With so many actors and actresses participating in this act of love, I’m not so surprised to read this one. Choi Ji Woo and Switzerland, it must be fate~

Choi Ji Woo to reach out to less fortunate in Switzerland

Korean actress Choi Ji-woo will be visiting the Kingdom of Swaziland in South Africa to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate.

Documentary producer With Culture explained in a press release that Choi traveled to Swaziland for a week-long stay starting Tuesday to help install a hand pump as part of her effort to help children undergoing difficulties in the drought-stricken region.

The actress will also provide a character of herself for use in an animation to be used to educate children in the area of hygiene.

“I am glad to be of at least a bit of help to this part of the world which is rarely noticed. Hopefully, this will create awareness of the hardships that the people are facing”, Choi was quoted as saying.

With Culture will shoot a documentary of Choi’s relief work in Swaziland which is scheduled to air on April13 on MBC.

Choi, 34, became a household name throughout Asia with the success of “Winter Sonata” also starring actor Bae Yong-joon.

Reporter: Cho Bum-ja anju1015@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr
< ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Hallyu actor Bae Yong Joon and actress Choi Ji Woo pose for Japanese media during a news conference to promote the animation version of their popular TV drama ‘Winter Sonata’ in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Sept 29 ‘2009.

For some reason, I can’t stop grinning while looking at the above picture.
What a funny snapshot~ :P

Bae Yong Joon & Choi Ji Woo promote the animation version of their “Winter Sonata”

“Winter Sonata” animation version has finally surfaced up and ready to ’shake the Hallyu world. It is indeed 7 years in the making, with fresh memories of the original drama itself, while trying to make another Korean wave with their popularity.

Would they be able to recreate the powerful “Winter Sonata” wave in Japan? We shall see.

Earlier today, Sept 29 around 11:30am, Bae Yong Joon & Choi Ji Woo wrapped up their press conference at the Tokyo Bay Court Club. The actor himself said, “The memories from 7 years ago seem to come back… and I’m so grateful more than anything, that I’m given the chance to feel again the warm memories of Winter Sonata,” while Choi Ji Woo mentioned that though 7 years after “Winter Sonata” ended, doing the dubbing for its anime version has brought her back to 7 years ago with some new emotions about the drama itself.

The two of them have expressed their satisfaction in being able to participate in this animation version. Bae Yong Joon expressed his gratitude to be able to be himself through this animation version, while Choi Ji Woo said that her character in this animation version is cuter and really pretty. It was hard to be able to ’send’ her voice for such character.

According to these two, the most difficult thing in voice acting is to bring out their emotions out through their voices only. Bae Yong Joon said, “Since the voice is the one who ‘performs’, it was difficult to express the right feeling/emotion…” and he added, sometimes he doesn’t have the right technique to project his voice and to control his breathing. So it was kinda difficult to express his acting freely through his voice.

Choi Ji Woo herself agreed to this opinion and said that it was easier to express herself in the drama, but it wasn’t so easy while recording her voice in such a closed, narrow studio recording space. “I had a lot of time to adapt the studio setting, and at times I just wanted to jump out to express myself freely…”

Apparently, this animation version isn’t exactly the same like the original “Winter Sonata” TV drama. The adaptation and ideas are indeed originated from “Winter Sonata”, but according to Bae Yong Joon, there are some ‘dramatic’ changes in the anime version that are different from the drama.

Isn’t Lee Jin Wook supposed to be enlisted in the army?
Well, I guess they’re just enjoying their little break and walking down the streets for a quick date before he has to go back to his post. What a productive way to spend the way with your beloved girlfriend. Nice move~ ㅋㅋㅋ

The news said that some netizens spotted them around Insadong area. Both of them are wearing hats and ‘masks’ to distinct themselves from public, but alas, the public eyes are sharper than eagle’s eyes! LOL. Anyhoo, I’m somewhat happy that Choi Ji Woo isn’t alone anymore – though I’d loveeeeee to see her finally hooking up with 우리오빠 이병헌씨. *sigh* o well, a girl can dream~ ;)

My fave couple came! :)

I love love love Jung Hye Young’s simple black dress. Though what’s up with the color? Black? To a wedding? O_O what’s wrong with these K-celebs! They wore pretty dresses for the Awards show, but very simple not-for-special-occasions dresses to attend a wedding! >_>

Below are some pictures from Seol Kyung Gu & Song Yoon Ah’s wedding.
The same date as Shinae’s wedding, but their guests who came were like 5 times more than Shinae’s (I still can’t find Alex’s picture at the wedding, nor Solbi’s, Kim Ah Joong’s… and probably never will)

Aite. Let’s start with the couples first:
Above, we have Sean and beloved preggy wife, actress Jung Hye Young.
Below:  Kim Hyo Jin & Yoo Jin Tae (top), Gong Hyo Jin & Ryu Seung Beom (below)

I just love how Yoo Ji Tae always holds her hand whenever they’re in public~

Yoo Ji Tae (Star’s Lover) and her lovely girlfriend, Kim Hyo Jin (Happiness)

Lee Soo Kyung (Soulmate)

Jung Woo Sung
(Whoah, new hair. He looks kinda like Kim Hee Chul’s hyungnim lol)

Ryu Seung Beom waits for his on-again-off-again (and on again) girlfriend, Gong Hyo Jin, who by the way look like they’re not going to a wedding but to an outing somewhere :P

Gong Hyo Jin (ah, her shoes… O_O)

Uhm Jung Hwa

Kim Tae Hee

Cha Tae Hyun + wife and son

Park Jung Hoon

Kim Min Jong (Return of Iljimae), Jung Joon Ho (Last Scandal)

Han Hye Jin

Kim Yoo Jin (Lost)

Kim Hee Sun

Choi Ji Woo (wow, she even wears heels when she’s already SO TALL)

Son Ye Jin (ever so pretty!)

Andre Kim

Now the question is, where are the bride and groom pictures??? O_o? *scratches head*

Nope, it’s not for a movie nor drama.
But I bet “Winter Sonata” fans all over Asia would love to have these two together again in a project even if it’s just for an animation version of the 2002 Hallyu drama, “Winter Sonata”. I don’t get the hype about this drama, so,… yeah, go figure.

After 7 years, there we go again.
“Winter Sonata” couple reunites once again~

Bae Yong Joon – Choi Ji Woo, working together for ‘Winter Sonata’ dubbing

Hallyu starts Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo are coming back after 7 years. They’re both dubbing for the 2002 “Winter Sonata” animation remake. The drama first aired in 2002.

This animation version is produced by the Digital Adventure (DA) together with the ‘Winter Sonata’ production. The two main characters, played by Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo are also being reproduce. Therefore, both of them will also participate in dubbing for Jun Sang and Yoo Jin’s voices for the anime version.

Last March, Tokyo International Anime Fair has an exclusive booth and announced that “Winter Sonata” anime version is under production and it’ll air to schedule in Fall.