Last month we reported that Super Junior would make their first appearance in a Japanese commercial via the popular convenience store chain “Circle K Sunkus.”
The convenience store chain operates 6,257 stores throughout Japan and the members are promoting the chain’s “South Korea Fair” that’s being held in all stores from May 17th to June 13th. In addition, the theme song for the promotion is titled, “Bijin,” a Japanese version of their hit song “BONAMANA.”
Earlier today, a special BTS (Behind the Scenes) video along with a 15 second CF and audio teaser for “Bijin” were released!
“Bijin” is going to become available in digital form on May 18. The CD release is going to follow on June 8th. Check out the CF, audio preview and BTS video below!
Last year, SNSD member YoonA was considered the “it girl” and with that enjoyed a long line of endorsement deals including one with Korean petroleum and refinery company, S-OIL. A year later, the pendulum has shifted a bit and the new “it girl” is none other than, IU.
S-OIL has selected IU to be their new endorser and recently a 15 second CF featuring the adorable star was released, check it out below!
Mnet’s Superstar K Season 3 will be hosting US auditions in New York City on June 25th (10AM) at THE TIMES CENTER, located on 41st and 8th Ave! Anyone regardless of age, race or music genre will have the opportunity to audition on the spot!
Superstar K, the television phenomenon that captured an audience throughout Asia, is the most watched cable show in Korean history. Season 1 attracted 720,000 contestants worldwide, and Season 2 drew a record breaking 1,350,000 contestants.
Season 3 is returning with the promise of larger prizes and greater opportunities for the winner, including a cash prize of 500,000,000 Korean Won, approximately $500,000 US dollars.
This season, contestants who pass the final round of the US audition will receive a round trip air ticket to the Superweek in Seoul, Korea. Accommodations and meals will be provided throughout the Superweek. SSK will also be responsible for the cost of training, accommodations and meals for the top 10 finalists until the contestant is eliminated.
With its worldwide appeal and reach, SSK has discovered and fostered many new talents who went on to become k-pop superstars — Seo In Kook (winner of Season 1), miss A’s Suzy, Jewelry’s Park Semi, INFINITE’s Hoya, Huh Gak (winner of Season 2), and John Park from American Idol, to name a few.
The chief producer of SSK, Soohyun Hong commented: “The theme for Superstar K Season 3 is ‘diversity’. We did not start SSK for the sole purpose of entertaining the audience. The show was conceived to bring change and progress to the Korean music industry. Although SSK has achieved great ratings and success, what we take pride in the most is that we have opened a new avenue for talents to share their gifts with the world.”
Also, unlike the previous seasons, SSK3 is now open to solo artists and groups. To cater to artists with instrumental talents, SSK will provide various instruments such as keyboards and drums to contestants so they can fully demonstrate their potential during the auditioning process.
allkpop will be on spot at the NYC Auditions, so mark your calendars and show us what you’ve got!
Superstar K Season 3 premieres August 12 on Mnet in Korea. For more information about the US audition, visit ‘http://superstark.mnet.com’.
Earlier, we reported that 2NE1’s Dara would be giving a special lecture on social networking at Yonsei University. Much attention is now being put on what she discussed with the students, and although details weren’t revealed, it seems like she’s made quite the impact.
Dara reported used her two-year experience with social networking site ‘Me2day’ as the base of her lecture. She currently has over 350,000 Me2day friends, with whom she actively reaches out to with posts both personal and professional.
Although she is 2NE1’s communications director, Dara began the lecture with, “I’m not in a position to be giving lectures, so I’d like to use your precious class time to discuss what goes on at the scene.” After talking a bit about her thoughts on using Me2day to communicate with her fans, she went on to reveal that “sincerity, fun, and naturalness” were of the utmost importance with SNS use, not just to solely marketing.
Professor Lee Mun Kyu commented, “After we came upon the social networking age, I always thought that Dara was one of the successful cases in Korea. I think it’s quite meaningful that she was here to join us today in class and talk directly with the students.”
Immediately after the lecture, students used their own Twitters to praise, “Dara’s not only gorgeous, but also has a certain calm to her that makes lectures fun.”
The lecture was originally meant for 100 students, but after hearing that it was Dara giving the lecture, five times the amount showed up, creating a bustling atmosphere.
In celebration of 2NE1’s two year anniversary, member Dara left a special message on May 17th for their fans through her official Me2day.
She wrote, “Congratulations 2NE1’s birthday!!! ^.^ Today! is! 2NE1’s two year anniversary!!! Clap clap clap!!! Everyone must be listening to ‘Lonely‘ a lot! Explosive gratitude! So touched! I love you! ^.^”
She continued, “Even when hardships come our way, let’s pool our strengths together and take them on side by side~ We’ll always be with you with good music, impressive performances, and a genuine heart! 2NE1, let’s play!!!”
Fans commented, “10 years, 20 years, and more than 50 years from now, let’s be together~”, “2NE1’s popularity is soaring through the sky!”, and “Let’s all run!”
On May 17th, Lee Min Ho, Park Min Young, and KARA’s Goo Hara attended the press conference for SBS’s “City Hunter“.
During the event, Lee Min Ho expressed his honest opinion regarding his castmate Goo Hara. He said,
“Originally, I was very pessimistic when it came to idols stars and acting. Thanks to Goo Hara, many of my preconceptions have been shattered. When I was a rookie, there were many times in which my pride was hurt and I experienced many hardships. I didn’t like how it seemed that idol stars who made acting debuts had it easy and didn’t go through those experiences. I didn’t like how everyone struggles through many auditions in order to obtain a small supporting role, but idol stars seem to obtain those roles easily.“
However, after meeting Goo Hara and 2AM’s Seulong on “Personal Taste“, Lee Min Ho’s prejudices have changed. He revealed, “Everyone becomes happy when Goo Hara arrives on set. It becomes brighter in an instant.”
On the other hand, actress Park Min Young spoke of her concerns about her acting transformation. She explained,
“This is a work that 9 out of 10 opposed. It is a strong work with actions scenes and a strong melodramatic nature. But because I have failed with a melodramatic work in the past, it was hard to take on this challenge. However, I do not worry about whether or not this work will be a big hit. I made my choice according to my heart’s prompting… I think I get a more competitive mindset when I hear that things can’t do well. ‘City Hunter’ is a work I chose with a competitive mindset… I am practicing a lot for the acting scenes. It feels good to throw down the tall Lee Min Ho.“
Lastly, Goo Hara revealed her determination to take on criticisms regarding her acting openly. Goo Hara expresssed,
“I started after deciding to take on many criticisms. I always had an interest in acting and I wondered how I would start my acting career. I want to show that I’m going to openly take the inevitable criticisms and I’m going to work hard as I get scolded to show improvements. When it come to taking criticisms, I will take them head on. I will try my best.“
Source: Source: TV Daily via Nate (1) (2) & Newsen via Nate
While the artistic expression of movement – a little thing we like to call ‘dance’ – has always been in the Korean music industry, it has become a focal point of the K-pop scene in recent years.
These days you can’t talk about a particular K-pop song without mentioning the accompanying dance. Is the dance catchy? Is it original? Does the dance fit the image of the singer? We’ve all seen videos upon videos of fans dancing to their favorite K-pop song of the moment, and maybe even some of you readers have uploaded your own covers. Fact of the matter is, we’re currently smack in the middle of an era where dance dominates the K-pop scene.
Well, in times where dance has become a central aspect in K-pop, it is most appropriate that MYX TV presents the first ever K-pop dance convention!
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Brought to you by MYX TV, K-pop’s top choreographers and all-around dancers have come together to bring you “KPOP Takeover“! Movement Lifestyle choreographers - Shaun Evaristo, Lyle Beniga, Keone Madrid, and Mari Martin - who are respected choreographers for their work with YG Entertainment artists, will be at the convention breaking down dance moves from “the hottest Korean music videos.” In addition, Poreotics - winners of America’s Best Dance Crew season five – will also be there teaching workshops.
This convention will be held in the Los Angeles area from June 18th through the 19th and is open to all levels of dancers. And if you don’t feel like learning the dances to top K-pop songs (though I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want to), they also have special tickets for observers.
Tickets are on sale now so hurry up and reserve your space before they sell out!
For more information on the event and for tickets, please visit the event site here.
