The TV miniseries Daejanggeum, or Jewel in the Palace, which aired on MBC from September 15, 2003 to March 23, 2004, set many new records. The miniseries, whose viewer rate averaged 47%, and even reached a high of 57.8%, is based on the story of a real historical figure (Jang-geum) who was the first and only woman to serve as head physician to the King in the rigidly hierarchical and male-dominated social structure of the Joseon Dynasty. Daejanggeum, in English, “the Great Jang-geum,” caught the attention of Korean TV viewers with its unique combination of two themes: the successful rise of a female, which is rarely covered in historical genre, and the elements of traditional food and medicine. For three months, beginning in May 2004, Daejanggeum aired in Taiwan, overtaking other Taiwanese miniseries, and snatching the title of most viewed program of the season. In fact, nowadays, visiting Taiwanese fans flock to the main filming locations on Jeju-do Island, the Korean Folk Village, Naganeupseong, Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace. The series was also launched on NHK satellite TV beginning October 8, 2004. In spring 2004, Daejanggeum also gained popularity in the West when the drama aired in 60 episodes on WOCH-Ch in Chicago, drawing large numbers of Daejanggeum aficionados. These days, the main filming locations in Jeju-do Island, Korean Folk Village, Naganeupseong, Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace are crowded with Taiwanese fans.

=Full House=

Full House
One of the most popular TV miniseries released this summer in Korea was Full House, based on a popular comic book series. This fun miniseries shows us the difficulties that occur while living together, as well as the funny side of life. The lead actress in Full House, Song Hye-kyo, is coming off great success with her credits including Gaeul Donghwa (Autumn in My Heart) and All In. The lead actor, Rain (비 ) is one of Korea's hottest singers. From the onset, Full House has been praised for its fresh and saucy take on the love lives of four young people. Within the first three weeks of airing, audiences responded with a 30% increase in viewer ship. Most of the miniseries is set in a beachfront house in Incheon. This area has become a popular tourist spot for fans of the show.

COFFE PRINCE

The First Shop Of Coffee Prince She’s back! Following her roles in Princess Hours and The Man of the Vineyard, which made her an icon of trendy Korean dramas, Yoon Eun-hye is now starring as a tomboyish young girl dressed as a man in The First Shop of Coffee Prince. This big hit drama in Korea, which is based on a novel with the same title, has attracted a large female audience by casting some well-known actors to play “handsome princes” in this marshmallow drama. This is the first long dramatic series ever to be produced by MBC’s first female drama producer Lee Yoon-jung who had previously directed shorter dramas such as Taeneung National Village. With her sophisticated and feminine dramatic sensibility, Lee has succeeded in capturing the hearts of viewers who

are largely young males and females in their thirties.

HWANG JINI

The year 2006 was a landmark for Korean historical dramas. In addition to the masculine dramas such as ‘Jumong’, ‘Yeongaesomun’, and ‘Daejoyeong’, ‘Hwang Jiny’ topped 20% viewership from both male and female viewers with its exquisite costumes and colorful images. Actress Ha Ji-Won won the 2006 KBS Drama Best Actress Award in her role as Hwang Jiny, demonstrating the popularity of the drama.
Filmed at a number of beautiful sites around the nation, the film’s striking visual effects and colorful costumes and props added to the drama. The luxurious costumes and accessories of the main character Hwang Jiny cost over 100 million won, and the fabulous hanbok (traditional Korean garb) worn by the other characters seemed to be right out of a fashion magazine. In addition, the powerful scenes and passionate acting contributed to the 30% viewership rating especially in the season’s finale.

Can dreams come true? Ask Paula DeAnda, the 16-year-old Corpus Christi resident who – in short order - found herself with a rhythm radio hit that made its way onto the Billboard charts (as a result of constant airplay throughout the South West), followed by a live audition in front of music industry legend Clive Davis who signed her on the spot in early 2006. Her first single "Doing Too Much" (featuring Baby Bash) has propelled Paula into the national spotlight, giving her the opportunity to perform across the country while completing her self-titled debut album for Arista.

Her debut features production by Happy Perez, Stargate, Frankie J., and Danja among others, and also benefited from the creative involvement of songwriter/recording artist Ne-Yo, renowned hitmaker Timbaland, chartmaking rapper Lil' Wayne and Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren. With Clive Davis (Chairman of BMG US) overseeing the project as Executive Producer, Paula's first album is filled with future hits, showcasing her skills as both a premiere vocalist and talented songwriter; she contributed to six of the CD's thirteen cuts.

"The album has a lot of variety to it," says Paula, in the midst of a whirlwind promo tour for "Doing Too Much" which has already received massive nationwide airplay on Top 40 and Rhythm radio formats, "and it was amazing working with all these great producers and songwriters. It's more than I could ever have asked for my first album…" Singling out specific favorite tracks is a tough call for the upbeat teenager: "We tried to capture all kinds of moods, everything from the heartfelt ballad "Overloved" (penned by Diane Warren) to "Make 'Em Clap To This" (featuring rapper Ak'sent), a serious club cut that everyone on MySpace loves! "When It Was Me" is a real cool song, all about a girl who sees her ex-boyfriend with a new girl and reflects on how the relationship with her ex- had been. I loved working with Ne-Yo (who oversaw vocal production for the track) on it…"

Speaking about songs she co-wrote for the album, Paula mentions "Easy," a tough cut all about "playing hard to get and being a challenge for the guys! Having Lil' Wayne on the track wasn't planned. We were both in the same studio in Miami. Lil' Wayne heard it, and about an hour later, he added his rap to it -- it was really cool!" The infectious "Good Girl" and the mid-groove "Breathe" ­ both co-written by DeAnda­ were both recorded in Paula's Corpus Christi home base as was the club-friendly, 'up' track "Let's Go Out Tonight" (featuring P.B.): "I'm just sixteen so I'm not going to the clubs yet," Paula laughs, "but I can relate to the idea!" In addition to contributing as a songwriter to "Doing Too Much" (produced by Happy Perez), Paula put her writing stamp on "I'll Be Down For You," which she describes as "more of an urban kind of track that gives me the chance to show how soulful I can be."

Paula's musical abilities were immediately obvious to Arista executives who heard her in the spring of 2006: "I was shocked," says the young singer/songwriter. "I sang for Steve Ferrera, Senior VP, A&R at Arista after Wendy Goodman in promotion department told him about me and how my record 'Doing Too Much' was getting airplay and was on the charts. Steve asked me to come back later that day to perform for Clive Davis who offered me a deal right there at my audition, and I had a signed contract by Friday evening." When it sank in that she had been signed by one of the industry's most renowned executives, Paula said "it was just as well I didn't know everything he'd done...I would have probably been even more nervous!" Adds Davis, "Paula auditioned for us in my office, singing acappella and dazzled everyone. She has a powerful voice and is a triple threat as a writer and arranger. Signing her was a no brainer."

That audition would prove to be a turning point: Paula sang the Spanish language song "Amor Como Tu" along with the R&B/pop flavored "Doing Too Much" and "Good Girl," two songs which displayed her talent as not just a young singer with a powerhouse voice but as a songwriter in her own right. "I may not have lived through all the things I write about, but I do have friends who have had different experiences which I can put into my songs when I write," Paula explains.

Her signing to Arista is just the latest in a series of events that have catapulted the young lady with the big voice from singing at local parties in San Angelo, Texas to becoming the latest chartmaker to emerge from the burgeoning Corpus Christi music scene.

Speaking about her early musical experiences, Paula laughs, "I remember singing with a hairbrush as my microphone. My cousins would be my dancers and I sang songs in English and Spanish." Encouraged by her family who recognized her musicality, Paula began taking piano lessons, performing at weddings and local charity events. "I started to get feedback from the people I sang to. They told me my singing really touched them," she says. "I never realized my music could have that effect. People would tell me I had a God-given blessing." DeAnda family's moved from San Angelo, TX to Corpus Christi, TX in 2002 to continue Paula's music journey since Corpus Christi is known as a hub for new musical talent.

During the next few years, Paula continued working with various musicians and producers in the area. As word spread, Paula met her manager Ed Ocanas of E.D.O. Entertainment who positioned Paula as the opening act for superstars Nelly, Akon, former Kumbia Kings member Frankie J and rap star Baby Bash at the famed Corpus Christi Bayfest in 2005, performing in front of more than twenty thousand people. Ocanas also encouraged Paula to record a song "Doing Too Much" she co-wrote with Baby Bash (who is also featured on the track) and producers Happy Perez and Frankie J. That recording proved to be a turning point in her career.

"Doing Too Much" started getting local airplay at the start of 2006 and by the time Paula auditioned for Clive Davis, the song had made enough 'noise' to enter Billboard's charts. In the wake of its success, Paula began working on her debut album in the spring of 2006, while attending high school in Corpus Christi. "It's been hard work, recording and being out on the road promoting my first single," says Paula, who says her current favorite artists include labelmate Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Keyshia Cole, "but I really love performing and doing live shows and I know all the work I've been doing now is going to pay off!"

Paula's combination of talent along with the encouragement of friends and the support of family has been paying off with "Doing Too Much" introducing her to audiences from coast-to-coast and now eagerly awaiting the release of her self-titled CD. The smiling young singer/songwriter says that away from the studio and the stage, she's "a typical teen who enjoys going to movies, attending dance classes, watching sports and, of course, shopping!" ­ says: "I'm learning to balance everything: my career is my main focus but I know that it's important to continue my education, hang out with my friends and spend time with my family."

With slammin' tracks like "So Cold" (which Paula says "may be my favorite track on the album"), the Frankie J.-produced "Wanna Be With You" (featuring V. Nice) and "Walk Away (Remember Me)" (featuring new rap group The DEY), produced by Stargate with vocal production by hitmaker Ne-Yo, Paula's first Arista CD is eagerly awaited by the audience she's been building through her first single. "All I can say is I'm very excited about what's happening with my music! Getting the record deal, having a song on the radio. I'm still taking everything in and now with the release of my first album, I know this is just the beginning!"

Name: Gong Yoo
Date of Birth: Jul. 10th, 1979
Body: 184cm/ 74kg Title: Actor
Hobbies: Watching movies, Playing the basketball, and Exercising
Debut: KBS Drama “School 4” (2001)
Dramas: MBC, “One Find Day (2006)”, “Hello My Teacher” (2005), “20 Years” (2003)
Filmographies: “She's on Duty” (2005), “S Diary” (2004), “Superstar Mr. Gam” (2004) Awards: SBS New Rising Star Award (2003)

Biography

The long-legged, tall actor, is well-known for his easy-going manner, good looks, and fit body. But one thing that's been bothering him... Gong Yoo is young-looking for his age and has played more than his share of high school students. Now, 28 years old, the star wants to move on and pass that stage in his life. An actor who already has his own signature style, it's actor Gong Yoo! Gone is the uniform-clad high schooler, he's grown up into a mature actor! STAR FOCUS cameras caught him in action.... Heeeeeeere's GONG YOO! He returned to TV dramas after a year spent away on the big screen. Today, we're on the set of , a story about long-lost siblings and the destiny that brings them back together after 15 years. The acting rapport between Gong Yoo and singer turned actress Sung Yoo-ri, grows more interesting every day. In the drama, Gong Yoo plays the character of "Seo Gun," a man who is lucky enough to be adored by two attractive women, Sung Yoo-ri and Lee Yeon-hee... But the actor's also adored by the staff, as well - No matter how playful he is when the cameras are off, he's ALL business when the filming begins. And this time, Gong Yoo is feeling a bit more pressure than usual. He's used to working with older co-stars, but this time, he JUST happens to be the oldest one himself! Gong Yoo's co-stars of are younger than him, so HE has to be the one to set an example! Gong Yoo started his career in showbiz with a part on cable TV. But he was soon whisked away by casting directors and landed a part in the film, , as a high school bully. In , he was a clueless student, studying for his college entrance exams the third year in a row. He wasn't in the limelight yet, but he was very, very close. In , he was cast as pitcher Park Chul-soon. The natural athlete in Gong Yoo enabled him to perfect the pitching style of the real-life baseball player - Even the Korean Baseball Orgaization applauded him! Then the star joined Kim Sun-ah in the film <>, as a arrogant young man she had slept with. The name, Gong Yoo, was quickly on the rise and catching the attention of audiences and the industry! The immature, young rookie is replaced with a mature actor ready for some real action. His latest reviews have been laced with positive praise and eagerness to see more of the star. With popularity comes more pressure... But Gong Yoo has strong motivations. The list of productions he's been in as a supporting actor is long - And finally, he has gotten his own leading role, one well-deserved. We've seen the passion he has in his acting - But that's only the TIP of the iceberg!

Cassie is the self-titled debut album by American R&B/pop singer Cassie, released by Bad Boy Records in the United States on August 8, 2006 (see 2006 in music). Ryan Leslie produced most of the album, which is a mix of contemporary pop and R&B. Cassie said in an interview, "I rap, I sing, I do my R&B, I do my slow songs and stuff that the girls will love, I have a down Southrock song that I did with my girls this band called Pretty Boys." She paid tribute to her Filipino culture by incorporating OPM sounds into some of the ballads. joint, I have a The album debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 with 100,374 copies sold in its first week. It stayed in the top twenty for two weeks, in the top forty for three weeks and on the chart for twelve. It performed below expectations, with only 319,000 copies sold in the U.S. since its release; it has not been certified by the RIAA according to Nielsen Soundscan but has sold fairly well on the internet having sold 989,000 digital downloads. The album's first single, "Me & U", peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit the top twenty in six other countries. The second single, "Long Way 2 Go", did not perform as well as "Me & U" in the U.S., only reaching number ninety-seven on the Hot 100. Its music video did, however, peak at number three on MTV's TRL, and the single did well in the United Kingdom and reached number twelve on the UK Singles Chart. The third single was rumored to be either "Ditto" or "Kiss Me", but neither was released.