INFINITE's Hoya bonds with Kang Ho Dong as reveals his actual birth name, Lee Ho Dong

INFINITE's Hoya revealed his real name to be Lee Ho Dong, much to the pleasant surprise of Kang Ho Dong on 'Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education'!

The show's rep stated on the 11th, "Hoya will reveal his birth name for the first time through today's broadcast. His birth name Lee Ho Dong brought Kang Ho Dong to laughter, raising interest."

Although most fans know Hoya's real name to be Lee Ho Won, Hoya revealed that's not the name he was given at birth.

Kang Ho Dong pointed out to Hoya, "Our names Hoya-Ho Dong are similar", to which Hoya confessed, "To be honest, my birth name is not Lee Ho Won... Although it is known that [my birth name] is Lee Ho Won, to be honest, I changed my name to that. My original name is Lee Ho Dong... I changed my name because of Kang Ho Dong hyung nim." Kang Ho Dong seemed disappointed yet also found it hilarious that Hoya changed his name because of him, replying, "I am both happy and sad."

Stay tuned for the hilarious story behind his name change on the upcoming episode today at 11:20 PM KST!

source:allkpop

Nam Goong Min and Hong Jin Young confirmed as the new couple on 'We Got Married'

Trot singer Hong Jin Young and actor Nam Goong Min will be the new couple on 'We Got Married'!

An MBC rep stated on the 11th, "The Nam Goong Min-Hong Jin Young couple began their first filming in Seoul today (11th) and they shyly started their marriage."

The show's staff also stated, "Nam Goong Min and Hong Jin Young is a sweet couple in their thirties which is the prime age for marriage. Viewers will be able to relate to the two of them who are serious about marriage and their realistic [take on marriage]."

Nam Goong Min's agency rep also confirmed on the 11th, "Nam Goong Min has been cast for 'We Got Married' and is currently filming... We at first didn't even know that his partner is Hong Jin Young... Today marks their first meeting... Because of the Lee So Yeon-Yoon Han couple's leave, their filming scheduling was moved up earlier than expected."

Nam Goong Min and Hong Jin Young will make their entrance on 'We Got Married' on the 22nd!

source:allkpop

Lee Dong Wook praises Lee Da Hae on her never-aging beauty

Lee Dong Wook praised fellow 'Hotel King' co-star Lee Da Hae's time-stopping beauty, saying that she was just the same as a decade ago.

Working together for the first time since 2005's 'My Girl', Lee Dong Wook said he was surprised by her looks on 'Section TV'. "I saw her for the first time in nine years, and I think we both managed to avoid the winds of time," he said. "Even though it's been a while, she still has the same aura from back then."

Flattered, Lee Da Hae asked if he was telling the truth. More quietly, Lee Dong Wook responded, "It's a broadcast. I can't ask you why you look so old on television."

Age issues aside, the two of them promised viewers to host a free hug event if ratings for their new drama, 'Hotel King', break 20%!

source:allkpop

Woohyun and Key talk about the formation of Toheart, their bromance, and reactions of their group members

INFINITE's Woohyun and SHINee's Key had a showcase on March 10 for their first release 'Delicious' as duo unit Toheart and resolved a few curiosities surrounding their unit formation.

The two revealed the behind-story about how they had come together as a unit. Woohyun revealed, "At first, our companies were different," referring to when Woollim Entertainment had not merged with SM C&C.  He continued, "However, we were able to become a team after our agencies became under one company."

He said, "I told the boss that I wanted to do a unit with Key and he told me he thought it would be a good project.  He even had more thoughts about it than I did.  I am really grateful."

Key added, "Truthfully, we were just thinking of making it a small project, but it ended up becoming big."

The two, both of the '91 line, had first met on a radio program and have since then become well-known celebrity best friends, who even describe each other as their alter egos. 

Regarding their friendship, Key said, "Woohyun and I have a lot of similarities. It was to the point I even asked him, 'Are you me?'"

Key also revealed he calls Woohyun "My Hyun" while Woohyun calls Key "My Bum" (from Key's real name Ki Bum), evidencing their close knit bromance.

When asked if the members of SHINee and INFINITE were not upset by the two's decision to form a unit outside of their groups, Woohyun light heartedly said, "Sunggyu said he really liked our song and was jealous. He wanted to do a duet with me, but because I ended up releasing an album with Key, he was a bit wishful but would also act jealous in a cute way... If there is another opportunity, I want to form a duet unit with Sunggyu."

Key shared, "I didn't tell the SHINee members that this project existed at first. I was going to make it a surprise project, but it turned out they all already knew about it... Rather than asking me to let them hear the song ahead of time, the members said they wanted to look forward to it and listen to it on the day it was released."

Woohyun further shared his feelings on what it was like to work with his best friend as he added, "It is a precious thing to be able to do music with a friend. I really enjoyed making an album with Key and there were a lot of fun things that happened. While working on the album, it felt like I was having fun, more so than feeling like I was working on something."

Toheart will start performing their unit song this week, kicking off with 'M! Countdown' on the 13th!

source:allkpop

K.Will Sheds Tears While Reading Letter to Parents on “Real Men”

K.Will recently shed tears once again on the military variety show “Real Men.”

On March 9, “Real Men” showed the members preparing for intensive training on the night before. Usually, when soldiers leave for such training, they often write letters to their families in case war breaks out and they don’t survive.

K.Will was asked to read his letter outloud. “Father, mother, as I am experiencing many things at this unit, I am feeling many different things,” he read.

He continued, “I think the army is definitely a place that makes you find your hidden feelings of love for your family.”

At one point, he couldn’t continue as he was too overcome with emotions and tears.

During his interview, K.Will said, “I didn’t know why I cried so much either. Thinking about my parents receiving that letter and crying over it made me cry too.”

Meanwhile, “Real Men” is enjoying the spotlight once again with its new members Henry, K.Will, Park Gun Hyung and Chun Jung Myung.

source:soompi

Toheart (WooHyun & Key) Delicious MV

Infinite‘s Woohyun and SHINee‘s Key, forming the delectable duo Toheart has finally released their project unit’s debut album, “The 1st Mini Album“! Along with the release of the album, Toheart has also released the music video for title track “Delicious.”

“The 1st Mini Album” is composed of six tracks, including “Miro” which features MC the Max‘s Jae Yoon and a remake of 80s classic “Start” by One Day. You can download the album here.

“Delicious” is the collaborative work of Sweetune and Sean Alexander, the former who wrote Infinite’s “Man in Love” and “The Chaser,” and the latter who wrote SHINee’s “Amigo.” The music video for “Delicious” portray how Key and Woohyun grow from children to young adults in cute and adorable way through cartoons. 

Toheart will hold a showcase later on in the day at Seoul’s Coex Artium.

U.S. Media Outlet Reports on China’s “Soul-searching” in Light of “Man from the Stars” Popularity

How popular is the SBS drama “Man from the Stars” in China? According to U.S. news outlet The Washington Post, enough to make Chinese officials ponder over their own country’s cultural power.

On a article broadly covering how the Chinese cultural ego has been injured by “Man from the Stars’” popularity, the author William Wan cites a meeting held by one committee of China’s political advisory body (called the CPPCC) that spent a morning “bemoaning why China can’t make a show as good and as big of a hit.” He also quotes one CPPCC member as saying, “It is more than just a Korean soap opera. It hurts our cultural dignity.”

On one level, the grievance over the high popularity of a Korean drama in China is exasperated by long-standing regional rivalries, suggests the author. Wang Qishan, the head of the Central Commission of Discipline Inspection, is quoted as saying, “The core and soul of the Korean [soap] opera is a distillation of traditional Chinese culture.” In a country that, William Wan writes, “has long considered itself the source of East Asian culture, the domination of Japanese comics and Korean soap operas in Chinese pop culture challenges that view.”

On another level, the Washington Post writer suggests that what is really at the center of this grievance is China’s own frustration with its industry regulations and censorship. He cites a meeting of delegates from the Chinese culture and entertainment industry where some blamed the country’s lack of a popular hit on its heavy censorship. 

It seems “Man from the Stars” is undeniably a craze in China, with beer and fried chicken meals appearing on restaurants’ menus, Kim Soo Hyun being sent a private jet to fly over for his appearance on a show, and more than 2.5 billion views of the drama online. Who knew a drama about an alien stranded on earth for 400 years can send a country into some soul-searching?

source:soompi