kdrama and kpop

Korea's starriest couple finally tied knot on Sunday. Actor Jang Dong-gun and actress Ko So-young, both 38, got married in the Dynasty Hall in Hotel Shilla in central Seoul at 5 p.m. in front of some 600 guests.

At a press conference in the afternoon before the wedding, Jang appeared in a black tuxedo by Tom Ford and Ko, who is three months pregnant, was dressed in white Oscar de la Renta wedding dress.

"We were grateful for the interest from fans, although there were times when the pressure was getting too much," Jang said. "But at least for today, we are very grateful. People say you get really nervous when you walk down the isle, and the whole wedding experience starts to sink in. We went to the hospital a few days ago, and the baby is healthy. We don't know yet whether it will be a boy or a girl, but personally, I hope it is a girl resembling So-young." Ko said, "I feel great today. We'll have a great life together."

The wedding itself was private, and some 70 bodyguards were on duty at the wedding hall. World-renowned florist Jeff Leatham was flown to Korea to oversee the arrangements, and Hotel Shilla senior vice president Lee Boo-jin, who is friends with Ko, directed the overall flower decoration. Former culture minister Lee O-young officiated at the wedding. Jang met the respected scholar through his son, Lee Sang-moo, who directed Jang's latest film "The Warrior's Way." Actor Park Joong-hoon hosted the event with singer Shin Seung-hoon singing the congratulatory song.

The couple spent the night at the hotel and set off on a five-day honeymoon in Bali, Indonesia. They will live in a villa in Heukseok-dong, Seoul.

Korean star couple Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young [Asia Economic Daily]

Top Korean actors Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young, who admitted to their two-year romantic relationship last November, are again sparking rumors of a wedding in May, according to various reports surrounding the couple.

First, there was talk among industry sources that Ko was seen around Seoul, shopping for a wedding dress at high-end bridal shops.

Then producers of "ENEWS" -- which airs on Korea cable channel tvN -- reported that an employee at one of the wedding shops had said the 37-year-old actress had been eyeing American bridal brand Kenneth Pool. ENEWS even went as far as to predict that Ko "will choose a simple, romantic dress."

However, representatives for the star couple dismissed the rumor, saying that "there are no plans for a wedding."

There had been similar talk and sightings of the actress shopping around for a white gown shortly after the two went public with their relationship last year. But their agencies had denied the rumor, saying that Ko had accompanied her former stylist who was engaged to be married.

Jang and Ko, both 37, met as co-stars in the 1999 film "Love Wind, Love Song". They were seen together for the first time at the airport two weekends ago, returning from a trip to Hawaii with close friends.

Jang, who recently underwent a knee surgery, is scheduled to start shooting the film "D-day" in June.

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok kave@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
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I didn't know Jang Dong Gun had a girlfriend in the first place!Fan girls, don't cry...I'll keep my tears for when Wonbin is getting married.

Actor Jang Dong-geon visited his Japanese fans in Yokohama on Friday for the first time in two years.

Some 4,500 fans from Japan, Korea and Taiwan flocked to the fan meeting entitled "2009 Jang Dong-geon's Story-Opening the door to the world."

Jang is a global star serving as a goodwill envoy for the United Nations World Food Program. At the event, he appeared on the stage from inside a blue globe-shaped balloon.

He greeted his fans, saying, "Let's have a good time" in Korean, Japanese, Chinese and English. After a video recap of his full acting career, a talk show commenced.

Jang said, "I want to show a new side of myself never before conveyed on film. My first English language role in 'Laundry Warrior' will likely come out this year. I will strive to receive an Oscar award one day."

He also introduced his service for WFP, saying, "A person starves to death every 6-7 seconds in the world. Famine is not due to food shortage, but problems in food distribution. I urge your interest in this basic human concern that goes beyond political and ideological differences."

Fans also celebrated his 37th birthday, which was the next day on Saturday. Members of his fan club Adonis International as well as Korean and Japanese fans handed him flowers and gifts. Adonis International, known for its charity activities, also gave him a certificate of donation.

Source: KBS Global

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter


Han Chae-young

Actress Han Chae-young, who stars in the hit KBS drama "Boys Over Flowers," has been cast alongside popular actor Jang Dong-gun in the upcoming film "Good Morning, Mr. President," Yonhap News Agency reported Monday.

Han's agency BH Entertainment confirmed the actress will play the role of the outgoing president's beautiful daughter, who falls in love with Jang's character.

"Good Morning, Mr. President" will be a film about three fictional Korean presidents: an old, outgoing president who wins the lottery, a young charismatic president and Korea's first female president. Expectations are running high for the film since Jang will be portraying a youthful president patterned after U.S. President Barack Obama.


Jang Dong-gun

A representative for the film's production said that Han was the most suitable actress to convey the beauty, intelligence and dignity of the character.

The film is written and will be directed by Jang Jin, who also wrote "Public Enemy Returns." Filming is expected to begin next month.

Han, who is often called "Korea's Barbie Doll" because of her voluptuous figure and doll-like looks, has appeared in numerous TV dramas such as "Only You," "Delightful Girl, Chun-hyang," and "Autumn Fairy Tale." She was also cast in "Soul Mates," a joint Korea-New Zealand horror film directed by Scott Reynolds.

Credits: cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter



Some may say that hallyu, or the Korean wave, is over, but according to some celebrities' plans, the wave is just waiting for the perfect time to hit harder.

Singers and actors alike are moving their radars to Japan, with new albums, fan meetings and new dramas, a perfect way to reinvigorate the star power of local celebrities.

Singers Shin Seung-hun and R&B group SG Wannabe will release new albums in Japan this March. Shin, who proved his ballad power in Japan with his first album four years ago, returned to the local ballad scene last year, releasing a local album for the first time in two years. Recently announcing a concert tour in cities like Osaka and Tokyo starting in April, the 40-year-old singer's second album will be released March 25 and bring fans his new acoustic sounds.

SG Wannabe, consisting of Kim Jin-ho, Kim Yong-jun and Lee Suk-hun, will release its fifth album, "Rainbow," in Japan March 11. Making its Japanese debut last year, the group recorded a total of 12 songs, all in Japanese. SG Wannabe will also hold its first concert, "Over the Rainbow," in Tokyo and Osaka next month.

The group's agency announced that SG Wannabe will operate in Japan and Korea only for the time being.



Meanwhile, local actors have found a more intimate way to get closer to their fans: fan meetings. Unlike press conferences, fan meetings offer a more intimate experience, as stars appear on the stage and interact with their fans.

The first Korean celebrity to meet fans in Japan this year is Zo In-sung. The 27-year-old star of the movie "Frozen Flower" will hold fan meetings in Osaka and Tokyo on March 3 and 5, respectively. It will be his last visit to Japan before leaving fans for mandatory military service in April.

Actor Jang Dong-gun ("Typhoon," 2005) will also greet fans March 6 at a special event called "2009 Jang Dong-gun's Story." Held at Yokohama National University, the event will take place a day before his birthday and the number of fans in attendance is estimated to reach over 5,000.

Fellow actor Kwon Sang-woo, a father of a newborn son, will also pay a visit to Japan next month. The 8,000 tickets for his fan meeting, which will be held at the Osaka Castle Hall on the 26th, have already sold out, proving that the married star is still popular among Japanese fans.

For Japanese fans who want more than just watching the actors sign autographs and take photos, local dramas are heading to their homes. The drama "Spotlight," starring Son Ye-jin and Ji Jin-hee as news reporters, will meet Japanese viewers April 5 through NHK's satellite channel BS2.

Hit drama "Boys Over Flowers" will also be aired in April through hallyu channel Mnet. The parent channel here in Korea, Mnet Media, has prepared a special event for Japanese fans. To celebrate the third anniversary of the network, Mnet will hold a preview event whereby the first three episodes of the drama will be edited into a 90-minute preview and be screened in six cities including Sapporo, Osaka and Tokyo from March 8 to March 27. The network will also air a special program introducing the four characters, played by heartthrobs Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum and Kim Jun on March 14 and 21, along with plans for a fan meeting for which the four actors will head to Japan to meet fans April 16.

Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

Some exciting news for Jang Dong-gun fans - the actor has decided on his next film.

Jang has been cast in director Jang Jin's "Good Morning, President." The star is playing an ambitious, charismatic and generous president - in short, everything anyone could possibly wish for in a leader.

Fans have been eagerly waiting for Jang to appear in a local film, after his last, "Typhoon," in 2005.

In the meantime, Jang has appeared in Chinese director Chen Kaige's film "The Promise" (2006) and Lee Sngmoo's Western martial arts film, "Laundry Warrior," which is to be released in August in the United States.

Jang starts shooting Good Morning, President in April.

Credits : Lee Eun-joo, image @mydaily

Source : JoongAng Daily

Actor JDG will be the invited guest for Park Joong Hoon’s first talk show.

JDG will talk about himself frankly in the KBS 2TV ’s “Park Joong Hoon Show” which will be having its recording done on 12th December 2008 at KBS , Yoido, Seoul.

JDG has previously received numerous requests to appear on programmes such as MBC’s “Golden Fishery” and "Radio Star" but in the end, he decided to appear on his senior Park Joong Hong’s talk show.

The “Park Joong Hoon Show “ with JDG’s appearance will be aired on 14 December 2008 (10:25 pm, Korean time).

Note: Park Joong Hoon is JDG's co-star in "Nowhere to Hide".

Credit to Dreamer
Translated from : http://star.moneytoday.co.kr/view/stvie ... &outlink=1

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter


Actor Jang Dong-gun

Korean movie star Jang Dong-gun has become a goodwill ambassador for the World Food Programme (WFP), a food aid branch under the United Nations.

The 36-year-old star was given the honor during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Asian general meeting's closing ceremony in Hong Kong. The CGI was inaugurated in 2005 under the leadership of former President of the United States Bill Clinton to become a non-partisan catalyst for bringing together global leaders to discuss challenges in the world and work for solutions.

Some 400 figures, including former President Clinton and Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, were present. "Personally, it is a great honor, but I feel great responsibility and also pressure," he said during an interview with the Yonhap news Agency in Hong Kong.

Jang explained that his grandparents and father, born in North Korea, and also him starring in movies that were somewhat related to the country, may have contributed in his choice as ambassador. Movies such as "Taegukgi: Brotherhood of War" (2003) and "Typhoon" (2005) both carried storylines pertaining to North Korea. "I became naturally interested in North Korean issues. It was then that I was asked to become the goodwill ambassador. Knowing that one of the major activities of the WFP is donating food supplies to North Korea, I accepted," he said.

The actor admitted that he hesitated before accepting the offer, as he knew it was an important position and also because he was doubtful as to whether he had the ability to carry out such a role. Fellow ambassadors of the world's largest humanitarian agency include actress Drew Barrymore, businessman and philanthropist Warren Buffet and Brazilian soccer star Kaka. Jang will be the ninth ambassador of the WFP.

The actor will participate in various programs aimed to remind nations of the need of food aid for developing countries. "I will do my best and actively participate in these programs. I will put effort in making, not only those who like Jang Dong-gun, but also all those who live in Korea and elsewhere in Asia, realize the importance of these aid issues," said Jang.

Jang has also been known to have great interest in aiding North Korea. "There are about 850 million people suffering from famine, and among them, 500 million are known to be Asian, and of them six million are North Korean. The global community must show interest in terms of humanitarianism," he said.

When asked about the rocky terms between the two Koreas and the outcome, which can effect immediate donations, Jang explained that the WFP was carrying out thorough monitoring and that there should be no problems in delivering food supplies to people in need.

"WFP has a plan of offering $503 million worth of food supplies to the North and has been continuously asking for support from other nations. We are also a very important nation in supporting the North. I am planning to meet government officials to ask for thorough support for smoother humanitarian donations," Jang said, adding that he was willing to visit North Korea when given the chance.

Jang, who is a big star not only here, but also in many parts of Asia, is waiting for the release of his new Hollywood film, "Laundry Warrior," slated for next year.

WFP, launched in 1961, provides food to some 90 million people per year. Its headquarters are in Rome and it has more than 80 offices around the world.

Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 8/12/139_35538.html


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He's such a good hearted man, I wouldn't mind marrying him . Only Wonbin comes first ^^

The two hotties Song Hye Kyo & Mr. never aging handsome Jang Dong Gun are promoting breast cancer awareness together.

South Korean actor Dong-Kun Jang [File Photo: Information Times]

South Korean actor Dong-Kun Jang will act in the new thriller by French director Luc Besson, the Information Times reported on Wednesday.

International stars Natalie Portman and Milla Jovovich are also expected to star in the film.

Set in present-day New York, the film will chronicle subplots triggered by serial killings.

Based on an award-winning novel by a South Korean college professor, the Korean-French film, yet to be titled, will start filming in early 2009.

Source: CRIENGLISH.com
http://english.cri.cn/3086/2008/08/20/902s396459.htm

By Hwang Jin-hwan
Intern

Will a TV drama version of the blockbuster "Friend" be as thrilling as the original movie?

Avid fans certainly hope so. The mega-hit, which garnered a record-high 8.2 million ticket sales in 2001, will be remade as a 16-episode TV series titled "Friend: the Untold Story," said to be aired in the first half of 2009.

"I have decided to direct the drama with untold episodes added to the original movie. The scenario is in the process of being written," said Kwak Kyung-taek, who catapulted into stardom as the film director and scenario writer.

"All the episodes will be shot in Busan, just like the original film," Kwak said, refusing to reveal which TV broadcaster will show it.

Kim Min-jun, 32, who starred in Kwak's 2007 film "Love," will replace Yu Oh-sung as the gangster Jun-sok, and Hyun Bin, 26, will replace Jang Dong-geun as Jun-sok's friend Dong-su. Oh and Hyun Bin will play the two leading characters among the four friends in the movie, according to the 42-year-old director. Hyun Bin starred in TV soap operas "Queen of Snow(2006)" and "My Name is Kim Sam-sun(2005)."

The original movie depicted the director's experience with his friends, a semi-autobiography set in his hometown of Busan. The actors use a strong regional dialect. Many movie-goers, especially male adults, were attracted because it reminded them of their high school days.

Source: The Korea Times, image from hancinema.net

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/07/141_27020.html

Recently, in Korea, there is a widely spreading information that Hallyu star Jang Dong Gun is getting married. Many fans and even the acquaintance of Jang Dong Gun have called to his management company Star M to confirm this information.

On March 14, a staff of Star M company said: "Although while filming a new advertisement, Jang Dong Gun has said that if he met a suitable woman, he would get marry immediately. In fact, nothing like that happens. Recently, whenever Jang Dong Gun see his nephew, he always thinks about marriage. He usually talks with his friends about it, but there is not like Jang Dong Gun will married in the near future.”

One of Jang Dong Gun’s best friends said: "Recently, when we are confidencial with each other, Jang Dong Gun has talked seriously about mariage, but he doesn’t have a girlfriend yet; so this matter seems quite far-away".

In addition, last month, there was a website published a news that Jang Gong Gun was getting married. Moreover, the candidate was a Japanese woman. That article also said that they had seen two of them had a date in Pusan. However, after confirming, it has shown that it was just a normal staff.

Source: http://krfilm.net/f/t-15255-1-1-163jang-dong-gun-sap-ket-hon
Etrans: pooh9x@KST_CICHLID

A song which was sang by a Korean Wave star, Jang Dong-gun 13 years ago was recently released in Taiwan, rapidly becoming a huge hit. However, Jang Dong-gun's agency is not sure whether they should laugh or cry over it.

A spokesman from Jang Dong-gun's agency revealed in an interview on 14th that, "Jang Dong-gun sang a song with Panmeichun in Taiwan long time ago. And the record company in Taiwan just released that that song in an album without giving any notice to us". The agency is considering a countermeasure to meet the situation.

The recording company in Taiwan recently released the album once Jang Dong-gun became largely popular in Asia. A Chinese newspaper reported, "Recently the popularity of Jang Dong-gun have rapidly increased in Taiwan and the recording company who had the copyright of the song decided to release the album after 13 years of the song being initially recorded".

Highlight & transted by hancinema.net
Source:http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&sid2=&oid=073&aid=0000095896&iid=

Comment:Jang Dong Gun can sing??