On-screen lovers Hyun Bin and Song Hye Gyo get serious

I am pleasantly surprised to find out that Hyun Bin and Song Hye Gyo has become the latest celebrity couple in Korea. Being the first male and female drama artistes that arouse my interest in Korean drama, through their performances in My Lovely Samoon and Autumn in My Heart, I am happy that my idols found love through the filming of KBS' The World They Live In.

Since part of the filming was carried out in Singapore, perhaps their seeds of love were sown here. This sure feels like something taken out from the very dramas we love. Way to go guys!

Song Hye Gyo most loved by Hong Kongers

Hong Kong polls show that Song Hye Gyo is their favourite Korean star. In the poll, which was conducted between 11-14 Jun 2009, by the Korean Tourism Organisation's branch in Hong Kong, 1145 Hong Kongers were asked who were their favourite Korean stars.

Here are the results of the polls:

I am Hong Kong's favourite Korean star!
(Source: STARNEWS)

1. Song Hye Gyo (40.4%)
2. Lee Young Ae (40.2%)
3. Jeon Ji Hyeon (31.2%)
4. Bae Yong Jun (16.2%)
5. Rain (14.4%)

When asked where they would like to visit when in Korea, Hong Kongers preferred the following sites:

1. Seoul (68.2%)
2. Jeju Island (42.6%)
3. Gangwon-do (24.7%)

Song Hye Gyo - Levi's Curvy Doll

Not letting YEH having all the limelight is Song Hye Gyo who shows off her leggy assets in her latest photoshoot, themed Curvy Doll, for Levi's Lady Style range of jeans which come studded with glittering Swarovski diamonds.

(Source: Levi's)

KBS Drama - The World They Live In @ Worlds Within

Song Hye Gyo and Hyun Bin looking cool against Singapore's skyline

(Source: Chosunilbo )

My eyes nearly popped when I saw this photo. No, I was drooling at the uber attractive cast of Song Hye Gyo and Hyun Bin in their roles for the drama The World They Live In. Rather, I was pleasantly surprised by the backdrop of the photo. It's none other than the skyline of Singapore!!!

Pity that I was too busy to catch a glimpse of the filming while the cast and the crew of Worlds Within were filming in town. Now I can't wait to see which part of Singapore was captured in the drama.

Song Hye Gyo makes small screen comeback

Song Hye Gyo last graced small screens with her last TV drama Full House in 2004. Since then her career has taken her to the silver screen with indie flicks such Fetish. I am sure fans of Song would have leapt in joy, well my heart did skip a beat, when I read that Song will once again appear in a new KBS2 drama The World They Live In which will air sometime in November (mark this date). Also found out that my favourite male Korean actor Hyun Bin will be starring opposite Song! Now this drama sounds like a potential hit.

This drama revolves around Song and Hyun who are production directors in the setting of a drama production set. I am sure such a setting makes for a good story since fans of Korean drama all around the world, like myself, would love to have a peek, no matter how unreal it is, at how their Korean dramas are produced. I have already put a big red 'X' in my calendar for November. Do remember to mark it on your calendar since it has been a long 4 years when a last saw the ever sweet and effervescent Song on the telly.

A Ninja called Rain

Following the inroads made by Song Hye Kyo and Jeon Ji Hyeon, the Korean wave has continued it relentless sweep into America as Rain landed a lead role in the upcoming Hollywood movie "Ninja Assassin". This is a huge step forward for Rain following his supporting role in Wachowski's brothers production - "Speed Racer".

Rain looking like a 'speed demon' in his Speed Racer role
(Source: Still derived from Speed Racer trailer)

Everything seems to be humming along well for this heart-throb in the Chinese Year of the Rat as he also recently concluded a contract with the William Morris Agency (WMA), a New York-based talent agency that represents entertainers such as Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Russell Crowe.

Source Article:
The Korean Herald - Rain grabs leading role in Hollywood film

Seeing stars in Orchard Road

Mydaemon and I was doing some Lunar New Year (Yippee!) shopping in Wisma Atrium, located along Singapore's most famous shopping belt - Orchard Road, when Mydaemon suddenly stopped in mid-stride, held my arm, which stopped me in my tracks, and pointed to a huge advertisement display.

"Do you know who's that?" she asked.

Staring back at me with large beautiful eyes was the face of a glamourous looking face featured on a huge Laneige ad. The face looked kind of familiar but I was scratching my head and trying very hard to place a name to that pretty face.

"Er, dunno?" was my answer.

Mydaemon gave me an incredulous look of disbelief and wondered out loud...

"How could you claim to be a fan of Korean entertainment and write in HelloHallyu when you can't even identify Jeon Ji Hyeon!"

Taking a closer look, it indeed was Jeon Ji Hyun's beautiful face on the ad. Ok, that was indeed embarassing.

Well, sometimes women do know best, especially when they are your wives. Anyway, just read somewhere that Song Hye Gyo has just replaced Jeon Ji Hyeon as the model for Laneige. Now, Song's face is definitely one which I will not get wrong.

Well, that's until proven wrong again by my wife. :P

And here's the ad.

Photo by Teddy

People: Han Ye Seul

(Source: The Korea Herald)

Han Ye Seul's portrayal of a spoilt heiress in Fantasy Couple (Fantastic Couple) seems to have done wonders to her career. In an interview with The Korea Herald, Han's career has been reported to have taken flight following her stint in the drama series. Read on for Hellohallyu's take on this up and coming actress.

While one cannot, and should never, read too much into media interviews, what came across in the article was Han's candid and down to earth attitude. I cannot help but feel that she's one of those nice artistes without the airs most celebrities surround themselves with. Perhaps most telling was how Han defended her fashion co-ordinator after suffering a minor wardrobe malfunction during a recent film award ceremony. Not many would have done what she did.

Also found out that Han is an American born Korean and is known as Leslie Kim back in the US. With bilingual Korean artistes few and far between, Han will definitely be a breath of fresh air when takingon English lines in any script.

Seeming to follow in the footsteps of Jeon Ji Hyun and Song Hye Gyo, Han has not discounted entering the American movie and drama market in the future. Looks like Korean influence on Hollywood is set to grow.

Going to Hollywood

Another Korean star is crossing the Pacific Ocean for the bright lights and glitz of Hollywood. Song Hye Gyo, of Autumn in My Heart and Full House fame, will star in an 'indie' production titled "Fetish".

While I am not a big fan, yet, of Song Hye Gyo, I have always appreciated her performances in Autumn in My Heart and Full House, which I happen to be watching now.

Based on what I have seen so far, Song Hye Gyo is a versatile actress who has handled roles ranging from the melancholic to the hyper-active well. See the contrast between her roles in Autumn in My Heart and Full House and you will understand what I mean

Her delicate features and sweet good looks should give her some headway in making her presence felt on American shores. However, language may be something which could trip her budding Hollywood aspirations, if that's what she's aiming for.

Having seen enough Korean stars stumbling over their English one-liners in various dramas, I sincerely hope that Song Hye Gyo gets enough language coaching as about 80% of her lines in "Fetish" will be in English.

Think I need not talk too much about this as readers can read all the related articles on this below.

Related articles:

• Song Hye-gyo to Debut in U.S. (KBS)
• S. Korean star plays to U.S. (Variety.com)
• Song Hye-kyo Makes U.S. Debut in Indie Flick (Korean Times)

Song Hye Gyo's advertisement for Reom

Here's something which I found in Soompi Forums today.

It's a video clip showing the "making of" an advertisement for the Roem winter clothing line starring Song Hye Gyo. The accompanying music has a nice beat too.

Here's a still picture of the site and video which I took with my trusty "printscreen" button.

(Source: Reom.com - printscreen by HelloHallyu)