Korean Entertainment News

A poster for the Hae Bang Chon Festival

By John Redmond

With controversy over large crowds blocking the streets and complaints of excessive noise a thing of the past, the popular Hae Bang Chon Festival (H.B.C. Fest) is back with the May 2012 Festival in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on May 25 and 26.

Taking place across multiple venues in the popular expat neighborhood in central Seoul, the festival is considered by many as a "must go, must perform" event.

Comprising of an array of over 50 acts, ranging from rock bands to folk musicians and traditional Korean artists, the festival has grown over the last seven years to embrace both local and expat artists...More

Children learn taekwondo, a Korean martial art, during the opening festival for the Korean Cultural Center in Budapest, Hungary, on Feb. 10./ Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

By Do Je-hae

A state-run overseas promotional agency, the Korea Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) has undergone organizational shifts with each new administration, inciting some criticism that its policies have lacked continuity or lasting impact.

The affiliate of the culture ministry was formerly in charge of operating 24 Korean culture centers abroad. But after a reshuffle in February, the ministry has taken over this task so that the KOCIS can focus more on creating quality contents and methods for online and offline promotions of Korea...More

Woo Jin-yung, director of the Korea Culture and Information Service

By Do Je-hae

The popularity of local culture, otherwise known as "hallyu", has brought along new challenges in promoting Korea to the outside world.

One of them is building online and offline database of hallyu, which the Korea Culture and Information Service (KOCIS), the state-run overseas PR agency, has started to embrace as key responsibilities...More

The weather has been beautiful for a while and I'm sure those of you who are stuck in office buildings, school, or at home, you have to fight this urge to get out and enjoy this beautiful sunshine. As you are at home, in school, or working, why not think of places to go and visit during the weekend to enjoy the sunshine [Reporter : ] Hello Conn-young So what do you have for us today ? [Reporter : ] Kangwon Land and was formed to revive the abandoned mine sites in Gangwondo. However, after the place became infamous for its gambling scenes, the site is making some changes. Kangwon Land and has changed its name to High One Resort and is looking to renew the place for families to visit#. Thirteen years after its establishment, Kangwon Land changed its name in 2007 to High 1 Resort, in an attempt to give the area a more family-oriented atmosphere. To reduce the resort's gambling image it's facilities can now be used year-round. A water theme park will also be added to the resort with construction expected to be complete by 2015. There will also be recreational facilities for families to enjoy. Asia's biggest laser water show and the lake park attracts visitors as well. [Interview : Jang Hyun-ah, Yoo Sung-mi, Shinyoung High School] "It's so pretty and I think it's so creative that the laser and fountains are mixed together. I want to come back with my family again". The ultimate goal of High 1 Resort is to break out of its gambling image and create a new vacation venue for families and friends to visit together, like Las Vegas. [Interview : Choi Hong-jip, CEO of Kangwon Land] "From a casino resort, we intend to make this place a perfect vacation spot for families all year round. We are going to make a variety of things available to make this pl...More

Cha Soo-hyeok (Lee Pil-mo) swore he will not give up on Lee Jeong-hye (Nam Sang-mi).

MBC drama "Lights and Shadows" on the 21st showed Soo-hyeok finding out that Lee Jeong-hye had to serve the Special Committee Members and confessed his undying love for her saying, "If you were with me that would've never happened. Kang Ki-tae can't protect you"...More

Amidst the many comeback acts that have been hitting the k-pop scene week after week, YG Entertainment announced on May 21st that 2NE1 is also prepping for their return.

According to YG, "2NE1 will be releasing a new Korean album sometime mid-June. Teddy has taken rein as the producer with seven awesome tracks completed as of now. After the new album is released, the group will start their broadcast promotions"...More

Out of the top 10 contestants on the popular survival show "K-Pop Star", 3 have decided to sign with JYP Entertainment and 5 with YG Entertainment.

According to reports YG's Official's blog on May 22nd, Lee Ha-yi, Lee Michelle, and Lee  Seung-hoon have been picked up by the entertainment powerhouse. Additionally, two others have been scouted with further details to be released in due time...More

This is a busy season for Korean pop management companies. It's the season of college festivals where famous k-pop acts will come visit the universities all across the country to perform anywhere from one to three songs each.

According to a survey conducted via Facebook by Sungkyungwan Unviersity's student association, 112 out of 270 participants voiced that they wanted to see IU perform at their college festival the most...More