Zion. T's digital single roars to the top Image for Zion. T's new digital single "No Make Up" / Courtesy of Ameba CultureZion. TSinger Zion. T’s single “No Make Up” topped local music charts Monday.The singer, whose real name is Kim Hae-sol, topped the charts of MelOn, Mnet.com, Olleh Music, Bugs, Genie, Naver Music and Soriba. He beat out Girls’ Generation’s leader Taeyeon’s solo single “I” and Lim Chang-jeong’s “Once Again Love.”Both songs had been charging up the charts till Monday.Zion. T is no stranger to chart-toppers, earning the nickname “gang of music source.”In August, he wrote "$ponsor” which he performed with Haha on the popular entertainment program “Infinite Challenge.”Meanwhile, Zion. T will hold a concert Nov. 6-8 at Lotte Card Art Center in Seogyo-dong, Seoul. Oct 12, 2015
Popular MC to return after illegal gambling Kim Yong-man /Korea Times fileKim Yong-man, 48, a popular MC and entertainer who has kept a low profile after illegally gambling online, will return with a new show,“Useful Men,” on cable channel O tvN next month.Kim received a suspended eight-month jail sentence and was ordered to do 120 hours of community service for habitual gambling on illegal sports betting sites.Kim bet more than 1 billion won on football games at illegal sites for five years from 2008.He has kept low profile since then, but he signed with agency FNC Entertainment in July.The new program is a reality show about men who try to learn practical skills to become useful people, O tvN said.In a statement, Kim said he taken time out to reflect on what he had done and that he regretted his misbehavior. Oct 12, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Alibaba Pictures to back Kim Soo-hyun movie /Courtesy of KEYEASTAlibaba Pictures, Chinese company Alibaba Group’s film division, will invest in hallyu star Kim Soo-hyun’s film “Real” and distribute the film in China, Kim’s agency KEYEAST said Monday.The contract was signed at the 20th Busan International Film Festival last week.Alibaba Pictures’ head Zhang Qiang visited the festival to meet members of the Korean film industry.“Real” is an action and thriller about a man named Jang Tae-young working for blackmarket clients. Kim Soo-hyun will play Jang, and the film will begin shooting this year. “The investment reflects Alibaba Pictures’ expectation of Kim Soo-hyun, who gained international fame in the South Korean romantic drama “My Love from the Star,” KEYEAST said.Alibaba Pictures' first investment film was Hollywood blockbuster “Mission: Impossible -- Rogue Nation” starring Tom Cruise.Oct 12, 2015
IU tunes in with self-composed album /LOEN Entertainment Singer IU will release self-composed mini-album next week, her management agency LOEN Entertainment said Monday.Her fourth album“Chat Shire,” will be released Oct. 23, one year and five months after she released an album covering old songs.“IU participated in writing the songs, as well as producing the album to express what she wants to say via music,” an agency official said.Since making her debut in 2008, the singer, 22, has released more than a dozen albums, including three full-length ones.She recently made headlines with her relationship with Jang Kiha, who leads rock band Kiha & The Faces. Oct 12, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Stars to reunite in TV drama /Korea Times file Actress Go Hyun-jung and actor Zo In-sung will reunite in No Hee-kyung’s new drama, media reports say.The drama is scheduled to air on cable channel tvN next year.Go, 44, and Zo, 34,last appeared together in the popular drama “Spring Day” in 2005.Zo will make cameo appearance in the new production.The actor also has special bond with the writer, starring in her 2013 SBS drama “The Winter, the Wind Blows.”Oct 12, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
EXO first-up on Korea's first dome stage /Courtesy of SMBoy-band EXO became the first group to perform on a dome stage in Korea at Gocheock Sky Dome, Seoul, on Saturday.EXO, a “double-million seller” group, mesmerized a crowd of more than 22,000 at the “2015 EXO-Love Concert in DOME.”The group began with “Call Me Baby” at 7 p.m., with fans giving a screaming welcome. Band member Chanyeol then told the crowd, “EXO is giving its first dome concert with 22,000 fans. The concert is for our fans.”Another member, Baekhyun said, “We start our dome concert tour from here, Korea. We are very glad to see all of you here.”/Courtesy of SMThey continued with their hits, including “Don’t Go,” “XOXO,” “Thunder," on a large main stage accompanied by LED screens and a moving stage that allowed them to get closer to fans.EXO members also gave individual performances specially prepared for the concert.Lay performed his self-composed song “Yixing," Chanyel covered John Legend’s “All of Me” on the piano, Suho saOct 12, 2015
Actress Kim Bin-woo marries Kim Bin-woo, left, with her boyfriend / Courtesy of InstagramActress Kim Bin-woo is marrying a businessman on Sunday, media reports said.The reports quoted Kim’s management company, Koen Stars, as saying the star, 33, was to marry her boyfriend, 32, at The Shilla hotel in Jung-gu district, Seoul.Kim and the businessman have been dating for three years after Kim’s friend introduced him.Kim revealed the romance in June and has been posting photos of her boyfriend and herself online.Oct 11, 2015
Music couple's car in the spotlight On top, Chang Ki-ha, left, and IU; i30 by Hyundai MotorAfter singer IU and Chang Ki-ha from rock band Kiha & Faces shocked the public on Thursday by admitting their relationship, the white Hyundai i30 Chang was driving is also in the spotlight.Media outlet Dispatch showed photos of Chang driving the small, white family car to see IU in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.The outlet also released photos of IU, 22, heading to Chang’s apartment in Mapo-gu, Seoul, wearing a cap and a mask.IU posted a statement saying she has been dating Chang for two years and had been wondering how she could tell fans in a good way.Oct 11, 2015
Rain launches entertainment company Rain / Courtesy of Naver blogEntertainer Rain has launched an entertainment company that aims to attract fans in Korea and China with singers and actors, according to a statement from the star on Saturday.R.A.I.N Company will have specialist executives who will handle people in particular areas, such as singers, or actors or hallyu stars.“Unlike conventional management companies that used to have a manager controlling all sectors -- music albums, TV series, movies and businesses in overseas -- our company is based on the U.S. “agent system,”in which experts in each area take control of their specialist field,” Rain said.Rain from "Ninja Assassin" (2009)Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, launched the company after his two-year contract with Cube Entertainment ended in September. On Sept 7, he said on his Facebook page that he had agreed with Cube’s chairman, whom he said was “like his father,” not to extend the contract and go their separate ways.Rain made his debut in 2002 as a singer and began his acting career with a Korean TV series inOct 11, 2015
Super Junior's Kyuhyun records second album /Courtesy of SM Entertainment Kyuhyun, a member of K-pop band Super Junior, will release his second mini album next week, SM Entertainment said Friday.“Again, When Autumn Comes,” will hit online music sites at midnight on Oct. 15.Although he is from a dance group, Kyuhyun, 27, showed his vocal ability on “At Gwanghwamun,” released last year.The singer will perform his first solo concert at SM COEX Artium from Nov. 6-8 and from Nov.13-15. Oct 9, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
