The singer and model who attempted to blackmail actor Lee Byung-hun have been sentenced to jail terms.On Thursday, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced model Lee Ji-yeon to a 14-month jail term and 21-year-old girl group GLAM member Kim Dae-hee to one year in jail. The court deemed that Lee and Kim attempted to blackmail Lee Byung-hun for the sum of 5 billion won ($4.6 million) to make financial gains. The court also said Lee’s continued claims of having been romantically involved with Lee

Actor Ha Jung-woo directs, stars in heartwarming film adaptation of Chinese novel

NEWARK, New Jersey (AP) ― As “Back to the Future” celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, there’s a legal tussle over the futuristic car that provided the guts for the flying time machine used by Michael J. Fox in the classic 1985 film.Maverick automaker John DeLorean’s eponymous creation costarred in the 1985 movie as it transported Marty McFly back to the 1950s to engineer his parents’ meeting ― and, in a 1989 sequel, to a 2015 world that featured flying skateboards, automated dog-walkers a

After stealing the hearts of many Asian girls with his modern-day Prince Charming roles in the TV series “Boys over Flowers” and “The Heirs,” actor Lee Min-ho is about to reveal his cruel, charismatic side. In the upcoming film “Gangnam 1970,” he plays an impoverished orphan-turned-mobster in a tale of money, violence and betrayal set against the tumultuous history of real estate development in what is now Seoul’s most affluent district. The noir action flick is the final installment of director

A domestic film depicting the life of a typical father from Korea’s older generation became this year’s first movie to surpass the 10 million viewer mark at the local box office, a market tracker said Wednesday.“Ode to My Father” hit the milestone at 10,001,709 viewers Tuesday, 27 days after it opened on Dec. 17, the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) said, adding that it became the 14th film ever to attract 10 million viewers at the local box office. In South Korea, average budget films seen by more t

A domestic film depicting the life of a typical father from Korea's older generation became this year's first movie to surpass the 10 million viewer mark at the local box office, a market tracker said Wednesday. Over 10 million viewers have seen "Ode to My Father" since its release on Dec. 17. (CJ Entertainment)"Ode to My Father" hit the milestone at 10,001,709 viewers Tuesday, 27 days after it opened on Dec. 17, the Korean Film Council said, adding that it became the 14th film ever to attract 1

Actor Lee Min-ho talked about playing an impoverished orphan-turned-mobster in the upcoming “Gangnam 1970,” a noir action film depicting the tumultuous history of real estate development behind Seoul‘s now most famous district.“I haven’t really played a lot of impoverished characters,” the actor commented during a news conference on Tuesday. “Mostly I’m depicted as that guy from a really rich family, so I doubt audiences will be able to immediately adjust to my character. But I just hope that pe

Hollywood is holding its breath ahead of Sunday’s Golden Globes, with dark comedy “Birdman” leading the race for awards glory ahead of next month’s all-important Oscars.While an eve-of-show computer glitch appeared to suggest two other films could take the top prizes, “Birdman” is still in strong position, earning a string of accolades and other nominations leading up to the Globes.Unusually rainy weather looks set to dampen the arrival of A-listers on the red carpet in Beverly Hills for the Glo

In the emotionally potent historical drama “Selma,” the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. leads a dangerous crusade to secure equal voting rights for black Americans. Oscar watchers expect the film to have as much impact as last year’s Best Picture winner, “12 Years a Slave.”David Oyelowo, a newcomer to leading roles, plays King as he faces endless challenges, from violent institutional opposition to painful domestic debates with his wife, Coretta. From left: Colman Domingo plays Ralph Abernathy, Davi

Gangnam 1970 (Korea)Opening Jan. 21Action, Drama. Directed by Yoo HaThe final installment of director Yoo Ha’s “street series” trilogy, the noir action flick is set against the backdrop on an exploding real estate market in Seoul‘s Gangnam district in the 1970s, a turbulent era under the dictatorship of military strongman Park Chung-hee. Two childhood friends, Kim Jong-dae (Lee Min-ho) and Baek Yong-ki (Kim Rae-won), find themselves forced to become enemies, mired with misunderstanding, revenge

Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves, best known for his lead role in “The Matrix” trilogy, arrived in Seoul on Wednesday to promote the Korean release of action flick “John Wick.” He plays the titular character of John, a retired assassin who returns to a dangerous underworld after a Russian thug murders his puppy, a posthumous gift from his wife, who died of cancer. “I related to his grief,” Reeves said at a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. The answer came after a moment of hesitation when a rep