The latest idea for reviving the flagging fortunes of the Kohaku Uta Gassen, NHK’s New Year’s Eve song special, is to go Korean. With the Korean boom still going strong, the network is negotiating to get such stars as heart-throbs Bae Yong Joon (32) and Lee Byung Hun (34) and actress Choi Ji Woo (photo, 29) to boost its lineup. Bae, known as “Yon-sama,” in particular is a firm housewives’ favorite, while Lee is currently the most popular among young women.
• Comedian and emcee Shimada Shinsuke (48) continues to be kept off the airwaves following his assault on a female Yoshimoto staff member last month. In his place, mostly fellow Yoshimoto veterans such as comedy duo Downtown will host this year’s remaining shows on NTV, Yomiuri TV and Fuji TV. Shimada is/was a regular host of eight TV shows.