ENTERTAINMENT NEWS > “The King and the Clown” Enters Deauville Asian Film Fesitval

The smash hit Korean film “The King and the Clown” will be shown at the Deauville Asian Film Festival. International movie magazine Screen said on the 22nd that the Lee Joon-ik directed “The King and the Clown” and the Lee Yoon-ki directed “A Very Special Guest” will be screened at the 9th Deauville Asian Film Fesitval in France.The festival runs from March 28th-April 1st.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS > Most Envied Star Couple

According to netizens, actor Hyun-bin and actress Hwang Ji-hyun are the most envied star couple.Music portal site Bugs surveyed 3,352 netizens from the 9th-16th and 37% responded that the news of Hyun-bin and Hwang Ji-hyun’s relationship was the biggest heart-breaking celebrity news.The celebrity couple publicly announced their relationship through their fan sites on February 25th.Hyun-bin shot to stardom as the lead male in the hit TV series, “My Name is Kim Samsoon” (also known as “My Lovely Samsoon”) and Hwang Ji-hyun’s supporting role in the drama “Come Back, Soon-ae” gained her recognition. The news of the attractive pair’s relationship made fans feel most envious.In 2nd place was the star coupling of KBS host Park Ji-yoon and fellow-KBS Choi Dong-suk, which earned 20% of the votes. Park Ji-yoon has been gaining popularity through her appearance on several shows, including “Star Golden Bell.”And in third place of most envious couple with 15% of the votes was singer Park Ji-yoon and Yongi, followed by Jadu and Eum Seung-baek with 14% and Baek Boram and Kim Jae-woo with 483 votes.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS > Lee Ki-chan Receives Honor On Local TV Music Show

Singer Lee Ki-chan’s comeback song has topped a local television channel’s music show chart for more than 5 weeks and has received the “Mutizen (Music Citizen) Song” award. Lee hadn’t released an album in more than 5 years and his success is even sweeter because he was up against other popular artists, such as Park Hyo-shin, Super Junior, T, Lee Hyo-ri, Ivy, Tei and Jang Nara.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS > Rain Leaves For Hong Kong International Film Festival

Singer and actor Rain (Jung Ji-hoon) left the country on the 18th for the Hong Kong International Film Festival.The film festival, running from March 20-April 11, will show Rain’s debut film, “I’m A Cyborg, But That’s Ok.” Rain is nominated for the prestigious Best Actor award.Rain has been receiving international popularity for his music, marked by 2005’s Asian Tour “Rainy Day” and this year’s world tour, “Rain’s Coming.” As for his cinematic endeavors, his debut film has received honors and rave reviews at the Berlin Film Festival (including the top award for Best Film—The Alfred Bauer Award) and was chosen as the opening film for the Hong Kong Film Festival. There is a buzz surrounding whether or not Rain will receive the best actor award. Rain’s leading lady, Lim Soo-jeong, is nominated for Best Actress.Other nominations at the Hong Kong International Film Festival include: the Bong Jun-ho-directed movie, “The Host,” for Best Film and its lead Song Kang-ho nominated for Best Actor; Hong Sang-soo for Best Director and Best Screen play for his film “Beach Beauty”; and Kim Hye-soo for Best Actress in “Tajja.”

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS > Paran and Super Junior-K.R.Y. Create Frenzy in Thailand

Boy bands Paran and Super Junior – K.R.Y. took more than 10,000 Thai fans by storm at the 6th Pattaya International Music Festival on the 16th and 17th.Wildly popular in Thailand, Paran thrilled fans with their March 16th performance of their hit songs, such as “Like a Habit,” “First Love” and “Beat It.” The following day on the 17th, Super Junior – K.R.Y. (Kyu-hyun, Ryeo-wook, Ye-sung) took the stage. Beginning with the swing/jazz song “The Night Chicago Died” the group sang other favorites like “It’s Just That” and “Only One Person.” The group has been gaining a following in Thailand since its first concert last year and their participation on the OST of the drama “Hyena.”

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS > Joo Ji-hoon Holds Fan Meeting in Japan

Model-turned-actor Joo Ji-hoon, who rose to stardom with his debut drama “Princess Hours” last year, has held a fan meeting in Japan. He has seen growing popularity in the island country after the drama was aired there.Joo met with his fans in Tokyo on Tuesday and will travel to Osaka for another fan meeting on Wednesday.Participating in the shooting of new KBS drama “The Devil,” the new Korean actor is seeing a promising future ahead as he was chosen as the “New Asia Star” representing Korea at the 1st ASTA TV Drama Awards.

CUISINE > Bulgogi (thin sliced barbecued beef)

Bulgogi originated from the dish called maekjeok that was popular during the Goguryeo era, but the only difference between bulgogi and maekjeok is that the latter was marinated beforehand. Maekjeok was prepared by marinating meat with leeks, garlic and fermented bean paste, threading it on skewers and grilling on fire. Because maekjeok is marinated in advance, no sauce was required to accompany the dish.

Bulgogi is a variety of sliced roasted beef called neobiani in Korean. Usually, lean meat of short ribs or sirloin is used to prepare bulgogi.
Thinly sliced beef is crisscrossed with slight cuts, and marinated in pear extract, liquor and sugar for a while.This kind of seasoning makes beef tender through fermentation. To finish seasoning, add soy bean sauce, chopped onions, chopped garlic, sesame salt, ginger extract, black pepper and sesame oil, and leave for 30 minutes more. Grill on medium-high.

- How to cook:

1. Slice lean meat of short ribs or sirloin against the grain, and marinate in sugar, cooking liquor and pear extract for about 30 minutes.
2. Prepare seasoning by mixing soy bean sauce with sugar, water, chopped garlic, chopped green onions, sesame salt, black pepper and sesame oil.
3. Grill the prepared beef with the seasoning in a frying pan.