Song Seung-heon 'proposes' to Liu Yifei / Screen capture from Liu Yifei WeiboActor Song Seung-heon, 39, and Liu Yifei appeared together publicly for the first time since admitting they are dating.They appeared on Chinese variety show “Slowly Improving” on Hunan TV on Wednesday to promote the new movie, “The Third Love,” which they starred in together.During the show, Song told Liu that “I am not a selfish person, but you make me want you.”Previously, Song’s management company announced their relationship, saying “They just began the relationship and are getting to know each other.”The next day Liu wrote on her Weibo, “I have a lot to say, but I will simply say ♥♥ for now.” Aug 13, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Veteran actresses experiment with characters Actress Kim Hee-ae in a scene from the SBS drama “Mrs. Cop” / Courtesy of SBSActress Kim Tae-hee in a scene from the SBS drama “Yong-pal” / Courtesy of SBSBy Kwon Ji-younActresses in their 30s and 40s are dominating the small screen and turning heads with new acting challenges.Kim Hee-ae, Kim Tae-hee and Song Yun-ah have made television comebacks in suspenseful dramas rather than the romantic ones where they found fame. The characters they are portraying are not the usual stereotypes either.Kim Hee-ae, 48, has gone from portraying a romantic pianist in “Secret Love Affair” to playing a cop. In SBS’s new drama “Mrs. Cop,” Kim is a veteran police officer and working mom, a change from the elegant roles viewers are used to seeing her in. Kim is experimenting with the character she plays and has mastered action scenes. Her portrayal of a distressed working mom, who often finds herself torn between her child and her job, is also very convincing. “Mrs. Cop” airs Monday and Tuesday nights.Kim Tae-hee, 35, meanwhile Aug 12, 2015
Basick gets a contract Recently discovered rapper Basick has signed an exclusive contract with Rainbow Bridge World (RBW), Yonhap reports.Basick recently found fame as an exceptional rapper on “Show Me the Money 4,” a rap competition program produced by Mnet.RBW said it would support Basick to help him reach his full potential.Other RBW artists include girl group “MAMAMOO.”Aug 12, 2015
'Veteran' invited to Toronto film festival Poster for the film 'Veteran'The action film "Veteran" has been invited to screen in the non-competition category of the Toronto International Film Festival, its distributor said Wednesday.Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, and starring Hwang Jung-min and Yoo Ah-in, the movie will be shown in the "Vanguard" category for innovative filmmakers, CJ Entertainment said.The annual festival will run in the Canadian city from Sept. 10-20.“Veteran” was chosen for its approach to criticizing the privileged class and various elements of entertainment.The film is about a veteran detective who stands up against an arrogant and cruel heir of a rich family as the detective delves into the mysterious death of a truck driver.Since its Aug. 5 release, the movie has attracted about 3.6 million viewers in local theaters. It is scheduled to open in Vietnam on Aug. 28 and in India on Sept. 9. Aug 12, 2015
Novelist files compensation suit against “Assassination” Choi Dong-hoon, director of "Assassination" / Korea Times fileBy Bahk Eun-ji The star-studded Korean action film “Assassination” is embroiled in a lawsuit with a novelist who claims the movie plagiarized his novel.Choi Jong-rim, author of “Korean Memories,” published in 2002, has filed a 10 billion won compensation suit against film director Choi Dong-hoon, Show Box, a distributor and Caper Film, the company that produced “Assassination."Earlier this month, the novelist claimed that a large part of the film’s plot and characters were similar to his novel. The novelist also applied for a court injunction to stop the distributors screening the film. The application will be dealt with on Thursday.The novelist, 64, insists that the main female character in “Assassination” is a sniper just like in “Korean Memories." Caper Film said it would take strong countermeasures against the novelist, claiming the female sniper in the leading role, which is Choi’s main argument could not be seen as a point of plagiarism because theAug 12, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Seo Taiji to sing out on Liberation Day Singer Seo TaijiIt does not have to be all solemn on the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, which falls on Saturday.Top singer Seo Taiji has announced he will perform Saturday and Sunday at Yes24.com’s Muvhall in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, near the Hongik University neighborhood.Seo recently performed at the Pentaport Rock Festival in Songdo, Incheon.The former leader of Seo Taiji & the Boys released his ninth album last year, “Quiet Night,” proving he still reigns in Korean music. Aug 12, 2015By Kim Ji-soo
Jang Na-ra uninjured in car accident Jang Na-raSinger and actress Jang Na-ra, 34, escaped injury in a car accident Tuesday.The actress was on her way to film the last episode of her drama, “Hello Monster” (also known as “I Remember You”). Jang’s official website said another car hit hers around 1a.m. at an intersection in Yongin. “Jang is left uninjured and just having minor neck pain,” her agency said. It said she would go to hospital after filming.Meanwhile, Jang posted on her Twitter: “Fortunately, I’m alright. Don’t worry since it’s just a minor pain.”Aug 11, 2015
Girls' Generation roars back with 'Lion Heart' Girls’ Generation will make a comeback with their fifth regular album, “Lion Heart,” next week, SM Entertainment said Tuesday.The two title songs are “Lion Heart” and “You Think.”“Lion Heart” is an addictive retro-style song that will be released with six other songs on Aug. 18.“You Think,” an intense pop-rhythm song, will be released with six other songs on Aug. 19.SM said “Lion Heart” and “You Think” would highlight Girls’ Generation’s charm. “The diverse color of the music and stages will fascinate fans around the globe,” it said.Aug 11, 2015
Lee Tae-im returns in new TV drama Lee Tae-im / Korea Times file Voluptuous actress Lee Tae-im, 30, will join new drama “You’ll Love Me,” six months after dropping out of all her TV shows.Lee stepped down after allegedly abusing idol girl singer Kim Ye-won. Reports said Lee abused Kim while recording “My Tutor Friend” on Feb. 24. Lee allegedly thought Kim talked down to her, which program staff denied. Lee was criticized for her misbehavior, but the situation turned in her favor when video of the moment Lee argued with Kim was disclosed a month later.In the video, Kim provoked Lee into the quarrel, saying “You don’t like me, right?”Lee said she felt embarrassed and regretted the incident with Kim.“I should have acted better than that as a senior,” she said during a press meeting.The new drama will air on Drama H, a Hyundai Media cable channel. Lee will play Park Ji-ho, an idle young woman who dreams of becoming a drama writer.Aug 11, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Popular chef on new cooking show menu Baek Jong-won / Screen capture from YouTubeChef and entrepreneur Baek Jong-won will appear on a new cooking entertainment program, “The Three Kings of Baek Jong-won,” this month.The show will air on Aug. 28 on SBS.Three top chefs from different areas will join the competition under the title “Cook World Cup” on the program. Baek will be a “commentator,” and comedian Lee Hwee-jae a “caster.”Baek’s popularity has risen through appearances on TV cooking show “House Cook Master Baek” on tvN and “My Little Television” on MBC.Cooking shows have been mushrooming on public TV and cable channels since last year. But SBS has been sluggish in terms of entertainment shows. Many of its programs have failed to achieve popularity in the first half of the year. The focus is now on Baek to see whether his new show will help the broadcaster reclaim its glory.Baek, 48, is CEO of several national restaurant franchises. Aug 11, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
