Tuesday, December 25, 2007

KBS Historical Series 'Dae Joyoung' Ends after 15 Months

The KBS historical drama series "Dae Jo-young" ended Sunday after 134 episodes.

Launched in September last year and running for 15 months, the hit drama commanded weekend ratings of over 30 percent.

In a KBS/AGB Nielsen Media Research tally, ratings posted 36.8% for the 130th Dec. 9 episode.

In the final episode Sunday, the portrayal of the Balhae kingdom gaining amity with China's Tang dynasty's impressed the viewers. Many reportedly shed tears when Dae Jo-young (played by Choi Soo-jong) had to part ways with his son (Jeong Tae-woo).

The episode recorded 33.3% viewer ratings (AGB Nielsen Media), 5.2% point higher than Saturday, in the successful conclusion.

source: kbs global

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Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Lee Yo-won Faints While Filming


[ photo credits to KBS ]

Actress Lee Yo-won
was rushed to the hospital after a fainting spell at a shoot for her new TV seriesBad Love.”

She was reportedly suffering from laryngitis when shooting a scene where she got soaking wet in the rain. Already exhausted from the tight filming schedule, Lee evidently could not withstand the chill and fatigue of the rain scene. Although the doctor advised her to be hospitalized, she left the hospital after an hour of rest so that the filming could resume.


Bad Love” is Lee’s first TV appearance after starring the medical drama “Surgeon Bong Dal-hee” earlier this year. The 20-part series also stars heartthrob Kwon Sang-woo as Lee’s love interest and airs every Monday and Tuesday on KBS2 TV.

source: KBS WORLD

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Monday, December 17, 2007

Expensive Drama Was a Boondoggle, Union Claims

Rather than a high-profile success, Munhwa Broadcasting Company's recent drama "Taewangsasingi (The Four Guardian Gods of the King)" was nothing but trouble, the network's union claimed in a recent newsletter.

The union said that Bae Yong-jun, who played the leading role, was paid W6 billion (US$1=W924) to star in the series, or W250 million per episode, accounting for some 15 percent of the total production cost of W43 billion. Considering how much of the budget went to the actor, calling the show a "massive-scale" historical series was an exaggeration, the union said.

Bae Yong-jun walks into a venue surrounded by bodyguards during a hand print making event for the Blue Dragon Film Awards in September.

It also denounced the drama for tarnishing the network's reputation by causing programming troubles, citing as an example an incident when MBC had to prolong its live news broadcast for 20 minutes while the network waited for the latest video tape of the show to arrive.

Due to the soaring salaries of television stars, broadcasters started outsourcing the production of dramas several years ago. But now production companies are paying enormous sums to cast top stars in order to secure high ratings, causing production costs to skyrocket.

The criticism by the MBC union is evidence of changes in the status of the major networks as they endure embarrassments caused by high-profile actors or outside production companies.

source : Chosun Ilbo

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Saturday, December 15, 2007

[ Korean drama 2007 As Much As Heaven And Earth ]


Title: By Land and Sky
Also known as: As Much as Heaven and Earth
Genre: Romance, Family
Episodes: 165
Broadcast network: KBS1
Broadcast period: 2007-Jan-15 to 2007-Aug-31
Air time: Mondays to Fridays 20:25
KBS Official Website


synopsis

Suk Ji Soo is a kindhearted and thoughtful woman caring about the harmony of her family. Jeong Mu Young struggles through many troubles and forgivness within his family. He doesn't really like his father because he was born due to his father's affair with another woman. Ji Soo and Mu Young's family in this drama are complete opposites...her family is happy while his family is not. Eun Ha is a girl with a cheerful personality and perfect skin with no wrinkles. She thinks importantly of people's relationships and puts much effort into everything she does to make her family happy. The drama will be focusing on different family problems faced in modern day society.


cast

Han Hyo Joo as Suk Ji Soo

Park Hae Jin as Jeong Mu Young

Kang Jung Hwa as Yoon Eun Joo

Lee Joo Hyun as Kim Sang Hyun



source:dramawiki

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Thursday, December 13, 2007

Lee Ji Ah, "'The Legend' is a turning point in my life"


An 'instant star' unprecedented in the history of the Korean entertainment industry was born: actress Lee Ji Ah of the recent series "The Legend."

She instantly became the heroine in an epic drama series with a 60 billion won budget with no acting experience whatsoever. Positive reviews came out from around despite being amongst a cast of big names. With her bright image, she even was able to sign on to be the image models of various commercials.

Lee Ji Ah who was shy and not able to look straight into the camera said, "I am still afraid of the camera." Rather contrasting from her tomboy image that links arms with 'Yon-sama' without hesitation in the series.

"I am actually very shy among people. I'm not as valiant as Soojini. But I am similar to her in that I am straightforward and like to play. Poking the other person while starting a conversation and playing around in the drama is similar to my real self."

Lee Ji Ah gathered the spotlight as Soojini who devotes her loyalty and love to Damdeok (played by Bae Yong Joon). Born with the power of one of the four gods, she not only acted out the melo-dramatic scenes with intricate emotions mixed in, but also action scenes that are difficult for male actors. Thanks to that she became a star 'overnight.'

"I still can't feel it being real. All throughout the shoot I was traveling around different sets, and afterwards I've been busy with interviews and commercial shoots so I never had the chance to see or feel what the response is among the public. But my parents and other people around me have been telling me that they didn't know I would be able to accomplish such a thing."
She was born in Korea but went over to the U.S. in elementary school, later to enter the Pasadena Art Center College of Design. While attending, she went to the audition for "The Legend" being introduced by an acquaintance.


"I didn't exactly dream of being an actress since I was young. Of course I thought it was a very fascinating occupation. Being able to move people through the eyes and actions of an actor seemed truly fascinating to me."

After first being introduced to producer Kim Jong Hak, her casti
ng was determined after 30 or so additional meetings. It was after script reading and other thorough tests.



"I was so happy I couldn't say anything to the people around me. I was afraid that the results would change later on. The position was much too greater than what I deserved but he said he liked my boldness and confidence."

After being cast, she immediately started training in vocalization, acting, character analysis, horseback riding, action, and everything else that is needed to be an actor from the start. She learned how to speak like a tomboy rather than her usual soft-spoken tone and even changed her walking posture.

"At first I was afraid of horses, but now I enjoy riding them. In the series, I was able to act out most of the scenes aside from the very dangerous ones. I even rode the horse myself in scenes where we are going full speed."

However, in the series, she appeared throughout with an image that is hard to tell if she is a boy or girl. She even put on darker makeup to hide her light skin tone. Some actresses may the situation find it rather disappointing.

"After I ate, the area around my mouth became white. Since I had dark makeup on, only the makeup around my mouth came off. But I liked the bright characteristic of Soojini."

There weren't even any true melo-dramatic scenes.

"Can you imagine Soojini kissing? I don't feel disappointed that there wasn't such a scene. There was a scene where Soojini puts armor on Damdeok before she leaves, but I think there was enough of the emotion expressed in that scene. The scene is one of my most memorable, too."

She even was exposed to the possibility of many injuries. Her legs were kicked by a horse she couldn't avoid.

"I was speaking to another actor and should have avoided the horse when it came towards me, but I couldn't. My left shin that was hit was swollen. I could have been hurt greatly."

To her, there is another hurdle she must overcome other than injuries and acting. Co-star Bae Yong Joon. It must not have been easy to act opposite one of Asia's greatest star.

"I lacked in many ways. I did not have enough experience. On the other hand, Bae Yong Joon took care of many subtle things despite his status as a top star. I really felt his professionalism. He taught me many things about acting as well."

She also said the cold weather was one of the hardest things while filming. Additionally, "As this was my first time acting, I got confused within myself after hearing the many advices from senior actors. I regret not being able to absorb everything faster."

Choosing Cate Blanchett as her favorite actress because of her deep and wide acting spectrum, Lee Ji Ah says, "'The Legend' is a turning point in my life. I was able to learn many great things from great senior actors."

source:broasia

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Monday, December 10, 2007

Lee Jin Wook and So Yi Hyun cast in MBC series "Before and After: Plastic Surgery Clinic"


Lee Jin Wook, So Yi Hyun and others have been cast for the lead roles of the upcoming MBC drama series "Before and After: Plastic Surgery Clinic." This series will start airing on January 6th.

Lee Jin Wook will play the young clinic owner Han Geon Soo who tries to protect the clinic from being taken over by loan sharks. He tries his best to save the clinic when uncollected loans are passed on to him after his father's sudden death, but cannot even hold a mes because of a medical accident.

Kim Sung Min will play the talented doctor Choi Yong Woo who joins the clinic to return the grace of Han Geon Soo's father. Choi Yong Woo is a character that often gets into arguments with patients that want to undergo unnecessary plastic surgery.
So Yi Hyun will play the nurse Yoon Ki Nam who forms a love triangle with the two. Jung Ae Yeon will play the manager Yoon Seo Jin who has perfect beauty through plastic surgery.

source: broasia

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Saturday, December 08, 2007

Top 10 Dramas of 2007

1. Joo Mong ( MBC) – 47.3%


2. Pure 19 (KBS1) – 39.7%


3. War of Money (SBS) – 31%


4. Like Land and Sky(As Much As Heaven And Earth) (KBS1) – 29%


5. Four Legends of the Great King( MBC) – 28.8%


6. Mi-woo-Na Go-woo-Na (I Hate You But It's Fine) (KBS1) -- 28.8%


7. Dae Jo Young ( KBS1) – 26.3%


8. Blissful Woman (KBS2) – 25.2%


9. My Man’s Woman (SBS) – 24.5%


10. Coffee Prince No. 1 Shop (MBC) – 24.2%


source:soompi

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Friday, December 07, 2007

Korean Drama Wins Amnesty International Award


TV dramaThank You” was honored with the 10th Special Media Award from Amnesty International. Starring Jang Hyuk and Gong Hyo-jin, the heart-warming drama was recognized for its frank, yet sensitive portrayal of a young AIDS patient and her family and friends.

An Amnesty International official said that “
Thank You” was chosen because it dealt with a touchy subject that had not been broached in other TV dramas and taught the audience to respect AIDS patients and other underprivileged members of our society.

“Thank You” was
Jang Hyuk’s first TV starring role following his controversial two-year military service. Jang fulfilled his military duty after being blasted for dodging draft by bribing military officials. His return to the TV screen proved to be successful, as he played a doctor who takes care of the young girl with AIDS and eventually falls in love with her single mother.

source: KBS WORLD

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Wednesday, December 05, 2007

TV Drama Starring Kwon Sang-woo Big Hit in Japan


Top hallyu actor Kwon Sang-woo has drawn contrasting responses in Korea and abroad recently for his role in a new TV drama after a two-year hiatus.

The drama, entitled "Bad Love," recorded domestic viewer ratings of just 6.1 percent on Dec. 3, when its pilot episode aired.

But its exports to Japan and Taiwan have been anything but sluggish, posting export revenues of three billion won in Japan alone. In fact, "Bad Love" and the epic drama "The Four Guardian Gods of the King," starring actor Bae Yong-jun have been paving the way for a revival of the hallyu boom.

A person from the production crew of "Bad Love" said Asian fans have been looking forward to Kwon's acting after his long hiatus and that some 100 foreign fans visit the drama's filming sites every day.

source:kbs global

http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1493860_11858.html

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Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Bae Yong Joon, finishes filming and hospitalized for treatment


Actor Bae Yong Joon finished filming all scenes for the drama series "The Legend" on the 2nd and has been admitted to the hospital to treat his injury.

Bae Yong Joon's agency BOF says, "Bae Yong Joon who finished all filming on the 2nd at the Gyeonggi-do set admitted to a hospital in Seoul for a detailed examination and treatment. He was injured several times during the filming but has postponed treatment to complete the series."

Bae Yong Joon had injured his index finger ligament at the end of October when hit by a prop sword during a fighting scene. Early last month, his neck and shoulder ligaments were injured severely when an actor during a wire action scene fell on top of him. Towards the middle of the month, Bae Yong Joon had also injured his knee while landing during another action scene.

Bae Yong Joon ended up filming with a cast on his finger, then on painkillers in November.

BOF added, "Bae Yong Joon especially did not want his fans to know about his knee injury so they would not be worried and participated in filming with crutches. He will be closely examined at the hospital for 3~4 days to determine how long he will need to be treated and recover, but it seems inevitable that he will be admitted to the hospital."

"The Legend" finished all filming on the 2nd, and the final episode will be aired on the coming 5th.

source:broasia

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Sunday, November 25, 2007

[ korean drama 2005 ] A love to kill


Title: A Love to Kill
Episodes: 16

Broadcast network:
KBS2
Broadcast period: 2005-Oct-31 to 2005-Dec-20

Air time: Monday & Tuesday 21:55


Cast :

Bi as Kang Bok Goo


Shin Min Ah as Cha Eun Suk

Kim Sa Rang as Han Da Jung
Lee Ki Woo as Kim Joon Sung

Synopsis :

In A Love to Kill, Bi/Rain/Jeong Ji-Hoon plays a tough guy as the role of a K-1 Fighter, Kang Bok-gu. Bok-gu is a character who is dynamic in nature and grew up in a foster home. He falls in love with a woman whom he should not love. It was because of the woman, his emotionally-wounded brother fell off from the rooftop and became a human vegetable. So, his love is forbidden and inevitably tragic.

The woman is Cha Eun-seok (Shin Min ah) who is a TV talent and movie actor. It was not that she jilted his brother on purpose, but upon a basis of misunderstanding, his hatred toward Cha Eun-soek grows more and more burning.

By becoming Cha Eun-seok’s private bodyguard, Bok-gu keeps concretely practicing his revenge upon her. He only desires ‘to bring his brother’s woman to her knees.’ He is gradually taking Cha Eun-seok to destruction, while he feels his love toward her growing deeper and deeper in his heart.

Bok-gu is a cold guy character without any special concern for woman. Martial art of hand-to-hand fighting was just kind of his escape he choose from the shock of a spinster’s death whom he loved from a distance.

source: dramawiki

link :


Watch Online with English Subtitle

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Monday, November 19, 2007

Bae Yong Joon, neck and shoulder injury makes surgery unavoidable


Hallyu Star Bae Yong Joon was heavily injured while filming "The Legend" and has been diagnosed to receive surgery.

Bae Yong Joon's agency BOF commented on the 16th, "Bae Yong Joon hurt his neck bone and shoulder ligaments while filming earlier this month on the Jeju Island set. Because of the tight filming and broadcast schedule, he is currently still participating in the shoots relying on painkillers."

According to BOF, the hospital diagnosed Bae Yong Joon with a ruptured cervical disk and strained shoulder ligaments. The hospital strongly recommends a detailed diagnosis and surgery.

The accident happened while filming an action scene of episode 17. An actor on wires fell on the neck of Bae Yong Joon causing the accident.

Bae Yong Joon continued filming until the pain made it difficult to turn his head. He visited a hospital soon after but returned with painkillers and bandages to continue filming due to the tight schedule.

BOF says, "Bae Yong Joon's injury is currently making it even difficult to hold a sword on set. But because the drama shoot schedule is in its final few days, he is planning on being treated afterwards."

Bae Yong Joon also encountered a finger injury late last month. He is currently playing the role of King Gwanggaeto in the drama series "The Legend" which will air its last episode on December 5th.

source: broasia

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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Korean Wave top stars Kwon Sang Woo, Jang Hyuk, Ji Sung, and Soh Ji Sup star in new dramas



Korean Wave top stars Kwon Sang Woo, Jang Hyuk, Ji Sung, and Soh Ji Sup will return to TV dramas.

Kwon Sang Woo’s new KBS2 drama “Cruel Love” will be aired by KBS2 on 12/3. He has not appeared in TV dramas for 2 years and 8 months since his last drama “Sad Love Song”. Currently, he and the lead actress Lee Yo Won are filming this drama in Cheju Island, and his role and actor Kim Sung Soo’s character are involved in an awful love story.

Jang Hyuk will lead the SBS Wednesday-Thursday drama “Gang of Robbers ” scheduled to be aired on 12/26. He plays the role Kwan Oh Joon who always wins women’s hearts. His counterpart in the drama is actress Lee Da Hae who plays the character Jin Dal Lae .

Ji Sung will costar with Jo Jae Hyun and Kim Ming Jung in the Wednesday-Thursday drama “New Heart ” scheduled to be aired by MBC in December, following the final episode of “Four Legend of the Great King”. Similar to popular dramas “Surgeon Bong Dal Hee” and “White Giant Tower”, this medical drama portrays a story of doctors. Ji Sung plays the role Lee Eun Sung , a resident chest doctor. Kim Ming Jung also plays a resident doctor Nam Hye Suk .

Soh Ji Sup will lead the large-scale drama “Kane and Abel”. This drama’s production cost will be around 6 billion Won. His costar is Ji Jin Hee who was the lead actor of the famous drama “Dae Jang Geum”.

source: soompi

credit to
CindyW88

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Friday, November 09, 2007

Ha Honored as Best Actress at Golden Chest

Actress Ha Ji-won who played the lead in the KBS drama 'Hwang Jini' received the Best Actress award at the 32nd Golden Chest International TV Festival.

She was awarded for her effort in portraying the life and art of the famed Joseon era courtesan. The drama aired from October last year for two months.

The drama also competed in the miniseries' main round at the Monte Carlo TV Festival, one of the four major global TV award ceremonies.

The Golden Chest Awards, which ended Nov. 3 in Bulgaria, is hosted by the country's broadcasting commission to boost cooperation among world TV broadcasters and seek mutual understanding in drama production skills.

source: kbs global

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Thursday, November 01, 2007

OST of Drama 'Devil' Big Hit in Japan

A good drama with good music is apt to attract viewer attention. The music of the 'KBS drama Devil,' which ended airing in Korea in May, appears to have gained a large following in Japan.

Since airing in Japan, the drama has seen 20,000 copies of its OST sold, which ranks high in various Japanese on- and offline OST charts and is showing explosive popularity.

The 19 song album includes singing by lead actor Eom Tae-woong and the collaboration of talented musicians such as Bobby Kim and JK Kim Dong-wook.

Director Im Jong-won at Olive Nine, which produced the drama, said, "OST plays an important role in boosting a drama's emotional aspect. We tried to produce good music for a lasting drama effect. OST orders are continuing to come in even after the drama ended airing, and sales in Japan and other countries are expected to grow high."

source: kbs global

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Lee Yo Won to costar Kwon Sang Woo in "Bad Love"


Actress Lee Yo Won will be costarring Kwon Sang Woo in the KBS drama series "Bad Love" as In Jung.

In Jung is a character who struggles with love between the rather cold and rebellious Yong Ki (
Kwon Sang Woo) and Soo Hwan (Kim Sung Soo) who is already on a path to success.

Her agency commented, "We selected this role as it offers a challengeable character from a lady in love to an outgoing and brave personality."


Lee Yo Won
, who starred in "Surgeon Bong Dal Hee" and the movie "Splendid Holidays," costarring Kwon Sang Woo who is returning to the TV screen in 2 years and 8 months after"Sad Sonata," has been gathering attention. The series is scheduled to be aired starting December 3rd.

source: broasia


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Friday, October 19, 2007

[ Korean drama 2007 ] Thank You



Title: 고맙습니다 / Thank You
Genre: Melodrama, Romance, Comedy

Episodes: 16

Broadcast network:
MBC
Broadcast period: 2007-Mar-21 to 2007-May-10

Air time: Wednesdays & Thursdays 21:55

cast


Jang Hyuk as Min Ki Seo

Gong Hyo Jin as Lee Young Shin

Shin Sung Rok as Choi Suk Hyun

Kim Sung Eun as Suh Eun Hee
Synopsis

Dr. Min Ki Seo went to Blue Island to fulfill his deceased girlfriend's last wish to find the single mother and her little girl who was infected by HIV and to apologize to them on her behalf as she had unknowingly given the girl tainted blood when she was being treated at the hospital. Lee Young Shin, the single mom, was having a hard time caring for her grandfather who has Alzeimer's and keeping her daughter's HIV condition a secret while teaching her how to live with it. Min Ki Seo was an arrogant person who looked down on people and in meeting Lee Young Shin who accepted her fate and tried to make the best of it despite all odds, he slowly changed for the better and became a warm and caring person.


credit: dramawiki

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Sunday, October 14, 2007

Lee Jun Ki, to return as 'Iljimae'

Lee Jun Ki who rose to stardom with his feminine clown role in "The King and the Clown" is returning to a historical drama series in an opposite persona.

Lee Jun Ki has been cast as the leading role in "Iljimae" a 20 episode historical drama series to be aired on SBS. He will display his strong charisma through 'Iljimae' who is considered a chivalrous robber of the time.

Lee Jun Ki's manager Kim Woo Jin commented, "He has selected characters that emphasized his manliness since 'The King and the Clown' and this character seems to be at the peak of his efforts."

In the drama series "Iljimae," Lee Jun Ki will play a character who acts as a usless gangster in the marketplace by day and a chivalrous robber by night.

The series will start filming in November with a location shoot in China as well.

source: broasia

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Monday, October 08, 2007

New Face Park Cast for Drama City

Actress Park Chae-gyeong, who played "tough girl" Min Sagang in the recently concluded KBS 2TV drama 'I am Sam,' has been cast as the heroine of KBS's "Drama City."

The teen sports drama is about teens who spent their childhood in an orphanage participating in a ball game to win prize money to prevent their orphanage from getting demolished.

'Tae-hee,' whom Park plays, is a big help and mentor to fellow orphanage residents and also develops a romance with one of them.

Park is a fast rising star, winning exclusive commercial deals with Asiana Airlines and Nadry Cosmetics. Her delicate emotional acting in 'I am Sam' has also contributed to her acting career

source: kbs global

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South Korea soaps winning global audiences, rival Latin America



AFP - South Korean dramas are winning global audiences and have become major rivals to Latin America's racier telenovelas, participants at an industry conference held in Spain said.

read more


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Friday, September 28, 2007

Nam Sang Mi will costar with Kim Rae Won in the drama “The Trencherman"



Actress Nam Sang Mi
will costar with Kim Rae Won in the 24-episode drama "Gourmet" scheduled to be aired in the first half of 2008.

On 9/13, the production company "JS Pictures " announces that it finally selects Nam Sang Mi (23), who just completed the drama "Time between Dog and Wolf", to lead this drama. NSM will play the role Jin Soo who is a contracted journalist in a news agency and dreams to become the best columnist on food and nutrition. Jin Soo has bright and vivid personality. She came across the main male character Sung Chan , played by Kim Rae Won in various occasions and then falls in love with him. In the meantime, actor Choi Bool Ahm will play the chief chef in this drama.

The production cost of this drama is around 12 billion Won. The filming is scheduled to start on 9/17. The main filming site at Yoon Ahm Jung is under construction and will be completed early next year.

source:
news/ soompi

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

'Rose of Versailles' Manga Artist to Draw Bae Yong Joon

MBC TV drama series 'The Legend' will be created into a Japanese manga (graphic novel).

At a press conference held on the 14th, manga artist Ikeda Riyoko, also famous for 'Rose of Versailles,' announced she will be creating a manga version of 'The Legend' starring Hallyu star Bae Yong Joon.


The manga version of 'The Legend' will be featured in 'Tokyo Isshukan' and 'Kansai Isshukan' starting on the 25th.


Ikeda Riyoko comments, "There have been reviews saying the nose and chin lines I draw is similar to
Bae Yong Joon. My friends that are fans of Bae Yong Joon told me that if I reject the offer, someone else is going to draw him anyways so to accept the offer."

Bae Yong Joon
delivered a message regarding the news, "It is an honor that Ms. Ikeda is going to draw the manga version. I am looking forward to it," expressing his gratitude.

source:broasia


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