Tamaki Hiroshi Visits KoreaBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Japanese heartthrob Tamaki Hiroshi sent hordes of local fans into a frenzy when he visited Seoul to promote his latest film ``Heavenly Forest'' (2006), Friday. ``Thank you so much for all the attention,'' the 27-year-old told reporters at a Seoul hotel. ``I didn't expect so many people to come.'' The pressroom was unusually crowded and the incessant stream of camera flashes blinded the room. It was the actor's second visit to Korea, but his first official trip for an event. The recently released, ``Heavenly Forest'' is drawing in considerable numbers. In the mellow love story, Tamaki's character Makoto is a painfully shy loner who befriends an eccentric girl named Shizuru (Aoi Miyazaki). As the two spend time together taking pictures, Shizuru begins to see Makoto as more than just a friend. But it is too late when Makoto realizes his true feelings for Shizuru. ``I had been very interested in photography for about a year before I starred in the film. My character loves photography, so that was another aspect that drew me to the story,'' he saAug 19, 2007
Actor Kim Dies of CancerBy Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Actor Kim Joo-seung died of pancreatic cancer Monday, a close aide said. He was 46. His death was belatedly revealed to the public in accordance with the actor/producer's wishes. His aide said that Kim died in Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province from a recurrence of the cancer. A private memorial service _ not open to the public _ is being held in the province's Seokwang Temple. Kim was diagnosed with the disease in 1997, but seemed to recover in 2002. However, his condition began to deteriorate from January this year. Kim debuted in 1983 and enjoyed huge popularity because of his sharp and handsome image in the 1980s-1990s. He drew public attention in 1990 when he married Kim Shin-ah, the first daughter of Chang Young-ja, one of the country's biggest swindlers, who was involved in major fraud related to financial irregularities in the 1980s. After his marriage, he started producing dramas. Following the recurrence of the cancer, he ended his 17-year-old marriage to Kim with a divorce earlier this Aug 14, 2007
Top Asian Stars at Asia Song FestivalBy Seo Dong-shin Staff Reporter The annual Asia Song Festival will bring 14 top stars from nine Asian countries to Seoul this year. ``The 2007 Asia Song Festival,'' scheduled for Sept. 22 at Sangam World Cup Stadium, will feature popular South Korean boy bands such as SG Wannabe and Super Junior. Pretty boys will fly into Seoul en masse from other countries although the Japanese line-up has yet to be confirmed. ``Golf & Mike,'' idol duo hailing from Thailand, also enjoys popularity in Japan. Vietnamese singer Lam Truong once sang a Vietnamese version of ``Forever,'' a song from ``Korean Wave'' star Ahn Jae-wook. Peter Pan, meanwhile, is a six-piece pop rock band from Indonesia. At the festival, fans will also be able to compare female pop stars from five countries. From South Korea, actress and singer Lee Hyo-lee, who mainly sells her sexy image, will perform on stage. From mainland China comes Vicki Zhao, also a popular actress and singer who won the ``Favorite Artist Mainland China'' from 2006 MTV Asia Awards. A-mei, the ``pride of Taiwan,'' has been a pop diva in theAug 14, 2007
Black Eyed Peas in SeoulBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Superstar hip-hop group, the Black Eyed Peas promises to give an exciting and rambunctious concert for Korean fans on Wednesday evening. The Grammy Award-winning group, composed of will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie, have fond memories of performing at last year's Pentaport Rock Festival. ``At last year's concert, it was amazing that even in the worst weather, we had one of the best shows we have had. The people and the energy were amazing. Korea is by far one of our favorite places to perform,'' will.i.am said, during a press conference at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in southern Seoul on Monday. For Wednesday's concert at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, will.i.am said the group is preparing some surprises but jokingly assured fans that ``I know it won't rain, so it will be a dry show.'' Fergie, the group's lead singer and only female member, said each of the members will give solo performances during the concert. She said she is excited to perform songs from her first album ``The Dutchess.'' ``The energy of Aug 14, 2007
Japanese Manga Come to Life on TVBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Japanese ``manga'' or comic books have long inspired real-life renditions, such as Park Chan-wook's award-winning film ``Old Boy'' (2003) and recently released psychopath thriller ``Black House'' starring Hwang Jung-min. These ``blockbuster'' cartoons have come to life on Japanese TV screens in the form of dramas, and several of the most popular series hit local channels this summer. Here is a guide to enjoying your favorite comic books personified by popular stars, with looks and grooves like that of cartoon characters. `Nodame Cantabile' Airs at midnight, Wednesdays and Thursdayson MBC MOVIES. ``Cantabile'' is an Italian musical term that means ``songlike.'' From such singing style unfolds a slapstick drama about the turbulent relationship between two music students. The talented and arrogant violinist and aspiring conductor Chiaki (played by popular actor Tamaki Hiroshi) and carefree, messy and unhygienic Nodame (rising actress Juri Ueno) are two unlikely friends, with Chiaki constantly rejecting Nodame's affections, because, well, sheAug 8, 2007
Yonsamas New Drama to Air on TV in SeptemberBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter TV's highly anticipated release date of its blockbuster drama ``Taewangsasingi'' (The Four Guardian Gods of the King), starring hallyu superstar Bae Yong-joon, has finally been set to Sept. 10. The epic series is awaiting its international release that will stretch across some 90 countries around the world, including Japanese broadcaster NHK. Despite initial plans for it to air in May, the schedule faced several post-production delays, including large-scale computer graphic works. Currently six episodes are complete, according to its broadcaster MBC. The drama, shot since February in Korea's largest ever production site on Jeju Island, adds a mythical flair to the string of epic period pieces garnering large followings, such as MBC's hit series ``Jumong,'' which aired last summer until March this year. Many are anxiously waiting to see ``Taewangsasingi,'' which has been saddled with a whopping (staggering) 30 billion won budget. The historical fantasy piece traces the legendary life and times of the great King Gwanggaeto (391-413), the 19th Aug 7, 2007
Skull, TVXQ Hitting Overseas ChartsBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Korean pop artists are now hitting the charts, scoring hits in the U.S. and Japan. Reggae artist Skull made a surprisingly strong showing in the U.S. music charts, with his first single ``Boom Di Boom Di.'' The catchy reggae song has gained popularity with the help of the visually stimulating animated music video. According to his manager Morgan Carey, Skull's single is now number five on the Billboard R&B/ Hip Hop sales chart and number 17 on the Hot Singles sales chart. Skull is also featured in the Reggae section of iTunes, the biggest online music store in the U.S. Carey took the unconventional approach to promoting Skull, by starting him out in the urban music scene and introducing him to hip-hop audiences. With Skull's initial success in the Billboard charts, there are already rumors of Skull's possible collaboration with pop superstar Mariah Carey. However, Morgan, who is Mariah's brother, said nothing has been confirmed yet. Meanwhile, Korean boy bands appear to be flourishing in Japan's competitive pop music industrAug 7, 2007
Sidus Signs MOU With ImaginAsian TVBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Top Korean film company Sidus and U.S.-based broadcasting company ImaginAsian TV signed an agreement for the distribution of Korean entertainment contents in the United States, it was announced on Tuesday. Under the memorandum of understanding, Sidus will provide films, music, dramas and performances which will be broadcast by ImaginAsian TV in the U.S. ImaginAsia will also be in charge of marketing and distribution of Sidus' films and dramas in the U.S. Sidus is the largest film production company in Korea, churning out between six to 12 films a year. Some of the films it has produced include ``My Sassy Girl,'' which stars Korean actress Jeon Ji-yeon, who has embarked on a Hollywood career as Gianna Jun. Other movies produced by Sidus include ``Memories of Murder,'' ``A Moment to Remember'' and ``One Fine Spring Day.'' ImaginAsian TV is the first 24-hour national Asian-American network in the U.S. It has aired Korean dramas such as ``Full House,'' ``Winter Sonata'' and ``Princess Hours,'' as well as Japanese anime, Chinese soaAug 7, 2007
Koreas Produce Epic Drama on RoyaltyBy Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The huge popularity of epic dramas is very evident on major networks this season. Yet a different kind of epic drama is expected to air soon which is likely to stimulate the curiosity of viewers. The first-ever television epic drama jointly produced by South and North Korea will finally be unveiled on KBS2 Aug. 8. Titled ``Sayuksin,'' the much-awaited show was produced, shot and edited by (North) Korean Central Television. South Korea's state-run broadcaster KBS has paid 1.9 billion won, or roughly $2.1 million for the production costs and has provided the infrastructure including technology. The airing makes a five-year wait since North Korea first suggested co-producing the drama in 2002. The drama was originally scheduled to be released last year, but was postponed due to tension between the two Koreas over North Korea's nuclear issue. The drama, consisting of 24 episodes each of 70 minutes long, features more than 170 North Korean actors and actresses including North Korean dancer Cho Myong-ae. Cho is a well-known North KAug 1, 2007
Actor Yang Back in New DramaBy April Choi Korea Times Intern Starring in a new TV drama called ``I am Sam,'' Yang Dong-geun, 28, faces a new challenge: How to successfully pull off a part that he himself calls ``difficult and awkward.'' The actor returns to television after a hiatus that included a stint directing a rap musical titled ``Offending the Audience.'' In the new drama, which premieres Aug. 6, airing Monday and Tuesday nights on KBS 2TV, Yang plays an incompetent high school teacher who becomes the resident tutor for the only daughter of a gangster leader. The drama also focuses on the problems that high school students face. Yang Dong-guen's role in this drama is that of the timid and indolent Korean literature teacher, Jang I-san. This is an opportunity for the actor-musician to shed his usual image and show off his comic talents, according to Yonhap News. Up to now, the actor musician has been in mostly serious roles that displayed his subtle but powerful charisma. At a press conference held at the Imperial Palace Hotel Monday, the veteran actor reflected that ``unlike my other roles, Jul 31, 2007