love k-pop: June 2012

Saturday 30 June 2012

MY FAV.ACTOR JAPAN..TAKUYA KIMURA

Biography

Born in Tokyo, Kimura lived in Minoo, Osaka Prefecture until he was six years old. Then, he lived and attended elementary school and junior high school in Chiba. One of his relatives sent in the application to the Johnny & Associates talent agency, which specializes in young male teen idols, and he became a member of Johnny's Juniors, a group of trainees, in 1987. Then he became one of the 12 members in a unit called "Skate Boys". Skate Boys used to be backup dancers of Hikaru Genji, which at the time was a very popular group. In 1988, SMAP was created, and he joined. The group then consisted of six members: Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Katsuyuki Mori, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Shingo Katori; Katsuyuki Mori later left SMAP to pursue an autoracing career in mid 90s. After SMAP was formed, each member pursued an individual career by starring in B-list television dramas. Their first single "Can't Stop!! Lovin." was released in 1991, but it received mixed reviews. When SMAP had their first concert, the hall was almost empty, too.

1993 can be considered to be a breakthrough year for Kimura and SMAP. After years of starring in low-budget dramas, Kimura played a leading role in the teen drama Asunaro Hakusho (あすなろ白書) as Osamu Toride, a college freshman in love with a friend Narumi Sonoda. The series, based on a then-popular manga of the same name, quickly became a hit. SMAP also released their hit single $10. In 1994, a phrase "Kimutaku Syndrome" started to be observed in some media. The term refers to a phenomenon in which some young boys copy his fashion. In 1995, he played a role in a movie Kimi o Wasurenai (君を忘れない). In 1996 he starred with Yamaguchi Tomoko in a TV series Long Vacation, which also became a hit. Kimura played a young shy pianist "Sena" who falls in love with an older woman, a former model. In the same year, SMAP began to host a weekly Japanese variety show SMAP×SMAP. During 1997, Kimura continued his streak of hit dramas with Gift and Love Generation. However Gift, was criticized for its violent plot which allegedly promoted teenage crime.

In 2000, he played a leading role in a TV series Beautiful Life. He also announced his marriage with Shizuka Kudo, another idol. By the time of the announcement, Shizuka was pregnant. In 2001, Kimura starred in Hero, which set a record with its high TV ratings of about 36.8%.[2] He enjoyed more success in string of many hit series after Hero, such as Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi, Good Luck!!, Pride, and "ENGINE." "Good Luck" topped 2003's TV view ratings at 37.6%.

In 2004 Kimura made an appearance as a supporting actor in the movie 2046, nominated at Cannes. The cast of this Hong Kong film included Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li, and Faye Wong. The film won many awards including Best Art Direction and Best Original Film Score at Golden Horse Film Festival in 2004 and scored Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Make-Up, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Film Score at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 2005. In the original version shown in the Cannes Film Festival, his scene lasted about 7 minutes, although in the final edition, which was played in Japan, it was extended to approximately 20 minutes. In 2005 he voiced Howl in Hayao Miyazaki's animation Howl's Moving Castle. In July 2006, Fuji TV aired a 2 hour long HERO special. Along with the original cast, he revived his role as prosecutor Kuryu Kohei.

Additional big name stars were also seen in this drama, including Socrates in Love star Haruka Ayase. Kimura's latest movie is Bushi no Ichibun, released in December 2006. Directed by Yoji Yamada he played a young blind samurai during the Edo period. He earned a Japan Academy Prize nomination for Best Actor. However, he declined it because his agency, Johnny & Associates, was reluctant to have him compete with the other nominees, who are experienced film actors. This has been said to be the first case of decline for such reason. The film is the final in the trilogy, which includes The Twilight Samurai (2002) and The Hidden Blade (2004). In 2007, Kimura starred in TBS' 55th Anniversary drama, Karei-naru Ichizoku, which stars other big-name actors and actresses. In September, the movie sequel to 2001's HERO was released, continuing the story from where the last episode on TV special in 2006 left off. It has proved a major success, sparking rumours that a sequel will be produced. Kimura appeared in a 2009 French film, I Come with the Rain with Hollywood actor, Josh Hartnett.

In 1999 he ended the nine-year relationship with his longtime girlfriend Kaorin. The next year on November 23, he announced he was going to marry Shizuka Kudo, another Japanese pop idol. They married on December 5, 2000. His first daughter, Kokomi (心美?), was born on May 1, 2001 and his second daughter, Mitsuki (光希?), was born on February 5, 2003.

AWARDS:
* 57th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for CHANGE
* 12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Spring 2008): Best Actor for CHANGE
* 2nd Seoul Drama Awards: Best Actor for Karei naru Ichizoku (2007)
* 52nd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Karei naru Ichizoku (2007)
* 6th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (02-03): Best Actor for Good Luck!!
* 33rd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi (2002)
* 28th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Hero (2001)
* 4th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (00-01): Best Actor for Hero
* 24th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Beautiful Life (2000)
* 3rd Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (99-00): Best Actor for Beautiful Life
* 19th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Nemureru Mori (1998)
* 1st Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (97-98): Best Actor for Love Generation
* 15th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Love Generation (1997)
* 9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Long Vacation (1996)
* 7th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Outfit in Jinsei wa Jojo da (1995)
* 3rd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Outfit in Wakamono no Subete (1994)
* Award: Best Jeanist (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)

Description

木村拓哉, Kimura Takuya, nicknamed Kimutaku (キムタク?), is a Japanese singer and actor. He is also a member of the Japanese idol group SMAP. Most of the TV dramas he starred in produced high ratings in Japan. He has become one of the most well-known and successful actors/singers/entertainers in Japan and Asia.

Band Interests

~DRAMA & MOVIE ~ L I N K S~

*Asunaro Hakusho (1993)
http://doramax264.com/romance/asunaro-hakusho/

*Shoot: Hit the Goal [Movie] (1994)
http://myasiancinema.com/j-movie-hit-the-goal-1994/

*Long Vacation (1996)
http://doramax264.com/620/long-vacation/

*Concerto (1996)
http://myasiancinema.com/j-drama-concerto-1996/

*Gift (1997)
http://myasiancinema.com/j-drama-gift-1997/
http://doramax264.com/drama/gift-j-drama-150mbep/

*Love Generation (1997)
http://doramax264.com/694/love-generation/

*Sleeping Forest (1998)
http://doramax264.com/906/sleeping-forest/

*Beautiful Life (2000)
http://doramax264.com/661/beautiful-life/

*Food Fight (2000)
http://jdramazone.com/jdramas/food-fight/

*Hero (2001)
http://doramax264.com/703/hero/
(Download links for Hero TV Special (2006) can be found in the above link)

*Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi (2002)
http://doramax264.com/900/sora-kara-furu-ichioku-no-hoshi/

*Good Luck! (2003)
http://doramax264.com/664/good-luck/

*2046 [Movie] (2004)
http://myasiancinema.com/hk-movie-2046-2004/

*Pride (2004)
http://doramax264.com/680/pride/

*Howl's Moving Castle [Animation Movie] (2004)
http://myasiancinema.com/j-movie-howls-moving-castle-2004/

*Engine (2005)
http://doramax264.com/63/engine/

*Love and Honor [Movie] (2006)
http://myasiancinema.com/j-movie-love-and-honor-2006/

*Karei Naru Ichizoku (2007)
http://doramax264.com/romance/karei-naru-ichizoku/

*Hero [Movie] (2007)
http://www.mediafire.com/?37vm5r74likis

*CHANGE (2008)
http://doramax264.com/drama/change/

*I Come With The Rain [Movie] (2008)
http://myasiancinema.com/k-movie-i-come-with-the-rain-2008/

Takuya also starred in some movies, including award winning Chinese movie “2046″ directed by renowned director Wong Kar Wai in 2004; co-starring a strong Chinese cast of Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi etc.

His latest movie is “Hero”, a special sequel to the popular (same title) TV drama in 2001. Besides featuring Takako Matsu and the same cast in the drama, the movie also featured a short appearance from popular Korean star Lee Byung-hun. The end result… a blockbuster movie in 2007.

In personal life, Takuya Kimura married Shizuka Kudo, another pop idol in 2000. They have a pair of daughters… Kokomi was born in 2001, while Mitsuki in 2003. Takuya is often regarded as a good father.

SMAP continued to exile since then, both as a team and individually. Takuya in particular became highly demanded model, with youngsters mimicking his style and fashion. The trend gradually became the “Kimutaku Syndrome” as referred by the press, and Takuya began to gain notice outside of Japan.

1996 was another breakthrough year for Takuya… he starred in TV drama “Long Vacation” alongside Tomoko Yamaguchi. The drama was a super hit in Japan and the popularity spread across Asia; and opened the path for Japanese drama to dominate Asian market in mid-late 90s.

Takuya became a superstar and continues to star in countless high rating dramas, including “Love Generation”, “Beautiful Life”, “Hero”, “Good Luck”, “Pride” and “Engine” etc.


Personal Information	Takuya Kimura (木村拓哉) Born: November 13, 1972 Place of Birth: Tokyo, Japan Nickname: Kimutaku Years active: 1988 - present SMAP BAND [ACTIVE ARTIST]

Personal Interests	Kendo Fishing Swimming Singing Dancing Karate Drawing Etc. ( Drumming, Guitar, Drama's)

Wednesday 27 June 2012

2ne1

2NE1 (Korean: 투애니원; Two-En-Ei-One) is a popular South Korean hip-hop/pop girl group formed by YG Entertainment in 2009. The band consists of four members: CL, Dara, Bom and Minzy. The name 2NE1 combines the phrases "21st century" and "new evolution",[1] and is pronounced "twenty-one" or "To Anyone".[2]
They first appeared in "Lollipop", a commercial campaign with Big Bang for LG Electronics, and their debut single "Fire" was released on May 6, 2009. Since then, the group has released two extended plays, 2NE1 and 2NE1 2nd Mini Album, and one studio album, To Anyone.
Fans of 2NE1 are called Blackjacks, which is a reference to the card game Blackjack, also known as Twenty-one.

Stage name: CL
Real name: Lee, Chae-rin

• Birthday: February 26, 1991
• Position: Leader, Rapper, Singer
• Height: 162 cm
• Blood type: A
• Special skills: French, English, Japanese
• Hobby: Songwriting

C .L (real name Lee, Chae-rin) is the leader of 2NE1. Ever since elementary school, she dreamed of becoming a singer. At age 13, she was introduced to YG Entertainment, and she started her training with them in 2006. At the end of 2007, She performed a fabulous live rap performance at SBS Gayodaejeon (End of Year music festival), which all the members of the YG Entertainment family took part in. In 2008, people began to notice her talent when she was featured rapping in Uhm Jung Hwa’s song DJ. She is a fan of strong female musicians like Madonna and Lady Gaga. Fans can expect powerful stage performances from CL.

Biography

Name: 박봄(이) / Park Bom (Lee)
English Name: Jenny Park
DOB: 03/24/1984
Height: 165cm
Blood Type: AB
Education: Attended "Lesley University" to major Psychology, but later transferred to "Berklee College of Music" (in Boston) to study music.
Religion: Christian
Talents: English, Japanese, Piano, Flute, Cello
Hobbies: Music
Favorite Colors: Green, Pink, Red

★ Main Vocal of the YG Entertainment group 2NE1 (aka SISTA or 21 or To Anyone or 2NewEvolution1) ★

Korean name
Hangul 박산다라
Hanja 朴산다라
Revised Romanization Bak Sandara
McCune–Reischauer Pak Sandara

Park Sandara (Korean: 박산다라, born November 12, 1984), better known as Dara (Korean: 다라; Japanese: ダラ), is a South Korean idol singer, actress, television host and model. She is best known as being a member and the Director of Communications of the Korean girl group 2NE1. However, she first gained major popularity on ABS-CBN's Star Circle Quest during her stay in the Philippines. Her younger brother, Park Sang-Hyun (Thunder),[1] is also in the entertainment industry as a member of a Korean boy band, MBLAQ in J. Tune Entertainment. Dara released her first digital single "Kiss" in 2009.

About

Biography

Early life
Gong Min-ji was born in Seoul, South Korea, but moved to the countryside shortly thereafter. Gong is the granddaughter of Gong Ok-jin, a legendary folk dancer.
2009–present: Debut with 2NE1
Gong Min-ji was discovered by YG Entertainment. There was a video of her dancing that was uploaded onto the internet, and got many hits and praises for her ability to dance. Because of her rising pop...See More

Description

Born January 18, 1994 (age 17)
Seoul, South Korea
Genres R&B, pop, hip hop
Occupations Singer, rapper, dancer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2009–present
Labels YG Entertainment
Associated acts 2NE1, Big Bang
Website yg-2ne1.com
Korean name
Hangul 공민지
Hanja 龔民持
Revised Romanization Gong Min-ji
McCune–Reischauer Kong Min-chi
Stage name
Hangul 민지
Revised Romanization Minji, Minzy
McCune–Reischauer Minchi

The 2NE1 cited different girl groups influences like Destiny's Child. Park Bom cited American singers, Beyoncé and Mariah Carey as her main influences because of their strong vocals and powerful performances. She has listed hip hop and R&B as her favorite music genres. Youngest member Minzy cited famous entertainer Michael Jackson, while leader CL said producer Teddy Park and American entertainers Madonna and Lauryn Hill are her role models. Dara states that singer-actress Uhm Jung Hwa is her inspiration. She also likes Jennifer Lopez's music and style very much that she naturally became her role model as she sang along with her music while growing up.

Pre-debut
The group was first mentioned by the press in late 2008. YG Entertainment announced that the group would consist of four members and debut sometime in May 2009.The company stated that the group had trained for 4 years, and that their debut album would contain songs produced by 1TYM leader Teddy Park. The group's name was initially announced as "21"; however, due to the discovery of a singer with the same name, the group was quickly renamed "2NE1".

2009: Debut
In collaboration with Big Bang, 2NE1's first CF song was "Lollipop", digitally released on March 27, 2009. The song was created for LG to promote their Cyon phone. The music video debuted on March 28, 2009. Although it was not a promoted single because it was an advertisement (there were problems with network chart eligibility, "Lollipop" went to number one on various online charts and topped the online chart of music television network Mnet for four weeks in a row.

On April 30, YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk revealed that 2NE1's debut song would be a hip-hop and reggae song, and that it would be digitally released on May 6, 2009.Titled "Fire", the song was written and produced by 1TYM's Teddy Park.[unreliable source?] Teasers of the song were released on their official website at the beginning of May, with a 20-second clip released on May 1.
"Fire" was released as planned on May 6, with two versions of the music video — a "space" version and a "street" version — released the same day. During the first 24 hours, the videos received over one million views. The group's first performance of the song was on May 17, 2009, on SBS's Inkigayo, beginning the group's activities.

Both the song and the group became popular online: Fire topped Mnet's online chart and 2NE1 became a popular search term. The group was awarded three Cyworld Digital Music Awards; "Lollipop" and "Fire" both won "Song of the Month" and the group won "Rookie of the Month" for May 2009. 2NE1 received their first Mutizen award after their fourth stage performance in SBS Inkigayo (Popular Song) on June 14, 2009. They received their second Mutizen award on SBS Inkigayo on June 21, 2009. Two days afterwards, 2NE1 signed a deal with Fila to become the models for the new commercial campaign.

"I Don't Care" was released as the second single on July 1, 2009,[19] with promotions starting in early July. Yang Hyun Suk stated that the song would demonstrate a softer, more feminine image. A reggae version of "I Don't Care" was performed on SBS's Inkigayo, signaling the end of promotions for the song. However, due to the remix's popularity, it was released to digital outlets on September 3, 2009, and became their next digital single.
Along with three other groups representing Korea, 2NE1 performed in the 6th Asia Song Festival in September 2009, where they received the 2009's "Asian Newcomer's Award."
2NE1 received many year-end awards, including Best Rookie Award and Song of the Year Award. Their hit single "I Don't Care" was named 2009's Best Selling Song on music sites Bugs, Monkey3, and Cyworld.

On February 9, 2010, without previous notice, "Follow Me" (Korean: "날 따라해봐요", "Nal ddara haebwayo") was released to digital outlets and used as a theme song for Samsung Corby Folder. Over the summer, 2NE1 traveled to Los Angeles and London in order to record English songs for a possible American debut with The Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am. So far, group has recorded 10 songs. YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk stated that the girls are planned to debut sometime in 2012 or early 2013, after The Black Eyed Peas' global tour and 2NE1's own activities in Korea and Japan.

The first studio and full length album, To Anyone, was released on September 9, 2010 and was a huge success. The album contains 12 tracks including three title songs, namely "Clap Your Hands" (Korean: "박수 쳐"), "Go Away" and "Can't Nobody", which were promoted simultaneously. 2NE1 won first place on Mnet M! Countdown for "Clap Your Hands" on the day of their comeback, followed by a K-Chart win the next day on KBS Music Bank for "Go Away", and a Mutizen a week after their SBS Inkigayo comeback for "Can't Nobody." Overall, 2NE1 won first place eleven times on various music shows.
To promote the album, the group made its first entertainment show appearance as a group on KBS variety-talk show Win Win. 2NE1 also aired the second season of 2NE1 TV.

On October 21, Yang Hyun Suk announced that 2NE1 would be releasing a follow up song on October 31, later revealed to be "It Hurts (Slow)" (Korean: "아파").[29][30] It was first performed on SBS Inkigayo. The music video is directed by Kim Hye Jung, the same director for G-Dragon's "Butterfly." The music video was released on November 1 and was themed for Halloween.
In addition, on October 28, it was revealed that 2NE1's official record label in Japan will be Avex, and that To Anyone would be re-released in Japan on December 8, 2010. However, the release was delayed to an indefinite time. The group also promoted in Thailand, where To Anyone released on October 28, 2010. On November 26, 2NE1 released the single "Don't Stop the Music" as a "special gift for Thai fans".

2011: Korean Comeback and Japanese Debut
Originally, 2NE1's Japanese debut was planned for December 2010, but this was delayed to September 2011, with singles releasing throughout the summer. 2NE1's American promotions with will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas has no set time for release yet, because of the Black Eyed Peas' album release of The Beginning and subsequent touring.