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March 25, 2013
Shin Hyun-joon has a new kids' book
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor Shin Hyun-joon announced the release of his second children’s book “Clown With Smile and Tear” yesterday.
“This is my second children’s book. Call me a children’s book writer,” Shin posted on his personal Twitter account along with a photo of himself holding his two books.
He also shared a life lesson in the message.
“To make dreams come true, [one] needs hope. And hope comes when [one] puts in effort. Dreaming without putting in any effort will never make the dream come true,” said Shin.
He tries to teach children that they can’t expect anything to come effortlessly.
Shin released his first book “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp” in November last year.
Meanwhile, Shin attracted public attention earlier this month after he announced his wedding plans.
In May, he will marry a woman 12 years his junior at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. He went public with the news on KBS’ “Entertainment Weekly,” where he is a host. |
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March 26, 2013
Kim Hye-soo to Forfeit MA Due to Plagiarism
The ChosunIlbo
Actress Kim Hye-soo has she is ready to forfeit her master's degree following a plagiarism scandal.
At a press event for her latest TV soap in Seoul on Monday she once again apologized for plagiarizing a substantial part of her master's thesis at Sungkyunkwan University in 2001.
"I belatedly realized I made a mistake and told my professor to follow the procedure to revoke it," she claimed.
She admitted that it would be appropriate for her to jettison the lead in the TV show, but since the soap starts airing in just a week, her departure would cause significant damage to the production.
"I'll do my best as an actress to recover the trust of the public," she said.
The Chosun Ilbo broke the story on Saturday. |
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March 26, 2013
Stars in Court Over Michael Jackson Killer Drug
The ChosunIlbo
Three actresses who appeared in court on Monday on charges of abusing the anesthetic Propofol, which became famous for killing Michael Jackson.
Lawyers for Jang Mi-inae said prosecutors failed to recognize the need for people in her profession to undergo painful treatments in order to maintain their beauty. Jang denies the charges, claiming she was given Propofol to numb the pain associated with Carboxytherapy, which involves injections of carbon dioxide gas into the skin to kill fat cells and improve elasticity.
Her lawyer said the actress tried exercising to lose weight but that failed, so she sought medical help.
Lee Seung-yeon admitted taking the drug but also maintains she did it for "medical purposes." Park Si-yeon is to give her statement in the next hearing.
From Left, Park Si-yeon, Jang Mi-inae and Lee Seung-yeon enter the Seoul Central District Court on Monday. /Newsis
Throngs of reporters gathered in front of the Seoul Central District Court. Asked if she admits the charges, Jang said, "I apologize for causing such controversy. I will prove my innocence." Lee said simply, "I'm sorry." Park had no comment.
Prosecutors indicted the three actresses earlier this month. Jang is charged with abusing Propofol 95 times between February 2011 and September last year, Park a whopping 185 times from February 2011 to last December, and Lee with abusing the drug 111 times over the same period.
Their trial starts on April 8.
Former TV host Hyun Young admitted the charges and was initially slapped with a W5 million (US$1=W1,114) fine for abusing Propofol 42 times between February and December 2011. She has now been ordered to pay W8 million. |
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March 25, 2013
Actresses deny abuse of propofol
By Kang Hyun-kyung The Korea Times
From left, actresses Lee Seung-yeon, Park Si-yeon, and Jang Mi-inae appear at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul to attend a hearing on charges of profopol abuse. / Yonhap
Jang Mi-inae, 29, and two other actresses have denied charges of abusing the anesthetic drug propofol at their first court hearing, Monday.
During the trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, an attorney representing Jang Mi-inae, 29, claimed that the actress received the shots of the substance only for medical purposes.
“The surgery to get rid of fat that Jang had undergone earlier caused a great deal of pain during and after the operation. Thus it was inevitable for Jang to get the shots to relieve her pain, according to her doctor’s prescription,” the attorney said.
Before entering the court, Jang told reporters that she was innocent.
Actresses Lee Seung-yeon, 45, Park Si-heon, 34, also denied the allegation.
An attorney for Lee admitted that she received propofol shots more than 100 times from February to September in 2011. But the attorney claimed that they were prescription drugs for medical purposes to kill pain while she underwent plastic surgery and afterwards for treatment.
Non-medical use of the powerful anesthetic is illegal here. It is said that many entertainers are addicted to the drug as it puts them to sleep instantly.
They are easily drawn to the drug because they spend a lot of time in clinics undergoing plastic surgery and other cosmetic treatments. The drug was a contributing factor in the death of Michael Jackson. |
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March 26, 2013
Son Ye-jin returns to the small screen
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Son Ye-jin will make a comeback to TV screen for the first time in three years since her previous work in "Personal Taste.”
In a new drama "Shark", Son will play the only daughter of a hotel tycoon named Cho Hae-woo. A charismatic and passionate Cho refuses to live a life as an heiress and becomes a prosecutor.
"I've chosen this drama as I was fascinated by the character and some in-depth story line," said Son, according to local media reports. "I would like to express all the emotions that the character Hae-woo has.”
The character later falls in love with a man who wants to take revenge on her for the collapse of his own family.
The male lead has not been set yet. The drama is scheduled to go on air in late May on KBS. |
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March 26, 2013
'Bride of April' Park Sol Mi, releases her photo in wedding dress
Source: Innolife Korea l Nate
Park Sol-Mi, who is going to get married with actor Han Jae-Seok, has changed into a white bride.
Park Sol-mi officially annouced the wedding with Han Jae-Seok in upcoming April, and she became the cover model of wedding magazine Instyle Wedding. With the cover, her dress pictorial took in Indonesia Bali was released. The pictorial shooting was held at a luxury resort in Bali. And in the pictorial, she showed off her beauty in various wedding dresses and evening dresses.
According to a person from Instyle Wedding, Park Sol-Mi's western beauty and delicate and charming dress fit perfect that all the staffs praised the combination. Especially, as Park Sol-Mi is having her weddig soon, she partcipated in shooting passionately. Meanwhile, Park Sol-Mi and Han Jae-Seok are havig wedding at Seoul W Hotel after dating of 3 years. [Photo=Instyle]
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March 27, 2013
Song Hye-gyo donates money for Braille brochure production for Independence museum
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Braille brochures for the Independence Hall of Korea will be printed thanks to actress Song Hye-gyo and scholar Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University.
Seo planned the process for the publication, and Song has foot the bill for the necessary costs.
“In local museums, not so many Braille brochures have been provided for the blind,” said Seo, speaking to local media.
“First we will provide 1,000 copies to the Independence Hall of Korea and then continue to publish more in the future.”
Song said she decided to take part in the project after she played a character who lost her eye sight after suffering from a tumor in the ongoing SBS drama “That Winter, the Wind Blows.”
“After I played a role of a blind woman, I realized how much difficulties they have to face in their daily lives,” said Song.
“To help them, I decided to support in publishing Braille brochures.” |
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March 27, 2013
Shinhwa members donate rice
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Junjin and Andy of Shinhwa donated 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of rice to local charity House of Peace.
Nanum Store, a social enterprise specializing in delivering packs of rice, revealed the good deed yesterday.
The two received rice packs from fans at a concert earlier this month to celebrate the group’s 15-year anniversary.
The rice is enough to feed 70 people for 15 days.
Officials at House of Peace said that they welcome the donation. |
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March 27, 2013
Junho decides against movie role
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Junho of 2PM has decided to scrap his plans to appear in the movie “Minority Opinion”, according to local media reports yesterday.
He was going to play a conscripted policeman but had to cancel as the filming conflicts with other engagements. 2PM is scheduled to make a comeback in May.
Junho also did not want to cut his hair short for the role.
In the movie that started filming last week, singer-turned-actor Yoon Kye-sang plays a leading role as a public defender who fights to establish social justice. Yoo Hae-jin plays a divorce lawyer who is a mentor to Jin-won, the character played by Yoon. |
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March 27, 2013
Ki Sung-yeung admits footwear love
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Han Hye-jin and Ki Sung-yeung
Footballer Ki Sung-yeung currently playing in the Premier League revealed on Twitter yesterday that he has been dating actress Han Hye-jin who is eight years his senior.
“I’ve been careful because we haven’t been dating for too long, but I wanted to be honest about us dating as we haven’t done anything wrong,” said Ki. “I’ve been thinking when to reveal [the news], and we will keep things happy.”
The speculation over their romantic relationship rose to the surface after an exclusive report by Ilgan Sports about Ki’s shoes inscribed with “HY SY 24.”
The number belongs to Ki in the English Premier League as he currently plays for Swansea City.
However, as Ki did not specify when they started dating, the public’s attention has now turned to the timing of Han’s breakup with Naul of Brown Eyed Soul.
Han dated him for nine years and announced that they broke up in December. Her agency was not able to be reached for further comment, according to Ilgan Sports. |
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March 27, 2013
Actress Kim thrives on plagiarism crisis
By Oh Young-jin Korea Times
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Three celebrities were recently caught for plagiarizing their Master’s theses.
Two were yanked from their television program but one not only survived but received extra kudos for the way she handled herself.
The survivor is Kim Hye-soo, a heartthrob that is awed by half of the male audience for her beauty and goddess-like physique and respected by the other for her smartness, if said with a degree of hyperbole.
The two dropouts are Kim Mi-hwa, a comedian-turned-socially conscious shock jock, and Kim Mi-kung, who has turned into one of the hottest stocks on the cable TV circuit for her pep talk shows.
Under the snobbish rule to evaluate one by one’s physical beauty, the two can’t hold a candle to the goddess-like actress.
Because of this striking difference between Kim and the two other Kims, one would simply believe that the actress got away unscathed from the same “crimes” she committed as those by the two because she is pretty.
The mundane saying goes, “One can get away with murder, if she (or he, to be politically correct) is pretty.”
With the least intention of advocating or condoning plagiarism, it is worth looking at the whole brouhaha from a risk-managing perspective.
One experienced risk manager objected to the simplistic verdict.
“Actress Kim trumped the other Kims in handling herself after it was made public that she plagiarized her thesis, which has made the difference,” he said.
As a matter of fact, the actress immediately issued a statement admitting to plagiarism. Then, on the next available occasion to meet the media, which came with the introduction of her new drama, she bowed her head in apology. Then, she returned her Master’s degree.
According to some reports, she received a round of applause in the news conference for her courage and cool manner in dealing with something that could be a career-breaking scandal for others.
Her new drama is expected to start as scheduled.
In contrast, the comedian vehemently denied that she plagiarized, saying, “If someone accuses me of stealing anothers’ studies, they should provide evidence that is systematically and scientifically relevant.”
“It is an attempt to defame me,” she was quoted as saying.
The pep talk artist reacted similarly, claiming that she was the victim of unfair treatment by the media.
“This is a classical case of risk management that showed how diametrically different the results can be, depending on one’s reaction to the same challenge,” the risk management official said. “Actress Kim has not just better looks but better brains over the other two, if you excuse my directness.”
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March 27, 2013
Footballer to take on reality program
Korea JoongAng Daily
An Jeong-hwan
Retired footballer An Jeong-hwan will explore Nepal with comedian Kim Byung-man and others in a new edition of SBS show “The Law of the Jungle.”
It is the first time for An to take part in an entertainment program as he has declined to appear on most television programs since his retirement in January 2012, according to Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily.
“The show shows how [members] overcome difficulties, and An has overcome poverty to be a top player,” said Jung Jae-hun, president of An’s management agency Moro Sports.
“The show will be a good chance for An to show the public his humane side that he’s kept hidden for so long.”
The members of the show plan to camp in a forest in southern Nepal near the border with India. They will also climb Annapurna in the Himalayas and play soccer with local children.
An will leave for Nepal on April 1 along with his fellow cast members and the production crew. |
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March 27, 2013
Ju Jin-mo pumped for 'Friend' sequel
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor Ju Jin-mo will come back to theaters in a sequel of the hit 2001 movie “Friend.” The same director, Kwak Kyung-tae, will produce “Friend 2.”
Ju will play Lee Cheol-ju, the father of Lee Jun-seok who is the fictional character played by Yoo Oh-sung in the 2001 film, according to Ju’s agency Fantasio.
“He will play a charismatic gang member from the 1960s and show his masculinity to the fullest in this work,” the agency added.
Ju also showed his gratitude for being part of the sequel, which will alternate between 1963 and the present, and show male characters that best summarize the generation.
“The movie is not just a plain story about gangs but shows the personality of each character,” said Ju. “I’m excited to work with the director for the first time in six years, and it will be a piece worth waiting for.”
Yoo from the original has also been cast and will be joined by rising actor Kim Woo-bin of SBS drama “Gentlemen’s Dignity.”
Kim will play the son of actor Jang Dong-gun. |
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March 28, 2013
Ki Sung-yeung, Han Hye-jin Go Public with Relationship
The ChosunIlbo
Footballer Ki Sung-yueng announced Wednesday that he is dating actress Han Hye-jin. On his way back to England after helping the Korean national team score a victory over Qatar in the final round of the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup, the 24-year-old midfielder told reporters that he is in love with Han, who is 8 years his senior.
"I do feel pressure from all the attention, but we are in love like anybody else," he said. "We have feelings for each other and we get a lot of energy from the relationship."
Ki apparently decided to announce his relationship with Han immediately after a news website caught the two together after the match against Qatar on Tuesday.
"In fact, I wanted to be open about our relationship and have been waiting for the right timing to make an announcement," Ki tweeted.
Rumors about their relationship had already circulated among fans as Ki appeared at a training session wearing shoes inscribed with "HJ.SY 24." Twenty-four is his number for Swansea City.
"I put initials on my football shoes. I did it for girlfriend," Ki explained.
The two first met at a charity football event hosted by the JS Park Foundation in Vietnam in 2011. Han was invited to help promote the event as she was hugely popular in Vietnam for her starring role in the MBC drama "Jumong"
They met again in August when Ki appeared on SBS talk show "Healing Camp," which Han co-hosts. "If I had a girlfriend like Han, I'd marry her instantly," Ki said on the show at the time.
Han admitted in December that she broke up with her boyfriend of nine years, singer Naul.
"We started going out in January. She makes me feel comfortable and supports me," Ki said.
Han also confirmed the relationship on the same day through her agency. "It's been two months since we started dating and we are getting to know each other." |
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March 28, 2013
Song Hye-kyo Opens Wallet to Help the Blind
The ChosunIlbo
Actress Song Hye-kyo has sponsored the publication of guidebooks for the blind at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province.
She covered all costs for the project organized by Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University.
Seo came up with the project after finding that braille guidebooks were unavailable at the site despite the large number of visually impaired visitors. Song joined the effort at his suggestion last November.
Song's role in SBS drama "The Winter, the Wind Blows" helped her better understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities, her agency said. She plays a blind heiress of a large company in the program. |
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March 28, 2013
Arthouse film 'Jeseul' trailblazing at box office
By Park Sui, Intern reporter The Korea Herald
The South Korean film “Jiseul” depicting the 1948 Jeju Massacre sold 42,300 tickets as of Thursday, an unexpected feat for the small-budget independent film.
The black-and-white movie features some 120 people who try to escape from the soldiers ordered by the Korean government to kill every Jeju villager living beyond 5 kilometers of the coast. The movie title was named after “jiseul,” which means “potato” in Jeju dialect. Jiseul was a staple dish for refugees in the film.
“’Jiseul’ deserves praise not only because it portrays the massacre, but it also showcases a unique filmmaking technique,” highly acclaimed Korean director Park Chan-wook said at the movie’s trade show on Mach 18.
The movie had a small budget of 210 million won ($190,000), part of which was raised through what is called crowdfunding. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and became the first Korean movie to win the prestigious award. |
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March 27, 2013
CNBLUE to hold additional concerts in H.K., Malaysia
By Bae Soo-min, Intern reporter The Korea Herald
CNBLUE will add two more concerts to the group’s world tour after selling out all the tickets for their stops in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
On Tuesday FNC Entertainment announced that the shows for the Blue Moon World Tour 2013 were sold out in the three locations.
Tickets for the 7,000 seats at the Hong Kong concert sold out in about five minutes, prompting the quartet to add one more show on May 10 in response to fan requests. Now the group will perform in Hong Kong for two days, on May 10 and May 11.
A promotional image of CNBLUE. (FNC Entertainment)
The group has also added Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to its itinerary. When CNBLUE sold out all tickets in Singapore, fans in Malaysia who weren’t able to get tickets sent in requests to FNC Entertainment to hold a concert in their country. The group will perform at Kuala Lumpur Stadium Negara on Aug. 24.
CNBLUE’s Blue Moon World Tour 2013 will start in Taiwan on April 6, followed by Singapore on April 13, Thailand on May 4 and Hong Kong on May 10 and 11. The tour will continue onto Seoul on May 25 and 26 before going to Australia on June 1 and the Philippines on June 15.
Meanwhile, in addition to the Asian countries that have been confirmed, CNBLUE also announced on Tuesday that they will soon confirm concert dates in Europe and the Americas. |
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March 28, 2013
Song Seung-heon sheds 'pretty boy' image
Hallyu heavyweight toughens up to play reformed thug in new drama
By Jean Oh The Korea Herald
It is hard to believe over a decade has passed since veteran actor Song Seung-heon earned his place in the Korean Wave firmament with the now-iconic “Autumn in My Heart.”
After Song melted many a female heart as the singularly devoted and sweet not-quite-brother to Song Hye-kyo’s ill-fated heroine, he went on to star in five more television dramas, most of which fell into the same genre that propelled him to international fame ― the heart-searing melodrama.
“A Man in Love” (working title) stars Song Seung-heon (left) and Shin Se-gyeong attend the drama’s press conference in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)
Song’s latest work is no exception, but, according to the 36-year-old actor, MBC’s upcoming “A Man in Love” (working title) is his roughest role to date.
Though he played a gangster in his popular small screen comeback “East of Eden,” Song said, “This character has it tougher than other characters I’ve played and that might be why I was drawn to this role.”
Confessing he wanted to shed his “pretty boy” image at the drama’s press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, Song put it quite simply that as a man well into his 30s he felt playing a man’s man was the right fit.
In this case, his man’s man is a cold-hearted loan shark, a thug who survives his boss’ betrayal and steps up from right-hand man to head of the gang, only to leave it all behind in the name of love and morph into a successful businessman.
The twist comes when his sweetheart, played by “High Kick 2” actress Shin Se-gyeong, betrays him for another man, leaving him bent on revenge, and suddenly it all becomes quite clear that “A Man in Love” is no picnic. It is a bona fide melodrama with all the requisite trappings ― unrequited love, betrayal and revenge.
While none of this is new to Song, the actor revealed that he had been gnawing over his role, worrying about it because it presented something of a challenge to him.
“What I am most concerned about is how to go about playing a thug who has never been in love and yet suddenly finds himself in love, having to express it in his own awkward way,” Song explained.
Indeed, portraying a man whose day-to-day life is steeped in high-stakes violence and yet who is in the dark when it comes to true boy-meets-girl love requires a certain complex duality that cannot be taken lightly.
Pulled off right, it would be a poignant role of the kind that could up Song’s star power, and judging from how costar Shin described his character as a “Daddy-Long-Legs” of sorts, it appears as though Song’s hero will display a sweetness that might just have viewers rooting for him to the end.
“A Man in Love” starts airing April 3 on Wednesday and Thursday nights on MBC at 9:55 p.m. |
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