G-Dragon sends condolences to victims of Brussels tragedy / Screen capture from InstagramBy Bahk Eun-jiG-Dragon, a leader of K-pop band Big Bang, has expressed his condolences to the victims of the bombing attacks in Brussels that killed at least 34 people and wounded scores.The musician posted an image of hands painted in the colors of Belgium’s national flag on his instagram account with a memo reading, “Pray for Brussels.” Two powerful bombs struck Brussels airport and a subway station on Tuesday (local time). The Islamic State group claimed responsibility.The attacks came days after a suspect in last year’s Paris terrorist bombings was arrested in the Belgian capital. Mar 23, 2016
'Descendants of the Sun' available in 32 languages “Descendants of the Sun” / Courtesy of Blossom EntertainmentBy Bahk Eun-ji The mega-hit TV drama “Descendants of the Sun” is now available in 32 languages. The U.S.-based video streaming website Viki (www.viki.com) recently made it possible for users to watch the 16 episodes with subtitles in 32 languages, including English, Chinese, Malaysian and Vietnamese.Viewers had volunteered to do the translations, according to the website operators.The drama recently became one of the website’s most-searched TV series, reflecting its international popularity. Mar 23, 2016
Hong Kong to boost its fashion industry in partnership with Korea Jerry LiuBy Kim Jae-heunHONG KONG ― The Hong Kong government has decided to provide additional support for emerging Hong Kong fashion brands in Korea over the next three years, said Jerry Liu, the head of Create Hong Kong (CreateHK).CreateHK is the dedicated office set up by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to spearhead the development of creative industries in the region.“My office CreateHK is, at the moment, overseeing the entire promotion of Hong Kong fashion,” said Liu during an interview with The Korea Times, last Wednesday. “I need to spend more time to understand the policies in other parts of Asia and around the world in terms of government support devoted to promoting their own fashion and design industries. And South Korea, of course, is important to us.”Liu said he is particularly interested in Korea because it shares a similar history with Hong Kong from the late 50s and early 60s.“Textiles are the first step leading to the fashion industry. And both South Korea and Hong Kong have that strong tradition of manufacturMar 22, 2016
Best scenes in 'Descendants of the Sun' that set ratings records “Descendants of the Sun” / Courtesy of KBSBy Bahk Eun-ji The popular drama “Descendants of the Sun” has set rating records with every episode.The KBS 2TV series was viewed by 28.8 percent of TV homes nationwide on March 18, up 0.3 percent from its previous record.In and around Seoul, the figure remained at 30.5 percent.The main characters ― Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) and Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo) ― featured in many sweet-and-romantic scenes that attracted viewers.The Korea Times has selected three best scenes from the drama from the eight episodes so far.1. “Let’s go see a movie together when I get back.”“Descendants of the Sun” / Courtesy of KBS In the second episode, Yoo and Kang are supposed to have a date, but Yoo has to return to the battlefield. Before leaving, Yoo says to Kang,“Let’s go see a movie together when I get back,” and they serendipitously reunite in the fictional war-torn country of Uruk. “Descendants of the Sun” / Courtesy of KBSThe scene registered 20.8 perceMar 22, 2016
Latest drama hit creates new travel boom South Korean travelers are showing interest in a remote part of Greece, while cities here that are home to former mines and military facilities are undertaking major uplifts to attract Chinese tourists, thanks to a TV drama that has been a stellar success.Local travel agencies said Tuesday they have been getting inquiries about tour programs to Zakynthos, one of the Ionian Islands of Greece that is the background of the currently running South Korean drama "Descendants of the Sun." The drama is set in a make-believe country called Uruk, but the starring couple has been filmed on the island and at its Navagio Beach, known for the shipwrecked vessel from 1980 that still rests in the sand, and highlighted in a scene where the drama's love-struck couple take a stroll. The drama commands a near-30 percent viewership. The tourism division of the online shopping mall Interpark put out a new nine-day package tour to Greece that includes visits to the beach. Company officials said there were immediate reservations. Very Good Tour earlier this month similarly launched a nine-day trip to GMar 22, 2016
MAMAMOO wants to collaborate with Jay Z Mamamoo / Courtesy of RBW EntertainmentThis is the third in a series of interviews on top K-pop idols. ― ED.By Kim Jae-heunThe four-member K-pop girl group MAMAOO, who recently won high praise from popular American singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett and Hollywood actress Chloe Moretz, said they wish to sing with American rapper Jay Z one day.Each member has her own favorite genre, which leads to various choices for artists they want to collaborate with, such as Rihanna for Hwasa, Big Sean for Wheein and Snoop Dog for Solar ― but Jay Z was their common wish.It may not be an absolutely hopeless dream, as Garrett introduced MAMAMOO on Twitter posting, “Loving the energy and #music at #SXSW, making new friends with #KPop sensation #Mamamoo.” Garrett watched the girl group’s performance at music festival South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, last Thursday.The singer-songwriter also said in an interview with Korean news channel YTN that she would love to work on the girl band’s next project.Siedah Garret won a Grammy in 2008 and was nominated for Mar 21, 2016
Song Joong-ki denies romance with Song Hye-kyo Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo / YonhapBy Bahk Eun-ji Actor Song Joong-ki, a male lead in the popular drama “Descendants of the Sun,” was not romantically involved with actress Song Hye-kyo, his agency said Monday.Blossom Entertainment said the two were merely close colleagues starring in the same drama.Earlier this month, rumors about their dating in New York surfaced online. Some netizens claimed they saw the two holding hands and shopping there.Blossom Entertainment said the two went New York for a vacation and were just having a meal together.Recently another romance rumor about Song Joong-ki and Taiwanese actress Lin Xin Ru also surfaced, but was also denied.Lin said on her Weibo page, “I really love you’re with me. Let’s meet next week.”Shortly after the message was posted, some netizens suggested they might be dating because Song also wrote the same message on his Weibo page.But Lin explained she was not personally acquainted with the actor. Mar 21, 2016
Female stars declare war on prostitution rumors Kang So-ra, Nam Bo-ra / Screen captures from InstagramBy Bahk Eun-ji Female celebrities have declared war on malicious rumors, particularly ones related to a prostitution ring that was broken up recently.The stars have pledged to take legal action against those who create and distribute rumors.Nearly 10 musicians and actresses have been named in rumors on social media. They include Yubin of K-pop band Wonder Girls, Subin of Dal Shabet, Yang Ji-won of Spica and actresses Kang So-ra and Nam Bo-ra.They are rumored to have provided sexual services to wealthy people in Korea and the U.S. in return for substantial sums.The rumors started after police broke up an upmarket prostitution ring this month, in which several female celebrities were allegedly involved in sex-for-money deals. Their identities remain unknown and the charges are also unconfirmed.Yubin, Subin, Yang Ji-won / Screen captures from InstagramShortly after the crackdown, however, the aforementioned names were found in text messages in which they were described as upscale prostitutes, dealing a devastating blow to their Mar 21, 2016
GOT7 returns with fifth mini-album GOT7 / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Kim Da-heeK-pop boy band GOT7 has released its fifth mini-album titled “Flight Log: Departure.” The seven-member group released the album on Monday, along with a music video for the title track “Fly.”The album has eight tracks, including “Fly,” “Fish” and “Rewind.” / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentGOT7’s management agency JYP Entertainment said band members wrote the music and lyrics for most of the songs. The band is scheduled to perform some of the songs later today live via Naver’s online streaming app. Mar 21, 2016
'Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet' to screen with English subtitles “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet” / Courtesy of DAUM MovieBy Bahk Eun-ji A historical film “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet,” will be screened with English subtitles from this week, reports said Monday.The film is based on the lives of renowned poet Yoon Dong-ju and his cousin, Korean independence activist Song Mong-gyu, during the Japanese colonial period. More than 1 million tickets had been sold as of Sunday since the film opened on Feb.17.Lee Joon-ik, renowned for “The Throne (2014) and “King and the Clown (2005),” directed the low-budget (500 million won _ $430,000) film.“Dongju” has already met its break-even point with its story about the painful history of two characters _ Yoon and Song in 1945, the period of despair and turmoil in Korea, whose culture had been suppressed.Kang Ha-neul plays Yoon and Park Jung-min plays Song.English subtitles will be offered nationwide from March 24. “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet” / Courtesy of DAUM Movie Mar 21, 2016
