asf

Asian Stars Shine at Music Festival in Seoul

Left: Taiwanese pop group F4 attend the press conference for the 4th Asia Song Festival at Shilla Hotel, Seoul, Friday. The group are special guests at the event on Saturday evening. Center: Chinese singer/ actress Vicky Zhao will perform with singers from Korea, Japan and other Asian countries at the 4th Asia Song Festival. Right: Thai pop duo Golf & Mike will sing their first Korean single " Fight for You" at the 4th Asia Song Festival. / Yonhap

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Top stars from around Asia are kicking off the Chuseok holiday with exciting pop performances at the 4th Asia Song Festival, Saturday evening.

Thousands of fans are expected to flock to the Sangam World Cup Stadium to see Taiwan's F4 and A-mei, China's Vicky Zhao, Hong Kong's Gigi Leung, Japan's Kuraki Mai, Thailand's Golf & Mike, Philippines' Barbie Almalbis, Vietnam's Lam Truong, and Indonesia's Peter Pan. Korean pop stars TVXQ, Lee Hyo-ri, Super Junior and SG Wannabe will also perform.

With 13 performers from nine countries, this is the largest Asia Song Festival since it started in 2004.

``This year is going to be bigger than ever, as many countries around the region will broadcast the concert. With the theme 'We Are One,' we believe the Korean artists are not just for Korea and the same with Japanese artists and Asian artists. We believe culture is for exchange. We hope through the festival, this would be fulfilled,'' said Shin Hyun-taek, chairman of Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE). KOFICE is the organizer of the Asia Song Festival.

Many young female fans are eagerly awaiting the performances of TVXQ, who have lately focused their activities in Japan; Super Junior, who have released a new album; and F4 or JKVK, a Taiwanese pop group who gained popularity through the drama ``'Meteor Garden.'' Composed of Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, Ken Chu and Vic Zhou, F4 are also in Seoul to promote tourism to Taiwan.

Many of the festival's performers expressed their interest in Korean pop culture. Zhou said he liked the music of Korean singer Rain, while Leung said she admired actresses Lee Young-ae and Jun Ji-hyun.

Golf & Mike, who said they enjoyed watching dramas such as ``Goong'' and ``Full House,'' will perform their upcoming Korean single ``Fight for You'' for the first time during the festival.

``We love Korea. We like the language and music style. I hope Koreans will like our songs,'' Golf said.

Lam Truong, who was given the nickname the Kim Jong-kuk (a Korean R&B singer) of Vietnam, will also perform his version of ``Forever,'' a song originally recorded by Ahn Jae-wook.

Since the Asia Song Festival will feature performances in Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese and other languages, KOFICE believes this is a good opportunity to promote different cultures.

``Language cannot be a barrier when it comes to music. I believe Asians have something in common when it comes to music. So we would like to take this opportunity to share the music,'' KOFICE's Shin said.

An indication of the growing cultural exchanges, many of the festival's performers have collaborated with stars from other Asian countries.

Wu, who collaborated with Korean singer Kang-Ta, said: ``To be able to work in so many different places is a blessing and to have this mixture of cultures, and learning and understanding of new cultures is another gift that everybody should receive,'' he said.

Zhao, who appeared in a Hong Kong-produced movie ``So Close'' with Korean actor Song Seung-heon, said she would like to work with other Korean stars such as Choi Min-sik.

F4's Chu said he is in negotiations to star in an independent film to be directed by a Filipino director and shot in the Philippines. ``Right now, we are still dealing with the contract. It is an independent movie that will be shot in the Philippines. We might finish it by end of October. If the contract goes well, I will do it,'' he said.

Aside from the Asian stars, the festival also gives a chance for new performers to show their talent. Korean pop group FT Island and Thai singer James will receive New Singer awards, while new girl group Kara and singer Whee will also perform.

Organizers said there was a huge demand for tickets for the Asia Song Festival, not just in Korea but also overseas. Around 3,000 foreigners had applied to get free tickets to the event. The organizers' server crashed due to the rush to download the free tickets.

foreigners on K-tv

More Foreign Faces in Korean Dramas

Japanese-British woman Eva Popiel will make her acting debut in the KBS1 daily series “I Hate You, But It’s Fine,” which will start airing on Sept. 3. By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Perhaps a reflection of the growing awareness of an increasingly multiracial Korea, a growing number of foreign faces are appearing on Korean television. More and more Korean dramas are casting foreign-born actors and actresses, although in supporting roles. In recent years, hunky actors like Daniel Henney and Dennis Oh, who are partly Korean, have won the hearts of fans, even though they can barely speak Korean. Now, it's the turn of good-looking and fluent Korean speakers like exotic British-Japanese Eva Popiel and blonde Belgian Julian Quintart to make a splash on the entertainment scene. Foreign Beauties Eva Popiel, a young Japanese-British woman who attracted attention after appearing in the hit KBS talk show ``Beauties Chatterbox,'' is now parlaying her popularity into an acting career. At the press conference for the KBS1 daily series ``I Hate You, But It's Fine,'' Popiel attracted media attention because this is her first acting role, though she may have even overshadowed the drama's lead stars Han Ji-hye, Kim Ji-suk and Cho Dong-hyuk. Popiel admitted it was hard at first, but she received a lot of support and help from her co-stars. When asked if she made a lot of mistakes when acting, she replied ``only a little.'' Her co-star Kim Chan-woo had nothing but praise for Popiel, saying she is very beautiful and hard-working. Popiel plays the role of Sonia, a young woman from Kazakhstan who has come to Korea to work at an events company. She has been working in Korea for three years, sending money back to her family in Kazakhstan. The show will air on KBS1 at 8:25 p.m. from Monday to Friday, starting Sept. 3. Other foreign women who have appeared in ``Beauties Chatterbox'' are also branching out into the entertainment industry. Japanese woman Saori Chang has signed up with an entertainment agency and appeared in other variety shows, while Canadian Luvada Dunford has been seen in television commercials Meanwhile, Cambodian beauty contest winner Ka Cho had a minor role in the drama series ``How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor,'' which starred Kim Seung-woo and Bae Doo-na. The drama was filmed on location in Cambodia. Ka Cho, whose real name is Pov Theavy, won the Beautiful Woman and Handsome Man 2006 competition in Phnom Phen last year. The presence of foreign faces in Korean television is a welcome trend. However, it remains to be seen whether foreign actors and actresses can go beyond the stereotype and create more meaningful characters. Julian Quintart, a 20-year old from Belgium, is appearing in the SBS Friday drama ``Sky High,'' which started airing Aug. 24. Belgian Cutie Quintart never imagined he would have ended up as a celebrity when he first came to Korea as an exchange student in late 2004. He first gained attention appearing in the SBS Saturday morning show ``A Way to Live Well and Eat Well.'' Since then, he has appeared in numerous shows on MBC, SBS and Mnet. Quintart is making his acting debut in the SBS Friday drama ``Sky High,'' which started airing Aug. 24. He plays a supporting role as Daniel, an American who grew up in New York and can speak a little Korean. In an interview with The Korea Times on Sunday, Quintart said he does not want to make his role a stereotype of foreigners living in Korean. ``He (Daniel) is not typical because he can speak some Korean. I think most foreigners' roles in the dramas are like Dennis Oh and Daniel Henney, who seem very cold. But my character shows another image of foreigners, as cute and cheerful,'' he said. Quintart, who turned 20 last Friday, plays a character similar to his own. He said the hardest part about acting in the drama is pretending that he doesn't speak much Korean. In reality, he is already quite fluent in conversational Korean, having learned through self-study and practicing speaking with Koreans. Even though he is already fluent himself, he is still working hard to improve. He is also taking acting lessons to improve his craft. ``I won't say I'm an actor yet. I can't speak Korean well. But I really like it and I want to become an actor. I am not satisfied, so I am always trying to act better and work hard,'' Quintart said. His clean-cut good looks, friendly demeanor and youthful enthusiasm for Korean culture have earned him many fans. His first reaction when he found out he had a fan club on the Internet? ``Whoa,'' he recalled, with a laugh. ``This is so much fun for me to meet a lot of new people. It is a good experience to go abroad like this. I'm very thankful for Korea. I am happy to see Korea is becoming more and more open.'' cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

fallin'

Fall For Fashion

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Autumn is definitely in the air. If you haven't started fall and winter shopping yet, now is the time to hit the shops. For this fall season, fashion has taken a more ladylike turn with simple yet sophisticated silhouettes. Chanel, Christian Dior, Burberry Prorsum, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Gucci are leading the way in trends for this fall and winter. Designers have created a more polished, grown-up look for women, compared to the previous season's young and girlish style. Fall's color palette is predominantly dark, but gray is this season's "it" color. However, there are flashes of jewel tones such as royal blue and purple and touches of metallic that brighten up an otherwise dark look. Grown-up suits are back in fashion. Designers Bill Blass, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein reinterpreted the classic skirt suit. Think suits worn by Ingrid Bergman in "Casablanca" and many of Hollywood's stars in the 1940s and 1950s. The prim and proper suits feature nipped-in jacket waists and skirts that stop just above or on the knees. Elegance is back as seen with Chanel's impeccable dresses and Dior's stunning evening gowns. Dolce and Gabbana's models wore tight corset-like belts to emphasize tiny waists. On the other end of the fashion spectrum, a trend towards a masculine look for women is emerging. Tuxedos and other men's wear-inspired suits are characterized by fitted jackets and tops paired with wide-leg pants. What to Wear The runways may dictate the trends, but not everyone can afford to stock up on fall must-haves from the top designer brands. Fortunately, many clothing brands have adopted these trends and turned them into affordable, yet still fashionable, items. Before you start shopping, remember to choose one or two trends to follow. Start off with last season's clothes, and update your look with key pieces. For example, flirty shift dresses can transition in fall, when paired with dark tights and ankle boots. The swingy dress look can be updated with platform shoes. Top Korean designer Im Seon-oc has created fluid one-piece dresses worn with bright tights. For example, her fall collection featured a model wearing a tulip-shaped dress and navy tights. One of the key items is the pencil skirt, which is in tune with the overall ladylike trend this fall. Wear these knee-length skirts with long, lean sweaters and thin belts, similar to the style spotted on Louis Vuitton's runways. Calvin Klein's fall collection features clean, pared-down silhouettes, with classic pencil skirts, asymmetrical tops and sculptured dresses. For example, the pencil skirt, made of fine wool, is paired with an oversized hooded lacquered nylon bomber. Korean designer Gee Choon-hee's Miss Gee Collection features crisp suits with feminine details. For a glamorous look, try sexy satin dresses in gray or jewel tones. Silky tops are an easy way to inject a bit of sexiness in one's wardrobe. Anything satin can turn an outfit into something more sophisticated. The verdict is still out on whether skinny jeans will remain a wardrobe staple for this season. Some fashion magazines are already urging women to throw out their skinny jeans, and replace them with the more figure-friendly wide-leg versions. You can still get some mileage out of skinny jeans if you pair them with knee-high boots or ankle boots. Wide-leg pants and jeans are popping up in many stores. These wide leg styles have higher waistlines. The style looks good with fitted, silky tops and cropped jackets. Be careful with the wide leg styles, because you can end up looking chunky with the wrong style. Korean designer Jain Song's fall collection balances masculinity with femininity, with straight loose pants matched with a flirty ruffled top. It also included a lacy mini-dress worn with a hooded jacket, as well as a plaid gray tailored mini-dress worn with dark green leggings and boots. Banana Republic's trousers can be worn with cropped swing jackets. Banana Republic's black skirt can be paired with white button-down shirt and black croc belt and lace-up booties for a sophisticated urban look. Knits are always a staple for fall and winter. Knit dresses are another figure-friendly option this season. Slouchy sweaters are a fashionable way to keep warm. Pair oversized sweaters with straight cut pants or tights to keep with the trend. You can also pile on the knits for a layered look. John Smedley's knitwear for fall features light and comfortable sweaters and dresses in tawny neutrals, black and gray, with vibrant red and pink. It offers sweaters in solid colors, stripes and plaids for a preppy look. For the sexy, confident lady, Korean casual clothing brand GGPX New York is sticking with mini-skirts, vests and funky tops. GGPX's fall collection looked sexy on supermodel Kate Moss. Moss modeled shiny tights with a tough-looking cropped leather jacket and studded ankle boots, in a GGPX ad. For coats and jackets this fall, it is a return to minimalism. Black tailored jackets are always a good investment, and can be used for several seasons. If you're looking for something different, there are other styles, from military to biker jackets, cocoon style to capes. Belts are key accessories this season. Burberry Prorsum belts added a feminine touch to otherwise tough-looking jackets and coats. Thick belts were spotted on Dolce and Gabbana's runways, while thinner belts were worn at Celine. Fall's coats and dresses seem more ladylike when worn with wide belts to cinch the waist. Thin belts can be worn around lean sweaters to create a sleeker look. Must-Have Accessories No outfit will be complete this season without the trendiest shoes: platform heels and ankle boots. Ankle boots returned to the scene last year, but it's finally catching on this season. These ankle boots are everywhere, in a wide variety of styles, colors and prices. There are patent leather booties, lace-up ankle boots, zippered ankle boots, bootie pumps and platform boots. Don't forget the season's "it" bags. Chanel introduced Coco's Croco bag, a luxe quilted satin bag with a chain handle. It is not actually made out of crocodile skin. The satin material is quilted to resemble crocodile skin. This updated version of the classic Chanel purse has already been spotted on the arms of Nicole Richie and other Hollywood celebrities. Not surprisingly, cheap versions and imitations of this bag are already out on the streets. Bags made out of exotic skin like crocodile and alligator, are among the season's most expensive items. If you're looking for real crocodile skin bags, you can choose from those by Dior and Bottega Veneta. Even more expensive are the alligator skin bags by Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Oversized bags are still hot, but this time in shiny patent leather and more structured shapes such as those by Miu Miu, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. Black patent leather is always a good choice, but bold colors like red and blue will help you stand out from the crowd. For party girls, the colorful and embellished clutch bag is a must-have. Louis Vuitton's monogrammed clutch in metallic shades is perfect for a night out The most important thing to remember is to carefully pick which trend will suit your style and body type. Also remember to follow the trends in moderation. Don't pile them on, but try to balance them with classic pieces. There's nothing worse than being a fashion victim. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr