Kim Woo-bin, Shin Min-a are the latest to admit their romantic relationship

　K-pop octet SNSD’s cable show “Channel Girls’ Generation” aired its first episode Tuesday on OnStyle, with the idols shedding their lofty image to take on a more approachable style. 　In the episode aired Tuesday, the unassuming starlets took to laugh-inducing games, such as spitting watermelon seeds onto their faces and guessing the members’ ideal man.  (OnStyle)　Producer Oh Kwan-jin of OnStyle said the show would delve into the “real SNSD,” and the singers will actively take part in pitching a

(Tao's Instagram)Tao, a former member of boy group EXO, uploaded a selfie with a message saying “My dreams finally came true” on Weibo Tuesday, signaling his solo debut.Tao announced his withdrawal from EXO in April this year and is already running his own solo activities since he set up his own agency on Saturday. However, SM Entertainment has not released any formal announcement about his status yet. Tao is scheduled to drop his first EP “T.A.O.” on Thursday in China.By Kim Yu-jin (kimyujin@he

 Hip-hop artist MC Mong, who was once mired in a draft-dodging scandal, will hold his first solo concert in six years, his label DreamT Entertainment said on Monday. 　Titled “The Happiest Time in My Life,” the concert will be held at the Lehzin Comics V-Hall in Seogyo-dong, western Seoul on Sept. 4-6 and 11-13. 　“The concert will be a time where MC Mong will meet with fans in six years,” an official from the label said. “He is preparing for a memorable time to share with his fans who have waited

(Cube Entertainment)Beast’s pre-released track “Gotta Go to Work” topped the six online music charts in South Korea. The song emerged as a bestselling title on Melon, Olleh Music, Genie, Bugs, Soribada and Mnet.In addition, its music video attracted more than 3 million views since its initial release on Monday. Expectations are also rising for the group’s upcoming eighth EP, “Ordinary.” The new album is scheduled to be released on July 27.By Kim Yu-jin (kimyujin@heraldcorp.com)

Sistar (Starship Entertainment)The K-pop charts have been a tough battleground for Korea’s top pop groups in July, but the competition has been particularly fierce among girl groups.While big-name boy bands have generally timed their album releases to avoid head-on clashes, girl groups rolled the dice, with established names returning to the stage at the same time.Here’s a wrap-up of the summer girl group face-off in the K-pop scene so far, who’s come out on top and what’s to come in the coming

Actress Park Soo-jin and her groom-to-be Bae Yong-joon on Wednesday said they were considering a lawsuit against media that are spreading rumors that Park was pregnant.   (OSEN)　Local tabloids alleged Park was expecting, but the couple flatly denied such groundless rumors.　Park and Bae have been dating since February and on Tuesday announced that their wedding would take place on July 27. 　By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

The newly formed duo Team Pet Rescue -- singer-songwriter Roy Kim and Bae Da-hae -- dropped a single titled “For Meeting You” on Wednesday. 　The new track emphasizes the need for protection of abandoned pets, evoking sympathy among pet owners.　　 (CJ E&M)“Roy Kim and Bae Da-hae tried to convey a warm message to raise animal awareness,” CJ E&M, Kim’s management agency, said. “All profits from the song will go to the nonprofit Korean Animal Welfare Association.” 　The new title is part of the duo’s

New EP is ‘culmination of everything we’ve worked for so far’

Popular boy band Infinite topped six domestic music charts with its new single "Bad" on Monday.The title track on its new album "Reality," released at midnight, is currently No. 1 on real-time charts for six online music services, including Mnet, Genie and Soribada, as of 10 a.m. (Woollim Entertainment)The song is about a boy who vows to devote his everything to a girl even though he knows she is a bad girl."Reality" is Infinite's first album since July last year, when it released "Be Back," a r

Singer Ko Young-wook was released from prison Friday after serving 30 months on charges of raping and sexually harassing minors. 　Ko, 39, was discharged from Nambu Correctional Service in Seoul on Friday morning after serving his full sentence.   Ko Young-wook (OSEN)　“I am sorry,” Ko told the press gathered at the site. “I’ve had a time of self-examination over two and a half years. The prison time was difficult, but I have learned many lessons that I would have never learned in other places. Fr

South Korean film “Madonna” was invited to international film festivals held in Sweden’s Stockholm and Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, its production company said Thursday. The Stockholm Film Festival is known as the top of its class in northern Europe, with high attendance figures from enthusiastic moviegoers and industry insiders.  Poster for 'Madonna' (Little Big Pictures)“Madonna” was asked to join the “Asian Image” section of the upcoming 26th festival scheduled for Aug. 12-16. Tor Nyman, the prog

A slew of K-pop idols will star in the Korean production of Broadway musical “In the Heights.” 　The star-studded musical will feature Key of SHINee, Chen of EXO, Infinite members Jang Dong-woo and Kim Sung-kyu and Luna of f(x), alongside experienced musical stars.   Jang Dong-woo (left) and Key (SM C&C) Kim Sung-kyu (left) and Chen (SM C&C) Luna (SM C&C)Key will play the protagonist Usnavi, sharing the role with actor Yang Dong-geun, musical actor Jung Won-young and Jang. 　Musical actor Seo Kyun