It was announced a while back that the 2007 hit film Le Grand Chef (which spawned the successful drama series Gourmet) would be coming out with a sequel, which has been cast with a new set of actors.

The original film starred Kim Kang-woo, Im Won-hee, and Lee Hana; the sequel, Le Grand Chef 2: Kimchi War, stars Kim Jung-eun (Forever the Moment, General Hospital 3) and Jin Gu (Mother). It wouldn’t be Le Grand Chef without main character Sung-chan, who has been portrayed by two different actors already, Kim Kang-woo in the film and Kim Rae-won in the drama. Jin Gu will give the character his own spin as the third Sung-chan.

Interestingly (to me, at least), despite being one of the main leads, Kim Jung-eun hasn’t been cast as Sung-chan’s love interest but rather his older half-sister. The two were entrusted with differing kimchi-preparing techniques by their separate mothers, and as you may know, kimchi-making can be a fiercely competitive thing (the older the ajumma/grandma, the fiercer the pride, it seems). Sounds like a simple plot, but both the drama and film were able to find success for its lovely execution, so perhaps Le Grand Chef 2 will prove to be enjoyable, if not strictly necessary.

To prepare, Kim has been busy with cooking lessons; she explains that she enjoys cooking as a hobby, and is fairly comfortable with her way around a kitchen. The film begins shooting in mid-July, and is aiming for release later this year.

Via Sports Khan

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Television actress Han Ji-hye’s latest two projects are a digital single and shoe designing, both of which she demonstrated at the May 16 recording of talk show Kim Jung-eun’s Chocolate (which will broadcast on the 23rd).

On the program, Han drew some designs, showed off her shoes, and sang the peppy single “Luv Luv” (listen below), which is also being featured on her cable special Shoes! My Dream!

Personally, I think Han Ji-hye is a much better actress than she is a singer or designer. You be the judge.

SONG OF THE DAY

Han Ji-hye – “Luv Luv.” Her vocals are a little weak, but the song is cute. [ Download ]

[Read more →]

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Who’s watching General Hospital 2? (I confess to trying the first episode out of love for Mr. Director, but did not get hooked.) Looks like you may be getting a General Hospital 3.

The MBC drama is currently in talks to consider another season, according to a rep from the production company. The matter isn’t decided yet, but if it goes forward, the third season will return with the same cast members; as some of the Season 2 members were part of the original cast, the production company does not think that will be a large obstacle. Furthermore, scriptwriter Choi Wan-kyu, who worked on both Seasons 1 and 2, would also return.

Director Noh Do-chul has expressed his willingness to sign on not just for a third season, but a possible fourth and fifth — perhaps making this one of very few successful attempts at the multiple-season kdrama (the only others to do so have been cable hits, like Rude Miss Young Ae or Chosun Police).

Noh says, “It’s time for the season drama format to make its appearance in Korea… as it has done in America. It’s much more economical to make use of a drama with pre-existing popularity than to get a new series to succeed.”

General Hospital 2, starring Kim Jung-eun and Cha Tae-hyun, currently airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays and is doing well in the ratings. The original series premiered in 1994 and featured some now-impressive names, like “Cannes Queen” Jeon Do-yeon, as well as Shin Eun-kyung, Lee Jae-ryong (who’s in Season 2 as well), Kim Ji-soo, and Gu Bohn-seung.

Via Star News

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Say it ain’t so!

One of the most openly affectionate couples in the K-entertainment sphere, who were largely expected to announce wedding plans sometime soon (possibly even this year), has instead broken it off.

Kim Jung-eun and Lee Seo-jin started dating while filming the 2006 SBS drama Lovers, and had been going strong ever since. In the two years they had been dating, they were one of a few celebrity couples who were open about their relationship status (many others choose to be coy, denying rumors even when they’re obvious to the public), and were occasionally seen in public on dates together. Both stars were effusive in praise about the other, and Lee Seo-jin even appeared on Kim Jung-eun’s variety show (Chocolate) to serenade her with a love song, singing the same love theme that marked their characters’ romance in the drama Lovers. The two traveled to the U.S. together as recently as this summer, and shot a fashion spread together in New York in September.

So it’s a bit of a shock to hear from Kim Jung-eun’s own lips that the couple is no more. She admitted it in press interviews on November 22, saying she couldn’t keep lying to the public further — the split occurred at the end of October. It’s particularly surprising since the couple hadn’t given signs of much trouble or fighting leading up to this news.

Kim confessed that it was a one-sided decision; Lee initiated the breakup, which came as a shock to her. She fought tears as she conducted her interview, saying, “It felt like I’d been in an unexpected car accident” and “I felt like I’d been shot.”

She admits that it’s difficult dealing with the shock of the breakup, and had just begun work on her new series General Hospital 2 when Lee dumped her. The drama just began airing this Wednesday on MBC.

I’m sure there are two sides to every story (although I wonder if Lee will suffer more, since he already had a bit of a rep for cool breakups), but still: AWW.

Via DongA.com

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“I like hosting a music program, but I enjoy singing quite a lot, too.” So saith actress Kim Jung-eun, who is now taking a stab at singing. Her vocals will be featured on the comeback album for folk-pop duo Tour Sketch [여행스케치], who is coming out with a new (mini) album after six years since their 9th album back in 2002.

Apparently, Kim made Tour Sketch’s acquaintance back when they were guests on the radio program she hosted in 2000, and they maintained a friendship over the years.

Kim’s track “A Rising Star” [별이 뜬다네] offers a parodic twist on Tour Sketch’s debut track from 1989, “A Falling Star” [별이 진다네], setting “bright vocals” to a reggae rhythm. (Listen to the original song below.) This album will be produced in a “diary” format, with the CD tucked in the back of the book, which contains travel pictures taken by the group members.

In addition to hosting a music talk program, Kim Jung-eun’s Chocolate, she is set to star in the upcoming General Hospital 2, which premieres next Wednesday.

Via DongA.com

SONG OF THE DAY

Tour Sketch / 여행스케치 – “별이 진다네” [ Download ]

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