Chinese remake 'Moon Lovers' to premiere The actors of SBS’ new epic fantasy romance drama “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” pose during a press conference at Imperial Palace Hotel in southern Seoul, last Wednesday. From left are Hong Jong-hyun,Jisoo, Baek-hyun of EXO, Kang Ha-neul, Lee Joon-gi, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim San-ho and Yoon Sun-woo. / Courtesy of CJ E&MSinger and actor Lee Ji-eun (IU) poses during a press conference for SBS’ new epic fantasyromance drama “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” at Imperial Palace Hotel in Gangnam, southern Seoul, last Wednesday. / Courtesy of CJ E&MBy Park Jin-hai SBS new epic fantasy romance drama “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,” a remake of China’s 2011 smash hit drama series “Scarlet Heart,” will premier its first episode on Monday.On top of solid plot that has been made to see its second sequel aired in 2014, following the first 35-episode 2011 sequel which wrapped up with great success on China’s Hunan Broadcasting System (HBS), the romantic fantasy brings in time slip and toAug 28, 2016
'Drinking Solo' finds empathy for young people The cast members of tvN’s new drama “Drinking Solo” pose at a press conference at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, last Friday. From left are Min Jing-woong, Hwang Woo-seul-hye, Ha Seok-jin, Park Ha-sun, Gong Myung, Key, Jung Chae-yeon and Kim Dong-young. / Courtesy of CJ E&MBy Choi Ha-youngMore and more young Koreans eat alone, shop alone, travel alone, and drink alone. “Drinking Solo,” tvN’s new drama to premier on Sept. 5, reflects this trend.The drama is based in Noryangjin, western Seoul, an area known “hagwon,” or private educational institutes, and “gosiwon,” single room accommodations usually used by students preparing to pass state examinations.Against this backdrop, ”Drinking Solo” evolves around hagwon lecturers and students, who try to survive and drink alone out of financial reasons or simply want to be left alone. This tendency reflects young generation’s individual lifestyle, out of Korea’s collective culture.“I sometimes drink alone too.Aug 28, 2016
Chinese actress Tang Wei now a mother Chinese actress Tang Wei gave birth to a girl in Hong Kong, Saturday. / YonhapBy Hong Dam-youngChinese actress Tang Wei, 37, gave birth to a girl in Hong Kong on Saturday, Joongang Ilbo reports.Tang, who married Korean movie director Kim Tae-yong two years ago, announced the news on her social network.“The baby weighs about 3.41kg, and she is very healthy,” she wrote.“She has the best lungs among other babies in the hospital. I thank my parents, my husband Kim Tae-yong and all the other people who have supported me through the labor.”Tang and Kim, 47, started dating after working together on the 2010 Korean film “Late Autumn” and tied the knot in 2014. Her pregnancy was widely covered in Korea and China.The production company involved in Tang’s recent film, “Finding Mr. Right 2,” had posted an image of a monkey on Weibo, saying, “Tang and Kim have been waiting for a little monkey.”This year is The Year of the Monkey in China.Aug 28, 2016
'Family man' actor denies rape charge Uhm Tae-woong, right, with his wife and daughter from KBS’s “The Return of Superman” / Courtesy of KBSBy Ko Dong-hwanFour days after it was revealed that a female massage parlor employee was suing actor Uhm Tae-woong for allegedly raping her in January, his agency has come to his defense.Keyeast said Uhm, 42, claims the allegation that he raped the woman in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province is false.“Uhm’s wife, who recently became pregnant, has suffered serious mental trauma because of the allegation and her health is unstable,” the agency said, according to media reports.The reason Uhm waited four days to make an official response might be that the star of KBS’s “The Return of Superman” ― a reality show about celebrity fathers struggling to raise their children from baby to pre-teen ― was concerned about his wife, a former ballerina.The show focused on the star’s “family man” image, in which he often became rapturous in front of his daughter, from 2013 to 2015.The accuser, 35, claims Uhm visited the parlor Aug 28, 2016
Girl band SPICA makes comeback after 3 years Members of girl band SPICA poses during their new digital single “Secret Time” showcase at YES24 MUV Hall in Mapo, Seoul, Thursday. From left are Kim Boa, Park Si-hyun, Na Rae, Yang ji-won and Kim Bo-hyung. / Courtesy of CJ E&M Music-B2M EntertainmentBy Kim Jae-heunK-pop girl band SPICA of B2M Entertainment has returned with a new digital single “Secret Time,” Thursday. It is their official come back as a full group three years after they made their fourth digital single “You Don’t Love Me” in January 2014.“It took us almost three years to return, I feel like I’m just making our debut,” said the group leader Kim Boa.“Me too, our hiatus was longer than the time we spent singing on the stage. We feel like we are back to the basics. I am excited,” agreed another member Na Rae.The new digital single consists of the title track “Secret Time” and a lead single “One Way.” The Swedish producers Andreas Oberg, Pontus Frisk and Graciela Chin A Loi produced the tunes while Kim participAug 26, 2016
September a big comeback month for K-pop stars From top to bottom, left to right: Clazziquai, Im Chang-jung, SHINee, Red Velvet, and MC Mong./ Courtesy of Clazziquai's Facebook, NH Media, SM Entertainment, and Dream T Entertainment.By Yeo Ye-rimA herd of K-pop stars are set to return in September, which will help reinvigorate the domestic music scene that has had its trend-setting juggernauts absent for months.They include Im Chang-jung, SHINee, Red Velvet, Clazziquai and MC Mong.Im Chang-jung will make his stage comeback on September 6 with his 13th full-length album. His 12th full-length album was released in 2014.Top K-pop boy band SHINee will host its comeback concert at Seoul's Olympic Gymnastics Arena on September 3-4, during which it will unveil the songs from its new album.K-pop girl band Red Velvet will release its new album next month, although details are still unconfirmed, according to its agency, SM Entertainment.Clazziquai, an electronic and jazz band, will release its seventh album on Sept. 7, ending its two-year absence. The three-member band, comprised of DJClazzi, Horan, and Alex, will also hAug 26, 2016
JinE of K-pop girl band Oh My Girl has anorexia K-pop singer JinE of Oh My Girl has anorexia. / Courtesy of WM EntertainmentBy Lee Jin-aJinE of K-pop girl band Oh My Girl has anorexia and has taken leave, her agency said Friday.JinE, 21, has had the eating disorder since her debut and her health recently deteriorated to a dangerous level, according to WM Entertainment.The agency said it decided to stop her work so she can have intensive medical treatment. The eight-member band will continue its commitments without her.“We apologize to the fans who have supported JinE and Oh My Girl for relaying this news so suddenly,” the agency said. “JinE has been suffering from anorexia and received medical treatment since her debut. After discussions with her company, she has decided to take a break.”The company said it will financially support JinE while she is on medical leave.The band debuted in 2015 with mini-album “Oh My Girl.” Its latest album, “Listen to My Word,” was released on Aug 1. Aug 26, 2016
신하균·김고은 연인 사이…"두달 전부터 교제" 배우 신하균(42)과 김고은(25)이 2개월 전부터 교제하고 있다고 소속사인 호두앤유엔터테인먼트 측이 24일 밝혔다. 호두앤유엔터테인먼트 관계자는 "영화계 선후배 사이로 지내다가 두달 전부터 연인 사이로 발전했다고 한다"며 "사귀기 시작하는 단계이니 잘 봐주셨으면 좋겠다"고 말했다. 신하균과 김고은은 같은 소속사다. 신하균은 수년 전부터 호두앤유엔터테인먼트 소속으로 활동했고, 김고은은 이달 새롭게 합류했다. 신하균은 자신이 주연한 영화 '올레'의 25일 개봉을 앞두고 홍보 활동에 한창이고, 김고은은 김은숙 작가의 신작인 tvN 드라마 '도깨비'를 준비하고 있다. (연합뉴스)Aug 24, 2016
Age gap no barrier to Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Go-eun romance Shin Ha-kyun and Kim Go-eun have been dating for two months. / Courtesy of Kim Go-eun's InstagramBy Yeo Ye-rimActor Shin Ha-kyun has started a relationship with actress Kim Go-eun.The news that broke Wednesday morning took many by surprise because of their 17-year age gap -- Shin is 42 and Kim 25. According to their agency, HODU&U Entertainment, the two have been dating for two months.“They have been in the relationship for two months,” the agency said. “We would appreciate it if you support their love.”Actor Shin Ha-kyun / YonhapShin debuted with the movie “The Happenings” in 1998. He has appeared in several hit dramas and films, including “Brain” (2011), “Mr. Beck” (2014) and “Pied Piper” (2016).Kim debuted in 2012 with the movie “A Muse” and has gained popularity with the TV drama series “Cheese in the Trap.”Aug 24, 2016
'Superstar K' returns with new judges, rules The judging panel of Mnet’s talent show “Superstar K 2016” poses during a press conference at Amoris Hall in Times Square, southern Seoul, Tuesday. From left are Gil of hip-hop duo Leessang, singers Gummy and Kim Bum-soo, FNC Entertainment founder Han Sung-ho, vocalist Kim Yeon-woo, music producer Brave Brothers and R&B singer Ailee./ Courtesy of CJ E&MBy Kim Jae-heunThe country’s oldest TV talent show series “Superstar K” will return with its eighth season, overhauling its title and design of its logo to fit the competition format and the number of judging panels ― in hopes of reviving the show’s old glory.The talent show premiered in 2009 and became a hit series nationwide to make it an annually returning audition program recording its highest viewership rating of 18.1 percent in season two, which is considered a huge success for cable show. The survival program also produced star singers, such as Seo In-guk, Huh Gak, Busker Busker and Roy Kim.However, the main producer changed from season three and, to make matters worse, viewAug 23, 2016
