Cage fighter's wife charms TV viewers Yano Shiho from KBS's "Happy Together"Japanese model Yano Shiho, wife of Korean cage fighter and TV personality Choo Sung-hoon, has proven that her charm works across borders.The mother of Choo Sa-rang, a star child who became popular on KBS’s “Superman Returns” after her appearance with her father in January last year, was on KBS night talk show “Happy Together” Thursday. It was her first appearance on a Korean talk show.Male entertainers on the show’s panel were thrilled to speak to her. Choo Sung-hoon and Sa-rang in circleShiho is the wife of the famous Japanese-born former top judoka who has built fame in Korea as a mixed martial artist and TV personality.Shiho’s charm was shared by the public. A media report Friday described her as “a chameleon that exudes many colors of charms,” “surprisingly easygoing compared to a preconception people might have about a popular model” and “a mother as attractive as a high school girl.” Nov 13, 2015
KBS reveals romance comedy 'Oh My Venus' The cast of KBS drama series “Oh My Venus” attend a press conference at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. From left are actors and actresses Jung Gyu-woon, Yoo In-young, Shin Min-a and So Ji-sub. / YonhapBy Kim Jae-heun TV drama fans in Korea are excited for the star-studded new romance comedy “Oh My Venus” set to premiere next week.The KBS drama series, which premieres on Nov. 16, has already gone viral online after the production crew revealed a 30-second video clip on Oct. 26 of heartthrob So Ji-sub working out at a gym. So, who plays world-renowned personal trainer Kim Young-ho, showed off his toned body while doing pull-ups in the teaser that hit 312,393 views as of Friday morning. Shin Min-a is his co-star in the scene, playing out-of-shape lawyer Kang Joo-eun.The drama series depicts the story of trainer Kim who falls in love with lawyer Kang and how they heal each other’s emotional wounds. Kim grew up in a wealthy family but suffered a devastating childhood injury. Kang had an enviable figure in her teens but she put onNov 13, 2015
Singer Kim Hyung-joong to wed longtime girlfriend Kim Hyung-joong from "King of Mask Singer" / Courtesy of MBCVeteran singer Kim Hyung-joong is marrying his longtime radio program director girlfriend.Lee Seon-ah works for SBS and Kim has been dating her for 10 years. They will wed at a cathedral in Seoul on Dec. 5.Kim met Lee when he was a guest on her radio program. They started dating when he launched his radio show.Kim debuted in 1993 with band E.O.S but has been better known as a singer with popular band Toy.He made headlines in August when he revealed his face on MBC show“King of Mask Singer.” The show invites guests to sing with their faces masked.Kim has rarely made TV appearances, reportedly because of stage phobia. Nov 12, 2015
Psy gives 500 million won to treat children /Yonhap Singer Psy donated 500 million won ($432,000) to Severance Children’s Hospital to build a “Psy Clinic,” the hospital said Thursday.The clinic treats children who need psychotherapy and language help.It was established on Nov.1 last year and more than 5,000 children have been treated.Psy had told fans he would donate the 500 million won he earned from his song “Gentle Man” to reward their encouragement. He did not say then where the money would go./YonhapThe singer did not want to disclose his donation, a hospital spokesman said.Psy will make his comeback with a new studio album on Dec. 1, two years and eight months after his sixth album introduced the YouTube smash hit dance number “Gangnam Style.”Nov 12, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Anxiety disorder puts hot comedian on hold Jeong Hyeong-donPopular comedian Jeong Hyeong-don has halted his television work, including “Infinity Challenge,” because of his worsening anxiety disorder.Jeong said Thursday he was experiencing a tough time because of the illness.“After discussing with staff from the television programs that I regularly appear on, I have decided to take a break,” he said.Kim Tae-ho, program director of MBC’s “Infinity Challenge,” which has featured Jeong since beginning in 2006, was quoted as saying that Jeong’s happiness and health are his primary concerns.“Jeong has been hiding his pain as he wanted to bring laughter to TV viewers,” Kim said.Nov 12, 2015
Leessang's Gil on comeback trail with solo album /Courtesy of Leessang CompanyGil, from hip-hop duo Leessang, will make his comeback with a solo album this month.Leessang Company has put a teaser poster on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages with the caption “Blow Wind,” “11.25” and “Road Project #1 Coming Soon.”It is Gil’s first solo album since the duo debuted in 1999.Gil has kept a low profile since he was caught drunk driving last year.Leessang Company said Gil will not appear on TV shows but focus on concerts after releasing the album. Nov 12, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Kiko Mizuhara dating Japanese actor /Screen capture from InstagramA Japanese model Kiko Mizuhara, 25, who had reportedly been dating rapper G-Dragon, is now rumored to be in a romance with Japanese actor Shuhei Nomura, 21.A recently-released photograph by a Japanese media outlet implies the two are dating.The photo, which has gone viral, allegedly shows the actor and Japanese-based model-actress Kiko walking hand in hand after dining at a restaurant.Observers also pointed out that the two have appeared in public places together since August.G-Dragon and Kiko never admitted they were dating, although a local news outlet reported that they split up in August. Nov 12, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Car crash injures actress Lee Tae-im Lee Tae-imActress Lee Tae-im has been injured in a car accident.She was on her way to shoot the television drama “You Will Love Me” on cable channel Drama H when the crash happened Tuesday.Lee and her manager and stylist were in a Carnival minivan that hit a center guard rail in front of a gas station in Incheon.Lee injured her forehead and possibly her pelvis, media reports said Wednesday.The stylist, who was seriously hurt, was taken to Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital. Lee’s management company, Henem, was quoted as saying her schedule has been canceled indefinitely.Nov 11, 2015
K-pop star IU's 'Zeze' under fire Cover of IU’s album “Chat-shire” / Korea TimesBy Kwon Ji-younSinger-songwriter IU’s new album “Chat-shire” was launched to public acclaim with her title track “Twenty-three” sweeping all sorts of music charts, but it has now become the hottest potato in both the domestic and international music scenes due to controversial lyrics in the song titled “Zeze” that sexualize the imaginative but misunderstood five-year-old protagonist of Jose Mauro de Vasconcelos’s autobiographical novel “My Sweet Orange Tree.”Foreign media, too, are taking an interest in IU’s interpretation of the childhood classic. The Guardian on Monday covered the story with a headline that read, “K-pop star IU’s song accused of ‘sexualizing’ book’s child hero.”“A Brazilian novel first published more than 40 years ago has unexpectedly become a highly sought-after read, after the 23-year-old Korean pop star IU was accused of sexualizing the story of its five-year-old protagonist in one Nov 11, 2015
CSAT a testing time for young idol stars From left, Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Chaeyeon and Eunjin From left, Yebin, Chaewon, Jiho, Binnie and EunhaFrom left, Yuju, Sowon, Sujeong, Kwon Jin-ah and YugyeomThe annual college scholastic aptitude test (CSAT) is on Thursday and some young celebrities are facing the challenge.According to media reports Wednesday, a handful of young stars will take the exam this year.Among them are Mingyu, DK and Seungkwan from boy band Seventeen and girl band Dia’s Chaeyeon, Eunjin and Yebin.Also putting pen to paper are girl band singers Chaewon from April, Jiho and Binnie from Oh! My Girl and Eunha, Yuju and Sowon from GFRIEND.Sujeong from girl band Lovelyz, Kwon Jin-ah from TV singing competition “K-pop Star: Season 3” and Yugyeom from boy band GOT7 also will take the test.Reports said some high school student stars had postponed the exam to concentrate on their careers. These include girl band singers Jihyo from Twice, and Yerin and Park Ji-min from 15&. Nov 11, 2015
