Big Bang to release Japan edition of fourth mini-album today

Teaser image of Big Bang's fourth mini-album release in Korea. [YG Entertainment]

Korean boy band Big Bang is set to release the Japanese edition of their fourth mini-album today, according to the group's official Universal Music Japan website.

On Wednesday, the main page of the website read, "『BIGBANG 4TH MINI ALBUM Japan Edition』to be released on April 13."

The album was scheduled to go on sale on March 30 but major Japanese recording companies including AVEX and Sony Music had pushed back the release date of new albums due to the earthquake that hit the country on March 11.

The website also revealed that the Japanese edition of Big Bang member Seungri's solo album "V.V.I.P," originally set for release on March 23, became available starting April 6.

The five-member boy band is also set to release their second album "『BIGBANG 2』" in Japan on May 11 and begin focusing on their nationwide tour and promotional events starting May.

The boys are set to kick off their "Love & Pain Tour" at the Osaka Castle Hall located in Osaka on May 10 and 11, followed by a series of shows at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba city from May 13 till 15, and at the Nippon Gaishi Hall in Nagoya on May 17 and 18.

Composed of other members G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang and Daesung, Big Bang has released several albums and hit songs such as "Lies" and "Haru Haru" since their debut in the K-pop scene in 2006.

The group then crossed over into the Japanese music market in June 2009 with their debut single "My Heaven" which reached No. 3 on the prestigious Oricon daily singles chart and they toured three cities in the country which attracted a total of 60,000 fans.

The quintet have released other singles in Japan such as "Tell Me Goodbye" and "Beautiful Hangover" and performed on the main stage at the Summer Sonic Festival August last year.

Currently promoting a special edition album in Korea, the boys made their return to the local music scene for the first time in over two years with their fourth mini-album which topped various online and offline charts and scored wins on televised music programs.

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Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@