Collected News Articles = EMMY LoveTrain

[Oragomi]

Kim Yun-jin to Play Major Role in ABC's New Series


By Han Eun-jung
Staff Reporter

http://photo.hankooki.com/gisaphoto/20040622/perfectsoul200406221659360art1.jpg

Among ABC's fall season lineup is a new adventure drama by the creator of ``Alias,'' J.J. Abram, which follows the aftermath of a devastating plane crash. Appropriately titled ``Lost,'' the survivors of the ill-fated flight are left to survive on a deserted island where eerie X-File-like occurrences take place.

As a network that has apparently been experiencing some prime-time problems in recent years, ABC's high hopes for the soon-to-be launched series are understandable. The pilot is reportedly the most expensive in the network's history. But why are local fans also excited about the September premier of this U.S. show?

Featured on the main cast is a face many may find familiar. She is Kim Yun-jin, a South Korean film star who shot to fame playing the memorable role of Lee Myun-hyun in the 1998 blockbuster ``Shiri.''

``Sun, as a South Korean woman headed for the United States after a stay in Australia, is half of an international couple stranded with 13 others,'' Kim Yun-jin explained when The Korea Times met with her at a casual Apkujong cafe.

Like the island and the other characters, Sun and her husband Jin (played by Korean-American actor Daniel Dae Kim) have a secret. ``The secrets will surface as the story unfolds,'' Kim said. ``Sun has her reasons for keeping quiet. How the couple's relationship evolves as the survivors build a society together is an interesting aspect of the story.''

Kim last year signed with William Morris Agency, a top agency representing big Hollywood names such as Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Kevin Spacey, and Reese Witherspoon, which excited her fans but did not come as much of a surprise. If a Korean starlet were to knock on Hollywood's door, many expected it would be Kim.

A member of the 1.5 generation, a term referring to Korean-Americans born in South Korea but brought up in the U.S., Kim is fluent in both her native tongue and English. As a shy and soft-spoken teenager still getting used to life in the U.S., joining the school drama club in the 7th grade was what led to a passion for acting.

``When singing and acting on stage, I didn't feel the least bit awkward. I felt so at home under the lights,'' Kim said. ``Something about being on stage just felt right.''

From there she went on to New York's High School of Performing Arts (the setting to ``Fame'') and the University of Boston before taking up acting full time upon graduation.

She was appearing in plays in New York when a friend called up one day back in 1996 and asked if she would to take on a temporary job as a location manager for an MBC crew shooting in the area. Kim caught the eyes of producers and was cast on the spot, gaining a role that had originally been reserved for Lee Young-ae.

A few minor roles in soap opera-style evening dramas led to her leading role in ``Shiri.'' The success of the thriller in the domestic box office made her a household name. ``Shiri'' was also well accepted in neighboring Asian countries. Since then, Kim has done a string of films that include ``Yesterday'' and ``Mirae(Ardor).''

Throughout the interview, Kim stressed that she was playing a South Korean woman in the TV series. ``It's not a Korean woman playing a Chinese woman, a Japanese woman, or even an American woman of Korean descent,'' she said.

``Even as a teenager I recall how uncomfortable I felt with the way Hollywood portrayed Asian women. Rarely were the characters three-dimensional,'' Kim said. ``Asian actors have struggled for a long time to earn a place in the industry. Most don't make it because there are not many roles available. As for the few that do, well, let's just say someone like Lucy Liu doesn't come along very often. She's a great actress and the roles she gets are better than the ones written up for Asians in the past, but even her characters carry a stereotype.''

Kim says she would like to turn the clock back a decade. ``I woke up one morning and was a star, or that's what people say,'' she said laughing. ``This has its advantages as well as its disadvantages.''

Kim said, ``This is something I had wanted to do from the very start of my career. Though not intentionally, everything was put on hold once my career in Korea took off. It may take another 20 to 30 years before Asian actors and actresses are the least bit satisfied, but taking on this role will mean that finally I can contribute to setting the record straight.''

Not selling herself short, Kim has taken on a smart role. Kim hopes that this will be the start of a sturdy, secure career that gives her the opportunities that she has obtained in the local scene.

ejh09@koreatimes.co.kr

06-22-2004 16:43

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/200406/kt2004062216415711690.htm

[Oragomi]

'Lost' Star Kim Yoon-jin Hotly Tipped for Emmy

http://english.chosun.com/media/photo/news/200506/200506230011_00.jpg


Actress Kim Yoon-jin Breaks into Hollywood A-List
U.S. Drama Sets Negative Stereotype of Korean Men


Korean actress Kim Yoon-jin, who stars in the ABC drama "Lost", is being talked about as a strong candidate for an Emmy award, the U.S. press reports.

Earlier this month, TV Guide magazine names Kim a strong candidate for this year's best supporting actress in a drama, and on June 16, USA Today also included her on its list of candidates for this year's awards.

Emmy nominees are announced in mid-July, and the awards ceremony is held in September.

"Lost" has enjoyed explosive popularity since it first hit the airwaves in September, and was extended to 24 episodes. Fellow "Lost" stars Matthew Fox and Evangeline Lilly are also hotly tipped for the lead actor and actress award in the drama category.

Kim is currently in Korea shooting the film "June Diary." She plans to set off for Hawaii in mid-July for shooting of the second season of "Lost."

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200506/200506230011.html


http://www.ourmedia.org/sites/ourmedia.org/files/04%20Wash%20Away%20(Episode%20Edit)%20Joe%20Purdy. mp3

[Oragomi]

TELEVISION
In 'Lost,' actress has found a compelling role
BU grad's character has a strong voice

By Susan King, Los Angeles Times | May 22, 2005

HOLLYWOOD -- The hit ABC series ''Lost" is threaded through with story lines -- there are more than 13 characters in the ensemble portraying crash survivors on an island in the Pacific -- and Yunjin Kim's demure Sun has been one of the highlights.

At the outset, Sun and her possessive husband, Jin-Soo (Daniel Dae Kim), spoke only in Korean and isolated themselves from the rest of the survivors. Midway through the series, though, Sun revealed that she speaks English and proved that she possessed more inner strength than anyone, including her husband, had imagined.

Kim, 31, grew up on New York's Staten Island and graduated from Boston University but has called Seoul home for the past eight years. She's appeared in numerous miniseries and movies, including the international hit Korean thriller ''Shiri." Before reporting to work on ''Lost," Kim was on a popular reality show in which celebrities foster orphan babies to help them get adopted. Kim, who is single, fostered a 10-month-old boy for two weeks before a family was found for him.

Q: Will all the secrets of the island be revealed on the finale of ''Lost" on Wednesday?

A: I think the writers will give us something, but I think it will be another cliffhanger. You have to come back for the second season. For us it's frustrating, too. We are just as much in the dark as the rest of the audience. We get our scripts pretty late. Sometimes we get them the day before we go to shoot, which is fine because you are only doing eight pages a day, and I don't say very much.

Q: With Sun speaking English, you have a lot more dialogue.

A: Thank God everyone knows now (that the character can speak English). I can mingle with others. I can get involved in other people's crises. . . . Still, I get this fan mail from all over the world that says they kind of wish that Sun doesn't speak English or just speaks Korean. They liked the fact I didn't say much. They said sometimes they didn't need to read the subtitles to understand what was going on.

Q: Wasn't the reaction from the Asian community rather negative to Sun and Jin-Soo?

A: In the very beginning, we were sort of portrayed as a bad stereotype of an Asian couple -- the subservient wife and domineering husband. But I kept on saying that you have to watch the characters because they will continue to grow, and you will see the reason why he is treating her that way and why she is reacting that way.

Q: Sun's defining moment was defying Jin-Soo by wearing the bikini.

A: I got more response from coming out in a bikini. I thought it was really silly. They thought it was very symbolic, and I thought it wasn't like just a girl in a bikini -- it had a meaning. It was Sun finally putting her foot down and saying, ''I am going to go and take a swim."

Q: You were born in South Korea but attended the High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York. How did you end up back in Korea as a working actress? Was it just lack of decent roles in America?

A: No. When I graduated from Boston University, colorblindcasting was in fashion, so I didn't have too many problems getting roles onstage. I was alwaysconstantly busy, and then backin 1997 I got cast in a Korean miniseries. It was just a random thing. I was in New York, andI had a friend who knew a producer who was coming to New York to shoot a miniseries. It was like 15 episodes, and they were going to shoot three episodes in New York and then go back to Korea. I got cast on the spot. Before I knew it, I was in Korea shooting this miniseries. And it took off. It was crazy. If you can believe it, half of Korea was glued to the TV.

Q: What was the miniseries about?

A: It was a very kind of trendy miniseries about a cosmetics company. I played this sassy woman. I sort of had an American accent in my Korean, but it kind of worked with the character. People responded to the character. And then I got cast in this movie called ''Shiri." That was my first feature film. It was a big hit.

Q: Was your character in the film anything like Sun?

A: I was playing a ''La Femme Nikita"-type role -- a North Korean spy who falls in love with her enemy. From then on I played every cool girl with a gun. My nickname in Korean is ''Woman Warrior."

www.boston.com/ae/tv/arti...le?mode=PF (http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2005/05/22/in_lost_actress_has_found_a_compelling_role?mode=P F)

[Oragomi]

FLORIDA TODAY

May 4, 2005

Stereotype not 'Lost' on Korean actress

BY SUSAN KING
LOS ANGELES TIMES



On TV
"Lost" airs at 9 tonight on ABC.

HOLLYWOOD - The hit ABC series "Lost" is threaded through with story lines -- there are more than 13 characters in the ensemble portraying crash survivors on an island in the Pacific -- and Yunjin Kim's demure Sun has been one of the highlights.

At the outset, Sun and her possessive husband, Jin-Soo (Daniel Dae Kim), spoke only in Korean and isolated themselves from the rest of the survivors. Recently, though, Sun revealed she speaks English and proved she possessed more inner strength than anyone, including her husband, had imagined.

Kim, 31, grew up on New York's Staten Island but has called Seoul, South Korea, home for the past eight years. She's appeared in numerous miniseries and movies, including the international hit Korean thriller "Shiri." Before reporting to work on "Lost," Kim was on a popular reality show in which celebrities foster orphan babies to help them get adopted. Kim, who is single, fostered a 10-month-old boy for two weeks before a family was found for him.

QUESTION: Will the secrets be revealed on the finale of "Lost" on May 25?

ANSWER: I think the writers will give us something, but I think it will be another cliffhanger. You have to come back for the second season.For us it's frustrating, too. We are just as much in the dark as the rest of the audience. We get our scripts pretty late. Sometimes we get them the day before we go to shoot, which is fine because you are only doing eight pages a day, and I don't say very much.

Q: With Sun speaking English, you have a lot more dialogue.

A: Thank God everyone knows now (that the character can speak English). I can mingle with others. I can get involved in other people's crises. There are some characters Sun has never even talked to!Still, I get this fan mail from all over the world that says they kind of wish Sun doesn't speak English or just speaks Korean. They liked the fact I didn't say much. They said sometimes they didn't need to read the subtitles to understand what was going on.

Q: Wasn't the reaction from the Asian community negative to Sun and Jin-Soo?

A: In the very beginning, we were sort of portrayed as a bad stereotype of an Asian couple -- the subservient wife and domineering husband. But I kept on saying you have to watch the characters because they will continue to grow, and you will see the reason why he is treating her that way and why she is reacting that way.

Every character on "Lost" is an archetype, and . . . once they are in motion, they break away (from the archetype).


www.floridatoday.com/apps...40313/1005 (http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050504/LIFE/505040313/1005)

[Oragomi]

TV Gal prefers Yunjin/Sun as Outstanding Supporting Actress :b

Rose-Colored Glasses
(Monday, June 13 08:02 AM)
By Amy Amatangelo
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - - I'm a glass half-full kind of gal.

That's why despite multiple US Weekly covers to the contrary, I still want to believe that Angelina and Brad aren't having an affair. I think "Joey" will get better next season. And I really, really thought "Jack & Bobby" would get picked up for a second season.

It's why each year at this time I have everlasting Emmy hope. Could this be the year John C. McGinley is finally recognized? Will this finally be the year the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences realizes, "You know what? There's a network called The WB and -- get this -- they actually have TV series." Will this be the year not every actor on "Six Feet Under" and "West Wing" is nominated? And here's the thing -- the Emmys give me just enough reason to be optimistic. "Arrested Development" won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy. If that can happen, can't anything?
Click Here
So before the ballots are due back on Wednesday, June 22 (the nominations are announced on Thursday, July 14), let's play this year's edition of "If I ruled the world." If I ruled the world chocolate (especially dark chocolate) would be an integral part of the new food pyramid, women's clothing sizes would be standardized, trying to watch four shows in one timeslot would count as exercise, and the Emmy nominations for drama series would go a little something like this:

# Outstanding Drama Series

"24"
"Everwood"
"Lost"
"Rescue Me"
"Veronica Mars"
"Without a Trace"

"Everwood" is the finest family drama on TV -- each week it takes story lines that could so easily be banal and "very special" and makes them soar. If ever there was a show to break The WB's network non grata status with the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, this is the show. "Without a Trace" is television's finest procedural drama while "24" enjoyed its best season since season one (although I'm still wondering why Jack didn't call Kim before heading off into the sunset. Sure she's annoying but he is her father). "Lost," "Veronica Mars" and "Rescue Me" are the best dramas on TV.

Other options: Let's share the love. I'd be happy to see "The Shield" on this list too.

# Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Michael Chiklis, Vic on "The Shield"
Denis Franz, Andy on "NYPD Blue"
Hugh Laurie, House on "House"
Denis Leary, Tommy on "Rescue Me"
Anthony LaPaglia, Jack on "Without a Trace"
Kiefer Sutherland, Jack on "24"

Sure, Franz has won before but he deserves to receive accolades again for his brilliant turn in the final season of "NYPD Blue." The long success of "NYPD Blue" can be directly attributed to Franz's gripping landmark television character. As another irascible character who masks his pain with biting comments and substance abuse, Laurie picks up the torch that Franz leaves behind. And the fact that I actually believe that Jack Bauer is the only one who can ever save the day means that Sutherland continues to turn in a stellar performance. As a terribly flawed hero, Leary excels at playing his self-destructive, not always likable, but heart-breakingly vulnerable character. LaPaglia deftly balances the just-the-facts element of his part with the painful glimpses into Jack's private life.

Other Options: Treat Williams as the father desperate to do right but often doing wrong on "Everwood." And, boy, does Dr. Brown have bad timing.

# Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Kristen Bell, Veronica on "Veronica Mars"
Glenn Close, Captain Monica Rawlings on "The Shield"
Jennifer Garner, Sydney on "Alias"
Joely Richardson, Julia on "Nip/Tuck"
Amber Tamblyn, Joan on "Joan of Arcadia"

Bell, Garner and Tamblyn's series simply wouldn't work without them. They carry their shows with grace, realism and some serious girl power. Close was nothing short of phenomenal as the new captain desperately trying to clean up the Barn and the streets. Even though I kind of broke up with the show, Richardson is the one thing that keeps the outrageous "Nip/Tuck" somewhat grounded. She's a walking contradiction -- fragile, yet fierce.

Other Options: Amy Brenneman of "Judging Amy" and Mariska Hargitay of "Law & Order: SVU."

# Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Shohreh Aghdashloo, Dina Araz on "24"
Tyne Daly, Maxine on "Judging Amy"
Yunjin Kim, Sun on "Lost"
Poppy Montgomery, Sam on "Without a Trace"
Mary Lynn Rajskub, Chloe on "24"

As a terrorist who chose her son over her cause, Aghdashloo created such an instantly compelling character that part of me still believes that Dina isn't really dead (after all we never saw her body). There was a ferocious tenacity to her character that was palpable.

Together with Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim created "Lost's" most compelling back-story and much of her story was told without the benefit of getting to speak in English. Rajskub has taken a character that could have so easily been a throwaway part (like poor, doomed Paula in season two) and turned her into an integral part of CTU. The fact that I was happy for Chloe when she got included in the "let's fake Jack's death" plan is proof of the connection Rajskub has made with the viewer. As the torn between two lovers Sam, Montgomery told us everything we needed to know about her relationship with Martin without really saying much at all.

Other Options: Sarah Drew as Hannah on "Everwood" and Parminder Nagra as Neela on "ER."

# Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Victor Garber, Jack on "Alias"
Anthony Anderson, Antwon on "The Shield"
Gregory Smith, Ephram on "Everwood"
Carlos Bernard, Tony on "24"
Jason Dohring, Logan on "Veronica Mars"
Dominic Monaghan, Josh Holloway, Terry O'Quinn, Daniel Dae Kim, on "Lost"

Our cup seriously runneth over in this supporting actor group. Usually I hate it when show dominates a category (it seems so unfair) but I'd be happy to see all four of the supporting men (except, now don't be mad, Ian Somerhalder) on "Lost" get a nomination. Smith is the best young actor in prime time. Dohring gave depth and resonance to characters who could have simply been one dimensional (actually Holloway did that too). No one who saw "Kangaroo Jack" could have predicted that usually funny man Anthony Anderson would fashion such a chilling insidious villain on "The Shield." Garber could win an Emmy purely for the deadpan way he can deliver his most hilarious lines. Somehow Bernard made Tony's cheesy dialogue at the time of crisis totally work.

Other options: Tom Amandes and Chris Pratt on "Everwood," Enrico Colantoni on "Veronica Mars" and Joe Mantegna on "Joan of Arcadia."

Who do you think deserves an Emmy nomination for drama series? Talk about it on the TV Gal message board and check out my column next week when I tackle the comedy nominations.

Quote of the Week

"Kristin's cute in that 'I wanna marry you so I could divorce you someday' kind of a way." Drama to Eric on "Entourage." Thanks to Thom for the quote.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

TV Gal reader Nicholas wanted me to remind you that we had seen Katie Finneran who plays Melody Sim on "The Inside" as Sharon on "Wonderfalls."

TV Gal reader Doug recognized Anil Kumar, who played George's doctor on "Six Feet Under," was the terrorist who blew himself up at the beginning of this season of "24." Jenna Fischer, who plays Pam in NBC's "The Office," was Federico's date.

And I'm sure you all caught Sharif Atkins, Dr. Gallant on "ER," as the member of "The 4400" who could hear other people's thoughts.

Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Time for June 13 to 19

"The Closer" (Monday, TNT, 9 p.m.) isn't necessarily anything that new. The Priority Murder Squad in Los Angeles solves tough cases (first up, another unnecessarily brutal slaying of a woman). What makes "The Closer" stand out is Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson. In the commercial-free pilot, Brenda is shown furtively eating junk food, hating her clothes, placating her worried mom, asserting her authority with her male subordinates, flirting with an old friend, and, that's right, solving the crime. But Brenda is more real than most of the women on TV and that's thanks to Sedgwick's credible and engaging performance.

Your mission this week, and you better accept it, is to watch the pilot episode of "Veronica Mars" when UPN repeats it Tuesday at 9 p.m. and watch it again when it moves to its new time slot Wednesday at 9 p.m. If you are already a fan of the show, you are excused from this assignment.

Morgan Spurlock, the man behind "Super Size Me," takes a break from eating french fries for the new FX series "30 Days" at 10 p.m. First up he and his fiancie try to live on minimum wage for a month.

So you know I have some issues with "The Inside" (Wednesday, FOX, 9 p.m.). But since Tim Minear (executive producer on "Angel") is the executive producer there are some fun things to keep an eye out for. TV Gal reader Kevin reminded me that last week's killer worked for Wolfram Security. Coincidence? I think not. Next week, check out what movie is playing on the theater marquee.

I love the "Fight for Fame" Sunday on E! at 10 p.m. It along with "Beauty & the Geek" (Wednesday, WB, 8 p.m.) and "Dancing with the Stars" (Wednesday, ABC, 9 p.m.) are this summer's guilty pleasures.

That's all for today. I'll be back next week with my choices for this year's Emmy nominations in comedy. I'm slowly making my way through next season's pilots and will soon begin to issue reports on things that look like they have potential. Also coming on June 27, we'll kick off the annual Amy Awards where you pick the categories, the nominations and the winners. Have a question, seen a familiar face, have an inside scoop or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com by clicking on my byline at the top of my column.