Why Stray Kids are K-pop’s new power players

(Stray Kid`s Instagram)At first, their strong leanings on hip-hop and aggressive choreography seem reminiscent of the early days of K-pop phenomenon BTS. But there is something particular about this sparkling rookie group. New JYP Entertainment group Stray Kids have seen quite a bit of success despite their short time in the scene; Since its debut in March, the nine-member group quickly racked up a huge international following and continued to create a buzz by landing its pre-debut album at No.

Aug. 6, 2018

BTOB leader Seo Eun-kwang to enlist after concerts this month

BTOB frontman Seo Eun-kwang will enlist in the military on Aug. 21, according to his agency Cube Entertainment. The singer confirmed the surprising news himself, releasing a statement through his agency that said, “I am really sorry to fans who might be surprised at this sudden news about my enlistment. I am sorry for not being able to keep all those many promises I made with you. I will keep those promises after I fulfill my military duty.” (Cube Entertainment)Details regarding the time and tra

Aug. 6, 2018

Ailee opens up about negative effects of extreme dieting

Singer Ailee shed tears while recalling her experience of dieting during the episode of “Hidden Singer” that aired Sunday. “Hidden Singer” is a TV program in which a pop star and impersonators compete in a singing battle while the audience tries to guess the real singer by listening to their voices only. (JTBC)During Sunday’s episode, an impersonator said she had lost 15 kg to become a singer after she saw Ailee had lost weight. In turn, Ailee opened up about her own experience.Ailee said she wa

Aug. 6, 2018

Seoul city to issue special EXO-themed edition of Seoul tour pass

The city of Seoul and Seoul Tourism Organization announced Monday a special EXO-themed Seoul tour pass for foreign visitors will go on sale on Aug. 20.The special edition of the Discovery Seoul Pass comes with images of the EXO bandmates. There are 10 different versions, including solo shots of the eight bandmates and two group photos.  (Seoul Metropolitan Government) (Seoul Metropolitan Government) (Seoul Metropolitan Government)The city plans to issue 1,000 Discovery Seoul Pass cards priced at

Aug. 6, 2018

Jo Kwon enlists on Aug 6.

2AM’s Jo Kwon will begin his 19-month mandatory military service Monday, according to his agency.Cube Entertainment, representing Jo Kwon, said, “The time and place of training camp will not be revealed since artist wanted a quiet enlistment.” (Instagram)The artist posted a selfie taken while shaving his head on his Instagram with a comment, “2018.8.6 – 2020.3.24. Keep Going. I’ll be healthy and well. Thank you and I love you.”Debuted as a member of 2AM in JYP Entertainment in 2008, Jo Kwon rece

Aug. 6, 2018

Ticket sales of 'Along With the Gods 2' surpass 6 mln on 5th day after release

South Korea's action fantasy film "Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days" is on course to set a ticket sale record for the nation's movie industry, with its total sales exceeding 6 million on Sunday, just 5 days after release.The sequel to the 2017 box office smash "Along With the Gods:The Two Worlds" is the first South Korean movie to break the 6 million mark in five days, according to distributor Lotte Entertainment. (Lotte Entertainment)The movie sold 1.24 million tickets last Wednesday, sett

Aug. 5, 2018

Han Hyo-ju supports TV drama version of ‘Beauty Inside’

The movie “Beauty Inside” is set be adapted into a TV drama on JTBC. The TV drama centers on a unique romance in which a woman whose face changes on a regular basis interacts with a man. The protagonists for the TV drama edition are Seo Hyun-jin and Lee Min-gi. (BH Entertainment)In the film version, it is the man’s face that gets changed. Han Hyo-ju was the female protagonist in the movie. “Since I have a special affection for ‘Beauty Inside,’ I’m looking forward to seeing the film made into a d

Aug. 5, 2018

Red Velvet says its new single ‘Power Up’ will power fans up

After shaking things up with its song “Red Flavor” in July last year, Red Velvet is set to offer another taste of summer with its new single “Power Up.”“Our new single ‘Power Up’ delivers a message of ‘work hard and play hard.’ If ‘Red Flavor’ is energetic and upbeat from its beginning to end, ‘Power Up’ is very infectious,” said Irene during a press conference for the band’s second solo concert “Red Mare” in Seoul on Sunday.  (Yonhap)Red Velvet’s new summer album “Summer Magic,” slated for rele

Aug. 5, 2018

CL’s dramatic change

Pictures showing CL’s dramatic change in appearance have drawn a great deal of attention from media and fans.On Friday the charismatic singer appeared to have gained a significant amount of weight when she was spotted at Incheon Airport on Friday, as she traveled to Singapore for a concert.In the images released by local media, CL was seen wearing an oversized black T-shirt that draped over her body with a pair of jeans baring her knees. (CL's Instagram)But her outfit was overshadowed by talks o

Aug. 3, 2018

Mystery unveiled over child actor’s face in ‘My ID is Gangnam Beauty’

TV drama “My ID is Gangnam Beauty” garnered much praise for its cryptic portrayal of the main character’s childhood after its first episode aired on July 27.The drama revolves around a character named Kang Mi-rae, who undergoes plastic surgery following hateful comments about her appearance dating back to her childhood. Starring actress Lim Soo-hyang, the series follows Kang’s university life as a transformed “beauty.”  (JTBC)In the first two episodes, the bulk of the story was about Kang’s scho

Aug. 3, 2018

Kallaci String Quartet fills late violinist Kwun Hyuk-joo's place

Kallaci String Quartet now has a new member on the violin, a position left vacant for two years following the unexpected death of violinist Kwun Hyuk-joo. Since Kwun’s passing, the group had been inviting guest violinists to perform with it.Now, with violinist Kang Su-yeon as a new member, the Kallaci String Quartet will hold a concert at Kumho Art Hall on Aug. 30.From left: violinist Kang Su-yeon, violinist Jang Yoo-jin, violist Lee Han-na and cellist Shim Joon-ho perform at Kumho Art Hall in D

Aug. 3, 2018

HyunA opts for ‘honest’ route, confirming relationship with E’Dawn

HyunA confirmed she has been dating E’Dawn, a fellow member of the group Triple H.The confirmation came as local news outlets reported Friday the stars have been dating for two years. HyunA and E’Dawn perform together on stage as two-thirds of Triple H. (Yonhap)HyunA said she had met E’Dawn when he was a trainee and they became friends while working together, before starting a relationship around May 2016.She said she got closer with E’Dawn while making music together, particularly when E’Dawn h

Aug. 3, 2018

[Video] BT21 characters hit Incheon Airport

BT21 collection, co-produced by BTS and Line Corp., the Japanese subsidiary of Korea's biggest portal Naver, is witnessing an explosive growth in less than a year since its launch.While BT21 may seem like eight fluffs of pure cutness on the outside, one should be careful not to underestimate the fictitious octet's star power.BT21's RJ at Incheon Airport's Terminal 2 (The Korea Herald)Mang, Tata, Chimmy, Cooky, RJ, Shooky, Koya and Van have become some of the hottest names anywhere since their de

Aug. 2, 2018

Vixx’s Leo fills ‘Canvas’ with splashes of his unique color

For the past six years, the versatile singer had his hand in everything from songwriting to pursuing a musical theatre career, except for filling an album only with his voice. And for his ever first solo album “Canvas,” Leo of Vixx transformed himself into a meticulous artist and splashed a blank canvas with colors only the artist himself could create. The seven-track album is led by lead track “Touch & Sketch,” a groovy bass-driven song that bounces between the digitized beat and Leo’s clear br

Aug. 2, 2018

[Herald Review] Words spark tension in ‘The Spy Gone North’

As a child of the ’90s when James Bond films first started to take the loud, bombastic, shoot-’em-all approach, it feels weird to watch a spy film in which not one bullet is fired.To be fair, “The Spy Gone North” is like the love child of a political thriller and a spy film, but director Yoon Jong-bin’s attempt to raise tension through words, not actions, is admirable and quite effective.The film is based on a real-life event that occurred during the 1990s, with the creators taking liberty with

Aug. 2, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days(Korea)Opened July 1Action, Drama, Fantasy Directed by Kim Yong-hwaGangrim (Ha Jung-woo), an agent of the afterlife, attempts to clear his client Kim Su-hong’s (Kim Dong-wook) charges in a trial after death, while his colleagues Haewonmak (Ju Ji-hoon) and Lee Deok-choon (Kim Hyang-gi) try to bring an elderly man living past his due time to the underworld. But the trio’s past threatens both missions.Mission: Impossible - Fallout(US)Opened July 25Action, Advent

Aug. 2, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘We don’t expect anything from our new song,' says iKon

In August last year, iKon fans were enraged at YG Entertainment for the group’s lack of promotion in Korea, even announcing a boycott of products produced by the agency. The coin was flipped with its release of “New Kids: Return” EP earlier in January. The group became one of the most prolific K-pop acts in the scene, releasing two albums a year and enjoying its heyday with the first smash hit “Love Scenario.” Seven months later, the group returned Thursday with “New Kids: Continue,” the last of

Aug. 2, 2018

Agency denies snowballing rumors of HyunA dating E’Dawn

HyunA’s agency has denied rumors that the singer is dating E’Dawn, a fellow member of mixed-gender pop trio Triple H.Dating rumors between the two swirled after a report by Korean online media outlet TV Report claimed they began dating after meeting via Triple H.A source close to both singers’ agency Cube Entertainment denied the rumors in talks with multiple media outlets.HyunA (middle) and E'Dawn (right). (Yonhap)But speculation continues unabated, as the detailed report outlined the timeline

Aug. 2, 2018

Will CJ co-create BTS’ younger sibling?

BTS’ agency joins CJ ENM to launch entertainment companyCJ ENM is already the biggest company in the Korean entertainment industry today, but it could be heading for an even bigger presence in the global market, as the agency of BTS -- arguably the biggest star in K-pop at the moment -- is joining its massive family.The entertainment behemoth will collaborate with Big Hit Entertainment to launch an entertainment venture firm later in the month, according to local media reports. The CJ affiliate

Aug. 1, 2018

Orchestra to hold concert near DMZ

The Lindenbaum Festival Orchestra will hold a peace-promoting concert at Camp Greaves, a former military base in the northernmost area of South Korea, just 2 kilometers from the Demilitarized Zone, in collaboration with members from the Yale Symphony Orchestra and young musicians from around the globe. Led by violinist and artistic director Won Hyung-joon, the festival orchestra is a project orchestra formed in 2009 with hopes to create a joint South-North orchestra. It holds a concert at the ca

Aug. 1, 2018