Tablo (타블로)

Ryoo, Epik High to Perform in Japan

Source | 2008/08/20 | Permalink |

By Min Hee-young
Korea Times Intern

Singer-actor Ryoo Si-won and hip-hop group Epik High will visit the Japanese market through separate performances.

Ryoo, 36, will hold a solo concert at the Tokyo Dome on Christmas Eve.

"The Tokyo Dome is a difficult place for even Japanese artists to perform. Considering the size, budget and the season, Ryoo's concert holds great meaning", Ryoo's agency R's Company announced Tuesday.

Ryoo is the second Korean singer to perform solo at the Tokyo Dome, following Rain last year.

The singer in June began an 18-city tour of Japan. Performing in 30 concerts over the past two months, he will finish his long journey at Tokyo's Budokan with a three-day concert ending Friday. The first hallyu star to perform for three consecutive days in the city, Ryoo will also release his eighth album in Japan in October and hold a birthday party and fan meeting in Seoul Oct. 5.

Korean hip-hop group Epik High will also perform at the Yokohama BLITZ!, Satu...| More

Epik High Member Tablo to Publish Short Story Collection

Source | 2008/07/21 | Permalink |

Tablo, a member of popular vocal group Epik High, will publish a collection of short stories in September. The singer says the stories will be about a diverse range of cityfolk.

Tablo, who graduated from Stanford University's English Literature Department, recently told reporters that most of his works are short stories he wrote back in college. His upcoming collection will be a compilation of ten of his English short stories which he is currently translating into Korean.

The singer admitted that he was once a middle school dropout and far from being a star student. However, he was pointed out as one of the most promising writers when he was a university student.

He said he was admitted into university thanks to his past experiences as a school newspaper editor and contributing writer.

Tablo says he received an award for literature from one of his favorite writers, Stanford University Professor Tobias Wolfe, who he says is widely acknowledged as the "Hemingway" of our gener...| More

Epik High's Tablo Recovers from Car Accident

Source | 2008/05/22 | Permalink |

Hip hop group Epik High's leader Tablo has returned to work after a car accident left him in hospital on Tuesday. He appeared on the cable music channel Mnet's "M Countdown" and hosted his live radio program "Tablo's Dreamy Radio" Thursday night.

Tablo's representative Ulim Entertainment says that the singer has decided to resume his TV and radio appearances, promising the doctors that he won't overexert himself. He has to return to hospital after work, because he has not been discharged yet.

Tablo has thanked his fans for their support and concern about his well-being on his personal mini homepage Wednesday night. He admitted that he still suffers from the complications and pain from the accident, but looks forward to resuming work the following day. Tablo also commented on a number of mishaps that took place before and after the release of Epik High's latest album. Epik High was shocked when their new songs were distributed illegally before the official release and there have b...| More

Tablo and Kim Seong-eun New Hosts of 'Music Bank' on KBS

Source | 2008/01/30 | Permalink |

Actress Kim Seong-eun and singer Tablo have been chosen as the new hosts of 'Music Bank Live' on KBS 2TV. The new hosts will take over for Ha Ha (Ha Dong-hoon) and Lee Hyun-ji starting February 15.

The producers of the show chose Tablo and Kim for their ability to appeal to a wide range of viewers, not just teenagers.

Tablo, who is a member of popular group Epik High, attracted numerous fans by hosting a variety of radio and TV shows with his polished speaking abilities. Kim has also been gaining her share of popularity through her "tone-deaf" performance on KBS 2TV's 'Happy Sunday'....| More

Rain Signs for Samsung's Olympic Campaign

Source | 2008/01/14 | Permalink |

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Korean pop star and actor "Rain" signed a one-year contract with Samsung Electronics, the official sponsor for wireless communications at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Yonhap News quoted "Rain"'s management agency J Tune Entertainment as saying "Rain" will be the model for Samsung Anycall's advertising campaign for the Beijing Olympics. He will also sing Samsung Anycall's Olympic commercial theme song, as well as appear in billboards and posters.

"Rain" is one of the most popular Korean stars in China, because of his roles in TV dramas such as "Full House". He has appeared in advertisements for Pepsi, DHC cosmetics and Chinese confectionary brand Fuma. He also appears in the highly anticipated Hollywood film "Speed Racer" this year.

"Rain" was earlier rumored to have been asked to perform official song for the Olympics ― but this turned out to be false. He has clarified that a Chinese agency asked him to record a "candidate song" t...| More