SHINee's Key to start mandatory military service in band

Popular K-pop boy band SHINee's member Key will begin the mandatory 21-month military service in early March as a member of the military band, his management agency SM Entertainment said Friday.The 28-year-old, whose real name is Kim Ki-bum, "will join the military on March 4, having recently got admitted into the military band," according to SM.  (Yonhap)Key is the second of the four SHINee members to join the military after the oldest member Onew was enlisted at the end of last year. Another m

Jan. 25, 2019

[K-talk] Astro to hold third official fan meeting in March

Boy band Astro announced Wednesday at midnight that it will be holding its third official fan meeting.In teaser images for the event, dubbed “The 3rd Astro Festival: Black,” Astro members are dressed in outfits inspired by the movie “Men in Black”  Teaser poster for Astro’s fan event (Fantagio Music)Presale tickets are available from Jan. 28 at 8.pm., while general ticket sales begin at 8 p.m. Jan. 30. The event will take place on March 2 at the 2,452-seat Olympic Hall in Seoul’s southern distri

Jan. 24, 2019

[K-talk] Members of Big Hit’s first boy band since BTS confirmed

Big Hit Entertainment revealed Thursday the full lineup of its new boy band Tomorrow X Together, or TXT.With Soobin as the leader, the quintet comprises Yeonjun, Hueningkai, Taehyun and Beomgyu. TXT (TXT’s official Twitter account @TXT_bighit)A two-minute introductory clip featuring the group attracted over 2.5 million YouTube views 10 hours after its release on Wednesday midnight. TXT’s official Twitter account, also launched simultaneously at midnight, had close to half a million followers as

Jan. 24, 2019

Why K-pop girl groups can’t stand the test of time

Earlier this month, Sojin of the K-pop girl group Girl’s Day decided she is leaving the Dream T Entertainment label when her contract expires in February. The announcement left fans in shock, with many questioning whether this was a prelude to the disbandment of the 9-year-old four-piece act. Though the agency denied it, other members Yura, Minah and Hyeri are reportedly in contact with other agencies about pursuing individual activities as their contracts are set to expire later this year. But

Jan. 24, 2019

[K-talk] Tablo of hip-hop group Epik High announces new release

Tablo of Epik High made a surprise announcement of an upcoming album via a Twitter post.On Tuesday evening, Tablo congratulated singer Lee So-ra for her success on the music charts with single “Song Request,” featuring Suga of BTS. “Song Request,” co-written and penned by the 38-year-old rapper-songwriter, topped iTunes charts in 44 countries, including Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil and Sweden, upon release at 6 p.m. Tablo’s official Twitter account (Twitter @blobyblo)“Thanks everyone for all the lo

Jan. 23, 2019

[Herald Interview] Jung Woo-sung, Kim Hyang-gi discuss new movie ‘Innocent Witness’

Veteran actor Jung Woo-sung and budding starlet Kim Hyang-gi have come together for a memorable performance in the upcoming drama “Innocent Witness” by Lee Han. The film is about a young girl with autism testifying in court about what she witnessed in a supposed murder, and her interaction with a lawyer caught between compromising with reality and doing the right thing.With the movie set for release on Feb. 13, the lead actors sat down for a group media interview to discuss their roles. Jung Woo

Jan. 23, 2019

‘Burning’ fails to make Oscar final nominee list

Korean film “Burning” has failed to make the final list of nominees for the Oscars.The final nominees for the 91st Academy Awards were revealed Tuesday. In December, “Burning” had been shortlisted in the Foreign Language Film category, becoming the first Korean movie to be included. The film was selected by the Korean Film Council to represent Korea at the film event. Last year, “Okja” by Korean director Bong Joon-ho was shortlisted in the Visual Effects category, but it was a Netflix original f

Jan. 23, 2019

[K-talk] Twice’s first Japanese dome tour to draw 210,000

Twice has scheduled an additional show for its upcoming Japanese dome tour due to high demand, making it a three-city, five-show event, with a total audience size of 210,000.Representing the girl group, JYP Entertainment said Wednesday that Twice will hold an additional show on March 20 at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka in response to explosive ticket sales for previously scheduled shows. (JYP Entertainment)The nine-piece act kicks off the tour in Osaka’s Kyocera Dome from March 20-21 before moving o

Jan. 23, 2019

Buchbinder to hold Beethoven sonata recital in May

“Beethoven specialist” Rudolf Buchbinder will share his take on Beethoven with the Korean audience through a piano recital. Titled “Rudolf Buchbinder & Beethoven,” the piano performance is slated to take place at the Seoul Arts Center on May 12. Before the performance, Buchbinder will tour cities in Korea, performing in Daegu, Gwangju and eastern Seoul.  Pianist Rudolf Buchbinder (Vincero Arts Management & Entertainment)The recital in May marks the pianist’s first performance here in six years.

Jan. 22, 2019

[Herald Review] ‘Innocent Witness,’ heart-warming film with generic narrative

Actress Kim Hyang-gi continues to impress with her range, character-building based on heavy research, and carefully honed acting skills that promise more wonders on the horizon from the 18-year-old. Talking about “Innocent Witness” has to start with the leading lady because the charm of Lee Han’s drama hinges on Kim’s portrayal of the titular character: the innocent witness Ji-woo.The film takes off with Sun-ho -- played by Jung Woo-sung -- a former human-rights lawyer who gave up on his dream t

Jan. 22, 2019

[K-talk] Roh Tae-hyun of Hotshot unveils tracklist for solo EP ‘biRTHday’

Roh Tae-hyun of boy band Hotshot has unveiled the tracklist for his solo debut extended play, “biRTHday.”Representing the artist, Star Crew Entertainment released the list on its official social media pages. Roh participated in the songwriting process for all the songs on the EP, which is his first solo work, according to the agency. Teaser image for Roh Tae-hyun’s solo debut EP (Star Crew Entertainment)Fronted by a lead track of the same title, “biRTHday” includes three more tracks: hit songwri

Jan. 22, 2019

[K-talk] JYP Publishing seeks songwriting talent

JYP Publishing, a music publisher under JYP Entertainment, is searching for new songwriters via auditions.The entry requirement for the auditions includes a sample track for one of three JYP Entertainment artists: GOT7, Twice and Stray Kids. Songwriter audition poster for JYP Publishing (JYP Entertainment)Submissions are being accepted through Feb. 18, and selected candidates from the first round will be eligible to participate in a two-day songwriting camp starting Feb. 27. Applicants who make

Jan. 22, 2019

Seventeen releases ‘Home’

K-pop act Seventeen has released its sixth EP, “You Made My Dawn,” about six months after the summer EP “You Made My Day.”Marking the act’s first release of this year, the six-track album is fronted by lead track “Home,” an urban future R&B track that features ample use of synth sounds and a multitude of vocal colors. Veering away from the sound of the band’s earlier explosive tracks like “Very Nice,” the single is rather a throwback to its older sonic style, recalling tracks like “Thanks” and “

Jan. 22, 2019

Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin both deny dating rumors

Actor Hyun Bin and his recent movie co-star, Son Ye-jin, have both denied rumors that they are romantically involved, according to their agencies, after a suspected photo of them shopping together began to circulate on the Internet. Both of their agencies said they met in the United States for a get-together with their friends and they are not dating. (Herald DB)"They are close and as far as we know they just met for a catch-up," Hyun's VAST Entertainment agency told Yonhap. Son's agency, MS Tea

Jan. 21, 2019

Netflix's first original Korean drama 'Kingdom' unveiled to media

Netflix on Monday unveiled to media its first original Korean drama series, which has drawn much anticipation for its big budget and acclaimed creative team."Kingdom," which premieres globally on the U.S. video streaming service Friday, is a genre-defining six-episode zombie mystery thriller set in the last Korean kingdom of Joseon. It took nearly eight years to produce the series, with its production cost reaching 2 billion won (US$1.7 million) per episode, according to the producers.Netflix ch

Jan. 21, 2019

[Video] Lee Na-young, Lee Jong-suk to show romance in publishing industry in new rom-com

Actress Lee Na-young, who is more well-known in the film industry, is returning to the small screen with the new rom-com series “Romance is a Bonus Book” (direct translation), in which she stars opposite Lee Jong-suk.She plays Kang Dan-Yi, a former top copy editor at a PR firm who was happily married with a daughter but who is now divorced, with her career put on halt. She strives to excel in the workplace again, representing many South Korean women who face similar struggles. Women whose career

Jan. 21, 2019

[K-talk] Black Pink wraps up Jakarta concerts, sets out for Hong Kong

Black Pink held a two-day concert in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday and Sunday as part of the band’s ongoing international concert tour. 　The quartet entertained fans throughout each two-hour show with a series of hits from their early days such as “Boombayah,” “Whistle” and “Ddu-du Ddu-du.” The latter, released in June 2018, recently hit the 617 million views mark on YouTube, overtaking BTS’ “DNA” as the most viewed K-pop video on the website. 　 2019 concert tour “Blackpink in Your Area” (YG Ente

Jan. 21, 2019

[K-talk] JYP Entertainment teases debut of new girl group ITZY

A brand new girl group called ITZY is debuting under JYP Entertainment, the first to do so since Twice made its debut in October 2015.JYP Entertainment released a teaser video titled “Prologue Film: ITZY? ITZY!” Sunday at midnight on the music label’s online channels YouTube, Naver TV and V Live. The 70-second video garnered 1.2 million views on YouTube as of Monday morning. (JYP Entertainment)The five-member act is composed of Yuna, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, Lia and Yeji. Three of the five already ha

Jan. 21, 2019

BTS' 'Blood Sweat & Tears' tops 400 m YouTube views

South Korean boy group BTS' "Blood Sweat & Tears" music video has garnered over 400 million views on YouTube.The video passed the threshold at about 8 p.m. Sunday, the group's management, Big Hit Entertainment, said Monday. (Yonhap)With the achievement, the BTS renewed its own record as K-pop artists with the largest number of music videos with more than 400 million views. The five other videos in that category are "DNA," "Fire," "Dope," "Fake Love" and a remix of "MIC Drop.""Blood Sweat & Tears

Jan. 21, 2019

[K-talk] Seventeen to drop winter EP ‘You Made My Dawn’ Monday

Seventeen is releasing a new album this week, the first since its summer extended play “You Make My Day” in July.The 13-member group’s upcoming winter album “You Made My Dawn,” slated for release Monday, has been named one of Billboard’s 10 most highly anticipated K-pop albums of 2019 alongside Astro’s “All Light,” GFriend’s “Time For Us,” g.o.d’s “Then & Now” among others. Album cover of Seventeen’s new cover ‘You Made My Dawn’ (Pledis Entertainment)“Home,” an urban future R&B song, fronts Seve

Jan. 20, 2019