Jung Yun-ho devotes himself in sword practice for ‘The Night Watchman’

The upcoming MBC drama “The Night Watchman” on Friday revealed behind-the-scenes photos of actor and idol group TVXQ member Jung Yun-ho.In the drama, Jung plays the skillful swordsman Moosuk. According to local reports, the staff of the drama spotted him devoting himself to sword practice for his character.The released photos show Jung practicing his sword skills in the scorching summer heat. His sharp eyes show the strength and dignity of a swordsman.The Monday-Tuesday drama will air from Aug.

July 25, 2014

MC Mong to drop first album in 5 years

MC Mong. (IS Entertainment Group)Well-known hip-hop artist and entertainer MC Mong announced that he would return to his musical roots for the first time in four years with the release of a new album this year.MC Mong is reported to have signed an exclusive contract with entertainment agency Wellmade Yedang and is working on an album to be released in September or October. The star’s last album release was his fifth studio album “Humanimal” in 2009. Shortly after, he was caught up in a legal sca

July 24, 2014

Singer Yoo Chae-yeong dies of gastric cancer

Singer and actress Yoo Chae-yeong died Thursday following a months-long battle against advanced gastric cancer. She was 41. According to her agency 150 Entertainment, Yoo was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer last October and battled against her critical condition until Thursday, when she passed away in the Severance Hospital in Sinchon-dong, Seoul. Yoo Chae-yeong. (150 Entertainment)“Her husband and other family (members) stayed by her side until the last moment,” the agency said. “She did

July 24, 2014

Jay Park to return with new track ‘Na Na’

Park Jae-beom, widely known as Jay Park, is returning to the K-pop scene with his EP “Na Na” in late July, four months after the release of “Metronome” last April. Park’s self-composed song, armed with unstoppable hooks and a mellow melody, will be reminiscent of a summer night party, his agency said Thursday. The new track is to drop on July 25 through local music streaming charts. The 27-year-old American artist debuted as a member of K-pop boy band 2PM in 2008, but left the team two years lat

July 24, 2014

EXO D.O. adds bromance to “It’s Okay, That’s Love”

Actor Jo In-sung and singer-actor D.O. of EXO attend the press conference for SBS’ new rom-com series “It’s Okay, That’s Love” in Seoul, July 15. (SBS)D.O. of K-pop boy band EXO flaunted pure, boyish charms in his screen debut on television series “It’s Okay, That’s Love,” Wednesday on SBS. The singer played Han Gang-woo, a writer-aspirant and enthusiast of professional detective novelist Jang Jae-yeol, played by Jo In-sung. The “boy-man chemistry” gained attention from watchers, adding to the f

July 24, 2014

Kissing big-nosed people like Jo In-sung is difficult: Gong

Actress Gong Hyo-jin (top) and actor Jo In-sung appear on SBS's "Midnight TV Entertainment" on Wednesday. (SBS)Actress Gong Hyo-jin said she had a hard time kissing actor Jo In-sung in her latest rom-com “It’s Okay, That’s Love” because of his “big nose.” The rom-com queen said, “His nose is so big that it keeps poking my eyes during the kiss scene,” driving the audience into laughter during SBS talk show “Midnight TV Entertainment” on Wednesday. Jo, although embarrassed, immediately struck back

July 24, 2014

‘Kundo’ breaks box-office record on opening day

“Kundo: Age of the Rampant” drew a record-high 550,000 viewers on its first day in theaters, heralding a rise of historical action films.The Korean historical film dwarfed the U.S. fantasy animation “How to Train Your Dragon 2” that drew 72,000 viewers, according to the state-funded Korea Film Council. Both films launched on Wednesday.“Kundo,” directed by Yoon Jong-bin and starring Ha Jung-woo and Gang Dong-won, replaces the former record movies “Transformer: Dark of the Moon (2011)” starring Sh

July 24, 2014

Yim Si-wan shows off dandy character

Yim Si-wan, an actor and K-pop idol, posed for fashion magazine MUINE. He can be seen in a light blue suit with a white shirt and grey sweater. Yim currently appears in the drama “Triangle.”By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: MUINE )

July 24, 2014

Park Shin-hye shines at airport

South Korea actress Park Shin-hye‘s photos taken at the airport were revealed on Thursday.Park’s agency SALT Entertainment released two photos of her that show off her fashion sense. 　In the photos taken at the airports in Korea and Japan, Park is wearing black-and-white striped shirts with a matching handbag and blue shoes. She was on her way to the two-day “2014 Story of Angel in Japan” fan meetings held in Tokyo and Osaka from July 19. 　Park continues her fan meeting Asia tour in China, Taiwa

July 24, 2014

JYJ‘s Jaejoong holds farewell party for costar Oh Yeon-soo

Jaejoong of K-pop boy band JYJ posted several pictures taken with the cast of the MBC drama “Triangle” at a farewell party for his costar Oh Yeon-soo. “Before we send off Yeon-soo to the U.S., we gathered at home and had a good time,” Jaejoong wrote on his Twitter on Thursday.  “Regardless of results or process, I appreciate that I could work on this drama that helped me meet good people,” he added. In the photos, the cast and crew are dressed casually, having beer and snacks at Jaejoong‘s home.

July 24, 2014

2NE1’s Park Bom to step down from TV show ‘Roommate’

K-pop girl group 2NE1’s Park Bom, who recently came under fire for an alleged drug scandal, appears to have stepped down from the popular reality show “Roommate,” according to industry watchers. Park, a regular cast member on the show, has not participated in filming for the TV show since her alleged drug smuggling came to light. (OSEN)In light of the scandal, the show’s production team made clear that Park can continue to take part as none of the allegations were proven to be true, but Park has

July 24, 2014

4Minute HyunA posing as ‘hippy’ for fashion magazine

K-pop idol and 4Minute member HyunA posed as “hippy girl” for fashion magazine Grazia. The hippy concept was suggested by HyunA herself. The idol wears denim shirts matched with a hairband and bracelets. The whole editorial can be seen in the August issue, where she also reveals details about her daily life. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit:  Grazia)

July 24, 2014

Heechul selects himself as the ‘most handsome’ member in Super Junior

Heechul of Super Junior chose himself as the “most handsome” member of the boy group.The singer participated in the MBC radio program “Sunny’s FM Date” on Wednesday and revealed his charms as an entertainer. In the section of the program named “Reply from Star,” Heechul was asked to rank the group’s looks.“The first place would be me. The second place is Donghae, because I personally like his sad eyes,” Heechul replied.“Donghae has such deep ones like a sunset. On the other hand, I don’t have a

July 24, 2014

Block B sweeps local charts with latest tune ‘Her’

K-pop boy band Block B’s latest tune “Her” debuted at the top of real-time music streaming charts after the group’s fourth EP “Her” was unveiled on Thursday. The title track “Her” debuted at No.1 on local charts such as Naver Music, Genie and Olleh Music, with other songs on the album also ranked high. The title of the song “Her” has dual meanings -- a woman in English and an interjection used in Korean to express astonishment. The seven-member group released its third EP “Jackpot” in April, but

July 24, 2014

JYJ sings Chris Brown’s song

Famous rapper Chris Brown has participated in composing a song on JYJ‘s upcoming album.“Chris Brown’s song ‘Valentine’ will be the last track on JYJ’s second full album ‘Just Us’,” the agency said. “The recording was done in a studio in Los Angeles.”Chris Brown (Sony Music Korea) and JYJ (C-JeS Ent.)“The song is armed with an addictive melody and sexy lyrics, which will maximize the charm of JYJ’s vocals,” the agency added.Grammy Award-winning producer Lonny Bereal coproduced the song with Chris

July 24, 2014

Entertainer Yoo Chae-yeong dies of cancer

Entertainer Yoo Chae-yeong died Thursday following a months-long battle against advanced gastric cancer, her agency said. She was 41. Yoo was diagnosed with cancer last October and was recently reported to be in critical condition “Her husband and other family stayed by her side until the last moment,” the agency said. “She did not leave any last words.” After debuting as a singer in 1994, Yoo broadened her career into acting.(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

July 24, 2014

Psy to team up with ‘Gangnam Style’ director for new ‘Daddy’ MV

International K-pop star Psy is once again joining hands with the director who produced the music video for his viral hit “Gangnam Style” for the upcoming new single “Daddy.” Psy is currently planning out the music video with director Cho Soo-hyun, the man behind the “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman” music videos, according to an industry official.Psy. (YG Entertainment)“The music video of ‘Daddy’ will feature Psy’s particular humor and comical style,” the source said. Unlike “Gangnam Style” and “

July 23, 2014

Daybreak returns with retro-pop EP album

South Korean rock band Daybreak has returned to the local music scene, equipped with new sounds and fresh musical approaches.The four-piece band, consisting of vocalist Lee Won-suk, guitarist Chung Yoo-jong, bassist Kim Sun-il and keyboardist Kim Jang-won, dropped its latest retro-pop EP “Cube” on Tuesday. With the new five-track album, Daybreak focuses on New Wave music, the dominant music style of the ’80s, a period widely considered the heyday of modern pop. Daybreak’s new EP “Cube.” (Happy R

July 23, 2014

Director calls “It’s Okay, That’s Love” a necessary drama

Director Kim Gyu-tae of SBS’ new rom-com ”It’s Okay, That‘s Love“ talks to press in a drama premiere press meeting in Seoul, Wednesday. (SBS)Director Kim Gyu-tae said SBS’ new rom-com “It’s Okay, That’s Love” is a “necessary drama” regarding its message to society. At a drama premiere conference in Seoul, Wednesday, the director admitted that some of the socially awakening ideas embedded in “It’s Okay, That’s Love” could appear “heavy” and “unfamiliar” to the audience. But dramas with social mes

July 23, 2014

Han Groo’s summer jacket fashion gets spotlight

Actress Han Groo’s fashion in the drama “Marriage Over Love” is gaining attention from its viewers.Han often wore various kinds of light summer jackets in the drama, matching them with shorts, skirts and jeans.Summer is often discussed as the most difficult time of the year to stay fashionable as people wear less items of clothing. However, Han showed the way to stay stylish, and still avoid the hot weather.The jackets like Han’s can be worn indoors with heavy air-conditioning. They are also wor

July 23, 2014