Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Posted: 30 Mar 2015 04:20 AM PDT

May flowers may bring pilgrims, but April means K-pop releases galore.

Along with prominent comebacks, April will also witness the revamp of several popular K-pop acts.

April begins in earnest on March 30, when both miss A and EXO release their first albums of 2015. miss A will release "Colors" while EXO will comeback with the group's first ten-member album, "Exodus." Both groups released their title songs, miss A "Only You" and EXO "Call Me Baby," in March.

YG Entertainment will begin April in earnest on April 1, with a release from an yet to be revealed YG act. Based on comments from YG Entertainment's CEO Yang Hyun Suk, the April release is rumored to be Big Bang's first comeback since 2012.

JYP Entertainment's CEO, Park Jin Young, also announced an April comeback.

Along with Park, several other male solo singers will make their comebacks. Park Hyo Shin, Lee Seung Gi, and David Oh all announced plans to release music in April 2015.

MBLAQ will comeback for the first time sans two members, re-debuting as a trio. The comeback date has yet to be confirmed, and the group could make their comeback as late as May.

While not all comeback dates have been confirmed, April, and May, will feature several long-awaited comebacks, and intense competition among fans to make sure that their favorite singers come out atop of the Korean music charts.

Several breakout acts from 2014 will also make comebacks in April. Girl groups EXID and Mamamoo both announced comebacks April. In 2014, Mamamoo wowed audiences with their vocals, while EXID burst to fame due to fancies going viral.

Dal Shabet and Mr.Mr are also rumored to make comebacks in April.

Along with comebacks there will be several new debuts in April 2015. Oh My Girl, the little sister group to B1A4, will debut in April, and has released several teaser videos. After School's agency, Pledis, also has plans to debut male idol group Seventeen in April.

Idol groups will also make inroads in Japan in April; both Girls' Generation and VIXX will release songs in Japan during the month. This will be Girls' Generation's first release as an eight-member act following the departure of former member Jessica Jung.

With few set comeback dates, it is unclear which K-pop act will come out on top of the Korean music charts in April 2105.

5 Famous K-Pop Siblings You Didn't Know Were Related | hellokpop

Posted: 29 Mar 2015 11:05 PM PDT

It's quite common to see a few siblings in the Korean entertainment industry. In the K-pop world where competition is fierce, you'd be surprised at the number of familial ties within it. Often times, we see these siblings in different agencies and groups but there are also special cases in which they are placed in one unit.

Let's take a look at five of the music industry's famous siblings:

1. Way and ChoA (Crayon Pop)

The charming twins of the girl group Crayon Pop. Well, the resemblance is uncanny obviously, they are twins after all. No matter how many times these two bicker in front of the camera, in the end it still shows how both of them care so much and look out for each other.

Before their debut, Way was originally from an indie band called N. Dolphin. She recommended her twin sister to join the group since she was still promoting her band's album. A series of events happened then after, which allowed her to leave her band and join her sister in Crayon Pop.

Let's play a game: Which is which? GIF: Tumblr

2. Youngmin and Kwangmin (Boyfriend)

Another set of idol twins! Could their parents be any prouder? If you are an avid fan of Boyfriend, you can instantly tell which is which (without help from the hairstyles). Kwangmin is older by six minutes, making him the "hyung". Youngmin is the friendly, easy-going one while Kwangmin is the more serious type. Both twins were trainees of JYP for two years and have made several commercials before signing with Starship Entertainment.

Choose your prince. GIF: Tumblr

3. Chan Hyuk and Soo Hyun (Akdong Musician)

Siblings Chan Hyuk and Soo Hyun are collectively known as Akdong Musician or AKMU. Before being famous as AKMU, they've had their share of hardships. They had to quit school since their parents couldn't afford it anymore. Then they had to relocate to Mongolia for two years due to their parent's missionary work. All those experiences made their sibling bond stronger.

After returning to Korea, they got serious in pursuing a career in music. They were hailed as winners of the second installment of K-pop Star. Their innocent, catchy songs and harmonic voices make them a great sibling duo.

Making music with your brother is the best! GIF: Tumblr

4. Jessica (Girls' Generation) and Krystal f(x)

The Jung sisters are known both in their groups and separately. They always stand out due to their charms and beauty which make them perfect visuals. There is no denying that good genes run in this family. Both can model, dance and sing, even hitting the high notes in their songs. Jessica still retains her idol image even after leaving Girls' Generation for another career. Krystal is still with f(x) and continues her idol career in K-pop. Even with all the rumors surrounding them, their sisterly love still goes strong.

Sometimes sisters say the weirdest things. GIF: Tumblr

5. Dara (2NE1) and Thunder (MBLAQ)

The dynamic Park siblings are always lively and fun when together. Dara is very supportive of her brother, Thunder/ CheonDoong (now, ex-member of MBLAQ) and we can say the same about Thunder when in regards to her noona. The 2NE1 girls jokingly name Dara as "CheonDoong Stalker", since she's almost always present whenever her brother is promoting. These two have a very tight sibling relationship. Both always go out of their way and give an extra effort when it comes to supporting each other. They are both hard working individuals that share the same passion and drive to get to their dreams.

High five from noona! GIF: Tumblr

These are just five siblings and there are a lot more siblings in K-pop! Name K-pop siblings which are not on the list and which siblings are your favorite?

[Single] Various Artists – Kpop Star Season 4 TOP4 Part.1 (MP3)

Posted: 30 Mar 2015 10:37 AM PDT

Various Artists – K팝 스타 시즌4 TOP4 Part.1
Release Date: 2015.03.29
Genre: Ballad
Language: Korean
Bit Rate: MP3-320kbps

Track List:
01. I Do – 릴리 M.
02. 제발 – 정승환

Download Single
File: Various Artists – Kpop Star Season 4 TOP4 Part.1 [www.k2nblog.com].rar
Size: 15.0 MB
Hosted: MediaFire, 4Shared, Mega.co.nz, ZippyShare, PutLocker, Uploaded.to
Password: k2nblog.com

Download:
Listen online & individual tracks:

http://www.sharebeast.com/users/k2nblog9/85991/

http://www.embedupload.com/?d=7GGXWEQTFY

http://q.gs/89QqJ

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K-Pop News Weekly Top 3: Lee Min Ho & Suzy Couple Off, EXO ...

Posted: 29 Mar 2015 06:56 PM PDT

See what stars are hot in the news with the top stories of the week:

Actor Lee Min Ho and Idol-Actress Suzy Confirm Relationship

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Early this week, Korean media outlet Dispatch followed miss A's Suzy and Lee Min Ho to Europe, and released pictures of the two spending time together. Shortly after the pictures were released, both Lee Min Ho's entertainment agency and JYP Entertainment, miss A's company, confirmed that the two had been dating for a month. Shortly after the news, JYP Entertainment's stocks dropped.

Suzy's relationship was confirmed in the midst of pre-comeback promotions for miss A's comeback with the song, "Only You."

EXO Comeback Track "Call Me Baby" Released

SM Entertainment's newest male idol group made its first comeback since two members departed the once twelve-member act in 2014. EXO teased fans with individual teaser videos and a scavenger hunt of sorts, leading fans to try to figure out what SM Entertainment was trying to hint.

Following a leak, several of the tracks from EXO's upcoming "Exodus" album were pre-released. Shortly after the release, EXO's "Call Me Baby" appeared on Korean digital music charts.

JYP Entertainment Denies 2AM's Break-Up, Despite Two Members Leaving The Company

The week saw the departure of 2AM's Jeong Jinwoon and Lim Seulong from JYP Entertainment. The two members of 2AM announced that they will be pursuing solo careers with other Korean entertainment agencies. Jeong is in the process of signing onto indie label MYSTIC Entertainment, while Lim signed on with Sidus HQ.

2AM's Jo Kwon is the only member to remain with JYP Entertainment, while the fourth member of the vocal quartet, Lee Changmin, remained signed with Big Hit Entertainment after the three other members transferred to JYP Entertainment.

JYP Entertainment initially stated that 2AM has not disbanded, but mixed reports from the Korean entertainment industry make 2AM's future unclear.

K-Pop Night Out Delights & Surprises at SXSW 2015 - Fuse

Posted: 19 Mar 2015 09:55 PM PDT

For many American pop fans, entry into K-pop came last year when Lady Gaga invited girl group Crayon Pop to open her Artpop Tour after the diva made a very surprise appearance at SXSW 2014's K-Pop Night Out showcase. But for the superfans, Gaga was late to the party.

This became evident at last night's K-Pop Night Out showcase. Now in its third year, the event has grown exponentially in both excitement and notoriety. The gig was scheduled to start at 7:30PM, and by 4 there were dozens of kids (many in costume) lining the outside walls of Elysium club, looping down the following block.

The dedication and fandom was anything but misguided. When DJ/robot/possibly-not-human Hitchhiker took the stage to perform "11" as part of his debut live performance, the crowd exploded into something akin to a Skrillex gig, except inside a video game: Flashes, lasers, smoke machines, screens with Web 2.0 graphics that would make every net artist jealous.

Next were Gaga's beloved Crayon Pop, all decked out in matching latex/almost Power Ranger-esque costumes. Their look has evolved since their smash, with the ladies heading in for a more mature direction...meaning they're superheroes now. Their choreography was phenomenal, as well. If these girls know anything, it's how to entertain.

Epik High closed out the night, bringing Korean hip hop to the stage around 1AM. They're one of the biggest acts of their genre, and that became apparent the minute they uttered their first words. They were tight, un-intimidating, and it was a true delight to watch those new and unfamiliar with Korea's popular music almost gasp in the afterglow. It was a change of pace from the usual secret-guest buzz-band cynicism that plagues many SXSW attendees, and an exciting one at that.

Saturday, 21 March 2015

Kpop | Watch the First Music Vid From Nick Cannon's K-Pop Show ... - Fuse

Kpop | Watch the First Music Vid From Nick Cannon's K-Pop Show ... - Fuse

Watch the First Music Vid From Nick Cannon's K-Pop Show ... - Fuse
K-Pop Faceoff? Miss A And EXO Release Comeback Teasers On ...
K-Pop Fans Reportedly Write More Fanfiction Than Most Fans ...
K-Pop "It Item" Alert: T.O.P, Do Sang Woo, Kangin, Ji Chang Wook ...
Survey Finds 'K-Pop' To Be Synonymous With 'Korea' For Majority Of ...
K-Pop Destinations: Help Austin, Texas Go Wild For K-Pop At SXSW ...

Watch the First Music Vid From Nick Cannon's K-Pop Show ... - Fuse

Posted: 15 Mar 2015 10:10 PM PDT

No denying it, K-pop is taking over the world. In its latest report, YouTube revealed viewership of K-pop videos grew from around 700 million views in 2010 to more than 5.5 billion in 2013. But now it's coming to your TV screens.

Make It Pop is Nickelodeon's new show, co-created by Nick Cannon and executive producer Thomas W. Lynch, that looks to bring the K-pop aesthetic to a Glee-esque musical/comedy world. In it, three freshmen girls—Sun Hi, Jodi and Corki—are brought together by their love of the Korean pop sound. They join forces to create a pop supergroup—their own Girls' Generation-TTS or Orange Caramel, if you will. Fuse is happy to premiere the first music video to be released from the series, titled "Party Tonight."

"Party Tonight" dose a nice job incorporating nearly all the aspects that makes K-pop so addictive: booming beats, sugary pop melodies, colorful sets, enviable outfits, easy-to-follow choreography—the full treatment. Most impressively, "Party Tonight" is packed with hooks and takes unexpected sonic turns like the best K-pop songs do (see ). We're looking forward to even more addictive singles from the show.

Make It Pop premieres on Nickelodeon on April 6. Get even more hyped up (and hear more music!) by checking out the show's trailer below:

K-Pop Faceoff? Miss A And EXO Release Comeback Teasers On ...

Posted: 18 Mar 2015 11:10 AM PDT

It appears K-pop powerhouse labels JYP and SM Entertainment could find themselves locked in an all out battle for chart supremacy with miss A and EXO's upcoming releases.

On Wednesday, miss A dropped a series of photo teasers featuring Fei for their upcoming comeback. Coincidentally, SM Entertainment also uploaded a video featuring EXO's Kai. Although EXO's comeback date has not been confirmed, the similarity between this video teaser to those released ahead of the group's debut has some fans fired up.

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"Debut teaser era started with Kai, alone," wrote YouTube viewers Karoui Syrine on Wednesday. "Even the logo looks a lot like the debut one. And here we get to see him out of the labyrinth. This is not just a new era, this is a new beginning."

According to Billboard, EXO's alleged comeback single, "Call Me Baby," was previewed for fans at a concert in Seoul earlier this month.

According to a report from Newsen, EXO's 2015 comeback is currently being negotiated with music program officials.

"We will be releasing details of the album and first broadcast appearance immediately once it is confirmed with music program coordinators," said a rep from SM. "The new album's release date is expected to be released at the end of March or beginning of April."

Meanwhile, miss A is gearing up for their March 30 album release, "Colors."

"We have finalized their comeback schedule and the girls are immersed in practicing," read a statement from JYP Entertainment according to allkpop on Tuesday.

"miss A are working hard on their dance song which truly shows their identity. This album has the motif of a confident female. The song has a sexy but powerful feel that shows miss A's charm."

It would appear that, at the very least, miss A and EXO's promotional activities should see some overlap.

K-Pop Fans Reportedly Write More Fanfiction Than Most Fans ...

Posted: 16 Mar 2015 03:27 AM PDT

K-pop has a long way to go before it competes with Hollywood, but it's the fourth most popular fandom to write fanfiction about.

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Vulture, an Internet offshoot of New York Magazine, published a series of articles about fanfiction, which highlighted K-pop's popularity among fanfiction writers. K-pop in general and SM Entertainment's EXO in particular were highlighted among fanfiction.

Vulture focused primarily on Wattpad, a popular website for people to read and publish stories on, as the source for her material. Asian Fanfics, the most popular site for fans of K-pop, was not mentioned in the Vulture report.

K-pop in general was ranked in fourth place among "Most Popular Fanfiction Fandoms" tagged on Wattpad stories. Musicians from around the globe dominated the top five spots, which went to One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, YouTubers and Viners (combined,) K-pop and a category that Vulture called "real person."

David Marchese, one of the writers of the report, wrote about why fanfiction did so well among fans of a particular thing, explaining how what':

Topics with prominent fanfiction, like Harry Potter, Divergent, Teen Wolf, Supernatural, and Sherlock, ranked in the top fifteen of Wattpad uploads.

"Fanfiction's great allure is its lack of boundaries. If you can think it, you can share it. But this stuff doesn't bubble up out of nowhere, and what's popular on the screens of fanfiction readers is a pretty accurate mirror of what's popular in real life, too. Here, with data supplied by online fic clearinghouse Wattpad, is what fans are reading and writing about."

SM Entertainment's idol group EXO in particular was highlighted among K-pop-based fanfiction on Wattpad. The boy band was highlighted for having some of the most growing fandoms on Wattpad, with over 369% more stories uploaded in 2014 than were uploaded to the website in 2014.

Justin Bieber, and Supernatural were also mentioned, but EXO came only underneath One Direction in terms of growth.

The lengthy article went in to depth about the history and modern perception of fanfiction, ranging from 50 Shades of Grey and Star Trek and discussing some of the most popular relationships in fanfiction.

K-Pop "It Item" Alert: T.O.P, Do Sang Woo, Kangin, Ji Chang Wook ...

Posted: 18 Mar 2015 03:30 AM PDT

Italian fashion house Etro loves psychedelic and symmetrical patterns. The brand's menswear collections are known for their distinct blazers, suits and coats, which play with a variety of colors, patterns, designs and silhouettes.

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Etro is able to modernize classic pieces with the simple addition of contrasting lining, unconventional fabrics or bold prints. One of the label's most memorable runway combinations is currently jumping from magazine to magazine, with no signs of stopping, in South Korea. Look #24, seen below, from Etro's Fall 2014 collection has been worn by a stream of reputable stars and actors. The yellow turtleneck, plaid pants and flowing coat, known as the Multicolor Paisley Wool Felt Coat, have been worn by Big Bang's T.O.P, Super Junior's Kangin, Do Sang Woo, Ji Chang Wook and Lee Sang Yoon.

Etro Fall 2014 Runway collection

(Photo : Etro & Style)

T.O.P donned the three pieces in the September (2014) issue of Harper's Bazaar. He accessorizes his look with chunky glasses and substituted the yellow pants for a pair of black, silk slacks. Meanwhile, It's Okay, That's Love star Do Sang Woo tried on the runway look in 1st Look Vol. 75.

Big Bang TOP Harper's Bazaar September 2014 Issue Pictures Do Sang Wook 1st Look Vol. 75

(Photo : Harper's Bazaar & 1st Look)

Kangin sported the runway combination during his Valentine's Day gentleman date themed pictorial for the February issue of Ceci.

Super Junior Kangin Ceci February 2015 Pictures

(Photo : Ceci)

Ji Chang Wook modeled the pieces in the streets of Hong Kong for the September (2014) issue of BNT International. Finally, Santa Barbara film star Lee Sang Yoon wore the unforgettable ensemble during his tropical vacation for the September (2014) issue of InStyle.

Ji Chang Wook September (2014) issue of BNT International Lee Sang Yoon September (2014) issue of InStyle

(Photo : BNT International & InStyle)

The golden Etro coat has a double breasted button closure, two front pockets, printed silk lining and modern silhouette. You can shop for the coveted piece below!

Etro Multicolor Paisley Wool Felt Coat ($3,230)

Etro Fall 2014 Runway collection

(Photo : Etro & Style)

To shop for more must-have apparel and accessory items used by Korean celebrities, click here!

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About the Author: Elsa is the founder, head writer, and editor of KPopBreak.com. She's a coffee addict, K-pop enthusiast, fashion lover and one of the few remaining members of the Church of Kristianity.

Survey Finds 'K-Pop' To Be Synonymous With 'Korea' For Majority Of ...

Posted: 14 Mar 2015 04:30 AM PDT

Fans of K-Pop claim the music trend is becoming popular worldwide, and now there is a bit of evidence to help back up their claims. A new survey reveals that K-Pop is the most popular image among foreigners, albeit at the mention of Korea, reports Netizenbuzz.

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The survey asked a total of 5,600 people from 14 different countries and their answers revealed that "K-Pop" was foremost in their minds when the topic of Korea was brought into conversation. "K-Pop" edged out other popular cultural markers such as "Korean cuisine" (2nd), dramas (4th) and movies (5th).

Not surprisingly, the third most popular image that popped into foreigners' minds about Korea, home of the fastest internet and Samsung Group, was "IT business."

"IT business" used to rank first in the previous survey, but it had been overtaken by "K-Pop."

But not all foreigners are as hopeful about the rising prominence of K-Pop worldwide, with 84.3% of Japanese respondents adamant that the Hallyu wave will dissipate in the next four years.

It should be noted though that several K-Pop acts are making it big in Japan. TVXQ, for example, recently dominated the Japan Golden Disc Awards, a major music awards based on music sales. The TVXQ duo, known as Tohoshinki in Japan, secured "Best Asian Artist" and "Best Album of the Year' for a total of five awards taken home last March 2. Girls' Generation, A Pink and VIXX are also popular in Japan, securing awards as well.

Do you think K-Pop is becoming a worldwide phenomenon? Or do you agree with the Japanese that it will soon lose steam?

K-Pop Destinations: Help Austin, Texas Go Wild For K-Pop At SXSW ...

Posted: 14 Mar 2015 09:06 AM PDT

Welcome to 'K-pop Destinations,' the series that helps readers travel across the world. We'll show you where hit shows and videos are filmed, where top performers are giving concerts, or where your favorite stars take their vacations. That way, the next time you take a vacation, you can make sure to incorporate a little K-pop travel into your getaway.

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This week, some of K-pop's hottest names are heading to Austin, Texas to take part in the ever-growing South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival. The festival started nearly 30 years ago as a way to draw big names to that corner of the country. In the past decade, though, Austin has grown from an eclectic Texas outsider town to a national tourist destination and hub for the tech, music, and film industries. SXSW has turned into one of the country's biggest and most buzzed-about festivals, and now includes not just music but also panels and interactive demos from all kinds of industries and start-ups.

It also wouldn't be complete without some K-pop. For three years, K-pop groups have lit up the annual 'K-Pop Night Out.' This year's show, on March 19, will feature Hitchhiker, Epik High, Crayon Pop, The Barberettes, Asian Chairshot, EE, and Eastern Sidekick. SXSW is calling it "the most engaging K-Pop Night Out lineup yet."

Even without a ticket to the star-studded event, though, Austin is a delightfully wacky place to visit year round. The self-proclaimed weird city is a nice slice of the American Southwest for K-pop fans. Keep reading for recommendations on what to check out if you're in the area.

Food

There are two types of food that you have to have before leaving Austin (provided you're not a vegetarian) - barbeque and tacos.

The best BBQ (and whether it's better than the BBQ in other parts of the American south and southwest) is a debate that's better duked out in one of Austin's dive bars, but there's no denying there's some seriously good BBQ in this city. If you're visiting a local, ask them to take you to their favorite place. Or, grab the Tums and test out a bunch for yourself - some of the most popular are La Barbecue, John Mueller Meat Co., Micklethwait Craft Meats, and Franklin Barbeque.

Now for a taco or two - these are ubiquitous in Austin and served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with probably any filling you can imagine. Start with some egg, bacon, cheese, and avocado tacos for breakfast from Tacodeli, get some Asian fusion tacos with kimchi fries for lunch at Yummi Taco, and round out your taco day with some traditional al pastor tacos from La Flor for dinner.

tacos al pastor

(Photo : KPopStarz)

Food carts are also a huge part of Austin's culinary scene. Sometimes roaming around town and sometimes parked in a bar's backyard, these four-wheeled kitchens serve up everything from BBQ to doughnuts to Korean-Mexican fusion. Download this handy app to help you sort through the menus, locations, and reviews from all the city's food truck offerings.

Music

Even aside from SXSW, Austin is known for having one of the most vibrant and eclectic live music scenes in the U.S. The city draws headliners to intimate venues and has become a breeding ground for up-and-coming artists. Chances are, you can stroll into any dive bar near the University of Texas campus and you'll be treated to a good show. But if you want to be sure of what you're walking into, check out the lineups from fun, casual, and reliable live music venues like Clive Bar, Mohawk, the Continental Club, and the Cactus Café.

K-pop has yet to take over Austin the way blues and country music has, of course, but if you're headed there check out the city's K-pop Facebook page to see if there are any upcoming K-pop shows or events coming up.

Activities

If the the eating and listening to live music doesn't have you too worn out, Austin's full of activities to keep all types occupied.

History buffs can visit LBJ's Presidential Library, Texas's capitol building, and the Bullock Museum, which is chock-full of interesting facts about the history of the larger-than-life state.

There's also a lot of natural beauty surrounding Austin, and great ways to explore it - like going on a horseback ride or paddleboating on down the river.

You also can't forget about keeping cool. Austin's hot, but luckily there are plenty of public springs and swimming holes that allow people to bring in a cooler, a picnic lunch, and bask in chilly water. Some of the best are Barton Springs, Hamilton Pool, and Krause Springs.

If you're one of the lucky few heading to SXSW to see some live K-pop, or have any other tips for exploring and enjoying Austin, let us know in the comments!

Oh Kpop News

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Kpop | Hot List Of K-Pop Artists Planning April Music Releases : News ...