*** UPDATE 1 ~ Hook’s response to the article ***
*** UPDATE 2 ~ Captain Hook’s follow-up (no) response bon voyage ***
*** Do not post or quote without clear source and credit links to LSGfan ***
It has come out that singer-actor Lee Seung Gi has been involved in a top-secret project to formally debut and advance in Japan this year.
According to Sports Korea sources, Lee Seung Gi’s project to advance in Japan has already been in the works since last year. However, this has been stymied by his many activities in Korea. There is also talk that Lee Seung Gi’s side contemplated various ways in which they could temporarily put off his involvement in his Korean variety shows and focus on activities in Japan.
Lee Seung Gi has already met and consulted with Japanese agency, Amuse Entertainment, regarding his advancement in Japan. It has been revealed that if things happen quickly, he will formally debut in Japan by the end of this month. It is rumored that Lee Seung Gi is contemplating songs and other related projects in order to focus on this Japan advancement.
Originally, Lee Seung Gi’s side planned to temporarily hold off on his activities in Korea to make way for his Japan debut. It can be interpreted as a sign of their willingness to gain firm ground in the Japanese market. Therefore, production persons associated with Lee Seunggi’s variety programs are extremely nervous. According to one broadcast person, “Talk about Lee Seung Gi’s departure from his programs has surfaced precisely because of the Japan advancement project” adding “Lee Seung Gi has been studying Japanese lately and it’s been said that his management company has secretly put out feelers about his potential advancement in Japan.”
Thus, production members associated with KBS Happy Sunday’s 1 Night 2 Days and SBS Strong Heart, programs which Lee Seung Gi is involved with, are having a difficult time trying to figure out how to move forward if this were to happen. According to an individual with one management company that represents one of the entertainers on 1 Night 2 Days, “Talk about Lee Seung Gi’s departure has been around since the beginning of the year” adding “Because it’s impossible to imagine Lee Seung Gi’s absence, everyone is holding their breath and monitoring what the final decision will be.”
Currently, Lee Seung Gi’s departure from his programs has not been decided. Primarily due to dissuading from program representatives and because the potential shock among fans will be quite formidable. However, it appears that the plan to advance in Japan will continue.
Other Hallyu stars who have branched out into Japan are also keeping an eye on Lee Seung Gi’s Japan debut. Jang Geun Suk, Kang Ji Hwan and other rising stars are considering the potential outcomes associated with Lee Seung Gi’s advancement in Japan. A person associated with Jang Geun Suk said “Lee Seung Gi’s advancement in Japan was already expected” adding “As top ranked stars branch out more, I hope there will be momentum for Hallyu to claim its rightful place again.”
Source: LSGfan.wordress.com via Hankook Ilbo
Woah, talk about shocking fans and K-entertainment! Unlike in the past, when Hook chose to either passively respond or not respond at all to rumors related to Seunggi’s activities and projects (ie, Seunggi’s potential film debut), I really hope Hook properly responds to this article, at least in consideration to Seunggi’s beloved fans.
Part of me thinks Hook may have known full well that news about his potential advancement in Japan would be publicized sooner or later. Thus, they made sure it was on a day fans were in a good mood (Korean New Year) and when Seunggi would be far out of reach (en route to New York City for Teacher Sunhee’s concert)! Ha.
Today is a crazy busy day, but I translated and am posting this article only because inaccurate interpretations and rumors around sensitive Seunggi topics (ie, future projects and military service) drive me totally insane! (and because master translator Tryp is on vacay in NYC!) Also, those who follow Tryp96′s blog know she first reported this Seunggi Japan debut rumor a week ago.
Per the article, although Seunggi’s advancement in Japan is just rumor at this point, it’s very real and not surprising as it appears that Hook and Seunggi have been preparing for his formal debut there. And although I was a bit uncomfortable with the tone of this article, a second and related article from Hankook Ilbo discusses the reality and expectation of Seunggi branching out in Japan, as this has been a common move for top Korean stars. And that his training as a singer, in addition to his popularity stemming from his variety shows and dramas make him a strong and likely candidate.
However, as to the actual “when” and “under what circumstances” of Seunggi’s official Japan debut – this article is complete conjecture at this point.
The inevitable future of 2 years of no Seunggi while he’s in the military was bad enough for fans to think about, but to think about 1 Night 2 Days and Strong Heart without Seunggi right now is hard to imagine, as even expressed by a person associated with one of the 1N2D members!
*** UPDATE 1 ~ Hook’s response to the article ***
In response to Newsen’s inquiry about this matter, a representative with Seunggi’s management company, Hook Entertainment, stated “Nothing has been finalized yet about his advancement in Japan and news already surfacing about this is premature.” The representative added “We have not seen the article yet. After checking the article, we will contact you.” (via Newsen)
*** UPDATE 2 ~ Captain Hook’s follow-up (no) response bon voyage ***
Image: twitter.com/yoong222
Ok, I get that Captain Hook had more pressing things on her mind this morning. Aside from this totally out-from-nowhere article reporting on the rumors surrounding Seunggi’s potential advancement into Japan and related complications tied to his 1N2D and Strong Heart programs, her veteran client Teacher Sunhee is about to have one of the most important shows of her life at Carnegie Hall in New York City, for which her prize client Seunggi will also be taking part in. So I’ll give her that.
But the news is a total shocker to Seunggi fans and fans of the two shows, and only adds fuel to the fire about all the recurring lame not-news-worthy news about 1n2d’s search for a new member. And Hook’s weak response is that this is all “premature” and that the reporter will be contacted after “checking out the article.” And then next thing you know, Captain Hook is at the airport headed to NYC with no further peep.
Hook’s prized client is currently one of the most beloved stars in Korea right now and is being rumored to be taking a potential break from Korea’s most loved variety show 1 Night 2 Days and Korea’s most buzzed about celeb talk show Strong Heart… And Captain Hook’s response is a simple (no) response bon voyage?
Please tell me you have some strategic public relations response in the works Captain Hook. I so need to send her a DVD set of HBO’s Entourage so she can learn a few things from Hollywood agent extraordinaire Ari (minus the jerk thing)! LOL.
But it’s okay, I’ve gotten used to Captain Hook and Seunggi really likes Hook and the Hook family adores him back. So I’m sure they’ll deal with it somehow once they get settled in NYC. Wishing safe travels for Captain Hook, Teacher Sunhee, Seunggi and all the Hook people since it’s currently snowing and sleeting in NYC. 
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