Teen idol in town as Korean envoy

JAKARTA: It's going to be another day in the sunshine for South Korean pop idol Jang Nara.

But no, she is not escaping from freezing winter in her hometown, Seoul. The 23-year old, who is popular here for her appearance in TV series My Love Pattzi currently aired by Indosiar, is on a three-day visit to Jakarta until Saturday on a diplomatic mission.

Jang is touring Southeast Asian countries as part of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Jang, who is known in this region for her song, Sweet Dream, is scheduled to visit the ASEAN secretariat and sing in a music program at Indosiar.

In a meeting with the press after visiting Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she expressed hopes that her visit would strengthen the relationship between the two countries. She also said she was not afraid of bomb threats.

"I'm not scared by terror threats. I think bombings only occurred before, but it is safe now. I'm not disturbed by the news; I have also met with friendly people in Jakarta," Jang said via an interpreter.

When she is not performing, Jang also works for Food for the Hungry International (FHI), a Christian organization and for charities, which send powdered milk to North Korean children. She made her singing debut in 2001, with First Story and has given concerts in Los Angeles, Chicago, Kuala Lumpur, Ulan Bator and Beijing. -- JP