Note: What they’re talking about in this article is a step up from the ubiquitous “sel-ca” photos, or “self-taken” photographs, that we see online everywhere. A lot of the photos in question do feature the celebs themselves, but this is referring more to the trend of stars becoming amateur photographers, publishing books and putting their work out for display.

“What’s the reason for the celebrity photographer trend?”

Actors aren’t merely models who always stand in front of the camera. Sometimes they stand behind the camera and see the world through the eyes of photographers. Some publish photo collections like Park Ji-yoon (Secret Garden), Bae Doo-na (Doo-na’s Tokyo Fun), Lee Byung-jin. Others operate photo studios themselves, like Jo Min-ki (Seoul Cheongdamdong St. Zio) and Bbaek Ga (Seoul Shinsadong BY100).

A number of others are photography fans boasting a bit of skill, such as Bae Yong-joon, Boa, So Ji-sub, Song Il-kook, Uhm Tae-woong, and Jung Jong-chul. Let’s take a look at the reason for the trend of celebrities getting behind the camera lens.

(You mean, other than vanity?)

SONG OF THE DAY

Misty Blue - “너의 별 이름은 시리우스B” (Your star’s name is Sirius B) [ Download ]

More star photographs >>

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Remember So Ji-sub’s recent MV for digital single “Isolated Life”? (In case you don’t, So appeared in the video for the song by new rapper G featuring female quartet Amazing Soul — who are set to debut January 2009 — and the so-called “G project” released its single last month.)

Apparently “G” was actually So Ji-sub. Rapping.

So Ji-sub: “I’ve always loved music and enjoyed rapping, and I’ve wanted to participate in a recording project for a while.”

I’ll bet everyone’s listening a little closer to the song now, eh?

Via Newsis

SONG OF THE DAY

G (aka So Ji-sub) featuring Amazing Soul - “고독한 인생” (Isolated life) (reposted from previous post) [ Download ]

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An asymmetrical shawl-cardigan to match his asymmetrical (braided) hairstyle, tight jeans, a dangly earring, a sad piece of neck bling… Erm, so maybe not So Ji-sub’s best look.

So Ji-sub and co-star Kang Ji-hwan were on hand on August 27’s press conference and showing of the movie A Movie Is a Movie (aka Rough Cut). So Ji-sub came out sporting two different looks, one for the media confab portion, and another for the “VIP preview.” (The other look shows a normal-looking hairstyle, so he must’ve had time to nip out for a costume change.)

The film already held a press day earlier this month, but there can never be too many, right? (The prior event, I believe, was the “production briefing” conference, while this one is a “press preview” — either way, they’re both promo blitzes for the upcoming movie, which opens to non-VIPers on September 11.)

One notable VIP in attendance was the venerable Yonsama, aka Bae Yong-joon, who came with his arm in a sling from recent surgery. As a fellow client of the same management company handling So Ji-sub, Bae expressed his well-wishes for the younger star’s movie.

Other VIPs at the preview included Kwon Sang-woo, Han Ji-min, Jung Joon-ha, and Im Soo-jung, among others.

More pics of A MOVIE IS A MOVIE’s preview >>

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So Ji-sub returns to MVs after three and a half years since his last one (ballad singer Jo Sung-mo’s “Mr. Flower”). This time he’s appearing in the music video for the digital single “고독한 인생” (Isolated life) by ”G” (mp3 posted below). The track was released online on August 13.

Part of the interest in the “G project” is that it doesn’t refer to a single artist, but rather intends to become a “brand,” meaning different artists and groups will release albums under the “brand G”; some of the other artists include Banana Girl, Color Purple, and Color Pink. Furthermore, “G” is also the name for the unknown hip-hop artist behind the song, who remains something of a mystery — neither his true name or background has been released in accordance with the “teaser marketing” surrounding his promotional activities.

(Oh, brother. More Zia-esque manufactured madness? Marketing gimmicks, I tire of you. Plus, I don’t get all this kpop-industry cross-promoting confusion — shouldn’t this multiple-artist format make “G” a label, not a project album/group? Whatevs.)

The MV is directed by the same director (Jo Soo-hyun) behind videos for Big Bang, Rain, Jewelry and Seo In-young; the song is written and produced by J@TRAX, who’s produced for artists like Rain and kpop newbs Mighty Mouth.

Apparently there are three versions of the music video in total, to be released in due time. This is the first of them, which includes scenes from So Ji-sub’s upcoming movie with Kang Ji-hwan, A Movie Is a Movie.

Via Segye.com

G and Amazing Soul - “고독한 인생 ” (Isolated life) [ Download ]

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Filed under: Kpop News by javabeans - 9 Comments →

So Ji-sub and Kang Ji-hwan pose on press day (August 12) for upcoming movie A Movie Is A Movie (directed by Jang Hoon for Kim Ki-duk Films).

Well, they sure showed up in character. But with two such intense actors, I suppose that ought to be no surprise. I wish I could LIKE what either is wearing, but I’m content enough to stare anyway.

This is Kang Ji-hwan’s big-screen debut — the two actors are the same age, but Kang explains, “When I debuted, So Ji-sub was already a big star, so I felt a strong sense of rivalry with him. With the two characters being antagonists in the film itself, and considering that on location we would be co-lead actors more than friends, it would be a lie to say I didn’t feel any rivalry.”

He explains that this is because he’d felt a burden when first finding out he’d be acting opposite So Ji-sub. “I was playing the role of the star actor, but when we first met, I could feel that he was more star-like. But as we filmed, every time a scene ended I’d look on the monitor and get the sense of how dignified he was. I’ve worked in various projects with many senior actors and teachers, but this is the first time I’ve felt that dignified feeling from a colleague.”

So Ji-sub likewise praised his co-star, saying, “When we first met, I felt a little awkward, but Kang Ji-hwan treated me well, even occasionally bringing me drinks of ginseng and honey that he’d mixed himself. He’s a very detailed and subtle person.” Kang returned, laughingly, that it was a habit that arose after working with lots of female co-stars and looking after them: “In an action film, we need to take good care of our bodies, and your co-star’s condition has to be the best for you to act well.”

In the movie, Kang’s character is a spoiled, famous actor who hits his co-star for real while filming (presumably by accident), sending him to the hospital. In the waiting room, he meets a gangster (So), kicking off the story between the two. So’s character is brought onto the film as an actor with the requirement that he fight for real in the action scenes.

The movie opens September 11.

Via Hankook Ilbo

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• The dilemma of Kang Ji-hwan

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Because that’s totally what they’re thinking, yeah? (And if not, it’s what they should be thinking.)

More photos from upcoming film A Movie Is a Movie, about one gangster with dreams of being an actor (So Ji-sub) and a gangster-like actor (Kang Ji-hwan).

A Movie Is a Movie opens September 11.

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