A new dance craze? Nope, but it seems that T-ara's Hyomin has a Conjunctivitis, a common condition that causes redness and inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that covers the front of the eye.
We hope she gets well soon, but it seems she don't want us to worry too much as we can see her laughing it off and still enjoying her free time.
Shinhwa′s Kim Dong Wan was revealed to have donated to help the people in Nepal.
On April 30, Korea Food for the Hungry International stated, "Kim Dong Wan contacted us saying he couldn′t sit still hearing about the tragic news in Nepal. As KFHI knows the situation in Nepal the best, he sent in a donation on April 29, asking for it to used where it was needed the most."
Kim Dong wan donated 36 million won for Nepal.
KFHI also added that Kim Dong Wan has been continuously donating to the NGO since 2007.
The donation will be used to help the victims of the Nepal earthquake by providing food and necessities and aiding in the restoration process.
WINNER‘s Nam Tae Hyun and actress Seo Min Ji‘s upcoming web drama “Midnight’s Girl” has released two preview trailers.
The drama, which will be released through , revealed more details through the videos. Gong Ji Dan (Nam Tae Hyun) is a part-timer at a noraebang (karaoke place) who once dreamed of becoming an idol singer. There aren’t a lot of customers there, but something strange happens at midnight. Meanwhile, Min Se Ra (Seo Min Ji) is a magical princess who enjoys singing. The pair meet by chance at his workplace.
MBC Everyone‘s first web drama will have a total of eight episodes starting May 4.
Following a number of organisations and individuals that have made their contributions to help out the earthquake-stricken region in Nepal, Kim Yuna has also stepped up to send support.
According to UNICEF Korean National Commission, Kim donated $100,000 for the children in Nepal following the disastrous quake. UNICEF shared that the money will be used for affected children's nutrition, clean drinking water, health, and relief work.
Kim has also made donations to Haiti in 2010, Japan in 2011, and victims of the Sewol Ferry tragedy in Korea last year.
Returning with a solo album after three years, Infinite′s Sung Kyu revealed that there will be two title songs in the new album.
On April 29, Infinite updated its official website with another photo of Sung Kyu, taken by photographer LESS. The photo included new information about Sung Kyu′s solo album, revealing that the title of the first song will be It Has to Be You (translated).
Woollim Entertaiment said that It Has to Be You is "a song that expresses the intense, pitiful, and perfect longing for that one person. The song is led by Sung Kyu′s voice, which had the strong will to woo another′s heart inside the soft melody."
Already a topic of discussion that Nell′s Kim Jong Wan is producing an entire album for another artist for the first time, Kim Jong Wan and new producer, ZOOEY co-created It Has to Be You.
Sung Kyu will release his second solo album in early May.
K-Pop Beyond The Charts is a weekly review column highlighting Korea's modern day musical innovators who have yet to find mainstream success.
There's no shortage of interesting rap sounds and styles, old and new, heating up the musical cauldron that is "WASSUP," the new single released on Tuesday from South Korean hip-hop artists C Jamm And Doplamingo.
The synthesizer stabs of Kanye West's "Flashing Lights," the maximum-impact drum sound of the Rick Rubin-produced "99 Problems" and the jacked up energy of M.O.P. are all in play on "WASSUP." Even the machine gun delivery of American hip-hop's purest talent, Kendrick Lamar, makes an appearance in the song's outro.
But what makes "WASSUP" a whole way greater than the sum of its parts is the fire that C Jamm and Doplamingo bring on the mic. Their performances are coming straight from the heart and they hit you right in the gut.
While so much of Western hip-hop remains overly fascinated with digital trickery and Hollywood trickery, it is exciting to see South Korean artists like C Jamm and Doplamingo rekindling the heat of East Coat rap in it's rawer stages; back when all you needed was a beat and a rhyme and MCs had more of a message than which kind of sports car they drive.
While "WASSUP" is a hard-hitting, even challenging piece of music, the sheer precision of these two rappers and the music behind them makes the song a force to be reckoned with.
Though it is unlikely that "WASSUP" will be topping the K-pop charts any time soon, it is a song that anyone looking for an extra jolt of energy would be well-advised to turn on and turn up.
Listen to the new C Jamm and Doplamingo single "WASSUP" RIGHT HERE
It will be held on the 23rd of May this year at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, and T-ara is among many artists who will be there to perform.
Aside from T-ara, other groups included are SHINee, EXO, 4minute, B1A4, INFINITE, VIXX, SECRET, KARA, SISTAR, EXID, BTOB, Red Velvet, GOT7, Berrygood, Boys Republic, Lovelyz, Bangtan boys, HALO, SONAMOO, ToppDogg, and more to be announced.
TVXQ′s Yunho will be meeting Kim Ga Eun in the new drama I′m Placing an Order for You (translation).
On April 28, a SBS Plus rep told Newsen, "Yunho and Kim Ga Eun have been confirmed as the leads for the webdrama, I′m Placing an Order for You. The script reading recently took place."
I′m Placing an Order for You is based on an internet novel of the same name. The female character, Park Song Ah, meets three charming men at an atelier that creates professional homemade lunch boxes. Kim Ga Eun will be Park Song Ah, while Yunho will play one of the chefs, Yeo Guk Dae.
After debuting with TVXQ, Yunho has worked on several acting projects. Starting with Heading to the Ground in 2009, Yunho has appeared in Yawang and The Night Watchman′s Journal. Kim Ga Eun became known after the drama I Hear Your Voice, following it up with Joseon Gun Shooter and Single-Minded Dandelion.
With ′mukbang′ (food broadcasts) being the strong trend these days, the anticipation for Yunho and Kim Ga Eun′s delicious romance is rising.
According to the rep, I′m Placing an Order for You will air online first and broadcast on SBS Plus channel in mid-June.
Figure skater Kim Yuna, who is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, donated 100,000 USD (approx. 100 million KRW) to the Korean Committee for UNICEF to help the young victims of the earthquake in Nepal.
On April 28, the said charity stated “The fund will go towards providing nutritional help, sanitary water, health care, and protection to the child victims of the earthquake.”
On April 27, Kim Yuna wrote on her Twitter, “UNICEF is helping the children in Nepal who are going through a devastating time because of the recent earthquake. Please lend a helping hand!” and introduced the Korean Committee for UNICEF website.
This isn’t the first time she has donated for UNICEF. Even before she became the goodwill ambassador of this charity, she donated 100 million won (approx. 100,000 USD) to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. After being named the ambassador of UNICEF, she continued to spread the word of Haiti and was active in aiding the young around the world.
The skater donated her prize money in the World Championships towards the victims of the 2011 earthquake in Japan, 100,000 dollars (approx. 100 million won) to the young victims of the 2013 hurricane in the Philippines, and 100 million won to the victims’ family of the Sewol incident in 2014.
Greeting over 26,000 fans, Big Bang opened the doors to its upcoming world tour.
On April 25 and 26, Big Bang held its first world tour concert for Made at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Hall in Seoul. The concert grabbed much attention as it would be the place where Big Bang will reveal its new songs after three years since its last album, Still Alive.
Satisfying all expectations and excitement, the Big Bang members proved why they were one of the top groups in Korea with their upgraded performances. Starting the concert with Fansatic Baby and consecutively leading into Tonight and Stupid Liar, Big Bang heated up the stadium from the beginning.
"It′s the last concert in Seoul (of the tour). I′m extremely excited. I hope you can enjoy it until the end. I hope you′ll use up all your energy here." T.O.P also added, "We′ve returned after around three years and a half with new songs."
Performing an acoustic version of Haru Haru, Big Bang oozed with different charms, following it up with the energetic How Gee and Feeling.
Then giving what the fans have been desiring for so long, Big Bang played the music video for the new song Loser, along with a performance right after. Singing about how they feel like losers, the Big Bang members brought the song to life through a unique stage using mirrors. The high quality song and performance were enough to satisfy the thirst of three years.
"Honestly, compared to other concerts, the stage where we meet everyone in Seoul makes me the most nervous," said Taeyang. "Did you like Loser? Then sing along!"
Despite the fact that the song was only revealed for the first time in the first day′s concert, the 16,000 fans that came on the second day were able to sing along, creating an amazing moment of unity in song.
Showing what they′ve been doing for the past three years, the members all individually performed their hit songs as solo artists and unit groups. Seungri performed with Strong Baby, Daesung with Wings, T.O.P with Doomdada, Taeyang with Eyes Nose Lips, Tae Yang and G-Dragon with Good Boy, and finally, G-Dragon with Crooked.
The grand reveal of Big Bang′s second song Bae Bae soon followed. As a romantic song that promises that love won′t ever change, Bae Bae gave a different color and charm compared to Loser. The addictive lyrics of ′sticky rice cake′ and ′well-suited′ is expected to become a new hit.
Following the Bae Bae performance, G-Dragon shared, "After the solo promotions, I hit a slump. I was burdened that the album had to come out well. But as I got into it, everything just happened. I had the thought that I just need to do it. Beginning this year, the members and I worked really hard on the production."
Daesung added, "We want to meet everyone for a long, long time, and we′ll be putting our all into the Big Bang album this year. I′ll be thankful if you send lots of love and support."
"Because we′re performing for the first in a while, I′m feeling just how big the passion of Korean fans are," said T.O.P, thanking the fans.
Starting May 1 with Loser and Bae Bae, Big Bang will release two songs in project single albums every month, and in September, the full album Made will be released.
Regarding this, G-Dragon stated, "From our rookie days, we didn′t think we were more outstanding than anyone else, but because of luck, we were able to met all of you and good people that we′re able to put on a great stage like this one. It′s been about three years since our last album promotions. I′m sorry for not appearing on broadcast and always being abroad. Because we wanted to gift you with good presents for a long time, we decided to reveal two songs each month. They′re not just additional tracks on the album, but they′re all title songs. I have confidence in them. Please enjoy it until September, and I hope to perform here then as well."
As the finale stage, Big Bang performed Final Goodbye, leaving fans with new anticipation and excitement to the end of the three-year waiting period and the beginning of something new.
Big Bang′s world tour is expected to be of the largest scale that a Korean artist has ever had. The group′s first tour Alive Tour traveled around 12 countries with 800,000 audience members, but this upcoming tour will hit 15 different countries around the world with 70 concerts and an estimate of 1,400,000 fans.
This past week saw the third departure from what began as an SM Entertainment group with twelve members. EXO is down to nine members following a series of letters and interviews attributed to the father of EXO member Tao.
In a letter published on China's social media site Weibo, Tao's father spoke about requesting Tao to leave EXO due to injuries, health complications, and business dealings with SM Entertainment. SM Entertainment issued a statement calling for discussion between the company and Tao's side. Later in the week, Tao's father gave an interview where he claimed that Tao agreed to leave EXO. Rumors also abounded revolving around a potential departure of the fourth and final Chinese member of EXO Lay, following his extended absence from EXO's promotions and a tweet allegedly written by an SM C&C employee.
EXO continued to promote "Call Me Baby" with eight members.
After beginning in California in 2012, KCON grew into an international Korean music festival-convention by heading to Japan on April 22. Around fifteen different K-pop acts performed at the convention throughout the day. It was the first time KCON was held outside of the United States.
Later in the week, it was revealed that KCON will not only head to Los Angeles in the summer, but also hold a show in Newark on August 8 in order to reach fans on the East Coast of North America.
Korean media outlets reported that Girls' Generation member Yuri was dating Korean baseball player Oh Seung Hwan. SM Entertainment confirmed the claim, revealing that Yuri is the fourth Girls' Generation member to be in a relationship with another celebrity. She joins members Sooyoung, YoonA, Tiffany, and Taeyeon as a Girls' Generation member maturing into public relationships.
Shortly after news broke, there was a dip in SM Entertainment's stock prices. However, there was no immediate backlash from Girls' Generation towards Yuri and Oh Seung Hwan.
-- Tamar Herman is a multi-media journalist and the co-founder of KultScene. She is a freelance writer and copy editor, and a MTV Iggy contributor. She currently works in the newsroom of one of New York City's largest news stations.
On the episode of KBS2’s “Entertainment Weekly” aired on April 25, actors Jeon Do Yeon and Kim Nam Gil sit down with a reporter for their new movie “Outlaw.”
The two play, respectively, a murderer’s girlfriend and a detective out to catch said murderer in the film. Jeon Do Yeon describes her character as strong, but at the same time a woman who dreams of love. Kim Nam Gil says that while the film may appear serious, it’s not that heavy.
When asked about Kim Nam Gil’s first impression, Jeon Do Yeon simply says, “He looks really good on camera.” But she explains further, “I thought he would have really sculpted features, but he was actually really comfortable. I think that gives him a kind of unexpected charisma.”
The reporter then brings up a moment from the Baeksang Art Awards, where actor Kim Soo Hyun was forced to choose between Jeon Do Yeon and Jun Ji Hyun and, in the end, chose Jeon Do Yeon.
The actress says, “We made eye contact in that moment. I don’t think his answer was entirely pure,” laughing.
Kim Nam Gil is asked to choose between acting and dating, to which he says that he still enjoys acting more than dating, having unchanged from when he said so previously.
A word of advice for the MC of any future performances by JYJ vocalist Kim "Xia" Junsu--don't make fun of his fans.
That policy would presumably be obvious to a veteran broadcaster. Yet, while hosting the Goyang International Flower Exhibition in Goyang, South Korea where Junsu performed on Thursday, Park Sang Do of the television network Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) proceeded to do just that.
According to a report from the Korean publication My Daily, the tension began directly following Junsu's performance, when Park appeared to resent the length of time the JYJ singer spent onstage.
"If he can't sing another song, then it'd be nice if he could at least come back and say goodbye," the MC said, before taking a more confrontational tone.
"Did he really leave? Even though there's still time left? Even though there's three congressmen who are still waiting to say their congratulations? Wow, the Hallyu wave is really scary."
"I guess next year, if we have a bigger budget, Junsu will sing three songs," Park added.
When it came to sticking up for himself and his fans, Junsu, who grew up in Goyang, did not mince words.
"Mister MC, I don't really know who you are, but I think you should show some more manners," read a tweet from singer posted later that day. "Putting age formalities aside, you were very disrespectful towards both me and my fans."
JYJ's record label, C-JeS entertainment, quickly moved into defense mode clarifying that Junsu was simply defending himself and his followers, from what he felt was a completely unwarranted attack.
"In regards to Junsu's tweet for the MC at the Goyang Flower Exhibition, it was a comment he made after the MC had made many insults toward Junsu's loyal fans who had been waiting for him," read the C-JeS statement, according to the online publication Koreaboo.
"Junsu just wanted to express his opinion about the matter. [Social networking sites are places] where people can express their thoughts. Therefore, Junsu had no intention of steering the situation to one side, so please understand."
The label executives' statement also battled back on the idea that Junsu only performed two songs at the Goyang event because that was all the organizers could afford.
"Junsu never asks for a large sum of money as a performance fee when he's performing as a spokesperson," the C-JeS statement read.
The label called on Park to apologize, which he did, later the same day.
"As a host, I think that upsetting the performer is inexcusable under any circumstances," the broadcaster said, according to the Korean entertainment website allkpop.
"I am sorry. I will cheer on Junsu's future activities. I apologize again."
For allkpop reader Lala90, Park's attempt to walk back his onstage comments was not nearly enough.
"What a lame ass apology," wrote the Junsu fan on Friday.
"As a professional I would expect him to know better. Age doesn't really factor in, to me. Being an idiot isn't just a young person thing. You can be an idiot at any age, like he's just proven."
Junsu supporter TVXQ Fangril85 agrees.
"One of the lamest apologies I've seen in a long time, I really wish this guy would lose his job for being unprofessional," she wrote. "Did he really think he would get away with it?"
Watch Junsu's performance at Thursday's Goyang International Flower Exhibition RIGHT HERE
With the end of the Fukukoka conert, Super Junior D&E successfully completed its second Japanese tour.
Beginning in Saitama on April 3, Super Junior D&E kicked off its second tour Super Junior D&E Japan Tour 2015 -Present-, holding concerts in Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka with a total of four cities and 10 concerts. The concerts gathered more than 100,000 fans, proving Super Junior D&E′s popularity in Japan.
During the Fukuoka concert on April 22 and 23 at the Marine Messe Fukuoka, Super Junior D&E delivered diverse music and performances, causing the audience members to burst into loud cheers.
At this concert, Super Junior D&E performed Oppa Oppa, I Wanna Dance, Motorcycle, Saturday Night, Skeleton, Wine, Gift, Growing Pains, The Beat Goes On, Mother, and many more from its Japanese and Korean albums. The concert took place for around three hours with a total of 24 songs.
The concert in Japan was also available for ′Surround Viewing′ on April 22 in Korea, Japan, and Chile. In Korea, the viewing took place at the SMTOWN COEX Artium, in Japan at the SMTOWN Theater in Huis Ten Bosch, and in Chile at the Espacio Riesco’s Pabellon 4.
Meanwhile, Super Junior D&E released its Japanese mini album Present in January, rising to second place on Oricon′s Weekly Album Charts.
On April 23, the National Statistical Office of Korea (NSO) released their “2014 Marriage and Divorce Statistics,”and it seems like 2014 has hit the lowest marriage rate ever.
The number of marriages in Korea in 2014 totaled to 305,500, which is 17,300 (5.4 percent) less than that of 2013. Now, most men and women seem to marry during the start of their 30s. The average age for males having their first marriages closed in on age 32.4, and age 29.8 for females, which is 0.2 years older than what was recorded in 2013. If compared to the statistics 10 years ago, men’s first-marriages are now delayed 1.9 years while women’s are delayed 2.3 years.
Yoon Yeon Ok, the head of NSO’s demographic trends, stated, “The population of people at their optimal age has decreased and is continuing to decrease as the perception that not marrying is acceptable in society is increasing. This is also because of the number of interracial marriages have decreased.”
Interracial marriage rates in 2014 had a count of 23,300, which is 2,600 (10.2 percent) less than that of 2013. This statistical data applies to 15 percent of the whole decrease in marriage rates. This shrinkage is mainly due to the fact that ever since 2010, The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family enacted policies to strengthen the process of validating international marriages, such as the reinforcement in issuing marriage visas to interracial couples. This is so that there are less corruption and illegal issues arising from internationally married families.
Kim Young Ran, a researcher in Korean Women’s Development Institute, stated, “People are delaying their time of marriage and are only dating due to uncertainty of employment and stable living, coupled with having complications with family and friends. In order to increase the marriage rate, we need to come up with innovative steps to make the thought of marriage more approachable in society.”
As talk of Tao leaving EXO continues to swell after Tao′s father′s recent SNS post, SM Entertainment released an official statement, saying, "We will seek to find a developmental direction through conversation."
On April 23, SM Entertainment stated through a press release, "In the process of continuous conversations with Tao and his father about various activities in China, the company finds it unfortuate that those kinds of words were posted. Despite it, the company will do its best to seek a developmental direction through conversation with Tao′s father."
On April 22, Tao′s father personally posted a statement on his Weibo. An excerpt of the post read, "In a period of three years, Tao has received large and small injuries. Lower back injuries, physical injuries, leg injuries - there are too many to count. Every time Tao rose to the stage, I was worried that his past injuries would become more severe. After Tao got injured, I could do nothing but bring him back to China for treatment."
"There′s nothing more important to a parent than the health of his child. The first priority in our family right now is the health of our son Tao and peace."
In February, Tao was injured on MBC′s Idol Athletics Championship. At the press conference for EXO′s second album release, Tao stated, "It gotten a lot better. I′m sad that I won′t be able to rise to the stage."
Park Jin Young recently held an interview with several reporters at a cafe this week.
One reporter pointed out that Suzy is dating actor Lee Min Ho and Sunye is married and is now a mother of a child, and asked if JYP Entertainment does not keep any dating restrictions.
"I only require two things from my artists. Acting responsibly and and not being lazy," answered Park.
"The most important thing is their attitude," continued Park. "If they don't act righteously or with integrity, they don't fit well with our agency. If they go against this rule, I warn them or scold them but if there are no signs of improvement even after that, I kick them out," he said.
About the dating rule, Park said, "I tell them for the first 3 years after their debut, they should focus solely on practice and not date or meet any friends. But after 3 years when they've settled a bit, they have no dating restrictions on them."
In his last visit to Washington DC was eighth quality field trip, I spent desperately trying to Cindy Troncale Alexandria Holiday Inn Express, maybe another trip to the capital of our nation is in order? Lonely Planet think you just called Washington, DC, the first city in the world to visit next year.
And why not? Free museums, cherry blossoms, Kerry Washington (!!); Only the highest capital city in the largest country in the world.
Although the assumption that you thought Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was the worst, LP top 10 also highlighted some small (all politicians) fascinating cities in the world as El Chalten, Argentina, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and ski Favourite Zermatt, Switzerland.
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