Saturday, September 3, 2011

[News] Could the K-Pop boom Resurrect Korea’s Offline Music Market?

The global popularity of K-Pop just may be the answer to Korea’s dying offline music market, which has been more and more apparent with the big shift to digital music.


Recently, the Hallyu wave has brought an influx of foreign visitors to Korea. One of the core purposes of their visit was to purchase CDs and other fan memorabilia in record stores.


The owner of Books Libro revealed, “Older fans from China and Japan often make visits to the store in order to purchase CDs from Korean artists. Recently, albums by TVXQ and Kim Hyun Joong have been highly popular amongst foreign fans. Fans who visit Korea to purchase albums also purchase Korean lesson books to better understand the songs they’re listening to.”


Another record store owner added, “On the weekends, the store is bustling with foreign tourists. They’ll usually find their favorite artist and buy everything from their debut album to the latest release. They even buy several dozen at a time to give them as gifts to their friends back home. The price of Korean CDs are about half of that of Japanese CDs, so Japanese fans in particular are very enthusiastic about their purchases.”


Books related to K-Pop are also rising in sales, especially for Cube Entertainment CEO Hong Seung Sung’s new release, “There Will Be No Spotlight If You Stop Now“, which ranked second place on Kyobo Book’s best sellers list.





credit to:allkpop.com
Source + Photos: IS Sports via Naver

[News + Vid] Kim Hyun Joong and Bae Yong Joon




credits: PerfectJoongie0606@youtube

[Photo] Park Jung Min Fondant Garden Update

Beach Scene in Jung Min's Taiwan Drama 'Foundant Garden' with his co-star Shara Lin.
09/03/2011


Today’s main actor and actress~ eating flying fish



Mi En and Xi Huan are eating flying fish
(T/N: Must be their drama names. XD)


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credits to: http://weibo.com/sharababy + http://weibo.com/1647532762 +ss501chapter.wordpress.com (English translation)

[Article] Who's the Best Actor/ Actress for you?


Big Bang’s TOP was rated to have the best current acting career as well as the one with the highest potential in his future as an actor amongst idols in the acting scene.

Three major broadcasting company directors (MBC, SBS, and KBS) along with 7 professionals were surveyed to rate the 11 idols that have been featured in dramas or movies in the past2 years. Idols were rated for their ‘acting career up to date’ and ‘potential for growth’; TOP was rated the highest of everyone, averaging 7.6 and 8.0 out of 10, respectively. Professionals praised that “[TOP's] sharp and bold image is appealing” (Ahn Hyuk Mo) and also advised that “it is time for [TOP] to broaden his acting career” (Huh Woong). TOP starred in the movie “‘71: Into the Fire”, winning the Best Male Rookie Actor award at the prestigious 47th Baeksang Arts Awards.

Following TOP, JYJ’s Park Yoochun placed 2nd scoring 7.0 and 7.7, and 2PM’s Ok Taecyeon placed 3rd scoring 6.6 and 7.6. Park Yoochun debuted in the acting scene through “Sungkyunkwan Scandal” and followed through in MBC’s all-new-series “Miss Ripley“, whereas Ok Taecyeon debuted through “Cinderella’s Sister” and followed that up by starring as a lead role in “Dream High”.

Reviewers commented about Park Yoochun saying that “he needs to keep his dry smoothness” (Yoon Suk Jin) and that “he shows a potential in melodrama” (Lee Daeyoung). Concerning Ok Taecyeon, reviewers stated that he is “serious [about acting] and has that star quality, but because of his busy schedule he lacks the time to put that much effort into acting” (Lee Moon Won).

Amongst female idols, T-Ara’s Ham Eunjung who was also featured in “Dream High” received the highest score. Eunjung received a 6.3 in ‘acting career up to date’, placing 4th, but she placed 5th in ‘potential for growth’ with a score of 6.4. She was criticized, “her strong point is her everyday, next door type appearance, but she needs to gain experience” (Ahn Hyuk Mo).

T-Ara’s Jiyeon placed 7th in ‘acting career up to date’ but tied at 6th with CNBLUE’s Jung Yonghwain ‘potential for growth’. Kara’s Goo Hara who is currently acting in SBS’s “City Hunter” scored the lowest in both categories. Professionals coldly criticized that “she needs to escape the shade of being an idol” (Yoon Suk Jin) and that “she is better fit as a singer” (Ahn Hyuk Mo).

Afterschool’s UEE placed 10th in ‘acting career up to date’ and tied with Goo Hara for 10th in ‘potential for growth’. She received criticisms that “she fits the current trend, but ultimately will fall behind” (Ko Young Tak) and that “she needs serious consideration in what else she could show other than her healthy appeal” (Huh Woong).

SS501's Kim Hyun Joong, who received big spotlights as one of the top upcoming Hallyu Stars through his roles in “Boys Before Flowers” and “Playful Kiss” tied for 5th in ‘acting career up to date’ with Super Junior’s Choi Siwon, but fell to 9th place in ‘potential for growth’. Kim Hyun Joong received harsh criticisms from the reviewers that “he needs more stable acting to receive lead roles” (Ko Young Tak) and “the fact he sells despite his downside was his strength, but even that is becoming blurry now” (Lee Moon Won).

Choi Siwon, who placed 5th in ‘acting career up to date’ and higher as 4th in ‘potential for growth’, received criticism that although his acting is somewhat stable, he is trapped in his roles within his handsome appearance.

There are mainly three routes in which idols enter their acting career.

First, the historical drama route: Fin.K.L’s Sung Yuri in “Thousand Years Love”, JYJ’s Park Yoochun in “Sungkyunkwan Scandal”, and Afterschool’s UEE as young Misil in “Queen Seon Duk”. Historical dramas carry a specific tone for lines, and the recent rise of fusion-historical dramas make it easy for rookie actors and actresses to pull lines off. Historical dramas, rather than trendy dramas, also give the impression that the idol actors/actresses are taking acting more seriously.

Second, the musician role route: Jung Yonghwa of CNBLUE and Lee Hong Ki of FT Island in “You’re Beautiful” along with Miss A Suzy in “Dream High” are typical cases. Idols can showcase their talent and act naturally. In MBC’s “Fall In Love” which will air its first episode on the 29th of June, Jung Yonghwa will play the lead role as a college student who is majoring guitar in music school.

Lastly, debuting outside of Korea using their international popularity. Kara’s Goo Hara debuted as an actress in “UraKara” in Japan and then recently kicked off her acting career in Korea in SBS’s “City Hunter”. Super Junior’s Donghae will debut in acting with a lead role in Taiwan through “Glamorous Challenge”, set to start sometime this year. MBC’s “Playful Kiss” in which Kim Hyun Joong was featured in had very low ratings in Korea, but it went on out to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and many other countries to gross a total of approximately 4 million dollars.


by GONI
Source + Photo: DongA via Daum / allKpopNews

[News] Kim Hyun Joong.... horrible actor???

Arirang rated the top 5 idol stars who are known to be horrible actors on their ‘Pops in Seoul‘ program which has been stirring up some heated debates between fans.

The idol stars were rated mostly on their skills in expressing emotions (facial, tone), pronunciation, and how natural they looked while acting.

KARA’s Goo Hara was rated as the 5th worst on this list and the rest went something like this:SS501’s Kim Hyun Joong as number 4, miss A’s Suzy at number 3, TVXQ’s U-Know / Yunho at number 2, and finally, Davichi’s Kang Min Kyung was rated as the worst idol star actress.

The hostess of the segment, NS Yoon Ji (reading from a script) gave somewhat harsh criticism and feedback for each idol but ended the comment with praise such as, “Don’t worry Hyun Joong oppa, this actually means you’re even more charming“, and “Oh wait, I can hear all her uncle fans screaming, ‘it’s okay, because Suzy makes up for it with her beauty‘”.

Although a few admittedly agreed on the accuracy of the ratings, many fans were upset about the content and questioned if the degree of insult was needed.
 Check out the segment below!






by ylee /allKpopNews

[News] SS501’s Kim Hyun Joong visits Kim Kyu Jong during ‘Goong’ rehearsal




On September 3rd, SS501’s leader Kim Hyun Joong made a special visit to fellow member Kim Kyu Jong’s rehearsal room for his musical, ‘Goong‘.

Goong’s production company tweeted, “Last night, Hyun Joong-ssi stopped by the rehearsal room for Kyu-Taeja and the ‘Goong’ team. Thank you for the drinks.”

Dressed from head-to-toe in black, Kim Hyun Joong is seen posing comfortably next to Kim Kyu Jong. Despite the poor lighting, their handsome looks still managed to make the photo shine.

Netizens commented, “So handsome”, “I love seeing them together”, “Fighting on the musical!”, and “So much eye candy.”



by VITALSIGN
Source + Photos: Star News via Naver / allkpop

[Info] BOSS OST ALBUM, “30,000 COPIES IN JUST PRE-ORDERS” DOMESTIC RELEASE ON THE 8TH


The OST for the SBS Wed-Thursday drama Protect the Boss is planned to be released on the coming 8th domestically.

The Protect the Boss OST have been revealed online until its Part 7 as digital singles– I Will Protect You by Kim Jaejoong, Please Let Us Just Love by A-Pink, You Don’t Even Know Well by Lynn, I’m Asking You by M-Street, I Can See Only You by ZE:A’s Kwanghee and Jewelry’s Yewon, Because of You by Hyuwoo, Now I Know by Son Hyeonwoo, and A Sad Song  by Heo Young Saeng.

Furthermore, the Protect the Boss OST had repeatedly become the talk of the town whenever the digital singles were released due to the participation of the top vocalists. Lynn, JYJ’s Kim Jaejoong, M-Street, and SS501's Heo Young Saeng  and such completed the top-notch vocal line to make alive the atmosphere of the drama.

An affiliate to the SBS Contents Hub which produced the Protect the Boss OST relayed: “Currently, there are 30,000 gone just in pre-orders. So we are going to first sell the 30,000 copies which the pre-orders have claimed in Korea only.”

On the other hand, the Protect the Boss OST which is being released on the 8th can be purchased online and offline stores. The first 15,000 persons will be gifted a Protect the Boss poster.



Source: TVDaily
Translation Credit: JYJ3

[Photos] Heo Young Saeng at Park Chul Woo-Sin Hye In's Wedding

[Photos] Park Jung Min for Sieg Fahrenheit Clothing

Jung Min's clothes' sponsor recentLy..



credits: @thePJM_FC

[Photo] Park Jung Min at Gucci Fashion Show 2011 in Taipei














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credits: Media Portal + @KaHye95
 http://vogue.com.tw/ + Tungstar + http://www.potuker.com/

[Vid / Preview] Kim Hyun Joong at AzioTV Interview





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credits: http://azio.im.tv/ + Skull860606@youtube

[Photos] Kim Hyun Joong visited Kim Kyu Jong at Goong Rehearsal


궁]어제 밤, 규태자와 궁팀을 위해 연습실을 방문해준 현중씨~ 음료수 감사해용


Translation
“Last night, Hyun Joong-ssi stopped by the rehearsal room for Kyu-Taeja and the ‘Goong’ team. Thank you for the drinks.”



Leader and Kyu Jong ^_^
(Love this pic! )



uuhhh ^_^ how I miss seeing them together.. Love how Leader shows his support to his members.. ^_^ SS501 Daebak! Hwaiting!! 


Kyu Jong is preparing for his come back in September. In October, Hyun Joong, Young Saeng and Hyung Joon also come back.

Please wait for them! ThanKyu! 






credits: @G8plan + hyunited-6686.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.hyunjoong.henecia

[Vid] A-Port Exclusive Interview with Kim Hyun Joong (Part 3)





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credits: iZomZaa@yt

[Magazine] Kim Hyun Joong in i-WEEKLY & 8 DAYS

Singaporean Magazine







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credits: @501wangja + @BizhenHan

[Vid] Kim Kyu Jong Musical "Goong" Open Rehearhal






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credit to:musicalgoong@yt

[Photo] Prince Charming Kim Kyu Jong





credits: http://kimkyujong.in/ + @RomanticKyu

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