'In this world, there will be no great things that happen without passion' is the quote that made Pledis' CEO, Han Seongsu, the way he is now because of that challenge with passion before. Some people discouraged him by saying that he is reckless or crazy, but he can live like this these days thanks to the challenges. His never-ending trying continues until today.

"After School and 4minute debuted at (almost) same time and the amount of the members were also the same. Cube's CEO, Hong Seungseong had made a request to me to make a temporary member exchange and try to promote it like that. It was new and fun, so I also accepted it positively. But we can't do it yet because of the situation now. I still have some regrets for not trying the request, but it's a positive thought. If I can't do it now, I will try it when I make a new girl group."

Source: NATE
Translating + Editing: dianapetrina @ 4-minute.com
Reporting: kaori. @ 4-minute.com

4minute's Gayoon recently had a broadcasting incident.

On the the February 12 edition of SBS's Inkigayo appearing on stage with Mario during the singer's comeback.

Mario's comeback song, "Message" features a part for Gayoon that proved too difficult for the 4minute member and she had to change the part and stop singing due to vocal difficulties.

The singer became disoriented while singing and put her hand on her chest to regain her strength and compose herself. It's unsure whether she was ill or not at this time.

Netizens said, "Gayoon seems to be really nervous and tense," "She looks very ill," "I think it's inexcusable for her to do this during his comeback," etc.

The song is Mario's first comeback in 3 years and 4 months.

Source: News Wave
Translating + Editing + Reporting: kaori.@4-minute.com
Special thanks to Jjangpie & its_matteo!

포: 포니아 지치고 힘들어도
니: 니우 (누) 가 뭐라해도 기죽으면
아: 아니아니 아니되오!!!!

유치해도.. 이해해주세요 ,,,, 포니아 힘내라구.....^^

4: 4nias, even if you're exhausted and tired
Ni: No matter what anyone says,
A: You can't, can't, can't be discouraged!!!!

Even though it's childish.. Please understand ,,,, I just want 4nias to stay strong..... ^^

Source: 4minute's fan cafe
Translated by: Chris@4-minute.com

4minute: "We hope the fans can feel our positive energy"

Korean pop group came to Brazil in 2011. In the following interview, they talk about fashion, personality and their influences.

4minute came to Brazil in 2011 with United Cube Concert.

iG: Which bands or artists inspire you?

4minute: There are many artists who we always admired and dreamed of becoming like them. As 4minute is a group focused especially on stage performance, we always watch performances of other artists. After seeing clips of Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, who show great presence on stage, we took several ideas from them.

iG: When did you note the success of the group?

4minute: We still have a long way to go, but we are aware that there are many people who support us. We have fans in many places in Asia and a new love for Brazil, UK and USA recently emerged. Fame will follow in proportion to our efforts.

iG: You seem to have very different personalities. Do you have fun together?

4minute: We have different personalities, but also share similarities. Every day we are becoming more similar to each other, since every day we go out together. We are the same ages, so we like going out, talking, and laughing.

iG: You choose your clothes? Where is your fashion inspiration?

4minute: We try to follow current trends reading fashion magazines. Moreover, when there is a parade, and If we have time, we want to watch it. However, we believe that fashion is to find a style that suits you. Instead of following trends, it's more important to be yourself.

iG: What kind of message do you want to share with the world through music?

4minute: We have many songs encouraging self-reliance and independence. Performing in different countries, we realize that music brings people together, so we want everyone to be friends no matter where you come from. We hope the fans can feel our positive energy.

Source: iG

Translations (Portuguese > English): RebeccaB@4-minute.com

Italian singer Alex Palmieri, 4minute's 'Muzik' Plagiarism Controversy

Plagiarism accusations directed at an Italian singer copying 4minute's "Muzik" have surfaced.

Singer Alex Palmieri performed "Disco Music," which appeared on the singer's album released last year on the Italian TV program, 'Social King 2.0,' and the song has been found to be incredibly similar, both in the rhythm and melody, to 4minute's 2009 song, "Muzik." Palmieri has been known in the past to copy American songs, giving this accusation more credit.

Netizens weighing in on the matter said "This is basically a transcription of the original," "Please realize how embarrassing this is," and "Copying famous songs is regrettable," among other critical comments.

Source: NATE
Translating: its_matteo @ 4-minute.com
Editing & Reporting: kaori. @ 4-minute.com

4minute sends their Lunar New Year greetings

Girl group 4minute sends their greetings for the Lunar New Year and talks about their wishes.

Ahead of their comeback in February, the 4minute members wished their fans a happy new year and didn't hide their anticipation for their new promotion activities.

Gayoon sent her greetings "During this new year, 4minute will make a comeback with a great album. I'd like the group to carry out promotion activities assiduously and receive love from a lot of people. My wish is to see everyone watching our performances and being happy with it. I want to achieve it."

Sohyun also shared her hopes for this year "As 4minute will promptly show you terrific performances, just wait a little longer and, for this Lunar New Year, you will be able to see us a little on Lunar New Year special programs there and there". She added "I hope you will spend a merry holiday with 4minute. Also, if I have a wish, I hope we'll receive a lot of love for this music release we're preparing and I dream that, this year, we'll meet our fans through a solo concert".

As expected, the leader Jihyun expressed her anticipation for their new music release. She said "Compared to last year, we'll have many more opportunities to show our handsome image to a lot of people. Our soon-to-drop album! As we're preparing it while working hard, please just wait for it, and I hope that, compared to last year, we'll live this year with a happy heart" and "To our members and fans, everyone, be healthy and may this year be filled with important memories."

Hyunah revealed "As much as all the love you sent last year, the feeling and resolution at the beginning of this year are exceptional. In the future, we won't forget the thankful people's feelings and since we'll become a hardworking 4minute, please watch out for us and give us a lot of love! Receive a lot of luck. I will, as well, share my luck totally!"

Jiyoon sent fans cute greetings "Everyone! You miss 4minute a lot, right? In order to quickly show you 4minute's handsome image on stage, we're currently in the midst of preparations. If you wait just a little longer, our more brilliant image will appear and ta-da! This year, have an energetic start with 4minute! Fighting!"

Source: STARin and STARNEWS via NATE + XSports News (pic)
Translating & editing: Meeli @4-minute.com

4minute's Interview for Ceci at the GDAs

STAR CATALOGUE
The stars you were curious about--Ceci will tell you their story.

26th Golden STORY START
The Golden Disk Awards looks back on the year and selects K-pop music that was loved by the public. Since 1986, when the first Golden Disk Awards took place, until now, winners were chosen based on the quality of their music along with its sales volume. This year's 26th Golden Disk Awards took place two days on January 11~12, 2012 at Kyocera Dome in Osaka. Since K-pop's popularity accelerated as it went past Asia and made a leap worldwide, these awards took place in order to repay global fans who love K-pop. In order to gather news about 4minute backstage at the Golden Disk Awards, we went to Osaka.

Jiyoon
What you said on twitter, "I can't go around being dragged by time. I need to lead time" was very impressive.
I wrote that because I've noticed that many people around me seem to be pressed for time. I believe that instead of living while trying to fit whatever you can in a packed schedule, you need to plan your time yourself. Around (the time that I tweeted that) I honestly felt that way.

As I saw SNS (social networking sites), you seem to be very charming, but isn't Jeon Jiyoon's character in 4minute supposed to be full of charisma?
Reporters on TV shows only see how I act on stage and think that I will never have any charm so they don't ask about it. (laughs) My personality and my image are very different, but I'm fine with it. If I approach people with aegyo first, they say that my image is completely opposite and we become close real quickly.


Sohyun
While you were doing overseas activities, what left the biggest impression?
While we were doing the "United CUBE in Brazil" concert, the audience screamed so loudly when we entered. I was so happy and excited that I put all my strength into the first song and I ended up feeling like I was going to collapse by the time we sang the last song. I still remember that. (laughs)

Let's try to count all the good things about performing overseas.
Because they're overseas activities, there are many things that I don't expect, but they all become fun memories. I also have a lot of time to myself on the long flights. I really like being in an airplane because of that.

Hyunah
When you look in a mirror, what do you look at first? Is there a part of Kim Hyunah, the current trend lately, that you are not satisfied with?
I look at my whole body. I check to see if there is anything disheveled. Also when I look into the mirror, I can generally sense my condition and mood on that day. There are many parts of myself that I pay attention to when I look into the mirror, of course. All of it. I get sad worrying that pictures will not come out prettily.

Why do you think like that?
During rehearsals, the line of my mike was twisted and kept falling off. Usually they make sure that it's lined up with my face and mouth. The mike is very important when I'm singing so I get worried when I have to pay attention to it. And when you're worried, your face isn't pretty.


Gayoon
What left the biggest impression when you were performing overseas?
Every time I went outside, I got to see new things, eat new things, and meet new people. I enjoyed that. I like being able to directly show our faces and perform for overseas fans. Overseas fans are very passionate and enthusiastic. It might be because it is hard to see us often, but there are many people who wait at airports and cry when they see us and also people who faint at concert venues. We are forever thankful to them of course.

What is 4minute's ultimate goal?
The phrase that is always stuck to our lips, "'best' instead of 'only'"! Instead of becoming the best among numerous groups, we want to be the one and only. The performance which everyone always anticipates. 4minute's goal is to have performances that everyone wants to see.


Jihyun
The picture of you while visiting your brother at the army was a popular topic. They must have went crazy.
I hid my face well before I went there. Later, all the people there asked (my brother) what I do for a living, but all he said was that I'm a dancer. My brother said that he wants to keep it a secret that I'm his sister so no one knows.

You are filming your drama and doing activities for 4minute side by side. When do you feel that these two things are completely different?
On a stage, we only have a short amount of time to show a strong and dynamic image so my mood is always very up. On the other hand, in a drama I have to take ordinary parts and pay close attention to the details but still keep it natural. Therefore I try to keep myself calm and focused so I'm in a mode of staying still.


Source: Ceci
Translated by: Chris@4-minute.com
Thanks to: wintersun & heechulisnotgay@4-minute.com

4minute to come back in February!

The performance queens' comeback has been pushed back to February.

After it was known that girl group 4minute would make their comeback this month, there were high expectations. 4minute's comeback has been rescheduled for February. A company official told OSEN on the 17th, "The comeback which was originally scheduled for January is running slightly late and is now expected to be in the middle of February. It is now set for February and [4minute] is currently working hard to prepare."

4minute is currently known as the girl group with the most powerful and charismatic performances. Every one of their comebacks have offered unique music and style along with bold choreography. Last year, their "Mirror Mirror" performances firmly set their status among the large number of girl groups.

The members are also individually participating in a variety of activities, making 4minute even more worthy. Hyunah's solo title "Bubble Pop" was in the spotlight all over the world, and she was also a big hit in the unit Trouble Maker with BEAST's Hyunseung. Meanwhile, Jiyoon showed off her skills in refreshing yet powerful performances on KBS's "Immortal Song 2" and Jihyun started to act in MBC's "A Thousand Kisses" drama.

At the moment, everyone is interested in what kind of comeback these girls will have and their phrase "we want to be the 'only' instead of the 'best'" surely gives a forewarning.

Source: Nate
Translated by: Chris@4-minute.com
Thanks to: kaori.@4-minute.com

Hello.
This is CUBE Entertainment.
The K-POP SPECIAL CARDs made from 4minute's undisclosed Hollywood Bowl pictures have been released.

- Model name : 4minute K-POP SPECIAL CARD

- Contains : One set contains 60 cards.
1 pack of cards of each member + 1 pack of premium cards, 1 pack contains 6 cards, 1 set contains 10 packs.
There is one card in one box.

- Contents : 4minute's undisclosed trip pictures + Premium pictures

- Dimensions : CASE BOX 100*230 / CARD 630*880

- Release date : 2012.01.12

- Vendor : Smile Company, ltd.

- Retailer : Family Mart (nationwide)

We hope you will give a lot of interest to 4minute's K-POP SPECIAL CARD.
For any further information regarding the goods, please send your inquiries to Smile Company via (031-753-2377).
Thank you.

Hello.
This is CUBE Entertainment.
CUBE's very own new space is born.
From now on, find CUBE artists' albums as well as fan merchandises and news about the artists on CUBE's online shopping mall, CUBEE.

- URL : http://www.cubee.co.kr/
- Opening day : January 20th, 2012 at 2PM Grand Open!
- Items solds: Albums, DVDs, goods, etc.
- Additional points usable on CUBEE are expected to be given to the second generation members of 4minute's official fanclub, 4NIA.

Please give a lot of interest to the soon-to-be open CUBEE.
Thank you.