Postponement of A-JAX’s showcase in Singapore
Event organizer JNation Entertainment has released an official press release to inform media and public that the ‘A-JAX “It’s Showtime” showcase Live in Singapore’ on this Friday 24 May at Kallang Theatre has been postponed until further notice.
The organizers sincerely apologize for inconvenience caused and will make an announcement on the new show date soon.
For existing ticket holders who are unable to attend the showcase on the re-scheduled date, they will be informed on the refund method for their tickets.
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
Other information and photos belong to respective websites:
‘Running Man’ HaHa & Reggae Skull to hold first Singapore fan meet
Korean music duo HaHa and Skull will be in Singapore for the first time from July 19 to July 21. The two musicians collaborated in the album, Busan Vacance, released in July 2012.
The German-born South Korean, HaHa (a.k.a Haroro) is a multi-hypenate talent, wearing the hats of reggae recording artist, actor, presenter and stand-up comedian with ease.
In 2007, he released his single album, You’re My Destiny. The single reached number one on the Gaon chart, South Korea’s national record chart, similar to the US Billboard charts.
Since 2010, HaHa has starred in the immensely popular variety show Running Man. He was lauded with the Best Entertainer Award at the 2011 SBS Entertainment Awards for his outstanding performance on Running Man. He wowed the audience with the performance of his single Rosa at the award ceremony.
HaHa also acted in the following movies and dramas:
- Holy Daddy (2006)
- Who Slept with Her?
- My Boss, My Teacher (2006)
- Love in Magic (2005)
HaHa’s musical partner, Skull, is a culture-fusing phenomenon. The Korean artist has been making waves in the US market, especially among Urban and Caribbean audiences by singing in own unique interpretation of a Jamaican patois. The release of his first single Boom Di Boom Di and accompanying 3-D animated video were well-received in the US.
In the US, Skull is signed under Morgan Carey, Mariah Carey’s brother. His new single will be released on August 14 and promises to be an intriguing aural journey, with renowned DJ and honorary Beastie Boys member, Mix Master Mike lending a hand in its production.
Fan Meet details:
‘Running Man’ HaHa + Reggae Skull First Singapore Fan Meet
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2013
Venue: Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim Road, Singapore 169420. Tel: 6738 2988
Time: 7pm (door opens at 6pm)
Free Standing
Pricing:
Cat 1: S$128 (Event day: S$138)
: Includes priority entry / meet & greet /autograph session / photo-taking
(Limited numbers only)
Cat 2: S$88 (Event day: S$98)
: General admission Only
Family package A: S$300
: Admission for 2 adults and 2 kids from age 7-12 / priority entry / meet & greet / autograph for 2 members / photo-taking.
(Limited numbers only)
Family package B: S$230
: General admission only for 2 adults and 2 kids from age 7-12
*Family packages are NOT available on event day
Early Bird Special: Cat 1 at S$115 & Cat 2 at S$79 from now till 27 May 2013 (11:59pm)
There will also be a pleasant surprise awaiting early bird ticket holders.
Tickets are available through EventClique here.
For the latest update on the fan meet, follow LEAP IMS Facebook page here.
Pr: LEAP IMS
Tim Hwang takes the lead in Samsung Galaxy S4 short film
Korea’s Prince of Ballads, Tim Hwang, appears in the latest campaign of Samsung Galaxy S4 with short film titled, Meet A Life Companion, which premiered in Seoul.
The short film features Tim as a cafe owner who communicated with a disappointed Japanese lady customer that stepped into his cafe one late night through Galaxy S4’ S Translator. The two strangers eventually became friends and might even turn into ‘life companions’.
Meet A Life Companion is currently screened in major theatres and cable television across Korea.
Meanwhile, Tim is the guest DJ for KBS eFM 101.3 ‘K-Popular’ for two weeks. The highly popular radio programme in English introduces the latest in K-pop to listeners around the world.
For more information on Samsung Galaxy S4, please visit:
http://www.samsung.com/sec/galaxys4story
Pr: Samsung
Video: SamsungMobileKorea
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.
