Jeong Da-bin (故 정다빈)

Stars' Blogs as Tool of Communication

Source | 2009/05/05 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Korean stars, seeking to protect their privacy, are turning to the online to speak their minds or clarify stances on certain issues.

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

As one of the most wired countries in the world, it is hard for anyone here to stay offline for long, and now even the busiest singers and actors manage to squeeze their time to communicate with fans and express themselves through the Web.

Many celebrities each have their personal blogs, mostly on the famous networking Web site Cyworld. More than 20 million Internet users have joined the site, and thanks to its easy-to-use features and popularity, it has become one of the easiest and effective ways for celebrities to openly express their thoughts.

It started with actors who wanted to show more of themselves as ordinary people, not as the fashionable stars they were presented as through the media.

Actors Lee Hye-young, Hwang Ci-ne and singers Park Jun-hee and Ock Joo-hyun's blogs were some of the most popular,...| More

[Korea News Photo] Fatal Fame

Source | 2009/03/09 | 0 comments | Permalink |

After a rash of entertainer suicides in 2008, Korea faces its second of 2009

Todd Thacker (todd)

Last year Korea's entertainment industry was hit by a rash of suicides, including four in just the month of October. These deaths shocked South Koreans and drew the spotlight on social pressures and stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment here.

So far in 2009, there have been two deaths. The most recent suicide was 26-year-old actress Jang Ja-yeon, who had a role in the very popular TV drama "Boys over Flowers".

She hanged herself in her home at the weekend.

Family and friends have told reporters Jang was "depressed" and having contract difficulties with her management company, in addition to being dissatisfied about her role's "slipping significance" in "Boys over Flowers". She played one of the three "nasty school girls" who antagonize the protagonist character Jandi.

According to reports, when Jang was 16 her parents were both killed in a traffic accident...| More

[YEAR-END REVIEW] Celebrity suicides shock the nation in 2008

Source | 2008/12/23 | 0 comments | Permalink |

A string of celebrity suicides in 2008 has sent shockwaves across the nation, gripping devout fans and raising fears of copycat suicides. The suicide of an iconic actress this year has also provoked political bickering over whether to penalize cyberspace libel.

A couple of high-profile rulings on mercy killing and adultery have also touched off heated national debates this year.

High-profile suicides

The most shocking of the suicide cases was the death of Choi Jin-sil, Korea's long-beloved iconic actress.

On Oct. 2, Choi, 39, was found hanging in a shower stall at her residence in Seoul with a bandage tightened around her neck, ending her 20-year stellar career on the silver screen.

Her death came in the midst of internet rumors that she had lent billions of won to Ahn Jae-hwan, a renowned actor, and then blackmailed him. Ahn also killed himself about a month before her death.

Choi had felt increasingly suicidal, with the persisting rumors deepening her depression and...| More

Grass Is Not Always Greener for TV Celebs

Source | 2008/10/02 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

The suspected suicide of top actress Choi Jin-sil has driven the nation into shock. Behind her ever-cheerful image and smile lies the dark side of a star who captured the hearts of Koreans for two decades.

Choi was the fifth icon of the entertainment industry to commit suicide since 2007. Singer Yuni, TV actress Jeong Da-bin, actor Yeo Jae-goo and Ahn Jae-hwan also killed themselves. Their deaths highlight the darker side of the show biz world.

Dr. Hong Jin-pyo of Asan Medical Center assumed that there must have been multiple factors in Choi's suicide. "She may have been physically exhausted, couldn't stand the rumors that she had joined hands with loan sharks to get back a loan from Ahn Jae-hwan, who had committed suicide".

In fact, many of Choi's friends said she had been haunted by such rumors for a long time and was under pressure.

A singer, who identified herself as a suicide attempter, recently appeared on a TV program and said most ...| More

Hallyu in Northeastern States of India

Source | 2008/08/21 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Sandip Kumar Mishra

In recent years, there have been some significant reverberations of the Korean cultural wave, Hallyu, at India's doorsteps. In July 2006, the Korean Drama Emperor of the Sea was for the first time introduced in India by the national broadcaster DD-1. In September 2006, another Korean drama Jewel in the Palace began to be aired on DD-1. These two Korean dramas have received a good response from Indian audiences so far. Furthermore, many Korean musical and theater troops have visited India in recent times and Korean cultural products have been gradually making their way into India.

However, the most striking and powerful manifestation of Hallyu could be seen in the Northeastern states of India, particularity in the state of Manipur. In the age of globalization and revolution in information and communication dispersal, Korean cultural products are a big hit in Manipur. These cultural products have been reaching Indian shores through Korean the satellite channe...| More