Singer Rain to make comeback on Jan. 15 South Korean singer-actor Rain will return to the music scene next month with a new album featuring collaborations with other artists, his agency said Monday.The 34-year-old star, who enjoys worldwide popularity, is set to release his first album in three years on Jan. 15, according to Rain Company, which unveiled a teaser poster on its website.His sixth full-length album, "Rain Effect," came out in January 2014."Rain has always staged top quality shows for every new album with unique concepts and brilliant performances," an agency official said.The artist has reportedly finished producing the new album, including a music video shot in top secrecy, but has continued to hold rehearsals for his comeback.His next concert is scheduled for Dec. 30 in Singapore. (Yonhap)Dec 19, 2016
'Sound of Your Heart' signals welcome comeback of sitcom A promotional photo for KBS’s new sitcom “The Sound of Your Heart.” / Courtesy of KBSBy Park Jin-haiKBS’s new sitcom “The Sound of Your Heart” signifies a successful comeback.Cho Seok’s now 10-year-old slapstick webcomic has been adapted for animated films and web dramas, but now it has finally been made into a sitcom.“The Sound of Your Heart,” features Lee Kwang-soo, who has a large fan base in Asia as a cast member of popular TV show “Running Man,” as aspiring cartoonist Cho Seok. Many other veteran actors and actresses, who look as if they’ve walked out of the cartoon, appear in the show as Cho’s eccentric family and friends.The web drama, which previously premiered simultaneously in Korea and China on Nov. 7, passed the 100 million mark on the Chinese online portal Sohu, becoming No. 1 among Korean dramas on the site. On the Korean online portal Naver, the show has collected more than 30 million views to become Korea’s most watched web series of all time.Its television version as well, aired from Dec 18, 2016
'Running Man' runs out of puff SBS's "Running Man" will air its last episode in February amid lackluster rumors involving "merciless sacking" of its members and revoked plan for the second season. / Courtesy of Hankook IlboBy Ko Dong-hwanKang Ho-dong“Running Man,” an unusual Korean TV variety show that gained popularity in Asia and South America, will stop production in February.The SBS announcement came on Dec. 16 after SBS earlier this month leaked a plan to scout high-profile show host Kang Ho-dong as a member replacing Gary who left the show two months ago.But expectations soon turned to public outcry when media outlets said the broadcaster sacked the show’s two members, Kim Jong-kook and Song Ji-hyo, without any discussion with them.Online news outlet OSEN, citing an interview with a show official, said the two stars were not supposed to find out about their termination at such short notice and that it was due to “inside miscommunication.”After the report, Kang announced that he will not join the show’s second season, saying he would feel burdened “to be part of the sDec 18, 2016
Off-screen relationship helped Lawrence, Pratt create 'Passengers' Jennifer Lawrence, right, and Chris Pratt pose at a press conference in Seoul, Friday. / YonhapBy Kim Jae-heunJennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, currently two of the hottest Hollywood movie stars, said their off-screen friendship helped their on-screen chemistry for their upcoming blockbuster “Passengers” that is set to premiere on Dec. 21 in the U.S. and Jan. 5 in Korea.“When Chris and I first met, we became really fast friends,” said Lawrence during a press conference at CGV Theater in Yeongdeungpo Times Square, southwestern Seoul, Friday. “We had a similar sense of humor and I think that our friendship really helped not just us have more fun but I think our personal chemistry really helped the movie exponentially.”Pratt agreed their acting benefited from their relationship off screen and he feels he met a lifelong friend. He added he has known Jennifer from her previous work and knew instinctively they would have great chemistry, which translates in the movie.Both Lawrence and Pratt said they agreed to star in “Passengers” for its orDec 16, 2016
Corruption scandal casts shadow over Korean Wave Poll finds Choi-gate to hit Korean Wave harder than THAADBy Yun Suh-youngHallyu, or the Korean wave, will sustain a major dent from the unfolding scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, a survey showed Thursday.The Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange (KOFICE) and public-opinion poll research company Realmeter recently conducted an opinion poll on 1,013 Korean people across the country between ages 15 and 59 to survey their opinion on the topic of hallyu such as its contributors, beneficiaries, influence and future policy direction.The poll showed the majority of respondents believed the scandal which led to the President’s impeachment will have a negative impact on hallyu and the growth of the culture industry.Of the respondents, 79 percent answered the scandal will have the largest negative impact on hallyu in China, even more so than the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) at 70 percent. China is rumored to have recently banned hallyu content in response to Korea’s move to allow the USFK toDec 15, 2016
Hallyu star Hyun Bin dates actress Kang Sora Korean star Hyun Bin and actress Kang Sora are dating. / Courtesy of VAST and Plum Entertainment By Lee Jin-aKorean actor Hyun Bin, whose real name is Kim Tae-pyeong, is dating actress Kang Sora, according to their agencies.Kim’s agency, VAST, and Kang’s agency, Plum Entertainment, admitted the stars’ relationship on Thursday. They said the couple met in October at a work meeting and have been dating for 15 days."We are very cautious to be making a personal announcement at a time like this," VAST said. "But we would like you to kindly look at these two people who are just starting out and send them lots of encouragement and love in their acting activities, too."Kang debuted in 2009 in the horror movie “4th Period Mystery.” She is best known for roles in the comedy film "Sunny" (2011) and the tvN hit drama "Misaeng" (2014).Kim, who debuted in 2003, has had leading roles in television dramas “My Lovely Sam Soon (2005),” “The World that They Live in (2008),” and “Secret Garden (2010).”Dec 15, 2016
BIGBANG's music video 'Bad Boy' hits 100 mil on YouTube Korean boy group BIGBANG's video for its song "Bad Boy" has garnered 100 million views on YouTube, according to the band's agency on Thursday.The clip had accumulated 100,003,361 views as of 6:55 p.m. on Wednesday, YG Entertainment said.The record makes BIGBANG the first all-male Korean act to have five music videos with over 100 million views. The four previous videos were "Fantastic Baby," "Bang Bang Bang," "Loser," and "Good Boy" by its sub-unit group GD X TAEYANG."Bad Boy," the lead track off the musicians' 2012 EP album "Alive," is a rhythmical song that has a catchy hook and sentimental melody.Its video captures the five-member act striding through the streets of Brooklyn, New York.The boy group dropped its third and latest album, "MADE The Full Album," on Tuesday, snatching the top spots of the iTunes Album Charts of 19 different countries as well as eight major local charts. (Yonhap)Dec 15, 2016
INTERVIEW BIGBANG speaks about last album 'MADE' 'MADE' by BIGBANG / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Kim Jae-heunYG Entertainment’s popular hip hop band BIGBANG released their third full-length album, “MADE THE FULL ALBUM,” Monday midnight, the last release before all five members depart to complete their mandatory military service. The youngest group member Seungri said he will try to join the army together with G-dragon and Tae Yang, who are set to serve their military tours following T.O.P’s enlistment next February.All Korean men have to complete two years of compulsory military service and BIGBANG’s fans are estimating at least a four- to six-year hiatus until all members return as a five-member act.However, group leader G-dragon implied that it could take much longer for the group to release new album as they cannot start producing one immediately after their reunion.Meanwhile, the three new tracks from the band that complete the album, “FXXK IT,” “LAST DANCE” and “GIRLFRIEND” swept eight local online charts and topped the iTunes chart in 16 countries. The Dec 13, 2016
K-pop band Bigbang sweeps music charts Korean boy band Bigbang is back with another hit album. / Screen capture from Bigbang’s music video By Lee Jin-aKorean hip hop group Bigbang has made a chart-topping comeback with its album “Made.”"Fxxx It," written by Teddy and G-Dragon, was released at 12 a.m. on Tuesday and hit No.1 on eight local music charts including Melon, Mnet Music, Olleh Music and Bugs. Other tracks, "Last Track" and “Girlfriend,” ranked second and third on the same charts as of 8 a.m. Tuesday.Meanwhile, the band’s third regular album also topped iTunes album charts in 16 countries, including Costa Rica, Finland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway and the Philippines. The album was fourth in the U.S.The five-member boy group, which debuted in 2006, has gained popularity through several hits -- Lies” (2007), “Haru Haru” (2008),“Fantastic Baby” (2012), “Loser (2015) and “Bang Bang Bang”(2016).Band members G-Dragon, Taeyang, T.O.P, Daesung and Seungri are all successful solo musicians. Dec 13, 2016
Celebrity's offer for online citizens' assembly criticized Kim Je-dongBy Kim Jae-heunA proposal by comedian Kim Je-dong, who has been vocal about President Park Geun-hye’s resignation for the last few weeks, to set up an “assembly of online citizens” was met with criticism.Kim proposed the idea on We All Govern Lab (WAGL) founded by civic activist Lee Jin-soon, which has over 1,140 members. WAGL is an online group which says it is “dedicated to transforming the political status quo and ushering in a better kind of democracy.”Kim’s offer was turned down by the majority of the members and met with dissenting opinions on social media over the weekend. The proposal was initiated by a group of people with different occupations, including scholars, social activists, housewives and agricultural workers, who suggested voting online for representatives of their own citizens’ assembly launched by WAGL last week.High profile figures, such as novelist Kim Hoon, Hwang Sok-yong and Yonsei University emeritus professor Cho Han Hae-joang also agreed take the online vote by the people and elect the group’sDec 12, 2016
