Ji Chang-wook says shooting action-packed “The K2” was not easy Actor Ji Chang-wook poses before the interview at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday. / YonhapBy Park Jin-hai“The K2,” an action romance blockbuster on the local cable channel tvN, aired its final episode last week, garnering an impressive 5.5 percent viewership. A viewers rating of 3 percent or above is considered a success on a cable network.Through the 16-episode drama, actor Ji Chang-wook in the main title role of a former solider called “K2” has been the center of attention. Along with highly skilled and eye-pleasing action scenes, Ji brought viewers into the beautiful romance with his love interest An-na played by singer-actress Yoona of Girls’ Generation. Playing Je-ja, a hired bodyguard for presidential candidate’s wife Yoo-jin, Ji maintains tight psychological tension with the presidential candidate’s wife played by Song Yoon-ah who develops a selfish and possessive affection for him.“Physically, I’m comfortable now since I am done with the script. But some regrets linger. I think what it would be like if the K2Nov 18, 2016
K-pop idols face the music of college test TWICE's Dahyun, left, and MOMOLAND's Nayoon were among over 600,000 applicants to write the College Scholastic Aptitude Test this year. / YonhapBy Ko Dong-hwanThe annual College Scholastic Aptitude Test (CSAT) was held on Thursday but some students stood out more than others.Over 600,000 applicants, mostly third-year high school students, arrived at their designated schools nationwide to sit the test from 8:40 a.m. to 5 p.m.However, some students triggered the interest of photographers and mobs crying out when they arrived. Clad in school uniforms instead of stage outfits, several K-pop idols sat the test to advance to post-secondary schools.K-pop girl band TWICE’s Dahyun came to Garak High School in Songpa-gu, eastern Seoul, for the test.“My teammates made me a lunchbox to cheer me up, which it really did,” the star, 18, said.GFriend’s SinB, left, and Umji check their test entrance tickets before entering Dongil Girls’ High School to write the test. / YonhapGirl band GFriend’s SinB and Umji were spotted together in front of Dongil GNov 17, 2016
Korea-China ties necessary to back up hallyu Attendees congratulate the opening of the China Forum 2016 titled “The Present and Future of the Korean Wave” at the Shilla Hotel, Seoul, Wednesday. From left in the front row are Rep. Shim Jae-cheol of the ruling Saenuri Party; Moon Jae-in, a former head of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK); Saenuri Party floor leader Chung Jin-suk; Korea Times and Hankook Ilbo Chairman Seung Myung-ho; National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun; Hankook Ilbo CEO Lee Jun-hee; Rep. Yoo Sung-yup of the DPK; and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoon-sun. / Korea Times photo by Hong In-kiBy Choi Ha-youngExperts stressed the importance of cooperation between Korea and China as the key to the sustainability of hallyu, or the Korean wave, at the China Forum 2016, co-hosted by The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo, Wednesday. In a session titled “The Present and Future of Korean wave” at the Shilla Hotel, speakers discussed how to boost culture from political, diplomatic and economic dynamics. Amid the diplomatic deadlock between Korea aNov 16, 2016
Hallyu needs political skill, economic resilience South China Morning Post Group CEO Robin Hu delivers a keynote speech on the present and future of hallyu, or the Korean wave, at the China Forum 2016 held at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Hong In-kiBy Park Jae-hyukSouth China Morning Post Group CEO Robin Hu said better policies and economic flexibility are necessary for the sustainability of hallyu, the Korean wave, during a keynote speech at the China Forum 2016, co-hosted by The Korea Times and its sister paper Hankook Ilbo, at the Shilla Hotel in eastern Seoul, Wednesday.“While Korean industry leaders will have to press on to encourage the creativity that has unleashed the success of the past decade, on the economic and political fronts, the country will have to accept the need to navigate a more complex environment and relations with bigger neighbors,” Hu said. “And here, bright young talents should be encouraged not just to embrace the cultural industries and the hard sciences but also aim for the commanding posts of the economy and politics.”As an outsider surrounded Nov 16, 2016By Park Jae-hyuk
BigBang's T.O.P to be conscripted policeman Rapper T.O.P of K-pop boy band BigBang / YonhapBy Hong Dam-youngRapper T.O.P of K-pop boy band BigBang will begin his mandatory military duty as a conscripted policeman early next year after being accepted into the National Police Agency on Monday.The star, whose name is Choi Seung-hyun, 29, took an exam on Oct. 25 and will be enlisted in the military band division. The date of his enlistment will be announced in two weeks.The post requires at least six months’ experience in a related industry, a related certificate, or at least two years of studying in a related field at a college. While Choi’s age is considered late compared with other conscripts who usually serve from their early to mid-20s, he is the first among the five members to enter the military. Other members, such as G-Dragon and Taeyang, both 28, are planning to serve next year, according to JoongAng Ilbo.With this year marking a decade since BigBang’s debut, the band will hold a special two-day concert -- “BigBang 10 the Concert 0. to. 10 Final in Seoul” -- at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Nov 15, 2016
Outspoken rappers under fire for keeping silent on Choi Soon-sil scandal Veteran rapper P-Type, center, poses during a press conference for “Tribe of Hip Hop 2” at the JTBC building in Mapo, western Seoul, Monday. / Courtesy of JTBCBy Kim Jae-heunThe nation’s popular rappers have been criticized for their relative silence on the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil.Hip-hop musicians are among the most popular cultural figures in Korea for being vocal and honest about social issues and delivering their messages through songs. Some veteran rappers have been unafraid to rap about politics, but this seems to have disappeared in recent days and young rappers are under fire for only bragging about their wealth.Popular rappers including Dok2, Gaeko, Zico, Mino and BeWhy appeared on MBC’s “Infinite Challenge” last Saturday and were asked to make rap songs about Korean history. The episode’s theme was that the country can overcome the crisis by looking back on its history. Famous Korean history tutor Seol Min-suk also was a guest.But many viewers complained they were uncomfortable Nov 15, 2016
'Legend of the Blue Sea is our own ancient mermaid story' Lee Min-ho, second from right, speaks during the press conference for the SBS fantasy romance drama “The Legend of the Blue Sea” at Imperial Palace in Nonhyeon-dong, southern Seoul, Monday. Jun Ji-hyun, second from left, and director Jin Hyuk, third from left, attended the event. / YonhapLee Min-ho, Jun Ji-hyun star in much-hyped dramaBy Park Jin-haiWhen people hear the word mermaid, they immediately think of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” who dissolved into sea foam upon the waves with a broken heart, or Disney’s red-haired character Ariel.Jin Hyuk, director of “The Legend of the Blue Sea,” SBS’s hotly anticipated fantasy romance drama starring two big-name stars Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho, says various documents in Korean history mention mermaids.“We have our own ancient mermaid stories. The drama has been created from the imagination of one of those surviving mermaids just walked into the modern day Seoul one day,” said Jin during the press conference at Imperial Palace in southern Seoul, Monday.&ldNov 14, 2016
Lee Seung-chul's ex-manager reveals singer's photo with President Lee Seung-chul / Korea Times fileBy Kim Jae-heunPopular singer Lee Seung-chul’s former manager posted a picture Lee had taken with President Park Geun-hye, Friday, reigniting allegations of the singer’s connections to the Choi Soon-sil scandal.Baek Kang-ki, a manager of Lee’s former rock band Boohwal, wrote on Facebook that “a burner phone is a device only used by gangs or gamblers. Gambling and drugs cannot be desisted until death. How do I know? Because I was a show business mananger.”President Park is suspected of using a burner phone to contact her close confidant Choi. Lee has been arrested twice for smoking marijuana. The former manager made a connection between Park and Lee under the common ground of illegal acts.Baek’s comment does not directly mention Lee’s involvement in the scandal, but his words in context with the picture of Lee and the President together implies the singer’s connection to the scandal.Two weeks ago, opposition party lawmaker An Min-suk revealed Choi Soon-sil and her niece Jang Si-ho have been exercising theNov 13, 2016
Broadcasters kick off battle of dramas Jun Ji-hyun in “The Legend of the Blue Sea” / Courtesy of SBSBy Park Jin-haiDrama fans will want to be on the lookout this month as a he full line-up of much anticipated shows will premier this week on major networks.The three major broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS will all air new drama series in different genres starting Wednesday, raising much hype about who will be the winner in the ratings. The most anticipated and expensive show is SBS’s “The Legend of the Blue Sea” starring two big name hallyu stars Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho.The fantasy romance penned by Park Ji-eun, the same writer of 2014 megahit drama “My Love from the Star,” is a love story of a conman and a mermaid.Lee Min-ho in “The Legend of the Blue Sea” / Courtesy of SBSThe drama is inspired by a classic Joseon-era legend from Korea’s first collection of unofficial historical tales, which tells the story of a fisherman who captures and releases a mermaid. Actor Lee will play the double roles of a modern-day con artist and the son of a noble Joseon faNov 13, 2016
Tiara adopts change, Mamamoo returns sexy K-pop girl group Tiara performs during their 12th mini-album “REMEMBER” showcase stage at Blue Square in Yongsan, Seoul, Wednesday. / YonhapBy Kim Jae-heunMBK Entertainment’s girl band Tiara returned after a year and three months with their 12th mini-album “REMEMBER” on Wednesday, hoping to revive their old glory as one of the top girl groups in the nation. They band was forced to leave the K-pop scene for awhile after they were embroiled in a bully scandal in 2012.Tiara debuted as a 6-member group in 2009, sweeping the local music scene instantly with hit-songs like “Good Person,” “Time to Love (TTL)” and “Bo Peep Bo Peep.” It did not take too long for the K-pop group to reach further into the Japanese market and a new member Hwayoung joined the band in 2010. But a scandal broke out two years later with the rumor that the band’s original members had been bullying Hwayoung because she did not go through the hardships they had gone through and took success for granted. Tiara’s agency denied the rumors bNov 11, 2016
