Midweek roundup: In case you missed it
Choi Jong-hoon drunk-drove his way out of the sitcom “Blue Tower.” / Korea Times file Han
By Kim Tong-hyung
Here’s your midweek update on stories in entertainment and the media you might have missed while preparing for a nuclear apocalypse, the next housing market blow-up, or because your life is probably a lot more fulfilling than others.
Drunk-driving funnyman booted from soldier comedy
Just weeks ago, comic Choi Jong-hoon was basking in the glow of his showbiz breakthrough. One drunk-driving incident later, the 34-year-old finds himself back on the jobless list.
Choi was starring as the main character Sgt. Choi in the tvN sitcom "Blue Tower,’’ which revolves around a group of soldiers serving their 22-month compulsory national service with the enthusiasm of the girl in ``Drag Me to Hell.’’
While the show’s popularity made Choi a household name and feel-good story, being a wardrobe assistant-turned-entertainer, he probably celebrated too hard.
In the wee hours of Saturday, Choi was found sleeping in his car that was parked in the middle of a four-way street in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. He was approached by police officers who asked him to blow into a breathalyzer. After he refused three times, they booked him without detention and canceled his license.
Choi issued an apology and pleaded that he be allowed to continue appearing on Blue Tower. The show’s creators decided against this and agreed to kill off the character after the next episode that airs on Wednesday.
In what will be his last appearance on the sitcom, at least for now, Sgt. Choi will be sent away to a military prison for abusing lower-rank soldiers and faking sickness to wiggle out of training. Talk about adding insult to injury.
Sol cries on TV for second consecutive week
SBS television Sunday aired the second part of Sol Kyung-koo’s appearance on its talk show ``Healing Camp,’’ where the actor finally addressed the malicious Internet rumors about his personal life, including those related to his messy divorce and second marriage to actress Song Yun-ah. He was seen sobbing again, which is probably a contract-obligation for celebrities appearing on this shameless tearjerker.
The 45-year-old actor stressed he has never been a cheater and Song was not a relationship-breaker. His turbulent marriage with his ex-wife was entirely his fault, Sol said, and had nothing to do with his current wife, who he married in 2009, three years after his divorce.
The verbal abuse Song continues to take from Internet users hurts him the most, Sol said.
"Is this a scarlet letter she has to carry throughout her life?’’ asked a tearful Sol.
Not that too many people cared. The viewer rating for the episode was measured at 7.3 percent, down from last week’s 8 percent.
Footballer, actress is country’s new star duo
Han Hye-jin and Ki Sung-yeung
These have been busy times in what we like to call the “Celebrity Circle of Love.”
Ki Sung-yeung, 24, the baby-faced Korea international midfielder currently playing for Swansea City in the English Premiership, is dating actress Han Hye-jin, 32, former girlfriend of R&B singer Naul. The couple didn’t confirm or deny rumors they will be getting married in June. Their babies would be so cute we could puke.
Horan, the vocalist from the band Clazziquai, married her college sweetheart at a hotel in Seoul on Saturday. Comics Kim Ki-ri and Shin Bo-ra, both who regularly appear on the KBS television sketch comedy show, Gag Concert, announced they were dating.
Goo Ha-ra, from the sexy girl group Kara, broke up with Yong Joon-hyung, a member of the boy-band Beast.
In more disturbing news, actor and singer Ryu Shi-won, who enjoys a massive following in Japan, is currently being investigated by police for threatening his ex-wife. Investigators didn’t elaborate, but said the conflict had nothing to do with financial or childcare support problems.
Come as you are
The late Kurt Cobain (1967-1994)
Middle-aged grunge lovers finally have an excuse to shamelessly hang in the clubs of the hip-and-happening Hongdae district.
The indie bands regularly performing in the area will dedicate this month’s Seoul Live Music Festival, a monthly event held at several different Hongdae clubs, to Kurt Cobain, the late leader of the alternative rock band Nirvana who killed himself in 1994.
Popular Hongdae bands including Broken Valentine, Trans Fixion, Yery Band and Lunafly will perform on April 27, playing some of Nirvana’s biggest hits such as ``Smells Like Teen Spirit,’’ ``Come as You Are,’’ and ``Lithium,’’ along with their own songs written for Cobain, according to organizer The Rolling Culture One.