Kim Hyun Joong forced to skip “Playful Kiss” PR event in Taiwan

Kim Hyun Joong will not be able to attend his planned activities for Taiwan due to health issues from being overworked.

The singer/actor was to visit Taiwan for a “Playful Kiss” PR event on December 26th.

A representative of his agency spoke with TV Daily and further revealed, “Unfortunately, Kim Hyun Joong is not in good health lately, leading us to cancel his schedule in Taiwan. It seems like his body has not been able to keep up with his busy overseas schedules. Although the event wasn’t confirmed, he’s still very disappointed with the decision. Since good health is a priority, he will be resting for the time being. It is not anything serious, so fans need not worry.”

Taiwanese reporters released positive statements on the issue such as, “Kim Hyun Joong is feeling sorry for his Taiwanese fans that have waited for the event,” and “Kim Hyun Joong did not forget to take care of his fans by sending personally autographed photobooks.”

Source: TV Daily via Nate

Kim Hyun Joong to release solo album next year + interview

It isn’t a mere coincidence that Kim Hyun Joong has already played two animation character roles in a row.
The nickname ‘pretty boy’ has followed him since his debut five years ago with idol group SS501 and became only further engrained into fans’ minds after he made his acting debut through, “Boys Over Flowers.” Even with his casting for “Playful Kiss” this year, the nickname stuck by his side like glue.

A rich perfect man named Jihoo and the cranky prodigy Baek Seung Jo. Both characters were the ideal men of the female leads, but also prettier than them as well.

However, as an actor burning with desire to try other roles, such a strong one-sided image isn’t always positive, as Kim Hyun Joong states, “People look at me and just think that my image is a ‘pretty boy.’ Since I’m now a rookie actor, I think they just give me roles that fit that look. I’m sure I’ll be able to try other roles next time.”

Kim Hyun Joong is divided into two: an actor and SS501’s leader. He grew as an SS501 member and now stands as one of the greatest Hallyu stars, attending events such as the “2010 Guangzhou Asian Games” and others.

“It made me look back at myself since I attended the event representing Korea. It was an honorable experience. They told me that just one side of the stadium held 100,000 audience members. It was quite the experience.”

Another nickname that was recently added beside his name was, “The 2nd Bae Yong Joon.” The star was personally scouted by top Hallyu star ‘Yonsama’ into Kaist Entertainment and seems used to the nickname now.

“They say that I resemble him in my smiles and in the way I manage myself. I must resemble him in some ways for them to say that, I suppose. I honestly don’t know. Whenever I meet hyung, we talk comfortably about acting and living… We’re not able to meet often because he’s busy.”

When asked about his thoughts on being the first leading role for a drama, he didn’t seem too disappointed about the lag in viewer ratings and believed it to be a personal advancement for himself. “It was harder than ‘Boys Over Flowers’ since I had to lead the entire drama on my own. There is a bit of disappointment but I want to grow and work harder in my next project.”

When asked to choose his favorite actors, he chose Yoo Hae Jin and Oh Dal Su.  The two are famous for being the supporting actors in various films. “I’m definitely thankful in being able to play the lead roles twice in a row, but I think that supporting roles are great as well. If I like it enough, I won’t care about the importance of the role.”

But just because he began walking down the path of an actor doesn’t mean he’s giving up his dreams as a singer. He is actually preparing for his comeback with his first solo album due for release in the first half of next year.

“I can’t give up being a singer, which is why I’m preparing a solo album. I’ll be releasing one by the middle of next year and I’ve currently received about 200 different songs. Out of the 200, I chose about 5. You can check what kind of album it is when it comes out.”

Despite going through a rigorous schedule, he calmly states, “I’m happier than I am tired. I’m able to do the things I love. I’m no longer just following what others say, I’m actually planning my future and accomplishing things. I like planning, I’m always planning.”

When asked if he wasn’t granted the same freedom before, he replied, “It’s different from now. Back then, I had to do the things I was asked to since we were a group. Being in a group and being on your own is different.”

He continued, “I still keep in contact with SS501. They’re all busy so we’re not able to meet often but we haven’t disbanded. We can be together whenever we want. Actually, I’m not sure who started the rumor that SS501 will be releasing a group album next year. Even if we do, I want my solo album to be released first (laughter).”

When asked about his dreams, he hesitated before answering, “As a singer, my dream is to open a large-scale free concert and invite all of my fans. I have to do it some day.. As for my acting dreams, I want to be an actor that people anticipate the future of.”

What about his personal dreams? “I want to meet aliens and travel to outer space. If an alien came up to me right now and asked me to leave with him, I’d leave without any hesitations. Even if they wanted to do a live-body experiment on me, I will go with him.” He plans to travel into space one day no matter what. Having already traveled to the North Pole, he is hoping to visit the South Pole next as well.

The interview was concluded with one final question: If he had to choose between Baek Seung Jo and Jihoo, who would he choose?

“Definitely Jihoo. Seung Jo is smart, but he’s poor. If I was Jihoo, I’d be rich enough to travel to outer space.”

Source: Star News
Credit: Allkpop

Idol-Actor Report Card from the experts

 Experts on Idol-Actor Report Cards “Lee Seung Gi – Mickey Yoochun, 1 and 2″

As it is difficult to find a drama these days that does not have an idol star in it, idol power is coming on strong on tv.  Trendy genres targeting teens is a given, but weekly dramas and even daily dramas, “acting idols” are increasingly showing their range and scope. For the few box office hit idol stars, they are handling continuous drama offers.  However, there are also situations in which idol stars are unskilled in their acting ability.  If that’s the case, what do the people on the front lines in the entertainment industry think about these idol stars?
Sports Seoul asked drama CPs from the 3 broadcast channels and representatives from the film industry and experts to rate idol stars in the categories of acting ability, box office hit, and growth potential, assigning a maximum of 5 points for each.  Among the active 11 idol stars who are either currently or were recently acting in a drama, Lee Seung Gi (23) and Mickey Yoochun (24) received the highest marks.  Among the female idol-actors, Nam Gyu Ri (25) received the highest marks.

 

Lee Seung Gi, Mickey Yoochun – Acting ability. Box office hit. Growth potential. Ranked 1 and 2.

SBS My Girlfriend is a Gumiho’s Lee Seung Gi received the highest points in each of the categories. He ranks in at number 1. Lee Seung Gi’s acting ability was the category the experts pointed out the most. Averaging 4.2 points in this category, 2 of the experts rated him at the maximum 5.0 points. Currently debuting in KBS Sungkyunkwan Scandal and also having his eyes set on films, Mickey Yoochun received high marks with a 4.0 average in acting ability.  Also, SBS You’re Beautiful’s Lee Hong Ki and SBS’s Oh My Lady’s Choi Si Won received favorable marks with 3.4 and 3.2 averages respectively.  Among the female idol-actors, SBS’s Life is Beautiful’s Nam Gyu Ri was rated at a 3.4 in acting ability.

KBS Moon Bo Hyun CP said “I have more affection for Mickey Yoonchun because he is not your typical flowerboy. Even though he is still young and still lacking in his acting, he knows how to implement his acting plan and shows charisma as an actor.”

 

Kim Hyun Joong, Ji Yeon – Box office hit yet low in growth potential.

In the areas of box office hit and growth potential, there was a mixed reception. Usually stars receive more favorable marks in growth potential compared to the box office hit category, however the cases for Kim Hyun Joong (24) and Ji Yeon (17) were reversed.  Having recently participated in MBC’s Playful Kiss, even though Kim Hyun Joong received an average 4 points in the box office hit area and ranked 3rd in this category behind Lee Seung Gi and Mickey Yoochun, his 3.4 points in growth potential category was lower than Choi Si Won and Nam Gyu Ri. Among the female idols, Ji Yeon received the highest average (e points) in the box office hit area but received an average 2.7 points in growth potential.

In regards to active idol female stars, SBS Choi Moon Suk CP said, “It may be different for supporting roles, but I don’t think there really is anyone that has potential as a lead actress yet. Performing on a music stage and having a pretty appearance is completely different from displaying good acting.”

When did Lee Seung Gi become an idol?!  Can you even be an idol as a soloist?  No offense, but wish some of the press would stop lumping SeungGi in this category just because they feel like it.  Yes, he is an actor and he is a singer; an idol he is not.  Or at least I don’t think he is! Anyway, I still liked this article because the ranking wasn’t some random online survey or poll where fans just vote multiple times!  The report card is based on input from drama CPs, film representatives, and other industry experts; and Seunggi is #1 (again!).  Read the entire article…

Source:  Sports Seoul via Nate
English translation:  LSGfan.wordpress.com
Please do not copy/paste articles on other websites without clear and proper indication of “LSGfan.wordpress.com English translation” credit. And please do not use any aspect of LSGfan’s translations as your own without credit. Thanks. 

Mischievous Kiss Special edition on Mid November

MBC drama [Playful Kiss] that will be ending in the upcoming 21st will be meeting with fans again with its first ever attempt at an online spin-off special edition.

[Playful Kiss] production company Group Eight will be dwelving into the shooting for the special edition simultaneously as [Playful Kiss] will end its TV broadcast in the upcoming 21st October, and is expected to be shown through Youtube in the middle of November.

All through this while, dramas like [War of Money] and a few others had been attempting special spin-off editions that were broadcasted through cable TV, though so, it will be the first case for special editions to be broadcasted through the internet like this.

Group Eight’s related personnel has said, “After our last signing on of partnership agreement for this time’s collaboration in last September, our first step forward will be to release a special online edition through Youtube. Even the opening of a Youtube account is the first ever attempt”.

This special edition that will have a total of 9 episodes will consist of approximately 10 minutes per episode and will portray the after marriage life — after the TV drama ends — of male and female protagonists Baek Seung-jo (Kim Hyun-joong) and Oh Ha-ni (Jung So-min).

Group Eight personnel adds, “We will not stray too far off from the original and Taiwan version, yet we will still emphasize on the unique traits that only our Korea version could possess”.

On the other hand, [Playful Kiss] will be pulling in its curtains with its total 16 episodes this coming 21st (October).

Credit: http://www.cbs.co.kr/nocut/show.asp?idx=1608476 + (English translation) Ode

Playful Kiss on Youtube has a November Airdate!

The Korean Drama 'Playful Kiss' has already opened its youtube channel to the world. Now, viewers can submit story ideas along with recruiting subbers for the show in different languages.

Korean TV Srama "Playful Kiss", which starts popular singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong, will be turned into an online drama which will show on Youtube starting this November.

A press conference was held recently at Google Korea's headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday, announcing that the TV show's producer Group 8 and YouTube owner Google have agreed to create a YouTube version of the series originally based on Japanese comic "Itazura na Kiss."

The two parties explained that it will consist of seven ten-minute long episodes, with the same cast and director from the TV show but with new or additional details, will be newly shot and distributed through the exclusive channel on YouTube, allowing viewers from across the world to watch the drama.

"This is an innovative attempt through which a domestic drama broadcast on a public network will newly be produced into an online version, and it has significance in that it will diversify the channel through which video contents are distributed," Group 8 CEO Song Byung-joon remarked.

Earlier this month, the channel for the drama opened. Now, viewers will be able to submit entries for story idea and also help in recuiting subbers for the show so it can be translated in various languages for the drama's worldwide audience.

Directed by Hwang In-roi of "Goong" (MBC, 2006) and "The Return of the Iljimage" (MBC, 2009) fame, Kim and actress Jung So-min star in the drama since it started to air a month back on MBC.

Kim plays the role of Baek Sung-jo, the all-around Mr. Perfect-type character who ends up falling in love with a girl always getting into trouble, taken on by Jung.

While the original Japanese manga has sold over 27 million copies in Japan, "Itazura na Kiss" was made into an anime in Japan and became a top-rated TV Drama in Taiwan. "Playful Kiss" has been sold to 12 countries across the world before its premiere.

Original source: http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=en...
credits: www.gokpop.com

Playful Kiss to release special edition videos at official youtube channel

MBC drama "Playful Kiss" announced on the 11th of October that they will be launching a special edition videos on their official youtube channel.

They have launched their official youtube channel and have posted OST video's and ans behind the scenes and making of videos.

MBC are targeting the global audience and the channel will be catering to the international fan's with Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish channels.

A special edition of the drama will be premiered at the youtube channel. Group Eight the production company said, "Youtube targets the international and domestic market. We will be presenting a special edition of Playful kiss through youtube that will be available worldwide".

It has come to their notice that a lot of international fans depend on youtube for their favorite drama's. Through this project, the fans will be able to participate and watch the drama's wherever they are in the world.

Source: Economic News
Credits: blueprincess824 @ Dkpopnews.net

SISTAR’s Soyu sings for ‘Playful Kiss’ OST

Following G.NA and Kim Hyun Joong, the next artist to sing for the OST (soundtrack) of MBC’s drama “Playful Kiss” is none other than SISTAR’s Soyu!
The track is titled “Should I Confess” (사랑한 다 말할까), and it was recently released through online music portal sites.
As you will hear from listening below, the track showcases Soyu’s smoothing powerful vocals that could not be heard quite often during her promotions with the members of SISTAR. This is also her first solo-track she has ever released, so check it out below!