Choi Soo-young of Girls' Generation to appear on 'Perfect Sense' Choi Soo-young, a member of the popular K-pop girl group "Girls' Generation," has been cast in a KBS TV soap opera aimed at improving the perception of physical disabilities, the network said on Monday.The terrestrial network said the 26-year-old singer will appear in "Perfect Sense," a one-off special show produced to enhance the general public's understanding of the challenges and social prejudice faced by handicapped people."Perfect Sense" is the 8th in an annual series of co-produced TV drams by the Ministry of Education, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., and a local advocate group for the disabled.The story centers on a girl, Eun-seo (Jung Chan-bi), who is slowly losing her eyesight but remains positive after meeting a blind teacher Ah-yeon (Choi Soo-young) and an aging guide dog.All of the cast appear on the show as unpaid volunteers.It will premier on KBS 2TV at 1 p.m. on April 20, the country's Persons with Disabilities Day.The day has been observed since 1981 in South Korea to enhance the understanding of people with disabilities and inspire them to overcome physical Apr 11, 2016
Lee Soo-jung wins 'K-pop Star 5' "K-pop Star 5" / Screen captures from SBSBy Bahk Eun-jiKorean-American Lee Soo-jung won “K-pop Star 5,” the fifth season of the SBS talent show, on Sunday and decided to do her pre-debut activities with Antenna Music.In the final round that aired live, Lee, 22, from Chicago, sang “Stick-er,” and received perfect scores from the three judges ― Park Jin-young, Yang Hyun-suk and Yoo Hee-yeol. The final mission made the two competitors ― Lee and Ahn Ye-eun ― modify the songs they had sung in past rounds.“I enjoyed it a lot when I worked with Yoo, so I decided to go with him,” Lee said, explaining why she chose Antenna Music.“Yoo already understood my strengths and weaknesses, so please keep having an interest in me.” Apr 11, 2016
Actress Go Ara tapped as face of S. Korea's Air Force Go Ara, the leading actress in the sensational nostalgic drama "Reply 1994," will represent South Korea's Air Force as its latest honorary ambassador, the Air Force said Monday.The 26-year-old actress will serve as the face of the Air Force over the next year, appearing on promotional Air Force publications and attending key public events.Go is the daughter of a career service member, who served for nearly 30 years with the Air Force, and her appointment reflected this background, the Air Force said."Go's career path and image matches those of the Air Force's four key values -- challenge, devotion, professionalism and team work," the Air Force said in a statement. "The appointment will greatly contribute to the Air Force's efforts to become closer with the public.""I am pleased to have this precious relationship with the Air Force which I have admired so much," Go said, adding that she is very much looking forward to her activities as the honorary ambassador.Go debuted in the local television drama "Sharp #1" in 2003, and gained wild popularity through her leading role as Sung Na-junApr 11, 2016
KBS's new variety show revives woman stars Six participants members for the new KBS reality show ‘Sisters’ Slam-Dunk’ pose during a press conference at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, western Seoul, last Wednesday. From left are singers Tiffany and Jessi, actress Min Hyo-rin, producer Park In-suk, comedian Hong Jin-kyung, actress Ra Mi-ran and comedian Kim Sook. / Courtesy of KBSBy Kim Jae-heunMale celebrities dominated last year’s TV entertainment shows. But this year, the Korea Broadcasting Network (KBS) expects to turn the tables with its new reality series “Sisters’ Slam Dunk,” which started Friday.“Ladies and gentlemen, here returns the heyday for women in variety shows,” said comedian Hong Jin-kyung, during a press conference at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, western Seoul, last Wednesday. “We watched men dominating the TV shows with tears of blood, and finally we got our stage.”The star-studded show ― hosted by six women from various fields ― draws on the real-life stories of the women and the cast come together to help each other realize their dreApr 10, 2016
Sulli shares photos of boyfriend Choiza Sulli uploads photos that show her kissing her boyfriend , rapper Choiza of Dynamic Duo. / Screen captures from InstagramBy Bahk Eun-ji Former f(X) member Sulli uploaded photos to her Instagram page Saturday that show her kissing her boyfriend, rapper Choiza of Dynamic Duo.In the photos, Sulli and Choiza are shown kissing on a bed. Sulli and Choiza / Sceen captures from InstagramSulli has been dating the rapper, who is 14 years older than her, since 2013. She left the group last year to start an acting career.Apr 10, 2016
Lee Min-ho greets 20,000 fans in Philippines Lee Min-ho / Courtesy of Starhaus EntertainmentBy Bahk Eun-ji Top hallyu actor Lee Min-ho met more than 20,000 fans in the Philippines, Starhaus Entertainment said Sunday.Lee visited the Southeast Asian country from April 2 to 3 to attend promotions for global fashion brand Bench, a British company he models for.He has been working as a model for the brand for five years.The events were held twice in Manila and Cebu, attracting more than 20,000 fans in total, the entertainment company said.Lee rose to stardom in popular drama “Boys Over Flowers” in 2009. He also has gained popularity in Asian countries with starring roles in dramas “City Hunter (2011)” and “The Heirs (2013).” Apr 10, 2016
Conan gets gig in JYP's music video (From left)Steven Yeun, Park Jin-young and Conan O’Brien practices choreography while filming the music vidoe for Park's "Fire." / Courtesy of online communityBy Ko Dong-hwanAmerican comedian and TV host Conan O’Brien features in the music video of K-pop star Park Jin-young’s new song “Fire.”The video for the 1980s-style funk-rock number was released Saturday by the JYP Entertainment CEO before the song’s release Sunday.The video also features Korean-American actor Steven Yeun and JYP artists Wonder Girls and Twice. The entertainment agency’s singer Park Ji-min, who won the SBS show “K-pop Star Season 1,” features in the track’s audio.The music video was made in February when O’Brien visited Korea for a week. During the visit, the star posted an Instagram photo that showed him with those who appeared in the video.“@SteveYeun and I got to sing on a brand new track by K-pop King @Asiansoul_JYP,” he wrote. “Get ready, #Korea!”The comedian’s YouTube channel, “Team Coco,” also Apr 10, 2016
Even N. Korea watches 'Descendants of the Sun' Song Joong-ki(left) and Song Hye-kyo from KBS's "Descendants of the Sun" / Courtesy of KBSBy Ko Dong-hwanKBS TV’s mega-hit drama “Descendants of the Sun” is gathering a following in one of the world’s most secluded communist states ― North Korea.Local daily newspaper Kyunghyang Shimmun, quoting a North Korean defector, said Friday the defector’s family in the North had watched the drama’s first eight episodes via the Internet.The report said “some North Koreans had begun to get love-sick with the drama.”“More smartphones have been distributed to people and better Internet networks have been established compared to the past,” the report said, quoting a North Korean expert.The drama is set in the fictional war-torn country of Uruk. Its male lead, Song Joong-ki, who plays unrealistically perfect special unit chief Yoo Si-jin, falls in love with Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo), a doctor from non-profit organization Doctors Without Borders.The 14-part drama has caused frenzy among fans outside Korea. The drama’s title was Apr 10, 2016
Comedy Big League no laughing matter Kim Young-hee(left) from tvN's "Comedy Big League" / Courtesy of tvNBy Ko Dong-hwanAfter comedian Jang Dong-min was involved in controversy for mocking socially disadvantaged people on TV show “Comedy Big League,” the program is drawing more criticism because of provocative jokes.The anger has targeted the tvN program’s episode of Apr 3.In one segment, which parodied the cable network’s popular drama series “Signal,” comedienne Kim Young-hee wore a costume that had fake breasts to copy the bust of detective Cha Soo-hyun, the drama’s female lead played by Kim Hye-soo.Netizens said on the program’s official site that the segment was uncomfortable to watch. When a fellow male comedian asked her, “Where should I look to know that you are Cha?” she pushed her fake breasts into his face, saying “Where should you look, indeed?”Male comedians in the segment also mentioned Kim’s fake breasts to make jokes in the PG-15 program.Park Na-rae touches male co-star's body in a skit from "Comedy Big League." / Courtesy of tApr 10, 2016
House of Song Joong-ki's parents instant tourist attraction Tourists take a photo in front of actor Song Joong-ki's parents' house in Daejeon. / Courtesy of Daejeon Dong-gu District Office Song Joong-ki / YonhapBy Bahk Eun-ji The huge popularity of TV drama “Descendants of the Sun” has made male lead Song Joong-ki’s parents’ house a tourist attraction in Daejeon.According to the Daejeon Dong-gu District Office, Song’s grandparents used to live in the house, and now his parents live there.Many tourists began taking photos in front of the house when news of Song’s frequent visits emerged.One nearby resident said he hopes the house’s popularity will be an opportunity for local development.Apr 10, 2016
