Park Yong-ha's New Single Ranks 10th on Oricon Chart

Actor and recording artist Park Yong-ha's seventh single album has climbed to the number ten spot on Japan's Oricon Music Chart.

Park's latest single entitled "Say Goodbye." reached the number ten spot on the day of its release. His new single album contains three new songs including "Say Goodbye" and "December Sky."

On November 25, Park will also release his first studio album in three years entitled "Love." His sixth studio album will contain 13 songs, including a bonus track.

For the first time since 2006, Park will hold an arena tour concert in Japan. He will perform in Yokohama on December 3, in Tokyo on December 20 and 21 and in Osaka on January 8, 2009.

Source:KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1556375_11858.html

Tags: Park Yong ha/korean actor/korean singer

Singer Rain Is Saver of the Day

Singer Rain and actress Kim Ji-soo were awarded prizes for their money-saving skills.

The Financial Services Commission marked the 45th Savings Day by awarding Rain a presidential commendation and Kim Ji-soo a Prime Minister commendation.

Bringing new meaning to the phrase ‘saving for a rainy day,’ the commission said thrifty Rain has saved most of his income since debuting in 2002, and made various social contributions, including donating profits from concerts to underprivileged children, including W300 million to those suffering the after-effects of an oil spill in Tae-an. Kim Ji-soo deals prudently with her income, thus raising awareness of saving.

Singer Rain and actress Kim Ji-soo attend
the 45th Savings Day ceremony
at Korea Federation of Banks, Seoul, on Tuesday. / Yonhap

The top prize, the Mogryeon Medal, was awarded to single mother Sim Sam-sun, 56, an independent taxi driver in Busan. She has been raising her two children alone while saving her entire income, excluding a daily lunch bill, for 26 years. She also participated in social services, including helping starving children.

Some 81 people were awarded prizes, including one decoration, three medals and six presidential commendations.

Credit: englishnews@chosun.com

Source:Chosun
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200810/200810290009.html

Tags: Rain/Singer Rain/Jung Ji Hoon/Kim Ji soo

Song Hye-go, Hyun Bin Star in New KBS Drama Series

Popular Korean actress Song Hye-gyo will be returning to TV for the first time in four years. During a recent interview, the actress, who was recently cast in the new KBS drama series "A World of Their Own," said although she doesn't give too much thought to viewer ratings, she is starting to feel the pressure as the first episode's airing date draws near.

Song added that her co-star Hyun Bin tried his best to calm down her nerves by telling her that there are good times and bad times and that she shouldn't care too much about the viewer ratings.

"Full House" and "My Sweet Samsoon," the two sensationally popular drama series that the two actors most recently starred in, posted average viewer ratings of 30% and 50%, respectively. Naturally, expectations are running high for the brand new drama series starring two of the most popular actors of their generation. However, tough competition is expected as "East of Eden," a high-profile MBC drama series, has been posting high average viewer ratings of 20% to 30%.

Song says the script is easy to relate to and highly entertaining, and that the viewers will definitely be drawn into the story.

source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1552865_11858.html

Tags: Song hye kyo/Hyun Bin/Worlds Within/korean drama/Full House/East of Eden

Han Chae-young and Kiwi Director Become Cinematic Soul Mates

A press conference on pre-production of the film “Soul Mates” -- the first ever joint Korean-New Zealand movie to be made -- was held at the Paradise Hotel in Busan on Oct. 4.

In the spotlight at the conference was actress Han Chae-young, who has been cast in a leading role. When asked about appearing in a foreign film for the first time, she said, “Of course I feel the pressure. It is my first time appearing in a film in English, but because the director (Scott Reynolds) is so capable and effective at communicating with actors and actresses, I don’t think it will be difficult to make this film.”

Director Reynolds is already well known to the Korean public as the director of “The Ugly,” featured in the 1997 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.

Reynolds said, “New Zealanders love Korean movies. For example, ‘A Tale of Two Sisters’ by Kim Jee-woon was very popular. Han, who combines the beauty of both East and West, is a perfect fit for this movie.

“I don’t just mean her physical qualities. She should evolve into a top actress through her role of Jin-hee in ‘Soul Mates.’”

“Soul Mates” is a horror-thriller about eternal love, and will incorporate elements from Asian shamanism. Filming is expected to begin in January of next year.

Credit: englishnews@chosun.com

source: Chosun
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200810/200810150004.html

Tags: Han Chae young/korean actress/Soul Mates/A Tale of Two Sisters

Rain in "Esquire" and "Harper's Bazaar"magazine

Tags: Rain/Esquire/Jung Ji Hoon

Actor Won Bin's Parents' House Wins 2008 Korean Architecture Award

The house actor Won Bin built for his parents in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province has won the 2008 Korean Architecture Award. IDMM Architects, which was in charge of designing the house, said the house won the award on September 22.

The 406.46㎡ house, located on national highway 42, boasts an innovative structure. The first floor of the house leads directly to the third floor, without a second floor.

Apparently, Won Bin showed a photograph of Jennifer Lopez's Beverly Hills mansion to architect Kwak Hee-soo, and also asked him to incorporate memories of his old childhood home in Gangwon Province into the design.

The kitchen is adorned with red bricks and features an old-style cooking-range that can heat the floor of the guest room.

source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1551024_11858.html

Tags: Won bin/korean actor/Jennifer Lopez