Crayon Pop's new video appears on Billboard K-pop girl group Crayon Pop grace the Billboard website, where the group earned a favorable review for the video of its new song and their choreography.By Park Jin-haiCrayon Pop’s new video “Uh-ee” has graced Billboard’s main page. In its article, posted on March 31, pop magazine Billboard said the K-pop girl group has unleashed “mind-bogging, non-stop dance routine” in the video. “Crayon Pop truly shines in the accompanying music video, performing a routine one could liken more to aerobics than a pop performance,” it said. It said that their viral choreography made them become the tour mate of Lady Gaga, introducing the characteristics of their song, choreography as well as dress code. “On the verses, the girls dole out karate kicks, silly faces and other whimsical choreography for the cameras,” the article said. The report goes on to mention the dance moves where the girls flap their arms like chickens, jumping while holding an “ankle and super-slick footwork on the section’s final hook.”The new song is aApr 2, 2014By Park Jin-hai
K-snack to whet global appetite Jeong Wol-seon, owner of a fried tteokbokgi shop in Tongin Market near Gyeongbok Palace, talks to her customers while frying up the most popular item in the shop. She has become more famous since U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry ate at the shop on Feb. 13. / Korea Times photo by Kim Ji-sooBy Kim Ji-sooAt Jeong Wol-seon’s “tteokbokgi” store in Tongin Market, northern Seoul, she sells a slightly different version of “tteokbokgi” or the spicy rice cake snack.It’s a fried, spicy version without the soupy sauce. It’s also the one that John Kerry, U.S. secretary of state, picked up with a toothpick to taste while he was in Seoul in February.There is a picture of Kerry at her small store. It’s lunch time Monday, and customers continue to line up, eager to consume the 3,000-won dish.Jeong says that she packs slightly more for those who come far to taste the snack dish. The store only sells the rice-cake snack, “sundae” or blood sausage and “jeon” or pancakes.A woman fries the mung bean pancake at the GwangjanApr 2, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
K-pop group EXO ready to sweep China K-pop group EXO will release their new mini album in China and Korea.By Chung Ah-youngK-pop group EXO are ready to release their new mini album in China and Korea, starting with an extravagant showcase at Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul on April 15, SM Entertainment said Tuesday.Titled “EXO Comeback Show,” the concert will unveil the group’s new songs and dances which are highly anticipated by their fans.With this album, the group’s sub-splits ― EXO-K and EXO-M singing in Korean and Chinese respectively ― will accelerate their promotional activities both in China and Korea.Particularly, the show is expected to bring a synergy effect as the album will be promoted through Samsung Music, a newly launched music service solely dedicated to Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones.“EXO will begin their major promotions for the new mini album at the showcase, including the launching of Samsung Music. Together with SM Entertainment, the two global brands are expected to conduct a large scale promotion that will gain interest from fans around the globe,” the Apr 1, 2014
Intensifying competition results in trashy dramas A scene from “Secret Love Affair” on jTBCBy Do Je-haeThe rating success of television dramas has always been vitally important to major broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS. The race for top ratings intensified when cable channels like jTBC, TV Chosun, MBN and Channel A entered the drama industry a few years ago, becoming major forces in K-drama.The ratings war drives many broadcasters to keep churning out dramas that are becoming more and more shocking. ``The ones that have radical storylines get more attention and more ratings,’’ said media critic Kim Kyung-ho. ``People criticize them, but at the same time they have the urge to watch them. That's why broadcasters keep making these kinds of dramas.’’To get ahead in the ratings race, many insiders believe that the fascination with scandalous dramas from producers and writers will get stronger in the years ahead.Tougher competition, however, has not resulted in quality. To attract more viewers, many soap operas are resorting to storylines that often revolve around sensational elements ― adultery, murdApr 1, 2014By Do Je-hae
Lee Byung-hun to appear in 'Terminator: Genesis' Lee Byung-hunBy Park Si-sooKorean actor Lee Byung-hun will appear in Hollywood blockbuster “Terminator: Genesis,” in which he will act with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke and Emilia Clarke among others. This is the fifth sequel of the famous sci-fi action flick “The Terminator” released in 1984.Lee’s management agency said on Tuesday he recently decided to take an offer from the film’s producer Alan Taylor.“His casting was decided recently,” Jung Seo-young, a spokeswoman for BH Entertainment, told The Korea Times over the phone. “At this moment, we have nothing to tell the media but the fact that he will act in the film.”She refused to elaborate on what role he will take and when and where the shooting will begin. But U.S. entertainment magazine The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Lee’s role will be something of a “doozy.”Cast members include Arnold Schwarzenegger as a T-800 Terminator, Jason Clarke as John Connor, Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor, Jai Courtney as Kyle Reese, J.K. Simmons as a detective Apr 1, 2014
Watch out! They 'steal' scenes, your heart Actor Oh Dal-su flashes an eerie smile. Oh earned fame as a scene stealer in the award-winning 2003 mystery thriller “Old Boy.” / Korea Times fileBy Park Si-sooThey are neither protagonists nor directors. A few even have “critical flaws” in their looks: a beer belly, poor teeth or just plain ugly.Without them, however, it’s doubtful how many Korean TV dramas or films were or will be able to meet viewers’ ever increasing expectations.They are collectively called “scene stealers,” a cinematic term referring to a supporting performer in a dram, film or play, who by impressive acting draws most of the audience’s attention, often away from the leading performers.Perhaps, no one would raise objections to claim Shin Sung-rok was a scene stealer in the hit drama “My Love From the Star.”He stole the heart of numerous viewers for his striking handsomeness, which later was constantly compared to a dog emoticon on Korea’s messenger service Kakao talk. But his villain role gave the drama a new dimension by constantly thrApr 1, 2014
MayBee joins new agency MayBeeBy Chung Ah-youngSinger/songwriter MayBee has joined ChorokBaemJuna E&M whose artists include singer/songwriter Ju Young-hoon and model and actress Kim Hyo-jin.The agency said that she is an all-round player who shows her diverse talents through a host of activities including radio, TV shows and acting. “We will fully support her activities,” the agency said.She is renowned for writing lyrics in Lee Hyo-ri’s “Ten Minutes” and other hit songs for prominent singers such as SG Wannabe and Brown Eyed Girls.She released the first album in 2006 and appeared in numerous television dramas such as “Pink Lipstick” and “Noriko Comes to Seoul.”Mar 31, 2014
Wheesung to release mini album WheesungBy Chung Ah-youngR&B singer Wheesung will release his mini album in May after completing his military service last August. The album will include “The Incurable” and “With Me” which were composed by Kim Do-hoon and other tracks written by the singer.After making his debut in 1999, he has gained popularity with his powerful vocals. Last December, his past hit songs came into the fresh spotlight as he performed in TV shows. His previous album came out in October in 2011 just before he entered the military. Mar 31, 2014
Trick Eye Museum rising as tourist magnet By Chung Ah-young There are no hallyu stars or national treasures or masterpieces. But thousands of foreign tourists are flocking to this small, bizarre museum. Located in a back alley bustled with street vendors peddling food, clothes and accessories in the Hongdae (Hongik University) area in Seoul, the Trick Eye Museum is becoming a must-visit spot for foreign tourists. Featuring two or three dimensional paintings that look as if they exist in reality, the museum has been recently selected as the most popular museum among 180 museums and art galleries in Seoul, according to TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community. The museum beat the nation’s two flagship museums ― the National Museum of Korea and the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art ― in a survey based on the number of visitors and their reviews.Curator Koh Kyung said that the museum is particularly popular among foreigners who want to make a special memory during their travels with photographs.“No one could expect to pour a bucket of water on a painting when visiting the average art museum or galMar 31, 2014
Park Hae-jin to launch brand in China By Park Jin-haiActor Park Hae-jin holds a promotional event for the launching of his brand in Beijing, Friday./ Courtesy of WM EntertainmentActor Park Hae-jin has launched a fashion brand under his own name in China, in collaboration with local designer Mark Cheung. At a promotional event for the launching of the brand in Beijing Friday, the 30-year-old former model-turned-actor showcased sportswear and sneakers he designed. Some 200 local media outlets were present, reflecting his soaring popularity there. Currently in China, the clothing the actor of “My Love From the Star” wore during the drama ― from long coat and turtle neck to limited edition sneakers ― has flown off the shelves, according to his agency WM Entertainment. The items worn by other stars such as actresses Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-hyun are also popular overseas, but Park is the first to launch a brand. “I will design reflecting the market needs as well as incorporating what is trendy in the design,” said Park. “Personally I think the best style is one that people find comfortabMar 31, 2014By Park Jin-hai
