B2ST vocalist says localization is key to K-pop boom

K-pop boy band B2ST’s vocalist Son Dong-woon said that Korean singers should step up efforts to localize their music and style to make the K-pop boom long-lasting at the Hallyu Conference, held Tuesday in Seoul.  (OSEN)“Singers should understand foreign cultures before they perform abroad. There are, of course, cultural differences among fans from different parts of the world,” the youngest member of the group told the audience. The Hallyu Conference, jointly organized by Korea’s national broadc

July 1, 2014

B1A4 to come back with self-composed EP

Five-man K-pop band B1A4 announced Monday that its upcoming EP will include six songs all composed by the members.The group said its fifth mini album “Solo Day” will be released on July 14, and it is gearing up for a comeback in the local entertainment industry.B1A4 unveiled its list of tracks including the lead track, “Solo Day” at midnight on Tuesday, raising anticipation in long-awaited fans.Leader Jinyoung’s participation in making the album is something to highlight as he had a part in the

July 1, 2014

Miss A’s Fei wishes to last forever with members

Fei, a member of K-pop girl group Miss A, expressed her fondness towards the three other members of the group -- Suzy, Min and Jia.“It’s been seven years since I came to Korea. I spent more than half of this period with them (members of Miss A). These photos of Miss A are my favorites. Five years or 10 years or more, I hope to walk together smiling and laughing like in the photos. And our ‘sayA’ (name of Miss A’s fandom) too. I love you,” Fei wrote on her Twitter alongside the photos of Miss A.

July 1, 2014

B2ST: Our name could have been ‘Gold, Silver, Bronze Eagle‘

Idol group B2ST talked about their team name during an appearance on an SBS radio program Saturday. While introducing B2ST’s profile at the start of the program, the show host said, “The group name not only means ‘animal’ but also ‘Boys of EAst Standing Tall.” The members of B2ST revealed that there were other candidates for their team name before their debut.According to the group, other possible names were “Gold, Silver, Bronze Eagle,” “300” after the popular 2007 warrior flick, “Sixcon,” shor

July 1, 2014

Korean female idol members' teenager photos

Hot hallyu stars were not originally celebrities from their birth. Their passion and efforts have let them to reach their dreams and finally become attractive celebrities. The Korea Herald listed innocent and cute look of Korean female idol group members. Girls Generation Yuri   (COSMOPOLITAN)T-Ara Hyomin  Hyomin (center)T-Ara Jiyeon (OSEN)T-Ara Boram  (OSEN)T-Ara Eunjung  Eun-jung (left) in drama (OSEN)Secret Sunhwa   (OSEN)Secret Hyosung  (OSEN)(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

July 1, 2014

So Ji-sub wows 6,000 Taiwanese fans

Actor-rapper So Ji-sub successfully completed his first fan meeting event in Taiwan with some 6,000 local fans gathered in the country’s capital to see the Korean heartthrob, the star agency 51K said on Tuesday.  Actor-rapper So Ji-sub attends the two-day fan meeting event in Taipei, Taiwan, from June 28 to 29. (51K)Dubbed “SOJISUB 1st Asia Tour: Let’s Have Fun in Taiwan,” the promotional event was held in the Taipei International Convention Center in Taipei, Taiwan, from June 28 to 29. The even

July 1, 2014

2NE1’s Park Bom shed tears over alleged drug smuggling

K-pop girl group 2NE1’s Park Bom shed tears after hearing the news Monday that she was allegedly caught smuggling illegal drugs into Korea but set free four years ago.Yang Hyun-suk, CEO of Korea’s top K-pop agency YG Entertainment, made a statement Tuesday to explain Park’s alleged drug smuggling. Park Bom crying on TV show "Roomate" (SBS)“I haven’t seen Park Bom much lately due to her hectic schedule. I am afraid that I just bumped into her as the news went viral. I had to watch her crying all

July 1, 2014

Park Bom caught smuggling illegal drugs, but set free

It was belatedly revealed that Park Bom, a member of the K-pop idol group 2NE1, was caught smuggling illegal drugs into Korea but released without punishment about four years ago.The local daily Segye Ilbo reported Monday that Park had attempted to smuggle 82 amphetamine pills from the U.S. into Korea back in October 2010 via international mail. She was caught by customs officials at Incheon International Airport and the case was referred to the prosecution. But prosecutors suspended the drug-re

July 1, 2014

JYJ and EXO to stand on same stage for first time

The Korean idol groups JYJ and EXO will perform in the opening ceremony of the Incheon Asian Games on Sept. 19, their agencies said. It is the first time that the two groups will share the same stage.(SM Ent./C-jes Ent.)JYJ, which has served as the promotional ambassador for the event since February last year, is to sing “Only One,” the theme song for the Incheon Asian Games, at a pre-opening ceremony.EXO is scheduled to sing its hit song during the opening ceremony along with other popular Kore

July 1, 2014

Tiny-G’s Dohee releases teaser for new single

Tiny-G has released a new teaser for the group’s upcoming single featuring member Dohee. The K-pop group is about to release their fourth single “ICE BABY,” featuring participation by famous artists including K.Will. The group will release teasers from the remaining members soon. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: Gngproduction)

July 1, 2014

Lee Young-ae saves Taiwanese fans’ infant

Actress Lee Young-ae saved the life of a Taiwanese infant whose parents could not afford a costly surgery, a Taiwanese online media outlet reported on Monday.“Korean actress Lee Young-ae has saved an embattled pregnant woman,” Zhongguo Taiwanwang reported, alleging that the actress donated 150 million won ($148,000) to a Taiwanese couple who was involved in an accident. Actress Lee Young-ae (left) comforts a Taiwanese woman after donating 150 million won ($148,000) to pay for an operation to sav

July 1, 2014

EXO’s ‘Vine’ videos named most popular in Korea

EXO’s self-taken video clips dominated the top “Vine 360” videos chart, picked by Twitter Korea on Monday.  (SM Entertainment)Twitter Korea revealed the list of the six most popular Vine 360 videos from the first half of the year. Vine 360 videos are short looping video clips that enable users to easily post them through the mobile app “Vine,” owned by Twitter.  EXO’s four videos took the Nos. 1 to 4 spots, with their videos retweeted more than 50,000 times in total. The top honor went to the vi

June 30, 2014

Jang Na-ra feels familiar with acting out pregnancy

Singer-turned-actress Jang Na-ra said on Monday that playing her character on MBC’s new rom-com “Fated to Love You” was not so difficult. The actress told reporters at a press conference held in Yeouido, Seoul, that she felt comfortable acting as a pregnant woman, as she previously played two characters who gave birth to twins in two separate Chinese dramas. The still photos show the scenes from "Fated to Love You." (OSEN)“I think my character Mi-young (in the rom-com) is in fact a plus to an ac

June 30, 2014

Jang Hyuk says Jang Na-ra looks the same as 12 years ago

Actress Jang Na-ra looks exactly the same as 12 years ago, actor Jang Hyuk said in a press conference for MBC’s new rom-com drama “Fated to Love You” in Yeouido, Seoul, on Monday.This is the second time for the two Jangs to costar in the same romantic comedy. Back in 2002, the two played lovers in another MBC rom-com series, “Successful Story of a Bright Girl.” “I feel comfortable about working with her. Her face looks the same as back in those days (in 2002) with a strong sense of familiarity,”

June 30, 2014

Chaerim receives romantic proposal from Gao Ziqi

Chinese actor Gao Ziqi kneeled down to propose to South Korean actress Chaerim on Sunday in Beijing, China. Local news reports say it was a perfect event with the three must-need things for a marriage proposal -- a romantic song, glowing ring and beautiful kiss.  (Weibo)Around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Gao Ziqi sang the song “I Believe,” originally sung by South Korean ballad singer Shin Seung-hun, for Chaerim in front of the public, holding a bundle of red roses.The 33-year-old actor then bent down

June 30, 2014

Nichkhun gives spoilers for next 2PM album

 Nichkhun talked about 2PM’s comeback during an interview with Mnet “Wide Entertainment News” last week. The news program showed Nichkhun visiting Koyang Sports Center on June 14 for a “multi-ethnic family badminton tournament.” Nichkhun, as a model for famous sports brand “Yonex,” held a signing event for his fans and struck the first shuttlecock in the badminton tournament. “I spend most of my time in the gym nowadays, but there won’t be any nudity in the upcoming album. Are you disappointed?”

June 30, 2014

f(x) comeback teaser released

K-pop group f(x)’s comeback teaser was released on SM Entertainment’s official homepage and Facebook page. The teaser shows the new album concept and its members, wearing heavy makeup and creating a sensual and dreamlike atmosphere. The group’s new album “Red Light” is going to be released on June 7.By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: SM Entertainment)

June 30, 2014

Will Jang Hyuk, Jang Na-ra survive the same old rom-com formula?

Actor Jang Hyuk and singer-turned-actress Jang Na-ra will reunite after 12 years by costarring in the MBC rom-com series “Fated to Love You.”“When I read the original work of ‘Fated to Love You,’ the two actors came to my mind right away,” said Lee Dong-yoon, the chief producer of the drama. This is the first time for Lee to work on a romantic comedy.From left: Actors Choi Jin-hyuk, Jang Na-ra, Wang Ji-won and Jang Hyuk pose at a press conference for the MBC rom-come drama "Fated to Love You" on

June 30, 2014

SNSD’s Sooyoung in talks for lead role in drama

Sooyoung, a member of the K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation, is mulling over whether to play a lead role in an upcoming drama.  (OSEN)Sooyoung is now in talks about terms and conditions after she was offered a lead role in the MBC-TV drama “Spring Days of My Life,” according to showbiz insiders. The story of the family drama, directed by Lee Jae-dong, revolves around the female character, who is terminally ill but grabs a chance for a new life after a heart transplant operation. “The drama will

June 30, 2014

Lee Hyori’s peaceful married life revealed

K-pop queen Lee Hyori revealed a glimpse of her peaceful married life on Jejudo Island. Taking an evening stroll with her husband, Lee showed off her enjoyable life on the island. Lee also posted a few pictures of animals, showing her love for them. Lee has been active in saving and caring for animals, especially abandoned dogs. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

June 30, 2014