Bernard Park wins 'K-pop Star 3' Bernard ParkBy Park Si-sooKorean-American Bernard Park won “K-pop Star 3,” the third session of a talent show on SBS TV, on Sunday and decided to do his pre-debut activities with the JYP music label.In the final round of the competition aired live, the 21-year-old from Atlanta received the biggest acclamation from three judges ㅡ Park Jin-young, Yang Hyun-suk and Yoo Hee-yeol ㅡ and audiences for his rendition of American R&B singer R. Kelly’s hit “I Believe I Can Fly,” as well as the Korean song “Because I Love” by the late K-pop legend Yoo Jae-ha. The runner-up was another Korean-American contestant, Sam Kim.“I’m so happy. Thank you so much,” Park said in tears after his victory was announced.“Please keep watching me.” Given an opportunity to select a label he will work with for his official debut, he selected JYP, the third largest Korean label, saying, “I consider Park (Jin-young) to be the best teacher for me.” JYP manages several top K-pop musicians, including miss A, Wonder Girls, 2PM and 2AMApr 14, 2014
Are they really sick? Drafted in 2012, K-pop star Sangchu, left, and actor Kim Moo-yeol are suspected of having exaggerated their sickness to extend their ospitalization. Sangchu, who is said to have had two injuries in his right shoulder and right ankle late last year, has been lying on a hospital bed for six months, while Kim has been taking a medical leave of absence for nearly two months after suffering an injury in his left knee. / Korea Times filesStars suspected of malingering to shun tough military lifeBy Park Si-sooAre they really sick? Or is it another outrageous case of preferential treatment?People are casting a suspicious eye on K-pop singer Sangchu and actor Kim Moo-yeol, who began their compulsory military service in 2012. They are currently having extraordinarily long medical leaves.Sangchu ㅡ real name Lee Sang-chul ㅡ has been lying in a hospital bed for the last six months at a military hospital in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. Kim has been receiving rehabilitation treatment for nearly two months at another military hospital near Seoul.Under the defense ministry’s rules on Apr 14, 2014
Jo Sung-mo to hold concert in May By Chung Ah-youngSinger Jo Sung-mo, who has become very popular for his signature ballads, will hold a concert next month to celebrate the launch of his new album, according to his agency, Poom Entertainment. The concert titled “Live Series I ― Variety” will take place at Blue Square in Hannam-dong, Seoul on May 31. He will perform a new song produced by singer/rapper Hyun Jin-young and other hits at the concert. His new album titled “Wind of Change” was recently released for the first time four years after his previous album “Meet Brave” was released in 2010. Jo rose to stardom with his debut song “To Heaven” in 1998, which sold more than a million copies. He has since then been in the spotlight with his songs such as “For Your Soul” and “Let Me Love,” becoming million sellers. His agency said the concert will be an opportunity for Jo to meet his fans after a long time. Starting with this concert, he will continue his live performances across several other locations. Apr 13, 2014
Who are most charitable stars? From left, Kim Soo-hyun, Park Hae-jin, Song Hye-gyo and Jang Keun-suk are among hallyu celebrities who are winning over the hearts of their overseas fans for their charitable or philanthropic activities./ Korea Times fileSome celebrities become social inspirations beyond popularity By Chung Ah-youngHollywood star Angelina Jolie, known as one of the most philanthropic celebrities, once said that she “opened her eyes” when she saw people from the war-ravaged region while filming “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” in Cambodia in 2001.Since then, she has turned into a role model for many people around the world by actively volunteering in humanitarian works worldwide.Stars might be the most perfect figures to increase public awareness through their charitable endeavors and stimulate donations.How about hallyu stars? They have often tapped into their popularity in other countries for commercial purposes. Sometimes, they have left negative images for their foreign fans after just raking in money from their commercial activities, such as advertisements or appearanceApr 13, 2014
Hallyu boosts online shopping malls English online shopping site for Stylenanda, a women’s street-wear maker, shows pictures of K-pop stars wearing their brand. / Courtesy of G-marketBy Park Jin-haiCathy, a 30-something Manila-based business editor, likes to scroll Korean online shopping sites at home.“I buy clothes mostly. And some accessories. There are a lot of choices at Korean online shopping sites,” said the editor who asked to be identified only by her first name. She has purchased several times over the past three years through G-market’s English website.Shay, 19, an art student and K-pop fan in North Carolina, received an oversized pink cardigan through online market place OKDGG and left a review on her blog.Once the key phrase “Korean style” is typed in on China’s eBay equivalent Tao Bao, over 40 million items are shown on screen, whilst “Korean fashion” will turn up some 9 million products.Riding on the popularity of Korean dramas and K-pop, online shopping malls are experiencing increasing sales to people from all over the world.Unlike local weApr 11, 2014By Park Jin-hai
IU to return in May with remake album K-pop singer IUBy Park Si-sooK-pop singer IU will return to the stage next month with a remix album, her agency said Thursday. She plans to mark her comeback with a solo concert on May 22 at a mini auditorium associated with Sogang University in northern Seoul.“She wants to get closer with her fans. This concert will materialize her wish,” LOEN Entertainment said in a statement. “IU will return with ‘good’ music and fresh performances.”Including the comeback concert, she will hold a total of eight concerts by June 1.Having made her debut in 2008 with “Lost Child,” she instantly earned massive popularity for her beautiful voice and adorable appearance, winning many music awards. She has diversified her career by featuring in several TV dramas and entertainment shows.Apr 10, 2014
So Yoo-jin becomes mother Baek Jong-won and So Yoo-jinBy Park Si-sooActress So Yoo-jin has given birth to a baby boy, her management agency said on Thursday. The child was born at a general hospital in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, on Wednesday afternoon, it said, adding So and her son are both doing fine.“They are in good health,” Star-J Entertainment said in a statement. “She plans to take care of herself and baby for a while and then return to work.”The 33-year-old tied the knot with Baek Jong-won, a famous chef and CEO of multiple restaurant franchises who is 15 years her senior, in January last year.Making her debut in 2000 through SBS TV’s drama “Duk-ee,” she shot to stardom after appearing in MBC TV’s “Delicious Wedding Proposal” the following year. Apr 10, 2014
Girls' Generation in crisis Scandals reveal management loophole, cracks in unity By Park Si-sooIs Girls’ Generation in crisis? Will it disband in the near future?Eight years have passed since the nine-member K-pop girl group burst onto the domestic music scene. During that time, it has grown up as undisputed K-pop kingpin adored by scores of fans at home and abroad thanks to their cute and sexy image powered by addictive songs and fascinating choreography.Last November, it won the best music video prize with its song “I Got a Boy” at the inaugural YouTube Music Awards in New York, a landmark achievement signaling that the group has ample potential for success in the U.S. and other countries.But for now, the girls’ lives are “maturing”: teens when they debuted, the girls are now women in their mid-20s. Possibly the management agency SM Entertainment has been lax in its management or the members are collectively resisting the agency’s rules designed to forestall public love affairs or unsavory scandals.Citing tepid public response to its latest song “Mr. Mr.,&rApr 10, 2014
Korea, Vietnam to produce drama By Kim Ji-sooA Korean cable TV company and a Vietnamese state broadcaster will work together to co-produce a drama about a Vietnamese girl who comes to Korea to study.CJ E& M said Tuesday that it has signed a contract with a Vietnamese TV (VTV) to produce “Forever Young.”Comprised of 36 episodes, Forever Young will portray the story of a wealthy Vietnamese girl, Thuy Linh, who comes to Korea to study and live with students from other countries. VTV’s general entertainment channel VTV3 will begin airing the drama in December.CJE&M has been actively exporting Korean reality variety entertainment programs and even produced shows overseas.Korean dramas have long been popular in Vietnam, leading to co-productions such as this one.Apr 9, 2014
Boys to take charge of K-pop in second quarter EXO will return with a showcase to be held at Jamsil Indoor Stadium, Seoul, on April 15. / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Kim Ji-sooWhile the first few months of the year in K-pop may have been dominated by girl groups, the boys appear poised to capture the lion’s share of the headlines in the months ahead with new albums and singles scheduled for release.One of the most anticipated will come from EXO, which scored big last year with the single “Growl” from the “XOXO” album. The album sold more than 1 million copies in 2013, putting the 12-member group on the K-pop map.The group will hold a showcase on April 15 at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium for its new mini-album titled “Overdose,” and said that it will work with the newly launched Samsung Music to promote the songs and dance moves. The title track from the album is also “Overdose,” jointly produced by the Underdogs and Kenzie.Beast, a six-member boy group, is expected to release a new album this month.Infinite, in its concert on March 28, said that it will also release a new albApr 9, 2014
