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Reporter-Turned-Actress Debuts in Night and Day

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter New actress Seo Min-jeong is attracting attention for her supporting role in the critically acclaimed film ``Night and Day.'' It was recently revealed that Seo used to work as a reporter at the Kwangju Ilbo. ``Night and Day,'' directed by Hong Sang-soo, received praise from critics and audiences when it premiered in the 58th Berlin International Film Festival last week. It was one of four Asian films competing for the much-coveted Golden Bear award. The film revolves around a successful artist, played by Kim Young-ho, who faces arrest for smoking marijuana and flees to France. He meets an art student, played by Seo, who introduces him to another beautiful art student, played by Park Eun-hye. Seo started working as a reporter for the Kwangju Ilbo's culture desk in August 2004. Last year, Seo went to France to study. While studying there, she heard about an audition for a supporting role in Hong's film. She tried her luck in the auditions and was cast in the film. Seo was overwhelmed by the experience of walking the red carpet in

Feb 19, 2008

Kevin Wright Named CEO of PCA Life

By Yoon Ja-young Staff Reporter PCA Life Insurance, a leading British life insurer in the country, said Kevin Wright was appointed as its new CEO. Wright will have the whole Northeast Asian market under his management, the CEO of PCA Life in Japan will report to him as well. Wright started his career in the insurance industry as a financial consultant, showing remarkable achievement in various insurance channels and management during his over 25-year-career. He was CEO of PCA Life in Hong Kong, right before coming to Korea. ``I find the CEO job at PCA Life in Korea very attractive... I will make many efforts with all our PCA staff to continue the achievement,'' Wright said in a press release. chizpizza@koreatimes.co.kr

Feb 19, 2008

Married Woman Graduates From Ewha for First Time

By Kim Tae-jong Staff Reporter At a first glance, Ki Sung-hwa seems to be just an ordinary student who will soon graduate from university. The 31-year-old woman may look a bit older than her colleagues as she entered the university later in life. But what makes her graduation more meaningful is the fact that she will be the first married woman to graduate from Ewha Womans' University. The university used to ban a married woman from entering the school until 2003. Ki and Jeon Young-mi, 36, were the first students who entered the school as married women. But Ki can have the title of the first married graduate from the school as Jeon took time off from her studies. ``It was hard for me to study new things at my age with younger school mates,'' Ki said. ``But looking back, time has passed just so fast and although I tried to do my best all the time, I have some regrets.'' It seems that her graduation has proved that marriage status is not a hindrance to women wishing to study and the ban by the university was questionable. It wasn't an easy decision but Ki couldn't

Feb 18, 2008

Rain Receives Image Award

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Now world-famous, K-pop singer and actor Rain, 25, is to receive the 2008 Korea Image Stepping Stone Award for promoting a positive image of Korea through popular music. The Corea Image Communication Institute, which holds the ``CICI Korea 2008,'' designated Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, as this year's awardee. Led by president Choi Jung-wha, the institute is established to promote Korea globally. The K-pop icon debuted in 2002 with his first album ``Bad Guy.'' His four albums recorded a big hit around Asia. He also appeared in TV dramas like ``Full House'' (2004) and the movie ``I'm a Cyborg But That's OK'' (2006). With high popularity in Asia, Rain starred in a Wachowski brothers' movie ``Speed Racer'' to be released in May worldwide. He recently signed a contract with WMA and announced his next Hollywood movie, ``Ninja Assassin,'' in which he will play the lead role. He also plans an international album release this year. The singer/actor was named one of the ``The People Who Shape Our World'' by Time magazin

Feb 18, 2008

Education for the Gifted Taking Off

By Kang Shin-who Staff Reporter With South Korea paying keener attention to the education of more talented and gifted children these days, questions are how this particular kind of special education can be successful. According to an Israeli expert, it's a matter of specially training teachers in the area. In an interview with The Korea Times, Baruch Nevo, professor of psychology at the University of Haifa, stressed the importance of recruiting and training eligible teachers to carry through programs that are right for children gifted in various fields, from mathematics to sports. He said that gifted education is booming all over the world demanding eligible teachers equipped with three requirements: ``First, the teachers for the special education need experience. Second, they need to be well trained for the talented children. Third, they should be more than average teachers in terms of mental competitiveness although they don't need to be gifted,'' he said. Nova concurrently serves as a co-director of the Center for Research in Peace Education and the National Counc

Feb 17, 2008

Ex-Anchor Elected MBC President

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Former news anchor Ohm Ki-young was elected president of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) by its board of directors, Friday. The 57-year-old Ohm replaces MBC president Choi Moon-soon, who did not seek a second term in office. He will have a three-year term in office until 2011. Ohm graduated from Seoul National University, with a degree in Sociology. In 1974, he entered MBC as a journalist, where he was assigned to the city, culture and politics desk. He was also a special correspondent in Paris, where the images of him wearing a raincoat against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower was quite popular. Ohm hosted the nightly news show MBC News Desk at 9 p.m. on weekdays, for more than 10 years. He became the main news anchor in 1989 to November 1996, and from January 2002 up to February 1 this year. He has won awards for his work as an anchor, and was executive managing director of the MBC News & Sports Department since 2002. In a press release issued last month, Ohm said: ``MBC gave me many things for 34 years. I did not go

Feb 15, 2008

Actor Kim Stars in Japanese Movie

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Another Korean heartthrob, actor Kim Rae-won, 26, is stepping up his activities in Japan. Kim stars in a Japanese movie named ``Hanakage'' (Flower Shadow) directed by Hayato Kawai. He plays an elementary school teacher who falls in love with a Korean-Japanese jewelry designer played by Mirai Yamamoto. Filmed in both Korea and Japan, this movie depicts international love. Kim debuted in MBC's teen drama ``Me'' (1996) and is known for his role in the TV romantic comedy ``Rooftop Room Cat'' (2003), in which late Jeong Da-bin starred as his counterpart. He also appeared in movies like ``Mr. Socrates'' (2005) and ``Sunflower'' (2006). He currently shoots Korean TV soap opera ``Sikgaek'' (The Grand Chef) based on Huh Young-man's popular cartoon. ``Sikgaek'' will be aired in April on SBS. Meanwhile, SG Wanna Be, the Korean R&B trio, sings the main theme for the movie. Sport Hochi, a Japanese paper, reported that SG Wanna Be's ``Arirang'' was chosen for the soundtrack, since the group performs actively both in Korea and Japan.

Feb 15, 2008

Renowned Composer Lee Young-hoon Dies

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Composer Lee Young-hoon, 48, famous for his work with singer Lee Moon-sae, died of colorectal cancer Thursday. Lee Moon-sae expressed his sorrow over the death of the composer and friend while hosting his radio program Thursday morning. ``(Today is Valentine's Day but) instead of receiving chocolate, I lost my partner,'' said the grief-stricken singer. Lee originally composed music for plays. Then he teamed up with Lee Moon-sae for Lee's third album in 1986 and they kept working with each other releasing hits like ``When Love Passes By'' and ``A Poem for a Poem.'' He also wrote the music for the movie ``Season in the Sun'' (2003). Lee was struggling with colon cancer since 2006 and went through two operations but stopped receiving anticancer treatment. However, he kept pouring out his musical talent. ``We didn't bring a keyboard to the ward as he asked for, but he didn't give up and wrote songs on manuscript,'' said a representative of Lee. He released ``Yetsarang Plus (Bygone Love)'' a remake of his hit songs in January

Feb 14, 2008

Pianist Kim to Get Award From Culture Ministry

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Rising star pianist Kim Sun-wook will receive a memorable graduation present ― a special honor from the minister of Culture and Tourism. At his graduation ceremony today at the Korea National University of Arts in Seoul, the 19-year-old will not only receive his Bachelor of Fine Arts but also be recognized for contributing to the development of the arts and culture scene. Kim started playing the piano at the age of three and skipped high school to enter university in 2004. He studied under the distinguished pianist/professor Kim Dae-jin and won major international piano competitions including the 2006 Leeds event ― as Asia's first and the world's youngest winner. The pianist is often hailed as a triumphant example of pure homegrown talent, as he was never torn away at a young age to be trained in a foreign institution. He made a critically acclaimed European debut last year, and is currently signing a contract with Arkonsa Holt, a prestigious arts management company. Beginning in March, Kim will be the youngest among represented artist li

Feb 14, 2008

Rain to Star in Hollywood Film

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Top Korean pop star and actor Rain, 25, aka Jung Ji-hoon, will play the lead role in a Hollywood film produced by the Wachowski brothers and Joel Silver, the creators of the ``Matrix'' series. J Tune Entertainment, Rain's agency, held a press conference on Wednesday to announce Rain's next step and their cooperation with the William Morris Agency, an international talent and literary agency which has Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez as their clients. John Mass, the senior vice president of the agency, also attended the press conference. ``He (Rain) is not just popular in Korea or Asia, but he is popular throughout the world. … This is going to be the start of something big for him, like a next chapter of his career,'' Mass said. ``Ninja Assassin'' will be directed by James McTeigue of V for Vendetta (2005) fame. Rain also made an appearance, looking slimmer than before. ``I am building up my body for my next project,'' he said. ``This is such a big chance for me and it's like a dream. I am losing my weight and practicing E

Feb 14, 2008
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