Thursday, September 2, 2010

Playful Kiss receives devastatingly low ratings

The first episode of MBC drama Playful Kiss aired on September 1st hoping to measure up to the hype and high expectations with Kim Hyun Joong playing the male lead. Unfortunately, it didn’t even come close.

The drama received a viewer rating of 3.5% which is even lower ratings than Road No.1, the previous drama in the same time slot.

It seemed like people were pretty hyped for this drama but no drama can go up against Baker King / Kim Tak Gu at the moment.

This whole year, MBC’s Wednesday-Thursday dramas have received low ratings. Baker King received a rating of 44% and My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox received 11.9% on the same day.

Hopefully the ratings turns around for the drama very soon.

crdit : heartfacee@allkpop+as labeled

Preview of Kim Hyun Joong’s Playful Kiss OST

Just hours ago, MBC’s new drama Playful Kiss premiered and the main character aka Kim Hyun Joong’s solo track for its OST (soundtrack) was previewed during the drama.

The song, currently unnamed, is a slow-beat ballad genre that expresses Kim Hyun Joong’s impressive vocals.

So far, Kim Hyun Joong and G.NA are the only artists that have participated in Playful Kiss’ OST. I’m sure we’ll see more tracks for this drama released in the near future, so stay tuned!

credit :maestro-J@allkpop+as labeled

Preview begins around 1:05:

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Rain clarifies his position on the controversy with JTune Entertainment

With singer and actor Rain embroiled in a controversy with his own company, he has recently come forward with a clarification on the case, but it seems like the public won’t be so understanding.

On the 31st, Rain explained his side of the story through an interview with a press company, “I’m not a manager, I’m just an investor that invested in myself.“ He confessed his thoughts and feelings on the pressure that was put on him when he never participated in the actual managing aspect of the company. Rain also revealed that he’s raised the profits of his company and has changed the sales distribution, from what was originally a 7:3 ratio to a 5:5 ratio, in order to give shareholders a larger profit.

However, netizens remain divided on the issue. Those that support his changes have stressed that Rain is accepting a 5:5 profit distribution ratio.

Some netizens have supported his decision by leaving comments such as, “If it’s 5:5, he’s basically no better than a rookie. From Rain’s standpoint, he’s going to be losing billions of dollars,” “There’s never been any other business owner or board of director that has shown this much responsibility,” and “It’s a huge sacrifice he’s making.

The entire controversy began last July when it was revealed that Rain, the largest shareholder of JTune Entertainment, sold his security holdings while the company was in a deficit. The public has brought up a variety of opinions on the issue, with some thinking that it was the right choice, and others considering it a disappointment.

Netizens continued to leave comments, stating, “He’s always acted like he was a perfectionist, so it’s disappointing to see him come out with excuses now and act like he had no idea,” “He should know that as the largest shareholder of a one-man company that his actions largely affect the worth of his stock and profits. Rain’s recent clarification just seems like he’s cut out his apology and instead emphasized what he’s losing,” and “Please show us more responsible actions if you consider yourself a top star.”

On the contrary, netizens have also supported him by leaving comments such as, “Rain is also a normal human being. Why would he do nothing as his investments are being lost? It was right for him to sell them,” “It’s Rain’s fault that the prices of the company’s stocks dropped because of a major shareholder liquidating all of his share, but we need to take note that the law has not yet decided his guilt or innocence,” and “I can see why his actions would be intolerable, but it’s too late to take back the crime anyway.”

crdit : hypermanic@allkpop+as labeled

[Updated] It was love at first sight for Se7en and Park Han Byul

Celebrity couple, Se7en and Park Han Byul’s relationship is no jaw-dropper. Photos of the couple, roaming around the streets and being completely chill with the admirable stares from the crowd, make other secretive celebrity couples quite jealous. Se7en has already expressed his unconditional love for his girlfriend through various variety shows, and he opened up to talk about it once again on the recent episode of Strong Heart.

Se7en shared the very moment when he first met Park Han Byul:

“I met her when I was in 8th grade of junior high. While I was heading over to the YG Entertainment building, I spotted a girl practicing some dance moves while wearing athletic wear. Upon looking at this girl with straight black hair, it was love at first sight”

“I still remember how she looked like at that exact moment. She was giving off a glow.”

The couple has been together for 8 years now, and still standing strong. Prior to their debuts, going on public dates weren’t a problem. After keeping their special relationship hidden for a while, several of their couple photos leaked onto the internet. In turn, Se7en and Park Han Byul officially confirmed, last year, that they were an item.

Se7en also revealed the reason why he decided to announce his relationship with Park Han Byul:

“Things got a little out of hand with the scandal (from the photos), and it troubled Park Han Byul. Every night, when I talked with her on the phone, she would start crying. There really wasn’t anything that I could do since I was in the states during that time. After I finally announced our relationship, Park Han Byul and I feel more comfortable”

Recent paparazzi photos have been floating around various portal sites of Se7en and Park Han Byul claiming that they were on a date in ApGuJung. But Se7en explained on his Twitter, “Ack…what do you mean by a date!!! Our friend’s car had gotten into a huge accident, and we were just waiting by his/her side until the police arrived…sigh..ㅠㅠ

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credit : sayykimchi@allkpop+as labeled

Kim Hyun Joong to sing a solo track for Playful Kiss OST

As many of you know, G.NA sang a beautiful track for the Playful Kiss OST and now it’s been revealed that male lead Kim Hyun Joong will sing a solo track himself!

A representative revealed, “Kim Hyun Joong recently recorded a song for the OST. It’s a sweet ballad… Compared to other people singing this song, it would be better if Kim Hyun Joong took up the task himself. PD Hwang Inrui first recommended this and Kim Hyun Joong readily agreed… Kim Hyun Joong didn’t have free time because filming extended well through the night and even though he was quite tired, he finished recording early in the morning. I praised him for his fighting spirit when he told me that he could concentrate better in the morning.”

As soon as the news of Kim Hyun Joong’s song was revealed, phone calls from Japan and Taiwan media poured in immediately. It really shows Kim Hyun Joong’s popularity in Asia.

Kim Hyun Joong’s solo track will be released around the middle of next week. Also, don’t miss the premiere of Playful Kiss later on tonight!

credit : supermar@allkpop+as labeled

G.NA reveals Kiss Me for Playful Kiss OST


Singer G.NA, who recently won #1 on Mnet’s M! Countdown took on another challenge to sing her first OST song titled Kiss Me for the upcoming drama Playful Kiss.

When asked why the production company did not enlist more famous singers, a representative stated, “Initially we planned on asking more famous singers, but PD Hwang Inrui felt that we should use rookie singers because we also have a lot of newer actors on this project… Rookie singers can match better with the fresh style of this drama, which will have a stronger impact compared to more experienced singers.”

Listen to G.NA’s power vocals in the cute song ‘Kiss Me‘, which will be the theme song for the female lead. Remember to support the artist by purchasing the music.

credit : supermar@allkpop+as labeled

Highlights from Athena’s showcase

The production of Athena held a showcase on August 30 at Seoul’s Lotte World’s Garden Stage, where the main cast talked about the process of training for the drama’s action scenes, filming in Italy, shared behind-the-scenes stories, and showed a making-of video. Below, you can watch the video of highlights that was featured at the showcase.

Last week we saw the teaser (and Park Hyo-shin music video for the OST theme song), but that mostly featured the leads, Jung Woo-sung and Su Ae. The new scenes show some of the other characters who haven’t been featured as much, including Lee Jia, Cha Seung-won, Choi Siwon, and Kim Min-jong. Woot woot!

Athena is looking at a November premiere.

Below, from top to bottom, are Jung Woo-sung (yum!), Su Ae (love the dress), Cha Seung-won (hate the ‘stache), Lee Jia (dig the hair), Kim Min-jong (ever the gentleman), and Choi Siwon (who looks pretty badass in the clip, but then again he IS a black belt in Taekwondo).






credit : javabeans