[NEWS] KARA will confront Japanese Girl Groups in November

KARA as Korean Girl Group Pride will confront with Japanese Girl Group

KARA will release second single ‘Jumping’ in Japan on 10 November. As opposed to the first single ‘Mister’ that was introduced last August, which was already released in Korea , ‘Jumping’ is a new song composed by Korean Staffs.

In addition, Kara’s second album release is on 10 November, which is just right where local artists (Japan) will also release their album on a large scale. On that day, Japanese popular artists including Arashi, Hirai Ken, Kajimi Yusuke will also release their albums.

Especially this day, Japan’s girl group representative will also confront with KARA. Japan Girl idol representative management Hello’s Berryz Kobo, which is also quite popular in Korea, as well as ‘Perfume’ which has confronted with KARA for awhile. AKB48 and Perfume are two groups that KARA is most concern about. Last August KARA has already confronted with Perfume when first single album was released. At that time, KARA was ranked at #5 on Oricon Chart while Perfume with 80,000 copies sales was up at #2 on Oricon Chart. However, KARA was able to catch up later on weekly chart. Moreover since KARA is gaining popularity in Japan and increased awareness, it seems like it is not that difficult for KARA to confront with them.

KARA (and their agency) are looking forward to have over 100,000 copies sales for second single and hoping to enter Oricon Chart Top 5 for the second consecutive time.

Meanwhile, KARA’s Korean version ‘BEST ALBUM’ is released on 29 September. This album is ranked at #2 on Oricon chart which show positive signs.

Thanks Anne for the tip
Translated by aank1 @ karaholic.com
Source : Newsen

[NEWS] Kara’s ‘Mister’ concept copied by a Japanese female idol group?

A controversy of a popular Japanese girl group copying Kara has been rising.

Korean netizens are in doubt that the Japanese idol girl group, ‘9 nine’, have copied Kara’s clothing concepts, who released their debut single ‘Mister’ in Japan in early August.

A 5-member female idol group ‘9 nine’ who debuted in 2005 recently released a single album with a concept similar to Kara’s clothing for ‘Mister’ – short-sleeved colour t-shirts, baggy hip-hop pants and even the gloves.

Moreover, netizens are suspecting that Kara has influenced them a lot, making a point that ‘9 nine’, who used to rely on their cute images, transformed into a powerful and sexy concept as SNSD and Kara had quite an impact on the Japanese girl group industry.

Netizens have commented on internet forums, saying “You can tell that it’s similar to the concept for ‘Mister’,” “This is like copying the concept,” “I can see nothing different from ‘Mister’s image,” and have expressed their doubts and suspicions.

While some netizens are disagreeing, saying “Different singers’ different images influence each other of course, so aren’t you reacting too sensibly?” but most netizens are agreeing that the concepts are too similar to each other.

Other netizens have wrote, “I’m proud that Korean girl groups are popular enough to have a big influence over Japanese girl groups,” “Korean music-entertainment industry used to copy the Japanese culture, but now it’s the opposite,” and have shown their pride.

Source : Newsen
Translated by : Lorah@dkpopnews.net

[NEWS] T-ara, 'We want to be more than singers'

'Being a singer alone does not satisfy us'

T-ara(Eunjung, Hyomin, Soyeon, Jiyeon, Kyuri and Boram) discuss their goal to become multi-entertainers in the entertainment business.

With hits like 'Bo Peep Bo Peep' and 'Go Crazy Because of You', they now challenge themselves to do more than singing.

Qri had her acting debut in MBC's historical drama 'Queen Seon-dook' although she played a little part. She then took part in 'Southern Trader Kim Chulsoo"

Jiyeon debuted in MBC's drama aswell, named 'Soul'. She then got another gig through KBS 2TV's 'God of Study'. She had her first movie role in the successful horror movie 'Death Bell 2', and her first variety show as a fixed cast in SBS' 'Heroes'. She will return later this month with 'Jungle Fish 2'.

Eunjung had already started her acting and modeling career before even getting in T-ara. She got her first lead role acting in SBS' drama 'Coffee House'. She will have her first movie role in 'White'.

Leader Boram has had her share aswell. Aside from acting along-side Jiyeon in 'Soul', she followed her mother's footsteps by debuting in the one-shot 'In Purple Heels, The Grim Reaper is Coming!".

Hyomin is acting in the variety field as well through the show 'Invcinible Youth'. As a member of T-ara, she's also had alot of guestings with the group, but her first role in the drama is in SBS' 'My Girlfriend Is A Nine-Tailed Fox'.

Lastly, member Soyeon, aside from appearing in varios variety and talk shows, will have her own movie debut soon aswell.

In a recent interview with T-ara, they explained us their experiences with their acting/solo projects. While promoting for the movie 'Death Bell 2', T-ara joined member Jiyeon to show their support and gather more fans and meet them. "If Death Bell 3 is done, we will be the new heroines of the movie" said in a joking manner.

-'I want to be paired up with Lee Seung-Gi'

Hyomin transformed in to an actress for the first time in 'Gumiho'. She expressed her feelings of wanting to be paired up with Lee Seung-Gi who is her co-star in the drama 'My Girlfriend is a Gumiho'.

The members joke around about Hyomin, as Soyeon says "Hyomin wants to be paired of with Lee Seung-Gi but the truth is they look more like brother and sister!" she continues "I hope Lee Seung-Gi has a deep kissing scene!!"

Jiyeon was asked, what was the hardest part participating in her latest solo project 'Jungle Fish 2'.

"I think the hardest part is playing the role of a problematic teenager. I play a teenager in her school days who is addicted to ADHD pills. The director is very meticulous with every movement and action I do."

She continues, "Im not yet of legal age, but I have to play someone who breaks the boundaries. But this gives me challenge. I want to play more challenging parts in the future"

While talking to T-ara, it seems there is this certain sparkle in their eyes when talking about being multi-entertainers. It seems there's no boundaries for this girl group.

Credits : Kwon Soobin(interviewer) + Diadem Gallery
Translation : *YANiPOPO* @ Tiaradiadem.com

[NEWS] 4Minute to sing for 'The Fugitive: Plan B' OST

On 28th September, details of the OST CD for KBS drama 'The Fugitive: Plan B' were officially announced. The OST CD will include the theme song, Running & Running, by MBLAQ, as well as 2 other songs by 4Minute and Shin SeungHoon respectively.

Starring Rain, Daniel Henney, Lee NaYoung, Lee JungJin and more, 'The Fugitive: Plan B' will have its first episode aired on 29th September, 9:55PM KST.


Sources : Fancafe + Baidu
Translation + Reporting : kueensora@4-minute.com

[NEWS] Nickhun & Nicole is the No.1 idol for living happily ever after marriage!

KARA's Nicole and 2PM's Nichkhun is most likely the idol who will live happily ever after marriage !

Shin Sung International Marriage did a poll asking which two idol stars will be the best international couple if they were to be married.

Nicole and Nickhun won first place with gaining 531 votes out of 797 (66.6%)

Second place goes to 2NE1's Sandara Park gaining (245,30.7 %) of votes while, Yong Hwa gaining(327,41%) of votes

-Omitted-

Source : Newsen
Translated by : Eric@dkpopnews.net + Jaz@dkpopnews.net

[NEWS] 4Minute chosen as top fashionistas

Girl group 4minute have been chosen as the #1 fashionistas in the idol world.

On the latest episode of MBC's Flower Bouquet, an "idol fashion showdown" unfolded.

Idol groups 4minute, Secret, T-ara and MBLAQ participated in the themed episode about fashion trends, showing incredible fashion sense.

4minute showed an unparalleled fashion sense through the styling they showed off, all without professional coordi noonas. HyunA chose a pink blouse and high-waisted pants, showing off the perfect look for a special date. Nam Jihyun displayed her perfect model posing through her recent magazine photoshoot (with Secret, MBLAQ and T-ara members) and was chosen as #1 by a committee comprised of the fashion directors for the shoot.

Source : Hankyung
Translation : its_matteo @ 4-minute.com

[NEWS] Hyomin "I auditioned 80 times for MGIAG"

"At first I just want to wear those beautiful arts school uniforms but now…” T-ara’s Hyomin smiled when she recalled those days when she chose to attend Arts School. It was only the beginning of her career and now she is one of the cast in SBS’s drama “My Girlfriend is a Gumiho” (MGIAG).

“When I saw Jiyeon acting, I thought that we will all have our chance to act so I was quite relaxed with the idea, but I never expected that the opportunity for me will come so quickly. ” Hyomin said.

“Although I was cast for the drama, but the road to it was not easy. I have been auditioned for 80 times and finally landed the role, I am very happy that I am now both a singer and an actress.”

Hyomin plays the role of a martial arts film director’s daughter in MGIAG, although it was hard as a singer turned actress, she worked very hard and strived to complete shooting the drama.

“My goal for this year is for MGIAG to get high ratings, I hope that I can be one with SunNyeo(her character) for now and so please forget T-ara’s Hyomin for a while.”

“I think after Jiyeon starred in some dramas, that made T-ara even popular, I think that our individual schedules also has an affect on our popularity.”

“I am not greedy, I just want to bring out the character that I am acting as. Although I am not the main cast, but I am satisfied with my current role because I want to see myself grow bit by bit.”

“Acting and singing, I want both. When I’m acting I’m an actress and when I’m a singer, I will do my best on stage, I hope that I will be able to do my best in whatever I do. Although it has only been a year since our debut, I hope that you will see the best of T-ara. ”

Credits : t-arachina.cn + luvHM(trans) + Diadem