The spread of influenza seems to have slowed down in the entertainment world, but at least two more celebrities recently caught it. Ryuhei Maruyama (26) was diagnosed with influenza type A on Sunday, becoming the fifth Kanjani8 member to get it within the past three months. Last Friday, talento Ayana Tsubaki (25) was also diagnosed with the flu, and hers was confirmed to be the H1N1 virus. Both Maruyama and Tsubaki are taking breaks from their schedules to recover. Maruyama will miss at least two TV recordings, while Tsubaki has had to cancel appearances at a live talk event, a magazine launch, and a radio program.

Actress Makiko Esumi (42) gave birth to her second child, a boy, on Monday. Esumi has been married to television director Shin Hirano (" Shomuni ") since 2003, and she gave birth to a daughter in 2005. Singer Kahimi Karie (41) also recently gave birth. Her first child, a girl, was born on November 26. She has been married since June to tap dancer Kazunori Kumagai (32).

Playboy kabuki star Ichikawa Ebizo (31) is on the verge of finally settling down. He and freelance newscaster Kobayashi Mao (27) spoke yesterday for the first time about their relationship and said they plan to get engaged in the near future. Ichikawa spoke to reporters in front of his home in Tokyo shortly before 11pm last night. "When I first met her last December I had a feeling this would be...

Kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa (31) and free announcer Mao Kobayashi (27) are in a serious relationship, it was learned on Thursday. In a fax sent to the media, they revealed that they plan to get formally engaged in the near future. Speaking to reporters in front of his home, Ichikawa said he proposed at the end of June, and that they first met last December. They met when Ichikawa appeared as a guest on NTV's "NEWS ZERO," on which Kobayashi is a newscaster. The dates for their engagement and wedding ceremonies have not yet been decided, but based on the schedules of Ichikawa and his father, actor Danjuro Ichikawa (63), it seems likely that the engagement will take place during December.

TVB has always given strong emphasis on producing their annual official calendar with their heavily-promoted stars on it. According to sources, this tradition is forced to stop this year due to cutting-costs measures, causing the people in TVB to be shocked. Though the most difficult period of the financial crisis is over and TVB's income is gradually turning for the better, this was being disrupted suddenly by the trend of young models. For the recent official calendars, TVB will make it grand by inviting production teams from Thailand, arranging the stars to head to Thailand and Taiwan for outdoor scenes, and even appointing A-listed professionals as the overall in-charge. The production fees come up to a few millions each time. The TVB executives felt that this wasn't worthwhile, and adding on that their artistes' external events were being snatched away by the young models due to the latter's lower rates. This caused TVB to be more careful of their expenditure. As for the cancelation of the official calendar, TVB's production resources director, Virginia Lok, is now in Taiwan on a business trip. She revealed over a long-distance call, "We're busy filming the '72 Tenants' movie.

Stephy (right) will not blog in a mix of Chinese and English, next to former coworker Miki Stephy Tang, Miki Yeung, Ella Koon and Chrissie Chau all attended a blog event last night. Upon reuniting as former coworker's Stephy and Miki, Stephy immediately went to Miki and said, "Long time no see la!" also generously accepted reporters' request in taking photos together. Although Stephy only started blogging these past months, she had already been criticized by a lot of people. This made her to be even more careful, especially in regards to typing. She says, "At first I only took it as a way of sharing, so wasn't that serious. Never thought this many people would read it, (Would you ever write about your love life?) Nope." Mentioning "worst enemy" Theresa Fu also having the habit to blog where she had oftened mention Stephy in them, Stephy thinks its only people's assumptions that she was talking about her, Theresa is only writing about her thoughts in life, it's just a coincidence a lot of things had been happening at that time. When mentioning Theresa using english to "inch"1 her? She bluntly said that a lot of people write in a mix of Chinese and English, so she won't think that way.

Jade Kwan yesterday attended two consecutive days of "Nick Vujicic - Have faith, fly to witness" and served as the guest performer, singing "Beyond human justification" (超越人間的道理). Jade expressed she had also attended at Nick's prior visit to Hong Kong testifying his faith. Jade's husband Jonas was also actually present at the event, but the moment a reporter wants to take a picture, he was very not used to the camera and kept dodging it. Jade explained because she had previously told her husband there will not be any reporters interviewing, thinking now it seemed like she tricked her husband. Reporters laughed saying her husband should get use to the camera soon, because he married an artist. Jade says, "I think its harder for guys to get use to the camera, because he is so used to hiding himself, oh no, still have to make up to him later." Jade has planned to hold the wedding banquet on the 14th of this month, but will only invite friends and not family. Jade says, "My husband and I each sent out 100 text messages to our friends inviting them to attend. (Will you be inviting former company's boss?) Yes, I also invited former company's coworkers and artists, but they might not be able to attend due to work.

It was revealed on the 28th that the 5-member group Tohoshinki, who are currently embroiled in contract troubles with their management company, will be re-starting their activities in Japan in the near future. These activities include the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen and other music programmes and activities. On the 27th, the Seoul District Court partially approved the 3 members’ (Jejung, Junsu, Yuchun) application for an injunction on their exclusive contracts, and there have been rumours floating about possible disbandment. On the other hand, their Japanese management company AVEX will expand their activities in Japan this fall. While the company has not revealed any concrete activities yet, they said that they are adjusting their schedules for year end activities like the Japan Record Award and the Kouhaku Uta Gassen. This suggests that the 5 members, who returned to South Korea and are currently there, will come to Japan soon. Source: [daily.co.jp] Translations: mandasoh@tohosomnia

It is revealed on October 28th, 2009, that TVXQ will take charge of the main theme song of “Break Out!” which will be used at NHK’s new drama series, “Tomehane (Let us jump together)! Suzusato High School, Calligraphy Club”. (The drama will start to air on January 7th, 2010; 8 PM on Thursdays.) It is the first time for TVXQ to sing the theme song in Japanese production work of NHK. They sang “Sennen Koi no Uta”, the theme song of the historical Korean drama, “The Legend”, broadcasted at NHK (2007-2008). NHK chose TVXQ because they are “The group which has the most power right now (by NHK). TVXQ participated last year’s “Kohaku Utagassen, (Red and White New Year’s Music Special by NHK)”; they also performed two nights in Tokyo Dome very successfully.” The song will be a light pop music. It is connected to the story line of the drama, which displays the love story and the competition of the small calligraphy club at the high school. “Grab your own future, be positive and keep on going, then your destiny will become bright! It is all up to you!” That kind of message is included in this theme song. TVXQ’s leader Yunho (23) said, “That will be nice if we could support young people who are trying their best to achieve their dreams in their lives.”