Here's your midweek update on the stories in entertainment and media you might have missed while reading about the transcendent Kim Yu-na, the new Pope, or because your life is probably a lot more fulfilling than ours.
Name game becomes weirder
| IU |
Last week, a youth group that calls itself DN filed for an injunction with the Seoul Central District Court against KBS to stop it from using the name of 16th century naval commander Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598) in the weekend drama. But after being hounded by IU fans for days, this disillusioned group of young patriots has announced their decision to "leave the Republic of Korea."
"No, we won't apologize. If anything, they should apologize to us. It's regrettable that it's the people of truth and sincerity who are forced to leave. But we because we love the country so much, we will let it go and leave quietly," DN said Monday in a statement, not elaborating what it meant by "leaving."
"The cost of asking public broadcaster KBS to do the right thing was too big."
In the show, IU plays the role of bubbly protagonist Yi Sun-sin, an unemployed slacker who daydreams of finding fame as a television star.
DN was offended that the show's producers named the character after Admiral Yi, who remains a venerated hero among Koreans for his victories against the Japanese navy in the Imjin war (1592-1598) during the Joseon Kingdom period.
The group was concerned that foreign viewers around the world, unfamiliar with Korea's historical background, would identify the name Yi Sun-sin with the singer instead of the legendary naval commander. With DN out of the picture, the nation can now resume being annoyed with IU's acting skills, or lack thereof.
Ex-MBC anchor to appear on SBS
| Oh Sang-jin |
The decision felt like Oh flipping the proverbial bird toward his previous mployer, which had refused to use him on its news and entertainment programs after his participation in the network's reporters' strike last year.
The 33-year-old, who had been a member of the reporters' union at the television network, has been an outspoken critic of MBC's management,which he claims has compromised journalistic independence by maintaining a close relationship with the government.
Oh quit MBC last month and signed with the management agency PrainTPC. It's predictable that Oh will be asked about his decision to leave MBC on "Thank You" and hard to imagine him recalling his experience in gushing tones.
As television's biggest free agent, Oh isn't expected to be unemployed for long. Aside from funnymen Yoo Jae-suk and Kang Ho-dong, there isn't a more in-demand emcee in the Korean television scene.
Nerve damage puts singer's career on hold
| Jang Jae-in, |
"I apologize for sharing the news so late. Since last winter, my health hasn't been good. My body started acting funny last month and I was diagnosed with peripheral nerve injury at the hospital. I am receiving treatmentand I will work hard in rehab. I will definitely recovery," the singer tweeted. According to Jang's agency, she is experiencingdiscomfort on the left side of her body and hearing problems in her left ear. The left side of her face has begun to show symptoms of paralysis as well. Her doctors believe the condition is stress-related.
| Girl's Day |
Girl's Day sweeping charts
In a K-pop scene that has largely been nondescript this year, girl group Girl's Day seems to be emerging as the biggest fish in the lifeless puddle. The four-member group's newest song, "Expectations," is shooting up the charts of major download sites Melon, Mnet, Bugs Music, Soribada and Naver Music five days after its release. Its music video is the most-watched on online streaming services.
The electro-pop beat is club-friendly enough, but part of the popularity of the song is attributed to the group's cute-to-sexy makeover that debuts in the racy music video. It's hard to pinpoint other K-pop acts generating any buzz at the moment. Sistar19, the duo spun off from the sexy four-member group Sistar, is still kicking around with their single "Gone Not Around Any Longer" released in January. It's hard to tell, however, whether people will recognize their music without the music videos.
"Girl's Day are quickly becoming the biggest tide in pop music," the group's agency announced in a statement. Okay then.