MBLAQ which stands for ‘Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality’…. I know, wtf…?  Or if you prefer MBLAH, Music boys love in absolute harmony (Now that’s a manga group name to be proud of). Jtunes, which always sounded like a cartoon company to me, AKA Senior Rains companys’ little boy group project will be debuting officially soon.

One of their members recently got some major coverage for being related to a female star. Apparently he replaced one of the other members previously written up as an MBLAQ member. (The ex-member will be crying his eyes out in a year or twos time and be debuting in a group like B2ST, haha.  Them and their DA-DA-DANCING SHOooEs…. A.J. changed his name cos of Paran fans and now I don’t know what he is anymore .)

Back on track, I am not talking about Bae ChulYoung aka Mil or whatever (Go EunAhs’ little brother) but ChanDong (Park SangHyun)…

Have you guessed who yet?

Sandara Park of 2NE1 tiny and long little brother. Who kinda looks like Kim JongHoon of U.N. It’s probably the lip gloss and the poutiness.

Since I couldn’t tell who from who, (except the guy with a moustache and peekaboo chest hair, yay for differentiation), we’re lucky to have another famous ladies little brother in the mix, and to kindly pick up the age quota to legal. Cos goodness knows noonas are not diggin the ones that are too young, I’m looking at you Taemin and little guy who debuted at 13, where are you anyway?

They showcased their dancing and singing abilities as Rains opening acts for his “Legend of Rainism” tour. Does he really want that title, really?  Well when you read the song titles of MBLAQ you’ll get that ‘Legend of Rainism‘ is the best of the lot. Their two songs are “Oh YEAH!” and “Good Love”, as in “OH YEAH! for the GOOD LOVE of God change our name”. So thanks for reminding me, cos MBLAQ is a horrible name for such a pretty boy group. And can I take a second and be totally shallow…

WHERE IN THE MANGA HAVE THEY FOUND THESE GUYS?! And if you have a “Manga to Human” machine goodness knows I could use it. I’m hoping its not just photo shop and angles working their magic cos they tend to make you blink and stare.

They all look like they’re the same guy with small differences, those jaw lines and those noses and eyes… Just like the Manga Lord made them.

Not that I’m really that shallow but some nice eye candy wouldn’t hurt every once in a while.  It gets old when you have to get to know people and love them inside and then out. Oh dear it really is tiring being sentimental rather than completely superficial!

Watch them go “Oh Yeah” back and forth and back and forth and those long legs and bodies are making them seem even more Manga like.

Hey Rain, I’m gonna so break in to your idol factory and steal that machine.  I have stacks of manga to get working on. Cheers for the epiphany you made me realise with those pics and videos. Here’s to hoping they don’t disappoint and they have personalities as well as looks.

Oh yeah and some talent too.

Rain, currently promoting his Japanese Tour “Legend of Rainism” (LOL) recently showed up on a Japanese show on Fuji TV with a look that resembled that of a ragged chihuahua (?).

Major downgrade from his look in “Rainism”, the song was crap but the look was HOT.

To..

At least Ajjumah looks happy.

Was I the only one that was “O__o”ing while he was biting his lip looking at that tiny ajoushi? ^^;

But I must say I agree with some netizen who said:

Hwang ChanSung + Lee JunHo?

WORD.

Call me fickle, but now I think its kinda cute… But I don’t know if “Cute” is what he wants when hes performing something like “Rainism”.

It’s out. And this is how we like our Music Videos, complete.

Check out the MV starring pretty and talented actress Ha JiWon as Rain’s love interest.

Rain, tells you his story, “it’s true”.

This is the good old K-Ballads we are used to seeing… Dramatic Music Videos (while sometimes having no relation to the emotions expressed in the music) accompanied by smooth vocals . Rain has perfected the “stoney” faced look and his dopiness can be cute and annoying, depends on how you look at it.

I am ok with it, it looks like another grower, most importantly though, can Rain stand on his own two feet well without good ol’ JYP?

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Credits: Youtube (user watermarked)

And Rain took that too seriously.

It looks like Rain has hired out some YMCA trainers for the shoot

Rain is releasing his Fifth Korean Album soon and has entitled the album “Rainism”. What is with Celebs these days and their strange Comeback Album names? Lee HyoRi started it with her “It’s HyoRish”, and the DBSK men tried thier go with the name “Mirotic”. Rain will start his promotional activities this week with a performance in the MBC Dream Concert on the 9th and MBC will air his comeback showcase on the 17th.

Talented actress Ha JiWon will be staring in his Music Video “Love Story”, teasers have been released and are “interesting”, we’ll post the video in it’s entire release. Mostly because I hate the “teaser” trend, it’s too annoying for words.

But it will be interesting to hear and see what he does without Grand Master JYPs backing.

Big Bang release their new MV

The Big Bang boys have released their new MV, which I’m guessing is for Japan since it’s subbed in Japanese. They shot the MV in Seoul, because I actually recognise some of the dancers, that is as detailed as my research is. Watch it for yourselves and tell us if you think it’s going to be a big hit.

Big Bang feat. Aimee Lucas “Number 1″

G-Dragon needs to be told that glasses are made to improve your eye sight, not bar you from seeing completely. Sometimes I commend his boldness, but the glasses thing is getting boring. Plus it makes you look like a fly, or your eyes are wearing nappies. It sounds childish but seriously there is no other way around it.

“crazy hottie, mad party” Sing it…

JYP desperate for China and the U.S

Well, it sure looks like it.

JYP announced earlier this week that a “Chinese Wonder Girls” are in the works to take over the Chinese charts like their Korean counterparts. He actually sounded a lot like LSM to me, when he claimed that Zhang LiYin was the “Chinese BoA“, and well, it’s only a matter of time to see the “Female Big Bang” (Thank God YG isnt branching out to a Chinese Headquarters, the Korean Music Industry is in a bad enough slump). Everyone wants to remake they’re most successful artists I guess, don’t they know that individual charm is most successful? If you label them something beforehand, they wont be able to shine on their own and won’t be taken seriously.

JYP tells you, tells you, tttttetells you, he looks strange dancing the “Tell Me”

Apparently the Wonder Girls are also going to be either making it as singers or actresses in the States, when they plan to debut there. What’s so bad about the K-Music Industry that everyone wants to be anywhere but there? Shouldn’t the big Cahoonas try and improve the Industry and make it so fresh and lively that people from abroad will take a huge liking to it, without having to try every method under the Sun trying to make it big somewhere else? I like the “make them come to you wanting more” method, rather than the “try to make it big without that much interest” method.

It’s seriously infuriating that Big Record Companies and every one else involved, complain about the slump and do nothing about it. Instead of complaining, how about putting more effort in to the “music”, in to the promotions, make people interested instead of running to other Industries abroad where more money is available. The HallYu wave spread because of foreign interest in the Korean culture, not because they sold arms and legs to get their Music, Movies and Dramas to garner some interest abroad. Something needs to be done about these Companies and their lack of Nationalism, funnily enough their reasons are “for the sake of Hallyu”, sure, I believe you(!).

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Credits: Newsen, Empas, Youtube, Naver
Credits for SYP: noonoo_shoo, Tangera
SYP forums list some Credits

Well, not entirely, but that shot makes him look so much like him. Is it me or are there so many Rain lookalikes these days (a member of FT Island and 2PM)? Heck, noone is complaining.

Anyhow Jiyeong of Big Bang aka G-Dragon has gained a lot of attention for his many fashion statements lately. This time he had been asked to model in a Numero spread, and frankly he fits the model kind of look. Supposedly it took a whopping 6 hours for his makeup and hair, and well it doesn’t really show. I could dab that on in 5 minutes and mousse up his hair, I cost cheaper as a makeup artist too.

This shot reminds me of Final Fantasies’ Cloud Strife just more asian.

I personally enjoy seeing artists spread their wings and explore other sides of themselves and the industry. G-Dragon is an avid fashion supporter, so let’s hope he grows as a person as well as his arts through his self-expression.

Though as an after thought, stick to concealer.

[Edit]
Whoa.
A comment made me so curious that I hunted down the rest of the photoshoots stills.

He really shouldn’t be allowed to wear such skintight material. I do though have to still say he is an avid supporter of fashion, but fashion is not always appealing, or pretty.

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Credit: sookyeong.wordpress, pics credit as tagged.
Credit for SYP: xtraycee and noonoo_shoo
SYP forums lists full credits

Here is the round-up to the news-slow week that passed (Monday 13th to Sunday 24th). It was a seriously slow Newsweek to be honest and I was hoping for more juicier news, unfortunately I can’t make any up….

Final Goodbyes

The biggest news of last week was of course, actor/Model/DJ Lee Eons passing. The news rocked a lot of netizens and fans as it was a sudden and sad death. Rest In Peace Lee Eon you shall be missed.

Photo Movie?

Actress Kim HaNeul and actor/model Daniel Henney have come together to star in a “Photo-Movie” called ‘Sweet September’. It’s a joint project by Elle and On Style and it seems like quite an interesting artistic idea, which of course was “borrowed” from the French like a lot of music we’re seeing nowadays too. I’m looking forward to see how they work this out and how good it may or may not be….

SHINee, um… Shines?

That’s the worst name to try and tag to be honest. Nevertheless these 5 young boys have stormed back in to the Music World and made quite an impression.

Promotional Ambassadors anyone?

First we need to know what a promotional Ambassador is, but SHINee deserve some kudos for landing this gig…. I guess. Group 8 continue to baffle us in terms of their ‘Hana Yori Dango” release, and instead of announcing the stars of the show they have provided us with some SHINee for our eyes. Not that we’re complaining, but it just doesn’t seriously make much sense. Why do you need a promotional ambassador for a Drama that hasn’t even announced stars or quite possibly started filming yet? Anyhow, SHINee will be releasing the single “In My Room” off their first mini album for the drama with accompanying MV. Group 8 stop playing games please, I am seriously starting to not care anymore…

90s Pop Music is back

Seriously, the pants

Well, with SM it never really ever left. Anyhow, SHINees remake title track “Love Like Oxygen” is out and so is the full MV, and I cant get my head around the material for their pants. Is it not the worst thing to wear while you dance those moves? What is it anyway, is it pleather? Besides the strange fashion choice in this video we finally hear Taemins little voice. This boy blows me away with his dancing skills, his control over his skinny and tall frame is unbelievable for a boy his age.

Events this week

Jang GeunSuk host of the Mnet Awards, I put him up cos I think he’s hot

Rain at the Olympics and the Mnet 20s Choice were covered earlier this week in great detail by SYP staff, y’all should go take a peak at our coverage.

Eric serenades…

Well quite possibly. Eric of Shinhwa keeps teasing his fans when it comes to releasing an album before he trots off to the army this October for 2 years. His company say that there is a 99% chance that he will, and so expect it soon.

Crown J IZ in A-Town

question Crown J, iz YOU fly?

Crown J makes his way to the hometown of Hip Hop to film the MV for his upcoming mini-album, in Atlanta, Georgia. His album is called “Fly Boy” and was officially released on the 26th. Check out the teaser here:

Seriously you have to watch that teaser just for the bad spelling, and yes I purposely picked the most unfly picture.

I told you guys the week was seriously slow when it came to news. Anyhow here is the top 10 for the last week, credit to Edward1849 of Soompi.

Weekly Music Chart – 4th Week – August
1. Lee Hyori – U-Go-Girl
2. Davichi – 사랑과 전쟁 (Love and War)
3. Seo In Young – 신데렐라 (Cinderella)
4. Cool – 사랑을 원해 (I Want Love)
5. Uhm Jung Hwa (feat. T.O.P) – D.I.S.C.O
6. Seo Tai Ji – MOAI
7. Kara – Rock U
8. Zi-A – 사랑해 미안해 (I Love You, I Am Sorry)
9. Mighty Mouth (feat. Sun Ye) – 에너지 (Energy)
10.Sung Shi Kyung – 안녕 나의 사랑 (Goodbye My Love)

The Wonder Girls released a new video and then they didn’t…

For more news just head over to our forums. Check out exclusive Celeb photos and videos by becoming an SYP member >>>
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Full Credit When Posted Elsewhere
Source: Youtube, Soompi, Empas, Newsen
Credit for ShenYuePop.com: noonoo_shoo
SYP Forums list full credits.

Rain, currently in Germany filming his next Hollywood film “Ninja Assasin” (hopefully a Hollywood blockbuster *crossing fingers*) took the time out to do a interview with a South Korean movie magazine “SCREEN” and opening up with some very personal experiences he went though before becoming a big Asian star.

In the magazine Rain talked about watching his mother suffer through an illness, and not having the money to pay for the hospitial bill or the pain killer medication that she needed; sadly his mother eventually died from the illness. Recalling on this 10 years old memory Rain became teary eyed and remembered the way he felt towards the doctors feeling that they didn’t “have no sense of humanity” and also feeling “the brutality of the reality of life itself”.

The conversation then moved to his training days under JYP. He recalled the time where he would not eat for 5 days due to the lack of money. He talked about how JYP would treated him once a week to Chinese food, and that he would pig out until he couldn’t hold anymore food; but seeing that there was still food left he would go to the restroom to vomit just to come back to eat the rest “because after that day, he would not have money to eat those delicious foods again (he thought in his mind then)”.

The magazine also talked about his hopes of becoming an Hollywood box office champion and the Wondergirls.

HOPING TO BECOME US BOX OFFICE CHAMPION

After <Speed Racer>, Rain has gone on to play his first leading role in the movie <Ninja Assassin>. He spoke frankly about how he hoped that his first leading role movie will mount the US box office as champion, and with a smile hoped that his dream will come true next year.

As for Rain’s fellow female apprentices the Wonder Girls, during their recent participation in a South Korean program they expressed that Rain has a great deal of personal advantages, and they have seen his earnest efforts of working on becoming a star. They hope that as a group they too could work towards their dream just as Rain is.

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Oh so sad to read about what he was feeling around his mother’s passing. Any child would be upset and confuse with that, but I hope that now he could put that behind him and don’t have any hateful feelings towards the doctors anymore.

And the throwing up thing with the Chinese food…..Rain don’t throw up your food boo ….. just put the leftovers in a doggy bag. lol

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Full Credit When Posted Elsewhere
Source: Eastern Daily
Picture credit: SCREEN
Translation credit: dsl99a@Rain-USA & SexyBi
Credit for ShenYuePop.com: cjlatina
No Additional Credit Should Be Added 

The interview is finally out ..
and you can watch it HERE
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1214055407/bclid1342094282/bctid1554364682

I have a question … IS KIMCHI CONSIDERED A FOOD?
And all this time i thought it was a side-dish?!!!

I wish he had a better image for this whole US movie debut~!!
with this hair and make up whoever see him for the first time will have hella hard time believing that this dude one day used to look actually good! Say .. his 4th album comeback?
As for his English … despite the interviewer was such an ass! his English was a far cry from those Speed Racer premiere interviews in LA! If you have watched them .. you’d know what i mean ^^!

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Full Credit When Posted Elsewhere
Source: 13!inconnu, Cjlatina
Credit for ShenYuePop.com: ShenYue!
No Additional Credit Should Be Added

Devastating news for the people involved with the movie Speed Racer…..it only made 20 million 18 million dollars (actually 18.6 million) over the weekend, which here in the US is seen as a BIG FAILURE. Since movies like this take over 100 million dollars to make, and having noteable directors and producer this is a very big disappointment. But not only that Speed Racer is now seen as the first (and maybe the only) flop of the summer.  

Speed Racer came in a very distant 2nd place after IRON MAN which brought in over 50 million in it’s second week as #1. Also Speed Racer barely made it to the second spot beating out the CORNIEST movie of this summer WHAT HAPPEN IN VEGAS (coming in around 20.1 million) by only a 100,000 dollars. 

EDIT: Well official numbers are out, Speed Racer actually only made 18.6 million and came in third place behind WHAT HAPPEN IN VEGAS. Sad so very sad.

Rain’s Hollywood debut as for now can be seen as a huge leap for a native Korean, but as for a break out star and in the movie language (money) not so good. Lets just hope he has a better chance with Ninja Assassin.

Also in news Rain’s first feature in a major gossip magazine, PEOPLE magazine is not starting off so good either. People magazine wanted to shed some light on the upcoming star with a Q&A, but the only problem is that they used Karl Yune’s picture (who is also in the movie) instead of a picture of Rain.

WTF! And if you notice the author is ASIAN. You telling me your @SS is asian and you can’t tell the difference between the two asian stars. At least as an writer for a magazine that your getting paid for, and is seen by millions of people you could at least do some research. Actually not even that, but use YOUR FREAKING EYES just a little. IS THAT TO MUCH TO ASK?!

Anyways it seems that Rain’s official US debut as an actor is not jumping off so well. Oh well I hope for a better next weekend. OH SNAP! Chronicles of Narnia:Prince Caspian comes out next weekend. Damn! well better luck with the DVD sells. 

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Full Credit When Posted Elsewhere
Source: Yahoo news + JoBlo
Credit for ShenYuePop.com: cjlatina
No Additional Credit Should Be Added

Rain is back in Berlin training for new Hollywood movie, Ninja Assassin. Hmm…maybe he needs to take his ninja skills and have another competition with Stephen Colbert. Rain’s dance off with Colbert on The Colbert Report on Monday (5th) wasn’t anything special. Rain only appeared after the show for the dance off that led to a DDR machine blowing up and Rain winning the dance off! Even though it was very fun to watch, it didn’t impress me much, as Rain barely spoke english and showed up looking like Michael Jackson with that long hair of his!

Click here to see the dance off

Speed Racer came out today…did anyone go watch it?! I read some of the messages left on the IMDB (Internet Movie Database) Speed Racer message board and there were lots of good comments and some bad ones. Even though the movie is a family movie and for kids, I guess it’s worth a try watching it ^^ I’ll consider watching it…but I don’t want to waste $10 watching a movie that’s not worth the money.

Se7en will be having his 3rd album preview party on the 23rd. This time, it’s in San Francisco, one of the unannounced stops. Info on the Houston, Chicago and Toronto, Canada stops still haven’t been released yet so whether Se7en will be going to those cities is unconfirmed yet…but I hope the info will be out soon!

When: Friday, May 23rd @ 10PM-4AM
Where: 1015 (1015 Folsom St., San Francisco)
Cost: prices are going so get your tickets fast!!

To order tickets, please visit http://synergystore.stores.yahoo.net/index.html or here

Se7en’s Myspace has been updated, but not much has been done to it. I just wished it was actually Se7en using the account and hopefully his PRs will update the page and make it look more like an official Myspace.

Oh, and also, there will be pictures posted up from the preview parties soon!

While back in Korea, a bunch of celebrities are participating in a 24 hour marathon to help raise
money for kids who are less fortunate. The marathon started yesterday (9th, Korea time)
and will go on until 6:40PM Korea Time today (10th).

SuJu boys Eeteuk, Kangin, Shindong, Yesung, Sungmin, and Eunhyuk participated in the actual run
with their fans and Korean citizens for the full 24 hours around Seoul. See how their fans can scary one moment and angels the next? haha! Yesung injured his leg during the marathon and it seems that Eeteuk has too, as I saw him limping ealier.

Click here for more info about the marathon

Speaking of SuJu…they’ll be coming back with a new image on June 7th, the day of the Dream Concert! SuJu, DBSK and a whole bunch of Korea’s most popular stars will be performing at the concert! DBSK will be making a comeback this summer at the Super Triple Concert on June 15th. The Super Triple Concert will consist of DBSK, SuJu and SNSD but the main performers is DBSK as they’re making a comeback! More info on the Super Triple Concert will be released soon!
Click here for more info on the Dream Concert

woot! Three great concerts to look forward to soon! Just a reminder, Hollywood Bowl is on Saturday, the 17th @ 6:30PM! There are still tickets available @ http://www.koreanmusicfestival.com!! So if you still want to go, get your tickets soon!! This year’s concert will be aired by SBS instead of MBC.

Anyone remember the Peace Concert?! Well, it is now unknown if the Peace Concert is still going on because more information was supposed to be released last week but when contacted, they kept saying things along the lines “call back next week” for ticket and hotel refunds because of the postponement. For those who don’t know, the concert was postponed to June 28th and an updated list of artists were to be released and that never happened. People are now filing a lawsuit against the Revolution Entertainment, the promoters of the concert, who also happened to be the promoters of Rain’s US concerts! If you’ve bought a ticket to the concert, you can help try to get your money back. Contact me (Michelle) in the forum for more info ^^
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Full Credit When Posted Elsewhere
Credits: 13!inconnu@soompi, Jim MaidmentJay@Rain-USA.com, Warner Bros [Rain]
http://www.synergysf.com, synergystore, SHui6@soompi [SE7EN]
HopeTV 24 Marathon Credits,
posters @ SuJu soompi thread for marathon streaming link ^^
Dream Concert website
Peace Concert credits
Credit for ShenYuePop.com : Michelle, tealfirestar07, soyboy01
No Additional Credit Should Be Added