hugh!

	‘X-Men’ Series Ends; Wolverine to Live On
	By Cathy A. Garcia Staff Reporter

Hugh Jackman at a press conference in Seoul``X-Men: The Last Stand'' may be the final installment in the highly successful X-Men movie series, but Australian hunk Hugh Jackman is not ready to hang up Wolverine's claws just yet.

Jackman, in Seoul to promote the worldwide blockbuster movie, said on Wednesday there are definitely plans to make another movie focusing solely on the Wolverine character.

``We’re now developing a script for a movie for Wolverine. I’m not hanging up the claws yet. I don’t think there would be an X-Men 4. There are no plans to make it. I think we have done everything we can (in the trilogy)...I’m not quite sure what else we can do and it was always meant to be a trilogy. But the X-Men will live on in different forms,'' he said, during a press conference at the Grand InterContinental Hotel in Kangnam, southern Seoul.

Jackman, 37, credited the role of Wolverine for launching his Hollywood career. After all, he was a virtual unknown when he was cast in the first X-Men movie in 2000. Thanks to his charismatic portrayal, the Marvel Comics character was recently named as Entertainment Weekly’s most powerful fictional player in Hollywood.

``Wolverine is a good guy, but he’s not a nice guy. He’s pretty tough...Previously in the X-Men movies, he’s been the reluctant hero. In this movie, he’s now been part of the X-Men and now it’s about the kind of role that he’s going to take. And dare I say, in this movie, he’s almost as much as a lover as he is a fighter,'' he said, with a wry grin.

Clad in a black blazer, dark green shirt and jeans, Jackman charmed the media by speaking a few words in Korean. He even congratulated the South Korean football team for winning their World Cup match against Togo.

``I didn’t get much sleep because, first of all, I watched the game (between Korea and Togo). Second, because there was a lot of partying going on in the streets, it was pretty wild. Congratulations...We hope to see Australia meet Korea in the finals,'' he said.

It is Jackman’s first time to Korea, but he admits hearing a lot about the country from his father who worked here for 20 years. ``So the moment I landed here (Tuesday) night, I rang him (my father) and he told me to have pibimbap and some kimchi, which I had (Tuesday) night," he said.

``X-Men: The Last Stand'' reunites the star-studded cast of Patrick Stewart (Professor Charles Xavier), Halle Berry (Storm), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Famke Janssen (Jean Grey), James Marsden (Cyclops), Rebecca Romjin (Mystique), Anna Pacquin (Rogue) and Shawn Ashmore (Iceman).

In the film the mutant world is faced with a dilemma after the development of a medical cure for genetic mutation. For the first time, mutants have the choice to give up their unique powers and become human.

Professor Charles Xavier and his X-Men are once again pitted against Magneto, who still wants mutants to rule the world. Further complicating the situation is the resurrection of telepath Jean Grey, who shifts her allegiance to Magneto.

Director Brett Ratner has taken over directing duties from Bryan Singer, who directed the first two movies in the X-Men trilogy. Jackman said Ratner has added more ``heart and emotion'' to the X-Men story, and more spectacular action scenes.

Wednesday night, Jackman attended the movie’s South Korean premiere at the COEX Mall in southern Seoul, where he also met with Korean fans.

``X-Men: The Last Stand'' has already brought in over $122 million in U.S. box-office receipts since opening on May 26.

kt_garcia@hotmail.com

06-15-2006 16:34

Hugh & me

Sometimes, I can't believe my luck. I just got transferred to the culture desk a week ago, and my first assignment?

 

Attend Hugh Jackman's press conference in Seoul.

 

Place: Grand InterContinental Hotel, Gangnam, Seoul

Time: 2pm

Weather: Extremely rainy

 

What Hugh wore: Dark jeans, dark green shirt and black blazer

What I thought: He's soooo charming. He's slimmer in person. Not as muscular as Wolverine. His Aussie accent was cute! His wife was pretty in person. Um... and his son (I thought he was a girl coz of his curly locks) kept waving at him! Super sweet!!!

lucky se7en

Se7en Opens Pop-Only Concert Hall With a Bang
	By Cathy Garcia Staff Reporter

K-pop star Se7en, center, performs at the Seoul-AX in Kwangjang-dong, eastern Seoul, Friday.
/Courtesy of YG Entertainment Korea’s first pop-only concert hall, the Seoul-AX, opened with a bang on Friday, as around 2,000 fans flocked to see K-pop star Se7en’s concert.

Wearing a gold trench coat, black glittery top and gold pants, Se7en opened the show with a vibrant performance of his latest hit ``I Know’’ (Nan Arayo).

Se7en’s sharp dance moves drove fans wild as they screamed and waved their bright green 7-shaped glow sticks. The artist has recently become increasingly popular throughout Asia.

Se7en’s concert was the first to be held at the brand new music hall in Kwangjang-dong, eastern Seoul. Unlike stadium events holding thousands of concertgoers, the smaller and more intimate Seoul-AX accommodates only 2,000 fans standing. Thus, Se7en was able to visibly interact with fans.

``I love this place. I can see everyone in the crowd. I can see everyone’s eyes. This feels more intimate. I feel closer to you,’’ Se7en told his fans during the concert.

The sound quality at the Seoul-AX is superior to stadium venues, which may be the reason Se7en opted to sing romantic ballads and mid-tempo R&B songs showing off his accomplished vocals.

The 23-year old singer thanked his loyal fans for continuing to support him since his debut in 2003, even if he has been mostly out of Korea in the past year. He also acknowledged his growing Japanese fan base by performing his Japanese single ``Hikari.’’ Hundreds of Japanese fans traveled to Seoul for the concert, and were spotted savoring the beat, and singing through the night.

Se7en pulled out all the stops for this concert with magic tricks, and pyrotechnics. He played the drums while singing ``Love Story,’’ a song off his latest album ``24/7,’’ performed on a floating stage, and even hung off a rope above the crowd while singing.

With all the excitement over the upcoming World Cup, Se7en couldn't resist including a performance of the Korean national anthem and a rousing medley of victory songs including ``Oh Pilsung Korea.’’’’

After two and a half hours, a visibly tired but still smiling Se7en ended the show with his popular dance hits ``Crazy’’ and ``Passion.’’

Fans continued to snap up Se7en-related merchandise like towels, photos, T-shirts and even his signature perfume ``Touch By Se7en,’’ after the concert. Se7en held three concerts over the weekend.

The Live Star Story 2006 concert series will feature concerts by Gummy, YG Family, DJ Doc & Buda Family, Crying Nut, Deli Spice and N.E.X.T. at Seoul-AX in the coming weeks.

kt_garcia@hotmail.com

06-04-2006 18:35