Art and Culture

And now it's time for our daily arts and culture update with our Michelle Kim. I hear she'll tell us about three films that already have audiences excited and a story about a pop star whose song release was out of this world.

Hello Michelle

[Reporter : ] Hello Conn-young

So what do you have for us today[Reporter : ] American movies have had a disappointing summer season at the box office in Korea this year, because local films with fast-moving storylines and A-list stars have been topping the charts. But three epic U.S. films set to premiere this fall could change that equation back in Hollywood's favor.

Hollywood is trying get back on track at the box office in Korea with star-driven films and new installments of tried and true franchises. The previous four "Twilight" films have brought in over $4 billion U.S. dollars at the box office, and now with the final episode ready to be released in November, fans can expect to see not just the epic conclusion of this vampire drama, but also how the romantic scenes between the recently separated couple Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart play out.

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Another epic is on the way in the form of the cinematic version of "Les Miserables", Victor Hugo's late 19th-century novel that later became the second-longest musical in the world. The film stars Hugh Jackman as the ex-convict Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, the man who pursues him, and Anne Hathaway as Fantine, a struggling young mother forced into prostitution. Directed by Tom Hooper, who won an Oscar for his last project, 'The King's Speech", the film follows the novel's main themes of rebellion, revolution and redemption.

The epic that's expected to rake in the most money at the box office before the year ends is "The Hobbit". The director behind the film, Peter Jackson, brought in over $1 billion US dollars worldwide with his previous "Lord of the Rings" trilogy,.. and also took home the Academy Award for best picture for the third film in that series, "The Return of the King". Producers are banking on the idea that "The Hobbit" will be equally captivating.. and lucrative.

It seems like we have some great films to look forward to. How do you think these movies will do here in Korea

[Reporter : ] Well, let's start with "Twilight". I'm reluctant to say whether the last film in the series will do as well as its predecessors because of the recent off-screen break up of the film's two stars. But long-time fans of the series are likely to stay until the bitter end no matter what, so there may not be much to worry about.

How about the other two films[Reporter : ] Well, "The Hobbit" is a story that audiences are already familiar with.. and the proven success of director Peter Jackson's other films about Middle-earth virtually ensures that this venture will do very well in theaters around the world as well. The film that I'm most skeptical about is "Les Miserables", because it opens the same day. But with such a great director and a multi-talented cast, we might be looking at an award-winning film.

Looks like moviegoers from all over the world will be waiting for these films to hit theaters. We'll be waiting, too, but for now, what else do you have for us[Reporter : ] Switching gears to music, rapper will.i.am's music never seems to disappoint. This time, he takes his music into a whole new realm -- literally. Take a look.

U.S. rapper will.i.am released his latest song "Reach for the Stars" on Tuesday -- from Mars.
The song was uploaded to the Mars rover Curiosity and beamed back to Earth in the first music broadcast from another planet.

The Black Eyed Peas rapper first unveiled the song during a news conference at a NASA laboratory in Pasadena, California. He told the audience that the song was made to transcend time and culture.

[Interview : Will.i.am, Singer] "I wanted to show human collaboration and have an orchestra there and something that would be timeless where it is, you know, and translated in different cultures, not have like a hip-hop beat or a dance beat".

NASA employees on deck during the news conference seemed to enjoy the collaboration, dancing and clapping along to the tune.

That's absolutely amazing! Can you tell us more about it[Reporter : ] Well, "Reach for the Stars" was recorded over a year ago and given to NASA to include in the Curiosity rover's computer system. It wasn't unveiled until Tuesday and its premiere didn't come during a concert or on YouTube, but in front of a group of students. The students are part of an educational project organized by NASA and the rapper's i.am.angel foundation, which provides educational materials to classrooms in the U.S. So after the rover landed on Mars, the music was played back to California, which was a journey of about 700 million miles.

That is absolutely amazing and definitely fits the song title of "Reach for the Stars". I'm sure this will help inspire even greater and more amazing interplanetary achievements in the future. And now to wrap things up, you have the events bulletin for us[Reporter : ] Yes I do. I have two concerts and a musical today. To start things off, six singers from the TV show "Immortal Song" will perform together this Saturday, the musical "Bungee Jump" will be showing at the Blue Square Samsung Card Hall until Sunday and a renowned guitarist will be visiting Korea in a week. Here are the details.

[Reporter : ed: jenny] This bulletin features 3 events.

Six talented Korean vocalists, including Lyn, Shin Yong-jae and Ailee, who all starred in the hit TV show "Immortal Song", will be performing at Olympic Park on September first. The singers will be performing hits from the past to the present in a range of genres for young and old to enjoy.

The musical "Bungee Jump" is based on the 2000 film "Bungee Jumping of their Own" and follows a couple separated by tragedy,.. only to be reunited in the most unexpected way. It will be showing at the Blue Square Samsung Card Hall until September 2nd.

Guitarist Larry Carlton -- best known for his performance on the theme song of the hit TV series, "Hill Street Blues" -- will perform with three other musicians at Blue Square Samsung Hall on September 8th. Carlton has won four Grammy Awards for his performances and compositions.

Thank you for the update

[Reporter : ] My pleasure

Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr