[100622/KPOP] PARK JAE-BEOM TO START SHOOTING HYPE NATION
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Korean singer Park Jae-beom, former leader of boy band 2PM who arrived in Korea last Friday, will kick off shooting for b-boy pic “Hype Nation” on June 24.
According to multiple media reports, filming for “Nation” was originally set to begin on Wednesday but got delayed by a day due to the weather and shooting location selection.
Park, who is cast as the male lead in the dance flick, reportedly does not have any scenes to shoot on the first day of shooting, however.
The Korean-American singer returned to Korea on Friday for the first time since leaving the country last September after he got caught up in a national controversy that abruptly ended his music career as a member of popular idol group 2PM.
Park and 2PM were at the height of their popularity when it was revealed that he had written several controversial remarks — including “I hate Korea” — on his MySpace pages during his teenage years as a trainee at agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE).
The matter sparked an instant outrage throughout the country, leading to Park quitting the band and returning to his hometown of Seattle four days after his old comments surfaced on the Internet.
With fans pleading for his return, he was expected to rejoin the group earlier this year but was dropped by JYPE last February when the agency terminated its contract with the singer. Neither Park nor JYPE offered details about their split, only saying that it was due to “a huge wrongdoing” that Park had committed in his personal life.
Park had been staying in the U.S. since, dancing with his b-boy crew Art of Movement and recently signing with U.S. online media company Digital Media Wire (DMW) to manage his career in the entertainment business.
One day prior to his much-hyped return to Korea, the singer released a lengthy statement on his official website (http://www.jaypark.com), apologizing to his fans and former bandmates for “putting you guys through so much emotionally and mentally since last September” and saying “I was once young and naive and said some things that got blown out of context.”
The singer added, “I am proud to be Korean, I love Korea, my parents are Korean, and where ever I go, whatever I do, I will try to the best of my ability to represent Korea well.”
Park, who flew in with his parents and producer of “Nation,” was greeted at the Incheon International Airport by some 1,000 fans, who showed up to welcome the former pop idol-turned-actor back home.
“Hype Nation,” 70 percent of which will be shot in Korea, is about a dance contest between an American dance crew and South Korean b-boys. The female lead role will played by singer T-ae of girl group RaNia.
source: asiae.co.kr
HERE’S THE SAMPLE OF THE MV:
i don’t know if it’s the real thing or some fanmade video but it’s all good.
credit: TheShushuu@YT
[2PM] JUNSU FINALLY JOINS WONDER GIRLS WORLD TOUR
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Boy band 2PM member Junsu, who has been unable to join the rest of his group for the Wonder Girls tour in North America due to an injured knee, has recovered in time to take part in a series of shows on the west coast of the continent.
Junsu left a comment on his official Twitter site (http://twitter.com/Jun2daKAY) on Saturday, saying that he was going to make it to the concerts in Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Francisco to be held June 11, 12 and 13 (U.S. time), respectively.
He had stayed back in Korea to recover from a damaged knee cartilage in his right leg which had kept him from joining 2PM in their opening acts for the Wonder Girls 27-stop tour which kicked off in Washington D.C. on June 4.
An official at his agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE) also confirmed the news, explaining that the 22-year-old singer had recently taken off his cast and had shown strong interest in taking part of the current Wonder Girls tour.
“We are still cautious of his condition though so we will continue to check how he does…… But he will take the stage for some of the shows as long as he shows no other ailments,” the official added.
After the six-member group returns to Korea over the weekend, they will start preparing for their solo concerts in Seoul (on July 31 and August 1) and Busan (on August 7 and 8).
2PM, consisted of other members Taecyeon, Nichkhun, Wooyoung, Junho and Chansung, is discovered and managed by major talenthouse JYPE.
Most recently they returned to the music scene with their third single album “Don’t Stop Can’t Stop” and topped several online and offline music charts with their title track “Without U.”
cre: Asiae.co.kr
[100604/2PM/F(X)] NICKHUN AND VICTORIA CAST AS HUBBY AND WIFEY
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2PM member Nichkhun and f(x)’s Victoria have been cast as one of the latest make-believe couples in MBC’s reality show “We Got Married.”
JYP Entertainment told Asia Economic Daily over the phone on Friday that “the two began recording for the show at the beginning of June although the schedule for the airing of the show has yet to be set.”
The show, into its second season, currently features two other make-believe married couples; Brown Eyed Girls’ Ga-in and 2AM’s Jo Kwon, and CNBLUE’s Jung Yong-hwa and Girls Generation’s Seohyun.
Nichkhun, whose full name is Nichkhun Buck Horvejkul, is a Thai-American singer who was discovered by a JYPE talent agent in Hollywood. He moved to Korea and joined 2PM which has become one of the most popular idol groups in Asia since their debut in September 2008.
Victoria, a Chinese-born singer is the leader of the five-member girl group f(x). She made her debut into the music industry in 2009 under the management of SM Entertainment. They are currently promoting their first mini-album “NU ABO.”
cre: Asiae.co.kr
kinda interesting..must watch!!!
[100603/2PM] TAECYEON NEVER DATED ANYONE SINCE DEBUT
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Taecyeon of popular boy band 2PM has revealed that he has not had a single girlfriend since making his debut, dismissing recent rumors that he is dating Yoona of Girls’ Generation.
The singer sat down for an exclusive interview with Asia Economic Daily, held at a coffee shop in Seoul’s Apkujung district on Monday morning, opening up about his personal life.
When asked what his first question to an actor would be if he himself was a reporter, the 21-year-old star responded, “I would ask if he has a girlfriend.”
“I had one when I was a trainee [at agency JYPE], but I haven’t had any girlfriends after making my debut,” the pop idol said in response. “It’s not like the agency forbids me from dating anyone, but strangely I haven’t been able to get one.”
Taecyeon and Yoona recently sparked dating rumors when they appeared as a couple in a promotional music video for a water amusement park.
He admitted that they are “close friends” but added, “We are both busy… We haven’t had any chance to meet in private settings.”
He also said he is “closest to Girls’ Generation out of all the girl groups” but stressed that they had only met for work and “rarely met on a personal level.”
He went onto say, “I know about the rumors surrounding me. But there are many that are totally out of the blue. It is amazing how such stories get made up.”
Taecyeon, one of the members of idol group 2PM, recently made his acting debut in the KBS2 TV series “Sister of Cinderella” alongside actress Moon Geun-young.
“Cinderella” ends its run on the small screen tonight.
cre: Asiae.co.kr
[100601/2PM] NICKHUN: BEING CALLED PRETTY IS LIKE AN INSULT
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Nichkhun, member of popular idol group 2PM who is famous for his dashing looks, has said that being told he is pretty is like “an insult” for him.
The 21-year-old singer made the remark while appearing as a guest on popular celebrity talk show “Steel Heart,” according to a press release by the show’s broadcaster SBS on Tuesday.
“I really hate being called pretty,” said the singer on the show, revealing a painful incident during his childhood related to his feminine look. “Even now when people tell me I am pretty, it feels like an insult to me.”
Determined to prove that he is more than just a pretty face, the young star made various facial expressions during the taping that drew a big laughter from the crowd.
Nichkhun, whose full name is Nichkhun Buck Horvejkul, is a Thai-American singer who was discovered by a JYPE talent agent in Hollywood. He moved to Korea and joined 2PM which has become one of the most popular idol groups in Asia since their debut in September 2008.
The “Steel Heart” episode featuring Nichkhun and his bandmate Junsu airs tonight on SBS.
cre: Asiae.co.kr
[100524/KPOP] 2PM AND SUPER JUNIOR TOP TELEVISED MUSIC SHOWS
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Korean boy bands 2PM and Super Junior ranked number one on televised music shows over the weekend.
2PM claimed their second consecutive Mutizen award on SBS’ Sunday music program “Inkigayo” with their single “Without U” while giving out the top spot on KBS’ Friday live show “Music Bank” to Super Junior who recently made a comeback with a new song titled “BONAMANA”.
The groups were up against other singers such as Rain, Davichi and Gummy on both shows.
For their performance on Inkigayo, six-man band 2PM was one member short due to their main vocalist Junsu recovering from a knee injury.
They have been enjoying a successful comeback to the local music scene however, with the song from their latest album “Don’t Stop Can’t Stop” which has topped cable music channel Mnet’s “M! CountDown” for three weeks straight and “Music Bank” for two weeks in a row.
Super Junior, back with their fourth album “BONAMANA” released May 13, sold over one hundred thousand copies of the new record in just eight days of its release.
cre: asiae.co.kr
[KPOP] 100414 FORMER 2PM JAE-BEOM TO STAR IN HYPE NATION
Boy band 2PM’s former leader Park Jae-beom has signed on for movie “Hype Nation,” according to an official with the film on Wednesday.
The official explained that Park signed a contract with the movie’s producer Young Lee, agreeing to appear in “Nation” as well as participating in the soundtrack for the movie which is set for filming starting June.
Park is expected to fly into Korea for the film since 70 percent of the movie will be shot in Korea.
“Nation,” about a dance contest between an American dance crew and South Korean dancers, is targeted at a global market with the lines to be relayed in English.
The role for the female lead has yet to be set but Lee is said to be in talks with a member from a Korean girl group.
Lee had originally cast Korean female singer Son Dambi for the lead role but Son reportedly pulled out of the project after production of the film got delayed.
Park quit his band last September after comments he made on his MySpace account before his debut surfaced and stirred nationwide controversy.
He was expected to rejoin the group earlier this year but officially parted with JYPE for good in February over “a huge personal wrongdoing.”
Last month, he was seen participating in a b-boy dance contest in Vancouver, Canada with his dance crew Art of Movement.
credit/source: asiae.co.kr
[KPOP] 2PM GOES ON COUNTDOWN FOR END OF APRIL COMEBACK
K-pop idol group 2PM has gone on a countdown ahead of making a comeback to the local music scene with a mini-album later this month.
A clock tower in an empty lot, posted on their official website (2pm.jype.com) late on Monday, indicated there is one day left till the group reveals information about their new record.
The boys had last released an album in November last year, promoting their first full-length record “1:59PM” for three months. Their title track “Heartbeat” topped various televised and online music charts for several consecutive weeks.
2PM originally made their debut with seven members in 2008 but turned a six-man band after their agency JYP Entertainment announced in February that it would terminate its contract with former leader Park Jae-beom over “a huge personal wrongdoing.”
The young singer had been absent from the group since last September after sparking national controversy over comments he made on his MySpace account before his debut but fans had been anticipating his return.
Members of 2PM have ventured onto individual projects including variety show and drama appearances.
CREDIT/SOURCE: asiae.co.kr
[PHOTO/KPOP] 100409 DREAM TEAM SHOOT WITH JINON, MINHO, AND JUNHO
F.CUZ JinOn takes part in a game during a pre-recorded session of KBS entertainment show “Let’s Go! Dream Team Season 2″ at Hanyang University’s campus in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea on April 11, 2010.
Boy band 2PM member Junho takes part in a game during a pre-recorded session of KBS entertainment show “Let’s Go! Dream Team Season 2″ at Hanyang University’s campus in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea on April 11, 2010.
Boy band SHINee member Minho takes part in a game during a pre-recorded session of KBS entertainment show “Let’s Go! Dream Team Season 2″ at Hanyang University’s campus in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea on April 11, 2010.
credit/source: asiae.co.kr
[HALLYU] CAST OF PERSONAL TASTE ATTEND PRESS CONFERENCE
From top down, the male cast of upcoming MBC TV series tentatively titled “Personal Taste” in English, including Lee Min-ho, Kim Ji-suk and Im Seulong, pose during a photo session of a press conference held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on March 25, 2010.
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From top down, the female cast of upcoming MBC TV series tentatively titled “Personal Taste” in English, including Son Ye-jin and Wang Ji-hea, pose during a photo session of a press conference held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on March 25, 2010.
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From left, actor Lee Min-ho and actress Son Ye-jin pose during a photo session of a press conference for upcoming MBC TV series tentatively titled “Personal Taste” in English, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on March 25, 2010.
CREDIT: asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KDRAMA/KPOP] WHAT TAECYON SAYS ABOUT CINDERELLA
Q: You must be quite determined since this is the first drama you’re taking on since being discharged from the military.
Chun Jung-myung (Chun): While I was in the military, I had mentioned to Zo In-sungthat I would like to take on a certain type of drama and it was similar in certain ways with “Cinderella.” So I was happy when I got the part. I do feel pressured because reports have been saying I’m making a comeback for the first time in four years. I’m just focusing on my acting for now.
Q: What was it about “Cinderella” that worked for you?
Chun: I personally had wanted to do a film but had told Zo that it may be better to do a drama first since the reaction comes faster. After I made up my mind to take on a drama, I thought hard over which I should do. I didn’t think I would be ready to take on genres outside youth romance so “Cinderella” worked for me in that aspect too. And more than anything, I liked the producer and scenarist. My close actor friends, such as Ko Hyun-jung and Zo In-sung, had been in dramas by Kim Kyu-wan. They said I’d have a hard time because my lines would be long but they told me it would be great and it would be an honor for me. Gi-hoon wasn’t supposed to play such a big part in the drama. That’s why I thought a newcomer would play the female role opposite me. But the script got changed the more I talked with the scenarist and my role got better.
Q: What was your first impression of each other Moon Geun-young and Seo Woo, since you two would constantly face each other in the drama?
Moon Geung-young (Moon): I did have a lot of interest in her because I had seen the roles she had played. I wanted to meet her as a fan because I had thought, “How could there be an actress like her?” but honestly, I was scared to act with her. There is a fear I feel when I meet an actress who I think may be better than me because I want to be good too. But I realized I had been having silly thoughts after meeting her on set and talking with her a lot. I’m going to have to act in harmony with her anyway. I’m shy so I liked Seo Woo who has a lively and warm personality. I think we’re working well together since there aren’t many actors our age.
Seo Woo: Moon is the so-called ‘national younger sister’ and looks young too but I felt a bit bad because I was playing the younger role in the drama. It’s easy for the older person to act the role of the younger person even if you first meet but I thought it would be difficult to do it the other way around so I asked her to treat me as if I was younger. I didn’t worry though because Moon has been acting for a long time now. There is a vibe about her which makes her worthy of playing the main character.
Q: You get to wear school uniforms in the drama.
Moon: I portray my character from when she is in tenth grade to eight years later. I didn’t feel anything wearing a school uniform in the past because I was used to it but I was excited to get to wear it this time. It’s been a while since I’ve graduated so I thought to myself that I have grown older.
Seo Woo: I’ve worn a school uniform for almost all the roles I’ve played so far. I’m doing my very best this time though, thinking that it’ll be the last time I wear it because I think even the viewers might cringe at the sight of me still wearing a school uniform. I would feel bad wearing one again next year so I think I’ll only do it till this year.
Q: Did you not feel any burden, before shooting the drama, because you were taking on an evil role this time.
Moon: I think I was most burdened by what viewers would think of me. I took on the role thinking that it would be fun and I wasn’t expecting anything in particular but to others, this could be considered a change. And some were starting to say it’s an extreme change so that’s when I started to feel the pressure. I still feel it and I’m worried.
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| Actor Chun Jung-myung attends a press conference for upcoming KBS TV series “Sister of Cinderella” held at Imperial Palace Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on March 24, 2010. [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia] |
Q: But although you say that, there are a lot of actors who consider playing such roles as fun.
Moon: I’m not sure if it’s fun because I have to be evil but it’s fun because it’s new. I don’t use the normal form of communication — I can be prickly with my dialogue and reactions while blowing punches so there’s a fun I get out of expressing my character.
Q: Seo Woo, in your case, are there any difficulties with having to play the nice character?
Seo Woo: My character Hyo-sun is Cinderella but she’s not the Cinderella who gets hated because she’s overly nice. She can be quite straightforward and I’m trying to portray her in a way that the viewers will able to empathize with how even someone who is as nice as her could feel the emotions she does. I’m trying to make her into a more humane Cinderella. But at the same time, not stray too far from the original story which has been loved by so many people.
Moon, you’re probably the most experienced when it comes to acting. Do you think you’re playing a role as having that experience?
Moon: Age isn’t really a factor once you start acting. You can’t judge whether someone is good or bad from their years of experience. I actually don’t know how I’ve helped because you could learn from a newcomer or a senior actor. Everyone has things that I don’t have so I’m learning and realizing a lot. I do think I act like I’m more experienced around Taecyeon though. It’s actually probably the first time I’m not the youngest on set so I sometimes feel like giving the treatment to Taecyeon. I ask him why he’s late sometimes.
Seo Woo: She does that to me and Chun too. (laugh)
Q: Does your character Eun-jo change over time?
Moon: It would be hard to define her as a villian from start to finish but she’s not a warm-hearted person either. She was cynical when she was young but becomes a bit more rational as she matures and makes new realizations. She’s not the typical villain though. It’s actually quite hard to define which characters are good or bad in the drama overall, so I think that will be the appeal about “Sister of Cinderella.”
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| 2PM member Taecyeon attends a press conference for upcoming KBS TV series “Sister of Cinderella” held at Imperial Palace Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on March 24, 2010. [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia] |
Q: Chun Jung-myung, have you gotten used to the atmosphere on set?
Chun Jung-myung (Chun): I think I got the hang of things quite faster than I usually do because up until part of the fourth episode, we’ve been shooting on rotation so being able to meet up with everyone and act with them has helped. I also tend to prepare a lot in advance, read my script a lot and I had constantly kept in touch and met up with the other actors so that has also helped me to understand my character more quickly. I’ve become better at anticipating what will be in the next script I get. I used to get the hang of things into the second half of a drama in the past so I’m glad it’s happened faster this time.
Q: A lot of the roles you used to play were ones which appeal to the female audience. Were you under a bit of pressure because a new type of guys have become more appealing while you were away?
Chun: I had actually gained some weight by the time I was discharged from the military but I worked out crazily after hearing I would be shooting a drama with Taecyeon. I lost eight kilograms and am still trying to lose more but I’m nowhere close to Taecyeon. I’m just trying the best I can.
Q: Taecyeon, this is your first time acting. How did you decide to take it up?
Taecyeon: I tend to think that I need to see the end of whatever I go for. That’s why when I first started as a member as 2PM, I concentrated on that, and when I did a duet with Baek Ji-young, I took on the challenge of going on stage without the rest of my group. In that way, I think I’m greedy when it comes to taking on new challenges. It was the same with acting.
Q: So how has it been?
Taecyeon: There are a lot of problems. (laugh) I know I still have a long way to go. But both the producer and other actors are helping me a lot so I’m trying very hard.
Q: What do the members of your group 2PM say to you about your decision to try acting?
Taecyeon: They too want to challenge themselves in a variety of fields so they are extremely envious of me. There are instances where singers who try to act end up becoming a topic of debate because of their acting skills but if you’re good, it’ll help the album so they’ve been rooting for me. They’ve been calling me by my character’s name Jung-woo because I asked them to.
Q: What are the things you’ve been working on since starting to act?
Taecyeon: I hadn’t been able to practice my acting too much after making my singing debut. I became faced with basic problems such as vocalization and pronounciation, but what was most difficult was acting out facial expressions. Everyone gives me advice on this. And I’m still lacking at this in many ways so I’ve been hearing different things. I had seen Moon Geun-young on TV since I was in elementary school so it’s interesting to actually get to watch her but I also feel quite nervous around her because she’s my senior when it comes to acting. I’m trying to become closer with her and she’s been teaching me a lot so I’m becoming more disciplined.
Q: What do you think about Taecyeon’s acting?
Chun: Since he’s dipped his feet into acting, I’m hoping he will succeed as an actor. It could be hard to be good at both singing and acting so I’m wondering how he thinks of concentrating on acting. He keeps saying he’s not good enough but he actually is good and he also tries hard.
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| Actress Moon Geun-young attends a press conference for upcoming KBS TV series “Sister of Cinderella” held at Imperial Palace Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on March 24, 2010. [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia] |
Q: Most of you are of similar age. Does anything fun happen on set?
Moon: The set itself is fun. Seo Woo keeps saying her character has a charm which will probably help her gain anti-fans but it is definitely not true.
Seo Woo: Let’s talk after we look at the message boards after the show starts airing. (laugh)
Moon: The atmosphere on set always lights up when Seo Woo appears and I don’t know if he was in the army but Chun also seems to have a lot of fun and he plays a lot of jokes too.
Seo Woo: He plays a lot of jokes. The worst you could imagine.
Moon: But Seo Woo isn’t any better either. I’m not too good at joining in with the jokes so I’m usually the spectator. I bully Taecyeon instead.
Q: Chun, are you happy to be on set for the first time in a while?
Chun: It’s actually extremely difficult for me to get to set. It’s like working out — hard to get to but great once you’re there. I was happy to see the people who I had only been seeing on TV. It’s fun that everyone is unique and they have all treated me well.
Q: You referred to them as people you had only seen on TV. I’m curious to know who’s photograph you had on the inside of your locker while you were in the military.
Chun: It was figure skater Kim Yuna. It was a full-shot of her posted in the military paper. It was Japanese actress Yu Aoi at first, then Brad Pitt and also Uee [of girl group After School]. The last photo I had was of skater Kim Yuna.
Q: With dramas, there is the anxious phase you have to go through while waiting for the show’s ratings. Does this pressure you in any way?
Moon: A lot of other things do but I’m not too sure about ratings.
Seo Woo: I don’t really pay too much attention to number of admissions or ratings because I haven’t been in any of the more commercial films or dramas. But I’m guessing we’ll do okay since Moon is popular, right?
Q: What is the message you want to deliver through “Sister of Cinderella”?
Chun: More than anything, the picture for our drama is great.
Taecyeon: There’s a dual vibe to the drama so I don’t think it will be blindly femine. I hope you will get to think that this is a drama where you can see a new side to the fairy tale of Cinderella.
CREDIT: asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP] FORMER 2PM PARK JAE-BEOM FEATURED IN CANADIAN MAGAZINE
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Park Jae-beom, former leader of popular Korean idol group 2PM, has been featured in a Canadian magazine while participating in a local b-boying contest.
Vancouver HYPE Magazine wrote on its online blog “justalilhype!” (http://justalilhype.com) about the former K-pop idol and ran photos of Park dancing with his b-boy crew named Art of Movement at the “Battle of T.N.G: Just Battle” contest held in Vancouver on Monday.
HYPE briefly interviewed the Korean-American singer — who goes by the name Jay Park — at the event, saying that he was “reluctant to shoot still shots with fans until the end of event” but he was “friendly nevertheless and talked to many of his female admirers” throughout the contest.
Park was introduced as “a superstar back in Korea” and said to have “kept a low-key presence and treated all other b-boys of the event with respect”.
The article explained that although the Seattle native and his team did not win, their performance was “one of the most anticipated” numbers of the night and received “abundant cheering and screaming from his female fans.”
The magazine ended the article by calling Park a “multi-talented young individual” and mentioning a video that he had released last week on popular video sharing site YouTube — a cover of “Nothing On You” by U.S. hip-hop artist B.o.B.
Park, 22, had sparked national controversy last September after remarks — including “I hate Korea” — he had written on his MySpace account before his debut became public. He quit the boy band four days later and returned to his hometown of Seattle.
He was expected to make his much-awaited comeback to the group this year until agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE) announced last month that it will be terminating its contract with the singer due to “a huge personal wrongdoing” on his part.
JYPE did not reveal further details, saying it was linked to his personal life, but stated that it deemed Park “no longer fit to be the agency’s artist”, and that his bandmates all agreed it would be “difficult to work with Park Jae-beom as the group 2PM any longer”.
After Park’s departure from the group last fall, the remaining members made a successful comeback as a six-man band last December with their single “Hearbeat.”
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credit: asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP] JYP CALLS COPS OVER CYBER CALAMITY
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JYP Entertainment, the management company of boy band 2PM, has turned to the police to track down fans who, angry at the departure of member Park Jae-beom from the group on Feb. 25, have spread rumors about the group and publicized personal information, including the resident ID numbers of the remaining members. “Although the members said that we should try to understand the disappointment of fans, since they are spreading and misusing [personal] information, we had no choice but to ask the police for assistance,” the company announced on its Web site Tuesday.Park, an American of Korean descent, resigned from the group after posts on his MySpace page complaining about Korea, uploaded before he joined the group, came to light, sparking public outrage. He currently lives in Seattle.
source: joongangdaily.com
[KPOP] 2PM’S NICKHUN DENIES STARRING IN “WE GOT MARRIED”
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Nichkhun of Korean idol group 2PM has denied rumors that he will be appearing on MBC variety show “We Got Married”, according to agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE).
JYPE said in a phone call with Asia Economic Daily on Thursday that reports of the pop idol appearing in the popular show — where celebrities play make-believe couples — were “not true.”
“It is true that we discussed with the show’s producers about Nichkhun appearing in ‘Married’ in January,” an official at JYPE explained. “But nothing has been set. From what I know, producers have also contacted other celebrities.”
The official added, however, that they are “still in talks” regarding the singer’s casting and that they will have to “wait and see”.
Recent reports claimed that Nichkhun and Eunjung of girl band T-ara will be joining the cast for “Married”, but both parties have denied the news.
Nichkhun, whose full name is Nichkhun Buck Horvejkul, is a Thai-American singer who was discovered by a JYPE talent agent in Hollywood. He moved to Korea and joined 2PM which has become one of the most popular idol groups in Asia since their debut in September 2008.
Reporter : Kang Seung-hun tarophine@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP] RUMORS SWIRL AROUND ABOUT 2PM’S JAEBEOM DEPARTURE
Management says it’s a personal problem that can not be reported.
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The question of whether Park Jae-beom, the former lead singer of the K-pop boy band 2PM, will rejoin the group after he was let go in September has finally been answered, but that hasn’t kept fans from speculating about the reason for his departure.
Last Thursday, fans were surprised to read a posting on the Web site of the group’s management agency, JYP Entertainment, confirming the singer would not return to the group.
In the posting, the agency said it had been preparing for Park to make a comeback in April and that it had even scheduled a press conference for February to announce his return. The agency went on to say, however, that in December Park had called Jeong Uk, one of the directors of JYP Entertainment, to tell him he had done something very wrong last summer, while the group was promoting the single “Again and Again.”
Although the agency declined to say what the “something” was, it did say that it was a personal problem that could not be reported and that it was far more serious than what the former front man had done last September.
The six other members of the group were notified of the company’s decision on Jan. 3, the company said.
Two days after the message was posted, on Saturday, the heads of JYP Entertainment and the six remaining 2PM members held a four-hour, closed Q&A session with 100 restless fans about Park’s confirmed farewell.
The session kicked off with the six band members acknowledging their opposition to Park’s return, while the company revealed that although what he did last summer would outrage society, it was not an unlawful act.
Rather than calming fans, however, the session further aggravated them due to the lack of answers provided about Park’s actions and his bandmates’ reactions. People who participated in the session wrote on various portal sites that band members sniggered during questions, were indifferent toward the former lead singer and even seemed aggressive.
Following this, fans have raised questions about JYP’s decision to let Park go, and some have proposed that the move had nothing to do with his actions but was a way for the agency to remove the singer from the group.
Meanwhile, the rumors about the nature of Park’s actions have included speculation about drug use, sexual relations with minors and more, but none of them have been confirmed.
Park’s troubles began last September, when netizens discovered negative comments he had made about Korea on his MySpace page from 2005 to 2007, while he was in training to join the group. On the site, he had said, among other things, “Korea is gay. I hate Koreans. I wanna come back,” which spurred what some of his supporters have called a “witch hunt.” The singer apologized and left for his hometown in Seattle, Washington, shortly after the incident erupted.
SOURCE: joongang.co.kr
[KPOP] 2PM’S NICKHUN SPEND HIS VALETINES WITH THAI FANS
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2PM member Nichkhun plans to spend Valentine’s Day with fans in Thailand, according to his agency on Thursday.
JYP Entertainment explained the Thai-American member of the popular Korean boy band will visit Phuket over Valentine’s, which also falls concurrently with the Chinese Lunar New Year this year, to spend time with his fans over a five-day period.
Nichkhun will introduce various aspects of Thai culture to his fans including the traditional martial arts muay thai and beach activities. He will also hold a dinner party on the last night of the trip.
In 2009 the Tourism Authority of Thailand named Nichkhun a promotional ambassador for tourism at an aim to attract younger tourists to the country.
The 21-year-old heartthrob became famous even ahead of his debut as a member of 2PM, shooting commercials in Thailand including one with Asian pop sensation Rain. It was recently announced that Nichkhun will be making his film debut in the comedy tentatively titled “Shining Diploma”.
Additional information regarding the event is available on www.modetour.com and www.nichkhunbreak.com.
Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP] 2PM’S HOTTEST PLANNING FOR DEMONSTRATION ON JAEBEOM’S COMEBACK
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The fans of boy band 2PM are taking action to bring back the group’s former leader Park Jaebeom to Korea, according to the group’s online fan cafe HOTTEST on Friday.
The fans are reportedly planning to hold a big demonstration on January 31 throughout the country, demanding that agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE) withdraw Jaebeom’s resignation from the group.
They will be handing out fliers requesting JYPE to heed their plea and bring the singer back, who quit the group in September 2009 and left Korea after sparking national controversy over what he had written on his MySpace page several years ago.
His comments — including “I hate Korea” — created an uproar around the country, particularly among Internet users, leading to his decision to leave the group and return to his hometown Seattle.
2PM fans had immediately protested against the singer’s departure and called for his reinstatement into the group. The group’s producer Park Jin-young, however, asked that fans and the media give the young singer time and space, although he had hinted even back then that Jaebeom may resume his singing career.
Other fan cafe members will also take part in the comeback campaign by putting up posters on JYPE’s office building asking for the return of the former pop idol.
The demonstration will kick off on Sunday at 2 p.m.
[KPOP] 2PM TO ENDORSE NEW COCA COLA PRODUCTS
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Top Korean idol group 2PM has been chosen to endorse Coca-Cola’s new product “Mini Coke”.
A representative from Coca-Cola said, “We picked 2PM because they fit Coca-Cola’s image in that they have a positive energy and bring happiness to the audience, which is the message that we want to send out with our new product.”
The commercial, which is set to air in time with the Lunar New Year holiday, will feature the boy band promoting “Mini Coke” to a newly arranged version of a song titled “Open Happiness.”
Numerous world-renowned artists including Gnarl’s Barkley’s Cee-Lo Green and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump had teamed up to record the original song released jointly with Coca-Cola last March.
2PM has been considered one of Korea’s most successful idol groups since their debut in 2008. They have released three single albums and their first-ever full-length album last November, all of which have topped local music charts.
Several of the group’s members have branched out to various facets of the entertainment industry including Thai-American heartthrob Nichkhun who has been cast for a film and Taecyeon who is set to appear as a regular in the new season of SBS variety show “Family Outing” and is said to be considering making an acting debut too.
Reporter : Yun Tae-hui th20022@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP] 2PM’S TAECYEON MULLING TV ACTING DEBUT
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Taecyeon of popular boy band 2PM is considering making his acting debut in a TV series, according to a source at broadcaster KBS on Tuesday.
“It is highly likely that Taecyeon will appear in the drama,” the source said of the singer’s possibility to join the cast of the show tentatively titled “Cinderella’s Sister” in English. “Talks are in final stages and Taecyeon is considering the project on a positive note.”
The singer’s agency JYP Entertainment took a more cautious approach though, saying “nothing has been set.”
“Cinderella’s Sister”, a modern adaptation of the fairy tale, will star Korean actors Moon Geun-young, Chun Jung-myung and Seo Woo. If Taecyeon accepts the offer, he will play the role of Jung-woo, who protects Eun-jo, the character to be played by Moon.
Taecyeon, 22, is one of the six members of popular idol group 2PM, who debuted in 2008. The boy band made headlines last year when their former leader Park Jaebeom quit the group and left Korea after sparking national controversy over what he had written on his MySpace page several years ago.
The remaining six members managed to make a successful comeback with their first full-length album “1:59 PM”, which was released in November. The album’s first single “Heartbeat” topped Korea’s music charts for three consecutive weeks.
Reporter : Lim Hye-seon lhsro@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP] JAEBEOM POSSIBLE TO REUNITE WITH 2PM
It seems difficult for 2PM’s Jae-bum (Park Jae-bum, 23), who left the group 2PM and set off for his hometown in Seattle last September, to return to the group.
On January 21, according to 2PM’s management agency, JYP Entertainment, they have almost decided that he won’t come back to 2PM after discussing Jae-bum’s return.
However, during the MBC entertainment program “Tosa Mureuppak” last November, JYP CEO Park Jin-young had mentioned, “If he comes back to the pop music scene, Jae-bum should return to 2PM.”
However, the discussion about 2PM reuniting is being discussed privately.
Last September, Jae-bum left the group after growing controversy regarding comments he had made in which he belittled Korea and Korean people on his Internet site when he was still a trainee under JYP Entertainment.
After Jae-bum’s departure from the group, his fans protested, holding signs such as “2PM=7” and “Call off Ja-bum’s withdrawal from 2PM” in front of JYP’s headquarter building in Chundamdong, Seoul.
In addition, several current affairs TV shows discussed the topic of Jae-bum’s comments and the reactions of the Korean community, as it became a social issue over the Internet.
A TV program followed up on Jae-bum’s current life in the U.S.A. He is now working part-time and hanging out with his friends.
A popular song official said, “Jae-bum might sing solo in Korea or the U.S.A., if he does not come back to the group.” He added, “JYP will make an important announcement about his comeback sooner or later.”
After Jae-bum left 2PM, the group — now containing six members — released a new album entitled “1:59 PM.”
The group, sans Jae-bum, won “Best Male Group” and “Artist of the Year” from the M.net Asian Music Awards, as their songs such as “Heartbeat” gained popularity in 2009.
[KPOP] SONY MUSIC PHILIPPINES TO RELEASE 2PM ALBUM ON THE 30TH
The first full-length album of Korean idol group 2PM will be released in the Philippines by Sony Music Philippines on Jan. 30.
The album, “01:59 PM,” was launched in Korea last November when 2PM made their comeback in the K-pop scene. It contains 13 tracks including the carrier single “Heartbeat,” which became a chart-topper in Korea and won numerous awards in music shows, and “Tired of Waiting” and “Gimme the Light.”
JYP Entertainment also included in the album the hit songs “Again & Again” and “I Hate You,” which were part of 2PM’s “Time for Change” album, which was released 2009.
For the Philippine version of the album, Sony Music included three 2PM music videos: “Heartbeat,” “Again & Again,” and “10 Points Out Of 10 Points.”
“Heartbeat” made it to number ten on the “Myx Daily Top 10″ last Jan. 20 after premiering on the Myx Music Channel last Jan. 17.
Filipino fans of 2PM will hold the “Day of the Beasts” event in Makati on Jan. 30 to celebrate the launch of the album in the country and the birthdays of 2PM members Junsu, Junho, and Chansung.
The “01:59 PM” album became controversial in Korea even before it was launched. The album was recorded without Park Jaebum, leader of 2PM and a Korean-American, who left the boy band last September after getting embroiled in controversy for his “anti-Korea” posts on his MySpace account.
“Korea is gay. I hate Koreans. I wanna come back (to the US),” wrote Jaebum on his MySpace account during his training days under JYP Entertainment in Korea between 2005 and 2007, before he debuted as member of 2PM.
Jaebum publicly apologized for the posts, but this didn’t appease many Korean netizens. On Sept. 8, just days after the controversy broke out, Jaebum quit 2PM and left for the U.S.
With Jaebum out of the group, the remaining six members of 2PM—Junsu, Wooyoung, Junho, Nichkhun, Chansung, and Taecyeon—were left to do the first full-length album.
Despite the controversy, 2PM won numerous awards last year, a testimony to their immense popularity. These included Best Male Group and Artist of the Year in the M.net Asian Music Awards (MAMA), Disk Bonsang Award in the Golden Disk Awards, and Song of the Year for “Again & Again” in the KBS Gayo Daejun.
[KPOP] US FANS WANTS JAE-BEOM BACK WITH 2PM
Korean-American fans of 2PM have run an ad on a local Korean newspaper, urging the former group leader Park Jae-beom to come back to the team. The fan club Missy USA Hottest is mainly comprised of married Korean-Americans. The club ran an ad on a Korean-American newspaper published in Los Angeles. The ad shows the fans’ request to have Jae-beom back with 2PM and their unwavering wish to see him again.
The fans also said that Korean mothers are willing to send their children to Korea not to make money, but because Korea is their motherland. They asked to revive the trampled dream and future of Jae-beom and said that’s how to boost many young Korean-Americans’ love for their motherland.
[KPOP/FC] HOTTEST ARE THANKFUL FOR SBS INKIGAYO
Credit/Source: http://asianfanatics.net
Posted By: Love. Music.
PM fans relay their gratitude to the production team of SBS Inkigayo.
2PM had their goodbye stage ending their 1st full length album on SBS Inkigayo on 17th January. They performed 2 songs ‘Tired Of Waiting’ and ‘Heartbeat’ for their goodbye stage that day.
Fans are thankful for the intro video to the group’s performance. In the video, a blank slot was left for member JaeBum in picture used in the video. We can feel the presence of leader JaeBum in the blank slot left in between members TaecYeon, JunSu, Nich Khun and WooYoung, ChanSung, JunHo.
Fans also did a chant during the goodbye performance that day which went, “We will wait, Park JaeBum. We will wait 2PM”.
With the intro video, fans commented with, “Really thankful to Inkigayo”, “Inkigayo after all! PD nim love you”, “Really touched. Thank you for always remembering.”
S:Newsen + kbites
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