A rapid fire on the Seo Taiji situation. We just reported Seo Taiji’s official and personal statement regarding his marriage and divorce with actress Lee Ji Ah, and now it appears that Lee Ji Ah has decided to withdraw her lawsuit against her ex-husband!
Lee Ji Ah’s legal representatives spoke today that, “Miss Lee submitted documents related to withdrawing from the case today.” They explained the motive behind this withdrawal as, “After the story of divorce and lawsuit was made public, excessive invasion of privacy was started, making Miss Lee, her family and her acquaintances suffer. Miss Lee decided that it would be too difficult to continue the case with these circumstances.”
Does this sudden change of heart have anything to do with Seo Taiji releasing his statements today? Or is this just a coincidence? Will we be able to hear more about this secretive pair?
MBC’s Music Core is back once again with yet another fun and exciting show!
Besides the usual stages, Kim Wan Sun, After School, Eru, and Turtles made their comebacks. Elsewhere, Big Bang, K.Will, and INFINITE had their goodbye stages. Finally, Kim Jong Min, X-5, and SpinEL made their debuts, while CNBLUE began follow-up promotions.
Other performers included 4minute, f(x), Rainbow, A Pink, Tony An, Yangpa, and Ali.
Having made their comeback slightly more than a month ago, boy group INFINITE are wrapping up promotions on today’s Music Core today.
The boys have been turning in a playful and romantic look with ‘Nothing’s Over‘ for the past few weeks, but it is certainly over now with the conclusion of their promotions this week.
After a long hiatus, the After School girls are back on MBC’s Music Core with a brand new round of promotions after releasing their first album, “Virgin” earlier this week.
Decked out with a lovelier and more feminine concept, the girls have filled the album to the brim with songs that hold motivating themes like confidence and individuality. It’s been a long year since their last “Bang!” release, so the girls have set out to make this comeback particularly special.
Their title track, “Shampoo”, was written by poet Won Tae Yeon (of Secret Garden’s “That Man“) and composed by Japanese producer, Daishi Dance.
With a subtle piano melody and an emphasis on the emotions behind the lyrics, the song seamlessly weaves in and out of After School’s beautiful vocals and powerful rapping.
Check out their comeback stage, which also includes “Let’s Step Up“!
Having achieved great success with their recent album “First Step“, the CNBLUE boys have returned with a special performance of “Love Girl” for this week’s episode of “Music Core“!
“Love Girl” in particular was re-arranged as an acoustic version, different from the original included in “First Step”. The song flawlessly managed to carry the same bright and upbeat rhythm into a smooth finish that only an acoustic cover can give.
FNC Music stated, “Since the boys have received so much love to the point of earning double and triple crowns, we have decided to produce a new album as a way of saying thanks to our fans. With three tracks that were originally only released in Japan and plenty of photos of the members, we hope that it will become a great present for our fans.”
So check out their slick looking “Love Girl” stage on Music Core below.
As expressed earlier, Big Bang concluded promotions for their repackaged album on today’s episode of Music Core with their final performance of ‘Stupid Liar‘ on the show.
“Stupid Liar” was one of two title tracks for their repackaged album, and were co-produced by G-Dragon and Teddy. It delivered a catchy, electronic rhythm with a unique modern rock feel and became another trend in the K-pop industry as it charted at the top of various music ranking charts after release.
Due to Big Bang’s impending Japanese tour scheduled for May through June, YG Entertainment had earmarked a short promotional period which will end this weekend.
Tense moment: Prince William puts the ring on Kate, Duchess of Cambridge's finger during their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey
It was the moment two billion people held their breath.
As William put the ring on his bride's finger in Westminster Abbey, for just a second, it looked like it wouldn't fit.
But the prince managed to stay cool in a tight spot, no doubt helped by his time at Sandhurst, and struggled the simple gold band into place.
It was the only tense moment of a spectacular fairytale ceremony inside Westminster Abbey.
Struggle: William had to apply a considerable amount of pressure to get the ring into place. But he stayed cool and eventually got the simple band into place
The future king and his bride, who will now one day be queen, pledged their love for one another in the ancient surroundings, watched by two billion across the globe.
The Rolls-Royce carrying the bride arrived Westminster Abbey at 11am as the church bells rang out.
When her father took her left hand they began their procession along the red carpet that started outside the ancient building and led inside, with her sister Pippa carrying her train.
The Dean of Westminster greeted the bride and her father and the pair paused as final adjustments were made to the dress before the procession began.
As her young bridesmaids and pageboys assembled behind her in the nave, beneath the impressive 18th-century stained glass West Window, Miss Middleton was able to take in the abbey's shimmering Waterford crystal chandeliers and vast gothic arches above her.
Arrival: Prince William and his best man Britain's Prince Harry arrive at Westminster Abbey
Here come the relatives: Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, left arrived after Carole Middleton, right, who chose a sky blue outfit
More royalty: Zara Philips chose a grey outfit with a striking slanted hat, while Prince Edward arrived in military uniform
Proud moment: The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall wave as their car makes its way to the Abbey
Here to see her son: The Queen greets The Right Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster at the Abbey
Royal arrival: Prince Charles and Camilla arrive at Westminster Abbey followed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Senior politicians are sitting in the stalls behind the choir
Her big moment: Kate Middleton arrives with her father Michael Middleton and her sister Philippa Middleton at the West Door of Westminster Abbey
Soaking it all up: Philippa Middleton looks after the junior bridesmaids as Kate waves to the crowds outside the Abbey
Time to go inside: Philippa Middleton gathers the bridesmaids and page boys and takes them into the church
Here we go: Kate Middleton heads inside with her father Michael as her sister Pippa holds her dress
A fairytale begins: The Dean of Westminster greats the bride, left, and she walks through the avenue of trees with her father Michael
Nerves jangling: The bride walks through the avenue of trees as she enters the Abbey
Here comes the bride: Kate Middleton is led by her father along the aisle at Westminster Abbey as senior politicians including Ed Miliband, the Prime Minister and William Hague look on
Cavernous ceilings: Kate walked up the aisle to the sound of coronation anthem Parry's I Was Glad
Ceremony begins: The first hymn sung was Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, which was the last sung at Princess Diana's funeral
On her father's arm, Kate walked up the aisle as a commoner to the sounds of the coronation anthem, Parry's 'I Was Glad'.
When they arrived at the altar Prince William apparently cracked a joke to his father-in-law, according to a lip-reader, saying: 'We're supposed to have just a small family affair.'
Moments earlier, William's best man Prince Harry apparently told his brother: 'Right she is here now.'
As her groom waited, Kate moved along the red carpet, around the south side of the poppy-lined Grave of the Unknown Warrior - the only gravestone in the abbey over which it is not permitted to walk.
Behind her was her maid of honour and sister charmingly holding hands with the youngest of the bridesmaids Eliza Lopes and Grace van Cutsem - both just three-years-old.
Knelt in prayer: The bride and groom were married by the Archbishop of Canterbury
Brothers and sisters: Best man Prince Harry and chief bridesmaid Phillipa Middelton follow the husband and wife out the Abbey to a crowd of adoring royal fans
They were followed by Lady Louise Windsor and the Hon Margarita Armstrong-Jones, and then the page boys Tom Pettifer and Billy Lowther-Pinkerton.
Walking through the 'avenue of trees', Kate processed past delighted guests seated facing inwards in the nave before moving through the intricate golden quire screen, on top of which sit the orchestra, and into the quire.
In the Victorian gothic wooden stalls lined with red lamps, sat Prime Minister David Cameron and other senior politicians and high commissioners, as well as the two choirs and their schoolboy choristers.
Here, Miss Middleton made her way to the Lantern, where she finally met William, resplendent in his dashing red Irish Guards uniform, at the Sacrarium steps.
In the south transept stood William's grandparents the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, his father the Prince of Wales and stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall, and other members of the Royal Family.
In the north transept were the Middletons and many of William and Kate's close friends.
Husband and wife: The royal couple leave the Abbey after the ceremony. Kate's dress was designed by Sarah Burton. William wears his ceremonial Iriah Guards uniform
You look beautiful: Kate Middleton and Prince William hold hands as the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams conducts the service
The first hymn, Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, rose high into the nave as the choirs of the abbey and Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James's, led the congregation in singing.
Dean of Westminster Dr John Hall began the service with the famous words: 'Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony...'
The cleric went on to utter the immortal lines: '...if any man can shew any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.'
Before beginning the marriage ceremony, the Archbishop asked the couple if there was any reason why they could not wed.
He said to the bride and groom: '...if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it.'
The only two acceptable reasons would be if couple were too closely related or if either were already married.
William spoke in public for the first time today when he replied 'I will' in a clear and strong voice to the Archbishop of Canterbury's question about whether he would 'love, comfort, honour and keep' Kate.
His bride spoke more softly when she said 'I will' in response to the same question.
Kate looked nervous and at several points appeared slightly choked with emotion as she repeated her vows in front of the large congregation.
In his address, the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, read a prayer penned by William and Kate.
Fairytale ceremony: Prince William and the new Duchess of Cambridge leave the Abbey
Honour guard: Soldiers, sailor and airmen follow the royal couple away from the Abbey
The fairytale continues: Guests awaiting the arrival of the bride at the beginning of the ceremony
The newlyweds asked for spiritual help to maintain focus on the things that mattered, and to be "generous" with their "time and love and energy".
They also called on God to help them 'serve and comfort those who suffer' - a declaration of intent for their new life together.
The bishop, who has close links to the groom and his family, told the congregation: "I pray that everyone present and the many millions watching this ceremony and sharing in your joy today will do everything in their power to support and uphold you in your new life.
'I pray that God will bless you in the way of life you have chosen, a way which is expressed in the prayer that you have written together in preparation for this day.
'God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.
'In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.
'Strengthened by our union, help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen'."
The couple and their immediate family enjoyed their only private moment of the service when they retired to the abbey's holiest area to sign the registers.
The bride and groom were joined by Charles and Camilla, Michael and Carole Middleton, best man Harry and Kate's brother James and sister Pippa in the tiny enclosed Chapel of St Edward the Confessor behind the altar.
After a few minutes the newlyweds were left on their own for a period with just Harry and Pippa.
When they emerged, the couple approached the Queen and paused to pay their respects to the monarch.
Kate gave a low curtsy - the first time she has formally acknowledged the sovereign in public - while William nodded to his grandmother.
A special fanfare entitled Valiant And Brave - after the motto of the Prince's RAF Search and Rescue No 22 Squadron - was played.
The 30-second newly commissioned celebration was sounded by seven trumpeters and one drummer from the Central Band of the RAF.
The bride and groom then processed down the nave with Harry and Pippa behind them arm in arm, moving on to the adoring crowds outside.
Double kiss: The newly-married couple share their first public kiss on the balcony as thousands of screaming well-wishers watch
-Kate said 'I am glad the weather held off, we had a great day' -'I am so proud you're my wife' says William as he helps Kate into carriage -One million well-wishers line the streets to catch a glimpse of the couple -William tells Kate 'You look - er, you are beautiful' as she arrives at the altar -Dress was by McQueen - but where will they go on honeymoon?
Two tiny, softly-spoken words cut the pin-drop silence of a dumbstruck Westminster Abbey and sent cheers ringing from Whitehall to Bucklebury to Papua New Guinea: ‘I will.’
And with that, Catherine Middleton went from ‘Miss’ to future Queen Consort of 16 nations spanning nearly seven billion acres and a large part of the Earth’s surface. At her side was the young man with, perhaps, a greater burden of expectation than anyone alive. And now, he no longer carries it alone.
Prince William emerges from Buckingham Palace in his father's dark blue Aston Martin as the crowd roars. The number plate on the rear said 'Just Wed'
Unexpected: William motors around Buckingham Palace with his new wife in his father's 41-year-old Aston Martin which Charles was given as a gift for his 21st birthday party
Happy couple: The Aston Martin Volante is decorated with balloons and a 'Just Wed' registration plate, as William and Catherine emerge in the soft-top vehicle
Double kiss: The newly-married couple share their first public kiss on the balcony as thousands of screaming well-wishers watch
Police officers stand in front of royal supporters on The Mall in London, along the Processional Route by the Palace moments before William and Kate emerged to share a kiss
Newly wed: Prince William and his new wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, wave as they travel in the 1902 State Landau carriage along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace
'You look beautiful': Prince William speaks to his bride Kate as she holds her father's hand at the altar
Newly-wed: Prince William Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge leave Westminster Abbey with her sister Pippa supporting her dress
With his own no-nonsense ‘I will’, Prince William opened a new royal epoch, happily reuniting the Monarchy with those powerful memories of his late mother, all of it in front of half the planet.
Prior to this moment, the most-watched event in British history – perhaps in world history – had been her funeral here 14 years before. How many billions were watching now over supper in Sydney or breakfast in Ottawa; how many eyes prickling, throats tightening as that bravest of adolescent mourners now returned as the happiest man in the land?
The sense of a turning tide was as inescapable as Low Water on the Anglesey shoreline.
In the annals of our 1000-year-old Monarchy, this was a very good day. In the annals of the House of Windsor (created: 1917), it was a very great one.
Prince William greets Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her partner Tim Mathieson at Buckingham Palace in London after his wedding to Catherine
Royal reception: The Queen arrives at Buckingham Palace, left, after the wedding. Right, Kate's engagement and wedding rings on her finger
Kate, who has been given the title The Duchess of Cambridge, meets Governors-General and prime ministers at Buckingham Palace
The Royal Family has acquired a new recruit capable of great grace and poise under the most extreme pressure imaginable. What’s a garden party – or even a State Opening – after that 318ft walk to the Abbey altar?
What is a plaque-unveiling or a state visit after getting ‘William Arthur Philip Louis’ crystal clear, unquavering and in the right order?
Prince William, likewise, showed supreme unflappability as he gently fought with an obstreperous band of Welsh gold, as he proudly steered his future Queen into the daylight before a dazzled world already running out of superlatives.
Off to Clarence House: Catherine and William drive off from Buckingham Palace to Clarence House
A Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight fly over Buckingham Palace as William and Kate emerge on the balcony
Salute to their friend: A Sea King helicopter hovers above the Victoria Memorial as Prince William drives his wife in the Aston Martin to Clarence House
Lip-reading viewers may have spotted what happened next. ‘Are you happy?’ asked the new Duchess of Cambridge as they climbed into the State Landau. ‘It was amazing, amazing,’ replied the Duke. ‘I am so proud you’re my wife.’
The most striking aspect of the whole occasion was the simplest of the lot: the sight of two people so confident and comfortable with each other that you can already hear them finishing each other’s sentences. They were even doing it on the Palace balcony. ‘Are you ready?’ asked Prince William. ‘Okay, let’s ...’ She finished that one with a kiss.
Westminster Abbey began the day with the flavour of a rather grand country wedding – lots of intergalactic hats, handsome chaps in uniform and exuberant flowers, all capped by several maples and hornbeams from the Highgrove garden. Trees in the Abbey? ‘Unheard of’, said one orderly. Yet also inspired.
Pippa Middleton and Prince Philip share a joke on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the wedding
A very public kiss: William and Catherine share a special moment on the Buckingham Palace balcony as thousands watch on
The smiling bride: A veiled Kate Middleton and then, later, unveiled. An estimated two billion people tuned in for her wedding
Balcony moment: Prince William and Kate kiss on the balcony at 1.35pm
Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange rings in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury during the ceremony
Bride-to-be Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey this morning for what has been billed as the wedding of the century
Kate Middleton arrives with her father Michael Middleton to join Prince William and his best man Harry at the altar
Thousands of people wave Union Jacks as the couple are taken to Westminster Abbey in their open-topped carriage. An estimated one million people lined the streets
The Victoria Memorial outside the Palace is filled with well-wishers celebrating the wedding
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, emerge from the church after the wedding ceremony with Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton in the background
An estimated 10,000 people were packed into Trafalgar Square to watch the ceremony on a giant screen
Guests gaily tested the patience of the Abbey ushers as they kept leaping out of their seats to ‘Mwa-Mwa’ or shake hands with an old chum from the Army or St Andrews or a royal charity.
At one point, there was aisle gridlock. I spotted Earl Spencer trying to lead a trio of young Spencer belles through a yacking standstill, his path blocked by people shaking hands with the film director, Guy Ritchie, and the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Marquess of Cholmondeley. Progressing through the throng beneath a blue 45-degree Philip Treacy hat was It-girl and royal chum, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, escorted by her novelist sister, Santa, and historian brother-in-law, Simon Sebag-Montefiore.
Morning coats were the general order of the day, regardless of an invitation offering a ‘lounge suit’ option. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, declared that he had rented his from Moss Bros – suggesting that he must have lost or outgrown the tails he wore for five years at Eton.
Buckingham Palace: Helped by her new husband, Catherine steps out of the carriage as it arrives at the Palace. Minutes later they shared their first kiss on the balcony
The happy couple hold hands during the wedding service at Westminster Abbey which was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, centre
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William wave to the vast crowds as they travel to Buckingham Palace in a 1902 State Landau
Prince William and Kate Middleton sit down during the service after he put the wedding band on her finger
William appeared to have a moment of difficulty in slipping the ring onto Kate's finger... But the ceremony went without a hitch
David Beckham had embellished his traditional wedding kit with a wing-collared shirt and his OBE, despite the dress code specifically advising against decorations for civilian guests. He was wearing it on the wrong side, too. Few seemed to notice. All eyes were on Mrs Beckham, not his gong.
I found myself seated deep in Middleton country, just behind Michael Middleton’s proud cousin, Cambridge geo-physicist, Penny Barton. She was delighted by news of the new Dukedom of Cambridge. ‘Maybe, William will be the next Chancellor of Cambridge University,’ she suggested. Prince Philip’s retirement does, indeed, create a vacancy.
Less relaxed were the official guests, all those ambassadors and Governors-General and Cabinet Ministers knowing that they must be on best behaviour lest a camera spot an injudicious yawn.
I spotted a very chuffed-looking Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, one of the Queen’s 16 realms (the one which includes royal Mustique). Could this be the same ‘Comrade Ralph’ who staged a referendum on abolishing the Monarchy just 18 months ago? It was just as well he lost the vote, then, or he would not have had the call-up yesterday.
Vast crowds gather along The Mall and around the Queen Victoria Memorial as the Royal Air Force perform a fly over as Catherine and William share a kiss on the balcony
The royal carriage glides past the deep crowds after the Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey today
William and his wife Kate wave to onlookers as they leave Westminster Abbey after the wedding
Not amused: Kate waves to the crowds from the Buckingham Palace but three-year-old bridesmaid Grace Van Cutsem is not amused by the noise
Kate Middleton and her father, Michael, travel in a Rolls Royce to Westminster Abbey
Kate Middleton waves as she arrives with her father Michael Middleton and her sister Philippa Middleton to the West Door of Westminster Abbey in London for her wedding
A team put the finishing touches to the cake that was prepared for William and Catherine at Buckingham Palace today
Suddenly, the bonhomie vanished as the groom arrived with his best man. The queue for the loos just behind William Shakespeare in Poet’s Corner vanished. Someone had flicked a switch from fun family event to living history. Prince William and Prince Harry had caused pan-generational hysteria on the streets, these two young blades in their magnificent uniforms – waving at the people, saluting the Cenotaph, prompting countless thoughts of ‘How proud their mother would have been ...’
Inside the Abbey, after brief chit-chat with assorted Spencers and Mountbattens, they disappeared to St Edward’s Chapel to wait. By now, the focus had shifted to the Goring Hotel where Miss Middleton and her father appeared to be smothered by a deluge of silk pursuing them into the Rolls-Royce. Michael Middleton’s good-natured calm and infectious pride throughout this entire engagement have made him a hero figure to Dads up and down the land. Here was the finest hour in any father’s life. Might he finally crack?
On the Abbey steps, Catherine reached out for his reassuring hand one last time and he grasped it. But this was no timid bride stepping forth into the unknown.
Together, they strode. Inside, it was the Windsors and Middletons who were setting the example, holding it together. Around them, lesser mortals sniffled and dabbed their eyes and gulped as Charles Hubert Parry’s ‘I Was Glad’ came forth brilliantly. Glad? Here were 1,900 people ready to cartwheel.
He's here: Prince William, left, arrives at Westminster Abbey next to his proud younger brother and best man Harry with two billion people watching
First glimpse: Prince William gets out of his Bentley and walks into the Abbey - and waits for Kate
Proud father: Prince Charles arrives with William's stepmother Camilla
Mother of the bride: Carole Middleton, mother of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, waves as she travels with Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla to Buckingham Palace after the wedding
Showbiz royalty: David Beckham, wearing his OBE on his lapel, centre, and his wife Victoria arrive at the west door of Westminster Abbey as guests arrive for the 11am ceremony
The Royal procession make their way down The Mall to Buckingham Palace after the wedding ceremony
