YG Entertainment presents new variety show 'Trip or Trap' The cast members of a new variety show “Trip or Trap” participate in a press conference at the SBS building in Mokdong, Seoul, Monday. From left are Lee Jae-jin, Eun Ji-won, Ahn Jung-hwan, Seo Jang-hun, Jo Se-ho and Yoo Byung-jae./ YonhapBy Kim Jae-heunYG Entertainment introduced its new reality travel show “Trip or Trap” on SBS on Monday. This is the first time in the entertainment company’s 20 years that it has produced a TV show in cooperation with a broadcasting company.The pilot premiered in July, starring six entertainers including comedians Yoo Byung-jae and Jo Se-ho and athletes-turned-TV personalities Ahn Jung-hwan and Seo Jang-hoon.In the first episode, Yoo said he has lost many TV jobs after joining YG Entertainment. But the show received positive feedback from viewers and SBS added it to its Monday schedule, set to air on Sept. 5 at 11:10 p.m.It has been reported that YG founder Yang Hyun-suk has been actively trying to coproduce the show for Yoo after his remark in the pilot.“Well… I thank him that he has been secretly promotingAug 22, 2016
Actor Park Bo-gum's fans donates solar lamps to Africa A fan club of South Korean actor Park Bo-gum made a donation to Africa under the actor's name as an act of goodwill as well as support for the actor's upcoming period drama.The fan club Bogum Ilbo said Monday that it has donated solar lamps to electricity-scarce African countries through Christian relief organization Worldshare.Solar lamps are known to be very useful on the continent that suffers from chronic electricity shortage.Earlier this year, the club, consisting of the actor's fans aged over 30, also built a well in Cambodia and donated desks and chairs to China.Park became widely popular with the success of tvN's "Reply 1988" which ended in January. His new show "Love in the Moonlight" is set to premier tonight. (Yonhap)Aug 22, 2016
CL 'Lifted' with her new US single Singer CL debuted on the U.S. stage with the single “Lifted” on August 19./ Courtesy of CL's FacebookBy Yeo Ye-rimLee Chae-rin, better known as CL, has released her first U.S. single, “Lifted”.The song was released at midnight August 19 via iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play and Spotify. It is not yet available in Korea.“Lifted,” a bouncy hip-hop rhythm track with strong beats, was composed by famous YG songwriter Teddy and American rapper Asher Roth. CL debuted in 2009 as leader of K-pop girl band 2NE1. The band topped K-pop music charts with hit songs including “Fire,” “I Don’t Care” and “Can’t Nobody.”In 2015, CL premiered her single “Hello Bitches” with a music video in the K-pop market and said she was preparing for a U.S. single the following year. The track, known as a “preview” to her U.S. debut, according to media outlets, gained her fame as a solo artist.In March, U.S. fashion magazine Teen Vogue published an article titled “10 Reasons You Need to Know [About] KorAug 19, 2016
FT Island sweeps Japan's music charts K-pop rock band FT Island has proved its popularity in Japan with its new chart-topping song “Just Do It.” By Lee Jin-aK-pop rock band FT Island has dominated Japan’s music charts with its new single “Just Do It.”The song, released Wednesday, topped HMV’s Asian album chart and Amazon Japan’s Asian pop chart. It also landed in the top 3 on Tower Records’ world music chart and hit No.5 on the Oricon Singles Chart.“Just Do It,” composed by the band’s main vocalist, Lee Hong-gi, is a disco number with synthesizer that delivers a cheerful message to fans.FT Island will hold a concert -- “2016 FT Island Live in Seoul” -- on Saturday and Sunday at the Yes 24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. From September, the band will tour eight Japanese cities with the “FT Island Autumn Tour 2016? We Just Do It.” Aug 18, 2016
EXO returns with new song 'Lotto' Exo set to return with "Lotto" on Friday./ Courtesy of SM Town By Yeo Ye-rimTop K-pop boy band EXO has unveiled a music video teaser of its new song, “Lotto.”This is the lead track of the band’s third repackaged album. The teaser was released Wednesday through EXO’s official website (exo.smtown.com) and SM Town’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrPFlnqo-7U). The band will make its stage comeback with the song Friday on KBS TV music show “Music Bank.”“Lotto,” hip-hop dance music with catchy beats, compares the fateful meeting of two people with the luck of winning the lottery.EXO debuted in 2011 and has shot to stardom with hit tracks including “Growl” and “Overdose.”Aug 17, 2016
2NE1's CL to make U.S. solo debut CL of South Korean hip-hop girl group 2NE1 will make her solo debut in the U.S., the rapper's agency said Wednesday.CL will release her first solo English EP "Lifted" on Friday (U.S. time), with the aim of getting on the U.S. pop music market, YG Entertainment said in a press release.In 2014, CL signed with Scooter Braun's label SB Projects. Braun is also in charge of the U.S. management of Psy, a globally recognized K-pop artist of YG Entertainment.As a pregame to her official U.S. debut, the singer-rapper rolled out the promotional song "Hello Bitches" and performed for fans at the Mad Decent Block Party, a concert hosted by the record label Mad Decent, known for the label head DJ Diplo."With 'Hello Bitches' having topped the global music streaming service provider Spotify, CL has proven her influence over Asia and the U.S.," said a YG Entertainment official, hoping the musician's debut EP will be well-received. (Yonhap)Aug 17, 2016
Tiffany sorry for Rising Sun Flag on Instagram TiffanyBy Kim Jae-heunTiffany of K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation posted a handwritten apology on Instagram, Monday, after posting an image containing the pattern of a “Rising Sun” flag over the text “Tokyo Japan.” The flag is considered a symbol of Japan’s military colonialism during World War II.The singer’s post was met with widespread public criticism, as she posted the image a day before the National Liberation Day on Aug. 15.Tiffany was participating in the SM Town Concert in Tokyo at the time.Her written apology was derided by many for not mentioning why sharing the Rising Sun Flag design is improper. Some questioned whether her agency had written the apology letter for her to avoid stirring up any debate among the band’s Japanese fans.The photo with Rising Sun flag design letter has been deleted before she posted an apology.Controversies surrounding celebrities using the Rising Sun Flag design arise frequently, including T.O.P of BigBang, British-Korean model Kim Sang-woo and comedian Jung Chan-woo, who have all worn itemAug 16, 2016
Hollywood movie 'The Magnificent Seven' to have global premiere in Korea Hollywood movie “The Magnificent Seven” will premiere in Korea on Sept 14. / Courtesy of Universal Pictures International KoreaBy Lee Jin-aHollywood action film “The Magnificent Seven,” featuring top Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, will have its world premiere in Korea next month.Universal Pictures International Korea said Tuesday the premiere is scheduled for Sept 14, with U.S. release on Sept 23.The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, is about seven outlaws in the Old West who come together to help a poor village battle savage thieves.Lee plays Billy Rocks, one of the good guys, while Hollywood stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Martin Sensmeier play the other six.The movie drew international attention after being selected to open the 41st Toronto International Film Festival. Aug 16, 2016
K-pop diva Dasom's kidney problem shock Dasom, 23, from K-pop girl band Sistar, has two water-filled cysts in her right kidney, discovered during an ultrasonic test for KBS TV’s health information show “Vitamin.” / Courtesy of YouTubeBy Hong Dam-youngK-pop star Dasom from girl band Sistar has a kidney problem that was diagnosed on a TV health show.The condition was discovered when Dasom, 23, had an ultrasound test for KBS TV’s health information show “Vitamin.”Medical experts found two water-filled cysts in her right kidney, according to the broadcaster. Before the checkup, the K-pop singer expressed anxiety, recollecting she used to swell up easily.The experts said two cysts could be seen as abnormal while one cyst can normally happen to women in their 20s. They said Dasom should watch her health and see a doctor if she feels unwell. Aug 16, 2016
Chinese video site promotes tourism attractions in S. Korea Major Chinese video site Youku will air a travel show introducing hot tourism spots in South Korea, featuring top celebrities from the two nations, the state-run Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) said Wednesday.Liai, a top Chinese model and MC, visited major sightseeing sites here from July 25-28 for the third annual series of the program to be aired on Thursday.The program, which introduces Korean fashion, beauty and lifestyle for young urban women, drew 20 million and 40 million views for the 2014 and 2015 editions, respectively.This year, Kim Dong-jun, the lead vocal of ZE:A, accompanied Liai to explore the best sites for couples.The two toured the Grevin Seoul Museum, the fourth venue of France's famous beeswax museum, and walked along the Han River that runs across the capital city and stone wall road surrounding Deoksu Palace in front of the city hall.They also took a pedicab ride to wander around the traditional village in Seoul and visited the filming sites of famous TV series "Descendants of the Sun," the KTO said.The KTO said it will step up efforts to develop various tourisAug 16, 2016
