My sincerest apologies again for the lateness of this weeks update. Before we begin I would like to pass on my respects and condolences to Lee Eons’ family for their great loss. Rest In Peace.

This is the update for the past week, Monday 11th to Sunday 17th.

Festival rocks Jamsil to pieces

Two big Concerts took place in two Jamsil stadiums last week, ETPfest and SMTownLive ‘08. There were strange things to pick up in the media about one of them, but clearly they were both marked as successful. ETPfest opened up to a sold out audience opening its doors to over 40,000 spectators within the two days of the festival. The show was undoubtedly awesome and I think we can all be envious to those of which that attended. SMTownLive opened to Jamsil Olympic stadium with a less than enthusiastic response, but still went on to get a lot of positive remarks from the media due to the Big Name performers there.

Big Bang got busy

With Big Bang releasing their mini-album ‘Stand Up‘, it’s no surprise that they would be in the limelight a lot. With the Olympics still going on there is not much attention paid on the Celeb world or Music world since all eyes are on Beijing, yet Big Bang have found their own way to still pop up on the Media Radar.

First it was their crazy concert in Thailand:

Before they started their official promotions of their new mini-album the Big Bang boys held a concert in Thailand, causing many a fan girl to faint. 20 to be exact and it seems YG Entertainment was proud to mention it. “Our boys are studs and can knock you out with a look” is what they said in my head, after mentioning that.

The release of two MVs within a week.

It took a while to get here, “haru haru” of Big Bang that is, yet as soon as they released that MV with actress Park Min Young, we got another surprise with the release of “Oh My Friend” featuring the psychotically entertaining No Brain. I am all for promotion of underrated KRock Artists mainly because the underground K-Music scene is full of awesome talent, but seriously I couldn’t let ‘haru haru’ sink in and then got bombarded with “oh my friend”. Big Bang make it up though with being cute, and well seeing G-Dragon as a mental patient is always nice….

Thailand got lucky

Well to me, they did. Not only did they get Big Bang but soon after they left, Epik High came for promotions and a showcase for over 1000 fans. “We went there without much expectation, and it turned out we have a lot of fans here in Thailand. We were shocked when they sang along with us during our showcase performances. We have a tight schedule here, we are not feeling tired and is advancing smoothly.” Is what Tablo said on a phone interview about their trip. Any Thai fans out there willing to take me in next time they have Epik High around? Better yet any Thai fans that attended either event of Big Bang and Epik High?

SHINee need mouth to mouth resuscitation.

Noona’s, you wish. Well it’s a play on words to SHINees’ new single “You’re like Oxygen” that they teased us with the week before. The 5 young boys performed it at SMTownLive ‘08 (which was like a promotional tool for the upcoming SM plans to be honest), to a big happy response from fans. I am still waiting on the official MV, but in the forums you can get a listen. I hear only Michael Jackson with this song and as the official release is due tomorrow, wait for that. Although there is some controvercy surrounding the originality of this track, I am still giggling at their attempts to man-up these cute little boys.

lol, Beware of Darth Vader JungHyun….

It’s Wonder JIN?

Mnet is always the place to be for young music pop fans and their events are always fun to keep an eye on. You are bound to get some drama and interesting footage to keep you entertained till the next years version. And Mnet doesn’t want this years Mnet 20’s Choice (last years was the first), to go without some major attention. It’s not enough with their weird awards and choices but they have a strange collab stage going too. Jun Jin of Shinhwa and the Wonder Girls are going to share the stage for something, apparently spectacular. Well that’s what the PD is insisting on (I love how PDs get attention in SK don’t you?), and the PD also claims that after the performance it will by number 1 on search engines…. Ok, we will have our eyes on your project PDnim, but expect our laughter recorded and sent in a package to you if it ends up a joke….

Bae YongJoon forever young

In the heart and soul. The beloved Hallyu star had shoulder surgery recently after his well publicised shoulder ligament injury. After the two injuries Mr. Bae YongJun received after filming his last blockbuster he has been recuperating in the States and now will remain in the hospital for a week. South Korea’s prize smile should keep himself fitter and safer so he can swoon more Ajummas in to the Hallyu Wave…

East of Eden, right down the street

This has gotten tongues wagging for a while now with the uber awesome cast. The cast has a lot of big time names in it that leave your head reeling. Song Seung Hun, Yun Jung Hoon, Park Hae Jin, Lee Da Hae, Lee Yeon Hee, Han Ji Hye, Dennis Oh, Jo Min Ki, Lee Mi Sook, Kim Bum, Shin Eun Jung and many more are set to star in it. The teaser has finally been released and it will be interesting to tune in and see how this drama goes. The plot speaks of revenge, murder and ill-doings, definitely something to watch with a cup of tea and chocolates. Bring it on MBC.

The teaser:

damn, be prepared for drama, drama, drama and needless shedding of tears…

It’s also time for this weeks Music charts thanks to Edward1849 of Soompi

Weekly Music Chart – 3rd Week – August
1. Lee Hyori – U-Go-Girl
2. Davichi – 사랑과 전쟁 (Love and War)
3. Seo In Young – 신데렐라 (Cinderella)
4. Uhm Jung Hwa (feat. T.O.P) – D.I.S.C.O
5. Shinee – 누난 너무 예뻐 (Noona’s Pretty (Replay))
6. Wonder Girls – So Hot
7. Mighty Mouth (feat. Sun Ye) – 에너지 (Energy)
8. Zi-A – 사랑해 미안해 (I Love You, I Am Sorry)
9. Cool – 사랑을 원해 (I Want Love)
10.Brown Eyes – 너 때문에 (Because Of You)

And Kim JangHoon distributed his own version of the National Anthem online…

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Source: Youtube, Soompi, Empas, Newsen
Credit for ShenYuePop.com: noonoo_shoo
SYP Forums list full credits.

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SSH News + Picture: KBS English
BYJ Pictures : Daum
Credit for Shenyuepop.com : Louise + ShenYue
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(Seoul) “Korean Wave” hits a snag recently as 5 South Korean dramas with historic themes have been banned on the grounds that China suspects them to be degrading. Among the dramas banned are Jumong and Bae Yoon Jun´s The Legend that will be broadcasted in South Korea starting tomorrow, September 11, 2007. That I think would be an inauspicious manner to start off Bae Yoon Jun´s comeback to TV drama after a hiatus of close to 4 years. After all, China is a huge market and this would be a big loss to the Korean drama producers! Should this happen, then Yoonsama will have to depend on the Japanese and other Asian markets.

Recent news report regarding the rising costs of making Korean dramas will price its way out of their traditional markets as Korean dramas are now more expensive than American dramas in Japan.

DBSK/TVXQ – Thousand Year Love Song Full MV

The Legend 太王四神記 태왕사신太王四神記 태왕사신기 기 – Trailer

太王四神記 태왕사신기 – MBC Section TV (2007-08-24)

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Source: China Press+Korean Times
Credit: ShenYuePop.com: Kwfong
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They’re going to sing “Thousand Year Love Song”, the theme song of “The Legend”. Song was written by japanese Hasaishi Joe, and talks about fate and heartbreaking love.

oohh…i can feel the heartbreak on the song, even tho i don’t understand the lyrics…IMO, it’s a good song, and i can almost feel that the drama will have a sad ending LOL. Speaking of which, the drama will be aired in September, which is now. While the OST album will be released by the end of the year. In Japan. ha!

Here is the song “Thousand Year Love Song”

I add the preview of the drama Legend Of Four Gods “Tae Wang Sa Sin Gi”, opens Sept 11.

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Source : Broasia + Chua Sze Jie @ imeem
Credit for Shenyuepop : Louise
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Hallyu Star Bae Yong Joon sent a message to fans and those affected by the recent earthquake in central Japan.

On his official Japanese website, Bae Yong Joon delivered the message, “I am worried about everyone’s safety and well being after hearing about the damages afflicted in the region. I would like to deliver my consolation to my family members as well as those who were affected by the earthquake.”

He closed the message saying, “For those who evacuated and everyone else, I hope the day you will be able to return and feel safe comes soon.”
credit : broasia

Choongnam Development Agency said on the 17th that the historical fantasy drama, “The Legend,” which will air this September on MBC, will be filmed on Anmyun Island in the tourist attraction areas.

In order for this event, the Choongnam Development Agency arranged an agreement with a construction company in the area to build open sets and the like. The construction received cooperation from Tae An district and Choongnam Island to have a filming location, and the construction company will look after the sets.

The open sets will film war scenes, and along with the open sets in Jeju Island, these are expected to become new tourist attractions.

According to the Choongnam Development Agency, this upcoming filming will become a great opportunity for Anmyun Island to gain recognition, and as a consequence, it will also help the tourism business for the island.

“The Legend” is a historical fantasy drama about the 19th king of Goguryeo and his love and life events. It is gaining interest for its director and writer, Kim Jong Hak and Song Ji Na from the drama, “Hourglass,” and the appearances from top national stars such as Bae Yong Joon, Choi Min Soo, Moon So Ri, Park Sang Won, etc.

credit : broasia.com

I was thinking of CGI movies as i saw the picture..

This clip with that heading needs no introduction but I must warn that it should have a PG rating. The subject under discussion is rather close to my heart as it talks about selling sex appeal in Korean entertainment to the largely female audience. How some male artists change their image through acquiring a sexy bod, while some Korean actors who would not strip for the camera, hehe, Jo In sung but had to do so. Also tips from Hyeon (Hyun) Bin on building his pectorals. Song Seun Hun, Lee Seo Jin, Lee Jeong Jae, Son Ho Yeong are among the hot bods featured.

Source: Tazme0317+Youtube

June 21, 2007

The producing company of Bae Yong Joon’s new drama TSG explained that Bae
Yong Joon will be at the filming location on the 22nd of this month.

His new drama faced another delay due to the fixing of the story plot.
Basically they stopped all the filming last month. So this drama will be
aired in September instead of June 25th on MBC channel.

The producing company had a press conference just to explain that there was
NO divergence between them and Bae Yong Joon. TSG want no more rumors about
that topic again.

Date: 2007-06-21
Credit: 华商网@ Baidu
Translation: Jennifer @ Shenyuepop.com
credits: www.ShenYuePop.com
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 and no, this time is not about his voice service or japanese restaurant or whatever. He’s back to the small screen, at last.

 

Bae Yong-joon, the sweetheart of the Korean Wave, is coming back as the king of an ancient kingdom, following a four-year break.
This is Bae’s first TV drama since the “Winter Sonata,” which was a mega hit in Japan in 2002. The show turned Bae into a living legend, especially in Japan.
Bae’s new TV drama, “Taewang Sashingi” (or “Legend”) was written by Song Ji-na and directed by Kim Jong-hak. Song and Kim have previously produced hits like “Morae Sigye” (Hourglass). Bae plays Damdeok, the great king of the Goguryeo dynasty. The cast includes other big names such as Moon So-ri and macho actor Choi Min-soo.
According to Kim Jong-hak Production, the company behind “Legend,” a total of 24 episodes have been shot over the last two years, in advance of first airing, which is a rarity in Korea. Many Korean TV dramas are still in the course of shooting when they first air. Forty-two billion won ($45.3 million) has been invested in the drama, a record for Korean TV. “Legend” will debut on the 25th of this month on MBC, and will be aired on NHK in Japan as well.

credit : JoongAng Daily

*whispering to myself* he looked like mum in this picture..

The service that brings you Korean star Bae Yong Joon’s voice to begin your day have launched.

Bae Yong Joon’s agency in Japan, IMX, started “BYJ Voice Message” service through Bae Yong Joon’s official mobile communication site, which received a good response from users.

The messages used for email, voice mail, alarm clock, etc, were directly recorded by Bae Yong Joon, and have been made available for downloading.

The top telecommunication company, NTT DoCoMo, and Softbank will launch the Bae Yong Joon Voice Message Service on the 13th.

Presently, it offers messages in Korean such as “Hello, this is Bae Yong Joon,” or “I love you,” and messages in Japanese are projected to be offered starting next month.

In the case of Japanese messages, it will offer commonly used phrases such as, “Mail has arrived,” “Good night,” and etc. If used in conjunction with the Korean messages, one can use about fifty of the messages.

This service is charged by content, so each usage will cost 210 yen.
credit : broasia