AOA hoping for 'Good Luck' Ace of Angels (AOA)/Courtesy of FNC EntertainmentBy Lee Jin-aK-pop girl band Ace of Angels --also known as AOA -- will release its fourth mini-album “Good Luck” on May 16, according to FNC Entertainment on Monday.The lead track, “Good Luck,” was composed by Canadian Matthew Tishler, who produced Girls’ Generation member Taeyeon’s single “Rain” (2016) and boy band EXO’s “Sing for you” (2015). The agency released two versions of AOA’s album cover on its website on Monday. In the “Week” version, the eight members have turned into beach guards wearing red and white swimming suits. In the “Weekend” version, they wear colorful summer outfits including short skirts, hot pants and crop tops. May 9, 2016
EXO's Lay collapses with food poisoning Lay / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Kim Da-heeK-pop boy band EXO’s Chinese member Lay was rushed to the hospital after collapsing with food poisoning on Sunday, Chinese media outlets reported.Lay, 24, was recording a TV variety show “Extreme Challenge” when he collapsed on his way to the restroom.He looked sick and told staff he had been vomiting.After he received fluids at the hospital, he returned to filming.Many fans expressed concern about his health, saying he should rest.In January, Lay injured his back while filming a TV drama “Old Nine Gates.”May 9, 2016
'Country Diary' actress unconscious after collapsing Actress Lee Su-na reveals she suffered from depression. / Screen capture from MBC's "Three Wheels"By Kim Da-heeActress Lee Su-na has been unconscious since she was taken to Seoul’s Yeouido St. Mary’s hospital on Wednesday, KBS weekly show “Entertainment Relay” reported Sunday.Lee, 69, who debuted in 1980 with MBC’s popular drama “Country Diary,” collapsed on Wednesday afternoon.“She has been in the intensive care unit,” her daughter said. “I am shocked.”The show reported that Lee had been on a range of medications for high blood pressure. The actress has also revealed in 2013 that she had suffered from depression after learning about her husband’s extramarital affair in 2003.“I used alcohol instead of food for a year due to depression,” she told MBC’s “Three Wheels” program.May 9, 2016
'King of Mask Singer' champion continues to rule "Our Neighborhood Music General" from MBC's "King of Mask Singer"/Courtesy of MBCBy Lee Jin-aWho can overthrow the reigning champion -- a male vocalist known only by his stage name “Our Neighborhood Music General” --in the popular TV singing competition program “King of Mask Singer”?In Sunday’s episode of the MBC program, in which contestants wear masks to hide their identities, the Music General won his contest. Runner-up was female vocalist Yangpa, who revealed her identity after the loss. She performed as “Mysterious Wonder Woman.”The audience was surprised that “Our Neighborhood Music General” outscored Yangpa, a well-known K-pop vocalist, with 66 points, double her score.Viewers believe “Our Neighborhood Music General” is Ha Hyeon-woo from indie-rock band Gukkasten. He sang the 1988 number “Waiting Everyday” by rock band Tisamseu. Yangpa performed Lee So-ra’s 2004 ballad “The Wind is Blowing.”.While “Our Neighborhood Music General” still rules supreme, netizens May 9, 2016
TV star battling acute leukemia Actor Choi Sung-won / Courtesy of tvNBy Kim Da-heeActor Choi Sung-won left JTBC’s upcoming TV drama “Mirror of the Witch” to receive treatment for acute leukemia, Apollo Pictures and Drama House, the production companies, said Monday.The actor, 31,better known for his recent role as Sung No-eul in tvN’s “Reply 1988,” played Dong Rae, a childhood friend of the main character Heo Joon(Yoon Si-yoon) in the historical fantasy.“Choi was diagnosed with acute leukemia on Wednesday after visiting a doctor for a minor bruise he got during filming,” the production companies said. “After a long discussion with production crew, he decided to leave the drama because the sooner treatment begins the better.”The first episode of the Friday-Saturday drama starring Yoon and actress Kim Se-ron will air on May 13. May 9, 2016
'Flower in Prison' set to be next hit drama Poster of new MBC drama “The Flower in Prison” / Courtesy of MBCBy Park Jin-hai “The Flower in Prison,” a new MBC drama from “Jewel in the Palace” director Lee Byung-hoon, is poised to be the next hit epic drama both at home and abroad.Starring actor Go Soo and actress Jin Se-yeon as lead roles, “Flower” is an adventure historic series centering on prison maid Ock-nyeo, who was born and raised in a prison and later helps people of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).Premiered on April 30, the first two episodes of the 50-part TV series have clinched nearly 20 percent viewership ratings, taking the top spot in the prime time slot, according to Nielsen Korea.Although the number slipped a little following the long holiday last weekend, the flying start signals “Flower” could be the next “Hur Jun” (1999), a historical drama directed by Lee and penned by Choi Wan-kyu, which enjoyed an all-time high record of over 60 percent viewer ratings.The collaboration of the legendary duo of Lee and Choi in 16 years in the May 8, 2016
Stars celebrate honor their parents Cao LuBy Bahk Eun-jiMany stars used the social media to show gratitude to their mothers and fathers on Parents’ Day.Cao Lu, from K-pop band FIESTAR, posted a photo of herself, saying, “Thanks to my parents. I hope they are always happy and healthy. I love you!”Eric NamSinger Eric Nam posted a photo of himself with his parents and said, “Thank you always.” Kim So-heeSinger Kim So-hee, who appeared on M-net’s“Produce 101,” posted a photo of herself holding a basket of carnations.Soo-young from Girls' GenerationSoo-young, from K-pop band Girls’ Generation posted a photo of herself with her parents and sister. She said she was so happy to be her mother’s and father’s daughter. May 8, 2016
'Acoustic' the new K-pop Akdong Musician performs in a live mini concert at Seoul Forest on Thursday. / YonhapBy Ko Dong-hwanFans’ taste for K-pop has moved on from idol bands’ dance music filled with bouncy beats and incomprehensive foreign jargon to acoustic folk songs focused on storytelling.The trend is reminiscent of the style before the millennium. But it also differs from the retro style in that the lyrics are more incisive and rude, similar to how hip-hop music is oriented. Hankook Ilbo referred to the style as “a mutant of acoustic music.”Two-member band Akdong Musician (AKMU) is a successful example of the new trend. On Children’s Day on Thursday at Seoul Forest, the band comprising two siblings held a mini concert in front of about 10,000 people.The concert came a day after the winner of the 2013 SBS TV audition program “K-pop Star 2”released its album “Puberty-Former.” Lee Chan-hyuk, 19, played acoustic guitar and rapped while his sister, Soo-hyun, 16, sang as they performed the album’s two lead tracks, “Re-Bye” andMay 8, 2016
Former K-pop rapper on marijuana charge /Courtesy of TwiiterBy Lee Han-sooSeoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office on Friday indicted a former K-pop band rapper, surnamed Choi, for smuggling 29 grams of marijuana on Friday.Choi, 29, allegedly was caught trying to smuggle the marijuana by mail after buying drugs from an Internet site in Canada, according to Kyunghyang Shimmun.Choi allegedly paid with Bitcoins, a form of online currency, to avoid being caught.Choi tested negative for drug tests.May 8, 2016
Lim Yo-hwan, Kim Ga-yeon hold wedding ceremony - finally Lim Yo-hwan, Kim Ga-yeon / Screen capture from InstagramBy Bahk Eun-ji Pro-gamer Lim Yo-hwan and actress Kim Ga-yeon finally held their wedding ceremony on Sunday _ five years after they officially married.Popular comedian Yoo Jae-suk hosted the ceremony.Lim, 35, and Kim, 43, welcomed their first child last August.The couple met at a professional real-time strategy computer game event in 2008, and married in 2011. May 8, 2016
