Bae Yong-joon's agency denies signing Kim Hyun-joong

Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong [Asia Economic Daily]

Bae Yong-joon's agency KEYEAST has denied recent rumors that they have signed with singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong.

In a phone call with Asia Economic Daily on Monday, an official at KEYEAST dismissed such reports as "groundless" and said that they "have not signed with Kim Hyun-joong."

Several media reports had claimed that Kim, whose contract with agency DSP Entertainment expired yesterday, signed an exclusive management contract with Bae's agency.

Last month, it was reported that Kim and Bae had a private meeting, which some people thought hinted at their future partnership. At the time, DSP downplayed the rumor, saying it was only a personal meeting between Kim and Bae, a close friend and mentor figure to the young star.

There was even talk that the pop idol was likely to sign with an agency which recently signed on three TVXQ members -- Hero Jaejoong, Xiah Junsu and Micky Yoochun -- who are currently embroiled in a legal battle with major talenthouse SM Entertainment.

Kim, 23, is the leader of boy band SS501, one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia since their debut in 2005. The singer has also done some acting work, most notably in the smash hit drama "Boys Over Flowers" last year alongside actors Lee Min-ho and Ku Hye-sun.

Reporter : Park So-yoen muse@
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@

Source: Asiae

Credits: http://theksource.blogspot.com/

(Please do not remove any credits when taking out news from theksource.)

Bae Yong-joon "undecided" in starring in new drama

Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon [KEYEAST]

Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon has yet to decide whether he will appear in an upcoming drama, according to his agency KEYEAST on Wednesday.

"We haven't heard anything about Bae making an appearance in the new drama 'Dream High.' Nothing has been set yet," a representative from KEYEAST was quoted as saying.

"Dream High," about students attending a school of performing arts, will be relayed through the singing and dancing of the cast.

The show will be produced in collaboration with CJ Media and Holym, a production company established jointly by KEYEAST and JYP Entertainment (JYPE).

Bae, a major shareholder of KEYEAST, will take part in the planning and producing while Park Jin-young, founder and CEO of JYPE, will arrange the music and choreography.

Bae Yong-joon made his debut in the KBS mini-series "Greeting with Love" in 1994. He rose to fame in Korea and throughout Asia after starring in the 2002 hit drama "Winter Sonata" alongside actress Choi Ji-woo.

He has appeared in a numerous other dramas including "Hotelier" and "The Story of the First King's Four Gods" and movies such as "Untold Scandal" and "April Snow."

Reporter : Lim Hye-seon lhsro@

Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@

Hey kpop lovers! A simple thanks and a click on the ad really could make our day~ really appreciate it if you guys could help and support us. Thanks in advance.

Source: Asiae
Credits: http://theksource.blogspot.com/

(Please do not remove any credits when taking out news from theksource.)

Bae Yong-joon visits Tokyo for hotel launching and charity

Actor Bae Yong-joon [KEYEAST]

 

Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon visited Japan for a hotel launching party and charity work this week, according to his agency KEYEAST on Wednesday.

KEYEAST said in a press release that the actor flew into Japan on Monday, although not through Tokyo Narita Airport for security reasons, to attend the opening party for the Lotte City Hotel Kinshicho, held in Tokyo the following day.

At the event, Bae is said to have gifted the new hotel with a white porcelain pot made by a Korean artist, which will later be displayed at the site.

The actor then paid a visit to the Yokohama Children's Medical Center, where an intensive care unit (ICU) facility for premature newborns has been installed in his name. Since last year, the Korean star has been taken part in donating ICU facilities for infants to eight hospitals in Japan.

"There is a big shortage of medical beds and physicians for premature babies around the world," the actor was quoted as saying. "I am making the donations out of hope that people will now be more aware and more supportive of the infants."

Bae, 37, shot to mega-stardom in Korea and throughout Asia with the success of 2002 KBS TV series "Winter Sonata" and gained a huge following in Japan in particular, where he earned the nickname "Yonsama".

He has also been actively promoting Korean culture in Asia, publishing a photo essay titled "Discovering the Beauty of Korea" last year, which contains self-taken photographs of various cultural artisans that the actor met during his year-long travel around the country.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae

Source: Asiae

Credits: http://theksource.blogspot.com/

(Please do not remove any credits when taking out news from theksource.)

Bae Yong-joon to promote Korea in TV commercial

Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon [KEYEAST]

An official television commercial featuring Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon in a Korean tourism campaign is set to air in Japan and throughout the world, according to his agency.

The actor, who last October was appointed PR ambassador to promote Korean tourism, appeared in a special commercial to promote Korea and the "2010-2012 Visit Korea Year" campaign, KEYEAST said in a press release.



"We expect this television commercial to create a huge sensation overseas," explained Mr. Roh Young-woo, Managing Director of Visit Korea Year Committee. "We hope that viewers overseas will become more interested and more fond of Korea through watching the commercial."



The commercial started airing Friday in Japan on DATV and will later be broadcast in other regions.



Bae, 37, has been actively promoting Korean culture in Asia since shooting to stardom in the region after starring in 2002 hit TV series "Winter Sonata" alongside actress Choi Ji-woo.



Last year, he released a photo essay titled "Discovering the Beauty of Korea", which contains self-taken photographs of various cultural artisans that the actor met during his year-long travel around the country. He authored the book in order to introduce Korean culture such as food, tradition and travel locations.

Korean actor Bae Yong-joon in a TV commercial [KEYEAST]

Source: Asiae