SM Entertainment hasn’t been fazed at all when their quarterly earnings fell short of last year’s, because they have a lot to look forward to.
Back then, the label had said, “There are various big concerts that will be factored in the 2nd quarter, such as Girls’ Generation’s Japanese tour, TVXQ’s Japanese Dome tour, and SM Town Live. EXO is also going to start promoting actively in Korea and China. The artists’ various promotions will spring on a new momentum.“
But it looks like concerts won’t be the end of it! An analyst from Korea Investment Holdings hinted at some of SM Entertainment’s plans for the 2nd half of 2013. He stated, “f(x) is going to release their full album in June or July. SHINee is also planning a mini album scheduled to be released in the second half of the year. There’s also a possibility that a new artist will debut in the second half of the year as well.“
This along with the rumors of a potential TaeTiSeo comeback should excite SM Entertainment fans for the rest of 2013!
As f(x) fans know, the girls went over to New Zealand to film their MBC Music reality show ‘Amazing f(x)‘, and it looks like Amber got to find someone just like her!
On the June 11 episode, Victoria and Amber went over to a farm to spend a day with various animals like sheep and cows, and Amber couldn’t help but laugh when she saw the alpacas and llamas! Amber’s nickname is llama, and Minho even made a ‘llama song’ for her because she looks like the animal.
Amber was excited to meet her long-lost ‘family’, and she spent a lot of time going around taking pictures with the llama and alpaca. The staff said, “The llama followed Amber around a lot, and maybe that was because they looked so similar. Side by side, they really did look alike.“
f(x)‘s Victoria returned to her home country of China to encourage contestants as a special judge for the Chinese version of ‘Superstar K‘,‘Superstar China‘.
Victoria shared, “Superstar China. Although I was only a judge for one day, it was a good experience, and I learned a lot. Alan Tam senior~ Sabo Ryang senior, you did well! It was really an honor to work with you two.”
“All of the contestants did well, and I hope you all achieve your dreams. Believe in yourself~ Fighting! Also, the staff and representatives did well~ The fans who waited outside also worked hard~ Superstar China! Fighting!”
Fans commented, “Good job, Victoria”, “I can’t wait for the broadcast”, and “Your face and heart are both pretty.”
‘Superstar China’ will air this July. How do you think Victoria will do as a judge?
Shinhwa‘s Dongwan hinted that he wouldn’t mind being the next veteran idol to date a much younger woman in the industry.
On the June 3rd installment of tvN‘s ‘Taxi‘, Jun Hyun Moo brought up that he’d heard f(x)‘s Sulli is Dongwan’s ideal type. The Shinhwa member cleared up the rumor, replying, “Rather than having a thing for Sulli, I think Sulli’s image is really cute.”
MC Kim Gu Ra added, “You and Sulli can become a couple. Tony An is dating Girl’s Day‘s Hyeri. Seo Taiji and Lee Eun Sung also got together. People are [calling them] ‘Seo Taiji and the Cradle Robbers’,” cracking up the boys with his blunt wit.
Dongwan revealed the reason that he tends to date younger women, sharing, “I was also taking about this with my friends recently, and when I was well into my promotions, there were a lot of opportunities for me to meet women 2-3 years younger. But now most of those friends are either getting married or not going out as much as they used to, so whenever I go to the bar, I frequently meet women who are 8-10 years younger.”
“I want to get married soon. I think I should date her for over one year before getting married. Because we don’t live a normal lifestyle, I have to feel confident that my partner really loves and understands me.”
‘Function Girls’ f(x), a Comeback During the First Half of the Year Unlikely…Predicted for Late July
f(x) has a comeback ahead of them in late July, rather than in June when girl groups are pouring out.
An agency representative spoke with a source on the 21st and explained, “A comeback during this first half of the year appears difficult for f(x). We are at the peak of album production for a comeback during the second half of the year.”
After the release of Electric Shock in June of last year, they have been resting from promotions for a year. Different from the LTE speed with which most girl groups make comebacks, they are having a hiatus period of at least a year. Fans are waiting for a teaser or another spoiler to be released day by day as they anxiously await f(x)’s comeback.
The representative also stated, “There is no concrete concept that has been decided on for the next album. Just because it’s summer does not mean that they will come out with light music.”
SM Entertainment started off with Girls’ Generation at the beginning of the year, and with the album releases by SHINee and EXO as well it appears that f(x) will follow up.
f(x) is currently focusing on solo activities, with Amber active as MC on MBC Music’s Show Champion and Luna appearing in High School Musical beginning this July.
Source: Isplus
Trans by 0wonhee @iheartfx.com, via iheartfx.com
f(x)‘s Krystal may soon be making her debut into dramas.
Krystal has participated in sitcoms before, but she’s never acted for a full on drama before. It’s been reported that she’s being strongly considered for the female lead role in ‘Heirs‘ along with Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye. The staff of the show have begun to check with her schedule for the second half of the year.
SBS confirmed, “It’s true that the staff approached Krystal. They haven’t confirmed her casting, but they’re watching her with interest.”
The drama is a trendy drama that talks about the love and friendship of rich high school students. There’s no word still on when the drama will begin airing, or even when it’ll start filming, but the cast looks very promising!
Cable channel MBC shared through their Youtube channel a video of the f(x) members doing the ‘Harlem Shake’.
[The next part is an explanation of the ‘Harlem Shake’ which I will omit because it doesn’t mention f(x) and I’m sure most of you know what it is already]
In the video, the members dressed in pajamas, are sitting in a living room as Victoria works hard dancing by herself. After the “Harlem Shake” signal, all f(x) members get up and start a frantic dance, especially Krystal who was wearing interesting animal-shaped pajamas and producing a lot of laughter with her moves. Unique dancing also came from Sulli, who couldn’t hide her smile and her shy expression, bringing laughter.
This clip was produced as a teaser for f(x)’s new reality program, ‘Amazing f(x)’.
‘Amazing f(x)’ shows members’ Victoria, Amber, Luna, Sulli and Krystal’s 5-person 4 nights – 5 days trip to New Zealand where they experienced a various culture and done things they’ve always wanted to do and will show us their unique experiences.
The other teaser uploaded showed f(x)’s challenged look by shaving sheep, scuba diving and skydiving. Especially the ‘afraid of water’ expression Sulli showed which is the opposite of Krystal’s wild and bold cheers while skydiving.
f(x)’s ‘Amazing f(x)’ follows cable channel Y-STAR’s ‘Hello f(x)’ back from 2010 and MBC Every1’s ‘f(x) Koala’. What gave fans move expectations for the show is the fact that Amber, who couldn’t join the members in ‘f(x) Koala’ because of an ankle injury will be in it.
8-episode show ‘Amazing f(x)’ is set to air in mid May on MBC Music.
NOTE: This is now the longest thing I’ve ever translated, haha. Mistakes will be corrected once found, so please treat them as me learning since I’m not 100% fluent in Korean yet.
On April 15, Sulli wrote on her me2day alongside the picture: “He’s not just a relative; he’s my little brother. Our baby, our maknae. He’s wearing the raincoat Jiyoung noona bought him. It’s not even raining.”
In the picture, Sulli’s little brother is wearing a yellow raincoat with a cute expression.
On news articles regarding the revealing of Sulli’s little brother, netizens commented: “Sulli’s little brother is cute!”, “He’s a bit like Sulli”, and “Sulli’s little brother is really pretty”.
Fans will be able follow f(x) day to day on their new reality show ’Amazing f(x)‘!
According to a representative of the show, ‘Amazing f(x)’ will follow the girls of f(x) on their journey exploring the culture of New Zealand. The show will also give viewers an inside look into the group’s lives offstage.
‘Amazing f(x)’ will be the f(x)’s third reality show following Y-STAR‘s ‘Hello f(x)‘ and MBC Every1‘s ‘f(x)’s Koala‘. Amber was unable to feature in ‘f(x)’s Koala’ due to her leg injury at the time, so fans are definitely more than excited to watch all five members together on screen in their new series.
f(x) were recently whisked off to New Zealand on the 8th to film the show. Stay tuned for details on the premiere date and more!
“SXSW is a must for K-pop idols. They are used to big stadiums. It’s the intimacy with fans that makes it special.”
Five member girl group f(x)—also known as Victoria, Luna, Krystal, Sulli and Amber—marked a major milestone in their career becoming the first K-pop act to appear at South by Southwest in Austin, TX. The girls, under SM Entertainment (home to Girls’ Generation, TVXQ!, SHINee and more), were invited to headline an event sponsored by Korean Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).
Titled, “K-POP NIGHT OUT at SXSW,” the girls earned the slot not only for their electro-pop goodies plus snagging various awards and recognition from all around the world. Accolades from just last year include a No. 2 single on the K-Pop Hot 100 with “Electric Shock” (below), their first Japanese single and the Best Dance Performance-Female award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards.
The K-pop darlings finally graced a smoke-filled stage around 1:30 a.m., in front of hundreds in anticipation as fans wildly waved their hands and screaming in unity.
During their short set, f(x) brought out fan favorites like, “Nu Abo,”“Pinocchio (Danger),” “Hot Summer” (below) and “Electric Shock.” Between songs, band member Amber (who received the loudest cheers throughout the night) had fans in frenzy when she expressed her excitement and interacted with fans in English, “You guys are crazy and I love it!” but also added in Korean phrase, “Saranghaeyo,” which means “I love you.”
Following the show, Billboard Korea caught up with f(x), who talked about their performance, who they were sad to miss performing at SXSW and what else 2013 has in store for them.
“We had a lot of fun and it was definitely a new experience,” the group said. “We wish we could have stayed longer.” Like many other K-pop megastars, f(x) was under a heavy schedule and only had a day in Texas with wall-to-wall commitments throughout the day.
“I wish I saw Justin Timberlake, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Kendrick Lamar and Icona Pop, because I love their music,” added member Amber, a California native. “But it’s okay. We still had a lot of fun!”
After their successful SXSW showcase, one wonders if the quintet will attempt to crossover. “We don’t have plans to officially debut in the U.S., but we will continue to promote our music globally,” the group said. “We are working on our new album for now and we plan to release it sometime this year.”
f(x)’s first SXSW performance was a refreshing and daring move for any K-pop idol to take as the girls were torn from their usual large-scale stage production and extravagant light and sound system.
“I think SXSW is a must for K-pop idols,” Amber reflects. “It’s a must because it is such a different venue. K-pop idols are used to big stadiums. It’s the intimacy with fans that makes it special. It was a crowd of people that were curious about K-pop along with K-pop fans. SXSW definitely broadens horizons.”
f(♥) 