[News] Mariah Carey responds to YG's plagiarism claim

During her stay in Korea, it was revealed that she was informed of what YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-Suk had to say about the plagiarism controversy. Regarding to the the accusation against YG, Yang Hyun-Seok stated:

"A few days ago, Mariah Carey's new song, Standing O teaser was released on youtube. Comparing this song to In The Club, you get 8 bars of similar parts. It is 24 seconds, instead of 5 seconds, also has it as its major motive, and adding up the similar parts together, results in approximately 1 minute. What is Sony ATV's opinion towards this song? I don't know, but I am sure that you can't easily say that Mariah Carey has plarigiarized 2NE1's song that was released 3 months ago, although it contains longer and clearer motives from In The Club."

A member of team that promoted Mariah's visit to Korea said, "The controversy was explained in detail to Mariah by her management." The explanation included accusations against G-Dragon, the trouble between YG and Sony ATV, and YG's official statement including the part where he mentioned Mariah's new song. After receiving this information, Mariah answered, "Too complicated," and made a smile, according to the member.

Mariah Carey was in Seoul to promote her new album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. She arrived on October 12 and left Korea on 15th for Japan.

[News] No boyfriends for 2NE1 members for 5 years

On October 13th, 2NE1 members appeared on the SBS talk show 'Strong Heart' (강심장). During the show, the subject of YG CEO (Yang Hyun-Suk) came up.

During the discussion, CL stated that 'YG is too strict'. The members are not allowed to have boyfriends for 5 years because it was demanded verbally in their contracts with YG. Host Kang Ho-Dong stated that "then that means Sandara Park cannot have a relationship until she is 31 years old?" CL responds by saying "Well there might be a way around it, if the guys goes through YG's physical and health examination test"

But later the other members of the group said they argued with YG over the 5 year rule, and eventually got the 5 years reduced to 3. Is this another case of slave contracts? Is YG trying to protect these girls? Or are they just restraining their freedom? At least the reduction gives the older members of the group some hope!

[Pic] Entertainment Companies Violates Human Rights

Source: [Star News + DNBN]

Translation Credits: jeeelim5@tohosomnia.net

[News] LG Cyon Chocolate Commercial Song “Chocolate Love” not so new?

SNSD (Top), f(x) (Bottom)

Recently, SNSD and f(x) have released their own unique and representative version of the song “Chocolate Love” to promote LG's new Chocolate phone for ‘Cyon’. But is it really unique?

At first, I thought song was a bit predictable, and after a while I realized the MR was very similar to “Sweet Dreams My LA EX” by Rachael Stevens (Former S Club 7 member).

Rachel Stevens - Sweet Dreams My LA EX

“Sweet Dreams My LA Ex” was released in 2003 and was produced by Bloodshy & Avant, a music producing and songwriting team from Sweden. They have worked with many high profile singers such as Britney Spears, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and Jennifer Lopez. They have also produced South Korea’s BOA’s first American album, and SNSD songs.

It just so happens that Bloodshy & Avant produced the songs for “Chocolate Love” for both SNSD and f(x).

While there are differences between “Chocolate Love” and “Sweet Dreams MY LA EX”, the similarities are quite obvious. Is it just coincidence? Maybe, but after finding out both songs were produced by Bloodshy & Avant, it makes me feel that both SNSD and f(x) received re-modified song.

So with this reason, this is not a case of plagiarism, but just a work of a recycled song from the producers. I believe that SM Entertainment and LG would be smart enough not to use plagiarized work when it has became such a hot issue with YG Entertainment’s recent allegations.

[News] Kim Jae-Dong blacklisted by the Government?

Kim Jae-Dong (Left), Yoon Do-Hyun (Right)

In a strange turn of events, Ji Seok-Jin will return to KBS’s ‘Star Golden Bell’ as the replacement for the dismissed MC, Kim Jae-Dong.

There is much speculation as to why Kim Jae-Dong was dismissed from his role in the show. The ratings for the show were strong, and his relationship with staff and guests were said to be good. Rumor has it that Kim Jae-Dong is being blacklisted by the Korean Government for his Liberal political views. Certainly this was not the first issue of the government controlling the industry.

Yoon Do-Hyun had to cancel his show ‘Yoon Do-Hyun’s Love Letter’ because he supported former president Roh Moo-Hyun’s political views. Roh was under investigation for allegations of bribery of his family and relatives early this year. Both Yoon and Kim were members of the 'Love Roh Moo-Hyun' group and were vocal when Roh was under investigation. Kim also hosted Roh's national funeral.

Could this be a political witch hunt in South Korea? Is it modern day McCarthyism in Seoul? Or is Korea moving backwards in democratic practices? Let’s hope not.

[News] Yoo Jae-Seok, the NO.1 Korean MC

It is revealed that, Yoo Jae-Seok had pocketed more than 1 billion won (NZD 1.1million), making him the highest paid entertainer in MBC last year.

In 2008, Yoo hosts MBC programmes such as 'Infinity Challenge' (무한도전), and 'Come To Play' (놀러와) earned around 950 million won for his performance fees. In 2007, he raised 922 million won, and 865 million won in 2006 making him the most expensive entertainer for 3 years in the running.

Yoo who also hosts KBS's 'Happy Together' (해피투게더) and SBS's 'The Family Outing' (패밀리가 떴다!), MBC estimates his total year's earnings is up to 30 billion won (NZD 35 million).
One popular reply stated that "Because Yoo brings so much happiness and laughter in our country, I don't mind if he earns more 20 billion won"
True he brings many laughter and happiness in television, but 20 billion? and that was the most popular comment!

[Events] 2009 Dream Concert Summary

2009 Dream Concert ended in front of a 40,000 audiences. The 15th Dream Concert was held on 10th October in the Seoul World Cup Stadium

A total of 17 performers (not in sequential order):

SNSD (Girls Generation)
KARA
Jewelry
f(x)
2NE1
4Minute
T-ara and Supernova
Super Junior
Big Bang
2PM
2AM
SHINee
Park Hyo-Shin
Kim Tae-Woo
Chae-Yeon
MC Mong
Whee-Sung

Highlights of the concert:

- Super Junior performs without Kang-In as he is currently suspended with all his entertainment roles.
- Big Bang is joined by Dae-Sung and performs as 5 members! 2 months after his car accident, Dae-Sung joins Big Bang to perform for the concert. He did a solo with ‘Only fools tears’ and said, “I wanted to see everyone that is why I came out to perform earlier”
- 2PM performs as 6 members for the first time after leader Jae-Bum left the group. Fans and also other fan club members were shouting Jae-Bum’s name during the group’s performances.
- Big Bang and 2PM’s performances have been requested for no-broadcast by their companies.

After last year's nightmare concert, many fans were worried about SNSD performing at this year’s Dream Concert. In last year’s concert, the crowd turned off their glow sticks and chanted “Wonder Girls” in SNSD’s performance because their fan club “S♡NE” was in feud with DBSK’s “Cassiopeia”. Cassiopeia members worked with other fan clubs attending the event in order to ruin SNSD’s performance. This year, one of the members ended up shedding tears on stage.

SNSD's leader, Tae-Yeon was moved to tears by the support of the other fan clubs at this year's concert. In between their performances, during the group's introductions, Tae-Yeon choked up while speaking and burst into tears.

Rumors also state that about 8,000 fan club members for SNSD were in attendance, breaking FINKL's previous record for the most fans for a girl group in attendance at the Dream Concert.

It is nice to see fans from other fan clubs to support each other in this year’s event. Let’s just hope the friendly atmosphere continues in future events.

Click Here for the complete footage of the 2009 Dream Concert