SHINee‘s Key recently revealed a funny and love-filled story about his grandmother.

On the 7th, Key starred on SBS Strong Heart, where he unveiled stories of when he was being raised by his grandmother.

He stated, “My grandmother raised me as my mother become ill as soon as I was born, while my father was busy working. I was a bad grandson that made my grandmother worry a lot.” He shed tears as he added, “I would say, ‘I never asked you to take care of me, so why are you going through so much trouble doing it?”

Key continued saying, “When I was leaving for Seoul to walk down the road to become a singer, my grandmother gave me a note and money. I could not stop crying on the train when I read her short note, telling me that she loved me.”

He brought the note that his grandmother gave him. The note read, ‘Grandmother loves Kibum’. Key expressed his love to his grandmother saying, “I still carry this around. This note gave me lots of strength and I will love her more for that.”

Key also revealed his grandmother’s theory on becoming popular as a singer.

He stated, “When we were promoting Juliette, my grandmother told me the song was too hard, and that ‘hook songs are the trend‘. She also gave examples that you have to sing songs like Super Junior‘s Sorry Sorry or Son Dambi‘s Saturday Night.”

He continued, “When we were promoting Ring Ding Dong, my grandmother said, ‘This is it,’ and it really was successful. When I asked her about Lucifer, she said she would have to watch over it some more.” Key caused laughter in the studio by saying that he speaks to his grandmother everyday, but her ringtone has been Hyun Young‘s Nuna’s Dream for the past few years.

To finish off his many episodes with his grandmother, Key delivered a video message to her. He expressed his warm heart as a grandson by saying, “Your Kibum has grown up a lot, so you don’t have to worry. I will work harder and take better care of myself. I love you, grandma, for always giving me strength.”

Source: Moon Da Young @newsen.com
Translation: ch0sshi @kpoplive.com

Busan’s tough guy Simon D and the original tough guy Kim BoSung have met.

On the 7th, Simon D updated his Twitter saying, “Took a picture during filming with the best tough guy, Kim BoSung. He’s Korean’s Steven Seagal!” along with the picture.

They were tightly holding one hand with each other and staring at the camera with tough expressions on their faces. Simon D was frowning slightly whilst Kim BoSung wore sunglasses and gave off the aura like the original ‘Tough Guy’ should.

The fans who visited the Twitter left comments such as, ‘Simon D is almost as good at Kim BoSung!’, ‘Woah~ he’s not far behind’ and ‘Kyungsang-do pose Baby!’.

cr: Kwon SooBin @newsen.com
trans: kimbap @ kpoplive.com

After their outstanding performances in Staples Center in Los Angeles, the nine fabulous girls of SNSD proceed to Japan and China for another promotion and presentation!

SNSD has been busy recently promoting its albums throughout the continent, thus gaining much popularity in North America and Asia.

The lovely girls are scheduled to leave for Japan on the 7th or 8th for the release of their first Japanese single Genie.

Gracing the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., they have become a hot topic in the country with their posters all over the streets. The group’s DVD has also ranked You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view..

With the addition of  SNSD’s concert in China on the weekend, these girls are well on their way to dominating Asian music charts!

Source: Kim Hyungwoo @Newsen
Translation: soCOOL @soshified.com
Written by: reindrops @kpoplive.com

YG Entertainment talents G-Dragon and Park Bom captivate us with their newest hair of auburn-red!

Big Bang‘s G-Dragon and 2NE1‘s Park Bom have become eye-catching lately  as they show off their red hair in photoshoots and music videos.

The fierce 2NE1 member appeared in photo teasers for the group’s official comeback and sported a new hairstyle, with the usual smoky makeup.

On the 7th, G-Dragon also captured fans’ attention in a forum on a portal site with the title “G-Dragon, who recently changed his style to red head.” The site revealed screen captures of the Big Bang leader wearing a sleeveless shirt paired with a pink scarf.

The two groups are currently preparing for their comeback soon. 2NE1 will make their comeback on SBS Inkigayo on the 12th with their newest album To Anyone to be released on the 9th.

The five boys of Big Bang are also getting ready with their full-length album, which is expected to be released within the year.

Source: Nate
Translation: seungie @Tumblr.com
Written by: reindrops @kpoplive.com

Between promoting a hit album, going round the other end of the world for concerts, and attending to the needs of his dongsaengs, Onew has yet another gig.

As previously reported, SHINee’s leader is starring as the lead character in Korea’s performance of Broadway musical Rock of Ages. We have updated you with shots from the pictorial and Onew at work. Take a look at another one below, as the idol tries on a guitar for size.

With a few more weeks of practice on those strings, Onew should look a little something like this onstage.

An impressive transformation, don’t you think? The dubu leader’s fans can catch him and his other SM Entertainment cast members when the musical premiers in Korea this September.

Source: shaziki, chocolatheia@weareshining
Written by: aetria@kpoplive.com

Said like a future leader of the free world, but that’s just Super Junior’s Kyuhyun proving the noticeable observation that most idol maknaes tend to be the serious brooding kinds. Or, it maybe just him goofing around with a fan.

In the evil maknae’s recent UFO posts, he gives deadpan replies to fans’ messages, quote:

#1
ELF: ( ºДº)!!!!!!!
Kyu: ㅡ.ㅡ ??

#2
ELF: I’m playing a crossword puzzle. It’s so hardㅜㅜㅜㅜ
Kyu: If it’s really very hard then just give up.

#3
ELF: You really..!! It’s okay even if it’s just a ‘.’ Please just reply meㅠㅠ I won’t wish for much. Just reply a ‘.’ and I’ll be very happy.
Kyu: If you really just want a dot, I won’t reply you. People should have more hope.

Kyuhyun seems to be giving his fans mixed messages, but the dorky, straightforward manner is quite consistent. Evil Kyu strikes again!

Source: UFOTown (Korea)
translation by: 小果, muffin4kyu@princekyu

Written by: aetria@kpoplive.com

One of Korea’s pretty faces Kim TaeHee revealed in a talk show the female celebrity she would like her brother to meet!

Kim TaeHee appeared in KBS 2TV‘s Win Win on September 7th and was asked to choose a female celebrity she would like to introduce to her brother Lee Wan.

The Korean star picked SNSD‘s Taeyeon and added, “Taeyeon can sing well and seems like she has a good personality, so I think it would be nice if I could introduce her to him.”

Kim TaeHee currently stars in the upcoming movie Grand Prix, which will premiere on the 16th.

Source: Hankuk Kyungjae
Translation: taengbear @soshified.com
Written by: reindrops @kpoplive.com

Teen Top‘s Niel shares how he started singing and who influenced him to become the young idol he is now.

We previously revealed the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., in which he admitted that he realized he wanted to sing after accidentally hearing a pop song played in the radio. This song that started his dream was Michael Jackson‘s classic hit Ben.

Niel instantly became a big fan of the King of Pop. He listened to Michael Jackson’s other songs and watched his concert videos. He already knew he wanted to be like the American recording artist, so the Teen Top idol attended to a singing academy where he learned the basics.

In one family outing in an amusement park, Niel tried his luck in a public audition for aspirant singers. But seeing the huge crowd in front of him, he felt uneasy and almost couldn’t remember how to sing!

However, the amusement park incident didn’t stop the young boy from pursuing his dream. One day, he received a call telling him, “You have a pretty voice and your songs are full of emotions. You really stood out but at the public audition’s finals, you were a bit lacking compared to your other friends. Anyway, I believe in your potential, so I’ll give you a chance. Show me what you can do.”

With this second chance, Niel promised to do his best in his career and be hailed as Korea’s Michael Jackson.

Source: Asia Economy Daily
Translation: BGSS2Maknae @6TeensonTop
Written by: reindrops @kpoplive.com

Oh, it sure was!

On the 4th of September, SM Entertainment artists held a concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  Many 2nd generation Korean- Americans attended the concert to witness the hot performances their idols were able to conduct.

The concert started with an opening-act by J-Min, who is active in Japan.  Next-generation girl group f(x) followed with La Cha Ta and Chu~♥.

Following that were SNSD‘s Jessica and f(x)’s Krystal with their own version of Tik Tok, then KangTa and Ara with their duet of “7989″ featuring SHINee‘s Onew, and Super Junior‘s Kyuhyun and SNSD’s Seohyun singing “Call With All My Heart” together.

BoA also performed her song “Energetic” gorgeously. DBSK‘s Yunho and Changmin entered the stage flying in the air, with wires of course, and performed“Maximum”.

But when SHINee performed “Juliette“, followed by the performances of SNSD and Super Junior, the excitement in the Staples Center was at its peak.

But that excitement was already evident even before the concert. The fans lined up early and sang and danced to the artists’ songs.  They even made banners with their idols’ names.

One fan, Vyridiana, who is 22 years old, put up a sign that said, “Buying Ticket” for four hours before the concert. She stated, “I’m a fan of Super Junior’s Siwon. I got to know Korean artists through Youtube last year and I was waiting for this concert, so I would really like to buy a ticket and be able to watch.”

And another fan, Peter (23), who was seen wearing a pink shirt with SNSD’s international fansite Soshified said, “I came to know of SNSD through a video my friend sent me. Many American pop songs have dark moods and express anger, but I like SNSD’s songs because they are so fun.”

And after the concert, fans were more than pleased with what they’ve experienced.

A fan named Cane said, “That was a fantastic performance. I think Korean singers have a lot of different talents besides just singing and dancing.”

The concert was also filmed in 3D, a first for any Korean artists.

Kim Youngmin, a representative of the company stated, “We are so happy to hold a concert at a venue that is symbolic in America. If we could get the opportunity, we would like to take on an American tour.”

It was also said that 70% of the tickets were sold to non-Koreans.  This only proves that the Korean wave is not only evidently happening in Japan, but in America, too.

The SM Town World Tour started in Seoul, then Los Angeles. The artists will b e travelling on the 11th for their concert in Shanghai, China.  They will move on to Tokyo, Japan early next year.

Source: kjwan @ hankyung.com
Photo Credit: black_cat @ SJ-World.net
Translation: taengbear @ soshified.com
Written by: hanjibear @ kpoplive.com

Ahead of their official September 8th debut in Japan, SNSD has upped the excitement and anticipation with the release of the dance version of their hit single Genie. Are you all ready to learn the dance that has swept an entire nation? Check it out below!

Source: wonderfulgeneration3 @youtube.com

Written by: mocha @kpoplive.com