SECRET releases teaser video for retro comeback track, “Shy Boy”!

SECRET has finally returned to their fans through the release of their teaser video for “Shy Boy.”
Their comeback track has a ’swing dance’ concept with outfits, hairstyles, and a set that draws inspiration from 1960’s American culture. Additionally, gagman Son Heon Su makes a surprise appearance in the teaser as the role of a player.
SECRET’s agency, TS Entertainment, commented, “SECRET will be officially preparing for their comeback with this teaser video.  They’ve received a lot of love this past year with ‘Madonna,’ and we’ve prepared just as much to further attract more attention, so please look forward to them.”
Their swing dance single will be released both online and offline on January 6th.


source allkpop

YGE’s CEO explains why he encourages sub-unit and solo activities

YG Entertainment’s CEO, Yang Hyun Suk, recently sat down for an interview with Osen and shared his opinion on why some idol groups disband.

The CEO was asked about why groups like Big Bang and 2NE1 present sub-units; this led to a lengthy response regarding why he feels sub-unit activities should be encouraged. 2NE1 and Big Bang have both led a solo/sub-unit boom last year with their individual activities, such as CL & Minzy and GD&TOP.

Yang stated, “We let the Big Bang members go solo in order for them to better focus on Big Bang itself. I’d like for Big Bang and 2NE1 to become groups that stay together for a long time.  A lot of groups disband when their five or seven year contracts come to an end, and the reason is almost always the differences in musical opinion between each of the members.”

He continued, “It’s something that I experienced myself while working as a member of Seo Taiji and Kids.  In order to solve such problems, I let all of the Big Bang members work as solo artists or sub-units in order to release as much of their musical creativity as they desired.  After going through that process, they come back to the group with better focus, and nurture a stronger affection towards the group. 2NE1 is the same.”

When asked about why his groups do not appear on variety show programs, Yang answered, “The reason we minimize their variety appearances is because we care for our artists.  If it’s a stage that’s perfected in every aspect and truly cares for the artist, there’s no reason we would reject the opportunity.”

He concluded, “If we became a company that succumbed to the requests of broadcast companies and stressed the importance of building relationships with related representatives, it would have been easier for us, but we are lasting as long as we can by having a different mindset from others.”

Source + Photos: Osen via Naver, allkpop

miss A signs with J. Tune Entertainment

It has been announced that miss A will be joining Park Jin Young in contracting with J. Tune Entertainment.

According to J. Tune Entertainment, miss A inked the contract on January 2nd.

“miss A, who has been under JYP Entertainment and managed by AQ Entertainment, has signed a new exclusive contract with us. With regards to this contract, there were no separate exclusive deposits involved,” stated a representative of J. Tune Entertainment.

They continued, “The company will bring out all physical and human resources to actively support miss A’s promotions. We will utilize all of our resources to the best of our ability, and through maximizing our revenue and operating profit, we will satisfy the anticipation of our shareholders and fans.

He added, “This year, miss A member, Suzy, will become a powerful Hallyu figure as she debuts with her first drama, KBS 2TV’s ‘Dream High’. Two of the miss A members are Chinese, and as much as they have been preparing to dominate China even before their debut, we will do our best in maximizing the promotions of this team to the whole of Asia.”

We don’t know what to make of this, since it was reported earlier that J.Tune will be merged with JYP Entertainment in February. We shall continue to keep tabs on developments regarding this.

Source: Star News via Nate, allkpop

Lee Min Jung texts often with 2AM’s Seulong

Actress Lee Min Jung recently opened up about her surprising relationships during an appearance on KBS 2TV’s “Entertainment Relay – Guerilla Date.”

On January 1st, she revealed that she has gotten closer with 2AM’s Seulong after he chose her as his ideal woman, and even chose him as the person she sends texts to the most.  She then introduced Brown Eyed Soul’s Jung Yeob as a close friend she often goes out drinking with, impressing many with her close ties to the music industry.

When asked about whether she knew she’d become the top star she is now, she replied, “I never knew I would become a top star.  But you do have to become a ’star’ in order to film in projects you want.  My family is always careful with me, and although they have positive views, there’s a lot of concerns.”

At the mention of her sweeping various rookie awards at the year-end awards ceremony in 2010, she replied, “Actor Um Tae Woong told me, ‘You must be happy, why don’t you give me one?’”

Lee Min Jung’s segment was concluded with her New Year wish, in which she stated, “I’d like for my new projects to achieve great results and to hopefully meet my life partner.  I want to take on stronger and more depressing roles this year.  It’d be great if I could star in a movie like ‘Once.’”

Source + Photos: TV Report, BNT News, Star News, allkpop

IU tries to shoot a basketball

Singer IU was recently invited to shoot the starting basket for the Samsung Thunders in their Korean Basketball League (KBL) game against the LG Sakers on the afternoon of January 2nd.

Before the game started, IU tried her hand at shooting a basket as a pre-game event, and got a helping hand from Thunders player, Lee Seung Jun. She then came on during the half-time show to perform her hit songs, ‘Marshmallow‘ and ‘Good Day‘, to the 8,000 member crowd.

IU must have been a lucky charm, as the Samsung Thunders won the game 88:76.

Check out the photos and video below!

Photos: As Tagged
source allkpop

The “Hoi Couple” performs a duet at the ‘2010 SBS Drama Awards’

The duet performance of Lee Seung Gi and Shin Min Ah, a.k.a the “Hoi Couple“, attracted many viewers during the ‘2010 SBS Drama Awards’.

The two stood on stage together on December 31st to sing an OST song, ‘I Love You From Now‘ from their 2010 drama, “My Girlfriend is a Nine-tailed Fox.”

The couple each won three awards that night, including the “Teen’s Star Award”, “Best Couple Award”, and “Excellence in Acting.”

Check out their performance below.

Source: TV Report via Nate, allkpop

2PM’s Junho shows off his guitar skills for the very first time

On the New Year’s special of MBC’s “Bouquet”, Junho made a special appearance on the show and displayed a great performance on his guitar.

The 2PM member said modestly, “Since it’s my first time, I’m not that good”, and performed “Ain’t No Sunshine” from the romance movie, ‘Notting Hill‘.

Junho added, “I’ve known the chords for about a month, but I only practiced it yesterday. This is something I haven’t even shown my fans.”

Check out the performance below.

Source: Newsen via Nate, allkpop