Singer Ailee. (YMC Entertainment) The nude photo scandal surrounding singer Ailee took a twist on Tuesday as a U.S.-based Korean pop news site that uploaded the photos stuck to its story that it had taken the images from an online forum. On Sunday, allkpop posted a set of nude photos of the singer in an article titled “Purported pre-debut nude photos of Ailee leaked.” In response, Ailee’s agen...

Lee Min-ho. (Starhaus Entertainment) Actor Lee Min-ho will hold a finale performance for his 2013 world tour, “My Everything,” in Seoul next January. The actor released an album titled “My Everything” in May and embarked on a world tour spanning nine venues in six countries including Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and China. “Many fans in the country were disappointed because Lee Min-ho left...

Album cover of “Coup d’Etat.” (YG Entertainment) The artwork on the cover of G-Dragon’s recent album has nabbed 20th place in Complex Magazine’s “50 Best Pop Album Covers of the Past Five Years.” The star’s second studio album “Coup d’Etat” is the only album by a Korean artist that earned a spot on the list. The album cover features a bright red background with a black symbol that can be interp...

Norazo. (Norazo Production) Duo Norazo is collaborating with comedian Noh Hong-chul for their upcoming single “Wild Horse.” The single, set to be released on Wednesday, will be a lively, upbeat number similar to the group’s previous hit “Superman,” which was released in 2008 as part of their third studio album “THREE GO.” “Infinite Challenge” member Noh recently collaborated with indie band Ro...

SM, Design House launch new magazine as publishers turn to in-depth celebrity content

Park Yu-chun. (C-Jes Entertainment) JYJ member Park Yoo-chun is set to make a small-screen comeback in February with the leading role in an upcoming SBS television series, “Three Days.” Park will play an elite bodyguard named Han Tae-gyeong who works for the presidential security service. The president mysteriously vanishes after three gunshots are heard at his villa, and Tae-gyeong is given th...

g.o.d. (KAMA Studio) All five original members of first-generation idol group g.o.d are rumored to be reuniting next March for a commemorative 15th-anniversary album. “Kim Tae-woo, Son Ho-young, Danny Ahn, Yoon Kye-sang and Park Joon-hyung are currently discussing plans for a potential album and concert in commemoration of their 15th anniversary,” an insider source revealed to a sports magazine...

Poster for DSP Festival. (DSP Media) Entertainment agency DSP Media, which manages idol groups KARA and SS501, is holding a concert in commemoration of the company’s 22nd anniversary. “DSP Festival” will be held on Dec. 14 at Jamsil Indoor Stadium. The concert lineup currently includes KARA, SS501, Rainbow, Oh Jong-hyuk and A-JAX. “This festival will highlight the agency’s 22-year history,” a...

Lee Joon-gi (Yonhap News) Actor Lee Joon-gi is planning a large-scale tour, “Lee Joon-gi Asia Tour JG Night,” to meet fans in Korea, China and Japan. The tour will not be just meetings with fans, but will be organized as a concert-like event complete with Lee performing on stage. The star will start the tour in Seoul on Dec. 14 and then meet fans in Beijing, China, on Jan. 4 and Shanghai on Ja...

Brown Eyed Soul. (Santa Music) R&B group Brown Eyed Soul has broken its three-year hiatus by releasing a new digital single, “Always Be There,” to commemorate its 10th anniversary. The track was released at noon on Thursday and within a two-hour span it beat tracks by Troublemaker, IU, K.Will, Ailee and Busker Busker for the No. 1 spot on major music charts including Melon, Bugs and Naver Music...

The fans have spoken - YG to debut first boy band in seven years

Gu Ha-ra (DSP Media) KARA member Gu Ha-ra has been named the PR ambassador for blood donation for the Hanmaum Blood Bank, which is affiliated with the Korean Industrial Health Association. She will begin official activity as an ambassador on Thursday at Myeong-dong Blood Bank Caf in Seoul. Asked how she feels about receiving the title, Gu said, “I’m interested in volunteer work. I am happy that...

Yoo In-na. (YG Entertainment) Actress Yoo In-na has joined the cast of SBS television series “Man from the Stars” alongside A-list actors Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun. The series portrays a good-looking alien, Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun), who has been living in Korea since the Joseon era. Four centuries later, he falls in love with top hallyu actress Chun Song-yi, played by Jun Ji-hyun. Yoo pla...

AOA Black. (FNC Entertainment) Upcoming new girl group AOA is set to represent Korea at Singapore’s “Sundown Festival 2013” on Nov. 16. AOA, which stands for Ace of Angels, consists of eight members: Choa, Jimin, Yuna, Youkyung, Hyejeong, Mina, Seolhyun, and Chanmi. The group also includes a sub-unit, AOA Black, where five of the eight members play instruments instead of focusing solely on danc...