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)

Read More

‘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)

Read More

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)

Read More

Lee Sung Kyung Talks About The Gong Hyo Jin And Jo In Sung Dating Rumors

Actress Lee Sung Kyung, who played Jo In Sung”s teenage stalker in “It”s Okay, It”s Love,” had something to say about the recently published photographs featuring the actor and his co-star actress Gong Hyo Jin.

The photographs, which appeared in the Dispatch, heightened rumors that the actor and Gong Hyo Jin were dating. The two actors co-starred in “It”s Okay, It”s Love,” playing a couple. He was a mystery writer suffering from delusions and she played the psychiatrist who fell in love with him.

The drama ended on Sept. 11. A week later Gong Hyo Jin broke up with actor Lee Jin Wook, her boyfriend of a year. Two weeks later, Jo In Sung broke up with actress Kim Min Hee. Jo In Sung and Kim Min Hee had been dating since April 2013.

Representatives from Kim Min Hee”s agency cautioned that no one should jump to conclusions. The obvious conclusion was that both Gong Hyo Jin and Jo In Sung ended their respective relationships after growing closer on the set of “It”s Okay, It”s Love,” but both their agencies deny that the two are involved in a romantic relationship. They are only friends.

When the photographs showing Jo In Sung and Gong Hyo Jin out at a café were published in the Dispatch, some assumed that the actors were caught on a date together. But Kim Ki Bang and But Lee Sung Kyung were also present and Lee says that the gathering was a cast celebration.

The actress told Newsen that the cast members are like family and the photographs were taken a casual get together that Lee Kwang Soo was also supposed to attend.

“Lee Kwang Soo was also supposed to come but he couldn't because his shooting ended too late.”

She stressed that all the cast members became close during the filming of the drama. Although staff members traveled to Thailand together for a vacation following the end of the drama, the cast did not have any official celebration. So, they got together for some drinks at a café in Itaewon. When Jo In Sung and Gong Hyo Jin were photographed, Lee Sung Kyung was standing close to Gong Hyo Jin discussing whether they should share a cab. It was late.

“It was really nothing,” said Lee Sung Kyung.”

Kim Min Hee”s agency says that she and Gong Hyo Jin are still good friends.

Read More

Jo In Sung And Kim Min Hee Break Up: But Don't Jump To Any Conclusions

Days after Gong Hyo Jin broke up with her boyfriend actor Lee Jin Wook, her “It”s Okay It”s Love” co-star Jo In Sung has broken up with his girlfriend actress Kim Min Hee.

But, say representatives from Kim Min Hee”s agency, that coincidence does not mean you should jump to any conclusions.

Jo In Sung”s agency IOK Company and Kim Min Hee”s agency have both confirmed that the stars ended their relationship. The companies issued a joint official statement.

“This is our official statement concerning the headlines involving Jo In Sung and Kim Min Hee,” said a release by IOK Company. “We”ve confirmed that due to their individual activities, schedules and busy daily lives, the two naturally drifted apart and naturally broke up.”

The statement also added that it was important not to jump to conclusions. The obvious conclusion might have been that both Gong Hyo Jin and Jo In Sung ended their respective relationships after growing closer on the set of “It”s Okay, It”s Love.” In that drama he played a mystery writer suffering from delusions and she played the psychiatrist who falls in love with him. But. Say the agencies, their drama relationship has nothing to do with reality.

“We find it unfortunate that speculations and false details that have not been checked have been exaggerated in articles. Please refrain from reporting on details that have not been confirmed. We plan on taking strong action against news outlets that report unrelated details, so please report the news carefully.”

The rumors may have originated with photographs that appeared in the Korean media outlet “Dispatch.” On Sept. 24, the Dispatch showed a photo of Jo In Sung, Kim Ki Bang and Gong Hyo Jin out at a café in Itaewon, Seoul, on the previous night. But it”s not news that Jo in Sung, Gong Hyo Jin, Lee Sung Kyung and the other actors from “It”s Okay It”s Love” are close.

Both agencies deny that Jo In Sung and Gong Hyo Jin are dating.

According to his management company, “Jo In Sung has continued his friendship with Gong Hyo Jin after becoming friends while filming their drama together.”

Soop Entertainment also released a statement on the gossip that arose from the Dispatch photos.

“The two became closer as friends while filming the drama. That meeting was just a casual meet-up to socialize among friends.”

Kim Min Hee and Gong Hyo Jin are also good friends.

Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Jin Wook dated for less than a year, going public with their relationship in May. Jo In Sung began dating Kim Min Hee in April 2013.

Read More

Dispatch spots Jo In Sung with Gong Hyo Jin, rumored to have broken up with Kim Min Hee

Actor Jo In Sung has been spotted with his “It”s Okay, That”s Love” co-star Gong Hyo Jin by Dispatch, sparking dating rumors as well as further fueling rumors that he”s broken up with his publicly acknowledged girlfriend Kim Min Hee.

Media outlet Dispatch reported on September 24, “Jo In Sung, Gong Hyo Jin,Kim Ki Bang, and more were photographed having a good time at a cafe in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the night of the 23rd.” Photos of Jo In Sung, Gong Hyo Jin, and their acquaintances were also revealed.

After the news made headlines, Jo In Sung”s agency IOK Company responded,“Jo In Sung, Gong Hyo Jin, Lee Sung Kyung, and other actors from SBS” “It”s Okay, That”s Love” team are very close. On the night the photos were taken, they were all hanging out together.”

At the same time, there have been reports by an alleged insider that Jo In Sung and Kim Min Hee are not together, but are still on good terms. On the rumors that Jo In Sung and Kim Min Hee were no longer in a relationship, the agency stated, “Jo In Sung and Kim Min Hee are not broken up. They”re still dating well.”

Read More

Kim Hyun Joong”s ex-girlfriend denies any discussion or reception of settlement money in assault case

“A,” the ex-girlfriend who recently filed for the withdrawal of her lawsuit against Kim Hyun Joong on the grounds of assault on September 17, made it clear that there were no negotiations or talks over settlement money.

Her attorney told Star News on September 18, “Settlement money was never spoken of from the moment we received this case to the present moment. Without settlement money, we decided to withdraw the lawsuit after receiving the apology from Kim Hyun Joong.”

Her attorney stated, “Our client and Kim Hyun Joong did not simply date one or two times, but sincerely loved each other throughout two years of dating. It”s funny to ask him for money, and there was no reason to accept it even if it had been offered.

Assault is assault, but the problem was that her pride as a woman was hurt. That was why she wanted a sincere apology. Kim Hyun Joong showed regret and we received an apology from him, so she withdrew the lawsuit on the grounds she did not desire punishment.”

Read More

Kim Hun Joong posted an apology on his official website on Monday.

Singer-actor Kim Hyun-joong, 28, well known for his role in the KBS drama “Boys over Flowers” (2009), posted an apology on his official website Monday after being accused late last month of beating his ex-girlfriend on numerous occasions earlier this year. 

“I feel so sorry to have physically and mentally hurt the person I loved and trusted for the past two years”, he wrote in the statement, in reference to his ex-girlfriend who, according to local media, is not a celebrity. 

“I feel ashamed, as a man, to have committed an act I shouldn't have”, he continued, adding that the series of abuse was “completely” his fault. “I beg her for mercy. Having learned from this experience, I will try to live more righteously in the future”. 

As of noon yesterday, local media reported that Kim”s ex-girlfriend is currently considering withdrawing the suit. 

The case, which dates back to Aug. 22, has tarnished the princely image of the star. It began when a woman claiming to be his ex-girlfriend filed a police complaint charging that the singer had repeatedly beaten her over the course of several months. 

Local media was soon flooded with reports that one altercation had left her with a broken rib.

Before the star acknowledged he had committed physical abuse, he announced through his agency, Key East, that the broken rib was accidental and due to a “prank”.

By Lee Sung-eun

via Ohkpop

Read More

Kim Hyun Joong Issues Apology to “A,” Charges Might Be Dropped

Singer Kim Hyun Joong has issued a statement apologizing to his girlfriend, referred to as “A,” for physically assaulting her.

On September 15, the following message was posted on the singer’s official homepage:

Hello. This is Kim Hyun Joong.

Through this incident, I have caused serious mental and physical injuries to a person that I have trusted and loved for two years, and I am deeply sorry for that.

I feel deeply embarrassed of myself for doing things a man should not do.

As this whole case is a consequence of my wrongdoing, that person has no reason to be criticized.

I apologize to her once again, and I want to express my apologies to her family and friends as well.

Above all, I hope she will accept my apology and forgive me.

I will learn from this incident by doing my best to live a more well-behaved and healthy life.

Last week, on September 12, “A” demanded Kim Hyun Joong to apologize and admit to physically assaulting her. Now, the lawyer of “A” has come forward with their official response to the apology.

Lawyer Sun Jong Mun revealed to news outlet Newsen during a phone call: “It is exceptional that a celebrity admits to the allegations after being charged. The plaintiff ["A"] must now assess the sincerity of Kim Hyun Joong’s apology, and then decide whether to drop the charges or not.”

“As we originally wanted Kim Hyun Joong to admit to the physical assaults, self-reflect, and apologize, we are actively inquiring into dropping the charges without any terms,” the lawyer concluded.

via Ohkpop

Read More

New Cast Members of “Roommate” Season Two Officially Introduced on the Show

The new members of “Roommate” season two were finally officially introduced on air.

On the September 14 broadcast of the celebrity home sharing variety show, the seven new members Park Joon Hyung, Otani Ryohei, Bae Jong Ok, Sunny, Lee Gook Joo, Yeongji, and Jackson were introduced.

Park Joon Hyung of g.o.d already showed signs of possible conflicts as he said, “Nobody can sleep next to me. I snore a lot.” Meanwhile, his future roommate Otani Ryohei, a Japanese actor known for his roles in projects like “Roaring Currents,” said that he couldn’t stand people who snore. The handsome actor also peaked interest as he admitted to not wearing underwear while he sleeps.

Bae Jong Ok, an acting veteran with 35 years of experience and a doctorate degree under her belt, showed a unique personality as she said “I can’t drink alcohol,” but added her alcohol tolerance was a whole bottle of hard liquor.

Sunny of girl group Girls’ Generation admitted that she whimpers while sleeping, and seemed worried about cameras filming her during the night. She was also worried about cooking, as she revealed that she hasn’t made rice in over a year.

Rising comedienne Lee Gook Joo showed her intent of surviving among female idols, commenting that she had a lot to show the girl group members. Kara‘s newest member Yeongji seemed worry-free, as she said, “I don’t have anything to bring. I can just buy whatever I need from the convenience store and wear what I’ve worn before.”

GOT7 member and the youngest Jackson showed great determination and energy for the upcoming season of “Roommate.”

“Roommate” season two will start airing next week, on September 21.

source: ohkpop

Read More