Jong in "Love is"

I should forget and let you go now
I will leave traces with our connection and sad memories in my mind.

I knew our last, i had a hunch but i pushed ahead our love.
but i'm ok, i don't regret.

Love left a scar on me but let me know how to smile,
and gave me the reason that i had to live.

so, love came and went in my mind. Love is.

Maybe, love comes again for me, if it comes, i won't be painful like that time.
Because you already let me know what love is, it'll be easy for me to love next time.

Love left a scar on me but let me know how to smile,
and gave me the reason that i had to live,
and also let me know what despair is.

Love let me know these all things.

Love showed me together,
farewell left me loneliness,
Love let me know to approach,
farewell let me know to let you go.

Love let me know these all things.
these all things.

Urbanzakapa "Just a little"

Girl's Generation New Song

Prior to the release of “I Got a Boy”, Girls’ Generation unveiled the music video for “Dancing Queen,” an upbeat, retro-inspired recreation of soul artist Duffy’s hit song “Mercy”.


The unexpected song was revealed to be the girls’ title track off their first mini-album back in 2008. However, the song and video was later scrapped, being subsequently replaced with the group’s iconic breakout single “Gee”.

While the song finally saw a proper release four years later, the group recalled the time of feeling heartbroken when first hearing of the cancellation of the single.

“When we first heard that the song and video would be cancelled, we had a difficult time and shed many tears,” said Girls’ Generation. “It was a difficult time, but later with the  success of ‘Gee’, it made it all worth the hardships.”

Meanwhile, the girls will be busy promoting their latest single “I Got a Boy,” an urban dance number with hip-hop inspired aesthetics. With the group’s TV comeback show wrapped up, the girls will begin their round of promotions starting with tomorrow’s episode of ‘M! Countdown‘.

IMHO, the lyrics aren't all that great, but still they're SNSD. Love their dances, and change in the genre of their music.

K-Pop Cover Dance Festival

The 2012 K-pop Cover Dance Festival will travel around various countries and cities to begin their round 2 auditions to choose to finalists starting Sept 22. More than 1800 video applications were received from more than 70 countries. From this we can see that K-pop's popularity around the globe is increasing. Recently, I have seen a documentary about K-pop, where youths around the globe are mesmerized with K-pop dances and songs, and people taking interest in Korean food. K-pop is inducing people from different cultures and backgrounds to not only learn about Korea's culture as well, but also to share their culture with others.

Do you know the definition of Gangnam Style?

Times chose Gangnam Style as the Wednesday word and provided the definition of the word. Gangnam Style is a manner associated with lavish lifestyles in Seoul's Gangnam district, a word increasingly popular since South Korea rapper Psy released the music video, Gangnams Style. Recently, Gangnam Style reached 1.5 billion views, and ranked 1st on iTunes Charts. Psy's cheekiness mesmerized the world. If I ever get a chance to go to Korea, I would like to visit Gangnam.

Since going live, Gangnam Style by K-pop musician Psy has garnered numerous hits on Youtube, and the world's appetite for the song and its music video has shown no sign of waning. Across the Internet, viewers have found endless ways to riff on the song, posting everything from reaction videos to elaborate parodies of the original video. Wall Stree Journal even wrote an article about 5 Must-See 'Gangnam Style' Response Videos.

One the five must-see videos are Pyongyang Style. This video pairs the music of Gangnam Style with a visual mashup of footage from a North Korean military parade along with where Kim Jong-il waves his hand.

Although North Korea is showing signs of change and economic reforms, this is all to stabilize the Kim Jong-un regime by ease the dissatisfaction of the North Korean people. However, North Korea's reform methods are different from the ones implemented by Socialist countries, mainly the Eastern European countries. The economic reform by North Korea is very distinct that it is sometimes referred to as 'Pyongyang Style' reform, so I believe that it is a bit too early to jump to conclusions and claim that North Korea indeed is changing.

Gangnam Style Fever

Member of K-pop girl group, Hyuna of 4 minute, featured in Psy's new version of 'Gangnam Style.'

YG Life Blog and Psy's Youtube channel put Hyuna as a duo with Psy in the girl version 'Oppa is Just My Style' music video, which was revealed on Aug 15th.

The music video gained more than 730,000 views in half a day, and is gaining more views exponentionally.

Although some people do not like Hyuna's babyish voice, there is no doubt that Hyuna's sexy choreography has a synergy effect on Psy's dances.

The highlight of the music video is the chorus part where Hyuna and Psy do the 'horse dance' move. Hyuna changed the lyrics from 'sexy lady' to 'sexy baby' and showed voloptuous waves. She was also acclaimed for perfectly showing off Psy style dance.

Psy decided to release the girl version of 'Gangnam Style', 'Oppa is Just My Style' for his female fans to be able to sing the song in Noraebang (karaoke).

Psy's 'Gangnam Style' currently has more than 30 million views, and is ranked third in the World Youtube Chart after Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen.

‘2012 Kpop super concert in America' at LA!!!

‘2012 Kpop super concert in America' will be hosted at at Home Depot Center in Los Angeles during August.

The K-pop you've encountered only in Youtube is coming to town.

You will be able to see the actual action live at site.

Shinee, 2PM, Girl's Generation, Kara, and other Kpop idols that you fancy is planning a joint performance!

I've always wanted to see them live at a concert. I don't think I can wait till August!

Girl's Generation(소녀시대) interview for SBS Super Concert in America :
   

For tickets : http://www.axs.com/los-angeles-ca/music-events/k-pop-super-concert-in-america-2012august10-3680.html

IU is on the frontline against school violence

School violence is a serious problem in Korea nowadays.
왕따 Wangta is the Korean term for a victim of school bullying. Wang means king, and Ta is a term for a loner or an ostracized person. The problem with wangta is that everyone in school targets the wangtas. And even the person who helps wangtas are often ostracized.

Source :  http://sccdn.chosun.com/news/html/2012/07/03/2012070301000239200017931.jpg 

Well here's the good news.
IU, a Korean singer song writer and actress, volunteered herself to be used for anti-bullying campaigns. The cute singer and ambassador for the prevention of school violence attended a fan signing event for the publication of "I'm Sorry" – a book about school violence at the Gwanghwamun Kyobo Bookstore in Seoul.
"I'm Sorry" is a book written about the experiences that the 13 members of the Police Agency's Prevention of School Violence task team had about this issue. The book's profits will be donated to the Foundation for Preventing Youth Violence in order to help the victims of school violence.

Source : http://cfile23.uf.tistory.com/image/146153464FF4FBFD061D0B

Through this meaningful event, I hope adults and kids will look up to IU, and read this book, which will allow people to be more aware and take interest in stopping school violence.

KARA named most popular Korean artist in Japan

Read an article about one of my favorite artists : 

     KARA, one of the most popular Korean pop groups in Japan, was ranked 6th in the "2012 First Half
     Talent Power Ranking" according to Nikkei Entertainment, a Japanese entertainment magazine.
     The five-member girl group proved its popularity, ranking the highest out of hallyu stars in Japan. The    
     result was a pleasant surprise for the group as it ranked after the five members of Arashi, a Japanese 
     boy group, who took the top five spots.
     The survey of teenage girls in Japan placed KARA as the only foreign group in the top ten, beating out 
     popular Japanese girl group AKB48 as well.
     In addition, the girl group set the record of having sold 1,000,000 copies of its album in 23 months,
     the shortest time for a Korean artist.


Source : http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20120713-358836.html

It's good to see that the popularity of K-pop in the world is spreading!
AND that KARA is doing well, and we hope that other K-pop artists will be as successful as KARA, not only in Japan, but else where in the world music market.

K-Pop Reality

Have you ever listened to K-Pop?

Recently the world was going through a K-Pop fever. Many countries have uploaded youtube videos of K-Pop flashmobs, and we are hearing news of K-Pop contests and concerts world-wide.

K-Pop has the charm of addicting listeners and music lovers.

The reason for this? It's all because of the creativity, newness.

 

If you still haven't listened to K-Pop, give it a try!

Big Bang wins at Best Fan award at 2012 MTV Italy

Big Bang won Best Fan award at 2012 MTV TRL Awards at Italy May 5th.
The TMV TRL Awars began in 2006 to honor Italy's most favored artists and their music videos in the industry, and Big Bang became the first Asian singer to win the award.
The 'Best Fan' category of the awards is decided by online voting of worldwide fans.
Other nominees in the same category were world stars such as pop star Avril Lavigne, famous idol group One Direction, and more.
Big Bang last year have won 'Best Worldwide Act' back in November at MTV's 2011 Europe Music Awards.
If you're wondering why they are so popular...
Check out their music videos.

Korean Grilling on Glass, at Kristalbelli

Coming to Midtown before Christmas: Kristalbelli, Manhattan’s latest entry in the global quest to make Korean barbecue upscale, not just popular. Its chef, David Shim, has worked at Gramercy Tavern, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Veritas. He promises Wagyu beef, organic vegetables, pork belly and the usual prize morsels for grilling.
But the main attraction will be the grills themselves. Each unit, set in the center of the table, is made of a single piece of crystal, with infrared heat that will produce higher temperatures than charcoal or gas grills. In Korea, both infrared and crystal cooking have been touted for their health benefits. Here, some backyard grill jockeys have experimented with infrared, but this will be a first for a restaurant. Powerful downdraft machines are promised to suck the usual smoke and cooking smells out through the floor.
This combination of sleek lounge and D.I.Y. grilling is the brainchild of the young Korean entertainment mogul J.Y. Park.

Super Junior to hold concert in Paris

Super Junior, a 10-member K-pop group, will hold its first solo concert in Paris next month, according to reports on Wednesday.
The Paris show is part of Super Junior's world tour titled "Super Show 4" and will take place on April 6 at Le Zenith de Paris where world-famous stars including Neyo, the Pussycat Dolls and the Jonas Brothers have performed.
The boy band performed for French fans at the same venue last year along with other K-pop artists under SM Entertainment.
In December, the group performed for a record 90,000 people in a two-day concert in Osaka and also held concerts in Singapore and Taipei. The schedule has yet to be confirmed, but they are to visit other cities in Europe and South America as well, according to reports. On March 9-10, the Korean boy band will hold its solo concert in Macao.
Ticket sales for Super Junior's Paris show open at 10am on Friday (Paris time) via www.livenation.fr.

'Shinhwa' hopes to remain Korea's longest-running boy band

South Korea's popular K-pop group "Shinhwa" said Monday it wants to remain the country's longest-running "boy band" as it announced plans for a new album and concerts after four years away from the stage.


Source: 'Shinhwa' hopes to remain Korea's longest-running boy band 

Celebrities hold concert against China's repatriation of NK defectors

Some 30 South Korean celebrities held a concert in Seoul to urge China not to repatriate North Korean defectors. The celebrities, including popular TV actor Cha In-pyo and his actress wife Shin Ae-ra, has recently formed an organization called "Cry with us" with 30 teenagers who defected from North Korea, to help defectors caught in China.
During the concert slated for Sunday at Yonsei University's main campus in Seoul, the group  issued a letter of appeal written in Korean, Chinese and English, urging Beijing not to repatriate North Korean defectors to their homeland.
Tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of North Koreans are believed to be living in hiding in China after fleeing their communist homeland in hopes of settling in South Korea. 
The issue has drawn fresh media and public attention as China is reportedly moving to return dozens of detained North Korean escapees to their homeland where they are certain to face severe punishment or even execution.


Cry with us MV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Jx7a86eRI
Concert video clip: http://www.ytn.co.kr/_pn/0109_201203050834354008


Source: Yonhap News Agency

Singer Rain takes a rain check on frontline soldiering

South Korean pop icon Rain will serve as an "entertainment soldier" for the remainder of his two years of compulsory military service, according to the defence ministry. Rain will appear in television and radio programmes of the Korean Forces Network, a broadcaster run by the ministry to boost morale, and take part in weekly concert tours to military units across the country. "As he is a singer and dancer, he will do well as an 'entertainment soldier'," a ministry official told AFP on Friday. Fans from across Asia wept last October when the 29-year-old entertainer entered boot camp to start his mandatory military service. He was said to be adjusting well to military life, being judged a top marksman and groomed to become an assistant instructor. Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-Hoon, is a major star in his home country and throughout much of the rest of Asia, where South Korean "K pop" commands a huge following. All eligible South Korean men must spend about two years in the military. The country has remained technically at war with North Korea since their 1950-1953 conflict ended without a peace treaty. Most start their spell around the age of 20. But Rain took advantage of a provision allowing famous entertainers to postpone their service.

Source: 비 근황 사진 공개, “군복도 완벽 소화하는 센스쟁이”

Forbes Korea: K-POP

Forbes Korea: Top 20 Power Celebrities

1.) Girls’ Generation

2.) Big Bang

3.) IU

4.) KARA

5.) Kim Yuna (World Champion Figure Skater & Olympic Gold Medalist)

6.) Lee Seung Gi (Actor / Singer)

7.) Park Ji Sung (Midfielder for Manchester United & former Captain of Korean National Soccer Team)

8.) Kim Tae Hee (Actress / Model)

9.) B2ST

10.) Park Tae Hwan (Champion Swimmer & Olympic Gold Medalist)

11.) 2PM

12.) Kang Ho Dong (Comedian / MC)

13.) JYJ

14.) Shin Se Kyung (Actress)

15.) TVXQ

16.) Super Junior

17.) T-ARA

18.) Shin Soo Choo (Major League Baseball Player for Cleveland Indians, Silver at World Baseball Classic, Gold at Asian Games)

19.) Yoo Jae Suk (Comedian / MC)

20.) Lee Chung Yong (Footballer for Premier League club Bolton Wanderers)

The Top 20 ‘Power Celebrities’ ranking released by Forbes Korea means a lot to readers.

Forbes, well known for its lists established in 1917. The Forbes 400 is an annual list that ranks the country’s richest Americans by their estimated net worth. Other lists include ‘400 Best Big Companies,’ ‘100 Best Mid-Cap Stocks,’ and ‘Americas Best Colleges.’

Then there is ‘The Celebrity 100’ an annual list of 100 most powerful people in the entertainment business. Forbes Korea has selected 40 out of 100 people based on income, influence, fame and expertise. The top 20 consisted of 10 idol groups. There were only 4 that were on the list last year. This is a reflection on the growth of K-Pop, especially the idol groups. They are influencing the economy and brand image of Korea and other countries culture and economy as well.

The Samsung Economic Research Institute released that the brand image of products ‘Made in Korea’ have increased 2.7 higher than 7 years ago. Korean government stated a 2000% increase of export in beverages to the Middle East, 303% of smart phones, 127% in automobile, 190% VTR, 90% clothing, and 32% refrigerator to South America.

Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange ranked Korea 15 that is 3 ranks higher than last year, Korea has been recognized for its attractiveness and refined culture.

This is all the same on the streets. In the street side of Shibuya station, the largest transfer, there is a poster of ‘Girls’ Generation’s entire body. It’s not uncommon to see Korea girl group’s music video being displayed on outside monitors.

The Koreans who are stepping outside to the world market is merely doing more than promoting their own music.

(I am surprised Kang Ho Dong and Lee Seung Gi is higher than Yoo Jae Suk..._

Source: Allkpop.com, Growth Korea K-Pop Stars Big Impact on Korea's 

JKS's THE CRI SHOW-BEGINNING in Tokyo

Steven Hawking would be jealous of.... whatever this is.

On the 26th, JKS (Jang Kun-suk) opened his solo concert 'THE CRI SHOW-BEGINNING' at the Tokyo Dome.

The concert, consisted mostly of his drama OSTs and his songs released in Japan, was filled up with all 45,000 seats of the concert hall. What a comparison considering that 3 years ago, he could not fill 2,000 seats at his first fan-meeting. After mere three years, he has impressed almost 50,000 people at his live concert.

For more information and fan accounts of the concert, check out this article : [Fan Account] THE CRI SHOW at Tokyo Dome

Google Planning K-Pop Exclusive Channel

Google CEO Eric Schmidt with President Lee Myung-Bak (Source : Wall Street Journal)

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google is planning an exclusive Youtube channel for K-Pop. And Girl's Generation(SNSD)'s Yuri made it on the Wall Street Journal! From the WSJ article :

Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt is in Seoul to meet with executives at several major IT companies over the next couple of days. One of the first stops was the Blue House, where he talked with President Lee Myung-bak about cooperation between Korean IT firms and Google, and Mr. Schmidt said Google intends to set up a YouTube channel for Korean pop music, or K-pop.


This is an exciting news, and it seem like Google's got a lot more plans for Korea in the future. For more, read the WSJ article : Google Plans K-Pop Channel, and More?