Super Junior proves their popularity in Taiwan; ranks #8 in “Taiwan Disc Records”

Super Junior has once again show off their Hallyu King status . In one of the biggest music net in Taiwan , Five-music , it has been calculated that Super Junior’s Chinese sub-unit , Super Junior M has achieved the 8th position on the Taiwan Disk Records with ‘Perfection’ This position does not mean the Kpop sales in Taiwan but the total sales and its very meaningful . On the top 20 of the chart , Super Junior is the only Korean singer on the chart while the rest were Taiwan singers . This also proves Super Junior’s popularity in Taiwan . Besides that , Super Junior is having their world tour , Super Show 4 now .

New UFC Champ to Visit Ancestral Home with Korean Mom

Benson Henderson is the new lightweight champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He beat defending champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 on Sunday with a unanimous decision at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. This caps a heady climb to the top of the sport for Henderson, who only made his debut nine months ago. With the champion's belt around his waist, Henderson ran to the audience and hugged his Korean mother Kim Sung-hwa to share the joyous moment. Henderson wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the Korean national flag on its right shoulder, and the U.S. star spangled banner on its left shoulder. A tattoo on his left arm showed his name written in Korean characters, which he said shows his family background. Henderson was born in the U.S. but had a Korean-style upbringing, which included learning Korean language and etiquette, eating Korean dishes and learning the country's national martial art, taekwondo.

Henderson's family history resembles that of NFL star Hines Ward in many respects. His mother was working on the bus commuting to and from the Demilitarized Zone in Korea when she met and later married an African-American soldier stationed in the country in 1980. The couple had their first son, Julius, and spent the early years of their marriage in Yongsan. While pregnant with Benson, Kim left for the U.S. with her husband. But the marriage proved to be short-lived as Henderson's father turned to drink and drugs, and eventually found himself in jail. Kim got divorced in 1992, and worked 16 to 17 hours a day to raise her two boys. With the title, Henderson will get a hefty bonus in addition to an undisclosed match fee that is estimated to be worth more than US$100,000. As the match was named "fight of the night," he made an additional $65,000 as well as a champion’s bonus based on broadcasting profits. Henderson was ecstatic, saying the victory brought him one step closer to his dream of buying a new home for his mother. Henderson and Kim will visit Korea for two days from Tuesday.

K-Pop Star Rain to Serve as "Entertainment Soldier"

Pop singer and actor Rain will serve as what the military has dubbed an “entertainment soldier” during the remainder of his two years of mandatory military service. The Defense Media Agency on Friday said that Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, has been reassigned as an entertainment soldier along with three others. The four soldiers will now appear in the Korean Forces Networks' television and radio programs and will take part in concert tours for military units across the country. Currently, a total of 12 entertainers are serving as soldiers in the agency. http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Cu_detail.htm?No=88457&id=Cu

Fun wedding in Korea

'Naked Chef' Jamie Oliver to Mix Business and Pleasure on Korea Trip

World-famous British chef Jamie Oliver seems to be eyeing venturing into the Korean food business. With his first visit to Korea at the end of this month, Oliver will discuss a business plan with CJ Group, a CJ spokesman said on Wednesday. The 37-year-old chef has built his reputation by introducing simple recipes and adding natural flavors to dishes on his TV cooking program. His show is now being aired in about 40 countries as his popularity continues to grow. Female viewers find his cute image and easygoing, unpretentious personality endearing, as he tends to cook with his hair disheveled and shirt half open. In 2003, Oliver was honored as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contribution to spreading British culinary culture. He is also known to be a fan of Korean cuisine. In his magazine, called simply "Jamie Magazine," he introduced a Korean bulgogi sandwich -- a baguette stuffed with marinated barbecued beef -- last October. He has also posted stories about Korean food and London's Myungga restaurant in his personal blog. Oliver first told CJ Group that he wanted to visit the country to learn more about Korean food. The company said that he was very interested in this subject and excited to learn that his cooking program was aired in Korea. Industry insiders say CJ and Oliver will likely launch an international restaurant business using the "Jamie Oliver" brand. There is also speculation that he will open a branch of his restaurant Fifteen, in Seoul. "We haven't discussed anything in detail yet, but we will sound him out about the possibility of a collaboration when he visits," said CJ. Oliver became noticed after he appeared in a BBC documentary about a famous British restaurant while working there. In 1998, he rose to stardom with his show, "The Naked Chef," while he was still in his mid-20s. His cookbooks remain best sellers in the U.K. http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/02/23/2012022300987.html

Incheon Airport Lauded for Worlds Best Service for 7th Year

Incheon International Airport has ranked top in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey for the seventh consecutive year. The passenger satisfaction ratings were released on Tuesday at an international forum convened by the Airports Council International (ACI) for commercial operators and suppliers. The association of 1,700 airports worldwide surveyed 350,000 passengers last year in 34 categories, including service quality, facilities and management. Incheon was named the Best Airport Worldwide 2011 with 4.95 points out of a maximum 5. It was also named the best airport in the region and in terms of its size, winning the title of Best Airport in Asia Pacific and taking the top spot in the 25-40 million passenger size category. Incheon has secured the top spot for seven years running due to its overall facilities, fast immigration procedures and convenient transfer operations. Departing passengers only need 19 minutes to be processed, while those entering require just 12 minutes -- or three times faster than the international averages (60 minutes for departure and 45 minutes for entry). Asian airports swept the top five spots in the survey, with Singapore Changi Airport taking second place, followed by Beijing Capital International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and Japan's Nagoya Airport. The awards will be given in Singapore on May 24.

The Life of Whitney Houston'

As the host of her own talk show in the '80s and a close friend of Clive Davis, Nikki Haskell got to know Whitney Houston when the singer was just beginning her career. While reeling from last weekend's shocking events, Haskell was gracious enough to speak with Spinner about the singer's early years, her struggles with addiction, why Bobby Brown was her "downfall" and the fact that someone supposed to be with Houston at all times, including in the bathroom, to prevent a tragedy like this. more article : http://www.spinner.com/2012/02/15/whitney-houston-death-bathroom/

Girls' Generation(SNSD) Cover Dance collection

‘Sungkyunkwan Scandal’: ‘Best Mini-Series’ 2012 NY TV Festival Nominee

'Sungkyunkwan Scandal': ‘Best Mini-Series' 2012 New York TV Festival Nominee

Aired in 2010, the drama, 'Sungkyunkwan Scandal,' which gained immense popularity, has been nominated for 2012 New York TV (NY TV) Festival in the Mini-Series category. The drama is a romantic historical drama that portrays the episodes of love and friendship between youths of Sungkyunkwan, the foremost education institution in Korea of the Joseon Dynasty. KBS, South Korea's television network, has received a gold medal in 2010 NY TV Festival for 'Jonseol Gohyang,' and again, receieved silver medal in International Radio Award for 'Korea China Japan Millenial Generation Writes New Three Kingdom.' Apart from Sungkyunkwan Scanadal, starting with Daejangkeum, The Sun and Moon, Dream High 2... There are a lot of fun Korean dramas. Anyone who interested in seeing the dramas! Click here! http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/4061/20120207/sungkyunkwan-scandal-best-mini-series-2012-ny-tv-festival.htm

Don't Cry for me Sudan - Impressive Story

Though Father John Lee has passed away, his legacy remains. Lee’s lifelong wish was that “what is done for the most unworthy be the same as what is done for me.” His wish will now be carried out through a hospital named after him. John Lee is the baptismal name of Father Lee Tae-seok (1962-2010). He died of colon cancer at the age of 48 in January 2010. In life he was renowned for his humanitarian work in Sudan. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance said on Monday it will build the John Lee Memorial Hospital and Medical School in Juba, South Sudan. It will be the first modern general hospital and medical school in the country. The construction will be financed by the Economic Development Cooperation Fund through a low-interest loan established to support economic and industrial development in underdeveloped nations. The loan was founded in 1987 and managed by the Export-Import Bank of Korea. Construction of the hospital will start at the end of the year. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will provide education and hospital management programs. The Finance Ministry will collect donations and use the money to build a school and a state-run health center in a village for leprosy patients near Tonj, where Lee used to live. The ministry will also send volunteers to the village. Donations will be collected under the name of the “Lee Tae-seok Love Sharing Fund” and details on how it is used will be made public on the Web (www.smiletonj.org). More article : http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2947913

Tracking Marine Debris from the Japanese Tsunami

Large amounts of debris from the Japanese tsunami of 2011 could hit the Oregon Coast sometime next year, according to scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Just how much flotsam will make it here and exactly when remains a mystery for now, however. The Japanese government estimates that up to 25 million tons of debris — everything from vehicles, boats and parts of buildings to appliances, bottles and cans — were swept out to sea during the course of the natural disaster last March. In the days immediately after the tsunami, large moving islands of debris were clearly visible off the Japanese coast. But as they floated out to sea and dispersed, scientists lost track of them. NOAA officials say no debris islands are currently visible in the North Pacific Ocean from their satellite images — though passing ships have reported seeing some concentrations of tsunami-related flotsam. Instead, NOAA is using computer estimates to track the debris’ path and drift rate, based on average ocean currents and winds. NOAA officials predict that the debris could begin hitting the West Coast of the United States in 2013.

Simon Curtis Obsessed with SNSD's Soo Young

Simon Curtis has expressed great interest in Soo Young of SNSD.

On February 4th, Curtis tweeted "Madonna's album is going to be released today but all I can think about is SNSD's gorgeous performance from the Letterman show," and posted a link to the girl group's performance. Curtis added that "many people are surprised to see my interest in SNSD. I really want to talk about my favorite member but I still don't know her name." Someone then asked Curtis about his favorite K-Pop artists and he answered that he liked "Fx, 2NE1, and SNSD" and said that he also has albums by BoA, confirming a keen interest in K-Pop. Simon Curtis later asked on twitter "my favorite SNSD member is the one on the left with black hair, around 7 o'clock direction wise. What's her name?" When the fans replied "Soo Young" Curtis responded "I am obsessed with her. She's an absolute goddess." Curtis then proceeded to ask if Soo Young had a twitter and when a fan sent him a photoshopped picture of him and Soo Young, he excitedly re-twitted it. Curtis said that "it is absolutely fabulous to see my timeline filled with stuff about Soo Young."

http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/3965/20120205/simon-curtis-adores-soo-young.htm

Kim Yu-na Featured in U.S. Math Textbook

Figure queen, Yuna Kim's performance scene appeared at a US math textbook. A photo of Yuna Kim's performance was included in the 5th chapter. Angle measurement part of a high school math textbook, "Application of Trigonometry, and graphics." The textbook, published by a US textbook publishing company used Yuna Kim's photo to explain jump angle measurement in figure skating. Sports athlete and math may seen unrelated. However, US mathematicians applied Yuna Kim's jump to basic trigonometry conceptual problems to increase interests and concentration. In fact, Yuna Kim did not only appear in US textbooks. Yuna Kim's photos, caricatures, and name is used world wide. In a French textbook used in Japan, Yuna Kim is identified as the reresentative of the country, along with John Lennon, Madonna, Angelina Jolie, etc. Due to Yuna Kim's appearance in textbooks, we are afraid students world-wide may become more enthusiastic towards learning.

Two pictures as the clues... the truth shall prevail

A while ago, a mysterious article about Dokdo appeared on an online community. 'You don't know the whole truth if you only have half the page,' it said. The article featured two maps, one by Korea, the other by Japan. The Korean one read "East is sea Sea", but the Japan one read "Sea of Japan." If you put the two maps together, "East sea is sea of Korea not Japan", revealing the whole truth. Japan keeps their nonsensical rambling about Dokdo, as well as distorting history by stating that Dokdo belongs to Japan in their textbooks, causing much criticism by the Korean government and citizens. No matter how much Japan tries to haggle, Dokdo belongs to Korea. They'll only waste more energy by arguing that it belongs to Japan.

SNSD performed "The Boys" on 'Live! With Kelly' ['12. 2. 1]

After wrapping up a successful stage on CBS‘s ‘The Late Show with David Letterman‘ last night,Girls’ Generation has moved on to storm hearts through ABC‘s ’Live! With Kelly‘.
On the morning of February 1st, the members performed “The Boys” on ‘Live! With Kelly’. Afterwards, the hosts gushed, “That was amazing! Amazing!” and “I’ve never seen such audience participation in my life!“, referring to the fanchants from the crowd.

More article :

http://kpopunli.blogspot.com/2012/02/girls-generation-performs-boys-on-live.html

Here is performance of SNSD on 'Live! With Kelly'

Did you know the Korean girl group SNSD?

This group is one of the famous K-pop Star. SNSD(So Nyuh Shi Dae) means Girl's generation. SNSD appeared on American talk shows and had successfully made it to the US billboard charts. SNSD, who have released a special album, including their hit song “The Boys,” to such American and European countries as U.S., Canada, France, and U.K., have successfully made it to U.S. Billboard Charts. The album, which includes the songs from SNSD’s third album and Korean and English remixed versions of “The Boys,” ranked 22nd on the Heatseekers Albums of Billboard Charts on February 4. Heatseekers Albums show the hottest albums of new artists who just made it to Billboard Charts according to the statistics from Nielsen Soundscan. Making it to this chart, SNSD got acknowledged among many new artists who just entered the U.S. market. SNSD’s “The Boys” also ranked second on the World Chart. SNSD haven’t officially started promoting and performing in the U.S., they’ve gotten a profitable result in the global market. Daniel Radcliffe(Harry Potter) say that he likes SNSD and had SNSD CD.^^ I like SNSD, too.