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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, April 3, 2009

'Celebrity Lover' puts actor on map

By Jeff Chung

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Lee Ki Woo, starring in the current KBFD drama "Celebrity Lover," and Bai Ling at a HIFF party in 2005.

Rae Huo HIFF

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Lee Ki Woo, who plays character Jung Woo Jin in the series "Celebrity Lover," has got himself on the entertainment map with his latest role.

He's cast alongside Korea's female megastar Choi Ji Woo, who plays character Lee Mari. The series has one of the tallest castings, most likely, because Choi Ji Woo stands over 5 foot 8. That means male actors have to have some height, too: Yoo Ji Tae, who plays Kim Chul Soo, stands over 6 foot 1, while Lee Ki Woo stands even taller at 6 foot 2.

Lee Ki Woo visited Hawai'i in 2005 to make an appearance at the opening-night film "Sad Movie" for the Hawaii International Film Festival. "Sad Movie" was released at the same time in Korea, making that a world premiere. He was born on Oct. 23, 1981.

Most of his early experience was in film, but beginning in 2005, Lee has appeared in TV series such as "A Love to Kill" with Rain, "Outrageous Women" and "Celebrity Lover." His movie career includes more than eight titles and continues to grow.

While in Hawai'i, Lee was very accommodating with the fans, taking time for pictures and autographs, and that was appreciated. I had the opportunity to take him out to lunch for some dim sum along with his entourage, and I got the impression that he was very soft-spoken. It was obvious that stardom didn't get the best of him as he carried himself well, like the little brother next door — a very tall little brother.

It is rewarding to see Lee, a HIFF visitor, do well in the Korean entertainment world. We will most definitely see more of Lee in Korean cinema and TV in the coming years. I am sure one day soon he will be playing a leading role.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

‘THE FAMILY OF HONOR’

EPISODES 35 AND 36

Tonight at 7:45 p.m.: The elders of the Ha family want to set up Soo-young for an arranged marriage. Soo-young reveals he has someone he wants to marry. Mal-soon dumps Tae-young. Young-ja and Young-in meet and an argument ensues. Gang-suk asks Chairman Ha for permission again. Tomorrow at 7:45 p.m.: President Ha begs Chairman Lee for his permission, saying the Ha family will resign from the company if Dan-ah is accepted into the Lee family. Chairman Lee has a change of mind, as he's moved by President Ha's love for his daughter. Tae-young proposes to Mal-soon.

'GLASS CASTLE'

EPISODES 34 AND 35

Sunday at 6:45 p.m.: Min-joo meets her mother-in-law and gets her to let her go back to work. Joon-hee's trying to get over Suk-jin. Joon-hee recognizes Hyong-seok and knows he'd dated Yu-ran. Sunday at 7:45 p.m.: Min-joo goes back to work. Joon-song starts to wonder who Suk-jin had been in love with briefly.

'TERROIR'

EPISODE 21 (FINAL EPISODE)

Monday at 7:45 p.m.: In a fit of despair, Joy tries to kill himself. Mr. Yang and Tae-min make amends and once again become allies in the wine business. Woo-ju receives an offer to study winemaking at a prestigious Bordeaux chateau and must decide between chasing her dreams and leaving Terroir.

'YALU FLOWS'

EPISODE 1 OF 3

Tuesday 7:45 p.m.: A short series of three episodes is based on a book written by ex-pat Korean writer Yi Mi-rok.

'CELEBRITY LOVER'

EPISODES 19 AND 20 (FINAL EPISODES)

Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.: Mari confesses in front of reporters and Chul-su that she's been lying about her wedding engagement and that she's still in love with Chul-su. Chul-su agrees to get back together with Mari. Mr. Suh doesn't want to lose Mari and goes berserk. Thursday at 7:45 p.m.: Mari wants to go to America for a year to work on a film. Mari wants her and Chul-su to get married before she goes, but Chul-su's afraid. Chul-su finally decides to follow Mari to America and get married as well.