Kim Yun-jin & Daniel Henny: 45th Daejong Film Awards

Kim Yun-jin accepting the Best Actress award for "Seven Days"

Here's a quick list of the winners from the Daejong Film Festival which was hosted by Kim A-jun (from 200 Pounds Beauty) that also included some names like Kim Yun-jin from Lost who won the Best Actress Award, as well as Daniel Henny (Seducing Mr. Perfect) from the upcoming X-Men flick who won the New Actor award:

Best Actor: Kim Yoon Suk (Chaser)
Best Actress: Kim Yun-jin (Seven Days)
Best Picture: (The Chaser)
Achievement in visual effects: Young Goo Art (D-War)
New Actor: Daniel Henney (My Father)
New Actress: Han Ye Seul (Gold Digger Miss Shin)
Best Supporting Actor: Yoo Jun Sang (Return)
Best Supporting Actress: Kim Hye Suk (Open City)
Best Director Award: Na Hong Jin (Chaser)

Here's the trailer for Seven Days:



Here's the trailer for My Father:

Hot Track: Prayer + Watching Only Me

Chris Brown and Usher fans - meet Korean R&B singer Tae Yang from Big Bang:

DVD: Hellcats/Some Like It Hot

For some reason I couldn't get this DVD to play in one of my players and some other computers, so I let it sit for a few weeks, tried it again in a bedroom player, and next thing you know I was off and running watching the film (the Korean title is Some Like It Hot), and it turned to be a really good film with Kim Min-hee, Lee Mi-sook, and An So-hee.

Here's a quick snippet from a review down at the Koreanfilm.org:

Relationship drama Hellcats centers around three women who live together in an old neighborhood of Seoul. Ami (Kim Min-hee, below) is a 29-year old screenwriter who has been holed up in a motel trying to finish a screenplay, but like most people involved in the film industry, her career is not progressing smoothly [...]

Meanwhile Ami is getting little sympathy from her older sister Young-mi (Lee Mi-sook of Untold Scandal fame), who rents out a room to her. A successful 41-year old interior designer working on a new theatrical production, Young-mi has an active love life, and has lately gotten entangled with the much younger Gyeong-su [...]

Young-mi also has a daughter in high school named Kang-ae (An So-hee from the phenom teen pop group Wondergirls). A bright, optimistic sort of kid, Kang-ae enjoys a strong friendship with Mi-ran who grew up in Brazil, but she worries about her boyfriend of three years Ho-jae [...]

Check out the trailer

Stalking Lee Hyori

If you're a Lee Hyori fan how could you not like the new Mnet show she's on called Off The Record where it basically follows her around with hidden cameras everywhere - even in the shower?

DVD: Lovers Behind

I ended up sitting down to watch this last night and it was a lot better than I thought it would be - funny, quirky, and even a subplot I didn't see coming.

Good fluffy popcorn.

Check out the trailer below (the movie is also known as Love Exposure).

South Korean Box Office: Early 2008

Here's a quick breakdown of some new South Korean movies that people are talking about including: The Chaser, The Man Who Was Superman, Once Upon A Time, Forever the Moment, and Lovers of 6 Years.

The Chaser



Opened at #2 on Feb. 15 - great word of mouth reviews have pushed it to #1 in its second week.

KOFIC Synopsis: Ex-cop pimp Jung-ho is irritated because his girls keep disappearing without clearing their debts. One night, he gets a call from a customer and sends Mi-jin. Jung-ho realizes the phone number of the customer matches that of the calls the missing girls got last. As something smells fishy, he searches for her. During his search, Jung-ho dents a car in the alley. When Jung-ho spots blood splattered on the driver’s shirt, he senses the man, Young-min, is the suspect. After an intense chase, Jung-ho catches Young-min. But because of Jung-ho’s pretense as a cop, they are both taken to the police station. At the station, the man bluntly confesses he has killed the missing women, and the last girl, Mi-jin, may still be alive. As the whole police force is obsessed with a random search for corpses, Jung-ho is the only one who believes Mi-jin is still alive. With only 12 hours left to detain the serial killer without a warrant, Jung-ho’s hunt begins, searching for Mi-jin entrapped in a place nobody knows.

View Trailer


The Man Who Was Superman



More notable for Jeon Ji-hyun's latest effort since the critically panned Daisy. After a limited release it opened Feb 1. on 514 screens in the #4 position, the next week moving to #6, afterwards dropping back down out of the top ten.

KOFIC Synopsis: SONG Soo-jung is a producer going on her third year at a small company. Her specialty is human interest stories. She is driven to produce these shallow stories for the sake of her ambition of one day becoming Korea’s own Oprah Winfrey. However, she is reaching the end of what’s left of her pride. One day, after months of not getting paid, she leaves her office with the company camera to produce a story on a lion apparently refusing to eat its meal. On her way, however, she comes across a robber, but she is saved somehow by Superman in a Hawaiian shirt. “Superman” claims he’s unable to tap into his supernatural powers as the bad guys have placed kryptonite inside his head. However, he doesn’t let that get in his way from helping others, from saving the world from global warming to saving a lost puppy. Soo-jung can see this will make a good story and, with a little tweaking and a little fabricating, she produces the Superman Saves the World documentary which goes on to be a ratings hit. However, the true story behind this “Superman,” including the bullet and not the kryptonite that is lodged in his brain, helps the frosty, calculating Soo-jung to awaken to what’s truly important in life.

View Trailer


Once Upon A Time



The comedy-action-adventure film managed to stay in the top ten since its debut at the beginning of February, holding the #1 spot in its second week. Will anyone still want to see Indiana Jones?

Hancinema synopsis: In the 1940's under the Japan's colonial rule, Bong-gu, a swindler, and Chun-ja, a jazz singer, are both after ``the Light of the East,'' a diamond on the Buddhist statue in Seokguram cave. However, Japan's head gets it and he holds a party to celebrate and move it to Japan as soon as possible. Bong-gu and Chun-ja participate to steal 'the Light of the East'.

View Trailer


Forever the Moment

The film, based on a true story about the Korean 2004 team, has been a runaway hit with more ticket sales than The Chaser and Once Upon a Time combined.



KOFIC Synopsis: The Athens Olympics are approaching and Korea is looking for gold in every sport. Korean women in particular have done well in almost areas except for the ignored and looked down upon sport of Team Handball. And when the team is assembled, it doesn’t look when the players who show up are women in their 30s ad teens with piercing. Can this oddball group overcome their personal differences and hardships and somehow come together as a team?

View Trailer


Lovers of 6 Years



The romantic drama has been popular opening at #2 and then staying in the top ten for its second and third week (to present).

Koreanmovie Synopsis: "Nothing special" is also a keyword for Da-jin (Kim Ha-neul), a hard-working editor at a publishing company, and her boyfriend Jae-young (Yoon Gye-sang), an equally diligent home shopping producer. Six years ago, they began to date. Two years ago, they started sleeping together. Now, they are next-door neighbors, but the wall separating their houses does not have any significant function. They virtually share their rooms -- and bedrooms at night. They know each other inside and out so much so that they begin to feel a bit bored, and the magical sparks and excitement is already gone. Their relationships seem to have passed a stage where something special is at work.

View Trailer

NY Philharmonic: Can you end the conflict in Darfur too?

I'm a supporter of the arts on all fronts and know the power that music and theater can have, but let's be honest about this - the NY Philharmonic going to North Korea isn't a historical cultural event - it's just a publicity campaign for everyone involved.

North Korea - who took down its Anti-American posters and rhetoric before the Philharmonic dropped in to Pyongyang - gets to use this "event" as propaganda to show the world that even with their abysmal human rights record, stalled nuclear disarmament talks, and "Military First" policy, that they're open to cultural diplomacy - and really - maybe they aren't that bad after all.

I can see it now. There's Kim Jong Il relaxing with some poor girls he keeps skinny with a healthy does of poverty, the NY Philharmonic playing in the background, and Il touting the new "softer side of North Korea".

Just the thought makes me want to wet myself.

Then there's the NY Philharmonic. Musicians who hope that they can help build connections with North Koreans to bring the countries closer together - and while I don't doubt the real feelings some of the musicians have in going there - they've really just been bamboozled and hoodwinked by people like Lorin Maazel and others for the sake of publicity and the thought of being mentioned alongside with ping pong balls.

Do they realize that according to a UN report there's only 55 TV sets for every 1,000 people in North Korea and that only a fraction of people they hope to reach will even see it?

Who knows though, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the NY Philharmonic, by playing one glorious night to be shown, edited, cut, and then re-edited, really can help bring the U.S. and North Korea together.

At least it won't hurt ticket sales.

Next stop for the NY Philharmonic: Curing AIDS and ending the conflict in Darfur.

Daniel Henney and X-Men

Cinematical (and every other X-Men junkie) is reporting that Korean American Daniel Henney will be joining the ever growing X-Men cast as Agent Zero, who has the power to absorb kinetic energy. No word on how big his role will actually be - but it should be an interesting switch from his K-Drama film and tv credits where he's probably best known for being in the 2005 tv drama/comedy My Lovely Sam Soon and the 2006 film Seducing Mr. Perfect.

The Wachowskis, Rain, and Ninja Assassin

According to Variety, Korean entertainer Rain (Jung Ji-hoon) will be following up his starring role from I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK, with the lead role in Larry and Andy Wachowski's Warner Brother's pic Ninja Assassin (Rain is also in another Wachowski movie Speed Racer, albeit in a supporting role).

While it sounds like it could be interesting, let's just hope that they change the title of the movie before it's released to something that doesn't sound so Chuck Norris.

Filming should start in May.

Lipstick Jungle airing tonight

Lipstick Jungle airs tonight with another Asian face in Lindsay Price. The show is on NBC at 10/9c.

Who cares if you're profitable?

As a country you hold debt. As Americans and individuals we hold debt. Depending upon what sector you work in (you do work don't you?), your raises may not even balance out the standard cost of living increases.

So while only 1 in 10 Korean movies last year didn't even earn a profit (about 13 out of the 112 released) - does it really matter? Should that stop Korean filmmakers from putting out some of the most distinct romantic comedies that turn into dramas about halfway through the film (because in order to laugh you have to cry)?

I hope it doesn't because even though I can't see them all - I like knowing they're around just in case I need them.

Dropping Trow in South Korea

This is a funny story coming out of South Korea surrounding crooner Na Hoon-a who was rumored to have his genitals cut off by a gangster for having a fling with one of the gangsters favorite actresses - which Na Hoon-a denied - and to show he was telling the truth decided to get up on live television and start pulling down his pants:

Saying he was ready to prove he had not been damaged "down there", he jumped on a table, slightly lowered his pants and was revealing his underwear when the live TV broadcast cut away, with surprised reporters heard shrieking in the background.

Reminds me of the movie Love Actually minus the Yakuza. For more check out the Reuters article.

Fact Check: Lindsay Price

A quick look at Lindsay Price, one of the stars in the upcoming and anticipated new shows Lipstick Jungle.

Born: December 6, 1976

Asianness: Mother is Korean, Father is German-Irish.

Shows you might recognize her from: All My Children, The Bold and the Beautiful, Beverly Hills 90210, How I Met Your Mother, Frasier.

Shows you may not: C-16: FBI, Life Goes On, Plymouth

Campus: Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

Her favorite body part: Her collarbone

Claim to fame as a kid: Toys-R-Us television commercial

Total IMDB Film and T.V. credits: 46

For more info check out her IMDB and Wikipedia profile.

Film: Secret Sunshine

The Korean film Secret Sunshine has been getting a lot of press lately - part of which includes actress Jeon Do-yeon winning seven awards for her role in the film, including Best Actress at the 6th Annual Korea Film Festival. The wins for the film also included Lee Chang-dong for Best Director and co-star Song Kang-ho for Best Actor.

Check out the trailer

Forget oil, Kimchi is the new currency, and it's going in space

The prices of kimchi can also fluctuate like barrels of oil, and while not threatening the demise of economies world-wide, it is an interesting and light note from around the globe, because when you think about it - who knew a radish and some cabbage could cause so much havoc?

Kimchi Prices Set to Skyrocket

This year’s frequent rains have put a damper on the cabbage and radish harvest. This will likely boost their prices up to 2 to 3 times last year’s. Kimchi-preparing costs will soar if that happens. According to the Korean Rural Economic Institute’s “Vegetable Observer Monthly” report [...]

Imports of Chinese Kimchi Hit Record High

Amid a surge in the price of cabbage to around W4,000 per head before the traditional kimchi-making season, imported kimchi from China hit a record high
[...]

Space Cabbage

On another kimchi note - everyone from the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute to noodle maker Nongshim is working hard to ensure that the first Korean astronaut, set to go up in April, will have appropriate food in space:

Korean food manufactures are competing to whip up space-edible foods for Ko San, Korea's first astronaut who will lift off in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in April. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute is working on kimchi with domestic food maker CJ and instant noodles with Nongshim. The Korean Food Research Institute is also developing space-safe fried kimchi, hot pepper paste and soy bean paste, rice, red ginseng and green tea with Daesang and Ottogi.

Read more here.

Korean star Rain joins with MTV to help campaign against human trafficking

If ever there was a good cause to spotlight and campaign against - it would be human trafficking - and half of all the people trafficked are from Asian countries, so its great to see someone as influential as Korean star Rain working with MTV to help in the cause. Here’s some more information:

MTV, one of the world’s largest and influential television network, has launched “End Exploitation and Trafficking” (EXIT), a global campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking. Along with Thai star Tata Young, Korea’s pop singer Rain has joined in the action as the front man for the Asia Pacific region.

Read more here.

Michael Kang’s “West 32nd Street” gets set to open at the Pusan International Film Festival

This week at the Pusan International Film Festival, Michael Kang - of the movie The Motel - will be there with many of the cast and crew as the film West 32nd is shown. The movie features John Cho, Jun Kim, Grace Park, and Jane Kim.

Watch the movie trailer

Check more out on the movie from the official site.

North Korea agrees to disable nuclear facilities

While already in the works this just came in from the NY Times:

The agreement sets out a timetable for North Korea to disclose all its nuclear programs and disable all facilities in return for 950,000 metric tons of fuel oil or its equivalent in economic aid.

Negotiators reached agreement on a draft plan in Beijing on Sunday after four days of six-nation talks. The United States had said on Tuesday that it endorsed the plan but was waiting for approval from other nations involved in the negotiations.

Take a break with some Korean Fusion

From the Korean fusion band Clazziquai’s first album Instant Pig - already a classic - take a break with the MV for Sweety:

You can also check out their MySpaceTV page for more videos.

Bong Joon-ho, “Tokyo”, Ayako Fujitani, and Steven Seagal

Ayako Fujitani. Image from Off Screen

According to reports from MTV.com, the director of the ever popular Korean monster movie The Host, Bong Joon-ho will be working on a movie called “Tokyo” where directors will give their spin on the city in much the same way as the movie Paris Je T’aime.

From those same reports as well, the French director Michel Gondry will be working with Ayako Fujitani - who is the daughter of U.S. actor/director Steven Seagal.

From Wikipedia:

A writer and actress, she is the daughter of Steven Seagal from his first wife, aikido master Miyako Fujitani.

While still relatively unknown in America, she was recently featured in the French film Sansa (2003) and is best known for her role in the Heisei Gamera (1995-1999) series directed by Shusuke Kaneko. She worked again with him on an episode of Ultraman Max, whom he directed.

Fujitani wrote the short novella Shiki-Jitsu based on personal reflections of her difficulties as a multiracial child growing up in Japan and later, the unwanted attention after her father’s sudden rise to stardom.

The story was adapted into film by writer and director Hideaki Anno and stars Fujitani in the title role.

See the Off Screen movie site for more information on Shiki-Jitsu.