JYP’s 1st Chinese boy band to debut in September

In an effort to expand its clout in the Chinese market, JYP Entertainment is gearing up to launch its first Chinese boy band in the country.The agency announced on Monday that Boy Story, a new Chinese idol group jointly formed by JYP China, a subsidiary of the K-pop agency, and Chinese streaming giant Tencent Music Entertainment, is eyeing an official debut in September. The six-member group consists entirely of teenagers, 11 to 14 years old, and it will focus solely on promotion activities in C

PerformanceJune 4, 2018

SHINee to release part 2 of 6th album

SHINee is set to release the second part of its upcoming full-length album on June 11. According to S.M. Entertainment Monday, SHINee will drop “The Story of Light EP. 2” next Monday as part of the group’s sixth studio album.  (S.M. Entertainment)SHINee’s sixth album will consist of three separate EPs with five tracks each, said the group’s agency. SHINee released “The Story of Light EP. 1” on May 28, with “Good Evening” as its lead track. The lead track of the upcoming EP will be “I Want You,”

PerformanceJune 4, 2018

BTS releases remix of 'Spring Day' to kick off celebration marking 5th year since debut

K-pop superstars BTS kicked off an annual celebration Monday to mark the fifth anniversary of the septet's debut by releasing a remix of its 2017 song "Spring Day.""The Brit Rock" remix was released on the online audio distribution platform SoundCloud on Monday on the first leg of the 2018 BTS Festa, celebrated on major BTS social media accounts and video- and audio-sharing websites.The boy band hosts the fan event online every June in celebration of the anniversary of their official debut on Ju

PerformanceJune 4, 2018

BTS slips to No. 6 on Billboard chart

World-renowned K-pop group BTS fell five notches on a main Billboard chart after clinching the No. 1 spot last week.The band's third album, "Love Yourself: Tear," ranked sixth on the Billboard 200, according to a preview published on the online edition of the US Billboard magazine Sunday (US time).Last week BTS became the first Koreans to top any Billboard chart. BTS (YouTube)The same week the seven-member band also ranked 10th on the Hot 100 singles chart with its latest song "Fake Love."Billbo

PerformanceJune 4, 2018

Wanna One continues at full throttle

Already half way through its short lifespan, with a disbandment planned at the end of the year, boy band Wanna One is working at full throttle.The act’s special album “1÷x=1 (Undivided),” due out on Monday, is a follow-up of its previous “0+1=1 (I Promise You)” EP released in March. The new EP is led by “Light,” an up-tempo garage dance track that throws a message of hope and love. “‘Light’ delivers a sexy image that all of us (members) wanted to try. We’ve put a lot of effort into our choreogra

PerformanceJune 3, 2018

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha expresses confidence with choice of violin

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha was all confidence, as bright and warm as the early summer afternoon when she met with a small group of reporters Wednesday at an old fashioned cafe near her home in Gugi-dong, Seoul, at the foot of Bukhansan National Park.“Come and see how I perform if you are curious,” said Chung a few days ahead of her recital Sunday, dispelling concerns about the less than stellar reviews of her performances over the past few years.　The iconic violinist’s confidence is evident in he

PerformanceJune 3, 2018

BTS world tour sold out

BTS has sold out its upcoming “Love Yourself” world tour scheduled across 10 cities throughout Europe and North America.According to Big Hit Entertainment, all of the 180,000 tickets for North America and 100,000 tickets for Europe have been sold. BTS (Big Hit Entertainment)Starting with concerts on Aug. 25 and 26 in Seoul, BTS will embark on its world tour of 21 concerts, holding 14 in North America and seven in Europe.The destinations include Los Angeles, Oakland, Fort Worth, Newark, and Chica

PerformanceJune 3, 2018

BTS sells out North American, European dates on world tour

Tickets for the North American and European dates of K-pop sensation BTS' upcoming world tour have sold out, the group's agency said Sunday.Big Hit Entertainment said 280,000 tickets for 21 shows in 10 venues during the "Love Yourself" tour sold out during the sales window from May 5 to June 1.BTS will perform in Los Angeles, Oakland, Fort Worth, Newark and Chicago in the United States and Hamilton in Canada. In Europe, the seven-member group will stop in London, Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris. (BT

PerformanceJune 3, 2018

Actor Jung Hae-in to hold first fan meeting in July

Rising actor Jung Hae-in will hold his first fan meeting in Seoul in July.Jung’s agency FNC Entertainment recently said that the event titled “Smile” will taks place at the Grand Peace Palace of Kyung Hee University at 5 p.m. on July 28. Jung Hae-in (FNC Entertainment)　After his first fan meeting in Korea, Jung will bring the event to Taipei, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Manila. Jung made his debut with a TV series “Bride of the Century” in 2014. He has featured in various dramas and films, including

TelevisionJune 3, 2018

Animal rights activists call for cancellation of ‘Food Diary’

Local animal rights groups issued Friday a joint statement that called for the cancellation of the new variety show “Food Dairy,” saying that the tvN show’s take on chicken breeding distorts the reality of factory farming. In the first episode that aired Wednesday, cast members were given the task of hatching eggs. The bred chickens would later be used to make dakbokkeumtang, a spicy braised chicken dish.  Stillcut from "Food Diary" (tvN)According to the production staff, the program aims to sho

TelevisionJune 1, 2018

[Weekender] Kolon camping park proves popular with outdoor purists

When you have never pitched a tent or roughed it for a night, glamping -- a combination of glamor and camping -- might seem like the only way to give it a shot. But it does not always have to be a “glamorous” version of camping with resort-like services for beginners to best enjoy pristine natural surroundings, argues Hwang Woo-jong, general manager of Kolon Sport Camping Park.Kolon Sport Camping Park is located in Goesan County, North Chungcheong Province. Photo: Kolon Sport“The first thing kid

TravelJune 1, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Bushcraft, the real charm of outdoor camping’

The camping season is here and many are packing their bags with tents and fancy gear to enjoy outdoor barbecues. But Han Ho-jun, a 45-year veteran of camping, says the true charm of the outdoor life lies in bush craft.“You can truly feel the freedom of thriving in the wild, and obtain a sense of accomplishment by building your own shelter and tools with the materials you find in nature,” Han, 45, told The Korea Herald.  (Han Ho-jun)Bush craft is a term referring to wilderness survival skills, an

TravelJune 1, 2018

Growing up with BTS

What else is there to say about BTS’ global fame? International media have been rushing to cover the K-pop act’s coming-of-age saga and President Moon Jae-in sent a personal congratulatory message to the band on the septet becoming the first K-pop act ever to top the Billboard 200 chart with its “Love Yourself: Tear” album. Only a few days later, the group’s single “Fake Love” hit the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10. BTS debuted in 2013 as a hip-hop heavy-act with “2 Cool 4 Skool” EP under Big Hit En

PerformanceJune 1, 2018

Black Pink to ‘Square Up’ with new EP

Black Pink is set to release a new EP titled “Square Up” on June 15, ending the band’s yearlong hiatus.According to YG Entertainment, “Square Up” will be the third part of Black Pink’s “Square” series, following the singles “Square One” and “Square Two.” While the previous works were a single or a double-single, “Square Up” will be the band’s first EP, consisting of multiple tracks.  Black Pink (YG Entertainment)The release has been highly awaited, as agency’s head Yang Hyun-suk previously revel

PerformanceJune 1, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Taste of Singapore at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s all-day-dining buffet restaurant Cafe 395, will introduce Singaporean cuisine from June 12-19. The restaurant has invited two guest chefs from Singapore, including Chef Bryce Li from M Social Hotel. He and his assistant chef will introduce a “kopitiam” style Singapore food to the buffet, presenting foods of various cultures and styles. The hotel hopes the promotion will serve as a chance to show why Singapore is known as the

FoodJune 1, 2018

[Home Cooking] Jeonbokjuk (abalone porridge)

Porridge made with abalone (jeonbokjuk) is one of the most iconic dishes of Jeju island. It’s deliciously briny, with a distinct greenish hue and chunky abalone pieces.The Jeju-style jeonbokjuk is made simply with rice and abalone. It captures all the flavor the abalone has to give by also using the internal organs (viscera), hence the greenish hue. The dark green sac of guts may not look all that appetizing, but it really enriches the porridge. The color of the porridge depends on the number an

FoodJune 1, 2018

NU’EST W confirms June return

NU’EST W is preparing a new album for release this month, its agency said Friday.According to Pledis Entertainment, the K-pop act is currently putting the finishing touches on the album and has decided on its lead track. It marks the first record for the boy band -- a subunit of NU’EST -- since its first EP “W,Here” in October last year.The group had a tumultuous 2017, with dramatic ups and downs. After years of obscurity since its 2012 debut, it sent one of its members, Minhyun, to the audition

PerformanceJune 1, 2018

Ultra Korea finalizes lineup for this year

Ultra Korea has announced the final lineup for this year’s festival, slated to take place on June 8-10 at southern Seoul.A total of 103 acts will be performing at this year’s festival to be held at Jamsil Olympic Complex in Seoul, as 81 teams of various genres from EDM to hip-hop, K-pop were added to the list earlier in the week.  A photo from Ultra Korea 2017 (Ultra Korea)Among the new names are some of the most well-known Korean musicians, including CL, Dok2, Drunken Tiger, Yoon Mi-rae and Biz

PerformanceJune 1, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Seoul Grand Park Rose FestivalThe Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival is being held at Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park from May 26 to June 10. The festival’s programs include the Rose Beauty Class, Rose & Love concert, Rose Magic Show, Rose Photo Exhibition and carpentry activities. The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays, and on Memorial Day.Admission to the theme garden costs 2,000 won for adults, 1,500 won for teenagers and 1,000

TravelJune 1, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Believer (Korea)Opened May 22Crime, ActionDirected by Lee Hae-youngInvestigator Won-ho (Cho Jin-woong) seeks to take down a massive Seoul-based drug cartel, run by the mysterious Mr. Lee, whose real name, gender and age remain hidden. In the process, he gets help from a low-level cartel member Young-rak (Ryu Jun-yeol), whose loyalty seems to waver.Deadpool 2(US)Opened May 16Action, Adventure, ComedyDirected by David Leitch After suffering the loss of his girlfriend, foul-mouthed mutant mercenary

FilmJune 1, 2018