The Korea Times

Louis Vuitton most sought by knock-off crooks

Criminals looking to forge luxury items have been seeking Louis Vuitton more than any other brand for their knock-offs.From 2009 until the first half of this year, the total monetary values of confiscated forged items bearing the brand reached a whopping 493 billion won ($483 million), according to the Korea Customs Service (KCS). Other high-culture brands included Cartier (220 billion won), Prada (206 billion won), Rolex (184 billion won), Channel (193 billion won), Gucci (161 billion won), Burberry (158 billion won), Nike (117 billion won), Hermes (95 billion won) and Bulgari (32 billion won).The data was submitted to ruling Saenuri Party Rep. Park Myeong-jae, who also works for the Strategy & Finance Committee under the National Assembly.Brand forgery crimes accounted for 86 percent of the total knowledge properties thefts reported during the same period, with 2,710 counts.

Sep 4, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

Louis Vuitton most sought by knock-off crooks

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“Grandfathers Over Flowers” to hit US shores

NBC is developing an American version of the hit Korean reality show “Grandfathers Over Flowers,” CJ E&M announced this week. The show brings together four actors in their twilight years and a younger celebrity to travel overseas together and encounter various challenges. Reports said the U.S. version is currently searching for actors to appear on the show. It is to be jointly directed by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who have been nominated for a total of eight Emmy Awards.  Small World IFT will distribute the show throughout English-speaking countries. “This shows that our ideas and quality are gaining a good reception by foreign networks,” said Lee Deok-jae, director from CJ E&M.CJ E&M previously the exported the show format of tvN’s “The Genius” to the Netherlands. 

Sep 4, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

“Grandfathers Over Flowers” to hit US shores

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Actor Jang Geun-seok faces tax evasion charge

The National Tax Service (NTS) is investigating whether actor Jang Geun-seok evaded taxes to the tune of 2 billion won ($1.96 million).  The NTS has ordered Jang’s management company in charge of his overseas entertainment activities to submit documents for scrutiny. NTS has so far confirmed that the company used foreign exchange channels to illegally funnel capital and traded with brokers based in both China and Korea based on forged documents. The company has been helping other Korean celebrities launch their overseas activities throughout the region as well.  Jang has had previously been alleged with tax evasion along with fellow entertainer Rain in mid-July but denied the accusation.

Sep 3, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

Actor Jang Geun-seok faces tax evasion charge

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Hallyu star admits beating girlfriend

Singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong has admitted to abusing his girlfriend on one occasion, police said this week.  Police in the Songpa district of Seoul said they questioned Kim on Tuesday in relation to charges that the abused his girlfriend four times between May and June.  According to reports, Kim reportedly admitted that on one occasion he struck his girlfriend during an argument. But he claimed he did not hit her in the other fights.  Police said they may summon Kim’s girlfriend for questioning. She reported Kim to authorities in August 20 and claimed that he should pay for six weeks of medical treatment that she underwent.  Kim debuted in 2005 as a member of a boy band SS501 and launched a solo career in 2010He is currently on a world tour, which will soon take him to Peru, Mexico and Japan.

Sep 3, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

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Film star Lee Byung-hun blackmailed with secret video

Lee Byung-hun in "Red 2"Kim Da-heePolice have detained two women for allegedly blackmailing film star Lee Byung-hun with a secret video on which the actor makes “sexually explicit” remarks. Gangnam police announced Tuesday that they had detained Kim Da-hee, 21, a singer in the girl group Glam, as well as another woman identified only as Lee (25) on the charges. The two allegedly blackmailed the actor to pay them five billion won ($4.9 million) for the video, which was apparently taken secretly while they were at the actor’s house.According to Lee’s management company BH Entertainment, Kim and Lee first met the actor through acquaintance and later visited his home.They allegedly secretly recorded the scene –including the reportedly controversial remarks -- and later threatened to leak the video online. Lee reported the two women to the police on August 28, and the police nabbed the suspects Monday. Lee is one of a handful of Korean actors who are well-known in Hollywood, starring in the “G. I. Joe” film series among other p

Sep 3, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

Film star Lee Byung-hun blackmailed with secret video

Others

Leaked photos of celebrity kiss goes viral

Leaked photos capturing actor Song Seung-heon and Chinese actress Liu Yifei kissing in public is going viral.The three photos include one that appears to have been taken outside. In another, Song wraps his arms around Liu’s waste.The source of the photos remains a mystery. Some think they were intentionally leaked as a promotional stunt for the project they are filming, “The Third Love.” Directed by Lee Jae-han, the film is slated to open next year.Song debuted in 1995 as a model for fashion brand Storm and has appeared in numerous television dramas and films. Liu debuted in 2002 and has been performing as singer, model and actress in China. 

Sep 3, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

Leaked photos of celebrity kiss goes viral

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Comedian lampoons smartphone addicts with internet cartoon

Yoo Sae-yoon, left, with Myuji as a farcical project duo band UV  Comedian Yoo Sae-yoon, 35, will make his debut as internet cartoonist, his management company Koen Group said Wednesday. His comic series, titled “U-turn,” will be featured on the web portal Daum (webtoon.daum.net) starting next Wednesday.The series is reportedly Yoon’s attempt to send a message about the modern, media-saturated society – and especially about the ubiquity of smartphones.  “I wanted to raise awareness on the uniqueness of today’s society, which is fed up with smartphones and moving with dangerous speed towards the future,” said Yoon, “so that people can appreciate offline happiness and live in the present.” Yoon conceived the idea for U-turn a year ago, and has worked with Daum since March. While he writes the storyline, a writer and an illustrator have been helping him.  “Viewers will start to see Yoon’s new talent as a serious cartoonist throughout this series,” the company said.

Sep 3, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

Comedian lampoons smartphone addicts with internet cartoon

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Pansori instructor rapes pupils, jailed five years

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sentenced a pansori (Korean opera) instructor to five years for raping his teenage students.The 55-year-old identified only as Choi will also be on a public watch list for 10 years.Choi, the principal of a traditional music school in South Gyeongsang Province, raped one of the victims in March 2010, who was 15, four times in his car and practice room.He sexually harassed a 10-year-old in 2011 and 2012.The court’s decision was based on the two victims’ testimonies, which it said could not have been so detailed unless had they not lived through the experience.

Sep 3, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

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Car crash kills idol singer, injures six

Ko Eun-bi from Ladies' CodeSinger Ko Eun-bi of girl group Ladies Code died and six others were injured when a van carrying the band crashed Wednesday morning in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The crash occurred in the emergency lane of Yeongdong Highway, near the Singal interchange, at around 1:20 a.m. The van slammed into a median wall.  Lee So-jeong, 21 and Kwon Rise, 23, also members of the five-piece group, sustained serious injuries. Other two members and two stylists suffered minor injuries. Police were investigating, though wet roads were cited as a possible cause. Ko, 22, is also known by the stage name Eun-bi.

Sep 3, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

Car crash kills idol singer, injures six

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For Chuseok deals, go to traditional markets

Shopping for Chuseok, the national Thanksgiving holiday, is cheaper at traditional markets than hypermart chain stores, a small business association said this week.  A study by the Small Enterprise and Market Service looked at the prices of staple Chuseok items. After polling 36 traditional market and 36 hypermarts, it found that the traditional markets were far cheaper.  Chuseok food shopping for a family of four cost around 268,009 won at hypermarts, which combine a supermarket with a department store. However, at traditional markets, the average cost was 213,553 won.  By item, vegetables cost 32 percent less at traditional markets, meat 25 percent less, seafood 19 percent less, and bean curd, rice cakes and traditional sweets and fruits 13 percent. Jujubes, dried persimmon, bean sprouts and bracken all sold cheaper in traditional markets as well, ranging from 21 to 44 percent cheaper. Traditional markets offering the most affordable shopping expenses included ones in Gwangju at 199,000 won, Daejeon (204,000 won), Gyeonggi Province (208,000 won) and North J

Sep 2, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

Ko Dong-hwan

Read more

Louis Vuitton most sought by knock-off crooks

“Grandfathers Over Flowers” to hit US shores

Actor Jang Geun-seok faces tax evasion charge

Hallyu star admits beating girlfriend

Film star Lee Byung-hun blackmailed with secret video

Leaked photos of celebrity kiss goes viral

Comedian lampoons smartphone addicts with internet cartoon

Pansori instructor rapes pupils, jailed five years

Car crash kills idol singer, injures six

For Chuseok deals, go to traditional markets

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