The Korea Times

VIDEO JYP unveils new girl band

JYP's new girl group ITZY. Capture from YouTube account of “jypentertainment”By Dong Sun-hwaK-pop girl band TWICE has been making a big splash on the music scene, but its agency JYP Entertainment still has room for more, on Monday unveiling new five-member girl band ITZY. The agency disclosed a teaser video of the group, “PROLOGUE FILM: ITZY? ITZY!” on its YouTube channel and social media. The video has already garnered more than 1.6 million views. Watch the video: bit.ly/2RRwoIjIn the clip, the teenage quintet ― Yuna, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, Lia and Yeji― catches the eye with visuals and fashion styles. People are already familiar with some of them. Ryujin was winner of JTBC's idol competition show “MIXNINE” last year, and Chaeyeong is a sister of Lee Chae-yeon, a flagship member of K-pop girl band IZ*ONE that made its debut last year. The new group is composed of only Koreans. “It is the dream team,” said a JYP spokesperson. “We are set to reveal the project for the group's debut soon.”

Jan 22, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Trends

INTERVIEW Video can't kill the radio star

News presenter Bae Sung-jae is being compared to a desert fox during his radio show "Bae Sung-jae's Ten." The producers of "Visual Radio" edit a program in a humorous way and upload the edited version on social media as a means to attract people. Capture from SBS radio "Bae Sung-jae's Ten."By Dong Sun-hwaRadio is trying to make a comeback through competitive new media. Its success depends on how to draw young listeners in their teens and 20s. Nam Joong-kwon, a radio producer at major broadcaster SBS, told The Korea Times that one way was to, resort to “visible radio” and SNS, among other things. Nam Joong-kwon, a radio producer at major broadcaster SBS“Hardly anyone owns a radio at home nowadays ― we radio people belatedly discovered more accessible substitutes like mobile application and social media,” Nam says. “Visual radio” is visually streaming a radio program in a studio or an open concert, or sometime making it into small, shorter clips for social media sharing among young audiences, according to the SBS producer. “Our ultimate goal is

Jan 22, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

[INTERVIEW] Video can't kill the radio star

Law & Crime

Convicted foreigners may be denied naturalization

The court ruled that a permanent resident who was convicted of fraud or embezzlement cannot be naturalized as a Korean. gettyimagesbankBy Dong Sun-hwaForeigners with permanent resident status may not be eligible for naturalization if they are convicted of fraud and embezzlement, a court ruled last week. The Seoul Administrative ruling came in a case in which a Southeast Asian woman filed a complaint against the Minister of Justice for denying her application for naturalization in April. Citing her crimes, the court ruled, “It is hard to see that she has appropriate moral character and behavior to become Korea's new member.” The woman, who married a Korean and has four children, has been living here as a permanent resident with an F-5 visa. She applied for naturalization last year, but the Ministry of Justice rejected the application.While working as a counselor at a support center for foreign workers in 2013 and 2014, the woman swindled about 40 million won ($36,000) in severance pay from six alien workers, who had to leave Korea before receiving the money because their s

Jan 21, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Convicted foreigners may be denied naturalization

Shows & Dramas

'SKY Castle's Yum Jung-ah soars on to reputation chart

Yum Jung-ah stars in the sensational JTBC drama “SKY castle.” Capture from JTBCBy Dong Sun-hwaThe smash success of JTBC's Friday/Saturday drama “SKY Castle” has put its protagonist Yum Jung-ah at the top of a brand reputation chart for Korean actors and actresses. Yum soared on to the chart on Sunday after not even making the Top 100 in the Dec. 23 edition. The Korea Reputation Center, a business consultancy, updates the chart monthly, rating working actors and actresses based on participation, media, communication and community.Runner-up was Hyun Bin, who stars in the tvN drama “Memories of Alhambra” and third was Song Hye-kyo from tvN's “Encounter.” With only two episodes left, the 18th episode of “SKY Castle” garnered a 22.3 percent viewership rate nationwide and 24.5 percent in Seoul and surrounding areas, an all-time high for cable network dramas. The previous record was 20.5 percent set by tvN's “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.” The two final episodes “SKY Castle” are set to be aired on Jan.

Jan 20, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

'SKY Castle's Yum Jung-ah soars on to reputation chart

K-pop

After 3 years, Junho set to release second best songs collection

Junho's first “best of” album “ONE” was released in 2015. Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaThe album's track list was unveiled on Sunday. Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentIs it a sign that his return to the music stage is imminent? Or is it simply a gimmick to quell fans' ever-growing impatience about the three years he has been away from the local K-pop scene? JYP Entertainment has announced that Junho of popular boy band 2PM will release a second collection of his best songs “TWO” on Jan. 25.The agency whet fans' appetites on Sunday by unveiling a list of songs to be featured ― 12 cross-genre, Junho-credited hits including “Imagination,” “FLASHLIGHT” and “DSMN.”Junho debuted as a member of 2PM in 2008 with the single album “Hottest time of the day.” The group enjoyed its heyday in Korea thanks to hit songs including “10 out of 10” and “Heartbeat.” He released his first best songs collection “ONE” in 2015, and has also found success as an actor.

Jan 20, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

After 3 years, Junho set to release second best songs collection

Global Community

Foreign students get taste of traditional life in promo campaign

Foreign students are living in Jeonju's Hanok Village for a month as part of a goodwill campaign. Korea Times file.By Dong Sun-hwaNine foreign students at Chonbuk National University will enjoy a month's stay at Hanok Village in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, where traditional Korean-style houses are preserved, as part of a promotional campaign. The first two ― from Kyrgyzstan and Palestine ― began their stay Tuesday, according to Jeonju city. They are set to leave on Feb. 14, when other students will replace them. During their stay, the students will experience the traditional culture of Jeonju, a city that is famous for its historic features, and visit major tourist attractions. They will recount their experiences on social media using English and their mother tongues to let foreigners know of the city's charm. “I came to Jeonju as I have been interested in Korea and fond of Korean culture,” the Kyrgyzstan student said. “I applied to this program to let many people learn about Jeonju's beauty.”

Jan 17, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Foreign students get taste of traditional life in promo campaign

K-pop

BLACKPINK's Lisa victim of online racial remark

A Thai TV channel recently said Lisa from BLACKPINK has faced racism in Korea. Capture of Thai TV channel from online communityBy Dong Sun-hwaFans of Lisa, a Thai member of K-pop girl band BLACKPINK, are angry over a snide comment about their star posted on social media. The controversy was ignited after a Korean online user's recent comment about the singer's appearance went viral. It read: “With makeup on, she totally looks like a Russian elf ... but with darker hair and no makeup, she looks like any average Thai woman …”Several Thai netizens were enraged at the remarks. A Thai TV channel also put the spotlight on the issue, saying Lisa has been facing racism in South Korea. Thai reporters asked Bambam, a Thai member of K-pop boy group GOT7, about his thoughts on the incident. Capture of Thai TV channel from online communitySome reporters even questioned Bambam, a Thai member of K-pop boy band GOT7, about his opinion of the situation during a press event on Sunday in Thailand. They asked, “Did you see the news (on Lisa)?” Bambam said there are many mo

Jan 16, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

BLACKPINK's Lisa victim of online racial remark

Law & Crime

Chinese-Malaysian teenager caught over phone money scam

A Chinese-Malaysian teenager has been caught allegedly pocketing money via a phone scam. Getty Images BankBy Dong Sun-hwaA Chinese-Malaysian teenager was caught allegedly pocketing money via phone fraud on behalf of a scam ring last Wednesday, according to Daegu Dongbu Police Station, Tuesday.The teenager, 18, swindled over 16 million won ($14,000) from three victims from Dec. 20, 2018, to Jan. 4, 2019, and sent the cash to the ring, according to police. But a police official told The Korea Times that the money was hard to trace because it was repeatedly moved from one overseas location to another, a typical voice-phishing method. “We are still trying to identify the ring's base,” he said. The teenager reportedly called the victims and posed as a prosecution investigation officer, telling them their savings were in danger. He then asked them to transfer the money to a bank account that he said belonged to an employee of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) for protection. Police said the teenager was promised a 3 percent cut of the money. “A probe is under way to

Jan 16, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Chinese-Malaysian teenager caught over phone money scam

Shows & Dramas

Korean rappers target Billboard Chart

The poster for MBC's coming hip-hop survival program “Target: Billboard ― Kill Bill.” Courtesy of MBCBy Dong Sun-hwaAfter K-pop superstar group BTS's conquering of the Billboard Chart in 2018, more Korean singers are setting their sights on it ― and Korean rappers are no exception. MBC's coming hip-hop survival show “Target: Billboard ― Kill Bill” boasts a powerful lineup of those rappers, including Dok2, SanE, Jessie, BewhY and Yang Dong-geun. The show's winner will get a chance to collaborate with DJ Khaled. Capture from DJ Khaled's InstagramThe contestants will face cutthroat competition to be crowned the winner and grasp an opportunity to collaborate with DJ Khaled, a prominent producer in the U.S., who previously teamed with top singers such as Justin Bieber and Lil Wayne. “I'm the One” and “We Takin' Over” are among his hit tracks that made it onto the Billboard Chart. A spokesperson for Kings Entertainment, the show's production company, revealed that the program's goal is to come up with songs that will enter the chart. “M

Jan 16, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Shows & Dramas

Actress Han Hyo-joo to make US debut in TV series

Actress Han Hyo-joo will appear on “Treadstone.” Korea Times fileBy Dong Sun-hwaKorean actress Han Hyo-joo is focusing on the U.S. market, appearing in “Treadstone,” the television offshoot of the megahit “Bourne” film series. “Operation Treadstone” is about the CIA's black ops program that fosters “human weapon” agents. It was introduced in the “Bourne” series, which star Matt Damon. Han plays So-yun, a North Korean woman who has to make a demanding choice to protect her family after learning of her secret past. Han reportedly auditioned for the role. She is staying in Budapest, Hungary, for the shooting, according to an industry source. Hollywood stars including Omar Metwally, Tracy Ifeachor and Gabrielle Scharnitzky will feature in the TV series. Tim Kring, who wrote the acclaimed “Heroes” series, is penning the drama. Ramin Bahrani is in charge of directing. The series release date has not yet been fixed. Han, who debuted in Korea in 2003, is known for dramas including “Brilliant Legacy,&rdq

Jan 15, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Dong Sun-hwa

Read more

VIDEO JYP unveils new girl band

INTERVIEW Video can't kill the radio star

Convicted foreigners may be denied naturalization

'SKY Castle's Yum Jung-ah soars on to reputation chart

After 3 years, Junho set to release second best songs collection

Foreign students get taste of traditional life in promo campaign

BLACKPINK's Lisa victim of online racial remark

Chinese-Malaysian teenager caught over phone money scam

Korean rappers target Billboard Chart

Actress Han Hyo-joo to make US debut in TV series

Top 5 stories