Actors Yoo, Kim romance rumored Yoo Yeon-seok and Kim Ji-won(inbox)Actors Yoo Yeon-seok and Kim Ji-won are dating, according to media reports.The stars of celebrity management company King Kong Entertainment were seen together with friends, the reports said.They said Yoo’s parents are now introducing Kim as their son’s new girlfriend.But King Kong Entertainment said it did not know about the rumored romance.Kim, 23, moved to King Kong Entertainment last December and began sharing an office with Yoo, 31. They first worked together in the movie “Horror Stories” (2012).Sep 22, 2015
Time for 'Superstar K' to hang it up A scene from “Superstar K” season 7 / Courtesy of MnetBy Kwon Ji-youn It’s time “Superstar K” called it quits.The program that pioneered the audition show boom in Korea in 2009 has outlived the patience of its viewers with an endless row of controversies, and considering its dismal content over the last few seasons, it’s a wonder Mnet is insisting on keeping the lackluster show on its TV schedule.Viewer fatigue is growing rapidly over Mnet’s obsession with its many survival shows ― others include “Show Me the Money,” which just wrapped up its fourth season; “Unpretty Rapstar,” now on its second; and “Headliner.” But “Superstar K” in particular has undergone very few constructive changes over a whopping seven seasons.Media and audiences alike have continued to slam it for its provocative editing, baseless commentary and unnecessary dramaturgy, but the producers have done little to try and change their minds.And they are well aware of this.“We are aware the show’s popularity Sep 22, 2015
'90s hit singers back together for Chuseok show Comedian Jeong Hyeong-don, left, singer Soyou, center, and announcer Kim Sung-joo, right, will be the MC crew for the show. / Screen capture from TwitterA special show to celebrate Chuseok, entitled “Again Hit Songs Best 50 95-96,” will be aired on 24 at 11:15 p.m, MBC TV announced on Monday.The show is inspired by the Korean pop chart program, “Hit Songs Best 50,” which aired on MBC from 1995-1998.The upcoming show will feature singers who made outstanding records in the 1995-1996 series of “Hit Songs Best 50.”“Hip hop band DJ DOC, singer Im Chang-jung, rave music group R.ef and other singers will appear on the show,” MBC TV said.Announcer Kim Sung-joo, comedian Jeong Hyeong-don and singer Soyou will also be there.Sep 22, 2015
Actor Hyun Bin back on silver screen Actor Hyun Bin / Courtesy of O&'s Facebook PageTop actor Hyun Bin will star in a new action film titled “Cooperation,” directed by Kim Seong-hoon, Hyun’s management agency, 0&, has said.It will be Hyun’s first movie in two years. His last was “The Fatal Encounter,” in which he played King Jeongjo (1752-1800), the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).The new movie is about the first unofficial cooperative investigation by the two Koreas.The film’s estimated budget is 10 billion won and shooting will start early next year. Hyun will play North Korean defector Lim Cheol-ryeong. Sep 22, 2015
Star YG producers launch new label Kush and Teddy(inbox)Teddy and Kush, two star music producers from the nation’s top management company, YG Entertainment, are launching their own label.YG CEO Yang Hyun-seok has been encouraging them to break from the company and develop better skills as music producers, according to a media report. Yang will plan and direct the label’s launch.The two have produced many K-pop hits, including girl band 2NE1’s “Lollipop” and “I Don’t Care,” and boy band Big Bang’s project album, “Made.”Teddy, who debuted with YG’s hip-hop band 1TYM in 1998, has been working with the company since. With the band’s last album, released in 2005, he began his career as a music producer.Kush debuted with reggae-based duo Stony Skunk in 2003 and began working as a producer for YG in 2010.Sep 22, 2015
Korean entertainment agency to build 'hallyu town' in Thailand / Screen capture from TwitterKorean entertainment agency Chorokbaem is planning to set up a “hallyu town” in Bangkok.Thailand corporation Show DC will build what is expected to be the large commercial complex. Several Korean companies including Chorokbaem, Lotte Duty Free and YG Entertainment will take part in the venture.Tentatively named “K-Town,” the 152,000-square-meter, six-story establishment will provide consumers a place to enjoy Korean culture, including music, food and fashion.It has been reported that K-Towns are also planned for Chiang Mai and Phuket in Thailand and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.Meanwhile, Chorokbaem’s stock price jumped 11.56 percent after the news was announced.Sep 22, 2015
Suzy, Lee Min-ho deny split rumor /Screen captures from InstagramK-pop girl group Miss A’s Suzy, 22, and hallyu star actor Lee Min-ho, 29, have denied they are breaking up.The singer’s management company, JYP Entertainment, and the actor’s agency, Star House Entertainment, said the couple are still dating.On Tuesday morning, TV Daily reported the two had split, citing industry sources and sources close to the stars. It said they had decided to remain friends.The two, who have been together for six months, reportedly were too busy with their demanding schedules to keep up the romance, TV Daily said.The K-pop star and the actor confirmed they were dating when they were seen in London in March. Lee has been shooting Korea-China film “Bounty Hunters,” and Suzy has been promoting her new film, “Doriwhaga,” before its release. Sep 22, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Top comedian has pneumonia Jung Hyung-donPopular comedian Jung Hyung-don has pneumonia and has stopped his TV programs, a network source said Monday.Jung, 37, was diagnosed at a hospital last Friday after he finished a live radio program on KBS2.Co-workers had reportedly told him to skip the program and get treated right away, but he insisted on completing the schedule, according to a media report.Jung, who appears on one of the most popular TV entertainment programs, “Infinite Challenge” on MBC, has stopped filming until he recovers.Sep 21, 2015
Girl bands win soldiers' hearts Girl band EXID, top, visits a military camp in MBC's entertainment reality show "Real Men." / Courtesy of MBCK-pop girl bands visit not just concert halls and TV networks to meet fans -- the bands also visit soldiers in military camps, mostly in remote areas.Korean military broadcaster K-Force Media has selected K-pop girl bands 9muses, Hellovenus and BESTie as the top bands that are the most popular around military camps, according to a media report.From top, girl bands BESTie, Hellovenus and 9musesThe bands, despite their cute image, slim physique and regimental dancing, are “not” A-lister K-pop stars like Girls’ Generation, Wonder Girls and Girls’ Day and are not as busy.The report quoted an insider from the broadcaster a not-so-tight schedule was one condition required by bands wishing to visit military camps to win soldiers’ hearts.A-lister girl bands are also too pricey for military camps to hire, so those with a “mediocre” level of popularity were the favorite choices, the report said.It said some rookie girl bands Sep 21, 2015
IU to release self-produced album /Courtesy of LOEN Entertainment K-pop female singer IU will release a self-produced album this fall, Star News reported Monday.The entertainment news outlet cited industry sources and sources close to the singer as saying she had been working on the album without other producers.The release date has not been decided yet.IU released the album “Modern Times” in October 2013, and the album “A Flower Bookmark,” consisting of cover songs, last year.The report said IU had composes several songs, including the lyrics, for her upcoming album.Since her debut seven years ago, IU has built a career as a popular solo singer. Her many hit songs include “Good Day,” “Someday” and “The Red Shoes.” Sep 21, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
