Pop diva's 'Bad Blood' stirs 2NE1 copy questions Controversial scenes from "Bad Blood," above, and "Come Back Home." / Screen capture from YouTubeAmerican singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has been accused of copying some scenes from a Korean girl band’s music video for her music video for “Bad Blood.”Media reports said several scenes from Swift’s video, released online in May, were similar to those from 2NE1’s music video of “Come Back Home.” The four-member band, managed by YG Entertainment, released its music video in March 2014.Netizens posted screenshots of three scenes from the videos to compare them. The videos are alike in portraying members of the band and the American star lying on an experimental bed, walking through a dark tunnel holding a torch and walking towards viewers in slow motion.2NE1 / Korea Times fileMedia reports on Friday said YG did not plan to comment on the matter.“Bad Blood” features American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart last November and January. Jul 24, 2015
Actor Lee Jong-suk's 'identity' stolen / Courtesy of InstagramActor Lee Jong-suk, 26, has been a victim of identity theft.The actor’s management company, Wellmade Yedang, said Lee’s personal information and his personal seal were allegedly stolen by someone who falsely represented himself as Lee’s agent.The personal seal, or stamp, is often used for authentication in Korea. The man, who was identified only as Cho, 46, is said to be well connected in the entertainment industry. He allegedly faked Lee’s personal seal to get an exclusive management contract and lured around 800 million won. He also is alleged to have created fake bank accounts in the actor’s name.Lee posted a photo and messages to express his frustration with the situation on Wednesday. In the posting, he said: “Things that I’m not even aware of keep happening and I got distressed. I’m still surviving though.” Jul 24, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Affair allegations put spotlight on TV personality lawyer Kang Yong-suk in a scene from JTBC's "Surgeon" / Screen capture from YouTubeTV personality and lawyer Kang Yong-suk was back in the news this week over allegations he had an affair with a married woman.A media report said the former lawmaker went to Hong Kong with the woman, a popular online blogger, last year. The story rekindled a report from January that said the woman’s husband was suing Kang for “destroying his family” by having a romantic relationship with his wife. The man demanded 100 million won ($85,000) compensation. Kang denied the accusation.Kang reportedly did not appear at the first court hearing of the case on Wednesday or for the shooting of his regular TV show, “Wed Food Talk,” on tvN. Reports said Kang might have avoided both because he was feeling pressured.While there has been speculation Kang might drop out of TV because of the scandal, sources say he has not considered such a decision.Jul 24, 2015
Athletic celebrities from Korea, China clash Nine Chinese celebrities visited Korea to join Korean TV entertainment show “Let’s Go! Dream Team” on KBS. / Courtesy of KBSNine Chinese celebrities are in Korea for a friendly gladiator-like match against Korean contenders.The Chinese stars are joining Korean TV entertainment show “Let’s Go! Dream Team” on KBS. The celebrities, who were selected for their athleticism, will lock horns with Korean stars including singers Jun Jin from boy band Shinhwa, Nickhun and Chansung from 2PM, and Kim Dong-jun from ZE:A.The Chinese stars were all smiles when they landed at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday.The national match-up takes place on a stage built for the occasion at the Gimpo Ara Waterway Square on Thursday evening.Jul 23, 2015
Seo Taiji to release live album next month Cover of Seo Taiji's new albumSouth Korean pop icon Seo Taiji will release a live album that documents the trajectory of his entire music career next month, his management agency said Thursday."Quiet Night," scheduled for release on Aug. 7, is comprised of 29 live recordings from concerts that span from his early years in the 90s band Seo Taiji and Boys, through his nine solo albums that followed, Seo Taiji Company said.The 43-year-old will personally mix the recordings to take the listener on a walk through his storied career that has earned him the moniker "President of Culture."Of the 29 tracks, "My Everything," a love song from Seo Taiji and Boys' fourth album, will be unveiled first through South Korean online music portals on Friday. "Sogyeokdong," a collaboration with singer-songwriter IU from his ninth album, will follow suit next Friday. (Yonhap) Jul 23, 2015
Han Go-eun to tie the knot Han Go-eun / Screen capture from YouTubeActress Han Go-eun is getting married.Han, 40, will marry an office worker four years her junior on Aug. 30, her management company, GnG Production, said Wednesday.Han met her future husband on a blind date set up by a friend.Some media reports have questioned the haste of the marriage, pointing out the couple have only been dating for a short time. But GnG said “the couple have determined they are meant for each other.”The wedding will be held in private with family and relatives. Jul 23, 2015
Kloudy outlook for pregnant actress' beer ads By Bahk Eun-jiThe possibility of a beer commercial featuring top hallyu actress Jun Ji-hyun has raised concerns because she is expecting her first child.The actress, 34, is the face of several Korean products but people are questioning whether the pregnant actress should continue to promote Kloud, a beer produced by Lotte Chilsung. She has recently renewed her contract with the brewer for another year.Lotte Chilsung released a statement celebrating its model’s pregnancy under the title “Congratulations, Jun Ji-hyun.” The company said it will keep Jun on as part of efforts to encourage women’s employment and to support childbirth and childcare.Attention is now on how the company will make its next commercial, which will be released this fall, because no pregnant women have starred in alcohol commercials in Korea.Jun’s management company, CultureDepot, said she is 10 weeks into her pregnancy and is due early next year. She married Choi Joon-hyuk three years ago. Jul 23, 2015By Bahk Eun-ji
Singer Kim Hyun-joong presses charges against ex Kim Hyun-joongSinger and actor Kim Hyun-joong has pressed criminal charges against his ex-girlfriend who claims she miscarried his child after being abused by the member of boy band SS501, Kim's legal representative said Thursday.Lee Jae-man, his attorney, said the 29-year-old lodged a complaint with the Songpa Police Station in southeastern Seoul on Tuesday accusing his former flame, identified only by her surname Choi, of four charges: false accusation, blackmailing, defamation and attempted fraud.He has also asked the police to ban her from leaving the country, Lee said."Choi contradicted herself in the stories she told two hospitals she visited after allegedly being abused by Kim," Lee said. "She told one doctor she was injured at the gym while another doctor was told she had been beaten. We took this as a sign of wrongful accusation."The scandal started last August when Choi accused the singer of abusing her and causing her to miscarry.Kim paid her 600 million won ($515,000) to prevent her from embarrassing him publically but later realized she may not have been pregnant, seeingJul 23, 2015
한고은, 4살 연하 회사원과 8월 결혼 배우 한고은(40)이 4살 연하 회사원과 다음 달 결혼식을 올린다. 한고은 소속사 지앤지프로덕션은 23일 "한고은이 8월 30일 사랑하는 사람과 백년가약을 맺는다"라면서 "예비 신랑은 4세 연하 회사원으로 자상하고 건실한 청년"이라고 밝혔다. 소속사는 "둘은 지인 소개로 만나 연인으로 발전했다"라면서 "교제 기간이 길지 않지만, 예비신랑의 따뜻하고 한결같은 모습에 결혼을 약속했다"라고 설명했다. 결혼식은 예비신랑과 양가 친지들을 배려해 친인척만을 초청해 비공개로 진행될 예정이다. (연합뉴스) Jul 23, 2015By Kim Ji-soo
Actress Jun Ji-hyun is pregnant Actress Jun Ji-hyunTop hallyu actress Jun Ji-hyun, 34, of the television drama “My Love from the Star” is pregnant, reports said Wednesday.The star currently promoting her new film “Assassination” is 10 weeks into her pregnancy. It is her first pregnancy since she married her husband Choi Joon-hyuk three years ago. Her due date is around early next year.The actress whose hit films include “My Sassy Girl” (2008) and “The Thieves” (2012) regained her top star status with the wildly popular television drama “My Love.”Jul 22, 2015By Kim Ji-soo
