vip bangs

Fan Army Face-Off: Which Army Is Strongest? Round 3

2014-07-26T01:24:00.000+08:00

PLEASE VOTE FOR OUR FANDOM! GO VIPS!

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6174122/fan-army-face-off-round-3

HIATUS

2014-05-31T01:46:00.005+08:00

THIS BLOG IS ON HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!

BIGBANG ALIVE AROUND THE WORLD PREMIERE

2013-05-01T10:59:00.002+08:00

PREMIERE:
Wednesday, 01 May
4pm (WIB), 5pm (SIN/HK/PHIL), 6pm (MAL)

REPEATS:
Friday, 03 May
8:30pm (WIB), 9:30pm (SIN/HK/PHIL), 10:30pm (MAL)

Saturday, 04 May
6pm (WIB), 7pm (SIN/HK/PHIL), 8pm (MAL)

Thursday, 09 May
1am (WIB), 2am (SIN/HK/PHIL), 3am (MAL)

Wednesday, 22 May
8:30pm (WIB), 9:30pm (SIN/HK/PHIL), 10:30pm (MAL)

VIDEO UNDER THE CUT!

Tags: MTV Asia

A must read for VIPs

2013-02-26T23:12:00.001+08:00

A LETTER FROM K-VIPS TO I-VIPS News — 04 December 2011
LETTER FROM A KVIP TO IVIP :)

This is ESSENTIAL reading for all VIPs especially if you have felt shaken by their controversies over the last few months. (Cr: fortrollingkpop@BigBangThread6Theory)

Part 1 of 3

Big Bang – History of the National Idols

Are you worried about their sales? Reputation? Public image? Endorsement contracts?

If you answer yes to any of this, then you are underestimating Big Bang. I can understand why you would, after all you are in another country. You did not see them at their peak. You did not experience the “Big Bang Explosion.” You were not a part of us. You are not a K-VIP nor a citizen of our country.

But I am not belittling you. As a matter of fact, I thank you because you know Big Bang. You talk about them on Twitter, Facebook, and the Allkpop, and for that, urin Pik Peng were able to perform and visit Bangkok, Singapore City, Kuala Lumpur, many of Japan’s cities, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Belfast. If not for you and you support, our dear boys would not have travelled the world with their music. Thank you. With all my heart, I really thank you.

I thank you yes, but I also would like to explain something to you. What you read online, what you think you know, they maybe true but not at all accurate. If some people are scaring you that our people are murdering YG and Big Bang with their words, don’t let that reality fool you. Words are just words. Words, for most time, is not money. Internet is just a silly place of whatver. Hater-infested Nate, Dispatch, or Enews articles isn’t going to put an end to the career of five national idols. Not now.

We have known Ji Yong and Young Bae when they were just preteens who had no money, no food, and only had cute smiles and pride. We grew up together. We rode the Seoul Subway with them after practice. We watched them perform in the parks of 마로니에 공원 and 남산. We’ve known them since we were all just 15, thinking life was so easy. But I’m not saying we are friends, because we are not. We are just loyal fans and all I’m saying is, we’ve known them before they built their houses in Chungdam-dong or bought their Audis and Bentleys. We didn’t like them with their golden packages. We became fans because we saw their passion and pursuit and patience to become artists. And they did become succesful on a national level, that’s why we are so proud.

I was 17 when I met Seung Hyun oppa, Dae Sung, Hyun Seung, and Seung Hyun. They were different. I didn’t see in them the raw talent and passion I admired in Ji Yong and Young Bae. I felt like they had it easy. It took a while for our movement to realize that like our idols, these four young men were just searching for their dreams. As the months passed by, we saw that Ji Yong and Young Bae grew attached to the four, and like brothers, they had a very admirable and powerful bond. They exuded the energy of determined dreamers, of fighters, of a family. Ji Yong and Seung Hyun oppa always joked around, Young Bae and Hyun Seung always rode the bus together, Dae Sung and Seunghyun took a while to be closer. But it was only a matter of time for our movement to see that just like the other two, Ji Yong and Young Bae also treasured them dearly. I loved all of them even more, and each and everyday my admiration for them increases.

I am writing these long and plentiful paragraphs to relay to you what we, K-VIPS, are feeling. I am not speaking for all of us, but I can tell you for sure that what I will say is in the mind of many of us. We want you to see what we’re seeing, to listen to what we’re hearing, to read what we are knowing, to understand what is happening, and to regain your faith and strong pride in the NAME BIG BANG.

Over the years, there have been hundreds of idols that debuted in this little business. At the peak of album sales, almost 30 million albums would be sold in a year, and only about 2 million of that would be from an idol group, and just one group at that — 서태지와 아이들. At the end of the last millenium, tons of groups came to light, and SM Entertainment managed to monopolize the teenagers. I don’t know how to explain it in a global scale. Let’s just say that in the past, no one gave a damn about 13-year old singers, but Disney and RBMG hit gold with Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. SM hit the jackpot with HOT, Shinhwa, and SES. They hit it further with BoA and TVXQ. Other companies further stroke the iron: DSP with Fin.K.L and Sech.Kies, then Yee Hyori; JYP with god and Rain; YG with 1tym and Se7en. It was like a wide-scale machinery — every year we would produced idols after idols after idols.

There are hundreds of idols in this industry. Namjagreup, yojeagreup, namjagasu, yeojagasu, ahyidol, hundreds of them. But few of them mattered to the wide variety of people. But of the millions of them all, I can only provide you with a few name of idol singers who really MATTERED, who really shone brightest, who really impacted our culture, who really turned around the people and the game, who really set the trends, who people actually KNOW and CARE ABOUT.

S.E.S became our national role models. They were a role model to our youth with their clean music and inspirational messages, and the old wanted them to be their daughters.

Fin.K.L became our national rebels. They projected strong females who fought for their dreams, and their messages was received well by our youth and our parents.

BoA became our national idol. She was the ultimate inspiration to our young dreamers, and every parent wanted a daughter like BoA.

Yee Hyori became our national fairy. Her music and dance inspired our youth, while her charisma and attitude endeared her to our old. Like a fairy, she brought light in our dark days.

Ivy became our national syndrome. Her sex appeal was something unheard of, and her forward image caused a national syndrome.

Wonder Girls became our national sisters. Their freshness and innocence influenced our young, and enterained all our old, men or women.

IU became our national little sister. Her innocence and soft voice is a quality that everyone likes, and all her songs are popular among every one.

So Nyeo Shi Dae became our national idol group. They set all kinds of legendary records and trends, and their music and beauty is widely admired among every kind of our people.

HOT, Shinhwa, TVXQ, Super Junior, Shinee, god, 2PM, Sech.Kies, SS501, 1tym… For years we have seen uniformed men with robotic movements debut and create ruckus among female teenagers. I admit I am one of them. They have made a niche among the minority of preteens, teens, and young adults — all female. They have perfected the art of seduction, obsessions, fanaticism, devotion, loyalty. Their good looks, their costumes, their hair styles, their dance moves, their bodies, their heights, their either effeminate or beastly nature have locked up the support of a sure niche. There’s no going wrong with a male idol group, because just as sure as the United States will support Twilight, and Europe will support Harry Potter, female youth will support male idol groups.

But none of them created an impact. None of them were catapulted to national ranks. None of them set any kinds of new trends. None of them veered away from the formulaic ratio of good looks, dance moves, and pop music. Well, god did for a while, but after two hit songs, god couldn’t go farther than a one-hit-wonder. It’s JYP’s fault, because Rain stole their thunder. None of our male idols created whatsoever to even matter to the Korean people who are not 18 and are not female. For years, female idols stole everything, from #1 song, to #1 fashion, to #1 television ratings, to #1 radio airplay, to #1 newsmaker, to #1 syndrome, to #1 popularity surveys, to national star status. All male idols locked in their hands were album sales and female fan count. Up until now, male idols have dominated the album sales and fandom, but our female idols have always reigned on public image, popularity and other avenues of sales.

South Korea has an unfair stigma for male idols – robotic, manufactured, cheesy, shallow, unrealistic, no substance.

I guess that stigma stems from such high honors and pedestal we put on our male musical artists. We have a higher standards for male singers because of legends such as Jo Yong Pil, Yee Seungchul, Yoon Doo Hyun Band, and Seo Taiji and the Boys. These are strings of musical acts, NOT IDOLS, who have become such important cultural figures in our society, that such male idols who debuted seemed like little stars compared to the sun like our legendary male singers. This is why Rain, amidst being an idol, shone among our public. Not since Seo Taiji and the Boys have we even cared for an idol. But 10 years after, there came a male singer who became our national pride. Rain appeared in television and movies and spearheaded the maintenance of Hallyu. He was such a catalyst to the spread of our culture, that even if he wasn’t as musically talented as Lee Seung Chul or Kim Gunmo, the Korean society viewed him as a world star. Not since the strings of male singers I mentioned above have we cared for male performer, and an idol at that, on a national scale.

Rain became our national star. He is our world star, and he became such an integral star among the nation not because of his music, but because of his international achievements.

But still, with the list of all the national idols I have mentioned, there seems to be one type of singer missing — a male group. The high and double standards continued, because up until the peak of boy groups such as TVXQ and SS501, still people from different walks of life did not give a rat’s ass for these male groups much like how my grandma knew Fin.K.L’s songs, my friends’ parents sang to the Wonder Girls, my uncles admired Hyori, the ahjussi who drove the bus danced to SNSD, and the ahjummas selling ddeokbokki wanted their sons to marry IU.

No care at all.

NOT UNTIL 2007 and 2008, when the universe exploded with what would be known as the BIG BANG.

Part 2 of 3

In 2007, our country was still recovering from the Yee Hyori and Bi syndrome. We had high regards for solo singers as they ruled our society’s entertainment. As TVXQ’s fan base among female youths strenghtened, Yee Hyori and Bi were embraced by other demographics outside the female gender and the teen age. Epik High was making waves among music lovers as they offered hip hop genre to mainstream light. Ivy was creating a national syndrome with Sonata of Temptation. Super Junior and SS501 were trying really, really, really, and I mean really hard. There’s just no room for a male idol group for the public. No room at all.

But as we waited outside YG Entertainment for almost all the nights of April – July 2007, we still gave our utmost support and loyalty to Big Bang. We cheered them on, even if the odds were against them. There’s very little of us female teenagers, because most female teens were already at the mercy of TVXQ. Our fan cafe was only in the 50,000 number, and as they ended Dirty Cash promotion, that number decreased by the day. Dae Sung would always joke around saying, “Don’t leave us girls! So many have left and went to FT Island, stay with us please!” And Seung Ri would often tease us, “Is it because Jun Su hyung and TVXQ are in Japan that’s why you’re here?” They played with jokes, but I knew that in the heart of these boys, they were really worried because there’s very few of us taking them seriously.

We stayed through the fall, the rain, the heat. Our movement stayed by the boys’ side as they prepared for their album. We were expecting another single from them, and there were press released about how Ji Yong and Seung Hyun helped in the album production. If you looked at the Internet responses to these news, people were so cruel! No one believed YG when he said Ji Yong and Seung Hyun oppa wrote the songs. Everyone was crucifying the group. Hormonal girls call them “TVXQ wannabes,” “Ugly dogs,” “Short and wannabe idols,” “Lying try-hards,” “Almost idols,” and that’s almost because according to many, they were “too ugly to be an idol.” Most of the Daum articles were flooded with these negative comments. It made our heart ache, and there’s nothing we could do but camp outside their doors and show them that even if the Internet is infested with evil haters, we, the VIPS were here. For every single press release for the “Always” album, there were 800 cruel taunts, and 200 positive remarks. We didn’t even have the energy to defend and protect them from those cruel netizens.

And as the D-Day neared, YG began spreading words that this next album from Big Bang would be a mini-album, the first of it’s kind. It was sold in a unique price that was unheard of(10,000 won compared to an 8,000 won single and a 13,000 won album). It also contained just six songs, a first of its kind (compared to a single’s 3 tracks, and an album’s 10 tracks or up). YG gave us big words such as “this will be a trend setter,” “We will create a new beginning to Korean music,” “Big Bang will revolutionize idol music,” blah blah blah. We, the fans, were so hyped up and at the same time, worried. YG was bringing promises again — promises that baited the haters! “You told us before you would bring us Seo Taiji, but instead this is a lifeless dragon!” “YG with his try-hard promises again.” Only a very tiny little portion of this society, and a tiny little portion of that tiny little portion being the teenage female fans, believed in Big Bang. What was their future? We, along with Big Bang and YG Entertainment, hoped for the best.

The D-DAY came. August 17, 10 am, the entire mini-album was released digitally in all major music sites, and the albums dropped in the retail stores. What would have been history wasn’t felt during the first few days of release. Lies entered the top 15 on its first 3 days, and that was already a big achievement for a male group. TVXQ or SS501 couldn’t even maintain the top 20, and for Big Bang to penetrate the top 15, we celebrated like crazy! Top 15 in 3 days! VIPS rejoiced, because that meant the people liked the song!

That was the first sign of what would become a life-changing success for Big Bang. When they peaked at #14 in MelOn, and #15 in Mnet, we thought that was the best it could go. But no, because critics and online reviews became the catalyst of this overwhelming succes.

Reviews came in as early as day 2, and none of the critics had anything bad to say about it. None at all. Kim Jiho, a noted music critic from The Seoul Times said “Surprisingly, leader-penned tracks Lies and Oh Ma Baby are the strongest track of the newly rebirthed form mini album. Always album is a blend of pop, rock, with hip hop undertones that is uniquely Big Bang’s and has never been heard before.” Chosun Ilbo called G-Dragon the future of idol music, Korea Herald coined the album “a surprising twist that branches out from the predictable music for this generation of sloppy boy band songs — if you call that music at all.” The traditional and online print media was suddenly infested with critical rave and universal praise for ALWAYS. During the next weeks, at least 2 newspapers or magazines would review the album and praise its title song, Lies. When Big Bang came back in Inkigayo and Music Core, online query for search terms related to Big Bang jumped 2000% according to Daum news. The hater-infested Internet was suddenly filled with casual netizens who just merely commented about how wonderful and how fantastic Lies, and the album, was. By the time Big Bang performed in Music Bank for their come back on the 26th of August, Lies was already an all-kill in Korean charts on its 6th day of release. Music Bank told VIPS the next week that Big Bang stage on 08/26 increased the ratings by 6%, the highest or all six music shows that time for that year! Only on its 2nd week of release, Big Bang, the song Lies, and the album Always, has already reigned supreme among the critics and the online society.

No one would have thouht that these nobodies could rise to the top with such an experimental form of album. Big Bang did what Super Junior or SS501 miserably failed to do, and not even TVXQ could — bring a male idol group song at the top of the charts and make the general public actually know and sing the song. Suddenly, the nobodies became the break out stars of the moment. Big Bang was very much celebrated the entire month of September. YG staged guerilla concerts in malls and universities. YG reached out to the people and established the fandom of teenagers! By the middle of September, Nate, Daum, Naver, Google, Cyworld, and all search engines were filled with Big Bang. THIS ALL WITHOUT A TV PROGRAM APPEARANCE OUTSIDE OF MUSIC SHOWS. On the 7th of September, Big Bang won their first ever mutizen and celebrated with all of us in YGE! A month ago, we were crying because nobody believed YG’s press releases, and one month forward our group had no rest with all the special fan seats in all kinds of festivals, concerts, guerilla performances, and music shows. Suddenly, Big Bang had 14 high school and university appearances in 2 months! It was not just Big Bang who was busy, VIPS were going to events to support them left and right.

The next three months was a roller coaster ride. For 7 weeks, Lies was the #1 song in the entire country, it received huge airplay in radio and television, broadcast shows, dramas, variety and talk shows used Lies as their background music. Television and the Internet catapulted the song to instant fame. By middle of September, students and professors, vendors and buyers, lawyers and crimnals, mother and child, fishermen, bus drivers, little kids and old men and women sang “I’m so sorry but I love you dageojitmal, iyamorasseo ijeya arasseo naega pirhyohae!” South Korea caught the Lies syndrome. And above all, pop culture critics and bloggers took notice of the group’s fashion. It was early September when online posts about Ji Yong’s scarves collection and the boys ever hanging high top sneakers populated all sorts of boards. Dae Sung’s open chest top, TOP’s shades, Seung Ri’s sleeveless top and Tae Yang’s hats were featured in all sorts of magazine articles. By October, if you walk through Seoul subway and the malls, you will encounter at least two teenage boys every minute wearing a Big Bang look. Walking in the malls would tell you easily that Big Bang did not just affect teenage girls, but boys too! What’s more interesting was, Big Bang suddenly populated the background music of Korean online role playing games, which further connected Big Bang’s music to the young men. Young girls wanted Big Bang to be their boyfriend, but young boys wanted to be LIKE Big Bang. The music video and the music performances were repeatedly aired in public places, popularizing not just the song but the group’s fashion too. In a span of two months, without overly appearing in broadcast shows, only doing live performances and television performances for the public, South Korea took interest in the music and career of G-Dragon, Tae Yan, T.O.P, Dae Sung, and Seung Ri.

Big Bang was only dethroned by the arrival of Tell me, which took the number 1 spot by early October and stayed there for eight weeks.

Which really catapulted the group to sudden celebrity status? Upon the release of Lies and the album, online tonality and content about Big Bang changed, and the haters-filled sites was then ruled by new armies of VIPS. IT WAS AMAZING. Was it airplay or mutizens? Was it the number 1 song? No. It all started with the music’s quality. Upon release, critics review flooded on the first two weeks, which resulted to numerous print and online articles that led to people’s curiosity about critic’s rave. Good music, great reviews, people’s ciriosity which was then answered by good music resulted to the song getting number 1. A good image and forward fashion resulted to attraction from teenage fans, which then resulted to online posts and raves about Big Bang fashion, which then resulted to magazine articles and online spaces about Big Bang’s image, which then resulted to more fans and more male and female teens idolizing their music and fashion, which then resulted to multiple airplays, which then resulted to public recognition, which then resulted to parents and grandparents taking interest in the music their kids are listening to, which then resulted to BIG BANG reaching out to the ENTIRE COUNTRY. Their music show performances and guerilla events only furthered their relatability to rhe public. Everything stemmed out of Big Bang themselves, with their music and their image and fashion, and critics and fans only took notice. Big Bang was the real star of 2007, thanks to the unbeatable and long unheard of alignment of the critics, the fans, and the general public. Above all, Big Bang had the media’s backing. Even of YG did not send them to broadcast shows, the broadcast shows made sure to include Big Bang in their scripts, extras, or BGM.

Just as sudden as the success, so are the hurdles. By middle of October, female groups took over again with the rise of SNSD and Wonder Girls. Tell Me stole the spot light from Lies and created another syndrome – a syndrome arguably bigger than Lies. Tell Me became a national song, and suddenly allegations about Big Bang’s plagiarism of Lies took over. Just when they wrapped up their promotion for Always, controversies about plagiarism occured, and Tell Me further rose to the chart. Will Big Bang be a one hit wonder? And again, our hearts filled with agony and worry. Our 50 thousand group suddenly increaded to 150, then more than how much Super Junior had, and more of us got worried.

Part 3 of 3

But Big Bang came back with Lasyt Goobye and Hot Issue, an album ENTIRELY produced and co-written by Ji Yong! If the reviews for Lies were fantastic, Hot Issue was triple that! The album’s quality further put Big Bang at the fingertips of the critics. It also received thrice the critical acclaim, and thrice the sales. The song immediately shot to number 1, and the music and fashion just further propelled Big Bang to superstar status. Big Bang started appearing in broadcast shows to the clamor of the three media giants. Towards the end of 2007 Big Bang stole back from the girl groups the spotlight, and had not just 1 but 2 national songs. Big Bang, along with theWonder Girls, headlined all year-end festivals. Gallup, Nielsen, Forbes, Mnet, and all three major search engines, revealed that big bang was recognized by Koreans of all ages, along with the Wonder Girls. In less than a year, Big bang set the trend for mini albums, digital songs, and electronica music. Electronica was popularized to its extreme. Big Bang was played all over Seoul night clubs and public places! 2007 ended with an explosion. Last Goodbye reigned supreme for 8 weeks and proved to be another national syndrome. And the dance and fashion… they were a blast! Little kids, elementary and high school students, COLLEGE STUDENTS, young working adults, parents, grandmas, they all KNEW BIG BANG. If you asked the poor in Seoul, Jeolla, Daegu, Busan, M*o about their favorite singers, it’s Big Bang. If you ask the business men in Seoul city lights and skyscraper, their rich lawyers, architects, engineers, and family, they knew and listened to Big Bang. This group bridged the gap between the choices of the rich and the poor.

In 2008, Big Bang did the same, even better and even bigger. The next year, the following legendary milestones happened:

1. Seoul Gayo Daesang, an award that locked Big Bang to the highest pedestal of idolatry.
2. Lies in MelOn top 10 for a record 22 weeks. Last Good Bye #1 for eight weeks, in the top 10 for 19 weeks. Haru Haru broke all digital and airplay records. It was #1 for eight weeks, and was downloaded 4 million times, streamed 200 million times, and was the ringtone of 43% of SKT and Nate subsribers at one point which is a record only broken by Gee (47%).
3. Big Bang topped yearend polls and surveys.
4. Big Bang accepted 5 endorsement contracts, a record for a male idol group. Baskin Robbins paid an idol group 800 billion won, a price only a-list movie stars commanded! Big Bang and Baskin Robbins made waves among advertising society.
5. Big Bang became the blue chip of the industry. FILA topped the asking price with 1 billion won. LG went all the miles with 1.1 billion won.
6. Big Bang toured the entire nation with their 6-city concert. Global Warning tour enhanced Big Bang’s public image and increased anticipation.
7. Big Bang’s face was plastered around Seoul, Big bang’s music was heard everywhere, Big Bang was embraced by the whole country. THAT WITHOUT APPEARING IN TELEVISION SHOWS.
8. Daesung appeared in Family Outing, up to this day the highest rated variety show with an idol. No other idol (besides Yoona and Nichkhun) have ever been endeared in the hearts of the old citizens.

THEY DID THE IMPOSSIBLE. By end of 2008, the media coined them “the national male idols,” “the national hope,” “the national brothers,” everything was on a national scale. No one didn’t know Big Bang. EVERYONE KNEW Big Bang and the five boys . G-dragon was conducted in the a-list, and remained to be the only idol at the time with a song book submitted in the copyright association. Big Bang was coined “the most expensive idols.” The year wrapped up with Big Bang in the hearts of the citizens, while TVXQ came back to steal the hearts of their fan club. BUT THAT WAS NOT FOOLING ANYONE. Anyone in Seoul would choose Big Bang over TVXQ, unless they are a cassiopeia. TVXQ maybe legendary in Japan, but in South Korea, they were never as publicly recognized, loved, and honored as Big Bang.

2009 was no joke for Big Bang. They accepted 10 endorsement contracts, earned $20 million dollars, with G-Dragon earning his own $12 million, and still made headlines with their hiatus. Big Bang was still unbeatable.

They did so many things, and what makes it all the more impresive was the fact that they got popular because of their music and fashion, not their looks, dance moves, or personalities. BIG BANG rarely attended broadcast shows outside music shows. YG just gave in to broadcast clamors by end of 2008. But overall, Big Bang propelled to the top by word of mouth, critical praise to their music, fashion and music that was loved by the public. THEY DID NOT RUB THEIRSELVES IN, THEY WERE NATURALLY APPRECIATED. And so is the main reason why when they are on a hiatus, it’s as if they get drowned with quietness. They are not television stars, they are idol musicians who only make news when they have something to give, and not for other reasons to further their popularity. Never before have the public, the teenage fans, and the critics been so on terms about an idol group, and a male one at that.

BIG BANG is a game changer. NO ONE BEFORE HAS DONE, AND REALLY NO ONE CAN SOON DO, WHAT THEY HAVE DONE THE WAY THEY DID IT AND THE WAY YG PROMOTED IT. While other idols frequented television appearances, Big Bang chose the music and popular culture route. No one else could have been a national star with such route. Just Big Bang.

What is the point of letting you all know how Big Bang got to their national idol group status? THE POINT IS TO MAKE YOU SEE HOW THIS GROUP HAVE BECOME SO RESPECTED, SO WELL KNOWN, AND SO PUBLICLY EMBRACED THE WAY NOT EVEN HOT, SHINHWA, god, TVXQ and Super Junior ever was or ever will be. Big Bang is a league of their own. NO, THEY ARE NOT INVINCIBLE. But don;t lose faith so easily. Don’t worry or don;t think of the worst, because someone as iron clad and as wall-sturdy as Big Bang can’t be toppled by a Nate article that has 1349 negative comments. The Iternet is a free place, a place where fans and non fans alike can just post. Big Bang fans are not teenagers alone, they never were just the VIPS. Big Bang is a group patronized all throughout the country by all types of people, of all ages. NOT EVERYONE HAS THEIR TIME TO GO ONLINE TO EITHER COMMENT NEGATIVELY OR POSITIVELY. What you think you see, what you think you read, does not represent the entire public, and does not dictate Big Bang’s future. The main reason YG’s stock debut more than doubled on its debut was Big Bang’s win in MTV Europe, and Big Bang’s financial standing all throughout this year. Big Bang is still as sturdy as ever, and you will see that in 2012.

Whenever Big Bang gets involved in any kind of controversy, they always get infested, eaten alive, asked to kill themselves or leave the country online. That’s a normal cycle of netizen behavior. Big Bang was never the peefect angels like the female idols such as SNSD and IU are. Big Bang never went to the role model route. They became national idols on top of being famed alcohol drinkers and cigarette smokers. They became idol group amidst G-Dragon’s endless controversies with his cursing, tattoos, clubbing, girlfriends and drugs. There was no good image to ruin with all these issues because they had no “good” image to protect in the first place. G-dragon is the most polarizing idol in Korea. Teens and young adults are impressed by him, but parents and old people always frown at what he does. BUT THEY STILL LISTEN TO HIM AND HIS MUSIC. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE BIG BANG, the musician idol. Big Bang is nationally loved because of their music, and all the trends they set. They are composed of members who brought in their own demographics. Dae Sung is so much endeared by the old people, Seung Ri is a hot issue for kids and teens, G-Dragon impresses the young working adults, T.O.P is respected by middle-aged adults, while Taeyang brings in the most cynical music lovers of all ages.

Big Bang is the only national male idols, along with Seungki and Rain. And among the lines of all national stars, they are probably the most dirty imaged and most controversy-laden. To still maintain that status for four years and counting, what does that tell you?

It means the name is strong, very sturdy. That’s not a reason to worry. Only worry when they get into an accident, or is at a health risk, or is at an emotional downfall, or is in a civil or criminal case. But to worry over netizen omments about their shamelessness and inability to own up to their mistakes? That is too shallow of a reason to doubt their name, their status, and their future. BIG BANG AS A GROUP HAVE MAGNETIZED ALL POSSIBLE CRUEL AND HATEFUL ONLINE COMMENTS. They existed out of running jokes and criticisms. They were welcomed with negative remarks. Online search engines were filled and infested with anti-Big Bang comments. BEFORE 2PM, THEY HAD THE BIGGEST AMOUNT OF ANTI-FANS! What makes you think they are not gonna survive this?

Big Bang remains to be the only star who bridged music, critics, teenage fans, and the Korean public altogether into agreeing with their choice of songs and artist. Juat remember that all the time, and that might give you the push you need to regain faith in these five bad boys. Remember that.

VIPS are not worrying nor fighting the enemy. We’re not fighting because there is no use. We’ve always been a quiet bunch, and never will you see us fighting WORDS WITH WORDS. We fight the enemies with loyalty and patience and love, and it has always worked. Hatred will pass, but fierce loyalty and support? Never.

Big Bang will come back, wounded and scarred, bu all the more stronger. Just hang on.

Kindly spread these words to your community, because I feel like we all need a PUSH, A RUSH OF PRIDE, and A REMINDER OF FAITH.

ABOUT ME: I am Cristina Kang, a member of VIP2, a 23-year old fan who was a part of the movement — a movement of fans who visited, supported, allied and protected Big Bang. I am part of the group who brought food to the five boys at 3 am just to make sure they ate something during recording. I am one of the fans who provided shade and protection to the boys when they were just starting out, too unfamous for SBS or KBS to provide a good dressing room for them. I am one of the VIPS who bullied MBC radio because they once banned Big Bang songs for 5 months. Yes, I am a partial VIP, and in my eyes there is no one better. But I am also aware of the reality. This is what’s happening to BIG BANG, and we are best be knowing, best be aware.

Source: neogogo at Tumblr
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/eheji6

I am an International VIP, from the Philippines to be exact and I literally cried while reading this. I can't even stop crying every time I re-read the article. VIP UNTIL WHENEVER!!

Alive Tour Philippines Fancams

2012-10-30T16:33:00.000+08:00

God, it's like years since I last updated this blog. As a present for you all, I'll be posting here my fancams from BIGBANG's concert in the Philippines last October 24, 2012 at the Mall Of Asia Arena.

Intro

YG Entertainment’s Artists Have No Competitors

2012-09-07T07:59:00.002+08:00

YG Entertainment’s Artists Have No Competitors, ‘Music Chart Relay’

It seems like YG Entertainment has taken over Korea’s music industry.

This year, YG artists 2NE1, Big Bang, Psy and Big Bang member G-Dragon have all taken turns heating up the music charts.
In June, Big Bang’s special album, Still Alive, won 1st place with their upscale talent and music.

Sister group 2NE1 also came out after Big Bang with “I Love You” and ranked number 1 on the charts as well.

Right after 2NE1, rapper Psy came out with “Gangnam Style” and placed first on the charts. He also became a world star when his music video on Youtube went viral.

After Psy’s success, Big Bang member G-Dragon came out with his solo album title song, “That XX” and ranked number 1.

There does not seem to be any stopping for YG. With G-Dragon’s recent comeback, it seems that YG will be heating up the charts until the end of this year.

Source: KpopStarz

Big Bang’s “Monster” MV expected to record over 25 million views on YouTube

2012-06-05T21:01:00.002+08:00

Will Big Bang‘s “Monster” MV be able to record over 25,000,000 views?

In just this year alone, Big Bang has released two MVs that have each received over 20 million views on YouTube. “Fantastic Baby” received approximately 25,000,000 views, while “Blue” received over 22,000,000 views. Additionally, their MV for “Bad Boy” is at the 15 million view mark.

Their new MV for “Monster” which was just released on June 3rd received 3,400,000 views in just a single day, and considering “Fantastic Baby” and “Blue” were released around 2 to 3 months ago, it would not be an exaggeration to say that at this rate “Monster” will be able to easily exceed 25million views in that same amount of time.

The explosive response from fans is credited to the boys’ unconventional appearance and the quality of the MV that’s on par with a Hollywood Blockbuster. The “Monster” MV is a collaboration project between both YG Entertainment and Hyundai Card, and the post-production alone reportedly took an entire month to complete.

Both fans and those in the industry alike are sitting on the edge of their seats, wondering if Big Bang will be able to break their own records.

Source & Image: OSEN via Nate
Translation: AKP

Monster – Hangul, Romanization, Translation Lyrics

2012-06-04T14:37:00.001+08:00

Hangul

[TOP]
오랜만이야 못 본 사이 그댄 얼굴이 좋아 보여
예뻐졌다 넌 항상 내 눈엔 원래 고와 보여

[GD]
근데 오늘따라 조금 달라 보여 유난히 뭔가 더 차가워 보여
나를 보는 눈빛이 동정에 가득 차있어 네 앞에서 난 작아 보여

[TOP]
괜찮은 척 애써 대화주제를 바꿔버려
[GD]
묻고 싶은 말은 많은데 넌 딱 잘라버려
[TOP]
네 긴 머린 찰랑거려 내 볼을 때리곤 스쳐지나

[GD]
뒤돌아선 곧장 가버려 여기서 널 잡으면 우스워지나

[Taeyang]
아무 말도 떠오르지 않죠 떨면서 넌 한두 발짝 뒤로
이젠 내가 무섭단 그 말 날 미치게 하는 너란 달

[Daesung]
I love you baby I’m not a monster
넌 알잖아 예전 내 모습을 시간이 지나면 사라져 버릴 텐데
그 땐 알 텐데 baby

[Taeyang]
I need you baby I’m not a monster
날 알잖아 이렇게 가지마 너마저 버리면 난 죽어버릴 텐데
I’m not a monster

[Seungri]
무슨 일이 있어도 영원하자고
슬플 때도 기쁠 때도 끝까지 하자고
You don’t say that tomorrow
오늘이 마지막인 것처럼 사랑하자고

[GD]
너 없는 삶은 종신형 세상과 단절돼 돌 지경이야
너란 존재는 고질병 시련의 연속 마음 속 미련이야

[TOP]
세상사람들이 내게 돌린 등 모든 것이 베베 꼬여있던 눈초리들
내게 가장 큰 아픔은 (아픔은) 네가 그들 같아졌단 것뿐

[Daesung]
I love you baby I’m not a monster
넌 알잖아 예전 내 모습을 시간이 지나면 사라져 버릴 텐데
그 땐 알 텐데 baby

[Taeyang]
I need you baby I’m not a monster
날 알잖아 이렇게 가지마 너마저 버리면 난 죽어버릴 텐데
I’m not a monster

[Seungri]
가지마 가지마 가지마 떠나지 말아
하지마 하지마 하지마 너 같지않아

[Daseung]
멀어진 채로 사랑은 걸러진 채로

[Seungri]
찾지마 찾지마 찾지마 날 찾지 말아
마지막 마지막 마지막

[Taeyang]
네 앞에 서 있는
내 모습을 기억해줘 날 잊지 말아줘

[Daesung]
I love you baby I’m not a monster
넌 알잖아 예전 내 모습을 시간이 지나면 사라져 버릴 텐데
그 땐 알 텐데 baby

[Taeyang]
I need you baby I’m not a monster
날 알잖아 이렇게 가지마 너마저 버리면 난 죽어버릴 텐데
I’m not a monster

[GD]
I think I’m sick
I think I’m sick
I think I’m sick
I think I’m sick

Romanization

[TOP]
Oraen-maniya mot bon sa-i geudaen eol-ku-ri chowa boyeo
Yeppeojyeot-da neon hangsang nae nunen wonrae kowah boyeo
[GD]
Keunde oneul-ttara jo-geum talla boyeo yunanhi mwonka deo cha-gawo boyeo
Nareul boneun nunbichi dongjeonge kadeuk cha-isseo ne apeseo nan ja-ga boyeo

[TOP]
Kwaehn-chanheun cheogaesseo daehwah-jujereul bakkwobeoryeo
[GD]
Mudko shipeun ma-reun manheunde neon ttag jallabeoryeo
[TOP]
Ne gin meorin challanggeoryeo nae bo-reul ttaerigon seuchyeojina
[GD]
Dwiido-raseon godjang kabeoryeo yeo-giseo neol jabeumyeon useuwojina

[Taeyang]
Amu maldo tteo-oreuji anh-jyo tteolmyeonseo neon handu balchag dwiiro
Ijen nae-ga museopdan geu mal nal michike haneun neoran tal

[Daesung]
I love you baby i’m not a monster
Neon al-janha yejeon nae moseubeul shi-gani chinamyeon sarajyeo beoril tende
Keu ttaen al tende baby
[Taeyang]
I need you baby i’m not a monster
Nal al-janha ireohke kajima neomajeo beorimyeon nan jugeobeoril tende
I’m not a monster

[Seungri]
Museun ili isseodo yeongwonhaja-go
Seulpeul ttaedo gippeul ttaedo kkeut-kkaji haja-go
You don’t say that tomorrow
Oneu-ri majimagin geotcheoreom sarang-haja-go

[GD]
Neo eom-neun salmeun jongshinhyeong sesanggwah danjeoldwaeh dol jikyeon-giya
Neoran jonjae-neun gojilbyeong shiryeonye yeonsong ma-eumsong miryeoniya
[TOP]
Sesangsaramdeu-ri nae-ge dollin deung modeun geo-shi bebekkoyeoit-deon nun-chorideul
Nae-ge kajang keun apeumeun (apeumeun) ni-ga keudeul katajyeot-dan geotppun

[Daesung]
I love you baby i’m not a monster
Neon al-janha yejeon nae moseubeul shi-gani chinamyeon sarajyeo beoril tende
Keu ttaen al tende baby
[Taeyang]
I need you baby i’m not a monster
Nal al-janha ireohke kajima neomajeo beorimyeon nan jugeobeoril tende
I’m not a monster

[Seungri]
Kajima kajima kajima tteonaji mara
Hajima hajima hajima neo katjianha
[Daesung]
Meo-reojin chaero sarangeun geolleojin chaero
[Seungri]
Chajjima chajjima chajjima nal chajji mara
Majimag majimag majimag
[Taeyang]
Ne ape seo i-nneun
Nae moseubeul giyeo-khaejwo nari-jji marajwo

[Daesung]
I love you baby i’m not a monster
Neon al-janha yejeon nae moseubeul shi-gani chinamyeon sarajyeo beoril tende
Keu ttaen al tende baby
[Taeyang]
I need you baby i’m not a monster
Nal al-janha ireohke kajima neomajeo beorimyeon nan jugeobeoril tende
I’m not a monster

[GD]
I think i’m sick i think i’m sick
I think i’m sick i think i’m sick

Translation

[TOP]
It’s been a while. Seems like you’re doing better since I’ve seen you last.
You got prettier too, though you always looked beautiful in my eyes
[GD]
But you seem a little different today; you seem unusually cold
The gaze you put on me is full of pity, in front of you, I look small

[TOP]
I act like it’s fine, I try to change the subject.
[GD]
I have a lot I want to ask, but you cut me off.
[TOP]
Your hair flows in the wind, and it hits me on my cheeks and leave.
[GD]
You turn around and leave just like that, would I look silly if I try to hold you back?

[Taeyang]
I cant think of anything to say, Trembling, you take two steps back.
Your words that you are afraid of me, You are the one that makes me crazy

[Daesung]
I love you, baby i’m not a monster
You know the old me, When the time passes, I will have to disappear, You’ll know then baby
[Taeyang]
I need you, baby i’m not a monster
You know me, It ends, but if you leave me like this, I will die
I’m not a monster.

[Seungri]
You say, let us be together forever no matter what happens.
You say, let us be together when we’re happy and when we’re sad.
You don’t (won’t) say that tomorrow..
I say, let’s love today as if it’s the last day.

[GD]
Yo, the world without you is like a capital punishment
The world doesn’t go correctly without you
Your existence has become an incurable illness for me
[TOP]
Everyone may look at me with judging eyes,
but what really hurts is the fact that you have become a part of that ‘everyone.

[Daesung]
I love you, baby i’m not a monster
You know the old me, When the time passes, I will have to disappear, You’ll know then baby
[Taeyang]
I need you, baby i’m not a monster
You know me, It ends, but if you leave me like this, I will die
I’m not a monster.

[Seungri]
Don’t go, Don’t go, Don’t go, Don’t leave me
Don’t do this, Don’t do this, Don’t do this, You don’t seem to be yourself
[Daesung]
Still far apart, With love still divided
[Seungri]
Don’t look for me, Don’t look for me, Don’t look for me, Don’t look for me
Last, last, last
[Taeyang]
Please remember the me that stood next to you
Please don’t ever forget me

[Daesung]
I love you, baby i’m not a monster
You know the old me, When the time passes, I will have to disappear, You’ll know then baby
[Taeyang]
I need you, baby i’m not a monster
You know me, It ends, but if you leave me like this, I will die.
I’m not a monster.

[GD]
I think I’m sick, I think I’m sick.
I think I’m sick, I think I’m sick.

BIGBANG – Monster

Please take with full credits: cafe.naver.com/hunhanilsang + oneasiaa.com + en.korea.com/bigbang + toptopia@tmblr + michelia94.wordpress.com

Manila Philippines Confirmed for BIGBANG ALIVE TOUR 2012

2012-05-24T17:15:00.002+08:00

Source: BIGBANG FB

Big Bang's new Japanese song "Monster" Preview

2012-05-18T15:57:00.000+08:00

Source: kasikasitaeyeon01

Big Bang To Hold ‘Alive’ Concert Tour In the Philippines

2012-05-18T12:03:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - It's confirmed! Korean boy band Big Bang will hold their "Big Bang Alive Tour" concert in the Philippines this year.

A post on Big Bang's official Facebook account and on YG Entertainment's Twitter account proclaimed, "BIG BANG ALIVE WORLD TOUR 2012 in MALAYSIA and PHILIPPINES confirmed!"

The announcement of dates and venues of the tour in the two countries will follow.

Big Bang, composed of G-Dragon, Taeyang, TOP, Seungri and Daesung, kicked off their Alive Tour in Seoul on March 2 to 4 before sold out crowds at the Olympic Gymnastics Hall.

The Big Bang Alive Tour will be performing in 25 cities in 16 countries in Asia, North and South America and Europe.

In Japan, Big Bang will be holding their concerts starting on May 17 and 18 in Nagoya, followed by Yokohama on May 25 to 27, Osaka on May 31 to June 3, Saitama on June 16 to 17 and Fukuoka on June 23 and 24.

Big Bang Alive Tour is presented by Live Nation Entertainment with Laurieann Gibson as creative director.

Gibson spearheaded Lady Gaga’s “The Monster Ball Tour” and was the choreographer and director of the pop star's music videos such as "You and I" and "Poker Face."

The announcement of the Philippine leg of the Big Bang concert spread like wildfire on the Internet.

Bulletin Entertainment asked Filipino fans of their reaction to the announcement and all of them were excited that, finally, Big Bang will visit the Philippines for a concert.

Here are their reactions:

"I was so shocked when I heard about the news. It's like a dream come true. Big Bang is like one of the best K-pop bands so Philippines is just so lucky to be part of the Tour!" - Patricia Kyle Zamora, 18, Quezon City

"I AM SO EXCITED! I was spazzing at work when I learned about BB going here!" - Jen Guerrero

"I was so, so happy when I found out! [My friends and I] are all planning to save for the best tickets; the ones closest to the stage and the group," - Pia Aguirre, 18

"I have waited countless years for this announcement. I am prepared to party hard in a BigBang-kind of way. BIG BANG, fighting!" - Janeen Mambuay, 19, Quezon City

"I'm absolutely thrilled when the announcement was made," - Melissa Luna, 20, Batangas

"Sana sa Araneta Coliseum ganapin yung concert! Sana kung October man yung concert, sana pag sem-break para may chance makapunta lahat," - Editha, 17, Dagupan, Pangasinan

"Big Bang's concert in Manila is probably one of the most awaited concerts of my life. I can already feel the fun and excitement. Seeing them would be like a dream come true most especially to see TOP," - Josette Pagana, 18, Manila

"I really thank God that He granted one of my wishes and, of course, YG for bringing Big Bang here in the Philippines. I'll definitely watch the concert and surely I will be at the VIP section," - Gwen Romano, 15, Manila

"I am so excited to meet my fellow VIPs and I can't wait to see BIG BANG perform live! It's a dream come true!" - Aira Quitoriano, 16, Baguio City

"I'm very excited for their concert. I want to have this concert to be my gift on my birthday. So excited to meet GD, Top, Seungri , Daesung and Taeyang," - Regina Mangubat, 19, Valenzuela City

"I really want to see them performing in stage. I'm really excited," Mary Beatrix Busto,

17, Quezon City

"I am really happy for all the PH V.I.Ps out there because I know they really waited for this moment. We (PH ELFs) are so blessed that we've watched Super Junior for 2 times already and now it's the time for PH V.I.Ps to experience spazzing, stalking, and screaming out their lungs for Big Bang. God bless us all fangirls and fanboys!" - Karen Louise Santos, 18

"HOORAY FOR PHILIPPINES! Grabe, I super duper can't wait na. I just hope na sana affordable po ang ticket & ganapin po yung concert during sem-break para di mag-clash sa school so that VIPs can witness their coolness and craziness!" - Adela Angelique Magpali, 19, Manila

"I am so happy and shocked when I saw the news. My happiness is beyond words when BIG BANG's official Facebook account released the list with PHILIPPINES and MALAYSIA on it. I am just so excited," - Marianne Gladys De Mata, 16, Laguna

"My sister and I were ecstatic when we saw the news on Big Bang's Facebook page! Because of this, we will start saving up so I we get to be as close as possible to our Big Bang boys (especially GD for me and TOP for my sister)," - Aiza Constantino, 27, Pasig City

"I felt really happy when I found out that our country's included in their world tour! I will finally see G-Dragon, TOP, Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri! I am just too happy that finally they are coming," - Alexandra Marie Saclao ,19, Malabon City

"As a long-time fan who has been waiting for this for so long, I feel extremely blessed and grateful. I feel happy for my fellow VIPs and I'm excited even though there's no certainty to my attending (upcoming thesis plus the ever-existent money dilemmas). I have to say though, that whatever card fate will deal me with regarding this concert, I still feel elated, not only for me but for all the other VIPs who hoped for this." - Karen Sandoval, 19, Marikina

"Honestly I think all VIP's right now from the Philippines are now freaking out because of this very awesome news. I've been waiting all my life since I became a VIP last 2003. I can't express how great I'm feeling right now. Big Bang is the best. In our family, I'm not the only VIP but also my younger brother and my three male cousins. - Renz Nika Santos, 19, Marikina City

"I wish for this concert to push through. I'm glad the Philippines was included on the tour at least now I don't have to fly overseas to watch their concert," - Marge Tan, 36, Quezon City

"At first, I couldn't believe what I was reading on my screen. As I read the news about Big Bang's confirmed tour list a few more times, I couldn't help but squeal! Just thinking that they would visit Philippines and actually perform for us, their Filipino fans, makes me very happy. TOP and GD, we'll finally meet!" - Kim Gacita, 20, Manila

"Big Bang's concert is absolutely daebak! I've been waiting for this like forever. Then it finally came true. This is really insane and I really can't wait for the concert. They're the reason why I'm addicted to K-pop! I love Big Bang! VIP FIGHTING!" - Mara Angelica Mojas, 18, Caloocan

Source: Manila Bulletin
Big Bang (Photos courtesy of Big Bang's Facebook page and www.newsen.com)

Instiz Chart Rankings for the first week of April

2012-04-05T18:06:00.000+08:00

The Instiz chart combines the overwhelming variety of charts that South Korea uses to rank music sales, and it’s also what fans use to determine whether their favorite artist has achieved an “All-Kill”.

Instiz Chart Singles Ranking
1. Busker Busker – “Cherry Blossom Ending” – 23,299 Points
2. Taeyeon (Girls’ Generation) – “Crazily Missing You” (‘The King 2 Hearts’ OST) – 15,158 Points
3. Brave Men (‘Gag Concert’) – “Wait and Get Ready” – 11,305 Points
4. Big Bang – “Fantastic Baby” – 11,280 Points
5. 2AM – “I Wonder If You Hurt Like Me” – 10,904 Points
6. CNBLUE – “Hey You” - 10,739 Points
7. Busker Busker – “First Love” – 10,238 Points
8. Park Jimin – “Over the Rainbow” – 7,061 Points
9. SHINee – “Sherlock (Clue+Note)” – 5,513 Points
10. Busker Busker – “Ideal Type” – 4,673 Points

Source: Instiz iCHART, allkpop.com

Big Bang & 2NE1 rank within the top 5 on the Oricon Weekly Chart

2012-04-05T18:02:00.001+08:00

YG Entertainment‘s Big Bang and 2NE1 have placed well on the Oricon charts, both ranking within the top 5 at the same time.

According to the most recent April 4th Oricon Weekly Albums Chart, Big Bang’s ‘ALIVE‘ album sold over 53,000 copies, seizing the #3 position. The album also immediately rose to #2 on the Daily Oricon Chart upon being released on March 28th.

‘ALIVE’ was released in Korea at the end of February, and the Japanese version includes two new original Japanese tracks.

Big Bang’s label mates 2NE1 sold 22,000 copies of their new album ‘Collection‘, securing the #5 spot on the chart. This album was also released on March 28th is much like a ‘Best Of’ album, including Japanese versions of hit Korean tracks “Ugly“, “I Am The Best“, “I Don’t Care“, amongst others.

The 10th spot on the Oricon Weekly Album Chart belonged to none other than girl group Rainbow, who released their new album ‘Over the Rainbow‘.

The Oricon Singles Chart was also full of recognizable Korean artists. Idol group the BOSS who is becoming quite successful in Japan secured the #5 slot on the Weekly Singles Chart with their new single “Jumping“, while KARA‘s new single ‘Speed Up/Girl’s Power‘ released back on March 21st is maintaining it’s 4th position on the Top 10 list for 2 weeks straight.

Source & Image: MoneyToday StarNews via Nate, allkpop.com

Korean Digital Music Rankings for First Quarter

2012-04-04T21:42:00.000+08:00

Big Bang is #1. These are total digital music sales for January to March 2012.

Source: @yynnnn via bigbangupdates

Big Bang and 2NE1 voted top K-pop stars in France

2012-04-03T21:33:00.000+08:00

Big Bang and 2NE1 have been selected as the male and female groups most loved by the Hallyu fans in France.

The Paris office of Korean Tourism Organization has conducted ‘A survey to identify the status and distribution of Hallyu wave in France and the behavior of the Hallyu fans’ targeting 3,775 of local Hallyu fans. Big Bang and 2NE1 have each received 49.9% and 64.8% support coming in at #1.

The age range and gender of the fans who prefer 2NE1 and Big Bang were different. Big Bang was relatively highly preferred by male fans of Hallyu in France. As far a the age goes, Hallyu fans in their early 20′s seemed to prefer Big Bang. 2NE1 enjoyed most support of the Hallyu fans who are teenagers and those in their early 20′s and there was no significant difference between the genders.

The male group to rank #2 following Big Bang was Super Junior, then followed SHINee, B2ST, then 2PM. SNSD ranked #2 among female groups, followed by Miss A, f(x), then T-ara.

Big Bang and 2NE1 are both ranked on the Oricon Chart with the full album released together. Big Bang and 2NE1 have also performed together at the Japanese music festival ‘Spring Groove’ on March 31st and April 1st in Osaka and Tokyo with a great response from the fans.

Source: Nate / Kpopfever.com

Big Bang tops Taiwanese charts, "Overwhelming Popularity"

2012-04-02T21:31:00.000+08:00

Big Bang has taken over the Taiwan music chart as well.

Big Bang has topped Taiwan’s G-Music and Five Music weekly chart with fifth mini album ‘Alive.’ G-Music includes Korea and Japan music chart but also topped the chart with albums released in Taiwan as well. The share is almost 22.28%. The group topped the charts stepping over Taiwan’s popular singer Huang Xiaohu with an overwhelming difference of 4.8%.

Big Bang also before placed #2 even in Japan daily chart and 2nd on iTunes chart, the group has proven their big popularity in Asia by also sweeping the Taiwan music chart as well.

Big Bang is currently promoting ‘Blue.’ As they finish their mini-album activities the group will hold ‘Big Bang Alive Tour 2012 in Japan’ the five city tour beginning in May from Nagoya, Yokohama, Osaka, Saitama and Fukuoka.

Source: Sports Chosun
Translation from Kpopstarz

Big Bang and 2NE1 are Oricon's "Popular Artists of the Week"

2012-03-30T21:17:00.000+08:00

Big Bang and 2NE1 are the "Popular Artists of the Week" on Oricon Japan. After releasing their new albums on March 28, Big Bang took the 2nd place in Oricon chart for ALIVE and 2NE1 got the 4th place for SCREAM. On the 29th, their albums have seized the 1st (BIGBANG) and 2nd (2NE1) places on Japan's iTunes chart.

Both groups are going scheduled to attend the 'Spring Groove' Festival in Japan.

Source: Chosun
Translated by: RICE @ bigbangupdates.com

Big Bang's ALIVE #1 on iTunes Japan

2012-03-29T21:16:00.000+08:00

YG Entertainment‘s Big Bang and 2NE1 have both topped the iTunes charts in Japan.

On March 29th, Big Bang and 2NE1 respectively ranked 1st and 2nd on the Japan iTunes Album chart, additionally KARA placed 4th with ‘Speed Up / Girls Power‘.

Ahead of this achievement, Big Bang secured the #2 and 2NE1 the #4 position on the Oricon Daily Album chart for March 28th.

Big Bang released their ‘ALIVE‘ album in Japan with a ‘From Asia Into to the World’ concept, and the Japanese version includes two new songs that have not been included in the original Korean release.

2NE1′s first Japanese album is also drawing major attention upon release. Similar to a ‘Best Of’ album, the new 2NE1 album ‘COLLECTION‘ includes new Japanese tracks as well as Japanese versions of Korean hits “Fire“, “I Don’t Care“, and more.

In related news, the Big Bang members will kick off their ‘Big Bang ALIVE Tour 2012 in Japan‘ at the Gaishi Hall May 17th and 18th. Afterwards, the boys will also be performing at the Yokohama Arena, Osaka Castle, Saitama Super Arena, Fukuoka Marine Messe, and more.

Sources: StarNews via Nate, iTunes, allkpop.com

Big Bang & Lee Seung Chul rank high on music charts despite fierce competition

2012-03-28T17:21:00.002+08:00

It goes without saying that fierce competition exists on the Korean music charts. There is a new song seizing the #1 spot with each day, and different charts rank the same songs differently.

But of the many competitors, there are two names that continue to maintain their status on the charts, and they are none other than idol group Big Bang, and legendary singer Lee Seung Chul.

Even an entire month after releasing new albums, these two artists still rank high on the charts, and this sort of outcome was almost expected by fans and music professionals alike.

Lee Seung Chul managed to stay popular on the charts for 40 days after releasing his new ‘Feast of the Gods‘ OST, “Did You Forget“, on the 17th of last month. And as of March 27th at 6:00PM KST, “Did You Forget” ranked #5 on charts such as Melon, Mnet, and more. When it comes to the call-back ringtone download charts, he is way ahead of most of the popular idol groups out there today, and the Youtube video for the track has already passed the 750,000 hit-mark.

An insider from his agency remarked, “His deep, appealing vocals pair well with the emotions of the drama series and is garnering much attention.” MBC’s ‘Feast of the Gods’ is currently drawing in an impressive 17.2% of total viewer ratings, and Lee Seung Chul has been coined the ‘OST god’ after his OSTs for “East of Eden“, “Baker King Kim Tak Goo“, and more became hit classics.

His album producers are also excited about the success of the song. A representative from the producing team remarked, “Because “Did You Forget” has been such a hit, we are even thinking of postponing the release of the new OST.”

In addition to Lee Seung Chul, leading idol group Big Bang quickly achieved an all-kill after releasing their single “Blue” on February 17th, and their song “Fantastic Baby” from new mini-album ‘ALIVE‘ is not only #1 on Melon, it also ranks within the top 10 on Olleh Music, Monkey3, Mnet, Soribada, and Bugs. Other tracks such as “Blue”, “Bad Boy“, and “Love Dust” also continue to maintain their high ranks.

Some of the biggest names in K-Pop such as legendary idol group Shinhwa, 2AM, SHINee, CNBLUE, Jang Nara, Busker Busker, and more have all released their new albums around the same time, but the fact that Big Bang’s album has not been threatened by these big players, and maintains its elite status on the charts, is extremely noteworthy.

YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk remarked, “We were also surprised seeing the endurance of Big Bang’s “Fantastic Baby”. This is the first electronic track we’ve released in five years since “Last Goodbye“, and I think fans like it, as it is a track they feel sounds most like Big Bang.”

Source: Nate, allkpop.com

Park Jinyoung to Yang Hyunsuk: "Big Bang 'Bad Boy' is the best"

2012-03-28T17:18:00.001+08:00

JYP Entertainment's president Park Jinyoung has praised Yang Hyunsuk of YG Entertainment for Big Bang's "Bad Boy"
He showed interest in idol group YG Entertainment's Big Bang's "Bad Boy" while talking in SBS' "Kpop Star."

Yang Hyunsuk told Star News that "Park Jinyoung asked me who made "Bad Boy" because he thinks its the best song from the past year. I was happy to hear this from such an influential producer."

He went on to say "I also personally like "Bad Boy" out of all the Big Bang songs, and I think Park Jinyoung likes this song because he has an interest in Hip Hop and R&B."

Park Jinyoung's praise to Big Bang was very heart-warming, considering Big Bang is an idol group from a rival company.

"Bad Boy" is from Big Ban's 5th mini album that was released in February. It is a hip hop song with a nice melody and a rhythmical beat. Big Bang's G-Dragon produced this song, Choice37 helped with writing the melody, and TOP helped with the rap.

Big Bang is approaching their one month mark since the release of their new album, and is maintaining the top positions in music charts.

Source: Star News
Trans: @kristinekwak

Big Bang's Activities and Successful Chart Rankings

2012-03-27T18:11:00.001+08:00

5 member group Big Bang has become a hot topic in both Korea and Japan recently. Big Bang is taking the concept of "from Asia to the World" and is releasing their album on the coming 28th. The album is going to have Japanese versions of the songs from the Korean fifth mini album, as well as 2 additional new songs.

Big Bang is very busy considering they are promoting in Korea while starting their Japanese promotions. It is said they will be visiting Thailand as well, amidst their programs and interviews happening in Japan.

Big Bang will be putting on an extravagant performance for the famous R&B Hip Hop Festival in Japan called the "2012 Spring Groove." This event will also feature 2NE1, LMFAO, David Guetta, and more worldwide stars.

After doing Japanese promotions for 2 weeks, Big Bang will return to the Korean stage and feature on SBS' "Go Show."

They are also doing very well on the music charts. Since the new album was released, they have been topping the charts and have been very popular, although it's been almost a month. Big Bang has been staying at the top.

Among the 5 title songs, "Blue" is one song that has been toping the charts, and electronic song "Fantastic Baby" is quickly rising.

Even though many other idol groups have been coming back, Big Bang has been keeping their popularity in the scramble for 1st place. In today's world where albums are popular for 2-3 days through digital charts, it is rare to maintain popularity after the one month mark.

A representative for Big Bang told Star News on the 27th that "Big Bang is planning on meeting many fans as they travel back and forth between Korea and Japan," and "they will focus on their Japanese tour in May."

"Big Bang Alive Tour 2012 in Japan" will start on May 17th and 18th, from the Aichi Gaishi Hall, to the Yokohama Arena, Osaka Castle, Saitama Super Arena, along with the Fukuoka Marine Messe. This tour has gathered 130000 people.

Source: StarMT
Translated by @kristinekwak of bigbangupdates

10Asia Magazine's Editor blogs about Big Bang

2012-03-26T23:32:00.000+08:00

Translator's Note: This is a piece of writing, or more like a series of memos, that I found in Myoungseok Kang’s blog (Kang is the editor of 10asia Magazine). I thought it was interesting so I wanted to share with other overseas fans too.

1. Blue doesn’t seem very appropriate for the streets. It is neither fast nor striking enough to overcome the noise on the street. ‘Bad Boy’ is a similar case. Nevertheless, ‘Fantastic Baby’, which has a fast tempo, will probably be the most suitable for the streets out of the tracks. In other words, the tracks are not catchy enough for everyone to sing along like IU’s ‘Good Day’. Was this risk necessary for Big Bang?

2. Artists’ profits do not only come from album/music sales. For example, Girl’s Generation’s success comes more from concerts and advertisements, rather from album and music sales. While concert sales are dependent on fans, advertisements are offered to artists who are popular and have a representative value within the field. Hence, trendy artists appear in advertisements for clothing brands targeted at people in their twenties; whereas older trot artists appear in arthritis medicine commercials. Girls Generation gained popularity in all age ranges and therefore appeared in a wide variety of advertisements. Moreover, G-Market hired Big Bang as their model and emphasized their slogan “G-Market for the Twenties’.

3. People can have varying opinions on whether Big Bang is an icon of the twenties. However, it is true that Big Bang has followed the styles and trends of the twenties the most closely out of the existing male idol groups. G-Dragon is a fashion icon and Big Bang has released music, such as ‘Tonight’, that is very mainstream and trendy. Although GD&TOP’s ‘High High’ and ‘Knock Out’ did not sweep all the music charts, those tracks made Big Bang an idol group that can freely perform at clubs. Furthermore, Taeyang is almost like a black musician. Being a popular group, Big Bang suggests music and fashion that people in their twenties would think are ‘cool’. Therefore when companies are targeting people in their twenties as their market group, Big Bang is probably the most likely male idol group that companies will pick.

4. Big Bang’s tracks all have different characteristics. ‘Blue’ is a mix of eletronica and folk melody; ‘Bad Boy’ has its roots in hip-hop and ‘Fantastic Baby’ seems like a clubbing song. However, these songs are based on hip-hop and electronica while having western pop sentiments. If one is used to music from the Billboard chart, one will be able to listen to ‘Blue’ using earphones when he or she is alone; walk according to the rhythm in the streets while listening to ‘Bad Boy’ with Dr.Dres; and dance to ‘Fantastic Baby’ at clubs on a Friday night. These songs seem like they are for those who are sensitive to the style and trend. It is hard to say that everything was carefully intended by Big Bang or YG Entertainment. Notwithstanding, YG has most enthusiastically brought in music based on hip-hop and electronica to Korea and Big Bang members have tried to represent the trends of the twenties. These people in their twenties followed Big Bang’s lead, looking for something ‘cool’, and in the process of that the public’s taste also followed Big Bang’s pathway. Through Big Bang’s trendiness, fashion and pop, Big Bang was able to dominate a large portion of the fields relating to trends of the twenties. Big Bang no longer needs to make a big hit like Big Bang did with ‘Lies’. What is more important for Big Bang is to give remind their generation of the group’s ‘sophistication and trendiness’. Besides, ‘Lies’ was a product of trendiness and mass appeal.

5. Big Bang’s performance on SBS’s ‘Inkigayo’ on the 11th shows what Big Bang is. Big Bang is a group that needs to focus on their impact on the trend and style rather than their mass popularity and fandom size. Accordingly, performances with rigid choreography do not really suit this group. A song like ‘Blue’ in which the song calmly flows cannot be fully expressed only through dance moves and a song like ‘Fantastic baby’ in which the members need to ‘play’ like they are clubbing needs appropriate lights and stage setting. It is difficult to express all the small details of each and every song in Big Bang's concert because all songs are performed on the same stage. On the other hand, in ‘Inkigayo’ Big Bang is able to fully express the unique characteristics of each song through different stage settings. The design of the stage for ‘Blue’ and ‘Fantastic Baby’ visualized the feeling of the songs. Now Big Bang sings songs with hooks that are softer and persuades the audience of their songs' sentiments through the overall mood of the stage. Big Bang is becoming better at conveying what the group is doing to the public. Right now, what Big Bang wants to do and is doing is almost identical to what they need to do in order to make profit in the markets.

Source: http://blog.naver.com/lennonej/150133870765
Translated by Beau @ bbvipz

Big Bang has returned -- bigger and better

2012-03-23T23:25:00.000+08:00

After experiencing hardships, Big Bang has returned - bigger and better.

Big Bang marked its return after a year on February 29 with the release of its new mini album Alive. After becoming one of the leaders of the Hallyu last year, a series of setbacks from Daesung’s car accident to G-Dragon’s marijuana scandal put a halt to the group’s activities and brought the group’s existence into danger.

But returning as a much more mature group, Big Bang made all its tracks off of the new mini album title tracks and found success on the music charts and even ended up on America’s Grammy Awards homepage and on Billboard to prove it was Korea’s representative idol group.

In addition, actress Han Ga In even took time out of her busy shooting schedule for MBC’s The Sun and the Moon to attend Big Bang’s concert recently, while Shinhwa, who is preparing for its impending comeback, selected Big Bang as the most eye-catching among idol groups.

Enews decided to examine the merits of Big Bang who has not only captivated regular people but friends, seniors and juniors in the entertainment world.

I Am

G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri form the five member Big Bang. The five were different from the start. Even before the group’s debut, they introduced themselves to the public through the tvN show Big Bang The Beginning.

Big Bang The Beginning was a document program that aired in 2006 to explosive popularity showcasing the group’s formation from its training days. Also drawing attention was member Jang Hyun Seung who was eliminated from the group, right before its debut, who then went on to join the group B2ST at Cube Entertainment.

From its 2006 debut onwards, the group sought to set itself apart from others by self-producing and met earned huge success through Lie off its first mini album and Last Goodbye from its second album. Afterwards, Haru Haru, Red Sunset and Tonight all became big hits as well.

Leader G-Dragon especially made a name for himself as not just an idol singer but a singer-songwriter penning tracks like This Love, Lie, Last Goodbye and more. In addition, each member’s unique color allowed them to find success through dramas, movies musicals and variety programs as well as solo and sub-unit groups such as GD&TOP.

Charm

Big Bang’s merits draws not only from leader G-Dragon’s singer-songwriter status but also each member’s unique and developing colors. While many idol groups are strong as a team, it’s not as common to see individual members produce the same results on their own, but this is not the case for Big Bang, as all its members have seen tremendous success.

T.O.P. transformed into an actor for the movie Into the Fire and the drama Iris and even received a rookie actor award while Daesung found success through the SBS variety program Family Outing and Night by Night. Seungri also had a stint as host for MBC’s Show! MusicCore.

Big Bang wields tremendous influence not just in music but in fashion as well and has emerged as cultural icons. While most other artists relies on their fashion coordinators to create their own style, Big Bang is at the forefront of the fashion trend, creating their own style and merits.

Crisis

Though Big Bang had its series of ups and downs, Daesung's car accident and G-Dragon’s marijuana incident brought the group into its most dangerous period.

After much time had passed, some of the members appeared on SBS’ Healing Camp to discuss these incidents and shared, “If it was not for this recent crisis, Big Bang may have disbanded,” as the members revealed the group had lost focus after five years and it was through this crisis the group turned itself around, learned more about their own selves and became a closer unit.

In the end the big crisis turned out to be the strength and energy for Big Bang to leap to new heights.

After releasing their new mini album Alive on February 29, the group held a series of successful concerts in Seoul in front of some 40,000 fans. They will release an album in Japan on March 28 and tour five cities in Japan in May through June and afterwards move on to perform 25 concerts in 16 different countries for its 2012 Big Show- Alive. For Big Bang who even made it onto the homepage of the Grammys and Billboard, people are looking to see what new heights Big Bang will reach.

Source: Enewsworld.com
By Park HyunMin (@happygato)
Translation credit: Stewart Ho

Vote for Big Bang on MTV Italy's "2012 TRL Awards"

2012-03-22T23:21:00.000+08:00

BIGBANG fans are nominated for "Best Fan" on MTV Italy's 2012 TRL (Total Request Live) Awards. The TRL Awards were established in 2006 to celebrate the most popular artists and music videos in Italy. Winners will be announced in Florence, Italy on May 5, Saturday.

HOW TO VOTE:

Go to MTV Italy's website or download the iMTV mobile app from iTunes. Click "BEST FAN" and then "VOTA". Once you get the confirmation message, close the small window prompt and you can vote again.

VOTE LIMIT:

Fans can vote up to 10 TIMES PER DAY online and on the mobile app. Votes in excess of the allowed 10 votes per day will NOT be counted.

VOTING PERIOD

March 22 - May 5 (voting still opened during the show).

Credits: bigbangupdates

Big Bang’s music videos surpass 30 million views on YouTube

2012-03-22T23:14:00.000+08:00

Three songs, three music videos with 30 million views- that′s Big Bang.

As of March 22 1 pm (KST), Big Bang’s three tracks Blue, Bad Boy and Fantastic Baby from its mini album Alive has been viewed more than 30 million times in total on YouTube!

The breakdown by song reveals Blue, released on February 21, was viewed fifteen million times, Bad Boy, released on February 28, was viewed eight million times and Fantastic Baby, released on March 6, was viewed ten million times, reflecting the global popularity of not only the group’s songs but their respective videos as well.

Source: Enewsworld.com