Yoon Eun Hye in NUYOU Magazine

credit to : Rebby@Soompi

Rain Fueled by 'Fury' for 'Ninja Assassin'

For his first Hollywood lead role in "Ninja Assassin,'' Rain had to forget he was a pop star and trained alongside stuntmen for six hours a day, over six months ― all when he could have been comfortably playing sweet TV roles or dancing onstage for staunch Asian fans.

His secrets to achieving zero percent body fat? Anti-fans and mom, said the 27-year-old in a crowded press conference Monday in Seoul.

"There were many times when I wanted to return to Korea, where I could be busy giving concerts and starring in TV dramas and movies. I seriously contemplated it many times over the eight months (of shooting `Ninja Assassin.'),'' said Rain, who showed off his build in a fitted double-breasted suit.

But he stayed because he had made a promise to fans, and also because of his pride.

His trainers, who are now like family, would provoke him, saying that Matt Damon or Brad Pitt outperformed him in lifting 100-kilogram weights.

"I would also wake up in the morning and flip through the `very nice' newspaper articles that criticized me and read negative comments from anti-fans,'' he said about feeling compelled to prove himself. "I thought I had to show that I can make a debut in the United States rather than just talk about it.''

The modern martial arts flick is the South Korean superstar's second collaboration with the creators of "The Matrix'' series. He made his Hollywood debut in "Speed Racer,'' which was directed by the Wachowski brothers, and assumes his first lead role in the upcoming film, which is produced by the talented brothers and directed by James McTeigue ("V for Vendetta'').

This is also the first time a local star is playing the title role in a major Hollywood franchise.

He said he pulled off 90 percent of the stunt roles, using minimal wire support. He was hurt on many occasions, and though he didn't break any bones he bears "many scars of honor.''

Thinking about his late mother, however, fueled his "passion'' for the project.

"My mother used to wake up at 5 a.m. every day and would work all day, come home at midnight and go to sleep at 1 or 2 in the morning. She did this for many years to support me and my sister. I thought if I can't survive this I can't do anything. This is the beginning of a new stage in my life and I cannot afford to be lazy,'' he said.

"I heard people get three chances in life, and I've had my three: first when I met (music producer JYP or Park) Jin-young, second when I met the Wachowski brothers through `Speed Racer' and third, when they offered me the part for `Ninja Assassin,''' he said.

"I'd be lying if I didn't wish the movie to be a box office success, because everyone worked so hard. But regardless of the results this has opened a lot of doors for me, and I hope it will also open more opportunities for Asian actors, and particularly Korean actors,'' he said, since Asians still have "a low success rate'' in Tinseltown.

In addition to Rain, the movie stars Korean-American actors Randall Duk Kim and Rick Yune.

Rain plays the role of Raizo, an orphan who is trained by a secret ninja clan to become a deadly killer. But when Raizo witnesses the murder of his good friend, he turns his back on his clan and plots revenge. When asked if he could relate to his character, he said he hopes he has nothing in common with such an introverted, violent persona but hopes fans will discover a new side to his conventional image.

Rain will continue his promotional tour Nov. 11 to 22 across the U.S., including New York and Los Angeles. He will then visit Hong Kong Nov. 28 and 29, Jakarta, Indonesia on Dec. 3 and finally Shanghai through the following week of December.

Meanwhile, the pop singer will hold concerts in the U.S. for the first time in three years next month, Dec. 24 and 25 at Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas.

The movie, rated 18 and over, will open in theaters Nov. 26. 98 minutes. Distributed by Warner Brothers Korea.

credit to: Lee Hyo-won (hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr)
source: koreatimes.co.kr

Jang Dong-gun, Ko So-young Admit Romance at Last

The romance between actor Jang Dong-gun and actress Ko So-young has been confirmed. AM Entertainment, Jang's management agency, in a press release on Thursday afternoon said, "Jang and Ko have been good friends since appearing together in the film 'Love Wind, Love Song' (1998) and the relationship recently blossomed into romance."

However, it said there were no immediate plans for marriage. "If there is good news to be delivered we will let everyone know."

Rumors about Jang and Ko being together had spread several times in the past, but both had consistently denied them. But when rumors of impending marriage were reported Thursday afternoon, the management agency officially admitted it for the first time.

Credit: englishnews@chosun.com

source : Chosun

Lee Min-ho to Meet Japanese Fans

Lee Min-ho, the star of the hit drama "Boys Over Flowers,'' is holding his first fan meeting in Japan.

The 22-year-old actor has visited other Asian countries, including Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia, for promotional events before, and this time he will meet his Japanese fans at "Minoz JAPAN First Event'' in Tokyo on Nov. 26.

The event was to be held only once, but with tickets selling out quickly, organizers decided to hold a couple more. Specific dates and venues of the additional events were not confirmed.

Before the actual fan meeting, Lee will also appear on talk shows and mini-concerts during the Korea Entertainment Festival, which will be held at Universal Studios Japan, Nov. 22. On Nov. 25, Lee will attend an autograph event for his first photo essay "Yeo, Travel with MINHO.''

Lee shot to stardom as the handsome and arrogant Goo Jun-pyo, depicting the Japanese cartoon character with the same dark curls and smile. The drama, along with the cast including Lee, Kim Beom, Kim Hyun-joong and the heroine Ku Hye-sun, captivated fans in Korea and Asia.

Credit to : Han Sang-hee (sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr)
source: koreatimes.co.kr

3 Starts to Share Lead in 'Legally Blonde' Musical

The starring role of Elle Woods in the musical "Legally Blonde" will be shared among three stars -- 2006 Miss Korea Lee Honey, Jessica of girl group Girls' Generation, and actress Kim Ji-woo. The Korean version of the musical opens on Nov. 14.

What do they bring to the part? This is Lee's second musical after "Polaroid," and she is probably the closest to the character of Elle Woods in that she was the winner of a beauty pageant and is a graduate of the nation's top university, Seoul National University, with a degree in Korean traditional music.

"It's a musical with modern music and dance full of elements that will appeal to female audiences," she says. "Just like Elle is fighting against the stereotypes of blonde beauties, I want to break the stereotypes of Miss Koreas."

Jessica is making her musical theater debut with "Legally Blonde." "It's physically tough as I'm quite busy with other things going on in addition to this musical. But it was one of my dreams to be part of a musical production, and I love the role, so I'm really happy to take part," she says. "I need to improve my acting, but I consider being part of a girl group a kind of acting. I'm similar to Elle in the fact that I never give up once I'm determined to do something. But I'm different from her because I'm more of a quiet, introverted person."

Kim is the most experienced of the three as she has appeared in other musicals including "Singles" and "Singing in the Rain." Kim says she is particularly attracted to "Legally Blonde" because "it is rare to find a musical that is led by one woman character." "Lee is sexy yet cute, and Jessica is cute yet sexy." She evaluates herself as "similar to Elle because she is outgoing and strives for change." "As I've spent some years doing musicals, I think I can now feel more relaxed being on stage."

Credit: englishnews@chosun.com

source : Chosun

Kim Bum to release First Japanese Single!

Track listings:
1. Intro (For Eve’s Lovers)
2. 성탄 전야(이브)의 하늘 (Christmas Eve’s Sky)
3. 지금, 만나러 갑니다 (I’m Going To Meet Her Now)
4. 지금, 만나러 갑니다 (한국어판) (I’m Going To Meet Her Now (Korean))
5. 성탄 전야(이브)의 하늘 (Instrumental) (Christmas Eve’s Sky)
6. 지금, 만나러 갑니다 (Instrumental) (I’m Going To meet Her Now)

The CD will also include a behind the scenes DVD and pictures. It will be around $18-$19. (1714 or 1800Yen).

Release dates:
11/8/09 at Osaka Fanmeeting
11/9/09 First release (Check Kim Bum’s Japanese fan club Vega website)
12/16/09 In stores everywhere

Distributed by Glory Entertainment

Sources: bumsso, kim bum japan