Lee Min Ho : 'I Want Favorable Evaluation for Splendid Acting'

Actor Lee Min Ho, who came back to dramas after a one-year break following the KBS TV drama “Boys Over Flowers,” revealed his ambition of obtaining a "favorable evaluation for splendid acting" on his new MBC TV drama “Personal Taste,” which will broadcast its first episode on March 31.

In the production presentation of “Personal Taste” held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on March 25, Lee said, “I have distressed myself about how to play the character in the drama. I feel pressure because I want to be praised for good acting by viewers.”

The drama “Personal Taste” tells exhilarating stories about two characters. An easygoing woman, Park Gae In (Son Ye Jin), wants to have a gay male friend, and a charismatic man, Jeon Jin Ho (Lee Min Ho) is mistaken by her to be a gay man. These two create entertaining stories while they are living together.

Lee explained the character he plays: “He is a competent architect and when it comes to work, he always aims for perfection, so much so as to be regarded as a cold-hearted person. He does not want to be interrupted nor to interrupt others.“

Jeon Jin Ho is similar to Goo Jun Pyo, which is the character he played in his previous drama “Boys Over Flowers,” in that he is also a charismatic character. Lee Min Ho continued, “It is true that the two characters have similarities, but I do not care too much to differentiate this character with that of Goo Jun Pyo. I have rather concentrated on making a character who is very much faithful to the script. If I have to compare the character to Goo Jun Pyo, Jeon Jin Ho is a mature and thoughtful person and has a pride in his work as a professional.”

Asked about his one year break, he answered, “I had a tight schedule at home and abroad after the drama ‘Boys Over Flowers,’ so I actually took a break only for three months. During the break, I had seriously agonized about how to make a comeback to dramas, and with what kind of image. In the end, I decided to play a pleasant character in a drama, since I am still young, and chose ‘Personal Taste’ as my next drama.”

Lee Min Ho entered stardom with “Boys Over Flowers,” so it is natural that he feels stress about the viewer ratings for “Personal Taste” which has to compete with other outstanding dramas such as “Cinderella’s Stepsister (KBS)” and “Prosecutor Princess (SBS)”, which will air its first episode on the same day.

Lee Min Ho commented about the viewer ratings: “Honestly, I cannot afford to care about other competitors because I am only concentrating on playing my role in the drama. But, it would be great if the ratings came to around 18 percent for the first episode. Then, if the viewer ratings increased by one percent for each episode, the ratings for the final episode would be around 34 percent, since our drama has a total of 16 episodes for the series.”

source: KBS Global

Korean comic "Full House" to become animated 3D film

Korean comic "Full House," better known throughout Asia by its TV adaptation starring Asian pop sensation Rain and top Korean actress Song Hye-kyo, is set to be developed into a 3D animated movie, according to its producer on Thursday.

Dream Pictures 21 announced that the big screen version of "Full House" would combine both 2D and 3D animation techniques, making it the first Korean comic to be turned into a 3D production.

Dream Pictures also added that Rain will be taking part in the production of the film and K-pop idol group MBLAQ, who is under Rain's record label Company J. Tune Camp, will participate in recording the original soundtrack for the movie.

Dream Pictures will hold a press conference on March 30 to reveal further details about the movie which is set for a simultaneous release in Korea and Japan in November. The animated feature will be dubbed in both languages.

Originally a 16 volume series by Won Soo-yeon, "Full House" was popular amongst Korean readers from when it started being published serially in 1994. The drama version was a smash hit in Korea during its airing in 2004 and was sold to several Asian countries including China, Japan and the Philippines.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

2AM’s Seul-ong Debuts in TV Drama

2AM member Seul-ong is testing his luck in acting by joining the cast of new TV drama “Personal Taste.” At Monday’s showcase where 2AM introduced the music drama and music video for their new release “I’ve Done Wrong,” Seul-ong spoke about how he was nervous about acting in a TV show. He admitted that it was difficult for him, because he had never acted before. He had been a child actor, but said that he doesn’t remember anything about the experience because he was so young.

In “Personal Taste” he stars opposite of Son Ye-jin of “My Wife Got Married” and Lee Min-ho of “Boys over Flowers” and plays a spoiled rich kid. In the meantime, 2AM will release a repackaged album, “I’ve Done Wrong,” both on and offline and plans to continue dominating the music scene.

source: KBS Global

Lee Jun-ki to star in new TV series "Faith"

Korean actor Lee Jun-ki will star in an upcoming historical drama tentatively titled "Faith" in English, according to his agency on Friday.

The actor will play the male lead in the drama, playing a young student of Eastern medicine who grows up be a legendary doctor during the Koryo Period.

The series will be helmed by famed Korean director Kim Jong-hak, who is known for his blockbuster scale dramas such as "Taewangsasingi" (MBC, 2007), which starred top actor Bae Yong-joon, and "Sandglass" (SBS, 1995), which scored the highest viewership ratings in local television history.

Kim is said to have thought highly of Lee's solid acting and his status as a Hallyu star throughout Asia for the role.

Lee, 27, became a household name after appearing as a woman-like clown in the 2005 hit film "The King and the Clown" and most recently appeared in MBC TV series "Hero", where he portrayed a passionate magazine reporter.

In December 2009, he was voted top Hallyu Star of the year in a survey conducted by a Korean business news publication Finance and Economy News.

"Faith" is scheduled to air in Korea in the second half of this year.

Reporter : Kang Seung-hun tarophine@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

'Iris' Season 2 Cast Revealed

The lineup for the spin-off series of the hit drama "IRIS'' has been revealed.

Titled "ATHENA,'' the highly anticipated drama will feature some of Korea's top stars and another thrilling tale of terrorism, spies and secret agents, similar to the original but with a twist.

Jung Woo-sung, 36, who is returning to the small screen after 15 years, will appear as Lee Jeong-woo, a secret agent who gets tangled up in a conspiracy that threatens the safety of the Korean Peninsula. Taewon Entertainment, the production company, explained that the character holds all the characteristics and abilities that are found in Lee Hyun-jun, the protagonist of "IRIS,'' with the charm and charisma of James Bond.

Lee's nemesis, Son Hyeok, the ruthless leader of the terrorist group ATHENA, will be played by model-turned-actor Cha Seung-won. The merciless role will hopefully bring out the charisma and brutality hidden beneath the 39-year-old Cha's comical and likable character he is famous for, according to Taewon Entertainment.

The two main actors have been revealed, but the company is yet to announce the heroine and other supporting roles. The attention is now on the heroine, which will take an important role in the drama, considering the title that translates to the "goddess of wisdom and war.''

Filming will begin in June in Italy or Switzerland. The shooting will continue in six other countries, including Singapore and New Zealand, following the footsteps of "IRIS,'' which was filmed around the world as well.

"ATHENA'' is scheduled to be aired late this year.

"IRIS'' aired last year with high expectations thanks to its star-studded cast, dramatic storyline and cinematic action scenes. Starring Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-hee, the soap took local dramas to a whole new level, garnering both male and female fans here and abroad with its distinctive story involving secret agents, South and North Korea, and betrayal.

credits to: Han Sang-hee (sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr)
source: koreatimes.co.kr

[ Korean Drama 2009 ] My Fair Lady

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 16
Broadcast network: KBS2
Broadcast period: 2009-Aug-19 to 2009-Oct-08
Air time: Wednesday & Thursday 21:55
Official site: http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/ladycastle/

Cast:

Yoon Eun Hye as Kang Hye Na
Yoon Sang Hyun as Seo Dong Chan
Jung Il Woo as Lee Tae Yoon
Moon Chae Won as Yeo Eui Joo

Synopsis:

Kang Hye Na, the only successor of Kang-san Group, is the owner of the ‘Lady Castle’ and lives a ‘princess-like’ life with her servants. Hye-na’s parents died from a plane accident and her grandfather brought her up. Hye-na is strong-headed, selfish and world revolves around her; it is because she could not experience the warmth of family when she grew up. One day, she comes across Dong-chan. He makes Hye-na to do community service, kidnaps her, and now appears in front of her as the new household manager! Hye-na makes every effort to throw him out from the Castle, but this guy has tenacity in him!
Gallery: