MBlaq actualizes world tour dream

Boy band MBlaq will hold its first world tour concert since making its debut three years ago.
Starting from June 30, the band will tour Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan.

The concert will be entitled “The MBlaq% Tour” deriving its name from the band’s newly released fourth EP album “Blaq% Ver.”
“The members are currently in rehearsal for the tour as well as being busy with album promotions. They are determined to showcase a world-class act that will put K-pop on top,” said a representative from the group’s agency.

Meanwhile the group said they were stoked at the prospect of its first world tour. 
“It’s been our dream since our debut to tour Asia, so needless to say we are thrilled,” said leader Seungho. 
Fellow band member GO said, “We want to put on a show that will leave the audience gaping and saying, ‘MBlaq is the best.’”

2PM’s Nichkhun is ‘Kerd of the Year’

Nichkhun of 2PM won the Most Influential Person prize at Thailand’s Kerd Awards on Saturday, and he quickly thanked his fans for their ongoing support. The boy band member, who is of Thai descent, is immensely popular in Thailand and has won a number of awards there. 

This time, fans selected him as “Kerd of the Year” by voting on social networking sites and on their cell phones.

“I thought it was an honor just to be nominated for the awards, but to win the first prize .?.?. it’s like a dream. I will keep striving to become the best person that I can be for you all,” Nichkhun said at the awards show.

Following his appearance at the ceremony, he also took to his Twitter account. “Thanks to everyone for their moral support; this award means so much to me,” he said.

The Kerd Awards is a high-profile ceremony in Thailand that recognizes top stars for their efforts in seven categories, including music and comedy. The show is led by popular entertainer and local television host Woody.

Big Bang and 2NE1, the most popular K-pop acts in France

In a recent survey conducted by the Korea Tourism Organization, Big Bang was the most-preferred boy band while 2NE1 was the favorite girl group among Hallyu fans in France.

The French branch of the organization’s Web site, visitkorea.or.kr, surveyed more than 3,775 K-pop fans in France in January.

Big Bang, preferred by male fans in their twenties, chalked up 49.9 percent of votes in the male group category.

Following Big Bang’s lead were the bands Super Junior (45 percent), SHINee (35.5 percent) and Beast (33.8 percent).

Meanwhile, 2NE1 had around the same amount of male and female fans, garnering 64.8 percent of votes in the female group category.

Following behind a 19 percent gap was Girls’ Generation (45.4 percent), and further behind was Miss A (31.5 percent).