[KPOP] IDOLS TAKES OVER MUSICALS
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The first Korean production of the musical “Miss Saigon” was a hit when it premiered in 2006 with more than 85 percent of seats sold. Confident that the show could repeat its successful run, another Korean production of the musical was staged here earlier this year. This time, however, ticket sales were at only 55 percent.
“The Phantom of the Opera” was one of the best-selling musicals here until May, but sales are less than stellar these days.
Korean productions of hit musicals have drawn audiences and re-shaped the landscape of the theater scene in recent years. But the industry that has proven so lucrative for the industry as a whole is experiencing a shift toward a new phenomena that critics say could change things – for better or for worse. While theater critics say recent productions are higher in quality than in the past, sluggish ticket sales in recent months have led the industry to refer to its current situation as musical theater’s “ice age.”
In the midst of the public’s indifference, the only performances that have been able to attract audiences are the ones that have members of Korea’s idol groups as part of their casts.
The musical “Mozart,” which stars Xiah Jun-su, a member of the disbanded group TVXQ, recorded average ticket sales of 99 percent when he was in the role. That figure dropped to just 74 percent when another actor was in the leading role. Similarly, the Korean production of “Legally Blonde” had its own idol star in Girls’ Generation member Jessica. Ticket sales surged to 90 percent when Jessica, who rotated the role with two other actresses, was on the boards, but plummeted to just 70 percent when she was not.
The most recent example of this phenomenon is the production of “Midnight Sun,” which also featured a member of Girls’ Generation, Taeyeon. Sales soared to a whopping 98 percent when she was on stage but fell to 78 percent when someone else was in the role.
“The Korean public tends to be stingy when it comes to paying their own money for cultural events,” pop culture critic Sung Gi-wan said. “The only ones who are willing to do that are fans who want to watch their favorite stars.”
The current trend is not the result of bad acting or a dearth of good musicals, critics say. Instead, it appears to be the simple fact that casting popular singers attracts fans and publicity. “A Chorus Line,” which opened last weekend, has Jung-ah, a member of girl group After School, and Soo-hyun, a member of U-Kiss, in the cast. The producers revealed that they did not want to cast celebrities because of their busy schedules but investors refused to support the production if the stars were not part of it.
“The public is sick of the surge of large-scale musicals from overseas that have arrived since 2001,” theater critic Cho Yong-sin said. “Musicals in the U.S. were also reliant on Hollywood stars until well-crafted musicals were made. If we can create pieces that are moving as well as original, we may be able to remove the idols from the stage.”
By Choi Min-woo [estyle@joongang.co.kr]
[TVXQ] HERO JAEJOONG IN SHOCK OVER PARK YONG-HA’S DEATH
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Hero Jaejoong is said to be in shock after hearing about the suicide of actor Park Yong-ha.
Multiple media sources reported that TVXQ member Hero Jaejoong, who is currently in the United States, was in distress since he had talked on the phone with Park just the day before his death.
“Jaejoong and Park had a special relationship — something beyond the typical friendship. We know that they had a telephone conversation on June 29th,” a source close to Hero Jaejoong said, although adding he was not sure what they talked about.
Jaejoong, currently in the United States to work on his new global album, will be unable to visit the hospital in time.
Park was found hanging himself from the cord of his camcorder charger at 5:30 a.m. in his house. His body has been placed at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital.
credit: asiae.co.kr
[TVXQ] HERO, MICKY AND XIAH TO FILE A 3 BILLION LAWSUIT AGAINST SM
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Three members of boy band TVXQ, namely Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu, have filed a lawsuit worth three billion won, equivalent to nearly 2.5 million dollars, against major talenthouse SM Entertainment.
According to the Seoul Central District Court on Monday, the three singers brought suit against SM, demanding that they be confirmed their 13-year exclusive contract with the agency had been nullified, along with one billion won each, part of their share of profits they claim to have failed to receive.
The three had applied for provisional disposition of their contract with SM last July, saying it was too long and unfair, to which the court ruled in partial favor of, stating that SM cannot interfere with their individual activities.
This led to a halt of their activities as a five-man band in Korea and a few months later in Japan. The three then formed a separate group, signing with Japanese agency AVEX, through which they declared they would pursue their singing careers.
After giving a series of sold-out concerts in Japan just two weeks ago which they held to “express gratitude to fans,” the new trio have been gearing up for their debut which is set to be produced by prominent U.S. musicians Kanye West and Timbaland.
Meanwhile, SM too had sued the three singers in mid-April in a suit worth 2.2 billion won for the damages the agency and the remaining two members, U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin, have suffered from the legal battle.
Since their 2004 debut, TVXQ, discovered and managed by SM, had arguably been one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia with reportedly the largest fanbase in the world.
Enjoying great success in the Japanese music industry in particular, they became the first foreign artist to top the Oricon singles charts six times and placed their single and album simultaneously within the top three slots of Oricon’s singles and albums chart, the first time for a foreign artist to do so in 15 years.
source: asiae.co.kr
[100519/KPOP] HERO JAEJOONG DENIES DATING JAPANESE MODEL
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Hero Jaejoong of Korean idol group TVXQ has denied recent rumors that he is dating Japanese model Yano Mikiko, according to a Japanese magazine Women’s Weekly.
The weekly publication reported in its recent issue that Hero Jaejoong had “enjoyed a date with Japanese model Yano Mikiko near Shibuya. They were wearing masks and Mikiko had her arm through Hero Jaejoong’s.”
Mikiko is a popular model who has appeared on the May cover of fashion magazine Non-No.
However, both parties denied the report. Incidentally, Hero Jaejoong had also been linked to Japanese actress Abiru Yuu last November.
Hero, whose real name is Kim Jaejoong, debuted in 2004 as part of five-member boy band TVXQ. The group became one of the most phenomenal K-pop acts in the country and throughout Asia, selling numerous records and recently making history in the Japanese music scene.
The band officially stopped working as a group in Korea last year and in Japan last month due to a legal dispute between three of its members — Hero Jaejoong, Xiah Junsu and Micky Yoochun — and talent agency SM Entertainment over their 13-year exclusive contract.
In April, Hero Jaejoong made a successful acting debut in a Japanese TV series “Hard to Say I Love You” alongside top Japanese actors Eita and Ueno Juri of smash hit TV series “Nodame Cantabile”.
cre: asiae.co.kr
[KPOP/JPOP] 100414 TVXQ JUNSU, JAEJOONG, YUCHOON FORM NEW UNIT
Earlier this month, Avex announced that the Korean group TVXQ is putting its group activities on hold, but now three of the members are forming a new unit of their own. The unit is currently known by the members’ names: JUNSU JEJUNG YUCHUN.
The trio will make their debut with a set of dome events, titled “JUNSU/JEJUNG/YUCHUN THANKSGIVING LIVE IN DOME.” First, they will perform at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on June 5 and 6. Then, they will perform one week later at Tokyo Dome, on June 12 and 13. An official website has already been launched.
The three members also have individual projects coming up. Jejung is one of the main characters in the new drama series “Sunao ni Narenakute,” while Yuchun has been cast in a mobile phone drama on BeeTV that starts in June. Junsu has a solo double A-side single scheduled for release on May 26, under the artist name “XIAH junsu.”
Source: Natalie + tokyograph.com
[KPOP/NEWS] 100415 SM SUES TVXQ MEMBERS 2.2 BILLION WON
Three members of boy band TVXQ, namely Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu, have been sued a total 2.2 billion won, equivalent to nearly two million dollars, by major talenthouse SM Entertainment.
SM, in charge of discovering and managing the five-member band, had taken legal action against the three singers on Monday, filing an objection against a court’s decision ordering provisional disposition of their working contracts as well as a lawsuit reclaiming their validity.
“We are demanding compensation for damages the agency and the remaining two members have suffered from the cosmetics business the three have undertaken and them also cancelling a concert in Shenzhen,” SM stated in its complaint.
SM went onto explain that the conflict between the two parties arose from the cosmetics business the three singers invested in last year, after the agency claimed the singers would be violating their exclusive contract by using the group’s name and portrait rights for the business.
“That is when they denied the validity of their working contract and filed for provisional disposition. They then one-sidedly decided to cancel on their schedules following the court ruling, inflicting immense damages to the remaining two members,” SM claimed.
In late July last year, Hero, Micky and Xiah had asked a court in late July to nullify their 13-year exclusive contract with SM to which the court ruled that the agency will not interfere in their individual activities.
The five-man band had stopped working as a group in Korea ever since, although carrying on their activities in Japan including making TV and magazine appearances as well as releasing albums, until announcing on April 3 that the group would no longer pursue a singing career together.
TVXQ has been one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia since their debut in 2004 with reportedly the largest fanbase in the world.
They were particularly successful in the Japanese music industry, becoming the first foreign artist to top the Oricon singles charts six times with a single last year and also the first foreign artist in 15 years to place their single and album simultaneously within the top three slots of Oricon’s singles and albums chart.
credit/source: asiae.co.kr
[KPOP] SM TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST TVXQ
SM Entertainment, the talent powerhouse in charge of discovering and managing boy band TVXQ, has taken legal action against three of the group’s members whose exclusive contract with the agency was nullified last year.
“On April 12, we filed an objection against the court’s decision ordering provisional disposition of the contracts as well as a lawsuit to reclaim their validity,” the agency stated through a press release Tuesday.
SM explained they had held off from taking legal action against Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu last year “in an effort to see the group continue to exist” but made the move this week after “the three failed to officially express any intention of resuming their activities as a group and TVXQ recently halted their activities as a group in Japan.”
Hero, Micky and Xiah had asked a court last July to invalidate their exclusive 13-year contract with SM to which the court ruled in favor of the young singers in an interim ruling, declaring that the agency will not interfere in their individual activities.
The five-man band had stopped working as a group in Korea ever since, although carrying on their activities in Japan including making TV and magazine appearances as well as releasing albums, until announcing on April 3 that the group would no longer pursue a singing career together.
Hero and Micky are currently in shooting for dramas while Xiah is preparing for a solo album release.
Since their debut in 2004, TVXQ has been one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia who reportedly have the largest fanbase in the world.
They had enjoyed great success in the Japanese music industry in particular, becoming the first foreign artist to top the Oricon singles charts six times with their 27th single “Share the World/We are!” released last year.
They made music history in Japan again in early April, when they placed their single and album simultaneously within the top three slots of Oricon’s singles and albums chart, the first time for a foreign artist to do so in 15 years.
credit/source: asiae.co.kr
[KPOP/JPOP] 100407 TVXQ FINALLY DELIVERED THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY
Popular K-pop and J-pop group TVXQ has finally delivered their side of the story to the fans regarding their official disbandment through their Japanese webpage.
The members wrote, “To our fans and affiliates, we are sorry for causing any worries. We each will work hard in our individual fields.”
The disbandment was released on Apr. 3 also via the band’s Japanese website.
TVXQ’s Japanese management company, Avex Group stated on Apr. 3, “TVXQ will end their careers as a group but we will support these very talented young people in any way we can.”
Three members of TVXQ, Xiah Jun-soo, Hero Jae-joong and Micky Yoo-chun, were involved in a contract dispute with their Korean management company, SM Entertainment since July 2009.
Xiah is scheduled to release a solo album on May 26 and Hero, Micky and Max will be working as actors in different pieces.
credit/source: joongangdaily.com
[KPOP] 100409 TVXQ U-KNOW YUNHO TO STAR IN J.RICH MV
Korean idol star U-Know Yunho is set to star in the latest music video for three-member R&B group J.Rich, according to J.Rich’s agency on Friday.
M.root Entertainment explained through a press release that U-Know decided to play the male lead in the video for J.Rich’s song “Goodbye My Love.”
This will be the first time that U-Know is appearing in another artist’s music video. The teaser video featuring U-Know will be unveiled on April 12 through various online music sites.
Meanwhile, former girl group Sugar member Park Soo-jin has been tapped to take the leading female role. The teaser video containing Park will be released two days after U-Know’s video.
J.Rich’s first album will go on sale in Korea and Japan simultaneously through on and offline music retailers.
U-Know Yunho made his debut into the entertainment industry as a member of the five-man band TVXQ, one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia with reportedly the largest fanbase in the world.
The group recently made headlines following their announcement that they would discontinue their musical activities as a group in Japan and only pursue individual careers.
They had officially stopped working as a group in Korea since last July when three of its members — Xiah Junsu, Hero Jaejoong and Micky Yoochun — asked a court to nullify their exclusive contract with SM, claiming their 13-year contract period is too long.
CREDIT/SOURCE: asiae.co.kr
Here’s the teaser of Goodbye My Love
cr: Doraoljidomolla@YT
[KPOP] TVXQ’S XIAH JUNSU’S TWIN ZUNO UNVEILED TEASER VIDEO
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TVXQ member Xiah Junsu’s twin brother Zuno has unveiled a teaser video for his debut single “Nothing to Lose”, according to agency BIAS on Tuesday.
BIAS explained in a press release that a 33-second teaser video, which contains footage from the music video to “Lose”, has been posted on the agency’s official homepage (www.biasent.com) and popular video sharing site Youtube. “You will be able to see much more of his charms in the music video,” an official at BIAS was quoted as saying, adding that a full version of the video will be revealed at Zuno’s showcase, to be held at Beijing Chaoyang Gymnasium on March 28.
The teaser video, which has received over 10,000 hits on Youtube as of Tuesday morning, shows the singer tied up in tape with words such as betrayal, anger, agony, tears and disappointment written on it.
The story is about a man who is in pain after a woman he loves leaves him. Zuno, whose real name is Kim Junho, first drew attention for his talent and potential as an entertainer in November 2008 after appearing on MBC’s celebrity dating show “Introducing the Friend of a Famous Star” with his K-pop idol sibling Junsu.
His debut single will be released simultaneously in Korea and China on March 29.
credit: asiae.co.kr<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP] TVXQ’S U-KNOW YUNHO INVITED TO MICHAEL JACKSON’S TRIBUTE
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Boy band TVXQ member U-Know Yunho has been invited to Michael Jackson’s tribute concert in London, making him the only Asian invited to the show set to be held in the weeks prior to the one-year anniversary of the King of Pop’s death on June 25.”Our personnel who had seen U-Know Yunho’s information and rehearsals praised him as being very talented… They said he is well suited to attend the tribute and recommended he be invited,” Mark Bush, an official involved in the show was quoted as saying by U-Know’s agency SM Entertainment on Friday.U-Know, whose real name is Jung Yunho, has been in since Las Vegas last week to rehearse for the Korean leg of Michael Jackson’s “2010 This Is It World Tour” which he had been cast to take part in last month.”The Tribute,” to take place at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 8, is being organized by the late singer’s brother Jermaine, also a former Jackson 5 member.Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Prince, Santana, Stevie Wonder and Beyonce are amongst the A-list artists who will also attend the tribute.Meanwhile, U-Know will perform at the “Band from MICHAEL JACKSON’s THIS IS IT the Movie with U-Know Yunho” on March 27 and 28 at Yongsan War Memorial Peace Plaza. The singer made his debut in 2004 through his five-member boy band which is now one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia. They reportedly have the largest fan base in the world and have enjoyed great success in the Japanese music industry in particular.
SOURCE: asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP/JPOP] TVXQ BEST ALBUM GOES DOUBLE PLATINUM IN JAPAN
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Asian pop sensation TVXQ’s first best album “Best Selection 2010″ has achieved double platinum status in Japan, according to figures by the Record Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).
RIAJ’s website announced Friday that its sales data compiled between January 1 and February 28 revealed that the album sold over 500,000 units to hit double platinum and also make it the top-selling record sold by a foreign artist.
Under RIAJ criteria, singles and albums which sell over 100,000 copies are certified Gold, 250,000 as Platinum and one million and Million.
The collection, which was released in mid-February, features two discs filled with their top hits in Korean and Japanese.
The boy band’s DVD “4th Live Tour – The Secret Code – Final in Tokyo Dome” and members Hero Jaejoong and Micky Yoochun’s duet single “Colors Melody and Harmony” also simultaneously took the honors for Gold.
TVXQ, who made their debut in 2004 with their title track “Hug,” is one of the most popular and successful K-pop acts not only in Korea but also throughout Asia.
credit: asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP/JPOP] TVXQ’S JAE JOONG TO JOIN “SUNAO NI NARENAKUTE” CAST
The series was first unveiled last month, with four of the five key characters revealed. Each character struggles with his or her own problems, but their friendship helps them overcome those issues. In Jejung’s case, he plays a doctor who moves with his sister from Korea to Japan, where he begins working for a medical equipment manufacturer. However, he is burdened with a lot of pressure, as he finds himself unable to produce strong results for the company.
“Sunao ni Narenakute” premieres in April.
Source: Sankei Sports + tokyograph.com
[KPOP] TVXQ’S U-KNOW TO START REHEARSING FOR “THIS IS IT” SHOW
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Korean idol group TVXQ leader U-Know Yunho is in the United States to rehearse for a commemorative concert for the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, according to agency SM Entertainment on Tuesday.
SM explained in a press release that the singer arrived at Sin City in Las Vegas last Friday to start rehearsing for the Korean leg of the “2010 This Is It World Tour” for which he had been asked to take part in late last month.
Upon his arrival, the idol group member met with Morris Pleasure, on the keyboard in the “This Is It Band” and in charge of the Seoul show, to discuss in detail about U-Know’s performance for the show.
The Korean singer also started rehearsing with the local choreography team to perform hits by the late King of Pop including “Beat It”, “Thriller”, “Smooth Criminal” and “Jam”.
The upcoming show, to be held March 27 and 28 at Yongsan War Memorial Peace Plaza, will also feature a premiere performance of Jackson’s final single “This Is It” from the documentary film of the same title released last year.
The concert, titled “Band from MICHAEL JACKSON’s THIS IS IT the Movie with U-Know Yunho”, will be hosted by Korea’s major broadcaster SBS and produced by S2 Entertainment and Paragon Music Corporation.
U-Know Yunho, whose real name is Jung Yunho, made his debut in 2004 in the five-member boy band which is now one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia. They reportedly have the largest fanbase in the world and have enjoyed great success in the Japanese music industry in particular.
He also tried his hand at acting last year, playing a soccer player in MBC TV series “No Limit”.
credit: asiae.co.kr
[KPOP/JPOP] TVXQ SINGS “KIMI GA ODORU, NATSU” THEME
Korean group TVXQ will provide the theme song for Hideyuki Katsuki’s movie “Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu,” scheduled to open this September. Announced a few months ago, the film stars young actors Junpei Mizobata (20) and Haruka Kinami (24) in a story about the Yosakoi dance festival.
TVXQ’s tune, titled “With All My Heart ~ Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu,” is actually their first theme song for a Japanese live-action film, though they did provide a song for last year’s “Subaru.”
“With All My Heart” is described as a moving piano ballad. It will be included on their upcoming best album, “BEST SELECTION 2010,” which goes on sale on February 17.
[KPOP/JPOP] TVXQ STILL ROCKING JAPAN
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TOHOSHINKI is still insanely popular in Japan. The March issue of women’s fashion magazine “JJ”, which featured the boy band on the cover, sold out in just two days of going on sale January 23. This is the first time that a male group appeared on the cover of “JJ”, a magazine which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. “Starting last March, we ran a special feature section on TOHOSHINKI for three months and it was a huge sensation,” a source at “JJ” explained. “Our theme for the cover is ‘surprise’ and we wanted to prepare a surprise present for TOHOSHINKI fans, so we have been asking TOHOSHINKI [to shoot the cover] since last summer and they had finally said yes this time.” The people at “JJ” explained that since the photo shoot and interview were conducted in late December, the members were running on busy schedules — with their upcoming appearances on NHK TV’s “Red and White Song Battle” and Japan Record Awards — but they were so committed that they ended up working overtime and the atmosphere on the set was warm and friendly throughout. The TOHOSHINKI “Valentine’s Day Special” feature includes an eight-page photo spread, a 100-question survey which reveals the personal lives of the five members and a chance to win an autographed picture of the pop idols.
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| New single “BREAK OUT!” by TOHOSHINKI |
The explosively popular issue of “JJ” then started selling at online website Auction with a bidding price of JPY 5,000 yen, which is several times the original sale price (JPY 650 yen). Numerous fan sites heated up with fans’ complaints such as “I want to buy the magazine but no one is selling”, “I realized once again how popular TVXQ is. I knew it was hard to buy their concert ticket but did not know it would be just as hard getting a magazine.” Eventually on January 25, “JJ” decided to reprint its March issue and distribute the reprinted magazines to bookstores around the country starting January 29.
TOHOSHINKI had another reason to celebrate: their new single “BREAK OUT!”, released January 27, reached No. 1 on Oricon’s singles chart. The 29th single has been chosen as the theme song to NHK drama “Tomehane! Suzuri Koko Shodobu”, which premiered on January 7 and airs every Thursday at 8 p.m. The single sold 169,842 copies on the day of its release, outselling No. 2 single L’Arc-en-Ciel’s “BLESS” (which sold 33,051 copies) by a mile. “BREAK OUT!” also topped Oricon’s survey for “The Most Anticipated New Single Album” on January 22, a day before its release. With the upcoming release of their first best album “BEST SELECTION 2010″ set for February 17, it will be interesting to see if TVXQ continues their sell-out run.
Reporter : Im Da-ham (Tokyo Correspondent)
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr, Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP/JPOP] TVXQ’S “BREAKOUT” TOPS ORICON CHART
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Boy band TVXQ’s new single “BREAK OUT!” has topped Japan’s Oricon daily singles chart the day of its release.
The group’s 29th single album, released Wednesday, sold close to 170,000 copies to top the prestigious chart, easily beating out No. 2 L’Arc En Ciel who sold 33,000 copies of their single titled “BLESS.”
They plan on releasing their first best album titled “Best Selection 2010″ sometime next month.
TVXQ, who debuted in 2004 with the single “Hug”, became popular not only in Korea but other Asian countries as well. Their singing career in Japan has been a success in particular — last year, they became the first foreign artist to top the Oricon singles charts six times with their 27th single “Share the World/We are!”
Despite speculation that the group may disband with three of the five members being involved in a legal dispute with their agency SM Entertainment, TVXQ has continued their activities in Japan.
Reporter : Ko Jae-wan star@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP] TVXQ TO POSE FOR A WOMEN’S FASHION MAGAZINE
Credit/Source: http://asianfanatics.net
Posted By: swanie21
Korean idol group TVXQ has been selected as the first male models to grace the cover of fashion magazine JJ, according to Japanese daily newspaper Sankei Sports on Thursday.
Sankei reported that the boy band last month had shot the cover for the March issue of the famed Japanese magazine, which has been in publication for the past 35 years.
“It is the first time that this magazine has placed a male group on the cover,” an official at Sankei was quoted as saying. He added that the magazine will also feature a 100-question survey which reveals personal details regarding the TVXQ members.
TVXQ, who debuted in 2004 with album “Hug”, is one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia. They reportedly have the largest fanbase in the world and have enjoyed great success in the Japanese music industry in particular. Last year, they became the first foreign artist to top the Oricon singles charts six times with their 27th single “Share the World/We are!”
There has been speculation about the group disbanding however, with three of the five members — Xiah Junsu, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun — being involved in a legal dispute with their agency SM Entertainment since July 2009.
For the time being, they are scheduled to release a new Japanese single titled “Breakout” on January 27 and their first best album titled “Best Selection 2010″ next month.
Asiae
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>
[KPOP] TVXQ AND BIG BANG APPOINTED AS CULTURAL AMBASSADOR
Credit/Source: http://asianfanatics.net
Posted By: Love. Music.
Both five-member groups Dong Bang Shin Ki and Big Bang received the exceptional recognition of being “Cultural Ambassadors.”
The private organization from the Cultural Tourism Board, the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange (KOFICE) stated, “Due to the contributions they have made in the development of the cultural aspect through popular music, we have decided to appoint/award them as ‘Cultural Ambassadors’ as a form of recognition.”
They have produced the most number of successful album records even in such a difficult period of time in the music industry, and have been energetically involved in both local and overseas activities; these are the main reasons behind this award.
A representative from KOFICE said, “This honor was awarded based on those who have contributed to the cultural industry on a yearly basis. Every year, this award has been given to those working in the cultural field, but this year is an exception as it has been given to idol groups.”
They added, “As both Dong Bang Shin Ki and Big Bang are busy with their schedules, the official announcement will be made later in January.”
Original source: KOFICE
translated by: sshutingg @ OneTVXQ.com
[KPOP/JPOP] TVXQ’S “KOHAKU’ EXCEEDS 40% RATING IN 3 YEARS
Male 5-member group TVXQ appears on Japan NHK ‘Kohaku’, with the program ratings had an overall 40% rating for the third year in a row.
According to a video research today, Jan 2, by The Japanese Newspaper Nikan Sports, the end of the year program Japan’s 59th NHK Kohaku ratings went up to 42.1%.
Last year’s Kohaku ratings rose 2.6% points, as a result, ‘Kohaku’ ratings surpassed 40%, more than the last 2005 56th broadcast and increasing after 3 years.
It was also TVXQ’s first ever appearance on Kohaku. They performed their Oricon Weekly charts number 1 ‘Purple Line どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろ(Why did I fall in love with you?).
source: fangirlmitz
credit: DNBN
[SJ] SUPER JUNIOR’S HEECHUL AND LEETEUK ATTEND KIBUM’S JUMUJIN VIP PREMIUM
There was a VIP preview event for “Jumujin” at the Lotte World on the 15th.
Jungmo, TVXQ’s Changmin, Superjunior’s Heechul and Leeteuk, together with Lee Yeonhee had attended the VIP preview event.
The small and peaceful Gangwon-do was the beautiful landscape scene for “Jumijin”. Farm girl Jini (Hwang Bora) and Go Seuteu who lost his lover (Kim Kbum) will have a magical-like love story. “Jumujin” will be in theatres on the 21st January.
*the one who is covered from his mouth onwards is heechul
Source: onlysj13.com
Translation: (L) @ SJ-WORLD.NET
[KPOP] TVXQ TO RELEASE MIROTIC ALBUM IN RP
Filipino fans of K-pop boy band TVXQ (aka DBSK or Dong Bang Shin Ki) are excited about the local release of the group’s The 3rd Asia Tour Concert “Mirotic” Live 2-CD album under Universal Record Philippines.
Spearheading the campaign for fans to buy the album is Cassiopeia Philippines, TVXQ’s fan club in the country.
The release of the album on Dec. 15 is more meaningful for the fans as they will also celebrate on that day the 23rd birthday of TVXQ member Xiah Junsu.
CassPH is planning to celebrate the Nationwide Dong Bang Day on Dec. 15 for the two events.
Fans are encouraged to buy the album and CassPH are planning to send their photos with the album and birthday banners to Junsu through AVEX, a record company which manages TVXQ’s activities and records in Japan.
Fans have been calling record stores Odyssey, Music One, Astroplus, Astrovision, O Music Video and the Landmark to reserve the album.
CassPH is also encouraging fans to text to MYX to make “Mirotic” number one on the music channel.
Universal Records said fans who’ll buy the album will also get free TVXQ posters.
TVXQ is a five-member pop group composed of Xiah Junsu, YoungWoong Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, U-Know Yunho and Choikang Changmin. The group debuted in 2003 and has a huge following in Korea, Japan and in other Asian countries.
The boy band is the first foreign male group to debut at number one on Japan’s Oricon charts in 2008 with their Japanese single “Purple Line.”
TVXQ has the largest fan club in Korea called Cassiopeia with about 800,000 members.
SOURCE: HERE
[KPOP] 3 TVXQ MEMBERS MEET FANS ON A CHARITY EVENT
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| From left, TVXQ members [Asia Economic Daily] |
Three members of Korean idol group TVXQ — Xiah Junsu, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun — met with their fans at a charity fan meeting over the weekend.
The members, who are currently involved in a legal dispute with their agency SM Entertainment, showed up at the charity event named “Smile Again”, which took place at Korea University on Saturday.
According to a source, the members answered questions from the fans during the hour-long event and held a make-a-wish session — one fan got her wish when Micky Yoochun performed a song that he had written. Micky told the fans that they were learning how to write songs.
Hero Jaejoong was quoted as saying, “We are [in a] different [situation] yet our fans are the same. That makes me very happy.”
Hero and Micky also planned a surprise birthday party for Xiah at the event. Xiah was quoted as saying, “I hope this storm passes soon”, referring to their legal troubles with SM.
The tickets for the event sold out in eight minutes when they went on sale last week. There was no admission charge but funds raised at the event site will be donated to a children’s charity.
TVXQ, who debuted in 2004 with album “Hug”, is one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia. They reportedly have the largest fanbase in the world, and have enjoyed great success in the Japanese music industry in particular. The band became the first foreign artist to top the Oricon singles charts six times with their 27th single “Share the World/We are!” released this year.
SOURCE: asiae.co.kr
Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
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[KPOP] TVXQ FAN MEETING CANCELLED
 K-pop group TVXQ |
Top K-pop group TVXQ has called off a fan meeting scheduled in Japan in the New Year all of a sudden due to the latest legal dispute.
In a posting for “Bigeast,” the group’s Japanese fan club, the five-member group said it has decided to halt the planned event in Japan after intensive negotiations.”
TVXQ has planned 10 fan meetings in several Japanese cities and tickets for the meetings have already been sold out.
“Bigeast” expressed apology for the cancellation of the event, saying, “We will continue to support TVXQ’s activities.”
The group’s five members also said in a statement that “fans’ support gave us a big boost. We are sorry to cause concern for all of you.”
SOURCE: www.koreatimes.co.kr
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