Entertainment - The Korea Times

Singer Rain Postpones US Concerts

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter K-pop superstar Rain postponed his concerts in the United States this month, as he faces a lawsuit over the use of the name ``Rain.'' Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, was originally scheduled to hold concerts in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 15, Atlanta, Georgia on June 19, New York City on June 23, San Francisco on June 27, and Los Angeles on June 30. This was part of his ``World Tour 2006-2007 Rain's Coming,'' which ends this month. However, Rain Corporation filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Rain, his former management agency JYP Entertainment, Ltd. and concert organizer Star M Entertainment over the use of the name ``Rain.'' The case was filed at the Nevada district court in Reno last February 16. Rain Corporation, a music company, claimed it has the copyright over ``Rain,'' which is the name of its Beatles tribute band. According to its Web site www.rainthebeatlesexperience.com, four American musicians formed the band in the mid-1970s. They named themselves Rain, after the title of a Beatles song. Since the

Jun 8, 2007

‘Jewel in the Palace’ Team to Meet Fans at Tokyo Dome

By Jung Joo-yang Korea Times Intern The cast of the popular Korean drama “Jewel in the Palace” will host an appreciation festival for their fans at Tokyo Dome Aug. 11, a news report said Friday. In this festival, the whole cast including Lee Yong-Ae who plays Janggeum and Jee Jin-Hee who takes the role of Min Jung-ho will perfom scenes from the drama. Japanese singer Moriyama Ryoko and Korean ballad singer Shin Seung-hoon will light up the stage as special guests. This grand scale festival is held in appreciation to the fans that have shown support for the drama. The show will have an opening event, followed by three parts ``Jaehoe,’’ ``Haehwa,’’ ``Yeonga,’’ and a finale. The first part, ``Jaehoe,’’ is expected to feature a talk show with the producers and the actors of ``Jewel in the Palace.’’ In the second part ``Haehwa’’ the actors will reenact the most memorable scenes in the form of a special concert. In the last part ``Yeonga’’ the fans and the actors will have a chance to exchange their thoughts and mingle together. ``Jewel in the Palace’’ premiered in October

Jun 1, 2007

Rain Becomes First K-Pop Star to Perform at Tokyo Dome

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Korean pop star Rain wowed nearly 40,000 fans at a concert at the Tokyo Dome on Friday evening, becoming the first Korean singer to hold a solo concert at the stadium. Rain performed 21 songs during the concert, including his Japanese language single ``Free Way." He also spoke some Japanese, delighting his mostly female fans. As the first K-pop star to perform at the Tokyo Dome, Rain admitted he was nervous at first. The Tokyo Dome is the biggest concert hall in Japan, where only a few foreign artists such as Madonna, Mariah Carey, Rolling Stones, and Japanese superstars like Ayumi Hamasaki, SMAP and Arashi can perform. ``When Japanese producers suggested a concert at the Tokyo Dome, I doubted if I could do it. But I am glad that tickets have sold well," Rain said, in a press conference before the concert. His Tokyo Dome concert proved Rain's immense popularity in Japan. Japanese celebrities such as members of the popular male group SMAP, namely Masahiro Nakai, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Shingo Katori were seen at the concert. Kor

May 27, 2007

Singer Ryu Si-won to Tour Japan

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Korean singer and actor Ryu Si-won will kick off a concert tour in Japan next month. Under the title ``2007 Ryusiwon Live Tour With You,'' the 35-year-old hallyu star will tour major cities such as Kobe, Nagoya and Saitama, starting from June 13 to promote the release of his fourth album. The album titled ``With You'' debuted in the No. 2 spot on the Japanese Oricon Daily Album Chart when it was released Wednesday. ``Babylon,'' his fifth released single, also ranked second on the daily charts and fourth on the weekly charts in April. The song ``With You'' from the new album is a ballad composed by Michiya Haruhata, a Japanese guitarist from the renowned band Tube. Among the 12 tracks on his new album,``Why…Why…'' was dedicated to the late female singer Yuni who committed suicide in January. Ryu wrote the lyrics to the song. Ryu will also pay tribute to Yuni during his concerts, according to his agency R's Company. Korean director John H. Lee, famous for the film ``A Moment To Remember'' (2004 starring Son Ye-jin and Jung

May 25, 2007

University Columbia University Networks Global Alumni

A morning news was interrupted for a while as a female anchor failed to refrain herself from bursting into laughter at a local TV program Saturday. The broadcasting incident took place during the introduction minutes of “News Today” program at 6 a.m. when anchor Jang Mi-il burst into laughter, while alternately reading major news articles with her partner Kim Byong-hun. Anchor Jang showed laughter a little, watching anchor Kim stammered in his reading of an article. She also stammered, introducing “the agreement on military guarantee on test train run of an inter-Korean railway” in her turn. She failed to control the burst of laughter in the turn of anchor Kim. Anchor Jang was embarrassed and said“What can I do…,” never continuing to read due to the laughter in reporting weather forecast, “There will be rain throughout the nation… thunder and lightning in the southern provinces.” Eventually, the report of the major news was suspended. Anchor Kim independently introduced the report on detention of Kim Seung-youn of Hanwha Group over revenge attack in the changed footage

May 12, 2007

Singer Rain to Make Hollywood Debut

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Korean top entertainer Jung Ji-hoon, better known as Rain, is expected to make his Hollywood debut in the Wachowski brothers’ new film ``Speed Racer.’’ According to Rain’s agency JYP Entertainment, Rain has been offered a part in the new film directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski, the brothers renown for the ``Matrix’’ film series. The agency said the casting negotiations are in the final stages. If the casting is confirmed, Rain will perform with world-renowned Hollywood stars Susan Sarandon and John Goodman. ``Speed Racer’’ is an action movie based on a popular Japanese animation from 1967, revolving around an adventurous racing car driver. The film is expected to begin shooting next month. Meanwhile, the agency will not represent Rain anymore as his exclusive management contract with JYP Entertainment expired Friday. However, his world tour will be under his current contract with the three parties _ Star M, JYP and Rain. JYP said they have not renewed the contract and have no plans to do so, ending the five-year partnersh

May 12, 2007

Comedian to Marry in July

By Chung Ah-young, Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporters Comedian Park Kyung-rim, 29, will tie the knot with a 28-year-old office worker at Shilla Hotel in Seoul on July 15. The groom, Park Jung-hoon, is an employee of Samsung SDS and graduate of one of Korea's most prestigious universities. Park met her future husband while working on the KBS program titled ``Introduce Good People, '' which she hosted with comedian Park Su-hong in July last year. He appeared as one of the guests on the program matching single men and women. After his appearance, the two frequently met privately. The groom to be reportedly proposed marriage to Park with 400 roses and some candles. Park graduated from Dongduk Women's University, majoring in broadcasting and entertainment. She debuted on a radio program on KBS in 1998 and has performed as a talented MC in major entertainment programs. She was also named as a goodwill ambassador for ``Save the Children,'' a social welfare organization, in December last year. Meanwhile, Han Kyung-chon, the program's producer, married Lee Min-joo,

May 3, 2007

Daniel Henney Gets Serious

By Kim Tae-jong Staff Reporter The nation's heartthrob Daniel Henney has played perfect Prince Charming roles in his work such as the wildly popular television drama ``My Lovely Samsoon'' and last year's romantic comedy ``Seducing Mr. Perfect.'' Now he is gearing up for a more serious role in the new film, ``My Father.'' In the new film, he plays a Korean-American adoptee, who later returns to his home country in the hope of finding his biological parents. With this challenging role, he seems to be confident as he has much in common with his character. He comes from a multinational background with a British-American father and Korean-American mother, who was herself a Korean-American adoptee. ``My mother was an adopted child. It's something that's been around my whole life since I was very young. Her whole family was adopted. And I've also been involved with some adopted children and some of the children in Korea regarding that matter,'' the Korean-American actor said during a news conference last Thursday at a studio of Arirang TV in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. T

May 1, 2007

Top Movie Star Cho In-sung Dropped From University

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Top actor Cho In-sung has been expelled from Dongguk University as he failed to meet the school's attendance requirements. The university said that the 26-year-old actor was asked not to return to the Department of Theater, which has strict regulations controlling student behavior, as he skipped many classes last semester. Cho originally went to Chunnam Techno College in South Cholla Province and later entered Dongguk University in 2003 to further his study of performing arts. However, after moving to the university, Cho didn't have much time to attend classes from 2005 as he started acting in the film, ``A Dirty Carnival,'' which was released last year. Sidus HQ, Cho's management agency, said that he tried to balance both his acting career and studies, but failed to do so because of his tight schedule. The agency said that he is considering resuming his studies through seeking reentrance, while continuing his work. After his setback at the school, Cho will likely have his military service. He deferred his duty while attending th

Apr 25, 2007

Actor Donates 10 Mil.Won

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Popular actor So Ji-sup, who gained popularity starring in the TV dramas ``I'm Sorry I Love You'' and ``What Happened in Bali,'' will be discharged from the military on April 27. So donated 10 million won to benefit underprivileged kids in the Mapo district of Seoul. During his military service, he worked as a public relations officer with the Mapo District Office. He entered military service in February 2005. Even before completing his military service, So's management agency BOF announced the actor will star in the upcoming drama ``Cain and Abel.'' The drama is about the fate of two brothers separated during their childhood. The older brother, who will be played by Ji Jin-hee, grows up to become a detective. So will play the younger brother who becomes part of a organized crime sundicate. Filming of the drama will start by the end of May, with some parts to be shot on location in San Francisco. The 29-year old So is one of the most popular drama actors in Asia. He has starred in numerous TV dramas such as ``Thousand Years of

Apr 24, 2007

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