Tickets to BTS' first concert in US sell out

Tickets for K-pop boy band BTS' first concert in a US stadium sold out as soon as sales began, the group's management agency said Saturday.The seven-member K-pop sensation will perform at New York City's Citi Field Stadium on Oct. 6 as part of its world tour of 16 countries, including Canada, Britain, Germany and France. The band will begin the tour with local concerts in Seoul slated for Aug. 25-26.BTS will become the first South Korean singers to hold a solo concert at the home ballpark of the

Aug. 18, 2018

Conductor Chung Myung-whun, KBS Symphony Orchestra reunite after 20 years

Maestro Chung Myung-whun is getting ready to conduct the KBS Symphony Orchestra for the first time in 20 years. Chung’s last concert with the orchestra took place in March 1998 in Japan, when he held the chief conductor post. The reunion concert runs Aug. 23-24 at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall. Conductor Chung Myung-whun (KBS Symphony Orchestra)Titled “Talk With the Virtuoso of German Classic,” the upcoming concert will feature two of the most highly acclaimed violin symphony compositions by Ge

Aug. 17, 2018

Anticipation heightens over BTS’ new teaser photos

Just a week away from its much-anticipated return, BTS released teaser photos for its upcoming “Love Yourself: Answer” album. On Thursday night, the act’s agency Big Hit Entertainment revealed 16 promotional photos, divided into “L” and “F” versions, on its Twitter account. The group previously released teaser photos for the upcoming album in “S” and “E” versions, all of which combine to form the word “Self” from “Love Yourself.” BTS had also released four different sets of teaser for its “Her”

Aug. 17, 2018

'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin dies in Detroit at 76

NEW YORK -- Aretha Franklin, the undisputed "Queen of Soul" who sang with matchless style on such classics as "Think," "I Say a Little Prayer" and her signature song, ``Respect," and stood as a cultural icon around the globe, has died from pancreatic cancer. She was 76. Publicist Gwendolyn Quinn told The Associated Press through a family statement that Franklin died Thursday at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit.A professional singer and pianist by her late teens, a superstar by her mid-20s, Frank

Aug. 17, 2018

‘One Night in Paris’ and ‘Disney in Concert’ offer a late-summer treat after heat wave

Seoulites suffering from “cabin fever” after spending weeks indoors with their air conditioners on full blast might find some relief at Olympic Park 88 Grass Yard, where “Disney in Concert” and soprano Jo Su-mi’s concert “One Night in Paris” are scheduled to run Sept. 8 and Sept. 9, respectively. Jo and the Ditto Orchestra, conducted by Lorenzo Passerini, will perform a variety of songs thematically tied to Paris, ranging from opera arias to genre-crossing pieces, chosen to appeal to opera buffs

Aug. 16, 2018

Lee Ha-nee signs with US talent agency WME

Model-turned-actress Lee Ha-nee has become a client of the major US-based talent agency William Morris Endeavor Entertainment LLC, her local agency said Thursday.According to Saram Entertainment, Lee inked a deal with WME for representation, and signed a management deal with Artist International Group.“After meeting with several Hollywood agencies, she decided to sign with the partners as she believed it would be most beneficial when working in Hollywood, Saram Entertainment head Lee So-young wa

Aug. 16, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

The Spy Gone North (Korea)Opened Aug. 8DramaDirected by Yoon Jong-bin As North Korea pursues a nuclear program, the South Korean intelligence service sends a black operative, Heukgeumseong (Hwang Jung-min), to Beijing. Disguising himself as a businessman, the spy soon gains the trust of high-ranking North Korean official Lee Myeong-un (Lee Sung-min), and commences his mission to infiltrate the highly secluded country.Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days(Korea)Opened July 1Action, Drama, Fantasy

Aug. 16, 2018

Belated ‘epiphany’: What’s in store for final installment of BTS ‘Love Yourself’ saga

A year and two full-length albums later, BTS is finally here to give us the key to all the clues.As the world awaits the third and final chapter of the group’s “Love Yourself” saga, grandly titled “Answer,” Jin signaled at one of summer’s most highly anticipated releases with a trailer that went online on Thursday.  Jin leads the introduction of "Love Yourself: Answer" with "Epiphany." (Big Hit Entertainment)The septet likes to give fans something to chew on in the form of several-minute-long tr

Aug. 15, 2018

The Weeknd to hold Seoul concert in December

Those captivated by the smooth vocals of The Weeknd are in for a year-end treat, as the pop star has confirmed that his first concert here will take place in December.In the latest offering of the Hyundai Card Culture Project, which hosts cultural icons in such fields as music, art, dance and architecture, the R&B singer will perform at Gocheok Skydome in Seoul at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15.“The Weeknd symbolizes the PBR&B (alternative rhythm and blues) genre of today, which is rising as a trend in popul

Aug. 15, 2018

[Album review] DIA’s ‘Summer Ade’ needs more pop

DIA“Summer Ade” InterparkMany say that DIA is one of the most underrated K-pop acts, with its music always dwelling somewhere between “decent” and “superb.” Summer EPs have traditionally served as a means for K-pop groups to pursue different genres or go full-on-summery, like what GFriend and Red Velvet have done with “Sunny Summer” and “Summer Magic,” respectively. What DIA has done with its EP “Summer Ade,” however, doesn’t belong to either of the categories, ambiguously floating between two,

Aug. 15, 2018

[Video] MXM returns with self-produced album ‘More Than Ever’

Rising K-pop duo MXM, consisted of two former contestants of popular audition program “Produce 101 Season 2,” returned Tuesday with its first full-length album “More Than Ever.” Fronted by bubbly chill trap number “Ya Ya Ya,” the 14-track album has the fingerprints of Im Young-min and Kim Dong-hyun all over it, from songwriting to designing the album cover. The lead track, which lyrically compares love with the process of being addicted to bitter Americanos, makes ample use of breathy synths,

Aug. 14, 2018

YG Entertainment declares war on online trolls

YG Entertainment announced Tuesday it is launching a major legal battle against vicious online comments targeting its artists.The major K-pop agency said it has gathered evidence from February and has filed complaints concerning a dozen posts containing malicious rumors, slander and pornographic content, as well as 57 posts intended to humiliate the agency’s artists.(YG Entertainment)A legal move of this scale is seen as rare in South Korea’s entertainment industry, and could send a strong messa

Aug. 14, 2018

BTS releases photos for ‘Love Yourself: Answer’

Boy band BTS released photos for its upcoming repackaged album “Love Yourself: Answer” on Monday. The photos revealed via the band’s official homepage featured two different concepts: “S” and “E.”  (Big Hit Entertainment)The “S” group photo features a red background with members appearing impassive. Individual shots show each member seemingly trapped in a red box with different obstacles.  (Big Hit Entertainment)The “E” group photo shows members tied to strings and looking at the camera. Individ

Aug. 14, 2018

Genius reinvented, pianist Kim Sun-wook returns with new resolution

Even if you have something you love as a lifelong career, there can be moments you lose the passion you once had. Pianist Kim Sun-wook said during a press conference Tuesday that he had those moments over the last few years but has since regained the love for classical music he had when he was younger.  Pianist Kim Sun-wook speaks during a press conference held in Seoul on Tuesday. (Yonhap)“I used to like having things planned out. I used to dream big and make plans accordingly. Like going to th

Aug. 14, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘We will keep evolving, regardless of our age,’ says Super Junior D&E

Despite having given countless media interviews, Eunhyuk said he still feels nervous when he sits face to face with reporters. Looking causal with light makeup and huge glasses, Eunhyuk and Donghae of Super Junior D&E, a subunit of Super Junior formed in 2011 and named after the first letter of each member’s name, sat down with The Korea Herald to talk about their new album “‘Bout You” at the S.M. Entertainment Communication Center in Seoul on Monday. Although they appeared nervous at first, the

Aug. 14, 2018

Characters to come to life at cosplay festival in Bucheon

The Gyeonggi International Cosplay Festival will be held from Wednesday to Sunday in Bucheon, a city west of Seoul. Cosplay involves dressing up like animation, video game or comic book characters.  Cosplayers’ parade (Korea Manhwa Contents Agency)On Saturday, professional cosplayers will parade along a 1.8-kilometer route around the Bucheon City Hall, showcasing their costumes. Music and other performances will entertain visitors. The highlight of the festival is the Gyeonggi International Cosp

Aug. 13, 2018

K-pop legend H.O.T. to hold 1st concert since 2001

H.O.T., one of the biggest groups in K-pop history, is holding its first concert since its 2001 break-up.Local promoters for the concert on Monday confirmed earlier reports that the boy band will hold a concert in October at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul, after their comeback performance on MBC’s “ToToGa 3: Return of the Kings” made headlines and created a nationwide buzz.H.O.T. (S.M. Entertainment)“There have been a parade of requests from the fans since the ‘Totoga’ concert in F

Aug. 13, 2018

BTS and ARMY honored at Teen Choice Awards

BTS and its fan club ARMY were named Choice International Artist and Choice Fandom at the 2018 Teen Choice Awards.  (Big Hit Entertainment)US broadcaster Fox aired the 20th Teen Choice Awards held in California on Sunday. The annual event celebrates the year’s notable achievements in music, film, TV and fashion, based on votes by US viewers aged 13 to 19. (Twitter)ARMY outdid the fan clubs of Fifth Harmony, Taylor Swift, Black Pink, CNCO and One Direction, while BTS bagged the Choice Internation

Aug. 13, 2018

Pianist Kim Tae-hyung and SPO members to perform chamber pieces by Russian composers

Pianist Kim Tae-hyung and members of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will perform in a concert featuring chamber music pieces composed by Russian composers on Aug. 24 at the Sejong Chamber Hall in Seoul. Chamber pieces by Rachmaninoff, Medtner and Tchaikovsky will be performed under the title of “Russian Romantics,” with Rachmaninoff’s Trio Elegiaque for violin, cello and piano No. 1 in G minor opening the concert. Pianist Kim with violinist Kim Deok-woo and cellist Kim So-yeon, both of the SPO

Aug. 13, 2018

Story of land that made a king to unfold on screen

“Feng Shui,” starring Cho Seung-woo, Ji Sung, a political drama based in late Joseon eraIn his last film “Inside Men,” Cho Seung-woo played a stubborn prosecutor out to take down a corrupt network among media, politics and business. Now, he will suit up in hanbok to play a fictional land appraiser -- not by monetary value, but by East Asian art of geomancy “pungsujiri“ -- Park Jae-sang, who is to determine the fate of the turbulent Joseon era in “Feng Shui.” “With all the awesome actors in the f

Aug. 13, 2018