지수 폭로에…풍문이던 '연예계 스폰서' 실체 드러나나 걸그룹 타히티의 지수(22)가 스폰서 제안을 받았다고 폭로해 풍문으로 돌던 스폰서 실체가 관심으로 떠올랐다. 지수가 지난 11일 SNS(사회관계망서비스)에 올린 글에 따르면 자신을 스폰서 브로커라고 소개한 사람은 '고급 알바'라며 "한 타임 당 200만~300만 원까지 받을 수 있다"고 제안했다. 답이 없자 "400?(400만원?)"이라고 더 올린 가격을 제시하기도 했다. 물론 이 메시지가 실체가 있는 브로커의 스폰서 제안인지, 스토커 수준의 누리꾼 장난인지 진위는 알 수 없지만 활동 중인 걸그룹 멤버에게 이런 문자를 수차례에 걸쳐 보냈다는 점에서 논란이 일고 있다. 연예계에서 일명 '스폰서'란 재력가가 여성에게 경제적인 후원을 해주고 성적인 관계를 이어가는 것으로 보통 신인 연기자, 무명 가수, 연습생 등이 유혹의 표적이 된다고 알려져 있다. 그러나 여성 연예인과 재력가의 스폰서 관계는 연예계의 어두운 이면으로 언급되면서도 실체가 확인된 사례는 드물다. 지난 2009년 탤런트 고(故)장자연이 자살 직전 '성상납과 술접대를 강요당했다'는 내용의 문서를 남긴 것이 알려진 후 출처 불명의 '찌라시'에는 여성 연예인들과 유력 인사들의 실명이 '장자연 리스트'로 오르내렸다. 그러나 이 사건도 검경 수사로 이어졌지만 성상납 강요와 사회 유력 인사들의 연루 등 수사 과정에서 제기된 의문은 풀리지 않은 채 일단락됐다. 영화와 드라마에서 단역으로 출연한 배우 김현아도 지난 2011년 스폰서 제안을 거절한 사실을 SNS에 공개해 주목받았다. 그는 "순수 스폰서가 아닌 매춘에 의한 스폰서 없이 배우로 자리 잡을 수 있다는 걸 꼭 보여주고 싶다"며 아는 매니저로부터 영향력 있는 스폰서를 붙여주겠다는 제안을 받은 적이 있다고 밝혔다. 배우 김부선도 지난 2013년 방송에서 성접대 요구를 받았다고 주장했지만 제안을 했다고 거론한 사람에게 명예훼손 혐의로 고소당했다.  Jan 12, 2016
Outraged stars to fight cyber bullies Junsu / Korea Times fileCelebrities and their agencies are getting bolder with cyber bullies, having determined to fight in court those spreading false facts and slandering the stars.Singer Junsu from K-pop boy band JYJ said he would legally challenge cyber bullies who slandered him and spread false information, according to the singer’s management company C-Jes Entertainment, Saturday. The online attacks reportedly increased after it was confirmed this month that he was dating singer Hani from girl group EXID.The company said it would identify and sue the bullies for defamation.“Our lawyer will analyze digital traces left by the bullies and decide whether to file a suit with the prosecutors’ office or to report the matter to Gangnam cyber police,” Yonhap news agency quoted a company official as saying.Lee Jung-jae in a scene from movie "Assassination" (2015)Actor Lee Jung-jae, also from the company, sued 50 cyber bullies in Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in November 2015 on charges of spreading false information. The bullies began to attack Jan 11, 2016
'Misaeng' to get Chinese remake A scene from "Misaeng" / Korea Times fileCable channel tvN's "Misaeng," a hugely popular 2014 Korean drama about the struggles of an office worker, will be remade in China."We have signed a contract to sell the copyright to a production company based in China," a tvN source said. "Some of our staff are taking part in production consultation.”However, director Kim Won-seok will not be involved in the Chinese version, because of other commitments.The source said filming was due to start in the latter half of the year, with the drama to go to air the following year.“Misaeng,” originally a webtoon, follows the life of Jang Geu-rae, as he tries to adjust to life as an office worker after failing to become a professional baduk (go) player.Jan 11, 2016
TV 'love couples' excite fans Gary, right, and Song Ji-hyo in a scene from SBS's "Running Man" Can on-air flirtations bloom into actual romance? Three pairs of stars, appearing in respective TV shows, are fanning audience interest with their small screen chemistry.In SBS’s “Running Man,” rapper Gary and actress Song Ji-hyo have playfully been dubbed a “couple” since the program was launched in 2010. In the show, where entertainers and guest stars run around in an urban environment in a game of “catch-me-if-you-can” style, the two have frequently been seen in loving situations. The show’s stars tease the pair by referring to them as a “Monday couple” because they act like a couple every Monday when the weekly program is filmed.An online photo showed Song sitting on Kang’s lap and hugging him amid the program’s cast and staff posing for a group photo. But appearing on SBS talk show “Healing Camp,” the two denied rumors and said that they were only “colleagues.”Kang Susie, right, and Kim Gook-jin in a scenJan 11, 2016
S. Korean task force to teach K-pop dance routines in Indonesia A South Korean task force said Monday it will teach K-pop dance routines to disenfranchised children in Indonesia this week as part of its social responsibility program.Some 120 adolescents in the district of Tigaraksa in Indonesia's Banten Province will learn how to dance to K-pop music from Monday to Sunday, said the body comprised of officials from South Korean ministries, TV networks and entertainment agencies.About a dozen South Korean college students underwent an eight-week-long training course at YG Entertainment to serve as qualified instructors for this program.South Korean singer Sean will personally deliver a fund created by the Chinese fans of BigBang member T.O.P. to the children, the task force said.On Saturday, more than 500 residents in the area will be invited to watch the children's performance and experience various "hallyu" content. Hallyu refers to the Asia-wide popularity of Korean culture.This is the first Official Development Assistance program started by the hallyu planning body."Indonesia has one of the largest K-pop fan populations in Southeast Asia," a SoJan 11, 2016
KARA likely to be disbanded KARA / Courtesy of DSP EntertainmentK-pop band KARA will be disbanded next month, industry sources and media reports said Monday.Three of its members _ Park Gyu-ri, Han Seung-yeon and Goo Hara _ have been looking for new agencies since late 2015, because they will not renew their contracts, which will end at the start of February, with DSP Media.The trio's exit leaves only Heo Young-ji, who joined in 2014. It remains unclear whether DSP Media will launch a new group and keep the name KARA, but Feb. 2 will be the end of the four-member act.Goo is expected to move to an agency that has a strong overseas presence, such as Keyeast, SM or JYP Entertainment. Han and Park are also rumored to be looking for companies that can help their acting careers, sources say.KAKA debuted in 2007 and had multiple hits including “Mister” and “Lupin.” But the band had break-up issues when original members Kang Ji-young and Nicole Jung left in 2014. Kang stared an acting career in Japan and Jung will release a second solo album in March.The band has been more active in Japan since 2Jan 11, 2016
Actor Jang speaks out about plans Actor Jang Keun-suk / YonhapTop hallyu actor Jang Keun-suk wants to be recognized as an actor in Korea again.“You may be a hallyu star, but without a domestic base, it can feel empty,” Jang, 29, he told Yonhap news agency on Sunday. “I will really work hard in Korea this year.”Jang is expected to return to the small screen early this year in his first television drama and first Korean work in three years.The former child actor was largely missing from the Korean entertainment scene in 2015 over tax evasion allegations.Despite explanations from his agency, Jang was forced to drop out of tvN's reality entertainment show “Three Meals a Day” earlier 2015.Jang said he had been shocked and pained by people’s response to the allegations, but added that he had worked hard and legitimately for his earnings.In the Yonhap interview, Jang said his family was once poor, with his father driving a taxi and his mother washing dishes in a restaurant.These days, Jang, who is highly also popular in Japan and China, is more established financially.He said that wJan 10, 2016
Girls' Generation to star on Chinese show Girls’ Generation / Courtesy of SM Entertainment K-pop band Girls’ Generation will feature on a special Chinese TV show “2016 Jiangsu TV Spring Festival,” SM Entertainment said Sunday.The show, which will air in China on Feb. 8, is staged annually to celebrate Chinese New Year’s Day, one of the country’s biggest holidays.Chinese actors Li Ming, Kwok Fushing and Sha Baoliang will also appear.Girls’ Generation will perform several hits, including “Gee” and “Lion Heart.” Jan 10, 2016
장근석 "양화대교는 내 얘기…가난했고 미친듯이 살았다" /연합뉴스 "올해는 국내에서 정말 가열차게 활동할 겁니다. 한류스타도 국내의 기반이 없으면 공허하죠. 배우로서 다시 국내에서 인정받고 싶어요." 장근석이 돌아온다. 우리나이로 올해 서른이 된 그는 상반기 중 드라마를 통해 시청자에게 인사할 예정이다. 그의 드라마 출연은 2013년 '예쁜 남자' 이후 3년 만이다. 아울러 국내 활동 역시 3년 만에 재개하게 된다. 애초 그는 지난해 1월 tvN '삼시세끼 어촌편'을 통해 자연인 장근석의 매력을 보여줄 기대에 부풀어 있었다. 하지만 촬영까지 다 해놓고 방송을 코앞에 둔 시점에서 터진 '탈세논란'으로 그는 2015년 국내 활동을 접어야했다. 할 말은 많아보였지만 입을 닫은 채 자신을 향해 쏟아진 손가락질과 비난을 견뎌낸 그는 서른을 앞두고 혹독하게 통과의례를 거친 듯 했다. 2016년을 맞아 새롭게 각오를 다진, 30대로 접어든 장근석을 최근 만났다. 너무 가난했고 그래서 돈을 벌기 위해 달려야했던 꽃미남 소년은 한류스타가 됐지만, 이후 방황도 했고 이런저런 뭇매도 맞았다. 그리고 이제 다시 출발선에 섰다. --지난 1년 어떻게 지냈나. 다음은 장근석과의 일문일답. ▲학교 열심히 다녔다. 한양대 대학원 연극영화학과 석·박사 통합과정에 재학 중이고 이제 2학기 남았다. 쉬지 않고 올해까지 해서 마치려고 한다. 학교를 다닐 수 있어서 정말 좋았다. 단편영화 4편을 찍었고 동료 학생들과 많이 어울렸다. 또 일본 등 해외에서도 부지런히 활동했다. --지난해 1월 탈세논란이 있었다. ▲기사가 터졌을 때 일본에 있었다. 믿지 않겠지만 나는 전혀 모르는 일이었다. 그리고 정확히 하고 싶은데 탈세를 했다는 게 아니라 '논란'이었다. 사람들의 반응에 너무 당황했고 속상했다. 순식간에 나는 '탈세범'이 되더라. 3주 동안 휴대전화도 끄고 나를 아는 Jan 10, 2016
'Reply 1988' sets another ratings record /Screen captures from tvNPopular TV drama “Reply 1988” on cable channel has set another record.The Friday/Saturday drama, which airs on tvN, registered a national rating average of 17.2 percent, and 17.8 percent for the 18th episode on Jan. 9, according to Nielsen Korea and reports.The retro-drama attracts viewers mostly in their 40s (20.6 percent). People in their 30s posted 15.7 percent, and people in their 20s posted 12.8 percent.The drama is about five families in Ssangmun-dong, northern Seoul, in 1988 when Korea hosted its first Summer Olympics and was on the cusp of a boom.The main plot is about finding a husband for Sung Deok-sun (Girl’s Day’s Hye-ri) out of two male characters _ Choi Taek (Park Bo-gum) and Kim Jung-hwan (Ryu Jun-yeol). Jan 10, 2016
