Sabtu, 13 Agustus 2011

Arashi’s Sakurai Sho is a heavy smoker?


On August 6th, Arashi’s Sakurai Sho stayed at a hotel for work in Iwanaicho, Hokkaido. After he checked out, a woman said to be a hotel worker uploaded a photo of two can ‘chuhais’ and cigarettes that was left on the room’s desk, causing an uproar on the internet.
The controversy started when the woman tweeted, “Oh my gosh. Sakurai Sho-kun stayed at my hotel, and I am now going to the room he stayed in.” Her friend asked, “I want an empty can that Sakurai-san used,” to which the woman replied, “I kept a PET bottle, so I’ll bring it the next time we meet.
After that, the woman reported that she had rested her head on the pillow that still had some hairs from Sakurai’s head, and commented, “I ‘hshs’ the towel he used.” The term ‘hshs‘ is used on the internet  to emulate the breathing sound that one makes when sniffing something.
Replying to the tweets, people criticized the woman saying, “This is improper behavior for a hotel worker!” At the end of the day, the tweets were deleted, but it was too late. Of course, Sakurai is the victim, but because of the photo containing 5 or 6 cigarette butts, some fans have already labeled him as a ‘heavy smoker’.
Staff from TV stations commented, “Arashi is Johnny’s moneymaker, and above all, Sakurai-san has a clean image. The unexpected smoking scandal has made the agency nervous.
Meanwhile, Johnny’s Entertainment explained, “That room was the manager’s room,” arguing that it was the manager who had smoked the cigarettes.
In response, a certain person related to the music industry revealed, “No no, Sakurai-san is the heaviest smoker in Arashi. About a year ago, I met him in the smoking area at NHK, and he smoked one after another. I don’t know if it’s from stress, but perhaps he’s at the stage of a chain smoker? Lately, there’s a rumor going around that he is aging quickly from smoking too much cigarettes.
Source: Cyzo
cr: tokyohive

Sakamoto Maaya gets married to Suzumura Kenichi


It’s been announced that singer/voice actress Sakamoto Maaya and voice actor Suzumura Kenichigot married on August 8th.
Sakamoto stated, “In my life, I’ve always prioritized what I love, what made me happy and comfortable, and tied them to my future. Therefore, even with marriage, it’s something I wanted from the bottom of my heart, so I responded to those feelings.” She continued, “When I’m with Suzumura-san, I feel calm. He is a kind person. For me to sing, act, and live as myself from here on, it’s hopeful to have a reliable partner by my side. Please watch over us warmly.
Meanwhile, Suzumura commented, “I am given strength to be with a woman that’s full of intelligence and energy. I’m already a merry person, but I laugh even more with her. She is an irreplaceable person who I love to spend time with.
He also wrote, “It’s been 17 years since I started voice acting. With this work, it is necessary to have many feelings. The moment my heart is moved in my day-to-day life turn to provisions, and it changes my expressions. I am certain that my new life will bring more provisions. What kind of things are awaiting me? What kind of expressions and emotions will I encounter? For a happy future, I will do my best to live as myself. I will do my best to deliver that happiness to someone with my expressions.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
Source: natalie
cr: tokyohive

Recochoku announces results of favorite Korean artists in Japan poll


Popular music site Recochoku surveyed its users to see which KPOP / Korean artist was their favorite and the results have been revealed!
KARA received the most amount of votes from Recochoku users. Many of the users seem to have been drawn by KARA’s easy to learn dance moves. From the “Hip Dance”, “Penguin dance” to the “Kara Para” their dance moves have caught the hearts of many male and female fans alike. However, their dance moves aren’t the only things that grasp the love of Recochoku users. Some users commented, “Each member has their own personality and they’re cute in their own way” and “Their talks on varieties shows are funny“. On top of that many uses commended KARA for their fluency in Japanese.
Shoujo Jidai was second in the survey ranking. Most of the comments for Shoujo Jidai were a result of their nice legs and bodies. Some users commented, “Their nice legs are what we admire!” and “Their dance moves that show off their nice legs have a powerful force“. It seems that most fans were blown away by their beauty and their dance moves, and turns out that most of the votes for Shoujo Jidai came from teenagers.
FT Island ranked in third behind Shoujo Jidai. This five member group received praise in their looks but also their musicality. Among the comments that praise their musicality, many commented on vocalistLee Hong Ki’s voice by saing, “I fell in love with Lee Hong Ki’s voice“. This is a result of Lee Hong Ki’s role in the drama “You’re Beautiful” but also because they are a band style group instead of a dance and vocal group, like majority of the KPOP groups in Japan.
Check out the rest of the results below!
1. KARA
2. Shoujo Jidai
3. FT Island
4. BIG BANG
5. BEAST
Source: Barks Global Music Explorer
Tip:  Nikki
cr: tokyohive

Genki Rockets to release their second full album in September


After three years and two months, Genki Rockets is set to release their second full album “GENKI ROCKETS II ~No border between us~” on September 7th.
Four of the songs will be remixed by metalmouseDorianThe_AIU, and RAC.
Check out the tracklist below!
[CD]
01. prologue : the Blue
02. Curiosity
03. Touch me
04. fluffy
05. Reaching for the stars
06. Dreaming across stars
07. make.believe
08. Flow
09. Wonderland
10. Maker
11. rebirth
12. Hikaru no tabi
13. Good night
14. Touch me (metalmouse + mix)
15. make.believe (The_AIU mix)
16. Curiosity (RAC mix)
17. Touch me (DORIAN mix)
The First Press Limited Edition will include a DVD with the following PVs:
01. make.believe
02. Curiosity
03. Heavenly Star-3-Dimensionally Mix-
04. StarLine-GRHN Mix-
05. Touch me
Source: natalie
cr: tokyohive

New idol group Houkago Princess releases “Houkago Princess ~ Oshiete Kudasai! ~” PV


Back in July, tokyohive reported about a new idol group named Houkago Princess (or ‘HoriPri‘), who planned on debuting with a single called “Houkago Princess ~ Oshiete Kudasai! ~”” later this summer. On August 12th, their debut PV was finally revealed, and it looks like these girls are aiming to charm with an ultra-girlish, innocent concept.
In their PV, the girls dance in a school gym wearing cute uniforms and little tiaras. The HoriPri members are also offering an additional fan-service by allowing fans to ‘dress them up’. Fans will be able to pick the members’ outfits for when they perform in their live theatre, scheduled to open in Ikebukuro, Tokyo later this month.
Check out their PV below, and tell us your thoughts on this new idol group!

Tip: firefye
cr: tokyohive

Rabu, 10 Agustus 2011

SISTAR & Super Junior’s Leeteuk cast for season 4 of ‘Hello Baby’


SISTAR and Super Junior’s Leeteuk have partnered up as the new mothers and father for KBS Joy’s popular reality program, ‘Hello Baby‘!
‘Hello Baby’ is a show that features the process of idol stars raising their very own baby. The program was previously led by SNSDSHINee, and T-ara.
Despite the fact that they’re about to make a comeback with “So Cool“, the ladies of SISTAR are hard at work filming for the show with every spare moment they have.
PD Im Yong Hwan has grabbed the megaphone for season four. He said, “‘Hello Baby’ season four is like Papa Leeteuk’s ‘Find Mom’ project. It will show the process of finding the favorite mom amongst the four SISTAR members. Putting aside the image as popular pop stars, SISTAR showed off their fresh, cute charms for the program, while Leeteuk showed off a dependable side.”
Unlike the past seasons, it will be the baby who is leading the show, not the parents.
The PD continued, “Before, we focused on the child being raised by idol groups, but this time, the focus will be through the viewpoint of the child.”
The show will begin airing on September 2nd through KBS Joy!
Source + Photos: Joy News 24
Tip: detoured
cr: allkpop

TVXQ’s Yunho to Make A Cameo in ‘Poseidon’


TVXQ’s Yunho will be making a special cameo appearance in KBS’s ‘Poseidon‘!
On August 10th, the drama’s production company explained that although Yunho was originally cast for the ‘Poseidon’ line-up, his busy overseas schedule prevented him from joining. They revealed that Yunho promised his continued friendship to the drama by making a cameo appearance instead.
Yunho will be playing the role of the skilled ‘Kang Eun Chul’, the team leader of ‘Poseidon’.
He’ll be pitted against labelmate Choi Si Won’s character, ‘Sun Woo’, a man who’s described to be principled through and through.
A representative explained, “The drama will contain a sense of humanism that depicts the preciousness of human life, in addition to documenting the adventures the lead roles take on.”
The drama begins airing next month!
Source + Photos: Star News via Nate
cr: allkpop

2PM to Go Back in Time for ‘2PM Show’


For the upcoming episode of SBS Plus’ ‘2PM Show,’ the six members will be dressed in retro school uniforms from the 80’s. Not only will they be dancing to disco music, but they’ll also share their feelings on how it feels to be wearing uniforms again after such a long time.
2PM will be electing their own class president and vice president through a popular schoolyard game called ‘Eraser Fight’. Other classroom games have been included as well, like leg wrestling and kicking slippers off their feet onto a tabletop.
2PM Show – Time Slip‘ will air on August 13th at 11pm, so be sure to tune in.
Source & Photo: TV Daily via Nate
cr: allkpop

KARA Appointed as Honorary Ambassadors for The ‘K-Pop Cover Dance Festival’


The ladies of KARA were named as the honorary ambassadors for the ‘K-Pop Cover Dance Festival‘!
On August 10th, the Committee of ‘Visit Korea Year’ officially appointed KARA at the Taepyeong-ro Press Center.
Since their debut in 2007, the girls have been enjoying much success in Japan and other countries overseas. The Committee felt that the girls were the best fit in promoting the festival all over the world.
KARA will be joining the ‘K-Pop Cover Dance Festival’ in Japan as guests on September 3rd in Tokyo, as well as various other promotional activities for the festival.
The secretary general of the committee, Hong Ju Min, commented, “K-Pop has quickly risen to become one of the driving forces of the Hallyu wave, and along with it, dance covers. By promoting dance covers internationally, we hope to achieve a positive effect, as it is a great opportunity to raise awareness of Korea.”
Source + Photos: Star News via Nate
cr: allkpop