Live4MusiC

SEOUL: Korean boy band BEAST's management agency Cube Entertainment announced at a press conference on Monday that the band will embark on a massive world tour next year, which will bring them to Europe, the US and Asia, including Singapore, reported Korean media.

The tour will see the sextet perform at 21 major cities like Berlin, London, Shanghai and Bangkok.

"I am proud that BEAST will get to perform not just in Korea but around the world," said BEAST member Yang Yoseob.

Cube Entertainment revealed that the company had invested 20 billion won (S$22.3 million) in the tour and said it will feature high production values along with special 3D effects. 

A spokesperson for the company added that BEAST will be actively attempting to break into music markets across the globe in 2012, capitalising on the growing popularity of K-pop music today.

-CNA/ha

(week starting 3rd May)

Rock & Pop

• Jennifer Lopez - Love?
• Sade - Ultimate Collection
• Matthew Morrison - TBC
• Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
• Miles Kane (Rascals) - Colour of The Trap

Classical & Jazz

• Various - Royal Wedding

Dance & Soul

• Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Pt 2

Asian

• Chen Yi Xun (Eason Chan) - This is an Easecret (3DVD)
• Fang Da Tong - 15
• Miyavi - Live In London
• Kim Hyung Jun - My Girl
• Liang Wen Yin - 情人x 知己
• Zhang Jing Xuan - PS I Love You
• Yu Heng - Cong Zhe Li Dao Na Li

CALLING all K-pop fans!

Yes, it’s a week until the I Love Asia Pop! Presents MNET Ultimate Live In Asia show happens. And guess what, we’ve just been told by Launch Entertainment when the five Korean acts who would be performing will be trooping into town.

So don’t be surprised if you see a bunch of screaming fans at Changi Airport on the following dates…

Dec 1: 2AM arrives. Flight: SQ609, arrival time: 2150hrs

Dec 3: 2PM, Miss A, MBLAQ arrive. Flight: SQ603, arrival time: 1415hrs

Dec 4: BEAST arrives. Flight: SQ603, arrival time: 1415hrs 

- TodayOnline Poparazzi 

SINGAPORE: Korean pop artistes have been heading to Singapore in recent months and this in turn has created another bout of obsession among teenagers. 

It's a scene that has become common in the last few months as hundreds of fans swarm the terminals at Changi Airport where they hope to get a glimpse of their K-pop idols. 

And while there are those who are able to withstand the long hours of waiting, it just proved too much for others. 

But once the stars appear, some are willing to go to the full extent of trailing them. 

One fan said: "We actually rented a van to chase them." 

Allan Chan, CEO, Alpha Entertainment, said: "We see a lot of people bringing in K-pop stars to Singapore to perform. Before that we rarely see them. This year, in May, June, July, we see them coming almost every week." 

Korean boyband Beast is one such group. 

Having made their debut less than a year ago, they're surprised by their reception here. 

Son Dong Woon, member, Beast, said: "One thing really interesting was they followed us, and on the window, they had boards with our name on it, saying "we love you boys". That was really interesting!" 

But what is it about K-pop that oozes appeal? 

Lee Gi Kwang, member of Beast, said: "Korean music is kind of trendy and it is really picking up and very addictive. There are repetitions in the songs and that makes it kind of catchy." 

The fans seem to agree. 

One of them said: "Korean music is the only kind of music I have been listening to." 

"You don't have to understand the lyrics but through the music you can understand the feelings and all that,” said another fan. 

And it seems being a K-pop fan means at least knowing some of the lyrics. 

It also means perfecting the dance routines at least for one group of K-pop enthusiasts, who's also hoping to lead the K-pop wave here by setting up their own web community-SGK-Wave. 

Indeed it seems K-pop mania is here to stay. - CNA/vm