Latest news with #KimSoo-hyun
Korea Herald
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
At Lotte Hotel, Kim opens up Seoul's artistic identity
Gallerist Kim Soo-hyun hopes to continue legacy of Bando Gallery at hotel in central Seoul as gateway to Korean art for foreign guests Entering the Lotte Hotel Seoul's executive tower, paintings by Kim Tschang-yeul, whose iconic water-drop paintings are globally known, immediately catch the eye. The artist, who died in 2021 at age 91, expressed his traumatic experiences by painting water drops. He fled from the North to the South during the 1950-53 Korean War. Presenting the paintings at the five-star hotel is gallerist Kim Soo-hyun, who runs The L. Collection located inside the hotel. 'I happened to see Kim's water-drop paintings ― probably in 1997 before I left for Europe for a government-funded group exchange program. They looked so delicate and precise. It felt as if I flicked one, it would burst open and everything would come pouring out,' Kim recalled during an interview with The Korea Herald on July 9. Once she started collecting art, it was a Kim painting that she sought. 'I wanted it so badly ― I was dying to have it,' she said. Other paintings on display inside the gallery include those by Korean contemporary art masters Kim Whan-ki, Ha Chong-hyun and Oh Se-yeol, offering a glimpse of contemporary Korean art history. Before opening the gallery at Lotte Hotel Seoul at the end of 2022, she had been running Showum Gallery in Daegu since 2016. The gallery, housed in a six-story building, has six exhibition halls presenting shows of established Korean artists. The six-story building houses six exhibition halls presenting mostly established Korean artists' shows. Lotte Hotel Seoul is located where Bando Hotel once stood. The hotel, built in 1936 during the Japanese colonial era (1910-45) and closed in 1974, had housed Bando Gallery, one of few Korean commercial galleries after liberation. The story of how Korean modern artist Park Soo-keun made a living by selling works at the gallery is a widely known one. 'I often heard stories about Bando Gallery from elderly relatives. Even now, the name 'Bando' comes to mind when I come here,' she said. When she made up her mind to open a space in Seoul, she had a couple of sites in mind, including Pyeongchang-dong, a northern Seoul neighborhood known as a haven for cultural elites and artists. However, she decided to open the space at the hotel in central Seoul with the legacy of the Bando Gallery, she said. The decision was largely influenced by Kim's experience traveling abroad, witnessing how hotels or accommodations housed art pieces, which naturally exposed her to the culture of the country. 'During those trips, the hotels that have a good sense of artistic identity, whether there are renowned sculptures or famous Picasso paintings on display, remain strong in my memory for a long time. Those images with the space stay with me even after 20 or 30 years. 'That's how the idea of opening a gallery within a hotel first came to me,' Kim said. Looking back on the past decades, she finds South Korea has grown culturally affluent across many fields of art, but she has always thought that five-star hotels here could be better engrained with meaningful art. It is not only about elevating the stature of the space, but also providing cultural experiences for guests in Seoul. In 2022, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stayed at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, she recalled. 'Foreign dignitaries and VIPs, many of them do not have time to visit museums or explore the city. Their schedules are so packed, often flying in and out within a matter of few days. If they are in Seoul, what impression would be left with them beyond business meetings? Visual memory lasts,' she emphasized. In 2023, The L. Collection showed the solo exhibition 'Blossom' of Korean artist Chon Byung-hyun, who has explored traditional mulberry paper, known as hanji, in his works for more than 20 years. After studying in Paris, the artist started to reflect Korean cultural elements in his works, and his artistic process includes using hanji relief and stone power. The artist often uses the theme of white porcelain. Kim said she tries to start from the heart of a collector when organizing an exhibition. 'I make sure to make a purchase of the artist's work beforehand, because I believe I need to experience what it feels like to be a collector of their works, to stand in the client's shoes. If it continues to resonate with me over time, I will move forward with the exhibition, contacting the artist," she said. 'This way, I have never regretted an exhibition that I held, and I would say none of them have ever failed.' Among recent exhibitions in Daegu, the solo show of Yoo Geun-taek was a popular one, she said, with the artist's 48 paintings selling out. The artist, 60, captures everyday scenes such as fountains, infused with traditional Korean mediums. 'I have a deep sense of respect for the artists from the older generation. I often find myself wondering, 'What kind of heart did the artist carry through the Korean War and to the present day?'" she said. "I can feel the artistic sensitivity that captures the spirit of their times in their works.' Kim is planning to show a solo exhibition of Korean painter Oh Se-yeol at The L. Collection at the end of this year, shedding light on how the artist whose intuitive painting style reminiscent of scribbling and scraping-off manner was inspired by experiences from the artist's younger years after the Korean War, when canvases were hard to come by and he drew on blackboards.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Scandal-hit Kim Soo-hyun's hit drama It's Okay To Not Be Okay get's Philippine adaptation - these actors to star in remake
The much-anticipated Philippine adaptation of the Korean hit drama It's Okay to Not Be Okay reimagines the globally acclaimed series through a Filipino lens, diving deep into themes of trauma, healing, and love. Originally starring Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji and Oh Jung-se in lead roles, the Korean version earned praise for its unique storytelling and sensitive portrayal of mental health. However, Kim Soo-hyun recently faced controversy after a YouTube channel alleged he dated late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was underage. His agency initially denied the claims, later clarifying that the relationship took place between 2019 and 2020, when Sae-ron was legally an adult. In a tearful press conference, Kim denied the underage dating accusations, apologized for the public distress, and emphasized the relationship was between two consenting adults. A Filipino retelling: Plot and cast In this local adaptation, Joshua Garcia stars as Patpat, a quiet and emotionally guarded psychiatric ward caregiver who has devoted his life to his older brother Matmat (played by Carlo Aquino), a person with autism. Their routine is upended when they meet Mia (portrayed by Anne Curtis), a successful yet emotionally scarred children's book author known for her icy demeanor and eccentric behavior. As their lives intertwine, all three must confront childhood traumas, internal battles, and hidden pain - ultimately embarking on a shared journey of self-acceptance and healing. Portraying mental health with cultural sensitivity Reframed through a Filipino perspective, the series maintains the emotional weight of the original while adapting the themes to suit local audiences. Carlo Aquino prepared for his role as Matmat through immersions in special education settings and workshops focused on autism, ensuring authenticity in his portrayal. Star-studded ensemble and production The series also features a powerhouse cast including Rio Locsin, Bobot Mortiz, Michael De Mesa, Maricel Laxa, Agot Isidro, Enchong Dee, Kaori Oinuma, Bodjie Pascua, Ana Abad Santos, Sharmaine Suarez, Xyriel Manabat, Louise Abuel, Francis Magundayao, Alora Sasam, Alyssa Muhlach, Bianca De Vera, Aljon Mendoza, and Mark Oblea. Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar and Raymond Ocampo, with Henry Quitain as creative producer and Des M. De Guzman as business unit head, the adaptation is produced under Star Creatives. Where to Watch It's Okay to Not Be Okay premieres on July 21, airing weeknights at 8:45 PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, and TV5. Viewers can catch the series early via streaming on Netflix starting July 18, and on iWant beginning July 19. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Korean vocalist Moon Taeil pleads guilty to charges of ‘aggravated rape'; everything to know about the case
The K-pop industry is no longer immune to the criminal spotlight. After shocking allegations involving actor Kim Soo-hyun earlier this year, another name followed. Moon Taeil aka Moon Tae-il — former NCT vocalist — now stands at the centre of one of the most disturbing sex scandals in the K-pop world. Here's a complete timeline of the events leading up to Taeil's indictment and the ongoing case. In a move that stunned fans, SM Entertainment announced on August 28 that Taeil had been implicated in a criminal case related to sexual crime. The agency confirmed his removal from all NCT activities with immediate effect. 'We have recently confirmed that Taeil has been implicated in a criminal case related to sexual crime. While looking into the situation, we recognised that the issue is very serious, and we have decided that Taeil could no longer continue team activities,' read SM's official statement. A fresh wave of outrage followed when Chosun Ilbo reported that Taeil had been investigated for aggravated rape — a charge categorised in South Korea as Special Quasi-Rape. This crime implies the involvement of more than one perpetrator and a victim unable to resist due to unconsciousness or intoxication. The reports claimed Taeil and two non-celebrity accomplices raped an intoxicated girl, allegedly a foreigner, after meeting her at a bar. The charge would equate to aggravated rape in most Western legal systems. According to Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Taeil and his two accomplices were officially indicted on charges of aggravated rape under the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. The prosecution alleged the trio sexually assaulted an intoxicated foreign woman in June 2024. Nearly a year after the incident, the first trial was held on June 18, 2025. Legal documents revealed damning details of the night in question: Taeil and the victim met at a bar in Itaewon at around 2:33 a.m. on June 13, 2024. Along with two accomplices, Taeil forced the woman into a taxi, eventually arriving at one of the defendant's residence in the Bangbae district of Seoul. The group then raped the unconscious victim between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. According to prosecutors, this was not a spur-of-the-moment act. Investigators found text messages where Taeil and his friends discussed the victim being a foreigner and even plotted to mislead police by manipulating GPS data. It reportedly took two months for the authorities to track the defendants using CCTV footage. Taeil's counsel confirmed that the victim was a Chinese national. During the trial, Taeil and his accomplices admitted guilt. The prosecution demanded a seven-year prison sentence for each of them. Taeil's legal counsel pleaded for leniency: 'Taeil submitted a statement of self-surrender to the police. He also went through the difficult process of reaching an agreement with the victim, who is Chinese, and even received a letter from the victim stating she did not want further punishment levied.' While Taeil's admission of guilt and the victim's letter may influence sentencing, the gravity of the charges — aggravated rape involving an unconscious foreign woman — has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. For now, Moon Taeil's story stands as a sobering reminder: no idol is above the law.
New Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Kim Soo-hyun's luxury apartment seized over unpaid advertiser's penalty fee
SEOUL: One of South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun's luxury apartments worth three billion won (RM9.2 million) has been seized. According to AsiaOne, the medical aesthetic device brand Classys, which previously signed Soo-hyun as their brand model, filed for the provisional seizure over an unpaid penalty fee due to a breach of contract, which the Seoul Eastern District Court approved recently. The company had ended their contract with the 37-year-old after his explosive scandal where he was accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underaged. She died from suicide in February this year. Soo-hyun has denied the allegations, claiming they started seeing each other when she was 19 years old. He owns three Galleria Foret apartments, which he bought in 2013 and 2014. His lawyers reportedly confirmed one of his units had been seized. His drama Knock-Off - which was supposed to premiere in the first half of 2025 - has also been postponed indefinitely.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kim Soo-hyun's fans protest str's asset seizure; threaten to BOYCOTT brand over ‘unjust' legal action
Fans of South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun have launched a fierce protest against a medical brand that recently secured a court-ordered provisional seizure of the star's property, calling the move unethical and unjust. The controversy has sparked outrage among supporters, who are now threatening to boycott the brand's products if the matter is not resolved transparently. On June 11, Kim's Korean and international fan unions issued a joint statement condemning Company A, which filed for a ₩3 billion (approximately $2.16 million) asset seizure . The Seoul Eastern District Court had approved the provisional seizure of one of Kim Soo-hyun's luxury apartments at Galleria Foret in Seoul's Seongdong District. In their statement, the fan union accused the company of exploiting the actor's image for profit before turning on him following his alleged connection to a past controversy involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron . 'It is extremely unreasonable and irrational for a brand that once benefited financially from Kim Soo-hyun's image to file for asset seizure against him, especially when he is the innocent party,' the group said. Adding to the outrage, fans claimed that Kim's personal information was exposed during the legal proceedings. 'This is a clear case of secondary harm against a victim of false allegations, as well as a serious invasion of privacy,' they noted. The heart of the dispute appears to be an endorsement deal terminated by the brand, which is now demanding financial compensation based on reputational damage allegedly caused by speculative online content. The fan union rejected these claims, calling for accountability to be placed on those spreading false information—not the actor himself. 'As consumers who became aware of your brand through Kim Soo-hyun, we hope this situation does not escalate into a boycott of all your products.' On June 12, Kim Soo-hyun's legal team, LKB & Partners, confirmed the court's approval of the provisional seizure but strongly denied any wrongdoing by the actor. They also refuted allegations made by the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, which played a role in fueling the controversy. 'It is clear that Kim Soo-hyun is a victim of a crime, and it is deeply regrettable that he is now facing secondary harm,' the law firm stated.
