YG Family Runs Specially Designed Train in Seoul

YG Entertainment’s specially designed subway in Seoul, called the “YG Family Train,” has been garnering a lot of attention lately. From November 5, the New Bundang subway line, which runs from the satellite city Bundang to downtown Seoul, decorated several cars with YGE artists such as Big Bang, 2NE1, Psy, and Tablo. The special trains were designed to commemorate the “15th Anniversary YG Family Concert” scheduled for December 5 and 6.
The “YG Family Train” has separate cars named after each of their artists, such as the “Big Bang Car” or “2NE1 Car.” The trains are covered with photos of YG artists and has several LCD screens placed inside, playing clips of YGE’s Family Concert ad, Big Bang’s “Tonight,” 2NE1’s “I Am the Best,” Tablo’s “Tomorrow” and interview.
The “YG Family Train” will run for a month until December 4. The “15th Anniversary YG Family Concert” will be held on December 3 and 4 in Seoul. The second round of tickets go on sale from November 9.

YG Entertainment Talks Future Plans: New Boy Band and Girl Group to Debut Next Year

YG Entertainment made it official on November 8 that they have a new boy band and girl group waiting for debut next year. At a press conference held to address the label’s public listing on the KOSDAQ (Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) stock market, the CEO of YGE, Yang Min Suk, said the company currently has two idol bands in training that are expected to be the next Big Bang and 2NE1.
The CEO said YGE has 32 trainees right now. The new girl group will only be comprised of members under 20 years old and is scheduled to debut in the first half of next year. Their new boy group, however, will be revealed in the second half of 2012.
Yang Min Suk also said YGE will open at least two more offices in the Greater China region. Much like their recent joint project, “YGEX,” with Japanese music label AVEX, YGE is looking to beef up their overseas business units.
“The Asian market (excluding Japan) is smaller than Korea in terms of music sales, but it’s a lucrative market for concerts and live events. Our strategy is to enhance our artists’ value through concerts and move from there,” Yang Min Suk said.
He also acknowledged the need for stronger crisis management skills following an array of negative incidents involving some of their top artists. As a result, YGE has recently formed a separate risk management team to take care of all negative publicity and damage to their overall brand.
He didn’t specify Big Bang’s comeback date as he even declined to answer if the group would ever return at all. But regardless of Big Bang, he sounded confident in YGE’s business for next year, as he said, “Even our most conservative estimates tell us we’ll make 100 billion won ($100 million USD) next year.”
“We’re also planning to hold at least three Japanese concerts with more than 150,000 people coming. Our newest artist Tablo has just released his new album too. We’ll continue to expand our artist lineup to diversify our revenue source,” he said.
This raises the possibility of seeing Mnet “Superstar K2” contestant Kang Seung Yoon in their new boy band. In September, YGE said Kang Seung Yoon would debut with a group next year, with the possibility of doing some solo activities as well.
YG Entertainment’s two leading idol groups, Big Bang and 2NE1, each debuted in 2006 and 2009, respectively, and have enjoyed massive success as some of the most talented artists in the industry.

Kim Hyun Joong Gives Boxes of Pepero to His Fans for Pepero Day

In light of the upcoming Pepero Day (November 11), singer Kim Hyun Joong prepared boxes of Pepero for his fans.
Many pictures of evidence are being posted on online portal sites from fans who actually received these boxes. The picture below was taken by a fan who received those boxes during the "2011 Love Sharing Concert."

For his fan club, "Henecia," Kim Hyun Joong personally signed the Pepero boxes and gave them to the staff so that they could deliver the boxes to the fans. Along with his signature, he also wrote a short message on the box as well.
Netizens who saw this commented, "I can't believe how big of a heart he has for his fans," "I want those Pepero too," "The receiver of those Pepero boxes is so lucky," "This is why Kim Hyun Joong is so loved," and "He deserves to receive love."
Peperos are a type of candy that is made up of breadsticks and chocolate. November 11 is Pepero day, and people give peperos to each other.

Airport Fashion: SNSD vs Kara vs T-ara

Airport fashion gives us a glimpse at a star's true fashion.
Three of Korea's top girl groups, SNSD, Kara, and T-ara, all have different tastes, if you look at their airport fashion. SNSD has a chic look while Kara goes for casual, while T-ara likes being unique.

On November 8 at Kimpo Airport, SNSD, Kara, and T-ara were seen leaving the country for China and Japan. SNSD is traveling to China for the Thirteenth Korea/China Music Festival, while Kara and T-ara are flying over to the Tokyo Saitama for the Seoul Tokyo Music Festival. Local media Dispatch analyzed the three groups' different styles.

Let's start off with SNSD, who just recently finished performing in New York for the SM Town Concert. SNSD members always dress in chic clothes. Soo Young, Sunny, Tiffany, and Taeyeon looked charismatic in black jackets and pants, while Seo Hyun and Yuri went with belted jackets. Seo Hyun had a black checkered coat and Yuri chose a beige caramel. Yoona looked clean cut in a simple knit sweater with black jeans. Here we can see that oversized sunglasses and big bags, along with lace-up boots are SNSD staples.




Next is Kara's comfortable casual style, emphasizing its members' cute charm. Looking cozy, Goo Hara wore a big sweater with a pleated mini skirt. Her white framed sunglasses make her eye area pop. Nicole chose the popular long cardigan-denim look, while Seung Yeon and Ji Young wore peacoats with jeans or leggings. Overall, Kara is reminiscent of college students.



Finally, we have T-ara's style, which overflows with individuality. Hyomin paired a navy ribbon hat with a skirt of the same color and a grey cardigan. Qri wore a comfy zip-up hoodie that had leopard prints. Jiyeon, the youngest member of T-ara, was seen wearing a fedora and patterned scarf.



All three girl groups gave excellent "fan service." SNSD nodded their head in appreciation with small hand waves. Kara smiled big for their fans, like always. Hara showed how happy she was to see her fans by waving both hands in the air, and T-ara members also flashed smiles.

U-Kiss, C.N. Blue, SISTAR, Secret, Jay Park and others will be attending the Thirteenth Korean/China Music Festival. Kara and T-ara, along with FT Island, Kim Kyu Jong, MBLAQ, and Dalshabet, will be attending the Seoul Tokyo Music Festival.

JYJ's Jaejoong Compared to Robert Pattinson in Italian Magazine

JYJ's Jaejoong has appeared in an Italian magazine alongside English actor Robert Pattinson.
Recently on an online community posted a page from an Italian magazine comparing the two international figures. A blown up picture from the DBSK "Mirotic" days reveals a loosely clad Jaejoong showing off his sculpted abdominal muscles, grabbing the attention of many female readers.

The Italian word for "beautiful" is "bello," however under Jaejoong's picture is written in big bold font "bellissimi." This term means "extremely beautiful" and is used to define the best of the best looking males, giving a glimpse at the amount of popularity that Jaejoong holds in the country.
Netizens have responded: "Even people in Italy know Jae Joong? That's crazy" "A face that's recognized internationally" "Why is only Jaejoong's picture that big?" "Yay Jaejoong! He came out in a French magazine before, and now Italy?"

[Update] Rain an Expert in Shooting: A Hidden Sniper?

Update
According to tvReport, Rain has been selected to become the assistant instructor for Division 5 in the Recruit Training Center.

Due to his excellent shooting skills, he was chosen to become the assistant instructor for his division.

After beginning his training on October 11 in Division 5, Rain will finish his time at the training center on November 18. After that he will go through executive education from the Second Recruit Training Center, then will officially start his military service on December 9.

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On October 11, Rain joined the army as an active-duty soldier and now is being loved for his expertise in shooting.
According to the report submitted on November 6 by the National Assembly Defense Committee, Rain hit the bulls eye 19 out of 20 during daytime training and 10 out of 10 shots during nighttime training on October 26, achieving a hundred percent in shooting.
Before Rain, Hyun Bin (Kim Tae Pyeong, 29) also achieved the same scores, 19 out of 20 and 10 out of 10, and was called an "Expert Shooter."
In order to pass, a soldier-in-training needs to have an accuracy of 60% or higher. With daytime training, 18 shots out of 20 or higher, and in nighttime training, 9 out of 10 bulls eye hit is considered a perfect score. Along with passing his first time, he is now entitled an "Expert."
Out of 140 soldiers-in-training, 98 passed with 60% or higher accuracy. Among those who passed, Rain was in the Top 3. On November 14, Rain is to finish his training at the Training Center. Even though he is not even out of his training period, he is already wanted by the Air Force and the Marines.

SNSD Eats More than Super Junior?

SNSD appeared on SBS “Strong Heart” on November 8 and addressed rumors surrounding their infamous “SNSD Diet Plan.” Despite consistent denials from SNSD, the rumored diet plan – comprised of few pieces of broccoli, vegetables, chicken breast, and brown rice – has garnered massive attention for the small amount of food and calorie consumption.
Yuri started off by saying the “SNSD Diet Plan,” which had the group consume only 1,500 kcal per day, was the most frustrating rumor they heard as a group. She said the members initially thought the rumor meant “1,500 kcal per meal.”
Tiffany added, “I think we often eat 3,000 kcal for a single meal. Our managers tell us, ‘Your (SNSD’s) food expenses are higher than Super Junior’s!”

Lee Seung Ki followed up by asking whether SNSD munches on late-night snacks. Yuri shared a story of getting fried chicken delivered in less than 15 minutes. One day, Kara’s Goo Hara called Jessica and asked if the chicken SNSD sponsors were any good (SNSD is the model for “Gubne Chicken”). That prompted the girls to have chicken that night, so they called a local “Gubne Chicken” store. However, “Gubne” said the delivery would take at least an hour because of other orders.

SNSD, who was too hugry to wait another hour, called back and told the owner, “We’re SNSD.” But the owner didn’t believe the girls and just hung up on them. The girls got mad (they’re the main model of “Gubne” after all!) and called back the owner again. This time, however, all the girls gathered around the phone, and sang the main theme song of the “Gubne Chicken” commercial over the phone. After hearing the impromptu live performance, the shocked owner of “Gubne” delivered the fried chicken within 15 minutes!
Here’s the full video of Yuri’s story (3:49-7:24). We’re also attaching the video of their “Guben Chicken” commercial in the bottom, so find out what song they sang for the owner!