Oriental whirl: American debut for 2NE1

IT looks like YG Entertainment’s faith in South Korean girl group 2NE1, which stands for “New Evolution of the 21st Century” or “21c New Evolution”, has paid off.

Pre-orders for its much anticipated debut studio and full length album, To Anyone, which was released recently, reached 120,000 copies two days prior to its official launch. And its triple title tracks have also swept various music charts.

Check out the three concurrent title tracks — Go Away, Clap and Can’t Nobody — from the 12-track album at 2NE1 official YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/2NE1.

The quartet, which made its debut last year, has also caught the eyes of Will.i.am. of Black Eyed Peas.

After a chance viewing of its music videos, Will.i.am. offered to produce the girls’ album for their upcoming American debut. They have so far completed 10 songs, which they recorded in English. He also agreed to help the group break into the American market.

• NICHKHUN Horvejkul, better known as Nichkhun of Korean boyband 2PM, has become a spokesperson for Brand’s Chicken of Essence.

Check out the behind-the-scene video of the prince of cuteness endorsing the brand at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v>VVvPceZMQkI

• TAIWANESE actor Vanness Wu (Autumn Concerto) has been cast as the lead in Next Media’s upcoming NT 120 million romantic drama series Material Queen, reports Appledaily.

He signed on within 24 hours after former lead Jerry Yan dropped out due to schedule conflict.

This drama will reunite him with Autumn Concerto‘s producer Chen Yu Shan and director Chen Hui Ling.

In this drama, which boasts award-winning image stylist Patricia Field (of Sex And The City fame) as part of the production team, Wu plays a violinist from a humble background.

Lynn Xiong plays his love interest, a materialistic model.

• IT looks like Karena Lam, whose film debut in 2002 propelled her to stardom, has given up her career for love, reports Mingpao.

The 32-year-old, who hasn’t been seen in public since March, got married in Vancouver, Canada, to advertisement director Steven Yuen in June and is now six months pregnant.

Lam’s godmother Poon Dik Wah revealed that even though the former is passionate about acting, she knew that Yuen didn’t like her to return to showbiz. Yet, she still chose marriage. Now she is set on becoming a full-time mum.

• ARTISTES from East Asia Music, one of Hong Kong’s entertainment giants, will come together for the 2010 Shanghai East Asia Flying Up Concert a.k.a. East Asia All Stars Concert at the Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium on Oct 23.

Proceeds from the concert, which is the last major event for the Expo 2010 Shanghai, will be donated to Red Cross China (for victims of the recent landslides in Zhouqu county in Gansu province, where over 1,400 people perished).

The line-up include Andy Lau, Sammi Cheng, Miriam Yeung, Denise Ho, Ivana Wong, Janice Vidal, Shawn Yue, Josie Ho, Richie Ren, Andy Hui, Fama, Aarif Lee, Leon Lai, Daniel Wu, JYJ of Korea and Japan’s 14-member Exile.

Check out the concert’s theme song, Zai Sui Yue Fei Yang, at East Asia Music official YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tuDwQCpw-4.

This catchy track is composed by renowned composer Peter Kam with lyrics by Wallace Kwok.

• KAHI, leader of South Korean girl group After School, won in a recent survey on which girl group member fits the image of a “female warrior”, reports allkpop.com.

In conjunction with the release of Resident Evil 4 in 3D, netizens were asked who would make the best Alice, the heroine played by Milla Jovovich in the franchise.

Netizens cited her strong sex appeal and her ease in performing difficult dance moves.

Kahi, a former professional dancer, polled 54 per cent of the votes. Tied in second spot were 4minute’s Hyuna and f(x)’s Victoria, at 17 per cent votes. Sandara Park of 2NE1 was third with 12 per cent.

• HONG Kong model/actress Angela Yeung Wing, better known as Angelababy, is 100 per cent natural, reports Hong Kong media.

In a bid to squash allegations that she had had facial plastic surgery to improve her appearance, she sought out a plastic surgeon to help clear her name.

The 30-minute examination included checking for surgical marks on her face. She said she will use the medical report as evidence in her lawsuit against an entertainment magazine, which she alleged had defamed her by implying that she had surgically enhanced her features.

• MEANWHILE, JYJ who joined East Asia Entertainment recently to break into the lucrative Chinese market, may be coming here. The group consists of Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu, who are former members of the popular South Korean boy band TVXQ / DBSK / Tohoshinki.

They formed JYJ after falling out with their management agency SM Entertainment over a contract dispute.

Netizens are abuzz that events and concert promoter RedStar Presents, who organised the Super Junior, the 2nd Asia Tour “Super Show 2” Live in Malaysia 2010 in March, may be bringing in the trio for a fan-meet on Oct 16.

For more details, go to the promoter's website at http://www.redstar.com.my/blog/

• HONG Kong TVB artiste Roger Kwok will be filming a new sitcom titled Doctor Family Has Happiness in October, reports Mingpao.

Kwok, whose last sitcom (When The Sun Shines) was in 1990, will collaborate again with Michelle Yim, his co-star in the costume drama The Season Of Fate.

The other cast members in this sitcom where Kwok will play a paediatrician, include Bernice Liu and Derek Kwok.

Meanwhile, Kwok who spent three months filming a series in China recently, says his heart ached when his 2½-year-old son Brad asked him to return home. He says that he would love to spend time with his son but he can’t pass up on the various work opportunities in China now that he has a family to support.