Andre Kim Dazzles Bangkok Fans

Korean top designer Andre Kim, right, smiles as actor Lee Jun-ki, left, appears as the main model with Thai star May Pitchanart at “Andre Kim Fashion Art Fantasia,” which took place at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Center, Saturday./ Yonhap

By Han Sang-hee

BANGKOK ― Korean top designer Andre Kim’s fashion debut in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday proved that he still had the elegant touch he has been pursuing for the past 47 years.

“Andre Kim Fashion Art Fantasia,” which took place at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Center, was held to commemorate the friendship between the two countries and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Korea-Thailand diplomatic relations.

“It’s a great honor to be here. When I first visited Bangkok, the Kingdom of Thailand, it was in 1966, 43 years ago. I dreamed (that) in the future, I would like to present a fashion show and finally it is the day,” Andre Kim said during a press conference before the event, with the venue packed with some 100 Thai reporters and photographers.

Prominent figures, including Her Royal Highness Princess Som Sawalee and some 1,000 guests were present, with fans of actor Lee Jun-ki, who appeared as the main model, lined up outside the center to get a glimpse of the star.

Kim’s Spring/Summer collection was presented under six different themes ― 2010 World Festival for Spring and Summer in Bangkok, Unforgettable Romanticism and Poetic Dream, Everlasting Glory for Kingdom of Thailand, Korea The Tales about Land of Morning Calm, Seven Veils Legend of Orient and My Love of Eternity in Shangri-La.

Singers Oh Jong-hyuk and Evan Yu and local star May Pitchanart appeared as models along with the “King and the Clown” (2005) star Lee at the show, which displayed a unique collection of traditional and futuristic elements.

White, gold, bright orange, fuschia, turquoise, purple, neon pink and red colored dresses made their way across the catwalk, with some 170 creations greeting Bangkok fans for the first time.

The show started with models strutting the simple white runway dressed in pure white gowns with Kim’s signature gold and silver flowery embroideries. With small white pieces of paper floating like flower petals, the models displayed elegant gowns and even short bubbly skirts with matching tights and gold and silver high-heeled sandals.

The second stage offered flowing, light pink dresses with sparkling embroidery and lace trains. The short yet graceful pink dresses resembled ballet tutus, and the models strut Kim’s work with grace and dignity. The male models were charismatic in their simple yet stylish suits, some with colorful embroideries like the dresses, and others with pinstripes and even bow ties. With fans reacting whenever Lee appeared on the runway, the Korean actor was poised and graceful, taking every step carefully and successfully escorting Pitchanart from start to finish.

Another hallmark stage was the Everlasting Glory for Kingdom of Thailand, with models appearing in colorful Thai silk recreated as elegant dresses. The Seven Veils Legend of Orient stage offered Kim’s staple piece: a lone model on the runway, wearing seven different colored robes. She took them off one by one, finally revealing a pink gown. The model then turned around and walked back, elegantly collecting the seven robes along the way.

The finale had models strutting with fabulous wedding gowns and the two main models, Lee and Pitchanart, bidding farewell to guests with their last walk as a couple.

Guests applauded enthusiastically when the show was finished, hinting that Kim’s show was indeed memorable. Lee’s popularity proved that hallyu, or the Korean wave, was still alive in Bangkok.

“The Thai people are very interested in fashion, including clothes, accessories and furniture. Korean actor Lee is also famous for his dramas and popular because he is smart and handsome,” Sareporn Laovanijya from the Khom Chat Reuk, a Bangkok daily, told The Korea Times.

With fans and fashion lovers taking photos and reaching out to get a glimpse of the famous Korean designer and the handsome actor, Andre Kim Fashion Art Fantasia proved to be yet another success at one of the world’s most exotic places.

Kim has made headlines for his unique approach to fashions show, including many world firsts, such as one in front of Egypt’s pyramids and at Angkor Wat, in Cambodia. He is the first Korean designer to present his work in Bangkok and is also active in creating cosmetics, bicycles and even electronic goods.

Source & credits to: koreatimes

Lee Jun Ki goes into music.

The ultra-pretty actor Lee Jun Ki has decided to tackle the music scene next. After successful big and small screen appearances in “The King and the Clown” and “Iljimae”, the model-turned-actor is now ready to debut as a KPOP act. Jun Ki demonstrated his singing abilities first with the three singles he produced in 2006, however this album, which will be released in March, will be his first official album.

His manager revealed that Jun Ki is training hard in singing as well as dancing much like any debuting artist would, and he is also taking part in the song writing process.

credits to: Allkpop

yay he finally accepted he has natural talent at singing!

Another Award Streak?

Asian star, Lee Jun Ki is being talked about whether he will have another blessing of awards for the year end award ceremonies! Lee Jun Ki has received the “New Male Movie Star Award” for the film “The King and the Clown” in 2006.

In addition he has received the MBC “Great Acting Award” for the dramas “My Girl” and “Time Between Dog and Wolf – Drama”. And in 2008, he was awarded the fans’ choice of ‘Popularity Award’!

This year, his drama “Iljimae” has been viewed 30% highest rating of the season! He has been having these hits for the last 3 years!

Other stars who have also been nominated for the “Great Acting Award” along with Lee in SBS are Oh Hyun-kyeong, Kim Ha-neul, and Song Yoon-ah.

Currently, Lee Jun Ki is deciding on a few films for the coming year.

Source: Cyworld News (Ilgan Sports)

from Hancinema, LeeJunKi Singapore

(I miss)Iljimae.

I liked the ending, although it was open, although some people didn’t like it, although there were still a number of gaps not resolved. It was touching and sad, and although they went to replay the episode 1 thing again, I don’t feel disappointed; they are just trying to imply that Iljimae isn’t dead, he’s still alive and kicking/stealing, because the king did not fulfil his promise to give up his throne.

The moment when Shi Hoo was talking through his new-grown bushy puffy moustache and beard about himself protecting his little brother was so adorable. Ketong was so cute and he behaves totally way like Yong, plus the blank teeth inherited from his father. I feel really sad for Bong Soon, how she sacrificed for Iljimae and ended up crippled for the rest of her life, and not even being able to get Yongee’s heart. Bong Soon looks/feels so sad.

(stares at armour) Boooong Soon, you are alive!

(stares at armour) Yongee, you must stay alive.

I like this part(:

I think Eun Chae roughly figures out Yong and Iljimae and is really concerned where that child is. I also liked the part when she goes back to the plum tree, plus the Flower’s Message/that sad song playing out, and the flashback to her childhood when Geom told her the story of the birds on the plum tree, and then she remembers what Yong told her, if even if that child were dead, he would be happy. Aww-

To the Plum Tree (again)

Yongee, wherefore art thou?

We had been totally hoping iljimae will really be alive after being slashed at the back by the purple assasin, and we are rewarded with his appearance at the end. There were also many scenes which gave some clues to him still being alive, the Kunghe and the two-shoes-part, and also the purple dude has slashed Iljimae with Iljimae’s blunt sword which Iljimae uses because his father told him never to use a sword to kill, but to save people’s live. And also because of this, he does not kill the king and lets him off after he had apologised to his late father and as he lets the king off, he cries and says something like, “Dad, am I right to let him off? Am I right?”

slashed-by-purple-dude-half-dead-iljimae

I think the whole part at the end about he trying to kill the king and then he being half-killed by the assasin totally resembled the last episode scene of revenge in Time Between Dog and Wolf. Soo-Hyun tried to kill Mao, but Mao kind of killed himself after finding out Soo-Hyun was his best friend’s son and then Soo Hyun gets half-bulleted-to-death by Mao’s bodyguard, the tall tall Giraffe. Haha, and I just found out the writer of Iljimae had watched Time Between Dog and Wolf and liked Jun Ki’s role in it, so it probably explains why the ending is so familiar. The bookstore’s porn books part was hilarious-King and the Woman, Love Between Dog and Wolf.

Gah, what the hell, Iljimae ends up with nobody. Okay, I don’t really like the way the show ended with Iljimae’s face (looking at the camera). Overall, it was an excellent drama, and it was totally the best drama of 2008 for me.