Go Ara

After a brief rocky period for the producers, Go Ara’s name has risen as top contender to lead MBC’s soccer drama Heading to the Ground [맨 땅에 헤딩 -- and if anyone has a better translation, I'm all ears!].

The drama production had been imperiled once its lead star Kim Rae-won had to drop out to enlist in the army this year. I read last week that the production was having a hard time finding a replacement actor, and the tone of the news was not good for the drama.

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After all the hullaballo, Kwon Sang-woo finally married Sohn Tae-young today (September 28), and I for one am glad, since we won’t be having to hear about it anymore.

The couple gave a press conference prior to the wedding, as the wedding itself was closed to the press. Sohn Tae-young wore a Kenneth Pool gown, which she bought on the couple’s recent trip to England.

Kwon: “I’m finally getting married. I’m so nervous — my nerves don’t begin to compare with any film festival or event I’ve been to. … We’ll live happily together. I vow to love her forever.” Sohn: “It doesn’t feel real yet. Actually, I wasn’t nervous at all while getting ready. But now I’m starting to feel it.”

When asked about kids, Kwon answered that he’d like three, but joked that Sohn “has agreed to two, for her figure’s sake.”

And, since it’s not every day such a huge Hallyu star gets married, we have a pretty impressive guest-star roster that rivals the red carpet at some of the largest industry events.

The parade of high-profile attendees >>

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First, Samsung promoted its Hauzen refrigerator by bringing in Yoon Eun-hye and Lee Dong-gun to sing their version of the “Salad Song,” taken from indie-pop-electronica band Humming Urban Stereo’s original “Salad Days” song.

Now, they’ve got Han Ga-in shilling the Hauzen Bubble washing machine with what is becoming known as “Han Ga-in’s Bubble Song,” aka the song “Happy Bubble” as recorded by jazzy group Winterplay. You may recognize the name of the somewhat newish group as having sung one of the main themes to the drama Who Are You? (which you can listen to here).

Two down, one young actress/brand model left! I wonder if they’ll be pairing Lee Da-hae up similarly with a cutesy song taken from another lesser-known indie band to sell some appliances. Vacuums, perhaps? A dishwasher?

“Bubble Song” and CF below.

Via Donga.com

SONG OF THE DAY

Winterplay – “Happy Bubble” [ Download ]

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Samsung Electronics unveiled some new appliances at its new-product presentation on August 28 at its headquarters in Seoul. Some of the machines being launched include newfangled washing machines and kimchi refrigerators, which boast the ad-buzzwordy “3E” strategy — or emotion, ecology, and energy saving.

Sounds like pretty mundane business, if not for the appearances of Samsung’s three high-profile brand models: actresses Han Ga-in (who has advertised for Samsung’s kimchi refrigerator), Lee Da-hae (in her third year in the spokesperson gig), and Yoon Eun-hye (which explains the reason for her singing the “Salad song” recently).

More photos from the event >>

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New actor Jang Seo Jin caused a stir with his appearance acting in KBS’s variety show Cider for his role in That Guy, That Girl, aired on May 25, partly from his good looks but more because of his striking resemblance to actress Han Ga In, which earned him the nickname “Han Ga In’s younger brother.” The two aren’t actually siblings, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at them.

Normally, I think people are way too quick to jump in calling a new face the “younger sibling” of a popular actor at the slightest hint of a resemblance, but this time I think it’s remarkable; I thought they actually were related at first. They look more alike than some actual siblings, imo. (Heo Yijae being called “Little Kim Tae Hee” is also another comparison I find apt.) What do you think? Accurate description?

Jang Seo Jin is currently a film and theater major at Hanyang University, and made his modeling debut last year in ads for Tovice Resort Asia.

Via Hankyung.com

SONG OF THE DAY

Dear Cloud – “같은 사람” (Same person [ Download ]

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