Flame Awards: Have your say on the most tearful Kpop event this year
JESSICA GETS BOOTED OUT
Devastated fans of nine-member girl group Girls' Generation cried foul when popular member Jessica Jung, 25, hinted on her social media account that she had been kicked out of the A-list band in late September
Soon after, Jessica's agency SM Entertainment announced that she would be leaving due to a conflict of interest between her fashion business and Girls' Generation activities.
Singapore fan Lin Jiansheng, 25, who is self-employed, said: "Girls' Generation have always seemed quite stable as a group even though they have been around for seven years. So this, to me, is the biggest K-pop crisis compared to the rest, as I wanted them to remain as nine members until their contract ends."
TODAY'S CATEGORY: K-POP CRISIS OF THE YEAR
You get to decide which nominee wins - and win attractive prizes. To vote, visit tnp.sg/flameawards
Tomorrow's category: Cutest Celeb Baby
TRIPLE TRAGEDY FOR LEETEUK
Super Junior leader Leeteuk had a horrible start to the year when he lost his father and grandparents in what appeared to be a murder-suicide in January.
His father allegedly killed his own parents and then committed suicide.
Leeteuk, 31, who was serving his military service at the time, took immediate leave and rushed to the Korea University Medical Center (Guro Hospital) funeral parlour to be with his family.
The news trended worldwide on Twitter that day.
Student Melissa Tan, 19, said: "Many things happened in K-pop this year, but Leeteuk's family tragedy really hit me because it was so unexpected and sad."
BOY BAND EXO-DUS
Rookie supergroup EXO have survived not one but two quitters.
In May, Kris (above), 24,filed a lawsuit against his agency SM Entertainment and left the then 12-member boy band.
Two months ago, fellow member Luhan (below), 24,did the same after filing a similar lawsuit.
However, the dramatic exodus did not appear to affect EXO's popularity and they went on to win big at the recent Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA).
K-pop fan Joanne Lim said: "I think EXO's news was the most shocking because they are the most prominent rising boy band this year. I wouldn't expect them to have so many scandals in one year."
The 20-year-old student added: "It hasn't been a good year for K-pop fans. I hope 2015 will be better."
VOTE ONLINE AND WIN!
Vote at tnp.sg/flameawards and stand to win these attractive prizes:
- Weekend stay at Orchard Hotel Singapore, inclusive of breakfast for two, worth $572
- SteelSeries Siberia Elite Prism gaming headset worth $299
- Soda Spa Hair Treatment, haircut and styling by le blanc by mashu's creative director Masaaki Ueda, plus a bottle of Soda Spa Foam for two, worth $550
- PhysioAesthetics Signature FaceLift worth $380
- DEPRESSION shopping vouchers (for use at the Cineleisure outlet) worth $200
- Dining vouchers for The King Louis Grill and Bar worth $250
- PUMA Night Cat Jacket worth $189 and PUMA Night Cat BackPack worth $119
- Tocco Tenero Anchor Reef Briefcase worth $109
- Miracle Facial treatment at Qi Mantra worth $350
Results will be announced in TNP's Boxing Day edition on Dec 26.
DEPRESSION
Invoking inspiration from personal depression, designers Andrew Loh and Kenny Lim started DEPRESSION in 2006.
The unisex label is heavily influenced by street goth and punk sub-cultures, and has been worn by celebrities such as Kat Von D and Adam Lambert. Based in Singapore, the duo have starred in TV ads, judged fashion competitions and collaborated with established names such as Leslie Kee, Casio and Durex.
LE BLANC BY MASHU
Located at Plaza Singapura, the Japanese hair salon's Soda Spa Hair Treatment uses carbonated water, which is clinically proven to improve blood circulation and deeply cleanse dirt, sebum and dead skin from hair follicles.
The rinse-off Soda Spa Foam, when applied to your scalp, hair, face and body, enhances metabolism and increases oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin.
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