“Bae Yong-jun, Choi Ji-woo Visited Japan”

Korean Wave star Bae Yong-jun has visited Japan, where he was welcomed by some 2000 fans. His visit comes more than a year after his last visit to the country.

Bae left for Japan on September 27 on a special Korean Air jet, which was rented for him. The actor arrived at Narita Airport at 3:20 p.m. He and actress Choi Ji-woo will attend a promotional event for the animation version of “Winter Sonata” at the Tokyo Dome.

Bae previously visited Japan in June last year to promote the epic drama “Legend.” It is his first visit to Japan alongside actress Choi Ji-woo, who played opposite him in the TV drama “Winter Sonata.”

Korean Air offered a special jet for the two stars. Some 2000 fans greeted Bae and Choi at Narita Airport. Bae’s fans kept asking him about his health, as the actor was recently diagnosed with septicemia. Bae responded with a smile and waved his hand. Walking among the crowd of fans, he said briefly that he was fine. Bae’s agency, BOF, said the two actors didn’t pause to greet their fans because of security concerns.

Bae, Choi and Ryu Seung-soo will attend the “Winter Sonata” event on September 29 at the Tokyo Dome. On September 30, Bae will hold an event marking the publishing of his book on the beauty of Korea. He will stay in Japan until October 2.
 Source: KBS

“Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo to Be in Japan”

Two stars of “Winter Sonata,” Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, will be in Japan together this fall. The first-generation hallyu stars will be in the Tokyo Dome to promote “Winter Sonata – Another Story,” a 26-part animation show dubbed with their voices. This is the first time that Bae and Choi will participate in the same event since their drama was broadcast in 2002.

On the following day Bae will also hold a promotional event for his book tentatively titled “The Beauty of Korea.” His representative said that as many as 90 thousand Japanese fans are expected to come to the Tokyo Dome to see Bae over the two-day event. Also the events will be telecast live via satellite feed to local theaters, so those who will not be able to attend the Tokyo Dome events can still see Bae on screen.

Source: KBS

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“Song Hye-gyo Named Asia Panda Goodwill Ambassador”

Top actress Song Hye-gyo was named the world’s first Asia Panda Goodwill Ambassador and visited a panda base situated in the city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province last Thursday.

Song spent time with giant pandas in the outdoor farm, feeding and playing with them. She was amazed to see real live pandas and spoke of the importance of protecting pandas and other endangered animals. The actress also was told that a panda at the Chengdu base had lived in Korea for three years and had a baby upon returning to China.

Source: KBS

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“Gu Hye-Sun Debuts as Artist and Music Composer”

Actress Gu Hye-Sun, who has published a novel and debuted as a filmmaker, is poised now to make a foray into painting and music composing. She will hold an exhibition late next month in Insa-dong to showcase some 40 of her works.

Gu is also preparing a new-age album slated for release late this year. The album contains compositions that she has personally written. She has written 11 compositions so far and is currently recording them. Originally, they were intended for a movie that she has been in preparations to produce.

Last year, Gu drew the covert art for singer Gummy’s fourth album and included more than 40 of her illustrations in her first novel, “Tango,” which was published last month.

On May 17, Gu received the Audience Award at the Busan Asian Short Film festival for a short film that she had directed and for which she wrote the script.

The versatile and talented actress says she has many dreams and wants to try many things.

Source: KBS

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“Gu Hye-seon Shows Versatile Talent on “Literature With A Voice”

Actress Gu Hye-seon, 25, who played a leading role in the TV drama “Boys Over Flowers,” will display her versatile talent on the KBS TV1 show “Literature With A Voice,” which will air May 12 at 11:30 p.m.

The production team says that during the recording of the show, the actress played the piano on a stage decorated with her own drawings. She also recited extracts from the novel “Haak Haak” by Lee Oi-soo, Gu’s debut novel “Tango,” which was published last month, and the essay “Then I Didn’t Say Anything” by Chun Hye-rin.

The actress also spoke about her efforts to gain recognition for more than ten years and public misunderstanding that she rose to stardom solely because of her pretty looks. She also expressed gratitude to her parents for trusting her.

Source: KBS

“Shots from Guam Location of “The Accidental Couple”

A romantic comedy about ordinary postman Koo Dong-baek and top actress Han Ji-soo, who sign a six-month marriage contract.

This week, the drama was filmed in Guam prior to its premiere on April 29.

The diverse facial expressions of Hwang Jung-min and the perfect looks of Kim Ah-jung and Ju Sang-ok mesmerized the locals.

Here are a few shots attesting to the soaring interest in the drama.

▲ Hwang Jung-min was the first to shoot a scene in Guam. Living up to his reputation as an actor with diverse facial expressions, he gave quite a few laughs to the locals and tourists who visited the filming set with his witty and comical acting.

▲ Kim Ah-jung, who plays top actress Han Ji-soo, captivated the hearts of locals with her elegant and beautiful looks.
▲ Ju Sang-ok, who plays Han Ji-soo’s boyfriend Kim Kang-mo, was perfectly in sync with Kim Ah-jung, thanks to his charismatic image.

 

▲ In the drama, Koo Dong-baek has fun alone whenever he feels blue. He looks so excited that it’s impossible to say whether he’s just acting or if this is how he usually has fun…

▲ Koo Dong-baek’s pure-hearted charm is portrayed perfectly by Hwang Jung-min’s innocent smile. Despite the scorching heat reaching 30 degrees Celsius on the day of the shoot, the actor continued smiling throughout the shoot, making it fun for everyone.

▲ Koo Dong-baek’s pure-hearted charm is portrayed perfectly by Hwang Jung-min’s innocent smile. Despite the scorching heat reaching 30 degrees Celsius on the day of the shoot, the actor continued smiling throughout the shoot, making it fun for everyone.

Source: KBS

Credits: gebens2001.wordpress.com

“Celebrity couples with older women and younger men”

Top Korean actress Choi Ji-woo, 34, has also recently disclosed her relationship with her younger boyfriend, Lee Jin-wook, 28, who acted opposite her in a TV drama two years ago. She made headlines not only in Korea but in Japan as well, where she enjoys enormous popularity. The “older women with younger men trend” has been popular for quite a while now. Actress Chae Si-ra, 41, who is married to singer Kim Tae-wook, 40, as well as comedian Park Kyung-rim, 30, and her younger husband, Park Jung-hoon, 29, are just a few examples.

However, couples’ age differences have been on the rise recently, reaching as many as 5-6 years. Some couples have an age difference of 10 years. Actress Choi Jung-won, 28, made headlines because of rumors that she was dating actor Baek Sung-hyun, who is eight years her junior. Actress Kim Seon-ah, 34, also drew attention when rumors spread that she was dating singer Lee Seung-ki, 22, when the two appeared in a TV commercial for a beer brand. Though the rumor turned out to be groundless, the two received great attention for making a perfect couple despite their 12-year age difference. Rumors about Choi Jung-won and Baek Sung-hyun and Kim Seon-ah and Lee Seung-ki acted as a “noise marketing” tool, because they were spread when these couples appeared in the same productions, and contributed greatly to promoting the productions. It is also further proof that news about older women dating younger men is no longer surprising these days.

The popularity of younger men among older women and vice versa is also a result of changing public perception. As women’s social status keeps improving, nobody is surprised these days to see women dating younger men. The social stereotype that men must date younger women is also gradually losing ground. That also explains why many couples with younger men and older women are unabashed about their relationships.

Source: KBS

“Jun Ji-hyun Makes Appearance in Japan”

Jun took part in the preview of her latest film “Blood: The Last Vampire” in the island country.

Actress Jun Ji-hyun has visited Japan for the first time in three years to attend a preview of her latest movie “Blood: The Last Vampire.” It was also her first official appearance in a year since her last appearance in the film “A Man Who Was Superman” in January last year. Last month, she extended the contract with her agency, Sidus HQ.

Appearing with Japanese actress Koyuki at the preview, the 27-year-old shared how she felt about playing the role of 17-year-old vampire hunter Saya in a Japanese school uniform and with parted, braided hair, saying “I felt a bit embarrassed, but it was good to play a young girl.” The Japanese co-star, who plays the mortal enemy of Saya, said, “We did our best to shoot intense action scenes, and it was like Jun was made for Saya.”

“I found it interesting that a woman has fight scenes with another woman, and Koyuki was a perfect costar to work with, so we could produce good scenes,” Jun said. “Shooting was challenging both physically and mentally, so I thought that I would never again take a role in an action film. But seeing the completed work has made me change my mind. It’s really fantastic.”

Koyuki said, “With more than 12 hours a day spent on shooting, it was impossible to shoot the action scenes unless the body and mind became one. Jun was just such an actress, giving her best when acting. I respect her.”

The Korean actress said, “I’ve become a fan of [Koyuki] since I watched ‘Last Samurai.’ I hope we can film together again some day.”

Jointly produced by Hong Kong and France, “Blood: The Last Vampire” is Jun’s first Hollywood film. The film version of the 2000 Japanese animation with the same title, it will be released on May 29 in Japan.

Source: KBS

“Actress Kim Ha-neul to Appear in Cho Sung-mo’s Music Video”

It is the first time in 11 years since she appeared in a music video for Cho’s debut song in 1998

Actress Kim Ha-neul will work with singer Cho Sung-mo for the first time in 11 years. Yedang Entertainment, her agency, said Wednesday that Kim is to shoot a music video for Cho’s new song “I Was Happy” on Friday.

In 1998, Kim, who had then just started her acting career, appeared in the music video for the singer’s debut song “To Heaven” along with star Lee Byung-hun. And she succeeded in making her name known through it.

“It makes me remember my old days. It will be fun,” she said. “I will give my best like I did when I debuted so that I can contribute to its success.”

Kim will release her new film “Secret Film” on April 23 and take part in Korea-Japan co-production drama “Paradise.”

Source: KBS

“Goodbye to “Boys Over Flowers”

The cast and production crew of the TV drama “Boys Over Flowers,” which became a huge hit, gathered together on April 1 to celebrate the successful ending of the drama’s shoot. The cast of “Boys Over Flowers” gathered in one place, looking carefree and relieved. Here are a few shots showing the actors reminiscing about the time they shared together and thanking one another.

Kim Jun, who played the F4 leader and “hidden prince” Woo-bin, shares his impressions in the company of his friends and colleagues

Kim Hyun-jung and Gu Hye-seon look fabulous even when giving their autographs.

Lee Min-ho, whose character, Gu Jun-puo, took the entire nation by storm.

The cast of “Boys Over Flowers” looks dazzling not only in the drama but in real life as well.

The drama has ended but their enthralling acting and gorgeous smiles will always remain in viewers’ hearts.

Source: KBS

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