'Fantastic Duo' to open new genre Kim Young-wookBy Kim Jae-heunKim Young-wook, producer of Seoul Broadcasting Station’s (SBS) entertainment shows, promised that his new television series “Fantastic Duo” will open a new genre of music show that presents a duet sung by a popular singer with one of his or her fans chosen from online.The show takes its inspiration from a one-off show aired on Lunar New Year’s Day, Feb. 9.Each week three singers will be invited to sing a duet with a fan selected through posting their duets recorded with the karaoke application “Everysing” on their smart phones. The three will then compete with each other to earn the right to challenge the champions of the one-off show, Kim Bum-soo and Kim Da-mi.“I was inspired by the British singer Jessie J on a YouTube video where she was singing a duet with one of her fans on Everysing as part of a promotional event,” Kim said during a press conference at an Italian restaurant in Yangcheon-gu, western Seoul, Monday. “It was a great success and I am taking my show’s concept from that.&rdquoApr 12, 2016
Song Hye-kyo rejects Mitsubishi offer Song Hye-kyoBy Park Jin-haiSong Hye-kyo, the star of megahit drama “Descendants of the Sun,” rejected a modeling offer from Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors, her agency UAA said Tuesday.The actress is reported to have rejected the offer as the Mitsubishi Group is involved in a lawsuit over the alleged use of Korean forced labor during Japan’s occupation of Korea.“It is true that Song received the offer about a month ago, but in the review process, we found that the company was involved in forced labor and didn’t hesitate to turn it down,” said a UAA official. “Song has great interest in social and historical issues.”Seo Kyoung-duk, a Sungshin Women's University professor well known for promoting Korean interests abroad, left a comment on Facebook referring to a conversation he had a few days ago with the actress, who said, “Mitsubishi hasn't taken responsibility for their past actions yet, right? That means I am not going to be modeling for them."Seo said Song is an actress who knows how to love her culture and history as wellApr 12, 2016
'Descendants of the Sun' stars get role on memory sticks "Descendants of the Sun" USB Memory Sticks / Courtesy of KBSBy Lee Jin-aAre you worried about missing actor Song Joong-ki after KBS TV drama “Descendants of the Sun” ends this week?A USB memory stick might help alleviate your lovesickness.KBS said Monday it has started selling 16-gigabyte memory sticks shaped like the drama’s four main characters.The memory sticks are on sale at Korea’s major online shopping malls, including Gmarket, Auction, 11ST, Interpark and the Pepper Shaker, for 26,000-28,000 won.KBS previously sold five types of handmade cookies symbolizing the drama’s main characters. Apr 12, 2016
Four K-pop musicians defy 'mass-produced' brand By Kim Da-heeK-pop boy band members often attract fans with their appearance, not musical talent. But this does not apply to at least these four: G-Dragon, Zico, Jonghyun and Jinyoung.They are good looking but also possess exceptional talent in songwriting, producing and dancing, plus other abilities that make them successful musicians.The Korea Times looks at the four who have distinguished themselves from mass-produced singers. G-Dragon / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentG-Dragon from Big BangG-Dragon, a leader of Big Bang, has written and composed many of the group’s hit songs, including “Bang Bang Bang,” “Fantastic Baby,” “Loser,” “Still Alive” and “We Like 2 Party.” He gave iKon, YG management’s boy band, the song “I Miss You So Bad” for the group’s debut full album. It was reported he receives a royalty of 800 million won ($689,934) a year. Zico / Courtesy of Zico's InstagramZico from Block BRapper Zico, a leader of Block B, has produced Block B’s albums. He wroApr 12, 2016
Song Hye-kyo rejects Mitsubishi ad offer over war record Song Hye-kyo / Courtesy of Song Hye-kyo's InstagramBy Lee Jin-aKorean actress Song Hye-kyo has rejected a TV commercial offer from Mitsubishi, citing the Japanese company’s use of forced labor, including an estimated 100,000 Koreans, during World War II.According to Song’s agency, she received the offer last month. Song, 34, was asked to appear in a commercial for a new Mitsubishi model that will air across China. But she rejected it, citing the company’s war record.She is known to have participated in patriotic activities, including promotion of Korea’s historic sites. Song last year sponsored the production of Korean language booklets to be distributed at historical sites related to Korea’s independence movement. Apr 12, 2016
Will 'Descendants of the Sun' have happy ending? “Descendants of the Sun” / Courtesy of KBSBy Bahk Eun-jiJust how will it end? Will it be happy? That is what is going through the minds of “Descendants of the Sun” fans. With the mega-hit 16-episode drama set to bring down the curtain on Thursday, viewers are increasingly curious about its ending.The 14th episode that aired last week provided a teaser for the next episode. In it, Capt. Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) leaves on a far-off mission. In the next scene, a stony faced fellow soldier visits Yoo’s girlfriend, Dr. Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo), and delivers news about him. Kang’s face soon turns gloomy.The teaser sparked speculation about the ending. But the drama is believed to have a happy finale for the two main couples, including Seo Dae-young (Jin Goo) and Yoon Myung-joo (Kim Ji-won). The show’s writer, Kim Eun-sook, is famous for romantic-comedy dramas such as “Gentleman’s Dignity (2012)” and “Secret Garden (2011),” in which the couples live happily ever after.The 15th episode airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. on KApr 12, 2016
Actor Seo Kang-joon draws thousand at Japan meet-and-greet South Korean actor Seo Kang-joon met with hundreds of fans at his first solo meet-and-greet in Japan over the weekend, his talent agency said Tuesday.Seo held two fan meetings on Sunday at Osaka Business Park in the namesake city, which together drew more than a thousand people, Fantagio said.Seo stars as Baek In-ho in the tvN drama "Cheese in the Trap." He sang the show's theme song "Tearliner" and Eddy Kim's "The Manual," and put on a piano performance of Yiruma's "River Flows in You.""I was really anxious and excited for my first solo meet-and-greet in Japan," Seo was quoted as saying by the agency. "I'm really grateful for having spent quality time with my fans. Their happiness was contagious."The meetings in Osaka were sold out, with Seo to travel to Tokyo on June 11 for another fan meeting, Fantagio said. (Yonhap) Apr 12, 2016
Talk show host Conan O'Brien promotes Korea visit By Lee Han-sooFamous TBS cable TV talk show host Conan O’Brien aired Saturday clips that recorded his week-long visit to Korea in February.The clips included his trip to Noryangjin Fish Market, as well as O’Brien learning Korean, acting in a soap opera, visiting Kukkiwon (world taekwondo headquarters) and seeing the Demilitarized Zone. The clips have been uploaded to the show’s main website, “Team Coco.” The site also posted last weekend the music video of K-pop star Park Jin-young’s “Fire,” which featured O’Brien and Korean-American actor Steven Yeun. The video has had over 1 million views on YouTube. Apr 11, 2016
'Descendants' doppelganger a shy soldier (Inbox) Jin Goo from “Descendants of the Sun” and Sergeant Major Seo Dae-young / YonhapBy Ko Dong-hwanThe real world and fiction have collided in an unlikely coincidence involving Korea’s hottest TV drama, “Descendants of the Sun.” A Korean soldier shares with one of the show’s characters the same name, rank, job description and even where they met their partners.Sergeant Major (SGM) Seo Dae-young, 30, from ROK Special Warfare Command, exists in fiction ― portrayed by Jin Goo in the KBS drama ― and the real world. And they have both been acknowledged for their military skills. Jin portrays a soldier full of pride who always gets tasks done, while SGM Seo also has a top performance record.At the 58th anniversary of the command’s establishment on Apr 1, it awarded SGM Seo “soldier of the year,” recognizing his high scores for 23 categories covering skills and ethics.(Left)Kim Ji-won and Jin Goo from “Descendants of the Sun”SGM Seo, left, and his wife / YonhapSGM Seo also topped comrades in naval warfare anApr 11, 2016
GOT7 aims for hit with 'Home Run' / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Kim Da-heeK-pop boy band GOT7 will release its follow-up song “Home Run” at midnight on April 12.The seven-member group promised that its second title track would be released online in April when the group released its fifth mini-album, “Flight Log: Departure,” on March 21.“Home Run” is included on the album, which also contains the track “Fly.” But the number was not released digitally.GOT7’s management agency, JYP Entertainment, shared a teaser image for “Home Run” Monday, raising fans’ expectations.The group’s leader, JP, participated in writing and composing the addictive song that has a retro-hip feel.GOT7 will hold its first concerts in Seoul on April 29 and 30. Apr 11, 2016
