THOMAS PODVIN’S FREELANCE WORK
Freelance writer - translator - Editor

http://www.hancinema.net/

Since the late 1990s, the Korean entertainment industry, in the form of movies and TV dramas, has exploded across Asia and the West. In part because the Korean government has a quota system which favors domestic product, but also because the product is generally of high quality, though not always. Of late, however, there’s likely to be a big fall off in quantity, following a change in Korean policy; but in the meantime, banked product will continue to pour out. To help one keep track (and au courant), the ‘Korean movie and drama database’ Hancinema.net is a handy, English-language resource, offering a comprehensive database of film personalities, movies and TV dramas (with names listed in English, Korean and Chinese). The content is exhaustive: fact sheets, news, filmographies, box office figures and industry data, photo galleries, BBS and links to e-stores. Hancinema.net also provides an efficient and smartly-designed search engine. With this site, Hanju mania is here to stay.

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
June 2006 issue

http://www.idontlikeyouinthatway.com/

Jenny and Todd have an opinion, an opinion on everything ‘showbiz’. In July 2005, they launched the self-proclaimed ‘sexiest site on the Internet’ IDontLikeYouInThatWay.com wherein they share their (often scathing) opinions with folks like us. Yet this website is more than just a platform for their gripes and trash talk. It’s an eye-opener, with off-the-record quotes and less than glamorous pics of one’s favorite stars. In short, this is the web equivalent of Kenneth Anger’s Hollywood Babylon, volumes one and two. And just as entertaining for the same target audience: the insatiable gossip hunter. We don’t wish to lower ourselves but here are just two examples: “Orlando Bloom almost killed a guy with his car, and apologized with an autograph” and “Tom Cruise says he will eat the cord and the placenta after fiancée Katie delivers their baby.” Authentic, gross, and strangely addictive.

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
June 2006 issue