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Actor Jung Woo-sung reaffirms support for refugees

Actor Jung Woo-sung: “I have gained almost everything I need.” YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaActor Jung Woo-sung said in a Podcast on Saturday that he does not mind suffering losses for supporting refugees, despite negative reactions from those opposed to asylum seekers coming to Korea. “I have gained almost everything I need ― if I lose something for taking justifiable actions, I will just let it go,” he said. The actor's Instagram was bombarded with malicious comments on June, after he posted a statement and a photo of Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Bangladesh on World Refugee Day. The actor also commented, "Globally, some 68.5 million people are displaced, with 16.2 million people being forced to flee in 2017 alone." "Please stand #WithRefugees today in understanding and solidarity."Jung, however, disclosed that he was not really concerned about the negative response. “What fueled my worry was the fake information,” said Jung. “People lacking information about asylum seekers could trust false information and it would demand time and energy to change th

Oct 22, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa
Actor Jung Woo-sung reaffirms support for refugees
K-pop

PHOTOS Miss Korea in Tokyo for Miss International Pageant

Seo Ye-jin: “I am a bit nervous, but I will go and show off my own beauty of Korea.” Courtesy of Hankook IlboBy Dong Sun-hwaSeo Ye-jin, one of two first runner-ups of Miss Korea Pageant 2018, is in Tokyo to participate in the Miss International Beauty Pageant 2018.Seo Ye-jin holds Korea's national flag of Korea at Gimpo International Airport. Courtesy of Hankook IlboThe Miss International Beauty Pageant, first held in 1960, is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants ― the others are Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Earth. With 70 contestants around the world, Seo will be involved in culture exchanges and activities to promote women's rights.The contest will take place at Tokyo Dome City Hall on Nov. 9. “I am glad to be on the stage of Miss International as a representative of Korea,” Seo said before her flight. “I am a bit nervous, but I will go and show off my own beauty of Korea.”Seo Ye-jin is posing for a photo at Gimpo International Airport. Courtesy of Hankook Ilbo

Oct 22, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa
Miss Korea in Tokyo for Miss International Pageant [PHOTOS]
K-pop

K-pop band subject to habitual assaults by producer

Lee Suk-chul, the leader of The EastLight., held a press conference Friday. YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaLee Suk-chul, the 18-year-old leader of K-pop boy band The EastLight., held a press conference Friday in Seoul to reveal that he and his bandmates were subjected to habitual physical assaults by a producer for nearly four years, and that a teenage member was forced by the CEO of the agency to smoke an e-cigarette.“Producer Moon Young-il hit me with a baseball bat and a stick at the studio and on its rooftop,” said Lee. “He also threatened me, saying he would kill me if I told my parents about it.”Lee claimed that another member Lee Seung-hyun was locked in the studio and hit about 50 times, and that agency CEO Kim Chang-hwan didn't intervene after observing the assault. The CEO also made Seung-hyun, who was a middle school student, smoke an e-cigarette. Seung-hyun is currently undergoing psychotherapy due to trauma suffered from violence, according to Lee. He was recently ousted from the group. Suk-chul also revealed that he will be on a temporary hiatus as well. T

Oct 20, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop band subject to habitual assaults by producer
Films

Lawmaker: 'BIFF didn't pay W124 million to temporary staff'

A press conference was held at the National Assembly on Friday to reveal the poor working conditions for staff involved in film festivals. Korea Times fileBy Dong Sun-hwaThe organizers of the just-ended 23rd Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) did not pay overtime and other extra pay totaling 124 million won to its temporary staff, Rep. Lee Yong-deuk and the Youth Community Union, advocates for young workers, claimed Friday. At a news conference at the National Assembly, the lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the union estimated that about 149 workers were underpaid.The union set up a complaints hotline, and 34 workers have lodged complaints. The former festival staff said, “When I demanded overtime, the organizer told me that we didn't count extra hours because it hurt our free-spirited culture.” Such an explanation is absurd, but the union claimed it was told virtually the same thing by the festival's key official. “A majority of employees on our regular payroll agreed to skip overtime pay. But we also know the irregulars need extra compen

Oct 19, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa
Lawmaker: 'BIFF didn't pay W124 million to temporary staff'
K-pop

BLACKPINK's Jennie to release solo track in November

Jennie from K-pop act BLACKPINK. YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaJennie from K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will release her first solo track in November, but the exact date is not yet known.Jennie filming her music video. Capture from Instagram of Yang Hyun-suk“We are simultaneously working on new BLACKPINK songs as well as solo projects for all four members at the moment,” Yang Hyun-suk, founder and CEO of YG Entertainment wrote on his Instagram, Thursday. “JENNIE's solo will be the first one to be released, to be followed by ROSE's solo.”He added, “The biggest strength of BLACKPINK is that each member's ability/talent as a solo artist is as strong as their teamwork/cohesiveness.”BLACKPINK, a K-pop girl group composed of four members ― Jennie, Rosé, Jisoo, Lisa ― made its debut on Aug. 2016 with “Square One.” The group has had several hits including “Whistle,” “Boombayah,” and “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du.”It will give its first concerts at the Olympic Park Gymnasium on Nov 10-11.

Oct 18, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa
BLACKPINK's Jennie to release solo track in November
Films

'Crazy Rich Asians' to premiere in Korea on Oct. 25

Film “Crazy Rich Asians” will premiere on Oct. 25 in Korea. Courtesy of Warner Bros. KoreaBy Dong Sun-hwaAfter its smash success in the U.S., the film “Crazy Rich Asians” is aiming to do the same in Korea from Oct. 25. The movie, based on the book of the same name, topped the U.S. box office sales for three consecutive weeks. The story is about Rachel Chu, a Chinese-American professor of economy at New York University, who finds out that her boyfriend, Nick Young, is from a prosperous family in Singapore. She meets his mother in Singapore, and goes through a variety of experiences there. The cast ― including protagonists Constance Wu and Henry Golding ― all have Asian backgrounds. This is unusual, because most Asian actors in Hollywood mostly appear in minor or supporting roles. In fact, it is 25 years since a major Hollywood studio produced another film with an all-Asian actors ― “The Joy Luck Club” in 1993. “Crazy Rich Asians” has also been praised for avoiding the prejudices and stereotypes about Asians, who are usuall

Oct 18, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa
'Crazy Rich Asians' to premiere in Korea on Oct. 25
Films

VIDEO 'Sexiest man alive' visits Korea

John Cho was selected as one of the “sexiest men alive” by People magazine. Capture from PEOPLE.comBy Dong Sun-hwaActor John Cho, one of the “sexiest men alive” according to People magazine visited Korea on Saturday to promote the movie thriller “Searching.” About 3 million people have seen the movie here since its release in August. Watch the trailer of “Searching”: bit.ly/2G8ZYyKCho plays David Kim, a father whose daughter has gone missing. He tries to find out his daughter with the help of her social media network.Appearing on SBS “Nightline” on Monday, the actor revealed that it was important that that the movie had received positive reviews in the country where he was born.He held a signing event with fans at COEX on Tuesday, and will appear on MBC radio “FM Film Music with Han Ye Ri.”Cho's Korean name is Cho Yo-han, and the actor headed for America when he was six years old. He has featured in a variety of work including the film “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” in 2004 and the

Oct 18, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa
'Sexiest man alive' visits Korea [VIDEO]
K-pop

BTS signs 2nd seven-year-contract with Big Hit Entertainment

BTS contract “based on trust and affection.” YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop sensation BTS has signed a second seven-year-contract with agency Big Hit Entertainment. Big Hit Entertainment reportedly sent an e-mail to employees and stakeholders on Thursday that read, “We renewed our contract with BTS based on trust and affection.”Bang Si-hyuk. YonhapBTS signed the first seven-year-contract in June 2013. Seven years is the longest period of contract available for an agency and an artist, according to the Fair Trade Commission standard contract.Therefore, many idol groups have disbanded seven years after their debut. In addition, even if they decided to sign again, the term was usually about one to two years, mostly because members wanted to forge their own careers.For BTS, however, it was a rare, early re-signing. It was reported that the agency's ability to produce content contributed to the renewal. In particular, the agency differentiated itself by developing range of original content on social media. “Big Hit's philosophy is to provide top-notch treatment f

Oct 18, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS signs 2nd seven-year-contract with Big Hit Entertainment
Films

Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi to co-star in feminist film

Gong Yoo, left, and Jung Yu-mi denied being in a relationship. Courtesy of Management SoopBy Dong Sun-hwaActor Gong Yoo and actress Jung Yu-mi will star in a movie based on a best-selling feminist novel, “Kim Ji Young, Born 1982.”The story is a story of a woman in her 30s, who is suddenly possessed by spirits after facing a myriad of discriminations due to her gender. The book, released in 2016, sold more than one million copies in Korea thanks to its realistic portrayal of the lives of Korean women during the era. Jung plays Kim Ji-young, a “typical” woman who chooses to stay calm instead of fighting fiercely against sexism. Gong Yoo plays Jung Dae-hyun, Kim's husband, who tries to understand his wife and share her worries. In September, a nationwide petition was launched asking for work on the film to stop. "I believe the novel is excessively subjective and has distorted perspectives toward the society," wrote a male petitioner, 19. "Making this novel into film goes against the value of gender equality and promotes conflict between genders."Gong Yoo, whose r

Oct 18, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa
Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi to co-star in feminist film
Shows & Dramas

tvN drama 'Dear Husband of 100 days' tops ratings

“Dear Husband of 100 days” is gaining popularity. Courtesy of tvNBy Dong Sun-hwatvN's 16-episode ongoing drama, “Dear Husband of 100 days” has won viewers' hearts and minds, with its latest episode garnering 11.2 percent viewership ― a record for any tvN Monday-Tuesday TV series. Before the emergence of this drama, “Another Miss Oh” broadcast in 2016 held the ratings record at 10 percent. Actress Seo Hyun-jin and singer-actor Eric Mun from boy band Shinhwa appeared in the series. “Dear Husband of 100 days” stars D.O., the vocalist from K-pop act EXO and actress Nam Ji-hyun. It is a romantic story about Lee Yool, crown prince of “virtual Joseon” and Hong-sim. Lee married Hong-sim after losing his memory as a prince, but in recent episodes his memory returned and he had said goodbye to Hong-sim.Many cite the acting and visual beauty of the drama as leading factors for its popularity. Thanks to these elements, the drama has been a hot topic on several online communities and word of mouth naturally promoted the series. The drama

Oct 17, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa
tvN drama 'Dear Husband of 100 days' tops ratings
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