Yang Hyunsuk talks about the promotion plans for Lonely

2NE1 will not but performing their new song on cable broadcasting music programs this time around as well. Instead, they will be revealing several different versions of 'Lonely' through their internet broadcast, YG ON AIR. On the 12th at 12AM, shortly after 2NE1 released their emotional song, Lonely, and even until now, it has swept up top positions on several representative music charts including Melon, Dosirak, Soribada, mnet.com, Monkey3, etc. It is the next contender for the number one spot conquest after Park Bom's solo song that was released at the end of April, 'Don't Cry'. However just like Park Bom, 2NE1 will not be making an appearance with 'Lonely' on existing music programs. YG's head, Yang Hyun Suk, had told Star News this afternoon, "These are my personal thoughts but I think it's a shame that for over ten years, talented artists continuously have the same performances, the same camera angles, etc. on formal music programs that are almost all identical. ", "This is because they cannot properly show individual artists' talents and their music." Moreover, "These days, if you look at how a lot of people are obsessed and interested with 'I'm a Singer', you would know where to find the answer.", "'I'm a Singer' is different from other music programs in the respect that artists are able to sing with top-quality sound systems and unique stage set-ups. The fans also focus on the music and like it even more." "With this in mind, 2NE1, like with Park Bom's Don't Cry, will not perform 'Lonely' on music programs.", "Instead, every Friday, starting next week, they will show several different versions of Lonely to fans through YG on Air." Yang Hyunsuk continued, "On YG ON AIR, they will be able to do stages that are created only for 2NE1, and the ones that 2NE1 wants to do.", "Fans who want to see 2NE1's performances can do so by watching YG ON AIR, and be able to concentrate on the musical aspect."  Meanwhile, Yang Hyunsuk emphasized, "In the situation where they have a song that is really emphasized on performances, 2NE1 will also realistically have to appear on music programs as well, however I think that this will be restricted to one show every week." Source: http://news.nate.com/view/20110512n25414 Translated by GEE @ ygladies.com

KPOP music rides YouTube, Internet tools to Europe

SEOUL, May 4 (Yonhap) -- The Louvre Museum in Paris isn't normally associated with South Korean pop culture. But last weekend, hundreds of young French people rallied in front of the historic museum, calling for an extra Korean pop music concert.

   After tickets for a June 10 show sold out in just 15 minutes, the flash mob picketed and danced to the Korean tunes in a mostly harmless gathering, while demanding another concert be scheduled. They wanted their chance to see their favorite South Korean stars without having to pay an exorbitant amount of money for scalped tickets.

   Experts and record label executives here say such a rally won't likely be a one-time event, as Korean pop music, branded "K-pop," continues to ride the wave of video-sharing Web sites, social networking services (SNS) and other Internet tools to international prominence.

   The popularity of Korean pop culture, known as "Hallyu," or literally the "Korean Wave," had previously been confined to Asia. South Korean artists would make charts in Japan and would draw big crowds at occasional shows in China or Taiwan, but selling out concerts in Paris is a relatively recent development.

   Min Ji-eun, a France-based stringer for the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, said there have been other, similar rallies across France since late last month to call for more Korean concerts.

   "During rallies on May 1, French fans were joined by those from Madrid and Barcelona," Min said. "This Saturday, in Lyon and Marseilles, people from Munich are planning to have their rally."

   YouTube, the world's largest video-sharing site, has played a major role in the growing popularity of K-pop, officials here say.

  

Super Junior (Yonhap file photo)

According to YG Entertainment, one of South Korea's major talent agencies, the YouTube channel for its boy band named Big Bang has attracted 5.7 million visits from Europe from December last year to the start of this month.

   The quintet, which debuted in 2006, recently broke its two-year hiatus with a chart-topping EP. Big Bang ranked first in an online poll of favorite South Korean boy bands on the Web site kpopfrance.com, a K-pop site for French fans. Another YG acts, 2NE1, topped the list for favorite girl groups.

   A male duo, TVXQ, reached No. 4 on the United World Chart operated by a German site, Media Traffic, with its album "Keep Your Head Down" in January this year.

   S.M. Entertainment, a rival agency of YG that has produced popular groups such as Girls' Generation and Super Junior, said its YouTube channel has drawn 80 million hits since June 2009.

   "Fans from all over Europe -- France, Britain and Italy -- visit our channel and write comments," an official from S.M. said. "International fans stay up to date on our artists through this channel. Last year, when members of Super Junior went to Italy for personal vacations, they were greeted by some 300 fans at the airport. That showed us how popular Korean musicians have become (in Europe)."

   In February, a French cable channel called Canal + did a feature on a new South Korean boy band, Teen Top, and a Belgium state broadcaster introduced K-pop groups SHINee and Girls' Generation to the local audience.

   Yang Hyun-suk, head of YG Entertainment, said his company has been trying to capitalize on Internet tools to market its acts across the world.

   "In this day and age, people find the content they want on the Internet," Yang said. "And for years, we at YG have been marketing our artists through YouTube. In addition to music videos, we also upload clips from TV programs after going over copyright issues. That's brought us fans from the U.S., Europe and South Africa."

   Yang said will.i.am, a member of the Black Eyed Peas currently visiting Seoul for a show, told him that he was surprised to meet so many fans of 2NE1, an all-girl quartet, in Brazil, where he'd recently performed.

  

2NE1 (Yonhap file photo)

Kim Young-min, head of S.M., points to the high quality of Korean pop music.

   "We've been producing global contents using our wide networks," Kim said. "A top European composer would write a song, an American choreographer would build dance moves and a Korean producer would put together the whole package. And a Korean artist would sing in different languages, too. These contents are competitive in the global market because they've been produced through global networks."

   Yang said the French fans' rally at the Louvre was "great news" for Korean pop culture as a whole.

   "That contents of Korean pop culture are so loved in Europe is encouraging in terms of expanding our horizons," Yang said. "The power of cultural contents leads to other added values, such as improved national image. The world Hallyu isn't enough to aptly describe this phenomenon."

Credits: Yonhap via Omonatheydidnt

Yang Hyun Suk thanks the members of Big Bang

YG Entertainment’s Yang Hyun Suk expressed his gratitude towards Big Bang for renewing their contracts with another five years today.

On the morning of April 7th, he stated through Star News:

“I just want to take the time to thank the five members of Big Bang for showing their trust in our company. We won’t be holding back in our support to ensure that the boys will be presenting their fans with amazing music.

YG’s motto has always been a family-like relationship with all of our artists. G-Dragon and Taeyang were trainees in YG ever since they were in elementary school. The remaining members have been with us since they were all young, they’re really like true family members to us. Through this contract renewal, I’ve come to realize that once again.

Fans will be able to see a new side to the group through their special edition album on the 8th. I’d be really thankful if you continue to show your interest in Big Bang.”

The group debuted back in 2006, and with five years under their belt now, fans can expect five more years, and possibly beyond, together.

Source: Star News via Nate
Translations: Allkpop

T.O.P talks about his relationships with President Yang and the actors he worked with

Possessing an irresistible charisma on stage, the more we talk with him, the more we see his humanity. When asked about how a lot of people say that he's a prankster, he smiled shyly and said, "I've always been like that from the start." How do his different personalities of being a 24-year-old mischievous kid, a mature actor and a perfectionist musician co-exist?

Even with his attractive face, he only has male friends. Not just because he has only worked with just men, but together with his character of being afraid of mingling with strangers, he is seen as unapproachable. But his friends and female artists can't blame him.

When asked about how he's not like others who keep in contact with female artists and then introduce them to their male friends, he said, "I don't present myself like this intentionally. I also want to know how to get their contacts (of female artists)!"

To get to know him better, let's have a close look at his relationship map:

1) YG President Yang Hyun Seok

Yang Hyun Seok and the members of BIGBANG are the first people that came to T.O.P's mind. He says, "Ever since I was young, I dreamt of training other musicians and had a very strong interest towards hip-hop. This is why I was a fan (of President Yang)." After having his first meeting with him, T.O.P has regarded him as someone he can lean on. He explains, "Whenever I think too much by myself, he asks me why I always think so much and then would lead me to the right direction."

2) Lee Byung Hun

T.O.P: "He is the senior who teaches me how to act without any reservations. Ever since we worked together in Iris, we have kept a special relationship. He's not the type of hyung who only treats his brothers well when he's free. I have been receiving a lot of love and care from him."

3) Kwon Sang Woo, Cha Seung Won and Kim Seung Woo

T.O.P: "Because of Into The Fire, I had the chance to know these 3 married men. It was because of them that I thought of getting married for the first time. The hyungs would get calls from their wives from home and I thought that that's how men should be. I thought that it was very manly and that I would look more handsome and great if I was like that too. By seeing how they are more stable now that they are married, the thought of settling down came to my mind."

4) Yang Dong Geun

T.O.P says, "He's the senior who made me first taste how it is to act and change my role from being a singer to an actor." The first time the two met was in the KBS drama, I Am Sam. He explains, "I was not that interested in acting then because I felt more burdened in front of the camera than when I am performing on stage. I thought that it was not the place for me. However, hyung (YDG) told me, "To me, you're a kid who can have a very promising future in this field." This really gave me strength especially since he's not exactly ac talkative person. I believe he said this from his heart. Thanks to him, I now have interest in acting."

Source: Sports Chosun
Chinese Translation: 咚咚 @ Bigbang Family
English Translation: Rice @ Bigbang World

Read more: http://www.bigbangupdates.com/2011/01/top-talks-about-his-relationships-with.html#ixzz1A1UYBdbs