Is Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk really ignoring NewJeans?

One of the issues raised by CEO Min Hee-jin of Ador, the K-pop agency behind the popular girl band NewJeans under Hybe, during her teary press conference on April 25, was that Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk was treating her K-pop quintet poorly. Parents of NewJeans members also revealed in an interview with a local media outlet in May that Bang had regularly ignored the band when they greeted him at the company’s headquarters in Seoul, even before the controversy arose. Hybe denied claims that

July 5, 2024

Son Ye-jin is not worried about aging

The 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival which kicked off Thursday for an 11 day-run is holding a special exhibition on celebrated South Korean actor Son Ye-jin “One and Only Son Yejin” in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. “I’m so grateful for such an exhibition title. I just really think all actors must have their ‘one and only’ presence,” Son told reporters during a press conference held as part of the program at 28th BIFAN on Friday. She is th

July 5, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kim Hee-ae says she can take on 'relaxed' acting

Veteran actor Kim Hee-ae expressed her desire to pursue more "relaxed and comfortable roles," despite her widespread acclaim for portraying charismatic women in popular works such as "The World of the Married" (2020) and "Queenmaker" (2023). "The Whirlwind" is a 12-episode series that follows the story of Park Dong-ho (played by Sul Kyung-gu), a prime minister who kills the president, believing him to be corrupt. As Park seeks to ascend to power after the

July 5, 2024

Korea, South East Asia musicians to hold concerts in Busan

Artists from Korea and Southeast Asia will gather in Busan for two nights of special concerts to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Korea-ASEAN ties. The “Round in Korea” music festival, co-hosted by KBS and the ASEAN Culture House under the Korea Foundation, will be held on Saturday and Sunday at KBS Busan Hall. BamBam of GOT7 will host the event, and the lineup includes singer Kim Yoon-ah from Jaurim, and bands Nell, Touched and Nerd Connection. K-pop group H1-KEY will join them

July 5, 2024

Korean-Taiwanese K-pop audition TV program searches for applicants

A Korean-Taiwanese collaborative K-pop audition TV program is searching for ambitious boys who wish to be a next-generation K-pop star. According to SBS M, applications for the global boy group debut show "Scool," will be open until July 14. Any male applicant born before 2000 who loves K-pop can apply. Applicants wishing to apply must fill out an application form on the official website and send a photo taken within the last three months, a dance and singing video for the audition, an

July 5, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Handsome Guys” (South Korea) Opened June 26 Comedy Directed by Nam Dong-hyup Two well-meaning carpenters and friends, Jae-pil (Lee Sung-min) and Sang-gu (Lee Hee-jun) relocate with dreams of a peaceful suburban life, but are constantly mistaken for troublemakers due to their intimidating appearances. “Inside Out 2” (US) Opened June 12 Animation Directed by Kelsey Mann A now-teenaged Riley sees her mind headquarters undergo sudden renovations to make room for new emotio

July 5, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Twice gives peek at 5th Japan LP

Twice gave fans a taste of its upcoming fifth studio album in Japan on Thursday. It is poised to bring out LP “Dive” on July 17, about two years after its fourth LP, “Celebrate,” with which the group marked the fifth anniversary of its debut in the country. The last LP claimed No. 1 on Oricon’s daily album ranking. In the meantime, the nonet will embark on the Japan leg of its fifth international tour later this month. It is set to hit three stadiums, in Osaka, Toky

July 4, 2024

Lee Chae-yeon proves herself an all-rounder with 'Showdown'

Lee Chaeyeon has returned with her 3rd mini album, “Showdown,” some 10 months after the release of her first single, “The Move: Street.” The singer stressed that she played a large part in producing the album, from writing the lyrics to the choreography. The featured track, “Don’t,” is a two-step dance pop song with a fresh infusion of everyday sounds such as phone rings. Along with repetitive lyrics and addictive melody, the lyrics depict the mind of so

July 4, 2024

Third launch of Billboard Korea delayed

Billboard Korea’s much-anticipated June inaugural issue has yet to hit the stands, with some speculating the launch has been delayed to August. "Billboard K Vol.1 is scheduled to be published in June. With the release of Billboard K Vol.1, you can consider our official launch to have begun,” Billboard Korea CEO and publisher Kim Yuna said at a press conference marking the launch of the magazine on April 15. However, June has come and gone with no sign of the inaugural issue. And

July 4, 2024

Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman say friendship transferred onto screen in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’

Poised to be one of the most talked-about movies this summer, Marvel Studios’ first R-rated superhero flick “Deadpool & Wolverine” is expected to show off Ryan Reynolds' and Hugh Jackman’s long friendship on the big screen. The two, as well as director Shawn Levy who helmed the movie, are known as Hollywood best friends. Levy has also previously worked with each -- Ryan Reynolds in “Free Guy” (2021) and Hugh Jackman in “Real Steel” (2011).

July 4, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Ateez opens pop-up store in Seoul

A pop-up store opened in Seoul Wednesday for characters inspired by the members of Ateez, according to agency KQ Entertainment. As hinted by teaser content, including a video that contained animated characters who are chosen to be the mascots of a college ice hockey team. The cute characters, named Aniteez, were first introduced in February and a new range of merchandise will be available for purchase at the temporary store. Meanwhile, the band is spending its fourth-straight week on the Billboa

July 3, 2024

[Herald Interview] As pianist and now actor, Yoo Sun Hee bridges cultures

Acclaimed Italian director Nanni Moretti’s latest film, “A Brighter Tomorrow,” which competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, features a Korean-Italian interpreter. The character is not just an interpreter of languages, but also a link across cultures, introducing for instance how to drink soju. Though it’s a small role, for pianist Yoo Sun Hee, who is expanding her artistic horizons by venturing into acting with this role, it signifies what she

July 3, 2024

All(H)ours makes shocking return as energetic goblins

With an aspiration to imprint themselves on K-pop fans worldwide, rising boy band All(H)ours is marking a return -- this time as charismatic goblins. All(H)ours is the first boy band from Eden Entertainment, the agency established by Cho Hae-sung, a former executive of K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment. The septet debuted in January with “All Ours” and returned after about six months with the second mini album “Witness.” Lead track "Shock" is a drift phonk song

July 3, 2024

Lisa's new solo single sets guideposts for other Blackpink members

Since all Blackpink members terminated their solo contracts with YG Entertainment last year to embark on their individual paths, Lisa became the first among the four to release a new single. Titled “Rockstar,” it dropped on June 28 in partnership with RCA Records, setting a milestone for the other former members as they pursue their solo careers. The Thai K-pop star kicked off her solo venture with a bang. Her new single instantly ranked 8th on Spotify’s Global Chart in the US

July 3, 2024

Lisa's 'Rockstar' shows new route to ‘localized’ K-pop

Right after Lisa of Blackpink released her new solo single “Rockstar” on June 28, a heated debate ignited online between Korean and Thai fans about whether the song should be classified as K-pop or Thai pop. Lisa moved to Korea in 2011 at the age of 14 and underwent more than five years of training at YG Entertainment before debuting as a member of what is now K-pop's most successful girl group. Korean fans argue that her identity as a K-pop star justifies calling her new single

July 3, 2024

Asia’s largest genre film fest, 28th BIFAN, starts Thursday

The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), Asia's largest genre film festival, will kick off its 28th edition Thursday, screening 225 short and feature films from around the world during its 11-day run. Opening the festival on Thursday is “Love Lies Bleeding,” a queer noir starring Kristine Steward and Katy O’Brien. Hong Kong action thriller “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” by Soi Cheang will close the festival. Both the opening and closing

July 3, 2024

Travel reality show starring Jimin, Jungkook of BTS to stream on Disney+

A new Disney+ original series featuring Jimin and Jungkook of BTS on a trip will begin streaming in August, filling the void for fans as they wait for the bandmates to fulfill their mandatory military service. The eight-part series titled "Are You Sure?!" will feature the travel logs of the duo from the megahit boy band as they journeyed in the United States, Jeju Island and Japan's Sapporo in 2023. According to Disney+, the series will feature the duo's spontaneous journey a

July 3, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jin to carry torch for Paris Olympics: report

Jin of BTS was named as one of the torchbearers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to local media on Tuesday. The artist will join a list of over 11,000 people carrying the flame across the country over 11 weeks until the opening ceremony on July 26. The torch arrived in France last week and Jin is expected to fly over soon, although no specifics have been announced yet. Jin was discharged on June 12 and instantly resumed activities, starting with a fan meeting the next day that fell on the

July 2, 2024

Paris Opera Ballet Gala comes to Seoul with etoile Park Sae-eun

Ballerina Park Sae-eun, the first Asian dancer to obtain the prestigious title of etoile, or principal dancer, at the Paris Opera Ballet, will head to Korea with her colleagues to perform the "Paris Opera Ballet Etoile Gala 2024” from July 20 to 24 at the Seoul Arts Center's Opera Theater in Seoul. The lineup includes six etoiles -- Park, Leonore Baulac, Valentine Colasante, Hannah O'Neil, Paul Marque and Guillaume Diop -- alongside four other members of the Paris Opera Ball

July 2, 2024

Katseye, Hybe’s first multinational K-pop girl group, off to disappointing start

K-pop powerhouse Hybe’s much anticipated first multinational K-pop girl group Katseye, formed in collaboration with Geffen Records, is failing to make a name for itself not only in the US, its target market, but also in Korea, the homeland of the genre. The K-pop sextet with only one Korean member, Yoonchae, has been at the center of questions as to whether a K-pop band that is mostly non-Korean could succeed. In the global market, two indicators of popularity and success -- Spotify and iT

July 2, 2024