Tazza actors and crew (Jang Hyuk, Han Ye-seul, Kim Min-joon, Kang Sung-yeon) came out on the afternoon of September 8 for the drama’s production press conference, all decked out in black to observe the death of Ahn Jae-hwan, which they’d received word of just earlier that day.

Apparently the actors put on a bright face for photos, but they became solemn at the mention of Ahn Jae-hwan. The drama’s new Madam Jung, Kang Sung-yeon, expressed her feelings upon hearing the sad news: “I couldn’t believe it. This was to be a good day for me [drama press day], but now I don’t know what I should say… Afterward, I’ll go to his funeral service. I’m so heartbroken I don’t know what to say.”

Regarding the drama itself, PD Kang Shin-ho explained: “Because there were previously a famous manhwa and a movie, there was some pressure, and I went through a process of trial and error. I put a lot of effort trying to use the gambling world to portray the ups and downs of the larger world. I hope people will like it.”

The Monday-Tuesday drama takes its place opposite MBC’s East of Eden and KBS’s Love & Marriage on September 16.

[Read more →]

Tags: Ahn Jae-hwan, Han Ye-seul, Jang Hyuk, Kang Sung-yeon, Kim Min-joon, Tazza

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New stills are out for upcoming gambling drama Tazza, featuring its main cast: Han Ye-seul (above), Kim Min-joon (below left), and Jang Hyuk, getting into trouble as always (below center and right).

The stills were taken from a shoot for the title sequence at the drama’s gambling-den set, which is located in Kyunggi-do. A rep from production company Olive Nine stated that the lead actors showcased newly learned gambling skills in their aim to come off as genuine high-rollers: “In particular, Jang Hyuk and Kim Min-joon took on their intense action scenes themselves without using doubles, and even earned applause from the crew.”

Tazza is based on a manhwa by Heo Young-man, which also provided the basis for the 2006 film of the same name starring Kim Hye-soo, although producers point out that the drama will diverge from the movie version, adding several new characters into the mix.

The series will take SBS’s Monday-Tuesday slot currently occupied by Gourmet starting September 8. I can’t say I’m too thrilled about the drama, but I’ll admit it sure looks pretty.

Via My Daily

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Tags: Han Ye-seul, Jang Hyuk, Kim Min-joon, Tazza

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For some reason I can’t quite fathom, the news is full of reports of renewed denials that Lee Soo Kyung and Shin Dong Wook, who played a couple in MBC’s Soulmate two years ago, are NOT dating. I wasn’t aware that it was much of a question these days, so I smell publicity maneuver, although it just seems so weirdly irrelevant. Anyway, both sides are denying that they’re anything more than friends. O-kay.

Of the two, I suppose Lee Soo Kyung is more in the public eye at the moment: Originally having agreed to appear in Kim Sun Ah and Lee Dong Gun’s upcoming drama When Night Comes, she has suddenly withdrawn from that project to headline her own, MBC’s Wednesday-Thursday drama Lawyers of Korea, set to follow Spotlight. Although the move has earned her some criticism, you can’t blame an actress for dropping a supporting role in favor of a leading one. Lawyers also stars Ryu Su Young (Bad Couple, 18 vs. 29) and starts in July.

In other casting news, Han Ye Seul will be starring in SBS’s drama Tazza, a television version based on the gambling film of the same name. She plays Madam Jung, the role originated by Kim Hye Soo in the film. (Umm, not so sure the casting fits for that one…)

And SBS’s upcoming “premium drama” My Sweet City has also cast Choi Kang Hee (Thank You, My Scary Girl) as an editor at a publishing firm. The drama co-stars Lee Seon Kyun (White Tower) and premieres on June 6.

I’m not necessarily drawn to any of the dramas in this batch, but since I’m not too drawn to a particular drama at the moment, at least the new spate of incoming series offers a change of pace. I’ll have to see if any of them sticks.

Via Mk.co.kr, My Daily, Hankyung

SONG OF THE DAY

Outsider - “사랑할수있을까?” (Could we love?) [ Download ]

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Tags: Choi Kang-hee, Han Ye-seul, Lawyers of Korea, Lee Seon-kyun, Lee Soo-kyung, My Sweet Seoul, Shin Dong-wook, Soulmate, Tazza

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• 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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Tags: Bada, good deeds, Han Ji-hye, Han Ye-seul, Lee Seung-gi, Mighty Mouth, netizens, news bites, Yoon Eun-hye

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Lee Yeon Hee: NOT in Girls Generation

This article’s a little harsh, but I can’t say I disagree. I’m getting a little bored by the constant reporting of such non-news too:

“Almost was? Would’ve been?” We’re overrun with meaningless confessions!

“I was almost a member…” “I would’ve been in that…”

These days, there are lots of stars making unseemly confessions — after-the-fact secret stories like, “I was almost ___.” These stars make such statements to appeal to the public’s sense of curiosity, but only leave bitterness behind.

Recently, comedian Hong Rok Gi taped an episode of MBC Everyone’s Neverending Show and revealed, “I was supposed to be a member of [hit '90s pop group] Clon.” Not too long ago, Lee Yeon Hee caught people’s attention when she said on KBS2’s Sang Sang Plus, “I was almost a member of Girls Generation.” …

SONG OF THE DAY

The Name - “웃으며 만나” (meeting while laughing) [ zShare download ]

Who else is an “almost-was” or a “coulda-been”? >>

Tags: Chae Jung-ahn, Han Ye-seul, Lee Yeon-hee

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