Japanese Celebrity Matsuko Deluxe: "K-POP is Just Bad U.S. Imitation"

[es2pido.livejournal.com]

It became an online issue among Korean netizens when Japanese actor Matsuko Deluxe said during a TV show that K-POP is just bad US imitation. He also "kindly" invited K-POP artists to leave the country if they do not like Japan. 

According to a Japanase online news, this event happened when the actor appeared on a TV show, "Nakayoshi Televi," on January 5. During the show different guests from Asian countries, like Korea, China and Japan, had to show their national pride.

During the discussion, Matsuko Deluxe said, "I cannot accept this. In my opinion, K-POP is only a bad imitation of U.S. music." A Korean-Japanese writer, who was also a guest on the show answered, "Lately, K-Pop has landed even in the U.S. music market. K-Pop is getting highly ranked even on the Billboard charts. However, J-Pop was not able to reach the same level."

Matsuko Deluxe got angrier and with a louder voice commented, "Japan is embracing different cultures from all over the world including K-Pop. Where do you find such a kindhearted country!? If you do not like our country, just leave!"

Matsuko Deluxe is famous for wearing female outfits and for his spiteful remarks. This news did not appear in newspapers or TV but it was the most read news on Yahoo Japan on January 7. It finally spread online and reached the Korean netizens, who reacted in obvious contempt over his thoughtless remarks.

Source: Nate via Soompi

Serri talks about the hate Dal*Shabet’s debut received + role models + comeback 'HIT U'

[wintersol.livejournal.com]

Serri talks about the hate Dal Shabet’s debut received + photos from their comeback MV set

On January 6th, Dal Shabet‘s Serri reflected on the group’s debut and the obstacles they faced while on the set of their music video shoot for their comeback track, “Hit U“.

Serri began, “Dal Shabet was connected to Girls’ Generation immediately after our debut, and articles were released stating that, which wasn’t good to watch. At the time of my debut, I got in the headlines for resembling Wonder Girls‘ Sunye and Girls’ Generation member Jessica, which brought a lot of hateful replies that hurt me.”

Because Dal Shabet was produced by E-TRIBE, the composers behind Girls’ Generation’s hit song “Gee“, many netizens began calling them the ‘second Girls’ Generation’, which in turn instigated protests and a large anti-fan population.

Serri continued, “I was really shocked and at a loss on what to do whenever I heard people say, ‘How could you be Girls’ Generation? You’re too ugly.’ Now that a year has past, I’m glad to say that Dal Shabet has found their own color.”

She added, “Now that we’re a year into our debut, our individual members have been promoting on their own and have created names for themselves that people can recognize. We’re not going to try to get in the headlines for resembling other people, but rather just work hard on our own and get our identity out there.”

Check out more photos from their MV shoot below!

( image heavy + 3 videos )

( image heavy + 3 videos )

source: akp akp sportseoulmusic 7TiaraIsA fydalshabet

third times a charm

SBS’s ‘Kiss & Cry’ to launch second season in April

[strawberry-efeu.livejournal.com]

SBS‘s ‘Kiss & Cry‘ has confirmed that they’ll be returning for a second season this April!

According to broadcasting officials, the show is still working on a time schedule and casting for the show. One representative revealed, “‘Kiss & Cry’ will begin airing in the first half of the year. They are still talking about who to cast and discussions are still taking place. April appears to be the likely broadcast date, should there be no other problems.”

Whether or not Kim Yuna will still host the second season is up in the air, but expectations for the show are high, especially since the city of Pyeongchang was confirmed to host the ‘2018 Winter Olympics‘.

Source: Newsen via Nate | allkpop

I thought the first season of this show was a flop? Did the ratings get better near the end?

Kim Jang Hoon on MC Mong: “I thought he was going to die”

[gloomyclock.livejournal.com]

Singer Kim Jang Hoon is becoming a hot topic after he wrote a long post about MC Mong on his minihompi.

Kim Jang Hoon is known for speaking out on issues related to depression and panic disorders, and he noticed that his industry junior was showing some alarming signs.

“I came across the idea of death as I was writing a letter to a little girl fan who passed away at such a young age,” he began. “I sent MC Mong and his close friend to America for vacation, out of my fear that he would die.”

Kim Jang Hoon continued, “For about a year, he didn’t go out and practically lived inside his house or at the studio, receiving harsh criticisms and hostile arrows. Living was probably not living for him. From what I saw, he had symptoms of depression and signs of a panic disorder. …Because I went through an emotional breakdown myself, I got alarmed and sent him on a vacation.”

( Read more... )

Source & Photo: Osen + akp

Will.i.am: 2NE1 Is Coming Out Crazy!

[empressmaruja.livejournal.com]

They're coming out! With a new album, that is. Read on as the power group collaborates with big-time producer and Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am.

The development of 2ne1's highly-anticipated U.S. debut album, done in collaboration with producer and Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am, is going very well. Or in the words of Will.i.am himself, "2ne1 is coming out crazy!"


( Read more... )

Source: MYX, Will.i.am on Twitter

In another news, is Dara gaining weight? Good for her!

Children of NK officials receive job favors

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

North Korea has handed out decent jobs to children of former and current North Korean elite in what could be an attempt to help ensure the dynastic power succession goes smoothly, a source familiar with the isolated country said Tuesday.

( Read more... )

Source: Koreatimes

CN Blue Rocks the Hong Kong Leg of Asia Tour "Blue Storm"

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

CN Blue started off their “Blue Storm” Asia tour with their concert in Hong Kong. CN Blue held a concert form January 7-8 at the Hong Kong Asia World Arena. Nearly 8,000 fans that wanted to see CN Blue filled up the arena.

CN Blue began the concert with “Intuition.” Afterwards they sang the songs “Ready N Go,” “Love Girl,” and Love Revolution.” During the ballad section of the concert an orchestra appeared and CN Blue performed “ Y, Why,” “Love Rides the Rain,” “Because I Miss You.” They finished the concert with the songs “I Am a Loner,” “LOVE,” and “Love Light.”

CN Blue’s members stated, “We began our first Asia tour concert in Hong Kong. We were moved by the fans that filled up the arena. We were very nervous when we heard that tickets were sold out right after ticketing opened up. I think we were able to have a comfortable concert because the audience enjoyed the show with us. We hope that we will be able to return soon to do another concert.”

CN Blue will release their second major single Japanese album “Where You Are.”

Source: soompi

JYJ releases teaser for new Private Project, ‘Come On Over’

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

JYJ is putting their new official YouTube channel to full use, as they’ve just released a video teaser of their upcoming ‘Private Project‘ titled ‘Come On Over‘!

Split into three member sections – ‘YUCHUN [sic] Tender Smile’, ‘JUNSU Exciting Smile’, and ‘JAEJOONG Stunning Smile’ – the video shows an abundance of new behind-the-scenes clips of the boys participating in their favorite recreational activities. They even give a tour of their new homes.

Fans got to also tag along to official events, as well as see how goofy the boys can be once the cameras stop rolling.

Those smiles <3

Source: allkpop
              Official youtube channel

GD&TOP’s Japanese single “Oh Yeah” to be sold in ‘limited edition’ only

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

GD&TOP have announced that their first Japanese single album will only be sold as a limited edition.

On January 11th, YG Entertainment revealed that “Oh Yeah Feat. Bom“, which was originally meant to be released in November of 2011, will now be sold only as a limited edition at the ’15th anniversary YG Family‘ concert.

The first series of concert were held on the 7th and 8th at the Osaka Kyocera Dome, and will soon be making a stop at the Saitama Super Arena on the 21st and 22nd.

Representatives explained, “The album has been released, but GD&TOP has no plans of promoting in Japan this year. As it is our 15th anniversary concert, we decided to put out a limited release for the fans that have given us their love.”

Source: allkpop
              Naver

NK’s main paper launches English website

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

By Kim Young-jin



North Korea’s ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun has launched an English-language website in an apparent attempt to expand its reach in the international community. South Korea, with which the North is still technically at war, blocked the site within hours under the National Security Law, a Unification Ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

( Read more... )

Source: Koreatimes

Tim releases a special edition of “I Love You”

[ayamefan13.livejournal.com]

Romantic ballad singer Tim has released a Special Edition version of his hit song, “I Love You“.

The singer who instantly captivated fans with the song back in 2003 released a new edited acoustic version. The new track incorporates sounds of the cello and harmonica, and the song well expresses how much Tim has grown and developed as a musician in the past 10 years.

“I Love You” is his signature song, the ones fans still remember today and with the new release, Tim once again reminds fans that he is still very passionate about his music as he was when he first debuted as a rookie.

original source; daum + AsianDream2018@yt
translation source; allkpop

I used to listen to this song all the time. ♥

Girls’ Generation’s Japanese Album Surpasses One Million Shipments Mark

[ghiblys.livejournal.com]

Girls’ Generation’s first Japanese album “Girls’ Generation”, which was released last year on June 1st, surpassed the one million copy shipments mark on January 11th, half a year later.

The only other albums to pass this mark were BoA’s “Listen to My Heart” in 2002 with 1.29 million copies, “Valenti” with 1.4 million copies in 2003, and “Best of Soul” with 1.2 million copies in 2005. Being a Korean girl group, surpassing the one million copy shipments mark for the first time is an amazing accomplishment for Girls’ Generation.

Girls’ Generation took the top spot on the Oricon chart in their first appearance, and stayed in the top ten for thirteen weeks, a record for a “long-seller” (artists usually stay in the top ten on the Oricon chart for an average of one to two months, so thirteen weeks is especially long for a foreign artist). With the repackaged version of the girls’ first Japanese album being released on December 28th, the album came back onto Oricon’s weekly chart at number two, and with this passed the one million shipments mark.

Source: soshified

SunnyHill MV teaser

[rexona-woman.livejournal.com]

LOENENT

T-ara's Guerilla Date + news about their vacation

[threebits.livejournal.com]

( T-ara to take a 10-day holiday after  )

Typhoon050191
Nate, translated by Nathaniel at Diadem
that last segment...

X-5′s Zin reveals Gun’s chocolate abs ヾ(◕ω◕)ﾉ

[gazeeet.livejournal.com]

X-5‘s Zin sneakily revealed a picture of leader Gun and his chocolate abs!

On January 8th, Zin wrote on the group’s official me2day, “Look at Gun hyung’s body, just look kekekeke His abs are no joke! kekekeke.”

Although it’s seemingly a picture of himself getting his make up done, the backdrop is of Gun changing his shirt, showing his chocolate abs in the process.

Netizens commented, “Wow~ daebak,” “His face is handsome, his body is more handsome…” “Look, there’s chocolate!” “Thanks, Zin oppa~” and “Reveal them on TV, too!”

Source + Photos: X-5′s Official me2day + allkpop

dear people. if you like what you see here. you shall give X-5 a try, they're amazing and they have some hot parts in their dances o(｀ω´*)o

Inside Jaejoong's Apartment (aka my crib in south korea)

[hellafun.livejournal.com]

( welcome, please come in )

credits to baidu and delpi
syc
good bye, come back again.

Infinite High Cut BTS Video

[black-silver.livejournal.com]

Source: hurricanepelvishoya@yt

They looked *marginally better live...but idk what Dongwoo was doing.

120109 HEY HEY HEY TVXQ and Boa cut

[cc9095.livejournal.com]

Source: share04463

’26th Golden Disk Awards’ receives heavy criticisms

[es2pido.livejournal.com]

The ‘26th Golden Disk Awards‘ is being heavily criticized for its decision to take the show to Osaka, Japan.

Sponsored by Ilgan Sports and jTBC, the Golden Disk Awards booked the Osaka Kyocera Dome, a decision that many Korean fans failed to understand. When the location was first announced in October, netizens questioned, “It was Koreans who bought the albums, so why is it being held in Japan?” and“Now they’re asking us to go all the way to Japan to watch the show?”

Despite the criticisms, organizers went ahead and set up the show in Japan.

Many continued to complain about the ceremony, arguing that they couldn’t see why Japan was relevant to the awards when sales figures were calculated from Korea only. Additionally, organizers opted for an indoor baseball stadium instead of a regular concert hall, resulting in more expensive tickets.

If fans could afford to go, they’d be buying tickets worth $178 USD a piece. Since the show is held over a course of two days, the price doubles, bringing the total to $356 USD, a hefty number for young wallets. The ticket prices itself have brought about new waves of criticisms about how the show was trying to use the Hallyu wave for their financial benefit.

Although the Golden Disk Awards has a prestigious history of being a ‘fair awards ceremony’ due to its awarding of artists based on album sales, not popularity, many have begun to question that reputation as well. The non-attendance of YG and JYP Entertainment artists as well as the exclusion of JYJ has raised questions of fairness.

The show will still go on, however, and the festivities will broadcast through jTBC on January 21st and 22nd as a Lunar New Year special.

Source + Photos: Review Star + AKP

Winners from the 26th Golden Disk Awards (Part 1)

[es2pido.livejournal.com]

On January 11th, many of Korea’s top musicians and pop stars gathered at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka for the 26th Golden Disk Awards.

This year, the show was divided into two parts: the first part (held on January 11th) honors the winners of the physical album categories, while the second party (held on January 12th) will do the same for digital albums. KARA‘s Park Gyuri and Super Junior‘s Leeteuk acted as MCs for this year’s awards.

The first ‘Golden Disk Awards’ began in 1986, and since then, it’s become Korea’s most prestigious awards ceremony for music. Nicknamed the ‘Korean Grammy Awards,’ the ceremony is reputed for its fair standards, as the committee utilizes figures from album and digital music sales only.

Below are the list of winners from this year’s show!

( RESULTS AFTER THE CUT... )

Source: Akp

T-ARA - Lovey Dovey (Dance Rehearsal)

[rexona-woman.livejournal.com]

LOENENT

AA: Queen Woosang and members of royalty address commoners of Allkpoop

[hellicoptajuuce.livejournal.com]

Source: allkpop@yt

Video is subbed according to Queen Woosang's orders

STOP THE PRESSES, AN EXO TEASER WITH SINGING.

[micksters.livejournal.com]

Source: SMtown YT


This is my first entry post, hope I didn't do anything wrong!

SNSD'S THE BOYS IS THE BEST SELLING K-POP ALBUM OF 2011

[faister.livejournal.com]

According to Gaon charts, Girls’ Generation’s “The Boys” album is the best selling single album of 2011 with 385,348 sold. Fellow label-mates Super Junior with “Mr. Simple” and TVXQ with “Keep Your Head Down” joined Girls’ Generation at the top of the chart in second and third place with 343,348 and 266,727 sales respectively, showing how popular SM artists are.


( queens tbh. )

cr: ssf
source: gaon

ofc they are. suju probably cried tears of joy when sme pulled snsd out of the nominations for the gdas so they could win the daesang "legitimately".