Rain To Start His Military Duties Later This Year

One of Korea's biggest stars, Rain is planning to start his mandatory military service in the latter half of this year.

Rain's entertainment representative revealed on February 25th to Star News, "Rain is thinking of serving his compulsory military duties during the latter half of this year. He is planning on following whatever order the Military Manpower Association gives him. Before then, he has plans of an album and movie release. The filming of the movie "Red Muffler" will start in March while the release of a new album is also in talks."

The singer was actually supposed to enter the military last year, but with the new project "Runaway Fugitive" from KBS 2TV popping up, he had postponed his service.

source: KBS Global

Park Min-young Catches Advertisers' Eyes

Actress Park Min-young, who captured the hearts of audiences in the KBS2 TV drama "Sungkyunkwan Scandal," has drawn the attention of advertisers as well.

Park has recently become one of the most sought-after models for commercials, sweeping seven advertising deals for various products from cosmetics to underwear, clothing and liquor over the last three months.

Her management agency said her success in commercials is due to her ability to show a diverse range of charms according to each product's brand image. On her rising popularity, Park said, "I'm very thankful and want to continue doing my best in my career and show my versatility in future projects."

She is heading back to TV with the SBS TV drama, "City Hunter," which is scheduled to air in May.

source: Chosun Ilbo

Big Bang Makes Explosive Comeback

They don't call themselves Big Bang for nothing.

The populary five-membered idol group exploded back onto the music scene with a bang on February 24th. it's been two years and three months since their last official release as a group. The newly released mini-album consists of six songs. All six of which are currently taking up the number one to six spots on all the major online music charts in Korea : Melon Chart, Dosirak, Cyworld, Mnet, Bugs, and Soribada.

On Melon Charts, the group's title track "Tonight" is currently at number one followed by "What Is Right", "Somebody To Love", "Hands Up", "Cafe", and "Intro", respectively. Similarly, "Tonight" is number one on the rest of the previously listed charts, while the two to six spots vary between the remaining five songs. The title song can be described as a new sound from the group's previous works, great lyrics set to emotion-stirring melodies. It's powerful while pulling at one's emotions.

Big Bang's fourth mini-album has been a long time coming, but it seems that fans are happy with the end product. Various responses such as "[The music is] so strong and chic" and "Was worth the wait of two years" are popping up on the internet.

source: KBS Global

Won Bin and Moon Geun Young - Basic House photoshoot making film

Basic House photoshoot making film

Moon Geun Young for Basic House

Hyun Bin and Tang Wei for Vogue

credits: kfashionqueen.wordpress.com

Lee Hong Ki from FT Island to Appear in Japanese Drama

Lee Hong Ki from FT Island has been cast as the protagonist in a Japanese drama, his agency, FNC Music announced on February 14.

Ichikawa Yui and Lee Hong Ki from FT Island (right)

According to the agency, Lee Hong Ki will appear as the male protagonist in the drama entitled “Muscle Girl,” which will begin airing from April on TBS and MBS, and he will appear opposite Japanese actress Ichikawa Yui. A person in the agency also said, “Lee Hong Ki, a lead vocalist in the group FT Island, is very popular in Japan, and he has also been acknowledged as an actor as well in the drama 'You’re Beautiful,' which aired in Japan. Lee Hong Ki will also sing in the OST of the drama as a member of FT Island.”

source: KBS Global

Wedding Bells to Ring for Jung Jun-ho

Actor Jung Jun-ho will tie the knot on March 25 with MBC presenter Lee Ha-jeong, five months after they began dating.

The 41-year-old actor met Lee in late November when she interviewed him about the TV drama "Queen of Reversal" in which he was starring.

Jung, who is currently visiting Japan for a fan meeting event, will return home on Sunday and officially announce his wedding plans.

source: Chosun Ilbo

Dong Bang Shin Ki's Single Album Ranks Atop Oricon Chart

Dong Bang Shin Ki's 31st album entitled "Why? Keep Your Head Down," which was released in Japan on January 26, ranked atop the Oricon monthly single chart. According to the Oricon chart on February 8, the single album had ranked in first place on the daily chart when it had been released, it also ranked atop the weekly chart again by selling as many as 231,000 copies within just six days of its release, and it had been reached first place on the monthly chart again.

Its album sales during the first week after its release was tallied as the second largest by a foreign singer following the record that Dong Bang Shin Ki had achieved when they had released their 29th album, which sold over 256,000 copies.

Dong Bang Shin Ki met 14,000 Japanese fans, who had been selected by lottery, to commemorate their album release at the Makuhari Messe Hall located in Chiba prefecture on February 8.

source: KBS Global

IU to perform at Bailey Rae's concert in Korea

Korean pop singer IU will appear at British singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae’s concert here on March 10, according to organizers 9 Entertainment.

The 17-year-old artist will perform a cover of Bailey Rae’s song “Like a Star,” the company said in a press release. The show will mark the U.K. artist’s first solo concert in the country, following her debut here at the 2010 Jisan Valley Rock Festival.

IU said Bailey Rae has been her role model since she first saw the singer perform at the summer outdoor festival.

“I’m happy and honored to be able to have the opportunity to stand next to her on stage at this concert, which is different from seeing her from the crowd as a fan,” IU said.

“It’s incredible that her voice is so soulful even though she’s young,” Bailey Rae, 31, reportedly said after listening to IU’s music. “I definitely have to meet her myself.”

Bailey Rae debuted in 2006 with her eponymous album, which drew acclaim locally and abroad. She has since been nominated for a Grammy Award.

IU first came into the spotlight in 2008 with her mini-album “Lost and Found.” She sang “Araro” for the hit MBC drama “Queen Seondeok” and most recently took on an acting role in the TV show “Dream High.”

The concert will be held at 8:30 p.m., March 10, at AX-Korea, located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station, subway line 5. Tickets cost 110,000 won. For more information, visit http://ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 332-3277.

credits: Ines Min
source: www.koreatimes.co.kr