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TVXQ! "Rising Gods from the East"

Tong Vfang Xien Qi popularly known as TVXQ! is South Korea’s pride. Known to countries in Asia like Japan, Singapore, China, Taiwan and Thailand to name a few, this quintet boy band rocks the house on every concert and shows that they’re in. This popular boy group in Asia is called in many names, TVXQ! for its Chinese name, Dong Bang Shin Ki o r Dong Bang Shin Gi DBSK/DBSG in Korea and Tōhōshinki in Japan. Their name simply means the "Rising Gods from the East". Let’s name the members one by one:

1. Kim Junsu aka Xiah

Started his first audition at the age of 12, his good voice and antics sure is noticeable but changes in his voice in adolescent period made him stop his singing career and continue after 6 years of passing the period. His stage name, “Xiah”, is his personal choice. According to him, it’s a shortened form of the word “Asia”.

2. Jung Yunho aka U-know

Known as the leading of the group, he got his spot because of a dance competition placing him on the number one spot. He became a backup dancer for several shows and concerts but soon made his name on stage. His stage name “U-know” also came from his name Yunho, pronounced as “you know” in English.

3. Kim Jaejoong aka Hero

Become where he is right now was never been easy. Leaving the comforts of his own home in Chungnam, he experienced poverty and hardships. Unlike others who chose their own screen names, the name “Hero” was given by his manager aiming to become a hero for the music industry.

4. Shim Changmin aka Max

Youngest and tallest among all the members, his powerful impressed the judges. He also studied at one of the top universities in Korea. With brains and looks, he was named “Max” meaning “the best” and “most powerful”.

5. Park Yoochun aka Mickey

The member who joined the group a year later after it debut. Mickey grew up in Seoul but immigrated to the United States but got divorced due to financial matters when he was just around 13 years old. He gave up his American citizenship due to work related schedule going to-and-fro the US.

Their debut started along side with BoA during her concert on December 2003. Soon afterwards they expanded their career in Japan where they ranked #1 on hit charts. The demand was more than what producers expected releasing the album to foreign countries last year. Their career is not just about singing. The group also acted in a theatrical drama entitled “VACATION” and their success continues. Of course just like any other celebrities, they also faced and continue to face issues after issues. Being a celebrity is not easy. Scandals also happen including adoptive issues, anti-fan incidents and even the group’s winnings in some major awards. But, never did it became a hindrance to the groups success.

Jung Ji-hoon aka Rain: “Justin Timberlake of Asia”

Jung Ji-hoon Known as “Rain” a pan-Asian superstar dominates charts throughout East and Southeast Asia made another successful achievement as he stars in a Hollywood film “Speed Racer”. An artist that has it all – singer dancer, model and actor. He truly deserves to be one of the most influential people as he hits The 2008 TIME 100 Finalists. Let’s dig a bit further to his early life and achievements.

Rain, a proud Korea, was born in Seoul, South Korea on June 25, 1982. He showed interest in R&B and Hiphop dancing as early as 6th grade. He became a member of short-lived boy band, Fanclub, when he started to audition for talent agencies. It was never been easy for him because of his looks. Agencies at that time were eyeing on talents with “double eyelids”, which of course, Rain doesn’t have. His perseverance and efforts resulted in capturing the attention of Park Jin Young, CEO of JYP Entertainment, a talent agency in Korea.

He started as a backup dancer and got his debut album called “Bad Guy” on 2002. It was a hit! Right after his first album, he starred at a drama series, Sang Doo! Let's Go To School. Hit after hit happened afterwards, as a singer with his hit “Ways to Avoid the Sun." (Click the link to see video) and as an actor for the successful drama “Full house”. Rain got much recognition when he won the MTV Asia Grand Slam in 2004.

For now, Rain’s success in the US is limited. But a recording duet with popular hip-hop singer, Omarion may come in the future. Fame and success doesn’t come clean controversies and issues goes side-by-side. There are legal troubles by the name “Rain” itself in the US, one of the major hindrances. Some are about financial disputes and unresolved issues up until now involving his handlers and promoters.

Despite of it all, Rain still stands still and will continue to be one of the nation’s best pop star!

Reminiscing the memories of Choi Jin Shil: “The Nation's Actress”

It was on Oct. 2, 2008 when a shocking news about this famous actress hit TV screens at that day. She was found dead at her home leaving her two kids. Her death also started rumors and speculations regarding money matter related to Ahn Jae-hwan who died September the same year, another suicide case. Many has been said about her life as a star. But, this time, let’s reminisce to the early years of her life.

Choi Jin-sil was the first child of her parents Choi Guk-hyeon and Jeong Ok-sun in Seoul, South Korea on December 24, 1968. Contrary to what some people have thought, she was never been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. In fact, people used to call her "Choisujebi" because she used to eat sujebi (Korean dumpling soup) everyday instead of an ordinary wealthy meal.

Her poverty has never been a hindrance to become one of the highest paid model and actress in Korea. After she graduated high school, she debuted as a TV actress for a historical drama sponsored by a major South Korean television company called MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation). The major break for her career started when Samsung Electronics chose her as an endorser. Thus the gateway to stardom opened. Korean soap operas and movies like Our Paradise, Partisans of South Korea, My Rosy Life and The Last Scandal of My Life are just some to mention. The second season of The Last Scandal of My Life was being planned just before her death.

She may be pretty, glamorous and successful in her career but Choi Jin-sil also suffered from misfortunes starting from the murder of her former manager, Bae Byeong-su, down to her divorce with baseball player Jo Seong-min. Revealing adultery, domestic violence against Choi. The issue about money matters concerning Ahn Jae-hwan was the most unbearable according to rumors, making the fine actress take her own life on the morning of Oct. 2. With pressure bandages around her neck tied to the shower stall, the actress was proclaimed dead leaving her two kids and family behind.

She truly left a remarkable career and great name to the entertainment industry. But, fame and fortune is not the only means of happiness. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success, as one may say.