Kim Hyun Joong news in local newspaper about hacking incident

Well, hacking is really a serious matter. Good thing everything has been resolved already. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to join Henecia. T_T How about you? Were you able to join? If yes, I envy you. T_T

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Kim Hyun Joong at a recent fan meeting in Japan to commemorate the airing of 'Playful Kiss' in the country

Kim Hyun Joong’s fan club membership reopens after hacking incident
By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines – The membership to Henecia, the newly established official fan club of popular actor and singer Kim Hyun Joong, leader of boy band SS501, has been reopened after his website got hacked over the weekend.

Membership to the fan club is open to Koreans and fans in 120 countries including the Philippines, according to KeyEast Entertainment, Kim’s agency.

Kim Hyun Joong, whose popularity soared after starring in the hit drama series “Boys Over Flowers” in 2009, will release his debut solo album in June following his transfer to KeyEast Entertainment last year.

Last month, KeyEast asked Kim’s fans to participate in coming up with the official name of the fan club. About 500 names were received and the top three names were selected by fans.

Kim personally chose Henecia formed through the combination of the letter “H” from his first name and the Latin word “benecia”, which means blessed.

Kim’s website started recruiting fan club members last May 2. However, last May 7, it was found out that the site was hacked with the bank account number being changed and the membership fee for Korean fans being increased from 10,000 won (P398) to 35,000 won (P1,392).

The hackers also posted that for 100,000 (P3,980), they could attend a supposed fan club meeting with Kim in Jeju Island. And for an additional 800,000 (P31,825), a fan could have a dinner date with the actor-singer.

These proved to be a hoax and KeyEast suspended the membership application. The matter has been turned over to the police to investigate and trace the identity and whereabouts of the hackers.

Korean media reported that about 20 fans were duped by the hackers and KeyEast will reimburse them.

With the website now running smoothly, KeyEast announced that reopening of the membership application.

“2011 Henecia, the official Kim Hyun-Joong fan club, is now recruiting members who are interested in supporting Kim Hyun-joong and his efforts during this period of intense activity, coinciding with the launch of his first solo album,” KeyEast announced on the website.

It added, “Anyone can subscribe as a member of the official fan club , regardless of whether he or she is in Korea or overseas, as long as he or she is eligible to register on the official website (hyun-joong.com).”

According to KeyEast, membership application will be open until May 15 for Korean and international fans.

It said as a member of Henecia, a fan gets privileges consisting of a membership card, use of the official fan club exclusive site and read exclusive contents, opportunity to participate in fan club events like fan meetings and birthday parties, priority to attend Kim’s open broadcast sessions in Korea and priority when purchasing concert tickets for Kim’s concerts in Korea and overseas.

Last year, Kim starred in the drama series “Playful Kiss”. Besides being an actor and singer, Kim is also a popular commercial endorser.

He is currently nominated in the popularity award category in the 47th Paeksang Art Awards in Korea.


credits: mb.com.ph