Netflix joins virtual YouTuber boom in Japan

TOKYO - Netflix has joined Japan's booming virtual Youtuber - or VTuber - scene with the launch of an animated character to promote its growing anime streaming offering.

N-ko, a "sheep-human lifeform", is Netflix's attempt to tap into the appeal of VTubers - characters animated by motion capture that have built a loyal audience on YouTube in Japan by singing, dancing and interacting with fans.

The character is performed by a company employee and will introduce anime shows available on the streaming service, according to a video uploaded on YouTube on Tuesday.

Netflix and other streaming services hungry for content are turning to anime to secure local subscribers and exploit the global market for such shows that is seen by many in the industry as undercommercialized.

Japanese anime and Korean drama "play really well around the region as well as in-country and occasionally could be very, very global in their interest and desire", Netflix Co-CEO Theodore Sarandos said on an earnings call last week.

Anime is among industries boosted by spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a movie from horror fantasy series "Demon Slayer" breaking domestic records and reporting a strong opening weekend in the United States last week.

(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Giles Elgood)

-reuters-

Korean actor Cha In Ha found dead: report

The South Korean entertainment industry continues to be riddled with news of deaths.

Actor Cha In Ha, 27, was found dead in his home Tuesday, according to a report by Korean entertainment news website Soompi.

The cause of Cha's death is still under investigation, according to the report.

In a statement published in the report, Fantagio, Cha's talent agency, asked the public to stop spreading rumors and speculation regarding the actor's death.

Cha debuted in 2017 through the short film "You, Deep Inside of Me." He starred in supporting roles in several television dramas, including "Temperature of Love" (2017), "Are You Human?" (2018), and "Clean with Passion for Now" (2019).

The news on Cha's death comes more than a week after K-pop star Goo Hara was found dead in her home in northern Seoul.

Another K-pop star, Sulli, a former member of girl group f(x) and close friend of Goo, also died in October.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Park Bo Gum denies involvement in Song-Song couple divorce

Korean actor Park Bo Gum on Thursday denied rumors linking him to the divorce of Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo.

After Joong Ki's camp announced early Thursday that he has filed for divorce, speculation floated, suggesting that Park may be involved in the split as he recently starred in the drama "Encounter" with Hye Kyo.

"Park Bo-gum, who recently starred in the drama with Song Hye-kyo, is unexpectedly mentioned in the rumor. It is offensive that Park’s name is mentioned in the divorce," said an official from Park's agency, Blossom Entertainment, as reported by the Korea Herald.

"Rumors about Park Bo-gum and Song Hye-kyo are absolutely not true," the official said.

The official added that Blossom Entertainment would take legal action against the rumors linking Park to the divorce.

Joong Ki's lawyer Park Jae Hyun bared that the actor filed for divorce at the Seoul Family Court on Wednesday.

Hye Kyo's agency, United Artists Agency, also released early Thursday a statement, which cited "differences in personality" as the reason for the split.

"The two were unable to overcome their differences, they were forced to come to this decision," Hye Kyo's agency said.

Joong Ki and Hye Kyo worked together in the 2016 drama "Descendants of the Sun," which became a big hit not only in its native South Korea but also across Asia.

The couple — one of the biggest celebrity couples in South Korea — went on to tie the knot in October 2017.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Korean stars Lee Dong Wook, Suzy break up

Korean stars Lee Dong Wook and Suzy have ended their relationship just months after it was confirmed that they are dating.

JYP Entertainment confirmed that the two broke up in a report published by Soompi on Sunday.

 “It’s true that [Suzy] has broken up with Lee Dong Wook. Because they both had busy schedules, it was difficult for them to meet, and they naturally ended up going their separate ways," the statement said.

Lee Dong Wook’s agency King Kong by Starship also confirmed the issue.

“It’s true that Lee Dong Wook and Suzy have broken up. They naturally grew apart as they became busier.”

Lee was part of the hit Korean series “Goblin.” His other shows include “My Girl,” “Scent of a Woman,” “Hotel King,” and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.”

Suzy, on the other hand, started her career as part of the girl group Miss A and has released her solo album.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

VIRAL: Boyfriend-for-rent this Chinese New Year

MANILA – Have you always dreamt of having a date with “Meteor Garden's” Dao Ming Si or your favorite K-Drama male lead crush?

No need to wait for Valentine's Day when you can have a "boyfriend" this Chinese New Year.

Twenty-year old Agassi Ching has gone viral on social media after posting an advertisement of himself, ready to date whoever will "rent" him for P600 for the entire Chinese New Year.

On his Facebook post with now more than 10,000 shares as of writing, his bio says he is 5'8” tall, visibly Filipino-Chinese, "guwapo according to (his) parents," and with abs.


However, he also included a list of things his date should not expect from him, which includes speaking fluent Mandarin, make his eyes bigger, defend his date from flying cockroaches, and defer from taking an angbao, or a Chinese red envelope with money for good luck.

Good news: He is single.

Bad news: It was a prank post.

But the disclaimer on his now viral post did not stop thousands of potential dates from flooding his inbox starting this Wednesday night, when he posted the "ad."

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Ching said he was overwhelmed by the number of response he got from the "entertaining" post.

"I've been getting a lot of responses from various people. It even reached Malaysia, Dubai, different countries," he shared.

The model and artist wannabe gained thousands of followers on his Facebook page, which now reached 19,000 from Wednesday's 7,400. About two thousand followers were also added in his Instagram account.

Despite the post being a jest he did to make his friends laugh, he appreciates the reactions he gained online.

Ching also believes that he will be lucky this year according to feng shui, which might also be the case for his love life.

"Right now, hindi ako nag-iisip sa relationship kasi focus ako sa career and business. But if I will be in a relationship this year, it will probably be a good thing. I'm gonna treat it as a blessing."

source: news.abs-cbn.com