Four-member group 2NE1’s main vocalist Park Bom, debuted in her first solo stage on SBS Inkigayo today, Sunday, November 8, 2009.

The anticipated solo broadcast of Park Bom’s single, “You and I” showed brilliant singing and dancing skills.

The song, which was released some days ago, showed much promised and sparked a lot of interest, even garnering its own CD on its day of release. It even topped a few online charts a few days after its release and got very favorable responses from the netizens.

YG Entertainment said of Park Bom’s solo activities that, “2NE1’s studio album and performances is on-going and no special promotional activities are planned for the group,” meaning that Bom’s solo activities would stand in lieu of the group’s absence on stage.

YG Entertainment’s last solo single release, Park Dara’s “Kiss” also moved to the top of the charts, even with the lack of promotional activities on TV performances. But Park Bom’s case will not go the same route.

“Because of 2NE1’s lack of activities, it was good timing, since the somewhat less harried preparation of the studio album would make solo activities possible. Because “Lollipop,” “Fire,” and “I Don’t Care” received so much love, the solo album would showcase songs that will be prepared as title tracks. All the songs have very intense preparations, so the solo album would not be rushed.”

In addition to Bom’s first stage, SHINEE and Super Junior, both consecutively ranking as number one in the past two weeks, also performed their songs.

Source: CNB News and Newsen Korea
Translations: Belle from http://21evo.com

The tele cinema “Heaven’s Postman” recorded the first place
for advance sells rating in Korea’s new movie release.

Heaven’s Postman received interest by the Hero from TVXQ
and Han Hyo-joo from the hit drama Brilliant Legacy acting together.

The movie promotion committee’s movie theater admission ticket unification network counted
the theaters advance sale data in a standard in real time 2:30 PM on November 9th, 2009.

Haeven’s Post man was reported an advance sale rate of 19.1%,
which marks the first place in the new release of the Korean movies.

Always Keep The Faith!

Source: Stoo News
Translations: Junsulv@OneTVXQ

On the 27th, the Seoul District Courts laid down a wise decision that will leave an impact in the nation’s entertainment business. They partially accepted the exclusive contract suspension request submitted by three members of TVXQ, YoungWoong Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu, against their agency SM Entertainment. This means that the Courts have accepted that the 13 year exclusive contract forged between SM and TVXQ is in fact a slave contract and an unlawful one as well.

In the Courts’ ruling, they stated, ‘Until the lawsuit verdicts are made, SM is not allowed to make new contracts for activities related to the three members without their permission, and SM must not interfere with the three members’ independent activities.’ There are two voices raised on this decision: one that applauds the Courts for its actions against exclusive contracts that have been ravaging entertainment agencies in Korea, and one that worries that the Courts have not taken the specialty and reality of the Korean entertainment business into consideration.

However, many are stating that there is a need to change the infrastructure of the Korean entertainment business and set up a fair and just management system. There is a need to expunge the ’slave contracts’ that have been uncovered by this trial as well as to protect the rights of celebrities.

This reporter intends to talk of the implications of the Courts’ decision, and the problem it presents as well as the solution of said problem in three parts.

1. ‘TVXQ Verdict’ highlights Social-Legal-Human Rights Implications
2. ‘TVXQ Verdict’ – Medicine or Poison to the Korean Entertainment Business
3. The Solution to the Exclusive Contract? …

What is most significant about this verdict is that the Courts have sided with TVXQ and have sent a warning to the agencies in Korea who have unlawful exclusive contracts that change is soon to come.

This decision can be seen as a helper to the future of the celebrities’ rights and interests as it has reflected the stance of the celebrity who is seen as the weaker side in the theory of power in the business.

Professor Lee Dong Yeon of Korean National University of Arts stated, “Many have pointed out that that although Korea’s management system has gotten bigger in size, it has not been able to escape the lack of lawfulness in contracts and management of such contracts either,” and “This decision by the courts will turn the system towards a more transparent, fair entertainment business that will become stronger with the change.”

Professor Lee also stated that he expects the verdict on the TVXQ dispute to help put an end to unlawful contracts in the entertainment business. This is because the Courts’ verdict will be firmly implemented into the business while the current ‘Mass Culture Artistes Base Exclusive Contract’ made by the Fair Trade Committee has no legal power and therefore cannot be implemented fully.

This decision by the Courts also left a big impression as it legally ruled that the past subordination relationship in which the agency ‘rule’ its celebrities is no longer acceptable.

Lawyer Park Joomin stressed that, “Although some may diminish the meaning of the decision as it is one made before the official suing by the three members, it was a ruling laid down by the Courts after observing and reading the evidence and the situation very carefully so the meaning should not be diminished at all.”

Lawyer Park also said, “The Courts have ruled that the main focus of this legal action was the unlawful contract, and the unlawfulness of this contract has been confirmed by the Courts, which means that the results of the Exclusive Contract Suspension request should not differ greatly with the verdict of the overall trial.”

There are opinions stating that this was a decision that further helped celebrities at a human rights scale.

Representative Kim Myung Shin of the Culture Yeon University embraced the ruling saying, “It is great to know that such a decision came out in a society that focuses more on marketing logic,” and stated, “Although it is important to expand the business related to the Hallyu Wave, the human rights of celebrities should come first.”

Representative Kim also stated, “In our society, the number of people wishing to be celebrities has increased which has resulted in supply exceeding demand so agencies tend to create contracts that will give them the upper hand,” and “I hope that this trial becomes the stepping stone towards a system with no evil practices and one that cares more about the rights of the celebrities.”

Such as these opinions have illustrated, there are many views regarding the decision laid down by the Courts, but many thought that this was not merely a solution for the members of TVXQ who are caught in an unfair exclusive contract to retain their human rights, but a solution that will be the foundation of an action to rid the entertainment business of unlawful contracts.

Many also believe that the current actions made by the courts will help ensure that the human rights of celebrities are not violated and will help the Korean entertainment business grow healthily and become improve.

The dispute over an unlawful contract between an agency and its celebrity has shown that there needs to be a change in the domestic management system’s infrastructure to ensure that another dispute similar to this one does not occur again.

There has been much praise that this ruling by the Courts has protected the rights of the TVXQ members as well as proved that the basic rights of celebrities should and can be protected fully, but the problem is far from over.

Some fear that the problem may escalate from this point onwards. This is because this decision by the Courts may have a severe backlash on entertainment agencies who use the system of training rookies before their debut.

In fact, after the news of the trial spread, some entertainment agencies began refuting the Courts’ decision as it “did not take into consideration the specialty of the Korean Music Industry.” They worried that the current celebrity creation system, in which agencies invest money and time into rookies until and after they debut, would become obsolete and that many of the nation’s agencies, which focus on creating idol groups, will fall into great danger.

Some believe that if TVXQ win this case all the way, a ‘domino effect’ will occur with other celebrities leaving their agencies or filing a lawsuit in the same method.

They also believe that the music industry’s Hallyu market that has been expanding through Japan, China, and southeastern Asia will suffer a severe blow, and that the Hallyu market will shrink because of this.

However, these voices are being persuaded to change their opinions with the thought that, “This ruling should be thought of as a chance to segment and rationalize the entertainment business which will result in a new and rapid growth of the industry.”

Lawyer Park Joomin said, “Although there may be fears that the entertainment industry may shrink, it is time for our entertainment industry to evolve into a parallel and fair relationship culture and go one step further in terms of maturity.”

Lawyer Park stated that there was a need for change in the celebrity creation system by saying, “It is strange to accept the current compensation theory that the one or two people who become stars out of the tens or hundreds of others that try out must pay for the investment money put into all of those people,” and “This is why the some of the celebrities who rise to stardom have their rights severely violated and are exposed to unlawful contracts.”

Professor Lee Dong Yeon of the Korean National University of Arts said, “This dispute is showing that an agency can no longer tie its celebrity down in paper,” and “Through this dispute, the entertainment industry must change its habits and outlook.”

Professor Lee also stated, “We must get rid of the acts that create perpendicular relationships such as extended contract periods and obscure income division,” and “If we see this dispute as the turning point for the celebrity raising culture, it can be seen as the ‘bitter experience’ that will make our entertainment industry stronger and lead it to a brighter future.”

Representative Kim Myung Shin of Culture Yeon University stated, “It is not that we do not understand the woes of entertainment agencies, but the human rights of the celebrities must be taken into account more than the worries of such agencies,” and “It is ‘a house of cards’ to force one side into sacrifice because the other was caught up in the theory of profit.”

It is interesting to see that many have interpreted the Courts’ ruling as one that is calling upon agencies and their celebrities to move from an unfair, and unlawful perpendicular relationship to an equal, parallel relationship.

Professor Lee Dong Yeon stated, “It is disheartening to see people interpreting the TVXQ dispute at only an economic loss and profit point of view,” and “The core to this problem is the need for an equal relationship between the agency and its celebrity.” According to Professor Lee, there needs to be a trust of ‘going together’ between the two sides, yet the lack of this trust was what set off this trial.

Professor Lee stated, “I hope that this dispute does not stop as a mere argument, but brings forth a new paradigm to the entertainment industry and sets off tremendous effort and thought to rid the industry from unfair relationships.”

Many are stating that in order for this dispute to help the Korean entertainment industry, it must break the set structures and create a new ‘win-win system’.

The entertainment agency cannot ignore the change of time and must work to protect the rights of their celebrities and create a more equal environment so that the celebrities and the agencies alike are able to grow.

Contract period limits, multilateral contract steps, the implementation of actions by the law.

Until now, we have scoured through the many problems that the Korean Entertainment Industry’s structure holds as well as the diverse meanings of the ‘TVXQ ruling’. Then what can be done to create a just contract culture that benefits both the agency and the celebrity? Solutions have been thought of.

First of all, there is a call to accommodate the recommendation of the ‘Mass Culture Artiste’s Basis Exclusive Contract’ suggested by the Fair Trade Committee. In this recommendation, the committee limits the length of exclusive contracts to seven years, and forbids any clauses that violates the personal life of the celebrity.

In the open debate held in August with the title ‘The Problems of the Celebrity Management System and their Solutions seen through the TVXQ Dispute’, the sponsor stated, “There is a need to accommodate the recommendation’s guidelines for an agency’s exclusive contract,” and “Extended contract periods, nontransparent income division, extreme personal life violation, and suicidal schedules must be removed and fixed.”

The thought of making the contract steps multilateral must also be taken into consideration. This is to prevent any further legal dispute by differentiating conditions depending on popularity and having contracts before and after the debut. There is also the option of creating short contracts that only last from one to two years.

Representative Kim Myung Shin suggested a set manual for contracts, stating that, “This dispute as confirmed that a contract created before the debut already holds clauses open to legal action.” She also said that, rather than holding idol groups in extended contract periods, it would be better to create flexible and changeable contracts.

Such as in the case of pro sports, agencies may also try an approach that creates a contract with a legal adviser in person to ensure that the contract abides all the laws. As sports agencies are the middlemen for players and teams, a lawyer could take on the same job for celebrities or their parents who may be lacking in legal knowledge.

Professor Lee Dong Yeon of the Korean National University of Arts stated, “We will be able to move from a strict relationship that creates today’s exclusive contracts to one that promotes transparent contracts,” and “This will inevitably help in the growth of the Celebrity Management system.”

Representative Kim Myung Shin agreed and added, “There is a need for legal aid to be available to celebritites in the procedures.”

What are more important than laws or implementations of such laws are communication and respect.

One way to lessen the friction would be to implement the monthly wage and incentive method that is in effect in Japan. In fact, some agencies in Korea have begun use such a method. In this case,the income earned by the celebrity’s activities is transparently revealed. This helps better the celebrity management industry’s image and trust.

But what must come first before any law or method is the trust and person-to-person relationship between an agency and its celebrity. This is the basis that will ensure safe and just celebrity activities and contract culture.

Professor Lee Dong Yeon pointed out that, “Agencies and celebrities work to seek monetary gain, but what makes a celebrity stay under the same agency is not the contract, but the relationship he or she has with the agency,” and “If such a relationship is not valued, countless cases such as this one will continue to occur.”

Mass Culture Critic Kang Tae Gyu stated, “Although the TVXQ dispute arose because of SM’s ‘management failure’, it got to such a point because ‘communication and respect’ did not exist between the two sides,” and stated that the revamping of Kpop was what is most needed. This means that what will create a greater trust than a contract is sound ‘communication and respect.’

It cannot be forgotten that appropriate education and publicity is needed for the protection of celebrities’ rights in order to secure the roots of a fair and just contract culture. Also, ways to rid the entertainment agency of its current situation must be investigated and inspected.

In conclusion, our entertainment industry must now listen to the voice warning us that, “Until the human rights are protected and the people in the industry are united, the sophistication of the Korean Mass Culture will be held back by its premodern system.”

This is why many are curious as to whether this dispute will help the Korean Mass Music and Entertainment system overcome its obstacles and thrive.

Source: [ohmynews+DNBN]
Translations: jeeelim5@tohosomnia

SNSD member Yuri and Sunny’s “All the members in SNSD can be fooled” statement led to explosion of laughter in the studio.

The latest recording of SBS “Strong Heart” had Sunny and Yuri exposing each others’ secrets, leading to much interest from everyone.

Yuri said first, “In fact, among all the SNSD members, Sunny is the one who made the most mistakes on stage”. Yuri then proceeded to re-enact how Sunny made mistakes on stage leading to Sunny being speechless and the studio bursting into laughter.

Not taking it lying down, Sunny started exposing Yuri’s secrets. Sunny said “Everyone who said that Yuri is a innocent Black Pearl needs to look at the real Yuri” and with that, re-enact how Yuri’s actions had got the group into some embarrassing moments, causing everyone to laugh.

This episode of Strong Heart will be broadcast on the 10th.

Source: JOINS
Translations: Wenfany@Soshified

Sexy queen Son DamBi talks about her wish to film a CF together with Kpop diva Lee Hyori.

Recently for the filming of SBS ‘Strong Heart’ and she talked her wish to film a CF before her singer debut. She said, “Before I debuted, I really wanted to film a CF. And it was even the case since it will be filming with Lee Hyori.”

She revealed how much work she has put in to prepare for the audition to this CF but eventually she did not get to fulfill her wish.

She also talked about an episode with actor Kim Bum whom she worked with for SBS drama ‘Dream’. The kiss scene between the 2 in the drama has also gained much attention from viewers and netizens.

Son DamBi talks about Kim Bum, “Even though Kim Bum is younger than me by 6 years, he don’t call me by ‘noona’ for even once. He will always call me ‘DamBi sshi’.”

Meanwhile, this show will air on 10th November.

Source: Sookyeong

The two stars spent 2 days from November 7 to November 8 together in Busan, both having a break for the first time in some time. Residents of Busan said they’d seen the two together at the local sea food market in Busan, and eating and resting together.

Both Taegoon and Jaejoong were born in January 1986 and grew up in the same hometown. Until now they have maintained a fantastic friendship.

Jaejoong had previously appeared in Taegoon’s debut MV Call Me earlier this year after Jaejoong’s long attempts to convince SM to let him appear in the video.

Meanwhile, Taegoon is enjoying popularity in Japan as he held a successful fanmeet in July, two events in November at Sanrio Puroland and a famous live house, and his first solo concert planned for December at Tokyo’s Nanako Zero Hall.

Taegoon is currently busy with activities for his 3rd minialbum, while Jaejoong’s kiss scene in Heaven’s Postman is collecting interest.

Source: Taegoon/ WordPress

Remember when SME claimed that JaeChunSu went to China saying they were just going for vacation but instead went to a Crebeau concert? And remember that Crebeau countered saying that SME approved the meeting and that their manager actually accompanied them?

Well now they have PROOF. Pictures of the manager.

Hot off the press from allkpop:

At the start of November, CreBeau, the company behind TVXQ members Jaejoong, Junsu and Yoochun’s cosmetics line, spoke up against SM Entertainment. At that time, Kang Suk Won, the president of CreBeau’s Korean branch WishopPlus Inc, threatened, “I will not hesitate to reveal the details of SME’s absurd act to the public and to the court.”

It looks like Kang just might follow through with this loaded threat – a follow-up interview that was released earlier this week has got fans abuzz once again. The president claimed that SM Entertainment attempted to cover this whole controversy and paint it as some sort of “national fraud.” “SME should stop the media plays and provide concrete evidence behind the harsh yet vague accusations they have been making.”

Kang answered some very controversial questions and cleared up much confusion and misunderstanding about the status of the three DBSK members in the business.

#1 SME claimed that CreBeau approached the members without consulting the company in advance.

Why should the members’ private financial investments be regulated by their company? If that’s not intruding upon their basic rights, then what is? We never attempted to use their fame and status for advertisement or profit. Jaejoong, Junsu and Yoochun invested in the business as mere financial investors, as individuals, not as celebrities. Are the members not allowed to make private investments for their future?

#2 SME claimed that the members get a 5% royalty of the profit of CreBeau.

This is ridiculous and ungrounded. SME needs to provide solid evidence to back their claims. We, on the other hand, are ready to reveal any financial records and contracts to defend our position. We also plan to press additional charges of slander on SME for this, on top of the charges of slander regarding SME’s claims that the lawsuit was about CreBeau not the alleged slave contracts.”

#3 Representative Kim Young Min of SME claimed that the DBSK members visited China on January 6 of 2009. He said that the members claimed to visit China as a vacation, but instead they participated in the CreBeau China Investment Orientation.

SME is bringing this up again, but during January, there was no investment at all from anyone. Therefore, the members didn’t have the status of investor at that time. Additionally, it was only by chance the members were seen there. That orientation was supposed to be private, but when DBSK appeared there, thousands of people suddenly gathered. The pictures they took with the CreBeau representatives at the orientation were spread around on the internet.

We have never used the members in advertisements. We even provided measures to prevent the pictures from spreading further on the web. In fact, DBSK’s manager was with them at the orientation. When the members decided to invest in the business, Kim Young Min approved. And now, his attitude has changed 180 degrees all of a sudden.

#4 Any further developments in WishopPlus Inc.’s lawsuit with SME?

Because SME spread malicious rumors and sent complaints to the main branch of CreBeau, CreBeau businesses all over the world have been damaged in terms of trust with the customers and reputation of the business. Up to this point, we hadn’t revealed much detail about the lawsuit because it was pending, but SME gives us no choice. We plan to reveal documentary evidence of what SME sent to the main branch of CreBeau. After seeing SME’s outrageous press conference, we now have a solid reason to press additional charges against SME.”

Source: OhmyNews + allkpop

SHINee Wins #1

SHINee’s Encore

SHINee (feat. SuJu Leeteuk) – Ring Ding Dong

Park Bom – You and I

Brown Eyed Girls – Sign

U-Kiss – Man Man Ha Ni

f(x) – Chu~♡

Beast – Bad Girl
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MhfPvRwiWc]

MBLAQ – Oh Yeah
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6qWokZ97n0]

HAM – T.T Dance
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp1DkiwUqjI]

Secret – I Want You Back
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LoVmKz96co]

Digital Music Chart (Beast)

2PM’s Comeback Preview

Source: Soompi

PD Hong SeongChan of SBS ongoing hit drama ‘You’re Beautiful’ reveals the reason why After School member UEE was casted as character Yoo HeYi on the show.

PD Hong said in a recent interview, “We did many auditions for the casting of character Yoo HeYi in the show, and UEE was one of the auditionees. We decided to test the auditionees for crying scenes without giving them any hints before that. UEE did a good crying scene almost instantly and we casted her immediately.”

PD Hong also said, “Now looking at UEE’s acting, we think we’ve made a good choice.”
The PD also talked about cast Jang GeunSeok, Park ShinHye and Jung YoungHwa, “GeunSeok plays the team leader who is the core of the team, ShinHye is one who acts well with stamina even when she is tired. And YoungHwa’s acting is not that of a newcomer at all.”

Source: Sookyeong

Starting from 3 PM, the members of 2PM released their individual teasers in pairs with the sound of a heart beat.

In the video, the members have their eyes closed and slowly open them as the camera slowly moves towards the chest until it reaches their heart. The heart rate graph is then flashed in the end. The teasers end with a topic that each individual member has chosen, finishing off with the question ‘What is your heart beating for?’

The surprising fact is that the actual heart beat sounds and the members’ narrations, even the heart rate graphs, are all real.

The heart beat sound that each teaser sounds is the real sound of their individual heart beats, recorded especially for the teaser.

Even the narration is said to be thought up by the members themselves after 2 weeks of planning in an effort to deliver their true feelings and thoughts.

A JYPE representative stated “The teasers released are for the title track to be released on the 10th. The title track is a new style that has never been heard of before.”

Source: Asiae
Translations: hazyfiasco@2ONEDAY

Interview under cut!

Yoon Doo Joon (1989.07.04) – Leader.
Also known as the comedian of the group and Gong Yoo look-a-like.

Q: Kong Yoo look-a-like, pretty interesting nickname there.
“People say I look like him when they get a glimpse of me. But you really have to just get a glimpse of me, because if you stare at me for too long then I’ll just look like me.”

Q: You seem like a funny guy.
“Team members say I’m funny but really, my jokes are jokes meant for the members. It is not like it involves things I can’t say in public but I just can’t say them outside of our dorm.”
(Members called him out and said “He says a lot of stuff that he wouldn’t be able to say on TV” – in a very criticizing manner.)

Q: How is your real personality like (as opposed to your public image)?
“People say I’m a stereotypical blood type-A (note: people with the blood type A are said to be shy, quiet, careful and introvert) person. Not sure about that, but I’m really good at memorizing impressions of people. For example, I remember exactly that BEAST members met for the first time on October 1st 2007 and I even remember what they were wearing or what they said.”

Q: You showed some impressive piano skills on the Showcase.
“I taught myself so I can’t say I’m very good. When I used to go to singing classes there was a piano there, and I learned it by learning bits and pieces from many different people. I was able to play the song I played on Showcase only because I practiced that one song for a really long time.”
(But his team members say that he is actually pretty good.)

Jang Hyun Seung (1989.09.03)
- Known for his lovely eyes, odd nickname “Lancho” and eliminated from becoming a member of Big Bang.

Q: How did you get your nickname?
“Has no meaning to it, to be honest. I called myself “Lan Seung” for jokes and someone started calling me “Lancho” and that stuck. I thought to myself, who the hell would call me that? But now the fans do, and I find that quite surprising.”

Q: You look like a Japanese idol.
“People say that I look like Ryohei of W-inds. Probably the hair style, but not sure if we really do look alike.”

Q: Fans say that you have the “eyes that melt my heart”. Did you know?
“No, first time I’ve heard of that. Thanks for thinking as such.”
(Doo Joon says “Must be because his eyes are big, clean and pure-looking like that of a deer.”)

Q: You look like a very blunt person. What is your real personality like?
“When I’m quiet, I’m quiet. When I’m fooling around, I can cause a havoc. I’m not the type who leads anything though.”
(Team members commented that Hyun Seung is the most interpersonal member of BEAST.)

Yong Joon Hyung (1989.12.19)
- Unusual haircut, skilled at talking and at the same time charismatic.

Q: Interesting haircut you got there.
“It was my idea. I first said that I wanted to have the sides of my hair cut short. After that, it felt empty there so I shaved in some random patterns. I even shaved in a mic but members say it looks more like a pig’s nose or a lollipop. I shave in different stuff each week but the hair on the sides can only grow fast, so I alternate between each sides of my head and just cover the side I don’t use with my top hair.”

Q: How is your real personality like?
“Just like all our members, I’m fun and energetic. The thing is though, that I have this period before I become friends with somebody I’ve just met, a period of inspection. Some misunderstand me and think that I don’t like them, but when I finish the inspection and become friends with that person I’m quite energetic around them.”

Q:Doesn’t your busy schedule wear you down?
“Can’t tell if we’re really busy yet. We’re just happy each day because this was what we always wanted to do. I wish that we were busier.”

Yang Yo Sup (1990.01.05)
- Eating champion, and at the same time the mascot of the group who draws in all the Noona fans with his cuteness.

Q: Aren’t you way to thin to be the eating champion?
“I’m called that because I eat a lot of pretty much everything. Little Dong Woon and I are late night snack buddies, so we always eat cookies or make some instant noodles late at night. I thought it was odd that I didn’t gain any weight so I took medical test on the 3rd and apparently I’m underweight. Must be the lack of sleep and sweating.”

Q: You’re the mascot of the cute apparently. How is your real personality like?
“Aww, thank you. I prefer this image of cuteness as well. Its not like I’m sexy or have nice abs so I think its more fitting for me to be the cute one.”
(Joon Hyung says “He is the same as what you see on the TV, always filled with fun.”)

Q: Do you sometimes go on fan sites of you guys?
“All the time. Those places are our playground. I fight with Doo Joon sometimes because of our fan sites.”

Lee Ki Kwang (1990.03.30)
- Kwang Kwang, a smiley face filled with fun

Q: How did you get the nickname “Kwang Kwang”?
“Had it since I was a trainee at JYP, no real meaning attached though. Mostly because I have Kwang in my name I guess.”

Q: Isn’t it hard to sing for BEAST and act on Highkick through the roof at the same time? You’re a high school student in love with Hwang Jung Eum in the show, but have you ever dated someone older than you in real life?
“I wanted to try acting as well and I have been taking lessons, and I’m glad that I was given the opportunity to be on Highkick. My body is tired but I wanted to do it so I’m kept happy. I’ll try harder for all our viewers. Also, I’ve not had that many girlfriends but yeah, haven’t dated someone older yet. Kind of curious about what it would be like though.”

Q: Yoon Shi Yoon from the show says that you’re full of charms. How is your real personality?
“Lots of charm, lots of fun, I think.”

Q: Don’t people say that your smile reminds them of Yoo Seung Ho?
“Really? I thank anyone who thinks that way.”

Son Dong Woon (1991.06.06)
- Youngest, but mysterious and serious

Q: They say you’re bold and extravagant.
“Don’t think so. I’m called that because they couldn’t find a real nickname for me.”
(BUT the team members would like to disagree.)

Q: Heard you’re good at Chinese.
“Wanted to go to the university with Chinese scholarship, so I took lessons and studied by myself as well. There are some Chinese trainees in the company and I can speak fairly well with them.”

Q: Aren’t you quiet.
“I’m losing chances to talk, I want to be funny but my face and my tone are quite serious so that image stuck on me. I am however looking an year or two ahead so I think I have a lot of time to show my funny side in future.”

Source: allkpop

Busy with promotions for their first mini album [SUPER GIRL], popular South Korean boyband Super Junior-M made an appearance in Taiwan last night in the form of a video clip announcing their schedule for fan meets on the 5th and 6th of December. This will be a prelude to Super Junior’s Taiwan stop of their SUPER SHOW 2 Live Tour.

SJ-M had promised when they had first heard about their top three ranking on the charts in Taiwan, to “definitely come to Taiwan for promotions, and thank the fans that love us personally”. Yesterday, SM Entertainment/AVEX Taiwan had held a [SUPER GIRL Behind-the-scenes Footage Event], and led by leader Han Geng, the seven members of SJ-M announced the details of their fan meets, which will be held in the Taipei International Convention Centre, via a video clip.

Member Zhoumi has gone to the extent of passing up the chance to celebrate his parents’ wedding anniversary on the 6th of December, just for the fans.

Apart from being in close proximity with the fans, the content of the SJ-M fan meets can be compared to that of a mini concert and each member will have a solo act.

Tickets for the [SJ-M First Fan Party in Taipei] will start selling on the 14th at noon, via Era Ticket.

Source: UDN
Translations: hazel @ http://asianfanatics.net / theretroradio @ lj

Aired 7th Nov, they performed Love Like This, Green Peas and To My Girlfriend (Fin.K.L)

SS501 was on KBS ‘Champagne’ aired on 8th November and leader Kim HyunJoong was featured for the ‘Top 32 Ideal Type WorldCup’ corner where he has to choose his ideal type of woman from the list of female celebrities based just on their looks.

And during one the rounds of elimination, he was faced with having to choose between Lee Hyori and HwangBo - one his ideal type of woman and the other his made-believe wife. He went for Lee Hyori between the 2.

But Lee Hyori was not his chosen ultimate type of ideal type of woman. Go under the cut to find out who he chose eventually.

Round 1

• Goo HyeSun VS Lee MinJeong – Goo HyeSun
• Han ChaeYeong VS Kim HyunJoo – Han ChaeYeong
• Lee Hyori VS HwangBo – Lee Hyori
• Park ShinHye VS UEE – UEE
• Jessica VS Krystal – Krystal
• SoHee VS SeoHyun – SeoHyun
• CL VS Sandara Park – CL
• Goo Hara VS Nicole – Nicole
• Lee Honey VS Kim JiWoo – Lee Honey
• Han SungJoo VS Shin BongSeon – Han SungJoo
• Kim TaeHee VS Go HyunJeong – Ga HyunJeong
• Han YeSeul VS Han JiHye – Han JiHye
• Kim YunA VS Moon GeunYeong – Kim YunA
• YoonA VS TaeYeon – TaeYeon
• Ivy VS Son DamBi – Son DamBi
• YooBin VS BoA – BoA

Round 2

• Goo HyeSun VS Han ChaeYeong – Han ChaeYeong
• Lee Hyori VS UEE – He used ‘Chance’ and he chosen Lee Hyori under a situation given by member KyuJong
• Krystal VS SeoHyun – Krystal
• CL VS Nicole – CL
• Lee Honey VS Han SungJoo – Lee Honey
• Go HyunJung VS Han JiHye – Han JiHye
• Kim YunA VS TaeYeon – TaeYeon
• Son DamBi VS BoA – BoA

Round 3

• Han ChaeYeong VS Lee Hyori – Lee Hyori
• Krystal VS CL – Krystal
• Lee Honey VS Han JiHye – Lee Honey
• TaeYeon VS BoA – BoA

Round 4

• Lee Hyori VS Krystal – He used ‘Chance’ again and he chose Krystal
• Lee Honey VS BoA – Lee Honey

Final Round:

• Krystal VS Lee Honey – Lee Honey

It seems that Kim HyunJoong likes Krystal pretty much too.

Starts at about 4:49

SM Entertainment CEO’s Kim Young Min, who is involved in the ‘unfair contract’ dispute with his artistes, has recently announced a new contract policy, and that it will be put into action once it gets approved by the related authorities.

SM Entertainment Representative, Kim Young Min, who attended the press conference which was held on the 2nd of November 2009 at 63 Tower, has expressed, “We would collect all comments from music and entertainment industries, related government departments, cultural and tourism board, fair trade departments, educational circles and legislative bodies, based on the law to adjudicate a new contract policy. After the approval from the respective authorities, we would then put it into action. Then follow it (new contract policy) enthusiastically.”

Kim agreed, “If we are able to come out with a new exclusive contract policy based on the law, SM would like to re-contract with all current artistes based on it.”

Kim also expressed, “Under the new exclusive contract, the moment it’s signed it would be protected till the contract ended, if not the current situation would repeat over and over again in the future.”

“In order to prove that what have just I said is nothing but the truth, we would first like to take the advice from the impartial committee,” he said.

But, everyone was not able to fully believe this announcement by SM Entertainment. Professor Lee from Korea Art University stated, “If SM do not wish to have what they have just said to turned into nothing, then they should assure them.” He continued, “Based on what SM have said, they do not wish to fully take on the advice from the impartial committee, but to forcefully come out with a new contract policy, which was questionable (their announcement).” Professor Lee ended, “If SM was really sincere about this, they should work on the new contract based on the advice and not vice versa, and then to get it approved by the representative authorities.”

Source: OhmyNews + OhMicky
Translations: sshutingg @ OneTVXQ

Brown Eyed Girls – Sign

f(x) – Chu

SS501 – Love Like This

Beast – Bad Girl

MBLAQ – Oh Yeah

F.T. Triple – Love Letter

Secret – I Want You Back

4Minute – What A Girl Wants

The curse of the swine flu seems to have struck SHINee. Having only just reported hours earlier that Jonghyun had recovered fully from swine flu, it was reported now that SHINee’s leader, Onew has also been hit by it.

The announcement came at around 6pm on 7th November as it was reported that Onew had developed a gentle, mild fever last night. He was sent to the hospital today and tests have shown that he has contracted swine flu.

Onew has been prescribed Tamiflu and is now back home resting.

The other three SHINee members, Key, Minho and Taemin were also tested for precaution, and neither of them have shown any symptoms of the illness fortunately.

So despite welcoming Jonghyun back from illness, SHINee will perform as a 4-member group in Onew’s absence on the 8th November episode of Inkigayo.

Source: Allkpop