Fans brace your hearts as Won Binis indeed off the market! It has been confirmed that the actor and actress Lee Na Young are an item!
Unlike other agencies that take a day to respond with a drawn out explanation, the agency of both actors, Eden 9,
has already released their official statement, which may be one of the
shortest official statements in the history of the Korean entertainment
scene.
Eden 9 commented through a press release,
"Since
Won Bin and Lee Na Young are part of the same agency, they ran into
each other frequently due to projects and advertisements, so they
started to naturally develop feelings and recently progressed into an
intimate relationship.
The two are at a cautious beginning stage, so please watch over them with affection."
In related news, CNBlue recently completed the Beijing leg of their ”2013 Blue Moon World Tour” on June 29 and will proceed to Kuala Lumpur on August 24. Check out Soompi’s coverage of the tour’s Manila concert
JYJ‘s Junsu (XIA) has released a music video and album jacket image for the single “11AM.”
The music video or special clip is for the track “11AM,” which is released before Junsu’s second full-length solo album release on July 15.
The song in the music video takes the format of a “live” recording, showcasing Junsu’s voice and emotions recorded in one take for the music video and not a separate studio track. He sings the song acapella style in the beginning with a piano melody added midway, relaying the raw emotions of the song he is singing at that time. ”11AM” is about the pain of parting with a loved one.
2PM member Junho has topped the Japan ringtone chart.
It was revealed today that Junho had ranked number 1 on the Japan ringtone chart with his mini album title song, "Kimino Koe." This showed his popularity even as a solo artist.
It was revealed that for this song, Junho had self-composed and proceed this song. This is also a part of his Japan solo debut album as well.
Junho participated in all aspects of his solo mini album from the choreography, music video, music and more and showed his producer side.
The album sales for this album ranked number 1, 3, and 7 on the Tower Records Reservation chart at the end of May as well.
On the other hand, Junho will be holding his Japan tour starting on July 9.
Concert, drama and more concerts! Sounds like it has been a busy but amazing year for Hallyu star Kim Hyung Jun. However, despite of his busy schedule, Kim Hyung Jun took some time off to provide fans with some insights into his latest plans.
Over the past month, in between the filming for new drama ‘Gold, Appear Quickly!’, Kim Hyung Jun also held ‘Who Am I’ Live Tour in Japan. The tour kicked start on 31st May in Tokyo, with 3 concerts and meeting 5000 fans in 2 days. Just over the weekend, he has successfully concluded his concert tour in Nagoya in which even more fans were met.
When asked about this recent concert tour in Japan, Kim Hyung Jun said “This time it was held at ZEPP again, instead of choosing a big venue, this venue is medium sized. I was able to have a good performance and meet fans up close. Actually, there’s a concert tour held in Japan every year, this year I have prepared bright songs to enjoy the summer coolly with fans on stage.”
Ending the first half of 2013 with a success, where is he heading to and what is he planning to do next? Kim Hyung Jun revealed “I wish to prepare for a concert tour inLatin America or Asia in the second half of the year. This year I have schedules for drama filming, I will release a new album next year. Please show me love in both fields (drama and music).”
In the meanwhile, Kim Hyung Jun was just appointed as the new face of Korean travel agency ‘Lotte JTB’ and is expected to have Hallyu promotional activities overseas as their representative. Kim Hyung Jun is also currently filming for drama ‘Gold, Appear Quickly!’ and will be holding a birthday party with fans in Korea.
Do check out some photos from his recent concert tour in Japan below!
After last week's report of Se7en and Sangchuvisiting a 'Happy Ending' massage parlor while still on duty, SBS' 'On-Site 21' aired the 2nd part of their investigation into celebrity recruits.
What aired on the July 2 episode shocked and disgusted many viewers. The episode showed celebrity recruits using their cellphones freely and wearing civilian clothing while they were on duty. Not just that, they left their motel to drink and eat until 2 A.M., and then headed to the nearest convenience store to purchase even more alcohol.
The celebrity recruits also didn't address each other using military formalities but rather by name and hyung, even if the younger one was the superior. They were even caught joking, "You're like a civilian. They'll recognize you if you go outside." A military personnel revealed, "They wear personal sleeveless shirts and wear their military pants and just stroll around. They sometimes wear their personal military-looking clothes (not the ones issued by the army), wear bags, and even wear beanies."
That wasn't all, as a former Defense Media Agency employee revealed, "The gym in the Defense Media Agency is only for celebrity recruits. They have widescreen TVs, PlayStation gaming consoles, snacks, and clothes they can wear whenever they want. They tell the workers who are actually working on media PR to get off the computer so they can go browse the internet. They can't be stopped." He added, "There are even reports that celebrity recruits get company cards. There was a time when they rode a taxi, but didn't have a receipt. I told the responsible person to come forward and said, 'The money isn't the problem. You'll get an inspection, so bring the receipt right now.' Asking them 'When did you get in the taxi' is admitting that we didn't know when they came back. They also take days off like they're children asking to leave school. They say things like, 'I have a sty in my eye, so I'll be back at 6 P.M.', and 'I'm going to go cut my hair at a hair salon. I have to maintain my style'."
That wasn't the end - it's not just the celebrity recruits that are the problem, but there seems to be problems within the Defense Media Agency itself. One of the women who used to work at the agency confessed, "They'd grope our butts as a greeting, and then make us take love shots with people we've never met before. They treated us like hostesses at a bar. Once, one of them told me to sit next to him, so I did. He then put a piece of meat in his mouth, took it out and told me to eat it. He said it was a test of love. Even when we didn't have concerts, we'd be told to all gather near their house and drink. We had to match their moods, and then even take care of the bill. But it was a situation where if we complained, we'd get fired. Who'd take it up to them?".
Of course, these accusations were denied adamantly by the Defense Media Agency.
The reports disgusted and enraged viewers, who couldn't believe that the celebrity recruits were getting such extensive special treatment. Many cried out for the celebrity recruits to be dissolved, and some demanded certain celebrities be required to serve another full term.
KBS "Music Bank" will be heading over to Istanbul this September with a whole lot of K-Pop goodness.
The concert will be held at the Ulker Sports Arena on September 7, 2013.
"Music Bank" is a music show program that is broadcasted through KBS and is also played in 73 countries around the world.
This program is also a huge part of the 'hallyu wave' as it allows K-pop to spread to various countries and expand the fan base for many K-Pop artists.
For the Instanbul concert, they have confirmed the artist line up to be Super Junior, Ailee, miss A, FTISLAND, BEAST and MBLAQ.
The first Music Bank tour was in 2011 in Japan at the Tokyo Dome. In 2012, it was held in Paris and later in 2012 it was held in Chile.
Ticket information has yet to be announced yet but check back here soon for updates.
DSP Entertainment gave fans a scare on Twitter earlier with the photo of A-JAX' Seungyub above.
The agency tweeted, "Seungyub hospitalized... What exactly happened?"However, Seungyub reassured fans that everything was okay. He later posted,"I'm okay!!! To be honest, I'm in the middle of filming the 'Insane MV. Hehe."
Stay tuned to allkpop for more info on A-JAX' comeback!
EXO‘s Suho has recently revealed his school ranking and cleared up rumors of being a chaebol.
On July 1, EXO’s Suho, Chanyeol, Chen, Kai and Luhan along with Ivy were guests for Mnet’s “Beatles Code 2,” where they shared various stories.
During the episode, the MCs asked Suho, “They say that you’re a chaebol-dol,” to which Suho answered, “That’s a misunderstanding.” But then, Kai added, “His hobby is to go golfing.”
(Author side note: a “chaebol” is a wealthy conglomerate and in Korea, golfing is almost exclusively enjoyed by only wealthy people.)
After Kai’s comment, the MCs quickly asked, “Where do you live? What do your parents do?” Then Suho answered, “I live in Apgujung. I live next to Choi Siwon‘s apartment. My father is a professor and my mother is a housewife but she used to be a teacher.”
Finally, when Suho was asked, “Didn’t your parents oppose you becoming a singer?” he answered, “I studied and practiced at the same time. I was in the top 50 of my entire school.”
4D stands for four dimensional and it's a K-pop term used to describe idols with unique personalities that differentiate them from the rest of the stars. In other words, it means those who think, act, and feel differently than how "normal" people react to things; whether it be their answers, responses, etc. that deviate from the conventional way of thinking. Here are list of the idols who are known for their 4D personalities.
Kim Hyun Joong may be known for his pretty boy looks, superstardom, and dance moves, but aside from the cool characteristics that make up this singer, Hyun Joong is everyone's favorite 4D personality idol. He may be soft spoken but Hyun Joong is known for his aloof ways and harmless blunt comments. For example, he once told Girls Generation's Jessica that he found her sister, f(x)'s Krystal, prettier than she. He's also admitted to surfing the web and leaving mean comments about himself on forums, he randomly hates dragonflies, and he's picky about microphones. He also has a deep love for aliens or spaceships and is on the lookout for ET sightings. Amongst fans, he's known as the 4D prince.
JYJ's most popular member JaeJoong is not only one of the nation's most beloved idols, but he's also one of the most beloved 4D personalities in all of K-pop. He's known for his space-like/otherwordly mind and acts like he's on a completely different planet at times. Here's a photo below to show off JaeJoongs true 4D-ness:
Kim Heechul is eccentric to say the least and is often to described as being 4D. He's hugely popular for his out-of-this-world personality and fans have dubbed his quotes and behavior as "Heechulisms." He thoroughly enjoys speaking about his "beautiful" physical traits, isn't afraid to be honest, and has no shame when it comes to admitting that he's a huge fan of Wonder Girls's Sohee.
Big Pocket Group is excited to announce that we will be bringing 4 Running Man members to Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur will be the next highlight for the most anticipate South Korean Variety show, Running Man. After international showcase in HongKong on 13 July 2013, their next stop will be in Star Stage, KWC Fashion Mall on 7th Sept 2013, The main cast that will perform and entertains fans on stage are Kim Jong Kook, Haha, Gary and Ji Suk Jin.
It is a must not be missed show as the casts will be showcasing their talents and will be add in few surprise for fans. Due to exuberant fan demands, half of the seat has already been booked and it is expected to be sold out fast due to limited seating.
Big Pocket Group is pleased to announce that for the RACE START! in MALAYSIA RUNNING MAN FAN MEETING ASIA TOUR 2013 showcase will be go on the sale on 20 July 2013. A special ticket launch has been arranged to cater for the expected rush for the tickets once they go on sale.Only Premium and VIP Tickets will be available at the launch. Online booking will be available via TicketCharge on 21 July 2013.
June was an exciting month for K-Pop. The long list of comebacks and debuts made for a great start to summer and gave us some of the best (and worst) jams of the year.
What new artist came out on top and who failed to make a lasting impression?
In terms of debuts, Super Junior M member Henry was the clear frontrunner. The first solo artist under SM Entertainment in a very, very long time, his debut solo single "Trap" was (and is) a huge success.
A fantastic song that clearly shows off not only Henry's sweet vocals, but also his talent. Many times idols' individual voices can get lost in a group, and "Trap" was the perfect opportunity for Henry to break out and not get 'trapped' by his participation in Super Junior M.
The piano melody throughout the song gives it a feeling of romantic passion and is complimented by simple choreography that does not steal away from the lyrics or tune.
Kyuhyun and Taemin add another level of dimension in the catchy single without overshadowing Henry, instead acting as a subtle highlight to his vocals.
Basically the only complaint that can be made about "Trap" is Henry's tube socks.
The worst debut of June was almost as easy to pick as the best - the new girl group 2EYES and their debut single "Don't Mess With Me."
While it is definitely not the worst song ever, it really seemed to hit the mark for effective June competition.
There does not seem to be a whole lot of originality in the song or in the presentation of the members. "Don't Mess With Me" could have easily been sung by just about any of the pre-existing girl groups and lacked the 'wow-factor' that would help launch their careers.
The video itself is also a big yawn, and while the dancing is not bad, cutting from the choreography to individual shots of the members and back again gets really boring really fast.
On the plus side, 2EYES was one of the few girl groups that did not parade around in panties during the month of June, so we have to credit them for that.
Well, now we finally get to see the result (at least partially) through their teaser for "Destiny"!
The boys filmed this MV around the city of Los Angeles and at Universal Studios in California. They have the honor of being the first K-pop group to obtain permission to film where huge blockbusters like 'Transformers' and 'The Amazing Spiderman' were filmed.
Has the teaser made you excited yet? "Destiny" is scheduled to be released on July 16!
If you're not yet a 'Running Man' enthusiast, certainly you've at least heard of, or know of the hype surrounding this wildly successful variety program. Since it first aired back in 2010, SBS's 'Running Man' has been doing exceptionally well with regards to attracting and upholding the audience interest.
More so than that, the program's domestic and international fan base hasn't stopped multiplying; the program transcends any age barriers, seeing as to how elementary school kids find the show just as hilarious as do elders; and perhaps most tellingly, viewers consistently finish watching the episode feeling good. It's not so much a matter of one episode being bad as it is a matter of other episodes being better.
But what is it about this particular program that makes it so remarkable? Though there are plenty of variety programs out there, - both of the past and present - 'Running Man' has become indispensable to the genre of lighthearted, semi-scripted entertainment. Why, though?
Well brace yourselves, dear readers, because I'm going to rock your world. Trust me, I was just as skeptical and predisposed to believe in the show's imminent failure when a close friend introduced me to the show and told me it was going to "rock my world."
The show did. And sooner or later, it'll rock yours, too. Here are ten reasons why:
1) The nation's favorite grasshopper - Yoo Jae Suk
Yoo Jae Suk is arguably the best MC (who bears a striking resemblance to a grasshopper) that Korea has to offer. Serving as the main host since the pilot airing of 'Running Man', Yoo Jae Suk has been running a seamless show filled with spontaneous, witty remarks and good-humored banter. Even more, he inspires the members to feel like they're part of a family.
His humility and disarming quirks are unparalleled in the industry, and 'Running Man' simply couldn't have chosen a better leader to spearhead the program. With so much prestige riding on his name alone, it makes sense to keep a tight reign on his composure on-screen. But I think it's Yoo Jae Suk's complete disregard for that mindset that sets him apart. He makes sure to show that he's just as prone to making blunders and embarrassing himself as the rest of us, and for that, we find him endearing and approachable.
2) The Monday Couple - Song Ji Hyo and Gary
Actress Song Ji Hyo and Leessang's Gary have a special on-air romance, for which they are dubbed the "Monday Couple." The story behind their on-screen romance is innocent enough: When asked whether or not he liked Song Ji Hyo, Gary slyly averted the question and channeled into a different topic. That could've been fairly convincing had he not turned blood red.
The Monday couple has a rawness to them that we rarely see on variety programs. Usually, love lines in programs like these are the brainchild of producers working behind the scenes. And though we often buy into it, it all gets to be jaded and mechanic. But in the case of Gary and Ji Hyo, the love line was tailored to fit them. As such, it feels natural and unforced.
3) Icon of betrayal - Lee Kwang Soo
The honorary youngest member of the bunch, actor Lee Kwang Soo was a complete variety show rookie when he first appeared on 'Running Man'. But for those of you still doubting his variety skill prowess, you're wasting your time.
Kwang Soo, who earned the nickname "Giraffe" for his impressive height of 6'3", has been garnering a steady fan following for his performances on 'Running Man' each week. And for good reason.
He's one of those guys whose face alone makes it difficult to hold in laughter. Additionally, it seems that whenever he's on the show, the whole world conspires against him.
Accordingly, Kwang Soo will resort to unethical means to win. He prides himself on being one of the lead betrayers of the group - alongside HaHa and Ji Suk Jin - and using brute force will not, under any circumstances faze him (he specializes in biting and tripping guests and original members of the show).
4) This is Sparta - Kim Jong Kook
If the film "300" were to be remade for the Korean audience, there's only one man who could play Gerard Butler's character - Kim Jong Kook.
He's undeniably the brain and brawn of the team. Though he's capable of inhumane strength, he makes sure to balance out the muscle with clever tactics that help him to eliminate other players faster.
But can you imagine being pursued by Kim Jong Kook during a round of hide-and-seek? Even worse, can you imagine being caught between his two watermelons arms? Just look at HaHa's face in the image above. It's like watching the last few moments of a baby gazelle fighting for life, struggling to free itself from the grips of a lion. That poor gazelle... it doesn't even stand a flying chance.
5) Big Nose Brother - Ji Suk Jin
If Kim Jong Kook embodies human strength, Ji Suk Jin consistently redefines all the ways our physical agility can fail.
The oldest member of the team, Ji Suk Jin plays a more unfortunate role in 'Running Man'. He is so infamously renown for his physical ineptness that the rest of the members have resorted to calling him the "Race Starter" - implying that the race doesn't start until after his elimination.
I'll make this easier to conceptualize - think back to your school gym classes. Remember that one kid who takes gym volleyball or dodgeball or what have you, way too seriously? As though he's contending for an Olympic medal?
Nevertheless, we have to admit that he plays well; the skills are all there. Let me be clear: Ji Suk Jin is not that kid.
In fact, Ji Suk Jin and I are intimately bound by our disposition to fall walking on flat surfaces, or to trip walking up stairs. I like to think that there are two types of people in the world: in one respect, there are people who can navigate their lives with composure and ease; then there are people who can very much trip on air. Ji Suk Jin relates to the latter. The struggle is intensely real for this 47-year-old.
6) The drama queen - HaHa
Given his tender height of 5'6" and his uncanny resemblance to Pororo the Little Penguin, HaHa often finds himself at the butt of his members' jokes. HaHa has a flair for the dramatics - he thoroughly enjoys lashing out at guests or the original members when things don't go his way.
Even more, he's right on par with Lee Kwang Soo when it comes to betrayal. Both men are professionally trained in the art of conniving others to reach their own means. And to get there, no ounce of morality can stop them - they will kick, scratch, and scream without discrimination.
7) The master of disguise - FD Go Dong Wan
FD, which stands for floor director, has a wide range of responsibilities, some of which include ensuring that equipment is functioning properly, giving cues, and informing the director of possible footage off-camera.
As if the FD workload wasn't enough, Maknae (youngest) FD Dong Wan goes above and beyond. He often introduces the cast to the allotted mission for the week while wearing memorable costumes. Admittedly, the cast, much like regular viewers, seldom take FD Dong Wan seriously. But taking into account his miniature size, infectious smile, and an enviable face that absorbs makeup quite well, he quickly adds an indispensable color to the show.
Oh Dong Wan - you deserve a raise for everything you go through.
8) Games you wish teachers made you play in school
Perhaps the biggest merit of 'Running Man' - at least for me - is the series of games within each episode. For each episode, there's a respective mission that the members are obligated to complete. But in order to accomplish that mission, the members must first succeed in whatever game is allotted to them.
The time invested into putting together these games and the hours of brainstorming found behind each little technicality of the game hits me every time. The games range from simple multiplication table races to something as complicated as entire obstacle courses laid out for the purpose of the show.
For argument's sake, I should disclose that the producers do sometimes repeat games, i.e. dodgeball. But if that bothers you so much, I assure you there are bigger things to be concerned about in life.
9) Image...shattered...forevermore
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind whenever an idol appears on a variety program is that your image of him or her will be compromised. But that's the beauty of it - you get to see a side of your favorite celebrities that you wouldn't have been able to see had they dedicated their schedules strictly to music show appearances.
And keeping with that mindset, 'Running Man' is seldom lukewarm when it comes to exposing guests and the original members as something other than the put-together celebrities we expect them to be.
10) Strangers who became family
To be honest, I've never been one to single-mindedly obsess over a particular K-drama, let alone a variety program, the reason being I dislike feeling like I'm wasting my time. Additionally, I'm quite impatient when it comes to dramas and variety programs - we all know how they end, and that being the case, there's hardly any room for surprises. And frankly, 'Running Man' is just as scripted as the rest of the programs airing in Korea. That's indisputable.
But the show is of a different caliber because each of the members brings something different to the table. From what I can tell, the seven members are just as dysfunctional as any other family - they bicker, tease, embarrass, and pull pranks on each other. Likewise, they complement each other's strengths in a way we seldom see on broadcasts nowadays. The way they vibe off of each other's energy and mistakes cannot, under any circumstances, be exclusively induced from scripts.
There's something so pleasantly natural about the program that keeps even this flighty wanderer engrossed for an hour each week.
For those of you who watch the show, what are some of the things you enjoy the most from the show?
