Category: Entertainment Files

South Koreans Wait to See Who Will Be Their Next “GI Jane”

| March 3, 2016

How long will it be before we see a reality show like this coming to a US television network?:

TV military reality show “Real Men: Women’s Army Special” began its fourth season Sunday, with viewers waiting to see which of the eight female celebrities has what it takes to become a competent combat soldier.

The cast of the MBC show includes singers ― Chinese Cao Lu from girl band Fiestar, Jun Hyo-seong from girl band Secret, Dahyun from multinational girl band Twice ― and actresses, including Lee Chae-young and Kim Sung-eun.

They will undergo physically demanding training to qualify to become a petty officer in the Armed Forces Medical Command.

Since August 2014, each season has uncovered outstanding trainees.

While many trainees broke down in tears and showed signs of mental collapse, the “alpha dog” stars were braver, more charismatic and more willing to tough it out. [Korea Times]

You can read the rest at the link.

Report Claims Conan O’Brien Coming To South Korea Next Week

| February 12, 2016

Apparently Conan O’Brien is coming to South Korea for five days to shoot his show in Seoul:

American talk show host Conan O’Brien will shoot his “Conan” show in South Korea, a local fan who claims to have been contacted by the Conan team said Thursday.

O’Brien will arrive here on Sunday for a five-day journey that involves trips to downtown Seoul and a traditional Korean village in the city’s outskirts, a Naver blogger who goes by the alias KIMMYS said in a blog post. More than 1,100 people are subscribed to the blog which has been posting updates on O’Brien’s schedule in South Korea.

He will also likely try out “soju,” or Korean rice liquor, make kimchi and receive acupuncture, with a meeting with more than 200 fans scheduled for Monday.

Other rumors say O’Brien will make cameo appearances in a Wonder Girls music video and other local shows.

O’Brien had shown interest in Korean culture previously on his show. In an episode aired February 2015, O’Brien visited a Korean spa in Los Angeles with Korean-American actor Steven Yeun.  [Yonhap]

Stars Wars Dominates Global Box Office Except In South Korea

| December 21, 2015

The domestic Korean movie “The Himalayas” must be pretty good considering it took on the new Star Wars movie this weekend and beat it in ticket sales:

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opened atop the box office all over the world, but it proved no match for “The Himalayas” in South Korea, where the homegrown survival tale snagged the No. 1 spot on Friday.

Based on a true story, “The Himalayas” made $1.6 million on Friday, while “The Force Awakens” came in second with $1.3 million. Friday was the opening day for both films.

Of course, the newest “Star Wars” installment is not hurting for box office returns. The J.J. Abrams-directed space epic has taken in $129 million from abroad since it began rolling out Wednesday, distributor Disney reported on Saturday.  [The Wrap via Reddit]

You can read the rest at the link, but I saw the new Star Wars movie this weekend and found it to be better than any of the prequels.  However, the plot played it safe and was pretty predictable. Also Kylo-Ren and the Golem on steroids has to be one of the worst movie villain duos ever.  However, the incredible special effects, likable lead characters and some unexpected humor made for an overall really good movie.

Lee Young-ae to Star in New Korean Drama About Sin Saimdang

| December 2, 2015

Lee Young-ae fans will soon have a long awaited new drama to watch that she will be staring in.  It is hard to believe that it has been 12 years since she starred in “Jewel in the Palace”:

Hallyu star Song Seung-heon says he never dreamed he would co-star with top actress Lee Young-ae.

“I was so nervous that I made a lot of mistakes” Song told a press conference at Seamark Hotel in Gangenung, Gangwon Province on Monday. The eastern province will feature in many scenes for the upcoming drama “Saimdang, the Herstory.”

Lee will play Sin Saimdang (1504-1551), a painter from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) who is better known as the mother of Confucian scholar Lee Yul-gok (1536-1584). Lee will also play a double role as a modern woman, a college lecturer in art history.

The drama has been much anticipated since she starred in “Jewel in the Palace” (2003).

For her part, Lee said she wants to bring out Saimdang as a real figure, not one that is etched in the Korean 50,000 won note.

“I chose this drama so we could tackle what it means to educate children, and to look in-depth into what women’s lives entail,” Lee said. [Korea Times]

You can read the rest at the link.