[NEWS] Plans Announced For A Full House Season 2

by javabeans | October 23, 2008

First of all: DON’T GET TOO EXCITED. (YET.)

Yes, it does sound like a Full House 2 is in the works. But as with all things this early in the process, it’s best to retain a little bit of skepticism so as not to be disappointed later.

Just a word of warning.

Production as an Asian drama: Producers say, “We will cast at least one out of either Song Hye-gyo or Rain”
The KBS drama Full House, which aired in 2004 and earned much love not only in Korea but throughout Asia, will be producing a season 2 as a pan-Asian drama with participation from Korea, China, Japan and other countries. Full House is the drama that shot Rain to fame throughout Asia as a skilled dancer and singer.
Director Park Chang-shik of Kim Jong-hak Productions told Herald Biz on the 24th, “In preparation for making Full House Season 2, writer Jo Jung-hwa has worked for two years. Currently, the scripts for the first four episodes have been completed. Since Korean, Chinese, and Japanese actors will be participating, the drama will be filmed in those countries.”

One reason I am trying to take this with a HUGE grain of salt is that getting Song Hye-gyo or Rain is going to be a huge endeavor at this point. First of all, I’m not sure either wants to revisit his/her old role from four years ago, especially when both are trying to stretch themselves creatively now. Second, I wonder why they didn’t think to get Full House‘s original PD back on board, since he’s currently working with Song on The World They Live In.

Oh, and also, what if they get one of the actors — will they play themselves? Or play new characters? And will the story have to be changed if neither actor agrees to appear in Season 2? (Confuzzlement abounds.)

Because this will be produced as an “Asian drama,” plans are to keep the atmosphere lighter than the first series, and to not come off overly extravagant. The drama will span 20 episodes and is looking for an airdate sometime around August of next year.
Director Park said, “Things are looking good. Already a Thai corporation has shown interest in investing in Season 2, and one broadcast station in Hunan, China, has said that they would produce Season 2.”
Full House was originally a soonjung manhwa [shojo manga] by Won Soo-yeon that depicted a love story about young modern people, and earned its actors Rain (playing Young-jae) and Song Hye-gyo (as Ji-eun) recognition as a very appealing couple.
Recently, Rain was asked on an episode of MBC’s Goldfish [무릎팍도사], “When did you start thinking of expanding into the Asian market?” by MC Kang Ho-dong. His answer reflected Full House‘s high Asian popularity, saying, “It wasn’t because of music, but happened to be because of a drama I’d done [Full House],” which showed the bright possibility of a pan-Asian Season 2.
Accordingly, if Full House Season 2 is made and broadcast, the actors will naturally attract much recognition in Asia, and will also have tremendous value as a Hallyu drama.
Therefore, the production company is determined to cast at least one out of the two stars, Rain and Song Hye-gyo, who enjoy high popularity throughout China as well as Southeast Asia. They plan to cast actors from China and Taiwan as well, but have set aside the initial intention of casting one of the F4 members. The director has not yet been decided, and the production is currently in the process of finding a film or drama PD who will be able to bring to life Full House‘s visual appeal.

  CREDITS: Dramabeans 

[INTERVIEW] Interview From The Drama Set With Song Hye Gyo

by javabeans | October 6, 2008

With Song Hye-gyo gearing up to come back to television, she’s again in the spotlight (not that she’s ever really out of it) after taking some time since her last project, the high-budget flop that was the film Hwang Jini. (Her performance was seen as passable, but the movie itself was not a success.)

DongA.com conducted an interview with the actress while on set for her new KBS drama The World They Live In (director Pyo Min-su, writer Noh Hee-kyung), co-starring Hyun Bin.

With her thirties approaching (she’s 28, Korean age), she mentioned that she’d likely be turning her thoughts seriously to marriage once she’s in her thirties. She said up-front, “t would be nice to have a boyfriend. I think I’d like best someone I could connect with through conversation.” Of course, she recognizes that as a top star, this is easier said than done, with one’s every action under the strict scrutiny of others.

This is, in fact, something she’s learned from her past experience as part of a high-profile star couple (she dated Lee Byung-heon after the two starred in the drama All In). “The viewers suddenly learned, while in the midst of watching a drama I was acting in, that I was somebody’s girlfriend. In the end, this was an obstacle and only served to create a sense of dislike among viewers.”

Now she’s learned to draw a clear line between private and public life. Furthermore, she’s changed her outlook on projects, saying that while she’d previously chosen her projects thinking of overseas exposure, “now I won’t hesitate to take risks. I want to be a prolific actor and work in a variety of genres and characters, and experiment as much as I want.”

It hasn’t seemed that long, but it’s actually been four years since you were in a drama.
“Maybe it’s because the dramas are re-aired. In the summer it’s always Full House, in the fall it’s Autumn Fairy Tale, and All In in the winter. Cable television keeps airing them.”
In this drama, your occupation is a drama PD.
“I’ve because I’ve seen this as keeping a promise with director Pyo Min-su, whom I worked with on Full House. Joining with him again was a clear choice, and I’d always wanted to do something that scriptwriter Noh Hee-kyung had written. I like her writing so much that it makes acting more difficult, and I’m more careful for fear I won’t do well.”
Through your work in the drama, you’ve seen the perspective as a PD. Have you wondered what it is that a PD desires of the actors?
“Isn’t it enough to act well?” [Laughs.]
What kind of change will we see in twenty-eight-year-old Song Hye-gyo as an actor?
“If I stay up all night even once, I’ll have dark circles under my eyes. As an actor, I think my sense of responsibility has grown stronger. I’ve also come to want to achieve more in my acting.”
You look like you’ve lost some weight and matured.
“I think so too, say if I watch the drama Autumn Fairy Tale and compare myself with how I am now. Back then, it was like I was practically bursting. [Laughs.] In the end, constant exercise is the answer. I run, cycle, and do a lot of outdoor exercise.”
Song Hye-gyo shines more in dramas than in movies.
“Wait and see. I’ll show you more in my film work.”
When you finish this drama, you have John Woo’s film 1949 awaiting you.
“Starting in February, filming will begin and I’ll be going back and forth to Taiwan and China to cities like Shanghai. I’ll be swamped as I work on the drama and study Chinese at the same time. This drama will go on record as being the drama with the most amount of dialogue that I work on in my life. Or in other words, it’s one hurdle after another.”
Your Hollywood debut film Make Yourself at Home was invited to this year’s Pusan International Film Festival.
“It’s an independent film. It’s marketed as a Hollywood debut, which is a very big burden. I’d merely thought of it as a plot I liked, combined with my desire to try something in the English language.”
What is the everyday Song Hye-gyo like?
“When I’m not working, I travel, hang out with friends, and take the chance to learn things I’d been wanting to learn. I cook at home occasionally. I can do most Korean food pretty well — my mother says that my cooking is better.”

  CREDITS: Dramabeans