Ajumma's Journal: Korean entertainment

Showing posts with label Korean entertainment. Show all posts

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Top Ten Concert Posters for 2010

Here are my favourite 2010 concert posters from Korea in no particular order:

1. Tables are turned as Wheesung appears here as 13 members of the audience; the singer could give lessons in posing to contestants on America's Next Top Model.

2. Nice touch to this poster featuring music by Jeong-yeop, singer-songwriter and leader of Brown-Eyed Soul but why can’t they remember to add the ‘s’ to the plural noun? Shouldn’t the word read “humans”?

3. The playful arrangement of the Hangul letters even suggests an abstract depiction of a child’s playground in this poster for the “Play With Us” concert, featuring Kim Gwang-min, Lee Byung-woo and Yoon-sang. Check out their haunting "Lullaby" from the OST for "A Tale of Two Sisters".

4. This colourful poster for Kingston Rudieska stands out for its imaginative portrayal of music as an organic thing.

5. Liked the energy conveyed by the splash of orange as background to the singer bathed in red light. Lee Seung-hwan , the former husband of actress, Chae Rim, has been in the music industry for 21 years and recorded 10 albums. How’s that for staying power?

6. This profile of Lee Sora reminds me of one of those Buddhist or Kwan Yin statues I must have seen in a museum in

Korea

. More intensity than serenity, though, with the slight furrow in the eyebrows.

7. Half expected Johnny Depp’s face in weird makeup to appear under that top hat but what’s more intriguing is the missing vocalist behind the mic. Where's Park Hyo-shin?

8. Three cheers for these two guys, Kim Jang-hoon, a.k.a Donation Angel and Psy, who aren’t afraid to ham it up in front of the camera.

9. Featured this poster of former g.o.d. member, Sohn Ho-young before so please excuse my bias for posting this pic again. Need I explain why?

10. Lucid Fall has enjoyed great success at home but has yet to make an impact abroad in other Asian countries. The hand-sketched outlines here of a traditional streetlamp, the artiste and his guitar case as well as the minimal colours are charming in their simplicity. Understated classiness seems to be the hallmark of his music and that’s reflected as well in his album covers. Click here for an earlier posting.

Sources:

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/entertainment/enter_concert_detail.htm?No=2611

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Who's the Real Underdog in Superstar K ?

John Park vs Hur Gak
A Korean-American vs A homeboy
A student from a privileged school vs a TV repairman
A member of the American Idol alumni vs A high school dropout who had to support his family
According to the JoongAng Daily, "Huh’s win was based on a compilation of the judges’ evaluation, real-time votes through text messages and online votes prior to the broadcast. Three superstar judges - singers Lee Seung-chul, Yoon Jong-shin and Eom Jeong-hwa - participated in the event."

Who was really the underdog in the second season of "Superstar K" on Mnet?
sources:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2927505

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Poster Patriotism For Reign of Assassins

There's no doubt that Datuk Michelle Yeoh is the main character in the new John Woo movie, Reign of Assassins. At least, that's the way the posters in Malaysian cinemas are telling the story for Malaysian audiences.

But if one attended a screening of the same movie in a cinema in South Korea, one might be forgiven for assuming that Jeong Woo-sung is the protagonist instead. Michelle Yeoh simply looks like one of two female sidekicks in this Korean poster. ( The one on the left is Barbie Hsu from Taiwan).

Anyway, those in movie marketing figure they gotta do whatever it takes to sell tickets, right? Let's just hope the screen chemistry between the two leads ( sorry, that doesn't include you, Miss Hsu) is convincing despite the age gap. Am looking forward to seeing Ms Yeoh kick ass again even though it may be Mr Jeong's. Since her great performance opposite Chow Yun-Fatt in Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, haven't really seen her in any meaty role.

sources:
http://komuniti.malaysiakini.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Poster-.jpg

http://www.hancinema.net/jeong-woo-seong-pic-reign-of-assassins-korea-release-confirmed-22548.html
http://www.dramabeans.com/2010/09/jung-woo-sung-in-reign-of-assassins/
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/10/141_74320.html

Monday, October 11, 2010

Lovely Whale Song (But Not the Marine Variety)

Whale – Whale Song

Working on yesterday's post has put me in the mood for more music from Whale ( with and without W i.e. the trio of band members who actually call themselves Where The Story Ends). Whale's real name is Park Eun-kyung but it can be confusing because there's another person, a sexy racing queen with the same name. Our Park Eun-kyung, who is as cute as a button, perhaps to avoid confusion, has taken on the stagename "Whale". The reason for that choice eludes me. Funny as well that she has Dolphin as her nickname.

Well, what's in a name? The important thing is this girl CAN SING! She can play the guitar as well as compose lovely ballads such as this one here. BTW, it's not a paen to the largest of sea mammals; instead it seems to be autobiographical. In the second video clip, it really sounds like she's sharing her life story in a performance just for you at home. Love the simplicity, the sense of intimacy and the laid-back quality. Enjoy. ( But if you want something more uptempo, click here for RPG Shine.)

WHALE SONG

어린 날, 포근한 엄마의 멜로디 Eo-rin nal, po-geun-han eo-ma-eui mel-lo-di
언제나 품속에 담아두고 싶어.Eon-je-na pum-sok-e dam-a-du-go ship-eo.
까맣게 깊은 밤, 하얗게 피어있는 Gga-mah-ge gip-eun bam, ha-yah-ge pi-eo-itt-neun
별에게 얘기했지 수없이 많은 바램. Byeol-e-ge ye-gi-haett-ji su-eobs-i manh-eun ba-raem

in the young days, mum’s soft melody
always wanted to lay at her chest
deep black night, blooming white,
the stars, told them, my countless wishes
언제나 꿈꾸는 길에 서있는 내가 좋아.Eon-je-na ggum-ggu-neun gil-e seo-itt-neun nae-ga joh-a.
바보 같아 보여도 웃는 모습 참 좋아.Ba-bo gat-a bo-yeo-do ut-neun mo-seub cham joh-a
상처받고 여린 마음이지만 용서하고 사랑만 하고 싶어.Sang-cheo-bad-go yeo-rin ma-eum-i-ji-man yong-seo-ha-go sa-rang-man ha-go ship-eo

I like to always dream, staying on the street
even when I look like an idiot, I like the laughing me
my heart is weak and gets hurt, but I just want to forgive and love
Radiohead의 음악을 느끼며 Radiohead eui eum-ag-eul neu-ggi-myeo
이슬이 스며든 런던을 꿈꾸지.I-seul-i seu-myeo-deun leon-deon-eul ggum-ggu-ji.
기타를 튕기는 내 손이 너무 좋아.Gi-ta-reul twing-gi-neun nae son-i neo-mu joh-a.
굳은 살 투성이지, 나는 Rock and Roll Star. Gud-eun sal tu-seong-i-ji, na neun Rock and Roll Star

feeling the music of Radiohead
dreaming of London with sinking dewdrops
I like my hand a lot that rebounds from the guitar
it’s full of hardened skin, I am a Rock& Roll Star

언제나 꿈꾸는 길에 서있는 내가 좋아.Eon-je-na ggum-ggu-neun gil-e seo-itt-neun nae-ga joh-a.
바보 같아 보여도 웃는 모습 참 좋아.Ba-bo gat-a bo-yeo-do ut-neun mo-seub cham joh-a
상처받고 여린 마음이지만 용서하고 사랑만 하고 싶어.Sang-cheo-bad-go yeo-rin ma-eum-i-ji-man yong-seo-ha-go sa-rang-man ha-go ship-eo

I like to always dream, staying on the street

even when I look like an idiot, I like the laughing me
my heart is weak and gets hurt, but I just want to forgive and love

어쩌면 다시 흘러간 시간 속에서 힘이 드는지도 Eo-jjeo-myeon da-shi heul-reo-gan shi-gan sok-e-seo him-i deul-neun-ji-do
이제는 내게 감미로운 멜로디 그 속에 힘을 싣고I-je-neun nae-ge gam-mi-ro-un mel-lo-di geu sok-e him-eul sid-go

maybe in the time that flew away again, I am putting my strength
now, for me a sweet melody, getting strength in it

언제나 꿈꾸는 길에 서있는 내가 좋아.Eon-je-na ggum-ggu-neun gil-e seo-itt-neun nae-ga joh-a.
바보 같아 보여도 웃는 모습 참 좋아.Ba-bo gat-a bo-yeo-do ut-neun mo-seub cham joh-a
상처받고 여린 마음이지만 용서하고 사랑만 하고 싶어.Sang-cheo-bad-go yeo-rin ma-eum-i-ji-man yong-seo-ha-go sa-rang-man ha-go ship-eo

I like to always dream, staying on the street
even when I look like an idiot, I like the laughing me
my heart is weak and gets hurt, but I just want to forgive and love

translated by wassereis.livejournal.com + lyrical movement
Hangeul lyrics: cyworld

source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F3XUC0V7i4&feature=related
http://princessoftea.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/w-whale-whale-song-lyrics-hangeul-romanization-translation/
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/entertainment/enter_artists_detail.htm?No=104279
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/entertainment/enter_artists_detail.htm?No=103770
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/entertainment/enter_artists_detail.htm?No=104441
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4QZVmKLt50&feature=related

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

What IS the Rocket Punch Generation? - W & Whale's RPG Shine

For some inexplicable reason, the song by indie group, W and Whale entitled RPG Shine keeps running through my mind lately.

Here's a snipper of info from a website:

W and Whale (korean: 더블유앤웨일) is a collaboration between W (Where The Story Ends) and female vocalist Whale (웨일).They released their full-length project album on September 24, 2008, entitled “Hardboiled”, making some head way with the title track “R.P.G Shine”. They’re a new alternative/indie movement, and their styles include indie, alternative-pop, rock, jazz and even disco.

Haven't been able to find a translation for the lyrics below but the part that bugs me most is the reference to Rocket Punch Generation. Maybe my age is showing or the rock that I'm under is even bigger than I'd thought so can somebody please put me out of my misery and tell me what that phrase refers to?? I can only infer that Rocket Punch has something to do with Japanese anime and so can only conclude that this ajumma is definitely not part of the RPG!

건조한 눈빛, 쓰디 쓴 그대의 혀

항상 말만 앞서고 행동하진 못해.

나는 좀처럼 스스로 판단할 수 없어

필요한 건 Rocket punch.

때론 나대신 싸워주는 로봇

그건 말도 안 되는 만화 속 이야기

너의 어깨가 부셔져라 부딪혀야 해.

1 & 2 & 3 & 4걱정하는 것을 걱정하지 마.

Rocket Punch Generation지루하게 선명하기보다는 흐릿해도 흥미롭게

You have to cha, cha, cha, change yourself.

대체 왜 그래 뭐가 부끄럽다고

딱딱해지는 몸짓 빨개지는 얼굴

삶은 언제나 그렇듯 오르막 내리막

Tricky, Freaky, Break it my heart.누가 뭐래도 무거운 신념 하나

너의 가슴 속 깊이 못을 밖아 두고

결국 뱃머리 돌리는 건 바로 나 캡틴 Whale

5 & 6 & 7 & 8 걱정하는 것을 걱정하지 마.

Rocket Punch Generation 지루하게 선명하기보다는 흐릿해도 흥미롭게

You have to cha, cha, cha, change yourself.Oh~! Love me & love you이보다 더 좋을 순 없으니

Hold me & I`ll hold you또 이보다 더 나빠진다 해도 우리.

이미 지난 일은 후회하지 마.

Rocket Punch Generation. 불안할 것 없어 다가올 일도 중요한 건 바로 지금

I have to cha, cha, cha, change my, You have to cha, cha, cha, change your, We have to cha, cha, cha, change ourselves.

걱정하는 것을 걱정하지 마.

Rocket Punch Generation지루하게 선명하기보다는 흐릿해도 흥미롭게

You have to cha, cha, cha, change yourself

sources: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juA0Hw5EgaA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N4bQhNuehw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y2uqJm4Kcg

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Morning Call by Ibadi

Horan of Clazziquai fame has such an enviably effortless style. Whenever my nerves feel frayed, I turn to Ibadi's music. The best kind of soothing balm for the spirit.

Check out Secret Waltz also by Ibadi.

source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLPTIqQSDrQ&feature=related

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Houses in Korea I Fell In Love With, Part 1

Been watching the TV drama Personal Taste with Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-ho. Their characters live in a hanok-style house which is a real beauty. Alas, the reality is the house known as "Sanggojae" meaning “A place for mutual love” in the drama is actually made up of two locations. The exterior scenes were shot outside No 31 Beon-ji, Gahoe-dong, in the Bukchon Hanok Village while the indoor scenes were filmed in a set located in Yangju MBC Culture Valley.

So I am keeping my fingers crossed that the same isn't true of my first love which was and still is the beach house featured in Il Mare , a 2000 production directed by Lee Hyeon-Seung. The romance featured Lee Jeong-Jae and Jeon Ji-Hyeon, two very attractive leads but really the house was the thing that had me hooked. The setting was sublime, the profile of the house was unassuming, even austere and it conveyed a sense of intimacy amid an stark and exposed landscape. Admittedly it's not a house for a family, let alone a couple; it strikes me as a home for a solitary soul who enjoys the solitude.

The Il Mare house was small; read: not many rooms to clean unlike the overwrought mansion featured in Full House, the 2004 KBS drama with Song Hye-gyo and Rain. ( More on the Full House house below.)

The interior and exterior facade were simple, exuding a Zen-like atmosphere and the cabin was projected out into the open sea - idyllic, provided it's never in the path of any typhoon such as the Kompasu Typhoon which has just hit parts of Korea.

What's been frustrating is that I've not been able to find out if this house really exists or was simply a temporary structure just put up for the shooting of this drama. All I've been able to dig up so far is that scenes of the movie were shot in Ganghwa Island's Sukmodo, and Jeju Island's U-do. If any kind and knowledgeable soul out there has the answer and links, could you please share the location of the house with me?

More about the house used in the 2004 KBS drama, Full House, starring Song Hye-gyo and Rain, taken from the KNTO website:

It was " filmed in the Gwangyeok-si area of Incheon. Located near Incheon International Airport, the place may be reached in a ten-minute boat ride from Sammok Harbor to this quiet, seashore getaway.

Unlike other filming locations in Korea, this is an actual house. Made mostly of wood, this house, which is a private-owned vacation house, cost approximately the equivalent of one million USD to be built. The beach front property looks out onto open waters, with elegant views that could be used on any postcard. Many fans of the miniseries make a pilgrimage to this now famous home. Nearby sightseeing locations include Jogak (sculpture) Park on Modo Island; a bridge connects these two islands."

sources:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/content/cms_view_301253.jsp?gotoPage=1&genre=7320

http://leeminho.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/on-the-set-of-mbc-tv-series-personal-taste/
http://seoulgirl015.wordpress.com/2010/08/06/going-to-sanggojae/
http://english.seoul.go.kr/cav/ena/hallyu_view.php?pidx=2&idx=10177
http://www.trendir.com/house-design/korea-modern-architecture-pixel-house.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_House_(2004_TV_series)
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/CU/CU_EN_8_5_1_5.jsp
http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-436046/k-movie-il-mare/
http://www.cgpinoy.org/architectural-f3/il-mare-series-stills-and-sample-clips-t9982-60.htm?change_temp=
http://www.cuteworld.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Personal-Taste-Ep-02-22.jpg
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/CU/CU_EN_8_5_1_67.jsp

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