Viewers react to US remake of popular South Korean singing competition show

CJ ENM’s DIA TV stayed strong on the YouTube platform in 2018.According to Thursday’s announcement from DIA TV, an affiliate of entertainment heavyweight CJ ENM, Studio DIA created around 400 videos last year, which combined for 100 million views.  Creators affiliated with DIA TV promote the channel. (CJ ENM)While DIA TV specializes in managing content creators -- particularly YouTubers -- Studio DIA, a subdivision launched in 2017, creates original videos suitable for the online streaming platf

YouTube star Na Dong-hyun, better known as “Great Library,” began streaming his shows on Twitch on Monday, steering many of his fans to the game-streaming platform.Na, who has some 1.9 million YouTube subscribers, is one of the most recognizable names on YouTube in Korea. However, he announced Sunday that his platform of choice for live streaming will be Twitch. 　 (Screenshot from YouTube)“Using the YouTube live platform for two years, I experienced many troubles. There were some features that d

Lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung voiced his concerns over the growing sentiment that young men are being subjected to “reverse discrimination,” and urged his online followers to listen to rapper San E’s “Feminist” to better understand their struggle.The member of the minor conservative Bareunmirae Party took to Facebook on Sunday and praised San E’s song, saying society continues to tell young men that they are “oppressing women,” which he said creates antagonism. In a lengthy post, the lawmaker also said

Once considered just another pretty face, So Ji-sub has effectively solidified his position as one of the top actors on the small screen, notching his first top acting award from one of the three network television broadcasters in Korea.So won the grand prize at the annual MBC Drama Awards held Sunday at the MBC Media Center in Sangam-dong, western Seoul. The honor was for his performance in the MBC drama “My Secret Terrius,” which aired between Sept. 27 and Nov. 15 and peaked with a 10.5 percen

Reports that model and actor Lee Kwang-soo is in a relationship with actress Lee Sun-bin have been confirmed by the two celebrities’ agencies.Lee Kwang-soo’s agency, Kingkong by Starship, said on Monday that “Lee Kwang-soo and Lee Sun-bin have been dating for five months after meeting each other on the ‘Running Man’ TV show.” (Yonhap)Representing Lee Sun-bin, Imagine Asia has also confirmed their relationship.The two first met in September 2016 when they were filming the SBS TV program “Running

Actor Cha Joo-hyuk, who was a member of K-pop group Co-Ed, has been taken into police custody for illegal drug use. The latest incident came less than two weeks after Cha was released from prison. He had served an 18-month sentence for illegal drug use and drunk driving. (Yonhap)According to police, Cha was taken into custody on Tuesday for disorderly conduct after causing a scene at an apartment in Seocho, Seoul.During their investigation, police began to suspect that Cha took illegal drugs and

Kwanghee’s manager, who recently appeared on a reality show with the star, faces allegations of childhood bullying, though the agency has denied the claims. Kwanghee appeared on MBC’s “Omniscient” with his manager Yoo Si-jong. After the episode aired Saturday, an anonymous post regarding the manager was uploaded on an online community the next day, claiming that Yoo was a bully in middle school. (MBC's “Omniscient”)Bonboo Entertainment said Wednesday that it had confirmed with Kwanghee’s manager

Child actor Wang Seok-hyun has received death threats from a male fan in his 30s.A source said Tuesday that Wang received death-threat calls via his school and agency on Thursday. (Lionheart Entertainment)His agency immediately reported the matter to police. Police caught the suspect on Monday, and handed the case to prosecutors for further investigation.The suspect was reportedly Wang’s fan since his appearance on the film “Scandal Makers.” (Yonhap)Wang’s agency has contacted private security c

Actor Son Seung-won has been taken into police custody for drunk driving and injuring two -- all while having his license revoked.Seoul Gangnam Police said Wednesday that Son hit another car while driving under the influence of alcohol nearby a movie theater. Two men who were inside the car were injured and transferred to the hospital. (Blossom Entertainment)Son reportedly attempted to flee, driving away approximately 150 meters until a civilian and taxi driver stopped his car.According to polic

Black comedy compared to hit US drama ‘Desperate Housewives’

Comedian Lee Young-ja made history by becoming the first female comedian to win the grand prize at the KBS Entertainment Awards held Saturday. KBS has held the annual awards ceremony since 2002 to recognize achievements in variety and entertainment programs. The grand prize had been won by men for 16 years in a row. There were six nominees for the grand prize this year, including Yoo Jae-suk, Shin dong-yup, Lee Dong-guk and Kim Jun-ho.  (Yonhap)Lee Young-ja, who debuted 27 years ago, burst into

Popular drama series “The Last Empress” has come under fire after allegations emerged that the major network SBS and production company SM Life Design Group made staff work nearly 30 hours in a row.A group consisting of labor union members, including the Hanbit Media Labor Rights Center and Hope-Solidarity Union, filed a report on the matter to the Seoul Regional Employment Labor Office on Tuesday morning. According to a document outlining the filming schedule, revealed by the group, staff of “T

“Ddiye,” a 10-year-old YouTube sensation who charmed the Korean public, has announced she will take a break because “haters” reported her videos for no apparent reason. The YouTuber uploaded her first ASMR video Nov. 2 and had gained 5.9 million views for it as of Tuesday. The child’s unscripted actions -- nibbling on sea grapes with a microphone taped near her mouth -- distinguished Ddiye from numerous professional ASMR YouTubers. Her instant popularity brought in over 460,000 subscribers in a

Young restaurant and cafe owners recently opened up to TV personality Sam Okyere about the effects of gentrification on the once-lively neighborhood of Itaewon -- now a place beset with rising rents and fewer visitors.Okyere was walking around Itaewon filming an episode of tvN’s new variety show “Shift,” which aired Friday, in which he pretended to be a candidate campaigning for the 2022 local elections in the Yongsan district.During the documentary-style episode, he met with business owners in