Introduction video shown at event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA2Bezr7n5M&feature=youtu.be
Arriving fashionably late time, around 7:30am (EST) YG announced the merge of the Japanese company Avex and YG to create a new label YGEX. Avex is an extremely large entertainment company within Japan, maintaining a strong hold on the stock market, and in charge of many entertainment outlets in Japan. They have also been involved with the promotion and release of a few SM groups within the country. YG announces the arrival of a new Japanese team, and says that the aim of the label is to combine future YG releases in both South Korea and Japan. They asserted it was not a combination of a new company, but a development of a diverse label ready to promote future YG activities.
Ready for the label, a website has been set up; www.ygex.jp. On the website itself it says the name of the label is “attributing to the collaboration of YG FAMILY “YG” with AVEX “EX”. “EX” also inspired by words like “EXPERIENCE” and “EXCLUSIVE”, carries connotations of it being the one and only label you can experience YG FAMILY. The collaboration between YG, not bound to just Asia now spreading as a worldwide trend “YG POP”, and AVEX who has always innovated and led the Japanese music scene, is definitely a match up bound to create a new and unpredictable form of entertainment.”
This signals not only good news for the Japanese fans, but soon international fans can experience what YG branded to the press “a new kind of pop”.
Later, YG artists arrived on stage and spoke about their impressions of Japan, and any future activties. 2NE1, BIGBANG, Gummy, and Se7en all attended; however Psy apologised through the words of the other groups stating that he could not attend due to being busy with work in Korea.
Both Gummy and Se7en announced they will be soon releasing mini-albums in both countries, with Gummy expressing that she will collaborating with another YG artist. 2NE1 spoke of being happy to have a reaction from fans in Japan before their debut, and that they will work hard to promote their new song. CL expressed “We felt happy and strong to be able to debut in Japan with our seniors”. Dara spoke of a 2NE1 Japan tour, and on the website it is announced that tour dates will be in Yokohama, Kobe and Chiba (September 19th Yokohama Arena; 24&25th Kobe; October 1&2 Chiba.) She spoke of being “fresh” and of her role in being in charge of all 2NE1 promotions. The YG Family laughed when she said “I will continue to come up with new interesting ideas and continue to learn Japanese. Fighting!” showing a close knit family group.
BIGBANG had no activities to reveal, but most members spoke of wanting to do more in Japan, and solo activities. Four members were there, with Daesung still absent from the group. Taeyang was asked about his recent trip to America and he replied with “It is for my solo album, and I was happy to work with producers I had always wanted to work with”. Seungri was praised on his cute Japanese skills, and after his ME2DAY update yesterday again expressed how he was interested in only having five members back to work with. This is sure to tug at fans heartstrings yet again.
Both Gummy and Se7en who spoke purely in Japanese expressed their impressions of Japan, and said it was an every changing country which made it an exciting place to promote it. Dara revealed that “to celebrate the formation of YGEX and the 15th Anniversary of YG there will be a YG Family Concert in both Korea and Japan”.
The big news at the end which was the most secretive of all was the revelation of a new act which will be released in both countries. There was no mention of whether it is a solo act or group, or even what country they will be from, but that it will be in the future.
All in all, the conference reveals a big change for YG in Japan, and hopefully signals a new breed of YG music. Updates are constantly being spread from the website and reporters, so we hope to approach this all when it is revealed.
written and translated by: lucy@ukbigbang
picture screencapped by: lucy@ukbigbang
CR FOR YT VIDEO: YGLcrazyxcamiVIAYGEX.JP
0 comments :
Post a Comment