Kung fu god Bruce Lee is no less influential more than thirty years after his departure, seeing that Hollywood studios are mining his classics for remakes, while several Chinese films in the works have written him in as either the central or side character. All these projects are faced with one major challenge, though, and that is to find a suitable actor for the role.

Kung Fu Hustle star and well-known Bruce Lee admirer Stephen Chow was originally the director and co-star of the highly anticipated movie adaptation of The Green Hornet. In the 1960s television version, Lee played the heroic sidekick Kato, whom Chow was slated to play in the remake. However, citing creative differences, Chow eventually quit the job, and Korean actor Kwon Sang Woo was once speculated to be his fill-in. Columbia Pictures later put all rumors to rest by announcing that the production has brought in Taiwan superstar Jay Chou as the replacement. A self-proclaimed Bruce Lee fan, Jay is said to have impressed the new director Michel Gondry for being "incredibly unique and charming".

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. has tapped Korean superstar Rain, who not long ago received martial arts training in order to star in the studio's upcoming actioner Ninja Assassin, to be the new Bruce Lee in a remake of his 1973 classic Enter the Dragon. Now known as Awaken the Dragon, the new version trades the tournament-on-an-island setting for an underground fight club, and changes the hero's background from a Shaolin monk to an FBI agent. Director Kurt Sutter (TV's The Shield) claims his noir-style update is more Raging Bull than Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and he intends to depict the brutality of Shaolin kung fu.

On the Chinese front, filmmakers apparently prefer unknowns to big names. Jay Chou was once linked to Ip Man 2 to play the kung fu icon in his younger days, but the film, which has just begun lensing in China, has instead chosen a 10-year-old newcomer as the young Bruce Lee and future disciple of Ip Man. Also, a biopic project authorized by Lee's family vows to offer the most accurate portrayal of Lee's real-life stories, and the first film in the proposed trilogy will get a newcomer to play the legend in his teens.

Text / dian

Hong Kong pop singer/actress Gillian Chung suffered a huge blow to her career after the sex photo scandal early 2008, and she has been absent from the big screen ever since, either because her movie was shelved (The Fantastic Water Babes) or her scenes were cut (Forever Enthralled, W.). Now the Twins starlet has taken another step towards a cinematic comeback, playing her first major post-scandal movie role in Babes director Jeff Lau's new fantasy comedy Yue Guang Bao He.

Currently shooting in Guangzhou, China, Lau's film is said to be akin in tone to his The Eagle Shooting Heroes , parodying John Woo's epic Red Cliff while also borrowing plot elements from his own works like A Chinese Odyssey and Timeless Romance. Again exploring the theme of time travel, Yue Guang Bao He is about a guy who slips back in time to the Three Kingdoms Era of ancient China, along with certain characters from the movies Kung Fu Hustle, CJ7, and Crazy Stone. The picture stars Ronald Cheng, Alex Fong Lik Sun, and Betty Sun of Lau's latest film Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg, along with a huge supporting cast of Hong Kong and Mainland stars, plus A Chinese Odyssey actresses Athena Chu and Ada Choi reprising their popular roles. Playing side characters are Eric Tsang, Sandra Ng, Gigi Leung, Stephy Tang, Kenny Bee, Yuen Biao, Lam Suet, Patrick Tam, Guo Degang, Guo Tao, Huang Bo, and several of Stephen Chow's frequent co-stars. It is reported that Gillian plays the princess warrior Sun Shangxiang, famously portrayed by Vicki Zhao in Red Cliff.

However, even though Gillian's scenes have been shot, they are not guaranteed to make the final cut, as after the news of her participation leaked, the production company revealed that they may have to resort to the scissors to avoid trouble when they submit the film to the Chinese censors.

Text / dian

Many familiar Korean stars are unveiling debut albums in the coming weeks. The most anticipated release is naturally Big Bang leader G-Dragon's first solo album, which was originally scheduled for April, but got delayed in the midst of the group's Japan activities. A new release date has been set for G-Dragon's solo debut, and it's his 21st birthday, August 18. Incidentally, Big Bang's major debut Japanese album is coming out a day later on August 19.

Dropping on the same day as G-Dragon's solo album is the debut release of powerhouse songwriter and former YG Entertainment producer Brave Brothers, who's behind K-pop hits like Son Dam Bi's Crazy and Bad Boy, and Big Bang's own Last Farewell. Many names have been thrown around as featured artists for his single album Attitude, including Lee Min Woo, Son Dam Bi, and 4Minute's Hyun A.

For a more uncanny musical debut, do-all actress Ku Hye Sun, who is signed with YG Entertainment, is releasing a new-age instrumental album in the end of August. Since her breakout performance in Boys Over Flowers, Ku Hye Sun has been busy with everything from publishing a novel to holding an art exhibition to writing and directing her own short film. Adding songwriting to her list of talents, she composed all of the album's tracks, and invited famous musicians to play them. Ku's songs are also expected to be used in her upcoming directorial feature.

Popular actor Lee Min Ki from Spring of Dalja and Hauendae is also making the jump to music with his debut mini-album No Kidding, which hits shelves on August 11. The actor-turned-singer collaborated with local and foreign producers like French electronica musicians Kid Loco and Popular Computer and Korean bands Skrew Attack and One-Two.

Text / Sanwei

The official lineup for the 66th Venice Film Festival was announced on July 30. Twenty-three films will be competing for the Golden Lion, including Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore's opening film Baaria. The shortlist this year is dominated by European and American films, with a handful of Asian and Middle Eastern features in the mix. Two-time Golden Lion winner Ang Lee will preside over the main jury.

Two Chinese films are in the running for the top prize, Peony Pavilion director Yonfan's Prince of Tears and Shamo director Soi Cheang's Accident. Yonfan's first film in five years, Prince of Tears is set in 1950s Taiwan during the White Terror period when the military violently persecuted suspected communists. Starring Fan Chih Wei, Joseph Chang, Terri Kwan, and Zhu Xuan, the film revolves around the intertwined lives and romances of the protagonists in the midst of the political chaos. Produced by Johnnie To and starring Louis Koo and Richie Jen, Accident is about a hitman who carefully choreographs his kills to look like accidents, but he starts to lose his cool and his mind after a botched mission. Also in competition is Japanese cult director Tsukamoto Shinya's English-language Tetsuo The Bullet Man, the third film in his cyberpunk series.

The Orrizonti/Horizons section includes four Mainland China films. Du Haibin, whose Umbrella was nominated in the same category two years ago, returns to Venice with 1428, a documentary about victims of the Sichuan earthquake. The other Chinese nominations are writer Guo Xiaolu's documentary Once Upon A Time Proletarian: 12 Tales of a Country, Sixth Generation director Guan Hu's rural comedy Cow starring Crazy Stone funnyman Huang Bo, and Liu Jie's Judge starring Mei Ting. Bui Thac Chuyen's Adrift (Vietnam), Pepe Diokno's Engkwentro (Philippines), and Amit Dutta The Man's Woman and Other Stories (India) are also screening in this section.

The closing film of the festival will be the Chinese anthology Chengdu, I Love You helmed by Hong Kong director Fruit Chan, Korean director Hur Jin Ho, and Mainland China rocker Cui Jian. Featuring the cast of Jung Woo Sung, Gao Yuanyuan, Anya, Guo Tao, Sitar Tan, and Huang Xuan, the film unrolls three love stories set in Chengdu in 1976, 2008, and 2029.

The 66th Venice Film Festival will be held from September 2 to 12, 2009.

Text / Sanwei

Singer-songwriter YUI will sing the theme song for the talked about new movie Kaiji that brings together Death Note stars Fujiwara Tatsuya and Matsuyama Kenichi. YUI's upcoming single It's All too much will be the theme song, and Never say die will be featured as an inserted song. The double A-side single is scheduled for release in October; the film will open on October 10.

Helmed by Sato Toya, Kaiji revolves around Fujiwara's Ito Kaiji, who leads a life in poverty and debt and tries to change his destiny in an all-deciding gamble. The film is based on the manga Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji (a.k.a. "Ultimate Survivor Kaiji") by Fukumoto Nobuyuki which started serialization in 1996. The series turned into a bestseller with accumulated sales of over 13 million, and won Fukumoto a Kodansha Manga Award. Besides Fujiwara and Matsuyama, Kaiji's cast also includes Amami Yuki, Kagawa Teruyuki, Yamamoto Taro, Matsuo Suzuki, and Sato Kei.

Text / Snoopy

Hong Kong screen goddess Michelle Reis will grace the silver screen again after an absence of six years. The popular actress, now a married woman, has turned down many acting roles since starring in Miss Du Shi Niang in 2003. But when offered a cameo role in Bodyguards and Assassins by producer Peter Chan, who first approached her 10 years ago when the project started, she accepted right away. According to Chan, Reis plays a small but pivotal part that would change the destiny of a beggar played by her former rumored beau, Canto-pop king Leon Lai.

The debut release from Chan's new production outfit Cinema Popular, Bodyguards and Assassins is shaping up to be the Chinese movie of the year. The big-budget movie is under the direction of Teddy Chen (The Accidental Spy), and has been making headlines thanks to its star-studded cast that keeps getting brighter by the day. Besides Lai and Reis, the exciting ensemble also includes Donnie Yen, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Simon Yam, Nicholas Tse, Eric Tsang, Hu Jun, Wang Xueqi, Fan Bingbing, Zhou Yun, Wang Bo Chieh, singer Chris Lee, and basketball star Mengke Bateer.

The historical action drama is set a century ago in Hong Kong. Sun Yat Sen lands in the then British Colony to raise funds for his anti-Qing revolutionary cause. The Qing Government sends a squad of assassins to get him, and in response, the revolutionary movement hires several kung fu bodyguards to protect the man that represents the hope of the nation. The production splashed HK$43 million to construct a 1:1 scale set of Central District circa 1905 for the shoot. Principal photography just wrapped this week, and the film is set to storm box offices in December, as the producers aim to score RMB400 million in Mainland China alone!

Text / dian

Dong Bang Shin Ki's Hero Jae Joong recently made his acting debut in the forthcoming Heaven's Postman from the Korea-Japan Telecinema Project, making him the first TVXQ member to jump to acting. He'll have plenty of company soon though as bandmates U-Know Yun Ho and Max Chang Min were recently cast in new TV dramas.

Leader Yun Ho is pairing up with Who Are You?'s Go Ara in the upcoming MBC sports drama Heading to the Ground. Directed by Ruler of Your Own World director Park Sung Soo, the fall mini-series stars Yun Ho as an aspiring soccer player with a mean kick and great passion for the game. Go Ara plays a sports agent and the daughter of a soccer team owner. They meet, fight, and fall in love during their quest to prove themselves in the competitive world of professional soccer. Heading to the Ground also co-stars Lee Yoon Ji from Dae Wang Sejong and Lee Sang Hoon from The Scale of Providence. The drama has already started filming, and is slated to begin broadcast on September 9.

TVXQ's youngest member Chang Min is also reportedly taking the leading role in the new drama "Paradise Meadow" co-produced by SM Entertainment and Samhwa Networks. This youth melodrama from the writers of Coffee Prince and Into the Sunlight is supposedly going to start shooting in Jeju in late August, and be aired at the end of the year. No other casting details have been revealed yet.

Text / Sanwei

Due to great fan request, a third film in the blockbuster Umizaru franchise was announced last summer. The production recently revealed more cast and plot details about Umizaru 3, which is slated for a 2010 release.

Based on the popular manga by Sato Shuho, Umizaru revolves around the high-seas thrills and romance of Coast Guard rescue diver Senzaki Daisuke, played by Ito Hideaki. The first Umizaru feature was released in 2004 to modest success, but it was actually the spin-off 2005 Fuji TV drama that turned Umizaru into a massive hit. In 2006 silver-screen sequel Limit of Love: Umizaru pulled in over 7 billion yen at the box office to become the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film of the year.

Again directed by Hasumi Eiichiro and produced by Usui Hirotsugu, the highly anticipated third film sees Senzaki, now an experienced rescue diver, tying the knot with his girlfriend played by Kato Ai, and becoming a father. Senzaki and his team are sent out on a dangerous rescue mission when there is an accident during an international undersea oil drilling. Rookies' Sato Ryuta will return as a diver, and rising star Miura Shohei from Gokusen has been added to the cast.

Text / Sanwei

In Korea summer is the hottest time for horror films. After Chaw and A Blood Pledge, two more anticipated horror films are hitting Korean theaters in August. Nam Sang Mi, who starred in The Ghost (a.k.a Dead Friend) five years ago, returns to the genre in Living Death which opens on August 13. Written and directed by first-time director Lee Yong Joo, the horror thriller sees Nam Sang Mi trying to save her missing demon-possessed little sister, played by child actress Sim Eun Kyung from Hansel and Gretel, who is connected to a mysterious string of neighborhood deaths. Also co-starring Ryoo Seung Yong, Living Death has been attracting a lot of buzz as it is Nam's first film in four years.

Coming out a week later on August 20, Yoga from Whispering Stairs director Yoon Jae Yeon explores the ugly side of the pursuit of beauty. Taking a break from her usual romantic offerings, popular actress Eugene leads a beautiful lineup of actresses that includes Wishing Stairs' Park Han Byul, Forever the Moment's Jo Eun Ji, Red Eye's Kim Hye Na, and Memento Mori's Lee Yeong Jin. The five girls are all enrolled at a mysterious yoga center that promises eternal beauty to one student after a week of intense training - if they abide by the center's rules including breaking contact with the outside world. As the week wears on, strange things begin to happen, and it becomes increasingly clear that there is something very wrong with the yoga center and its young trainer, played by Beautiful's Cha Soo Yeon.

Text / Sanwei

In the aftermath of Hong Kong's sex photo scandal last year, Stephen Fung's film Jump, which starred photographer-cum-actor Edison Chen, was banned by the Chinese censors board SARFT (State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television), and the release has been put on hold since. While Edison's other new movie, The Sniper, is still without a release date in Mainland China, Jump opted to jettison Edison in order to see the light of the day. The production spent an extra HK$3 million to re-shoot all of Edison's scenes with Singapore actor Leon Jay Williams (My Lucky Star) in his place earlier this year. The new version has finally got the permission of SARFT to screen in China according to the Mainland media, so an announcement of the film's release can be expected soon.

Jump is Stephen Fung's third feature film as a director after Enter the Phoenix (2004) and House of Fury (2005). The musical comedy, financed by Columbia Pictures and produced by Stephen Chow, is about a farming village girl (Kitty Zhang of CJ7) who goes to Shanghai to pursue her dream of becoming a dancer. Originally Edison played the male lead as a cool, young entrepreneur, but like scandal victim Gillian Chung's fate in Forever Enthralled, his scenes all ended up on the cutting room floor.

Text / dian

The seventies sci-fi anime Space Battleship Yamato, also known in the West as Space Cruiser Yamato and Star Blazers, is returning with both a new animated film and a live-action feature. The classic space opera is set in the distant future when Earth is on its last leg due to alien attacks, and mankind's last hope lies in Space Battleship Yamato and its tenacious crew. Popular throughout the seventies and eighties, the franchise spawned three television seasons and five theatrical films, the last of which, Final Yamato, was released in 1983.

Twenty-six years later, producer Nishizaki Yoshinobu revives the franchise with the new animated film Yamato: Rebirth (a.k.a. Uchu Senkan Yamato: Fukkatsu-hen), scheduled to open in December this year. Set in 2220, 17 years after the events of Final Yamato, the film again calls on Space Battleship Yamato to defend Earth's population as a black hole expands towards the planet and a massive migration mission begins. Extensive CGI is being used for the space battle scenes. Yamato: Rebirth has a strong focus on environmental themes and the damage that humans have inflicted to Earth.

Ishiguro Noboru, one of the animation and episode directors for the original series, also recently announced that a live-action adaptation of Space Battleship Yamato is in the works. SMAP superstar Kimura Takuya has been confirmed for the leading role of Susumu Kodai.

Text / Sanwei

After The Forbidden Kingdom, Jackie Chan will again teach martial arts to another American boy! It has long been rumored that Jackie will star in a remake of the 1984 hit film Karate Kid, and it's now confirmed that he plays the master to the kid played by 11-year-old Jaden Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness, The Day the Earth Stood Still), son of Hollywood superstar Will Smith.

The original, an inspirational story about a Western kid learning karate from a Japanese master, was massively popular at the box office and spawned several sequels. Directed by Harald Zwart (Agent Cody Banks), the updated version trades karate for kung fu and is logically retitled Kung Fu Kid. The co-production from Columbia Pictures and China Film Group has just started shooting in Beijing and principal photography is expected to last three months. Will Smith takes on producing duties, whereas Jackie sports a moustache for his role of Mr. Han, a Chinese janitor who passes on his kung fu skills to Jaden's bullied boy Dre, who has just moved to China with his single mom played by Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).

Text / dian

The 11th Taipei Film Festival came to a close on July 12. Popular actor-director Leon Dai's No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti won the Grand Prize, as well as Best Actor for Chen Win Pin, Best Supporting Actor for Lin Chih Ju, and the Media's Choice Award. Based on real-life events, No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti, Dai's second directorial effort after 2002's Twenty Something Taipei, is shot in black and white, and follows an impoverished father's great efforts to keep his daughter.

Chung Mong Hong was awarded Best Director and Best Script for his neo-noir black comedy Parking, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. Peggy Tseng, who played a Mainland prostitute in the film, won Best New Talent. The festival's opening film, Cheng Yu Chieh's coming-of-age drama Yang Yang, also picked up multiple awards including Special Jury Prize, Best Music, and Best Actress for Sandrine Pinna. Another youth film starring Pinna, Miao Miao, was recognized for Best Editing and Best Cinematography. Lou Yi An's ensemble urban allegory A Place Of One's Own took the remaining prizes: Audience Choice's Award, Best Art Direction, and Best Supporting Actress for Lu Yi Ching.

In the Non-Narrative Feature categories, Chiang Hsiu Chiung's Golden Horse-winning short Hopscotch added another accolade, the Jury Prize. Other winners include Lai Meng Jie's Panic House (Best Short Film), Lu Wen Chung's Ketchup (Best Animation Short), Liu Soung's Yellow Sheep River (Best Documentary), and Teen Patron (Documentary Special Prize).

The 2009 Taipei Film Festival was held from June 26 to July 12. Hong Kong director Ann Hui headed the festival's nine-member jury which included Taiwan directors En Chen and Wan Jen and award-winning actress Lu Hsiao Fen.

Text / Sanwei

John Woo returned to form with his Chinese blockbusters Red Cliff 1 and 2. For his next project, he is again going to the well of historical war epics for ideas. The world-renowned director is making a film about the American Volunteer Group and their exploits in China during the Second World War. What's most exciting is that Woo has managed to one-up himself in terms of budget, as this China-US co-production is budgeted at US$100 million, beating Woo's own Red Cliff movies to be the most expensive Chinese film ever.

The American Volunteer Group, which used a "flying tiger" as its insignia, was formed by Claire Lee Chennault in 1941 to assist the Chinese in fighting back the Imperial Japanese forces. In four years, the American pilots made great contributions by shooting down hundreds of enemy aircrafts. Written by Lan Xiaolong (one of the screenwriters of Red Cliff), the story portrays the heroism of the American Volunteer Group and the friendship between the two countries.

According to Woo, the film is already in its final stage of pre-production, and is set to begin shooting in Yunnan Province in December with the participation of famous Hollywood and Chinese actors. Furthermore, he promises that the film will feature the most spectacular battle scenes in the history of Chinese Cinema.

Text / dian

Miyazaki Hayao's Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, which topped Japan's box office in 2008, adds another record to its billing. Released in the first week of July, the Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea DVD sold over 500,000 copies in its first week, turning into the best-selling DVD of 2009. It topped by a wide margin the sales of last year's #1 DVD, Transformers, which sold 365,000 copies in its first week, and this year's previous bestseller ARASHI AROUND ASIA 2008 in TOKYO which has accumulated sales of 367,000 copies.

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea is also the first DVD to break the 500,000 benchmark since Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End in December 2007. As far as animated DVDs are concerned, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea follows up the success of Miyazaki's 2005 work Howl's Moving Castle.

Miyazaki's other titles also moved upward on the DVD charts, led by My Neighbor Totoro which lept from its earlier #72 position to #25. Following suit, Laputa: Castle in the Sky moved from #131 to #50, Kiki's Delivery Service from #157 to #69, and Princess Mononoke from #211 to #96. As a result, there were five Miyazaki Hayao titles in the top 100 DVD sellers.

Adding to this success is Miyazaki Hayao's regular composer Hisaishi Joe whose DVD and Blu-ray releases of Joe Hisaishi in Budokan - Miyazaki Anime to Tomo ni Ayunda 25 Nenkan celebrating his longtime collaboration with Miyazaki were released on the same day. The DVD was ranked #15, while the Blu-ray was at the #5 spot.

Text / Snoopy

The triumph of singer-songwriters was the main theme at the 20th Golden Melody Awards held in Taipei on June 27. At his fourth nomination for Best Mandarin Male Singer, Mando-pop king Jay Chou finally broke his duck in the category, beating favorites Eason Chan and Khalil Fong to win the much coveted award. The big winner despite his absence from the ceremony, Chou also won Best Song of the Year (for "Rice Fragrance") and Best Music Video (for "Mr. Magic").

Better known as an award-winning producer and songwriter, Sandee Chen won her first Best Mandarin Female Singer for her album If There is One Thing That is Important. Further proof that singer-songwriters are hot right now came in the shape of Crowd Lu. The highly acclaimed pop sensation is loved for his style and versatility shown in debut album 100 Ways For Living, and he withstood fierce competition from the One Million Star alumni to win Best Newcomer. He also netted Best Composer for the title song, evoking memories of a younger Jay Chou.

Another highly contested big prize, Best Mandarin Album, went to Eason Chan for his album Don't Want to Let Go. It was his second win of the award after Special Thanks To... in 2002, and this time, he was presented the award by Jacky Cheung and Jody Chiang. The duo were themselves winners of the fan-voted "Favorite Song in 20 Years" special award. The Taiwanese diva then added another trophy to her cabinet with her Holding You Tight being named Best Taiwanese Album.

Poetry of The Day After... gave Mayday their third Best Band Award to become the most-decorated band in Golden Melody Awards history. HoneyVoices was the surprise that night with three awards - Best Group Vocal, Best Aboriginal Language Album, and Best Album Producer.

This year, the absence of several big-name contenders at the ceremony was partly compensated by the presence of some overseas guest performers and presenters, including top Korean group Super Junior, Japan-residing legend Ouyang Fei Fei, Hong Kong pop king Jacky Cheung, and veteran dance trio the Grasshoppers.

Text / dian

Fahrenheit's Wu Chun and award-winning Mainland actress Zhou Xun have been cast as the leads for the Taiwan remake of the 2004 Korean drama Full House. Based on the same comic that inspired the popular Korean series starring Rain and Song Hye Kyo, the Taiwan version of Full House is being helmed by Doze Niu, the director of popular idol dramas like Wayward Kenting and Toast Boy's Kiss. The big-budget romantic comedy will be shot in both China and Taiwan, and touch on cross-strait issues. Taking on her first TV drama in six years, Zhou Xun plays a Beijing woman who travels to Taiwan to settle her grandfather's inheritance, only to find the house she's supposed to inherit has been rented out to a Taiwan superstar played by Wu Chun.

Also in production right now is the Chinese remake of Korean youth sitcom Nonstop. Known as a star-making vehicle during its six seasons in Korea, the Chinese Nonstop, titled Qing Chun Jin Xing Shi ("When Youth Is Happening"), revolves around the romance, friendship, and hijinks of a group of energetic college students played by idol duo BOBO, gag duo Backdorm Boys, and actresses He Zhuoyan, Cao Yuan, and Zhang Xinyu. One of the original Korean directors of the MBC sitcom is onboard to direct this 100-episode remake which begins airing on Dragon TV on July 6.

Text / Sanwei

Korea's top pop stars are hitting the tour circuit this summer. Pop rock band F.T Island kick off their Asia tour on June 27 with a concert showcase in Singapore. The band will perform in Japan, Thailand, China, and Taiwan in July before returning to Korea to release a new album. K-pop icon Seo Tai Ji is also in the midst of his nationwide live tour which began on June 14 in Seoul, and lasts until the end of July.

Super Junior will open their 2nd Asia Tour ~ Super Show 2 the same way as their first tour, with three consecutive shows at the Olympic Fencing Stadium in Seoul from July 17 to 19. The boy band will then go on to hold concerts in Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Bangkok, and two other Asian cities. Though he appears in the concert promotion material, Super Junior's elusive 13th member Kim Ki Bum, who was absent from all third album promotion activities, recently confirmed that he will not be participating in the Seoul concerts because of a foot injury.

SS501 are launching their 1st Asia Tour at Seoul's Olympic Gymnastics Stadium on August 1 and 2. The Persona concert tour will also take the boy band to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan where they're set to perform at the Tokyo Budokan on August 13. Dong Bang Shin Ki are heading to the Tokyo Dome for the first time on July 4 and 5 for the final leg of their 4th Live Tour 2009 The Secret Code.

Gearing up for their US debut, the Wonder Girls are touring in North America from June to August as the opening act for American pop sensations Jonas Brothers. The girls will give their first performance in Portland, Oregon on June 27, which is also the release date of their first US digital single, the English version of their K-pop megahit Nobody.

Text / Sanwei