Seo In-young to release new single next month

Fans of Seo In-young’s music will be glad to hear that the singer, who hasn’t released anything since 2015, will release a new single next month.The K-pop star’s label Soribada on Thursday confirmed reports that she will release a new single on Aug. 2. It was originally slated to be released in late June. Seo In-young (Herald Pop)“(The release date) was pushed back because (Seo) put much effort and thought into it, as it has been so long since she last released a record. It is still a work in pr

July 12, 2018

Han Seo-hee embroiled in controversy on vandalism of sacramental bread

While Womad, a radical feminist group in Korea, has been criticized for vandalizing sacramental bread, controversial figure Han Seo-hee openly supported the act, drawing more attention to herself and the issue.A person claiming to be a member of Womad recently posted a photo of the sacramental bread scribbled with vulgar words. Questioning the Catholic Church‘s opposition to the legalization of abortion, the person later set the bread on fire. In the Catholic faith, the bread serves as the body

July 12, 2018

Incheon Airport signs on BTS to target millennial tourists

Incheon International Airport on Tuesday announced its decision to employ BTS-designed BT21 characters to promote the airport.(Incheon International Airport) Eight promotion films featuring BT21, which will also be disclosed through social media, are set to air at the airport during the month of July. The airport luggage carts will be renewed to feature BT21 characters as well.Incheon International Airport president and CEO Chung Il-young said, “85 percent of travelers to Korea are from Asia, 60

July 11, 2018

[Herald Interview] Ever-evolving artist Han Kyung-rock spreads musical joy

Han Kyung-rock’s signature look -- a rose-patterned red bandana, disheveled spiky hair and a matching red scarf -- is very telling of his personality.Han, who has been a bassist in the legendary punk rock band Crying Nut for 23 years, is a jocular musician who has quite a penchant for alcohol, spending many nights drinking with fellow musicians. While his wild drinking led to a tumble down some stairs in his favorite bar, Han has his own reasons for adoring booze. “I just love having fun. Great

July 11, 2018

[Album review] Yoon Mi-rae’s heartwarming tales of her late 30s

Yoon Mi-rae“Gemini 2”Loen EntertainmentIn “Memories” from her second studio album “Gemini,” 20-year-old Yoon Mi-rae, or Tasha, was all about overcoming hardships that came from being biracial in Korea and surviving in the hip-hop scene. Some 16 years later, the working mom with a 9-year-old son, now in her late 30s, is back with a new autobiographical album, “Gemini 2.” And instead of a stormy description of life’s struggles, she filled the 12-track collection with tales of married life, family,

July 11, 2018

BTS sets another record in US with ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ album

K-pop sensation BTS’ latest album has become one of the most sold records in the US so far this year.BTS’ third studio album “Love Yourself: Tear” has become the ninth most sold physical album in the US during the first half of 2018, becoming the only foreign language record to chart in the top 10, according to Nielsen Music’s Mid-Year Report for 2018.The group sold 132,000 physical copies of the Korean-language album between its release on May 18 and the week ending June 28.(Big Hit Entertainme

July 11, 2018

‘Four Men’ producer talks about production halt

While the controversy continues surrounding the drama “Four men,” its producer has come forward to give his side of the story. Production for the drama has been on hold since mid-May due to a dispute over unpaid wages, news reports said Tuesday. The production company Victory Contents denied the reports, claiming “the production halt is unrelated to unpaid wage issues.” 　 (Victory Content)Hours later, producer Jang Tae-you updated a post on his social media account regarding the situation. “I am

July 11, 2018

Independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun’s life to be made into Korea-China coproduction drama

A drama series about Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun will be jointly produced by Korea and Chinese companies.The Yoon Media Group, a Korean production company, announced Wednesday that it had signed an agreement with a Chinese firm to produce a blockbuster drama series on the life of Ahn. Shooting for “The Sun of the Snow Country,” an epic 43-part drama series, is set to begin in October, with the aim of airing it first in China in the second half of 2019.  Ahn Jung-geunAround 90 perce

July 11, 2018

‘Let’s Eat’ may just bring back lost appetite

Viewers will be craving for midnight snacks with their stomachs growling, as the popular “Let’s Eat” series is soon to make its return. The third installment of the series, “Let’s Eat 3: Begins,” returns to the air following a three-year break. Set in 2004, when lead character Goo Dae-young was a freshman, the story describes how Goo has learned to truly appreciate food under the guidance of a food connoisseur friend. Poster for “Let’s Eat 3: Begins” (tvN)“As I have directed the second season as

July 11, 2018

Mnet to air ‘Run BTS’ on small screen starting Wednesday

Cable music channel Mnet will air the variety show “Run BTS!” from Wednesday.The show, which was originally featured on Naver’s V Live, will make a debut on the small screen this time, according to the group’s agency Big Hit Entertainment.A number of popular episodes will be carefully selected and curated for the TV audience, which will air at 6 p.m. every Wednesday over a period of eight weeks, with the final episode scheduled to air on Aug. 29.(Big Hit Entertainment)Each episode of the show fe

July 10, 2018

Super Junior’s Ryeowook discharged from military

Super Junior’s Ryeowook finished his mandatory military service Tuesday.Thanking fans and friends for helping him finish his duty successfully at the special operations command in Jeungpyeong, North Chungcheong Province, the artist said, “Hello, I’ve returned to Super Junior’s Kim Ryeo-wook from Sgt. Ryeo-wook. Thank you for coming, and please support our upcoming activities as a group.” The discharge ceremony was attended by a flock of fans, media and his bandmates Donghae, Eunhyuk, Siwon and L

July 10, 2018

Music websites reform to prevent chart-rigging

A collection of music streaming and sales websites announced Monday the reform plans that they hope will prevent chart-rigging as in the recent scandals involving popular k-pop groups, effective Wednesday. The policy committee for Gaon charts, consisting of officials at Naver Music, Bugs, Melon, Soribada, Mnet, and Genie working to improve how local music charts are run, said that the aforementioned websites will begin to freeze rankings between the hours of 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. Momoland (MLD Entert

July 9, 2018

Gang Dong-won and Han Hyo-joo to make public appearance next week after dating rumors

Fans are getting excited for the red carpet event for the new movie “Illang: The Wolf Brigade” next week where Gang Dong-won and Han Hyo-joo are expected to make a joint appearance for the first time amid dating rumors. Gang and Han will be attending the promotional event at Times Square Mall in Yeongdeungpo-gu on July 18. Some fans are reportedly keeping a close eye on whether the event will happen as scheduled since the two will be asked to comment on their alleged relationship by local press.

July 9, 2018

‘Love Catcher,’ a complicated mind game between love and money

Money is often considered a counterpart of love for those weighing the two in the course of setting their life priorities or goals. Mnet’s new variety show “Love Catcher” brings the two together to create a complicated situation in which the program’s contestants struggle to find true romance.“I came up with the program after having the thought: ‘Wouldn’t it be great if I could tell whether he/she dates me for money?’ said producer Jung Min-seok during a press conference for the program in Seoul

July 9, 2018

BTS’ exhibition ‘Five, Always’ slated for Aug.-Oct. in downtown Seoul

Following the closure of BTS’ fifth anniversary celebrations in June, the septet has announced another event this summer and follow-up details are now available. (Big Hit Entertainment)BTS is presenting an exclusive exhibition dubbed “2018 BTS Exhibition ‘24,7=Serendipity (Five, Always),’” which marks the group’s second exclusive exhibition after 2015’s “Butterfly Dream.” The “Five, Always” part is stylized as “O, neul” in Korean -- a play on words that also translates to “today.” This is elabor

July 9, 2018

SHINee’s Key features in remix version of Years & Years’ ‘If You’re Over Me’

SHINee’s Key has lent his voice for English synth pop band Years & Years’ remix version of “If You’re Over Me,” contributing to K-pop’s worldwide expansion. In the remix version of the song, released on Friday, the K-pop star sings both in Korean and English alongside the British trio. Key’s Korean verses reflect the English song’s original meaning, as Key asks his lover to stop pushing-and-pulling. He wrote the lyrics himself, according to his agency S.M. Entertainment. The single’s release coi

July 8, 2018

Japanese idol quits Produce 48 amid controversy

Matsui Jurina is quitting the survival reality TV show “Produce 48” due to health reasons, a decision that came after the Japanese idol star was embroiled in a controversy surrounding her attitude.The officials of the Mnet show confirmed Sunday that she is off the program, a day after her original group SKE48 announced that Matsui is putting her career on hold for her health. The group said this means ceasing any activity on social media or personal mail. Matsui Jurina (Mnet)The 21-year-old has

July 8, 2018

Jessie sizzles with summer single ‘Down’

Jessie has unveiled a beach-themed music video for her latest single “Down,” featuring plenty of tight choreography. The 29-year-old singer’s new video for the upbeat song has been watched over 1.5 million times on YouTube since it was released on Friday, prompting some fans to call her the “Korean Nicki Minaj.”Jessie and backup dancers perform a choreographed dance. (Youtube)The song, which is packed with plenty of feel good vibes and irresistibly addictive beats, has been hailed as a surefire

July 8, 2018

Dating fellow idols not an option for Dreamcatcher

Dating fellow idols is not a priority for Dreamcahter for now, the girl group said in a recent interview.In the recent interview with a local magazine bnt, members of the seven-piece band said they are putting work before love at the moment and ruled out dating fellow idols.When the magazine asked whether there had been advances made by male idol stars, the girls said compliments on looks for their strong makeup are all they get. (bnt)When it comes to ideal types of boyfriends, Siye said she doe

July 8, 2018

What does NK’s Okryugwan naengmyeon taste like?

Though most South Koreans have never been to the North, almost everyone has heard of the famous Okryugwan restaurant in Pyongyang and its signature naengmyeon.Koreans often debate about the cold noodle dish’s original taste, wondering what it’s really like in its hometown of Pyongyang. The classic menu has been creating a sensation here, partly thanks to the recent peace mood between the two Koreas. North Korea even brought a noodle machine from Okryugwan to the historic summit with the South in

July 8, 2018