I Am a Singer ignites feverBy Kwon Mee-yoo Lena Park has once again won another episode, Sunday, of “I Am a Singer,” an MBC reality show sweeping the nation. However, winning does not seem to be that important in the show, which has become a festival of musical experimentation and exceptional performances by top singers. The program premiered in March, bringing top seven singers — Kim Gun-mo, Baek Ji-young, Yoon Do-hyun, Kim Bum-soo, Lee So-ra, Lena Park and Jung Yub — to compete through their vocal skills and prowess. It drew keen attention from the media and viewers as it brought top singers to the program in their field of specialty when each week someone must be eliminated. The rules caused trouble within a month. When Kim Gun-mo came in last, the producer altered the rules to give him another chance, but the idea backfired and ignited controversy. The show returned to the small screen on May 1 after the producer was replaced. Kim and Jung were eliminated and Baek decided to leave the show to prepare for an album. After the one-month hiatus, they changed the rules to haveMay 10, 2011By Kwon Mee-yoo
True Romance: new spin on rom-coms?By Kwon Mee-yoo May sees an influx of romantic comedies decorate the small screen, and “True Romance” throws its hat into the ring as it premieres tonight on SBS. The TV drama tells the story of a capable, professional young woman who ends up getting involved in a fake marriage. Gong A-jeong, played by Yoon Eun-hye, works for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. She is smart enough to pass the civil servant examination and is sweet-looking. But the 28-year-old is less successful in the love department. One day, she meets an old friend So-ran, who has recently tied the knot with her first love. When So-ran teases her about being single, A-jeong, annoyed, abruptly says that she is married, igniting an imagined marriage rumpus. Her accidental fib takes concrete shape as it spreads through word of mouth, and her imaginary husband manifests as Hyeon Gi-jun, the owner of World Hotel (played by Kang Ji-hwan). Yoon said her character is similar to other rom-com heroines. “A-jeong is more mature and passionate about her work than my previous characters,” Yoon saidMay 8, 2011By Kwon Mee-yoo
From pop to arias: Tei wins OperastarBy Lee Hyo-won Tei showed his potential as a tenor by winning a TV competition challenging pop singers to tackle operatic arias. The balladeer swept viewers’ votes, 4 percent ahead of fellow finalist JK Kim Dong-wook, in the heated finale of tvN’s “Operastar 2011,” which was held Saturday night at Sangmyung Art Center, Seoul, and broadcast live on the cable channel. The competition results are determined entirely by viewers via SMS, and the special appearance of opera diva Sumi Jo further added to the hype. The ultimate showdown was comprised of a solo competition and duet sections in which the two contenders sang alongside judge-cum-mentors. In the solo showcase, which allowed participants to choose among songs they undertook in previous episodes, Tei opted for “Non ti scordar di me,” while R&B singer Kim also sang an Italian piece, “Caruso.” The jury, made up of soprano Kim Su-yeon, baritone Suh Jeong-hak and conductor Seo Hee-tae, praised Kim’s heartrending expression and mastery of “his own version of Caruso,” while complimenting Tei’s efforts to adopt an oMay 8, 2011
Actor Zo In-sung discharged from armyBy Kwon Mee-yoo Korea’s heartthrob Zo In-sung was discharged after fulfilling his two-year mandatory military service at Osan Air Base, south of Seoul, Wednesday. Some 400 fans gathered to celebrate and he held a small press conference to share his feelings. “I still can’t believe I’m discharged yet. I think I will feel it when I arrive home,” Zo said. MBC’s hit variety show “The Unlimited Challenge” installed a red balloon and placards to commemorate Zo’s release. The placard read “Zo In-sung’s Come Back at ‘What Happened in Misa-ri’” suggesting that Zo might join the program’s special segment on rowing since Misa-ri is the place where they practice. “‘The Unlimited Challenge’ is my favorite program, and I like them even more than girl groups,” Zo said. “I am a big fan and I will appear on the program if possible.” Zo debuted in 1998 and starred in many hit dramas and movies such as the SBS drama “What Happened in Bali” (2004) and movies “A Dirty Carnival” (2006) and “Frozen Flower” (2008). He was enlisted in the Air Force in 2009. During his service, Zo playMay 4, 2011By Kwon Mee-yoo
TV soap to peek into celebrity lifeBy Kwon Mee-yoo A drama featuring the life of entertainers when they are not in front of the camera begins today, starring top actors and actresses such as Cha Seung-won, Kong Hyo-jin, Yoon Kye-sang and Yoo In-na. “The Greatest Love” revolves around Dokgo Jin (Cha) and Gu Ae-jeong (Kong). Gu was the most popular member of girl group Gukbo Sonyeo, literally meaning “National Treasure Girl,” some 10 years ago, but fell from grace after becoming embroiled in scandals. She makes appearances on television programs to eke out a living for her troublemaker father and brother. On the other hand Dokgo is the most beloved star in the nation, topping all kinds of popularity polls and appearing in many commercials, but has several character flaws. Gu discovers a secret about Dokgo by chance and reveals it on a talk show, incurring his fury. However, their ill-fated relationship unfolds in an unexpected way as Dokgo falls for Gu and tries to win her heart. Yoo plays the role of another star Se-ri, who was in the same group with Gu 10 years ago, while Yoon portrays Pil-ju, a gentlMay 3, 2011By Kwon Mee-yoo
E drops lawsuit against SeoBy Chung Ah-young Actress E Ji-ah dropped the alimony and division of property lawsuit against ex-husband singer Seo Tai-ji Saturday amid controversy over their secret marriage and ensuing rumors behind the divorce. Seo released a statement on his website the same day for the first time since their past relationship was revealed 10 days ago. “After I retired as a singer in 1996, I wished to live an ordinary life to marry and have children as Jeong Hyeon-chol (his real name) not as Seo Tai-ji. I wanted to protect the home and regular life that I had for the first time after retirement. Someday if my life settles and I have confidence about my life, I hope to tell it to my fans for the first time and receive their blessing,” Seo said. “Unfortunately, the (married) life couldn’t last long and I had to take the step to split with her in 2000 and I came back to Korea and resumed my music career as Seo Tai-ji. It wasn’t possible to reveal her presence to the public as we had already gone our separate ways. So everything was buried in my mind as a secret.” He also said in a prMay 1, 2011
Childrens Day full of cultural experiencesBy Kwon Mee-yoo Children’s Day falls on Thursday this year. Various cultural events from musicals to educational exhibitions await families who want to celebrate with a cultural outing. Experience theater The 32nd Seoul Theater Festival is putting on the play “Ophelia’s Shadow Theater” at the main hall of Daehangno Arts Center, from Wednesday to Sunday. Based on Michael Ende’s novel of the same name, the drama unfolds around an old lady named Ophelia, who wants to be an actress but cannot due to her small voice. One day the theater goes out of business and she finds shadows without owners and teaches them to act. When Ophelia and her troupe are kicked out of the village, they go on a tour performing a shadow play. Beautifully combining shadow play and projection, children can see the workings of a theater and how the actors stage a play. Tickets range from 20,000 to 30,000 won. Call (02) 747-2250 for more information. The classic “The Wizard of Oz,” will be staged at the Universal Arts Center in eastern Seoul through May 29. The famed children’s novel by L. May 1, 2011
Ordinary no more: Snooki leads reality TVs new focus on non-celebritiesBy Kwon Mee-yoo The demand for reality shows in Korea is catching up with that of Western audiences, and the focus has moved from celebrities to ordinary people. Famous people used to compete, showcasing their talents but attention is now shifting to the lifestyles of ordinary people. Leading the trend, the third season of “Jersey shore — Mad Party House” will air on MTV Korea on Thursdays and Fridays at midnight. The reality series is sweeping the United States, becoming the most viewed series on MTV. The first season started on the Jersey Shore, following the lives of eight Italian-Americans sharing a house. The second season went south to Miami and the third returned to the Jersey Shore. The next one is going to be filmed in Italy. Nicole Polizzi, aka “Snooki,” has risen to fame through the series. She says being in a reality show is not easy since the person seen on television is not always the same as the person in everyday life. “I feel like I have two personalities. I can be that fun, party person, but I can also be that outgoing, chill giApr 26, 2011By Kwon Mee-yoo
Docudrama introduces Joseons party plannersBy Kwon Mee-yoo History has never ceased to inspire. Folk painters like Kim Hong-do and Shin Yun-bok have left works depicting the customs of the late Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), and the two have become protagonists in the popular novel-turned-TV drama "The Painter of Wind," starring high-profile actors Park Shin-yang and Moon Geun-young. Popular TV dramas continue to feature the era in such epic stories as "Jejungwon" (2010) and "Dong Yi" (2010). A new documentary on EBS sheds light on the life of commoners on the gritty streets during the period. "The Beauty on the Backstreet of Old Capital Seoul" adopts the format of a docudrama to reveal the daily lives of “gisaeng” (courtesan), gangsters and beggars, rather than aloof Confucian scholars normally featured in stories of political intrigue. The documentary focuses on the reign of King Yeongjo around the early 18th century. The market economy started to develop around that time and it created many cultural cues which still exist to this day. The most important people on the streets of the late Joseon era were Apr 24, 2011By Kwon Mee-yoo
Cyber mobs hunt for truth about Seo-E scandalCrusading for facts or collective terrorism? Websites are revealing personal information not only about E, but her family and friends. By Lee Hyo-won As Seo Tai-ji and E Ji-ah’s secret marriage and now public divorce are making headlines, online communities are feverishly seeking “the truth” on their relationship. Media and netizens alike are citing the relationship, kept under wraps for 14 years, as one of the biggest scandals to date in the local entertainment scene. E is the main target of attention as her romance with actor Jung Woo-sung recently became common knowledge. While E’s affair with Jung has invited jealous glances, her clandestine past with “culture president” Seo is inspiring a whole new level of cyber terrorism. After E said Thursday through her agency Key East that she had in fact married and filed a divorce suit against Seo, netizens launched a website (lee-zia.com) Friday devoted to tracing her past — and went as far as revealing profiles of her relatives. The actress has long been dubbed an “alien” for keeping her privacy well protected. BApr 24, 2011