CULTURE LINE CL edged by Putin in TIME 100 poll2NE1’s CLCL, a member of girl group 2NE1, was second behind Russian President Vladimir Putin in the online vote for this year’s TIME magazine list of the world’s 100 most influential people. Putin edged rapper-singer CL (Lee Chae-lin) to top the list with 6.95 percent of the votes. Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Taylor Swift rounded out the top five with 2.6, 1.9 and 1.8 percent, respectively. TIME described CL as not quite a household name but as having “impressed critics at stateside arenas.” The TIME 100 list spans politics, entertainment, business, technology, science and religion, among others. The final list will be unveiled Thursday. Jo Su-mi to hold free concert for studentsJo Su-mi will stage a free concert for students studying classical music. Jo’s agency, SMI Entertainment, said Monday the Grammy Award-winning soprano would perform at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on May 11. The aim of the concert, titled “My Dream ... Music!” is to support students who dream of performing classiApr 14, 2015
Star actresses top cast credits in upcoming films By Kwon Ji-younThe film industry, which is more accustomed to banking on the success of leading men in productions, may see more women at the top of hit films’ cast credits this year as seasoned actresses, including Kim Hye-soo and Cannes Award winner Jeon Do-yeon, are set to make big-screen comebacks.Though the numbers show that eight in nine films that primarily showcase actresses do not make big money, a number of films this year will attempt to turn the tide.These actresses are not simply appearing as the sweethearts of male heroes. Last year, actress Son Ye-jin took on a challenge in the action flick “The Pirates” in which she appeared as the captain. Actress Shin Eun-kyung put on a one-woman show in “Miss Granny,” and veteran actress Kim Soo-mi at one point hit No.2 at the box office with “Granny’s Got Talent.”Kim Hye-soo in a scene from “Chinatown” / Courtesy of CGV Arthouse More such films are coming down the road.Kim Hye-soo will take on the role of “mother” in the film “Chinatown,&rdquoApr 13, 2015
Kim Yu-na reportedly back with ex-boyfriend Kim Yu-naBy Kwon Ji-younLocal media have reported that Kim Yu-na and her former boyfriend Kim Won-joong are back together.A sports news outlet Wednesday cited an industry insider saying the 2010 Vancouver Olympic gold medalist and the Anyang Halla ice hockey forward are together once again. It added they have begun wearing matching couple accessory items again.The two first met at Korea University when they were students, and then trained together at the National Training Center in Taeneung, northeastern Seoul. Early last year, online entertainment news outlet Dispatch unveiled paparazzi shots of the couple on a rendezvous in the Taeneung neighborhood. Both their agencies later confirmed the reports.Kim Won-joong came under fire in August for misconduct, which led to his being permanently dismissed from the national ice hockey team. While he was serving his mandatory military service, he and others left their base in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, without permission, and went to a massage parlor. They were involved a car accident when returning, but did not report it. Kim Won-joong subseqApr 8, 2015
Gwanghaegun returns in 'factional' drama Actors starring in MBC’s new period drama “Hwajeong” pose at a press event at the MBC building in Sangam-dong, west Seoul, Tuesday. From left are Cha Seung-won, Kim Jae-won, Lee Yeon-hee, Seo Kang-jun, Han Ju-wan and Cho Seong-ha. / Courtesy of MBCBy Kwon Ji-youn The ancient story of Gwanghaegun (or Prince Gwanghae) has found its way back onto the small screen, but actor Cha Seung-won and producer Kim Sang-ho have pledged their new period drama “Hwajeong” will remain compelling while staying true to history.At a press event Tuesday, producer Kim Sang-ho described “Hwajeong” (Splendid Politics) as “faction” (a combination of fact and fiction) and resolved not to distort history.“It’ll be a cross between fact and fiction” Kim said. “It won’t stray too far from facts, but seasoning will add flavor to the plot.”He continued, “Because it’s a 50-episode drama, a lot of actors will come and go as the story progresses — they may die, be born, be exiled or return. Rather than Apr 7, 2015
Convincing plot key to supernatural drama Scenes from “The Girl Who Sees Smells” / Courtesy of SBSBy Kwon Ji-younAn unusual but dynamic blend of romance, suspense and comedy has heightened expectations for SBS’s new drama “The Girl Who Sees Smells,” the first episode of which aired on April 1 when it came third in total audience share with 5.6 percent of the viewership.Though broadcasters KBS and MBC are also airing equally intriguing dramas that focus on single moms and school violence, SBS’s new production starring Park Yu-chun and Shin Se-kyung boasts an appeal curiously reminiscent of the broadcaster’s 2014 hit series “My Love from the Star.”The verdict is in _ for a drama series featuring supernatural events to succeed, the plot must be compelling, the actors convincing and the computer graphics reasonable. “The Girl Who Sees Smells” does just that.This particular drama tells the story of a young woman who, with a cop, launches a probe into the so-called “barcode” serial murder case. This woman, portrayed by Shin, has miraculously survived a &Apr 6, 2015
'Kissing girls' provide gays with new impetus By Kwon Ji-younSexual minority groups are calling on the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) to halt disciplinary proceedings against a television drama that portrayed a homosexual relationship.Rainbow Action against Sexual Minority Discrimination, a group that works to raise awareness about sexual minorities and their rights, held a press conference Tuesday to request the KCSC end discussions for disciplinary measures against JTBC drama “Seonam Girls High School Investigators.”The drama, which tells the story of five students who, as members of a private investigator club, go up against private education, abortion, bullying and suicide, aired kiss scenes between two schoolgirls on Feb. 25 and March 4.When a complaint was filed with the KCSC, the communications regulator convened a meeting March 18 to deliberate the matter. The drama is rated for viewing by those 15 and older.“‘Seonam Girls’ is a rare drama that accurately depicts the lives of sexual minorities in a society that pretends people with such preferences don’t exist,”Apr 1, 2015
JYJ, Super Junior members join Army Kim Jae-joong and Sungmin, respectively, members of the popular K-pop trio JYJ and boy band Super Junior, enlisted in the Army Tuesday to begin their mandatory military service.They quietly entered boot camps in Paju and Bucheon, both near Seoul, by car without having any special events for their fans or media interviews as they have shown intent through their agencies to make low-key enlistments.As the car carrying Kim slowly passed by, his Korean and foreign fans who were gathered in front of the main gate of the boot camp in Paju, waved to bid farewell to their favorite star.Sporting a black baseball cap, Super Junior's Sungmin briefly got out from a car on his way to boot camp in Bucheon to wave at his fans waiting to see him off. They were carrying banners and papers reading "We'll wait for two years. Good-bye."He was accompanied by his actress wife Kim Sa-eun and employees from his management agency during the trip, according to his agency.After going through the weeks-long basic training, the two stars will be sent to other bases to finish their remaining period of mandatory sMar 31, 2015
Suzy confirms she's dating hallyu star Miss A’s Suzy By Kim Jae-heunK-pop girl group Miss A’s Suzy acknowledged she is dating hallyu star Lee Min-ho at the group’s comeback showcase in Olympic Park, Seoul, Monday. “I found him very considerate and warm-hearted,” Suzy said. “I will maintain a good relationship while working on the new album.”News about the K-pop star and the hottest Korean actor in China broke on March 23 when the couple were seen dating in London, hiding their faces with mask and muffler. Suzy admitted that she met Lee there because they had overlapping photo-shooting schedules. The couple went on a rather routine date ― driving around and dining. Suzy asked that attention not be focused on her relationship, but rather on Miss A’s new album.Miss A released its first single in 17 months, “Only You,” and the song immediately topped the online music charts. Popular songwriter Black Eyed Pilseung produced the lead single, a hip hop song with trap rhythm that tells the story of a girl’s passionate love for her crush. As for the otMar 31, 2015By Kim Jae-heun
Actor Lee Byung-hun and wife welcome new son South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun's wife, actress Rhee Min-jung, gave birth to a son, the couple's first child, Tuesday, nearly two years after they wed, their agencies said.Rhee gave birth early in the morning at a Seoul hospital and both the mother and baby are doing well, BH Entertainment and MSTeam Entertainment said in a joint press release."The couple said they will do their best to make a happy family with responsibility as parents," the agencies said. "Please bless the birth of this new life," they added.Long a Korean household name, Lee has starred in Hollywood action films such as "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" (2013) and "G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra" (2009), as well as several Korean movies and soap operas of different genres. More recently, he co-starred in another Hollywood blockbuster "Red 2" starring Bruce Willis and Catherine Zeta-Jones, which was released in July 2013. Actress Rhee has played leading roles in several Korean movies such as "Wonderful Radio" (2012), "Cyrano Agency" (2010), as well as several romantic comedy dramas. (Yonhap)Mar 31, 2015
'Angry Moms' are back on screen Chae Si-ra Kim Hee-seon Kim Sung-ryoungBy Kwon Ji-younStars of the 1980s and 90s are back — and they’re no longer the Cinderellas they used to be.Actresses no longer in their twenties, including 47-year-old Chae Si-ra and 38-year-old Kim Hee-seon, are taking over the small screen, bewildering audiences with frizzy hair, little makeup and a lot of pent up anger. And these actresses are no longer the wholesome and naive “ingenues” they once were. They’ve given an edge to their characters, with regretful pasts, miserable childhoods and undying ambition — the whole “troublemaker” package.Kim appears on MBC’s “Angry Mom” as a mom/high school student. Her character, Kang-ja, returns to high school disguised as a student who has been held back a few years so she can protect her daughter who has been the target of bullying.Kim’s transformation from sweet and innocent to fierce and energetic is turning heads. A single mom and former rabble-rouser, Kim will do anything to safeguard her daughter. She&rsMar 23, 2015
