omonatheydid | Kim Hyun-joong declined offer to appear on "Family" season 2, Yoon Sang-hyun verbally agreed to join (Reply)

Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong [Asia Economic Daily]

Leader of boy band SS501 Kim Hyun-joong has turned down the offer to appear in the new season of SBS variety show "Family Outing", according to his agency DSP Media on Thursday.

An official at DSP told Asia Economic Daily over the phone that although Kim did receive the offer, he had "decided not to take on the show due to his conflicting work schedules and other issues."

Producers of "Family" have reportedly asked other idol group members -- including Yoona (of Girls' Generation), Daesung (Big Bang) and Taecyeon (2PM) -- to be regulars on the new season. However, their agencies have all replied that "nothing has been decided".

"Family Outing" was one of the most popular variety shows in Korea since its premiere in June 2008. With many Korean celebrities regularly appearing on the show, "Family" had recorded viewership ratings of over 30 percent.

However, the "reality-based" variety show sparked controversy last year when one of the scripts was leaked on the Internet. Fans became outraged when they found that the show was pre-scripted and ratings for the show had been declining ever since.

The entire cast from the first season of "Family", including the show's host Yoo Jae-seok and singer Lee Hyori, are set to leave the show after shooting the final episode next week.

With the second season scheduled to air around late February or early March, members of the new cast is expected to be confirmed later this month.

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Source: Asiae.co.kr

Korean actor Yoon Sang-hyun [Asia Economic Daily]

Korean actor Yoon Sang-hyun verbally agreed to appear in the new season of variety show "Family Outing,", according to his agency MGB Entertainment.

An official at MGB told Asia Economic Daily over the phone Wednesday the actor has "given a verbal agreement to do the show with the producers of the show."

However, the official went on to say, "But it literally is only a verbal agreement, not a commitment. We didn't sign the contract yet. We'll have to see what happens in the future."

The agency had explained yesterday that "nothing has been set" after news broke out that Yoon was considering to appear on the second season of "Family", one of the most popular variety programs in Korea which will soon end its first season run.

The entire cast from the first season of "Family", including the show's host Yoo Jae-seok and singer Lee Hyori, are set to leave the show after shooting the final episode on January 11 and 12.

The "reality-based" variety show, which premiered in June 2008, has been suffering from controversy and declining ratings after one of the show's scripts was leaked on the Internet early last year. Fans were outraged when they found that the show was not "real" as many of the remarks and responses by the cast members had been pre-scripted.

Yoon debuted in 2005 in the SBS TV series "Marrying a Millionaire". He rose to fame last year after starring in the smash hit drama "Queen of Housewives" alongside actress Kim Nam-joo and followed it up with "My Fair Lady", which co-starred Yoon Eun-hye.

The 36-year-old actor won the First Prize acting title at the year-end MBC Acting Awards last week.

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Source: Asiae.co.kr