The sound track of Winter Sonata tops the Japanese Oricon Chart.

Daebak! After a decade, Winter Sonata is still as popular as ever. Well, the soundtracks are really very beautiful.



cre: en.korea.com

According to a March 20 report from the Oricon Chart, Japan’s biggest music chart, the commemorative album of the sound track of the animated version ofWinter Sonata has reached on the top of the daily album chart. It shows the album’s continuing popularity with Japanese fans.

The album contains such songs as “From the Beginning until Now” and “My Memory” from the animated version of Winter Sonata that aired on Japan Sky Perfect TV from October 2009 to May 2010.

Bae Yong Jun and Choi Ji Woo dubbed the lead roles in the animation, so it generated worldwide interest. 

In Korea, Winter Sonata, directed by Yoon Seok Ho, aired on KBS 2TV in 2002, and the next year, the drama was broadcast on NHK in Japan. It became a sensation, causing the names “Yonsama” and “Jiwoo hime” to become household words in Japan.

Addiction to Korean Pop and K-dramas...What started it all?

Let us rewind. 

I have written this piece before but on another page...my personal page. How did mslee1107 became a fan of Korean Pop and K-dramas? 

110605

addiction to Korean Pop and K-dramas

by mslee1107

Year 2002 made me a certified Korean-drama addict. It was Song Hye Kyo and Song Seung Hun of Autumn  in My Heart who made me fall in love with foreign movie aside English movie, of course.

I still remember back in high school when I used to watch holly wood films preferably over Tagalog films. It has nothing to do with being a snob, but more on I was impressed by the amazing stories and the beautiful actors from the USA. Since then I started collecting videos of my favourite movies.

One evening, this was 2002, while watching a local news from my only channel, GMA (smiles) I saw a teaser of a very beautiful drama with a beautiful actress, now I know as Song Hye Kyo or more known as Jenny/Jessie of Autumn in my Heart and Full House. From the short teaser, I knew that it would be a good series, and I was right.

Since then, I was hooked in K-dramas. But why do they appeal to my taste so much? Was it because I like their chinky eyes? Their beautiful complexion? Or was it their different culture and traditions that are being showcased in their dramas? Perhaps...all of these reasons. Not to add the amazing cinematography I have seen specially in Winter Sonata where Bae Yoong Joon and Choi Ji Woo were the lead actors.

It's where I watched  the villains are not that bad, that there exist civil conversations, polite talks between the main characters and the antagonist, which is way different from our local dramas. I find this theme more natural and true to life, because, in every human being, there is that good inside and evil doings are only done and conceive by those people who are really desperate and hate the world. This is not how we really are, even though we sometimes succumb to our weakness and get mad or get envious but never do we do evil acts, like what we saw in our everyday telenovela.

Another revelation for me are the songs being used as soundtracks of their dramas. Language is never a barrier for me to understand, appreciates and learn to love a song. And I must say, K-pop is really addicting. The melody and the rhythm are both awesome. Yes! It's what makes them different from some of our local artists who only knew how to revive an old song, how sad. The Korean music  is surely taking Asia and beyond with it's magic of beautiful compositions, original and new. It is not surprising they are active as ever in touring the regions, the neighboring countries just to promote their songs. What's more, the albums are selling real fast   to fans across Asia.

Recently, I purchased two albums of a band named SS501 (double-S-501 or Super Star five men together as one) where the famous Kim Hyun Joong of BOF is a member and called "leader" of the group. May I add that the albums are great, the packaging was nicely done and artistic. The price of course is a bit expensive, but it made up for the whole album. Now, I cherished them as my latest collections.

Just recently, a week to be precise I ordered through the internet another new album which is yet to be released, June 8th in Korea.   As I am blogging all about KHJ (Kim Hyun Joong) it is never a surprise if I became a fan. Hearing and watching the teaser of a track from the album @YT , I know my purchase is worth it.

Waiting for this to be in my hands...soon!:))

Anyway, this fixation I have over "all about Korean dramas and songs" led me to open a place to blog all about my K-favourites. And it is fun! I get to share my thoughts, update people who are also interested and it makes me happy just to talk about them. I think it is a nice way to get rid of all my stress:.))

If you are curious about what I am talking about, just try them. Korean drama or k-pop, whichever, and I guarantee, you will also be addicted just like me!


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these thoughts were written a year ago and this answers the questions usually asked by a friend or acquaitance.  because, really, they are wondering why I bother myself with this type of blog. 

and this is my challenge...like what I said above..just try them. no harm will come but maybe you'll find yourselves agreeing to what I am saying.


this is mslee1107...a certified K-addict!

[wink!]

Choi Ji Woo and Bae Yong Jun Meet Again

cre: CJ E&M enewsWorld Ko Hong Ju l Nate

source: soompi.com/CJWthread


Choi Ji Woo opened up on an accidental encounter with Bae Yong Jun on the December 26 broadcast of SBS’ Healing Camp. 

When asked what she does when she has free time, she said without hesitation, “I go to a nice café (where hot guys hang out) with friends.” 

It was a café where she saw Bae Yong Jun by chance. Choi recollected, “At the moment when my friend said ‘Doesn’t Bae Yong Jun usually come to this kind of place?’ somebody was passing in front of us, and that was Bae Yong Jun.” 

The reason that the episode attracted attention is the two were tied up in dating rumors in the past. Choi shared the episode without reserve, making viewers speculate they have been maintaining their friendship. 

Choi said “I was so surprised and happy to see him, I called him loudly, ‘Oppa(older brother/guy)’ and Bae Yong Jun was also surprised.” She continued, “We talked to each other for a while. I asked, ‘Do you come to this kind of place?’ and he answered, ‘It hasn′t been that long since I started to visit this place, but I do come.” 

Choi said, “When I go to a café, I always take a seat in a closed place even though I want to sit in an open place. But Bae Yong Jun sat by the window with his friend.” 

When asked how he looked, she said, “He didn’t wear sunglasses, but anyone could notice him at a glimpse. He looked so young and awesome.” 

Meanwhile, Choi also opened up about her difficulties in maintaining her mysterious image as an actress and candidly revealed how she debuted in the showbiz industry. 

Photo credit: SBS 

Lotte to Reward Offline Customers with Star-Studded Calendar

Credit: english.chosun.com

Shared by jyj3.net

Reposted from ss501chapter.wordpress.com

reposted from  더블에스오공일 (Double S 501) 

Lotte Duty Free will distribute its 2012 calendar, which features pictures of Korean Wave stars who model for the group, to customers on a first-come first-served basis, it announced on Tuesday.

Actors Hyun Bin, Jang Keun-suk, Song Seung-hun, Choi Ji-woo and Kim Sa-rang, and K-pop stars JYJ,Kim Hyun-joong, and Big Bang are among high-profile stars who appear in the calendar.

It is available in three languages — Korean, Chinese and Japanese — and will be given to customers who have made purchases worth over US$500 at any of Lotte Duty Free’s offline stores.

Choi Ji Woo, Bae Yong Joon holds onto ‘Hallyu royalty’ status in Japan

by yklx91  @allkpop

Although there have been a flood of new Hallyu talent, actors Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo still reigned supreme as Japan’s ‘Hallyu King and Queen’.

A Japanese magazine recently conducted a survey called ‘Hallyu ranking star‘, where Choi Ji Woo ranked #1 in the ‘Most Popular’ and ‘Most Known Name’ surveys.

In the ‘Most Known Name’ section, Choi Ji Woo was followed by actresses Yoon Son Ha (2nd), Kim Tae Hee (3rd), Lee Young Ae (4th), and finally, Yoon Eun Hye (5th).

As for the male celebrities in the ‘Most Known Name’ survey, Bae Yong Joon (or ‘Yon-sama’) held onto his crown. New blood Jang Geun Suk came in 3rd, but he shone as #1 in the ‘Most Popular’ survey.

The survey was conducted with 300 women between the ages of 15-59 from August to September.

Source + Image: Today Korea

Hallyu Drama "Winter Sonata" To Mark 10th Year Milestone with a Musical

by: hazelnutthursdays @soompi.com

Hallyu drama “Winter Sonata” celebrates its 10th year with a staging of a new musical adaptation.  The stage production of the popular drama that starred Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo is set to open in Seoulon September 27 and will run through March 18.

Yoon Suk Ho, director of the “Endless Love” series which includes “Winter Sonata” will likewise helm its musical adaptation.  Art direction is by Yoo Hee Sung of musicals “Mozart” and “Pimagol Love Song.” Musical score is by Oh Eun Hee, who worked on the productions “Jewel in the Crown” and “Singing in the Rain.”

The new production has yet to announce its cast.

Previously, the “Winter Sonata” musical had been staged in several cities in Japan, including Sapporo, Tokyo and Osaka in 2006.  It also completed a run in Busan and Seoul, from late 2010 to early 2011.

Through its run, the new "Winter Sonata" musical will celebrate its source drama's premiere, which was on January 14, 2002. The original 20-episode drama garnered a large following domestically and abroad, particularly in Japan, which catapulted Bae and Choi into Hallyu superstardom.  Apart from the stage, it was adapted into a 26-episode animated series that was broadcast in Japan.  The anime adaptation is notable for featuring 23 members of the original Korean cast providing the voices for the characters.

Meanwhile, director Yoon has just announced his next project, “Singing in the Rain,” set to air in 2012, withJang Geun Suk in the lead.  Choi has recently come back to TV, and is co-starring with Yoon Sang Hyun in the currently airing MBC drama “Can’t Lose.”  Bae is currently in Japan to appear in the concert with the
young idol stars of “Dream High,” which he co-produced.  

Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo to Make a Comeback

The two stars who started it all!

Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo were one of the two biggest stars of Hallyu, introducing Korean dramas to all over with their landmark classic drama Winter Sonata. They're the top dog, even if they may not have as prolific a filmography as some other Korean actors we know.

Now, the two of them have made announcements for their new comeback dramas. Choi is going to star in MBC's Can't Lose, which will air after the end of Heartstrings. Choi plays a lawyer who is in the midst of getting divorced. Wow – this reminds me terribly of I Am Legend, except in that drama, Kim Jung Eun ditched her lawyer husband (and her past paralegal-type career) for a music career. There's a lot of curiousity surrounding who will play her lawyer-husband, and the production team has announced that they will hire a Hallyu star. I wonder if it's Song Seung Hoon (My Princess). Though he's rumored to be in the drama Forget Me Not (a melodrama starring Su Ae of Athena), it's possible he could ditch that still. 

As for Bae Yong Joon, he last appeared in the drama Dream High, but it was only a cameo. He hasn't headlined a drama since The Legend, and had taken some time off to treat a ruptured disc in his neck after he sustained a few injuries shooting that historical drama. He's announced through his entertainment company KEYEAST that he is planning for a comeback early next year, and is currently looking at scripts.






sources: Asiae, Star News 


shared by Cecille @soompi.com/byjthread


Hmmm..it would have been great if these two stars will be in the same drama again. They got great chemistry across the screen. Hoping someday they will do a project together.

Can’t Live With Losing: Yoon Sang Hyun Cast as Choi Ji Woo’s Husband

by: jbarky @soompi.com/news

As we reported before on Soompi.com, Choi Ji Woo is returning to TV through MBC’s new drama “Can’t Live With Losing.” (This is a temporary title.) This new drama will come in for the time slot of MBC’s“Heartstrings,” and will be broadcast in August.

Now we have finally found out who will play as Choi Ji Woo’s husband, and it is none other than Yoon Sang Hyun.

This drama is about a lawyer couple’s divorce process and the light and warm episodes that occur in between. Choi Ji Woo’s role will be of the wife-lawyer who has strong ambitions, is bright, and also lovely. Her name in the drama is, “Eun Jae.”

Choi Ji Woo had said about the character after reading the script, “the character is so charming and lovely.”

Yoon Sang Hyun gained a lot of popularity through his character on “Secret Garden.” Recently he was picked as the Swiss Friends good will ambassador. Choi Ji Woo was recently on the “Female Actress Special” of “1 Night 2 Days.”

Source: Star News

Choi Ji Woo has been one of my favorite actress since I watched Winter Sonata where she played opposite Bae Yong Joon. I first saw Yoon Sang Hyun in My Fair Lady where he played a very light and playful lead man together with Yoon Eun Hye. I guess, I will be looking forward to this drama, after all it has been a long time since Choi Ji Woo acted again.