SHINee’s ‘Why So Serious’ ranks #1 on Billboard’s World Album Chart

SHINee continues to dominate charts with the second part to their third album.

According to Billboard on May 3, SHINee’s new third album Chapter 2 ‘Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me’ took over the top spot of the World Album Chart.

The album, which was released offline on April 29, also recorded number one on Hanteo Chart, Hot Tracks, and many other charts, further proving SHINee’s popularity and success.

Meanwhile, SHINee is promoting as four members for the time being as Jonghyun who recently underwent surgery to fix his fractured nose, will be sitting out on album promotions.

‘Asia’s Star’ BoA to return to Japan

Get ready, Japan, because BoA is headed your way!

BoA will be returning to Japanese promotions with a new single that’s set to release in June. She did release “Only One” in Japan in February, but this will be her first original Japanese song since December of 2011.

Because she’s been active in Korea, especially with ‘K-Pop Star‘, she hasn’t had time to promote in Japan. While she was absent, her hoobaes KARA and Girls’ Generation made large strides in the neighboring country. However, BoA’s star factor in Japan is nothing to laugh at, so much so that she’s gained the nickname ‘Asia’s Star’ there. All of her records have swept #1 on Oricon charts, so it’s likely her upcoming release will also be a hit.

Are you looking forward to her Japanese activities?

T-ara N4 burst into tears in the preview for next week’s ‘Beatles Code 2′

T-ara‘s subunit T-ara N4 will finally let their true emotions out on the upcoming episode of ‘Beatles Code 2‘.

‘Beatles Code 2′ aired the preview of T-ara N4 bursting into tears as they opened up about their side of the controversy surrounding Hwayoung‘s departure from the group. Eunjung shared, “Honestly, we really wanted to say this. We had no idea that [Hwayoung] would leave,” and “It really hurt.” Hyomin also mentioned, “[We weren't making her an outcast],” leaving viewers wanting to find out what really happened from the members themselves.

Stay tuned to hear T-ara’s side of the story on the 6th at 6PM KST, and watch the preview below.

T-ara N4′s album to be sold as limited edition

T-ara N4‘s debut mini album will be sold as a limited edition with only 40,000 copies being produced.

Their label revealed the news as they stated, “Most of their albums sell 70,000 to 100,000 copies. But since this time they’re a unit, we’ll only be producing 40,000 copies. Out of the 40,000 albums, the members signed 100 copies each, so 400 in total will be signed.”

Fans who score the lucky signed albums will also be awarded a T-ara photobook if they upload a photo with it onto Core Contents Media‘s official cafe or Twitter.

The album has officially gone on sale today in Korea, so make sure you order yourself a copy as there is a limited amount available!

Super Junior will not accompany Yesung at his enlistment

Yesung has chosen to enlist as quietly as possible.

Unlike Leeteuk, Heechul, or Kangin held public events where most of Super Junior were present, the other members will not be present for Yesung’s enlistment. He plans on having a quiet goodbye before enlisting.

SM Entertainment said, “His military training area is far away, and he wants to enlist quietly. The Super Junior members will not be accompanying him this time.”

Currently, Yesung is preparing for enlistment and spending time with his family and friends.

Yesung will be enlisting at the Jeonbook Jeonju 35th reserves on May 6. He’ll be receiving 4 weeks of basic training and then serve 22 months as a public service worker.

Super Junior and f(x) are all hugs and smiles for ‘SPAO’

Super Junior and f(x) decked out in rainbow colors for apparel brand ‘SPAO‘!

‘SPAO’ released the making film for the two respective groups 2013 S/S photoshoot. Both Super Junior and f(x) are all smiles for the entire set, dressing up in colorful shirts and belts. The groups also display their friendship with one other, goofing around and encasing each other in hugs.

Check out the video below!

TVXQ rakes in over $92 million in overseas concert revenues

Why do K-pop groups keep going to Japan for promotions? Well, the answer is quite simple: because promoting in Japan is very lucrative.

Take TVXQ for example. TVXQ will be continuing onward with their 5-dome tour in Japan until mid-August. In all, they will perform 18 times in front of an audience of 850,000 people. At an average cost of 120,000 KRW (approximately $109 USD) per ticket, the revenue from all the tickets sold will add up to 102,000,000,000 KRW (approximately $92.6 million USD).

But it’s not just limited to Japan where idols can make money. TVXQ brought in 570,000 fans for their world tour. Super Junior and SHINee each brought in 280,000 and 250,000 respectively during their Asia tour, and the SM Town concerts also brought in an additional 300,000 fans last year. Super Junior is expected to be bringing even more since they’ve started their world tour and recently wrapped up a successful run in South America. SM Entertainment stated, “This year, the number of audience members (for our concerts) up to this point already matches the number of audience members we had for the whole of 2012. If we combine all the concerts scheduled until the end of the year, the attendance numbers will increase by at least 50%.”

Of course, it’s not just SM Entertainment going overseas - YG Entertainment has their own firm grasp on overseas concerts. G-Dragon is going on a solo world tour with 25 dates in front of 550,000 fans.Daesung is also bringing in an audience of 100,000 fans with his own 25 concerts. Not only that, Psy is preparing a world tour with agencies in America, and they said, “Since it’s his first world tour, everyone is looking forward to it.”

JYP Entertainment‘s 2PM, DSP Media‘s KARA, and FNC Entertainment‘s CNBLUE are also bringing in similar results. K-Pop experts have predicted that revenue from overseas concert will be increasing 20% this year as compared to last year. Overseas concerts bring in much more profit compared to album and digital sales. Last year, profits from K-pop exports was an estimated amount of $235,000,000 USD, 60% of which came from concerts. Also, there’s additional revenue as big concerts usually bring in over 2,000,000,000 KRW (approximately $1.8 million USD) in sales of merchandise and other concert goods.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will be building a concert venue in Ilsan’s Hallyu World that can seat up to 15,000 people in 2016. Through Hallyu World, they hope to boost tourism and attract overseas visitors to visit Korea.

T-ara N4 debuts with “Countryside Life” on ‘Music Bank’

T-ara’s new unit group T-ara N4 is officially kicking off their promotions for debut title song “Countryside Life” on this week’s episode of ‘Music Bank’!

“Countryside Life” is a funky and intense dance number produced by hitmaker Double Sidekick who also included touches of hip-hop in the song. A traditional version of the song was released as well featuring traditional harmonies and instruments.

The subunit group also worked with the same mastermind behind the international viral craze “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman”, Jo Soo-hyun, for the drama version of their debut music video, which included cameo appearances by several stars.

T-ara N4 is consists of members Jiyeon, Eunjung, Hyomin, and Areum. The name stands for “Brand New 4”. The unit showed off strong and thrilling dance choreography that wasn’t done before by T-ara ever on stage. Coupled with their outrageous and extravagant outfits and accessories, the members displayed their fresh and unique style.

Check out their performance below!

T-ara N4 to release 40,000 limited edition albums

T-ara N4 will be releasing a limited edition album of ‘Countryside Life’.

On May 2, Core Contents Media stated that T-ara N4 will be releasing 40,000 limited edition albums which includes 100 autographed albums by each member, for a total of 400 autographed albums in the pack. 

In addition, T-ara will be giving out 400 free handwritten autographed albums to 400 people who post proof shots of them buying the album. The photos may be uploaded to Core Contents Media’s official café or twitter.

The new album includes 5 distinctive songs including the title track ‘Country side Life,’ and is set to be released tomorrow on May 3rd. The title track ‘Contryside Life’ is a fusion of traditional Korean music and electronic.

Davichi transform into lovely brides for K-Wave

The duo of Davichi have recently transformed into lovely brides for a wedding pictorial for KBSK-Wave magazine. 

In the revealed photos, Kang Min Kyung and Lee Haeri are seen donning flower headdress which were inspired by Korean traditional garments. Both girls were definitely on a par with professional models as they flaunt their model-like fit bodies in various bridal dresses, specially designed by hanbok designer Lee Yoo sook.

Netizens commented, “They look like May brides”, “How can the both of them look so beautiful,” and more.

SHINee is back with “Why So Serious” on ‘M! Countdown’

The boys of SHINee excite their fans by rolling out their promotions for the part two of their third album ‘Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me’ as well as the title track “Why So Serious”!

“Why So Serious” is a dance number with strong rock sounds, and SHINee is coming up with the most powerful performance and charisma ever, a totally different look from the one they showed in “Dream Girl” .

Especially the dance moves which has already been dubbed as the zombie dance, were designed by top-class choreographer Devin Jamieson who have worked with Super Junior, Michael Jackson, Usher, Britney Spears and Hillary Duff. 

SHINee has given special performances with each album since its debut and their comeback stage is expected to be impressive with high quality of performance.

Check out their performance below!

T-ara N4 debuts with “Countryside Life” on ‘M! Countdown’

T-ara’s new unit group T-ara N4 is officially kicking off their promotions for debut title song “Countryside Life” on this week’s episode of ‘M! Countdown’!

“Countryside Life” is a funky and intense dance number produced by hitmaker Double Sidekick who also included touches of hip-hop in the song. A traditional version of the song was released as well featuring traditional harmonies and instruments.

The subunit group also worked with the same mastermind behind the international viral craze “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman”, Jo Soo-hyun, for the drama version of their debut music video, which included cameo appearances by several stars.

T-ara N4 is consists of members Jiyeon, Eunjung, Hyomin, and Areum. The name stands for “Brand New 4”. The unit showed off strong and thrilling dance choreography that wasn’t done before by T-ara ever on stage. Coupled with their outrageous and extravagant outfits and accessories, the members displayed their fresh and unique style.

Check out their performance below!