Kim Joon to make comeback in new TV series

Korean actor Kim Joon will make a comeback to the small screen in a new TV series, his first since starring in last year's smash hit "Boys Over Flowers", according to his agency on Wednesday.

Planet 905 announced in a press release that the actor will play the lead role in a drama tentatively titled "The Love of Pygmalion", to be co-produced by Korean and Japanese production companies

"Kim had been offered numerous roles in Korea and from Asian countries since appearing in 'Boys' but decided to take on this drama because it would allow him to show a different side to him as an actor," an official at Planet 905 was quoted as saying.

The official added that Japanese producers named Kim's character for the drama after the actor's real name, Kim Hyung-joon.

"Pygmalion", co-starring Japanese actress Minamisawa Nao, is about a woman named Mika who has lost her memories regarding her lover Hyung-joon.

The drama will be directed by producer Kim Yoon-chul, who is known for hit 2005 drama "My Name is Kim Sam-Soon." The actor commented that he was "happy to work with director Kim Yoon-chul whom I admired" and "learned a lot as an actor" from the experience.

"Pygmalion", which wrapped up shooting this month in Korea, will premiere on Japan's mobile channel BeeTV on March 20.

Kim, 26, made his debut in the entertainment industry in 2007 as a rapper of K-pop group T-Max. He rose to stardom playing one of the famous F4 characters in "Boys" last year.

Many of T-Max's songs were featured on the soundtrack for "Boys" and Kim is currently working on the group's upcoming studio album.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Kim Tae Hee for VOGUE

Rain Plans for Two Album Releases This Year

On February 19, the agency of famous Korean singer and actor Rain (real name Jeong Ji-hoon, 28), J. Tune Entertainment, announced that he would release a special album this coming April. According to J. Tune Entertainment, Rain will release a regular album around in October after recording a mini album consisting of four or five songs in April. This special album will be recorded one year and six months after releasing his 5th album “Rainism” in 2008. Due to his first Hollywood movie “Ninja Assassin,” Rain was so busy that he could not make a new album last year.

A J. Tune official said in a phone interview with Yonhap New, “We have already recorded some songs, but we are still in the process of collecting better songs from songwriters. We will decide on the title song of the album after completing all of the songs for the album.”

It is an exceptional case for Rain to release an album in April. Rain has usually released his albums in October after releasing his debut album in May, 2002. The official said, “This upcoming mini album, which will be released in April, would be meaningful for Rain because he debuted in April, 2002.” The official added, “ Rain had completed his Asia tour up to January and he is planning an encore performance in a foreign country. He is also examining scripts to possibly appear in a TV drama in the second half of the year."

source: KBS Global

Son Ye Jin for Chatelaine 2010 Spring Collection

Girl Groups Set to Mesmerize Foreign Audience

Girl groups have wowed Korea last year and now they’re eyeing the world stage. Which group has the best chance of winning the hearts of global music fans? Music industry insiders size up the chances of each group by their characteristics.

First, Girl’s Generation, Kara, and T-ara are marked by their cute, perky appeal. Korean internet users have picked Girl’s Generation as the most likely girl group to succeed in America. Kara and T-ara are projected to do well in Japan and other Asian countries. These Korean girl idols are taller and more sophisticated than their Japanese counterparts, yet they still have that adorable girl-next-door quality.

Then there are powerful and charismatic 2NE1 and Brown Eyed Girls. They have very strong and mature personalities that set them apart from other girlish idols. They have become solid cultural icons for women in their teens through 30s. Brown Eyed Girls have already won a huge following in Singapore after they participated in a promotional tour there with FT Island last month.

Wonder Girls and After School appeal to the masses with their strong visual presence. They’re better in music videos than on live stage. Last year Wonder Girls have made quite a wave in the American music scene with “Nobody” and their opening act in the Jonas Brother’s national tour. Thailand and other Asian nations are looking to invite After School, although the girls have never promoted their songs overseas.

source: KBS Global

CNBLUE’s Jung Yonghwa and SNSD’s Seohyun become new We Got Married couple!

It’s official! CNBLUE’s leader Jung Yong Hwa and SNSD’s maknae Seohyun have been cast in MBC’s We Got Married as the show’s newest virtually married couple!

Despite the ongoing schedules that both youngsters have with their hit songs, I’m a Loner and Oh!, Jung Yong Hwa and Seohyun have already gone through the test filming at Ilsan Kyung Ki Do on the 12nd; their first episode is scheduled to be broadcast next month. Following the footsteps Jo Kwon and Ga-In, they will be the second idol-x-idol couple for We Got Married Season 2.

credit: Allkpop

Jun Ji-hyun to Star in Wayne Wang Film

Top Korean star Jun Ji-hyun has been cast as a heroine in the new Wayne Wang film “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” according to her agency Sidus HQ on February 3.

The film, which is based on the novel of the same title by Lisa See, is set in the Qing Dynasty in China during the 19th century. “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” chronicles the lives of two women and their intimate friendship; the two women exchanged poetry and letters written in a secret language on a fan over the course of their entire lives.

In the movie, which was announced on February 2, Jun was cast in the role of Snow Flower, who has been through many storms of life, alongside famous Chinese actress Li Bingbing, who plays Jun’s counterpart, and Hollywood star Hugh Jackman.

Jun’s agency Sidus HQ said, “Director Wayne Wang had asked Jun to work together with him several times since seeing her in the film ‘My Sassy Girl,’ which was very popular in the Chinese market, but they never had a chance to work together, unfortunately. Both Jun and Wang are ecstatic about working together for this film.”

Wang, who was born and raised Hong Kong, received worldwide recognition for his film “Joy Luck Club” in 1993 and won the “Silver Bear Award” at the Berlin International Film Festival with the film “Smoke” in 1995.
source: KBS Global

Big Bang for BSX

Nichkhun to spend Valentine's Day with fans in Thailand

2PM member Nichkhun plans to spend Valentine's Day with fans in Thailand, according to his agency on Thursday.

JYP Entertainment explained the Thai-American member of the popular will visit Korean boy bandPhuket over Valentine's, which also falls concurrently with the Chinese Lunar New Year this year, to spend time with his fans over a five-day period.

Nichkhun will introduce various aspects of Thai culture to his fans including the traditional martial arts muay thai and beach activities. He will also hold a dinner party on the last night of the trip.

In 2009 the Tourism Authority of Thailand named Nichkhun a promotional ambassador for tourism at an aim to attract younger tourists to the country.

The 21-year-old heartthrob became famous even ahead of his debut as a member of 2PM, shooting commercials in Thailand including one with Asian pop sensation Rain. It was recently announced that Nichkhun will be making his film debut in the comedy tentatively titled "Shining Diploma".

Additional information regarding the event is available on www.modetour.com and www.nichkhunbreak.com.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

TVXQ Named the Best-selling Foreign Artist in Japan

Five-member group TVXQ (known as Tohoshinki in Japan) became the bestselling foreign artists in Japanese music history with the group’s latest single album “Break Out!” Oricon News reported that TVXQ’s 29th single in Japan has sold roughly 25,600 copies in the first week out in the market, rising to No.1 spot on the Oricon weekly single chart. Japanese fans have eagerly waited for the release of “Break Out!” It has been proven by the fact that the album was placed first in the most anticipated album list.

The group’s album sales have surpassed the record set by Elton John in September 1997 when he released “Candle in the Wind” in memory of the late Princess Diana. They have also become the first foreign artist to sell more than 200 thousand copies in the first week since the album’s release. Meanwhile, TVXQ will market on February 17th their best album comprised of the songs introduced in Japan. However, it is not known when the group will resume their activities in Korea, since the legal dispute between three of the members and their agency hasn’t been resolved yet.

source: KBS Global

Jang to Disclose Wedding Plans in March

Top actor Jang Dong-gun plans to announce when he will tie the knot with actress Ko So-young at a meeting with his fans scheduled for March 6.

Jang has held fan meeting events annually to celebrate his birthday. He held the gathering in Japan last year but will meet his fans at home this year at the Auditorium at COEX in Samsung-dong, southern Seoul.

"Jang will disclose his plans for his wedding with Ko So-young at the fan meeting. The exact date has yet to be fixed," an aide was quoted as saying by Star News, an online news provider. "After he delivers on his promise with the fans, he will make preparations for the wedding."

Jang previously made a promise on his Web site that he would tell his fans first if he decided on the details of the wedding.

It has been rumored that they will marry in May.

In the March event, Jang is expected to shake hands with all of his fans. Jang is currently recuperating from knee surgery he underwent in mid-January.

credit: chojh@koreatimes.co.kr
source: koreatimes.co.kr

Ju Ji-hoon Enlists in Military in February, 2010

Actor Ju Ji-hoon has enlisted in the army at the 306 reserve army training camp, commonly called "306 Bochungdae," in Uijeongbu, Kyeonggi-do on February 2.

After he receives some basic military training for five weeks, he will serve two years as a full-time member in the army.

Ju is well known for starring in the films "Antique Bakery" (2008) and "Kitchen" (2009). However, he was fined 360,000 won and sentenced to six months in prison with one year of probation and 120 hours of community service last June after he was charged with drug abuse.

source: KBS Global