Hangeng

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Hangeng, member of K-pop group Super Junior, will take part in the torch lighting ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the singer's management agency SM Entertainment announced Thursday.

The 24-year-old Chinese national was chosen through an online poll conducted by Coca-Cola China, a sponsor of the Olympic games (冰爽æ—*比 「å�¯å�£å�¯ä¹�ã€� – 欢迎进入iCoke炫酷空间). Han ranked first place for the Beijing region, and the Olympic Organizing Committee approved the choice.

``Hangeng was chosen for the role because his efforts in publicizing China and encouraging cultural exchange through his active career in Korea and other Asian countries were recognized,'' SM Entertainment was quoted as saying by Yonhap News.

Hangeng and torch lighters representing other regions of China will take part of a national illumination event in August. The singer will light the torch August 6-8.

At 5 p.m. on the 24th Hangeng will take part of an event hosted by Coca-Cola China in Shenzhen, China. It will celebrate the appointment of the torchbearers, and Chinese gold medallists of past Olympic games as well as prominent social figures will attend. The ceremony will be aired as a recorded program through CCTV-5 and Guangdong TV, official broadcasters for the Olympics.

``I am very happy and honored to chosen for the role,'' said Hangeng according to SM Entertainment.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr