Classical music meets entertainment Super Junior-M member Henry, right, performs with the Cantare orchestra on tvN’s “Always Cantare 2.” / Courtesy of tvNBy Kwon Ji-younThe curtain fell on tvN’s “Always Cantare 2” Saturday with a stirring concert that was far from technically polished, but nonetheless poignant.“Always Cantare 2,” a variety show that had celebrities unversed in classical music rehearse and perform with members of a professional orchestra, aspired to familiarize the public with such music in a more enjoyable and accessible way.The last episode of the second season saw members of maestro Gum Nan-sae’s orchestra stage an inspiring finale at Yeouido Hangang Park on July 19, thereby concluding 70 days of practicing and rehearsals. About 2,000 guests gathered to watch as the star-studded orchestra went from helpless to harmonious.The first act featured an intriguing blend of piano tunes with electronic dance music (EDM). Entertainer Park Myung-soo, also known as “G-Park,” and Super Junior-M member Henry, on the piano, opened with Michael JacksoAug 2, 2015
'Assassination' 2015's top Korean movie “Assassination” has topped ticket sales for Korean movies released this year.The action movie has drawn almost 6.19 million people, beating “Northern Limit Line”s 6 million, according to the Korean Film Council on Sunday.More than 6 million tickets had been sold in the 11 days after the film opened on July 22, the shortest time a Korean movie has taken to reach the mark this year. Average ticket sales were more than 580,000 a day.Set in the 1930s during Japanese colonial rule of Korea (1910-1945), the movie spotlights the heroic attempts of Korean independence fighters who battled fearlessly for freedom and justice in defiance of their colonial rulers.Aug 2, 2015
Possible women's fight excites netizens (Top) Ronda Rousey, left, and Bethe Correia; (Bottom) Song Ga-yeonWith UFC world mixed martial art bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey beating Bethe Correia in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday in Brazil, Korean netizens are not too optimistic about what might happen if Rousey were to fight Korean MMA star Song Ga-yeon.Song fights Japan's Satomi Takano in December 2014. / Korea Times fileNetizens believe the American, 28, would beat the Korean rookie, 20. They believe the unbeaten Rousey (12 wins) -- she was also silver medalist in judoka at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic -- will be too tough and experienced, with some predicting Song would “lose by TKO within one minute.”Song has previously said that Rousey is her role model, praising her grappling skill as well as her boxing skill. Rousey has defended her UFC bantamweight champion title on Sunday, knocking out Brazilian Bethe Correia 34 seconds into the first round. The American, 28, nailed Correia with a series of punches before felling her with a right-hand punch to the head. Aug 2, 2015
Singer Yoon Mi-rae's single with DJ Boys Noize is out Yoon Mi-rae, left, and DJ Boys NoizeTop female rapper Yoon Mi-rae’s collaboration with DJ Boys Noize “Capture the City” was released Friday noon.The song, which blends Yoon’s rap lyrics and Boys Noize’s DJ-ing, features the daily sounds of Seoul, which include traffic jams, noise in the subway and the constant keyboard drumming heard in offices.In creating the single, DJ Boys Noize sent the track to Yoon, then she wrote the rap lyrics and mixed and completed the song.Debuting with the single “Next Order,” Boys Noize reached the top spot on the Beatport Chart and has been popular ever since. He also promoted himself to Korean audiences by contributing to Big Bang’s album “Still Alive.” Aug 1, 2015By Kim Ji-soo
Lee Young-ae's new drama to start shooting Teaser poster image for Lee Young-ae's upcoming drama "Saimdang, the Herstory"Lee Young-ae’s new drama “Saimdang, the Herstory” will start shooting in August.The new drama has already been sold to six countries, production company Group8 said.The show has been syndicated through Turner Entertainment Company to China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and others.In the new drama, the hallyu actress who is widely known for her performance in “Jewel in the Palace” will play a double role. She will play a modern college art lecturer as well as artist Shin Saimdang, the mother of Korean Confucian scholar Yulgok during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).The drama is slated to air in the first half of 2016.Jul 31, 2015By Kim Ji-soo
SM files lawsuit against EXO's Chinese member KrisSM Entertainment, one of South Korea's leading talent agencies, said Friday it has filed a damage suit against Kris, an estranged Chinese member of popular K-pop boy band EXO for his "illegal" appearance in Chinese films and advertisements.Chinese filmmakers and advertisers who hired him were also among those named in the lawsuit filed with a Beijing court, the agency said.The 24-year-old singer ceased activities as an EXO member after he filed a lawsuit in Seoul to nullify his exclusive contract with S.M. in May last year. He was accused of illegally appearing in Chinese films, advertisements and events using his fame built as an EXO member as his management contract with S.M. remains "effective" until the final court decision on the case, the company said.It argued that his behavior infringed upon the legal rights of S.M. and other EXO members while inflicting huge economic losses to the agency and its partners.In February, the company lodged similar suits at Hong Kong and Shanghai courts against Luhan, another estranged Chinese member of EXO, and Hong Kong filmmakers and Jul 31, 2015
Epik High, actor Cha Seung-won re-sign with YG Epik HighHip-hop group Epik High and actor Cha Seung-Won, 45, have renewed their contracts with YG Entertainment. .Since joining YG in January, Cha’s career has flourished as he appeared in dramas and a reality show, “Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village.” He has also appeared in ads for numerous brands and was recently cast in a movie, “Gosanja Daedongyeojido." Meanwhile, Epik High will hold eight concerts at Sogang University’s Mary Hall in Seoul (July 31- Aug. 2, and Aug. 7-9). The group also successfully wrapped up a North American tour. One of its members, Tablo, 35, established YG’s new sub-label, “High Ground,” with the goal of discovering hidden talents. Jul 31, 2015By Kim Ji-soo
Kim talks about rumors of marriage with Rain Actress Kim Tae-heeActress Kim Tae-hee spoke about her relationship with her boyfriend, K-pop star/actor Rain.“As other couples who date, we talk about marriage but there are no definite plans yet,” said Kim, 35, during a press conference Thursday about her upcoming television drama “Yong-pal,” which is about a romance between a money-seeking surgeon and an heiress. The drama is expected to air on SBS starting Aug. 5.The actress said that she has no idea when, and to whom, she will marry, and the continuing reports about her alleged plans to marry Rain are burdensome to some extent.Rain, 33, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, is preparing a new album. His debut album, "Bad Guy," was released in 2002. His acting career began in 2004, when he starred in the drama "Full House."Jul 31, 2015By Kim Ji-soo
배용준, '딥키스+엉덩이 스킨십' 화끈 한류스타 배용준 (43)과 걸그룹 ‘슈가’ 출신 박수진(30)의 피로연 장면이 동영상으로 공개되었다.동영상에서 두 커플은 춤을 추며 사이 좋은 모습을 보여준다. 한편, 배용준은 춤을 추는 도중 박수진의 엉덩이에 손을 놓은 채 키스를 하는 등의 거침없는 스킨십을 보여주기도 했다. 두 사람의 결혼식은 지난 27일 서울 광장동의 쉐라톤 워커힐 에스톤하우스에서, 피로연은 남해 리조트에서 비공개로 치러졌다. Jul 30, 2015
Park Soo-ae turns into ice hockey player Actress Soo-aeActress Park Soo-ae, 35, will play the lead in a new movie tentatively titled “Take Off 2.”“Take Off 2” is a sequel to box office hit “Take Off” (2009).The actress will play the role of a North Korean defector who becomes a national ice hockey player. Not only that, other actors offered a role, like Oh Dal-su and Kim Seul-gie, will soon make their decisions.The film will begin shooting in October.Jul 30, 2015By Kim Ji-soo
