Netflix releases new romance series ‘A Time Called You’

Global streamer Netflix has announced the release of a new Korean original romance series “A Time Called You.” The drama is a time traveling love story between a young woman named Jun-hee (played by Jeon Yeo-been), who grieves over the death of her boyfriend. After losing her lover in a mysterious accident in 2022, Jun-hee receives a cassette tape, which allows her to time travel to 1998. With her memory as Jun-hee intact, she begins a new life as Min-joo, a high school girl. One day

Aug. 11, 2023

'The Killing Vote' off to strong start

Terrestrial broadcaster SBS’ new drama “The Killing Vote” is off to a strong start, topping ratings among all TV shows in the same time slot with the first episode. The first episode of the 12-part thriller series, featuring “The Glory” star Lim Ji-yeon, recorded a viewership share of 5.2 percent when it aired Thursday. Adapted from a popular Kakao Page webtoon of the same title created by author Um Se-yun, “The Killing Vote” revolves around police chasi

Aug. 11, 2023

[Herald Interview] Gugak musicians to revive memories of plaza in 'Gwang Gwang, Goeng Goeng'

What does a plaza or a square mean to you? A simple question yet when posed against the backdrop of Seoul’s iconic Gwanghwamun Square, it takes on a new dimension. This expansive space that stands before the majestic Gyeongbokgung Palace in the heart of the city, resonates with a tapestry of history, both past and ongoing. Exploring the theme of "gwangjang," plaza or square in Korean, “Gwang Gwang, Goeng Goeng,” one of the 12 productions presented by the Sejong Center

Aug. 11, 2023

BTS’ V unveils ‘Love Me Again’ music video ahead of solo album release

V of the K-pop sensation BTS unveiled the music video for “Love Me Again,” one of the sidetracks in his upcoming first solo album “Layover,” on Thursday. The music video for the R&B track, which accentuates V's low ethereal vocals, was filmed in a cave in Mallorca, Spain, according to Big Hit Music. “The mystical vibe that the cave gives and V’s low and vibrating voice harmonized well to create a unique mood. The camera could only focus on V, the sing

Aug. 10, 2023

Singer Yoon Do-hyun reveals fight with cancer

Singer Yoon Do-hyun revealed that he had been fighting cancer for the past three years and that he recently fully recovered. “It was back in 2021 when I was about to start rehearsing for the musical, ‘Gwanghwamun Sonata,’ that I was diagnosed with cancer. I was really surprised. I quickly pulled myself together and went to the hospital to get treated every day. It was a difficult process,” the singer said on his social media Thursday. He added that he decided to not share

Aug. 10, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] NCT to drop pre-release from 4th LP

NCT will unveil main track from its upcoming fourth studio album on Aug. 23, in advance to the full release, according to label SM Entertainment on Thursday. The band uploaded a timeline poster for the album that included that it would drop “Golden Age,” titular track from the 10-track LP due out on Aug. 28. The album will be fronted by two focus tracks – “Golden Age” and “Baggy Jeans.” The former will feature all 20 members and the latter, Taeyong, Ten

Aug. 10, 2023

Jo Yuri shouts 'Love All' with new album

The loud shout of "love all" at the start of a tennis game gives the crowd a rush of adrenaline, and singer Jo Yuri sings of such excitement at a love's start, as well as other ensuing emotions, through her new album "Love All." "Love all" is a term used at the beginning of a new game when the players both start at zero points. Jo's latest album embraces the jolt of a budding love and all the colorful facets and shapes of a romantic relationship as two lov

Aug. 9, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Itzy to roll out 1st LP in Japan

Itzy will put out its first full-length album in Japan on Oct. 18, announced label JYP Entertainment on Wednesday. LP “Ringo” will consist of 11 tracks including the titular track and three more new songs as well as Japanese-language versions of “Sneakers” and “Cheshire.” The former is the main track from its fifth EP, “Checkmate,” and the latter from sixth EP of the same title, both from last year. The fifth EP hit the Billboard 200 at No. 8 and

Aug. 9, 2023

‘Zombieverse’ creator feels confident about entertaining viewers with realistic zombie show

TV director Park Jin-kyung shared the satisfaction with his new variety show “Zombieverse,” believing that he was able to draw out realistic reactions from cast and create a project which is more than enough to entertain viewers. “Instead of feeling the pressure, I am excited to know the result after ‘Zombieverse’ is released today,” Park said during press conference held at the Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo-gu, western Seoul on Tuesday. The director revea

Aug. 9, 2023

NCT to release 4th LP ‘Golden Age’ this month

SM Entertainment’s NCT is expected to continue its golden era with its fourth studio album, “Golden Age,” set for release on Aug. 28. All 20 members of NCT’s different subgroups -- NCT 127, NCT Dream and WayV -- will take part in the upcoming album, according to SM on Wednesday. NCT originally consisted of 23 members but there has been a slight reshuffle in members with Lucas officially quitting NCT in May, announcing that he will go solo after a two-year hiatus. Sungchan

Aug. 9, 2023

AKMU to return with new album this month

YG’s K-pop sibling duo AKMU is releasing a new album on Aug. 21, according to YG Entertainment on Wednesday. The comeback comes two years after the group dropped its “Next Episode” collaboration album in July 2021. YG Entertainment announced the comeback in a teaser poster, which read "AKMU is coming," on its official blog. It also unveiled a teaser clip showing a miniature pink, city model that pops up on a mobile phone screen. In it, a cupid character representing L

Aug. 9, 2023

[Herald Interview] Director Um Tae-hwa explores Koreans' ‘love and hate’ of apartments in ‘Concrete Utopia’

Director Um Tae-hwa, who has returned with dystopian thriller “Concrete Utopia” seven years after “Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned,” which led to him receiving the best new director award at Korea's Grand Bell Awards that year, has delved into Koreans' “love and hate” of apartments in this new film. “The reason I was focused on the apartment was that because I was also born and raised in that space. As I delved into what 'apartment'

Aug. 9, 2023

With Bernstein's masterpieces, Ottensamer aims to present approachable classical music

Classic Revolution, Lotte Concert Hall’s summer musical festival which delves into a combination of composers each year, is set to return later this week with nine concerts from Friday to Aug. 20. Leading this year's rendition is Austrian clarinetist Andreas Ottensamer, who said he designed the program to bring joy to audiences and make classical music more approachable by highlighting American conductor, composer, pianist and music educator Leonard Bernstein, as well as other compose

Aug. 8, 2023

Inside a Hong Kong hagwon for K-pop idol hopefuls

HONG KONG -- Vivo Fung Lok-yin is a shy, soft spoken 20-year-old from Hong Kong, but the moment Blackpink’s “Shut Down” blasts from the speakers, she comes alive. She levels a confident stare at her reflection in the mirror-covered studio as she dances to the hip-hop track, a tiny smirk gracing her face. You wouldn’t think that four years ago, she could barely look herself in the mirror while dancing. “I would say I’m a very shy person … I was too scare

Aug. 8, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids tops 100m views with ‘S-Class’ video

Stray Kids garnered 100 million views with the music video for “S-Class,” according to label JYP Entertainment on Tuesday. It is the band’s tenth music video to reach the milestone, after those of “God’s Menu,” “Back Door,” “Miroh,” “My Pace,” “Thunderous,” “Maniac,” “Case 143” and “Hellevator.” “S-Class” is the focus track from its third full album “5-Star,&

Aug. 8, 2023

The Boyz brings Christmas to summer with new album trilogy

Christmas in summer seems odd, but The Boyz hopes to make the miracle happen with its new album "Phantasy Part 1 - Christmas in August" which dropped on Monday. The EP, a six-song album, marks the start of their three-part LP "Phantasy," from which the band will drop three sub-albums over the rest of the year. It also celebrates the group's return with a new album for the first time in six months since the release of its eighth EP "Be Awake" in February. The 11

Aug. 8, 2023

BTS' V set to debut solo with 'Layover' on Sept. 8

BTS' V is coming out solo on Sept. 8 with his first album "Layover," agency Big Hit Music announced Tuesday. The company said V will drop his first solo album "Layover" at 1 p.m. on Sept. 8. "Layover" will be a six-track package consisting of the title song "Slow Dancing," its piano instrumental and four B-side tracks, "Rainy Days," "Blue," "Love Me Again" and "For Us." The lead single, "Slow Dancing,"

Aug. 8, 2023

[Herald Review] ‘Honey Sweet,’ a lighthearted rom-com that might just outdo this year’s blockbusters

Yoo Hae-jin, a household name in South Korea’s entertainment scene, took on his first-ever role in a romantic comedy in “Honey Sweet,” a lighthearted film that portrays the love story of a middle-aged couple. Yoo plays Chi-ho, a nerdy, workaholic researcher at the confectionery firm who falls in love with Il-young (Kim Hee-sun), a single mother and a remarkably passionate and optimistic phone operator at a loan company. “Honey Sweet” will be Kim’s first silver

Aug. 8, 2023

7 years on from debut, Blackpink blooms as most successful female K-pop group

K-pop sensation Blackpink came into the world in 2016 under much pressure as they were expected to follow the lead of YG’s most successful girl group until that point, 2NE1. The quartet of Rose, Jisoo, Lisa and Jennie made its debut with its first single album, “Square One,” which consists of two songs: “Whistle” and “Boombayah.” The debut single album successfully captured the hearts of many, topping major music charts including Melon and Circle Chart i

Aug. 8, 2023

Suga cancels national service deferral, likely to enlist in winter

Suga of BTS recently completed the process of canceling his deferral for mandatory military service and is expected to enlist in the winter of 2023. Big Hit Music announced through Weverse, a communication platform for fans, that Suga has begun the procedure for fulfilling his military duty and that further updates regarding his enlistment will be provided later. The agency requested warm support and unchanging love for Suga as he fulfills his military duty and returns in good health. Suga, who

Aug. 8, 2023