Kang Ta Wasn’t Sure of BoA Representing SM Entertainment

On February 7, former H.O.T. member Kangta appeared at the press conference for Mnet’s “Voice Korea” and shared his thoughts on BoA representing SM Entertainment on SBS “K-Pop Star.”

He first said, “To be honest with you, I was really concerned of BoA representing SM Entertainment (on the show).”

“On ‘K-Pop Star,’ you literally get to see SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment. But YG had YG (Yang Hyun Suk) and JYP had JYP (Park Jin Young), but SM sent BoA. I wasn’t too sure if BoA would do a good job representing SM Entertainment,” he added.

“But now she’s doing so well. She’s doing as good as Chairman Lee Soo Man in picking the right people with a lot of upside,” the now-SME executive added.

Meanwhile, Mnet’s “Voice Korea” is a new survival reality show that follows the same format as “The Voice.” Shin Seung Hoon, Baek Ji Young, Kang Ta, and Gil appear as the main coaches. The show follows a “blind audition” format, so the contestants only get judged based on their vocals. The first episode airs on February 10.

credit: soompi.com

CN Blue Breaks 41-Year Chart Record in Japan

CN Blue became the first foreign band in 41 years to top the Oricon’s weekly single chart in Japan. Since going on sale on February 1, the group’s second major Japanese single, “Where You Are,” sold over 60,000 copies in the first week of its release, topping both the daily and weekly charts.

According to Oricon, this is the first time for a foreign band to achieve the feat since the Canadian band, “Mashmakhan,” did with their 1971 single, “As the Years Go By.” CN Blue’s new single comes with “Where You Are,” written and produced by Jung Yong Hwa, “Get Away,” written by Lee Jong Hyun, and ”Feeling.”

CN Blue’s Japanese debut single, “In My Head,” sold over 100,000 copies last year, being recognized as a gold level record. They also became the first Korean artist to perform at the “MTV Unplugged” concert in Japan earlier this week. CN Blue will embark on a Japanese fan club live tour starting from February 13.

credit: soompi.com

JYJ’s Jaejoong attends a state dinner with Turkish and South Korean presidents

On February 6th, JYJ’s Jaejoong was invited to dinner at the Presidential Palace in Turkey along with South Korea’s president Lee Myung Bak and the president’s wife.

Jaejoong toured Turkey with President Lee, held a cultural fan meeting, and attended a state banquet.

Turkey’s Korean Council said, “Turkey’s favorite Korean artist, JYJ’s Jaejoong, was invited and a fan meeting was held. We hope that the fan meeting has contributed to the spread of Hallyu and will help better bonds between Turkey and South Korea.”

President Lee Myung Bak held a special lecture at Ankara University, where he introduced Jaejoong himself. Jaejoong then shared his reflections on Korean culture, and in return, learned some  Turkish phrases from the students.

After the lecture, Jaejoong attended a state dinner with Lee Myung Bak and Turkey’s president, along with other Turkish officials.

Jaejoong revealed his thoughts on his stay saying, “When I entered the banquet, I was greeted by the Turkish president and President Lee Myung Bak, who greeted me saying, ‘You came’. I was really nervous to be in such a position, but I eventually relaxed because everyone was so friendly and called me ‘JJ’, so I had a good time. Over these three days, many people told me how JYJ is really popular [here] — I hope to come back soon with the rest of my members to hold a concert.”

Jaejoong’s agency C-JeS Entertainment stated, “We have heard that JYJ and Jaejoong played a big role in popularizing Korean music and dramas in Turkey. Also, Jaejoong has met many important people at the banquet and they took a photo together to remember this special occasion. Jaejoong has completed his cultural mission.”

Jaejoong will now focus on preparations for JYJ’s concerts in Chile and Peru in March.

credit: allkpop.com

[Spoiler] ‘Dream High 2′ begins to develop its love lines

On February 6th, ‘Dream High 2‘ aired its third episode, which showcased the development of love lines between ‘Shin Haesung’ (Kang Sora) and ‘Jin Yoojin’ (2AM‘s Jinwoon), as well as ‘Rian’ (T-ara‘s Jiyeon) and JB (as himself).
In this episode, Haesung and Rian have a scuffle in their room, during which Haesung discovers a photo of Rian’s with her and JB. Viewers immediately became intrigued by this hint of a mysterious past between two of Kirin Arts High School’s top idols.
On the other hand, Haesung and Yoojin — the underdogs of the school — become closer after they eat some ramen together and comfort one another. Yoojin had gotten into a fight of his own earlier, leading Haesung to carefully bandage his face. Haesung’s soft touch causes Yoojin to momentarily drop his guard and give her a shy smile.
There’s potential for a very interesting love square to take place here, with the key player being JB. JB has a mysterious connection to Rian, Haesung’s roommate; Haesung idolizes JB, while Yoojin hates JB; finally, Yoojin seems to be interested in Haesung.
Stay tuned to find out how these love lines develop!


credit: allkpop.com

Mau Ke Luar Negeri, Lee Min Ho Menolak Bicara Soal Park Min Young

LEE Min Ho masih enggan berbicara soal kandasnya hubungan asmaranya dengan aktris Park Min Young.

Memang, pada akhir Januari silam Lee Min Ho dan Park Min Young sudah mengakui hubungan mereka berakhir melalui agensi masing-masing.

Tapi belum ada pernyataan langsung baik dari Lee Min Ho dan Park Min Young perihal kandasnya hubungan yang terungkap sejak Agustus 2011 silam.

Mengutip situs Soompi, Selasa (7/2), media Korea berhasil menemui Lee Min Ho ketika berada di bandara internasional Incheon.

Bintang Boys Before Flowers itu terlihat ramah pada reporter TV yang mengajukan wawancara dadakan.

Sembari tersenyum, Lee Min Ho mengatakan pergi ke luar negeri untuk menjalani syuting.

Tapi saat reporter bertanya seputar berakhirnya hubungannya dengan Park Min Young, Lee Min Ho terlihat lebih berhati-hati dan berusaha mengalihkan topik.

credit: Tabloid Bintang 

Well, mungkin baik Lee Min Ho dan Park Min Young memang tidak akan pernah bicara soal hubungan mereka.

"Sungkyunkwan Scandal" Masuk Nominasi New York Festivals

TIDAK hanya disukai oleh pemirsa Korea dan Asia, serial Sungkyunkwan Scandal juga mendapat apresiasi baik di New York, Amerika Serikat.

Sungkyunkwan Scandal meraih nominasi untuk kategori mini seri terbaik dalam ajang "New York Festivals TV & Film Awards 2012".

Mengutip situs AllKPop, Selasa (7/2), ini merupakan peluang pertama bagi serial yang dibintangi Park Min Young, Micky Yoochun dan Song Joong Ki meraih penghargaan internasional.

Menurut situs resmi New York Festivals, total ada 7 serial yang masuk nominasi kategori mini seri terbaik.

Selain Sungkyunkwan Scandal, ada East West 101 Season 3 (Australia), The Greatest Love (Korea Selatan), Operacion Jaque (Spanyol), Royally Mad (Amerika Serikat), The Kennedys (Amerika Serikat), dan The Bomber (Ukraina).

Pemenang New York Festivals TV & Film Awards 2012 akan diumumkan di NAB Show, Las Vegas, Nevada pada 17 April mendatang.

credit: Tabloid Bintang 

Girls’ Generation to release ‘The Boys’ in France

Following the American release of their latest album, ‘The Boys‘, Girls’ Generation will now be bringing ‘The Boys’ to France!

On February 7th, a representative from SM Entertainment revealed, “Girls’ Generation will officially be releasing their album, ‘The Boys’, through Universal Music Group’s Polydor Records.”

Girls’ Generation’s release of their album in Europe is a large step for the Korean music industry. It’s being reported that while co-ed group Koreana had released a single through Polydor Records in France back in 1970, Girls’ Generation are the first Korean singers to release a formal album in Europe.

The girl group recently took off for Paris to attend a music event at the Bercy stadium in Paris.

credit: allkpop.com

Won Bin dan So Ji Sub Siap Comeback

KABAR gembira bagi fans yang menantikan comebacknya Won Bin dan So Ji Sub.

Dua aktor yang sama-sama berusia 34 tahun ini dikabarkan sedang mempertimbangkan mengambil proyek untuk tahun 2012 ini.

Won Bin terakhir membintangi film The Man From Nowhere yang dirilis tahun 2010. Setelah itu, Won Bin dikabarkan menolak banyak tawaran bermain serial TV atau film layar lebar.

Menurut situs Soompi, Selasa (7/2), Won Bin tertarik untuk bergabung dalam produksi film yang mengusung tema melodrama. Jika semua berjalan lancar, syuting film bakal dimulai pada musim panas ini.

Sedangkan So Ji Sub kabarnya telah melirik sebuah serial TV. So Ji Sub terakhir main serial TV pada tahun 2010, Road Number One. Tahun 2011 dia hanya membintangi 1 film layar lebar berjudul Only You.

Serial yang akan dibintangi So Ji Sub mengusung genre melodrama dan mengisahkan kehidupan percintaan pria dan wanita usia 30 tahunan.

“Won Bin dan So Ji Sub adalah bintang papan atas yang merepresentasikan aktor pria di usia 30-an. Jumlah penggemar wanita pasti banyak. Ketika mengambil peran di genre melodrama, aura kebintangan Won Bin dan So Ji Sub menambah kekuatan akting mereka,” bilang seorang pengamat industri hiburan.

Siapa yang lebih Anda nantikan, Won Bin atau So Ji Sub?

credit: Tabloid Bintang