O-M-G. Coffee Prince is being made into a movie!

A producer confirmed that rights have been acquired to adapt the novel into a movie (fyi, the Coffee Prince novel came first, after which the original novelist also wrote the drama). Since this will be the third version of this story to be told, the rep said that “the movie will show a different story from the drama.”

After the script is completed in May, the production will begin casting for its characters of Go Eun-chan, Choi Han-gyul, and the rest. I wouldn’t get my hopes up for Yoon Eun-hye and Gong Yoo to reprise their roles (it would be great, but I wouldn’t want to get too excited), but the producers aren’t ruling out that possibility, either. Both scenarios are possible: either the old cast will be invited to return or, barring that, they’ll cast with new actors.

This is apparently the second instance of a drama being adapted to film format, following the sageuk series Damo which was turned into the film version Duelist. (The opposite scenario is more common, where films are adapted into dramas, such as with Tazza and Gourmet.)

Part of the drama Coffee Prince’s charm was its wonderful directing by Lee Yoon-jung, and with a different PD behind the camera, the end product may end up with a very different feel. Still, I’m excited nonetheless — I loved the drama and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel, and I certainly don’t need this movie to be a direct replica of the drama.

The production’s plan is to begin filming in October, and aim for a February 2010 release, with simultaneous premieres in Korea, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

Via DongA

RELATED POSTS

• Coffee Prince: Behind-the-Scenes Special
• Shameless Prince Eye Candy
• Second Interview: Writer of Coffee Prince
• Gong Yoo’s Han Gyul exactly as writer pictured
• Coffee Prince Store # 1

Filed under: Chungmuro/Film by javabeans - 96 Comments →

First off, let me get this out of the way: Yes, I caught the first episode of City Hall, which premiered this week in the same time slot as this show (which has gone through so many titles I think I’m just going to pick one and stick with it). I’ll probably write about City Hall after I’ve seen the second episode, but I can tell you that I thought the first episode was terribly boring. Like, eyes-glazed-over boring. I found it rather cold and indifferent, despite having a really solid cast, both lead and supporting. But it’s Kim Sun-ah and Cha Seung-won, so I’m going to hope for better with the next episode.

As for this drama, in a nutshell: Accidental Couple is a sweet, pleasant show that is a little predictable so far (we all know the setup so nothing comes as a surprise in these first two episodes). It wasn’t a perfect start, but this drama’s charm rests largely on its two leads — but thankfully, Hwang Jung-min and Kim Ah-joong are wonderful. Hwang in particular is marvelous at making you feel for his character — already he made me cry twice in the first episode, and not even in sad scenes.

SONG OF THE DAY

Lena Park – “나 같은 사람 너 같은 사람” (A person like me, a person like you) [ Download ]

ACCIDENTAL COUPLE Episodes 1-2 >>

Filed under: Drama Recaps by javabeans - 52 Comments →

Move over, Bae Yong-joon and BOF agency, there’s a new Hallyu-star-run talent agency in town — Choi Ji-woo’s new enterprise, C,JW Company.

Yes, that comma is intentional, and yes, it drives me crazy. The Korean reading literally says “C-comma-J-W-Company” or 씨콤마 제이 더블유 컴퍼니. Choi’s longtime business associate, director Kim Hyun-mo, explains with the really, really lame-o reasoning: “The comma is part of the legal name, which carries the meaning that even while working diligently, we should allow for moments of rest in every aspect.” Um, okay. (Nice concept, lousy expression thereof.)

The marquee Hallyu actress announced her plans to go solo last month, and now it’s official. The new company has its digs in Kangnam district’s Cheongdamdong neighborhood, and kicked off business with a Japanese CF shoot for Choi on April 26. The product was bottled water; Choi re-signed her contract to act as brand model for the next three years.

Choi explained that this is a new feeling in her 15-year-long carer: “I feel like I’ve become a rookie again, and I want to work hard.” Next up, she voices the character that made her famous in Japan in the animated Winter Sonata project. She plans to take on another kdrama by the end of the year.

Via Chosun

RELATED POSTS

• Choi Ji-woo strikes out on her own
• Stars in love: Choi Ji-woo and Lee Jin-wook
• The secret behind the melo queen’s tears
• A Star’s Lover: Episode 1
• Animating Winter Sonata

Filed under: Celebrity News by javabeans - 34 Comments →

What is the meaning of this “Best Jewelry Lady” distinction awarded to television actress Yoon Eun-hye? I have no idea. I just know that that’s what the Coffee Prince actress was named at the Korea International Jewelry & Watch Fair 2009, which she attended on April 30.

(It’s supposedly given every year to one entertainer “from among the most active female celebrities in the previous year” who is best suited to jewels. Or something. Although, that reasoning is a crock of BS because as we know, Yoon was barely active at all in the past year, to the disappointment of fans who are eagerly waiting for her return project, which, by the way, is the drama Lady Castle.)

[Read more →]

Filed under: Celebrity News by javabeans - 59 Comments →

This above image is kind of the perfect shot for this drama, isn’t it?

As I said, I love the caper tone of the drama, particularly as the past several episodes have each featured a con of some kind by the Dream Team. Yet what this drama is doing well is imbuing their ingenious, entertaining con games with an undercurrent of uneasiness — a sense that this fun Ocean’s Eleven spree can’t last forever for our guys, and that sooner or later Do-woo the Evil Hotness will step in and strike.

SONG OF THE DAY

Kim Shin Ill – “To Be With You” (Acoustic version). There’s a regular version of this song, too, but for whatever reason I tend to prefer acoustic versions of songs. I suppose they feel more stripped and “real.”
[ Download ]

STORY OF A MAN Episode 7 >>

Filed under: Drama Recaps by javabeans - 45 Comments →