INFINITE’s L claimed that SM Entertainment artists are 60% looks and 40% talent?

INFINITE‘s L‘s online posts from the past when he was just a mere ‘netizen’ provided some laughter on the latest episode of ‘Beatles Code 2‘.

The members INFINITE were guests on the April 15th show and MC Shindong pulled out a panel where L had answered a question pertaining to debuting as a celebrity on an online community board. The post was dated back to 2008, when L was a normal ‘netizen’ on the internet.

The question was, “What should I do if I want to become a celebrity?“. L had responded in detail, but Shindong pointed out a specific phrase where L answered, “The labels focus on your looks to a certain extent. SM Entertainment considers looks at about 60% and talent at around 40%. The labels that concentrate more on talent are JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment.”

Shindong then joked, “You criticized our label. You’re telling us we have no talent“, flustering L.

Second season of ‘Reply’ to be set in 1994

 

The second season of ‘Reply‘ will be set in the year 1994.

 

On April 16, tvN revealed, “Season 2 of ‘Reply 1997′ will air in September. The drama will be set in 1994. Like it was spread in the media, although basketball will be covered, it won’t be the main focus. We don’t even have the synopsis yet. We’re going to melt the various topics that were popular back in 1994.”

 

‘Reply 1997′ had been well loved by viewers, breaking a record for cable dramas with a 6% rating.

 

Are you looking forward to the new season?

Siwan explains what kept him from dating all these years

 

ZE:A‘s Siwan unintentionally earned himself the title of being ‘forever alone’ when he revealed last year that he’d never dated anyone before nor has he had a real kiss yet.

 

After confessing this about himself last year, he later said that admitting this was his biggest mistake in 2012 as everyone asked him if he was still single and looked at him with pity wherever he went.

 

Siwan said, “I said it last year on broadcast, but it became a label. No matter where I go, people ask me if I still haven’t been in a relationship.” Kim Soo Mi asked, “Are you unwell somewhere?“, bringing chuckles, and Siwan answered, “There are people who ask that, too. But I don’t think that it was that I couldn’t date. I just didn’t have the chance, but people seem to think there was a problem and that was why I couldn’t.”

 

He then revealed why he never really had the chance to get close to girls saying that his parents had forbidden him to date when he was in high school. He commented, “My parents are the type who would always say ‘oh you can do whatever you want later in college.’”

 

Siwan also revealed an instance that made him ‘rebel’ against his mom in a strange way. “It was my parents’ anniversary so I decided to go shopping for a present and I happened to be with a friend who was a girl. I didn’t think much of it since I wasn’t thinking about dating so she went with me when I went to pick out the present. I came home and gave my mom the present and told her how I went shopping with my friend to get the gift. Instead of being pleased with the gift, she just focused on the fact that I went with a girl, and wasn’t happy about it.” Upset that his mom was more focused on that issue rather than the thought he put into getting her the gift, he thought to himself, “Fine then, I just won’t ever date.”

 

When the MCs and the guests asked him if his mom’s attitude has changed since his high school days, Siwan answered, “Now that I’m older and in the entertainment field, she keeps saying ‘there must be nice pretty girls all around you, when are you going to date?’”

 

The set burst into laughter afterwards when the cast pushed him to name a woman he has in mind, and Siwan commented, “Oh I saw Kim Hee Sun sunbaenim [MC of the show] today and I thought..” and the guests immediately commented, “Oh no, now your mother has something else to worry about” as Shin Dong Yup hilariously commented, “Now her son likes a married woman.”

Suzy and Lee Seung Gi Hard at Work for “Gu Family Book”

miss A Suzy, Lee Seung Gi, and “Gu Family Book” fans eat your heart out! Finally, on April 15 we will be treated to the first episode of “Gu Family Book” where Suzy and Lee Seung Gi will be making an appearance.

 

The two stars are already showing off their great chemistry. They are both workaholics! In the behind-the-scene pictures revealed Suzy and Lee Seung Gi seem to be looking at their scripts 24/7!

 

The production director PD Park Tae Young stated, “Suzy and Lee Seung Gi are always holding their scripts. Also, they are very focused in the long rehearsals with the PD Shin Woo Cheol, they are completely analyzing each scene. This project is taking double the amount of time compared to other dramas, however due to the passion of the three people (Suzy, Lee Seung Gi, and Shin Woo Cheol) the drama’s quality is increasing.”

 

Episode 3 of “Gu Family Book” will broadcast on April 15 at 9:55pm. (KST)

 

Yoo Seung Ho “Travels” to Fans’ Hearts with New Photo Book

 

Many fans were left weeping when hot, young actor Yoo Seung Ho enlisted in the military on March 5, 2013. They wondered how they would last the two years of his mandatory service. Thankfully, it seems that Yoo Seung Ho prepared some fan service before he entered the military, as we have seen a steady release of the news about the actor for the past month.

 

On April 15, Yoo Seung Ho released a photo book, titled “Travel letter Spring Snow and…,” to keep his fans company during the long wait. The photo book features the actor on a vacation in Japan and also includes a revealing and personal interview. The teaser photos emphasize Yoo Seung Ho’s charm as a boy who is at the cusp of manhood, looking innocent yet mature. They leaves fan in high expectation for the actor’s return from the military as a full-grown man ready to seize the hearts of viewers of all ages.

 

The photos were taken by the photographer Bori, who recently passed away on April 8 from a brain hemorrhage. She was only 40.  She had commented after working with Yoo Seung Ho on this photo book, “I want to take pictures of Yoo Seung Hoo until I am a white-haired grandma.” 

 

2AM Jinwoon’s Mother Favors Nicole Over Go Joon Hee?

2AM Jinwoon’s mother recently brought up KARA‘s Nicole‘s cooking skills and did not hold back any praise. On April 13, Go Joon Hee went to visit her in-laws for the first time on the latest episode of MBC’s “We Got Married” season 4.  Jinwoon and Go Joon Hee went together while preparing to pack up their belongings. 

 

When Go Joon Hee asked Jinwoon’s mother and grandmother, “Has Jinwoon ever brought home any of his girlfriends?” Jinwoon’s grandmother replied, “Nicole has visited us before.” Jinwoon laughed in response assured Go Joon Hee that Girls’ Generation‘s Seohyun had accompanied her on that visit as well.

 

Jinwoon’s mother went on to talk about Nicole saying, “Nicole’s cooking skills are terrific. On Jinwoon’s birthday, she brought two homemade cakes with her.” However Jinwoon’s grandmother was quick to try and save the awkward conversation by saying, “But Nicole is way too short. I personally prefer someone who is much taller.”

 

Go Joon Hee also had the chance to look through photos of girls Jinwoon had dated while in high school and admitted, “After I saw the photos, my mood did change somewhat.” 

 

Netizens who caught the episode commented, “Go Joon Hee must have felt somewhat upset that Nicole and Seohyun and visited his family before her,” “Aww, Go Joon Hee is cute when she’s jealous” and “Wow, I’m kind of surprised that Seohyun and Nicole paid a visit to Jinwoon’s house.” 

 

 

Kwon Sang Woo Expresses Frustration Over the K-Drama Production System

 

In a recent interview with TV Daily, Kwon Sang Woo discussed the ups and downs of the Korean drama filming system.

 

In an industry that produces two,  sixty-minute dramas per week, the schedule is tight, the work is hard, and the rewards can seem disproportionate to the effort and love put into it by actors, writers, directors, and staff.  With frequent news of car accidents due to an exhausting schedule, last-minute script revisions in response to ratings, and sudden cuts and extensions in the middle of broadcast, the filming environment can appear harsh and unforgiving.

 

Actor Kwon Sang Woo recently expressed frustration over this kind of environment when he wrote on his fan café, “I think Ha Ryu really became ha ryu. Acting and many other things are stressing me out. I can only wish for the script to come out well.” Kwon Sang Woo seemed to be playing with words as his character name in the drama “Queen of Ambition”, Ha Ryu, can also mean in Korean “downhill.” At that point, there were about six episodes left in the drama and viewers were noticing a slow-down in plot pace and a decreasing relevance of the Ha Ryu character.

 

When the TV Daily reporter asked Kwon Sang Woo, “Before ‘Queen of Ambition,’ you said you thought you were forgotten by the public. What are your thoughts now?”

 

Kwon Sang Woo replied, “I don’t know where I have reached as an actor. I don’t think there will be a lot of dramas this year that will reach the ratings of ‘Queen of Ambition.’ But I don’t think the viewers like me as much as they like the drama. Since actors are people too, they have to be able to like the last-minute script, but I kept on pushing away the script from my heart. I would only read it once.”

 

The reporter then asked, “Do you have a problem with the production system?”

 

Kwon Sang Woo answered, “I don’t have a problem. If I did, I shouldn’t be acting in this type of environment. Korean dramas might be popular internationally because we film this way. It’s not good for an actor to be filming a long time in a high-tension environment either. It’s equally exhausting to be filming a mini-series for half a year. But if actors can act knowing the ending or the script, it would be good. It’s not that I have a problem with the drama itself. I am just saddened that the assessment [of the drama] does not correlate to the ratings.”

 

“Queen of Ambition” finished high in ratings, recording 25%, but reportedly, scripts came out page by page until the very end with none of the actors knowing how the drama will finish.

 

Despite Kwanghee and Sunhwa’s Tearful Farewell, “We Got Married” Ratings Continue to Decline

MBC “We Got Married Season 4” experienced another steep decline in ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, the episode of “We Got Married” that aired on April 13 had 6.3% in ratings, which nearly 2.0% lower than the week before. The April 6 episode of the show garnered 8.3% in ratings. 

 

On this particular episode of “We Got Married 4,” Kwanghee and Sunhwa were getting ready for their farewell. They invited members of ZE:A, Secret, and 2PM‘s Taecyeon to their private photo exhibition. As they were reminiscing about their past eight months together as a virtually married couple, looking through all the pictures of themselves, Kwanghee and Sunhwa could not hold back their tears. 

 

Since Kwanghee and Sunhwa were one of the main couples of “We Got Married 4,” the news about their departure from the show garnered many fans and netizen’s attention. However, both the production and cast members denied such news as rumors until the very last minute. Such ambivalent attitude of the show received much criticisms from fans and netizens. As a result, many fans, experts, and related officials expect Kwanghee and Sunhwa’s last farewell to have little impact on the show, even though they have been one of the most beloved WGM couples. 

 

Moreover, “We Got Married 4″ is facing another problem as the hype about Jo Jung Chi-Jung In couple is now declining. They initially were very popular, as they have been together for 11 years and had many realistic concerns, episodes, and interactions as a couple, which were welcomed by the viewers in the beginning.

 

However, even their real-life long term romance was not enough to save the show. Many experts are pointing out that although Jo Jung Chi and Jung In have become popular from their guest appearances on variety shows, they lack the stardom and experience in leading “We Got Married 4.” 

 

With Kwanghee and Sunhwa leaving the show, “We Got Married 4″ is at a crucial moment. Although the show needs a new star couple to garner more positive attention, raise the ratings, and revive the show in general, many fans and related officials are also pointing out that this season of “We Got Married” has gone through too many couples already. 

 

Sparks Between Girl’s Day Hyeri and Tony Ahn Have Been Flying Since 2011

After news broke out about Girl’s Day Hyeri and Tony Ahn’s (From the legendary K-Pop group H.O.T.) relationship, Netizens scrambled online to find if there were any prior connections between the two. Lo and behold, three different instances were found!

 

First, the two appeared on KBS 2TV’s “Dream Team Season 2” that was broadcast on July 2011. Girl’s Day had appeared as a special guest for the show. After a performance, there was a corner where the Girl’s Day member chose members from “Dream Team” and became couples. At the time, Hyeri chose Tony Ahn.

 

Second, Hyeri had visited Tony Ahn’s restaurant in 2012 and advertised the restaurant through her twitter.

 

Third, there was a moment in May 2011, when the two were sharing a chat through twitter about pimple management.

Interesting, it looks like the sparks have been flying for quite a bit now!

 

Im Si Wan Personally Invites Kim Hee Sun to His Musical

 

Budding actor and idol group ZE:A member Im Si Wan lays on his charm for senior actress Kim Hee Sun.

 

According to reports in local news agencies, the two had an encounter when Im Si Wan participated in a recording for “Hwashin,” the  SBS Tuesday evening talk show that Kim Hee Sun hosts.

 

Previously, the two have already met when Kim Hee Sun was a guest host of SBS “Midnight Entertainment TV.” Im Si Wan had already expressed his admiration of the actress, and has now won her heart as one of her favorite idols. He impressed her enough for her to request that the singer appear on “Hwashin,” which has finally come to fruition.

 

“I invited my senior Kim Hee Sun personally to come see me at my musical,” he said. Im Si Wan debuted on stage through “Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Coat” in February. He is set to grow his acting resume with his first film role, co-starring with Song Kang Ho. 

 

Im Si Wan’s appearance on “Hwashin” was aired on April 16.

Song Joong Ki Is Chosen as Sprite Model for Second Consecutive Year

 

Song Joong Ki has been re-signed as the model for Sprite for the second consecutive year.

 

Last year, Song Joong Ki has swept the Korean drama and film industry with his young, casual and handsome charms. The TV CF that will be aired this quarter is titled, “The Clean Feeling That Awakes Me,” where Song Joong Ki will display his signature natural and youthful charms. It seems like Song Joong Ki will perfectly represent the refreshing taste of the Sprite beverage.

 

The TV advertisement is set on a blazing hot day where a very thirsty Song Joong Ki is looking for something to quench his thirst. He finds a cool drink in ice and drinks it to have the ultimate Sprite experience.

 

As soon as the CF was aired, netizens commented, “Song Joong Ki has such as clean image,” “Song Joong Ki is just good-looking,” “I can’t wait for his next CF,” and more.

Taemin and A Pink’s Son Na Eun Confirmed for “We Got Married”

We have our newest virtual couple!

 

SHINee’s Taemin (‘93) and A Pink’s Son Na Eun (‘94) will replace ZE:A’s Kwanghee and Secret’s Han Sun Hwa as the newest couple. The two idols already finished their first filming, which was taken place in Jeju Island at “Seoyeon’s House Cafe” from the popular movie “Architecture 101.”

 

An official from the production team stated, “Both individuals haven’t had any dating experience, so although this is an imaginative relationship, it will be their first love.”

 

Taemin received much love from the public promoting as a member of SHINee with the latest track “Dream Girl” while Son Na Eun expanded her fanbase through her acting in JTBC’s drama “Childless Comfort.”

 

Update:

 

Photos of Taemin and Son Na Eun filming in Jeju have been uploaded in an online community site.

 

SHINee to Promote as Four Members for “Why So Serious? – Misconceptions of Me”

 

Such sad new!

 

SHINee will be promoting as a four-member group for “Chapter 2″ of their third full album titled, “Why So Serious? – Misconceptions of Me.” Jonghyun, who was recently in a car accident and had to receive nose surgery, will not be joining the group in their promotions. He was released from the hospital this weekend and plans to rest and focus all his energy on getting better.

SHINee released “Chapter 1″ titled, “Dream Girl- Misconceptions of You” on February 20, reaching number one on music charts. “Chapter 2″ promises to deliver, much like the first part, high quality songs that show off SHINee’s unique style and color. There will also be more to enjoy from the album as there will also be a “keyword” hidden inside the album that links up with the keyword from “Chapter 1.”

 

With SHINee delivering a clever and ingenious choreography for their previous hit, “Dream Girl,” anticipation is even higher for what SHINee will show their fans next. 

 

“Why So Serious? – Misconceptions of Me” will be released April 29.