BIGBANG bids farewell to T.O.P during last Korea concerts K-pop boy band BIGBANG’s rapper T.O.P performs during the M.A.D.E. concert at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Saturday./ Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Kim Jae-heunBIGBANG’s last concerts in Korea seemed no different from any of their other performances, but this time, over 64,000 fans gathered for the concerts at Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul, to bid farewell to the rapper T.O.P ― the first BIGBANG member to be drafted into the army. He will report for duty next month.Fans filled up the baseball stadium with lights shining from thousands of yellow light-sabers ― an official cheering tool of the idol group’s fan club “VIP.” They could be heard throughout the three hour-long concerts. They were BIGBANG’s last shows in Korea before the band gets back together again in five years time, at earliest, after all the members complete their military service.“BIGBANG members and I came this far with each other since we were 19 years old,” said T.O.P during the Sunday concert. “Honestly, I was afraid of moving to a new environment bJan 9, 2017
Singer Horan fined for drunk driving K-pop singer Horan / YonhapBy Hong Dam-youngK-pop singer Horan has been fined 7 million won ($5,800) for drunk driving, according to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office on Monday.The female vocalist from trio Clazziquai Project, 38, was charged after her vehicle rammed a truck, injuring the driver.The accident happened near an intersection on the south side of Seongsu Bridge in Seoul.Horan’s blood-alcohol level was 0.106 percent, well over the 0.05 limit.Seoul Gangnam police booked the singer without arrest and sent the case to the prosecutor at the end of last October.The prosecutor said her case was not seen as dangerous driving given the circumstances and the result of the accident.The prosecution also took into account that Horan made an out-of-court settlement with the victim.Horan has already been fined twice for drunk driving, in 2004 and 2007.The penalty for a third conviction for drunk driving is up to three years’ jail or a fine of up to 10 million won.Horan divorced in August last year after marrying in 2013. Jan 9, 2017
'Guardian' filming sites become hot tourist spots Tourists take photos on a breakwater in Jumunjin Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Jan. 2, a filming site for tvN’s popular drama “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.” The place and the drama’s other filming locations have become hot destinations for drama fans. / YonhapBy Park Jin-haiFilming sites for the popular tvN drama series “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” are swarming with tourists as the show renewed its record viewer ratings at 15 percent Sunday. The soaring popularity of the drama written by Kim Eun-sook has led to an increase in visitors who want to follow in the footsteps of its leading man Gong Yoo, who plays an immortal goblin Kim Shin, and his human bride Ji Eun-tak, played by actress Kim Go-eun.The breakwaters in Jumunjin, Gangneung, where the couple meet and speak to each other for the first time in the fantasy-romance drama has emerged as a hot tourist destination for fans.In the famous scene, Kim is accidentally summoned by Ji who blows out her birthday candles and makes a wishe, with a bouquet of buckwheat flowers, a symbol for Jan 8, 2017
Psy collaborates with Rain A screenshot of a teaser video "The Best Present" / Screep capture from Youtube By Lee Jin-aKorean singer Rain will make a comeback on Jan. 15 with “The Best Present.”Rain’s agency released a teaser video on Friday, announcing his comeback on its official website and social networks.The 15-second video shows Rain’s silhouette as he prepares to dance in the spotlight.The agency also revealed that Psy, who enjoys worldwide popularity for his song “Gangnam Style,” collaborated with Rain.According to reports, the new song is expected to be a ballad.Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, debuted in 1998 as a member of boy band “Fan Club.”He became widely known in 2002 when he debuted as a solo artist with his stage name.His hits include “Ways to Avoid the Sun” (2003), “It’s Raining” (2004), “Rainism” (2008), and “LA Song” (2014).Jung is also a successful actor.He is best known for his roles in the Korean drama “Full House (2004)” and the Hollywood movie “NinjaJan 6, 2017
2NE1 to release final single 2NE1 / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Hong Dam-young K-pop girl group 2NE1 will release its final single this month before the group breaks up, according to YG Entertainment.The news came weeks after the quartet agreed to disband last November, when members ― rapper CL and vocalists Dara and Park Bom ― announced on social media their decision to disband, saying they were very sorry. The group’s last single “Good Bye” will be released on Jan. 21.The three members ― except Minzy, who left several months ago to go solo ― will feature in the song and its video. It will be the band’s first release since “Gotta Be You” in 2014.“The group will express in "Good Bye" how sorry the members are for the sudden disbandment,” an agency official said.“This will be their official goodbye to fans.”Formed in 2009, the group has been a leading K-pop girl group for seven years.Hits include “Lonely,” “Can’t Nobody,” and “I Am the Best.”After the band disbands, CL and Dara will stay Jan 6, 2017
Netflix to make its first Korean original series 'Love Alarm' U.S. video service provider Netflix Inc. announced on Thursday that it will produce its first Korean original series "Love Alarm" based on a popular eponymous local webtoon for release next year. The upcoming cartoon-based drama, written by one of the country's most eminent graphic novelists Chon Kye-young, marks Netflix's first screen adaptation of a local webtoon.The comic strip is currently being published on the major local portal Daum.The 12-episode series is scheduled to premiere next year exclusively on the video streaming provider in about 190 countries including South Korea. The overall production will be spearheaded by Lee Jae-moon from Hidden Sequence, a newly-formed production company. Lee has already proven his prowess through his previous megahit drama series "Signal" and "Misaeng.""As part of a viewer-friendly approach, we will roll out all the episodes of 'Love Alarm' at once instead of following the current trend of streaming one or two a week," Netflix said.The story talks about a commonly used device application that informs the user if someone within tenJan 5, 2017
K-pop group Twice to sue internet trolls Girl band Twice / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Lee Jin-aKorean girl band Twice has decided to sue internet trolls who post malicious comments about its members.Its agency, JYP Entertainment, said Thursday the company will take legal action against people who spread false rumors about the band and leave sexually harassing comments through online communities and social networking services.Offenders can be severely punished or sentenced to prison, according to JYP.“We have been monitoring vicious comments and rumors about Twice and each member of the group,” the agency said. “We decided not to tolerate these posts anymore to protect the personal rights of our artists.” Recently, sexually harassing posts about the stage costumes of the band were uploaded through online communities and social media.JYP said strong legal action was necessary for the psychological health of the girls.Jan 5, 2017
'Romantic Doctor' puts injustice under knife A scene from "Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim" / Courtesy of SBSBy Park Jin-haiFresh updates on the nation’s largest corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her close confidant Choi Soon-sil pop up every day, fanning anger and frustration about society’s deep seated injustice and inequality.“Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim,” a well-crafted medical drama currently airing on SBS reflects this society’s injustice and inequality and continues to draw viewers. The drama, after sweeping the broadcaster’s annual drama awards this year gaining seven trophies, including the Grand Prize Award given to its lead actor Han Suk-kyu, has once again topped its own viewership record.With three more episodes left, the latest episode Tuesday posted a 25.1 percent viewer rating, according to media ratings company Nielsen Korea.The drama started out with a 9.5 percent viewership rating. The first episode opened with a male voice that drew in the viewers with the line, “In an era of injustice, an era of inequality, an era full of diJan 4, 2017
BIGBANG chosen among Forbes' 100 best musicians aged under 30 South Korean boy band BIGBANG has made it to the Forbes' list of the world's 30 most popular musicians under the age 30 for this year.The members were the only Koreans on the U.S. economic magazine's "30 Under 30 Music Class of 2017," which was unveiled on the magazine's official website Tuesday (on U.S. local time).The list includes many of the singers, songwriters, managers and entrepreneurs revolutionizing the modern music business such as the popular American R&B singer Gallant and rapper Logic.Last year, the Korean act ranked No. 54 on the Forbes' "Celebrity 100" list for earning $44 million last year, which is more than top U.S. all-male groups like Maroon 5.BIGBANG is scheduled to hold a concert at Gocheok Sky Dome in western Seoul on Saturday and Sunday. (Yonhap)Jan 4, 2017
Celebrities to return from military in 2017 By Park Jin-haiLee Seung-gi / Korea Times fileChoi Si-won / Korea Times fileKim Hyun-joong / Korea Times fileA new year has just kicked off and it will be a great year for fans who have long awaited the return of the hottest male celebrities following nearly two years of hiatus after serving their mandatory military duty.Many male celebrities are still weary of the enlistment since their absence from popular culture may take them out of the public spotlight and they could be forgotten. However, actors Song Joong-ki of megahit “Descendants of the Sun” and Yoo Seung-ho of “Remember -- War of the Son” were able to set good examples by taking the time to refresh their boyish images and succeeded in landing roles with more mature and manly characters.A total of eight notable celebrities will be returning this year. The first to return is singer-actor Kim Hyun-joong.Kim enlisted in May 2015, and served on a border patrol at Paju, Gyeonggi Province. He is set to return to the screen in February.His return is expected to draw a lot of media attention due to an ongoingJan 2, 2017
