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
Actor Yoon Sang-hyeon is now also a singer as he released his debut single album on the Sony Music label in Japan on Wednesday.Yoon had previously showed off his vocal skills by singing for shows and TV dramas, notably on the soundtrack of TV drama "My Fair Lady." He had frequently expressed his lifelong dream of becoming a singer.Yoon finished recording the album in December last year, and appeared in the music video of the title song."Because it's the first album under my name, I worked on it with great passion and dedication," Yoon said from Japan where he is promoting the album. "While I'm nervous because it's a new challenge for me, I'm also thrilled by the fact that my dream has finally come true."
Credit: englishnews@chosun.comsource : Chosun
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.krEditor : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
Photo credits to youcapturedme
TIME Magazine posted their 2010 list of 200 candidates for their annual ranking of the top 100 most influential people in the world, yesterday April 1st. Those listed range from politicians, athletes, entertainers, artists, etc. Rain was among these 200 greats, showing up at number 48 on the list.This is not new to Rain being that it is his fifth year being nominated. He proceeded to make the final published list in 2006, but hasn't been able to accomplish the feat again since. However, the pop star did manage to make it into the top three for the online ranking of the top 100 most influential people in 2007 and 2008.The magazine described Rain as a Korean superstar that has performed for successful world tour concerts. His roles in the Hollywood films "Speed Racing" and "Ninja Assassin" were also mentioned.The entertainer was in good company, alongside Korea's figure skating queen Kim Yuna, US President Barack Obama, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, US pop and style icon Lady Gaga, just to name a few.
source: KBS Global
