[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Eternals (US) Opened Nov. 3 Action Directed by Chloe Zhao Ten superheroes, known as Eternals, have been on Earth for 7,000 years protecting humans from the threat of Deviants, a bestial and savage race that swallow humans, without revealing their identity. In 1500, the heroes killed the last of the Deviants. However, in present day, the Deviants have returned, and the Eternals have to work together to protect mankind. Ron’s Gone Wrong (US) Opened Oct. 27 Animation Directed by Jean-Phili

Nov. 12, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] EXO’s Kai to return as solo singer

Kai of EXO is putting out his second solo EP, “Peaches,” Nov. 30, label S.M. Entertainment announced Thursday. 　 It has been about a year since his eponymous album, which topped iTunes top albums charts in 55 regions as well all major charts at home. The music video for the song “Mmmh” had more than 100 million views on YouTube as of October. 　 The second EP consists of six tracks that span across genres. 　 Meanwhile, he will appear as one of six entertainers competin

Nov. 11, 2021

Golf, soccer rise in ranks on Korean TV

Sports entertainment programs have emerged as a major trend on television, with famed sports legends and celebrities presenting the sports on the small screen. Golf has become a recognizable force, dominating airtime for several months with big-name golf stars and television celebrities taking to the links. Cable channel TV Chosun’s “Golf King” sparked public interest in golf-related variety shows in May. The program caught viewers’ attention with former LPGA champion

Nov. 11, 2021

Coldplay to meet Korean fans in online concert next month

British rock band Coldplay will meet Korean fans in a virtual concert on Dec. 4 via video streaming service Coupang Play. Coldplay’s online concert will be hosted exclusively and broadcast live by Coupang Play, according to the local streamer. “As Coldplay is widely recognized for its explosive singing, spectacular playing of instruments and amazing stage manners in interacting with fans, we look forward to seeing what will happen at this year’s concert,” Coupang Play

Nov. 11, 2021

'Squid Game' becomes Netflix's top ranking show for longest 47 days

The South Korean sensation "Squid Game" has reclaimed the No. 1 position on Netflix's most popular TV show rankings to become the streamer's top-ranking original series for the most days ever. According to streaming analytics firm FlixPatrol on Wednesday (US time), the Korean-language survival drama regained the No. 1 spot on the list of the world's most watched TV shows on Netflix, replacing the previous leader "Arcane," an animated series based on the online battle game &q

Nov. 11, 2021

YouTube content of 'Squid Game' outnumbers 'Game of Thrones'

The South Korean phenomenon "Squid Game" has outnumbered the longtime TV powerhouse "Game of Thrones" in terms of combined YouTube views of its derivative video content, a US media outlet has reported. A total of 129,000 videos of the survival drama, including official trailers, fan-made reaction clips and video games, have earned a total of 17 billion views on the platform since the show's release on Sept. 17, Variety said Wednesday (US time), citing a report by content ana

Nov. 11, 2021

‘Yumi’s Cells’: Versatile multimedia content that keeps on taking new forms

The Naver webtoon series “Yumi’s Cells” may be the perfect example of versatile multimedia content, with plans for it to be adapted as an animation and a musical. The animation version of the webtoon for cinematic release will be co-produced by a Naver subsidiary, Studio N, and by local animation production company Locus, which created the 2019 hit “Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs. The company is aiming to release the animation in cinemas in the first half of 2023, acco

Nov. 11, 2021

Mystic Story’s first girl group Billlie debuts with star-studded ‘Ring X Ring’

Mystic Story, a subsidiary label of K-pop powerhouse S.M. Entertainment, finally revealed its first girl group, Billlie, on Wednesday. The six-piece act -- comprising four South Korean members, Moon Sua, Suhyeon, Haram and Siyoon, and two members from Japan, Tsuki and Haruna -- have landed in the K-pop scene with their first EP “The Billage of Perception : Chapter One.” Ahead of their album release, the group conducted a debut showcase in Seoul, which was live-streamed as a pandem

Nov. 10, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Billlie debuts amid much hype

A six-member girl group named Billlie debuted Wednesday with an EP titled “The Billage of Perception: Chapter One.” 　 The name of the band refers to the “B-side” of everyone’s personality. 　 The EP is based on a unique and strong narrative that will be carried forward in a series, said the bandmates, asking fans to keep an eye out for the messages they convey later. 　 Focus track “Ring X Ring” mobilizes a score of hit makers, as expected from the fir

Nov. 10, 2021

‘Squid Game’ to return with more games and adventures in season 2

Netflix hit series “Squid Game” will return with a second season. “Discussion about a second season is indeed in progress, but nothing has been confirmed yet,” a Netflix official told The Korea Herald on Wednesday morning. Earlier, Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director and writer “Squid Game,” had said that there would be a second season of the dystopian drama during a special screening and Q&A with reporters in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The creator told the rep

Nov. 10, 2021

Clara Jumi Kang to hold encore recital of Bach’s sonatas and partitas

Violinist Clara Jumi Kang will return to the stage for an encore recital of Bach’s violin works to round out a successful year. Kang, 34, is set to perform the entire cycle of the famed composer’s sonatas and partitas for solo violin at Lotte Concert Hall in eastern Seoul on Dec. 13. In May and June, the Korean-German virtuoso went on a nationwide tour with stops in Seoul, Daegu and Daejeon and more, performing Bach’s sonatas and partitas for solo violin (BWV 1001-1006),

Nov. 10, 2021

'Squid Game' director confirms plan for season 2

Netflix's runaway hit "Squid Game" will be back for a second season, its writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk has said in a media interview. "There's been so much pressure, so much demand and so much love for a second season, so I almost feel like you leave us no choice, but I will say there will indeed be a second season," Hwang said in an interview with the Associated Press at an event in Los Angeles on Tuesday (US time). The South Korean director had previously hinted at the

Nov. 10, 2021

Song Hye-kyo returns with heartwarming drama ‘Now We Are Breaking Up’

For global star Song Hye-kyo, the decision to come back with another melodrama after just two years brought with it a bag of mixed emotions. “After tvN’s ‘Encounter’ (2019), many fans have been waiting for my return to the small screen with another beautiful romance story, but I am certain that there are some viewers who already feel tired of watching another melodrama by Song Hye-kyo,” said Song in an online press conference recorded in mid-August that was releas

Nov. 9, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] The Boyz to host concert in December

The Boyz are holding a three-day concert next month in Seoul, the band announced Tuesday. 　 The band will perform live in front of fans for the first time in about three years. Its last concert, “The Film Festival,” was held online in December last year. 　 Under the title “The B Zone,” named after the band’s official fandom, The B, the 11-member act will perform in a variety of styles. The Boyz were named Artist of the Year at the Fact Music Awards last week and

Nov. 9, 2021

Metaverse to be brought to stage through ‘Ultraworld’

With many betting on the “metaverse” becoming a huge part of our lives, the National Theater of Korea has invited a German project team to stage “Ultraworld” this month, a production that delves into the ambiguities of the real and virtual worlds. “Ultraworld,” directed by Susanne Kennedy, had its premiere in January 2020 at the Volksbuhne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz theater in Berlin, Germany. According to NToK, the Volksbuhne theater has been presenting some o

Nov. 9, 2021

Korean animation ‘Catch! Teenieping’ gaining global popularity

Joining the ranks of Korean dramas and K-pop in gaining popularity worldwide is Korean animation series “Catch! Teenieping,” which has caught on with kids around the globe. “Catch! Teenieping” topped Netflix Korea’s trending kids category four days after the launch of its first season. YouTube channel Teenieping TV, meanwhile, has over 208,000 followers. The series has been widely watched in Australia and North America, where it has ranked No. 5 and No. 9, respect

Nov. 9, 2021

‘The War of Chefs’ hopes to mesmerize viewers with amazing Korean dishes

Television director Hyun Don hopes to bring back the heyday of cooking shows with “The War of Chefs.” “After producing multiple seasons of ‘Hansik Battle,’ I worked on other food programs. But it is when I am presenting outstanding Korean dishes that I feel most comfortable,” Hyun said in an online press conference Monday. Unlike “Hansik Battle,” which took on a tournament format, the director’s latest show has adopted a team competition fo

Nov. 9, 2021

BTS to perform 'Butter' remix with Megan Thee Stallion at AMAs

K-pop superstars BTS will hit the stage with American rapper Megan Thee Stallion for a joint performance of "Butter" at the 2021 American Music Awards. BTS and Megan Thee Stallion were among the list of AMA performers announced Monday (US time) by the show on its website, along with Bad Bunny and Olivia Rodrigo. The septet was nominated in three categories -- "Artist of the Year," "Favorite Pop Duo or Group" and "Favorite Pop Song" for "Butter."

Nov. 9, 2021

In a first, singer Young Tak’s agency admits to chart manipulation

When a song by an unfamiliar artist tops music charts, beating out top bands with megasized fandoms, rather than herald a new star people now often wonder if “sajaegi,” or manipulation of music charts and streaming counts, is at work. Such suspicion seems justified in light of recent developments. On Thursday, Trot singer Young Tak’s agency Milagro said in an official press statement that the company was involved in sajaegi, becoming the first agency to admit to the long-ru

Nov. 8, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] T-ara to return after 4 years

  T-ara will put out new music for the first time in about four years, announced mobile media channel Dingo, which joined forces with the band Monday. 　 In one teaser poster that accompanied the announcement, the four band members pose all in black. In another, dressed as cowgirls, they turn their backs to the camera. 　 Park Jiyeon shared the good news in a tweet, joyously telling fans the new music was out before the first snow -- and without a management company, at that. The musicians fu

Nov. 8, 2021