Adult talk show 'Witch Hunt' draws curtain From left, Huh Ji-woong, Shin Dong-yup, Sung Si-kyung and Yoo Se-yoon from "Witch Hunt" / Screen capture from YouTubeKorea’s popular adult TV talk show ‘Witch Hunt’ finishes Friday.The JTBC program has been running for the past two years and five months.Four hosts - comedians Shin Dong-yup and Yoo Se-yoon, singer Sung Si-kyung and media critic Huh Ji-woong - discuss sexuality from a male point of view.According to a media report, the program “fired up every Friday night even hotter.”A video released by the program’s producers online Wednesday showed the hosts leaving heart-felt messages with only one episode remaining to air.Dec 17, 2015
I looked like a monster after surgery: Jessi Jessi / Courtesy of InstagramKorean-American female hip-hop artist Jessi said she looked like “a monster” after plastic surgery.“I did my eyelids and nose,” the star, 27, revealed on TV talk show “Radio Star”, Wednesday.“After the surgery, my face broke my heart. I instantly asked the surgeon to get rid of the stitches. After about a year, the swelling naturally settled down. Some asked me whether I had another surgery to tone down the swelling.”The show’s hosts revealed pictures of her before the surgery and she admitted they showed she was prettier then. Jessi admitted on "Radio Star" she looked better before her plastic surgery (inbox). / Screen capture from YouTubeBut this year has been a red carpet one for Jessi. Her TV exposure on rap survival show “Unpretty Rapstar: Season 1” on Mnet from January to March ignited her fame. Although she did not win, she certainly won the public’s heart.Jessi’s TV exposure continued on military experience reality show “Real Men: Women’s Army Special&rdDec 17, 2015
올해를 빛낸 가수 1위 빅뱅…2위는 아이유 올해 '뱅뱅뱅', '루저'(Loser) 등 히트곡을 연이어 선보인 가수 빅뱅이 올해를 빛낸 가수로 꼽혔다. 빅뱅은 17일 여론조사기관 한국갤럽이 연말을 맞아 공개한 '올해를 빛낸 가수' 설문에서 응답자 15.5%의 선택을 받으며 1위에 올랐다. 빅뱅은 올해 5월부터 8월까지 매월 1일 두 곡의 신곡을 선보이는 '메이드'(MADE) 프로젝트 아래 '뱅뱅뱅', '루저', '맨정신', '배배' 등을 발표하며 연이어 음원차트 1위를 석권했다. 이들은 음원 내려받기·스트리밍 실적을 반영하는 시상식 '멜론 뮤직 어워드'(MMA)에서 아티스트상 등 5관왕을 휩쓸었으며 홍콩에서 열린 '엠넷 아시안 뮤직 어워즈'(MAMA)에서는 '올해의 노래상'과 '올해의 가수상' 등 4개 상을 받았다. 빅뱅은 지난 2007~2009년에 3년 연속 '올해를 빛낸 가수' 2위로 뽑혔고 2011년에도 2위에 선정됐으나 1위를 차지한 것은 올해가 처음이다. 빅뱅의 '뱅뱅뱅'은 7.2%의 선택으로 '올해의 가요'로도 선정됐다. 오승근의 '내 나이가 어때서'(4.6%), 임창정의 '또 다시 사랑'(4.3%), 아이유의 '마음'(3.9%), 이엑스아이디(EXID)의 '위아래'(3.6%)가 뒤를 이었다. 가수 아이유는 15.4%의 지지를 받으며 빅뱅과 근소한 차이로 2위에 올랐다. 아이유는 올해 초 MBC TV '무한도전 - 2015 영동고속도로 가요제'에서 개그맨 박명수와 '레옹'을 선보였고 뒤이어 발표한 새 미니앨범 '챗셔'(CHAT-SHIRE)로 주목받았다. 3위는 그룹 소녀시대(11.9%)에 돌아갔다. 지난해 멤버 제시카가 탈퇴하는 곡절을 겪었으나, 8인으로 체제를 정비하고서 5집 정규 앨범 '라이언 하트'(Lion Heart)를 발표했다. 대표곡 '라이언 하트'와 '파티'(PARTY) 등으로 음원 차트 상위권을 점령하며 저력을 과시했으며 최근엔 서울 올림픽공원 체조경기장에서 4번째 단독 콘서트를 열었다. Dec 17, 2015
Top actors to light up action film “Master” /Korea Times fileTop actors Lee Byung-hun, Kang Dong-won and Kim Woo-bin have both been cast in the new crime action film “Master.”“Master,” about the largest fraudsters in history and the criminal investigation team out to catch them, will be directed by Jo Ui-seok, known for “Cold Eyes” in 2013 and “The World of Silence” in 2006.Lee will play President Jin, the leader of the fraudsters, and Kang will play Kim Jae-myung, the head of the criminal investigation unit. Kim will play “Brain” who is faithful to President Jin.Filming of “Master” will begin in the first half of next year. Dec 17, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Seven art toys emblematizing idol groups placed in Cheongdam-dong /Screen capture from TwitterThe Gangnam district office has set up new “GangnamDols,” which emblematize top hallyu stars on the streets of Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam district in Seoul.The GangnamDols, a combination of the words “Gangnam”and “idols,” have been placed on the K-Star Road in Apgujeong-dong and Shinsa-dong districts, where Korea’s top entertainment management agencies such as S.M. Entertainment and JYP Entertainment are located, as part of efforts to attract foreign tourists.The art toys, which were set up in Feb, were about 10 groups, including 2PM, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation and EXO.The new three-meter-high GangnamDols symbolize seven idol groups, including B1A4, AOA, KARA, BLOCK-B and VIXX, beckoning foreign tourists in Cheongdam-dong, another area in Gangnam.The Gangnam district office announced yesterday it will hold a ceremony in front of the Galleria Department Store to celebrate the setting up new art toys.Gangnam Mayor Shin Yeon-hee and the groups related with the toys will participate in the ceremony.“We hoDec 17, 2015
Comic duo turns back clock for comeback Left, a scene from UV's "Itaewon Freedom" music video; a promotional image for the band's new single "Baked Clam"Comic duo UV have released a promotional image for their new single, signaling their comeback after more than two years.The band’s members, comedian Yoo Se-yoon and singer Muzie, mimicked the style of 1980s Korea in the image released online Wednesday. They had long hairdos, a red scarf and donned a blue jeans jacket and a dark leather jacket.The single, "Baked Clam," reportedly has lyrics about a lover leaving for Incheon to buy seafood for his partner. It is a cheesy depiction of love from a band popular for their comical lyrics and music videos.Debuting with single “Do You Wanne be Cool?” in 2010, UV have released fun tracks like “Mom” (2010), “Itaewon Freedom” (2011) and “Who Am I?” (2011).In 2011, TV broadcaster Mnet aired a comedy documentary that had fake “facts” about the band, saying Yoon and Muzie had been influential in Korea’s cultural history long before their debut.The documentary drDec 16, 2015
Sulli ponders getting 'Real' Sulli / Screen capture from InstagramSulli, a former member of K-pop band f(x), is considering a starring role in new film “Real” with top hallyu actor Kim Soo-hyun, reports said Wednesday.The film is an action thriller by director Lee Jung-sub, known for “Romantic Island” and “Lost in Love.” “Real” is about a gangster-type messenger who takes care of annoying problems for his boss, and an investigative writer.Kim plays Jang Tae-young, and Sulli will play the heroine if she decides to join in.Sulli left f(x) in August and said she would focus on acting.Sulli has starred in two films, “The Pirates” and “Fashion King” in 2014. She is dating Choi Ja from Korean rap band Dynamic Duo.Dec 16, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Tragedy strikes Korean stars Clockwise from top left, the late Nam Seong-nam, Jin Do-hee, Kim Sang-soon, Kim Gwang-han, Do Eun-young, Kim Hwa-ran, Kang Du-ri, Kim Kyung-min and Jeong Won Rookie actress and Internet BJ Kang Du-ri, 22, who reportedly died in a car accident, apparently killed herself at her home in Incheon, Monday. Kang, who appeared in a supporting role in a TV drama, wrote on the webpage of online broadcaster Afreeca TV on Dec. 11 about her difficult times.Police said a burned briquette was found at Kang’s home, sparking speculation she died of asphyxia.Several stars have died tragically this year.Singer Do Eun-young died at 32. The cause of death was not disclosed but she reportedly suffered depression. At the time of her death, she had nearly completed a new album.Accidents and old age have also taken away stars. On Aug. 3, rocker Kim Kyung-min (Van), 33, from Broken Valentine drowned while on vacation.Singer Jeong Won, 72, whose heyday was as an entertainer in theater shows of the 1960s, died on Feb. 28 after a heart attack.Actress Jin Do-hee died of pancreatic cancer ageDec 16, 2015
BigBang goes quiet on music awards BigBang /YonhapBigBang will miss year-end music award festivals on three networks - KBS, MBC and SBS - reports said Wednesday.A source at YG Entertainment said the K-pop band will focus on its new album.BigBang has been performing around the globe with its “BigBang World Tour 2015~2016 MADE.”“The members feel sorry for fans that have been waiting for the performance of the band, but they want to produce a more perfect album and performances,” the source said.BigBang swept the nation’s major online music charts, including Melon, Bugs, Genie and Naver music, with two songs, “Bang Bang Bang” and “Loser,” when the album “MADE” was released.The band’s music video for “Bang Bang Bang” was the most-watched K-pop video of the year on YouTube. Dec 16, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Spotlight shines on small-screen awards Jang Hyuk from “The Merchant: Gaekju” / Screen capture from YouTubeAs Korea’s three major TV networks prepare for their annual acting awards, speculation is rising about who will be honored.KBS hosts its award show on Dec. 31. According to media reports, possible candidates for the awards have been narrowed to five. Among them are Jang Hyuk from “The Merchant: Gaekju,” Kim Hye-ja from “Unkind Women” and Go Doo-sim from “All about My Mom” and “The Eccentric Daughter-in-Law.”Jang, who won the network’s best actor award in 2010 with his man-hunter role in historic action drama “Chuno,” is aiming for his second award with another historic drama.Go and Kim, both seasoned actresses, are also previous winners. Kim won in 2008 and Go in 1989 and 2004.Competing with them for top honors are So Ji-sub from “Oh My Venus” and Kim Soo-hyun from “The Producers.”Hwang Jung-eum from “She was Pretty”For MBC, Hwang Jung-eum from “She was Pretty,” who played a disheveDec 15, 2015
