MC Mong tops music charts with sixth album

The embattled South Korean hip-hop artist MC Mong, who was once mired in controversy over draft evasion, topped major local music charts with his latest track for the second straight day. 

As of Tuesday morning, the title track “Did you miss me?,” off his sixth full-length album “Miss Me or Diss Me,” took the No.1 spot on all ten online real-time music charts including Naver Music, MelOn, Daum and Mnet after its release on Monday. 

The 13-track album comes five years after the release of his previous full-length album, “Humanimal” in 2009. The punky title song, featuring Jinsil of vocal group Mad Soul child, tells of MC Mong’s inner conflicts before he returned to the K-pop scene. 

MC Mong’s unexpectedly strong performance on the music charts surprised the K-pop scene as the public anger towards him still remains over his alleged draft dodging.

The 35-year-old rapper kept low for nearly four years after being charged with deliberately delaying his military duty in 2010.

MC Mong allegedly paid dentists to pull out two of his teeth to be exempted from the mandatory military service, although he claimed that the teeth removal was for medical reasons.

Given the persistent public outcry, it remains unclear whether he will make any appearance on TV to promote his album. 

MC Mong debuted as a member of the hip-hop group People Crew in 1998. The artist rose to prominence after appearing on the MBC sitcom “Non-Stop 4.” After he launched his solo career as a rapper in 2004, his upbeat music and comedic style gained broad popularity. 

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

‘Lee Min-ho and I are kind of dry persons’

Korean actor Jung Il-woo, who recently finished his drama “The Night Watchman” successfully, talked about his close colleague Lee Min-ho in a recent interview with a local media.

Lee Min-ho(Starhaus Entertainment) and Jung Il-woo(Star K Entertainment)

Asked what he usually does to relax, the actor said, “When there’s no work, I’m really lazy. I just veg out.”

“I’m kind of a dry person. I don’t meet people often since it is tiresome (to go out). Lee Min-ho also has a similar personality, so he usually keeps indoors too. We always make an appointment and cancel it, saying ‘It bothers me (to go out), let’s meet another time.’ We’ve done it a number of times,” he added.

By Yoon Ji-soo (thankque@heraldcorp.com)

Lee Jong-suk, Park Shin-hye boast loving charms

Lee Jong-suk and Park Shin-hye (SBS)

Actor Lee Jong-suk and actress Park Shin-hye boasted chemistry in SBS’s upcoming drama “Pinocchio.”

The broadcaster revealed Sunday pictures of the two actors wearing school uniforms and showing off loving charms while standing together and smiling at the camera.

The drama “Pinocchio” is about young news reporters working at the social affairs desk.

Main casts for the drama "Pinocchio" (SBS)

Park plays the role of Choi In-ha, a rookie news reporter who suffers from “Pinocchio syndrome.” Lee plays the role of Choi Dal-po, a news reporter at the social affairs desk who used to be a taxi driver.

Choi lost his parents in a tragic accident when he was a child and forgets his past. He also has a hidden talent.

The drama is scheduled to air from Nov. 12 after “My Lovely Girl.”

By Kim Min-jin (minjin103@heraldcorp.com)