MC Mong denied military duty

[June 29 2011]

MC Mong, the rapper who was accused of pulling his teeth to avoid military service, cannot serve in the military - even if he wants to, according to a ruling issued yesterday.

The Government Legislation Office said that even though MC Mong, whose real name is Shin Dong-hyun, is willing to go into active duty, it is not possible because he has already been placed in the second tier of the military since he’s over the age of 31. People in the second tier serve in non-active duty.

Big Bang's GD&TOP to stop using Playboy logo

[July 1 2011]

Playboy magazine of the United States has belatedly found out that GD&TOP, a K-pop duo consisting of two members from Big Bang, used its bunny logo without its approval and recently asked YG Entertainment, Big Bang’s management firm, to stop using it.

Kim Jo Han to join '"I Am A Singer"

One of the most popular shows on Korean TV these days is "I'm A Singer". Any star that performs on the show become household names...again. The newest addition? Kim Jo-han, former member of the ever-so-popular group fo the 90's, Solid.

Kim's first shooting will be July 4th, set to be aired on the 10th. Considered to be one of the best R&B singers in k-pop, Kim's more than just a singer. He's considered the expert, the trainer, the godfather of R&B.

Only time will tell if his experience will be enough to win over the votes on the show.

Source: KBS Global

Kan Jong Wook (간종욱) - Single - 하루가 지나도 (Haruga jinado) - June 29 2011

01. 하루가 지나도 (With Raina From After School) (Haruga jinado) - Even if a day passes

02. 하루가 지나도 (With 레이나 From 애프터스쿨) (MR)

Nothing outstanding and new. I'm guessing because it featured Raina, his song turned out like this lol. Oh, and here's the MV. Actually, the MV wasn't too bad, except for the fact that i think the guy needed a proper shave hahaha

Navi (나비) - Digital Single - 다이어리 - Diary - July 1 2011

01. 다이어리 - Diary

02. 다이어리 (inst.)

Who here likes Navi~? Me~~~! lol. She has a very unique voice and has strong vocals. Unlike most artists, Navi has been consistent with her music style since debut. This track is very Navy style if you get what i mean.

화요비 (Hwayobi) - Mini Album - Reborn - June 30 211

01. 2 The Sky

02. I'm OK [TITLE]

03. XOXO (Feat. 일리닛 Illinit)

04. With U

I really liked Hwayobi's previous mini album. So... i gotta say this comes nowhere near and i'm quite disappointed.. She's adding in too many English words too.. If this is what she calls reborn, she's taking a step back.

현아 (Hyuna) [4minute] - Single - A Bitter Day (Feat. 용준형 & G.NA)

 

01. A Bitter Day (Feat. 용준형 Yong Jun Hyung of B2ST & G.NA)

Truthfully, I'm not a Hyuna fan, she scares me haha. But i do recognize she raps well in some songs. When i first listened to this song, the rap felt a bit out of place but the well written lyrics make up for it. I guess when you listen to this song on replay, it starts to flow and make sense. Hyuna's rapping portrays the girl's feelings whilst Jun Hyung's rap is the guy side. What i think is strange is that... if you listen to this song, you would automatically assume it's G.NA's song because her voice is very distinct and she has the most singing time. Overall, a good song! 

The Name (더네임) - Digital Single - 겨우살아 (Kyeou sara) - June 28 2011

 

01. 겨우 살아 (Kyeou sara)

02. 겨우 살아 (inst.)

Beautiful ballad song~ What more can we expect from The Name and K.Will? Both are well known for their singing skills and unique voices. Really happy to have come across this :)

지.오 (G.O) [MBLAQ] - First Single - 내 꿈에서라도 (Nae ggumeseorado) - July 4 2011

01. 내 꿈에서라도 (Nae ggumeseorado) - Even in my dreams

02. 내 꿈에서라도 (inst.)

T-Ara (티아라) - Mini Album - 존트라볼타 워너비 - John Trovolta Wannabe - June 29 2011

 

01. Roly-Poly

02. 진짜 진짜 좋아해 (Jinjja jinjja johahae) - Really really like 

 

What do you guys think? Just as confused as i am? haha

Work Is Biggest Cause of Stress

Koreans are growing increasingly stressed and less happy with their lives, according to a study. The Korean Neuropsychiatric Association interviewed 1,000 adult Koreans this year and found that 26.2 percent suffer from high levels of stress while scoring 68.1 points on the happiness scale, which is a failing grade.

Korean Makeup Trends Find Global Following

First there were TV dramas and K-pop, and now Korean makeup style is becoming a global fad. Already the makeup styles of Korean actresses and young pop groups influence fashions in China, Japan and Southeast Asia, where the Korean Wave first started, but recently American and European women, too, have been learning the techniques on YouTube, which features hundreds of videos promising to reveal Korean "beauty secrets."

SS501's Kim Hyung Jun Makes Front Page News in Indonesia

[June 22 2011]

 

Kim Hyung Jun, the youngest member of boy band SS501, is enjoying explosive popularity in Indonesia and other parts of Asia, proof that the Korean Wave is still going strong.

SHINee Shine in Japanese Charts

[June 29 2011]

Korean boy band SHINee's Japanese debut is off to a promising start. The band released their Japanese debut single "Replay" on June 22, and it sold 91,000 copies in the first week, ranking second in the Oricon Weekly Single Chart dated July 4.

That is the most successful performance ever by a Korean band in Japan. 

Grim news: Big Bang member Daesung found guilty in deadly car crash

[June 28 2011]

A member of boy band Big Bang has been found liable for the death of a motorcyclist last month.

Kang Dae-sung (22) was arrested after an accident on Yanghwa Bridge in northwestern Seoul in the early hours of May 31.

According to autopsy results released Friday, the victim, surnamed Hyun, had been lying on the ground for a little over two minutes after crashing into a lamppost when Daesung's car hit him and dragged his body for over 20 m.