It was probably the biggest surprise since the secret wedding of actress Lee Young-ae this summer. Actor Jang Dong-gun and actress Ko So-young have confirmed that they’re dating. There were rumors that linked the two celebrities in the past, but they have steadfastly maintained that they were just good friends, nothing more. The news has prompted such a flood of questions and congratulations that Jang’s personal homepage went out of service late Thursday evening.

According to Jang’s management agency, the two started off as good friends after starring in “Love Wind, Love Song” in 1998. The relationship grew serious two years ago when Ko comforted Jang through some rough times. Called the handsomest actor in Korea, Jang has mentioned that he’s become lonelier as he grew older and is looking to settle down before he turns 40. That wish may come true as some people speculate that the two lovebirds will walk down the aisle early next year. It’s also rumored that Ko is already shopping for her wedding dress and buying things for the couple’s new home. Their agencies have denied the rumor, saying that it’s too premature to say for certain whether they will get married. Nonetheless, their fans have already posted the projected images of their offspring and began calling them the Brangelina of Korea after the top American celebrity couple Brad Pitt! and Angelina Jolie.

Currently Jang can be seen in a hit movie titled "Good Morning, President" in which he stars as a young widowed president. Ko is not working on any films or dramas right now, but is appearing on a number of TV ads.

- KBS WORLD, November 5th 2009

Epik High leader Tablo and award-winning actress Kang Hye-jung has tied the knot Monday afternoon in a private ceremony. The wedding was closed to the public and the press, but Tablo’s agency announced that the wedding was held as the Bailey House in southern Seoul. Guests included a myriad of superstars in the Korean music and film industries, such as hip hop artists Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae, Lee Ssang, and, of course, Tablo’s pal Mithra of Epik High, as well as renowned movie director Park Chan-wook, and film stars like Song Yun-ah, Han Chae-young, Kim Sun-ah, and Cha Tae-hyun.

The couple will depart Tuesday for their honeymoon in Europe, after which they will start their married life together in a home in central Seoul. Kang is currently pregnant and the baby is expected to come next year. Kang’s next film is “Kill Me,” starring opposite Shin Hyun-joon. She is to play a jilted lover, who hires a hit man, played by Shin, to help her kill herself. The romantic comedy film is due for release on November 5. Meanwhile, Tablo has put on his career on hold, while DJ Tukutz, another member of Epik High, is serving his military duty.

- KBS WORLD, October 27th 2009

Kang-in of Super Junior is in deep trouble again just one month after he was charged with assault and battery. This time he was charged with causing an accident while driving drunk. According to a source at the Gangnam Police Station, Kang-in was driving a leased import car in the affluent Gangnam neighborhood in Seoul a little after three in the morning of October 15th when he crashed into a parked taxi. Fortunately, the taxi driver and two passengers in the cab were not seriously hurt, but Kang-in apparently got out of the car and ran away into an alley. He turned himself in at the police station a little before nine o’clock that same morning. He underwent a breath analyzer test, which showed 0.082% alcoholic content, high enough for license suspension. A police officer said that although Kang-in will be given some consideration for turning himself in later, he will still be charged with drunk driving and hit-and-run, because he left the scene of the accident.

The idol star was involved in an early morning fight exactly a month ago on September 16th. He suspended all public appearances since his involvement in the fight. With the latest mishap, Kang-in will have to stay away from the limelight for a couple of years, as is customary for celebrities charged with drunk driving or drug use. In the meantime, debates over whether he should be kicked out of Super Junior are heating up online show biz sites.

- KBS WORLD, October 16th 2009

The new male group MBLAQ is to release its debut mini album on Wednesday, October 14th and make its TV debut the following day. Their first TV appearance will be on a cable TV music program, “M! Countdown.” Known as the first group born out of superstar Rain’s first music production effort, MBLAQ features some eye-catching member profiles. Thunder (a.k.a. Cheondung) is a younger brother of Sandara Park of sizzling 2NE1 and Mir’s older sister is actress Koh Eun-ah. And Lee Jun has played younger Rain in the film “Ninja Assassin.”

The five-member boy band opened Rain’s concerts in Korea on October 9th and 10th. Since then the group has topped major portal site search word lists and earned nationwide attention. The music industry and Rain’s fans are keeping a close eye on how the new boy group is going to fare in the tough Korean music market.

- KBS WORLD, October 13th 2009

Debut song "T.T dance" of Korean girl group HAM has already caused controversy in Philippines because as pronounced it contains word "titi" which is slang word for penis.

Korea’s talent search show, Super Star K, on Mnet produced its first professional singer. Jeong Seul-ki left a very strong impression on music industry insiders and the show’s judges although she was eliminated in the fourth preliminary round. She sang “I Have No Heart” by 8ight and moved Lee Hyo-ri to tears.

Jeong signed a contract with Brand New Stardom, an agency where rapper Jo PD belongs. She will soon debut as a singer. Her new agency said that Jeong’s voice and recording technique requires more work at the moment, but she has enough musical talent and drive to make it big in the music industry in the likes of ballad diva Lee Su-young with intense training. The show’s producer Mnet says that quite a few more hopefuls are waiting to be recruited by music agencies.

Just one day after she was admitted to the hospital, actress Jang Jin-young passed away Tuesday afternoon due to kidney and respiratory failure. She has been battling stomach cancer since last summer.

A number of her colleagues and fans paid their last tribute to her at the memorial set up at Asan Hospital in southeastern Seoul. Her co-stars from movies and TV dramas, including Park Hae-il of “The Scent of Love,” Kim Ju-hyeok of “Singles,” and Song Il-gook of the TV series “Lobbyist,” have come to the hospital. Online tributes have continued as well with internet users posting their condolences and playing a song from her film, “The Scent of Love,” in which she played a stomach cancer patient.

Jang’s real-life love story is just as heartbreaking as the one she portrayed in the film. Her boyfriend, known only by his surname Kim, and Jang got married when they were in Las Vegas this summer. They have reportedly obtained a marriage license in Korea as well. He has stuck by the ailing actress even after she tried to break off with him last year. Together with her family, he stayed by her death bed to say his last goodbye.

Source: KBS WORLD

Submission deadline has been announced for avex Star Search 2009.  If you are interested in auditioning for avex Star Search 2009, please sign up by WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2009.  avex is looking for singers, dancers and models aged 13 to 24. Selected talent may sign a contract with avex and embark on a career as a performer in Asia. 

We are in the process of selecting audition cities based on the amount of submissions.  For example, if we get a lot of sign ups from Dallas, TX we will have an audition in Dallas, TX this Fall.

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Jerry Yeh
jerryyeh@avexstarsearch.com

Are you the next Star?

avex Star Search 2009 audition submissions are now being accepted!

avex group, one of the world's largest independent entertainment companies, once again is searching for its next great star.

avex Star Search is seeking talented boys and girls, 13 to 24 of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, who are interested in becoming a performer and recording artist in Asia!

avex is looking for singers, dancers, and models.

Selected talent will sign a contract with avex and embark on a career as a performer in Asia.

Worried that the auditions won’t take place in your city? If the avex staff is impressed by your submission, we will figure out a way to audition you so don’t hesitate to sign up!

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