Jang Geun Seok is going on a tour… in Asia!

To the lucky fans in Asia, Mother Superior has finally answered your prayers! Actor / singer Jang Geun Seok will be touring throughout Asia from March until May to promote You’re Beautiful. Since his latest drama, Jang Geun Seok has escalated to fame at an alarming rate. He was even awarded the “Netizens Highest Popularity Award” at the 2009 SBS Drama Awards, attesting to his growing popularity in Korea.

However, You’re Beautiful has been enjoyed not only in Korea, but online and overseas as well, being broadcasted in 17 different countries.Despite the stiff competition it faced from KBS drama IRIS, You’re Beautiful managed to consistently receive high ratings and maintain a large fanbase.

With such an impressive popularity outside of Korea, it is only fitting that Jang Geun Seok travels to the appropriate countries and promotes the drama even further. As a result, he is scheduled to hold fan meetings in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

One of his representatives stated, “At the end of this month, Jang Geun Seok will be holding a fan meeting in Korea. Due to overwhelming requests from international fans, he will also be holding fan meetings in Thailand and the Philippines sometime this year as well. After completing the Asian tour, he plans find his next acting project and get back to work as soon as possible. Thank you for your constant love and support for Jang Geun Seok.”

His fan meeting in Korea is slated for the 31st at Seoul’s Olympic Hall.

Will Jang Geun Seok be coming to a country near you? Let us know!

credit: allkpop

Celebrities that took 2009 by surprise

2009 yielded many surprises for the entertainment industry - some good, some bad. While there was an unfortunate series of events that plagued Korea throughout the year, a few chosen ones experienced an explosive popularity that prompted the big question, 'Where have you been hiding?'

The IS Entertainment team created a shortlist of Korean celebrities who could be classified as an unexpected sensation this year. Here are their biggest surprise celebs of 2009.



Characterized as "beastly idols," 2PM was unveiled to the public for the first time in 2008 through the Mnet reality program Hot Blood, which documented the rigorous training that JYP trainees undergo. After undergoing a process of elimination, the 7-member idol group was finally formed; they debuted with their first single 10 Points Out of 10 Points. Despite their acrobatic choreography, catchy beats and ridiculously adorable butt dance (which, in my opinion, should have exceeded the popularity of Kara's), they did not manage to receive large-scale recognition. However, 2PM rose to stardom when they returned to the music scene with chart-topping tracks like Again and Again and I Hate You during mid-2009. Although Jaebeom's MySpace controversy and eventual departure from 2PM created huge bumps in the road for the group, it became an opportunity for both Korean and international fans to unite and demonstrate their support for 2PM with seven members through flash mobs, petitions and charity donations. Recently, 2PM made a comeback as 6 members, sporting a manlier and more mature concept with Heartbeat, which has been snagging awards left and right.



One of the biggest surprises of this year was Kim Yoo Jin, otherwise known as UEE of After School. She joined the girl group in late 2009, but was not well-received by Korea at first. Because of her long and toned legs, UEE was the center of the 'honey thighs' syndrome that took the nation by storm. Only four weeks after her debut, UEE was chosen as the advertisement model for a cellphone company, clothing line, and soju brand. Within five weeks, she landed roles in MBC's Queen Seon Duk and SBS's You're Beautiful as an actress. Who would have thought this Sohee/Moon Geun Young look-a-like that first appeared on television as Wonder Girls rapper Yoobin's friend would have risen to fame this easily and this fast? Although some of you may still not be very fond of this long-legged beauty, there's no denying the fact that UEE has made notable achievements during this year alone - as a beginner in the music/show biz, no less - that grants her bragging rights for the rest of her life. Whether you believe it or not, UEE has contributed to After School's rise in popularity - so much so, that the group's comeback song should have been named after her: Because of U-EE.



Kara's Goo Hara was selected by the IS Entertainment team as the celebrity that took them by surprise the most. Although the ISE team predicted the success of Kara in 2009, they originally predicted that Han Seungyeon would become the group's mascot. Although Han Seungyeon's popularity hasn't been too shabby, Goo Hara's doll-like appearance and clumsiness appealed to the male population more. As a current regular of KBS 2TV 'Invincible Youth,' Goo Hara continues to reveal her adorable antics to the public.

Aside from K-pop idols, Yoon Sang Hyun made his breakthrough into a new scene as an actor this year. Although he made his acting debut in 2005, he rose to fame only recently playing the role of Tae Bong in popular MBC drama My Wife is Superwoman, wherein he also revealed his singing abilities. Furthermore, Yoon Sang Hyun won the hearts of many drama lovers with his playful and outgoing role in KBS 2TV's Take Care of Lady as the male lead character.

Additionally, Kim Bum and Kim Joon of KBS 2TV's Boys Over Flowers and Jokwon of 2AM received honorable mentions on the shortlist as the celebs who exceeded the public's expectations and surprised us all.