Singer-actor Kim Hyun-joong will receive the first verdict for the case involving his alleged assault on his ex-girlfriend early next month.Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday concluded hearing from both parties’ legal agents. The court will announce the verdict at 2 p.m. on Aug. 20.  (Yonhap)Kim has been entangled in a number of civil and criminal suits with his ex-girlfriend. She claims that had Kim beaten her, resulting in the miscarriage of a child as she was supposedly pregnant at the

K-pop group GFriend (Source Music)Rookie group GFriend, one of the hottest trending K-pop acts these days, has performed well on the local music chart Gaon Chart in the first half of the year. 　GFriend’s single “Rough” ranked No. 1 on its National Digital Singles, Online Downloads and Online Streaming charts. The single was released in January as part of the group’s third EP “Snowflake.”  　Another single “Me gustas tu,” which was part of its second EP “Flowers,” hit the No. 15 spot on the Online

NCT’s Taeyong (SM Entertainment)Taeyong, a member of SM Entertainment’s newest boy band NCT, broke down in tears in an episode of “NCT Life,” apologizing for indiscretions he made before his K-pop debut. 　It was recently revealed that Taeyong was prone to scamming buyers on a local auction website before his official debut as a member of NCT. 　The K-pop idol reportedly auctioned off items under various user IDs, duping customers by not shipping off purchased items or sending defective products.

YG Entertainment confirmed the launch of new four-member girl group Black Pink on Wednesday.YG released pictures of the new girl group via their official blog, confirming the identities of the members as Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo and Rose.Black Pink is the first girl group that YG has released since 2NE1 seven years ago. YG’s executive director and producer Yang Hyun-suk had initially attempted to sign a nine-member group, but a few years ago, he confirmed the creation of a four-member group instead.

Actor Kim Seong-min was found unconscious after a suicide attempt following a fight with his wife in the small hours of Friday, according to the police. (Yonhap)The Seocho police said they first visited Kim’s house past midnight on Thursday night leading to Friday morning when his 18-year-old son reported a domestic violence case at 1:15 a.m., claiming Kim was hitting his wife. Kim’s wife, however, said the fight was “only a minor conflict” between the couple.Instead of pursuing the case, she de

Actor, songwriter and lead singer of K-pop rock band CNBLUE Jung Yong-hwa, is the new face of the Chinese public campaign “Power to Go,” the artist’s agency FNC Entertainment announced Wednesday.　The campaign, which was started by Chinese actor-singer Chen Kun in 2010, includes charity concerts and donations, as well as a silent parade with celebrities. Promotional image of Chinese public event “Power To Go” starring Jung Yong-hwa. (Power To Go)　It is the first time a non-Chinese star has become

The famous cliff from 2014 hit-TV drama “My Love from the Star” has been temporarily closed to the public over safety concerns since April 22.  　According to the Incheon Metropolitan City, the cliff in Songdo was graded worrisome D and E in its latest safety examination. A scene from 'My Love from the Star' (SBS)Experts have reportedly warned that the cliff face was unstable and could result in deadly rock falls due to having been previously used as a quarry up to 1994. However, the city is know

Hallyu continues to forge ahead around the globe, with K-pop powerhouses unrelenting in finding new ways to spread Korean culture, even if it means venturing outside the entertainment field.　One of the biggest current trends in the local entertainment community involves celebrities and entertainment agencies taking a stab at the food and beverage scene. 　Many Korean celebs have invested in their own cafes or dining establishments, such as Grill5taco owned by Super Junior’s Dong-hae, JYJ Junsu’s

K-POP IN BRAZIL -- About 200 people, including members of “Viva Coreia,” a group of hallyu fans, perform a K-pop flash mob dance in Sao Paulo on April 27, 100 days before the opening of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. (Yonhap)

Top Korean stars including Yoo Ah-in, Lee Kwang-soo, Zo In-sung and Park Shin-hye, are playing cameo roles in TV dramas, stealing the show despite their brief appearances. 　In the hit TV drama “Descendants of the Sun,” which ended on April 14, three actors made cameo appearances, thanks to their friendship with the cast and staff members.  Song Joong-ki (left) and Lee Kwang-soo in “Descendants of the Sun” (NEW)　Actor Lee Kwang-soo, who is a close friend to the drama’s lead, Song Joong-ki, appear

Actor Park Hae-jin will be featured on Chinese postage stamps, Chinese media reported Monday.　The stamps are part of the Dream China project jointly organized by China’s Ministry of Communications and China Post to recognize the 100 most influential cultural figures in China.Chinese postage stamps featuring Korean actor Park Hae-jin (Mountain Movement)　Though other Korean stars have had their faces on limited editions of Chinese stamps, Park is the first Korean to be on Chinese stamps that are r

South Korean actor Park Hae-jin won “Male Actor of the Year” at a Chinese award ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday, his management company said Friday. 　Park achieved the feat for his lead role in the Chinese TV series “Far Away Love.” It is his second win at the awards, organized by Chinese technology and online video company Leshi Internet Information & Technology, known as LeEco, or Letv. He last won the “Asia’s Star” award in 2012 for his role in the Chinese show roughly translated as “Chen Du

The final episode of “Descendants of the Sun” had a record viewership of 38.8 percent, an all-time high for the KBS hit drama, according to Nielsen Korea. In Seoul alone, it scored higher rating of 44.2 percent, according to the data agency. The drama had a happy ending, living up to expectations of many viewers. Dr. Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo) reunites with Army Capt. Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki), who went missing for a year during a mission overseas. Master Sergeant Seo Dae-young (Jin Goo), who