Jumong's Song Il-gook As Most Impressive Second-Generation Celebrity

Jeong Kyung-ho to Attend Korea Film Festival in Shanghai

Actor Jeong Kyung-ho will represent Korea at the Shanghai Korea Film Festival in China. Sponsored by the Chinese film authorities and the Korean Film Council, the first ever Shanghai Korea Film Festival will run from November 16 through 21. Jeon...

Trainee teacher proves hit on TV gag show

Who said only the prettiest of the pretty get all the attention? Comedian Park Ji-sun, 24, isn’t Miss Universe but she has definitely found glory playing unattractive characters on KBS TV’s “Gag Concert.” Her roles in the comedy show so far h...

Back in town Rain brings us up to speed

To say that Rain has come a long way from his humble beginnings as a dancer for ex-producer Park Jin-young would be a gross understatement. With two Wachowski Brothers' films under his belt -- one of which is slated for release next year -- and a...

Wonder Girls to Hold a Solo Concert

Korea’s hottest female group Wonder Girls will hold their first solo concert. This will be the first solo concert given by a female idol group since 2000. An official with JYP Entertainment announced that the five-member group will perform in a...

Rain Tests His Own Boundaries

One of the busiest stars in the local entertainment business would be none other than singer and actor Rain. The 27-year-old star has a new album out, is waiting for the release of his recently finished Hollywood film ``Ninja Assassin'' and is appe...

Another Korean hit movie remade in Hollywood

A 2003 Korean horror film has joined the ranks of other Korean movies that have been, or are going to be, issued as American remakes. The Uninvited, to be released in the United States on Jan. 30, 2009, is a remake of Janghwa, Hongryeon (the title ...

[MOVIE REVIEW]'My Wife' celebrates bigamy

She is cool, diligent and sexy. But her real specialty is juggling her time -- between two husbands. "My Wife Got Married (Ane-ga Gyeolhon Haeta)," directed by Jung Yun-su, appears to center upon an irresistibly attractive female character who ca...

TVXQ! Sets Record on Oricon Charts

This year, TVXQ! sets a record on Japanese Oricon Weekly Charts for the most number of "First Place" rankings this year. The group's 24th single, "MIROTIC," was released in Japan on October 15th and on the day of its release, the album took firs...

Song Hye-kyo Returns to Small Screen

Korean dramas are full of entertainment, with cliched yet dramatic plots, cute and handsome male characters, both main and supporting, and always a young pretty heroine. Among these heroines is Song Hye-kyo, 26, who will appear in the new drama...

Singer & Actor Yoon Gye-sang to Publish Photo Book of Turkeyey

Sidus HQ says singer and actor Yoon Gye-sang will publish a travel book with photos of his upcoming trip to Turkey at the end of the month. To prepare for the book's release, Yoon began studying photography six months ago from a professional photog...

Two Korean hit dramas will be produced as films

The Korean drama Winter Sonata, which helped spur the popularity of Korean pop culture in Asia, the phenomenon known as Hallyu, will be made into a movie, along with another hit drama, Autumn in My Heart. Korean production company Culture Cap M...

Cleo and her Korean musical makeover

The Czech musical about an Egyptian ruler is given a Korean twist. This fall Koreans will be able to meet one of history’s most famous women in one of the most vibrant, versatile forms of performing arts. The musical “Kleopatra” will be pe...

Actress Breaks Nose, Falls Into Well

Actress Moon Geun-young will stop filming scenes for the SBS drama ``The Painter of Wind'' for one week, after she fractured her nose last week. Moon sustained the injury while filming an argument scene with actor Park Shin-yang, Oct. 9 at the K...

Rain Finally Unveiled in Asia

Korean pop sensation Rain has officially returned to Asian fans. The 26-year-old singer was not only back home, but better than ever. At his show, held at MBC Dreamcenter in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, fans from Japan, Taiwan, China and Korea wh...

Are family dramas' glory days over?

Gone are the days of Sunday night soaps and romantic comedies, as what appeared to be a blip in the SBS weekend drama line-up turns out to be something of a trend. The highly popular family-oriented series "First Wives' Club" signaled a shift fro...

It Will Be 'Rain'ing Again in Korea

Korean pop star Rain is returning to the local music scene for the first time in two years. The 26-year-old singer will release his new album ``Rainism,'' hold a showcase and also appear in a two-day special program on MBC this and next Friday. ...

5th Asia Song Festival Bigger Than Ever

Celebrating its 5th anniversary Saturday, the Asia Song Festival concert proved to be bigger than ever with performances from 20 top singers and groups from 12 Asian countries. Organizers estimated around 35,000 people attended the concert,...

Choi Jin-sil leaves behind tragic legacy

The nation was thrown into shock yesterday at the news of the death of Choi Jin-sil, Korea's iconic actress and the people's sweetheart. Choi, who took her own life at the age of 39, was one of Korea's most loved actresses, having starred in nu...

Youthful drama targets weekend audience

Rarely does a weekend family drama make the splash that KBS' "Mom is that Upset" did. The hit series ended with a bang last Sunday, garnering viewer ratings of 39.7 percent nationwide, according to AGB Nielsen Media research. Hoping to continue...

Uhm Jung-hwa to Play Evil Role in New Movie

Singer and actress Uhm Jung-hwa takes on the role of the antagonist in director Park Hee-gon's new movie with the working title "Insa-dong Scandal." According to the Ssamzie I-Vision production company, Uhm will play "Bae Tae-jin," a cold-hear...

'Mom's Dead Upset' Ends with 40.6% Viewer Rating

The final episode of the hit KBS drama series "Mom's Dead Upset" was aired on September 28. The popular drama series ended with a viewer rating of 40%. According to TNS Media Korea, the drama series garnered a viewer rating of 40.6% on Sunday. The ...

Kwon Sang-woo & Son Tae-young Say "I Do"

Actor Kwon Sang-woo and Son Tae-young tied the knot at the Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, Seoul, on September 28. 350 guests attended the much talked-about event. The couple's wedding ceremony was hosted by KBS announcer Yoon In-gu and officiat...

Seo Tai-ji, RPO heat up cold Saturday night with epic sound

As if to persuade the audience that his moniker, "The President of Culture," isn't a wild overstatement, Seo Tai-ji lit up Seoul World Cup Stadium on an unusually chilly night last Saturday. Fusing two seemingly antithetical genres, the 36-year-o...

Actress Jang Jin-young Battling Cancer

Acclaimed actress Jang Jin-young has started receiving cancer treatment after finding out on Wednesday that she has stomach cancer. She is currently in Seoul National University Hospital to receive her first round of chemotherapy. Jang’s mana...

Nibbles and giggles in upcoming musical

It’s not often that a TV sitcom is reprised on stage as a musical. What’s even more unusual is that the story is essentially a vampire flick. “Hi, Franceska” was a popular MBC sitcom featuring a cast of quirky vampire characters. It ran fo...

Kim Min-jong to Sing Live in Tokyo

Singer and actor Kim Min-jong, who held his first official fan meeting in Osaka, Japan in June, will return to Japan. Kim will hold a "Kim Min-jong Live & Talk in Tokyo" concert at the C Hall of the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on September...

Korea's Sweetheart Moon Becomes Mysterious Artist

Actress Moon Geun-young started her acting career at the age of 12 in a low budget film ``On the Way'' in 1999. The aspiring actress then appeared as the young Eun-Seo in the hit drama ``Autumn in My Heart'' the following year. Now, 21, Kor...

Boy band fits formula for success

chorus of young voices light up the room. "Hi! We're SHINee!" Bright and bubbly, the brand new five-member boy band shouts and bows in unison. Here at the S.M. Entertainment headquarters on a Tuesday afternoon for their interview with Th...

[TALK OF THE TOWN]SM tour shrugs off rain for big gig

Korean pop groups from SM Entertainment rocked the night out at the Shanghai Stadium last Saturday. Teen idol groups including Super Junior, Girls’ Generation and Dongbangsingi, staged a concert titled, “SM Town Live 08,” proving a hit with some 4...

Musical 'Kleopatra' Coming to Town

The Czech musical, ``Kleopatra'' starring singer-turned-actress Park Ji-yoon and veteran actress Kim Sun-kyung, is coming to town and will shed light on the legendary life of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt, one of the most fascinating figures i...

SBS puts money on 'Tazza' drama

In the hopes of carrying a trilogy of dramas based on the works of cartoonist Hur Young-man to a successful end, SBS starts airing the final installment tonight. The broadcasting channel kicked off a trio of Hur's dramas in April with "I Love Y...

Pop-diva BoA pounces on U.S. market

Japanese, American, Chinese and Korean press gathered at the Imperial Palace Hotel yesterday in Seoul to get the latest on BoA's entry into the U.S. music market. BoA's Lee Soo-man - founder and producer of her Korean label S.M. Entertainment - a...

Dramas Bring Hero, Gamblers and Orchestra

Summer is coming to an end and broadcasters are getting ready for a chilly season full of colorful dramas depicting historical heroes, musicians and gamblers. Starting today is KBS's ``The Land of Wind,'' and MBC's ``Beethoven Virus,'' whil...

Korean boy band sensation TVXQ to release pan-Asian album

Korean boy band sensation TVXQ (known as Dong Bang Sin Ki in Korea and as Tohoshinki in Japan) that has been enjoying great popularity throughout Asia will release their fourth album on Sept. 24 in Korea, followed by its release in other Asian ...

Musical 'Daejanggeum' to premiere in the palace

If you're an avid fan of Korean historical dramas, why not relive the excitement of a show within actual palace walls? The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture brings you the musical “Daejanggeum" (a.k.a. Jewel in the Palace) which will be...

Personal Side of Olympians on TV Screens

The Beijing Olympic Games are over but the buzz with Korea's Olympic stars is ongoing. Television broadcasters have been busy the past few days, and some have bore fruit with several of the most promising Olympic stars scheduled to appear on sh...

Pioneers Seo Taiji and Kashif to perform

Prominent British conductor Tolga Kashif poised his fingers over the keys of a white grand piano in Deoksu Palace on Friday. In Seoul to hold a press conference on his upcoming collaborative performance with Korean music icon Seo Taiji, Kashif ...

Actor Noh Joo-hyeon in 'Fiddler on the Roof'

Veteran actor Noh Joo-hyeon will star in the Korean version of Broadway musical ``Fiddler on the Roof,'' marking his first musical performance in his 40-year acting career. Noh will play the leading role of Tevye in the musical whose music was...

Chungmuro International Film Festival

Korea has seen a line of interesting film festivals and the home of Korean cinema, Chungmuro, is bringing yet another one next month. The 2nd Chungmuro International Film Festival in Seoul (CHIFFS) will celebrate retro to recent films from Sept...

Ajumma slaps flirtatious hubbie into shape

Hooray for all Korean ajumma or housewives - thanks to actress Yum Jung-a. In SBS TV drama “Working Mom,” which airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 9:55 p.m., Yum plays Ga-young, a tough ajumma who struggles as a working mom. “Ga-young is ...

Jeon Do-yeon, Ha Jung-woo as Ex-Lovers

South Korea's most in-demand actors Jeon Do-yeon and Ha Jung-woo generated a big media buzz appearing before the press as ``former lovers.'' Jeon, who won the 2007 Cannes Best Actress award for ``Secret Sunshine,'' and Ha, hero of one of this yea...

Comedy, tragedy go head to head

With the Beijing Olympics over, broadcasting networks face the challenge of filling the void. Both KBS and MBC have already stepped up to the plate with two brand-new dramas: "Love and Marriage" and "East of Eden." Despite the recent dismissal ...

Korean drama about Hwang Jin-yi to air in Japan

Korean dramas have been quite popular in Japan ever since the successful Winter Sonata (2002), starring Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo. Since its airing, Japanese Winter Sonata fans have been visiting the filming sites and attending fan conv...

Actor Kim Su-ro as English Teacher on Big Screen

The zeal for English education in South Korea needs no introduction, except that it has inspired hit comedies like ``My Tutor Friend'' and ``Please Teach Me English'' (2003). Funnyman Kim Su-ro comes back to the big screen as E.T. ― no, not a...

TV Dramas Gear Up for Post-Olympics Race

The Beijing Olympic Games will end Sunday, so what is worth seeing after the Olympic flame goes out? For TV fans, major networks are gearing up for a competition with their most anticipated dramas. MBC will start the race off with ``East of...

Seo Tai-ji, ETP FEST Rock Seoul

The ETP FEST 2008 (Eerie Taiji People Festival) got off to a good start Friday, with a line-up featuring Korean groups Epik High, Clazziquai Project and Crying Nut. Day 1 of ETP Fest started with performances by Korean indie acts Sunday Brunc...

Asian pop icons BoA and TVXQ to tour Asia

Asian pop icons BoA, TVXQ a.k.a. Dong Bang Shin Ki and SuperJunior are kicking off their Asian tour with a concert, SMTOWN LIVE '08, at the Olympic Main Stadium tomorrow night. Featuring popular girl groups Girls' Generation and The Grace, along ...

Veteran Actress Na Returns to Theater

Veteran actress Na Moon-hee, 68, will return to stage with ``'night, Mother'' 12 years after her last work, ``Mother'' in 1996. The play is the eighth among the Yeongeuk Yeoljeon picks (Best Play Series) now performing in Daehangno and also star...

Buddies Play Enemies in New Action Flick

In the upcoming film ``Rough Cut'' (working title), So Ji-sup and Kang Ji-hwan play brawling rivals on a movie set out to get each other. In real life, however, the two top actors, both 31, are buddies who say they take care of each other. ``Ji-...

Gummy ranks first on MTV Thailand chart!

Gummy has topped Thailand's MTV Chart with her latest hit, "I'm Sorry." The song is the title song of her 4th studio "Comfort" which was released early this year. The album was released for the first time in Thailand in June. It wasn’t long bef...

Concerts to Rock Independence Day

Korea's 63rd Liberation Day falls on Aug. 15, and music fans can celebrate the memorable holiday with various concerts. Foremost is Seo Ta-ji, Korea's most popular rock singer, who returns after more than two years to hold his concert ETP FEST ...

Korean Films Nab 47.7% Market Share

According to CJ CGV’s July report, Korean movies posted 47.4% of the market share, up 22.2% from the previous month. Korean films hit rock bottom in terms of market share in May, posting 7.8%. However, CJ CGV attributed the recent market share ...

'Here Comes the Family' Surpasses 'We Got Married'

The viewer rating for "Here Comes the Family," a popular segment on SBS TV's variety show "New Sunday" has exceeded that of "We Got Married," a hit segment on MBC TV's "Sunday Night Show" just eight episodes after it first began airing. Accordin...

[TV Review]Runaway moms swap drudgery for liberty

Mothers are running away from home - in well-received TV dramas, that is. Trapped as stereotypical housewives who dedicate their lives 24 hours a day to their husbands and children, fleeing moms are a hot fad here. The epicenter of this T...

New KBS horror series fails to frighten

There is nothing like a bit of hair-raising horror to chill a hot summer night. KBS' latest series "Korean Ghost Stories" - a spin-off of the cult classic of the same name - promised to bring audiences a bit of bone-chilling relief from the heat. But...

'Good, Bad, Weird' Revamps Cinema for Fall Lineup

When you hit rock bottom, there's no other way but up. After hitting a record low in May, Korean cinema is slowly emerging from the slump with a string of box office hits like ``The Good, the Bad, the Weird.'' An alternative version of this ``kimc...

More Korean acts than ever at Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival (also known as The Fringe) is the world's largest arts festival, and it takes place in Scotland's capital Edinburgh for three weeks every August. The Fringe attracts acts from all branches of performing arts fr...

PiFan adventure closes with prizes

The 12th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) came to a close Sunday Jul. 27 after a thrilling 10-day run. This year's fest brought 1978 official guests to the city of Bucheon, a record number for PiFan, helped along by the addit...

Song Il-guk Wraps Shoot in China

The team of KBS 2TV's drama, "Wind Country," finally wrapped up its shoot with Song Il-guk in China and returned to Korea on July 30th. According to its production company, Chorokbaem Media, the Wind Country team left for Shanghai on June 16t...

Choi Ji-woo to star in Korea-Japan drama

Korean actress Choi Ji-woo who has led Hallyu (referring to the popularity of Korean pop culture, especially across Asia) is set to star in a melodrama to be jointly produced by Korea and Japan. A spokesman for Choi said she has been cast in ...

TV show tune restarts singer's career afresh

Thanks largely to the popularity of "We Are Married," a sort of "fake reality" skit from MBC featuring some of the country's top entertainers as couples, singer Min Sul is easily making her mark in a local pop music market littered with similar ...

[TV review]Smashing watermelons in the name of love

It’s a rough world out there, folks, especially in the singles’ market where men and women harbor a simple yet difficult dream of finding a significant other. In this jungle where only the fittest survive, everyone is hungry for a date, ready...

Chungmuro aims to link past and present

When the Chungmuro International Film Festival (CHIFFS) hit central Seoul last year, it was widely regarded as somewhat of a throwback festival. The event featured films dripping with nostalgia from when Chungmuro was the heart of the Korean film ind...

TVXQ! Attains Most Oricon Wins

The five member K-pop group, TVXQ!, set a new record with Japan's Oricon music charts. Their 23rd single released in Japan on the 16th, "How did I Start Liking You," ranked first on the Oricon Daily Singles chart and then reached first on the Ori...

'Eye' Spies Perfect Crime

Korea's favorite leading men Han Seok-gyu and Cha Seung-won team up in ``Eye for an Eye,'' an urban action flick that slithers with speed, style and substance. Perfect crimes unfold in the tradition of the "Ocean's 11" trilogy, launching a "P...

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-...

What Makes the Wonder Girls 'So Hot'?

Leave it to the Wonder Girls to make lightning strike twice. Not long ago the pop group sparked a national craze with their hit song and dance "Tell Me". Now it looks as if they've done it again, with their latest track "So Hot" growing as popula...

Ballads for TVXQ!'s 23rd Japan Single

The K-pop group TVXQ! released their 23rd single in Japan and is aiming for first place for the fourth time on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart. Their new single features the title track, "Why did I Start Liking You?" and one other song, "Box in...

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...

Movie-Based Dramas to Fill TV Screens

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 expe...

K-pop's golden boys stage comebacks

Key players of K-pop's golden generation are returning to the music scene after a long hiatus, which is good news for the long-struggling local pop music industry. Although there has not been an album surpassing the 100,000 sales mark so far this ...

Rain to Return to Music this Fall

Since his entry into the Hollywood movie market, singer and actor Rain has been a busy man. He has finally announced that he will be returning to the music business this September. Rain held an official event with his Japanese fan club, "The C...

Bucheon Welcomes Asia's Largest Genre Film Fest

Every summer, Bucheon, the small city sandwiched between Seoul and Incheon, turns into Asia's ultimate paradise for fantastic cinema. From July 18 to 27, the 12th Puchon (Bucheon) International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) invites 205 fantasy ...

Blockbuster 'Friend' to Be Reproduced as TV Series

Will a TV drama version of the blockbuster "Friend" be as thrilling as the original movie? Avid fans certainly hope so. The mega-hit, which garnered a record-high 8.2 million ticket sales in 2001, will be remade as a 16-episode TV series titled "F...

BoA's 'Valenti' to be Featured in Japanese Musical

BoA's hit song "Valenti" will be featured in a Japanese musical. Japan's leading entertainment company Avex said it will begin producing a musical entitled "Pieces of the Heart" to celebrate its 20th founding anniversary. The musical, which...

'Sunny' offers a woman's Vietnam War

Director Lee Jun-ik built up a lofty reputation with "The King and the Clown," a surprise hit which sold more than 10 million tickets in 2005. Naturally, expectations are high for his latest project, entitled "Sunny" (Nim-eun meongose)." But Le...

Daejong Film Fest Showcases Trends

South Korea's esteemed 45th Daejong (Grand Bell) Film Festival held in southern Seoul, showcased the latest local box office trends, with its stronghold of original thrillers, stylistic period pieces and experimental projects. While superstars gr...

Melee between Monday-Tuesday Dramas

The TV drama "Every Night," starring Kim Sun-a and Lee Dong-gun, took over the time slot of the MBC hit production "Lee San" with safe 10% ratings. According to the ratings research company TNS Media Korea, "Every Night" recorded national rati...

'Princess' Flies High, Dips Low

The higher you climb, the more it hurts if you fall. After much time and anticipation ― two years since its completion ― ``My Mighty Princess'' opens across theaters. Director Kwak Jae-yong, reaches for the sky by adding martial arts moves to a l...

K-POP Hits to be Featured in Korean Language Textbook in Japan

Japanese entertainment company Avex said it will release a series of educational DVDs entitled "Learning Korean through Songs" featuring 25 music videos of hit K-pop songs. The songs include TVXQ's 2004 hit "Hug," Ahn Jae-wook's "Friend," Lee ...

Namie Amuro and TVXQ to Perform Together at A-Nation Concert

Korea's popular male vocal group TVXQ will perform with top Japanese female artist Namie Amuro. TVXQ and Amuro will perform together at the annual "A-Nation" concert which was first launched in 2002 by Japan's largest entertainment agency, Ave...

'Samsooni' Is Back

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 att...

Singer Andy's First Solo Concert in Tokyo a Huge Success

Singer, TV actor and musical actor Andy recently held his first solo concert in Japan. Andy's "The First Proposal in Tokyo" concert was held on June 14 at the Prince Hotel in Shinagawa, Tokyo. The concert was held at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 pm. ...

Eugene Selected as PiFan Spokesmodel

Actress and former K-Pop artist, Eugene, has been selected to be the "PiFan Lady" by the organizational committee of the 12th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan). Last year, Eugene made her silver screen debut with the movie "...

Actor Lee Jun-ki Launches Relief Campaign for Chinese Quake Victims

Actor Lee Jun-ki has stepped forward with his fans to help the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit the Sechuan Province in China. Lee's management agency said the gesture was his way of giving back the love and support he has bee...

No pain, no gain for the streetwise ajumma squad

Life is tough for four ajumma, or housewives, in “Girl Scouts,” an action comedy directed by Kim Sang-man. The film was released last Thursday. It is the only Korean film that was included among the top five ranking, as of Monday. The film ...

Actor Ahn Jae-mo Visits Japan to Meet Fans

Actor Ahn Jae-mo, who took on the role of Jeong Han-soo in the SBS historical drama series "The King and I," spent time with his Japanese fans. Ahn kick started his promotional activities in Japan by holding an autograph-signing event and cult...

'Sikgaek' Brings Korean Cuisine Back to TV Screen

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''...

[MOVIE REVIEW] 'My Mighty Princess' overcomes 2-year delay

"My Mighty Princess," a new romantic comedy directed by Kwak Jae-yong, is finally hitting theaters this month after a delay of more than two years, raising hopes among fans who still remember the filmmaker's hit, "My Sassy Girl." The delay illustr...

[MOVIE REVIEW] New 'Public Enemy' upgrades humor

In "Public Enemy Returns," the third installment of the police action series by director Kang Woo-suk, the most visible - and welcome - change comes from the central character, detective Gang Cheol-jung. Gang, played by veteran actor Sul Kyoung-gu...

[MOVIE REVIEW] New 'Public Enemy' upgrades humor

In "Public Enemy Returns," the third installment of the police action series by director Kang Woo-suk, the most visible - and welcome - change comes from the central character, detective Gang Cheol-jung. Gang, played by veteran actor Sul Kyoung-gu...

Hollywood producer joins robot film team

There’s an emotional touchstone in the story.’ One image captured the mind of William Teitler, a Hollywood producer known for his work on “Jumanji” (1995) and “The Polar Express” (2004). That image was of a 60-meter tall robot ? and in his ...

Korean, Japanese Actors to Star in Joint Movie

Two top actors, Korean Ha Jung-woo and Japanese Satoshi Tsumabuki, will join forces to star in a joint Korean-Japanese movie ``Boat'' (working title). The Korean movie production company Kraze Pictures announced that the movie will start filmi...

Big Bang's New Japan Released in Korea

The 5-member group Big Bang has released its Japanese album "With U" simultaneously in Japan and Korea. "With U" is the group's second mini-album following the January release of its Japan debut album, "For the World." In Korea, the second min...

Korean movies leap into box-office fray

In late April, Iron Man arrived in the Korean cinema, smashing the box office into very profitable pieces. In mid-May, Prince Caspian took the baton and kept up the pressure on Korean competitors. Last weekend, whip-wielding Indy joined the Hollywood...

'Girl Scouts' Showcases 'Ajumma' Power

``Ajumma.'' The word can be roughly translated as ``auntie,'' normally referring to married women or those past the rosy bloom of their youth. In certain contexts it can be derogatory or even sexist, but it's also a fond term for all the mothers ...

Korean movies leap into box-office fray

In late April, Iron Man arrived in the Korean cinema, smashing the box office into very profitable pieces. In mid-May, Prince Caspian took the baton and kept up the pressure on Korean competitors. Last weekend, whip-wielding Indy joined the Hollywood...

Drama 'Iljimae' has tough act to follow

New historical drama "Iljimae," airing tonight on SBS, will be hard pressed to live up to its predecessor, "On Air." "On Air," featuring Kim Ha-neul and Park Yong-ha, topped viewer ratings last Thursday, when its final episode was broadcast. A str...

Song Hye-kyo to Star in New John Woo Movie

Korean actress Song Hye-kyo will star as the heroine of John Woo's new movie ``1949.'' The 26-year-old star will join Taiwanese actor Chang Chen in the movie depicting a tragic love story set in 1949, when China was suffering a civil war between...

Jang Nara Donates Money to Help Earthquake Victims in China

Hallyu star Jang Nara has donated 150,000 dollars to a charity organization in China for the rescue of disaster victims and the restoration of Sichuan Province, which was recently hit by a devastating earthquake. Jang has worked with the same cha...

Cinema Bridges Korea, Vietnam

Actresses Lee Young-ah, left, and Nhu Quynh reunite at the opening ceremony May 8 of the 2008 Korean Film Festival, which was held through May 10 in Hanoi. The Korean starlet starred as the daughter of the Vietnamese veteran actress in “Golden Brid...

'The Chaser' in Cannes

‘The Chaser’ in Cannes: South Korean actor Ha Jung-woo, director Na Hong-jin and actor Kim Yoon-suk pose during a photocall for their film “The Chaser” at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival Saturday in Cannes, southern France. The movie,...

Local Dramas to Air in Middle East

A screen capture of the KBS drama ``Autumn in My Heart.'' Korea TV will air Korean programs with dubbing services and subtitles in English and Arabic in Middle East and North African countries. / Courtesy of Korea TV Korea Global Media Group wil...

Five Korean films join Cannes fest

The 61st Cannes Film Festival has begun with fanfare, spicing up the festive mood for moviegoers all around the world. The ebullient mood remains largely the same here in Korea, but one thing is palpably different: There's no chance of a Korean movie...

Idol Group Big Bang Tops Yearly Album Chart

The five-member idol group Big Bang once again nabbed the number one and two spots on a yearly music chart released by Hanteo. According to the company, Big Bang's first album, which contains the group's hit song "Lies," took the number one sp...

'Spotlight' Shows Lives of Reporters

With MBC's new drama ``Spotlight,'' viewers will get a glimpse into the lives of broadcast news reporters covering the city beat. ``Spotlight'' depicts the journey toward success of a passionate city desk reporter Seo Woo-jin, played by top ac...

[Review]Indecision strikes gals of all ages

“Hellcats” is not as provocative as its trailer implies. What audiences bring home, instead, are the problems that befall each character in the story. Based on Kang Mo-rim’s comic strip “10, 20, and 30,” Hellcats presents various aspects of life...

'Unforgettable': Return to Innocence

In tune with Family Month comes a heartwarming tale about cherished childhood memories, ``Unforgettable.'' Set in an obscure village during the 1970s, the film captures the beauty of simplicity and signals a return to an age of innocence. The old...

45th Daejong Film Fest Invites Moviegoers

Actress Kim A-jung, left, and actor An Sung-ki are goodwill representatives of the 45th Daejong Film Festival. The Daejong (Grand Bell) Film Festival ― Korea's equivalent of the Academy Awards ― holds its 45th edition with small film festivals M...

[BRIEFLY] 'D-War' to hit Chinese screens

"D-War," a sci-fi flick directed by former comedian Shim Hyung-rae, will be released in China on May 11 at more than 500 theaters in about 100 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenchen. The movie was a commercial success in Korea last year,...

Korean Hit Dramas Shown in Laos

Following the introduction of three local dramas last year, everything about Korea from pop music to motor vehicles are taking off in the Southeast Asian nation of Laos. Shin Haejoo has more on the latest nation to be struck by the ''Korean Wave'' o...

New drama rides on toy boy plotline

MBC's new weekend drama "Bittersweet Life" will debut tomorrow. Following on the heels of the romantic comedy "The Last Scandal of My Life," this 24-episode miniseries plans to capitalize on a winning plotline: Young man falls for older woman. Act...

Cartoon & Animation Fest Marks 12 Years

In time for Family Month in Korea, Seoul will turn into a playground for cartoon and animation buffs, both professionals and fans, children and the kid in you alike. The 12th Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival (SICAF) will open May ...

Actor Goes From Killer to Professional Casanova

Actor Ha Jeong-woo has gone from cold-blooded murderer to a professional Casanova whom women pay to be with. In his new movie, “The Moonlight of Seoul” (“Beastie Boys” in Korean), the actor plays a man who serves drinks and dances with women a...

TVXQ! & Arashi Co-Ranked First

The popular pop idols of Korea and Japan, TVXQ! and Arashi, ranked in first place concurrently on the April 22nd Oricon charts. TVXQ!'s 22nd single "Beautiful You" ranked first on the April 23rd Oricon Daily Singles chart after selling approxi...

Experience Mountain Films at Festival

The prominent Banff Mountain Film Festival has finally reached Seoul. Located in Alberta, Canada, Banff is a small city surrounded by lakes, forests and mountains. Every year, the city holds a mountain festival and various programs, notably, t...

[MOVIE RIVIEW] 'The Moonlight of Seoul' portrays twisted role of men at a host bar

Director Yoon Jong-bin created a favorable buzz in 2006 when he unveiled his thought-provoking debut feature "The Unforgiven," highlighting the hidden talent of actor Ha Jung-woo. Yoon's casting choice turned out to be prescient. Ha is now the mo...

Actor Kim Myung-min Attends First Fan Meeting in Japan

Actor Kim Myung-min attended a fan meeting event in Japan for the first time. Kim's management company K&Entertainment said the actor attended the fan meeting at the Nagano Sun Plaza in Tokyo on April 20. The fan meeting was organized to celeb...

Jeonju Welcomes World Cineastes