►►Top artist/actor search of 2009 on Nate and Naver
For those who don’t know, Nate and Naver are virtually the two biggest search portals in Korea. So making this chart would mean a lot 😉
Above (Top artist search: [1]2NE1 [2]2PM [3]SNSD [4]After School [5]Kara [6]f(x) [7]Brown Eyed Girls [8]G-Dragon [9]Lee Seung Ki [10]4Minute) (Top actor search: [1]Lee Minho [2]Koo Hye Sun [3]Han Hyo Joo [4]Han Yeh Sul [5]Park Bo Young [6]Lee Jun Ki [7]Kim Bum [8]Yoon Eun Hye [9]Shin Sae Kyung [10]Jang Geun Suk)
Usually, being the most searched celebrity on a search engine shows the fame that a certain person has. Well 2009 wasn’t any different for these headline hoggers.
The most searched artists on Korean search engine and media portal Nate.com in 2009 was the new girl group 2NE1. They debuted with their single “Fire” in May of this year. So in over half a year, they became the most searched artists on Nate. What a big achievement considering the fact that 2PM and SNSD came in second and third respectively.
►►Top 20 Most Popular Asian Artists 2009 by A-Star Magazine
This is the December ’09 issue. I think this is based on how Thai fans feel (this is their magazine after all)…and since when did Suju beats DBSK?! whoa and I thought 2PM was a lot more popular…
1. Super Junior – 92.6%
2.TVXQ – 72.1%
3.Shinee – 70.3%
4.Big Bang – 47.8%
5.2PM – 36.8%
6.Girls’generation – 35.3%
7.2NE1 – 25.7%
8.F.T.Island – 24.3%
9.SS501 – 15.4%
10.f(x) – 11.8%
11.Kim Bum – 8.5%
12.WonderGirls – 8.1%
13.Kara – 5.9%
14.Lee Min Ho 5.1%
15.LEE JUN KI / Xing – 4.4%
17.Jang Geun Suk – 2.9%
18.2AM / Beast / U-kiss – 2.2%
Credit: A-star
Trans by: sharingyoochun@wordpress
►►Lee Jun Ki’s new drama “Hero” starts off with unexpectedly low ratings
Now in its second week, MBC’s Hero is facing a tough road with very low ratings even as viewers are praising the drama.
The low numbers are somewhat understandable this week, since IRIS is going strong and You’re Beautiful went out on a high note with an 11.9%. Considering that it entered this three-way fray at the very end, it would have been surprising if Hero drew high numbers. Still, its 3.9% rating for Thursday’s broadcast has to hurt. (Its ratings have been on a downward trend, starting with a 5.4%, followed by a 4.9%, 4.4%, and then the 3.9%.)
Lee Junki has drawn positive criticism for his acting, but contrary to expectations, his name recognition has not had the desired effect. A source with the drama said, “Because the dramas on the other stations are strong, we had expected the early portion to face difficulty. We think that because the plot is entertaining and the acting is good, after You’re Beautiful ends, the viewer ratings will gradually rise.”
On the other hand, the viewers who are watching are responding very positively. Lee Junki’s romantic storyline with Yoon So-yi is starting to develop, as is the battle between top-tier newspaper Daese Ilbo versus Lee Junki’s team of underdogs at Yongdeok Ilbo.
Next week’s ratings should be the determining factor to whether Hero sinks or swims. Unfortunately, I don’t think things look good for the production. On the upside, I did feel a cautious optimism about its story after watching the first two episodes, and hear that things improve afterward.
Cr: dramabeans
►►”Hero” drama poster starring Lee Jun Ki is released
He is looking mighty excited here as a..photographer? I think it’s going to be a comedy drama maybe?
A teaser poster for MBC TV series “Hero”, starring Korean actor Lee Jun-ki, has been released today.
Broadcaster MBC unveiled the teaser poster, which shows Lee peeking through the blinds and carrying the copy “Look forward to exclusive reporting from journalist Jin Do-hyuk!”
Lee plays the role of a passionate reporter working for a third-rate magazine called “Monday Seoul”, who investigates for stories through various means such as spying, following and wiretapping.
“In the drama, Do-hyuk is reckless when it comes to reporting,” the Hallyu star explained last week at the press conference. “He bravely represents the weak and he sometimes turns paparazzi in the process of searching for the truth.”
The drama, about a group of youngsters who rebel and fight against a corrupt society, also stars Kim Min-jeong, Baik Yoon-shik, Um Ki-joon and Shin Joo-ah.
Lee became a household name in 2005 playing a woman-like clown in the hit film “The King and the Clown” and was recently voted the most popular Korean Wave star in China.
“Hero” is set to air in Korea starting November 11.
Cr: asiae
►►DBSK Changmin’s Japanese lessons book is now $1,000+
Can you imagine buying a language book for 1,000 USD? THAT’S A LOT OF DOUGH!
On the pic: Shin Min Ah’s clothes are now at $306; Lee Jun Ki’s jeans bid is now $680; and Han Ga In’s jacket is at $525.
After being in the auction for 6 days, TVXQ’s Changmin Japanese book lesson price jumped to 1,2 million won (approx. $1,000).
Lotte.com on past October 16th began their 2nd season of “The 4th Stars’ Most Treasured Collection Auction Campaign” and Changmin’s book–just one day before the deadline day–on October 21st at 04:30 pm currently recorded 1,210,000 won worth in the auction.
Fans heard that this book was left by traces of Changmin’s Japanese study as well as his sign on the cover that seems to attract much interest.
The goal of this campaign is to arouse public awareness of the newly launched of Animal Love Action Association, while the donations proceed from the auction will be used to fund operations of providing organic animal care.
The event that is conducted together with the auction is “Thermometer of Love” event where every 50 love messages written will save 1 bag of animal food. Up until now, about 156,000 netizens went participating in this event and the sum of animal food has reached 313 bags.
source: SPN Edaily
trans: sharingyoochun@wordpress + $ calculations by kpoprants@wp
►►Lee Jun Ki becomes a waiter for his new drama “Heroes”
Yea…guys in suit are so my style 😀
Photographs of Hallyu star Lee Jun-ki playing a nightclub waiter in upcoming TV series “Hero” were released on Friday.
Lee donned a white shirt with a glittering flower-print vest on top, briefly transforming into a waiter in the new Wednesday and Thursday night drama, according to a press release by broadcaster MBC.
“On set, Lee was so good at playing the role that the staff joking asked if he really had worked part-time at a nightclub before,” an official at production company Media Zoo was quoted as saying.
In the drama, about a group of youngsters who rebel and fight against a corrupt society, Lee plays the role of a passionate newspaper journalist named Jin Do-hyuk.
The 27-year-old actor became a household name in 2005 playing a woman-like clown in the hit film “The King and the Clown” and was recently voted the most popular Korean Wave star in China.
“Hero” is set to air in Korea starting November 11.
Cr: asiae + shared by kpoprants@wp
►►Yunho’s “Heading to the Ground” to end early & replaced by Lee Jun Ki’s “Heroes”
The ‘epic’ or ‘must-watch’ drama every fan girl dreamed of (before the actual broadcast) has been cut short…I’m not surprised if it’s due to lack of viewership 😦
MBC Drama Series “Heading To The Ground” will take its early ending bell on the 5th next month.
Initially “Heading To The Ground” is agreed to have 20 episodes broadcast time, however it will be cut to only 18 episodes instead.
MBC official on the 14th said “Due to the poor audience rating record, “Heading To The Ground” will be ended early on the 5th next month.” he added, “while as the consequence, Lee Junki’s drama “Heroes” will air a week early on the 11th.”
“Heading To The Ground” is not the first MBC drama whose episodes are cut due to the painful single digit rating.
Meanwhile “Heroes” will have Lee Jun Ki and Kim Min-jung as its main casts .
Source: asiae
Translation: shinta @ sharingyoochun + shared by kpoprants@wp
►►Flower boy Kim Hyun Joong voted ‘Most popular actor’ in Easy Magazine
For the ‘Most popular Male Actor’ category, seems like our SS501 leader made the top of the list ^^
1. Kim Hyun Joong
2. Yamashita Tomohisa
3. Akanishi Jin
4. Kamenashi Kazuya
5. Micky Yoochun (DBSK)
6. Ikuta Toma
(more…)
►►Which celebs…changed the most after famous?/ are most arrogant?/ etc.
Possibly the most controversial entertainment-related poll of 2009. SBS’s morning talk show “Good Morning” (좋은 아침) did a poll with 50 reporters specializing in the entertainment industry, with questions such as “Who is the most arrogant celebrity?” and “Who says the darndest things?” The episode was aired on the morning of September 27th. For those that are interested, and I know some of you are, here are the results:
Who changed the most after becoming famous?
1. Lee Min Ho
2. Son Dam Bi
3. Lee Jun Ki
Who says the Darndest things?
1. Park Myung Soo (Infinite Challenge)
2. Kim Gu Ra (Various variety shows such as Radio Star)
3. Eugene (ex-SES)
►►Lee Junki’s new photobook in Thailand
So how should I say this… congratz?? Well, congratz to Lee Jun Ki for publishing another photobook!!!
Korean actor Lee Jun-ki has published a photobook titled “Sawasdee Khrab” in Thailand, according to his agency Mentor Entertainment.
The actor held an official launching party for the book in Bangkok on Sunday with some 100 Asian media journalists in attendance.
At the event, the 27-year-old star also received a special medal from the Thai government’s tourism organization for his contribution in improving the image of Thailand.
The photobook, containing photographs of the actor travelling alone throughout Thailand, was planned and produced with the support of the Korean-Thai Chamber of Commerce (KTCC) celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“I am in favor of doing a drama or film that is a joint venture between two countries. I would like to participate when opportunity comes,” Lee responded when asked by a Thai journalist, at the press conference, if he had any intentions to work on a drama or film with Thai actors and crew.
Lee gained fame in 2005 playing a woman-like clown in the Korean film “The King and the Clown” and was recently voted the most popular Korean Wave star in China.
Lee filmed 2007 drama “Time Between Dog and Wolf” in Thailand and was the first Hallyu star to launch an official fan club there two years ago. He was also invited to the Thai King’s birthday party and was the first Korean to light a Christmas in northern Thailand.
The photobook will be released in Thailand and later in Korea, Japan and China
…hope you’ll enjoy his new photobook because I know that there are fans out there!!!
Cr: sChiZoO14@asianfanatics.net + shared by kpoprants@wp
►►Lee Jun Ki got scammed & he had to pay for his own concert
Hallyu star, Lee Junki held his 2009 J Style Taiwan Concert Tour at the Taipei International Convention Center on 26th September. But after it was discovered before the concert that the local Taiwanese organizer had ran off with the money for the concert, as Junki and his management had to fork out money from their own pockets to make sure that the concert went ahead, without disappointing the fans.
During the concert, Lee Junki did everything by himself and his dedicated performance had his fans clapping his every more. One of the unique performance saw him doing a mask dance, pushing the concert to a climax.
This Taiwan concert was supposed to be the last stop for Lee Junki’s Asia concert tour. Lee Junki arrived on 22nd September to a great reception from his legion of fans, and he also greeted them in Mandarin. But things started falling apart, when it was discovered that their Taiwanese counterparts had ran away with the money, that was for the concert. The venue was not even booked!
Junki was supposed to have a concert in Taiwan last September, but it was later cancelled due to a typhoon. But Junki promised fans that he will return and he specially made Taiwan the last stop for his concert tour this year, to fulfil his promise. Despite this unfortunate setback, Junki and his management agency did not falter in adversity, managing to rent the venue, stage equipment, etc at the very last minute to make sure that the concert went on as scheduled.
Cr: allkpop + shared by kpoprants@wp
OMG that’s so sad…but I’m amazed at how well he handled this situation! Jun Ki FIGHTING!!! 
►►Lee Jun Ki is China’s top Hallyu star
Korean actor Lee Jun-ki has been voted the top Hallyu star in China, according to his agency on Friday.
The actor came in first, beating Rain and actress Song Hye-kyo, in the “2009 Most Popular Korean Star” survey held by CRI Online, a major portal in China, Mentor Entertainment said in a press release.
Lee is also receiving attention in Taiwan with more than 80 media companies on Wednesday attending Lee’s press conference for a fan concert set for tomorrow. His Taiwan concert was delayed indefinitely last year due to a typhoon.
“The foundation of Lee’s popularity in the Chinese market is more solid than any other Hallyu star syndrome,” an official working at a Taiwanese broadcaster was quoted as saying. “I don’t think his popularity will decline anytime soon.”
The 27-year-old actor rose to stardom playing a woman-like male clown in the 2005 hit film “The King and the Clown”.
He is set to appear in the MBC drama, tentatively titled “Hero”, which will air in Korea in November.
►►Upcoming drama “Hero” with Lee Jun Ki & Han Ji Min updated casting list
Doesn’t this remind you of that one NBC American drama also called ‘Hero’? lol
“Hero”, MBC’s upcoming drama and Lee Junki’s next television role, has lost Han Ji-min as its leading lady and picked up Kim Min-jung (New Heart) in her place. It has also cast Ji Chang-wook, newly famous from his role as youngest brother Mi-pung in KBS’s Sons of Sol Pharmacy.
This’ll be a great opportunity for Ji Chang-wook to jump from one high-profile project to another, and change his image as well. In Sol Pharmacy, he’s a tender-hearted nice guy, but in Hero, he’ll play a “spiteful” and “opportunistic” reporter with a chip on his shoulder and a propensity for lying. (This probably sets him up as a natural rival to Lee Junki’s character, who works as a reporter at a third-rate newspaper. And then there’s also the “elite” reporter played by Eom Ki-joon…) Ji said, “In order to gain respect for my acting, I have to take on diverse characters and broaden my acting spectrum.”
Hero (the articles note that “Hero” is still a working title) will enter filming once it has completed casting its supporting actors. It will follow Heading to the Ground on MBC in November. Its cast has me curious (also listed on the roster is Bbaek Ga) more than the plot, but this could be an interesting series.
Cr: sportskhan + Osen + trans by dramabeans + shared by kpoprants@wp
►►Fashion Watch: Mason (yes, the baby), Kim So Eun, So Ji Sub, Lee Jun Ki
-Mason shoots for [idk but it’s cute ^^]
-Kim So Eun’s recent shoots for various places
-So Ji Sub shoots for Bang Bang Fall 2009
-Lee Jun Ki shoots for GQ Magazine
►►f(x)’s Victoria Song used to model with Lee Jun Ki? + more
Upcoming leader Victoria Song of rookie group f(x) used to be a model and netizens even found one shoot where she took it with Lee Jun Ki!
So the girl got credits as a model even before debuting…
►►The results are in: Kim Hyun Joong & Moon Geun Young are best actor & actress!
The online voting event organized by Yahoo!Korea for Seoul International Drama Awards 2009 (SDA 2009 Festival) has just ended at 11:59pm (KRT) on 30th August!
These are the final voting results (chosen by overseas) i got from on-screen. The top ranking drama is “Boys over Flowers”, top ranking actor is Kim Hyun Joong from “Boys over Flowers” and top ranking actress is Moon Geun Young from “The Painter of The Wind”.
Top Ranking Actor:
1st: Kim Hyun Joong “Boys over Flowers”
2nd: Lee Jun Ki “Il Ji-Mae: The Phantom Thief”
3rd: Lee Min Ho “Boys over Flowers”
Top Ranking Actress:
1st: Moon Geun Young “The Painter of The Wind”
2nd: Han Hyo Joo “Il Ji-Mae: The Phantom Thief”
3rd: Goo Hye Sun “Boys over Flowers”
Top Ranking Drama:
►►Fashion Watch: Nichkhun, Lee Jun Ki, Son Ye Jin, Tiger JK & Park Si Yeon & Song Jae Rim
Just four today but they’re all great eye-candies ^^
-Nichkhun shoots for Suzuki Jelato
-Lee Jun Ki shoots for GQ
-Son Ye Jin shoots for Singles Magazine
-Tiger JK, Park Si Yeon, and Song Jae Rim shoot for Buckaroo Jeans
►►The “Best Actor Awards” between Lee Jun Ki & Kim Hyun Joong updates
The tables have been turned since the last time I posted about these two! Currently, Kim Hyun Joong is leading in all four areas: Overseas, Japan, and Korea!
SEOUL DRAMA AWARDS
Overseas
1ST: Kim Hyun Joong 7,801,105vote
2ND:Lee Jun Ki 6,571,967vote
JAPAN
1ST: Kim Hyun Joong 4,755,160vote
2ND: Lee Jun Ki 3,779,813vote
Korea
1ST: Kim Hyun Joong 4,323,793vote
2ND: Lee Jun Ki 3,218,027vote
Cr: ha-na-chan@soompi + Seoul Drama Awards 2009
Perhaps fans have been voting like crazy for KHJ? LOL but we will see cause these polls will end in a very short time!
►►Twitter accounts: Fake & Real
Here is a list of Korean artistes’ Twitter accounts~ those that are confirmed to be real and those that aren’t:
- Lee Jun Ki: http://www.twitter.com/JGshock
- BoA: http://twitter.com/boa_usa
- Se7en: http://twitter.com/OFFICIALSE7EN
- WonderGirls SunMi: http://twitter.com/WGmimi
- WonderGirls SoHee: http://twitter.com/WGsohee
- WonderGirls SunYe: http://twitter.com/WGsun
- WonderGirls YooBin: http://twitter.com/WGyubin
- WonderGirls Ye Eun: http://twitter.com/WGyenny
- JYP Park Jin Young: http://twitter.com/followjyp
- Tablo: http://twitter.com/blobyblo
- YounHa: http://twitter.com/younhaholic
- Brian Joo: http://twitter.com/brianjoo110
- Crown J: http://twitter.com/officialcrownj
- Isak: http://twitter.com/dltkr25
- Kim YunA: http://twitter.com/yunaaaa
- MapTheSoul: http://twitter.com/mapthesoul
- Jung Min Joo (Joo): http://twitter.com/JOOJYPE
2AM
- Im SeulOngLIM SEUL ONG: http://twitter.com/2AMONG
- Lee ChangMin: http://twitter.com/2AMCHANGMIN
- Jo Kwon: http://twitter.com/2AMkwon
- Jin WoonJung: http://twitter.com/2AMjinwoon (more…)
►►What does being in the 20s mean to Korean stars?
They say great minds think alike but not this time. Different stars bring different perspective into how the 20s effected or is effecting their lives.
The 3rd 2009 Mnet 20’s Choice to be held coming 28th August in JamSil Stadium will be an event for the 20s in Korea, the representative trend setters in Korea.
And with that, a relay interview ‘20 people in 2o’s’ was done on the stars which youths in their 20s love. The interview features like 20 stars Lee Hyori, GDragon, Rain, Shim MinAh, Goo HyeSun, Seo In Young, Tablo, Im DongHyuk, Lee JunKi etc.
Lee Hyori, “KTX called 20s”
Lee Hyori, the trend setter of Korea who not only is known for her music but also for other areas like fashion. She said, “It is similar to when something passes too fast and you get the feeling of that you missed something. I debuted as part of Fin.K.L when I was 20 and came out solo with ‘10 Minute’ when I was 26. People who call it a car ride without a brake for my case but when I was 29 I thought I felt confused and now that I’m 30 I feel fear and confusion at times too. During the 20s, the charm is that you can do whatever you want without regrets. It can be called a challenge where you do not waste all the great times as doing everything seems just great.”
Kwon Ji Young (G-Dragon), “20s is like climbing a ladder”
Musician GDragon revealed that he will always remember his current age at 22 for his whole life.
Memories at this age will be one of the best for him as he has released his first solo album, and he has also successfully advanced into the Japanese music market as part of Big Bang. And GDragon refers to the 20s as “climbing a ladder”.
He also said that one would have to choose which path one will go in their teens, and in their 20s this is the time when you will have to find out the way to work towards one’s goal and choose which ladder to climb on, “It is an age where you either bend or break it.”
Rain, “20s is a pain” (more…)
►►Lee Jun Ki & Kim Hyun Joong go heads-on for Male Popularity Award
Two hot actors. One sole prize. Who will win?
In to its 4th year, Seoul Drama Awards 2009 (below indicated as SDA) will be held on 11-Sep at Olympic Park’s Olympic Hall, Bangee-dong, Seoul.
The organizing committee for SDA held a press conference at Press Center on 19-Aug at 11am. They revealed “The leading popularity awards for male and female category for this year’s SDA are Lee JunKi and Moon GeunYoung respectively. Popular production seems to be SBS ‘IlJiMae’. Especially in male popularity awards, there is a fierce competition between ‘Iijimae’ Lee JunKi and ‘Boys Over Flowers’ Kim HyunJoong.”
Based on the calculation of mid-total as on 17-Aug, Lee JunKi gained the 1st place with 38.5% of votes for male actor award. Kim HyunJoong is 2nd place with 37.0%, making a mere difference of 1.5%.
►►178 is a popular number among male Korean stars
LOL why? cause a lot of them are 178 cm! Take a look at the chart below ^^
☆Kpop Rants☆ 
