YG Entertainment head tops list of stock-rich celebrities Yang Hyun-suk, the chief of YG Entertainment Inc., topped the list of stock-rich celebrities in South Korea as his entertainment agency's shares rose this year on upbeat business outlook, data showed Tuesday.Yang's shares in his company listed on the secondary KOSDAQ market were estimated at 201.18 billion won (US$186.12 million) as of Monday, up 5.7 percent from the beginning of this year, according to corporate tracker Chaebul.com.YG Entertainment is one of the top three record companies in South Korea, featuring big-name K-pop stars including Psy, Big Bang and 2NE1.Bae Yong-joon, a major shareholder of anther management agency Keyeast Co., also saw his stocks soar 147.9 percent to 82.56 billion won over the cited period to come in second to Yang, it said. Bae gained huge popularity across Asia for his role in the hit 2002 drama series "Winter Sonata."Lee Soo-man, the chairman of S.M. Entertainment Co., moved down one notch to take third place as shares of the leading management agency and record label declined 10.9 percent this year. (Yonhap)May 5, 2015
'Whistle-blowing' dramas all the rage By Kwon Ji-younWhen writer Im Sung-han hinted that she may retire from scriptwriting with the close of her current drama “Apgujeong Midnight Sun,” industry insiders and viewers alike seemed glad to see her go ― Im’s writing they said had bordered on deranged, and her work had evoked very little sympathy among audiences.So it’s no surprise that whistle-blowing dramas such as “Angry Mom” and “The Superman Age,” which draw on the perplexities of today’s youth, are holding court. More and more viewers are turning their backs on sensationalism as they progressively seek to identify with the characters and their struggles.One particular scene in MBC’s “Angry Mom” made headlines for depicting the collapse of a school building, which was suggestive of the ferry Sewol tragedy that claimed more than 300 lives in April 2014.Prior to the collapse, the school’s president had been informed that water leaks and crevices in the walls of the new building could pose a threat to the students, but the board had disregardeMay 4, 2015
Bada returns to stage after six years BadaBada, a former lead singer of the girl band S.E.S, will perform her first solo concerts in six years at Blue Square, Seoul, May 30-31.According to her agency Seoul Girls Collection, Bada’s show, “The Ocean ― First Lady” is a new type of performance broken down into four chapters about her life ­ her youth, the heyday of S.E.S heyday, her solo period and now her life as a musical diva.The singer will deliver stories and messages based on the theme of the challenges she has faced in her life while performing a modern dance.Bada debuted as a member of the idol band S.E.S in 1997 and turned solo in 2003. She released four albums and participated in nine musicals.The vocalist will also perform hits from her 18-year career, which she arranged for the “Immortal Songs” music program on national broadcaster KBS.Shoo, another member of S.E.S., will appear as a special guest at Bada’s concerts.May 4, 2015
BIGBANG sweeps music charts in comeback A poster for BIGBANG’s new singles “Loser” and “Bae Bae” / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Kim Jae-heunKorean hip hop boy band BIGBANG topped 10 major domestic music charts Saturday with new singles “Loser” and “Bae Bae.”The five-member boy band released the long-awaited new songs on www.yg-life.com, Friday after a three-year hiatus, and the two immediately skyrocketed to the top of the charts."Loser" is an example of the band's signature music, combining R&B and hip-hop, while “Bae Bae” is trendier with witty lyrics describing a couple hoping to continue their relationship.Fans overseas have also been longing for the group’s comeback for years, as proven by the tracks topping the iTunes charts in 10 countries, including Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand.The United States music industry also showed interest in the quintet’s new music. American music magazine Billboard said, “BIGBANG is back in a big way with the boy band’s comeback looking more than five times as nice.”The videos for thMay 1, 2015By Kim Jae-heun
Meet members of 'Ex-girlfriend Club' Actors starring in tvN’s new drama “Ex-girlfriend Club” before a press event at Times Square in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. They are, from left, Jang Ji-eun, Song Ji-hyo, Byun Yo-han, Lee Yoon-ji and Ryu Hwa-young. / Courtesy of CJ E&MBy Kwon Ji-younThey say men want to know who their current girlfriend’s ex-boyfriends were, and women want to know who their ex-boyfriends are dating now. Cable network tvN’s new drama, “Ex-girlfriend Club,” revolves around one ex-girlfriend whose job entails shooting a film based on the stories of her ex-boyfriend’s other ex-girlfriends.It does not feature a star cast, but all five actors boast individuality. The supporting actresses in particular stood out in the highlights that were screened during a press event at Times Square in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday.“I was surfing the web when I came across a photograph of a wedding wreath that was inscribed with the following: ‘In hopes you will stop cheating ― from your ex-girlfriends,’” said producer Kwon Seok-jang. “ItMay 1, 2015
YG chief wants to work longer with BigBang The head of YG Entertainment, one of the three major talent agencies in South Korea, has shown his intent to extend a contract with the boy band BigBang which is set to expire next year."When I created BigBang, the average lifespan of an idol group was only four to five years. I started the group with a pledge to make it a long-lasting group, and now I think I kept the promise as they have remained active for nine years," Yang Hyun-suk told reporters, emerging from the group's concert in Seoul on Sunday night."I want to do this nine more years," he said, indicating that he hopes to extend the exclusive management contract with the boy band. The contract is set to expire in the middle of next year.As most of BigBang's five members are currently engaged in solo activities, the team would be able to remain active even if some of the members join the Army, Yang said.In South Korea, all able-bodied South Korean men are subject to compulsory military service for about two years."I think we'll be able to maintain the team even if up to two members enlist into the military," he stressed.The Apr 27, 2015
Snoop Dogg headlines electronic music fest Snoop DoggBy Baek Byung-yeulAmerican hip-hop master Snoop Dogg will be featured in the upcoming Ultra Music Festival Korea, the country’s largest electronic music festival, scheduled for Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul on June 12-13, the organizer said Tuesday.“We’ve confirmed that Snoop Dogg is included in the festival’s lineup along with CL from Korean girl group 2NE1, Grammy Award-winning American dance music producer Skrillex and Swedish duo Galantis,” the organizer said in a statement.Since his debut album “Doggystyle” topped the Billboard 200 chart in 1993, the global hip hop star is widely regarded as one of best-selling hip hop artists, selling more than 30 million records worldwide. In Korea, the 43-year-old musician is known for teaming up with Korean rap sensation Psy for the 2014 song “Hangover.”First launched in Miami in 1999, the Ultra Music Festival is one of the world’s most acclaimed electronic music festivals, drawing comparisons with Barcelona’s Sonar Festival and Detroit’s Movement Festival.Apr 22, 2015
Girls' Generation member admits romance with baseball star Yuri, a member of K-pop group Girls' Generation, has admitted she is in a relationship with baseball player Oh Seung-hwan, the group's management agency said Monday."Having met through acquaintances at the end of last year, the two are now getting to know with each other with good feelings," S.M. Entertainment said in a release.Oh also admitted the romance in a press release from his baseball team."It's true that I'm in a relationship with Yuri," he said. "I hope you will see us with affection."Earlier in the day, a local weekly reported that the two first began seeing each other romantically in November and have been dating ever since, often accompanied by acquaintances.It also said the 25-year-old singer's personal trip to Osaka, Japan, in March, was highly likely to cheer on the 33-year-old baseball player, who is a closing pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league. (Yonhap)Apr 20, 2015
'Let's Eat' actors playing just the right roles Actors starring in the second season of tvN’s “Let’s Eat” are joined at a group interview at the M Academy in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, Monday. From left are Yoon Du-jun, Seo Hyun-jin and Kwon Yul. / Courtesy of CJ E&MBy Kwon Ji-younYoon Du-jun, Seo Hyun-jin and Kwon Yul seem to have finally found clothes that fit.The three stars of season two of “Let’s Eat” are truly enjoying acting in a groundbreaking series based on the brass tacks of single life and the food that accompanies it.“My character on Let’s Eat most resembles my intrinsic personality,” Seo told reporters at a press event, Monday. “I didn’t realize how much fun shooting a lively and comical drama could be.”Cable network tvN’s new spin-off depicts character Koo Dae-young’s story as he moves to Sejong City, where he befriends his new neighbors. They include a freelance writer (Seo) and a civil servant (Kwon). Koo, portrayed by Yoon, appeared in the first season set in Seoul with actress Lee Soo-kyung.“We chose Sejong becauApr 20, 2015
KPOP Museum to open on Saturday The KPOP Museum located at the Bomun Lake Resort in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, is set to open on Saturday.This three-floor repository, situated at the heart of Gyeongju’s tourism complex, now houses old and new K-pop records, and will feature special exhibitions that celebrate 100 years of Korean popular music beginning Saturday.On display are the “KBS Record” series (1958), presumed to be some of the nation’s first LPs, the Kim Sisters’ LP and Ha Chun-hwa’s debut album, among others. Each floor is about 1,090 square meters in area.The museum will be equipped with top quality sound systems, including a western electric 16A horn, a western electric mirrorphonic system and a western electric 41+42+43 amp system, among others.Performances will take place regularly on the 1,652-square-meter outdoor stage. For more information, visit www.kpopmuseum.com.Apr 19, 2015
