Wednesday 16 January 2013

TWIN TOWERS @LIVE 2013 - DEMI LOVATO, U-KISS AND RAINBOW






Kuala Lumpur, 16th January 2013 – The musical extravaganza Twin Towers @Live 2013 will be making a return featuring a star-studded line-up of international artistes adding to the city’s entertainment calendar during the PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix weekend. The live concert will take place over two nights at the base of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers from 22 to 23 March 2013.


Taking to the Twin Towers @Live 2013 stage for the opening night on Friday 22 March are South Korean Boy-Band U-KISS and American pop-sensation Demi Lovato. Meanwhile, the 7-member female K-pop act, Rainbow will take to the stage on Saturday 23 March 2013.

Demi Lovato performing on Friday 22 March has two massively successful solo album releases - Don’t Forget (2007) and Here We Go Again (2009); with the former debuted at #2, the latter at #1 on the Billboard200. The singer-songwriter, musician and actress’ most recent studio album release features an all-star list of collaborators including Timbaland, Jason Derulo, Ryan Tedder, and Missy Elliot. The first single off Unbroken, “Skyscraper,” debuted at #1 on iTunes chart, #2 on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles chart, and #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

U-KISS, a major name to emerge out of South Korea’s Pop scene will join Lovato on 22 March to complete the line-up of international artistes for the first night of the Twin Towers @Live 2013. The K-Pop boy-band consists of Soohyun, Kiseop, Eli, Kevin, Dongho, Hoon and AJ. The band’s breakthrough hit was Man Man Ha Ni (2009) from their EP ContiUKiss. Their first full-length studio album Only One was released in February 2010, which was followed by their second full-length album Neverland in September 2011. The band made their debut in Japan the same year with the release of the band’s first full-length Japanese album, A Shared Dream in 2012

The second night of the Twin Towers @Live 2013 on 23 March will see K-Pop sensation, Rainbow, take to the stage. The seven-member South Korean girl-group Rainbow comprise front women Jae Kyung, Go Woo Ri, Cho Hyun Young, Kim Ji Sook, No Eul, Oh Seung Ah and Jung Yoon Hye. The release of their first EP Gossip Girl in 2009 and TV show debut quickly made the band a household name. 2011 saw the band release their second EP which was followed by several collaborations in Japan. The band’s debut single in the Japanese market, “A” reached No. 3 on Japan’s Oricon’s daily single chart. Rainbow’s subsequent Japanese single in early 2012 entitled "Gonna Gonna Go!" was followed-up by a second Japanese song in the dub of the Japanese/Korean animated series Zoobles, titled "CANDY GIRLS!". Rainbow is currently working on their new album set for release in 2013.

Twin Towers @Live launched its entertainment brand in 2011 featuring a line-up of artistes that included Hoobastank, Wonder Girls, Yuna, The Azenders, Bunkface, Joe Flizzow, Mizz Nina, Colby O'Donis and The Earth Wind & Fire Experience featuring Al McKay. The live music extravaganza returned for its second installment in 2012 with K-Pop sensation Girls’ Generation, solo artistes Nicole Scherzinger and Kelis and famed guitarist Orianthi. The international names were accompanied by Malaysia’s own talents James Baum, Reshmonu, Faizal Tahir and DJ Nadine Thomas.


Friday 11 January 2013

Ladies of Spica strive to live up to group name

Spica intends to capture fans through charismatic vocals

The colorfully diverse girl group Spica hasn’t been around for a long time, but its members are certainly no strangers to the music scene.

Leader Kim Bo-a was a former vocal trainer for the K-pop idol boys of Infinite, and her distinctive deep and husky voice has been featured in songs of numerous idol groups including popular girl group Kara.

Yang Ji-won was a member of the former K-pop girl group Five Girls, which included stars G.NA, Yubin of Wonder Girls, Uee from After School and Hyosung of Secret. Park Na-rae was a contestant on the first season of Superstar K, and together with Kim Bo-hyung and Park Ju-hyun, the five women formed the group Spica, which refers to the name of one of the universe’s brightest stars. 
The five members of the rookie girl group Spica: (left to right) Kim Bo-hyung, Yang Ji-won,
Park Ju-hyun, Park Na-rae and Kim Bo-a. (B2M Entertainment)

Spica debuted a year ago with the single “Potently” in January 2012 and later in the year released two mini-albums along with two singles. As opposed to mashing many different genres into one song, which has become a popular trend nowadays, the artists released single tracks that show off their different colors.

“We were each so eager to try new things, so every time we worked on a song, we wanted to show a different side of us,” Na-rae said.

Spica’s title tracks “Potently,” “Russian Roulette,” “Painkiller,” “I’ll Be There” and “Lonely” are examples of how the members have tried out a variety of genres and sounds from ballad, to pop, to dance and R&B.

“When we first debuted, we showed a strong, more charismatic image, and then later when we came out with the song ‘I’ll Be There,’ we were more bright and upbeat. And then with our latest song, since we are a girl group, we went with a more sexy concept,” Na-rae said.

“No matter what we come out with, I think that the most important thing for us to play up is our charisma,” said Bo-a. “Compared to other groups, we really focus more on our vocals than anything else.”

While most of the members best recall the emotions that overcame them the first time they performed onstage as a group or the first time they held a fan meeting, for Na-rae, it was the reality check she received during the filming of the group’s first music video, “Russian Roulette.”

“I don’t necessarily know if this is a good memory, but I will never forget our first music video shoot,” said Na-rae as the rest of the members gasped and laughed in unison. “I didn’t know that music video shoots were crammed into just two days. We had to act, pose and lip-sync in front of the camera for the first time. My mind was completely scrambled.”

“It’s only been a year, so I can’t say my nerves are completely gone, but I would say that before I had like 20 different things running through my mind, whereas as now it has been shortened down to like five things,” she said, laughing.

The young ladies of Spica released their latest mini-album “Lonely” in November and the album features songs written and composed by some of the group members. The mid-tempo pop piece “With You” was written and composed by leader Bo-a, while the ‘80s electro-inspired hip-hop track “That Night” was written, composed and arranged by Bo-hyung.

“When people hear our songs, I really want them to feel the lyrics, the messages that we send through them,” said Ju-hyun. “To me, that is what true success means.”

source: http://nwww.koreaherald.com


Thursday 10 January 2013

Lee Jun Ki Simultaneously Releases New Single in Korea & Japan

Hallyu star Lee Jun Ki will simultaneously release a new single in Korea and Japan on Jan. 29th.
According to his official fanclub (www.joongi-splendor.jp), the title song for the Japanese album will be “Tonight”.
Other than “Tonight” which was immensely popular in Japan after the song premiered during Lee’s fan meets held in Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo last December, “Case by Case” and two other new songs will be included in the album.
Lee will be visiting Japan for promotional activities for his new album and he will hold a hand shaking event for album purchasers on Feb. 2nd. [Yonhap]

source:  www.kbs.co.kr

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Girls' Generation redeemed with 'I Got a Boy'

Girls' Generation redeemed with 'I Got a Boy'

Arriving for a round of press interviews in Apgujeong-dong, Seoul, Tuesday, the members of Girls’ Generation were lovely even in their off-stage, every-day clothes.

Sixth year since its debut, the nine girls seemed more maturing girls than the dynamic, rapping powerful dancer/singers in their fourth full-length album “I Got a Boy.”

Their title track “I Got a Boy,” released on the first day of the year 2013, surprised the K-pop scene with fresh, unexpected music and style.
The song is an evolved form of K-pop, beginning with hip hop-style rap and developing into electronic dance and dubstep with the girls’ harmonies. The song constantly modulates and changes beats.
For the song, the girls’ styles have changed. The girly girls are gone and the group has became much funkier, where the nine piece presented at least three totally different looks in punk, retro and military styles. They stepped down from signature high heels and changed into running shoes, adding more dynamism to their costume and dance performance.

Their fourth studio album received the most mixed reactions by far. Local music critics and fans were rather negative, claiming the music is too difficult.
“We expected this. When we first heard the songs, we wondered whether we could sing and dance to this,” the youngest member Seohyun said. “We know people prefer songs with easily recognizable, repeating hooks, but we can’t remain the same. This is the result of us trying to present something new with a broad perspective musically.”
However, the Billboard complimented “I Got a Boy,” saying the album, combining electronic dance music, classic and modern R&B and 80s new wave, “should more than satisfy not only K-pop fans but also listeners of all types of popular music.”

For the title track of the same name, the Billboard said it is “one of the most-forward thinking lead pop singles heard in any country" and the girl band "set the bar truly high for pop in 2013.”
Tiffany, the U.S.-born member, was thrilled about this review. "I read the review directly in English and so delighted to see the expressions describing our music, performance and fashion.”

The performance leans toward hip hop and the group’s best dancer Hyoyeon is elated at it. "I love the music that I can dance to and immediately fell in love with this song. It’s fresh and exhilarating,” Hyoyeon said.

Tiffany added, “When we saw the choreography first, we thought this was only for Hyoyeon.”
But all the members followed up the dance routine perfectly. “It was more like what we did when we were trainees,” Taeyeon said.
Sooyoung said singing the full song complete with performance is like finishing a marathon. “At first, we had to take a 20-minute break after dancing to the five-minute song.”

However hard the practice is, the group now seems to know how to enjoy being on stage, singing and dancing to their music.
At the same time, they are like ordinary girls in their 20s offstage. During the interview, Tiffany called other members “my girls” with affectionate eyes and Sooyoung pointed out Taeyeon’s red socks matching her red sweater.

The lyrics of “I Got a Boy” are more like girls’ chattering at a coffee shop over a variety of topics and the Girls’ Generation is no exception. They don’t have much free time and spend time with each other a lot, which created a strong bond among them over a six year period.
“We talk a lot when we get together. It could be about fashion, food or television shows, including our performances,” Yoona said.

When members of Girls’ Generation do individual activities such as singing as a unit, appearing in a television drama or staging a musical, the other members are best friends in monitoring each other.

“I was so proud to see Yoona and Yuri appearing in dramas ‘Love Rain’ and ‘Fashion King,’” Tiffany said.
Sunny said when a member blames herself for acting or performance, others cheer them up by complementing. “We are Girls’ Generation who love Girls’ Generation.”

After one-month promotion in Korea, the girls will be busy internationally, as they will leave for Japan to embark on their second arena tour in February.
Korean singer Psy opened up a new era of K-pop with “Gangnam Style” last year and Girls’ Generation will have more opportunity in reaching farther across the globe with this album.

“Psy obviously changed everything and it paved a road for K-pop. If we have a good chance, we hope to go abroad and promote our music,” Tiffany said. “We could head to the U.S. or the U.K. Why not a world tour?”

source: www.koreatimes.co.kr






Tuesday 8 January 2013

SMS VOTING BEGINS


SAMSUNG GALAXY THE 27TH GOLDEN DISK AWARDS IN KUALA LUMPUR
ROCKPIT TICKETS SOLD OUT! SMS Voting begins for Popularity Vote by Malaysians!

KUALA LUMPUR, 8th January 2013: All the 25 confirmed K-POP stars have much to look forward to next week as SMS voting began on 7 January for two very special awards - The Samsung GALAXY award and Malaysia's Most Favourite.

At only RM1.00 per SMS, all fans need to do is type GDA[space]artist_code and send to 33213. They will then receive an SMS to confirm that their vote went through.
With results based on 50% SMS votes and 50% in-store votes, Malaysians can now play their part as fans to help their idols win one of the two special awards. 

The best part is, fans are not limited to voting once! So let's start voting now!

Samsung GALAXY The 27th Golden Disk Awards will be held on 15th and 16th January 2013 at Sepang International Circuit. Tickets available for sale are (Samsung GALAXY zone – RM999, Rockpit – RM688 (SOLD OUT) and Hallyu zone– RM199) via www.ticketpro.com.my

For more information on the Samsung GALAXY The 27th Golden Disk Awards in Kuala Lumpur, please visit www.goldendiskawards.asia  or http://www.facebook.com/GDA2013

Monday 7 January 2013

FINAL LINE-UP FOR 27th GDA IN KUALA LUMPUR


SAMSUNG GALAXY THE 27TH GOLDEN DISK AWARDS IN KUALA LUMPUR FINAL Line-Up Confirmed and All Tickets Near Sold-Out!

KUALA LUMPUR, 5th January 2013: It is CONFIRMED!
25 of K-POP’s biggest acts will be touching down in Malaysia this coming 15th and 16th January 2013 for Samsung GALAXY The 27th Golden Disk Awards! Sepang International Circuit will be thronged with thousands of K-POP fans as tickets for all zones (Samsung GALAXY zone – RM999, Rockpit – RM688 and Hallyu zone– RM199) are near sold-out. Hosted by Mediartncomm Co., Ltd., supported by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and presented by Samsung Malaysia Electronics as title sponsor, South Korea’s most prestigious music awards will see the following confirmed artistes:

Group Name:-
1)INFINITE
2)K.WILL
3)SECRET
4)SISTAR
5)B.A.P
6)B1A4
7)BEAST
8)F(X)
9)JUNIEL
10)TEEN TOP
11)SHINEE
12)CNBLUE
13)FTISLAND
14)T-ARA
15)SUPER JUNIOR
16)EPIK HIGH
17)G-DRAGON  from Big Bang
18)LEE HI
19)AILEE
20)KARA
21)EXO (instead of just EXO-k)
22)4Minute (instead of just HyunA)

NEW Additions:
23)BTOB
24)Heo Gak
25)Miss A
                      
  

Friday 4 January 2013

New K-pop Releases for New Year

New K-pop releases for New Year
 
 


The new year will see new albums from a number of K-pop stars. Eight-member boy band Super Junior-M, a subgroup of Super Junior, will release a new studio album on Monday in China and Korea.

Titled “Break Down,” it is the second studio album since the group’s debut in 2008 and the latest following a 2011 mini-album “Perfection.”

Singing in both Korean and Chinese and aimed at “Mandopop” (Mandarin pop music) fans, Super Junior-M is comprised of Sung Min, Eun Hyuk, Dong Hae, Si Won, Ryeo Wook, Kyu Hyun from Super Junior and Henry, a Chinese-Canadian and a Zhou Mi from China. The boy band formed in 2008 put out the album “Me.”

The group will simultaneously release new songs and a music video for the title track “Break Down” through Chinese music websites such as Baidu, Sina, and Sohu and Korean music sites.

Lee Hi, who made a sensational debut last year with the song “1,2,3,4,” will release her first studio album in February. The track topped Korea’s Gaon Chart for two weeks after its release, from Oct. 28 to Nov. 10.

She was the runner-up in SBS TV’s “Survival Audition K-pop Star” in April and was signed by YG Entertainment. JYP Entertainment CEO Park Jin-young and a mentor on the show, produced her second single “Scarecrow.”

Kim Jae-joong, a member of boy band JYJ, will release his first solo mini-album on Jan. 17. He composed and wrote the lyrics for all the tracks and worked with Kim Ba-da, former vocalist of rock group Sinawe, on the single “Mine.”

Kim, who appeared on MBC TV drama “Dr. Jin” and in the movie “Jackal Is Coming” last year, will present the “Your, My and Mine” concerts at Kintex in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province on Jan. 26 and 27.

Four-member girl group Sistar who had hit singles “Loving You” and “Alone” last year have formed the smaller unit Sistar 19, comprised of just Hyorin and Bora, and they will release a single in late January.

Four-piece band CNBlue’s new single will be out on Jan. 14. They revealed the release date to fans at concerts at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Olympic Park on Dec. 15 and 16. The new single is written and composed by the leader of the band Jung Yong-hwa, according to his Twitter account, Wednesday. 
cr to koreatimes.co.kr

Wednesday 2 January 2013

SAMSUNG GALAXY THE 27TH GOLDEN DISK AWARDS IN KUALA LUMPUR

So guys, what have you been waiting for.? the good deals for GDA tickets is on...go and grab your ticktes..
SAMSUNG GALAXY THE 27TH GOLDEN DISK AWARDS IN KUALA LUMPUR

FB fans rise over 100,000 – BUY 1 FREE 1 introduced ONLY FOR 1 January 2013 (this deal has been extended till today 2 Jan) 


KUALA LUMPUR, 31st December 2012: It’s a brand new year and the organisers of Samsung GALAXY The 27th Golden Disk Awards are rewarding fans with a BUY 1, FREE 1 when Facebook ‘likes’ hit 111, 111 or more, at midnight! With the surge in FB fans which speedily grew over the 100, 000 mark, the response to ticket sales have been overwhelming and this coming 15th and 16th January 2013, will see an amazing turnout for Korea’s most prestigious music awards at Sepang International Circuit. It will indeed be an event to remember with over 20 of K-POP’s biggest names to gather in Malaysia for the very first time!    *Stay Tuned for Updates on Confirmed Artistes! For more information on the Samsung GALAXY The 27th Golden Disk Awards in Kuala Lumpur, please visit www.goldendiskawards.asia  or http://www.facebook.com/GDA2013