Serena Williams has greats in her sights as she eases her way to Slam No 13 at SW19

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By Peter Higgs

Victory: Serena Williams celebrates match point


Serena Williams officially became the sixth greatest woman tennis player of all time yesterday and was immediately tipped to go even higher.

'Hey, Billie, I got you,' said the 28-year-old champion to the watching Billie Jean King as her fourth Wimbledon crown took her total of Grand Slams singles titles to 13, one more than her fellow American, who reigned supreme in the Sixties and Seventies.

Such was Williams's domination of the past fortnight, in which she added her name to list of those who have taken the title without dropping a single set, that her 6-3, 6-2 demolition of Vera Zvonareva in 66 minutes left past champions predicting her reign can continue indefinitely.

Martina Navratilova, rated the greatest Wimbledon champion of the modern era, accepts her position alongside Chris Evert as the equal fourth best Grand Slam singles winner with 18 titles is under threat. 'The rate she going, she can catch me and Chris,' said Navratilova.

'Serena is head and shoulders above the rest and she will go on for years. The young guns haven't come through, while the old guard of Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin and Venus Williams just aren't quite up to it.'


Power play: Serena Williams brushed Vera Zvonareva aside to capture her fourth Wimbledon crown


King, 66, had urged her compatriot to pass her total of 12 Grand Slam singles titles after Williams reached that figure at this year's Australian Open.

'It seems like Serena has made a total commitment to break records,' said King, who watched yesterday from the Royal Box. 'She's had her dodgy patches but she kept fighting and showed she had a will to win.'

The champion herself was keen to play down her prospects. Criticised a few years ago for placing too much emphasis on her interests outside tennis and failing to make the most of her talent, she insisted she would still go her own way.

'Today was special because I got to 13 and went past Billie Jean's total,' said Serena.

'But I don't spend my life thinking how many I can win. I'm happy to have won 13 but who knows what tomorrow will bring? I still love other things outside tennis. I would love to be able to open more schools in Africa and I don't want to be remembered as Serena Williams, the tennis player, but to be remembered for the things that tennis enabled me to do. Today I played well but I was nervous. It's not easy when everyone expects you to play well.'


Gotcha: Serena clutches the Venus Rosewater Dish


Navratilova hailed the Williams serve as the greatest of all time in the women's game, a claim no one can dispute after she extended her record number of aces to 89, with nine more against Zvonareva, which beat the record she set last year of 72. 'I don't know what it is about Wimbledon,' she said. 'I just start serving well.'

The final was more of an occasion than a match. Zvonareva was just delighted to be there, having overcome serious injuries to become the third Russian woman to reach a Wimbledon final. The 25-year-old from Moscow simply did not have the weapons to cause an upset.

For seven games, the inevitable was on hold as Zvonareva, who with partner Elena Vesnina had beaten the Williams sisters in the doubles, held her nerve and won her service games.

But her luck ran out in the eighth, when Williams received the benefit of a net cord to go to break-point and stormed ahead at the end of a thrilling rally with a forehand winner down the line.


Out of reach: But Vera Zvonareva can be proud of her efforts at SW19


Such was the domination of the Williams serve, which did not yield a break-point, that this moment decided the 36-minute opening set.

And when she broke in the opening game of the second set, the scoreline rather than the result was the only issue in doubt.

The crowd did their best to rouse the Russian but she admitted the pressure of trying to push Williams into mistakes induced errors of her own.

'You have to take risks against Serena,' said Zvonareva. 'She is simply better and you go for so much more and then you make mistakes.'


Lovely day for it: Centre Court shone in the sublime sunshine as Serena Williams dismantled her opponent 6-3, 6-2


source:dailymail [endtext]

2NE1 and Lee Minho to plug in for the Pink Play Concert

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The beauty cosmetics label Etude House will be staging their Pink Play Concert on August 20th at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel River Park, with the appearances of their very own brand models: 2NE1 and Lee Minho!

Lee Minho has been on a relaxing hiatus after finishing his drama, and his fans are thrilled by the fact that this concert will serve as an opportune moment for fans to meet him for the first time. Further adding onto the anticipation level for fans, this concert will also be a special chance for them to finally meet 2NE1, who has been away and busy for a long time with the preparations for their upcoming album.

Various other activities are in store for the fans other than just the concert alone, such as photo sessions, 2NE1 make-up copying event, and the appearance of a popular DJ ending the hot night after the concert with a BANG!

Check out this cute clip of the 2NE1 girls, all giddy about their invitation to perform at the Pink Play Concert.
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4minute rocks out to I My Me Mine on Music Core

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From mega fierce to funky fresh, the girls of 4minute are ready to hit your hearts again with their follow up single I My Me Mine on the July 3rd episode of Music Core.

The promotional period for this song started this week on M! Countdown, but if you weren’t convinced that this track would be good enough to stay on your radar, well the third time’s a charm!

The girls have traded their sexy jumpsuits for some cute outfits that suit the season! With every song they release, 4minute just seems to keep getting better and better!
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Hyomin tears again over Sunny’s empty presence on Invincible Youth

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As most of you may recall, on the teary episode of Invincible Youth when it came time for 4minute’s HyunA, and SNSD’s Sunny and Yuri to leave, T-ara’s Hyomin started to drop tears while she was reading a farewell letter to Sunny.

Several reporters flocked over to the KangWonDo Yuchiri area, the scene where the filming for the recent Invincible Youth was taking place. During an interview with Hyomin, she started to tear once again as the topic of Sunny began being discussed.

When Kim Shin Young revealed, “After Sunny left, she said over the phone ‘once you get to know Hyomin, she is naive. So please take care of her well’,” tears started to well in Hyomin’s eyes.

In response to that, Hyomin sadly expressed, “Her empty presence is quite large,”and then brightly stated, “But, now I’m doing well.”
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LPG releases Doorbell of Love MV

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Having released their teaser and performed on M! Countdown earlier, the LPG girls have finally released their MV for their comeback single, Doorbell of Love.

Just like the teaser, the MV is NSFW and offers quite the pleasure for all viewers, with LPG’s member Semi making love on bed, and at times almost resembling like a porn MV. The scene as LPG’s label expressed earlier was essential to bring out the song’s message in a stronger manner. There will be a clean version released soon,
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Super Junior has No Other on Music Bank

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Although the boys of Super Junior wrapped up promotional activities for their hit single BONAMANA, it was announced shortly after that they would continue further promotions with a follow-up track which turned out to be No Other.

The song is definitely something you wouldn’t except from Super Junior, yet still perfectly fits them with the funky background music mixed with their amazing vocals. With their first performance with No Other, the boys have once again proved their skill both vocally and physically. Check out their Music Bank performance now!


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Pink steals the show at Wireless Festival with Funhouse performance... while Beth Ditto goes for hedgehog chic

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By Sarah Bull and Chris Johnson

Grand entrance: Pink descends onto the main stage at the Wireless Festival


Her last album was called Funhouse, so it was no surprise that Pink decided to open her set at the Wireless Festival in flamboyant style.

The 30-year-old star descended onto the main stage in acrobatic fashion from a giant party style box hoisted on a crane, dressed in a plunging little black dress with a frilly red garter around one thigh.

She then ripped off the sexy dress to reveal a bejewelled swimsuit and fishnet tights underneath - much to the delight of the crowd.


Sexy: The singer wore a plunging black dress over fishnet tights and a bejewelled swimsuit, with a red garter on her thigh


After opening her set with the title track from her 2008 album Funhouse, Pink continued to perfom hits including Just Like A Pill and a mash-up of covers of The Who, The Police and Green Day.

Talking to the crowd, Pink said: 'There's a lot of people here. Tonight is a dream for me!'

Fans at the Hyde Park event had been hoping to see Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto join Pink on stage after the rotund singer had previously pledged to 'help Pink out with her set' by giving her a piggy back.

Ditto asked the crowd, 'Do you think Pink will let me give her a piggy back?' before launching into Gossip's most famous hit Standing In The Way Of Control


Excited: Pink thanked the crowds before performing a set of her famous hits


Cheeky: Pink's outfit revealed her lean, toned figure as she performed in Hyde Park


The 29-year-old singer opted for a hedgehog style outfit for the music event, drawing jagged lines on her face instead of eyebrows, and wore a spiky top over a black dress.

And as well as performing Gossip hits, the band also performed a thrilling version of Tina Turner's What's Love Got To Do With It.

Other acts to take to the stage included Daisy Dares You and The Ting Tings.


Hedgehog chic: Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto wore an unusual spiked top over a black dress


Outrageous: Ditto had also drawn jagged black lines on her face instead of eyebrows


Tings Tings lead singer Katie White provided some much-needed colour in a red, Western-style jumpsuit, which she accessorised with a matching red electric guitar.

Alphabeat had also been due to appear at the festival, but were forced to cancel after band member Anders SG was taken ill.

The group wrote on Twitter: 'As u may have read SG began to struggle with some throat problems a few days ago & it isn't better. He's lost his voice and is ill.


Lady in red: Katie White of The Ting Tings takes to the stage


Thrilled: Daisy Coburn and her band Daisy Dares You appeared extremely excited to play at the festival


'Therefore, we're very sorry and sad to announce that we have to cancel Wireless this weekend! We hope he'll get well soon!'

And it wasn't just famous faces on stage at the event - there were also a few in the crowd as well.

While Glee star Cory Monteith attracted attention from hoards of female fans who couldn't resist telling him he is 'so amazing'.

Boxer David Haye and singer Darius Campbell also caught up backstage at the Barclaycard Bar, before being distracted by pretty MTV presenter Laura Whitmore who Darius told, 'You look even better in the flesh than I remember!'

The Wireless Festival continues over the weekend, with LCD Sound System headlining tomorrow night, and Jay-Z and Lily Allen finishing things off on Sunday night.
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WORLD CUP 2010: Uruguay 1 Ghana 1 (AET Uruguay win 4-2 on pens)

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By Sportsmail Reporter

Agony: Asamoah Gyan reacts after missing his penalty


Uruguay ended Ghana's dream of being the first African team in the World Cup semi-finals when they won a penalty shootout 4-2 after their quarter-final finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.

Uruguay substitute Sebastian Abreu got the decisive penalty with a cheeky chip over goalkeeper Richard Kingson to set up a semi-final with Netherlands, who shocked Brazil 2-1.

The teams could not be separated after extra-time in a thrilling contest after Asamoah Gyan hit the bar with a penalty
in the second minute of added time that was given when Uruguay striker Luis Suarez handled on the line and was sent off.

Ghana had taken the lead with a speculative strike by Sulley Muntari just before the end of the first half of normal time but that was cancelled out by a masterful Diego Forlan freekick 10 minutes after the interval that brought the sides level.

Ghana were bidding to become the first African side to reach the semi-finals while twice World Cup winners Uruguay were trying to reach the last four for the first time in 40 years.

In a game of wildly changing fortunes, Uruguay had dominated the opening stages as they worked hard to set strikers Forlan and Suarez free.


Leaving a nasty taste in the mouth: Luis Suarez (right) blocks Chidi Odiyah's goalbound shot
Ghana, despite enormous support from their fellow Africans packing the stadium, surrendered the ball too easily to a hard-tackling Uruguay midfield.

It appeared to be going Uruguay's way as they created the chances with Forlan blasting the ball over the bar and then
minutes later Suarez's shot was tipped over by Kingson.

Ghana suddenly woke up, though, and won their first corner from which central defender Isaac Vorsah should have opened the scoring but only managed to head wide. Minutes later striker Asamoah Gyan was sent through only to shoot wide.


Long distance: Sulley Muntari lets fly


Uruguay's defence, which had only let in one goal on the way to the quarter-finals, suffered a blow when captain Diego Lugano had to limp off and was replaced by Andres Scotti.

Then in added time at the end of the first half, Muntari struck a spectacular long-range drive to put Ghana ahead.

Ten minutes into the second half, Uruguay won a free-kick just outside the area on the left and Forlan struck the ball
perfectly, bending it over everyone's heads and beyond the despairing reach of Kingson for the equaliser.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez sent on striker Sebastian Abreu after 76 minutes in search of a winner but neither side could break the deadlock and the match went into extra time


Butterfingers: Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera makes a hash of Muntari's effort


The first chance of the extra period fell to midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah but he blasted over the bar from outside the box when he had space to compose himself. Minutes later Gyan was blocked when he tried to go through by himself.

Uruguay appealed for a penalty when Abreu went down in the area while trying to latch onto a cross but Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca showed no interest.

Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng headed just wide two minutes from the end of extra time and went close again with a fierce drive from 25 metres which was saved


Blue order: Diego Forlan (unsighted) equalised with a stunning free kick


The African side piled on the pressure and were awarded a penalty when Suarez handled on the line to keep out a header by Ghana substitute Dominic Adiyiah and was shown a red card.

But Gyan missed the chance to win the game when his spot kick rattled the bar and the match went to a penalty shootout.


source: dailymail
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2010 World Cup: Netherlands 2 Brazil 1

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By Ian Ladyman

Turnaround: Sneijder (2nd right) heads home to put Holland 2-1 in front


It wasn't the beautiful game the world had longed for. Far from it. But it had drama, it had courage and it had resolve. Ultimately, it also had the right result.

At half-time in Port Elizabeth yesterday, there seemed little chance of Holland winning from a goal down. Their football in the first period had been poor. Where they had been assertive and aggressive in earlier matches, they seemed a little cowed.

But this is a Dutch side unlike many that have passed before. Playing pragmatic football for a coach that seems to have fostered a team spirit so alien to previous generations, Bert van Marwijk’s team have a sense of purpose that could yet lead to the ultimate prize in South Africa.

And so it was that Holland looked deep inside themselves at half-time to produce a second-half display to which Brazil shockingly had no answer. As the Dutch grew in strength, the South Americans wilted before them.

It was a sight as remarkable as it was unexpected.

You need many things to win a World Cup. Good players and a decent coach help. But you also need strength and heart and determination.

Brazil coach Dunga announced after the game that he was giving up the job and perhaps rightly so for this was a tournament that was his side’s to win. Perhaps it was the dreadful nature of the second-half goals they conceded that so sucked the life from the South Americans.

Perhaps it was the persistent harrying of Mark van Bommel in midfield or the increasing assuredness of the two Dutch central defenders Andre Ooijer and Jonny Heitinga, who started dreadfully and then improved beyond measure.


Seeing red with Robben: Brazil's Robinho is furious with a bemused Arjen Robben


Whatever it was, the Dutch will not care. They may not play in the manner that legends such as Johan Cruyff would like but that will not matter today. A path to their first World Cup final since 1978 has opened up.

Afterward Van Marwijk said: ‘I said when I started that my mission was to win the World Cup. People mocked me but today you could see that belief. We didn’t play well in the first half and could have lost this in this first 15 minutes. But the difference in the second half was huge.

‘We started to play our own game and once we scored the first goal we just got better and better. People have criticised us for not playing attractive football but now we have beaten the favourites.’


Gift: Felipe Melo and keeper Julio Cesar end up putting the ball in their own net


Having won every competitive game since qualifying started, it is perhaps no surprise that the Dutch have such confidence. Nevertheless, the manner in which they started yesterday must have shaken them to the soles of their boots.

Having lost central defender Joris Mathijsen in in the warm-up, Holland had to draft Ooijer in and the uncertainty was immediately apparent as Robinho ran through an enormous gap in the Dutch defence to slam Juan’s perfect through ball beneath Maarten Stekelenburg in the 10th minute.


Seeing red: Felipe Melo gets his marching orders for stamping on Robben


For the remainder of the first period, the pattern looked to have been set. With key players Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder unable to impose themselves on the game, Holland were poor and Brazil might have taken the game away from them had they cashed in on one of three subsequent opportunities.

Juan volleyed a low cross over the bar when he should have scored in the 26th minute, Luis Fabiano headed another chance wide and then Kaka was denied by a superb Stekelenburg save after curling a shot towards the top corner.


Cut open: Robinho (right) fires Brazil ahead as the Dutch defence disappears


Apart from a Sneijder free-kick that was saved comfortably by Julio Cesar, Holland had offered virtually nothing. Robben was dreadful and spent far too much time on the floor and it was clear that something had to change early in the second half.


The equaliser in the 53rd minute arrived from nowhere and changed the game. Having drawn a debatable foul from Daniel Alves, Robben worked a free-kick to Sneijder and when the Inter Milan midfielder delivered the ball to the near post, Brazil defender Felipe Melo headed past his goalkeeper Julio Cesar and in to his own net.

As the Dutch grew, Brazil withdrew. Robin van Persie was close on the hour and then Sneijder coasted forwards at a corner to convert a flick from Dirk Kuyt in the 68th minute.

With the game now turned on its head, Brazil were being asked a serious question for the first time this tournament and it was the way they failed to respond that was so disappointing.

Their cause certainly wasn’t helped when Felipe Melo stamped on Robben’s thigh and was sent off.

With that, their challenge died.



Brazil's Robinho, foreground, competes for the ball with Netherlands' Mark van Bommel, center back, during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Brazil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Friday, July 2, 2010.



Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar, top right, fails to stop an own goal by Brazil's Felipe Melo, top left, during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Brazil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Friday, July 2, 2010.




Brazil's Robinho (L) celebrates with team mate Luis Fabiano after scoring against Netherlands during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match in Port Elizabeth July 2, 2010.




The Brazil team celebrate Robinho's goal during their 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match against Netherlands in Port Elizabeth July 2, 2010.



Brazil's Robinho reacts after his goal attempt against Netherlands was ruled offside during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match in Port Elizabeth July 2, 2010.



Netherlands' Arjen Robben (C) reacts after he was tackled as Brazil's Gilberto Silva (L) and Daniel Alves look on during their 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match in Port Elizabeth July 2, 2010.



Netherlands' Nigel de Jong (L) fights for the ball against Brazil's Kaka during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match in Port Elizabeth July 2, 2010.



Brazil players, front row from left, Robinho, Kaka, Daniel Alves, Luis Fabiano, Michel Bastos, back row from left, Lucio, goalkeeper Julio Cesar, Juan, Gilberto Silva, Maicon, and Felipe Melo, pose for a team photo before the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Brazil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Friday, July 2, 2010.



Dutch players pose for a team photograph before the start of the 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match against Brazil in Port Elizabeth July 2, 2010. The players ( from top L) goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, John Heitinga, Robin van Persie,Andre Ooijer, Dirk Kuyt, and Mark van Bommel; ( from bottom L) Gregory van der Wiel, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Nigel de Jong, Arjen Robben, and Wesley Sneijder.





A Brazilian and a Netherland fan kisses each other before the start of the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 match Brazil vs Netherlands, in front of a huge screen in Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 2, 2010.



Netherlands fans kiss a replica of the World Cup trophy prior to the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Brazil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Friday, July 2, 2010.



Brazil fans cheer prior to the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Brazil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Friday, July 2, 2010



A Brazilian fan holds up a replica of the World Cup trophy prior to the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Brazil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Friday, July 2, 2010.



The stadium is reflected in the sunglasses of a Brazil soccer fan before the start of the 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match between Brazil and the Netherlands in Port Elizabeth July 2, 2010.



A Netherlands soccer fan smiles before the start of the 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match between Netherlands and Brazil in Port Elizabeth July 2, 2010.

source: dailymail
photo: AP, Gettyimages, Reuters [endtext]

Goo Hye Sun reveals Pantech IZAR Sky phone CF

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We revealed earlier that Goo Hye Sun had been picked by Pantech to endorse their new SKY Izar IM-A630K Android mobile phone and now the CF has been released today!

The CF shows Goo Hye Sun plugging into the IZAR Smart Factory which is full of fun applications.
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IU performs Nagging with Seo In Kook and wins K-Chart on Music Bank

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IU returned to the Music Bank stage on July 2nd for another performance of Nagging but she was without her usual singing partner, 2AM’s Seulong today.

IU and Seulong’s duet have been receiving lots of attention from fans but with the latter away with 2AM as performing guests for the Wonder Girls’ concert tour in America, there was no other alternative.

In his absence, Superstar K winner and solo artist, Seo In Kook had been roped in to be IU’s new partner for the stage. A representative expressed, “Please anticipate a brand new stage with this new pairing and they would bring a different charismatic stage to everyone.”



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miss A makes their debut on Music Bank!

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The four sexy ladies of brand new girl group miss A made their debut in Korea by performing for their first time on M! Countdown yesterday. Along with their debut stage, the ladies had a special stage that lasted around 45 seconds where they showed off their dancing skills.

They also made their way to today’s episode of Music Bank to put on yet another sexy debut stage with their unique debut song Bad Girl, Good Girl to which the choreography perfectly matches.
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4minute performs I My Me Mine on Music Bank!

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Cube Entertainment has decided to have 4minute follow-up with one of their hit tracks I My Me Mine (IMMM) which started yesterday by performing on M! Countdown.

We got to see a new fierce set of chereography and new outfits that the girls’ will continue to rock on-stage.

The five ladies returned to the Music Bank stage today to try and become victorious on the K-Charts by giving it their all. They definitely deserve some more awards, don’t you think? Check out yet another powerful performance below!
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Sori makes her comeback with Hero on Music Bank!

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With Sori’s official comeback made a couple days ago through the release of her music video for title song Hero, the diva was ready to bring her game for a live performance on today’ episode of Music Bank.
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-ara’s Soyeon and Jiyeon perform Death Bell 2 OST on Music Bank

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After performing the Death Bell 2 OST, What Should We Finish as a duet on M! Countdown last night, the T-ara members, Soyeon and Jiyeon returned for another performance on the July 2nd episode of Music Bank.

There was no classroom set today but there was a change in school uniforms for the both of them. Check out their performance and the screaming fanboys!
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