Saturday, April 21, 2012

Despite success, Korean band CNBLUE remains humble



SEOUL, South Korea - Since their 2009 debut in Korea, CNBLUE have been one of the few rock bastions on the ultra-competitive local music scene dominated by danceable electro-pop.

Their lasting success has comforted some about the continuing mainstream appeal of rock, while detractors accuse them of packaging innocuous poppy sounds, even calling them a "fake band."

At a recent interview with the four members, front man Jung Yong-hwa, bassist Lee Jung-shin, guitarist Lee Jong-hyuk and drummer Kang Min-hyuk, seemed to weigh in little on the controversy, which has been their biggest asterisk since they started.

Rather than theorizing or rationalizing about their career, the barely 20-somethings reveled in it with ample humility, as sometimes even they are at a loss to describe the reason behind their success.

"Compared to when we were touring (East) Asia with the single Love, (from their second EP “Bluelove”) nowadays K-pop is riding on a much bigger wave," said Jung, adding that their audience and fan base have expanded thanks to the collective expansion of Korean pop music in the last year. "The stages are bigger for us. Most of our fans used to be in their 30s or 40s; now we have more in their 20s or younger."

Much like their K-pop colleagues, CNBLUE have gone from nobodies to superstars almost overnight, starting with their debut Korean EP "Bluetory" and its catchy lead single “I’m a Loner.” And they have not stopped since, writing and performing new material across the Korean and Japanese markets.

Most recently, they released their third mini-album titled "Ear Fun," with the single "Hey You" topping domestic on- and offline charts.

Their continuing run of hits in Korea and even their rise to Japanese stardom was a surprise to many, simply because they stood nowhere near the usual dancing troupe model of K-pop, now noted across the world. There were many critics, however, including Korean rock legend Shin Hae-chul, who publicly accused CNBLUE of plagiarism and also called the band unworthy of bearing that term.

But since their debut, seeing guitars and a drum set on the stage of weekly pop music shows has become less alien, and Big Bang, the biggest K-pop boy band that relies heavily on dance, recruiting a live band on stage. Even indie band Busker Busker, the runner-up on the third season of Korea’s “American Idol” equivalent “Superstar K,” is now gaining mass-market attention, with their recent major-label debut topping local charts.

"The format of live television shows hasn’t changed much and so we have a few improvements we would love as a band," said Jung. "We’re content with the fact that we can let our music be heard."

And they certainly have pushed themselves hard on that front.

According to lead guitarist Lee Jong-hyuk, in the first four months of this year, they have had 30 live showcases, including nine concerts outside their usual domains of Korea and Japan.

The group is also looking further afield when it comes to giving back. In March, a school named after them was opened in a small village in southwestern Burkina Faso in West Africa, partially funded by the proceeds of the band’s earnings.
"A lot of times we want to help but don’t know how," said Jung. "We recently got to watch a video clip of the school, now all finished and in operation. We are very proud of this."

The band’s management agency, FNC Entertainment, stated that the contribution to the Burkinabe project, organized by the Korea Food for Hungry International, will continue on a consistent basis.

Now in their third year as CNBLUE, the members seemed to reflect much longer when asked about their future plans and ambitions.

"The lyrics of foreign bands are so much more varied. Some of the subjects are simply unimaginable to me," said Jung, adding that the group are also stepping away from the syrupy lovesick words the fans have come to associate with them. "I want to be alone, maybe travel — alone," he added.

"I want life to be a bit more spectacular," said Lee Jung-shin. "Our career has progressed endlessly. We need a break."
"I want to space out for a little while," said Lee Jong-hyuk, laughing.

They were off to an amusement park outside Seoul for their next appointment, at least a two-hour ride from the central business district downtown, where the interview took place.

The four members of CNBLUE all looked exhausted from their non-stop schedule, but glowed with hope.
"We are going to be together for 20 to 30 years, at least," the guitarist said firmly.

Source: enewsworld

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

"Randy Shin Hye" to throw the opening pitch for KIA Tigers

Park Shin Hye, who was nicknamed Randy Shin Hye after opening for KIA Tigers in 2006, will once again throw the opening pitch for KIA Tigers, a professional baseball in Korean on April 10 2012.

Shin Hye  has been wishing to open for the KIA Tigers saying "As an avid Kia Tigers fan, I openly expressed my wish to open for Kia Tigers on Twitter, but sadly no one contacted me. Please, please contact me during the next playoffs".

And looks like Shin Hye's wishes has come true.

The actress will be opening for one of Kia Tigers' match with Samsung Lions on April 10. The event will feature a mini-parade of the baseball team, a signing event, a concert and a match with Samsung Lions. Kia Tigers is the Korean baseball team that represents Gwangju, Shinhye's hometown. While Shinhye will be the pitcher, the Gwangju province's mayor will be the batter.

credit: PSHIFC

Jung Yonghwa talks about his kiss scene with So Ee Hyun


Jung Yong Hwa talked about his kiss scene with So Ee Hyun ( Jung Yoon Soo in Heartsrings) during the April 10th episode of SBS's "Strong Heart"

Jung Yonghwa remarked, “My kiss scene with So Ee Hyun took place on the streets of Apgujeong.”

“It was a long shot being filmed from afar, so all we had to do was pretend to kiss,” he said. But Yonghwa did not know this, and wanting to come across as masculine, he planted his lips right on hers.

So Ee Hyun became shocked and dumbfounded at the situation, but she knew that they would have to film the scene over if she moved.

Not moving her lips from his like a ventriloquist, she asked, “What are you doing?”, which caused Yonghwa without moving his lips from hers to respond with his own question, “What’s the problem?”

Yonghwa’s ‘kiss conversation’ with So Ee Hyun caused everyone on set to burst into laughter, including new ‘Strong Heart’ MCs Shin Dong Yeob and Lee Dong Wook.

Source & Image: Segye via Nate
Cr: allkpop

Friday, April 06, 2012

Park Shin Hye At "Jain Song" Fashion Show Event During Seoul Fashion Week

Ms. Park Shin Hye was one of the many attendees for the fashion week show.



Her infamous trade mark laughs.



Source/Credit: As tagged


CNBlue Ear Fun Mini Album Limited Edition



Rock band CNBLUE will release the limited edition version of the band’s 3rd mini album ‘EAR FUN’.
The Special Limited Edition of ‘EAR FUN’ will include the same tracks from the original ‘EAR FUN’ album, but it will include the individual pictorial of the members shot in the U.S.
The pictorial will have 140 pages worth of CNBLUE images and it also comes with a 20 minute DVD from the U.S. shoot. It will include the group shots and as well as individual member shots in 4 separate booklets.
The album ‘EAR FUN’ has been receiving lots of praise from music fans and critics alike since its release and it has also been the hottest selling album in recent weeks.
The pre-order of The Special Limited Edition ‘EAR FUN’ will start on April 6th.
Source: Etoday via Nate & Kpopfever.com

Sunday, April 01, 2012

[VIDEOS] CNBLUE Comeback Stage


As we all know, last 26th day of March CNBLUE released their 3rd Mini Album's and full MV via their official YouTube channel at exactly 00:00 Midnight (KST)

Few days after, they perform 'Hey You' and 'Still in Love' in different shows like M Countdown, KBS Music Bank, SBS's Inkigayo and the like.

So, Here are some videos of their performances in different shows:

March 29, 2012 (Thursday)
M Countdown
Hey You


Still in Love


March 30, 2012 (Friday)
KBS Music Bank
Hey You


Still in Love


March 31, 2012 (Saturday)
MBC Music Core
Hey You


Still In Love


April 1, 2012 (Sunday)
SBS Inkigayo
Interview


Still In Love + Hey You


cr: CapsuleHD19, CapsuleHD13, CapsuleHD18, CapsuleHD2, slash5417


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