Military visit sparks romance rumor U-ie / Korea Times fileDo we have another top K-pop couple in the making?Media reports say singer/actress U-ie from girl band After School was with the family of singer U-Know Yunho of TVXQ when his family visited the military training center in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province on Aug. 27.U-Know Yunho as he completed his basic military training / Courtesy of Naver blogYunho had completed his basic military training and was to leave for his barracks.His family and U-ie were there to greet him and say farewell.The media reports said U-ie might have been there because the two were in a romantic relationship. When a military recruit leaves a training facility, his family and loved ones usually visit the facility.U-ie claimed she was there only as the singer’s friend, according to the reports.Sep 3, 2015
After 11-year break, actress still shines Lee Young-ae from script-reading rehearsal for “Saimdang, the Herstory” / Courtesy of Group 8Actress Lee Young-ae proved she still has the edge at a script-reading rehearsal for a TV series, her first in 11 years.Lee, 44, rehearsed for SBS’s historical series, “Saimdang, the Herstory,” scheduled to air next year.The series depicts historical figure Sin Saimdang (1504~1551), a painter from the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910) who is better known as the mother of Confucian scholar Lee Yul-gok (1536~1584).Lee Young-ae, left, from MBC's “Jewel in the Palace” / Courtesy of Naver blogIn the rehearsal at SBS broadcasting company in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on Aug. 4, Lee surprised and impressed co-stars, writers and producers with her persuasive and intelligent reading of the script, according to media reports.The series previously made headlines when it was sold to six Asian nations even before it was made, thanks to Lee and her co-star Song Seung-heon, a hallyu actor who is popular in China.Since debuting in a TV commercial in 1990, LeSep 3, 2015
Moon Geun-young, Yook Sung-jae to star in mystery drama Actress Moon Geun-young will star in the TV drama “The Village: Achiara’s Secret” with Yook Sung-jae, from K-pop boy band BTOB.Achiara is a Korean word meaning a “small pond.” Moon, 29,will play Kim So-yoon, a new English teacher, appointed to the village. Yook, 21, will play a policeman, Park Woo-jae.When So-yoon arrives in Achiara, a small and peaceful crime-free village, she finds a buried body on her first day at school. So-yoon and Woo-jae try to find the truth about the body and the village.“So-yoon and Woo-jae are strong characters able to lead the story _ we believe the two stars will do wonders in their roles,” an SBS spokesman said.The drama will air on SBS in October. Sep 2, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Four SM artists to enlist soon Choi Siwon of Super Junior will enlist on Nov. 19. / Korea Times fileEnlistment dates for four SM artists this year have been confirmed, entertainment reports said Wednesday.They are Super Junior’s Choi Siwon, 28, Eunhyuk, 29, and Donghae, 29, and TVXQ’s Changmin, 27.Eunhyuk and Donghae of Super Junior _ who also double as the“D&E” duo _ will enlist in October. Eunhyuk will enlist on Oct. 13 and Donghae on Oct. 15.Donghae, left, and Eunhyuk will enlist next month.They are expected to enlist quietly, as other stars have done.Choi Siwon of Super Junior and Changmin of TVXQ will enlist on Nov.19. The two will serve as conscripted police officers.Changmin, left, of TVXQ will enlist in November.Other SM artists doing compulsory military service include Super Junior members Shindong and Sungmin and also Yunho of TVXQ. Sep 2, 2015
Song commemorates two idol stars The late Kwon Ri-se, left, and EunB from Ladies' Code / Courtesy of Naver blogSingers have teamed up for a song commemorating the deaths of two idol singers a year ago.Musicians from Polaris Entertainment, including solo artists Kim Bum-soo, Ivy and rock band Rumble Fish, sang “I’m Fine Thank You” and will release it on Wednesday at midnight to commemorate Kwon Ri-se and EunB. The two stars from five-member idol girl band Ladies’ Code died in a car accident last September.Ladies’ Code with Kwon Ri-se, second from left, and EunB, second from rightThe original version is from the band’s album “CODE#2 Pretty Pretty” released in September 2013. The song drew much attention after the accident.On Monday the band’s other members -- So Jung, Ashley and Zuny -- will release their first song since the accident. Sep 2, 2015
Fighter shows he has a good heart Choo Sung-hoon, left, arm-wrestles a high school student in “I’m Going to School” on JTBC. / Screen capture from JTBCMixed martial arts fighter Choo Sung-hoon may pound his opponents in a cage -- but he is a nice guy at heart.A male high school student challenged Choo, 40, at arm-wrestling when the fighter visited Seoincheon High School in Incheon to shoot a reality TV program “I’m Going to School” for JTBC.Surrounded by excited students, the pair locked wrists in the classroom. The student, 17, asked Choo for a handicap, but the fighter refused, saying he was too old.It took several seconds for Choo to win, making the match look like an intense power struggle. But the fighter said afterwards, that he deliberately took more time to win so the student would not be humiliated.“If I beat him quickly, how ashamed would he feel?” Choo said.“I’m Going to School” invites celebrities to re-experience their high school lives.Sep 2, 2015
Son Dam-bi says thank you to fans Singer and actress Son Dam-biSinger and actress Son Dam-bi, expressed her gratitude on Wednesday to the many fans who supported and loved her latest drama, “The Room of Yumi,” aired on cable network Olive TV.The last episode, aired on Sept. 1, had a happy ending, with Yumi (Son Dam-bi), changing from being a weak, indecisive person into an independent single woman enjoying her life. “It’s sad to call this the end,” Son said through the official YouTube page of KEYEAST, her management agency.“I was happy and lucky to have gotten this good experience living as Yumi. I appreciate all the people who worked hard for the drama, including the director and staff.”In the sitcom, Son aroused sympathy from many people by depicting the real life of an ordinary single woman in her 30s. Her character reflected the worries and everyday lives of many women in their 30s, living in a tough world.The sitcom has 10 episodes, dealing with various topics including love, parting and fashion.Son is looking over other potential projects.Sep 2, 2015
Sidekicks steal the scenes By Kim Bo-eunFilm stars with chiseled features and jaw-dropping bodies have almost always dominated the big screen. When a film became a hit, these actors and actresses were in the spotlight.However, things have changed. Actors in supporting roles _ usually as sidekicks _ are drawing attention after Oh Dal-su became the first actor to have seven films reach the 10 million milestone in ticket sales.Oh set the record after the blockbusters "Assassination" and "Veteran" surpassed the mark last month.The unglamorous middle-aged actor, who mainly played comic roles, added elements of entertainment to productions, but for the most part remained inconspicuous in the many films in which he has featured. However, critics have lauded Oh, 47, saying his roles may always seem familiar, yet he never bored audiences. In Veteran, he plays a funny but righteous character as the head of a regional investigation unit up against a villainous conglomerate.Oh starred in his first film in 2002. His career soared after auteur Park Chan-wook chose him for "Sympathy For Lady Vengeance" in 2005. The followingSep 2, 2015
Japan fans flock to see actor So Ji-sub Actor So Ji-sub ended his meet-the-fans “2nd Asia Tour” in Tokyo on Aug. 30, his management company 51K said Wednesday.So, 39, met fans in Taiwan on July 25 and in Kobe, Japan, on Aug. 28.More than 4,000 people gathered to see him at the Tokyo event, 51K said.So sang his songs including “Sopoong (Picnic),” “Jiwoogae (Eraser),” “Such a Story” and “SO GANZI.” Sep 2, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Singer IU surprises rock band's gig Singer IU, left, and Oh Hyuk, leader of the rock band Hyukoh perform on a stage in Hongdae, Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of SoompiSinger IU surprised fans of rock band Hyukoh by visiting one of the band’s gigs to collaborate.On Tuesday, an audience gathered at a live music cafe in Hongdae, Seoul, saw IU perform with the band, as well as sing solo.The singer’s appearance caught the audience by surprise since the club did not promote the collaboration in advance concerned that the small venue might be overrun by IU fans.Photos of the collaboration are going viral online.Hyukok, an indie musician band, earned fame after participating in a collaboration concert on the TV entertainment program “Infinite Challenge” in August.Sep 2, 2015
