Boy band Big Bang seems to have it all, from loving fans, stylish fashion trends, easy-to-memorize songs and the members’ distinctive characteristics. Now, the ambitious group is expanding their talents in other fields including movies, musicals and even television, but not under the team Big Bang. The members are going solo for the time being.
Other pop groups, including now disbanded g.o.d. and Fin.K.L, and the still running Shinhwa, Girls’ Generation and Super Junior, have already pursued individual careers in the entertainment business. Big Bang, having colorful members who each hold their own specific talent, have joined this “trend” and started to heighten their individual image, which will hopefully contribute to the team as a whole.
Music Award: Look at me, GwiSoon By Dae-sung
Dae-sung recently released a trot, or traditional Korean pop genre, album “Gui-soon, Look at Me.” The 19-year-old singer will also perform in the internationally famed musical “Cats.” He will appear as Rum Tum Tugger, a sexy yet rebellious character. He is also currently appearing in a television show “The Family is Out!” with comedian Yu Jae-suk and singer Lee Hyo-ri.
Tae-yang, on the other hand, has been busy with his mini-album “HOT.” The 20-year-old topped pop charts on public and cable music channels with his song “Only Look at Me,” proving he can work his way up to the top alone. His first solo concert “HOT” is scheduled on July 20 at the Melon AX Theater.
Band leader G. Dragon also recently released his single album “Only Look at Me Part 2.” The 19-year-old singer-rapper actually remade fellow band member Tae-yang’s song “Only Look at Me.” While Tae-yang’s version is more focused on melodies and lyrics, G-Dragon mixed his signature rap into the hit number. Being a talented composer and producer, he helped produce pop star Uhm Jung-hwa’s new album “D.I.S.C.O.”
While G.Dragon offered his producing skills to Uhm, fellow member T.O.P went further and appeared in her music video as a rapper. Along with his solo rapper debut through Uhm’s new album, YG Entertainment recently announced that the 20-year-old singer-rapper was going to appear in the drama “IRIS” with top actor Lee Byung-hun (“All-in,” 2003).
“T.O.P. already proved himself as an actor in the drama `I Am Sam’ and so we have decided that the drama `IRIS’ would be a great opportunity to go further with his acting career. He will play an assassin from a secret agency who is after Lee’s character Kim Hyeun-jun,” said Yang Hyun-suk, the president of Big Bang’s agency YG Entertainment, through a press release. I Am Sam Ep.3 TOP Cuts
Another member is gearing up for acting: Seung-ri. The 18-year old member is busy preparing for the movie “Why did you Come to our Home?” (working title) starring actress Kang Hae-jung (“Old Boy,” 2003). He will play the first love of Kang. This is Seung-ri’s first movie but he has already proven his acting skills by appearing in the musical “Sonagi” early this year. The movie will be in theaters this November.
Big Bang made its debut in 2006 with the single “Big Bang” and instantly became a hit with songs like “Lie” and their trendy fashion styles. According to their agency, the group is planning to release its next mini album later this month, which will carry songs that will support South Korean athletes competing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Japanese entertainment company Avex said it will release a series of educational DVDs entitled “Learning Korean through Songs” featuring 25 music videos of hit K-pop songs.
The songs include TVXQ’s 2004 hit “Hug,” Ahn Jae-wook’s “Friend,” Lee Byeng-hun’s “Tears,” BoA’s “No.1″ and SG WannaBe’s “In Life.”
In August, another DVD will be released featuring more hit songs including Shinhwa’s “Deep Sorrow,” Lee Dong-gun’s “Hoping that My Wind Touches That Sky,” Fly to the Sky’s “Missing You,” Brown Eyes’ “Already a Year” and SG WannaBe’s “Crime and Punishment.”
While Korea’s male heartthrobs seem to be the ones hitting it big in Asia, their female counterparts certainly deserve all the same attention. With K-Pop seeming to attract fans the world over, Korea’s singing beauties couldn’t be that far behind.
Who’s on your sexiest list? Here’s ours:
Lee Hyolee or (Hyori) is widely recognized as Korean music’s sex symbol and is the highest-paid female singer in the country. Apart from her recordings, Hyori has done numerous modelling stints, most recently being the first Asia-wide model for Calvin Klein Jeans. With a perpetually young-looking face and a perfect S-line contour, the 28-year old seems poised to hold the title for the next few years.
Ivy is an extremely cute 25-year old artist with a sultry singing voice, lending itself well to hushed dance songs and sexy rhythms. Her early steamy music videos established her as one of the country’s most attractive musicians. She recently placed in the Top 10 poll of Korea’s Sexiest Stars by Movie Week magazine.
Chae Yeon who originally debuted in Japan on January 1, 2001 as part of a group called Brand New Biscuits has been climbing up the ranks in Korea ever since her Debut late in 2003. She was viewed as just another “sexy concept” singer at first, but has since been able to increase and maintain her popularity as well as image as one of Korea’s sexiest stars. After all, with a body like hers, how could she not be considered sexy?
Eugene is another gorgeous singer and actress, originally a part of the successful K-Pop group S.E.S. Although vocally weaker than her counterparts, her superior looks kept her on as the face of the girl band, used extensively in their marketing and advertising efforts. After the group’s break-up, she shed her girl-next-door image and took on a successful solo singing career as a one of Korea’s sexiest performers.
Other notables on our list include Sol Bi from girl group Typhoon, whose cute face and well-endowed curves are a definite stunner. There’s also the Wonder Girls’ new member, 19-year old Kim Yoo Bin, seemingly destined to make men stand up and pay attention. Former Baby Vox waif Lee Hee-Jin recently gained some meat and released a photo book of sexy shots, definitely getting her on our top list if she ever decides to record again.
It’s an easy task finding sexy singers in Korea, especially with beauty-filled girl groups taking a large chunk of radio and TV airtime this year. Instead, it’s a mountainous undertaking to choose your favorites. While K-Pop’s hunky stars may be the ones getting noticed today, it’s only a matter of time before these girls take their figures to the rest of Asia’s magazine covers.
SM Entertainment’s new group SHINee has been gaining a fair amount of attention since their pre-debut. Apart from their catchy first single, “Noona You are so Pretty (Replay),” which has been one of Kpop fans’ recent last song syndromes, SHINee was said to lead this generation’s dance, music and fashion trends.
And to prove they can do it, SHINee had recently landed a one (1) year contract to model for CLR!DE.n and carry the name with pride. The group was chosen for their quick rise in popularity among Kpop listeners, and their solid aim to lead Korea’s “what’s in” fashion.
Before their debut, SM Entertainment made it known that designer Ha Sang Baek will take charge and assist on SHINee’s style and looks. I suppose Ha Sang Baek will continue to dress them up now that they’re modeling for a brand name like CLR!DE.n.
The poll for this year’s winner of the said award will open on June 14 at MTV Asia Awards’ official homepage. Vying for the title of “Favorite Artist – Korea” are BIG BANG, Girls’ Generation, Wonder Girls and Super Junior. These candidates were selected through a survey among music industry officials and journalists and the winner of the award will be based on an online poll, which will end on July 25.
For the first time, the Awards show that celebrates and pays tribute to regional and international music talents will be held at the Arena of Stars in Genting- City of Entertainment, Malaysia on August 2, 2008 and will be hosted by Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars.This year’s host Jared Leto is an accomplished singer and actor. In 1998, Jared Leto formed the band 30 Seconds to Mars in which he is the lead vocalist and guitarist.
Release Date: 2008/4/22
Record Label: SonyBMG
Genre: Dance-Pop
Distribution :SONYBMG
Release Date: 2008-4-22■ Track List
01 ) Turned Up
02 ) Just Another Day
03 ) Uh Lala
04 ) You Don’t Know Me
05 ) Crush
06 ) Show Me
07 ) Razoman
08 ) Like A Bird (new Version)
09 ) Empty Pages
10 ) Lucky Lady
11 ) We Can Run
12 ) Undone
13 ) Stuck
14 ) The Last
15 ) You Don’t Know Me (bonus Track- Duet With Kim Dong Wan)
GEO who was the sound producer of Sweetbox work out with Valerie and they written a sweet fast pop sound track! Continues after duet with BaekJiYoung in song “Crush” which had hit into variety of music chart, now she is back with a duet track “You Don’t Know Me” with Kim DongWan.This duet song “You Dont Know Me” will be reveal before the album release.
Shinhwa member Kim Dongwan sang an English song called “You Don’t Know Me” with Jade Valerie Villalon, who before going solo was the vocalist of the group Sweet Box.
This duet song, with evident electronic sounds in it, is included in Jade Valerie’s first solo album called “Out of the Box” as a bonus track in the Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Asian release of the album. According to Sony BMG, the distributor of Jade Valerie’s solo album, it is discussing with Kim Dongwan’s label on the possibility of recording a Korean version of the song, which Kim Dongwan had requested.
Exploration of the Human Body is making a comeback! The date is not confirmed yet but there are rumors out saying that the best + most hilarious show of 13 boys is making a 2nd season. The 2nd season will not have all 13 members in the show because of their busy schedule but everyone is glad that it is coming back because we get to see sj in it.
OMG!!!!! I am soooooooo looking forward to it!!! SuJu are super hot in the first season of exploration of the human body!!! OMG OMG OMG!!!! This is such a great news to hear!!!! However I really wish all 13 members could be there!!!! But that’s a good news that they are back!!!!! yahooo!!!!!! let’s celebrate!!!!!!!! yeah!!!!!!!!
Lee Soo Manhas officially pissed off Super Juniorfans. How? By going forth with the debut of Super Junior-M(andarin), a 7 member sub-group of the original 13-member Super Junior, for the Chinese market.
Super Junior-M consists of original members Han Kyung, Shi Won, Dong Hae, Ryuh Wook, Kyu Hyun and two new Chinese members Henry and Zhoumi. All seven members will be performing and recording their album in Chinese.
The original five members of Super Junior (who are now in Super Junior-M) might be happy that they’re finally getting some attention, but the fans are far from happy. Fans demand the original 13 members (Hee Chul, Kang In, Ki Bum, Shi Won, Dong Hae, Han Kyung, Ryuh Wook, Shin Dong, Yeh Sung, Kyu Hyun, Lee Teuk, Sung Min, and Eun Hyuk) to remain as the one and only Super Junior. They expressed their anger on Suju’s fan club homepage. The fans also threatened that if Super Junior-M does not break up now, the fans will make it their priority to cause harm by boycotting the group’s album and products.
up and pay attention. Former Baby Vox waif Lee Hee-Jin recently gained some meat and released a photo book of sexy shots, definitely getting her on our top list if she ever decides to record again.
