‘SungKyunKwan Scandal’ Voted Most Anticipated Show

An upcoming KBS2 drama is drawing great attention even a month before its start. “SungKyunKwan Scandal” is to succeed “Grudge: The Revolt of Gumiho” from August 30.

Netizens have already produced related creations such as a music video and posters as they imagined the story. In a survey about the most anticipated drama in the second half of the year by portal site Dcinside from July 20 until 27, the show ranked first with 8,681 votes among 25,370 votes.

What is behind such popularity of the drama?

Four lead characters – Micky, Park Min-young, Yu A-in and Song Joong-ki (clockwise from top left)

Micky Yoochun's manager booked for assaulting a fan

TVXQ singer-turned-actor Micky Yoochun at a recent press conference for upcoming TV series "Sungkyunkwan Scandal" [Asia Economic Daily]

TVXQ singer Micky Yoochun's manager, who was recently accused of abusing an underage female fan, has been booked on charges of assault.

"This is a simple assault case and we have decided to book manager Park without physical detention," a police officer at West Hwaseong Police Station who is handling the case told Asia Economic Daily over the phone on Thursday. "We are planning to hold a supplementary investigation soon and then wrap up the case."

Photos from new Micky Yoochun drama revealed

Korean singer and actor Micky Yoochun of idol group TVXQ in a behind-the-scenes photo from the set of upcoming TV series "Sungkyunkwan Scandal" [KBS2]

Singer Micky Yoochun is readying to make his official acting debut as an old-time scholar, as revealed in the behind-the-scenes photos from the set of upcoming TV series "Sungkyunkwan Scandal."

TVXQ members file 3 bln lawsuit against SM

From left, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu [SM Entertainment]

Three members of boy band TVXQ, namely Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu, have filed a lawsuit worth three billion won, equivalent to nearly 2.5 million dollars, against major talenthouse SM Entertainment.

According to the Seoul Central District Court on Monday, the three singers brought suit against SM, demanding that they be confirmed their 13-year exclusive contract with the agency had been nullified, along with one billion won each, part of their share of profits they claim to have failed to receive.

The three had applied for provisional disposition of their contract with SM last July, saying it was too long and unfair, to which the court ruled in partial favor of, stating that SM cannot interfere with their individual activities.

This led to a halt of their activities as a five-man band in Korea and a few months later in Japan. The three then formed a separate group, signing with Japanese agency AVEX, through which they declared they would pursue their singing careers.

After giving a series of sold-out concerts in Japan just two weeks ago which they held to "express gratitude to fans," the new trio have been gearing up for their debut which is set to be produced by prominent U.S. musicians Kanye West and Timbaland.

Meanwhile, SM too had sued the three singers in mid-April in a suit worth 2.2 billion won for the damages the agency and the remaining two members, U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin, have suffered from the legal battle.

Since their 2004 debut, TVXQ, discovered and managed by SM, had arguably been one of the most successful K-pop acts in Asia with reportedly the largest fanbase in the world.

Enjoying great success in the Japanese music industry in particular, they became the first foreign artist to top the Oricon singles charts six times and placed their single and album simultaneously within the top three slots of Oricon's singles and albums chart, the first time for a foreign artist to do so in 15 years.

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok kave@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@

Source: Asiae

Credits: http://theksource.blogspot.com/

(Please do not remove any credits when taking out news from theksource.)

New TVXQ trio unit gives concert in Japan

TVXQ members Xiah Junsu, Hero Jaejoong and Micky Yoochun at Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) held at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul, South Korea on November 21, 2009. [photographed by Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

Korean pop idols Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu, three members of boy band TVXQ who formed a new unit since getting involved in a legal battle with agency SM Entertainment, gave a sold-out concert in Japan over the weekend.

According to a report by Japanese newspaper Sankei Sports, the trio performed their last show of their two-city, four-gig concert tour in the country in front of some 54,000 fans who showed up Sunday at Tokyo Dome. The four shows reportedly attracted a total of 200,000 fans.

During the concert, whose setlist was comprised of a total of eighteen songs, the three singers broke into tears while performing their new track "W."

"I want to keep on singing with a pure heart. Thank you forever," Hero Jaejoong was quoted as saying at the show.

Bandmate Micky Yoochun thanked fans saying, "We were very worried if we could perform on stage again. We were able to get here because of you."

Last July, the three singers had asked a court to nullify their 13-year exclusive contract with SM, claiming that the contract period is too long.

The legal dispute led to the mega-successful boy band halting their activities as a five-member group, who officially quit working as a group in Korea last year and later in Japan as well.

Arguably the most phenomenal K-pop act created by talent agency SM Entertainment, the TVXQ had enjoyed great success throughout Asia and the Japanese music industry in particular.

Last year, they became the first foreign artist to top the Oricon singles charts six times and placed their single and album simultaneously within the top three slots of Oricon's singles and albums chart, the first time for a foreign artist to do so in 15 years.

Although the group's legal woes did little to wane their popularity among fans, the five members have been going their separated ways with Hero, Micky and Xiah forming a new group through which they will continue their music careers.

The trio are set to release a documentary DVD on July 28 and appear at music festival "a - nation'10" to be held in Osaka and Tokyo starting August 7.

Two other members, leader U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin, have ventured into acting with starring roles in upcoming musical production of "Goong" and television drama "Paradise Ranch," respectively.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@

Source: Asiae

Credits: http://theksource.blogspot.com/

(Please do not remove any credits when taking out news from theksource.)