'Non-Summit' celebrates 100th episode “Non-Summit” emcees Jun Hyun-moo Yoo Se-yoon and Sung Si-kyung / Courtesy of JTBC Director Kim Hee-jungBy Kim Jae-heun“Non-Summit,” JTBC’s entertainment debate show, will air its 100th episode on May 30. The debate series was first aired on July 2014, featuring some 30 foreign panelists living in Korea and three emcees ― Yoo Se-yoon, Jun Hyun-moo and Sung Si-kyung ― to discuss various topics in politics, economics, religion and social affairs.“Non-Summit” particularly focused on issues that Koreans in their 20s and 30s face from the perspectives of the international panel. The show now holds nearly 800,000 followers on its social media channels like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.“Non-Summit has its own strength that other debate shows don’t have,” said Jun at a press conference celebrating its 100th episode at JTBC building in Digital Media City, western Seoul, Tuesday. “At first, we invited some guests who were only willing to appear on our show. Top actor Jung Woo-sung is an example and hMay 3, 2016
2PM tops Oricon Chart in Japan 2PM / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment By Bahk Eun-ji K-pop boy band 2PM’s new Japanese album, “Galaxy of 2PM,” topped the weekly Oricon Chart in Japan Tuesday.According to Japan’s largest online music chart, the band’s album sold 96,000 copies in just a week after it was released on April 27.This is the fourth time the band has set a record in Japan. The first was for “Republic of 2PM” in 2011, which sold 74,000 copies.The band has been on tour since April 23 and will perform the last stage in Osaka next month.May 3, 2016
Romance blooms for Uee, Lee Sang-yoon Lee Sang-yoon, Uee / Korea TimesBy Bahk Eun-jiUee, a former member of K-pop band After School, and actor Lee Sang-yoon have been dating since earlier this year, their agencies said Tuesday.Uee, 28, and Lee, 34, began the romance after they met at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in December.“They recently began dating and are getting to know each other,” said J,Wide Company, Lee’s agency, confirming a recent media report about their romance.Lee debuted in a short TV drama “Transformation” in 2007 and has gained popularity with roles in TV dramas “My Daughter Seo-young” and “Twenty Again.”Uee, who debuted as a member of the band, left the group in 2009 for an acting career. She recently starred in MBC TV drama “Marriage Contract.” May 3, 2016
tvN's 'New Journey to the West 2' draws 50 mln views in China The second season of South Korean reality show "New Journey to the West" has raked in over 50 million views within two weeks of launch in China, local cable television network said on Monday.As of Monday at 9 a.m., tvN's new web comedy series "New Journey to the West 2" drew a total of 56.9 million views on Chinese video sharing website Tencent Video with its first five episodes and a trailer.Before launching the show in China, tvN was concerned about the second season generally falling short of the first season in popularity -- a worry that seemed unnecessary for the new show.The second and latest season of "New Journey to the West" saw its viewership soar about three times faster than the previous season's in China, according to the South Korean broadcaster."'New Journey to the West 2' owes much of its popularity in China to its structural familiarity to the Chinese classic 'Journey to the West,'" tvN said in a press release. Another winning factor appears to be the production crew's emphasis on the details of local lives to amuse Chinese viewers, it added.Starring four main hosts May 2, 2016
'Descendants of the Sun' couple stars on 'Running Man' /Courtesy of Instagram of SBS Running ManBy Lee Jin-aJin Goo and Kim Ji-won, who played a military couple in the mega-hit TV drama “Descendants of the Sun,” starred on the TV variety show “Running Man” on Sunday.The two appeared like a real-life couple on the SBS show, wearing the same pink sweatshirts, and re-enacting some of the drama’s most romantic scenes.David McInnis, who portrayed Argus in the drama, was also a guest.“The Goo-Won couple appeared on‘Running Man!’ With Seok-jin, Jae-seok, Jong-kuk, Gaeri, Haha, Ji-hyo, Kwang-su, and Eunseo, we had so much fun,” Jin Goo said on Instagram on Sunday. He also posted a photo of himself with Ji-won and Eunseo.May 2, 2016
'Babylon'on road to stardom Babylon / Courtesy of InstagramBy Ko Dong-hwanMany people may have not yet heard of K-pop artist Babylon. But the singer, who debuted with an R&B mini album last week, is more known among fellow artists for his talents. And he is rising fast.His first album, “Between Us,” released last Thursday includes the title number “You, I, Us” that features rapper Dok2, while “Raining Street” is backed by HA:TFELT, also known as Park Yeeun from girl band Wonder Girls. “You, I, Us” topped online music charts the day it was released.The 20-something star, who became popular after recording hip-hop number “Boys and Girls” by rapper Zico last November, is considered “one of the few artists who can sing, dance and rap,” according to online entertainment daily OSEN.But he is best-known for his voice. His discography is extraordinary even before his new album, featuring rappers Paloalto, The Quiett and Zico.The star’s biblical name derives from a pub that Antonio Montana (Al Pacino) visited in the American crime movie &lMay 2, 2016
BTS makes chart-topping comeback Bangtan Boys / Courtesy of Big Hit EntertainmentBy Kim Da-heeK-pop boy band Bangtan Boys, also known as BTS, has swept domestic music charts with its “Young Forever” album, which was released midnight on Sunday.The main track “Fire” topped eight major music charts including Naver Music and Olleh Music on Monday morning.The seven-member group will promote the album and the track on TV music shows for one week while preparing for its upcoming “2016 BTS LIVE Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa on stage: epilogue,” Asian tour, which will start in Seoul on May 7-8.BTS will perform the title track live for the first time at the city’s Olympic Gymnastics Arena. May 2, 2016
'Train to Busan' to screen at Cannes Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Kim Soo-an / Courtesy of DAUM MovieBy Bahk Eun-ji The thriller “Train to Busan” has been invited to screen at the 69th Cannes Film Festival, the film’s distributor NEW said on Monday.Actors Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Kim Soo-an and director Yeon Sang-ho will attend the world premiere there and the red carpet event.The film is about people trying to flee from Seoul to Busan by train.It is the director’s second invitation to the festival. Yeon was invited to the 65th festival for his animated film “The King of Pigs” in 2011.This year’s festival will be held from May 11-22.“Train to Busan” / Courtesy of NEW May 2, 2016
Park Hae-jin to appear on Chinese talk show Park Hae-jin / Courtesy of Mountain Movement By Bahk Eun-ji Actor Park Hae-jin will be a guest on popular Chinese talk show “Fei Chang Jing Juli,” Mountain Movement agency said Monday.The show is one of the oldest talk shows in China and special guests have included many Asian stars, such as Andy Lau, Yang Mi and Berlin Chen.Park will share his experiences while shooting the popular Korean romance drama “Cheese in the Trap” on tvN.The episode of the Chinese talk show in which Park appears will go to air early next month.Park will hold fan meetings in Beijing on May 20, Taiwan on June 9 and Thailand on July 31.May 2, 2016
April heats up girl group battle Members of April perform “Tinker Bell” at Mecenapolis in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of DSP MediaBy Kim Jae-heunDSP Media’s new girl band April released its second extended play (EP) “Spring,” Wednesday, to join the girl group war with popular bands TWICE and Lovelyz, who also released their new songs this week.April is composed of five members Chaewon, Hyunjoo, Naeun, Yena and Jinsol. The team debuted in August last year, taking on the company’s next girl band generation after KARA.JYP Entertainment’s TWICE and Woollim Entertainment’s Lovelyz officially debuted during the same timeframe with April ― all in less than two years. It makes the competition more interesting to watch three girl bands introducing their second EPs.“We are happy to perform on the same stage with Lovelyz and TWICE,” said Yena during the press conference at Mecenatpolis in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. “However we can show more lively and fresh stage moves as we are little bit younger.”“Also, we have a morApr 29, 2016
