Entertainment News Roundup: K-Pop lures Japanese youth to Korea; 'Empire' comeback without Jussie Smollett

K-Pop stardom lures Japanese youth to Korea despite the diplomatic chill

Yuuka Hasumi put the high school in Japan on hold and flew to South Korea in February to try her chances at becoming a K-pop star, even if that means long hours of vocal and dance training, no privacy, no boyfriend, and even no phone. Hasumi, 17, joined Acopia School in Seoul, a prep school offering young Japanese a shot at K-pop stardom, teaching them the dance moves, the songs and also the language.

Obamas' Netflix slate features period drama, the family show about vegetables

Barack and Michelle Obama's production company on Tuesday unveiled a wide-ranging slate of programming it will supply to Netflix Inc, including a period drama set in the fashion world and a biopic about Frederick Douglass. The series, documentaries and films will be released on the streaming service over the next several years, according to a statement from Higher Ground Productions, a company established by the former president and first lady last year.

Netflix signs deal for Thai cave boy rescue miniseries

Netflix said on Tuesday it had secured the rights to make a miniseries about the dramatic rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in northern Thailand last year that captured international attention. "The story combines so many unique local and universal themes which connected people from all walks of life, from all around the world," Erika North, Netflix's Director of International Originals, said.

Fox renews 'Empire' without Jussie Smollett's character

U.S. television network Fox on Tuesday renewed drama series "Empire" for the sixth season but said there were no plans to bring back the character played by Jussie Smollett, the actor who said he was the victim of a hate crime in January. Chicago police accused Smollett of making up an attack against him, but the actor maintained his innocence and prosecutors dismissed criminal charges against him.

'Long Shot' pairs Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen in political romance

Oscar winner Charlize Theron and comedy actor Seth Rogen join forces in rom-com "Long Shot", playing an unlikely love pairing between a powerful politician and an unemployed dishevelled journalist. The 43-year-old actress takes on the role of U.S. Secretary of State Charlotte Field in the movie, an ambitious and respected politician looking to run for president.

Former teen idol Zac Efron plays serial killer Bundy in new drama

Zac Efron, who won legions of female fans in the "High School Musical" films, takes on a more sinister role in the crime drama "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile", playing American serial killer Ted Bundy. The film, released on Netflix in the United States and Sky Cinema in Britain on Friday, follows the 1979 trial of Bundy, who was executed in Florida in 1989, through the eyes of his girlfriend Liz, played by "Mirror Mirror" actress Lily Collins.

Bryan Cranston, musical 'Hadestown' score top nominations for Broadway's Tony awards

Bryan Cranston, Annette Bening and Laurie Metcalf were among top nominees for Broadway's Tony awards on Tuesday, with musical "Hadestown" leading all shows with 14 nods. Cranston was nominated for an adaptation of the movie "Network," along with Jeff Daniels for "To Kill a Mockingbird," but neither show received a best play nomination.