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Art and Culture

It's Wednesday and as always,.. it's celebrity news time with our Michelle Kim. I hear she has some news on the U.S. debut of K-pop group and updates from Hollywood.

Hello Michelle

[Reporter : ] Hello Conn-young

So which K-pop group is in the U.S.[Reporter : ] It's the four-member girl group 2NE1, which has become one of my favorites. The K-pop group is just coming off of a successful concert on the east coast and will next go west for a concert in Los Angeles on Friday. Here are the details on the group's tour and its very famous producer.

K-pop girl group 2NE1 arrived in the U.S. a couple of days ago with dreams of making it big, just as they have in their home country.So far, they seem to be making a splash, but Bom, the group's lead singer, says they are not yet even close to achieving their goals.

[Interview : Bom, Lead Singer of 2NE1] "I don't think that we've made it all the way yet. We want to continue improving to bring you better music".

The four member group -- which includes CL, Minzy, Sandara Park and Bom -- made its American debut in Newark, New Jersey, in front of an arena full of thousands of screaming fans. Group member Sandara Park said that for her, the fans are what make the experience enjoyable.

[Interview : Sandara Park, Member of 2NE1] "I think our fans are alike, no matter where we go. Especially those who come to our concerts, they jump along and enjoy with us so we have a good time wherever we go".

2NE1 is just one of the growing number of K-pop groups to try to break into the American music scene, the brass ring for groups from outside the country.

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Supported by the wave of Korean culture called Hallyu that's been sweeping into the West via Asia, K-pop groups have found some success with music that boasts repetitive choruses and bands that perform highly stylized, synchronized dance moves.
As evidence of the trend, U.S. music chart Billboard launched a new Hot 100 chart for K-pop earlier this year.
Although 2NE1 may not yet be as big in Jersey as it is in Asia, the backing of producer will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas may assure that the group soon moves further to the forefront of the American pop music scene. The group takes its act to Los Angeles on Friday before heading back to Asia for a concert tour.

AUG 22, 2012

Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr

Art and Culture 2

I, too, am a huge fan of this group and I feel like they'll be making it big around the world in no time.

[Reporter : ] I am definitely with you on that one. This group gained a great deal of attention when they made their debut in Korea because of their mix of music styles and unique fashion sense. The group mixes a little bit of reggae, rap and R&B for a style that is distinct both here and abroad. And with the backing of will.i.am, they have a good shot at success.

I hope so. It would be nice to see a Korean group find success outside Asia. And now moving on, what else do you have for us[Reporter : ] Well, as usual on Wednesdays, I have the latest celebrity gossip for you. After a long battle with Parkinson's disease, Michael J. Fox is set to return to series comedy with a show based on his life. I have this story and more so take a look at this.

Since stepping back from acting in 2000 to focus on his battle with Parkinson's disease, Michael J. Fox has been absent from series telelvision, though he has had guest appearances on hit shows over the years. Next year, he will return to the regular prime time line up with a television comedy based on his life. The as-yet-untitled series will feature Fox as a husband and father of three who lives in New York City and is dealing with family, career and other challenges, including Parkinson's. The show is set to premiere in the fall of next year.

Rihanna admitted to still loving her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown in a candid interview with Oprah Winfrey last weekend that's generated mixed reviewss from domestic violence organizations in the U.S. The singer's relationship with Brown came to a tragic end three years ago after news of Brown's physical abuse came to light. In the interview, Rihanna claimed that she and Brown now have a "very close relationship".

The Screen Actors Guild announced yesterday that Dick Van Dyke will be given a lifetime achievement award at its ceremony next year.

Van Dyke, a Missouri-born actor, singer, writer and comedian, is famous for his role as the chimney sweep Bert in "Mary Poppins" and the 60s sitcom "The Dick Van Dyke Show".
The SAG Awards will air on January 27th, 2013.

AUG 22, 2012
Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr

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It will be nice to see Michael J. Fox back on television and I wish him all the best And with Rihanna, well, I just hope she is safe in her relationship with Chris Brown.

[Reporter : ] I do, tooThe whole Rihanna and Chris Brown incident came as a major shock a couple of years ago and since then, she has been through so much. Hopefully the relationship will no longer be an abusive one and she can finally have some peace.

We all hope soand now to wrap things up, you have the events bulletin for us[Reporter : ] Yes I do. A lot of world renowned bands are heading to Korea in September, including Maroon 5, Smokie and Keane. Maroon 5 will be in Korea on the 14th and 15th, Smokie will be in Seoul on the 22nd, and Keane will be here on the 24th. Here are the details.

[Reporter : ed: jenny] This bulletin features 3 events.

Maroon 5 is coming to Korea in September! The band rose to popularity in the U.S. and around the globe with hit songs such as "Sunday Morning", "She Will Be Loved", "Moves Like Jagger" and many more.

Smokie, a legendary Brit pop band that was popular in the 70s and 80s, will be touring Korea to celebrate the London Olympics. The band starts off in Gwangju on September 19th and heads to Seoul on the 22nd for a performance at the KBS 88 Gym.

British alternative rock band Keane will be coming to Korea on September 24th for a concert at the Olympic Park Handball Stadium. All four of their albums have reached number one on the UK music charts, and,.. with the recent addition of a new member, the band's sound has grown more expansive.

Thank you for the update

[Reporter : ] My pleasure

AUG 22, 2012
Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr

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