[Herald Review] Korean and Welsh dance companies share creativity in 'Wales Connection'

The striking costumes of the three dancers immediately captured the audience's attention. From hats to sunglasses, and even socks, everything appeared to be mismatched, yet the patterns were vibrant and eye-catching. In “Catachory,” the dancers existed in their own bubbles, at times making rhythmic leaps while sitting or lying down, wriggling like caterpillars, at other times appearing like broken mannequins. The scene is from "Wales Connection," a collaborative projec

Nov. 27, 2023

YG’s new girl group Babymonster debuts with single 'Batter Up'

YG Entertainment’s new girl group Babymonster debuted on Monday with the release of its digital single “Batter Up.” “We are happy to welcome this day that we’ve dreamed of for a long time. We will do our best to show our unique musical colors. We are also preparing diverse content and events for our fans who have waited for our debut, so please look forward to them,” Babymonster said in a press release. The group's debut digital single topped iTunes&rsquo

Nov. 27, 2023

'Batter Up': YG rookie Babymonster to debut as six-piece

YG Entertainment's new girl group Babymonster takes to the plate on Nov. 27 with its debut song "Batter Up." The music video teaser was unveiled on Friday, giving the first sneak peek into what sounds like a powerful hip-hop anthem. "Attention!" bellowed out the six girls at the start of the half-minute clip. Lights flash above the members' faces in turn, as siren sounds rang in the backdrop over minimal repetitive beats. The video closes with the group singing, &qu

Nov. 26, 2023

‘The Nutcracker’ to bring year-end magic to stage

The iconic ballet “The Nutcracker” is set to make a festive return for year-end magic on the stage, as major ballet companies gear up for the holiday season. The classic Christmas spectacle wraps up the year with a colorful stage, glittering costumes and familiar melodies from Tchaikovsky’s score. Based on children’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” (1816) by German writer Ernst Hofmann, the heroine (Marie or Clara in different renditions) receives a

Nov. 26, 2023

‘Smugglers’ wins best picture at 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards

Director Ryoo Seung-wan’s blockbuster “Smugglers” on Friday won best picture at the 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards, a prestigious film awards show in South Korea. The 130-minute crime action film tells the story of a group of “haenyeo”-- female divers from Jeju Island -- who become involved in illegal smuggling to make ends meet. “Smugglers” secured an additional three trophies, including best supporting actor for Zo In-sung, best new actress for Go Min-

Nov. 26, 2023

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Five Nights at Freddy'” (US) Opened Nov. 15 Horror/Mystery Directed by Emma Tammi Mike starts working as a security guard at Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria. Spending his first night shift on the job, he soon notices that his work at Freddy's won't be so easy to endure. “The Boy and the Heron” (Japan) Opened Oct. 25 Animation Directed by Hayao Miyazaki Twelve-year-old Mahito finds a new home following the death of his mom. But after encountering a talking

Nov. 25, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ V logs 200m Spotify streams with ‘Slow Dancing’

V of BTS hit a milestone 200 million streams on Spotify with “Slow Dancing,” according to Big Hit Music on Friday. The lead single from his first solo album “Layover” became V's fourth solo song to reach the landmark number, following “Love Me Again” from the same album, as well as TV drama theme songs “Sweet Night” and “Christmas Tree.” All six tracks from the solo album made Spotify’s global weekly chart in the first week, a fi

Nov. 24, 2023

[Herald Interview] Cha Seung-won feels less stressed about juggling different roles

The 2018 crime action film “Believer” gave Cha Seung-won a new image as the merciless villain Brian Lee recognized by his white suit and signature bob-cut hairstyle. Cha reprises the role as the director of an industrial company that secretly operates an illegal drug testing lab in the second installment of the franchise, “Believer 2,” which was released on Netflix on Nov. 15. “Believer 2” was ranked No. 1 on Netflix’s global top 10 non-English film sect

Nov. 24, 2023

Kim Hye-soo to step down as host of Blue Dragon Film Awards after 30 years

Actor Kim Hye-soo will wrap up 30 years of hosting one of South Korea's most prestigious film awards on Friday. Kim will host the Blue Dragon Film Awards ceremony, the 44th edition, for the last time at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul. Fellow actor Yoo Yeon-seok will co-host the ceremony. Kim first took on the role as emcee in 1993 after rising to stardom through her debut film “Ggambo” (1986). She has since hosted the ceremony every year, except for in 1998. During her decadeslong

Nov. 24, 2023

Fifty Fifty enters Billboard's year-end Hot 100 as 1st K-pop girl group

Fifty Fifty made it onto Billboard's year-end list of most popular songs as the first K-pop girl group in history. The US music publication recently unveiled its 2023 year-end charts, which showed Fifty Fifty's "Cupid" at No. 44 on the annual Hot 100 songs chart. This marked the first time that any K-pop girl group's song has made it onto Billboard's year-end main singles chart. The year-end Hot 100 chart is a rundown of the year's biggest hits in the US compil

Nov. 24, 2023

Christmas comes early with aespa's 'Jingle Bell Rock'

Aespa is spreading the Christmas cheer early with its new song "Jingle Bell Rock." The band's agency, SM Entertainment, on Friday announced that the quartet will drop its reinterpretation of the popular Christmas carol at 2 p.m. later that day. Aespa's version of "Jingle Bell Rock" will offer new delights, the agency said, with the four members' voices interlaced over the minimal track peppered with powerful 808 bass and catchy instrumental sounds, The new song

Nov. 24, 2023

[Herald Interview] ‘Digital paradigm shift to VR will happen 2026’

It was in 2019 that LA-based tech firm AmazeVR, a comprehensive virtual reality entertainment startup, pivoted its main business to virtual concerts. In just three years, it became the frontrunner in the field and officially launched its service in South Korea this year. Last month, AmazeVR released its first virtual concert here, featuring K-pop girl group aespa. Produced jointly with the quartet's label, SM Entertainment, the show was available offline at the Megabox Coex cinema in southe

Nov. 24, 2023

[Herald Interview] Former Treasure member Bang Ye-dam debuts solo

Bang Ye-dam embarked on a new journey as a K-pop solo artist Thursday with his first solo mini album, “Only One.” “I’ve always wanted to take part in bringing up my album by composing and writing lyrics to the songs. I wanted to express what I hope to share with the public through my own songs. For that, I am at my happiest moment debuting as a solo artist,” said Bang Ye-dam in an interview with The Korea Herald. Bang Ye-dam made his first appearance on television i

Nov. 23, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink receives MBE honors from King Charles

Blackpink was awarded an MBE by the UK's King Charles in recognition for the girl group's support for raising awareness for climate change. The four bandmates accepted their medals for the honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday in London, while President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee were present. Rose’s title came without the honorary classification, as she holds dual citizenship in New Zealand, which is part of the Commonwealth.

Nov. 23, 2023

Dreamcatcher returns as 'villains' with special power

K-pop girl group Dreamcatcher returned as villains for their ninth EP, “VillainS,” which dropped on Wednesday. “We opened a new universe with this album, in which we’ve become villains that move our way forward to accomplish a goal and face many temptations along the way,” explained Jiu, the leader of Dreamcatcher during a press conference in Seoul. The new album carries six tracks led by title track “OOTD” which is of the punk rock genre. “The acr

Nov. 23, 2023

Pianist Kim Jun-hyung named Kumho Art Hall's artist-in-residence for 2024

Pianist Kim Jun-hyung, the second prize winner of the 2022 ARD International Music Competition’s piano category, is Kumho Art Hall’s artist-in-residence for the next year, according to the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation Wednesday. Born in 1997, Kim took his first piano lesson at age 10 and made his debut as Kumho Prodigy Concert Series in 2012. He is currently pursing a master's degree in New Music at The University of Music and Performing Arts Munich where he studies with Ant

Nov. 23, 2023

Story of first female leader of traveling entertainers reimagined

Meet Baudeogi, who was born to a poor peasant in Anseong in 1848 and joined the Namsadang, a traveling entertainment troupe, at age 5. Anseong was one of the largest marketplaces during the Joseon era. Raised by a troupe of male acrobats, she mastered the art of singing, dancing and jultagi, or a traditional Korean performance of tightrope-walking. Before long she made a name for herself, captivating audience hearts with her looks and unparalleled talent and earning a reputation that echoed thro

Nov. 23, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook continues to set records on Billboard charts

Jungkook of BTS extended his own record on the latest Billboard charts. His first solo album, “Golden,” ranked No. 6 on the Billboard 200, down four rungs, while lead single “Standing Next To You” stayed on Hot 100 at No. 50 after hitting it at No. 5. Three more songs from the album – “Too Much (feat. The Kid Laroi, Central Cee)” “3D (feat. Jack Harlow)” and “Seven (feat. Latto)” – also stayed on the main singles chart rank

Nov. 22, 2023

G-Dragon to take legal action against malicious commenters

K-pop artist G-Dragon, who had been booked without detention for breaching the Narcotics Control Act after his name came up during a recent drug bust in Gangnam, Seoul, is taking legal action against internet users who have left malicious comments. “We are taking legal action against the creators of malicious posts about Kwon Ji-yong (G-Dragon’s real name), including defamation, sexual harassment and dissemination of false information,” announced the artist’s legal repres

Nov. 22, 2023

Will Blackpink renew contract as group?

Blackpink, one of K-pop's top groups, attended Tuesday a banquet at Buckingham Palace in honor of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to the UK. The appearance of all Blackpink members -- Jisoo, Rose, Jennie and Lisa -- raised the possibility that the members might renew their contract with their label, YG Entertainment. The quartet’s exclusive contract with YG expired in August but it still remains unclear whether or not the group will renew their contract with the agency. Ea

Nov. 22, 2023