Thursday, March 29, 2007

Modernizing Classical Symphonies

Recent K-dramas, in addition to their entertaining storyline, have integrated the works of classical music geniuses into their OSTs (Original Sound Tracks) and have transformed those "outdated" yet classic pieces into something trendy and hip. The amazing thing is that these remixes fit perfectly with the dramas and they definitely enhance the audience's experience of certain scenes and/or emotions. Examples of "modernized" classical symphonies include songs from the OST of My Girl and most recently, Witch Amusement.



Mozart's Symphony No. 40



"Never Say Goodbye" - Mario & Nesty





Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 (1st Movement)



운명의 장난 命運的惡作劇 -Mc진리(Feat.하하)


Special thanks to yeohweping for the OST.

The Host Exceeds 1 Mil. in US Earnings

The film The Host has earned one million US dollars at the US box office in the three weeks after its release there, its producer Chungeorahm said Tuesday.

Having been released in 71 theaters on March 7, the film raked in 320,000 dollars for the first week, and the earnings reached 690,000 in the second week and one million in the third week, when the number of theaters also rose to 94.

The producer said that the film reached the million dollar mark in the shortest time among all Korean films released in the U.S. Citing the film’s US distributor Magnolia Pictures as saying that it plans to show the film for the long-term, the Korean producer expressed its confidence in the film’s success there.

Korean movies released in the US include Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, Brotherhood of War and Old Boy. Among them, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter set a record high in box office earnings with 2.3 million dollars during its seven-month run.
Source: KBS Global

doozy: Yay, for The Host!

I recently saw this movie in the theatres to show support for Korean cinema instead of watching it elsewhere. *shifty eyes* So, my 7 bucks is part of that 1 million. Exciting, isn't it? (Even if you say "no," please humor me here.)

Regarding the movie, I actually like it alot. For a movie categorized as an "action film," I was pleasantly surprised at the subtleties that its director sprinkled in throughout the film. I also like the mix of action, human/family relationship, politics, and humor.

This theatres experience could have been a completely wonderful one had it not been for stupid comments made by several movie goers. One lady, after the movie ended, sarcastically said, "Wow, they sure know how to make movies." Another lady said something about how it should've been dubbed instead of subtitled. Oh well, how sorry I am that it's not the way that she preferred. I mean, the production team and the film studio were so unreasonable and inconsiderate to have her *gasp* read something, right? Whatever, I'd say to them.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Too Many Chiefs, Not Enough Indians...

This is something that I've observed at work over the past couple of days: too many people, regardless of whether or not they have the experience or authority, want to be in a high and mighty comanding position, which leaves not that many who would obey willingly. It doesn't sound like a very good situation, does it? Which am I? I try to be neither and just do my job.

What's the point of sharing this observation? There's really no point. Quiet frankly, I'm just blogging as a way to procrastinate doing other, more important things, which include eating and showering, but you probably didn't to know that. Heehee.

Anyway, back to our regular scheduled programming... which is, K-dramas. After the monster, that is Jumong ended its run, most of the shows that premiered are so good and diverse in theme and storyline. Thus far, I've seen Hello! Miss, Witch Amusement, H.I.T., and The Devil. Based on high recommendations, I'm probably going to check out Thank you and Que Sera Sera. Wow, that's a lot of drama-watching. And I haven't even finished the shows that I started previously. Ah geez, otoke?

Also, I came across this great blog, which has episodic summaries of several of the latest dramas. Do check it out here! Thank you, javabeans dear for your time and effort in maintaining the blog.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

De-stressing...

I'm starting school this coming May and I've just received the paperwork, which include the usual orientation information, health record, etc. So, I was looking at the immunization form, thinking this is going to be easy since I still have access to my immunization form. Boy, was I wrong! It turns out that most, if not all, of my vaccinations have expired, which means that I would have to get these done all over again. And you know what that means, right? My two arms will most likely go limp from all those shots and since I have no health insurance, they'll burn a giant hole in my wallet at a time when I need to save money to prepare for my move to a different city, where the school is located. In addition, I have to go down to the school for a scholarship interview, come back home, and then go to the school again for some uniform fitting and to take a math test prior to entering the program. Math test? What the..? Do I even remember how to do math?! Damn, this sucks!

I need to do some major de-stressing. I must think happy thoughts... Hence, I shall go watch my K-dramas now. A good dose of it will lift my mood, I hope. That is, if I'm not going to watch People In Love because not only will it not help me, it will instead aggravate me and make me want to throw heavy objects or break something. My current addiction: Witch Amusement. Actually, I feel bad for not being into H!M as much as WA because my favorite girl is in H!M and I should give her my full support. But WA is so fun and entertaining! What a dilemma! Wait a minute, am I stressing myself out again? Aish, I need to stop. WA episode 2, here I come!

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Hello! Miss Episode 1


I finally was able to download the first episode and finished watching it last night. As previously mentioned, I was planning to do an episodic summary for Hello! Miss (H!M). However, ripgal (Jo), a wonderful Mukgu-er @ soompi, will take on this project instead. I'll just write about my thoughts on the drama and you can check out the details in Jo's summaries. The summary for episode 1 is already posted. You can read it by clicking here. Please drop her a thank you note to show your support for her effort if you do visit the soompi thread. Jo did an amazing job with the summary, so I was surprised to learn that this is her first time writing one. Thank you, Jo!

Episode 1

As with most dramas, episode 1 of H!M serves as an introduction to the lead characters and the supporting players. LDH as Soo Ha is super adorable while at the same time, very feisty. Yes, there are over-the-top expressions from her but I did not have any problem with that because they are hilarious. Soo Ha's facial expressions and gestures do remind me of Yoo Rin, but then again, it's just the first episode. Perhaps, once we get into the drama a little more, I'll begin to see Soo Ha in her own light.

The first episode is really all about SH. Everytime LDH appears, she lights up the screen. (Although, that observation might just be biased me raving about one of my favorited actresses so you'll have to check out H!M for yourself to see if you agree with me or not.) I love how SH can be sassy in one moment and soft-spoken in the next scene. And she does both equally well and made me laugh in both situations. When she's feisty, her expressions and tone of voice are so cute and hysterical and when she's soft-spoken and demure, I'd laugh because we all know that that's not the real SH because she's putting on a show to achieve something. One of my favorite scenes is when SH is on the phone trying to negotiate with the finance company. When things do not seem to be going her way, she starts yelling at them and of course, they hung up the phone on her. The phone rings again and thinking that it's the same company, she raises her voice. However, when she realizes that it was actually one of the elders of her village, her tone changes dramatically and immediately. Even though the elder on the other line really couldn't see SH's behaviors, she was bowing too when she talks to him. If you're not getting why I find it funny, watch the episode and you'll understand. (I hope.)

Of course, with any romcom (romantic comedy), you have your share of quirky characters. In H!M, there is SH's village family and her new friend Jung Sook, the girl who has a questionable fashion sense. Also, there are many familar faces whom we've seen from past dramas, which I'm always excited to see. For example, there's "mandoo ajumma" from Bad Family, "Gong Shil Jang" from Fantasy Couple, and "the King" from Goong and Hwang Jin-Yi. Mandoo ajumma is now the housekeeper for SH; Gong Shil Jang is the assistant to a high ranking executive, which is funny because it's similar to his job title in Fantasy Couple. So while watching him, I was thinking, "Hey man, how's Billy doing? You don't work for him anymore?" He also keeps his special way of saying "ne." The King is SH's father, so in a way, he's still "king" as he's the patriarchal figure of the family.

In addition, the way the characters are set up are somewhat similar to My Girl, or perhaps it's not really similar but I'm just reminded of My Girl because of LDH. For example, we have the good guy played by Lee Ji Hoon, the player who will grow fond of this "strange" girl that he's just met, and the quirky friend.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. There are characters that I already sense I will dislike and ones that I will root for. And of course, LDH is breathtakingly gorgeous, but we know that already, right, fellow Mukgu-ers?!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Jumong Song Il-Guk Has Fallen In Love

Song Il-Guk (35) is currently seeing a 5 year junior "future prosecutor" Miss A (30).
The two first met late last year, introduced by a reporter from Star News, and have been dating for 5 months since.

Miss A, who has grasped song il-guk's heart, is currently in training for justice admistration. She is said to be of elegant height and slender figure, who is beautiful and cute in image.

Because the two have been separately busy with their work and studies, they have thus far communicated mostly by phone, but upon the end of jumong filming and Miss A's acceptance to exam for justice administration, they can focus more on cultivating their relationship.

Song Il-Guk's attraction to Miss A is based on her genuine and pure, cautious yet free spirit. Meanwhile, Miss A's attraction to Mister Song is due to SIG's wholesome lifestyle despite being a star, his modesty and masculinity.

Neither wants to interfere with each other's career, and the two are carefully cultivating their love.

Song, who was raised in a strict and disciplined family with christian religion, has found himself a woman with a good heart who plans to serve the public.
Source: Star News
Translation by: dramaok @ soompi


doozy: First Hyun Bin and now Song Il Guk?! These news are so heartbreaking because they're such fantasy killer. ahn dwe!!!!!

Although, if news came out that two of my favorite onscreen pairs are dating in real life, I'd be very happy.

Monday, March 19, 2007

H.I.T.

Cast
Go Hyun Jung
Han Jung Woo

Airs
March 19, 2007 (Replacing Jumong)

Episodes
20

Broadcasting Station
MBC

Official Website

Soompi Thread

H.I.T. stands for Homicide Investigation Team. The premise of the drama is similar to C.S.I. For more in-depth description of the drama and its characters, please click here.

Currently, there's no fansubbing group for H.I.T. because this type of professional drama can be quite difficult to translate due to its terminology and jargon. Although I will not be comprehending much, I'll still be watching H.I.T. because I like this genre and I want to see how it compares to C.S.I.

Also, I like Go Hyun Jung because she was very endearing in What's Up, Fox? so I'm interested in her new project.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Jun Ji-hyun to Debut in Hollywood

Actress Jun Ji-hyun is gearing up to debut overseas. Jun, who has gained popularity not only in Korea but also in Hong Kong, China and Japan for her sometimes sassy, sometimes naive roles in movies, will make her Hollywood debut in the movie Blood: The Last Vampire.

Blood: The Last Vampire is based on the same-titled popular animation novel by famous Japanese writer Oshii Mamoru. Jun plays the role of the vampire hunter Saya, who is half-human, half-vampire but who disguises herself as a human being in order to destroy vampires. The actress is expected to display impressive action stunts in the movie.

Playing opposite Jun will be actress Allison Miller, who has gained popularity for her role in the TV show Desperate Housewives. In the movie, Miller’s character teaches Saya what it’s like to be a human.

Interest in movies starring Jun has been on the rise in Hollywood. Jun has drawn notice in Hollywood through the movie The Lake House, starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. The movie is a remake of the Korean movie Il Mare, which stars Jun. Jun’s hit movie My Sassy Girl is also currently being remade in the United States, with actress Elisha Cuthbert playing the lead.

The filming of Blood: The Last Vampire will begin March 15. The movie has drawn significant attention for its impressive scale as it involves famous film production firms and filmmakers. After shooting several scenes in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the filming location will switch to China before the movie opens in 2008.

The movie is expected to make Jun another hallyu star in Hollywood, like Kim Yun-jin. Jun will go by the name "Gianna Jun" in the United States.
Source: KBS Global

doozy: In addition to Il Mare and My Sassy Girl, I think Hollywood also bought the remake rights to JJH's latest film Daisy.

Am I the only one here who doesn't like the fact that JJH will debut with an American name? The movie's storyline also doesn't appeal to me, but most likely, I'll catch it in the theatres to support her. In any case, I wish her the best of success.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Song of the Moment

This song is performed by Lee Ha Na in When Spring Comes. LHN sings it beautifully. She's really talented. Enjoy!



To download, click here.

Lyrics
Translation by: ai* (WITH S2)

Even though I was young and didn’t know much.
But I understand it now what it means to leave.

Mother’s arms are so warm...
But when it was time, she left...
no other choice...

Goodbye... goodbye... goodbye...

When I let go my hand,
She left like a dandelion.

Never coming back...
like a dandelion...

Like a dandelion...

Like a dandelion...

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Random Rant

I'm not feeling well at the moment. I think I got food poisoning or something along those lines. Note to self and those who are reading this: do not consume leftover pizza that is four days old, no matter how "normal" it looked or tasted. I repeat, do not! Trust me on this one.
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I finally finished watching Save the Last Dance for Me after it has been taking space on my computer for months. I also finished The Snow Queen. So that's a total of 36 hours of my life, mostly wasted on nothing more than eye candies. Surprisingly, I liked the former more than the latter even though it doesn't have Hyun Bin. I'm not that shallow, you know. I can be objective too, sometimes.
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I'm also done with Hwang Jin Yi and I loved it! One of the best dramas I've seen to date. I've been wanting to write a review of sort for the drama but it's quite difficult coming up with right wording and organizing all my thoughts into one that's coherent and detailed. I'll try and see if I can get one together because I really want to get the word out on how great this show is. Highly recommended!
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The premiere for Witch Amusement will be pushed back as Surgeon Bong Dal Hee will be extended to 18 episodes due to its high ratings.

I also read that the airing date for Time Between Wolf and Dog will be further delayed until September. Aish, really. Let this be the official date. Please, no more delays!
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Thanks to this blog, my respect for Hollywood has changed dramatically. Not that Hollywood cares about what a little person like me thinks about them, but I'm writing this as a kind of "just so you know.." type thing.
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I'm probably going to do episodic summaries and/or screencaps of Hello!Miss because this blog is, afterall, "mukgu-fied." March 19th is the premiere. It's next Monday! Woot woot!

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Previews

Witch Amusement
Uploaded by: hirohiroH2

It looks like a fun drama from the preview. Han Ga In is oh so gorgeous but Jae Hee's hairstyle is odd, much different than his look in Sassy Girl, Chun Hyang. Anyway, I'm definitely watching this one!

The Devil
Uploaded by: Lunasy

The clip looks intense. Although I'm still slightly annoyed at the fact that Uhm Tae Woong is second lead, I guess we'll have to see how much screen time he has.

I'm loving the March line-up this year. In addition to the two dramas above, we also have Hello!Miss with Lee Da Hae, H.I.T. with Go Hyun Jung, and Lee Dong Wook in a new drama if he accepts the role. I'm considering doing a episode summary for one of these shows but won't know which one yet until I see the first episode of each drama. Or perhaps an episodic project is too ambitious since I still haven't finished the first one that I started. Heehee. I guess we'll see how determined I am this time around.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

LDH for J Polack 2007



Images courtesy of JPolack and pinklily @ soompi.

To view more, please go here.
Wow, I really like the concept of this catalog. LDH is so elegant and gorgeous! heart eyes

Sunday, March 04, 2007

The Devil

Cast
Uhm Tae Woong (Sassy Girl, Chun Hyang, Resurrection)
Shin Min Ah (A Love to Kill)
Joo Ji Hoon (Goong)

Airs
March 21, 2007 (Replacing Dal Ja's Spring)

Episodes
20

Broadcasting Station
KBS2

Director
Park Chan Hong (Resurrection)

Writer
Kim Ji Woo

Produced By
Olive9

Official Website

Soompi Thread

Synopsis
The tragic event of their childhood connects the fates of two men and a woman who has an ability in psychometry into a love triangle. (Psychometry is a form of extra-sensory perception wherein a psychic holds an object in his or her hands in order to obtain information about the object or its owner.)

Joo Ji Hoon will be acting as a lawyer Oh Seung Ha, who is destined to meet a police detective, Kang Oh Soo (Uhm Tae Woong). Shin Min Ah plays Seo Hae In, a 25 year old mysterious librarian with an ability in psychometry. She is at the level of being diagnosed with amnesia/sleeping disorder and she tends to be in full concentration when she becomes too absorbed/focus into something. Kang Oh Soo, who is from a rich family, had accidentally caused Oh Seung Ha to lose his brother and mom when they were young. Oh Seung Ha later grows up to be a lawyer who wants to seek revenge on Kang Oh Soo, who is now a police detective.
Oh Seung Ha and Seo Hae In will have feelings for each other while Kang Oh Soo has a one sided love for Seo Hae In.
Credit to: yeohweping

Arirang Showbiz Extra
Uploaded by: Lunasy

Special thanks to Rebby @ soompi for the clip.

doozy: Uhm Tae Woong playing second fiddle and doesn't get the girl? Again?! A love triangle? Again?! Despite those two dislikes, I'm still looking forward to watching The Devil. Why? Because it's from the folks who brought us that amazing drama called Resurrection, it's produced by Olive9 (the production company behind the drama Hwang Jin Yi), and it has Uhm Tae Woong. I really hope they focus more on the part about supernatural powers and the theme of vengeance because I don't know how many more pretty people love triangles I can watch in K-dramas.

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Weekend Box Office Chart in Seoul

1. Miracle on 1st Street
Director: Yoon Je-gyun
Starring: Ha Ji-won, Lim Chang-chung

Click here for more info on the movie.

2. The Masked Dalho
Director: Kim Sang-chan, Kim Hyun-soo
Starring: Lim Chae-moo, Cha Tae-hyun

3. A Good Day for an Affair
Director: Jang Moon-il
Starring: Kim Hye-soo, Yoon Jin-seo

4. Voice of a Murderer
Director: Park Jin-pyo
Starring: Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Nam-ju

5. Flags of Our Fathers
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Adam Beach

For the rest of the list, go here.

doozy: Congratulations to Ha Ji Won for having the no. 1 movie after a successful television drama!