Korean reality show hits 200 million views in China Korean reality TV series "New Journey to the West 2" has racked up more than 200 million views on a Chinese video platform, its production company said Saturday.The series starring South Korean comedians Kang Ho-dong, Lee Soo-geun, singer Eun Ji-won and actor Ahn Jae-hyeon was watched more than 211 million times on Tencent (http://v.qq.com) as of Friday, tvN said.It is the shortest time a video has ever taken on the website to break 1 million views, the South Korean cable network said, adding the show has remained No. 1 in the entertainment category since premiering 45 days ago.In the second season of the once online-exclusive adventure series, the four men explore China's Sichuan Province and take up bizarre challenges in order to collect seven dragon balls. The second season has been aired both online and on TV in South Korea.tvN attributed its success in China to the fact that it is based on "Journey to the West," a classic Chinese novel, and features historic places.In South Korea, "New Journey to the West 2" recorded 55 million views as of Friday, which is nearly what the entireJun 4, 2016
K-pop singer Se7en returns with single after three-year scandal break /Courtesy of Eleven 9 EntertainmentBy Lee Jin-aK-pop singer Se7en will resume his career in Japan on July 7 with the new single album “Rainbow,” his agency said Friday.He stopped performing in Korea in 2013, when he was embroiled in a prostitution scandal. It was alleged he visited an adult massage parlor while doing mandatory military duty.Police questioned him but the case did not proceed because of a lack of evidence.There are no plans for a Korean comeback.His agency revealed a 30-second trailer of his new music video on YouTube.“The song represents Se7en’s new beginning,” said Victor Entertainment. “It sends a message to cheer up people who are facing challenges.”Se7en made his debut with album “Just Listen” in 2003. He has gained popularity through songs including “Come Back to Me” (2003) and “Passion” (2004).Jun 3, 2016
Mentoring program for artists launched Kim Eun-hee, screenwriter of tvN’s drama “Signal,” speaks at the Korea Creative Content Agency ceremony at the Blue Square Samsung Card Hall, central Seoul, on May 31. / YonhapBy Park Jin-haiThe Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), which promotes Korea’s cultural content overseas, has started its annual project to nurture creative content developers.This year, hundreds of mentors, including screenwriter Kim Eun-hee, famous for tvN’s crime drama “Signal,” and webtoonist Yoon Tae-ho, whose works “Misaeng” and “The Insiders” have been made into a TV drama and a movie, are participating.KOCCA, an agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has been running the training program since 2012. It selects talented artists in eight categories, including movies, media, performance and webtoon, and matches them with established artists who will work as their mentors for nine months.“This project has been designed to produce killer content and foster young artists,” said Song Sung-gak, president of&nJun 3, 2016
SHINee's Jonghyun sweeps music charts Jonghyun of K-pop boy band SHINee with the cover of his first full-length album. / Courtesy of S.M. EntertainmentBy Lee Jin-aJonghyun of K-pop boy band SHINee has topped domestic and international music charts with his first full-length solo album, “She Is,” released May 24.The album ranked No. 1 on Korea’s weekly album charts, including Yes24, Synnara Records, Hanteo Chart and Hot Tracks, during the fourth week of May.The album also took first place on iTunes’ top 100 album chart and pop album chart in Singapore and China, as of May 24.“I am very overwhelmed and grateful,” said Jonghyun, after he was awarded first place with the title track “She Is” on MBC’s music program “Show! Champion.”He also thanked members of SHINee for supporting him. “Members are my old buddies,” he said. “They always stayed by my side and cheered me up when I had a hard time producing this album.”Jonghyun wrote the lyrics of all eight songs on the album and participated in composing the music for seven of them. Jun 2, 2016
Bands unite in Paris for world's largest K-pop festival Poster for "KCON" / Courtesy of CJ E&MBy Kim Da-heeK-pop bands including SHINee, f(x) and Block B will unite Thursday for the world’s largest K-pop festival ― at Paris’ Accor Hotel ― with Korean President Park Geun-hye attending.In line with Park’s state visit to France on June 1-4, Paris is the first European destination of the “KCON” festival, an annual event that combines with conventions for Korean food, products and culture. CJ E&M, Korea’s leading entertainment and media company, started the festival in California in 2012 to promote Korean culture. It has been held around the world, including New York, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. The latest KCON in Los Angeles in 2015 attracted about 58,000 fans.K-pop boy band Super Junior performs on Aug. 1 in Los Angeles as part of the KCON 2015 festival. / YonhapThe festival’s concert is hugely popular, with the first batch of 10,000 tickets gone within three hours in April and the second batch of 20,000 sold out within an hour in May.K-pop boy band Super Junior’Jun 2, 2016
Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho to star in drama Jun Ji-hyun (left) and Lee Min-hoBy Kim Da-heeTop actors Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho will star in a new SBS drama, Culture Depot, production company for the drama, said Monday.The company said Jun, heroine from mega-hit TV drama “My Love from the Star” (2013-14), and Lee, whose latest TV role was in “The Heirs” (2014) will lead the upcoming romantic fantasy series tentatively titled “Legend of the Blue Sea.”Park Ji-eun, who wrote “My Love from the Star,” will write the script.“Park created characters in the drama by thinking of the two stars,” the company said.The drama, which takes its motif from an ancient Korean myth about a mermaid, is expected to air in November. Jun 1, 2016
K-pop star becomes first foreigner to head Chinese campaign A poster for a Chinese public campaign "Power To Go" / Screen capture from WeiboBy Kim Da-heeJung Yong-hwa, the vocalist with K-pop rock band CNBLUE, has become the first foreign star to model for a Chinese public campaign, media outlets reported Wednesday.The musician, 26, will model for the public benefit campaign “Power To Go,” which Chinese actor Chen Kun set up in 2011.The campaign aims to build a positive attitude to life by carrying out long marches.Chen, his show business friends and a group of volunteers hike mountainous areas for about a week each year.The aim of the campaign is spiritual redemption.“We appointed the foreigner because we believe he can bring happiness and a positive mind to young people,” a campaign official said.Jung has been enjoying immense popularity in Chinese-speaking countries.He was the first Korean male star to become a cover model for the Chinese edition of fashion magazine Elle.He was also the only Korean singer to attend the 2015 Elle Style Awards in Shanghai. Jun 1, 2016
YG inks deals with China's Tencent, Weying From left, Weying Technology CEO David Lim, YG Entertainment CEO Yang Min-suk and General Managerof the Film/Drama Department and Editor in Chief at Tencent Video Suman Wang sign an investmentagreement at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Kim Jae-heunYG Entertainment (YG) has signed an investment agreement with China’s leading online company Tencent Group and top online ticketing firm Weying Technology, Tuesday.Weying and Tencent Group invested $55 million and $30 million, respectively, to acquire 8.2 percent and 4.5 percent shares in the Korean entertainment company and become YG’s third- and fourth-largest stakeholders. The top two major YG shareholders are YG founder Yang Hyun-suk and CEO Yang Min-suk, followed by L Capital, the investment arm of French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH.The signing ceremony was attended by YG CEO Yang, Tencent Video’s Film/Drama Department General Manager and Editor-in-Chief Suman Wang, Tencent Video’s Variety Department General Manager Tina Ma and Weying Technology CEO David Lim, who anMay 31, 2016
Star actor's passport details leaked to Chinese websites Song Joong-ki / Korea Times fileBy Kim Da-heeActor Song Joong-ki’s passport details have been leaked onto Chinese websites, a Chinese entertainment news media outlet reported Monday.According to the report, pictures of Song’s passport, which show his personal details, including his passport photo and social security number, have been spreading online./ Screen capture from WeiboIt is uncertain how the information was leaked, but some suspect a customs officer might have taken a photo of the passport when Song passed an immigration checkpoint.At his fans’ request, most of the pictures circulating are now blurred, but there are still fears the private information could be used in crimes. May 31, 2016
K-pop musicians from top agency join forces for concert Poster for "JYP Nation Concert" / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Kim Da-hee K-pop musicians from JYP Entertainment, one of Korea’s top-three entertainment agencies, will hold a joint concert titled “JYP Nation Concert” on August 6-7, the agency said Monday.The agency, led by famous K-pop composer Park Jin-young, has held the concert biennially since 2010, showcasing special collaborative performances of its artists as well as their hit songs.The two-day concert will be at Jamsil Indoor Stadium, Seoul.Featuring musicians include Park Jin-young, Wonder Girls, Jo Kwon, 2PM, GOT 7 and TWICE. “Artists are working hard to provide the best performances for their fans,” JYP Entertainment said. May 31, 2016
