Big Bang wins Best New Artist award in Japan

Korean idol group Big Bang won the Best New Artist award at the 42nd Japan Yusen Awards, one of the three major music award shows in the country, held over the weekend.

The five-member boy band received the award for their latest single "Let Me Hear Your Voice" at the event, which was held in Tokyo and aired live on TBS Sunday evening.

The group has been gaining success on the J-pop scene since releasing their debut single "My Heaven" in June which reached No. 3 on Oricon daily singles chart last month. They recently ranked fifth on the list of most prominent artists of 2009 by TBS's music program "Countdown TV".

Korean trot singer Tae Jin-ah also won a special congratulatory prize at the event.

Big Bang, one of the most successful idol groups in Korea, were discovered and trained by major talent agency YG Entertainment. They are credited with being huge cultural icons for Korea's younger generation in not only in music but also fashion.

They are scheduled to give the "2010 Big Bang Concert Big Show" next month, from January 29 thru 31, at Seoul's Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium.

Reporter : Kang Seung-hun tarophine@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr