Eric Nam set to drop new EP

K-pop singer Eric Nam is ready to release an EP, according to his management agency CJ E&M on Tuesday. The singer-songwriter participated in writing all the songs and lyrics for the EP. Furthermore, he personally recruited all the staff working on the album. The music video for the title track was shot in Mexico in early March. Eric Nam (CJ E&M)In an interview with a local fashion magazine, Nam had hinted that the new EP would be “completely different” from his previous works. It will be his fir

PerformanceMarch 27, 2018

[Video] Finding love at ‘Cafe Amor’

On weekends, cafes are often frequented by young men and women on blind dates. With a cup of tea or coffee in front of them, they wonder if the person sitting across the table might be that perfect match.A special cafe that caters to such customers is now open in Seoul; special, not for its menu, but for its guests -- only people who have reserved a blind date can visit the cafe. . TvN’s new variety show “Cafe Amor” is to feature a special cafe for blind dates. The cast -- actress Yoo In-na, sin

TelevisionMarch 27, 2018

North Koreans may perform at DMZ music fest in June

A North Korean art troupe might take part in an upcoming music festival to be held in Seoul and near the Demilitarized Zone in Gangwon Province. The organizers of the DMZ Peace Train Music Festival said Tuesday they are considering officially inviting North Korean musicians to the event at the end of April. “While nothing has been set yet, we are planning to send an invitation to the North after the South-North summit, scheduled for the end of April,” said Gangwon Province Gov. Choi Moon-soon at

PerformanceMarch 27, 2018

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha releases 33rd album ‘Beau Soir’

At 70, when most people have retired, iconic Korean violinist Chung Kyung-wha still has energy to move ahead with her musical life.Chung released her 33rd album “Beau Soir” on Friday, timed to coincide with the violinist’s 70th birthday. The Warner Classics album features French Romantic and impressionist compositions by Franck, Faure and Debussy. The release date also marked the 100th anniversary of Debussy’s death.  Violinist Chung Kyung-wha, born on March 26 in 1948, receives her birthday cak

PerformanceMarch 27, 2018

Jung Yong-hwa readies Japanese release

CNBLUE’s Jung Yong-hwa, who is currently serving in the Army, will release a new Japanese song in May, according to the artist’s agency FNC Entertainment on Tuesday.The CNBLUE frontman’s new Japanese song, “Letter,” will be released in Japan on May 21, and will be the first part of his “Feel the Five Y” project, through which he plans to release five Japanese singles. “Letter” will be followed by “Brothers,” “Melody, “Jellyfish” and “The Moment,” all of which will be released during his time in

PerformanceMarch 27, 2018

BTS' 'Boy in Luv' video surpasses 200m YouTube views

The official music video for "Boy in Luv" from BTS exceeded 200 million views on YouTube on Tuesday, becoming the eighth video by the K-pop sensation to pass the threshold, the group's agency said.The video of the title track off BTS' second EP "Skool Luv Affair" topped 200 million at around 8:35 a.m., according to Big Hit Entertainment.The 2014 song blends a strong hip-hop drum beat with a powerful rock sound with its lyrics depicting a teenage boy confessing his love for a beautiful girl.Inclu

PerformanceMarch 27, 2018

Red Velvet to perform ‘Red Flavor,’ ‘Bad Boy’ in Pyongyang

K-pop girl group Red Velvet has confirmed the set list for its performance in Pyongyang slated for next week as part of a South Korean art troupe. Organizers said Monday that “Red Flavor” and “Bad Boy” have been selected to be performed in Pyongyang from among a list of songs submitted by Red Velvet. Red Velvet is the only K-pop idol group to be included in the group of performers slated to put on shows in North Korea on April 1 and 3. Other musicians include Korean pop legend Cho Yong-pil, who

PerformanceMarch 26, 2018

[Video] Celebrity trio’s food truck challenge in Thailand

Spicy, aromatic and rich in taste and texture, phad tai and tom yang goong are definitely one of the most ubiquitous Thai dishes served in Thai restaurants in Korea. While many of them are said to be cooked up in the most authentic way, tvN’s new variety show “Will This Do Well Locally?” asks, “Will Thai food cooked by Koreans capture hearts of Thai people?”  From left, Lee Min-woo, Hong Suk-chun and Yeo Jin-gu pose during a press conference for tvN’s new variety show “Will This Do Well Locally?

TelevisionMarch 26, 2018

Korea National Opera’s new artistic director Yun Ho-gen pledges more Korean operas

Fans of opera can expect to see more Korean singers performing local productions.Artistic Director of the Korea National Opera Yun Ho-gen pledged to introduce more Korean productions and original Korean operas during a press conference held in Seoul to promote the company’s upcoming “Manon.” Yun was appointed to the post on Feb. 9.Yun, who started at the Stadttheater Gieseen in 1999, previously worked at the Kammeroper Frankfurt as well. He assisted conductor Daniel Barenboim at the Berlin State

PerformanceMarch 26, 2018

Minwoo of K-pop act 100% dies

Seo Min-woo of 100% died of a heart attack Sunday at the age of 33. The boy band’s agency TOP Media announced the death of group leader Seo Min-woo, better known as just Minwoo, through its official website.  Minwoo (TOP Media)“He was found at his home in Gangnam, Seoul. Paramedics rushed to the scene, who pronounced him dead,” the announcement read. Seo debuted as an actor in 2006 through TV drama series “Sharp 3.” He switched to pop music in 2012, as the leader of 100%. The group was to hold c

PerformanceMarch 26, 2018

Gang Dong-won’s first Hollywood film to start shooting in April

Gang Dong-won may be looking to expand his fan base to the US, as “Tsunami LA,” the Korean actor’s first Hollywood film, will start filming next month.The film is a disaster movie in which Gang appears as a man who struggles to cope as the most powerful tsunami in history hits Los Angeles. All of Gang’s lines will be in English, and the film will be shot in Mexico and Europe. Gang Dong-won (YG Entertainment)“I have great expectations for this project and the character I’m playing, and I’m honore

FilmMarch 26, 2018

Monsta X completes coming-of-age story with ‘The Connect’

Each of them has a different story and world view, but the members of Monsta X said they are all connected after all.  The seven-piece boy band returned with its sixth EP “The Connect” on Monday, bringing to an end its coming-of-age story that began unfolding in its previous album “The Code” from last November.After hopping about different years as time travelers in “The Code,” the members stand side-by-side as a full-group in its new album, delivering the message, “We are one after all.”  "Seve

PerformanceMarch 26, 2018

[Video] Backstage of the 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week

The six-day 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week came to a close Saturday, but not without leaving a lasting imprint of the vibrant fashion scene that is to unfold in Korea this coming season.If the head-turning runway shows were the flame, the magic that took place backstage was what stoked the fire of the fashion week. (Shot and edited by Lim Jeong-yeo)Makeup artists expertly maneuvered their brushes and powdered models to prepare them for the runways. Amorepacific’s cosmetics brand HERA w

Arts & DesignMarch 26, 2018

JYP’s Stray Kids debuts with ‘District 9’

After taking over the global charts with its pre-debut release, Stray Kids, a new boy band under JYP Entertainment, finally made what could be the most intriguing K-pop debut of the year. The nine-member group was formed through an Mnet competition show of the same name that aired last year. Equipped with talents not only for vocals but also song writing and producing, Stray Kids had garnered attention even before its debut as it was JYP’s first boy band in four years. And rather than gradually

PerformanceMarch 25, 2018

Seoul Fashion Week for insiders and outsiders

Wrapping up its five-day exploration of styles and trends, the 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week ended its run Saturday. The country’s largest fashion event took place from Tuesday to Saturday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, where 39 local designers showed off their collections to buyers, the press and the invited public. This year, the organizers invited more than 180 foreign buyers from high-end department stores, boutiques and online shopping websites.There was as much action outside the D

Arts & DesignMarch 25, 2018

Rapper Yook Ji-dam clarifies rumors

Female rapper Yook Ji-dam on Sunday posted a lengthy piece of writing on her social media account, containing information regarding the issues she had with her agency CJ E&M, as well as her past relationship with Wanna One’s Kang Daniel. Rapper Yook Ji-dam (Herald DB)Answering to a private comment to the blog post, Yook said that her relationship with Wanna One’s Kang Daniel lasted only about a month, ending just before Kang started filming the second season of “Produce 101.” I ended the relatio

PerformanceMarch 25, 2018

“Girogi” exhibition questions status of art galleries

As visitors approach the exhibition space of “Girogi,” they can hear the fluttering wings of birds. However, as soon as they enter, they encounter a nearly empty space, where there is nothing but different types of birds embossed on the walls. Visitors are left puzzled, trying to figure out what the exhibition is about. Artist Kim Min-ae’s exhibition “Girogi” -- translates to “wild goose” in English -- which kicked off at Atelier Hermes on March 15, sets out to play and explore the exhibition sp

Arts & DesignMarch 25, 2018

Twice to release album on April 9

K-pop group Twice will return with the new EP “What is Love” on April 9, its agency JYP Entertainment said Sunday. The group’s fifth EP will be fronted by the lead track “What is Love.” The nine-member act will promote the new EP from March 26 until the day of its release, according the agency’s official website Sunday.  A promotional image for Twice’s upcoming EP “What is Love” (JYP Entertainment)Twice is also scheduled to stage a series of concerts titled “TWICELAND ZONE 2: Fantasy Park” at Ja

PerformanceMarch 25, 2018

Day 5 of Seoul Fashion Week

Dongdaemun Design Plaza bustled with "fashion people" Saturday, as they took in the last bit of  the 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week. Local fashion brands staged shows, bidding to return for the next season.Kwon Munsoo (Seoul Collection) (Seoul Design Foundation)The runway was graced by “playboys.” Based on the idea that modern people are secretly jealous of the playboys they criticize so much, the designer sought to redefine them as modern style icons, making garments that are suitable

Life&CultureMarch 24, 2018

Day 4 of Seoul Fashion Week

With a full load of sunshine, Friday’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza was filled with crowds visiting for the fourth day of the 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week. Local fashion brands continued to stage inspiring shows. Following are the three highlights of the day. Nohant (Seoul Collection) (Seoul Design Foundation)Nohant’s runway mimicked a city street under construction. The brand’s collection for upcoming fall and winter seasons was labeled as “Dosi,” meaning city in Korean. The wallpaper of

Arts & DesignMarch 24, 2018