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Source : MediaCorp TV
The critics have been harsh about his singing chops, but that will not kill Joe Cheng’s passion for music.
The actor-model’s first foray into singing last September with a five-song EP Sing a Song was generally panned by critics, but the man insists he will continue doing the thing he loves.
In town last Friday to promote Sing a Song, he says he hopes to release a full album someday, though he admits he was not born with a flair for singing.
In the EP, the Taiwanese drama idol even challenged himself to dancing, showing his moves in the title track’s music video with good friend and fellow model Lin Chi-ling.
“Singing and dancing are both difficult, but singing and dancing at the same time is the toughest! I’m not born with a talent for singing or dancing, so I have to be extra hardworking.”
Joe’s dance teacher was Milk, formerly from Taiwanese boyband Energy. And while the latter may be known for his clownish persona, Joe says that he’s a very strict coach. “He doesn’t encourage or praise, he’s just picky.”
Undeterred, he takes his criticism seriously in order to improve and achieve his music goal. “My technique is very poor, so I have to do a lot of research and learning on my own.”
Asked if his record company laid the condition of his cutting an album only if his EP sells well, the heartthrob simply smiled, “They don’t say it explicitly, but I can feel it!” (Laughs)
*There's an interview of Joe talks about Mike :
http://www.mediacorptv.sg/en/buzzdetail/EDC100208-0000183
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Uknow Yunho leads a new hallyu wave
Feb 08 2010
U-know Yunho (real name Jung Yunho) is leading fans into a new Hallyu wave by encouraging them to donate across the borders.
Recently, one of U-know Yunho's Japanese fanclubs "Be With Yunho" did their own fundraising and made a trip to personally donate KRW$10,000,000 to South Korea's Social Welfare Organization. The local fans in Japan have also donated more than KRW$5,000,000 to the Haiti victims in Yunho's name.
The donations from international fans not only include Japan, but also those from China, Thailand, and all of Asia, which shows that Yunho's popularity can be felt throughout Asia.
Under Yunho's name, the fans in China donated supplies for students within Korea who come from poor backgrounds, and there were also various donation and volunteering activities that took place in Thailand. The donations and volunteering activities of the Korean fans are also such.
This year, on Yunho's birthday on the 6th, fans used his name to make various donations as a form of wishing him a happy birthday, and one of the fundraisers alone raised an amount of over KRW$40,000,000.
Jung Yunho's exemplary behaviour as an idol star is ongoing and not just a one-off occasion. The fandom culture is evolving into one where the fans follow their idols closely, and they do all they can to continue the warm, charitable acts of their idols and help those in need.
Source: [newsen+ baidutvxq]
Translation credits: mandasoh@tohosomnia.net
Shared by: tohosomnia.net
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Dia, “I was very hurt from all the mean comments after I was said to have imitated Park Bom”
Feb 08 2010
Newcomer singerDia is more known to many as ‘teenage Park Bom’ or ‘Korea’s Beyonce’.
She debuted last year with the single ‘0carat’ and recently in January she released her 2nd single ‘0.5carat’ which was well received by music fans, and she was given the nickname of ’scary newcomer’ with her powerful vocals. But amidst that, Dia reveals that the nickname has brought her much tears and hurt. This new singer said there has been some misunderstanding about her, which had attracted mean comments from netizens.
Dia is just 18 years old this year, but through her recent interviews, she has shown a very dignified self unlike most new singers.
“After my first performance, I was shocked at the responses. The MCs for one of the music shows introduced me as the singer who is trying to sing like Park Bom unnie, and after the performance it became hot issue on portal sites. Of course it is good to be more known all of the sudden. But because of all the mean comments like my style is similar Park Bom unnie’s style or I’m trying to imitate Park Bom, I was very hurt.”
“Actually after the failure from the previous single, I lost all the anticipation. I wanted so much to sing and perform on stage, but I can’t, and everyday it gets tougher. I was so depressed.”
But Dia said that she did not just stop there. She worked harder and aimed for success. With the strong belief in the saying ‘*인간만사 새옹지마’ she stood up strong again.
“I thought (Park Bom unnie) I should be more thankful. I want to thank Park Bom unnie ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
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‘Dancing queen’ Son DamBi will be making her singer comeback in March.
Son DamBi revealed back stage to 19th High1 Seoul Music Awards on 3rd February where she was awarded the BonSang, “I will comeback with a new album in March. I will be working with Brave Brothers who composed ‘Saturday Night’ for this comeback.”
Son DamBi and Brave Brothers are called the ‘perfect match’ in Kpop circle. Son DamBi’s previous hits like ‘Crazy’ and ‘Saturday Night’ are all works of Brave Brothers. Son DamBi said,”Please look forward to a new transformation and a even cooler track for my comeback.”
With news of Son DamBi’s comeback 4th album next month, which happens to fall in the same time period as Lee Hyori’s 4th album comeback, much anticipation from music fans as to how the ’showdown of the sexy queens’ will turn out.
S:SportsChosun + kbites
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2AM signs on as Pepsi Cola models
Feb 08 2010
The brother groups of JYP Entertainment, 2PM and 2AM, have become the blue chip of the advertisement world. Advertisements for cola have been known to pick only the hottest stars for their models.
On the 8th, an associate stated that 2AM has recently signed on to a contract with Pepsi Cola. There have also been rumors that since Coca Cola, a rival company, held 2PM as their model, they, too, have decided to use their brother group 2AM for their own. This associate stated, "They will be going into recording within this week. We'll be able to see their advertisements around mid March."
2PM has already finished their recording at the end of January with a one year contract. 2PM's advertisements will go on air towards the mid, or end of this month. The two brother groups have been attracting attention as to who will receive the most love.
Pepsi and Coca Cola also had a rivalry last year, using the popular stars of 'Boys Over Flowers,' Lee Minho and Kim Hyunjoong.
May be taken out with full credits. You are not allowed add yourself to the credits nor edit the credits.
CREDITS: SPORTS SEOUL (SOURCE) ; hazyfiasco@2ONEDAY.COM (TRANS)
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5-member WonderGirls will meet fans and talk about their future plans openly.
According to JYP Entertainment on 8th February, this afternoon, the 5 original member together with newly joined member HyeRim will be personally meeting about 10 fans at JYP Entertainment company building.
Coming back on 6th February from their 5days4nights promotions in China, the WonderGirls members will talk truthfully about SunMi’s leaving of the group and their future plans. There are also plans for them to express their gratitude and apology for fans who have been showing them love and support for the past 3 years since their debut.
According to the JYP Ent rep, the meeting will be done with the WonderGirls fans representatives and will not be open for news media.
And regarding the requests from the fan unions submitted on 28th January, it is said that like the fans, the WonderGirls wish to meet fans openly.
It is revealed that discussions are in the process for SunMi to return from the States so that the girls can give fans an official greeting on 10th February which is their 3rd year anniversary.
Meanwhile, SunMi will be leaving the group officially at the end of this month to pursue her college studies.
SOURCE: StarNews
CREDIT: KBites
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so its 6 member Wonder Girls 
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Wonder Girls' new member makes debut in China
Feb 08 2010
Singer Hae Lim, who has replaced Mimi of the Wonder Girls, made her first public appearance as a member of Korean pop quintet over the weekend.
An official at their agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE) explained Saturday that Hae Lim joined the other members on stage during a party in China, where the K-pop group is promoting a product.
The official also added that the girl band, who flew into Seoul on Saturday, will be "staying in the country for a while and go back to the U.S. soon".
Lim, 17, was a JYP trainee for three years and is said to speak four languages -- Korean, English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
She had originally been preparing to debut as a member of the Chinese version of the Wonder Girls before replacing Mimi who announced her leave from the group to concentrate on her studies.
Wonder Girls, who debuted in 2007, is one of the most successful idol groups in the country who has made an impressive crossover to the United States.
In October 2009, the group's U.S. debut single "Nobody" entered the Billboard Hot100 at No. 76, making them the first Korean artists to be placed on the chart in its 115-year history.
The group recently announced that they will be pushing back the release of their U.S. debut album, which was originally due out this month.
Asiae
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KBS TV dramas to air in Central, South Americas
Feb 08 2010
A number of Korean television dramas are set to air in several Central and South American countries, according to Korean public broadcaster KBS on Monday.
KBS Media, who sells the network's programs overseas, announced that they sold the popular TV series "Winter Sonata"(2002) and "Autumn in My Heart"(2000) to Hispanic distributor Latin Media at the "NATPE 2010" conference, held January 25 thru 27 in Las Vegas.
"NATPE 2010", which stands for the National Association of Television Program Executives, is an annual event attended by television industry officials from all around the world.
Many more Korean dramas -- including "Boys Over Flowers", "Full House" and "Mr. Goodbye" -- have broadcasting contract in pending, KBS said, after which they are set to air in Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
The Korean broadcaster had been airing its dramas in Central and South American countries for free so far to expand its market and gain viewers. In 2006, "Winter Sonata" and "Autumn in My Heart" were broadcast in 11 countries in the region through a promotional alliance with Korea Foundation.
Hallyu dramas will be shown Arab countries as well. KBS Media is reportedly processing a deal with the region's satellite broadcaster Middle East Broadcasting Center to air the hit 2009 dramas "Boys Over Flowers" and "My Fair Lady".
Asiae
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4Minute Wraps Up Philippine Tour
Feb 08 2010
MANILA ― K-pop girl group 4Minute ended their first Philippine tour Sunday after promoting their first mini-album, "For Muzik," in the Southeast Asian nation where K-pop is gaining popularity.
In Manila, 4Minute held shows in shopping malls, had autograph signing events for fans, and appeared on TV variety programs from February 5 to 7.
"For Muzik" contains the hit songs ""Hot Issue", "Muzik" and "What a Girl Wants" and was released in the Philippines on CD-DVD format.
The members of the idol group ― Hyun-ah, Ji-hyun, Ji-yoon, So-hyun and Ga-yoon ― met the Philippine press on February 5.
However, besides arriving an hour late for the press conference, the girls were barred by the organizer of the event from answering personal questions, particularly regarding Hyun-ah and her past association with K-pop girl band the Wonder Girls.
Hyun-ah was an original member of the Wonder Girls but had to quit the group just six months after they debuted in 2007 due to her deteriorating health.
On January 22, JYP Entertainment announced that Sun-mi, another member of the Wonder Girls, was quitting the group to resume her studies in South Korea.
With Hyun-ah and Sun-mi experiencing similar misfortunes with the Wonder Girls, The Korea Times asked Hyun-ah if she would consider going back to the Wonder Girls if Park Jin-Young, owner of JYP Entertainment, asked her to.
However, even before the interpreter could translate the question, a staff member for the organizer stopped her from answering the question.
The press also failed to get Hyun-ah's reaction on Sun-mi's decision to quit, when the organizer again prohibited her from responding.
The questions 4Minute members did answer were mainly about their diet and lifestyle.
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Top Actresses Heading Toward Small Screen
Feb 08 2010
Fans of TV dramas already have an ample lineup of witty programs to choose from, but the list will become more colorful with a number of top actresses returning to the small screen.
Movie star Son Ye-jin is tapping into the small screen market with ``Personal Interest'' (working title) after appearing in the dark thriller ``Walking the White Night'' (2009).
Son will appear as Park Gae-in, the CEO of a famous furniture company, who dreams of having a gay guy friend. She gets close to her dream when she ends up living with Jeon Jin-ho, whom she mistakes as the perfect match for her. Jeon will be played by ``Boys Over Flowers'' star Lee Min-ho.
The actress expressed the difficulty of portraying her ``White Night'' character during press events and interviews, and it seems like she will be able to brush away the mysterious and dark personality. The movie may have not topped the box office, but it showed how fearless the 28-year-old is when it comes to acting.
``I wanted to be involved in a bright and fun drama and I liked the character ― cute and charming and always up to the task,'' Son said.
The actress has been lucky when it comes to co-actors, performing opposite some of the top stars in Korea, including Bae Yong-joon, Kim Ju-hyuk, Jung Woo-sung and Ji Jin-hee.
Viewers will have to wait and see if she can embody the bubbly character, and create chemistry with the 22-year-old Lee.
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