LOOK FORWARD TO SJ's SUPER SHOW II SHANGHAI!!!!!
This weekend's 2 concerts (Saturday and Sunday) maybe SJ's last concerts! Well, only 10 out of the 13 members will be there, so technically, SJ had their "last" concert along time ago.


L.A. FANS....... LOOK FOR DBSK Uknow Yunho!!
Tomorrow, Friday, March 5th, DBSK's leader, Uknow Yunho, will be closer to me than usual. He will be in L.A., which is ~1800 miles away from where I live. Yunho is coming to LA to train for the THIS IS IT MJ memorial concert, which will be help in Korea on March 27th and 28th. For more information, try AF.

Onto more serious issues.
Korea's Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) is investigation SM and 20+ other entertainment companies (YG, Star, etc.). So far, 19 companies and 230 artists signed unfair contracts that limited artists personal activities. SM and its 53 artists will also be investigated. This wave of investigation was stimulated by Jaejoong/Junsu/Yoochun/Hangeng's case.
My opinion on this entire issue is and has always been that no one forced them to sign the contracts and stars should have more restrictions on their personal lives than other professions. Chinese people say 天下乌鸦一般黑. In English, all crows are equally black. I don't believe one company is better than any other (not significantly anyways). Therefore, it's not just SM who is being unfair. The "rule" of the entertainment circle is unfair. Therefore, since they wanted to be a star, they had to sign it. Honestly, they wanted to sign it! I don't particularly feel bad for the artists. They knew what they were getting into before they signed the paper. Again, no one held a gun to their head and forced them.
As for restrictions on personal life, I believe some is necessary. Once you become a public figure, no part of your life is private. If that's not what you want, don't become a public figure. Being a singer and being a star are two completely different concepts. Two different ranges of skills are required. To be a good singer, all you have to do is sing well. But to be a good celebrity, singing relatively well is only the beginning. It's not easy to portray a perfect image of a star. Companies restrict their artists to help them become the "perfect idol." The definition of a perfect idol, of course, is a social thing. Can't change it in a short period of time.
Overall, I don't want my idols to suffer, but I don't feel terribly sorry for them either.

BREAKOUT

I know that DBSK's Breakout came out more than a month ago, but I did not notice anything strange about the MV of Breakout until today.

Here's the MV of Breakout.

Compare it to Mirotic and other DBSK MV's.

What do you see? rather what do you not see?

There's not a single scene with all 5 DBSK members together in the MV of Breakout!!!!

I compared breakout to mirotic because they have similar messages. breakout is about each person finding a path and reaching tomorrow (something like that). so i get it, each member struggle on their own. But Mirotic is also about escaping traps/constraints/temptations. they all escaped and are all together again in the end.

I have a bad feeling about this. Breaking out of DBSK. I don't know what happened before HOT, SES, etc. disbanded. But i don't like the feel of this at all. Back in January (after the lawsuit was settled) when DBSK performed together, they were in separate dressing rooms and everything. Haha, the significance of this is just hitting me. Oh well, we will see.

It has been a very peaceful and uneventful week in the DBSJ (DBSK+SJ) world.
Finally, some news worth mentioning.



A-star, a magazine, conducted a survey. The population of the study/survey is its workers. Based on performance, behavior, personal contact, interview, etc. A-star's workers rated K-pop celebrities. The most memorable is........... HERO KIM JAEJOONG! SJ's SIWON got 2nd place. 2PM's Nickhkun is 3rd. SHINee's Taemin and Minho are 4th and 5th respectively. Honestly, most memorable does not = best. lol. Still, congrats to Jaejoong and Siwon. 4 out of 5 are SM artists! doesn't that say something about SM? I think it does :). Surprised that Kim Heechul is not on the list.......




More on Kim Jaejoong. He will be in a Japanese drama. Not as the lead, not sure what type of character. NO official press release about it yet. The title of the drama is Sunao ni narenakute, and it is directed by the same person who directed Heaven's Postman. The drama will start airing in April on Fuji TV.

2pm's problem is growing, but i don't really care. JYP called the police cuz some private info was leaked on the internet........ something like that.



last but not least, SM will not be broadcasting any of their music on Mnet....... ever (well, not sure how long). the announcement was officially made yesterday on SM's website. For example, if u go on Mnet's website now and click on SNSD's OH, you will see "We are currently in the midst of consulting on contract to using this music source. We will work hard to resume the service" (asianfanatics).
Does this have anything to do with Lee Soo Man leaving?

recent SJ news

I finally made it to SJ. I really should be studying for my Biology test so I will try to make this quick.


1) my current favorite SJ member (actually ties with Heechul) ------- LEE HYUKJAE ------- got swine flu. Lol, everyone's all better and now he's getting it. very Hyukjae like. I hope Junsu called him or visited him in the hospital :) And I think I read somewhere that Heechul will be filling in got Hyukjae at KTR, Strong Heart, Starking, and etc. So Hyukjae was still on Feb 25 KTR. From the clips I've seen, Leeteuk hosted Feb 26 KTR by himself, but Sungmin was there as a guest I believe. KRT is a 2-hour, daily radio show that Leeteuk and Hyukjae have been hosting together for 4 years. They are also permanent guests/hosts on Strong Heart and Starking. I want to see Heechul oppa fill in.



2) side note, lol. SARANGHAEYO KIM HEECHUL!
Heechul, who is in TRAX's MV, also played piano for the TRAX on the Feb 26 episode of KBS Music Bank!! Heechul oppa is my prince........ uhm princess. BUT he really needs to cut his hair!! I understand that he is filming a drama right now so he can cut it however he want, but i really don't like his current haircut. Also since Hangeng is "missing," I have a feeling that JChul is on the rise again.

3) SJ's comeback in MAY. Fans are very very very excited! Here's a fanvid to prepare everyone for the comeback :)


now on to more serious news.
4) SJ's concerts in Shanghai on March 6th and 7th. Shanghai must be a really good place. Looks like SJ and DBSK are having their last concerts in that over populated city!
I'm sure SJ's problems do not need to be repeated. Hangeng wants to leave SM, Kibum only wants to act, Kangin got in trouble so SM is restricting his activities, sub-grouping hints, etc. Anyways, the most recent news, an interview the sponsors and planners of the Shanghai concerts said that the concerts will take place as planned. Hangeng, Kibum, and Kangin will of course not be there. At the concert as well as possibly forever (meaning in 4th album), Henry and Zhou Mi of SJM will replace Kangin and Kibum in SJ (and probably Hangeng, but we don't know how the law suit will end yet). And in the future, SJ will be divided into smaller sub-groups and remain active that way, but Kangin, Kibum, and Hangeng will not be included.


5) not SJ related, but similar type of stuff. 2PM Jaebeom officially announced that he is not returning to 2PM. but the reason is not because of the MySpace controversy. Apparently, Jaebeom did something wrong during Again and Again promotion. no one (public) knows what the mistake is; words like private and social were used by JYP representative. JYP also claimed that 2pm members as well as JYP officials sat down together earlier this year and decided that Jaebeom cannot stay with 2PM any more. Netizens are again opening this big mouth. Some say that it's because of illegal drug use or impregnating a girl. Also, after the official announcement, 2pm members closed their minihomepages. 2pm fans, of course, won't let this go and are arguing with JYP. I'm not a 2pm fan so I don't know about much about Jaebeom or the entire controversy.

recent DBSK news

Instead of guessing what will happen next, here are some current DBSK news. I will do SJ next in a separate post :)

1) Which celebrity do you want the most to become your lover/BF/etc?
According to TBS's CDTV, a Japanese music show, the answer is DBSK Hero Jaejoong. CDTV Music Show recently conducted a survey (not sure how) and the most number of Japanese people picked Jaejoong. Kim Jaejoong becomes the first non-Japanese artist in the 16-year history of the show/survey to win first. In 2008, Jaejoong first became a candidate. After two years, he is #1!! This shows DBSK's popularity in Japan (which makes me even more certain that AVEX would want to keep DBSK).

Also, Micky Yoochun received #3, beating popular Kat-tun members; Max Changmin got #6; Xiah Junsu got #7. Too bad Yunho didn't make it into the top 10 :(.

2) AVEX will be having their "stock holder party" (something like that) soon, rumors had it that DBSK will be there.

3) DBSK will be recording a new single. The new single is for the advertisement of Japanese cosmetic brand MENARD. and it will be released in March. The article on this on AF was really confusing. According to AF, the original source of this news is from DBSK's official Japanese website (which should be trust worthy). But the wording (probably due to translation) is hard to understand. The article talks about the inclusion of Ceasing the Time, which is a new DBSK song in the Best Selection 2010 album, and Checkmate, which is Yunho's solo piece for the 3rd Asia Tour Mirotic, in the new single........ uhm, neither song is new. Anyways, I'm confused. If anyone knows anything about this, please please please update/correct me.




4) last but not least. YAY for Cassiopeia!!!! Cassiopeia, the official fanclub of DBSK, had an event yesterday. Basically fans suddenly appeared in a organized fashion at busy street corners around the nation and did a little dance in honor of DBSK.
Take a good look at the first picture on this post. What do you see? Mirotic, yes I see that too. What else?
MIROTIC, 7 letters, connected DBSK's members, TVXQ as a whole, and Cassiopeia :)

Lee Soo Man and SM part 2

I have a question that I've been dying to know the answer. Are LSM and SM the same thing? Does SM overwork and underpay its artists the same thing as LSM is a terrible person? I don't know the answer. and fans are divided on this issue. Even though many fans (most I believe) think that SM = LSM and LSM = SM. Since SM is hurting their (fans) idols and their idols want to leave SM, then their idols must hate LSM as well. There are also other fans who think that LSM is just one person. Many other people are involved in decision making and the future of idols. LSM should not be the scapegoat.

LSM now and 30 years ago when he was a popular singer



The answer to the questions I proposed at the begin is especially important now because LSM is leaving SM. I personally do not think LSM is a bad person and LSM = SM. I'm sure he cares about the company he created single-handedly as well as the stars he trained. After all, he was in their shoes more than 30 years ago. I think he is probably very strict teacher/boss and ask 300% from everyone, but that is what is necessary to be top stars. SJ, DBSK, HOT, etc. they are all grateful to LSM. From what I can sense (which honestly is not very much at all), sincerely grateful.

You got to admit that LSM is one of the top in the business. He is a musician; he is a business. For example, he was personally involved in the making of DBSK's first Oricon #1, Purple Line. For example, he was able to convince AVEX to support all SM artists' Japanese activities. No other Korean, no other none Japanese, artists has been as successful in the Japnese market, second biggest music market in the world, as DBSK. From HOT to DBSK to SNSD, SM has produced the most number of top stars in the business.

Now, LSM and AVEX are leaving SM at the same time. SM stated that LSM will no longer take part in SM's operational decision, he will remain as a teacher/trainer of new stars and participate in furthering SM artists' foreign activities. The company also stated that AVEX selling all SM stocks does not mean that SM-AVEX cooperation is ending. I honestly can't believe the second part about AVEX. but the first part, LSM is going back to what he does best.

CEO of AVEX


Anyways, I'm not sure what I'm trying to say any more. lol. I guess I'm just trying to give as much background and my opinion as possible. THE ONLY CONCERN I have is actually how all this will effect SM artists, especially DBSK.
For the people who believe that LSM = SM and Junsu/Jaejoong/Yoochun left SM because they are not happy with their contracts and LSM, LSM leaving SM is a good thing. Some of the tension is gone, therefore DBSK has a better chance of continuing activities in Korea. For people like me who think that LSM is just the scapegoat, LSM leaving is not such a great thing. It decreases the chance of DBSK staying as 5.
What about AVEX? DBSK's contract with AVEX is ending soon (I believe in June of this year). Unless DBSK renew their contract with AVEX, their Japanese activity is over. I believe Junsu, Jaejoong, Yoochun, and AVEX probably want to continue their work. But since AVEX is no longer a stock holder of SM, Yunho and Changmin, who are still with SM, will probably have a harder time renewing with AVEX. Also, if DBSK do not renew their contract with AVEX, then I can say with 99% confidence that DBSK's end has come.


After updating my blog for the past few days, I have 2 questions/concerns. 1) Should I use DBSK/SJ/SNSD/etc. as singular proper nouns or plural? well, maybe it depends on how I use it lol. 2) am I just wasting my time and breath? I don't care if people read this or not, but 10 years from now when I look back will I think "OMG I was so naive wasting time on boy bands!"? whatever, I'm worrying too much again lol.

SM is getting a new boss?

SJ's Sorry Sorry won #1 at GaOn chart award........... along with SNSD's Gee. Congrats to both groups! DBSK also won Japan's Golden Disc award today. Their DVD All About DBSK Season 3 won first..... not sure which category.

My only problem is that only 4 out of the 13 SJ members went to the award ceremony (Leeteuk, Eunhyuk, Donghae, and Shindong). So what are the rest doing? I'm sure I don't have to talk about Hangeng, Kangin, and Kibum again lol. Heechul and Siwon are still busy with their dramas. The other 4....... they don't get much attention anyways. But I love Yesung and Kyuhyun so much. Especially Kyuhyun, he is very FH :). Ryeowook and Sungin are very cute as well.

The big news today is about Lee Soo Man, CEO of SM. HE "RETIRED/RESIGNED." Some history: LSM created SM in 1995; he is the CEO and biggest stock holder (>25%); AVEX, the Japanese company that DBSK is working with, is the second biggest stock holder (<20%).>

So..... will the future of SM change? Stock holder's power cannot be over looked. Therefore, I'm sure LSM still has much power over SM's future. After all, he is the founder. He devoted his entire career/life to SM so it's fair. I personally think he is a very successful businessman. And despite of the negative characterizations of LSM in fanfics and etc, I believe he is a nice and intelligent person. I'm not sure why either, just a feeling. I think it's not LSM, it's the entire Kpop circle that is a bit...... screwed-up.

Here's the stock chart for SM. Reminds of the old days when I was in QF!!! Elliott wave theory anyone?

Who is the new CEO? no info on that yet. Does it really matter? I don't really think so. I'm sure LSM is still the one in charge.

Another surprise for me is.......... AVEX is out! I'm not sure how did the AVEX-SM relationship started, but ending the relationship now will change the fate of DBSK for sure. Honestly, I don't know what to think.

so just mentioning random sparks in my head.....

What does LSM's leave have to do with all the law suits? or did the law suits forced him to retire?

Of course, the fanfic interpretation............ especially relating to Jaegeng. LSM is known as a Jaegeng anti. Cuz Yunho can talk about how he broke up with his girlfriend because of Heechul, Junsu can talk about Hyukjae and their elementary/middle/high school experiences, even Kibum said that Chamgmin is his only friend who is about his age (Kibum likes to hangout with older people), but Jaejoong is not allowed to talk about Hangeng. Example: The Star Show. Yunho menioned Kangin and Heechul, Junsu talked about Hyukjae as expected, Changmin laughed at Kibum's height (Yoochun talked about Fly to the Sky, another SM group), but Jaejoong's part was cut out. He did not get to talk or his part was edited out. Hangeng and Jaejoong lived in the same room together for more than a year. They are definitely good friends (probably not best best friends). but their interactions are rarely caught on camera. Fanvids of rehearsals of SMT concerts and concerts and maybe background of SMT MV's are the only place you can see Jaegeng together. Even though I don't think Jaejoong and Hangeng decided to leave SM together, but I'm sure the fact that Jaejoong/Junsu/Yoochun's leave gave Hangeng more courage. and I'm sure Hangeng probably asked them for advice about legal issues and etc.

So does Jaejoong/Hangeng/LSM all leaving SM around the same time have any significance? I will leave that to the talented and created fanfic writers out there.