Dramabeans » Kim Rae-won

Goodbye, Kim Rae-won

javabeans — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:21:06 +0000

Oh, this makes me sad. We frequently see male entertainers head off to enlist in their mandatory army duty so it’s not like this comes as a surprise, but I’ll really miss Kim Rae-won as he serves over the next two years.

Kim Rae-won isn’t the most conventionally good-looking actor out there, but he has a wonderful energy and warmth, and a very genuine way of embodying his characters that makes him so lovable once you’ve seen him acting. (Titles to watch: Movies …ing, My Little Bride, Sunflower, Mr. Socrates. Dramas: My Love Patzzi, Attic Cat, Gourmet.)

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Read the rest of Goodbye, Kim Rae-won (148 words)

Ara eyes lead role in soccer drama

javabeans — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:05:59 +0000

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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Read the rest of Ara eyes lead role in soccer drama (387 words)

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Post tags: Go Ara, Han Ga-in, Kim Rae-won, sports dramas, U-Know Yunho

Kim Rae-won heading to army, not drama

javabeans — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:25:07 +0000

Aw, I knew this was coming, but I hadn’t realized that Kim Rae-won (so wonderfully expressive, so sincere) had been seriously considering a drama role in the upcoming soccer series Heading to the Ground [맨땅에 헤딩, working title], which he will now be declining.

Kim has announced his enlistment date, which is just one month away: He will begin his four-week-long training in South Chungcheong province on August 13. Because of a pre-existing health condition — he has degenerative lumbago (a back ailment) — Kim will be assigned to service in the public sector instead of active military duty.

The Heading drama is planning for an October premiere on Wednesdays and Thursdays on MBC; producers had met with Kim and were strongly hoping to bring him onboard the drama. The story involves a player who dreams of playing in England’s Premier League (shades of Manchester United player Park Ji-sung, I’m sure). I’d heard Kim was looking to squeeze in another project before his service (his last was the movie Insadong Scandal, and before that the drama Gourmet), but I guess time ran out. Without Kim, the Heading production is now scrambling to find another lead actor.

Sniffle. Goodbye, my Kim Rae-won!

Via Now News

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Production press conference for Insadong Scandal

javabeans — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:00:56 +0000

Actor Kim Rae-won described his latest project, art-themed Insadong Scandal, as a “bold choice” to cap off his twenties at the March 30 production press conference.

With his army enlistment approaching, this will be the last project of his twenties for the 28-year-old Kim, which he’d chosen carefully for that reason. He describes the role of a cool-headed genius art restorer as “a new challenge, as it’s very different from the characters I’d played before.” (This, he explains, contrasts with the rather boisterous characters he’s played previously.)

I have to say that I’ve always found Kim Rae-won immensely appealing, but in the preview (watch below) he comes off smexy as all get-out. After his prior roles, it’s nice to see him playing a mature, confident guy (dare I say sexy bastard?).

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Read the rest of Production press conference for Insadong Scandal (230 words)

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Post tags: Kim Rae-won, press conferences, Uhm Jung-hwa

Kim Rae-won sings for Insadong Scandal

javabeans — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:12:14 +0000

Actor Kim Rae-won is lending his voice to his fourth OST, this time for his upcoming movie Insadong Scandal.

He’d previously sung on the soundtracks for several projects: the 2005 film Mr. Socrates, 2006’s Sunflower (listen below), and 2008’s drama series Gourmet (listen here). The song he’ll sing is actually a cover of “Today” [오늘은], originally by the Yoon Do-hyun Band.

I don’t think Kim Rae-won is much of a singer (he even admits, “I’m not really a good singer, but I’m thankful to have this opportunity”), but there’s a refreshing down-to-earth real-ness to his voice. I don’t snark about him wanting to conquer the world as a singer because it’s clear that he’s never harbored those aspirations. Which is why I feel his singing on OSTs is more of an exercise in character work — the vocals are iffy, but the emotions are there. Although yeah, maybe I say that just because I love him.

Insadong Scandal releases at the end of April, and Kim is expected to enlist for army duty after that.

Via No Cut News

SONG OF THE DAY

Kim Rae-won – “해바라기꽃” (Sunflower) from the soundtrack for Sunflower (Haebaragi).
[ Download ]

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Upcoming enlistments: Sending off the next wave of stars

javabeans — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:04:04 +0000

Kim Jae-won and Kim Rae-won

First up: Kim Jae-won (of KBS’s Hwang Jini) recently announced his enlistment date as March 23. He leaves without a final Korean project to tide us over till his return, although his role in a Chinese drama will begin airing in March.

Kim co-starred with another upcoming enlistee, Kim Rae-won, back in 2002’s My Love Patzzi, who is another big name expected to begin his service soon. Last seen in SBS drama Gourmet (and now promoting his upcoming film Insadong Scandal), he will be holding one last fanmeeting next month to say goodbye to fans. The large-scale March 15 event precedes his 28th birthday (March 19) and will take place in Seoul.

Other expected upcoming enlistments include Frozen Flower’s Jo In-sung, Jo Han-seon of Sweet Lies, Choi Ji-woo’s Star’s Lover co-star Lee Ki-woo, and Choi Ji-woo’s real-life love Lee Jin-wook.

(I wonder if the frenetic pace of the entertainment industry — which is often downright dangerous, with the ridiculously packed schedules resulting in so many accidents — would be much improved with reform to the conscription system. A good portion of those accidents affect women too, so perhaps it wouldn’t entirely do away with the issue, but it would have to help.)

Via Star News, Hankook Ilbo, Newsen

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Post tags: army duty, Kim Jae-won, Kim Rae-won

From the set of Insadong Scandal

javabeans — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:46:31 +0000

I can’t say I’m exactly excited about the new art-themed movie Insadong Scandal, but I do really like Kim Rae-won (Gourmet), who acts with an effortless charm. (On the other hand, “Korea’s Madonna” Uhm Jung-hwa (Seducing Mr. Perfect) is a little hit or miss for me… and I’m sorry to be shallow, but her face is starting to scare me.)

Reporters were invited to the set location for a press conference on the 6th at the Buan Cine Theme Park in North Jeolla province.

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Read the rest of From the set of Insadong Scandal (299 words)

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Post tags: Kim Rae-won, press conferences, Uhm Jung-hwa