tvN dethroned by 'Descendants of the Sun' Scenes from KBS's "Descendants of the Sun" /Courtesy of KBSBy Kwon Ji-younCable channel tvN has finally been dethroned.A weekly analysis of recent news articles, blog posts and social media commentary, shows that KBS’s “Descendants of the Sun” is the hottest new drama series, replacing tvN’s “Cheese in the Trap” at the top of a Good Data Corporation list that determines which drama series across the major broadcasters and cable channels are generating the most buzz.tvN has topped the list for the past 15 weeks with “Reply 1988,” “Cheese in the Trap” and “Signal.” “Cheese in the Trap” fell from first to second and “Signal” dropped to third in this week’s list, unveiled on Monday.Good Data Corporation analyzes news articles, blog posts and social media comments about 34 drama series broadcast on KBS, SBS, MBC and cable. It is separate from viewer ratings.Feb 29, 2016
'Spirit's Homecoming' tops 1 million viewers / YonhapBy Bahk Eun-ji The Korean film “Spirit’s Homecoming” topped the 1 million mark on Sunday.The film, based on a true story, is about women forced by the Japanese Army to become sex slaves during World War II.“Spirit’s Homecoming” / Courtesy of Daum MovieAccording to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), 296,524 tickets were sold on Saturday alone, taking the total to 756,665 since the film’s release on Feb. 24.The film is based on the testimonies of the “comfort women,” who were forced into sexual servitude at Japanese military brothels. It took its cinematic inspiration from “Burning Women,” a drawing by Kang Il-chul, one of the victims, during her therapy sessions.“Spirit’s Homecoming” / Courtesy of Daum MovieHistorians estimate that up to 200,000 women, mostly Korean, were forced to work in the front-line brothels during the war. Korea was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910-45.“Spirit’s Homecoming” / Courtesy of Daum MovieIt took 14 years to make the film, because of a lFeb 29, 2016
EXID's Hani to take break from broadcasting EXID member Hani /Korea Times file By Kwon Ji-younEXID member Hani will take a short break from making television appearances, her agency said Saturday.Hani, 23, will take a month’s leave from all broadcasting activities to focus on treating her enteritis, an inflammation of the intestine. This also means she will step down as host of SBS’s cooking show “Baek Jong-won’s Three Great Emperors.”“Hani has worked without rest since EXID shot to stardom in 2014,” her agency said in a statement. “She has decided to take some time off work to regain her health.”Hani is among many Korean celebrities who are taking a break from TV for health reasons.In November, comedian Jung Hyung-don, a member of MBC’s “Infinite Challenge,” announced he would leave temporarily to treat his anxiety disorder. Emcee Jeon Hyun-moo also took two days’ leave from his radio show when his voice began to crack.Earlier this month, emcee Kim Seong-ju said he would be taking a month off to focus on regaining his health. He will return on Feb 28, 2016
Special episode of “Cheese” to air Tuesday Kim Go-eun, left, and Seo Kang-jun in a scene from tvN's "Cheese in the Trap" /Korea Times file By Kwon Ji-younA special episode of tvN’s popular drama series “Cheese in the Trap” will air on Tuesday, immediately after the final episode, the producers said Sunday.The one-hour episode will include reruns of the actors’ favorite scenes and bloopers. Although fans had anticipated that the special would include scenes that were cut, tvN said no new scenes will be included.Fans of “Cheese in the Trap,” based on Soonki’s webtoon of the same name, are unhappy with the producers, who have taken the narrative’s focus off of its leading male character Yoo Jung (portrayed by Park Hae-jin), and placed it on supporting character Baek In-ho (Seo Kang-jun).Park on Friday expressed disappointment over his character’s limited appearance in the series, and Soonki said the producers had refused to share the script with her for security reasons after episode six.“I had wanted the drama series to be different from the webtoon, but they insiFeb 28, 2016
Kim Ye-won near tears in TV comeback Kim Ye-won from tvN's "SNL Korea 7” on Saturday / Courtesy of tvNSinger Kim Ye-won joined the regular crew of TV comedy program “SNL Korea 7” on Saturday in her first public appearance since her controversial blow-up with actress Lee Tae-im while filming a variety show a year ago.Saturday’s episode of the tvN show before a live audience featured skits that parodied Kim’s verbal scuffle with Lee, which was leaked online. Kim fought back tears during the skits.She said repeatedly,“I will do my best in the show’s forthcoming episodes.”The video footage showed Kim arguing with Lee Tae-im during filming of MBC’s “My Tutor Friend.” A program staff later intervened to end the fight. The 90-second off-air footage showed Kim and Lee arguing and using coarse language. The incident took place during filming of MBC’s “My Tutor Friend”on Jeju Island last February. Lee, 31, accused Kim, 27, of looking at her unpleasantly and talking down to her, despite their age gap.The two appeared to have settled Feb 28, 2016
'Signal' sets another ratings record Scenes from the 12th episode of tvN's "Signal" /Courtesy of tvN By Kwon Ji-yountvN’s “Signal” set another ratings record on Saturday, breaking 10 percent with a startling turn of events in the 12th episode.The story traveled back to 1999, when Lee Jae-han (played by Cho Jin-woong) was in the fictional city of Inju investigating a case involving the sexual assault of a middle-school aged girl by more than 10 schoolboys. The boys are sons of wealthy and powerful families who team up with the police to have another schoolboy set up.The boy serves time in a juvenile facility and commits suicide when he leaves.The narrative then fast-forwards to 2015, when Lee, who had been aware of the truth about the rape case, is found dead by fellow investigators Cha Soo-hyun (Kim Hye-soo) and Park Hae-young (Lee Je-hoon), the younger brother of the schoolboy who served time for a crime he did not commit.The case is based on a true story. At least 41 male high school students gang raped several middle school and high school girls over the course of 11 months in Miryang in 2004. Feb 28, 2016
Ladies' Code returns as trio after fatal car accident Member of K-pop girl band Ladies’ Code talk during a press conference and song preview at the Riverside Hotel in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, Wednesday. From left are Sojung, Zuny and Ashley. / YonhapBy Kim Jae-heunK-pop girl band Ladies’ Code, of Polaris Entertainment, returned Wednesday as a three-member group after losing two members, EunB and RiSe, in a car accident in September 2014.“It is still hard to acknowledge that they are not with us, and we had a hard time deciding whether we should return to the stage again,” said member Ashley, during a press conference and song preview at the Riverside Hotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. “Many fans and acquaintances supported us and cheered for us to sing again.”It took three years for the idols to overcome the pain and release a new album, “Myst3ry,” since their last album, “Kiss Kiss,” in 2014. “Myst3ry” uses the number three instead of an “e” to signify the girl group trio, Ashley, Sojung and Zuny. The album teaser also used a triangle emblem to iFeb 26, 2016
Baby on way for Tang Wei Tang Wei, Kim Tae-yong / YonhapTop Chinese actress Tang Wei, who married Korean film director Kim Tae-yong, is pregnant, Chinese reports said Friday.A production company of Tang’s recent film, “Finding Mr. Right 2,” posted an image online of a monkey, saying “Tang and Kim have been waiting for a little monkey.” The monkey represents this year in the Chinese zodiac.The two started dating after working together in the 2010 Korean film “Late Autumn” and tied the knot in 2014. Feb 26, 2016
Romance blooms for Namgung Min, Jin A-reum Jin A-reum, Namgun Min / Courtesy of 935 EntertainmentBy Bahk Eun-jiPopular actor Namgun Min is dating rising fashion model Jin A-reum.They have been dating for seven months, their management agencies said Friday.Media reports said the two met in August through the film “Light My Fire,” an action-thriller directed by Nam, in which Jin played the heroine.“They are maintaining a good relationship,” the two agencies said.The actor, 37, debuted in SBS TV drama “Daebak Family” in 2002. He recently wrapped up popular SBS drama “Remember.”Jin, 26, debuted in 2008 and has made a big impression in the domestic fashion world. She started her acting career several years ago, starring in several films, including “Trouble Shooter (2010)” and “How to Use Guys with Secret Tips (2013).”Feb 26, 2016
Big success dawns for “Descendants of the Sun” “Descendants of the Sun” / Courtesy of KBSBy Bahn Eun-jiViewer ratings for KBS TV’s newly launched “Descendants of the Sun” have reached 15 percent in just two episodes, raising speculation the romance-drama starring Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo will be a nationwide hit. “Descendants of the Sun” / Courtesy of KBS The average rating of the second episode, aired on Thursday, was 15.5 percent, up 1.2 percentage points from the first episode on Wednesday, according to Nielsen Korea. “Descendants of the Sun” / Courtesy of KBS“Descendants of the Sun" is set in the fictional war-torn country of Uruk. Song Joong-ki is the leader of a special warfare command unit while Song Hye-kyo plays a doctor from Doctors Without Borders. Both are sent to the disaster and disease-stricken country with U.N. peacekeeping troops. “Descendants of the Sun” / Courtesy of KBSIn the second episode, the two meet again on the way to Uruk, eight months after they had a date, but decided not to have a relatFeb 26, 2016
