Brian Joo reveals MV teaser for “Taking Leave of You” (feat. Tiger JK)

[ayamefan13.livejournal.com]

Brian Joo is preparing to unleash his new album, ‘ReBorn Part 1‘, and to kick off the hype, he’s released his MV teaser!

The video is comprised of two parts: the first sees a fiery rapping segment from Tiger JK while the second involves some powerful imagery. Brian is laced up in a straitjacket, looking over his shoulder while a woman reaches out for him, teary-eyed and devastated.

source; Jellyfishenter@yt + allkpop

YG Family Concert Tour Successfully Ends

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

The YG Family Concert tour in both Korea and Japan have successfully came to an end.

( Read more... )

Source: soompi

Old Photo of 2NE1's CL Looking Nervous and Shy with Lee Hyori

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

A past photo of 2NE1's CL and Lee Hyori has surfaced the web.
( Read more... )

Source: Soompi

Harsher punishment urged for pedophiles

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

By Lee Hyo-sik

Most citizens think that sex offenders preying on minors should be subject to harsher punishment than murderers, a survey by the Supreme Court showed Tuesday.

It said the finding reflects the growing public awareness of child sex abuse, following last year’s release of a film based on a true story about sexual assaults against disabled students by teachers at a Gwangju school. In a joint survey of 1,000 citizens and 900 prosecutors, lawyers and other legal experts, 26.1 percent said those sexually assaulting children under 13 should face more severe penalties than murderers. About 38 percent said both sex offenders and murderers should be subject to the same level of punishment.
( Read more... )

Source: Koreatimes

Counterpoint: K-pop In Japan: No Special Treatment

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Within the past few years, the word “Hallyu” has become a used and abused term, to the point where the word itself no longer has a standard definition, but has come to mean different things in different countries. At its most basic level, the Hallyu phenomenon represents the spread of Korean popular culture in countries other than Korea. From there on in, however, the specific definition of Hallyu changes depending on the country in question. In many East and Southeast Asian countries, Hallyu has become embedded within mainstream popular culture and music. On the other hand, Korean pop remains a niche interest in European and North American countries, with little widespread popularity to be seen.

( Read more... )

Source: Seoulbeats

Korean Hip-Hop: K-Hop Goes Global

[unreal.livejournal.com]

South Korea’s music industry gave the world ‘K-Pop’ with its peppy girl and boy bands. Now it’s taking on hip-hop’s swag.

Last October, the four-piece girl group 2NE1 debuted in Japan with six live shows in front of 70,000 fans—the latest product of a South Korean music machine that has already surged past the point of being just another East Asian fad. While “K-pop” has gained popularity as the catch-all term for a host of glossy boy and girl bands, 2NE1—with its signature tune, “Ugly”—represents K-hop, a budding movement that backs up its slick pop sheen with true R&B talent.

East Asia’s music industry is being astutely tailored for a global audience in the digital age. “There is no line between Korean, Japanese, or international music since YouTube,” explains 2NE1’s lead rapper, CL. “It’s just the whole world through the Internet.”

K-pop groups have certainly found success abroad: bands like Girls’ Generation and TVXQ draw impressive crowds at shows in New York and L.A. Now K-hop is getting in on the act: Internet exposure helped boy band Big Bang win the World Wide Act award at the MTV Europe Music Awards last June, and MTV Iggy just crowned 2NE1 the Best New Band in the World.
( While some critics still question whether K-hop will ever make waves on mainstream U.S. radio )

Source: thedailybeast
I sort of hate that this article is mainly talking about 2NE1. Couldn't the find BETTER K-hop

Girls' Generation to appear on Live! With Kelly

[boba-holic.livejournal.com]

02/01/2012: Live! With Kelly

Jennifer Lopez; Howie Mandel (guest cohost). Also: South Korean pop group Girls' Generation perform. 

Source: TV Guide


Already scheduled my dvr to record it.

[INTERVIEW] [12.01.24] ポポロ Popolo Magazine - March Edition

[black-silver.livejournal.com]

( large scans + interview )

Source: gongchan.net, CAPTAIN! @ FLIGHTB1A4.com
Japanese to Korean Translation Credits: LEOPART 여우떡 @ 닥종이.com
Korean to English Translation Credits: skipfire @ FLIGHTB1A4.com
Please credit both the sources and translators when taking out.

Park Min Young and Lee Min Ho break up

[gloomyclock.livejournal.com]

To many fans’ sadness, it has just been revealed that ‘City Hunter‘ couple, Park Min Young and Lee Min Ho, have broken up.

After completing SBS‘s ‘City Hunter’, the duo had revealed their relationship to the public during the summer last year. Although Park Min Young and Lee Min Ho called it quits a while ago, they were reluctant to reveal their separation as they had to consider their agencies’ positions.

Park Min Young’s side stated, “It has been a while since the two met. Because it was embarrassing to directly reveal that they broke up and she had to consider the agency’s position, she did not reveal that she cleaned up their relationship.”

The agency continued, “They became strangers before the 2011 Acting Awards. With this reason, Park Min Young and Lee Min Ho had attended two different award ceremonies… Lee Min Ho went to SBS Acting Awards, while Park Min Young had went to the KBS Acting Awards.”

The biggest reason the two parted ways laid in their busy schedules. Park Min Young’s side stated, “Park Min Young had to film for KBS‘s ‘Man of Honor‘, she did not have time to rest for a while. Lee Min Ho also had to film for his advertisements and attend his oversea activities, and we know that he is very busy… The two could not meet often and naturally broke up.”

Lee Min Ho’s agency is still confirming the news with the actor as a representative stated, “After we saw the reports that Lee Min Ho and Park Min Young broke up, we haven’t yet confirmed it with him… If the two had broken up, Lee Min Ho would have told us and there has been no story yet.”

Source: Daily Sports via Nate + akp

so much couple news today

YG FAMILY FINISHES THEIR 15th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT IN SAITAMA,JAPAN

[crazyxcami.livejournal.com]

( BIGGER~ + MORE )

Source: YG Family's Official Facebook

MBLAQ’s Lee Joon, “Last year was the worst, hope 2012 will be better”

[carmendove.livejournal.com]

2012, the new year has begun. For the lunar year holidays, many idols are getting stripped of their sleeping time and are busily working. In the midst of this, there are stars that are receiving the spotlight, attention, and anticipation.

MBLAQ's Lee Joon is one of those stars. A singer who debuted in 2009, he is continually working as a singer and actor, and has a different determination for 2012. This is because MBLAQ's new album has been released, and last year was specially hard.

Truthfully, MBLAQ has a nickname of "ill-fated idols". Many people say that "MBLAQ is the best in visuals and talent", but ironically MBLAQ has never received the top on the main 3 music programs. They have continuously come right in front of the number one spot, but have never received it.

Along with this, with words like, "Don't you receive stress? Don't you become upset when groups less popular than MBLAQ grab number 1?" asked to Lee Joon, he shook his head and said, "It's okay as long as I am not embarrassed by myself." It was a wise answer. Lee Joon said, "If I was looking good to the viewers and I wasn't embarrassing when I judged myself then I am content with that. There's still times when I am regretful when I come down from the stage, but I am working hard so I can show everyone a perfect and amazing image."

( read more )

Source: newsen
Translation: Lovelyjoonie @ AbsoluteMBLAQ

This was a really interesting read. I was surprised by how self-aware Joon is, especially with knowing he's the "entrance member" that fans like at first but soon get tired of. I can't help but feel bad for him :(

[ENG] part3-5 JYJ's Talk Section from Their Lotte Fanmeet.

[cc9095.livejournal.com]

Source: share04463
Download FULL version

to Mod: This is the rest of subbed fanmeet video [Birthday, MC 3#, message to fans] since only part 1 and 2 were posted =)

Gyuri remains Korea's Baddest Bitch

[gyuri.livejournal.com]

On January 24, Kara’s Park Gyuri tweeted a comment: "I know this is one of the ways of revealing their inferiority complexes. Regardless of whatever they are saying, I’ll go on my own way in 2012. How about memorizing one more English word if you have some extra time to post such malicious comments up on the Internet?"

What Park Gyuri wrote on her Twitter page is to intend to take a critical jab at malicious online commentators who left a chain of spiteful comments and even verbal abuses against Park’s confession of love toward Korea's popular good-looking soccer player Ki Sung Yong.

One of the malevolent replies said: "I'll have you all punished. Some of the friends of mine are Ki Sung Yong freaks. They’ll make you regret."

Park, known for her confident, positive air, expressed her honest feelings against them. "I'm afraid of my using the word, inferiority complex, but you should know that the word is not for most of you guys, but for a few of malicious commentators. Don’t get me wrong."

EN.Korea+TVReport

NEW COUPLE ALERT: WG's SOHEE AND 2AM's SEULONG!!!

[xkat-attackx.livejournal.com]

Breaking news, K-Pop fans: the Wonder Girls‘ Sohee and 2AM‘s Seulong are dating!

As artists in the same company – JYP – the two idols had a chance to become close to each other, and for Sohee, who has a naturally shy personality, Seulong was one of the few friends she had, said an anonymous source to Dispatch, a Korean news outlet.

“Sohee is such a careful character,” said the anonymous person, who knew both members well. “Although she’s been a celebrity for a while, she can count the number of friends on one hand. She’s not the kind of person to easily reveal her feelings to anyone.”

From the pictures taken by Dispatch, the two idols can be seen together giving off a romantic vibe. The couple progressed greatly in their relationship especially after Sohee returned from her American activities, Dispatch said.

Seulong was a ‘soulmate’ for Sohee, according to the source. “Although she’s part of the world’s best girl group, she’s still a young teenager,” the source revealed. “She went through a lot in the States. Seulong was Sohee’s only friend and oppa with whom she could freely talk about her problems.”

Their meetings were coordinated in secrecy, and even their other close parties did not know about their clandestine meetings. Out of the four dates that Dispatch encountered, they were all held late at night and took place in their car.

On one date, held on January 8th when Sohee returned from Taiwan, Dispatch captured the pair snacking on rice noodles and exchanging presents.

They also met during Christmas, where they also exchanged presents and went on a Gangnam date in Seulong’s car.

A representative for JYP took a cautious stance, acknowledging that Seulong was one of Sohee’s few close friends, but refused to discuss the matter further. “The company does not know about their artists’ own private lives. Especially for emotional problems, we do not get involved. It will be hard to confirm anything about any feelings other than just friends.”

Source: Nate via AllKpop (More pictures here as well!)

WHOA, WHAT?!? This was unexpected...wonder how Heechul feels about this.

New EXO Teaser

[miuratenshi.livejournal.com]

Source: SMTown@YouTube.com

Godwoon finally getting some action

[adropofcitrus.livejournal.com]

BEAST’s Son Dongwoon showed off his acting skill as the new main actor in the upcoming music video from BEAST.

BEAST’s management, Cube Entertainment, had revealed teaser cuts of Son Dongwoon in the music video scenes from the new song ‘I Knew It’ on January 25^th.

In the revealed picture, Son Dongwoon’s deep eye contact acting and the serious mood resembling a sports car photoshoot can be seen. Being an endorsement model before joining BEAST gives him a unique vibe and actor presence that cannot be felt through others.

The music video for the song ‘I Knew It’ portrays the naïve love, trust, and desperate yearning for a woman who had suddenly changed.

Son Dongwoon’s crying acting skill had even won a compliment from the Zany Bros staff crew and director Hong Wonki who suggested that he should go for a role in the acting industry.

sauce: NEWSEN, OSEN
translation: yongism @ B2STRISING

his hair looks so fucking perfect omg I cannot fucking wait it's about to get sexy up in here

Kim Hyungjoong releases his first single "Girl"

[unreal.livejournal.com]

Source: KpopCrazyCarrot501
Kim Hyungjoong made his debut in 1993 with the techno band E.O.S. (Kim Hyungjoong, Go Sukyoung, Kangrin)

N. Korean defectors in 'weird land'

[unreal.livejournal.com]

Defectors wonder if South Koreans use the term democracy fighters properly as some employ it to refer to pro-North Korean activists

North Korean defectors confronted some South Koreans’ seemingly wrong extension of the term democracy fighters to refer to those who previously worked for the communist North here.

They alleged some high-profile South Korean politicians with previous records of communist activities are now portrayed as those who fought for democracy.
( The line between democracy fighters and those who did propaganda work for the communist regime is blurred, and this is nonsensical )

Source: koreatimes

Turning the dead into beads: South Korea's 'odd' new trend

[unreal.livejournal.com]

Forget "creepy" burial urns. One company allows clients to memorialize the dead by turning their remains into colorful, caviar-like stones

Ashes to ashes, dust to… beads? South Koreans are shying away from traditional burial traditions and instead opting for a new way to honor the dead—by transforming their remains into smooth, gem-like stones. The practice is becoming increasingly popular; Bae Jae-yul, founder and CEO of "death bead" company Bonhyang, says he's served over 1,000 customers in the past decade, and a rival company, Mikwang, claims to have done even more business. Here's what's going on with this "odd" new practice:
( Yup. Instead of storing a cremated relative's ashes in a  )

Source: theweek

Exo's Let Out the Beast Teaser: Mandarin Version + Pictures

[strawberry-efeu.livejournal.com]

fyeahexo + fuckyeah-exo

( Pictures )

source: exo-m official website

If you're keeping track, we're up to teaser #23 now (like the pictures say).