Academy Awards nominates first Korean Jo Su-mi in a scene from "Youth" / Screen capture from YouTubeSoprano Jo Su-mi became the first Korean whose song was nominated for an Academy Award.The 88th American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements nominated Jo's song “Simple Song #3” from the movie “Youth” for the Best Original Song. American composer David Lang wrote the song.Jo also plays herself in the comedy-drama, which stars Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel.“I was surprised because classical songs are rarely nominated,” Jo told eNEWS 24. “This year marks the 30th anniversary since I first gave an international performance. I think the nomination is a good start for this year.”The song was also nominated in the 73rd Golden Globe Awards, but the honor went to “Writing’s on the Wall” by Britain’s Sam Smith. The song is the theme for the latest James Bond movie “Spectre.”The Academy Awards will be held on Feb. 28.Jan 17, 2016
'K-pop agencies need lessons on cultural differences' Tzuyu, a Taiwanese member of K-pop girl band TWICE, waves the Korean flag and the flag of the Republic of China on MBC’s online show “My Little Television” in November. / Courtesy of MBCBy Baek Byung-yeulWhile Taiwanese member Tzuyu of the multinational K-pop girl band Twice has been embroiled in a controversy after waving the Taiwanese flag during an online broadcast, calls are mounting for K-pop agencies to learn cultural differences when attempting to expand overseas.“The biggest problem in this issue is that no one including Tzuyu and her agency JYP Entertainment even knew the seriousness of the situation from the very first,” culture critic Bae Kook-nam told The Korea Times, Sunday.“When Tzuyu held up the flag of the Republic of China in an online broadcast last November, Chinese people who watched it showed immediate displeasure over her action. But no one recognized this would be an issue,” he said.Tzuyu, a Taiwanese native singer, waved the flag of the Republic of China during a web broadcast of MBC TV’s “My Little TeJan 17, 2016
As we say goodbye to 'Reply 1988' By Kwon Ji-younThough producer Shin Won-ho thought “Reply 1988” would fall short of his very successful “Reply” series, viewers “replied” to the addition with a heightened enthusiasm that wrote history in cable television in Korea.The curtain fell on tvN’s "Reply 1988" Saturday after recording an all-time high viewership of 19.6 percent. The last episode saw Deok-seon (portrayed by Girls’ Day member Hye-ri), a flight attendant, happily engaged to brilliant Go player Taek (Park Bo-gum) and law student Bo-ra (portrayed by Ryu Hye-young), Deok-seon’s older sister, married to medical school student Seon-woo (Ko Kyung-pyo).And the five families finally say goodbye to Ssangmun-dong, where Deok-seon and her four childhood friends ― Taek, Jung-hwan, Seon-woo and Dong-ryong ― were born, grew up and fell in love in the 1980s.Family, friendship, loveIf “Reply 1997” and “Reply 1994” focused on love as a theme, “Reply 1988” hit closer to home with a focus on families and their struggles.The parentsJan 17, 2016
'Reply 1988' earns buckets of cash Park Bo-gum in "Sunkist Cocktail" commercialTV drama “Reply 1988,” which ended Saturday with a huge nationwide following, not only brought popularity to its cast but also proved its cash power in terms of commercials.TV commercials slotted alongside the hit drama on cable network tvN cost close to 12.5 million won ($10,000), according to Joy New 24. The price is the most expensive for commercials on Korean television, which air before MBC’s variety show “Infinite Challenge” every Saturday evening.Commercials for cable network programs have lower price rates than those on broadcast channels MBC, KBS and SBS. But “Reply 1988” became so popular that its commercials became as expensive as the prime shows on the broadcast networks.Lee Dong-hwi in LG Uplus IoT commercialSince last November when the first episode aired, the drama has raked in more than 17 billion won ($14 million) in commercials.The drama also topped video-on-demand (VOD) rankings on CJ E&M, recording more than 5 billion won ($4.1 million) in sales.With its original sound track Jan 17, 2016
Tzuyu's apology figures prominently in Taiwan elections Tzuyu of Twice apologizes in a video late Friday. / Korea TimesThe apology for waving Taiwanese national flag by Tzuyu of the multinational K-pop band TWICE figured prominently on voting day in Taiwan Saturday. Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan’s main opposition Democratic Progressive Party was elected the island’s first female president, various media reported Saturday.Tzuyu delivered a video apology late Friday for the controversy stemming from her waving the flag of the Republic of China on a Korean entertainment show last month. The Republic of China is the government of Taiwan. Beijing believes the island should be part of the People's Republic of China, which governs mainland China.In the Friday video, the 17-year-old singer says that she believes in the “one-China” policy and that she is proud to be Chinese.She also apologized for her behavior that had harmed her company and cross-Strait relations.Park Jin-young, head of JYP Entertainment that is home to TWICE, also apologized."We learned that when working with other nations, it is important to deepJan 16, 2016
'Reply 1988' achieves new ratings record Scenes from "Reply 1988" Friday episode where Deok-seon (portrayed by Hyeri) and Taek (portrayed by Park Bo-gum) find each other. / Korea TimesThe popular drama “Reply 1988” achieved an 18.6 percent rating Friday, as the show revealed who the female lead marries.The drama is about a female protagonist, Seong Deok-seon, portrayed by Hyeri, and four male friends in Ssangmun-dong, Seoul, in 1988, who grow up together before she marries one of them. Singling out whom she might marry has been a central part of each of the "Reply" series, and on Friday, the romantic scene between Deok-seon and Taek, a “go” prodigy, provided the answer.With Friday’s ratings, “Reply 1988” set a new record for cable television dramas, which tend to post single digit ratings. The emphasis on young love and in particular on family in this version is attributed to its success. Also, the props, setting and narrative take audiences back to 1988, when momentous events such as the Seoul Summer Olympics took place.Audiences of all ages can identify with scenes of familieJan 16, 2016
'응팔', 어남택에 18.6%…"응답하라 시리즈 최대반전" 덕선의 남편은 택이었다. 그리고 케이블 시청률은 새 역사를 썼다. tvN '응답하라 1988'이 15일 방송된 19화에서 시청자가 목 빠지게 기다렸던 '답'을 마침내 공개하면서 역대 케이블 프로그램 시청률 최고 기록을 갈아치웠다. 16일 tvN에 따르면 '응답하라 1988'의 19화는 평균 시청률 18.6%, 순간 최고 시청률 21.7%를 기록하며 6년 만에 케이블 시청률 기록을 경신했다. 역대 케이블 프로그램 최고 시청률은 2010년 10월22일 방송된 '슈퍼스타K2' 마지막회로, 평균 18.1%를 기록했다. 엠넷과 KMTV과 동시 중계했던 '슈퍼스타K2'는 엠넷 18.0%, KMTV 0.1%를 기록해 합계 시청률 18.1%로 집계됐다.(순간 최고 시청률은 21.2%) '응답하라 1988'의 이같은 성과는 케이블업계의 쾌거인 것은 물론이고, 지상파의 프리미엄이 붕괴돼가고 있는 현실에서 방송업계 지각변동을 가속화시키는 촉매제로 작용할 것으로 전망된다. ◇덕선의 남편은 천재 바둑기사 최택 이날 방송에서는 1화부터 '응답하라 1988' 시리즈를 관통해왔던 덕선(혜리 분)의 미래 남편이 누구인가에 대한 궁금증이 드디어 해소됐다. 답은 '상등신'이자 '천재 바둑기사' 최택(박보검)이었다. '어남택'(어차피 남편은 택) 파와 '어남류'(어차피 남편은 류준열) 파로 나뉘어 극렬하게 언쟁을 벌였던 팬들은 답이 공개되고 나서도 밤새 갑론을박 인터넷 세상을 뜨겁게 달궜다. 덕선의 남편이 최택으로 드러나자 '어남택' 파는 팡파르를 울렸고, '어남류' 파들은 실망감을 토로하며 "응답하라 시리즈 최대 반전"이라고 지적했다. 앞서 '응답하라 1997'과 '응답하라 1994'도 여주인공의 남편이 누구냐를 놓고 끝까지 시청자를 궁금하게 했지만, 사실은 극중 서인국과 정우가 보여준 무게감과 비중이 처음부터 끝까지 줄곧 컸기에 Jan 16, 2016
Han Ji-hye joins Keyeast Han Ji-hye / Courtesy of Keyeast EntertainmentActress Han Ji-hye has signed with Keyeast Entertainment.“Han is a charming actress who has a wide acting spectrum and we will cooperate and support Han in every way we can,” Keyeast Entertainment said Friday. Top hallyu star Bae Yong-joon heads the agency.Han, who debuted in the 2001 “Super Model contest,” has been active on the drama and movie scenes with shows including “Legendary Witches,” “East of Eden,” and “Blades of Blood.”Han is in the process of selecting her next project.Jan 15, 2016
KARA breaks up K-pop girl band KARA / Korea Times fileIt’s official. Popular K-pop girl band KARA will no longer be, agency DSP Media said Friday.It said three members of KARA - Park Gyu-ri, Han Seung-yeon and Goo Hara - will not be re-signing their contracts.They have decided to pursue other activities.“We want to cheer them on and wish them the best,” said DSP Media. But Heo Young-ji, the latest member to join the band, will stay on with the agency.KARA debuted in 2007 and enjoyed soaring popularity, particularly with hit songs “Mister” and “Lupin.” It also did extremely well in Japan, where the band sold a record number of CDs and DVDs for a South Korean artist in 2011. In 2013, KARA became the first K-pop girl band to perform at Tokyo Dome.KARA has gone through several member changes. Kim Sung-hee left in 2008 and was replaced by Goo and Kang Ji-young. Kang left in 2013, and Nicole in 2014, to pursue acting and singing careers, respectively. Jan 15, 2016
'Reply 1988' concert tickets on sale Hyeri, left, stars as the main character, Deok-sun in "Reply 1988," a popular cable television drama airing Friday/Saturday on tvN. / YonhapFans of TV drama “Reply 1988” can get up close to its stars at a concert on March 5 in Seoul.Main actress Hyeri, who plays Deok-sun in the drama about the year 1988, will perform with fellow cast members Ryu Joon-yeol, Ryu Hye-young and Lee Dong-whee at the Peace Hall at Kyung Hee University. The concert is hosted by CJ E&M, which produced the popular retro drama, and is supported by G-Market, where tickets will go on sale at 2 p.m. on Jan. 18. (www.gmarket.co.kr). Top singers including Byun Jin-seop and Park Bo-ram will perform.The tickets cost from 77,000 won to 99,000 won. One person can purchase up to four tickets. Jan 15, 2016
