Choi Si-won' star soars on Twitter /Screen capture from TwitterChoi Si-won, a member of Super Junior, is enjoying great popularity partly because of the TV drama he is starring in, “She Was Pretty.”As of Monday, more than 5 million people are following his official Twitter account, SM Entertainment reported. Choi opened the account on March 25, 2010.Choi has already topped the star list once, having the most followers in 2011. This is the second time for him to accomplish that feat.“She Was Pretty,” broadcast on MBC, also stars actress Hwang Jeong-eum and actor Park Seo-joon. The drama has been garnering popularity ratings in the 17 percent rage.Choi will enlist for his military duty on Nov. 19. He will serve as a conscripted police officer. /Screen capture from TwitterOct 27, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Han Ye-seul, Sung Joon in new JTBC drama Actors Han Ye-seul, left, and Sung Joon / Courtesy of Keyeast Entertainment, O& EntertainmentHan Ye-seul and Sung Joon star in drama that will air Friday and Saturday on JTBC.In the drama with romantic and humorous overtones and titled “Madame Antoine,” Han plays a fortuneteller who claims to have a psychic connection with Marie Antoinette of France. But Han is a “fake” fortuneteller with a superb ability to read people.Sung Joon plays a psychologist with a clinic named “Madame Antoine.”Jung Jin-woon of K-pop band 2AM also stars.The drama is directed by Kim Yoon-cheol who has directed many popular works, including “My Lovely Samsoon” (2005).Oct 26, 2015
Ailee to sing national anthem at Korean Series /Screen capture from InstagramAilee will sing the national anthem at the second round of this year’s Korean Series between Samsung Lions and Doosan Bears, YMC Entertainment said Monday.The Korean Series will start at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Daegu Stadium in Daegu, the Lion’s home 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul.Ailee, 26, will perform on Tuesday before the second round.Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) chose the singer because her powerful voice and energy reflect the passion of the Korean Series, YMC said.Ailee, dubbed as the“Korean Beyonce,” debuted with her song “Heaven” in 2012.Oct 26, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Ex-U-KISS member Dongho to wed in Nov. Dongho, 21, former member of the boy band U-KISS announced he will marry on Nov. 28. / YonhapDongho, a former member of boy band U-KISS, has announced plans to marry next month, becoming the youngest pop star to do so in South Korea, industry sources said Monday.The 21-year-old has been planning his wedding for the past three months, the sources said, adding the date has been fixed for Nov. 28. South Korean pop stars rarely marry in their 20s."I know I'm young, but I've made the decision after many prayers and discussions," he was quoted as telling his friends.Dongho debuted in 2008 with the six-member act and has also dabbled in acting. He left the boy band in 2013, citing poor health and a loss of interest in the entertainment industry.The identity of his girlfriend has not been released, but she is rumored to be two years his senior. (Yonhap)Oct 26, 2015
Arrest warrant issued for mixed martial arts fighter Prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for mixed martial arts fighter Choi Hong-man on Monday for allegedly not repaying millions of won to acquaintances.Choi, 35, has ignored summonses several times.According to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the former traditional Korean wrestling “ssireum” champion allegedly borrowed one million won from a friend, surnamed Park in Hong Kong in December 2013.Choi also borrowed 25 million won from another friend, surname Moon, last October.Moon and Park took legal action against Choi for fraud after he failed to repay the money on time. Moon later withdrew his claim.Choi has been staying in Japan, local reports say.Choi debuted in K-1 in 2005 to become a top-level fighter. Known as the“Techno Goliath, the 2.17-meter fighter famously beat K-1 legend Bob Sapp at the K-1 Grand Prix in Osaka in 2005. Oct 26, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Jo Sung-mo becomes father /Screen capture from Instagram Singer Jo Sung-mo, 38, uploaded a photo of his new born baby boy to Instagram on Sunday morning.He said his wife gave birth on Monday morning, five years after he married actress Ku Min-ji in 2010.Jo had been embroiled in a legal dispute with the production company that managed his national tour from 2014-2015, a local media outlets reported Sunday.He was contracted to give 18 solo performances, but he stopped in April after his 16th show because of a conflict over money.Reports said the singer had been ordered to pay 100 million won compensation, but the agency released a statement, claiming they already reached an agreement to continue performances in May. Oct 26, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Um Ki-joon celebrates with fans /Courtesy of SidusHQActor Um Ki-joon has met fans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his debut, SidusHQ said Sunday.At the event, titled “Um Ki-joon 20th anniversary meeting,” the actor met 500 fans at CAU Grand Theater on Saturday.Um sang several songs that he sings in musicals such as “Jekyll and Hyde” and “The Sorrows of Young Werther.”Actors Yu Jun-sang and Kim Beop-rae, who starred with Um in“The Three Musketeers,” were also at the meeting.Um debuted as a musical actor in “Richard III” in 1995. He will star in ”Werther” next month. Oct 25, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Jo Sung-mo ordered to pay 100m won compensation /Screen capture from InstagramSinger Jo Sung-mo has been ordered to pay 100 million won compensation for sub-standard performances from 2014-2015.Seoul Central District Court ruled Sunday in favor of a production agency that handled Jo’s national tour, and ordered Jo to pay 100 million won($890,000) to the agency.Jo, 38, was contracted to give 18 solo performances, but he stopped in April after his 16th show, because of a conflict over money.The agency also claimed Jo broke his contract by appearing at a similar concert.The court ruled that Jo had acknowledged plaintiff’s claim because he did not take any action at the trial.If he does not appeal to a higher court in two weeks, the compensation order will stand. Oct 25, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
'Actress Kim Ha-neul to wed in March' Actress Kim Ha-neul / Korea Times fileKorea's top actress, Kim Ha-neul, 37, who is dating a businessman, will tie the knot in March, various media reported Friday.News of her romance emerged in September. At the time, her agency, SM C&C, said she had been dating the businessman for about a year.Kim is reportedly looking for a wedding dress and venue for the big day.Kim, who debuted as a model for a clothing brand in 1996, has starred in television dramas “Piano” (2001), “Romance” (2002) and “On Air” (2008), and in films including “My Girlfriend Is an Agent” (2009).Oct 23, 2015
Former S.E.S member reveals her baby photo /Screen capture from "Happy Together Season 3"Actress Eugene, a former member of girl group “S.E.S”, revealed a photo of her baby daughter to viewers of variety show “Happy Together Season 3” on KBS Thursday.Eugene appeared with Lee Sang-woo, her partner in the KBS weekend drama “All About My Mom”.During the show, guests highly anticipated the appearance of her daughter, Ki Ro-hee, who was born in April.“Ro-hee resembles her father Ki Tae-young more,” Eugene said with a smile. “He is very satisfied with that.”Eugene married actor Ki Tae-young on July 23, 2011.Oct 23, 2015
