Entertainment - The Korea Times

Stars Share Patriotism Through Various Channels

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter This Friday marks the 63rd Liberation Day and celebrities are expressing their patriotism in various ways. Among other national issues, Dokdo has troubled the South Korean government and its people with Japan still claiming territorial rights to the islets. Ccelebrities are using their status and resources to show the world Korea's sovereignty and share their patriotism with fans. Singer Kim Jang-hoon has already done this in a number of different ways: concerts, an album, an advertisement in the New York Times, narrating a movie based on Dokdo and an essay contest. When Kim was approached by the makers of the movie ``Sorry, Dokdo,'' he readily agreed to participate. Kim also made headlines with his plans to hold a Dokdo Essay contest last week. He will donate $1 million as the sponsor, and the best essays will be translated into other languages and distributed to academic institutions and Web sites worldwide. ``To change the world's perspective on this issue, we must offer scientific and academic material,'' Kim was quoted as sayi

Aug 12, 2008

Ghost Stories Bring Tradition, Horror

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter This summer, broadcaster KBS is bringing back one of Korea's scariest and oldest dramas back to the small screen: ``Korean Ghost Stories.'' ``Korean Ghost Stories'' first aired in 1977 and had an unbroken run for 12 years until 1989. After being brought back for short spells several times until 1999, the famous series is returning for the first time in nine years. ``It's a shame that we don't have any anthology drama series. With `Korean Ghost Stories,' I hope we can realize the need and importance of these series,'' Choi Su-jong, a leading actor said at the press conference of the drama. The genre has vanished from Korean television screens due to poor ratings and financial difficulties, thus leading to a lack of diversity and creativity. Despite the trend, ``Korean Ghost Stories'' will follow the tradition as separate episodes with different characters, settings and storylines. There will be a total of eight episodes under eight different themes including ``The Return of the Gumiho'' and ``Let's go to the Blue Mountains, My Love

Aug 5, 2008

Seoul Drama Fest to Bring Dramas, Fans Together

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The Seoul Drama Festival (SDF) is launching its third year Oct. 4-14, aiming for a more fan-friendly and competitive event than ever. ``Korea is well known for its dramas and bringing the `Korean Wave' abroad, but it still has a long way to go to reach our expectations. This year, we have changed the concept from a plain drama award ceremony to a fun and engaging festival,'' Choi Jin-yong, the secretary general of the Korean Broadcasters Association and Seoul Drama Awards (SDA) Organizing Committee, said at a press conference Tuesday. The annual event first started as the Seoul Drama Awards in 2006, giving out awards for well-made dramas, yet failing to attract fans. Thus the organizers transformed the ceremony into a cheerful festival that will bring fans, broadcasters and crews together. The slogan of this year is ``Enjoy Star and Story,'' allowing guests to spend time with their favorite stars and dramas. The award ceremony will still be the main focus of the event, with categories like Grand Prize for best single drama, mini-serie

Jul 30, 2008

TV Program Omits Part About Singer Yoo

By Kim Ji-soo Staff Reporter Singer Steve Seungjun Yoo's attempt at a comeback ― his second one in seven years ―has failed yet again. The 32-year-old was to appear in MBC's ``Never Ending Story'' on July 30, as part of a documentary about Chinese action star Jackie Chan. However, after the appearance of Yoo became known, strong public opinion against him made the production team cut out the segment featuring the singer. ``The program is about Jackie Chan. We thought a scene of Chan meeting Yoo wouldn't cause such a big problem. However, considering the public opinion, we made the final decision to leave it out," a staff member on the program said. Yoo was the reigning idol star when in 2002, he chose American citizenship just before he was supposed to begin his Korean military service. The move created a backlash that ultimately resulted in him being barred from re-entry into Korea. Yoo had planned a comeback in Korean television through the ``Never Ending Story'' featuring Jackie Chan. It is known that Yoo, who signed contract with Chan's management company, was to

Jul 29, 2008

SBS Drama to Spotlight Working Moms

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Being a working mother in Korea involves many responsibilities ― from taking care of the children and supporting the family to managing work ― and sometimes it just seems too much. To sympathize and give these mothers a break from all the hustle, SBS is airing its new drama ``Working Mom'' tonight. Starring Yum Jung-ah (``A Tale of Two Sisters,'' 2003) as a businesswoman and mother, the drama depicts the life of Choi Ga-young. Choi, who was an attractive career woman, is now a full time mother of two boys with husband Park Jae-sung, who is two years younger. Park is played by Bong Tae-gyu (``Sunday Seoul,'' 2006). She is torn between the responsibility of being a mother, wife, and herself. This is the first drama for Yum in four years. The actress is a real life working mom, who recently gave birth to a baby girl. ``I love looking after my daughter, but I realized that I missed working. Although I'm here at work, I miss her and sometimes feel sorry for not being there. I believe it's an emotion that many working moms go through,'' she sai

Jul 29, 2008

Stars Offer Trendy Tips Through Programs

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Model-turned-actress Pyeon Jung-su is known for her chic sense of style, and fans can now check the star's latest trends by watching her new talk show ``Olive Show'' on cable channel Olive TV. The 34-year-old host turned up at the press conference of the show dressed in black with gold accessories last week and showed her anticipation of hosting the program. ``I've even cut my hair for the show, which I have kept long for the past three years. I'm planning to show viewers various fashion styles,'' she said. This is the first time Pyeon has hosted her own show, and she mentioned that she was aiming for the Korean version of the U.S. hit television show ``The Tyra Show'' hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks. Unlike other trendy programs that air once a week with rebroadcasts everyday, the ``Olive Show'' will air Monday through Thursday with different themes. ``Mondays will carry entertainment news while Tuesday will be like a reality show with documentary-style clips. The clips will offer stories about real viewers and their careers, dreams

Jul 22, 2008

Horror TV Programs to Chill Summer Nights

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Do you need a break from the hot summer season? Public and cable television broadcasters have prepared horror programs just for the occasion. The Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) is offering a polished version of ``Korean Ghost Stories,'' a local horror program that first aired in 1977. While many horror films or dramas contain basic elements like murderers, ghosts and lots of blood, this show will offer horror with a hint of Korean tradition. A total of eight different episodes will be presented with different plots and backdrops, all related to Korean traditional myths and folk tales. An episode called ``The Return of the Gumiho'' will show the creepy tale about a young woman who was brutally murdered by her own brother. The women dies, but she is reincarnated as the legendary gumiho, or a fox with nine tails. Legend says that the gumiho can transform into anything. Usually the imaginary creature is known to change itself into a pretty lady and seduce men, and the story eventually leads to a deadly revenge or murder. Other episodes feature t

Jul 15, 2008

Big Bang Members Branch Out as Soloists

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Boy band Big Bang seems to have it all, from loving fans, stylish fashion trends, easy-to-memorize songs and the members' distinctive characteristics. Now, the ambitious group is expanding their talents in other fields including movies, musicals and even television, but not under the team Big Bang. The members are going solo for the time being. Other pop groups, including now disbanded g.o.d. and Fin.K.L, and the still running Shinhwa, Girls' Generation and Super Junior, have already pursued individual careers in the entertainment business. Big Bang, having colorful members who each hold their own specific talent, have joined this ``trend'' and started to heighten their individual image, which will hopefully contribute to the team as a whole. Dae-sung recently released a trot, or traditional Korean pop genre, album ``Gui-soon, Look at Me.'' The 19-year-old singer will also perform in the internationally famed musical ``Cats.'' He will appear as Rum Tum Tugger, a sexy yet rebellious character. He is also currently appearing in a television

Jul 14, 2008

KBS Drama Wins Award From Roma Fiction Fest

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The Korean Broadcasting System's (KBS) hit miniseries ``Hong Gil-dong, the Hero'' won the Best Television Product award at the 2008 Roma Fiction Fest Saturday. The Roma Fiction Fest, which started last year, is an annual event dedicated to Italian and international television fiction. It is divided into five competitive categories: Television Movies, Miniseries, Continuing series, Documentaries for Television and Docu-dramas, and Pitching. ``Hong Gil-dong'' won the Best Television Product in the miniseries section while KBS won the award for Best Producer and Broadcaster. ``Hong Gil-dong'' first aired last January with Kang Ji-hwan as the Korean version of Robin Hood and Sung Yu-ri, former member of pop group Fin.K.L, as the heroine. Aiming to be the first ``comical epic drama,'' the miniseries became popular with its dazzling action scenes and experimental scenes, including an episode where Gisaeng, or traditional female entertainers, dance to techno music dressed in Korean traditional clothes, known as hanbok, during the Joseon Kingdo

Jul 13, 2008

Movie-Based Dramas to Fill TV Screens

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Amid the ongoing search for catchy, stylish, attractive ideas for local dramas, many drama-makers have turned to themes that have already been seen to be popular. Movie-based dramas are no longer new, but the race for the best-made remake is expected to get more competitive with ``IRIS,'' ``Tazza'' (working title), ``Friends: The Unfinished Tale'' (working title) and ``Beat.'' The 1999 movie ``Swiri'' was a steppingstone for Korean cinema, being considered the first blockbuster movie that captivated local movie fans with its distinctive plot and action scenes. Now the hit movie that depicted the lives of secret agents is coming back to television screens as ``IRIS.'' In order to bring movie-like elements onto the smaller screen, the drama will be written and produced by Taewon Entertainment and Kang Je-kyu Film, both famous movie agencies here, and will boast a budget of 20 billion won. Korean heartthrob Lee Byung-hun (``All-in,'' 2003) will appear as the mysterious secret agent, his first drama in five years, along with pop group Big Bang's T.O.

Jul 8, 2008

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