Big Bang to return in a few weeks!

Big Bang fans have patiently waited for the boys to return to the Korean music scene and it now seems they don’t have to wait long.

Big Bang leader G-Dragon recently made an appearance on tvN E News while filming for a G-Market CF and he shared some thoughts about their much anticipated comeback.

When asked about when Big Bang’s upcoming album was going to be released, G-Dragon replied, “We haven’t met with the fans for so long, it’s been around 2 years now. Right now, the album is around 80% done and you might be able to find us around the middle of November. Please patiently wait for us.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyVFFcotEZo&feature=player_embedded

Very exciting news! It seems, Big Bang’s comeback could be just a few weeks from now. Can’t wait to see what they have in store for us.

Tip: menne + shared by bigbangupdates

2PM’s Wooyoung has never had a girlfriend, members are worried

2PM, who have recently returned with their single “I’ll Be Back“, will appear on this week’s episode of ‘Strong Heart’ with some juicy tidbits for their fans to gnaw over.

Member Wooyoung confessed, “I’ll be 22 soon, and I’ve yet to have any dating experience. All the 2pm members as well as our boss Park Jin Young seem to worry about me.” He went on to add, “Especially Nichkhun. He said, ‘You have to party a little’, expressing his frustration and trying to help.”

It’s nice to see fellow members helping each other out with girl problems. Or in this case, no girl problems.

Source + Photo: Newsen

Coat West [nc-17 warning!]

This is my very small tribute to Coat West since I have no new news to share right now. Enjoy!~ xD

This is my final warning! :D

[Trans] Levay’s letter to Junsu and Junsu’s reply from the official photobook

Dear Jun Soo,

When we met on the opening night of “Mozart!” in Seoul, in Sejong theater end of January of this Year, you said to me that you liked my music, and asked me if I would be willing to write you a Song. I remember telling you immediately “yes”.

[Trans] 101006 Changmin Interview – Goodbye Excellent Student!

November Edition – Nikkei Entertainment

Q. What did you eat today?
A. (looks at the food prepared by the staff) It’s become meat and vegetable over rice (laugh).

Q. What type of alcohol do you like drinking?
A. Beer, cold beer. But if I go to drinking places, I would have Soju and listen to rock music.

Q. What’s the most recent item that you bought?
A. Not too long ago, a PS3. It broke, but because it was so fun to play, I bought it.

Q. What games do you play?
A. Although I like RPG, I also like sport ones like “Winning Eleven” (a soccer game)

Q. What do you play in RPG?
A. Final Fantasy.

[News] ‘Paradise Ranch’ Confirmed to Air Early Next Year on SBS

‘Paradise Meadows/Ranch’ starring Choikang Changmin, Lee Yeon Hee, Ju Sang Wook, and Yu Ha Na is confirmed to air after long negotiations have been finalized.

In a phone call, SBS Drama Center official revealed to Sports Chosun on the third that “ ’Paradise Meadows/Ranch’ is expected to air on SBS in January at 9 p.m. on Monday/Tuesday following ‘It’s Okay, My/Father’s Daughter’ “ and “the drama was directed by Kim Chul Kyu of ‘Hwang Jin Yi’ and written by screenwriters Jang Hyun Joo of ‘1st Shop of Coffee Prince’ and Seo Hee Jung of ‘Into the Sun’.”

With Je Ju Island’s natural beauty as the background, ‘Paradise Meadows/Ranch’ is a romantic melodrama of young people’s love and work in a lively mix of stories and beautiful music.

Co-produced by Samhwa Networks and SM Entertainment, ‘Paradise Meadows/Ranch’ was in program airing hiatus and postponed to next year even though the first filming took place last January in Je Ju Island.

An official for Samhwa Networks said that all the final process of editing was completed this June and explained that “Meanwhile, our drama was filmed in Australia and Je Ju Island in the winter so early next year was deemed to be the appropriate time to air it.”

Reporter: Lee Hae Wan
Translation and Sharing: lovelyunho @ soompi

"Haru : An Unforgettable Day in Korea" brings Lee Da-hae and U-Know to act as a couple

Korean Tourism Productions are releasing a short drama "Haru : An Unforgettable Day in Korea" online (www.haru2010.com).

This omnibus style "Haru : An Unforgettable Day in Korea" cast is U-Know, Big Bang (Choi Seung-hyeon, G-Dragon, Daesung, Seung Ri, Taeyang), Han Chae-young, Kim Beom, Park Si-hoo, Lee Da-hae, and many other stars.

U-Know come sout as an action star and Lee Da-hae is the scenario writer.

Check out the story in this short drama that has all these stars take interesting and exciting characters!

Source : news.nate.com/view/20... ( Korean )

Brian, Choi Si-won and Vanness Wu to release album in Oct

Korean singer Brian, Super Junior Member Choi Si-won and Chinese singer Vanness Wu

Korean artists Brian, Super Junior member Choi Si-won and Chinese artist Vanness Wu have come together to record an album aimed at helping African children, according to a press release from entertainment firm Lion Media on Tuesday.

Lion Media announced through the statement that the three singers have formed a project group called 3rd Wave through which they will release an album titled "I Will Be There" on October 10.

Recorded in English, all proceeds from the album will be donated for use as emergency aid for children in Africa.

"I have received a lot of support from my fans during my ten years as a singer so I am happy that I can give back to those in need with my musical ability", singer Brian was quoted as saying.

The upcoming album, written and composed by leader Johnny Lee, will feature 11 tracks including "Sweetest Name" sung by Choi Si-won and "Everything to Me", a duet by Vanness Wu and Brian.

"I Will be There" will be available online at www.3rdwavemusic.org and released simultaneously in both Korea and the United States through Apple's iTune store in early October.

Reporter : Lucia Hong
Editor : Jessica Kim

Rain: 'I Will Join the Army Next Year'

Rain will play a flirty private investigator in the KBS drama, "The Fugitive Plan B".

Singer and actor Rain (real name Jung Ji Hoon), who will make a comeback to the small screen after a five-year break by appearing in the KBS 2TV Wednesday and Thursday drama "The Fugitive Plan B", spoke up about the rumors of his upcoming military duty.

At the production presentation of the drama "The Fugitive Plan B" held at the Lotte Hotel in Sogongdong on September 27, Rain said, "The time to join the army might be around next year".

Taeyang to joins artists for Seoul Seoul Festival in Oct

Concert poster for Seoul Soul Festival 2010 featuring Korean singer Taeyang [S2 Entertainment]

Korean singer Taeyang has joined a line-up of international and local artists for the Seoul Soul Festival 2010 to be held next month.

On Monday, the concert's promoter S2 Entertainment announced that Big Bang member Taeyang will perform at the two-day soul music festival to be held at the Peace Plaza located in the War Memorial of Korea starting October 9.

He will sing his hit songs as well as give a special performance with fellow YG labelmate Se7en.

Other recording artists on the line-up include U.S. soul singer Musiq Soulchild, rapper Sean Kingston, Koreans Jay Park, DJ DOC and Supreme Team.

Taeyang, whose real name is Dong Young-bae, is the first Big Bang member to debut as a solo artist.

He released his first full-length album "Solar" on July 1, topping numerous online and offline music sites as well holding his first solo concert over the weekend.

Reporter : Lucia Hong
Editor : Jessica Kim

130,000 suicides in last decade

A total of 130,802 Koreans, including former President Roh Moo-hyun, took their own lives between 2000 and 2009, according to figures of a police survey released by a ruling party lawmaker Tuesday.

"Given that the whole population of Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province stood at 72,049 as of the end of 2009, it is like seeing the entire people in a town of a similar size get wiped out every half a decade because of suicide", Rep. Yoo Jae-jung of the governing Grand National Party said.

Korea is ranked as the country with the highest suicide rate among the 33 member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with roughly 30 out of every 100,000 people killing themselves in 2009.

FT Island to hold concert in November

Poster for FT Island's live concert [Interpark]

Korean rock band FT Island will hold a live concert in November, according to their agency FNC Music on Friday.

A PR official from FNC told 10Asia over the phone that the boys will be performing for two nights at the AX Hall located in Gwangjang district on November 6 and 7.

The concert will feature their various hit songs as well as the latest tracks from their second mini-album "beautiful journey".

FT Island (Five Treasure Island), composed of members Lee Hong-gi, Lee Jae-jin-I, Song Seung-hyun, Choi Min-hwan and Choi Jong-hoon, made their debut into the mainstream K-pop scene in June 2007 with their first album "Cheerful Sensibility".

The group has also managed a successful music career in Japan, releasing two major single albums "Flower Rock" and "Brand-new days", both of which ranked within the top 5 spots on the prestigious Oricon albums chart.

They also performed at the international rock festival "Summer Sonic 2010" in August whose stage was graced by various top stars such as Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, A Tribe Called Quest and Sum 41.

Tickets for their concert are available at online reservation site Interpark (www.interpark.co.kr).

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@

JYJ scheduled to appear on the Late Show with David Letterman?

Although no official sources have confirmed the event, it looks like New York City will be treated with more than just a tour concert soon! Word has it that the power trio JYJ (Jaejoong, Yoochun, Junsu) might be making a special appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman in the near future.

A Naver cafe for Synnara Records recently posted new information on JYJ’s upcoming activities, including their global showcase tour and details of JYJ’s latest album. However, what caught many fans’ attention was the mention of a feature on the famous New York-based talk show.

“More surprising than Dark Child and Kanye West’s participation in JYJ’s album … They will be the first Koreans (probably Asians) to appear on the David Letterman show to sing the ending song,” the Naver cafe commented.

With six Primetime Emmy awards and countless celebrity appearances under its belt, the Late Show would undoubtedly serve as great exposure for JYJ in the States. Stay tuned to allkpop as we await more details on this matter!

Source & Photo: Synnara Records Naver Cafe
Tip: emm_y

U-KISS releases teaser image for comeback

U-KISS is set to comeback with their 4th mini album “BREAK TIME” on October 4th. A few days ago they revealed the album cover along with tracklist and now they’ve revealed a teaser photo to their title track music video.

U-KISS is looking sexier than ever in the teaser picture, successfully transforming into the “bad boy” image for their new concept.

A representative of U-KISS’s agency revealed, “Their teaser will officially be revealed on the afternoon of the 3rd through their official homepage. We’re very excited that fans are already so excited before their official teaser is even out, but it’s also a lot of pressure. Please anticipate U-KISS’s new images once the teaser is released.”

U-KISS will be making their official comeback through M.Net’s “M Countdown” on the 7th.

Source + Photo: Newsen
Tip: Oreinjii

Xiah Junsu dishes on his upcoming musical

Xiah Junsu is the first ever idol to prepare a musical concert with his own name headlining it.

Perhaps such is the reason why he’s working harder than ever preparing for his four day musical, set to begin on October 7th. Junsu will be working alongside musical stars such as Seo Bumseok, Min Young Ki, Shin Young Sook, and others.

Already having received the rookie award for “Mozart!” at the Musical Awards, Junsu became widely known for his strong concentration skills and the amount of effort he puts into his rehearsals.

In a recent meeting at his rehearsal hall, Junsu met with reporters and honestly confessed his thoughts regarding his first ever self named concert.

“Thank you for your interest. The pressure of being alone is bigger than ever, being the first concert under my name. This performance was only possible with the support of the director and producers. We’ve aready been rehearsing together for three months now so the level of synchronization with the other actors is as great as ever. We’re all working hard and I believe that we’ll be able to show everyone a great concert.”

The concert seats a 10,000 member audience and began production last May.

"We Got Married's" Voted Favorite Couple!

The Alex and Shinae couple were chosen as the best couple in the history of MBC’s “We Got Married.”

In a survey held on Nate for the movie “Nora’s Will,” netizens were asked which couple from the “We Got Married” program were most alike to Nora and Jose, in terms of unending understanding and love.

Alex and Shinae took first in the poll, as fans felt that they showcased the most consideration for one another through the events of preparing food and exchanging presents.

The couple was followed by Jo Kwon and Ga-in, Seo In Young and Crown J, and Hwang Jung Eum and Kim Yong Jun.

Source + Photo: Newsen