2011
2011 KPOP MASTERS
KPMA It is said that creation is the act of making something out of nothing. Out of the void, it is creation that gives birth to art by the sheer virtues of our own imagination, bringing ideas to life. And with music, the only art form that we cannot see but feel and hear, the creation goes back into where art matters most– our hearts. My life’s passion has been to celebrate what the world has to offer through pieces of its own heart in artistic expression. To that, it is with great honor that we proudly present our most celebrated pioneers that continue to push the boundaries of Korean music. It is my great hope that the K-POP Masters will adequately showcase the innovation and strides that have been taken by both the legends in the Asian music scene as well as the fresh, young faces of the Korean Hallyu movement. Furthermore, we hope to acknowledge the collaboration of the best and brightest from Korea with one of the most prestigious names in music, Billboard, and place them on a legendary pedestal that is MGM’s Grand Garden Arena. XIMON RAH CEO/FOUNDER/PRODUCER
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Billboard Korea, and on behalf of Billboard USA ,would like to welcome you to this historic concert to celebrate the premiere of the “Billboard K-Pop Hot 100” chart, which took place this past August. With a stunning lineup of the brightest performers of K-Pop— TVXQ!, Beast, 4-Minute, Brown Eyed Girls, MBLAQ, G.Na, Sistar, and SHINee- we are thrilled and honored to share their amazing talent and universal appeal with you for the first time in the entertainment capital of the world- Vegas. Korean Pop or “K-Pop” has been recognized as one of the fastest growing music genres and it has already become a global phenomenon. We are eternally grateful to have been given the chance to embark on such an iconic event alongside KPMA and the MGM Grand. Tonight, we are making history and this is only the beginning. With the love and support from all of you that are with us tonight, we can continue to pay tribute to K-Pop. And on that note, we would like to thank all of you for helping us make this concert a reality. We promise to give you an entertaining and memorable evening. We hope you enjoy the show.
2011 KPOP MASTERS
NOVEMBER25
PROCLAMATION FROM THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS Welcome to MGM Grand! We are proud to be hosting the 2011 Billboard K-Pop Masters. The Grand Garden Arena is home to legendary concerts, championship boxing and UFC fights, nationally televised award shows and many other special events, and we are excited to team up with Billboard Magazine to bring you this amazing lineup of artists. While you are visiting MGM Grand, I encourage you to explore the property and experience all that we have to offer. As the world’s premier entertainment destination, we have everything from Cirque du Soleil’s spectacular performance of KÀ, to comedians and musicians at the intimate Hollywood Theatre, award-winning restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs, a variety of exciting nightlife venues, luxurious spa, state-of-the-art race and sports book, and expansive casino floor. There is truly something for everyone at MGM Grand, and I hope you enjoy every minute of your time here. Thank you, SCOTT SIBELLA MGM GRAND PRESIDENT/COO
Las Vegas, Nevada – October 31, 2011 – The city of Las Vegas announced today that November 25, 2011 will be declared “K-Pop Masters Day” in honor of the inaugural Billboard K-Pop Masters events, taking place on November 25 & 26 at the legendary MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. These star-studded live music events, produced by KPMA, LLC., will bring fans together to celebrate and spotlight one of world’s fastest growing genres of music. The 2011 Billboard K-Pop Masters will feature performances by some of today’s biggest Korean pop stars including 4Minute, BEAST, Sistar, G.NA, Brown Eyed Girls, MBLAQ, SHINee and TVXQ. Kicking off with a red carpet event on November 25, these concerts will be state-of-the-art productions and exciting music experiences for fans that are riding the “K-Pop wave.”
DAY!
“Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world, so it is only fitting that Billboard has chosen our fabulous city to showcase the top Korean pop stars,” said Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman who has presented the events with a proclamation marking November 25, 2011, as “K-Pop Masters Day” in the city of Las Vegas. “We have long been proud of the Korean entertainers who have performed in our city over the years. I welcome the events to Las Vegas, and I know they will be a great success.” The 2011 Billboard K-Pop Masters events will also help expand Billboard’s and Billboard Korea’s coverage of this popular music genre, as they are being held shortly after the launch of the Billboard K-Pop 100 chart, which ranks the country’s top songs according to digital sales via leading websites in addition to downloads from mobile service sites. The chart has been well received by both the industry and K-Pop fans, and currently appears on Billboard Korea’s website, billboard.co.kr, in the international chart section of Billboard.com and Billboard.biz, and in Billboard Magazine.
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WELCOME TO
VEGAS!
2011 KPOP MASTERS | SHOW LINE UP
Jabbawockeez B2ST SISTAR MBLAQ G.NA INTERMISSION 4 Minute Brown Eyed Girls TVXQ
[FRI] [SAT]
NOV
NOV
25 26 [3]
B2ST SISTAR MBLAQ G.NA INTERMISSION Shinee 4 Minute Brown Eyed Girls TVXQ
ARTISTS | 4 MINUTE
Led by Nam Jihyun, 4minute an adorable K-pop quintet rounded out by Heo Gayoon, Jeon Jiyoon, Kim Hyuna and Kwon SoHyun. In June 2009, the girls made a powerful impression in Korean public with the debut of their single, “Hot Issue,” which showcased 4minute’s youthful energy. They soon made it to the top of several Korean music charts with their mini album, “Muzik”. In addition, 4minute was granted the honor of representing Korean vocal artists at the Billboard Japan Music Awards 2010. In January 2011, Hyuna (who was originally a member of the first Wonder Girls) debuted as a soloartist with her first single “Change,” and in July of 2011 she released her first mini-album “Bubble Pop!,” the video for which was deemed “too sexy” for some Korean TV outlets. Hyuna displays a powerful stage presence far beyond her 19 years -- and her talent and charisma helped her earn a spot on Billboard.com’s 2011 “21 Under 21” list of the most important young music makers.
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ARTISTS | TVXQ!
A creation of SM Entertainment; the huge Korean artist management company that has also produced top artists like Girls’ Generation and Super Junior, TVXQ! is arguably the biggest boy band in Asia. The group debuted in 2004 with “Hug” and quickly made it to the top of several Asian charts. Despite running a 2009 rift that saw three of the original members drop out due to conflicts with the management company, the remaining two members --Yunho and Changmin-- launched their album “Tone” in Japan. Never ones to be shy, the group’s name (pronounced “Dong Bang Shin Ki”) is the acronym for a Korean phrase that translates to “Rising Gods Of The East.” No wonder they made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for having the largest official fan club, (close to two million fans worldwide).
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ARTISTS | SISTAR
Loved in Korea for their cheerleader looks, their polished singing abilities and their cute choreography, the four young women of Sistar hold the special distinction of having the very first No. 1 on Billboard’s K-Pop Hot 100 chart, which launched this year. After creating the name Sistar by combining the words “sister” and “star,” members Hyolyn, Bora, Soyou and Dasom released their first single “Push Push” in 2010 and tasted big success when the title track from first full album “So Cool” became the lucky track that top Billboard’s first K-Pop Hot 100 chart a year later.
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ARTISTS | SHINEE
The boys of SHINee endured long years of strenuous training from a very young age in hopes of reaching the successes of predecessor TXVQ!. Consisting of Jong Hyun, Minho, Onew, Key, and 18-year-old Taemin, the latter of which is the youngest male performer at the 2011 Billboard K-Pop Masters Concert. In 2008, the pretty faced boy band debuted with, “You’re So Pretty,” and added on to its growing popularity with hits such as, “Amigo,” “Juliette,” and “Lucifer.” The boys expanded their fan base to the international market beginning last June by releasing their first mini album, “Replay,” in Japan. And in the group’s three year history, they have also become well known for starting style trends in Korea.
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ARTISTS | BROWN EYED GIRLS
Known for their over-the-top sexy performances and genre-pushing R&B-based sound, the four ladies of Brown Eyed Girls (Jea, Miryo, Narsha, and Ga-in) gravitated together without the guiding hand of an entertainment company masterminding the process. The results have been stellar. Considered to be among the most vocally skilled of Korea’s current crop of girl group singers, BEG’s initial moderate success truly took off with the release of its first mini album, “LOVE.” Soon after, the quartet confirmed its stardom with the title song from second album, “How Come.” The girls transformed their musical style to electronic/pop with their next song, “Abracadabra.” After taking time away from the group for Jea, Miryo, Ga-in, and Narsha, BEGs recently made a vibrant comeback with “Sixth Sense,” the title song from its fourth regular album.
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ARTISTS | BEAST
With a name that’s an acronym for “Boys of East Standing Tall,” this K-Pop boy band sextet (Yoon Doo-joon, Jang Hyun-seung, Yong Jun-hyung, Yang Yo-seob, Lee Gi-kwang and Son Dong-woon) debuted in 2009 and promptly grabbed the spotlight with the release of its second mini album, “Shock of The New Wave.”. The rock/electronic title track, “Shock”, was the first of a string of hit songs that continued with “Easy”, “Breath”, “Beautiful”, “Fiction”, and “Days When It Rains.” Following the footsteps of other KPop stars, Beast debuted in Japan with the Japanese version of their song “Shock” and rocketed up to the top of various Japanese music charts.
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ARTISTS | G.NA
It’s no surprise that G.NA started at the top. The singer’s debut, “Things I Want to Do When I Have a Lover,” was a duet with Rain, one of the most successful solo male artists in Korea. G.NA’s first solo track, “I’ll Back off So You Can Live,” soon followed, and that was an instant hit. Since then, the Canadian-born singer wrote her signature single, the dancey “Top Girl,” with the help of talented singer-songwriter Wheesung, and has released a pair of EPs and a full album, “Black & White,” in the last two years.
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ARTISTS | MBLAQ
Yet another K-Pop group with an name full of eclectic initials, MBLAQ is an acronym that stands for “Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality.” The five-piece boy band produced by top K-Pop sensation Rain, includes members Seung Ho (leader, vocalist), G.O (main vocalist), Joon (vocalist, main dancer), Cheondoong (vocalist, rapper), and Mir (rapper). After initially being overshadowed by its association with Rain, MBLAQ has now come into its own after releasing one full album and a second EP, “Mona Lisa”, this summer. The EP’s title song is a hypnotic dance track that’s become a hit in China and parts of Europe.
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2011 KPOP MASTERS | PRODUCTION CREDITS
KPMA MGM Resorts International Jim Murren...................................CEO & Chairman Bill Hornbuckle.....................Chief Marketing Officer Corey Sanders.............................................COO Richard Sturm........ President of Sports & Entertainment MGM Grand Scott Sibella................................. COO & President Mark Prows................................ VP of Entertainment Teresa Fry............................... Director of Marketing MGM Grand Garden Arena Dan Quinn................................... Executive Director Jay Cline...............................Director of Operations Scott Ghertner....................................Director of PR Matthew Ball .........................Operations Supervisor Jeri Beam................................. Finance Coordinator Max Bizzarro........................ Operations Supervisior Annette Brackenridge.............. Administrative Assistant Adam Fertig.............Environmental Services Manager Frank Huff................................................... Rigger Dana Mead...........................Operations Supervisor Glenn Mongeon.......................................... Rigger Mike Mongeon............................................ Rigger Davis Persi.............................Operations Supervisor RonSeach................................ Production Manager Leslie Trubey.............Contract & Scheduling Manager Joe Williams................................ Security Manager Amy Zopfi........................... Event Services Manager
Ximon Rah.......................CEO & Founder (Producer) Richard Choo....... CMO & Co-Founder (Co-Producer) Paul Park.......................................General Counsel Drew Strozza... VP of Production & Associate Producer Roy Choi....................... VP of Business Development Max Moon....................................... VP of Logistics Christine Kim............... Director of Global Operations Joanna Lee............. Director of International Marketing Jin Sik Shin.................................... Creative Director Joseph Kwon .... Production Manager & Show Director Jungha Choi......................................Visual Director Erik London...................................... Music Director DaeYoung Ryu........................................VJ Director Ashley Clifford................ Production Stage Manager Cynthia Harms................................ Stage Manager Kerri Lynch..................................... Stage Manager Samantha Dahaan.............. Assistant Stage Manager Steve Shin ............................... Marketing Manager Benny Luo............................Social Media Manager Eunyce Kim..........................Social Media Manager Jerry Won................ Business Development Manager CJ Kim............................... Marketing/ PR Manager Benjamin Chang............................ Media Manager Ben Lee Foster.................................... Media Editor Anders Martensson.......................... Web Developer Kirstin Choi................................. Executive Assistant Lisa Ahn..................................... Executive Assistant William Lee.............................. Operations Assistant Klarisse Gepilano..........................Graphic Designer Lauren Song........ Red Carpet/ Press Junket Organizer GooSeul Lee................ 1st Assistant to Joeseph Kwon EunHyae Kim.............. 2nd Assistant to Joeseph Kwon InSoo Choi...................................................Intern
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Jung Dae Ahn......................................CHAIRMAN Yeo Jin Yoon.................................................. CEO Hee-Seok Lee...............................................COO Clayton Jefferey Jin......................................... CFO Operations Dong Jun Yeo.................................... Vice President Digital Ho Bin Lim.............................................. Manager Sang Mi Kim............................................ Assistant Ji Yeon Jeong............................................ Assistant Jessica Oak............................................. Assistant Editorial Eun Joo Kim.................................................. Editor Sang Ho Oh....................................... Video Editor Hee Jeong Kim............................... Associate Editor Kyung Ju Kim.................................. Associate Editor
SPECIAL THANKS
Paul Park...................................................... KSPLR Andrew Kim................................................. KSPLR John Lee...................................................... KSPLR Thomas Ryu.................................................. KSPLR Stella Park.................................................... KSPLR Jay Cline.......................................... MGM Grand Teresa Fry......................................... MGM Grand Sean Chun...................................... Hana Financial Dennis Lee................................. Color Kraft Printing Chi Peng.............................................Red Mango Lauren Song ........................................ Pearl Events Randy Song........................................ Randy Song
2011 KPOP MASTERS | MEDIA PARTNERS & SPONSORS
MEDIA / CORPORATE SPONSORS
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