Family
Mommy Kim Kyong Ran
Daddy Park Iksu
Durami
Sang Hyun (Cheondoong of MBLAQ)
YG Family
Se7en
Teddy (1TYM)
Yang Hyun Suk
HwangSsabu
Yanggaeng
Daniel Lee
Kwon Young Deuk
Manager Jjangoo
Manager Han
Psy
Harang
Kush (Stony Skunk)
Jay (YG Choreographer)
Shaun Evaristo (ML Choreographer)
Big Bang
G-Dragon
T.O.P
Taeyang
Seungri
Daesung
YG Ladies
CL
Bom
Minzy
Goo Hye Sun
Park Han Byul
Yoo In Na
Work Colleagues Lee Minho (Cass CF)
Jung Il Woo (Return of Iljimae)
Lee Young Woo (21st Street Musical – MAMA 2009)
Lee Jong Suk (I Don’t Care MV)
Lee Soo Hyuk (It Hurts MV)
Pre-Debut
Lee Jae Jin (Sechskies)
Lee Dong Wook
Shinhwa
Pinoy Friends, Etc.
Hero Angeles
Joseph Bitangcol
Joross Gamboa
Luis Manzano
John Wayne Sace
Enchong Dee
Crush
Patrick Garcia
Piolo Pascual
Yoo Ho Suk (Click B)
WonBin
Kang Dong Won
Choi Minho
Fanboys – Athlete
Bong Jung Gun (National Baseball Team)
Park Tae Hwan (Olympic Swimmer)
Kim Tae Joon (National Baseball Team)
Ki Sung Yueng (Scottish Premier League – Celtic)
Fanboys – Idols/Singer
Jang Wooyoung (2PM)
Choi Minhwan (FT Island)
JinWoon (2AM)
Im Seulong (2AM)
Lee Changmin (2AM)
Kevin (U-Kiss)
Alexander (U-Kiss)
Kim Min Suk (TOUCH)
Jeon Jun Young (TOUCH)
Park Sung Yong (TOUCH)
Danny Ahn (G.O.D)
Choi Hyun Joon (V.O.S)
Kwang Hee (ZE:A)
Kevin (ZE:A)
Dong Joon (ZE:A)
Andy (Shinhwa)
Kim Tae Woo (G.O.D)
Lee Joon (MBLAQ)
Mir (MBLAQ)
Lee Jung Suk
Lee Seung Hwan
MC Mong
Sung Si Kyung
Fanboys – UnOfficial
Nichkun (2PM)
Park Jaebum (2PM)
Kim Heechul (Super Junior)
Lee Donghae (Super Junior)
G.O (MBLAQ)
Lee Ki Kwang (Beast)
Baek Chan (8eight)
Eun Ji Won
Lee Seunggi
Tae Goon
Fanboys – Host/MC
Jeon Hyeon Moo (Star Golden Bell)
Lee Hwi Jae (We Got Married)
Alvin Pulga (Channel [V] VJ)
Fanboys – Actor/Theatre Actor
Yoon Hyung Ryul (Notre Dame)
Park Ki Woong (Chuno)
Park Hae Jin (East Of Eden)
Chun Jung Myung (Cinderella’s Sister)
Song Joong Ki (Sungkyunkwan Scandal)
Lee Ji Hoon (Hello! Miss)
Ko Joo Won (Obstetrics and Gynecology Doctors)
Song Muse
FatDoo – I’ll Be Your Oasis
Double Trouble – Hold On
Block B – Mic Swagger Vol.21
Other
Oska (Secret Garden)
Chin Chinawut (Thai Singer)
Monster Woo FAM
Jeremy Scott (International Fashion Designer)
Dream Pair
Kim Jaejoong (DBSK)
Kim Hyun Joong (SS501)
Here it is—the Palace, the Fort, the Factory! Ever wonder what it’s like to be at the YG Entertainment (YGE) headquarters? Here’s the answer. Home to all of your favorite YG artists, the headquarters of YGE definitely has its own unique feel and vibe. Proudly dubbed as “the dream agency for any artist in the world,” YGE claims its HQ has the best facility designed to perfectly suit the needs of any aspiring musician. Not a lot of people get access to this sacred place, but Soompi, being the largest English community on Asian entertainment, got an exclusive look into the most successful rap label in K-Pop history—and we’re here to share these hot photos with all you Soompiers! Hope you enjoy!!
So this is what the building looks like. YGE moved into this new building less than a year ago in Feb. 2010. This six story-building has over ten recording studios and dance studios where all the YG stars like Big Bang, 2NE1, and Se7en get trained and groomed for every performance, album, and concert. YG currently has about 20 trainees from multiple countries, aged between their early teens to early 20s.
6th FL: CEO’s Office/ Marketing and Accounting Departments
This is where the business gets done. YGE’s owner and master producer Yang Hyun Suk has his own office here right next to the marketing and accounting departments. The hallway looks quite impressive with a whole wall dedicated to all the YG artists. Everything is so clean and neat and the people are really nice you can easily sense their professionalism. Our meeting took place at one of the conference rooms which was also really nice.
5th FL: GYM/ Actors Mgt
Due to restrictions, we couldn’t take much photos on this floor. This picture of the gym is the only shot we got on the 5th floor, but basically this is where the YG artists get their workouts done. A management office of all the YG artists is also located here, so pretty much all the planning and strategizing happens on this floor.
4th FL: Manager’s Office/ Media Center
Again, due to restrictions, no photos on this floor. The manager’s office and media center are on this floor. These managers are the ones who travel with the artists 24/7, so a lot of scheduling takes place here. The media center is where the video editing takes place (M/V or DVDs, etc.) so I was really looking forward to seeing all the high-tech stuff, but we weren’t granted any access to the area. Boo!
No luck this time..maybe we’ll have better photos next time…down to the third floor.
2nd and 3rd FL: Recording Studio
This is the heart and soul of YGE. Two of their largest studios are located on this floor as well as a lounge where the artists can just rest and play around. Due to privacy issues, we only took limited number of photos here. But all the facilities, machines, and items were truly high-tech, top-notch products. It gave me goose bumps just seeing the recording studio—my favorite 2NE1 girls probably spent hours in that room!
In the lounge area, there’s a pocket ball table and a large flat screen with a PS3 (obviously), and a giant couch in the corner.
The wall was really cool with glowing LED titles of YG’s greatest hits. The overall color of the area was black which created a chic, trendy feel. They even had a Segway parked in the corner, which I believe are the ones used in their MVs and the concerts. The interior and most of the items are hand-picked by Yang himself—and I could tell he has very good taste!
B1 FL: Dance Studios and Cafeteria
YG prides itself in providing quality food and great amenities to their artists. We were able to actually try their food and honestly it was way better than I thought! The food was very good, and what’s better, the menu changes every day! YG values loyalty and that’s what led the main chef to work here; she’s worked with owner Yang from his early career and he personally asked her to stay with him because he loved her food so much! The cafeteria was very clean and sanitary, and there were so much food and drinks available I could just spend the whole day here. This is also where the “Secret Big Bang (parody of Secret Garden)” video was filmed. Right next to the cafeteria, there are two giant dancing studios, where I remember seeing in one of the YG YouTube clips. We did get some photos of the dancing studio, but there were so many trainees honing their dancing skills all day, we couldn’t take better shots. But I could totally see why so many people call this part of the building the “Factory.”
During our tour, the YG representative kept stressing their studio is specifically designed to provide the best possible work environment to all of its artists—and I could hardly argue with him. Everything from the studio, recording devices, food and drinks, tech gadgets, and even the smallest interior item were just off the chart and I couldn’t imagine any artist complaining about poor working conditions at this place. But that probably explains why we never really hear any contract disputes or controversies from YG artists. YGE is definitely a class organization and I hope to see them continue pumping out more quality artists and lead the K-Pop boom across the world.
Though she had been looking forward to it for so long, Sandara says she was transfixed with the pressure and anxiety on her first performance. Because she’d never even considered becoming anything other than a singer, Sandara felt so much pressure thinking it was her one chance to make a good first impression on the public, and show how much effort she’d put in.
”Our first performance was on SBS ‘Inkigayo’. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was so nervous, you see. We were getting ready until 3 in the morning at the hair salon and we didn’t get any sleep. I think it was too much. Over a thousand fans came too.”
Sandara was so nervous during her first performance that she made a mistake. She could have let it go since she’s a rookie and all, but she and the other 2NE1 members were very disappointed at their own performance.
“To be honest, we were criticised a lot after our first broadcast. We were inexperienced and didn’t even know how to use the mic properly. I wasn’t able to convey my voice to the audience. I practised with President Yang day and night for a week. I think I practised even harder than before our debut.”
Afterwards, it was a much smoother journey for 2NE1. Sandara gained popularity by the day. People started following her hairstyle and it became a ‘fashion icon’. Recently on the nation’s favourite variety show ‘1 Night 2 Days’, Kim C made many laugh by transforming into Santina Kim, copying Sandara’s fashion and so-called palm tree hair style.
“I usually discuss my hairstyles with our stylist. Our stylist suggested the palm tree hair so I tried it. I didn’t think hair would be able to stand up like that, but it did. I loved it! So I performed on stage with that hair in ‘Lollipop’ and ‘Fire’.”
In the first year of their debut, 2NE1 swept the awards in four different categories at the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA): Best Song of the Year, Music Portal Mnet Award, Best Female Rookie, Music Video Award etc.
Hundreds of singers debut each year, but every single one of them has to practise hard for it. It’s now the era where if a management agency announces they’re taking auditions for singers, thousands of people try out. Trainees are the one in several hundreds of singer-wannabes to make it through, so not a single one of them lacks passion or talent.
One reason Sandara and 2NE1 were able to do so well in their first year was that the mistakes they made on their first performance helped them grow. Everyone has stage fright to some degree. Seeing that even Yoo Jae Seok, ‘The Nation’s MC’ says he’s nervous in front of the camera, being a celebrity is no exception. But the plucky idol Sandara chose to accept her mistakes and try harder to enjoy her time on stage.
When she wanted to become a singer as a child, it wasn’t because she wanted to earn money and become popular. It was simply because she liked singing, and music itself.
After a while, Sandara finally found herself enjoying the stage. Rather than thinking of it as showing the results of her hard work to her fans, she thought of it as more of a place she can sing her heart out. The stage was becoming 2NE1’s playground.
“We still have a long way to go. I want to ‘play’ with the audience for the rest of my life. If I play and play, over and over again I’m bound to get better, right?”
Now that she doesn’t feel any pressure towards her performances and her fans are starting to accept her as a singer, Sandara is preparing herself for another challenge. She entered the entertainment industry at an early age in the Philippines so she hasn’t been to university.
“I really wanna go to university. I had a chance once, but I don’t think it was really the right time. If I get to go to university, I would like to study something outside of the entertainment industry. I want to study business and experience campus life.”
A music video production diary written by Sandara herself will take the place of Part 7 of Sandara Park’s Star Diary. She wrote her own subheadings and posted the pictures herself too.
This is Reporter Dara! I see my reporting skills have been recognised by the outside world as well, so I get to be a reporter for the day.
It’s been a hot topic on the net lately. I am thinking of releasing the behind story of the filming of our ‘Try To Follow Me’ (‘TTFM’) music video.
Photographer Minki
◆The Story of How We Had to Refilm the MV
It took a whole 4 days filming 2NE1’s ‘TTFM’ music video. We didn’t have time to go back and forth between the sets in NamYang and our dorms in Seoul, so we stayed in a motel and finally finished filming.
But a few days later, we were given shocking news. We were told that we had to refilm the music video at the new company building.
(Bbarabam…ㅠ.ㅠ Could it have been that the President wanted to show off the new office?)
But we made preparations all over again and worked hard refilming it all night. The nice background was actually the new building’s cafeteria. It’s really pretty, right? I bet you never even imagined that it was a cafeteria. When we saw the results, we were amazed at how awesome President Yang and the music video director were. (haha)
It’s this picture here.
TTFM MV
◆Our First Choreography
2NE1 was so nervous before filming the music video. This was because we didn’t have any choreography. But that nervousness was easily taken care of thanks to the newbie choreographers of ‘TTFM’. CL and Gong Minzy played a very active part in the making of the choreography.
The choreography of this music video was actually the combined work of CL, Minzy and choreographer Lee Jae Wook. They are such talented people. So with the choreography being made three days before the filming and us practising all night for two days, how was the ‘TTFM’ music video?
◆15 Different Looks!
Another spectacle of the ‘TTFM’ MV would definitely be the outfits. 2NE1 shows 15 different looks in the music video. We’re all wearing different outfits in our individual cuts as well as the group ones, so I wonder how many outfits that adds up to? Try guess.
2NE1’s stylists YangGeng (nickname) and Hyunjong really put a lot of effort into them. The funny thing is that the outfits were made before the choreography. They say the outfits were out a week before the filming of the MV, after a whole lot of meetings and fittings.
And we also got to show off some of our own personal collections in this music video.
CL Gaga-esque wig
CL - roo & Bomtaro
◆Dara’s Fighting Spirit Despite Her Injuries!
We were filming the highlight of the video, the part with the choreo. The ground of the set was covered in sand and because of the four cameras, we had to dance in a very small space.
So we started filming. Then Dara who had been dancing enthusiastically suddenly felt something hit her and her mind went numb. During one of the moves which included a powerful dance with their arms stretched out, Minzy had hit Dara’s head with her fist because they were so close. (ㅠ.ㅠ)
And filming went on.
But she continued being slapped, having her ankle trodden on by Minzy’s heels, being kicked and bruised in the knee etc. Not a single part of her body came out unscathed.
It was hard at the time but I hear they were overjoyed at the final results the day the music video was released.
So, was it fun reading my music video behind-story? It was really fun for me!
I hope you’ll continue to love our new song ‘Try To Follow Me’. And please keep supporting 2NE1! This was Reporter Dara, the member in charge of promoting 2NE1. See you again. (bows)
Recently Jay Park or popularly known in his korean name Park Jaebeom (ex) member and leader of beastly idol group 2PM created his Youtube account and posted earlier today his version of B.O.B’s Nothing On You. Within couple of hours, the video garnered half a million hits and bombarded with love messages from his fans. KPOP world surely miss this guy. It’s good to hear that even after his departure that caused a ruckus in KPOP world, he is still doing good in US. A talented guy will surely not forgotten. Whether it’s Korea or US, your fans will be supporting you. Support his future activities with his B-Boy Crew AOM.
Jay Park – Nothing on You (cover)
He also posted his self-written rap on this song..
i get approached a lot being who i am
and i gotta lot girls wishing i’m there man checkit/
and if i’m wrong with ya i dont wanna be right
i gotcha gigglin like everydays a comedy night
i’m a correct answer never do you wrong/
and i trust yah even though you’ve be gone/
but dont blame for getting little jealous/
its just hard when your talking to them fellaz/
i got that “taylor” body girl you know that i gotcha/
you can call me new moon because i orbit around ya/
your my world my everything, the only thing between our face is just that spaghetti string/
i’m faithful wont pull a kobe bryant on you/
its a jungle wont be “lion” pull a “tiger” on you
even know the exact shade of your eyes
my hearts ice your number one like yuna kim/
i used to be a boy
that had many girls
all over the world
but they got nothing on you babe
its forever just you and me
for all of eternity/
i know your stressing but i’m confessing baby your the only girl i want
you can be my bestfriend we can play x-men
you can be just i can be cyclops
cause i dont wanna end up like everyone else
hurtin all alone all by myself
this is just something that i’ve never felt
”I’m going to see if you have the potential to be a singer for the last time. Show me your results in a month.”
It was like a ray of light for Sandara who was having a hard time overcoming the sadness of her situation. For the first and last time, President Yang had given her a chance.
”I practised SO hard for a month. CL, Park Bom and Gong Minzy gave me a lot of help as they watched me practise. I made a planning chart and practised until dawn.”
Park Bom taught her things on breathing, pronunciation and where to accent in songs. CL helped with selecting outfits, and Minzy with making choreography.
”At the time, the members pretty much made me up from head to toe. I think it was in spring of 2008, I tried really hard with the thought that it was the last opportunity I’d get.”
President Yang said ”For the first time, I see potential. Practise with the rest” and allowed Sandara to become a singer trainee.
”To tell the truth, I thought that meant I’d become a singer soon after. But I was deluded. I lived as a trainee for a year. There were 6 trainees in YG at the time and I think President Yang was paying close attention to all of us to decide on the best combination.”
Sandara was in a delicate situation for a year. She couldn’t let her guard down after President Yang told them ‘Noone knows whether there will be six members or five.’ As time went by, hip hop became a part of Sandara’s life too and she started becoming more and more like the other members.
Dara practicing hard
Now, as an active member of 2NE1, Sandara’s trainee days have become a part of her most precious memories.
”I think I felt happy and touched by even the little things in my trainee days. Trainees take the day off on their birthdays or Christmas too. But most of them don’t have anything to do at home so they end up coming back to the practice rooms. When it is someone’s birthday, everyone celebrates together and eats ddeokbbokki. [spicy ricecakes]”
Though of course good memories weren’t the only ones. All the members including Sandara had to go through a hard time. The diet they were given to help manage their bodies also gave them greedy apetites.
”Because of our weight management, we were never allowed to eat anything fatty or oily. But you know how it is, if you’re not allowed to eat it just makes you want to eat more. The members and I used to secretly go out and eat a row of gimbap, or eat things like bread and chocolate in the bathrooms.”
Sandara chose Dakgalbi [spicy stir-fried chicken] as the most memorable dish from her trainee days. It was an expensive dish for Sandara who received pocket money from her parents.
”I didn’t exactly get that much pocket money. There wouldn’t be much left after paying for transport. I felt sorry to my younger siblings cos I could never buy them food or anything. I think Dakgalbi was the most expensive thing I bought with my own money. The members and I ate Dakgalbi on the 31st of December 2008, you see. (laughs)”
After practising for so long feeling nervous that the others had been a trainee for longer than her, Sandara was finally able to shed her label of a trainee.
”I think luck followed me. We recorded ‘Pretty Boy’ in January last year. I must have been all right at that recording. (laughs) One day President Yang called Minzy, Bom, CL and me aside and said ‘You guys are gonna be filming a CF soon so be prepared’. That CF was Lollipop. That was when I finally knew that I had become a member of 2NE1..”
After the epic win video of 2NE1 released yesterday, seems YG Family is really unstoppable. Later today, Big Bang also released their video Lollipop 2. Still colorful and fresh just like the first one they did with 2NE1 last year. But now 2NE1 takes different path with Samsung. Don’t forget that both songs are for a mobile phone company, Big Bang for LG and 2NE1 for Samsung. And both songs really doing well on charts considering it’s for a CF and no promotions at all. YG Family FTW!
”Dara, I don’t think you really fit the YG image. How about becoming an actress?”
To Sandara who had even given up her popularity in the Philippines to become a singer, these words came to her as a huge shock. Working with Yang Hyun Seok had seemed like a dream come true for Sandara as she had liked Seo Taiji & Boys and copied their dances and songs from a young age. Sandara got on her plane excited about fulfilling her dream as a singer in Korea, and that under her childhood hero too.
”I was really shocked at President Yang’s words. He was right though. In the Philippines I had a teenager image, and I lacked skill as well as being ignorant about black music. But even so I never even imagined that he’d tell me to become an actress instead. It felt like the hardships had come.”
Back in 2007 when Sandara signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment, the singers of YG who were active at the time included highly skilled artists like Se7en, Wheesung, Gummy and Lexy. There were also countless trainees in YG looking to follow their dreams as a singer. It caused some controversy when it was reported that YG was signing Sandara.
”I think people made the judgement that I didn’t suit YG after seeing my image in the Philippines on KBS’ ‘Human Theatre’.”
Eventually, Sandara officially started off her activities as an actress. She appeared in the music video of Gummy’s ‘I’m Sorry’ with T.O.P, member of the group Big Bang. Sandara looked a little bashful as she recollected her memories from filming the music video.
”TOP is quite shy around strangers, and I’m not exactly social either so we hardly talked at the studio. My conversations with TOP consisted of only three phrases: ‘Hello. Goodbye. Good work.’ To tell the truth, we’re still awkward. (laughs)”
Her first proper step into the Korean entertainment industry was with the MBC drama ‘The Return of Iljimae’. Her role in ‘The Return of Iljimae’ was the ninja, Rie. Sandara showed an elegant charm and performed fierce action scenes.
”I filmed ‘The Return of Iljimae’ for about a week. The director and all the staff were all so nice to me. I swear they treated me better than they did to Iljimae (Jung Ilwoo) himself. (laughs) I tried really hard and it was a fun experience.”
Just as she began to enjoy being an actress, Sandara was hurt deeply and fell into a state of despair. She had been chosen for a drama, but while she was practising her lines she was suddenly dropped from the part.
”I was chosen as the lead for a masterpiece. So I’d been practising my lines and making preparations and such. But I was suddenly told that I was being dropped. It was a huge shock, I cried my eyes out.”
But Yang Hyun Seok gave Sandara a golden opportunity during her time of sorrow and despair.
Woot! Finally out!
The MV is dope. They used different concepts but the outcome is amazingly good. Aahhh…it’s like a breathe of fresh air on KPOP, other artists are going back to dark concept but these girls do something different. Oh yeah, Try to follow me if you can.
2NE1, 2010, you know how we do it
If you ain’t know, now you know
Let me show you somethin real quick, follow me
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
take a breath, please stop and rest and quickly follow me
now throw away your thoughts just move however you want
lets see what happens when we run wildy, feels good tonight
don’t close your eyes cause we’ll be going faster
I got that thang thang if you know what I mean
It goes bang bang, you can’t handle it
ha ha ha something fun, say la la la I’m a special girl
Call me m-i-n-z-y m-i-n-z-y, Yes, look out, let’s go!
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Now stop being self concious, and show it to me
its what you wanted, step by step, please don’t stop
let’s try flying together up in the sky
hold on tight to your spirit cause we’ll be going higher
I got that thang thang if you know what I mean
It goes bang-a bang-a bang, bang-a bang-a bang,
ha ha ha something fun, say la la la I’m something special
Call me m-i-n-z-y m-i-n-z-y, Yes, look out, let’s go
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
eh eh eh get it go~
eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh You’ve got me feeling like
eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh Come again
eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh You’ve got me feeling like
eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh Come again
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Try to copy me, Try to copy me, Try to copy me, like this
Chuwariwap 