Hit survival program catapults singer to soaring stardomKim Bum-soo was known as the “singer behind the curtain” before getting his new nickname “Visual Kim” in the hit TV program, “Survival: I’m a Singer.”The elimination contest is similar to “Britain’s Got Talent,” which brought Susan Boyle fame. However, one of the differences is that “I’m a Singer” is a competition for professional vocalists.A

PHILADELPHIA (AP) ― “Jackass’’ star Ryan Dunn, who made viewers cringe and snicker through vulgar stunts in their multimillion-dollar TV and movie franchise, was killed early Monday in a fiery car crash. He was 34.Dunn, a daredevil whose most famous skits included diving into a sewage tank and shoving a toy car into his rectum, was driving his 2007 Porsche in suburban Philadelphia when it went off

A military officer has become the youngest ever 8th-dan in taekwondo.Lieutenant Colonel Choi Jeom-hyeon, 44, passed the test held by Kukkiwon, the world’s taekwondo headquarters.Dan refers to level in the martial art. From the 6th level is usually referred to as “high-dan,” one which amateurs cannot usually reach. One must not only be the right age and fit but pass “poomsae,” breaking and combat.

Kwon Oh-joong. (Yonhap News)Kwon Oh-joong calls for structured ways into volunteeringThe culture of giving should start as young as possible, Korean drama actor Kwon Oh-joong has said. The star from SBS drama “Miss Ajumma” also called for more structured ways of volunteering to make it easier for celebrities like him to give their time. “The more you expose children to people in need the better.

Professor Min Byoung-chul of Konkuk University received a national award Tuesday for his role in fighting cyber bullying and negative online comments.The professor of intercultural education and renowned English educator started the “Sunfull Movement” in May 2007 to promote a healthy culture of online communications.  Professor Min Byung-chul receives a national award for his role in fighting cybe

Kim Yoh-jin emerging as a leading figure on TwitterKim Yoh-jin, an established actress, is attracting attention as a social activist as she takes part in various rallies on sensitive social issues.The police are considering summoning the actress for questioning over her participation in a sit-in protest at Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction’s shipyard in Busan last week.She was one of the ac

Whether singing, acting, or narrating, he guarantees Asia-wide promotion. K-pop star Park Yoo-chun, who is taking on his second major TV drama, is proving his star power, as the show has drawn big attention both in the country and overseas.The MBC drama “Miss Ripley,” in which Park plays an heir to a resort empire, had already been exported to Japan and the U.S. before it was finished, in a deal w

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Laura Ziskin was a “Spider-Man’’ novice when she first met with her future producing partner on the blockbuster film franchise.She quickly became an expert on the Marvel Comics superhero and his alter-ego Peter Parker, applying the same tenacity that took her from humble beginnings as a game-show writer to Hollywood’s top echelons in a career of nearly 40 years.“She became a gee

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) ― U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was forced to rough it on an overnight bus to meet Argentine leaders on Monday because of Chile’s volcanic ash cloud. Worse still ― it was his birthday.Ban became the highest-profile person to fall victim as the eruption of Chile’s Puyehue volcano, high in the Andes, entered a second week, spewing ash that has disrupted air travel from South

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Jessica Simpson is taking on the role of mentor to aspiring designers for a new NBC reality series.The network said Monday that Simpson will help guide contestants in the series “Fashion Star” as they compete for a multimillion-dollar contract to launch their own brand.Elle McPherson will host the show, which NBC promises to be a “true spectacle” taped in front of a studio audie

LONDON (AFP) ― Britain’s Prince Philip received a new royal title from his wife Queen Elizabeth II as a gift on his 90th birthday Friday, as the outspoken consort said he would finally scale back his workload.The queen made him Lord High Admiral ― the titular head of the British Royal Navy and an office until now held by her ― partly in recognition of the promising seafaring career Philip gave up