IU looking cute in her school uniform

Photos of IU in her school uniform have been earning an explosive response amongst netizens on various online message boards.

IU shows off her fresh, youthful looks in the pictures, with her no make-up face drawing the most interest for being cuter than when she is dolled up on stage.

Netizens commented, “She’s the legend amongst girl idol uniform pictures,” “Her cute looks matches well with her school uniform,” and “Such a superior face“.

Source + Photos: TVDaily

Hwayobi unveils new mini-album, “A Woman Like Me”

Having marked her tenth anniversary earlier this year with a full-length album, Hwayobi has treated her fans once again with a mini-album, titled ‘A Woman Like Me‘, which was released today.

Donning new blonde locks, this powerful vocalist penned and composed all of the songs on the album. Her title song “A Woman Like Me” is a ballad about a woman’s inner thoughts. The acoustic version for this track was accompanied by renowned guitarist Ham Choon Ho.

Fans will also get to sample a different style from the ballad artist with the song “U N I“, which will beHwayobi’s first attempt at British Rock.

The tracklist for the album include:

1. 나 같은 여자 (A Woman Like Me)
2. 나쁜 남자 (Bad Guy)
3. U N I
4. 나 같은 여자 (Acoustic Guitar Ver.) (A Women Like Me, Acoustic Guitar Ver.)
5. U N I (Inst.)

Check out the title track for the album below:

Jay Park receives hot responses on iTunes

After revealing “Bestie” and “Speechless” on his official website, Jay Park’s  singles are finally available via iTunes.

The song “Bestie” comes in English, Korean, and remix versions, and “Speechless” is a song composed by fellow AOM member Cha Cha.

Jay’s songs not only made it to the top 60 on the iTunes pop charts in just one day, he’s one of the most searched as well.

The netizens have commented,

‘Your voice is so sweet and nice’
‘The lyrics for Bestie is so cute’
‘I’m so happy to hear your new songs’

Remember to support Jay by purchasing his singles on itunes!

Source + Picture: NTN

Nichkhun poses with reeds

2PM’s Nichkhun revealed a picture over twitter that captured the atmosphere of autumn.

On October 13th, Nichkhun uploaded a picture of himself in a field of reeds. In the photo, Nichkhun’s face was blocked by reeds on one side, but it still didn’t hide his shining good looks. His brown sweater matched perfectly with the reeds, creating an atmosphere of autumn.

The netizens who have seen his photo commented,

‘Even the reeds can’t hide your flower looks’
‘Go eyes, go eyes, go to Nichkhun~ Adult eyes, child eyes, go there always’
‘Shining and sparkling field’

Source: TVDaily
Picture: Nichkhun’s twitter

A sneak peek into KARA’s choreography for “JUMPING”

Earlier today, KARA unveiled the various album covers for their upcoming Japanese single, “JUMPING”set for a November 10th, 2010 release. With KARA still fresh on everyone’s minds, the October 13th airing of Nihon TV’s Sukkiri! gave a sneak preview into KARA’s upcoming dance moves for JUMPING.

Sukkiri! gave 7 image stills from KARA’s upcoming MV release and it seems the choreography is going to be adorable, just like the girls themselves. Check it out below!

Yoon Eun Hye, 1st hallyu actress to make singing debut in Japan

Actress Yoon Eun Hye has announced plans of making her official debut as a solo singer in Japan. She will be the first female Hallyu star to do so. A number of male Hallyu stars, namely Lee Byung Hun, Ryu Si Won and Ahn Jae Wook have debuted as singers in Japan holding concerts and releasing albums. Conversely, female Hallyu stars such as Choi Ji Woo, Song Hye Kyo, and Son Ye Jin amongst others have only ever been limited to fan meetings and fan signings. For this reason alone,Yoon Eun Hye is gaining public interest as the first female Hallyu star to become active as a singer in Japan.

It has been reported that Yoon Eun Hye recently worked with a global recording agency and is currently undergoing preparations to release an album in Japan. Yoon will work with a famous Japanese producer by the latter half of the year’s end and the album is scheduled for a release in early 2011.

Yoon Eun Hye’s agency, The House Company stated, “We have yet to finalize the contract so we cannot release the details, but we have completed discussions with a global recording studio. We have agreed to work with an experienced Japanese producer who has worked with many famous idol stars.”

Yoon Eun Hye became a big Hallyu star as her dramas Goong (MBC), Coffee Prince (MBC) and My Fair Lady (KBS) became huge hits with viewers. Ever since 2008, Yoon has held 2-3 fan meetings per year and attracting close to 2000~3000 fans, showcasing her ticket-selling power. In her recent Japanese fan meeting which was held on September 18, she received praise for singing the theme of Goong, “Perhaps Love”, and two other songs during the fan meeting held in Tokyo Nakano Zero Hall. The audience especially showed a passionate response when Yoon Eun Hye displayed her guitar playing skills.

The House Company stated, “After the success of the recent fan meeting, many people involved in the Japanese music industry approved and supported her. It also helped that her old girl group, Baby V.O.X., was popular as a Hallyu group in Asia.”

Meanwhile, Yoon will officially commence her acting activities in November, with the film, The Graduation League (working title), which will open in theaters in March 2011. This marks Yoon’s return to the big screen in 5 years, which will then be followed by the melodramatically themed series Love Song, which is currently in the process of casting their male leads.

Source: IS Plus, yooneunhye.net

4minute releases “Chaos A.D” for Fugitive OST

Recently we reported that 4minute, along with other artists would be participating in the soundtrack forFugitive, and luckily for the fans, 4minute’s track “Chaos A.D” was released today.

Check out the audio below:

Shin Seung Hoon, Jea of Brown Eyed Girls, MBLAQ, and rookie artist Orange are some of the other artists who have sang for Fugitive OST. The full OST album consists of 17 tracks and was also released today. Remember to support your favorite artists by purchasing the album!

Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

GO SUPREME!!!1!

Kim Yuna is named 2010’s sportswoman of the year

On October 13, the Women’s Sports Foundation held its 31st Annual Salute to Women in Sports. With the awards dinner taking place at New York’s famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, the world’s top female athletes were acknowledged and honored for their remarkable achievements, unparalleled performances, significant contributions to women in sports and the girls they inspire across the globe.

Amongst the top female athletes who graced the event was South Korea’s very own national icon,Olympic and World Figure Skating Champion Kim Yuna.

Kim was honored withe the highly coveted Sportswoman of the Year Award. Kim was chosen for her many outstanding achievements, which include (but are not limited to) the following:

• At the Ladies’ Singles event at the Trophée Eric Bompard event in Paris, Kim became the first woman to have a combined final score of over 210 points and finishing 36.04 points ahead of her closest competitor.
• At the 2010 Olympic Winter Games held in Vancouver, Kim won the gold medal by a land slide in the Ladies’ Singles event, making her the first Korean to medal in Figure Skating at an Olympic Winter Games.
• Kim is currently ranked No.1 by the International Skating Union and has medalled in every single event that she has competed in ever since her senior debut in 2006.

Kim accepted the prestigious award and gave her acceptance speech stating, “It’s a great honor for me to receive the Sportswoman of the Year award and I would like to express my sincere gratitude [to the federation]. For me, this is not just any award and brings forth much meaning. As a figure skater, I would very much hope for this award to launch opportunities for young girls to enter the world of figure skating and enjoy the sport”.

Kim continued, by expressing, “In spite of everything, there still remains many countries around the world that discourage women from actively participating in sports and fitness due to the prevailing social norm that emphasizes the notion of femininity. However, I strongly believe that it’s time for us to break away from such social conventions. Sports not only helps develop the physical body for both men and women, it also helps and enhances the development of one’s mental capabilities to think more extensively and thoroughly. Through sports, not only do we learn the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play; we also learn how to respect the rules and learn to develop sincere friendship between athletes. I believe that this knowledge should not just remain as attainments by athletes but should also serve as virtues maintained by every person.”

Kim concluded her acceptance speech, saying “By accepting this award, I hope I have at least become a small driving force for people to enjoy and live a dynamic lifestyle through sports. Lastly, I would like to express my utmost appreciation to my family and friends who always been a pillar of strength by my side. Thank you.”

As 2010’s sportswoman of the year, Kim is the first Asian and the 3^rd non-American athlete to win this prestigious award, further adding significance to this coveted accomplishment.

Meanwhile, Kim who has decided to compete only at the upcoming season’s World Championships in Japan and will continue her training at the East West Ice Palace in Artesia, California under the tutelage of newly appointed coach, Peter Oppegard. Kim is also set to start work on a new short program with her choreographer David Wilson later this month.

Source: Women’s Sports Foundation, Yonhap News
Photos: YNKF, DC-Yeona Gallery