My name is Bang Yongguk. I promoted under the name Jepp Blackman in the underground scene.
I was born on March 31, 1990. I have an older brother and a sister 6 years older.
It was revealed before that I was from Leejakdo, but I was actually born in Incheon. Leejakdo was where I lived in briefly before when I was younger and I moved back to Incheon, then moved to Seoul in middle school. I honestly don’t have much memories of Leejakdo haha.
My original dream wasn’t becoming a mainstream artist. But in seeing seniors such as Supreme Team and Dynamic Duo reach out to the public, it made me think of how I wanted to work in that area.
When I appeared on MBC’s “Lululala” of , what I said will be ‘edited out’ really was. (Himchan: He knows exactly what parts will be edited out). I just am alert on things like that heuheu. In being a fixed member on a variety show, I was surely able to learn a lot of things.
The reason why Himchan is always ‘picked on’ is because when the dongsengs try to joke with me, I can’t really take their jokes. (Himchan: And if you did, I feel that the atmosphere would drop negatively haha). It’s because Himchan is the member out of the 6 of us that has good reactions or says funny things so he’s fun to be around.
We sleep altogether in one room with 3 bunk beds in our dorm. I don’t necessarily have complaints in sleeping in the bottom bunk bed but there are times I would like to sleep on the top bunk. (Daehyun: That’s why we’ve tried switching a few times). 
I’ve had fun using Busan saturi lately. Daehyun doesn’t normally use saturi but when we ask him from time to time to share it with us, he does and it’s really funny. That’s why when I call Jongup, I don’t just say “Jongup!” but I call for him like “Moon~Jong↘Up↗ee!” 
Last year, I watched a movie called “World Invasion” with Himchan but I don’t remember it. (Himchan: He said we had to watch it but he fell asleep). When I saw the trailer, I don’t it was a Sci-Fi movie but seeing it, it was actually a movie praising the American Navy. After realizing that, I thought, “It’s better to sleep than watch this” so I ended up sleeping. Hrm hrm. I usually don’t prefer movies praising something.
Instead of Korean baseball, I like the American major league, especially the Texas Rangers! My favorite baseball player is the batter Mark Teixeira and I liked him since he was in the Texas little league. Although he’s tall and a bit on the chubbier end, he’s extremely fast when it comes to running and he has great reflexes. Because he’s the same age group as I am, I’m motivated when thinking “There’s someone in the same age range as me who works that hard.” Of course, it definitely doesn’t mean we’re close friends or anything…
Our goal first off is to invade the international market. People ask us, “Are you going to invade the universe” but I don’t believe we’re at the level to invade the universe just yet haha. First off, we’ll just focus on invading the planet and I want to prove our words once we do achieve it.

Labels: B.A.P, Bang Yong Guk, KPOP

Labels: B.A.P, Himchan, KPOP

My name is Youngjae.
I was born on January 24, 1994. I have one older brother who is 7 years older than I am. Personality wise, my older brother and I are mainly similar.
In our school’s talent show, I sang senior SG Wannabe’s song. Seeing my seniors like it, it made me want to become a singer. Of course, I wasn’t popular then but at the time, when I would come down from the stage…it made me think I became a star. Daehyun, you don’t know things like this, huh?
When I first joined the company, Yongguk hyung was promoting “Crazy” with senior Song Jieun. Honestly, I only saw senior Song Jieun in my eyes and I thought, “That person’s scary” when I saw Yongguk hyung heuheu. In reality, it was hard to approach Yongguk hyung and it took a while for us to get close.
Yongguk hyung isn’t the type to really pay attention to someone if it’s not someone of his interest. He didn’t really pay much attention to me too…hahaha. (Yongguk: No, I did take interest in him but because I’m not good at expressing myself, he probably felt that way). Honestly, Yongguk hyung at the time was only focused on making music then so even in our dorm, he’d be inside the work room. The closer he got with the members is when he started coming out to the living room.
When we first made our signatures, I asked the members and they were all too busy making their own so they didn’t really say much so I debated by myself and eventually made one but I still think it’s a little lacking. Sigh….i feel sorry when fans asked for my signature. I don’t know, it’s as if there’s an empty feeling to it?
Because I do my eye makeup thickly, I’ve found a technique on how to take it off and I’ve divided it into 3 steps. First off, I wash my face with oil, then I wipe it off with a cleansing cotton. After that, I wipe it off again with eye makeup remover and I put a cotton swab in my eye and close it shut. Like this~ like this~ when I rub it, the eyeliner rubs off well.
Because we have the choice to choose the menu for food, Daehyun and I often conflict in what we want. If I wanted to eat Korean food, then Daehyun will say he wants Chinese food, so that’s when we ask the magnaes Zelo and Jongup to decide.
The person who fit the concept for “Warrior” the best is Zelo I think. People would think that he wouldn’t because he’s a cute magnae but I think he was able to portray the inner rebellious image in him.
In order to invade the universe, we have to know what aliens like. I think to them, Jongup will be the most popular to them, no? Because he’s the most alien-like person hehe.

Labels: B.A.P, KPOP, Young Jae

My name is Daehyun.
I was born on June 28, 1993. I have one older brother who is 3 years older than I am. Because my brother has a cold personality, he doesn’t ask about which celebrities I’ve seen as he doesn’t take much interest in that area and just asks how I’ve been doing.
When watching baseball, my father roots for KIA and my mother roots for Lotte so despite liking baseball, I’ve given up because it’s better to just not get involved when it comes to the dilemma between my parents’ favorite teams.
I didn’t have plans of becoming a singer in the beginning, but I was just a kid who likes singing. With that, I began to think, “I should really try learning the basics of singing” so I went to a high school where I can do music and went to small competitions in the city which exhilarated me little by little. I began to get a sense of the fun in standing on stage when I’d see people watch me and clap for me.
I became a member of B.A.P last. I was a trainee as a total of 2 years and training with our group was maybe 7 months? When I first entered, I had Youngjae who was the same age as me and dongsengs too so it wasn’t all that difficult. I think I got close to Jongup especially since I learned dancing from him.
The cleansing method Youngjae spoke of is an idiotic method. I don’t have good skin so I tend to focus on washing a bit more thoroughly. First off, I wipe my make up off with cleansing tissue, then I wash it off with oil as a second cleansing. I wash my face again after that by using the foam from soap and lastly, I finish it off by using skin lotion. Sigh…before my debut, I never imagined the difficulties that makeup would bring.
Recently at a fan signing, a fan said, “Oppa, I brought a piece of candy that’s the size of your body.” I thought she was joking and how she could even find candy that big until I saw for myself as she brought a candy this~ big. I’m so pressured to eat it because I know if I start, I’ll have to finish it. (Bang Yongguk: I don’t think he knows the method of breaking it apart and eating it). I’m afraid it’ll melt haha.
I’m now used to speaking in Seoul dialect, but there are times when I have fun using saturi. When the hyungs aren’t around and I’m wither the dongsengs or Youngjae, it comes out naturally. (Himchan: I think his saturi pops out when he’s overworked about something like not being able to eat). Like if there was something to eat but the dongsengs ate it first, then I would say “You!” rather that “hey, why are you eating this?” (Jongup: He’s gotten a lot better. Before our debut, he’d be outside and when he’d turn on the heater, he’d be like “Ah~ So warm!”). 
When we have free time,, I’d like to go to the beach. Because my hometown is Busan, I always saw the beach but having come up to Seoul, I haven’t seen the beach since. Although my neighborhood was where a baseball stadium was, my academy was near the beach so I always smelled the beach…
One day, I really want to go on a serious talk show. I want to spill stories here and there. (Youngjae: Yoo Youngjae’s Music Friend) (Himchan: The “Oprah Winfrey Show”?). Agh, that’d be an honor.

Labels: B.A.P, Daehyun, KPOP

My name is Zelo. I earned the name from the Greek god Zelos who is the god of rivalry. My real name is Choi Junhong.
I was born on October 15, 1996. I have an older brother of 2 years and my older brother resembles my dad while I resemble my mom. I think we resemble our parents in certain aspects.
When I entered high school this year. Maybe it’s because I haven’t matured but when I see the hyungs, I think often in wanting to hurry and become an adult. (Youngjae: I think you’ve become an adult now though?) But having graduated recently, I think it’s a little more disappointing moving up to a 1st year in high school from a 3rd year in middle school than a 2nd year would move up to being a 3rd year in middle school. (Himchan: You’re becoming an adult). 
When I was in elementary, I wanted to become a soccer player. I would always sweat when running but after having started in music, all that became tedious. From finding choreographies to raps on the computer and trying to follow it, I liked being out there so I would go out to festivals too.
The hyungs chose me as the member who doesn’t wash up well before. In a sense, that’s true but I have a reason for it. being the magnae, I have to wash up last and while waiting for my turn, I can’t fight against my tiredness and so I would fall asleep often. (Himchan: We would wake him up but there are times when he’d just sleep). Ah…I don’t really remember.
In the dorm, I’m in charge of laundry.Not because the hyungs tell me to, but because I’m very sensitive when it comes to clothes stretching out or the wash fading out so I volunteered to take on the position. (Bang Yongguk: Zelo’s clothes never stretch out but ours does…) (Himchan: It’s a doubt, a mystery). .
Despite being 182 cm tall, I’m small for in comparison to my frame and I wish my body would mature a little. I would work out whenever it comes to mind but it’s just a simple push up I’d do in the house. Hrm, maybe 20? Jongup hyung’s body is really good so I get motivated to work out and in order to build my body, I’ve tried other things but it doesn’t last long. Our personal trainer told me that it’s not too late if I start now…
Jongup hyung is a really fun person. He doesn’t seem like it since he looks like he doesn’t joke around and appears innocent with unchanging facial expressions, but he makes everyone burst into laughter just by the cringe of his face. And despite being able to make us laugh, he can hold a masculine and charismatic image on stage so I’m taken aback whenever I see a side to him that is outside of his normal image.
If I was given 24 more hours, I really want to learn composing lyrics. I don’t normally read books and I wish I had time to read books, even if someone set me a set deadline to do so. Also… I want to learn skateboard tricks. Right now, I’m just at the stage of liking skateboarding hehe.

Labels: B.A.P, KPOP, Zelo

Labels: B.A.P, Jong Up, KPOP

Q1. You have to go to a island and can only take three things, what would you bring? 

Jongup: Hmm… Family, Mp3 Oh then along with a solar powered charger, and meat!

Daehyun: (momentarily quiet) Ah! An electronic device like an ipod (we said there is no electricity..) I’m not thinking about that. And something to eat! I like cheesecake so I want to bring that. Water too.

Yongguk: Fire, book, and knife. (Oh! That’s the most realistic answer) What did the other members say? (There was a member that said meat) Ah! Then after the filming I want to go eat meat ^^

Zelo: (with a laugh) We did this in school too. MP3, clothes, and enough food to eat forever.

Youngjae: A lighter, fishing pole (Fishing??) Yes so I can catch fish and eat it! And an axe. I need it to build a house.

Himchan: (immediately) Guitar, a camera since I like to take pictures. (gets into a selca post ke ke) and sound system. I’m sure I’ll be able to work out the food situation somehow.

Q2. You guys live in a dorm together. What is something that you want to tell another member of your group?

Jongup: Um… (so that the other members don’t hear) I want to say something to Himchan. You’re in charge of emptying the trash but your timing for throwing it out gets slower each time.

Daehyun: (momentarily quiet) I want to say something to Youngjae who is the same age as me. At first we were rivals but when I look back on it, it was fun and now as group members, we are helping out as hyung and dongseng! Let’s keep being friendly with each other in the future. (we expected you to have a problem with him.) Oh really?

Yongguk: To Himchan! I’d like it if you could work a little harder to support me more. He’s the same age as me so he’s one of the big hyungs but should I say he’s a little bit weaker than I am.. There are times when you act like a dongseng so I wish you could act more mature and lead the dongsengs~ Himchan is effeminate and delicate and in contrast, I have a manly personality so we fight and sometimes it seems like a couple fight ^^

Zelo: (he peeks over at the other members in the middle of the shooting) I want to say this to everyone! I’m in charge of doing laundry. I, the maknae, work hard every night to do our laundry. This is a request, please give me your laundry before showering~ I am the type to take special care of clothes so I’d like it if they didn’t neglect their clothes.

Youngjae: Hmm.. to Zelo. I want to tell him to wake up properly in the morning. (He can’t wake up well??) Yes and his sleep talking is serious~~

Himchan: To our maknae, Zelo! Stop talking in your sleep! I don’t know what you’re saying but… there are three bunk beds in the dorm and we all sleep in the same room.

Labels: B.A.P, KPOP

The six blond boys walk into the studio. With a brief and broad introduction, they line up and pose in going straight into the photo shoot. With their thick eyeliner strengthening their gazes and their cringing facial expressions to their hip hop outfits messily sprayed with paint, the lyrics to their debut song Warrior in which we quote, “Warrior. Lose yourself under the sun and ignite the fire in my heart,” they still hold their rough and strong image like they would have on stage. However, all of these are just the tasks needed for work. When we whispered into the ears of their manager and stylist that “We’ll go out to eat some meat when the interview ends,” their faces rapidly lit up. Their fierceness dissipated and what’s only left is the innocent boys who become excited over food, leaving B.A.P disarmed.

Although they look like a uniform army on stage, they’re “good kids” if you get rid of all the disguises. Although Bang Yongguk holds the weight of being the “most difficult to approach because he’s scary” as he promoted in the underground scene, he holds the personality that embarrasses himself when he continues to talk slowly in his low voice that when he becomes tongue tied, you’ll wonder, “What is he talking about?” Meanwhile, the reason why he was so overreacting in the first & second episode of MTV’s reality program “Ta-Dah! It’s B.A.P” is because he felt that since the other members didn’t have a set character, he had to do something to save the show since he’s the leader and is accountable to take responsibility. On the other hand, Himchan, who is the same age as him, spoke out about the “picking on Himchan” game where all the members make fun of him as he said, “There’s no set timing for it!” as he is often taken by surprise and smiled when saying, “It’s okay because my personality’s very cheery.” If the youngest member Zelo was drinking banana juice and spilled, the member who would run up and wipe it off with a tissue is also Himchan. While Youngjae says that “If I was given free time, I’d like to practice,” Daehyun counters his answer by saying, “Those who don’t practice only says things like that. As for me, I’d go see the beach,” showcasing how they’re a perfect match. The youngest members share their true sides outside from what we see, with Zelo who nibbles on his snacks with his pale face and stutters when it’s his turn to speak to Jongup who just smiles without a word because his personality’s very reserved.

Because they don’t have big disagreements, they tend to match well with one another and B.A.P looks as if they’re a band of close brothers who share the same blood. When Daehyun, who is from Busan, shares his saturi, the other members all laugh out loud with “Wahahahahaha!!” and all take turns imitating each phrase while they also share that they don’t have any complaints about their designated roles in their dorm which makes us think of how innocent and pliant they are. Instead of an “invasion of the universe,” they still want others to perk their ears at their stories. We don’t need to measure the temperature of their passion to know that by just looking at their faces, a set of charming boys exist. “We don’t want to copy others, but become someone who shows their true selves.” (Zelo). Thankfully, B.A.P already knows this fact.

Labels: B.A.P, KPOP

Labels: B.A.P, Bang Yong Guk, KPOP

Labels: B.A.P, Himchan, KPOP

Daehyun

Q3. tell us how you got started/got a chance to become a singer.

Since my childhood, I always longed to become a singer when I was watching TV. When deciding on my course for high school, as I thought I wanted to aim to become a singer, thus I enrolled in practical music department. After that, I entered a music academy, while entering the music academy, I entered and passed B.A.P’s audition. Although I had been practicing at the academy, after entering the company, it took about 6 months before my debut. I was the last one to join in. Before debut I had lots to do, that is why I want to try/give my hardest. I do not have free time because of difficulty or pain/bitterness.

Q4. if b.a.p were a family, what would be your role? (I think this also been translated before)

I am oldest son. Himchan hyung is the mom and Yongguk hyung is the dad. Then in age wise, I am the oldest son but I would give an impression of being the middle son? (Interviewer: Youngjae persistently called himself the mom, laugh) That really isn’t right. Yongjae is definitely effeminate and delicate but…. I don’t think it’s enough to call him the mom (laugh).

Q5. What did you feel when other members had individual activities before debut?

I am not jealous (laugh). They work as a prelude of the team, therefore I cheered hard for them. If I were to have individual activities, I would like to have a duet with a female vocal. I was also practicing duet when I was at the academy and because I also found that it’s interesting, that’s why I would like to try it out.

Labels: B.A.P, Daehyun, KPOP

Youngjae

Q3. Tell us how you got started/got a chance to become a singer?

During my school trip, there was a talent showcase, at that time I sang on stage, when the cheers from my friends were amazing, it does felt scared. It’s an opportunity. I thought to become a singer in order to stand on stage as a dream to become a profession. Dreaming of becoming a singer, I started studying music and became more and more attracted to music. I love and have passion for music, and become a member of B.A.P. At first, I have prepared around 1 year at another company, when debuting was considerably hard, I got to talk with the present company(TS), in the current company, it took approximately 1 year to debut. During the time of practice, there wasn’t anything which was especially tough. Rather, to become a pro, I thought that I should be equipped with appropriate skills and personality. I feel such pressure called “I need to have the responsibility”.

Q4. What are your weak points and shortcomings?

Weak points? Hmm… I don’t have any week points (interviewer: Oh! Clapping hand together!). Shortcomings, hmm… a little shy.

Q5. If B.A.P were a family, what would be your role? (I think this has been translated before but I still translate)

Himchan hyung will probably said he is the mom, but I’m the mom. Himchan hyung is the naughty/mischievous mangnae (laugh). Yongguk hyung is the dad and I’m the mom. Daehyun is the oldest son, Jongup and Zelo are the mangnaes. Himchan hyung is the maknae that still doesn’t have a good head on his shoulder (laugh). I take care of everyone.

Labels: B.A.P, KPOP, Young Jae

Jongup

Q3. Tell us how you got started/got a chance to become a singer?

During 1st year of junior high school, I started dancing as a hobby. Although I started dancing with a carefree/comfortable feeling because I love it, eventually, I also took part in my favourite tournament/competition. By standing on the stage, I felt the charm of the stage and chosen this road. Now I passed into an art high school. As for trainee period, I have trained about 1 and a half year in this company.

Q4. If B.A.P were a family, what would be your role?

The second youngest son. According to the age order of the members (laugh).

Q5. What did you feel when other members had individual activities before debut?

During Zelo’s activities, I was impressed and happy because he was doing so well although he was still a kid/child. To start activity together with such members as B.A.P, it feels great and full of anticipation.

Labels: B.A.P, Jong Up, KPOP

ZELO

Q3. Tell us how you got started/got a chance to become a singer?

When i was young, i would go home and practice beat boxing and dancing in front of my mom’s dresser by myself. One day, there was a cable tv show filming in my neighborhood. My friend was able to go and after negotiations, i was able to go. After school, i dropped off my bag, didn’t say anything and left. My mom wore sunglasses and secretly followed me, watching me rap and dance on stage. It was after that she let me. I started rapping, beatboxing and dancing in 5th grade of elementary school. After a year, i was able to debut. (Interviewer: you can see videos of zelo in elementary school on youtube!) Back then, i had chubby cheeks.

Q4. What are your strong points and weak points? 

My strong point is although i’m young, i can handle various things. I can also play instruments. My bad point is that i have really bad sleeptalking. Yes, i have a conscious.

Q5. If B.A.P were a family, what would be your role?

I would be the cute and pure maknaehe maknae who gets the most love from his hyungs.

Labels: B.A.P, KPOP, Zelo

Labels: KPOP, SHINee

Japan's "Anti Kim Taehee" movement continues to be on the rise and the level of strike against her is shocking some. The SBS show "We Want To Know" investigated the "Anti Korean movement" and also focused on the hate on actress Kim Taehee.

Recently, Kim Taehee's autograph session and commercial event for a pharmaceutical company were cancelled due to heavy criticisms and threats online. Activists in Japan reportedly went on strike and rallied against the company that hired Kim Taehee as the model.

On the said broadcast of SBS "We Want To Know," Japanese activists were heard chanting "Anti-Japanese actress Kim Taehee shouldn't come to Japan!" along with "Cancel her model contract" and "Anti-Japan shouldn't be active in Japan," while some were heard shouting "We will kill her if she comes!" 

Previously, Kim Taehee appeared in the Japanese drama "Me and My Star's 99 Days," but received online hate and criticisms after Japanese netizens found out that she is an advocate on the fight for Dokdo Island as Korean territory. In October 2011, Japanese netizens organized an anti-Korean protest in the country and voiced out their hate for the actress.

Meanwhile, Kim Taehee's agency also sent a statement about the issue and revealed that, "The rightists movement has become more aggressive with the aim of wanting to turn around the nation's instability after the nuclear accident." 

Labels: KPOP, text

Labels: KPOP, SHINee, Taemin

Big Bang's G-Dragon is reported to have collaborated with international hip-hop artist Ludacris for his upcoming solo album. A representative from YG Entertainment confirmed the news today after stating that G-Dragon met with Ludacris during his visit in South Korea last September, and the latter signed an agreement with YG Entertainment.

The official further revealed that, "G-Dragon wrote the rap lyrics for the song and Ludacris finished his part late last year. G-Dragon's album is scheduled to hit stores this summer though the release date may change depending on the progress."

G-Dragon launched his solo career in August 2009 with the release of his first album "Heartbreaker", which was then followed by a live concert album "Shine A Light" in March 2010. Currently, G-Dragon joins the rest of Big Bang as they continue promotions for their fifth mini-album "Alive."

Labels: Big Bang, G-Dragon, KPOP, text

SHINee's comeback is getting closer as SM Entertainment has revealed yet another teaser for "Sherlock" earlier today. This time, the teaser came in the form of full group picture!


Teaser pictures for Minho, Taemin, Onew, Key and Jonghyun were already revealed earlier this month, making fans anticipate the group's comeback even more.


It was also revealed that the title song "Sherlock" is a hybrid remix that mixes two independent songs, "Clue" and "Note", as one. While "Clue" is a song of reasoning, "Note" is a song of emotional intuition.


"Sherlock" is set to be released digitally on March 19th, while its physical release is for March 21st. It'll be available for international fans through iTunes.

Labels: KPOP, SHINee, text