‘To the Beautiful You’ (Episode 14)

Official Synopsis:

This drama draws on Hisaya Nakajo‘s manga series “Hana Kimi“ that was published by Hakusensha from 1996 to 2004. The Korean interpretation centers on Goo Jae Hee (Sulli), a Korean girl who live in the States, but transfers to an all-boys school in Korea.

 

Jae Hee decides on the transfer after watching a track and field competition on TV, and becomes inspired by high-jump athlete, Kang Tae Joon (Minho). She begins to idolize the young athlete and eventually transfers to Korea to go to the same school after he experiences an injury that may potentially end his athletic career.

 

However, as Tae Joon attends an all-boys high school, Jae Hee must disguise herself as a boy to enter.

 

Ratings:

MBC‘s ‘Arang and the Magistrate‘ (starring Lee Jun Ki and Shin Min Ah) rose almost a full point in ratings, from 11.7% to 12.5%, coming in eighth for the night.

Meanwhile, KBS‘s ‘Nice Guy‘ (starring Song Joong Ki, Moon Chae Won, and Park Si Yeon) reached a personal high, rising two points from 14% to 16% and coming in third for the night.
SBS‘s ‘To the Beautiful You‘ (starring SHINee‘s Minho and f(x)‘s Sulli) rose slightly from 4.4% to 4.8%, but still remained in last place.

 

Recap of Ep. 14:

 

Episode 13 deals with some Kang family drama and the struggle to keep Jae Hee’s identity a secret comes to a head.

At the end of episode 12, Jae Hee informs Tae Joon that his father has collapsed. He says it has nothing to do with him, and even begs Jae Hee to stop bothering him about it, but she calls a taxi anyway and gets him to come along. At the hospital, she makes him go into his dad’s room alone. Mr. Kang says he just had a dizzy spell and he’s fine, while he roots around in search of the bed remote. Tae Joon finds it without even trying, props the bed up, turns on the humidifier, and starts to leave. Mr. Kang says that he realizes Tae Joon only knows these things because he had to do all the work for Mrs. Kang, but Tae Joon says his dad can’t possibly know, leaving with the promise that he won’t be back.

 

Jae Hee and Tae Joon walk back to the dorms, and Tae Joon takes her hand, saying that if he doesn’t hold on to someone, he feels like he’ll be lost forever.

 

At high jump practice, Hyeonjae is slowly improving, while Tae Joon is a mess. Tae Joon and Hyeonjae are being weirdly friendly, considering how Hyeonjae tried to kill him in the last episode. The coach wants to know why Tae Joon is suddenly a mess- is he dating? Did something happen? Tae Joon says nothing’s wrong.

 

Later that night, Jae Hee watches the soccer game that Eun Gyeol is missing with Eun Gyeol. She apologizes about his ankle, but he shurgs it off. He then launches into a monologue about how she’s his best friend, but he’s starting to harbor more and more greed for her, asking why they have to both be boys. She apologizes again and says that if she disappoints him in the future, she hopes he won’t hate her. He says that he’s there for her any time she wants him.

 

At practice, Hyeonjae and Tae Joon are failing jump after jump. Coach Byeon tells Hyeonjae to stick around for more practice, but tells Tae Joon that he’s working to hard and that he’s banned from practicing from the rest of the day. He tells Jae Hee to take Tae Joon out to do something fun, and if Tae Joon doesn’t have fun then he, Jae Hee, and Hyeonjae are all going to be treated to a hell-like practice.

 

Tae Joon and Jae Hee go on their outing, wandering around a bunch of little shops and stopping for a while in a florist’s shop, taking lots of pictures. Jae Hee surprises Tae Joon by bringing him to his elementary school. As they’re wandering around, Tae Joon has a flashback to his dad picking him up from school and giving him a big hug.

 

 

After their outing, they take Sangchu for a walk. Tae Joon asks Jae Hee if she ever regrets coming to Genie, she says that seeing him jump is enough. He asks if she’ll leave once he can jump like before, and she says yes. She mentions she’s cold, and Tae Joon puts his jacket around her shoulders, leaning in to kiss her. She freezes, but then jumps back, asking if there was alcohol in the chocolate he ate earlier (it was established a long time ago that he gets drunk on even a tiny amount of alcohol, and when he’s drunk he’ll kiss anyone). He stammers yes, he thinks he’s a little drunk, faking a hiccup for effect. Jae Hee runs off to talk it over with Dr. Jang, who warns her that there are some things you just can’t hide. He says he won’t interfere, she can decide how to handle this herself.

 

Jae Hee decides there’s something she had to do before she seriously thinks about leaving- she needs to make sure Tae Joon and his dad reconcile. She tricks Tae Joon into having dinner with his dad, where Mr. Kang finally tells him the truth- Mrs. Kang had liver cancer, but she kept it hidden from both Mr. Kang and Tae Joon until she was far too sick to save. Once Mr. Kang knew, he decided it would be better if Tae Joon resented his father than his mother, so Mr. Kang never told him. After dinner, Tae Joon takes some time to cry over it alone.

 

Later, he tells Jae Hee that he and his dad are working on their relationship. He also drops this bomb:

“Don’t you know? I’m telling you now that I like you.”

Then he ruffles her hair and walks out. Out in the hall, he drops his cool exterior, collapsing against the wall and collecting himself. In the dorm, Jae Hee decides she’s going to come clean to him. She goes to take a shower.

 

Eun Gyeol’s been blocked out of his own bathroom by Hyeonjae, so he dashes down the hall to Tae Joon and Jae Hee’s room. Thinking the dorm is empty, he bursts into the restroom to find Jae Hee disrobing.

“You’re a girl?!”

 

contagion’s Thoughts:

 

[ Note : This post reflects the opinions of the author, not necessarily those of allkpop ]

 

I spent half of this episode literally shaking my head. First, there was the fact that Jae Hee is suddenly too weak to do a sit-up- did we forget that she’s a top athlete? Then, Jae Hee wonders out loud whether Tae Joon is gay with Tae Joon in the room, and he doesn’t seem to notice. Eun Gyeol somehow realizes that Jae Hee’s a girl by getting a glimpse of her shoulder and the corner of her bandages. But those were just little things. There are much bigger offenses in this episode.

 

There was no good reason for Mrs. Kang to keep her cancer a secret from the family. It was still treatable when she first found out. Their family could clearly afford treatment, so I don’t understand why she didn’t just get treatment- why delay it until it’s too late?

 

Last year, one of my best friends went through a similar situation. Her mom developed breast cancer, but she couldn’t afford treatment, so she kept it a secret from the family. Her daughters found suspicous stuff in her internet search history and confronted her about it, which is when she confessed, but by that point the cancer had metastacized. She died a few weeks later. Seeing a character turn down treatment when she could afford it and there’s no good reason to turn it down makes me so angry- they used a very real and painful situation that many people face just to give Tae Joon a reason to hate his father- an issue that is resolved in under five minutes in a flashback.

 

Ultimately, the whole point of the family drama is to drive Tae Joon and Jae Hee closer, and that is just not okay. I haven’t been this mad at a drama since… well, since earlier in the season when the show used an attempted rape to drive Jae Hee and Tae Joon together, with Jae Hee walking away completely unaffected and the rapist getting away.

 

It’s clear now that this show has no point except to get Tae Joon and Jae Hee together. We’ve already established that Jae Hee has no character traits except devotion to Tae Joon. Tae Joon’s only character traits are his hatred of his dad (which is now gone), his love for his mom (he still loves her, but that trait was mostly fuel for his hatred of his dad), and his jumping- which he only has at this point because of Jae Hee. He has his photography, too, but that’s mostly used so we can get some nice close-ups of sponsored products. Tae Joon and Jae Hee literally do not exist as characters without each other, and the show will use any means necessary- no matter how offensive= to drive the two together.

I’m pretty positive this show is officially beyond salvation. At least there are only two more episodes. 

Super Junior and f(x) release SPAO BTS video

 

Check out the BTS videos of SPAO featuring Super Junior and f(x)

DSP Media rides KARA success as brand name rises

This article focuses on DSP Media and KARA especially since KARA is DSP's cash cow now. And let's admit Kamilia, we are supportive of KARA's juniors just as our girls are. I've seen many Kamilia who are also Rainbow fans and who became A-light and who are watching Puretty's development.

INSIDE K-POP: 4. DSP Media

Back with its new EP “Pandora,” five-member girl group KARA is here, there and everywhere. The girls have been especially successful in Japan: Last year alone, the group won Japan’s Golden Disc Award, K-pop Lovers! Award and Japan Record Award.

Every EP released since KARA’s Japan debut has been a hit. A line of dolls based on the girl group has been launched and the K-pop stars are the faces of various perfumes and food companies.

KARA’s success can be attributed to the hard work of its members, as well as the talent behind the scenes. But the ride with DSP Media, its agency, hasn’t always been smooth.

In this fourth installment of the Korea JoongAng Daily’s Inside K-pop series, we explore how the successful group came to be and the role its agency DSP Media played in the unexpected rise.

As a smaller agency compared to its competitors YG, SM and JYP, DSP Media doesn’t hold annual concerts featuring a star-studded lineup of K-pop acts. Founded by Lee Ho-yeon, the agency is not a household name, but most would recognize the groups that it has churned out from the early 1990s. Before KARA, Rainbow and A-Jax, there were Sechs Kies, Fin.K.L and SS501.

But most struggled to stay in the spotlight. KARA hopes to buck the trend.

“Apart from Shinhwa, only a handful of idol groups have made it past the four-year mark of relevance like Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, the Wonder Girls and of course KARA,” says Yun Heung-kwan, director of DSP Media.

Unlike its three better-known contemporaries, DSP has not laid its eyes on a global audience - the agency focuses on the quality of its talents and the formation of idol groups rather than on marketing gimmicks. This has been a pillar of its K-pop model, for better or worse.

The making of KARA

In 2005, when the agency decided to launch a girl group, it wasn’t as easy as you’d imagine.

“With the first round of auditions, we were really unimpressed,” Yun says.

This led DSP to think outside the box, with the agency tapping into its vast Hallyu network.

Han Seung-yeon was eventually recruited through a dance school which trains Lee Hyori’s backup dancers. Park Gyu-ri, a child actor, was introduced to DSP through another agency. Nicole Jung was introduced to the agency by a mutual friend when the agency heads were visiting the United States.

“A native English speaker is needed in this day and age, so we recruited Nicole for that reason.”

In its initial stages, there was another member named Kim Sung-hee, who was a trainee at DSP from middle school. When she left, Goo Ha-ra joined the band through an audition. Then came Kang Ji-young, who was introduced by NS Yoonji, a relative.

If talent was the only thing DSP was looking for, then NS Yoonji would rightfully be a part of KARA today.

But when the 24-year-old soloist came in for an audition, she was told that she didn’t exactly fit in with the group’s vibe. She then recommended her younger cousin.

Polishing the gem

With a minor reshuffling KARA spent just two months training before it launched its second album, and debut for its current members, “Rock You” in 2008. Needless to say, it wasn’t an easy few months.

The plight of trainees is drawing more and more attention today as idol group members give their accounts of the training process once they make it big. Every aspect of a potential talent is scrutinized, from his or her age to looks, vocal, dancing skill and ability to connect with future audiences.

“With all things, we ask the simple question, ‘Will they fit in with the group?’?” Yun says.

The director says that a potential star’s “it” factor, or his or her ability to relate to the audience, also plays a big part in the auditions.

“Being a singer is all about entertaining the masses, but if a candidate can’t stand in front of a crowd and sing, then there really isn’t much that we can do for them.”

It’s also important that in today’s interactive media environment stars are taught good manners from the beginning.

“Trainees are not celebrities, and we instill that in them,” says the PR manager, Cha Hee-jin. “In many ways, trainers are harsh on them like teachers would be to students.”

Life of trainees

Like many other agencies, DSP boasts a new talent development team that manages casting and auditions which take place once a month.

Every month, 150 hopefuls register their interests online, but only about 20-25 make it through. Final cuts are even harsher, with only a handful moving on to become DSP trainees.

Currently, there are about 20 trainees who clock in at DSP after school. Although the agency doesn’t pay its trainees, it does offer benefits and incentives such as rebates on gym memberships.

The trainees - both those who come in at 1 p.m. and at 3 p.m. - spend about five to six hours training in dance and vocals.

To equip them with the skills needed to reach its biggest target market, Japan, the trainees are also given Japanese language lessons.

In terms of the private lives of the trainees, the agency does try to moderate it to a certain degree.

“Like with any other adolescents, when trainees start dating, they lose a lot of time with which they could be spending on rehearsals, so we don’t really endorse it,” says Yun, who makes time to pull trainees aside to reprimand them if they are seen making moves rather than rehearsing new dance moves.

Being media responsive

Despite this, Yun acknowledges that kids are kids, and you can’t really keep puppy love from blossoming.

After all, DSP is one of the few agencies that has a talent who is in a public relationship with a fellow idol group member.

On KARA member Goo’s public romance with Beast member Yong Jun-hyung, Yun has a laissez-faire outlook.

“After much deliberation, we told them, best of luck,” he says, looking back on the time when the paparazzi snapped a picture of the two together.

Yun says that he has the “changing times” to thank for the somewhat relaxed policies of dating between idol groups.

“Ten years ago, it would have been fatal [for their careers], but now the relationships among fans and idol groups are changing.”

In fact, many a time, Goo has received support letters from fans rather than death threats.

“One time, a fan from abroad handed Ha-ra a letter with hearts and the words ‘Ha-ra for Jun-hyung’ on it.”

Yun says that the agency is always keeping up with what the fans are thinking, and decisions follow soon after.

“We monitor what’s going on online so we know how to react. Even with issues like cosmetic surgery, you would just look like a fool in today’s society if you denied that entertainers had work done.”

Marketing the brand

The agency says that KARA’s success in Japan was a bit of a fluke, but how they capitalized on it with endorsement deals rolling in was creatively reactive. Due to its unexpected success in Japan, the group spends about 45-50 days of the year there.

Instead of coming up with a marketing plan for overseas markets, as a lot of bigger agencies have done, DSP maintains its focus on group formation.

“Of course when selecting idol group members these days they look for language abilities, vocals, rap and dance skills. Like other agencies, we look for these things too, but our point of difference is that we look for specific attributes that each member can bring.”

Yun boasts that even physically, unlike many other girl groups, KARA members all have their unique appeal.

In terms of what they bring to the group, Jung raps and speaks fluent English; Han and Park are vocalists; and Goo and Kang are the best dancers.

Looking to the future

Through the feats of its artists, DSP says that it hopes to gain momentum in the K-pop industry and eventually expand its operations across the globe.

“Today the music environment is changing and many fans of bands become fans of agencies,” says Cha, the PR manager who has seen her share of fan letters and bizarre propositions.

She added that it helps to see agencies as brands.

“If you like Apple, then you tend to buy a lot of Apple goods, and it’s the same for the entertainment industry.”

Apparently this philosophy works for recruiting talents too.

“There are some who will go to auditions at a specific agency every two months,” Yun says. “It has a lot to do with a sort of mental fixation that a hopeful has.”

One member from A-Jax, Jae-hyung, was such a case.

He had idolized Kim Hyun-joong of SS501 and came to DSP to follow in his stead.

“He said at the audition, ‘I want to make it here at DSP because Kim Hyun-joong is my role model.’ Even to this day, he raves about the agency during various interviews.”

DSP says that later on, it wouldn’t be out of line to see a branch open up in America.

“With focus on our brand name, we hope to expand little by little, with a new studio and taking on more employees,” Yun says.

As the agency makes a steady progress, it believes that time is and will continue to be on its side.

“The thing is that the music industry is fluid. Back in the ’90s, the Korean music scene was dominated by Western pop,” Yun says.

“But now, it’s the other way around. In the United States, people are listening to K-pop and so there really has never been a time like this for Korean artists.”

"To The Beautiful You" 22nd making film - Minho & Sulli kissed

 

Check out the 22nd making film of "To The Beautiful You",Minho and Sulli kissed in the clip below,have you finished watching this drama?

Davichi leaves Core Contents Media

It has been announced that duo group Davichi has decided to leave its management agency, Core Contents Media.

Davichi recently left Core Contents Media to join a new agency founded by their two longtime managers, Kwon Chang Hyun and Lee Eung Yong. In addition, another artist under the label, Hong Jinyoung, has also left Core Contents Media along with Davichi.

A representative of Core Contents Media stated, “Davichi is leaving our agency, but we hope that they will maintain friendly competition with us and continue to grow as great artist.”

Although no detailed information was given, the agency pointed out that Davichi didn’t leave the company to distance themselves from the T-ara’s bullying controversy that sparked earlier this year.

Super Junior asks fans for MTV EMA 'Best Asia Act'

Super Junior is currently nominated under the ‘Best Asia Act’ category for the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards and they are asking fans for their votes.

SMTOWN’s official YouTube channel recently uploaded a video featuring Super Junior members reminding the fans and asking them to vote for the group.

Super Junior will be contending against former Super Junior member Hangeng, EXILE, Jolin Tsai and Yuna for the ‘Best Asian Act’ category. The winner will represent Asia in the ‘Best Worldwide Act’ voting.

Vote for Super Junior here.

 

T-ara releases 2nd "Free Time In Europe" teaser

After seeing the first teaser of T-ara's "Free Time In Europe",here comes the 2nd teaser.

The girls enjoyed the photoshoot so much,check out the BTS video below

Amber supports TVXQ's comeback

f(x)'s rapper Amber shows TVXQ some love.

She shared on her Twitter,"TVXQ's comeback! tried on Yunho's jacket.. maybe i shud do the hulk dance..".

She is seen posing with Yunho in the photo above,she looks cool wearing Yunho's jacket,agree?

Amber's Twitter

Minkyung tweets "Autumn" selca

 

Davichi's Kang Minkyung tweets a new selca on 7th October.

She mentioned,"autumn is so good,so fast".

Fans commented after seeing her photo,"Pretty girl","I love you" and etc.

Like her new selca?

Victoria poses with the "TVXQ" cake

 

f(x)'s leader Victoria is a huge fan of TVXQ!

After posting a new selca supporting TVXQ's comeback yesterday,she uploaded another new photo on her Weibo earlier today.

She is seen posing with the unique TVXQ cake in the photo above,celebrating TVXQ's comeback with 6th album "Catch Me".

She looks adorable as usual with the V gestures,agree?

Check out the full audio for SHINee’s “Run with Me”!

 

After releasing a teaser and a short PV for “Dazzling Girl“, SHINee released the full version of their latest Japanese single on iTunes Japan earlier this week.

 

The audio for the ‘Dazzling Girl’ coupling track, “Run with Me“, has now also been revealed. The song is a tender ballad that showcases the melodic voices of the SHINee members as well as their expert harmonization skills.

 

The single will come in three versions: ‘First Limited Edition A’, ‘First Limited Edition B’, and ‘Normal Edition’ and will officially hit store shelves on October 10th.

 

Check out the song below! What do you think?

 

...

You can listen to the full audio of their lead track, “Dazzling Girl” here.

2PM to release postponed Japanese single “Masquerade” in November, have Japanese tour in Spring of 2013

 

2PM was originally scheduled to release their 5th Japanese single “Masquerade” on August 29th, but the date was unfortunately postponed due to Nichkhun‘s DUI incident. With the announcement of Nichkhun ending his hiatus, it seems 2PM will be also gearing up to restart their official Japanese activities.

 

On October 5th, 2PM’s official Japanese website was updated with news stating that “Masquerade” will be released in mid-November. Additionally, after the announcement of their global tour, it was revealed that 2PM will have a nationwide tour across Japan in the Spring of 2013.

 

2PM’s Official Japanese Website

Super Junior wants your vote for ‘Best Asia Act’ at the 2012 MTV EMA

 

As many of you know, Super Junior is currently nominated under the “Best Asian Act” category for the 2012 MTV EMAs (Europe Music Awards).

 

To remind fans, SMTown‘s official YouTube channel recently uploaded a video featuring Super Junior encouraging fans to vote.

...

You can place your vote here as voting ends on October 14th. If they’re chosen, they will advance to the “Best Worldwide Act” category which was won by Big Bang last year. Psy is also nominated under the “Best Video” category for “Gangnam Style“, but that voting is not open to the public and will be awarded by a panel.

 

 

Voting Page

G.O. performs “Why Only Me” on ‘Immortal Song 2′

 

MBLAQ‘s G.O. melted hearts with his sweet ballad on October 6th’s ‘Immortal Song 2‘.

 

Clad in a suit, G.O. performed his own version of Cho Ha Moon‘s ’80s ballad “Why Only Me“, which the MBLAQ member chose himself.

 

Despite his amazing cover, Cha Ji Yeon moved onto the next round with 389 points. G.O. commented, “Whenever I have to perform on ‘Immortal Song’, I have to lessen the amount of sleep I get. I think it’s because everyone’s so perfect.”

 

Watch G.O.’s latest performance on ‘Immortal Song 2′ below!

Nichkhun spotted departing for Tanzania to film ‘KOICA’s Dream’

 

2PM‘s Nichkhun will be making his comeback through MBC‘s volunteer program, ‘KOICA’s Dream’.

 

He was recently spotted at the Incheon International Airport on October 5th at 8 PM KST on his way to Tanzania in East Africa.

 

Nichkhun graced the airport with his polite manners and cheerful attitude. He was seen wearing a yellow jacket uniform with a South Korean flag given to the ‘KOICA’s Dream’ cast and a green collared shirt underneath.

 

Check out more photos below!

Luna receives her first win on ‘Immortal Song 2′

 

f(x)‘s Luna received her first win on October 6th’s ‘Immortal Song 2‘!

 

Luna’s intense performance of Magma‘s “I Can’t Know” won over the crowd. She especially impressed the audience with her sampling of Michael Jackson‘s “Beat It“. Her decision to go with the Michael Jackson hit was appropriate as she continued on to beat Cha Ji Yeon, Phantom‘s Sanchez, and Noel, who performed last, ultimately taking first place with 399 points.

 

As she held onto her trophy, she confessed, “I guess this is why people tell me to win. I was burdened performing alone without my members.”

 

Check out Luna’s winning performance below!

...

Winning moment:

Victoria is watching TVXQ’s “Catch Me” comeback performances

 

f(x)‘s Victoria shared that she’s been watching labelmate TVXQ‘s comeback performances.

 

She posted to me2day on October 6: “Everyone~ Did you watch TVXQ sunbaes’ comeback performance? Totally cool, right? Hehe. Congrats, congrats~~~. I’m looking forward to today’s [performance] and tomorrow’s as well.” Victoria also attached an adorable photo of herself using her hand as a telescope.

 

She later posted, “TVXQ’s performance~ Let’s watch it together,” and “TVXQ’s music video. Watch it with me~,” showing her support for her SM Entertainment sunbaes.

 

Watch TVXQ’s most recent “Catch Me” performance on ‘Music Core‘ here if you missed it!

Luna poses with her first Immortal Song 2 trophy

f(x)'s Luna impressed with her superb performance on Immortal Song 2.

She performed Magma's "I Can't Know" on the show and won the first place,check out her flawless performance below,congratulations Luna!

SHINee's new Japanese song "Run With Me"

Check out SHINee's new song "Run With Me" from their Dazzling Girl Japanese album,like this song?