Singer-actor Park Yoo-chun of boy group JYJ joined the Korean Army as a conscript Thursday afternoon, beginning his two-year mandatory military service. 　　The 29-year-old enlisted at an Army training camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, where he will receive five weeks of basic military training. After the training, he will serve as a public service worker at a public office in substitute for the active duty service at a military camp, due to his asthma. 　 Park Yoo-chun (OSEN)He is the se

 K-pop singer BoA, who successfully wrapped up her two-day concert at Seoul’s Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, said it was a dream come true to perform at the prestigious venue. 　“I am honored to be celebrating the last of my 20s at such a meaningful place,” she told the press ahead of the concert Sunday. 　“Before making my debut, I saw H.O.T. performing at the Sejong Performing Arts Center, and I thought to myself, ‘When will I get to be on the big stage like them?’” she said. “But this y

Songs from MBC’s “Infinite Challenge Music Festival,” which was held Aug. 13 in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, are sweeping South Korea’s major online music charts, including Melon, Bugs and Mnet.A special edition of the light entertainment program featuring the festival was broadcast Saturday, after which all the tracks performed hit music streaming services. (OSEN)The six tracks are “Oh My God” by G-Dragon, Taeyang and Kwang-hee, “Leon” by IU and Park Myeong-su, “Sponsor” by Zion. T and Haha,

Crime action flick “Veteran” is racing up its viewer record at a pace matching that of “Assassination,” breaking the 7 million milestone in two weeks since release Wednesday.  Poster of 'Veteran' (CJ Entertainment)　The film opened nationwide on Aug. 5, marking 1 million viewers by the third day, 2 million on fourth, 3 million on sixth, 4 million on ninth, 5 million on 10th, 6 million on 12th, and finally surpassing 7 million on the 14th day.　“Assassination” released on July 22 and entered the 10

K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation topped local music charts with its new LP “Lion Heart.”　On Wednesday, eponymous lead track “Lion Heart,” which was released at noon on Tuesday, ranked No. 1 on five charts -- Genie, Bugs, Soribada, Naver Music and Monkey 3. Another lead track “You Think,” which was released at midnight, ranked No.1 on two other charts -- Mnet and Olleh Music -- while following a close second place on four charts.  Girls` Generation (SM Entertainment)The eight-member group’s fif

From the cultural staples of Korean folk music and historical soap operas, to love-triangle-plagued TV dramas and the heavily choreographed, modern hodgepodge of K-pop, the nation’s entertainment industry has seen a paradigm shift in its international prominence over the past few decades. Following a number of game-changing TV dramas and musical acts such as KBS’ “Winter Sonata” and first generation K-pop idols BoA and H.O.T., overseas interest in the nation’s entertainment content has shot up,

Iconic Hallyu couple, Lee Seung-gi and Yoona of Girls’ Generation, split up recently, largely due to their busy schedules, agencies said Thursday. 　 “The couple recently ended their relationship though they decided to remain good friends,” said SM Entertainment, Yoona’s management agency. 　 Lee Seung-gi (left) and Yoona (Yonhap) Early this year, the two confirmed that they had been dating since Oct

(Official website of "The K Festival")The Korean culture festival dubbed “2015 The K Festival” unveiled its lineup of stars on Wednesday. The festival is set to be held at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on Sep. 11-13. According to its official website, the lineup includes EXID, AOA, Lyn, Chaeyeon, Tiger JK, Wonder Girls, Gain, Boyfriend, NC.A, The One, Lee Jung, Bestie, Hong Jin-young, Gummy and Youngji.The festival is set to feature not only K-pop but also other segments such as Korean food, fa

K-pop singer Jay Park, a former member of 2PM, will release a hip-hop album in September, local news reported on Tuesday. 　Park’s upcoming album will be composed entirely of rap music, a music industry insider was quoted in the report.　He is currently recording the upcoming EP. After the release, however, he is not planning to perform on TV music programs or do further promotional activities for the album.  Jay Park (Yonhap)The news of Park’s album release has already spurred huge anticipation a

Actors Lee Young-ae and Song Seung-heon will play a couple in the upcoming SBS drama “Saimdang, the Herstory,” Group 8, its production company, said Monday.  (OSEN)　The filming of the show began Monday. The production is expected to be completed in the first half of 2016.　The new drama marks Lee’s return to the small screen after an 11-year absence. It also ends a three-year absence for Song.　“Saimdang, the Herstory” is a reinterpreted tale of the life of a renowned female artist from 16th centu

K-pop boy band B.A.P is back with agency TS Entertainment, ending a nine-month legal battle against the label.　“B.A.P has returned to TS on Aug. 1,” the company said in an official statement Monday. “Faith has been restored,” it said, signaling the end of disputes over their alleged “slave contracts.”   B.A.P (TS Entertainment)　In November, the group had filed a lawsuit against their agency, claiming their exclusive contracts with TS were unfair and demanded their immediate termination.　All six

South Korean search portal Naver has unveiled a full list of K-pop acts joining its new streaming mobile app named “V,” set to launch Aug. 1.  A total of 23 K-pop teams will be streaming their activities and off-stage life on the video app, interacting in real time with the global audience and fans via mobile devices. Joining the lineup Friday as the 23rd member was SM Town, an umbrella brand comprising all 62 acts under the SM Entertainment label, including TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee, EXO and G

“Winter Sonata” actor Bae Yong-joon footed the dinner bill for some 200 of his fans who visited the hotel where his wedding took place Monday, local reports said Tuesday. 　Bae married actress Park Soo-jin at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill hotel in a private ceremony attended only by family and close friends. (Yonhap)About 200 fans, many of whom flew from Japan, lined up in front of the hotel to catch a glimpse of the 43-year-old star and congratulate him on his nuptials. According to the reports

First-generation Hallyu star marries actress Park Soo-jin in private wedding Bae Yong-joon, the sweet guy from “Winter Sonata” who stole the hearts of many Japanese housewives in the early 2000s, has married a lesser-known actress 13 years his junior in a private nuptial in Seoul on Monday.  (Instagram)The wedding between Bae and Park Soo-jin took place at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill hotel in Seoul, with only family and close friends in attendance. Hoping to catch a glimpse of the br