Former Miss Korea Lee Ha-nui, otherwise known as Honey Lee, has been busy acting as a television broadcast MC and as a model for various CFs and clothing brands ever since she placed in the finals for last year’s Miss Universe pageant. And now she’s branching out into acting, preparing for her debut — in a musical.

Her rep explained that she’d considered making her acting debut in a drama or film, “but chose a musical in order to showcase her particular skills.” As you may know, she’s a noted classical musician, having majored in traditional music (gayageum, pansori) at Seoul National University. Not only that, she reportedly was in training as a vocalist under YG Entertainment prior to her Miss Korea win. She’ll begin rehearsals for the musical next week, produced by PMC productions (of Nanta, which is what’s described as a “non-verbal performance,” conveying its message via music, dance, and movement, while incorporating a fair amount of traditional folk music elements).

Via Sports Seoul

No mp3 available, but for a look (and listen) at Honey Lee’s musical skills, here’s her much-buzzed-about performance at the recent Golden Disk Awards with Epik High, transforming their thoroughly modern “Fan” into something of a fusion artistic statement.

SONG OF THE DAY

For the uninitiated, here’s what the original “Fan” by Epik High sounds like. [ zShare download ]

Filed under: Theater/Musicals by javabeans - 37 Comments →

• Actor-singer Lee Seung Gi broke a finger on the 23rd while filming his segment for the popular Happy Sunday variety program, and underwent surgery. Although he doesn’t think the injury is overly serious, he’ll most likely have stop his broadcast activities for the immediate future. Aw.
• Actress and former Baby VOX popstarlet Yoon Eun Hye is singing for the first time in a long while since she left pop music to transition into a successful acting career. She lends her vocals to “I Love You,” the debut single for new rap duo Mighty Mouth (oops, not Mighty Mouse like I thought, which woulda been kinda more awesome) — but insists this does not indicate a return to her singer status.



• After the recent massive oil spill, reports of local residents going so far as to commit suicide because of their troubles have reached a sympathetic Bada, who was moved by the people’s plight and is putting together a charity concert in the name of reviving the local economy of Mallipo Beach in western Korea.
• Seems like Rain is in the news constantly for one reason or another — and now it’s because apparently the Chinese netizens are angry again. First it was over his participation in singing Samsung’s Olympics theme song — ’cause you know, the only people allowed to sing at any particular Olympics are the citizens of the country hosting it. Now they’re calling him “arrogant” because he turned down Chinese Olympics ambassador (and gold-medalist gymnast) Liu Xuan’s request for a song at an Olympics promotion press conference due to time constraints; they’re saying, “Liu Xuan was dishonored internationally” and “How long would it have taken to sing a few lines?” and “Koreans are impatient and give no leeway so they really seem rude often.” Ahh, nothing like the Olympics to foster discontent. Whatever happened to international harmony, fraternity, and the symbolic Olympic rings?



• It’s common knowledge that actresses Han Ji Hye and Han Ye Seul are good friends — but who knew they’re also too good to mingle with the masses? Apparently the two go out clubbing — no drinks, just dancing — twice a year: once on each of their birthdays. Actor Lee Chun Hee recalled on a soon-to-air episode of Sang Sang Plus seeing the two at a club before they were famous, dancing together and ignoring any male attempts to approach them. Asked why, Han Ji Hye said that before their debuts, it was because “we had pride.” Afterward, it was because “we knew we were going to be actresses so we decided not to party with anyone else, just dance with the two of us.” Hm, I’m trying to figure out a way to interpret her answer as anything but bratty and stuck-up. Someone tell her pride and ego are different things.

SONG OF THE DAY

Bada - “Destiny” [ zShare download ]

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Filed under: Celebrity News by javabeans - 11 Comments →

Hong Gil Dong actors Jang Geun Seok (stoic prince Chang Whe) and Kim Rina (jealous noble lady Eun Hye) were on hand in Myungdong in Seoul on the 24th for an autograph signing, but not for drama-related purposes. Both are brand models for EXR, a line of sporty and trendy casualwear, which announced they will be putting out an “EXR Jang Geun Seok special CD,” featuring photo spreads of the two as well as behind-the-scenes stills of the shoot. The CD will be available at Lotterias nationwide (a fast-food chain), given as a free gift for customers who purchase a particular set menu.

I bet a marketing strategy would bandy about lots of irritating buzzwords like synergy, brand awareness, integrated marketing, cross-merchandising, and buzzword. I say, well I suppose I’ve had worse Happy Meal toys.

Jang Geun Seok sure is keeping busy; aside from his drama role in Hong Gil Dong and promotion for other products like Black ‘N Jean, he had his first Japanese fanmeeting on the 23rd in Tokyo. (By the way, I was at a Korean cafe the other day and heard the “Black Engine” [link above] single — that glorified hair-product commercial jingle — played as a part of the pop-song rotation. Ha! Product marketing scores again.) He’s amassed a sizable Japanese fanbase from various roles over the past few years, such as the 2006 Japanese horror flick Final Destination, the college sitcom Nonstop 4, and drama series Lovers in Prague. (Hwang Jini will air in Japan beginning in April, and Hong Gil Dong already has its own share of Japanese fans.)

From the fan signing:

Via Newsen, and Newsen again

SONG OF THE DAY

Wax - “그랬으면…” (If so) [ zShare download ]

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Filed under: Celebrity News by javabeans - 15 Comments →

SBS’s current Monday-Tuesday drama, sageuk King and I, is coming to a close, and moving to replace it is the upcoming drama billed as “a lively and sweet love story for a different, new-generation couple,” I Love You. The romantic-comedy series is based on a manhwa of the same name, whose creator also wrote the manhwa upon which the upcoming drama Gourmet is based. Following in the newer trend, the 16-episode drama has already finished filming, meaning its production will have completed well before its premiere date in March.

Starring are Ahn Jae Wook (Oh Pil Seung Bong Soon Young, Star in My Heart) and Seo Ji Hye (Over the Rainbow) in a somewhat mismatched pairing — he’s 36 (counting by Western standards), she’s 23 — although the unlikeliness of the couple is part of the point. Her naive 21-year-old bank employee character meets his 35-year-old comic-book-writer character on the subway, and mistakes his behavior for harassment. Thus begins their relationship, which complicates when she becomes pregnant and he’s less than thrilled about it.

Also cast are Hwan Hee of pop ballad duo Fly to the Sky in his second acting gig (his first was alongside Seo Ji Hye in Over the Rainbow), who’ll be paired with new actress Park Hye Young, as well as philandering lawyer husband Gong Hyung Jin (who played philandering Sae Do from Dal Ja’s Spring) and his long-suffering wife, Jo Mi Ryung.

The drama differs from its original source — the manhwa starts with the couple’s marriage, whereas the drama starts pre-wedding — and handles such issues as premarital pregnancy, abortion, cheating, and other sex-related topics “in a light fashion.” Ahn Jae Wook explains, “If the topic of premarital pregnancy is treated overly seriously, the drama becomes less like a light show that can be watched with family and more like a documentary.” Seo Ji Hye adds: “Filming this drama has made me think lots of happy fantasies of married life, and it makes me want to get married.”

Hmm, I’m on the fence about this one. I’m all for a light-hearted series, but Seo Ji Hye and Ahn Jae Wook seem such an awkward pairing — which I know is the point — that I’m not sure how I’ll like it. And I haven’t really enjoyed anything SBS has put out recently — their series have nice acting and nice moments but the ones I’ve seen recently tend to the low-stakes, low-tension end of the spectrum.

Via Kyung Hyang News

SONG OF THE DAY

Fly to the Sky - “Kissing You” [ zShare download ]

Filed under: Drama Casting & News by javabeans - 17 Comments →

I’ll admit I’m not much enticed by upcoming MBC drama East of Eden, partly because it’s slated for 50 episodes, and that’s just too long for me. Sometimes I’ll catch parts of a long-running daily show or sitcom because those are easy to skip episodes and still remain relatively current; but a 50-episode drama is in that nebulous territory of requiring commitment to follow but being dangerously susceptible to slow-paced, tedious storylines. East of Eden is described as “the story of two men’s intertwining fates and revenges after they’re born on the same day in the same hospital.”

Pretty boy (pretty man?) Song Seung Heon seems to have finally settled on a comeback project drama — he’s had a few almost-beens, but they didn’t pan out — with East of Eden, and now young actor Kim Bum has been cast in the role of his younger character (in his high school days). The character is described as having witnessed his father’s death in his younger days, and swears to avenge it. Previously a caring, warm-hearted youngster, anger over his father’s death changes him, and he eventually grows up to become the right-hand man to the country’s foremost casino owner.

I thought Kim Bum was absolutely adorable in the uneven family sitcom Unstoppable High Kick, and hope he gets to explore the character’s transformation (before his role gets handed off to Song). What do you think? Is there a resemblance?

The drama is produced by Green Snake Media, with PD Kim Jin Man at its helm (Island, Really Really Like You) and written by Na Yeon Sook (Slums / Dal-dong-nae, Ordinary People). Also cast are Jo Min Ki, Yoo Dong Geun, and Lee Mi Sook; it will air in June.

Via Joy News

SONG OF THE DAY

Kirots - “무작정 고백” (reckless confession) [ zShare download ]

 
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Filed under: Drama Casting & News by javabeans - 16 Comments →

Not too much to report today. Let’s see — Oscars are on Sunday. Yawn. I’d probably skip them entirely if not for Jon Stewart, although his brand of humor tends not to go over well at these events. I think I spent more time cringing the last time he hosted. Well, at least it wasn’t as horrible as when Letterman hosted. Despite the corniness, I think Ellen Degeneres works best at these types of things. C’mon, everyone wants their butts kissed, not mocked!

What’s up y’all?

SONG OF THE DAY

Travis - “Flowers in the Window.” I don’t know why I like Travis when I (mildly) dislike Coldplay, given that they’re practically the same band. I think it’s because Coldplay bores me. I’ve seen them in concert a bunch of times (I have rabid Coldplay-fan friends) and they’re very good… but dull. On the other hand, this song by Travis always makes me happy. [ zShare download ]

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Filed under: Open Thread by javabeans - 24 Comments →