Actress Choi Ji-woo to receive President's honor

Korean Wave star Choi Ji-woo will receive the presidential commendation for promoting Korea's tourism, according to her agency on Thursday.

The actress will be awarded for her contribution in tourism at the 36th Tourism Day Celebration Ceremony on September 29, C, JW Company announced in a press release.

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the host for the event, selected Choi as the winner due to her contribution through KBS TV drama "Winter Sonata". The drama, a massive hit in Korea and also throughout Asia, has been bringing fans of the show into the country since its airing in 2002.

"Hallyu dramas are more than just cultural content - they bring about positive economic effects by bringing in money from overseas and increasing tourism," the Hallyu star was quoted as saying. "I hope many good dramas will continue to be produced."

Earlier this month, Choi was admitted into the Star Hall of Fame at the Seoul Drama Awards 2009.

The 34-year-old actress is scheduled to leave for Tokyo on Sunday to attend the premiere party for the animation version of "Winter Sonata". The event, to be held at the Tokyo Dome, will also be attended by her co-star Bae Yong-joon who provided voice-overs for the animation alongside Choi.

Source: asiae

Choi Ji-woo Donates W100 Million for Poor Children

Actress Choi Ji-woo will donate a W100 million worth of scholarships for poor students in Busan, her hometown.

The Busan Office of Education on Wednesday said the actress will hand out the scholarships when she attends a campaign aimed at improving the educational environment and nurturing human resources on July 1.

Since 2000, the actress has also donated W300 million to her high school in Busan to provide scholarships for needy students.

Source: English Chosun

Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo to Be in Japan

Two stars of “Winter Sonata,” Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, will be in Japan together this fall. The first-generation hallyu stars will be in the Tokyo Dome to promote “Winter Sonata – Another Story,” a 26-part animation show dubbed with their voices. This is the first time that Bae and Choi will participate in the same event since their drama was broadcast in 2002.

On the following day Bae will also hold a promotional event for his book tentatively titled “The Beauty of Korea.” His representative said that as many as 90 thousand Japanese fans are expected to come to the Tokyo Dome to see Bae over the two-day event. Also the events will be telecast live via satellite feed to local theaters, so those who will not be able to attend the Tokyo Dome events can still see Bae on screen.

Source: KBS Global
Photo: kr.news.yahoo.com

Farewell, my darling, I’m off to serve my country

Lee Jin-wook bid farewell to his fans and long-term girlfriend as he went off for mandatory military service this Wednesday. The 28-year-old actor, who postponed enlistment last year because he was appearing in SBS-TV’s “City of Glass,” waved to 100 well-wishing supporters at the 306th draft in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi.

Many were hoping Choi Ji-woo, Lee’s girlfriend of two years, would show up at Uijeongbu to say goodbye, but the actress was nowhere to be seen.

Lee will serve for two years, leaving fans, and presumably Choi, anticipating his return in 2011.

Date: May 8, 2009
Source: joongangdaily

Choi Ji-woo Explains Dating Rumors in Japan

Actress Choi Ji-woo’s visit to Japan has drawn great attention from the media there, amid rumors that she has fallen in love. Japanese sports dailies and broadcasters on Thursday gave intensive coverage of the Korean actress--who arrived at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Wednesday for a three-day visit until Saturday--and her relationship with actor Lee Jin-wook.

Choi was welcomed by some 150 fans waiting at the airport, despite a snowstorm, who gave her a bouquet of flowers. “I am very happy to visit Japan again. I have wanted to meet you again,” she told them. But when reporters, noticing a ring on her right hand, asked her if she plans to marry, she just smiled and hurried to leave the airport.

The actress went to Japan to promote her latest SBS drama “Celebrity Sweetheart,” which is scheduled to be aired on the satellite channel Wow Wow TV from May 1.

Attending a premiere for the movie at Tokyo’s Yebisu Garden Hall on Thursday afternoon, Choi was bombarded with questions about her relationship with Lee. “We have good feelings toward each other, but that is all for now,” she answered. “I can tell you one thing for sure -- that I have never yet thought about getting married.”

Dated: March 16, 2009
Source: soompi

Choi ji-woo admits relationship with actor

Top actress Choi Ji-woo has confirmed being in a relationship with an actor she appeared with in a drama.

Choi, 34, and Lee Jin-wook, six years her junior, first met on the set of TV drama "Air City" two years ago. But Choi told a local daily that it was only lately that they had started dating.

The actress said the two were very careful about their relationship because they were both celebrities. Choi added that the public's attention on their relationship as well as the speculation of their marriage was a little burdensome because they just started seeing each other.

Dated: February 25, 2009
Source: soompi

Choi Ji Woo & Lee Jin Wook, A COUPLE?!

This news was known by the public February 2009 but I just found this out and maybe there are others who hasn't heard of it that is why I am sharing this. Plus the fact also that I rooted for them to be together when I watched Air City. I am so happy that my wish was granted. Fighting!!!

Hallyu star Choi Ji Woo(34) is going out with 6 years younger actor Lee Jin Wook(28). They met on the set of the drama, Air City back in 2007 and for the last 2 years they have been going out. Even with the busy schedule they make time for each other and usually have dates in the car.

















UPDATE: Lee Jin Wook entered the military service on 5/6/09

Source: soompi