Psy may come back in April By Park Jin-haiPsyK-pop sensation Psy is likely to re-emerge in April.Speculation is rife that the rapper will return to the music scene sometime next month, just two months ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.“His songs released ahead of each World Cup Games have become great hits. It is highly likely that he will release his new album in April and have promotions in Korea for some time before hitting the global stage around the World Cup,” said a music industry watcher.However, Psy’s agency, YG Entertainment, said no final decisions have been made.“We are talking about a mid-April return. But there is nothing yet confirmed, since Psy has the final say. He is in the United States and is in talks with his U.S. management company,” a YG Entertainment official said.Following Psy’s successive global hits “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman,” music fans are waiting to see his next move. Rumors of his return to the public eye started in January, when he was filming the music video for his upcoming album, withMar 19, 2014
Check out where they kissed Tourists are busy taking photos at a venue that was featured in a scene in the drama “My Love From the Star” at Petite France, in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Kim Ji-soo‘My Love’ locations draw many foreign hallyu fansGAPYEONG — In the inner valleys of Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, the weather is still in that limbo between winter and spring. But the northern stretch of the Han River was full and smooth, as if inviting visitors to come. Visitors there were, flocking to Petite France, a theme village where a key scene in the TV drama “My Love from the Star” was shot.As soon as the park opened at 9 a.m., tour buses parked nearby and began pouring out tourists who were fans of the popular drama starring actors Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun.“I really like the characters,” said Chiu Tzu-ting, 38, a Taipei resident who was in Korea for the first time. Chiu and friends were busy taking photos where Kim’s character, Do Min-joon, flew Jun’s character, Chun Song-i, into the air to bMar 19, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Old, unscripted and fun The SBS show “Baengnyeon Sonnim” generates high ratings by simply showing how old folks will react with their children-in-law under the same roof. / Courtesy of SBSSenior stars shine in reality showsBy Yun Suh-youngThe reality show genre has found a new formula for success: old people."Halbae (grandfathers) Over Flowers,’’ which follows a group of over-70 actors backpacking around Europe, has been such a success that tvN pushed for a self-parody in ``Noona (older sisters) Over Flowers,’’ which is essentially the same show shot with old actresses."Baengnyeon Sonnim (Son in Law),’’ an unscripted family show on SBS, generates high ratings by simply showing how old folks will react with their children-in-law under the same roof.Culture critic Jung Duk-hyun said that viewers might be enjoying watching shows about old people the same way they enjoy shows about children."When you think about it, children and the elderly are perfect as cast members for reality television,’’ he said."Children are pure and innocent and they don&rMar 18, 2014
Korean musical stars shine overseas Hong Kwang-hoYoon Hyeong-ryeolIm Tae-kyungKim Da-hyunBy Chung Ah-youngAs Broadway hires movie and television actors like Daniel Craig, Korean musical producers are increasingly casting K-pop stars, soap opera actors and other big names even though their commitments to the show are weak due to their hectic schedules.But some Korean stage actors ― not the A-list or K-pop stars ― are building up reputations through musicals and drawing attention from overseas producers. They are riding on the Korean musical boom in countries such as Japan and China in this rapidly growing musical market. Expending musical hallyuHong Kwang-ho, one of the top Korean musical actors along with Cho Seung-woo, will make his debut in “Miss Saigon” at the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End in May. He is the first Korean actor to play a lead role in the West End. Renowned for various roles in the musicals such as “Miss Saigon,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Jekyll and Hyde’’ and “Man of La Mancha,” he impressed world-renowneMar 18, 2014
Watch out, Avengers heading to us David Galluzzi, left, Marvel Studios’ chief counsel, applauds with, from second left, actress Kim Soo-hyun; Seo Yong-woo, executive director of the Gyeonggi Film Commission; and Lee Jang-ho, commissioner of the Seoul Film Commission, at the Press Center in Seoul, Tuesday. / YonhapBy Park Si-sooWatch out, the Avengers are heading to Seoul!When they came two years ago, they were digitally captured and saved the world, well on the big screen.This time, the heroes, or hopefully some of them, will be in the heart of the capital. For Seoulites, they may have to brace for a little inconvenience from clearing the downtown area for action scenes.Filming of some scenes for “Avengers: Age of Ultron” in Seoul locations will run from March 30 to April 14.Locations include Mapo Grand Bridge, Cheongdam Grand Bridge, the Saebit Dungdungseom floating islets, Sangam Digital Media City, areas of Gangnam and Kaywon University of Art and Design in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province.“Thank you the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for making the project possible,” said Mitchell Mar 18, 2014
Lee Min-ho named No.1 Korean actor in China By Chung Ah-youngLee Min-hoHallyu heartthrob Lee Min-ho has been selected as the most popular Korean actor in a recent survey conducted in China.The actor garnered some 510,764 votes or 37 percent among a total of 1.35 million votes for his role of Kim Tan in the drama series “The Heirs” which ended in December.The survey was conducted by the Chinese music and entertainment site Kugou.com for ranking the most beloved hallyu stars in the Korean dramas which have gained popularity in China.Kim Soo-hyun ranked second with 469,948 votes for his character of Do Min-joon in “My Love From the Star” while Jang Keun-suk landed the third place with 159,940 votes.Also, Lee Jong-suk earned 86,771 votes and Kim Woo-bin won 56,982 votes. Park Yoo-chun, singer and actor who is a member of K-pop group JYJ, received 17,278 votes.Chinese media outlets are rushing to cover Lee Min-ho thanks to his growing popularity even though his drama ended three months ago. After rekindling the hallyu phenomenon with his drama “City Hunter” in 2011, Lee created a sensation with &Mar 17, 2014
'Grandpas' to be made in China A poster of the Korean variety program “Grandpas Over Flowers”Chinese television will make a local version of the popular Korean travel show, “Grandpas over Flowers,” CJ E&M said Monday.The entertainment conglomerate said it will cooperate with China’s satellite broadcaster Dragon TV for the version of the show that features four veteran male actors and a younger actor as their porter. The Korean version visited Paris, Taiwan and currently airing its tour to Spain.The variety program is a spin-off from “Sisters over Flowers” that took four actresses to Croatia. Dragon TV is a satellite broadcaster owned by Shanghai Media Group (SMG).Mar 17, 2014
More 'oldies' of K-pop to come back By Park Jin-haiLast year was a remarkable year for music fans of oldies but goldies.In April, veteran singer-song writer Cho Yong-pil, 63, released his 19th album “Hello,” his first in a decade. Upon its release the single “Bounce” topped major music download charts, eclipsing Psy’s “Gentleman.”At the Korea Music Awards this February, “Bounce” was named Song of the Year and “Hello,” Record of the Year, beating out competitors such as idol group EXO.Prompted by his phenomenal resurgence, more of former stars are planning comebacks this year to a domestic music scene dominated by K-pop. They include Lee Seung-hwan, Seo Tai-ji and g.o.d., a few of whom are working with foreign musicians as did Cho on “Hello.” Lee Seung-hwan, dubbed the “King of Live,” is returning to the local music scene with his 11thalbum this year.Lee Seung-hwanLee Seung-hwan, 48, dubbed the “King of Live,” is one of the first to return to the local music scene. He is known to be putting the finishing Mar 17, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Big Star debuts in Japan Five-member boy band Big Star, the protégés of famous composer Brave Brothers, made their debut in Japan at a concert titled “Big Star Live Event In Japan” in Tokyo's Yakult Hall on Sunday, as part of a three-month tour of Japan. The band composed of ― FeelDog, BaRam, RaeWhan, SungHak, and Jude ― are scheduled to stay there over the next three months during which time they will give some 100 performances and meet fans across the country. “Since last year the members have been studying Japanese and now their language skills have improved to manage a concert,” said their agency Brave Entertainment.During the Tokyo concert, they sang some of their previous hit songs since their 2012 debut including “Hot Boy,” “Standing Alone” and “Thinking of You.”Prior to the concert, they also visited Tokyo Tower Records to meet and interact with people there. Meanwhile, their agency is in talks with major music labels in Japan to sign contracts. Mar 16, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Kim Jang-hoon to hold Dokdo Show Singer Kim Jang-hoon will hold an art show about Dokdo at the Korean Cultural Center in Shanghai, China from April 17 to 26 to promote the nation’s sovereignty over the easternmost islets.The event will feature photographs, documentaries, 3D visual images and exhibitions about Dokdo, along with a projection show. Kim will also perform his hit songs at the opening ceremony for the show.“A Dokdo model will be a highlight of the show. Afterwards, it will be permanently installed at the cultural center. Chinese installation artists and technicians will cooperate in creating the model,” his agency said.“We will raise awareness about Dokdo from the Chinese audience as well as Koreans living there through this art show. We will spontaneously expose Dokdo, which is part of Korea, to the world,” Kim said. The 46-year-old singer is known for his world-wide campaign to promote the nation’s sovereignty over Dokdo and has held numerous donation and charity events. The singer launched the art tour show at a gallery in SoHo, New York City, in November and has beeMar 16, 2014
