DSP Media issues apology over recent handicap parking controversy involving KARA

There’s been much controversy after DSP Media girl group KARA‘s van was spotted parked in a handicap zone. With the uproar that this has caused, the agency has issued an apology through KARA’s official website on August 28th KST.

DSP Media stated, “After speaking with the manager who drove the car and investigating the circumstances, we found out that the two vehicles KARA and their staff rode on August 25th stopped at a [rest stop] and was parked in a handicap spot for about 15 minutes.”

They continued, “We would like to offer our sincerest apologies to anyone we might have inconvenienced at the time and also apologize to KARA’s fans. We will make sure that this type of unfortunate incident does not happen again in the future.”

The apology came after several reports detailing eyewitness accounts of the incident surfaced. Alleged witnesses stated that the staff and the girls had parked in the handicap spots as there were no regular parking spots available and did not seem to be too concerned about having parked in an area specifically reserved for handicapped individuals, even though they were asked to leave, as the girls were spotted leisurely snacking and taking bathroom trips.

Source: Joy News via Naver, Newsis, Sports Khan, Herald

KARA releases a new teaser image via their official homepage

The ladies of KARA who will be making a comeback on August 22nd have released a new image that’s evoking curiosity amongst their fans.

KARA’s agency DSP Media released the teaser image (seen above) on the girls’ official homepage.

The girls’ comeback date of August 22nd was written on the mysterious cube with a question mark, and fans are eager to know if it has anything to do with KARA’s new concept.

DSP Media reported, “This is KARA’s first Korean comeback in a year, and the fans are expressing their high expectations on the girls’ fan club community board as well as others.”

In related news, KARA will be kicking off their new promotions holding a showcase on August 22nd to commemorate their fifth mini-album.

What do you think the glowing cube represents?

Source & Image: MoneyToday StarNews via Nate

KARA to hold comeback showcase at the Seoul Walkerhill Hotel

Popular girl group KARA is planning to make an electrifying comeback through an upcoming showcase.

At 7 P.M. KST on the 22nd, the girl group will hold a showcase in celebration of their 5th album, at the Seoul Walkerhill Hotel.

According to DSP Media, KARA plans to focus on activities in Korea for this upcoming album. A representative stated, “Kara has been preparing for the album between going back and forth from Korea to overseas. The members will showcase a more mature charm through the new album. With the album’s release coming this month, KARA will devote themselves to promoting in Korea.”

Are you excited for KARA’s new transformation? Let us know in the comments below.

Source + Image: Sports Chosun via Naver

KARA to come back with a new mini album at the end of August

KARA is set to make a comeback to the K-Pop scene at the end of August, and the news has left fans anticipating the girls’ new sound as well as their concept this time around.

DSP Media revealed on August 3rd, “KARA plans to make a comeback this month with their 5th mini album. After finishing their promotional activities for their 3rd official album, ‘STEP’, last year, the members have been busy performing overseas and conducting their individual activities. But they are now coming back to the Korean stage after one year and are aiming to reach the top of the Korean music scene again.”

Although no further details were revealed, the representatives stated that the members will be returning with a more matured image. “KARA worked hard to prepare for their Korean comeback. They are set to conduct their promotional activities in Korea for a while at the time of their album release. Especially through this album, the members are aiming to show you their matured charms.”

KARA is reported to be in the last stages of their album and once finished, they will decide on the title track as well as the final concept.

Source + image: Star News via Nate

PURETTY holds their first official performance at the ‘Tokyo Toy Show 2012′ in Japan

DSP Media‘s new girl group ‘PURETTY‘ is already receiving attention from the Japanese media.

PURETTY attended the ‘Tokyo Toy Show 2012‘, which was held for three days starting on the 15th at the Tokyo Big Sight Hall, and put on their first official performance.

Singing the theme song “Cheki☆Love” to their anime series ‘Pretty Rhythm‘, the girls easily stole the attention of the entertainment insiders present.

Once their performance was over, major Japanese media outlets such as Sankei Sports, Sports Hochi, Nikkan Sports, and more, dubbed the girls as ‘KARA‘s dongseng girl group’, and spotlighted the girls as a Hallyu team of the next generation they were highly looking forward to.

The members of ‘PURETTY’ were also selected as the main characters of anime ‘Pretty Rhythm – Dear My Future’ ahead of their official debut, drawing attention from fans in Korea and Japan alike.

‘Pretty Rhythm’ is already being broadcast in Japan, and is scheduled to to air in Korea in the near future. The anime tells the story of girl group members’ growth from trainees to major stars in both Korea and Japan.

As announced previously, PURETTY (a name formed by the combination of ‘pure’ and ‘pretty’) will officially make their Japanese debut this August.

Source & Image : MyDaily

A-JAX’s Sungmin and Seungyub prove they have big appetites

A-JAX‘s Sungmin and Seungyub proved that they have truly big appetites.

On June 15th, A-JAX’s official fan cafe uploaded the above pictures with the title, “Common meal size of [K-pop] idols.”

The two members ate three servings in one meal, earning them the name “shikshin-dols” (“food god idols”) from fans.

Sungmin and Seungyub are known to have huge appetites as they usually eat 2-3 portions for every meal. However, compared to their meal sizes, the two boast tall, slim figures. The rest of the A-JAX members commented that Seungyub and Sungmin have “blessed metabolisms”.

Fans commented, “This much is challenging a human’s limits,” “Are you guys trying to be competitive food eaters,” and “Unexpected charm.”

DSP Media‘s A-JAX is currently promoting their powerful debut title song “ONE 4 U“.

Source+Picture: A-JAX official fan cafe

DSP Media to debut new girl group ‘PURETTY’ in Japan in August

Earlier this year, DSP Media revealed that they would be debuting a new sister group to KARA and Rainbow simultaneously in Korea and Japan.

DSP Media has just dropped more details on their debut along with the unveiling of their group name. Named ‘PURETTY‘, the girls will be debuting in Japan this August ahead of their Korean debut. Their name is a combination of the words ‘pure’ and ‘pretty’ (however pronounced as “pretty” by the Korean romanization)

The group is comprised of five members named Haein (18), Shiyoon, Chaekyung, Somin (16), and Jae-Eun (14). Despite being in the preparation stages for their debut, they’ve already landed CF deals with Nintendo and Whisper.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Source + Photos: Donga via Naver, TVDaily

Should A-JAX continue their high-level ‘back-down’ choreography?

Rookie group, A-JAX‘s fans are split between the shocking ‘back down‘ choreography.

A-JAX took off their veil by making their debut stages on MBC‘s ‘Music Core‘ and SBS‘ ‘Inkigayo‘ with their title song, “ONE 4 U“. They attracted the viewer’s attentions with their synchronized moves and a shocking performance called the ‘back down.’

The ‘back down’ dance is falling on your back from an upright position while keeping your body straight without any safety devices. The move received a lot of attention when it was first performed by A-JAX’s agency sunbae, Kim Jae Duk from Sechskies in the late 90′s.

However, A-JAX upped the impact of the move by having all 6 members doing the ‘back down’ at the same time. Netizens’ responses were split between, “I’m worried because it’s such a dangerous dance move” and “A strong choreography that gives a huge impact.”

It hasn’t been decided yet whether the ‘back down’ performance will continue since it was initially prepared as a ‘debut performance’. A-JAX members are determined to continue to perform the ‘back down’ but their agency DSP Media is contemplating whether they will or not.

A-JAX successfully made their debut stages, and even made it to the number two postion on Naver‘s real-time search rankings immediately after their debut stage.

 

Source+Picture: Star News via Naver

KARA’s Hara on the set of A-JAX’s music video

A photo of KARA‘s Hara sporting a bob during the filming of a music video was posted by DSP Media via SNS.

Hara captured attention for her shocking short hair cut on the music video set of new idol group A-JAX. Her already young features looked even younger thanks to the new hair style. Her outfit was also daring as she wore a white top inside a black see-through shirt.

Netizens commented, “A doll is touching a doll,” “She looks good with anything,” and “Her outfit is more shocking than her hair style.”

Source+Picture: Star News via Nate

JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and DSP Media to compete with their new idol groups

Major entertainment labels JYP Entertainment, DSP Media, and YG Entertainment are all planning on debuting their ambitiously-prepared rookie idol groups this year. The labels’ names alone carry a lot of weight, and fans are eager to see what kinds of new artists they will be producing.

JYP and DSP are both planning to debut their groups sometime this month. JYP released a teaser for ‘JJ Project‘ on May 8th, evoking curiosity as to who the members could be. The members were later confirmed to be JB and Jr. (Junior) who joined the company as trainees after becoming finalists at JYP Entertainment’s fifth round of auditions. Both boast tall height and are skilled dancers with excellent vocal skills. Even before their official debut, they’re already melting the hearts of female fans.

DSP Media who produced top artists such as Fin.K.L, SS501, and KARA has released a new idol group for the first time in five years. DSP Media was a prominent label in the 1990′s, and served as SM Entertainment‘s greatest rival back then. DSP Media who has not debuted a new group since KARA has put together new 7-member group, ‘A-JAX‘. Hyunggon, Jaehyung, Yoonyoung, Hyojoon, Sungmin, Seungyeob, and Seungjin have the necessary boy group visual appeals, and they’re already receiving attention for their performances.

DSP revealed footage of the A-JAX members preparing for their debut through MBC Music’s reality program  ’Making The Star – DSP Boyz‘, and they’re planning on holding a showcase by the end of the month to put on their first real performance.

Different from JYP and DSP, YG Entertainment has chosen to reveal only tidbits of information about their girl group that will be debuting this year. All that’s been revealed about YG’s new group is that Kim Eunbi and Yoona Kim from Super Star K will be two of the members. In the revealed photos, the girls displayed a rather innocent yet mysterious image- something that has yet to be seen with a YG artist. Fans are curious to find out the group’s unique concept, and CEO Yang Hyun Suk who previously stated that he has plans to debut a ‘YG Girls’ Generation‘ is slowly drawing back the veils to reveal his new artist.

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Source & Image: MyDaily via Nate

Kim Hyun Joong shows his support for DSP Media’s rookie group, A-JAX

Singer Kim Hyun Joong showed his support for his junior artists.

The above photo was recently posted via the official Facebook page of DSP Media‘s new boy group, A-JAX.

Along with the photo was written,

“WoW! Kim Hyun Joong came to show his support for A-JAX at their rehearsal studio ♬

As all of you know, Kim Hyun Joong is a senior here at DSP Media. He stopped by to offer a few words of encouragement and strength!

He even took the time to take a photo with member Jaehyung who sees Kim Hyun Joong as his role model :D Jaehyung was so nervous and couldn’t even talk in front of him, keke.

Jaehyun & Hyunjoong!”

Fans who were touched to see Kim Hyun Joong supporting his juniors remarked, “The two flower boys are awesome!“, “Thank you for supporting your hoobae!“, and more.

Source & Image : AJAX Facebook

[ Thanks to everyone who sent this in. ]

A-JAX to make their debut in Korea and Japan

A-JAX, DSP Media‘s first new boy group in a long while, has revealed their plans for a simultaneous debut in Korea and Japan.

On May 1st, DSP Media revealed, “A-JAX will be the first Korean idol group to debut within Korea and Japan simultaneously, and will follow in the footsteps of sunbae group, SS501.”

After debuting in May in Korea, the group will be partnering up with Universal Music to target the Japanese market in August.

DSP Media added, “A-JAX has signed under the equivalent conditions that other Korean male idol groups, who have already established their popularity, have been given, making it an unprecedented event. Thus, they are receiving much attention from Japanese music industry insiders.”

The reason for revealing their plans for their Japanese venture on May 1st, was to signify that A-JAX aims to become a group loved in Korea, Japan, as well as other parts of Asia, just like their seniors, SS501.

In related news, A-JAX kicked off their promotional activities with their reality show, ‘Making the Star – DSP Boyz’ on April 24th, and is aiming to make their official debut at the end of May.

Source + Photo: SBS via Naver

DSP Boyz’ official name revealed to be ‘A-JAX’

After unveiling each of the seven members over the course of a week, DSP Media has finally unveiled the official group name of their newest boy group, referred to as DSP Boyz until recently.

DSP Boyz’ official group name has been decided on ‘A-JAX‘, in reference to the mythological Greek hero that brought victory to the Greeks during the Trojan War. Just like their mythological reference, the group has set out to “stand as the hero in the cutthroat idol competition in the music industry”.

A-JAX is composed of seven members including Hyeongkon, Jaehyung, Yunyoung, Hyojun, Sungmin, Seungyub, and Seungjin, and is a group that is said to possess the visuals as performance skills.

A-JAX will be starring in their own reality show, ‘Making the Star – DSP Boyz’ prior to debut on April 24th, before making their debut in May.

Source + Photo: TVDaily

Photos and details about DSP Boyz’ Seungyub & Hyeongkon revealed

After unveiling the video teasers for Seungyub and Hyeongkon over the past two days, DSP Media has just released new photos and details about the newly revealed members.

The fifth revealed member, Seungyub (right), is said to be an 18 year old standing at 185 cm (6’1″) tall with luxurious looks.

Hyeongkon (left), the sixth revealed member, is reported to be the oldest member of the group in charge of rap and charisma, and goes by the nickname of ‘Power Leader’.

With Jaehyung, Yunyoung, Hyojun, Sungmin, Seungyub, and Hyeongkon revealed, DSP Boyz have just one more member left to reveal.

The group will be starring in their own reality series, ‘Making the Star – DSP Boyz’ prior to debut starting on April 24th, and will make their debut sometime in May.

Source + Photo: Star News, Chosun

New Photo and details about DSP Boyz’ Sungmin revealed

Following the release of the video teaser yesterday, DSP Media has just unveiled the photo and details about the fourth revealed member, Sungmin.

Sungmin is reported to be a 19 year old who boasts a height of 188 cm (6’2″). He is said to be a talented member possessing great vocals.

With the reveal of the first four members Jaehyung, Yunyoung, Hyojun, and Sungmin, DSP Boyz has just three more to reveal.

The group will be revealing themselves to the public before their official debut through their reality show, ‘Making the Star – DSP Boyz‘, and will then make their debut in May.

Stay tuned for the release of the other members’ teasers.

Source + Photo: TVDaily