Sung Yu Ri's new drama - Hong Gil Dong (KBS)

Girls dressing up as boys seems to be the 'in' thing following Go Yun Chan's character in The First Shop of Coffee Prince. Now the ever beautiful Sung Yu Ri will do a "Go Eun Chan" in KBS' new series Hong Gil Dong.

(Source: sohu.com)

In this 2008 drama series Sung Yu Ri takes on the role of Heo Yi Nok and stars opposite Kang Ji Hwan, of Capital Scandal fame, starring as the male lead - Hong Gil Dong.

"You may be pretty, but you sure are heavy too!"
(Image Source: KBS)

In the story, Heo Yi Nok is born into a respectable family but does not know of her past as after her family fell into disrepute. And since gallivanting alone along the ancient Korean streets is a definitely no-no for girls during the period the drama is set in, Heo Yi Nok dresses up as a boy so that she can explore the streets and have her fun.

Sung Yu Ri shows a grittier side to her repertoire of acting skills this time round as it was reported that she did most of the action sequences herself without a stunt double. You did not read wrongly, she did the stunts herself. Hmmmm... a Korean version of Hong Kong's Michelle Yeoh.

Nah...

I can't wait for Hong Gil Dong to air on KBS World. Think it should hit the small screen sometime in Jan or Feb 2008. What a way to start the year!

Aja!

Yoon Eun Hye and Rain voted top Hallyu stars in China

Read in a Tour2Korea article that Yoon Eun Hye and Rain have been voted by Chinese fans as the most popular Hallyu stars in 2007.

Having followed Yoon Eun Hye's career since watching The Man of the Vineyard, I have to say that she well deserves the manic popularity with her Chinese fans. Apart from her sweet good looks, her portrayal of Go Eun Chan in The First Shop of Coffee Prince showed that her acting skills have improved significantly since her debut in Princess Hours.

Can't really comment much on Rain since I have only seen him on Full House, which I am still watching. All I can say is that he possess a boyish charm which is a sure formula in winning the hearts of adoring female fans. That said, I do find him rather endearing as Lee Young Jae in Full House.

Here's leaving you a photo of our most popular Hallyu stars in China... Yoon Eun Hye and Rain!

(Source: soompi Forum)

Related Articles:

• Rain and Yun Eun-hye Are China's Favorite Hallyu Stars (Source: Tour2Korea)

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)

Cheaper flights from Southeast Asia to Korea soon!

Oh, I love competition!

The competition between budget airlines in the Asian region is heating up to the extent that Korean Air is setting up a budget unit - Air Korea, to compete with Singapore's very own Tiger Airways.

Air Korean is expected to fly to destinations in China, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.

Wait a minute... where's Singapore???

No!!!

Ok, I guess I can always put on my patriotic hat and ride on Tiger Airways since it has (intelligently) already inked a deal to fly to Incheon International Airport. For Hallyu friends in Malaysia and Thailand, it is a moment to rejoice as we all can get our kimchi fix for a fraction of the costs we now pay to fly to Korea.

Long live capitlism! Long live competition!

Related articles:

• Korean Air budget airline has 2008 start
  

Poll Results - Which is Your Favourite Yoon Eun Hye Character?

Omigosh!!!

With a total of 14 (yes, now that's what I call an improvement over the first poll!) votes, readers were spilt down the centre between Yoon Eun Hye's characters Chae Hyung (Princess Hours) and Go Eun Chan (Coffee Prince).

Sadly, not a single vote was cast for Yoon Eun Hye's -Lee Ji Hyun in the Vineyard Man, a character which I thought was well brought to life by the actress.

Anyway, there's no such thing as a tie-breaker in HelloHallyu! Being the writer here gives me the final say in such situations.

So, Teddy's vote goes to. . . . . .

GO EUN CHAN!!!

(Source: coffee-prince.com)

And there you have it! Coffee Prince's Go Eun Chan is the 'readers' Favourite Yoon Hye Hye character.