Ousted K-pop diva returns to small screen Jessica, a former member of Girls' Generation, returned to the Korean small screen to emcee a beauty and fashion show, a local television broadcaster said on Thursday.The singer-turned-designer will host "Beauty Bible 2016 S/S" on the KBS Drama cable channel, slated to launch April 2."Beauty Bible" marks Jessica's first television appearance since she was allegedly ousted from Girls' Generation in September 2014.At the time, Jessica was reportedly forced out without justifiable reason from S.M. Entertainment, citing internal conflict and the management's disapproval of her plans to launch a fashion business.Amid rumors over her marriage to Korean-American businessman Tyler Kwon, the singer has carried on her career as a fashion eyewear designer for "Blanc & Eclare," a fashion and cosmetics business that she and Kwon co-founded."Jessica will be the muse of 'Beauty Bible," said the KBS Drama in a press release, calling the 27-year-old fashion designer as "a wannabe in fashion and beauty at home and overseas who deserves to host the show.” (Yonhap)Mar 17, 2016
Super Junior's Ryeowook booked for military in June Ryeowook / Screen capture from YouTubeBy Ko Dong-hwan K-pop boy band Super Junior’s Ryeowook will begin his military service in June.The singer, 28, will start five weeks of basic military training on Jun. 14 before serving 21 months of mandatory service.An insider at SM Entertainment, the star’s agency, reportedly said Ryeowook “wishes his entrance to the military not to be crowded with fans and journalists” and had not revealed the exact time of his arrival.Ryeowook, left, and Lee Seung-gi / YonhapRyeowook has been one of the most successful members of the 11-member band since its debut in 2005, releasing his first mini album “The Little Prince”in January and selling out his concert “Ever Lasting Star Ryeowook” the following month.He also hosts the KBS Cool FM radio show “Super Junior’s Kiss the Radio” every night.Lee Seung-gi, another K-pop star, who finished his basic military training on Thursday, has been selected for Special Warfare Command after recording the best score among fellow trainees.Mar 17, 2016
Cyberbullies annoy fans more than singers Yezi(top) and members of Dalshabet read cyberbullies’ comments in “Show Champion” / Screen capture from YouTubeBy Ko Dong-hwan TV K-pop show “Show Champion” on MBC Music and MBC every1 rolled out in late January an inside segment called “Cyberbullies’ Box,” where singers read cyberbullies’ comments and give spontaneous reactions.But as interesting as it may look, people are unimpressed with the bullies’ unfiltered slang-ridden comments. The public also find it uncomfortable to watch the stars reading out the abusive comments.Girl bands Dalshabet, Stellar and Sixbomb, rocker Jung Joon-yeong and Yezi from girl band Fiestar each appeared in the weekly program to face comments written on a piece of folded paper inside a box.While no one so far has burst into tears or exploded with anger, several stars were obviously distressed, and Jung’s bleeped verbal reaction showed the difficulty of the situation.Viewers irritated by the segment have asked that the segment be dropped.“It is problematic foMar 17, 2016
After 14 years, magician finally casts spell on bride-to-be Lee Eun-gyeol / Korea Times fileBy Park Si-sooLee Eun-gyeol, one of Korea’s most popular magicians, will marry on Sunday, his agency said Thursday. He and his wife-to-be, a corporate worker, had dated for 14 years, it said.The wedding ceremony at the Dress Garden in Gangnam, southern Seoul, will be open only to family members and friends.Meanwhile, Lee will host a magic show titled “Illusionist Lee Eun-gyeol” in May to celebrate his 20th anniversary since his debut. Mar 17, 2016
Lee Byung-hun, Gong Hyo-jin to star in thriller Lee Byung-hun, Gong Hyo-jin, Sohee / Korea TimesBy Bahk Eun-jiLee Byung-hun and Gong Hyo-jin have teamed up for a thriller tentatively titled “Single Rider.”Lee plays Jae-hoon, a man who has lost everything, and Gong plays Lee’s wife, Su-jin, in the film, which takes place in Australia.Sohee, a former member of K-pop band Wonder Girls, plays Ji-na, who is in Australia on a working holiday visa.The film will begin shooting on March 21, and will premiere this year. Mar 17, 2016
Taiwanese fans want happy ending for 'Descendants of the Sun' Main actors of "Descendants of the Sun" / YonhapBy Bahk Eun-ji With the popularity of the new drama, “Descendants of the Sun,” international fans are showing strong interest in how the series will end.Unlike most Korean TV series, which are produced episode by episode, the romance drama by popular writer Kim Eun-sook has been completed. Staff, including Kim, are maintaining security over the ending to prevent spoilers, but many fans are strongly concerned about whether it has a sad ending.Local entertainment news outlet My Daily cited a Taiwanese report Thursday as saying some netizens said on her social media, “If Song Joong-ki dies, I will also kill myself.”Some fans predict a happy ending, because Song Hye-kyo, the female lead, said in an interview on Wednesday that“Descendants of the Sun” was a romantic love story."Descendants of the Sun" / Courtesy of Blossom EntertainmentThe drama, starring Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo, has been a sensation after only seven episodes not only in Korea but also overseas, including countries where ChineseMar 17, 2016
Jung Woo-sung questioned as witness in fraud case Jung Woo-sung / Korea TimesBy Bahk Eun-ji Top actor Jung Woo-sung has recently been questioned in a fraud case against a popular drama writer, the prosecutors’ office said Thursday.Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office requested an arrest warrant for the writer, identified only as Park, 46.The writer allegedly took more than 2.3 billion won ($1.9 million) from her acquaintances in 2009, promising to invest the money in a private equity fund.Park instead spent the money on her fashion business, prosecutors said.Park, who debuted as a drama writer in 1993, wrote several popular TV series. She is CEO of a publishing company.Red Brick House, Jung’s management company, said the actor had starred in a TV drama that Park wrote in 2008. Mar 17, 2016
Lee Byung-hun to attend Asian Film Awards Lee Byung-hun / YonhapBy Bahk Eun-ji Top actor Lee Byung-hun will attend the 10th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong on Thursday. Lee has been nominated for best actor.Actress Kim Hye-soo has been also been nominated for best actress for her role in “Coin Locker Girl.”Lee will also participate in promotional events for “Inside Men,” a Korean film in which he plays Ahn Sang-goo, a political henchman. Mar 16, 2016
Joo Won to join police force Joo Won / Korea TimesBy Bahk Eun-ji Actor Joo Won will join the police to fulfill his military duty in an alternative way, his agency said Wednesday. The exact date has not decided yet.Once enlisted, the actor, 28, will undergo an intensive military training and then be assigned to a police station to support other police.Joo made his debut in the 2007 musical “Altar Boyz.” He shot to stardom in 2010 in the KBS TV drama “King of Baking, Kim Takgu.” Mar 16, 2016
Song Joong-ki in news anchor role (VIDEO) Song Joong-ki / Screen captures from YouTubeBy Bahk Eun-jiA video clip featuring Song Joong-ki, in which the popular actor reads out campus news as a news presenter, is going viral.The program was recorded when he attended Sung Kyun Kwan University in Seoul, during which time he served as a news anchor for the campus broadcaster. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2012.In the clip, the baby-faced actor delivers news about the school and campus life in a clear and creditable voice. Mar 16, 2016
