Tw. by: @OnlyKHJtimes
Showbiz: Meet Kim on the beat
2011/08/15TAN CHOE CHOE
nstent@nst.com.my
Kim released his solo debut mini album, Break Down, on June 8 and in less than two weeks, over 100,000 copies were sold. — Picture from his Break Down digital album booklet
KIM Hyun Joong of Boys Over Flowers (2009) fame, whose recent drama, Playful Kiss, saw a successful run across Asia, kicked off his first debut album promotional tour. First stop: Vietnam.
Kim, leader of popular Korean boy-group SS501, is making his first visit overseas as a solo singer. The mini album, Break Down, was released on June 8 (June 7 digitally) and, within two weeks of release, total sales surpassed 100,000 copies.
Kim, leader of popular Korean boy-group SS501, is making his first visit overseas as a solo singer. The mini album, Break Down, was released on June 8 (June 7 digitally) and, within two weeks of release, total sales surpassed 100,000 copies.
In the 2011 half-year tally by the South Korean Hanteo Charts, Kim became the third highest selling artiste for that period, after Big Bang and TVXQ, making him the No. 1 best-selling solo artiste in the republic.
With barely any promotion in Japan, his album sales beat that of Lady Gaga’s and Beyonce’s to claim the top spot in the Oricon charts (foreign/imported albums category).
The launch of his solo career seems to have brought to attention, again, Kim’s explosive popularity across Asia. Now sporting a blonde look, he has even been dubbed The Prince Of Asia by some media. It isn’t surprising, therefore, that fans were flocking to online micro-blogging sites Twitter and Sina Weibo last Wednesday night to get news of his arrival in Vietnam.
The launch of his solo career seems to have brought to attention, again, Kim’s explosive popularity across Asia. Now sporting a blonde look, he has even been dubbed The Prince Of Asia by some media. It isn’t surprising, therefore, that fans were flocking to online micro-blogging sites Twitter and Sina Weibo last Wednesday night to get news of his arrival in Vietnam.
Anticipation was high as everyone waited for live updates from those who gathered to welcome him at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. When he finally arrived, late at night, it was reported that 2,000 fans were waiting but he didn’t meet many as he was escorted through the airport’s VIP exit gates.
When he was being driven off, he could be seen waving but the scene turned a little chaotic and his car had to stop momentarily, blocked by the crowd.
Vietnam followed a successful fan-meet in Japan on Aug 2 to celebrate Playful Kiss, which had just finished airing on Japanese TV. Over 10,000 attended the event.
After Vietnam, Kim arrived in Taiwan on Sunday afternoon and the airport was also inundated by crowds of screaming fans who were there to welcome him. A special lane had to be opened by immigration officers for Kim to pass through safely and quickly exit the airport, even as airport staff held hands to form a human-fence to keep his fans at bay.
Kim is scheduled to stop next in Singapore (Aug 18 & 19), Malaysia (Aug 20-22), Thailand (Aug 23 & 24) and the Philippines (Aug 25 & 26) before returning to Korea.
Kim is jointly brought to Malaysia by Warner Music Malaysia and TheFaceShop (TFS), the skincare and cosmetics brand which he endorses.
He will arrive at KLIA on flight MH604 at 10.50am on Aug 20. He will hold a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, with Warner Music, on the same day.
The following day, he will meet fans at Gardens Hotel in Mid Valley at 4pm.
Only 500 lucky fans will be selected for this. Fans have to buy his album at the same venue and go for a lucky draw on the spot. Sales will start at 2pm.
Meanwhile, on Aug 22, he will be hosted by TFS to visit two of its outlets at Pavilion (10.30am) and Berjaya Times Square (3.30pm).
The top 10 TFS spenders will get a chance to take a picture with Kim and 100 selected shoppers who buy Break Down with TFS’ Purchase-With-Purchase promotion will be able to get his autograph.
No comments:
Post a Comment