US pop star Ariana Grande to perform in Korea in August

American pop star Ariana Grande will hold a concert in Seoul in August, the show’s promoter Hyundai Card said Tuesday.The artist’s first concert in Korea will take place at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, on Aug. 15, which marks Korea’s Liberation Day. The upcoming concert is a part of Hyundai Card’s annual cultural project that invites iconic and innovative artists around the world to Korea. A poster for US pop star Ariana Grande’s upcoming concert in Seoul (Hyundai Card)“Grande is a remark

PerformanceJune 20, 2017

(Photo) VIXX shines on cover of Nylon

Boy band VIXX showed off on July cover of the Korean version of fashion magazine Nylon. The cover, bearing the words “Youth VIXX,” has both a close-up and long shot of the five bandmates. In an interview with the photo shoot, VIXX talked about various episodes related to its recent EP “Shangri-La/Paradise on Earth,” according to agency Jellyfish Entertainment. (Jellyfish Entertainment) (Jellyfish Entertainment)Marking five years since the group’s debut, VIXX entertained fans with various activit

Arts & DesignJune 20, 2017

Black Pink unveils teaser video for new song

Black Pink on Tuesday revealed a short clip of its music video for “As If It’s Your Last,” with members Lisa, Rose, Jennie and Jisoo making an appearance.The group‘s agency YG Entertainment uploaded the teaser video to its blog (www.yg-life.com), before the song’s official release on Thursday.Lisa kicks off the 19-second video, which offers a peek at the main riff and its concept.  An image from Black Pink’s teaser video (YG Entertainment)The music video was directed by Seo Hyeon-seung, who work

PerformanceJune 20, 2017

(Photo) Jung Yong-hwa talks about being CNBLUE’s leader

CNBLUE‘s leader and vocalist Jung Yong-hwa shot photos for the cover of men’s fashion magazine Arena Homme Plus, July edition.The shot, taking place in Hawaii, went for a relaxed vacation look while showing off a “healthy look,” according to his agency FNC Entertainment.In the interview that followed, Jung talked about his struggles about being the leader of his band, currently in its eight year. He also vowed to carry out various activities in the second half of this year.Jung is slated to rele

Arts & DesignJune 20, 2017

Musicals that focus on identity fill summer musical calendar

Popular musicals are returning this year, treating fans to locally produced shows ranging from a home-borne story of Korea to a legend about a supposed female super-spy.“Mata Hari” is already being staged at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Continuing on until Aug. 6, the production is based on the true story of the Dutch dancer who was accused of being a double agent and a spy during the World War II and was executed.  A promotional image for “Mata Hari” shows Ock Ju-hyun

CultureJune 20, 2017

Seo Tai-ji to perform past hit songs ‘just as they were’

A blast from the past awaits those attending the upcoming 25th anniversary concert of Seo Tai-ji, as the Korean pop culture icon is planning to sing his earliest songs exactly as they were performed in the 1990s.According to his agency SeoTaiji Company, the legendary singer will perform the songs from all four albums of his previous group Seo Taiji and the Boys without any changes to the original version. The boy band had experimented with various genres and is considered the first Korean group

PerformanceJune 20, 2017

World’s biggest pop-up film festival finds way to Seoul

The world’s largest global pop-up film festival is returning to Korea this summer, blending performances, art and international films to create an immersive cinematic experience. Taking place simultaneously in 150 cities and 60 countries across the globe, the Future Shorts Film Festival has one key aim -- to expose its half-a-million and growing audience to experiences that take them outside of their daily lives and allow them to explore new worlds.  A Future Shorts Film Festival screening takes

FilmJune 20, 2017

Nine Muses revamps as quartet with sassy ‘Remember’

Rather than cooling off the heat, the four members of Nine Muses are set heat up the summer with the group’s new single “Remember.”The members, in their mid- and late- 20s, delved into the confused feelings of the youth with their new EP “Muses Diary Part2: Identity” that was released Monday, but with a firm dedication to show more the mature sides of themselves.The four members of Nine Muses perform “Remember,” the lead track of the group’s new EP “Muses Diary Part2: Identity” at a press showca

PerformanceJune 19, 2017

[Next Wave] Hip-hop duo XXX’s music is instinctive, like animals

Asked what position he would like his team XXX to occupy in the Korean hip-hop scene, rapper Kim Ximya was quiet but confident in his response.　“Tupac,” he answered, referring to the iconic American rapper, as he sat down for an interview with The Korea Herald on Thursday at the group’s studio in Seogyo-dong, Seoul. “By that I mean that I hope people, whether they know a lot about music or not, wouldn’t dare judge our music easily.” 　Music duo XXX, which consists of rapper Kim Ximya, 23, and com

PerformanceJune 19, 2017

Jeju most searched tourist destination in May: data

The southern resort island of Jeju was the most searched tourist destination by South Koreans in May amid unseasonably hot weather, industry data showed Monday. According to world's leading hotel price comparison site HotelsCombined, the most frequently searched region via its Korean website in May was Jeju Island with 14.6 percent, followed by Seoul with 9.3 percent. Tourists walk on a beach on the southern resort island of Jeju on May 7, 2017, the final day of a "golden holiday week" in South

TravelJune 19, 2017

CNBLUE’s Jung Yong-hwa to drop solo album next month

Jung Yong-hwa, vocalist and leader of the band CNBLUE, will release a new album as a solo artist next month. Confirming earlier reports, Jung’s agency FNC Entertainment said that the artist is preparing the album that is targeted for release in July. In 2015, the singer made his solo debut with the album “One Fine Day,” showcasing his skills as a singer-songwriter.  Jung Yong-hwa (FNC Entertainment)Jung told local media that he wrote the songs for the new album “in a fresh way,” hinting that he

PerformanceJune 19, 2017

Girls’ Generation preparing for 10th anniversary project

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Girls’ Generation, and the K-pop group has several treats in store for fans. According to agency S.M. Entertainment, the group is planning the release of a commemorative album and a fan meeting in August. It will mark the first album by the now-eight member group since its fifth Korean studio album “Lion Heart” in 2015. Jessica left the band shortly after the release.Girls’ Generation released its first single “Into the New World” on Aug. 3, 2007 and made

PerformanceJune 19, 2017

Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo deny dating, again

Reports claiming that Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo are dating have once again surfaced, saying the two went on a trip to Bali, Indonesia, together.Both denied the reports through their respective management agencies Monday.　“Song Joong-ki went to Bali with friends before embarking on promotions for his upcoming film ‘Battleship Island,’” the actor’s agency Blossom Entertainment said.　“While it is true that Song Hye-kyo went to Bali, she went to attend a meeting for a different project. We have

TelevisionJune 19, 2017

‘Okja’ ranks second in ticket reservations despite multiplexes’ boycott

Eleven days before its release, Bong Joon-ho’s upcoming film “Okja” is ranking second in ticket reservations, despite major cinema chains refusing to show the film.　As of Monday, “Okja” accounted for 12 percent of ticket reservations -- 9,257 tickets -- according to the Korean Film Council’s statistics. 　The number is significant considering that “Okja” will not be screened at CGV, Lotte Cinema or Megabox, Korea’s largest multiplex cinema chains.　The three companies announced their barring of th

FilmJune 19, 2017

(Photo) Twice wraps up encore Seoul concert

Twice performed for a total of 12,000 Korean fans at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul, at its encore concerts for February tour “Twice Land - The Opening.”On Saturday and Sunday, the group held the concerts that was a follow-up to its first concert in February and a tour across Thailand and Singapore. During the concert, Twice performed songs including “TT,” “Knock Knock” and its biggest hit “Cheer Up,” along with songs from its recent EP, including “Signal” and “Eye Eye Eyes.”The group is on

PerformanceJune 19, 2017

Black Pink reveals teaser with new song title

Last year’s rookie sensation Black Pink is gearing up for another run, releasing a teaser image with the title of its next song on Monday.Its agency YG Entertainment posted the image featuring all four members along with the song’s title “As If It’s Your Last.” Before Monday‘s release of the group‘s teaser image, it had unveiled individual teaser images of Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa. Teaser image for Black Pink’s “As If It’s Your Last.” (YG Entertainment)According to the agency, the new track

PerformanceJune 19, 2017

Gaon chart confirms G-Dragon’s USB release not an album; YG says ‘regrettable’

Local Gaon music chart on Monday confirmed its position that G-Dragon’s latest EP available in a USB drive form cannot be regarded as an album, as it does not fall under the conventional definition of the concept. Gaon Chart, which tallies online and offline sales of music released locally, said that it will not include offline sales of the K-pop artist’s “Kwon Ji Yong” in album sales, since the EP does not have the music on a physical platform. G-Dragon (YG Entertainment)The recently released E

PerformanceJune 19, 2017

Season 2 of ‘Produce 101’ ends with 11 winners

Season two of “Produce 101,” Mnet’s male idol audition show, came to an end with 11 winners in its final episode. Contestants of the second season of “Produce 101” perform onstage in the show’s final episode Friday. (Mnet)Friday’s episode showed the top 11 contestants who were chosen by a popular vote that took place during the final live broadcast. A total of 101 trainees from 54 entertainment companies had participated in the show that started April 7. Contestant Kang Daniel from the entertain

TelevisionJune 18, 2017

Music-themed film festival to kick off in Hongdae

A festival showcasing music-themed movies and documentary films will be held at Hongdae, a popular youth district in Seoul, for 10 days from June 30. The “2017 Film Live: Legendary” will be held at KT&G Sangsang Madang under the theme of “legendary,” referring to films about legendary artists ranging from Bob Dylan to the Beatles and Metallica. “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week -- The Touring Years”The first part of the event will introduce new music-related films of various genres. Opening the fe

FilmJune 18, 2017

Is USB release an album or not?

While G-Dragon’s latest eponymous solo EP has made headlines for its unique USB flash drive format, it has also stirred up a heated debate over whether or not it can be officially recognized as an album. G-Dragon’s solo EP “Kwon Ji Yong” that takes form of a USB flash drive. (Yonhap)The dispute arose after the Korean Music Content Industry Association, the operator of Korea’s Gaon Chart, recently stated that Big Bang member’s USB format EP “Kwon Ji Yong” could not be seen as a true physical albu

PerformanceJune 18, 2017