Korea’s hottest stars are in love

Actor Kim Woo-bin and actress Shin Min-a confirmed Wednesday that they’ve been dating, becoming the latest celebrity couple to publicly admit their romantic relationship. 　Just like the newly announced couple, a growing number of Korean celebrities are going public with their relationships -- though in the many cases, it was first disclosed against their will. 　Here’s a look at the hottest stars in love in the Korean entertainment scene. 　Kim Woo-bin, Shin Min-a  Kim Woo-bin (left) and Shin Min-

July 23, 2015

‘Channel Girls’ Generation’ caters to female audience　

　K-pop octet SNSD’s cable show “Channel Girls’ Generation” aired its first episode Tuesday on OnStyle, with the idols shedding their lofty image to take on a more approachable style. 　In the episode aired Tuesday, the unassuming starlets took to laugh-inducing games, such as spitting watermelon seeds onto their faces and guessing the members’ ideal man.  (OnStyle)　Producer Oh Kwan-jin of OnStyle said the show would delve into the “real SNSD,” and the singers will actively take part in pitching a

July 22, 2015

Ex-EXO member Tao sets out as solo artist

(Tao's Instagram)Tao, a former member of boy group EXO, uploaded a selfie with a message saying “My dreams finally came true” on Weibo Tuesday, signaling his solo debut.Tao announced his withdrawal from EXO in April this year and is already running his own solo activities since he set up his own agency on Saturday. However, SM Entertainment has not released any formal announcement about his status yet. Tao is scheduled to drop his first EP “T.A.O.” on Thursday in China.By Kim Yu-jin (kimyujin@he

July 21, 2015

MC Mong returns with first concert in 6 years

 Hip-hop artist MC Mong, who was once mired in a draft-dodging scandal, will hold his first solo concert in six years, his label DreamT Entertainment said on Monday. 　Titled “The Happiest Time in My Life,” the concert will be held at the Lehzin Comics V-Hall in Seogyo-dong, western Seoul on Sept. 4-6 and 11-13. 　“The concert will be a time where MC Mong will meet with fans in six years,” an official from the label said. “He is preparing for a memorable time to share with his fans who have waited

July 20, 2015

Beast’s ‘Gotta Go to Work’ dominates charts

(Cube Entertainment)Beast’s pre-released track “Gotta Go to Work” topped the six online music charts in South Korea. The song emerged as a bestselling title on Melon, Olleh Music, Genie, Bugs, Soribada and Mnet.In addition, its music video attracted more than 3 million views since its initial release on Monday. Expectations are also rising for the group’s upcoming eighth EP, “Ordinary.” The new album is scheduled to be released on July 27.By Kim Yu-jin (kimyujin@heraldcorp.com)

July 20, 2015

K-pop girl groups battle on summer charts

Sistar (Starship Entertainment)The K-pop charts have been a tough battleground for Korea’s top pop groups in July, but the competition has been particularly fierce among girl groups.While big-name boy bands have generally timed their album releases to avoid head-on clashes, girl groups rolled the dice, with established names returning to the stage at the same time.Here’s a wrap-up of the summer girl group face-off in the K-pop scene so far, who’s come out on top and what’s to come in the coming

July 19, 2015

Bae Yong-joon warns of legal action against rumormongers

Actress Park Soo-jin and her groom-to-be Bae Yong-joon on Wednesday said they were considering a lawsuit against media that are spreading rumors that Park was pregnant.   (OSEN)　Local tabloids alleged Park was expecting, but the couple flatly denied such groundless rumors.　Park and Bae have been dating since February and on Tuesday announced that their wedding would take place on July 27. 　By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

July 15, 2015

Roy Kim, Bae Da-hae release single to promote animal welfare

The newly formed duo Team Pet Rescue -- singer-songwriter Roy Kim and Bae Da-hae -- dropped a single titled “For Meeting You” on Wednesday. 　The new track emphasizes the need for protection of abandoned pets, evoking sympathy among pet owners.　　 (CJ E&M)“Roy Kim and Bae Da-hae tried to convey a warm message to raise animal awareness,” CJ E&M, Kim’s management agency, said. “All profits from the song will go to the nonprofit Korean Animal Welfare Association.” 　The new title is part of the duo’s

July 15, 2015

INFINITE's powerful return

Boy band INFINITE has burst back onto the K-pop scene with a much-anticipated EP album titled “Reality,” intense dance moves and a high-tech music video featuring 360-degree viewing.　“We’ve been recording since January,” said Woohyun at a press showcase for the group’s comeback on Monday at Seoul’s Olympic Park. “We’re excited and happy to finally be able to show fans the results of our hard work.”The pounding title track, “Bad,” which speaks of a man falling in love with a “bad” but irresistibl

July 14, 2015

Infinite sweeps six music charts with new song

Popular boy band Infinite topped six domestic music charts with its new single "Bad" on Monday.The title track on its new album "Reality," released at midnight, is currently No. 1 on real-time charts for six online music services, including Mnet, Genie and Soribada, as of 10 a.m. (Woollim Entertainment)The song is about a boy who vows to devote his everything to a girl even though he knows she is a bad girl."Reality" is Infinite's first album since July last year, when it released "Be Back," a r

July 13, 2015

Ko Young-wook released from prison

Singer Ko Young-wook was released from prison Friday after serving 30 months on charges of raping and sexually harassing minors. 　Ko, 39, was discharged from Nambu Correctional Service in Seoul on Friday morning after serving his full sentence.   Ko Young-wook (OSEN)　“I am sorry,” Ko told the press gathered at the site. “I’ve had a time of self-examination over two and a half years. The prison time was difficult, but I have learned many lessons that I would have never learned in other places. Fr

July 10, 2015

'Madonna’ gets love calls from international film festivals

South Korean film “Madonna” was invited to international film festivals held in Sweden’s Stockholm and Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, its production company said Thursday. The Stockholm Film Festival is known as the top of its class in northern Europe, with high attendance figures from enthusiastic moviegoers and industry insiders.  Poster for 'Madonna' (Little Big Pictures)“Madonna” was asked to join the “Asian Image” section of the upcoming 26th festival scheduled for Aug. 12-16. Tor Nyman, the prog

July 9, 2015

K-pop idols to star in musical 'In the Heights'

A slew of K-pop idols will star in the Korean production of Broadway musical “In the Heights.” 　The star-studded musical will feature Key of SHINee, Chen of EXO, Infinite members Jang Dong-woo and Kim Sung-kyu and Luna of f(x), alongside experienced musical stars.   Jang Dong-woo (left) and Key (SM C&C) Kim Sung-kyu (left) and Chen (SM C&C) Luna (SM C&C)Key will play the protagonist Usnavi, sharing the role with actor Yang Dong-geun, musical actor Jung Won-young and Jang. 　Musical actor Seo Kyun

July 9, 2015

Lee Joon-gi, TVXQ Changmin turn vampire, prince in new TV drama

Korean period drama meets “Twilight” in a new MBC drama, starring two popular Hallyu stars -- Lee Joon-gi and Changmin of TVXQ.In “Scholar Who Walks the Night,” actor Lee Joon-gi takes on the role of vampire scholar Kim Sung-yeol. A year since “Gunman in Joseon,” Lee returns to the small screen with a vampire role that seems fit for the actor with pale skin, sharp features and substantial experience with period dramas.Lee Joon-gi (MBC)“My looks aren’t what they once were, unfortunately,” said Le

July 7, 2015

Hello Venus joins heated girl group competition in July

(Twitter)K-pop girl group Hello Venus is set to drop its new single in July. Ahead of the release, they posted two photos of members Alice and Lime on their official Twitter account. The pictures, in which the two gaze into the camera with colorful hair and nails, were taken at the same studio where they shot their new album cover.  It has been six months since they released single “Wiggle Wiggle” in January. Since their debut, Hello Venus has garnered attention with sexy dance moves and addicti

July 6, 2015

Big Bang’s July songs reign over local charts

K-pop boy band Big Bang ranked No.1 on major local music charts for the sixth consecutive day Monday with its latest track “If You.”　Released on July 1, “If You” has topped the real-time K-pop chart of Melon, the largest online music service site in Korea. On the chart, fellow July release “Sober” followed in a close second place. The two songs -- which are part of the EP “D” -- are ranked near the top on other major charts as well, including Genie, Olleh and Bugs.  Big Bang (YG Entertainment)Th

July 6, 2015

Junsu mulls lawsuit over online defamation

Junsu of K-pop boy band JYJ is considering taking legal action against netizens who have made hateful comments against him in the past. 　The 28-year-old singer tweeted Sunday that he has recently received multiple requests from people through his personal email and his label’s legal team to take legal actions against online slander. 　“I have dealt with (hateful comments) for the past 10 years,” he wrote on his Twitter. “I tend to be optimistic and strong so I am less affected by the comments. I

July 6, 2015

Park Shin-hye, Lee Jong-suk rumored to be dating

Actors Park Shin-hye and Lee Jong-suk were reported to be dating Wednesday morning, but their agencies quickly denied the rumors, saying they were “just close friends.”Park and Lee starred as the onscreen couple of hit TV drama “Pinocchio,” which ran from November to January.Park is also known for acting with Lee Min-ho in another drama series, “The Heirs,” in 2013. Lee appeared in drama series “I Can Hear Your Voice” in the same year. Both are celebrated hallyu icons with international fan base

July 1, 2015