BYJ - South Korea's third stock-rich entertainer

Source: TWSSG TEAM (thanks)

Entertainment insiders see stocks rise on Korean Wave.

Cr. - koreajoongangdaily

Despite the dip in the local stock market, shareholders of entertainment agencies that have churned out such K-pop bands as Super Junior and 2NE1 are seeing the value of their shares skyrocket - all thanks to the Korean Wave.

The richest of them all is Lee Soo-man, founder and chairman of SM Entertainment, which has produced groups like Girls' Generation, Super Junior, TVXQ, f(X) and SHINee. As of yesterday, the singer-turned-entrepreneur's 24.43 percent stake in SM was valued at a whopping 186.86 billion won ($158.38 million). The stock climbed 1.3 percent yesterday to a record high of 41,500 won, even though the Kosdaq closed down 1.28 percent. Earlier in 2009, the stock was valued at only 1,500 won per share, almost 0.03 percent of the current price.

Having contributed to spreading the Korean Wave not only throughout Asia, its previous focus, but also to the United States and Europe in recent months, SM saw its stocks shoot up 2.5 times this year and now has a market capitalization of 688 billion won.

"The recent success in Paris of concerts by all the bands with SM in June indicates that SM may have a good shot at expanding outside of Asia", said Kim Chang-won, an analyst with Daewoo Investment & Securities.

BoA, a minority shareholder in SM who has 1.25 percent stake in the company amounting to 4.62 billion won as of yesterday, ranks sixth in terms of stock value among Korean entertainers. The 25-year-old singer, who once was active in the United States, is part of the early generation of singers that SM produced in early 2000. Kang Ta, a member of H.O.T., the most popular boy band in the mid-1990s, is eighth on the list, with 1.29 billion won.

Korea's second stock-rich entertainer is Yang Hyun-suk, founder and CEO of YG Entertainment, which has produced Big Bang and 2NE1. As a top shareholder in the company with a 47.7 percent stake, Yang owned 88.91 billion won in shares as of yesterday. The stock value is based on the over-the-counter market price. Having passed a preliminary evaluation for listing in June, YG, the nation's second-largest entertainment firm, is planning an initial public offering in the Kosdaq market on Oct. 13.

YG's over-the-counter price has risen steadily in recent months. Should the momentum continue, market observers predict that Yang will soon join Lee in the 100-billion-won club.

The nation's third stock-rich entertainer is actor Bae Jong-joon, widely referred to as Yon-sama, the nickname he was given by Japanese fans in the early 2000s following the success of his 2002 series "Winter Sonata".

The actor, who runs a few restaurants in both Korea and Japan and has invested in a few TV dramas including KBS's "Dream High", owns a 34.6 percent stake in his agency, KeyEast. As of yesterday, his stake in the agency was valued at 14.28 billion won.

Bae is followed by Park Jin-young, CEO of JYP Entertainment, which has the Wonder Girls and Miss A. The dancer-singer-businessman's 6.14 percent stake in the company he founded tallied at 7.5 billion won yesterday, with a market capitalization of 119.5 billion won, almost one-sixth of SM.

“Thank You” letters for BYJ

[JOB news] BYJ receives thank you letters

source: JOB

Japanese to English: tomato99 @LoveBaeYongJoon

Bae Yong Joon receives several thousand thank you letters from East Japan earthquake affected area.
22 September 2011

In March, Bae Yong Joon had made donation for the victims of East Japan Earthquake and sent blankets (15,000 pieces) and medical vehicles (3 cars) to the site.

And this time, BYJ has received several thousand of thank you letters and comments from people of affected areas.
“At evacuation center, they sent us water, food, beddings and other most needed goods,”
“Without Bae Yong Joon san’s support, we may have not survived those difficult condition,”
and also,
“We now have good impression towards Korea,”
“I cannot give anything back in return now, but I will study hard and will definitely send my appreciation in Korean.”
and so on, BYJ has received so many messages.

During this Japan visit, Bae Yong Joon has read through each and every message.
He has left a comment, “In difficult condition even to obtain a piece of paper, people had written me messages on cardboards or wrapping papers. I actually feel grateful to receive so many messages to my small power.”




**********************************************************

this news was also picked up on Nikkan Sports on 22 September.

======================================================

[News Trans]Yonsama Bae Yong Joon received thousands of “Thank You” letters from Japan Tsunami victims.

Source : Suehan's Blog
Newsen 2011-09-22 15:13

[Newsen Reporter Jang Hyo Jin]

Bae Yong Joon received thousands of “Thank You” letters from Japan Tsunami victims.

According to “Nikkan Sports” of Japan, Bae Yong Joon received thousands of “Thank You” letters from Japan Tsunami victims. On March 15th, as a foreigner, Bae Yong Joon donated one billion won for the disaster, fifteen thousands of blankets and 3 medical vehicles which were delivered to the damaged areas. Victims who received relief items from Bae Yong Joon wrote him letters or sent pictures.

The letters showed their gratitude by saying, “I appreciate you sending us water and drinks which are the items mostly needed at a shelter.”, “I can’t repay you right now, but I’m going to learn Korean earnestly to show my gratitude in Korean.”.

Nikkan Sports said, after Bae Yong Joon read all the letters, that he expressed his appreciation by saying, “I appreciate their efforts in sending me messages on the boxes and wrapping papers they must have had hard time getting them.”

Bae Yong Joon donated one billion won to the Cabinet Government Funds which was directed by Prime Minister of Japan to help Japan Tsunami victims. The tsunami occurred on March 11th.

Reporter Jang Hyo Jin; hjjang@

[News Trans]Bae Yong Joon, “I’m a pet lover, too!” He was fascinated with the 3 months old dog’s cute acts.

From Suehan's BYJ blog
Source: enews24 Final editing 2011-09-22 10:05

[enews24 Reporter Lee In Kyaung] Bae Yong Joon joined a “Pet Lover” group. Recently he adopted a 3 month old white dog and has fallen into raising him/her. Currently, he lives alone at the house in Seongbuk-dong that was remodeled. It seems that he might be experiencing loneliness and emptiness since he has been living in a big house alone, but his dog is filling that empty space.



Someone who is related to him said, “He is raising his dog by his friends’ recommendations, but he already has fallen into his dogs’ cute acts. His dog is only 3 months old, but he is big as a man’s forearm. He seemed pleased when showing his dog to his friends while they were visiting his house.”

Recently, Lee Hyori, Eom Tae Woong, Lee Chae Young and Lee Yoon Ji raise dogs and cats. They are getting attention from the netizens as pet lovers because they take pictures with their pets. Someone related to the entertainers commented, “Entertainers are getting lots of comforts from their pets. We think this is positive because they are able to relax and relieve stress from the entertainment business while taking care of them.”

On the other hand, Bae Yong Joon is in full swing reviewing his return work for next year. He pays close attention to his come back work and KBS 2’s “Dream High 2” which his agency, Keyeast produces. His agency said, “It’s true that he is getting lots of offers from “Associated Channels” and others, but he hasn’t decided yet. Sometimes, he narrows down the choices and tries to make a decision, but he comes back after receiving more offers. But he is determined to return next year.”

Reporter Lee In Kyung judysmall@cj.net

http://news.nate.com/view/20110922n06547