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April 8, 2013
Ga-in to pair with Jo Hyung-woo of 'Great Birth' fame
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Ga-in of girl group Brown Eyed Girls released a duet album with former audition contestant Jo Hyung-woo of “The Great Birth” on MBC yesterday through major local music charts.
In a new album titled “Romantic Spring,” the two included four songs including the title track named “Brunch,” an acoustic ballad song.
Composed by Jung Seok-won, the song expresses the excitement and happiness of couples who share even the littlest details together.
Other member of the group, Jea, also contributed her talents in composing a song named “Date at 2 O’clock.”
Jo also composed one song “Would You Show Your House” in the new album.
“This album will show characters of Ga-in that were hidden behind her powerful performance until now,” said her agency. |
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April 8, 2013
'Lee Soon Shin' breaks previous viewership record, squashing worries
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
The much-talked-about KBS weekend drama “You’re the Best, Lee Soon Shin” again recorded the highest-ever viewership rate over the weekend.
It marked 27.3 percent of daily viewership rate on Sunday, according to Nielsen Korea, 1.4 percent higher than the previous record.
The rate was also the highest of all programs that went on air on Sunday.
Such record dispels the previous worries that the drama would not be able to follow the hugely popular “My Daughter Seoyoung,” which recorded a whopping 50 percent viewership.
Although the drama is gaining steady attention, it has been also under criticism that the drama relied too much on singer IU’s character to form a storyline. It’s been said that no other characters are conspicuous and yet developed in the drama.
The drama depicts how IU grows to be a top celebrity. |
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April 8, 2013
Gong Hyo-jin likes dirty language in film
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Gong Hyo-jin decided to take part in the movie “Aging Family” because she can curse as much as she wants, she said at a press conference yesterday.
“The role requires constant cursing and violence,” she said.
“I felt some sort of catharsis when cursing. When would an actress get a chance to do such a thing?”
In the movie based on a novel of the same title, author Chun Myeong-gwan depicts a family of two sons and a daughter.
Mi-yeon, played by Gong, is the youngest at 35.
Two brothers in their 40s and Mi-yeon live with their mother under one roof and struggle in the movie.
Park Hae-il of movie “Eungyo” (2012) and Yoon Je-moon of TV drama “The King 2 Hearts” (2012) play the brothers. The movie will be released in local theaters next month. |
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April 8, 2013
Ok Taec-yeon to appear in 'The Nights Before Wedding'
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Ok Taec-yeon of boy band 2PM will make his debut on the large screen as he has been cast in the movie “The Nights Before Wedding.”
The film features different stories about four engaged couples a week before their weddings.
Ok will pair with Lee Yeon-hee of 2008 TV drama “East of Eden” and 2011 movie “My Way.” Lee also appears in MBC drama “Gu Family Book,” which started its run yesterday.
He will play a chef named Won-chul, the fiancé of nail artist So-mi, played by Lee. Ok will struggle as his fiancée finds a new love.
In the romantic comedy directed by Hong Ji-young, who made his debut in 2009 with “Kitchen,” there will also be many other big name stars including Ko Jun-hee of recently ended TV drama “King of the Ambition” and Kim Kang-woo of TV drama “Haeundae Lovers.” |
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April 8, 2013
Psy to film music video of 'Gentleman' in and around Seoul
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
World star Psy plans to complete filming of a music video for his upcoming song today after a three-day run, according to a local media report.
Psy has traveled to places in Seoul and neighboring cities to shoot a music video for “Gentleman” with members of reality TV show “Infinite Challenge” and Ga-in of girl group Brown Eyed Girls.
It has been said that some of the celebrities featured in the sensational “Gangnam Style” video including Yoo Jae-suk and No Hong-chul again take part.
Meanwhile, he took a break from shooting yesterday to become an honorary spokesman for Asiana Airlines. He will contribute his talent to promoting the company. In return, Psy will fly high class on Asiana flights for a year when he travels. |
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April 8, 2013
E Jiah involved in late-night car crash
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
A car owned by actress E Jiah crashed into a police car on Saturday, according to a report by Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily.
At the time of the accident, E was in the car and her designated driver drove into a police vehicle patrolling in Nonhyun-dong, southern Seoul.
No one was injured, but the bumper of E’s Maserati was damaged.
It is known that E had drinks with her acquaintances earlier that night and called a designated driver service to go back home before the accident.
The driver stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake as he was turning right on one corner in the neighborhood as the driver was not familiar with how to maneuver the luxury car, an eyewitness said.
The witness said the police checked on the condition of the driver and E, but E did not leave the car.
The driver spoke to the police as E left the scene in another car.
The witness said that E seemed a little tipsy and quite shocked. |
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April 9, 2013
Psy Gets Asiana Flight Privileges
ChosunIlbo
Psy has signed a sponsorship deal with Asiana Airlines. The airline will provide the rapper with free first class tickets for one year.
Psy (center left) poses with Asiana Airlines CEO Yoon Young-doo and flight attendants after being appointed a promotional ambassador for the carrier in Seoul on Monday. /Newsis
"We hope to contribute to spreading K-pop abroad through this sponsorship," said the company's president Yoon Young-doo. |
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April 9, 2013
Actress Lee Ji-ah in Fender Bender
ChosunIlbo
Actress Lee Ji-ah's expensive Italian sports car was involved in a fender bender with a police car over the weekend. Gangnam police said Monday that Lee called a driver to take her home in her Maserati after a night of drinking with friends on Saturday in the trendy Cheongdam area of southern Seoul.
But the driver ended up rear-ending a police car after mistakenly stepping on the accelerator instead of the brakes.
One police officer in the patrol car hit his head on the dash board and was slightly injured. Lee, who was in the car, left the scene shortly after the collision, according to police. She was unharmed.
Lee married pop legend Seo Tai-ji in 1997 when she was just a teenager but divorced him in 2009. Their marriage, which had been a closely guarded secret, became public in 2011 when Lee filed for a multi-million-dollar settlement.
The accident damaged the front fender of Lee's Maserati, which costs W190-240 million (US$1=W1,141). Rumors spread quickly that the repair cost alone would amount to W30 million and the driver would have to cover the expenses.
Lee Ji-ah's Maserati hits a police car on Saturday night. /Courtesy of Gangnam Police Station
But a spokesman for Lee's agency said insurance should cover it. A spokesman for Lee's auto insurance company firm said the coverage limit is W30 million and that the driver would have to pay for the rest.
The driver told the Chosun Ilbo that his heart sank when he heard the sound of the impact. "I wasn't nervous or anything because I've driven expensive cars during my six years on the job, including Bentleys, but I think I made the mistake since the accelerator and brakes are closer together in Maseratis than in other cars," he said. "I don't know how much I'll have to pay. All I can do is pay for it in installments." |
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April 9, 2013
TV show host makes public apology for illegal gambling
YonhapNews
SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Kim Yong-man, a comedian-turned TV show host accused of illegal gambling, admitted to most of the charges brought against him and apologized in public on Tuesday.
Kim, 45, is facing trial over suspicions that he had bet a total of 1.3 billion won (US$1.14 million) on at least two illegal sports betting Websites from January 2008 to May 2011, according to prosecutors.
After the suspicions were raised late last month, Kim stepped down as hosts of KBS's talk show "Do Dream," MBC's "Section TV" and SBS's nighttime talk show, "Star Couple Show Darling."
"I bow and sincerely apologize to many of those who loved me for disappointing them," Kim said in a statement. "I'm also sorry for being unable to quickly express my position."
He then vowed to accept any punishment for his wrongdoing, which he said is "even unacceptable to myself for any reason." |
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April 9, 2013
Comedian promises scholarship if film succeeds
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Comedian Lee Kyung-kyu made a pledge yesterday hoping the movie he invested in will attract more than 3 million attendees at the press conference for the film “National Singing Contest.”
“I will donate 100 million won [$87,950] to foster prospective directors when the movie has more than 3 million viewers,” said Lee. “That scholarship will be given from my own pocket, not from the proceeds the movie makes.”
The movie, inspired by a 32-year-old TV program of the same name, will be released in Korea on May 1.
The longest-ever Sunday TV program in Korea has had numerous contestants singing on stage, sharing some touching and moving stories. The movie is composed of recreated anecdotes given by each and every contestant. |
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April 9, 2013
Yu Ho-jeong to host healthy food and lifestyle TV 'Olive Show'
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Actress Yu Ho-jeong, well known for the role she played in movie “Sunny” (2011), will become an emcee for the first time in her 22-year-long entertainment career. The show she is set to host is dubbed “Olive Show” on cable channel O’live, a food and lifestyle network. Yu will introduce trendy issues regarding healthy eats.
“As Yu has been known as a lifestyle mentor among entertainers, many have rising expectations [on the program] which Yu will be an emcee,” said CJ E&M in a release yesterday.
Yu expressed her excitement over the new step.
“It is my first time leading the show, and I’m happy to share tips everyone can sympathize with,” said Yu.
“I will do my best to deliver some quality information through the program.”
The pilot of the weekly show will go on air on Tuesday. |
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April 8, 2013
MC Mong praises normal life
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Rapper MC Mong, whose real name is Shin Dong-hyun, talked about his life on a television program for the first time since the long legal battle regarding his military exemption.
“I have been well,” said the rapper on Friday’s “Entertainment Exclusive” show on cable network JTBC, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily.
“I have put everything down for a moment and have been experiencing different things in new places, sharing more time with my family to [make up] for lost times.”
The entertainer was convicted of extracting healthy teeth to evade mandatory military service, starting with his first physical examination for the military in 1998. He deferred service six times and had 12 teeth pulled by five dentists.
He was given a one-year suspended jail term, but the Supreme Court acquitted him last May, ending a nearly two-year legal process.
“I’m thankful that I can have this normal life. I feel happy,” he said. |
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April 9, 2013
So Ji-sub and Gong Hyo-jin to play lovers in 'Sun of the Master'
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
So Ji-sub and Gong Hyo-jin may become an item in upcoming SBS drama “Sun of the Master,” according to local media reports yesterday.
The production agency of the drama was quoted as saying that it has offered a cast to the both. It added that the two actors have answered that they are positive about taking the offer.
As the two had never acted together in a piece, more attention has been put on the news if this will be the first.
The drama, which has not been scheduled for the exact air date, is a romantic comedy with some horror factors. It depicts a story between a girl that sees ghosts and a man trying to protect her.
The story is written by the widely known Hong Sisters, Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, who have previously produced hit dramas “You’re Beautiful” (2009) and “The Greatest Love” (2011). In the later drama, Gong played a leading character. |
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April 9, 2013
Kim Tae-woo to appear on 'Knee Drop Guru'
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Kim Tae-woo of recently ended SBS drama “That Winter, the Wind Blows” will appear as a solo guest on the MBC talk show “Knee Drop Guru.” This is the first time that Kim will appear as a solo guest on a talk show.
He garnered popularity for his role as a rascal that harasses Zo In-sung for money.
He filmed “Knee Drop Guru” yesterday in Ilsan, Gyeonggi, and his segment will be aired within the month.
In the talk show, he shared stories about his acting career, which began in 1996 on KBS.
He also discussed his decision to marry his first love in order to show his more humane side. |
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April 9, 2013
Joo Won set to perform in musical
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor Joo Won, who gained wide recognition after staring in the drama “Bread, Love and Dreams” in 2010, will perform in a musical, breaking a four-year hiatus since “Spring Awakening” in 2009.
“Ghost,” which will be produced by Seensee Company, has finalized its 26 cast members after a two-week audition period in January.
The musical based on the Hollywood hit movie of the same title will be recreated with some computer graphics and magic tricks to suit the stage performance.
Joo will play Sam Wheat, played by Patrick Swayze in the film, in the show starting on Nov. 26 at D-Cube Art Center in Guro, southwestern Seoul.
Joo’s counterpart will be singer Ivy as Molly Jensen, played by Demi Moore in the original. Ivy performed in the musical “Chicago” last year.
Last month, he was cast as a lead actor in the movie “Only You.” The news came as a surprise to the movie industry as he has only filmed two movies thus far. He took part in “Special Investigation Unit” in 2011 and “Don’t Click” in 2012. |
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April 9, 2013
Koreans come home in Chinese films
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Chinese films starring top Korean celebrities will soon hit theaters at home. “The Warring States,” starring Kim Hee-sun, will be released in Korea on May 9. It was first released in China in 2011.
Kim plays a character named Pang Fei, the queen of Wei. It was her first movie in eight years after “Myth” (2005).
A little before Kim’s comeback, actor Kwon Sang-woo will also come to theaters in romance film “Shadows of Love.”
The movie, scheduled to be released on April 25 in Korea, was shown last year in China.
In the movie, Kwon plays a couple with Cecilia Cheung as Kwon asks florist Cheung from a poor family to become his girlfriend for a week because she resembles his former lover.
Kwon also appears in another Chinese movie produced early this year.
“Chinese Zodiac,” directed by and starring Jackie Chan, came out in February. |
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April 9, 2013
Celebs build up wealth with '2nd' job
By Park Si-soo The Korea Times
.jpg)
A hotel in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, owned by Big Bang’s leader
G-Dragon.
.jpg)
Another Big Bang member
Seungri, left, who runs three dance academies.
.jpg)
JYJ’s member Junsu cutting a ribbon during the inauguration ceremony of his hotel on Jeju Island.
.jpg)
2PM’s member Chansung who runs a fitness center in Seoul.
/ Korea Times files
Life comes to an end, as does fame. And entertainers are well aware of this, so they take action before it happens.
There are lots of celebrities here who make extra money from “second” jobs. For some, the estimated income from these is much larger than that from their primary career.
The most popular sector in which to make a secondary income is the hospitality industry since their public awareness is a strong tool for marketing without costs. In fact there are several celebrities who have accumulated massive wealth with their own restaurants that rapidly flourish with franchised outlets.
For female entertainers, Internet shopping malls, mostly specializing in clothes and beauty products, are one of the most popular businesses they set up. The reason is the same: easy promotion of the company and goods for sale using their own public image. With media regulations eased, some show up on the small screen wearing and applying products they sell.
Idol stars are not an exception. Though their popularity is still high with no immediate sign of receding, those who know the short-lived nature of the industry have ventured into new territory. Young entertainers in their 20s dodge typical options; they select what gives them personal satisfaction and money at the same time.
Popular five-member boy band Big Bang is well known for having members who run their own businesses.
Seungri runs a dance academy in his hometown of Gwangju, teaching dancing to wannabe stars. Despite his busy schedule, the 22-year-old frequently visits the city, nearly 300 kilometers south of Seoul, to teach students and deal with other administrative affairs. The academy has two domestic branches, one in Incheon and the other in Daejeon. He is reportedly considering opening an overseas branch in China where the band receives rock star treatment.
“I opened the academy to live without worrying about money after retirement,” Seungri said.
Chansung, a member of another boy band 2PM who is famous for his well defined six-pack and musculature that earned him the nickname “beast,” runs a fitness center in Gangnam, Seoul. Shindong of 13-member boy band Super Junior owns two name-sake Internet gaming centers in Seoul.
There are several idol stars who make sizable investments in real estate to seek big returns. Big Bang’s leader G-Dragon built a hotel valued at nearly 1 billion won ($880,000) in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, last year. Reportedly the 24-year-old designed the building and determined its interior concept based on his experiences of working at a hotel when he was younger. The hotel is managed by his father.
Pop group JYJ’s member Junsu is pushing forward with a bigger hotel project. His hotel — a four-story building with 65 rooms — is now under construction in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. It’s located near the waterfront so that guests will have “beautiful ocean view,” said a realtor familiar with the project. “The hotel is expected to become a tourist attraction for JYJ fans.” The hotel will be completed by June and his father will manage it.
Goo Hara of girl band KARA, which rocks Japan, purchased a luxurious three-story villa in Seoul for 1.1 billion won last year. She sublets it for a handsome monthly rental fee.
Singer BoA is famous for having multiple buildings whose combined value is more than 8 billion won — one of the buildings in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, is valued at 2.8 billion won and another one in the same district is priced at 2.5 billion won. The 26-year-old also owns a ranch and a villa on the outskirts of the capital, whose value is estimated at 3 billion won.
Actor Song Seung-heon owns a franchise family restaurant, Black Smith, in Sinsa-dong, Seoul. Model-turned-actor Hong Seok-cheon, who was once kicked out of the TV drama industry after coming out as gay in 2005, runs seven crowded restaurants in Itaewon.
Many actresses and female singers have opened Internet shopping malls. Some of them, including singer Baek Ji-young, Kim Joon-hee and actress Jin Jae-young, were punished by the state fair trade regulator for running fraudulent promotional campaigns.
“It may be easy for them (celebrities) to have a good start thanks to their popularity,” said singer-turned-wedding consultant Kim Tae-wook. “But they will see their business collapse if they rely on it too much. It’s a totally different ballgame.” |
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April 10, 2013
K-pop stars rush to screens
Fans love it, but critics remain
By Kim Ji-soo The Korea Times
Lee Seung-gi, right, and Suzy, left, star in the drama “Gu Family Book” that airs Mondays and Tuesdays.
Yoon Eun-hye, a successful K-pop
star-turned-actress
Lee Seung-gi, who stars in the new TV drama “Gu Family Book,” wears so many hats that it’s hard to immediately decide what his real job is.
A decade after his debut, Lee is more known as a multi-tasking entertainer than a singer he is.
Following in Lee’s footsteps are hordes of K-pop “idol” group members. Former K-pop star has successfully transformed into acting including Yoon Yun-hye, formerly of Baby V.O.X. Yoon has branched out into directing as well. Another isPark Yu-chun of JYJ who now has a considerable filmography under his belt including the “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” (2010) and “Missing You” (2012).
The latest most prominent is Suzy of Miss A, who stars opposite Lee in the new drama. Last year she became the nation’s sweetheart with a role in the popular film “Architecture 101.” Her popularity continued, allowing the 18-year-old to grab the leading drama role. She remains more visible as an actress while the other group members — Fei, Jia and Min carry out their own solo activities.
The popularity of Lee andSuzy may well helped in the exports of the “Gu Family Book” to the Philippines, Hong Kong and Cambodia.And the popularity of these stars are the reasons that creators of dramas are tapping into the K-pop star pool.
Clicking onto weekend prime time dramas, people are likely to see a major K-pop star in the lead role.
K-pop star Park Yu-chun, second from left, in a poster for “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” / Korea Times file
On the KBS weekend drama “You’re the Best, Yi Sun-sin,” K-pop darling IU stars in the lead role of a young woman surprisingly finding her talent for acting after unsuccessful attempts to land a job. U Know of TVXQ recently starred in the drama “Queen of Ambition” that aired on the network SBS. JoKwon of 2AM is currently starring in “God of Office.”
So for fans of K-pop stars, Korean dramas are the latest playing ground of their dreams. Previously, it seemed that Korean musicals were the venue to get another up-close look at the stars, but TV dramas are now the dominant trend.
Acting is a hard job to break into, and the recent prevalence of K-pop stars going into acting compounds the problem further. About 520 actors are registered with the Korea Film Actors Association (KFAA), of which actors had to be a member up until the 1980s to appear in a film.
“Admittedly, the K-pop stars to a certain extent contribute to ticket sales, but the problem is they did not go through proper acting training,” said Pyon Won-hyug, director general of the KFAA. And because the size of the pie is limited, the more roles that K-pop stars take translate into small pool for the actors, he added.
Veteran Korean director Kang Woo-suk whose films include “Silmido” and “Hanbando” spoke critically against non-trained K-pop stars advancing into film and television dramas while appearing on a talk show Monday.
The report cards for a large majority of these dramas do explain why more broadcasters and television drama producers opt for the K-pop stars. U Know’s “Queen of Ambition,” recently closed with a rating of 25.8 percent.
The rating for “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” surpassed slightly over 10 percent but it had manic watchers that called themselves the “Seongpye.” The film “Architecture 101” recorded around 4 million in tickets sales, driven largely by the popularity of Suzy, fellow actors Ha Ga-in and Uhm Tae-woong said.The “Gu Family Book” is currently topping in ratings for the Monday/Tuesday slot. |
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April 10, 2013
TV personality Ko gets 5-year jail term for rape
By Kim Jae-won The Korea Times
Ko Young-wook
A Seoul district court Wednesday sentenced TV personality Ko Young-wook to five years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting minors and ordered him to wear an electronic anklet for 10 years after his jail term is served.
Ko, 37, a former member of the ’90s popular singing group Roo’Ra, was found guilty of a total of four accounts of rape and sexual assault of three teenagers in his home and car between July 2010 and December 2012. The age of sexual consent in Korea is 18 years old.
The Seoul Western District Court also ordered Ko’s personal information be made available to the public for seven years upon his release from prison. He is the first local celebrity to be ordered to wear an electronic anklet.
“The defendant committed the crimes against minors, abusing his status as a celebrity that draws attention and envy from the young,” the court said in its ruling.
“His perception of sex is also twisted and he seems to have little patience because he committed crimes even during a period when he was under investigation by prosecutors.” |
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