H.O.T reunites in Infinite Challenge- Part 1

MC Yoo Jae Suk, Haha, Yang Se Hyung were invited to an old run down stage down with a surprise that they have successfully contacted all the members of H.O.T group. It was a difficult process to get all the members together. It has been 17 years they were on hiatus and their very last concert was in 2001. PD informs the cast that H.O.T members were met up individually where they explained there were various opinions and thoughts of reunion but never seem to work. Members were told not to contact each other- just to think if they want to reunite and to think of their fans. 

Infinite Challenge- To To Ga 3 (Saturday Night Singer Season 3) kicks off with Kang Ta arrived first as he looked nervous. Now that he's a director with SM Entertainment, it isn't easy for him to come up to such event. Next up was Tony Ahn who felt overwhelmed seeing the emcees and Kang Ta welcoming him. They were preparing for the worst if others are not turning up, Jae Suk suggested he, Haha and Se Hyung will join them be part of H.O.T. Muahahah! 
All looked nervous when leader Moon Hee Jun was third to show up. Hee Jun was confused who were his members as the hosts were dressed up in the colourful uniforms that they used to wear while performing 'Candy'. Youngest member Lee Jae Won peeked into the dark room and commented the place is so shabby. Hah! He's the tallest, thinnest and quietest. At last final member Jang Woo Hyuk turned up whereby all clapped happily that everyone has agreed to reunite again! 

(L:R= Tony, Jae Won, Kang Ta, Hee Jun and Woo Hyuk)

Tony shed some tears as he never expected all would turn up. It has been many unsuccessful meet up for all and this time everyone is here. MBC has really brought them together. Members were further shown old music videos and their performances when they were so young- they were at their peak of career. Everyone cracked up at their bad hair-do and dressing.
In fact the shabby studio is where H.O.T debuted on stage and began their career as first generation idol group. Most important mission is the members have to sing and dance by scoring 95 or above in the karaoke. Hee Jun suggested We Are The Future for the 1st song and they started struggling after 1st verse. The 'legend' idols have forgotten most of their choreography and they were panting for breath. Woo Hyuk still maintained his moves well.
First song scored 94 missed out by 1 point. So they are heading to Warrior of Descendants- their title song which made them even worst off at 80 points. LOL! Candy was their 3rd song where hosts were all excited and giddy over the happy tune. Still it wasn't good enough to score well...members were already exhausted and lying on the floor. It was already 11.45 pm and yet they cannot score 95 points. Lastly Kang Ta suggested his own song 'Hope' where he wrote it and became a hit song for the group. Surprisingly it scored 95 points! 

Following days the members were practising their choreo but their bodies are not giving in so well. Tony injured his knees as their age are creeping up. Most of them would be 40 years of age by now. Even youngest Jae Won is having problems in catching breath. News started spreading like a wild fire online with fans applying non stop for a seat to the Ilsan MBC studio for 800 seats. Soon the production cast changed the venue to Olympic park which could accommodate 2400 seats for their loyal fans. There were mixed feelings and comments from the public regarding their come back and concert. The entire Infinite Challenge cast met up again with H.O.T members in a studio where they were told to randomly call up 5 lucky fans informing them they won two tickets to the concert. 

                         

Kang Ta made the first call to a female fan who was happy that she won a ticket but she couldn't recognise his voice via the phone. Woo Hyuk rang up a fan who happened to immediately recognise his voice but as Kang Ta's fan; she said bluntly Kang Ta doesn't sound like him! Ha ha! Hee Jun's lucky fan squealed happily that she won the seats and he is her fan during young days. Came to Tony's turn, the female fan answered quietly and didn't sound happy at all. The awkward feeling broke into laughter's when she thought Hee Jun was the caller! She was Woo Hyuk's fan and said she saw all their SNS postings. When the call was passed onto Park Myung Soo, it sounded so flat and dejected. Jun Ha reckoned the fan doesn't want to even talk to Myung Soo at all where she sounded so call and snorted behind.
Last up is Jae Won who sounded like a staff calling a fan regarding the seats. His dorky and clumsiness resulted more confusion and laughter since she guessed others names except for him!
                

When asked how do they feel about speaking personally to their fans- they started tearing up in emotions when they heard the first fan cried saying it's been a long time...such a long time she has waited for this moment for them to come back together. 

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Infinite Challenge featuring H.O.T come back. 

Infinite Challenge, H.O.T peaks audience ratings at 15%.

Infinite Challenge- Saturday Night 3 has successfully brought back the first generation idol group H.O.T members together. During the broadcast, the ratings peaked at 15.8% and it was one of the highest audience ratings among all entertainment programs aired at that time.

             

The 557th episode of MBC Infinite Challenge featuring H.O.T consists of two episodes.
Members of H.O.T were busy preparing for the Infinite Challenge Saturday Night 3 and they were given the chance to speak to their fans via phone call by inviting them to the concert.
Fans were eager and happy to know the members are making the effort to come back.

According to Nielsen Korea on the 18th Feb,  'Infinite Challenge 3', which was aired on the previous day, recorded 8.7% in the metropolitan area and 14.3% in the second quarter, . Especially the audience were (23: 26 ~ 23: 27) when H.O.T was singing 'Light' during the Karaoke Mission, recorded the highest audience rating of 15.8% . The debate on the 'Infinite Challenge which started in 2014, was concluded after three trials till 2018. The producers of 'Infinite Challenge' could not give up the reunion of HOT for the completion of 'Season 3', and if they were willing to meet each member with 1: 1 and think about their fans again. H.O.T debuted in 1996, the PD has asked them to come out to the MBC public hall where they had the stage.

The members thought of the same idea about the reunion, which may be the last chance to keep their promise for their loyal fans, but they have been frankly saying that they have not been able to do so easily after such a long hiatus. Finally Kang Ta, Tony Ahn, Moon Hee Jun, Jang Woo Hyuk and Lee Jae Won came together after 17 years!  Their last concert was on February 27, 2001. H.O.T. The members could not speak as if they could not believe that they have gathered together. IC cast and the production team couldn't close their mouths in an emotional scene. Yoo Jae Suk, Haha and Yang Se Hyung - with H.O.T members watched the images of the group's past activities together which brought back lots of memories. Having watched five years of activities as the first debut stage, H.O.T. members said, "We can not believe we were there. 

IKON's I Have Loved becomes top hit song for 18th day.

The group IKON's "I Have Loved" has reached the top of the music charts for the 18th day and remained the best hit of the Boy Group since the last three years.

           

The title song '사랑을 했다' swept first place on the main music site daily chart (12th) including Melon, MNet, Genie, Soribada, OLE, Naver, It is the first record after Big Bang's Loser which was released in May 2015 with the first record on the 18th day based on MELON site which is the largest music source site in South Korea.

 "I Have Loved" is the longest duration period for a boy band's music since the last three years.

The song 'I Have Loved', which has been positioned as the iconic hit song, which is rather addictive with melodies and warm emotions.


The overseas reactions is unexpected as well. Billboard, Buzzfeed and others were very popular for IKON's growth and musicality. Time magazine cited IKON as one of the six most popular K-pop groups. In addition, 17 countries including the United States, Japan, China and iTunes have also recorded the top of the charts and sound recording sites.

The Unit finalists and winners.

The so-called voting for their favourite unit members have all been completed with trainees who have come together, trained, danced, laughed and cried for 150 days... The UNIT has been formed with Idol Rebooting Project for those who have tried hard and didn't make it big. But this isn't the end of everything. 

The Unit B (Boys) team 9 finalists are:

1. Jun (U-Kiss) - 165,302 votes
2. Eui Jin (Bigflo)
3. Go Ho Jung (Hotshot)
4. Feeldog (Bigstar)
5. Marco (HBY)
6. Ji Han Sol
7. Dae Won (Madtown)
8. Ki Joong (IM)
9. Chan (ACE)

The Unit G (Girls) team 9 finalists are:

1. Eui Jin (Sonamoo)- 108, 066 votes
2. Ye Bin (DIA)
3. NC.A
4. Yoon Jo
5. Lee Hyun Joo
6. Yang Ji Won
7. Woo Hee (Dal Shabet)
8. ZN (Laboum)
9. Lee Su Ji

The missed out contestants for ninth place were Kim Timoteo (Hotshot) and Ji Won (Good Day). It came to quite a surprise as Timoteo was a favourite in episodes 4-7 however his ranking slowly slide down with Jun and Eui Jin taking over the first two positions. Feeldog hasn't changed his position much on 4th position- he's a great leader and nice personality.

Sonamoo's Eui Jin has been consistent on Episode 8-13 on first spot taking over from Yang Ji Won. 

The UNIT didn't score as many ratings as Produce 101 Season 1 and 2 - probably people have gotten stale over the same voting process. Personally I have skipped most of the Unit G performances as there was just something lacking in girls performances. Unit B has more to boost up the audience and interesting skills. But I am glad that Feeldog, Eui Jin are in the finalists. Well done to all the winners! Oh btw, the Units are to actively perform for the next 10 months or so... 

Wanna One endorses for Shinhan Bank.

Wanna One project boy band has been selected as the new endorsement model for Shinhan Bank.

The 11-member boy band was formed last year through the program 'Produce 101' of MNet Broadcasting Company. They have proven to be very popular with their debut album. The group has appeared in Golden Disk Awards and won the New Artist Award at the awards ceremony.

Shinhan Bank rep has explained that the differentiation beyond Shinhan Bank's success model was similar to Shinhan Bank's passion, challenge spirit and innovative performance record of the background of the advertisement model selection.


Wanna One will be modelling for the mobile super app 'Shinhan SOL' which will be released this month. On the other hand, Shinhan Bank will hold a pre-scheduled event from 12th onwards to celebrate the opening of Shinhan Sol. Event applications for various prizes will be available on the Shinhan Bank website or mobile apps.

Feb brand reputation goes to BTS, Wanna One and IKON.

Boy Group February Brand reputation Big data analysis results are out with 1st spot taken by BTS, second place Wanna One and 3rd place is IKON. 

The Korean company's reputation research institute measured 123.32 million 2307 Big Group brand Big Data from January 9 to February 10 through Consumer Behaviour Analysis, which is a measure of participation index, media index, communication index, community index respectively.
               

The brand index is an indicator of brand big data analysis that finds consumers' online habits have a big influence on brand consumption. The Boy Group brand reputation index measures positive along with negative ratings, media interest, consumer interest and traffics for the boy groups.

In February itself, the rankings go from 1st to 30th. 

Top 10: BTS, Wanna One, IKON, EXO, Big Bang, INFINITE, Seventeen, JBJ, SHInee, BTOB

This is followed by the rest including Super Junior, WINNER, Shinhwa, GOT7, 2PM, NCT,
Sechs Kies, VIXX, Block B, NU'EST W, B1A4, HIGHLIGHT, ASTRO, MXM, Monsta-X, BEAST, TRCNG, TVXQ, Rainz, and VAV. 

Misty- Kim Nam Joo a prime suspect.

In the recent jTBC drama Misty- Go Hye Ran (played by Kim Nam Joo) suddenly became a prime suspect for the death of pro-golfer Kevin Lee (played by Go Joon). The audience ratings was 5.3% (Nielsen Korea, metropolitan area paid furniture standard), 1.3% more than previous episode.

                     

The accident of Kevin Lee was suspected to be a murder somehow provoked some curiosity and raised few eyebrows. The police summoned announcer Go Hye Ran to assist in the investigation. At this stage, Hye Ran panics when she cried out  looking at her estranged husband Lawyer Kang Tae Wook (played by Ji Jin Hee) and said it's not her, she didn't kill Kevin Lee.

Thanks to Tae Wook, Hye Ran had dinner with a senior presidential publicist in Cheong Wa Dae (The Blue House). She acted as if she did not know that he was a presidential candidate for public relations and appealing to her principles and convictions as a journalist without a glare. She doesn't hesitate to aim climbing up the stairs for success. However her dream bubble starts to crack when Kevin Lee provoked her by passing her brooch to Tae Wook at a drinking session. 

Hye Ran ran to the public phone booth and rang Kevin Lee threatening to kill him if he continues harassing her and her family. Kevin started repaying back Hye Ran's warnings in the same way she did to announcer Han Ji Won (played by Jin Ki Joo) The intimate photos of him kissing Hye Ran was intentionally snapped and send to her. If the photos were to be revealed to the public, being a press secretary of Cheong Wa Dae, as well as the Nine News will be over for Hye Ran. She went to meet Kevin Lee and the two people who talked in her car. 
Could Hye Ran be the real killer of Kevin Lee? (I doubt so...) She is a smart woman and wouldn't make a hasty move to affect her future career. 

In addition, veteran singer Lee Seung Chul has contributed his voice to the Misty drama OST.

Radio Romance Epi 3-4 recap

Radio Romance picks up at where Senior Writer Ra Ra Hee started nagging and picking at Song Geu Rim saying she is only good at sucking up to celebrities, bringing them into the program but has no skills to be a main writer. The insults went overboard where other staffs were listening with Ji Soo Hoo watching close by. He voiced out stating he will do it...he will do the radio program together while pulling Geu Rim away. She thinks Soo Hoo is just playing around whenever he is bored but this is her entire dream and career. He finally agreed to host the radio show with terms and conditions.

                      

The contract is whereby Soo Hoo picks his guests, determines the script and no live broadcast. Geu Rim has to also obey to whatever he says and he can quit at anytime. She was utterly shocked with the so-called slave condition contract but PD Lee Kang tells her to go ahead. At home, Jason felt Soo Hoo is doing things out of the ordinary because of Geu Rim. His step mother wasn't pleased to hear that he's hosting a radio show. Meanwhile Tae Ri, a snobby actress is threatening the CEO of JH Ent. to click her together with Soo Hoo, else she will dish out the actor-husband's affairs to reporters. 

   

The broadcasting station directors were very pleased to see a top star signing the contract to host the radio show. Female staff were in awe to see Soo Hoo in real person. Geu Rim promised him to work harder on the opening show script. PD Lee suggested two teams battle with Writer Ra fuming behind. The PD went scouting around for other assistants for the show. 
When he indirectly sussed out Soo Hoo for being unprofessional, immediately he came to see them at a cafe. Soo Hoo goes green eyed when he sees PD Lee hanging out with Geu Rim very often. The new team goes for a 1 Night 2 Days excursion with Jason and Soo Hoo surprised to know it's super nature trip. From car to ferry to bus...to a deserted island! Hah!

When Geu Rim accidentally left her notebook on the ferry, she rushed back to the port with Soo Hoo tagging along. They took the wrong bus and ended up in another remote area where an elderly man mistaken Soo Hoo for his long lost son. The night seem long and chilly too. Geu Rim fell asleep after exhaustion from work, Soo Hoo just stared at her for a long time. Suddenly it reminded him of the past- he and a friend were waiting at the bus stop with Geu Rim. One day his friend was hit by a truck, he tried calling Manager Kim many times. Those bad memories started flocking back resulting Soo Hoo leaving the trip without informing others. He is haunted by some trauma and that's why he refused to carry a mobile phone.

Geu Rim felt Soo Hoo's personality has changed dramatically overnight. He has turned icy cold again and even refused to read Geu Rim's prepared script on the radio show. The managers were impressed with Soo Hoo's deejay skills while praising Geu Rim and PD Lee.
Both looked annoyed and felt they needed a drink to de-stress. When Geu Rim was about to sit in PD Lee's car, Soo Hoo stopped her from getting on.

What the.... ?? First he put out all the conditions, then he got closer with her at the trip, then he disappears, then he shows up, ignores her revised radio scripts and now he stops her from ...
I can't read Soo Hoo's mind...either he's too boggled up with the trauma which hinders him from opening up to others OR his step mother has ulterior motives controlling his actions. 

2PM to commemorate Winter Olympic Games.

Hallyu group 2PM including member Tacyeon who is currently serving military, will be on stage with 'six full members' at the upcoming Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games 2018.

According to the official website of JYP and the '2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics' on the 6th Feb, 2PM will attend the 'Headliner Show' at the Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province on the 19th February 2018.


Tacyeon, who joined the military in September 2017 was called to the country as a supporting agent for the army performance during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games.
JYP said, "The PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games headliner show is also scheduled to solo. However, 2PM members who have heard of this news have expressed to participate together with Tacyeon. 


2PM members showed their steadfast teamwork and friendship with Tacyeon by adjusting their individual schedules without paying a separate performance fee. Members JUNK, Nickkhun, Junho, Woo Young and Chan Sung have expressed that they are thankful to participate in the country's big event with Tacyeon. Recently all members have re-signed their contract with JYP Entertainment. In particular, 2PM has been in charge of "JYP Foreign Cooperation Director" as it is the best in its agency;  it has been said that it will play a part in promoting JYP outside.

On the other hand, 2PM has continued to perform songs, concerts, performances, and overseas activities after a full-length concert last June.

Master in the House- Episode 6 Recap

First to arrive at the snowy area at Yang Se Hyung and he said bye to his manager for he is staying overnight at the mysterious master’s house. Next up was Seung Gi followed by Sung Jae and Sang Yun. The three were dressed in white knee length parka but Se Hyung is the odd one out in black leather jacket and jeans! They pointed out his fashion is out as they are at the mountains with thick snow so it’s advisable to wear scarf, boots and snow proof clothing. Seung Gi brought couple PJs for the Master while the ‘so-called lucky member’ to sleep with the Master has to massage his/her feet and also sing lullaby. While looking at the daily schedule of the Master- Sung Jae rejoices because there is no hard work or exercise! 

                    

They ring up someone to get some hints on their new Master. Immediately Seung Gi recognized the familiar voice- Big Bang’s Taeyang (the new groom)! Taeyang has personally not met the Master but wished he could. He has always looked up to him as Mentor. Se Hyung dishes the hints were not useful might as well Tae Yang comes over to join them meeting the Master. LOL! Tae Yang admits his time is up for enlistment very soon but Seung Gi encourages him to hang on or to seek help from him. As soon as Seung Gi starts his military talk- Se Hyung is annoyed and cut him off. The Master has a the nickname ‘Nations’ XXX’ while the rest of their brains started running wild thinking it’s near to Winter Olympics- it might be ice skater Kim Yuna or actress Moon Geun Yeung (Nation’s Little Sister).

As they wandered around the birch forest admiring the snow, they were told their Master is slowly approaching them from behind. They were getting excited and shocking veteran actor/host Choi Bool Am tapped Seung Gi and greeted him. The four immediately bowed and greeted Choi. Actor Choi has a nickname of ‘Nation’s Father’ after starring in family dramas in early 1980-1990s for many years. He is currently hosting Korean Table Food series where he goes around the entire nation searching for food.  He gets them to admire the beautiful birch forest with snow stating it’s romance. The four butlers were told to say their wish to the birch tree which somehow made them look silly. Sung Jae and Se Hyung were busy making their wishes loudly, Sang Yun remained quiet while Seung Gi whispers that from far they do look ‘insane’ (hugging and talking to a tree!)

   

Now it’s time for poetry… Actor Choi is famous for his artistic and poetry words. They were given a homework earlier to memorize and recite a poem. Sung Jae immediately becomes Actor Choi’s favorite pupil by reciting Na Tae Joo’s How Do I Live. Sang Yun tried his luck by reciting the poem ‘Red Devil’ which was famous in the 2002 World Cup held in South Korea/Japan.  Se Hyung recited Choi’s own poem and even created his own lines but somehow didn’t impress the veteran with some weird background music!

Seung Gi was funny as he just blurted out bluntly that he will recite using Choi’s initial names. They cracked up at the last part when Seung Gi saying Am--- Am Missing You…. (Singing away). Choi tells them to join him for lunch with his fellow friends at the nearby house in the snowy mountains. The four were excited since they were hungry. Se Hyung drove the van heading towards the friends’ house. They only heard the friends’ nick names were Jang Bi, Yu Bi and Guan Yu (WHA…what?!) They are the names of the familiar names of Generals in the series of Three Kingdom era. Seung Gi joked that Choi might be Zhuge Liang (the skilled war strategist) which he shook his head no-no!

After waiting for a while with snow falling, 3 men started walking towards the house with the background music from drama Goblin OST….hahah! What does it remind us- Goblin Kim Shin and Grim Reaper….slowly strutting towards them with food and wine.  Choi was thrilled to see his friends, started shaking hands with warm and love. The butlers just stood there admiring their friendship of the four elders. Choi nearly forgotten to introduce them to where they laughed and greeted the 3 elder s. Everyone were treated with a warm lovely lunch- brackens, bell roots, rice, wild boar seasoned meat and wine.  Slowly the four butlers felt Choi turned his back while eating happily with his friends. It seems there is a big wall dividing two tables. Se Hyung joked that the Master is ignoring them and having fun catching up with his friends. The YB (Young Boys) team just listened to every conversation from the OB (Old Boys) Team.  

Lunch ended quickly for the YB team so they crept out from the house feeling very awkward sitting inside. The snow is the only solace for the four butlers. They decided to play a game to decide the ‘lucky one’ to sleep with the Master wearing couple PJ, massage feet and singing lullaby to Choi. Se Hyung suggested a silly game where they dunk their face into the snow and the first to give up is the loser. While the three fools dipped their faces into the snow for 50 over seconds…only Sang Yun looked up and smiled at them. He can’t help but felt guilty after hearing them screaming away in the snow. Their faces were so frozen, noses were red and yet they endured the pain. Sung Jae asked if they are still alive since everyone remained quiet, Seung Gi started pushing Se Hyung at the side by throwing snow. At last Se Hyung screamed and gave up. Sang Yun just sat quietly observing their pain. Seung Gi felt his jaw was frozen while Sung Jae thinks his cheekbones were hardened in the snow! They concluded that Se Hyung should sleep with Choi that night. Sang Yun felt bad and immediately asked for another game…they refused. He admitted that he didn’t play the game properly leaving them dumbfounded. Se Hyung was about to curse but Sang Yun pointed out earlier they pranked on him many times so he doesn’t want to fall behind those traps. Se Hyung wondered if Seung Gi cheated too causing him to yell that his entire make up and trace is inside the snow hole. Haha! So they suggested Sang Yun to dunk his face in the snow for at least 52 seconds.

As usual Sang Yun is a tough cookie so he endured the cold but he couldn’t speak much because the snow is so cold that froze his entire face. Snow pack (face mask) for all the four butlers- heh!

Seung Gi reckoned Sang Yun and Se Hyung should just re-match because they were last two losers. Sung Jae and Seung Gi went over 55 seconds through the game. Sang Yun felt it wasn’t fun to where Sang Yun agreed. He admits he cheats but he immediately admits his fault so all should play again to find the real winner! OMG!