[NEWS] Girls Generation's Yuri & Jessica also own their own Villas!!!

Recently, it was revealed that Girls Generation's Seohyun had purchased a Villa in Gangnam, but it appears she was not the only member to do so.  It has been confirmed that fellow members Jessica and Yuri had also bought luxurious villas in Cheongdam-dong in Seoul's Gangnam district!!

According to the medium-to-small building asset management enterprise, With Us Asset Investment, Jessica successfully bid on an auctioned house back in December 21, 2011.  The house is located in the Cheongdam-dong's Sangji Ritzville #10, has around 2,500 square feet of living space, and cost her 1.2 billion won (~ $1.1 million USD).  As the liabilities relationship was complicated, the house had experienced failures in bidding twice; hence, she got a good deal and bought the house 300 million won (~ $280,000 USD) cheaper than it's estimated value of approximately 1.55 billion won (~ $1.4 million USD)

To purchase this house, Jessica borrowed 102 million won (~ $95,000 USD) from Hana Bank and paid all of it back after two months.  The ownership was transferred to her in January, 2012.  The place has three bedrooms and three bathrooms.  Another SM artist, BoA, also purchased a place in Sangji Ritzville #10 back in 2007.

Girls' Generation's Yuri also purchased a villa in Sangji Ritzville of Cheongdam-dong, except hers is in the 9th building.  She purchased the roughly 2,200 square feet home in September, 2012 for about 1.7 billion won (~ $1.55 million USD).  Yuri had borrowed about 700 million won (~ $650,000 USD).  It was a good choice in equity as the current market value for her place is considered to be almost 2 billion won (~ $1.9 million USD).  It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, each bedroom having a walk-in closet and access to a bathroom.

Representatives revealed that the location was advantageous because its thorough security makes it very safe and helps protect their private lives.

Information from allkpop, photo credits to SM and other owners

[NEWS] SM will not participating in Kpop Star 3!!!

Although the top three entertainment agencies, SM, JYP, and YG, were set to participate in season 3 of SBS's 'K-Pop Star,' SM will be dropping out.

While SM has not revealed much on their official position, SBS plans to reveal everything in relation to the entertainment agency at a press conference on the 8th.  They urgently announced the press conference just the day before on October 7, saying they have something important to reveal about 'K-Pop Star 3.'  Normally, such a formal event would be scheduled with at least a week's advance notice.  However, since SBS has urgently requested one so immediately, people are very curious as to the reason behind it.

It has come to light that the reason for SBS's sudden press conference was to address the rumor about SM leaving the show.  

After SM's removal from the show, there is still a chance that the two remaining entertainment agencies, JYP and YG, will lead on the program.  There is also the possibility that a new agency will be joining to replace SM.

'K-Pop Star 3' is currently receiving a lot of interest due to the possibility of a change in its judging team.  The new season is set to premiere sometime in November.

Source: Newsen via Nate

Instead of BoA, Yoo Hee Yeol will be taking over BoA as the 3rd judge of Kpop Star 3! 

PD Park Sung Hoon announced the big change in a sudden press conference called for today. "I thought there needs to be a change as season 3 unfolded. We appointed Yoo Hee Yeol as a new judge and we think that he could discover a different kind of jewel with a different perspective. However, the concept [of the show] has not changed at all."

Yoo Hee Yeol shared, "Our agency has been a little lacking in terms of finding new talents. That is why I think 'K-Pop Star' will help. I already had a meeting with the director. To be honest, I was planning to refuse the offer but I reconsidered it after reading one phrase." That phrase turned out to be, "fair competition", and he joined the panel of judges in the hopes of upholding a fair competition to find the next superstar.

He also spoke about the differences in between major agencies like YG and JYP Entertainments, and his company Antenna Music. "Antenna Music never discusses anything when making music. You're completely free to do what you want... There's no cafeteria nor a dance practice room, and it's a small office located in a basement like place...In comparison to major companies, you can think of our company like a local bakery [rather than a big brand name bakery]... Although those who come out from this audition program will probably learn a lot when they go to either of the two big companies, if they come to our company, they'll probably be able to develop a strong will to survive."