Bitter reality behind hilarious dance Lee Ju-sun, far left, dances with Psy in this photo captured from the singer’s “Gentleman” music video. The creator of the “Gangnam Style” horse-riding dance said many choreographers in Korea are wrestling economic trouble.Creator of Psy’s ‘horse-riding’ dance promotes copyright of choreographers Lee Ju-sunBy Park Si-sooK-pop juggernaut Psy might not have been able to reach the status he enjoys without Lee Ju-sun. Lee, a prominent choreographer, created the famous horse-riding dance of “Gangnam Style,” which played a crucial role in throwing the chubby musician into the global spotlight in 2012.Psy has raked in massive wealth estimated at 100 billion won ($92.46 million) with the song, and will earn more for several decades because he owns the song’s copyright as songwriter.In contrast, Lee was paid a “minuscule” percentage of the money in a lump sum by Psy when the former started teaching the latter the hilarious dance. And that’s all he could claim.The huge income gap between the twoFeb 6, 2014
'Dr. Jin' to air on Japanese network “Time Slip Dr. Jin,” starring top hallyu stars Song Seung-heon and JYJ member/actor Kim Jae-joong will air on a Japanese TV network.Television Tokyo introduced the drama on its homepage www.tv-tokyo.co.jp as a“to-watch-for” hallyu work and said it will air Monday through Friday mornings.“Time Slip Dr. Jin” is based on an original comic by Japanese Murakami Motokai. It has previously been made into a drama in Japan twice, in 2009 and in 2011.The Korean adaptation is about a top surgeon who time travels to the 1860s Joseon Kingdom(1392-1910) where he faces daily medical struggles. Co-stars include actors Lee Beom-soo and Park Min-young.Feb 5, 2014
Ladies' Code to release new single The five-member girl group Ladies’ Code will release a new single titled “So Wonderful” on Feb. 13. The new song is the composed and written by JYP’s Super Changddai. Like the group’s previous songs, the new song has lyrics that catch one’s ears so easily. The band, after its debut last year, had gained popularity with “Pretty Pretty” the title track of its second mini album. In January, the group was listed as one of “top 5 K-pop Artists to watch in 2014,” together with JYP’s GOT7 and YG’s Winner. Feb 5, 2014By Park Jin-hai
'Korean models are strong, confident' Participants in the ninth “Asia Model Festival Awards” are seen on stage at the opening show of French designer Castel Bajac, at the Olympic Hall inJamsil, southern Seoul on Jan. 17. / Courtesy of KMAModel-in-chief promotes globalizationYang Eui-sig, Chairman of Korea Model AssociationBy Park Jin-haiNo one knows better about the ins and outs of the local model industry than Yang Eui-sig who chairs the Korea Model Association (KMA), one of the largest grouping of models with its 7,000 members.“Now is the right time for more Korean models to stand on foreign catwalks, becoming another locomotive of the Korean wave,” said Yang, 47, a former model who has been in the industry for more than 20 years.“Korean models are regarded as trendy and having a posture and expression that stands out from those of other Asian models,” he said. “On the back of the Korean wave as well as the fast growth of Asian fashion industry, fashion people are starting to look at Korea differently.”Eleven young KMA models recently signed five-year contracts Feb 5, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Psy to perform 'Gangnam' in Japan Psy will perform “Gangnam Style” in Japan for the first time as part of an upcoming concert series, YG Entertainment said Monday.The “2014 YG Family Concert” will be held April 12-13 at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, and May 3-4 at the Tokyo Dome. The concert will then be staged in Korea and China. Artists including Psy, BigBang, 2NE1, Epik High and Lee Hi are slated to perform.Because Psy last appeared in Japan prior to the release of the worldwide hit “Gangnam Style,” he will perform the song for the first time in that country during the upcoming concert series. The singer is currently in the works for a new album.Feb 4, 2014
Choi Si-won to lead in Chinese drama Choi Si-won of Super JuniorChoi Si-won, a member of K-pop group Super Junior, will play the leading role in a Chinese television drama.The singer/actor enjoys immense popularity in China and within the Chinese-speaking community across Asia, after he starred in such films as “Helios” and acted in the television drama “Ru Guo Hui Dao Cong Qian.”His co-starring female lead is Chinese actress Kan Qingzi.The new drama is to be produced by Chinese director Li Shao Hong and Korean producer Oh Sang-dong whose work includes “Poseidon,” is about a man who is found to be the heir to a business tycoon and later enjoys a battle to succeed his grandfather.The 26-episode drama will soon start filming in Beihai, China.Feb 4, 2014
Sistar, 2NE1, Girls' Generation are hottest 3 SistarBy Park Si-sooGirls’ Generation or 2NE1?A recent survey of entertainment industry experts showed that Girls’ Generation and 2NE1 are the two groups still at the top of K-pop, but are now sharing the turf with Sistar.Five album directors, three promoters, two K-pop reporters, and two training managers were surveyed by the Sports Chosun, a daily specializing in entertainment and sports news. The girl groups were evaluated and ranked into six categories based on sales, popularity, impact on the K-pop scene and growth potential.It found that the four-member Sistar has proven its star quality with such hits as “Give it to Me” last year, to make the top tier. The nine-member Girls’ Generation also lived up to its fame last year by winning several international music awards with its January release of “I Got a Boy.” The four-member 2NE1 were rated as faring generally well in domestic and overseas markets; the group has announced a world tour for this year.“In contrast to Girls’ Generation, Sistar has concentrated on the domestic maFeb 4, 2014
Female solo singers set to issue new releases Singer Park Ji-yoonSinger SunmiBy Kim Ji-sooFollowing in the footstep of girl groups, well-known female solo artists will be releasing new works this month.Park Ji-yoon, 32, will release her new single, her agency said. It will be part of a continuing flow of singles that first started with “Mister Lee” in October. She will release more singles in spring and summer, which will then be made into an album. The signer twittered that she filmed a music video for the single during the Lunar New Year holidays.Ga In of Browned Eye Girls will today release her third mini-album titled “Truth or Dare.” She has received some collaborative help from fellow musicians including producer/singer Park Jin-young of JYP Entertainment and K-pop queen, Lee Hyo-ri. Another female solo to watch for this month is Sunmi, a former Wonder Girls member who returned successfully as a solo last year with “24 Hours.” With that single, she presented new dance choreography that won good reviews.Although not confirmed, the industry is awash with rumors that mega-popular girl gFeb 4, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Foreign entertainers no longer rarity Julian Kang, who is originally from Canada, has starred in various television and variety dramas and programs. He is currently starring in the cable television drama “Potato Star.”/ Courtesy of Show Brothers EntertainmentActors, comedians ... they are all overBy Kim Ji-soo Japanese actress Mina Fujii featured only briefly in the 2012 television drama “Emperor of Drama.” She had a very small role and her Korean was at a beginner’s level. But instantly, people began inquiring about her on the Internet. There was a demand for actresses such as Fujii in the Korean entertainment industry.Having acted since she was a teen, Fujii was not a stranger to the Korean entertainment sector. She appeared in music videos with TVXQ, when it was still a five-member K-pop group, and the actor/singer Jang Keun-suk, who is known as “Prince of Asia.” Serendipity was it? Maybe it was. The Japanese actress however was frank and straightforward in saying that she came to Korea after a search for her niche in the competitive acting industry.Japanese actFeb 4, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Hallyu-themed exports make big jump By Chung Ah-young “Hallyu” or Korean wave-themed exports have been on the rise.According to recent data from the Bank of Korea (BOK), the country posted a surplus in the trade of cultural products and services for the second-consecutive year in 2013, thanks to robust exports in music, movies, television shows and video games.Last year’s surplus was measured at $167.1 million, more than double of the $64.9 million for 2012, which marked the first time Korea posted a trade surplus in this account.“If we consider the secondary effects, including how the exported cultural products influenced other markets, and also intellectual property income, the country’s cultural industry might be even bigger than what the numbers indicate,” said Noh Chung-shik, a BOK economist.Korea’s pop music products, movies and television programs combined for $461 million in exports last year, a 13 percent increase from 2012.The imports of foreign audiovisual products and services rose just 3 percent to $372.9 million during the period, as Korean products continuedFeb 3, 2014
