Drippin aims to carry on universe through 2nd single album ‘Villain: Zero’

Boy band Drippin has returned to the stage with its second single album “Villain: Zero” Wednesday, hoping to introduce a broader view of its unique universe “Villain.” It marks the seven-member act’s comeback after a five-month hiatus since its third mini-album “Villain” dropped in January. The latest album is the prequel to the band’s previous release. In a press showcase event held in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, ahead of the album&

June 15, 2022

BTS shares reason behind hiatus, future plans and promises to remain as group

On Friday, K-pop icons BTS released an anthology album, “Proof,” through which the act reminisces on its nine-year journey so far. Four days later, the septet announced it will be taking a break as a group to focus on solo projects and their personal lives, which had been put on hold until now. In the hourlong YouTube video announcing the news, the seven members celebrated their anniversary over dinner and said, after running tirelessly for nine years, it was about time they took c

June 15, 2022

Grizzly drops single for Disney+‘ Kiss Sixth Sense’ soundtrack

Singer-songwriter Grizzly dropped a single titled “Stay With Me” for “Kiss Sixth Sense,” Disney+‘s latest original drama series. “Kiss Sixth Sense” is a romantic comedy-drama based on a web novel of the same title. The show revolves around Ye-sool, played by Seo Ji-hye, a woman who can see into the future when she kisses someone, and Min-hoo, played by Yoon Kye-sang, whose five senses are very sensitive. Grizzly is the sixth singer to contribute music

June 15, 2022

‘Alchemy of Souls’ promises to entertain with hybrid genre, unique setting

The cast and staff of tvN‘s upcoming historical fantasy romance “Alchemy of Souls” are confident that their work has everything viewers look for in a drama. “We have put great effort into this drama, with things like computer graphics, costumes, hair, makeup, special visual effects, filming locations and more. The viewers will definitely enjoy the series,” television director Park Joon-hwa said during an online press conference Tuesday. Jung So-min, 33, who plays

June 15, 2022

Breaking the K-pop taboo: How BTS brings together a global community

Music is a tool for singers to spread social messages, with Western singers often using their platforms to speak up on social issues. But K-pop singers often shy away from subjects that might be controversial, choosing to stay silent on social problems rather than touching on matters that might spark media conversations. But throughout the years, BTS, as one of the world‘s most influential figures, has a long history of advocating for social change. Last month, the septet visited the W

June 15, 2022

[Herald Interview] Seensee CEO Park Myung-sung on his 40 years of theatrical productions

It's summer of 2022 and South Korea is finally emerging from two years of social distancing restrictions and the performing arts are coming back to life.  At a musical theater at Blue Square, the seventh revival of “Aida” is now running. Meanwhile, nine household names whose combined acting careers amount to more than 422 years are gearing up for a monthlong performance of “Hamlet,” a large theater play set to kick off July 13 at the National Theater of Korea.

June 15, 2022

‘Please Make Me Look Pretty’ shows bright side of woman with Down syndrome

Some viewers may criticize documentary film “Please Make Me Look Pretty” for failing to give the whole picture, but that was the intention of the film’s director and Seo Dong-il. Seo, the father of the protagonist Jung Eun-hye, said he intended to only feature the bright side of his daughter’s life. Jung has Down syndrome. “There are many documentary films about people with disabilities. They usually feature them with their parents and describe them as people who

June 15, 2022

Chronology of BTS' nine-year career from hip-hop group to global sensation

BTS, which debuted as a hip-hop group in 2013, is a K-pop boy band that has expanded the horizons of Korean pop music to the world stage. Thanks to its eye-catching dance performances and friendly communication strategy through social media, the seven-member act gradually gained popularity among fans outside Korea and made its presence felt in the global music industry. With several mega-hit songs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, BTS cemented its status as a leading global superstar in the United Sta

June 15, 2022

BTS to take indefinite break to focus on solo careers

K-pop superstar boy band BTS is taking an indefinite hiatus from group activities to take a break and focus on the bandmates’ individual careers. BTS broke the news late on Tuesday night through a pre-recorded video posted on the band’s official YouTube channel, BangtanTV. The video comes shortly after the act’s ninth anniversary since its debut. In the video, the seven members celebrate their anniversary over dinner, share their honest thoughts about their journey up to now

June 15, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Girl group aespa adds date to LA showcase

Girl group aespa decided to perform one more day in Los Angeles, as tickets for its showcase in the city sold out as soon as they became available for purchase. 　 The original date was June 26, but the quartet will take to the stage one more time on the following day. 　 The group’s showcase in Japan -- its first in the country – is slated for Aug. 6-7. It drew 400,000 fans in ticket pre-orders. 　 In the meantime, it will drop its second EP “Girls” on July 8. The EP so

June 14, 2022

[Herald Review] BTS wrap up first chapter of 9-year-career through ‘Proof’ Live, embarks on new musical chapter

Monday marked K-pop sensation BTS‘ ninth anniversary. And in celebration of the date, the septet took themselves to the stage to celebrate the release of its new anthology album, “Proof, ”and showcase live performances of its new songs. The free-to-view live session was held online and streamed via the band’s official YouTube channel. As the clock struck 9 p.m., more than 2 million Army members, the band‘s official fan group, flocked to the platform and filled t

June 14, 2022

Riot Games, Incheon Airport to create esports lounge

Riot Games Korea announced that it has signed an agreement with Incheon International Airport Corp. to set up an esports lounge at the airport’s Terminal 1. According to Riot Games Korea, the company will offer an offline-online esports experience at the gaming zone, with the aim of introducing Riot Games’ intellectual property as well as esports culture. The gamers’ lounge will be set up at Incheon Airport Terminal 1’s duty-free zone near Gate 30. The space will be d

June 14, 2022

Enhypen to release 3rd EP next month

K-pop boy group Enhypen will put out its third EP titled "Manifesto: Day 1" on July 4, the band's agency Belift Lab said Tuesday. The album marks the first release from the septet since "Dimension: Answer," the repackaged version of its full-length album, in January. Enhypen unveiled a logo trailer and lyrics video of "Walk the Line," a track on the upcoming album on YouTube earlier Tuesday. The rookie group's first full album, "Dimension: Dilemma,&qu

June 14, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen ranks No. 7 on Billboard 200

Seventeen hit the Billboard 200 at No. 7 with the group’s fourth full album, according to the publication on Sunday in the US. 　 The LP “Face the Sun” marked the highest spot for the 13-member act whose EPs “Your Choice” and “Attacca” came in at No. 15 and No. 13, respectively, on the chart last year. 　 The band has been eyeing the No. 1 spot on the chart, admitting its ambition at a media conference to introduce the fourth LP last month. 　 The LP sol

June 13, 2022

[Album Review] BTS’ ‘Proof’ offers throwback to past, invitation to future

On June 13, 2013, BTS debuted on the K-pop scene with “No More Dream,” leading the band’s debut EP, “2 Cool 4 Skool.” A month later, the band unveiled for free online the single “Born Singer,” through which they voice their honest feelings about debuting and pledge to keep striving for their dreams as musicians. Nine years later, the song, which had sampled J. Cole’s “Born Sinner,“ is officially released as the first track of the ba

June 13, 2022

[Herald Interview] Shin Si-a competed against more than 1,400 actors for role in ‘The Witch: Part 2’

Ordinary Hanyang University student Shin Si-a’s world was turned upside down when she was selected out of 1,408 actors to play protagonist So-nyeo in “The Witch: Part 2. The Other One.” The film is the sequel to Park Hoon-jung’s hit “The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion,” released in 2018. In her very first group interview with local reporters, the 25-year-old actor recalled the moment she heard from director Park after the audition. “I knew that if I go

June 13, 2022

Choi Min-sik, Son Suk-ku to star in Disney+ series ‘Casino’

Disney+ on Monday announced that “Oldboy” actor Choi Min-sik and rising star Son Suk-ku will star in the upcoming drama “Casino.” According to Disney+, this is Choi’s first performance in a drama series in 24 years, when he appeared on MBC‘s “Love and Farewell” (1997-1998). Since then he has only worked on big-screen projects, including “Oldboy” directed by Park Chan-wook, “Nameless Gangster” directed by Yoon Jong-bin and &

June 13, 2022

CJ ENM reveals drama lineup for second half of 2022

South Korea’s entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM seeks to strengthen its position as the country’s leading contents provider with star-studded TV series in the latter half of the year. With the success of its previous projects, ranging from rom-com “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” to the company’s latest omnibus-style drama “Our Blues,” CJ ENM hopes to continue its content dominance with a wider range of genres. “Alchemy of Souls,” tvN’s upcomi

June 13, 2022

K-pop industry seeks ways to join eco-friendly movement

  K-pop’s relatively strong sales of physical albums is a key income stream for artists and labels, but it comes with a major downside: mounds of nonrecyclable packaging. Now more and more K-pop agencies are working to clean up their act. Many loyal fans multiply the problem by buying albums in bulk, be it to collect photo cards or to increase their chances of winning places at special fan events. But much of this surplus product soon ends up in the trash. Backed by such concerns, som

June 13, 2022

[Herald Review] Third revival of musical ‘Mata Hari’ sheds lights on woman’s struggle, survival

  Mata Hari, a notorious spy during World War I, has long been portrayed as an irresistible femme fatale, double-crossing both Germany and the Allies at the height of World War I. 　 The idea of an exotic dancer with powerful men wrapped around her finger and audiences at her feet involved in espionage has inspired novels, movies and even a game. 　 In 2016, just one year short of the 100th anniversary of her death, EMK, a South Korean musical production company, unveiled a musical adap

June 13, 2022