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K-pop

K-pop girl band without Koreans to debut

Z-GIRLS, a K-pop girl band without Koreans, will debut on Saturday. Courtesy of Zenith Media ContentsBy Dong Sun-hwaZ-GIRLS, a K-pop girl band devoid of Korean, will debut on Saturday in the “Z-POP DREAM LIVE IN SEOUL” gig at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium, Seoul. The team, managed by Korean agency Zenith Media Contents (ZMC), released a music video teaser for the debut song “What You Waiting For” on its YouTube channel Wednesday.Visit Z-GIRLS' YouTube channel: bit.ly/2V90xAxThe group has seven members from various Asian countries ― Bell from Thailand, Priyanka from India, Joanne from Taiwan, Queen from Vietnam, Vanya from Indonesia, Carlyn from the Philippines and Mahiro from Japan. The formation of the team is a part of the “Z-POP DREAM” project that aims to create a platform for cultural exchange across Asia. “Z” refers to Generation Z, the demographic cohort of those born in the mid-1990s to mid-2000s. “I would like to brand a concert that ties Asia together,” agency CEO Kang Jun said. “What You Waiting For” will be

Feb 21, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop girl band without Koreans to debut
Shows & Dramas

'SKY Castle' actors Kim, Cho dating

Actors Kim Bo-ra and Cho Byeong-kyu have been dating since February. Capture from Cho Byeong-kyu's InstagramBy Dong Sun-hwaRising actors Kim Bo-ra and Cho Byeong-kyu, who appeared on JTBC's hit satire-drama “SKY Castle,” confirmed they are dating. “Kim and Cho have been seeing each other since the beginning of February,” a spokesperson for Kim's agency, Moment Entertainment, said Thursday. HB Entertainment, which manages Cho, also confirmed the pair's romantic relationship. A media outlet Thursday disclosed several photos of the pair showing their affection. It said they went shopping, watched a movie and had dinner together this month in Gangnam, Seoul. The romance rumor between Kim, 24, and Cho, 23, first emerged when they were spotted cozying up in the making-of video for “SKY Castle” unveiled in January. But both then denied the rumor. Meanwhile, “SKY Castle,” which centers on the educational craze sweeping upper-class families in Korea, recently wrapped up with a 23.8 percent viewership, an unprecedented rating for a cable TV serie

Feb 21, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
'SKY Castle' actors Kim, Cho dating
K-pop

MAMAMOO gears up for March comeback

K-pop girl band MAMAOO. Korea Times fileBy Dong Sun-hwaFour-piece K-pop girl group MAMAMOO has been tuning up for a March comeback, its agency RBW said Tuesday. The team has already singled out its lead track and has been sharpening up for glamorous performances, according to reports. But the comeback's exact date is not yet known. It has taken about four months for MAMAMOO to return as a complete team, since the release of mini-album “BLUE;S” in November. MAMAMOO debuted in 2014 and was catapulted to stardom following dozens of hits including “Um Oh Ah Yeh” and “You're the best.” Member Hwasa released her first solo album, featuring lead track “twit,” on Feb. 13 and it dominated several music charts.

Feb 20, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
MAMAMOO gears up for March comeback
Law & Crime

INTERVIEW US soldier relieved by Korean's recovery from Grand Canyon fall

Park Joon-hyuk, a Korean tourist who fell down a cliff at the Grand Canyon on Dec. 30 is being airlifted. Courtesy of Marcos OsunaBy Dong Sun-hwaMarcos Osuna, a U.S. Army master sergeant, contacted The Korea Times on Jan. 5 to inquire about the condition of Park Joon-hyuk, who fell off a cliff at the Grand Canyon a week earlier and had been hospitalized and remained unconscious. Osuna administered first aid to the Korean youth. Each of his emails to The Korea Times conveyed a sense of concern. Then, the Army veteran expressed relief in his short but emotional letter on Feb. 14, on hearing that Park had regained consciousness. “That means a lot to me and my family,” he said. “My family has been praying for his speedy recovery ― I wish to meet the Park family one day.”Park, 25, has been in Flagstaff Medical Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, for a month, not being able to eat on his own or speak. According to Osuna's email, he and his cousin Joe Arellano saw Park fall in the canyon on Dec. 30 while on a family visit. The pair were going down to the main lookout point

Feb 20, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
[INTERVIEW] US soldier relieved by Korean's recovery from Grand Canyon fall
Trends

Male fashion designer indicted for allegedly sexually molesting man

Male fashion designer Kim Young-se. Capture from Channel ABy Dong Sun-hwaMale fashion designer Kim Young-se was indicted without detention in December for allegedly sexually assaulting a man, a legal source said on Monday. Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office indicted the designer, 64, for alleged indecent assault on a man in his 30s, who visited Kim's house in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, in August for an interview for a chauffeur position. Kim touched the man's thigh with his hands, according to the prosecution. The man filed a complaint with Seoul Gangnam Police Station in September, revealing an audio file with the voices of two males. One of them with Kim's voice says, “Please lie down here and hold my hands,” but the other refuses, saying, “Please do not make physical contact.” The prosecution found the man's statement and the file reliable. The man is known to have undergone psychotherapy following the incident. Kim, an open homosexual, reportedly claimed the two stayed about two meters from each other, therefore it was impossible to make body contact.

Feb 19, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
Male fashion designer indicted for allegedly sexually molesting man
K-pop

REVIEW Lovelyz steps closer to fans in 'Winter Wonderland' gig

Lovelyz held a four-day concert from Feb. 14-17 at the main auditorium at Yonsei University, Seoul. Courtesy of Woollim EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaLovelyz, the eight-piece K-pop girl band, has made a rare move to interact closely with fans by staging a four-day gig in a rather small venue. “Lovelyz in Winter Wonderland 3” held in the main auditorium at Yonsei University in Seoul from Feb. 14-17, drew 1,600 fans each day. Unlike other bands that usually throw concerts for two to three days and invite up to 100,000 people a day, the band took a different approach by shortening the physical and emotional distance between themselves and the audience. “Lovelyz in Winter Wonderland 3” poster. Courtesy of Woollim Entertainment“Please do not think of us as 'unreachable' stars,” group member Seo Ji-soo said during the concert on Friday. “We are close enough to share our hearts with you, and want to do more to return what we have received.”The main vocalist Kei also said, “I hope we can deliver happiness to you every day.”As they sai

Feb 18, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
[REVIEW] Lovelyz steps closer to fans in 'Winter Wonderland' gig
K-pop

'I deserve punishment': Former K-pop diva gets suspended jail term for illegal gambling

Shoo speaks to reporters at the Seoul Eastern District Court on Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Dong Sun-hwa, Park Si-soo Shoo, a dazzling heartthrob in the 1990s as a member of now-disbanded K-pop trio S.E.S, received a suspended jail term Monday for habitual illegal gambling. Seoul Eastern District Court sentenced Shoo, 37, whose real name is Yoo Soo-young, to six months' jail, suspended for two years. The court also ordered her to perform 80 hours of community service. Shoo said she “deserved” the punishment and would not appeal. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukShe was charged with gambling several times in foreign countries, including in Macao from August 2016 to May last year. She gambled a total of 790 million won ($702,000).Prosecutors did not press charges regarding fraud accusations brought against Shoo by two people who had gambled with her. They had accused her of not repaying 600 million won they lent to the former singer at a local casino.“She has been involved in gambling multiple times in the long term and bet a significant amou

Feb 18, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
'I deserve punishment': Former K-pop diva gets suspended jail term for illegal gambling
K-pop

PHOTOS Rapper Dok2 runs three-star hotel in Busan

Rapper Dok2 becomes a hotel CEO. Capture from Naver MapRapper Dok2. Capture from Dok2's InstagramBy Dong Sun-hwaRapper Dok2 has opened a three-star boutique hotel in Busan.“Today is the grand opening day of my boutique hotel in Busan, Korea,” he wrote in English on his Instagram, Saturday.He also shared a photo of some of the hotel desserts, saying, “We got some A1 desserts at our hotel too ― come visit when you come to Busan, Korea.”Desserts at Dok2's hotel. Capture from Dok2's InstagramDok2, 28, gained attention for composing the music “Circus” in 2005. He previously made headlines when he moved to Los Angeles after leaving his luxurious 430-square-meter hotel penthouse residence in Seoul that costs about 7 million won ($6,300) a night. He is known to have accumulated wealth from more than 300 copyrighted songs.“ILLONAIRE Dok2 Suite Room.” Capture from Dok2's Instagram

Feb 17, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
Rapper Dok2 runs three-star hotel in Busan [PHOTOS]
K-pop

Davichi's Kang Min-kyung to release solo album on Feb. 27

By Dong Sun-hwaSinger Kang Min-kyung says she is nervous. Capture from Kang's InstagramLead vocalist Kang Min-kyung of pop-ballad duo Davichi will release her first solo album on Feb. 27. It will be her first independent effort 11 years after her debut with Lee Hae-ri.“Because I Love You” is the lead track, Kang hinted on Instagram on Saturday with the album's teaser.“My solo album that I have worked on for a long time will soon hit the shelves,” Kang wrote. “It will be a collection of songs that I wrote whenever I got inspiration.”Kang said she was nervous because it would be the first time she ventures without her long-time partner.Davichi debuted in 2008 and earned popularity with “Sad Promise” and “8282.”

Feb 17, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
Davichi's Kang Min-kyung to release solo album on Feb. 27
K-pop

iKON's Song Yun-hyeong, Momoland's Daisy divided over dating rumor

iKON's Song Yun-hyeong denied the dating rumor, but Momoland's Daisy confirmed it. Capture from Song's Instagram, Courtesy of MLD EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaIs it one-sided love? Song Yun-hyeong, a member of K-pop boy band iKON, denied he has been dating Daisy, the idol star who belongs to girl band Momoland, but the female singer confirmed their romantic relationship.The spokesperson for YG Entertainment, which manages Song, said Thursday that the pair had a good feeling toward each other and met a few times, but are not dating. However, Daisy's agency, MLD Entertainment, said: “Daisy and Song have been seeing each other since three months ago.”Citing industry sources, a report said Thursday that Song and Daisy go out with each other when time permits, just like other ordinary couples. It said their relationship is already known to some people. Song is a member of seven-piece boy band iKON that won Digital Song of the Year at the Golden Disc Award in 2018 thanks to hit number “Love Scenario.” Daisy is one of the nine members of Momoland that rose to stardom

Feb 14, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
iKON's Song Yun-hyeong, Momoland's Daisy divided over dating rumor
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