Now that the first batch of 2015 K-dramas have shaken out the ratings rankings and audience feedback – wins for Punch, Kill Me Heal Me, Shine or Go Crazy, losses for Hyde, Jekyll, Me, Blood – the media is looking ahead to the possible big name castings to come. One drama that just got a leading man is Yoochun for … Continue reading →
If anyone offered to make a life-like replica of me, whether life-sized, doll-sized, or robot-sized, I would scream and run the other direction. Never been a fan of human fascimiles in any form or shape and that includes the popular wax figure attractions that make up the Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum tourist attraction. When news broke this week that popular … Continue reading →
I feel bad for Kim Rae Won that the noir gangster movie Gangnam 1970 has basically become the Lee Min Ho show with the lopsided fan promotion of the movie from his much larger fanbase. The plus side is that more people see the movie and that’s good for the entire production, yes? I haven’t watched the movie but the … Continue reading →
I’ve noticed that over the years I’ve been writing about C-dramas, and C-entertainment more and more due to the rise of both the quality as well as the increase in cross-border collaborations. Some folks new to C-dramas, or haven’t even dipped a toe in, sometimes enjoy my posts without a clue of who’s popular and why certain stars seem to … Continue reading →
The recent box office battle of the Heirs leads has a victor! In a resounding victory, Lee Min Ho‘s Gangnam 1970 had the best movie opening (rank and receipts) of all the movies headlining the Heirs three which all opened within one to two weeks of each other. First came The Royal Tailor with Park Shin Hye and the solid … Continue reading →
The upcoming gangster noir period film Gangnam 1970 has basically turned into the Lee Min Ho show even if the movie has him co-headlining along with Kim Rae Won. If I were Kim Rae Won I wouldn’t let this bother much – he currently has the number one drama on the Mon-Tues time slot with Punch and has been garnering … Continue reading →
Normally a K-movie premiere only gets my attention for the fashion parade of top stars attending to support their buddies in the cast. For once my attention is completely on male lead Lee Min Ho at the bustling premiere for his soon-to-be-released noir movie Gangnam 1970 costarring Kim Rae Won. I haven’t seen this level of top star fandom interaction … Continue reading →
Most of the attention on exporting K-dramas have shifted to Mainland China in the last two years and for good reason. It’s the largest audience market by size and K-dramas are more naturally digestable due to the similar Asian entertainment tastes than marketing to the Western audience. Japan remains a solid and steady market for Hallyu entertainment whether K-pop or … Continue reading →
I’m going to believe nothing can keep on out-randoming the performing line ups for Chinese new year television specials, whether it’s for Lunar new year celebrations or the Gregorian new year extravaganzas. The fact that it keeps involving Lee Min Ho leaves me scratching my head. Last year he performed in front of billions at the CCTV Lunar new year … Continue reading →
The SBS year end drama awards was shaping up to be the most star-studded of the big three since it led the way in splashy prime time dramas. A few weeks ago there was media attention on the biggest stars of the 2014 SBS dramas maybe not attending which would be a blow to the ratings for the show as … Continue reading →
Whether you like them or not, I think it safe to at least agree that the new generation of Hallyu kings are here and the overall consensus includes Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Min Ho, Lee Jong Seok, and Kim Woo Bin. Sure a few other popular around Asia twenty-something singer-actors like Lee Seung Gi and Jang Geun Seok could be included, … Continue reading →
The dual red hot popularity of Kim Soo Hyun and Lee Min Ho came to a head this week and sent the K-ent media into a tizzy for showing up at the same place. Both attended the 2014 South Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards and made it a rare appearance at the same event. They even received the same … Continue reading →
This particular award is so peculiar in both selection and timing I’m just left scratching my head. It does make me reconsider revisiting it with the possibility that my opinion may change. The 2012 K-drama Faith starring Lee Min Ho and Kim Hee Sun was just named Top Korean Drama in Japan for 2014 by the Gayo Entertainment Awards. Gayo (a … Continue reading →