Winners Announced for 2011 Asian Film Awards

The Thai film "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" was named best picture at the fifth Asian Film Awards on Monday in a ceremony overshadowed by the absence of Japanese filmmakers who stayed home in the wake of a deadly earthquake and tsunami.

Apichatpong Weerasethakul's mystical drama follows a dying man from Thailand's rural northeast who explores his past and the idea of reincarnation in his final days. Apichatpong said it was especially sweet to win in his home region, a year after he took the top Palme d'Or award at France's Cannes Film Festival.

Yoon Eun Hye is hospitalized, takes a break from “My Black Minidress”

With the health of idols and their poor working conditions being a hot topic lately, it seems as if actresses aren’t exempt from the issue as well. Yoon Eun Hye alerted fans of her health condition by uploading photos of herself getting an IV treatment through her personal Twitter.

On December 26th, she wrote, “I slept for three hours at the hospital before going to the filming set in a daze.  We filmed a few cuts and the director said that I shouldn’t film today ㅠ-ㅠ.  This was the first time I canceled filming because I was sick, so it’s making me tear up a bit and definitely feel sorry for the staff!  I should never be sick!…”

A few hours later, she added, “I’m getting an IV treatment to get better fast.  I’ll be sleeping here tonight and getting better!  Tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up and return to being the strong and healthy ‘Yumin’~!  Please pray for me and ‘My Black Minidress.‘  I’ll get this IV and go to sleep...”

Fans expressed their upset feelings after seeing her exhausted face and commented, “Please get better soon,” “You have to take care of your health!,” and “That’s not a sel-ca, is it?”

“My Black Minidress” is an upcoming movie scheduled to release March of 2011 and features actresses such as Park Han Byul, Cha Ye Ryun, Yoo In Na, and Lee Yong Woo.

Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl (Kyuketsu Shojo tai Shojo Furanken) Movie

Directed by: Yoshihiro Nishimura, Naoyuki Tomomatsu

DVD Release Date: October 19, 2010

Casts: Yukie Kawamura, Takumi Saitoh, Eri Otoguro, Kanji Tsuda, Eihi Shiina , Takumi Saito

Time: 1hr 25 mins

Storyline:

Two teenage girls are in love with the same boy in this horror comedy based on a manga by Shungiku Uchida. Monami (Yukie Kawamura) is a pretty new girl at school who quickly develops a furious crush on Mizushima (Takumi Saito), a handsome boy with charisma as impressive as his hair. Mizushima already has a steady girl, Kieko (Eri Otoguro), much to Monami's chagrin, but that doesn't stop her from giving the boy of her dreams a box of special chocolates for

Charlene Choi tired of comedies

Hong Kong singer-actress Charlene Choi revealed that she is tired of doing comedies and hopes to some day do a romantic tragedy, reported Chinese media.
"A lot of people approach me to do comedies and I generally don't turn them down, but I hope a director will ask me to do a romantic tragedy," she said during a promotional event for her new film "Jade Pearl" - yet another comedy - in Shanghai on Sunday.
When asked if this preference was due to her own 'romantic tragedy', her very public divorce from singer Ronald Cheng, Choi quickly denied it.
"You are too sensitive. It just made me become more mature," the actress told reporters, before explaining that her relationship with Cheng had allowed her to understand the different facets of love.
During the event, the 27-year-old who is one half of the now defunct Canto-pop duo Twins, also complained that she is being asked to crossdress too often in her films.
"Jade Pearl" was no exception.
"In almost every film, the director asked me to dress like a man," Choi lamented. "Maybe I just look like one."

Yao Ming in talks to star in NBA-approved basketball movie

Basketball has seen a significant rise in popularity in China in recent years, with several Chinese players going to play in the NBA in America. Hong Kong's Apple Daily reports that the NBA, seeing an untapped market with plenty of expansion potential in China, will be teaming up with the Shanghai Film Group to produce the basketball film Amazing, with Yao Ming, Huang Xiaoming, and Shawn Yue all in talks to star.

To be directed by stage director Sherwood Hu, Amazing follows a group of aspiring basketball players in China who become the disciples of NBA stars Yao Ming, Kobe Bryant, and veteran Magic Johnson. The young players would eventually go up against their mentors when the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers are invited to play exhibition matches in China. While Huang has never acted in a sports-associated role before, Yue was a member of the Hong Kong youth basketball team, making him an appropriate choice for the film.

Cecilia Cheung makes comeback in CJ7 animated movie

The animated movie spin-off of Stephen Chow's 2008 sci-fi comedy blockbuster CJ7 is opening July 6 in theaters in Mainland China, and the press conference for the movie was held on June 13 during the Shanghai International Film Festival. Besides Chow and child star Xu Jiao, the event saw the surprise attendance of long-dormant Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung and her two-year-old son, Lucas, who effortlessly captured attention with his innocent toddler manners. The mother-son duo is set to record a Mandarin duet as the movie's theme song. Cheung famously rose to movie stardom with her debut film, Chow's King of Comedy in 1999. She has been absent on the silver screen since Wai Ka Fai's The Shopaholics and Wong Jing's My Kung Fu Sweetheart in early 2006, opting to stay away from the spotlight to mother two sons for husband Nicholas Tse. Directed by Toe Yuen (My Life as McDull), the animated CJ7 movie is not only the first film released under Chow's new production banner, but also marks the cinematic return of an acclaimed actress - and potentially the debut for a new-generation star in the Tse family.

Rain’s Coming To Los Angeles

A representative from Rain’s company J. Tune Entertainment recently stated that Rain will be heading to Los Angeles, California on June 3rd. Well it’s been revealed that Rain has received an invitation from MTV to attend the upcoming 2010 MTV Movie Awards. Rain is nominated for Biggest Badass Star for his role as Raizo in the 2009 action flick Ninja Assassin.

The MTV Movie Awards will air live from the Gibson Amphitheatre on June 6th. You can vote for Rain here (registration required).

Korean Artisits Drug Abuse scandal puts a movie maker in panic

We reported today that singer/movie actor Mr. Kim was charged for use of marijuana and methamphetamine. It was also revealed that he was about to star in a new movie, which drove the makers of that movie into a panic.


The makers of this movie that Mr. Kim was supposed to be the main actor for are facing an emergency situation as they must find a new main actor. Everything was good to go up until now, and they were supposedly only a few days away from crank-in; they had even performed traditional rituals to ward off any bad luck. A staff commented, “Mr. Kim even put on a mini concert at the ritual to show his initiative… this is so unfortunate.”

Neither Mr. Kim or his management company can be reached at this moment and they are said to be having a meeting on damage control.

Netizens had suggested that police description for Mr. Kim, which is 24-year-old singer/movie actor, perfectly fits Taegoon. We had reported back in April that Taegoon was selected as the main actor for upcoming new movie Piano Above the Sea.

Jaebum COME BACK to Korea on the 11th June

2PM's EX leader Jaebum will be returning to Korea on the 11th.


An associate revealed, "Jaebum is set to return on the 11th. He has work in New York for three days but will be heading straight to Korea after wards. It's a bit later than planned."

He also went on to state, "We are discussing plans for him to meet with his fans while recording for the movie."

Casting for his little sister's role is nearing completion. Dennis Oh will also be acting in this movie.

大S何润东传绯闻 彭于晏宣传新书称完全不知情 Big S

大S被爆跟何润东同看电影，也跟她传过“同车情”的彭于晏忙着宣传新书完全不知情，一听转述后脱口就说：“在电影里周旋在3个男人之间还不够，你还要几个男人啊?”
　　彭于晏跟大S就是在拍电影《爱的发声练习》时传出绯闻，而大S在片中和3个男人都有亲密关系，所以彭于晏一听大S又传绯闻，忍不住引用电影情节来笑大S，最后还用片中名字做结语：“好吧，小猫(指大S)开心，阿良(指彭自己)也开心。”十分搞笑。
　　就是这样的幽默，让彭于晏拥有好人缘，他在台北、新竹办签名会，粉丝一路追随，原本好友前信乐团主唱信讲好要到场，结果临时失场，理由是要陪女儿去看电影。但他也跟郑元畅一样，认购了100本新书，表达力挺之意。

Big S is exploded with looks with He Rundong the movie, also passes on “takes the same bus the sentiment” Peng Yuyan with her to be busy at propagandizing the new book not to know the circumstances of the matter completely, a tin rephrased in own words, escaped the mouth saying:“socializes in the movie between 3 men also insufficient, you also take several men?”
　　Peng Yuyan with big S is in shoots "Sound production Practice which the movie Loves" when spreads the scandal, but big S has the intimate relation in the piece neutral 3 men, as soon as therefore Peng Yuyan listens to big S to pass on the scandal, cannot bear the quotation movie plot smile big S, finally also uses in the piece the name to make the conclusion: “good, the cat (refers to big S) happy, Arab League good (refers to Peng) happily also.”Very does smiles.
　　Is such humor, lets Peng Yuyan have the good personal connection, he in Taibei, Hsinchu manages the signature meeting, a bean or sweet potato starch noodles group follows, the good friend previous letter orchestra initiates the letter to say originally must arrive, the result loses the field, the reason is temporarily needs to accompany the daughter to watch the movie. But he was also same as Zheng Yuanchang, subscribes 100 new books, the expression has supported meaning.

Upcoming K-Dramas of 2009 Korea

2009 Alien Baseball Team
Genre: Sport
Episodes: 21
Broadcast: 2009
Cast: Kim Min Jung, Kim Sung Kyum , Park Jung Hak, Park Sang Min, Song Ah Young, Yoon Tae Young
Description: N/A

A Man's Story
Genre: Action, Romance
Episodes: N/A
Broadcast: March 2009
Cast: Lee Philip, Park Yong Ha, Kim Kang Woo, Park Shi Yeon
Description: Park Yong Ha portrays man who once had it all. A scam ruined his family and his father's company went bankrupt because of him. He wants revenge against those who made his life a living hell. Park Shi Yeon is his girlfriend who works diligently in order to help him repay his debts.

Cain and Abel
Genre: Action, Romance
Episodes: 20
Broadcast: February 2009
Cast: Chae Jung Ahn, Han Ji Min, Shin Hyun Joon, So Ji Sub
Description: Cho In is a very gifted doctor who has everything that he wants whereas his older brother, Seon Woo, is jealous of all the attention that Cho In receives. Seon Woo blames his brother for taking everything good in his life away from him. Seon Woo blames Cho In for getting their father's love, getting more recognition as a doctor, and for stealing the woman he loves.

Cinderella Man
Genre: Drama, Romance
Episodes: N/A
Broadcast: April 2009
Cast: Han Eun Jung, Kwon Sang Woo
Description: The story of a man who would be playing two lives.

City Hall
Genre: N/A
Episodes: 20
Broadcast: April 2009
Cast: Ryu Shi Won
Description: N/A

Four Seasons
Genre: Romance
Episodes: N/A
Broadcast: February 2009
Cast: Jung Ji Hoon (Rain), Jun Ji Hyun
Description: A story between a female war correspondent and an adopted child who becomes a mercenary for France.

Fashion King
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 16
Broadcast: February 2009
Cast: Cha Seung Won, Nam Gyu Ri
Description: The drama is about the life of individuals who work in the fashion industry.

Full House 2
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Episodes: 20
Broadcast: August 2009
Cast: Yoon Eun Hye
Description: N/A

Hateful but Once Again
*Ongoing*
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 24
Broadcast: February 2009
Cast: Go Eun Mi, Jung Gyu Woon, Min-Sik Choi, Oh Joo Eun, Park Ye Jin
Description: Lee Min Chul is the Korean male version of Paris Hilton. He meets an ambitious woman and marries her. One of her goals is to become the first lady of their nation. She grooms Min Chul into a successful corporate leader.

Heaven's Postman
Genre: Romance
Episodes: N/A
Broadcast: May 2009
Cast: Kim Jae Joong (Hero), Han Hyo Joo
Description: The drama is about a messenger who connects the Afterlife with the present world. He will be a mailman who is in charge of sending the death of a friend or family member (of a person) up to heaven.
*NOTE: There will be 7 episodes each with a different story, and Jaejoong will only be coming out in the 1st episode.

IRIS
Genre: Action, Mystery, Thriller
Episodes: 20
Broadcast: 2009
Cast: Lee Byung Hun, Kim Tae Hee, Jung Joon Ho, Kim Seung Woo, T.O.P
Description: Kim Hyun Joon (Lee Byung Hun) is an assassin who belongs to a top secret organization known as the "NSS" whereas T.O.P is an assassin who works in another secret organization located in the United States called "IRIS" and was ordered to kill Hyun Joon. Lee Myung Hee is a psychological analyst who plays an important role in bring Hyun Joon into the "NSS."

Princess Ja Myung Go
Genre: Historical, Period Drama, Romance
Episodes: 50
Broadcast: April 2009
Cast: Park Min Young, Jung Ryu Won, Jung Kyung Ho, Lee Mi Sook, Lee Young Yoo, Moon Sung Geun, Park Hyo Joo
Description: A love story about Princess Nak-rang who fell in love with a spy from Goguryeo. She tore the drums of her country so that Goguryeo could attack her country, Nangnang-guk, without warning. However, Nak-rang's love story with Hodong is further complicated due to the fact that Nak-rang's older sister Ja Myung is in love with Hodong as well.

Queen Seon Duk
Genre: Historical, Period Drama
Episodes: 50
Broadcast: May 2009
Cast: Ko Hyun Jung, Lee Yo Won, Myung Se Bin, Nam Ji-Jyeon, Seo Young-Hee, Yoo Seung Ho
Description: King Jinpyeong did not have any sons to name as a successor to his throne. Thus he named his eldest daughter, Princess Duk Man, to be his successor. The drama will be about the life of Princess Duk Man who was later known as Queen Seon Duk, the first Queen of Silla.

Swallow the Sun
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 24
Broadcast: June 2009
Cast: Ha Ji Won, Ji Sung, Jun Kwang Ryul, Kim Jung Tae, Sung Yu Ri, Yoon Yoo Sun
Description: This novel-based story revolves mainly around four people who are drawn to Seogwipo, Jeju for a project.

The Sons of Sol Pharmacy House
Genre: Family, Romance
Episodes: N/A
Broadcast: March 2009
Cast: Park Sun Young, Son Hyun Joo
Description: Son Hyun Joo will portray a man who is the eldest of four sons and works hard to earn money to support his family. He is also a man who cannot forget his first love. His mother wants him to get married because he is already 38 years old.

Unseen Warfare (Strange Heroes)
Genre: N/A
Episodes: N/A
Broadcast: April 2009
Cast: Lee Jun Ki
Description: N/A

Friend, The Untold Story
Genre: N/A
Episodes: 20
Broadcast: June 2009
Cast: Hyun Bin, Kim Min Joon, Suh Do Young, Cha Seung Won, Jang Dong Geun (cameo), Joo Jin Mo (cameo), Park Shi Yeon (cameo)
Description: N/A

Triple
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 16
Broadcast: June 2009
Cast: Kang Ji Hwan, Lee Sun Gyun, Yoon Kye Sang, Min Hyo Rin, Nam Gyu Ri
Description: This drama is about a short-track speed skater (Kang Ji Hwan), a female figure skater (Min Hyo Rin), and their two coaches. It will show how two skaters from completely different backgrounds train to become successful figure skaters. Lee Sun Gyun and Yoon Kye Sang are employees in an ad agency.

Vanness: Anything for Ang Lee

Does abstinence in real life translate to greater restrictions in reel life? Taiwanese artiste Vanness Wu, member of Taiwanese pop boy band F4, who has a one-year abstinence plan in place to honour God, distinguishes his work and private life clearly.In new movie "Kung Fu Chef", his relationship with Kago Ai remained pure and innocent; he said the lack of kissing scenes has nothing to do with abstinence. In fact, he does not resist intimate scenes."It's acting and not real." He added that he has not set any restrictions for his onscreen performances, but will select scripts very carefully."I think what is most important is the script; the story, direction of the movie and director's vision. I will not easily take on something like 'Lust, Caution'. But if the director is Ang Lee, then it's ok. I'll do it," he laughed.From his first film "Star Runner" to "Dragon Squad", "Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon" and most recently "Kung Fu Chef", Wu was unable to detach his onscreen persona with martial arts. However, this was not specially arranged for."I do not have a particular direction that I would like to pursue. Any characters that are challenging will interest me.""Kung Fu Chef" combines martial art and culinary skills; despite their stark differences, Wu see them as a commonality."Kung fu is a form of exercise. It trains up one's self-discipline and lets you understand your ability. Cooking is also a form of kung fu. Every dish needs skills; the simpler the dish, the harder it is to create. Knife skills are also part of it," he said.With an interest in martial arts and habit in frequenting the gym with his friend Jimmy Hong, Wu insisted on engaging in the actions by himself in the movie."I did insist on doing some fight scenes by myself; but when I need a stuntman to replace me, I will let the stuntman do it. When we make action films, injuries such as strains and bruises are inevitable. So we have to remember to stretch and warm up," Wu said.With five movies and seven movies on his portfolio and experiences, come higher expectations. "It should not be hard to breakthrough. There are self-expectations; but what is breakthrough, I don't know. I don't know how to work towards breakthrough. I only know how to do my best in the things I do. I don't think I need to be better than the previous time. It's a learning process, not a competition."Wu is currently boss of movie production company Smash & Grabs Productions, which he set up with Hong, son of action actor Sammo Hong, where they produce, direct, invest in films and screenplay."We have started work in name of the company. Jimmy's script is temporarily named 'Gulliver's Travel'. That is his script so he will be directing," he said. However, Wu refused to reveal or predict when the film will begin shooting or screening. He said, "You'd have to ask him.">.

John Woo to Film Chinese Sunken Titanic

Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo will join hands with China Film Group to shoot the tragic romance "Tai Ping Lun"(previously known as "1949") following his wartime epic, "Red Cliff".Beijing Star Daily reports that director John Woo reached a partnership agreement with China Film Group Wednesday night, the Group's president, Han Sanping, revealed on Thursday.This marks their second collaboration, following their first joint production of "Red Cliff", which is expected to bag about 100 million US dollars in total box office.The new big-budget Chinese-language film begins at the end of World War II and is based on real events that took place during the final years of the Chinese Civil War, right up to the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.The film, starring rising Taiwan star Chang Chen and Korean A-list actressSong Hye-kyo, centers on the love, life and death stories of three pairs of lovers. Song Hye-kyo is reportedly practicing hard to improve her Mandarin.The screenplay was written by "Lust, Caution" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" screenwriter Wang Hui-ling.According to documents, the overloaded cruise liner was bound for Taiwan from Chinese mainland. It sank on the voyage after colliding with a cargo ship on the night of Jan 27, 1949, resulting in deaths of about a thousand celebrities onboard.The cruiser that sank on that fateful night is sometimes referred to as the Oriental Titanic.

Da S gets nominated for HK's Golden Elephant Awards and has no confidence in winning; Scared that Xiao S would steal all the limelight

Da S gets nominated for HK's Golden Elephant Awards and has no confidence in winning; Scared that Xiao S would steal all the limelight
On the 26th of February, Da S(大S) accepted an interview while in Hong Kong. She expressed that she has never once gotten any award related to acting, and she feels extremely honoured that for her first time acting in a Hong Kong movie, she has been nominated for this year's Golden Elephant Awards. Howver, she has no confidence in winning because of the competition between many 'queens'. During the ceremony, she would only bring her mother along and not her sister, because she is afraid that Xiao S(小S) would dress too sexily and steal the limelight away from her. First time being nominated - has no confidence in winningRegarding her nomination for Best Actress in this year's Golden Elephant Awards, Da S expressed that it was a pleasant surprise and a huge encouragement for her. She said: "My sister and I debuted at a very young age. In these few years, I have sang, hosted and filmed movies. However I haven't won any award recognition for them. This is my first time participating in a Hong Kong movie and I can get nominated for Best Actress. When I was first informed of this, I didn't know why I flew too. This is my first time being nominated, and my name can be listed along with so many queens - I feel extremely honoured. I hope that I will be able to film more movies and get nominated." Later on, when she dropped by Xiao S's house, her daughter ran out and congratulated Da S: "Congrats auntie for being nominated", which delighted and pleased Da S very much. Predicts that Prudence Liu and Louis Koo would winThis time, Da S is competing with 'queens' like Zhou Xun(周迅), Bao Qi Jing(鲍起静), Prudence Liu(刘美君) and Karena Lam(林嘉欣). Da S expressed that for her, a nominated would be enough, and she has no confidence that she would win the award, because her opponents are all too strong: "I've seen 'Painted Skin', and Zhou Xun was just too marvellous in there. It really makes me not have confidence. Karena Lam is very unique, she has her own style of actings. Prudence Liu has won the Golden Horse Award before, so I predict that this time, she would be the one to win. For the Best Actor category I think Louis Koo(古天乐) would win, because I really liked his movie, 'Run Papa Run 一个好爸爸'."Laughed and said that she's scared that Xiao S would steal all the limelightLater on, Da S happily said that no matter whether she would get the award or not, she would dress up very nicely for the event. When asked whether many big brands had offered her attire for the awards night, Da S humorously replied: "Let Lin Chiling (林志玲) choose first, the rest can be given to me." Other than dressing up for the event, Da S also wants to bring her mother along. However, she rejects the idea of Xiao S attending. She said: "My mother is not familiar with my work status in Hong Kong. I want to make use of this opportunity to show off a little to her. Also, my mother wishes to see all those big stars. But I do not want to go with Xiao S, because she always dresses in clothes that are too revealing, and will steal the limelight away." Other than this, filial Da S also wishes to bring her mother on a holiday to Switzerland.

Big S & He Rundong scandal with New Book that have "No IDEA" 大S何润东传绯闻 彭于晏宣传新书称完全不知情

Big S is exploded with looks with He Rundong the movie, also passes on "takes the same bus the sentiment" Peng Yuyan with her to be busy at propagandizing the new book not to know the circumstances of the matter completely, a tin rephrased in own words, escaped the mouth saying:"socializes in the movie between 3 men also insufficient, you also take several men?"
Peng Yuyan with big S is in shoots "Sound production Practice which the movie Loves" when spreads the scandal, but big S has the intimate relation in the piece neutral 3 men, as soon as therefore Peng Yuyan listens to big S to pass on the scandal, cannot bear the quotation movie plot smile big S, finally also uses in the piece the name to make the conclusion: "good, the cat (refers to big S) happy, Arab League good (refers to Peng) happily also."Very does smiles.
Is such humor, lets Peng Yuyan have the good personal connection, he in Taibei, Hsinchu manages the signature meeting, a bean or sweet potato starch noodles group follows, the good friend previous letter orchestra initiates the letter to say originally must arrive, the result loses the field, the reason is temporarily needs to accompany the daughter to watch the movie. But he was also same as Zheng Yuanchang, subscribes 100 new books, the expression has supported meaning.