Wednesday, May 1, 2024

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It's quite noisy now. Since the debut of ILLIT, there have been a lot of discussions. We've talked about it a few times, "When we see ILLIT, we think of New Jeans." But when it comes to ILLIT, the vibe was too similar from the start. We talked about it, and although there were many supporters, there were a lot of similar opinions. "It's the same company, so what can you do?" But because these labels are all independent companies, even though it's understandable for the genre's characteristics, the choreography and visual aspects are too similar, making me wonder if it's okay for the same company to do this. The recording date is Tuesday, April 23rd, I don't know how the dispute will end, but anyways you look at it, I'm disappointed either way. There's a part that worries me a little. In the K-pop scene, with big companies continuously producing similar groups and continuously hitting, self-replication. I hope this is an opportunity for something different.


-It feels like they copied the concept and promotion, but the concept and song are really different. I understand the visual similarities though.

-When you see ILLIT, you think of New Jeans, but when you see ILLIT, you don't think of New Jeans. That's it. They blatantly stole the choreography, it's obvious. They blatantly stole it to the point where New Jeans choreographers were angry. But they're all Big Hit's assets anyway.

-Sorry to the fans... but they look like New Jeans 2.0,,,,

-When ILLIT debuted, there was honestly a ton of talk about them being similar to New Jeans, even on The Qoo.

-Even if they argue that the details are different, what's the point? The overall framework is similarㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋThe public naturally gets confused.

-Honestly, when I didn't know much about New Jeans or AILEEET, just listening to the song made me think it was New Jeans comebackㅋㅋ If you dig deeper, there are differences, which is obvious, since they're two different groups.. But if you listen while passing by, you won't notice the differences.

-Aren't they the biggest entertainment company in Korea? Can't they try more diverse and different attempts?

-Anyone can see it's damn similar.

-It's not self-replication. They copied what Min Heejin didㅋㅋ

-I found out about ILLIT through this incident and looked them up on searching engines, but the more I look, the more different they look to New Jeans...

-If there was no New Jeans, there would probably be no ILLIT either.. But the main text in the YouTube video also says a lot of wrong information.

-If they weren't from the same label, there would have been a bigger fuss.

ILLIT and New Jeans from the perspective of currently active producer and choreographer

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Ah... Doing it like this, yeah... Feels relieving. It's just sinking in now. 
(Hyunwoo struggles to find words to express his feelings...ㅠㅠ)
Doing such a packed... Lengthy drama like this is a first time for me. So I feel kind of strange too...
(Embarrassed because he's crying)
It feels like there's a different kind of closeness, compared to my other works. I'm so lucky to have met such great staff!!
Queen of Tears, fighting!


I think he cried because he lived as Baek Hyunwoo for almost a year, as he acted out all sorts of emotions.

theqoo

-Ah, noooㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Was it the first time Kim Soohyun cried during the last shoot?

-Did it take that long???

-I totally understandㅠㅠㅠ

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠThank you for your hard work

-ㅠㅠㅠ If Kim Soohyun cries, I cry too.

-I'm tearing up tooㅜ

-Don't go, Baek Hyunwooㅜㅜㅜㅜ

-You've worked hard... Let's meet in another good piece.

-ㅜㅠㅠ You've worked hardㅠㅠ Don't go, Baek Hyunwooㅠㅠㅠ

-Baek Hyunwooㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Thank you.

-Kim Soohyun's acting was really goodㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜ Thank you for playing Baek Hyunwoo, really

-You've worked hard, Kim Soohyun. We'll miss you, Baek Hyunwoo.

-I was watching with a smile, but hearing Kim Soohyun's voice made me tear up. Thank you, Baek Hyunwooㅠㅠ

-Kim Soohyun, you really worked hardㅠㅠ Let's meet again soonㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-The more I see Kim Soohyun, the more charming he becomes. He seems so emotional and sincere

-I don't want to say goodbye to Baek Hyunwoo. Kim Soohyun, you worked hard.

-Ah, I'm crying again. If Kim Soohyun cries, I cry tooㅠㅠ

Kim Soohyun crying at the last filming of Queen of Tears

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"I loved being Jang Gorae and Jun Jaejoon. But why even in the comments section of 'Queen of Tears', they still call me Jun Jaejoon? There were people who called me Eunseong, and that made me feel somewhat relieved. I hope that someday, instead of Jun Jaejoon, Yoon Eunseong, or Jang Gorae, I'll be remembered as Park Sunghoon. That made me realize that I need to strive in various works."

Park Sunghoon confessed that he head thoughts about changing his name, "I had a slight consideration about changing my name. I just want to be known as Park Sunghoon, to have people associate my face with the name 'Park Sunghoon.' I thought about changing my last name to something unique like 'Tak Sunghoon', 'Jegal Sunghoon, ' or 'Dokgo Sunghoon.' I even received a name from a naming center recently, spending 350,000 KRW for the name 'Park Daeyoon.' Although it would've been better to change it, I felt it would be a waste of the 'Park Sunghoon' that I've built so far. Even if not everyone, many people already remember 'Park Sunghoon.' So I thought, 'What's the point of changing my name?'

Not Park Daeyoon. 

theqoo

-Daeyoon doesn't seem to fit him..

-Instead of Park Daeyoon, I'd rather have Park Jaejoon.

-What's with Park Daeyoon, absolutely nope.

-What's with Park Daeyoon, just be Park Sunghoon.

-Sorry, but somehow the name Jaejoon fits him perfectly.. Although I've perfectly memorized Park Sunghoon's name, I have to admit that he looks like a Jaejoonㅜㅜㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Yeah, even I called him Jun Jaejoon while watching 'Queen of Tears'..ㅋ

-Even foreigners call him Jaejoonㅋㅋㅋ

-Park Daeyoon is really not it ㅠ

-Because the name Jeon Jaejoon fits so perfectly than his other characters...

-Male actor who's lost his name: Goo Junpyo, Jun Jaejoon

-Jun Jaejoon fits him like a glove

-But your face fits Park Sunghoon the best. Don't change your name. 

-Park Daeyoon is an absolute no-no!

-Park Sunghoon fits Jaejoon perfectly, but I hope he'll also play more positive roles in the future, so let's stick with Park Sunghoonㅋㅋ

-I'm sorry, I won't call you Jun Jaejoon anymore, don't become Park Daeyoonㅜㅜ I'll call you Park Sunghoon..

-Tak Sunghoonㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-No, seriously, Jun Jaejoon's name fits him too perfectly. And he's so good at acting his character that it's hard to break away from itㅜㅜㅜㅜㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Park Sunghoon is the best... Jun Jaejoon's character is just too trash...why bother using that name as his stage name...

-You don't need any other name. Either it's Park Sunghoon or use Jun Jaejoon as your stage name. But it's just because you've so perfectly digested the role of Jun Jaejoon that I can't think of anything else!!!

-Jun Jaejoon's character is so powerfulㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

'Queen of Tears' Park Sunghoon, 'Dilemma as He Lost His Name to 'Jun Jaejoon' ... Considering to Change His Name

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There's this scene where I speak Chinese. In that scene, I was told, 'Soocheol, just say anything in Chinese.' The writer said, 'Dongyeon will handle it well on his own.' We had discussions with the directors about whether to use fake Chinese or real Chinese. Eventually, Soocheol talks about cilantro after much deliberation. I had a headache, for real. There were several NGs. Everyone tried to hold back laughter, but Kim Jungnan Sunbaenim, who played as Beomja, couldn't hold it in and laughed during the scene. They just left it as it is. 

Especially the line, 'Your Majesty~ What has become of my child?' was a phrase taught by Kim Jiwon. She mentioned that she had watched quite a few Chinese dramas herself, and since this phrase frequently appeared in historical dramas, she offered her help, which brought laughter.


theqoo

-That was so funnyㅋㅋㅋ

-The fact that Kim Jiwon was the one who taught that line is a plot twistㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-It's a total plot twist that Kim Ji-won taught him that lineㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I thought 'Kwak Dongyeon must've watched a lot of Chinese dramas' after hearing that lineㅋㅋㅋㅋ Turns out there's a plot twist behind itㅋㅋㅋ

-That was a major plot twistㅋㅋㅋ Are you kidding meㅜㅋㅋㅋ Totally unexpectedㅋㅋㅋ

-That part was hilariousㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Kim Ji-won is really subtly funnyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-It was Kim Ji-won's ideaㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-This scene was really funnyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-The actors did well in bringing this scene to lifeㅋㅋㅋ

-But if they talked about it beforehand and planned it out, is it still an ad-lib?
 ㄴIf it's not in the script, it's an ad-lib. Most ad-libs are thought up during on-site rehearsals and then adjusted.

-I wonder what Chinese drama she watchesㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Kim Ji-won is naturally funny, she doesn't even have to tryㅋㅋㅋ

-I speak Chinese and this scene was really hilariousㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Kwak Dongyeon Reveals That His 'Chinese Rich Man' Acting was an Adlib Taught by Kim Jiwon

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'Be Melodramatic', written and directed by Lee Byungheon

Despite its quite low ratings, many viewers were captivated by this drama. The OST was also really popular.

theqoo

-It's a masterpiece

-Wow, the ratings are really low, but why is it so famous?

-A masterpiece, I'm still rewatching clips of it on YouTube.

-What's the OST? I haven't watched this drama, maybe I should watch it. 
 ㄴ'In the midst of swaying flowers, I smell your shampoo~~' That Jang Beomjun's song

-The best drama I have ever watched in my lifeㅠㅠ

-I watched it several times. Absolutely a masterpiece.

-I've watched this five times, so fun.

-I loved all the characters ㅠㅠ The dialogues were so good.

-I'm still rewatching this masterpiece.

-A masterpiece, perfect until the end.

-I've rewatched it at least five timesㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Seriously, it's a real masterpieceㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Tried watching this three times but gave up ㅠㅠ The male lead isn't my style so I couldn't watch.

-It's a masterpiece, I've rewatched it several times.

-I wondered why people didn't watch this when it was airing, but now I'm just happy and glad that it's being mentioned.

-If you can relate to the story, it's super fun.

-The lines are really all good.

-So fun, after watching this, I fell in love with Jeon Yeobin.

-All the characters are lovely, so good.

-I really enjoyed it, I didn't know the ratings were low.

-I found out about this after the broadcast endedㅜㅜ I watched it later and it was so fun.

-A friend who watched it keeps telling me to watch it whenever we meet, but I haven't watched it yetㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-One of those people who are me. I've been watching it since it aired, and I still watch it.

-I think this got popular after it ended its broadcast.

-I still remember watching this drama back in the summer of 2019... When Jang Beomjun's OST came out, my favorite scene was when Jinyoung and Beomsu were on the phone at the park and ran into each other...

-I watch it at least once a yearㅋㅋ


The drama whose ratings weren't great, but is an absolute masterpiece to some people

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Takashi Murakami x New Jeans Collaboration


theqoo

-The sketches are so cuteㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Seems like the blue baseball cap is her favoriteㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Ah, that cap ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I can only see the capㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-All of her power comes from the cap ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-She looks really happy while working

-The sketches seem to capture the members' characteristics well.

-That cap must be the source of her creativityㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-She looks really happyㅋㅋㅋ

-Min Heejin is the epitome of workaholic

-Min HeeJeansㅜㅜ

-It's hilarious how the majority of the comments are talking about her capㅋㅋㅋ

-I guess it wasn't just me who noticed that capㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-The character is so cute, it goes well with New Jeans..

-That cap is almost like her soul at this pointㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-No, she looks really happyㅠㅠ Let Min Heejin keep working with that cap...

-She seems to really love that blue capㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-The more I look at the cap, the more I want itㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Min Heejin's Instagram Update (With Takashi Murakami)

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The success of BTS and Bang Sihyuk is based on a special way of looking at life that no one else could have imagined or dared to follow. At the 2019 Seoul National University graduation ceremony, he spoke words in a way that sounded like a famous philosopher who once dominated the 20th century.

"I don't have dreams, but I have a lot of dissatisfaction. There's too much compromise in this world. Even though there are definitely better ways to do things, people are afraid to stand out. They find it uncomfortable to create opportunities, they don't want to bothers, they simply accept things as they are. That's just not me" 

The interview, which lasted about 2 hours in his office, started with discussions about his speech at Seoul National University graduation ceremony. The interview took place at the HQ of HYBE, located on the 5th floor in Yongsan, where Bang Sihyuk was honored with the Master Category at the 'EY Best Entrepreneur Awards' hosted by EY Korea. 

Q: Your speech at Seoul National University graduation ceremony about anger is still a hot topic. When we look at BTS' early music, it seems like there was a lot of anger. 

A: I personally think there was definitely anger in BTS' early music. I thought we should talk about the lives we were living at that time. I asked the members, 'Shouldn't we talk about the world you guys are living in?' I thought they should speak about the suffering that young people are experiencing. 

Q: Generally, isn't anger something for the non-conformists? It has become mainstream now, does that mean anger has disappeared?

A: I empathize with the idea that anger is for non-conformists. I've actually had that sentiment since I was young. However, just because it has become mainstream, doesn't mean the anger disappears. I believe there are injustices and absurdities in daily life. People tend to ignore them and just move on if they don't have the ability to solve it. I can't stand that. Through music, I'm continuously making efforts to change what I can change. 

Q: People said that you dig into the world's hidden sides from a unique perspective. 

A: For instance, I often wonder why fans have to wait in long lines overnight at broadcasting stations when the music industry has invested so much money and time already? It all starts from such dissatisfaction. Back then, even those of us in the music industry treated fans as 'overly obsessed.' Fans would wait in line for 8 hours, and suddenly, instead of the person in charge, a part-time worker under the assistant director would come out and ask them to line up again. They've already been waiting for 8 hours. They need to go home. These kinds of incidents happened too frequently. That's what I'm talking about when I say I'm angry, those are the things that made me angry. (This dissatisfaction led to innovations like Weverse)

Q: Although K-pop is at its peak now, some worry about crisis that could strike at any time. Some even say it has already begun. 

A: In fact, I often say these days that we need to remove the 'K' from K-pop. I don't think continuing in this way will help the growth of the K-pop industry. K-pop now needs to meet a wider consumer base in a broader market. I believe we need to create more exits and entrances to access globally universal values. If K-pop continues in its current structure, I believe growth will be limited.

Q: When did you feel such crisis?

A: I predicted it would happen last year, now I'm seeing noticeable declines in Southeast Asia. I realize it's very risky. 

Q: Could the girl group audition project with Universal Music Group be a response to that? 

A: As I mentioned at the management meeting, it's one of various tactics. We need to expand our targets beyond Korea or Asia, targeting individuals from different countries and introducing K-pop through artists other than Korean or Asian teams.

Q: Selecting good artists is important. What are the qualities that make someone a superstar?

A: Star quality is the most important. Defining star quality isn't easy. Having star quality means being able to express oneself well musically and possessing the talent and skills to do so. In the case of K-pop, it means being on the fans' preference lists. That's the charm. And when a company teaches specific skills, it's important whether one can quickly acquire them.

Q: When you watch BTS dance, it seems like they dance until their bones break. How do they become like that? Is it through training?

A: Training can only take you so far, usually up to about a year after debut. To not disappoint fans, artists fundamentally need to be ambitious. Artists who don't strive for success will find it hard to succeed. These things show best on stage. Fans are sensitive to how artists present themselves on stage, and they can tell if someone's not having fun anymore, if they're just in it for the money, or if they're avoiding practice.

BTS members are modest and very down-to-earth, but they have an immense ambition to succeed musically. The stage is where they can showcase that ambition best. They don't want to go on stage without practicing because practice is the source of their confidence.

Q: A certain entrepreneur once said that the difference between first and second place is determination.

A: In the K-pop scene, determination is also an important factor. It's a proof of ambition, recognized by fans. However, determination alone doesn't define the qualities of a first-place artist. For example, some say, "Without diligence, you can't be at the top. It's hard to be at the top." Yet, many people don't practice diligently. This is why defining star quality is difficult, as mentioned earlier.

Q: So, were you born with the ability to recognize star quality?

A: Of course, there may be what's commonly called a natural talent for it. However, training seems to be more important. Being trained under good mentors while observing good stars is crucial. Looking at my own career, I've worked with superstars since I was very young. I was scouted by Park Jin-young and worked in Kim Hyung-seok's office, making music alongside artists like god, Park Ji-yoon, Rain, and others. They were all stars who dominated a generation. A producer who grew up watching such extraordinary artists naturally develops a different eye.

Q: Isn't it scary to run a business?

A: It is. There isn't a single day that I'm not afraid. I have trouble sleeping well. Every day, I feel like tomorrow might fail.

theqoo

-It feels like everything's falling apart because of you...

-If you're gonna drop the 'K' in K-pop, go do business in the US or something and disappear from the K-pop scene.

-K-pop has become so boring.

-Each interview he did is so deceiving. It's completely opposite to what he's actually doing.

-If you're gonna do pop, why do it in Korea instead of going to the US?

-Stop exploiting K-pop; just do your own thing, HYBE-pop (a.k.a. knockoff).

-Ridiculous.

-Why prioritize determination instead of skill..?

-We've come this far with the "K," why drop it?

-Determination should come naturally, right? And don't people like K-pop because it's K-pop?

-Lee Soo-man stopped his bs, now Bang Si-hyuk is starting his bs.

-Your existence is absurdㅋㅋㅋ Just leave the planet because you're not helpfulㅋㅋㅋ

-Without the 'K', K-pop loses its uniqueness, what nonsense. Then why do people listen to K-pop instead of just pop?

-Please go to the US and leave the K-pop market~

-When selecting artists, it's fine to look for star quality, fan preferences, and charm, but as a singer, at least the minimum basics should be possible. Otherwise, it becomes a puppet show, disappointing.

-It's you who needs to be removed from K-pop.

-Just stop ruining K-pop and leave nowㅠㅠ

-You should leave for K-pop to survive

-Please leave, sir.

-Since when has Bang Si-hyuk ever been a nonconformist? Wasn't he part of the elite class? He's also from a well-off family.

Bang Sihyuk stated in an interview last year that, 'K-pop must remove the 'K' in order to survive'

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 Cravity

ATBO

Younite

8TURN

The New Six (TNX)

Xikers

theqoo

-Is CRAVITY on Road to Kingdom? Can't they just go to Kingdom instead?

-It's going to be fun.

-CRAVITY might win.

-I hope everyone gets more attention and does even better~

-I was expecting P1Harmony to participate.

-CRAVITY seems to be in a different league...

-It's surprising that P1Harmony isn't participating in this season.

-It would be nice if P1Harmony also participates...

-Isn't P1Harmony doing well overseas..?

-If CRAVITY is going to Road to Kingdom, who will they call for Kingdom??

-It seems like this season was made for CRAVITY... But still, since the other teams will also gain popularity, it's not necessarily a loss.

-Is DKZ not participating in this season?

-CRAVITY is obviously going to win this, no?? I feel like I've seen them take first place on M Countdown or Music Core.

-Then I wonder who will come out for Kingdom 2.

-CRAVITY should be on Kingdom, why are they here?

-JBJ should come out on Kingdom.

-Just by looking at the names, I only know CRAVITY and don't recognize the others ㅠㅠ It would be better if there were some pictures accompanying them.

Current Lineup of 'Road to Kingdom 2'

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Eunseok: At first, I was cast in front of my school. But I wasn't interested in being a celebrity, so I rejected their offer. The second time was on the subway. 

Hong Seokcheon: Did you get cast by SM again?

Eunseok: Yes... At the station, while waiting for the subway. 

Hong Seokcheon: Which station was it?

Eunseok: Probably around Cheongdam area. (The third time) was while I was walking along the street. (The fourth time) was in front of my school. That was the last time, because I received their offer that time. That was three years later (after their first attempt to cast)

Hong Seokcheon: What do you think made SM notice you?

Eunseok: The thing that SM pursues... Which is visual...?

RIIZE's Eunseok

1. In front of the school

2. While waiting for the subway

3. On the street

4. In front of the school, again <- He accepted the offer this time

He revealed that SM's 4th attempt to cast him happened three years after their first attemptㅋㅋㅋ He entered SM Ent. as a trainee in the 10th grade (2017). So he probably got cast for the first time in 7th grade. 

SM Ent.'s 1st attempt to cast him seems to happened when he was in middle school, since he looked similar to his elementary school graduation picture. (He transferred school in the 2nd semester of 6th grade. He had to take the graduation picture separately, hence the awkward backgroundㅋㅋㅋ)
















theqoo

-When he was young, he seemed ordinary. But he looks really handsome now, it seems like casting directors have a different eye.

-The dedication of SMㅋㅋㅋ How do they street-cast the same person even three years later?

-He reminds me of Juwon.

-Thank you SM, for your dedicationㅋㅋㅋ

-It seems like casting directors know exactly how faces will develop as they grow up.

-He looks a bit like Kang Dong-won + Go Kyung-pyo in his middle school graduation photo 

-Wow, he's seriously handsome, damn.

-If he's this handsome in his graduation photo, he must look even better in person

-He probably also got cast by other agencies in between.

-He's insanely handsome in personㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Even from his junior high graduation photo, you can see he's handsome, and it's not easy to look like handsome with glasses

-Eunseok is really handsome.

-It seems like the casting directors can see the future.

-His face size is the same as when he was young...

-Am I the only one who sees Kang Dong-won in his younger pictures?

-He was super handsome in middle school.

This Male Celebrity Reveals That He Was Cast on the Street by SM Ent. 4 Times Over 3 Years