HK Star Karen Mok Loves Enthusiasm of Korean FansBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter If there's one thing that Hong Kong star Karen Mok loves about performing in Korea, it's experiencing the enthusiasm of the fans. Mok was back in Seoul to participate in the 5th Asia Song Festival over the weekend. Two years ago, she impressed the Korean audience with her performance as Mimi for the Asian tour of the Broadway musical ``Rent.'' ``I had a great time performing here (in 2006)). The Korean audience is definitely the best we had (during the Asian tour of Rent). They were really into the whole thing. They're really part of it,'' she told The Korea Times, backstage after she performed at the Asia Song Festival concert Saturday. Still wearing the slinky printed mini-dress she wore on stage, Mok did not look the least bit tired after giving an energetic performance before a crowd of 35,000 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. She performed two songs from her album ``Live Is… Karen Mok,'' which won Best Mandarin Album at Taiwan's Golden Melody Awards last July. Mok was all smiles, and had nothing but praise for the Korean audiOct 5, 2008
5th Asia Song Festival Bigger Than EverBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Celebrating its 5th anniversary Saturday, the Asia Song Festival concert proved to be bigger than ever with performances from 20 top singers and groups from 12 Asian countries. Organizers estimated around 35,000 people attended the concert, including several thousand fans from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. It was a night of pop music, whether it was from boy bands, sexy divas, R&B singers and rockers. The concert opened with international popera singer Rose Jang belting out ``All That Jazz.'' Korean boyband SS501 treated the crowd to two energetic dance numbers, followed by Hong Kong R&B diva Karen Mok's performance. ``It's great to be back in Korea,'' Mok, who performed in the musical ``Rent" in Seoul in 2006, told the crowd. Chinese singer Anson Hu serenaded the crowd with a ballad. ``It's my first time in Korea. I'm very happy to see all of you,'' he said. Rising pop group SHINee elicited cheers from the crowd, as they performed their hit song, ``You're So Pretty.'' SHINee and Japanese girl group BOct 5, 2008
Koreas Sweetheart Moon Becomes Mysterious ArtistBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Actress Moon Geun-young started her acting career at the age of 12 in a low budget film ``On the Way'' in 1999. The aspiring actress then appeared as the young Eun-Seo in the hit drama ``Autumn in My Heart'' the following year. Now, 21, Korea's sweetheart is returning to the television screen for the first time in five years as a gifted artist who lives as a man to figure out the mysterious death of her family during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) in the drama ``The Painter of Wind.'' Although Moon only appeared in her first shows as the younger characters of already famous actresses including Song Hye-gyo in ``Autumn'' and Lee Mi-yeon in ``Empress Myeongseong (2001),'' she left an impression among the Korean public as A young, pretty actress who could act. She soon started to play the heroine in films and dramas, and eventually became known as ``Korea's little sister,'' especially with her cute role as the young bride in the movie ``My Little Bride (2004)'' co-starring with heartthrob Kim Rae-won. She proved once again that she was onSep 23, 2008
Some Trends to Watch for in 2009By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The year 2008 is coming to an end and it is time to look for new trends that will shine in the year 2009. From micro-celebrities to custom-made bed ware and mini-fiction, The Korea Times looks into some of the anticipated trends of 2009. You 2.0: Micro-Celebrities People branding is not new. Many people have franchised themselves through various channels as just another way to separate themselves from others and be recognized in the long run. While it is already a big trend in Korea, next year will see a more enthusiastic race to become famous, not as a television star, but as a micro-celebrity. While many stars take the usual route to stardom by appearing in hit television shows and movies, there are people who became famous through the Internet. Nowadays, it is easy to get ``noticed,'' with the help of popular Web sites such as YouTube, Facebook, myspace and cyworld. These ``celebrities'' may have different purposes and ideas, but the common reason for their high popularity is that they bring a breath of fresh air among some Sep 23, 2008
Documentary Festival Bring MulticulturalismBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Delve into the world of documentaries at the fifth Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) International Documentary Festival (EIDF) Sept. 22-28. While other networks present entertainment based on celebrities, fieldtrips and challenges, EBS brings real drama, laughter and emotion to television fans. ``Despite growing interest, it is true that the local documentary film market is yet to flourish. Under the theme of multiculturalism, our goal is to enable people to understand the difference of others and embrace diversity,'' said Koo Kwan-seo, president of EBS, at a press conference held earlier this month. More than 50 works from some 20 countries, including the Netherlands, Serbia, China and Germany, will be presented under the theme ``Colors 360 Degrees,'' representing multiculturalism. The EIDF carries two specific sections: the official program and the special events section. The official program include the opening ceremony Sept. 22, with the film ``Encounters at the End of the World'' by acclaimed German director Werner Herzog. HerSep 17, 2008
Japanese R&B Diva Misia in SeoulBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Japanese R&B diva Misia promises an exciting concert for Korean fans Sept. 28 at Olympic Fencing Stadium, Olympic Park, southern Seoul. This is part of ``The Tour of Misia Discotheque Asia tour" to celebrate Misia's 10th year anniversary and brings her to Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Misia visited Seoul Monday to hold a press conference at the Koreana Hotel, Gwanghwamun. Wearing a black hat over her trademark colorful headscarf and dreadlocks, the 30-year-old singer greeted the Korean media with a shy ``Annyonghaseyo.'' ``The passion of the Korean audience is very well known in Japan. This will be my first time to hold a concert in Korea, so I would like to experience the Koreans' passion, too… I hope Korean fans will have a fun time at the concert,'' she said. Misia, who grew up in Tsushima Island, southern Japan, said she has always felt close to Korea because of her hometown's proximity to Busan. ``I always sang at the Arirang festivals in Tsushima, so I felt close to Korea. Performing in Korea for the first timeSep 9, 2008
Dramas Bring Hero, Gamblers and OrchestraBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Summer is coming to an end and broadcasters are getting ready for a chilly season full of colorful dramas depicting historical heroes, musicians and gamblers. Starting today is KBS's ``The Land of Wind,'' and MBC's ``Beethoven Virus,'' while next week will see the start of SBS's ``Tazza.'' The three programs have already made headlines several times because of their star-studded casts, interesting plots and distinctive settings. ``The Land of Wind'' stars Song Il-kook, the 36-year-old actor who rose to stardom as Jumong in ``Jumong-Prince of Legend (2006).'' Interestingly enough, Song will play Jumong's grandson Mu-hyool, who later becomes King Daemushin of the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.-A.D. 668) in the upcoming drama. At the press conference of the drama last Thursday, KBS revealed a clip showing the team shooting in China. The backdrop of the war scene resembled Petra, Jordan in ``Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.'' With sharp cliffs towering the area, the combat scene was filmed amid sandstorms, making it difficult for actors to eSep 9, 2008
180 Minutes Offers Experimental ShowBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Korea boasts a number of variety shows in both network and cable channels. The longest, and hopefully entertaining, one will greet fans every Saturday night with cable channel tvN's ``180 Minutes.'' The three-hour show will bring three colorful sections: ``My Wife Got Married,'' ``The Phone'' and ``I Am a Producer'' with 11 hosts. ``My Wife Got Married'' is for the family, as two mothers switch places. Celebrity couples Hong Seo-bum and Jo Gap-kyeong along with Lee Sae-chang and Kim Ji-yeong will appear and share their thoughts and experiences as the wives move into each other's homes. ``This program will be an experiment where you can experience another family environment and learn to appreciate your own. It will help viewers realize the importance of caring and loving their own family as it is,'' said Jo at a press conference. ``When you live as a couple for a long time, there are times when you wonder `Why did I choose this man to be my husband? What would have been different if I had chosen somebody else?' I have learned a lot from thSep 7, 2008
Personal Side of Olympians on TV ScreensBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The Beijing Olympic Games are over but the buzz with Korea's Olympic stars is ongoing. Television broadcasters have been busy the past few days, and some have bore fruit with several of the most promising Olympic stars scheduled to appear on shows. The first will be Jang Mi-ran, the gold medallist weightlifter. Jang, 24, will appear on comedian Kang Ho-dong's ``Gold Fish-Mureuppak Guru'' and share untold stories about herself and the world of weightlifting. ``Gold Fish-Mureuppak Guru'' is a popular talk show where celebrity guests bring their worries and ask Kang, a former ssireum (Korean wrestling) champion dressed as a shaman, for a solution. It has been through ups and downs since the first episode, with some fans thinking the show was creative and touching, while others felt uncomfortable with Kang's hyper hosting style. Nevertheless, the program has a reputation for getting top celebrities to reveal personal stories. Kang and Jang are expected to talk about her weight; not how to lose, but how to gain more. Learn about Jang's life as a Sep 2, 2008
TV Dramas Gear Up for Post-Olympics RaceBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The Beijing Olympic Games will end Sunday, so what is worth seeing after the Olympic flame goes out? For TV fans, major networks are gearing up for a competition with their most anticipated dramas. MBC will start the race off with ``East of Eden'' Monday. The drama has made headlines with its star-studded cast even before shooting, with big names like Song Seung-heon, Yeon Jung-hoon, Lee Da-hae and Han Ji-Hye and veteran actors Yoo Dong-kun and Lee Mi-sook. The drama is the first for Song and Yeon since they got out of the Army. The 50-part series cost 25 billion won and tells of the brothers Dong-chul (Song) and Dong-wook (Yeon). Their fates diverge after the murder of their coal miner father, with one joining the mob and the other becoming a successful lawyer. Next is ``Beethoven Virus,'' a treat for classical music lovers. The drama depicts the world of musicians, from a charismatic conductor to a stubborn trumpet player and a pretty violinist. The first drama to feature an orchestra, ``Beethoven Virus'' will be a treat for the eyeAug 19, 2008