Teen idol in town as Korean envoy

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