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Korea Herald
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
[Grace Kao] Don't be fooled by celebrity romance scams
The Federal Trade Commission of the US reported that in 2023, consumers lost $1.14 billion to romance scams. This is a substantial increase from $547 million in losses in 2021, and $304 million in 2020. What exactly are romance scams and why are people susceptible to them? Scammers pose as someone who has fallen in love with the victim and is desperately trying to travel to the victim so they can meet. However, one tragedy after another ensues. The scammers work in teams and are grooming multiple victims simultaneously. The carefully designed scripts come in a variety of genres. An extremely interesting variant of this scam involves celebrities. Here, victims believe they are communicating with a celebrity and eventually develop a romantic relationship with them. There are a number of YouTube channels that address this topic. For example, the YouTube channel @catfishedOnline investigates romance scams. Their findings are shared with the victim and often their families, and with the audience. It's tempting to dismiss romance scam victims as gullible individuals who should have known better. However, the pervasiveness of romance scams suggests that criminals are addressing common issues of isolation and loneliness. Victims might be single or married in unsatisfying relationships. Their limited mobility or caregiving responsibilities at home might make it hard for them to meet others. Some may just be socially awkward and have had very few healthy romantic relationships. On this channel, there have been victims that believed that they were in clandestine relationships with Barry Gibb (one of the members of the group Bee Gees), Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, actor Johnny Depp and Jennifer Aniston, singer Chris Brown, and comedian Matt Rife. Recently, a fake Jackson Wang (GOT7) made an appearance. Images and information about celebrities are widely available on the internet. Let's say you're a fan of Cha Eun-woo. You can 'like' or 'comment' on one of his photos on social media. Someone named Cha Eun-woo might interact with you in the comments section or direct-message (DM) you. Suddenly, you are chatting with one of your favorite celebrities. This type of contact can happen to any of us who are on social media. I was once friended by an imposter Hyun Bin -- I don't even follow him on any social media nor did I ever comment on any of his content, but I do post information about the Korean Wave. If I was excited to see fake Hyun Bin on my social media, can you imagine what my response might be if 'Jungkook' DM'd me? Once, a fake version of K-pop singer 'Eric Nam' asked me if I was married and if so, was my marriage happy? Yikes. The scammers work to convince victims that they are special. They send them photos and videos of the celebrity with personalized information about the victim added. An image might show your celebrity boyfriend holding a note that says, 'I love you, Grace.' The imposter divulges special secrets about their newest movie or concert. They eventually ask for help because their manager won't let them access their funds. Perhaps they are going through an acrimonious divorce and their assets are frozen. Eventually, they will be in a nearby town for a concert or other activity, so if you want to meet them, you can sign up for a 'meet and greet' which not only costs $1,000 but they also need your name, birthday and social security number -- all the information one needs to open a credit card account. Since you will soon be their partner, why not help them out? In fact, a recent video featured a 70-something year old woman who believed she was engaged to 29-year old Comedian Matt Rife. Over the course of more than a year, she sent him over $100,000. Even after she was provided clear evidence that this was not the actual comedian, she continued to send money. Why did she do this? By sending money, she prolonged the fantasy. In 2024, a North Carolina woman believed she was in a relationship with actor Ahn Hyeo-seop and that they were in love. She was offered the opportunity to meet him, but his 'manager' asked for expenses to arrange a meet and greet, and various other fees. Eventually, she sent him $67,000, more than her life savings. While many victims in the media are women, evidence suggests that there are more male than female ones. According to a November 2022 Javelin survey of 5,000 households, men accounted for 73 percent of the victims of romance scams. In a National Geographic investigation of romance scammers in Nigeria, they confessed that they target men because men were likely to have more money and that they were easier to deceive. So, what's the solution? We should all be in closer contact with our loved ones, especially those who may feel isolated. Also, it's probably safer to talk to your AI boyfriend than your celebrity one, but don't send money to either of them! Grace Kao is an IBM professor of sociology and professor of ethnicity, race and migration at Yale University. The views expressed here are the writer's own. — Ed.
Tatler Asia
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Why K-dramas always look like dream holidays
Love in translation Above 'Doctor Stranger' (2014) took us around Budapest, Hungary. (Photo: IMDB) But it's not just for show. When characters leave Korea, something shifts. Emotional stakes rise. Time slows. Suddenly, every cobblestone street becomes a confessional. Abroad, our protagonists find themselves, sometimes literally. Whether it's Hyun Bin soul-searching in Switzerland or Kim Tae-ri riding a bike through 1990s Paris in Twenty-Five Twenty-One , international scenes often serve as narrative inflection points apart from pegs for dream holidays. K-dramas often use overseas settings as a narrative escape hatch, allowing characters to break free from the rigid structures of Korean society. In a foreign country, they can reinvent themselves, unburdened by family expectations, workplace hierarchies or nosy neighbours. It's a clean emotional slate, one that's as liberating for the characters as it is enchanting for viewers. Korea's cultural soft power Above 'Queen of Tears' (2024) made people's dream holidays revolve around Germany. (Photo: Netflix) There's also the not-so-secret diplomatic agenda. The Korean Wave—Hallyu—is no longer confined to music charts and Netflix queues. International shoots act as cinematic emissaries, exporting Korean stories through global landscapes. In some cases, it's a win-win: countries like the Philippines, Spain and Thailand benefit from the tourism bump, while K-dramas expand their cachet as sophisticated global entertainment. Filming abroad acts as a quiet flex. It's an assertion that Korean pop culture belongs on the global stage. It's not just K-dramas anymore; it's K-culture going cosmopolitan. See more: Korean drama travel inspiration: 14 popular filming sites to visit Fantasy, but relatable Above 'Memories of the Alhambra' (2018) was technically in some kind of simulated reality, but when it wasn't, it was set in Spain. (Photo: IMDB) There's also the matter of emotional resonance. In a K-drama, Paris isn't just Paris—it's a symbol of first love, loneliness or a kind of aspirational sadness best expressed under grey skies and oversized scarves. These places become emotional proxies, transforming architecture into feeling. Memories of the Alhambra , set largely in Spain, used its setting not just as a backdrop but as a metaphysical extension of its video-game-inspired plot. In The King: Eternal Monarch , the characters literally cross dimensions, which is fitting, considering the show filmed everywhere from Busan to Brandenburg. And for fans watching in São Paulo or Stockholm, these foreign settings make Korean content feel closer to home. The jet-set future Above 'Encounter' (2018) included Havana, Cuba, as one of its filming locations (Photo: IMDB) Of course, not every drama needs a plane ticket. But as K-content continues to dominate global screens, the trend is unlikely to slow. Overseas filming has become an emotional tool, a branding strategy and, occasionally, a plot device that justifies a random flashback in Vienna. So the next time a character is brooding on a bridge in Budapest or sharing a gelato in Florence, remember: it's not just about where they are. It's about who they're becoming, one passport stamp at a time. And if they influence your dream holidays, then that's a bonus. In the world of K-dramas, love doesn't just transcend class, time and logic—it transcends borders.
Pink Villa
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Made In Korea First Look: Hyun Bin sets eyes on gripping thriller in first K-drama since Crash Landing on You and marriage to Son Ye Jin
The first look at Made In Korea is out, and it is already making waves. Starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung, this upcoming political thriller is shaping up to be one of the most intense dramas of the year. This marks Hyun Bin 's first drama series since his marriage to Son Ye Jin and following his hit drama Crash Landing On You. After tying the knot in 2022, the actor made his big-screen comeback with the movie Harbin (2024). Now, he is back with another political drama that revolves around power struggle. Set against the gripping backdrop of 1970s Korea, the series plunges into a tense world of power, ambition, and justice, where two men find themselves on opposite sides of a razor-thin line. Hyun Bin plays Baek Ki Tae, a man consumed by his ambition and his desire for power and wealth. On the other side stands Jung Woo Sung as Jang Gun Young, a prosecutor known for his fierce tenacity and sharp instinct. When a major incident shakes the political landscape, Jang Gun Young dedicates himself entirely to stopping Baek Ki Tae, setting the stage for a dramatic battle between two strong personalities. The first images give us a taste of the tension that runs through the series. One shot shows Hyun Bin in a formal suit, speaking on the phone with an expression that is both calm and calculated. He appears to be in the middle of a high-stakes conversation, possibly negotiating or gathering information. Another image shows the two leads face to face in a heated moment, surrounded by men in suits. The cast supporting this powerful duo brings even more intrigue to the story. Won Ji An plays Choi Yoo Ji, a skilled lobbyist who moves the pieces behind the scenes. Seo Eun Su plays Oh Ye Jin, an investigator who must navigate the blurred lines of truth and loyalty. Cho Yeo Jeong appears as Bae Geum Ji, while Jung Sung Il portrays Chief Secretary Cheon Seok Joong, a key figure in the political drama. Made In Korea will premiere on Disney+ in the second half of 2025. With only six episodes, the series promises a tightly packed story filled with sharp dialogue and more. The combination of Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung alone is enough to raise expectations, and the first look proves that this is not a series to miss. More updates and teasers are expected soon, but for now, the stage is set and the battle is just beginning.
Japan Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Independence hero assassin's calligraphy breaking auction records in Seoul
Calligraphy by a South Korean independence hero, created while awaiting execution for assassinating a Japanese statesman, is breaking new auction records in Seoul, as the country's ultrarich seek to bring historic artwork home. Revered in the South for his efforts to defend the country against Japanese encroachment, Ahn Jung-geun is best known for his dramatic, high-stakes assassination of Japan's first prime minister, Ito Hirobumi, in 1909 at a railway station in Harbin. He was hanged for the killing by Japanese authorities in 1910, just months before Tokyo formally annexed the Korean Peninsula, ushering in a brutal period of occupation that lasted until the end of the Second World War. Now, more than a century after his death, the calligraphy Ahn created in his prison cell during his final days — typically at the request of Japanese officials — is drawing fresh attention in Seoul's glitzy art scene. In South Korea, Ahn's life has long inspired artists across generations, giving rise to a highly celebrated musical, multiple novels, and films — including one starring "Crash Landing on You" actor Hyun Bin. Ahn was held in his prison cell in China for about 40 days leading up to his execution and he kept himself busy writing an autobiography and making hundreds of calligraphy pieces, including one requested by his own prison guard. "The court and prison officials, saying they wanted to keep my calligraphy as a memento, brought me hundreds of sheets of silk and paper and asked me to create for them," Ahn wrote in his autobiography. "I ended up spending several hours each day doing calligraphy, even though I wasn't particularly skilled in it." Even though Ahn had assassinated their top official Ito, the Japanese who took his calligraphy preserved them with care, and some of their descendants have donated them to the South Korean government, which subsequently designated them as national treasures. Now, more of the calligraphies are surfacing in the private art market, with the latest being auctioned last month in Seoul for 940 million won ($674,098) — more than three times its opening bid. Guests participate in a live auction for a piece of calligraphy created by Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun in his jail cell weeks before his execution in 1910, at the Seoul Auction on April 22. | AFP-JIJI The piece, which says "green bamboo" — a traditional symbol of integrity — had been owned by a Japanese individual who did not wish to be identified, and they had done an impeccable job preserving it, said Kim Jun-seon, art valuation specialist at Seoul Auction. "It wasn't even mounted and was still rolled up, but when we opened the case, the scent of ink still lingered in the air," she said. Japan said Ahn was a criminal and terrorist and refused to hand over his remains. They have never been located. Moves to honor Ahn by Seoul and Beijing have previously strained ties with Tokyo, even briefly sparking a diplomatic row in 2013. The fact that his Japanese captors preserved his calligraphy "reflects the cultural and political contradictions of early 20th century East Asia," said Eugene Y. Park, a history professor at University of Nevada, Reno. At his trial, Ahn identified himself as a soldier for Korea, defined his assassination of Ito as a military operation, and envisioned a united East Asia — comprising Korea, China, and Japan — somewhat akin to today's European Union. "Some Japanese may have seen him as a misguided but principled idealist," Park said. His calligraphy, which focused on values such as peace and ethics, "resonated culturally, even if he opposed them politically," he said. "At a time when Japan's own imperial identity was unsettled, preserving his works revealed deeper tensions between respect for moral courage and the pursuit of colonial domination." In 2023, the Global Sae-A Group, a South Korean conglomerate, purchased one of Ahn's calligraphies for a record-breaking 1.95 billion won. The piece "Green Bamboo" was sold at auction last month to the family of South Korea's LS Group. "We expressed our intention to bring the piece back to Korea and share it with the public," Joung Tae-hee at Seoul Auction said, adding that the Japanese owner agreed to sell after hearing their proposal. Lee Sang-hyun, of the LS Group family, said that his mother "hopes many citizens will be able to see this piece and that it will also be studied," and they are considering donating it to a national institution. Ahn became a Catholic as a teenager and ends his autobiography with the words of Nicolas Joseph Marie Wilhelm, a French priest and missionary stationed in Korea, who traveled to his prison to see the activist and give him confession. The priest — who had also baptized Ahn and was a longtime friend — was disciplined for his trip, and was later forced to return to France. "The gracious lord will never abandon you," Wilhelm told Ahn. "He will surely take you in, so rest your heart and go in peace."
South China Morning Post
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Who is Lee Jae-wook, the Alchemy of Souls star who shines in Netflix's Dear Hongrang?
Young Korean star Lee Jae-wook's cool gaze and pouty lips are front and centre once again in the stylish period drama Dear Hongrang, his first lead role in a Netflix original series – and he is already hard at work on his second. Unlike many of his peers, Seoul native Lee did not dream of seeing himself on the screen from a young age. He was in his second year of high school when he caught the acting bug, but it came on fast and hard, and before long he knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life. Lee practised and studied hard and was accepted to a number of universities, eventually choosing Chung-Ang University in central Seoul, where he enrolled in theatre and film. From there he was drawn to the entertainment industry, auditioning for a major K-drama series in his first year. The rest, as they say, is history. Lee Jae-wook as Sim Hongrang/Soul Reaper in a still from Dear Hongrang. Photo: Eunjung Kim/Netflix The part he auditioned for was the charismatic hacker Marco Han, a supporting character in Memories of the Alhambra, a series headlined by Hyun Bin and Park Shin-hye
