Jung Ryu-won, formerly from girl band, Chakra is another singer who made it big after turning into acting. She came to our notice as the ex-girl friend who refused to let go of Hyun Bin´s Jin Hyeon in My Name is Kim Sam Soon, much to our chagrin. Thereafter, Jung Ryu-won appeared in Korean dramas: Which Star are you from with Kim Rae Won as the long lost country pumpkin sister who is a death ringer of KRW´s character´s death wife, and April Shower with Oh Ji Ho, the drama panned by critics and was lowly rated to some extent, I believe the audience did not like their characters´ irresponsibility. Oh Ji Ho´s character eloped with Ryu-won character thereby abandoning his wife who is in coma and who was her best friend´s husband whom she was in loved even before the wife went into coma! And after the wife regained consciousness, Oh Ji Ho´s character could not decide whom he would love enough to make a decision among them!
Among the other singers who became more successful as an actress are Eugene, formerly from SES; Yoon Eun Hye, formerly BabyVox who burst into fame via Korean drama, Goong-Princess Hour; and Ha Ji won who gained fame initially in the horror genre. It was reported that Eugene is a better actress than she ever was as singer!
My first impression of The Cross, a Korean pop-rock duo was not flattering at all. I thought them to look passé with their platinum blond hair and my first time hearing them from a link (thanks to Se7enFan a couple of month back) was not impressive but I was dead wrong and I am pleased to admit it! After watching this talented duo “live” in person yesterday, less than 30 feet away, I am totally bowled over by their performance for the following reason:
1st, Lead singer, Kim Kyung Hyun who could look so angelic, could rock. His vocal range is 4 ½ octave (his range is wider than Mariah Carrey´s) and he has some nifty dance moves as well. (Some info for the uninitiated like me, the piano keyboard has a range of 6 octaves). Korea´s netizen has voted Kyung Hyun as possessing an “emotionally moving” voice.
2nd, Composer, Guitarist and keyboardist, Lee Si Ha is the talented engine behind The Cross who knows how to work the crowd and tantalise the audience. He has the advantage of speaking English well, though not perfect, to get the crowd riled up. His most mesmerising moves are when he is playing the electric guitar. He minded me of the heavy metal rockers of the 70s sans those grotesque makeup and metal and he is distinctly clean-looking with a touch of light orange lipstick. A lot of his appeal stems from his personality (comic at poking good natured fun at Kyung Hyun who does not speak English) and he is street smart who knows when to push the right buttons seemingly on the background to work on the audience. The fact of the matter is that a few years back this rocker was awarded the best composer!
3rd, The Cross could have so much fun singing and jumping during their stage performance that was infectious. Their rocking on stage persona definitely overshadows their slower numbers.
4th, The Cross scored the first in Malaysia as the artists who personalised the autographing of their album by painstakingly writing the name of each of the fans who went up to them for signature. The MC informed that it was a typical gesture of appreciation of the Korean entertainers to their fans. Further, the duo took the trouble to bow twice to each fan (1st on seeing them and 2nd when the shook their hands. Lee Si Ha who was the last in line to sign, returned the album with both hands, such politeness. There was a fan who in a rush of euphoria forgot to shake hands and Si Ha Ssi caught hold of her hand. I was told Si Ha has a very warm and firm grip when shaking hands and he looks the fan in the eye to show his appreciation. I saw that their autographing is rather cute, they drew crosses above their signatures.
With such talent, the color of their hair does not matter any more!
Don´t Cry, from their first album, Melody Quus in 2003 that had made The Cross the karaoke favourite rock song since two years ago.
Saranghanikka was written a year ago during their forced break, due to Kyung Hyun´s motorcycle accident, by Si Ha who composed and reworked on melody together with Kyung Hyun who was then in hospital recovering from his injury. The lyric was subsequently written by Si Ha. Apparently, The Cross travelled in their motorcycles to beat the traffic in Seoul while rushing through their heavy schedule when the accident occurred.
The Cross´ We Are, written as an encouragement for the South Korean Soccer Team during 2006 World Cup, shows their infectiously rocking persona.
Time, from their 3rd Album accompanied by kayakeum, Korean traditional musical instruments. The Cross felt that none of the popular music uses their traditional musical instrument.
Written by Kwfong for www.Shenyuepop.com
No reproduction of this article unless with the written consent of Kwfong at www.shenyuepop.com.
Credits: Se7enFan, Snow Cross fr Soompi, 98.8, The China Press, Kpopkingdom
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Video coverage by The Nanyang Press
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Info from Wikipedia:
Super Junior’s debut film Pretty Boys’ Series of Terror Events (꽃미남 연쇄 테러사건) premiered on July 26, 2007 in Korea. This is the first film released from SM Pictures. Every member of Super Junior is in participance of the film with the exception of Kyuhyun, who is still resting from the April 18th car accident. The film has yet to make its Asian premiere.
The film is a whimsical comedy involving a blogger by the name of Kibum who blogs all the terror events on the 14th of each month. Siwon will star as the president of the Student Union, Kang-In as the president of Judo Society, and Heechul as a president of Dance Society. In the film, the three become targets to series of terror events.
The film did better than expected in box office sales. In reference to online ticket sales, the company was expecting a 22% range, but the sales made passed 41.19%.
Lee Jun Ki and Nam Sang Mi´s cooperation in “The Time of Dogs and Wolves” and the soared ratings could put Junki´s fans at ease!
Ratings for Lee Jun Ki´s latest Kdrama: “The Time of Dogs and Wolves “ has soared to 13.7% and it was mentioned that his fans claimed that “his acting has improved tremendously”. Having watch Lee Jun Ki in The King and the Clown, the record highest box office grosser of that year, I tend to disagree with that opinion because he was already a very remarkable actor as the gender confused clown whom the King was having the “hots” for despite a harem of beautiful women! Of course, in that role, Lee Jun Ki won three awards at the Paeksang for Best Newcomer, Most Popular and In Style Fashion (he started as a model before venturing into acting). It was joked that he should have won the best actress award as well! There was a dispute at that year´s Paeksang for awarding the Best Newcomer to Lee Jun Ki because he has acted in Flying Boys and a Japanese movie, Hotel Venus. However, the explanation for still awarding the Best Newcomer to him was that he played a supporting role in Flying Boys (having watched this film, I agree with their rationale) and Hotel Venus is Japanese, so not in consideration.
Source: China Press, 29 July 07
(Seoul) With Lee Jun Ki and Nam Sang Mi act in the Korean drama “The Time of Dogs and Wolves “, the day before yesterday on the 3rd episode, this drama received 13.7% compared with last week´s inaugural broadcast of 10.8%, increased approximately by 3 percentage point. In this drama, Junki oppa seeks revenge for his parents by dismissing the post of National Intelligence Bureau´s agent and infiltrating himself undercover with Thai gangsters. Many fans after watching the episodes are praising his cool style and that his acting has improved tremendously.
With Park Shin Yang´s drama “Money War” ended its final broadcast last week, the “Dog”´s viewership has gone up significantly. Replacing “Money” is another new drama “How To Meet a Perfect Neighbours” lead by Kim Seung Woo and Bae Doo Na had its premiere recorded a 13.8” ratings. Therefore, it is believed that these two dramas will be in fierce competition for the audience´s viewings.
Translation: Kwfong @ Shenyuepop.com
credits: www.ShenYuePop.com
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