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Women's Wear Daily Rips Apart Paul Ryan's Personal Style

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paul ryan

Women's Wear Daily doesn't think Paul Ryan has executive style.

The influential fashion industry publication gave Ryan a "C" for style, critiquing him head to toe.

His hair needs wax spray to liven up his "current brick style," the newspaper said

They didn't stop there, saying that his blue shirts were boring and that his square-toed dress shoes were one of the most "grievous mistakes" in men's fashion. 

But what set them off the most was the silhouette of his baggy suit: 

"The incredible boxy silhouette does nothing to enhance his potentially powerful physique. It makes him look weak and overweight."

We're not sure how it's possible for Ryan to look overweight considering his ridiculous exercise regimen. But maybe he'll want to invest in a tailor as he goes on the campaign trail. 

For comparison, Ben Bernanke scored an A- from WWD.

DON'T MISS: Gap Is Cool For The First Time Since Bill Clinton Was President >

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BILL GATES PRESENTS: 7 Toilets That Could Change The World

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bill gates toilet

Sanitation is a serious issue in many countries.

The number one killer of children in the world is disease caused by contact with feces.

Toilets, or lack of toilets, are a big part of the problem. Many third-world countries don't have them and current models are not efficient.

Bill Gates wants to fix that. He called for a Reinvent The Toilet challenge and several universities submitted designs.

CalTech took home first prize with its solar-powered toilet that generates both electricity and hydrogen. England's Loughborough University received second with a toilet that turns human waste into biological charcoal, minerals, and even clean water.

Here were the best proposed pots.

CalTech took home first prize at the August 14th Reinvent The Toilet Seattle fair.



Here's CalTech's grand prize winning toilet. It's a solar-powered toilet that generates hydrogen and electricity.



In case you were wondering where you sit, look up there. The real magic is below the toilet.



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The Cheesecake Factory Has Begun Its Big Expansion In The Middle East

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cheesecake factory

The first Cheesecake Factory is opening in Dubai and there are 21 more locations planned.

Why would a chain like the Cheesecake Factory, with all its decadent fare, choose to head to the Middle East?

Well, founder and CEO David Overton thinks that the Middle East is the perfect place for his restaurants to prosper.

In fact, he says that it's easier to expand in the Middle East than places like Asia, Mexico and Canada.

Fast Company's Erin Schulte spoke with Overton about what he's doing in the Middle East. Here's what he had to say:

"I think the Middle East, when you really look at it, is easier than going to Asia or Mexico or Canada, all of which we are looking at, too. Everyone is on an even playing field because everything is brought in — about the only thing they really have there are dates. Whether you’re an American or European concept, you’re flying it in and paying the same money. That is an advantage.

When you go over there, you see how beautiful the malls are. And almost all life revolves around malls. It’s too hot, so people spend a lot of time in malls — they have a coffee, they shop, they watch their kid go bowling, go to a movie, come back and have dinner, and have another coffee later. They’re there until 11 at night. It’s almost all their social life. We thought that was great."

NOW SEE: RANKED: The Most Popular Fast Food Restaurants In America >

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HOUSE OF THE DAY: A Crazy Boulder City Home With A Water Slide And Lazy River Is A Steal At $3 Million

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Boulder City $3 million estate with lazy river and water slide

A beautiful home with insane entertainment amenities in Boulder City, Co., is on sale for a bargain $3 million. The bank-owned home is such a steal because it's in foreclosure.

The six-bedroom home spans nearly 9,300 square feet and has five full baths and two half baths.

Outside, the house has a water slide, a lazy river and a 20-foot diving pool. There are also two putting greens and two tennis courts on the property.

Welcome to Stone Canyon.



The garage can hold five cars.



The kitchen features criss-crossing wood beams on the ceiling.



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Gap Employee Discovers Hidden Camera In Unisex Dressing Room

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Gap store

A Gap employee found a hidden camera inside a unisex dressing room and now police are looking for the culprit. 

The employee found the hidden camera last Saturday, CBS Los Angeles reported

Sheriff’s deputies have the camera at a crime lab to see if it contains any images, Amormino said.

“Investigators are unsure if a customer or an employee may have hid the camera in the unisex dressing room, (Police Chief) Jim Amormino said.

Surveillance camera footage for the mall and the store were being checked for clues, he said. Many dressing rooms are equipped with security cameras that could reveal who brought the device in. 

Gap released a statement saying that the camera was an "isolated incident."

Read the CBS story here. 

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Supermodel Heidi Klum On How Kids Actually Care About Fashion

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Heidi Klum

Project Runway's supermodel host Heidi Klum has launched an exclusive collection for Babies "R" Us called Truly Scrumptious, which will be available on September 15th.

It includes children's clothes, toys, strollers and furniture.

But do kids actually care about what they're wearing? After all, they're just carefree children, right?

Elizabeth Holmes at the Wall Street Journal spoke with Klum. Here's what she had to say on the topic:

"It depends on what you, as a mom, put your children in or what they are exposed to. If they don’t have a lot, then they just won’t know. But I feel like if it is affordable and you can show them what is out in the world, why not? My kids have always been exposed to fashion in the world. They see things and they’re like, “Oh my gosh, I want that.”

It’s the same with food. They love eating yellowtail jalapeño and some other children they will only eat noodles without sauce. We don’t have noodles without sauce. There’s either a Bolognese on there or a tomato sauce. Some kids, I see it when they come to our house, they will only eat certain things and that’s it.  It’s the same with clothes."

NOW SEE: What You're Supposed To Buy Your Kids For Back-To-School >

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Gap CEO Glenn Murphy Explains How The Company Became Relevant Again (GPS)

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model white shirt

The Gap just reported awesome earnings, with profits up 29 percent in the second quarter. 

And CEO Glenn Murphy just said how the company, which includes Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta in addition to its namesake stores, became relevant again. 

It's (mostly) all in the marketing, Murphy said in a conference call to investors. 

"The success had to do with great product and how store associates were marketing product in stores, because of marketing investments we were creating demand for our products on the very first day. We are still committed to making thoughtful investments in marketing to drive our holiday campaign. We're marketing online, in social media, in stores. We have people testing new ideas in stores." 

The apparel retailer hired industry big wig Seth Farbman to oversee its marketing last year. 

Murphy also said what's next for Gap: 

"Obviously, when you perform and deliver a 40 percent increase in EPS, people are energized. I have to make sure everyone stays focused on what goes us here. We're going to keep studying what got us here and what's next." 

DON'T MISS: The Brilliant Tactic Walmart Uses To Fend Off Competition From Dollar Stores >

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12 Stellar Homes You Can Buy For $150,000 Or Less

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zillow

As the housing market recovers, today's home buyers are facing rising home values along with a major lack of inventory, according to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors®.

Today's median asking price in the U.S. is $181,500, but where consumers are left wanting is homes that fall even further below that price point.  

With help from real estate tracker Zillow.com, we've rounded up a list of great homes that are currently listed for less than $150,000––with mortgages under $550/month*. They're enough to make any cash-strapped renter second-guess their digs.

*Mortgage rates were estimated based on a 30-year fixed rate and 20 percent downpayment.

$149,900: Greenfield, Mass.

Est. mortgage: $544
Beds: 3
Baths: 1
Sq. ft.: 1,084
Lot: 0.20 acres
Year built: 1900 

This turn-of-the-century Victorian Farmhouse has all of its original charm, though "every owner has put their stamp on it," according to its listing. For the price, you get a formal dining room, living room, and a private backyard.



$150,000: Rowlett, Tx.

Est. mortgage: $544
Beds: 3
Baths: 2
Sq. ft.: 1,540
Lot: 0.17 acres
Year built: 1983

Swimming pools may not be the quickest way to get your house sold these days, but that's excellent news for buyers. It means you can get this three-bedroom Texan home with an in-ground pool (and diving board) at a below-average asking price. 



$145,000: Big Bear City, Calif.

Est. mortgage: $526
Beds: 2
Baths: 1
Sq. ft.: 780
Lot: 0.11 acres
Year built: 1956

Apart from locking in an awesome street address (912 Tinkerbell Ave.), families would love this quaint home's proximity to local schools.



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It's Shocking What It Costs To Be An American Consumer Today

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shocked-photo-booth-family-women-shock-surprise-scared

Anyone can "make it in America," but the question remains: at what cost? 

The median household income in the U.S. hovers right below $52,000, according to U.S. Census data

To find out just where that cash is going, we've trolled through the latest data in employment, transportation, and common consumer expenditures. 

HOUSING: $181,500 is the median asking price for homes today (about $827.22/month with a 30-year fixed rate loan at today's interest rates).

Source: The National Association of Realtors.



RENT: Between $865 and $1,008 per month. Rental rates continue to soar, with a 5.3 percent gain over 2011, according to Trulia.

Source: RealFacts via the L.A. Times/Trulia 



MARRIAGE: The average couple spends $27,000 to tie the knot, which includes $1,121 for the wedding gown alone.

Source: The Knot



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Australian Lawyer Says He Doesn't Remember Stealing $14,500 Worth Of Art

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thief in mask

A prestigious Australian lawyer who pleaded guilty to stealing high-end pieces of artwork from a restaurant in 2008 has to stay out of trouble for two years. But he won't be going to jail.

The reason? He claims he doesn't remember the crime.

Michael Sullivan's lawyers argued the attorney suffers from dissociative amnesia, a disease that carries long-term memory loss in regards to traumatic events, The Wall Street Journal's Law Blog reported Thursday.

Judge Jennifer English accepted Sullivan's explanation, claiming he "had previously lived an exemplary life," ABC News reported Thursday.

English didn't record a conviction for Sullivan but placed him on a two-year good behavior bond.

The case started in December 2008 when security cameras caught Sullivan stealing two pieces of art from an art gallery that also served as a restaurant, The Sydney Morning Herald reported in May.

The art was worth $14,500.

DON'T MISS: New Jersey Lawyer Allegedly Told Her Attorney Ex-Boyfriend To Buy Her Jewelry Or She'd Tell His Wife >

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Sarkozy's Half Brother Who Dates Mary-Kate Olsen Paid $6.25 Million For This Gorgeous Historic Townhouse

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Sarkozy apt

Olivier Sarkozy, a managing director at the Carlyle Group who dates actress Mary-Kate Olsen, bought a 146-year-old East Village townhouse, Page Six revealed.

According to the report, the 42-year-old private equity exec, who is also the younger half-brother of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, paid $6.25 million for the historic townhouse on East 10th Street. 

While Page Six doesn't reveal the exact address, Crain's reported back in June that an unidentified buyer bought the 4,200 square-foot 123 East 10th Street residence for $6.25 million.

The townhouse has a twin at 125 East 10th.  

We were able to find photos from the listing broker Rubicon Property, which says the townhouse has been sold on its website.  

It's definitely a dream home for the city and now we're going to take a photo tour of Sarkozy's new digs. 

Here's the gorgeous facade of the five story townhouse. The home also features a cast iron 'Juliet' balcony and there's a garden in the back.



The home was designed by architect James Renwick Jr. of St. Patrick's Cathedral and Smithsonian fame.

Source: Page Six



It's located in the middle of the St. Mark's Historic District.



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The 5 Most Expensive Luxury Hotels In Moscow

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Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow

There are opulent 5-star luxury hotels all over the world with over-the-top amenities, like world-class spas, indoor pools, butler service and plush furniture.

But you'll pay the most to stay in a 5-star hotel in Moscow.

Moscow was recently ranked the city with the most expensive hotel rooms in the world by Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) a travel services provider that ranks the most expensive cities by average hotel room rate each year. This year, HRG found that the Russian capital had the highest average room rates out of 50 cities around the world—a spot that it's held for eight years running—with an average room rate of £258.11 ($404) per night.

We decided to take a look at some of the most expensive hotels in Moscow.

The Ritz-Carlton Moscow

Average room rate: $720

Location: Tverskaya Street 3, near the Kremlin and Red Square

Notable feature: The hotel has the largest guest rooms in the city at 452 square feet, furnished with quality woods, marbles and luxurious fabrics.




Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow

Average room rate: $705

Location: 4 Neglinnaya St., near the Bolshoi Theatre, Kremlin and Red Square

Notable feature: The hotel is home to the Quantum Spa and Health Club, one of the best spas in the city, with a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, Roman bath, gym, juice bar and treatment rooms for massages.

 



Moscow Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel

Average room rate: $700

Location: Petrovka St-Bld 1, near the Bolshoi Theatre, Kremlin and Red Square

Notable feature: Personalized butler service in the guest rooms.



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Former JCPenney CEO Allen Questrom Is 'Shocked' By What Ron Johnson Is Doing (JCP)

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former jcpenney ceo allen questrom

Former JCPenney CEO Allen Questrom went on CNBC's Fast Money Halftime Report today to talk about the retail world, and he had some strong words to say about what Ron Johnson is doing at JCPenney.

Questrom is a retail legend, with an illustrious career that included jobs at the helms of JCPenney, Nieman Marcus and Barneys.

He criticized Johnson's decision to kill discounts at the retailer:

"His first part of the strategy, which is the elimination of the discounts and the coupons, has clearly been a failure. I've never seen a strategy of some company this size drop that much in the two quarters that he's had. And I guess it's a pretty good indication that it may be something he believes in, but I believe the customer does not believe in it."

He also explained that the effects of promotions and sales are different for a retailer like Walmart, since people are going there for things that they really need.

What Questrom is particularly surprised about is the way Johnson is going about the redesign of JCPenney's stores. Again, he voices his concern about what the customers really want:

"Now as far as the second part of the strategy, which is the redo of the stores, I can't tell. But one thing I will say is I'm shocked that they're going forward with this without even testing one or two stores to see how the customers like it. I've always believed that I try to do things based on customers telling me they like something ... We've all renovated stores over the years, and we always learn a lot from each time we do one, but to do all of them at one time without testing the first one, you have to question what kind of a strategy that is."

NOW SEE: Huge Photos Of JCPenney's Brand New Concept Shops >

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This Restaurant Will Give You A 5% Discount To Leave Your Phone At The Door

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eva

Eva Restaurant of Los Angeles, CA offers diners a 5% discount to leave their phones with the receptionist, reports CNN.

The restaurant is run by a husband and wife, and they want to recreate the feeling of a family restaurant.

Chef Mark Gold estimates that 40-50% of customers have participated in the discount.

"They actually get really enthusiastic about it," he says. "I think people generally like the idea of being able to turn off their cell phones. They just haven't been given the opportunity to or thought about it."

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These Are The World's Most Popular Theme Parks

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disneyland

Four decades after opening—and transforming Orlando—the Magic Kingdom is still the No. 1 most popular theme park, working its pixie-dust charm on more than 17 million annual visitors.

Yet Mickey Mouse has some recent competition: the rising star of the theme-park industry is an English boy with round spectacles and a scar on his forehead.

See which parks made the list >

The $265 million Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opened in the summer of 2010, single-handedly carried Islands of Adventure into the world's top 10 most-visited theme parks, delivering a 29 percent jump in attendance. “That's just huge growth when you're talking about the top of the rankings,” says Robert Niles, editor of Theme Park Insider.

The takeaway? If you build it, they will come—especially if you spend a boatload of money and create an experience that's, to use the industry's favorite buzzword, immersive. The latest and greatest new theme-park attractions are designed to pull us right into the story, whether we're engaging in an epic robot battle, soaking up the retro cars culture along Route 66, or downing pints of butterbeer with Hogwarts students.

One big, exciting new attraction can get folks through the turnstiles, says Niles. “And if you look at the really huge news happening this year—it's Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, Transformers at Universal Studios Hollywood, the new Manta roller coaster at SeaWorld San Diego,” he says. “I think 2012 will be southern California's year.”

But if you're looking for even bigger growth, look even farther afield to Asia, which passed the 100-million-visitor milestone for the first time in 2011. Hong Kong's Ocean Park, No. 11, got a boost from a new rainforest adventure and aquarium-themed zone, while Nagashima Spa Land challenges visitors to brave the world's longest roller coaster, Steel Dragon 2000. With a number of major new parks planned for the world's most populous continent, Asia's slice of the theme park pie should only get bigger.

Even some traditional theme parks are getting spruced up: for its 60th anniversary in 2012, the De Efteling park south of Amsterdam has unveiled Aquanura, a fountains-and-light extravaganza.

Get the scoop on which other attractions and events are drawing crowds to the world’s most-visited theme parks, based on Themed Entertainment Association's latest attendance report (2011).

See which parks made the list >

More from Travel + Leisure:

Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, FL

Annual Visitors: 17,142,000

In 2011, more than 17 million people visited the world's favorite theme park, eager for photos by iconic Cinderella's castle and a turn on rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain. “It is what people think about when they think of Disney World,” explains Deb Wills, founder of AllEars.Net. A Disney character parade cuts through the park and heads down Main Street, USA, every afternoon, and a fireworks spectacular lights up the sky many nights. The makeover of Fantasyland is the big news for 2012.

disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/ 



Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CA

Annual Visitors: 16,140,000

Disney's original theme park, opened in 1955, comes in a close second to its significantly larger counterpart in Orlando. Disneyland can boast about some of Walt's best original rides as well as the newly revamped Disney California Adventure next door—all the more reason to book an Anaheim vacation.

disneyland.disney.go.com



Tokyo Disneyland

Annual Visitors: 13,996,000

Though closed for a full month in 2011 following the tsunami, the 126-acre Japanese Disneyland still managed to pull in 14 million visitors. “It was a little bit surprising how strong this park did in the face of literal disaster,” says Robert Niles of Theme Park Insider. But maybe locals needed that Disney magic more than ever.

tokyodisneyresort.co.jp



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HOUSE OF THE DAY: After 7 Years On The Market, This Townhouse On Riverview Terrace Finally Sold For $10 Million

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riverview terrace townhouse sells

The townhouse at 3 Riverview Terrace, on 58th Street in Manhattan, has finally sold after seven years on the market, according to The Real Deal.

The nearly 4,300-square-foot house sold for $10 million.

Brown Harris Stevens originally had listed the home in December 2005, with an asking price of $12.995 million.

The home has four bedrooms, four bathrooms and one half bath. The home's luxury amenities include a four-person elevator, private gardens and a roof deck.

The home is on a cobblestoned street in the tiny enclave of Sutton Square at East 58th Street.



The home has beautiful arched doorways and crown moldings.



The house has three gas fireplaces.



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HOUSE OF THE DAY: A Chic Five-Acre Connecticut Compound Is On Sale For $7.995 Million

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New Canaan, CT $7.995 million

A modern Connecticut Colonial that sits on five acres of land is on sale for $7.995 million.

The house spans nearly 12,000 square feet, has six bedrooms, nine full bathrooms and two half baths.

The home spans three levels and has an elevator. Outside, there's a custom pool house that looks like nothing we've seen before.

Welcome to White Fall Lane.



The property has beautiful water vistas.



The outside of the home looks very traditional.



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These Maps Show How Walmart Took Over America

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These amazing time-lapse maps by Flowing Data show how Walmart took over the USA in 40 years. 

Sam Walton opened his first two stores in Arkansas by 1965: 

walmart map

 Ten years later, the retailer had expanded to 104 stores in Middle America:

walmart ap

 By the eighties, Walmart had expanded north and east with 741 stores: 

walmart

 And by the 90's almost everywhere had one with more than 2000 locations: 

walmart map

 By 2006, domination was complete, with 3045 locations. 

walmart map

Here's the video version:  

Rapid Growth of Walmart from Nathan Yau on Vimeo.

DON'T MISS: The Brilliant Tactic Walmart Uses To Fend Off Competition From Dollar Stores >
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Darren Criss And Deborah Cox Serenade Fab.com's CEO At His Wedding

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Jason Goldberg and Christian Schoenherr

Fab.com CEO Jason Goldberg married his longtime boyfriend, Christian Schoenherr, Saturday at Craft, a restaurant in New York City.

As we noted when we reported on Goldberg and Schoenherr's visit to City Hall last month to pick up their marriage license, it's been a busy summer for Goldberg, who just raised $105 million for his website, which sells designer wares at a discount.

Glee star Darren Criss and R&B singer Deborah Cox performed at the wedding.

"Deborah and Darren have been avid supporters and promoters of gay rights and marriage equality," Goldberg told Business Insider via Facebook. "Darren in particular has been a huge supporter of the Trevor Project. Chris and I we're thrilled to have them perform on our special night."

(The Trevor Project is a nonprofit effort to prevent suicide among gay and lesbian youth. In 2010, Criss performed at a benefit for the project with singer Katy Perry.)

"It was great," a wedding guest told us. "Just like Jason: Efficient, fun, high quality."

Guests included tech figures like Shervin Pishevar, whose firm, Menlo Ventures, invested in Fab.com; and coworkers, including Fab.com CTO Nishith Shah and Bradford Shellhammer, the firm's chief creative officer.

Goldberg and Schoenherr asked guests to make donations to support efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in four states where, unlike New York, it is not yet legal. The couple made a $100,000 donation to back referendums in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington state.

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K-Pop Is The World's Hottest Music Trend, But Its Stars Make Almost No Money At Home

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korean pop psy gangnam

Korean musicians must export or starve

PSY (pictured, also known as Park Jae-sang) is having the time of his life. On August 12th at a stadium in Seoul, the rap star's concert felt like the only party in town. He entertained 30,000 fans for almost four hours. And this veteran of the South Korean charts has suddenly become popular in the West, since the video for his song "Gangnam Style", in which he rides an imaginary horse around a posh part of Seoul, went viral on YouTube. The track even hit number one on the iTunes dance chart in Finland.

Korean pop (known as K-pop to fans) is turning into an export success. Groups such as Super Junior and 2NE1 now sell millions of CDs and concert tickets in other parts of Asia. As K-pop zooms up the foreign charts, share prices of leading labels, such as SM Entertainment, have soared too.

But the outlook at home is less rosy. With the world's fastest broadband connections, Koreans have embraced downloading. This in itself is not a problem, but the way they do it is.

In other countries, many music-lovers still pay for downloads, through the likes of Apple's iTunes shop. Fans typically shell out at least 99 cents per track (and more in countries such as Japan and Britain). Of this, 70% goes to music labels and artists.

In South Korea, the market works differently. Subscription-based services, which allow the listener to rent music, are extremely popular. For a period of one month fans of rock and pop music pay a fee of around 9,000 won ($8) for 150 tracks. Such services have helped to drive overall music sales to 430 billion won in 2011.

Alas for labels and artists, however, their payout is miserly. Under subscription deals, they collect as little as 30 won per track. This must then be split between performers, writers and the label itself. SM Entertainment's boss complains that even 1m downloads cannot cover the cost of making a music video.

The fear of illegal downloading keeps the average price per track of digital music low. That the subscription-service operators are a powerful oligopoly further reduces the labels' bargaining power. Thus, SM Entertainment took in a trifling 1.9 billion won in domestic digital sales in the first quarter of 2012. By contrast, the firm sold CDs worth 3 billion won, despite the physical format's supposed demise.

SM Entertainment and other purveyors of K-pop cover this shortfall at home by having their stars hawk the latest phone, or appear on television variety shows. The biggest labels have become adept at squeezing cash out of their pop stars' names, rather than their music. But only a handful of musicians are famous enough to benefit.

South Korea's old business model, perfected by its carmakers, was to use a captive home market as a launch-pad from which to invade foreign shores. The country's pop musicians have turned this model upside down: they have to export their tunes to make up for meagre pickings at home.

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