Lee Jia Attends Script Reading and Kim Bum Frolicks

Lee Jia attended a script reading of her new drama Me Too, Flower, once known as Return of the Queen.

The script reading was held at MBC’s Ilsan Dream Tower and included Kim Jae Won and Han Go Eun (A Man Called God). No disguise – however short her ponytail or her cap – could completely disguise her. The reading, which went from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, reportedly went by smoothly. And by smoothly, of course I also mean that her scandal and her costars’ possible preconceptions about her didn’t affect the atmosphere.

News Bits: 8/10/11 Edition

Kim Hyung Min! The wonderful hottie Duk Soo in I Need Romance is TAKEN! HE’S OFF THE MARKET!

And sadly, not because of me. *cries*

Kim Hyung Min is actually in a relationship with his Mom is Pretty Too costar Kim Bin Woo. Kim Bin Woo is actually a year older than him, being 29 (or 30 in Korean years) and Kim Hyung Min is 28 (or 29 in Korean years). Goddammit. They’ve been dating for about 6 months now.

Duk Soo-ssi! You are totally breaking Hyun Joo’s heart right now! How dare you!?

The Short Hair Phenomenon

I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not (although I’m not sure how you can’t notice,) but there’s been a crazy short hair phenomenon that I’m not sure is the trend for 2011 dramas or what.

The whole Short Hair Wave is not new – celebs have all been turning to short hair for that new “fresh” look because it’s the easiest way to have a makeover without plastic surgery. Har har. But lately, I’ve noticed that a lot of Korean actresses have been sporting short hair for their roles. It’s not new, but it’s more apparent now that a lot of those pixie-haired actresses are in back-to-back dramas.

News Bits: 11/8/10 Edition

Aww – Kim Bum and Hwang Jung Eum (of Woman Who Still Wants to Marry and High Kick Through the Roof respectively) have a new CF together promoting a buffet-like restaurant called D’Maris. (I would like to see a restaurant in the States make a commercial like this. And I don’t mean your Burger King/McDonalds/Wendy’s type of thing.) This particular CF shows off Hwang’s singing and dancing, and ends with Kim Bum and Hwang doing a couple heart. Hence the “aww…”

Haru: An Unforgettable Day in Korea – Recap

This thirty-minute drama or so is easy to watch, since all you have to do is go to its official site and watch it in Chinese, Korean, or English.

There’s not much substance in this light drama, except for its big name stars and pretty cinematography. (It’s sooooo pretty – almost Dr. Champ pretty.) I think I was kind of expecting more, especially since the drama was slammed for having such high production costs when other full-length dramas have to work on a smaller budget.

UPDATE: I found the MV! Yay! *puts it on repeat*

‘Haru’ Trailer Comes Out

Haru is produced by the Korean National Tourism Organization to promote Korea for travel. It stars big name celebrities in one project, and most of them are famous in other Asian countries as well. You can check out the stills here and the trailer here.

The cinematography is so serene and beautiful that it’s funny how Park Shi Hoo and Han Chae Young‘s parts seem to conflict with it the most. You get to see Lee Da Hae and Kim Bum stare wistfully out the windows of a speeding train. (Is Kim Bum the quintessential young boy for every older Korean actress? Because though his pairing with Lee Da Hae is a little weird, it’s not inconceivable and they look good together.) Park Shi Hoo is the epitome of a perfect man (and no, that’s not my own bias talking), while Han Chae Young is the hot girl who runs better than you. Then the two of them go all “Kill Bill” on us. Big Bang is the only one that acts its age, while Yunho delivers the funniest and most random (for me) performance by running away from a rocket missile.

The trailer ends with the implication that what you’ve just seen is all part of a movie or a drama. (Yunho’s character is an actor, but since his back is turned to us, it can really mean anyone.) That would be funny and a little meta: Korea is promoting itself through its most famous media form, the Korean Drama.

sources: allkpop and seoulbeats

News Bits: 9/6/10 Edition

Oof – I take a weekend off to chillax and shop – which meant no reading of K-pop news – and so many things happen!!!!!!!!

Jung Il Woo held his birthday fan meeting over the weekend, and his surprise guests were Kim Bum and Lee Min Ho! The two of them are best friends with Jung, and Kim Bum even starred alongside Jung in Unstoppable High Kick. They celebrated Jung’s 23rd birthday with him and his fans, and Jung performed for his fans on the piano and also singing the song “Candy in My Ear” by Baek Ji Young.

News Bits: 8/26/10 Edition

Ariel Lin revealed to the press that she’s dating someone. Now that’s something you don’t admit everyday. She won’t reveal his identity but only says that he is a “big help to her acting and singing career.” Money on the manager? Anyone?

She was actually attending a press conference for Taiwan Organ Registry and Sharing Center, of which she is an ambassador.

Andre Kim Passes Away

Fashion designer Andre Kim passed away after succumbing to colon cancer and pneumonia. He’s the one who designed the crazy evening and wedding gowns. No matter how “ridiculous” it may have looked, he was internationally known and stars filled his runways as they modeled his clothing.

He is succeeded by his 30-year old adopted son.

His wake was well attended by plenty of stars, including Kim Bum, Jeon Do Yeon, Kim Hee Sun, Choi Ji Woo, Choi Si Won, and Won Bin.

Head on after the jump to check out some of his previous shows with stars.

News Bits: 7/15/10 Edition

During the press conference for his new drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal Micky Yoochun made a remark about his (former?) band DBSK. Yoochun is one of the three – along with Jaejoong and Junsu – who raised a lawsuit against SM Entertainment in regards to their contract. Though it led to the group ceasing their activities indefinitely, Yoochun says he still gets along with everyone in the group. They don’t keep in touch as often since they’re all busy with their own solo projects, but it’s not like they all hate each other for what happened. That’s good to hear – since it’s a shame to allow business ruin personal relationships. The rest of the cast was there too – and they were dressed in their traditional school garb for the conference. The drama will air in September.