Psy, Maroon 5 to hit stage together

This summer, K-pop sensation Psy and American pop rock band Maroon 5, who once vied for the top spot on Billboard chart, confirmed that they would appear in the rock festival Hyundai Card Citybreak 2014 slated for Aug. 9-10 in Seoul. The annual rock festival, launched last year, will feature over 30 artists ranging from internationally renowned bands to popular local musicians on three big stages at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The first lineup, disclosed Tuesday, includes world-famous Maroon 5,

May 20, 2014

Lee Hyori shows sexy side in Amsterdam

 K-pop diva Lee Hyori poses at a photo session organized by fashion brand COMING STEP and fashion magazine Grazia in Amsterdam. The intense clothes and makeup give her a chic, unique look. 　By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)　(Photo Credit: Grazia)

May 20, 2014

Song Hye-kyo calls Zhang Ziyi ‘Eonni’

Korean actress Song Hye-kyo revealed her close relationship with Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi during the Cannes Film Festival in France on Sunday.Asked if any of the Chinese actors have pet names for her, Song responded that “Zhang Ziyi calls me meimei (妹妹; younger sister).”“I call her ‘eonni’ in Korean (jiejie, 姐姐; older sister),” the Korean actress was quoted as saying. “Other actors mostly just call me my Korean name pronounced in Chinese,” Song added.Touching on her relations with Zhang, Song

May 20, 2014

Miss A’s Suzy celebrates Coming-of-Age Day

K-pop girl group Miss A’s youngest member, Suzy, expressed her feelings about coming of the age on Monday.“It feels awkward yet good to finally become an adult. It was a longtime wish of mine to get a driving license and go out for a drive when I turn legal age,” Suzy said through her management company, JYP Entertainment.Suzy picked a bouquet of flowers as the present she hopes to receive among well-known and typical Coming-of-Age Day presents, such as perfume, a kiss and a bundle of flowers.“I

May 20, 2014

Park Bom’s unique garter belt fashion

2NE1’s Park Bom, was spotted at Incheon International Airport on Monday while heading for her tour to Manila, the Philippines. The pop singer, known as a bag lover, matched a Gucci diamante mini tote bag with a unique pair of gold-buttoned detailed garter belts to a casual outfit. 　By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: Dimaco]

May 20, 2014

Lee Young-ae not to star in ‘Daejanggeum 2’

Actress Lee Young-ae has decided not to star in the sequel to the television series “Daejanggeum,” known as “Jewel in the Palace.”In the press conference for “Daejanggeum 2” on Monday, MBC revealed that Lee Young-ae had made her final decision not to star as Jang-geum in the new drama. Lee Young-ae in Daejanggeum (MBC)“Lee Young-ae was offered  the lead role in the drama, but ultimately rejected it,” an MBC official was quoted as saying. “However, "Daejanggeum 2" will be produced, nevertheless,”

May 20, 2014

Song Seung-heon throws surprise Twitter event for “Obsessed” fans

Actor Song Seung-heon on Monday hosted a surprise question-and-answer event to celebrate the successful release of the film “Obsessed,” in which he costarred with actress Im Ji-yeon.Song wrote on his Twitter page, “Box office No.1! Please put #인간중독 (‘Obsessed’) and feel free to ask questions to Kim Jin-pyeong of ‘Obsessed.’”The actor said he will select 20 questions and put up responses, starting 7 p.m. (Korea time) on May 21.  "Obsessed (2014)" official poster (left), actor Song Seung-heon (rig

May 20, 2014

Big Bang’s Taeyang plans new solo release in June

Taeyang of Big Bang. (YG Entertainment)After a plethora of teaser images by YG Entertainment asking “Who Is Next?” fans finally got their answer as the agency revealed on Sunday that Big Bang’s Taeyang is the next YG artist who will be making his return. However, despite confirming Taeyang’s upcoming release, the announcement, which included an image that said “Taeyang Rise,” still teases fans with lingering questions, tauntingly asking “Is Rise the name of the album?” and “Will this be a full s

May 19, 2014

EXO’s Kris expresses his feelings in a written letter

Kris, the embattled leader of EXO-M, posted a picture of his handwritten letter on Weibo to express his feelings about filing a lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment.“螳螂拒轍 (It is like a fly trying to bite a tortoise). I am doing better, thanks to all your blessings. I would like to thank you for supporting me. I appreciate every voice you make. Wu yifan is always here,” Kris wrote in the autographed letter posted on Weibo on Friday. Wu yifan is Kris’ Chinese name. The post has gained more than 80,0

May 19, 2014

Kim Soo-hyun: I’ve never been kissed

Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun surprised his fans in Japan when he revealed that he had never kissed a woman besides his partners in movies and television dramas.On a fan meeting named “Kim Soo-hyun Asia Tour 1st Memories” in Japan on Sunday, the 26-year-old was asked about his secret to being a good on-screen kisser, according to OSEN’s reports.“Actually, I have never been kissed besides acting,” Kim was quoted as saying. About 4,000 fans, who packed the meeting, greeted him with shouts and enthusia

May 19, 2014

AOA’s Jimin and Park Hyung-sik in sweet mood

Girl group AOA leader Jimin and actor Park Hyung-sik signaled that they were in a sweet mood on a variety show. In “Real Men,” an MBC reality show in which celebrities experience life in a military barracks, which was aired Sunday, the surprise guest AOA melted the hearts of the military unit that was joined by Park Hyung-sik and other celebrities. In a quiz competition which offered a holiday for the soldier who won the final round, Park and Jimin teamed up together. The partner was chosen by J

May 19, 2014

EXO-K hopes controversy over Kris will settle

(SBS)EXO-K members expressed Sunday their hopes that the growing controversy surrounding the group‘s Chinese unit leader Kris would be settled soon.“I would like to share this honor with EXO-M’s members,” EXO-K leader Suho said after the group won the top prize Sunday on “Inkigayo,” a weekly SBS music program. “I hope you can feel my heart and know what‘s on my mind. Thank you, our fans,” he said in the acceptance speech on behalf of the K-pop boy band. But he did not elaborate on what was on hi

May 19, 2014

Huang Xiaoming reveals intimate selfies with Song Hye-kyo

Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming took and revealed two selfies of Korean actress Song Hye Kyo and himself having a good time in Cannes, France.In the selfies, Huang, wearing a black suit and black tuxedo, poses with the star hallyu actress in white, beaming. Huang posted the photos on his Instagram page on Friday local time.  (Huang Xiaoming`s Instagram) (Huang Xiaoming`s Instagram)The two Asian celebrities made an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival to promote the film “The Crossing,” along with

May 19, 2014

Pop singer Seo Tai-ji to make comeback in fall

Popular veteran singer Seo Tai-ji will return to his fans with a new album in the fall, an entertainment agency said Monday.Wellmade Starm Inc. said Seo has recently signed a contract with its performance planning subsidiary, Show21, for a nationwide concert tour to mark the planned release of his ninth full-length album.The tour is set to begin in Seoul but the exact timing and venues of the shows were not fixed, the company said.The shows are expected to sell more than 10 billion won (US$9.77

May 19, 2014

[Band Uprising] HarryBigButton unleashes ‘Perfect Storm’ with coffee, cigarettes, rock ’n’ roll

As the Korean music market begins to receive more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the 12th installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.While its name may imply to some a man named Harry who likes to wear large, tacky buttons, the hard-rockers of HarryBigButton are anything but buttoned-down John Q. Public types. Lead vocalist and guitarist Lee Sung-soo

May 18, 2014

‘Inkigayo’ returns, EXO-K tops music chart

 EXO-K, one of the most popular K-pop boy groups, won the first prize on “Inkigayo,” an SBS music program that aired on Sunday.The program started up again after a five-week suspension in memory of the deaths of passengers aboard the ill-fated Sewol ferry, which sunk last month off the nation’s southwest coast.The other competitors for the first prize were g.o.d with “The Lone Duckling” and Jung Gi-go with “Want U.”“I would like to share the joy of winning this prize will our members. We especia

May 18, 2014

Choo Sa-rang mimics elephant with passion

Choo Sa-rang, a child-starlet and daughter of mixed martial arts fighter Choo Sung-hoon, mimicked an elephant, her favorite zoo animal, on an episode of the KBS2 reality show “Superman is Back” that aired on Sunday.After a family visit to the zoo, the starlet was asked to pick her favorite animal at the zoo. She happily cried out “Elephant!” and immediately rushed to make the long nose of an elephant, making the participants and staff burst into laughter. By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com

May 18, 2014

Fans donate to historical foundation for Taeyang’s birthday

Fans on Saturday delivered donated funds to a local historical institution as a birthday gift for Taeyang, a member of the boy band Taeyang, who was born on the anniversary of the May 18th democratic uprising. Taeyang’s fan club “You Are the Sun, I Am the Moon” donated a total of 5.18 million won ($5,059) to The May 18 Memorial Foundation, hoping that the gift would be a “meaningful birthday gift” for the K-pop star’s 26th birthday.  Taeyang (YG Entertainment)“The representative of the fan site

May 18, 2014

EXO-M members call Kris 'betrayer,' vow 11-member concert: report

EXO-M members condemned Kris’ recent legal waging against the agency as a “betrayal of trust,” Korean media reported on Sunday, citing Chinese online news outlet.“(Kris) should not have done such a thing without telling anyone in advance, especially when the world tour that we have all been dreaming about is just around the corner,” Tao, one of the four Chinese members of the six-member boy band, told Chinese online media Tencent Yule on Thursday. He called Kris’ act “bad behavior” and a “betray

May 18, 2014

EXO-M leader Kris diagnosed with myocarditis: report

EXO-M leader Kris. (SM Entertainment)Popular K-pop group EXO-M leading member Kris has been diagnosed with myocarditis, a disease marked by the inflammation of the heart muscle, according to Chinese media reports.The news comes after Kris officially filed a lawsuit against his agency SM Entertainment to terminate his contract. His complaint was received by the Seoul Central Court on Thursday. Prior to Kris’ diagnosis and lawsuit, the group had been scheduled to hold its first solo concert in Se

May 16, 2014