Park Shin-hye, Choi Tae-joon confirm dating

Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon are in a romantic relationship. Choi’s agency Huayi Brothers announced in a statement Wednesday, “After being close friends, as they went to the same university, Park and Choi started dating at the end of last year.”A few hours earlier in the day, there had been news reports claiming that the two had been dating for a year, along with photos of them on a date.  Park Shin-hye (Agatha) and Choi Tae-joon (Huayi Brothers)Park’s agency, Salt Entertainment, denied the c

March 7, 2018

Rumors of romance between Park Shin-hye, Choi Tae-joon continue

Rumors surrounding actress Park Shin-hye and actor Choi Tae-joon have surfaced again. A local media outlet reported Wednesday morning that the two have been dating for the past year. Citing entertainment industry officials, the report added that Park and Choi are close as they both studied at Chung Ang University.  Park Shin-hye (Agatha) and Choi Tae-joon (Singles)Park’s agency denied the claim, saying they are just close friends. The two stars had been caught in a rumor last April, when photos

March 7, 2018

[Video] Extraordinary stories of ordinary police officers

TvN’s new drama series “Live” features countless police officers. But there aren’t any amazing heroes, thrilling cases or exciting mysteries. Rather than focusing on spectacular events, the overall plot centers on the everyday lives of average police officers.Jung Yu-mi and Lee Kwang-soo play the lead roles in the Saturday-Sunday drama, as rookies who just started at a busy patrol division. They learn to handle drunken citizens, find lost children and help out with the daily difficulties of the

March 6, 2018

More dirt on scandal-ridden actor, director to be aired on TV

Further revelations on alleged sexual harassment involving director Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun will be aired Tuesday on an MBC show.According to the producers of the investigative journalism program “PD Notepad,” the latest episode will be about the two prominent figures in Korea cinema. Kim was recently accused of assaulting an actress and coercing her to do an unscripted sex scene while filming the 2013 movie “Moebius.” Cho recently admitted to the sexual harassment allegations involvin

March 6, 2018

JYP’s Stray Kids to officially debut on March 25

JYP Entertainment will formally showcase Stray Kids, its newest heavyweight in the boyband department, at Jangchung Stadium in Seoul.According to the agency, the debut showcase for the nine-piece K-pop act will take place at 6 p.m. on march 25, titled “Stray Kids Unvil [Op. 01: Iam NOT].” It marks the first time in four years since JYP is debuted its last boyband, GOT7. A screen grab from the trailer video for Stray Kids’ upcoming debut showcase (JYP Entertainment)Along with the news, JYP also u

March 6, 2018

Ian Bostridge to hold first concert as artist-in-residence of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

“I am always struck by the incredible nature of (the) audience here, the enthusiasm you feel not just after you perform the concert but even when you arrive on the stage. It’s wonderful to come here,” said tenor Ian Bostridge during a press conference at Sejong Center on Monday. Introduced by the orchestra’s new CEO Kang Eun-kyung at the press conference, English tenor Ian Bostridge is the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s first artist-in-residence. The tenor will start his season at the orchestra

March 5, 2018

‘Snatch-Up’ to use humor in depicting struggles of life

Seven men, seven different motivations and seven different reasons they each should snag a bag full of cash -- this is the plot that drives the upcoming comedy action flick “Snatch-Up” by director Heo Jun-hyeong.“(The film) captures the comedic elements that come at unexpected moments. I tried to make it different from existing crime-themed films,” Heo said in a press event for the film Monday. The cast of “Snatch-Up” poses for a photo with director Heo Jun-hyeong at a press event in Seoul on Mo

March 5, 2018

Big Bang member Daesung to start military duty on March 13

Daesung of K-pop group Big Bang will start his mandatory military service on March 13, YG Entertainment said Monday. According to the agency, Daesung applied for military service in 2017 with hopes of enlisting at a similar time with other members of the group.In South Korea, all able-bodied men have to carry out their military duty for about two years.  Daesung, member of Big Bang (Yonhap)As Taeyang is set to enlist on March 12, Seungri will be Big Bang’s only member yet to enlist. T.O.P and G-

March 5, 2018

[Trending] #7Princess #SugarMan

The members of the K-pop group 7 Princess returned to the small screen Sunday night all grown up after unofficially disbanding a decade ago. The group made a surprising appearance on JTBC’s show “Two Yoo Project Sugar Man” on Sunday and sang their hit number “Love Song.”The show, hosted by Yoo Jae-suk and You Hee-yeol, features K-pop singers who had enjoyed only a brief period of popularity with their single hit. (JTBC)The group, which debuted in 2003, consisted of seven members who were only 7

March 5, 2018

Embattled Jung Yong-hwa joins military

Amid controversy surrounding his graduate school admission, CNBLUE’s Jung Yong-hwa enlisted in the military Monday. Jung joined the five-week basic training at a boot camp in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province. His agency had said Jung would like to begin his service quietly without official fan events, but some 300 fans gathered at the scene to say goodbye to the star.  Singer Jung Yong-hwa shows off his buzz cut in this photo shared through his Twitter account on Sunday, to say goodbye to fans before

March 5, 2018

#MeToo followed by #WithYou

At a media briefing for the JTBC drama “Misty” on Friday, actress Kim Nam-joo showed up dressed in a luxurious black suit. While a black outfit for a formal occasion may seem ordinary, the suit was explicitly chosen to express the lead actress’ support for the ongoing #MeToo movement. Actress Kim Nam-joo wears a black suit at a press conference Friday at Digital Media City in Seoul. (JTBC)Kim was falling in line with dozens of celebrities who wore black at January’s Golden Globe Awards to show t

March 4, 2018

[Herald Review] Chasing phantoms of one’s guilt

A plot twist is a double-edged sword in filming. When used right, it could blow the audience’s mind. But in clumsy hands, it could blow up in your face.“The Vanished” by rookie director Lee Chang-hee is a rare film that toys with viewers’ perception and manages to leave them satisfyingly shaken in the end. The thriller is a remake of the 2012 crime thriller “The Body,” directed by Oriol Paulo. The body of the recently deceased business mogul Yoon Sul-hee -- played by Kim Hee-ae -- goes missing,

March 4, 2018

EXO fires up Singapore, gears up for Bangkok

EXO on Saturday wrapped up its concert in Singapore as part of its ongoing Asia tour.Holding a concert for fans in the Southeast Asian country after almost a year, EXO performed 30 songs at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, including hits like “Growl,” “Call Me Baby,” “Ko Ko Bop” and “Power.” EXO performs in the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday. (S.M. Entertainment)EXO performs in the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday. (S.M. Entertainment)In addition to the usual repertoire, there were also s

March 4, 2018

BTS' 'Not Today' video passes 200 million YouTube views

The video for BTS' "Not Today" surpassed 200 million views on YouTube on Saturday, becoming the fifth video by the K-pop sensation to hit the milestone, the group's agency said."Not Today," a track off the group's album "You Never Walk Alone" released in February last year, garnered 200,094,662 views as of 1 p.m., according to Big Hit Entertainment.The group now has five videos with more than 200 million views, including "Fire," "Dope," "Blood, Sweat & Tears" and "DNA," and seven videos with mor

March 3, 2018

'Black Panther' tops 5 mln in attendance

Marvel's latest superhero movie "Black Panther" surpassed 5 million views on its 18th day of theatrical release in South Korea on Sunday, its local distributor said. (Walt Disney Company Korea)   It became the first film ever to hit the 5 million threshold this year.   The Ryan Coogler film had stayed atop the Korean box office since it opened on Feb. 14 before being pushed to No. 3 by two new Korean releases: "The Princess and the Matchmaker" and "Little Forest." But it still remains popular, d

March 3, 2018

‘Misty’ actress Kim Nam-joo explains how she shaped character

For veteran actress Kim Nam-joo, who turned 48-year-old this year (Korean age), JTBC romance-thriller “Misty” was sort of an affliction. But at the same time, it was a gift that gave her the most happiness. “I poured everything into my role as Go Hye-ran that I have no regrets. I think ‘Misty’ will be my last well-made drama of my 40s. It was the drama that caused me pain but also the one I loved the most,” said Kim, who plays a lead role in the drama, during a press conference in Seoul on Frida

March 2, 2018

Hwang Jung-eum mulling over new TV drama role

Korean actress Hwang Jung-eum is reportedly considering taking part in a new TV drama to be produced by SBS.According to Hwang‘s agency company C-Jes Entertainment on Friday, the actress is “positively considering” the offer to join the production of a rom-com series. SBS has also confirmed that it offered her the role.  Hwang Jung-eum /C-Jes EntertainmentHwang has been asked to take the female lead role of Yoo Jung-eum, a former platform diver. If Hwang does accept the role, it will be her firs

March 2, 2018

BTS’ J-Hope releases first mixtape ‘Hope World’

J-Hope of K-pop act BTS has released his first mixtape “Hope World” and an accompanying music video of its lead track “Daydream.”The seven-track album, released via the group’s official social media page on Friday midnight for free, was self-produced, penned and composed by the BTS member, according to his agency Big Hit Entertainment Friday.  Scenes from the music video of “Daydream“ (Big Hit Entertainment)The agency also said the album honestly portrays J-Hope’s everyday thoughts and his true

March 2, 2018

BTS' J-Hope drops first solo mixtape

J-Hope of popular boy band BTS has released his much-anticipated first mixtape, his management agency said Friday.The singer uploaded the music of the mixtape titled "Hope World" and the video for its title song "Daydream" on social media and SoundCloud at midnight, according to Big Hit Entertainment.Mixtape is a homemade compilation of self-produced recordings, which is free of charge to the public. J-Hope became the third BTS member to drop a mixtape after RM in 2015 and Suga in 2016. BTS` J-H

March 2, 2018

Modern-day Cupid’s heart to be pierced

Wonder what Cupid might look like if he stepped out of Greek mythology? OCN’s new drama “Evergreen” may provide an answer, taking a step farther to show what Cupid is like when he falls in love. The romantic comedy-drama series features actor-musician Lee Jong-hyun as a modern-day Cupid named O Su, who works as a barista. Born with the ability to detect and control people’s romantic emotions, he plays Cupid by sprinkling magical flower dust into their drinks.  Lee Jong-hyun (leftO and Kim So-eun

March 1, 2018