Jang Dong Gun

Remember the lawsuit filed by Lee Byung Hun’s ex alleging that when the actor broke up with her she suffered damages-worthy psychological trauma (not to mention her allegations of illegal gambling)? It’s been a while since we heard any update in the case, and after Lee’s ex, who has since moved to Canada, skipped court dates in April and May, the court ruled that the case was closed on Monday. But wait! It turns out that Kwon Mi Yeon, the woman at the center of it all, was able to file for an extension late Monday–the very last day that she could legally do so. So now everything is back on, with a new trial date set for July 14th. There’s been no public comment from Kwon, and Lee’s manager has said that he has suffered but remains confident of victory.

More from the Road No. 1 press conference last week: star Kim Ha Neul has not been shy in interviews about her admiration of the production and pride in being able to participate, and her remarks to the press were no exception: she says Road has a script that only comes along “once in a decade.”

And speaking of Kim Ha Neul, she shows off her gorgeous gams in next month’s Harper’s Bazaar–check out a sneak peek!

After her turn as the title being in Air Doll, Bae Doo Na is back to work in Kdrama, having been cast in the weekend drama Gloria. The show is set in a nightclub, with Bae’s character playing an orphan who lives with her sister who aspires to become a singer. The show will succeed Dandelion Family later this year.

Jang Geun Suk fans will want to read up on his recent Hong Kong fan meeting. It seems like everyone had a great time, and Jang even got a compliment on his “excellent Chinese”!

Han Chae Young is said to be in talks with CAA and William Morris agencies to find Hollywood projects for the star, who recently appeared on Boys Over Flowers and A Man Called God. Han grew up in the suburbs of Chicago before making her name in Korea, so there’s no language barrier to her success in the States.

Jang Dong Gun, who last appeared in a drama in 2000’s All About Eve, is said to be very carefully eyeing a drama comeback if he can find time in his schedule…

And finally, as if Lee Byung Hun doesn’t have enough problems these days, he has 2PM’s Taecyeon imitating his IRIS persona on Twitter. Give this guy a break!

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Category: News | Tags: 2PM, A Man Called God, Air Doll, Bae Doo Na, Boys Over Flowers, Dandelion Family, Gloria, Han Chae Young, IRIS, Jang Dong Gun, Jang Geun Suk, Kim Ha Neul, Kwon Mi Yeon, Lee Byung Hun, Road No. 1, Taecyeon

Hyo Min

In a move unusual for Kdramas, taping of the highly anticipated Korean War epic Road No. 1 was completed in full before the first episode hit the airwaves (it premieres next Wednesday). It must be a relief for stars So Ji Sub, Kim Ha Neul, and Yoon Kye Sang’s abs to be able to promote the drama with the confidence of having seen the entire finished product. Check out the cast and crew’s finale party here, and see Kim making sure her dress doesn’t result in any embarrassing photos at a press conference for the series here.

The World Cup is playing havoc with drama ratings in Korea, and for now the Wednesday-night beneficiary is the new Baker King Kim Tak Gu. How will it hold up next week when the juggernaut Road No. 1 arrives? Meanwhile, for its 10th week in a row, the number-one drama in Korea is the saguek Dong Yi.

Two new weekend dramas begin on Saturday, running the spectrum from family romance to war drama. Please Marry Me is about four couples living under one roof, and Comrades has been getting quite a bit of press as the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War draws near. See the cast and posters for both new shows right here.

The upcoming Hong Sisters‘ fantasy-romance My Girlfriend is a Gumiho gained a new cast member from the pop music world: Hyo Min is the latest member of T-Ara to step into the acting spotlight on the new show. She’ll have a supporting role as a friend of the two main characters and daughter of a film stunt academy, where the drama is apparently partially set.

Oguri Shun just wrapped up the mountain-climbing flick Gaku, set on the perilous Yakugatake mountain range. In order to make the movie, he had to get adept at “vertical downhill,” which sounds really scary. He relied on the tight-knit crew so much that now that shooting’s over, he says he feels quite lonely…

And finally, Jang Geun Suk, who recently announced that he’s on a diet, will be dancing the pounds away at an all-night party to cheer on South Korea as they face Nigeria in the World Cup.

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Category: News | Tags: Baker King Kim Tak Gu, Comrades, Dong Yi, Gaku, Hong Sisters, Jang Geun Suk, Kim Ha Neul, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, Oguri Shun, Please Marry Me, Road No. 1, So Ji Sub, T-ara, World Cup, Yoon Kye-Sang

Song Il Kook

Lee Na Young has confirmed that she will co-star opposite Rain in the autumn spy thriller Runaway. Last appearing in Kdrama in Ireland (which hits Drama Fever tomorrow btw), Lee’s return will have her skipping across Asia as the story is set in Tokyo, Macau, Busan, Shanghai and many other iconic cities. Runaway is scheduled to premier in September.

Jumong’s Song Il Kook stirred up controversy with remarks he made anticipating his stage debut in a double role as historical figures Ahn Jung Geun and his son, Ahn Jun Saeng. While Ahn Jung Geun is a famous figure of the Korean resistance of Japanese occupation in the early 1900s, his son Ahn Jun Saeng was branded a traitor to the cause. Song, whose family has figured prominently in Korea’s independence movement, gave remarks sympathetic to Ahn Jun Saeng. That’s all it took for him to be branded by a some as a traitor himself. The upshot is that prior to the start of his new play (called I Am You), a dialogue with the audience will be held to help ease tensions.

On a lighter note, Kdrama celebs are being called on the carpet for being huge fatties by the always-sensitive internet universe. First up, Park Shin Hye was lambasted for appearing slightly more substantial than usual. Birdie Buddy’s UEE also got nailed for having a mini-muffin top in her vacuum-sealed vinyl short shorts (although some kindly suggested that the photos may have been photoshopped by anti-fans). Fearing the kind of harsh criticism that befell those starlets, Jang Geun Suk has announced that he’s going on a diet.

Lee Dong Gun is entering the army, after a health-related postponement. Meanwhile, the military has decided that Lee Joon Ki would best serve as a “celebrity military officer,” working to boost the morale of soldiers by hosting military television and radio shows, as well as making other appearances in order to “fulfill various cultural desires.”

Chuno’s General Choi Han Jung Soo hit the catwalk the other day in a bizarre fur shawl that looks great if you’re… uh… building an igloo?

Finally, have a look at Kim Hyun Joong totally cracking up about something on the radio show Young Street. His SS501 bandmates must have been pretty “on” that day, because Kim had to run to a corner he was laughing so hard!

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Category: News | Tags: Ahn Jun Saeng, Ahn Jung Geun, Birdie Buddy, Chuno, Han Jung Soo, Ireland, Jang Geun Suk, Jumong, Kim Hyun Joong, Lee Dong Gun, Lee Joon Ki, Lee Na Young, Park Shin Hye, Rain, Runaway, Song Il Kook, SS501, Uee

Yoon Shi Yoon

Filming has wrapped on Heavenly Embroidery, the drama for China’s CCTV starring Han Ji Hye as a woman who travels from Korea to China in search of her mother, but discovers a talent and love for traditional embroidery along the way. In an interview, Han described her experience working with director Huang Jian Zhong as “precious,” saying that although she was initially worried about the language barrier, she ended up learning a lot both as “as an actress” and “as a human being.”

The first episode of Baker King Kim Tak Gu rose above the competition, surpassing Bad Guy and the Living Without Incident minidrama finale. The premier was set during the 60s and 70s, when bread was hard to come by–providing a backdrop for Yoon Shi Yoon and Joo Won’s father’s passion for pastry.

Kim Bum is supporting South Korea’s Red Devils at this years World Cup of course, and he’s also supporting Nike sportswear as their new model. And make sure to catch Kim’s Nike CM, also starring Song Joong Ki and Kim Yu Na.

And speaking of Kim Yu Na, the figure skater addressed gossip about her personal life in a recent interview on Golden Fishery. When asked whether she had heard rumors that had paired her up romantically with everyone from Jang Geun Suk to Super Junior’s Lee Teuk, Kim said “Of course I do. They’re my rumors.” She emphatically denied ever having met any of the guys involved, saying she’s much too busy for boys!

Even though Prosecutor Princess may not have taken off in national ratings, it still had a passionate fanbase, and star Park Shi Hoo has rewarded 20 staff members with an unusually generous post-wrap gift: a four-night, three-day stay at gorgeous Jeju Island!

And finally, a couple of strange stories that show the power of Kpop: First up, the online “holy war” between Super Junior fans and anti-fans in China boiled over when the number of free tickets being given out was cut drastically from the original plan. Things got even worse when a Hong Kong newspaper falsely reported that someone had been killed in the crush for tickets. The resulting anti-foreign pop star furor resulted in Japan’s SMAP canceling a performance, further disappointing everyone. And then there’s this story, in which South Korea plans on using Kpop girl groups as part of psychological warfare against the North. I’m guessing it’ll go something like this.

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Category: News | Tags: Bad Guy, Baker King Kim Tak Gu, Golden Fishery, Han Ji Hye, Heavenly Embroidery, Huang Jian Zhong, Jang Geun Suk, Joo Won, Kim Bum, Kim Yu Na, Lee Teuk, Living Without Incident, Park Shi Hoo, Prosecutor Princess, SMAP, Song Joong Ki, Super Junior, Yoon Shi Yoon

Park Shin Hye

It’s just been announced that Kim Suro, the upcoming saguek starring Yoo Oh Sung, will be filmed in 3D, using the same camera technology as the film Avatar. It’s a historic first for Korean television, and it is still unclear how viewers will be able to experience the drama at home. Presumably, people who have not purchased special 3D glasses beforehand would find the picture unwatchable. Tears of Africa, the third in the epic documentary series that includes Tears of the Arctic and Tears of the Amazon, is also being produced in 3D.

You’re Beautiful star Jang Geun Suk is all over the place, not just here on Drama Fever but in a slew of new photos: Jang posed with Bae Doo Na and Lee Si Young for Jack & Jill to promote urban gardening and other environmentally friendly activities, and then on his own in Nylon magazine, displaying his acting range in a series of eight shots based on eight different emotions.

Jang’s Beautiful co-star Park Shin Hye is pretty adorable in her sourpuss fashion spread in April’s Oh! Boy magazine.

The IRIS invasion of Japan continues with stars Kim Tae Hee and Lee Byung Hun making television appearances together to invite audiences to tune in to the hit. Catch a couple of new promo spots filmed by the stars right here!

Strong emotions come through in the new posters for June’s Korean War saga Road No. 1, particularly in Kim Ha Neul’s tearful pic.

On the other hand, it doesn’t get more lighthearted and cheerful than Yoo Seung Ho’s pastel photo shoot for Maru clothing.

And finally, a rather shocking article on the prevalence of plastic surgery among even young showbiz hopefuls in Korea. One clinic representative said simply, “cosmetic surgery has now become essential for all young Koreans who aspire to become stars.” Other doctors worried about unpredictable side effects on young people who receive plastic surgery before they fully mature.

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Category: News | Tags: Bae Doo Na, IRIS, Jang Geun Suk, Kim Ha Neul, Kim Suro, Kim Tae Hee, Lee Byung Hun, Lee Si Young, Park Shin Hye, Road No. 1, Tears of Africa, Tears of the Amazon, Tears of the Arctic, Yoo Oh Sung, Yoo Seung Ho, You're Beautiful