tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76396446418367187132024-03-12T17:33:07.199-07:00K-Pop Worldrokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-47719206050063677822012-06-29T01:51:00.000-07:002012-06-29T01:51:54.802-07:00Super Junior releases 'Sexy, Free & Single'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDGREOUTx9s/T-1sOp1KyiI/AAAAAAAAAJE/ttIgzDyDS8I/s1600/Super+junior+Sexy,Free+&+Single.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDGREOUTx9s/T-1sOp1KyiI/AAAAAAAAAJE/ttIgzDyDS8I/s1600/Super+junior+Sexy,Free+&+Single.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Teaser photos for K-pop group Super Junior's new album show the members in a different light, attuned to the concept behind the new album titled "Sexy, Free & Single". / Courtesy of SM Entertainment</b></span></div>
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By Rachel Lee<br />
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Korean boy group Super Junior will return to the local stage with a new album next week.<br />
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According to SM Entertainment, their sixth studio album titled "Sexy, Free & Single" will be released on July 1 through various music websites and will hit store shelves on July 4.<br />
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The album is about the successful life story of single men and incorporates the genre of soulful house in its tracks.<br />
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The 13-member group has garnered attention from media and fans around the world since the release of teaser photos of the group members, themed "beautiful men", via their Facebook page, from on June 21.<br />
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Last year Super Junior topped various music charts in Korea and overseas with their 5th album "Mr. Simple". They also won the grand prize at music awards including the 24th Golden Disk Awards in 2009 and the 21st Seoul Music Awards this year. They also successfully completed a world tour "Super Show4" in cities worldwide- including Seoul, Osaka, Taipei, Singapore, Macao, Bangkok, Paris, Shanghai, Jakarta and Tokyo - lasting 6 months from last November.<br />
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Source : <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2012/06/135_113960.html">www.koreatimes.co.kr/...</a> ( English Korean )<br />
</div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-5570133449923193732012-06-29T01:47:00.000-07:002012-06-29T01:47:25.488-07:00Blush performs in Seoul for first time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_nz5XIzync/T-1rWcHy8TI/AAAAAAAAAI8/tcPVZUNrwag/s1600/Blush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_nz5XIzync/T-1rWcHy8TI/AAAAAAAAAI8/tcPVZUNrwag/s1600/Blush.jpg" /></a></div>
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By Cecilia Park<br />
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Blush, a five-member multinational girl group, appeared in Seoul Wednesday, showcasing their fifth album.<br />
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The group sang its big hits such as "Dance on", "Holding to a Dream", "Electric" and "All Star" at a private hall near Dosan Park, southern Seoul.<br />
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They also invited Yoon Do-hyeon as a special guest. He was a judge and mentor of Project Lotus, a TV audition in 2010 to select members of the newly forming group, Blush. Today's show exclusively aired live all over the world by the world's No.1 live video streaming website, Ustream (<a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hot-issue">http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hot-issue</a>).<br />
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"When I first met them on TV shows, I was worried sick about how they would turn out. But now I am glad to see them do so. They have become professional", said Yoon, who sang his song, "I am a butterfly", on the stage while playing acoustic guitar.<br />
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With one each from the Philippines, India, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, Blush debuted in 2011 with "Undivided" featuring Snoop Dogg. Their second single "Dance on" placed top of the Billboard Dance Chart.<br />
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They are known as the "Asian Spice Girls" due to their powerful dance moves and record producer Eliot Kennedy, who is famous for working with artists such as Celine Dion, Spice Girls, Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow.<br />
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Blush, who began promoting their new album in May, performed in Seoul as their final leg of the world tour, including the United States, Hong Kong, Japan and China<br />
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The group is expected to appear on domestic TV shows such as SBS MTV's 'The S h o w' to make them familiar with Korean fans.<br />
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Source : <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2012/06/135_113990.html">www.koreatimes.co.kr/...</a> ( English Korean )<br />
</div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-40939187539459870282012-06-13T02:10:00.000-07:002012-06-13T02:10:17.622-07:00'Hottest' to artist: evolution of 2PM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-643DSxktFUM/T9hWpUCdMRI/AAAAAAAAAIA/EcBhFGwkeUY/s1600/2PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-643DSxktFUM/T9hWpUCdMRI/AAAAAAAAAIA/EcBhFGwkeUY/s1600/2PM.jpg" /></a></div>
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Members of K-pop boy band 2PM pose for a promotional photoshoot for their most recent release, "Hands Up", in 2011. In their fifth year as one of the country's most popular groups, they insist the best is yet to come, with great participation in the creative process. / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment<br />
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This is the fifth in a 15-part series on the stars and trends of Hallyu, or the Korean wave, which is gaining popularity in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The Korea Times produces this special project in cooperation with the Korea Foundation and CJ E&M. - ED.<br />
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By Kwaak Je-yup<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOyppVk26NY/T9hW8f0V0wI/AAAAAAAAAII/5jESA0WgIrg/s1600/Junsu+2PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOyppVk26NY/T9hW8f0V0wI/AAAAAAAAAII/5jESA0WgIrg/s1600/Junsu+2PM.jpg" /></a></div>
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Dancing boy bands are a common feature in K-pop, but when it comes to fan loyalty, 2PM has few rivals.<br />
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Catchy dance pop singles produced by their agency's head producer JYP, intricate choreography that often takes a cue from acrobatics, handsome faces with slick hairstyles gelled to perfection and especially their signature chiseled torsos have driven quite a few fans around the world mad.<br />
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In their hundreds of thousands, to put a real figure on it. Their first Asian tour, which ran from September to March and visited eight states, attracted nearly 160,000 people. Venues were packed every night.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UoOlVHDpABI/T9hXP0_6wOI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/nSI5TKvcYaE/s1600/wooyoung+2PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UoOlVHDpABI/T9hXP0_6wOI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/nSI5TKvcYaE/s1600/wooyoung+2PM.jpg" /></a>Last month, they sold out six consecutive dates at Tokyo's iconic Nippon Budokan arena - every ticket was purchased under a minute after sale - amassing an additional 60,000.<br />
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The six members' regular meetings with their official fan club "The Hottest" look like a rock-infused church service; women let go of their inhibitions and find (momentary) salvation. They sigh, scream, cry, swoon and of course, sway with the massive group.<br />
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Non-Korean fans visit the group's home country and take pictures in front of their agency, JYP Entertainment, in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, as well as billboards with their faces on it, like a pilgrimage.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvkEqoVFiOU/T9hXXGFr18I/AAAAAAAAAIY/HxiOi-r1QCs/s1600/Chansung+2PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvkEqoVFiOU/T9hXXGFr18I/AAAAAAAAAIY/HxiOi-r1QCs/s1600/Chansung+2PM.jpg" /></a>And when controversy arises, the group elicits scorn and fury like no other. Beginning as a seven-member act - with Junsu, Nickhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, Chansung and Jaebeom - the 2009 announcement of the last name's removal from the group brought angry fans holding demonstrations for weeks.<br />
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What is behind this ardent emotional connection? Even the members themselves want to know.<br />
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"I'd guess that it's the 2PM identity", says Wooyoung, 23. "The six members have different individual characters. I don't think we can be called a global group yet, but when we had our first Asian tour ... we couldn't believe the love that all the Korean and other fans were showering us with, singing along to our songs in groups".<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-na6txTBEaMc/T9hXn6sYJVI/AAAAAAAAAIg/oaNxg60ri-c/s1600/Nickhun+2PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-na6txTBEaMc/T9hXn6sYJVI/AAAAAAAAAIg/oaNxg60ri-c/s1600/Nickhun+2PM.jpg" /></a>"I can't properly describe the feeling on stage when the Cool Ray (lighting device aimed toward the audience) at the Budokan is turned on, which only happens at sold-out performances", says Taecyeon, 23. "Someone told me that it's really difficult to have the Cool Ray up. When it happens, you can see every face in the house, all the way up to the third floor. It made me unbelievably happy to see the 60,000 fans (over six nights)".<br />
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If they were best-known for their precision and synchronized dance moves five years ago, 2PM now seem more at ease, enjoying themselves more and trying to let each personality reflect in music and performance - and perhaps even lose control.<br />
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"Compared to our debut stage, we are definitely more relaxed", said the rapper. "And we really know each other like family now. We can improvise a little now because of that".<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHTA-gEppiY/T9hXyAkdxjI/AAAAAAAAAIo/Qr2erUnEGZ8/s1600/Junho+2PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHTA-gEppiY/T9hXyAkdxjI/AAAAAAAAAIo/Qr2erUnEGZ8/s1600/Junho+2PM.jpg" /></a>"Before one performance, we actually agreed not to rip our shirts off", says Junho, 22, referring to one of their signature attractions, "But as we were coming off stage, we noticed Taecyeon's abs were showing. He explained it as an in-the-moment thing; he said he was high on the fans' love".<br />
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The singer added that he and Junsu, one year his senior, are also increasing the level of participation in the creative process, for lyrics, music and the overall concept, among other things.<br />
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"We are also saddened by the fact that our overseas activities prevent us from spending more time in Korea and seeing our fans here more", says Chansung, 22. "Stay tuned for our next Korean album, which should be released around this fall. It will be better than what we've done before".<br />
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Even in this path of evolution, some things will remain the same - especially their now internationally famous physique.<br />
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"All of us are really active and love sports. We like that 'jimseungdol' nickname that fans have coined for us", says Nickhun, the sole American member of Thai and Chinese descent who turns 23 at the end of this month, referring to the Korean portmanteau between beast and idol. "Instead of a drastic change in image, we want to show the sides we haven't fully explored yet with different staging styles and performances. We are constantly thinking of new ideas and concepts".<br />
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And he adds that there is more than just their bodies to be uncovered: "If you listen more closely to our music, there are softer, more sentimental tracks as well".<br />
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For more, visit <a href="http://www.enewsworld.com/">www.enewsworld.com</a>.<br />
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Who are 2PM?<br />
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The six members of 2PM - Junsu, Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho and Chansung - all feature the good looks synonymous with K-pop groups. But since their debut in 2008, the group has attempted to distinguish themselves by adding a muscular physique and dynamic dance moves including nearly-acrobatic choreography to their act. So, while most K-pop boy bands are known as "kkotminam" or "flower pretty boys", the 2PM are more known as "jimseungnam", which roughly translates into "animalistic boys", referring to their muscular frames.<br />
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They first debuted in 2008 with a catchy tune, "10 Points Out of 10". But it was with "Again and Again" that the group hit No. 1. Then following it, "Heartbeat", which was a single from their first full-length album "1:59 PM" released in November 2009, soared quickly to the top of the charts. In fact, both the album and single climbed multiple music sales charts.<br />
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When the group first debuted, they originally had seven members led by rapper/dancer Jaebeom. But after a troublesome posting on the Internet, he eventually left in 2009. The abrupt departure of its leader briefly put the group's future on hold, but only briefly. The six remaining members regrouped their energy and music with yet another hit song "Hands Up". Popular across Asia, the group recently wrapped up a successful performance in Japan.<br />
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Each member also pursues activities outside music. Taecyeon and Wooyoung have starred in popular television dramas including "Dream High". Nickhun appeared on the entertainment program "We Got Married" where he took part in a mock-marriage with Victoria of girl group f(x).<br />
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Source :<a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/06/113_112906.html"> www.koreatimes.co.kr/... </a>( English Korean )<br />
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</div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-43157073966897519602012-05-16T03:42:00.000-07:002012-05-16T03:44:30.866-07:00Taiwanese fans present Shinhwa with odd gift<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Shinhwa, the '90s boy band currently performing in Asia, was in for a surprise when it received a most unconventional gift during its Taiwanese leg of the tour.<br />
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On Saturday, at the concert venue in Taipei, the band was greeted by swarms of local press, mobs of fans and 3.4 tons of pet food.<br />
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The band was there to perform for more than 8,000 fans as part of its "The Return" comeback tour. The unusual donations were a gift from seven of its fan clubs based in Taiwan.<br />
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The fan clubs were aware of how much the band loved animals and decided to make the donation to various animal shelters in the nation under Shinhwa's name.<br />
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"This is the first time that all six members of the band took part in performing for Taiwanese fans. They were so touched by the fans' presents", said a representative from Shinhwa Company.<br />
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The Korean band will travel to Japan to continue on with its reunion tour.<br />
From May 29 to 30, it will perform in Tokyo before making its way to Kobe on June 2.<br />
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By Carla Sunwoo [carlasunwoo@joongang.co.kr]<br />
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Source : <a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2952806">koreajoongangdaily.jo...</a> ( English Korean )</div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-32107714815810084312012-05-16T03:39:00.001-07:002012-05-16T03:39:53.842-07:00Girls' Generation, KARA, Wonder Girls -- Most Popular Groups Awarded Hangul URLs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hangul Smart Domain Organization, which is the group that provides URL addresses in the Korean language of hangul, held an online survey from May 3-11th. The subject: who the most popular girl idol group is.<br />
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The site listed ten of the top girl groups as possible answers: Girls' Generation, Kara, Wonder Girls, 4minute, Secret, T-ara, Sistar, miss A, 2NE1, and After School.<br />
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The results from the 23,274 people who participated were very clear.<br />
Girls' Generation garnered 48.22% of the votes as number one, followed by Kara with 30.17%. Wonder Girls was significantly behind at third place with 11.09%. Trailing behind even further were the rest of the groups with insignificant counts: 4minute had 3.82%, Secret with 2.01%, T-ara with 1.92%, Sistar having won 0.84%, miss A with 0.69%, 2NE1 with 0.66%, and After School last with 0.53%.<br />
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Being the top three winners, Girls' Generation, Kara, and the Wonder Girls -- along with their respective fan clubs -- will receive their very own Korean, or hangul, smart domain address. This would make them the first in the world to have hangul URLs (i.e. '소녀시대.홈', '카라.홈' '원더걸스.홈', '소녀시대.팬', '카라.팬', '원더걸스.팬').<br />
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A similar poll will be held for boy idol groups next!<br />
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Source : <a href="http://english.kbs.co.kr/Entertain/KpopNews/view.html?No=18515">english.kbs.co.kr/Ent... </a>( English Korean )<br />
</div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-37341699012458448622012-03-24T09:24:00.002-07:002012-03-24T09:28:37.321-07:00Beast unleashes in Yokohama Arena during Japanese leg of world tour<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AOXmblO0KLU/T232KSlcTzI/AAAAAAAAAHk/uldeMLJNGhQ/s1600/Beast%2Bin%2BConcert%2Bheld%2Bin%2BJapan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AOXmblO0KLU/T232KSlcTzI/AAAAAAAAAHk/uldeMLJNGhQ/s400/Beast%2Bin%2BConcert%2Bheld%2Bin%2BJapan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723501358105775922" /></a><br /><div><span >More than 23,000 Japanese fans flocked to see boy band Beast perform on Thursday and Friday at Yokohama Arena in Japan.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The boy band kicked off the Japanese leg of its "Beautiful Show" world tour there, with each concert lasting two hours.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The band performed an assortment of its hit songs including "Shock", "Fiction" and " Beautiful " to a crowd that chose to stay standing and sing along during the entire show.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Member Son Dong-woon sang his rendition of the song "Hitomio Tojite" by the popular Japanese singer Ken Hirai, much to the delight of the audience.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Beast's agency said that the band's popularity and the Japanese fans' reception at concerts have changed over the years - in a good way.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >"Japanese fans are a lot more enthusiastic at concerts than they used to be", a representative from the agency said. The concert marks the band's first national tour since its debut in Japan early last year.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2950409">koreajoongangdaily.jo... </a>( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-76450900533516029862012-03-24T09:20:00.002-07:002012-03-24T09:24:05.663-07:00Lee Joon-ki thanks Japanese fans at meeting in Yokohama<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLRlNGEXkdQ/T231HRwbDiI/AAAAAAAAAHY/8qc9wR4VzBk/s1600/Lee%2BJoon-ki.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLRlNGEXkdQ/T231HRwbDiI/AAAAAAAAAHY/8qc9wR4VzBk/s400/Lee%2BJoon-ki.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723500206832160290" /></a><br /><div><span >Lee Joon-ki, having wrapped up his tour of Japan, discussed his gratitude toward Japanese fans at a "hi-touch" event on Thursday.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The event was held to commemorate the launch of his new single "Deucer", which was released on March 16 and became the No. 1 song on the Oricon daily singles chart.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Lee took part in a series of four fan meetings at Osanbashi Hall in Yokohama and greeted more than 10,000 fans.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >"Thank you for your continuous support over the last two years despite the fact that I was away in the Army. Because of your love and support, I was able to successfully wrap up my tour", Lee said.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The Korean actor and singer said that he had dreamt of meeting and greeting his fans while serving in the Army and that it was "a dream come true to be able to do that at last".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >With regard to his single's top ranking on the Oricon chart, Lee said he only had his fans to thank.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >By Carla Sunwoo</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2950406">koreajoongangdaily.jo... </a>( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-8226147281872845842012-03-24T09:14:00.004-07:002012-03-24T09:20:22.838-07:00Lee Seung-gi: 'My Debut Single Ranks Atop Oricon Chart Thanks to You'<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhxJTY2bxME/T23zszJQHhI/AAAAAAAAAHA/EYTOdfnw5dQ/s1600/Lee%2BSeung-gi%2Bfan%2Bmeeting.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhxJTY2bxME/T23zszJQHhI/AAAAAAAAAHA/EYTOdfnw5dQ/s400/Lee%2BSeung-gi%2Bfan%2Bmeeting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723498652426575378" /></a><br /><div><span>Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi held a fan meeting entitled "Lee Seung-gi Japan Debut Premier" twice at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo on March 21 with the fans who had purchased his Japanese debut single "Alone In Love". Lee Seung-gi said to his fans who attended the event, "I came here right after I finished filming the drama until 5 am in the morning". He also revealed his feelings about his debut single "Alone In Love", which was released in March 6 and ranked atop the Oricon daily chart, saying, "It was all thanks to you. I had concerns about whether this album could achieve success or not in Japan, but you have encouraged me and supported me. It was you who made my album rank atop the chart. Thank you. I will continue to do my best".</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>In addition, Lee Seung-gi explained his appearance in the new MBC drama entitled "The King 2 Hearts", saying, "It is a black comedy drama that emphasizes humanity while treating sensitive issues in pleasant and cheerful ways". He unveiled the video of the film set and actress Ha Ji-won's encouraging message, which created excitement in the hall. Lee said, "I have been exhausted from a tight filming schedule, but I could completely be recharged by looking at you". Then he sang some songs: his Japanese debut song "Alone In Love", "We Are Friends", and "Smile Boy" to music played by a band, and the venue was filled with an enthusiastic response.</span></div><div><span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FneNoo4F-6M/T23zz5348VI/AAAAAAAAAHM/QtTolYuydMY/s1600/Lee%2BSeung-gi%2Bfan%2Bmeeting1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FneNoo4F-6M/T23zz5348VI/AAAAAAAAAHM/QtTolYuydMY/s400/Lee%2BSeung-gi%2Bfan%2Bmeeting1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723498774491885906" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span><div>Lee Seung-gi, who will hold his first solo live concert at Budokan on June 1 only three months after his debut, said, "I am very glad that I can perform at such a good concert hall thanks to you. Please come and enjoy the concert together". He also promised his fans that he will concentrate more on holding activities in Japan after he finishes the drama and his first concert in Budokan. Lee Seung-gi's first best-of album entitled "Lee Seung-gi - The Best" will be released in both Japan and Korea on April 18, and the Japanese version of his fifth album "Tonight", which was released in Korea last year in October, will be released in Japan on the same day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Source : <a href="http://english.kbs.co.kr/Entertain/EntertainmentNews/view.html?No=8118">english.kbs.co.kr/Ent... </a>( English Korean )</div></span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-73120482848068038052012-03-24T09:11:00.001-07:002012-03-24T09:14:48.301-07:00T-ara Covered With 100 Million Won Travel Insurance<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-G8A1vvlhg/T23y7xJHcxI/AAAAAAAAAG0/au0P4tGJM6c/s1600/TARA.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-G8A1vvlhg/T23y7xJHcxI/AAAAAAAAAG0/au0P4tGJM6c/s400/TARA.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723497810075546386" /></a><br /><div><span >It takes a lot to support a female idol group. Especially when traveling.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Reps of the popular group"T-ara" shared how much the girls were insured for to prepare for a trip around the world. Apparently, the company invested about 100 million won (about $88,400) in travel insurance. The girls will be traveling through Italy, Austria, and Switzerland for a 9 day trip.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Along with the group, will be another 7-membered newbie idol group, director Cha Eun-taek, photographer Jo Sae-hyun, and about 20 other staff members. They will be creating a on-the-road movie throughout the experience.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The newbie group, which also includes actresses Hwang Ji-hyeon, Lee Hae-in, Choi Soo-eun, and supermodel Kim Hye-ji-I as members, will be debuting in May.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://english.kbs.co.kr/Entertain/KpopNews/view.html?No=18009">english.kbs.co.kr/Ent... </a>( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-40970605856214140002012-03-02T01:04:00.002-08:002012-03-03T01:49:26.092-08:00Jay Park's new album sells 80,000 copies<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHlvu4KWpBk/T1HpG3PSlWI/AAAAAAAAAGo/rrMqVhtfG0E/s1600/Jay%2BPark.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHlvu4KWpBk/T1HpG3PSlWI/AAAAAAAAAGo/rrMqVhtfG0E/s400/Jay%2BPark.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715605706226439522" /></a><br />Singer Jay Park has sold 80,000 copies of his new album "New Breed" since its release on Feb. 10, rocketing the artist to No. 1 on the Hanteo Chart, which tracks offline or physical music sales.<br /><br />The record is an achievement for the former idol band singer as he took part in producing all of the songs contained on the album. Park also wrote the music and lyrics to more than 80 percent of the songs. In addition, the album had some help from music industry heavyweights such as music producer Rob Know, who produced Justin Timberlake's albums as well as the K-pop act Dynamic Duo.<br /><br />The album has also been well received overseas, having ranked highly on iTunes and Billboard's World Album chart.<br /><br />Currently Park is busy promoting the title track from the album, "Know Your Name".<br /><br />By Carla Sunwoo [carlasunwoo@joongang.co.kr]<br /><br />Source : <a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2949185">koreajoongangdaily.jo...</a> ( English Korean )rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-71560010895704802282012-02-15T19:09:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:42:38.795-08:00Daesung sports platinum blond do<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTZVOSZkF4c/Tzxz0Kho7HI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/tREyQz-N5t8/s1600/Big%2BBang%2Bmember%2BDaesung.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTZVOSZkF4c/Tzxz0Kho7HI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/tREyQz-N5t8/s400/Big%2BBang%2Bmember%2BDaesung.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709565767614786674" /></a><br /><div><span >Big Bang member Daesung showed off a new platinum blonde hairdo in a photo on his blog yesterday, just as the group gets set to release its new EP, which includes Daesung's single "Wings". He seemed to be<a name='more'></a> following in the tracks of bandmate T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyeon), who revealed a bright blue do earlier.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >In the photo, Daesung, usually a casual dresser, wears a pretty provocative outfit with a leopard print suit and a shirt with a silver collar. Fans speculated that he wants to change his image after his hiatus last year, which came after he accidentally ran over a motorcyclist in May who later died.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >In a preview of next week's episode of SBS' "Healing Camp" on Monday, Daesung revealed that after the accident, he "had bad thoughts", hinting that he even contemplated suicide. Later in the show, G-Dragon, the band's lead singer, said he heard people call him and Daesung Big Bang's "axis of evil" after he was indicted for marijuana use last October.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The Big Bang EP, "Alive", is set to hit stores Feb. 29, followed by a world tour starting in Seoul next month.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >By Cho Jae-eun</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source :<a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2948451"> koreajoongangdaily.jo...</a> ( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-25823866563935163792012-02-15T19:06:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:55:58.306-08:00Trot singer denounces photo scandal<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dItgB5xnKi4/TzxzThGSWGI/AAAAAAAAAGE/nWvkGgLU2wk/s1600/Jang%2BYoon-jung.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dItgB5xnKi4/TzxzThGSWGI/AAAAAAAAAGE/nWvkGgLU2wk/s400/Jang%2BYoon-jung.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709565206738393186" /></a><br /><div><span >Trot singer Jang Yoon-jung has denied that she is the woman in a photo called "Jang Yoon-jung nude" that is making the rounds on the Web.</span></div><div><a name='more'></a><span >The singer's agency announced on Monday that it is currently in the process of filing a complaint with police and the Korea Communications Commission, claiming that someone edited the photo and pasted Yoon's body onto a naked female model.</span></div><div><span >The agency said it will stand firmly against the person who produced and uploaded the picture.</span></div><div><span >"We will take legal action against the perpetrator if Yoon's career suffers because of this incident", said a representative from the agency.</span></div><div><span >Jang said she is stunned but used humor to mock the situation on Twitter, writing: "I admit the face is 100 percent mine. But the body! I don't have such a glamorous body. Although I'm laughing at this ridiculous photo, I promise that the person who started all this won't be laughing by the time we get to the bottom of it".</span></div><div><span >Jang made her debut in 1999 and is best known for her hit trot song "Oh My".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >By Carla Sunwoo [carlasunwoo@joongang.co.kr]</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2948449">koreajoongangdaily.jo... </a>( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-13968892121489441122012-02-15T19:02:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:56:22.749-08:00Singer Sim admits incarceration after President Park's assassination<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mH-MOtrx2g/TzxyrRxc6yI/AAAAAAAAAF4/r_EyhjVkw9U/s1600/Sim%2BSoo-bong.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 264px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mH-MOtrx2g/TzxyrRxc6yI/AAAAAAAAAF4/r_EyhjVkw9U/s400/Sim%2BSoo-bong.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709564515429706530" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><b>Sim Soo-bong</b></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >By Kwaak Je-yup</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Sim Soo-bong, a singer and actress who found nationwide fame in the 1970s and '80s but remembered more for her turbulent career and personal life, revealed for the first time on television that she was incarcerated after the 1979 assassination of President Park Chung-hee.</span></div><div><span ><a name='more'></a><br /></span></div><div><span >"Even now it's still difficult for me to tell my story from (the day of the incident and its aftermath)", she said to Kim Seung-woo, in a recorded segment for his talk show "Win Win" on Tuesday.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The 56-year-old added that she was forced to listen to her then close acquaintance being tortured next door. Afterwards, she was locked up in a mental institution for nearly a month and injected with drugs used for patients there.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The singer, best known for her 1984 track "Man is a Ship, Woman a Harbor" among a string of hits, did not specify the identity of the man.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Sim was a guest at the banquet hosted by the President on Oct. 26 where he was twice shot by his security chief Kim Jae-kyu. The then 24 year old songstress, along with female college student Shin Jae-sun, also present, were suspected of complying in the plot. She was banned from television and radio until 1981.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Even after she was cleared of suspicion, as an eyewitness she was closely watched for many years.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2012/02/139_104832.html">www.koreatimes.co.kr/... </a>( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-91238615351009252232012-02-15T18:57:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:56:43.586-08:00Shinhwa sells out reunion concerts<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7a7zJJrCh4/TzxxUGDjVQI/AAAAAAAAAFg/97WimR2ST94/s1600/Shinhwa%2Breunion%2Bconcerts.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7a7zJJrCh4/TzxxUGDjVQI/AAAAAAAAAFg/97WimR2ST94/s400/Shinhwa%2Breunion%2Bconcerts.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709563017635779842" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Boyband Shinhwa performs during the 10th-year anniversary concert at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Bangi-dong, southeastern Seoul, in this March 29, 2008 file photo. / Courtesy of Shinhwa Company/Topclass Entertainment</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Boy band remains hot ticket 14 years after debut</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>By Kwaak Je-yup</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>As the years go by, even the hottest teen idols often disappear into oblivion and make room for the younger generation to<a name='more'></a> bask in the limelight. But one group in Korea has managed to stay relevant and even wildly popular ― 14 years after their debut.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Shinhwa, the longest-running boy band in the country, sold out its two-night concert series "THE RETURN" 40 minutes after tickets went on sale at 8 p.m. Monday, the group's management announced the morning after.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The performances are scheduled for March 24 and 25 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena at the Olympic Park, Bangi-dong, at the southeastern edge of Seoul.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>"We are grateful to our fans. Thanks to them, we can ensure Shinhwa's comeback after four years will be celebrated in style", said Eric Eric Moon, leader of the band in a statement. "We are working on a great performance for the fans who have stuck with us for so long".</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>As a concert venue, the arena is the largest in the country, with a typical capacity of around 15,000. While the organizers led by CJ E&M opted for less at 10,000 tickets per night, selling out in such a short period is still no mean feat ― especially with the overabundance of pop concerts in recent months.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Arguably the most influential and popular boy band at the turn of the millennium, Shinhwa can continue to bank on future success, as the key demographic for their concerts are still in their 20s. According to statistics from Interpark, the sole distributor for the two-night affair, 73.6 percent of all ticket buyers were aged 20 to 29, with those in their 30s trailing far behind at 12.2 percent. The 40-somethings bought 10.2 percent of the tickets, while the rest, 4.1 percent, were snapped up by teenagers.</span></div><div><span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6VCSnXhF5GE/TzxxZ2f2xWI/AAAAAAAAAFs/Mj5njKLLpos/s1600/Shinhwa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6VCSnXhF5GE/TzxxZ2f2xWI/AAAAAAAAAFs/Mj5njKLLpos/s400/Shinhwa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709563116538742114" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Members of Shinhwa</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Women far outnumbered men at roughly nine to one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Steeply priced at 66,000 to 143,000 won, "THE RETURN" tickets are already being illegally traded online, fetching even higher prices. CJ E&M and Shinhwa Company, which oversee the six members' activities, said they are investigating this practice. More tickets may become available if those conducting unauthorized resales are caught and forced to return them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since 2003, Eric Moon, Lee Min-woo, Kim Dong-wan, Shin Hye-sung, Jun Jin and Andy Lee, have pursued solo careers ranging from theater to film and television on top of music. Mired in a legal battle with their original management agency and industry stalwart SM Entertainment over trademark rights of the group's name, Shinwha had no choice but to explore other options at the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>The court ruled in the group's favor the following year, and the members signed with Good Entertainment. In 2007, the members started their own management firms to shape their own paths with mixed success. Their chart performances as solo acts have yet to match those recorded as the original ensemble.</div><div><br /></div><div>The six members perform together periodically, with organization and finances overseen by Shinhwa Company. Eric Moon and Lee Min-woo are co-chairmen.</div><div><br /></div><div>The group has undergone a forced and elongated hiatus, as members were required to do their national service. Last time they performed with the entire line-up was four years ago, for a 10-year anniversary concert. The end of March was chosen for this year, in order to see Lee Min-woo's discharged from the Army. He is the last of the six to fulfill his military obligation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Their 10th as-yet-untitled album was supposed to be pushed at the same time, but the release date has not been fixed.</div><div><br /></div><div>"The members are working on an album project, but no date has been set", said a spokeswoman of Eric Moon's agency Top Class Entertainment. "Details are still to be ironed out".</div><div><br /></div><div>Shinhwa made their debut in 1998 and counts dozens of hits, including "T.O.P. (Twinkling of Paradise)", "Only One", "Perfect Man", "Brand News", "Once in a Lifetime".</div><div><br /></div><div>They are often cited as one of the pioneers of the Korean wave, or hallyu, with a wide fan base across North and Southeast Asia and have recorded sales in the millions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Source :<a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2012/02/201_104829.html"> www.koreatimes.co.kr/... </a>( English Korean )</div></span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-40907051667286300962012-02-15T18:48:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:56:59.656-08:00Can Platoon repeat magic for indie music?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvSQ-qU2jBA/TzxwfD0iHcI/AAAAAAAAAFY/yx3T4BepAgA/s1600/Yoon%2BNa-ra%252C%2Btop%252C%2Band%2BLove%2BX%2BStereo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvSQ-qU2jBA/TzxwfD0iHcI/AAAAAAAAAFY/yx3T4BepAgA/s400/Yoon%2BNa-ra%252C%2Btop%252C%2Band%2BLove%2BX%2BStereo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709562106502847938" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span >Yoon Na-ra, top, and Love X Stereo are the first acts invited to perform at the Open Stage at the Platoon Kunsthalle, Nonhyeon-dong, southern Seoul. / Courtesy of Platoon Kunsthalle</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><a name='more'></a><br /></span></div><div><span ><b>Yoon Na-ra, Love X Stereo to launch first Platoon Open Stage</b></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >By Kwaak Je-yup</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >It may sound impossible: staging indie music in the heart of Seoul's commercial jungle.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >But Platoon Kunsthalle, the singular bastion of subculture south of the river in Nonhyeon-dong, southern Seoul, promises exactly that in about a week, showcasing relatively undiscovered acts.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Its inaugural "Open Stage" event next Thursday will present male folk jazz artist Yoon Na-ra and electro rock band Love X Stereo, both active in Hongdae.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Cosmos Music, a 40-year-old Korean musical instrument specialist, co-sponsors the occasion, bringing two fresh acts to the stage every Thursday at 8 p.m.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The weekly gig marks Platoon's major foray into Seoul's indie scene, which has hitherto been dominated by a handful of venues in Hongdae, the popular area around the Hongik University in northwestern Seoul. The German-Korean team behind the scenes hopes that this new event will provide a much-needed oomph to experimental music, as its many projects have done so to other arts since its opening barely three years ago.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >"Platoon is one of the most attractive platforms (in the country) to present your work because they have a great infrastructure for promotion ― for free. I have already received great exposure through SNS (social networking services) thanks to them", said Yoon in a phone interview with The Korea Times. "As an independent act, you only have two choices otherwise: go around town yourself and plug your music or hire an agent, who can cost a bundle".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Up to now, the 27-year-old singer-songwriter with an acoustic guitar has been actively pursuing the former, especially in Hongdae after he made his solo debut last year. He previously performed as a leader of a band called Nara, which is now inactive, in 2010.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Other options for budding musicians are usually festivals and competitions, big and small, in addition to uploading their performances to YouTube.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Love X Stereo has capitalized on such social media, interacting heavily with fans online. The three members, Annie, Toby and Sol, came together to form the group last year, with a philosophy that all their music needs to be danceable. They each have over 10 years of individual careers in music, according to the organizers.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The members of the group could not be reached at the time of reporting.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source :<a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2012/02/201_104830.html"> www.koreatimes.co.kr/... </a>( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-67075166945638121292012-02-15T18:46:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:57:16.606-08:00Girls' Generation Blaze New Trail with Asian Tour<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VzdJDt2c38/TzxufCI9dtI/AAAAAAAAAFI/LWOwkhKkExY/s1600/Girls%2527%2BGeneration.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VzdJDt2c38/TzxufCI9dtI/AAAAAAAAAFI/LWOwkhKkExY/s400/Girls%2527%2BGeneration.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709559907028399826" /></a><br /><div><span >Girls' Generation successfully concluded their 10-monthlong Asian tour by setting a new record after attracting the greatest number of spectators for a Korean girl group to date.</span></div><div><span ><a name='more'></a><br /></span></div><div><span >The girls proved their global appeal by drawing a total of 230,000 fans to 23 concerts at various Asian destinations, including Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. They performed 14 times in Japan alone, in Osaka, Saitama, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagoya and Fukuoka.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Girls' Generation confirmed their status as Korea's leading girl group with the Asian tour, which wrapped up in Thailand on Sunday with a three-hour concert that held over 11,000 fans enthralled as the girls performed no fewer than 32 songs.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >As it was the band's first solo concert in the Kingdom, the girls were met by excited fans from the moment they stepped off the plane in Bangkok. They returned to Korea on Monday morning.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source :<a href="http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/02/14/2012021400779.html"> english.chosun.com/si... </a>( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-38937918566695523702012-02-15T18:43:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:57:31.695-08:00Singer Yoon Jong-sin Has Crohn's Disease<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-974ozoomtng/Tzxt86tztpI/AAAAAAAAAE8/5Ij6B0TrALc/s1600/Yoon%2BJong-sin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 176px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-974ozoomtng/Tzxt86tztpI/AAAAAAAAAE8/5Ij6B0TrALc/s400/Yoon%2BJong-sin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709559320919914130" /></a><br /><div><span >The popular entertainer Yoon Jong-sin suffers from Crohn's disease, a rare illness that leaves him helpless against his body's attacks on his own digestive system. Yoon appeared on a TV talk show on SBS called "Healing Camp" on Monday and admitted he was suffering from the disease.</span></div><div><span ><a name='more'></a><br /></span></div><div><span >Patients with Crohn's disease develop small sores next to the anus, which spread to the intestines, stomach, duodenum and other digestive organs. The cause of the illness remains a mystery, and no cure has been found. Yoon said, "My health problems, which I told people were haemorrhoids, were actually due to this disease".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Recently a stem cell treatment for the sores has been developed in Korea and received the approval from the Korea Food and Drug Administration on Jan. 19. The treatment, called Cupistem and developed by pharmaceutical company Anterogen, is manufactured using stem cells extracted from a patient's fatty tissue.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >An Anterogen spokesman claimed clinical tests on 33 patients showed that the sores healed completely in 27 of them. "If you include patients whose sores were more than half healed and whose inflammations decreased, the number rises to 32".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Cupistem is currently classified as a treatment for rare diseases and in the process of receiving the green light for state medical insurance coverage. It costs W3-5 million (US$1=W1,123) per bottle.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >englishnews@chosun.com / Feb. 14, 2012 11:00 KST</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/02/14/2012021401020.html">english.chosun.com/si... </a>( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-81497366173466768352012-02-15T18:40:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:57:55.837-08:00Hallyu extends to SNS created by Koreans<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--V_IYmzswEc/TzxtUuJWNKI/AAAAAAAAAEw/eALeUgMiTFI/s1600/SK%2BTelecom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--V_IYmzswEc/TzxtUuJWNKI/AAAAAAAAAEw/eALeUgMiTFI/s400/SK%2BTelecom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709558630350992546" /></a><br /><div><span >Domestic social networking services (SNS) are gaining popularity from global smart-phone users as their operators strive to promote their apps overseas by implanting K-pop content into the their services for a synergy effect.</span></div><div><span ><a name='more'></a><br /></span></div><div><span >Earlier, Korean SNS operators such as Kakao Talk, Line, Cyworld and Tick Talk have allowed domestic users to exchange messages and upload videos or photos. But now it has been introduced to foreign smart-phone users. The services collaborated with entertainment agencies so that users can access eye-catching songs and videos of Korean pop idols.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >SK Communications (SK Coms) has recently developed English version of Cyworld, "Global Cyworld", attracting users in an estimated 140 countries across the world in two months. The majority of the users are young women aged between 15 to 24 from Asia, including Japan and North America, according to SK. A spokesman said SK has differentiated its services from others, making uploaded postings exclusive to given members.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >SK Coms also started blogging video images and personal information of Korean pop idols, attracting more than 3,000 members from 59 countries, who wanted to be friends with Korean idol stars. The Internet service provider also said that it is planning to introduce an app called "CyStar" which allows users to become friend with K-pop singers, and a free mobile messenger app called 'Global Nate On", next month</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Users have downloaded 1.5 million cases from another mobile messenger "Line", created by NHN, the largest Internet portal in Korea. Korea imported the service last August, which was launched in Japan in April 2010. Currently, foreign users have outnumbered local users. The messenger service allows users to express their feelings through multiple emoticons and cartoons, a sharp contrast to other services.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >NHN started providing free services of translation and calling last October. The new services have brought Line to the most popular application in Switzerland, according to NHN. It plans to add videophone function to the application next month and unveil new PC and tablet PC versions as well.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Mobile messenger Tick Talk will also be launched in Japan and Indonesia in April. Blackberry version will also be developed in the near future. KaKao Talk, No. 1 SNS in Korea, with 60 million users will provide videos of Korean pop groups or stars such as Girls' Generation (SNSD), Super Junior and BoA in collaboration with SM Entertainment.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/02/113_104784.html">www.koreatimes.co.kr/...</a> ( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-61613309726060984352012-02-15T18:32:00.000-08:002012-02-16T18:58:09.589-08:00Chicago to Hold 2nd Flashmob for "SM Town" Live Concert<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjV2Wd9Gdfs/TzxsiwKLQrI/AAAAAAAAAEk/KQBRaIZzuzM/s1600/Girls%2527%2BGeneration.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 365px; height: 237px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjV2Wd9Gdfs/TzxsiwKLQrI/AAAAAAAAAEk/KQBRaIZzuzM/s400/Girls%2527%2BGeneration.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709557771897881266" /></a><br /><div><span >In 2011, United States was showered with top acts like Girls' Generation, 2NE1 and the Wonder Girls making their mainstream debuts. One of Korea's most popular tours, the SMTOWN Live World Tour, has touched down in Los Angeles and New York.</span></div><div><span ><a name='more'></a><br /></span></div><div><span >Now, fans in America's Midwest want their own show too. On November 12th, 2011, fans from all over the Chicago land area danced to hit songs from SHINee, Girls' Generation, Super Junior and many others in Lake Shore Park.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >This summer, K-pop fans are planning to hold a second flash mob to catch the attention of popular music agency SM Entertainment.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >What do the people of Chicago want? The answer is simple. They want the concert tour that has taken over the world to hold a show in the Windy City.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The flash mob is set to take place this June or July. The music lovers plan to dance to songs like the following: Girls' Generation's "Gee", SHINee's "Hello", Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry", DBSK's "Mirotic", BoA's "Eat You Up" and f(x)'s "Nu ABO".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Chicago is calling and they hope SM picks up.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >SM Entertainment is scheduled to hold auditions in Chicago, Illinois on February 20th. 2012.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Chicago's first SMTOWN Live World Tour Flash mob took place on November 12th, 2011 at 2PM. The event was held in Lake Shore Park. Fans from the Midwest danced to the following track list: TRAX's "Are You Ready", SHINee's "Lucifer", Girls' Generation's "Genie", DBSK's "Keep Your Head Down", BoA's "Girls On Top", f(x)'s "Pinnochio", Super Junior's "Mr. Simple" and H.O.T'.s "Candy".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >SM Entertainment's "SMTOWN Live '10 World Tour" began on August 20th, 2010 in Seoul. Since then, the show featuring SM Entertainment's top acts have traveled the world. SHINee, Girls' Generation, Super Junior, BoA, Kang Ta, f(x), TRAX and many others have performed in Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles and New York.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://theseoultimes.com/ST/">theseoultimes.com/ST/...</a> ( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-21364641531799914682012-02-15T04:07:00.000-08:002012-02-15T05:20:01.928-08:00Shinee Songs (2008)<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mu81wBvspcE/Tzuwp0whz1I/AAAAAAAAAEM/jIt5g6pbK5o/s1600/Shinee_album_theshineworld%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 353px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mu81wBvspcE/Tzuwp0whz1I/AAAAAAAAAEM/jIt5g6pbK5o/s400/Shinee_album_theshineworld%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709351185205546834" /></a><br /><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">1. Song Title: The SHINee World (Doo-Bop)</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; "> Lyrics: Young Jin Yoo</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; "> Music: Young Jin Yoo, Length: 3:55</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b><a href="http://www.4shared.com/mp3/wDCQ2j6q/SHINee_-_The_SHINee_World__doo.htm">MUSIC DOWNLOAD</a></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">2. Song Title: Sarangui Gil (Love's Way)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "> Lyrics: 휘성 (Xperimental Music)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "> Music: Alex Cantrall (Xperimental Music), Length: 3:29</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b><a href="http://www.4shared.com/mp3/7zU0dqY7/SHINee_-_Loves_Way.htm">MUSIC DOWNLOAD</a></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2LkPFt5jQKA/TzuwxHlx-6I/AAAAAAAAAEY/IZotlYKBWpE/s1600/Shinee_album_amigo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2LkPFt5jQKA/TzuwxHlx-6I/AAAAAAAAAEY/IZotlYKBWpE/s400/Shinee_album_amigo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709351310519827362" /></a><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">REPACKAGE</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">3. Song Title: Sanso Gateun Neo (Love Like Oxygen)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "> Lyrics: Yoon Jung Kwon, Young-hu Kim (Xperimental Productions), Sigvardt, Lucas Secon, Troelsen</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "> Music: Mikkel Remee Sigvardt, Lucas Secon, Thomas Troelsen, Yong-Hun Cho, Length: 3:54</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b><a href="http://www.4shared.com/mp3/cnVI9hB-/_shinee_-youre_like_oxigen__lo.htm">MUSIC DOWNLOAD</a></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">4. Song Title: Neo Animyeon Andoeneun Geol (Romantic)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "> Lyrics: Yun Jae Lee</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "> Music: Yun Jae Lee, Length: 4:55</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b><a href="http://www.4shared.com/mp3/BlRS_LXC/SHINee_-_Romantic.htm">MUSIC DOWNLOAD</a></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">5. Song Title: Geunyeoga Heeojyeotda (One For Me)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "> Lyrics: Wheesung (Xperimental Music)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "> Music: Alex Cantrall (Xperimental Music), Length: 3:25</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b><a href="http://www.4shared.com/mp3/i_zc4UfP/SHINee_-_One_For_Me.htm">MUSIC DOWNLOAD</a></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">6. Song Title: Hwajangeul Hago (Graze)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "> Lyrics: Jung Bae Kim</div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> Music: </span>Kenzie, Length: 3:37</span></div><div><span><b>MUSIC DOWNLOAD (Not Available)</b></span></div><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span>7. Song Title: Majimak Seonmul (Last Gift)</span></div><div><span> Lyrics: The Lighthouse (Xperimental Productions)</span></div><div><span> Music: Kater D (Xperimental Music), Tae Sung Kim (Xperimental Productions), Length: 3:53</span></div><div><span><b><a href="http://www.4shared.com/mp3/CfqVQHvz/Shinee_-_Last_Gift.htm">MUSIC DOWNLOAD</a></b></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>8. Song Title: Nae Gyeoteman Isseo (Best Place)</span></div><div><span> Lyrics: Suk Hong, Hae Hyung Park</span></div><div><span> Music: Suk Hong, Length: 3:44</span></div><div><span><b><a href="http://www.4shared.com/mp3/szbzt55q/SHINee_-_Best_Place.htm">MUSIC DOWNLOAD</a></b></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>9. Song Title: Nuneul Gamabomyeon (Four Seasons)</span></div><div><span> Lyrics: Yeon Jung Jang, Tae Sung Kim (Xperimental Productions)</span></div><div><span> Music: Martin Kember (Xperimental Music), Length: 4:06</span></div><div><span><b><a href="http://www.4shared.com/mp3/RJaTbuq7/SHINee_-_Four_Seasons.htm">MUSIC DOWNLOAD</a></b></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>10. Song Title: In My Room (Unplugged Mix)</span></div><div><span> Lyrics: Young-hu Kim (Xperimental Productions)</span></div><div><span> Music: Kater D, Tae-Sung Kim (Xperimental Productions), Length: 4:25</span></div><div><span><b><a href="http://www.4shared.com/mp3/Fq4udGJ7/SHINee_-_In_My_Room.htm">MUSIC DOWNLOAD</a></b></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11. Song Title: Noona Neomu Yeppeo (Replay)</span></div><div><span> Lyrics: Young-hu Kim (Xperimental Productions)</span></div><div><span> Music: The Heavyweights, Length: 3:34</span></div><div><span><a href="http://www.4shared.com/mp3/SZRHY83_/SHINee_-_Replay.htm"><b>MUSIC DOWNLOAD</b></a></span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-80351129581851633812012-02-10T02:23:00.000-08:002012-02-10T02:27:47.176-08:00In the bubble of K-pop, bigger is not always better<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uih0b2c4zG8/TzTwnjdz7AI/AAAAAAAAAD0/RK0OJNNEG30/s1600/trio%2BRainbow%2BPixie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uih0b2c4zG8/TzTwnjdz7AI/AAAAAAAAAD0/RK0OJNNEG30/s400/trio%2BRainbow%2BPixie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707451190111104002" /></a><br /><div><span>The trio Rainbow Pixie, from left, Kim Ji-sook-I, Oh Seung-a and Cho Hyun-young, is one of the newest sub-groups to emerge.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>To keep up with the fast moving world of K-pop, it's no longer enough to follow your favorite boy or girl band. These days, fans have to keep track of an ever-changing array of smaller groups that come together almost as fast as they break apart.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>These smaller groups are often formed from an already proven success, with bands like Super Junior and After School giving rise to newer and sometimes better versions of themselves before they are absorbed back into the original band or spun off again into another duo or trio.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Orchestrating this wave of constant combinations are the entertainment agencies who train and finance the bands until they turn out a profit.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>By breaking down groups and repackaging them, the companies can spotlight individual members of K-pop super groups, which can consist of as many as 10 members or more. Members of the smaller groups are featured for more than just a few seconds each per song and the companies build a stronger fan base for the original group.</span></div><div><span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOPnpsQWQ5E/TzTwxWPs2iI/AAAAAAAAAEA/-uprl6CXoDc/s1600/Trouble%2BMaker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 217px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOPnpsQWQ5E/TzTwxWPs2iI/AAAAAAAAAEA/-uprl6CXoDc/s400/Trouble%2BMaker.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707451358360951330" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span><div>Trouble Maker, consisting of Hyun-A from 4Minute, left, and Jang Hyun-seung from Beast. Their hit song is also Trouble Maker. [JoongAng Ilbo]</div><div><br /></div><div>According to pop music critic Kim Jag-ga, pop groups need to constantly evolve in order to make a profit for the huge companies that train and finance the bands.</div><div><br /></div><div>SM Entertainment was the first to try this strategy when it broke the 13-member boy band Super Junior into four smaller groups each with its own style and concept. Two years after the group's debut in 2005, the company introduced fans to Super Junior T, a six-member group known for trot music hits, Super Junior M, a seven-member group with two Chinese nationals and a hit album released in China and Japan, and Super Junior Happy, a sextet known for its jubilant tunes and the 2008 EP "Cooking?Cooking!" But the most successful group by far has been Super Junior-K.R.Y., a trio of balladeers comprising the three best vocalists in the group. Their album "Fly" from last year has topped charts and the group has toured Japan three times.</div><div><br /></div><div>The success of these sub-groups has led other major bands to follow their lead, with some of the smaller groups attracting even more attention then the originals.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was the case with Orange Caramel, a quartet featuring the four youngest members of the girl group After School. The group was formed in 2010 and got their first taste of fame with an EP they released that June. They won fans over with their doll-like appearance and cute performances and they've topped online music charts with songs such as "A-ing", and "Shanghai Romance".</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the newest groups to emerge is Rainbow Pixie, which debuted with the song "Hoi Hoi" and consists of three members of the girl group Rainbow.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's gimmick is colorful costuming and choreography with lots of waving magic wands.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other cases, the sub-group directs fans back to the original group.</div><div><br /></div><div>The duo that is Sistar 19 won fame for its fast songs and short skirts, quickly surpassing the popularity of the four-member group that gave it its name. In its original incarnation, Sistar was known for light and cheerful songs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes, the new groups are formed with members from other bands from the same entertainment agency.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cube Entertainment used this tactic to form Trouble Maker. The popular group was a duo consisting of Hyun-A from 4Minute and Jang Hyun-seung from Beast and its self-titled EP went to No. 1 on various music charts.</div><div><br /></div><div>But in a reflection of how quickly these groups come together and fade away, Trouble Maker is already part of K-pop history.</div><div><br /></div><div>By Song Ji-hye [estyle@joongang.co.kr]</div><div><br /></div><div>Source : <a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2948220">koreajoongangdaily.jo...</a> ( English Korean )</div></span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-15785619963528880832012-02-10T01:15:00.000-08:002012-02-10T01:20:42.644-08:00Both Music and Art Are Vital to All-Rounder Lisa<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0mTOqmzKDU/TzThSQzzz6I/AAAAAAAAADo/KgB17h7-a88/s1600/Singer%2Band%2Bmusical%2Bactress%2BLisa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0mTOqmzKDU/TzThSQzzz6I/AAAAAAAAADo/KgB17h7-a88/s400/Singer%2Band%2Bmusical%2Bactress%2BLisa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707434331651428258" /></a><br /><div><span >Singer and musical actress Lisa is holding her second solo art exhibition. Lisa, who debuted as a singer in 2003, has always designed and drawn her own album jackets and says she draws as if she is writing a diary and finds drawing and painting therapeutic.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >"I'm happy to have both music and art with me so that I can express my emotions. Both are channels to express myself. In this exhibition, I tried to show paintings that people easily appreciate and sympathize with".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >She made her musical debut with "Bandits" in 2007, made her name by playing a starring role in the musical version of the mega-hit TV drama "Dae Jang Geum" (Jewel in the Palace) the year after. Recently she has won a starring role in a double cast for "Evita", for which she had to learn the tango and Latin dance.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Lisa also teaches aspiring musicians at Seoul Art College. How does she manage to do so many things at the same time? "Many people say I must be crazy to do all this. But I think I'm the type of person who does better when things get busy. I think music and art are essentially quite similar. It's just that the medium of expression is different".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Lisa majored in painting at Hongik University, which is renowned for the arts. When she is not working on a musical or album, she paints. "When I am busy with music, I get energized by painting in my spare time. On the other hand, when I mostly paint, I get energy from listening to music", she says.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Lisa spent much of her youth overseas as her father was a diplomat. She can speak English, German, Swedish and Polish, and is good at a variety of sports. Is there anything else she wants to learn? "I'm an ambitious person. I want to whatever I get a chance to do until the day I die. You only have one life".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >What is her ultimate goal? "I've watched my dad's work as a diplomat since I was very young. Based on my experience, I'd love to be a cultural diplomat who can introduce Korean arts to a worldwide audience", she says.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/02/09/2012020900451.html">english.chosun.com/si...</a> ( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-38968156705244434212012-02-10T01:13:00.000-08:002012-02-10T01:15:26.493-08:00Beast in 3-D<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POW-3wez85Q/TzTgKc23FBI/AAAAAAAAADc/yq9hrUM6GOQ/s1600/BEAST.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POW-3wez85Q/TzTgKc23FBI/AAAAAAAAADc/yq9hrUM6GOQ/s400/BEAST.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707433097934869522" /></a><br /><div><span >Beast fans are in for a treat as a 3-D video recording of the band's concert at Olympic Park in Seoul last year will be screening at cinemas throughout Korea starting Feb. 23. The special feature has been given the title "Beast 2011 Encore Concert 3D (Welcome Back to Beast Airline)".</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Cube Entertainment announced on Feb.8 that the recording will contain performances, back-stage scenes and rehearsal moments from the "Beast 2011 Encore Concert", which took place from Feb. 18 to 19 in 2011 at Olympic Park.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >"We are currently coming to agreements with various cinemas at the moment and as soon as the agreements are finalized an official statement will be released on the band's Web site", said a representative from Cube Entertainment. No other details about the screenings have been given out.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Meanwhile the band kicked off its world tour on Feb. 4 with some 24,000 fans attending the two-day concert in Seoul. The band will continue on with the second-leg of the "Beautiful Show", which is to take place in Germany on Feb. 12. The sextet is set to tour 21 cities in 14 countries.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >By Carla Sunwoo [carlasunwoo@joongang.co.kr]</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source :<a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2948204"> koreajoongangdaily.jo...</a> ( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-41755166329879258872012-02-10T01:10:00.000-08:002012-02-10T01:13:18.717-08:00Global fan Web site ring for 4Minute, Beast and G.Na certified<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lrtvv-9IfDc/TzTfqbH3J2I/AAAAAAAAADQ/hHGsLYm-gys/s1600/4Minute.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lrtvv-9IfDc/TzTfqbH3J2I/AAAAAAAAADQ/hHGsLYm-gys/s400/4Minute.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707432547713492834" /></a><br /><div><span >Cube Entertainment announced the name of global Web sites to be designated as official Fan Web sites for its bands, 4Minute, Beast and G.Na. The entertainment agency received the proposals from Web site operators from all over the world and narrowed down the finalists to 46 fan Web sites from more than 24 nations. The announcement was made through the agency's official Facebook page.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The selected Web sites to make it onto the global chain of fan Web sites for the idol singers are voluntarily created and run by fans. The Web master of the sites submitted the number of members their Web site as well as a summary of its content and signed a contract about how they will operate in accordance with the agency's wishes.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >"Per each group we received some 150 applications from more than 30 countries. Applicants were from all over the world, from Europe, South America and Asia. Thus we decided to allocate one fan Web site for each country", said a representative from Cube Entertainment.</span></div><div><span >The global network of Fan pages is thought to help the singers' popularity as they seek to become international stars.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >"Through the network, fans from all over the world will be able to stay informed about the latest developments about their favorite singers", said Cube Entertainment.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >By Carla Sunwoo [carlasunwoo@joongang.co.kr]</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2948205">koreajoongangdaily.jo...</a> ( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639644641836718713.post-47856307280195209402012-02-10T01:07:00.000-08:002012-02-10T01:10:41.382-08:00Girls' Generation Japanese albums to be repackaged and sold in Korea<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKnskB-_8K0/TzTfDKlWJ4I/AAAAAAAAADE/4zyw9RZPYug/s1600/Girls%2527%2BGeneration.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKnskB-_8K0/TzTfDKlWJ4I/AAAAAAAAADE/4zyw9RZPYug/s400/Girls%2527%2BGeneration.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707431873258858370" /></a><br /><div><span >Girls' Generation will release repackaged versions of its Japanese albums in Korea on Feb. 9, hoping to replicate their record-breaking success in the group's home country.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >The album "Girls' Generation" was released in Japan last June and was itself repackaged as "Girls Generation – The Boys" to include two new songs and rereleased in Japan in December. These two albums will Now be available in Korean stores starting this month, and some will be sold with a bonus DVD showing clips of the ever-popular K-pop group.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Both "Girls' Generation" and "Girls' Generation – The Boys" did exceptionally well in Japan, with "Girls' Generation" breaking the record for the most debut albums sold by an overseas artist there. The K-pop sensation also became the first Korean female group to top Oricon's weekly album chart. Within one month of the album's release, sales exceeded 500,000, and the girls received the double platinum award from the Recording Industry Association of Japan.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >"Girls Generation – The Boys" has sold more than a million copies since December, and it remained in the Oricon top-10 list for more than 17 weeks, the longest time period ever achieved by a Korean artist's album in Japan .</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >By Carla Sunwoo [carlasunwoo@joongang.co.kr]</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Source : <a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2948206">koreajoongangdaily.jo... </a>( English Korean )</span></div>rokirea45http://www.blogger.com/profile/09385918166841217872noreply@blogger.com0