Wonder Girls to Star in U.S. TV Movie

K-pop band Wonder Girls will star in a serialized TV show in the United States called "Wonder Girls at the Apollo," their agency JYP Entertainment said on Sunday.

The show will be broadcast in the first quarter of next year on Teen Nick, a TV station for teenagers, with at least six episodes scheduled to run.



JYP and Nick Cannon's movie company, N'credible, signed a broadcast contract with Teen Nick, the MTV Network subsidiary owned by Viacom. It promises exposure for the girls to over 70 million households in the U.S.

Chairman Nick Cannon, the actor-singer husband of Mariah Carey, saw the Wonder Girls' growth potential in the U.S. market and accepted the film production, JYP said. Filming will start in October, and the girls will release their debut album in the U.S. as an original soundtrack in synch with the TV show. They first broke into the U.S. market two years ago with an English version of their hit single "Nobody."
source: Chosun Ilbo

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SHINee's Jong-hyun & Shin Se-kyung Split

After much speculation, it's been confirmed that one of the youngest popular couples in k-pop have called it quits.

SHINee's Jong-hyun and actress Shin Se-kyung have broken up after eight months of dating.

According to Jong-hyun's management, SM Entertainment, confirmed it through the My Daily news source on the afternoon of June 20th. The two have decided to simply remain as friends.

Shin's management reps said that the two were just too busy with their own separate tours -- Shin's filming schedule and Jong-hyun's World Tour.

source: KBS Global

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SNSD's Jessica poses for W Korea magazine's November issue

Image credits to sica-lovely.tumblr.com

check out more photos sica-lovely.tumblr.com/tagged/W_KOREA

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Lee-teuk & Hee-chul of Super Junior To Enlist In Army In 2012

In the midst of promoting their new song, Super Junior members have revealed who's next up in leaving for the military.

Lee-teuk and Hee-chul have announced their plans on enlisting for their compulsory military duties in 2012.

Both Lee-teuk and Hee-chul were born in 1983, making them 28 this year. Koran law states that Korean men are required to enlist by the age of 29.

No other specific details were released. However, it does appear that their current new 5th album will be their last before enlistment. Earlier, the group also revealed plans for a world tour before enlistment.

source: KBS Global

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SHINee Pay Tribute to Abbey Road Before Japan Tour

SHINee /Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Korean boy band SHINee performed at London's legendary Abbey Road Studio on Sunday ahead of the release of their first Japanese single. The band was received with great fanfare by more than 1,000 fans from France, Italy and the U.K, who sang together while holding up placards and waving Korea's national flag.

Stevie Wonder, Bryan Adams and Coldplay have all played at the studio, which was made famous decades ago by the Beatles. The Fab Four recorded most of their albums there, even naming their final album in 1969 after the eponymous street. Few fans of Britpop would fail to recognize the album cover depicting the Beatles on a road crossing in front of the studio.

SHINee will soon fly to Japan for a nationwide tour starting early next month to promote their new single, "Replay."

source: Chosun Ilbo

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2PM Releases Music Video for "Hands Up"

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Wonder Girls To Release Album Next Month

The girl group "Wonder Girls" will make a comeback to Korea by releasing their second official album in the beginning of next month.



The Wonder Girls’ agency, JYP Entertainment, said on October 20, “The Wonder Girls will begin their activities again in Korea after having a break of almost one and half years since they released their mini album entitled ‘Two Different Tears’ last year in May.” The title song of their new album will be part of the original soundtrack of the movie “Wonder Girls at the Apollo,” in which the Wonder Girls will appear as the protagonists, and the movie will be aired on the popular US TV channel Teen Nick. JYP introduced the album by saying, “The new album will be different from their previous albums such as ‘Tell Me,’ ‘So Hot,’ and ‘Nobody,’ which had a retro-style melody, and the style and melody of the new album will become more stylish and mature.”



The members of the Wonder Girls had participated in filming the movie in Los Angeles for about a month and came back to Korea to produce their music video early this month. They have plans to meet their Asian fans from December right after they begin their activities in Korea. In addition, they will also hold their activities in America from the time when the premiere of “Wonder Girls at the Apollo” will be held in Los Angeles in the first half of next year.

source: KBS Global

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Rain's Military Enlistment Date Confirmed

According to the most recent reports, world star, Rain, will be enlisting in the military on October 11th.

The 29-year-old entertainer's reps revealed that this is the most current report that they recently received from the Military Manpower Administration.

Rain will stay busy until then. He is currently touring around Korea for his "last" concert before his two year hiatus. He also just wrapped filming his latest movie "Emergency, Close To The Sun", with actress Shin Se-kyung.

source: KBS Global

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G-Dragon, One Of The 50 Best Things About Seoul

Leader of popular group Big Bang, G-Dragon, has made it onto CNN's list of 50 reasons why Seoul is the best city.

In an article title, "50 Reasons Why Seoul Is The World's Greatest City", featured on the 25th on CNN's Asian Culture website (CNN GO), G-Dragon was listed at number 30 among other Asian tourist favorites such as galbi (Korean style ribs), jjim-jil bang (mega sauna centers), good looking people, girl groups, and live squid. Seoul was chosen for three years in a row as the best city by Asian tourists.

So why G-Dragon out of all the other k-pop figures? His cutting-edge style was the reason. The article said that since debuting in 2006, G-Dragon has been thrilling fashionistas. It continued to explain some of the daring outfits he has worn, like Alexander McQueen's silk skull scarf, wedge loafers, and even skirts. One of his most memorable fashionable displays was listed: head-to-toe vintage Chanel at the 2008 Big Bang Concert.

One more notable thing was the G-Dragon outranked the figure skating queen Kim Yuna, who placed 37th.

source: KBS Global

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SHINee for Elle Girl

Behind the scene's video for Elle Girl Japan

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f(x) Sulli's childhood photos

source: nemopan

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Idol Stars Who Are Now Of Age In Korea

Every year, the third Monday of every May is "Coming-Of-Age Day" in Korea. This is when people who turn 20 years of age -- the official adult age in Korea -- celebrate this milestone. This year, there were 16 popular idol stars that were born in the year 1991, marking this year as their "coming-of-age year".

First up, there's the youngest member (aka "maknae" in Korean) of Girls Generation, Seo-hyun. She shared, "I'm so happy because I started receiving interest and love from so many people even before it was Coming-Of-Age Day. I'm so thankful for everyone who stood by me and cheered me on as I advanced throughout the years and even congratulated me as I've reached this adult age. I'm a bit embarassed of the immature side of me that I've shown, but now that I'm an adult, I'll try to show more responsibility and a proactive attitude as I grow. I want to have even bigger dreams and challenge myself."

Another singer is the charismatic leader of 2NE1, CL, who is now of age. She expressed her thoughts as well on this special day with a bright smile, "I want to be a kid forever. Please treat me like a kid."

Miss A's Min was also born in 1991. She said, "It hasn't hit me that I've already hit 20. I'll try to show that much more responsibility through my actions now that I'm an adult."

The leader of new rookie group A Pink, Park Cho-rong is also now 20. She shared, "For some reason I do feel more responsibility now that I'm really an adult...although I still feel like a young girl. I'll try to be an adult-like leader who does her best! I didn't expect congratulations to come my way, but was so moved by the fans who have already started sending me perfume and roses. I think it'll be an especially meaningful Coming-Of-Age Day."

Aside from these ladies, there's also Nana of After School, Super Star K 2 finalist Jang Jain, Jin-woon of 2AM, Minho and Key of SHINee, Lee Jung-shin and Kang Min-hyuk of CNBLUE, Son Dong-woon of BEAST, MBLAQ's Mir, Lee Jae-jin of FT Island, Hyo-rin of SISTAR, Ga-ram and Hyun-min of The Boss, Park Hyung-shik of ZE:A, Infinite's Nam Woo-hyun and Ho-ya and Lee Sung-yeol, Dal*Shabet's Ji-yool and Ah-young, Dalmatian's Daniel, and five members of UKISS : Kevin, Eli, Ki-seop, Hoon, and AJ.

Congratulations to all the new adults!

source: KBS Global

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Wonder Girls member Hye Rim's childhood photos

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Jang Keun-suk Tops Japanese Chart with Debut Single

Actor and singer Jang Keun-suk's debut Japanese song topped the Oricon singles chart in the first week of its release. Oricon News reported that Jang's single "Let Me Cry" ranked first on the weekly chart with sales of 119,000 copies in the first week since its launch on April 27.

Jan is the first foreigner to achieve the feat and the first male solo artist to do so in more than 30 years. He also surpassed the achievement of his compatriot Ryu Si-won, whose debut song "Sakura" ranked second in the first week of its release in April 2005.

In the latest weekly chart, second place went to Korea's Girls' Generation with their third Japanese single "Mr. Taxi/Run Devil Run," which was released on the same day as Jang's.

The last time the top two spots were swept by Korean stars was in October 2008 when TVXQ's "Mirotic" and actor Lee Byung-hun's first Japanese single "Itsuka" ranked first and second, respectively.

source: Chosun Ilbo

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Lee Ji-ah & Seo Taiji Married With No Children

After the news of actress Lee Ji-ah and singer Seo Taiji's marital relations reached the public, Lee has finally stepped out to confirm or deny rumors. The basic gist of it all: 1. She and Seo were indeed married for several years. 2. They don't have any children together.

Lee's agency, KEYEAST Entertainment released a statement confirming that the former couple had taken matters of divorce settlement to court. They emphasized that they weren't in court for a divorce case, but an alimony case.

KEYEAST explained the history between the two stars. Lee had left to study abroad in the US in 1993, and there she met Seo Taiji through a mutual friend at a Korean concert in Los Angeles. Despite the fact that Seo had to return to Korea, the two kept in touch via phone calls and letters, and eventually became a couple.

Seo had an early, temporary retirement in 1996, when he decided to live in the US. There, Lee helped him overcome and adjust to the language and cultural barriers. The two became closer and got married privately in 1997. They lived out their marriage lives in Atlanta and Arizona.

Seo made a comeback in June of 222 and so returned to Korea, while Lee lived alone in the US until she requested a divorce in 2006. The divorce was finalized in 2009 due to reasons of career, lifestyle, and personality differences.

On a trip to Korea in 2004, Lee coincidentally landed a cell phone commercial deal. This started off her career as an actress. Lee moved back to Korea from the US for good in 2005, just in time to earn a role in the drama "Taewangsashingi". Lee expressed that she couldn't help but keep her marriage life a secret because of how famous Seo was. She apologized for keeping the truth from everyone and said that she had a rough time during that period.

KEYEAST stressed that rumors of the ex-couple having children together are untrue. Also that though young, Lee and Seo were truly in love. It's just unfortunate that divorce matters couldn't be settled peacefully.

source: KBS Global

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2PM’s Taecyeon and Chansung model for Esquire

Taecyeon and Chansung model for clothing brand, ZIOZIA.


Check out the complete photos in the May issue of Esquire.

source: Nate

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Lee Hong Ki From FT Island to Play Title Role in Japanese Drama

Lee Hong Ki from star boy band FT Island will play the leading role in a Japanese drama for the first time. He will appear in the drama “Muscle Girl,” which will air its first episode on April 19 on TBS, along with Japanese actress Ichikawa Yui. In the drama, Lee will play a star Korean actor who comes to Japan to film a joint Korean-and-Japanese movie and to find his missing mother in Japan.

He comes to meet a young businesswoman who is trying to revive female professional wrestling groups, and he will go through various troubles with her in the drama. The romantic drama will be produced with a total of ten episodes and will begin airing from April 19 on TBS, and it will ALSO BE broadcast on different broadcasting companies such as MBS from April 23. Lee Hong Ki participated in the production presentation held at the Warner Music Japan in Aoyama, Tokyo on April 13, and he said, “I was very surprised when I knew that I had received a casting offer from a Japanese drama. I have always wanted to act, so I felt really happy, but, at the same time, I was also very worried. But now I am quite enjoying filming the drama as the story is very interesting. I want to let you watch the drama as soon as possible.”

Ichikawa said, “The drama is mainly about love between family members. I will enthusiastically act in the drama to make viewers who watched our drama have the thought that they have to do their best to have a better life.” Lee Hong Ki also explained, “There will ALSO BE very funny parts in the drama, so you might be able to anticipate something exciting.” Ichikawa praised FT Island’s song “Haruka,” which will be the theme song of the drama, by saying, “I heard the theme song and it sounds perfect for the drama, and the song itself is very uplifting.” Lee Hong Ki introduced the song, saying, “’Haruka’ is very different from our previous songs. We used different musical instruments, and the atmosphere is totally new. The lyrics and melody were made suitable to the drama, and it is a really nice song.”

FT Island sang the theme song “Haruka” and another song entitled “Itsuka ,” which is also included on the original soundtrack of the drama, and those two songs will be included in FT Island’s first official album in Japan entitled “Five Treasure Island.” The album will be released on May 18.

source : KBS Global

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Girls' Generation for Marie Claire

source: http://yurui.egloos.com
credits : Marie Claire

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