News: Wonder Girls Dominate Charts

After becoming the first Korean artist/group to make it onto the Billboard Charts with their hit “Nobody”, the Wondergirls are showing no signs of slowing down by dominating the music charts in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

After releasing their “Taiwan Special” album in Taiwan last February 10th, they quickly shot to number one on several of the major online and offline music charts such as G-Music, E-Momo Music Channel, Chinese Telecom emomo Charts, etc. It was announced that they even took the top spot on the major KK Box chart this week!

The Wondergirls have sold 25,000 copies of their album in less than two months time. To put that into perspective, the record number of albums being sold by a foreign Asian artist in Taiwan or Hong Kong during a short amount of time stands at 30,000 albums.

News: Wonder Girls Returning to Work?

[They] launched the ‘Nobody’ wave in September 2008 & debuted in America the following year. After a long separation of 1 year & 3 months, the official word is that WONDERGIRLS’ new album will be released in America during the month of May. It will include new songs in Korean, English & Chinese versions. In addition, there will be 2-3 weeks of domestic stage activities to reach out to the multitude of fans.

WONDERGIRLS will confirm the “Dream Concert” in May to be their homecoming stage comeback. As their first appearance since replacing a group member, there is cause for scrutiny. This performance will mark the start of their domestic stage comeback. An organizer said, “WONDERGIRLS’s homecoming will be the climax of the show.”

To prepare the new album, the WONDERGIRLS member recently returned to work. As lead soprano Ye Eun divulged: WONDERGIRLS is in fact already in Korea, recording for their new album & filming a MV. They also brought back their performance costumes, & will return to America early next month.

Credits: asianfanatics

Source: qoxie@wgspectacle

News: Jun Su’s Sohu Special Interview

The interview was done after Junho’s showcase in Beijing yesterday:

Special interview with Kim Junsu: A new Japanese single, hoping to show colorful self

Since the contract dispute between the three members of TVXQ, Kim Jaejoong, Park Yochun, Kim Junsu, and SM Entertainment in July 2009, their recent activities have always been the focus of the media. In the afternoon on the 28th of March, Junsu’s twin brother Kim Junho held his debut showcase in Beijing. As a strong support, Junsu appeared on the spot, giving more power to his brother. After singing Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All,” Junsu accepted the special interview from Sohu.

In the limited interview time, Junsu shows his perseverance and passion towards his music career. He is passionate towards his solo Japanese single. When talking about the Chinese fans, he first said, “I feel very sorry for them,” but he specially expressed his hopes to have chance to hang on in China, to sing more songs to Chinese fans.

The exact interview is as follow:

SOHU: As the first solo which you have challenged, the Musical Mozart is very successful. What did you gain and what are your feelings during the period?

Junsu: (Thank you.) The musical is a brand new style that I challenged for the first time. I felt nervous, and also worried about it at that time. I’m fortunate enough to be able to work with experienced seniors. I feel very happy I finished it smoothly.

SOHU: Now spring is coming, Junsu catches pollen allergy very easily. So, how is your health?

Junsu: The allergy symptoms are appearing bit by bit, so I drink a lot of water everyday and I

News: BIG BANG’s Coming BACK

Though not much information has been out yet, there’s one definite fact: Big Bang is making a comeback in Korea this summer!

I know this is exciting for a lot of you since they’ve been gone from the Korean music scene for nearly two years. They are known for being one of the most popular boy groups of Korea and they are finally coming back home to their fans in Korea.

YG Entertainment announced on the 30th, “Last year, Big Bang was really successful in Japan. Now, they’re coming back to Korea this summer after a two year absence.”

Has it really been two years? That’s pretty long. But when I think about it, the last time I saw them in Korea was when they were promoting Sunset Glow back in 2008. Do you think they will measure up to the fans’ expectations?

Credits: allkpop, asianfanatics

Source: StarNews

News: 4minute… Meet Japan

The Japanese audience will get to know more about the girls than through a mini concert in the SHIBUYA-AX and a 「Konnichiwa, 4minute desu」.

While waiting the beginning of their promotions on May 1st, several Japanese magazines will – or have already done so – release interviews and, in some cases, pictorials shot for the occasion. Here goes the current list :

Magazine title – Release date
ODINA – April 5th
Nikkei Entertainment – April 3rd
Pia Hanryu – March 26th
WPK 2010 SPRING – March 25th
TV Guide – March 24th
KEJ (Special Vol. 13) – ? (already released)

Besides, the Japanese branch of Korean cable channel Mnet will air several footage of the girls. Between March 16th and March 30th, a special corner will be dedicated to 4minute via the show Mnet「k-girl project」. The broadcasting date and hour are

News: Lee Byung Hun Wins Award at CMA

Korean star Lee Byung Hun will be recognized as the most influential Asian artist at the China Music Award and Asia Influential Awards (CMA) to be held Sunday, according to his agency BH Entertainment.

Lee will be the first Korean actor to receive the prestigious award at the CMA co-sponsored by the

Celebrity of the Day: Kim Bum

Kim Bum (김범) is one of South Korea’s rising hot, young stars. Born Kim Sang Bum (김상범) in 1989, he has been involved in a variety of successful dramas and movies, most notably his role as So Yi Jung (소이정) in the hit 2009 drama, Boys Before Flowers (꽃보다 男子).

Although still technically, a ‘rookie’, Bummie (as is fondly nicknamed by his fans and friends) has an impressive resume. He’s been involved in the following dramas and movies:

• 2006 – Unstoppable High Kick (as Kim Bum)
• 2006 – Outrageous Women (as Jeong Hyun Joon)
• 2007 – I Like it Hot (as Lee Ho Jae)
• 2008 – East of Eden (as young Lee Dong Chul)
• 2008 – Death Bell (as Kang Hyeon)
• 2009 – Boys Before Flowers (as So Yi Jung)
• 2009 – Dream (as Lee Jang Suk)
• 2009 – Emergency (as Shi Bum)
• 2010 – The Woman Who Still Wants to Get Married (as Hae Min Jae)

Celebrity of the Day: Ha Ji Won

For all those that have heard Wonder Girls’ famous song, So Hot, remember “legs like Ha Ji Won (하지원)”? Well, born June 28, 1979 as Jeon Hae Rim (전해림), Ji Won is one of the most celebrated South Korean actress in this day and era. She was educated at Dan Gook University. She first kicked off her career by playing supporting roles in television productions such as Nightmare (가위), Ditto (동감) and Secret (비밀). Ji Won made her breakthrough in the 2002 horror movie, Phone (폰) as a young journalist involved in a complex supernatural plot. Her role earned her a best actress nomination at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

In the same year, Ji Won launched her singing career, releasing a music album titled Homerun. Later, she continued filming several movies such as Sex is Zero (색즉시공), Reversal of Fortune (역전에 산다) and 100 Days With Mr. Arrogant (내 사랑 싸가지). In 2004, Ji Won starred in the complicated drama, Something Happened in Bali (발리에서 생긴 일) alongside