The Epic Battle begins:Dong Bang Shin Ki vs. Big Bang!!!

With the upcoming return of many pop acts, comparisons are inevitable.

This time around, the battle is between boys men. The return of DBSK after 1.7 years in Japan has caused excitement among fans with their interestingly named title song, “Mirotic”.

Already, within 3 days of its release, “Mirotic” has climbed up to #1 on the KTF Dosirak’s most wanted with over 300,000 CDs preordered. In order to keep up with the demand, the record co had to push back the release date by two days. With so much attention and hype these boys are receiving, Big Bang has their work cut out for them when they return in November.

As of now, the first real battle between the idol groups will transpire on the SBS program “Family Outing”, which will air on October 12 & 19, 2008, where Daesung of Big Bang is part of the cast and Yunho and Junsu of DBSK will appear as guests. And most likely, the boys of DBSK and Big Bang will duke it out for cast member Lee Hyori, who has doted on Daesung all throughout the show’s airing.

Until then, keep your paper and pens out and track these two groups in the battle of the year.

As of now, DBSK is ahead by a point for breaking the highest presale order since the release of Seo Taiji’s 8th album in 2004.

DBSK - 1
Big Bang - pending

Wonder Girls haven't change!!!

After all the hype, the Wondergirls trade in their Flinstones leopard prints for retro sequins and black pleather for their comeback stage on KBS program, “Music Bank” on September 26th. Although their outfits and song have changed, the booty shaking still remains.

How old are they again?

Father SM is banking On Dong Bang Shin Ki!!!

DBSK made their first television appearance on SBS’ “Chocolate” on September 27, 2008, where they shared the same stage with Ye Eun, a blind piano playing prodigy who also appeared on twice on Star King and won each time she appeared.

Although pictures can be worth a thousand words, and obviously, each picture shows the compassion and kindness of the DBSK members for this girl, out of these thousand words “well plotted ploy” also come to mind.

It is true that DBSK can care for this little girl greatly, however, with every appearance DBSK makes, one cannot help but also see Father SM looking down enjoying the money and attention his company receives due to such appearances.

Father Sm has concocted the perfect image for a successful money making product, DBSK.

FT Island has new Album........

FT Island has officially announced their comeback on August 18^th, 2008 with a music video teaser. The 5 member group will release their second album, Colorful Sensibility and accompanying music video on the 25th. But before that, they will perform at Melon AX Theater in Seoul on August 23^rd, 2008.

Kim Hee-chul saves his first kiss for wifey.......

So does this mean that he has never kissed a girl? But guys are ok?

Super Junior member, Kim Heechul recently confessed on ETN that he will save his first kiss for my future wife. The feminine member revealed that there will be no kissing scenes of him in the upcoming 70’s musical, “Xanadu” with fellow chubby member, Kangin.

“Xanadu,” the musical runs from September 9th - 11th 2008 in Seoul.

Big Bang are waiters in Black!!!

Just imagine if the boys of Big Bang were your personal waiters- what would you do?

Dressed in the standard uniform of white shirt, black pants and black butterflies, er bow ties, the 5 member group is featured in the big fat September issue of Elle Magazine (Korea).

Big Bang is also featured in Fall issue of Esquire Magazine. Look out for the pictures soon!

PopSelca:Sohee is too Sexy!!!

Sohee of the Wondergirls has gone from cute to glam with the eyeliner, sexy hair and the trendy pink lipstick. This was all for the grown-up men’s magazine, GQ last month. But wait a minute. Isn’t she only 16?

No more Idol Groups,Please!?

I am having a hard time keeping track of all the new idol groups coming out of the woodwork. I was just getting used to the pastel bowl cut boys of SHINee and 7-year trained 2AM, but now there is…. SMASH.

The 6 boy group is nothing to get excited about.

SMASH is latest carbon copy but unoriginal boy group swimming in a red ocean filled with look-a-like competitors. How do they expect to survive? They won’t. If their first lackluster single, “Emergency” (from the mini album “Open Fire”) is any indication, they will disappear as quickly as they appeared.

So it’s better not even to bother naming all of them or even making a new category.

SM Town Live 08 Xoncert in Seoul!

Where else would they have it?

Yesterday was raining, but that didn’t stop 45 thousand fans from seeing their favorite performers at the 5.5 hour SMTOWN LIVE 08 concert extravaganza. For a total of 39 performers including Boa, Super Junior, Dong-bang-shin-ki (DSBK), The Grace, SHINee and Girls Generation (SNSD).

Shouts out if you were the one of 45,000 screaming girls at the concert.

SMTOWN LIVE 08 will take their show on the road to Beijing, Shanghai and Bangkok, starting in September.

Super Junior's Shindong is Sexy!

Super Junior’s Shindong dons a wigs and straps on bright green socks for cover cover performance of Lee Hyori’s “U go girl” at the SMTOWN LIVE 08 concert on August 15^th 2008. Move over Lee Hyori!

SMTOWN LIVE 08 concert was a 5.5 hour music extravagenza showcasing SM Entertainment’s stars- Boa, Dong Bang Shin Ki (DBSK), Super Junior, SHINee, Girls Generation (SNSD), The Grace.

Jang Geun-suk is a baby daddy!!!

Jang Geun-suk has a legitimate excuse to stare at women’s chests in the upcoming movie, “Baby and I” ( 아기와 나). The 21 year old actor plays a tough n’ cool highschool kid named Joon-soo who suddenly finds himself as a surrogate father to an abandoned baby boy.

For the role, the young star research child-rearing techniques including how to mix formula and change diapers. Hopefully this training will help the actor when he becomes a real baby daddy.

Baby and I, based on the Japanese comic book and 2006 movie of the same name, will open in Korea nationwide on August 14^th 2008.

Who pops the bowl cut best: Suh In-young vs Taemin

Bowl cuts are the hair style of choice for the young and fashionable in Korea. Here is Jewelry member and now solo act, Suh In-young and Taemin from boy band, Shinee sharing the same look.

Korea's Natural Beauties!!!!

Jun Ji Hyun

Kim Hee Sun

Kim Tae Hee

Lee Bo Young

Lee Young-Ae

Lee Jun Ki and Jun Ji Hyun need a hair cut!!!

It’s time for Lee Jun Ki and Jun Ji Hyun to meet with their hair stylists because everybody is getting sick and tired of their never changing hair style. Lee Jun Ki owned his shaggy cut ever since his King and the Clown days which was two years ago and Jun Ji Hyun had her long straight hair for the past 8 years!! There’s no doubt that these cuts look great on them for the shaggy cut makes Lee Jun Ki look sharper and the long straight hair makes Jun Ji Hyun look super sexy, but enough is enough. It’s time to get a haircut guys.Others on the list:
#3: Korea’s ballad king Shin Seung Hoon
#4: Witty actress Kim Won Hee
#5: Veteran actress Kim Gyu Ri
#6: Rising star Park Han Byul

Super Junior's Hee chul and Kangin are Perfect Together!

SM Entertainment is dipping into musicals as a way to take over the music industry. For their first project, SM has made the wise decision of casting their best singing prospects in the flamboyant 80’s musical, Xanadu ? Super Junior’s Hee-chul and Kangin. And if you know anything about POPSEOUL!, you will know that was laced with sarcasm.

With the fairy-dusted Hee-chul and the donut-chopping Kangin (ok, we don’t know if he likes donuts) in technocolor outfits and roller skates, this musical is expected to sink faster than the Titanic.

The musical production of Xanadu will run from September 9^th to November 23^rd, 2008 on the north side of the Han River at Doosan Art Center in Jongro.

Super Junior in Japan

Some twelve thousand Japanese Elves gathered at Nippon Budokan today to attend Super Junior’s “1^st Premium event in Japan.” What an inappropriate name for a lousy circus! Unless it was Cirque du Soleil quality, which I know that it wasn’t, it shouldn’t be called a premium event. SM should be fined for false advertising.

After the high turnout, there is no doubt in my mind that Father SM will create another sub-group for the Japanese market, but before he slaps on a random letter after Super Junior, let’s preempt him and create our own name for Super Junior Japan. What would you name them?

Girls Generations: Gems or Gams?

Girls Generations strike back with shiny new deal, instead of joining Wondergirls to become a part of the biggest (and most useless) girl-group of K-pop history. The nine chattering whales have been officially appointed as the ‘personal ambassadors’ of Nexon, an internet gaming provider. Translation: plasticized touters appealing to a vast majority of stay-at-home gamers.

Nexon reiterates that their beauty and vivacious demeanors transcend borders and would help consumers identify with their games. Who knew that ajusshis at Nexon were Girls Generation fans?

Song Hye Kyo joins Wonbin

Song Hye Kyo signed with Wonbin’s management company, Eden 9 for next two years. Interestingly, Ms. Song joined Eden 9 without receiving any contract fees, although she had other lucrative deals on the table.

Eden 9 explained that Ms. Song’s decision was based on her desire to have full control over her career, therefore she turned down contracts that comes with many strings attached.

It’s great to see Ms. Song take more proactive role in her career - let’s just hope that she knows what to do with it.

Song Hye Kyo will start filming drama “The World You Live In” with Hyunbin in the near future.

Is Battle better than Super Junior?

As much as I don’t approve of the Super Clowns, I didn’t think that Shinhwa 2.0 aka Battle had sufficient star power to replace Super Junior and become the next face of domestic school uniform brand, Ivy Club. Then again, it’s probably worse having Clowns advertise a clothing brand than wannabes.

SS501 sings song from heaven

B-list boyband SS501 released their new digital single “You are My Heaven”. The mediocre song amounts to a lackluster pile of notes and does nothing but showcase the boys’ abnormally high-pitched voices.

Even more dull than the song is the music video. DSP Entertainment must be trying to scrimp on costs because it looks like the music video didn’t even have a budget. SS501 didn’t go anywhere or do anything. There’s no dancing, pyro, special effects, or even a melodrama storyline. It’s just footage of them hanging out in the recording studio and random snippets of their daily lives.

Takeshi Kaneshiro vs. Choi Si Won

Does Takeshi Kaneshiro(L) and Choi Si Won(R),of Super Junior look like?Well,maybe cause if you look at them closely,they share the same smile! Don't they?!

Takeshi Kaneshiro is in Korea along with his castmates, making promotional rounds for the anticipated historical-epic blockbuster “Red Cliff.” Publicized as having the most expensive budget to-date, Red Cliff will open on July 10th. Tony Leung, Chen Chang, and Lin Chi Ling costar.

Kim Hyun-joong is Korean version of Rui Hanazawa!!!

SS501 leader Kim Hyun-joong is set to star as the F4 member Hanazawa Rui in the Korean version of the popular Japanese manga and drama Hana Yori Dango (aka Boys Over Flowers). The Korean version of the drama is scheduled to be broadcast on KBS 2TV in early 2009. The Korean name for Rui has not been set yet.

This will be the third time the Japanese manga will be turned into a drama series.

casting for the remaining 3 members of F4 have yet to be finalized. Singer Hwangbo will also star.

“Blood: The last Vampire” finds U.S. distributor

It looks like Jun Ji-hyun (aka Gianna Jun) will set foot into Hollywood. “Blood: The Last Vampire” has been picked up by Universal Studios for distribution in the United States, Central and South America and Canada.

Jun will begin a promotional tour in July 2008 for the movie. Jun appeared in two Korean films that were remade for Hollywood: Il Mare into The Lake House and My Sassy Girl into My Sassy Girl.

“Blood” is expected to be in theaters this fall or winter.

Is that a diaper, Sohee?!

Perhaps that’s a stretch. But with Sohee’s round cherubic face and “sexy cute” outfit, something strange has happened. The Wondergirls member doesn’t look sexy at all, in fact she just looks like she is wearing a leopard print diaper out of the modern stone-age family cartoon, Flintstones.

Wondergirls’ hit, “So Hot” has topped the charts for 2 consecutive weeks. The girls performed on the Mnet Countdown on June 19^th 2008.

Girl’s Generation is too cool for school

For a country that prizes higher education, Korea is not setting a good example when members of the popular girl group, Girls Generation will not be taking the college entrance exams this fall. Hyo-yeon, Tae-yeon, Jessica and Sunny will be skipping the opportunity to earn a college degree. Obviously they are not thinking about their future. How long do they think this girl group will last? What will they do after? Why do I care? Anyhow, the point is that they are very short-sighted.

Shinee does Vogue Girl

In the July issue of Vogue Girl Korea, this generation’s Little Red Riding Hood Tae Min from SHINee looks like a deer caught in the headlights on his way to grandmama’s house. His technicolor raincoat doubles as a shield to protect against all potential attacks from big bad wolves.

The other members of the noona-lovin’ boyband also grace the pages of the teeny-boppin’ magazine in equally atrocious outfits. Below are some of their inner thoughts as they posed.

Girls Generation finally apologizes...

A week and half later, Girls Generation finally apologizes for events that caused the silent treatment during Dream Concert on June 7^th. The girls apologized for not being good girls and thanked those who were always by their side.

An apology that is a week and half late and is generic won’t win anybody back, but let’s see if these girls can redeem themselves in the future.

Daniel Henney wants you!!!

That’s right, the hot Daniel Henney wants you… to look at him. The sexy star sizzles in the July 2008 issue of Elle Magazine (Korea). I was almost drooling looking at the pictures …until I saw the other guy. A guy? What’s with that? And why is the random dude touching Daniel (yes we are on a first name basis) like that? And why is Daniel giving a naughty look into the guy’s camera? Talk about bursting my bubble.

The half-Korean actor has a role in the upcoming Hollywood movie, “X-men Origins: Wolverine” (2009).

Say "Hello" to another wannbe girl-group:"The B"

Although there is absolutely no need for another girl-group, Goodberry Entertainment firmly believes that the world is in desperate need of a girl-group with seven plastic girls, hence the scheduled debut of The B.

The B will release their first single titled “b LOVE” today with two versions of their MV.

Who’s looking forward to their debut?

2008 Dream Concert

Fifty-thousand fans were crammed into Olympic Stadium for The 14^th Dream Concert on June 7th, 2008 . At 12pm this afternoon, the #2 subway line towards Stadium was already over flowing with the non-stop chatter of excited 10-something girls.

I guess they couldn’t wait.

Although the purpose of the concert series was to entertain (of course), it was also to campaign against illegal use of music and contents from the internet.

Gooooood luck. As if that’s going to stop.

But there is an inkling of hope. Instead of trying to sell full albums, the real money is supposedly in concerts. However, if there is going to be 16 groups performing at a single venue, then I would think earning a pretty penny is going to be difficult. And if G-market was giving away tickets for free, then even more difficult.

The lineup for 2008 included DBSK, SS501, Epik High, Super Junior, MC Mong, Jewelry, Miya, Wondergirls, Girls Generation, Buga Kings, Typhoon, Mighty Mouth, Shinee, Peter, A ST1, and Chu Sung-hoon.

The Dream Concert series is the largest annual live concert in Korea.

Not much to say about the fashions since everyone seems to be wearing the same thing.

Ceci China's New Cover: Song Hye Kyo!!!

POPSEOUL! has finally gotten their grubby little hands on some pictures of Miss Song Hye-kyo from the premiere issue of Ceci (China) for June 2008.

The rumored girlfriend of Rain, looks more like a mannequin than human in the photoshoot. And check out that lion hair on the cover!

Ceci is a Korean fashion and beauty magazine that has launched in China.

Father SM should wash Girls Generation’s mouths with soap

Everyone hates SNSD, and anyone can see why. In a short span of time, the snooty and disrespectful girls have managed to make fun of everyone under the kpop sun. The growing list of victims includes DBSK, Big Bang, Super Junior, Tablo, SS501, The Wondergirls, SES, Shinhwa, and Kim Ji Suk.

While none of the targeted stars were distressed about SNSD’s snipe remarks, the offended, hypersensitive fans of these targeted stars all got ants in their pants and decided to take measures in their own hands, cumulating in chaotic and violent events at the recent Dream Concert. During the SNSD performance, the audience stopped cheering and turned off their glowsticks. This led to SNSD male fans ripping Super Junior posters, beating up other fans, and threatening to physically harm some boy band members.

SNSD has situated themselves in a rather unfavorable position. To avoid any further damages, Father SM should really just tape Tiffany, Tae Yeon, and Jessica’s mouths shut. It’s not like they were contributing much to singing anyway.

Super Junior Happy is not happy

Super Junior’s latest subgroup, Super Junior Happy is anything but happy. Other than Lee Teuk, the rest of the boys are wearing a fake smile to get through another demanding day. And honestly, who can blame them? If you were forced to sing a lame song about cooking wearing rainbow colors, you will probably look as miserable as the fruits in the picture.

Super Junior is on probation

Super Junior is going through a rough patch. In addition to dealing with poster-tearing shenanigans and injured Elves at the recent Dream Concert, Super Junior-M members Zhou Mi and Henry are on probation right now. Apparently, they aren’t performing up to par, and if they don’t shape up soon, Father SM will have no choice but to mercilessly kick them to the curb.

It’s a pity, but then again, neither Zhou Mi, Henry, nor any of the other Super Junior members were ever really that talented to begin with. The new replacement is rumored to be a talentless, pigeon-looking guy named Soul. With a name like “Soul”, he certainly has a pigeon brain to match.

Super Junior will recommence their Super Show Asian Tour in Bangkok, Thailand on July 12th.

Who wants to buy Wondergirls mp3 players?

Wondergirls not only want you to hear their new single “So Hot” but they also want you to buy their mp3 players they designed. The five wonders formed a strategic alliance with domestic electronic brand, INNO and they took part in designing INNO-Wo aka Wondergirls picked the colors and the designers did the rest.

While Father SM is busy releasing subgroups, the dancing gorilla is setting up strategic partnerships to milk his wonder girls. Only if these smart businessmen also had a sense of style.

Wondergirl’s mp3 player, INNO-Wo will hit online stores on June 3rd, 2008.

SS501 feels Thai love!!!

Another wannabe and overworked boy-band, SS501 flew to Thailand to expand their Asian exposure. Five hundred fans greeted SS501 with love and the boys had two days of interviews regurgitating the same answers over and over again. Although we wouldn’t really miss or notice the boys if they stayed in Thailand, they are ending their official events today and will fly back to Korea.

Do we seriously need another Super Junior subgroup?

Father SM released yet another SuJu subgroup named Super Junior Happy and the six fruit-loops of this group are Lee Teuk, Yesung, Kangin, Shindong, Sungmin and Eun Hyuk.

Super Junior Happy will release their single beginning of June and the title song “Cooking? Cooking!” will feature some fruity moves as the picture suggests.

It looks like Father SM is aggressively pushing these subgroups after SuJu M brought home the ”Asia’s Most Popular New Group” at the 5th Annual Music King Awards hosted by the China Cultural Arts Fund Organization and Guangdong TV.

But seriously, we don’t need another Super Junior subgroup with strange names.

Korean version Hanayori Dango set to charm in 2008

Following the mega popularity of Meteor Garden first in Taiwan back in 2001 and then subsequently Hanayori Dango in Japan in recent years, Korea is also set to have its very own version of Meteor Garden in 2008.


Popular Japanese anime, Hanayori Dango will be adapated into a Korean drama. The Taiwanese and Japanese version of the television drama has achieved phenomenal ratings during its run and the Japanese version which was shown on cable television achieved pretty good ratings and earning lots of fans in the process. The company which will be producing this is Group Eight whose previous works were Goong S: Prince Hours and Fantasy Couple. The Japanese rights holder decided to work with Group Eight after learning about it’s production capability after viewing Goong S.

By releasing this exciting news first, Group Eight has created lots of anticipation and hype over who will be taking the roles ahead of the actual casting. Many netizens in fact are already posting and discussing furiously over who their ideal cast should be since the news broke yesterday.

With regards to the Korean F4, the production team revealed, “We will be choosing based on their similarities with the anime characters. We won’t be choosing based on how popular or how well-known they are.” The Korean version of Hanayori Dango is set at 24 episodes, each clocking in at 70 minutes and will be shown on television in the latter part of 2008.

The following are early picks by fans since the news broke:

Makino Tsukushi/杉菜
1. Yoon Eun Hye
2. Goo Hye Sun
3. Sung Yuri
4. Moon Geun Young
5. Go Ah Ra
6. Kim Ok Bin
7. Lee Yeon Hee
8. Park Min Young
9. Jeon Ryeo Won
10. Lee Ha Na
11. Han Ji Min

Doumyouji Tsukasa/道明寺
1. Jo In Sung
2. Kang Dong Won
3. Lee Dong Gun
4. Jang Hyuk
5. Hyun Bin
6. Joo Ji Hoon
7. Lee Dong Gook

Hanazawa Rui/花泽类
1. Im Joo Hwan
2. Choi Si Won
3. Jang Geun Seuk
4. Kim Hee Chul
5. Kim Kibum
6. Han Kyung

7. Lee Hong Gi