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
Lee Dong-whi, Jung Ho-yeon dating Lee Dong-hwi, Jung Ho-yeon / Screen captures from InstagramActor Lee Dong-hwi, 30, is dating fashion model Jung Ho-yeon, 21, SIM Entertainment said Wednesday.The company declined to disclose further details, citing privacy.Lee debuted in 2013, playing a supporting role in the film “Cold Eyes.” He became popular after he was cast in tvN drama “Reply 1988.”Jung debuted in a survival program, “Super Model Korea Season 4,” in 2013.Jan 6, 2016
Seohyun joins new TV drama Seohyun / Korea Times fileSeohyun, a member of K-pop band Girls’ Generation, has been cast in the TV drama “Moon Lovers,” which will air on SBS.The show is a remake of the Chinese drama “Bu Bu Jing Xin.” It is a time-slip story about the fourth son of Emperor Wang Geon in the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392) and a girl who is accidentally sent from the 21st century.Seohyun will play Woo-hee, the last princess of the Later Baekje Kingdom (892-936), who becomes “gisaeng,” a Korean courtesan, after the collapse of Baekje.Lee Joon-gi will play the fourth son of Wang Geon, who becomes Goryeo’s fourth Emperor Gwangjong (949-975), and singer IU is Hae-soo, the girl who time-travels to the kingdom.The drama will air in the second half of the year.Jan 6, 2016
'10 million fairy' actor admits romance Oh Dal-su from movie "Veteran" (2015) / Courtesy of NaverChae Gook-hee / Korea Times fileActor Oh Dal-su, one of the silver screen’s most popular actors, has admitted he is dating actress Chae Gook-hee.Oh’s management company, Star Village Entertainment, confirmed on its homepage Tuesday Monday’s report of the romance.“Oh and Chae have been fellow actors who cared for each other by giving feedback on their work,” the company said.“After working together on the movie ‘The Thieves’ in 2012, the two started to date. They told us they have been going out since.“The couple’s news making headlines nationwide confounded us. We decided to wait a little and confirm the news instead of promptly responding to the report.”Kim Tae-wook, a former singer married to Chae’s older sister, actress Chae Shi-ra, appeared on a radio program as a guest on Tuesday and said he had no idea until Monday the two were dating.He congratulated the couple on the program, “Lee Sook-young’s Love FM,” on SBS. He denied a report tJan 5, 2016
