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May 23, 2013
Ryu Si-won Indicted for Beating and Spying on Wife
The Chosun Ilbo
Actor Ryu Si-won has been indicted on charges of installing a GPS tracker in his wife's car without her knowledge, and beating and threatening her.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on Wednesday said Ryu secretly installed the tracking GPS in his wife's Mercedes in May 2011, and also put location tracking app on her smartphone in September that year.
He collected data on her whereabouts until February 2012.
When she confronted him about the issue and asked him to remove the GPS tracker in August 2011, Ryu allegedly verbally abused and threatened her and repeatedly slapped her face.
The couple married in October 2010 and have since filed for divorce. Ryu's wife in February this year accused him of blackmailing her.
Ryu's management agency in a press release on Wednesday denied the charges. It claimed Ryu is "incapable of violence" and his wife is trying to get the upper hand in the divorce proceedings. |
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May 23, 2013
Jang Nara to represent yet another Chinese fashion brand
By Suh Hye-rim The Korea Herald
Jang Nara has signed on with Chinese apparel company Yirienkkeueo to appear in its advertisements.
Jang signed the contract with Yirienkkeueo on May 19 in front of thousands of her fans in Xiamen, China.
“We picked Jang Nara as our new advertisement model because of her popularity in China. Also, we thought that her cute and lovely image perfectly matches our brand image,” an official from the brand stated.
Jang, a singer and actress, has become the most wanted TV commercial model in China. She has already appeared on numerous advertisements for fashion brands, home appliances, cosmetics and beverages.
After signing the contract, Jang held a special performance for her fans who had come in the heavy rain to see her.
Jang has been very active in China since 2003. She was back in Korea last year and enjoyed success with drama series “School 2013.” |
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May 24, 2013
Ku Hye-sun, Lie Sang-bong to Promote Cheongju Craft Biennale
The Chosun Ilbo
Ku Hye-sun (left) and Lie Sang-bong
Actress and film director Ku Hye-sun and fashion designer Lie Sang-bong have been appointed promotional ambassadors of the 2013 Cheongju International Craft Biennale.
They will also take part in some of the biennale's programs. Some crafts that Ku has made herself will be put on display, while Lie is preparing for a special exhibition and fashion show featuring cultural products inspired by Hangeul, the Korean alphabet.
The biennale will take place from Sept. 11 to Oct. 20. |
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May 24, 2013
Novice Film Director Invited to Cannes
The ChosunIlbo
Moon Byoung-gon
A short film by a promising young Korean director has been invited to this year's Cannes film festival, which opened last week and wraps up this weekend. Moon Byoung-gon's "Safe" is one of nine films entered in the Short Films Competitions after the list was whittled down from 3,500 submissions from 132 countries.
Moon said he decided to embark on his career in filmmaking after he saw veteran director Im Kwon-taek appear on a TV program when he was a freshman at university in 2001. Inspired by what Im had achieved through his lifetime, as well as the longevity of his career, Moon decided to change his major to film directing.
"I was very impressed. It's hard to find a secure job to see you through your twilight years in Korea these days, even if you work for a big company and hold a decent degree. But there seemed to be no set retirement age for a film director," said Moon. It was not until later that he learned Im is fairly unique in the country for having remained active until such a ripe age.
For "Safe," Moon spent W3 million from his pocket and got a W5 million grant from a local film foundation. He then spent four days with a small production crew to make the 13-minute short feature.
When the editing was complete, he sought to have it accepted at as many festivals as possible. "As a director, I have a certain responsibility to those who helped me make this. I felt as though I had to give it my best shot to get it widely circulated," he said.
"Safe" is set in an illegal gambling den and revolves around three characters, a woman who works there, a gambling addict and the parlor owner. "I wanted to illustrate the irony hidden in human desire or vanity, which makes people dabble in gambling as they harbor vain dreams of hitting the jackpot, but end up being enslaved by it," Moon said
Before the invitation to Cannes arrived, he worked part-time for an entertainment company in hope of broadening his film knowledge, but spent most of his time on menial tasks like changing light bulbs and fixing chairs.
He also got an internship at a large company and applied to a few advertising agencies, but failed to land a job. "I studied film directing because I didn't want to be a typical salary man, but after graduating, reality sunk in and I changed my mind because I needed to make ends meet," he said.
"I applied to many companies, but they weren't interested in me, maybe because I don't fit easily into those kind of hierarchical organizations," he joked. "That was probably led me to do this [career]." |
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May 24, 2013
Fake Psy Fools Stars at Cannes
The ChosunIlbo
In this photo taken from British actress Naomie Harris's Twitter account, she is seen posing with a man impersonating Psy at the Cannes Film Festival.
A man impersonating rapper Psy has been doing the rounds at Cannes. He was spotted at various parties and events at the film festival, taking photos with celebrities and even fooling the organizers.
"Photo service FilmMagic posted photos labeling the man Psy as he was escorted by security to the Martinez hotel on May 21. He was wearing a blue blazer, white pants and Psy's signature sunglasses," wrote the Hollywood Reporter.
Before having the wool pulled from their eyes, a number of stars including "Skyfall" actress Naomie Harris uploaded pictures with the look-a-like on their Twitter accounts.
The real Psy confirmed on his Twitter account that he was staying in Singapore at the time and was not complicit with the pranks unfolding o |
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May 24, 2013
Ex-Pop Star Tries to Follow Girlfriend into Suicide
The Chosun Ilbo
Son Ho-young cries at the funeral of his girlfriend in Seoul on Thursday. /News 1
Former pop star Son Ho-young attempted suicide in his car at a parking lot in Yongsan, Seoul on Friday morning. He has been taken to hospital and is not in critical condition.
Son's act of desperation follows the suicide on Tuesday by a woman he was in a relationship with.
According to police, Son lit charcoal briquettes to kill himself with the carbon dioxide fumes, but the car caught fire and he got out. A passerby found him and called the police.
Firefighters completely extinguished the blaze in four minutes and the car has been taken to Yongsan Police Station.
On Tuesday, the young woman who had been dating Son killed herself in another car he owns, also using a charcoal briquette and sleeping pills. In a suicide note she blamed debts. |
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May 24, 2013
Singer tries to take own life after girlfriend's suicide
By Lee Sang-ju The Korea Herald
Singer Son Ho-young was rushed to the hospital early Friday after an apparent suicide attempt, hours after he attended the funeral of his girlfriend, who is thought to have taken her own life earlier this week.
Police said Son appeared to have made the attempt in his car by burning a substance that gave off noxious fumes, but abandoned it when the vehicle caught fire. A passerby who found Son called emergency services.
The fire was extinguished within five minutes and Son, who was moved to Soon Chun Hyang Hospital, did not sustain serious injury, reports said. No suicide note has yet been found.
Two days earlier, Son’s former girlfriend was found dead in the same car. A suicide note, and evidence of common suicide methods led authorities to tentatively conclude that she had killed herself. The method used was similar to that used by Son.
After a career as a member of the popular boy band G.O.D. in 1999, the 33-year-old Son began his solo career in 2006 as the group disbanded.
Following the death of his former girlfriend, Son said that he would stop television appearances and radio programs. |
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May 24, 2013
'No legal action against Psy imposter'
By Park Si-soo The Korea Times
Psy imposter in Cannes
Psy’s management agency won’t take legal action against a man who claimed to be the rapper and was given red-carpet treatment, attended star-studded upscale parties and even appeared in a video for a French radio station showing how to do the “Gangnam Style” dance during the Cannes Film Festival.
YG Entertainment spokeswoman Hwang Min-hee said no measure against the as-yet-unidentified imposter is in consideration, viewing the recent incidents as an “inevitable cost” of Psy’s international fame.
“We are not seeking any measure to hold the imposter liable for the scandal,” Hwang told The Korea Times over the phone, Friday. “I think this is a sort of a byproduct of his popularity. Also we’ve received no angry reaction from Psy.”
Unlike celebrities who tend to be upset over such incidents, the 36-year-old who is now trotting the globe to promote his new song “Gentleman” made a surprisingly jovial reaction, saying “Seems like there's another ME at Cannes ... say HI to him” in his tweeter message on Wednesday.
Psy is now in Singapore. He took the stage of the Social Star Awards on Thursday and said people may be able to distinguish between real and fake Psy by the number of accompanying body guards.
“I’ve heard he (fake Psy) was with three bodyguards. I have only one,” he said, which prompted laughter from the audience.
According to news reports, the fake Psy, who wore the rapper’s signature round glasses and ill-fitting suit, lived it up around Cannes for several days as celebrities and journalists hit the town for the annual film festival. According to the Atlantic Wire, the imposter went to parties, posed with celebrities as well as appearing in the video for the French radio station Radio Prestige.
Among those who got duped into posing with the pretender were actress Naomi Harris, actor Adrien Brody and Portland Trailblazers player Nicolas Batum.
He also reportedly made his way into parties at the Carlton hotel, the VIP Room and Martinez beach, as well as attending a secret bash thrown by millionaire oil baron and fashion designer Goga Ashkenazi at Le Baron, where he grabbed a mic behind the DJ booth at the soiree also attended by Karolina Kurkova and Rosario Dawson. |
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May 24, 2013
Son Ho-young tries to kill himself
Korea JoongAng Daily
Singer Son Ho-young tried to commit suicide in his car yesterday in a parking lot in Yongsan District, central Seoul. He lit a type of briquette on fire in the car, which is the same method his girlfriend used to kill herself.
However, the fire started burning the car’s interior and Son got out of the car. A passer-by found him near the car and contacted police. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within five minutes, but the inside of the car was destroyed.
Son was taken to Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital. A hospital official said yesterday he’s no longer in critical condition and was moved to an intensive care unit.
On Tuesday, police found the body of Son’s girlfriend, who had been dead for about a week, in a car registered under Son’s name. The police determined that her death was a suicide. Son stayed at the funeral for his late girlfriend with other friends until after she was cremated and interred at a memorial park in Seocho, southern Seoul on Thursday afternoon. Son’s manager dropped him off at his father’s house early Friday. |
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May 24, 2013
Akdong Musician to sign with YG
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Akdong Musician, winning team of the survival audition program “K-Pop Star 2” on SBS, will start building its professional career with YG Entertainment, after signing a contract with the agency.
“We cannot disclose details on the conditions of the contract, but we have met with the parents of Akdong Musician and ended the discussion amiably,” the agency said yesterday, adding that it will finalize the official contract within a few days.
The signing of the winner was delayed after the program ended early last month because the brother-sister duo of Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Su-hyun were underage, which required their parents to proceed with contracts for them, but as they live in Mongolia, the entire process has been slowly executed.
“We think YG can support us well on [making] our music,” said the duo. “We want to make better music in a better environment.”
Meanwhile, the duo released a new song, “Bean Rice Cake Shaved Ice,” on Thursday, which made it to the top position on local music charts. |
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May 24, 2013
Seo In-young: I play well with others
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Seo In-young denied rumors that she had uncomfortable relationships with other female celebrities. Earlier, it was rumored that she disciplined singer IU in a bathroom and even hit her.
“I never called her to the bathroom, and I swear I never dragged her to the bathroom,” said Seo during MBC’s talk show “Knee Drop Guru” on Thursday.
Seo said she had rarely seen IU before they met in 2010 on the MBC entertainment show, “Heroes,” in which they both were regulars.
“I don’t care much about others, I don’t know about her,” she explained.
She also shared an episode about how she was embroiled in another rumor that she and singer Baek Ji-young are not so friendly. In a waiting room, she tried talking to her by saying “there is a big age gap [between you and me]” in an attempt to say that it is not easy for her to start talking to Baek.
But Seo said that she later met Baek again at an awards ceremony and they resolved their issues. |
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May 26, 2013
Showbiz program under fire for airing celebrity's suicide attempt
Broadcasting CCTV containing a celebrity’s suicide attempt sparks criticism
The Korea Herald
(KBS2)
Entertainment Weekly, a showbiz program on state-run KBS2 network came under fire for airing footage showing a singer’s attempted suicide.
The program delivered news on Son Ho-young’s suicide attempt on Saturday, using the surveillance video installed on the scene. In the segment, a vehicle was set on fire and Son was seen to be trying kill himself by burning a toxic substance, followed by firefighters taming the fire and the singer rushed to the hospital.
As the program was aired with all the shocking images, Korean fans expressed discomfort and attacked the network for “not being respectful of one’s right and privacy.” They said such footage might incite other people to commit “copycat suicides.”
The weekly entertainment program has recently suffered a series of setbacks including blunders involving a member of the popular boy group Infinite H and the late singer Lim Yoon-taek of the music band Ulala Session.
From news reports |
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May 26, 2013
Rumors swirl over Son's suicide bid
By Moon Gwang-lip Korea JoongAng Daily
Fellow g.o.d. members cautioned against messages swirling on Twitter speculating about Son Ho-young’s motive behind his alleged suicide attempt on Friday.
“Put yourself in the shoes of those who were hurt by this incident and do not use words that are not helpful,” Park Joon-hyung of g.o.d. tweeted on Friday.
It was a reference to suspicions spreading via social network services that Son was involved in his ex-girlfriend’s death and tried to conceal evidence by burning his car. Son was taken to Soonchunhyang University Hospital from a parking space in Yongsan, central Seoul, Friday, where his SUV was found consumed in fire.
Son was reported to have tried a carbon monoxide-based suicide using charcoal briquettes, the same way police said his ex-girlfriend killed herself in the same SUV, but he got out of the car after it caught on fire from the briquettes. Her body was found in the SUV on Tuesday. Park, the leader of the defunct boy group, asked fans to pray for Son. Danny Ahn, another g.o.d. member, also tweeted after visiting Son in the hospital: “Please pray for him, pray for him a lot.” |
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May 26, 2013
KBS bans Lee Hyori's 'bad girl' antics
By Julie Jackson The Korea Herald
A scene from Lee Hyori’s new music video “Bad Girl,” which has been banned from KBS for inappropriate content. (B2M Entertainment)
State-run broadcaster KBS announced on Friday its decision to add Lee Hyori’s recently released “Bad Girl” music video to its list of banned content.
Much like Psy’s “Gentleman” music video ― also banned by the station ― where the rapper was intentionally acting as a menace in keeping with the song’s “bad guy” concept, Lee’s video similarly showed the singer committing mischievous acts in portrayal of the single’s intended “bad girl” image.
The K-pop singer’s original music video included scenes in which a young Lee shoots her school teacher with a sling shot as well as having a male teacher engage in inappropriate sexual conduct with two female students.
KBS officials said those scenes resulted in the music video being deemed unfit for broadcast. On the other hand, rival stations SBS and MBC have not banned the video, but gave it an age restriction of 12+ and 15+, respectively.
It has been reported that officials from Lee’s agency B2M Entertainment have edited the portions of the music video in question and have resubmitted the new version to KBS for review and reconsideration. |
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May 26, 2013
Yuna to appear on '1 Night 2 Days'
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
More big-name stars will participate in a reality show after actress Choi Kang-hee appeared on the KBS reality show, “1 Night 2 Days,” earlier this month.
Yuna of Girls’ Generation has participated in a filming of the popular Sunday show, according to the group’s agency, SM Entertainment, Friday.
Although Sunny and Hyoyeon of the group also were reported to appear on the show on Friday, the agency confirmed that only Yuna will join a two-day trip for the program. She will join seven other regulars, including singer and actor Cha Tae-hyun, singer Sung Si-kyung and actor Yoo Hae-jin in many games to decide who gets to sleep indoors or who gets to eat dinner first.
Fans were excited about the news as a member of the popular girl group will be showing more down-to-earth characteristics than were previously shown in other music shows or during her stage performances.
The popular nine-member girl group fans are also wondering online which regular member will join Yuna if she’s chosen to camp overnight after losing various games on the program. The episode will air next month. |
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May 27, 2013
Young Korean Director Bags Best Short Film Prize at Cannes
The ChosunIlbo
Director Moon Byoung-gon poses during the Award Winners photocall after he won the Palme d'Or at the 66th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on Sunday. /Xinhua-Newsis
Director Moon Byoung-gon's "Safe" won the Palme d'Or as the best short film at this year's Cannes Film Festival. It is the first time a Korean movie has grabbed the honor.
It was Moon's second time to attend the prestigious film fest. In 2011, his "Finis Operis" was invited to the International Critics' Weeks Shorts section.
Out of the nine contenders, "Safe" was considered to be the most socially concerned as it exposed the dark side of capitalism.
The 13-minute short is set in an illegal gambling den and revolves around a university student who works there on a part-time basis. |
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May 27, 2013
S. Korean director Moon wins short film award at Cannes
YonhapNews
CANNES, May 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korean director Moon Byoung-gon won the top prize for short films for "Safe" at the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival on Sunday.
It marks the first time that a Korean film has won an award for a short film at Cannes.
"Safe," the winner of the Short Film Palme d'Or, draws a sad portrait of contemporary people through a female college student working part-time at an exchange booth in a gambling parlor and a gambling-addicted man.
"I'm bewildered and didn't know if I would win a prize. I'm all the more happy to receive this award because I completely had no expectation that I'd win," Moon told Yonhap News Agency after the awards ceremony.
No Korean feature film was invited for this year's event.
The 30-year-old director studied film at Seoul's Chung-Ang University and has director two shorts -- "No More Coffee Break" (2008) and "Finis Operis" (2011). The latter film was featured at Cannes in its Critics' Week in 2011.
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May 27, 2013
Jung Hye-young Donates W100 Million to Help Sick Children
The Chosun Ilbo
Actress Jung Hye-young donated W100 million to help children with rare and difficult-to-cure diseases at Yonsei University Hospital on Friday.
In her debut film, "The Gangster Shaman," which was released in January, Jung played the role of a mother with a sick child, which required some of the scenes to be shot at the hospital's children's clinic.
Actress Jung Hye-young (right) and her husband Sean spend time with a child while visiting Yonsei University Hospital to make a donation on Friday. /Courtesy of Yonsei University Hospital
She decided to pledge all of her earnings from the film after her husband Sean suggested she give it to a good cause.
The couple wed in 2004 and have since become known for their charitable endeavors. |
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