Top K-Pop groups to perform at Google Headquarters

Google will be hosting a K-Pop concert for the first time.


Girls Generation, TVXQ, Super Junior, SISTAR, KARA, B2ST, MBLAQ, and the Wonder Girls will perform at Google's headquarters in San Francisco on May 21st.

This concert will be broadcast worldwide through MBC and Google.

In addition to Google event, SM Entertainment will also be holding its own SM Town Live Concert on May 20th, one day before the Google performance, at the Honda Center in California, USA.

Big Bang To Make February Comeback

Big Bang will soon be making a big comeback!

YG Entertainment recently announced the popular idol group will be making a comeback in February. This triggered one big question in the k-pop industry: When will YG's next brand new girl group debut then?

Many are predicting after the recent announcement regarding Big Bang that the highly-anticipated new girl group will then debut sometime after.

Originally, Big Bang had planned for a March comeback. However, with the recording process of their new songs having gone so smoothly, the date was pulled up a bit to February. The group has been hard at work to produce quality music, after having had such a rough personal year in 2011. There's rumors that the members are focusing just as hard on this upcoming album as they did for their debut album. In fact, so much so that this comeback is being called their "second debut".

Many expect the new girl group to debut sometime in March. However, this has not been confirmed by YG. There's much anticipation being that this is the first brand new group that YG has unveiled since the explosively popular 2NE1. Only one member of the group has been revealed so far and that's Kim Eun-bi from Super Star K 2. One requirement of all the members was announced to be that they couldn't have gotten plastic surgery.

source: KBS

SM releases EXO's first group photos

SM Entertainment revealed the first group photos of the new boy band 'EXO' through the EXO-M's official facebook page with a picture of Kai, Lu Han, Tao and Chen.

After releasing the teaser video and photos, EXO has finally made their debut at SBS ‘Gayo Daejun’on December 29th.

Check out their performances below.

 

Photo credit : bnt news via Nate, EXO-M's official Facebook page
Video credit : mangamad2825@youtube

Korean boy bands in Christmas Costumes

SHINee

Block B

2PM

MBLAQ

BIGBANG

Super Junior Wins Four Awards at Yahoo Awards Ceremony

Kim Hyun Joong, Jang Geun Seok, and Lee Da Hea also won awards.

Star group Super Junior garnered awards as they were selected as the mostly searched singing group in Asia. According to Yahoo Korea on December 21, Super Junior won a total of four awards including "Asia Top Searched Group Artist" and "Top Searched Star Artist of the year" in Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan at the award ceremony of "2011 Yahoo! Asia Buzz Award" that was held at Hong Kong Convention Center on December 20.



In addition, Kim Hyun Joong also won four awards including "Asia Top Buzz Single Artist" and "Best Buzz Single Star" in Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Actor Jang Geun Seok and actress Lee Da Hea garnered the "Taiwan Top Searched Single Korean Artist" and "Korea Top Buzz Female Artist," respectively

"Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards" is an award ceremony prepared jointly by Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and it publishes the hot trend of entertainment industry of the year and awards the top stars. As it selects the winners based on the figures of search hits and the votes, the result can tell the Asian Netizen' interest for a year. The awards ceremony was broadcast live online through Yahoo Hong Kong, and it will air again as a filmed TV broadcast on TVB-Jade.

source: KBS Global

2PM Releases Music Video for "Hands Up"

SHINee for Elle Girl

Behind the scene's video for Elle Girl Japan

Big Bang's DVD reaches No. 1 on Oricon chart

Korean boy band Big Bang [YG Entertainment]

A DVD by Korean boy band Big Bang has reached the No. 1 spot on Japan's prestigious Oricon chart.

According to Oricon's weekly music DVD chart, Big Bang's latest DVD "BIGSHOW BIGBANG LIVE CONCERT 2010" ranked in first, selling about 15,000 copies since going on sale in the country on October 27 and came in second in terms of DVD sales for all categories.

This will be the second time for the boys to celebrate placing on the chart; they topped the chart with their DVD "2009 BIGBANG LIVE CONCERT 'BIG SHOW'" in August of last year.

Meanwhile, the weekly music DVD chart also revealed that the "2009-2010 BIGSHOW MAKING DVD & BOOK SPECIAL REPACKAGE" positioned itself at No. 3.

The five-member group recently held a hand-shaking session at Fukuya Bookstore in Japan for the release of their book "Electric Love Tour."

Known as one of the most popular boy bands in the country for their music and fashion, Big Bang made their debut in 2006 and successfully crossed over to the Japanese pop market last June.

They will take the stage with fellow YG Entertainment labelmates such as 2NE1, Se7en and PSY for the two-day "2010 YG Family Concert" early next month.

Reporter : Cho Bum-ja anju1015@
Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Shinee fo GQ Magazine

Credits : ohkr29@blog.me

Big Bang honored with UN "Global Unity" award

Members of Big Bang during the "Asia-Pacific Global Tolerance with Music 2010" concert with their "Global Unity" award [YG Entertainment]

K-pop idols Big Bang was honored with the United Nations' "Global Unity" award over the weekend, according to their agency YG Entertainment.

YG announced in a press release that the boys were handed the "Global Unity" award on July 24 during the "Asia-Pacific Global Tolerance with Music 2010" concert held at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.

The "Global Unity" award was given to the group for their endeavor to support the Haiti Rehabilitation efforts after the country became hit with a huge earthquake earlier this year.

The boys donated money they made from their concerts for the cause and were acknowledged by the Friends of the United Nations for showing tolerance and promoting unity of humanity around the world.

"We feel privileged to have received this meaningful award. We will work hard in creating music that will, at the least, help Asians understand each other better and bring developments," the members of Big Bang were quoted as saying.

The quintet is the third recipient of the award -- previous honorees include former mayor of New York City Rudolph Guiliani and singer-song writer Alanis Morissette.

Big Bang also performed their latest single "Beautiful Hangover," "Gara Gara Go!!," "Number 1," "How Gee" and "Hands Up" at the show.

"Asia-Pacific Global Tolerance with Music 2010" is a musical event where various singers come together to perform under the theme of 'tolerance and peace.' Other Korean artists at the concert were girl group 4minute and boy band BEAST.

Known as one of the biggest cultural icons in Korea since making their debut in 2006, Big Bang crossed over to the Japanese pop market last June.

They have released several Japanese singles as well as winning the Best New Artist Video for their second Japanese single "Gara Gara Go!!,” Best Pop Video for third single "Koe o Kikasete" and group leader G-Dragon won Best Collaboration Video for "Rain Is Fallin'” at the MTV World Stage Video Music Awards Japan in May.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Dong Bang Shin Ki to Suspend Activities

Dong Bang Shin Ki announced that they will suspend activities as a five member group in Japan following their suspension in Korea, so their future activity plans have attracted attention. On April 3, Dong Bang Shin Ki’s Japanese agency, Avex, made an announcement that Dong Bang Shin Ki will discontinue activities as a group, but the agency will continuously support individual members’ activities.

Dong Bang Shin Ki already suspended its activities as a group in Korea due to a legal battle with their agency, SM Entertainment (hereafter referred to as SM), in which three members, Xiah Junsu, Young Woong Jaejoong, and Micky Yoochun, were involved in July last year. But they had continued their performances as a five member group in Japan until December last year and even ranked atop the Oricon Single chart at the beginning of this year with two new single songs. Therefore, this announcement has incited rumors about their disbandment. There are many opinions about their future activity plans.

Meanwhile, each member has already started individual activities. Xiah Junsu appeared in the musical “Mozart” in January and will release a solo album on May 26. U-Know Yunho also appeared in the drama “No Limit” in last September and performed in a commemorative event for Michael Jackson last month.

Young Woong Jaejoong will appear in the Japanese TV drama "I Can't Be Honest" and the movie “Heaven's Postman,” which was filmed and already released last year in Korea. It will be released all around Japan from May 29. Choi Kang Changmin is also at the height of filming the drama “Paradise Meadow” on the Jeju islands. Another member, Micky Yoochun, is also preparing for individual activities.

Since the original group is divided into two parts at the peak of the group’s popularity in Japan at this time, there are some opinions that it is possible that the three members who experienced the legal battle with SM in Korea will still continue their activities in Japan with other members as a group. A person who knows the J pop industry predicted, “The group is already divided into two parts and it might be impossible for all five members to perform together as a group. Basically, the five members will focus on individual activities, but three members who were engaged in the conflict with SM could work both individually and as a separate group in Japan.”

The world of pop music has bemoaned the fact that the five member group has suspended their activities. A representative of a management company expressed the feeling by saying, “To make a group like Dong Bang Shin Ki, a huge investment is required over many years. It is very regretful that they suspended activities at this moment when they are at the peak of their popularity in Japan.”
source: KBS Global

Boy band 2PM gearing up for comeback

Six-member idol group 2PM are in preparations to make a comeback to the local music scene in late April, according to their agency JYP Entertainment on Monday.

"There have been a series of unfortunate events lately such as the sinking of South Korea's naval ship Cheonan but if there aren't any other problems, we hope to release the new album this month," a representative from JYP explained.

"The group will return with a mini-album and are currently rehearsing their dance moves for the stage," continued the rep.

2PM made their debut originally with seven members in 2008 with their first single album "Hottest Time Of The Day."

Leader Jae-beom however, quit the group last September after sparking national controversy over comments he made on his MySpace account before his debut.

Despite a much-anticipated comeback to the band, the former singer parted with his agency for good in February over "a huge personal wrongdoing," according to JYP.

The group had continued their singing career with six members since their leader's departure last year, making a successful return with their first full-length album "1:59PM" in November which featured their title track "Heartbeat."

Members of 2PM have ventured onto individual projects starring in variety programs and appearing in dramas.

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

TVXQ Member to Star in a Japanese Drama

Hero Jae-jung of TVXQ has decided to star in Japanese drama “Because I’m Not Honest.” His co-star is Japanese celebrity Juri Ueno, who also has a huge following here in Korea. She had starred in hot musical drama “Nodame Cantabile” in 2006 as a piano prodigy. Japanese media is showing interest in the upcoming TV series, because this is the first time that such huge stars as Hero Jae-jung and Ueno, each representing Korea and Japan, are collaborating in a TV show. This is also Hero’s debut drama in Japan. TVXQ, known as Tohoshinki in Japan, is a megastar status there. This drama represents a new opportunity for a TVXQ member to expand his career overseas. Hero and two other members of TVXQ have been embroiled in an exhausting lawsuit with their agency SM Entertainment over unfair contracts.

Meanwhile, “Because I’m Not Honest” will start airing in April. It is scheduled for every Thursday at 10 o’clock. The drama also stars model-turned-actor Eita, Megumi Seki, and Tetsuji Tamayama.

source: KBS Global

Big Bang for BSX

TVXQ Named the Best-selling Foreign Artist in Japan

Five-member group TVXQ (known as Tohoshinki in Japan) became the bestselling foreign artists in Japanese music history with the group’s latest single album “Break Out!” Oricon News reported that TVXQ’s 29th single in Japan has sold roughly 25,600 copies in the first week out in the market, rising to No.1 spot on the Oricon weekly single chart. Japanese fans have eagerly waited for the release of “Break Out!” It has been proven by the fact that the album was placed first in the most anticipated album list.

The group’s album sales have surpassed the record set by Elton John in September 1997 when he released “Candle in the Wind” in memory of the late Princess Diana. They have also become the first foreign artist to sell more than 200 thousand copies in the first week since the album’s release. Meanwhile, TVXQ will market on February 17th their best album comprised of the songs introduced in Japan. However, it is not known when the group will resume their activities in Korea, since the legal dispute between three of the members and their agency hasn’t been resolved yet.

source: KBS Global

Idol Group Big Bang wins the 'Best New Artist Award' in Japan

The idol group Big Bang became a double prize winner as foreign singers for the first time at Japan.

Big Bang, who took the “Best New Artist Award” at the 51st Japan Record Awards, was shown accepting the award live on TBS-TV on December 30 in Tokyo, after having won the same title at the 42nd Japan Yusen Awards on December 20.

Daesung, a member of Big Bang, said, “I am so nervous with excitement. We did not expect to get the big prize.” T.O.P. made the audience laugh, saying, “I appreciate Japanese fans” in Korean in response to the host’s sudden questions at the award ceremony.

Another member, G-Dragon, stepped onto the stage three times at the ceremony: he took the stage twice with his group members and presented an award jointly with group “W-inds” for the group’s song “Rain Is Fallin’.'”

Big Bang gained success on the Japanese pop scene after releasing their debut single “My Heaven” last June, which reached No. 3 on the Oricon chart.

Meanwhile, group “Donbangsingi” gave a big hand to Big Bang’s accomplishment after passionately singing, “Stand by U,” which received an award for the second time in two consecutive years.

source: KBS Global

TVXQ U-Know in W Korea Magazine

Tags: TVXQ/Yunho/U-Know/DBSK

TVXQ Fails to Reach Agreement with Agency

The three members of the boy band TVXQ who asked the court to suspend their contracts with their agency, SM Entertainment, have failed to reach an agreement with the agency.

The Seoul Central District Court tried to settle the matter on September 30 between Xiah (real name Kim Jun-soo), Hero (real name Kim Jae-joong) and Mickey (real name Park Yoo-chun) and SM Entertainment, but to no avail.

The three members reportedly refused to negotiate. The court will not summon the three members again and will reach the final decision soon.

The three TVXQ members applied for a provisional disposition on July 31, citing unfair terms and conditions in their 13-year contracts with SM Entertainment.

source: KBS Global

Tags:TVXQ/Dong Bang Shin Ki/Xiah/Hero/Mickey

Super Junior in Cosmopolitan June 2009

Tags: Super Junior/korean boy band