James Cameron on Battle Angel!
I have been a big fan of this manga series since I was in high school. I saw the anime first but it couldn't compare to the manga, which is dark and violent. The anime is still nothing to sniff at. James Cameron is at the helm of this formidable project, and a good thing too because only he can bring it to life. Good luck James, you are going to need it!

Hwang Jang-Lee
"During his tour of duty as a martial arts instructor in Vietnam he was challenged by a south Vietnamese knife expert. The challenge was over 30 seconds later. His opponent lay dead, killed by a well executed round kick to the head by Hwang" - Bad Ass. I've never seen his movies but you can check out a small bio and listing of the movies he has been in. I think I'm going to check him out. He's known as the "kickmaster."

From Trash to Delicious Treasure
Ah yes, budae jjigae! My favorite soju companion!! If you're in Korea go check out this place. If you are stuck at home in the USA, go to your local K-Town joomak for some.



Jet Li recalls tsunami Terror
While vacationing in the Maldives last month, superstar Jet Li was forced to face the idea of his own mortality. Fans can breathe a sigh of relief that Li has survived this tragedy physically unscathed.

Japanese Document Sheds New Light on Korean Queen's Murder
New evidence from Japan suggests that Queen Min was actually killed outside in front of an audience instead of in her bedroom as has been widely believed up to this point. I remember my mom and cousin going to see an operatic dramatization of Queen Min's murder and they said it was quite interesting.



Korean Drama 'Romance in Paris' to Air in Japan
More Korean drama news! "Woo hoo!" I know, I know … what do Korean dramas airing in other countries have to do with us? Well, it just proves the point that Korean dramas kick ass and other countries respect that.




Paris Lights Up with Korean Cinema Retrospective
The French love Korean art house film. They pretty much blew their wad over Old Boy (a movie I loved in a Python eat mouse sort of way) and Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring, a movie I have not seen. That's right land of the hairy armpits! Korea has the artistic goods. Anyway the Korean Film Festival will be in Paris until February 28th. Hopefully a new appreciation for Korean cinema will develop as a result of this event.

KBS Looking to Make Drama With North Korea.
Umm … why? Yeah, sure it would be good for ratings … but still, no. This idea reeks of future difficulties. .

China Foils News Conference by South Korean Lawmakers
The news conference of four South Korean legislators was brought to an abrupt halt with the lights and microphones suddenly turned off in Beijing recently. Though the men who broke up the news conference refused to identify themselves, the demeanor in which the conference was disbanded bore the rough trademark of the Chinese government. In addition, the unidentified muscle demanded that the lawmakers from South Korea seek approval from China's Foreign Ministry for such an event as the one that was in progress. I'm sorry, no offense to Chinese people because you guys are cool, but … screw your government.

Gizmodo
Korean cell phones update their technology.

Won Bin Attends Premiere of "My Brother" in Bangkok
Riding on a wave of popularity due to his role in Taegukgi, Korean movie star Won Bin recently attended the premiere of this much-celebrated movie in Bangkok. The popularity of Korean TV-dramas and movies continues to grow. .



Yonsama Changes Attitudes toward Donation in Japan
God bless him. Cynics can say what they want but I really believe Korean celebrities don't get enough credit for being genuinely good people.

Bae Yong-jun Wows Japanese Travelers
The power of Yonsama ... supply and demand.



"Wind Struck" Soars in Popularity in Japan
I bet someone we all know and love to varying degrees is happy to see Jeon Ji-hyun's movie kick ass in Japan. Unfortunately that means more competition for you, hyung, doesn't it?

Lee Soo-young: A Rare Success Story

Hyung Tae Kim's Website; Great Illustrator