News bites: June 7, 2008
by javabeans
- Lee Jung Jin (Bottom of the 9th with 2 Outs, Love Story in Harvard) held his first official fanmeeting on May 30 in Tokyo, following the end of Bottom of the 9th‘s recent Japanese broadcast. A thousand Japanese fans were in attendance; he returned to Korea on the 31st to prep for filming his next movie, Daetol [대털].
- Kim Bum (I Like it Hot, Unstoppable High Kick) injured himself while filming a fighting scene in the upcoming drama East of Eden. Cast in the younger role of Song Seung Heon’s adult character, he was fighting with a stuntman, who struck him on the jaw — and split his chin (owwww). The injury, described as minor by management, was about 1cm in length and required five stitches. I thought stuntmen were there to ensure action scenes are safer.
- Currently promoting his solo album, Jun Jin addressed plastic surgery rumors on the June 7 episode of MBC’s Infinity Challenge — and admitted to a cosmetic procedure whereby fat was removed from his eyelids (to make them look larger and more open).
- The short drama Tokyo Shower, which got off to a lackluster start (its second episode recorded ratings in the 4% range), had its official message board hacked. On June 6, hackers took over the site with postings about opposition to American beef. Dude, if you’re going to hack a site to push your inflammatory propaganda, at least pick a popular show.
- Apparently the mere fact that Rain is singing the theme song to the animated feature Kung Fu Panda is enough to excite his fans, who packed the house on the 4th for a press conference where the music video for “Kung Fu Fighting,” the film’s theme song, was screened. I suppose nobody cares that the song is a crap remake of a kitschy, gimmicky jingle born of a cheesy ’70s chopsocky fad. Here’s Rain singing the theme:
SONG OF THE DAY
Jun Jin – “좋은 사람” (Good person) [ Download ]
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Tags: 1 show to rule them all, Jun Jin, Kim Bum, Lee Jung-jin, news bites, Rain, Tokyo Showers
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1 shro
June 7, 2008 at 12:55 PM
why would they have rain sing the theme song? i thought he was gonna sing for the korean version of kung fu panda. must of been a burden and a hassle to teach him how to correctly pronounce everything. i need to hear him speak unscripted english.
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2 infiniti512
June 7, 2008 at 1:43 PM
It's very disappointing that the very thing that attracted me to Junjin over 2 years ago is what he felt he needed to change. I will support him anyway. I just hope he's happy with his decision.
As for Rain's song, it sounds cute. It fits the movie I guess.
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3 bhhh
June 7, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Is Rain singing the theme for the Korean version or worldwide?
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4 Jo
June 7, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Actually, I heard that Rain was replaced with Ceelo, who has muucchh stronger vocals.
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5 Pully
June 7, 2008 at 4:16 PM
@Jo: Yeah, it's true that Rain was replaced but that's only for the official (english) version. They keep Rain for Asian's version. At least that what's I heard. I much prefer Ceelo's vocals though.
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6 phoenix
June 7, 2008 at 4:47 PM
there's another version done for asia, by a younger singer... think more refreshing vocals... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV6ZxdpdPjM
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7 Auntiemame
June 7, 2008 at 6:33 PM
I saw three music videos on YT. One with Bi/Rain, focusing mainly on Rain recording the song in a studio. The other two are with Ceelo Green and with Sam Concepcion. Both of these had the full complement of background dancers, animated characters and the movie set.
So, it looks like the different versions are for advertisement targeting different audiences.
... What can I say. I'm old enough to remember the original song. In those days, my little brothers were really into it. The song was played so much that I still have an "ugh" reaction to it. .. hee, hee.
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8 Annie
June 7, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Poor Kim Bum. Having a stunt man split your chin open sounds very painful. Hopefully it'll heal soon and wont result in a scar on his adorable face. People need to be more careful on sets. Theres always news about celebrities falling through stuff, or getting hit with stuff.
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9 hua
June 7, 2008 at 7:49 PM
I went and watched the other 2 versions of the Kung Fu Panda movie on Youtube (Sam Concepcion and Cee-lo Green). I have to say, I understand the latter two versions a whole lot better. In Rain's version, all I can make out is "everybody kung fu fighting". Ugh.
Thanks for the news updates, Javabeans!
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10 Myshal
June 7, 2008 at 8:49 PM
I'm torn between posting here or in Open Thread. But since that last Open Thread was political...
I'm writing to inform my fellow dramabean-ites of a flagrant rip off!
This is a video by Pakistani pop artist (maybe rip off artist) Atif Aslam which sounds just like Saranghaeyo from Sassy Girl Chun Hyang!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiaV67y_bNM
o.O what is he thinking?
Thought maybe it was a case of "imitation is flattery" but seems as Mr. Atif has had copyright controversy even with his own former bandmates. Maybe the idea of originality is a distant memory for him.
But it does have a nice Middle Eastern flavour to it. Too bad I don't know the language so I can't tell if there's any chance he gives credits the Korean version. From what I can tell, this song came out from him in Feb 2008
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11 Myshal
June 7, 2008 at 9:04 PM
I agree with shro and hua: can't understand his english. Shame though. Woulda been fun to hear him sing it in the language he's comfortable in. His voice is too weak in English.
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12 spanky
June 7, 2008 at 9:07 PM
i think rain's english sounds not bad. considering he had english lessons, its better than expected.
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13 gailt
June 7, 2008 at 11:44 PM
mmm, lee jung jin. :P
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14 anymo
June 8, 2008 at 12:39 AM
I let my daughter (5-year old) listen to both rain's and ceelo 's version, and our conversation went like:
She: Oh..mommy, it's panda song..is this korean fighting?
Me: No honey, it's kungfu fighting. You know the panda's movie song
Sher: Oh...it's a fun song, but i don't really understand
Me: which one you think is better?
She: uhm...I don't know
Me: there's another one *show her sam's version*
She: Oh..mommy! they also make one with english song..nice!!!
Me : huh? but all of them are in english hon!!?
She: ?
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15 anonymous
June 8, 2008 at 1:05 AM
^ hahahaa i just love how the whole conversation with your daughter went. sam's version is indeed very clear and appeals to younger audience.
imo, out of all the 3 kung fu fightings, i like sam's version the best! refreshing, clear and energetic!! it's the type of version that'll definitely leave you with LSS (last-song-syndrome)... i already am.
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16 maltesers
June 8, 2008 at 1:52 AM
jung jin is hot-hot-hot!
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17 LM
June 8, 2008 at 4:07 AM
Too bad Rain's voice sounds so weak singing in English. His pronunciation needs major help too. He pronounced "win" as "wean". He should stick to singing in Korean if this is best he can do - after so many years of "studying".
Sam's version is the best!
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18 dustbunny
June 8, 2008 at 4:00 PM
maybe tokyo showers staff hacked their own site for the publicity... wouldn't be the first time...
as for rain's version--i couldn't understand or finish it. it was like hearing karaoke in a local restaurant... remember the original song,and can't believe anyone would want to redo it though...
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19 kimlam940
June 8, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Rain just played in Speedracer also. His next film is ninja assasin. Actually many people commented about his looks here in Houston where we have a large Asian population. Rain has the potential to become more popular.
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20 saph
June 9, 2008 at 6:57 AM
i think rain version is better. he has such a really good vocal. even though his pronounciation is still wrong, but at least it shows the real asian. i know sam is an asian, but rain's voice is really sexy!
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21 shinting
June 9, 2008 at 7:03 AM
hey dustbunny, rain voice is really good! it's not like in karaoke, why everybody are so jealous with RAIN? Can you even sing like him? don't mock and tease a person if you CAN'T!
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22 varms
June 9, 2008 at 11:26 PM
I love that Jun Jin song you posted! Thank yooouuu!!!! The singer from Gnarles Barkley's version of Kung Fu Fighting did sound better to me though, sorry Rain!
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23 yme
June 12, 2008 at 5:04 PM
i thought they scrapped rain's version and there's another offical version out.
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