[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook sets new record with solo album sales

The first solo album from Jungkook of BTS sold more than 2.43 million copies in the first week and set a new record for a K-pop solo artist, according to a local tally on Friday. EP “Golden” was unveiled on Nov. 3 and sold 1 million units in three hours and two in five hours. The album logged 2.14 million in sales on the day of release, another record for a K-pop solo act. It headed straight to the top of Oricon’s weekly combined album ranking after debuting at the top of its

Nov. 10, 2023

Park Hae-soo, Shin Min-a join Netflix’s new crime thriller series, ‘Karma’

Park Hae-soo from “Squid Game” and “Narco-Saints,” and Shin Min-a from “Hometown Cha Cha Cha” and “Our Blues” will meet for Netflix’s new crime thriller series, “Karma” (working title). The Korean original title roughly translates to “ill-fated relationship.” Based on the Kakao webtoon of the same title by Hwang Joon-ho, the series follows characters who are tightly entangled in doomed relationships. “Karma&rdquo

Nov. 10, 2023

South Korea’s biggest comedy TV show returns after 3 years

National broadcaster KBS's flagship comedy TV show, "Gag Concert," is set to return after a hiatus of over three years. "Gag Concert," which first aired in September 1999, ended its first season after 1,050 episodes in June 2020. It garnered much more popularity compared to its competitors such as cable channel tvN's "Comedy Big League" and "Saturday Night Live Korea." The second season of "Gag Concert" will reportedly focus on "

Nov. 10, 2023

[Herald Interview] Kiss of Life continues to describe different aspects of freedom through music

Kiss of Life say they were born to be artists. Not only do they love producing music, singing and dancing, but they are also good at it. “We also have a common interest in spreading positive energy with our musical talents. We love music and we are happiest when performing on stage,” said Belle, the main vocalist of Kiss of Life. Just five months into its debut, the band has already won public recognition for its unique music style, as well as dancing and vocal talents. “We wer

Nov. 10, 2023

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“The Marvels” (US) Opened Nov. 8 Action Directed by Nia DaCosta A sequel to “Captain Marvel” (2019), the film follows the story of Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan, as Danvers -- Captain Marvel -- travels to the past amid a destabilized universe. “The Boy and the Heron” (Japan) Opened Oct. 25 Animation Directed by Hayao Miyazaki A 12-year-old Mahito finds a new home following the death of his mom. But after encountering a talking heron who

Nov. 10, 2023

[Herald Interview] Korean 'changgeuk' meets Peking opera

The National Changgeuk Company of Korea is making a grand return to the stage with one of its most most unconventional repertoires, "Farewell My Concubine.” Premiered in the spring of 2019 and met with sold-out shows during its fall run, this "changgeuk" is a blend of traditional Korean and Peking operas, brought to life through the collaborative efforts of creative teams from Korea and Taiwan. Set in the turbulent Spring and Autumn Period in ancient China, "Farewell My

Nov. 9, 2023

‘A Business Proposal’ to be made into Hong Kong drama

Kakao Entertainment blockbuster webtoon “A Business Proposal” is being adapted into Viu’s new TV drama in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong-based streaming service Viu has cast sought-after local actors, including model and actor Hanna Chan, and singers Anson Lo and Edan Lui, Kakao Entertainment said. While Chan will play female lead Shin Ha-ri -- a young office worker originally played by Kim Se-jong, Lo and Lui star the series as CEO Kang Tae-moo and his secretary Cha Sung-hoon, r

Nov. 9, 2023

Park Bom to return with new single ‘I’

Park Bom, formerly of disbanded 2NE1, is returning with a new single, “I,” for the first time in a year and eight months since her last single, “Flower.” A teaser for the song's music video has been uploaded on her agency’s official YouTube channel Wednesday. According to D-Nation Entertainment on Thursday, Park's upcoming single will be released at 6 p.m. on Nov. 22 via various streaming sites. The title “I” reportedly expresses Park’s o

Nov. 9, 2023

NewJeans to be first K-pop girl group to perform at BBMAs

NewJeans is set to make history as the first K-pop girl group to perform at one of the three major US music awards, the Billboard Music Awards. The official announcement came as the BBMAs revealed the performer lineup for this year's ceremony on their social media platforms. NewJeans will showcase "Super Shy" and "OMG," both of which entered the Billboard Hot 100 this year. Notably, BTS has been the only K-pop group to perform at the Grammy Awards, American Music Award

Nov. 9, 2023

49th Seoul Independent Film Festival aims to encourage indie filmmakers working in tough times

This year's Seoul Independent Film Festival, the country’s one and only independent film festival with a competition showcase, aims to send a message of encouragement to creators, the organizer said Wednesday. Under the slogan of “Dear Life,” SIFF’s Executive Chairman Kim Dong-hyun said this year’s festival hopes to encourage those who are experiencing tough times in the movie industry. According to Kim, a total of 1,374 films were submitted this year. Compared

Nov. 8, 2023

Pianist Sohn Min-soo wants students to find own style

Last week, pianist Sohn Min-soo took the stage with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 at the opening concert of Music Festival Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province. On Oct. 27, Sohn, the artist of the year of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, performed Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 with the orchestra in Busan. In 2017, Sohn began performing and recording Beethoven's complete piano sonatas, a project that would take five years to complete. In 2022, he offered the

Nov. 8, 2023

'Omega X will not give up': Boy band returns to share message of hope

Overwhelming emotions must have hit Omega X members as they spoke to the local media in Seoul on Tuesday, taking the spotlight for the first time in a year since they announced the termination of their contracts with Spire Entertainment, under which they reportedly suffered abuse. Despite appearing in overly bright smiles, as if to assure the public that they were okay, their voices trembled several times as they responded to questions throughout the hour-long event, held in celebration of the

Nov. 8, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ V logs record streak on Billboard 200 with solo album

The first solo album from V of BTS extended its stay on the Billboard 200 to a seventh consecutive week, a new record for a K-pop solo artist. EP “Layover” debuted on the main albums chart at No. 2 after being rolled out in September and ranked No. 160 on the chart dated Nov. 4, surpassing the six-week mark set by bandmate RM. The six-track mini album sold over 1.6 million copies on the day of its release and 2.1 million in the first week, both records for a K-pop solo musician at t

Nov. 8, 2023

[From the Scene] 20-hour pansori relay celebrates 20th anniversary of pansori's UNESCO listing

The inaugural World Pansori Festival, organized by the World Pansori Association, took place Tuesday and Wednesday, celebrating the 20th anniversary of UNESCO's recognition of "pansori," at the Seoul Namsan Gukakdang in Jung-gu, central Seoul. Pansori is a traditional genre of musical storytelling performed by a vocalist accompanied by a drummer. It is characterized by the deliverance of an epic tale by a single singer, who weaves together folktales using an expressive form of sin

Nov. 8, 2023

Mama Awards stays in Japan for 2nd straight year

Despite its global aspirations, the renewed Mama Awards by Mnet is set to take place in Japan for the second straight year. Although at a more sluggish pace than expected, the world's biggest K-pop festival said it is inching toward its goal of being held outside Asia, with this year's event taking place at the Tokyo Dome, Japan's top concert venue, for the first time. With 20 days left until the festival on Nov. 28-29, producers of organizer CJ ENM, and this year's host, Jeo

Nov. 8, 2023

Bae Doo-na to make her Netflix return with ‘Rebel Moon’

South Korean movie star Bae Doo-na returns to the small screen with yet another Netflix project “Rebel Moon -- Part One: A Child of Fire” in two years. Helmed by American filmmaker Zack Snyder, “Rebel Moon” is a sci-fi fantasy, unfolding the stories of interstellar heroes in a far-flung corner of the galaxy. The story centers on Kora (played by Sofia Boutella), who decides to fight against the brutality of Imperium -- a ruthless interstellar empire bent on controlling the

Nov. 8, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Zerobaseone’s 2nd EP is another million-seller

    Zerobaseone’s second EP sold over 1.45 million copies on the day of release, becoming the rookie band’s second million-selling album, said agency WakeOne Entertainment on Tuesday. EP “Melting Point” was released Monday and sold over a million on the day, as did its debut album “Youth In The Shade” in July. The first EP sold more than 1.24 million units on the first day, making the nine-member act the first K-pop musician to sell over a milli

Nov. 7, 2023

Kard signs with Cardi B, Post Malone's agency

Co-ed K-pop quartet Kard is set to expand its scope in the US after signing with the United Talent Agency, the American company representing global pop star Post Malone. DSP Media and its parent company RBW on Tuesday announced Kard has signed an exclusive contract with the California-based talent agency, whose roster of artists include some of the world's most celebrated musicians, including the likes of Cardi B, Jason Derulo, Rosalia and The Kid Laroi. "Kard is set to extend its glob

Nov. 7, 2023

'Justice will prevail': G-Dragon insists no drug use, tests negative

K-pop singer Kwon Ji-yong, more known by his moniker G-Dragon, maintained confidence following the first session of police questioning over alleged illegal drug use on Monday. "Justice will prevail," he posted on his Instagram account through an image on Monday night, following the police questioning session that afternoon. Below the four-letter Korean idiom, he marked in bold, "Everything will go in its right way in the end." The Instagram post came a few hours after Kwon le

Nov. 7, 2023

Enhypen to make MBC show debut, ending yearslong performance dispute

K-pop boy band Enhypen is scheduled to perform on MBC’s “Show! Music Core” for the first time since its debut in 2020, signaling an end to a yearslong dispute between the group's agency Hybe and the broadcaster. Though the group has starred in various local music shows, including KBS’ “Music Bank,” SBS’ “Inkigayo” and more, Enhypen -- along with other Hybe artists -- have not been able to perform on MBC programs since a disagreement ov

Nov. 7, 2023