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[doggyji]

WG's Sohee's nickname is "dumpling" for her chubby cheeks. She's all grown up now.




She hardly smiles and her fans like it.

Just caught this. Cute little try of an AKB member attempting to communicate with a 2PM member

2PM appeared on Music Japan 111106 with AKB48 and other Idols. Shinoda Mariko, 4th ranking AKB48 member, is a well known fan of Kpop(her favorite is Big Bang). She ends up sitting in front row right next to a 2PM member.

Her behavior is so quet and shy; totally different than her usual clowning self!
Anyway, She has one opportunity to communicate with the guy but blows it! The guy seemed nerves too so the hole thing looked cute

It's near the end of the clip at 3:30.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6oIH2XnCeA

That's a lot of girls. I see Morning Musume, too. It would've been more funny with Kara than 2PM. Momochi tries too hard lol

http://youtu.be/svMkqLDPkdU

I just read 2PM's Nichkhun will play Shinoda Mariko's older brother role in the movie "Ouran High School Host Club" based on the manga of the same title.

I was not interested in IU before, but after saw this Japanese tv show i began to like her.

IU on Japanese tv show (Korean sub)

It's hard not to give props to IU. It's not just her vocal throughput. Her expressions are already so seasoned. She's graduating high school next year. She sounds good for any types of songs (not sure about rap lol). Check this out.

[Cover] IU "Better in Time"



I updated my post about IU here.

This post has been edited by doggyji: Nov 14 2011, 07:31 AM

[doggyji]

delete

This post has been edited by doggyji: Nov 14 2011, 07:31 AM

[ElapsePride]

WG's Sohee's nickname is "dumpling" for her chubby cheeks. She's all grown up now.

her smile reminds me of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7-Q_3SAJJM...;feature=fvwrel

[Tav6]

her smile reminds me of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7-Q_3SAJJM...;feature=fvwrel

OMG the baby is so cute hahahaha

[Boron]

I laughed with the baby everytime

[UnknownUser]

It's hard not to give props to IU. It's not just her vocal throughput. Her expressions are already so seasoned. She's graduating high school next year. She sounds good for any types of songs (not sure about rap lol). Check this out.

[Cover] IU "Better in Time"



I updated my post about IU here.

She is good. i see many people debate who is the idol girl singer that can follow Lee Sunhee's fame.
I think IU can be one of nominees

her smile reminds me of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7-Q_3SAJJM...;feature=fvwrel

Omg, she is super cute



KARA was given the red carpet treatment by Kansai TV

Director of a bureau, Associate Director of a bureau, Program Producer came to meet KARA. executives and staff members of broadcasting station too. and luxurious limousine, brass band's performing KARA's hit song 'Mr', red carpet.



I'm deeply moved by see this. KARA was well known as a livelihood form idol band.

I remember their initial fan meetings were held in this kinds of shabby sites

KARA's first fan meeting (place : side of construction site / attended fan number : 20)



KARA's second fan meeting (place : on the sidewalk / attended fan number : 21)




their 3rd one, 4th one were similar..

(actually, there were many stories about KARA that we can't hear without tear)

Through many sorrow and tear, now they became a big star in Korea and Japan. i'm deeply moved T__T


KARA on Japanese Kansai TV

Part. 1

Part. 2

Part. 3

Part. 4

This post has been edited by UnknownUser: Nov 16 2011, 11:53 AM

[doggyji]

her smile reminds me of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7-Q_3SAJJM...;feature=fvwrel

I never knew a roll of tape could be so funny lol This video is adorable, too.

http://youtu.be/KTCQpjUrCe8

She is good. i see many people debate who is the idol girl singer that can follow Lee Sunhee's fame.
I think IU can be one of nominees.

There are many good female idol singers but it's hard to have good vocal color, power, range, stability and expression all at the same time. It is also often required to use vibrato and falsetto when they sing ballad or R&B. Vocal color is where opinions are fairly divided. To be a little judgemental, IU doesn't seem to have a clear ringing voice. Sistar's Hyorin's vocal power can break windows but some people don't like her thick husky voice. In SNSD, Jessica's vocal power is relatively weak but many people like her clear voice. Tiffany doesn't seem to be able to hit high notes consistently but she sounds powerful and stable for mid range with good vibrato when it's necessary. I personally like Taeyeon the best for her persuasive delivery and control. I'd say she's quite all around. She should get more solo or duet songs. Park Bom's "soul" voice is unique but I find her a bit inconsistent. When she's performing solo live, she's sometimes visibly nervous and her pitch tends to get inaccurate. It's a pity she can do much better.

I love this Taeny duet cover. Nice work at the climax.
[Cover] Taeyeon + Tiffany "Reflection"




This is not exactly one of the best covers but I like the song.

[Cover] Taeyeon + Kim Bum Soo "바보같은 내게" (To a fool like me) (The video doesn't match the audio except for the sub.)

This post has been edited by doggyji: Nov 15 2011, 02:31 PM

[chiuchimu]

KARA on Japanese Kansai TV

Part. 1

Part. 2

Part. 3

Part. 4

By the third orders, they were fully into the game. $20 a piece sushi!

KARA was on HeyX3 111107 were they showed a clip of FujiTV announcer girls that did a cover of KARA on a TV show. Most announcers were Idols in their youth so they did a good job.

I was going to post a link but all Yuotube links to that video are private.


KARA is really doing well right now. They guest on any show without an interpreter and they make a good interesting show. I'm seeing the same acceptance for KARA as their was for BOA a decade back. In comparison, I hear very little about SNSD. They do make #1 at Oricon when they release a new single but the promotion aspect hasn't been the same. From the boyIdol side, I'm hearing more about 2PM. Are they big in Korea?

There are many good female idol singers but it's hard to have good vocal color, power, range, stability and expression all at the same time. It is also often required to use vibrato and falsetto when they sing ballad or R&B. Vocal color is where opinions are fairly divided. To be a little judgemental, IU doesn't seem to have a clear ringing voice. Sistar's Hyorin's vocal power can break windows but some people don't like her thick husky voice. In SNSD, Jessica's vocal power is relatively weak but many people like her clear voice. Tiffany doesn't seem to be able to hit high notes consistently but she sounds powerful and stable for mid range with good vibrato when it's necessary. I personally like Taeyeon the best for her persuasive delivery and control. I'd say she's quite all around. She should get more solo or duet songs. Park Bom's "soul" voice is unique but I find her a bit inconsistent. When she's performing solo live, she's sometimes visibly nervous and her pitch tends to get inaccurate. It's a pity she can do much better.

True enough. I particularly value vocal color and style because they stand out the most. Things like power range and stability can get better with training, ay least to some extent, but vocal color is the voice you were born with just like a face or fingerprint. Singing style can be made up but it has to be original. Finally, some voices that sound great in a group situation don't sound great as a solo artist. Singing is a tuff world.

Here is some good work by IU;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNOoxoENsfs

This post has been edited by chiuchimu: Nov 15 2011, 10:45 PM

[DOUBLEMINT]

Dumpling?

[qnpfr]

KARA on Japanese Kansai TV

Part. 1

Part. 2

Part. 3

Part. 4

is there an english or korean subtitle for this?

[UnknownUser]

There are many good female idol singers but it's hard to have good vocal color, power, range, stability and expression all at the same time. It is also often required to use vibrato and falsetto when they sing ballad or R&B. Vocal color is where opinions are fairly divided. To be a little judgemental, IU doesn't seem to have a clear ringing voice. Sistar's Hyorin's vocal power can break windows but some people don't like her thick husky voice. In SNSD, Jessica's vocal power is relatively weak but many people like her clear voice. Tiffany doesn't seem to be able to hit high notes consistently but she sounds powerful and stable for mid range with good vibrato when it's necessary. I personally like Taeyeon the best for her persuasive delivery and control. I'd say she's quite all around. She should get more solo or duet songs. Park Bom's "soul" voice is unique but I find her a bit inconsistent. When she's performing solo live, she's sometimes visibly nervous and her pitch tends to get inaccurate. It's a pity she can do much better.

I love this Taeny duet cover. Nice work at the climax.
[Cover] Taeyeon + Tiffany "Reflection"


This is not exactly one of the best covers but I like the song.

[Cover] Taeyeon + Kim Bum Soo "바보같은 내게" (To a fool like me) (The video doesn't match the audio except for the sub.)

Right, it's very hard for one person to have all vocal ability. so i think we can only judge with their overall one.

On the one hand, i think we can also say it just depend on individual taste. like we can't say which is superior among the Leonardo's work and Michelangelo's work or Picasso's one and Gogh's one.

Also when it comes to headphone, there are many good brands such as Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, AKG etc.. but i think we can't say which is superior or which is inferior, we can only judge with each overall one or can choose by their own taste.

Even though i really like Taeyeon, i don't like her singing. i don't know the clear reason but.. her vocal color or.. feelng? is not my taste. but don't get me wrong. i really like her. her character/cuteness/attraction is really adorable.

By the third orders, they were fully into the game. $20 a piece sushi!

KARA was on HeyX3 111107 were they showed a clip of FujiTV announcer girls that did a cover of KARA on a TV show. Most announcers were Idols in their youth so they did a good job.

I was going to post a link but all Yuotube links to that video are private.


KARA is really doing well right now. They guest on any show without an interpreter and they make a good interesting show. I'm seeing the same acceptance for KARA as their was for BOA a decade back. In comparison, I hear very little about SNSD. They do make #1 at Oricon when they release a new single but the promotion aspect hasn't been the same. From the boyIdol side, I'm hearing more about 2PM. Are they big in Korea?

Really? that announcers were idols in their youth? wow! is that common pattern that idols become announcer later?
In Korea, i see some ones from beauty contest become announcer, but hardly see idol.

It seems that SNSD(SM ent) have different strategy from KARA. i think it's not matter of popularity but matter of strategy.

2PM is one of the big in Korea. it seems that there is no one-top boyband in Korea now.. such as Arashi in Japan.
On the other hand, i think we can say who is the one-top girlband in Korea now. that's SNSD. like AKB48 in Japan.

is there an english or korean subtitle for this?

Can you see the Daum tv pot?

Daum tv팟 - 모험 튜토리얼

If there is some pino thing, i think it's better to download the vid with Altoolbar

알툴바

I can't find youtube vid that have sub..

This post has been edited by UnknownUser: Nov 16 2011, 11:23 AM

[chiuchimu]

Really? that announcers were idols in their youth? wow! is that common pattern that idols become announcer later?
In Korea, i see some ones from beauty contest become announcer, but hardly see idol.

Yes, announcers, MCs, hosts, TV personalities. Many females and male Idols move on to TV hosting in their mid twenties(unless they make a successful break from Idol-hood into solo music or acting carriers). They don't become News reporters; that's a totally different system.

Currently the females host on many TV shows were former Idol while the male host is usually a comedian. I'm predicting a future with lots of former Idol - comedian marriages. lol.

It seems that SNSD(SM ent) have different strategy from KARA. i think it's not matter of popularity but matter of strategy.

could be, Talk Show about SMtowns strategy (I gave a brief translation)

SMTown seems to be using stats, internet, research as a strategy while KARA's management is focusing on networking with Japanese media industry. In other words, learning and operating in the system, creating contacts, affiliates and allies. etc..

[doggyji]

MC Yoo Hee Yeol was hilariously mesmerized by IU. IU wrote a song about him.

[Live] IU "Dreaming" (This is the original song in Dream High.)

Right, it's very hard for one person to have all vocal ability. so i think we can only judge with their overall one.

On the one hand, i think we can also say it just depend on individual taste. like we can't say which is superior among the Leonardo's work and Michelangelo's work or Picasso's one and Gogh's one.

Also when it comes to headphone, there are many good brands such as Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, AKG etc.. but i think we can't say which is superior or which is inferior, we can only judge with each overall one or can choose by their own taste.

Even though i really like Taeyeon, i don't like her singing. i don't know the clear reason but.. her vocal color or.. feelng? is not my taste. but don't get me wrong. i really like her. her character/cuteness/attraction is really adorable.

Some people may find her voice on the heavy side. I'm just too used to her voice. Taeyeon, Jessica and Tiffany. Their voices are all very different from each other letting them do interesting duets. These covers are good, too.

[Cover] Taeyeon + Jessica "원하고 원망하죠" (I want you and resent you)
[Cover] Jessica "Almost" (This song suits her voice so well.)
[Cover] Tiffany "Stickwitu" (Tiffany and her R&B)

Seohyun is a very stable singer. She may lack in the technique department but she almost never screws up her notes. She just hardly makes any mistakes. She's a pianist, too.



[Cover] Taeyeon + Seohyun "Because You Loved Me" (Taeyeon performed great falsetto at 3:20.)

There was a time when Taeyeon was competing with her own group.

SMTown seems to be using stats, internet, research as a strategy while KARA's management is focusing on networking with Japanese media industry. In other words, learning and operating in the system, creating contacts, affiliates and allies. etc..

As far as I know, SNSD appeared only once on Hey x3 for Japanese variety/talk shows.



Instead, they have performed live a lot in Japan for the past year. Off the top of my head,

Music Station (6 times including 2010 Super Live. Not sure about other weekly music programs.)
FNS Music Festival
MTV VMAJ
Summer Sonic
Arena tour (14 concerts in 6 cities)
SM Town concerts (5 times)

I think the arena tour was very successful satisfying their loyal fanbase. Live concerts play a major role for SNSD to show their appeal lying in between "idols" and "artists" in Japanese definition. Performance-wise, they have so much to show apart from their promotional stages. KARA is more like a traditional idol group.

This post has been edited by doggyji: Nov 16 2011, 10:42 PM

[chiuchimu]

As far as I know, SNSD appeared only once on Hey x3 for Japanese variety/talk shows.



Instead, they have performed live a lot in Japan for the past year. Off the top of my head,

Music Station (6 times including 2010 Super Live. Not sure about other weekly music programs.)
FNS Music Festival
MTV VMAJ
Summer Sonic
Arena tour (14 concerts in 6 cities)
SM Town concerts (5 times)

I think the arena tour was very successful satisfying their loyal fanbase. Live concerts play a major role for SNSD to show their appeal lying in between "idols" and "artists" in Japanese definition. Performance-wise, they have so much to show apart from their promotional stages. KARA is more like a traditional idol group.

That's a lot of concerts! I am sure SMTown knows what they are doing. However, I do find it strange that SMTown doesn't use all the relations they built during BOA's days. I remember you telling me about fall out between AVEX and SMTown over TVXQ, I wonder if that hampered their abillty to promote SNSD by TV shows? Or, promoting mainly by concerts might be more cost efficient. It will be interesting to watch how this plays out.

I think part of this has to do with SMTowns plans for the future. I'll make a prediction. I think SMTown plans on producing at least one Japanese Jpop singer( most likely several groups). Instead of bringing someone from Korea, SMTown will contract with and train someone in Japan. If this works out, they will learn from this experience and move on to develope artist in other parts of Asia. finally, global including Europe & U.S.

Any thoughts on this?

[UnknownUser]

Currently the females host on many TV shows were former Idol while the male host is usually a comedian. I'm predicting a future with lots of former Idol - comedian marriages. lol.

I noticed that. maybe, mostly from Yoshimoto?

could be, Talk Show about SMtowns strategy (I gave a brief translation)

I saw that vid before. i think that SM CEO said relatively honestly. of course, maybe even that thing was already counted as one of the their strategy though.

MC Yoo Hee Yeol was hilariously mesmerized by IU. IU wrote a song about him.

[Live] IU "Dreaming" (This is the original song in Dream High.)

E.U-ya, why did you do that. watch out for him! lol

Some people may find her voice on the heavy side. I'm just too used to her voice. Taeyeon, Jessica and Tiffany. Their voices are all very different from each other letting them do interesting duets. These covers are good, too.

[Cover] Taeyeon + Jessica "원하고 원망하죠" (I want you and resent you)
[Cover] Jessica "Almost" (This song suits her voice so well.)
[Cover] Tiffany "Stickwitu" (Tiffany and her R&B)

Seohyun is a very stable singer. She may lack in the technique department but she almost never screws up her notes. She just hardly makes any mistakes. She's a pianist, too.



[Cover] Taeyeon + Seohyun "Because You Loved Me" (Taeyeon performed great falsetto at 3:20.)

There was a time when Taeyeon was competing with her own group.

I guess SNSD is one of the girlband that have highest average vocal ability as a group. so i think there would be competition in good faith in the group necessarily. personally, i like Jessica's voice. i like her clear and feminine one.

That's a lot of concerts! I am sure SMTown knows what they are doing. However, I do find it strange that SMTown doesn't use all the relations they built during BOA's days. I remember you telling me about fall out between AVEX and SMTown over TVXQ, I wonder if that hampered their abillty to promote SNSD by TV shows? Or, promoting mainly by concerts might be more cost efficient. It will be interesting to watch how this plays out.

I think part of this has to do with SMTowns plans for the future. I'll make a prediction. I think SMTown plans on producing at least one Japanese Jpop singer( most likely several groups). Instead of bringing someone from Korea, SMTown will contract with and train someone in Japan. If this works out, they will learn from this experience and move on to develope artist in other parts of Asia. finally, global including Europe & U.S.

Any thoughts on this?

Even though we live in globalizing world and there are many cooperation with other national experts in K-biz, i think Ent industry is also one of the national assets that give many profit to the whole nation. growth of one nation's Ent industry can make nation's brand higher and create many added value to the country.

From this point of view, i doubt whether SM is counting this things too or is only thinking about their company's profit.
In fact, SM has been notorious for their only crazing about money.

I'm not intend to be nationalist, but this is my honest thinking and worry.

This post has been edited by UnknownUser: Nov 17 2011, 07:32 AM

[doggyji]

That's a lot of concerts! I am sure SMTown knows what they are doing. However, I do find it strange that SMTown doesn't use all the relations they built during BOA's days. I remember you telling me about fall out between AVEX and SMTown over TVXQ, I wonder if that hampered their abillty to promote SNSD by TV shows? Or, promoting mainly by concerts might be more cost efficient. It will be interesting to watch how this plays out.

I think part of this has to do with SMTowns plans for the future. I'll make a prediction. I think SMTown plans on producing at least one Japanese Jpop singer( most likely several groups). Instead of bringing someone from Korea, SMTown will contract with and train someone in Japan. If this works out, they will learn from this experience and move on to develope artist in other parts of Asia. finally, global including Europe & U.S.

Any thoughts on this?

TVXQ (DBSK/Tohoshinki) as a duo as well as BoA is still under both SM and Avex. SNSD and SHINee are signed with Universal Music Japan and EMI Music Japan, respectively. I don't know if it means deterioration of the relationship between SM and Avex or SM's diversification of partnership. I don't think it's hard for SNSD to be on TV shows but they have to depend on their translator too much. Only Sooyoung can converse in Japanese without help. TVXQ and BoA were very localized living in Japan for years and learning to speak Japanese. They don't give the strong foreign star vibe. It seems Kara is following that path. On the other hand, SNSD is just hopping around a lot.

Will SM produce a completely Japan-based J-pop singer or group with all or mostly Japanese members? As long as it makes business sense, it's highly possible on the roster of their artists. Even if they begin to plan it today, it will take years before we see the hint of it. I heard there will be a Japanese member in a new upcoming group. It may depend on how many young Japanese talents want to audition for SM instead of focusing on other Japanese idol labels and are willing to go through the long trainee system. Even after several years of being a trainee, there is no guarantee that they will eventually debut. In this video, Seohyun is lamenting about her close trainee friend who failed to join SNSD in the last minute after 5 years of effort.

Seohyun talks about her trainee friend Part 1 from 13:00, turn captions on (CC button)
Seohyun talks about her trainee friend Part 2

If you are interested, you can watch the whole show.

SNSD on Big Brothers Part 1
SNSD on Big Brothers Part 2
SNSD on Big Brothers Part 3
SNSD on Big Brothers Part 4
SNSD on Big Brothers Part 5

Even though we live in globalizing world and there are many cooperation with other national experts in K-biz, i think Ent industry is also one of the national assets that give many profit to the whole nation. growth of one nation's Ent industry can make nation's brand higher and create many added value to the country.

From this point of view, i doubt whether SM is counting this things too or is only thinking about their company's profit.
In fact, SM has been notorious for their only crazing about money.

I'm not intend to be nationalist, but this is my honest thinking and worry.

As a corporation, they have a duty to pursue their path to optimize their profit. I think some people tend to expect too much from private companies that produce popular entertainment products.

It's more fun to watch Kara on Japanese TV lol This show is a nice gift from NHK for all Kara fans. I just finished watching it. This is a must-save video.
Music Japan Kara Special (Kor sub, 1.5 GB)

This post has been edited by doggyji: Nov 17 2011, 09:29 PM

[UnknownUser]

As a corporation, they have a duty to pursue their path to optimize their profit. I think some people tend to expect too much from private companies that produce popular entertainment products.

I agree that corporation have a duty to pursue their path to optimize their profit. actually yeah, that's the primary reason why company exist. from that point of view, my previous some comments such as 'only crazing about money' may somewhat inappropriate.

But i think good corporation is not only having good skill or strategy to make more profit but also having good thinking and philosophy about publicness that contain national interest. i guess absence of this value is the main reason why efficient companies such as Samsung and Hyundai don't receive the good appraisal from their fellow countrymen nowadays..

But yeah, i might be too judgemental, haha ^^;;

It's more fun to watch Kara on Japanese TV lol This show is a nice gift from NHK for all Kara fans. I just finished watching it. This is a must-save video.
Music Japan Kara Special (Kor sub, 1.5 GB)

Oh! HQ vid with Korean sub! i have wanted to have this kinds of one.
Thank you for sharing

[chiuchimu]

Even after several years of being a trainee, there is no guarantee that they will eventually debut. In this video, Seohyun is lamenting about her close trainee friend who failed to join SNSD in the last minute after 5 years of effort.
Seohyun talks about her trainee friend Part 1 from 13:00, turn captions on (CC button)
Seohyun talks about her trainee friend Part 2

Work hard for years and maybe never have a single moment of fame. I think this is the norm, the reality for most artist around the world. Seohyun's friends story was sad, But she went on to be a University student. I think this training from young is a good thing because it gives time for a young person to change their mind and do something else. I liked the hosts, the men were interesting but conservative. Very good at keeping the talk lively without resorting to vulgar slap stick antics like some young comedian host might do(We have too many of those in Japan lol). I have to download the KARA show still.

As far as companies that go global, I think it's case by case whether they betray or undermine a nations cultural or social identity. For example, Toyota designs cars with world needs in mind, however, Toyota still makes tiny cars for domestic Japanese sales. I can see SM maintain their Kpop industry while expanding over seas.


@UnKnownUser
Many are from the Yoshimoto agency but many are from others. Some of the biggest names are Tokoro George, Beat Takeshi, Tamori and Sanma.

[doggyji]

Clazziquai's Horan is the vocalist in Ibadi



[2009][MV] Ibadi "Morning Call"
[2011][Live] Ibadi "아빠를 닮은 소녀" (the girl who resembles her dad)

I agree that corporation have a duty to pursue their path to optimize their profit. actually yeah, that's the primary reason why company exist. from that point of view, my previous some comments such as 'only crazing about money' may somewhat inappropriate.

But i think good corporation is not only having good skill or strategy to make more profit but also having good thinking and philosophy about publicness that contain national interest. i guess absence of this value is the main reason why efficient companies such as Samsung and Hyundai don't receive the good appraisal from their fellow countrymen nowadays..

But yeah, i might be too judgemental, haha ^^;;

Korean economy is too conglomerates (chaebol)-oriented, which has both strengths and weaknesses. Chaebols supported by government growth policies have always been criticized for various reasons especially since the IMF crisis in 1997. The inertia of criticism is still strong. On the surface, they generate a large number of jobs and a great portion of tax money in Korea today but this doesn't benefit everyone. It's quite complicated because redistribution of the wealth generated by multinational chaebols isn't confined in the national boundary of Korea. Although chaebols and their small-sized subcontractors are essential to each other, chaebols also tend to have too much leverage on their Korean part companies, holding their lifelines. This is where the government began to intervene but it hasn't exactly been fair. Why people keep an eye on those giants is because they directly influence the national economy and many citizens' life. Social responsibilities are imposed on them.

Here we cannot draw a parallel to an entertainment company like SM who doesn't have much to do with the public welfare sector. They still have their responsibilities in the media industry though. Entertainment companies should alienate themselves from the politics and make sure their artists are socially aware so they don't make insensitive remarks. Their job is to entertain people and make them feel good. If one big company vigorously expands their overseas business leaving Korea relatively empty, on the other hand, other companies can find more room to grow in Korea.

SM has been one of the pioneering pillars of the so-called "Korean Wave" or "Hallyu", being good at what they are doing. The term was useful for quickly referring to a newly emerged trend but Korean pop entertainment has become established as one of the common sights in Asia. There is no more need for such term that imposes collective Korean identity. There will only be individual successes and failures of each product or act which can be in any form of collaboration beyond the national border. "Is it K-pop or J-pop?" is futile at this stage. Such distinction is trivial.

Work hard for years and maybe never have a single moment of fame. I think this is the norm, the reality for most artist around the world. Seohyun's friends story was sad, But she went on to be a University student. I think this training from young is a good thing because it gives time for a young person to change their mind and do something else. I liked the hosts, the men were interesting but conservative. Very good at keeping the talk lively without resorting to vulgar slap stick antics like some young comedian host might do(We have too many of those in Japan lol). I have to download the KARA show still.

It's true only a very small fraction of the hopefuls in entertainment or sports ever get to be in the limelight. I think you know you will debut or not earlier in other companies than in SM though. SM tends to keep their trainees for the longest periods of time.

MJ KARA Special is also on YouTube if you haven't watched it. Their Japanese has improved a lot over the year, hasn't it? Do they have strong accents?

Music Japan KARA Special Part 1
Music Japan KARA Special Part 2
Music Japan KARA Special Part 3
Music Japan KARA Special Part 4

Bunch of comedians talked about KARA on TV Asahi's Ame Talk. You may find them disturbing lol

Ame Talk: comedians who like KARA Part 1
Ame Talk: comedians who like KARA Part 2
Ame Talk: comedians who like KARA Part 3

I just realized I haven't made a body post for KARA yet.

KARA started in 2007 as a 4-girl group. Gyuri, Seung Yeon, Nicole and Sung Hee. Next year, the main vocalist Sung Hee left KARA but two new members joined the group. They are Hara and Jiyoung. Those five members are KARA as we know today. There are so many catchy songs and cute performances.



[2007][MV] KARA "Break It" (Debut song. It didn't get much attention.)
[2007][MV] KARA "If You Wanna"
[2008][Live] KARA "Rock U" (Jiyoung and Hara joined the group here. Jiyoung is a little baby in this fancam. Hara is so cute in this fancam.)
[2008][Live] KARA "Honey"
[2008][MV] KARA "Pretty Girl" (Engrish overlaod! lol The song is very catchy though.)
[2009][Live] KARA "Mister" (Best stage in Korea.)
[2009][MV] KARA "Wanna"
[2009][Audio] KARA "Magic"
[2009][Audio] KARA "Take a Bow"
[2010][MV] KARA "Lupin"
[2010][Live] KARA "Umbrella" (So cute.)
[2010][Audio] KARA "Tasty Love"
[2011][MV] KARA "Step"

They made a debut in Japan in August, 2010.

[2010][MV] KARA "Mister"
[2010][MV] KARA "Jumping"
[2010][Audio] KARA "SOS" (This is a lovely song. Theme for URAKARA.)
[2011][MV] KARA "Jet Coaster Love"
[2011][MV] KARA "今、贈りたい「ありがとう」" (Korean version is here.)
[2011][MV] KARA "Go Go Summer!"
[2011][Live] KARA "Winter Magic"

This post has been edited by doggyji: Dec 18 2011, 08:56 AM

[UnknownUser]

Korean economy is too conglomerates (chaebol)-oriented, which has both strengths and weaknesses. Chaebols supported by government growth policies have always been criticized for various reasons especially since the IMF crisis in 1997. The inertia of criticism is still strong. On the surface, they generate a large number of jobs and a great portion of tax money in Korea today but this doesn't benefit everyone. It's quite complicated because redistribution of the wealth generated by multinational chaebols isn't confined in the national boundary of Korea. Although chaebols and their small-sized subcontractors are essential to each other, chaebols also tend to have too much leverage on their Korean part companies, holding their lifelines. This is where the government began to intervene but it hasn't exactly been fair. Why people keep an eye on those giants is because they directly influence the national economy and many citizens' life. Social responsibilities are imposed on them.

Here we cannot draw a parallel to an entertainment company like SM who doesn't have much to do with the public welfare sector. They still have their responsibilities in the media industry though. Entertainment companies should alienate themselves from the politics and make sure their artists are socially aware so they don't make insensitive remarks. Their job is to entertain people and make them feel good. If one big company vigorously expands their overseas business leaving Korea relatively empty, on the other hand, other companies can find more room to grow in Korea.

SM has been one of the pioneering pillars of the so-called "Korean Wave" or "Hallyu", being good at what they are doing. The term was useful for quickly referring to a newly emerged trend but Korean pop entertainment has become established as one of the common sights in Asia. There is no more need for such term that imposes collective Korean identity. There will only be individual successes and failures of each product or act which can be in any form of collaboration beyond the national border. "Is it K-pop or J-pop?" is futile at this stage. Such distinction is trivial.

I generally agree with you. in fact, from one point of view, i also thought this my thinking (emphasizing company's publicness) also could have some (bad) side effect.
But.. i think it will take more time for me to understand and accept your opinion about entertainment company fully.

Bunch of comedians talked about KARA on TV Asahi's Ame Talk. You may find them disturbing lol

Ame Talk: comedians who like KARA Part 1
Ame Talk: comedians who like KARA Part 2
Ame Talk: comedians who like KARA Part 3

It seems that their Duksim (Fansim) to the Kara surpass mine lol

I just realized I haven't made a body post for KARA yet.

KARA started in 2007 as a 4-girl group. Gyuri, Seung Yeon, Nicole and Sung Hee. Next year, the main vocalist Sung Hee left KARA but two new members joined the group. They are Hara and Jiyoung. Those five members are KARA as we know today. There are so many catchy songs and cute performances.



[2009][Live] KARA "Mister" (Best stage in Korea.)

KARA~~~!!!!!

My best 'Mr' stage is this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUdUC-t1Xwk

In fact, Kara have so many good and catchy songs!