Alone In Love Episode 1: Can We Start Over Again?

Character Introduction


Gam Woo Sung as Lee Dong Jin
He works as a manager at a bookstore. He is divorced from Eun Ho for almost two years.








Son Ye Jin as Eun Ho
She is a physical fitness trainer at a gym. She is Dong Jin's ex-wife.








Gong Joon Pyo as Dr. Gong
He is the head of the OBGYN department at a hospital. However, he has a fear of labor and the birth process. He is Dong Jin's classmate bestfriend.






Lee Ha Na as Ji Ho
She is Eun Ho's sister. She has a very carefree and quirky personality. At twenty-three years of age, she is still unemployed and lives with her sister.





Episode one of Alone In Love opens with Eun Ho recalling her baptism to Dong Jin at their anniversary dinner. As it turns out, they were married at this hotel and thus, each year the hotel sends them coupons for a free couple dinner on the anniversary of their marriage. Although Dong Jin and Eun Ho have been divorced now for almost two years, they still take advantage of this benefit. The dinner scene was a hilarious introduction into the drama because of the witty and sarcastic banter between the two.

Episode one shows us that even though two people are legally separate on paper, they are not completely gone from each other's lives as their paths may cross coincidentally or not on many occassions. First, there is the settling of the money issue. Second is returning what you'd once borrowed from each other. Then, there are also the coffee shop that you visit as a part of your everyday routine and the bar that you come to relax with your friends. Hence, your life is still very much connected with your previous significant other even though the two of you have split.

Meeting at their child's grave.

Since their divorce, Dong Jin and Eun Ho have been leading their lives like this. They're still a part of each other lives, meeting on several occassion, and throwing out sarcastic banter back and forth like they are old friends. Even when they are not with each other, they're reminded of the times they spent with the other person; like Dong Jin remembering his first date with Eun Ho while he is on his first blind date after their divorce. It's also difficult to not be a part of the other person's life because they share the same friends, especially Dr. Gong wants them to reunite and would try to make that happen at any chance that he gets.

Towards the end of episode one, Eun Ho is confused about her feelings for Dong Jin. She is unsure as to whether or not the feelings are out of love or just pure concern for someone that you've known for a long time. She misses the old times that she spent with Dong Jin but there are flaws and bad habits of his that she can't stand. Thus, she calls into a radio show to ask for advice. The advice that she receives is to treat the other person like she's his mother, meaning to forgive and overlook the person's flaws like a mother would for her child.

And so, Eun Ho sets a dinner date with Dong Jin to tell him that she wants to start over again with him. However, it was to no avail because 1) Dong Jin isn't paying attention to what Eun Ho is saying and 2) it is here that Dong Jin, playing matchmaker, introduces a man to Eun Ho. Dong Jin chooses to introduce this man to Eun Ho because he thought the new man stands for everything that Eun Ho hates. However, he is surprised when things do not go as planned. End of episode one.

Noteworthy Scenes


The picture taken at the anniversary dinner.


The same picture on Eun Ho's refrigerator.


The "fantastic four" hanging out on Ji Ho's birthday.


A hilarious scene! The atmosphere is silent and calm when Eun Ho, irritated by what Dong Jin has said earlier, yells out for "Taxi!" Dong Jin's reaction is classic.


Uh oh! Psycho alert! This pervert was making the employee very uncomfortable. Dong Jin saw the situation and stood up for his employee. However, his kindness was repayed with a misunderstanding that resulted in a funny moment when the pervert took revenge against Dong Jin for embarassing him in the bookstore. Watch the scene and you'll know what I'm talking about. Poor Dong Jin! The next day, he was still traumatized by the experience.

doozy: The first episode has a mix of funny moments and quiet, reflective moments. Already, I can feel the chemistry that the cast has together as they play off one another. There is this subtleness appeal to the first episode that draws in viewers who appreciates it, and I'm one of them. This episode earns a Hershey's chocolate.

I Had A Bad Day

Today was a bad day at work. I don't think I've ever been this angry and feeling so insulted before due to a work-related matter. What happened? Oh, I'll tell you what happened.
See, at work we have several levels of managers. There's the main manager and then there's his boss, whom I shall refer to as A from here onward. (As to what the letter A stands for, you can use your imagination.) A does not work with us in the store on a regular basis; he only comes in about every five weeks to check up on us and see how we're doing. (Well, more like to yell at us but I'll get into that later.) Before today, I had always thought of him as a relatively understanding and friendly person. Well, after today, not anymore!
Anyway, yesterday A came in with another manager and spent a short time at the store, which was strange. Today, I arrived at work and A was there and looked to be evaluating the store. My direct manager didn't look too good so I was kind of worried. As it turned out, we were very short staffed for the shift and he had to call in several people to start work earlier than their scheduled time. To add salt to the wound, we were unexpectedly extremely busy today. Not only that, at a time when we needed more people to work, A needed to discuss something with my manager, so they were gone for what seemed like days. It was so busy that I don't even remember when was the last time I worked this hard and on an empty stomach, no less! Long story short, we were swamped so A had to stay longer at the store to help us out. During the shift, I conversed with A in the form of small talks and commented to A about how I'm a bit tired. And so, he offered to cover for me so that I can take a water break. I drank my water and went back to continue working at the position but A said, "You're back, already?! That break was too short so take a few more minutes and then come back." I thought, "Wow, how nice of him!" When I came back, A said that he felt tired already even though he had only been working at the position for few minutes. He also commented that he couldn't imagine doing this everyday and wondered how we can work the position everyday. When it slowed down a little bit, A went into the office to write up his evaluation. After he completed the evaluation, he smiled and said "bye" to everyone. In my opinion based on working there for quite a long time, I believed we handled the rush relatively good, considering the situation. Little did I know, what I thought was not even close to what was written on the evaluation and the things that were said by A afterward.
A short while after A left the store, there was a phone call for my manager and lo and behold, it was A on the other line. My manager took the phone call and came back looking pissed! Not knowing the whole situation and what was said between the two of them, I made a stupid comment which I now regret saying.
During the mid afternoon, when the night shift was starting, I saw a few new associates coming in to work. Since there were now plenty of people working and it wasn't that busy, I was sent home early. When my co-worker took over my position for me, he said, "Wow, I didn't know I was allowed to be at this position anymore after what happened!" Puzzled, I asked him what he meant by that. He told me that apparently, A said that the associates who work this position at the store couldn't handle the rush, so A called in associates from other stores who can handle the work. I was in disbelief and had that "Huh?! What the heck?!" look on my face as I couldn't believe that A actually had made that comment. Looking for confirmation, I talked to my manager. Unfortunately, it was true! I read the evaluation and it was not just bad, it was horrible. According to my manager, A called in after he left the store and said that unless the associates work the position like a certain associate, whom I shall refer to as mini A, we were deemed as "not good enough." I've observed and worked with mini A several times and he is not that great. All he has going for him is speed, minus the quality. Upon hearing this, I was furious! Furious! Why am I angry? I'm angry because of the crappy standard that we were being compared to. To be touting and emphasizing quality at meetings, reciting "quality over speed" while training new associates, and having the word "quality" in the store's slogan, how ironic and downright sad that A gave mini A such high marks when he doesn't work with mini A on a regular basis and evaluated the rest of us as "not good enough." In addition, I'm disappointed because I realized what kind of a person A is. Like a coin, he has two faces. A superficial happy face when he smiles at you and then turns around and stabs you in the back. If he thought that we weren't doing a good job while he was at the store, then tell us to our faces what we did wrong and how we could improve. Don't leave and then call the store to tell our manager and having us hear it from our manager. That's just shady, cowardice, and wrong! As of today, I lost all respect for A.
In summary, everytime I encounter a bad situation in life, I would try to make something positive out of the situation by reflecting on whether I've gotten something out of the experience by learning a good lesson. Well, a lesson is learnt here, dear reader. I've learn about what kind of person A really is. Although, it was unpleasant, it was good to know. Oh and another thing, the quote that I had on the LDH banner was really applicable and helpful. "NO ONE can make you feel inferior without your permision." Well, A, take your !@#$%^&*() elsewhere! You certainly do not have my permission. I won't allow it!

Han Ga In For Blu:pepe Fall 2006

        
Image credit: bestiz + suejinners

doozy: Han Ga In is one of the most beautiful Korean actresses. And her look is au-naturale! I really like the clothes in these ads. There is a casual, yet elegant feel to them.
The thumbnails are unexpectedly small! All the more reason to click on them to view these gorgeous pictures.

Bi (Rain) to Launch World Tour in December

Nice poster!

Singer Rain will give a free-of-charge concert ahead of his world tour slated for December. Some 40,000 fans have been invited to the concert, which will be held October 13 at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul under the theme, "Rain’s Coming."

The concert will herald the beginning of Rain’s five-month world tour, which will cover 12 countries, including the United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, China and Japan. Audiences will be invited to donate money to help physically challenged people.

Rain’s world tour will be produced by globally renowned concert producers including Jamie King, who also produced and choreographed concerts for Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Rain met with King in July in the United States to discuss the preparations. Other prominent figures involved include Tom Hudak, who produced concerts for The Eagles and Prince, and Roy Bennet, who was in charge of lighting at the U.S. MTV Video Music Awards. The scale and quality of Rain’s upcoming tour will be comparable with the global tours of the world’s top artists, and will likely serve as an opportunity for the domestic performance sector to develop further.

Lee In-kwang, CEO of StarM, which is organizing Rain’s tour, said that the upcoming concert in Seoul will serve as a starting point for Rain’s advancement to the global market, and that the charity aspect of the concert will be its most important part because Rain feels great responsibility as a big star.

He also added that one-fourth of the audience will comprise foreign fans and music experts. Rain will donate a part of his world tour proceeds to needy and starving children in underdeveloped countries. StarM will begin distributing tickets to Rain’s concert nationwide this month.
Source: KBS Global

doozy: Bi's coming! Get your umbrellas ready! Heehee.
Aw, no! I guess they've given out already the free tickets for the concert in Seoul. Oh, well. There's always the chance to go see Bi when he comes to the U.S. Although it's for a worthy cause, I hope the concert ticket won't be that expensive. It's sweet and charitable of Bi to use his star power for good!

New Song on Playlist

The Origin of Love (from Hedwig and the Angry Inch OST)
Lyrics provided by: lyrics.net
Edit: doozy

When the Earth was still flat
and the clouds made of fire
and the mountains stretched up to the sky
sometimes higher

Folks roamed the earth
like big rolling kegs
they had two sets of arms
they had two sets of legs

They had two faces
peering out of one giant head
so they could watch all around them
as they talked while they read

And they never knew nothing of love
It was before
The Origin Of Love
Origin of love
The origin of Love
Origin of love

Now there was three sexes then
One that looked like two men
glued up back too back
They called the children of the Sun

And similar of shape and girth
was the children of the earth
they looked like two girls
rolled up in one

And the children of the Moon
Were like a fork shaped on a spoon
They were part Sun part Earth
part daughter part son

The Origin of Love

Now the gods grew quite scared
of our strength and defiance
And Thor said :"I'm gonna kill them all
With my hammer like I killed the giants."

But Zeus said:"No, you better let me
use my lightning like scissors
Like I cut the legs of the whales
dinosaurs and the lizards.

And then he grabbed up some bolts
He let out a laugh
He said:"I'll split them right down the middle
I'm gonna cut them right up in half.

And the storm clouds gathered above
Into great balls of fire

And then fire shot down
From the sky in bolts
Like shining blades of a knife
And they ripped right through the flesh
Of the children of the Sun and the Moon and the Earth

And some Indian god sewed the wound up
To a hole full around to a belly
to remind us of the price we pay

And Osiris, and the gods of the Nile
gathered up a big storm
to blow a hurricane
to scatter us away.
A flood of wind and rain
a sea of tidal waves
to wash us all away
and if we don't behave
They cut us down again
And we'll be hopping round on one foot
and looking through one eye

The last time I saw you
we were just split in two
you was looking at me
I was looking at you

You had a way so familiar
I could not recognize
cause you had blood on your face
I had blood in my eyes
But I could swear by your expression
that the pain down in your soul
was the same as the one down in mine

That's the pain that cuts a straight line
down through the heart
We call it love
we wrapped our armes around each other
tried to shove ourselves back together
we was making love
making love

It was a cold dark evening
such a long time ago
By the mighty hand of Joe

It was a sad story
how we became lonely two-leg creatures
It was the story of the Origin of Love
That's The origin of love
The Origin of love (x3)

Are Korean Movie Stars Too Expensive?

The Korean film industry continues to grow at an alarming pace. After Silmido opened an era of 10-million ticket sellers in 2004, four more films quickly followed suit. The Host recently set a new record, taking the top spot from the King and the Clown ,which itself brought more than 12.3 million Koreans to the theaters earlier this year. But the growth in the industry means the amount Chungmuro’s biggest names are charging for appearances on the big screen is also shooting through the roof. How does it compare to overall production costs?

How Much Do They Make?

The rates stars charge are a good way to gauge their popularity. Currently, Bae Yong-joon is Korea’s highest paid actor. In last year’s April Snow, the actor was estimated to have earned at least twice the W300 million(US$1=W959) he got for his work on Untold Scandal in 2003.

By using the buzz generated by Bae Yong-joon’s popularity, only in the early stages of production the film was exported to Japan for US$7 million and subsequently raked in W23 billion with its successful run. Choi Min-sik, Song Kang-ho and Seol Kyung-gu are known as the Three Musketeers of Chungmuro for their ability to bring box office success, and they command around W500 million per film. Then there are Lee Byung-hun and Cha Seung-won, who each get about W350 million per movie, and of course Jang Dong-gun, whose appearance in Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War helped take that film above the 10 million tickets mark.

Among the women, Lee Young-ae and Jeon Ji-hyun are at the top, each getting about W350 million-W400 million for their work, while Jeon Do-yeon and Jang Jin-young get W300 million -W350 million for their appearances.

Hollywood Prices

It is hard to make a direct comparison between the price of Korean stars and their foreign counterparts, due to the fact that the scope of distribution is different, as is the size of the market. Tom Cruise made the most money last year of any Hollywood actor, according to the U.S.’ Quigley Publishing, which has every year since 1932 researched producers and theaters owners to find out who the top 10 earners are.

Tom Cruise confirmed his popularity with War of the Worlds, after winning back the top spot with Vanilla Sky. Johnny Depp was second, followed by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who starred in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. According to Hollywood sources, Tom Cruise earns $28 million-$30 million per film: a sum 56 times greater than the highest-earning Korean screen star. Tom Hanks came second with $27 million-$28 million, and Johnny Depp followed with $26 million. Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz get about $20 million per film, while Nicole Kidman, Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie earn around $15 million.
Source: english.chosun.com

What's up, Fox?

Cast:
Go Hyun Jung (The Sandglass, A Spring Day),
Chun Jung Myung (Fashion 70s, Goodbye Solo),
Choi Woo Ji, Cho Chong Wook, Kim Eun Cho, Ahn Sun Young (My Little Bride, Rosy Life), Kwon Hae Hyo (My Name Is Kim Sam-soon; Thank You Life), Yoon Yeo Jung (War of the Roses, A Farewell to Tears), Son Hyun Joo (Conditions of Love, Rosy Life)

Airs:
Sept. 20th, 2006 - Wed/Thu. @ 9:55 PM (Replaces Over The Rainbow)

PD:
Kwon Seok-Jang (Marry Me)

Writer:
Kim Do-Woo (My Name Is Kim Sam-soon)

Synopsis:
Foxy Lady is the drama that follows Over The Rainbow in this broadcasting time slot. Its first episode is scheduled to air on September 20, Wednesday (Script writer: Kim Do-woo, Producer: Kwon Suk-jang). The story is about a not-so-bright older girl who dreams of a "fantasy love" and her relationship with her friend's brother who is nine years younger than her. The drama stars Ko Hyun-jung and Chun Jung-myung as the odd couple with such a huge age gap. Ko Hyun-jung stars as Ko Byung-hee, a girl with the heart of a 24-year-old who is actually 33 and working as a reporter in a third-rate magazine company. She frequently finds it hard to cope with the blandness of her life. What she dreams of is working for a company that she can be proud of and finding a man who can provide warm support when she needs it. In addition, she wants to go on a world tour in a camping car with her new love. Suddenly, she gets into an accident with her friend Seung-hye's brother, Chul-su (Seung-hye and Chul-su are played by Ahn Sun-young and Chun Jung-myung, respectively). Chun Jung-myung stars as Park Chul-su, a 24-year-old male working as a mechanic at a car repair shop. Chun makes his first appearance on an MBC drama with this show. Although Chul-su does not have much in life, he is filled with ambition and enjoys life by doing the things he loves: working as a mechanic and traveling. How many people actually find the love they dream of? Until they realize that true love is just around the corner, this couple continues to pursue this unique romantic relationship of "dating a friend's brother" and "dating my sister's friend".
Foxy Lady is written by Kim Do-woo who also penned the wildly popular My Lovely Sam-soon. Producer Kwon Suk-jang, who has created such fun-loving dramas for women such as Lady Next Door and Marry Me is in charge of the production.
Source: MBC Global Media, WITH S2

doozy: I'm really looking forward to watching this new show since I like Chun Jung Myung and the script is written by the writer of My Name is Kim Sam Soon.

Alone In Love

I Am Still
Artist: [as of now, unknown]
Translation by: [as of now, unknown]
To download the song, click here.

No matter how I think, I am still.
No matter how we apart, I am still.
As if I've forgetten, I shut my eyes right, yet I am still.
Turn around, pretend we're never met, yet I am still.

Even when I move straightforward, I am still.
Letting you hurt so much, gazing at everything like that,
using those sorrowful eyes of yours and slightly smile.

No matter how I think, I am still.
No matter how we part, I am still.
I am apart from you everyday, yet I am still.
Even as a silhouette in my dream, I am still.
All these are ending, yet I am still.

Mustering all my courage, yet I am still.
Letting you hurt so much, my tears are flowing like that,
yet I still don't have the courage to embrace you.

I am standing there like that, I am walking on the same spot like that,
I will love you even more.
I am standing like that, I am gazing at you deeply like that,
I'll find it harder to leave you.
On your weak shoulders, in order to give you more courage,
just like the warm sun.

I want to embrace you again, I am hesitating like that,
my tears are flowing like that, I'll love you even more.
I'm standing like this, i'm gazing deeply to you like this
as I will be able to hold onto you like this.

No matter how I think, I am still.
No matter how we apart, I am still.
I am part from you everyday, yet I am still.

doozy: This song is a prologue to my next project. Since I like Alone In Love so much, I'm planning to rewatch it and write summary/commentary for each episode. So please look forward to it and hope you'll enjoy reading it!
Also, if anyone knows the artist who sang "I Am Still" and the person who translated the song, please let me know so that I can properly credit them. Thanks in advance!

Quiet Journey to Islands for Relaxation

By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter (The Korea Times)

Those tired of the hustle and bustle of popular holiday destinations may find some small quiet islands to be the best place for relaxation.

The Korea Tourism Organization has selected five islands suitable for visiting in September under the theme of "Quiet and still travel to islands."

Polum Island and Chumun Island

Southwest off Kanghwa Island near Inchon, about one and a half hours from Seoul, there are a number of little known beautiful islands.

It is said that people who know Polum Island and Chumun Island keep it a secret so as to keep the seclusion for themselves.

The disadvantage of a visit to these isolated islands _ infrequent shuttle ships linking them with Kanghwa Island _ is an advantage for those seeking a quiet place, as not many people visit the islands.

Polum Island has Chogaegol beach, or "clam valley beach," famous for its abundant clams, and an 800-year-old gingko tree. In Chumun Island, there is a chapel built in traditional Korean house style with the 1 won contribution of each believer in 1923.

Taebinchang beach, Apchangsul beach and Twitchangsul beach on Chumun Island are quiet and beautiful beaches where pine trees are luxuriant and visitors can play with mud.

Oeyon Island

Oeyon Island is the farthest island from land among 70 islands in Poryong, South Chungchong Province.

With crystal-clear water at beaches, oddly shaped rocks including those called "Mae bawi (hawk rock)" and "Pyongpung bawi (folding screen rock)" add a certain mysteriousness to the island. Fishing on the rocks or collecting sea mussels and oysters are also possible ways to spend time here.

Visitors can walk in a forest of evergreens, state-designated natural monument No. 136, where the skies are covered with trees.

A famous feature on the island is two camellia trees called "Sarang namu (love tree)." The two trees are linked by the unusual formation of a common horizontal branch and legend has it that a couple walking under it will love each other forever.

The sunset and a row of lights from fishing boats at night are also spectacles not to be missed.

Sonyu Island

Bicycle riding around Sonyu Island will make for a pleasant fall picnic.

Sonyu Island, in the middle of a group of islands in Kunsan, North Cholla Province, has a 100-meter-high peak. It is called "Sonyubong (Sonyu peak)," meaning a peak of hermits, as the peak looks like two hermits sitting facing each other and playing "paduk," or Korean checkers.

Visitors can make a round of four islands, as Sonyu Island, Munyo Island, Changja Island and Taejang Island are connected by bridges with Sonyu at the center.

Riding bicycles along the shorelines of the islands, people can enjoy the natural scenery and fishing villages.

Yonhwa Island

Yonhwa Island, meaning lotus flower in the sea, is about one hour from Tongyong, South Kyongsang Province, by boat.

Seen far away, the island looks like either a lotus flower or a crouching dragon, having both the softness and beauty of lotus flower and the charisma of a dragon.

The whole island consists of oddly shaped cliffs. A group of rocks on the eastern coast presents various rock formations like Manmulsang of Mt. Kumgang in North Korea.

Yonhwa Island is also a haven for anglers, with red sea-bream, rock bream and sea bass in summer and black sea bream and rock fish in fall and winter.

Yonhwasa Temple and Podokam, a Buddhist hermitage, are also gaining popularity among Buddhists and visitors.

Udo (U Island)

Despite its location near Cheju Island, the most popular vacation destination in Korea, Udo is far from hustle-bustle and noise. But it still has lots of things to do and see, and is easily accessible from Cheju.

Arriving at the port of Udo, visitors can choose any transportation they want _ bicycle, motor scooter, all-terrain vehicle, or bus _ as the island is so small that making a round of it by bike takes only two to three hours.

The island is famous for its eight beautiful scenic views. There is the nation's only coral sand beach in the western island, which has white sands and emerald water.

In the eastern island, Kommolle beach presents a unique feature of black sands.

Besides visiting the famous view spots, it is also fun to explore the island's villages.
Source: times.hankooki.com

doozy: Ah... So many places that I want to travel to, so little time and money (the latter being the main factor). *Living vicariously through the article and pictures*

Preorder My Girl for a Special Price

The popular and hilarious Korean romantic comedy My Girl, starring Lee Da Hae and Lee Dong Wook, is coming out on DVD on September 12!

YesAsia is currently having a special price for those who preorder the DVD. In addition, you can get an additional $5 off coupon courtesy of Soompi.com. (Click here for more details.) The total price will come out to be around $65, which is really good for a DVD set because Korean drama DVDs are usually $100+.

I highly recommend this show to anyone who have yet to seen it. It's one of those shows that touches your heart and cheers you up during sad times. Plus, the eye candies in the show are an added bonus. My Girl is a fun and terrific ride from beginning to end!

Ya Shim Man Man

Ya Shim Man Man is a Korean TV show where a question is asked and the guest has to give an answer that is in the Top 5 Answer of the previously surveyed audience. If the guest's answer is not in the Top 5, then he/she gets blown by very strong air. (I've read that this actually hurts a bit.) The guests can discuss the question and work with each other to come up with the answer. The show gives the audience and fans an opportunity to get to know the celebrities a little better because they offer their opinions on certain topics and usually talk about their personal experiences about those topics. It's a very funny and enjoyable show. The show is also insightful as it brings up topic about everyday life and makes you stop and think a little (or sometimes, alot). After discovering this wonderful gem, I really wish I understand more Korean.

The episode below is one of the few episodes that has English subtitles. The timing of the subtitles is a bit off but please bare with it and be patient as I believe it's really worth your time! This episode is hilarious! I discovered it very late one night and stayed up until around 2 or 3 AM to finish watching it.

Guest actors: Bi (Rain), MC Mong, Kwon Sang Woo, Lee Jeong Jin, and Han Ga In. The latter three actors were on the show together to help promote their movie Once Upon A Time In Highschool.

Since the show is about an hour long, there is a total of 10 clips.
Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6


Part 7


Part 8


Part 9


Part 10

Special thanks
Translation by: Rxgoodleaf
Uploaded by: Lanice

Bonus Clip
The benefits of having small (single eyelid) eyes.

Special thanks
Uploaded by: rain28heon

doozy: Hmm...I don't like Bi's opinion regarding the topic of girls who have friends that are boys. It sounded like he's a little too possessive and jealous. I wonder if he still feels the same way as this was a few years ago. Do other girls really like this trait in guys? On another note, Kwon Sang Woo's voice is lovely. For such a "macho" man, his voice is rather soft and soothing. Han Ga In is gorgeous as always.

Lee Joon Ki for Everlast Clothes

Special thanks to Wendy @ soompi.com for posting the images.

doozy: Lee Joon Ki looks great in these ads! My favorite picture in this collection is the one of him wearing the white/green beanie...very adorable smile.

Kim Tae-hee Takes Action Against Cyber-Terror

Eleven Netizens have been booked without detention for spreading malicious comments about the actress Kim Tae-hee on the web.

On June 3 an article titled "Kim Tae-hee Heads to U.S. for One Month of Language Study" ran in the news section of a portal site. Surprisingly, it prompted Netizens to unleash a storm of personal attacks on the star. "She's headed off to get an abortion," one comment read. "She's getting married to Goh Hyun-jeong's ex-husband," surmised another. Kim's agency accused 34 individuals of defamation and reported them to the Seoul Metropolitan Police’s cyber crime unit.

Police say those who posted the slanderous comments include university students, designers and drivers. One of the accused told police they had just overheard high school girls gossiping about the issue while on the bus, and to kill time had thoughtlessly posted the message on the Net. "Netizens for the most part don't realize that they will be punished for posting slanderous replies and do so without giving much though to it," a police spokesman said. "But if the victim so decides, even posts made in jest can become a cause for punishment."

So far this year, people have been punished for posting similarly negative comments about the singer Rain, Lim Su-kyung, who in her college year shocked the entire nation by entering North Korea via East Berlin to participate in Pyongyang International Festival in July 1989 as a leader of a student organization, and former Seoul mayor Lee Myung-bak. Posting and dispersing falsehoods on the Net that defame another individual can be punished by up to seven years in prison and fines of up to W50 million (US$1=W956).
Source: english.chosun.com

Heatthrob’s Fan-Meet Spells Airline Emergency

Seoul hotels and airlines are on high alert ahead of an Asia fan meeting with Song Seung-heon, who will be discharged from the military on Nov. 15. A staggering 9,000 fans from nine Asian countries will descend on Korea to see Song after he ends his 24-month stint in the service. Upon release, Song will meet his admirers at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul on Nov. 18 and 19.

The main hotels in downtown Seoul are already fully booked. Due to a shortage of plane tickets, Song’s agency has started negotiations with domestic airlines about operating special charter flights from Japan. "The fans that are heading to Korea are very devoted and made it through 10:1 odds to get here," Song’s agency says. "Around 3,000 fans are stomping their feet in protest after failing to get a hotel room and flight tickets."

Those lucky enough to secure tickets are expected to visit Korea the instant he is discharged to see him as early as they can. The majority will come from Japan. The 9,000 were picked from among some 150,000 applicants: a success on an astronomical scale for the heatthrob.
Source: english.chosun.com

Bi (Rain) to Give Free Concert for 40,000 Fans

Singer Rain will invite some 40,000 fans to a concert free of charge ahead of his world tour slated for December. The organizers of Rain’s tour said the concert will take place October 13 at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul and that its repertoire and scale will be the same as those of the singer’s world tour.

Rain’s world tour, entitled "Rain’s Coming," is the largest project in scale among worldwide tours ever given by a Korean artist. Rain will perform in major cities of 12 countries, including the United States, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, China and Korea, over a period of five months. The organizers said Rain’s upcoming tour will be on par with Madonna’s latest tour in terms of scale.

The production crew of Rain’s tour will include several high-profile figures, such as choreographer Jamie King, who produced Madonna’s "Confession Tour" and choreographed for Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, and world-renowned concert director Dago Gonzales.

According to the organizers of the tour, the purpose of Rain’s free-of-charge concert in Seoul is to express the singer’s gratitude to his domestic fans ahead of his concerts overseas, because they are the ones who always supported him. The singer will also hold a fund-raising campaign at the concert to help physically challenged people. The audience will be invited to donate as much money as they want for the cause.

Tickets to Rain’s concert will be distributed free of charge nationwide beginning late this month.
Source: KBS Global

doozy: Bi is giving a free concert for fans? That's so sweet of him. Where do I sign up for tickets? Where?! I'll fly to Seoul, Korea if I have to!

It's That Time Again...

Yup, another year has gone by and I am now one year older. Gosh, I feel so old! *cries* Heehee.

Anyway, a big THANK YOU to my WITH S2 buddies for their warm birthday wishes! (Emily, Van, Ghalia, Hwe Ping, Shenny, Vanessa, and Kathleen.. Hope I'm not forgetting anyone.. If so, sorry!) You all are awesome!
In the words of Snoop Dog, WITH S2 is the real dizzle, rocking the fansubbizzle world. Heehee.

A poem by: Susan Polis

I wish for you to have
people to love
people in your life who will care so much about you
blue skies and clear days
exciting things to do
easy solutions to any problems
knowledge to make the right decisions
strength in your values
laughter and fun
goals to pursue
happiness in all that you do
My friend
I wish for you to have
beautiful experiences
each new day
as you follow
your dreams

Special thanks to Emily for the lovely poem.

Lee Dong Wook and Hyun Young Lead the Movie The All-powerful Romance

Lee Dong Wook will costar with Hyun Young in the movie The All-powerful Romance. This romantic-comical movie portrays the love and confrontation between a detective and an off-the-wall woman. LDW plays a passionate detective who loves to catch criminals. The filming is scheduled to begin on 9/15. The director is Kim Jung Woo who just directed the movie Oh My God (2006).
Source: soompi.com

doozy: Eesh... why does it have to be Hyun Young? I mean, I don't hate her but I don't like her, either. Oh well, I'll just have to take what I can get. I'll watch it to support Wookie.

Bi for BMW

If you're interested, click on the link below for pictures as well as the clips of Bi in his new commercial for BMW. (I'm too lazy to post them up here.)

http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83736

Eye Candy: Issue no.4

The Drool-worthy NamJa of Korean Entertainment

Daniel Henney

Looks: A(+)
Hmm, what can I say that isn't obvious from one look at a picture of this man? When I first saw him on My Name is Kim Sam Soon "strutting" through the airport, my reaction was similar to that of the airport's passerbys: dayum, that is one hot man! Born to an American father and Korean mother, Daniel Henney has that classic "Eurasian look." He is, to me at least, the perfection that resulted when East and West join forces. (Am I being to dramatic? Heehee.) His face can pull off any looks successfully. His smile is adorable. His serious stare demands attention. His sad expression intrigues you. Blank face? Still handsome as ever. He also looks very attractive and intelligent with glasses. In addition, one other bonus factor is that he has the well-toned body and washboard abs to go with that gorgeous face. And, unlike the men in the previous "eye candy features," he has a very "manly" aura about him. (Do you know what I'm talking about? Or am I the only weird one?)

Talent: B-/C+
Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Daniel Henney in the talent department. There are several reasons why. First, he has yet to master the Korean language. Although, he is constantly learning Korean, the language barrier still exists. Hence, in all the shows that I've seen of him thus far, his screen time was limited and he spoke primarily English. In addition to the language barrier, experience is also another factor that works against him because he is still quite new to the acting industry. However, from what he's been displaying onscreen so far, I'd said he has potential. He also has plenty of charisma to spare. (More potential and charm than the person who he is usually compared to: Dennis O'neil, but more on that later.) He's currently filming Seducing Mr. Perfect, so we'll wait and see how he does in there.

Daniel Henney vs. Dennis O'neil
Who is Dennis O'neil? Dennis O'neil is another Eurasian actor that entered the Korean entertainment scene after Daniel Henney. His first drama was The Sweet Spy with talented Nam Sang Mi. Truth be told, I much prefer Daniel Henney than Dennis O'neal. In the acting department, the winner is obvious. It's Daniel Henney, unless you consider expressionless face, voice, and awkward body movements acting. However, in the looks department, I'll be fair and say that it depends on the eye of the beholder. Some may prefer Dennis over Daniel because they say he's the better looking one. Well, no need to repeat how I feel as you probably have read the above section. Moreover, I think Dennis kind of looks like one of my friends. Thus, I feel that although he is an "eye candy," he doesn't have the star quality as he feels a bit "ordinary" to me.

By the way, I had a dream about Daniel Henney recently. In the dream, he and I were hanging out together like we were best buds. It was a very lovely dream! Heehee. Which led me to thinking, "what would I do and how would I react if I were to meet him in real life?" I would love to meet him since he's one of the few Korean actors that I can communicate with because language is not a problem. And you know what, I think first, I'll be shocked and somewhat disoriented. However, after those two seconds have past, I'll be able to regain my composure and offer to shake his hands (with one hand while the other hand is dialing for my minions to come to the scene in a giant white van so that we can kidnap him..muahhahahah.j/k). Nah, I'm not that crazy and obsessed of a fan. I'll probably just shake his hand, address him as "Mr. Henney," say that I admire his work, and wish him much success. Man, I really hope that that day will come..Heehee.

Profile

Full name: Daniel Phillip Henney
Birthday: November 28, 1979
Height: 188cm; about 6'2
Weight: 72kg; about 158 lbs
Hobbies: playing guitar, basketball, traveling, and reading
Source: soompi thread

Sweetness




Image credit: various sources


Daniel Henney- From Model To National Heartthrob
By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter (The Korea Times)

"I definitely want to keep Korea a part of my life, permanently."

It’s official. Daniel Henney has reached heartthrob status in Korea. The latest proof is a 40-line poem going around the Internet in rapturous praise of the Korean-American actor and model.

"A perfect combination of East and West," the author writes. "Clean-cut features, a perfect body and innocent smile/ Even my biggest foe English seems friendly when spoken through his beautiful lips/ I wonder what his mother did for prenatal care."

What has brought on such words of devotion is Henney’s character in the wildly popular television drama My Lovely Samsoon. The MBC drama recorded a 41.7 percent viewership on Thursday, becoming the highest-rated soap opera this year, according to TNS Media Korea.

Henney plays Henry Kim, a doctor in the United States who treats Hee-jin, one of the main female characters, who is suffering from cancer. As Henry Kim speaks only English, his dialogue always comes with Korean subtitles.

However, the language barrier hasn’t stopped his fans from demanding he get a bigger role in the drama. His personal blog on Internet (www.cyworld.com/danhenney) gets more than 20,000 hits a day, crowded with his fans’ messages in English.

"Everything happened so quickly. It all happened in two-days time after the drama was aired. I just love it. I am really flattered," Henney, 26, said during an interview last week in Chongdam-dong, Seoul.

Like his character in the drama, Henney comes from a multinational background. His mother is a Korean-American adoptee and his father British-American. Adopted before the age of 1, his mother speaks no Korean.

In the drama, it is implied that the mother of Henry Kim is also an adoptee.

"I just think that when you have an American person or someone who has a different cultural influence comes in it’s interesting for people to see," Henney said. "Maybe I stand out because of it. Just the way I act in general, I think, is a bit different."

Henney describes his character in the drama as "really nice and really kind." "I think it’s refreshing for people to see that. It gives, especially for women, something to look at."

In the drama Henry Kim is devoted to Hee-jin, played by Chung Yeo-won, even though she is in love with someone else. Instead of pressuring her to return his affections, Henry is always there to help her.

The actor said he could understand Henry’s actions. "It just depends how much you love someone. I definitely think it’s possible," he said, adding that he himself was in a similar situation in the past.

Henney may be a newcomer to the Korean entertainment scene, but he is already a celebrity in other Asian countries. He has modeled in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan and has numerous fan clubs in those countries.

But before becoming a model, Henney said he was an introverted young man living in a small farming town in Michigan who loved basketball. His passion for the sport _ and his height _ led him to receive a basketball scholarship into the University of Illinois in Chicago. There, he received a degree in business communication and a minor in theater. "I used to be scared to speak in front of people so I decided to take communications as a major," he said.

Henney’s modeling career started in the U.S. in the summer of 2002 by accident. An agent saw him in a parking lot, where he was in a car waiting for his friend to come out a model audition.

Since then he has been working as a model in the U.S. and various Asian countries and has participated in the Paris and Milan Fashion Collections. While modeling, Henney also studied acting at the Deena Levy Theater Studio, a renowned acting school in New York, where he also performed numerous off-Broadway plays.

After his debut in Korea last year with an advertisement for the men's cosmetics line Odyssey, he made commercials with actress Jun Ji-hyun for Olympus digital cameras and with actress Kim Tae-hee for Klasse air conditioners.

Henney was at the airport on his way back to the U.S. when Kim Yoon-chol, the producer of My Lovely Samsoon, called him. "After getting an offer, I went to the U.S. and sent my videotape showing my acting performances," he said.

According to Henney, the hardest part about the drama is the late nights. "There’s one scene that I had with Kim Sun-a (who plays the main character Kim Sam-soon) in which she was speaking in French to me. We shot that at 4 o’clock in the morning. The next morning we came back and finished the scene. It is hard because sometimes you shoot something 2 o’clock in the morning and the very next morning at 7 or 8 you have to continue the same scene," he said.

But while the work is hard, Henney says it’s also a lot of fun, giving the shooting of one recent argument scene as an example. "Yeo-won as Hee-jin had to get really mad in the scene. So she was picking up Kleenex box and was throwing it.

"But the cover-on was made of metal. The first time she hit me directly in the stomach. It hit me so hard and bad. So I said 'Huk, Jamkkanmanyo (Wait a moment)' and I just fell out of the camera. And the next time she hit me in the arm. So the next time I took a box cover, you know the piece of metal, to protect my pants (and) to protect myself." (Haha..poor guy!)

Henney has been in Korea for just a little more than three months, but he says he "strangely feels at home" here.

"Because of my language, English, I was building myself in America, working all over the world, because I did not know I had a chance here," he said. "Korea was the last Asian country that I came to. I think it was meant to be that way. Honestly, I needed to feel everything else and I wasn’t necessarily happy with other countries and finally came to Korea. Good fit. My mother is really happy too."

Although his mother can’t see the drama in the United States, Henney said he will send her DVDs.

"I am so proud that this is my heritage. It wouldn’t be the same if it was Japan or somewhere else," he said. "I want to be true to both sides of my heritage. I definitely want to keep Korea a part of my life, permanently."

After the drama, he plans to pursue movies in both Korea and America. He has currently pending auditions with American moviemakers.

"I want to break through. It’s so hard for Asian actors to break through fully. But we are slowly making a way and I think it’s time. I have to have the right support behind me. I would also like to keep working here. Korean people are so amazing. The products, the movies that they make are such good quality. I would love to be the part of it," he said.

He also said he wished to break stereotypes about models-turned-actors by continuing to challenge himself.

"There’s a lot of typecasts when you’re a model, someone who is supposed to be good-looking or whatever. (People assume) you are not going to be able to act and think that you’re always going to play the lover, and I don’t want to do that. I want to play many different roles and prove that I can do it," he said.

As for the song in praise of him, Henney couldn’t contain his amazement. "I saw it on the Internet too. I can’t believe that someone actually took the time to do it."

Despite his basic Korean skills, he said that he had it translated for him to completely understand it.

"I can read Korean and understand it about 50 percent. But it’s really hard for me to speak and form sentences yet. Before I speak out, I like to make sure that I can do it properly, not to make a fool out of myself." He added he spends most of his spare time studying Korean these days.

"Fans are so sweet. They run up to me and speak English to me. You know you don’t have to speak English to me cause I can understand Korean basically. It’s amazing that here in Korea, once they like someone, they are so dedicated to the person. And there are these people who write me and are just so enthusiastic about what I do. I am so thankful. I am just blown away by it. I would like to meet the girl who wrote the poem. I wish to meet everyone who write me if I could."
Source: times.hankooki.com

The Host, King and the Clown to Compete Overseas

The Host and King and the Clown -- the two most popular movies in Korea this year -- have emerged as rivals in Korean, Japanese and American box-offices.

Last weekend, The Host broke the box-office record of King and the Clown, and now the two movies are poised to compete at the Academy Awards slated for February next year in the United States in the category of foreign-language films.

The production companies of the two films have already decided to apply for the nomination. The CEO of the production firm of The Host says he believes that the jury will take into account the film’s popularity abroad.

The Korean Film Council will receive applications until September 7 and then set up a jury comprising foreign members to choose domestic films for the next Academy Awards by the middle of this month. The final list of candidates will be sent to the awards organizers by October 1.

Attention is already being focused on which of the two movies, both which have created sensations this year, will represent Korea at the next Academy Awards. Both The Host and King and the Clown have received high praise from Japanese viewers after opening in Japan. The Host, which opened in Japan September 2, topped the
ticket-booking charts of Japanese theaters. King and the Clown, which is due to open in Japan in November, is now being promoted by one of its lead actors, Lee Jun-ki, who gained popularity in Japan for his role in the movie Hotel Venus.

But while Japanese viewers are accustomed to monster movies, they typically have less understanding about Korean epic films. Nonetheless, both films have proven effective in universally appealing to people’s emotions.

The Host and King and the Clown will open in the United States early next year if North American audiences show interest in the two Korean blockbusters after their participation in the Toronto Film Festival, to which they have both been invited.

A person from CJ Entertainment, the distributor of King and the Clown, said the film was originally slated to open in North America this year but that plan was postponed to early next year.

The Host will open in the North American market in February.

The two films’ debut in the United States next year will likely pave the way for their advancement to the main competition of the Academy Awards in the foreign-language film category. So far, no Korea film has been nominated for the category.
Source: KBS Global

doozy: Wow, The Host is breaking records in Korean Cinema history in such a short amount of time. I've read a lot of good things about this film so I really look forward to watching it. Regarding The King and the Clown opening in the US, I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, it's great for this terrific movie, specifically, and Korean cinema, in general, to gain international recognition. On the other hand, the American movie-goers have different (read: strange) tastes in what they like so they may not enjoy and appreciate the subtleties of The King and the Clown. In any case, I wish both films the best of success!

La La La Update

"Life is Wonderful" (from Wordplay)
Artist: Jason Mraz
Provided by: lyrics.net

It takes a crane to build a crane
It takes two floors to make a story
It takes an egg to make a hen
It takes a hen to make an egg
There is no end to what I'm saying

It takes a thought to make a word
And it takes some words to make an action
And it takes some work to make it work
It takes some good to make it hurt
It takes some bad for satisfaction

Chorus
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la

It takes a night to make it dawn
And it takes a day to make you yawn brother
It takes some old to make you young
It takes some cold to know the sun
It takes the one to have the other

And it takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
And it takes some fears to make you trust
It takes those tears to make it rust
It takes the dust to have it polished

Chorus
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la

It takes some silence to make sound
And It takes a loss before you found it
And it takes a road to go nowhere
It takes a toll to make you care
It takes a hole to make a mountain

Chorus
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life is meaningful
Ah la la la la la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la la la la la life is.. is so wonderful.. oh!
Ah la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la-ah
Ah la la la-ah ah-a ah-a


Bad Family OST

"Sarang Imnida" (It’s Love)
Artist: Go Hyun Wook
Translation by: joycekimxD

Through the pieces of the sunlight, I look at you
The soft wind makes your hair
slowly fall and go back
I love you, I really love you
to me, that empty heart is so absolute.

Chorus
You are smiling.. and you are smiling again
just with that I am living in heaven
through all the things my heart makes me do
loving you is what I am thankful for most.

If the room of my memories is so small and I can't fit them all
I’ll erase me then
since I can't throw you out
in this troubled world and tiring stories
when we’re together, we hear all this is a song
I love you, I love you
the words of the world are so unworthy
in this world, after having all the love
if we two have more love, then that is my heart
what makes me laugh and makes me live on
your other name is love.

Chorus
You are smiling.. and you are smiling again
just with that I am living in heaven
through all the things my heart makes me do
loving you is what I am thankful for most.

The MV

Hi

Hola everyone!

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. Last night, I spent hours working on a new banner only to have the program spaz out and shut down. It was very frustrating. However, I guess all in all it was a good thing (although my computer has been acting strange lately..hmm) because the banner that you now see on top is better than the one that I lost.

It's the weekend so you know what that means: time to watch Rude Woman! After that, I'm probably going to work on "Eye Candy: Issue No.4." In the meantime, here is some news that gives a big hint to who is going to be the focus of this issue.


Daniel Henney Stuns With Innate Language Skills

Pretty boy of the small screen Daniel Henney has become the hot topic among producers with his reported facility with languages. His roles in the TV drama My Name is Kim Sam Soon and Spring Waltz were of the gentlemanly type that melted the hearts of many young women, and in his new film Seducing Mr. Robin (directed by Kim Sang-woo), he speaks English, German, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Henney brings to life a Harvard Law School graduate who combines amazingly good looks with talent.

Henney, speaking English, is paired with Um Jung-hwa, who speaks Korean for a kind of global communication. Henney's lines were originally translated from Korean into English and then the native English speaker fixed the script to make it sound natural. But he also showed a hitherto hidden skill when speaking Japanese. Although he has never studied the language, Henney is able to pull off an almost perfect dialogue in a scene where he is dealing with Japanese businessmen.

"When I heard Henney speak Japanese, I realized that he has an amazing skill for languages," the executive producer says. "I hear that he made an MP3 recording and listened to it over and over again for practice." The actor already has a fine command of German, which he showed off in "Spring Waltz” in the role of global manager Phillip. But what is more surprising than any of these is his Korean skill. He is almost completely comfortable with day-to-day Korean, and word is that Henney has no problems communicating with those on set. In the movie, the actor delivers a final flourish in what is a fiendishly difficult language for foreigners to learn.
Source: english.chosun.com