The Korea Times

TVXQ meets fans on train ride

TVXQ meets fans in a special train trip on Monday.By Park Jin-haiThe K-pop duo TVXQ held a special on-train fan meeting, marking its 10th anniversary of debut Monday.During the one-day event, organized jointly by KORAIL and Synnara Media, some 180 lucky winners, out of more than 10,000 people who entered the event online, left for Goseong, South Jeolla Province. Reflecting TVXQ’s global popularity, fans from Japan, China, Thailand and Singapore participated the event.The interior of the “TVXQ Train” was adorned with pictures of Youknow Yunho and Max Changmin. On the train the duo visited each carriage and made on-train announcements. The duo will begin a Japan tour starting in Yokohama on April 22.  

Mar 25, 2014By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Kim's 'Super Brain' posts high ratings

The popularity of actor Kim Soo-hyun, who starred the “My Love From the Star,” apparently knows no bounds. The Jiangsu Satellite TV’s entertainment show “Super Brain” that Kim taped earlier in the month, aired Friday and garnered a record high viewership rating among all programs so far this year.  The episode ranked 2.65 percent viewership in 48 cities, pushing Hunan TV’s rival program “I am a Singer 2” into second place.   Top Chinese stars Jay Chou, Zhang Ziyi and Matilda Tao have already been guests on the popular show. Kim is currently on a tour of 9 cities and 7 Asian countries to meet his fans.  Major dailies have competed to report on every move of the new “hallyu” star, with some Taiwanese press reporting it live from his entry into the country.   The Chinese satellite TV station reportedly spent 1 billion won for Lim’s one-off appearance on the program.  

Mar 25, 2014By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Designer spreading K-style gospel

Designer Jung Du-young, 39, creative director of the Korean brand VanHart di Albazar / Korea Times photo by Park Jin-haiBy Park Jin-haiDuring the 2014 Seoul Fashion Week, one of the most notable trends was the diversity in men’s wear. Among the designers, who showcased their street, military and classic inspired collections, what stole the limelight on the opening day were Jung Du-young's creations.  To back ground music that mixed elevating piano sounds and electro house music, the 39-year-old creative director of VanHart di Albazar showcased some 40 pieces, inspired by surrealist Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico. He smartly incorporated the virtuoso's coloring and unbalanced composition in his tailored jackets, suits and coats. The black and grey suits had been pointed with blue, green brown, yellow and red color variations, with tailored layering.      "What is important is a designer's reinterpretation ability," Jung said during an interview with The Korea Times prior to the show at the brand's showroom in Gongdeok, centra

Mar 25, 2014By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Models rushing to small screen

Kim Woo-binTalent agencies tapping into models for next Kim Woo-bin, Lee Jong-sukLee Jong-suk Sung JunBy Park Jin-haiSeoul Fashion Week, which opened Friday, is the most coveted event not only for the fashion industry but also talent agencies looking for the next Kim Woo-bin and Lee Jong-suk, the successful models-turned actors.Although it is nothing new for models to break onto the small and big screens, for the last couple of years an increasing number is coming to prominence in TV dramas and films. They include Kim Woo-bin, Lee Jong-suk, Sung Jun and Ahn Jae-hyeon.Their slim physiques and fashion sense are helping them lead a new trend in the entertainment business.“Some 10 years ago, for male actors, 170 to 175 centimeters were considered ideal, since it fits within the camera angle nicely. That has changed. Now it seems like the taller you are, the more chances you have to land a leading role,” said an entertainment business insider."There was a time we saw a lot of K-pop singers-turned actors/actresses on the screen. In terms of business, the images those stars

Mar 21, 2014By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

K.will to perform with McKnight

K.will Korean R&B singer-songwriter K.will will hold a joint concert with American pop star Brian McKnight in May.Two singers will perform together on May 11 at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium, according to its organizer EWW. “The two will hold the separate performances followed by duet performance,” the agency said.Ticket sales will begin on March 24. McKnight is a world-famous R&B artist who has sold more than 20 million albums. He has previously performed with Big Bang’s Taeyang, Lim Jeong-hee, and Kim Bum-soo. Last year, he released a new album “More Than Words.”

Mar 21, 2014By Park Jin-hai

South Korea

NAHF to launch early history research team

Kim Hak-joon, president ofNortheast Asian HistoryFoundationBy Park Jin-haiThe Northeast Asian History Foundation (NAHF) will launch a special research team to study ancient Korean history. Kim Hak-joon, president of NAHF, held a press conference Monday, marking the second half of his three-year tenure, and announced that the state think tank will increase the number of its research staff and focus more on the currently underdeveloped study area.“We will organize a grand forum in May to discuss Korea’s early history with scholars having different views on it. Afterwards, we plan to institutionalize it,” he said. “To correct the colonial view of history, we tapped intellectual Shin Chae-ho’s pre-ancient history viewpoint.” Shin, under Japanese colonial rule, attempted to preserve Korea’s identity by setting up societies to research and promote Korean history, as well as the Korean language.The organization will dispatch researchers to sites in northeastern China to excavate relics of Korea’s pre-ancient era, as well. The NAHF’s Engl

Mar 18, 2014By Park Jin-hai

NAHF to launch early history research team

Shows & Dramas

More 'oldies' of K-pop to come back

By Park Jin-haiLast year was a remarkable year for music fans of oldies but goldies.In April, veteran singer-song writer Cho Yong-pil, 63, released his 19th album “Hello,” his first in a decade. Upon its release the single “Bounce” topped major music download charts, eclipsing Psy’s “Gentleman.”At the Korea Music Awards this February, “Bounce” was named Song of the Year and “Hello,” Record of the Year, beating out competitors such as idol group EXO.Prompted by his phenomenal resurgence, more of former stars are planning comebacks this year to a domestic music scene dominated by K-pop. They include Lee Seung-hwan, Seo Tai-ji and g.o.d., a few of whom are working with foreign musicians as did Cho on “Hello.” Lee Seung-hwan, dubbed the “King of Live,” is returning to the local music scene with his 11thalbum this year.Lee Seung-hwanLee Seung-hwan, 48, dubbed the “King of Live,” is one of the first to return to the local music scene. He is known to be putting the finishing

Mar 17, 2014By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Big Star debuts in Japan

Five-member boy band Big Star, the protégés of famous composer Brave Brothers, made their debut in Japan at a concert titled “Big Star Live Event In Japan” in Tokyo's Yakult Hall on Sunday, as part of a three-month tour of Japan. The band composed of ― FeelDog, BaRam, RaeWhan, SungHak, and Jude ― are scheduled to stay there over the next three months during which time they will give some 100 performances and meet fans across the country. “Since last year the members have been studying Japanese and now their language skills have improved to manage a concert,” said their agency Brave Entertainment.During the Tokyo concert, they sang some of their previous hit songs since their 2012 debut including “Hot Boy,” “Standing Alone” and “Thinking of You.”Prior to the concert, they also visited Tokyo Tower Records to meet and interact with people there. Meanwhile, their agency is in talks with major music labels in Japan to sign contracts.  

Mar 16, 2014By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

CL to appear in Psy's MV

2NE1’s leader CL2NE1’s leader CL will become the third muse for Psy’s upcoming music video, following 4 Minute’s Hyun-a and Brown Eyed Girls’ Ga-in. As Psy’s comeback gets closer, fans have been eyeing on who will show up in his new music video. The singers who had made previous appearances in “Gangnam Syle” and “Gentleman” videos all have risen to global stardom. According to the sources close to her, CL’s appearance, however, was not planned but done by accident. She showed up at the shooting site for Psy’s M.V. in support of her friend Snoop Dogg who has been participating in Psy’s video along with G Dragon. The Billboard in January reported Psy’s new music video and said “Anticipation is high for the K-pop king's forthcoming visual after earning 2012 and 2013's most watched YouTube video.” Meanwhile, CL has been collaborating with American singer-song writer DJ Skrillex’s new album “Recess” along with G Dragon. 

Mar 13, 2014By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

SHINee kicks off 3rd world tour

K-pop idols shine with larger-than-life concert in SeoulBy Park Jin-haiA giant antique clock on a massive LED screen counted down to the start of the show.Against the dark background, the five members of contemporary boy band SHINee showed up one by one, their fans’ shrieks filling the dome-shaped stadium.SHINee’s much-anticipated third world tour, SHINee World III, officially started with  two concerts at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul last weekend. The concerts were the band’s first in Korea in nearly two years.Jonghyun, Minho, Taemin, Onew and Key gave larger-than-life performances throughout the three-hour concert, making the fans’ two-year wait worthwhile.The band’s repertoire Sunday night included hits such as “Juliet,” “Lucifer,” “Ring Ding Dong” and “Dream Girl,” as well as Japanese songs and some new numbers.“We were greatly encouraged while preparing for the concert when we heard that all seats including those with partly blocked views were sold out,” SH

Mar 13, 2014By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

Read more

TVXQ meets fans on train ride

Kim's 'Super Brain' posts high ratings

Designer spreading K-style gospel

Models rushing to small screen

K.will to perform with McKnight

NAHF to launch early history research team

More 'oldies' of K-pop to come back

Big Star debuts in Japan

CL to appear in Psy's MV

SHINee kicks off 3rd world tour

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