Around the turn of the millennium, Korean pop culture and entertainment started popping up everywhere in Asia. Korean Cinema saw a new renaissance with the domestic and regional popularity of movies like My Sassy Girl, Friend, and My Wife is a Gangster. The music industry ushered in a new generation of teen idols whose fame extended beyond Korea. Most significantly, Korean dramas invaded televisions across Asia, with series like Winter Sonata and Dae Jang Geum reaching an unprecedented level of Pan-Asian popularity. The fervor for Korean dramas and Korean television stars like Bae Yong Joon, Choi Ji Woo, and Lee Young Ae was so great, the phenomenon was dubbed the Korean Wave. Fast forward to 2010, Korean entertainment is still spreading its sphere of influence in Asia and beyond, but the focus is shifting away from Korean dramas. There’s a new wave sweeping out of Korea, and this wave is led by K-pop.
The K-pop wave isn’t content with just niche markets, dubbed soap operas, and Japanese fan meetings, not when domestic album sales are flagging and there’s a world out there for the taking. We’re now in a time when Rain can star in a Hollywood movie, Dong Bang Shin Ki can top the Oricon charts, Wonder Girls can tour with the Jonas Brothers, and Nobody and Sorry Sorry can be heard from every karaoke box in Asia. K-pop is more popular than ever in Asia, and thanks to the Internet and the proliferation of online social media, it’s also traveled farther outside of Asia and inspired dedicated fanbases in every region imaginable. Standing at the forefront of this K-pop wave is entertainment juggernaut SM Entertainment.
Founded in 1995 by former singer Lee Soo Man, SM Entertainment has produced some of the biggest K-pop stars of the past decade including H.O.T, S.E.S, BoA, Shinhwa, Dong Bang Shin Ki, Super Junior, and Girls’ Generation. Though K-pop’s other two giants JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment also have their own formidable lineup of stars, as a talent label SM Entertainment is clearly the biggest player in K-pop. According to year-to-date domestic sales figures reported by the Hanteo chart in mid-August, SM Entertainment artists own the top seven best-selling albums of 2010 so far. SM does everything bigger – bigger groups, bigger stars, bigger sales, bigger fandoms, bigger controversies, bigger heartbreaks – and it’s been doing it bigger and better than the rest for a while.
Super Junior, Strength in Numbers
With TVXQ splitting their time between Korea and Japan, SM introduced another group in 2005, Super Junior 05. Comprised of a whopping 12 members, the band was originally conceived as a rotating-membership unit, with plans for a different “Super Junior 06″ lineup the following year. The group’s great popularity after the release of their first album, however, prompted SM to rethink their plans. Much to the relief of fans, in 2006 Super Junior became an official group, with one more member added (the youngest, Kyu Hyun) to bring the count to 13. As K-pop’s biggest group, Super Junior vaunted to the top with the hit single U, and they’ve stayed there ever since.
Super Junior’s smorgasbord of vastly different talents and personalities opened up whole new possibilities. Like in most groups, there were some members better known for singing (Kyu Hyun, Ryeo Wook, Ye Sung), dancing (Dong Hae, Eun Hyuk, Han Geng, Shin Dong), and rapping (Ki Bum, Eun Hyuk). But Super Junior’s deep lineup also included actors (Ki Bum, Hee Chul, Si Won) and talkers who quickly emerged as new-generation emcees (Lee Teuk, Kang In, Hee Chul, Shin Dong). The group’s hosting and variety show prowess, in particular, created an image different than the typical idols. Super Junior is also the first group to debut with a foreign member, Han Geng, starting a precedent that is now quite common in K-pop.
Super Junior’s strength in numbers made them a formidable force that grew with every album. The releases of Don’t Don, Sorry Sorry, and their most recent Bonamana were all big events in K-pop. Sorry Sorry, in particularly, launched the super-sized boy band to a new level of fame in Asia. Other than group and individual activities, Super Junior have also formed sub-units targeting different musical styles. K.R.Y, the first Super Junior unit introduced, is a ballad group, while Super Junior T tackles trot and Super Junior Happy makes, er, happy music.
The most significant Super Junior unit though is its Chinese spin-off, Super Junior M. With a Chinese member in the group, Super Junior has had a foot in the Chinese market since their debut. In 2008, SM made a full-fledged foray into Chinese music with the formation of Super Junior M comprised of Han Geng, Si Won, Ryeo Wook, Dong Hae, Kyu Hyun, plus two additional new members, Chinese-Canadian Henry Lau and Mainland native Zhou Mi. The addition of two non-Super Junior members into Super Junior M created a good deal of controversy among Super Junior’s famously dedicated fanbase, but the project went ahead with the members spending significant time promoting and performing in China. Most fans were won over by the time they released their first mini-album Super Girl which garnered the group a Golden Melody nomination.
Other than Super Junior M, SM also debuted Chinese female artist Zhang Li Yin in 2006. The young R&B singer’s Korean single Timeless won her the Best New Solo Artist award at the M.net Asian Music Awards, a first for a foreign artist. After making her mark in Korea, she released her first Chinese album I Will two years later.
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Taken from: YesAsia
Shared By: danica @ TwELFs.com
TAKE OUT WITH FULL CREDITS WITHOUT EDITING.
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From drama, variety, movies, radio to public performances, the opportunities that idols see these days have increased. It has become an age where idols have to explore other areas and not just stay in one to show off their charms. And these idols will need to spend their energy in the various areas they are exploring into.
The phrase ‘one source multi use’ is just the right one to use on idols. Even though they debuted as singers, they don’t show just the features of a singer. If the stage is not ‘wide’ enough for one, one move on to look at drama, movie, theatre and musicals etc, to show more of one’s charms and talents one cannot show in just the short duration of 3 minutes on stage. In the midst of achieving that, these idols will need the strength of that of an ‘iron man’. Even though this is a chance for the singers to up their rich and fame, without the energy to do so is also useless.
Of the idols, Super Junior has many unique group activities – Super Junior K.R.Y, Super Junior T, Super Junior M, Super Junior Happy. Members Choi SiWon is also exploring into other areas like drama and movie.
Another example is girlgroup So Nyeo Shi Dae with the members doing various other solo activities, they also had unique group ‘Room mate’ consisting of members Jessica, Tiffany and SeoHyun. Member YoonA is also seen doing various drama appearances, showing various features through those appearances.
Group KARA member Goo Hara, who joined the group later, is enjoying increasing popularity through her appearance on KBS Invincible Youth previously. And GyuRi is also showing a different charming side of her through her DJ activities on MBC radio ‘ShinDong GyuRi‘s ShimShimTaPa’. SHINee member Onew has also recently taken up the challenge of musical acting.
This is one of the strategies that agencies adopt for their idols. Idols showing various charms is one of the ways to money and wealth creation for the agencies. But under the directing of their agencies, the energy of these idols will obviously run out one day. Even though we cannot say that all idols promote in such manner, but there are a considerable number of them promoting under such strategies by their agencies.
But if these idols are to take a moment to rest, they will quickly be forgotten by the masses. A music critic commented, “Nowadays, we call the way the singers promote without much rest as ‘lightning attack’. Not even talking about 1 year, even if they are to rest for a few months, they will be forgotten quickly. And to maintain their popularity, these people have to show themselves constantly on TV in various forms. Also, because of that, singers also don’t release full length album but minialbums more often as they will mean using up lesser time and costs.”
In order to keep up to speed of changing tastes of the masses and media, and as contracted under agencies, these idols are only moving in the directions told to them.
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Twenty-year-old Henry Lau may not be a name you instantly recognize. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, he’s an up and coming star in both the Korean and Chinese music industries as a member of Super Junior-M, the Mando-pop extension of the widely popular Korean boy band, Super Junior.
Henry was discovered when Korean management label, SM Entertainment, held auditions in Toronto. Showcasing the violin and popping, he was featured in Super Junior’s “Don’t Don” music video and on popular variety shows, such as Korea’s “Star King.”
Amidst all this success, how would it feel to be his brother? A-Line got the chance to talk to Henry’s older brother*, a Canadian college student, about Henry’s success.
Before SM…
J.CHAN: It must be thrilling that your brother is becoming a success in Asia.
C.LAU: It’s definitely cool to see Henry have an opportunity to rise to stardom. Before he started out, I did not know anything about SM or the Asian music industry, but I knew he was going somewhere.
J.CHAN: When did he start taking up music?
C.LAU: He started taking piano lessons from my mom at about four and violin lessons at seven. I think he was indifferent towards music up until junior high when his talent for performing started to show.
J.CHAN: As a violinist, I”m pretty envious of Henry’s technique. He must’ve won some awards, right?
C.LAU: On top of local and regional violin solo competitions, he received the Silver Medal for the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada. The Silver Medal is awarded to the soloist who obtained the highest mark in the Level 10 category.
J.CHAN: Maybe I should practice more. Do you think that if Henry were a college student he would continue his passion in music?
C.LAU: Definitely, specifically in music production, jazz, composition or arrangement. As a back-up, he would probably enroll in violin performance.
J.CHAN: Henry was in his final year of high school before auditioning for SM, did he apply to any universities?
C.LAU: After the SM auditions, Henry applied to the University of Toronto for Music Education and actually received two letters of acceptance: one for Music Education and one for Violin Performance. Currently, he’s planning to enroll part-time at Berklee College of Music in Boston during the summer to improve on his music production abilities.
The Audition and More…
J.CHAN: What was Henry’s path once he was recruited by SM Entertainment?
C.LAU: Henry was first engaged as a trainee at SM Entertainment and then debuted four months later with Super Junior-M.
J.CHAN: How did you feel when Henry auditioned for SM?
C.LAU: I didn’t even know that he was auditioning or was serious about it! Henry always did popping and violin performances for school events and had a lot of close Korean friends who danced with him. I suspect that his friends made him aware about the auditions.
J.CHAN: How did your family and friends react to the news?
C.LAU: Everyone was excited to have a potential celebrity family member or friend. A month after the auditions, a Chinese speaker at SM contacted my mother. The company offered our family an all-expense included trip to Korea for us to see the environment that Henry would train in. However, only my mother and Henry were able to go. Upon returning, all doubts were put to rest and my brother had the full support of my mom.
J.CHAN: I find it interesting that Henry, raised as a Chinese-Canadian, entered the Korean music industry. What were your feelings?
C.LAU: Entering the Korean market was an extremely good chance to engage in a culture that he otherwise might not have had the opportunity to. There weren’t any type of prejudice that we held towards the Korean market. We only had positive connotations associated with Korea as we both love Korean food.
Getting a Bit Personal…
J.CHAN: Who are Henry’s music idols?
C.LAU: Especially as he is focused in producing his own music, I feel that he admires the work of J.R. Rotem and Lady Gaga’s producer. I would also think he would like to collaborate with Usher.
J.CHAN: There is always a concern that young celebrities are caught up in the entertainment industry. Do you think fame has gotten to him at all?
C.LAU: I think the fame definitely has taken a toll on him but not in the way you’d expect. Since he’s pretty much always on tour in Asia, he doesn’t have a lot of free time and when he does, he’s usually working on his own music.
J.CHAN: Considering your brother’s success, how many people have gone up to you about him?
C.LAU: Not as many people as most would expect. I do get random Facebook and MSN adds from his fans in Asia, but in person, only friends of friends ask and even then, it is more curiosity.
J.CHAN: Do you usually introduce yourself as Henry’s brother?
C.LAU: I usually don’t. If I do, it’s because I want to find some common ground between a new person I meet, especially if I’m abroad or meet someone from Asia.
J.CHAN: Funny that I’m asking this question, but for A-Line’s female audience, what qualities does Henry like in a girl?
C.LAU: One value that Henry holds highest in girl’s qualities is kindness towards others. He likes girls that are more so than average, kinder towards everyone.
J.CHAN: I’ve always wondered do you ever get jealous of his spotlight?
C.LAU: No. When I see Henry, he’s doing something that’s maximizing his potential and it’s not something that everyone has a chance to do. I also know that our strengths lie in different areas so when I see him in the spotlight, I am excited and proud more than anything else.
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Zhong guo de gemi !! Nimen xie gei wo de xin wo dou shou dao le!! Xiexie nimen .. Zhende .. Thank you 1:11 AM May 3rd via Twitter for BlackBerry® [ LINK ]
China’s fans !! I received the letters you wrote for me!! Thank you all..Really..Thank you
CREDITS
Source: Henry Lau’s Twitter @henrylau89
English Translation: sundust @ TwELFs.com
@onewaychance best big bro in the world lol got me a nice farwell present!! One way’s music playin in the house!! ^^* 1:46 AM May 3rd via Twitter for BlackBerry® [ LINK ]
went shopping for glasses in Korea! ANyone been to myeong dong? 명동? (trying to look smart!) heheh do I?*http://twitpic.com/1khrjd 11:21 AM May 3rd via Twitpic [ LINK ]
{05.05.2010} 3 Tweets
Lol jus realized how messy my studio is looking hehe goodnight everyone! Finished packing.whew!*http://twitpic.com/1l0otf 3:47 AM May 5th via Twitpic [ LINK ]
On my way to the airport!공항가고있는중!qu jichang de lushang!! Lil cloudy.. http://twitpic.com/1l7wcv 7:25 PM May 5th via Twitpic [ LINK ]
On my way to the airport! In the middle of going to the airport! On the road to the airport!! Lil cloudy.. http://twitpic.com/1l7wcv
CREDITS
Source: Henry Lau’s Twitter @henrylau89
English Translation: sundust @ TwELFs.com
Lift off! Toronto here I come! Hehe goodnight everyone!*http://twitpic.com/1l8ocm 9:22 PM May 5th via Twitpic [ LINK ]
{05.07.2010} 3 Tweets
Hey all!I’m back home in toronto right now!really happy to see all my family and friends. The weather here is gorgeous! Miss you all! Luv u!* 4:13 AM May 7th via Twitter for BlackBerry® [ LINK ]
I also heard tw elf wrote me lots of postcards and although I haven’t received them yet I would jus like to say thank you!* 4:16 AM May 7th via Twitter for BlackBerry® [ LINK ]
Thank you so much tw elfs and all of qin xian! I know how hard u guys have worked to help me! U guys are my everything! Good night!* 4:18 AM May 7th via Twitter for BlackBerry® [ LINK ]
{05.17.2010} 1 Tweet
Hey everyone! been a while since I’ve been on twitter. Did some yard work in my back yard today with my brother! T*http://twitpic.com/1ojkd4 3:42 PM May 17th via Twitpic [ LINK ]
Hey everyone! been a while since I’ve been on twitter. Did some yard work in my back yard today with my brother! T*http://twitpic.com/1ojket 3:42 PM May 17th via Twitpic [ LINK ]
{05.18.2010} 2 Tweets
Family and I went to a wedding today! That’s me and my little sister!*http://twitpic.com/1osm2z 2:23 PM May 18th via Twitpic [ LINK ]
Family and I went to a wedding today! That’s me and my little sister!*http://twitpic.com/1osm63 2:23 PM May 18th via Twitpic [ LINK ]
Super Junior unique group Super Junior M has been nominated for an award at the Golden Melody Awards, a top music awards ceremony in Taiwan.
According to SM Entertainment on 27th May, they have nominated for the ‘Best Singer Group’ award at the 21st Golden Melody Awards together with other big names like Cotton Candy and Power Station.
The SM Entertainment rep commented, “Super Junior M was invited as special guests to attend the Golden Melody Award last year, and having being nominated this year, there has been much interests as to whether they will be the first Korean singers to win an award at the Golden Melody Awards.”
Meanwhile, the award ceremony will be held on 26th June.
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CREDITS
Original Source: Star News
English Translation: K Bites
Super Junior is a South Korean boy band under SM Entertainment who has been leading the Korean music scene since 2005. Following their debut with 12 members, one additional member was introduced a year later to complete the group and have since formed 4 sub-groups. Each of the members are known for their unique talents and charms in entertaining the audiences, be it as singer, actor, MC, radio host, rapper, comedian, songwriter, model or dancer.
To date, SUJU has officially released five studio albums, with numerous singles, digital, singles, original soundtracks and live concert albums. Their third album, Sorry Sorry, released in 2009, is arguably the most critically and commercially successful album to date, selling 30,000 copies on its release day in Korea only, nabbing the #1 chart position in Korea, Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand. With only 9 active members since 2011, the group continues to defend their title as the King of Global Korean Wave.
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Type: World Tour Description: SUPER SHOW 4 - SUPER JUNIOR, THE WORLD TOUR is the group's first world tour following the first three rounds of their Asia Tour. The boys kicked off the tour in Seoul, South Korea, entertaining the audiences with spectacular performances for 2 nights. The concert is scheduled to hit various countries until the year 2012 with Osaka, Taipei and Singapore as the next stops. Purchase Tickets | News | Pictures | Videos
⇢ Nov 19, 2011 | Seoul, South Korea
⇢ Nov 20, 2011 | Seoul, South Korea
⇢ Nov 10, 2011 | Osaka, Japan
⇢ Nov 11, 2011 | Osaka, Japan
⇢ Feb 3, 2012 • Taipei, Taiwan
⇢ Feb 4, 2012 • Taipei, Taiwan
⇢ Feb 5, 2012 • Taipei, Taiwan
⇢ Feb 17, 2012 • Singapore
5th Album Repackage Member: Super Junior Type: Album Release Date: September 19, 2011 Purchase on:iTunes or YesAsia
떴다 오빠 (Oppa, Oppa) Member: Donghae and Eunhyuk Type: Single Release Date: December 16, 2011 Listen on:Mnet or Melon or Daum
2011 SMTOWN 'Winter' - The Warmest Gift Member: Super Junior ft. Henry & Zhoumi Type: SMTOWN Compilation Album Release Date: December 13, 2011 Purchase on:iTunes or YesAsia
Mr. Simple - Japan Version Member: Super Junior Type: Japanese Single Release Date: December 7, 2011 Purchase on:iTunes or YesAsia (+DVD) / YesAsia (Normal)
The 3rd Asia Tour - Super Show 3 DVD + Photobook Member: Super Junior Type: Live Concert DVD + Photobook Release Date: December 21, 2011 Purchase on:YesAsia or iTunes (songs)
SMTOWN LIVE in Tokyo DVD Member: Super Junior Type: Live Concert DVD Release Date: February 22, 2012 Purchase on:YesAsia
My Kingdom DVD (English Subtitled) - Hong Kong Version Member: Han Geng Type: Chinese Movie Role: Meng Er Kui Release Date: November 29, 2011 Purchase on:YesAsia More:Facebook • Posts
Deep Rooted Tree (2011) Member: Kibum Type: Television Series (24 episodes) Role: Park Paeng-nyeon Air time: Wed & Thurs at 21:55 on SBS More:Official • Twitter • Posts
We Got Married (2011) Member: Leeteuk Type: Variety Show Air time: Sat at PM 05:15 on MBC More:Official • Posts
Super Junior's Kiss The Radio (2006-present) Member: DJ Leeteuk and Eunhyuk Type: Radio Program Broadcast: PM 10:00 on KBS Cool FM More:Official • Twitter • Posts
ShimShim Tapa (2008-present) Member: DJ Shindong Type: Radio Program Broadcast: AM 00:00 on MBC 표준FM More:Official • Twitter • Posts
Star King (2011) Member: MC Leeteuk Type: Variety Show Air time: Sat at PM 06:30 on SBS More:Official • Posts
Radio Star (2011) Member: MC Kyuhyun Type: Variety Show Air time: Wed at PM 11:05 on MBC More:Official • Posts
The Three Musketeers - The Musical (2010-2011) Member: Kyuhyun as d'Artagnan Type: Musical Venue: Seongnam Arts Center Purchase Tickets:Interpark (English) More:Schedule • Official • Twitter • Posts
Fame - The Musical (2011-2012) Member: Eunhyuk as Tyrone Jackson Type: Musical Venue: Woori Art Hall, Olympic Park Purchase Tickets:Interpark (English) More:Schedule • Twitter • Posts
LG Optimus Glare Member: Super Junior Type: Endorsement Release Date: December 19, 2011 More:Official • Posts
2012 Official Diary Member: Super Junior Type: Merchandise Release Date: January 3, 2012 Purchase on:YesAsia
2012 Desk Calendar Member: Super Junior Type: Merchandise Release Date: December 19, 2011 Purchase on:YesAsia
2012 Wall Calendar Member: Super Junior Type: Merchandise Release Date: December 19, 2011 Purchase on:YesAsia
jjajangmyeon Age: 29 Favorite members: Donghae, Heechul, Kyuhyun, Henry Favorite songs: Sorry Sorry, It’s You, Happy Together, A Short Journey, Blue Tomorrow, Destiny
Why I love Super Junior? I wasn’t into K-Pop when Super Junior debuted, I started noticing them only after they released Sorry Sorry (in my opinion, THE song that shot them to superstardom and got them where they are right now). My first impression of them was “Why so many members?” and “What’s with the haircut?” While watching EHB, it was then when I realized that these boys began to grow on me. They have a nonchalant approach to fame and they don’t take themselves too seriously, that’s a quality I rarely find in other K-Pop groups. I realize in Korean entertainment world, idol images are shaped and they have to maintain that, but every so often, with SJ members, their real personalities appear in interviews, variety shows, radio broadcasts and especially Super Show. They way they interact with each other make me feel like I’m watching the boys-next-door, approachable, funny, dorky and humble. I guess that imperfection shows that they are real and relatable.
Why I love TwELFs and SPL? When I first started collecting information about Super Junior, I stumbled upon several fanbases, but TwELFs stood out to my attention immediately for several reasons: quality content, good English, pleasing to the eyes & easy to navigate.Like any other new converts, I joined in the fandom bandwagon and participated with gusto especially on Trending Topic projects. I was surprised to know that TwELFs founders were still in college, because they ran a tight ship with the blog and Twitter account. I was even more pleasantly surprised when I communicated via Twitter with the founders, because they were so friendly and unpretentious.
TwELFs blog has meaty content without sacrificing entertainment value. It is informational without sounding too serious and at the same time, provides all the fun tidbits for fans –newly minted or veteran.
SPL is oozing with creativity (e.g. forum members referred to as Students and Super Junior members as Professors!) and over a short period of time has gained the reputation of being one of the most acclaimed international forums for ELFs. SPL keeps making changes for the better and continues to carry out credible projects for Super Junior and ELFs. SPL is a labor of love, and I salute the people behind it, who are such dedicated hard-workers.
