Art and Culture

It's Friday and I'm sure everyone's excited for the weekend. To add to the excitement, our Michelle Kim has brought us information on where we could go to enjoy the weather and the company of our family and friends.

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Hello Michelle

[Reporter : ] Hello Conn-young

So where can we go this weekend ?

[Reporter : ] It feels like summer has already hit its peak with temperatures going up to as high as 28 degrees during the day these days. It may be still May but a lot of people are heading out to beaches, as well as other already during the weekends to fight off the heat. Take a look.

After a long, cold winter, herds of sheep have come out of their sheds to enjoy the green grass.

Instead of haystacks they had to pick on throughout the winter, they enjoy fresh, green grass out in the open.

Visitors to the farm are busy taking photos of the farm and the animals.

[Interview : Park Young-gyu, Busan Resident] "It's nice to be able to touch the herds of sheep with my children. Also this is such an exotic atmosphere so it's refreshing".

It's sunny at the Gyeongpo Beach, filled with children making sandcastles and motor boats gliding across the ocean.

Some are even bold enough to go into the water, that is still quite chilly, to swim and splash around.

Kim Hee- jin, Gyeonggi Resident [Interview : Kim Hee- jin, Gyeonggi Resident] "The sun is blazing and it's so hot that it's nice to come out to the beach and enjoy the fresh air".

By the pine groves with a great view of the ocean, families are spread out eating and having a great time.

Due to the early signs of summer, the Gangwon regions are filled with tourists spending the weekend outside with their families.

MAY 25, 2012
Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr

Art and Culture 2

Sounds like a great weekend trip to go visit the ranch and also go to the beach. This would be a great way to spend the weekend with your family, and especially for those of the viewers who have children, I think the ranch would be a great idea.

[Reporter : ] It'll be a good educational experience to touch animals, feed them, and just be surrounded by nature. I'm personally excited to visit the beach. I can't wait to be out in the sun, hear the sounds of waves, and just walk around the sand barefooted.

That sounds amazing and stress relieving. I'm sure a lot of people will be making plans to go on this trip this weekend. And moving on, what else do you have for us

[Reporter : ] Well, the Cannes Film Festival is still going on until the 27th, and I hear that Chinese films are grabbing alot of people's attention. I have more information on why and how China is stealing the spotlight in the movie world these days. Take a look.

Chinese movies are making a splash at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

China is gradually playing more of a prominent role in the film world.

[Interview : Bruno Wu, Seven Stars Global Entertainment Chairman] "The Chinese film market is coming up very strongly. This year will be the second largest film market in the world. 2015, the Chinese film market will reach approximately five billion dollars and with Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan the whole East Asia market will reach 10 billion dollars. That's going to be the size of North America, U.S. and Canada combined".

Seven Stars Film Studio announced that they are doing a remake of John Woo's 1989 hit film, 'The Killer'.

The English language version will be shot in Toronto, with the female lead played by Sarah Yan Li.

[Interview : Bruno Wu, Seven Stars Global Entertainment Chairman] "The rule in China is that if you're shooting a co-production then one of the lead roles needs to be Chinese if its a co-production".

Chinese guidelines state that two-thirds of movies shown in theaters MUST be Chinese productions. However if Hollywood co-produces films with a Chinese partner, like the 'Karate Kid' they tend to face more leniency with the quota.

Director Wang Zhonglei, the director of 'Painted Skin 2' and 'Chinese Zodiac' states that big international co-production may not just be a good thing in general.

[Interview : Wang Zhonglei, Movie Producer] "The Chinese market will certainly become one of the largest in the world, but it still needs several more years of hard work to match the North American level. Of course as I'm Chinese, I hope strong, local films will always get a share in this market no matter how big it becomes".

As time goes on, more and more film productions are looking to China for funding. This means China can exert much greater influence over Hollywood.

MAY 25, 2012
Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr

Art and Culture 3

[Reporter : ] Not just for China, but also with Korea and Japan, is that many production companies from different countries are producing a single film together to connect and draw attention to more audience members. This is good in terms of sharing each other's knowledge and culture and attracting more viewers, but also at the same time, you lose the traditional charm of that certain country.

That's true, but as of now, the films that were made with both American and Chinese production companies are getting lots of media attention at Cannes, so we'll see if we hear good news from Cannes for the Chinese films as well. And now, you have the events bulletin for us[Reporter : ] Yes I do. I have three concerts for you, one by the indie singer Taru, another by singer Cho Kyu Chan, and lastly by the band Romantic Punch all happening in June so get your phones and computers ready to make those reservations.

[Reporter : ed:mark] This bulletin features 3 events

Indie singer Taru will hit the stage at Hongdae V Hall on June 23rd. This is her second concert, celebrating the release of her mini album 'Blah Blah' in February. She debuted in 2007 with her album 'The Melody'.

Singer Cho Kyu Chan will sing to his fans at a concert at Yonsei University Centennial Hall from June 29th to July 1st. His hit songs include 'I Will Give You All', 'I Love You', 'Crazy For You' and more.

Band Romantic Punch will hold a 'Romantic Party' concert at the Mapo Art Center Art Hall MAC on June 3rd. They debuted in 2003 with the name 'Wa Dish' but changed their name to Romantic Punch in 2009.

Thank you for the update.

[Reporter : ] My pleasure.

MAY 25, 2012
Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr