Dramabeans » Kim Hyun-joo

Kim Hyun-joo headlines new SBS weekend drama

javabeans — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:10:58 +0000

Kim Hyun-joo has lined up her next drama (yay), which will be a weekend series (er, sigh?) titled Dumb Mom, which will be hitting airwaves next month.

Based on a novel of the same name, Kim plays the lead character, Young-joo, in a story following three women of three generations and their relationships with love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The book, which is itself based on a true story, follows a dim-witted woman who is the victim of a rape and her daughter Young-joo, who is born of the attack. The mother smothers the girl with love, and Young-joo finds the attachment so oppressive that she marries to run away from her, leaving Mom in a psychiatric hospital.

(...)
Read the rest of Kim Hyun-joo headlines new SBS weekend drama (273 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2012. | Permalink | 38 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Jung-hoon, Kim Tae-woo

2011 MBC Drama Awards

javabeans — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:12:21 +0000

Oh, MBC. I can always count on you for some awards-time whatthefuckery. Three years ago it was split Daesangs (daesang = Grand Prize), giving the same award to Kim Myung-min and Song Seung-heon and doubling awards in every category. Two years ago, there were more split awards, and last year we had the bizarre “Character Daesangs” (“Crude Language Award,” “Hot Temper Award,” and so forth).

This year, no actors were forced to share the Daesang…because it basically went to a drama instead. What the what? (Last year, Drama of the Year was a viewers’ pick award. This year it took the place of the Daesang, even if it wasn’t officially called one.)

Part of what makes MBC such a weird award in my opinion is that they never seem to know what they’re doing. If you’re going to make weird categories a thing, then stick with it — but if you’ll compare past years with each other, you’ll see that they keep changing things around. It makes them seem desperate, scrambling to appease everyone. Add to that the fact that in recent years, MBC has typically had the weakest drama performances of the three broadcast stations (remember when MBC was the Drama Kingdom?). So with weak competition, you get awards being doled out to some middling dramas, while others are overlooked entirely.

It must be noted that these awards are hardly ever based strictly on merit. They’re given out by the broadcaster, so they’re more a measure of which dramas and stars they want to thank/bribe/flatter. It’s partially a popularity contest, and partially politicking; it’s a given that the big ratings hits will rake in a lion’s share of awards. I still reserve the right to gripe about their choices.

You’ll see that this year, the broadcaster has once again introduced new categories and done away with others. They’ve gotten a lot of flak in past years for splitting awards, so this year they haven’t split many… because instead, they split award categories, which essentially achieves the same thing. Oh, MBC, always trying to please everyone and therefore pleasing no one. Maybe you’ll get a decent hit in 2012.

(...)
Read the rest of 2011 MBC Drama Awards (1,593 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2011. | Permalink | 119 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: awards, Cha Seung-won, Gong Hyo-jin, Honey Lee, Hwang Jung-eum, Ji Hyun-woo, Jo Yoon-hee, Jung Bo-seok, Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Jae-won, Kim Jung-tae, Lee Bo-young, Micky Yoochun, Nam Goong-min, Park Yoo-hwan, Shin Aera, Yoon Tae-young

All That Glitters gets an extension

javabeans — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:37:23 +0000

MBC weekend drama All That Glitters (aka Twinkle Twinkle), starring Kim Hyun-joo and Kim Seok-hoon, has gotten a four-episode extension, which puts its total episode count at 54.

It can thank its strong viewership ratings for the extension, since it’s been pulling in numbers the 20% range, making it first in its timeslot. Competitors are the sageuk drama King Gwanggaeto (starring Kim Seung-soo and Lee Tae-gon), which has been performing in the mid-teen range, and My Love By My Side (Lee So-yeon, Lee Jae-yoon), whose ratings are in the 9%-10% range.

All That Glitters still has a number of weeks to go, so I think the extension has enough time to be worked into the existing storylines. Plus, there’s a good chance MBC was eyeing the extension card well in advance, once they were assured of the drama’s strong ratings. That’s good news for fans, and perhaps also for its successor drama, which gets an extra two weeks to prepare. (Maybe they don’t need it, but I always think extra planning time is a good thing, given the beast that is the live-shoot production system.)

That follow-up drama is A Thousand Kisses, which has a familiar-sounding premise (rebirth of the divorced woman), but an enjoyable cast to heighten its appeal: Ryu Jin, Seo Young-hee, Kim So-eun, Ji Hyun-woo. A Thousand Kisses now premieres on August 20.

Via Mk.co.kr

RELATED POSTS

Posters and stills for weekend drama All That Glitters

javabeans — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 13:01:38 +0000

All That Glitters premieres today on MBC, taking up the slot formerly occupied by Gloria, and here are a few more stills and official posters for the drama.

Despite being a 50-episode weekend drama, All That Glitters is on my tentative watch list for one reason, and one reason only: director Noh Do-chul, who showed a stylish visual flair and a sharp ear for music in the witty Soulmate and the fresh comedy Hello Franceska. I’m not pinning my hopes on this being another Soulmate, but I do have hopes that he’ll be able to do something zippy and engaging with what sounds like a fairly standard premise.

(I do like lead actress Kim Hyun-joo as well, but she alone isn’t enough to get me to watch a drama that doesn’t otherwise interest me. Case in point: Partner. Another plus is writer Bae Yoo-mi, who penned two enjoyable rom-coms, Who Are You? and Really Really Like You.)

(...)
Read the rest of Posters and stills for weekend drama All That Glitters (181 words)

Stills from the set of All That Glitters

javabeans — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:10:00 +0000

Here are some new photos of upcoming weekend drama All That Glitters, starring Kim Hyun-joo as a careerwoman and workaholic. Despite her wealthy family background — the family owns a publishing company — she’s determined to make it on her own. (Although, is it really making it on your own if your work is in publishing?)

Kim Hyun-joo plays a woman who’s life is completely upturned in one moment, after living her whole life as a privileged chaebol daughter. (...)
Read the rest of Stills from the set of All That Glitters (330 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2011. | Permalink | 28 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: All That Glitters, Kim Hyun-joo

Filming begins on All That Glitters

javabeans — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:20:39 +0000

Here are first stills from the upcoming MBC weekend drama All That Glitters (perhaps also translated Twinkle Twinkle), which stars Kim Hyun-joo (Partner) as a workaholic careerwoman.

This is a drama that has me particularly interested despite the ordinariness of the plot description — a success story of a woman who rebounds after her life is flipped upside-down — because I have a special place in my heart for the director, Noh Do-chul. He directed one of my favorite dramas, Soulmate, as well as the quirky vampire comedy Hello, Franceska, both of which showcase his zippy directing style and fantastic taste in eclectic indie, alternative, and world music. On top of that, writer Bae Yu-mi has written some heartwarming, comedic dramas like Who Are You and Really Really Like You.

(...)
Read the rest of Filming begins on All That Glitters (220 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2011. | Permalink | 32 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: All That Glitters, Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Seok-hoon

Kim Hyun-joo takes on new drama project

javabeans — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:26:16 +0000

A year and a half after her last drama (lawyer drama Partner), Kim Hyun-joo is coming back for another one, a weekend show this time called 반짝반짝 빛나는, which translates to Twinkling or Sparkling (still a working title). Taking a little bit of poetic license, you might also translate it more prettily to All That Glitters.

The MBC series is described as one woman’s success story after her life is turned around due to someone else’s mistake. Kim plays the lead character Han Jung-won, who’s born unlucky. I expect she’ll bring a warmth and gentle spirit to the role, which she’s so good at delivering.

While I rarely watch MBC weekend dramas, I’m actually a little bit excited for this, because directing is PD Noh Do-chul, which has my immediate attention; he brought his fresh, interesting directing style to quirky shows like vampire sitcom Hello Franceska and one of my all-time favorites, Soulmate. Eee! If he can bring that same refreshing energy to this, I’m SOLD. (He also worked on General Hospital 2, which I could never get into.)

Writer Bae Yu-mi wrote I Really Really Like You and Who Are You?, which makes me tentatively hopeful; both were flawed but charming shows that had bright, comedic moments as well as some heartfelt stuff.

All That Glitters is being prepped to take Gloria’s place and plans to begin its broadcast in February. I haven’t seen an estimated episode count yet, but given precedent there’s a good chance this’ll be a 50-episoder. Aw man, I may actually have to watch a long drama now.

Via Kuki News

RELATED POSTS

Kim Hyun-joo puts out an essay book

javabeans — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:00:58 +0000

Actress Kim Hyun-joo (Partner) has come out with her own book, Hyun-joo’s Hand-Crafted Story, which was published on December 23 and for which she held a promotional event at Seoul’s Ritz Carlton Hotel. The book features Kim’s own needlework and knitting, as well as photos and personal essays. As a part of humanitarian NGO Good Neighbors’ “Good Buys” campaign, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to help the needy.

(...)
Read the rest of Kim Hyun-joo puts out an essay book (126 words)

Eco Canada by Kim Hyun-joo

javabeans — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:24:38 +0000

Wow, just take a look at how gorgeous these latest photos are of Kim Hyun-joo (Partner), which the actress shot for Sure Magazine‘s upcoming October issue.

Kim’s photographs were taken against the lovely backdrop of Canada; she spent ten days in Vancouver, Whistler, and Victoria for the spread titled “Eco Canada by Kim Hyun-joo.”

(...)
Read the rest of Eco Canada by Kim Hyun-joo (89 words)

Kim Hyun-joo featured on Partner OST

javabeans — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:49:24 +0000

Who knew that Kim Hyun-joo could sing? She’s currently the star of the current KBS drama Partner, and now also makes her singing debut with a track for the series soundtrack titled “Promise” ["약속"].

In the drama, she plays the newest lawyer at a firm who clashes with one of its partners (Lee Dong-wook) when her idealism contrasts with his more realistic (or one might say cynical) approach to law. (Sparks fly and romance develops.)

At a July 8 press conference, Kim expressed her feelings on the experience, saying, “As someone who isn’t a professional singer, I’m very satisfied with it. I even received some praise from the songwriter.”

“Promise” goes live on online music sites on July 10, while the album goes on sale on the 15th. Meanwhile, the drama aired its fifth and sixths episodes this week.

Via IB Times

RELATED POSTS

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2009. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Kim Hyun-joo, Partner, soundtracks