Winterplay to perform in April Pop jazz group WinterplayBy Chung Ah-youngPop jazz group Winterplay will hold a concert, “Non Stop Jazz Fever,” at the LG Arts Center in Seoul on April 6.The group is better known outside Korea, such as Hong Kong, other Chinese-speaking countries and Japan, for its combination of pop and jazz. “Our music encompasses traditional jazz, pop jazz and Latin jazz, but our goal is to make popular music that can appeal to the ordinary public and that’s our difference from other jazz groups,” Lee Ju-han, leader of the group, said.Winterplay made its debut in 2008, releasing the album “Choco Snowball.” The group signed a contract with Universal Classics & Jazz Japan for worldwide distribution and released the album “Songs of Colored Love” in Japan in 2009. Since 2009, the group has topped major jazz charts, including iTunes.In 2011, its first album, “Sunshines,” released in Hong Kong shot to the top spot on major charts including HMV, and won the Golden Disc award that year.In December, it appeared on the popular Hong Kong tMar 10, 2014
Hallyu Line Actor Jung WooJung Woo to star in new filmActor Jung Woo renowned for his role in the popular television drama series “Reply 1994,” will star in a new film “C’est Si Bon.” Set in the eponymous live music cafe in Mugyo-dong, downtown Seoul, the film will portray the romantic lives of young people who lived in the 1970s and’80s.The movie revolves around the formation of legendary folk duo Twin Folio which was fictionalized as originally a trio. Jung Woo will play the young Geun-tae while actor Kim Yoon-suk will portray the older Geun-tae in the film. Geun-tae is the third member of the folk trio in this film. Actresses Han Hyo-joo and Kim Hee-ae will appear along with Jung Woo. The film will be directed by Kim Hyun-suk and is expected to be shown this winter. Mar 10, 2014
Copycat or trend? The success of “Grandpas Over Flowers” on tvN, top, has spawned a similar show, “Mamado,” KBS’s reality program, bottom. A recent spate of Korean copycat shows are irking some viewers, revealing a lack of creativity and authenticity. / Courtesy of tvN and KBSSimilar TV variety shows reveal lack of creativity By Chung Ah-youngTelevision shows such as SBS’s “Running Man” or MBC’s “Where are We Going Dad?” have gained popularity not only in Korea but also in other countries such as Vietnam and China.Foreign broadcasters have purchased the formats of the Korean television shows and remade them into local versions. Also, some programs are broadcast with local voices dubbed over. Either way, the popularity of the shows has contributed to boosting the Korean broadcasting industry.However, a recent spate of Korean copycat shows are irking some viewers, revealing a lack of creativity and authenticity, which might throw cold water on the growing demand from other countries for the programs. A slew of variety shows are Mar 10, 2014
Simon D joins Jay Park to head label Former hip hop duo Supreme Team rapper Simon D broke away from his agency and now co-chairs the AOMG music label that rapper Jay Park has led since last October.“The two will together create the best environment to nurture aspiring hip hop artists as well as produce music,” said music industry sources.AOMG stands for Above Ordinary Music Group and has a number of hip hop musicians such as Gray, Loco and Ugly Duck.“Simon D wanted to work on music in a new environment. The two will not only promote Korean hip pop music abroad, but also grow it into a major label that covers the entire area of performance, fashion and hip hop culture,” said the sources.On Saturday, he held a performance in club in southern Seoul, to celebrate his birthday.Mar 9, 2014
Crayon Pop helmet sold for 1 million won Crayon Pop’s helmetA cycling helmet worn by a member of K-pop girl group Crayon Pop was sold for the highest bid during an online charity auction.Prior to MBC’s special program “Help Myanmar Children — Stretch Out Your Hand of Hope” broadcast on Thursday, an online auction was conducted via a facebook page.Lasting three days, March 4-6, K-pop stars including Girls Day, Lee Min-woo, B.A.P, A-Pink and Sistar as well as Crayon Pop all donated items to be sold.The last remaining helmet used to promote the song “Bar Bar Bar” was sold to a Japanese fan for 1 million won.The helmet claimed the highest bid price among all items. Mar 9, 2014
Making splash in global fashion scene Kathleen Kye, left, enters a showroom with her long time patrons G-Dragon and Ciel at her 2013 Fall/Winter collection, at the Seoul Fashion Week, heldin March 2013. / Courtesy of Kathleen KyeKathleen Kye thrusts ‘witty, casual and rude’ in design By Park Jin-haiKathleen Kye, 26, is one of the hottest fashion designers in the K-pop scene.Her bold and witty designs with street art image textile patterns have been worn byKYE’s 2014 Fall/Winter collection was held at the New York Fashion Week at Industria Superstudio in New York in February. Kye’s standalone show, themed “identity,” has receivedrave reviews from local media. many K pop icons, imprinting her brand “KYE” in the minds of fashion fans. Her patrons include G-Dragon, 2NE1 and 4 Minute among others.Not limited to her home territory, the Seoul-based designer is also making a big splash on the global fashion scene too.After joining “Concept Korea,” a small circle of distinguished designers to showcase their collections together during tMar 9, 2014
Kim Soo-hyun evokes explosive response in China Actor Kim Soo-hyun take part in the Chinese program “Super Brain” in this captured image. / Korea TimesBy Kim Ji-sooActor Kim Soo-hyun seems poised to grab Chinese drama fans with his recently-ended “My Love From the Stars,” akin to the fashion his mentor Bae Yong-joon won the hearts of Japanese women with “Winter Sonata” (2002).Kim is affiliated with the talent agency Keyeast, which is led by Bae who is known as “Yon-sama” among Japanese fans.Kim flew on a chartered flight to Nanjing Saturday to appear on Jiangsu Satellite TV’s “Super Brain.” News reports had it that the audience at the recording was asked to wear name tags and no cameras or drinks were allowed, to protect the star. Kim reportedly received 400 million won for his appearance on the program. Chinese entertainment media reported that expensive illegal tickets circulated off and on-line for those who couldn’t obtain the tickets for the taping.“My Love” is evoking intense interest from fans, the Chinese media and even the government.Mar 9, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
4minute to return this month By Park Si-sooPopular K-pop girl band 4minute will release its fifth album on March 17.The group is expected to pose a big challenge to the dominance of Girls’ Generation and 2NE1 on the K-pop scene.The five-member band released a teaser image for the new album through its official website on Friday. The only writing on the image is its return date with the background drenched in black, giving no clue about the album.“They are making last-minute preparations,” a Cube Entertainment official said.He said the members have designed their stage costumes and props by themselves to match the style of music the band is pursuing. “Everything is going smoothly,” the official said.Mar 7, 2014
BTS to make foray in Japan in June K-pop boy band BTSBy Park Si-sooK-pop boy band BTS will make its splash in Japan in June with a digital single, “No More Dream,” a Japanese newspaper reported Friday.In a story based on an interview with BTS leader Rap Monster, the Sankei Shimbun unveiled the seven-member band’s plan to enter into the Japanese music market. Japan’s biggest music chart Oricon confirmed the move with an article posted on its website.Sankei reported the band’s show will be held on June 4, adding BTS is expected to wow the Japanese audience with “beautiful music and powerful and wild stage performances.”BTS held its Japanese showcases in Tokyo in December and in Osaka in January, drawing a total of 46,000 people. BTS made its debut here in June 2013 with a digital single, “2 COOL 4 SKOOL.” It won “best newcomer” honors at several domestic music award ceremonies including the 2013 Melon Music Awards and the 28th Golden Disk.Mar 7, 2014
Stars and outstanding parents Model and actress Clara, right, whose real name is Lee Sung-min, drapes her arm around her father’s neck in the top photo captured from a TV show aired on Nov. 4. Her father, Lee Seung-kyu, is the lead vocalist of singing group Koreana, which sang the theme song “Hand in Hand” at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.Kids of sport stars, top artists become entertainers, rising on parents’ fameBy Park Si-sooLike parent, like child?In several cases, fathers’ blue-blooded sports DNA has manifested into an artistic talent in their children.A case in point is pro baseball coach Kim Sung-gap and his daughter Kim Yoo-kyung, better known by her stage name U-ie. The senior Kim, 53, now serves as head coach of the Nexen Heroes’ second division team, while U-ie, 26, is a key member of K-pop girl band After School.Her father earned fame in the late 1980s and 1990s for his outstanding performances on the baseball diamond, is still remembered as one of one of the best infielders in the history of the Korean baseball league. Likewise, U-ie is said to have outdone herMar 7, 2014
