Sun, March 15, 2009 (4:42am EDT)
The latest setback for reunited rock band X Japan came earlier this week as the group suddenly announced that it is postponing two concerts in Seoul scheduled for March 21 and 22. Reports have surfaced saying that the move was caused by trouble between bassist HEATH and his management agency, which may even result in HEATH leaving the band.
On Friday, the band announced on its website that the two Korean shows have been postponed. They further announced that ticket sales for the upcoming Tokyo Dome shows on May 2-3 have been postponed as well. Tickets were originally scheduled to go on sale Saturday.
The same day, newspapers began reporting that there was trouble between HEATH and his agency, stemming from the bassist's desire to go independent. According to more recent reports, the postponements resulted from difficulties in negotiations for the upcoming shows between that agency and the management committee handling the upcoming shows. That committee had been established as a common organization for the reunited band's activities, since the individual members are normally managed by different agencies.
One source said that there is a possibility that HEATH will leave the band. Someone from the committee stated that this is just a "recharging period" until the conflicts are settled. Furthermore, the committee emphasized that even if HEATH were to leave the band, the band would not break up.
The fate of the postponed concerts is still undecided, but for the time being, tickets are being refunded. The members issued an apology to their fans for all of the trouble.
On Friday, the band announced on its website that the two Korean shows have been postponed. They further announced that ticket sales for the upcoming Tokyo Dome shows on May 2-3 have been postponed as well. Tickets were originally scheduled to go on sale Saturday.
The same day, newspapers began reporting that there was trouble between HEATH and his agency, stemming from the bassist's desire to go independent. According to more recent reports, the postponements resulted from difficulties in negotiations for the upcoming shows between that agency and the management committee handling the upcoming shows. That committee had been established as a common organization for the reunited band's activities, since the individual members are normally managed by different agencies.
One source said that there is a possibility that HEATH will leave the band. Someone from the committee stated that this is just a "recharging period" until the conflicts are settled. Furthermore, the committee emphasized that even if HEATH were to leave the band, the band would not break up.
The fate of the postponed concerts is still undecided, but for the time being, tickets are being refunded. The members issued an apology to their fans for all of the trouble.
Sun, March 15, 2009 (4:11am EDT)
Acting veterans Toshiyuki Nishida and Pinko Izumi will be co-starring in a TBS drama special this fall. This is said to be their first performance together since the 1982 drama "Samishii no wa Omae Dake Janai."
The drama, tentatively titled "Chichi yo, Anata wa Erakatta ~1969 Nen no Oyaji to Boku," is scripted by writer Taeko Asano ("Love Generation," "Last Friends"). Nishida and Izumi played a married couple, and Nishida's possible forced early retirement raises questions of divorce. Their son, an unemployed but aspiring manga artist (played by NEWS member Shigeaki Kato), gets in a fight with his father and leaves the house, but a "time slip" takes him back to the 1960s when his father was a university student. Using this plot device, the drama explores the differences between the lives of the baby boomers and today's youths.
Comedian Atsushi Tsutsumishita (of Impulse) and actress Saki Aibu take on the roles of Nishida and Izumi in their youth. Masaki Kanda and Shugo Oshinari have also been cast. Filming started in early February.
TBS plans to air the drama this fall.
The drama, tentatively titled "Chichi yo, Anata wa Erakatta ~1969 Nen no Oyaji to Boku," is scripted by writer Taeko Asano ("Love Generation," "Last Friends"). Nishida and Izumi played a married couple, and Nishida's possible forced early retirement raises questions of divorce. Their son, an unemployed but aspiring manga artist (played by NEWS member Shigeaki Kato), gets in a fight with his father and leaves the house, but a "time slip" takes him back to the 1960s when his father was a university student. Using this plot device, the drama explores the differences between the lives of the baby boomers and today's youths.
Comedian Atsushi Tsutsumishita (of Impulse) and actress Saki Aibu take on the roles of Nishida and Izumi in their youth. Masaki Kanda and Shugo Oshinari have also been cast. Filming started in early February.
TBS plans to air the drama this fall.
Sun, March 15, 2009 (3:42am EDT)
Actor Gitan Otsuru (40) is getting married again, it was learned on Thursday. His wife-to-be is former model and talento Reina Matsuba (27), who retired from show business at the end of last year.
Otsuru and Matsuba met in December and began dating soon after that. With marriage on Otsuru's mind, the relationship advanced quickly. They are reportedly aiming to marry by the end of this year.
The announcement is also expected to generate some publicity for the movie "Watashi no Naka no 8mm," which marks Otsuru's return to directing after 14 years. The film is scheduled to open in theaters on April 4.
Otsuru previously married singer and talento Marcia (40) in 1994, but they divorced ten years later.
Otsuru and Matsuba met in December and began dating soon after that. With marriage on Otsuru's mind, the relationship advanced quickly. They are reportedly aiming to marry by the end of this year.
The announcement is also expected to generate some publicity for the movie "Watashi no Naka no 8mm," which marks Otsuru's return to directing after 14 years. The film is scheduled to open in theaters on April 4.
Otsuru previously married singer and talento Marcia (40) in 1994, but they divorced ten years later.
Sun, March 15, 2009 (1:25am EDT)
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR has announced the addition of a new female vocalist. The 21-year-old HALCA, hailing from Okinawa, is filling the gap left by former member Maki. Maki left in October due to her marriage with Masato Nakamura of DREAMS COME TRUE.
