Psy re-signs with YG Entertainment Psy /YonhapSinger Psy has renewed his contract with YG Entertainment.“Psy and YG will stay together three more years based on our trust and friendship,” YG said.Since the singer contracted with YG in 2012, the company has helped Psy make the big leap to the U.S. with his mega-hit “Gangnam Style.”The singer, 37, made a huge comeback on Tuesday with“Napal Baji (Bellbottoms),” and “Daddy.”As of Dec. 2, there have been 3.52 million views of “Napal Baji (Bellbottom)” and 11.8 million views of “Daddy.”Dec 2, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Will Han Hyo-joo win Japanese fans? Han Hyo-joo, right, from “Clumsy Love” / Courtesy of Naver blogWith the Japanese romance movie “Clumsy Love” due for release on Dec. 12, fans are wondering if actress Han Hyo-joo can win the hearts of Japanese viewers.Han, 28, stars in the film, which is directed by Inudo Isshin, one of Japan’s most influential film directors.Co-starring Aiba Masaki, Eikura Nana and Ikuta Toma, the movie features Han as a lighting designer who coordinates an international illumination festival for Christmas in Tokyo.Public expectation of Han in her latest movie is high, following her versatile roles in earlier films -- as part of an emergency crew in“Love 911” (2012) and as a rookie detective in the action thriller “Cold Eyes” (2013).“Clumsy Love” tells the stories of four people who experience a miraculous love during the Christmas holiday season.Since her 2010 debut in a MBC sitcom, Han has been active on TV and in movies.Dec 2, 2015
Top female singers compete on TV Gummy, left, and Lena ParkTop K-pop vocalists Gummy and Lena Park faced each other for the first time in an epic singing battle on Tuesday.JTBC’s “To You Project: In Search of Sugar Man” invited them on stage in front of an audience divided into four age groups -- from teens to 40s.The stars each sang a hit from the 1990s to see which of the two attracted the most votes from the audience, with Gummy taking the honors.The singers drew praise from media reports and bloggers on Wednesday, with general agreement that the stars sang their hearts out and fully lived up to public expectations.Dec 2, 2015
Kim Yoon-ah takes on musical role Kim Yoon-ah /Korea Times fileKim Yoon-ah, 41, a vocalist with rock band Jaurim, has begun a career as a musical actress.She will plays “Mrs. Danvers,” in the musical “Rebecca” her first such role since she made her singing debut in 1997.“Rebecca,” a German musical, is based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The story is about Maxim DeWinter, his new wife and Mrs Danvers, the manipulative housekeeper who blindly loves DeWinter’s ex-wife “Rebecca.”Jaurim debuted with the single “Hey Hey Hey,” in 1997. The band has had several hits, including “Miss Korea,” “Magic Carpet Ride,” and “Goodbye Grief.”Kim, 41, has been often praised for her singing ability.Dec 2, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Kim Soo-hyun donates 11 tons of rice Kim Soo-hyun/ Courtesy of KeyestTop hallyu actor Kim Soo-hyun donated 11.1 tons of rice to the Salvation Army. The rice was collected from rice garlands sent by his fans around the world to celebrate the 7th anniversary of his debut and the success of his dramas“My Love From the Star” (2014) and “The Producers” (2015).Since 2012, the actor and his fans have donated 20 tons of rice to people in need.The popular actor will next appear in a film tentatively titled “Real,” which has already won a pre-release investment from China’s Alibaba Pictures. Dec 2, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Singer sues over alleged beating, robbery Kim Chang-ryul, left, and Wonder Boyz A singer from Wonder Boyz has sued Kim Chang-ryul, who managed the band, for allegedly beating him and stealing the band’s income.The accuser from the four-member band, identified by the surname Kim, has reportedly sued Chang-ryul, president of Enter102 and a member of popular trio DJ DOC from the 1990s, for allegedly hitting him in the face at a barbecue restaurant in Nowon-gu, northern Seoul, in 2012, Gwangjin police said Tuesday.Kim also accused Chang-ryul of stealing the band’s income for three months -- a total of 30 million won ($25,900) -- media reports said Tuesday.Kim reported Chang-ryul to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office last month. He reportedly said he had been silent about Chang-ryul’s alleged crimes until the band’s contract with Enter102 ended.The police investigation is continuing.Chang-ryul has denied the charges, saying he never stole the money and did not go to the barbecue restaurant.Dec 1, 2015
Taeyeon hits K-pop high note on YouTube Taeyeon, above, and TWICE / Screen capture from YouTubeSinger Taeyeon was the hottest K-pop artist on YouTube in October, attracting the most hits for her music video featuring solo song “I,” according to Billboard.The American music website selected the SM Entertainment star from girl band Girls’ Generation based on hits from the U.S. and worldwide on music videos of K-pop artists posted on the video-sharing website.IU, above, and f(x)Taeyeon, who debuted with the band in 2007, was followed by rookie girl band TWICE from JYP Entertainment. Music video “Ooh Ahh” by the nine-member band, which debuted on television audition program “SIXTEEN” on Mnet earlier this year, ranked second in the U.S. and worldwide.The chart also ranked music video “4 Walls” by girl band f(x) at No.3 in the U.S. and No.4 worldwide, and “Twenty Three” by soloist IU No.4 in the U.S. and No.3 worldwide.Dec 1, 2015
Roy Kim's date video creates buzz Roy Kim from the dating simulation video / Screen capture from YouTubeA dating simulation video featuring singer Roy Kim has created a buzz online, attracting more than 1.5 million viewers.The video is shot from the imaginary girlfriend’s perspective, making viewers feel like they are dating the star, 22. It was posted on a creative contents website Saturday.The video shows the star driving a car and humming a song from the original soundtrack of tvN drama “Reply 1988.” He occasionally looks at the camera and flirts with the girlfriend in the passenger seat.Kim rose to stardom in 2012 after winning singing competition show “Super Star K: Season 4” on Mnet. His official debut came the next year with the album “Love Love Love.”Kim will release his third studio album, “The Great Dipper,” early this month.Dec 1, 2015
Hong Kong snaps up Song Il-gook drama /Courtesy of C-JeS EntertainmentUpcoming KBS 1TV historical drama, “Jang Yeong-sill,” starring Song Il-gook, will be shown in Hong Kong.“The export contract with a company in Hong Kong has recently been signed,” a KBS TV official said today. “It is the first historical drama to be exported to Hong Kong.”The 24-episode drama will go to air in January through KBS 1TV, depicting the life of scientist Jang Yeong-sil, who contributed hugely to the renaissance of science in the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).Song Il-gook plays Jang Yeong-sil and Kim Sang-kyung plays King Sejong, who noticed Jang’s abilities.Nov 30, 2015
Noh Hong-chul prepares for comeback Noh Hong-chul / Courtesy of MBCTV personality Noh Hong-chul, who stopped all TV appearances a year ago after being charged with drunk-driving, is preparing to make his comeback on two shows.Noh, 36, will return to the tvN shows in December.It is his second attempt to return to showbiz after his arrest, in which he lost his driver’s license, and, worse, nearly destroyed his 10-year TV career.The first attempt was an MBC pilot reality program in September, in which he hitchhiked in Europe.Noh Hong-chul from "Infinity Challenge" in November 2013 / Screen capture from YouTubeThe pilot neither led to a regular program because of a poor rating, nor did it help Noh repair his damaged image.In fact, public reaction to Noh was distinctly cool. The talkative star from FNC Entertainment had prospered with the network’s entertainment show “Infinity Challenge” since 2006.Nov 30, 2015
