Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines

Top 10 Korean entertainment stories in 2010

By JONATHAN M. HICAP 


The Korean entertainment in 2010 was marked by the surge of the popularity of K-pop and Korean films advancing in the international arena.

However, the K-pop music scene was rocked by controversies, including the issues surrounding popular boy bands TVXQ, 2PM and SS501.

Here are the top 10 stories that have made significant impact in the Korean entertainment last year.

1. TVXQ/JYJ - The controversy involving top K-pop boy band TVXQ started in 2009 and continued in 2010. After Xiah Junsu, Micky Yoochun and Youngwoong Jaejoong sued SM Entertainment to void their exclusive contracts with the agency in 2009, the three focused on their career in Japan and established their own group, JYJ. But after a successful run in Japan, Avex, JYJ’s Japanese agency, announced in September that it would stop JYJ’s activities in Japan. JYJ then released their first English album, “The Beginning,” in October and embarked on a world tour including performing in the United States. SM Entertainment, on the other hand, announced that the remaining members of TVXQ, Yunho and Changmin, would be coming back and the two would use the name TVXQ, a move that did not sit well with some fans. While the idea of uniting all the members of TVXQ is now elusive, fans are hoping that one day, TVXQ will be back with the original five members performing as one.

2. Jay Park and 2PM - Another controversy that rocked the K-pop industry was the ouster of rapper and bboy Jay Park (aka Park Jaebum) as leader of boy band 2PM.  On February 25, JYP Entertainment announced that it was terminating Jay from 2PM. This angered fans who wanted the agency to explain the real reason it decided to oust Jay. A conference between JYP representatives, 2PM members and fans was held on Feb. 27, where 2PM members admitted that they all agreed to terminate Jay from the group. In March, Jay posted a viral video on YouTube that started his trek back to the K-pop industry. In April, Jay announced that he would be starring in “Hype Nation,” his first movie. With the help of many people, including Ned Sherman, who became Jay’s lawyer for his activities, Jay successfully came back to South Korea in June and launched his solo career. Despite parting ways with 2PM, Jay repeatedly said that he still loves 2PM members.

3. SS501 - Another boy band that was involved in controversy was SS501, headed by popular actor and singer Kim Hyun Joong. When the boy band’s contract with DSP Entertainment expired in June, members signed up with different agencies. Kim Hyun Joong signed up with KeyEast Entertainment. This worried fans who feared that SS501 would be headed for disbandment. However, the members assured that SS501 will continue as a boy band.

4. K-pop invades Japan - More K-pop groups debuted in the lucrative Japanese music market. Several years ago, TVXQ and BoA paved the way for the entry of K-pop music in Japan. Big Bang has also become popular there. In 2010, Girls Generation, KARA and 2PM also debuted in Japan while FT Island debuted  as a mainstream group.

For a full story...
http://mb.com.ph/articles/296487/top-10-korean-entertainment-stories-2010