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…

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

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Credit for Shenyuepop.com : Louise + ShenYue
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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

Pic: above from top: Ji Seong, Yoon Gye Sang (in military fatigue), Yoon Gye Sang (in cheesy pose) and Park Jae Sang aka Psy

Some Korean entertainers try to escape military conscription by pledging medical conditions making them unsuitable for conscription while one other Korean entertainer knowing he has a knee injury but still went ahead with conscription for the fear from accusation of using his medical condition as an excuse. Most Korean entertainers under 35, try very hard to maintain their registration as students, thus, bidding time to further their careers.

It was rumoured that Rain changed university recently so as to maintain his status as a student. Kangta who is another due for military conscription is holding on tight to his student status. Last month, Kim Rae Won has requested for the second time to defer his military conscription because he has just starting with shooting of his new drama. Apparently, his first notice of conscription was received while he was filming another drama then but he did not know what happened to the notice and continue with his career.

While Jo In sung who was thrown out of Dongguk University a couple of months back for not meeting the minimum number of hours, has also been rumoured to be conscripted by end of this year. Rumour has it he received his conscription after filming A Dirty Carnival last May but he started going back to school. Looking at Jo In Sung´s schedule from since he finished with the above 44th Daejong nominee for Best Film category, he has not committed to any film or drama to his fans´ consternation. His ardent fans are hoping he would act in a drama s to tie them over his impending two years in the mandatory military service.

Song Seun Hun (from Autumn Tale or Autumn in my Heart with Song Hye Gyo, Summer Scent, Happy Together fame) had to apologise to his fans for trying to dodge military service but his fans have since forgiven him with a resounding welcome back meeting last year. Fans from all over Asia went for the meeting, even a sole representative fan from Malaysia flew there for the meeting.

However not all Korean entertainers are/were dodging the dreaded military service. Yoon Gye Sang, formerly from the boyband, G.O.D; Korean drama: My 19 years sister in law (with the late Jung Da Bin) and Korean movie: Flying Boys (in which he won the best newcomer in 2005 Paesang Art Award) did not defer his responsibility even though he was signed on to work with the perennial favourite Korean actress, Lee Young Ae then. He even earned a star for good marksmanship and received a citation from the division commander after completing his boot training and was despatched to a reconnaissance company as a sniper. On his release, Yoon Gye Sang acted in the SBS drama “Crazy for Love” aired on Feb. 3, 2007.

Others who have done their tour of duty last year were Jang Hyuk (Korean movie: Windstruck and recently ended 2007 Korean drama: Thank you), Go Soo (Korean dramas: Green Rose, Marrying a Millionaire, Piano fame), etc. And of course, So Ji Sub (Sorry I love you, What happen in Bali fame) done his entertainment brothers proud by completing his, two months ago in April. Looking back, these korean actors are very much in demand after doing military service. Jang Hyuk and So Jib Sub were immediately recruited to act in new korean dramas. So perhaps, they should view the compulsory conscription as a blessing in disguise as they immediately become hot properties on their emergence from the two years forced absences. Ji Seong (aka Ji Sung) who has just completed his tour last week has in a minor role in a movie.

Kim Jeong Hoon who so far, as the only actor who publicly said that he dreaded military service after acting in DMZ in 2004, should be due for national service anytime.

(Oh, I am saying the following in jest, please do not quote me) He might be a Thai citizen by then! I wonder how are dual citizenships viewed in Korea? Any idea?

Written by Kwfong exclusively for Shenyuepop.com
Source: The China Press, Jeff Chung (KFPD), KBS Global.
Picture Source: mnklove (Cyworld), Hankooki, Hancinema, etc.
DO NOT REMOVE ORIGINAL CREDITS AND ADD OTHER CREDITS

Yoon Kyesang while still with G.O.D. - as long as you love me

Kim Jeong Hoon’s DMZ Haircut Video

Song Seung Hun YTN STAR NEWS 01/08/2007

Source: The Korean Herald, 5 June 2007
Psy quizzed over army draft evasion

Popular singer Park Jae-sang, better known as Psy, was yesterday questioned over his alleged evasion of military conscription at a seoul prosecuters’ office.
“I’ll fully cooperate with the prosecution interrogation,” said Park wearing a gray suit as he entered the Seoul Eastern Prosecutors’ Office.

Prosecutors suspect Park, 29, neglected his duty as a worker at a high-tech company in Seoul, where workers are exempt from the country’s 24-month-long mandatory military duty.

“We’re currently verifying various suspicions, including whether or not the singer Psy actually has the special skills as a computer programmer that exempted him from military conscription,” said Han Myong-kwan, a senior prosecutor.

Park was hired to develop computer software at the information technology firm, but prosecutors have doubts of his capability of doing the work given to him.

“We’ve heard that he is bad at handling computers,” Han said.

The government exempts technology researchers and professional skilled workers with special expertise under the condition of working for some 18,000 companies designated by the Seoul Military Manpower Administration.

However, when asked about his slackness at work between 2003 and 2005 by reporters, Park denied the allegation, saying “yes” that he worked properly from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for 30 months.

Prosecutors are also investigating the alleged bribery charges between Park’s uncle and the company Park had worked.

“We will soon summon his uncle as well,” Han said.

Since April, prosecutors questioned two other popular singers who were exempted from conscription after they were hired by a computer game development company.

They also summoned some 20 officials from six companies and 10 soccer players in the same case. Those companies are alleged to have violated the rules, and some allegedly hired company executives’ relatives and acquaintances.

By Annie I. Bang

(aibang@heraldm.com)