Who are the K-pop stars taking Suneung this year?

Among the more than 520,000 people sitting for Suneung, the national college entrance exam, on Thursday will be a number of well-known K-pop idols born in 2006. That list includes Park Jihoo of Evnne, Eunseop of Lun8, Kim Dogyun of 82Major and Seungmo and Mackiah of Ampers&One. Park Jihoo, for instance, debuted in September last year and is currently enrolled at Hanlim Arts School, a prestigious arts high school in Seoul with many singers and actors among its alum. Mackiah, who holds Austral

Nov. 12, 2024

Deaf K-pop trio Big Ocean reach out to global fans with first EP 'Follow'

Big Ocean, the world’s first K-pop idol group composed of members with hearing disabilities, launched international promotions for its first mini album. The group -- consisting Chanyeon, Hyunjin and Jiseok -- released the mini album "Follow" on Tuesday, inviting listeners to join them on a journey to find happiness. The new album includes the title track “Flow” along with previously released digital singles “Glow,” “Blow” and “Slow.&rdquo

Nov. 12, 2024

An invitation to Jinchan, a royal banquet of the Joseon era

Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater, located in central Seoul, will host a specially curated performance on Friday, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This event offers audiences a glimpse into the grandeur of Jinchan, or the royal banquets of the Joseon era (1392–1910). These feasts, held to commemorate special occasions for the king, queen and other members of the royal family, were lavish affairs featuring music, dance and exquisite cuisine. For the first time, the venue is presenting a

Nov. 12, 2024

Babymonster enters Billboard 200 just 8 months after debut

Rising K-pop girl group Babymonster has made an impressive debut on the US Billboard's main albums chart, establishing its popularity on the global stage with its first full-length album. The septet's album, "Drip," debuted at No. 149 on the Billboard 200, according to Billboard on social media platform X on Monday. The Billboard 200 is widely regarded as a key indicator of an artist's popularity in the US music market, particularly reflecting the size and impact of thei

Nov. 12, 2024

Rose tops Billboard's global charts for 3rd consecutive week with 'APT.'

BLACKPINK's Rose has claimed US Billboard's global charts for the third consecutive week with "APT.," her collaborative single with American pop star Bruno Mars. Billboard said on social media platform X on Monday that the song maintained the top position on both the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. US, following its debut atop the two weekly charts. "APT.," which dropped on Oct. 18, is a prerelease from Rose's highly anticipated first solo f

Nov. 12, 2024

[History through films] ‘The Spy Gone North’: Real-life espionage story rises above cliches

When it comes to spy flicks, one might think of cat-and-mouse pursuits, action scenes and shootouts. But director Yoon Jong-bin, using very little action, sidesteps the spy formula in his 2018 “The Spy Gone North,” a movie that revolves around a loyal South Korean spy who is caught in a political vortex. “I made it (without a lot of action) because the film is based on a true story,” director Yoon Jong-bin told reporters when the movie came out in 2018. “As a filmma

Nov. 11, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Zerobaseone to release 1st EP in Japan

Zerobaseone will put out its first EP in Japan on Jan. 29, 2025, agency WakeOne Entertainment announced Monday. The mini album “Prezent” will comprise six songs, including Japanese versions of “Feel The Pop” and “Good So Bad.” One of the new tracks “Only One Story” was unveiled in advance as an opener for the television animation show “Pokemon” last month. The upcoming EP comes about 10 months after its first Japanese physical single, &

Nov. 11, 2024

Blackpink’s Lisa nabs 2 trophies at 2024 MTV EMA

Blackpink’s Lisa took home two trophies at Europe’s biggest music awards ceremony, the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards, held Sunday at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. The Thai K-pop singer won Biggest Fans and Best Collaboration for “New Woman,” her work with the Spanish pop star Rosalia. Jimin of BTS nabbed Best K-pop, an award previously won by his group member Jungkook in 2023 and by BTS in 2021. Jimin’s second solo album “Muse” and its main track &

Nov. 11, 2024

[From the Scene] Step inside the world of 'Squid Game 2'

The countdown to "Squid Game 2" has begun as the global hit series is set to return this December. Last December, the press was given a tour of the "Squid Game 2" filming location for an exclusive sneak peek at the new season. Located in Daejeon Expo Science Park, the filming studio for "Squid Game 2" offered reporters a view of the show's iconic "maze corridors" and the massive dormitory for the fictional game’s participants. For the upcoming s

Nov. 11, 2024

Chinese violinist Luo Chaowen wins Isangyun Competition

Chinese violinist Luo Chaowen won first prize at this year's Isangyun Competition on Saturday, performing Brahms' Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, led by conductor Christoph Poppen. Luo was followed by South Korean violinist Park Eun-joong. Park also took home the UNESCO Creative City of Music Special Prize decided by audience votes. Tongyeong was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Music in 2015. The third prize went to South Korean violinist

Nov. 10, 2024

[Herald Review] ‘Hear Me: Our Summer’: the power of speaking through the eyes

Watching “Hear Me: Our Summer,” Hong Kyung and Roh Yoon-seo’s latest romance that opened in theaters Wednesday, one may have noticed how the movie lacks three elements typical of romance movies: a villain who sabotages the main characters, a protagonist’s dramatic, near-death experience and, most surprisingly, the pouring out of emotion in heartfelt spoken lines. In director Jo Sun-ho’s coming-of-age romance flick, “Hear Me: Our Summer,” most of the thre

Nov. 10, 2024

BTS’ Jin to spread happiness with 1st solo album ‘Happy’

Jin of BTS unveiled a poster for “Running Wild,” the main track on his upcoming first solo album, “Happy.” The artist shared the vintage-style poster, featuring himself and a dog running down a wide road towards a city skyline, on BTS’ official social media on Sunday. “Running Wild” is a pop-rock number with new wave sounds. Jin aims to spread happiness through this song with a warm melody that sings about running passionately toward hope. Gary Barlow fr

Nov. 10, 2024

[What to Watch] Three classic Korean fall films you should watch this month

As the leaves start to turn red and yellow and a chill hits the air, it is about time to curl up with a cozy blanket, a warm beverage and a classic novel, or better yet, a classic autumn film. While early fall may have been more focused on spooky movies, November is the perfect time to enjoy iconic films featuring first loves, farewells and fateful desires. The Korea Herald has picked three must-watch, classic fall films for you to try this month. “Il Mare” (2000) Directed by Le

Nov. 9, 2024

K-pop group Seventeen honored by Los Angeles for contribution to music

K-pop boy group Seventeen has been honored with a certificate of appreciation from Los Angeles for its contributions to music and youth empowerment within the American city, the group's agency said Saturday. Pledis Entertainment said Joshua, the LA-born member of the 13-piece group, was invited by the LA City Council to receive the certificate on the group's behalf Friday. Joshua was born and raised in LA before moving to South Korea after high school to pursue a career in music. The g

Nov. 9, 2024

Ive, David Guetta release ‘Supernova Love’ in first collaboration project

K-pop girl group Ive and renowned DJ-producer David Guetta released their new single, “Supernova Love,” on Friday, marking the debut of “The Collab X,” a collaboration project by KDM Records. The project aims to launch a series of global K-pop collaborations, starting with “Supernova Love.” The single blends the infectious energy of K-pop with Guetta’s signature electronic sound, kicking off the project’s mission to bring unique partnerships betwee

Nov. 8, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] NewJeans surpasses 200m Spotify streams with ‘Cool With You’

NewJeans added “Cool With You” to the list of their songs played over 200 million times on Spotify, agency Ador said Friday. The single reached the milestone on Wednesday, according to the platform’s data, and became NewJeans' tenth song to do so. “Cool With You” is one of the three focus tracks from the group's second EP “Get Up” -- along with “Super Shy” and “ETA” -- that came out in July last year. All three songs ent

Nov. 8, 2024

Dua Lipa pop-up store to open in Seoul

Global pop star Dua Lipa is launching special merchandise pop-up stores for fans as part of promotions for her ongoing world tour "Radical Optimism" -- including one in Seoul. The pop-up store will offer exclusive tour merchandise that won't be available at the concert venues, and American Express cardholders will receive exclusive entry and perks. Additionally, limited-edition Puma Speedcat shoes will be available for purchase at the stores in Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo. The Seo

Nov. 8, 2024

NewJeans to appear on biggest year-end festival in Japan

NewJeans will be the first K-pop girl group to perform at one of Japan’s largest year-end festivals, "Countdown Japan 24/25," the group's agency announced Thursday. Countdown Japan 24/25 will take place from Dec. 28-31 at Makuhari Messe in Tokyo, and NewJeans will perform on the final day, adorning the last day of 2024. Countdown Japan is Japan's largest indoor year-end festival, established in 2003, featuring Japan’s top artists every year. Following their appear

Nov. 8, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Venom: The Last Dance” (US) Opened Oct. 23 Action/Sci-fi Directed by Kelly Marcel Former journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and his gooey, alien symbiote Venom, conclude their journey as Venom tries to stop the creator of the symbiotes Knull (Andy Serkis) from escaping his celestial prison. “Amazon Bullseye” (South Korea) Opened Oct. 30 Drama/Adventure Directed by Kim Chang-joo Former archer Jin-bong (Ryoo Seung-ryong) crash-lands in Boledor where he meets members of

Nov. 8, 2024

Police clear Jessi of charges in fan assault case

Singer-rapper Jessi has been cleared of charges in a case involving the assault of a fan by someone accompanying her, Seoul police said Thursday. The Gangnam Police Station in southern Seoul said it decided not to send Jessi's case to the prosecution, concluding that it is difficult to acknowledge the charges of concealing and aiding the escape of a criminal against her. The incident occurred on the night of Sept. 29 in southern Seoul, where an 18-year-old fan approached Jessi for a photo

Nov. 7, 2024