Bae Injured from Fight ScenesBy Kwon Mee-yoo Actor Bae Yong-joon will keep on shooting the drama ``Taewangsasingi'' (The Four Guardian Gods of the King), despite a serious injury that requires surgery. Widely known in Japan as ``Yonsama,'' Bae is currently starring in the MBC blockbuster as Damdeok, who become the 19th King Gwanggaeto of the Goguryeo Kingdom (B.C. 37-A.D. 668). While filming for a big fight scene in the 17th episode, a fellow actor fell from a wire onto Bae's neck, causing him to rupture a cervical disk and sprain a shoulder ligament. Bae is said to be unable to move his neck freely and is suffering from severe pain. Bae already pulled a ligament in his right index finger on Oct. 24, which made it hard for him to hold a sword prop. BOF, Bae's management agency, said that Bae is battling on using painkillers and tape supports due to the tight schedule. It will arrange Bae's hospitalization and surgery after the completion of the drama. Japanese media quickly reported Bae's injury as well since he is a hallyu icon. Despite the imminent shooting schedule and Bae's injury, ``TaeNov 18, 2007
Shinwa to Reunite Next MonthBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter K-pop's longest running male group Shinhwa will reunite in December, with a new single and concerts in Japan and China. Fans are eagerly awaiting the group's comeback, especially since it will celebrate its 10th anniversary in March. According to their management agency, Shinhwa's new single ``Winter Story 2007'' will be released on Dec. 6. This is their first single since they released ``Winter Story 2006-2007'' last January. The six-member group will hold a concert in Nagoya, Japan also on Dec. 6, to be followed by two concerts on Dec.8 and 9 at Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo. Shinhwa will travel to Shanghai, China for another concert on Dec. 15. . Shinhwa will resume their group activities starting December, and prepare for their upcoming ninth album. The group's six members have been concentrating on solo projects since their last concert in Seoul in May 2006. Kim Dong-wan, Lee Min-woo and Shin Hye-sung have all released solo albums last summer, while Jun Jin released a single earlier this year. Andy appeared in a stage musNov 13, 2007
Renaissance of Joseon King JeongjoPolitical Season Stirs Up Interest in Kings, Epic Dramas By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter ``History is an unending dialogue between the present and the past,'' historian E.H. Carr once noted. People living in the modern times seek wise answers by looking to the past, especially when the present is sometimes thrown into a critical state. The huge popularity of epic dramas is an example of this, although the times are different, the issues are closely related to the present. Among other historical subjects, King Jeongjo (1776-1800) is receiving attention in major dramas and even books nowadays. ``Lee San, Wind of the Palace,'' now being aired on MBC, is gaining popularity since it opened on Sept. 17. The drama consists of 60 episodes covering the whole life of King Jeongjo who brought the Joseon Kingdom into ``the era of renaissance.'' Also, a 10-episode drama, titled ``Eight Days,'' which will be broadcast on the cable movie channel CGV on Nov. 17, portrays mysterious events that take place during the king's visit to his father's tomb in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi PrNov 13, 2007
Paris Hilton Loves Everything About KoreaBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter A barrage of flashing cameras greeted hotel heiress and American celebrity Paris Hilton when she attended her first press conference in Seoul, Friday. Hilton, who is currently in Seoul for a promotional tour sponsored by sportswear brand Fila Korea, smiled and showed off her trademark pose for photographers and cameramen at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. With her upswept blonde hair and glowing tan, Hilton wore a gold puffer vest, hot pink track jacket, gray tank top and purple track pants. Everything she wore, except for a pink Chanel purse, was from Fila's collection, which she is endorsing. The 27-year old fashionista, who is often seen wearing high-end designer brands, declared she loves the Fila brand. ``I love Fila. Girls who wear Fila have great style too. I love to mix the colors. The Fila brand comes in all different colors, so I can mix and match them. My favorite color is pink, so I wore this today,'' she said. This is her first time in Korea, so she gushed about the beautiful Korean scenery. Hilton also said she loved bNov 9, 2007
Prison Break 3 to Hit Local ScreensBy Sa Eun-young Staff Reporter The massively popular television drama series Prison Break Season 3, which is currently unfolding its story in the United States, will enthrall fans here starting Friday. A cable company brings it to Korea just two months after the new season's launch in the U.S. The drama's third season will air every Friday at 10 a.m., with a re-run every Saturday at 9:10 p.m. on cable channel Catch On. ``It is the first time for a TV series that has aired just six episodes in its origin to be broadcast in Korea," an official at Catch On said. ``We fixed such a schedule to allow viewers access (to the drama) as soon as possible in a proper manner and not through illegal downloads." In season three, the mastermind heartthrob, Michael Scofield (actor Wentworth Miller), affectionately called ``Seok Ho-pil" by Korean fans, is framed and sent behind bars in Panama's Sona Prison. This time it is his brother, Lincoln Burrows (actor Dominic Purcell), who needs to help Michael's escape and rescue their kidnapped loved ones ― LJ, Lincoln's son, and Sara Tancredi,Nov 7, 2007
Yangpa Aims for USBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Singer Yangpa is the latest K-pop star to try and make her Hollywood dream come true. Yangpa, who made a successful comeback in the K-pop scene last May after a six-year break, is now laying the groundwork for her debut in the United States. James Sun, a runner-up during season six of the hit American reality show ``The Apprentice,'' had recently approached Yangpa to discuss the possibility of making her American debut. In an interview with The Korea Times, Yangpa said she is excited about the possibility of entering the American music market, although plans are still in the initial stages. ``There's nothing specific yet, but I have sent my albums and videos to the U.S. I hope it will go well. … Right now, I'm concentrating on English,'' she said. Sun, CEO and founder of business networking site zoodango.com, reportedly has influential contacts in the American music industry that could help Yangpa's career. Yangpa, known for her lovely voice and emotional ballads, admitted she might have to change her style to suit the current trends in theNov 6, 2007
Movies From Mongolia Show Warm Humanity Bloom in Barren DesertsBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter From the bleak wastelands of Mongolia come two heartwarming tales ― ``Tuya's Marriage'' and ``Hyazgar'' ― that speak about the incredible power of hope, courage and love in life. In the two movies, individual lives cross paths and stumble upon the unexpected. One desert woman leaves her disabled husband to remarry, only so that she can take care of her former spouse, and finds newfound meaning of love and self worth. Another one defects from North Korea with her son to find home ― and love ― in an unfamiliar place. Tuya's Marriage Winner of the 2007 Golden Berlin Bear, ``Tuya's Marriage'' tells the unforgettable story of a woman who breaks the conventional rules of marriage so that she can ― ironically ― honor them. In the middle of the vast desert in Inner Mongolia, Tuya leads a tough yet peaceful life with her husband and two children. But when an accident cripples her husband, she is forced to carry on, herding sheep across endless miles each day. When she, too, becomes injured, however, her husband and relatives think it's in everyone's bNov 6, 2007
Kim Yun-jin Returns as Distraught MotherBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Actress Kim Yun-jin's latest battle onscreen is not surviving the aftermath of a plane crash but negotiating the safe return of her kidnapped daughter. The star of ``Lost'' returns to Korean cinema for the first time in two years through ``Seven Days'' as a hotshot lawyer who must pay a dear price for her child's life. Director Won Shin-yun (``A Bloody Aria,'' 2004) offers an emotionally charged, action-packed thriller where Kim stars as a mysterious attorney whose life takes a frightening turn when a man abducts her daughter. The kidnapper offers a deal: to clear all charges of first-degree murder against a suspect in just seven days or else the child's life is at stake. This is mission impossible, even for someone who has never lost a case. ``I hadn't received such a well-constructed screenplay in a long time,'' Kim said about seeing the script for the first time. ``It was hard for me as an actress in Korea to come across such a complicated female character. For `Seven Days,' with its tightly knit scenario and attractive character, I really dOct 30, 2007
Groups Starsailor, Ellegarden to Headline Rock Concert in SeoulBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter British indie rock group Starsailor will headline the 11th Bud Rock Concert in Seoul on Nov. 17. Korean rocker Lee Seung-hwan, Japanese bands Ellegarden and Rize, and local bands Supercard and Dr. Core 911 will also hit the stage at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park. The 11th Bud Rock Concert promises more than five hours of electrifying rock and punk performances from international and local rock groups. The rock festival started ten years ago in Hongdae, and has now evolved into a bigger event with an international line-up of rock groups. Starsailor, an indie rock band from Chorley, England, has scored hit albums in the United Kingdom, such as ``Love is Here,'' and ``Silence is Easy.'' Their third album ``On the Outside'' received critical acclaim, but failed to generate high sales. Formed in 2001, the group is composed of Ben Byrne, James Stelfox, James Walsh and Barry Westhead. Starsailor is best known for hit songs such as ``Alcoholic,'' ``Four to the Floor,'' ``This Time'' and ``In the Crossfire.'' The band is currently recorOct 30, 2007
MTV, Rain Campaign Against Human Trafficking Singer RainBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter MTV, one of the world's largest and influential television network, has launched ``End Exploitation and Trafficking'' (EXIT), a global campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking. Along with Thai star Tata Young, Korea's pop singer Rain has joined in the action as the front man for the Asia Pacific region. ``This is a form of slavery that still exists today, and I don't think enough people are aware of that,'' said Simon Goff, 30, campaign director for MTV EXIT, told The Korea Times at MTV Korea in central Seoul, Friday. Individuals are denied their basic human rights and are usually tricked or coerced into prostitution, domestic servitude or other labor, according to the United States Trafficking Victims Protections Act (TVPA). After drugs, it is the second largest illegal trade in the world, and generates about $10 billion every year. Its total market value is around $32 billion. The U.N. International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that 2.5 million people worldwide are victims, of which over half live in Asia Pacific. The maOct 23, 2007