Kim Ji-Hoo Suicide

On October 8, news was released of the suicide of model Kim Ji-hoo on October 6. Not many other details have been released, other than a police officer’s statement that this was indeed suicide (and not foul play).

Only 23, Kim Ji-hoo was a fashion model and actor, appearing on the MBC drama Before & After Plastic Surgery, family sitcom The Unstoppable High Kick, and tvN’s cable reality program Coming Out, where he came out as gay.

His body, found on the 7th, is currently at the hospital, with funeral services planned for the 9th.

Apparently Kim Ji-hoo hanged himself in his room. While there was a recent header on his mini-hompy that said “In a little while, I’ll come to you in my next project!!” there were also postings that he put up on his message board on October 3 that displayed a downturn:

“Life is like the wind,” “What’s there to agonize over? Meetings are happy, partings are sad, everything is just a moment.”

He appeared on “Coming Out” and started being bombarded with hate replies on the Internet after coming out as gay.

Anna Tsuchiya releases CD

[Photo Credit: asianbite.com]

Anna Tsuchiya, 24, will be releasing a new CD on October 29 titled "The Nudy Show!" The erotic content isn't what people normally expect of a single mother but she is one of several single mothers in Japan whose career is flourishing. Other names include, Amuro Namie, 30, and Ryoko Hirosue, 28.

Taiwanese Group S.H.E. Makes Mooncakes for Children with Cancer

[Photo Credit: AsianBite.com]

On September 9, 2008, Taiwanese pop group S.H.E. made mooncakes for a charitable organization which will collect money to benefit children with cancer.

Aya Sugimoto for PETA

[Photo Credit: AsianBite.com]

The actress, Aya Sugimoto, stopped wearing fur two years ago after discovering how products which use fur are produced. PETA chose Sugimoto, who is 40 years old, for their International campaign because of her passion for animal rights.

Japanese idol group Arashi returns to Seoul for a series of concerts in November as part of its Asia tour

[Photo Credit: arashilove.blogspot.com]

The "Arashi Around Asia" tour kicked off Sept. 5 with the group's first outdoor concert at the National Stadium, Tokyo. Arashi will perform in Taipei, Taiwan Oct. 11-12, and Shanghai, China Nov. 15.

Arashi first performed in Korea in September 2006, as Japan's representative to the 2006 Asia Song Festival in Gwangju. The group returned in November of the same year for four sold-out concerts at Olympic Hall.

Amuro Namie #1 for 6 Weeks

[Photo Credit: ViVi Magazine]

J-pop diva Amuro Namie (30) has extended her run at the top of the album chart to six weeks. "Best Fiction" is enjoying the longest run for a solo female artist on top of the Oricon album chart since Kubota Saki's "Ihoujin" in 1979-80.

Surgery for Nakayama Yuma of Johnny's Juniors

14-year-old Yuma Nakayama of the Kansai Johnny's Jr. group had to undergo surgery this past weekend, it was learned on Monday. According to his agency, Nakayama complained of stomach pains on Friday night and was taken to the hospital, but he was later sent home. However, the pain continued until Saturday, and this time a doctor diagnosed him with appendicitis and panperitonitis.

Nakayama had an operation the same day to treat the condition. On Monday, he was discharged from the hospital. That same night, he was able to make a brief appearance at a concert, sitting in a wheelchair. It is not yet known if he will be able to participate in Tuesday's and Wednesday's concerts.

Suzuki Ami does Tokyo Musical

[Photo Credit: NipponMedia.net]

Singer Ami Suzuki, 26, this week started her latest musical, “Kokoro no kakera,” at Aoyama Theater in Tokyo, which is part of music label Avex’s 20th anniversary celebrations. Suzuki was chosen because YU-KI, 41, vocalist of dance group TRF, had to withdraw from the musical due to illness.

Suzuki said, “When YU-KI pulled out, her roles were doled out to other actors and actresses. I think we are more united than before because we have to combine our talents to substitute for her in the musical.”

The musical, which will run through Sept 29, also features the music of Avex artists such as Namie Amuro and Ayumi Hamasaki.