The Korea Times

Pocari Sweat picks new face for ad

Up-and-coming actress Park Se-young has become the next pinup girl for Pocari Sweat, a sport drink from Donga Otsuka.The 24-year-old, who gained popularity by appearing in several hit TV dramas including “Love Rain,” will feature in the beverage’s new commercial that is set to air from April 6. The concept of the new clip has yet to be revealed.Many big names in the showbiz industry have made their debut or earned public awareness through Pocari Sweat commercials, including veteran actresses Kim Hye-soo, Son Ye-jin and Moon Chae-won.  Donga normally features a baby-faced woman in its commercials to highlight the beverage’s pure and premium image.Park appeared in the dramas “Love Rain” and “Equator Man” last year. Recently she co-starred in “School 2013.” 

Apr 3, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Lee Joon-gi's blog most visited in Japan

Actor Lee Joon-gi’s blog has become the most-visited on Japan’s largest blogging and social network site “Ameba,” his agency said Wednesday.His blog, titled “Jgtogether” topped the community’s hallyu (Korean wave) chart.It was inundated with fans who rushed to register membership and post congratulatory remarks.“Many fans requested through SNS services for me to open my blog in Japan,” the actor said in the blog.“I owe fans much for their unswerving support and now I am happy to have a channel to meet them.” The 30-year-old rose to stardom through the hit film, “The King and the Clown” (2005), and enjoys high level of popularity in Japan.Lee filmed a joint Korean-Japanese movie titled “Virgin Snow” in 2007 and his drama “Iljimae” was aired on a Japanese TV channel.   He recently finished serving his mandatory military service. JG Style documented his comeback on Mnet Japan, and was awarded the Grand Prize in the Korean wave category at the Skapa Awards 2012 in Jap

Apr 3, 2013By Park Jin-hai

People & Events

Jay Park to come back with new song 'Joah'

Jay Park, the former leader of boy band 2PM, released his music video teaser on YouTube, Friday for his new song “Joah.”“Joah” is the title song of the singer’s album under the same name to be released on April 10. The song is yet another sweet love song, following the previous songs “Count on Me (2010)”and “Girlfriend (2011),”according to his agency SidusHQ. Park’s album will come out nearly a year since his last album “New Breed,” and will include four to five songs. The American-born b-boy and dancer shot to fame between 2008 and 2009, as a member of boy band 2PM, but went solo in the aftermath of allegedly unfavorable remarks he made on Korea in 2009 on his social network account.The 27-second video clip, filmed in Seattle, starred Korean actress Clara.

Apr 1, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Psy's Seoul Plaza concert sets record

Singer and rapper Psy gives a free performance at the Seoul Plaza on Oct. 4, 2012.                                                                                                            / Korea TimesBy Park Jin-haiSinger and hallyu sensation Psy’s free concert at the Seoul Plaza last year has set yet another world record.The Korea Record Institute approved the concert in October 2012 as the largest “single mob dance” performed to the tune of “Gangnam Style.”An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people at the site joined Psy in his signature horse-riding dance.The institute viewed video clips and press releases prior to making the record official.“His concert let the world know of the passionate Korean culture as well as promoting national status,” said an institute official.T

Apr 1, 2013By Park Jin-hai

People & Events

Eugine launches her own beauty brand

 EugineEugine, a member of now-disbanded girl band S.E.S., launched her cosmetic brand, “drww,” Thursday. The 32-year-old unveiled an eye makeup kit, “Fit & Fix,” and a “Mix & Match” lip and cheek kit, at a beauty talk in Jangchung-dong, Seoul. “As a person who spent years in show business as well as being a beauty mentor, I wanted to create my own products that meet the needs of customers in terms of both design and function,” Eugine said. Eugine has been involved in the products from development to design. She is the host of the popular cable fashion program “Get It Beauty” and recently published her third beauty book offering tips to make do-it-yourself cosmetics.  She is also currently starring in the TV drama “100 Years of Inheritance” opposite actor Lee Jung-jin. Eugine’s makeup kits are scheduled to be sold through home shopping channels in mid-April.    Some 30 celebrities including her husband, actor Ki Tae-young, were present at the launch event. &nb

Mar 29, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

'Earth Hour' observed in Seoul

People sit at a Starbucks Coffee shop in Seoul lit by candles on Saturday night. The global coffee brand’s domestic unit took part in the “Earth Hour” campaign designed to reduce greenhouse gas emission. Courtesy of Starbucks KoreaBy Park Jin-haiThousands of local restaurants, cafes, and office buildings including Seoul City Hall were enveloped by darkness at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.  Instead of electric lights, eateries used candles.    This was not a blackout, but participation in the annual “Global Earth Hour Day,” organized by the World Wildlife Fund, where city councils urge local building owners and citizens to turn off lights to raise environmental awareness.  This year, under the motto of “I Will If You Will,” a total of 7,000 cities in 152 countries came out to highlight the adversities of climate change. In Korea, businesses as well as local governments held a series of events to remind the public of the importance of the environment.  Starbucks Korea turned off most of its electric lights in some 500 b

Mar 24, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

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Pocari Sweat picks new face for ad

Lee Joon-gi's blog most visited in Japan

Jay Park to come back with new song 'Joah'

Psy's Seoul Plaza concert sets record

Eugine launches her own beauty brand

'Earth Hour' observed in Seoul

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