You are currently browsing the monthly archive for September, 2008.
Wah~ Yuchun looks so… sexy! Well, he always does. I’m sure everyone agrees with me. And the rest of them are just… Yummy.
My Micky Mouse:
Maybe it’s just me but I don’t like the exposed chests. It makes me want to turn away. I mean it’s sexy and all but don’t fluant it 24/7. I have a hard time looking at them, I find myself staring at their faces more than I used to. Ah~ But, that doesn’t matter. Here’s the rest of their sexyness…
Aren’t they all so cute? Junsu and Yuchun… cuties!
That’s all. Now off I go to eat chocolate cake work out. ^^Hope you had fun looking at the really pretty pictures. I’m loving the graphics. Have a happy day^^
I didn’t know he was making a new film. I really have to keep up with these kind of things. Anyway. Kim Ki-duk’s films are always… amazing, to say the least. And from what I just read his newest one, ‘Dream’, is no different. He always makes you think. Although sometimes it makes my head hurt with all the twist in his movies. Ha~ but it’s worth it. The films always leave you wanting to see more of his work. I’m lacking enough words to express his brilliance.
Award-winning director Kim Ki-duk has built up an international reputation with his films that starkly differ from other mainstream movies in Korea and elsewhere. He stands out largely because of his provocative styles and thought-provoking themes.
For better or worse, Kim did not pull any punches in making his 15th feature, “Dream (Bi-Mong),” to be released on Oct. 9. The movie has attracted media attention by signing up high-profile actors – Lee Na-young from Korea and Joe Odagiri from Japan – but viewers should be aware of the cinematic puzzles director Kim routinely inserts in his films, if they want to grasp what is really going on in this mixture of reality and fantasy.
Odagiri plays Jin, an artist who sees himself in a dream causing a car crash. What he discovers, however, is that his dream is not a mere creation of his brain – all the details he witnessed while sleeping turn out to be true. Or that’s what viewers are supposed to assume, given the quirky plot turns provided by director Kim, who never shies away from purposeful ambiguity and ambivalence.
Jin encounters a woman named Ran (Lee Na-young), a character who has plenty of grievances, especially concerning her shattered relationship with her ex-boyfriend. Strange as it may be, what Jin believes he has done in his dream is what Ran has done in reality. Although the car accident happens in Jin’s dream, the same incident plays out in Ran’s life, with police seeing her as the prime suspect.
The key proposition of the movie is that the two main characters are connected through dreams in a way that blurs reality and fantasy.
A butterfly emerges as the core image symbolizing the significance of dreams. In fact, this metaphor comes from a well-known ancient Chinese thinker, and its implication is rather straightforward: A person may dream about his life and discover that it’s just a dream when he wakes up, but how can he be sure about the possibility that what appears as reality is also another dream?
Kim’s presentation of the dream’s implications, however, is far from straightforward. The subplots are utterly confusing. Jin used to have a girlfriend, but the relationship is now over. But he finds himself dreaming about his former girlfriend and he vaguely senses that he still loves her. While Jin is struggling in his dreams, Ran is visiting her former boyfriend, not in her dream but while sleeping, because she is a sleepwalker. She hates the man deeply and when she realizes what she has done, she gets mad at Jin, the man whose dream goes in lockstep with her nightly visits.
To resolve the situation, Jin and Ran attempt to do the almost impossible: stay awake all the time. The assumption is that if Jin does not sleep, Ran does not have to walk around in her sleep. Jin can also sleep without his much-dreaded dream that generates real events when Ran is awake.
Their struggle to stay awake is, as some of director Kim’s fans might correctly predict, depicted in a gruesome manner. Self-inflicted torture abounds, which will make the audience squirm.
The movie’s dramatic intensity accelerates at a precarious pace when the two characters’ former lovers, played by Park Ji-ah and Kim Tae-hyun, join a four-way shouting match, trying to reverse what has already happened. At this point, it is no longer possible to identify where reality starts and fantasy ends. All the conflicting elements get mixed up, while the characters go through an enormous amount of pain and suffering.
One hint regarding Kim’s message is the peculiar existence of Jin. Japanese actor Odagiri plays the role in Japanese, while all the other characters speak in Korean. Strangely enough, Jin communicates perfectly with other Koreans, even though he continues to speak in Japanese. His otherworldly identity that transcends the language barrier is certainly unrealistic, but Kim leaves more questions than answers about his new cinematic dreamland that is so desolate.
By Yang Sung-jin
2008.09.25
Hope everyone can see it. Enjoy!
The Hollywood remake of the 2001 Korean box-office hit “My Sassy Girl” will open nationwide in Korea on Oct. 30, according to the film’s domestic distributor, Showbox.
Starring Jesse Bradford (“John Tucker Must Die”) and Elisha Cuthbert (“The Girl Next Door, 24″), the Yann Samuell-directed remake of the same name will be similar to the original, aside from the location and the female lead re-imagined as a wealthy socialite.
Set in New York, the movie tells the story of an everyman’s romantic involvement with an eccentric, free-spirited woman.
(kws@heraldm.com)
2008.09.24
Somehow, I don’t think it will be half as good. I’ve only ever watched the subbed version because of my lack of understanding of the Korean language, so… again, Minjee will edit this, as she has most likely seen it. ^^ I rely too much on her. Here’s hoping it fails miserably is a hit.
“EDIT“ Hello! Of course it won’t be as good. No offense to anyone, but anytime Hollywood remakes a great asian classic it always loses its appeal. Ah, but, really I hope people enjoy it. Maybe than they’ll want to watch the original. From what I remember of it(It’s been a few years.) it had a good storyline. The plot was simple and easy to follow. Hope everyone enjoys the remake as much as the original was enjoyed.
Renowned writers from China and Japan are to visit Seoul later this month to attend a forum on East Asian literature, organizers were quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.
Leading Japanese playwright and writer Inoue Hisashi and Chinese author Mo Yan, who gained notoriety with his novel-turned film “Red Sorghum,” will visit South Korea to participate in a seven-day East Asia Literature Forum starting on Sept. 29, announced Daesan Foundation, a Seoul-based literary organization.
The forum is the first of its kind and was established to promote exchange and understanding between the writers of South Korea, China and Japan.
Some 50 writers from the three East Asian countries will participate in the forum, including Chinese author Tie Ning, whose short story “Ah, Xiangxue” won a Chinese national award in 1982, and Su Tong, best known for his book “Wives and Concubines,” which was later adapted into the acclaimed film “Raise the Red Lantern.” Japanese writer Masahiko Shimada, a self-described left-wing author, will be in attendance, as will Keiichiro Hirano and Risa Wataya, winners of Japan’s prestigious Akutagawa Prize at the ages of 23 and 19 respectively.
Hwang Sok-yon, a South Korean novelist sentenced to 7 years in prison in 1993 for an unauthorized visit to North Korea and freed by presidential pardon from former President Kim Dae Jung after serving five years, will also take part in the forum, the foundation said.
2008.09.16
I don’t know anything about these people… so, Minjee will edit this later and give her input.^^ Much love and support…
“EDIT“ Hello! This is Minjee. I’ve been gone a long time, right? A week with my family was what I needed. I got to speak my native tongue nearly the whole time. So glad! Now, on to this post. Mo Yan! I haven’t read many Chinese novels, but I really enjoyed reading his. Red Sorghum is one of the best books ever… of the chinese ones. And Hwang Sokyon, too? Ah, I really want to go home now. ^^I guess I have to settle for second-hand news.
Pop idol makes shaky start in musical
Having well-known singers and actors on theater stage is a formula for success in musicals and plays, but the trend has become so prevalent that it seems almost passe.
Still, public attention was generated when two members of the popular Korean boy band Super Junior — Kang-in and Hee-chul — decided to make their musical debut in “Xanadu,” sharing the lead role.The show — a 1960s movie turned into a Broadway musical about a muse who comes to the human world and finds true love — seemed to be a perfect match for the pop idols.
Although Super Junior fans eagerly awaited the musical, there was a lingering doubt about whether the two young stars would be able to sing and act in the theater.
Prior to the show’s opening, the two pop idols seemed determined to showcase their talent for musical acting. They even said that they would rehearse far more than required to disprove the claim that they got the roles because of their boy-band success. In last Tuesday’s performance, where Kang-in played the main character Sonny, he succeeded in drawing his fans to the theater. At first, a number of doe-eyed teenage girls could be seen gazing at their idol in admiration.
Kang-in made a strong presence on the stage with his cute appearance and trademark smile, to wild responses from his fans. But he did not seem not fully prepared for the show, which required a combination of singing, acting, and roller skating. In most parts of the show, the main characters are on roller skates, due to the show’s unusual setting.
Kang-in’s singing and acting was far from professional, falling short of the level you would expect, and he gave the impression that he was not comfortable with his performance.
Kang-in was also shaky and unstable when skating — at one point he tripped and almost wiped out, prompting chuckles from the audience.
Kang-in’s less-than-impressive performance raised questions about the musical industry’s preference for high-profile entertainers from other fields, even if their presence does help ticket sales.
Meanwhile, the “Panadu” seats — where people could watch the show right up close to the actors, who would occasionally come and play with them — were a refreshing experiment as audiences seated in the special section enjoyed interacting with actors.
“Xanadu” will run through Nov. 23 at Doosan Art Center in Yeonji-dong, northern Seoul. For further information, call (02) 745-5570.
By Koh Young-aah
2008.09.22
Ah~ Poor Kangin… I’m sure he did his best.
I had meant to put this up… uh, I kind of forgot. It was meant to be up here on the 22nd, but of course I didn’t make it. Once again, poor kangin.
Sorry for not getting it on time. ^^
Tayku-ah, everyone, sorry for leaving without telling anyone and for being gone so long. Just, I had forgotten about Oppa’s thing he had to go to. Again, sorry. Very, very sorry. I’ll make it up to everyone, I really will. I can’t reply to the emails at the moment. But, CutieFruitie, ask away. I love questions, and I’m happy to tell you about myself. ^^ Anyway, on to what I’m here for. It’s been about a week so I think I might have to do separate post to tell everything in full detail.
Okay! So I don’t confuse anyone I’ll try to use real names. Because if I said ‘Oppa’ for everyone I call Oppa… I think it would get very confusing.
As Tayku already knows Youngwoon(my older twin brother) got to go play at some mini concerto. Well, I had forgotten it was this week up until Mom told me to start packing. Which is why I didn’t tell anyone. The drive up there was long and boring and I forgot my laptop and Youngwoon wouldn’t let me use his. So I read. All the way there. It was some place in Georgia… My mind can’t think of a name though. Northern Georgia… Does that help any? Ah, anyway. We stopped at the hotel. VERY boring first day. Then we woke up and Youngwoon was dressed so cutely. I really could have pinched his cheeks. He had on a suit with a little tie and those shiny cufflink things. He asked me to do his hair. So dependent on his little sister. So I styled it to the side which made him look even cuter. Tayku-ah, you would have squealed. Then we had to go to a rehearsal. Or was it breakfast? I’m not sure, when we got to the actual building everyone was sitting on the stage eating breakfast. Me being like I am, I dove in when asked if I wanted to join. Eventually they practiced but… still, isn’t that a bit… I don’t know.
I left half-way through. Didn’t want to taint the actual performance I would see later. I took my hard-earned money and did something I never do. I spent it on myself. I bought a few things for other people, but the most important thing is, I bought a new handphone. Tay, I’ll send you the number later.
I met someone… but that’ll be later too.
Hours later~~~ We take our seats close to the front of the stage. The lights dim and a big man comes from behind the curtain. Blah, blah, blah… I didn’t pay attention to him. Then the first act. It was a big band(?) with almost every kind of instrument. I spotted Oppa in the middle and to the left. They played something classical. I’m sure it was by Bach as I’ve never been a big fan. Well, I don’t know everything he’s made. Not like my Mozart. It ended. Everyone stood and bowed. We all applauded. More acts… I can’t remember them all. Ah, but, I’m happy, ‘Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major’ was played. One of my favorites. Then solo cello performance. Ah~ It was beautiful. It was a short skinny girl and she really… I don’t have words for it. I almost had tears. I think all the instrumentalist had solos. More people… I was happy and excited and so many emotions. Close to the end was Youngwoon. He walked to the center of the stage and bowed. He gave a big smile to Mom and Dad and me. He set his violin next to his chin(?) and brought the bow up. There was a pause. I think he was taking a breath. Then he started. He played Chausson Poeme. If you know anything about it you know it’s difficult. It’s in E flat minor. So sad though. And when he struck the last note… everyone stood and applauded and… I was wiping my eyes and trying to clap at the same time. I looked up just in time to see Youngwoon wiping his eyes too(우.우)
There’s something I didn’t know though. Oppa has fans. No really, fans? But, that’s for later too.
On with the story. After everyone settled down Youngwoon set the violin again. I was startled at first. I had forgotten he had two solos. My mind is really too bad. Youngwoon gave an impish grin to everyone. Then I remembered, this was one of his own pieces. The only one he’s ever written. It started out slow and soft but as the seconds rolled on it started to have a hint of speed to it. Then, without warning it exploded into a grand play of the higher notes dipping into the lower notes and rising again. He strained a part in the middle to give it some depth. Again without warning he ascended quickly. It ended with him just stopping. He gave that impish grin again as he lowered the violin to his side and bowed. I don’t remember the other performers. No, I remember the piano was last. A nice happy song to end the night, although she did hit a few wrong keys. ㅜ.ㅜ
That’s enough for today… ^^ My descriptions are… not good. ^^ So much more to say, but it can wait.
I’M BACK!!!
Tayku-ah, I’m back. We arrived home just hours ago and I was so tired I took a nap. Let me get some real sleep and gather my thoughts and I’ll begin to tell you everything.
Before I sleep, I have to tell you, Oppa was really good! His solo and then afterwards and, and, and… AH! I’ll tell you later. Smiles and love.
Forever Love,
Seo Minjee, your favourite big sister.
(RedLightBlackOut)
P.S. I got it all on my video camera… Thinking about putting it up. Oppa would be really mad if I did^^
HIGHLIGHT of the day. Sleep now, or I’ll never play soccer again!
I got a new handphone yesterday. The old one died. Call me at home and I’ll give it to you^^
I won’t say I’m a big fan of them. I don’t not like them but… Yeah. Although they are real cute. ^^ Random interview post up ahead.
A chorus of young voices light up the room.
“Hi! We’re SHINee!”Bright and bubbly, the brand new five-member boy band shouts and bows in unison.
Here at the S.M. Entertainment headquarters on a Tuesday afternoon for their interview with The Korea Herald, the fledgling pop singers file in eagerly.
The future looks bright for them. After all, they are under the label that brought us top boy bands TVXQ and SuperJunior.
They are young. They are hot. And they are singing their way into pop fans’ hearts.
In short, this group of 15 to 18-year olds fits the formula for making it in the Korean pop industry.
And it seems to be working.
Just three months into their career, the group crooned their way into the hearts of older women across the nation with their debut single, “Replay,” nabbing a Cyworld Digital Music “Rookie of the Month” Award and a Mnet 20’s Choice “Hot New Star” Award with the surefire chorus, “Sister, you’re so pretty.”
“Love like Oxygen,” the first single off of SHINee’s full length album, climbed to the number three spot for the first week of September on music download site Soribada (www.soribada.com).
Boy band SHINee (from left to right): Onew, Taemin, Jonghyun, Minho, Key [S.M. Entertainment]Their first full length album, “The SHINee World,” hit the top of the Korean pop charts this week on online music store Hottracks (www.hottracks.co.kr) following its release in late August.
But before they make it big, SHINee wants to let people know who they are and what their new album is all about.
It is just past lunchtime when they roll in. Jong-hyun and Key, the most talkative of the group, introduce themselves first.Decked out in skinny black jeans and jackets it is hard to tell who is who, save for the youngest member, Tae-min, who is wearing a bowler hat.
Having already been on the interview circuit, the boys act like pros. SHINee leader O-new, in particular, keeps his cool. That is until the band starts talking about their Mnet reality show.
In each episode, a female guest star dates SHINee. At the end of each show, she gets to choose her favorite.
The boys start laughing as they discuss how Key got picked twice and everyone but O-new won once.
The 18-year old singer crosses his arms and pouts: “I haven’t been chosen yet because I didn’t want to get picked.”
As the joking and bantering goes on, it gets easier to tell them apart. The tanned, ambitious one with the strong vocals is Jong-hyun. The kid who never gets picked but always acts with a sense of duty is O-new.
Tae-min is the baby with the hip-hop moves. Key takes the band’s energy level up a notch. And Min-ho, who sits shyly in the corner for most of the interview, likes to play soccer and basketball.
So what is it like to be in a boy band?
“We sleep in one room with five beds,” answered Key.
“Jong-hyun sings in his sleep,” adds O-new.
“I make Tae-min fried dumplings, heat things up for him,” Key says proudly.
“Three-minute chef!” The rest of the band teases him.
All the boys laugh as they talk about living together. But they become more serious when it comes to music.
“Everyone wanted to be a performer from early on,” said Key, who started preparing for his debut in his second year of middle school. Taemin went to auditions when he was in sixth grade. The other boys also got cast for S.M. Entertainment in 2005 and 2006.
They talk about it as if this was all ages ago, which seems odd, since they is still in their teens and because it serves as a reminder that these are not just your average run-of-the-mill kids. They are full-time singers.
But despite the fact that they are mature when it comes to work, SHINee are still inexperienced when it comes to dating.
“Because we started training early, there was no time to date,” Key says. “So when we got ‘Replay,’ we were really surprised, because we hadn’t fallen in love with an older woman before.”
“We got some secondhand experience from videos,” Jong-hyun points out.
“Music videos,” leader O-new clarifies, to make sure there are no misunderstandings.
That secondhand experience must have helped. The group convincingly courts an older girl in the music video for the hit single, while soulfully belting out the lyrics for this R&B song.
Many of the other tracks on their new album also stick to the topic of romance, including Jong-hyun’s favorite “Love’s Way,” and “ROMANTIC,” which Min-ho cites as his favorite track.
So while the boys themselves might not be ready for love, it looks like their fans will have a hard time keeping themselves from falling for them.
By Jean Oh
2008.09.18
^^ Minjee Unnie is coming back! I’m happy, only a few more hours. I will definetely make her play soccer with me. And Oppa too! ^^
You probably don’t know, but at the moment I’m living with my grandmother, Mamaw. As you probably also don’t know, I’m not christian. Actually I don’t really believe in anything. Ah, but Mamaw is a die-hard christian. Now you must know that she goes to church every sunday and has faith classes on wednesday and the r.o.c. on friday. She hates that I don’t believe in god. Ahaha, but I hate that there are times when she is racist. The past month or so she has been trying to change me. I like to wear my long-sleeved sweaters all the time. Even during summer. I like to listen to my music all the time. I like to be on the internet. I like to have my children(animals) visit all the time. I REALLY like bringing stray animals in and making them only like me. Oh, and I love to eat. She, on the other hand, says long-sleeves are for cold weather. Okay, I can handle that. She says I play my music too loud. I can barely hear it. So I turn it down. She says I need to get up and help her, that’s what I’m here for. I do. Just when she doesn’t need me I like to be on the internet. She says I can’t have my children over too much because they don’t like her. Well, what does she expect? They were all strays at one point and they only like me(Although they do like Minjee). She says I can feed the outside cats but I can’t bring them in. Why not? They’re sweet and adorable little children. Sure, I have Chullie and Saja(Sweety) but I’m really used to having cats.
I have changed alot since I first came here. Mostly for the better, as I’ve been trying to change my personality so I don’t come off as a complete anti-social(Although I am). I don’t mind changing when I’m the one trying to change myself. Fine, I’ll do everything she says because Minjee says I have to, but I will not, I repeat, WILL NOT, change my religion. Lately she’s been trying to force me to go with her to church. I can’t. I just can’t. I’ve changed too much for her sake. I’m getting tired of not being myself. I’ve decided. I’m going back to my old self. I’ve tried, I really have. Hu~ I’m just so tired. I want to be myself for once. I want to be Anti-social. I want to openly hate people again. I REALLY want to be able to go back to being myself. I miss saying what was on my mind. In the recent months I have gained so many problems. I’m used to saying the things that I think. I can deal with the lack of sleep. I’m used to it, me being an insomniac. I can deal with cutting down on my eating, because she’s trying to diet. I can deal with so many things, but there is a breaking point. I’m about to break.
Maybe it’s for the best if I do. I should just let her break me. I should give in. I’m tired… too tired to resist. Maybe tonight I’ll go to the r.o.c. with her. Maybe, I’ll just become a zombie like everyone else. Hahaha~ wouldn’t it be better than trying to fight someone 24/7? I’ll become just another person who wakes up and follows the crowd. That’s what she wants. That is what everyone wants.
I’ve been up for four days now, and my mind isn’t clear. I really need to sleep soon. As minjee has told me countless times, it isn’t good for my health. I miss her.
On a happier note, Minjee and Youngwoon and their Mom and Dad are comeing back tomorrow. Maybe I’ll visit and she’ll help me figure it all out. Tired~~~
Am sure most of you will not want to read this… but I have to get it off my chest. I HATE HER!!! It’s not that she’s a woman, not that she’s Christian, not that’s she’s white, but that she hates animals! How do I know this? Because she supports aerial killing of wolves and bears. If you don’t know anything about the process, let me tell you, it’s horrible. I usually don’t comment on American politics, as I really couldn’t care less. But this woman is… Argh! Seeing as I’m finally registered to vote, it has made me even more upset. I’m probably not making any sense, but I just learned of this today. ~~I haven’t been myself since Minjee isn’t here~~
I’m just pissed. I would rather have that Obama guy than have someone as fucked up as that woman. This is what got me:
Palin approved and expanded the state’s aerial predator control program, where wolves are shot from aircraft and bears hunted from aircraft and killed upon landing. This year, her state biologists even dragged 14 newborn wolf pups from their den and, having already shot their parents, then shot each of the pups in the head at close range. Last year, her administration offered a $150 bounty for each wolf killed until the bounty was ruled illegal by the courts. Hundreds of wolves are killed each year by this antiquated state program that has no scientific justification whatsoever, but rather is designed to appease Palin’s urban sport hunter supporters. ~~~From the Seattle Post Intelligencer~~~
And as Gandhi once said: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Now, what exactly does that mean? Hmm? The last time I saw an animal being treated well, excluding my beloved animals, was nearly a year ago. And that was only because it was Chico and his owner is really nice. One year. Now what does that say? I’ve never been a big fan of my own country. I’ve never woke up and went, ‘Wow! I’m glad I was born in America!’. Now with this coming up… No, I need to stop ranting about the country, I’ll get to it later. Right now I need to clear my head and talk calmly about that… woman.
That woman, who I hate, is a waste of good meat that could be used to feed the wolves she wants to kill so bad. This is getting out of hand, I think. So I’ll leave you with some pretty pictures of the so-called sport she supports.
Disgusting, no?
How could anyone do this, seriously?
Can you really make yourself put her in power?
Their proud of it. See? So proud of their trophies.
These are just a few of the photos that popped up when i searched her name and aerial hunting. I’m sure you can find many more.
Now, I really have to make myself calm down, so bye.
