Korean Fever Still Making Waves
January 5, 2006THREE years after the Korean fever started spreading, it is still showing no sign of abating.
Just when we were about to chuck out our Winter Sonata VCDs and take a breather from the drama craze that swept Asia as early as 2003, Jewel In The Palace came along last year and turned us into TV addicts again.
Then, there was this curious phenomenon called Rain, who, despite bringing a downpour wherever he goes, still charmed a legion of screaming women both young and old.
K-pop fans in Singapore had it good.
We got to ogle Korean hunks all year round, from Won Bin in January to Jang Dong Gun early this month, as well as Lee Byung Hun and Kim Jae Won in February and Lee Dong Gun in July.
At movie premieres and film festivals, Korean beauties such as Lee Young Ae, Kim Hee Seon, Son Ye Jin and Kim So Yeon and hunks like Bae Yong Joon and Ji Jin Hee have also made their presence felt.
Although star power does not always equate robust box-office takings, these Korean A-listers have no doubt reaped a good harvest from foreign lands last year.
And their good luck looks set to continue in this year as Korean acts increasingly develop their showbiz careers beyond their home shores.
KOREA’S BABE POWER
Jeon Ji Hyun
We reckon the first quarter of 2006 will be dominated by Korean babes, most notably Jeon Ji Hyun, Song Hye Kyo, and Choi Ji Woo.
Each has a strong new project to plug outside of Korea, and we understand that talks are underway for Ji Hyun (My Sassy Girl) and Hye Kyo (Full House) to come to town separately for movie promotions in February or March, though no details are available yet.
Ji Hyun stars in an Andrew Lau movie, Daisy, opposite gorgeous Jung Woo Sung, while Hye Kyo shares screen time with Cha Tae Hyun in her debut film, My Girl And I.
Ji Woo kept a low profile last year and is expected to focus all her energies on showbiz this year.
And she has two projects to plug - the upcoming Japanese drama, Ronda, opposite Japanese actor Yutaka Takenouchi, and the romantic Korean film Yeonriji, co-starring Jo Han Sun.
NEXT BIG K-HUNK
The Asian stage is not the women’s alone to hog.
Set to give them a run for the limelight are four hunks - Daniel Henney, Hyun Bin, Kwon Sang Woo and Jung Woo Sung.
Daniel, 26, and Hyun Bin, 23, star in the drama My Lovely Samsoon, which was the top-rated serial in Korea last year with an average 37.7 per cent ratings.
Both newbies have become every girl’s Prince Charming and are neck and neck in the popularity polls, though Daniel’s exotic parentage - he is half-Korean and half-American - gives him a slight edge.
Daniel Henney
But it is Hyun Bin who has an Asian debut planned in his new film, The Millionaire’s First Love. He plays the filthy rich protagonist, of course.
For the more established hunks Sang Woo and Woo Sung, this year is the time for them to widen their Asian fan base and charm all the mature female fans who keep the Korean Wave going.
Woo Sung, 32, is set to traverse the region to plug his new film, Daisy, alongside co-star Ji Hyun.
Sang Woo, 29, has a new film slated for a January release, Running Wild, and an Asian tour planned for promoting The Face Shop, a fast-expanding cosmetics chain that he endorses.
NEXT TV HIT
History has shown that one Korean drama will take Asia by storm every year - Winter Sonata in 2003 and 2004, then Jewel In The Palace last year.
So, what about 2006?
Han Hyo Joo
TV stations seem to be pinning their hopes on My Lovely Samsoon, hailed as Korea’s version of Bridget Jones.
The drama debuted in Taiwan two weeks ago and will be shown on StarHub Cable here this month.
Targeted at working women in their 30s, it endears in two ways - either you fall for one of its two hunks, Daniel or Hyun Bin, or you empathise with the trials and tribulations of the overweight and uncouth pastry chef played by Kim Sun Ah.
If the demand for French pastries suddenly shoots up, or if girls start carrying the smiley pink pig plushie that Sun Ah’s character lugs (available in Singapore at selected shops), you will know this drama has made its mark.
In Korea, however, the drama that everyone is waiting to see is director Yun Seok Ho’s upcoming Spring Waltz.
Seo Do Young
Yet another heartrending love story with familiar themes like birth secrets, incurable disease and amnesia, this is the last of his season series, after Autumn In My Heart, Winter Sonata and Summer Scent, that put Korea on the tourist map.
Partially shot in Austria, the spring offering stars two fresh-faced newbies, Han Hyo Joo and Seo Do Young, as well as Daniel Henney in a supporting role.
Hyo Joo, 18, may be a last-minute replacement for singer-actress Song Yu Ri, who turned down the leading role due to irreconcilable differences with the production firm, but this is her best opportunity to shine yet.
Fame also awaits the 1.87m-tall ex-model Do Young, 24 - unless, of course, Daniel steals his thunder from right under his nose.
K-MUSIC RISE?
The Korean music front has always been the poor neglected cousin of dramas, but things may just change in 2006.
Rain
Rain already stirred up a massive storm with the Asian release of his album, It’s Raining, and we doubt it will subside any time soon.
Reports have it that the Pepsi spokesman is preparing his fourth Korean album for an Asia-wide release early next year and he just made concert tour stops in Taipei and Hong Kong.
A little dragon told us that a local major concert promoter is in talks to bring Rain to Singapore, but there are no details yet.
But if he does come, we can expect a possible pandemonium, for his Singaporean fan club (www.rainsingapore.com) alone boasts a staggering 2,000 members.
Another Korean pop act that is fast gaining popularity in Asia is the five-member boy band, TVXQ.
Aged between 17 and 19, these boys, who started as an a capella group two years ago, have become a strong force on the dance-pop scene and are cute enough to challenge Japanese boy bands like W-inds and Kat-tun.
Perhaps the best sign of changing times is this - a couple of TVXQ fans have already e-mailed us to rave about their favourite band.
Source: The New Paper 3 Jan 2006
RSS 2.0
I want to know much more about RAIN….I like him cause his face same with some one I like…Contact me…
Comment by Ano93 — January 27, 2007 @ 9:23 pm
Hey Rain!
I loved your so much Rain Bi!!
There`s so many actor in this world.
Youre a very much good actor, & you make always special Film.
Remember you are the best!!
The most beautiful Rain Bi in the world..
Youre a very much good actor
Comment by Emine — February 28, 2007 @ 12:00 am
rain we really luv you you seems to be the apple of every youth of bhutan.
Comment by ugyen tshomo — April 5, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
i love han hyo joo and seo do young.i love to watch spring waltz that much!!!!
is someone knows why seo do young got sick?is he under the treatment of hospital from now on?if someone knows about this please just contact me or leave me a message.this is my email fushi_shengshi@yahoo.com.thanks!!
Comment by eunyoungsuho — April 21, 2007 @ 12:12 am
are seo do young and han hyo joo real couple in true life?i recently read it in any website that they’re so sweet in press conference.and seo do young holds the hand of han hyo joo not in jaeha characters but real seo do young.they teased by the crew and they actually embarassed.
Comment by eunyoungsuho — April 22, 2007 @ 11:30 pm
i love the movie full house. n my love to kill cos i love RAIN n SONG HYE-GYO……….
Comment by veilou — June 23, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
I love Rain anD SONG hyE KyO From my favorite drama Full house. I wish They will become the best couple in real life. Ajajajfightin RSHY. 4ever urs fan. all the best
Comment by kimcing — June 26, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
hes one of a kind. when he smiles it makes my heart melts. hes lips that every girls wants to kiss.and hes sexylicious body. i wnt to meet him in person.
Comment by jennifer — July 9, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
i’ve already watch the Spring Wlatz….is a best drama i’ve seen after Winter Sonata…Seo Do Young was hot & very talented in this series. at 1st i thought Daniel will steal the attention…& the reason i’ve bought the DVD, cause i luv daniel, after i’ve watched it…i must admitted it SDY is a great actor, when he smile, crying really touch…hope to see his new drama/film
Comment by SHURI — July 12, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
hello…………
Comment by naomi — July 14, 2007 @ 4:28 am
Spring Waltz was beautiful. I’ve watched all the “seasons” movies and one of the reasons I loved Spring the best is the closure ending. And ALL the songs chosen were the BEST!!!! The Director and the Script writers are superb. I love you Director Yoon! And Seo Do Young - I cannot fully describe. He has very expressive eyes and your heart swells when he smiles. He can truly act, and he loves han hyo joo so much!!!! I always love the story of childhood love. Bring back Seo Do Young and Han Hyo joo together again please!!!! With a beautiful ending.
Comment by sangdong — August 10, 2007 @ 10:48 am
hi
iam esa amd i am a great fan of u and ur movies.
i love to watch ur movies.
Comment by esa — August 15, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
i like u a lot m a tibetain gal…u r really cute…take care
Comment by tenzin gefel — September 5, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
hi jeonji hyun
i m crazy of you .i like your movie,you look very simple.i like you very much.
bhutan
Comment by lhawang — September 13, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
kute gambar boleh tak kita nak dapatkan e-mail pelakon utama winter sonata??????????????????????????
Comment by aina?auni — October 31, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
i love you yangom , yonseng ok bye
Comment by sara — November 25, 2007 @ 8:11 pm
hi i’m charlotte from philippines
just really want to say congratulations for the drama series…they are really nice and heart warming.
espscially to seo do young who is so handsome.
Comment by charlotte mae b. sesbreño — December 11, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Seo Do-Young and Han Hyo Joo really look like a real couple in real life.. Did you see the way he looked at her in the movie… its like totally *melts*.. you can just feel the love.. so are the rumours really true? cos there seem to be no news of it… AMAZING!! the way he looked at her
Comment by Bea — December 18, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
hi seo do young!!!
i hope u will come here in phil
i idolize u very much!!!
co’z ur so gwapo/handsome!!
and i love you very much!!
thanks…i hope ur carrer will success..ty
Comment by den-den — December 29, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
hi seo do young…
i l u very much!!!
i hope u will come here in phil so that i see u in person
Comment by den-den — December 29, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
your so cute! i always watching your korean drama in titled spring waltz………… i hope i can see you in personal……………..by the way im shabrain………… from philippine
Comment by shabrain — January 11, 2008 @ 9:54 am
that s for seo do young…………….
Comment by shabrain — January 11, 2008 @ 9:56 am
hey seo do young i love your korean novela titled Spring Waltz…..yuor so handsome and hope you come to the philippines…..there are so many fans waiting for you….
Comment by jeanne vie — January 12, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
im a young mom from manila,gosh! i fell in love with the story( spring waltz) i dont mind watching it from 5pm till 8am the following morning, i dont mind crying in front of my tv. Congrats to the director! I guess i fell in love with Seo DoYoung, you deserved an award here! You”re are really a great actor… hope you’ll visit manila. More power to you career.
Comment by liezl — January 13, 2008 @ 2:21 am
your so cute
Comment by emily — January 17, 2008 @ 8:20 am
I love Spring waltz!!!!!!!!!!!!
you are so handsome see do young.
mwaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!
Comment by maggy — January 19, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
you are so cute
Comment by judith — January 23, 2008 @ 9:10 am
hi seo do young and han hyo joo!!!!!!!!!! i really love your new love story entittled SPRING WALTZ………U REALLY DID A GREAT JOB.MORE POWER
Comment by grachelle — January 27, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
I LIKE HON HYO JOO, I LIKE THE WAY SHE SMILE,SHE HAS A BEATIFUL EYES AND ATTRACTIVE FACE,…I THNK SHE’S INNOCENT YET SIMPLE…….I LIKE HER LEADING MAN SEO DO YOUNG…. HE IS CUTE AND TALL THAT ANY GIRL ATTRACT HIM!!!
Comment by JANE — February 12, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
HELLO…I REALLY LOVE THEM BOTH SEO DO YOUNG AND HAN HYO JOO..PLEASE..PLEASE..PAIR THEM TOGETHER..HAVE MERCY ON US PRODUCERS.DIRECTORS..WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH..THEY LOOK GOOD TOGETHER..THEY HAVE MYSTERIOUS CHEMISTRY..PLEASE
Comment by lizbeth — February 16, 2008 @ 2:37 am
hi… i relly like the spring waltz i hope you can came her in the philipines and see you many fan…. God bless tke cre….!!!
Comment by Emz — February 26, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
love u Rain…adore u Seo do-young….aza!
Comment by cindy — April 12, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
hiii am from nagaland,india….love watching anything korean….crazy about all korean dramas…LOve RAin,seo do-young,ju ji hoon and hyun bin n of course for female leads adore shin min ah,song hyo kye,eun hye and late da bin!!!way to go guys…..muuuaaaahhh!
Comment by sinting — April 12, 2008 @ 5:02 pm