Girls’ Generation, KARA, TVXQ, 2PM, Jang Geun Suk, and B2ST awarded at 26th Japan Golden Disc Awards

The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) has announced the winners of “The 26th Japan Gold Disc Award” on January 27th, and many Korean artists were featured.

The “Japan Gold Disc Awards” was first launched in 1987 to recognize outstanding artists (and works) that have contributed to recording industry. Awards based on the actual sales number, and 2011’s winners utilized data from November 10, 2010 to October 31, 2011.

Check out the Korean winners of “The 26th Japan Gold Disc Award” below!

Best Album of the Year (Asia)

Girls’ Generation – “GIRLS’ GENERATION”

Best 3 Albums (Asia)

KARA – “Girls’ Talk”
Girls’ Generation – “GIRLS’ GENERATION”
TVXQ – “Tone”

Song of the Year (Downloads – Asia)

KARA – “Jumpin’”

Best 5 Songs by Download

3. KARA – “Jumpin’”

Best Music Video (Asia)

KARA – “Best Clips”

Best Asian Artist

KARA

New Artist of the Year (Asia)

2PM

Best 3 New Artists (Asia)

Jang Geun Suk
2PM
B2ST

Best Enka/Kayokyoku New Artist

Park Hyunbin

Congratulations to all the winners!

cr: allkpop

The Boss, KARA, and more rank on this week’s Oricon charts

It seems to be another great week for K-pop on Japan’s Oricon Charts!

The Boss and KARA ranked on Oricon’s Album Weekly Chart for the week of January 16th through the 22nd. The Boss ranked #7 with ‘Love Letters’, while KARA followed right behind at #8 with ‘Super Girl‘.

In addition, Kim Hyun Joong ranked #2 on the Singles Daily Chart with “Kiss Kiss/Lucky Guy” , while After School came in at #6 with “Rambling Girls/Because of You”.

Last week, B2st ranked #2 on the DVD daily chart with their ‘B2ST The 1st Concert – Welcome to B2St Airlines’, and now they’ve ranked #2 on the DVD Music weekly chart. Girls’ Generation followed behind at #4 with ‘Japan First Tour Girls’ Generation’.

Congratulations to all the artists!

cr: allkpop

KARA, B2ST, and more win at 7th annual ‘Asia Model Awards’

On January 18th, a few of Korea’s top idols were handed awards at the 7th annual ‘Asia Model Awards‘.

The ’2012 Asia Model Awards’ is a multi-effort production, funded by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, & Tourism, co-managed by DKB & Model Center International, and hosted by the Korean Models’ Association.

The event was held over two days on January 17th and 18th at the Olympic Hall in Seoul. Many prominent figures from the modelling, beauty, cultural, and music industries were present to honor 2011′s receipients.

On the first day, 11 countries were represented at the event and a Asian rookie model competition took place. On the second day, 30 professional models from 15 different countries were present to receive awards and put on a fashion show.

The awards presented at the event included the ‘Asia Star Award’, ‘Popular Star Award’, ‘Popular Artist Award’, ‘Model Star Award’, ‘New Star Award’, ‘Fashionista Award’, as well as ‘Asia Model Award’, ‘Fashion Model Award’, ‘CF Model Award’, ‘Rookie Award’, ‘Racing Model Award’, and more.

From Korea, Byun Harin, Kim Jae Bum, Lee Sung Hwa, Joo Da Ha, Shin Won Ho, Son Eun Seo,Hye Park, Hwee Hwang, as well as fashion designer Lee Sang Bong received awards.

Additionally, celebrities and idols like KARA, Rainbow, A Pink, Jay Park, B2ST, MBLAQ, IU, Lee Yeon Hee, Jung Il Woo, Cha Ye Ryun, Lee Jung Jin, Leo Ku, and Choi Ji Woo also accepted trophies for their respective contributions.

cr: allkpop

TVXQ, B2ST, SHINee, MBLAQ, miss A, KARA, 2AM and 4minute head to Australia for ‘K-POP Music Festival in Sydney’

On November 10th, many fans gathered at the Incheon International Airport for a chance to have a glimpse of their favorite idols.

TVXQ, B2ST, SHINee, 4minute, miss A, 2AM, and MBLAQ, arrived sporting their airport fashion to take a plane to Sydney, Australia for the ‘K-POP Music Festival in Sydney‘.

Showing off their autumn look artists wore leather jackets and trench coats. Of course no airport fashion is complete without sunglasses, hats, bags, ear phones and masks.

The ‘K-POP Music Festival in Sydney’ will take place on November 12th at the ANZ stadium. The concert will be aired through MBC on December 3rd.

Check out the artists’ airport fashion below:

cr: allkpop

[Live HD 720p] 110922 - B2ST, Infinite, 4minute, KARA - Opening - M Countdown

Idol groups under fire for excessive performance fees at university festivals

The National Tax Service has begun a tax investigation on idol singers and universities after receiving complaints that idol performance fees for university festivals have skyrocketed as of late.
According to information revealed by CBS and No Cut News on April 5th, the National Tax Service began investigations on March 15th by asking universities to fill out a form detailing, from 2008 to 2010, which celebrities they had invited, how much they were paid and withholding tax, whether a contract was used, how they were invited, and other related information.
One university representative claimed that they speculated tax evasion on the celebrity’s end to be the cause, as festivals are usually paid for in cash without material evidence.
CBS reported that in 2010, the following idol groups received an average payment of:

Big Bang – $45,000 USD
2NE1/SNSD – $25,000 USD++
2PM – $25,000 USD
B2ST – $17,000 USD
KARA/T-ara – $16,000 USD
SECRET – $14,000 USD

The numbers are alarming in that most of the payments were within the thousands, rarely ever exceeding $10,000 USD, a couple years ago.
The topic of overpaying celebrities has been a hot debate for a while now, with many of the belief that the money should instead be invested in facilities for the students. While a guideline is needed, the National Tax Service has no right to block or bring down the worth of a star in the market.

cr: allkpop