Latest news with #TVXQ
Hype Malaysia
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
(Video) Kim Jae-Joong To Bring 'Beauty In Chaos' Tour To Malaysia?
Malaysian K-pop fans often go wild over concert announcements, and many also enjoy it when event organisers tease the possibility that their favourite idols might soon be performing on our shores. But what happens when the idols themselves drop hints, or even spill the beans, about upcoming tour plans before any official announcement has been made? Soloist Kim Jae-joong (김재중), formerly of TVXQ, recently revealed more details about the countries he'll be visiting next, and fans were thrilled to learn that Malaysia is among them. Here's what he said: Kim Jae-joong appeared as a guest on the latest episode of Jo Hyun-ah's 'Ordinary Thursday Night' on YouTube, hosted by singer Jo Hyun-ah. The two discussed his career, dating rumours, and details of his upcoming Asia tour, 'Beauty in Chaos'. Initially, Seoul was the only confirmed stop, with Japan and Vietnam announced shortly afterwards. Fans have been eagerly awaiting more official date announcements, but it appears the singer himself has revealed additional countries that will be part of the tour. When asked about where he'll be heading next, the 39-year-old said: 'Starting from Jangchung Arena, then the following week is Japan, then Vietnam, then Thailand, China and Malaysia.' Although no official announcement has been made, Malaysian fans were overjoyed after the episode aired. Many took to Twitter to express their excitement that the legendary Kim Jae-joong will be performing in Malaysia later this year. Others said the unofficial announcement came as a surprise, as they hadn't expected Malaysia to be one of the stops on the upcoming tour. A few were hoping that the 'ROCK STAR' artist would stay true to his word and that there would be an official announcement about his concert soon. Kim Jae-joong last visited Malaysia in 2023 for the Korea Travel Fest, but his most recent performance here was in 2022 during his solo Asia tour. We're looking forward to the official concert announcement and to the idol's return to entertain fans! Watch the viral clip below: [🎥] 250522 In the latest episode of Cho Hyun-ah's Ordinary Thursday Night, Kim Jaejoong delighted fans by revealing that he's coming to Malaysia for his tour! 🇲🇾 So 2025 Kim Jaejoong Asia Tour Concert 'Beauty in Chaos' in Kuala Lumpur soon? 👀🔜#조현아의평범한목요일밤 #조평밤… — Malaysian Kpop Fans (MKF) (@msiakpopfans) May 22, 2025 Watch the full episode here: Sources: YouTube, Twitter (1)(2)
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Lee Soo Man documentary slammed for using SHINee's Jonghyun's funeral footage: 'Exploiting his death to defend K-pop industry'
A new documentary on the founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo Man: The King of K-pop, is stirring controversy ahead of its release next month. While the film aims to chronicle Lee Soo Man's undeniable impact on the global rise of K-pop, its trailer has sparked criticism for including sensitive footage from the 2017 funeral of SHINee's Jonghyun. Footage of Jonghyun's funeral used in Lee Soo Man: The King of K-pop The trailer offers a glimpse into the documentary's structure, blending praise for Lee Soo Man's role in globalising K-pop with commentary on the more contentious aspects of his legacy. Featuring interviews with idols and long-time associates of SM Entertainment, the film appears to both honour Lee's achievements and respond to longstanding criticisms about the K-pop industry's demanding nature. However, it suddenly took a grim turn when viewers noticed a clip of Jonghyun's funeral was included shortly before a talking head dismisses concerns about idol treatment as a 'so-called narrative from Western media called the 'dark side of K-pop.'' Jonghyun, who died by suicide in December 2017 after a difficult battle with depression, has become a symbol of the mental health struggles faced by many idols. The decision to use footage from his private funeral, a moment already invaded by paparazzi at the time, has been widely condemned by fans. Only seconds later, the trailer cuts to archival footage of TVXQ discussing the brutal realities of their early contracts. The very same contracts that left them with barely any rest forced them to hop between Japan and Korea daily, and ultimately led them to pursue legal action just to escape the physical and emotional toll. Fans slam Lee Soo Man and the makers of his documentary Now, fans are criticising the documentary for weaponising the real-life trauma of K-pop idols to protect the industry's image, with particular outrage aimed at the inclusion of Jonghyun's funeral footage. The issue gained traction after a user highlighted these concerns in a post on the subreddit r/kpopthoughts, sparking criticism against Prime Video and the makers. One user wrote, "I was annoyed when I saw the trailer on twitter, but the clip of the funeral had my heart dropping into my stomach. I wasn't even into kpop when Jonghyun passed, but even I know how fucked up it is to include that clip. To use it as shock value for your vanity project is so so so evil I can't find the words. And the dark side of kpop? Slave-like contracts? Those are all things HE invented! So he can take credit for the success of kpop but not its pitfalls? Pitfalls HE introduced?? I'm sick! I hope Shawols and Cassies hold each other closely these next few weeks. It's going to be a shitshow." Another wrote, "Holy cow. I hate this. How Jonghyun's legacy is constantly being used as some sort of 'gotcha' moment for the 'dark side of K-pop". Really manipulative for Lee sooman to do this. Jonghyun was a really, I see him as multifaceted and utterly emotional, but in a good way, he really put a lot of that into his work, and I am just so tired of that video of his funeral procession being used as like shock value stuff. Really disgusting. That original video was so exploitative, and this is just one of many things that constantly detracts from Jonghyun's legacy as a person and an artist." "I'm utterly disgusted. Lee Sooman doesn't deserve a documentary in the first place. The artists are what made that company. I am praying that Jonghyun's family and SHINee members do not see. It's so fucking disgusting and as a shawol it is so hard to see people bring this up over and over again for the stupid dark side of kpop agenda. I gasped out loud, seeing the footage. Nobody should have to see that. Please do not engage with the video, even to make comments on it (ie sharing on twitter, etc). I hope the film crew sees the pushback and prime removes the footage," a third user wrote. "The definition of trash. Jonghyun was my bias so seeing this makes my blood boil. He's still being used in death. F*ck Lee Sooman & anyone involved in this so called documentary," one user wrote. "Jonghyun was exploited enough by SM during his life, as is unfortunately routine for most Kpop idols, but now his death is exploited by the company founder as well. When I tell you I was aghast and horrified seeing that footage in the trailer, I mean it," one user wrote. Check out more comments in the Reddit thread below: Jonghyun's death Jonghyun, SHINee's main vocalist, died by suicide on December 18, 2017, at age 27. In a final letter shared by his friend Nine9, he spoke about feeling overwhelmed by depression and emotional exhaustion, writing, 'The depression that slowly gnawed away at me has finally swallowed me whole.' His death brought attention to the intense pressure and mental health struggles many K-pop idols face behind the scenes. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After more than 20 years, TVXQ still renews contract with SM Entertainment
3 Apr - TVXQ has recently renewed their contract with their current agency, SM Entertainment. SM Entertainment announced the news on 2 March, stating, "Since their debut in 2003, TVXQ has renewed their contract based on the trust they have built with SM over a long period of time, and they will take a new leap forward with SM's full support." Member Yunho said, "It feels refreshing to continue our relationship with SM, which we have been with since our debut. We will become a TVXQ that will always do our best for our fans who have always sent us their endless love and support." Said Changmin, "It is very meaningful to have been able to accompany SM for over 20 years. We will draw an even more wonderful future for TVXQ together with SM, which has always supported and given us strength." Making their debut as a five-member group in 2003, TVXQ, which is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year, has been greatly loved as a representative second-generation idol group with their debut song "Hug" being a huge hit. They also have many hit songs including "Rising Sun", "Wrong Number", "MIROTIC", and "The Way U Are". Meanwhile, TVXQ will be holding a nationwide live tour in Japan at the Tokyo Dome from 25 to 27 April. (Photo Source: TVXQ IG, Kookje)
Korea Herald
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
TVXQ renews contract with label SM Entertainment
TVXQ will stay with label SM Entertainment, with the agency announcing Wednesday that both members renewed their contracts. The duo is celebrating its 22nd debut anniversary this year. Through a statement shared by the label, Yunho and Changmin said re-signing with the label they have been with since the beginning of their careers is emotional and meaningful; they vowed to continue to do their best for fans. The band debuted as a five-member act in 2003 with the digital single 'Hug.' Following the departure of three members in 2009, the remaining members started a new chapter with the fifth studio album 'Keep Your Heart Down' in 2011. The pair has been touring Japan since November to celebrate their 20-year-long career in the country and will hit Tokyo Dome on April 25-27. It will be their 33rd show at the venue, a record for an international artist.
Korea Herald
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
When calligrapher has an entrepreneurial spirit
From traditional 'seoye' to commercial branding, Lee Sang-hyun transforms calligraphy into modern art form As a child, Lee Sang-hyun had no interest in sitting down and holding a pen. At the age of 11, his mother, hoping to nurture focus and discipline in him, enrolled him in an after-school program that teaches 'seoyeo,' or traditional calligraphy. Instead of grabbing a pen, he spent his days grinding an inkstick on a slab to make ink. When the teacher was not looking, he would scribble on the white walls with a brush stained with black ink. One day, he was caught in the act. Expecting a scolding, he braced himself for punishment. But to his surprise, the teacher simply smiled and said, 'I've always found this white wall too dull. Why don't you turn it completely black?' He took on the challenge. He started painting the wall black every day. Soon, he discovered it was difficult to maintain an even shade. His teacher then explained, 'Ink concentration isn't always consistent, which is why achieving a perfectly uniform black wall is so challenging.' Four decades later, at the Korea Herald's headquarters in Seoul, Lee, now widely regarded as a trail-blazing Hangeul calligrapher, reflected on it as one of the defining moments in his life. '(The teacher) was the first person who ever praised me and taught me to think before acting,' Lee said. 'That was when I decided to trust him and follow his guidance.' As peculiar as his start was in the writing arts, his journey to establish himself as an artist in the field was far from that of a typical calligrapher, quietly working at a desk with pen and ink. Rather, it resembled that of a door-to-door salesman, armed with tireless energy and unwavering determination. Bringing inkwork to the masses Even to those unfamiliar with the art of calligraphy, Lee's penmanship is recognized through a variety of high-profile projects. His works include the posters for the million-viewing movie 'Tazza: The High Rollers,' the hit drama 'The Moon Embracing the Sun,' and projects for K-pop idols TVXQ and Girls' Generation. He has also worked for the online game Blade & Soul and the sports brand Nike. In 2015, Google unveiled a special Hangeul-themed logo, penned by him, in celebration of the Oct. 9 Hangeul Day. Before him, such projects were uncharted territory for scribes. How did Lee make a name for himself in the field of commercial branding? 'While studying seoye, I thought it was an art reserved for only a few great masters,' he said. 'One day, I saw a great authority in the field walking in Insa-dong. My heart pounded at the sight of him, but to other passersby, he was just another old man.' It struck him then that seoye artists were not given the recognition they deserved in Korea. As much as he loved seoye, it pained him to think that the art had lost contact with the majority of the public and was perceived as a thing of the past. Determined to modernize, elevate, and popularize Hangeul calligraphy, Lee, at age 26, set out on a mission to change that. This was late 1990s and most movies, dramas, signs and production packaging used standard computer fonts, Lee explained. 'I wanted to replace those digital characters with handwriting art.' Lee visited thousands of companies, advertising agencies, publishing houses and film studios, pitching the idea of calligraphic branding. But as an unknown 20-something, he was often turned away before even getting the chance to explain. Most designers at the time did not even know the English word'calligraphy, and explaining it with the Korean term 'seoye' instantly conjured up the image of something antique and outdated. So he coined the catchphrase: 'Calligraphy is handwriting infused with emotion.' After facing rejection after rejection, his first breakthrough came in 2000 when he visited the design office of food giant Nongshim. As usual, no one paid him any attention – until one executive overheard him and invited him into his office. Lee was given a chance to design the logo for a new product, Chun Myeon, which translates to 'spring noodles.' 'Since my focus at that time was more on Chinese calligraphy, so I wrote in a free-flowing, artistic style,' he said. 'But when the executive saw it, he asked, 'Who's going to read this? Calligraphers might appreciate is artistic value, but everyday consumers need readability.'' Stung by the criticism, he adjusted his approach to balance artistry and style with legibility. His revised design was submitted along with several others. To his and all other designers' surprise, Lee's work was chosen as the finalist. 'That was the first time I earned money through my calligraphy – 700,000 won ($482).' From million-selling books to films Although his work for Nongshim marked his entry into the commercial space, true success came from the publishing industry. In his late 20s, he visited over a thousand publishers, tirelessly seeking opportunities. His big break came in 2003 when he was commissioned to design the title for the 10-volume novel 'Wind, Clouds and Tombstone' by Lee Byung-joo. The Korean word for tombstone, pronounced as 'bi,' is a homograph of the Korean word for rain. Initially, he misinterpreted the meaning of this word, assuming it meant rain. He designed the title to reflect a poetic image of wind, clouds and rain. When the publisher asked if he had read the book, Lee lied and said yes. However, the publisher sensed something was off and told him to read it again. Only then did Lee realize that that word referred not to rain but to a solitary tomb weathered by time and war. He redesigned the character with a sense of erosion and wear, creating Korea's first-ever calligraphic book title. The novel became a bestseller and other publishers began flooding him with inquiries. Lee also targeted the film industry, believing that calligraphic movie titles could make Korean films more distinctive, especially for international markets. His early projects included 'Arahan and Blood Rain,' but his major breakthrough came with hit gambling movie 'Tazza: The High Rollers,' starring Cho Seung-woo and Kim Hye-soo. To truly capture the essence of the gambling world, he went undercover at a gambling house, where people played hwatu, a Korean card game. Observing the players, he studied their mannerisms. Back in his studio, he played the game with his colleagues. When he thought he had a winning card, his associate attempted to take all stakes – 100 won coins – thinking he had won. At that moment, Lee grabbed the associate's hand and slammed his card down with full confidence. Feeling the rush of the moment, he immediately picked up a brush and painted the movie title, which became the poster for the film which attracted 5.6 million viewership. Expanding legacy Over the past two decades, Lee has worked on more than 10,000 projects across industries, collaborating with major brands in the music, food, beverage, film, publishing, automotive and electronics sectors. He has even performed live calligraphy demonstrations in New York's Times Square and Australia. Despite his success, his transition from seoye to calligraphy was met with resistance. Traditional seoye masters, who once praised him, labeled him an outcast for commercializing the art form. But Lee remains steadfast in his belief that popularization is essential. 'For seoye to thrive, it must be recognized by the public,' he said. 'If it remains an exclusive domain, no young people will continue the tradition.' Today, calligraphy has become a familiar cultural element in Korea. 'Now, almost everyone has heard of calligraphy. More people are picking up brushes and eventually, they will come to appreciate its depth.' As he enters his 50s, Lee sees a new generation embracing calligraphy. 'I believe the market for seoye as a modern and mass art form has opened.' And his ultimate dream? 'On Hangeul Day, I want to wrap Korean Air planes with my calligraphy of 'Arirang' and send them flying around the world. I would love to perform calligraphy on the runway before takeoff. I believe this dream will come true.' shinjh@
