Rain (비)

Korean Stars Mourn Michael Jackson

Source | 2009/06/29 | Permalink |

Together with the fans all over the world Korean musicians are mourning the sudden death of Michael Jackson.

"Rain", visiting Macao for the launching of his fashion brand "Six to Five" when he heard the news of Jackson's death, said that it was Michael Jackson who inspired him to dance. One of Korea's most famous stars overseas said that Jackson was his spiritual mentor and will remain as the textbook for all singers and dancers worldwide.

Moon Hee-jun, former leader of idol group H.O.T., reminisced about the time he met with Jackson behind stage during his 1999 concert in Seoul. Moon talked about how he froze up when he finally got to meet Jackson in person. He also remembered being electrified by the charismatic presence of the king of pop.

Jackson has inspired many other Korean musicians, such as Park Jin-young, Se7en, BoA, and Yoon Mi-rae. They have all mourned the death of their idol and remembered how they dreamed of becoming a great performer like Jackson.

Jackson he...| More

Korean bands rock around the planet

Source | 2009/06/29 | Permalink |

'The "rock music hallyu" is definitely something to look forward to'. - Music critic Im Jin-mo

Korean music has gained worldwide recognition with the sounds of K-pop recording artists like "Rain", BoA and Big Bang.

But now, rock bands looking for a piece of the action are launching themselves into the international scene with appearances at a score of summer music festivals the world over.

YB (formerly the Yoon Do-hyeon Band), will join the Warped Tour, a popular summer rock and extreme sports festival in the United States and Canada, for its West Coast leg Aug. 15-23, according to Daeum Entertainment, the band's management company.

Artists such as Eminem, Green Day and the Black Eyed Peas have participated in past festivals.

David Choi, a representative for Originology, YB's American agency, says that the tour is the band's first step into the American market.

"Starting with the Warped Tour, we're planning various things to promote their music internationally", he sa...| More

China's Food Safety Law Means Caution for Korean Stars

Source | 2009/06/26 | Permalink |

Korean stars who appear in Chinese food advertising will have to check whether the advertiser's food is safe after a new food safety law came into effect this month. The aim is to prevent further international embarrassment after a string of scandals such as the deadly baby milk scare brought Chinese food products into global disrepute.

Under the new law, Chinese consumers can claim up to 10 times of the retail price for food that failed to meet the standard required by the law. A celebrity or organization endorsing such products in false or exaggerated advertising will be held responsible along with the manufacturer and the distributor. If any harmful substance is detected in the product and consumers suffered damage, the celebrity who appeared in the advertisement will have to compensate the victims.

According to the KOTRA Business Center in Shanghai, Jang Nara, "Rain" and Super Junior currently appear in advertising for food products in China, and Song Hye-kyo, Kim Hee-seon an...| More

Rekindling Korean Wave

2009/06/24 | Permalink |

By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

It's a dilemma Korea has encountered many times before: plenty of tourists ― indeed, numbers are rising ― but a dearth of attractions with which to occupy them.

In the past year, visitor numbers have increased, largely on the back of a weak won.

But with exchange rates turning unfavorable to foreign visitors, the growth is beginning to slow. So authorities are faced with the same old problems: Put simply, the nation lacks things for foreign tourists to see and do.

The tourism industry has been aware of the shortcomings for some time and has made efforts to develop new attractions and programs.

Now another pair of developments are about to come to fruition. At the end of the month a premium Korean restaurant called Unamjeong, which has been revived from a famous comic, and an exhibition hall named "Star Avenue", which will help re-ignite Hallyu, or the Korean Cultural Wave.


Unamjeong

Korean food is growing more popular among...| More

Foreign K-Pop Stars Grateful to Korea for Opportunity

Source | 2009/06/22 | Permalink |

Foreign members of idol K-pop bands recently gathered at Yonhap News for an interview. They were Nichkhun (21), who has dual American and Thai citizenships, A'ST1's Tomo (22) from Japan, Haiming (22) from China, and Alexander (21) of U-Kiss from Hong Kong.

Nichkhun of 2PM revealed his early experiences of Korea, saying, "I was scolded severely when I stuck my chopsticks into a bowl of rice. Later I learned that in Korea this is done only at ancestral worship ceremonies. I have grown to like samgyepsal and doenjang stew. I'm a real Korean now".

Haiming of A'ST1 said, "I was scared to come to Korea because I heard that etiquette was very strict here. We don't have a polite form of talking in China. It's very difficult".

They all came to Korea between 2005 and 2007 and they all speak Korean fluently. They're well-versed in Korean slang, and they know how to write their names in Korean as well as the names of President Lee Myung-bak and late President Roh Moo-hyun. Moreover, they ...| More