What’s the evidence? The same couple ring.

Coincidence? Maybe….maybe not.

In Korea, when a couple reaches the milestone of 100 days, they traditionally exchange “couple rings” to show that they are exclusive. And since Sun-ye and Park Tae-hwan are Korean, then they must be dating if they wearing the same ring on the same middle finger (left hand). A hawk-eyed netizen spotted Park Tae-hwan wearing the ring 2 times – in September 2008 and again in February 2009 after finishing training. Sunye was spotted wearing the clunky ring on a recent episode of Mnet “Welcome to Wonderland.”

The evidence is fueling the rumor mill since January 2008 for fans who want to know more about the marine boy and wondergirl.

So are they dating or not?

Like we need another awards show (or film festival).

But this new one, called the “Style Icon Awards,” hosted by O’live TV, has managed to attract a herd of big name stars. How? Give everyone an award.

Among the winners were Lee Jung-jae (no dramas or movies recently, but wins an award), Big Bang (need someone to perform, Suh In-young (need a girl to perform as well), Kim Hee-ae (someone “established” to represent the stylish ajummas)….and Rain as “Style Icon of the Year” (although he just made his comeback earlier this month).

The “Style Icon Awards” was held at the hip, ” Club Answer” in Cheongdam-dong.

Check out the Style Icon Winners:

Style Icon Winners:
Actor: Lee Jung-jae
Actress: Son Ye-jin
Male pop act: Big Bang
Female pop act: Suh In-young
Sports : Martial artist Chu Seong-hoon
Model: Jang Yoon-joo
TV: actress Kim Hee-ae

And of course, these awards shows come up with some less than creative names, like “Beautiful Sharing,” In Korean, that might sound ok, but in English (and it’s in English), it just sounds like a pre-schooler made it up. And what’s the difference between “World Icon” and just “style Icon”? Rain must not be happy.

As we already said, this is just more evidence to bring the big names to the event

“Beautiful Sharing”: Sean & Jung Hye-young
“Fun Fearless Female”: Sohn Ye-jin
New Icon: Shinee
Special Award: the late Lee Eon
Fashionista: Jung Ryu-won
World Icon: Olympic gold-medalist swimmer Park Tae-hwan
Style Icon of the Year: Rain, Jang Mi-hee

Oh, if you would like to be a stylish “icon,” the prerequisite seems to be dressing in the celebrity favorite-black. (yawn). These people should remember that this ain’t no funeral.

Rain in his purple bowl cut (did anyone notice this?) is the winner of only the “Style Icon,” not the “World Icon”. This probably puts a dent in his plans to take over the world… Another thing- how can he be “Icon of the Year” when he just made his comeback this month? Something fishy is going on.

Son Ye-jin wins a “Style Icon” Award but there is anything stylish or iconic about her sense of style. And what is that kelp colored dress? Boring.

Jung Ryu Won, another winner of Style Icon Fashionista, is deserving of the award if model thin and goth is their thing. Even though she might snap in two, her makeup looks fabulous in the dark rimmed eyes and fresh flushed cheeks.

Kim Hee-ae represents all the stylish ajummas in the Kangnam area. Another one in black.

Suh In-young is the younger version of Kim Hee-ae by wearing black stockings and black dress. Dang, this is boring. If you are a “style icon” shouldn’t you dress better?

Ohhhh, the “beautiful sharing” between Sean and Jung Hye-young- not. These two are regular party goers to just to get goodies….and they bring their child along for that extra bag.

Jung Joon-ho plays host and stays conservative in a navy suit. Can’t go wrong if you stick with the classics…

Park Tae-hwan is “world style icon” to winning the Gold at the Beijing Olympics this year for the 400m. That’s quite an accomplishment but what does that have to with style? Does a speedo count?….and whats’ that “X” marks the spot on his neck?

Hwang Bo brings on the attitude as a old school Hollywood starlet with a big fat fur wrap thrown over her shoulder, hard red lipstick, pulled back hair and a pantsuit.

Singer Bobby Kim gives attitude, like he won an award.

Model couple, Choi Ji-ho and Jang Yoon-ju, known as “the body” and ex-gf of the late Lee Eon, strike a professional pose.

K1 fighter, Chu Sung-hoon is easily the best dressed by wearing a difficult to wear, light gray suit and lavender scarf. Man has got attitude and the cool down pat. Must be the K1 fighter in him.

Designer Ha Sang-baek looks anemic…is it the pale makeup?

Jang Mi-hee deserves the style Icon Award. At 51, the woman looks seriously fabulous! Woman pulls off the glad garbage bag dress with aplomb and the strappy heels are gorgeous. The single Jang Mi-hee should hook up with the cool Chu Sung-hoon (above).

Jin Bora defines the words “fashion disaster”. What the hell is she wearing? There is nothing stylish or iconic about wearing white granny heels with a utterly tacky nylon mushroom dress matched with an even uglier bag. Dang, how can she wear that in public?

Singer Shion is out of this world galactic in a black fitted plastic dress, sky blue contacts and blond hair. Strangely enough, the outfit and hair/makeup work on her.

Wearing extensions or possibly a wig, Yun Eun-hye and Olympic gold medalist Park Tae-hwan join forces on a photoshoot for casual clothing line, Basic House. Poor “marine boy”, he looks so stiff.

Yun Eun-hye shouldn’t hold on too tightly to Park Tae-hwan because Sun-ye (of the Wondergirls) might get jealous.

The rest of the pictures will come out in mid October.

JYP’s new boy band, 2AM publicly thanked “marine boy” Park Tae-hwan using their song, “To say it’s not” (아니라기에 ) as background music on the swimming sensation’s Cyworld minihompy.

After the 19 year old won gold in the 400m at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday, a whopping half a million well-wishers have visited the site. As a result, more netizens have become interested in 2AM.

The sexy gorilla must be rubbing his furry hands in glee.

Check out 2AM song, “To say it’s not”

Korea’s “marine boy,” Park Tae-hwan, wins a shining silver medal for the Men’s 200m freestyle on August 12th, 2008 at 11:20am (Korea time). Already, all the female celebrities, including Lee Hyori, Sun-ye, Nam Kyu-ri and skater Kim Yuna have sent their love and congratulations to the Olympic champion.

Congratulations! Go Korea Go!

This is Park Tae-hwan’s 2nd medal after his gold medal finish on Sunday for the Men’s 400m freestyle.  Next up, marine boy will compete in the 1500m

Michael Phelps took the gold.

Also, Korea’s Jin Jong-oh took home the gold for the Men’s air pistol today.

Park Tae-hwan won the gold medal in the men’s 400-meter freestyle Sunday at the Beijing Olympics. The 19 year old swimming sensation poured it on at the last part of the race for an easy win. The world champion finished in 3 minutes, 41.86 seconds.

Woo hoo! Congratulations!
Go Korea Go!

Check out Park Tae-hwan’s gold medal swim here. (Best viewed in Explorer)

Korea’s swimming sensation, Park Tae-hwan cannot carry a tune, but the boy sure has skills (not to mention a hot swimming body). The 17 year old is widely considered as one of the best up and coming athletes on the international scene. The gold medal contender for the 2008 Beijing Olympics stars in a super cute CF for mobile service provider, SK Telecom.

“Hwaiting” Park Tae-hwan!

International swimwear brand, Speedo, has signed on Park Tae-hwan earlier this year.