Big Star debuts in Japan Five-member boy band Big Star, the protégés of famous composer Brave Brothers, made their debut in Japan at a concert titled “Big Star Live Event In Japan” in Tokyo's Yakult Hall on Sunday, as part of a three-month tour of Japan. The band composed of ― FeelDog, BaRam, RaeWhan, SungHak, and Jude ― are scheduled to stay there over the next three months during which time they will give some 100 performances and meet fans across the country. “Since last year the members have been studying Japanese and now their language skills have improved to manage a concert,” said their agency Brave Entertainment.During the Tokyo concert, they sang some of their previous hit songs since their 2012 debut including “Hot Boy,” “Standing Alone” and “Thinking of You.”Prior to the concert, they also visited Tokyo Tower Records to meet and interact with people there. Meanwhile, their agency is in talks with major music labels in Japan to sign contracts. Mar 16, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Kim Jang-hoon to hold Dokdo Show Singer Kim Jang-hoon will hold an art show about Dokdo at the Korean Cultural Center in Shanghai, China from April 17 to 26 to promote the nation’s sovereignty over the easternmost islets.The event will feature photographs, documentaries, 3D visual images and exhibitions about Dokdo, along with a projection show. Kim will also perform his hit songs at the opening ceremony for the show.“A Dokdo model will be a highlight of the show. Afterwards, it will be permanently installed at the cultural center. Chinese installation artists and technicians will cooperate in creating the model,” his agency said.“We will raise awareness about Dokdo from the Chinese audience as well as Koreans living there through this art show. We will spontaneously expose Dokdo, which is part of Korea, to the world,” Kim said. The 46-year-old singer is known for his world-wide campaign to promote the nation’s sovereignty over Dokdo and has held numerous donation and charity events. The singer launched the art tour show at a gallery in SoHo, New York City, in November and has beeMar 16, 2014
Reality shows at a crossroads SBS TV’s blind-date reality show “Jjak (Couples)” has been cancelled following the suicide of a 29-year-old female participant on March 5 onJeju Island where the show was shot. / Courtesy of SBSMatch-making program 'Jjak' reveals lack of protection on ordinary guestsBy Park Si-sooThis is truly the era of reality television shows featuring ordinary citizens.Scores of reality shows are on Korean TV, ranging from road shows and auditions to competitions. Nevertheless, broadcasters want to create even more with “new faces,” ranging from preschoolers and young adults to white-haired retirees.The reason is simple: signs abound that people are sick and tired of watching the same group of celebrities chat and giggle among themselves or play what critics call “meaningless” games for an hour every week. The runaway popularity of talent shows in recent years is obviously another factor setting this trend.Overall, things have gone smoothly. But recently people have started to wonder: Do broadcasters take proper care of their non-celebrity Mar 16, 2014
Kim Soo-hyun's “Promise” sweep charts Actor Kim Soo-hyunBy Park Si-soo Actor Kim Soo-hyun Friday swept domestic online music charts with “Promise,” a song he sang as part of the original sound tracks for his megahit television drama, “My Love From the Star.”“In Front of Your House,” also sung by Kim, had gone viral after its release last month.It is the cover version of the original released by Im Byung-soo in 1984.Kim, whose father is a professional singer, has shown off his vocal talents in previous dramas of “Moon Embracing the Sun” and “Dream High.”The song was released at 9 a.m. through major online music stores and instantly reached the top of major online music charts, including Soribada, Daum Music and Cyworld Music.Starting with romantic acoustic guitar sound, the song runs for 3 minutes and 55 seconds.The lyrics shows the depth of his affection to Chun Song-yi, Kim’s lover in the drama played by actress Jun Ji-hyun.The song was played in the 19th episode of the 21-episode “My Love From the Star,” which ended Feb. 27.“How swMar 14, 2014
Fans' treat Actor Lee Hyun-woo reacts to a snack truck sent by his fan club on the set forthe film, “The Professionals,” in Yongsan, Seoul, Friday. The rising star isplaying the role of genius hacker in the film, which also stars hallyu heartthrob Kim Woo-bin./ Courtesy of Key EastMar 14, 2014
Jazz musician to perform in New York Saxophonist Jung Sung-joBy Chung Ah-youngKorean veteran jazz musician Jung Sung-jo will perform two “Arirang,” traditional Korean folk songs, in New York at the LeFrak Concert Hall and the Colden Auditorium on March 18 and 22. The saxophonist will perform Haeju Arirang and Bonjo Arirang which will be arranged as jazz tunes, along with the Queens College Jazz Orchestra at a concert titled “Arirang, Knocking on the Heart of America!” The concert was designed to commemorate the inscription of Arirang on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity program in 2012 and promote Korean traditional folk songs, which have numerous variations according to region. Not only Jung, but other Korean traditional musicians such as Lee Chun-hee, Won Jang-hyun and Kim Kyu-hyung, will perform the folk songs in various genres. During the finale of the show, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Anthony Lake, executive director of UNICEF, will be invited as special guests to deliver a congratulatory message to the audience. Jung studied at Berklee College of Music in 1979Mar 14, 2014
'Bobusang' offers model for fair trade “Bobusang” or peddler merchants played a pivotal role in connecting consumers, producers and middlemen during the Joseon Kingdom./ Courtesy of Lee In-hee Latest find gives peek at old Korean global traders’ practicesLee In-hee, CEO of Korea Creative ManagementBy Chung Ah-youngRising out of the ashes of the Korean War (1950-53), Korea has joined the world’s economic powers within a very short period of time. Within about half a century, the country has become home to powerful enterprises flexing their muscles on international markets. But while rushing for economic achievements, Korea is now struggling under the burden created by some entrepreneurs laden with corruption and an absence of ethics.Some experts believe that Korea should find inspiration in efforts necessary to restore business ethics from Korean history in which ancient merchants called “bubosang” (peddler merchants), including Gaeseong merchants, left a legacy of fair trade along with advanced business skills.“Bubosang” refers to both “busang” andMar 14, 2014
15 countries buy rights to 'My Love' By Kim Ji-sooThe rights to broadcast or air online “My Love From the Stars” has been sold to 15 countries, include Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Israel, Belgium, Myanmar, Cambodia and Japan.SBSContentsHub said that it is also in talks with Mongolia, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.The Korean television drama, starring Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Jin-hyun, was almost simultaneously viewed by Chinese fans because of its rapid online distribution in China.In the show, Kim plays a man from the stars, Do Min-jun, whom top actress Chun Song-yi falls in love with. Jun is well-known in China for her film role in “My Sassy Girl.”The drama’s producer, HB Entertainment, which has the rights to the drama in China, is currently in talks with Chinese television authorities to air it.Foreign dramas require approval from China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, and complicating the issue is the fact that the administration bars stories dealing with superstitious matters such as aliens and ghosts.However, HMar 13, 2014
CL to appear in Psy's MV 2NE1’s leader CL2NE1’s leader CL will become the third muse for Psy’s upcoming music video, following 4 Minute’s Hyun-a and Brown Eyed Girls’ Ga-in. As Psy’s comeback gets closer, fans have been eyeing on who will show up in his new music video. The singers who had made previous appearances in “Gangnam Syle” and “Gentleman” videos all have risen to global stardom. According to the sources close to her, CL’s appearance, however, was not planned but done by accident. She showed up at the shooting site for Psy’s M.V. in support of her friend Snoop Dogg who has been participating in Psy’s video along with G Dragon. The Billboard in January reported Psy’s new music video and said “Anticipation is high for the K-pop king's forthcoming visual after earning 2012 and 2013's most watched YouTube video.” Meanwhile, CL has been collaborating with American singer-song writer DJ Skrillex’s new album “Recess” along with G Dragon. Mar 13, 2014By Park Jin-hai
SHINee kicks off 3rd world tour K-pop idols shine with larger-than-life concert in SeoulBy Park Jin-haiA giant antique clock on a massive LED screen counted down to the start of the show.Against the dark background, the five members of contemporary boy band SHINee showed up one by one, their fans’ shrieks filling the dome-shaped stadium.SHINee’s much-anticipated third world tour, SHINee World III, officially started with two concerts at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul last weekend. The concerts were the band’s first in Korea in nearly two years.Jonghyun, Minho, Taemin, Onew and Key gave larger-than-life performances throughout the three-hour concert, making the fans’ two-year wait worthwhile.The band’s repertoire Sunday night included hits such as “Juliet,” “Lucifer,” “Ring Ding Dong” and “Dream Girl,” as well as Japanese songs and some new numbers.“We were greatly encouraged while preparing for the concert when we heard that all seats including those with partly blocked views were sold out,” SHMar 13, 2014By Park Jin-hai
