Disney unveils sequels for hit franchises

Disney unveiled an exciting slate of sequels for its popular franchises -- "Avatar," "Zootopia," "Moana," "Toy Story" and "Tron: Legacy” at the eighth D23, the official Disney fan club event held Friday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, where some 12,000 fans gathered for the biannual convention. Among the announcements, the third installment of the global blockbuster "Avatar" series is set to hit theaters on Dec. 19,

Aug. 11, 2024

K-pop stars’ military favoritism controversy returns amid Suga's DUI incident

The long-standing controversy over K-pop stars receiving preferential treatment during their mandatory military service has resurfaced following BTS member Suga's drunk driving incident Tuesday. Currently serving as a public service agent, Suga was booked and is under police investigation for driving an electric scooter while intoxicated. In response, the Military Manpower Administration released a press statement Thursday, addressing the incident and promising to strengthen education to en

Aug. 11, 2024

[What to play] Melodies of liberation

On Aug. 15, 1945, Korea achieved independence after 35 years of Japanese colonial rule. Many fought for the country’s liberation from the Japanese Empire, with many losing their lives. August seems to be a perfect time to reflect on the stories of those who endured tremendous hardships and their legacies in Korean music today. "Women’s March" sung by Ahn Ye-eun In 1919, after the nationwide March 1st Independence Movement, seven female independence activists — Yu Gwan

Aug. 10, 2024

BTS' Suga's blood alcohol concentration over 0.2 pct in drunk driving incident: police

Suga of K-pop superband BTS was fully drunk with a blood alcohol level of over 0.2 percent when he fell to the ground in Seoul earlier this week while driving an electric scooter, police said Friday. Suga has been booked for investigation after being found lying on the ground in Yongsan district, central Seoul, on Tuesday night after falling off his electric scooter while driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said Friday that a breathalyzer test conducted on the day of the accident show

Aug. 9, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] NCT Dream to drop English-language single

NCT Dream will release the English-language single “Rains in Heaven” on Aug. 23, label SM Entertainment said Friday. Mark participated in writing the lyrics for the 80s-style pop tune which blends drum, bass and synthesizer sounds and soothes listeners with empathy. The seven members perform the song for the first time during the North American and European leg of NCT Dream's upcoming world tour “The Dream Show 3: Dream()scape” which begins Aug. 31. The tour starte

Aug. 9, 2024

‘The Roundup: Punishment,’ ‘Inside Out 2’ lead CJ CGV profits in Q2

South Korea’s largest multiplex cinema chain CJ CGV saw a fifth consecutive quarter of operating profit in the second quarter this year thanks to the success of megahit films, according to the company. CJ CGV said its April to July sales increased by 7.6 percent on year to 430 billion won ($315 million). Its operating profit over the same period increased 26.4 percent on-year to 22.3 billion won. The company attributed such performance to an increase in moviegoers who went to the cinema to

Aug. 9, 2024

New members of Fifty Fifty unveiled

The four new members joining Keena to form the second generation of the K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty have been unveiled. On Friday, Fifty Fifty dropped a clip on YouTube introducing its new members — Yewon, Chanelle, Hana and one whose name has not been revealed. Yewon is a 19-year-old born in Korea who took part in the JTBC idol survival program “R U Next?” that launched the girl group Illit and was organized by Hybe subsidiary Belift Lab. Yewon was formerly a trainee at Sourc

Aug. 9, 2024

‘My Dearest Fu Bao’ offers close look at beloved panda's last 3 months in Korea

“My Dearest Fu Bao,” a South Korean movie depicting the interactions between the panda Fu Bao and her zookeepers, will feature in-depth stories about the beloved giant panda, the movie’s director said Thursday. This documentary film is based on interviews with zookeepers Song Young-gwan and Kang Cheol-won, who is widely known as Fu Bao's "grandpa" by fans. The movie narrates stories of how the zookeepers met Fu Bao and how the beloved panda was cared for by them

Aug. 9, 2024

Hybe Chairman Bang spotted in LA with livestreamer Seyeon

Chairman of powerhouse K-pop company Hybe Bang Si-hyuk was spotted crossing the street with renowned livestreamer Seyeon and her older sister in Los Angeles. A YouTube video showing a street in Beverly Hills sometime in July captured Bang with Seyeon and her sister crossing at a crosswalk. As the clip went viral online drawing speculations, Hybe told local reporters that “Chairman Bang had met with Seyeon’s older sister in the past in a gathering with his acquaintances during which s

Aug. 9, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Revolver” (South Korea) Opened Aug. 7 Crime Directed by Oh Seung-wook Former detective Soo-young (portrayed by Jeon Do-yeon) is released from prison after being convicted of crimes she did not commit. With one goal in her mind -- getting her some 700 million won back -- she visits the people who owe her one by one. “Pilot” (South Korea) Opened July 31 Comedy Directed by Kim Han-gyeol Han Jung-woo (Jo Jung-suk) who, after getting fired from his job and divorced by his w

Aug. 9, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Ive drops pre-release from upcoming Japan EP

Ive has unveiled “Crush,” the focus track from its second EP in Japan, in advance to the full release to come on Wednesday. In the music video for the summery pop tune, the six bandmates frolick under the sun, enjoying the season and having fun together. The EP “Alive” is due out on Aug. 28 and will consist of five tracks, including two new songs – “Crush” and “Will.” The latter was used as an opening theme song for the “Pokemon”

Aug. 8, 2024

[Herald Interview] K-drama remakes aim to cater to streaming viewers

Masterpiece K-dramas from the early 2000s are soon to make a return this time as reimagined by their original creators. Korean streaming platform Wavve is currently undertaking a "New Classic" project, which will bring popular K-dramas from the past such as "My Lovely Sam Soon" and "I'm Sorry, I Love You," in a new format. The original 70-minute, 16-episode series will be condensed into 40-50 minute episodes with 6-8 episodes per series, and will feature new so

Aug. 8, 2024

‘Twisters’ director Lee Isaac Chung says what scared him made him grow

Korean American filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung of the latest American disaster film “Twisters” said what scared him has made him grow, in terms of his first-ever production of a blockbuster film. “Twisters” is Chung's work to be released after “Minari,” an autobiographical family drama that won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2021. “One of the reasons I wanted to do this movie was that I got scared. How do I make a movie like t

Aug. 8, 2024

Seventeen to embark on world tour in October

K-pop sensation Seventeen is embarking on a world tour in October to meet with its fans in the US and Japan. According to Pledis Entertainment, Seventeen is kicking off its “Seventeen [Right Here] World Tour” at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province Oct. 12-13. The group is then taking their show to Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois Oct. 22-23. The following concerts are at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York Oct. 25-27, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas Oct. 31-Nov.

Aug. 8, 2024

SM to launch new K-pop girl group in Q4

Naevis, a virtual artist showcased at aespa’s standalone concert in June, is among the various new K-pop artists that will be unveiled by K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment in the remaining four months of the year. Naevis, better known as aespa’s Kwangya helper, is releasing a single in the third quarter of this year, according to SM Entertainment which announced its lineup for the remainder of the year Thursday. In the fourth quarter, SM is launching a new K-pop girl group for the fi

Aug. 8, 2024

Actress Han Ji-min, Jannabi's Choi Jung-hoon confirm relationship

Actress Han Ji-min and Jannabi front man Choi Jung-hoon are dating, Choi's agency confirmed Thursday. The couple reportedly developed feelings for each other after Han's appearance on the KBS music show "The Seasons," hosted by Choi, in August last year. During the show, they performed Jannabi's "A Thought on an Autumn Night" together. The 41-year-old actress debuted as an advertisement model in 1998 and has since built a successful acting career. She has starr

Aug. 8, 2024

Japanese SF film 'The Human Vapor' to be remade as Netflix series

The legendary Japanese science fiction film "The Human Vapor" (1960) will be remade into a Netflix series helmed by Yeon Sang-ho, the producer behind hits such as "Hellbound" and "Train to Busan," according to Netflix, Thursday. "The Human Vapor" (1960) follows the aftermath of a failed scientific experiment that turns its subject into a gaseous mutant, who then uses his abilities to carry out crimes. By exploring the darker facets of society's struct

Aug. 8, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa to drop solo single feat. Rosalia

Lisa of Blackpink will put out the solo single “New Woman” on Aug. 16, agency Lloud Company said Tuesday. She has joined forces with Grammy-winning Spanish singer and songwriter Rosalia. Fans have speculated that the two superstars would collaborate after watching a teaser featuring a silvery “rose” rotating between flashes of a silver star. Lisa had hinted at a solo endeavor with a TikTok video last week which included snippets of music in which she sang “Pullin&rs

Aug. 7, 2024

Unis aims to become idol for Gen Z

Multinational K-pop girl group Unis returned confident and ready to become an idol representing Generation Z with a new single, “Curious,” on Tuesday. This is the group’s first comeback after its debut through SBS’ idol survival program “Universe Ticket” in March this year. “Our single album is led by the titular track ‘Curious.’ It’s about breaking free from the old me to become a new person. It’s the greatest of all time. It&rsq

Aug. 7, 2024

K-pop enthusiast Singaporean businessman David Yong charged with falsification of accounts

David Yong, CEO of Evergreen Group Holdings, who starred in various Korean TV programs and YouTube content introducing himself as a K-pop singer and Singaporean businessman with a 120-billion-won asset in cash, was charged with falsification of accounts on Aug. 3 in Singapore. He allegedly had the intention to defraud by abetting a woman named Jolene Low Mong Han to falsify a tax invoice from Evergreen Assets Management for purported bulk sales of household fittings and appliances. Yong could be

Aug. 7, 2024