Big Bang and 2NE1, the most popular K-pop acts in France

In a recent survey conducted by the Korea Tourism Organization, Big Bang was the most-preferred boy band while 2NE1 was the favorite girl group among Hallyu fans in France.

The French branch of the organization’s Web site, visitkorea.or.kr, surveyed more than 3,775 K-pop fans in France in January.

Big Bang, preferred by male fans in their twenties, chalked up 49.9 percent of votes in the male group category.

Following Big Bang’s lead were the bands Super Junior (45 percent), SHINee (35.5 percent) and Beast (33.8 percent).

Meanwhile, 2NE1 had around the same amount of male and female fans, garnering 64.8 percent of votes in the female group category.

Following behind a 19 percent gap was Girls’ Generation (45.4 percent), and further behind was Miss A (31.5 percent).

Jang Keun-suk and Yoona of Girls’ Generation to play lovers in new drama

Hallyu star Jang Keun-suk will partner with Yoona from Girls’ Generation to play a pair of lovers on the new KBS drama “Love Rain,” which airs from Monday. 

In the highly anticipated collaboration, the two stars will play characters that weave in and out of the 1970s and the present. Filming for the 1970s part of the program has been completed, while the portion representing the present is still being made. 

A press conference for the program was held at the Lotte Hotel in central Seoul on Thursday, during which the cast and crew spoke about the project.

“It was challenging trying to play a character from an era before my time, but it was also a lot of fun, and it was truly an honor to be a part of such an epic tale,” Jang said of his work in the 1970s portion.

Yoona said she was a bit daunted at first, but her nerves settled down once filming began. “Previously, I’ve only worked with co-stars who were way older than me, and so they always took care of me. The thought of working with people my age was frightening.”