Jang Geun-suk Releases Japanese Debut Album

Young drama prince Jang Geun-suk will show what he’s got in his first album.

Bringing on the producers who helped create some of his tracks for last drama “Mary Stayed Out All Night“, the 23 year old talent will release his debut album in Japan on March 23rd.

Jang Geun Suk, known for both singing and acting, has captured the hearts of his audience with such hit dramas as “You’re Beautiful” and “Beethoven Virus” to which he has contributed to OST.

To celebrate the album’s release, Jang Geun Suk will be holding a showcase on the 27th, coming only months after his previous tour.

Looks like Japan is the go place for everyone these days, lets just hope its an actual album and not some compilation of all his previous works translated to Japanese.

Source: Pony Canyon

Arashi’s leader Ohno Satoshi gives first “Otoshidama” to the members

Arashi member Ninomiya Kazunari made an appearance on NTV’s “The Sunday NEXT” (Sunday Morning Informative Program) that was broadcasted on January 23rd. The corner in which Ninomiya made a guest appearance on was “Dokumitsu Taidan“, and he talked with one of the main hosts of the show, Tokumitsu Kazuo.

During the talk, Ninomiya confessed about his “first surprise” of 2011. According to Ninomiya, the “first surprise” happened during JE’s traditional “Hatsumoude (first shrine visit of the New year)”. Every year, Johnny’s boys receive “Otoshidama” from their big senior, Higashiyama Noriyuki of Shonentai at the shrine, and Ninomiya says that receiving “Otoshidama” from Higashiyama makes him feel that a New Year has come.

However, this year, Arashi’s leader, Ohno Satoshi, started giving out the “Otoshidama” to the members which was for very first time. While other Arashi members were confused by Ohno’s gift, he said bashfully, “It’s because I turned to 30 years old.” When members refused to take the “Otoshidama” from Ohno, he said, “It’s okay. I want to give this to you guys.” Ninomiya also confessed that Ohno’s “Otoshidama” was ￥10,000 per member.

According to Ninomiya, it was the most surprising Otoshidama he has ever received.

Source: Tech Insight Japan

Arashi will attempt to set three world records starting tomorrow

Every new Arashi TV commercial has always delighted fans, but 60 new commercials will be aired on TV tomorrow as the group tries to break three world records, reports Oricon and Sankei News.

The group talked about their new commercial line up for KDDI’s Android au mobile phone IS03 at an event in Tokyo this morning.

Sixty versions of their new mobile commercial will go on air tomorrow in attempt to break the following world records: “Most number of versions of a TV commercial advertising the same product broadcast on regular TV within 24 hours”, “Most number of versions of a TV commercial advertising the same product broadcast on one pay-TV channel within 8 hours”, and “Most number of versions of a TV commercial advertising the same product broadcast within one 30-minute TV show”.

The challenge will begin on January 27, with Space Shower TV being the one pay-TV channel, and the “Music Lovers” TV show – to be broadcast on January 30 – to be the one 30-minute show.

It has been reported a special website, android-au.jp, will showcase all 60 commercials from 11am tomorrow, Japan time.

At the event, Arashi member Jun Matsumoto smiled confidently at the group’s challenge.

“We put everything we had into every commercial, and it was a lot of fun. I hope people can watch them,” he said.

Each commercial introduces a different feature or application on KDDI au’s Android smartphone.
-At the event, Masaki Aiba showed one feature of the mobile phone by speaking into the Google Translate feature to send his team member a love message in another language.

“I love you, (Kazunari) Ninomiya,” he said.

“I don’t love you,” Ninomiya replied.

SOURCE : arashi_communitylivejournal *credit to forgottenyears*

SS501’s Park Jung Min reveals his thoughts on working as a solo artist

Despite his seven-year career in the music industry, SS501’s Park Jung Min has been dealing with a lot of ‘firsts’ ever since he returned with his solo album, “Not Alone.”

Out of all five of his fellow group members, he’s the first to officially kick off a solo career. Although he originally intended to return last November, he delayed it for two months out of respect for the Yeonpyeong Island skirmish.

He began, “I attempted for the first time to write all of the songs in the album. I wanted to deliver my honest thoughts through my own voice. I’ve always liked drawing and writing, but it was an aspect of myself that I wasn’t able to express with SS501. I’m planning to write the lyrics for every new song that will be out under my name. The thought of someone reading my lyrics made me feel shy and pressured at first, but writing little by little brought out a sort of excitement.”

When asked about the differences between performing as a soloist and with a group, he replied, “There’s no time to rest as a soloist, since I have to do everything on my own. With SS501, I was able to sleep when the other members went into filming (laughter). As a soloist, all of the focus is on me.”

Park Jung Min then revealed that he underwent a 12 kg weight loss. “It’s difficult to lose weight the first time, but now, no matter how much I eat, I just don’t gain weight. My basic stamina has improved. Even though my schedule is busy, I try to fit in exercise. Kim Jong Guk-hyung, Super Junior, and SHINee all come to my gym. Since all of their bodies are shaping up, I can’t lose to them, now can I?”

The star also discussed SS501’s new group album, which is scheduled for release later this year. “Once SS501’s schedule is confirmed, I’m planning to postpone my personal activities. As opposed to going out of everyone’s way to make it happen, I’d rather that we just naturally came together.”

His goal for the new year is to tour at least five countries. Park Jung Min explained, “Park Jung Min is part of SS501, but through my solo album, I want to let the public know who I am. My 2011 goal is to become a man that people want to hug (laughter). Since I am of age now (25), I want to express a more masculine aspect of myself.”

Source: Newsen via Nate