Lee Sung-min, Kim Soo-hyun team up for thriller /Korea Times fileLee Sung-min, 47, will star in new film “Real” with top hallyu actor Kim Soo-hyun.The film is an action thriller and Kim plays Jang Tae-young, a gangster-type messenger who takes care of annoying problems for his boss.It is a story about the messenger and an investigative writer who covers Jang.Lee’s role has not been disclosed. Lee debuted as a theater actor in 1985. He is best known for a supporting role in mega-hit drama “Misaeng” last year.“Real” originally was scheduled to start shooting in October. But an investment delay from China’s Alibaba Pictures has put filming off to January. The film is expected to open in theaters in the second half of next year. Dec 15, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Actress Kang Du-ri killed in traffic accident Kang Du-ri /Screen capture from TwitterRookie actress Kang Du-ri has died in a traffic accident, reports said Tuesday.Kang, 22, recently starred in a television drama about high school students, “Cheer Up,” that aired on KBS from Oct. 5 to Nov. 10. She began her career as a BJ on Afreeca Tv.Police are still investigating the accident, which reports said occurred Monday.A mortuary has been set up at Incheon’s St. Mary’s Hospital.Dec 15, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
'Running Man' producer apologizes for plagiarism accusation A comparison of the "pinball game" played in the episode of "Running Man" aired on Dec. 6 (top) and "Gorogoro Viking" on Fuji TV's "VS. Arashi."/Screen capture from TwitterLim Hyung-taek, executive producer of the South Korean variety show “Running Man” has responded to an accusation that the show plagiarized a game from the Japanese entertainment program "VS. Arashi."“Regardless of how it might have happened, I express my sincere apologies as the person in charge,” Lim said Monday. "I'll do everything I can to prevent similar incidents from happening."The allegations were first made after an episode of “Running Man”aired on Dec. 6. Viewers have said one of the missions on the episode, which required contestants to safely move balls from one side of a giant board to the other side, is highly similar to the game “Gorogoro Viking,” played on the Japanese show."Running Man" is a popular entertainment program, which is part of the umbrella program "Good Sunday" which airs on the South Korean network SBS. "VS. Arashi" is a Fuji TV variDec 15, 2015
Psy appears in 'From Vegas to Macau 3' /Screen capture from YouTubeSinger Psy appears in the teaser trailer of the third edition of Hong Kong-Chinese film “From Vegas to Macau.”The film is an action comedy directed by Andy Lau, starring Chow Yun-fat, Lau and Nick Cheung.In the teaser trailer premiered on Monday, Psy is seen playing a cheerful gambler and exchanging greetings with Chow.The film has been heavily anticipated by fans in China and Hong Kong, as it casts a number of top stars including Carina Lau, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Chow Yun-fat who dominated ‘80s and ‘90s cinema in Hong Kong.The film premieres on Feb. 1 in China. Dec 15, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Choo Shin-soo hits laughter home-run Choo Shin-soo, center, on “One Night Two Days” on KBS, with Cha Tae-hyun, left, and DefCon / Screen capture from YouTubeSunday’s TV entertainment show “One Night Two Days” was all about how much fun Major League Baseball slugger Choo Shin-soo can be on a Korean variety program.The Texas Rangers right-fielder joined the five male regular members on a trip to Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, for an overnight stay.Actor Kim Joo-hyuk has left the program, leaving Cha Tae-hyun, DefCon, singer Jung Joon-young, comedian Kim Jun-ho and singer/entertainer Kim Jong-min aboard.The cast take overnight trips to Korea’s scenic spots and talk about them.Choo’s chemistry with the regular five has drawn praise from viewers and critics.Viewers are wondering whether Choo will officially join the funny crew possibly until his MLB season starts in April.Dec 14, 2015
Actor takes girlfriend's mother on Korean tour Song Seung-heon and Liu Yifei / Courtesy of Naver blogActor Song Seung-heon took the mother of his girlfriend, Chinese actress Liu Yifei, on a trip to Korea in October, media reports said Monday.Song, 39, took the Chinese star, 28, and her mother to Namhae, in South Gyeongsang Province.They also visited Southcape Spa & Suite, a luxurious resort that became popular in July when actor Bae Yong-joon and actress Park Soo-jin had their honeymoon there.Liu Yifei spotted in Incheon International Airport on Oct. 4, a day before Song Seung-heon's birthday. Song and Liu revealed their romantic relationship in August. The couple made headlines in October, when they visited Liu’s mother in Wuhan, China.They were in the city to promote the movie “The Third Love,” in which they co-starred.Liu reportedly visited Korea a day before Song’s birthday, sparking speculation that the couple might marry.Dec 14, 2015
Kim Dong-wan gives 100 mil. to sex slaves Kim Dong-wan /YonhapKim Dong-wan, 36, a member of first generation K-pop band Shinhwa, has been helping Korean victims of the Japanese military’s sexual enslavement of women, Star News reported Monday.The entertainment news outlet cited Nanoom House (House of Sharing), a house for living comfort women in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, as saying the singer donated 40 million won on Monday.Kim donated 30 million won to the house in 2013 and another 30 million won last year.Kim said he decided to donate money when he learned that a Korean survivor of sexual slavery during World War Ⅱ had died at the beginning of the month.He also wants part of the money to go toward a memorial hall for the victims.Only 46 Koreans are left of 238 victims registered with the government. Dec 14, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Ahn Jae-wook to return to small screen Actor Ahn Jae-wook / YonhapActor Ahn Jae-wook, will return to the small screen with a KBS weekend drama titled “Five Children.” Yonhap reports.The drama, which will start airing in February, is about a single mother and a widower who find a second love.Ahn, 45, a top hallyu actor whose 1997 drama “Star in My Heart” etched his name across Asia, will play a widowed dad raising his two children.It will be his first TV drama since “Light and Shadow” (2012) on MBC.The new drama is also his first since his marriage to musical actress Choi Hyun-joo, 35, in June.Dec 14, 2015
Hallyu actor gives philanthropy lecture Jang Keun-suk at Hanyang University in 2013 / Courtesy of FacebookHallyu actor Jang Keun-suk visited Hanyang University on Thursday to deliver a lecture about his charity work.Jang, 29, visited his alma mater to give the lecture at a class about understanding philanthropy.The university established the class this semester to teach about the importance of donations and charity works.Students reportedly asked for Jang to be invited.He has been acknowledged at the university for his donations to the school.Wearing a dark blue suit, Jang spoke for about an hour about the philosophy behind charity work.In October, the school acknowledged Jang and five of his alumni for their contributions to promoting a charity culture.Dec 14, 2015
Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Yuna top brand awards /Korea Times fileActor Kim Soo-hyun and former figure skater Kim Yuna won grand prizes at the 2015 National Brand Awards for improving Korea’s brand image.The Institute of Nation Brand Promotion chooses and awards individuals and corporations who contribute to enhancing the national image.Kim Soo-hyun won the prize in the culture sector, and Kim Yuna won it in the sports sector.Actor Kim earned worldwide fame for the dramas “My Love from the Stars” in 2014 and “Producers” this year.China, Indonesia, Japan and Thailand paid an estimated 4 billion won for rights to “Producers.”.The actor was also in the top 5 of “The Most Influential Star in China”list this year.Figure skater Kim Yuna is the first female figure skater to achieve the "grand slam," winning the World Grand Prix Final, Four Continents Championships, World Championships and the Winter Olympics. She was also named in TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of 2010.The awards ceremony will be at the National Assembly Hall on Thursday.Dec 14, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
