KOREA-MALAYSIA ENTERTAINMENT AND VARIETY

Thursday, 6 June 2013

FTISLAND Choi Min Hwan Attends Press Conference for the Production of 'Princess Hours' Musical in Japan

FTISLAND member Choi Min Hwan appeared at the K-Stage in Tokyo, Japan to attend the press conference for the Production of "Princess Hours" (Goong) that will be turned into a musical.

In the musical, Choi Min Hwan will play Prince Lee Shin. Choi Min Hwan stated, "Singing and acting on stage has a different attractiveness from playing the drums. I will work hard and make sure to do well so please keep your expectations high."

"Princess Hours" or "Goong" will be Choi Min Hwan's second musical. The musical is a love story that goes on within the palace that has a tightly knit story line. The original story, as well as the drama drew a lot of attention for its popularity.

Korean musical "Princess Hours" or "Goong" will open its doors in Japan from July 5 to July 21 at the Osaka Theatre Brava. A total of 24 shows will be available for viewing. Choi Min Hwan will begin performing on July 17 to July 21.

Meanwhile, FTISLAND will release their new official album "Rated-FT" on June 12 with their title song, "Freedom". Lee Hong Ki wrote songs like "Orange Colored Sky" and "Black Chocolate", which will all be included in their album.

kpopstarz

INFINITE First Official Japanese Album No.1 on Oricon Music Chart '40,00 Sold First Day'

INFINITE Tops Oricon Album Daily Chart

INFINITE took first place in daily album rankings on the Oricon Charts.

After releasing their first official full Japanese album on June 5, INFINITE kicked off to a great start by topping the Oricon daily album ranking, Tower Records daily chart, HMV music chart and Sin Sei album daily chart. According to Oricon, about 40,000 album records were sold on the opening day.

This is a great accomplishment considering the relative youth of INFINITE who made their debut only a year and a half ago.

Woolim, INFINITE's management company, stated, "We focused a lot on advertising the arrival of our new album especially in major cities that tend to spread the word fast. Playing footages of INFINITE, displaying our outfits and previous albums in stores, putting up billboards, we did as much as we could to get the word out."

Koiniochirutoki, the Japanese version of Man In Love, looks to continue its streak through the rest of its release week.

INFINITE will fly over to Japan next week to begin official album activities.

kpopstarz

An Insider’s Guide To Idols’ Side Gigs Part 2: YG Family G-Dragon, Seungri, Goo Hye Sun

G-Dragon, Seungri, Goo Hye Sun, YG Entertainment, YG Family, Super Junior

Last time, we visited the family cafes and businesses of Super Junior members. Now, we will introduce the businesses owned by members of the YG Family, including Big Bang’s G-Dragon, Seungri, and actress Goo Hye Sun!

G-DRAGON

Big Bang’s G-Dragon made headlines in November of last year for purchasing a vacation house for his parents to manage. The hotel has been named as “Dolce Vita Pension,” and G-Dragon reportedly spent 1 billion KRW (around $922,000 USD) to construct and build the pension. According to G-Dragon’s parents, G-Dragon designed the interior of the hotel, and the construction of the pension took 15 months.

The luxurious, self-designed hotel has 10 rooms that have names that are the same as some of the most famous Big Bang songs, including “Café,” “This Love,” “Haru Haru,” “VIP,” “Crayon,” and “Heaven.” It also has a special room for guests’ animals, called “With Gaho & Jolie,” which is in honor of G-Dragon’s dogs which live in the hotel with his parents.

In addition, the hotel is equipped with an entertainment media center, two spas, and a swimming pool. The rates for lodging in the vacation house start at $230 USD (250,000 KRW) per night for two guests. The room that is named “Crayon” is reserved just for G-Dragon and his friends, so guests won’t be able to stay there.

G-Dragon’s father has also said in an interview before that those who are under 19 years old won’t be allowed to stay in the pension, as they don’t intend for the hotel to be a place swarmed by fans.

But for G-Dragon fans over 19, the next time you’re in Korea and need a place, be sure to check out the Dolce Vita Pension!

[Address] 2-25 Gisan-ri Ildong-myeon, Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
[Phone Number] +82 010-8384-8180
[Official Website] www.thenemo.kr

SEUNGRI

Another Big Bang member, Seungri, has also been part of a business, as he helped establish two branches of a music and dance academy called “Plug In Music Academy,” also known as “Seungri Academy.” The dance academy is located in Gwangju, Daejun, Mokpo, and Seoul. Students of the academy learn how to sing, dance, and act.

The academy aims to help students get better at singing and dancing before they become a trainee at an entertainment company. Some of the past students of the academy includes 2ne1′s Minzy, Kara’s Goo Hara, TVXQ’s Yunho, B.A.P’s Zelo, and Seungri himself.

Seungri was able to help the academy branch out into Daejun and Mokpo. Joy Dance Academy is also a part of Plug In Music Academy.

GOO HYE SUN

One other member of the YG Family who owns a business is actress Goo Hye Sun, who was most known for her role in “Boys Over Flowers.” Goo Hye Sun opened a gallery café called “Café Manolin,” which is also managed by her brother-in-law.

Fans who have visited the café say that the atmosphere is warm and comfortable, and the artwork that is hung in the gallery area is impressive. Café Manolin serves delicate and delicious food as well as coffee and drinks, and the interior design of the café is beautiful. Some of the artwork that is displayed in the café is drawn by Goo Hye Sun herself.

Café Manolin is located in Seoul, and fans say that it is very easy to find. Fans of Goo Hye Sun, don’t forget to pay this café a visit if you have the chance!

ohkpop

“A Hundred Year’s Inheritance” Lee Jeong-jin and Yoo Jin reveal wedding shots

Lee Jeong-jin and Yoo Jin have pictures of their wedding.

The weekend MBC drama “A Hundred Year’s Inheritance” is at the peak of its phase with the secret of Lee Se-yoon’s (Lee Jeong-jin) birth out. During all this, Min Chae-won (Yoo Jin) and Lee Se-yoon’s wedding pictures have come up on the 7th.

This scene was shot in a church in Incheon. Yoo Jin is wearing a white dress with a wreath on her head and Lee Jeong-jin is looking at her with loving eyes in a suit.

Another picture shows Lee Jeong-jin preparing water for her to wash in and Yoo Jinis waiting with a happy smile on her face. This makes many wonder if they eloped.

Meanwhile, Chairwoman Bang (Park Won-sook) has been cornered at the police station with her overwhelming loans and Yang Chun-hee (Jeon In-hwa) comes up with a serious decision at the sight of her family going through such a hard time.

ohkpop

B1A4 is '1st Look's 'Backstreet Boys'

B1A4, whom some fondly refer to as 'paper-idols', is giving fans more pictures to save for their collection with a black and white pictorial in '1st Look' magazine!

For this pictorial, which the magazine titled 'Backstreet Boys', the boys combine edgy street looks with various pieces ranging from vintage to preppy to come up with a unique look that they had no problem making their own.

Check out the photos below!

allkpop

Manifesto want to make an album

BAND Manifesto was crowned champion Versus 2 program, bringing home a cash prize of RM200, 000.

Under the Final Confrontation concert held at Space U8, Shah Alam, Selangor on Friday, yielding Manifesto aside another rival band of the Kyoto Protocol through the choice battle challenge.

Tomok representing Manifesto said they did not expect to win that earned had experienced as pressure on the final concert.

"To be honest I'm pretty proud of all bands competing this time for giving stiff enough competition and make an entertaining show.

"When declared eligible to compete in the battle, it was a surprise and when announced as the winner, of course, it was a most wonderful experience," he said at a press conference after the concert ended.

Before being eligible to battle rival bands that found two to grab the title, Manifesto and get rid of the Kyoto Protocol first three bands anymore, Oh Chentaku, Estranged and crystal.

In the early stages, risking Manifesto song Mash-Up which is a combination of two songs Let White Bone and Non-Ordinary Love and a new song titled Manifesto.

Are great for the Kyoto Protocol, which stepped into battle rival when the song Mash-Up of No Complaints and song titled Love and Brilliance.

At the battle of competition, the two bands assigned duties performed songs made famous by Ne-Yo band. Manifesto Titian Travel has chosen song, while the Kyoto Protocol was to come up with the song LOVE

Elaborating on the win, Tomok vehemently denied that victory was achieved because of him that has previously won the reality show One In A Million (OIAM) third season.

Instead, the singer insists victory earned the support given by fans to the band manifesto and not to him alone.

"I do not feel the fans who voted for me simply because, so this is not a victory because this individual is mutual success," he said.

AFTER winning the RM200, 000 as champion Versus 2, Manifesto plans to produce a new album.

Compared with the previous eight weeks of competition, the final selection of the winners to the concert is based on 100 percent of the vote via short message service (SMS) from fans.

In addition, the final also saw Mayor Hattan was appointed as judges, in addition to the two regular judges for nine weeks of Loque and Jennifer Thompson.

When asked about the direction of the Manifesto after rival Versus 2 ends, said Tomok, the group is planning to hold a showcase and feast with prayers on their victory.

"We are already in talks to produce a new album is not about winning or losing. So, some money will win will certainly be used for the production of albums later, "he said.

Not disappointed

One of the Kyoto Protocol, the band's representative Frank explains the failure to win the title after defeat at the hands of the Manifesto did not disappoint them.

He said, they are making the best over nine rivals Versus 2 last week and agreed that the victory more favorable to the Manifesto which got most votes

"Opportunity to participate Versus 2 has become a springboard to attract more fans since before we move underground.

"With the increased current fans would make the Kyoto Protocol would be known. Not forgetting to thank everyone who voted and supported us, "he said.

With respect to competition battle that lasted between these two bands, Frank thinks that the Manifesto was eligible to be crowned champion based on strong performances.

Kosmo

Mnet airing 'Dream Concert' instead of 'M! Countdown'

If you're waiting for your weekly dose of 'M! Countdown', you'll have to wait another week!

Mnet announced that it would be airing the '2013 Dream Concert' instead of its regularly scheduled program. The 19th annual event was held on May 11 at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, where over 45,000 people gathered to watch their favorite idols.

The concert featured performances by SHINee, B2ST, INFINITE, 2AM, U-KISS, ZE:A, Girls' Generation, KARA, 4minute, T-ara, SECRET, SISTAR, EXO, B1A4, Rainbow, Huh Gak, Girl's Day, SPEED, Boyfriend, BTOB, EvoL, uBEAT, VIXX, and more. The hosts for the night were SHINee's Onew, KARA's Hara, and B2ST's Doojoon.

Re-watch the entire event below if you missed it!

Dream Concert Opening