan 10, 2010
Heroines Line Up for Dramas in 2010By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Korean dramas may be famous for their catchy storylines and handsome characters, but there is no doubt that heroines also play a big part in terms of popularity and content. This year's drama lineup boasts various female characters, following last year's femme fatale Mi-shil from ``The Great Queen Seondeok'' and secret agent Choi Seung-hee from ``Iris.'' Lee Da-hae stars in the new drama ``The Slave Hunters'' as the captive Eon-nyeun who receives a new name, Kim Hae-won, upon rising in social status to the high-rank of ``yangban.'' She falls for fellow yangban-turned-slave-hunter Dae-gil, played by actor Jang Hyuk, but things take a turn when she befriends Song Tae-ha, played by Oh Ji-ho, the slave Dae-gil is pursuing. The 25-year-old actress, along with the cast and producers, has a lot of weight on her shoulders, as the new drama follows the trail of the successful ``Iris.'' `` I do hope that we will be able to continue the popularity and interest `Iris' enjoyed,'' Lee said during a press conference last year. Lee has been iJan 5, 2010
Actress Lee Shows Off Handsome LookBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Actress Lee Na-young, a symbol of cheery Audrey Hepburn-esque grace and femininity, was thrilled to have her looks compared to male stars such as Jung Woo-sung. In the upcoming family comedy ``Lady Daddy,'' the screen beauty dons a ``handsome look,'' complete with a necktie and mustache. She plays the role of Ji-hyeon, a charming photographer whose perfect life is disrupted with the sudden arrival of a young boy who claims she fathered him, before her sex-change operation. Ji-hyeon is forced to spend a week with the boy, and tries to fulfill a ``more conventional'' role as a dad while her boyfriend, played by Kim Ji-suk, grows suspicious. In a press conference Monday in Seoul, Lee expressed appreciation for comparisons to pretty-faced actors. ``But I'm afraid fans (of the male stars) might not like it, but it's the best compliment for me,'' the 30-year-old actress said shyly. The unconventional role, moreover, fulfills her longtime personal wish of playing a man onscreen. ``I've always wanted to play a male character. Ever since seeing CateJan 5, 2010
4Minute, Beast to Advance OverseasBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter K-pop girl group 4Minute and boy band Beast will soon be advancing into overseas markets, thanks to an agreement signed by their agency Play Cube Entertainment with Universal Music Group (UMG). UMG, the world's leading music company, signed a strategic partnership with Play Cube, Monday. This agreement will allow Universal Music to distribute and market albums by Play Cube's artists such as 4Minute and Beast abroad. ``Universal Music's powerful marketing strategies and network will help introduce Play Cube artists to the world market. We are very pleased to introduce wonderful and talented artists from Play Cube,'' Max Hole, president of UMG International Asia-Pacific region, said in a statement. Simon Hong, CEO of Play Cube, said the partnership with UMG will greatly help their artists successfully become more known on the world stage. Yang Beom-joon, Universal Music Korea managing director, expressed confidence that K-pop music will get a lot of love and attention from fans around the world. The first step of the coopJan 5, 2010
2009 Drama Awards Wrap Up With No SurprisesBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter There were no big surprises at the Drama Awards held by the three major networks ― KBS, SBS and MBC ― last year. The Grand Prizes each went to Lee Byung-hun for his work in ``Iris'' (KBS), Jang Seo-hee for ``Cruel Temptation'' (SBS) and Ko Hyun-joung for ``The Great Queen Seondeok'' (MBC). Year-end drama awards have been criticized for being too generous when giving out awards and also not meeting the public's consensus. Last year's events were indeed generous, yet there were no decisions that caused anyone to shake their heads. However, there were distinctive trends that made the three events different from the past. '30s Reigning the Small Screen Unlike the pop industry where young idol bands are main stream, the older crowd is on top in the drama scene. Lee, Jang and Ko are all in their '30s, beating their younger colleagues with their charisma, experience and impeccable acting skills. Top prizes, including the Best Acting Awards, also went to actors and actresses in their thirties, including Chae Si-ra (``The Iron EmpresJan 3, 2010
Welcome 2010 With DJ Steve AokiBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter For a jet-setting top DJ like Steve Aoki, celebrations like New Year's Eve are not a time to be spent at home, but at a party playing music for thousands of people eager to have fun. This year is no different. Aoki will be performing at the MILK 2010 New Year's Eve party at the Grand Ballroom, Grand Intercontinental Hotel, Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, Dec. 31. ``It's going to be my fourth time playing in Seoul. Korea is one of my favorite places to play. I'm excited to be spending New Year's Eve there,'' Aoki told The Korea Times in a phone interview. Aoki is currently in the middle of the ``I'm in the House Asia Tour.'' He spent Christmas Day performing in Kuala Lumpur, followed by a gig in Taipei. He has a Dec. 30 show in Sapporo, before heading to Seoul for the New Year's Eve party, followed by gigs in Jakarta and Bali over the weekend. Aoki, who plays over 300 gigs a year, says he's always been busy on New Year's Eve. ``Usually, if it's New Year's, all the top DJs are playing around the world. In the last few years, I Dec 29, 2009
TV Dramas to Look Forward to in 2010By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter This year's lineup of dramas proved to be interesting. There were young, handsome characters attracting female fans (``Boys Over Flowers,'' KBS), smart housewives took over households and offices (``My Wife is a Superwoman,'' MBC) and ancient royalty (``The Great Queen Seondeok,'' MBC) and intelligence agents (``Iris,'' KBS) fought for their lives on the small screen. For 2010, networks are preparing another year of compelling dramas based on history, catchy storylines and even war. Back to the Past Three networks are traveling back in time, mostly to the Joseon era (1392-1910) for their 2010 lineups. SBS will air ``Jejungwon,'' a stylish drama about the nation's first "modern" hospital during the Joseon Kingdom period. It will star Yeon Jung-hun, husband of actress Han Ka-in, as the rich and smart doctor Baek Do-yang, and movie star Park Yong-woo will appear as Joseon's first surgeon, Hwang Jung. Actress Han Hye-jin will star as Joseon's first female doctor. Historic records show that doctors at Jejungwon looked after many sick Dec 29, 2009