Parks voices hope Korean culture will spread around world President Park Geun-hye expressed hope on Friday that South Korea's culture will be born again as a cultural asset shared by mankind.She also said South Korea is seeking to help plant new seeds of hope in areas affected by conflict and poverty through K-pop and other aspects of Korean culture."At a time when borders are eroding, when our world is increasingly becoming a shared community, I look forward to humanity being brought together and connecting through culture," Park said in a video message at a "Korea Night" function hosted for foreign business leaders at the World Economic Forum under way in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. "I hope is to see Korea's culture go through the kind of renewal that would make it more accessible across the world." South Korean pop culture has gained wide popularity in China, Southeast Asian countries and other parts of the world in recent years. In 2014, Park attended the forum, known as the "Davos Forum." (Yonhap)Jan 22, 2016
Ryu Jun-yeol to join blockbuster movie cast Ryu Jun-yeol / Courtesy of C-Jes EntertainmentRising star Ryu Jun-yeol, 29, has been cast in new film “The King” with top actor Zo In-sung.Ryu has risen to stardom with his role in TV drama “Reply 1988” on tvN.“The King” is about a man who becomes a prosecutor to seek after power. Top actor Jung Woo-sung will also appear.Ryu made his debut in a short film “Economic Love” in 2013. He also appeared in the popular TV drama “The Producers” last year. Jan 21, 2016
'Unknown' Korean singers prove tops in China Hwang Chi-yeol, above, and Jeong Soon-wonSingers Hwang Chi-yeol and Jeong Soon-won are making hallyu history in China, where they have risen to stardom after being unknown there.The singers found fame on the Chinese TV talent contest “I Am a Singer” on Hunan TV.Hwang, who appeared on the program on Jan. 15 as the only foreigner, came second out of eight competitors. Jeong, whose stage name is The One, appeared in February 2015 representing Korea, and was ranked third.Hwang and Jeong made their debuts in China without achieving megastar status in Korea. Neither was globally recognized like BigBang or Girls’ Generation nor hallyu megastar actors like Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun from “My Love from the Star.”“Popular Korean stars from variety shows, TV dramas or movies imported into China are top of the list in China, but those with no such local popularity have to start from rock bottom,” said a Korean music label company CEO, according to Yonhap news agency.“Hwang and Jeong, who broke into the Chinese showbiz industry with their appJan 21, 2016
K-drama scene angers Chinese A scene from Tuesday's episode of "Moolim School" on KBS, where Yoon Shi-woo (played by Lee Hyun-woo), left, and Whang Chi-ang (played by Lee Hong-bin) burn Chinese yuan notes / Courtesy of KBS A scene in a Korean TV drama in which two people burn Chinese yuan notes has angered Chinese viewers.In Tuesday’s fourth episode of “Moolim School” on KBS, Lee Hyun-woo and Lee Hong-bin, who portray students, burned the bills to cause a fire on a mountain at night. The notes come from the pocket of Wang Chi-ang(Hong-bin), a wealthy Chinese businessman’s son forced to attend the school.Chinese media outlets reported Wednesday that netizens are furious about the scene.An KBS insider said the drama “had no intentions to defame China or Chinese culture” and that the scene would be deleted from any TV repeat and from video-on-demand,” according to Newsis.The series is about a unique school called “Moolim School,” where teachers instruct students from different countries the virtues of honesty, faith, sacrifice and communication rather Jan 21, 2016
'The Throne' rated best film of 2015 Korean period drama, “The Throne,” has been chosen as best film of 2015 at the seventh “Film of the Year.”The historical film won Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress awards.Directed by Lee Joon-ik, the film tells the tragic story of King Yeongjo during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), who locked his son, crown prince Sado, in a rice chest and starved him to death.Veteran actor Song Gang-ho plays King Yeongjo and rising star Yoo Ah-in plays prince Sado.Members of the Korean film Reporters Association choose the awards. Jan 21, 2016
Lee Jong-suk wax figure to go on show in Hong Kong Actor Lee Jong-suk / Korea Times fileKorean actor Lee Jong-suk’s wax figure will join those of three fellow Korean actors at Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong.The figure will be unveiled on Friday, Yonhap reports.Figures of Bae Yong-joon, Lee Min-ho and Kim Soo-hyun can be seen at Madame Tussauds.Lee, 25, who was active in small and the large screens last year, debuted in 2005 as a model. He began acting career in a short film “Sympathy” in 2009. He then starred in such hit dramas as “I Can Year Your Voice” (2013), “Dr. Stranger” (2014) and “Pinocchio”(2014-2015). Jan 21, 2016
Singer/actor Lee Seung-gi to enlist Singer/actor Lee Seung-gi / Korea Times fileSinger/actor Lee Seung-gi, 28, will enlist on Feb. 1 _ and to mark the occasion he has just released a single, “I’m Joining the Military.Lee said he had been preparing to enlist, but had been unsure of the date. He said he was delivering the news through the song to those he could not speak to in person.“I would like to thank the overwhelming love the fans have given me, and I promise to return as a full-fledged ‘real man,’” Lee said.Lee debuted as a singer in 2004, but has also been busy as an actor in various TV dramas, films and entertainment shows such as“One Night, Two Days.”Jan 21, 2016
f(x)'s Luna appears in family film Luna / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentLuna, a member of K-pop band f(x), has been cast in a new family fantasy film, “Beongaeman (Lightning Man).” It will be her first appearance in a movie.“Beongaeman” is a theater version of EBS’ popular TV series. It is the story about a superhero who has strong lightning powers and tries to save the world to cope with the stronger “Know-it-all Evil.” In the film, Luna will play the new character Hanna, who wears a rocket pack so that she can fly. The film will premiere next month.Luna has been playing in a number of musicals such as “Legally Blonde (2011),” and “In the Heights (2015).”f(x) has four members _ Victoria, Amber, Luna and Krystal. The band made its debut with the hit song “La Cha Ta” in 2009. Former member Sulli left the group last year to start her acting career.Jan 21, 2016
Asia, top destination for South Korean TV programs exported With the spread of the Asiawide boom of South Korean pop culture, countries in the continent accounted for 95 percent of South Korea's exports of broadcasting programs, such as TV dramas and documentaries, in 2014, a government report said Thursday.Korea's total exports of broadcasting programs came to US$256.28 million in 2014, a 7.0 percent increase from the previous year's $239.43 million, according to a report by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, and the Korea Communications Commission.The report said Korea's exports to Asian countries stood at 94.8 percent of the total exports with $242.97 million, up from 94.3 percent and $241.8 million in 2013.The broadcasting programs were exported by terrestrial broadcasting channels, including KBS, MBC, SBS and EBS, and program providers (PP).Specifically, the terrestrial broadcasters' exports to Asian countries largely grew to reach $241.8 million in 2014 from $177.15 in 2013.In the same year, the terrestrial broadcasters' exports to Japan stood at $67.88 million, Hong Kong $48.78 million, China $43.21 million, Taiwan $14.1Jan 21, 2016
Agency to create K-culture hub in Chongqing Song Sung-gakpresident of KOCCABy Baek Byung-yeulThe state-run Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) has been supporting local cultural content creators in various endeavors since its founding in 2009.KOCCA President Song Sung-gak revealed that the next “gold mine” for exporting Korean cultural products, branded under “hallyu” (the Korean wave), will be Chongqing, southwest China.“There are many Korean companies that already have entered markets in Beijing or Shanghai, but not in Chongqing yet,” Song said during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. “The city is one of the world’s largest with a population of some 30 million, and it will be the first key region to open the new hallyu era.”To make it possible, KOCCA signed an agreement with the Chongqing Culture Industry Investment Group, Dec. 8, to connect Korean creators and local Chongqing companies.“The city government already offered to lease a building to Korean companies for three years free of charge. Also, they asked us to make a hallyu theme park there,” the pJan 20, 2016
