Friday, July 22, 2011
[NEWS] G-DRAGON & PARK MYUNG SOO'S "I CHEATED" RANKS #1 ON GAON CHART FOR THE 2nd WEEK
G-Dragon and Park Myung-soo firmly held onto the No. 1 spot on Gaon's single chart with their duet song during the week of July 10 to 16.
According to data released by Gaon chart on Thursday, the two scored their second straight win on the music chart with “I Cheated."
The song was featured in a special episode of TV show "Infinite Challenge" which focused on a music festival held bi-annually with various guest singers. Several other tracks as well as the aforementioned song have fared well on various online music charts.
In the meantime, "Roly-Poly" by seven-member girl group T-ara climbed up six spots to No. 2 which pushed back former second place winner "Punk of Apgujeong" by Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Juck to third place.
Meanwhile, MBLAQ's third mini-album "Mona Lisa," which went on sale on July 12, made its debut atop Gaon's album chart.
Other new releases including part one of the soundtrack for MBC's TV series "Heartstrings" and Indie musician The Black Skirts' second album "Don`t You Worry Baby (I`m Only Swimming)" rounded out the top three albums last week.
Source : Gaon+10asia
[NEWS] YG WILL TACKLE THE AMERICAN MARKET WITHIN NEXT YEAR OR 2 YEARS
On July 21st, YG Entertainment’s Yang Hyun Suk expressed his confidence in the power of K-pop during the press conference for "YGEX".
In an interview with the press, he stated, “The reason YG Entertainment has been so passive with international advancements was because we spent a lot of time on the production of music. We wanted to take the music we were doing in Korea over to the Japanese and European market.”
He continued, “After Big Bang debuted in Japan, I coincidentally met with avex’s CEO Max Mastuura. We resembled each other in that we were introverts who both enjoyed fishing as a hobby. While talking about music together, we began dreaming of the establishment of YGEX. My first condition was that I didn’t want to adjust YG’s musical color to better suit Japan, and Matsuura himself promised that he would respect our color and not try to change it.”
Commenting on the K-Pop wave reaching Europe and the Americas, he said, “The quality of Korean content is high and it’s globalizing at a fast pace. The potential of the market is infinite. I was able to see the potential of advancing into the American market by watching over the changes in the European market. The American market will open within the next year or two.”
The first up for YGEX is 2NE1. In addition to their Japanese version of “I Am The Best“, the girls will be releasing two more digital singles on August 10th and 31st, which will be followed by their debut Japanese album on September 21st. Starting with Yokohama on September 19th, the girls will be kicking off their Japanese tour, which will run through Kobe and Chiba.
Source : Sports Chosun via Nate (via allkpop)
[NEWS] DAESUNG TO BE INACTIVE FOR REST OF THE YEAR & BIGBANG TO COMEBACK IN 2012
In light of recent events, Big Bang’s Daesung was absent during YG Entertainment’s recent Japanese advancement ceremony.
On July 21st, YG Entertainment and avex came together at Odaiba’s Hotel Nikko to commemorate their new brand, ‘YGEX‘. Among the YG artists, those who attended included Se7en, Gummy, Big Bang (sans Daesung), and 2NE1. At the launching ceremony, the YG artists had the opportunity to spend time with the Japanese press and officials.
During the event, CEO Yang Hyun Suk stated, “Daesung could not attend today. This year, he will be careful and will also show patience. He is very disappointed in himself and feels very apologetic to the other members. Therefore, Big Bang will not be promoting anything more this year. All the members will wait until [Daesung] returns. In any case, the situation has disappointed and upset fans. Thus, Daesung will dream of a new hope while reflecting [during the rest of this year].”
He added, “Instead, the other members who have solo or unit activities will continue those as planned. Starting in September, the members’ personal activities will unfold simultaneously. Although there won’t be a unified Big Bang, the individual characteristics of the members in their solo activities will hopefully soothe the disappointment of the fans.”
While it’s really unfortunate that Big Bang may not be able to make a comeback as a group this year, we hope that Daesung will take this time to reflect and grow from his painful experience. Meanwhile, stay tuned as we bring you updates on solo and unit activities within Big Bang.
Source: Naeil News via Nate (via allkpop)
[INTERVIEW] YG INTERVIEW ON YGEX PRESS LAUNCH [110721]
Big Bang's G-Dragon ("GD") and Taeyang joined YG Entertainment about ten years ago. And during that time, they have been members of Big Bang, the most popular idol stars and have also proven their capabilities as solo artists. So what significance has the launching of label YGEX, held on July 21, have for them? And what thoughts does Se7en have on advancing into Japan a second time? He is the one who made it known that YG has entered its prime and advanced into Japan before Big Bang did. Below are remarks from YG's artists Big Bang, Se7en, 2NE1 and Gummy at the launching ceremony for YGEX.
All the musicians at YG will be advancing into the Japanese music industry. How does it feel?
Se7en: It's fun. There were many times that I had felt lonely when I pursued my activities in Japan before because I was a solo artist but the atmosphere's great because we're here all together. I think I'll feel reassured from now on. And it feels great that our agency set up a label in Japan. I'm looking forward to it because we'll be able to help each other.
I think you'll feel different from others in that you'll be advancing into Japan once again.
Se7en: The last time I promoted myself in Japan was in 2007 so it'll be new in a lot of ways. It feels like I'm starting all over again and being here reminds me of my past activities.
Gummy, you'll be advancing into Japan for the first time. And it seems like your Japanese is very good. Did you learn the language with debuting in Japan in mind?
Gummy: I didn't learn Japanese because I had that in mind. But I've always hoped to expand my career into Japan. I'm actually not that good so thank you for the compliments.
2NE1, you'll be the first ones debuting in Japan under YGEX. How does it feel?
CL: We feel relatively less burdened because YG Family's name is already known in Japan. And we already have some fans in Japan. The many things that YG Family has accumulated on in Japan is helping a lot. We were supposed to debut in Japan in March but I think we were able to be much more prepared by it getting pushed back to September.
You sang your first Japanese single "I am the Best" in Japanese but you use Korean in parts. What's the reason for this?
CL: We sang the hook for "I am the Best" in Korean and even wore modernized hanbok in our music video. It's what we did to try to inform people of our culture.
What's the difference going to be between YGEX and YG's style?
Se7en: YG has its own defined style so I think we'll try to differentiate our music from other artists' music while maintaining that style of ours.
And what do you think is YG's unique style?
T.O.P: Whether it comes to music or style, we try to do things that are ahead one step of what others do. Mr. Yang Hyun-suk thinks about this too a lot as well. I think it's important that our music is one step ahead of others' yet stays faithful to the fact that our music is different from music that others do.
GD: I'd like Big Bang or YG Family's music to become acknowledge for our music rather than create a Hallyu boom. I think trying to get more and more Japanese people like our music, even if we started underground, would be good too. Whether it's Big Bang or YG's music, we want to be confident about them and gain a lot of experience.
You'll be competing with J-pop musicians once you advance into the Japanese market. Are there any artists you consider competition?
Se7en: Seungri has that all figured out. (laugh)
Seungri: That's my field of expertise. (laugh) I actually don't think any artist overlaps with Big Bang in terms of style. And people already in the Japanese market have embraced us as well, saying that they haven't seen a group with our style. So I'm hoping that'll help with our activities in Japan.
Big Bang, do you have plans to promote yourselves in Japan as solo artists as well?
Seungri: We're all working on our solo albums in Korea right now so I'm thinking that us pursuing solo activities in Japan may become a possibility within this year. And the members of our group can also act and appear on entertainment shows so I'm thinking that we'll be able to pursue a wider range of activities.
Are there no detailed plans regarding your group or solo careers?
GD: We haven't set a date yet. Everybody is focusing on the level of completion of their songs so whoever has a better product will come out first.
Do you have plans to form a new unit?
T.O.P: We haven't decided on anything yet. But that's a possibility that could come about whenever.
Taeyang: If we make music that we agree on after talking about music, we just naturally come to make music together.
Seungri: I recently asked Taeyang to work with me but he left the room. That made me very sad. (laugh)
Taeyang: I never left the room. (laugh)
But Taeyang's solo album or GD&T.O.P and Big Bang's mini albums have gotten response in the North America region without any promotion. Don't you want to advance into the U.S. market as well?
T.O.P: I think that for now, it's more important that we make people want to look for us than us setting up detailed plans for our activities there. I think it's important that we make them be interested in us by making them want to watch more of the music videos YG makes.
Taeyang, you recently worked with famed U.S. producer The Underdogs. Do you not have plans to expand your career into the U.S.?
Taeyang: Working with The Underdogs was a great experience. But we worked together because we agreed with each other on the music we want to do rather than it being for my U.S. debut. I may once I'm fully prepared but it's hard for me to say, as of now, whether that'll happen.
Is there anything you'd like to say to Daesung who isn't here today?
GD: We wanted to be able to come here together so we're sorry to see that it couldn't happen. And we're a team so I think we root for him with our heart and gaze rather than words. We're always worrying about him and he's always worried about us so I'm definitely hoping that we'll be able to pursue our activities together someday.
Se7en, you've watched YG grow. How do you feel about the establishment of YGEX?
Se7en: It's been 15 years since YG Family came about and as someone who's been with them, I'm very happy to be here right now. I'm proud of our agency as well and I think it's great that we can compete with each other in a positive way. Our agency is one in which both individuals and teams can grow so I think you could look forward to the next 15 years.
Source : 10asia
[NEWS] YG OUTLINES HIS MASTER PLAN WITH YGEX AND AVEX
On July 21st, YG Entertainment and avex announced the establishment of their new collaboration label, ‘YGEX‘, through a press conference at a hotel in Odaiba, Tokyo.
The event was attended by Yang Hyun Suk, YG artists, and avex’s Mastuura Masato, as well as 600 different reporters from major Japanese outlets like NHK and Yomiuri News.
Yang Hyun Suk expressed, “YG Entertainment is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. We’ve set up an agency named YGEX with our great partner, avex, and this will mark the start of our Japanese advancement. Not only will 2NE1 be debuting in Japan in September, but all future debuts under YG will debut both in Korea and Japan at the same time through YGEX. YG, like it has always done, will be actively producing albums through YGEX.”
He continued, “When YG artists advance into Japan, we will not be matching our style to the Japanese style, but rather presenting a music that echoes YG itself. avex expressed that they like and understand YG’s music, so in the future, all music will be released in Japan through YGEX.”
Mastuura added, “I’m glad to be able to present this new project with YG. I’ve felt a lot of things through my various meetings with Yang Hyun Suk, and I’m happy to be able to work with him.”
2NE1’s CL said, “We’ll be starting our Japanese promotions soon, so we’re glad to be working with seniors who have already advanced.” Dara added, “I’ve become the communications director for 2NE1 a while ago, so I’ll be working as the cutie Director Park in Japan. This is my first time revealing this, but YG Family will be holding our 15th anniversary concert in both Korea and Japan this year.”
Big Bang’s G-Dragon said, “I’m glad that we’re all able to work together through YGEX. Big Bang has been working as solos, units, and as a group this past year, and through YGEX, we will be working in Japan in the same manner. It hasn’t been decided yet who will come out first, but the person who has the best final results will be promoting in Japan first.”
T.O.P. expressed, “YG Family is dependable, so I’m glad to be working with them.” Maknae Seungri stated, “I don’t think there’s an idol who has a style like Big Bang’s in Japan. The members of Big Bang will be working as both solos and units in Japan.”
Gummy said, “As for me, I’ll be advancing in Japan soon so I’m glad that I can depend on YG Family. I’ll become a singer who succeeds with her vocals in Japan.”
Se7en said, “It’s fun being here with everyone today. Since we’re all working under one agency in Japan, we’ll be supporting each other as much as possible. I’m also confident in that I’ll be able to do better on my Japanese promotions than before.”
Source : Star News via Nate (via allkpop)
[NEWS] G-DRAGON EXPRESSES HIS SUPPORT FOR DAESUNG
On July 21st, Big Bang’s leader G-Dragon extended his support to fellow member Daesung in an interview after the press conference for YG Entertainment and avex’s collaboration label, YGEX.
G-Dragon said, “I wanted to come here with Daesung but couldn’t, which is disappointing. Even if we don’t express it outright, the members are together as one team with Daesung in our hearts. We are always supporting and worrying over him.”
He added, “We’re working harder than ever to make sure that we can return as 5 members soon.”
Until the year-end, Big Bang will be promoting as solos and in units. Currently, Taeyang’s solo album is scheduled for release within the second half of the year.
Source : Sports Chosun via Naver (via allkpop)
[PIC] G-DRAGON X BEAN POLE WALLPAPER ON GALAXY TAB & SMARTPHONE (1)
GALAXY TAB (1024X600)
MOBILE PHONE (320X480)
Source: beanpoleblog.com
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