Korean film industry weathers recession

It seems the film industry has emerged as one of the few recession-proof industries while the economy struggles to regain its footing. The stats are out, showing that Korean films recorded their best ever performance, with a 4.7 percent increase in revenue from ticket sales compared to a year earlier.

An estimated 72 million Koreans went to the movies in the first six months of this year raking in about 477 billion won ($370 million) in revenue. Although attendance fell short of 2006’s record-setting figure of 77.4 million, profits during the first half of this year saw a conservative increase from 473 billion won that year.

[VIDEO] Kim Joon’s MV features Kim Hyun-joong

This song is hot.

“Boys over Flowers” star Kim Joon released the official music video of his song “Jun B OK” and it features another “Boys over Flowers” star, Kim Hyun-joong of SS501.

Kim Hyun-joong and Kim Joon

Singer Rain to help ‘hansik’ globalization

Singer Rain will join Korea’s efforts to help the world enjoy its indigenous food, other wise known as “hansik.”

The international acclaimed singer, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, was appointed Monday as a point man for the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in leading the hansik globalization initiative.

 

Rain aka Jung Ji-hoon

Actor Lee Jun-ki in Japanese spotlight

Actor-turned-singer Lee Jun-ki (이준기) is making a return to center stage in Japan with concerts in Kobe and Yokohama on July 18 and 19. The event will commemorate the re-opening of his fan club, Splendor.

Lee previously recorded and released music in 2006, but his new single in April was his first time back on the music scene. Another EP is due later this year and the undying love of his fans has thrust him back into the public eye.

Lee Jun-ki

‘Wonder Girls’ tour on US$1-M bus

“It’s better than my own home,” wrote a fan under the username “Lucy” on SeoulBeats.com, a pop culture news Web site. Another fan, “Stasha,” exclaimed, “Wow, it looks like a hotel!”

The topic at hand is the Wonder Girls new luxury tour bus, provided to them by Canadian carmaker Prevost. Valued at 1.4 billion won (about US$1.09 million), the bus is indeed like a hotel with amenities such as a full bedroom, shower room, kitchen and big screen TV.

Psy (aka Park Jae Sang) discharged from military

Singer and rapper Psy has finally returned from his military service.

The 31-year-old singer was re-drafted into the military as active duty after it was found that he neglected his duties during his previous service from 2003-2005. He began his second tern in August 2007.

Psy aka Park Jae Sang

SNSD’s ‘Genie’ tops Music Bank

“Genie,” a new song released by Girls’ Generation two weeks ago, topped KBS-TV’s Music Bank Friday evening.

The flagship song of the girl group’s second mini-album competed with songs from 4minute and Seo Tae-ji.

SNSD

(Drama) ‘He Who Cannot Marry’: Jae-hee and Moon-jung bond over puppy

In the episode of the drama “He Who Cannot Marry” that aired July 6 under the sub-title “Responsibility and Its Heaviness,” the single man Jae-hee (played by Ji Jin-hee) and the single woman Moon-jung (played by Uhm Jung-hwa) bonded by taking care of a puppy.

He Who Can't Marry

Park Ji-heon of V.O.S. admits he has a son

Park Ji-heon, a member of ballad trio V.O.S., made a surprise announcement that he has a four-year-old son from his long-time girlfriend. The leader of V.O.S. confessed to his marital status, because he no longer wanted keep his family a secret.

Park Ji-heon

 

Father and son

Koo Hye-sun enjoying high popularity in Taiwan

Koo Hye-sun, one of South Korea’s top actresses, is enjoying a surge in popularity in Taiwan as a hallyu (Korean wave) star thanks to her starring role in the KBS-TV drama “Boys Over Flowers,” which closed in March.

Koo Hye-sun

Pretty boy Lee Joon-ki shows off his introspective side

There are certain things you might expect when meeting a star actor: crazy good looks, fabulous lifestyle and, perhaps, a bit of attitude.

Such was this reporter’s expectation before an exclusive interview with Korean actor Lee Joon-ki on a recent afternoon. Lee, once a young and struggling actor from the port city of Busan, was catapulted to stardom with his impressive portrayal of an androgynous clown in the 2005 hit film “The King and the Clown.”

Lee Jun-ki

Wooyoung at the 11th Seoul International Film Festival opening

Stars attended the opening ceremony of the 11th Seoul International Film Festival at Sejong Center.

“This year’s festival will showcase 124 short and feature films from 33 countries. The opening work is “I Know You Know,” directed by Justin Kerrigan with funding from the U.K. and Germany. The festival has two categories of competition — one for films made by young directors between 13 and 18 years old, and the other for short films with themes of children, teenagers or family by directors 19 and up,” according to Chosun Ilbo newspaper.

2PM’s Wooyoung attended the ceremony as he is the ambassador of the film festival.

Wooyoung looking hot in a suit

Actress’ husband kills himself over debt

The husband of actress Kim Da-hye was found dead in a motel in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, in what is believed to be a suicide, police said Thursday.

Ahn Sung-ki named Korea’s favorite actor again

Ahn Sung-ki was voted Korea’s favorite actor in a survey conducted to mark the 35th anniversary of the founding of Gallup Korea.

Ahn Sung-ki

Daily TV Ratings – July 1-6, 2009

Daily TV Ratings – July 1, 2009

TNS
NATIONWIDE RANK / SHOW / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE RATING / SEOUL RATING + RANK {if different from Nationwide}

1.White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC)- 22.8% 23.7%
2.The City Hall <시티홀> episode 19 (SBS) – 17.6% 18.8%
3.Golden Fishery 황금어장 (MBC) – 16.6%17.8%
4.KBS 9 News (KBS1) – 16.1% 15.9%(#5)
5.What’s For Dinner? / Serve Me <밥 줘> (MBC) -15.4% 16.4%(#6)

White Lie

Lee Seung-ki’s popularity skyrockets

Lee has been appearing in the SBS TV series “Brilliant Legacy” and the KBS TV2 show “Happy Sunday,” and has released a digital single called “Will You Marry Me?”

Lee Seung-ki

Celebrities to get commentation from Korean military

Celebrities currently serving their military duty will be awarded commendations from the Army Chief of Staff. Singers Psy (real name Park Jae-sang), Sung Si-kyung, and Kang-ta (real name Ahn Chil-hyun), actors Yang Dong-geun and Jae-hee (real name Lee Hyeon-kyun), and comedian Hong Dong-myeong will be honored for faithfully fulfilling their services to the country.

‘Boys over Flowers’, DBSK a hit overseas

Last weekend, the cities of Guangzhou, China, and Tokyo, Japan, were abuzz over the appearance of young celebrities from Korea.

Hordes of ardent Chinese fans came out on Saturday to see two stars of a wildly popular Korean TV drama series, which made its debut in mainland China yesterday.

Lee Min-ho and Kim Joon, two lead actors from the Korean TV drama “Boys Over Flowers,” (third and fourth from right) meet Chinese fans in an event held in Guangzhou, China, on July 4 to celebrate the airing of the show in mainland China. (JoongAng Daily)

Singer Kim Ji-hoon arrested for illegal drugs

Singer and TV personality Kim Ji-hoon was arrested Wednesday for having allegedly taken several pills of ecstasy and smoked marijuana, according to the Seoul Eastern District Court.

This is the second time he has been arrested on drug charges and Kim has reportedly admitted to all suspicions.

Kim Ji-hoon and Kim Seok-min of pop due Duke

Male actors try new roles in TV dramas

 One of the viewers of the KBS TV2 drama “He Who Can’t Marry” has recently written that she was surprised by its main male character, Cho Jae-hee, who is played by actor Ji Jin-hee. So far, Ji has mostly played gentle and smart men, but this time he has been transformed into a narrow-minded old bachelor, whom he portrays in a comical way. The viewer said she had no idea Ji could portray comical roles and that they suited him perfectly.

Korean actors