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
Anticipation grows for Lee Young-ae, Song Seung-heon drama Actors Song Seung-heon, left, and Lee Young-ae / YonhapHallyu star Song Seung-heon says he never dreamed he would co-star with top actress Lee Young-ae.“I was so nervous that I made a lot of mistakes” Song told a press conference at Seamark Hotel in Gangenung, Gangwon Province on Monday. The eastern province will feature in many scenes for the upcoming drama “Saimdang, the Herstory.”Lee will play Sin Saimdang (1504-1551), a painter from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) who is better known as the mother of Confucian scholar Lee Yul-gok (1536-1584). Lee will also play a double role as a modern woman, a college lecturer in art history.Song films a scene at Ojukheon, Gangneung, Gangwon Province. / YonhapThe drama has been much anticipated since she starred in “Jewel in the Palace” (2003).For her part, Lee said she wants to bring out Saimdang as a real figure, not one that is etched in the Korean 50,000 won note.“I chose this drama so we could tackle what it means to educate childrenNov 30, 2015
Indiscreet 'Real Men' draws fire MBC's “Real Men” accidentally showed resident registration number of Lee Yi-kyung, right, during the show. / Screen capture from YouTube TV entertainment show “Real Men” is in trouble after accidentally revealing the resident registration number of actor Lee Yi-kyung, jeopardizing the security of his personal information.In Sunday’s episode of the non-scripted MBC show -- in which celebrities are invited to experience military training -- Lee was diagnosed with an illness and applied to miss a training session.When the camera zoomed in on the form, it showed his resident registration number -- and the editors failed to cut it or hide it.Viewers have criticized the network for putting the star in danger of information theft.Sunday’s episode also drew fire for using a Japanese military march as background music, which viewers found uncomfortable.The producers have apologized to netizens and military officials involved in the show.In September, the program angered viewers when it showed female celebrities making fun of a male training officeNov 30, 2015
Ha Ji-won to attend HK lighting ceremony / Korea Times FilesActress Ha Ji-won will attend Swarovski’s Christmas lighting ceremony “Christmas in the Air” at Hong Kong International Airport on Dec. 1.“Ha Ji-won is the only Korean star who was invited to the event,” her management agency Haewadal Entertainment said Monday.The ceremony heralds the end of the year for many people at the airport.After the event, Ha will take part in a photo shoot for Cosmopolitan Hong Kong.Meanwhile, she is shooting a film with Taiwanese actor Bolin Chen for a Korea-China co-production film called “Deadly Love”. Nov 30, 2015
Rapper Zico's Twitter account hacked Zico from "Tough Cookie" music video / Screen capture from YouTube Rapper Zico, who is reportedly about to release a mini album, says his Twitter account has been hacked.The incident is the latest of what he claimed on Monday is a series of hacking incidents.The tracklist from Zico's upcoming mini album / Courtesy of InstagramSeven Seasons, the rapper’s management company, was quoted on Monday as saying the star, 23, is depressed about the repeated incidents.But other reports point out that the incidents, which appear to be unlucky for the member of boy band Block B, may actually mean the album will be a success -- based on a Korean adage that says a series of mishaps is always followed by a fortunate event.Nov 30, 2015
