New Movie-Watching Record Set

Lee Su-min, 28, left, and Lee Sang-hun, 26, set the new local record for watching movies -- 34 consecutive screenings! Photo courtesy of CGV

A new domestic record of 68 hours and 7 minutes has been set for longest movie watching, Friday (Feb. 27) at a Seoul theater, announced CGV Theater.

Two winners, Lee Su-min, a 28-year-old woman, and Lee Sang-hun, a 26-year-old man, topped the nation’s first official movie-watching marathon by enduring 34 consecutive screenings. Hitherto, the South Korean record was 66 hours 41 minutes 56 seconds while a similar competition in Norway holds the Guinness World Record of over 70 hours. CGV Theater hosted the competition following regulations set by the Korea Record Institute.

A total of 239 participants were chosen by a draw among some 40,000 that applied. The competition began at noon, Feb. 24 and ended around 8 a.m. Feb. 27 when paramedics checked the two prizewinners after the 34th consecutive film and recommended them to stop. Each won a prize of 2.5 million won and a new record certificate from the Korean Record Institute. The third winner, Oh Ju-hyeon, a 22-year-old woman, won 1 million won after lasting about an hour less at 67 hours 7 minutes 41 seconds.

The competition took place under the surveillance of some 200 staff members and 26 paramedics. Participants included a 26-year-old woman, identified as Yu, who was the first to drop out of the competition after 54 minutes 52 seconds; Kwon Bok-sun, a 47-year-old film buff and the eldest contender who braved 57 hours 28 minutes; and Nathan Donald Pence, a 27-year-old American student who lasted 47 hours 21 minutes 10 seconds. The largest number of participants _ about 30 percent _ dropped out between 20 and 24 hours into the marathon.

CGV Theater plans to host the Movie Watching Marathon annually.

Wow... I once saw several movies on an insomnia-ridden international flight and my brain felt like mush.

Next Generation Artists Sparkle in Seoul

Youthful exuberance reigned in Seoul last week as Yundi Li, Sung Si-yeon and Alexander Gavrylyuk ― musicians who will lead the future of classical music ― took the stage.

Chinese star pianist Li made sure his Wednesday recital at Seoul Arts Center, the first in six years, would be unforgettable, making fans anticipate his next visit. The following evening at the same venue, conductor Sung lead the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to create exhilarating rhythms opposite pianist Gavrylyuk.

Yundi Li's Poetic Pianism

As the youngest ever winner of the Chopin International Competition, Yundi Li is naturally associated with the musician. He displayed a different musical streak last year through the new repertoire of Prokofiev and Ravel, demonstrating a flair for rhapsodic melodies and primitive rhythms.

Somewhat ironically, however, it was the 26-year-old's return to a program of Chopin that, though inspiring a pang of nostalgia, demonstrated his ever-evolving growth as a musician ― and suggested that it is perhaps prejudiced to label him as a Chopin specialist.

An enthusiastic audience, including his staunch female fans, greeted the charming pianist. But the hall instantly hushed for his sweeping, balletic renditions of Chopin's ``Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2'' and ``Mazurka Op. 33.''

But the Romanticist shined through with ``Five Yunnan Folk Songs,'' a collection of Chinese folk songs arranged for the piano. Li certainly has an uncanny ability to beautify music, including even some of the most irking pieces of music like Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2. His poeticism was manifest in the melodious folk songs, through which he allowed crystalline tunes to glide like an autumn leaf floating upon a dancing stream.

As if to make the Chopin pieces seem like minor spices to the musical feast, he gave a polished performance of Mussorgsky's ``Pictures at an Exhibition.'' Finally, in response to the prolonged ovations, he gave two encores of beautiful Chinese folk songs. Afterward, members of the audience hurriedly flocked outside to get his autograph.

``It is logical that I am associated with Chopin. But at the same time, he has nothing to do with me, because I can play a wide-ranging repertoire,'' he was quoted as once saying. Indeed, the recital showcased Li's versatility, and moreover, it suggested how unfair it is to mention his name, without fail, alongside Lang Lang just because they are the same age and nationality ― because his musicality seems to know no frontiers.

Sung, Gavrylyuk's Synergy Effect

Li's powerful rendition of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2, a piece rarely played in Korea, remains fresh in the minds of many after his CD and tour last year. The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's ``New Wave'' Series I featured rising pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk with the same piece, though with his own color and dynamism.

The 24-year-old Ukrainian held the audience in rapt attention with his exquisite technique, tackling particularly the long solo part of the first movement with jazz, with a striking sense of ease and spontaneity.

Conductor Sung Si-yeon, on the other hand, offered a sound that was more organic, rounded and ``organized'' than expected of the robust piece. While the Seoul Philharmonic could have been more reverberating in the third movement, it was nevertheless not without the certain magnetism necessary to match the virtuosity of the soloist and create musical synergy.

Whole minutes disappeared as Gavrylyuk displayed his natural artistry and expansive breadth of emotion, and concertgoers did not ― or rather could not ― let out a single cough between movements. But once the final notes resounded, the concert hall rumbled with ovation, which continued well into the intermission time. For the enraptured audience, the soloist offered ``Flight of the Bumblebee'' as an encore, showcasing more of his ``flying fingers'' (it seems Lang Lang no longer has monopoly over that nickname).

Gavrylyuk launched his career through international events such as the Rubenstein. His fame has only just begun to catch up with his immense talents that deserve greater attention. But he doesn't seem to have to wait long, as he will soon making a recording and concert tour of Prokofiev's complete piano concertos with the Sydney Symphony led by Maestro Vladimir Ashkenezay. In 2012, he will debut with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under the baton of Mihail Platnev.

Meanwhile, Sung shined with another Nordic repertoire. Last year, the assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra gave a colorful rendition of Sibelius's ``Lemminkainen's Homeward Journey.'' This time she took concertgoers on an invigorating ride into the Finnish composer's musical world with ``Pohjola's Daughter.''

Lastly, she wrapped up the evening with glimmering golden tones in Bartok's ``The Miraculous Mandarin.'' Her charismatic command of the dissonant harmonies showed why she won the Bamberg Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition.

The 34-year-old, chosen among the next generation of classical musicians by The Korea Times along with pianist Li, is a rising ``maestra'' to watch out for. Such young artists as Li, Sung and Gavrylyuk hush concerns over the diminishing interest in classical music.

Read my Next Generation Interview Series with Yundi Li or my recent
email interview with the pianist.
Read my Next Generation Interview Series with Sung Si-yeon.

March Offers Special Opera Feast

March will be a special treat for local opera fans, with three must-see productions coming to the stage. Seoul Arts Center's Opera Theater makes its grand reopening March 6-14 with a star-studded production of ``Le Nozze di Figaro.'' The National Opera restages ``The Magic Flute,'' March 10-15 and Italy's Trieste Verdi Theater performs for the first time in Korea with ``Madame Butterfly,'' March 12-15. >>More

`Oishii Man’: Magic of Love, Youth

Franz Kafka once said that ``literature must be the axe for the frozen sea within us,’’ and good movies, like books and other works of art, sometimes have such inspirational power. ``Oishii Man’’ is yet another small jewel of a film by Kim Jeong-jung, and despite its prevalent imagery of the frozen sea, the youthful romance seethes with warmth.

Perhaps love and youth compliment each other like no other pair can. Kim broke hearts with ``HERs,’’ set in snow-covered Alaskan plains. This time, the director takes viewers to the ice floes of northern Japan. In ``Oishii Man,’’ two young starlets _ South Korean model-turned-actor Lee Min-ki and Japanese heroine Chizuru Ikewaki _ make music and magic.

The movie is about two strangers who mend each other's broken souls, and an unforgettable winter romance blooms. Ice would be the last thing one would expect to melt frozen hearts. Likewise, the movie's magical aura manifests itself in the portrayal of ice fairies, or ``kurione,'' fantastic aquatic creatures shaped like small white angels that live only in the iciest seas.

>>Click here to read more about the plot.

The movie invites comparisons to the international hit ``Once.’’ Like the song-ridden Irish love story, sometimes love between two people is consummated in not being consummated, at least in the conventional sense of ``happily-ever-after’’ endings.

While ``Oishii Man’’ is also about music, the soundtrack is strictly limited, unlike ``Once,’’ where the music dominates the narrative.

The poeticism of the movie lies in the silence between the notes. ``Oishii Man’’ is indeed ``oishi.’’ The tasteful film tugs at the heartstrings without being the least bit sappy, and does not get too heavy, with lots of comic relief.

Now playing in theaters. 12 and over. 96 minutes. Distributed by Sponge. In a mixture of Korean, Japanese (with Korean subtitles) and broken English.

'Dragonball' to Make World Premiere in Korea

Chow Yun-fat!!! Hotness :) He's such a smiley, pleasant ajushi in person, saying "My wife made me do the film because she needs money to buy a very famous bag" and showing off his Korean skills, "Bballi bbali~ Sigan eopseo" (빨리 빨리! 시간없어!)


From left, director James Wong and actors Joon Park, Emmy Rossum, Chow Yun-fat, Jamie Chung, Justin Chatwin and James Marsters promote their movie ``Dragonball: Evolution'' in Seoul Tuesday. The film, based on the popular Japanese comic, will make its world premiere March 12 in South Korea. / Yonhap

The explosively popular Japanese comic ``Dragon Ball’’ comes to life via Hollywood as ``Dragonball: Evolution.’’ Before its world premiere March 12 in South Korea, the movie’s cast of fresh young actors, Asian superstar Chow Yun-fat and former K-pop star Joon Park (Park Joon-hyung) turned up the temperature a notch in Seoul with their promotional tour Tuesday.

The original 500-plus-episode cartoon is based on the epic fantasy ``Chinese Odyssey.’’ First published in 1984, it sold over 200 million copies worldwide and has been made into three TV animation series, 21 movies and 25 video games.

The new Stephen Chow production brings the story of a teenaged Goku (Justin Chatwin) who, upon the dying wishes of his adoptive grandfather (Randall Duk Kim), seeks out the great masters Roshi (Chow Yun-fat) and Bulma (Emmy Rossum). With his friends Yamcha (Joon Park) and Chi Chi (Jamie Chung), he must gather all seven magical orbs or Dragon Balls before the evil Lord Piccolo (James Marsters) uses them to conquer the world. >>More

London: No Smooching, Snapping

AP Photo

LONDON (AP) - Stop smooching.

That's the message of a new sign that went up outside a train station in northern England on Monday.

The goal is to stop departing passengers from pulling up in their cars at a crowded drop-off point and pausing to kiss each other farewell. The sign shows a profile of a couple kissing, with a diagonal red line across their image.

Virgin Rail says it installed the sign while refurbishing the station after a local business networking group said the place had to become more efficient. But profit margins may have been a factor, too. Virgin Rail says that if passengers want to share an embrace before they part company, they should pay to park their cars nearby where they can kiss all they want.

Could this photo I took of Buckingham Palace guards during my
2005 London escapade be deemed illegal?

LONDON (AP) - Tourists better think twice now before snapping pictures of the iconic British bobby.

A new British anti-terrorism law went into effect Monday that could effectively bar photographers from taking pictures of police or military personnel -- a move that prompted some 200 photographers to protest outside of Scotland Yard's headquarters.

Although the measure aims to prevent terrorists from taking reconnaissance shots, photographers say it could be misused at a whim to stop any pictures from being taken -- especially images involving police abuse and demonstrations.

Vote for YouTube Symphony Orchestra Finalists

Six South Korean finalists that might make the YouTube Symphony Orchestra.

Video-sharing Web site YouTube is inviting netizens to choose members of the world's first online orchestra project, YouTube Symphony Orchestra. A total of 200 finalists, including six South Koreans, have been chosen. Online votes continue through 2 p.m., Feb. 23 (local time) for the selection of 80 members who will perform at Carnegie Hall, New York, in April.

Last December, YouTube called for professional and amateur musicians of all ages, locations and instruments to audition via a video performance of ``Internet Symphony Eroica,'' a new piece written for the occasion by the renowned Chinese composer Tan Dun.

Over 4,000 video clips from some 70 countries were submitted. A judging panel of established musicians selected the 200 finalists. The top 80 to win the most votes from netizens will have the chance to make a three-day trip to New York and perform under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

Of the finalists, six Koreans represent the largest group from the Asia Pacific region. Comprising a cellist, violinist, cymbalist, snare drummer, vibraphonist and percussionist, they are the fifth largest group after 93 American finalists, eight Germans, eight Spaniards and seven Russians.

Popular Korean and Korean-American artists such as cellist Han-na Chang, pianist Lim Dong-hyek and violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill showed enthusiasm for the project in video messages. International superstar Lang Lang and local cosmetics brand Amore Pacific, among others, are sponsoring the event.Visit www.youtube.com/symphonykr (Korean) or www.youtube.com/symphony (English) to vote.

Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, Immortalized at 86

I am not religious, but I agree, as would any Korean, that Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan was an inspirational figure. May he rest in peace.

Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, one of the most revered religious leaders in Korea, passed away Monday. He was 86.

Cardinal Kim was sent to Gangnam St. Mary's Hospital due to his frail condition in July last year and had been reportedly in a critical condition before falling into a coma briefly early Saturday morning.

``Cardinal Kim passed away at 6:12 p.m. Monday while in hospital for his deteriorating health,'' an official of the Catholic Seoul Archdiocese said.``He breathed for himself despite poor lung function due to complications from pneumonia resulting from infirmity. But he didn't feel that much pain when he died,'' Chung In-shik, a doctor at the hospital, said.Medical staffs and officials of the Seoul Archdiocese who witnessed the hour of his death, conveyed his last message, which was ``Thank you.''

The body of the late Cardinal Stephen laying in state at Myeongdong Cathedral, downtown Seoul, Moday, in preparation for a memorial servie. /Korea Times Photo

As the late cardinal left a will donating his eyes and other organs after death, his body underwent extraction surgery, according to the hospital. >>More

``Thank You''

Living through times of war, invasion and political chaos was difficult, but the late Cardinal held ``Pro vobis et pro multis'' (For you and for many) as his lifelong pastoral motto, inspiring not only local Catholics but Korean society and beyond.

Born in 1922 in a poor but devout Catholic family (his grandfather perished in prison for preaching his faith), he lived through the darkest hours of modern Korean history, from Japanese colonialism to civil wars and political chaos.

In this 1989 photo, Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, left, exchanges greetings with the late Pope John Paul II at Yeouido Plaza in Seoul, where the 44th International Eucharistic Conference was held. /Korea Times File

In 1968 Kim was appointed cardinal, making him the first ever from South Korea. He was only 46 at the time, and the youngest among the 136 cardinals around the world. With the elevation of his title, he was named Cardinal Priest of S. Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle.

On May 29, 1998 Cardinal Kim left his title as Archbishop of Seoul, ending 47 years of service. Cardinal Kim was friends with neglected minorities, and constantly met with disabled people as well as condemned criminals and the homeless. He was passionate in serving and defending farmers and workers, and later launched the Catholic Urban Poor Pastorals Committee to support the poor. >>More

Sexuality in Joseon

Sexuality in Joseon
Jung Sung-hee; Garam: 312 pp., 13,000 won

The Joseon Kingdom (1310-1910) can be considered the Korean equivalent of the Victorian Age, when strict moral codes dictated society. ``Sexuality in Joseon’’ by historian Jung Sung-hee explores the hushed sexuality of the era.

The book details the prevalent Joseon (and thus Confucian) attitudes, customs and laws concerning marriage, chastity, virginity, adultery and prostitution, among other topics.

Yet interestingly, such a big sex scandal as that of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, would have been nothing. Had Clinton been a Joseon man, he could have had Lewinsky as a concubine in a society where male polygamy was not only accepted but also omnipresent. This sharply contrasts with Korea today, where extramarital affairs are outlawed.

It is a well-known fact that Joseon women were subject to harsh rules of chastity and conduct, both before and after marriage. The author points out that in pre-Joseon times, daughters inherited equally as their brothers. But in the Joseon era, as women lost economic power, they also lost rights regarding marriage and other aspects of life.

Jung argues that sexuality was a means of political control. While she does not reveal anything groundbreaking in suggesting the all-too familiar correlation between sex and power, the book is nevertheless an interesting and well-organized account of Joseon sexuality.

Violist O’Neill Set to Dazzle Fans

This guy has an amazing stage presence. I've also noticed his exquisite taste in shoes.

Violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill/Photo Courtesy of Credia

Violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill is back to show off a different musical streak. The 30-year-old star musician begins a cross-country tour this weekend to play tracks from his fourth solo album ``Mysterioso’’ (Archiv Produktion/Universal), a Baroque project with the renowned period ensemble Alte Musik Koln.

``If I were to find a main concept to tie all of the tracks together, I would have to say it is the sound world within which the piece exists,’’ said O’Neill in a statement. The album features Baroque classics like Corelli’s Violin Sonata No. 12 ``La Folia’’ and Vitali’s Chaconne in G minor _ which, based on manuscripts, are a special treat for period music purists.

For the recording, the artist modified his viola, a rare Giovanni Tononi from 1699, with gut strings, which are not wound like today’s synthetic steel ones, and used a baroque bow. ``The timbre of the viola is even more mellow, rich and gentle, with gut strings. I am sure that any listener will be able to tell right away how different and mysterious the tone color is,’’ he said.

To capture the life and energy of the pieces, he paid heed to articulations of notes, tempi and hierarchy of beats. The style indeed contrasts sharply with the poeticism of O’Neill’s earlier albums, but his way of liberating a controlled gust of lush emotion and whirlwind colors remains unchanged.

``As classical musicians, we dedicate our whole lives to the pursuit of deepening our knowledge and understanding of the great masterpieces of the great composers of all time… Baroque period practice affects so much of what we do in later periods, including the work of Mozart and Brahms. Those composers had deep respect of the Baroque,’’ he said.

After entering the public spotlight through a TV documentary as the loving son of a Korean adoptee, the violist has been captivating fans with his music. In addition to his best-selling albums and sold-out performances, O’Neill’s stardom was manifested in appearances in the sensational TV soap ``Beethoven Virus’’ and a fashion-icon award ceremony alongside movie stars.

One of the few violists to receive the Avery Fisher Career Grant and a Grammy nomination, O’Neill studied at the Juilliard School in New York. While appearing in various halls, he also teaches at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Read my previous interview with Mr. O'Neill. He also published an essay on classical music.

Barbie's 50th Birthday

A model poses with a matching Barbie during a press preview on the eve of the international toy fair in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Wednesday, Feb. 4. /AP-Yonhap Photo

Mattel's 50th Anniversary Barbie doll displayed at the American International Toy Fair, in New York February 14. The dress is pretty, but she kind of looks like a transvesite (no offense to transvestites) /Reuters-Yonhap Photo

A model wears a Koi Suwannagate dress in the first-ever Barbie runway show during Fashion Week in New York. Love the stockings. /AP-Yonhap Photo

Check out Korean Barbie wearing hanbok.

Metropolitan Opera to Feature Korean Singer in Leading Role

Korean American soprano Kathleen Kim will play a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York during the 2009-2010 season.

Following in the footsteps of sopranos Hong Hei-kyung, Sumi Jo and Shin Young-ok, Kim is the fourth ethnic Korean diva to play a principal role in the world-renowned troupe. According to the Metropolitan Opera’s season announcement Tuesday, Kim will play the role of Olympia in ``Les Contes d’Hoffmann,’’ which will run from Dec. 3 to Jan. 2, 2010.

In the French opera by Jacques Offenbach, the protagonist falls in love with Olympia. Kim will sing the famous ``Doll Song’’ opposite tenor Rolando Villazon, who will star as Hoffmann, and star soprano Anna Netrebko will assume the part of the tragic Antonia.

Kim attended Seoul Arts High School and received her BA and MA at the Manhattan School of Music. She debuted with the Chicago Opera Theater in 2006 as Madame Mao Tse-tung in ``Nixon in China,’’ to rave reviews. The following season, she appeared with the Metropolitan Opera in ``Le Nozze di Figaro’’ and this year in ``The Magic Flute.’’ ``Les Contes d’Hoffmann’’ marks her third consecutive season with the opera

'Hand Phone' Showcases Top Talent

Actors Park Yong-woo, left, and Eum Tae-woong star in the thriller ``Hand Phone.’’ Coming to theaters Feb. 19, the noir thriller shows how personal information in a lost cell phone can be used in all the wrong ways. /Courtesy of SK Telecom

``Paradise Murdered’’ director Kim Han-min brings yet another unconventional thriller, ``Hand Phone.’’ But unlike his previous work, the setting shifts from an isolated island to the big city and, like its title suggests, revolves around every urbanite’s essential hardware, the cell phone

The cell phone, which South Koreans commonly call ``hand phone’’ and thus the title of the film, has appeared without fail in recent thrillers such as ``Seven Days.’’ ``Hand Phone’’ also has the victim running around as the perpetrator whispers orders from the other line. It capitalizes on the familiar anxiety of looking for a charger when the battery starts dying out on an important conversation. It also shows the perils of losing one’s personal information held by cell phones.

The beauty of the film lies in its haunting revelation of the grotesque in things mundane and the unleashing of the latent beast within individuals, including the most docile, under-pressing or unexpected situations. The movie is all about character development, and Park Yong-woo’s (``Once Upon a Time in Corea’’) skin-crawling yet sympathy-provoking performance is the reason for watching the film. >>More

Pianist Yundi Li Back After 6 Years to Give Recitals

Photo courtesy of Deutsch Grammophon

I absolutely love this guy -- his coolheaded phrasings and refined elegance particularly when playing the most stormy pieces. His rendition of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No.2, one of my all time favorite works of music, blew me away. I'm so excited he's coming!

Pianist Yundi Li may not have the Mozart-meets-MTV appeal of Lang Lang, who is also 26 and Chinese. But he is nevertheless something of a young Elvis Presley in the world of classical music, as he steals the hearts of fans with his poetic sensibility and boyish visage.

South Korean fans have waited six years for another recital by the superstar, who has been busy touring Europe and North America. Li finally returns to give concerts Sunday at Goyang Aram Nuri, Gyeonggi Province, followed by Seoul Arts Center Feb. 18.

``Traveling long distance can be tiring, but the anticipation of meeting a new audience in a new country and city always greatly excites me and relieves the stress,'' he told The Korea Times in an e-mail interview. ``I'm really looking forward to my recitals in Korea!''

Fans awaited Li's return all the more after seeing his recent ``affairs'' with new styles. In his latest recording for Deutsch Grammophon, the pianist presented an elegant rendition of Prokofiev's fearsome Piano Concerto No. 2. His performance of the piece in Seoul last year received critical acclaim.

For the upcoming recitals, the young Romantic returns to his signature repertoire of Chopin. He shot to stardom by winning the 14th Chopin International Piano Competition in 2000. Aged 18 at the time, he was the youngest ever winner, the first Chinese champ as well as the first to claim the event's top prize in 15 years. >>More

Indie Movie Conquers Loca Cinema 2

``Daytime Drinking,'' a mini-budget road movie, is creating hype even before its release.

``Daytime Drinking'' debuted at the 9th Jeonju International Film Festival and went on to win awards at several overseas events, including Locarno last year. A triumph of creativity over pitifully meager resources, the movie is receiving as much media spotlight as anticipated blockbusters. It is a breath of fresh air for Korean cinema, which has seen the failure of many expensive, star-studded ventures.

I met with director Noh Young-seok to laugh about his ticklishly funny road movie. He was such nice guy, who resembles his protagonist :)

``Daytime Drinking'' shows that drinking in the middle of the day will most likely lead to trouble. For the heterosexual male, a pretty woman, even if she has sinister intentions, will be another temptation that's hard to resist.

It all began with a drink. Hearbroken Hyeok-jin has a round of soju with his friends. They suggest a trip to Jeongseon, a popular destination in Gangwon Province. The next morning, however, his friends are hung over and Hyeok-jin is the only one that shows up. But he isn't out of luck, as a pretty young woman, also traveling solo, approaches him.

But seaside in the winter turns out to be far from romantic. Hyeok-jin ends up wearing only his underwear in the middle of the highway, and if that didn't seem bad enough he meets more strangers whose first impressions turn out to be rather deceiving after some booze.

The 32-year-old director was inspired to write the script during his own stay at a boarding house in Jeongseon. ``It was wintertime and I was lonely. Soju was my only companion and I wondered what would happen if a pretty woman who's also traveling alone stayed next door,'' Noh Young-seok told The Korea Times.

``I made the film with friends as if we were having fun on a trip,'' he said. Shot digitally in 13 days with just 10 million won ($10,000), ``Daytime Drinking'' nevertheless made it to international events alongside last year's blockbuster ``The Good, the Bad, the Weird.'' It also inspired curiosity about soju among foreign viewers.Critics praised the movie as ``proof that a good script and simpatico direction and performances can overcome budgetary restrictions'' (Variety magazine). The central theme of daytime drinking originated from trying to save money, so as not to worry about lighting at night.

After failing one movie script competition after another, Noh decided to make a movie on his own with friends he met at a local film academy. ``It was a matter of survival, and I was focused on just finishing the movie,'' he said. The director did everything from the writing and shooting to editing, as well as playing a cameo as the restaurant owner. The original film score comes from an old album Noh made when he tried, and failed, to become a professional musician.

``Cinema is the best form of self-expression, for now,'' he said. ``I just hope the audience can enjoy `Daytime Drinking' lightheartedly, without the prejudice that indie flicks are serious and experimental.

``Independent films need to become diverse, with their own set of genres ranging from horror to dramas and thrillers,'' he continued. He does not have concrete plans about his next piece, though he wants to continue making small budget digital films with commercial appeal.

``I hope viewers will be inspired to go have a round of drinks with friends,'' he said. ``Daytime Drinking'' is now showing in theaters. 115 minutes. 15 and over. Distributed by Jin Jin.

Indie Movie Conquers Loca Cinema

``Old Partner,'' a small documentary, rewrote box office history for independent cinema.

The first South Korean documentary to compete at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, ``Old Partner'' has drawn in over 100,000 viewers since its release Jan. 15. The number may seem small when compared to box office scores of local blockbusters, but it is the largest ever tally for an independent movie and is doubly significant considering that documentaries are a minority within the minor genre.

Man's Best Friend, Cow

The Year of the Ox has so far been a lucky one for Lee. ``Selling over 100,000 tickets isn't all that great,'' said the ``Old Parnter'' director, jokingly complaining about non-stop press meetings in an interview with The Korea Times. ``I also hope the Hanwoo (hanwu) Association doesn't send me a written protest,'' said Lee about unintentionally dissuading some viewers from consuming hanwu. The 42-year-old himself does not eat beef.

In Korea, which was traditionally an agricultural society, cows were the most helpful farmhands. After a lifetime of servitude, it gave off itself for a rare feast, and Koreans ate everything from head to tail, with gratitude.

``Today, cows are just thought of as beef. I wanted to show it could be more than that,'' he said. After searching for subjects, the director found a miraculous 40-year-old cow in North Gyeongsang Province ― cows usually live for only 15 years.

The documentary traces an old man's inseparable relationship with his old cow. Unlike his neighbors, Choi Won-gyun, 80, refuses to live in tune with modern times. Despite his bad leg, he stubbornly works with his cow instead of a tractor. The cow also helps him gather firewood for their ondol (traditional floor heating system) and safely drives him downtown through traffic.

To the great chagrin of his wife, Choi refuses to spray insecticide since it is harmful for the cow, and insists on giving the cow homemade feed. The film is spiced with humor as it portrays dynamics between the typical nagging wife and the taciturn husband. ``There is also a sort of love triangle between the old man, his wife and his beloved cow, which is female,'' said the director.

But old age and death go hand in hand, and the cow has only one year left to live. The camera captures spring, summer, fall and winter in the countryside, and the constant ringing of ``weonang'' (cowbell, the film's Korean title) and the whisperings of nature's creatures make up the soundtrack. The film leaves a lasting sting in the heart as viewers are left on their own to graze upon life, friendship and death.

``Old Partner'' steers away from convention, and does without a sappy film score, narrator or interviews. Nor does it strive to uncover a truth with a cold eye. Rather, it documents a sentiment and fully incorporates the director's intentions ― ``It's like breaking down facts, like pieces of a jar, and piecing them back together in my own way,'' explained Lee. ``The documentary is in chronological order, of course, but I edited it in a way so that there would be a balance of heavy drama and comic relief,'' he said.

``Not all documentaries need to be serious and critical of current events. The documentary genre needs to become diverse, and it's meaningless if it cannot communicate with viewers,'' he said. Lee, in fact, was unable to utilize the advantages of the genre: Choi didn't want the production to interfere with everyday life, and so the director was unable to film interviews.

There were also budget problems. ``Old Partner'' took over three years to make, and even though using the digital medium saved money, Lee had to take a part time job. He sometimes needed to double as the director of photography, and because he had to commute, he missed a couple of incidents he would have liked to insert in the movie.

``Editing the film served as a time for self-examination. I wondered if we truly understand what's best for our parents,'' said Lee, whose own parents also live in the countryside. The movie features a traditional visit by Choi's grown children on Chuseok (Thanksgiving). Oblivious of their father's friendship with his cow, they tell him to sell her, since keeping her would only encourage him to toil in the fields.

``The film is about an incredible story of a man and his cow, but I hope it will enable all of us to think about our parents,'' he said. Another concern for Lee is that the film's popularity directed the media spotlight to Choi, who has just started recovering from his old partner's death. ``Please leave them alone,'' he said.

English subtitles are now available for ``Old Partner'' at Indiespace, located within Spongehouse Myeongdong (aka. Joongang Cinema), near Eulijiro 3-ga Station on subway lines 3 and 4. All ages are admitted. 78 minutes.

A Blind Musical Genius’ Proposal to Obama

Korea Times Photo by Shim Hyun-chul

What would cost thirty seconds of a subway passenger’s attention to the callings of a blind man?

Nothing for some, too much for others who choose to ignore him. But for Song Yul-koong, his livelihood depends on such relative choices. With unbending consistency for over 18 years, this 37-year-old composer has been raising money on the Seoul subway from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Those who take the time to read his story give generously, but the economic downturn reflects heavily upon his meager earnings these days.

A countless number of fancily packaged press releases make their way to the recycling bin, but the Xeroxed pages of handwritten text by Song’s mother, funded by the musician’s subway profits, keep a firm spot on this reporter’s shelf.

In his teens and 20s, Song gave concerts at the most prestigious halls in South Korea including the grand theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. The media trailed his feats in international competitions and even his appointments with the ophthalmologist. The passage of time, however, has been rather cruel for the artist, now forgotten but penniless as always.

The Korea Time revisited the composer in over 10 years. Or more precisely, Song found his way back to the newspaper after the long hiatus, though looking just as young, and smiling pleasantly, as he did in his decade-old photographs.

``Professors and public figures who supported us are no longer able to for various reasons. It’s been difficult but Mr. Obama’s election gave us the courage to rise back up,’’ said Song’s widowed mother Hye-mi, who has always been by her son’s side.

Song beckons a return to the public radar with a proposal to play a piano piece for U.S. President. He urged The Korea Times to help publicize his dream: he was greatly inspired by Obama's election and hopes he can do the same with music for the physically disabled, who face discriminations like many people of color do.

``I cannot see, but there are those who cannot walk or are missing an arm, and my wish to play for Mr. Obama stems from fellow feeling,’’ he said. `` People shouldn’t be disadvantaged or become part of the minority group just because they are different.’’

This blind man’s world may have no light, but sound and fantasy take flight without visible limit in his music. Some of his pieces test conventional concepts of melody and harmony, but others, like the serenade ``Min-sun Sound,’’ has an easy and almost addictive rhythm. Song’s music finds inspiration in the sound of nature and the hidden beauty of things mundane.

Mr. Song, left, and his mother Hye-mi

As a child, Song would run the faucet all day long, pave the bedroom floor with bottle caps or play with salt -- causing great chagrin for his mother. ``I didn’t realize Yul-koong was experimenting with sound and harshly reprimanded him,’’ she said. Even though a three-year-old Song showed proficiency with the piano the first time he laid his fingers on it, she didn’t realize his musical genius until he remarked one morning, at age 11, ``Here comes a duet song’’ upon hearing two newspaper boys run up the steps of their apartment building.

Without any formal musical training, Song launched a musical career by winning international modern music composition contests in Japan and France, and met great modern composers like Isang Yun and John Cage. The latter supposedly claimed that Song’s works as a child were superior to his own written at age 50. Song wishes to play for Obama ``Song of the Earth,’’ an award-winning piano piece he wrote when he was 10.

``But even if I do succeed in realizing this impossible dream of playing for Mr. Obama, I’m not sure what kind of effect that would have for the physically disabled,’’ he said. ``I have given pretty big concerts, which were not just about my music but also campaigning for causes such as decreasing traffic. But their effects were short-lived. A problem with our society is that there is a lack of enduring interest in social problems,’’ he explained.

One must ask: how much would four minutes of Barack Obama’s time cost? Probably high, considering he’s one of the busiest people in the world. How about the value of inspired music? Priceless -- like a certain credit card advertisement would say. And how about the ripple effect it may have? Boundless.

Singer Yoo Debuts in Jackie Chan Movie

Yoo Seung-jun appears in Jackie Chan’s film “Da Bing Xiao Jiang.” Yonhap Photo

Yoo Seung-jun, a former K-pop star who became notorious for evading mandatory military service, will make his big screen debut in Jackie Chan's epic action film ``Da Bing Xiao Jiang'' (Big Soldier Small General or Junior Soldier), Chan's entertainment company JC Group International said Thursday.

The 33-year-old was recruited by Chan last year and will play a supporting role opposite the world famous action star and Taiwanese-American actor Lee-hom Wang. Shooting for the Qin Dynasty-era movie begins Tuesday at a fortress in Yunnan, China. Chan will play a common soldier, while Wang and Yoo will play princes of warring states. Yoo's character will be the villain of the story.

In a telephone interview with Yonhap News, Yoo was quoted as saying, ``I cannot speak in detail about the movie, but I will play the bad guy. Because I play a fighting prince, I have to do action sequences involving horseback riding and swordsmanship.''``Junior Soldier'' is an 80 billion won project that Chan, who is acting, producing and writing for the movie, has been preparing for 20 years.

The Chinese-language film anticipates worldwide release in the fall. ``I've been working in China for a while, so the Chinese lines won't be too much of a problem,'' said Yoo. ``But I'm practicing lines that are in archaic Chinese.''Emerging director Ding Sheng (``The Underdog Knight'') will helm the movie.

``When Jackie Chan was planning the project 20 years ago, he was thinking of playing Lee-hom Wang's part. But because time has passed, he decided to take the role of the common soldier,'' said Yoo. ``My part wasn't very big at first, but the director changed that after meeting me, saying I'm fit for the action sequences.

''This will be Yoo's first attempt at acting. JC Group Korea said that Chan thought highly of Yoo's well-toned physique and fluency in English, Korean and Chinese, and that he had the potential to become the next Jackie Chan. ``I feel nervous, like a newcomer again,'' said Yoo. ``Starring in a Jackie Chan movie alone is such a great honor, and playing a sizable role is really exciting.''

Local criticism still lingers about Yoo's controversial military service evasion and subsequent deportation. ``Of course I am still very cautious about that,'' he said. ``But I want to show that I am trying my best wherever I am, and I hope to inch my way back to stand before those I've disappointed.''

'Kitchen' Offers Tasteful Romance

Synn Min-a, Ju Ji-hun and Kim Tae-woo in "The Naked Kitchen"

The title says it all: ``The Naked Kitchen.'' Newcomer Hong Ji-young brings a sensuous romance that paints the taste of juicy meals and unforgettable kisses.

After competing at a few international short film festivals with ``Herstory,'' Hong makes her feature film debut both here and abroad through the Berlin International Film Festival, which continues through Feb. 15. The movie's nationwide release in Japan is slated for June.

For local moviegoers, ``Kitchen'' will be a delightful trend-spotting, trend-setting franchise. It capitalizes on the national obsession with fine dining, particularly the recent interest in food styling and things fusion. Martha Stewart can feast her eyes with brunch dished up on Hermes china and Korean court cuisine served in a Western-style multiple-course meal.

Other scenes are like fashion magazine spreads, as the cellophane-thin lead actress Synn Min-a (Shin Mina) struts around trendy neighborhoods in her candy-colored shoes. But the emerging director displays a sense for both style and substance as she delves the meaning of love and infidelity. The movie is a fine asset to the Korean chick flick genre as it sugarcoats the sensitive subject matter with scrumptious dishes, summer sunshine and colorful parasols.

``Kitchen'' can be compared to Gina Kim's ``Never Forever,'' as both show that first loves, or one great love, does not necessarily last forever. The movie also suggests it is possible to love two people at the same time, quite like Chong Yun-su's ``My Wife Got Married.'' >>More

Theater to Host Movie Watching Marathon

So I get an international call from Canada, from a man who claims to be a world-record holder of TV watching marathons, etc. He wanted me to send him and his publicists plane tickets/lodging for an exclusive cover of his participation. I wonder if CGV will invite him?

CGV Theater will host the 1st Movie Watching Marathon at its Wangshimni chain in Seoul Feb. 24.

According to the Guinness World Records, the longest movie-watching marathon took place over 70 hours, 33 minutes in Norway. South Korea's top score stands at 66 hours 41 minutes 56 seconds set in 2005 at Theater Scala in Seoul. Participants will have a chance to rewrite movie-watching history and win prize money and gifts.

The competition will begin at noon and continue until participants fall asleep. Following regulations of the Korea Record Institute, there will be a five-minute pause after one movie and then a 15-minute break after three movies. Contestants must use the breaks for eating and using restrooms, because they will be dropped out for leaving the seat or using cellular phones during the screening.

Organizers will monitor participants through camcorders during the entire event. Those who close their eyes for more than 5 seconds or use ``artificial means'' (such as matches) to keep their eyes open will be disqualified. Contestants who converse with or bother others will be asked to leave. About 200 staff members will be employed for the event, as well as 26 paramedics.

Anyone aged over 18 can apply to compete at CGV Theaters across the country or at www.cgv.co.kr. The deadline for applications is Feb. 15 and some 300 will be chosen by a draw on Feb. 18. Top contestants will be rewarded with cash prizes: 3 million won for first place, 2 million won for second and 1 million won for third.

On Feb. 23, the day before the marathon, there will be an online contest for guessing the record of the first prizewinner. Participants that make the closest estimates can win television sets, digital cameras, laptop computers and mp3 players.

Gyeonggi Province Aims to Become Film Hub

Gyeonggi Province is stepping up efforts to become a cinematic hub with actor Cho Jae-hyun as its front man. The Gyeonggi Film Council named the top actor as its new chair Thursday to promote filmmaking in the region.

The 44-year-old star of the upcoming film ``Marine Boy'' accepted his two-year tenure at a ceremony Friday in downtown Seoul.``This is a great honor and I hope the special guests with us today will serve as the council's advisory committee,'' said the versatile actor, who has appeared in art films such as Im Kwon-taek's ``Beyond the Years'' and hit TV soaps like ``New Heart'' (MBC). >>More

This is great news. And not just because I am totally in love with Mr. Cho (I sigh every time I see him with how gorgeous he is in person). Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul, has great potential to become a cultural hub -- everything is way too centered on Seoul!

Gyeonggi-do hosts the annual Pucheon (Bucheon) International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan), the largest of kind in Asia, and will be home to big franchises like Hallyuwood, a K-drama theme park, Universal Studio theme park and Paramount Movie Park. Also, many artists like director Park Chan-wook, live in the rising hot spot, Heyri.