Crayon Pop wows Hong Kong fans Crayon PopBy Park Si-sooK-pop girl group Crayon Pop had a fan meeting in Hong Kong on Sunday.More than 1,000 people flocked to an auditorium at the Ha Long Bay International Convention Center, according to its management agency Chrome Entertainment.The event lasted for two hours during which the band’s members sang their hit songs and conducted various performances to entertain their fans.Prior to the fan meeting, Crayon Pop had a press conference and about 70 local media outlets took part, reflecting Crayon Pop’s popularity in Southeast Asia, the agency said.The band will fly to the United States in June to grace concerts of U.S. pop diva Lady Gaga. Last Friday, she announced that the five-member K-pop band will perform as the opening act for her 13 concerts in the U.S. and Canada. Due to this, the band has delayed a new album’s release.Mar 24, 2014
Jo Sung-mo returns after four years Jo Sung-mo Ballad singer Jo Sung-mo returned with a mini album on Monday, ending his four-year hiatus. The album’s title is “Wind of Change.”“He prepared a lot to have a beautiful comeback,” his management agency Poom Entertainment said in a statement. “We believe the album will help restore his reputation as soulful ballad musician.”Jo has stayed out of the public light after releasing a mini album “Thank You” in December 2010. During that time, he sporadically appeared on entertainment shows, but stayed away from music-related programs.Making a debut in 1998 with “To Heave,” he instantly swept domestic music charts and earned the nickname “Prince of Ballad” for his sweet and soulful voice.He has sold more than 16 million albums, according to the Music Industry Association of Korea. Mar 24, 2014
It is collaboration time K-pop star Psy performs in collaboration with American pop diva Madonna during her concert at New York City’s Madison Square Garden in this photo taken in November 2012. A growing number of K-pop stars are invited to open or grace concerts of world-class musicians in the United States. / Korea Times fileK-pop stars become sought-after guests of US concertsBy Park Si-sooInternational pop stars are seeking collaboration with Korean pop musicians to grace their stage performances.Few of these concerts are scheduled in Korea or Asian communities overseas, indicating that world-class musicians are increasingly perceiving K-pop as a genre that is widely beloved by non-Asians.Crayon Pop + Lady GagaLady Gaga and Crayon Pop? Yes!Last Friday, U.S. pop diva Lady Gaga announced that the five-member group known for “Bar Bar Bar” will be the opening act of her 13 concerts in North America in June.“I’m excited to announce June 26 through July 22 of Lady Gaga’s artRAVE: The ARTPOP BALL will be opened by CRAYON POP!,” Gaga said in a Twitter message.Mar 24, 2014
Foreign publishers introducing Korean literature Korean ancient novel, “TheCloud Dream of the Nine” inRussianHan Mu-suk’s “Encounter” in CzechBy Chung Ah-youngThanks to the efforts of foreign publishers and scholars, more Korean literary writings are available in various languages.Last year, the Literature Translation Institute (LTI) of Korea began recognizing their contributions to raising the awareness of Korean literature with the LTI Korea Distinguished Service Award. This year’s award ceremony will take place on June 20.Among numerous foreign publishers and scholars, the LTI has selected three winners from each language area — The Dalkey Archive Press (John O’Brien) for English, Adelaida F. Trotsevich for Russian and Argo (Milan Gelnar) for Czech.The winners have been selected by the LTI’s judges, including Choe Yun, a professor of French literature at Sogang University, and poet Shin Dal-ja.“It is encouraging that there are many candidates for the award because they have done meaningful service for the globalization of Korean literature,” Choe said.“Mar 23, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
5.4 Club survey finds Korean food most hot Choi Jung-wha, seventh from left, president of Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), and Didier Beltoise, ninth from left, CEO of Cs, pose with dignatories at the first anniversary of the founding of the 5.4 Club holding up calligraphy by Kang Byung-in at a ceremony held at Grand Hyatt Seoul, Friday. / Courtesy of CICIBy Kim Ji-sooForeign visitors to Korea have identified its cuisine as the most exciting experience of their stay, with more of them complaining about environmental factors such as pollution and noise, revealed a recent survey by the 5.4 Club.The results were announced at the first anniversary of the founding of the 5.4 Club held at Grand Hyatt Seoul, Friday.The 5.4 Club, a co-creation of the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) and Cs, is aimed at helping to share the experience of Korean culture through the five senses by way of things to eat and drink, to see, to enjoy and relax and to talk about.It was founded by Choi Jung-wha, president of CICI and Didier Beltoise, CEO of the consulting firm Cs.At Friday’s ceremony, calligrapher KangByung-in sMar 23, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Avengers' schedules under wraps By Park Si-sooAre any of actors Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans or Mark Ruffalo coming to Seoul to shoot “Avengers: Age of Ultron”?Rumors have it that Scarlett Johansson won’t be able to come because she is pregnant.“It’s still uncertain which Hollywood stars will come to Seoul for the shooting,” said Kim Jean, marketing supervisor of the Walt Disney Company Korea.“Marvel Studios will probably make a final decision soon and then announce it,” said Kim, whose firm is making arrangements for the film shoot in Seoul.Filming will run from March 30 to April 14 on locations including 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.Dismissing inconveniences when areas are cordoned off, Prime Minister Chung Hong-won called for the government’s support and cooperation Thursday.“I think this will be a good opportunity to let the world learn about Korea’s advanced staMar 21, 2014
Crayon Pop to do opening spot for Gaga Crayon Pop Lady GagaBy Chung Ah-youngCrayon Pop will be the opening act for Lady Gaga’s concert tour “ArtRave: The ARTPOP Ball” this summer. The American pop star revealed her plan March 21 on her Twitter to add Crayon Pop from June 26 to July 22 in the United States and Canada. The plan is part of Lady Gaga’s world tour in North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia from May to November. Other opening acts have not been decided yet. “I’m excited to announce June 26 through July 22 of Lady Gaga’s ArtRave: The ARTPOP Ball will be opened by Crayon Pop!” she said. Crayon confirmed it on its Twitter, “We will perform the opening act (13 performances) during her tour for one month in the U.S. Please look for our performances.”Chrome Entertainment, Crayon Pop’s agency, said Lady Gaga saw the group’s music video and chose it for the opening act. “We are honored to take an opening act of Gaga’s concerts,” it said. The group created a sensation last year with its viral hit “Bar Bar BarMar 21, 2014
Models rushing to small screen Kim Woo-binTalent agencies tapping into models for next Kim Woo-bin, Lee Jong-sukLee Jong-suk Sung JunBy Park Jin-haiSeoul Fashion Week, which opened Friday, is the most coveted event not only for the fashion industry but also talent agencies looking for the next Kim Woo-bin and Lee Jong-suk, the successful models-turned actors.Although it is nothing new for models to break onto the small and big screens, for the last couple of years an increasing number is coming to prominence in TV dramas and films. They include Kim Woo-bin, Lee Jong-suk, Sung Jun and Ahn Jae-hyeon.Their slim physiques and fashion sense are helping them lead a new trend in the entertainment business.“Some 10 years ago, for male actors, 170 to 175 centimeters were considered ideal, since it fits within the camera angle nicely. That has changed. Now it seems like the taller you are, the more chances you have to land a leading role,” said an entertainment business insider."There was a time we saw a lot of K-pop singers-turned actors/actresses on the screen. In terms of business, the images those starsMar 21, 2014By Park Jin-hai
K.will to perform with McKnight K.will Korean R&B singer-songwriter K.will will hold a joint concert with American pop star Brian McKnight in May.Two singers will perform together on May 11 at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium, according to its organizer EWW. “The two will hold the separate performances followed by duet performance,” the agency said.Ticket sales will begin on March 24. McKnight is a world-famous R&B artist who has sold more than 20 million albums. He has previously performed with Big Bang’s Taeyang, Lim Jeong-hee, and Kim Bum-soo. Last year, he released a new album “More Than Words.”Mar 21, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Lee Jong-suk on fashion magazine cover Lee Jong-sukBy Park Si-sooActor Lee Jong-suk will appear on the cover of the Korean version of the British fashion and culture magazine Dazed & Confused.In photos released to the media on Thursday, the 25-year-old exudes masculine charisma created by defined muscles and piercing gazes. The photos will be published in the magazine’s April issue.“I’ve worked with many stars. Lee is one of the outstanding figures for his physical attractiveness,” a photographer for the magazine was quoted as saying in a report.In an interview with the magazine, Lee said he is trying to make this year a “turning point” in his life.Lee is set to appear on an upcoming SBS TV drama to be aired in April, acting as a talented medical doctor in Seoul from North Korea.Mar 20, 2014
