Big Bang TOP will reveal his solo song during Big Bang’s independent concert.
An official revealed on 21st January, “TOP will reveal his new song during Big Bang ‘Big Show’ concert.”
All this time, TOP has participated as featuring for rap in songs like ‘DISCO’ by Um JungHwa and ‘Sorry’ for Gummy, and is known for his rap capabilities. And all these songs have received great popularity, and with TOP’s own solo song coming up, much anticipation is for how it will be received by music fans.
There has been much interests since it was announced a while back that fellow DaeSung will also be releasing a solo album the first half of the year.
Meanwhile, Big Bang concert will take place from 29th till 31st January. And TOP recently wrote on GDragon’s me2day on 19th January, “This is the place we are together” and attached a photo of their performance venue.
[01.19.10][INTERVIEW] Exclusive Chat Interview with Aimee Lucas
Here's the part where Aimee talks about YG Family...
Lyna : For YG Family fans, I’m sure they are very interested to know something about them. We already know that some of Big Bang, 2NE1 and other YG artists know how to speak English. I read your previous blog post in MySpace about Big Bang and wondered if your first impression about them is still the same.
Lyna : That was dated around September 2008
G-Dragon: Leader.
Stylish, motivator, confidence, fearless. I like g-dragon! I always find an item of clothing that I like each time I see him. One day it’s his hat and another it’s his top but most of the time it’s the way he wears it. Plus, he can dance. I think I like his tats most though since I am a supporter of ink myself.
Lyna : What do you really like about G-Dragon besides his stuffs, tattoos and the fact that he can dance?
Aimee : I like GD’s attitude
Aimee : From what I’ve seen I like how involved he is in his music
Lyna : Yes… I love his style also… It puts you on the edge
Aimee : TY also participates heavily during rehearsal and focuses on perfection.
Aimee : I Like TY style. It’s very guyish
Lyna : How come you said that G-Dragon is fearless? In what sense? Is he not afraid of anything?
Aimee : I feel he is fearless when I think about all the controversy surrounding him.
Aimee : he’s not afraid to try something new or go against the grain
Lyna : I know what you mean…
T.O.P.: Handsome.
Tall, awkward, FUNNY yet quiet. Sticks to his diet & eats a lot of fruits. Although he’s not the best dancer or is this ability natural to him, I admire his hard work and determination. He knows when he’s behind and he reviews the steps over and over again for muscle memory…I admire that. So when he gets it right-I praises him.
Lyna : I really agree with you that he’s handsome, tall and awkward. (I’m being biased eh? I guess I’m too obvious.*blush*) But, what’s with “Funny yet Quiet”? I can’t imagine how a quiet guy can be funny…
Aimee : He’s more respectful than quiet. Also I speak English which is a set back and I’m not around him often
Aimee : he’s funny cause I see it when he talks and everyone laughs
Aimee : his facials and body language makes me laugh. Like a comedian
Lyna : ow.. I see… happy.gif He usually does gags in the group.. I understand… the language barrier…
Aimee : he’s pretty animated and his voice is deep.
Lyna : really… I hope to witness it someday
Lyna :yeah… Really different… Very masculine… LOL
Aimee : but he talks to me in English whenever we see each other
Lyna : really…. Is he fluent?
Aimee : not sure
Aimee : can’t say
Lyna : but he knows how to speak English
Aimee : yea
Aimee : they all do and Japanese
Lyna : It’s nice that they know many languages.. happy.gif
Lyna : I also notice that TOP lacks some dancing skills and he really is trying very hard to cope up with the dance moves. Anything new about him? Since you’ve seen his collection of Bear Bricks, Can you describe it? Most of us are clueless about it.
Aimee : there’s many. Most of them are big. They sit on white shelves and cover one wall. Top is getting better in dancing. I can see it. He looks comfortable on stage. You can see he’s having fun.
Lyna : Yeah… esp. in Ora Ora Yeah..though we haven’t seen it yet.. just from behind the scenes
Aimee : iono? sorry
Lyna : iono?
Aimee : I don’t know
Lyna : aw…
Lyna : sorry.. hahaha
Aimee : haha
Aimee : no it’s ok
Youngbae: Sweetheart.
He always makes sure I’ve eaten and that I’m ok or he asks about my day. I like that and he’s always been like that from the get go. A performer, freestyler, confident, loves his fitted caps and I love his Boston terrier. Yes girls…his puppy ‘Boss’ is the cutest! You know who has his brother? KUSH! named ‘Macho’.
Lyna : Why do I feel jealous? Hehehe… So, ‘Macho’, dog of Kush is ‘Boss’ brother?
Aimee : yup!
Aimee : Boss is awesome I saw him as a baby then a year later and his size matches his big heart.
Aimee : They say “a dog is a man’s bestfriend” and I believe Boss is Tae Yang’s bestfriend! smile.gif
Lyna : There has been news lately about Taeyang wanting to have a girlfriend. Is there anyone whom you’d like to recommend to be his gf? And, why?
Aimee : no I don’t have anyone in mind
Aimee : He’s wanted a girlfriend but he’s very particular which is important..
Lyna : particular? In what way?
Aimee : He deserves a great person
Lyna : yeah… I agree.
Aimee : I think I would want someone great for him too. He has a lot of love to give. As everyone knows, he has a lot on his mind and I think he needs a girl who can take him away from work and listen to what he has to say.
Lyna : Do you know anyone in particular whom he likes…
Aimee : No he hasn’t expressed that with me.
Lyna : okay… =)
Aimee : He’s told me what he likes and looks for in a girl though. I consider him my closest friend in Korea. Him, Jay, and Teddy.
Aimee : I want to be a friend he can confide in and trust but language gets in the way. He feels the same way so it’s mutual.
Lyna : you’re very lucky… I mean… you’re the envy of all his fans.. Including me LOL
Aimee : biggrin.gif
Aimee : he’s a great guy but so quiet and thinks and keeps everything to himself
Aimee : I want to get it out! smile.gif
Seungri: Dancer.
Eager, willing, student, LOVES dance! He researches on youtube whenever he gets the chance. He knows his material, studies it, and applies it. He makes it a point to call us when Shaun’s in town and learn choreography even if it’s one on one. He’s focused on doing meaningful songs with quality choreography. I admire that! Plus, he has an iPod with a great selection of music in really cute font. LOL!
Lyna : Since Seungri has an iPod, do you know what his favorite songs are?
Aimee : No but he listens to everything
Aimee : From what I know, Big Bang is on top of all the new music that comes out
LOL…his stage name/character in the musical ‘cats’. I wish I had more time with him but he barely had time to come. Maybe two or three rehearsals total he attended. How hard is that? I wish Shaun and I had some time to go watch his musical in fact but we were leaving a few days later and never had the chance. I’m a big fan of his voice and it works well for Korean folk songs. He is soooo funny, makes the craziest facials (him and TOP) yet is also the quietest. But I admired that he does all the country songs and variety shows.
Lyna : I never imagine Daesung to be quiet… Really! He’s very good at variety shows and he never fails to make me laugh when I watch ‘Family Outing’. Daesung’s voice is also my favorite… It’s perfect for lullabies. Anyway, did anything change since then? I mean your perception about him. Is he still quiet? *laughs*
Aimee : No. Dae sung is so happy and funny!
Aimee : We barely talk cause he’s so busy but I saw him on several sets including wedding dress, I think. We greeted each other with a hi, smile, and a big hug.
Lyna : Daesung gave you a hug???
Aimee : Well, we all hug each other. Actually, I hug them “hi” and “bye” like our American culture.
Lyna : I see… that’s cool!
Lyna : Do Big Bang play other musical instruments? We know GD and YB can play the piano… How about the rest? Do any of them play guitar?
Aimee : I don’t know
Lyna : You’ve just met 2NE1 recently from your stay in Korea. What are your first impressions about each of them?
Aimee :FUN and so CUTE
Aimee : I liked it cause I could have girl conversations with them
Lyna : Can you describe them each.. Like Dara, CL, Bom and Minzy?
Aimee : I like talking to them about boys, big bang, dance, singing, clothes…
Aimee : It’s hard to describe them individually when I first met them. I was busy determining their dance skills.
Lyna : Ok….
Aimee : but they’re thoughtful
Aimee : CL bought me a Nike tanktop once
Lyna : Really? Who are you close with?
Aimee : Dara shared her keychain and jewelry from the P.I.
Aimee : Bom gave me a box of make up as a cute present
Lyna : WOW!
Lyna : so much love…
Lyna : what about Minji?
Aimee : Minji gave me earrings for ‘Teacher Day’ and tokpoki? spicy rice cake
Aimee : all at different times
Lyna : wow… they’re really nice
Aimee n their own
Aimee :they look out for me cause they know I have their best interest in mind
Aimee : They’re mostly busy but TY always tries to make time for me.
Aimee : CL and Minji want to constantly get in the studio and have dance lessons
Aimee : smile.gif
Aimee : Bom’s the funniest to me though
Lyna : Yeah… they really dance great.. I wonder who choreo “Please don’t go”
Aimee : Shaun and me
Lyna : WOW!!! Really!!! I Love it!!!
Lyna : It’s really good…
Lyna : and it fits the song well..
Aimee : I took care of the transition and blocking
Aimee : thanks
Lyna : *bows head*
Aimee : Shaun sent the first verse online, I taught it, and made blocking for the dancers.
Aimee : YG fine tuned everything and made it even better. Plus, Jay is always by my side which makes me feel comfortable so I can work fast.
Random Questions:
Lyna : Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Aimee : Cj, Shaun Evaristo’s brother
Lyna : What is the last movie you watched?
Aimee : Ong Bak, a Muay Thai movie
Lyna : Who would you like to see right now?
Aimee : Sunny & Tokey, my really good friends in Korea
Lyna : If you could go to any place right now where would you go?
If you’re like me, the public outcry that ensued when Janet Jackson flashed her nipple for all of half a second during a performance with Justin Timberlake at the 2004 Super Bowl seemed like much ado over nothing. But if you think Americans are overtly prudish, they have nothing on the Koreans. Last month, Korean pop star G-Dragon (of Big Bang fame) was accused of “dry humping” a dancer on a stand-up bed during the song “Breathe” at his “Shine A Light” concert.
Once pictures like the one above hit the internet, the outrage was almost instantaneous. It’s become such an issue in the country that this month, the South Korean government decided to step in and is investigating the incident. If he loses the case, G-Dragon faces a fine and up to a year in prison. His fans, including those who were at the concert, have started a petition in support of the pop star and the case is still pending. YG Entertainment, G-Dragon’s label, released an apology but otherwise no one involved with the incident has spoken about what happened. Until now.
The dancer being “dry humped” on stage by G-Dragon is Aimee Lee Lucas who happens to be a friend. I admit I know next to nothing about the Korean pop scene, but when I saw the stories and “offensive” photos of Aimee popping up online, well, I had to find out what really happened. Aimee was kind enough to hang out with me at a Starbucks on a rainy afternoon and talk publicly for the first time about the now infamous incident.
Although Aimee works as a dancer/choreographer for YG Entertainment, she’s not Korean. In fact, she’s a Filipina homegirl from the Bay Area, now living in L.A. Aimee studied ballet for 14 years before transitioning to hip-hop. And though she took her dancer training seriously, when she moved to L.A., the plan was to go to school and find a “real” job that had nothing to do with dancing. But when she tagged along with boyfriend Shaun Evaristo (also a dancer/choreographer) to a commercial audition, she ended up booking it herself and was soon dancing in an iPod ad.
Then, two years ago, Shaun was hired by YG to work with their artists in Korea and once the execs saw Aimee’s talent, they hired her too. Since then, she’s appeared in numerous concerts and videos with artists like Tae Yang and Big Bang. Here she is as the lead female dancer in Big Bang’s “Number One” video.
So when Aimee performed the “Breathe” number with G-Dragon and the aforementioned stand-up bed, it was just another normal bit. She flew back to L.A. the morning after the last concert thinking all was normal but by the time she landed, the controversy had broken out all over the internet in Korea.
“I was shocked when I heard what was happening,” Aimee says. “We performed two shows on a Saturday and Sunday. All the VIPs and big people came out on Saturday and no one said anything. During rehearsals, no one told us we were going too far and should hold back. So the reaction was surprising.”
Initially, the internet comments directed at “the dancer in the number” were critical (“what is that girl thinking doing that?”), but once Aimee was identified as the dancer, most of the negative comments stopped. In fact, during the whole controversy, everyone associated with the number from G-Dragon to YG has been targeted and vilified—except Aimee who is not facing any of the charges, fines or jail time. “I think it’s because I’m American,” she says. “I’ve been told from the start that I’ll be treated differently because I’m American and that’s been the case.”
When she first started performing in Korea, Aimee was surprised by the rabid, (very) young and female fan base of the K-Pop acts who would appear in the form of large mobs everywhere she and the musicians went. “When I became the lead dancer opposite Tae Yang, people joked with me that they were surprised I wasn’t dead,” she says, “that the fans didn’t come after me with pitchforks for doing what they all dreamed of doing with him.”
To understand the controversy, one must first understand the K-Pop scene. If Big Bang is like the Korean N’Sync with its more innocent and tween friendly music, G-Dragon is its Justin Timberlake—pursuing a solo career to explore more “adult” subject matter. His first solo album “Heartbreaker” was deemed inappropriate for children because of the lyrical content of several songs like “She’s Gone” (sample offensive lyric: “If I can’t have you, I’ll kill you.”). The songs are pretty tame by our standards; the content of an American pop song like Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body” is downright pornographic compared to G-Dragon’s music (and I’m sure G-Dragon won’t be doing the Korean equivalent of this anytime soon). But because of the concert controversy, a new “investigation” has also been launched regarding the appropriateness of his album.
So here’s Aimee’s explanation of what happened:
Before the first creative meeting for the concert, Aimee was already thinking of ideas for the different numbers. Since the imagery of a bed was so strong in “Breathe,” she thought it would make sense to incorporate that into the piece. “At the meeting, G-Dragon had pretty much the same idea to do something around a stand-up bed,” she says. “He likes to let loose and push boundaries. Everyone agreed so that’s what we worked on.”
“There was no humping,” she continues. “If you watch the (footage), the whole bit lasts only a few seconds. He straddles me for a bit, we do some ‘acting’ and then we’re done. I had to lift myself (on the stand-up bed) and hang there and support all my body weight with my arms. I could only do that for a couple of seconds so there wasn’t any time to do any humping.”
Aimee thinks the controversy erupted because the first images to be posted online were photos of her hanging from the bed straddling G-Dragon with her legs wrapped around him which could be misinterpreted when seen out of context. By the time video footage from the concert hit the web a few days later, the damage had already been done. Since she left for America right after the concert, she hasn’t talked to G-Dragon about the incident but has heard from others at YG that he seems to be doing fine.
So is it just me or is this a ridiculous attempt by an artist-unfriendly government led by President Lee Myung-bak (who derogatorily referred to filmmakers as “hippies”) to make an example of a pop star in the name of family values? Aren’t there more pressing issues in the country to be worried about?
[BreakingNews] GDragon exposes his feelings on the concert issue
GDragon had many labels in the past, some good and some bad. Big Bang’s leader. The youngest boy who was participating in HipHop albums by the age of 13. One of the top 8 composers that shined in 2008. Placing first in all possible music charts with his solo album. 2009’s greatest selling record. Plagiarism issues. Known for interesting fashion. And the most recent one, concert issues.
There had been also of associated words with GDragon. However, he was the boy that went on along his way without any rest in the music world, but there will always be the critics commenting on his actions. Through an interview, we learned about what kind of a path he kept on going from that one little boy to a star that is loved by many people.
People who are close to GDragon say that he is “very detailed and trustworthy.” So detailed that he would check daily on every single detail of his album and watch the concert stage from the 3rd floor to make sure that his fans wouldn’t miss out on a thing. A person like that was slammed down on his first concert. It was all because of the sexy performance he displayed during his own song, ‘Breathe.’
GDragon stated, “I believe that since I am a singer for the public, I know that it is right for the public to judge me. No matter what I was trying to show, it was my fault if it [the concert] was disturbing and high level. I was only trying to show a stronger appearance because it wasn’t a public show, but a concert performance. I’m really sad that the response was different from what I expected.” While he was preparing his first concert, he was excited. Since the age of 13 entering YG Entertainment, this was the stage he was dreaming about for 10 years. He pondered on the videos to show, and explored each section of the audience seats to view how the stage would look from there. Big Bang’s stages also made him excited, but this solo concert that had his own name on it as a single singer meant the world to him.
“Seriously, I don’t know even remember how hard I rose up to this level for my solo concert. I might be saying this because I’m still young, but really when this concert ended, I really thought to myself, ‘I would want nothing else more.’” But, when I turned on the internet the next day, my heart crashed to see only the parts with the issues cut apart.” He confessed that he faced sadness as a singer when he realized that the performance that he worked hard on was torn apart and was represented only as that single cut. Was it to much for him to show different sides of him to the audience that couldn’t easily access the concert?
“Instead of tears, fake laugh came out as I thought, ‘will I be cursed so that anywhere I go, I get bashed at?’” I didn’t want it to go this far. I just wanted to show my fans the different sides. In the performances I showed cute sides, and handsome sides, but why did it only get cut into this part? All the news paper articles had that strong word in them, and I was embrassed and sad that my parents might see these articles that only had one side to them.” He added on, “My thinking was short. However I just wish that people wouldn’t criticise me just for that one section. The song ‘Breathe’ in general is about not wanting to wake up from a dream because my ideal woman appears in my dreams. because of those lyrics I had a bed on stage and showed that I was searching my dreams. But the final product the public saw was, ”sex demonstration.” I was shocked and thought, ‘I’m not this, but I guess this is how I look to the people,’ realizing it then.”
He finally added, “Whether I get praised at, or slammed at, I think that is all showing interests toward me. I have to understand the fact that telling me what part I did wrong helps me to improve in the future. The way I could he accepted and win praises is to do better on the next album. This once again reminded me that I have to do my best on the Big Bang album coming out this year.”
发表于 20-1-2010 06:08 PM
楼主
n their own
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