J-Pop Stars to Gather, Party in Seoul

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Staff Reporter

J-pop's hottest dance and hip-hop acts will hold a rare one-night concert party ``Artimage Night in Seoul" May 19 in the Gayagum Hall of the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul.

Billed as the biggest J-pop event so far this year, the event brings together top artists from Japanese entertainment company Artimage such as Lisa, Ryohei, Emi Hinouchi, GTS, Melody Sexton and three disc jockeys. Korea's hottest hip-hop group Epik High will also perform during the show.

Artimage's stars are known for their unique J-pop sound, combining dance, hip-hop, house, R&B and pop. Popular group M-flo, composed of Japanese Taku Takahashi and Korean-Japanese Verbal, last year held a successful concert-party at the Walkerhill Hotel. The success of M-flo's Korean show prompted Artimage to bring more of its artists to Seoul.

Lisa started out as a member of M-flo in 1998, with her sweet vocals adding a unique style to the group's hip-hop music. Despite success with M-flo, she decided to go solo and made her debut in 2002. Since, she has released several R&B singles and albums, which showed off not just her vocals but her songwriting ability, as well.