Kimchi Mamas

Heejun's Rise to Stardom

American Idol's Heejun Han is the Korean American zeitgeist.  He is showing the world how funny, charming, thoughtful, and kind our boys can be, and why we love them so much.  He is goofy, but with a palpable gravity that shows incredible character and depth.  And his voice?  He can do soulful, he can do gravelly, he can keep up with the smooth R&B operators.  Most of all, he sings like a red-blooded male.  He sings with REAL BALLZ.  Yes, with a Z!  Check it out:

I honestly couldn't contain myself while watching that clip.  I squealed like a schoolgirl seeing him laughing and dancing with those special needs children.  And when he told the audience how he fell into a deep depression, and those kids helped him recover, my heart shattered into a million pieces, and I turned into a puddle of goo.  A big pile of LOVE GOO!  OPPAAAAA!!!

Ahem, sorry.

It also broke my heart when he kept dogging on his looks.  I'm all for self-deprecating humor, but I think he really believes he's not good-looking, which is total BS. Just look at this screenshot:

He looks like any Korean actor in a Maxim coffee commercial!  Heejun, this ajumma gives you the Kimchi Cougar Sleazy Eyebrow Raise of Approval!

Sorry, Jeremy Lin, but Heejun has stolen my heart.  I hope this doesn't go down as another turnover.  Hoo-ah!  

(Jeremy, I'm actually just kidding about the turnover thingy.  I still love you.  Call me!)

--Julie

Korea's Got Talent: Sung-Bong Choi

I have a hard heart when it comes to reality television, but even I couldn't stop the tears from flowing when I watched this:

Orphaned at the age of three and left to fend for himself starting from the age of FIVE, Sung-Bong Choi sold gum and Bacchus drinks on the street to survive.  He did not attend school until high school, and during his many nights wandering alone through the city, he listened in on vocal lessons to learn how to sing.

I hesitate to call him Korea's Susan Boyle, not because of any lack of talent, but because there is too much tragedy staining the transcendence.  In his pre-performance interview, Mr. Choi stated he entered this competition so he could be normal like other people, not famous or rich or notorious.  I find that very telling of his strong character, and since he had been let down in such a profound way by his government and fellow citizenry, I hope his appearance on this show will at least cement a sure and stable future for him, never lacking in comfort or company.

--Julie

Open Thread Thursday

Secret marriage (and divorce) and (possibly racist?) review of Please Look After Mom.

What's on your mind today?

 

- Kimchi mamas

The Warrior's Way

Jang Dong Gun is starring in a Hollywood film called The Warrior's Way with Kate Bosworth! I'm a little bit excited. Are you going to see it?

He was a lead actor in two huge Korean films, TaeGukki (Brotherhood of War) and Chin-goo (Friend). He tied the knot with Go So Young, a beautiful Korean actress, earlier this year and they had a baby couple of months ago. I hope it's better than Ninja Assassin... I didn't watch that one but I heard it wasn't that good. Sorry Rain!

- Mary

Love at First Sight

Love at first sight... is what I felt the moment I laid eyes on Kim Yu-na (김연아).

 

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Mesmerized was what I was... during both of her performances... I think even my 3 year old son was crushing on her.

Hands down, she was the highlight of the 2010 Winter Olympics for me. Way to go Yu-na! 

This Kimchi mama (+ the rest of the world) loves you.  

You make me a little more proud to be Korean and I sure hope that all of your endorsements (she's the highest paid in endorsements among all celebrities in South Korea) help close the largest gender income gap in the developed world.  (Thank you Hyon Bin for the heads up about the great article!)

- Mary is a little sad that the Olympics are over and still a little pissed about all of South Korea's missed metal opportunities in short track. *sigh*

Another Korean Actor Making His Hollywood Debut

Rain has joined the ranks of Daniel Henney and Lee Byung-hyun to be featured in a major Hollywood motion picture... well, I guess Daniel Henny and Lee Byung-hyun weren't really "featured," more like supporting roles. =)

Rain's seems like he'll be the main actor in Nina Assassin... yes, still the stereotypical kung-fu fighting role but hey, looking this good, I say bring it on!

Yum.  heh.

I just saw a commercial for the DVD release of G.I.Joe and Lee Byung-hyun's English is actually really good!  (At least in that one line it was... )

- Mary can't wait to see this movie.

May 1 is much more than lei day this year

Growing up in Hawaii, the first day of May was always filled with flowers and school Hula performances because (sing with me) "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaaaaaaiiiiiiiii."  But this year, I am looking forward to May 1st not for it's fragrant flowers, but because DANIEL. HENNEY.  swoon.

is he hot, or is he hot?  his mom is Korean, and his dad is British.  He grew up mostly in America, but found a career on the small and big screen in Korea.  I first saw him in the Korean drama "My Lovely Samsoon."  But he was in Spring Waltz and a couple of Korean films too.

Wait, so what does he have to do with May 1st?

That's the release date for X-Men Origins: Wolverine in which Daniel Henney plays Agent Zero.   Somehow, someway, I am going to be parked in that dark theater to see it as soon as it's out.  I haven't quite figured out who will be watching my kids as I snarf down popcorn and drool over him, but it's gonna happen. 

Honestly, his acting in Korea was so so for the most part so I fretted about him not being that great in such a major American film.  BUT, now I can watch knowing everything will be ok and I won't be embarrassed for him because my husband (deployed in Iraq) already got to see it (I guess they figured the troops all the way over there were special or something) and he says that Agent Zero was spot on.

So who is with me?  And why do I get the feeling that there will be quite a few ajummahs in the crowd at this movie.  I'm thinkin the usual high school/ college boy crowd will be mighty confused at all the Korean ladies elbowing their way to the best seats.

-Jooliyah, is tickled by the fact that Daniel Henney eats the stinky Korean food that she craves too.

Happy Holidays from the Kimchi Mamas

Kimchi Mamas WTF of the Week (an occassional series): Adultery is against the law in Korea?

Was reading with fascination today about Ok So-ri and her eight-month suspended sentence for cheating on her husband (who sued her) with some pop star. She blamed a loveless marriage and tried to get the law overturned saying it was a violation of human rights.  Apparently South Korea is the one of the few remaining non-Muslim countries with laws on the books stating that adultery is a criminal offense. I had no idea!

--Stefania Pomponi Butler

The Most Beautiful Man Alive

Won Bin