Lee Byung Heon or Lee Byung Hun Pitches For California

Is this the first time a Korean has been invited to help promote tourism of another country? Lee Byung-hun ( or is it Lee Byung-heon? Can never get the name right!) may claim this honour as he was appointed the official tourism ambassador for the State of California on the 15th of September. The Governor of California a.k.a. The Terminator a.k.a. Arnold Schwarzenegger was on hand at the JW Marriott Hotel to present LBH with a special certificate to mark this modest milestone in the latter's career.

I was amused to read this comment by Caroline Beteta, CEO of the California Travel and Tourism Commission: "California looks forward to welcoming more Korean tourists eager to experience the California life style....Recently, Lee embraced his inner California, inspiring his fellow South Koreans to do the same.”


What on earth does that mean - "embrace his inner California?"

Other questions spring to mind:

1. Does this mean that we'll see less of LBH in K-dramas such as Iris, Part 3 and 4 and so on... as he'll be appearing in more TV commercials, pitching for Lake Tahoe or Santa Barbara?

2. How well will Koreans respond to his toothy smile splashed across local newspapers as he invites his fellow countrymen to take advantage of the visa waiver program for Koreans ( since 2008)  and  discover the joys of California's vineyards and walking trails?

3. Will LBH be able to capitalise on his time in the US to impress Hollywood moguls so that they can see beyond casting him in roles like the two-dimensional character in GI Joe?

For earlier postings on LBH, click here  and here.

sources:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/09/16/2010091600305.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/09/117_73134.html
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/CU/CU_EN_8_5_1_63.jsp

Two Great Voices

Here's something for a friend of mine who rather belatedly has discovered the charms of Lee Byeong-hyeon ( of present Iris and G.I. Joe fame).



She's fallen for his deep voice but I'm hoping she'll also fall in love with the soulful voice of Kim Kwang-seok, the folk rock singer whose "Letter To A Private"  ( 이등병의 편지) was featured in JSA: Joint Security Area  - a compelling film by Park Chan-wook. Still relevant movie today, given the most recent tensions between the North and South. Let's hope and pray good sense prevails.

source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Kwang_Suk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4-heEUdUl8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6q9O7QVILo&feature=related