The latest fall line-up adds fuel to this season's ratings race.
KBS' "IRIS" - an espionage thriller of cinematic proportions - stands out from the crowd. Backed by an all-star cast, three scriptwriters and two directors, the much-talked-about series promises to live up to its hype and nab top notch ratings when it starts its 20-episode run on Wednesday.
Starting tonight, SBS' much-hyped "Angel's Temptation" may relive the success of its scriptwriter's previous blockbuster "Cruel Temptation" a.k.a. "Temptation of Wife." A new timeslot - it airs at 8:50 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. - enables it to sidestep the formidable MBC Monday and Tuesday night series, "The Great Queen Seondeok."
This Saturday, both KBS and MBC revamped their weekend line-up with two new series. KBS' "Yeolhyeol Jangsaggun" charts the highly ambitious escapades of a car salesman. MBC's "Seeking Love" orchestrates an unlikely romance between a lawyer and a doctor.
A press conference last week - "IRIS" actor Lee Byung-hun says it's their third - unveiled a near 50-minute preview of a complex and multi-layered take on the world of espionage that incorporated three overseas filming locations (China, Hungary, Japan) and high stakes action.
Set up against the classic frame of tense relations between North and South Korea, two groups of agents - one represents the South and the other the North - get entangled into the warped politics of a secret organization called IRIS.
A talented South Korean agent, played by Lee Byung-hun, becomes a pawn in a greater game for power that involves his frenemy-and-fellow agent, the love of his life, a North Korean spy who defects for him and a ruthless assassin who is hot on his trail.
"Stairway to Heaven" sweetheart Kim Tae-hee plays his love interest. "Marrying the Mafia" star Jung Joon-ho plays the frenemy agent. "The Grand Chef" actress Kim So-yeon channels "Swiri" as a North Korean spy who falls for someone from the other side. And K-pop icon Choi Seung-hyun a.k.a. T.O.P of boy band BIGBANG showcases his sniper skills as a skilled assassin.
At the press conference, "G.I. Joe" actor Lee revealed his take on his role as NSS agent Kim Hyun-jun: "In the drama, there are set circumstances. There are around two extreme situations. So, what kind of changes does my character undergo because of these situations?"
"There is a lot of practical action," Lee fielded a question about the type of action to expect from "IRIS." "I think you will be able to see a lot of action that is similar to that of a Bond series."
Espionage, drastic events and gritty action, however, does mean that "IRIS" should be pigeonholed as a dark and heavy piece. According to co-star Jung Joon-ho, the series is not entirely devoid of humor.
"We deliberately tried to go a bit light and fun," said Jung, who added that in the scenes where he and Lee are in training, they did a bit of comedic ad-libbing.
(source: http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/10/12/200910120048.asp )
Hallyu Star Turns Travel Writer
Bae Yong-joon (Winter Sonata) has released a collection of essays called “Journey in Search of Korea’s Beauty.”
The hallyu star held a press conference at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, central Seoul last Tuesday, the day before the release of his book.
Nearly 200 fans as well as 400 reporters from Korea and Japan showed up.
Bae, who had been hospitalized for five days last week due to septicemia, smiled brightly for the fans and cameras as he walked up on stage.
"I’m recovering, and I will get better soon," he said. “I’m sorry for making my parents and fans worried.”
The 37-year-old actor also talked about how he came to write this book. “I was holding a press conference in Japan once,” he said. “When asked to introduce some famous tour sites around Korea, I was embarrassed that I couldn’t answer the question.” He added that he wanted to provide some useful information for his foreign fans that visit the country.
Bae became hugely popular in Japan after the TV drama “Winter Sonata” was aired in 2002, earning him the nickname “Yonsama.”
Journey in Search of Korea’s Beauty is a 434-page book, divided into 13 chapters about themes such as kimchi, hanbok and temple stays, all subjects Bae has chosen himself. The book contains the actor’s essays and exclusive pictures of Bae enjoying these pursuits.(source: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2910447)
'Sword' Presents the Softer Side of Actress Soo-ae
For years, top female actresses in Korea took turns playing the historical figures Jang Hi-bin and Hwang Jin-hi in the movies.
Now, you can add Empress Myeongseong to the list.
Stars including Kang Soo-youn, Choi Myoung-gil, Chae Si-ra, Lee Mi-yeon and Moon Keun-young have recently played the role of the hwanghu, which means empress in Korean.
The latest: actress Soo-ae (Love Letter, Two Outs, Bottom of the 9 th Inning), known throughout the country for her classical beauty. Soo-ae plays Empress Myeongseong in the recently released film “The Sword with No Name,” which is based on a book by Ya Seol-lok and was directed by Kim Yong-gyun.
The movie depicts a desperate romance between the empress and warrior Mu-myeong (Cho Seung-woo). The empress, a forward-thinking advocate of modernity, wields her political influence to further her ideals. But she is often at odds with her orthodox father-in-law, regent Daewon-gun (Chun Ho-jin), and meets a tragic death in her lover’s arms. The movie is loosely based on history, but there are clearly fictional elements, like when the warrior calls the empress by her first name, Ja-young.
"The director’s request was for me to show the face of a ‘woman.’ He said that he saw the ‘face’ on me twice in a previous movie I was in called ‘Sunny,’ and he told me that he wanted more of that face. I’m an introvert and timid, with a firm heart, and quite easygoing. I’m not quite what I seem."
The hardest part, she said, was the climax of the movie, where the two main characters meet their fate. Soo-ae said she was exhausted after two straight days of filming. She also only had one, 10 million won ($8,500) costume covered in blood for the climax, which meant she had to nail the scene perfectly because there wasn’t any room for a reshoot. Fortunately, Soo-ae managed to shine through.
(source: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2910746))
Actress Jeon Do-youn Gets French Medal
Korea's Cannes award-winning actress Jeon Do-youn (Shoot for the Stars, Lovers in Prague) will receive a prestigious cultural honor from France during the ongoing Pusan International Film Festival, the French Embassy in Seoul said Friday, according to Yonhap News.
Jeon, who was named best actress by the Cannes International Film Awards in 2007 for her role in "Secret Sunshine," will receive the medal from the French government for her "superb acting" in an array of films and her win in the French film fest, the embassy said.
Jeon will receive the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres medal during "French Night," an event scheduled for Saturday and prepared as part of the ongoing South Korean film festival that opened in this southeastern port city on Thursday.
(source: http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/10/09/200910090100.asp)
|
Release Calendar |
|
|
Sunlight Upon Me |
Now Available |
|
Boys Over Flowers |
November 17, 2009 |
|
Boys Over Flowers |
December 2009 |
|
My Destiny |
January 2010 |
|
Oasis (aka Desert |
January 2010 |
|
Brilliant Heritage |
February 2010 |
|
Tamra, The Island |
April 2010 |
(Click the below image)
The King & I
(main actress from Boys Over Flowers)
Last Month's Contest
Question:
During this video clip (scroll down) of My Love Patzzi...
1. Hyun-Sung's (Kim Rae Won) shirt has many English words on the front. What is one of the words on his shirt?
2. When Song-Ee is sitting on the steps talking to Seung-Joon (the "owner's son"), she says: "I may be hot-tempered, but I never ____." What is the missing word?
November Contest
Win the "Phoenix"
DVD set!
During this video clip (scroll down) of Phoenix...
1. What are the four numbers on Sae-Hoon's license plate?
2. When Jung-Min is talking to Ji-Eun, he says: "It's too late to turn off my ____________." What is the missing word?
Entries must have both correct answers to qualify. As always, the winner will be chosen at random.
The winner will receive a free copy of our "Phoenix" DVD set.
Email us at info@yaentertainment.com
|
Thank you for all your responses! Last month we asked for your help in deciding which English title we should use for our official US DVD release of Beautiful Legacy / Brilliant Legacy / Shining Inheritance / Radiant Heritage / etc. We really appreciate all the recommendations and suggestions. So far, the leading vote-getter is "Brilliant Legacy." If you agree or disagree, please feel free to send us an email at info@yaentertainment.com . Thank you!
|
|
Netflix Are you a Netflix customer? If so, you'll be happy to know that some of our Korean TV drama titles are now available at Netflix. If someone you know is a Netflix member and they have never before experienced a Korean TV drama, now is the perfect time for them to add one of our titles to their "queue." |