Big Bang first Korean dance group at Japan music fest

Boy band Big Bang will be the first Korean dance group to take the main stages of Japan's Summer Sonic Festival 2010 in August, according to the group's agency YG Entertainment.

YG announced in a press release that the group is set to perform on the Ocean Stage of the Maishima Summer Sonic site in Osaka on August 7 and on the Marine Stage of the Chiba Marine Stadium in Tokyo the following day.

The boys will be singing on the stage which is also set to be graced by international recording artists including Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, A Tribe Called Quest and Sum 41.

A representative at YG explained, "We are happy that the boys have been invited to this international music festival. The audience can expect to see an energetic performance."

The quintet will be the third Korean artists after rocker Seotaiji in 2001 and four-member rock band Nell in 2008, to take part in the event but the first local dance group.

The Summer Sonic Festival is an annual two-day rock festival held simultaneously in Osaka and Tokyo. The line-up consists of many Japanese rock musicians as well as international acts.

Big Bang made their debut in 2006 with their single "Bigbang" and is known as one of the biggest cultural icons in Korea. They have released numerous singles and albums featuring their biggest hits "Dirty Cash," With U," "Lies" and "Haru Haru."

The group officially launched their singing career in Japan in June last year and is currently promoting themselves in the country for two weeks.

They are also competing at the MTV World Stage Video Music Awards Japan, which will be held on May 29, under the categories for Best New Artist Video and Best Pop Video.

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