Super Junior’s Choi Siwon to be the First Guest for ‘Strong Heart 2’

With the last shooting for SBS’ Strong Heart completed on January 17, the new and improved Strong Heart 2 revealed that its first guest will be Super Junior’s Choi Siwon. 

On February 1, Strong Heart 2’s director, Shin Hyo Jung stated, “Choi Siwon has been confirmed to be the guest for Strong Heart 2’s first recording on February 7.”

There will also be two to three other guests, but they are yet to be confirmed as of now. 

After showing his comical side in SBS’ The King of Dramas as top star, Kang Hyun Min, Choi Siwon’s participation in the first episode ofStrong Heart 2 is already drawing attention. 

Strong Heart 2, hosted by Kim Hee Sun, Yoon Jong Shin, and Shin Dong Yeop, will be an honest talk show based on topics based on the opinions of viewers. 

The show will broadcast on February 19. 

NU’EST Members Release New Album Jacket Images

Pledis Entertainment is getting fans excited for NU’EST’s comeback with new teaser images.

Pledis Entertainment shared the images on January 30, along with the statement, “With this album we will show [NU’EST’s] matured music, dramatic performances and share their love story through their emotions. We will show a new side of NU’EST and its music, unlike what we’ve shown before. We ask for yourcontinued interest.” 

NU’EST is also preparing for its first mini concert set to take place on February 13.

B.A.P’s Zelo Becomes the Youngest Participant of Idol Star Athletics Championships

Although he stands at 184 centimeters tall, B.A.P’s Zelo became the maknae of the maknaes during the MBC Idol Star Athletics Championships.

On January 28, the Idol Star Athletics Championships took place with 150 idol group members. 

Of all the idols present, Zelo and A Pink’s Ha Young became the youngest male and female representatives, both born in 1996, but Zelo, being born three months after Ha Young, was declared the youngest participant at the event on that day. 

The oldest singer turned out to be Defconn, who was born in 1977, revealing an age gap of almost 20 years with Zelo. 

The Idol Star Athletics Championships will air on February 11 as a Lunar New Year special. 

JYJ’s Kim Jae Joong Lands on China’s MV Chart and Billboard

Taking over one country at a time, JYJ’s Kim Jae Joong recorded high on China’s MV chart as well as Billboard. 

Kim Jae Joong’s first solo album, I continued its reign on the Chinese music video site, Yin Yue Tai’s V chart for K-Pop for the second week since January 14. 

Not only that, Kim Jae Joong’s name was found at the number two spot on Billboard’s World Album chart. 

These feats continue his success as a soloist with his album ranking high on music charts in 

Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. 

Se7en to Release Japanese Album Before Enlistment with Self-Written Lyrics

Se7en will be releasing a single in Japan to say goodbye to his fans before his enlistment within the year.

According to Se7en′s official webpage, the singer will release his last single before his enlistment, titled Thank You (Arigato), on March 20. He even wrote the Japanese lyrics himself for the first time ever.

Before the release of the offline version, the tracks from the album will be made available online through Japan′s Recochoku and iTunes on February 6.

Se7en will also say goodbye with a concert, titled Se7en 2013 Concert in Japan - Arigato. It will be held from February 7-8 in Tokyo and from February 16-17 in Kobe.

NU’EST Takes a Stroll in New Album Photo

Signaling its return, NU’EST released an image from its upcoming album. 

The jacket photo was released through NU’EST’s Twitter on February 4, showing the five members wearing thick coats and boots, while confidently walking down the middle of a street. 

Pledis Entertainment stated, “In the jacket photo, we tried to express the transition from boy to man with the background of a cold, winter city at night time. Behind the toughness, a bit of loneliness also lingers behind.” 

The company promised the NU’EST will return with a more sophisticated sound and dramatic performances with its second mini album, Hello. It will be released on February 13, along with a special mini concert for fans. 

 B.A.P Stays Within the Top 10 of Germany′s Asian Music Chart for a Year

B.A.P has been showing German′s music charts No Mercy, as the group has become the first Korean singer to stay within the top 10 ranks of a music chart in Germany for a year.

According to the Germany Asian Music Chart released on February 2, B.A.P′s No Mercy is still at no. 6, though it′s been six months since the song was first released. With the new record, B.A.P has become the first Korean singer to stay within the top 10 ranks of the chart for 12 months in a row.

The group even won the Rookie Award and Song of the Year award last year in Germany, proving the influence it wields in the country.

B.A.P will continue its promotions in Korea soon by releasing the teaser for its upcoming mini album on February 5. It will then be holding an exclusive concert titled B.A.P Live On Earth Seoul from February 23-24.