Male actors take to prime time Actor Lee Jong-suk, left, plays a genius North Korean defector doctor in the new drama “Dr. Stranger” that airs on SBS. His co-star, Park Hae-jin, right, will star as the rival genius South Korean doctor in the medical/spy drama. / YonhapBy Kim Ji-sooThe “boys” are back; at least on the small screen.The networks and cable television have slowly restarted weekly prime-time dramas where male actors take center stage. It’s a change from the first quarter of 2014, where actresses such as Jun Ji-hyun in “My Love From the Star” and Ha Ji-won of “Empress Ki”reigned in the 10 p.m. prime time drama slot.These dramas were extremely popular, with both averaging in near the 30-percent ratings. In the case of “My Love From the Star,” the heroine Jun Ji-hyun nearly sold out everything she wore on the show, both in clothes and makeup, not only in Korea but most of Asia.So as the second quarter of the year begins, males are taking center stage, as they portray a diverse array of professionals — including doctors, lawyeMay 7, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
EXO to release its album Wedn The group EXO said that it will release long-awaited second mini-album “Overdose” on Wednesday. The group had postponed the release in the wake of the Sewol tragedy. / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Kim Ji-sooK-pop group EXO will release its second mini-album “Overdose” on Wednesday, its agency SM Entertainment said Tuesday.The 12-member group had postponed the release because of the Sewol ferry tragedy on April 16.But the group did hold a showcase on April 15 for its fans in Seoul, showing off the tracks from “Overdose” including the title track of the same name. With the release of the album, the group will release the music from the album on online music sites in both Korea and China.The music video for “Overdose” will be shown on YouTube’s SMTOWN channel and also on Facebook’s SMTOWN’s page, illustrating new performances from the group.The title track “Overdose” is a mix of hip-hop and R&B that talks May 6, 2014
Joo Won cast in Chinese film By Park Jin-haiActor Joo Won, 26, will make a foray into the Chinese film market. His agency announced Tuesday that the actor has been cast in the upcoming “Wiao You Qiao Mu,” a joint Korean-Chinese venture. Jo Jin-kyu has been tapped as director, and Han Kyung, a former member of K-pop group Super Junior will costar. Chinese production and distribution firm, China Film, and entertainment agency, Yuehua Entertainment, have jointly invested in the production of the film. The romantic drama based on an Internet novel will depict the love story of three men and one woman. “Joo’s dramas receive a lot of support in China. Considering this, we believe the new film will be a great hit,” said Lee Sang-gyu, head of the Yuehua Entertainment’s Korean office. Meanwhile, Joo’s movie “Fashion King” will be premiered during the 67th Cannes Film Festival.May 6, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Miranda Kerr to appear in K-food show Miranda Kerr, right, poses with Kim Sung-eun, host of “2014 Tasty Road.”One of the world’s top model Miranda Kerr met with Korean model Kim Sung-eun to discuss how to keep her body fit and slim for a K-Food variety show “2014 Tasty Road.” In its latest episode to be aired on Friday, Kerr will share her beauty tips with the show’s host Kim. The “2014 Tasty Road,” normally co-hosted by Kim and Park Soo-jin introduces the best Western and Asian fusion style foods as well as hot places for lifestyles such as beauty and shopping tips from all over Korea every Friday at midnight on O’live TV.May 6, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Choi takes his 'art furniture' global Choi Byung-hoon’s bent chair, created in 2007, is one of his famous "afterimage" series. It is now exhibited in the permanet collection of Vitra Design Museume, in Germany. / Courtesy of Choi Byung-hoonNY critics call it 'object of meditation' Choi Byung-hoonBy Park Jin-haiChoi Byung-hoon's artwork is both practical and esthetic. One of the most recognized pieces of the sculptor and art furniture maker is a chair which has a black sheen granite stone at the foot of a laminated and black varnished walnut veneer chair. The over 100-kilogram stone counter-balances the weight of the sitter, giving the bent wood chair balance and function. But at the same time, the stone doubles as a subject of meditation, giving the sitter a moment of peace to ponder over the myriad of years it took to be formed. It now sits in the permanent collection of the Vitra Design Museum in Germany.Choi, a 61 year-old Seoul-based sculptor, known for pioneering the field of "art furniture" in Korea has explored the relationship between functional objects and art and made them into a whole new May 6, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Suzy helps sick children Suzy of K-pop girl band miss ABy Park Si-sooSuzy of the popular K-pop girl band miss A donated 5 million won ($4,800) to help sick children in South Jeolla Province to celebrate Children’s Day, which falls on Monday. Her birthplace of Gwangju is located in the province.According to her agency, JYP, Suzy visited Chosun University Hospital in Gwangju on April 30 and donated the money to the hospital’s President Moon Kyung-rae. The money will be used to treat five children suffering from cancer or leukemia, the hospital said.Last year, she donated 10 million won for the same purpose, it added. Last week, she donated 50 million won to the Life Share Association in Gwangju to help victims of the Sewol disaster.May 2, 2014
Um Ji-won to marry architect Um Ji-wonBy Park Si-sooActress Um Ji-won, 37, will tie the knot with an architect at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on May 27. She revealed in July she was dating Oh Young-wook, 38. The wedding ceremony will be open to family members and invited quests, her agency said.“Um is modest and emotionally sensitive. She loves to watch movies, paint and read books. In this regard, Oh is considered the perfect match with her,” her agency official said.Um made her acting debut in 2002 in MBC TV’s drama “Golden Wagon.” She has starred in nearly 30 dramas and films, appealing to the public with her cute and sexy image. Her husband-to-be graduated from Yonsei University and currently runs his own building design company.May 2, 2014
Cho named goodwill amb. for Dokdo academy Actor Cho Jae-hyun, left, poses with Prof. Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University after being named PR ambassador for the Dokdo Academy on Friday. / YonhapBy Park Si-sooActor Cho Jae-hyun was named public relations (PR) ambassador of the Dokdo Academy, a non-profit private institute promoting Dokdo, Korea’s easternmost islands, at home and abroad.As its ambassador, he will appear in video clips lecturing about the significance of Dokdo in terms of history, politics and the economy, to children and young students. The islets lie roughly halfway between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, so its sovereignty is also claimed by Tokyo.“It’s my honor to take part in a project promoting Dokdo,” he said. “I am upset whenever I read news articles about Japan’s claim to Dokdo. “As PR ambassador, I will do everything I can to promote the fact that Dokdo is Korean territory.”The academy, headed by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University, was founded on Aug. 15 Independence Day last year. It is located in the IndeMay 2, 2014
'Donation is not obligatory' A student ties a yellow ribbon to a banner, installed next to a donation box, in tribute to the victims of the Sewol disaster, at Kangwon National University in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on April 25. / YonhapSome stars rapped for making zero donation over Sewol disaster By Park Si-sooDonating money or other valuable materials to help troubled people is a heartwarming act that deserves praise.In this vein, numerous Korean entertainers giving donations to the victims of the deadly ship sinking in waters off the country’s southern coast near Jindo on April 16 should be given due acknowledgement.Regrettably, the reality differs. Numerous netizens are showing a wide gap in recognizing the stars’ donations online. Entertainers making hefty donations are described as “heroes” with warm hearts and profound sympathy, while those making relatively small donations are criticized and ridiculed, even being described as “stingy” or “cold-hearted.” What’s more, there is a verbal onslaught against the stars whose names have yet to maMay 2, 2014
More celebs donate for victims By Kim Ji-sooJun Ji-hyunLee Mi-yeonActress Lee Mi-yeon has donated 100 million won to support the victims of the Sewol tragedy. She made the donation to the Korean Committee for UNICEF.The committee acknowledged receipt of Lee’s donation on April 30 and plans to use the funds to support surviving students in their studies and to provide counseling services, in line with Lee’s request.Father and daughter, Chu Seong-hoon and Chu Sarang, donated 50 million won to the Ansan City Government to support the victims of the Sewol tragedy.Actress Jun Ji-hyun from “My Love from the Star” has donated 100 million won towards the same cause. The actress who is experiencing a second renaissance in her career made the donation under her real name Wang Ji-hyun.Entertainer Lee Hwi-jae and his wife donated 100 million won in the name of their twin sons to the Community Chest of Korea.Singer Kim Jong-gook gave 50 million won and K-pop star U-yee donated 30 million won to the Korea Disaster Relief Association. Comedian Kim Byeong-man and successful screenwriter Kim Eun-sook donateMay 1, 2014
