Top 10 Korean entertainment stories of 2009
By JONATHAN M. HICAP
Manila Bulletin
December 29, 2009, 3:51pm
Year 2009 is a mix of triumphs and failures for the Korean entertainment industry.
The popularity of hallyu, or the Korean wave, continued to captivate fans in different Asian countries, notably Japan and in the Southeast Asian region. One girl band succeeded in entering the Billboard charts.
From the rise of musical and film talents to scandals, 2009 was a vibrant (and bitter) year for Korean entertainment.
Here’s our top 10 stories for 2009:
1. TVXQ and Super Junior lawsuits
The biggest event in the Korean entertainment industry was the lawsuit filed in July by boy band TVXQ members Micky Yoochun, Xian Junsu, and YoungWoong Jaejong against their agency, SM Entertainment. TVXQ is one of the most popular idol groups in Korea and Asia and SM Entertainment’s most prized group.
The lawsuit aimed at voiding the 13-year contract of the three members with SM Entertainment. The three said it was a “slave contract” and that earnings from their activities were not properly distributed among the boy band members.
SM said the filing of the lawsuit was due to the three members’ investment in a cosmetics business in China. The lawsuit sent SM Entertainment’s stocks to fall by 10 percent in the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) in August. It also resulted in the cancellation of TVXQ concerts and appearances.
In October, the Seoul Central District Court issued an initial decision in favor of the three TVXQ members by temporarily suspending their contract with SM Entertainment. The three are now free to engage in independent activities. However, the three said that they want to continue to work as TVXQ together with the other two members. A final court decision is being awaited.
Recently, TVXQ cancelled their Bigeast fan meetings in Japan slated in January due to the ongoing conflict. The court case has also delayed TVXQ’s comeback scheduled early next year.
SM Entertainment is again embroiled in a contract lawsuit after Hankyung, a member of popular boy group Super Junior, filed a court case in Seoul last Dec. 21. The lawsuit also aims to void Hankyung’s 13-year contract with SM Entertainment, saying its provisions are unfair. His lawyer also said Hankyung’s health has deteriorated from working nonstop for the last two years.
Hankyung’s case is threatening the future of Super Junior-M, a subgroup of Super Junior, in China. Hankyung is SJ-M’s leader in China, a growing market for K-pop groups.
The case prompted organizers of the 9th Happy Valley Pop Music Festival in China, slated on Jan. 1, to cancel SJ-M’s appearance. SM Entertainment said it will talk to Hankyung to resolve the issue.
2. Boys over Flowers
The remake of "Hana Yori Dango" was one of the most anticipated drama series in Korea. “Boys over Flowers” created a buzz during the casting, as viewers were anticipating who would play the major roles in the drama series.
It premiered in January and became a ratings hit. From its fifth episode to the 25th, it was in the top five drama series in Korea. Its last episode garnered 34.8 percent rating to place first.
“Boys over Flowers” also fueled the careers of Koo Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong (leader of boy group SS501), Kim Bum, Kim Joon, and Kim So Eun. In the 2009 Seoul Drama Awards, “Boys over Flowers” was voted as best drama, while Kim Hyun-joong was voted as best actor.
3. Rise of girl bands
The success of Girls Generation (or SNSD), Wonder Girls, and 2NE1 proved that 2009 was a year for female pop groups in Korea. The year marked the rise of girl bands in K-pop.
Besides the three, other all-female K-pop groups who’ve made significant impact include Brown Eyed Girls, T-Ara, KARA, Davichi, 4Minute, f(x), and After School.
SNSD ruled Korea in 2009 with their song “Gee” and bagged major awards.
4. Wonderful Wonder Girls
Entering the US entertainment industry has been a dream for many Korean artists---one that Wonder Girls successfully fulfilled this year.
Not only did Wonder Girls tour with the Jonas Brothers, their song “Nobody” entered the Billboard Top 100, a first for a Korean pop group.
They will launch their first US album next year.
5. Jaebum leaves 2PM
Boy band 2PM’s career was at its peak this year because of their song “Again and Again;” that is, until a scandal broke in a matter of days that forced its leader, Jaebum, to leave the group.
The controversy started when netizens found “anti-Korean” comments he wrote on his MySpace account before his debut in the Korean music scene.
“Korea is gay. I hate Koreans,” wrote Jaebum, a Korean-American, who left his family in the US to start his career in Korea.
The controversy spread like wildfire and in a matter of days, Jaebum announced that he would be leaving 2PM and Korea for good. Since then, his fans have been campaigning to bring him back.
There’s no concrete news yet if JYP Entertainment will bring Jaebum back to lead 2PM. Jaebum is now starting a new life in Seattle, Washington.
6. Suicide
The success of “Boys over Flowers” was marred by the suicide of one of the actresses that played a minor role in the drama series.
Jang Ja-yeon, who played Sunny in the series, committed suicide on March 7 due to depression. Her suicide became a national issue in Korea after her suicide note stated that she was forced to have sex with entertainment executives and VIPs. Her former manager was eventually extradited from Japan because of the investigation.
Another actress, Woo Seung-yeon, also committed suicide in April. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in Korea, according to the Korea’s National Statistics Office.
7. Rain’s lawsuit
Pop star Rain’s foray into the US market this year was dampened when a jury in Hawaii found him and JYP Entertainment, his former agency, guilty of fraud and breach of contract stemming from a cancelled concert in Honolulu in 2007.
The decision ordered Rain (real name Jung Ji-hoon) and JYP Entertainment to pay a whopping $8.1 million as damages to concert promoter Click Entertainment. Of the amount, Rain was to pay about $4.25 million.
The trial gained worldwide media attention owing to Rain’s popularity. He even flew to Hawaii to testify in the trial. In June, it was announced that Rain settled the case with Click Entertainment in Hawaii.
Rain is one of the most popular Korean artists abroad. He was listed as one of the “Most Beautiful People” in 2007 by People and in Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” in 2006. He is currently the ambassador of the Korean Ministry of Agriculture to promote hansik or Korean food.
8. Korean stars enter Hollywood
Korean actors are making inroads into Hollywood. Lee Byung-hun, Rain, and Korean-American Daniel Henney made their Hollywood debuts this year.
Korean actor Lee Byung-hun starred in “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” along with Channing Tatum, Dennis Quaid, and Sienna Miller. He played “Storm Shadow”, one of the major roles in the film.
“G.I. Joe” topped the box office on its opening weekend by grossing about $54 million. The movie grossed $301 million in the US and worldwide.
Recently, Lee Byung-hun also starred in the hit Korean action series “Iris.”
Rain also made his second Hollywood movie, “Ninja Assassin,” which was released in November. His first movie, “Speed Racer,” was released last year. “Ninja Assassin” grossed $34 million in the US.
Korean-American star Daniel Henney also starred in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” playing the character Agent Zero. Henney was best known for his role in the 2005 Korean hit drama series “My Name is Kim Sam Soon.”
“My Sassy Girl” star Jun Ji-hyun’s movie, “Blood: The Last Vampire,” was released in selected countries. It grossed about $5.7 million in the US and other countries.
9. Korean film “Thirst” triumphs in Cannes
Who would have thought that a film on vampires would triumph in Cannes?
“Thirst” (Bak-Jwi), directed by Park Chan-wook, achieved this by winning the Jury Prize in the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival, tying with the United Kingdom’s “Fish Tank.”
“Thirst” tells the story of Sang-hyun (played by Song Kang-ho), a priest who went to Africa to volunteer for an experimental vaccine. He was infected with a deadly disease but was cured. One day he coughed up blood and died but came back to life the next day as vampire. He then had an affair with Tae-ju (played by Kim Ok-bin), the wife of his friend. The two plotted to kill her husband.
“Thirst” is the eight best selling film in Korea in 2009, with 2.22 million movie tickets sold.
Another Korean movie, “Mother,” starring actress Kim Hye-ja and actors Won Bin and Jin Goo, was also screened at Cannes.
10. Scandals
The Korean entertainment scene won’t be complete without scandals. From accusations of plagiarism to steamy love affairs, Korean celebrities were not spared from various accusations.
G-Dragon’s first solo album that was released in August was accused of having two plagiarized songs: “Heartbreaker” and “Butterfly.” YG Entertainment denied the allegations.
G-Dragon’s first solo concert in early December also drew criticism for alleged sexual acts and violence.
Actor Joo Ji-hoon, who starred in “Princess Hours,” was convicted by a Korean court in June for illegal drug use. The court, however, suspended his sentence that saved him from going to jail. He was ordered to do community service and pay a fine.
Actor Lee Byung-hun was accused of sexual misconduct by a 22-year-old Korean-Canadian student. The girl sued Lee, accusing him of luring her into a love affair with a promise of marriage. She is seeking $119,000 in damages.
Super Junior member Kangin was involved in two nasty cases in September and October. In September, he was accused of beating up a customer in a bar.
In October, Kangin was also involved in a case of drunk driving and hit-and-run. Kangin was driving a car when he hit a taxi while under the influence of alcohol. He then fled the scene.
Kangin is temporarily not active in Super Junior activities due to the cases. He had apologized to his fans for disappointing them.
I think many fans missed the Naeng Myung actions from Jessica and Park Myung Su.
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