Jung Woo Sung Confirmed dating Lee Ji ah

On the day of his 38th birthday, actor Jung Woo Sung addressed the rumors about his relationship with fellow “Athena” castmate, Lee Ji Ah (30). The actor has confirmed that he was indeed dating her.

Jung Woo Sung wrote a post on his official homepage that read, 

“Hello, this is Jung Woo Sung. I have found a friend that my heart is moved by, and have been spending time together ever since the conclusion of my drama. We are just now beginning.”

In response to his announcement, representatives of KeyEast Entertainment (Lee Ji Ah’s agency) stated, “As it is an issue regarding the private life of our artist, this is not something our agency can comment on. Should the opportunity arise, Lee Ji Ah will be making her own announcement soon.”

Source + Photos: Star News, Asia Economy via Naver & Allkpop

* I'm so happy with the news. I've been rooting for them on Athena... because of the chemistry and how they actually look comfortable on Athena. Wish the news is not something fabricated hahaha... that will seriously piss me off.

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E Ji-ah Says Did Not Use Double For Action Sequences

Korean actress E Ji-ah has said she has not used a body double for any of the action scenes in the upcoming SBS TV series "Athena" so far.

The remark came on Tuesday during a press conference for the action-packed drama which is a spin-off to last year's hit blockbuster series "IRIS" as she responded to a reporter's question on shooting her action sequences.

"I have always worked out regularly and my stunt double is on set with an extra set of my clothes but I wanted to do the [action] scenes myself," E explained, adding that she herself was not convinced she would be able to pull off the scenes at first but "let myself loose once the cameras started rolling, without thinking about the dangers involved."

She further said, "I was able to immerse myself into my role, even though I hit my head and got bruises all over my body, because shooting a drama in a different country like Italy which has such rich and deep history, is such a new experience. "

E will play the role of Han Jae-hui, a special agent under the European branch of the national anti-terror services in the drama also starring Jung Woo-sung, Cha Seung-won and Soo-ae.

The action series was shot in various overseas locations such as Italy, Switzerland, Singapore and New Zealand.

"Athena," named after the Greek goddess of war strategy, will be about terrorist acts and threats against the Korean Peninsula and the whole world. Other cast members include actors Kim Min-jong and Choi Si-won of idol group Super Junior.

The series is set to premiere on December 12 after current Monday and Tuesday drama "Giant" finishes its run.

Reporter: Ko Jae-wan

Editor: Lucia Hong

<Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved>

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[PHOTO] "Athena" Cast at Press Conference

Jung Woo-sung

Actor Jung Woo-sung takes part in the press conference for upcoming SBS TV series "Athena" held at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on November 30, 2010.

Jung Woo-sung 

Choi Siwon

Singer and actor Choi Siwon takes part in the press conference for upcoming SBS TV series "Athena" held at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on November 30, 2010.

Cha Seung-won

Model and actor Cha Seung-won takes part in the press conference for upcoming SBS TV series "Athena" held at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on November 30, 2010.

Kim Min-jong 

Actor Kim Min-jong takes part in the press conference for upcoming SBS TV series "Athena" held at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on November 30, 2010.

Soo Ae 

Actress Soo Ae takes part in the press conference for upcoming SBS TV series "Athena" held at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on November 30, 2010.

Soo Ae 

E Ji-ah

Actress E Ji-ah takes part in the press conference for upcoming SBS TV series "Athena" held at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on November 30, 2010.

Photographer: Lee Ki-bum
Editor: Jessica Kim
<Ⓒ 10Asia All rights reserved>

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Kim Seung-woo Joins TV Series "Athena" Cast

Korean actor Kim Seung-woo, who starred in blockbuster TV series "IRIS" last year, has joined the cast of its upcoming spin-off series "Athena: Goddess of War," according to the show's producer Taewon Entertainment on Tuesday.

Taewon announced in a press release that the actor will be reprising his role from the original series, playing North Korea's top intelligence agent Park Chul-young who holds the key secrets to solving the mysteries left behind by "IRIS." 

Actress Kim So-yeon, who played a North Korean spy named Kim Sun-hwa in "IRIS," appears to be talking with producers about joining the new show as well. 

The storyline of "Athena," named after the Greek goddess, will be about terrorist acts and threats against the Korean Peninsula and the whole world. 

Like the star-studded cast of "IRIS" which was led by Lee Byung-hun, "Athena" will feature some of the Korea's top actors including Jung Woo-sung, Cha Seung-won, Soo Ae, E Ji-ah, Kim Min-jong and Choi Si-won of K-pop idol group Super Junior. 

The series recently wrapped up its location shoot in Italy and will continue onto other countries including Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Switzerland. 

Kim, 41, has appeared in numerous films and television dramas, most notably "Cinderella" (MBC, 1997), "Hotelier" (MBC, 2001), "Woman On The Beach" (2006) and "Between Hate and Love" (2006). He also hosts celebrity talk show "Win Win" on KBS2 TV. 

"Athena" will premiere in Korea in November. 

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

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TV Series "Athena" To Air On SBS in November

TV series "Athena," the spin-off from last year's blockbuster drama "IRIS," has been confirmed to go on air on public network SBS in November, according to the show's producer Taewon Entertainment on Tuesday.

Taewon announced that the series will be broadcast on Monday and Tuesday evenings on SBS, and released a teaser poster featuring six actors in the main roles -- namely Jung Woo-sung, Cha Seung-won, Soo Ae, E Ji-ah, Kim Min-jong and Choi Si-won of idol group Super Junior.

The teaser poster will be produced into a billboard ad and hung on the outside of the Cine City building, a major theater located in Seoul's trendy Shinsa-dong district.

"Athena," currently filming in Korea, will kick off its location shoots later this month in six foreign countries including Japan and Italy.

The storyline for "Athena," named after the Greek goddess of war strategy, will be about terrorist acts and threats against the Korean Peninsula and the whole world.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

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Meet The Cast of IRIS Sequel

Name: 정우성 / Jung Woo Sung (Jeong Wu Seong)

Nickname: Young Old Man

Profession: Actor

Birthdate: 1973-Mar-20

Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea

Height: 186cm

Weight: 78kg

Star sign: Pisces

Blood type: O

Family: Two older brothers and a sister

Name: 차승원 / Cha Seung Won

Profession: Actor

Birthdate: 1971-Jun-07

Height: 188cm

Weight: 80kg

Star sign: Gemini

By Han Sang-hee

Staff Reporter

The lineup for the spin-off series of the hit drama "IRIS" has been revealed.

Titled "ATHENA", the highly anticipated drama will feature some of Korea's top stars and another thrilling tale of terrorism, spies and secret agents, similar to the original but with a twist.

Jeong Woo-seong, 36, who is returning to the small screen after 15 years, will appear as Lee Jeong-woo, a secret agent who gets tangled up in a conspiracy that threatens the safety of the Korean Peninsula. Taewon Entertainment, the production company, explained that the character holds all the characteristics and abilities that are found in Lee Hyun-jun, the protagonist of "IRIS", with the charm and charisma of James Bond.

Lee's nemesis, Son Hyeok, the ruthless leader of the terrorist group ATHENA, will be played by model-turned-actor Cha Seung-won. The merciless role will hopefully bring out the charisma and brutality hidden beneath the 39-year-old Cha's comical and likable character he is famous for, according to Taewon Entertainment.

The two main actors have been revealed, but the company is yet to announce the heroine and other supporting roles. The attention is now on the heroine, which will take an important role in the drama, considering the title that translates to the "goddess of wisdom and war".

Filming will begin in June in Italy or Switzerland. The shooting will continue in six other countries, including Singapore and New Zealand, following the footsteps of "IRIS", which was filmed around the world as well.

"ATHENA" is scheduled to be aired late this year.

"IRIS" aired last year with high expectations thanks to its star-studded cast, dramatic storyline and cinematic action scenes. Starring Lee Byeong-Heon and Kim Tae-hee, the soap took local dramas to a whole new level, garnering both male and female fans here and abroad with its distinctive story involving secret agents, South and North Korea, and betrayal.

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