HyunA Knowles releases first mini-album 'MILLION DOLLAR BABE' and reveals her secret stuggles

 

HyunA Knowles' highly-anticipated mini-album, MILLION DOLLAR BABE, is finally here!

The mini-album is comprised of five brand new tracks with an overall concept of 'indie hip-hop meets retro mainstream sound', and is said to be HyunA's most experimental work to date. The supermodel songstress has even hooked up with some indie producers like Belly Boi, as well as her longtime collaborator Brave Brothers to ensure that the outcome of the album is alternative but still of a world-class quality.

Speaking exclusively to AllKFlop at a press conference for the album's launch, HyunA said, "Trina unnie thought that nowadays, indie music is selling more than pop. Busker Busker and LeeSsang broke records with their songs, so Trina unnie wanted White's singers to have the same amount of success. Suzy already experimented with underground music styles, but I am the first to do a whole album of it. Jessica unnie was also asked to change her style, but she refused. She said she wants to do more R&B music so that her new friend Michelle Obama can use her songs for her next obesity campaign."

Hyuna continued. "My album has so many colors. Originally it had a unique electronic style, but Trina became so inspired and obsessed by Mariah Carey's new single "Triumphant" that she insisted I scrap my album and re-record it with more hip-hop music like Mariah. It was a difficult challenge because there was barely any time left before my release date, so Trina made me work for three days straight with no sleep and an injured pinky finger to get the new album finished in time. I got so frustrated from the exhaustion that I became a difficult burden on White's staff, and even threw my band-aid on the ground at one point and threatened to yell at Trina in front of people. I only calmed down when I talked to my sister, who is a member of a famous pan-Asian girl group overseas. I was then able to successfully complete the new recordings without further trouble."

 

HyunA stopped for a moment as tears began to well up in her eyes, pausing briefly before continuing. "Now in my album, you can find hardcore hip-hop, heart-wrecking ballads, and even acoustic jazz music. All of them are still very urban and alternative though. I believe my album is the indiest album released this year. I even co-wrote one of the tracks like a true underground artist would. The title track is very experimental and unique. Suzy unnie described it as Nicki-Minaj-meets-Cheryl-Cole, which I was thankful to hear."

 

"With MILLION DOLLAR BABE, I'm hoping to become a HyunA Knowles who is not only recognized as a pop idol, but also as an indie musician like Younha and LeeSsang. Please download my songs and buy my album so I won't flop and be unacknowledged like Neon Bunny."

[Download: HyunA Knowles - MILLION DOLLAR BABE]

Along with the release of her first mini-album, HyunA also unveiled the music video for the title track, "MILLION DOLLAR BABE". The MV opens with a scene of HyunA flirting with the inspector general of a police station where she's imprisoned. The inspector is so charmed by HyunA's breathtaking beauty that he later frees her on the condition that she marry him. However, HyunA finds herself feeling empty and dry, so she decides to kill the general and then runs away with all his wealth. The MV finishes with a happily-ever-after ending where HyunA joins a street gang and becomes an exotic dancer in an underground drag club.

The video also includes many clips of HyunA dancing to her Laurieann Gibson-choreographed dance moves, as well as some provocative poses in a seductive outfit on top of a giant red rose.

HyunA commented on her music video, "I have made an upgraded 180-degree transformation for this album. I even shaved one side of my hair off to create a unique style that will soon become a hot trend across Asia, so my video was specially designed to focus on my hair. The concept of the video is all about living your life to the fullest. In the video, I had a happy ending where I finally lived my dreams as a street-gang princess and a strip dancer. The MV has a meaningful message that no matter how hard the obstacles that stand in your way, don't stop chasing your dreams, even if you have to do some certain things such as murdering and thieving. You only live once, so live your life to the fullest and reach for the stars!"

Fans have been flooding our forums to share their thoughts about HyunA's new album and music video, comments included: "This is album of the millenium! I'm hot, I fly, yeah, I'm on the top! So catchy!", "Where is that high note she's bragging about?", "HyunA bullied Eunjung, now she's bullying Neon Bunny!" and "I like this choreography better than BoA's."

It's been a few of hours since she dropped her new single and album, but HyunA is already sweeping the music charts, ranking in the top three of many real-time charts and search portals. The album has also been receiving positive reviews from credible websites such as Seoulbeats and PopTrashAddicts, making it a certified critically-acclaimed album.

HyunA is scheduled to make a comeback on MNET's M! Countdown this week. Stay tuned for further infos!

HyunA Knowles drops tracklist and details on "MILLION DOLLAR BABE"

With the release of her first mini album just right around the corner, 'The Million Dollar Babe' HyunA Knowles has dropped some new details on her upcoming album!

The latest teaser for the anticipated album shows HyunA sporting a street-gang princess concept with an orange-highlighted blonde wig and leopard-themed outfit. Along with the teaser photo above, it's been revealed that the album will contain 5 total tracks from the edgy American genre of urban music, allowing us to get a new taste of the variety of talents HyunA has to offer.

The title track, "MILLION DOLLAR BABE" is said to be an experimental song that incorporates hip-hop along with soulful electronic music and a retro sound that is easy and addictive to listen to. The fun lyrics tell the story of a hot-tamale girl living her rich and liberal life to the fullest.

HyunA also included a special track entitled, "Do Me (In Da Kitchen)", which is a hardcore hip-hop track that HyunA co-wrote with Hallyu superstar Jay Park, who also features on the song. According to White Entertainment, "Do Me (In Da Kitchen)" will be performed alongside "MILLION DOLLAR BABE" during HyunA's comeback performances.

Other songs that made it onto the album include "Lonely Winter Street", which will touch the listeners with the emotional raps of HyunA and the charismatic vocals of B.A.P's Daehyun; "Break It Down", an electronic hip-pop track that shows off HyunA's versatile voice; and "ILY", a sweet acoustic number that features Nine Muses' powerful vocalist Sera.

HyunA speaking exclusively to AllKFlop, "My album is pure indie and cutting edge. It's very edgy but also very mainstream-appealing, so it's definitely something new that no other idol has ever delivered. Due to many love requests for me to stop singing and do more rap songs, my agency decided to make a full hip-hop album to please all my loyal fans. Through this album, I want to show a diversity of color that reflects me as the Korean Nicki Minaj who will soon takeover Asia and become a leader in Hallyu, just like my new friend Jay Park. Please look forward to my comeback!"

Fans commented, "This album is gonna be daebak! It will outchart LeeSsang and Busker Busker, for sure!", "I love how HyunA has been so 'revealing' for this album. I'm gonna buy the album only for the booklet.", "Do Me (In Da Kitchen) sounds amazing already! Me and my friends are so gonna dance to it in school.", "She has no determination at all! Let's form H-Jinyo!"

HyunA's first mini album is slated for release on August 13th.

T-ara’s Eunjung dropped from upcoming KBS2 drama “Eternal Sunshine”

It was announced earlier today that in the light of T-ara’s recent scandal involving former member Hwayoung, KBS2 have decided to drop Eunjung from their upcoming drama “Eternal Sunshine”.

The singer/actress was cast to play the younger version of actress Ko Eun Mi alongside actor Lee Min Ho back in April for the first six of forty two planned episodes, with an option to return for back-story building flashbacks. But with T-ara’s shocking bully scandal brought to light producers have rushed to cut all ties with the singer before the drama’s fast approaching premiere.

“We’ve already shot & edited the first seven episodes.” producer Jang Soo Kwon told AKF.

“It would be too expensive to re-shoot all of the episodes she's appeared in. So we came up with a cheaper solution by recasting the younger role, but possibly aging the character up to explain the difference in appearance.”

Actor Park Seo Joon

“The implications from this scandal, whether it’s 100% true or not, is something we’d like to not be associated with. The aftershock is what’s going to hurt those not smart enough to wash their hands of the remaining members. We respect the thoughts and wishes of all potential viewers. Our hearts go out to Hwayoung. Thank you.”

The drama has already been beset by recasts (rookie actor Park Seo Joon replaced actor Ji Chang Wook in a major role in early July), extensive rewrites, and delays (it was scheduled to premiere back in June) and now with the stink of T-ara’s alleged misdeeds spreading quickly throughout the industry, experts are wondering how the once much anticipated drama will fare once it hits screens early next year.

It’s rumored that producers are in talks to recast Eunjung’s role with SM superstar BoA as well as veteran actress and "Heartstrings" star Park Shin Hye.

Keep an eye here for more information as it develops.

*[At the time of this article’s posting Eunjung was still a part of the upcoming SBS drama “Five Fingers”, co-starring former Eternal Sunshine star, actor Ji Chang Wook]*