Contrary to reports last June 21, SS501 member Kim Hyun Joong’s participation in the Korean version of Hana Yori Dango is not yet final.

On the same day news broke, a DSP Entertainment official clarified the issue. “SS501 is busy on its album production and nothing has been decided yet (on Hyun Joong acting in the drama). It’s true that there was an offer for him to act in the Korean version of Hana Yori Dango and it’s still being examined if it’s possible for him to shoot the drama,” the official said.

The official added, “It’s priority that he shoots MBC’s ‘We’re Married.’ An album can’t be produced if he starts filming for the drama. If schedules don’t get fixed, it’s going to be impossible to shoot the drama.”

But rumors are circulating that album production will be postponed once Hyun Joong and other SS501 members, who have also received offers to act in dramas, push through with acting.

Source: Starnews

The first 30,000 copies of Brown Eyes’ 3rd album “Two Things Needed for the Same Purpose and 5 Objects,” which was released last June 19, were completely sold-out in only after a day since it came out in the market.

According to Mnet Media, the distributor of the duo’s album, although Brown Eyes’ 1st and 2nd albums managed to sell more than 600,000 copies each, it initially just manufactured 30,000 copies of the duo’s 3rd album because of the current bad state of the music industry, where selling 100,000 album copies is a rare feat.

It is expected that Brown Eyes’ new album will soon surpass 100,000 sold copies. There has not been a released album until May 2008 that has reached the said number.

Source: Mydaily

SS501 member Kim Hyun Joong was casted as the F4 member Hanazawa Rui in the Korean version of Hana Yori Dango, which is scheduled to be broadcast via KBS 2TV in the first half of 2009. The Korean name for Rui has not been set yet.

This will be the third time the Japanese manga will be turned into a drama series. The first one was a Taiwanese version, which was aired in 2001, and the other was a Japanese one, which was broadcast in 2005.

According to an official from Group Eight, the production house in-charge of the drama, Kim Hyun Joong was selected to play Rui because he was deemed suited for the character. The decision was based from his performance in the MBC program “We’re Married,” where Kim Hyun Joong is being coupled with singer Hwangbo.

Meanwhile, at the moment, the 3 actors, who will play the other members of F4, are yet to be finalized.

Source: Stoo

Wheesung’s “2008 WheeSung Japan 1st Concert in OSAKA” at the Matsushita IMP Hall last June 15 will be broadcast for 80 minutes via KNTV.

“Normally, a Korean singer’s concert is broadcast in Japan for 10-15 minutes. Wheesung’s case is unusual because it’ll run for 80 minutes and it’s even his first solo concert. This just shows that Japanese broadcasting officials recognize Wheesung’s abilites,” an Orange Shock official said.

Wheesung was also thankful for his successful Japan concert, which was a sold-out one.

He commented, “I expected that most of the attendees will be Koreans residing in Japan but I was surprised because there were a lot of Japanese fans. Thank you very much for going to the concert. Next time, I’d like to invite more people in a better concert and event.”

Source: Starnews

Rain is restarting his activities in Asia with a fan meeting with members of his official international fan club “The Cloud” at the JCB Hall in Tokyo, Japan on June 30.

According to J Tune Entertainment, Rain’s agency, this fan meeting is to extend Rain’s gratitude to his Asian fans who have been waiting for him ever since he pursued his Hollywood activities. Moreover, activities in Asia, which include a fan meeting in Korea, are in the works.

For those who cannot join or would like to relive the moments during the fan meeting, pictures and videos of the event will be available through a mobile service in Japan.

Meanwhile, Rain is currently in Berlin, Germany filming his movie “Ninja Assassin.”

Source: Hankooki

AJOO, who debuted in February with “First Kiss,” is releasing his 1st mini album called “Paparazzi” on July 3. Its title track also goes by the name of “Paparazzi,” which, according to an official from STAM Entertainment, is a trendy dance song and shows off AJOO’s mature vocals.

Also included in the album is the ballad song “On My Knees,” which AJOO composed.

“Like taking my pictures where I show who I am, I put in my music my thoughts and feelings. I worked hard to bring music that is fresh and that goes with the global music trend,” AJOO expressed.

Source: Newsis

Brown Eyes member Naul expressed his love for his girlfriend Han Hye Jin in Brown Eyes’ 3rd album entitled “Two Things Needed for the Same Purpose and 5 Objects,” which was released on June 19.

In the “Thanks to” section of the album jacket, Naul wrote, “My beloved parents, my beloved (Han) Hye Jin, I love you so much and thank you.”

The two started dating in 2004 and did not worry being seen together in public. In December 2007, Han Hye Jin sent off Naul for his compulsory military service.

Source: Chosun

Sung Si Kyung’s last concert before he enlists in the compulsory military service was a sold-out, proving his fans’ endless support for him.

The concert entitled “Encore! Sung Si Kyung Concert, Listen to Si Kyung’s Last Story” will take place on June 28 at 7 pm at Yeonsei University’s outdoor stage. This concert is the final leg in Sung Si Kyung’s nationwide tour that started on April 26.

“I can’t express how thankful I am (for the sold-out concert). For the past 8 years, fans have given me much love and I hope that while I’m gone, I won’t be forgotten. I’ll be doing my best to give a great concert so as to leave it as a good memory for everyone,” Sung Si Kyung expressed.

Source: Hankooki

SS501’s 3rd Japanese single called “Lucky Days” ranked 2nd in the Oricon daily single chart on the day of its release (June 18). This is the highest place SS501 has reached since it released its 2 other Japanese singles. Its first single, “Kokoro,” placed 5th and its second single, “Distance – Kimi to no Kyori,” rose to 3rd place in the Oricon daily single chart.

SS501 will be staying in Japan until the end of July.

The quintet will start its Japan activities with a handshake meeting on the 21st at the Takeshiba Pia Hall. SS501 is also set to hold concerts to commemorate the release of its new album on July 12 and 13 in Tokyo and 16 and 17 in Osaka.

Source: Newsen

BIG BANG’s new Korean album, which will be released in August, includes a song written and composed by T.O.P.

According to a YG Entertainment official, despite BIG BANG’s busy overseas and local performances, T.O.P. has still managed to work on writing lyrics and composing.

“We heard the song T.O.P. did and it’s really great and we’re all impressed. This new album is going to be something that has more of BIG BANG’s own style as not only G-dragon’s song will be included in it but also T.O.P.’s,” BIG BANG member Seungri revealed.

Source: Hankooki