The Korea Times

'Heart Signal' production team presents new audition show 'Stars Awakening'

From left, TV personality Jun Hyun-moo, singer Kang Seung-yoon, lyricist Kim Ea-na, singers Yoon Jong-shin, Lee Seung-hwan and Younha, dancer Noze, and producer Park Chul-hwan pose during an online press conference for the new audition show, “Stars Awakening,” in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Channel A Celebrity panelists will not be judges but mentorsBy Lee Gyu-leeThe production team of Channel A's hit reality dating show, “Heart Signal,” teamed up again to launch a new audition show, “Stars Awakening,” which premiered Thursday. “'Stars Awakening' is the show that will foster an icon of this era. It's the story of those who dedicate their young adulthood to their dream of becoming a star,” the show's chief producer, Park Chul-hwan, said during an online press conference for the new show, Thursday. The survival show invites 108 contestants, divided into three categories: vocalists, singer-songwriters, and K-pop idols. Using their specialty, the contestants will perfo

May 20, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

'Heart Signal' production team presents new audition show 'Stars Awakening'

Shows & Dramas

Reality shows raise concerns by zooming in on private lives of people

Reality show “Love Again” follows divorced celebrity couples reuniting and living under the same roof after their split. Courtesy of TV ChosunGlut of 'observational' reality shows leaves viewers scratching headsBy Lee Gyu-leeSince MBC's popular reality show, “I Live Alone,” was introduced in 2013 offering viewers an up-close look at the private lives of single celebrities, other programs that look into the lives of stars have become a staple of Korean television programming.Almost a decade later, such programs, which have been named “observational reality shows,” continue to be hugely popular with networks pushing out similar programs while attempting to find new themes and even expanding their cast members to include non-celebrities.However, such a rise has led shows to compete to get even more up-close into the lives of cast members, raising concerns about invading their privacy and causing side effects, especially on minors who are cast members appearing under the consent of their parents. Observational reality shows have had varying themes from

May 20, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Reality shows raise concerns by zooming in on private lives of people

Entertainment

Kim Sae-ron apologizes for her alleged DUI incident

Actress Kim Sae-ron / Courtesy of Goldmedalist By Lee Gyu-leeKim Sae-ron's agency, Goldmedalist, has issued an apology on behalf of the actress following news reports of her crashing her car under the influence, saying that she regrets her bad behavior. “We are truly sorry for causing concern with the incident that Kim Sae-ron caused while drunk driving,” it said in a release, Thursday. “Kim is deeply reflecting on her misconduct. (She) expresses her sincere apologies toward everyone who was affected because of this event … and has promised that she will do her best to make up the damage.”The 21-year-old actress made headlines Wednesday after getting caught driving under the influence on a street in southern Seoul at around 8 a.m. She allegedly bumped into several street lamp posts and guardrails with her car, eventually driving into an electrical transformer box on the sidewalk, which caused a power outage at 57 shops in the surrounding area for three hours.Accordi

May 19, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Kim Sae-ron apologizes for her alleged DUI incident

Shows & Dramas

MBC's 'Tomorrow' denies intentional use of BTS members' name, birthdates

A scene from MBC series “Tomorrow” which showed BTS member V's name and Jungkook's date of birth / Screenshot from the MBC series By Lee Gyu-leeLocal broadcaster MBC has denied allegations that the production team of its ongoing series, “Tomorrow,” used BTS members' information in one of the episodes for a “register of the deceased,” calling it a coincidence. The allegations surfaced when online users pointed out this week that the series' seventh episode, which aired on April 22, had BTS member V's name as well as V's and Jungkook's dates of birth in one of the scenes.The fantasy drama follows a grim reaper, Gu Ryeon (Kim Hee-sun), who leads a crisis management team at an underworld corporation. The team's job is to help struggling, suicidal people, rather than taking their lives, to give them a second chance in life.In the seventh episode, it showed the company having a technical system issue, leading people who just died and brought to the underworld to write the

May 18, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

MBC's 'Tomorrow' denies intentional use of BTS members' name, birthdates

Shows & Dramas

Yeo Jin-goo offers glimpse of his role in new series 'Link: Eat, Love, Kill'

Yeo Jin-goo plays the role of a chef in tvN's upcoming fantasy romance series, “Link: Eat, Love, Kill.” / Courtesy of tvN By Lee Gyu-leeYeo Jin-goo has offered a sneak peek into his new role as Chef Eun Kye-hoon in tvN's upcoming fantasy romance series, “Link: Eat, Love, Kill.” “I was drawn to how the series incorporates appealing elements from different genres, such as a romantic comedy, mystery, cooking and drama,” the actor said in a recent written interview released by the TV network. “The role of Eun Kye-hoon is unique and refreshing, so I decided to take on the role in 'Link.'”The new romance series revolves around a phenomenon between a man, Eun (Yeo), and a woman, Noh Da-hyun (Moon Ga-young), whose feelings are connected to share the same emotions. Eun runs a restaurant in a small town where his twin sister went missing about 20 years ago. Noh is an optimistic and kind woman who has been struggling to get a job. She finally gets to work at Eun's restaurant,

May 16, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Yeo Jin-goo offers glimpse of his role in new series 'Link: Eat, Love, Kill'

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW 'Monstrous' creator Yeon Sang-ho gives his thoughts on divided reaction

Creators Yeon Sang-ho, left, and Ryu Yong-jae wrote the Tving's new original series “Monstrous.” Courtesy of TvingOccult series revolves around small town swept up by supernatural phenomenaBy Lee Gyu-leeStar director and writer Yeon Sang-ho, known for directing the hit apocalypse film “Train to Busan” (2016) and Netflix's dystopian series “Hellbound” (2021), shared his thoughts on the polarizing reviews on his latest work, the Tving original series “Monstrous.”“Frankly speaking, there hasn't been a time when my work hasn't had split reviews. But I'm keeping track of the ratios (of those praising and criticizing),” the series' co-creator Yeon said during a recent interview with the Korea Times. “I review the factors that people responded positively and take them into account for my next work. It feels the trend and media platforms are changing every time I prepare my next project, so as an artist who makes works for the public audiences, it's not easy to predict and keep up with them.”The occult, suspense series,

May 15, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] 'Monstrous' creator Yeon Sang-ho gives his thoughts on divided reaction

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Ji Chang-wook nails magic, music and acting in Netflix's 'The Sound of Magic'

Actor Ji Chang-wook plays the role of a mysterious magician in Netflix's original series, “The Sound of Magic.” Courtesy of Netflix Actor says he could resonate with storyBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Ji Chang-wook has had to multitask performing magic, singing and acting, while taking on the role of a mysterious magician, Lee Eul, in Netflix's new original series, “The Sound of Magic,” which hit the streaming site on May 6. “Performing magic and singing was important but the character of Lee Eul itself was also important. And for the character, singing and showing magic was such an inseparable part (of the character) so I got a lot of help from people around me,” the 34-year-old actor said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. “I learned and practiced magic for about three to four months. Magician Lee Eun-gyeol helped me a lot to design the scenes where (Lee Eul) performs magic shows.”The fantasy musical series, based on the 2010 popular webcomic of the same name by Ha

May 12, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Ji Chang-wook nails magic, music and acting in Netflix's 'The Sound of Magic'

Shows & Dramas

Tving's 'Rose Mansion' to portray obsession, twisted desires of humans

Actors Lim Ji-yeon, left, Yoon Kyun-sang pose during an online press conference for Tving's new original series, “Rose Mansion,” Tuesday. Courtesy of TvingTving's new original series, 'Rose Mansion,' will premiere this FridayBy Lee Gyu-leeChang, whose real name is Yoon Hong-seung, the director of the local streaming platform Tving's new original series, “Rose Mansion,” says his upcoming suspense series will follow the deep twisted desires and obsession of people.“I wanted to tell a story with obsession as its theme. This series is about urges and obsessions. Each character is pulled toward their own obsession,” the director said during an online press conference of the series, Tuesday. The mystery thriller series, set to premiere on Friday, revolves around an apartment called the Rose Mansion that is about to undergo reconstruction. Ji-na (Lim Ji-yeon) is a hotelier who seems to have a normal life but suffers from insecurity. One day, her sister goes missing, leading her back to her family's home at the Rose Mansion, which she has been avoiding vis

May 11, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Tving's 'Rose Mansion' to portray obsession, twisted desires of humans

Shows & Dramas

Yoon Doo-joon picks up acting with 'Never Give Up'

Actor Yoon Doo-joon poses during an online press conference for the comedy series “Never Give Up,” May 4. Courtesy of ENA By Lee Gyu-leeSinger and actor Yoon Doo-joon, the leader of K-pop boy group Highlight, has returned to the small screen with the new comedy series “Never Give Up,” about four years after the romance series “Let's Eat 3” in 2018, resuming his acting career after completing his mandatory military service. “I really enjoyed the script of the series. I was grateful to work with the series' co-stars, who are all great actors,” Yoon said during an online press conference about the series, May 4.Led by Choi Do-hoon, whose previous work includes the 2019 thriller series “Possessed,” the new series, which premiered on May 4, revolves around restaurant owner Goo Pil-soo (Kwak Do-won), who is a patriarch in his 40s, and Jung Seok (Yoon), an aspiring entrepreneur in his 20s. Pil-soo is a former athlete who has had a tumultuous life, going through different p

May 9, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Yoon Doo-joon picks up acting with 'Never Give Up'

Arts & Theater

Film industry wishes for veteran actress Kang Soo-yeon's recovery

Actress Kang Soo-yeon was taken to a hospital after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest and intracerebral hemorrhage. Korea Times fileVeteran actress in hospital after cardiac arrestBy Lee Gyu-leeThe film industry and fans are pouring out messages of support for award-winning actress Kang Soo-yeon, wishing her recovery, as she remains unconscious after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home on Thursday.Kim Dong-ho, the former executive committee member of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), who is a friend of the actress, reportedly rushed to the hospital where Kang was transferred.“Her doctor informed the family that her condition might not get better even if she undergoes surgery, so they haven't decided whether to proceed with it,” he told local media.Adding that he met Kang about a week ago, Kim said, “She seemed to be fine … She would go to the hospital for checkups but she wasn't sick. I heard that she was planning to visit the United States soon.” The actress finished filming director Yeon Sang-ho's new Netflix film “Jung-E” e

May 6, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Lee Gyu-lee

Read more

'Heart Signal' production team presents new audition show 'Stars Awakening'

Reality shows raise concerns by zooming in on private lives of people

Kim Sae-ron apologizes for her alleged DUI incident

MBC's 'Tomorrow' denies intentional use of BTS members' name, birthdates

Yeo Jin-goo offers glimpse of his role in new series 'Link: Eat, Love, Kill'

INTERVIEW 'Monstrous' creator Yeon Sang-ho gives his thoughts on divided reaction

INTERVIEW Ji Chang-wook nails magic, music and acting in Netflix's 'The Sound of Magic'

Tving's 'Rose Mansion' to portray obsession, twisted desires of humans

Yoon Doo-joon picks up acting with 'Never Give Up'

Film industry wishes for veteran actress Kang Soo-yeon's recovery

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