[K-talk] BTOB’s Lee Min-hyuk releases teasers for first solo album

Lee Minhyuk of BTOB on Monday revealed the schedule leading up to his solo debut slated for Jan. 15.The leader and rapper of BTOB will release his first solo album, “Hutazone,” next week.  (Cube Entertainment)Lee will drop teasers, including the track list, on Tuesday, followed by a concept image, trailer clip, audio teaser and a music video teaser. The rapper previously dropped a single as part of BTOB members’ solo single project series “Piece of BTOB” in 2017. Through the project, Lee not onl

Jan. 7, 2019

[K-talk] BTS wins 6 awards at GDA including Daesang

Having grabbed bagful of gongs at the MMAs and Asia Artist Awards, BTS once again won big at the 33rd Golden Disc Awards in Seoul on Sunday As soon as BTS was called out to receive the Daesang, or the grand prize, members stood up bowing their heads repeatedly toward all the singers and their fans to show their gratitude. (Yonhap)“We turn the honor of the awards to our official fanclub Army for supporting us throughout 2018,” said leader RM. “We had a hard time at the start of the year, getting

Jan. 7, 2019

Upcoming musicals for 2019

Wednesday sees the kickoff in Seoul of the musical “The Lion King,” marking the beginning of another year with an array of musicals to entertain local audiences.The musical will performed in English, as it comes as part of an international tour. The show continues through March 28 at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul. It will be held at 8 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends. There are no shows on Mondays or on Feb. 6.   Ntsepa Pitjeng, who plays the role of Rafiki in

Jan. 6, 2019

[K-talk] Lee Hyori comes onstage at IU’s concert in Jeju

Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon appeared at IU’s concert in Jeju on Saturday. The couple surprised fans by making an appearance during IU’s 10th anniversary concert “dlwlrma-Jeju ‘Curtain Call’” held at the International Convention Center Jeju on Jeju Island. “Thank you so much for coming to my concert. I’m so nervous right now,” said the 26-year-old as she greeted the two. (IU’s Twitter)Lee Hyori and IU sang a duet song, “She’s Different From Me,” with Lee Sang-soon’s guitar accompaniment. The song

Jan. 6, 2019

[K-talk] Apink drops video teaser for ‘%%’

Apink has dropped a music video teaser for its song “%%” slated for release at 6 p.m. Monday.Representing the girl group, Plan A Entertainment unveiled the first music video teaser for “%%,” the title track of the upcoming EP “Percent,” at midnight Friday via Apink’s official fan page and social media channels. (Plan A Entertainment)The 52-second clip features member Son Na-eun whispering some words while other members appear to be in the middle of a ritual: They are gathered around looking at a

Jan. 6, 2019

Black Pink tops girl group brand ranking for January

Black Pink was named the most popular K-pop girl group in January, followed by Twice and Red Velvet, according to the Korea Brand Reputation Center. The center analyzed over 135 million pieces of big data on K-pop girl groups from Dec. 4, 2018 to Jan. 5 and examined their brand reputation in the categories of participation, media, communication and community.  (YG Entertainment)The brand reputation measures positive and negative perception rates, interest from the media and attention and communi

Jan. 6, 2019

BTS shares the honor of awards with Army

BTS won the Digital Bonsang and the Global V Live Top 10 Best Artist awards at the 2019 33rd Golden Disc Awards held Saturday at Gocheock Sky Dome in Seoul.“Thank you to our fanclub Army for streaming our songs, allowing us to win the Bonsang,” said Suga at the event. “We are working hard on new tracks to present our fans with good music. Thank you for waiting,” added the leader RM. (BTS official Twitter)This was not the end of BTS showing love toward its fans. On Sunday morning, member Jimin an

Jan. 6, 2019

Viewers left baffled at ‘worst restaurant owner’ on ‘Alley Restaurant’

A pizza restaurant owner on chef Baek Jong Won’s reality show “Alley Restaurant” has caused anger among viewers with his abrasive attitude and questionable food hygiene standards.The restaurant makeover show featured a pizza restaurant owner in Cheongpa-dong in Seoul on this week’s episode, during which chef Hwang Ho-jun served his “Mexican style” chicken noodle soup to a group of tasters who were university students. (SBS)It is safe to say Hwang did not leave a good impression as he took nearly

Jan. 4, 2019

Seoulites to take stage at ‘Yu Gwan-sun Opera Cantata’

The people of Seoul will be invited to take part in a musical performance in honor of freedom fighter Yu Gwan-sun to be held on March 2, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement and the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the Seoul Metropolitan Chorus will jointly hold “Yu Gwan-sun Opera Cantata.” The performance tells the life story of the emblematic female activist of the March 1st

Jan. 4, 2019

[Weekender] Which celebs were born in the Year of the Pig?

The Year of the Golden Pig falls once every 60 years and is associated with wealth and good fortune. So it looks like 2019 could be a lucky year. People born this year have the pig as their Chinese zodiac animal. The Year of the Pig comes every 12 years, so this is a special year for anyone born in 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959 or 1947.Here are some of the most famous public figures in South Korea who were born in the Year of the Pig.V (BTS), singer, 1995V, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, was bo

Jan. 3, 2019

Actress Clara to get married in US

Korean actress Clara announced her wedding through her agency Koreana Clara on Thursday.According to Koreana Clara, the actress will marry her Korean-American fiance in a small private wedding ceremony in the US on Sunday, with only families and friends attending.  (to Bride)Here is a translation of the statement released by Clara’s agency:Hello this is actress Clara’s agency Koreana Clara.It is rather abrupt but there is a happy announcement about Clara.The actress will get married in the US th

Jan. 3, 2019

Twitter reacts to premiere of ‘The Masked Singer’ US remake

The premiere of “The Masked Singer” aired Wednesday night in the US, and Twitter users already have a lot to say about the US remake of the popular South Korean variety show.The show features a dozen celebrities who wear over-the-top stage costumes and masks to hide their identity as they sing before a star-studded panel of judges, including Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke. (The Masked Singer's Twitter)The identity of each contestant is revealed when they are eliminated, and last night it wa

Jan. 3, 2019

Violinist Christian Tetzlaff says ‘I am a family man’

“Mostly, I am a family man,” said violinist Christian Tetzlaff in a phone interview ahead of his upcoming debut concert as the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s artist-in-residence this year. 　“Family, of course, is the most important thing in life,” the father of six continued. “But the support in really difficult and desperate times -- yes, playing and listening to music can really give a lot to most people -- to know that we are sharing grief and that sharing joy in concerts. This is the reason

Jan. 3, 2019

[K-talk] S.M. Entertainment to hold SMTown Live in Santiago

S.M. Entertainment will hold its “SMTown Special Stage in Santiago” concerts at Estadio Nacional sports complex in the Chilean city on Jan. 18-19, the first time the agency’s flagship event will take place in South America.Many of the marquee names in the agency including BoA, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation’s Yuri and Hyoyeon, SHINee’s Key and Taemin, EXO, f(x)’s Amber, Red Velvet and NCT are to participate in the event to perform colorful stages for two days.(S.M. Entertainment)Estadio Naciona

Jan. 3, 2019

CJ ENM’s Studio DIA generates 400 videos, 100 million views in 2018

CJ ENM’s DIA TV stayed strong on the YouTube platform in 2018.According to Thursday’s announcement from DIA TV, an affiliate of entertainment heavyweight CJ ENM, Studio DIA created around 400 videos last year, which combined for 100 million views.  Creators affiliated with DIA TV promote the channel. (CJ ENM)While DIA TV specializes in managing content creators -- particularly YouTubers -- Studio DIA, a subdivision launched in 2017, creates original videos suitable for the online streaming platf

Jan. 3, 2019

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Aquaman(US)Opened Dec. 19Action, Adventure, Fantasy Directed by James WanHalf-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) struggles with his identity while his father still misses his wife, former Atlantian queen Atlanna. Arthur keeps turning down the request by Mera (Amber Heard) and Vulko (Willem Dafoe) to challenge his half brother, Orm (Patrick Wilson), for the throne of Atlantis, but he is forced to take action when Orm plans to wage a war on humanity.Take Point(Korea)Opened Dec. 26Act

Jan. 3, 2019

[K-talk] Jimin’s solo ‘Promise’ hits 13m streams within 3 days

The first self-composed song from Jimin of boy band BTS, “Promise” was streamed over 13 million times in its first two days and 20 hours since release, the quickest pace among any solo efforts from the bandmates.When the song was released Monday via global music platform SoundCloud, the site was momentarily paralyzed with users rushing to stream the track.  (BTS official blog)“Promise” not only topped the New Hot chart and Top 50 chart of SoundCloud, but regional music charts including for the U

Jan. 3, 2019

Daniel Henney donates W200m to charity

Korean-American actor Daniel Henney has donated a total of 200 million won ($178,000) to the Community Chest of Korea. His donation exceeds the 100 million won needed to qualify to become a member of the Honor Society of the charity organization.  (Daniel Henney Instagram)The Community Chest said Henney’s contributions will be delivered to the Purme Foundation, Seungil Hope Foundation, Pearl S. Buck Foundation and Plan Korea to help people in need.“I hope my donation will help formulate a philan

Jan. 2, 2019

[Exclusive] Terrence Howard to launch audition program in Korea

Lucious Lyon of the popular drama series “Empire” will reincarnate in South Korea in April, when leading man Terrence Howard launches a TV audition program here to seek fresh acting talent. Visiting his fiancee and ex-wife Mira Pak’s country for the first time, Howard met with The Korea Herald to share his plans for the spring. “My wife was looking at me and saying, ‘My God. Half of the talent that you’ve seen in most of these shows don’t compare to the amount of heart and talent that I find in

Jan. 2, 2019

[K-talk] Wanna One’s Yoon Ji-sung to star in ‘The Days’

Yoon Ji-sung, leader of the recently disbanded Wanna One, will star in the musical “The Days,” which will be staged in Seoul from Feb. 22.According to Insight Entertainment representing the musical on Wednesday, Yoon will take the role of Kang Moo-young, a witty, free-spirited soul who works for the secret service. “I’m grateful to get such an opportunity after my activities end as a member of Wanna One,” said Yoon. “I’ve always had a desire to appear in a musical. I’ll show a new side of myself

Jan. 2, 2019