Billie Eilish to make Korean TV debut with 'The Seasons - Zico's Artist'

Global pop sensation Billie Eilish is set to make her debut appearance on Korean television this Friday by appearing as a guest on KBS music talk show "The Seasons - Zico's Artist." According to KBS, Eilish's segment was recorded at KBS headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday. "The Seasons," a successor to the popular music talk show "Yoo Hee-yeol's Sketchbook," invites popular musicians and celebrities for talks and performances. The show is now i

June 19, 2024

'Harbin' starring Hyun Bin to premiere at Toronto film fest

Korean espionage film "Harbin," starring actor Hyun Bin, has been invited to the Toronto International Film Festival in September, according to CJ ENM, Wednesday. "Harbin," praised for its usage of cinematic artistry to depict historical events, will premiere at the Gala Presentations during the 49th TIFF. The 49th TIFF will be held from Sept. 5 to Sept. 15 in Toronto, Canada. Directed by Woo Byung-ho of "Inside Men" (2015), "The Drug King" (2018) and &quo

June 19, 2024

Lisa of Blackpink to return with 'Rockstar'

Lisa of Blackpink will return with a new single, "Rockstar," at 9 a.m., June 28, according to a statement from her distributor, Sony Music Entertainment Korea. The previous day, Lisa revealed the artwork for "Rockstar" on the official Instagram of her label, Lloud Company. "Rockstar" is the first song to be released in partnership between Lisa’s newly established Lloud Company and RCA Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music, one of the top three major music distri

June 19, 2024

Musical weeks kick off with international market and festival

Musicals are at the center of attention this week as two major events bring together domestic and international musical production companies, performers, experts and investors in Seoul and Daegu. On Tuesday, the K-Musical Market, an annual event launched in 2021 to promote Korean original musicals internationally, kicked off with a forum on the latest trends in musical markets in Asia. The event serves as a platform for participants to share information on overseas expansion, local developme

June 19, 2024

[Herald Interview] Blitzers returns with ‘Superpower’ after rocking Britain's Got Talent

Blitzers has made a bold comeback with a new album, returning from appearing on a globally esteemed audition program. Blitzers’ new album “Lunch-box,” released at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, includes six tracks: The title song “Superpower,” “Race Up,” “Ring Ring,” “Fxxking Spring,” and English versions of “Superpower” and “Macarena,” a single dropped last year. "Lunch-box is our fourth travel-themed album. Li

June 19, 2024

Netflix's 'Agents of Mystery' promises realistic mystery-solving with star-studded casts

Netflix's new mystery reality show "Agents of Mystery," featuring a star-studded cast, ranging from popular Korean comedians to top K-pop idols such as Karina of aespa, will emphasize a high level of realism in its approach to mystery-solving quests, said the producer Tuesday. "Agents of Mystery" stars singer John Park, actor Kim Do-hoon, comedians Lee Eun-ji, Lee Yong-jin and K-pop idols Lee Hye-ri of Girl's Day and Yu Ji-min, more popularly known as Karina of aesp

June 18, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook hits Billboard’s Hot 100 with fan song

Jungkook of BTS placed his solo digital single on Billboard’s Hot 100 dated June 22, according to the publication’s chart preview released Monday in the US. The track “Never Let Go” entered the Main Songs chart at No. 97 and became his seventh song to do so, cementing his record of having the most on the chart as a K-pop solo artist. The American publication commented “It’s his seventh career solo song to debut on the chart, and first since ‘Standing Nex

June 18, 2024

Jimin of BTS to release 2nd album ‘Muse’ next month

Jimin of BTS is releasing a new album next month. The singer is releasing his second solo album "Muse" on July 19 at 1 p.m., according to Big Hit Music on Tuesday. This release, recorded before the singer joined the military at the end of last year, follows his first official solo album “Face” from March 2023. His solo debut album peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s main album chart Billboard 200. “Following his first solo album, ‘Face,’ where he sought t

June 18, 2024

Riize shows youthful groove through 1st EP ‘Riizing’

K-pop boy group Riize took its signature genre, "emotional pop," to the next level in its first mini album, “Riizing,” released on Monday. “Our first mini album carries eight tracks to offer a full experience of our signature genre, emotional pop. The title of the album shows our desire to continue moving forward,” said Sungchan of Riize during a press conference in Seoul on Monday held to mark the album's release. Riize describes “emotional pop&rdquo

June 18, 2024

'Escape' to explore innate desire for freedom through story of N. Korean defector

Humanity's yearning for freedom is the main subject of "Escape," a film that follows a North Korean soldier who has defected to South Korea. "Escape" narrates the story of Gyu-nam (portrayed by Lee Je-hoon), a North Korean soldier about to be discharged after 10 years of service. Faced with no alternative other than a future of working on a farm or in a mine, Gyu-nam devises a plan to defect to South Korea in search of a better life. Hot on his trail is Hyun-sang (played

June 18, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Rose to join The Black Label: report

Rose of Blackpink will sign with The Black Label, according to a local media report on Monday. The hip-hop label and management company is an affiliate of YG Entertainment and is headed by producer Teddy, the mastermind behind the success of Blackpink who had his hands on many of the group’s hit songs including “Ddu-du Ddu-du,” “Boombayah,” “Kill This Love” and “How You Like That.” He also produced both songs from Rose’s first solo sing

June 17, 2024

Rose of Blackpink may sign solo contract with The Black Label

K-pop girl group Blackpink’s Rose is in talks with The Black Label for a possible solo artist contract, the music label said Monday. The Black Label, led by a esteemed music producer Teddy of 1TYM from YG Entertainment, confirmed that the label is in discussion to sign Rose on a solo contract. “We are in talks with Rose. That is all we can say,” an official from The Black Label commented. Rose is the only Blackpink member who has not signed with an agency for her solo artist

June 17, 2024

Health issues plague K-pop girl groups

An increasing number of female K-pop artists are taking time off due to injuries and health problems caused by the strict diets and schedules they maintain that leave little time for sleep. Woonhee of Belift Lab's rookie girl group Illit halted activities due to a foot injury last week. On Friday, her agency posted to an online fan community that while the singer showed a strong desire to participate in all of the group’s musical activities, Wonhee’s recovery is their top priori

June 17, 2024

[Herald Review] Weverse Con Festival captivates audience with music, technology

INCHEON -- The Weverse Con Festival, hosted by K-pop powerhouse Hybe, concluded over the weekend, captivating music fans with performances that spanned generations and genres. Held at the Inspire Entertainment Resort on Incheon's island Yeongjongdo on Sunday, the festival featured outdoor and indoor concerts as well as diverse events over two days. On the stage Sunday were 15 artists, including rising K-pop stars TWS, virtual idol group Plave and globally popular groups Seventeen, Enhypen a

June 17, 2024

[Herald Review] AKMU reminisces past 10 years with fans

Standing on top of a green grass hill, the main stage decor, a children's choir opened the K-pop sibling duo AKMU’s two-day concert singing “Last Goodbye.” AKMU then appeared on a lift in a navy suit and dress to perform “Every Little Thing” with a live band and a string orchestra. The K-pop duo was welcomed by 10,500 people in the audience holding green fan lights that shined like fireflies glowing on summer evenings. Sunday’s show was the last day of AK

June 17, 2024

Kolleen Park to bring healing rites through changgeuk 'Paper Shaman'

Shamanism will be brought to the National Theater of Korea stage for the first time next week when the National Changgeuk Company of Korea performs "Paper Shaman,” a work that blends shamanism and pansori. Renowned musical director Kolleen Park, directing a changgeuk for the first time, aims to deliver a message of comfort and healing. “I'm creating this piece with the hope of soothing all lives and souls across the world that have been hurt and have suffered,” said P

June 17, 2024

[Herald Review] Not your everyday comedy, 'Handsome Guys' boasts unique blend of genres

In a saturated content landscape, it is difficult to find something fresh and innovative. Yet, "Handsome Guys" manages to stand out by blending genres, providing viewers with an unprecedented viewing experience. "Handsome Guys" tells the story of Jae-pil (played by Lee Sung-min) and his friend Sang-gu (played by Lee Hee-jun), two well-meaning carpenters who relocate dreaming of a peaceful suburban life, but are constantly mistaken for troublemakers due to their intimidating a

June 17, 2024

Popular TV series, movies cross borders in remakes

Popular intellectual properties transcend borders, as seen in widely beloved content in Korea remade to cater to global audiences -- as well as the reverse. JTBC hit series "Sky Castle" will be remade into a Japanese series of the same name to be telecast by TV Asahi Corp., one of Japan's largest private broadcasters. The Korean drama series narrates the story of ambitious women who resort to extraordinary measures for their children be accepted into prestigious universities. Acco

June 16, 2024

Korea to promote eco-friendly albums in K-pop industry

The South Korean government seeks to encourage the adoption of eco-friendly album production practices in the K-pop industry, amid mounting concerns about excessive album packaging harming the environment. The Ministry of Environment announced on Sunday that it will offer consulting services to K-pop agencies in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture starting this month. The initiative includes educating members of the Recording Industry Association of Korea about existing regulations on e

June 16, 2024

[Herald Interview] Ballet choreographer brings Korean romance to stage

A new ballet piece inspired by a Korean bestselling novel will premiere at Seoul Arts Center’s Jayu Theater this Tuesday and Wednesday. The latest creation by choreographer Yang Young-eun of Beyond Ballet, “Chrysanthemum Scent," is the third installment in Yang's "Dancing Literature" series, drawing inspiration from Kim Ha-in's bestselling melodrama romance, which was also adapted into the 2003 film “Scene of Love” and the hit drama series, &ldquo

June 15, 2024