It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Korea’s biggest band: A speech for UNICEF at the United Nations on 24 September. The speech, by the band’s leader Kim Namjun (aka RM), ended as follows: Like most people, I’ve made many and plenty mistakes in my life. I have many faults and I have many … [Read More]
Category: Celebs
“How Korea became fashion’s new fraternity”
Tonight’s Evening Standard page 27. I know I’m going to sound my age here but anyway… Dara from 2NE1 (right) looks fine. But would any of you turn up to an event dressed like G-Dragon (Big Bang) or CL (2NE1)? If anyone’s interested in reading it, it’s a brief puff piece on how Koreans are … [Read More]
Alcohol advert ban for young celebrities?
The BBC picked up on a story in the Chosun Ilbo that celebs under 25 could be banned from leading teenagers astray by advertising booze. A bill proposing the clamp-down was passed by the National Assembly’s committee on health and welfare on 23 April. Reportedly prompted by Kim Yu-na’s Hite advertisements in 2012 (when she … [Read More]
Some amazing street art of Bae Doona
Thanks to @Sean_Macdonald_ for posting on Twitter a photograph of some street art of Bae Doona in Cloud Atlas. The painting is about a 5 minute walk from King’s Cross Station on the Caledonian Road. [Read More]
Burberry Prorsum gets a celebrity upgrade
Last year at London Fashion Week, Burberry Prorsum fielded a few members of Girls’ Generation at their show. This year, at their September show, they get Jeon Do-yeon. Source: Joongang Daily, 18 September 2013 [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: another car crash of a week in the world of Korean celebrity
Rain is still on a no-show as a witness in the lawsuit against him by a fashion company investor citing that he is a soldier. But as he has had time to meet his girlfriend Kim Tae-hee, this excuse is not going down too well. This case is related to the debacle back in 2010 … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: it’s going to be one of those years…
It’s going to be one of those years. If you hadn’t already guessed from the propofol and Park Shi Hoo case, the rather dirty side of K-pop and celebrity has started to show itself. The propofol investigation has almost reached its conclusion. Still limited to four celebrities, Hyun Young, who had it administered 42 times, … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: the week of the younger siblings
The Park Shi-hoo scandal, as predicted, still has a lot of mileage. The full Kakao talk conversations between the trainee and her actor friend have been released by his law firm. They indicate the trainee and her friend were in communication after she had filed charges – contrary to her claims they were not. The … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: a packed calendar for new releases, and a focus on sexual harassment in the industry
The main dominating news this week has been the Park Shi-hoo alleged sexual assault case. Netizens and media alike have pounced on the story like a starving dog and there have been a number of stories, gossips and accusations relating to the case (and not to the case). Various text messages have apparently been obtained … [Read More]
Lee Young-ae returns in NYT ad
Yes, it’s nice to see Lee Young-ae back. But why do the people who put full page Dokdo ads in the American press feel the need also to promote Korean food in similar fashion? Aren’t Michelle Obama and Gwyneth Paltrow doing that for free? Still, I can’t think of a better spokesmodel for hansik than … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: SISTAR19’s sultry single, LEDapple’s covers and more
Teen Top performed in London on Friday as part of their European Tour. Due to release a full length album at the end of February, the concert sounds like it was a success and is sure to herald more acts coming to the UK in the future. They continue to Paris (a sell out date) … [Read More]
Why does Lee Byung-hun need two heads?
Last year, Kara. This year Lee Byung-hun is releasing a doll of himself. But why does he need two heads? The doll comes with an extra attachable head among other add-ons, and according to the agency, will hit stores in Korea next year. The Joongang Daily doesn’t really explain why. [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: Carry on up the charts
Sorry for the late news this weekend – technical issues with my machine and work related exhaustion. On that note though – if there is anything you would like me to focus on more – please do let me know in the comments. Se7en is holding a series of concerts this month in Japan before … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: Tablo on the BBC, more on propofol, and Shinhwa’s comeback
For anyone up in the early hours of Friday morning, Tablo was being interviewed on the BBC about Kpop and what influences him. The interview can be found on the BBC website or YouTube for those of you who, like me, ware asleep at the time. Sadly the clips have been getting some negative comments … [Read More]
Looking back at 2012: Hallyu and entertainment news
In the second of four round-ups of links to news which caught our eye in 2012, we focus on hallyu-related stories from around the world, some of the local entertainment industry stories plus a quick look at the film industry. UK. The Guardian put together an entertaining photoshop when London Mayor Boris Johnson claimed he … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: Sweet Dreams for Tiger JK
It’s been a quiet week in comparison to the first two of the year, but it looks like there is some interesting music on its way. Hip Hop legend Tiger JK, his wife Yoon Mi Rae (aka Tasha) and Bizzy are forming a new project group called MFBTY (‘My Fan Better Than Yours’), releasing an … [Read More]