Wu Chun’s last idol drama, “Sunshine Angel”, is said to be in a financial dispute between its mainland collaborators and Comic Ritz. The mainland production company, Shanghai Yao Xin Ying, reportedly still owes Comic Ritz three million TWD for the drama’s production cost.

The drama premiered on Hunan TV just two days ago, winning its time slot. However, what’s bizarre is that its Taiwan collaborators which includes GTV and Comit Ritz, did not receive any notice of the premiere. Yesterday, Comic Ritz commented that premiering the drama without first notifying them is already an infringement, which they might seek legal action on. The media could not get a response from Yao Xin Ying’s representative, Sun Jun, as he was unreachable, with all three of his phones forwarded to voicemail.

In previous collaborations, the mainland and Taiwan production companies would each own the local copyrights of the drama. After obtaining the approvals to film and broadcast, the drama would usually premiere in Taiwan due to its market value.

The broadcasting agreement has yet to be signed for “Sunshine Angel”, and Comic Ritz expressed that they were suddenly informed a month ago by their mainland partner that “the state administration of radio and television wishes for collaborated dramas to premiere in mainland.” Comic Ritz did not find such a rule after checking a few times, but in the end, their mainland partners quickly sold the drama to Hunan TV without them knowing, and the drama hit the air on the 6th.

“Sunshine Angel” is a highly anticipated drama starring Rainie Yang and Wu Chun. Rainie filmed “Sunshine” first and then did “Love You”. But due to delays in obtaining an approval for “Sunshine” in the mainland, “Love You” is already airing in Taiwan.

Source: UDN
Written by: fufu @ CpopAccess.com

Rainie Yang has grown from tomboy to elegant and feminine. For her coming new album, she’ll be “exposing” more but in a graceful way. In the past, she’s always wearing outfit that hid her legs but this time, she said there’s more ’showing off the legs and shoulders’.

She’s becoming more mature but says she’s still young at heart. The popular singer/actor recently expressed her thoughts on love, in particular a painful one. While she was out on a few dates with this person, she noticed he kept turning his cellphone off. She told her date that he doesn’t need to keep turning his cellphone off just in case of important calls. However, her date told her that he wants to spend quality time with her without interruption and she fell for the “sweet talk”, only finding out the truth later that he did that all the time because he was cheating with her due to a ‘clingy girlfriend’. Rainie said she felt like a complete fool to believe their relationship was ‘real’.

Her new album is still untitled and yet to be confirmed. As for her new album concept, she’s going with the visual approach (see image above) which, she designed herself.

Source: Jpop Asia

Yoko Kumada – Image.tv March 11
A photo scans collection of Gravure Idol, Kumada Yoko.
| Title: Image.tv March 11
| Total: 60 pics
| Image: High Quality
| Resolution: 860×1280 pixels, 1280×860 pixels

Yoko Kumada (熊田曜子 Kumada Yōko、May 13, 1982) is a Japanese gravure idol and singer originally from Gifu city, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

In the wake of Friday massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, various organizations and individuals are working towards relief efforts. Among them is musician Nishikawa Takanori, also known by the name T.M.Revolution. Earlier today, he sent out a proposal on Twitter for a charity event at the end of this month, and plans are quickly progressing with the help of his followers.

Nishikawa was already planning to hold a release event at Zepp Tokyo on March 30, the day that his new album LOUD NINE goes on sale. Naturally, there were talks of postponing it, like many other artists are doing with their upcoming events. However, Nishikawa said that since he has already reserved the venue, he would like to hold a charity event instead, and he asked for help from his more than 200,000 Twitter followers.

Nishikawa抯 plans include donating all ticket proceeds to the relief efforts, making the event available online for free, holding a charity auction, and doing more fundraising at the event venue. He is hoping to gather other artists and creators to participate as well.

On Twitter, Nishikawa has been exchanging messages with many people who are offering to help. He admitted that he is not sure how far the plans will go, but things seem to be moving quickly. In a recent tweet, he revealed that a major company has contacted him, offering extensive support for the video streaming and online auction plans.

Source: tokyograph

On March 15th, YG Entertainment announced that they’ll be donating $500,000 USD to the relief efforts in Japan.

The agency had set up a charity campaign four years ago, through which they help various charitable organizations by donating a portion of their total album sales. This year, YG Entertainment has decided to donate $500,000 USD in emergency relief funds.

A representative of YG Entertainment spoke with OSEN and revealed, “We are still discussing which organization to donate to. Funds for the campaign donations were taken from album sales, and a lot of Japanese fans have taken part in the campaign throughout the years. This donation will be made to give back that support the Japanese fans have shown us.”

They continued, “Campaign donations were always made at the year-end, but due to the sudden disaster in Japan, we’ve decided to go ahead and run the campaign earlier this year to aid in the relief efforts. We’re all extremely upset with the natural disasters affecting the nation.”

Other stars who have publicly donated relief funds include Bae Yong Joon, Ryu Shi Won, Choi Ji Woo, Kim Hyun Joong, Jang Geun Suk, Lee Byung Hun, Song Seung Hun and KARA.

Source + Photos: OSEN via Naver, Star News
Translation: VITALSIGN@allkpop

During the time of crises in neighboring country, Japan, many k-pop stars are offering aid through financial means. One of such cases is the girl group KARA who made a more than successful debut there. The popular act decided to donate the entire profits made from the sales of their latest single.

KARA plans to release their third Japanese single, “Jetcoaster Love” on March 23rd. Reps of the girls shared that KARA members were brainstorming of different ways to help out, and came up with the solution of giving away the full amount earned from “Jetcoaster Love” to help those affected by the natural disasters.

The group’s label, DSP Media stated, “The KARA members are saddened to see the damage caused for their Japanese fans that showed them such love. They all keep glued to the TV news and internet news, hoping that no additional damage is caused and that the country recovers as soon as possible. After considering possible ways to help out in the recovery process, they’ve decided to donate the full profit earned from their new single.”

Source: KBS Global

Korean “hallyu” stars including actor Bae Yong-joon are expressing their condolences to Japanese earthquake victims via donations and Twitter messages.

Bae, affectionately called Yonsama by fans in the neighboring country, gave 1 billion won to a Japanese governmental organization, Monday, said his agency Key East.

The endowment is intended to provide displaced victims with first aid kits, meals and other daily necessities, said the agency. “Mr. Bae was very concerned when he heard how victims are under inadequate conditions, without enough food or water in this cold weather. He insisted that the cash gift be used first and foremost for emergency relief such as foodstuff, blankets and other essential items.”

“My heart aches to hear about the increasing damage and aftershocks. I will look for the best way to help,” Bae wrote on his official Japanese website Monday morning, prior to making the bequest.

Meanwhile, singer-actor Kim Hyun-joong also gave 100 million won to his Japanese agency DA, asking that it be used for aid relief. “It’s a small sum, but I pray for a fast recovery and I hope it can help victims,” he said. Kim returned safely back home Saturday from Japan, where promotional events for his TV series “Naughty Kiss” were cancelled.

Jang Geun-suk also offered 10 million yen (some 137 million won) to the Japanese Red Cross. It remains to be seen whether the actor’s upcoming March 27 event in Tokyo, in which he was slated to meet some 20,000 Japanese fans, will take place.

A local rock festival will also make contributions. All proceeds for Rock Dog Korea 2011, which will take place in Hongdae V-Hall on Saturday, will be donated to aid relief.

In the meantime, Taiji, a former member of the popular Japanese rock group X Japan, will not feature in the event due to circumstances concerning the earthquake. Other programs in the festival will be held as scheduled, according to the organizers. The festival also plans to create a banner featuring messages from festivalgoers and send it to Japan.

Singer-actor Ryu Shi-won told Yonhap News that he is composing a letter to Japanese fans and is thinking of ways to help victims, such as through a donation.

Many other stars are expressing their concern in cyberspace.

On Sunday, movie star Lee Byung-hun wrote messages of hope on his online website, while others shared their thoughts through Twitter. Boy band JYJ member Kim Jun-su, who returned from a photo shoot in Japan on Saturday, said, “Japan is our closest neighboring country, and their pain is ours. Let us pray all together as one.”

Actor Park Shin-yang wrote messages in Japanese and English: “Can’t believe what has happened to my friends of JAPAN! I’d like to send my deepest condolences to all the victims affected by the earthquake… and hope the aftershocks will calm down soon. Wish you all the best! GANBATTE!”

Pop star BoA twittered in English, “Heard about Japan earthquake, and especially Tokyo got huge earthquake.. Hope everybody’s OK….”

Park Joong-hoon, who starred in the local tsunami film “Haeundae,” remarked that the disaster in Japan “is much more horrendous than the movie” and prayed for the victims.

Rocker Kim Jong-suh, whose family lives in Japan, informed fans through the social networking tool that his family is safe. “I hope there will be no more damage in our neighboring country,” he wrote.

Taekyeon of pop group 2PM and Nam Ji-hyeon of girl band 4Minute, as well as rock star Yoon Do-hyun and other local celebrities also voiced their worries.

Source: Korea Times

On the 14th, Arron Yan YaLun participated in Hit FM’s White Day(1) celebration; he appeared as a “Piano Prince” and played with a group of kindergarteners. The children kissed him and praised his lips as “so soft!” Recently, rumors of Fahrenheit’s disbanding have been rampant; Arron excitedly and proudly revealed that Fahrenheit will be appearing as a group on the 25th in Malaysia. They will be filming a commercial together, as well as appearing at a promotional event. The four will, together, be making more than $10 million NTD. It will also be the first time Arron is appearing with the other three Fahrenheit members since releasing his solo album.

Arron will be donating $1 million NTD, along with some basic goods and materials, to Japan’s disaster relief efforts. Several Japanese fans actually traveled to Taiwan to participate in his autograph concert a few days ago. One of the fans was actually from one of the Japanese districts affected by the earthquake; because she had gone to Taiwan, she escaped the disaster entirely. Some of her friends and classmates, however, weren’t so lucky: they fell victim to the tsunami.(2) Out of gratefulness, the fan’s mother purchased 100 copies of Arron’s album.

Arron consulted a “fortune telling” expert before releasing his album; he was told to wear all red on the day of his pre-order autograph concert for good luck. The weather that day really was beautiful. Moreover, when he was on his way to the event, riding the high-speed rail, media bigwig 邱復生 Chiu FuSheng saw him, but failed to recognized him, though he praised Arron as “good-looking” and even gave him his business card. Arron was struck and overwhelmed by his good luck; he felt he owed it all to his lucky red clothes!

(1) White Day is another Valentine’s Day, celebrated by a few countries in Asia, mainly Japan, Taiwan, and S. Korea. Western Valentine’s Day in Asia is a bit of a role reversal: girls typically give homemade or store-bought chocolates to their crushes. It’s on White Day that the boys respond with their own presents.
(2) The article doesn’t really clarify whether this girl’s classmates were injured by the tsunami or whether they actually died… either way, though, presumably they were in school when disaster struck, which is why her mom is “grateful.”
UPDATE: Arron confirmed the deaths of some of the girl’s friends on a recent LIVE episode of Yu Le Bai Fen Bai [100% Entertainment].

News Source: ChinaTimes, http://asianfanatics.net/forum/
Translation Credit: tammiest @ http://asianfanatics.net/

Singer GACKT is using his influence to help earthquake relief efforts, establishing a new emergency donation fund called “SHOW YOUR HEART.” The fund was organized with cooperation from popular online gaming portal Hangame, and a special webpage has been launched for the fund.

A large number of other celebrities have added messages of support on the webpage, including LUNA SEA’s Shinya, h.NAOTO, Fujiwara Norika, Izumiya Shigeru, Nightmare’s Ni~ya, BREAKERZ’s DAIGO, Jinnai Tomonori, Haruna Ai, Koike Eiko, Tamaki Nami, Ohguro Maki, and many more.

The donations, which are being accepted through a Sumitomo Mitsui bank account, will be given to the Japanese Red Cross and prefectural welfare organizations.

Source: tokyograph

Chinese singer, Li Yuchun, recently began to promote her upcoming new album, with the title song “Artistic Youth Who Can Dance.”

The self-written song expresses Li Yuchun’s aspiration of freedom.

The lyric says: Sunshine calls to complain, saying it falls in love with rain. This kind of romantic logic may sound ridiculous, but who says it is impossible. Just like artistic youths who can dance, who says they have to dance in circles and who says only circles are the right moves.

Li will sing the song at her annual ‘Why Me’ concert 2011 on March 26 in central China’s Wuhan city.

Source: CRI English