THE Concerts of ‘09

I recently had this spasm about going to korean pop concerts since I haven’t actually been to a concert and seeing my favorite kpop stars live seems like distant dream. SO, I decided to fill in my readers to some of the big concerts upcoming in 2009! (and kind of a shortcut for those of you who don’t want to search your way through soompi) 

Korean Music Festival – Hollywood Bowl (May 9th, 2009)

Run by Korea Times and probably THE biggest korean music concert of the year, with artists such as Dong Bang Shin Ki, SG Wanna, So Nyo Shi Dae, and many others. Here the site on soompi with all the information and the first batch of artists has already been released: http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=270429. The only complaint usually is the price, pool seats going for $200 this year, but it’s about as close as you’re ever going to get to a korean artists…

JYP Tour  (March 5th, 6th, and 8th)

I believe that this is the second JYP tour and it’s interesting to see the individual entertainment companies going out with their artists and kind of expanding into the U.S. audience… although it surprises me that SM hasn’t done it yet… although they do take over most of Hollywood Bowl. What I like about this is that it’s offered in Los Angeles and New York City and reaches a bigger audience. A little bit cheaper than Hollywood Bowl, top tickets are selling at $150 in all three locations. Pre-sale tickets have already ended but tickets are still up for grabs! Here’s the soompi site: http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=260247

Being the first Victory concert of the year, but already hit with some suspicion because of last year’s Peace Concert scam. A little smaller in size, but the artist list is much more solid. A lot of good solid singers in this list and not some flaky one-time flash acts. Targeting a more mature audience, it seems. Tickets go on sale Feb. 2 and pool seats are up for $120.  Here’s the soompi link: http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=271938

credit @ soompi, powerhouse

F.T Island Down By One

F.T Island, which debuted in 2007 has lost it’s guitarist, Oh Won Bin. F & C Music officially stated the guitarist’ departure from the group after much contemplation, apparently because he was able to adapt with the group towards the new types of music they were exploring. But F.T Island fans, don’t be too worried. There is already a replacement: Song Seung Hyun also 18 years old. So much for not feeling like you can be replaced within seconds…

Pretty Boys Beats Song Seung Hun

 

     

Since it’s airing in the beginning of August 2008, East of Eden has been the top drama, pulling in ratings around high 20’s and low 30’s, mainly because of it’s high class casting. But with the airing of Boys Over Flowers at the beginning of this year, East of Eden’s ratings have been dropping as Boys Over Flower starts raise and achieve high acclaim. It seems that Song Seung Hun’s charm isn’t enough to hold together East of Eden, with his “younger self” winning over him in Boys Over Flowers (Kim Bum plays the teenager version of Song Seung Hun in East of Eden). It’s not only the looks that seem to be attracting new viewers, but just the acting and the plot itself. East of Eden with it’s overly cliche and dramatic plot, bound with death and tears. On the other hand, Boys Over Flower provides a refreshing and cute storyline. As for the acting, both are about the same, both have it’s strong and weak actors and actresses. But with the rating’s coming closer and closer, East of Eden was able to hold onto last week by little less than two percent, but simultaneously dropping 10% from the week before. However, Boys Over Flowers have turn the table this week by that same margin. East of Eden, you might want to reconsider than 4 episode extension, huh?

Short Ranting (CAUTION: Beware of Random Outbursts)

Sorry Sorry – Super Junior

Just ranting some feelings here after watching Kingdom of the Winds. I liked the storyline, although cliche, but Song Il Gook is really talented at acting in saeguk dramas. But WHAT IS WITH THE ENDING! Spoiler alert: I mean I understand the death of Maro, but Yeon! She’s doing fine and this random general or captain or something comes and just slashes her with a sword. And I’m watching this, just shocked. It’s always some random soldier just suddenly figuring out that everything revolves around the lady. Goodness, I’m glad it took you like 35 episodes to figure that out. It’s not only Kingdom of the Winds, but a lot of dramas have this pattern. I don’t know how many of you have seen Yang Warriors (2004) starring Chae Rim, but that ending was just horrible. After around 40 episodes, I was thinking, finally they can be together again, and then the main actor is on the Great Wall (or something) and he’s looking at the girl and I’m thinking: Yes! And instead of running towards each other, they just stare at each other for the longest time. Then, this random 80 year old archer comes out of nowhere and shoots him and then walks away. >Shock<   >sigh<

2009 Emphasizes Women Roles in Saeguk Dramas

As 2009 roles around, there have been many saeguk dramas that are manly focused around the roles of women in Korean history. Traditionally, women have been lowered in status in comparison with men, especially in Asian society, but as society has begun to change, so have the importance of women in today’s society. Mentioned in the previously, there have been three highly anticipated saeguk dramas with emphasis on female roles. The first to air was Empress Chun Chu, taking over after King Sejong, and scheduled for 60 episodes. The second, Princess Ja Myung Go, is scheduled to air in mid-February following Terrior for about 50 episodes. The third, Queen Seon Duk, is scheduled for 50 episodes in May. The only problem with saeguk dramas is that they all tend to be 50-60 episodes (the magical number it seems), which becomes a problem for people (like me, I admit) who like to skip the boring parts. The historical documentary. But you can’t just randomly skip around because you’re bound to miss something important. It’s a hard range to keep the audience’s attention. Directors and producers also have the tendency to extend the drama, depending on the success, and throw in a spin in the middle of nowhere. Then you just start slapping your forehead going “No!!” BUT, there is always exceptions…

Empress Chun Chu

To be honest, at first, I wasn’t really attracted to this drama when it was being advertised because saeguk dramas have never really been a favorite because of my lack of Korean history knowledge, forcing me to constently click through wikipedia for some of the context to make sense. Even with subtitles. But it was through Boys Over Flowers, the last drama on earth that I thought would be slightly connected to this drama, that I began to watch this. Kim So Eun really impressed me with her acting in Boys Over Flowers and I was eager to see more examples of her acting. Despite her younge, she managed to pull off a great performance not only as the best friend of Geum Jan Di in Boys Over Flowers, but also as a princess/empress in Empress Chun Chu. I can’t say that crying is a high point for her, but the power that she performs with is definately a boost considering the strong female role that she is playing. Of course there are love stories and triangles and such that come in a package. This drama is one to look out for, although it’ll be curious to see how it will be able to hold the popularity after the younger actors and actresses have left.

Princess Ja Myung Go 

I love the alternative title provided by wiki: The Story of Self-Destruction. Oh, that’s gotta mean a happy ending. Self-destruction. With two rising stars, Jung Ryun Won and Park Min Young as the main actresses, the drama has collected a lot of popularity, in addition to the popular love story that it depicts. The love story of Prince Hodong (for those of you who watched Kingdom of the Winds, it is Yeon’s son) and Princess Ja Myung Go who destroys her country’s warning drums so that Prince Hodong can come take over her country. For a legend it sounds reasonable, but in reality, kind of far off. Yes, I love you so much so I’m going to put my whole country in peril and just assume that once you destroy and conquer my country we can live happily ever after. Of course, no one has been thinking about the other kinks like maybe the older sister who is love with the same man or the fact that someone is probably going to killed in the end, which happens in most saeguk dramas, in the randomest of ways. Korean drama: PASS. But excluding some of the disadvantages of a melodramatic plot, the casting looks pretty strong and it’ll fun to watch how these two actresses battle it out: with swords. Personally, Park Min Young is highly favored but both have a ways to go in their acting career ad

Cassiopia vs. VIP + Wonderfuls

Fans can get crazy… really crazy. For Dong Bang Shin Ki’s upcoming concert, Big Bang and Wonder Girl fans together reserved around 1700 tickets online and then cancelled at the last minute, resulting in almost 10 million won in losses (7,225 US dollars). Rude much? I mean if you don’t like DBSK, just leave them alone. Not only did this result in a loss of money, but I’m sure that there were plenty of DBSK fans that weren’t able to go to the concert because of the sudden rush of ticket sales. Now, once you’ve done something wrong, you should apologize, right? But apparently, Wonderfuls and VIPs retorted that they purchased the tickets and had the right to do whatever they wanted. Wait… what? By purchasing a ticket, that gives the right to be rude and inconsiderate. That give you the right to be obnoxious and inconsiderate.

Same situation as the Dream Concert last year between SNSD fans and Cassi and others. Can’t you guys just watch your artists and not create more trouble for them. You really want to help them? Actually buy their albums instead of donwloading.

Cassiopia

 

VIP Apology

 

credits @ popseoul

YG Entertainment Adds Another Girl Group

 

 Since 2007 until now, there has been a sudden rush of debuting girl bands from SM , JYP, Pledis, DPG, and now YG Entertainment? Just a little bit of a background check-up:

 

2007

SM Entertainment – So Nyo Shi Dae a.k.a. Girls’ Generation

JYP Entertainment – Wonder Girls

DPG Entertainment – Kara

2008

Pledis – After School

 

….And now YG has come out with a 3-5-girl band that seems to be more competition for the current girl groups. Supposedly the girl form of Big Bang, the group currently consists of four trainee members with the fifth still unknown. Park Bom, top right, has been seen for a couple years now, most noticeable in Big Bang’s Forever with You MV. On the lower right is Sandra Park, a celebrity of the Philippines and known for her physical and singing similarities with BoA. CL, on the top left, is famous for her multi-lingual abilities in English, French and Japanese. Just out of curiosity, why does she need to know French when targeting an Asian market? Hmm… but it can’t hurt. And finally, Kong Min-ji on the bottom left has a background in dance.

With their debut planning to come in April 2009, they still don’t have a name. The name “Sista” has been floating around… but I’m begging them not to go with that. Imagine an asian, any asian, coming up to you and saying “Hey! Sup sista” I don’t know how I would react. But apparently YG has stated that they will be focusing more on talents than on looks. Okay… I give them kudos for trying, but no matter how it goes, looks always play some part.

 Well, I’m sure that everyone is waiting for more competition… but what happened to boy bands. 2008 produced Shinee? Not that their bad… but why the sudden focus on girl groups?

Big Bang ft. Park Bom – Forever With You

credit @ popseoul

Thoughts On We Got Married

 

 

If your look for cuteness of a couple, without all the drama of korean drama (redundant, I know…) then We Got Married is perfect! The three original couples that are most revered from the show: Andy and Solbi a.k.a  AnSol couple, Seo In Young and Crown J a.k.a. Ant Couple, Alex and Shin Ae a.k.a AlShin couple and Hyunjoong and Hwangbo a.k.a Lettuce couple. So far, all of the original couple have left, with Seo In Young and Crown J leaving in this past Episode 41 as the longest lasting couple. They have been replaced by Marco and Son Dambi, Hwanhee and Hwayobi, Kang In and Lee Yoon Ji, and Jung Hyung Don and Taeyeon.

In comparison with the original couples that were mentioned, the newer couples seem to lack the interesting characteristics of the older ones. This seems to be reflected in the lower ratings and not complete satisfaction with the new couples. Some of the newer couples include superstar singers such as Taeyeon and KangIn and I’m sure their counterparts have received enough threats from fans. Believe it, because it happens.

The Lettuce couple, known for their awkwardness in the beginning because of the age difference, became one of the funnest couples on screen, even winning MBC’s Best Couple Awards. All these couples had those moments and memories that are valuable and can only be produced through a close relationship. It was said to see them go, but we all hope that they can progess and improve their career with these moments as part of their valuable memories.

 

         

Hyunjoong and Hwangbo a.k.a Lettuce couple  

 

              Andy and Solbi a.k.a  AnSol couple

       

           Alex and Shin a.k.a AlShin Couple 

My favorite couple… I can’t say that I really have one without loving the other ones. But of all the couples, the most romantic couple would go to Alex and ShinAe. The couple started in Episode 1, but because Alex was recording for his new album, the couple separated in Episode 8. Due to popular demand, the couple was reunited in Episode 13 and continued until Episode 34. Alex just came up with everything romantic move possible to make his “wife” ShinAe happy. I haven’t seen so many ideas before to woo a woman. Some of my favorite scenes came from Episodes 22-24 when they had to take care of the babies, because you could see how they would work together even though the quadruplets were tiring. ShinAe started out very shy and seemingly introverted, not really wanting to fully open her heart to Alex, but at the end of their time, they definitely became a true couple. Every moment watching them was like watching a prince and a princess developing feelings for each other and becoming a close couple. When interviewed after their departure, ShinAe said that Alex would have been a good guy to date but not to marry. For you avid fans don’t get too hyped up, because even though Alex is a great guy, he seems to me like an oppa that would help you and be there for you during a difficult time, but marriage is a totally different thing. Hope to see them pursue their careers in acting and singing in the future!

Probably the most comedic couple was the Lettuce couple: Hyunjoong and Hwangbo. Despite the six year age difference, they had some really hilarious moments with teasing and laughing. Named the Lettuce couple after Hyunjoong cute pronounciation of lettuce in Korean, the couple immediately caught the attention of its audience shortly after becoming a couple. Honestly, their first meeting was awkward and tension and I didn’t think that they couple hold it out. But proving me long by a long way, they really brought a lot of chuckles and after a while they looked like they had been a couple forever. Laughing and plotting (yes, plotting) together, they created an unbreakable bond. …. Maybe not that extreme, but definitely a strong bond.

In the end, I guess all I’m trying to say is that I hope the newer couples will start to develop their own characteristics despite the awkwardness in the beginning. As the show moves on and couples change, we will never forget out original 4….

 

 

 

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Stalker Switches Phones On Celebrities

A mysterious person has apparently taken to switching celebrity phones with replicas in order to track messages and calls made by celebrities through the replica phones. Stalker, much? 40 people including celebrities have been a victim of this crime, Jeon Ji Hyun being the most recent victim. The stalker seems to target celebrities who are near the end of their contracts.

It’s scary… but it’s the entertainment world and anything can happen.
credit @ popseoul

Debut Singer Tae Goon

Call Me MV

Music Core Performance

A new singer has mysteriously appeared on the screen: Tae Goon. He debuted a couple days ago with his Call Me music Video and his performance on Music Core on January 17th. His Call Me MV includes DBSK’s Hero Jaejoong and Park Shin Hye who apparently are both high school friends. His music video was slightly critized for it’s similarites to DBSK’s Wrong Number MV and Rain’s Avoid the Sun MV. But his voice is very smooth and hopefully we’ll be seeing more from him in the future.