Fans who had hoped to see 80_pan in concert at the London Calling event last month (June 19-20) were disappointed when the group never showed up. No reason for their absence was given at the time, but the duo finally updated their blog on July 4 explaining that they had been denied entry to the country.

The two girls, Tomomi Ogasawara and Mako Okina, arrived at Heathrow Airport on the night of June 18. They were traveling with their cameraman and a visual staff member at the time. 80_pan was not being paid a guarantee for the London show, so when they were asked about the purpose of their visit, they had decided to say they were just a group of friends doing some sightseeing.

However, because of the age difference between the girls and the staff members, immigrations officers became suspicious and began interrogating them. In the end, they were detained overnight, and it was discovered that the group was actually in London for business purposes. Although both the Japan consulate and the English embassy were of the opinion that no business visa was needed, the officers in charge disagreed, especially since the group had repeatedly lied during the questioning.

80_pan and the staffers were ultimately denied entry, and they were forced to return to Japan without being able to participate in London Calling. This was the group's first trip to England.

TBS's long-running documentary program "Sekai Ururun Taizaiki" is coming to an end this fall. Since 1995, the show has chronicled the adventures of various celebrities sent to do short homestays in various parts of the world. Over the years, more than 450 celebrities have participated and more than 150 countries have been visited. Network representatives said that they feel that the show has finished serving its role, leading to the decision to end its run.

In April 2007, the show underwent changes and was retitled "Sekai Ururun Taizaiki Renaissance." This past April, it was revamped again, gaining its current name, "Sekai Ururun Taizaiki 2008."

The "Detroit Metal City" movie, opening on August 23, is getting a series of music tie-ins. It was already announced last month that a single would be released, but now the project has been taken a few steps further.

Death Records, the fictional company from the original manga, has now been established as a real record label. Prior to the movie's opening, the label will put out several releases based on songs from the comic, starting with the previously announced "SATSUGAI / Amai Koibito" on August 6.

On August 13, four singles will be simultaneously released. One is "Maou / Raspberry Kiss," which consists of one Detroit Metal City song and one Soichi Negishi song, just like "SATSUGAI / Amai Koibito." The remaining three singles will be by other fictional bands from the manga: "Detarame Mother-Com Cherry Boy" by Kintama Girls, "From NY City" by MC KIVA, and "Sally My Love" by Tetrapot Melon Tea.

Although the songs are mentioned in the manga, complete lyrics and original compositions had to be created for the singles. Musician Hideki Kaji was in charge of the Soichi Negishi songs and "Sally My Love." K DUB SHINE handled "From NY City," while Shokichi Ishida did composition and production on "Maou."

On August 20, right before the movie opens, Death Records will release Detroit Metal City's first album, "Makai Yuugi." The album contains 10 tracks, with 4 of the songs composed by Shokichi Ishida. More information is available on the Death Records website.

21-year-old talento Koji Hirano has been arrested on suspicion of lewd acts with a minor. Hirano is one of the five members of BLuck, a male idol group active in Hokkaido that formed in 2004.

According to investigators, Hirano met a 17-year-old girl from Sapporo through a mobile phone site, and is suspected of committing sexual acts with her at her home in mid-January. Hirano has denied the charges.

BLuck's agency says they are also gathering more information about the matter. According to the group's website, BLuck is currently suspending their activities.

Actor Keisuke Koide had an emergency appendectomy on Thursday. He was filming for the TBS drama series "ROOKIES" on Wednesday when he began feeling stomach pains, and after being taken to a nearby hospital, he was diagnosed with appendicitis. He was given medication to alleviate the pain, but after showing no improvement, he underwent surgery the next day.

Sources said that Koide will likely return to work by the start of the week.