Wednesday 30 October 2013

Exploring Fandom: Did EXO Fans Begin A Petition Calling For The Group To Receive Military Exemption?

Is this just a rumor or did fans really ask for military exemption?

Is this just a rumor or did fans really ask for military exemption?

On October 29th, rumors began to emerge that fans of SM Entertainment's EXO had started an online petition requesting that the Korean government exempt EXO from having to serve their mandatory military term. The result was an outpouring of anti-EXO sentiment within the Korean fan community. Even if the petition were started by one individual, which is the claim of fan group, EXO Planet, this individual was successful in reigniting the on-going debate regarding EXO fans.

EXO fans have repeatedly made headlines during 2013. Most fan groups receive media attention for their philanthropic works such as donating tons of rice, in the form of rice wreaths, or assisting with financial aid for the needy. In the case of EXO, most media attention has unfortunately been directed at the actions of saesang fans, whose treatment of the band itself and other fans, have become examples of some of the most excessive actions in K-Pop history. What is it that separates EXOs fans from fans of other groups?

In South Korea and Japan, official fan clubs are a key component of the K-Pop industry, helping to generate revenue for the artists and entertainment agencies. While the concept of fan clubs may sound juvenile or an antiquated part of 1960s marketing in America, they are an essential part of what keeps K-Pop thriving in a global economy where music has been undercut by illegal downloading and rising ticket costs for live performances. The phenomena is best chronicled in the Korean drama Reply 1997 in which one of the main characters helps to lead one of the largest fan clubs in Korea.

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As opposed to SM Entertainment label mates Super Junior, Girls Generation, SHINee, and TVXQ, EXO has yet to endorse an official fan club. Membership dues for official groups that average at 10,000 Korean won, allow official fan clubs to hire management or governing bodies. The lack of an official entity means there is no governing body for the fans. While this sounds insignificant, it is a key part of why EXO fans have made the headlines for the wrong reasons, this past year.

In May 2013, rumors which were substantiated by video posted online, showed international K-Pop fans who were attempting to see EXO perform on the popular program M! Countdown receive various forms of mistreatment. Fans who had traveled from countries as far away as Australia and the United States, began to post complaints on social media that they were denied entrance to M! Countdown in a situation that was precipitated by EXO fans. Officials at Mnet, the network which hosts M! Countdown disavowed knowledge of the incident.

Later in the summer, EXO fans were banned from attending live tapings of SBS' Inkigayo. Producers of Inkigayo stated that EXO fans had engaged in general mob behavior, such as using fan signs as weapons, chasing the group through the studio to the streets, and refusing to follow the rules assigned by SBS. The network also noted that the police were called on numerous occasions.

Subsequent to these activities, there was an increase in photos of fans engaging in self mutilation such as carving the name and logo on the band into their bodies. In September, fans disrupted the wedding ceremony of member Baekhyun's older brother, when what was intended as a crowd of support became almost riotous. Earlier this month, Tao expressed his anger and displeasure at saesang fans through his Weibo account.

A frustrated EXO Planet issues a response to the military exemption petition.

A frustrated EXO Planet issues a response to the military exemption petition.

In response to the controversy surrounding the online petition, EXO Planet issued a statement renouncing the actions of whatever individuals began the petition. With 100,000 registered fans, EXO Planet is the closest thing to an official fan club for EXO. This statement is strongest from EXO Planet, in which they threaten legal action if the petitions and negative statements towards EXO continue. With increasing negative attention, will SM Entertainment designate an official club for EXO, helping to create more harmony with in the community? Are saesang fans true fans or are they nothing more than anti fans, in disguise?



The Top 10 Artist List For The “2013 Melon Awards” Have Been Released: Award Season Is Now Full Swing

Who will take home top awards?

Who will take home top awards?

Loen Entertainment, in conjunction with MBC Plus Media, released the Top 10 Artist list for the "2013 Melon Awards". The Melon Awards reflect not only the popularity of K-Pop artists, but the performance of their music on the charts. In order to determine the Top 10 Artists, statistics are compiled utilizing eighty percent of an artist's chart sales with twenty percent of online votes. Unlike the "2013 MAMA Awards" which has openly welcomed the addition of international fan votes by creating a multilingual system, voting for the 2013 Melon Awards remains contained to voters in Korea.

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The Top 10 Artist list is a mix of solo artists, male and female groups, as well as a hip hop duo. The most obvious choices, especially to international audiences, are G-Dragon, EXO, SHINee, BEAST, Ailee, IU, and Sistar. Popular hip-hop act Dynamic Duo, ballad duo Davichi, and Superstar K finalists Busker Busker round out the list. Online voter participation for round one reached 1.74 votes. The Top Ten Artists are now entered into a second round of votes, which will occur online until November 13th.

In addition to the Top 10 Artists, there are numerous other categories. The Best New Artist category features the critically acclaimed hip-hop group BTS, the retro influenced male pop vocalists of History, girl group Ladies Code, alternative indie vocalist Lim Kim, and balladeer Roy Kim. One of the most interesting categories, considering that international audiences are restricted from voting is the Best Global Artist category. Nominees in the Best Global Artist include PSY, EXO, 2NE1, Girls Generation, and Super Junior-M. This category is also a point of interest in that it reflects the battle to dominate the global market, which YG Entertainment and SM Entertainment are most actively engaged in. The complete list of nominees and categories is available on the Melon Award 2013 site.

In a show of commitment to include international audiences, Loen Entertainment will be live streaming the event via their YouTube channel, with viewing availability for audiences worldwide. There will also be support for mobile live streaming of the event. This is in contrast to past "Melon Awards" which had to be viewed via underground streams. The 2013 Melon Awards will be held on November 14th. Which artists will you be supporting and who do you think be the top award winners?



Friday 25 October 2013

Yoon Eun Hye And Gu Hye Sun: From Girl Group Member To Kdrama Star

It's no longer news when a kpop star takes a role in a kdrama. Yoona starred in "Love Rain" and IU in "You're The Best Lee Soon Shin."

All of Kara have now appeared in dramas, as have the other members of Girls Generation.

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But there are a few actresses who are already so well known for their acting that people have forgotten they ever had Kpop aspirations. And newer kdrama fans may never havek known.

Yoon Eun Hye is a great example. Currently starring as an aspiring broadcast writer in "Future's Choice," the actress sang with the group Baby V.O.X. from 1995 to 2005.

To read the article, visit kdramastars.com.



Friday 18 October 2013

Girls Generation YoonA Tops 'Natural and Real Beauty' Survey among K-pop Ladies

YoonA has done it again after being chosen as one of the female celebrity that has a natural beauty.

According to Korean portal site DC Inside, in the result of their poll held last October 8th to 15th asking users this question, "Which female celebrity has the best proportioned face that doesn't need to be altered?"

Votes were tallied to 4,005 votes, garnering Girls' Generation's YoonA to ace the votes having 1,659 votes (41.4%). It means that YoonA doesn't need to have plastic surgery to look good because she is naturally born beautiful.

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Actress Park Shin Hye landed the second place having 1,253 votes (31.3%) while actress Sung Yuri landed for third place having 143 votes (3.6%). The voters based their votes since they came across these celebrities as they were only starting their career and blossomed through time without any alteration on physical features.

Other celebrities also on the lists are Han Hyo Joo, Kim Tae Hee, and f(x)s Sulli.