Dramas, Stars to Compete at Seoul Int'l Drama Awards

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

"Being Erica" from Canada will compete for the Best Drama Award at the Seoul Drama Awards.

The Seoul International Drama Awards 2009 will be held for 10 days starting from Sept. 4 at various venues around the city.

A total of 169 dramas from 37 countries will compete at this year's event under the slogan "Enjoy Star & Story."

"The purpose of the SDA 2009 is to raise the profile of Korean series in the international drama market and to expand cultural exchanges," an official from the organizing committee said.

Some of Korea's favorite programs will compete with some of the best works from around the world, including countries like Japan, Sweden, Italy and even Ecuador. The awards will be divided into two categories: The Best Drama Award and Individual Prizes. Popular Korean dramas "Beethoven Virus" (MBC), "The Painter of Wind" (SBS) and "Slingshot" (KBS) will compete with England's "Doctor Who Season 4," China's "Memories of China" and Canada's "The Englishman's Boy," among others.

The three local works garnered fans last year with their creative plots and impressive presentations, and they are expected to heat up the competition. "Beethoven Virus," starring top actor Kim Myung-min, captivated drama fans with classical music, interesting characters and a heartwarming storyline, while "The Painter of Wind" told the mystery tale of the famous painter Shin Yun-bok during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), portrayed by Moon Geun-young. "Slingshot" was a soap about success-driven men struggling to survive in the competitive world while trying to protect their family, friends and love.



The Individual Prizes will also be difficult decisions, as Moon, Korea's sweetheart, will compete with six other actresses, including Norway's Charlotte Frogner for her work in "Maria" and Christine Reyes from the Philippines for her appearance in "Eva Fonda."

Moon started her acting career in 1999 and has been starring in popular dramas and movies, with her best known being the film "My Little Bride" (2004) and the horror flick "A Tale of Two Sisters" (2003). The 22-year-old actress has garnered fans with her role as the famous painter and also made headlines with her charity work.



The men's category includes Korea's Kim Myung-min and Park Yong-ha, along with New Zealand's Antony Starr for his work in "Outrageous Fortune" and Japan's Akira Kume from "The Shopping Trip," among others.

Actor Kim Myung-min made a lasting impression in the period drama "Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-shin," but his big hit was with "Beethoven Virus," in which he played a charismatic conductor. He recently made headlines after losing more than 20 kilograms to portray a patient suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease.



Park Yong-ha became a hallyu star through his role in the soap "Winter Sonata" (KBS) and has continued to appear as various characters, including a stubborn drama producer in the hit series "On Air" (SBS) and a tough scam artist in the film "The Scam" (2009). He is nominated for his recent appearance in "Slingshot."

The SDA 2009 has arranged various events and showcases that will be held at Gwanghwamun Plaza near the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts from Sept. 4 to 13.

The SDA History exhibition will introduce past winners of the SDA from 2006 to 2008. From previous winners' works to footage of them receiving their awards, visitors can sample the short, yet rich history of the event at the exhibition.

Actress Choi Ji-woo, the heroine of "Winter Sonata," has been named an honorary member of the SDA Hall of Fame. Last year's honor went to veteran actor Choi Bool-am. Fans can get a glimpse of some of the scenes from her best works, including Winter Sonata, "Stairway to Heaven" (SBS) and "Celebrity Sweetheart" (SBS).

The event will also hold a special exhibition called "Korea's Next Representative Directors" for up-and-coming drama directors of the year. The event will offer the works of three aspiring television series directors ― Kim Jung-kyu from KBS, Kim Sang-ho from MBC and Jang Tae-yoo from SBS ― and look into their creative world of television series direction.

Finally, walk into the world of local dramas in the "Drama Adventure" section, where visitors and fans can actually try on costumes and use props from famous works. Walk into the rooms of the characters from "Beethoven Virus" or take photos at a creepy old house that was taken from the actual set of the horror drama "Korea Ghost Stories" (KBS).

Wrapping up the festival of dramas will be the final award ceremony that will be held Sept. 11 at Olympic Hall, southern Seoul.

Source

Comments

[steve-tales.livejournal.com]

"Being Erica"?! I live in Canada and I remember the massive ad campaign they did to get people to watch it, and I don't think I know anyone who has watched it.

Wow maybe this could help its exposure more than it helps Korea's stars/shows.

[downpour.livejournal.com]

mte. they always just show the adverts on cbc, but i didn't know people actually watched it LMAO.

[dreamerbri.livejournal.com]

i've heard that it's a good show and that reminds me that i've downloaded season one and haven't watched it yet.

[rikayla.livejournal.com]

Go watch it! :D

[rikayla.livejournal.com]

It's a really good show! It actually got pretty good ratings for a Canadian-produced show, and a couple international networks picked it up. The lead actress did a phenomenal job, imo. ♥

[xanderave.livejournal.com]

FIGHTING SPIDERS!!!

[rhythmised.livejournal.com]

IKR! i was like O: O: then i was like :D :D

[xanderave.livejournal.com]

I just checked the site and all of these are under Exhibits. Apparently, there's also "Perfect Cut", "The Seekers" and "Uyirilla Shock" - never really heard/watched the last two though.

I'm surprised they didn't send in "Red Thread".

[rhythmised.livejournal.com]

perfect cut! :D yeah i never heard of the other two either. imo, fighting spiders was way better than red thread though.

[xanderave.livejournal.com]

It IS better but remember all the commercials that went "Red Thread - the BLOCKBUSTER drama of the year" and it was so cliche of the cliche that no matter how predictable the storyline is, you cannot help but watch through the train wreck.

[rhythmised.livejournal.com]

YES i actually recorded the whole series and watched all 40 glorious episodes of the damn thing. fighting spiders was cute and stuff, but the twists were a bit.. odd. i was expecting something lighthearted, then the girl got raped :/

[adliboverplay.livejournal.com]

i love charlie! the chubby boy in fighting spiders!

[pinkverse.livejournal.com]

DOCTOR WHO &hearts

[kellygreen.livejournal.com]

Being Erica??? I see ads on tv for it all the time and it looks kind of charming, but I've never actually watched it. Glad to see someone is enjoying it in Korea, even though I've yet to meet anyone who does in Canada lol

[rikayla.livejournal.com]

It's an awesome show. ♥ The lead actress did an amazing job. <3

[crystalheng.livejournal.com]

Oooh~~~ Singaporean dramas :D
I should watch the TV more often instead of staying on the Internet, lol.

[keight-michelle.livejournal.com]

wth christine reyes in omona? lol XDDD;

[vanillacat.livejournal.com]

Sry2say, Korea, but Doctor Who owns any of these dramas up the butt and around the corner, and I'm not even really that big of a fan.

[rikayla.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOD. CROSS-FANDOM.

BEING ERICA IS AN AWESOMEEEEEE SHOW. ♥

[jia-zhang.livejournal.com]

I AGREE. IT IS THE AWESOME. I hope they don't change the shrink, though. Best show to come out of Canada in a long time.

And your icon. So cute. XD And so true.

[rikayla.livejournal.com]

omg yeahhhh, i hope they don't change the shrink. the old guy was pretty awesome. especially in the last episode when he freaked and went all fierce on her. made me pissed at erica for being so stupid because the shrink > erica.

[jia-zhang.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOD THIS IS SUPERB! I LOVE BEING ERICA! It's such an awesome Canuck show! XD I totally hope CBC does another season.