Entertainment industry ready for World Cup

By Han Sang-hee
Staff reporter

The World Cup is finally drawing near and the entertainment industry is getting ready to celebrate and cheer on the Korean team along with the public.

The easiest way to feel the excitement will be through music, and numerous groups and soloists have prepared their version of cheering songs to share with fans.

PSY and Kim Jang-hoon started the World Cup fever as they appeared in a commercial with their new song "Once Again Daehanminguk!", and fellow singers have followed suit.

Boy band Big Bang and rock group TransFixion teamed up with figure skater champion Kim Yu-na to bring a World Cup cheering song fit for everyone. The song "The Shouts of Reds Part 2" was released online last month, and many internet users have downloaded the catchy tune.

Fellow idol groups Kara, T-ara, 2PM and 2Am also came out with exciting and powerful World Cup songs. While 2PM released the number "What's Your Celebration" with the official World Cup sponsor Coca Cola, 2AM managed to work with musicians around the world and bring the official World Cup album "Listen Up!"

The album consists of 13 tracks sung by some of the most famous singers in the world, including R.Kelly, Shakira, John Legend and Korea's 2AM. The Korean group sang "No.1" which is the official 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian song by hit songwriter Bang Si-hyuk.

"Sony Music sent (information) about several local singers to FIFA to appoint the Asian representative for the official album, and after a long time judging, they decided on 2AM due to their superb vocal skills and popularity", Sony Music said through a press release.

Along with the official album, fans can also get a hold of special souvenirs made just for the World Cup season. Girls' Generation fans can buy special cards with photos of the girls dressed in red shirts and devil horns, while various brands including Converse, Fila and Hugo Boss have each prepared items fit for the global festival.

Meanwhile, the indie scene is also expecting to be under the spotlight during the sizzling hot World Cup season. A total of eight indie bands, including Siberian Husky, Cobalt Blue and Realist, collaborated on a specially titled "Be the Reds, Go Devils" to support the team. The eight bands are also holding a concert on June 12, the day South Korea plays Greece, at the Ye Hall in Apgujeong-dong. Fans will get to watch the game with the band and also listen to the artists perform at the same time. For more information on the concert, visit http://www.yehall.com .

For those who want to enjoy the thrill of watching the game with other music lovers, pay a visit to concerts that are lined up on June 12.

Comedian duo Cultwo and band Can are holding a special concert at the beach volleyball arena at Hangang Park, Jamsil and Gwangnaru district, while top singers and groups will perform at the Jeonju Sports Complex for the "Star Concert". Bands such as Super Junior, SHINee and CN Blue will perform with fans and cheer for the South Korean team.

The Seoul International Jazz Festival, which runs through June 11 to 13, will also prepare a special event for football lovers. Join numerous jazz bands from France, the United States and Korea and wrap up the evening with an exciting moment of jazz and football on June 12. The festival will take place at the Nakseongdae Park and Dream Forest. For more information, visit http://www.seouljazz.go.kr .

British singer and songwriter Mika is also sharing his concert venue for the big event. On June 12, the 26-year-old singer is performing for the second time in Korea, and after the show, the event organizers will hang up a screen for concert-goers to watch the match.

SBS, the only official broadcaster for the games, is planning to hype up the excitement through street cheering events and also a 3D screen near COEX, Samseong-dong. On June 12, 17 and 23, the network will install a 20-meter 3D screen near COEX and give out free 3D glasses to supporters who visit the venue.


연예계 월드컵 열기 달궈

남아공 월드컵이 이번 달 가요계를 뜨겁게 달구고 있다.

싸이와 김장훈의 응원가 '다시 한번 대한민국'를 선두로 가요계에서 쏟아져 나오는 월드컵 응원가들이 분위기를 돋구고 있다.

그룹 빅뱅과 록밴드 트랜스픽션은 김연아와 손잡고 '승리의 함성'을 발표했으며, 그 외 카라, 티아라, 2PM, 2AM등 가수들이 그 뒤를 이었다.

2AM은 아시아 출신 가수로 유일하게 남아공월드컵 공식음반 'Listen Up'에 참여하며 주목을 받았다.

한편 8개 팀의 인디밴드들이 뭉쳐 월드컵 응원가로 이루어진 특별 음반을 출시했다. 또 이들은 6월 12일 그리스전에 맞춰 압구정예홀에서 열릴 공연과 더불어 관객들과 함께 경기를 관람할 예정이다.

6월 12일에 열리는 그밖의 공연들 역시 월드컵 열기에 동참한다. 그룹 컬투와 캔은 한강공원 비치발리볼 경기장에서 월드컵 특별 콘서트를 열 예정이며, 전주종합경기장에서 열리는 스타콘서트에는 슈퍼주니어, 샤이니, 씨앤블루등 인기 아이돌 가수들이 출연한다.

또 영국 출신 가수 미카의 두 번 째 내한공연에서는 콘서트 후 주최측에서 공연장에 대형 화면을 설치해 공연과 경기를 함께 즐길 수 있게 한다고 밝혔다.

이번 월드컵을 단독 중계하는 SBS역시 각종 행사를 열어 월드컵 분위기를 띄운다. 삼성동 코엑스 근처에 거리응원과 더불어 3D 화면을 설치해 응원하는 사라들에게 3D 안경을 나눠줄 예정이다.

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