Dae Jang Geum

Windward Community College will host a free cooking demonstration by renowned Korean chef Sun-young Lee and screening of a segment of the hit Korean drama “Daejanggeum” from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 8 2005 at Hale Kuhina, Room 115.

Lee specializes in Choson Dynasty cuisine and is the author of “A Korean Mother’s Cooking Notes.”

In “Daejanggeum,” Jang-geum is the first and only woman to serve as head physician to the king in the rigidly hierarchical and male-dominated social structure of the Choson Dynasty.

This event is part of the University of Hawai’i Center for Korean Studies’ weeklong Daejanggeum Symposium scheduled Nov. 7 to 12 2005.

Source: The Honolulu Advertiser 27th October 2005

As mentioned in this post, there will be an animation of hugely popular Jewel in the Palace. Here are more information and photos from the animation:

Enjoyed 대장금 (Dae Jang-Geum: Jewel in The Palace)? The incredibly popular historical drama Jewel in the Palace will launch again as an animation.

The animation series, entitled 장금이의 꿈 (Jang-Geum’s Dream), took two years to produce and cost 3 Billion Won. The story of the poor girl who made it to the royal palace as a cook and doctor will be adapted into twenty-six 30 Minutes long episodes.

The theme of the animation is roughly the same with Jewel in the Palace drama, and most of the same characters of the TV Drama will appear, but most of the story will cover other aspects of Jang-Geum’s life, which didn’t show in the TV drama.

韩国将推”大长今”动画 定名”长今的梦”

韩国月底推出《大长今》动画版 讲述电视剧里没有的故事　

　　以超过50%创下韩国去年收视率冠军，随后在我国香港上演，同样创下超过50%收视率，目前正在我国湖南卫视台热播的韩国长篇古装连续剧《大长今》，即将推出动画版！

　　动画版《大长今》现已定名为《长今的梦》，总长共26集每集30分钟。该动画和电视剧设定大致相同，主人公长今入宫以后遇到一个又一个的难题，然后长今利用自己的智慧以及周围人的帮助，一个个解决掉。动画的剧情会出现不少电视剧里所没有的内容，但出场人物和电视剧是一样的。　

　　创作这部动画的韩国孙悟空制片公司市场部负责人表示，他们已计划在不久的将来推出动画版《大长今》的同时，还会推出各种相关的音乐CD、DVD和玩具等等周边商品。

　　据悉，动画版《大长今》由韩国MBC电视台和孙悟空共同投资制作，预定从本月底开始在MBC电视台播出。

Source: Sichuan Daily 25th October 2005

Jang Dong-gun Voted Korea’s Most Bankable Star

Who is the most popular star in Chungmuro, Korea’s Hollywood? The Chosun Ilbo asked the country’s 12 most influential film producers, who are thought to be the most realistic in evaluating the commercial value of actors and actresses, “How many viewers do you think a movie will attract across the country if it stars a certain actor or actress?” Based on the results, we have listed the most 10 appealing actors and actresses. This is the third survey of its kind after 2002 and 2003.

Clockwise from top left, Jang Dong-gun, Song Kang-ho, Kwon Sang-woo, Cha Seung-won, Cho Seung-woo, Kang Hye-jeong, Kim Sun-a, Lee Young-ae, Jun Ji-hyun and Moon Geun-yeong.

Jang Dong-gun and Moon Geun-yeong topped the list, with their pulling power estimated at 1.43 million people and 1.29 million people. Among the men, Jang was followed by Song Kang-ho, Kwon Sang-woo, Cha Seung-won and Cho Seung-woo, and among the women, Moon was followed by Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Young-ae, Kim Sun-a, and Kang Hye-jeong.

Picked by 10 out of 12 producers, Jang is now Korea’s most bankable actor. It seems the result reflects expectations for his movies “The Promise” and “Typhoon” scheduled for release late this year.

Moon, who has become the apple of everyone’s eye since she starred in the movie “My Little Bride” last year, emerged as a dark horse beating all-time favorite Jun Ji-hyun.

Han Suk-kyu, who ranked first in the first survey and 13th in the second, has dropped to 22nd place. Bae Yong-joon fell to a poor 28th place from sixth, showing that while he may be Japan’s favorite son-in-law, he certainly isn’t Korea’s.

Additional reporting from The New Paper on 25th October 2005:

Move over Bae Yong Joon - He’s the new hero

FILM producers love him as much as fans do.

Korea’s Jang Dong Gun is loved by fans and movie producers alike, drawing a whopping 11.7 million admissions for his recent movie.

Meet Jang Dong Gun, recently voted as South Korea’s Most Bankable Movie Star.

The 33-year-old actor is best known for his signature film, Brotherhood - the top-grossing Korean film of all time with 11.7 million admissions - and has two highly-anticipated upcoming titles, The Promise and Typhoon.

His pulling power is estimated to be 1.4 million people, according to a survey done by The Chosun Ilbo. It was based on the opinions of the country’s Top 12 most influential film producers.

Coming a close second is teen idol Moon Geun Young, 18, of Innocent Steps and My Little Bride fame. She attracts an estimated 1.3 million movie-goers.

Also in the Top 10 list: Jeon Ji Hyun (My Sassy Girl), Kwon Sang Woo (Love So Divine), Lee Young Ae (Sympathy For Lady Vengeance), Cha Seung Won (My Teacher Mr Kim), Kim Sun Ah (Wet Dreams), Cho Seung Woo (The Classic), Kang Hye Jung (Old Boy) and Song Kang Ho (JSA).

LEE BYUNG HUN NOT ON LIST

Interestingly, neither Bae Yong Joon nor his April Snow co-star, Son Ye Jin, made the list. He was ranked sixth last year, but fell to 28th position this year.

Also snubbed were Heavenly Kings Lee Byung Hun (A Bittersweet Life) and Won Bin (Brotherhood), despite their overwhelming popularity in Asia.

Instead, rising stars like Sang Woo and celebrity couple Seung Woo and Hye Jung are sizzling on the big screen.

Sang Woo has a notable new project, Running Wild, while Seung Woo and Hye Jung both scored at the box office this year with their films, Marathon (5.2 million admissions) and Welcome To Dongmakgol (7.1 million admissions) respectively.

Welcome was even selected as Korea’s nomination for Best Foreign Film at the upcoming Oscars.

All-time favourite Ji Hyun has a mega project, Daisy, coming up, which is directed by Hong Kong’s Andrew Lau (Infernal Affairs) and co-stars hunky Jung Woo Sung.

After her massive hit She’s On Duty, Sun Ah made a smashing crossover to TV with the Korean ratings champion, My Lovely Samsoon.

Also on a winning streak is Young Ae, whose historical drama, Jewel In The Palace, is taking China by storm. Last week, she also snagged a Best Actress award for Sympathy For Lady Vengeance at the Sitges International Film Festival in Spain.

Seung Won just turned in a hit in the action thriller, The Big Scene, while Kang Ho reportedly commands a guaranteed payment of up to 500 million won ($800,000).