Big Bang’s G-Dragon and Taeyang to be featured in CL’s music video
It is confirmed that Big Bang members G-Dragon and Taeyang will be featuring in CL’s (2NE1‘s leader) first solo music video that is due to be released on the 28th of May. YG Entertainment artists are known for their great bond and support for one another. This tradition can be seen in G-Dragon and Taeyang’s appearance in JinuSean’s music video for Phone Number back in 2004. Recently Se7en, Teddy and Taeyang also did a cameo in G-Dragon’s music video for MichiGO.
It is reported that the genre for CL’s solo song is not easily heard within the domestic music industry, which is the ‘Dougie’ genre with a dub step sound and will be of the latest style in the hip-hop genre. For years, the Korean music industry emphasizes girl groups with a cute or sexy concept. However, as a female rapper, CL’s concept is the opposite of what the industry usually promotes and there is a lot of anticipation from her upcoming solo debut.
CL’s solo debut will be concurrently going against strong female solo singers like Lee Hyori, Seo In Young and IVY. Despite the intense competition, CL was given confidence and extra boost from YG’s president, Yang Hyun Seok‘s words of encouragement: “Even if you’re last, enjoy the moment with all your heart.”
This will be CL’s first solo venture since debuting as the leader of 2NE1 back in 2009. It is expected that her debut will amaze and impact the music industry.
Source : News & Photo- OSEN , CLTheBaddestFemale
Hongdae – the street of art and indie culture
Hongdae (홍대), an abbreviation of Hongik Daehakgyo (meaning Hongik University (홍익대학교)), is also commonly known as Hongik University Street, or the Hongdae area. The area is a popular neighbourhood in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and is known for its indie music culture and youthful ambience.
Subway:
Hongik University Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, Airport Railroad)
For the interactive map, click here: smrt.co.kr
Accessory shops, cosmetic stores, gourmet eateries, clubs, lifestyle stores and unique cafes are what make this hotspot popular with local youths, young professionals, and increasing number of tourists who want to know and be infused with the young culture in the capital city. The area also lines up with street art festivals, cultural performances, open-air gigs and performances that draw the majority of the crowds.
There is this Hello Kitty-themed café, and what makes this café popular is not just its attractive pinky concept but also the fact that it offers free and fast WiFi!
In the area, there are plenty clubs to visit: M2, Via, Jokerred, Tool, NB, Q-VO, DD, Saab, Hooper, Ska, O.R, Myeongwolgwan, Evans, FF, WATERCOCK, Freebird, Soundholic, DGBD, Hole, Liveclub Ssam and Spot. Popular and lesser-known indie-rock bands alike can be found performing in these venues. With the increased number of brands that are springing up in the area around Hapjeong Station, more new talented indie bands are springing out to perform, making the street the most prominent indie scene in the city.
One of the most popular clubs in Hongdae is Freebird. The club offers live indie band performances; even Lunafly frequents this club to perform too!
One of the biggest Korean entertainment labels, YG Entertainment, is located just near the street. It attracts tourists who are also K-pop fans to stroll the street, hoping for a lucky moment that they may chance upon their favourite idols.
In 2007, a old coffee shop in Hongdae was actually remodelled to be used as the film set for the MBC drama The First Shop of Coffee Prince, starring Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye. Thanks to the popularity of the drama, the exterior and interior of the shop have been totally overhauled to become one of the most visited places in Hongdae.
Inside the coffee shop, visitors can find a number of props that were used in the drama, including a painting by Han Yoo-joo (played by Chae Jung An). If you have been a fan of the drama, you will want to take this opportunity to stop by for a cup of coffee and reminisce the lovely drama scenes at the actual film set.
How to get there:
Take subway line 2 to Hongik University, and go out of Exit 4. Turn right at Seven Springs corner and pass the intersection. At the 3-way intersection, turn left. Walk about 100 meters on the road above the playground and walk towards the road on the right side. Walk about 500 meters until you find the coffee shop on the right.
[Directions provided by VisitKorea.or.kr]
Later in 2011, a cafe in Hongdae was also used as one of the filming locations in tvN drama Flower Boy Ramyun Shop starring Jung Il-woo.
In all, Hongdae offers more than just clubbing or shopping experience. It is a vibrant gem of art and indie culture in Seoul.
We will constantly update this article whenever we have further information, pictures and videos, so join us as we set to discover more of Hongdae.
Bookmark this page if you are planning to visit Seoul soon!
Check out our stories on K-indie music below:
For articles on indie music, click here
Our exclusive interviews:
A project under Seoul Korea – Global Seoul-mate 2013
Certificate S130080
Watermarked photos: Adrian@hellokpop
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Xpax presents G-Dragon 2013 1st World Tour: One Of A Kind in Malaysia
Co-organisers Running Into The Sun (RITS) and Woohoo! Experience are pleased to announce Xpax, Celcom Axiata Berhad’s main prepaid brand for youth, as the presenter for the ‘G-Dragon 2013 World Tour: One Of A Kind in Malaysia’ concert. Celcom customers will now enjoy a special discount on selected categories of tickets when they purchase tickets between 20 – 26 May 2013.
All Celcom prepaid and postpaid customers will be entitled to a 20% discount off ‘G-Dragon 2013 World Tour: One Of A Kind in Malaysia’ tickets when they purchase a minimum of 2 Cat 2 (RM488) or Cat 4 (RM188) tickets from 20-26 May 2013. Celcom prepaid and postpaid customers will only have to flash their mobile phones to enjoy this discount. This promotion is only valid for purchases made at Ticketcharge or Redtix outlets.
Zalman Aefendy Zainal Abidin, Chief Marketing Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad, said, “Xpax is proud and truly excited to host the phenomenal G-Dragon, who lives up to our brand promise in bringing the ultimate, must-go live music experiences of the year through our TIME TO MUXIC – The Ultimate Live Music Series which brings the best of local and international music exclusively to our Xpax customers.”
Xpax customers also stand to win more tickets and merchandise by purchasing reloads, subscribing to broadband data plans, or downloading content and apps from The Cube – Celcom’s own branded multimedia channel. Best of all, customers who switch from their current provider to Celcom between 20 May to 13 June will stand a chance to win tickets, concert rehearsal passes and a G-Dragon themed fashion makeover.
G-Dragon 2013 World Tour: One Of A Kind in Malaysia concert tickets is launched on 11 May 2013, and VIP tickets were sold out within an hour, leaving limited Cat 3 tickets, as well as Cat 2 and Cat 4 tickets for sale. Merchandise enjoyed brisk sales during the ticket launch, and limited stocks are available for pre-sale on the RITS website page – runningintothesun.com
Fans and media alike have been abuzz with excitement about G-Dragon’s Malaysian stop, and RITS and Woohoo! Experience are pleased to have Acer and Intel as the main sponsors for this eagerly-awaited concert.
“Acer is pleased to collaborate with the organizer of the much-anticipated G-Dragon’s 1st World Tour Concert in Malaysia. We believe that this One of a Kind concert offers the same value proposition as Acer to a group audience who appreciate uncompromised performance and entertainment. We are also very excited to have Intel, our long term technology partner, on this collaboration to reinforce our commitment to deliver greater products and better experience to users together. ” said Mr Ricky Tan, General Manager of Acer Sales & Services Sdn Bhd.
Acknowledging the significance of having Xpax as the presenter and Acer and Intel as main sponsors, Ms Beatrice Chia-Richmond, Managing Director of Running Into The Sun Sdn Bhd, said “We’re extremely delighted that Xpax has come on board as our presenter and this history-making partnership marks the first time that a Telco is presenting a Korean concert, proof of the power of G-Dragon as a leader in the K-Pop industry. Acer and Intel are established brands, well-known among the public and we’re pleased to have them come in to support this concert and look forward to working together.”
G-Dragon, the leader of global superstars BIGBANG who put on an explosive performance here at their one-night only concert last year, will be holding his first-ever solo concert in Malaysia, to be held at Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil on 22 June 2013, 8pm. This will be the only outdoor concert of his tour, and Malaysian fans can look forward to an exhilarating night of high-energy performances bolstered by this unique open-air experience and the roaring support of thousands of partying fans.
Boasting exquisite sets and props, including a glamorous glass car, along with visually stunning pyrotechnics, lasers and aerial stage stunts, fans can anticipate a truly fantastic feast sure to enthrall the senses. With dazzling choreography by renowned choreographers Travis Payne and Stacey Walker, both of whom worked extensively on Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” tour, audiences can look forward to adrenaline-charged performances by G-Dragon and his crew.
G-Dragon will be staging 26 concerts in 13 cities across 8 countries, drawing over 550,000 fans to his shows. This tour marks the first time that a Korean solo artist will be holding concerts in four of Japan’s domes.
‘G-Dragon 2013 World Tour: One Of A Kind in Malaysia’ is presented by Xpax, with main sponsors Acer and Intel, co-organised by Running Into The Sun and Woohoo! Experience, and produced by YG Entertainment and Live Nation Entertainment.
YG Entertainment plans to expand into China
Last year was a marvelous year for record label and agency YG Entertainment as their labeled artist PSY’s Gangnam Style single went viral and Big Bang’s Alive 2012 World Tour was well received. Benefiting from its artists’ success and the popularity of K-Pop, YG has enjoyed a 36-percent increase in revenue to 106.55 billion in 2012.
Over the past year, PSY’s global phenomenon video becomes the most-viewed video on YouTube with over 1.58 billion views. Under the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, Gangnam Style was the third-best selling digital single in the world.
Besides PSY’s huge success, fellow labeled artist Big Bang made a world tour to 24 cities across the globe with an estimated total audience of 800,000. The overwhelming response to Big Bang’s concert in Guangzhou and Shanghai last year significantly boosted YG Entertainment’s confidence in making an expansion into the Chinese market.
According to YG Chief operating officer Simon Choi Sung-Jun, “It’ll be very hard to generate income from physical and digital downloads [on the mainland], so we are thinking of…things such as concerts and events that people can enjoy.” With future prospects of entering the market, YG plans to set up a firm, as well as collaborate with local partners, to engage a China-oriented strategy.
Mainland China fans are in for a real treat as YG plans to hold more events, thus increasing the possibility of meeting their idols.
Source : News - South China Morning Post ; Photo – Hellokpop media library
Wonder Girls’ Sohee denies she’s the mysterious “S”
Sohee from the Wonder Girls‘ denied that she was the “S” that asked Teen Top‘s Neil out.
Shinwa‘s Andy revealed on MBC‘s Radio Star that Neil was asked out by a girl group member from JYP Entertainment. He then gave a hint that the initial starts with the letter “S” that caused quite a fuzz. Miss A‘s Suzy, Wonder Girls’ Sohee and former member Sun Mi were the potential candidates on who “S” could be. However, Sohee then denied the rumor that she was “S” via her Twitter. A fan asked if she was “S” but she answered “I am not.”
Andy, who is Teen Top‘s CEO, released an official apology statement on his official statement web page saying that he will be more careful during TV show broadcasts.
