'Cyborg' Gets Invited to Berlinale

Park Chan-wook's "I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay" will be screened at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival's Competition section, eyeing for the Bears, the festival’s main prizes.

Dieter Kosslick, director of the prestigious European film festival, recently sent an official invitation for the offbeat romantic comedy film, according to All That Cinema, a public relations company for films in Seoul.

Director Park will likely visit the German capital during the festival in February along with actor Jung Ji-hoon, also known as singer Rain, and actress Lim Soo-jung, who starred in the film.

It is the second invitation for Park, who enjoys wide popularity among non-Korean audiences as well as domestic fans for his hardcore films such as "Old Boy." His 2000 film "Joint Security Area" was also invited to the Competition of the Berlinale, although it did not score any of the Bear Awards traditionally handed out at the festival.

"Cyborg’" revolves around a young female Yonggun (played by Lim), who believes she is a cyborg and is hospitalized in a psychiatric ward, and a young man named Il-soon (played by Rain) who chases after her.

The star director and cast caused a lot of media attention since the making of the film. But after a nationwide release on Dec. 7, only some 780,000 people have watched the movie at theaters as of Dec. 20. CJ Entertainment, which distributed the film, plans to close the screening around next week.

Park Chan-wook's "I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay" will be screened at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival's Competition section, eyeing for the Bears, the festival’s main prizes.

Dieter Kosslick, director of the prestigious European film festival, recently sent an official invitation for the offbeat romantic comedy film, according to All That Cinema, a public relations company for films in Seoul.

Director Park will likely visit the German capital during the festival in February along with actor Jung Ji-hoon, also known as singer Rain, and actress Lim Soo-jung, who starred in the film.

It is the second invitation for Park, who enjoys wide popularity among non-Korean audiences as well as domestic fans for his hardcore films such as "Old Boy." His 2000 film "Joint Security Area" was also invited to the Competition of the Berlinale, although it did not score any of the Bear Awards traditionally handed out at the festival.

"Cyborg’" revolves around a young female Yonggun (played by Lim), who believes she is a cyborg and is hospitalized in a psychiatric ward, and a young man named Il-soon (played by Rain) who chases after her.

The star director and cast caused a lot of media attention since the making of the film. But after a nationwide release on Dec. 7, only some 780,000 people have watched the movie at theaters as of Dec. 20. CJ Entertainment, which distributed the film, plans to close the screening around next week.

Park Chan-wook's "I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay" will be screened at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival's Competition section, eyeing for the Bears, the festival’s main prizes.

Dieter Kosslick, director of the prestigious European film festival, recently sent an official invitation for the offbeat romantic comedy film, according to All That Cinema, a public relations company for films in Seoul.

Director Park will likely visit the German capital during the festival in February along with actor Jung Ji-hoon, also known as singer Rain, and actress Lim Soo-jung, who starred in the film.

It is the second invitation for Park, who enjoys wide popularity among non-Korean audiences as well as domestic fans for his hardcore films such as "Old Boy." His 2000 film "Joint Security Area" was also invited to the Competition of the Berlinale, although it did not score any of the Bear Awards traditionally handed out at the festival.

"Cyborg’" revolves around a young female Yonggun (played by Lim), who believes she is a cyborg and is hospitalized in a psychiatric ward, and a young man named Il-soon (played by Rain) who chases after her.

The star director and cast caused a lot of media attention since the making of the film. But after a nationwide release on Dec. 7, only some 780,000 people have watched the movie at theaters as of Dec. 20. CJ Entertainment, which distributed the film, plans to close the screening around next week.

Source: The Korean Times
By Seo Dong-shin
Staff Reporter

Rain Aims Higher for World Star

Korean pop superstar Rain, known as "Pi" in Korean, held a successful first concert of his world tour in Las Vegas, the United States at 8 p.m. Las Vegas time on Saturday.

The 24-year-old K-pop star took the stage at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, aiming to make inroads into the North American market.

It was the largest concert ever given by a Korean artist and his second outing in the U.S., following two sold-out concerts in the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City last February.

Rain has expanded his fan base from New York in the east to Las Vegas in the west only 10 months after his debut on the U.S. stage.

He was also named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World this year.

About 3,800 fans packed the venue where world-class artist Celine Dion is a resident performer and where Elton John and Gloria Estefan have also given concerts.

About 90 percent of the audiences were Asian fans from Japan, China, Singapore and Taiwan.

At the concert, titled "Rain's Coming," he successfully hosted the two-hour concert in English featuring 21 songs with stunning dance sequences.

"I exist because of your support. My dream has come true," he said in gratitude to a fervent response from his fans.

"I am very proud of Rain who stood up on the stage where world-class pop stars are used to performing," Moon Ji-hyun, 24, who saw the show, said.

The ticket price costing $98-$288 was high, but the concert was sold out just one week after ticket sales opened.

Stage direction was by Jaime King renowned for Madonna's recent "Confessions Tour," and Christina Aguilera's choreography, working with lighting specialist Roy Bennett, and visual director Dago Gonzalez.

Park Jin-young, producer of Rain's music and CEO of the JYP Entertainment, and Lil Jon, producer of "Yeah" sung by Usher attended the concert.

Rain is receiving acclaim as an international celebrity as his first movie "I am a Cyborg, But That's Okay" directed by Park Chan-wook, was invited to the Berlin International Film Festival in the competitions section.

He had been invited to sing at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Doha Asian Games in Qatar, but his tight schedule prevented him from attending.

His world tour will span 35 cities in 12 countries, including Hong Kong Jan. 12-13, Singapore Jan. 21, Malaysia Jan. 27, Thailand Feb. 3, Vietnam March 10-11 and Taiwan, China, Japan, the U.S. and Canada afterwards.

StarM, the entertainment agency organizing the concert, is in charge of coordinating with travel agencies from different countries to make it easier for fans to watch the show.

Source : The Korea Times
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Merry Christmas!

I would like to wish all my blog readers a Merry Christmas.

I hope you enjoyed spending time with your family and friends like I did hence my absence from the net for the past few day.

Rain's World Tour In Seoul

I've been away for the weekend to celebrate christmas with friends so I missed all the news about the the kickoff of Rain's World Tour in Seoul but friends who were patiently waiting for photos and fan accounts last Friday kept me updated on the highlights of the much awaited concert. The most intriguing message I got was a description of his new hairstyle...a combination of punk rock meets Cyborg meets David Beckham.

I'm not liking it but then again, it's just me, there are those who are partial to his new do.

Then comes his costumes for the show. I'm loving his military garb in his previous showcase so I'm glad they kept it.

I also like these simple white shirt and pants though it reminds some of Usher.

But these robe takes first place in my book of "what in the world is that costume." Looks like a cross between an Elvis jacket with that collar and a wrestler's outrageous robes when they enter the ring to slug it out.

A close second will be these one with that red thing on his shoulder. Reminds me of the upholstery of a leather sofa.
While these one makes me think of a toad... ugh!!! Just the thought gave me the creeps.

But it's just the costumes, his performance and the whole technical aspect of the show is something I'm keeping quiet until I get to watch it myself. And knowing Rain and his pefectionist attitude, in my heart I know he will give his 101% everytime he sings. A good friend of mine who was able to watch his two night concert in Seoul only has high praises for it. Here's her account if you are interested.

photo credit: as labelled+rainonme of cloudphilippines

Rain's World Tour in Malaysia (Additional Info)

Fellow blogger and a regular visitor to my thread Li Na shared the following information in her reply to my previous post. I'm quoting her for the benefit of those who are planning to watch Rain's concert in Malaysia.

I contacted the organisers this morning and they said that they are having the pre-sales of his tickets. I am told that some of the front rows are reserved for the International Fan Club members but the rest of the tickets are available for the public. Those interested can contact the organiser CMG Absolute entertainment at the two numbers below to buy their tickets: 03-62018368 or 03-91739066. To obtain the ticket, we need to bank in the amount for the seats we want at the organisers bank, Alliance Bank and the account number is 141940010031524 and then fax the details to them at 03-62015368. The tickets will be couried to you or can be collected on the day of the concert. Overseas bookings are also accepted. Tickets are also available at Sungai Wang Plaza. Thank you.

Rain (Bi)'s debut movie 'Cyborg, but okay' ranks 1st in box office

During the second week of December, singer Rain (Bi)'s debut movie 'Cyborg, but okay' ranked first in the box office, stepping above 'Mr. Robin Kkoshigi (Seducing Mr. Robin)' featuring Daniel Henney. The ranking was based on the number of ticket sales in Seoul.

The romantic comedy 'Cyborg, but okay' starring Rain as a mental patient gathered 810,000 people to the theatres in two days, leading 'Seducing Mr. Robin' which numbered 780,000 by 3,000. Both movies opened on the 7th and have accumulated numbers of 471,000 and 390,000 respectively still placing 'Cyborg, but okay' at the lead.

This past box office ranking cannot completely disregard the support of the fans of Rain and the name value of director Park Chan Wook, however. 'Cyborg, but okay' at the premiere in fact did not receive a high score for mass popularity. On the other hand, the somewhat odd setup of the movie 'Seducing Mr. Robin' which was expected to gather female fans of Daniel Henney did well but was not able to quite surpass 'Cyborg, but okay' which was an unexpected result.

Third in the box office was 'Haebaragi (Sunflower)' which has been gathering an unexpected crowd to the theatres. 48,000 people watched the movie in Seoul on 50 screens over two days of the weekend. The movie that has been in theatres for three weeks has accumulated numbers of 1,237,000.

'Pan's Labyrinth' ranked in at number four followed by 'Saw III,' 'That Summer,' and 'The Departed.'

'Pan's Labyrinth' which is a fantasy based on the internal wars of Spain gathered 416,000 people to the box office in two weeks. 'Saw III' on 39 screens in Seoul gathered 19,000 to the screen over the weekend followed by 'That Summer' at 11,000 which barely led 'The Departed.'

'That Summer' starring Lee Byeong Heon has accumulated ticket sales of 300,000 up to last week, somewhat lackluster to the star power.

[Copyright © 2006 Yonhap News. All rights reserved.]
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php...pg=1&no=129

Rain Set to Make His Name As Actor

Singer Rain is likely to make his name known to the world once again, but not as singer this time but rather as an actor.

A source from CJ Entertainment, the distributor of the film “I’m a Cyborg but That’s OK” starring Rain and Lim Soo-jung, said Friday that they plan to submit the film to an international film festival. “Given the time, it will likely be the Cannes International Festival to be held in May of next year,” he added.

A film about a romance taking place at a mental hospital, “I’m a Cyborg but That’s OK” is director Park Chan-wook's latest work after his vengeance trilogy--“Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance,” “Old Boy,” and “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.”

There is a high possibility that the film will be invited to the competition category of the French film festival because the director has established quite a reputation in the global film world and because the film itself presents a different view of the world with unique cinematography. Park received the Grand Prix Du Jury with his “Old Boy” at the Cannes in 2004.

If it is invited, the movie will provide Rain with an opportunity to attend the world’s leading film festival and be in the spotlight of the world media. As singer, he held a concert in New York amid much attention from the U.S. media early this year and was chosen one of the world’s 100 most influential people by the U.S. magazine Time.

Source: KBS Global

It's Raining Photos

New set of Rain's photos are being plastered in various fansites so I'm sharing some of my favorites here.



While the others can be found here and here.

Source : as tagged
Credit : shellyshea from joyplace and rainhk.com/catling from joyplace

7/12 - Rain's Message at Joyplace

여러분이 있어 따뜻한 겨울이에요…

잘 지내셨지요? 지훈이에?SPAN lang=EN-US>….



요즘은 월드투어 준비와 영화 홍보로 바쁘게 지내고 있습니다.

여러분은 어떻게 지내셨어요?

공식적인 4집 활동이 끝나면서 여러분과 만나기 어려워졌어요

그래서 콘서트가 더 기다려집니다.

(여러분과 가까이서 만날 수 있잖아요…*^^*)



오늘은 제 첫 영화 “사이보그지만 괜찮아”가

개봉하는 날이네요

직접 찾아가 여러분을 가까이에서 뵐 수 있도록 노력 할께요~

여러분 날씨가 많이 춥지요? 자~~~ 감기조심~~!!!



잘 할 수 있을 거라 생각하면서도 조금 걱정이 되네요~

자~ 여러분 저에게 힘을~~~~!!!

이번에도 여러분이 있어 힘을 얻네요

여러분과 언제나 함께하기 위해 노력 할 거구요



이런~ 매니저 왔어요ㅎ

저 이제 가야 할 거 같아요~

그럼 시간되면 또 여러분 뵈러 들어 올께요~


English translation

Because of everyone,winter becomes warm.
This is Jihoon,is everything fine?
These days,iv'e been busy for the world tour preparations,
and movie promotions.

I wonder how's everyone?
After the 4th album promotions,it's really hard to meet
you.
that's why,i'm anticipating the upcoming concert.

Because i can meet everyone closely.

Today is the first day showing of my movie "Cyborg"
I will do my best to come near everyone.

The weather has become chilly/cold these days,
Please beware not to catch a cold.

I thought that it's gonna be fine like it should be,but i'm a little
bit nervous.
Please give me strength.
This time,because of everyone's presence i obtain strength.

I will work harder to be with everyone.


oh dear!The Manager has arrived.

I think i better be off now.

I will visit you once again if i have time.

credits for the translation:j.lee@rain intl.

Cyborg VIP Premiere Photos

Rain, Im Soo Jong and PD Park Chan Wook

Choi Min Shik from the movie Old Boy

Kim Soon Ah and her sister

and of course...the one I knew all along will be there ~ Song Hye Kyo.

Rain's Ever Growing Fan Base

There is really no stopping Rain from going global and with it comes a more diverse fan base. We are now coming accross people from Europe Latin and North America and we are not talking about asians living in those parts of the world. Somehow they got to see the talent that the guy has never mind if we don't have an understanding of what his songs are saying. Music after all has a way of bringing people of any race together.

So I just had to smile when I read an article from chosunilbo aboutElettra Rossellini (the grand daughter of actress Ingrid Bergman) mentioning that she is a fan of Rain and even wishes to watch the movie Cyborg. You can read the full article here.

Who knows who else will be mesmerised by Rain after he completes his World Tour. My only wish is that he will take his success in stride and continue to keep his feet planted on the ground.

For Rain, 'Cyborg' may prove a stepping stone to world fame

SEOUL, Dec. 6 (Yonhap) -- Rain may be taking a gamble playing a psychiatric patient for his big-screen debut, but the Korean singer-actor, currently on a world tour, is steadily reinventing himself as he prepares to flood the world stage.



"This will be a new image of me," he told Yonhap News Agency at a downtown cafe in Seoul.

"If I had to pick one, the image of me in the movie is closer to who I really am than the Rain you see on the singing stage."

Rain will debut in "I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay," directed by Park Chan-wook and set for local release on Thursday. In light of Park's success with "Old Boy," which picked up the Grand Prix at Cannes two years ago, the movie is almost certain to get a worldwide release, something Rain hopes will raise his standing in global terms.

"Now I feel that I have taken the first step," he said. "To me, the issue was that the director was Park Chan-wook. He was the director I liked as a fan, and with whom so many actors wanted to work. I thought there would definitely be things he could teach me (as an actor)."

Ranked among Time's 100 most influential figures this year, Rain has been a superstar in Asia with four albums and three hit TV dramas under his belt, but his star quality hasn't translated into global appeal.

His sold-out shows at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City in February received mixed reviews that pinned him down as a star with more local than universal attraction. His storied past as a struggling backup dancer with a poor family has shadowed his career. Now, at 25, he is finally transcending his past and his homeland with the leap to the silver screen.

Playing a psychiatric ward patient in "Cyborg" required him to shed his onstage persona and appear blank and inexpressive in a bulky white gown. His character, incarcerated for his anti-social behavior that developed after his mother deserted him, falls in love with a girl who believes she is a cyborg, played by Lim Soo-jung.

Despite his commended acting in South Korean TV dramas, Rain, who uses his real name Jeong Ji-hun for the film, said he had some headaches acting for the big screen.

"The reason it was so difficult was because, you know, you look sad when you're sad, you laugh when something is funny - but the director wasn't happy."

"I asked him how I should act, and he said, 'You are sad, but you shouldn't be sad.' I asked, 'Wouldn't it be better to show some sign of tears?' He said, 'No, maybe not.' But I did well-up in one scene. It was declared an NG at the time, but he used it, maybe because my feelings were genuine."

Rain was referring to a scene where his character looks at the cyborg's scrawny, naked body as she refuses to eat. He finally gets her to swallow a spoonful of rice by inventing a tool that transforms food into energy.

Park said that casting Rain totally changed the dynamic of the film. What was originally intended to be an experimental and low-budget affair ended up needing rewrites and more cash to fit his star persona.

"I initially thought of this film as one of my HD projects, or something in-between," Park said at a recent press screening, "But that idea was thrown out because Jeong Ji-hun was cast."

Rain's caring, supportive role in the film fits with his kind image, but not with his reputation as a self-made man who trains mercilessly to stay on top. When starting out, he famously plastered his bedroom walls with inspirational mottos like "You will fall the moment you relax."

Fortunately, mentor and singer Park Jin-young was there to provide a safety net after his first high-school band collapsed. Park, a famous singer himself, spotted the young back-up dancer at an audition and decided to mentor him. The result? Rain's debut album "Bad Guy" came out in 2002.

But his past refused to sink quietly into the background. He broke down while accepting the top prize at the KBS annual music awards in 2004 while paying tribute to his mother, who died from complications of diabetes before his album came out. More tears followed at a concert in January 2005. Stories about his impoverished family circulated.

Not that the rumor-mongers hampered his success. Rain was the first Asian to hold a concert at the U.S. prestigious Madison Square Garden, and his fourth album "Rain's World" was released across Asia last month. He now has world tour commitments in Seoul, Las Vegas and Singapore among others.

"Cyborg" co-star Lim says his success is a product of hard graft and intense self-discipline.

"He's really tough on himself," Lim said. "While shooting the film, he had to practice singing and dancing while juggling schedules abroad, but still when it came time to shoot, he became Il-sun (his character) and got totally immersed in it, which wouldn't be possible if he weren't so focused."

With his trademark charm, washboard abs and slender, yet muscular body not on show in the movie, Rain's staking everything on his ability to act -- and Park's ability to direct.

"Like everybody knows, he's really famous in Europe and elsewhere. He's really a world-renowned director, so hopefully our movie will be screened widely overseas."

hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)

Source: Yonhap News
http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews/20061206/...06093405E7.html

Rain's World Tour - Hong Kong

Date: January 12-13, 2007
Venue: Asia World Expo Arena
Tickets ranges from HKD $1280, $980 and 780 (USD $165, $126, $100)

Rain's World Tour - Malaysia

Venue: Bukit Jalil Stadium
Date: 27 Jan 2007
Source: www.rainworldtour.com
Tickets will open for public sale from 7th December 2006.

Ticket prices available are RM752.00, RM502.00, RM402.00, RM302.00, RM132.00 and RM82.00.

The Admin of Rain Malaysia is trying to pre-order the concert tickets for those who are not in the International Fanclub (Cloud) but who are interested to go for the concert. She needs the orders by tomorrow midnite with names, price and number of tickets. So, if anyone is interested, feel free to drop a message and I'll give you the contact details of a Rain Malaysia member.

Christmas Starts With Bi

It's now the 4th day of December and there's no denying Christmas is upon us. So here's Rain to herald the festivities with some cute wallpapers from NATE.
There's two more here and here. Happy Holidays everyone!!!

What's With The Lightstick

The cloudmaster made an announcement on the official lightstick that they are encouraging fans especially those attending the concert to purchase. For those not so familiar with the korean music scene, fans are usually seen holding one and shaking it all through the entire show. I wonder if their arms ever ache?

But now joyplace is being bombarded by complaints from fans of Seven who feels the design is somewhat similar to theirs and by HOT fans who are known to have the monopoly of the color white. Another info for you, official fan colors are a big thing too since it distinguishes them from other groups especially in events where a lot of singers are featured. I know blue is for G.O.D., orange is for Shinhwa, green lightsticks with stars are for D.V.X.Q., a 7 shaped green lightstick represents the fans of singer Seven. But there are still a lot of colors so if it's such an issue why not change it to something like purple or yellow???

Jung Ji Hoon, "Wanted to take director's abilities"

"If I could, I thought that I wanted to take the director's abilities."

Singer Rain (Bi) who is also actor Jung Ji Hoon had a meaningful initiation rite. Jung Ji Hoon who is making his screen debut through the movie 'Cyborg, but that's okay,' that will be opening on the 7th and is directed by Park Chan Wook, showed more charm as an actor than his previous drama series.

At a press conference held just after the premiere on the 1st, Jung Ji Hoon commented regarding his character Park Il Soon, "Before I started acting this character, I was very frustrated and worried."

The 'mentally ill' Il Soon who constantly commits theft after thinking the reason his mother ran away was because of himself meets and falls in love with Young Goon (played by Lim Soo Jung) who believes herself to be a cyborg. Through Il Soon's 'serious' efforts to feed Young Goon who is suffering from anorexia, the audience soon realizes the true meaning of love.

In response to a question asking what type of ability he would steal if he was able to just as Il Soon, Jung Ji Hoon said, "I wanted to become the president when I was young. Of course that cannot be achieved by stealing someone's abilities. During the filming, I wanted to steal the director's abilities and switch the positions we were in," indirectly expressing his distress as an actor.

"It was hard to express the many different emotions in the mental hospital such as the melodrama, thrill, pain, sadness, and others. But after thinking 'this type of genre and character has never been created before so I can create it myself,' I became a little more comfortable. The character seems to be normal one second and confused in a third dimension the next. The set environment was great so I think Lim Soo Jung and I were both able to act naturally in a confused state."

Lim Soo Jung who played Cha Young Goon, a character that closes herself off from the world after being forced to part with her grandmother who believed herself to be a mouse, commented, "I had to constantly be on a diet through the filming so I was naturally able to understand Young Goon's emotions."

Lim Soo Jung who was not able to have a complete meal due to the character's anorexia said, "Whenever the meals were served, Jung Ji Hoon, the director, and even the entire staff seemed so mean. I was always hungry, always angry, and felt it was unfair that I was the only one that couldn't eat. So when Young Goon sang 'Silent food (Goyohan bap; bam-night, bap-food), Holy food (georookhan bap)' I was better able to understand her state of mind." Lim Soo Jung is said to have weighed as less as 38kg during the movie.

In regards to the character Young Goon, Lim Soo Jung said, "She is a very unrealistic character. I wasn't sure how to express her but when Song Gang Ho at the crank up ceremony told me, 'You are very lucky as an actress to have been able to meet such a character and movie. The character is a white sheet of paper that can play around freely within the fences that the director, co-stars, and staff have set up,' all my worries disappeared at once."

[Copyright © 2006 Yonhap News. All rights reserved.]
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php...pg=1&no=122