5-piece band Sechs Kies to release album in September

Legendary K-pop act Sechs Kies is to release a new album in September, solidifying its status as a five-piece act. YG Entertainment’s head Yang Hyun-suk uploaded a photo of himself with Sechs Kies on his social media account Tuesday. He wrote the caption in English, which reads, “Today’s Agreement New Song Release This September.” Yang also hinted that the new songs will be “epic” in Korean.  Sechs Kies (YG Entertainment)Called “the first-generation idol group” here, the band regrouped in 2016 a

PerformanceJune 13, 2018

Kim Ki-duk fires back at accusers

Despite the multiple testimonies of alleged sexual misconduct against him, filmmaker Kim Ki-duk remains adamant he is innocent, and has even gone on to bash his accusers as being ungrateful.“Making movies, I think I have respected actors and staff in my own way. Some parts may have been disappointing, but it is sad that (the accusers) are repaying my kindness in a hurtful way,” Kim said in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.The disgraced director has filed false accusation a

FilmJune 13, 2018

Korean movies may be headed for one of worst slumps since ‘90s

Between upcoming Hollywood blockbusters and a lack of home-grown megahits, Korean movies look set for one of the worst years in the box office here since the 1990s, when imported films dominated the industry.As of Wednesday, half of the top 10 films in the box office were made outside of Korea. This may not sound bad, considering that the number of foreign films in the top 10 were four in 2014 and 2015, two in 2016 and three in 2017, but the ticket sales by foreign films currently dominate that

FilmJune 13, 2018

[Album review] SHINee has its own genre

SHINee“The Story of Light EP.2” IRIVERJudging by its new album, SHINee is still SHINee even after 10 years. It could be the vocals or the band’s effusive use of synths -- it’s ineffable -- but there always has been this unique color of SHINee scattered throughout its albums.And “The Story of Light EP.2” -- its first album as a quartet following the death of member Jonghyun last year -- is no exception: experimental, vibrant and SHINee-like. The album begins with “I Want You,” a tropical house le

PerformanceJune 13, 2018

Black Pink to return to stage Saturday

K-pop fans will get a first look at Black Pink performing onstage on Saturday, on SBS’ flagship music show. YG Entertainment announced Wednesday that the songs off its upcoming EP “Square Up” will be performed live for the first time on “Show! Music Core,” followed by a performance of its double lead tracks of “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” and “Forever Young” on Sunday. Teaser image for “Square Up.” (YG Entertainment)Earlier in the day, the agency released the teaser images of the new EP, which contains four

PerformanceJune 13, 2018

Yemeni asylum seekers get mixed welcome

Jeju Island has received more than 500 applications for refugee status from people fleeing the war in Yemen this year, most of them coming in April and May via the island’s visa exemption system. But the government’s welcome has been mixed.Faced with the sudden influx, the government has expedited permission for them to work. But at the same time, it has ended the visa-free access Yemeni nationals used to reach Jeju, making future applications more difficult.And official sources have provided al

Expat LivingJune 13, 2018

Art changes with time, so does our perception of art

The Seoul Museum of Art on Tuesday kicked off an exhibition that traces its 30-year history, not just by highlighting the museum’s collection but also by reinventing its artworks. Titled “Digital Promenade,” the museum’s 30th-anniversary exhibition features 30 artworks produced between 1961 and 2017 by renowned artists here, as well as 10 commissioned tech-art productions of young local artists. Kwon Ha-youn‘s “When you get there,” installed at the SeMA exhibition “Digital Promenade”(SeMA)For th

Arts & DesignJune 12, 2018

Pen in Ten play festival promises quick fire surprises in Gwangju

If timing is all important in stage drama, there will be no margin for error in the Gwangju Performance Project’s next production.Twelve groups will storm through as many plays in two hours as they compete to win Pen in Ten.“We have a great variety of plays this time,” said Kelly Kim, one of the organizers of the competition. “There are comedies, dramas, even a musical. We hope to make our audience laugh, then cry, then sing.”But the GPP did not want to give more away, saying surprises were part

Expat LivingJune 12, 2018

‘Ant-Man’ cast says following ‘Infinity War’ like playing after the Beatles

With the Marvel Cinematic Universe having taken a grave turn in the events of its last film, fans of the franchise will be treated to a more lighthearted tone in the upcoming “Ant-Man and the Wasp.”Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily, who respectively play the title characters, said being the immediate follow-up to the $2 billion success of “Avengers: Infinity War” is intimidating, but also exciting.“It’s a bit like trying to follow the Beatles. We’re just happy to be at the show, doing our songs. We’

FilmJune 12, 2018

Korean rookie brand Blindness debuts on London runway

Designer brand Blindness showcased its collection at London Fashion Week Men’s Spring-Summer 2019, making its international debut. On Monday, Blindness presented its 2019 spring-summer collection titled “You are at once both the quiet and the confusion of my heart” at BFC Show Space in central London.  Blindness showcases its 2019 spring-summer collection at London Fashion Week Men’s. (Seoul Design Foundation) Blindness showcases its 2019 spring-summer collection at London Fashion Week Men’s. (S

Arts & DesignJune 12, 2018

#MeToo misfire threatens to take down superstar Suzy

An unfortunate case of good intentions gone wrong may end up putting Suzy in the defendant’s seat, as a photo studio is pursuing legal action against the Hallyu megastar for wrongfully accusing it of sexual abuse against a YouTube celebrity.According to Seoul Southern District Court on Monday, Once Picture Studio filed for a lawsuit seeking 100 million won ($93,040) in compensation for damages it suffered after it was falsely accused of sexually abusing YouTuber Yang Ye-won.  Suzy (JYP Entertain

PerformanceJune 12, 2018

Oh My Girl’s Japan debut to be in August

Oh My Girl Banhana is slated to hold a debut showcase and release its first record in Japan in August, the group’s agency confirmed.According to WM Entertainment, the subunit of the K-pop act Oh My Girl has signed a management deal with Sony Music for its Japanese promotional activities and will unveil its debut EP on Aug. 29, following a debut showcase a day earlier.Oh My Girl’s promotion of its subunit in Japan before debuting as a whole group in the country is unconventional compared to other

PerformanceJune 12, 2018

Taeyeon to return with new EP on June 18

Vocalist Taeyeon will release a new EP on June 18, its agency said.According to S.M. Entertainment, the artist’s upcoming EP “Something New” marks her first record since her winter special album “This Christmas – Winter Is Coming” in December last year.  A teaser image for Taeyeon‘s upcoming EP “Something New” (S.M. Entertainment)Also her third EP, “Something New” will include a total of six tracks that span various genres. Having debuted in 2007, the Girls Generation member kicked off her solo

PerformanceJune 12, 2018

10-year-old SHINee returns with 3-part LP, hopes to stay for another 10 years

One of the longest-running K-pop idol boy bands, SHINee, has returned with its sixth full-length album "The Story of Light," a set of three five-track records marking the now-quartet's 10th year since its debut.The second episode of the new album was unveiled at major online music stores Monday evening, including its title track "I Want You."The first episode, led by the lead track "Good Evening," was released on May 28, as SHINee strategized to increase the lure of the new album by dropping it

PerformanceJune 11, 2018

Day6 to release new EP on June 26

Band Day6 is set to release a new EP on June 26, its agency said.According to JYP Entertainment Monday, the act’s upcoming third EP “Shoot Me: Youth Part1” marks the band’s first release since its second full-length album “Moonrise” in December last year.  Day6 (JYP Entertainment)The five-piece act has released two full-length albums and 25 singles last year through its yearlong monthly release “Every Day6” project, for which the act released two songs every month with concerts before each relea

PerformanceJune 11, 2018

[Herald interview] Ice Cube talks about long-awaited ‘Everythang’s Corrupt’

Rap legend hopes Chris Tucker will return for “Last Friday” It’s been five years since the release of the single “Everythang’s Corrupt” off of what was supposed to be Ice Cube’s 10th studio album, but the rap legend has confirmed the long-awaited record will be released later this year.“(We’re) Trying to figure out the single (off of the album), and how we’re gonna release it. But it’s comin’. No more waitin’,” the rapper said, as he sat down with The Korea Herald prior to his performance at the

PerformanceJune 11, 2018

Pouring rain gives in to Saturday night fever of Ultra Korea

Music festival brings together 180,000 in Seoul for performances by 103 artists As RL Grime was firing up the crowd on Saturday evening, the raindrops begin to fall on the scantily-dressed fans at Ultra Korea 2018. By the time Steve Angello came on the stage, the unprepared festival-goers were drenched.The downpour, however, did not deter the parade of music enthusiasts that turned up at Jamsil Olympic Complex in Seoul from enjoying performances by EDM, dubstep, electronic rock and even gangster

PerformanceJune 11, 2018