Actor Song Seung-heon has transformed from a man of few words into one who spits out corny lines with ease. And his newfound personality has been a hit with television viewers, especially in his drama “When a Man Falls in Love.”
In the show, Song plays a gangster named Han Tae-sang who falls in love with a woman (played by Shin Se-gyeong) after being abandoned by his parents and spending time alone.
Han goes to any length for the love of his life. For instance, since she loves roller coasters, he dares to ride one and almost faints. He also uses all kinds of adjectives to express his love and other emotions.
While the over-the-top female characters can prevent viewers from indulging in the plot wholeheartedly, Song’s portrayal of a ruthless gangster who has a soft spot for his love interest is the greatest joy offered to those watching the drama series.
Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily, sat down with Song and asked him a variety of questions about his transformation and his real-life romantic relationship.
Q. “When a Man Falls in Love” remains in the top spot among Wednesday-Thursday prime-time dramas. How do you feel about that?
A. I was under a lot of pressure after I realized this drama would compete with two other dramas which feature veteran actors such as Shin Ha-kyun of “All about My Romance” (SBS) and Lee Dong-wook of “The Fugitives of Joseon” (KBS2).
I just wanted to see double-digit viewership, and we’ve achieved it. I couldn’t be happier.
Your character Tae-sang is attractive in a way since he only admires one woman.
He was orphaned when he was young and it makes him grow into a lonely and cruel soul. But he falls in love with this woman, and he finds a new side of himself. He even becomes awkward in her presence. There is another woman who keeps hitting on him, but Tae-sang isn’t swayed at all. I think highly of his commitment, and it makes him a real guy. And this character also intrigues many viewers, I guess.
But you haven’t been able to win the heart of Seo Mi-do (played by Shin).
She hasn’t decided yet between me and Lee Jae-hee (played by Yeon Woo-jin). In the drama, Lee is a peer of mine. If such a situation happened to me in real life, I would choose friendship over love, though. For me, friendship comes first.
A scene from the TV drama “When a Man Falls in Love”
Are you the type of actor who stays true to the screenplay or do you often add lines or gestures on a whim?
While filming this drama series, I find myself trying to improvise by adding comical lines or gestures maybe because this character is brighter and funnier than my previous characters. One day, Shin told me she is attracted to Yeon’s character but feels nothing toward me because my character looks like a little child. Since I’m so into this character, I was pissed off by her comment.
What kind of man are you in a real-life romantic relationship?
Tae-sang and I share many things in common. All my past relationships started because I fell in love first. If I don’t feel something at first sight, I can’t fall in love.
What’s it like being paired up with two actresses: Shin and Chae Jung-an?
Shin is quite a mature actress for her age. I learn a lot of things from her. Meanwhile, I feel comfortable when I act with Chae because we used to do the same sitcom series 10 years ago.
Tell us about the future of “When a Man Falls in Love.”
So far, it has been a casual and light-hearted introduction of four lead characters and how they fell in love. But there will be stronger, heart-wrenching stories as well. Later on, we will deal with how these characters hurt each other and their emotions will explode in extreme ways. You can expect more from us.
Singer Seo Tai-ji is to marry an actress 16 years his junior. Seo (41) will tie the knot with Lee Eun-sung (25), his management agency said Wednesday.
The agency said the couple met in 2008 during filming for the music video for Seo's song "Bermuda Triangle" and kept in touch. They started seeing each other in 2009.
Lee has appeared in a teen soap and a few movies but is not particularly well known.
This is not Seo's first marriage. He married actress Lee Ji-ah in the U.S. in 1997, but they separated not quite three years later. Until the news of their messy divorce broke in 2011, the public had no idea Seo had even been married.
Seo broke the news of his impending wedding on his website, calling Lee a "life companion" who appeared "miraculously." He hopes to have a child soon.
"I've been eating alone for more than a decade now, and I am happy that I can be with my whole family now," he said.
Lee said she loved Seo's music but never imagined she would meet him. "I met him and fell in love with him like it was destiny and now I'm attracted to the way he's more ordinary than anyone thinks he would be," she said.
The two recently began living together with Seo's parents in their newly-built home in the affluent Pyeongchang area in northern Seoul.
Korean actress Kim So-yeon is coming back to the small screen in a role opposite leading actor Lee Joon-gi.
Kim has decided to become the leading lady of an upcoming MBC drama tentatively titled “Two Weeks,” which will be aired starting August, her agency Namoo Actors said in a statement on Wednesday.
She is going to portray a smart and warmhearted prosecutor named Park Jae-kyung, who is going to reveal the truth of the homicide case of Jang Tae-san [Lee], the falsely charged man struggling to save his young daughter with leukemia in two weeks.
This will be Kim’s second time to work with hit scriptwriter So Hyun-gyeong, who penned the actress’ 2010 romcom “Prosecutor Princess,” in which Kim also played a public official opposite actor Park Si-hoo.
Kim, 32, started her career in 1987 as child actress and grabbed attention with her role in SBS hit sitcom “Soonpoong Clinic” in 1999. She shot to stardom the next year with her evil woman role in MBC TV series “All About Eve,” co-starring Jang Dong-gun and Chae Rim.
Her recent TV works include KBS blockbuster “IRIS,” SBS “Princess Prosecutor,” SBS sports drama “Dr. Champ,” SBS thriller “Athena” and SBS historic drama “The Great Seer.”
In a poster for MBC’s upcoming drama, “Princess Aurora,” the lead female character Jeon So-min, in a pink dress, and the lead male character Oh Chang-suk, sit on a sofa.[NEWSIS]
MBC held a press conference for its upcoming daily drama “Princess Aurora” yesterday in Yeouido, western Seoul. Many of the actors and actresses get together for the media to promote the daily evening soap.
Oh Chang-suk, left, and Jeon So-min pose for the camera at a press conference for MBC’s upcoming daily drama, “Princess Aurora,” held at Yeouido, western Seoul, yesterday. They play the two main characters in the show.[NEWSIS]
Actors and actresses staring in upcoming MBC drama “Princess Aurora” cheer for the good run at a press conference yesterday in Yeouido, western Seoul.[NEWSIS]
In a photo collage, Shin Min-a poses in a lime-green jacket, part of a summer collection by Joinus.[JoongAng Ilbo]
Actress Shin Min-a has released photos taken during a shoot for clothing label Joinus. She also recently completed filming a new movie called “Hide and Seek” and is mulling her next project.
Actress Shin Min-a smiles during a photo shoot for Joinus, a women’s clothing label.[JoongAng Ilbo]
Yuri of Girls’ Generation will make a debut on the big screen, according to the group’s agency SM Entertainment yesterday.
In “No Breathing,” she will be the lead character Jungeun who dreams about becoming a professional musician. Her counterparts will be actor Lee Jong-seok of SBS drama “Secret Garden” and singer and actor Seo In-guk, the winner of first season of audition program “Superstar K” on cable channel Mnet.
“After reading the scenario, I really liked the character,” said Yuri. “I wanted to show a new side of me as an actress. Although this is her movie debut, she has previously showed off her acting skills in TV dramas and other entertainment programs.
She took part in SBS drama “Fashion King” last year.
The movie depicts struggles and romantic relationships that professional swimmers experience.
The sports drama will start filming Sunday and is scheduled to be released to the local fans in the second half of this year.
Kim Yun-jin, who earned global recognition through the U.S. TV series “Lost,” will appear as a solo guest on talk show “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” on CBS today to promote her upcoming show on ABC.
“Mistresses,” which is based on the British series of the same name, is about four women friends talking about their complex relationships.
It is the second drama in the United States for Kim. The show, which completed filming in February, will premiere on June 3. Kim plays a character named Karen Rhodes, a psychiatrist who struggles after the death of a patient with whom she was involved. The show begins as he meets three other college friends.
K.J. Steinberg, known for her work in “Gossip Girl” on the CW Television Network, helped write the 13 pilot episodes.
Kim said she is nervous about promoting the upcoming TV series and hopes many love the episodes, according to local media reports.
She also mentioned Psy as she watched him getting ready for his performance on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Cho Yong-pil talks at a press event for his new album in Seoul on Wednesday. /Courtesy of Fortune Entertainment
Veteran crooner Cho Yong-pil on Wednesday attributed the massive success of his latest album to his change in musical direction.
The album, his 19th, effortlessly swept the music charts here by selling 180,000 copies in 20 days of its release.
Cho departed from his usual power ballads by adding elements of hip hop, rock and house, which are more likely to appeal to young people.
After his last album a decade ago, Cho said he felt a strong need to change his style.
He also had advice for the young singers who are leading the popularity of K-Pop throughout Asia. "K-Pop has a rosy future with so many talented singers in the genre," he said. "But they should beware of relying too much on extraneous things like elaborate dance moves rather than singing, because that can diminish the value of their music."
Cho was a forerunner of the Korean Wave in the 1980s-1990s and is finally attracting interest beyond Asia. Universal Music said headquarters in the U.S. is highly interested in the singer.
Universal is also in talks with a Japanese label about releasing Cho's latest album in Japanese.
Choi Kang-hee plays a single woman in her thirties in her new movie "Happiness for Sale," and many women who attended high school in Korea prior to 1996 will probably be able to relate to her character.
In the film, Choi takes on the role of a civil servant at a district office who returns to her hometown to sell the stationery shop that her father used to run before he was incapacitated by a sudden illness.
The film is full of nostalgic images, such as those of children entertaining themselves with rubber bands and marbles, as opposed to the latest smartphones, and it ends with a cathartic reconciliation between father and daughter.
In a recent interview with the Chosun Ilbo, Choi confessed that she had never originally harbored dreams of making acting her profession.
"I got some awards in my debut year and I was praised for my work, but I basically started acting to pay off some family debts, and I became financially stable around 2008," she said. "Around that time, I started to feel quite empty and lonely. I also felt that I was far behind my peers in terms of ability, as I'd never properly studied the craft of acting. I considered packing it in. But when I watched myself in films and TV dramas, I changed my mind as I began to see that I was, in fact, doing pretty well."
Despite her relatively plain looks, Choi said she has "never had a normal life."
"I've played a lot of young characters on the screen, but in reality I never went to university, and seldom hung out with friends my age," she said. "I was a quiet and introverted child, but my personality changed a lot after I worked as a radio DJ and played so many colorful characters."
She said acting had brought her closer to experiences that most people would consider routine, but which for her were completely alien.
"I've lived an 'ordinary' life through acting, like attending college and being an office worker. I could say that all the films and soap operas I've done have made me the person I am now -- a typical girl-next-door. So now I feel a little afraid to take on more daring roles or play sexy heroines."
Singer Eun Ji-won, left, applauds along with President Park Geun-hye, his aunt, during a street campaign last December. Korea Times file
Actor Kim Jong-min, left, whose stage name is Go Yoon, casts a ballot with his father Kim Moo-sung, a five-term lawmaker and right-hand man of President Park Geun -hye, at a polling station last month.
Choi Si-won of K-pop group Super Junior
Actor Yun Tae-young
Miss Korea-turned-actress Lee Honey
Celebrities born with silver spoons Children of elite families become entertainers amid fading Confucian values
Top entertainers are currently being treated as “national heroes.” President Park Geun-hye recently touted Psy’s rise in the global arena as a model case to explain her economic growth policies centered on creativity.
Yet it was only two or so decades ago when regardless of their popularity they were treated like “clowns” and called “ttan-tta-ra,” a Korean term poking fun at entertainers.
Such a sentiment stemmed from the now faltering Confucianism which perceived jobs entertaining people as indecent. The philosophy imported from China killed the dream of many children who wished to grow up as musicians, dancers or actors. There are some entertainers who pursued their dream despite family opposition, but most of them kept their family background a secret.
This has changed entirely in recent years with the steep rise of entertainers in terms of social influence and profitability. Perhaps no family feels ashamed of having an entertainer as a member; rather it might be a great source of pride with huge potential to bolster their profile.
The trend has even galvanized the country’s rich and powerful, who normally react passively to social change of any sort.
Reflecting the shift is an increasing number of entertainers born with a silver spoon in their mouth. They are never hesitant to speak about their family and some use it to promote themselves.
A case in point is actor Yun Tae-young. The 39-year-old is the only son of Yun Jong-yong, former vice chairman of Samsung Electronics. Currently the senior Yoon is chairman of the Presidential Council on Intellectual Property. In 2009, the 69-year-old was ranked second among the world’s best performing chief executives officers by the Harvard Business Review. He trailed only Apple’s founder Steve Jobs on the list.
According to news reports, the senior Yun wanted his son to work as a fund manager in the United States after graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University. But he caved in to the son who tenaciously tried to become actor. The junior Yun made his debut in 1996 in a TV drama; and married actress Lim Yoo-jin the following year. His wedding ceremony was attended by dozens of tycoons and politicians, including then presidential hopeful Lee Myung-bak.
He has reportedly inherited massive wealth ㅡ approximately 45 billion won ($40.2 million) ㅡ from his father.
Singer Choi Si-won of boy band Super Junior is another entertainer with a rich family. His father Choi is former chief executive officer of the country’s leading maker of baby care products. The senior Choi currently works as a business professor at Sungkonghoe University.
Actor Lee Kwang-hoon, whose stage name is Phillip Lee, is the child of another business bigwig. His father Simon S. Lee is chairman of STG Inc., a government contracting firm headquartered in Virginia. The firm employs more than 1,300 workers and takes in over $220 million in annual revenue. The junior Lee earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree from George Washington University.
Actor Lee Seo-jin was born into a family that wielded big influence in the country’s financial services sector. His grandfather managed several major banks, while his father was chairman of a savings bank. The 42-year-old actor graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in business. It’s reported that he faced fierce opposition from his parents before making his acting debut in 1999. His personal wealth, mostly inherited from his parents, is estimated at 60 billion won, according to news reports.
There are several entertainers born into the families of powerful politicians.
Rapper Eun Ji-won shows off, needless to say, the most powerful family background at the moment ㅡ he is a nephew of President Park Geun-hye. His grandmother was elder sister of former President Park Chung-hee, father of the incumbent head of state. The 35-year-old singer registered himself as a campaigner for his aunt during the presidential campaign last year. He currently stays low key to avoid being embroiled in any unsavory scandal that could end up hurting his aunt’s political leadership.
The son of President Park’s right-hand man Kim Moo-sung is an up-and-coming actor.
Kim Jong-min, whose stage name is Go Yoon, recently revealed his relations with the five-term lawmaker by standing with Kim before camera crews at a polling station in Busan. The senior Kim was elected in by-elections last month on the ticket of the ruling Saenuri Party.
Following the election, the actor said he had intentionally remained silent about his family because he wanted to succeed without family support.
Other celebrities with elite family backgrounds include Miss Korea-turned-actress Lee Honey. Her father is former vice chief of the country’s spy agency, while her mother is university professor and state-recognized “gayageum” player. Gayageum is a twelve-stringed traditional Korean zither. Her uncle is Moon Hee-sang, former chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP). Actress Choi Myung-gil is wife of the incumbent DP Chairman Kim Han-gil.
Actor Song Il-gook is widely known as the son of lawmaker Kim Eul-dong and grandson of Gen. Kim Jwa-jin, who fought for Korea’s independence in the 1920s. Last edited by katt on 20-5-2013 01:57 AM
Actor Seo Ji-seok, 31, married a florist five years his junior at Patio 9 in Nonhyeon-dong, southern Seoul, on Saturday.
Seo said that he met his wife for the first time at a drinking party with acquaintances last year.
“I fell head over heels in love with her at first sight,” Seo said at a pre-wedding media conference. “I immediately asked her out and have followed her around ever since.”
He did not introduce his fiancee to the media, and the wedding was private.
“She is really close to my ideal type,” Seo said. “She is petite and pretty.”
Many fellow celebrities came to congratulate Seo including friend Heo Young-saeng, a former member of SS501, who was the host for the ceremony. Comedian Lim Ha-ryong recited a poem for the couple while IU, 4Men and Yuri Sangja sang celebratory songs.
Seo said that he hopes to be a father in two years. The newlyweds left for Bali yesterday to celebrate.
Comedian Kim Hyun-cheol, 43, married a bride 13 years his junior in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Friday.
Prior to his wedding at 4 p.m., he met with the media at a press conference and shared his excitement.
“Since this is my first time [getting married], I feel very nervous,” Kim said. “I’m pretending that I’m not at all nervous, but I am.”
He said he felt sad that many of his friends couldn’t make it to the wedding as they have conflicting work schedule.
He said he also found out that he first met his bride 10 years ago though he doesn’t remember the occasion. She was a guest at an outdoor bar he was running.
He also mentioned that he purchased a pair of pants for his brother from a store owned by his mother-in-law.
“I think I must have behaved well,” Kim said. “When I met my mother-in-law, she was nice to me as she said she remembered seeing me back then.”
He said he does not yet have any baby plans but wants to have as many as possible.
Uhm Jung-hwa is a Korean iconic diva and a rare actress who successfully juggles singing and acting careers. Last year, she turned the movie “Dancing Queen” into a box office hit. Her dancing skills and inherent happy nature contributed to its success. But above all, she shines most when portraying heart-wrenching emotions, just like in her newest movie, “Montage,” which opened Thursday.
In the thriller, Uhm plays the mother of a kidnapped daughter. The mother lives in sorrow for 15 years as she fails to find any clue about the crime until she hears of traces of the suspect just five days before the expiration of the statute of limitations. Viewers are expected to be caught by her heartfelt portrayal of maternal instincts, as well as the plot’s twists and turns. In her 2005 movie, “Princess Aurora,” Uhm also played the role of a mother whose child was abducted.
Q. I could not help associating you and your co-worker, Kim Sang-kyung, with the previous roles while watching the movie. Kim Sang-kyung’s performance reminds me of his similar role as a detective in the 2003 movie, “Memories of Murder.”
A. I know, but I think we used it to our advantage. Thanks to the same role, I let out my bottled-up emotions that I could not in my last movie, “Princess Aurora.” Kim also felt the same way. He said he felt as if he finally captured the suspect.
But still, you didn’t make many changes in your acting career this time.
I think you can expect different outcomes even from the same material with different directors and storylines. And someday, I want to immerse myself in a character and play it just the way a director wants, deleting myself. And there are lots of roles that I haven’t tried yet. If I get the chance, I want to portray a woman in utter love, which I haven’t experienced in a movie or real life.
Your movie, “Dancing Queen,” did well at the box office last year. How did it affect you?
I got some zing back in my life. Actually, I suffered pain after having surgery on my thyroid while working on the film, “Mama” (2011), so I couldn’t fully enjoy acting. And when I felt empty, lost and even self-compassion, I took a role in the movie “Dancing Queen.” It helped me get refreshed and confident so that I can return to the stage as a singer whenever I want.
You already turned 40-something, now you may have more people in the same industry who admire you.
I think passionate people always inspire other people. Recently I was deeply impressed by singer Cho Yong-pil. And I also admire actress Lee Mi-sook. I heard in my 20s that there would be no roles for me to play when I became older. But Lee portrayed a lead role who falls in torrid love in the film, “An Affair” (1998). And she is still beautiful and sexy in small or big screens continuously. It really motivates me.
How do you want to be remembered as an actress?
I want to be like actress Meryl Streep. I hope to have a chance to express such inner grace as she has with age in a future movie. While working on “Montage,” I thought my role as a mom was what I can do only because I got old enough to understand and inhabit the character. I’m excited to find what I can further express as I get older.
The one-act play starring KARA has been named “Secret Love,” according to producers.
Kim Kyu-tae, chief producer of SBS drama “That Winter, the Wind Blows,” starring Song Hye-gyo and Zo In-sung, will work with the girl group to produce five different episodes - one for each member of the girl group.
All the episodes are love stories. The filming and release dates have not yet been set.
“It will be worth waiting as KARA and experienced director Kim will create a fresh new trend,” the production company for the play said.
The drama will be translated into different languages and then distributed in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other countries in Asia.
Meanwhile, Park Gyu-ri of the group donated 670 kilograms (1,477 pounds) of rice to people in need through a charity last week.
She received the rice as gifts from overseas fans who wanted to congratulate the star on taking part in the drama “Nail Shop Paris.”
Swansea City midfielder Ki Sung-yueng posted his thoughts about his upcoming marriage to actress Han Hye-jin on his Facebook account on Friday. Ki, who will tie the knot with the actress in July, wrote, "I fell in love with her at first sight and instantly thought of marrying her."
"Things have gone smoothly ever since, and we decided to get married in a flash," he said, denying online rumors that Han is pregnant and their hasty wedding plans have something to do with that.
On having both of their initials marked on his football boots, Ki wrote, "All I wanted to do was show my love for her." He added that he regretted accidentally putting her in the purview of the rumor mill.
Thy first met when Ki appeared on the SBS talk show "Healing Camp," which Han co-hosts, and they announced in March that they were dating. They will wed this summer.
TVXQ pose during a fan meeting at Cheongdong, Seoul, May 16. / Korea Times
Pop duo TVXQ has successfully completed the Malaysian leg of its world tour, talent agency SM Entertainment said on Monday.
U Know and Max put on a powerful performance on Saturday, wowing fans at the Melawati indoor stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The duo opened with “Rising Sun,” following it with such recent hit songs as “Catch Me” and “Humanoids.” They performed a total of 26 songs including favorites such as “Why” and “Mrotic.”
The Malaysian fans waved pearl red neon sticks, and sang along in Korean, SM Entertainment said. The previous day, fans packed the airport to greet U Know and Max at their arrival in Kuala Lumpur.
TVXQ will continue the “TVXQ! Live World Tour-Catch Me” performing at five major domes across Japan.
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- A crime thriller by South Korea's acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook will get remade for American audiences, a Korean film studio involved in the project said Tuesday.
CJ E&M said it has decided to co-produce the remake of "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" with three Hollywood studios -- Silver Reel, Lotus Entertainment and Di Bonaventura Pictures.
Released in 2002, "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" is a dark, disturbing tale about a young girl's kidnapping and her father's quest for merciless revenge.
It is the first installment of Park's revenge trilogy but became the third in the trilogy slated for a remake.
The second and final installments -- "Oldboy" and "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" -- are being made into Hollywood remakes.
Directed by Spike Lee and starring Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Olsen, the American version of "Oldboy" is scheduled to open in North America in October.
The remake of the "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" is also underway.
Charlize Theron's film company Denver & Delilah Films announced late last year that the American version of the film is moving forward with Academy Award-winning screenwriter William Monahan on board to adapt.
Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon’s Maybach has a prestigious brand image.
Sexy icon Lee Hyo-ri’s Nissan Cube caused a fad for box cars.
JYJ Kim Jae-joong’s Lamborghini boasts of speed and power.
When actress Lee Ji-ah was reported to be involved
in a car accident last month, public attention instantly went to her car.
After her short-lived popularity, Lee had barely been spotted in the public eye. Yet the actress was driving an Italian luxury Maserati Quattroporte sedan.
Rumors circulated on the internet that it costs 30 million won ($27,000) just to replace her damaged bumper.
As everything about celebrities draws public attention, cars are not an exception.
Pop icon Lee Hyo-ri is believed to have driven the country’s love for box cars after been seen driving a white Nissan Cube before they were even on sale domestically.
The model was dubbed the “Lee Hyo-ri Car,” inspiring a fad for box cars.
When a picture of Kim Tae-hee meeting Rain surfaced on the Internet, netizens were quick to note the car she was driving.
Although celebrities claim they drive domestically-manufactured cars, they are found to opt for luxury imported cars more often than not.
Star couple Cha In-pyo and Shin Ae-ra, for instance, were given Hyundai’s first Genesis Prada model on its launch day. The car became the talk of the town when it surfaced on the used-car market within a year, battering Hyundai’s image severely.
“Young celebrities are tempted to be showy and chase imported luxury cars,” said Kim Jin-pyo, rapper and host of “Top Gear Korea,” in a recent interview.
“Some buy expensive cars because they can afford to do, but those are just a small part of all the people in the entertainment industry,” added Kim.
Celebrities known to have established their names in the fields of acting, singing and business management tend to drive luxury sedans.
Actor Bae Yong-jun; Yang Hyun-suk, CEO of YG Entertainment; and veteran singer Lee Seung-chul chose Maybachs. One of the most expensive sedans manufactured by Mercedes-Benz, they cost more than 780 million won ($700,000).
Other former owners of this model include Lee Kun-hee, Samsung Electronics chairman and Bill Gates, Microsoft CEO.
“The owners of this type of car like to distinguish themselves from the nouveau riche and tend to give the impression they are from prestigious families with tradition,” said an imported car dealer in Seocho, southern Seoul.
Recently Brave Brothers, a top producer of K-pop icons such as Big Bang, After School and Sistar, purchased this model also.
Members of K-pop boy bands and actors known for their masculine images tend to prefer racing cars. By purchasing such vehicles, they aim to associate themselves with the powerful and speedy image of their cars.
All three members of JYJ drive racing cars, whose maximum speeds are over 300 km/h. Kim Jae-joong, leader of the group, has a Lamborghini Murcielago that can reach 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, with a maximum speed of 330 km/h.
The other two members, Park Yoo-chun and Kim Jun-su, drive Ferraris.
Actor Park Sang-min, who featured in the drama “Incarnation of Money,” also owns a racing car. His choice was a Lamborghini Diablo.
Since he bought the vehicle in 2006, it has topped the list of most expensive celebrities’ cars for eight straight years. It price tag is about 1 billion won ($900,000).
Not all celebrities buy super cars. Most of the stars in MBC’s variety show “Infinite Challenge” are fans of domestically manufactured cars. Show host Yoo Jae-suk drives Hyundai’s Genesis Prada for personal use and Kia’s Carnival for TV schedules, while co-host Haha also drives a domestically manufactured small car.
Another co-host of the show Noh Hong-chul is famous for the unique design of his car. Known as the “Hong Car,” it looks as cheerful as the entertainer, with his picture plastered all over the car.
Tiffany of Girls’ Generation owns a GM Korea Chevrolet Spark. When she briefly mentioned she would buy a “one-and-only pink small car,” speculations ran rampant on the Internet about what would be her choice. They shortened the list to two imported cars, but Tiffany bought a domestically manufactured car.
Choi Min-soo performs at the Rolling Hall in Hongdae on Monday. (Yonhap News)
Iconic tough guy Choi Min-soo held a showcase titled “Let’s play Min-soo” as a member of rock band 36.5 degrees at Rolling Hall in Hongdae on Monday. As vocalist of the band, he performed a number of songs, including originals “Smoky Mountain” and “Rusty Bike Saddle” in his unique and captivating voice.
“There is no formality at a play ground. Positions are meaningless when you are having fun. When you’re in the mood, you party together,” Choi said at the event. He added, “Formats are only there to give credibility. This is where you can make great relationships without any ulterior motives, because we can rely on each other’s friendship, love and passion without having to say it out loud which is embarrassing.”
The showcase was hosted by comedian Lee Byung-jin and featured special performances by Azalea Band and rock singer Kim Jung-min.
Choi Min-soo and his band will embark on a nationwide tour starting with concerts at Yonsei University in Seoul on June 29-30.
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