Remaining BTS members to head to military

RM, Jimin, Jungkook and V of South Korean mega group BTS have started their military enlistment process, BTS' label, BigHit Music, announced Tuesday. According to the company, the group's remaining four musicians have undertaken procedures to fulfill their national service obligations, following the other three members, Jin, Suga and J-Hope, who are already serving their duties. Specific details on the enrollment are expected to be announced later. All men of South Korean nationality a

Nov. 22, 2023

Disney+ brings romance to year's end

Winter is here, and that means prime time for heartwarming love stories. While Disney+, the flagship streaming service of US media giant Walt Disney Co., caught many viewers’ eyes with exciting superhero action flick “Moving” and spy thriller “Vigilante,” the streamer is set to wrap up the year with two romantic love stories in “Tell Me That You Love Me” and “Soundtrack #2.” Adapted from a 1995 Japanese drama series of the same title, “

Nov. 22, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids makes Billboard’s Hot 100 for 1st time

Stray Kids entered Billboard’s Hot 100 with the main track from its eighth EP, announced label JYP Entertainment on Tuesday. “Lalalala” from EP “Rock-Star” ranked No. 90 on the main singles chart and made the band the second K-pop boy band to make the chart, only after BTS. It is the seventh K-pop group to chart on the Hot 100. The American publication also commented on the group’s first entry writing that “Stray Kids are officially Billboard Hot 100-ch

Nov. 21, 2023

Mnet’s ‘Street Dance Girls Fighter 2’ targets global audience with multinational teen dancers

Mnet returns Tuesday night with the second season of its dance competition show “Street Dance Girls Fighter,” which features teenage female dancers. Different from the first season of the show, the program included young dancers from abroad and dancers even younger, between the ages of 13 and 18. “We decided to include dancers from other countries because we thought that dancing is another way of communication in a situation where there are language barriers. Because K-pop is p

Nov. 21, 2023

Jungkook holds live stage event for fans

Jungkook of BTS held his first-ever fan-exclusive live stage event with around 2,800 fans in Seoul on Monday. The global pop star performed all of the tracks in his recently released solo album, “Golden,” at the event, “Jungkook ‘Golden’ Live On Stage.” The singer kicked off the show with “Standing Next to You,” the lead track of his album, and sidetrack “Yes or No.” “I’ve prepared this concert solely for Armys. I happily pr

Nov. 21, 2023

BTS’ V, actor Yoo Seung-ho to star in ‘Running Man’

Terrestrial broadcaster SBS on Monday confirmed that V of K-pop sensation BTS and actor Yoo Seung-ho will star in its hit variety show, “Running Man,” in an episode set to air on Dec. 3. V, who was a guest on episode 671 (Sept. 10) was praised by the hosts, production staff and viewers after showcasing his skills in the psychological battle round and his ability to lead the show in various missions. He was admired for his poker face and using his acting to gain an advantage in the ga

Nov. 21, 2023

[Herald Interview] VIXX highlights group’s continuity in 5th EP ‘Continuum’

K-pop boy group VIXX returned to the music scene on Tuesday with its fifth EP, “Continuum,” the group's first album release in four years. “We've longed for this comeback. In this album, we talk about one of our core values which is continuity. Our group hopes to continue presenting new albums for our fans,” Leo said during a group interview in Seoul. Over the past four years, all members of the group have been individually active in expanding their careers b

Nov. 21, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids tops Billboard 200

Stray Kids charted No. 1 on Billboard 200 with its eighth EP, according to the publication’s preview published on Sunday in the US. EP “Rock-Star” is the band’s fourth consecutive album to achieve the feat, following previous EPs, “Oddinary” and “Maxident,” as well as third studio album “Five-Star.” The eight-member act is the only K-pop band to top the main albums chart more than four times besides BTS that did so six times. The band

Nov. 20, 2023

Seoul Philharmonic's new music director van Zweden to focus on Mahler, collaborations

The full Mahler cycle, collaborations with diverse genres and arts groups as well as fostering talented new musicians -- especially conductors -- will take center stage at the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, which will kick off its first season with music director Jaap van Zweden. Beyond that, the new music director and the orchestra will strive to raise quality to the top level, which, according to van Zweden, is “the best promotion for an orchestra.” “The weeks that I was her

Nov. 20, 2023

NTCK to celebrate 100th Seoul performance of ‘The Orphan of Zhao’

The National Theater Company of Korea is set to captivate audiences once more with its signature production, "The Orphan of Zhao: Seeds of Revenge," returning with its sixth run at the Myeongdong Theater in central Seoul from Nov. 30 to Dec. 25. Premiered in 2015, “The Orphan of Zhao” is a reinterpretation of the Chinese "Zaju" drama script of the same title, written by the Yuan Dynasty playwright Ji Junxiang. Among the six Zaju plays he wrote, “The Orphan o

Nov. 20, 2023

K-pop artists take home 4 awards at BBMAs

Jungkook of BTS nabbed the award for top global K-pop song at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards with his single “Seven.” “It’s very hard to express my gratitude in words. Thank you ARMY and everyone who loves this song. Without you, I couldn’t have (received) this amazing award. While we were working on ‘Seven,’ I hoped everyone could enjoy this track, so the fact that I won this category means a lot to me. I’m so glad to share great music with eve

Nov. 20, 2023

[Herald Review] NCT 127 takes inspiration from ‘Matrix’ for 3rd tour

Thousands of NCT 127 fans gathered at the KSPO Dome in Seoul on Sunday for the third show of the group’s third tour, “Neo City - The Unity.” Most in attendance were Korean fans carrying banners with the name of their favorite member on them. As the house lights went down to signal the start of the show, the fans' lights illuminated the venue in neon hues. NCT 127 ascended to the stage decked out in all white. The band stood silently, taking in acclamations from the thousan

Nov. 20, 2023

Fifty Fifty's Keena marks group's 1st anniversary with apology

Downsized from a four-piece, Fifty Fifty's last remaining member Keena celebrated the group's first anniversary with an apology. Keena penned a hand-written letter to fans Saturday, a year on from the group's debut. "I'm cautious as to how to start this since I'm addressing my fans, Hunnies, for the first time in a while, but I'm plucking up my courage to speak on my honest thoughts," Keena began her letter. "First of all, I'm sorry to Hunnies wh

Nov. 19, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Aespa’s new album is 3rd million-seller

     The fourth EP from aespa sold more than 1.13 million units in the first week, according to label SM Entertainment on Friday. EP “Drama” is the group’s third consecutive album to sell over a million, following previous EPs “Girls” and “My World.” The new mini album also earned “double platinum” certification from China’s largest music platform QQ Music. Meanwhile, the foursome celebrated its third anniversary wit

Nov. 17, 2023

'Fuerza Bruta Wayra' returns to Seoul

Fuerza Bruta Wayra, the renowned Argentinian theater production known for its captivating dance performances and circus-like acrobatics, has made its return to Seoul. The show is set for its first run on Friday and will continue until Feb. 15. This marks the fourth appearance of the Argentinian spectacle in Korea, following its previous presentations in 2005, 2018 and 2019. The show means "brutal force" in Spanish, and its signature "360-degree performance" uses not only the

Nov. 17, 2023

Dancers say Street Woman Fighter 2 made dance more approachable

Just a month since Mnet’s dance competition show “Street Woman Fighter 2” ended, the leaders of the show's seven dance crews say the show helped encourage more people to try dancing. At a group interview in Seoul on Friday, they also talked about their time on the show as a springboard to bigger things. “I've been having mixed emotions because I can’t believe the show is over. I think the show will continue to spread around the world as time goes. We are p

Nov. 17, 2023

Seventeen’s Dino to release first solo mixtape ‘Wait’ this month

Dino of the K-pop boy band Seventeen is releasing his first solo mixtape on Nov. 27, according to Pledis Entertainment. The agency dropped a teaser image of the upcoming mixtape in which Dino is seen crossing a road. “Dino plans to show something new through his first solo mixtape, ‘Wait.’ We hope the audience looks forward to Dino’s first step as a solo artist,” said the agency in a press release on Friday. He recently released “Icarus,” the original so

Nov. 17, 2023

Woman faces prosecution after demanding marriage from V

The case of a woman in her 20s, accused of stalking BTS member V has had her case transferred to the prosecution, according to the police. On Nov. 8, the woman was referred for investigation on charges including violating the Anti-Stalking Act and trespassing. The woman allegedly waited in front of V's residence, followed him into the apartment parking lot, and accosted him in the elevator on Oct. 26. She initiated a conversation with V and declared her intention to marry him. After the enc

Nov. 17, 2023

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“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 heron who tells Mahito that his mom is still alive, he decides to leave the town in search of her, which leads him to a whole other world. “The Marvels” (US) Opened Nov. 8 Action Directed by Nia DaCosta A sequel to “Captain Marvel” (2019), the film follows the story of C

Nov. 17, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Fantasy Boys to host live show for 2nd EP

Rookie band Fantasy Boys are set to mark the release of their second EP with a live show, according to agency Pocketdoll Studio on Thursday. The live event for EP “Potential” will be broadcast via Tik Tok and the bandmates will discuss the makings of the new album while communicating with fans in real-time. Details of the event will be announced later. The upcoming EP was set to be released on Nov. 24 but the date was changed to Nov. 23. The 11-member act will unveil the main track

Nov. 16, 2023