In a recent interview with Newsen, actress Honey Lee talked about her personality as depicted on television and in real life. In her past projects as an actress, Honey Lee was often the chic and cold character. But when complimented on her easygoing personality on reality shows, Honey Lee replied happily, “I’m very happy and truly relieved that my image is slowly changing.”

She continued to explain, “I tried not to behave in such a way but somehow people began to form a preconceived image that I was a stiff person. I’ve always been a little ingenuous and easygoing. On reality shows I had to show the real me instead of the character I would be portraying if I were acting, so I acted like I always do and those scenes were edited out of the program. I’m now more at ease because I think more people are comfortable around me.”

She continued, “Before the image transformation there was a gap between my image and the real me. There were so many people that saw me as a difficult person to approach. Kim Hyun Joo once told me, ‘When I go to the public bath there are so many people who recognize me and welcome me with smiles and occasional touches.’ But, when I went to the public bath I felt like people would recognize me but instead of approaching me they would avoid me. Everywhere I went I had the image of a cold city girl that I couldn’t get rid of. Even when I was smiling widely people avoided me and said that my smile even looked abrasive. When I moved management agencies, I greeted the stylists and staff members. But I heard that they would talk about me amongst themselves about how I really do look cold in real life. But now I think there’s a growing number of people that are beginning to recognize the real me ever since I appeared on a reality show.”

Meanwhile, Honey Lee recently appeared in the film “Tazza 2” as Madam Woo, a past love interest of the main character, Ham Dae Gil (portrayed by BIGBANG’s T.O.P). After its release on September 3, the film has been off to a good start, even taking number one in the box office.

YG‘s CEO Yang Hyun Suk revealed why he is so insistent on survival show formats at the press conference for the upcoming YG survival show “Mix & Match.”

When a journalist at the conference asked him if he liked survival show formats, Yang Hyun Suk replied, “I guess you could say that. If you look at it, this world is a competition for survival.”

He further added, “Our singers go on stage and sing but it is all a fight to survive. Through the competitive process before debut, we can learn more about these [trainees], which will help with finding a production right for their image.”

He also explained the voting system for the upcoming show. “With Winner we decided on the final group 100% based on audience votes. But this time, the audience will have a 70% say, while the other 30% will come from me, members of BIGBANG, 2NE1, and other senior artists at YG.”

“Mix & Match,” which will determine the final members of the next YG boy group iKON, will premiere on September 11.

YG Entertainment‘s CEO Yang Hyun Suk and hip-hop group Epik High have revealed their strong approval of the rapping and songwriting skills of trainee B.I, who is set to debut as a part of YG’s new male group iKON early next year.

On September 2, the press conference of Mnet and YG’s new survival show “Mix & Match” was held at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul.

During the session, Yang Hyun Suk elaborated on his high expectations for the group, saying, “No matter how talented you are, if you fail to receive good songs, it is impossible to shine. Like BIGBANG, I want to make iKON members idols that have the skills to produce their own albums.”

In regards to B.I’s appearance on Mnet’s survival show “Show Me the Money,” the CEO commented, “I can’t help but treat him well. He reminds me of G-Dragon, and he has been blessed with songwriting skills. Everyone in YG thinks that way.”

Later on, Epik High greeted the reporters through a video clip, and Tablo expressed his approval of the young rapper’s talent, saying, “B.I will be featured on Epik High’s album. He has no problem fitting in with the pros. He featured on a track made by DJ Tukutz, so we worked together.”

DJ Tukutz and Mithra Jin added, “You can feel a sense of urgency in B.I, but it is covered by passion. There is something only him can do. Not only is he very gifted, but due to having previous disappointments, he should not be taken lightly,” and revealed their insight on B.I’s determination to succeed.

B.I, Bobby, and Kim Jin Hwan from Team B of MNet’s survival show “WIN” have already been confirmed to join iKON, building up the excitement for the “Mix & Match” premiere on September 11. The program will determine which four additional trainees will make it to the group.

Top spot on music charts immediately after release, line-up of tracks on music charts, continuous first place on music shows—these are not always descriptive of existing groups. It also describes WINNER. It is the story of the release of their debut track, “Empty.” YG Entertainment’s first boy group in nine years since BIGBANG, WINNER is the new monster rookie group currently taking over the music industry.

However, according to local media source EDaily, not everyone views their successes as hundred percent based on WINNER’s skills. Rather, they believe that it’s more of the YG power that lurks in the music industry. Of course a huge, well-maintained company such as YG will have the resources to give them the advantage of better marketing and promotions. But the fact that it took BIGBANG and EXO almost a year for each of them to reach the top dismisses the reasoning that it is completely the resources of a large corporation that support these groups.

In a recent interview with EDaily StarIn, members of WINNER revealed that YG’s training system was comparable to the rigorous training of spies from the 2003 film “Silmido,” with a survival of the fittest principle that exists in the jungles.

Song Minho revealed, “From the outside, YG looks like the company of your dreams with a tight system that has everything you possibly need. You may think there is no other heaven, but once you come in as a trainee and start practicing, it’s essentially like living in the wild. The company supports everything you may need, but it ends at that. Whether a trainee survives or not depends solely on the trainee himself or herself.”

Nam Taehyun added, “They don’t hold back for anyone, whether it is their contracted artists or trainees. If you tell them you need something, they will get it for you. However, they never tell you ‘do it this way.’ You have to get better and advance on your own. That’s the only way you will be able to survive.” Since Song Minho and Nam Taehyun have both experienced being a trainee in other entertainment companies, they seemed to know the differences in the systems. Getting into YG doesn’t necessarily mean a guaranteed debut.

The training period of a trainee is rigorous and difficult. Their system is based upon the system of a school curriculum so they also have a monthly test. Because YG’s leader Yang Hyun Suk is personally present for those tests, it’s been known that these performances are even more nerve-wracking than the debut performance itself. The eldest member Kim Jinwoo is the member with the longest training period among the WINNER members. His training process was so hard on him that there was a time when he had left without notice before returning. He revealed, “I had many slumps along the way.” WINNER’s debut process was similar to Kim Jin Woo’s view of his road to a debut. WINNER was only able to debut after claiming victory over another group of trainees, “WINNER Team B” (they had been “WINNER Team A”), which was aired through a reality show “WIN” last year. Even after their victory, they also had a preparation period of 10 months, which was a longer delay than expected. They gained more stage experience by performing alongside their company seniors, BIGBANG and 2NE1. Through this experience, they were able to debut successfully with an image of “a comeback of an existing group rather than a debut of a rookie group.”

Member Lee Seunghoon revealed, “We tried our best to prepare this album with emotions that everyone would has experienced one way or another. That way, the audience could relate to the tracks through the lyrics. I want to keep doing the kind of honest music that people could relate to.” Kang Seungyoon added, “We get pressured by the general public’s image of YG, as well as the enormous achievements of our company seniors, but I think that’s also what keeps us going without rest. We’re going to persevere and endure all of that pressure thankfully.”

Meanwhile, WINNER swept the charts with their new album, “2014 S/S.” Has everyone listened to the album? What do you think?

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Boy group INFINITE will be performing for the first time in A-Nation Island and Stadium Festival, to be held at Japan’s Ajinomoto Stadium situated in Tokyo.

INFINITE released their album “Last Romeo” in Japan last July, and the album peaked at number two on the Japanese Oricon Weekly Single chart. The inclusion of INFINITE in A-Nation, which largely features only top artists, is a testament to the group’s popularity. Furthermore, the boy group will be performing on the last day of the festival, August 31, while BIGBANG and TVXQ will be performing on August 29 and 30, respectively.

This will be a major achievement for INFINITE as it will be their first time performing for the famous A-Nation Festival.

JYJ will be performing at the opening ceremony of the 17th Incheon Asian Games that will be held next month.

CJeS Entertainment released a statement earlier today saying, “At first, when JYJ was appointed as the IAG ambassador, it was agreed that they would be appearing at the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as performing the final stage of the Games. However, upon negotiation, we have come to an agreement that JYJ will be performing one song before the finale stage of the opening ceremony.”

JYJ will be singing the theme song of the Incheon Asian Games entitled “Only One” and will be performing at the same event with the likes of Kim Soo Hyun, EXO, BIGBANG, CNBLUE, and PSY. The opening ceremony will be held on September 19.