“Empire of Gold” Actress Yoon Seung Ah Talks About Writing a Book in “InStyle Korea”

Actress and model Yoon Seung Ah appeared in a photo shoot and interview for the July issue of fashion magazine “InStyle Korea.”  The lovely actress, known for her supporting role in the 2012 MBC historical fantasy drama “The Moon That Embraces the Sun” and lead role in the 2012 channel A romantic comedy drama “Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog,” will be appearing in the SBS drama “Empire of Gold.”  
Yoon Seung Ah, who is besties with singer and animal rights activist Lee Hyori (see here and here), brought her dogs Bambi and Boo to the photo shoot.  Yoon Seung Ah talked about her upcoming book on raising dogs, and commented: “In our country, other than translated books, we don’t really have any properly written textbooks.  As I raised my puppies, I decided I wanted to communicate to people my experience in raising them and tips.”
Yoon Seung Ah also talked about the love that her dogs gave her: “Even though the love that people give to other people is also precious, there are times when people want to be alone.  [My dogs] Bambi and Boo give me unconditional love.  When I don’t feel very good, they come close quietly, lean against me, and lick me, and give me comfort.  It’s so amazing and I’m grateful.”

soompi

BEAST Continues to Top Charts with “Shadow”

According to Osen, BEAST is continuing to reign on music charts with their hit track “Shadow.”
After releasing the title track “Shadow” on July 19, noon KST, ahead of the full album release, BEAST topped real-time music charts on online music stores. The hot group was still on top as of the morning of July 20 KST on Melon, Bugs, Naver Music, Daum Music, and Olleh Music.
“Shadow” is work of member Yong Jun Hyung and his music partner Kim Tae Joo. You can check out the dark and visually gorgeous music video here.
BEAST will showcase the first performance of “Shadow” at their concert series “2013 Beautiful Show” being held July 20 and 21 at the Seoul Olympic Park Stadium. The full album comes out offline on July 22.

soompi

Kim Soo Hyun in United States for Promotion of “Secretly and Greatly”

Actor Kim Soo Hyun is visiting U.S. cities for the promotion of his movie “Secretly and Greatly,” according to Newsen.
Kim Soo Hyun began promoting on July 19 and will continue until July 20 for “Secretly and Greatly,” which plays in theaters in America and Canada from July 16 to July 26. He will visit the AMC theaters located in LA Universal Studio, Citywalk, Orange, and Norwalk, as well as Fashion Valley in San Diego.
“Secretly and Greatly” showcases Kim Soo Hyun’s character of an idiot, combining the themes of hardship and action to bring a unique movie to theaters. The movie is about a group of North Korean spies who disguise themselves as an idiot, a musician, and a high school student to infiltrate South Korea.
Upon hearing of Kim Soo Hyun’s visit, representatives from the theater talked with him and had an interview. Korean pop and Korean movies are quickly becoming popular in America, and are also spreading cultural influence throughout the world.
The premiere of “Secretly and Greatly” in American and Canadian theaters suggests that Kim Soo Hyun is not just a Korea star, but a rising global star as well.

soompi

Rain To Have First Fan Meeting Out of Military

Rain (formally known as Jung Ji Hoon) will have his first official fan meeting after being released from military service on August 3, according to Star Today.
The meeting will take place at the temple at Kyung Hee University at 4:00PM on August 3. The event is sponsored by his fan club, and Rain was invited to attend.
In addition, Rain will attend and perform in “Sonic Bang 2013,” a large music festival at the Impact Muang Thong Thani complex in Bangkok, Thailand on August 24. Other big names in the music industry, such as Jason Mraz, Pitbull, Far East Movement, and Placebo will also participate in the festival.
Rain was formally discharged from the military on July 10, and addressed the public, “Thank you to the many people who came. I will work hard and show you my best.”
Shortly after he was released, Rain visited his mother’s grave to greet her and pay his respects after his military service. Afterwards, he went home to spend time with his family.
Congratulations Rain, we look forward to seeing you soon!

soompi

JYJ's Junsu And Jaejoong To Enlist In South Korean Army This Year To Avoid Criticism In Wake Of PR Officer Scandal

Xia Junsu, 26, And Hero Jaejoong, 27, of the K-pop trio JYJ reportedly plan to request a general enlistment in the South Korean army by the end of the year to avoid facing blowback from the recent PR Agent scandal that led to eight celebrity recruits receiving disciplinary action yesterday.
"Due to the recent celebrity soldier scandal, [Junsu And Jaejoong] want to serve as plain soldiers," a representative from JYJ's record label C-JeS Entertainment told Kuki News on Friday.
"As the military service is a sensitive issue for male celebrities, as they can receive the harsh criticism, both men have decided to go properly."


The rep added that although third JYJ member Micky Yoochun, 27, has no imminent plans to sign up for military service, he will be enlisting soon.
"All three members of JYJ plan to enlist for service as it's something all South Korean men should have to do," the rep said.
All eligible males between the ages of 18 and 35, famous or not, are legally required to enroll for between 21 and 24 months of army service in South Korea (the length of mandatory enrollment changes by several months depending on which branch of the military that they serve in) in a practice known as conscription.
The South Korean government has informed Yoochun that he will be assigned as a public service worker because of his asthma.
In the case of Jaejoong, the singer might not have much of a choice when he enlists.
According to the C-JeS Entertainment rep, the star has reportedly received several draft notices that he has had to postpone because of international commitments with JYJ.
"Because [Jaejoong] has frequent performances abroad and other schedules, we're currently adjusting his schedule," said the C-JeS Entertainment representative.
"It seems that he'll probably leave for service at the end of this year and at the latest by February of next year."
Like all newly enlisted celebrity soldiers, the three members of JYJ will have to do without the notorious comforts provided by the recently abolished promotional support brigade, a longtime bastion for famous recruits.
South Korea's National Ministry Of Defense announced Thursday that they will be eliminating their controversial celebrity recruit unit of the public relations wing of their Defense Media Agency (DMA) started in 1997.
"The promotional support brigade was set up to promote the military and raise the morale of soldiers, but due to the unpleasant issues that have occurred, the military's image has only been tarnished," read an official army statement on Thursday, according to the publication Star News.
"It has also brought down the morale of other soldiers who have been diligently serving. As the purpose of the celebrity soldier branch [was] to promote the military, the public's faith is important, but due to various problems, we have only lost the public's faith."
Additionally, the Ministry Of Defense announced, eight soldiers from the celebrity soldier branch, including the K-pop singers Sangchu of the group Mighty Mouth and Se7en, would be punished for their behavior in camera footage shot for the news program "Scene 21."
Seven of the soldiers will face severe disciplinary action and be relocated to the field near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, according to the website TENASIA.


kpopstarz

2PM Taecyeon, 'The Secrets of Maintaining a Group? The Attitude of Recognizing Our Faults'

2pm taecyeon photo shoot with 1st look

2pm taecyeon photo shoot with 1st look

2PM's member Taecyeon showed off his charm through a recent photo shoot.
Taecyeon recently held a photo shoot with the fashion magazine '1st Look' with the concept of 'Man of Wild.' In the black and white photos, Taecyeon showed off his typical 'beast idol' charm.
Taecyeon wore a white shirt that was unbuttoned on the top, revealing his muscular and buff body.

During the interview held after the photo shoot, Taecyeon said, "I'm currently filming for tvN drama "Who Are You." It's a complicated drama that has many different things mixed together, and it has a lot of secrets and also has a component of fear."
About 2PM coming back after 2 years, Taecyeon said, "I felt so comfortable as if I came back home after a long time away from home."
When he was asked how 2PM maintains to be a united group together, he said "You need considerations for each other and we need to respect one another and have to have the attitude of recognizing our faults."



kpopstarz

miss A Suzy, 'I'm Only 20 But...'

Girl group miss A's member Suzy revealed a photo shoot taken in Paris, France.
Suzy recently held a photo shoot with the fashion magazine 'BAZAAR,' where she showed off her charms.
In the photo shoot, Suzy perfectly pulled off an outfit that was formed with the colors black and cold, creating a chic mood.

This photo shoot and interview of Suzy can be found in August edition of 'BAZAAR.'

kpopstarz

K-pop Solo Artist Ailee And Actor Park Ki Woong: Are They A Couple?

Park Ki Woong

Ailee

When Actor Park Ki Woong tweeted something positive about singer Ailee's most recent release, everyone assumed they were dating.
Last week, the actor, who starred in the dramas "Full House Take 2," "Bridal Mask" and the box office record-breaking film "Secretly, Greatly," tweeted the following words: "Our Ye Jin is currently number one on eight music charts. Please listen to and love Ailee's 'U&I' a lot so it can be on top^^ Ailee fighting!!!"
The single was released before Ailee's second mini album, "A Doll's House."

Fans noted the tweet and especially wondered at the actor using the singer's real name. But the reaction was generally positive. "You're a lucky girl," one netizen wrote.
But when the singer was asked about her "close relationship" with the actor, she denied that she was dating him.
"I've never even met Park Ki Woong. I was also surprised when I saw articles about him supporting me. But then I found out Park Ki Woong is good friends with my manager and a big fan of mine. So, I'm thankful for the support."
Maybe someone ought to introduce them. They will soon have a singing career in common as the actor is going to release an album of his own.
Park Ki Woong earned praise for his performance as Kimura Shunji, the Japanese teacher turned police officer in Bridal Mask and even won a DramaFever "Best Bromance" award for his onscreen interaction with co-star Joo Won. He recently co-starred in the film "Secretly, Greatly" with Kim So Hyun and Lee Hyun Woo. The three actors played North Korean spies who became comfortable in their undercover lives in South Korea. But it was his performance in  "Full House Take 2" that inspired the album.
The album will have three tracks, including a song he wrote, "You Are My Baby," sung with Younha. Honey Duo will also contribute to the album.
According to his agency, Waveon Entertainment. "Park Ki Woong received much love for his passionate performance as a singer when he played Won Kang Hee in the drama 'Full House: Take 2," which aired in Korea and Japan. Although he was only a character in the drama, we prepared this gift as a present to the many fans that liked his singing."
Park Ki Woong will perform his songs during fan meetings in Osaka and Tokyo later this week. The album will be released online on July 24.


kpopstarz

K-pop Idols Break Out: Skincare Edition

I'm in my mid-twenties and for the first time in my life I started to break out all over the place and quite frankly, it's stressful breaking out when you're older! So to all you readers out there who are embarrassed of your skin and it's random mood swings, here's a list of K-pop idols with bad skin too!
B.A.P's Daehyun doesn't have the greatest skin in the world and while his make-up artist does a good job in covering them up, they are still unfortunately visible and hard to avoid. I'm sure the overload of performances, endless nights of practice, and pounds of make-up don't help the star's skin in any way, shape, or form.


SHINee's Onew and Minho have bumps, pimples, and blemishes just like the rest of us. These young lads need more sleep and vegetables. I'm sure SHINee fans won't mind nursing their boys' skin back to health.


Wonder Girls's Sohee has a few blemishes and pimples here and there but who notices it when her face is as cute as a button?

Girls' Generation aren't made up of perfect female robots? There is a God! The group's leader Taeyeon, and member Jessica are pictured here with a few pimples and it's nice to see that these ladies are actual real human beings with break out like you and me!

Taeyang, you are just such a cutie. What were we talking about again?

Queen Hyori has these bumps around her eyes that aren't pimples but are some sort of skin problem that no one cares about because she can have a huge mole growing in the middle of her forehead and she will still be considered the fairest of them all.


kpopstarz

Skinniest K-pop Idols: Male Edition

There's nothing wrong with being a thin man. Most male idols in K-pop are thin and rarely do you see any male singer buff. The only super buff and big singer that pops into mind is Kim Jong Kook and he's much older and not considered an idol. Let's take a look at the thinnest K-pop male idols in the industry!
Every member in SHINee is stick thin and small framed. All five members together weigh one me and that is saying a lot.



B.A.P's Zelo has the height and body frame to be a model if he wanted. Tall, thin, long, and cute? Definitely model potential.

EXO's Kai is so thin, it shocks me that he has that much energy to run around and mimic a wolf. On a side note, he's got the lips of a beautiful woman which makes him my new pick for prettiest male idol.

Infinite's Sung Jong is tiny and fragile looking, almost like a dainty flower I'd like to put in a pot and watch grow.

Boyfriend's Kwang Min is a stick and ulzzang, which is the perfect combination for an idol and model. He's even got that long giraffe-like neck that makes him look even longer and thinner than he really is.

U-KISS's Kevin needs some cake or a McDonald's Big Mac super-deluxe meal. The singer's super skinny frame works for him as an idol, but the boy definitely needs some more meat on him!



kpopstarz