BigBang's Seungri drops fraud complaint against colleague Seungri /Courtesy of YG Entertainment Seungri of the K-pop boy band BigBang has dropped a complaint he filed with the prosecution in which he accused a colleague of swindling him out of thousands of dollars, his management agency said Friday.Last month, Seungri told prosecutors that a female singer asked him to invest in her real estate business in 2014. He put down more than 2 billion won ($1.7 million) for the business which never took off, he said.The 25-year-old reconciled with the singer, identified only by her surname Shin, on Thursday, YG Entertainment said.“We had planned to deal with the situation together, but we heard he’d dropped the complaint,” the agency said, adding that it does not know any further details. “We only know that the complaint has been withdrawn. We don’t know any more about it since it’s his personal affair.”Shin debuted in 2003 and has two albums under her name. At the time she asked Seungri to invest in her business, she was running a talent management agency, which has since shut down.Meanwhile, BigJan 9, 2016
'Devil's Runway' seems more like entertainment show Model Soo Joo, left, and Han Hye-jin pose at the press conference of OnStyle’s new fashion survival show “Devil’s Runway” at Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of OnStyleBy Kim Jae-heun “Devil’s Runway,” cable channel OnStyle’s new fashion survival show, aims to become the next “Korea’s Next Top Model” series, but it looks like the show needs more development, judging by the 17 preview videos released online.The show’s preview clips, so far, have only reached 65 subscribers and have only gotten 85 “likes,” on Naver, the country’s no. 1 portal.The strong electronic beat at the start of the preview videos gives the impression that the episodes will depict scenes of fierce competition, but soon, it gives way to nothing more than a lame talent show for fashion models. They sing, they dance and they stage comedy acts, but nothing is related to fashion. The performances seem contrived and awkward.The four judges of “Devil’s Runway” lack experience.Jan 8, 2016
Hit TV show uses former president's home The house of Korea’s 10th president, Choi Kyu-hah, was used as a setting of tvN's "Reply 1988." Fans of tvN’s popular drama “Reply 1988” may be surprised to know that the house of Korea’s 10th president, Choi Kyu-hah (1919-2006), was used as part of the show’s setting.The Western-style, three-story house in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, in western Seoul, appeared as the home of one of the main characters, “Dong-ryong,” in the 10th and 15th episodes that aired in December, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.The house, which has some 500 of the president’s possessions, became a public gallery in 2013. Entry is free and visitors can see the house’s living room, guest room, reading room and kitchen, as well as a 50-year-old fan and a sofa made 30 years ago.Picture of Choi in the house / YonhapYonhap news agency said the house “looks like one of those ordinary mansions popular for middle-class families in the 1970-80s and reflects the president’s humble lifestyle.”Choi lived in the house from Jan 8, 2016
Weibo Night honors JYP, Nichkhun Park Jin-young, left, and Nichkhun as they attended "2015 Weibo Night" held Thursday at Beijing's Shangri-La Hotel. / Screen capture from YouTube Chinese award show “2015 Weibo Night” honored K-pop producer Park Jin-young and singer Nichkhun from boy band 2PM, Thursday.The annual show, which recognizes celebrities most talked about on China’s biggest social network site, Sina Weibo, was held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Beijing. It awarded Park, CEO of JYP Entertainment, “The Most Influential Producer of the Year” and the American-born Thai star “Male God of the Year.” Nichkhun gives an award speech. / Screen capture from YouTube “I would like to say thank you to my fans all around the world for supporting and loving me,” Nichkhun said in his award speech.“I hope I always make you guys proud. Happy new year.”The show recognized K-pop boy band BEAST, the only K-pop band invited to the event, as Asia’s most popular band in 2015.The show also awarded Lee Kwang-soo, Gary and Song Ji-hyo, sJan 8, 2016
Rain showcases K-pop hit with Lang Lang Jung Ji-hoon (stage name Rain) from "La Song" music video K-pop star and actor Jung Ji-hoon, whose stage name is Rain, will appear with Chinese pianist Lang Lang at a music festival in China.“Lang Lang & Friends Spring Music Festival” will be held Friday at Liaoning Stadium in Shenyang. Jung, 33, will perform his hit number “Ways to Avoid the Sun” from his second studio album, released in 2003, to Lang’s accompaniment.Lang will also collaborate with Chinese celebrities, including Alan Tam and Hua Chenyu.Lang Lang / Korea Times fileLang, 33, has performed with orchestras in Europe, the U.S. and China, as well as at various open-air venues including Central Park in New York and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.Jung debuted as a member of boy band Fanclub in 1998 and went solo in 2002. He has expanded his career to TV and film acting in and outside Korea. His work includes Hollywood movies “Speed Racer” (2008) and “Ninja Assassin” (2009) and Chinese film “For Love or Money” (2014).Jan 7, 2016
Rising star joins crime movie cast Lee Dong-hwi, right, and Lee Hyeri from "Reply 1988"Actor Lee Dong-hwi, who has risen to stardom with his role in TV drama “Reply 1988” on tvN, has won a part in crime movie “One Line.” The movie is about robbers planning a loan scheme to swindle some big money.Yim Si-wan, from acclaimed TV drama “Misaeng” (2014), and a member of boy band ZE:A, has the lead role. Actress and ballet dancer Wang Ji-won will make her film debut in the movie.Ryu Jun-yeol, right, and Lee from "Reply 1988"The production plans to complete casting and start shooting this month.Lee, who plays a high school student in “Reply 1988,” debuted in comedy-drama movie “South Bound” (2013).On Wednesday, Lee made headlines after his romance with model Jung Ho-yeon was confirmed.Jan 7, 2016
Actress Hwang Jeong-eum to wed in February Hwang Jeong-eum / C-Jes EntertainmentTop hallyu actress Hwang Jeong-eum, 31, who is dating a golfer-turned-businessman, will tie the knot next month, reported various media outlets Thursday.News of the romance emerged last December. At that time, Hwang confirmed that she is in a relationship with Lee Young-don. A day earlier, an online news outlet ran photos of Hwang and Lee holding hands.Lee, 34, debuted as a pro-golfer in 2006. He runs a Japanese golf management firm and a steel company.Hwang, a former member of K-pop band Sugar, built her acting career through dramas such as “Kill Me, Heal Me” and appeared in “She Was Pretty” in 2015. Jan 7, 2016
Rumors swirl over KARA's future From left, Nicole Jung, Kang Ji-young, Goo Ha-ra, Han Seung-yeon and Park Gyu-ri from KARA / Screen capture from "Step" music videoPopular K-pop girl band KARA is in danger of disbanding.While contracts for three members -- Park Gyu-ri, Han Seung-yeon and Goo Ha-ra -- with DSP Media end in February, media reports said they are not seeking to extend. They are also reportedly contacting other management companies.Goo reportedly met an insider from management company KeyEast, founded by actor Bae Yong-joon, raising speculation that the singer is signing a contract with the company.The report said the three stars might shift their singing careers to acting.Instagram title of Heo Young-ji, where the word "KARA" is erased Heo Young-ji, the band’s newest member -- selected in TV audition program “KARA Project” on MBC Music in 2014-- erased the word “KARA” from the title of her Instagram page Tuesday, raising questions about whether the group had disbanded.KARA debuted in 2007 and original members Kang Ji-young and Nicole Jung left in 2014. Kang Jan 6, 2016
K-pop stars lock horns in sports showdown Scenes of "Idol Star Athletics Championships," where stars show off athleticism while fans cheer. / Korea Times fileK-pop stars will do battle in the “Idol Star Athletics Championships” that will kick off in two weeks and air on TV during the Lunar New Year in February.The 12th championship will be shot in Goyang Gymnasium, Gyeonggi Province, on Jan. 18 and 19 and include sprints, “ssireum,” or Korean traditional wrestling, archery and futsal.TV network MBC, the host since September 2010, is accepting online applications from fans hoping to watch the games in the stadium.The event is held twice a year -- on the Korean Thanksgiving, Chuseok, and the Lunar New Year.From top, Bora, Minho (left), Dongjun and Kaeun / Courtesy of Instagram, MBCPast championships have shed light on the stars’ athletic ability.Bora of Sistar showed she can run and do archery by winning the women’s sprint events in the first and second championships and advancing to the women’s final in archery in the 10th. Her performance increased her band’s reputation anJan 6, 2016
CJ E&M snaps up hip-hop label AOMG Simon D, Jay Park / Courtesy of AOMGCJ E&M has acquired hip-hop label Above Ordinary Music Group (AOMG) led by rappers Jay Park and Simon D.AOMG was established in August 2013 and includes artists Loco, Elo, Ugly Duck and DJ Pumkin, besides Jay Park and Simon D.“CJ E&M will provide the label with knowledge on market infrastructure and know-how on the music industry to grow to lead as the trendiest label,” CJ E&M representative Ahn Seok-jun said Wednesday.AOMG plans to use CJ E&M’s distribution channels, marketing resources and global network while keeping its independence in music production. Jan 6, 2016
