K-Pop Powerhouses, YG Entertainment and SM Entertainment, Set to Clash August 1

     August seems to be the month the big names are coming out to play. YG Entertainment has readied their fans for the big debut of WINNER, their boy group that will lead them in the next generation. Alongside WINNER, YG is also hinting about BIG BANG's comeback, the group who has led the company to stardom. SM Entertainment is also preparing the debut of their new girl group, Red Velvet, simultaneously with their 13 member group SUPER JUNIOR, preparing for their comeback.
     It's not a mere coincidence that YG's WINNER, and SM's Red Velvet are both reported to debut on August 1, 2014! Fans of each group have waited a long time to get their first look at what the new groups can do.

     Especially the fans of WINNER, who were supposed to debut at the conclusion of their show, WINNER TV, but was postponed by the company. Introduced through YG's reality competition, WIN: Who Is Next, WINNER has been seen together as a group for a bit more than a year now. Many netizens can be quoted "Why don't they just debut them already!" Though the company have given many teasers, with videos to photoshoots, all the fans seem to want is the debut of the group. August 1, is the groups "Grand Launch," fans will be waiting.
UPDATE: YG Ent released the album teaser for WINNER Aug 1st, announcing the debut album will be released on August 8, 2014. Once again, WINNER fans are left waiting a bit longer.
 

 The fans of Red Velvet, have been waiting a bit longer, though the group was not officially put together until last week. Fans were introduced to this new members through SM's, SM-ROOKIES. The members have made covers, and even sung soundtracks for Korean dramas. This is SM's first girl group debut since f(x), back in 2009. Red Velvet will make their stage debut on August 1 on Music Bank.
     Moving onto the veteran, world established groups, BIG BANG and SUPER JUNIOR, have gone head to head for quite some time now. Debuting in 2006 and 2005 respectively, these two groups have had their share in the international spotlight. Both groups' last Korean album release was back to 2012, STILL ALIVE by Big Bang and SEXY, FREE, AND SINGLE by Super Junior. At the 2013 Mnet Asian Music Awards, the most prestigious award ceremony for K-Pop, each received 3 top awards
                 

     Super Junior: Album of the Year, Best Global Group - Male, and Best Line Award

                       Big Bang: Best Male Group, Artist of the Year, and Best Male Solo (G-Dragon)

     Both veteran groups are expected to come up with high end songs once again. With SuJu leader Leeteuk returning from military duties, and Big Bang coming back together after each member released solo albums/tracks, it will be interesting to see what music they can create after 2 years.
     This will be an interesting battle, as the young and the old are set to battle off in the K-music world.

Bolt-less 100m Final Lacks Star Power and Speed: Commonweatlh Games

       The 100m Final is usually the main event of every Track and Field competition. Especially in recent years, with the likes of Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay, and Justin Gatlin constantly facing off. But this years Commonwealth Games gives us a less star studded line-up at the starting line.
       With the stars out for many reasons, whether it be injury or personal reasons, the Commonwealth Games boasted what could possibly be the next generation of sprinters.
       The fastest man going into the men's 100m final today was Jamaica's Bailey-Cole, posting a time of 10.01 in qualifiers. Though it can't be called a slow time, track followers are used to the sub 10 second 100m that accompanies the event.

       K. Bailey-Cole stayed consistent during the final, running a 10.00sec 100, beating out England's Gemili's 10.10sec.
       We are hearing that Bolt will be available to run in the 4x100m tomorrow, so we can expect the track to be faster as the the 6-time Olympic Gold medalist takes the track for team Jamaica.

Young Canadian Talent Gaining Experience
       Canadians Aaron Brown and Donate Richards-Kwok both participated in the men's 100m semifinal today, finishing 5th(10.17sec) and 8th(10.42) respectively.
       On the women's side, Khamica Bingham finished 7th in the women's 100m final, finishing with a time of 11.37, slightly slower than her PB, 11.32, which she set in the semifinals earlier during the day.
 

Richmond Hill Native to debut with Korea's SM Entertainment this August

     It is a dream for many young people, and Wendy Shon has done it. A 2012 graduate and alumni of Richmond Hill High School, Wendy will become only SM's third artiste to have links to Canada, second to be from Ontario (Henry being the first).

     During her grade 11 year at Richmond Hill High School, Wendy was named Musician of the Year, one of the highest honours she could achieve at the school. From there, she took off, auditioning for Cube Entertainment in 2011 at the Vancouver, BC auditions. 

     Though she did not land the contract, she gained valuable experience, the experience needed to, as we now know, to debut with one of Korea's Big Three, SM Entertainment in 2012. 

     Much controversy arose when SM first released photos of the "SMROOKIE" in 2013, when the trainee was shown to have lost weight, looking different when she attended RHHS. This change could have been from aging, and becoming more mature. Another speculation is the makeup that SM applied to her, making her look different. Some netizens were leaning towards plastic surgery, but that does not seem the case.

     Long before her debut to the fans, she was making her own covers of popular songs. (https://soundcloud.com/shonsw1004/fantastic-baby). 

She would continue to make music pre-debut, singing the OST for the Korean drama, Mimi titled, "Because I Love You," giving fans internationally a peak at her talents. the talent that students at Richmond Hill High School have always known and loved. 

     Through similar scenarios in the rise to Korean spotlight, we know it was a long and hard journey for Wendy, and we wish her the best when she makes her debut, fulfilling a dream that might have sprung right out of Richmond Hill. Wendy Fighting!!

Going Home. Lebron, A Cavalier Once Again

       Lebron is going back to where it all started. Cleveland is where King James has decided to go after opting out of the remaining years of his contract with the Miami Heat. With that, let the shift in Eastern powerhouse begin.
       Cleveland, building off their previous years at the draft table, notably recent No.1 pick Andrew Wiggins, is a much different team since "The Decision" was aired in 2010. Kyrie Irving(drafted No.1 in 2011) and Tristan Thompson(drafted No. 4 in 2011) led the rebuild in Cleveland, followed by Dion Waiters (drafted No.4 in 2012). And of course, who could forget the Canadians Anthony Bennett (No.1 in 2013) and Andrew Wiggins (No.1 in 2014).

       With the addition of King James on the roster, Cleveland can now be considered a favourite to contend for the NBA Championships. Though young and lacking playoff experience, James has much more of a supporting staff than his prior years with Cleveland.
       Will Lebron fit with this young team, leading on and off the court is the only question. James, who carries his team on most occasions, can leave his teammates in his shadows. What the Cavs need to do now is find a system that allows James to produce the most numbers, as well as elevate the play of the younger, more inexperienced Cavaliers (with Wiggins coming up, can Lebron take him under his wing?)
       With Lebron finally off the market, we expect other big names to take their place on certain teams. Bosh is rumoured to join the Rockets now that James has left Miami. Carmelo Anthony, where he winds up, most aren't expecting a return to Denver, but anything can happen.

Poor Showing from Brazil at World Cup Semi-Finals

       Brazil. The Host Nation, one of the favourites to win. Loses two players in the quarter-finals, and they come out flat against fellow powerhouse Germany.
       At halftime, all who remain at the Maracana are Germans and the odd, hopeful, Brazilian. The score is 5-0, and it has been that way since the 28th minute.
       Brazil, coming into this game, after losing star forward Neymar Jr. and Captain Thiago Silva, have no one to blame but themselves. Yes, Silva's presence on the pitch could have changed the defence during the German attack, but the 5 goals in 28 minutes is unprecedented at this stage of the World Cup. Neymar can't be the blame either, his injury came at a timely moment in the tournament, and the team had to cope.
     Clearly, they did not. One can blame Juan Zuniga for his questionable knee to Neymar's back in the quarters, but lets be honest, Neymar couldn't have help out that much defensively. Sure, the psychological effect it may have on the Brazilian team is present, but that should act as motivation for the team, and not contribute to the very (very) slow start.
     Germany came out the better team, lets see if a miracle can come Brazil's way to make this semi-final a bit more interesting. But with the Maracana swarming with celebrating Germans and absent Brazilians, do the host country have enough in them for a comeback. That we shall see in the last 45 minutes.

Bouchard into the Wimbledon Final

       She is now the heavy favourite to win the 2014 Wimbledon title. Her name isn't Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, or last years champion Marion Bartoli. Her name is Eugenie Bouchard, from Westmount, Quebec, Canada.
       Bouchard is the first Canadian ever to reach a Grand Slam Final and has done it in great fashion. She has yet to lose a set at this years Wimbledon, and doesn't look like she will anytime soon.
In her semi final match against Simona Halep of Romania, Genie Bouchard and her "GenieArmy" of supporters took a tight first set win in the tiebreak followed by a convincing second set win, 7-6, 6-2. Halep struggled with her serve throughout the match, collecting 5 double-faults. Bouchard used that to her advantage late in the match, on route to her first Grand Slam Final. Though she show a slight glimmer of nervousness during the final few games, Bouchard looked comfortable moving around the court, backing up what she said after the French Open about grass being her strong point.

       Bouchard will now face 2011 champion Petra Kvitova, who is ranked 6th in this years tournament. Bouchard may be ranked 13th, but she is the favourite to become Canada's first winner in a Grand Slam. Young tennis players should be watching her closely, because Eugenie Bouchard has arrived, and she has no intention to leave anytime soon. She has captured Canadians' hearts, drawing nothing but positive attention to Canadian Tennis. No doubt, "GenieArmy" is about to become a world-wide tennis phenomenon.

2014 Free Agent Signings: All About Comfort, Chemistry

       As the July 1st has come and gone, some teams have improved, and some have not. Out of the major signings, the players and GMs were seeking more than just money/players. They were looking for comfort, for chemistry, for something that they were used to.
Starting with David Bolland, who made it public that he wished to stay in Toronto long term. They couldn't find a mutual agreement with numbers, and Bolland took to the waters of free agency. Where would he end up? Where else but to the GM who drafted him, Dale Tallon and his new team the Florida Panthers.
Tallon, who is slowly attracting former players of the Blackhawks to the Panther, is creating quite a team in Florida. Much like the Blackhawks, Dale Tallon is building from the draft, solidifying the centre position and, just recently in the draft, their defencemen (drafting Aaron Ekblad 1st overall).
Though Bolland has not mentioned the relationship much, there has to be a belief that he feels comfortable playing for Tallon, and vice versa.
       The next big signing is Ryan Miller with the Vancouver Canucks. Again, this goes down to the GM and player. Jim Benning, then director of amateur scouting,  was part of the Buffalo Sabres team who drafted Miller back in 1999. Of course, since then, Miller has made a name for himself, and with the Canucks looking for a veteran goalie, this move made sense. Everyone knows what Miller can do when he's at the top of his game on a good team, but Benning may know just a little more, having the confidence to pick Miller 139th overall.

       Another veteran goalie that made a splash July 1 would be Jonas Hiller. And where does comfort spring from? Brian Burke. Though Burke isn't the GM in Calgary, he still has some influence on GM Brad Treliving. Burke, now the President of Hockey Operations with the Flames, signed Hiller during his time in Anaheim. He had so much confidence in Hiller, that he put, then backup goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov on waivers and promoting Hiller to J.S Giguere's backup/successor. Hiller was good then, and is arguable better now. There is not doubt that Burke wanted to bring in a familiar face into his new team.
       Until now, it has been relationships between GMs and players. But players look for a fit on their new teams too, and it helps if the player knows a few old teammates.

       Soon after Jason Spezza was sent to the Dallas Stars, which free agent joined him? No one other than his, though only for a short time, linemate Ales Hemsky. Since his trade to the Senators back at the trade deadline, Hemsky found a fit on Spezza's wing, tallying 17 points (4 G, 13 A) in 20 games. The Stars, who already have Seguin and Benn as their first-line 1-2 punch, now have a 3-4 threat. The Stars look dangerous and could make a run at the Western conference powerhouses.
       The coveted leader in Brian Gionta made a surprise choice when joining the Sabres for the next three years. Gionta joins a (put it nicely) young group of players in Buffalo, joining another former leader of the Montreal Canadiens across the border. Gionta and Gorges led the Canadiens young group to the conference finals last season before being ousted by the Rangers. Buffalo could someday be similar, but no one can figure out why these two players would pick the Sabres as the next destination for their career.
       Islanders felt comfortable signing two former Leafs, Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin, for 4 years per. Kulemin and Grabovski, along with now Senator Clarke MacArthur were once the Leafs top line. Both had career years in 2010-2011, with Kulemin collecting 57 points (30 G, 27 A), as his centremen Grabovski wracked up 58 points (29 G 29 A). Since then, they have failed to adapt to the Leafs new style of play under Carlyle, with Grabovski being bought out last summer and Kulemin allowed to walk, after being the longest serving Leaf. Islanders hope this chemistry can get them some support up front behind Tavares.

       Even with the less sought out players relationships and comfort played more of a factor than in recent years. Brian Boyle chose Tampa Bay over Toronto for family reasons, but its rumored that former Rangers captain, now with the Lightning, had a influence in bringing Boyle in, along with fellow former Ranger Anton Stralman. Just recently, Tim Gleason has returned to the Carolina Hurricanes, months after being traded to the Leafs. Though Jim Rutherford is no longer there, Gleason knows the system and is back for another try.
       All in all, relationships can make a difference in attracting free agents. Players want comfort, and GMs look for comfort in players. More than ever, relationships have and will continue to play a huge role in the signings to come.