First he had that (as predicted) rather forgettable turn in Speed Racer. Then there was that Kung Fu Panda theme song he recorded that was overshadowed by Cee-Lo’s better (and “official”) version, after which he spent some time in Germany bulking up to shoot Ninja Assassin.

After such an extended stretch of time away from singerly (and actorly) activities at home — his last album, “Rain’s World,” and last domestic acting project, I’m A Cyborg, But That’s OK, were both back in 2006 — “world star” Rain is coming back to Korea to resume activities there, beginning with a fanmeeting on the 27th.

Rain held a fanmeeting in Tokyo on June 30, while this event is expected to draw a capacity crowd (approx 3,000) at Seoul’s Olympic Hall, and attract his fans from all over Asia. Hopefully he still has some left after his less-than-stellar “world tour” last year ended in mass cancellations, slipshod planning, and tons of angry fans, many of whom weren’t able to recoup ticket prices or travel expenses after flying across the country (some across the world) to attend his U.S. (non-)appearances.

The fanmeeting will be emceed by Kim Jae-dong and is being called “Summer Vacation with Rain.” According to his company, JTune Entertainment, Rain is currently busy at work on his next album, aiming for an October release.

I think Rain is at his best when he’s not overextending himself and trying to do a dozen different things simultaneously in his attempt to conquer the world; hopefully this marks a return to more successful endeavors.

Via Herald Biz, Asia Today

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Tags: comebacks, fanmeetings, kpop, Rain, singers

Filed under: Kpop News | 16 Comments →

There was actually some pretty decent emoting by Eric today. I think he’s a mostly uneven actor who’s capable of occasional strong performances (see: Que Sera Sera), but for the most part I find his role as Chil Woo pretty laughable. Not because of him, per se, but because of the overall tone of the drama. Even when Strongest Chil Woo dips into seriousness, a lot of times the weird directing brings out a campy tone rather than the actual honest emotion of a scene. But I liked Eric in today’s episode, which was a little more *real* than previous episodes. And, of course, Gu Hye-sun is good as well, and continues to be the only main cast member who still thinks she’s acting in a real sageuk.

SONG OF THE DAY

Spicy Soda - “사막으로 가다” (Going to the desert) [ Download ]

STRONGEST CHIL WOO Episode 11 >>

Tags: episode recaps, Eric, fusion dramas, Gu Hye-sun, sageuk dramas, Strongest Chil Woo

Filed under: Drama Recaps & Reviews | 7 Comments →

SBS’s new show Interview Game opened up its studio on the 21st for a press conference. The show is hosted by a panel of four actors — Go Jun-hee, Kim Ji-suk, Geum Bo-ra, and Yeom Kyung-hwan — and covers a range of topics in its interviews, often with a serious tone, from family, career plans, love, and others.

A case in point is the show recorded that day (and airing on the 22nd), featuring as its guest the older brother of deceased rapper Turtleman, aka Im Sung-hoon, who passed away in April of a heart attack. The brother, Im Joon-hwan, met with various people who’d known Turtleman through his life, such as a high school classmate who reminisced about how Turtleman had dreamt of pursuing music and wrote songs since high school. He also found out for the first time about a disappointed love his brother had experienced, a woman who’d been identified in one of his songs through her initials “KSK.” His groupmate Ji-yi explained that the woman had died while he was in military service; to escape being assaulted by some men, she’d been running away when she was struck in a traffic accident. Ji-yi recalled, “He cried whenever he talked about it.”

Apparently Turtleman had been going through a rough time, stressed and burdened with business matters. His brother, hearing this for the first time over the course of the show, was struck speechless for a while to hear what a hard time his brother had been facing. (Gah, this show sounds depressing. A review by Yonhap News has described Interview Game as setting off to a quiet start, and decried a lack of rapport between the interviewers and interviewees.)

Meanwhile, host Kim Ji-suk explained his anticipation of the shows to come, explaining that unlike most other reality and variety programming, Interview Game is completely unscripted; all of its laughter and touching moments are “100% real.” Asked who he’d personally like to interview most, he answered, “I’d really like to try interviewing the president of my management company. I’d like to hear what he plans for my future.”

Go Jun-hee told reporters that the show has received lots of interest in people who’d like to participate. Personally, she’d like to interview her parents: “I’d like to ask who my father’s best friends are, the places my mother frequents.” (Because I’m sure these questions are only worth asking on television? You have this great new platform, are asked about hypothetical interviews you’d love to do, and you pick your boss? Or your parents? Come on, I know you guys are actors, but how about some answers that aren’t quite so narcissistic?)

Via Newsen, Yonhap News

SONG OF THE DAY

Howl - “Good-bye Day” [ Download ]

 
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Tags: Go Jun-hee, Kim Ji-suk, variety shows

Filed under: Sitcoms/Variety Shows | 4 Comments →

I like the opening animated sequences of My Sweet Seoul because they’re usually cute, literal representations of the metaphors Eun-soo uses in the drama itself. In this one, for instance, wall meets wall at the corner. A small flower springs up where they connect, windows are created on both walls, the blooms flourish, and Young-soo waves at Eun-soo. So you can be a brick wall and still find love. Aw.

SONG OF THE DAY

Taru - “오! 다시” (Oh! Again) [ Download ]

 
MY SWEET SEOUL Episode 11 >>

Tags: Choi Kang-hee, episode recaps, Lee Seon-kyun, My Sweet Seoul

Filed under: Drama Recaps & Reviews | 7 Comments →

Guess who? Check out this stud-to-be, stayin’ alive in his shiny polyester shirt (that pointy collar!), rockin’ the ’70s look well into the ’80s.

A cable program recently revealed this childhood photo of pretty-man Daniel Henney, and it wasn’t long before the image hit the interwebs. What do you think, can you see the resemblance?

Tags: baby pictures, Daniel Henney

Filed under: Oh snap | 29 Comments →