Lee Ji Ah Leaves Bae Yong Joon’s Agency

Lee Ji Ah has declined to extend her contract with Key East Entertainment, the agency best known for its owner, Bae Yong Joon. This would put an end to her five year relationship with Key East, which began in 2007 with the MBC drama “Tae Wang Sa Shin Ki (The Legend).”

On January 11, a Key East official told OSEN, "We've finally decided not to pursue an extension with Lee Ji Ah. It wasn't about the contractual terms or monetary issues, but because both parties understood 'change' was needed."

It continued, "While under Key East, Lee Ji Ah went through a lot of issues, particularly last year lawsuit against Seo Taiji, and she was committed to restarting her actress career. From our perspective too, regardless of the contract, we wanted to support her moving forward. We wish for her success as a person or actress in the future."

Lee Ji Ah’s contract with Key East was terminated on December 31. The official said she still hasn’t found a new agency yet, and they will work together to find the best possible agency for her career. Despite getting involved in one of the most shocking scandals in Korean entertainment history, Lee Ji Ah has been able to keep her career alive, even making a comeback through MBC drama, “I’m a Flower, Too.” Industry officials largely credit Key East for making this possible, but with her decision to leave the agency, it should be interesting to see how her career pans out this year.

Credit source: Soompi

Read More

My Thoughts On: Me Too, Flower!

Episode Ratings: 

Date	Episode	Nationwide	Seoul
2011-11-09	1	6.6	(<8.7)
2011-11-10	2	6.0	(<7.3)
2011-11-16	3	6.5	(<8.5)
2011-11-17	4	7.7	10.2 (16th)
2011-11-23	5	6.1	(<10)
2011-11-24	6	6.9	(<10)
2011-11-30	7	6.2	(<9.1)
2011-12-01	8	6.7	9.3 (20th)
2011-12-07	9	5.5	(<9.5)
2011-12-08	10	6.1	(<9.7)
2011-12-14	11	4.9	(<8.9)
2011-12-15	12	5.6	(<8.5)
2011-12-21	13	5.5	(<9.2)
2011-12-22	14	5.1	8.5
2011-12-28	15	6.4	8.4 (18th)

Source: TNmS Media Korea

If people ask me, what will I recommend them to watch... I'll definitely says 'Me Too, Flower!'

At first I've a doubt about this drama, looking at the rating and my bad habit of reading a reviews makes it even worse. Watching this drama gives me a clear vision of it, now I wonder what is wrong with those reviews and ratings? this drama is so underrated. If I'm going to compare it to some crappy drama I've watch back then on 2011 this is definitely the best. 

Some bloggers even stated that this drama is the 2011 hidden gem, and I cannot not agreeing with her. While others watch what have been popularized by some marketing news, this drama gains just a little attention from everyone. I wonder if the reason for being so underrated is because of Lee Ji Ah's scandals... wah~ that is so childish. 

Reason why you have to watch this drama is, the line of actors, Yoon Si Yoon, Lee Ji Ah, Seo Hyo Rim, Ha Go Eun, and Jo Min Ki. The list goes on and every one of them is a strong character with a great chemistry. 

The fact that Yoon Si Yoon look pretty young for the role of Seo Jae Hee did gives me a second thought, but after watching him in this new character I guess being a replacement wasn't a bad idea at all. I wonder how will Kim Jae Won display Seo Jae Hee... will I think the same now? When other think he look too young for his character, I look it in a different way, the way he talks, the words he says, his eyes and the ways he walks... he is much more matured than that.

Lee Ji Ah who just came out from her hiding prove that she's not just a flower, she is pretty and talented as well. The way she portrays Cha Bong Sun the bad temper, sometimes sweet, sometimes irritating, sometimes lovely, she owns all the emotions but keep it inside her makes her looks cold and just a bad temper cop. I like how Cha bong Sun slowly open up, even when she says no the way she react show us her hidden words. 

Other characters makes the story goes on, actually there is no bad character, everyone just want to survive, even  in the name of love, everyone want to to be love. Since it ends beautifully, the rating doesn't matter anymore, sometimes I just hope I can keep both Jae Hee and Bong Sun in my diaries, so there is no end for their love story.

The story started slow but slow doesn't mean it's bad. Overall, I love it! 




Time for picture spam.... READY? 1 2 3.... Tadaaaa ^_______________^ ★

 

Picture source: MBC

Link for OST: http://nonie4u.posterous.com/tag/metooflower

Read More

Lee Ji Ah Enters Hibernation Phase Again After Me Too Flower

Actress Lee Ji Ah is once again entering rest period.

After the end of MBC’s Me Too, Flower with the best rating result of 8.1% since its debut on December 28th, 2011, the lead actress Lee Ji Ah decided to suspend acting activities for a short time to self recharging. It is reported that she has not set any travel or other special plans. After the scandal of marriage and divorce with Seo Taiji exposed in April 2011, she used to stay behind closed door for 7 months. Now, she just returned to the TV series for 3 months, and will re-entering hibernation phase again.

According to source from talent agency, “Lee Ji Ah shot the Me Too, Flower until the afternoon of December 28th, 2011, then she returned to her home after dinner with production team. She didn’t say what she will do next, in the short term should be resting at home.”

It is reported that Lee Ji Ah has not selected her next project. The agency explained, “If there is good project, she is willing to take part in it, but now do not have any plan, nor set any schedule.”

Me Too, Flower is the first project of Lee Ji Ah after the affair of Lee Ji Ah and Seo Tai Ji exposed, that’s why the drama had been in hot discussion even before it started airing. But during the broadcast period, the ratings of the drama consistently stayed at only 5% to 6%, always becoming the program with lowest viewership ratings among all shows broadcast at the same time. Although the ratings did not meet expectations, but Lee Ji Ah does not keep that in mind.

A person related to the agency said, “Lee Ji Ah acted in the drama because she likes the project, so does not feel sad for the ratings. The atmosphere during filming process was very good, so she shot very happily.”

via Joongang Daily & asian-drama.org

Read More

Lee Ji Ah's Turning Point - Life After Seo Taiji, an Actress Reborn

2011 is a turning point in actress Lee Ji Ah's career. Last April, after it was publicly announced that she was ending her marriage with Seo Taiji, she headed into a downward spiral. For months on end, she secluded herself from society, avoiding all contact with the outside world. After half a year, she awoke from her daze to pursue and further her acting career.

She stated, "To be honest, I was lonely until now. I was not comfortable - even with my own self. But I've gotten a lot more comfortable now. I feel like I can converse and interact with people on a closer level now. I've come back to my place." 

As conveyed in these words, Lee Ji Ah has turned a 180. Unlike her previous self, she has become more open and approachable. It is evident in her work that she is really developing and changing into her character. 

After coming out of her shell at the end of a lonely six months, she said, "I thought it was time for me to return to myself." 

After returning to the acting world, she chose MBC's "Me Too, Flower" as her first work since her long break. Likewise, her character, who hides her pain, also has many scars. This is her first time playing this type of character. At the "Me Too, Flower" press conference, Lee Ji Ah said, "I've never had this kind of role before so I'm still working on implementing this. I will do my best to meet everyone's expectations." 

She did meet expectations. If anything, she exceeded them. Through "Me Too, Flower," Lee Ji Ah has shown her potential to be a good lead in a drama. In past works, she was outshine by other actors, but she really grew and developed as an actress over the months. Her previous signature tomboy and city girl image has vanished, leaving a multi-faceted actress in its place. There is no over action or awkwardness. 

She's shown us that she is a versatile actress as well. Unlike her more serious roles in previous works, she shows us her comical side in this romantic comedy. Her acting no longer shows posed expressions and staged actions, but genuine smiles and real tears. 

Lee Ji Ah has really changed not only as an actress, but as a person as well. The public's response to her has changed too. This new drama provides her with a chance to move on and put the past behind her. 

Credit Source: Soompi

Read More