(토요모임) [March 29th, 2014]Saturday meeting topic

[Ray`]

Bird flu found to be transmitted to dog

By Kim Se-jeong

A dog raised on a poultry farm in South Chungcheong Province was found to have developed antibodies for bird flu, meaning that it had been infected with the virus without showing clinical symptoms.

This is Korea’s first case of cross-species transmission of the avian influenza virus, although the dog remained asymptomatic.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency said Thursday that it had found H5N1 influenza virus antibodies in the dog in question at the farm in Cheonan. The farm was quarantined in February after a bird flu outbreak.

The finding is triggering new concerns about the health implications of infected animals.

According to the World Health Organizations (WHO), though cross-species infection does happen, it is very rare.

Similar cases have been reported in Southeast Asia and Europe since mid-2003 of the H5N1 virus infecting dogs, cats and pigs. In some experiments, infected cats showed severe symptoms that resulted in death.

On its website, the WHO states that infected animals may have contracted the virus after ingesting poultry excreta. The risk of infection to humans is reduced as long as meat from infected animals is thoroughly cooked.

Tests are being conducted on the farm owners for possible transmission of the virus from the dog.

There are records of human infection from poultry and other wild birds, but not from animals to humans.

The WHO stated that more than 50 countries around the world have experienced outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry and wild birds since 2003. And more than 10 countries have reported human H5N1 infection.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Government raised its alert level for bird flu in the metropolitan region, following the recent discovery of the H5N8 virus in the body of a wild goose was highly infectious. The goose was found dead in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Authorities have banned the transportation of domesticated poultry within a 10 kilometers radius. Seoul Zoo in Gwacheon will stay closed until the outbreak subsides. A zoo at Everland Resort in Yongin, south of Seoul, also closed its wild bird section.

Only Gangwon Province and Jeju Island have not reported cases of avian influenza.

The rapid outbreak of the virus in the span of three months has hit poultry farmers hard. More than 10 million birds have been culled so far, which will cause problems in the supply chain if demand for chicken and duck begins to pick up. Unlike chicken, most of the country’s duck meat is imported from France, the U.S. and Taiwan.

Kim Se-jeongr, "Bird flu found to be transmitted to dog" ,
『THE KOREA TIMES』, http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/03/113_153393.html, 2014.03.14

1. How much you know about AI?

2. Why isn't it prevented in advance?

3. Cross-species transmission of the AI vrius happened, from birds to dogs.

Do you think human could be infected from animals infected from birds?

4. Every year a lot of chiecken are culled because of AI outbreak.

Do you think it's totally safe or right way to deal with?

5. What do you think eating chicken while the span of the AI issue?

6. Do you think cooked chicken is really safe?

7. Have you ever tried duck? is it good?

8. Chicken is one of the most popular food all around the world.

If there is no more chinken, what's going to happen? how you feel? and any substitute?

Top 10 celebrity couples in South Korea

A growing number of South Korean celebrities have been meeting their soul mates within the entertainment industry, heralding a boom of star couples. Against this backdrop, The Korea Herald has summed up the top 10 celebrity couples that draw keen attention from fans in Korea and elsewhere.

1. Lee Byung-hun & Lee Min-jung

Actors Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung are tying the knot in August. Breaking up after a brief relationship in 2006, they reunited and have been together since last year.

Lee Byung-hun is best known for movies such as “Joint Security Area,” “A Bittersweet Life” and “Gwanghae.” He recently starred in “Red 2” and “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” alongside Hollywood actors. Lee is also the first Asian to place his hand and footprint in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, along with actor Ahn Sung-gi.

Actress Lee Min-jung gained popularity from the drama “Boys Over Flowers” and the film “Wonderful Radio.” She recently acted as a politician in the drama “All About My Romance.”

2. Han Hye-jin & Ki Sung-yueng

Actress Han Hye-jin and Swansea City football player Ki Sung-yueng are engaged, becoming newlyweds in July. The couple has been dating since earlier this year when they met on TV show SBS “Healing Camp” as host and guest. Ki is eight years younger than Han.

Han Hye-jin, who starred in several dramas and movies, has long hosted “Healing Camp” with comedian Lee Kyung-kyu and Kim Jae-dong. She will move to the U.K. after marriage while continuing her acting career.

Ki Sung-yueng currently plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Swansea City and for the South Korean national team. Ki transferred to Swansea City last year after playing for FC Seoul and Celtic.

3. Seo Tai-ji & Lee Eun-sung

The legendary musician Seo Tai-ji is marrying actress Lee Eun-sung soon. They met each other first in 2008 when Lee appeared in a music video for Seo’s eighth album, “Bermuda Triangle.” After remaining as friends for a year, the couple began dating in 2009, overcoming the 16-year age difference. They are already living together with Seo’s parents. This is Seo’s second marriage after a divorce with actress Lee Ji-ah in 2006. No concrete plans for the wedding ceremony have yet been announced.

Seo Tai-ji was the leader of Seo Tai-ji and Boys, the first modern band that sparked a new music trend in the early 1990s. After the team broke up in 1996, Seo flew to the U.S. and released his own albums from time to time. He is now living in Korea.

Lee Eun-sung appeared in several dramas and movies such as “Sharp” and the film “Take Off.” Lee’s acting career has been inactive since 2009.

4. Baek Ji-young & Jang Suk-won

Singer Baek Ji-young recently married actor Jang Suk-won on June 2 after dating for more than three years. Jang is nine years younger than Baek. The couple is expecting their first child this coming fall.

Baek Ji-young, who debuted in 1999, explored a broad range of music from ballad to Latin-style dance music. Baek is considered one of the most popular female dance artists. She has been featured as a music coach on cable channel Mnet’s “Voice Korea,” a singing talent competition show.

Jung Suk-won has appeared in several television series including “Rooftop Prince” and “Haeundae Lovers.” He is currently in the midst of filming “N.L.L -- Battle of Yeonpyeong,” a movie based on the true story of the battle of Yeonpyeongdo Island.

5. Shin Hyun-joon

Actor Shin Hyun-joon just tied the knot with a Korean-American woman 12 years his junior last month. His wife is currently studying for a Ph.D. in music in the U.S. According to Shin, he ran into her on the street and fell in love at first sight.

Shin, who debuted in the film “General’s Son” in 1990, has broadened his acting career through diverse roles in films such as “The Ginko Bed,” “Barefoot Ki-bong” and “Marrying the Mafia.” Shin also hosts KBS2’s entertainment news show “Entertainment Relay.”

6. Sun-ye

Wonder Girls leader Sun-ye married Korean-Canadian missionary James Park in January this year. It marked the first case in which a South Korean idol got married while maintaining an active career.

The couple met during a missionary trip to Haiti in 2011. After the wedding, Sun-ye moved to Canada where her husband’s family lives. She is expecting her first child soon. The couple is briefly visiting Korea now.

Sun-ye was originally scouted by JYP Entertainment through the TV show “Park Jin-young’s 99% Challenge” in 2001. After several years of training, she debuted as a member of Wonder Girls, a five-girl pop group.

Having many hit songs including “Tell Me” and “Nobody,” the group released a single album in the U.S. and made the Billboard Hot 100. Sun-ye has not officially left Wonder Girls but it is unclear whether the idol group will be back.

7. Haha & Byul

Entertainer Haha and singer Byul joined hands in matrimony last year after an eight-month relationship. Originally friends, they gradually became closer through Haha’s consistent efforts. The couple is expecting a child due this summer.

Haha, who originally debuted in a hip-hop group, challenged other fields such as entertainment shows and sitcoms. He is currently one of the main characters of “Infinite Challenge,” a popular entertainment show.

Byul is a ballad singer who debuted in 2002. She had several music collaborations with other singers including Rain and Na Yoon-kwon.

8. Jun Ji-hyun

Actress Jun Ji-hyun married an old friend in 2012. The couple were neighbors before officially dating. Her husband, Choi Jun-hyuk, is a banker whose grandmother is renowned hanbok designer Lee Young-hee.

Jun gained popularity throughout Korea and Asia with megahit rom-com flick “My Sassy Girl.” After several movies, she jumped to Hollywood and took the lead role in “Blood: The Last Vampire.” Her most recent film was “The Berlin File,” a spy thriller directed by Ryu Seung-wan.

9. Jung Jun-ho & Lee Ha-jung

Actor Jung Jun-ho married anchorwoman Lee Ha-jung in 2011. They met in 2010 when Lee interviewed Jung on the set of his drama, “Queen of Reversals.”

Jung has been active in dramas such as “Iris” and “The Last Scandal of My Life.” He also appeared in many movies like “My Boss, My Father” and “The Siren.” He also organized “Love Food Car,” a volunteer organization which prepares free meals for the unprivileged.

Lee Ha-jung is currently an anchorwoman for a cable TV channel, hosting a current news program.

10. Jang Dong-gun & Ko So-young

Top star couple Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young tied the knot in 2010 after a two-year relationship. They have been friends since they met on the set of “Love Wind Love Song” in 1999. The couple has a 4-year-old son.

Actor Jang Dong-gun has been a major star since the late 1990s. Starring in movies such as “Friend” and “Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War,” Jang also appeared in foreign films including “Dangerous Liaisons” and “The Warrior’s Way.” His most recent appearance was in “A Gentleman’s Dignity,” a romantic comedy drama about 40-year-old men finding their true loves.

Actress Ko So-young had her big break with “Beat,” starring with actor Jung Woo-sung in 1997. Ko has been inactive since the movie “Project Makeover” in 2007. She has been keeping up public appearances through commercials and the fashion business.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)

 Lee Hyun-jeong, "Top 10 celebrity couples in South Korea" ,
『The Korea Herald』,http://khnews.kheraldm.com/view.php?ud=20130610000832&md=20130613004235_BC, 2013.06.11

1. Which couple do you like most among the couples in the article? why?

2. What do you think of celebriy couples? and opening the relationship to the public or hiding?

3. Do you have any celebrity couples that you do not like? why?

4. What's your ideal type?

5. When are you thinking of getting married?

6. How many age difference is ok/good for you?

7. Do you usually fall in love with a person that you have known for long time or a person that you first see?

8. If you like someone, are you aggressive? passive? just wait until he/she comes and talks to you first?

9. Do you have any tips to make the person you like fall in love with you?

I've posted the Sat. meeting topic much earlier than usual 'cause of next week biz trip.

So, you got more time to be able to prepare 'bout the topic.

Hv a fun, guyz~

[Scarlet]

Wow !~ what a surprise !~ I never expect to see the sat. topic so early like this !
Thanks for uploading article early, even though topic about the couples get my nerves.
Have a safe biz trip to China !~