Nichkhun to pay 4 million KRW fine for DUI

Due to his recent DUI charge, 2PM‘s Nichkhun will be paying a 4 million KRW fine (~ 3,524 USD). The statement was released on August 30th by the Seoul Supreme Prosecutor’s Office: “Nichkhun already reached a settlement with the other party. There were no serious injuries, and his blood alcohol level was low, so the case was settled with a summary judgement (settled by a judge with no jury involved). There were no further investigations.”

Nichkhun was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level of 0.056% on July 24th after a small accident occurred on his way home.

Lee Min Jung and actor Lee Byung Hun Confirm Dating Rumors

Lee Min Jung‘s agency recently made an official statement revealing that their actress and Lee Byung Hun have confirmed their relationship as a couple. Since earlier this year, there were rumors floating around about the two celebrities and their relationship, however both sides denied the assertions. It is being said that Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jung developed their relationship in secrecy, however with rumors being blown up to the two getting married, the couple has decided to confirm the news!

Actress Lee Min Jung stated, “I denied the news in April because at the time I was neither ready for the public to know nor prepared for the aftermath of the news getting out. Most of all, because my parents and my agency both were unaware of the situation, I had no choice but to be even more careful.” She continued, “I made my mind that I wanted to come out and honestly reveal the news to everyone after I became more confident in my judgement and everything became more stable. I decided that it wouldn’t be right to deny the truth any longer so I am revealing my position after much discussion with my seniors.”

Regarding the rumors of a November wedding the actress stated, “The news about a wedding being held this November is false. And of course it’s not true that I went to a hanbok fitting either. The two of us are not at all prepared for a wedding and nothing has been set.” Finally Lee Min Jung expressed, “It’s still a pretty sensitive issue, but the both of us are taking our relationship seriously and if later on some good news were to come about, you all will be the first to know. I had a lot of worries as a woman, an actress and a daughter, but I’m trying to be courageous. I’m hoping to grow happy with everyone’s support.”

Lee Byung Hun revealed his side stating, “I’m writing to all of you with just a few weeks left till I leave Korea for the rest of 2012. I’ve found someone I want to be with. And because I believe it’s my duty to let all of our fans know first I decided to post these words.”

He continued, “Having known her for a long while now, I came to think she has the ability to brighten the people around her with her heart. However, it was inevitable that the two of us were taken aback when rumors started spreading just as we were beginning our relationship“, revealing the reason as to why the two denied the rumors. The actor concluded stating, “Now, she has become the person who is most important to me. And I want to continue this relationship in a serious manner.”

It has been reported that the two began their relationship in the first half of this year, and the couple are continuing to carefully grow their relationship.

Kang Ho Dong and Shin Dong Yup Sign with SM Entertainment’s SM C&C

On August 17th, MC Kang Ho Dong and Shin Dong Yup announced that they will be signing new contracts with SM C&C in collaboration with SM Entertainment. On his contract and comeback to the entertainment industry, Kang Ho Dong stated, “Since last year, I’ve spent a lot of thinking, and I feel that the right thing for me to do is to return to my position as an MC and bring more joy to everyone. I have carefully decided to return to my broadcast activities through my exclusive contract with SM C&C and the management of SM Entertainment. Through them, I’ll focus on my work to bring more joy and happiness to everyone.”

Shin Dong Yup added, “Through this new exclusive contract, I hope to create a synergistic effect with Asia’s best singers and actors in creating new programs and creating a differentiating image.”

CEO Kim Young Min also expressed, “SM C&C, in alliance with tourism enterprises, is constantly working to create Asia’s best video content and drama programs. Through the joining of MCs Kang Ho Dong and Shin Dong Yup, we look forward to creating broadcast programs of more variety and will work to support them as a management company that helps them become Asia’s best entertainers.”

Lee Seung Gi Deny Rumors of a 2013 military enlistment

Lee Seung Gi‘s representatives denied rumors of the singer enlisting in the Korean military late next year. Through a phone interview with Dispatch on August 10th, Lee Seung Gi’s agency Hook Entertainment stated, “The rumors of [Lee Seung Gi] enlisting in the military late next year are completely groundless. He will go when the time comes, but we have yet to set an exact date.”

As of now, Lee Seung Gi is attending graduate school. In the event an individual is enrolled in school, it is possible to postpone military enlistment. The rep continued, “The agency has never discussed anything related to military enlistment. We don’t know why these rumors keep spreading. He is planning on enlisting at the right time, but as of right now, there is a lot left for him to do.”

For the time being, Lee Seung Gi will be devoting his time to work. It seems as though Lee Seung Gi prioritizes firmly making his mark as both an artist and an actor. “His enlistment will be planned after he shows you a lot of different sides to him,” the rep added.

Jang Geun Suk, The First Korean Star on Postage Stamps in Japan

In celebration of his 20th debut anniversary, the Japanese Post will be selling official postage stamp sets specially commemorating the event. It’s hard to believe that someone only in his 20's is already 20 years into his career, but his stamp set will celebrate just that with special photos looking back on his career.

Pre-orders for the stamps will begin on August 20th through post offices nationwide. Pictures in the set will include everything from his youth to his teens and divided into two sets called ’1st History’ and ’2nd History’. The set comes in a special folder package that includes customized postcards, envelopes, and stickers, along with never-before-released pictures of the star.

In related news, Jang Geun Suk recently added additional finale concert dates at the Saitama Super Arena for November 26th, 27th, and 29th as a present for fans that weren’t able to make it to his sold out tour, ‘The Cri Show 2‘.

Explanation for Yoochun’s Twitter Deactivation

JYJ Yoochun‘s sudden deactivation of his Twitter has made many fans curious as to why he might have done it. Yoochun left a Twitter post on August 1st that read, “I am always so grateful that you are always cheering me on and showing me your love and support. I want to greet you guys in the future with great music, acting, and promotions…^^ Once again, I am sincerely grateful and I love you!! ?.”

Twitter was a way for Yoochun to communicate with his fans and the sudden deactivation has caused speculation. Many have assumed that he deactivated his Twitter because of sasaeng fans like Super Junior’s Heechul, but that does not appear to be the case for Yoochun.

A representative of Yoochun told OSEN on August 2nd, “In his fans point of view, this was a ‘sudden’ move, and I think that is why a lot of misunderstandings came up. He did not delete his Twitter for any particular reason. He has been neglecting his Twitter after opening it so I think that troubled him. Many fans are waiting for him to update his Twitter and send him many mentions, but he can’t reply back daily so he decided it would be better to deactivate his Twitter rather than continue to neglect it. His reason for deactivating his Twitter is not because he developed a personal problem nor is it because he had a change of heart. ”