"Avatar" producers to film BoA, TVXQ concerts in 3D

Director James Cameron and his team of producers behind Hollywood blockbuster pic "Avatar" have agreed to produce the music videos and concert videos for BoA, TVXQ and other artists under agency SM Entertainment (SM) in 3D format.

Cameron -- currently in town for the annual Seoul Digital Forum -- met with Korean conglomerate Samsung Electronics' executives and SM founder Lee Soo-man at the "3D Content-Related Cooperation Plan" event, held today at Samsung offices in Seocho District, where they announced news of the collaboration.

According to the plan, "Avatar" producers will be filming SM artists' music videos and concerts in 3D and electronics giant Samsung will use the 3D content in the company's worldwide marketing plan for its 3D television products.

The filming for the 3D concert is expected to begin "around June" in Korea, presumably at live music concerts featuring BoA, TVXQ and Girls' Generation.

Producer and entertainment mogul Lee Soo-man expressed his anticipation, saying "I am proud to be able to work with a global company like Samsung Electronics and the best team of producers in the world. I think we will come up with the best 3D content."

Female pop singer BoA, who also attended the event with TVXQ members Max Changmin and U-Know Yunho, commented, "I am glad and excited to take part in such a fantastic event. I will try my best to become an artist who approaches fans with great content."

The TVXQ singers said they will "work hardest to create a new kind of cultural content."

SM Entertainment, considered one of the top talent agencies in Korea, just yesterday disclosed information on its earnings for the first quarter of the year, indicating its most successful first quarter to date.

The firm recorded operating profits of 10.4 billion won, or over nine million dollars, during the three month period, which is an increase by an astounding 471 percent from the same period last year.

BoA has been one of the most successful K-pop artists since first making her debut ten years ago and is one of the first Korean artists to make a major breakthrough into the Japanese music industry. She also made her U.S. debut in March 2009.

Five member boy-band TVXQ is also one of Asia's top artists with reportedly the largest fanbase in the world but they have ceased working as an entirety since July last year after three of its members, namely Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu, became embroiled in a legal battle with SM.


Reporter : Lim Hye-seon lhsro@
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@