SHINee’s Key talks about what to expect from first solo album ‘Face’

Key of SHINee said he wanted to prove he could pull off making new music as a solo artist despite a hectic schedule.On Friday, the singer will release “Face,” his first solo album in his 10-year career, which includes a track produced by American DJ and producer Skrillex. The record is testament to not only Key’s musical versatility but his determination to prove he can get the best of both worlds: making music and starring in films.  (Yonhap)He stars in a movie set to be released next year. “I

Nov. 27, 2018

NU’EST W returns with last album ‘Wake, N’

NU’EST W has returned with its third and final album as a four-piece unit of NU’EST. Dressed in black suits, the four bandmates looked confident yet nervous as they spoke about “Wake, N.”“Our main focus in this album was to deliver the lyrics well,” said JR during a showcase Monday. “The album includes group songs that express waking up from sleep, and solo tracks talking about feelings coming alive.” (Pledis Entertainment)The seven-track record is led by “Help Me,” a fusion pop rhythm and blues

Nov. 27, 2018

‘Sanctuary’ promises classic Lovelyz

Lovelyz has an uncanny ability to blend a minor key progression with a synthed-up dance beat -- a characteristic that makes its songs recognizable within a few seconds of listening.After a brief detour with “A Piece of Summer,” the group is back to its signature blend. (Woollim Entertainment)Loyal listeners will recognize the sequence of a mostly minor-key melody punctuated by major-key interjections that is unique to Lovelyz in “Sanctuary,” the group’s fifth EP released Monday. Mixing up contra

Nov. 26, 2018

WINNER's Mino employs retro beats to enliven his hip-hop solo album

Boy band WINNER's rapper Mino released his first full-length album Monday, the lead hip-hop track of which utilizes brilliantly entwined retro Korean beats.Beats and concepts were borrowed from a soulful, rhythmic 1969 Korean song whose title translates as "A Maiden from Soyang River" to add retro vibes to the lead track "Fiance." Including the unique lead song, the solo album "XX" has 12 tracks, with Mino composing and writing all the songs in collaboration with other artists."I wanted to give

Nov. 26, 2018

Ezra Miller spotted with Claudia Kim in Seoul

American actor Ezra Miller toured Seoul with Korean actress Claudia Kim on Monday. Both actors starred in the recently released film “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.”(Instagram)Kim posted on her Instagram account photos of the two eating Korean food together. In the photos, Miller had a long piece of kimchi hanging out of his mouth. (Instagram) (Instagram)In a separate post, Kim also uploaded photos taken at a Line Friends Store, where Kim and Miller posed playfully with life-sized

Nov. 26, 2018

Beleaguered Microdot may leave TV show as scam allegations involving parents rile public

In the latest development concerning allegations that rapper Microdot’s parents were involved in a multibillion-won scam, the 25-year-old rapper is reported to be leaving Channel A’s popular fishing show “The Fishermen and the City.”Local media outlet Sports World, citing a representative of the cable channel, said it has been decided that Microdot should no longer be part of the show as the controversy is hindering him from filming.The latest episode of the show on Thursday aired without any sc

Nov. 25, 2018

T-ara’s Jiyeon signs with Koo Hye-sun, Han Ye-seul’s agency

T-ara’s Jiyeon signed with Partners Park, the same agency that works with actresses Koo Hye-sun and Han Ye-seul, for her domestic activities. Partners Park said Friday that it will exclusively manage Jiyeon’s domestic singing and acting deals. “We will endeavor to assist Park Ji-yeon in bringing great works to you,” the agency said.  Park Ji-yeon (Partners Park)Jiyeon debuted in 2009 as a singer in the group T-ara. She is known for her hits “Lies,” “Bo Peep Bo Peep” and “I Go Crazy Because of Yo

Nov. 23, 2018

Ailee confirms solo concert in December

Singer Ailee will stage a solo concert in December, according to YMC Entertainment on Friday.The event, which runs Dec. 8-9 at the Olympic Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, is the star’s first solo concert this year. A poster for Ailee’s upcoming concert in December (Yonhap)The agency said Ailee will show her full potential as a singer during the concert, filling the stage with various genres of music from soft ballads to powerful dance tracks.“I cannot believe that it’s already been a year since my

Nov. 23, 2018

Rapper gets suspended sentence for assaulting girlfriend

An appeals court upheld rapper Iron’s 2016 sentence of eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, after a lower court found him guilty of multiple counts of assault.The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday found Iron, 26, guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend on several occasions, including an assault during a sexual encounter.He was also ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.  (Yonhap)Iron was booked without detention in September 2016 after punching his girlfriend

Nov. 23, 2018

Block B without Zico? Group leader not renewing with agency

Rapper Zico is leaving Block B after his five-year contract with the group’s label recently expired. Seven Seasons, which represents Block B, announced in a statement on Friday that Zico and the agency had agreed not to renew.“We thank Zico for (all the efforts he put in) as the leader and producer of Block B,” Seven Seasons said in its statement. “We wish Zico luck on his new beginning. We will always support him.”  Zico (Yonhap)The remaining six band members have extended their contracts, Seve

Nov. 23, 2018

Jang Geun-suk’s fans sue online commenters for defamation

Cri-J, the fan club of actor Jang Geun-suk, is taking legal action in defense of its hero’s reputation. The fan club told local media Friday that it had launched a fundraiser in August, seeking 20 million won ($17,690) to sue online rumormongers who had posted “unfounded ill-intended words (against Jang Geun-suk).” Fans say the targets of the suit repeatedly left malicious comments about Jang. With the funds it raised, the fan club recently filed a defamation suit against the commenters. (Tree J

Nov. 23, 2018

Drunken Tiger says he considered giving up music for financial reasons

South Korean hip-hop icon Drunken Tiger has opened up about struggling with financial difficulties five years ago.He said during a group interview with reporters on Thursday that he was so financially strapped that he considered giving up music and starting a tteokbokki (a spicy rice cake dish) stand in his neighborhood.In South Korea, a tteokbokki stand is one of the most common businesses opened by low-income self-employed workers.The story came as a surprise because the award-winning hip-hop

Nov. 23, 2018

‘Make way, Mr. President’: BTS storms Time’s person of the year poll

Both President Moon Jae-in and boy band BTS are vying to be named Time’s 2018 person of the year, in the US magazine’s annual search for the person or group who has had the greatest influence for the past 12 months. This photo of Moon and BTS was posted on the band`s official Twitter account on Oct. 14. (Twitter @BTS_BigHit)BTS currently leads the magazine’s online poll with 10 percent of total votes, followed by Moon with 7 percent.Time started holding the online poll in 1998 to let readers wei

Nov. 22, 2018

BTS wins first platinum single and first gold album from RIAA

BTS recently won its first platinum single and two gold album certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America.RIAA certifications are awarded based on number of recording units sold -- over 500,000 certify for gold, over 1 million platinum, over 10 million diamond. (Big Hit Entertainment)The septet’s latest album “Love Yourself: Answer,” which debuted at the top of Billboard 200’s Sept. 1 chart, has been certified gold, becoming its first gold-certified album. The lead track to t

Nov. 22, 2018

‘Produce 101’ star Jeon Somi to debut solo under YG subsidiary

Jeon Somi, a winner of season one of the talent competition show “Produce 101,” will embark on a solo career in March 2019. (Mnet)Jeon debuted with the yearlong project group I.O.I following the season finale in April 2016. Comprising contenders who finished within the top 11, I.O.I enjoyed success, winning three new artist of the year awards at three of the major music awards at home: Golden Disc, Mnet Asian Music Awards and Seoul Music Awards.Previously signed with JYP Entertainment, Jeon did

Nov. 21, 2018

Making Stravinsky visible

The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company’s “Three Stravinsky” is a set of three dances based on three compositions by Igor Stravinsky, one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.A follow-up project to last year’s “Three Bolero,” in which three choreographers reinterpreted composer Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero,” this piece also involved three choreographers: the company’s artistic director Ahn Sung-soo and colleagues Kim Jae-duk and Jung Young-doo. Each one selected a Stravinsky sc

Nov. 21, 2018

‘Take Point’ delves into story of privatized military

From James Cameron’s “Avatar” to “Ready Player One,” soldier of fortune characters have made frequent appearances in Hollywood blockbusters. But rarely does one become the subject of a Korean film.The upcoming action thriller “Take Point,” directed by Kim Byung-woo, features a pack of mercenaries operating within an international military corporation, working on an enormous project with potentially catastrophic ramifications.“When we think of combat action, we often think of soldiers. I wanted a

Nov. 21, 2018

[Video] ‘Encounter’ marks Song Hye-kyo’s return to TV drama

Actress Song Hye-kyo is returning to the small screen with the new romance series “Encounter,” ending a hiatus following her high-profile marriage to Song Joong-ki in 2017.She will star opposite actor Park Bo-gum as his love interest. Park has also been away from TV for nearly two years, since “Love in the Moonlight.” Song plays Cha Soo-hyun, the daughter of a prominent politician and a celebrity in her own right as the ex-wife of a conglomerate heir, widely known as a chaebol in Korea. Cha take

Nov. 21, 2018

Rapper Microdot apologizes after parents’ fraud allegations

Rapper Microdot has apologized in the face of growing pressure to address fraud allegations surrounding his parents.In a statement released Wednesday, the rapper said, “First and foremost, I want to apologize to those who were hurt because of what my parents did.” (Microdot`s Instagram)“As a son, I think I have some responsibility to bear. I want to meet each and every one (of the victims) and listen,” he added. Microdot also apologized for his previous comments that the allegations are unfounde

Nov. 21, 2018

Steven Yoo announces new album after controversy, plans to donate proceeds

Steven Yoo, also known as Yoo Seung-jun, will release a digital album after an 11-year hiatus that followed a controversial decision to acquire US citizenship. By becoming a US citizen, Yoo was able to avoid South Korea’s mandatory military service.According to local media, the singer will send out a prerelease track Thursday, titled “Another Day.” The song is a medium-tempo ballad.  (Steven Yoo Weibo)Yoo’s album will be available Dec. 5 along with a music video for the title track. The singer c

Nov. 21, 2018