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 >>

Tags: CFs, Han Ga-in, Lee Da-hae, Yoon Eun-hye

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If that ain’t the picture of “triumphant return,” I don’t know what is.

The sizable cast of upcoming epic drama East of Eden held its production press conference on August 21, and trotted out all most of its big names (and it has many, although some were either not in attendance or weren’t photographed — no Lee Mi-sook?). The event was held at the drama’s open set location in South Gyeongsang province (located on the southeastern part of the peninsula, near Busan).

Everyone looks healthy and happy, although pretty-faced Song Seung-heon seems a little, um, smirkier than usual, doesn’t he? (I don’t think it’s his best look.)

The drama premieres August 25 on MBC (it’s a Monday-Tuesday-er).

The cast is, from left to right: Park Hae-shin, Han Ji-hye, Yeon Jung-hoon, Lee Da-hae, drama PD Kim Jin-man, Song Seung-heon, Lee Yeon-hee, and Jo Min-ki. (Too bad they didn’t decide to pose under their poster images, like some sort of performance-art onscreen-versus-reality juxtaposition. Or, you know, just for fun.)

More cast pics beyond the jump >>

Tags: East of Eden, Han Ji-hye, Lee Da-hae, Lee Yeon-hee, Park Hae-shin, press conferences, Song Seung-heon

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Looks like Lee Da-hae has done so well hawking the Samsung-brand Hauzen kimchi refrigerator that they’re extending her contract with her another year, bringing her total time serving as brand model to three years.

As the face of Hauzen, she has capitalized on her cute, lively image, popularized the “asahk song” (asahk being the crunchy noise made by fresh kimchi stored — of course! — in the Hauzen kimchi refrigerator), and played on retro kitsch. Now she’ll follow those ads with a new CF showing off more of her feminine image. (I usually think she’s lovely, but I don’t like the prettily preserved, ‘50s housewife look on her.)

Her new drama East of Eden is also set to premiere soon on MBC.

Via DongA.com

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Tags: CFs, Lee Da-hae

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Lee Da Hae is hitting the gym in preparation for her role in the high-budget drama East of Eden (Song Seung Heon, Yeon Jung Hoon, Lee Yeon Hee, Han Ji Hye). At 170 cm tall (about 5 foot 7), weighing a mere 47 kg (105 pounds) and known for her slim figure, she can’t possibly have any weight to lose, so she’s citing “flexibility” as her goal for embarking on her weight training regimen. (O…kay?)

She’s not focusing on aerobic workouts, but apparently is spending two to three hours a day working on strength training to build up muscle tone (earning her the nickname “ab princess”). A worthy effort, I’m sure, but that’s a bit excessive, isn’t it? Almost to Kim Haneul-esque proportions. Her management explained her need to get fit by saying she’s hasn’t taken proper care in the past; she’s even once gone to the emergency room from overwork.

Her role in East of Eden comes six months following her previous drama, the disappointing melodrama Robbers opposite Jang Hyuk. EOE, which is set to air in August, will show her as a “mature and strong” femme fatale. A bit of a departure for her, but as much as I enjoyed her liveliness in My Girl, I think the girl has an unfortunate tendency to ham it up to excess in comedies, and have always thought she was at her best when dialing it down. This might be an interesting turn for her. (Now, if only I found the drama the least bit appealing…)

My Daily

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MBC’s upcoming East of Eden looks to become the next big-budget, high-profile drama of the year, with recent cast additions of two lovely ladies to act as romantic interests for lead heartthrob Song Seung Heon: first, crying queen Lee Da Hae, and now Lee Yeon Hee.

The story concerns the stories of two boys born into the same hospital at the same time (the other being played by Yeon Jung Hoon) and their intertwining fates (shades of Autumn in My Heart? Just don’t tell me he’s got a long-lost sister he falls in love with too). Lee Yeon Hee plays the daughter of the casino head with whom Song Seung Heon falls in love; this is their second time acting together after the “2008 Love Song” music video.

Lee Da Hae rounds out the love square; although it’s not explicitly stated, I’m speculating purely based on current career trajectories that Lee Da Hae plays the main love interest and Lee Yeon Hee the tragic second fiddle. (Because stories like this — switched at birth! revenge! heartbreak! — scream tragic melodrama. All fifty-some episodes of it.)

East of Eden premieres on MBC in August. Will this highly anticipated project live up to the hype, or fizzle like so many supposed surefire blockbuster hits before it?

Via Mk.co.kr

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