Ryu Si-won's New Roles As Real-life Husband and Dad

Here's another Hallyuwood wedding and celebrity baby to look forward to.

RSW with his co-star, Jang Nara in the drama series, Wedding above. RSW on his real marriage and fiancee ( a dance major, nine years his junior) : " I’m approaching the end of my 30’s, and it’s a new opportunity to show change. I will try harder than I have done in the past and show you all an improved image…the 26th is my wedding with my girlfriend, who is a normal citizen.. I've always said my ideal type is a feminine woman. My fiancée is very close to my ideal type as she has a calm personality and fair skin. I often wondered if a moment like this would ever come to me, but it has come, and I am truly happy."

In addition to the many roles he has played in reel life, Ryu Si-won is about to take on the dual real-life roles as husband and father-to-be on the 26th October. After reading the news about his impending marriage, I was surprised to find out what a busy bee he has been over the years since I first saw him upstaged by Lee Byung-hyun in “Beautiful Days” which also starred Choi Ji-woo.

Here’s a quick run-down of what he’s been up to:

 Actor in TV drama series – most recently he appeared in “Style” with Lee Yong-woo and Kim Hye-soo

RSW on his return to the small screen through Style : ``I have been busy working in Japan. I think it's been five years since my last drama, and I'm as worried and nervous as ever. I feel like I'm starting all over again,''
 MC for a music chart show

 Singer of romantic ballads –“Change” was his first album in 1995

 Producer of his own promotional photos and helped to produce Ko Soo’s first photo diary “ 24 Hours With Ko Soo”

 Holder of an international car racing license, Ryu is coach and racer for a professional car racing team which he founded.

RSW and his protege: "This year being the sixteenth anniversary of my debut, I wanted to repay the love I received from fans by training younger artists who have talent and passion. I will do everything to support talented young artists so they can earn recognition overseas, not to mention Korea.”


 Record producer with female singer, Rottyful Sky, (Kim Hanul) under his wing

 Tourism ambassador and active promoter for KNTO; he also has a hand in developing special tour packages – Formula I World Grand Prix in Yeongam and another tour to celebrate his birthday with his fans

 Soon to be host of an upcoming MBC entertainment show in November
He’s also known as the 14th generation descendant of Yu Seong-ryeong, who was a prime minister in the Joseon Dynasty. His family home, Damyunjae in Hahoe Village in Andong has also attracted many curious visitors on account of his popularity as a Hallyu star who has been in the business for almost twenty years.

His smile has been described as comforting “like the scent of coffee” while his droopy eyes, boy-next-door charm and rolled-up jacket sleeves as his casual signature style have won him many fans particularly in Japan so it’s no surprise he’s been dubbed the “Hallyu Crown Prince”.

At the same time, however, he may not be able to shake off entirely his other nickname, “Ryucifer” given to him following an accident when he unintentionally ran down a pedestrian while driving his Le Mans at night and managed to avoid any police charges with an out-of-court settlement with the family of the victim.

 
RSW on Impending Fatherhood: "I will become the father of a baby in spring… There is no one else in the world who is happier to hear the [baby] news than a father. Everyone, please be good to your family and protect them. You can do that right?”

For KBS commentary on the new trend ( baby first, marriage next) in Hallyuwood, click here.

sources:
http://tiffanykimchiland.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html
http://koreanupdates.com/2010/07/21/blog-news-ryu-si-won-says-got-good-vibe-about-young-rottyful-sky/
http://www.lautanindonesia.com/forum/index.php?topic=12001.0
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/07/2010100700455.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryu_Shi-won
http://popseoul.com/2010/10/06/ryu-si-won-is-getting-married/
http://www.allkpop.com/2010/10/hallyu-star-ryu-si-won-to-get-married-and-become-a-father-next-spring
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2921593
http://www.korean-drama-guide.com/RyuSi-won-kicksoff-producer-career-Rottyful-Sky.html
http://www.chuyenhot.com/anh-cap-3-cua-cac-nam-ngoi-sao-han-851.htm
http://www.showwallpaper.com/view.php?topic=2972&page=3
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/entertainment/enter_artists_detail.htm?No=103815
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/09/201_48799.html

Andre Kim's Lessons On Personal Branding

Call him  weird-looking, eccentric or that odd man obsessed with "white spacesuits" or as Le Figaro put it, "the magician from fairyland"; call his clothes over-the top flights of fantasy or  romantic expressions of the Korean aesthetic- however you choose to label the late Andre Kim and his creations, there's one thing you gotta give the man.

R.I.P. Andre Kim ( 12th August, 2010)

He knew how to brand himself. He cut an indelible, if somewhat ridiculous figure,  on the runway with his mascara-lined scalp and white clothes; apparently Korean comedians love to mimic his dramatic flourishes and he knew how to leverage on his social network.



There's not much info on his own "rags to riches" story or in his case, how he rose from obscurity and  transformed himself from Kim Bong Nam, son of a farmer to become Andre Kim, Korea's first male designer.

Andre Kim in the 1960s - before he redesigned his own image.

His brand name soon became associated with " luxury and romanticism" and he was the first designer to have a fashion show in front of the pyramids of Egypt and the man who turned down Michael Jackson's invitation to be his personal designer.  ( For a list of other 'firsts' and feathers in his cap, click here)



He was open to the suggestion of a diplomat from the French Embassy to adopt  an “easy foreign name” as the first step towards becoming a world-class designer. He seemed to have done a fair bit of networking with the expat community and the diplomatic corps, learning more about the world through his contacts as well as taking the opportunity to share with foreigners his pride in his own culture.

For Hallyuwood stars, like Choi Ji-woo and Lee Young-ae, invitations to appear in his fashion shows became a yardstick of their own popularity. His commercial savvy prompted him to let his name be linked to other products like Samsung washing machines, Hankook Chinaware and wallpaper. It would be interesting to know how well his company has been doing actually, in terms of domestic and international sales,  who his main customers are and more importantly, what direction his company will take after his demise.



Here's what Andre Kim once said in an interview with the Chosun Ilbo:

" During the Japanese colonization and right after the Korean War, my village in the countryside was very poor. Yet a new bride wore new clothes for a year. Though it was economically difficult, people were always clean, neat and beautiful. The kitchen was gleaming, and my mother always wiped the floor clean. When I see today's well-off people with their dirty houses, I get really annoyed. Even when we were poor, our food, clothes, and houses were clean and aesthetic. We are people with a high taste for culture."


I very much doubt I'll ever wear any of his creations but here's what I will remember the man for:

• his incredible work ethic - did you know he taught himself English and took pride in his ability to use Queen's English? He woke up at 5:30 a.m. every day and read 17 newspapers to keep himself updated and in touch with events.
• He personally made Christmas trees and had them delivered in style to his  friends. That puts me to shame when I'm so bad at even sending out Christmas cards.

sources:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hEawusZ9yZM_kQZS8okDk6odMkrA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Kim
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/08/113_71362.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VydypYHRtRE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZanqu27kWI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlk2SRcoqvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAHV6VzOj4M&feature=related
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/08/113_71362.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/08/13/2010081300532.html
http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?sec=8&id=4459
http://en.akihabaranews.com/9568/misc/samsung-does-tuning-for-washing-machines
http://www.korea4expats.com/news-Andre-Kim.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/07/13/2007071361019.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/11/20/2009112000316.html

"They're ACTRESSES...they CANNOT wait!"

“You gotta understand…they’re actresses – they cannot wait!” ( line from The Actresses)

At the press conference: All that bitchiness was just for the camera. We're really good friends!

 

Can’t wait to see this one. Am even more eager to watch this than Rain's Ninja Assassins. Director Lee Jae-yong ( Untold Scandal) has brought together a fascinating ensemble of Korean actresses for a real vs reel ( or is it real in reel ?) movie. The movie poster promises ingredients which make for delicious entertainment: scandal, pride, fame, jealousy, mystery and complex.

GIRL POWER: clockwise from top left: Yoon Yeo-jeong, Lee Mi-sook,
Go Hyeon-jeong, Kim Ok-bin, Kim Min-hee and Choi Ji-woo.

Six actresses playing “themselves” are brought together for a photography session for VOGUE on Christmas Eve. Watch sparks fly as rivalries, insecurities and big-time egos get in the way of the shoot. We can look forward to tensions between the junior and senior actresses, between the used to be famous versus more recently popular stars – all revealing a pecking order of sorts. One hopes there’s chemistry between the six leading ladies here: Yoon Yeo-jeong (Worlds Within), Lee Mi-sook ( Untold Scandal), Kim Min-hee ( Asako In Ruby Shoes) , Go Hyeon-jeong ( Queen Seon-deok ), Choi Ji-Woo ( Winter Sonata), and Kim Ok-bin ( Thirst). 

( Interesting footnote and discovery:  Yoon Yeo-jeong's thumbnail sketch isn't on the KNTO webpage dedicated to Hallyu actresses- now is this an honest oversight or an example of ageism?!!)

Why does Lee Jae-yong ( director for Untold Scandal, the remake of Dangerous Liaisons, starring Jeon Do-yeon and Bae Yong-joon) suddenly remind me of the late, great director, Robert Altman ( of M*A* S* H, The Player, Short Cuts & Gosford Park fame)? Perhaps it’s the ensemble cast, perhaps it’s the unscripted plot which calls for a lot of improvisational work and even more trust in the director. Maybe this comparison isn’t justified and maybe it’s not even fair to Mr. Lee Jae-yong. Either way, I hope I won’t be disappointed.

To whet your appetitie, here's the trailer. Movie's expected to be released on 10 Dec.

Source:

http://www.hancinema.net/korean_movie_Actresses.php#news20363

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/11/141_55644.html

http://www.dramabeans.com/2009/11/movie-actresses-blurs-line-between-fact-and-fiction/

http://www.hancinema.net/video.php?table=film&id=21230

http://wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?igi=403874&nbc1=1