Actor Lee Byung-hun's figurine to be made Actor Lee Byung-hunA limited edition figurine of top Korean actor Lee Byung-hun’s character in “Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King” is to go into production.The figure will be 12-inches-high and the first of its kind for a “hallyu” or Korean wave star. In the fourth-highest grossing Korean film, Lee played the dual role of King Gwanghae of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) and as a humble acrobat who stands in for the monarch under threat.Also known as the “Masquerade,” the 2012 film swept numerous awards at the 49th Grand Bell Awards, including best actor.Lee also stars as Storm Shadow in director John Chu’s “G.I.Joe: Retaliation,” which is currently showing in Korean theaters.Apr 7, 2013
'Infinite Challenge' members to appear in Psy's new music video Psy, center, performs during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square in New York, Dec. 31, 2012. He was joined by “Infinite Challenge” members No Hong-chul, left, and Yoo Jae-seok, right. For his new video, all seven members from the reality entertainment program will be featured. Reuters-YonhapCast members of the reality program Infinite Challenge will appear in rapper Psysnew song Gentleman, his agency says. Two members —Yoo Jae-seok and No Hong-chul —were featured in the music video for the 36-year-old stars mega-hit, Gangnam Style.All seven members Yoo, No, Park Myeong-su, Jeong Jun-ha, Jeong Hyeong-don, Haha and Gil will feature in the new music video, YG Entertainment announced. The filming will take place in spots throughout Seoul for three days starting Sunday.Initially, only three members from Infinite Challenge and Gain of the girl group Brown-eyed Girls were to appear in Psys video, but the rapper decided to include all seven members.Psy will premiere Gentleman publicly at a concert April 13 in Seoul.Psy was a frequent guest on the popularApr 7, 2013
Who are celebs with big income? By Park Si-soo Simply put, 2012 was the year of Psy.The 36-year-old singer and songwriter, who rocked the world with “Gangnam Style” and earned worldwide fame, was the highest-paid Korean celebrity last year, earning more than $40 million in sales through globe-trotting concerts, TV commercials and other profitable activities.His estimated personal income was a whopping $28 million under his 7:3 profit-sharing contract with YG Entertainment. Five-member boy band Bigbang ranked second, followed by figure skater Kim Yuna. Coming next were Girls’ Generation and rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae, who accumulated massive wealth by appearing in various TV commercials.The sixth-highest celebrity income earner was gold-medal-winning swimmer Park Tae-hwan. Following him in the pool were six-member boy band 2PM, actress Kim Tae-hee and singer and actor Lee Seung-gi.The list was collated based on news reports, including one from Forbes Korea, and multiple earning reports from securities companies. The exact income of each of the listed celebrities was not available.Psy is exApr 5, 2013
Caffe Bene holds onto 'unrealistic' ambition Franchise coffee shop Caffe Bene unveiled an ambitious globalization plan this week, but market insiders and analysts greeted it with skepticism. / Korea Times fileBy Park Si-soo Kim Sun-kwonCaffe Bene CEOCaffe Bene, the country’s second largest coffee shop by number of outlets, unveiled an ambitious blueprint for growth on Monday: opening 3,000 outlets worldwide and posting 1 trillion won ($895 million) in annual sales by 2015. CEO Kim Sun-kwon said in a statement marking the firm’s fifth anniversary that the goal is achievable with rapid expansion in its three core markets ㅡ the United States, China and the Philippines.Kim said he will make full use of the knowledge and experience he had earned while dApr 5, 2013
Korean literature expanding global reach By Chung Ah-youngHa Il-ji Ha Il-ji’s 2009 novel “The Republic of Uzupis” Moon Chung-heeMoon Chung-hee’s “Celle qui Mangeait le Riz Froid” Kim Ae-ranKim Ae-ran’s “My Palpitating Life”Choi Jae-joonChoi Jae-hoon’s “Seven Cat Eyes”Lee Seung-u Lee Seung-u’s “Journals from Days Past”Not so many years ago prominent authors such as Hwang Sok-young, Yi Mun-yol and Kim Young-ha began reaching an international readership, the first sign that Korean literature would one day be globalized.Now a handful of rising authors are beginning to be recognized in some countries where Korean literature was not previously read.Philippe Picquier, a French publisher specializing in Asian literature, willsoon publish the works of four young Korean authors ― Kim Ae-ran’s “My Palpitating Life,” Choi Jae-hoon’s “Seven Cat Eyes,” Kim E-seol’s “Welcome” and Koo Byung-mo’s “The Greatest Fish.” Moon Chung-hee’s “CelleApr 4, 2013
Pocari Sweat picks new face for ad Up-and-coming actress Park Se-young has become the next pinup girl for Pocari Sweat, a sport drink from Donga Otsuka.The 24-year-old, who gained popularity by appearing in several hit TV dramas including “Love Rain,” will feature in the beverage’s new commercial that is set to air from April 6. The concept of the new clip has yet to be revealed.Many big names in the showbiz industry have made their debut or earned public awareness through Pocari Sweat commercials, including veteran actresses Kim Hye-soo, Son Ye-jin and Moon Chae-won. Donga normally features a baby-faced woman in its commercials to highlight the beverage’s pure and premium image.Park appeared in the dramas “Love Rain” and “Equator Man” last year. Recently she co-starred in “School 2013.” Apr 3, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Lee Joon-gi's blog most visited in Japan Actor Lee Joon-gi’s blog has become the most-visited on Japan’s largest blogging and social network site “Ameba,” his agency said Wednesday.His blog, titled “Jgtogether” topped the community’s hallyu (Korean wave) chart.It was inundated with fans who rushed to register membership and post congratulatory remarks.“Many fans requested through SNS services for me to open my blog in Japan,” the actor said in the blog.“I owe fans much for their unswerving support and now I am happy to have a channel to meet them.” The 30-year-old rose to stardom through the hit film, “The King and the Clown” (2005), and enjoys high level of popularity in Japan.Lee filmed a joint Korean-Japanese movie titled “Virgin Snow” in 2007 and his drama “Iljimae” was aired on a Japanese TV channel. He recently finished serving his mandatory military service. JG Style documented his comeback on Mnet Japan, and was awarded the Grand Prize in the Korean wave category at the Skapa Awards 2012 in JapApr 3, 2013By Park Jin-hai
Chungha sales hit record high in 1Q By Park Si-sooLotte Liquor said Wednesday its sales of Korean sake brand Chungha reached 11 billion won ($98 million) during the first quarter of the year, exceeding the combined value of Japanese sake imported during the same period for the first time in the company’s history.Imported Japanese sake during the Jan.-March period was valued at 10.5 billion won, according to the Korea Customs Service.Lotte said the landmark achievement was attributed to the firm’s consistent efforts to improve the quality of its goods.“Chungha no longer falls behind Japanese sake in taste,” said Choi Won-suk, a Lotte Liquor spokesman. “We will continue to appeal this to local customers to ensure the item’s consistent growth in sales.”Choi said the firm’s marketing campaigns will focus more on young consumers. Lotte plans to host a marketing campaign in Busan, the nation’s second largest city, later this week featuring several popular entertainers born in the city. It also recently opened a website on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lotte.chungha) to launcApr 3, 2013
Dongwon F&B set to sweep China with canned tuna Dongwon F&B hosts a tasting event for its canned tuna at a discount store in China in this photo taken last October. The company aims to post 500 billion won in annual sales of canned tuna there by 2018. / Courtesy of Dongwon F&BBy Park Si-sooThis is the second in a series of articles on Korean food companies and restaurants seeking to expand overseas ㅡ ED.Park Sung-chilCEO of Dongwon F&BDongwon F&B is flexing its muscles to ensure that canned tuna becomes an essential side dish in China.The country’s largest provider of canned tuna recently signed a contract with Chinese retail giant Bright Food Group to make its products available at nearly 10,000 convenience stores, supermarkets and large discount outlets such as Carrefour andApr 3, 2013
Celebrities take risk to promote Dokdo By Park Si-soo Not a year has passed without Japan making provocative claims to Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo. This has always stirred angry reactions from many Korean celebrities, some of whom kicked off campaigns of their own to promote this country’s sovereignty over the islands by taking advantage of their international popularity. The latest provocation from Japan took place last week when it endorsed the release of new high school textbooks that claim Dokdo is Japan’s. Unlike in previous years, however, celebrities here stayed calm as the country was confronting a much bigger challenge from nuclear-armed North Korea, which threatened to turn Seoul into “a sea of fire” with unusually hostile rhetoric.Kim Jang-hoon Heo Joon-ho Song Il-gookAgainst this backdrop, actor Heo Joon-ho received massive media attention last week for his spirited response regarding Dokdo in Japan in 2009, which was previously little known to his domestic fans. The episode was made public through an online community website and has spread quicklApr 3, 2013
