Philanthropic celebrities in spotlight Members of "Ddasamo2004" from a SNS photo / Courtesy of InstagramCelebrities from volunteering community “Ddasamo2004” have released online group photos from their recent meeting, drawing the attention of curious netizens.The photos, posted on Instagram Monday, were of 11 actors and singers from the group, including Ahn Jae-wook, Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Gyu-ri and Park Ji-young (stage name Kahi) from idol girl band After School. The July meeting discussed a bazaar they plan to hold, the webpage said.Past photos on the webpage show the members cooking meals for some 200 seniors, visiting an orphanage and donating bedding items.Jul 6, 2015By Ko Dong-hwan
Former Korean actress a 'real-life Cinderella' Shin Joo-ah in front of her mansion in Bangkok, Thailand / Courtesy of InstagramFormer Korean actress Shin Joo-ah, 31, who married a Thai business magnate last year, has referred to her life as “that of Cinderella.”She made the revelation on a Thai TV show with her husband, 32. They married in July 2014 and she quit her acting career to live him in Thailand.Shin has drawn public attention because of online photos of her wedded life, including those of the white mansion where she lives and a selfie of the couple shopping in London./ Screen capture from YouTubeKorean talk show “Taxi” has reportedly visited Bangkok to interview the couple, according to media reports Sunday. It has not been revealed when the episode will air.Jul 5, 2015By Ko Dong-hwan
'Midnight Diner' serves up thorny social issues "Master" Kim Seung-woo in a "Midnight Diner" posterNew TV series “Midnight Diner” has started with positive reviews that say the show has touched on the nation’s thorny social issues.In the first episode on Saturday, a poor part-time employee and a forgotten idol celebrity visit the diner, the series’ center stage, which the main character, a cook called “the Master” (played by Kim Seung-woo), operates from midnight until seven in the morning. Nam Tae-hyun, top, and Shim Hye-jin from scenes of Midnight DinerThe quiet yet considerate Master serves the visitors and cannot help but notice the hardships in their lives: the part-timer (played by singer Nam Tae-hyun from idol boy band WINNER) struggling to make ends meet with minimum hourly wages, and the former celebrity (played by Shim Hye-jin), who helps a youth wishing to become a celebrity but is harassed by her immoral father.The show airs on Saturday nights and is based on a Japanese TV series of the same title. Visitors to the diner are based on ordinary people from Korean societyJul 5, 2015By Ko Dong-hwan
Fans dash in for 'Running Man' stars / Courtesy of InstagramThousands of Hong Kong fans have gathered at a concert featuring stars from Korean TV entertainment show “Running Man.”Singer Kim Jong-guk, one of the SBS show’s cast members, posted on his Instagram webpage four photos from the concert. One shows seven stars from the show taking a selfie on stage with thousands of audience members in the background.3 “Won't forget this moment..!! Thank u HongKong!! I'll see you soon!” Kim said on his SNS webpage.The concert, “Race Start! Season 3: RM Special Tour in Hong Kong,” was held at the AsiaWorld-Expo Arena on Friday.”Running Man” airs on Sundays and features regular and weekly guests who compete in running races at various venues.Jul 5, 2015By Ko Dong-hwan
'Terminator' heroes shine on Korean TV Emilia Clarke, top, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, bottom left, during their interview with "Entertainment Tonight" on KBS / Screen capture from YouTube Actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Emilia Clarke from “Terminator: Genisys" have expressed their excitement at visiting Korea to promote the film.Appearing on KBS’s “Entertainment Tonight” on Saturday, the stars talked about how the Korean public had welcomed them enthusiastically, and their experiences.“I had this ridiculously brilliant Korean scrub last night,” Clark said on the show, apparently talking about an exfoliation service she received at a public bath house. “I feel good as new. I think we are going to have some Korean barbeque tonight.”Clark said fans should pay attention to Schwarzenegger’s comedy in the film.“I always feel that Korean fans are the greatest fans,” Schwarzenegger said on the show. He said his character, T-800, was complex and sometimes tried to be a human but failed, which made him funny.On Thursday, some 2,000 fans flocked to LotJul 5, 2015By Ko Dong-hwan
'Tough guy' actor cleared over sexual harassment rumor Kim Bo-sungPolice have cleared “tough guy” actor Kim Bo-sung of any involvement in the alleged sexual harassment of an actress during filming of a movie.Geumcheon police said Saturday it was not Kim, 48, but a man who played a minor role in the film who allegedly committed the crime. The rumor said Kim tore the buttons from the victim’s shirt and made her feel awkward.Kim, who reported the rumor to police on Thursday, said in an interview on Saturday the claims angered him.Kim participated in the film because of his friendship with the director, Jang Hoon.A representative from the film’s producer, Taepung Korea, said the rumor did not involve Kim.Jul 5, 2015By Ko Dong-hwan
Star couple's wedding confirmed Zin Tae-hyun, left, and Park Si-eun in a scene from TV series "Pure Pumpkin Flower" (2010) Actors Park Si-eun and Zin Tae-hyun are getting married.Park’s management company, Galaxia Communications, confirmed Park, 35, is marrying Zin, 34, later this month, according to media reports Thursday.The stars’ wedding news was first reported on Wednesday when a media outlet released a picture of the two taking wedding photos at a resort in Wonju, Gangwon Province./ Courtesy of FacebookZin made headlines late last year with a tweet saying he and Park had agreed to get married sometime in the next year.The stars worked together in TV series “Pure Pumpkin Flower” on SBS in 2010 and started dating then.Jul 2, 2015By Ko Dong-hwan
Low-budget 'Madonna' stands tall in theater opening 'Madonna' posterLow-budget Korean movie “Madonna” has become a must-see after critical acclaim.The movie, which opened on Thursday, has recorded a sharp rise in ticket sales despite being shown in only 64 theatres, compared with more than 1,000 screening box office No.1 “Northern Limit Line.”“Madonna” cost 400 million won ($350,000) and was invited into the Un Certain Regard category at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival in May. Korean media have praised the movie, saying it reminded the nation’s cinema industry of the value of diversity.Directed by Shin Su-won, “Madonna” is about a nurse facing the greedy son of her patient, a business magnate about to die, and another female patient once nicknamed Madonna. The son wants Madonna to donate her heart to prolong his father’s life.Jul 2, 2015By Ko Dong-hwan
Idol singers sizzle on small screen Sandara Park, left, and Kang Seung-yoon / Screen capture from YouTubeIdol singers Sandara Park and Kang Seung-yoon are making names for themselves as novice yet talented actors.Park, 30, from four-member girl band 2NE1, and Kang, 21, from five-member boy band WINNER, are garnering popularity with their roles in internet drama series “We Broke Up.” They play a couple who split up but begin to love each other again as they live together in a shared house. The 10-part series debuted on the nation’s biggest search engine site Naver’s TV Cast website on June 29. It has so far portrayed the couple’s romantic chemistry “well to the point of stimulating viewers’ romantic cells,” according to a media report on Thursday.Both are managed by YG Entertainment. Park started in the K-pop industry in 2009 with her band’s first album, “Fire;” Kang debuted with an original sound track album for the TV series “Midas” on SBS in 2011. Jul 2, 2015By Ko Dong-hwan
Actress takes hard line over sex video rumor Lee Si-young / Korea Times fileActress Lee Si-young is taking legal action over a rumor that she was involved in a sex video.Lee, 33, and her management company, J,Wide-Company, filed an accusation suit to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office on Wednesday against the person who allegedly first spread the rumor online.A company insider was quoted as saying: “There will be no clemency and we will root out whoever’s responsible for the rumor.”The rumor was that the company had forced Lee to participate in a sex video. The company and Lee denied the rumor.Lee is continuing her work with TV series “My Beautiful Bride” on OCN, according to reports.Jul 2, 2015By Ko Dong-hwan
