Song Kang-ho Wins Best Actor at HK Film

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

PIFF Wraps Up 9-Day Run

The 13th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) closed Friday with the premiere of the South Korean film ``I Am Happy'' directed by Yoon Jong-chan. This year's festival featured the largest number of films and world premiers, receiving good r...

Superstar Rain Returns

World star Rain kicked off his singing career in Korea after a 2-year hiatus by appearing late Thursday for the filming of his comeback special. After he released his fourth album in 2006, he has concentrated on his acting career, appearing in the ...

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. ...

J.Tune Entertainment's Fashion Line to Incorporate Paul Klee's Works

Rain's management agency J.Tune Entertainment, which recently declared its intent to expand into the fashion business, will incorporate works by Swiss artist Paul Klee into its fashion brand "Six to Five." The agency recently announced that it s...

“Old Boy” Cited One of the 500 Greatest Movies of All Time

Director Park Chan-wook’s acclaimed film “Old Boy” was cited one of the 500 greatest movies of all time compiled by the British film journal Empire. Among the illustrious list that includes “The Godfather,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and “Empire ...

[Talk of the town]‘Bring on America!’ declares BoA with release of debut U.S. album

Female Korean pop star BoA will fulfill her American dream by releasing an album in the United States this year. The 22-year-old singer has been preparing for her U.S. debut while performing in Korea and Japan, according to SM Entertainment, h...

Rain Produces Special Comeback Show with MBC

Singer Rain will take part in producing a special program with MBC to celebrate his return to the K-pop scene. Rain plans to release his much-anticipated special album in October. The special program featuring Rain is expected to be similar to...

[TALK OF THE TOWN]Pop star Rain wows the crowd at Olympics closing ceremony

Any remaining doubts that Rain is a global star were dispelled last Sunday at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the Beijing National Stadium. Rain, whose real name is Jeong Ji-hun, sang “Beijing, Beijing, I Love Beijing” in Ch...

Rain Drinks In Olympics Emotion

Singer Rain has spoken about performing at the Beijing Olympic closing ceremony on Sunday. The Korean singer sang the closing theme song “Beijing, Beijing, I Love Beijing” with other Chinese stars, including Hong Kong-based Kelly Chen, Taiwanese ...

Rain Says Closing Ceremony Performance Was 'Electrifying'

Singer and actor Rain performed "Beijing, I Love Beijing" with popular Chinese entertainers during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics held at the Main Olympic Stadium, or the "Bird's Nest," on August 24. Rain performed with popular...

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...

Seo Taiji Shoots Blockbuster Music Video on Easter Island

Legendary Korean pop star Seo Taiji, who will be returning this season with his 8th studio album, recently shot blockbuster-level music videos worth 800,000 dollars in Chile and Canada. In order to share his travel experiences with his fans, S...

Rain Holds 'Summer Vacation with Rain' Fan Meeting

Singer and actor Rain is back in Korea. Rain's management agency JTune Entertainment said Rain will hold a fan meeting on July 27 at the Seoul Olympic Park's Olympic Hall. The theme of the fan meeting, to be attended by both Korean and other ...

[MOVIE REVIEW]'The Good, The Bad, The Weird' aspects of English subtitles

"The Good, The Bad, The Weird," a $17-million oriental Western by veteran filmmaker Kim Jee-woon, topped the domestic box office in its opening weekend, selling a record 2.19 million tickets in four days since its release on Thursday. The strong ...

"Kimchi Western" debuts amid great interest

The much-awaited Korean movie The Good, the Bad, the Weird based on a spaghetti Western and nicknamed a "Kimchi Western" after the nation's signature spicy national dish, is expected to be the hottest pick of local theatergoers here but viewers...

Rain Makes Forbes List Again

Singer and actor Rain has once again found his name on the pages of U.S. economic journal Forbes. According to a representative from J.Tune Entertainment, Rain was one of the names in the July 14th article, "10 Celebs and their Cells, " which...

Rain Among Top Global Cell Phone Celebrities

Korean superstar Rain has been featured in U.S. business and financial news magazine Forbes once again. The singer and actor was featured earlier this week on Forbes.com as one of ten celebrities representing major cell phone brands from across the g...

Seo Tae-ji to Go Classical at Seoul Gig

Veteran pop star Seo Tae-ji, whose new album is about to be released, is to give a concert with the acclaimed classical conductor and composer Tolga Kashif. The concert with a big-name British orchestra titled “2008 Seo Tae-ji Symphony” is at the...

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...

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...

Korean Movies to Shine at Int'l Film Fests

South Korean movies continue to make their way around the globe to vie for prizes and reach a wider audience. Some notable trips to international film festivals include feted director Kim Ki-duk's latest work ``Dream,'' the anticipated summer blo...

"The Host" Sequel Set for China

"The Host" was a Korean box office blockbuster directed by Bong Jun-ho and, while its Korean sequel is in the works, a Chinese sequel is also in its early stages. Last week, Chungeorahm Films met with director Ning Hao, his production company ...

Rain Heads to Japan from Berlin Movie Shoot

Actor and singer Rain (Jung Ji-hoon, 26) has been in Berlin filming a movie, but he will be flying to Tokyo, Japan on the 30th for a free admission meeting with his fans at JCB Hall. His agency, J.Tune Entertainment, recently posted photographs o...

New technological step in Korean animation

After Ryoo Seung-wan's "The City of Violence" (Jjakpae) and Park Chan-wook's "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK" (Cyborgjiman Gwaenjanha), "Life is Cool" (Geunyeoneun Yeppeotta, English translation: "She was beautiful") will be the next instalment of CJ En...

Film adaptation of French comic to go global: Bong

Even with only three feature films to his name, Bong Joon-ho has become one of the few Korean directors who have been able to "catch both hares" -- commercial success and critical acclaim. After directing short films, he made his feature film ...

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...

Rain in Dance Battle on "The Colbert Report"

Singer and actor Rain finally met the popular U.S. comedian Stephen Colbert, the same man who lampooned him on national TV. Rain was in L.A. for the premiere of his Hollywood debut in "Speed Racer," and on the night of the 5th, he showed off h...

Rain Makes into Encyclopedia Britannica

World star Rain (real name Jung Ji-hoon) has been listed in the Year in Review 2007 of the Encyclopedia Britannica Online. He is only the third Korean figure to be included in the biographies section of the Britannica. The other two are poet Ko U...

Rain's Agency Targets Japanese Market

Rain's entertainment agency J. Tune Entertainment (CEO Cho Dong-won) is preparing to launch a cellular content service for Japanese fans. On April 28th, a J. Tune representative announced that they have signed a contract with ACCEL Corporation...

Name Mix-Up Dampens Rain's Hollywood Debut

Singer and actor Rain had an embarrassing moment at the premier of his Hollywood debut film "Speed Racer" at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday. The 26-year-old Korean superstar was introduced as Taejo Togokhan, the name of his characte...

Premiere of Film "Speed Racer" to be Held in Tokyo

The premiere of "Speed Racer," a film by the Wachowski brothers in which singer Rain makes his Hollywood film debut, will be held in June. The film premiere, to be held at the Tokyo Dome on June 25, will invite 35,000 audience members. The fil...

Racy Rain shifts into top gear

Role in Wachowski brothers’ movie leads to other Hollywood jobs Pop star Rain has leapt into the Hollywood limelight. He’s been cast in “Speed Racer,” a live action film by the Wachowski brothers, the creators of “The Matrix” (1999). Speed Ra...

Rain in "TIME" Magazine for 3rd Consecutive Year

Actor and singer Rain was asked for an interview with the weekly U.S. journal "TIME," according to J. Tune Entertainment. Every year, "TIME" magazine presents a select list of "100 of the World's Most Influential People" and currently, Rain ha...

Rain to Begin International PR Tour for 'Speed Racer'

Actor and singer Rain will begin a world tour for the promotion of the simultaneous international release of Hollywood's "Speed Racer" on May 8th. According to Warner Brothers Korea, Rain starts his promotional tour in Korea on the 20th, then ...

Samsung Unveils Promotional Music Video Starring Rain

Samsung Electronics has unveiled the 2008 Beijing Olympics theme song and the music video that will be used for advertising its Anycall mobile phones. Singer and actor Rain, who is one of the hottest celebrities in Asia, stars in the music video....

'Secret Sunshine' Snags Three Awards at Asian Film Fest

From left, actor Song Kang-ho, actress Jeon Do-yeon, director Lee Chang-dong attend the red carpet of the Asian Film Awards as part of the event at Hong Kong International Film Festival in Hong Kong on Monday. /AP Korean film "Secret Sunshine" b...

Internationally-acclaimed Korean movie to be remade in U.S.

A much-lauded Korean movie is to be remade in the U.S. with a big star headlining in it. According to the Boston Globe, Park Chan-Wook’s “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance” (sometimes called “Lady Vengeance) is to be remade and Oscar-winning actress...

Director Lee Ji-ho's Hollywood Debut Film comes to Korea

Director Lee Ji-ho's Hollywood debut, "The Air I Breathe," is set for a April 9th release. Starring Forest Whitaker, Kevin Bacon, Brandon Fraser, Andy Garcia, and Sarah Michelle Gellar, "The Air I Breathe" had already made its U.S. release on ...

Korean Films Receives Accolades Overseas

Korean films have been receiving accolades at international film festivals. 'Girl of the Himalayas' directed by Jeon Soo-il received the best cinematography and the audience's choice awards at the 9th annual Las Palmas International Film Festi...

Love is no bed of roses in SBS drama

SBS tackles the thorny matter of marriage in its latest drama, "I Love You," slated to hit the small screen on March 31. A spin-off of Hur Young-man's hit comic book series "I Love You," SBS's new miniseries keeps it light and fuzzy in what promis...

Rain Unveils Samsung's Olympic Theme Song in Beijing

To introduce Samsung Electronics' Anycall mobile phone model for the Beijing Olympic Games, singer Rain attended the "Press Conference for Samsung Advertisement Model, Rain" held in Beijing, China on February 21. During the press conference, S...

Rain receives award for promoting nation's image

Rain (Jung Ji-Hoon), one of the most successful and admired performers in Asia, yesterday received the 2008 Korea Image Stepping Stone Award, which is given annually by the Corea Image Communication Institute. The awards ceremony was held in the G...

Hollywood Calls for Rain

Rain speaks at a press conference held to announce a strategic partnership between his agency J.Tune and the William Morris Agency of the U.S. at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Wednesday. /Yonhap Korean pop idol Rain has snagged his first leading r...

Park Chan-wook Chooses Heroine for Vampire Movie

Acclaimed director Park Chan-wook has chosen Kim Ok-bin as the star of his next film "Evil Live." The spotlight had been on just who the female star would be. The part involves many adult scenes alongside male heart throb Song Kang-ho, who claimed...

Top Star Rain Joins WMA

Singer and actor Rain is set to launch his career in the United States. He recently signed a contract with William Morris Agency in Hollywood. Rain's management agency said it has decided to join hands with an internationally renowned agency W...

Major Korean Films Offered With English Subtitles

CGV Yongsan in central Seoul will devote a screen to the exclusive showing of popular domestic movies with English-language subtitles, an unprecedented move by a movie theater. ``It's to serve the many foreigners in Korea who want to watch Kor...

Retro movies rediscover colonial era

Gyeongseong is emerging as a popular background for Korean films, reflecting the public's recent penchant for retro style, and filmmakers' newfound interest in the Japanese colonial period -- evidence of their quest for fresh characters and themes. ...

[Talk of town]Sending some Rain to wash away oil

The number of volunteers flocking to Taean, South Chungcheong to clean the area’s oil-ravaged coasts exceeded 1,150,000 as of Monday. Pop star Rain is among the helping hands. Despite his busy performance schedule, he headed for the damaged coas...

Rain to Sing Theme for Beijing Olympics

Korean pop idol Rain has been tapped to sing the theme song of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Rain, who is a star across much of Asia, will be the first Korean to sing an Olympic theme song since quartet Koreana sang "Hand in Hand" for the Se...

Must-See Films in 2008

This year, a long lineup of star-studded movies, both homegrown and Hollywood imports, awaits release with Korea's hottest stars and bona fide actors gracing the silver screen throughout 2008. While a high profile cast hasn't always guaranteed...

Rain May Sing Olympic Theme

Singer Rain may sing the theme song for this year's Beijing Olympics. He recently received a request from the Olympic organizing committee and is positively reviewing it. He was asked to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Doha Asia...

Cheonggye Stream to be Backdrop for 'The Host 2'

The sequel to the number one summer blockbuster film of 2006 'The Host' will be made. The story of 'The Host 2' will take place in the Cheonggyecheon area in Seoul, which was restored by the newly elected president Lee Myung-bak. The president...

Arthouse crowd takes on popcorn gang

Director Park Chan-wook declared last week that cinema is “growing worse slowly and steadily as time goes by.” This film director who earned international acclaim with “Oldboy” (2003) was speaking before the press last Wednesday in support of Seo...

`The Host 2' Features Monsters in Cheonggye

For people who visit the Han River, some may have wondered if there is anything living under the deep waters. That fantasy was brought to life in the 2006 hit movie ``The Host,'' and for fans that enjoyed the thriller, news of a sequel will indee...

[Talk of town]TV stations axe music awards

Roll out the red carpet, bust out the couture and summon the stars. It’s that time of the year: awards ceremonies season. But not in Korea. For this first time there won’t be any year-end music awards ceremonies aired on terrestrial stations in ...

`M' Showcases Style Over Substance

In the highly stylistic psychodrama ``M,'' director Lee Myung-se explores a classic theme sought time after time by (particularly male) filmmakers here ― the haunting imprint of first love, romanticized in all its glory. Lee showcases one stunn...

Tour to Filming Sets

Dramatic Legacy Still Goes on Locations Nationwide By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Does a mega-hit drama or film leave a tourist attraction behind it? Even after dramas end, their legacy seems to remain through film sets. Since the set...

MTV, Rain Campaign Against Human Trafficking

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...

Cinema Old Boy Dreaming Another Big Hit

He was imprinted on my mind when I read a review of “Dress to Kill” quite some time ago. Though I didn’t master Lamaze breathing, he and I have many things in common: we have loving daughters, we once enjoyed watching grand videos, we were both a...

10 Hallyu Stars

The Korea Times, the nation's first English daily, turns 57 on Nov. 1. The TOP 10 Series, which will feature the biggest news stories, scandals, events, figures, surprises and memorable moments in the coming weeks, in celebration of the anniversa...

Asian Film Officials Rank Im Atop for Joint Film

Im Soo-jeong is the number one preferred actress to cast in a joint Asian film, having been chosen by foreign producers and casting directors participating in the Asian Film Market's co-Production PRO at the ongoing Pusan International Film Festi...

A girl needs heartbreak to be a woman

Perhaps Lim Su-jung has bid farewell to her girl years. It’s a disappointment, but the 27-year-old actress has made her choice. Now in her late 20s, she is only doing what is natural. “Happiness” is a film about a young woman who falls in love w...

'Secret Sunshine' Not Satisfying

Directed by Lee Chang-dong (2007) According to the Buddhist tradition, because the world is subject to impermanence, to live is to suffer. To overcome suffering, it is said, we must steer a middle course between self-indulgence and complete withdr...

Actresses Gain Presence Onscreen

While the female persona Korean entertainment remains largely reminiscent of Hollywood during the 1950~60s, a few in recently released or upcoming films are beginning to reflect, with some realism, Korean women today. Women onscreen tend to be...

'Happiness' Measures Cost of Love

Love is pain, they say, and countless songs and stories croon about it time over time. Melodrama maestro Hur Jin-ho (``One Fine Spring Day,'' 2001, ``April Snow,'' 2005) does not disappoint in depicting love's fleeting pleasures and lasting sting...

[MOVIE REVIEW]'Happiness' a moving tale of addiction, affection

Actress Lim Soo-jung and actor Hwang Jung-min portray characters perfectly in "Happiness." Once people get stuck with the same fate, a bond can grow between them instantly; however, the relationship can fall apart fairly quickly if the common gr...

Lim Soo-jung Grows Up in New Tearjerker

Some thought she was going to be girl forever, but suddenly Lim Soo-jung has become a woman. Now she plays a victim of chronic lung disease over eight years in Director Heo Jin-ho’s latest film “Happiness,” to be released on Oct. 3. In the movie,...

Singer Rain to Perform in China

Korean singer, Rain, 25, will hold a large-scale concert next month in Shanghai. The show, which was initially planned in April as part of the singer's world tour, ``Rain's Coming," had been cancelled due to difficulty in finding a venue and g...

'D-War' Breaks Korean Box Office Record in U.S.

"D-War", the Korean-made monster movie from director Shim Hyung-rae, earned US$1.55 million on its opening day Friday in the U.S. According to U.S. entertainment industry newspaper Variety and box office reporter Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo...

Park Chan-wook's Vengeance Trilogy Gets Box Set

Director Park Chan-wook's vengeance trilogy -- "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance", "Old Boy" and "Sympathy For Lady Vengeance" -- is about to be released this month in a special DVD box set. Each movie has already been released individually on DVD. I...

Rain Resumes Singing

Singer Rain will make a comeback to the stage by participating in a Chinese event on September 24 after a four-month hiatus. Rain, who suspended his singing career in May due to the filming of the movie "Speed Racer," will participate in a Kor...

[MOVIE REVIEW]Upbeat spin on Korean men

For the family. For the company. For the future. There is almost always some excuse for not doing something that we really want to do. We proudly call it "sacrifice" that is necessary for our happiness. After all, our true wishes will be realize...

Hwang-Im's 'Happiness' Invited to Toronto Film Festival

The Korean film "Happiness" starring Hwang Jeong-min and Im Soo-jeong has officially been invited to the 32nd Toronto International Film Festival. The Toronto festival, called the 'Cannes' of North America, is the largest regional film market ...

Rain Takes Part in Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign

Korean actor and singer Rain will take part in an anti-human trafficking campaign with the help of global music network MTV and the U.S. Agency for International Development. MTV and the U.S. Agency for International Development will produce a...

‘D-War’ Sets Local Box Office Record

``D-War,'' a science fiction blockbuster produced by comedian-turned director Sim Hyung-rae, attracted a total audience of 2.95 million in the first five days of its release, breaking the local box office record set by ``Pirates of the Caribbean: At ...

1st Cinema Digital Seoul Fest Wraps with Awards

The inaugural edition of the Cinema Digital Seoul festival (CinDi) came to a close after a weeklong run July 20 – 27. The event screened 40 innovative digital features, of which 20 films from 9 Asian countries were in competition for the fest’s two ...

Full House Season 2 in the Making

Season 2 of the hit KBS drama series 'Full House' is in the making. Park Chang-sik at Kim Jong-hak Production says "Jo Jeong-hwa has been working on the script for a year and the script is ready for the 3rd episode so far. Overseas shooting is...

A Fresh Start for Korean Cinema: Overview of the First Half of 2007

Korean films have delved into new topics and covered a wide range of genres the first half of the year. Coming off of a disappointing year at the box office, the Korean film industry has answered with a number of truly noteworthy works of art. Alth...

Big 4 to Hold Concert in US

The country's flagship music groups, collectively known as the "Big 4," will hold a concert in the United States. Now in its third year, the Big 4 will perform at the Manhattan Center in New York on Aug. 4 and the Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vega...

Seoul Inaugurates Digital Film Fest

An explosive kinetic force will boost the dynamics of Seoul, as some 40 art films mix with digital technology in Cinema Digital Seoul 2007 (CinDi), July 20-27 at multiplex theater CGV Apgujeong in southern Seoul. Amid the high tide of summer film fes...

Korean filmmakers face uphill battle

In the second half of 2006, Korean films led by "The Host," "Tazza: The High Rollers" and "200-Pound Beauty" enjoyed strong showings at the box office, outsmarting Hollywood blockbusters. This year, the situation has been completely reversed. B...

[DVD Review]Vagueness fills DVD on having affairs

Even with some thought, it’s not easy to figure out whether Jang Mun-il’s “A Good Day to Have an Affair” is a movie for a girl or a guy. The film dresses up as a girl’s movie at first, starring two female heroines as married women delving into ...

Black House Will Screen In Japan

Black House (Geomeun Jib) is currently a hit in Korean cinemas and will next attempt to woe Japanese audiences. The horror film will open in October in 250 Japanese cinemas, a number equaling BONG Joon-ho’s The Host’ Japanese release. Monster and ...

'Black House' to Open in Japan in October

The Korean thriller 'Black House,' starring veteran actor Hwang Jeong-min, will open in 250 theaters in Japan in October. The hit film is based on a best-selling Japanese novel that has sold a million copies. A film official says that Black...

[Talk of the town]Los Angeles cancellation is No. 5 on pop singer Rain’s United States tour

At a fan event in Los Angeles last week, Rain said that he was “sorry” and “upset” about a last minute cancellation for a performance in the city’s downtown Staples Center. “I tried my best, but there were problems with setting up the stage even...

Pop Singer Rain Cancels L.A. Concert

Korean pop sensation Rain canceled a concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, just one hour before he was due to go on stage. Star M, the Korea-based producer of the singer's world tour, blamed the situation on financial problems w...

(LEAD) S. Korean pop singer Rain cancels concert in L.A.

(ATTN: UPDATES with details) LOS ANGELES, July 1 (Yonhap) -- A concert in Los Angeles by South Korean pop singer Rain was abruptly canceled about two hours before his performance, the singer's Seoul-based producer said Sunday. Rain was to perform...

Secrets of The Host's success revealed by Director Bong

Director Bong, Joon-Ho is revealing the details on the planning and production of The Host. The Cultural Content Planning and Creation Academy by the Korea Culture and Content Agency (KOCCA, CEO: Suh, Byung-Moon) is offering an open lecture by di...

Shinhwa Members Go Solo This Summer

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter It's been over a year since Shinhwa, one of the longest running Korean boy bands, has released an album. While younger boy groups like TVXQ, Super Junior, SS501 and Big Bang have been getting all the att...

Rain to Star in Special CNN Ad

Korean singer Rain will be the main model for a special advertisement on the world's biggest news channel CNN. This special type of ad that restrains the sending of commercial messages has appealed more to customers and has actively been used ...

Singer Rain Cleared for US Concert

Korean pop star Rain can now use his stage name for his ``Rain's Coming'' world concert tour in the United States. Yonhap News reported the Nevada state district court on Thursday dropped the lawsuit filed by music company Rain Corp. challenging t...

`Black' Is Gore With Suspense

Rusty, run down and remote except for the sporadic purr of a passing train, ``The Black House'' is no haunted mansion but a sinister place ``where lies the darkest secret'' of a psychopath __ a monster devoid of any human feeling or conscience. ...

Korean Films Attack the Big Apple

Korean cinema will take a big bite of the Big Apple as the 2007 New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) begins Friday. The festival will feature more than 30 works from the East, of which almost a third are Korean. The event will take place at the I...

'The Host' Sequel Planned For 2009

By Seo Dong-shin Staff Reporter Chungeorahm Film, the film production and distribution company of the blockbuster hit ``The Host,'' plans to release a sequel to the film in 2009. But director Bong Joon-ho, the driving force of the original, wi...

Chungeoram to produce sequel to film 'The Host' with different director

By Kim Hyun SEOUL, June 18 (Yonhap) -- The producer of the South Korean monster movie "The Host" said Monday that it is now in preproduction on a sequel to the blockbuster hit, aiming for its release in 2008. Chungeoram Productions said shooting ...

US Mag Covers Music Mogul Park JYP

The New York-based business magazine Crain's has carried a two page spread on JYP USA, a studio that Korean music mogul Park Jin-young is set to open June 20 in Manhattan. The article introduced an interview with the musician cum businessman cover...

New York film festival showcases Korean shorts

Award-winning short films of various genres from Korea's Mise-en-scene's Genre Film Festival (MGFF) will be invited to the 6th annual New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) from June 22 to July 8 in New York City. Launched by the Subway Cinema in 20...

"Family Ties" ("The Birth of a Family") Wins Top Prize at Home

The nation's oldest film awards ceremony, the Grand Bell Awards, gave its top prize to low-key hybrid-family-drama "Family Ties" ("The Birth of a Family") , directed by Kim Tae-yong. The film, which has toured a number of international film festivals...

Korean pop star on 'Billboard' cover

Korean music producer and singer Park Jin-young has become the first Korean to appear on the cover of the prestigious U.S. magazine "Billboard", which is dedicated to the music industry. Park Jin-young, who produced the Korean heartthrob singer Ra...

US Remake of Failan

Song Hae-seong's "Failan" (2001) starring Choi Min-sik and Cecilia Cheung will be remade by director Vadim Perelman. Filming is scheduled for this year's fall. Vadim Perelman directed the drama The House of Sand and Fog. The adaptation of the scr...

Korean pop star on 'Billboard' cover

Korean music producer and singer Park Jin-young has become the first Korean to appear on the cover of the prestigious U.S. magazine "Billboard", which is dedicated to the music industry. Park Jin-young, who produced the Korean heartthrob singer Ra...

Singer Rain Postpones US Concerts

K-pop superstar Rain postponed his concerts in the United States this month, as he faces a lawsuit over the use of the name "Rain". Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, was originally scheduled to hold concerts in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 15, At...

U.S. Band Rain Thwart's Korean Star's American Tour

The Korean singer Rain's concerts in the U.S. as part of his world tour have been postponed due to controversy over his stage name. His Korean name "Bi" means "Rain" in English, but the singer faces legal action filed by U.S. recording firm Rain Corp...

The ephemeral life of a new trend

Where is the most happening place in town? In any major capital city that's the first question on many visitors' lips. But answers are not easy to find because trends move quickly and only the insiders who work in the "trend industry" know how to pin...

44th Grand Bell Award Nominations

One of South Korea's top two annual film awards ceremonies will take place June 8th in the city of Daejeon. The 44th Grand Bell Awards, which is televised nationally, will be accompanied by the week long Daejeon Film Festival which will showcase 66 d...

Daejong Film Festival Opens

Curtains have gone up for ONE of Korea's most prestigious movie events, the Daejong Film Festival. The week-long festival is showcasing 66 domestic films, including the sci-fi romance "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK" by director Park Chan-wook, and the...

Vietnam to Host Korean Film Fest

Actress Kim Ah-joong and director Park Chan-wook will be present at the 2007 Korean Film Festival in Hanoi. The festival opens May 31st at the National Convention Hall and will mark the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and So...

Rain Becomes First K-Pop Star to Perform at Tokyo Dome

Korean pop star Rain wowed nearly 40,000 fans at a concert at the Tokyo Dome on Friday evening, becoming the first Korean singer to hold a solo concert at the stadium. Rain performed 21 songs during the concert, including his Japanese language sin...

[Talk of the town] New York love letter

Park Chan-wook, the celebrity director of "Oldboy", is soon to make a film in New York, along with a dozen or so other directors from a variety of countries. It will be called "New York, Je T'Aime" (New York, I Love You). Park agreed to the project a...

Korean to join world's most celebrated directors for New York tribute

Park Chan-wook, already considered by many film buffs to be Korea's greatest director, has received more foreign recognition of his talents. He has been asked to join some of the world's most celebrated filmmakers to participate in making Emmanuel...

Rain to Debut in Hollywood in Wachowski Film

Korean pop star Rain will make his debut in Hollywood in the action-adventure "Speed Racer" by the Wachowski brothers. Rain will play a supporting role as a race car driver who is a link between two main characters. Andy and Larry Wachowski, creato...

Rain Lands Part in Hollywood Movie

The Korean singer and actor Rain has a foot in the door in Hollywood after being cast in "Speed Racer", the next film by the Wachowski brothers, who created "The Matrix". Rain is to play a character who takes part in high-speed car races to secure hi...

Rain secures role in Hollywood action film

Rain, set for world concert tour, poses at the U.N. Plaza in Manhattan on May 11. Korean pop singer Rain will make his Hollywood debut in May 2008, playing an Asian car racer in an action adventure. Rain has already gained popularity throughout A...

JUNG Ji-hoon in Talks with The Wachowski Brothers

Pan-Asian pop star Rain – who uses his real name JUNG Ji-hoon for his acting career – is negotiating about a role in the Hollywood film Speed Racer of the directing duo the Wachowski brothers. JUNG's agency also announced that the talks have reached ...

Singer Jang Nara to Hold Solo Concert in Beijing

Korean pop star Jang Nara will be the first Korean singer to hold a solo concert in Beijing. Jang's father and actor Joo Ho-seong announced that Jang's concert will take place over two days, starting on June 8th. The pop star is currently serving ...

It might be small, but it's noisy

JEONJU, North Jeolla ― Pristine air, welcoming people, and some of Korea's loveliest surviving premodern architecture and folk culture ― these are Jeonju's perpetual treasures. But, once a year, this provincial capital with the heart of a small town ...

[Talk of the town] When it Rains, it pours

April was not a cruel month for Rain, also known as Bi or as Jeong Ji-hun, his given name. Rain had plenty of good news, including the announcement on April 27 that People magazine in the United States, had selected him as one of its Most Beautiful P...

Top Stars Win Andre Kim Awards

Top Korean fashion designer Andre Kim gave recognition to Korea's most beautiful and popular stars during his 2007 Best Star Awards at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, Monday evening. Actress Lee Young-ae, who starred in the hit MBC drama "Dae Jang...

Rain Named to People's 'Most Beautiful' List