'Gye Baek (계백)' Poster Making.
Lee Seo Jin as General Gyebaek
Cha In Pyo as Moo Jin (Gye Baek's father)
Jo Jae Hyun as King Uija (The Last King of Baekje)
Oh Yeon Soo as Sa Taek Bi (Queen of King Mu of Baekje)
Jeon Noh Min as Sung Choong
Kim Yoo Suk as Heung Soo
Yun Da Hun as Dok Gae
Ahn Kil Kang as Kwi-Woon
Jin Tae Hyun as Gyo Ki
[News] Kim Rae-won comeback for SBS new drama '1,000 Day Promise' or 'Forget Me Not' with Soo-Ae.
Original : http://twssg.blogspot.com/
Kim Rae won comeback to male leader cast starring in '1,000 Day Promise' couple with Soo-Ae SBS new drama.
'1,000 Day Promise' storyline about a woman losing her memory and a man who loves the woman unconditionally. Soo-Ae cast as Seo-Yeon, Kim Rae-Won cast as Ji-Hyung.
Early working title was "Moolmangcho (물망초)" which is a flower known in English as Myosotis and more commonly referred to as "Forget-me-not". Now, this drama changed to new title is "Chunilui Yaksok (천일의 약속)" which means literally "1,000 Day Promise".
Soo Ae will show as the newest lead actress of writer Kim Soo Hyun’s miniseries. Soo Ae shared that she feels a mixture of a heavy sense of burden, anticipation, and excitement.
'1,000 Day Promise' written by Kim Soo Hyun and directed by Jung Eul Young, who have worked on many hit dramas together, including Life is Beautiful, Mom’s Dead Upset, and My Man’s Woman, Forget-Me-Not is scheduled to premiere the last week of September, airing as a Monday-Tuesday drama after Warrior Baek Dong-soo on SBS.
'1,000 Day Promise' have a scheduled to premiere the last week of September, airing as a Monday-Tuesday drama after Warrior Baek Dong-soo at SBS Broadcast Network.
[News] Yoon Si-yoon to visit Japan this week.
Cr. - 10asia
Yoon Si-yoon will visit Japan this week to promote his TV series "Bread, Love and Dreams," according to his agency Taxi Entertainment on Monday.
A press release by Taxi said that Yoon will visit the country by invitation of major Japanese broadcaster Fuji TV which aired the popular Korean series starting July 14.
Yoon will fly into Japan on Friday, fulfilling various schedules including appearing on a talk show on Fuji TV, holding an inauguration ceremony for his official Japanese fanclub and taking part in a charity bazaar through which he will sell his prized possessions and donate all proceeds to Japan's earthquake relief.
Yoon, 24, debuted in 2009 with MBC’s sitcom “High Kick 2,” rose to stardom last year as the male lead in “Bread, Love and Dreams” (KBS, 2010) which breached viewership ratings of 50 percent and won him second prize in acting in the area of special drama production at KBS' year-end awards.
He is currently filming "Baek Pro" (translated title) and is planning to return to the small screen in the latter half of the year.
[News] Rock band 'Whitesnake' to hold 1st ever concert in Korea in October.
Cr. - 10asia
English rock band Whitesnake will visit Korea for the first time ever for their concert this October, according to the concert's promoter 9 Entertainment
On Monday, 9 announced in a press release that Whitesnake will rock out for their "Whitesnake Forevermore World Tour" which will take place at AX Korea on October 26.
Whitesnake was founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after he parted ways with his previous band Deep Purple. The band recorded the EP Snakebite which was released in 1978 and included a cover of a Bobby "Blue" Bland song "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" which became the first hit from the band.
In the late 1980s, the group shifted from their origins of blues rock to hard rock and since produced a number of records featuring their greatest hit songs such as "Is This Love," "Here I Go Again" and recently "Love Will Set You Free."
Tickets for Whitesnake's upcoming concert in Korea will be available on online reservation Interpark starting July 19.
[News] Park Min Young shows off her beauty.
Cr. - allkpop
Park Min Young shows off her beauty through a sel-ca!
On July 17th, Park Min Young tweeted, “I quickly went over to an event for the movie, ‘Cats’, during the middle of filming. Today, my feelings were like purple and the bouquet fit my feelings! To my cute fans and their lovely hearts, thank you so much for the gifts.” and uploaded a picture of herself.
In the picture, Park Min Young is holding a bouquet and smiling for the camera. Especially noticeable were her long straight hair and clear face that emphasize her innocent look.
Netizens commented, “Park Min Young has gotten prettier.” “I think Park Min Young has the best sel-cas!”
[Photo & News] Cha Seung Won travels to Shanghai for 'High Cut'.
Cr. - allkpop
Cha Seung Won, the man who caused women to have romantic frenzy fits whilst playing ‘Dok Go Jin‘ on “The Greatest Love” has now transformed into a fatally charismatic ‘Shanghai Tough Guy‘ for High Cut.
Cha Seung Won recently went to Shanghai, China for this particular photo shoot. The pictorial collection gives off an intense, noir film-like appeal. The photographs, which will be published on July 21st in High Cut, exudes Cha Seung Won’s manliness.
The photo shoot took place in the southwest of Shanghai at a movie filming site, a 1930 building named Tyenjeupang on the road of Nanzingrhou. Using various scenery as backgrounds for the shoot, the actor’s strong expressions recreate scenes from noir movies of the past. The leather jacket and trench coat also further bring out Seung Won’s macho charisma.
The actor has recently gained massive popularity in China. Cha Seung Won’s every move was adoringly followed by a multitude of fans, who temporarily inhabited the lobby of the hotel where the actor was staying. The 40-degree Celsius (104 ºF) sweat-inducing weather didn’t get in the way of Cha Seung Won working to his fullest potential for the shoot.
[News] Bae Doona discussing appearance in Tom Hanks.
Cr. - 10asia
Bae Doona is discussing her appearance in German-U.S. production "Cloud Atlas" set to star actor Tom Hanks and Halle Berry.
An official at Bae's agency told 10Asia over the phone on Monday that the film's producer recently asked the Korean model-turned-actress to appear in the English-language film about cloned human beings.
Being a 100 million dollar adaptation of English writer David Mitchell's novel of the same name, "Cloud Atlas" has been called "the first attempt at a German blockbuster" and "the most expensive German film of all time" by German media.
Befitting such tout, the pic will be produced by Munich-born Stefan Arndt and directed by his compatriot Tom Tykwer of "Run Lola Run" and Hollywood's Wachowski brothers of "The Matrix" series fame.
Also, top Hollywood actors Susan Sarandon and Jim Broadbent will take on the supporting roles in the film set for a release some time in 2012 after filming on location in Berlin starting this autumn.
If Bae is cast for the film, she will play the role of a Korean clone, her agency explained.
Bae has appeared in many dramas and movies since her debut in 1998 including the Japanese movie "Linda Linda Linda" (2005) and Korean movie "The Host" (2006).
Her role as a doll in Japanese production "Air Doll" (2009) have won her three best actress awards in Japan including at the Japanese Academy Awards, the Takasaki Film Festival and Tokyo Sports Movie Awards.
She is currently filming sports film "Korea" (tentative title), co-starring actress Ha Ji-won, which is set to open in theaters this fall.
The movie is based on the true story of the world table tennis championship held in Chiba of Japan in 1991 where North Korean player Li Bun-hui (Bae) and South Korean player Hyun Jung-hwa (Ha) overcame their difficulties and came together to defeat the Chinese team.
[News] Bae Doona discussing appearance in Tom Hanks.
Cr. - 10asia
Bae Doona is discussing her appearance in German-U.S. production "Cloud Atlas" set to star actor Tom Hanks and Halle Berry.
An official at Bae's agency told 10Asia over the phone on Monday that the film's producer recently asked the Korean model-turned-actress to appear in the English-language film about cloned human beings.
Being a 100 million dollar adaptation of English writer David Mitchell's novel of the same name, "Cloud Atlas" has been called "the first attempt at a German blockbuster" and "the most expensive German film of all time" by German media.
Befitting such tout, the pic will be produced by Munich-born Stefan Arndt and directed by his compatriot Tom Tykwer of "Run Lola Run" and Hollywood's Wachowski brothers of "The Matrix" series fame.
Also, top Hollywood actors Susan Sarandon and Jim Broadbent will take on the supporting roles in the film set for a release some time in 2012 after filming on location in Berlin starting this autumn.
If Bae is cast for the film, she will play the role of a Korean clone, her agency explained.
Bae has appeared in many dramas and movies since her debut in 1998 including the Japanese movie "Linda Linda Linda" (2005) and Korean movie "The Host" (2006).
Her role as a doll in Japanese production "Air Doll" (2009) have won her three best actress awards in Japan including at the Japanese Academy Awards, the Takasaki Film Festival and Tokyo Sports Movie Awards.
She is currently filming sports film "Korea" (tentative title), co-starring actress Ha Ji-won, which is set to open in theaters this fall.
The movie is based on the true story of the world table tennis championship held in Chiba of Japan in 1991 where North Korean player Li Bun-hui (Bae) and South Korean player Hyun Jung-hwa (Ha) overcame their difficulties and came together to defeat the Chinese team.
Subsequently, I was far from enthused when I heard DreamWorks was turning its cash cow into a Broadway musical, hoping to follow in the footsteps of rival Disney's über-successful stage adaptations of Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. Then I saw the original cast perform Lord Farquaad's showstopper "What's Up, Duloc?" on the 2009 Tony Awards broadcast. I was impressed. Then I bought the original cast recording, which proved to be filled with witty, inventive songs by David Lindsay-Abaire (an unexpected follow-up to his very serious, Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Rabbit Hole) and the gifted Jeanine Tesori (Caroline, or Change). I was even more impressed.
This past week, I was able to attend the Los Angeles opening of Shrek The Musical and see the complete work for the first time. Color me totally impressed! I highly recommend it — now playing through July 31 at the famed Pantages Theatre — to theatergoers young and old. There are still a few fart jokes and jabs at Disney, but the more-subtle musical benefits from a decidedly more lyrical, romantic approach. That and having human beings rather than computer-generated images fill the key roles give Shrek The Musical a massive advantage over its celluloid roots (although the film and musical are ostensibly based on stories written by the late William Steig).
Shrek, for the two people on the planet who haven't heard of the character, is a solitary, swamp-dwelling ogre who suddenly finds his muddy home overrun by fairy tale creatures including Pinocchio, the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Little Pigs and others evicted from the nearby kingdom of Duloc by the diminutive, perfection-obsessed despot, Farquaad (played, predominantly on his knees, by the hilarious David F.M. Vaughn). Shrek (beautifully portrayed and voiced by Eric Petersen) sets out for Duloc, with a talking Donkey (a great-in-small-doses Alan Mingo, Jr.) at his side. Confronting Farquaad, Shrek is promised the deed to his property if he first rescues the long-imprisoned Princess Fiona (the hilarious Haven Burton) and delivers her to Duloc so Farquaad can marry her and make himself a legitimate king.
Splendid stagecraft ensues, with one visual delight after another. In addition to the great costume designs (by Tim Hatley) that enable Farquaad to appear only a few feet tall, the show features a talking Gingerbread Man, a flying dragon, a horde of tap-dancing rats, and a cameo by the Shrek movies' Puss in Boots. The touring production is co-directed by the clever Jason Moore, who previously supervised the puppet-based Avenue Q, and Rob Ashford of the recent Broadway revival of Promises, Promises among other credits. Superb if fairly minimal choreography is provided by Josh Prince.
Tesori's and Lindsay-Abaire's more than serviceable score is comprised of several gems, most noticeably Shrek's delightfully cynical opening number "Big Bright Beautiful World"; Fiona's wistful "I Know It's Today" (performed by the character at three different ages) and energetic Act II opener, "Morning Person"; any of Lord Farquaad's songs; the dragon's R&B tuner "Forever" (which replaces her previous song "Donkey Pot Pie," heard on the Broadway cast recording); the toe-tapping, GLBT instant anthem "Freak Flag"; and the climactic, proscenium-crossing "This Is Our Story." And for fans of the original movie, an encore cover of the Monkees' "I'm a Believer" performed by the show's vocally gifted cast is included.
Shrek The Musical will be touring extensively over the next year. Wherever it plays, I encourage locals to check it out, whether or not you are fans of the movie. You'll have a good time either way. Tour information may be found at the musical's official site.
Review by Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and the Blade California.
[NEWS] Japanese rocker Taiji X Japan dies in Saipan.
Cr.- channelnewsasia
SAIPAN: A Japanese rock musician who tried to hang himself after being arrested for unruly behaviour on a flight to the Mariana Islands has died in hospital, reports said Monday.
Rocker Taiji Sawada, who was best known as the former bass player with heavy metal group "X", died on Sunday when medics at Saipan's Commonwealth Health Centre followed his family's instructions and turned off his life support after he was certified brain dead, the Saipan Tribune reported.
The Marianas Variety newspaper reported that Sawada, 45, had been in intensive care since July 14 after he tried to hang himself with a bedsheet in a jail in the US-administered Pacific territory.
He had been arrested three days before for allegedly assaulting a female cabin crew attendant during a Delta Airlines flight from Tokyo to Saipan, court documents showed.
The documents, filed on the Northern Marianas District Court, said the flight attendant went to the business class section after hearing banging and found Sawada struggling with a female passenger.
The crew member said a number of male passengers helped her subdue the musician and move him to another chair but he caused another commotion, punching windows and kicking seats, as the plane prepared to descend to Saipan.
Eventually, the plane's captain ordered Sawada to be placed in physical restraints and he was arrested after the flight landed, the court documents said. No reason was given for Sawada's behaviour.
Sawada was due to appear in federal court last Friday for his detention hearing but was a no-show after his suicide attempt landed him in intensive care.
Mark Hanson, Sawada's court-appointed defense attorney said his client was "upset with himself" over his behaviour on the flight which led to his arrest, reported Marianas Variety.
Sawada enjoyed success with "X" in the late 1980s but left in 1992 citing creative differences among the band members and since then had played in various other bands, most recently with TSP which stands for "Taiji & Shu Project" according to fan websites.
The musician appeared as a guest performer at the concert of the now named "X Japan" last August, dismissing rumours of bad blood between the band members.
[News] Kim Hyun Joong follows up with ‘Kiss Kiss’ on Inkigayo.
Cr. - allkpop
After a successful promotion with “Break Down“, SS501’s Kim Hyun Joong is continuing his promotions with another track, “Kiss Kiss” from his debut album on today’s SBS Inkigayo.
KeyEast Entertainment explained, “Kim Hyun Joong thought that ‘Kiss Kiss’, a pop dance track with an upbeat rhythm, would be the perfect fit for the hot summer.”
“Kiss Kiss” will be a special treat for fans since it features sweet lyrics written specifically for them. Having captured the ladies’ hearts with his powerful and charismatic “Break Down” image, Kim Hyun Joong will be returning with a more romantic side.
[News] JYJ’s Jaejoong praised by ‘Protect the Boss’ co-stars for his acting talent.
Cr. - allkpop
JYJ’s Jaejoong is being highly praised by his senior co-stars for his acting skills on SBS’s ‘Protect the Boss‘.
According to SBS, the crew kicked off the drama’s official filming by recording a reception scene at the 63 Building in Yeouido, Seoul on July 15th. As soon as the cue sign was dropped by PD Son Jung Hyun, Jaejoong was said to have slipped seamlessly into his role as ‘Moon Won’.
Senior co-stars like Park Young Kyu, Cha Hwa Yeon, Kim Ha Gyun, and many others all praised, “Jaejoong is an actor who will attain greatness. Let’s all support him so that he can do even better.” Staff members who had been watching Jaejoong interact with Ji Sung for their script also complimented, “They’re truly a great senior and junior.”
Producers of the drama added, “Before filming began, Jaejoong made sure to check over not only his script, but his outfit and make-up as thoroughly as possible. Although it’s his first time acting, he is as passionate as any other actor out there.”
The drama will begin airing on August 3rd.
[Interview] Kim Jae Won Influences the Deaf Community.
Cr. - allkpop
There’s a Korean saying that says as people get older, they need to start taking better care of their external appearance. Kim Jae Won looks as though he lives by this saying; his skin still looks amazing and his face always looks bright, but for him there’s more to the equation than just inheriting good genes.
He rests his mind on positive, pure thoughts and works to put his thoughts into practice in his own life, and inevitably his face reflects that. He and fellow colleague Noh Hong Chul have turned thinking positive into a lifestyle, and during his short interview, Kim Jae Won even influenced his interviewer to see the world in a different light.
Because he’s just a likeable guy, he’s more likely to receive support from viewers for his work. He truly hopes that through his work he can inspire people to open up their hearts just a little more.
-”Your Kdrama, “Can You Hear My Heart” Just ended a week ago; what have you been doing with your free time?”
“I still feel like I need to go on set. I’ve become so accustomed to my schedule; I still wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning, and I didn’t even go overseas but I feel jet lagged (laughs).”
-”You went back to work as soon as you were released from military service. Did you miss being able to work?”
“I’m so glad I’ve started work again. The only two leisurely things I did in the military was watch TV and read books. I would watch TV and want to be on a new program, or I would read and want to create a new storyline… that’s what took up a lot my thoughts. I was a DJ for a radio program for Korean military soldiers and when I read the stories and letters that came in, I realized over and over how much I love what I do. I was blessed to be able to work so quickly after I was discharged.”
-”It must be difficult playing the role of an partially hearing impaired character. You have to understand what people say by reading lips… That kind of acting is on a completely different level.”
“At first I was excited to play the role, but as the shoot went along, it became so difficult. I needed to come into my role as a hearing-impaired individual but there were other things I needed to understand for the story, like how a major enterprise is taken over. Not to mention I needed to learn how to read lips perfectly. In the story, most characters don’t know that my character, DongJoo, is deaf. There should have been scenes where DongJoo misinterprets what people say to him and consequentially things go awry because of it, but there was nothing like that. He can read lips so perfectly that the story seems a little less real. I wanted to discuss these details over with the production crew but we were shooting through it so fast there was no time for that. It’s too bad.”
-”Viewers must have given you praise for doing a Kdrama with such a heartfelt story. When you hear things like that, does it make you proud of your work?”
“‘People have mentioned it a lot. In the drama, Jung Bo Suk (played by Bong Young Kyu) is a character that reconciles the character Woori (played by Hwang Jung Eum)’s household, and my character DongJoo reconciles Choi Hwe Jang (Song Seung Hwan)’s household. Jang Bo Suk and DongJoo become friends and everyone in the drama becomes united in the end. We worked really hard to shoot this drama, but our hard work pays off when people tell us they were moved by the story. Especially when the deaf community extended their thanks and told us they were able to relate to the character DongJoo and they gained a new confidence after watching our drama, we were touched. These are possibly the best moments that come with being an actor and make acting worthwhile.
-”You have such a good natured image; does that limit your options as an actor?”
“I thought about that a lot. I wanted to play the part of the macho, bad guy too and I have a respect for the actors that can pull that off, but I’ve let that go now. I want to “specialize” in the kind of acting I am capable of. Some people are good at Math while other are good at Vocab. People who excel at Vocab shouldn’t be overly selfish and try to excel at Math… it’ll only hinder them from excelling at Vocab! (laughs).”
-”Your face might actually be suiting for a psychopath character.”
“If possible, I would like to stick to dramas that have a pleasant story line. All the violence on TV has a huge impact on the younger generation. They learn how to commit crime from the violence they see in the media, and their desire to for things of that nature increases. When you watch things like that, you can’t help but be influenced by it. I want to act in films and dramas which have stories that warms the heart.”
-”It’s been ten years already since your debut. You haven’t aged a day, but what kind of changes or growth have you experienced in that time?”
“My thoughts have changed in ten years, and through hardships and hurt I’ve experienced, I’ve become that much stronger. I strive to live a young, positive life. People age a little more each time they say, “At this age…?” I try not to make other people around me uncomfortable, and I remind myself each day that I am still young and capable, and I challenge myself to try new things. I think that’s the secret to living joyfully. Living this way also helps me relate to the younger people around me.”
-”You mentioned that while reading books during your military service you wanted to create a story line… any thoughts on producing your own film?”
“YES! (laughs) I even wrote up a scenario, but it’s going to be hard to find people to invest in it. I also think it’s going to be costly to cast people to play the role of the characters. I love kids, so I want to create a movie for children. If I get the opportunity sometime in the future, I may just do it.”
-”Isn’t it frustrating sometimes that people lock you in the “nice guy” category?”
“Since I was young, I’ve created boundaries for myself. I’ve lived within those boundaries for so long, that I’ve become accustomed to it (laughs). I remind myself that living this way is the right way for me, and I constantly watch the words that come out of my mouth. It’s been this way for so long it’s not frustrating; it’s the only lifestyle I know.”
-”What kind of actor do you wish to become? Someone like veteran Lee Soon Jae who grow old with the viewers?”
“Actually, when the time is right, I would like to become a husband and a father to a family. I want to become a man who devotes his life to his family, first and foremost… of course, way later on in life (laughs).”
[Photo & News] Posters and promo stills from 'The Princess’s Man'.
Cr. - javabeans
Romantic sageuk The Princess’s Man will be offering up a change of pace for Wednesdays and Thursdays when it takes over the slot vacated by the just-ended Romance Town this week. While that drama was lighter-spirited, this one will dial up the tragic romance and melodrama with its Romeo & Juliet premise. (The story: Two youngsters fall in love, but their fathers are on opposing sides of a political tug-of-war with the throne at stake.)
It also joins the new crop of sageuk dramas on the block, taking us from a rom-com-filled spring to a period-piece summer. Currently, we’ve got fusion action sageuk Warrior Baek Dong-soo on Mondays and Tuesdays, while King Gwanggaeto has been airing on weekends for several weeks. Soon we’ll have another Monday-Tuesday offering, Kye Baek — and then the anticipated Tree With Deep Roots come September. Phew! That’s a lotta sageuk.
In any case, it’s nice to see some smiling faces and friendly behind-the-scenes shots, given that The Princess’s Man is bound to wring a few tears (or maybe buckets) once its fated-lovers storyline kicks into full angst mode. Despite the mood of the drama, Park Shi-hoo shared that the atmosphere on set is comfortable, since he and co-star Moon Chae-won have known each other for a while prior to this series, going back to their rookie days. And really, how cute are they together?
The Princess’s Man premieres on July 20, and runs for 24 episodes.
[News] Director Kim Ki-duk says hard truth about "The Front Line".
Cr. - hancinema
Director Kim Ki-duk from movie "Poongsan" spoke about his disappointment in the distribution methods of the movie "The Front Line".
Kim backhandedly criticized the screening ways of "The Front Line" by director Jang Hoon as he mentioned the monopoly problems with "Transformers 3" through a a statement on the 14th. He had also criticized Jang who was his assistant director, through "ARIRANG - Movie" at the Cannes International Film Festival in May.
In the statement Kim said, "It is shocking how an imported movie can be put up in 60% of the country's cinemas. I didn't think Korean movies could do that but not only does a war movie pull its release date from the 21st to the 20th but it will be played two times in over 180 cinemas. Doesn't it feel pity for the small scale movies like "Poongsan" that are barely surviving through the word of mouth?"
Kim said, "I feel bad for those who worked hard for the movie but I think this way of distribution is wrong. What does it mean for movies that cost millions and have good twists? I can't help but be disappointed as I thought the image of a director will go bad due to unnecessary misunderstandings so I rejected several distributors and postponed the release of "ARIRANG - Movie" when it was meant to be in July".
He continued, "I truly congratulate the release of Jang Hoon's movie and I wish as much as he is capable of, to be a little fair and show his movies. Another thing I would like to ask of Jang Hoon is, just like I gave a chance to you to become a director and producer, bring up the 'wandering' breakthrough members and lead them instead of me and make them a chance with your abilities". He also requested the support of low-budget films and the discovery of new directors as well as not using up too many cinemas so that movies like "Poongsan" can survive.
Meanwhile, Kim postponed the release of his movie "ARIRANG - Movie" due to unnecessary misunderstandings when it was showed at the Cannes Movie Festival and said, "I thank all those who have seen "Poongsan" and I will continue to make movies from passion and meaning instead of money".
[News] Bae Yong Joon & Jang Keun Suk popular choice to endorse convenience stores in Japan.
Cr. - tokyohive
It has become a recent trend for major convenience store chains in Japan to sign endorsement deals with Korean celebrities. Tokyohive previously reported that Tohoshinki (TVXQ) and Shoujo Jidai (SNSD) would be starring in a new commercial for 7-Eleven starting this month. On top of that, ‘Winter Sonata’s’ Bae Yong Joon has also signed a contract with Family Mart near the end of June 2011.
There’s no stopping the Korean wave as it has been revealed on July 15th that Korean actor Jang Geun Suk has signed a one year endorsement deal with LAWSON.
With LAWSON being a company that markets to women, they’ve produced various kinds of sweets and bentos (lunch boxes) specifically for women. Jang Geun Suk is currently very popular among Japanese women, so LAWSON will be using his charm to directly go after the female consumers. Jang Geun Suk will serves as the image character for the store as well as star in two commercials throughout his one year contract. There will also be limited edition goods and special tie up products sold at various times.
Family Mart turned to Bae Yong Joon’s immense popularity from his starring role in ‘Winter Sonata‘. With Bae Yong Joon being one of the main pioneers to bring Korean dramas to the forefront in Japan, he will help target the more mature female consumers. The first special campaign with Bae Yong Joon will be a special “birthday memorial wine” that will be sold on August 29th for his birthday, on top of special original goods.
Tohoshinki and Shoujo Jidai have already been featured in 7-Eleven ads for a campaign to win special original items. When you purchase the targeted items, you get a free screen saver for your cell phone or computer. With the help of Tohoshinki and Shoujo Jidai, 7-Eleven is looking to reach the younger consumers.
Convenience stores play a big part in a typical Japanese person’s life. With Korean celebrities signing endorsement deals with these companies, it only proves that the Korean wave is starting to become a bigger part of the Japanese lifestyle.
[News] Joo Jin Mo 'Russian Coffee' new movie.
Original : http://twssg.blogspot.com/
Joo Jin Mo (A Frozen Flower) and Kim So Yeon (IRIS) have been cast in $10 million film 'Russian Coffee'.
The major spending budget movie is based on the novel “Russian Coffee” by Kim Tak Hwan. The story is set within the latter era of the Chosun Dynasty and is about the Japanese assassination attempt on Emperor Gojong. Kim So Yeon replaces Lee Da Hae as Chosun’sst barista Tanya, and Joo Jin Mo plays Russia’s most effective sniper Ilichi. Park Ye Jin’s boyfriend Park Hee Soon plays Emperor Gojong, who has in truth been a massive fan of coffee. Yoo Seon ( Moss ) is Sadako who maneuvers Ilichi.
Director Chang Yoon Hyun, who produced movies like Jeon Do Yeon’s debut film The Contact (1997) and Shim Eun Ha’s Tell Me Some thing (1999), might be directing 'Russian Coffee'. The major spending budget spy blockbuster will begin filming March 29th .
Neither Kim So Yeon nor Joo Jin Mo have been on the small screen in quite some time. Both are currently filming the period movie Russian Coffee (also known as Kapi, which is the Korean pronunciation for Coffee).
The movie is currently still filming and the scheduled premiere date hasn’t been set yet. Originally Lee Da Hae was set to play Tanya, but the repeated delays of Russian Coffee to start filming prompted a conflict with Miss Ripley, so Lee Da Hae had to bow out, and Kim So Yeon stepped in.
