[NEWS]Jang Keun Suk 'Just Crazy' Top the weekly Oricon Chart

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credit:KPOPFEVER

Actor + Singer Jang Geun Suk has swept the Oricon Chart.

According to the announcement made by Jang Geun Suk’s agency Tree J Company on the 5th, Jang Geun Suk’s first full album in Japan ‘Just Crazy’ has ranked #1 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

Jang Geun Suk’s album ranked #1 on the Oricon Daily Chart on the same day of its release, on May 30th. The album was released in two versions, the limited edition and the regular album and so far the two versions have recorded 88,000 copies sold combined, placing the album solidly on the #1 spot.

This is the first time a male singer had won the top spot on the Oricon Weekly Chart with his first full album since Moriyama Naotaro had achieved the feat in 2004. Not only has it been 8 years since this impressive feat had been achieved, but it is the first time an international artist has ever achieved it. Up to date the best record set by international artists were the #2 ranks set by the American artist Scatman John in 1995 and by singer K in 2006, who also happens to be a South Korean.

Jang Geun Suk was placed #1 on the Oricon Daily Chart and as well as the Weekly Chart with his first single ‘Let Me Cry’ in April of 2011. With the latest feat he achieved this impressive feat with both his single and his full album.

The last time anyone else had ranked #1 for the daily and the weekly chart on Oricon with their first single and full album was 17 years ago in 1994 when Uchida Yuki had ranked #1 with her first single and full album.

In a related news, Jang Geun Suk will kick start his Asian tour ’2012 Jang Geun Suk Asia Tour ‘THE CRI SHOW 2′ in Seoul in July. He will tour 4 cities in Japan including Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka, then he’ll move his stage to Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Source: Money Today via Nate

Jang Keun Suk is ecstatic about ranking #1 on the Oricon chart

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credit:kpopfever

Singer + actor Jang Geun Suk spoke about placing #1 on the Oricon chart.

Jang Geun Suk took part in the ‘Hot Click Corner’ interview segment on the June 2nd episode of KBS ‘Entertainment Report’.

When the reporter mentioned about his new album placing #1 on the Oricon chart Jang Geun Suk stated “I was very happy about it.”

Jang Geun Suk added, “I prepared this album for a year so I want to pass on this honorable achievement to my Jang-uh (his fan club).”

Jang Geun Suk was also asked if he could sing a little bit of the title song for the Korean fans and he happily obliged singing a small part of the song.

Image: KBS ‘Entertainment Report’
Source: Xports News via Naver

Wide release on paper first album, artist of the first life-sized ads that Jang Geun Suk!

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Asahi Shimbun (Tokyo Head Office: 5-3-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) May 30, "a wide panoramic format paper, the release of first album of popular singer-actor.
Jang Geun Suk of South Korea and Japan was conducted using a wide plan to announce "(Advertiser: Pony Canyon). Which show that in the (front and back) version 4 stations were connected to the side four minutes page newspaper, Jang Geun Suk has been published in the powerful life-size. This is a special area planning advertising, a total of about 500,000 parts distribution area in the tube headquarters in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.
 In the Asahi Shimbun, it advertised a life-sized photos of famous artists is the first time.

Credit:adv.asahi.com

Jang Keun Suk Shows How He Earned the “Asia Prince” Title

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Hallyu star Jang Keun Suk shared an impressive photo of him working diligently on his flight, showing how he’s earned the “Asia Prince” nickname as one of the top Hallyu stars.

On May 30, Jang Geun Suk tweeted the message, “The Asia Prince works hard even on the flight to China.” Alongside the tweet, he shared a photo that showed him monitoring the screens of two laptops and one tablet PC in his hand. It’s hard to see what the screens are showing, but one of them has a video editing program on it, proving he is indeed doing some serious work for his concert of music video.

Netizens commented, “Wow, you even work on the flight?” “Of course, that’s how you earned the Asia Prince title,” and “Just get your own chartered flight.”

Meanwhile, Jang Keun Suk’s first Japanese regular album, “Just Crazy,” topped the Daily Oricon Charts on the day of its release. In July, he will go on the “2012 Jang Keun Suk Asia Tour – The CRI Show 2.”

Credit:www.soompi.com

Jang Keun Suk Excite Music Interview

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As a new Hallyu star who has garnered much attention in Japan, Jang Keun Suk has liked music since young. With a passion for Japanese visual rock, his wish is to release his first album “Just Crazy” under his own name.

During the one year of production, even when he is working as an actor, thoughts of his album were often on his mind. A work of confidence, “Just Crazy” album is invested with much feeling which is conveyed through the first Excite Music interview.

“Purple Concept”, a purple-mood album

Excite: Before we talk about the much-anticipated first album “Just Crazy”, let’s ask about JKS’ music experience to date. How did you initially come to be interested in music?

JKS: I think I became interested at the age of 4 or 5 when I watched TV programmes with dance and music. After that, when I was a high school student, I became interested in Japanese culture, and what was trendy then was Japanese visual rock. From then on, I listened to rock music from various countries. These few years, I also listen to dance music and not just only rock.

Excite: The opportunity for you to make your own music?

JKS: During my acting work, I played the role of a rock band singer in the movie “Happy Life” when I was 20 years old.

Excite: You played the role of the singer in the rock band “Active Volcano” (in the movie).

JKS: Yes. During that movie, it was my first time practising the guitar and doing live scene filming at the same time. It was a very happy time. With that experience, I thought of whether I could sing as Jang Keun Suk in my future performance. From that time, my interest to develop rock music became even more stronger. Unknowingly, the role of a musician is not just the nature of my acting work but has become Jang Keun Suk’s life!

Excite: “Just Crazy” is your first solo album. How do you feel compared to the Team H album (with friend and music producer Big Brother)?

JKS: I feel just as happy, but there is some difference. Since April debut (of Team H album) last year, preparations for this album started immediately. Song selection, music arrangement, discussion of the lyrics and artistic work etc. It took one year to prepare. During my acting work, I often thought about the album. Because of this, the happiness from its completion is also a lot. Happy not just because of the satisfaction in doing it, but because of the confidence I gained.

“What kind of feelings to have as I move forward”

Excite: What is the concept during production?

JKS: I want to make an album with a purple impression. My debut song “Let me cry” did not have a simple image; if I use colour to describe it, it feels black. But from the preparation stage, I wanted to produce and complete this album based on the feeling of purple. At the beginning of production, the producer communicated this, “Please set as the goal an album with a purple impression and purple feelings!”

Excite: That’s why purple is used on the album cover?

JKS: This design was decided after much discussion with staff. Many feelings, thoughts and intangible stuff poured out from our mind, because this album is the nature of my own work.

Excite: Aggressive songs. Gentle songs. Colourful songs. Sad songs. An album rich in many various types of rock.

JKS: Yes it’s like that. And all (the songs) reflect my feelings. Because besides the song for which I wrote the lyrics, the other song lyrics are written after lots of discussion.

Excite: The hit song “Crazy Crazy Crazy” is a very horror type of rock.

JKS: The expressions for this song change continuously. The lyrics have a strong story line. There is a story but my own character is also strongly reflected.

Excite: Then what kind of character is it?

JKS: Simply said, it’s “doS” [laughs]. Because of that perspective of the world, so for the MV my eyeliner was very thick.

Excite: In contrast we have the song “In my dream” with melody and lyrics both written by you. This is a heartwarming narrative song, and also the only song in this album sung in Korean.

JKS: It’s been 20 years since I started working. The song “In my dream” is written on the basis of having worked 20 years. What is the reason that I continue to run forward until now? And what kind of thoughts should I have in order to move forward? I wrote the lyrics as I considered these issues.

“At my Japanese concerts, I see many expressions”

Excite: This melody, during last year’s Tokyo Dome concert…

JKS: Yes! It’s this song!

Excite: sang this kind of song right!

JKS: Yes [laughs]. That song is the raw form, but the lyrics are entirely different.

Excite: “Guardian Star” that’s only in the normal edition is also memorable. Does it evoke nostalgia? Giving a sense of assurance?

JKS: This is a song released at last year’s Arena tour. I said that on stage, this song came about because of the great East Japan earthquake. I wanted to do something for the people of Japan, so I decided to sing this song. I put my feelings into the album to convey to all.

Excite: The last song “Tomorrow” is a relaxing pop song. As one listens, one starts to feel very blissful.

JKS: Because it’s a song brimming with hope. I wanted to have a harmonious song that enables one to feel tomorrow and the future as the ending song for the album.

Excite: How was it to sing in Japanese? Besides “In my dream”, all the lyrics are in Japanese.

JKS: Of course singing in Korean is better as I can express my feelings better. It’s my mother tongue so I can sing more smoothly. Actually, singing in Japanese is not that hard because I had sufficient preparation.

Excite: You have Asia Tour from July to October, and 8 concerts in Japan. What kind of stage effects will you have?

JKS: The details are not decided yet, but will perform most of the songs in the “Just Crazy” album. There will still be a part on rock, but it will be completely different. Just like the performance last year, I want to show many different images. For this, I will steadfastly discuss this with my staff.

[NEWS]24 HOURS LIVE broadcast for JKS ALBUM 'JUST CRAZY'

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GOOD NEWS EELs...

 In order to promote his first full album ‘Just Crazy‘, Jang Keun Suk will be broadcasting a special 24-hour program live over Nico Nico Douga from 9:00 PM on May 29th until the same time on May 30th.



 The full title of the program is “Special 24-Hour Program ‘Just Crazy’ World in Nico Nico Live Broadcast in Commemoration of the Release of Jang Keun Suk’s 1st Album ‘Just Crazy’” (URL: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv93221083).



Jang Keun Suk had previously held similar programs live over Nico Nico Douga for the release of his debut single “Let me cry“, which went straight to the top of the Oricon charts, as well as for the release of TEAM H’s “Lounge H The first impresions“, which he participated in as part of a unit with BIG BROTHER.

Over one million people tuned into these past two broadcasts.



 Jang Keun Suk will also be taking over “Seiryumon“ inside Odaiba’s Venus Fort from May 30th until June 17th. Multiple panels of Jang Geun Suk wearing the clothes from his album jacket cover will be plastered on the walls, while exclusive clips and his music video for “Crazy Crazy Crazy” will be projected onto a gigantic screen. There will also be a special menu, napkins, and coasters of the Korean star.



 The song “200 miles” from his new album has already been claimed as the opening theme song to the movie ‘FAIRY TAIL the Movie Houou no Miko‘, while the song “Rain” is currently on air now as the CM song for Suntory’s “Soul Makkori” commercials.

 Check out the track list and covers for ‘Just Crazy’, in addition to the music video for “Crazy Crazy Crazy” below!

COVER OF LIMITED EDITION(CD+DVD)

COVER of REGULAR EDITION (CD)

< CD Track List >

01. 200 miles
0

2. Always close to you

03. Crazy Crazy Crazy

04. Stay

05. Rain

06. Let me cry

 07. Abracadabra

08. In my dream

09. Bye Bye Bye (Album Version)

10. Epilogue…

11. Tomorrow




< DVD Track List >
“Crazy Crazy Crazy” Music Video
Jacket

 & Music Video Making



 Here's the short MV of crazy!crazy!crazy!










credit:tokyohive+polycanyon@yt

PRINCE J EFFECT

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“If one can get Jang Keun Suk to be on a magazine cover, the sales will definitely not be a problem,” a Japanese publishing source revealed.

Jang Keun Suk may very well outstrip the current Hallyu “leader” Bae Yong-joon. His debut single “Let me cry” topped the Oricon chart upon its first release – its sales of 119,000 is equivalent to the total annual sales record of a first-rated singer in Korea. On 11 May, many Korean media touched on the topic of “Why Jang Keun Suk can become so popular in Japan”, and analyzed the reasons why he became a top Hallyu star.

Korean media points out that in contrast to JKS’ deeply-rooted actor identity in Korea, JKS’ acting and singing skill are both widely acknowledged in Japan. Many Korean artistes sing at fan-meetings in order to broaden their artiste activities in Japan, but this time, the sales record of JKS’ debut single remains an undisputable fact which proves that his “musician” identity is officially acknowledged. Oricon’s editor even complimented JKS that “his period has arrived”. JKS was the historical first overseas singer to top Oricon’s weekly sales chart in its first week of sales (including groups and solo singers), and the media analyzed that the reason why JKS was able to achieve this feat as a newbie singer, was related to the singer roles that JKS took on in “You are Beautiful” and “Marry me Mary”, as well as his outstanding performance in singing the drama OST. They think that JKS’ singer image slowly took shape in the hearts of fans through these dramas, so even though his album release was delayed for more than a month because of the earthquake, he could still accomplish these ‘miraculous’ sales, finally leading to the official debut of singer Jang Keun Suk.

The effect of “You are Beautiful”: overseas drama with the most number of repeat broadcasts on free-to-air TV station

JKS’ overwhelming popularity in Japan can also be seen from his “You are Beautiful” (YAB). Fuji TV recently announced its third broadcast of YAB on 28 May, YAB thus becoming the first overseas drama being repeated the most. This is due to JKS’ high popularity. In addition, between 6 May to 19 May, 53 cinemas in Japan are showing YAB 2-hour movie version. At JKS’ fan-meeting in Yokohama end of last year, the demand for tickets out-stripped supply, so his fan-meeting was broadcast live via satellite at 31 cinemas across Japan, an unprecedented way to satisfy fans’ desire to watch his show.

JKS continues to hone his acting and singing despite being neglected by media
He uses sincerity to win fans

Korean media points out that before the news of JKS’ album topping the Oricon chart was announced, both the Korean and Japanese media were not enthusiastic about reports on JKS, because he still belongs to the younger generation of still-rising artistes, and JKS is not yet on par with big stars such as Bae Yong-joon, Song Seung Heon and Hyun Bin. Despite this lack of attention, JKS continues to work hard to hone his acting and singing. Every time when he holds his fan-meeting, be it in Korea or other countries such as Japan, one always sees JKS’ sincerity and consideration towards fans. The most important reason why JKS can win fans’ hearts is that he possesses Japan’s top star model etiquette.

JKS is not a top star in Korea
“You’re my Pet” becomes the test for JKS’ skill and popularity

Japan’s fascination with Korean girl groups is widely known, and on Oricon chart on 9 May when JKS surpassed top-rated Girls Generation to become the weekly champion, even many Korean fans were in for a big surprise. Not only is he the first overseas artiste to top the Oricon chart on his first release, JKS is also the first artiste (including Japanese singers) to achieve this feat in 30 years since Kondō Masahiko.

In contrast to the craze in Japan, it is also a fact that JKS is not counted amongst the ranks of top stars in Korea. His acting in “Hwang Jin-I” received some initial acknowledgement, but viewership ratings for his most recent drama “Marry me Mary” fell below the embarrassing 10% threshold. His works such as “Happy Life”, “Baby and Me” and “The Case of Itaewon Homicide” were average in terms of reviews and viewership.

Korean media analyzes bluntly that even the viewership ratings for his representative work “YAB” were poor in Korea. JKS’ popularity increase in Japan is similar to Bae Yong-joon’s, in that his drama became popular and topped ratings in Japan when Fuji TV aired it. If Bae Yong-joon can be said to have the love of middle-aged audience due to his sense of gentility rarely seen in Japanese male artistes, then JKS wins fans (including younger fans) due to his new-generation individuality and gender-neutral charm. This is similar to the reasons why K-pop became popular.

In the wake of Bae Yong-joon, many Korean artistes have also developed their career in Japan, but the only Hallyu star who has gotten all the Japanese media singing his praises is possibly only Jang Keun Suk. JKS on the cover of anan magazine sold a record 280,000 copies to the extent of no stock. “Oricon Style” editor even says that “JKS period has arrived”, and news describe JKS’ popularity as the aggressiveness of a hurricane.

The movie “You’re my Pet” is JKS’ first commercial work after joining the ranks of Hallyu star.

“Whether JKS’ popularity is the over-enthusiastic promotion of the media or a real fact, the ticket sales of this movie will prove to be the test of his talent and popularity.”


reposted from:sears>>>jang keun suk's mini haven

JKS charm

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[News] Jang Keun Suk’s multi-sided charm invades Japan

Jang Keun Suk’s charm invades Japan – Jap media compliments his multi-sided charm

13 May 2011 – Korean star Jang Keun Suk’s debut single “Let me cry” topped the Oricon weekly sales chart upon its release, making JKS the only overseas artiste to achieve this feat in history. The splendid results from his first entry onto the Japanese music scene has served to increase his reputation accumulated from “You are Beautiful” (YAB), as well as made the Korean media look at JKS in a new light and start to analyze the reasons for the “Jang Keun Suk” effect in Japan.

Japan Fuji TV’s star programme “Hey! Hey! Hey!” had an interview with JKS and to increase viewership, the interview was spread out over 2 weeks. Their afternoon drama slot is currently airing YAB for the third time, becoming the overseas drama with the most number of repeat broadcasts. TBS will air “Marry me Mary” from 20 May, another drama starring JKS. A strong competitor to Fuji and TBS, Japan TV is not lagging behind – “Sukkiri”, its morning general news programme, aired a special 19-minute feature “New Hallyu IKEMAN Jang Keun Suk” on 12 May, analyzing the reasons why 23 year old JKS has become Japan’s brightest Hallyu star. “Sukkiri” points out that besides the two known external reasons of JKS’ acting skill being honed since his high school days and his singing prowess, Jang Keun Suk’s gender-neutral sexiness and his consideration and sincerity towards fans and fellow workers are his internal characteristics that account for his gradual transition to the ranks of Hallyu superstars.

Just walk into any bookstore in Tokyo, in the Korean section, more than half the magazines have JKS on the cover. After JKS-endorsed Suntory makkori commercial aired on major TV stations in Japan, Suntory sales for the past 2 months have jumped, selling around 7,000,000 bottles.

“AN AN”, the Japanese magazine most popular among Japanese young women, initially only decided to do an interview with JKS for one issue, but after the chief editor saw JKS’ excellent photos at the set, she could not bear to just insert the photos as part of the interview, so she made the risky decision to put JKS on the cover page, with his photos and interview as a main selling point. Never did the magazine think that their sales for that issue was 30% more than usual (280,000 copies). “AN AN” editor expressed that despite this issue being released only 2 weeks after Japan’s big earthquake and the whole of Japan was in a self-restrictive mood, sales was not only unaffected but in fact better. The editor pointed out JKS’ unique characteristic: his gender-neutral sexiness which was different from the previous, main-stream male Hallyu stars who emphasized on masculinity. And JKS is only 23 years old; in future, he has many more charms yet to be discovered.

GAM magazine prepared a special JKS-devoted magazine “Cri-J” with 4 issues over a year. GAM editor said during an interview , “Since the second half of last year, all the news on JKS received much attention. At that time, we felt that he would become extremely popular soon, so we planned this special magazine for him.” She revealed that GAM has two other magazines introducing other big-shot Hallyu stars and general Korean entertainment news, but Cri-J’s sales volume is about 5 times more.

“Sukkiri” interviewed manager Kim Byung Gun who has supported JKS for more than 6 years. Kim says that it is very hard to define JKS’ charm. “His charm lies in his unpredictability. JKS has domestic pastimes such as reading and cooking. He also enjoys the usual guys’ activities such as driving. Not only is JKS considerate towards his fans, he also takes care of his fellow workers. “Sukkiri” points out that JKS’ agent company only has one artiste, which is JKS himself. It is a “family-style” company that is not big, but JKS treats all workers nicely. Manager Kim reveals that once, the workers were working late in the company and “JKS brought food that he personally cooked to thank them for working late, which made everyone feel very touched.”

Interestingly, a new name was brought out by “Sukkiri” programme – Keun-yang. The media rarely uses this honorific way of addressing someone in Japan (usually reserved for big-shot stars like Bae Yong-joon), which indicates that JKS has been included in the ranks of popular Hallyu stars. But fans complained that it sounds awkward; after all, JKS is young, and adding “yang” after his name loses a sense of friendliness.

A few secrets of JKS were also revealed in “Sukkiri”, such as the Japanese actors that JKS admires most are Takuya Kimura and Jo Odagiri, the director he admires most is Takeshi Kitano. A Korean reporter also reveals that JKS’ nickname in Korea is 조노인 jou-nou-in* (which means a young oldish man, being too mature for his age), because although he is only aged 23, he started in showbiz since 5 years old and thus he is more mature than his peers and always so considerate towards people around him.

In Jan this year, JKS was filming the MV for Every Little Thing (JKS’ big fan Kaori Mochida had flown personally to Korea to invite JKS to participate in the MV). At that time, all the workers including Kaori Mochida were feeling very tired because of the tight schedule and the atmosphere was quite down, JKS suddenly said to Kaori, “Mochida-san, actually, I like biscuits very much.” (The pronunciation of ‘biscuit’ in Japanese is the same as the word 持in Mochida’s name). Everyone present burst out laughing at JKS’ attempt to joke. The programme host complimented JKS on being able to say this kind of similar-pronunciation joke which even Japanese may not think of, and that JKS indeed has the potential to become Keun-yang.

If saying that JKS is the first overseas artiste to create the record of being number 1 on Oricon chart in his debut single’s first week of sale is still not enough to understand the situation, another way of realizing the aggressive momemtum of JKS’ development in Japan is that even including Japanese singers, JKS is the only one in 30 years after Kondō Masahiko to achieve this feat. Of course, everything is double-edged. Such a high-level starting point will definitely increase the stress on JKS – the expectations for the box office results of movie “You’re my Pet” and the sales for JKS’ next single will be much higher. As what the Korean media have commented, whether JKS is a Hallyu superstar or meteor (i.e. flashes out of sight fast), only time will tell.

* Translator’s note: I may have gotten the Korean nickname wrong but the meaning is there.

reposted from:sears>>>jang keun suk's mini haven