Kim A-joong to Star in U.S.-Chinese Film

Actress Kim A-joong has been cast in a leading role in a W20-billion joint U.S.-Chinese film project (US$1=W1,197).

Kim's management agency Yedang Entertainment announced on Saturday that she will appear in the film "Amazing," about the development of a virtual-reality basketball game.

Kim will play the love interest of Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming in the sports adventure movie, which is also expected to feature NBA stars such as Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Magic Johnson and Yao Ming.

Sherwood Xuehua Hu, who won the best film and best director awards at the 2008 Calabria International Film Festival for "Prince of the Himalayas," will direct the film.

"Kim is a very popular actress not only in Korea but across Asia," said a spokesperson for the film. "It will be a great opportunity for her to launch her career globally."

Shooting started in China on Aug. 15, and "Amazing" is scheduled to hit theaters in China and the U.S. in the first half of next year.

source: Chosun Ilbo

2PM’s Nichkhun for Arena Homme

Many thanks to shinsahkhun for sharing the photos

Lee Junki Reassures Fans Not To Worry About His Injury

Despite a forehead injury, Lee Joonki attended a press conference?for the musical "Voyage of Life"?at the National Theatre in Jangchoong-dong of Seoul on August 24th.?

Lee Joonki starred in the special musical production on its opening day (August 21st) with bandages wrapped around his head. However, despite his apparent injury, he gave the performance his all, receiving quite an applause at the end of the show.

After the show, the actor explained that he had incurred a significant injury during a rehearsal session for the musical. He had bumped his head onto a steel structure practicing just hours before the show. He was rushed to the Seoul National University Hospital where he had to receive 50 stitches. Although this was no minor accident, Lee insisted in performing that night because 98% of the seats were sold out. He felt it was his obligation and duty to deliver for his fans.?

At the press conference, the actor apologized for causing his fans to worry and reassured them that he's taking all the necessary precautions and receiving all the necessary treatments to get better. He also expressed how it caused a lot of stress for him to decide to sit out from the musical on the second performance night (August 22nd). He did state that he'd be back performing his role from here on out and would try his best to give the best possible performance.?

"Voyage of Life" is a musical about the Korean War in November-December of 1950. It was put on to commemorate the 60th anniversary since the war between the two Koreas. Despite the fact that Lee is currently serving his mandatory military sentence, he participated in this special project alongside another A-list Korean actor, Joo Jin-mo.

source: KBS Global

Kim Hyun-joong wraps up "Boys Over Flowers" reunion

Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong at the "Boys Over Flowers" reunion in Tokyo, Japan held at the Tokyo International Forum on August 21. [KEYEAST]

Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong successfully wrapped up the "Boys Over Flowers" reunion over the weekend, according to his agency KEYEAST on Monday.

KEYEAST announced that Kim recently returned to Korea after meeting with over 10,000 fans for the "Boys Over Flowers" reunion in Osaka and Tokyo on August 18 and 21, respectively, with fellow cast mates Ku Hye-sun, Kim Bum and Kim Jun.

At the event held at the Tokyo International Forum, Kim Hyun-joong told fans of incidents from behind-the-scenes of "Boys Over Flowers" as well as his upcoming drama MBC's "Naughty Kiss."

He also held a special individual performance where he sang and danced for the audience.

An industry official in Japan said, "Kim is the current generation's Hallyu star and since he will be starring as the male lead in 'Kiss,' which is originally based on a Japanese comic, I am interested in his future projects as an actor and singer in Korea and Japan as well as other Asian countries."

Kim, 23, made his debut as a member of the boy band SS501. In late-June, he signed an exclusive contract with KEYEAST, whose major shareholder is Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon.

Kim rose to fame as one of the members of F4 on the hit TV series "Boys Over Flowers" and is currently shooting the Korean adaptation of the comic "Itazura na Kiss," opposite actress Jung So-min. The show will go on air starting September 1.

Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong performs at the "Boys Over Flowers" reunion in Tokyo, Japan held at the Tokyo International Forum on August 21. [KEYEAST]

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

New Trend In K-Pop: Pretty-Beasts?

They're not just pretty boys, yet they're not your typical "beastly", manly men either. So what are they??

There's been a new wave of poster boys in the k-pop industry that have created a new fusion of a category: pretty-beasts (???). Gone are the guys that simply had pretty, delicately-featured faces. Gone are the men that simply boasted their buff arms and abs so defined that they resembled chocolate bars (hence the nickname Koreans use, "chocolate abs"). Demands are rising as now the trend is to have both.

Example number one : BEAST's Lee Ki-kwang
He has that clear milky complexion and moon-shaped eyes when he smiles that's enough to make any young (or old!) woman go weak at the knees. Don't let that baby-face fool you though because as soon as the shirt comes off, it's clear that a big portion of his days are spent at the gym. He's been fast rising not only on the music scene with his group BEAST, but on the small screen as well. He's gained popularity as Kang Sae-ho on "Highkick Through The Roof" and more recently on the new variety programs "Hot Brothers".

Example number two : 2PM's Nickhun
Also frequenting many of the popular variety programs (i.e. "Star King", "We Got Married Season 2"), Nickhun is just as used to hear compliments regarding his baby-face. Having been compared to Baby Mason and actress Moon Geun-young, he has those innocent features and a charming smile that undoubtedly places him in the "pretty-boy" or "flower-boy" category. However, he's also a member of the group 2PM whose whole concept revolves around them being "beastly" men. When watching him on stage moving to the powerful choreography of 2PM songs, many women find it hard to distinguish whether they feel maternal drawings or pure attraction.

Example number three : Lee Seung-gi
When you think of the clean-cut boy-next-door, immediately Lee Seung-gi pops into your head. He's been known as a "triple threat" as a singer, actor, and emcee. He's earned a reputation of being one of those annoying people that are good at everything they do, but yet, you can't hate them for it. He's starred on the popular variety show "1 Night 2 Days", emceed "Strong Heart", and is starring in a new drama "My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho" with one of the hottest Korean women, Shin Mina. He's left many of his fans in shock though when snippets of him showering were aired on "1 Night 2 Days", showing off his hard abs.

Example number four : SS501's Kim Hyun-joong
For months now, the prime example of a pretty-boy in k-pop was Kim Hyun-joong. His big eyes, delicate lips, and high cheek-bones are enough to make any woman envious. He even starred in the most quintessential flower-boy drama: "Boys Over Flowers"! However, watch any of his live performances when he's in SS501 mode, it's clear that he's just as manly as his features may be feminine. In fact, he's taking on a new drama role in "Playful Kiss". He'll play a more masculine character featuring a well-cut body, which is quite appropriate because that's what's portrayed in the comic series that inspired this project.?

Example number five : Wonbin
He's one of the most recognizable faces in Korean dramas and movies. And for good reason. Big eyes, big lips, everything about him is well defined. However, his past few dramas toned his strong, masculine side down some by placing him in younger, weaker, and more vulnerable roles. However, he's changed that all around with his new hit of a film "Mister" where he shows off a lean, muscular frame that is anything but weak and vulnerable. "Mister" is his first action film with his character being a more rebellious bad-boy type. Overall, he's showing more beast than pretty-boy this time around, placing him also in the "pretty-beast" category.

source: KBS Global

Actress Han Chae-young Signs With Hollywood?

It's off to Hollywood for actress Han Chae-young! Han's entertainment company BH Entertainment reported on August 11th that the beauty signed with one of the top talent agencies in the US, Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

CAA was founded in 1975 and is the label that some of the top dogs in the US entertainment industry have signed under. This includes director Steven Spielberg, actors Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Nicholas Cage, George Clooney, Will Smith, actress Julia Roberts, TV personality Oprah Winfrey, baseball player Derek Jeter, and soccer player David Beckham. One thing's for sure, Chae will definitely be in good company!

CAA is known to be a well-established company that specializes in backing talents in all sectors of entertainment. There's a lot of anticipation over whether or not the agency will help Han Chae-young succeed in Hollywood as actor Lee Byung-hun did before her. Han is nicknamed "the Korean Barbie doll" for her ideally proportioned figure along with her face that is the perfect fusion of eastern and western beauty. Reports have said that she has been wanting to enter the Hollywood scene. She even joined a New Zealand film project titled "Soulmate", hoping to get her face known outside of Korea's borders. Unfortunately, due to some insider problems, the film never entered the US market.

source: KBS Global

BoA to Make Hollywood Debut

Korean pop star BoA has been cast in the leading role of a Hollywood movie about dancers in New York City.

The film is to be written and directed by Duane Adler, who wrote the screenplay for "Save the Last Dance" and "Step Up," her management agency SM Entertainment said on Tuesday.

Robert Cort, who has made over 50 Hollywood movies including "Jumanji" and "The Runaway Bride," is expected to be the producer. Adler and Cort collaborated on "Save the Last Dance" as screenwriter and producer.

"BoA plans to showcase a variety of powerful new dance performances," SM Entertainment said. "It will also be an opportunity to see a new side of BoA as an actress, and her character will be romantically involved with the leading male character."

The rest of the cast, including the leading actor, is currently being decided. Shooting is scheduled to begin in the U.S. early next year.

Meanwhile, BoA will make a comeback in Korea with the release of her sixth album "Hurricane Venus" on Thursday.

source: Chosun Ilbo

Lee Min-ho reveals pics from Maldives vacation

Korean actor Lee Min-ho on his Maldives vacation [Official Lee Min-ho Cyworld and Twitter]

Korean actor Lee Min-ho has uploaded pictures from his recent vacation in the Maldives on his official Cyworld webpage and Twitter.

Last Friday, Lee posted several photographs of himself including one of himself on the beach sporting a navy blue t-shirt and white pants, a close-up shots from a swimming pool and another of himself talking on his phone while sitting on a bench.

The following day, Lee wrote a comment on his official fan webpage saying, "It's been a while since I went on a summer vacation with my family. The island was so beautiful and quiet and I have returned fully rested."

Fans who have seen the pictures left responses such as, "You're everyday life is like a photo spread" and "It's great to see Min-ho's playful side."

Lee, 23, started out in the entertainment industry in 2006 with various roles in TV and short dramas. He became a household name as Goo Jun-pyo in the Korean adaptation of "Boys Over Flowers" (KBS, 2009) alongside Korean actress Ku Hye-sun and Kim Hyun-joong.

He recently starred in the hit MBC series "Personal Taste," in which he pretends to be a gay man, opposite Korean actress Son Ye-jin.

Korean actor Lee Min-ho on the beach during his Maldives vacation [Official Lee Min-ho Cyworld and Twitter]

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
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Han Ji-hye to wed prosecutor in September

Actress Han Ji-hye [Trophy Entertainment]

Top Korean actress Han Ji-hye will get married to her prosecutor boyfriend in September, according to her agency on Thursday.

Through a press release, Trophy Entertainment announced that the 26-year-old actress will wed her boyfriend of almost two years, at a hotel in Hawaii on September 21.

The boyfriend, whose name has been unidentified, is six years older than Han. The two, both devout Christians, met at church in January of last year and two months later, admitted to a report that disclosed their romantic relationship.

"I have met a companion through whom I can live my life...... No matter what unpaved road we may come across, I will dare promise you that I will not let go of the hand I am holding onto now. I ask that you encourage and support us toward living a happy life," Han was quoted as saying in the statement.

Han has said she will continue to pursue her acting career even after her marriage.

Born Lee Ji-hye, Han made her debut as a supermodel in 2001 and has since appeared in many notable dramas and films. Some of her best-known works include "Summer Scent" (KBS2, 2003), "Sweet 18" (KBS, 2004), "My Boyfriend Is Type B" (2005) and "East of Eden" (MBC, 2008-2009).

Most recently, she wrapped up filming of 26-part Chinese TV drama "Heavenly Embroidery" (working title) with noted director Huang Jian-zhong which is scheduled to air in China in November through major broadcaster CCTV.

Jessica Kim jesskim@
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