Apply for SBS KPOP STAR Auditions, in collaboration with SM, YG and JYP!

By now, you guys have probably heard about SBS’ “KPOP STAR“, which is a survival audition program, in collaboration with the BIG3: SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment. Well, allkpop has been chosen as the exclusive global partner to help find the nextBIG KPOP STAR!

Auditions will be held around the world, including: Los Angeles, New York City, Argentina and France!

The winner will receive a large cash prize worth approximately $285,000USD, an international album release deal, and a chance to enter the ultimate star training system through SM, YG or JYP Entertainment!

This is your chance to be the next KPOP STAR!

So what are you waiting for? Hurry up and get your application in!

For more information and to learn how to apply, make sure to go to our official KPOP STAR page:http://www.allkpop.com/kpopstar

KBS on JYJ’s cancellation: “SNSD and f(x) would make a bigger impact for ‘N7W’ initiative”

Last week, we reported on KBS’s official explanation as to why JYJ’s appearance on the program, “New Seven Wonders“, was suddenly cancelled. In that statement, KBS argued that SM Entertainment’s SNSD and f(x) were the original performers of the event.

Due to the unceasing uproar of JYJ’s fans, KBS released another official announcement to further clarify their reasoning behind canceling JYJ.

The producer of the show stated on July 28th, “The show was cancelled by the decision of the producers.”

“We received a call on July 15th that SNSD and f(x), who were the initial ambassadors chosen for the program, were eventually able to adjust their schedules for our promotional event.”

“As Jeju is an island, the citizens have a strong desire to experience popular culture, but it’s true that providing such cultural opportunities is limited in Jeju when compared to other cities like Seoul. After receiving confirmations from SNSD and f(x), we believed this program was a good opportunity to bring them performances by big stars.”

He added, “As this show is being broadcast worldwide (72 countries via KBS World), we believed SNSD and f(x) (who toured all the way in Europe recently) would have a greater impact on promoting Jeju for the ‘New Seven Wonders’ initiative. After laying down this judgment, we called JYJ’s agency on July 16th at 9 AM and explained the situation, sincerely apologized, and asked for their understanding.”

He concluded, “The producer of the show holds the authority as to who will perform or be cast for a show, and this decision was made after analyzing which artists would make a greater impact. We are very apologetic for dissatisfying the minds of those who gave their interest and support to this show, and KBS will repay the viewers’ interest with a great Jeju Island special episode.”

SNSD receives 'Intel-ligent' jewelry

Intel gave unique and one-of-a-kind jewelry sets to SNSD as gifts recently.

On July 28th, according to Intel Korea’s representative, for remembrance as well as to celebrate the success of the marketing song for the 2nd Generation Intel Core Processors launched earlier this year, special jewelry sets made of Intel chips were presented to SNSD. As models for Intel’s 2nd Generation Core Processors, SNSD was featured in the 2D and 3D ‘Virtual Dream’ music video, posters, brochures, etc to promote the new Intel products across Asia. The Intel-SNSD Collaboration ‘Visual Dreams’ MV, attracted more than 3.5 million views in the first month alone.

The jewelry sets, which consists of a necklace and a pair of earrings was custom-made by American jewelry boutique, Shreve & Co and these are the one and only jewelry sets made of Intel chips in the world. At the back of the necklace’s pendants, the name of all nine members were specially engraved.

Intel’s representative, Lee HeeSung said, “Through our marketing activities with SNSD, not only consumers in Korea and Asian region could get to know more about the Intel 2nd Generation Core Process but also as far as the consumers in Europe. In the future, we hope to be closer with our consumers through more innovative marketing activities”.

SNSD receives a special jewelry set from ‘Intel’

On July 28th, technology giant Intel revealed that they presented SNSD with a one-of-a-kind jewelry set made from their computer chips!

Intel thanked the girls for their promotional work as models for their second generation Intel Core Processor campaign. In celebration of the success they’ve garnered, Intel enlisted the help of jewelry boutique Shreve&Co. to design a special Intel chip jewelry set comprised of a necklace and earrings with each of members’ names engraved on the back.

Intel’s CEO Lee Hee Sung revealed, “Through SNSD’s marketing, we were able to approach the public not only in Korea and in Asia, but in Europe as well. We are planning to come up with a variety of different marketing tactics to reach out to our consumers in the future.”

SNSD’s Yuri voted as having the slimmest waist

Netizens chose SNSD’s Yuri as the celebrity with the best ‘ant waist’ that matches well with a bikini.

On the community portal site, DC Insider, from July 19th to the 26th, a survey poll was conducted with the question, “Who is the celebrity with the best ‘ant waist’ that matches well with a bikini?“.

The survey poll drew a total of 9,822 votes and Yuri won 1st place with 2,028 votes (20.6%). Female netizens nicknamed Yuri as a ‘Cola bottle’ figure, who has a voluptuous body that contrasts with her slim waist line. Through her recent diet, she transformed into a slim figure, as she performed abs workout 600 times a day, creating her strong abs.

SNSD’s Jessica came in 2nd place with 1,398 votes (14.2%). In her early debut, Jessica had a plump image, but through hula hoops, rod exercise, and mountain climbing, she successfully slimmed down her waist as she currently has a 21 inch waist.

KARA’s Goo Hara placed 3rd with 926 votes (9.4%) as her skinny body and slim waist has been one of her main spotlighted features since her debut. She confirmed her 20 inch waist through a broadcast as she was nicknamed ‘paper thin waist’.

4minute’s HyunA, actress Kim Sarang, and f(x)’s Krystal also were runner ups in the survey poll.

You can vote in our own poll below.

Who has the best 'ant waist?'

SNSD YuriSNSD JessicaKARA Goo Hara4minute HyunAKim Sarangf(x) Krystal

VoteView ResultsShare ThisPolldaddy.com

Girls' Generation Concert in Singapore

Girls’ Generation to perform their first solo concert in Singapore in Feb 2012; sale of tickets to launch end of 2011

27 July 2011 (Singapore) – K-Pop fans are in for a treat and the guys won’t be left out; wildfire rumors and speculation about the award-winning, record-breaking and incredibly sexy nine-member Korean girl group to arrive in Singapore has finally been confirmed by concert organizers, Running Into The Sun (RITS) and Conceptual. Korea’s most popular girl group by far - Girls’ Generation, also widely known as SNSD - will perform their first solo concert in Singapore in Feb 2012. Ticket sales are expected to launch end of 2011, and further details will be revealed shortly.

Creative Director of Running Into The Sun, Beatrice Chia-Richmond, who has been responsible for bringing Singapore the finest of Korean acts such as Super Junior Super Show 3 last December and the recently-announced SHINee World upcoming on 10 Sep 2011, is excited to bring a female Korean girl group for the first time.

“Now the guys can’t say they’re left out. We’re extremely thrilled to bring Girls’ Generation for their first solo concert in Singapore. Concert-goers will be mesmerized by the girls’ synchronized dance moves and heart-melt-worthy winks,” Beatrice Chia-Richmond says, “We’re sure the temperature at the Singapore Indoor Stadium would rise a few degrees with the arrival of the girls.”

Girls’ Generation consists of nine girls in their 20s and they’ve hit a global phenomenon with flash mobs around the world inspired by their dance moves. The nine members are: Taeyeon (Leader), Jessica, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun. They are often referred to as SNSD mainly outside Korea, an acronym of the group's Korean name So Nyuh Shi Dae.

2011 Girls’ Generation Tour, the group’s second concert tour, made a debut in Seoul on 24 Jul 2011 with some 20,000 fans from all around the world. At least 100 Singaporean fans were present, most of whom travelled on a tour package organised by the Korean Tourism Organisation (KTO). The girls sang a total of 32 songs, while switching outfits seven times, during the three-hour performance.

Additional Information:

www.runningintothesun.com (a subsidiary of FLY Entertainment Pte Ltd)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/runningintothesun
Twitter: @sgRITS

Media Contact:

Cheryl Han / Timothy Oh
FLY Entertainment Pte Ltd
Email: cheryl@fly.com.sg / timothy@fly.com.sg
Mobile: +65 9322-0207 / 9006-5979
Office: +65-6224-3188

ABOUT RUNNING INTO THE SUN

RUNNING INTO THE SUN, a subsidiary of Fly Entertainment Pte Ltd, has its genesis in the latter’s Special Projects wing. Led by Creative Director Beatrice Chia-Richmond , Running Into The Sun thrives on producing and managing concept productions. Recent concert portfolio includes: Retrolicious Concert series and SuperShow 3 (Singapore and Malaysia).

ABOUT CONCEPTUAL

CONCEPTUAL, the leading K-POP concert management company, is run by Managing Director Jennifer Park. CONCEPTUAL has been introducing the major K-Pop events, showcases and concerts to Singapore and other Southeast Asia countries

SM Entertainment speaks about Cyworld's termination of their music services

In response to Cyworld’s decision to stop providing music by SM artists since July 20th, SM Entertainment stated, “SK Comms has single-sidedly stopped providing (music by SM artists).”

SM has revealed on SMTOWN’s homepage, “Cyworld, which is operated by SK Communications, has suddenly stopped providing music by our artists. We take this situation really seriously and we feel sorry for the users who use their services.”

SM continued, “SK Comms has informed us on July 11th that SK Comms will provide background music on Cyworld free of charge starting from July 20th. Thus, SM sincerely responded to them by stating that providing musics freely will involve the consideration of the future price of the music contents as well as global platform. Therefore, it is impossible to give an answer in such a short time.”

In respond to SM, SK Comms said that if SM were not able to give approval of “free music” right away, then SK Comms would have to stop providing SM artists’ musics on Cyworld. Furthermore, when SK Comms started providing “free music” on July 20th, they also stopped providing SM artists’ musics.

On the other hand, SM stated, “We sincerely apologize to the fans for creating a inconvenience because of this unexpected incident.”