Romance in the air: Kpop Celebrity Romance

This past week KARA and BEAST fandom were in complete disarray (or harmony?) as Goo Hara and Yong Jun Hyung from the respective groups were found to be in a secret relationship for a little over a month now.

On June 28th, shortly after paparazzi photos of the two dating at a local park surfaced on the Web, BEAST’s Cube Entertainment made an official statement saying, “The two have been close as a sunbae/hoobae (senior/junior), and it’s been about a month since they’ve begun dating. Yong Jun Hyung comforted Hara when she was going through difficult times earlier this year with her management contract dispute. Because of their respective busy schedules, they’ve only hung out three times so far.”

KARA’s management agency, DSP Media, made a follow-up statement saying, “They share good mutual feelings toward each other, but they’re still in the midst of getting to know one another. It’s been only about a month so far, so please give them some time and look after them some more.”

According to reports by local media, Goo Hara and Yong Jun Hyung were first caught dating on June 9th, the day BEAST returned from their concert in Japan. They were spotted again on June 12th and 13th sparking speculation about their true relationship. And finally two weeks later, both parties went public and admitted their affection for each other. The two say it’s only been a month now so we’ll have to see how this relationship actually pans out in the future. But much kudos to Hara and Jun Hyung for being true to themselves and going public with their romance, which is often very difficult for celebrities.

When this news first broke out, it honestly brought to mind the recently split up couple of actress Shin Sae Kyung and SHINee’s Jong Hyun. In eerily similar fashion, the two adorable young stars were found secretly dating last year after local press unveiled paparazzi photos of them together. At the time, the ex-couple had said each other was their “most ideal type,” shocking the whole world as idol stars don’t usually come out in public with real-life relationships. However, after less than a year (and relentless rumors on the truth about their relationship), the two called it off reasoning their respective busy schedules.

And just a few days ago, another rumor of an idol couple started spreading between 4minute’s Hyun Ah andMBLAQ’s Lee Joon. Multiple reports of the two looking close and having a good time on the flight back to Korea were seen, to the point where Hyun Ah’s management agency had to officially come out and deny the rumor. However, the two stars have made several questionable remarks of each other in the past hinting at a possible relationship in the making, so it remains to be seen what the truth is behind the two.

Nonetheless, last week was a hot week filled with news and rumors of celebrity dating gossips. Fans have shown conflicting reactions to the news as some were upset while some expressed their appreciation for the celebrities’ honesty.

Let’s Talk: What did you think of the recent celebrity romance? Which ones have you followed? Do you love them or hate them? What other celebrity couple did you like? Why do you think we are so intrigued?

SM-YG-JYP band together to find the next K-pop star through new TV program

To find the next generation of K-pop stars, Korea’s “BIG3″ have come together for an explosive new music audition program!

SM Entertainment’s Lee Soo Man, YG Entertainment’s Yang Hyun Suk, and JYP Entertainment’sJ.Y. Park will team up for the upcoming SBS show, “Survival Audition Kpop Star”, which will air its pilot episode in December.

The premise for the program is a competition of talent and survival; Korea’s three big management companies will not only travel Korea to find the next star, but also in various locations around the world. This competition will not focus solely on vocals; other skills and talents will also be judged in order to determine who would be the next Hallyu phenomenon.

According to SBS, “This is not an audition where you can succeed with only vocal skills. This program is open to anyone who can dance, sing, or have talent. This will be an audition where the people who made Korea’s biggest stars will pick the next global star. Simply stating, this is the ultimate audition.”

The winner of this program will win a prize money of 300,000,000 won for the production of his or her album, as well as the opportunity to release the album globally through the three management companies (SM, YG, JYP). Other prizes include an opportunity to sign a contract with a management company, an offer to star in a drama or become a CF model, a free car, and various other opportunities. The first round of auditions will begin on July 5th at 6:00 PM KST through the ARS or SBS homepage.

Source: TV Report

“Boys Over Flowers” Kim Joon to Join Korean Police Force

Actor/singer Kim Joon, most famous for his role in KBS drama “Boys Over Flowers,” will join the Korean police force this September, local media reported today.

Kim Joon, also a member of group T-Max, was supposed to enlist in the Korean Army on July 25th. But in order to serve the police forces instead for his two year mandatory military service, he delayed the enlistment date until September.

Kim Joon’s management agency released an official statement today saying, “Initially T-Max was planning to sign with a Japanese management agency this year and start Japanese promotions from late June. But Kim Joon unexpectedly got the call from Korean military and decided to join police forces in the second half of this year.”

Kim Joon also tweeted on June 5th, “The exact date has not been determined yet. I’ll let you know when it’s all confirmed!”

Following his debut in 2007 through K-Pop group T-Max, Kim Joon has crossed-over to acting as well, making a huge splash as one of the famous F4 members in 2009 KBS drama “Boys Over Flowers.” He was later cast on KBS drama “Homicide Division or Crime Squad" further expanding his acting horizons.

Kim Jae Wook to Enlist in Military Service on July 5

An official from Kim Jae Wook’s agency ESteem Models recently revealed that Kim Jae Wook would be enlisted in active military service on July 5, catching many by surprise as the announcement came with just a few days’ notice.

The official said "Kim Jae Wook will begin his active military service on July 5, he will return in two years' time in a healthy image, and will continue to participate in good productions to show us his cool acting, we hope for his fans’ support." He went on to inform "Kim Jae Wook wishes to have a quiet enlistment and the agency would not be disclosing the venue and time." However I bet the late news would not stop ardent fans from finding enough information to give him a send-off!

Kim Jae Wook recently starred in the musical "Hedwig" as a transgender singer "Hedwig". He left the team on June 19 to prepare for his impending enlistment. This was his first attempt at a musical but model-turned-actor Kim Jae Wook took to the stage with fine acting and sang with explosive power, winning acclaims that he’s in control of the stage.

Kim Jae Wook debuted as an actor through the 2007 popular MBC drama "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince" in which viewers fondly remembers him as the waffle guy. He also took leading roles in SBS drama "Bad Guy", KBS dramas "The Kingdom of the Winds", "Dalja’s Spring" and "Marry Me, Mary", of course not forgetting the monster-gay baker in the movie "Antique Bakery".

Let’s wish Kim Jae Wook all the best and await his return in two years’ time!

other news report on this..check it out....

Actor Kim Jae Wook has cropped his hair in preparation for his army enlistment!

On July 5th, Kim Jae Wook’s company wrote via Twitter, “Last photo before enlisting”. The attached photo sees Kim Jae Wook sporting a short cut and a navy-colored V-neck. Along with that came a photo of him standing in front of the training center.

The company also released a note Kim Jae Wook wrote. The note read:

“When you read this, I think I will have already enlisted at the training center. I think I have received an extreme amount of love till now. I will never forget that.

I almost think this is the best time to leave society. The celebrity world is a place where if you don’t pay attention at all times, you can ruin yourself. I think I have been losing a lot of important and sacred things as I continued living in that world.

While I’m in the army, I will slowly look back on my 20’s. The mind that might have been rotting without me knowing, I will come back more awakened with that mind. I will see you two years later as a healthy person. Everyone stay healthy.”

Netizens commented, “The short cut suits him”, “Be careful and come back soon!”, “I will wait for you”.

After five weeks of basic military training, Kim Jae Wook will officially begin his active service.

Source: Money Today via Nate

Rain to tour Korea with ‘The Best Show’ before he enlists

Singer/actor Rain successfully completed his ‘2011 RAIN ASIA TOUR THE BEST‘ and will take off on his Korean tour in August.

On July 5th, a representative revealed,

“This concert which will be titled, ‘The Best Show‘ will begin on August 13th and 14th in Busan(BEXCO), then it will continue to Daegu (August 27th, EXCO Building), Jeju (September 3rd, Convention Center), Gwangju (September 17th), Daejeon (September 18th, KOTRA Exhibition Center), and Seoul (September 24th & 25th, Olympic Sports Stadium).“

Since last March, Rain solidified his title as a Hallyu star by managing to draw 100,000 people to his ‘ASIA TOUR’ which hit Beijing, Guangzhou, Macao, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan.

Reportedly, Rain prepared special events for this nationwide tour. He stated,

“I am currently in discussion with many staff members in order to have special stages for my Korean fans who had supported me all this time. As it is an special nationwide tour, I’m determined to pour out all of my energy.“

Ticket sales will go on sale on July 11th through Interpark.

Source: Newsen via Nate