Universal Records Blog

March 5, 2010

SNSD performs at KBS 37th Anniversary Concert

Girls' Generation marks 4th consecutive 100K album sales with 2nd album "Oh!"

So Nyeo Shi Dae marks their 4th consecutive 100K album sales.

So Nyeo Shi Dae’s 2nd album ‘Oh!’ released on 28th January is up #1 on Hot Tracks weekly charts on 22nd February, and marks the group’s 4th consecutive 100k album sales.

Already before the official release of the album, So Nyeo Shi Dae was in the spotlight with 15oK album reservations, and with the 150K albums in stock almost all sold out, it is expected that total album sales will exceed 200K.

It is rare to see female singers’ albums sell over 100K copies. And yet for the group, from their debut album every single album released had exceed 100K album copies sold, which is a feat.

An official said, “The quality of the products produced by So Nyeo Shi Dae can be said to be of the finest in Korea. Given that they are already being established as the national brand, we are seeing that they will continue to have more breakthroughs in the future.”

Source: Newsen

TVXQ Non-no Magazine Interview

Find out about the popular 5! their “right now” Q&A!
- what they’re feeling, messages to the fans…see the five’s true face-

These are the Questions!
Q1. What are actions/words that makes you want to hug her (girlfriend)
Q2. Tell us your “sexy point”
Q3. What do you think is necessary for a “cool” man
Q4. Tell us your face icons you use a lot on your cellphone
Q5. What is the song you have a lot of memory of
Q6. What song is in your ipod that you listen to heavy rotation
Q7. Tell us what you think about your new album

His dance is like art, the leader you can rely
YUNHO
1. If I saw her cooking for me. I’ll want to hug her. If it’s words… like “I just love you”. But I’ve never had anyone say it to me!! *laughs*
2. When I’m wet? After taking a bath i tend to look at the mirror. But out of the five I’m the least to look at the mirror. Junsu and Jaejong looks at it a lot!
3.Action more than words.and I think responsibility is the most important. I think its important that you can protect the people around you by not just words but by making a move. I’m working on it too~
4.”Someone and me, believe” that’s the meaning of this 3 and I use it as a set. I use it when I say “it’s okay~” or “be happy~!!”
5. Our debut song “Hug”.I think there’s Tohoshinki because there was this song. I loved the song back then too but it was out first recording so there’s probably parts where we weren’t good….. like our pronunciation *laughs*. It’s good that you can tell there’s a lot of passion but it seems too stiff? It feels like “oh- their new!”. It’s sad that “愛せない　愛したい” (Aisenai Aishitai-Can’t love Want to love) isn’t in this album. I love the lyrics but we were young and didn’t understand it completely. If we sang it now maybe everyone will understand it better!
6. Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” I listen to it a lot.
7. It has a lot of memory ever since Tohoshinki’s debut and you can see and feel our growth. In the DVD there are different types of “Rising Sun” and you can really feel our growth. So I want everyone to listen to it carefully once. I hope it can make a new memory from this one album. This album is a present from us.

Even though hes the youngest, hes responsible and has a high voice that attracts people.
CHANGMIN
1. The back of a girl cooking. Not just cooking but washing the dishes or doing chores. If it’s a word “I”m cold”. It makes me want to protect her.
2. My jaw line? I’ve been working out so i got a little sharper.
3. Not being chased by time, and someone who has composure. I think those are the guys I like right now. Like if you had to leave at 3, you’ll be prepared by 250. I’m trying to use my day off or break time at work wisely and fully.
4. It’s laughing but a little shy. When I feel bad or I’m joking I use it. I’m lazy to e-mail so I tend to call more but if I have a girlfriend I’ll e-mail with her constantly!!
5. “Beautiful you”. Where the filming took place was at a wedding hall and it was really pretty. I thought if I got married at a place like this in front of everyone I’d get congratulated a lot and it’d probably make me really happy *laughs*. That’s what I thought and that’s why I remember it so much. I like he lyrics of the bridge. I think everyone has had love like that. Because it has a simple phrase I think that’s why people can relate to it.
6. Maroon 5’s “Sunday morning”. I listen to it at least once a day.
7. This album isn’t a “best album” but it’s a “best selection” so we picked and picked from all the Tohoshinki songs and picked songs that everyone would love so please to it from the beginning to the very last song.

Beautiful face x beautiful voice.but is a little spontaneous?
JAEJOONG
1. When I see a petite girl. It’s not my type or anything but I just think “I want to hug her”. Don’t you think small girls look cute? Words that would make my heart skip a beat… what is there… like “I’m sleepy” has someone said it to me? no no! It’s just my imagination!!
2 and 3. How I have broad shoulders. In Korea they like muscular boys so I work out when I go to Korea but when I come back to Japan I stop! Since in Japan grazing boys (non-aggressive boys) are popular. So I’m adapting myself to the place. My body is so busy!
4. Yoochun and I had the same but since Yoochun drew the same one~! so I’ll use this. If I got a e-mail saying “Jaejoong did you eat?” I’ll say “yeah, I ate!!” thats how I use it.
5. “Love in the ice”♡ I think it’s the most moving song. I cry often too. The last part and the bridge when everyone sings each of their part I cry! I like “share the world” too. It feels nice when I sing it!!
6. Son by an artist called “JHoliday”. They sing well too but the arranging is really good. He’s a Jaejoong type. I listen to Tohoshinki song someeeeeeetimes. Last time I wanted tell my friend in Korea that “in Japan we’re like this” so i had him listen to “the secret code” album and he said “there was a lot of surprising songs”. Since in Korea and Japan we have different images. My friends said “I didnt know you can sing these songs too”. My friends reactions are really good!
7. Personally, I feel that its a waste that “Kiss the baby sky” isn’t in it. It was a song that’s loved so much!!” 愛せない　愛したい” (Aisenai Aishitai-can’t love want to love) too! If we can I wanted to put all the songs in but its the best song out of all the best we sang so please listen to it a lot!

Fluent in English,sexy boy with a low voice
YOOCHUN
1. When she wakes up in the morning and her hair is a little messy and she wears a guys shirt and brushes her teeth. It’d make me want to hug her~.
2. Not my wide forehead but my thick lips!! Especially the bottom lip is thick and it used to be thicker! Right after my mom had me she said she thought “what!? he has thick lips!” *laughs*.
3. A guy with composure. Someone who’s relaxed. Lately I go out as much as I can instead of staying home. I go on a drive alone in Korea and I want to drive in Japan too but the lane is on the opposite side and I’m worried about the different traffic rules.
4. It’s like “hurry up and come~!”. I use it even if I’m sad or happy.
5. “SHINE”. Honestly when I first listened to it I thought it had a weak impact but now it’s a happy song ad the music video is stylish and the dance is good too.So I wish we could have promoted this longer.
6. Lil Wayne and the east side boys feat. Usher and Ludacris’s “lovers and friends”. The arrange is really simple yet it expresses the song really well. Tohoshinki songs….. I listen to it, someeeeeeetimes. *laughs*
7. みなさん、ご機嫌うるわしゅう！今回のアルバムよろしゅ

うに！(he uses very formal japanese meaning everyone, how are you! and please enjoy this album/ look after this album) Our past songs, our performance I don’t want everyone to listen to it remembering the past but i want everyone to listen to it and think of our future performances and new songs… i want people to listen to it with expectation for our future. It’s full with future hopes.

The charisma singer that is called “Asia’s treasure”
JUNSU
1. When shes jealous. If I had to go to work where there are girls I want the girl to say “don’t go~”or “noo~”. It’ll make me happy and it’s cute. But if she says it too much its not good!! *laughs*
2. Butt! It’s small…like kind of looking up… its プリっとしてる♡( there is no words in english that can be used but he uses a word that japanese people would say when they saw something like pudding. He uses it like his butt is cute) I couldn’t think of anything but my butt.
3. Someone who can consider peoples feelings. Even if it’s towards a women or his friends someone who thinks about others before himself.and of course when hes working too I think that’s manly.
4. I use it a lot when I’m embarrassed/shy or have trouble.
5. Whenever I sing “Forever love” I cry! the melody and the lyrics really… hits my heart. There are more sad songs but this song is….I seem to link it to my experience. When we sang it at lives and at Tokyo Dome I cried a lot. I try to hold it in so that the melody and the tune won’t be messed up but because I’m trying to hold it in it changes a lot *laughs*. It’s a song that you can really cry!! The part that’s moving the most is when I look at Yoochun’s face and sing in harmony. It makes me want to cry and Yoochun looks like hes going to too. And the last part when Jaejoong and I sing in harmony too!!
6. Brian Mcknight’s “one last cry”. I like the whole song. I’ve been listening to it for a while but now I sing it too. I’m constantly putting it on repeat.
7. I’m really happy that we’re releasing a best album. I think that we were able to come this far is because of everyone’s support and that gave us power. This album has Tohoshinki’s memories from the tough times and the good times. I want everyone to listen to it a lot.

TBC…………

source: non-no magazine No.6 3/20
trans by: Rieko@sharingyoochun

TVXQ's U-know Yun-ho leaves for L.A. to prepare for Michael Jackson Tribute

U-know Yun-ho of TVXQ will leave for L.A. on Friday to rehearse for the Michael Jackson tribute. The tribute performance will be held on March 27th and 28th at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul. He will meet with the American dance team in Las Vegas and practice his dance routines. Singer J.ae, who has resumed her music career after three years with a new release titled “No.5,” plans to accompany Yun-ho to Las Vegas as his interpreter.

The TVXQ leader plans to perform some of Jackson’s greatest hits, such as “Thriller,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” “Smooth Criminal,” and “Jam.” He will also be joined by famed vocalists Van Johnson and Tony Terry in singing “Man in the Mirror” and “Black or White.”

Sponsored by SBS and produced jointly by S2 Entertainment and Paragon Music Corporation, the performance named “A Tribute Band From Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT Movie and U-know Live” will be held at the Peace Plaza at the War Memorial of Korea in the Yongsan district.

Source : KBS Globa

TVXQ Ends February On Top of Oricon Charts

After topping Oricon monthly singles charts for January with "BREAK OUT!", TVXQ hold on to the top spot on February's album charts with "Best Selection 2010".

Selling 458,796 copies in less than two weeks and debuting on the Oricon weekly charts at #1 the week it was released, "Best Selection 2010" beat out competition from #2 album "5years" by Kaela Kimura, who sold over 100,000 copies less than TVXQ.

TVXQ continues to dominate Japanese and international charts with "Best Selection 2010" - looks like the band is truly at their peak. Their next single, "Tokiwo Tomete", is set for release this month.

We've been congratulating these five a lot these past few months but they definitely deserve our congratulations!

Source: ORICON STYLE

Allkpop | TVXQ's Jaejoong to star in a new Japanese drama?

It is rumored that handsome TVXQ member Jaejoong may be starring in a new Japanese drama called Sunao ni Narenakute.

This drama revolves around the story of five young people who meet in Shibuya, Tokyo and keep in touch through popular social blogging site Twitter. Scheduled to be released in April 2010, Sunao ni Narenakute has already confirmed cast members for four characters: Nakaru, Haru, Peach and Rinta.

Although we do not know for sure whether or not Jaejoong will be cast as a member for this highly anticipated drama, it would be exciting if he does.

Thanks to SashiTD for the tip!

Source: Allkpop

March 3, 2010

Sam Concepcion Receives Gold Record Award For His Debut Album

Teen Heartthrob Sam Concepcion's self-titled debut album is now certified GOLD! Sam received his Gold Record Award last February 28th on ASAP XV from Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy Go after the launch of his current single "Missed You", taken from his latest release, "Pop Class" DVD. Produced by Platinum Producer Ito Rapadas, Sam's debut CD includes the hits "Even If", "I'll Find Your Heart" and "Happy".

Sam instantly captured the hearts of the public when he won in the ABS-CBN talent show “Little Big Star” in 2006. He has won numerous commendations in the short span of time that he has been pursuing his career - a string of Candy Cutie Awards sponsored by Candy Magazine; Nickelodeon’s Pinoy Wannabe Award; Pure N’ Fresh Top Teen Awards’ Top Teen Male Entertainer Award and "Favorite New Artist" in the 3rd MYX Music Awards. He also topbilled STAGES’ production of “High School Musical,” a critical and commercial success, as Troy Bolton. Sam also broke new grounds when he was tasked to sing the theme song “Kung Fu Fighting”of the international animated movie “Kung Fu Panda", such feat made him the first local artist to have sung for Hollywood film company, Dreamworks. In the concert scene, Sam proved why Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano handpicked him to be his successor alongside international recording artist Billy Crawford. On television, Sam was unforgettable as Boy Bawang in the superserye “Super Inggo”, as young Piolo Pascual in “Walang Kapalit”, as Betty La Fea’s younger brother Andrew in the ABS-CBN adaptation of the hit Colombian franchise, as the young and handsome Bobet in “Your Song Presents: Boystown” and on “ASAP” where he is a part of the Gigger Boys and A-Pop. Sam’s credibility as an endorser has also brought his image to a different level. He is one of the faces of Bench and Skechers, as well as the endorser of Karate Kid fast food chain. He has also been lauded for his numerous advocacies. Sam is Department of Education’s (DepEd) ambassador, and a World Vision stalwart. Sam credits his current success to the support of SAMster. They have been following every detail of their idol’s career, showing support and are always present in each and every activity that Sam gets involved with.

In the photo (left to right) : Carlo Orosa (Sam's Business Manager), Sam Concepcion and Kathleen Dy Go (Universal Records General Manager).

Sam Concepcion's Official Website : http://samconcepcion.net/index2.php
Facebook Fan Page : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Concepcion/10537116789

Sam Concepcion "Missed You" music video

Taken From "Pop Class" DVD. Out now! The video is now shown on MYX. Please support it, just text:
MYX vote Missedyou
Then send to 2366.

Sam Concepcion's "Pop Class" DVD Out Now!

In the tradition of Glee, Camp Rock and High School Musical of the "tween" revolution, "Pop Class" is a ground-breaking concept: a mini-movie-musical and a brand new album from Universal Records by Sam Concepcion--all rolled into one!

Sam (Concepcion) and Chesca (Ortega) are on their way to fulfilling their pop dreams as the most promising students in their Pop Class (a Pop Performance Workshop Class they have religiously attended every summer since they were kids). But when Chesca inexplicably drops out, Sam is devastated and falls into an uninspired artistic rut. Will his best friend Chesca's coming back--years after--take him out of his misery or make matters worse (since the school is about to close)? With a spirited production of cool dance sequences and new tween music, "Pop Class" will surely make you fall in love and prove that "you can never just walk away from your dreams".

"Pop Class" is now out on DVD! Get your copy now!