Lee brothers from The East Light talk to police in Media Line assault case

Lee Seok-cheol and his brother Seung-hyun -- both members of teenage boy band The East Light -- attended the Bangbae Police Station in southern Seoul, Friday, to give additional statements to police regarding the alleged assaults at Media Line Entertainment. In front of reporters who had gathered in front of the police station, Lee, 18, said he’d lived in fear due to the threats and beatings. “I hope my actions do not cause any more victims (of assault). I was only able to make it this far as I

Oct. 26, 2018

Still passionate at 77, Placido Domingo expects heart-touching performance

Legendary opera singer Placido Domingo is to hold a concert Friday at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul, marking the Spanish tenor’s seventh visit to Korea since his first in 1991. “I have been different times in Korea for probably the last 20 years or more, and I have always enjoyed your city and the public who is so warm and love classic music and opera,” said Domingo during a press conference held on Wednesday at Lotte Hotel in Jamsil, Seoul. Domingo also praised “the sensibility of the people i

Oct. 25, 2018

BTS’ BT21 characters to go on sale at Homeplus

Hypermarket chain Homeplus is to launch a range of merchandise in collaboration with BTS.According to Homeplus on Thursday, the market became the only offline shopping mall to launch products using the group‘s BT21 characters. (Instagram)There will be some 49 living products including cushions, blankets and slippers with BT21 characters, luring fans of the K-pop sensation BTS to decorate their houses. However, the products will only be sold until Nov. 28, not in every Homeplus but designated 130

Oct. 25, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Dark Figure of Crime (Korea) Opened Oct. 3Crime, Drama, MysteryDirected by Kim Tae-kyunConvicted murderer Kang (Ju Ji-hoon) calls up detective Kim Hyung-min (Kim Yoon-seok) from his cellphone and confesses to six additional murders that were never reported to authorities. Kim investigates the cases, and soon learns that Kang’s testimony is mixed with lies and the criminal is manipulating him.First Man (US)Biography, Drama, History Opened Oct. 18Directed by Damien Chazelle A look at the life of t

Oct. 25, 2018

BTS drops 3rd collaboration with DJ Steve Aoki

DJ and producer Steve Aoki surprised global fans by announcing a new song featuring BTS, titled “Waste It on Me,” would be released on Thursday.(Twitter)“We’re back! Got a new collaboration with my brothers BTS coming at you tomorrow!” Aoki wrote on Twitter. He also posted a short preview of the new song, to which the lyrics are all in English. (Twitter)This will be the third collaboration of BTS and Aoki, after the DJ remix versions of BTS’ hit single “Mic Drop” and “The Truth Untold.”Aoki also

Oct. 25, 2018

BTS awarded with cultural medal for role in promoting Korean culture

Superstar K-pop group BTS on Wednesday was awarded a cultural medal from the government for its contribution to the promotion of Korean culture worldwide.Cultural Minister Do Jong-hwan gave the medal to the septet at a ceremony at Olympic Hall in Seoul, after the group returned home earlier in the day after a highly successful, 52-day concert tour of the United States and Europe.(Yonhap)The BTS members said that they feel honored to receive the medal and will make efforts to further promote Kore

Oct. 24, 2018

BoA sings female empowerment with ‘Woman’

After revamping her career with “Negal Dola” and “One Shot, Two Shot” earlier this year, K-pop diva BoA mustered up more strength to return as charismatic and independent in “Woman.”Marking her ninth full-length album, the new record’s title track blends upbeat synths and diverse beats that lead into the soloist’s explosive chorus where she belts out, “Feels good to be a woman.”Crafted by BoA herself, the song kicks off with the clicking sounds of high heels and embodies the image of a charismat

Oct. 24, 2018

Gugudan to surprise fans with first individual concert

K-pop girl group Gugudan will hold its first individual concert in December, its agency confirmed Wednesday. “The ‘gu9udan 1st concert PLAY’ concert will take place at the Ewha University Auditorium on Dec. 1-2,” Jellyfish Entertainment said via Gugudan’s fan community site. The agency added the concert will showcase the group’s many charms in a new fashion. (Jellyfish Entertainment)Gugudan plans to perform tracks from the group’s four albums, “Act. 1 The Little Mermaid,” “Act. 2 Narcissus,” “Ac

Oct. 24, 2018

Black Pink's 'Boombayah' music video draws over 400m YouTube views

The music video for Black Pink's "Boombayah" has surpassed 400 million views on YouTube, making it the first K-pop group with three videos to hit the milestone.The video passed the 400 million mark at 9 p.m. Tuesday, more than two years after its release in August 2016, according to the group's management agency, YG Entertainment. (YG Entertainment)"Boombayah" is the main track off the group's debut single album "Square One." Black Pink became the first rookie girl group to top Billboard's World

Oct. 24, 2018

EXO's D.O. smashes TV chart for second straight week

After the television series "Dear Husband of 100 Days," D.O. from popular boy band EXO might be remembered by his real name, Do Kyung-soo.The tvN's historical series, also known as "100 Days My Prince," in which Do takes the lead role, topped the weekly TV chart for the second week in a row, data showed Wednesday.(tvN)The Monday-Tuesday series recorded a Content Power Index score of 287.2 for Oct. 15-21, far outperforming "King of Mask Singer," a singing competition show on MBC that came in dist

Oct. 24, 2018

‘Default’ to relive one of Korea’s worst nightmares

To many everyday people in Korea, 1997 is remembered as one of the worst years of their lives. The economy crumbled before their eyes. Banks collapsed, prices rose and jobs vanished into thin air at the height of the Asian financial crisis.“Default,” an upcoming drama directed by Choi Kook-hee, looks behind the events that unfolded in Korea as the country hit its lowest point financially in its modern history.“1997 marked a turning point for Korea’s modern society, and it still affects our lives

Oct. 24, 2018

[K-talk] BTS returns triumphant from Europe tour

After finishing the European leg of its “Love Yourself” world tour, BTS returned to its homeland of Korea safe and sound. On Wednesday morning, BTS arrived at Incheon Airport, ending a stretch of 52 days abroad since it departed to Los Angeles for the first stop of the world tour. (Yonhap)Overflowing with a European vibe, Jin wore a sky-blue T-shirt printed with the portrait of “Mona Lisa” and sandals from Givenchy, while Suga sported a long navy coat and blue wool hat from Chanel. Always jocula

Oct. 24, 2018

RM’s new mixtape gets warm reception around the globe

BTS member RM’s mixtape “Mono” has shot to the top of iTunes albums charts in over 80 countries including the US, France, Germany and Russia.Fans can download the mixtape for free.“Mono” consists of seven tracks including “Tokyo,” “Seoul,” “Moonchild,” “Badbye,” and “Forever Rain.” (Yonhap)RM was given more artistic freedom than usual this time, given the nature of a mixtape, and this freedom comes through in the raw lyrics of the track “Seoul,” which he worked on together with the British elect

Oct. 24, 2018

Kim Hyun-joong returns to small screen after scandals

Kim Hyun-joong is coming back to the small screen nearly four years after being mired in a number of scandals.Kim, who faced a paternity dispute with his ex-girlfriend and was caught driving under the influence of alcohol, will star in “When Time Stopped,” KBS W’s first Wednesday-Thursday drama series, which premieres Wednesday.The 12-episode fantasy romance show garnered attention following reports that it would star Kim, who debuted as part of boy band SS501. Kim will play the role of main cha

Oct. 23, 2018

‘Unstoppable’ to look, feel like Ma Dong-seok

To those familiar with both Korean and US cinema, the comparison between Ma Dong-seok and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson comes pretty naturally, just as “Get Out” producer Jason Blum drew the parallel during his recent visit to Busan.“I’ve heard, and it’s a tremendous honor,” Ma said, during a press conference for upcoming action flick “Unstoppable” in Seoul on Tuesday.From what director Kim Min-ho and other creative minds behind the action flick let on, “Unstoppable” looks to be a film that feels li

Oct. 23, 2018

US version of MBC ‘King of Mask Singer’ unveils teaser photos

The upcoming US television adaptation of MBC’s popular reality program “King of Mask Singer” has released full-length photos of its contestants.Unlike the original Korean television show, in which singers and celebrities wear masks but no other disguises, the contestants on Fox’s competition “The Masked Singer” are suited up in elaborate costumes that fully conceal their bodies. (Fox)(Fox)(Fox) (Fox)The US show also differs from the original in that it will feature 12 celebrity contestants and e

Oct. 23, 2018

NCT 127 lands on Billboard 200 chart as second-highest-charting K-pop boy band

K-pop boy band NCT 127 landed their latest full-length album on the Billboard chart of the 200 most popular albums, becoming the second-highest-charting Korean male band, the Billboard said Tuesday."The 10-member K-pop group sees their 'Regular-Irregular' album debut at No. 86 on the Billboard 200, marking NCT 127's first appearance on America's definitive albums chart," Billboard said, referring to the week ending on Oct. 18."NCT 127 now becomes the second-highest charting K-pop boy band on the

Oct. 23, 2018

Online troll who sexually harassed Seolhyun found guilty

A man who sent sexually humiliating messages and videos online to singer Seolhyun has been found guilty.In a statement Tuesday, the singer’s agency, FNC Entertainment, said the online troll who’d sent sexually degrading content in direct messages on Instagram had received a sentence of six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, after the Incheon District Court delivered its verdict. FNC EntertainmentThe agency also added that it was taking legal steps against other people who had made an

Oct. 23, 2018

K-pop singer to open Korean restaurant in Paris

K-pop singer Jung Joon-young, 29, will try his luck at running a Korean restaurant in none other than the culinary connoisseur city of Paris.Jung will open Maison de Coree next year, according to his agency, C9 Entertainment, Tuesday. Prior to a full-fledged launch, Jung will test the waters with a pop-up store at 80 Rue des Tournelles in the third arrondissement in Paris from Oct. 29 to Nov. 17. At Jung’s side will be chef Lee Jun of Seoul’s Michelin one-star contemporary cuisine restaurant Soi

Oct. 23, 2018

'Burning' wins best picture at Daejong Film Awards

"Burning," the latest movie from award-winning South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong, won best picture at the 55th annual Daejong Film Awards on Monday.Lee's first feature in eight years, "Burning," starring Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun and Jeon Jong-seo, depicts the insecurity, helplessness and anger of young Korean people through the story of a part-time deliveryman and aspiring novelist, and two of his friends. (AFP-Yonhap)Premiering in the main competition section of the 71st Cannes Film Festival,

Oct. 23, 2018