Epik High's smash hit album, Epilogue, hit shelves worldwide on March 9th and swiftly rewrote K-Pop history by becoming the most successful global album launch ever by a Korean music artist.
In addition to reaching #1 on the iTunes USA Hip-Hop/Rap Album sales chart, Epik High has ranked at #1 in New Zealand, #2 in Australia and #3 in Canada and has peaked as high as #9 in Japan, #22 in France, #40 in Germany, and #60 in the United Kingdom.
TaeYang, member of Big Bang, will be opening Brian McKnight's concert in Korea.
The show, which will be held on April 1st in the Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul, is the first from Brian McKnight in Korea after 8 years and is called McKnight at Night.
TaeYang, known for his R&B style, was chosen by Brian himself to perform, after he saw a video of TaeYang singing.
Known for her unique style, singer Lee Junghyun will be returning in March with her seventh album!
According to her agency, the album is being finished and features the best composers from Korea.
Similar to her last mini album released last year, this album has dance music and ballads. Lee Junghyun's unique clothing style will also be evident.
Lee Junghyun recently appeared in the Chinese program Asia Uncut and was praised by Jon Niermann, a representative of the game company EA, who declared that the singer is not far behind Lady Gaga in terms of talent and stage presence.
After more than 2 years since his first album, Naru will soon release his second one.
Although the release date hasn't been announced, some information about it can already be found. The album will be called YET and will include 11 songs.
Naru's first album was released in March 2008, and a little before its release he gave KoME an interview. You can read it here to get to know more about him and his work.
Korean pop group 4minute held a showcase in Japan last week, according to their agency Play Cube Entertainment.
Play Cube explained that the five-member girlband performed in front of some 2,500 fans at the showcase, held at Tokyo's Shibuya-AX concert hall on March 5.
The event, hosted by noted MC and DJ Akasaka, was also attended by local entertainment industry executives who showed up to see the group who have yet to release an album in the country.
The group debuted in June 2009 and enjoyed huge success with their mini-album For Muzik, which has topped various music charts in Asia including Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines.
Four-member boyband 2AM plans to reveal their new song in mid-March, according to their agency Big Hit Entertainment.
The announcement was made on 2AM's official homepage, stating that a new song and its music video will be released on March 15, which they have designated as 2AM Day. The song will go on sale online the following day.
A representative from Big Hit explained, "We have prepared a special event for 2AM Day to promote the latest song and music video. On March 15, fans will be able to listen to the song online and see the music video on their iPhones, at subway stations or at a movie theater."
For the new track, the singers have finished shooting a 10 minute-long music video drama which will be shown at a movie theater in the district of Apgujeong in Seoul. Their new song and video will also be showcased at every subway station on 2AM Day.
Rock band Royal Pirates is back with their first music video!
The band became known for their rock covers of various K-pop songs like Dong Bang Shin Ki's Mirotic, Super Junior's Sorry Sorry and others through YouTube.
This time, Royal Pirates is releasing an independent MV for their original track Disappear. This is also their first work as a trio, as bassist James joined members Moonchul (vocals, guitar) and Sooyoon (drums) last year.
The group After School will participate in the 2010 World Cup album, singing the event's official song.
In addition to having the first girlband to participate in the World Cup album, this work will also include an indie artist and a hip-hop artist.
The group was chosen by the Red Devils, nickname given to the South Korean football team, for representing the image of the World Cup well with their charisma and energy.
After School will return this month with a new sexy and intense appearance.
Hip-hop group Epik High will release their new album Epilogue on March 9th and Infinite, Woolim Entertainment's new group, will be part of the music video for their main song, Run.
L, from Infinite, will be the main character in the video, in which the other members, like Seongjong, Woohyun and Senggyu, will also appear.
Epik High will begin promotional activities of their return with an appearance on the KBS program Yoo Hee Yeol's Sketchbook.
About to officially debut, the new idol group D-NA performed their debut showcase on March 3rd in Seoul. Determined to become the "second Dong Bang Shin Ki", the group has been preparing themselves for 3 years for their debut.
The group, whose name Dae Guk Nam Ah also means "The Boss" or "The Boys of Super Space", consists of 5 members: Hyumin, In Joon, Garam, Jay and Mika, known for their good vocal and dance abilities.
Their title song is called Tokyo Boy and will be released on March 4th, with performances from the group in the week's music programs.
Top Korean hip-hop artists including Drunken Tiger, Yoon Mirae, and LeeSsang will hold a live concert in Japan this month, according to their agency Jungle Entertainment.
The artists at Jungle will be coming together for the first time at an overseas venue for the concert titled Crazy Night, set to take place for two days at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo starting March 26.
"The performance will introduce Korean hip-hop to the Japanese residents who are interested in the Korean music scene in Japan as well as quench the thirst of our nationals living in the country," explained an associate from Jungle.
Jungle also manages the careers of several other Korean hip-hop artists including Bizzy and Jung-in, all of which will perform for the show later this month.
Drunken Tiger was recognized as Korea's top hip-hop artist in 2009, just months after releasing his eighth full-length album in June which sold over 100,000 copies. He is also the husband of Yoon, considered the country's top female rapper.
Dong Bang Shin Ki member U-Know Yunho will leave for the United States to be a part of the "Michael Jackson Memorial Band."
Yunho recently signed a contract to appear at Michael Jackson's memorial concert This is It, and will join the team in Los Angeles in March to learn the songs and choreography.
After the rehearsals are finished, Yunho will appear in the Korean version of This is It on March 27th and 28th, at War Memorial Peace Plaza in Yongsan, Seoul.
This concert will include famous people related to Michael Jackson, such as percussionist Bashiri Johnson, keyboardist Morris Pledger and Michael Jackson's backup singer Judith Hill, who sang We Are the World and Heal the World at Jackson's funeral.
Yunho will represent Korea and will stand next to them. Since he's an important and representative Asian star and a big fan of Michael Jackson, much is expected from him.
Korean idol group SS501 have announced that they will be releasing a new album in May.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, prior to their "PERSONA" encore concert at Seoul's Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium, the five members spoke about their plans to "meet fans with a fantastic album."
"We have to discuss with our agency about the new album but we are thinking about releasing it on May 1, which is '501 Day'," the group's leader Kim Hyun-joong was quoted as saying. He added that he does not yet know whether the album will be a second full-length album or a mini-album.
The quintet performed a total of 26 songs, including all the tracks from their latest album Rebirth, at the concert which attracted over 10,000 fans from Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan during its weekend run.
They kicked off their 1st Asia Tour Persona in Seoul last August and went on to perform in Tokyo, Taipei, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
After five years, the singer BoA is preparing her return to her home country.
To celebrate her 10th anniversary, which takes place on August 25th, BoA plans to release an album, five years after her last Korean album Girls on Top, from 2005. For the past five years, the singer has focused her work on the Japanese market, where she released the album Identity in February and has a tour scheduled, and also on the North-American market.
According to a representative from SM Entertainment, the album is scheduled to be released on August 25th, as it is a special date, but the date can change depending on the preparations for the album.
Due to activities in Korea and Japan, it is probable that this year BoA will pause her activities in America, where she released her single Eat You Up and the self-titled BoA in 2009.
Korean groups Big Bang and Dong Bang Shin Ki both won awards at the 24th Japan Golden Disk Awards that took place on February 24th. The award is based on last year's albums sales.
Big Bang, who debuted in Japan last June with single My Heaven followed by Gara Gara Go!! and Koe wo kikasete, won one of the "5 Best New Artists" awards.
In addition, Dong Bang Shin Ki won the "Best Music Video" award for All About TVXQ Season 3.
On February 25th, JYP Entertainment published on their official website an announcement about 2PM's former leader and member Park Jaebeom.
In the statement, JYP Entertainment says they were preparing his comeback for late February in a press conference and his official comeback for April with a new album. But after a phone conversation with Jaebeom on December 22nd, the singer revelead that he had committed another huge mistake during Again & Again promotions, besides those that made him withdraw last September.
6-member 2PM were finishing their end of year promotions and were informed about the conversation on January 3rd. After discussing the matter, they revealed that it would be hard to work with Jay as 2PM.
JYP Entertainment decided then to terminate the contract with Park Jaebeom and he is no longer affiliated with the company.
Fresh from their stellar K-Pop Night showcase at MIDEM 2010 in Cannes, France, Korean hip-hop trailblazers Epik High kicked off the Lunar New Year by sneaking out of their Seoul recording studios to chill and chat with CNN Talk Asia.
Broadcast to nearly 280 million people worldwide, CNN Talk Asia is a 30 minute documentary-style, interview-based show which profiles leading newsmakers in politics, business, arts, entertainment, and sports. Hosted by the award-winning anchor Anjali Rao, CNN Talk Asia has spotlighted global luminaries such as former President Bill Clinton, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, dancefloor diva Lady Gaga, martial arts maestro Jacky Chan, and tennis legend Roger Federer.
As Korean pop culture continues to make waves around the world, Epik High joins an elite group of local icons who have been featured on the international show. Following in the footsteps of footballer Park Ji-Sung, singer Rain, and actor Lee Byung-Hun, Epik High has been tapped to be the first Korean band ever to appear on CNN Talk Asia.
Epik High’s frontman, Tablo, had this to say: “I found it very cool that CNN had a keen interest in the depth and diversity of the Korean music scene -- it’s a major honor for us to represent Korean hip-hop on such a huge worldwide stage.”
The recent recipient of the MIAK Golden Disk Award for Best Korean Hip-Hop/Rap Artist, Epik High emerged as one of Korea’s biggest breakthrough acts of 2009 as they became the first K-Pop act to sell-out a USA concert tour (魂 Map the Soul), debut an album in the top 5 of the iTunes USA Electronic chart (Remixing the Human Soul), and land two albums simultaneously in the top 100 of the iTunes USA Hip-Hop/Rap chart ([e]nergy/[e]motion).
Currently in the midst of mixing down their highly anticipated new album, Epilogue, Epik High took time out to share their thoughts on their struggles, successes, and aspirations with CNN Talk Asia.
The CNN Talk Asia episode with Epik High is scheduled for world premiere on April 21st (10:30pm KST).
Actor singer Rain will release a special album in April, according to J.Tune Entertainment on the 19th.
Rain will release a mini-album with 4 or 5 songs in April, after which he plans to release a full album in October.
This special album will be released 1 year and 6 months after his 5th album Rainism, released in May 2008. Last year Rain was part of the Hollywood movie Ninja Assassin and due to frequent international promotions did not release any albums.
A J.Tune official said, "Recording for some songs is now finished and we keep receiving better songs from composers. The album will have a fresh ballad, but the title track genre is not decided yet."
Rain's Asian Tour finished in January but he's still doing encore performances. He is also considering being part of a drama for the second half of this year.
Hip-hop group Epik High is releasing a new album next month.
The group will resume its activities as a two-member group without DJ Tukutz, who got married on October 13, and entered military service on October 15.
The new album Epilogue comes out seven months after the group released their last album, [e], in September.
On the group's website, Tablo posted a note saying: "The recording of the Epilogue album is finished. Mixing will start soon and jacket design work is underway."
Agency officials said about 90 percent of work on the album has been completed.
On the 16th, the Seoul Cultural Arts Committee announced the winners for the First Annual Seoul Culture and Arts Award, given to the most influential artists in each field of popular culture.
Lee Kyung Kyu was awarded best MC. In the acting field, actress Son Ye Jin was awarded for her work on the movie A Moment to Remember and actor Lee Byung Hun for his work on KBS drama IRIS and Hollywood movie G.I. Joe.
For the Wonder Girls' success in the US market, Park Jin Young was awarded best producer, while sexy diva Lee Hyori won as best singer. In the musical category, Ok Ju Hyun was chosen.
The ceremony was held on February 23rd at Jamsil Students' Gymnasium and had Kim Byung Chan and actress Park Shin Hye as MCs, as well as groups T-Ara, SG Wannabe and U-Kiss as guests.
2AM's Jo Kwon and Brown Eyed Girls' Ga-in will sing their couple song, We Fell In Love, once more as a special performance.
On the 20th, the virtual couple of MBC We Got Married are to sing their duet song on MBC Show! Music Core to celebrate the show's 200th special. This event is already a big topic as the previous We Got Married couple, SG Wannabe's Kim Young-joon and ex-Sugar member Hwang Jung-eum, will sing the song Couple. Unlike the young idol virtual couple, these two are real couples who joined We Got Married to show the story of their relationship.
Other than that, netizens are looking forward to the upcoming We Got Married as the photos of the "Adam couple" (Petite couple) Jo Kwon and Ga-in taking a 5 day holiday for the program in Hong Kong to celebrate Lunar New Year have been revealed.
2PM's new song, Open Happiness, was finally revealed on the 17th.
The leaderless 2PM's full version of Open Happiness has been revealed following the teasers on Korean Coca Cola official website's widget. The music video is about helping those in trouble to realise happiness in their lives. Unlike the boys' previous concepts, the video features a vibrant mood with colourful backgrounds and the boys' iconic expressions. The widget also features exclusive footage of interviews, wall paper, screen saver, photo gallery, ring tones and more.
Eun Ji-won will marry his first love some time soon this year.
On the 17th, his agency confirmed the rumors about his marriage and revealed that the couple decided to get married. However, the specific details regarding dates and places are yet to be decided.
The couple go way back as they have known each other for 13 years. They met first when the singer was studying in Hawaii and were out of contact for a while but reunited coincidentally through a fellow singer J's Cyworld mini homepage. This bonded the pair to become a couple and now onto marriage.
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