Entertainment - The Korea Times

Coming Out Changed My Life

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Actor Hong Suk-chun is a strong man. He is strong not only because he ``came out of the closet'' eight years ago when there was nobody to support him, let alone understand, but because he has lived his life to the fullest ever since. ``There were times when it was so hard that I just wanted to give up everything. Living as the only one (to come out) in this business is hard. Harder than you can ever imagine,'' he told The Korea Times during an interview at his restaurant ``Our Place.'' Hong,37, recently finished hosting a cable television program ``Coming Out.'' Hong worked as a mentor, giving advice and supporting young homosexuals. Despite worries, ``Coming Out'' proved to be a success, opening a small, yet promising door. Six participants appeared in the show and openly declared they were gay and were happy about it. ``When we first prepared the program, the producers wanted the show to be touching and mostly sad. But I wanted it to be happy and fun. The perspective that homosexuals lead a hard life is true, but that's not everything.

Jul 6, 2008

British Sci-fi Drama Torchwood to Air in Korea

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Korean viewers will be able to watch BBC’s hit science fiction drama “Torchwood” for the first time through Skylife, a digital satellite broadcaster from July 7. Torchwood is a spin-off from BBC’s famous sci-fi drama “Doctor Who,” and has gained popularity among science fiction fans ever since its first airing in 2006. Torchwood is actually an anagram of “Doctor Who.” Doctor Who originally ran from 1963 to 1989, but started airing again with a new cast in 2005. Ever since the first series, various spin-off films, dramas and cartoons have appeared, with “Torchwood” one of the most popular yet. Written by Welsh writer and television producer Russell T. Davies as a 13-episode series, the program involves the machinations and activities of an alien investigation team called the “Torchwood Institute.” The story unfolds as the institute’s team “Torchwood Three” led by Captain Jack Harkness, played by Scottish American actor John Barrowman, investigate incidents regarding extraterrestrials. With the help of former police officer Gwen Cooper, played b

Jul 4, 2008

Diet War 2 Promises Hopeful Journey

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Cable channel StoryOn is introducing a new season of ``Diet War,'' a reality program that helps overweight women work on their diets and awards the ``biggest loser'' with 30 million won. The show is expected to draw viewers with its entertaining, emotional and educational stories and tips along the way. Model Hyun-young, known for her ``S-line'' curves, will be the host and judge of the program. Fellow judges include trainer Sean Lee, former Miss Korea and Diet War Season 1 contestant Won Hae-jeong, and obesity expert professor Yoo Tae-woo. ``Programs about dieting tend to be sad and painful. We are aiming for a bright and optimistic perspective. `Diet War' will be a program full of hope,'' Hyun-young said at a press conference Monday. Won is the only one of the judges to experience the process: working out, holding back tears and bonding with her fellow contestants through television. A former Miss Korea, Won has had to struggle with weight problems. ``It's hard. I know because I've been there. I'm like a mentor to this seasons' con

Jul 1, 2008

Female Singers Return for Summer

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Summer is not just about the sizzling sun, cool beaches and ice cream; it's also about new styles, music and fashion. Top Korean female singers are preparing for big comebacks this season and some are already making headlines with their new looks and music. Lee Hyo-ri, Ivy and Jang Yoon-jeong are ready to surprise fans with their new music and styles. Lee, one of Korea's favorite female singers, is planning to make a comeback next month and is already making fans wonder about her new look and melodies. Lee's management, Mnet Media, recently released a teaser poster of her upcoming album. The concept of the album is ``sophisticated sexy'' and so fans will once again see Lee as a sexy pop star, but with more maturity. With her sexy image and down-to-earth personality, the 28-year-old former leader of the now disbanded group Fin.K.L has become an icon in the Korean entertainment and fashion industries. Lee recently left a short message on her homepage, saying this will be ``the best album yet.'' Famous singers also participated in her al

Jun 24, 2008

Samsooni Is Back

Drama Hightens Awareness on Cultural Assets By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter When National Treasure No.1 Namdaemun burned down in a fire in February this year, Koreans emotionally fell down with it. Although the government vowed that it will restore the beloved treasure, it was evident that cultural assets needed more attention. Followed by the disastrous reminder and the on-going demand for attention to these treasures, MBC is airing its new drama ``Night After Night'' next week. ``Night After Night'' is the first drama to tell the stories of national treasures and the people who dedicate their time and effort to protect and preserve them. Written by Yun Eun-kyeung, the writer from KBS' ``Winter Sonata (2002),'' the 16-episode drama is expected to raise awareness of the vulnerable treasures and cultural assets dotted around the nation. ``The drama is about the love and work of young and passionate characters. Many worried that the story may unfold a bit complicatedly because we touched on the issue of the preservation of national treasures,'' Son Hyeong-suk, the producer

Jun 17, 2008

TBS, Arirang Expand English Programs for OECD Meeting

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The state-run Traffic Broadcasting System (TBS) is expanding its English-language programming during the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Meeting in Seoul this week. A special English-language program will air for 12 hours on the TBS channel on the digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) bandwidth. With the theme ``See the Future of Seoul, the IT Capital of the World," the program will provide domestic and international news, information on Korean traditional culture, pop culture and digital industry. TBS officials said the programs will run from June 16 to 19 to provide adequate information for the officials and participants at the OECD Ministerial Meeting. Over 2,500 people from 47 countries, including ministers, CEOs, Internet experts and organizations, will participate in the meeting. The overall theme of the meeting is ``The Future of the Internet Economy." DMB receivers will be placed in the transport vehicles to be used by the meeting participants, which would allow them to listen to the

Jun 15, 2008

Sikgaek Brings Korean Cuisine Back to TV Screen

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Seoul Broadcast System (SBS)'s ``Sikgaek'' will once again bring the delicious and colorful dishes of Korean cuisine to the television screen next week. While the hit drama ``Jewel in the Palace'' (2003) wowed fans with royal cuisine, ``Sikgaek'' will offer a wider range of dishes from traditional to everyday recipes. ``The drama is aimed to show the true potential of Korean food,'' said Choi Jong-soo, the producer of the drama, at a press conference Monday. The drama is based on cartoonist Hur Young-man's popular namesake cartoon that first appeared as a newspaper series in 2002. The journey of the ambitious and talented chef-to-be Lee Sung-chan was also released as a movie, ``Le Grand Chef'' in 2007. Korean heartthrob Kim Rae-won (``My Little Bride,'' 2004) will star as the warm hearted chef-in-training Lee, while actress Nam Sang-mi (TV drama ``Sweet Spy,'' 2005) will play a silly country girl, Kim Jin-soo, who trails Lee with high hopes of becoming a food columnist. Veteran actor Choi Bool-am will appear as Master Oh Sook-soo, Lee's s

Jun 10, 2008

Chil-woo to Bring Joseon Hero to TV

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) is bringing the courageous life of a mysterious, yet heroic assassin to television screens through its new drama ``Choigang Chil-woo'' June 9. Along with exciting martial arts scenes, the drama will mainly depict the everyday lives of commoners who lived during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Mun Chong-hyok, also known as Eric from the pop band Shinhwa, will act the part of the assassin leading a double life, while actress Ku Hye-sun will be the heroine. ``We had a hard time shooting the drama because of the martial arts scenes, but it was all worth it. This is my first period piece and we worked on creating a Korean hero, instead of those that we already know from comic books and movies,'' Mun said at the press conference for the drama Wednesday. The main character Chil-woo is an official working at Euigeumbu, today's equivalent of a courthouse. The rather shy and ignorant Chil-woo leads a quiet life, turning a blind eye whenever his fellow officials receive bribes and carry out other dark de

Jun 4, 2008

Documentaries Touch Hearts of Viewers

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Real stories of real people are sweeping television screens these days, reaching the hearts of viewers and beckoning in a new trend in television. Instead of being boring and predominantly educational, documentaries depicting the lives of ordinary people are becoming increasingly popular. Recently, major broadcasters have shifted documentaries to prime time slots, with some programs recording ratings in double-digit percentages, something only popular drama series have traditionally achieved. In the past when many documentaries focused on historical, environmental and social issues, this trend would have been difficult. But as documentaries are increasingly focusing on the lives of ordinary people, viewers have started to appreciate these ``real'' and ``live'' programs. So what is it that draws viewers to documentaries that depict the everyday lives of normal people? ``I think people enjoy (documentaries) because they portray the pure inner world (of normal people). It's not about people who are pretty or rich like characters in dr

Jun 1, 2008

Korean Chick Lit Books Turned Into Dramas

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia, Han Sang-hee Staff Reporters Chick lit books have always been popular among young Korean women, especially the ``Shopaholic'' series by Sophie Kinsella and ``The Devil Wears Prada'' by Lauren Weisberger. Korean chick lit books are also gaining popularity, and two popular books are being turned into television dramas. The glamorous world of the fashion industry will be the backdrop for the up-coming SBS drama ``Style," based on a novel written by Baek Young-ok, a former fashion reporter. A producer from SBS said Tuesday it has finalized the purchase of the rights to turn ``Style" into a drama. The drama is expected to air by March next year. There is no word yet on who will play the lead role in the TV soap. In ``Style," the main character is a 31-year-old female reporter at a fashion magazine. It gives an inside look at the world of fashion and luxury. It also deals with office politics, fierce competition in the fashion world and the luxury goods industry. ``Style'' has been likened to ``The Devil Wears Prada," a fictionalized accoun

May 27, 2008

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