'We write songs' Yong Jun-hyung, from left, of K-pop boy band BEAST, Zico of Block-B and Kim Jae-joong of JYJ poseat a recording studio in Gangnam, Seoul, on Feb. 12. The trio are quickly gaining recognition here as star-turned-prolificsongwriters. Yong is the most prolific songwriter out of the three, having created 60 songs. “Making a song is like a game,” said 25-year-old. / Yonhap Feb 17, 2014
Henry appears on 'Real Men' By Kim Ji-sooHenry, a member of Super Junior-M, got his first taste of what the Korean military may be like when he appeared on the Feb. 16 edition of MBC’s “Real Men” variety program.Henry joined singer K.Will and actors Chun Jung-myung and Park Gun-hyung. Not only did the Canadian singer show up at boot camp with a large suitcase fit for overseas travel, he showed off his faltering Korean and easy-going nature that were at odds with the barracks’ culture in Korea. The four replaced original members Song Jin-young, Jang Hyuk and Ryu Soo-young.Super Junior-M is the Chinese unit spun off from the K-pop group Super Junior, and includes five members from Super Junior along with Henry and Zhou Mi. In addition to the group’s activities, Henry last year released the mini solo album “Trap.”Feb 17, 2014
Lee Tae-ran to marry next month Lee Tae-ranBy Park Si-sooActress Lee Tae-ran, 39, will marry a businessman of the same age at a wedding hall in Shinsa-dong, Seoul, on March 1, her management agency said on Monday.The groom is Shin Seung-hwan, CEO of a tech startup. The couple was introduced to each other by their mutual friend and have been dating for about one year, according to the agency. “Shin is a very diligent, creditable person with a strong sense of responsibility. I was attracted to him because of this” Lee was quoted as saying in a statement released by the agency. “Our wedding ceremony will be very humble. Only family members will be invited to the event. In this regard, I would like to apologize to my friends.” She added the ceremony won’t be open to the media as well.Feb 17, 2014
K-pop stars in peril Hyeri of K-pop band Girl’s Day is surrounded by other members after fainting on stage on Jan. 16.Stars risk health to slog through ‘murderous’ scheduleBy Park Si-sooHyeri of K-pop girl group Girl’s Day fainted on stage last month. HyunA of another girl group 4minute was taken to the hospital in May last year after collapsing in a rehearsal studio. Male soloist Bumkey experienced a similar accident last September.There are so many other young and healthy entertainers in their early 20s who continue to suffer the same fate.So what on earth happened to these people whose youth and fitness are part of their appeal?Show business insiders say all of these disastrous accidents can be blamed on excessively grueling work schedules. Top stars normally find their workload exceeds their physical endurance capacity, they say, adding it’s only a matter of time for these hectic schedules to take a toll on their health.In photo taken on Sept. 15, 2012, K-pop star G-Dragon is caught sleeping with his head against the wall at an unidentified place. / Korea Times filesDespFeb 17, 2014
Hallyu Line CNBLUECNBLUE's album ranked 2nd in Oricon Korean rock band CNBLUE’s recent album “Present” has ranked second on the Oricon Weekly Charts in Japan.The album, which was released on Feb. 5 and has sold 19,729 copies, is a compilation of the band’s hit songs from its debut in 2010 to present songs like "Loner" and "Coffee Shop." Its members such as Jung Yong-hwa, Kang Min-hyuk, and Lee Jung Shin had appeared on TV dramas, including "Choice of Future," "the Heirs," and "Sword and Flower." The band held some 20 concerts in 18 different cities in 14 countries with its world tour, "Blue Moon” last year. Rappers launch group KNLRappers KK, NaShow and LMNOP has launched a group named KNL, according to their agency DALnByul Music. The group’s name was inspired by SNL, a popular sketch comedy show, and also is an abbreviation of the members’ names. KNL recently released its first single “Bounce!!!” which features the electronic dance music called EDM, rising as a global music trend.The agency said that theFeb 16, 2014
Korean dance troupe to perform in Sochi The National Dance Company will perform at the VII Winter International Arts Festival in Sochi, Russia to coincidence with the Winter Olympics there on Feb. 18-22. / Courtesy of National Dance CompanyBy Chung Ah-youngThe National Dance Company will perform its signature repertoire at the VII Winter International Arts Festival in Sochi, Russia to coincidence with the Winter Olympics there on Feb. 18-22. Directed by world-renowned violist and conductor Yuri Bashmet, the festival presents not only classical music galas but also diverse art performances from various countries. During the Korean Cultural Festival, the company will give various performances including its representative dance piece, “Korean Fantasy.” The troupe will hit the stage along with traditional music band Bibing under the title of “Discover Korea, from the Classic to Contemporary” at Krasnaya Polyna Galaxy Hall on Feb. 18 and give the “Korean Fantasy” show at Winter Theater on Feb. 19 and other Korean traditional gala shows at Medal Plaza on Feb. 22. Among others, Korean FantFeb 16, 2014
Treasure trove of traditions Lee Bae-yong, president of the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), talks about traditional values in an interview with The Korea Times./ Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulHistorical content crucial for sustainable growth of Korean waveBy Chung Ah-youngMBC’s hit epic drama series “Queen Seondeok” (2009) wouldn’t have reached its massive audience without the insight of Lee Bae-yong, a historian who was then president of Ewha Womans University.Now president of the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), Lee argues that the Queen of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. - A.D. 935) was a pioneer of female leadership which laid the foundation for unifying the Three Kingdoms along with Kim Chun-chu and Kim Yu-shin and that her strategies are applicable to modern times.The 67-year-old president thinks that as well as “Queen Seondeok,” other historical dramas such as “Jewel in the Palace” and “Jumong” are cases in point that show how lessons from history can resonate today with universal values.Leading the state-run institute, Lee strongly believes thaFeb 16, 2014
Actor says he will tie the knot April 12 Oh Ji-hoBy Kim Ji-sooActor Oh Ji-ho, who went public about his relationship recently, said that he will tie the knot with his girlfriend of two years. The date has been set for April 12 at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.The 37-year-old actor and his girlfriend, who works in the fashion industry, were set up two years ago by an acquaintance and have been dating ever since.The wedding will be held in a private ceremony, and their honeymoon venue has not been decided, the actor’s agency said.Oh made the announcement via his agency Friday, asking fans to wish him and his wife-to-be a happy life together.Oh is currently starring in the OCN cable drama “Policeman Cheoyong” and filming a movie.He made his debut in 2002 through the film “Pretty Woman” and earned heartthrob status among young women for his handsome face and defined abdominal muscles. He recently renewed his contract with his long time manager.Feb 14, 2014
Rising K-pop star to watch for: B.A.P Six members of the K-pop group B.A.P pose in this promotional file photo.By Kim Ji-sooThe six member boy band B.A.P’s first full-length album “First Sensibility” has soared to the top of the Billboard World Albums Chart.The group known for featuring hard rock and pop sounds has previously climbed this chart with the mini-albums “One Shot” and “Badman.”But the traction its first studio album is gaining portends well for the group. The “First Sensibility” rose to 44th on iTunes Top 100 Album Chart upon its release, and then ranked high in the iTunes Store Top 10 Hip-hop Albums chart category.The group also took the honor of the “year’s discovery and world rookie” at the third Gaon K-pop Awards that took place on Feb. 12, immediately after its single “1004(Angel)” topped the cable music chart. It was the group’s first No.1 since its debut in 2012.But the group’s songs stand out from the sweet K-pop or electronic music featured by other groups. Its song “One Shot” steadily remainedFeb 14, 2014
Rising K-pop star to watch for: B.A.P Six members of the K-pop group B.A.P pose in this promotional file photo.By Kim Ji-sooThe six member boy band B.A.P’s first full-length album “First Sensibility” has soared to the top of the Billboard World Albums Chart.The group known for featuring hard rock and pop sounds has previously climbed this chart with the mini-albums “One Shot” and “Badman.”But the traction its first studio album is gaining portends well for the group. The “First Sensibility” rose to 44th on iTunes Top 100 Album Chart upon its release, and then ranked high in the iTunes Store Top 10 Hip-hop Albums chart category.The group also took the honor of the “year’s discovery and world rookie” at the third Gaon K-pop Awards that took place on Feb. 12, immediately after its single “1004(Angel)” topped the cable music chart. It was the group’s first No.1 since its debut in 2012.But the group’s songs stand out from the sweet K-pop or electronic music featured by other groups. Its song “One Shot” steadily remainedFeb 14, 2014
