G-Dragon, Tablo, and Dok2 are on fire?

Rappers G-Dragon, Tablo, and Dok2 recently posed together as a hip hop group.

Dok2 shared on his Twitter on the 4th, “Catch on fire,” then later tweeted, “We really are on fire,” along with the photos above.

The photos reveal G-Dragon in the studio with Dok2 and Tablo, who are the co-producers for “Catch Me On Fire“, a track off G-Dragon’s latest album. Fans and netizens also noticed two flames on the fingers of G-Dragon eluding to an explicit message.

They commented, “Their energy is legit,” “G-Dragon wore a cute outfit,” and “I can’t wait to hear Tablo and Dok2′s production.”

G-Dragon will be releasing his second solo album, ‘One Of A Kind‘, on September 15th.

Source + Image(s): Dok2‘s Twitter

Tablo shares a late night photo in the studio with Mithra Jin

The members of Epik High are hard at work preparing for their comeback in September under YG Entertainment.

On August 26th (KST), member Tablo shared the above photo of himself and Mithra Jin in the studio, working late into the night. He also wrote, “Although I have a clock I have no awareness of time in the studio“.

This will be Epik High’s first comeback after three long years. DJ Tukutz and Mithra Jin served their mandatory military service while Tablo fought false claims over his education. Tablo most recently released the two parts of his solo album ‘Fever’s End‘ this past October and November.

Are you excited for Epik High’s comeback?

Source & Image: Tablo’s Twitter

Tip: cloudassembly

Epik High to return this September

After three years, hip hop group Epik High will finally be making a comeback this September!

YG Entertainment announced on July 25th, “Epik High and YG have settled on a contract and are announcing a new album. We have already finished recording and plan to release the album this September.”

It’s been three years since Epik High released their 6th album, ‘e‘, in September of 2009. The group went through a long hiatus due to false claims concerning Tablo‘s education, as well as DJ Tukutz and Mithra Jin‘s military service.

Last September, Tablo signed with YG Entertainment and released his first solo album, ‘Fever’s End‘. DJ Tukutz and Mithra Jin are reportedly planning to sign exclusive contracts with YG as well.

YG Entertainment stated, “We will do everything we can to help the members, who’ve gone through difficult times, create even better music.”

Source + Image: Yonhap News via Naver

Tajinyo members submit a request for appeal

Three members of Tajinyo, a group that made malicious claims against the validity of Tablo‘s degree from Stanford University have submitted an appeal to fight the ruling they received earlier this month.

According to Seoul Central District Court, Tajinyo member ‘Park’ who received a prison sentence recently submitted a petition to appeal the case on July 10th. The other two sentenced individuals ‘Lee’ and ‘Won’ then followed suit on July 11th and 12th, while two more individuals also submitted their respective appeal petitions through a law firm.

Thus, it looks like the legal battle between Tablo and Tajinyo isn’t over quite just yet.

Ahead of this, on July 6th, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Park and one other member of ‘Tajinyo’ with 10 months of jail time, as well as suspended sentences to six other members under charges of violating laws concerning information protection.

Source & Image: MyDaily via Nate

Two members of Tanjinyo sentenced to prison

Two members of Tajinyo, a group that’s been making malicious claims about the validity of Tablo‘s degree from Stanford University, have been sentenced to prison.

‘Won’ and ‘Lee’ were sentenced to 10-month prison terms for defaming the rapper at Seoul Central District Court on July 6, 10AM KST. Six other members of the group were given 8-10 months in prison, suspended for 2 years.

Judge Kwak Yoon Kyung stated, “The public is free to express their interest in celebrities, and celebrities must handle it to some extent. However, the two went over the threshold of simple comments into continuous, malicious slander against Tablo and his family.”

He went on, “Though Tablo had submitted sufficient evidence, they didn’t believe it and claimed it was the work of hackers and middlemen; the malicious comments did not stop. The two persons [are guilty] of defamation of character against Tablo and his family, and they even insisted that the evidence was fabricated. Because they did not apologize or reflect [on their actions], they were sentenced.”

Source: Osen

YG Global Audition Reminder!

YG Entertainment, famous for producing and housing many of Korea’s top stars, such as Se7en, Big Bang, 2NE1, PSY, Tablo, and Gummy, is looking to expand their ‘YG Family‘ with their latest 2012 ‘YG Global Audition‘.

For this year, the agency will be holding auditions all over the globe including United Kingdom, Germany, United States, Canada, and Japan.

After Europe is North America, and deadlines are fast approaching! Application deadline for North America is June 27th, 2012 (Wednesday) and you can send the application to usacanada@ygmail.net.

So what are you waiting for, will you be the newest addition to the YG Family?

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The audition dates and locations are as follows:

-June 16th 2012: London, United Kingdom

-June 23rd 2012: Berlin, Germany

-July 7th 2012: New York, United States

-July 11th 2012: Toronto, Canada

-July 14th 2012: Seattle, United States

-July 21st 2012: Los Angeles, United States

-August 24th 2012: Tokyo, Japan

-August 26th 2012: Osaka, Japan

Auditions are open to those in the age bracket of 11 – 19 and there is no application fee. For more specific information, details can be found at www.yg-audition.com.

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How to apply:

-Download the form yg-audition.com here.

-Send the application to Europe (euro@ygmail.net) or United States and Canda (uscanada@ygmail.net)

(Details on YG Japan auditions will be announced soon. More information can be found here.)

Epik High’s Tablo and wife Kang Hye Jung go on a movie date

Famous celebrity couple Tablo and Kang Hye Jung were spotted at the VIP advanced screening for the movie ‘MissGO‘ on June 13th.

After many months of suffering harassment from Tajinyo, the happily married couple confidently stepped out in public hand in hand.

In related news, the movie ‘MissGO’ is set to be released in theaters on June 21st. The movie tells the story of a timid woman with sociophobia who somehow gets swept up in the middle of Korea’s biggest crime, and later becomes one of Korea’s biggest criminal queens.

Check out a few photos of Tablo and Kang Hye Jung below!

Source: Newsen via Nate

[Images credited as tagged.]

Tablo withdraws lawsuits against two of the members of Tajinyo

Tablo revealed that he will be withdrawing his lawsuit against two of the members from Tajinyo (We Demand the Truth from Tablo).

On May 18th, the 6th trial on the lawsuit for defamation of character against the eleven members of Tajinyo took place at the Seoul Central District Court.

This day, Tablo revealed that he would be withdrawing his lawsuits against two out of the eleven members as their outcries were relatively weak compared to the others, and that their attacks were not at his family.

The prosecutor further explained the reason Tablo dropped the charges saying, “What the plaintiff wants is not punishment, but a declaration of the truth from the court which has the public’s confidence.”

As for the remaining nine, the prosecutor stated that the original lawsuit against them will be modified by the addition of contempt charges on the existing lawsuit.

Netizens were moved by Tablo’s fair actions and commented saying, “He really has a warm heart“, “This is why is like Tablo“, and “If it was me I would have just continued to charge all of them.”

Source & Image: Xports News via Nate

Epik High’s DJ Tukutz updates with a recent photo of Mithra

Hip hop group Epik High‘s DJ Tukutz updated fans via Twitter with a recent photo of fellow member Mithra Jin.

On May 14th, DJ Tukutz congratulated Mithra Jin on his release from the military tweeting, “Congratulations on your release Mithra Jin!” and attachd the photo above.

Mithra Jin enlisted in the military after promoting Epik High’s album ‘Epilogue‘ back in August of 2010 and was discharged on May 14th. The photo shows the rapper posing in between Tablo and hip hop group TBNY‘s Yankie. Fans, in particular, have noticed a slimmer Mithra Jin compared to when he enlisted.

They commented, “Congratulations on your release!“, “Epik High, please unite and make a comeback soon“, “He lost a lot of weight“, and more.

Source: DJ Tukutz’s Twitter

Who do middle school students want as their math and English teachers?

Middle school students voted on who they wanted as their math and English teachers.

Educational specialists IVYTZ held a survey from April 26th to May 6th in which a total of 1,615 middle school students participated. The results showed that Big Bang‘s T.O.P was selected as the most wanted English teacher with 562 votes (34.8%) and Yoo Jae Suk was selected as the most wanted math teacher with 426 votes (26.4%).

Out of the students who voted for T.O.P, 309 of them (61.3%) said they chose him because they thought that they would be more focused in class due to his charismatic appeal and perfect English rap skills. Following behind T.O.P was figure skater Yuna Kim with 184 votes (11.4%). She showed off her fluent English presentation skills at the Pyeongchang Olympics Promotional Event.

In third place was Girls’ Generation‘s Tiffany with 160 votes (9.9%). Fourth, fifth, and sixth place were taken by gagman Kim Young Chul (7.9%, 128 votes), Thai prince 2PM‘s Nichkhun (7.9%, 127 votes), and gagman Jung Bum Gyun (7.8%, 126 votes) respectively.

Now, who did students want to teach them the ever so difficult and frustrating subject of mathematics?

It was none other than Yoo Jae Suk, who claimed the number one spot with 426 votes (26.4%). 284 of the voters (66.7%) said their reason for their answer was that they thought he would be able to explain difficult math concepts in a easy manner with his friendly image and clever use of words.

In second place was actress Kim Tae Hee with 292 votes (18.1%). It seems that the fact that she was the top student for all 3 years at her high school, and that she was a Seoul University graduate made her a sensible choice.

In third place was “The Moon That Embraces the Sun” actor Kim Soo Hyun with 282 votes (17.5%). Lee Seung Gi,who was once the student body president, came in 4th with 233 votes (14.4%).

Consecutive International Math World Cup winner talent Kim Jung Hoon (76 votes, 4.7%), J.Y. Park (56 votes, 3.5%), and Stanford graduate Tablo (56 votes, 3.6%) followed behind.

Who would you want as teachers in your school?

Source: TV Report via Nate

WIRED reports on false rumors surrounding Tablo’s college degree

A full investigation of Tablo‘s infamous Stanford degree controversy conducted by Joshua Davis, a fellow Stanford alumni, was featured on the latest issue of WIRED Magazine.

After conducting extensive research and interviews, Davis wrote, “He actually did graduate from Stanford in three and a half years with two degrees. His GPA had been in the top 15 percent of his undergraduate class. The evidence marshaled against him was false.” Davis goes on to further investigate the reasons behind how this alleged diploma falsification led to a full-fledged backlash.

In May of 2010, Tablo’s anti-fan club, TaJinYo (an abbreviation in Korean for “Tell the Truth, Tablo”), was created and defamed Tablo with accusations “of stealing someone’s identity, dodging the draft, and faking passports, diplomas, and transcripts.” After in-depth interviews with several members of TaeJinYo, Davis reveals new details including how the forum’s allegations were further fueled by the old posts of a blogger who claimed to be Tablo’s cousin.

The investigation reveals an inside look into the controversy through Davis’ conversations with Tablo himself, and lists all of the evidence in great detail, which further confirms Tablo’s innocence. The article is currently receiving much attention among fans and anti-fans alike.

After overcoming many obstacles, his new album ‘Fever’s End‘ rose to the top of the charts in Korea and overseas. It reached number 2 on the Billboard World Albums chart, and hit number 1 on the iTunes hip hop charts in the US and Canada. It no longer seemed to matter where Lee had gone to school. The music spoke for itself.

For more details on the investigation of Tablo’s Stanford degree controversy, check out the article here.

Source: WIRED

Tip: Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Tablo thanks fans for their support during his father’s passing

Epik High‘s Tablo recently took to his Twitter to express his feelings on the passing of his father late last month.

On April 26th, he wrote, “Today marks a month since my father passed away. I’d like to genuinely thank you for your condolences and warm hearts.”

He changed his Twitter display picture to that of him and his father, leading netizens to comment, “We hope he rests in peace”, and “Please find strength.”

As previously reported, Tablo’s father passed away on the morning of March 26th. His ceremony was attended by countless friends and celebrities, as well as several messages online.

Source + Photos: Tablo’s Official Twitter

Tablo’s wife wants him to be more like Psy

On the latest episode of SBS‘s ‘Strong Heart‘, rapper, Tablo shared a funny side of his wife, Kang Hye Jung.

On the ‘YG Family Special’, Tablo playfully revealed that his wife constantly compares him to singer Psy.  ”Other wives tell their husbands to be more like Won Bin, but I get compared to Psy hyung“, he said, during the recording.

Tablo revealed that whenever his wife listens to Psy’s rap, she says, “This is what I’m talking about.  Rap should be like this“, and when she sees Psy’s performance, “This is what you call powerful, power!”

The set cracked up when Tablo concluded, “I’m starting to wonder if I should become more like Psy.  I find myself forcing myself to hang out with him, and sometimes my wife pressures me to do so as well.”

Source + Photos: TV Report via Nate

Tablo’s father passes away

Rapper Tablo‘s father has unfortunately passed away on March 26th.

A representative of YG Entertainment revealed, “Tablo’s father Lee Gwang Boo passed away after suffering from a chronic disease on the morning of March 26th.”

Tablo is currently standing at his wake in tears with wife Kang Hye Jung at a funeral parlor in the Samsung Hospital in Seoul.  The coffin will be borne out on March 28th.

May he rest in peace, and we hope that Tablo and his friends and family find the strength to make it through this difficult time.

Source + Photos: Mydaily via Naver

Court trial between Tablo and Tajinyo delayed again due to lack of proof documents

 

The court trial between Tablo and organization Tajinyo (“We Demand the Truth from Tablo”) lasted for only 10 minutes and has been delayed once again until the month of May, due to lack of proof documents for Tablo’s side. ‘Tajinyo’ was created after certain netizens began to question the legitimacy of Tablo’s academic background in Stanford University.

On March 16th, the trial to sue 12 members of Tajinyo for criminal discrimination against Tablo ended rapidly in the Seoul Central District Court. On this day the trial department claimed that the “proof documents for Tablo requested from overseas has still not arrived yet“ and that “the trial will be resumed in two months time“. Documents such as the Stanford University acceptance letter, diploma, and other related evidence have still not arrived yet for the defendant (Tablo). The next court trial is now scheduled to be on May 18th.

 

Source: Star News via Nate
Photo: NEWSis

Tablo to make his first variety show appearance since controversy

Singer Tablo will be making his first variety show appearance in 2 years.

SBS ‘Strong Heart‘ PD Park Sang Hyuk informed Newsen on February 29th, “Tablo will be featuring on the YG special on March 15th. All the YG artists will be in attendance for the filming.”

The fact that the episode will be a YG special is enough to garner more attention, but this episode is especially noteworthy as it will be Tablo’s first variety show appearance since his controversy.

In 2010, Tablo’s college credentials were being questioned and some doubt arose of his graduation from Stanford University. Following the rumors that suggested he received a fake college degree, Tablo quietly left the entertainment scene and went through what he calls the most difficult period of his life.

After proving his graduation and clearing his good name, he signed on with his wife Kang Hae Jung‘s label YG Entertainment and released his first solo album ‘Fever’s End‘ last October and stood on stage at SBS ‘Inkigayo‘.

Tablo chose ‘Strong Heart’ for his variety program appearance after his comeback, as he was invited to be a guest on the very first episode of ‘Strong Heart’.

Interestingly enough, the episode will be bittersweet as it will also be MC Lee Seung Gi‘s last shoot. Lee Seung Gi will be leaving his ‘Strong Heart’ post to focus on his new MBC drama, ‘The King 2 Hearts‘.

Source & Image: Newsen via Nate

Nine Muses releases tabloid themed image teaser

A teaser image featuring Nine Muses‘ new eighth member Kyung Li left quite the impression yesterday, and the girls are ready to make another move with the release of another teaser image!

Kyung Li is still looking a bit scruffed up with smudged make up and all, but the new teaser gives some insight as to what happened with a tabloid themed layout in English alluding to a celebrity scandal.

Star Empire explained, “It’s a fictional teaser so we hope that people are able to come up with a variety of interpretations of it. We thought of going with a teaser like this to properly show what the feel of their comeback song will be like. The true concept will be shown in their music video teaser.”

Nine Muses will make their comeback on January 11th.

Source + Photos: Sports World via Naver

Tablo on YG Entertainment: “They’re like my family”

On November 15th, rapper Tablo expressed his thoughts on the welcoming atmosphere of his new agency, YG Entertainment.

Tablo guested on a special episode of KBS Joy’s “Lee Sora’s Second Project” this week, where he revealed, “My wife Kang Hye Jung is signed under YG. In a sense, they’re like my real family. There is a huge difference between the surface image of YG and what it’s really like on the inside.”

He continued, “From the outside, there was a sense of coldness because all the artists have so much charisma. I thought it’d be hard to approach them, but they’re all actually very warm and fun. I’m the maknae right now, but YG has been so good to me that I’m adjusting well.”

During the show, Tablo also performed numerous tracks including “Tomorrow” alongside Big Bang‘s Taeyang.

Source: My Daily via Naver

Tablo thanks his wife with his lyrics

Tablo expressed his gratitude towards his wife Kang Hye Jung in his song, “From the Bottom“.

The singer wrote via his Twitter page on the 9th, “Tablo, from the bottom” and shared a photo.

The shared photo is a snapshot of the lyrics to the song “From the Bottom” in which he expresses his apologetic heart towards his family. The lyrics,”I didn’t become your better half because I wanted you to share half my misfortune“, seems to be directed to his wife.

He expresses his guilt for hurting his family with the words, “It hurts my heart every time you laugh, you who happened to meet me when I had already hit rock bottom. I feel guilty and responsible. Every day I wake up and I see how much you’re changing, it makes me think about how I’m still in the same exact place you found me. I’m sorry. I’ve told you a few thousand times and I’ll say it again. I’m sorry.”

Netizens who read Tablo’s lyrics remarked, “His gratitude and sorrowful heart has been conveyed“, “I support you. Think positive thoughts, and positive change will take place“, and “Now that you have a loving family, your wounds will begin to heal.”

Source & Image: Newsen via Nate

Tablo to make an appearance on Lee Sora’s music program

Singer Tablo who has recently made his comeback with a solo album will be featuring on the November 9th edition of KBS Joy’s Music Program, ‘Lee Sora’s Second Proposal‘. This will be the second publicly broadcasted program he will be featuring on since his comeback performance on SBS Inkigayo.

Veteran singer Lee Sora and Tablo have built a good professional relationship over the years; Lee Sora even making a feature on “House“, a track on Tablo’s new ‘Fever’s End‘ album. And although Tablo did not plan on making appearances on music programs, he has changed his mind after receiving explosive reaction from his fans.

Tablo who has been dealing with certain people unnecessarily questioning his academic achievements has made his comeback into the music industry after a year and six months. “I’m just so glad and thankful that I’m able to produce music again,” he said.

He named his album ‘Fever’s End’, meaning that the pain always hurts the most right before it’s over, and the hurt he was feeling only meant that it would all be over soon. Tablo filled his new album with songs whose lyrics express the pain he felt during his most difficult times.

Fans were able to relate to his song “Airbag“. The warm acoustic sounds and the impressive lyrics paired with Tablo’s unique rap style and Naul’s vocals make it pleasing to the ears. The song achieved an all-kill on all major music sites as soon as it was released.

Source & Image : MoneyToday StarNews via Nate