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Middle-Eastern men wearing Thawbs.

Iraqi-Irani man wearing Thawb in Nishapur.

A thawb or thobe (Arabic: ثَوب‎ / ALA-LC: thawb), dishdasha (دِشداشَة / dishdāshah), kandura (كَندورَة / kandūrah), or suriyah in Libya, is an ankle-length garment, usually with long sleeves, similar to a robe. It is commonly worn in Arab countries. An Izaar is commonly worn underneath.

Background[link]

The word thawb is the standard Arabic word for 'a garment'. It is the traditional Arab clothing for men. It is sometimes spelled thobe or thaub. It is a tunic, generally long. The word is used specifically for this garment in Arab states of the Persian Gulf. There has been some debate regarding the correct length of the thawb. Shorter length represents modesty, while longer represents royalty, status and wealth.

Prevalence[link]

The thawb is commonly worn by men in the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Jordan, and other Arab countries. It is normally made of cotton, but heavier materials such as sheep's wool can also be used, especially in colder climates in Iraq and Syria. The style of the thawb varies slightly among the various regions within the Arab Gulf. The sleeves and the collar can be stiffened to give a more formal appearance. Other names may be used for this garment. In Souraqia and Oman, dishdasha is the most common word for the garment; in the UAE, the word kandura is used. In Morocco, the sleeves tend to be much shorter so that the thawb may seem more like a long T-shirt and is locally called gandora. Also the neck tends to be more open than in its Saudi counterpart and is often embroidered as is the breast pocket. Also it might lack buttons altogether.

The term thawb is also used to refer to similar women's garments. The traditional Palestinian woman's long tunic is called thawb. Another example is a very long, over-sized woman's garment with a heavily embroidered front panel and billowing back, also known as a Khaleeji dress, which is most commonly seen in the West worn for performance of the Saudi women's social-style dances, in which manipulation of the large thawb is a key component.

This clothing is called Kanzu in Swahili, and is commonly worn in East Africa as well.

Other Occasions[link]

A thawb or thaub can sometimes be worn with what is known as "besht" or in other parts of the Arabian Peninsula "عباة" which means a robe. It is usually worn in ceremonial occasions or by presidents; a "besht" ,"بشت" can be worn in a wedding, Eid, and funerals. It refers to a status of wealth and royalty, or sometimes a religious position. It was originally manufactured in Syria, Iraq and Jordan, and it is usually worn in Jordan, Syria, Iraq and the Arabian peninsula.

See also[link]

• Agal - Arabian headdress
• Islam and clothing
• List of types of sartorial hijab
• Jellabiya
• Senegalese kaftan
• Shalwar Kameez

Baek Ji-Young (Hangul: 백지영, born March 25, 1976) is a South Korean pop and ballad singer.

Career[link]

Baek began her music career in 1999, entering the Korean dance scene with her first album Sorrow. The first single, "선택" (Choice), was unusual in that it was one of the first Korean pop songs to feature Latin beats. However, this single proved to be popular and charted very well. She quickly followed this album with a second, Rouge, which came out in April 2000, selling 360,000 copies^[1] and cementing her status as one of Korea's most popular female dance artists.

Two years after the release of Tres, Baek released her fourth album Smile in September 2003. Although not a runaway success, it managed to sell a decent number of copies, placing 46th for the year.^[2] However, her real comeback occurred in 2006, when Baek released her fifth album Smile Again in March. "사랑 안해" (I Won't Love), her first single from the album, was a ballad, unlike the rest of her Latin-style singles. Although this was a significant change, it proved to be a very popular song, getting to the top spot on certain performance show charts. This change was not a permanent one, as there were many Latin/dance tracks on the album. In fact, the second single has seen Baek going back to her musical roots, as Ez Do Dance is a sexy Latin number. She performed this single until the end of summer 2006, at which point she finished promotional activities for the album. In November 2006, Baek won an award for "Best Female Solo Singer" from the MKMF Awards and was one of the candidates for the "Overseas Viewer" award as well.^[3]

On September 7, 2007, Baek's sixth album, The Sixth Miracle, was released, with the lead single "사랑 하나면 돼" ("I Only Need One Love"). She won an award for the album at the Seoul Music Awards in January 2008.^[4]

Baek underwent vocal cord surgery to remove a cyst some time in February 2008. Although there were fears that her singing voice may change, the fear of losing her voice entirely is what prompted her to go ahead with the operation.^[5]

After recuperating from her surgery, Baek returned with her seventh album, Sensibility, released on November 14, 2008. It was reported that she would come back with a dance single to showcase her strengthened voice,^[6] but instead came back with "총 맞은 것처럼" ("Like a Bullet Hit Me"), a mid-tempo ballad. The single hit #1 on various online music sites^[7] and hit #1 on Korean Broadcasting System's music program Music Bank.^[8]

On August 9, 2009, Baek signified her comeback by announcing a collaboration with 2PM member Taecyeon for the title track of her mini-album EGO called "내 귀에 캔디" ("My Ear Candy"). Unlike her previous songs, My Ear Candyis a pop-dance track that includes techno beats. They first performed the song on Kim Jung Eun's Chocolate, although the episode did not air until a week later after her official comeback on Music Core.

EGO was released on August 14, 2009. On October 13, 2009, she contributed to the original soundtrack of popular drama IRIS with a single "잊지 말아요" (Don't Forget).

On November 21, 2009, Baek won the Daesang at MNet Asian Music Awards for Best Female Solo Artist.

She collaborated with Mighty Mouth for their comeback single "사랑이 올까요" ("Will Love Come"), released on March 12, 2010 along with a music video. This is her second collaboration with the group, where she featured on their mini-album "Love Class" in the track "Miss U", released on August 6, 2009.

In 2012, Baek Ji Young announced her comeback with her first dance title track in three years. On May 7 she released a ballad from the mini album, entitled "Voice" featuring Gary from Leessang. On the 17th her "Good Boy" mini album was released, including the dance title track of the same name featuring Yong Jun Hyung of BEAST.

Controversy[link]

In 2000, a sex tape featuring Baek and her manager at the time, Kim Shi Won, leaked out into the internet community.

The video was recorded secretly in the hotel room without Baek's knowledge.^[9] and was later used to threaten Baek when she attempted to change her contracted manager at the peak of her career. The former manager, who fled to the U.S., is currently serving time in a Los Angeles jail for charges of sex with a minor, which he recorded on video.^[10]

Man of Korea, a rights groups for men, filed an injunction against the 2012 song "Good Boy" as the song "berates men". The group says that the older girlfriend "suggests that her boyfriend is as stupid as a dog and needs to be tamed...the way that the boyfriend talks back is likened to barking and biting the owner." ^[11]

Discography[link]

References[link]

Yong Jun-hyung (born December 19, 1989), also known as Poppin' Dragon or Joker, Junhyung is a South Korean idol, singer, rapper, songwriter and dancer. He is a member and the Main Rapper of the Korean boy group Beast.

Biography[link]

He was originally named as Yong Jae Soon (Hangul: 용재순) but had changed his name during his 6th grade.^[1] He was born in Seoul, South Korea on December 19, 1989. He was once a member of the boyband “Xing” along with Kevin from U-KISS and was known as Poppin’ Dragon when he was promoting with them. He featured in various singles as a rapper for various artists such as labelmates Hyunah’s “Change”^[2] and G.NA’s “Kkeojyeo Julge Jar Sara” (꺼져 줄게 잘 살아, lit. I’ll Back Off So You Can Live Better),^[3] Young Jee’s "Crazy, that's what love is",^[4] Navi’s "Go Again" and Wheesung’s “Words That Freeze My Heart”.^[5]

Career[link]

Beast[link]

Beast (비스트, stylized as BEAST or B2ST) is a boy band from South Korea that consists of six members, under Cube Entertainment. Originally known as B2ST, an acronym for Boys 2 Search the Top. However, their name was changed to BEAST (Boys of East Standing Tall). They released their first mini-album Beast Is The B2ST on October 14, 2009, and made their first live performance on KBS's Music Bank 2 days later.

The group has released a total of 5 mini-albums, Beast is the B2ST, Shock of the New Era, Mastermind, Lights Go On Again, My Story, as well as a full-length album, Fiction and Fact.

Solo activities[link]

Noted by his unique hairstyles and exceptional talent in rapmaking, Yong was featured in Lee Gi Kwang's music video "눈물을 닦고" ("Wiping the Tears") as a rapper with Doo Joon. Along with fellow BEAST member Yo Seob, MC and comedian Lee Hyukjae, Moon Hee Jun (formerly of H.O.T.) and Kim Sook, they welcomed Japanese tourists for "Visit Seoul 2010" campaign, where Korean celebrities and Japanese tourists explored Seoul in MBC's Star Guide Doshiraku to raise awareness of Seoul's famous areas as well as its delicious cuisine.^[6]

Yong also featured in Hyuna's solo debut single "Change^[2] Yong along with 4minute were also featured in "Heard 'Em All" for Amerie's Asian version of the album In Love & War.^[7] He also starred in MBC High Kick Through the Roof as a cameo in one of its episodes.^[8] He was also involved in the rap making and featuring for 4minute’s album "Hit Your Heart" where his composing skills were dutifully noted.^[9]

Yong was featured rapping for G.NA’s album title song ‘I’ll Back Off So You Can Live Better’ music video, his appearance giving an opposite vibe from Doo Joon's.^[3] Currently, Yong is featured for FADDY ROBOT FOUNDATION together with 4minute`s Hyuna, Outsider, Verbal Jint, Mighty Mouth’s Ssangchu, Vasco and Zico; all profit from this album has been promised to be given out to charity.^[10] In order to encourage the public participation in commemorating Seoul Summit Asia Bridge Contents (Representative Choi Jin) had announced that the G20 summit held in Seoul have created campaign song ‘Let’s Go’ composed by Shinsadong Tiger, Lim Sanghyuk, Eddie, and BEAST's Yong Junhyung. Junhyung will also be rapping for the song.^[11]

In November 23, 2010, Young Jee released a single named "Crazy, that's what love is" featuring Junhyung in rap making and the rapping.^[4] On January 19, 2011, Navi released a single named "Go Again" featuring Junhyung rapping. On 14 March 2011 Wheesung released Heart Aching Story song, featuring Yong Junhyung.^[5]

Yong also appeared in M&D's music video for "Close Your Mouth" with FT Island's Hongki & Jonghun, Supreme Team's Simon D and Miss A's Jia which is released on June 22, 2011.

He was also featured rapping for Hyuna's album Bubble Pop! in the song ‘A Bitter Day’, Kim Wan-Sun's single ‘Be Quiet’, and ALi's title song ‘Don't Act Countrified’ off her album SOUL-RI: A Town With Soul

Composing talent[link]

Junhyung's talent of composing finally revealed when the song he personally wrote and arranged, ‘Freeze’ being included in B2ST's 1st full-length album, "Fiction and Fact". He also personally involved in making the lyrics for the songs in the album along side other composers. He was the co-composer for Jang Woo Hyuk's ‘Day That Time Stopped’ along with Shinsadong Tiger. The nickname Junhyung uses when he works as a composer is 'Joker'.

On February 3, 2012, he released his composition titled, ""너 없이 사는 것도 (Living Without You)"". The track boasting a hip-hop tune is co-produced by Junhyung and composer Kim Tae Joo. The track sings of a man who must overcome the pain of being betrayed by a woman he loves. It offers the back story of BEAST's track ""이럴 줄 알았어 (I Knew It)"".^[12]

Discography[link]

Korean singles[link]

Soundtrack appearances[link]

Filmography[link]

Featured and Appeared In[link]

Music Videos(M/V)[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• (Korean) BEAST Official website
• (English) JunHyung Twitter