Vital Racing Girl News

One stock in trade of the Korean tabloids is the meaningless racing girl report, which are basically advertisements masquerading as legitimate articles and, so I assume, paid for under the table. This one gives you the basic flavor.

Racing model Choi Yu-jeong (25), whose name is a byword for sexy S-line, has opened up a spellbinding private photo collection of bikinis and lingerie. 

Recently, for three days and nights from the 19th at the beaches and hotels of Thailand Choi put together the photo album with Korea Grabia.

At the Seoul Motor Show and Busan International Motor Show Choi pulled in popularity with her cute appearance and refreshing body.

Choi is being hailed as an icon of sexy glamour as she stole the gaze of all the men among the producers and staff of the photo album. Choi Yu-jeong’s Korea Grabia photo album is available beginning the 18th from SK Telecom’s service.

Hollywood — First in Korea?

Though a few days ago we considered the growing importance of Korea for Hollywood, it is possible to go too far with that line of thought. Case in point – one reporter celebrating Korea´s new place in the sun by bragging on its hosting of the international premieres of Hollywood films, noting only obliquely that these films are premiering at all points abroad on the same day. Oh well.

Some may also get a chuckle out of the phrase in the original article “우리나라 시간이 미국보다 빠르기 때문에”, literally translating as “because our country´s time is faster than America´s”, which certainly should ring true to anyone dodging delivery guys on motorbikes in Seoul.

This summer will see a blitz of Hollywood blockbusters and they will by turns have their international premieres in Korea.

With a staggering production fee invstment of $300 million and much greater action than the first installments the action and CG-fest ´Spiderman 3´ will have its international premiere next month in Korea. This is three days after the US debut of May 4. In particular this is an even more special case as unlike the normal situation of premiering on a Friday or Thursday it will be on a Tuesday. The Steven Spielberg-produced and Michael Bay-directed blockbuster “Transformers” will also meet international audiences for the first time, including in Korea, on June 28. Before this, 2003´s “Lord of the Rings 3″, “The Phantom of the Opera”, and “Constantine” also were first screened in Korea.

Recently Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay have been on a long world-wide trip including Korea. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At the End of the World” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” will meet Korea on May 25 and July 12, respectively, making their world premieres at the same time.

Since May of last year “Mission Impossible: 3″ and “The Da Vinci Code” also made their domestic debuts with no time difference. Since our country´s time is ahead of American time it can substantially be reckoned that our country had the earlier debut.

As for big blockbusters having their first domestic screenings, it´s the request of the head offices in America to test our country´s audiences to see if they like it but as the domestic market for illegal downloads is growing Hollywood´s pictures are also including warnings.

A representative from a company that imports Hollywood films said “The time difference in premieres between Hollywood and world markets is gradually tending to drift downwards,” and “the spreading market for illegal downloads is going to have significant repercussions.”

Hollywood in Korea

With the recent debate over the wisdom of pursuing a free-trade agreement with the United States there was a renewed discussion of the so-called “screen quota“, a somewhat ham-fisted way of lending the government’s support to the domestic film industry. I’ve always regarded that debate as pretty much driven entirely by the media, as I’ve never heard a Korean express to me any support for the quota at all, and some were quite fierce in their arguments against it. And not without good reason — South Korea is one of just three countries in the world where domestic films sell more tickets than foreign imports. Check out the box office numbers and Korean films reign over Hollywood fare, collecting well more than half of all ticket sales. Korean films have grown in quality by leaps and bounds in the last decade with no end in sight.

Now we have two of the biggest directors in the States, Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg, coming to Korea to promote their new film. This trip, reported in the Joongang Ilbo, is a testament not only to the importance of the Korean film market, as Bay says, but also that it’s now one where Hollywood cannot take success for granted anymore.

“When I was 20 I went on a trip with my mother to Korea. I’m really happy to have come back after 20 years, since Korea is a place that loves my movies and is a growing market.”

Michael Bay (42), genius director and producer of such entertaining films as “Bad Boys” and “Armageddon”, came on the 11th to Korea. The occasion was to do PR for the Korean premiere of “Transformers” on the 28th, the first place in the world for it to be shown after America. “Transformers” is about thinking, living robots from space who come to earth to battle. Originally they were children’s toys made into a 1980s animated TV show, then an animated movie and now a live-action film. For this film Spielberg secured the copyright as the producer, and presented the project to Bay. The director said “At first I figured it would be just a toy movie and wasn’t impressed” but “then I thought how much fun it would be to tell this kind of cartoon-like story in live action.” And just as he said, the robots, created with computer graphics, are perfectly presented with brilliant execution in a live-action film.

The special thing about these robots is that they can take on the forms of various automobiles, from pick-up trucks to sports cars. I was curious why all the vehicles have a special connection with General Motors. The director immediately laughed, answering “Transformers 2 will use Hyundai cars.” “At GM’s R&D production plant I saw their ‘Bumblebee’ and immediately wanted it. So the contract was on condition of not showing any non-GM cars,” he explained.

It was his first time to join hands with Spielberg, but Bay had long worked with Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer. At a request to compare the two directors, he was furtively inclined towards Spielberg. “Bruckheimer is the person that scouted me out at movie school and trained me as a director, and a person with an ability that no one can differ on,” but brought up the subject of his longer relationship with Spielberg. “When I was 15 I worked part time making at Lucasfilm making the storyboards for ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (directed by Spielberg). At the time I didn’t think it would turn out well, but the completed film turned out to be my favorite work.”

As to the rumors of a remake of Bong Joong-ho’s “The Host”, the director said “We still haven’t decided yet.”

The Millimeter War

One of the most immediately obvious pop culture differences between Korea and western countries is the amount of exposed skin that it takes to be considered risque. Open up a Korean edition of lad mag Maxim and compare the Korean models to the Americans — the Americans are typically clad in almost nothing, with the Koreans looking like they’re planning a trip to Siberia by comparison. Even big-name actresses in the States will appear in photos I wouldn’t want my grandmother to know I have — without raising anything near the stir they undoubtedly would in Korea.

Nevertheless the Korean situation, as with most everything here, is changing rapidly. Short shorts and miniskirts are among the biggest-selling items of clothing and fashion gets sexier every year. It’s certainly no secret that top female stars vie to be considered the sexiest. As always in such matters, the Sports Chosun is on top of it.

“Shorter, sexier.”

This is the ‘1-mm war’. The open competition of these sexy singers is beyond imagination. The hip line has shot up to the point that you can almost see their butts, and chest lines are nakedly exposed. The more singers who attempt comebacks the more intense the level of exposure.

In the music industry’s sexy competition Lee Hyo-ri, Seo In-hyeong, Seo Ji-yeong, Babyvox and Uhm Jung-hwa lead the way. The thought “if you’re gonna take it off, make it hot” is the driving force. To be the topic of more conversations than the first showcase-grabbing singer, they aren’t unwilling to cross the line of dangerous exposure. The strategy is to attract more attention than the other singers by exposing an extra millimeter.

Bold Exposure from Butt to Chest

On the 15th at Seoul’s 1988 Stadium in Deungchon-dong the ample bosom of Lee Hyo-ri, who performed various one-act plays, was the point of attention. She wore a black jacket, hot pants and a fedora in an attempt to restrain her overexposure, but instead, in a frenzied display of dancing at the last minute her cleavage was deeply displayed through her jacket and drew all eyes.

Seo In-yeong, of the four-member girl band Jewelry, puts particular emphasis on her crotch. On the 13th on a music video shoot she created a stir by wearing hot pants so tiny they made people think of panties. The first Korean singer to expose her hip bones, she drew gasps with her revealing gold outfit.

Recently Seo Ji-yeong is proving no exception to the rule in her comeback, showing off her sexy beauty to the best advantage. Though it’s through her vivid stage clothing concepts that her second life has come, as her thighs and chest line go by turns her exposure is creating a doubled feeling of sexy beauty.

The most exciting comeback star of late, Ivy, is drawing attention with her S-line body, emphasizing its silhouette. From her chest to her waist and thighs, the lines of every part of her body, freely exposed with clothing made of spandex, really stimulate the imagination.

Lighting a fire in this exposure competition is “the original sexy star” Uhm Jung-hwa. Last year she grabbed the spotlight by appearing on stage clad in her underwear.

When everyone puts this much emphasis on exposure, the difference in sexiness felt from the difference of one millimeter is huge.

The effects of this sexy exposure competition are extending to ordinary women’s underwear. Recently released women’s underwear is showing this influence in daringly exposed chest lines and shrinking panties. One representative from lingerie brand Vivian said “As exposure becomes popularized recently, brassiere shapes are changing. At the same time that the center of attention in brassieres is moving south with cleavage more exposed, designs which have the effect of pushing the breasts together and making them look big are picking up in popularity.”

Honey Lee Interview

Though we saw in this previous post that there’s been some controversy over the decision, Honey Lee — a.k.a. Lee Ha-nui — doesn’t seem upset at all. In a press conference at Incheon International Airport, she sat down with reporters and dished on her feelings about the pageant’s outcome, and the Sports Chosun brings us the goods.

“I was proud to be a Korean.”

2006 Miss Korea Lee Ha-nui, 24 years old and a student at Seoul National University’s graduate school, has revealed her thoughts about her participation and success in achieving fourth place in last month’s 56th annual Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City.

In an interview after arriving on the 1st at 6 o’clock at Incheon International Airport’s CS Academy, Lee ha-nui started off by putting on a bright smile.

Lee Ha-nui, second only to Jang Yun-jeong who placed second in the 1988 pageant, announced “In the pageant I felt proud of being a Korean” and “when I wore the traditional clothing, hanbok, it really made a big impact.”

On her feelings about the end of the pageant, she said “I’m really happy”, adding “Even though I couldn’t bring the universe to my homeland, it was really great to be in the top five.”

At the start of Lee’s arrival at the press conference in the room in the airport for greeting presidents and foreign dignitaries, there had been a meeting of protestors about 3 hours before and the room had to be quickly modified into to a place for asking questions.

Now, the questions and how Lee answered them at the press conference.

How do you feel?

Great! I really feel overflowing with happiness.

Your thoughts on the end of the tournament?

When I went to the pageant, no matter how little I thought it possible my goal was to be Miss Universe. Even though I couldn’t bring the universe to my homeland, it was really great to be in the top five.

How did you feel when they called your name?

I was so nervous I was shaking all over, but on the other hand I was also calm. Ever since I was a little kid I’ve had a lot of experience on stage which had a good effect on me.

What’s your goal from now on?

For me this Miss Universe pageant was a place where my dreams came true. When I entered the pageant I had 3 goals. First, for my religion (for the Lord); second, to spread awareness of Korea’s traditional culture; and third, to become Miss Universe.

From now my plan is to work to bring life to Korean culture. But in the short term, with my name off the register I have to go back to school! (laughs)

How did you prepare for the pageant?

It wasn’t really a process worthy of this kind of attention. I kiddingly used the expression ‘just bear up by eating mugwort and garlic’. (laughter) I slept only about 3 to 4 hours a night and practiced Korean dancing and the gayageum intensely, and through that I came up with my concept. I did jazz dance and really modern dance, and also Latin dance.

Since in relation to the western participants my body wasn’t so good, I had to be successful by exercising a lot. Also in the standard of facial beauty, in relation to the other participants I thought I couldn’t be the same so I was always thinking “I have to work out hard and harden my body” to be successful.

Also, as I practiced makeup really hard it seems I practically became a great makeup artist.

In spite of criticism of them, what do you think is the reason beauty pageants should exist?

I have one answer. To spread Korea’s beauty around the world. You shouldn’t look at the Miss Universe pageant as merely a beauty contest but as a global celebration.

More than just a pageant to choose beautiful people, it’s a place where all kinds of traditional beauty and customs and etiquette are displayed. More than merely a standard of the commercialization of women, it’s an opportunity to view and display the world’s beauty.

What do you think is the reason that the representative from Japan took first place?

I continually met and prepared with the announcer Kim Ju-hui who was in the same situation as me last year. Even so, when I saw how the Japanese representative meticulously prepared for the interview, photo shoot, the internet, and everything with a specialist director I thought ‘wow, that’s amazing’. I was really envious of their preparation system.

What do you most want to do right now?

I want to go straight to church. Starting 100 days before the pageant I started praying daily, but in the pageant I was really agitated that I couldn’t go. Also in Mexico City they don’t have separate bath booths so I could only take a lukewarm and, of course, brief shower. When I go home I want to take nice, warm, long shower.

What’s your plan now? Got some thoughts about going into show business?

Right now I’m trying to think of what kind of work it would be good to do as Miss Korea. I’m thinking I should do something serious and restorative like last February when I went abroad as an official foreign delegate doing public service.

My dream is set. It’s definitely to increase global awareness of Korean culture. My dream isn’t only that but as I haven’t decided what road to take I still need to think a little more seriously about it. Because of that going into show business is also a point that requires more thought now.

Cameron Diaz says… what!?

We all expect that when a big star goes to another country they’ll have only nice things to say about their hosts. So when Cameron Diaz came a few days ago to promote Shrek 3, she was practically obligated to praise the good looks of Korean men. But she’s quoted in this article as calling them 바람기 which could be translated as something like amorous or studly, or in a more negative sense of being slutty or temperamentally unfaithful — literally blowing around everywhere like the wind. Well, I’m just glad she said it and not me…

“Korean men are so handsome, and so amorous.”

Top Hollywood star Cameron Diaz says Korean men are handsome. She came on the morning of the 30th to a press conference for ‘Shrek 3′ at the Shilla Hotel. The press conference was attended by Dreamworks representative Jeffrey Katzenberg, star Cameron Diaz, producer Aaron Warner, and director Chris Miller.

The press conference was attended by 100 cameramen looking to record top Hollywood star Cameron Diaz’s appearance and 100 reporters looking for a story.

The heroine of the day, Cameron Diaz, greeted everyone through broken Korean with “hello” before saying “I can’t even speak English well, let alone Korean”, showing off her sense of humor.

Asked if she has a boyfriend in ‘Shrek 3′, Diaz circuitously answered “I don’t have a boyfriend now” by saying “you seem to be indirectly asking me if I have a boyfriend, but as I don’t have one now I can’t answer”.

As it was Diaz’s first time to see Korean men close-up she said “they’re handsome” and lauded them.

“It’s my first time to see Korean men up close and they seem handsome. Plus, Korean men seem to be really amorous.”

Diaz, who filled the press conference with laughter through her lively sense of humor, debuted in 1994’s ‘The Mask’ and after that was in ‘My Boyfriend’s Wedding’, ‘There’s Something About Mary’, ‘Charlie’s Angels’, and ‘The Holiday’, securing plenty of fans here.

The third film in the hugely entertaining ‘Shrek’ series, ‘Shrek 3′, last weekend beat out the American-produced ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’ for the top spot at the box office.

Time to go down to Hangang Park!

The broad Han River runs through Seoul, splitting it into north and south, and the Hangang River Citizen’s Park runs alongside it for quite a bit of that length. It gives you a great place to walk along the banks of the Han, take a cruise on the river, or, for a few days now as the Munhwa Ilbo reports, take in a different kind of scenery.

On the 30th in the Jamsil area of Seoul’s Hangang River Citizen’s Park, Georgia (yellow uniforms) and Canada participate in a qualifying match the first day of the Seoul International Women’s World Tour Beach Volleyball tournament. The tournament will continue until June 3.

Wait ’till next year

Well, Lee Ha-nui may not have won the Miss Universe, but there are dark rumors of jury-rigging as, at least in the Korean press, she had been rocketing to the top and won the titles of best face and traditional clothing. Anyway, as she did come in the top five perhaps her strong showing gives the author in this earlier post a stronger case now?

The holder of the 2007 Miss Universe tiara is Miss Japan, Mori Riyo (20).

Lee Ha-nui, participating as the Korean representative in the 2007 Miss Universe beauty pageant, took fourth place. On the morning of the 29th (Korean time) in the 56th Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City, Lee Ha-nui strode into the hot interest at a feast for the representatives of all nations.

Out of 77 contestants Lee Ha-nui made it to the end of the pageant along with the representatives from Brazil, Venezuela, Japan, and the United States.

The honor of first place went to Miss Japan, Mori Riyo. Lee Ha-nui stayed unhappily at fourth place. Second went to Brazil, third to Venezuela, and fifth to the United States.

As soon as the truth of this was announced, netizens across the world sent their encouragement to Lee Ha-nui and were breathless in their discontent. Their interest in whether or not she would win is gathered up more than at any other time. Until the end of the final round interest about who would win was amplified.

For this reason, netizens are pretty much in a rabid frenzy over the news of the fourth-place finish. One netizen wrote in reaction that “this is the power of a national power” and that he couldn’t understand how Miss Japan took first place. Also, allegations are surfacing about the pageant sponsor and profits made by Miss Japan.

The sponsors of the 2007 Miss Universe include Japanese jewelry company Mikimoto and fashion brand Tadashi. The Miss Universe tiara was manufactured at Mikimoto at a cost of $25,000 US. There are no domestic sponsors.

So in the reaction, some are expressing concerns such as “It’s just too much that she could have won just because of her home country so there’s no need for an oversensitive reaction” . Another netizen retorted “If you say she was chosen just by national strength, shouldn’t Miss America have taken first place?”

For our other Lee Ha-nui coverage, please see this post about the pageant’s start or this one about netizens comparing her to Miss Japan.

Miss Korea vs. Miss Japan

News from Mexico continues to appear in the most-viewed lists of Korean web sites. They’re not following any new free-trade negotiations but rather the fortunes of one Lee Ha-nui, known to the rest of the world as Honey Lee. Though she has 75 women to compete against, we all know the one she is most expected to beat.

The innocent charms of 2006 Miss Korea Lee Ha-nui and 2007 Miss Japan Shirita Hasako are drawing the gaze of netizens.

Lee Ha-nui is currently acting as the Korean representative in the 2007 Miss Universe beauty pageant. Netizens have again perked up interest in a picture comparing the pure beauty of 2006 Miss Korea Lee Ha-nui and 2007 Miss Japan Shirita Hasako.

2007 Miss Japan Shirita Hasako was acting and modeling in Japan when she appeared in the movies ‘Tomie’s Revenge’ and ‘The Perfect Education 4′. Lee Ha-nui won fourth place in international pageant site GB’s ‘Photogenic Award’ and is expected to place well in their overall rankings.

On the 28th at 9 pm (local time) Lee Ha-nui will compete on stage at the 56th Miss Universe against 76 other beautiful women for the title of greatest beauty in the world.

For our other Lee Ha-nui coverage you can read this post about the pageant’s outcome or this one about its beginning.

Sexy Battle!

The spirit of UCC — ‘user-created content’ — has been said to be sweeping across Korea, with ordinary citizens empowered to express themselves in the medium of the internet. What’s really happening, though, is big companies finding a new buzzword to use for selling stuff. Case in point: two Korean racing girls releasing some professionally-produced cellphone cheesecake under the moniker of UCC.

These sexy girls have gotten into hot one-round match. It’s called ‘Sexy Battle’. The idea is have a reader get together with models and make a UCC photo album to appear in the ‘Sexy Battle’ corner.

Following the idea of one reader of two model’s mobile homepages, it was decided to make a mobile photobook.

For the first models, super racing girl Hwang Shinae, who is expected to follow in the footsteps of Oh Yuna, and the bewitching long-legged 20-year old Lee Seonah were matched up.

If readers wish to admire the models’ profiles and ideas, just hit ‘19+nate/ⓝ’ and go to ‘Sexy Battle’.

“I’m racing girl Hwang Shinae. I was born on January 7, 1983, putting me at 24 in the middle of the age of full bloom. I’m 1 meter 71 centimeters, weigh 39 kilograms and proud of my perfect S-shaped body measuring 35-23-36 around. I’ve got a refereshing face and my waist is especially charming and praiseworthy. I’m looking for a guy who’ll go swimming with me in the day and watch movies with me at night, but I don’t have him yet. This is my first time to decide to have a mobile photobook, but it’s a chance to be as happy as if I found my prince. Please give me a lot of ideas!”

“I’m college student Lee Seonah. Born on April 25, 1987, I’m now exactly 20 years old. I’m 32-23-34 at 1 meter 70 centimeters and 42 kilograms, and my sleek legs and bubbly personality are my best points. I enjoy shopping, cross-stitching and dancing. Usually I love trying new things so I decided to make a mobile photobook but I’m still nervous about it just like when I first started college. My dream is to be an actress so I decided on this plan, and if I get a lot of experiences it’ll be great. I’ll hold close to my heart the privilege of having this kind of chance at the tender young age of twenty.”

For more racing girl info, check out Galbijim’s pages.