[Album review] Groovy and emotional, that’s Leo of Vixx

Vixx’s Leo“Canvas”(Stone Music Entertainment)Welcome to the dreamy land of this magician. It seems like Leo, an effortlessly seductive vocalist and songwriter of Vixx, had a pile of stories to unpack on his first solo album “Canvas” -- not a single track in the seven-track collection sounds insipid. Poised as an artist, Leo did a good job in painting his canvas with his own colors, as the songs, woven together with overarching groovy beats, trendy melodies and an emotional attitude, reflect his

Aug. 1, 2018

[Graphic News] Value of shares held by celebrities rises in 2018

　The value of shares held by South Korea's stock-rich celebrities increased this year despite lackluster market conditions, data showed.　The combined value of shares held by the top seven celebrities stood at 555.1 billion won ($496.2 million) as of July 27, up 21.4 percent from 457.3 billion won as of the end of last year, according to corporate tracker Chaebul.com. 　The gains are noteworthy as the benchmark Kospi market and secondary Kosdaq bourse decreased 6.99 percent and 8.07 percent respec

July 31, 2018

Tiger JK to spearhead Black Music Festival

South Korean hip-hop artist Tiger JK will oversee the Black Music Festival, a music event that celebrates various genres of black music including R&B, hip-hop, soul and jazz.The rapper has taken on the role of art director for the two-day outdoor festival, which will take place from Aug. 24-25 in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province.Tiger JK said he hopes to see amateur and up-and-coming hip-hop musicians take the stage and keep hip-hop culture alive at the festival. (Yonhap)The BMF embraces the cultura

July 31, 2018

New Ma Dong-seok movie commences filming

Ma Dong-seok, a muscle-bound action star who packs both action and laughter, is shooting a crime action film featuring him as a reluctant hero.Producers of the film “Ak-in-jeon (The Story of an Evil Man)” said the movie started shooting Tuesday. Starring alongside Ma are actors Kim Mu-yeol and Kim Sung-kyu.Ma Dong-seok (Yonhap)The film features Ma as a mob boss who chases after a serial killer after surviving an attempt on his life. Kim Mu-yeol will play the role of a detective who unwillingly t

July 31, 2018

Pianist Lim Dong-hyek on chamber music spree

Pianist Lim Dong-hyek will perform in a series of chamber music concerts in August, starting with a performance with the rising Veits Quintet on Aug. 14 at the Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul.Established in 2012, Veits Quintet is a Berlin-based ensemble group of young artists who are currently performing at prestigious orchestras in Europe. The members are flutist Cho Sung-hyun, oboist Ham Kyeong, clarinetist Kim Han, Portugese hornist Ricardo Silva and bassoonist Rie Koyama.Veits Quintet received i

July 31, 2018

[Herald Review] Kendrick Lamar storms Seoul, despite glitches

The first concert in Korea for hip-hop royalty Kendrick Lamar was long overdue, but he showed his mastery in Seoul, despite a short set with a few hiccups. Performing before the sell-out crowd for the Hyundai Card Super Concert on Monday at Jamsil Sports Complex, Lamar proved his reputation through and through, as he orchestrated the 20,000 crowd.Opening the action was “DNA,” a wildly-popular song that you hear it in virtually every hip-hop club in Korea.  Kendrick Lamar performs in a concert he

July 31, 2018

‘Boyfriend,’ starring Park Bo-gum and Song Hye-kyo, to air in November

Much-anticipated TV series “Boyfriend,” starring Par Bo-gum and Song Hye-kyo, is to air on tvN in November.The new drama series, which will air every Wednesday and Thursday, garnered attention when reports revealed Song would mark her return to the small screen after marrying actor Song Joong-ki in October. “Boyfriend” is the first series to feature Song since megahit series “Descendants of the Sun” in 2016, while it will also be Park’s first TV gig since “Love in the Moonlight,” a series he sta

July 30, 2018

KARD: 'We're walking our own path'

Mixed-gender group KARD has had a world tour even before its official debut in its home country. The group has collected more than 1 million subscribers on its official YouTube channel, and the video for its first digital single recently surpassed 20 million YouTube views.Since KARD is better known to overseas K-pop fans rather than locals, its two EPs from July and November last year have not charted high on local music streaming services.But the four-piece group said during a recent interview

July 29, 2018

Actor Ji Sung attends press conference for new TV series 'Familiar Wife'

Actor Ji Sung said during a recent promotional press conference for his new TV series that he would have been a baseball player if he hadn't been an actor. Actor Ji Sung poses with the cast of the tvN series "Familiar Wife," at a media event held in Seoul on Wednesday. (tvN)"If I hadn't been an actor, I would have been playing baseball," he said during the event held at Time Square in Yeongdeungpo in southwest Seoul on July 25. "I still enjoy watching baseball games and want to play baseball in

July 29, 2018

K-pop light sticks explained: BTS, Apink, GOT7, Mamamoo

In K-pop culture, a light stick is so much more than a glow stick for concerts.While it is a practical item to have in dark concert venues, light sticks act more like a symbol of fans’ unity and strength. It enables artists to look out into a crowd and see a sea of their trademark color being emitted from light sticks they have created.Although they typically have the same purpose, artists put in the effort to add a special twist to their light sticks, whether it be using a specific color, type

July 29, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Hotel Transylvania 3’ a funny film for children

A funny-looking vampire in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts dancing to “Gangnam Style” is how I would describe “Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation.”That is exactly the yardstick to determine who will enjoy the film and who will hate it. Does that image -- actually in the movie, and exactly as it sounds -- have you rolling on the floor? You are in for a treat. Are you grinding your teeth? Leave now. "Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation" (Sony Pictures Korea)The movie briefly looks at the pa

July 29, 2018

Twice wins No. 1 on ‘Inkigayo’ without appearance

Girl group Twice topped the charts again on the local music show “Inkigayo,” even without making an appearance. This is the group’s sixth win on a music show. Twice took first place Sunday for its new song “Dance the Night Away.” Twice wins No. 1 on a music show (Screen capture from SBS’ ‘Inkigayo’)Since the release of the song on July 9, the group has earned a total of six wins on the main local music shows, including “Inkigayo,” “M Countdown,” “Music Bank,” and “Show! Music Core.”Promotional a

July 29, 2018

iKON B.I melts fans’ hearts with teaser for ‘New Kids: Continue”

With just four days left to its much anticipated return, iKON unveiled Sunday a teaser image of B.I for its upcoming EP “New Kids: Continue” via YG Entertainment’s official blog (www.yg-life.com). In the teaser, B.I looks straight ahead while resting his face on one hand. He wears a red sleeveless T-shirt and has red highlights in his jet black hair.  iKON B.I teaser poster with lyrics (YG Entertainment)The boy band, known for its creative lyrics, is poised to return with its third installment o

July 29, 2018

Zico releases more teaser images for ‘Soulmate’

Rapper Zico of boy band Block B released more teaser images for his upcoming single “Soulmate” featuring singer IU.The rapper’s agency Seven Seasons Entertainment released an image of Zico dressed in a checkered shirt with chino pants inside a yellow elevator. The elevator is distorted like a wave, evoking a dreamlike image.(Seven Seasons Entertainment)Previous teaser images portrayed surreal imagery of a yellow elevator door filled with red flowers and Earth seen from outer space.“Soulmate” is

July 29, 2018

Fans saddened by death of Spectrum’s rapper Kim Dong-yoon

Kim Dong-yoon, the main rapper of K-pop group Spectrum, died Friday, shocking his fans both at home and abroad. Fans were deeply saddened by the news. The 20-year-old had been active on social media up until the day before his death. Not only did he post pictures on the group’s Instagram account, he also initiated a livestream broadcast to interact with fans.  (MIXNINE)On the day of his death, Spectrum’s agency WYNN Entertainment said, “Spectrum member Kim Dong-yoon left our side. It was so sudd

July 29, 2018

Actor Jang Keun-suk works at fire department as alternative military service

Actor Jang Keun-suk has been assigned to the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters to fulfill his alternative military service, according to industry sources Friday.The actor, 31, started educational programs run by the Military Manpower Administration on July 16, before beginning the service as a social worker. In 2011, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which classified him as ineligible for active duty in the military.  (Yonhap)The fire agency confirmed he has been serving th

July 27, 2018

Wanna One not quite over? Rumors swirl over contract extension

One of the hottest boy bands in K-pop today, Wanna One has an expiration date: Dec. 31, 2018. The project band comprises former trainees of different talent agencies here who won the opportunity to perform together by placing atop the standings of the second season of “Produce 101.”Hopes are running high for their fans, however, as Swing Entertainment recently met with the agencies of each of the bandmates to discuss the future of the group. (CJ E&M)“We did meet with the agencies, but nothing ha

July 27, 2018

Lawmaker discusses military service exemption for BTS

Well-known lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung has criticized the current military exemption law, perhaps giving reason to hope to global megahit boy band BTS. All able-bodied men in Korea are conscripted in the military for around two years. Exemptions can be granted, however, to those who rank atop certain international competitions designated by the government.  (Big Hit Entertainment)“The list of the designated international competitions is unfair,” Ha said in an interview with a local radio show Friday.

July 27, 2018

Songs to return to small screen

(Yonhap)Following a break of about two years, newlywed couple Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki will each star in their own TV dramas, in their respective returns to the small screen. Song Joong-ki confirmed Thursday his upcoming production will be a tvN period-fantasy drama tentatively titled “Asadal Chronicles.” He will star as a character with a tragic fate who tries to revolt against the fabled kingdom of Asadal. From left: Song Joong-Ki (Blossom Entertainment), Jang Dong-gun (D Entertainment C

July 27, 2018

Bob Dylan set for his 1st concert in Seoul in 8 years

American music icon and Nobel laureate for literature Bob Dylan will awe Korean fans in his first concert in Seoul in eight years, set to take place at a venue in the southern part of the capital on Friday.The 77-year-old singer-songwriter reportedly arrived in Seoul on a chartered plane through Gimpo International Airport on Thursday, one day before the concert at the Gymnastics Arena of Olympic Park in southern Seoul. (AFP-Yonhap)It is his first performance in Seoul since he last threw a conce

July 27, 2018