Singer Lee Chang-min stands on his own

Singer Lee Chang-min has decided not to renew his contract with Big Hit Entertainment, and will instead handle the music-related and other promotional activities on his own, the agency said Thursday.“As of Wednesday, the management deal with Lee has expired. After a lengthy discussion with Lee, we‘ve decided to terminate our exclusive relationship,” Big Hit said in a press release, adding that Lee will now establish a one-man agency. Lee Chang-min (Big Hit Entertainment)In an Instagram message t

Feb. 1, 2018

BTS on Billboard 100 record run for K-pop group　

BTS’s “Mic Drop” has stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a ninth straight week as of Wednesday, proving its prominence in the mainstream US music market and reaffirming its position as the hottest K-pop group today.In the chart for the week of Feb. 3, “Mic Drop” stood at No. 84. The song featuring Desiigner and remixed by Steve Aoki had peaked at No. 28 upon its debut in early December.BTS’ “Mic Drop” (Big Hit Entertainment)Despite falling five spots from the week before, “Mic Drop” extend

Jan. 31, 2018

[Album review] Nice album, but where is Suzy?

Suzy“Faces of Love”(Genie Music)It’s an indisputable fact that the latest album from former Miss A member Suzy is well-made, or “manufactured” by her agency. But why does it sound so shallow? Why does Suzy sound like a trained puppet merely lending her voice without fully understanding the songs herself? When the singer released her second solo EP “Faces of Love,” fans were expecting to hear how the 24-year-old viewed and interpreted various facets of love in the songs that she had a hand in cre

Jan. 31, 2018

‘Idol Moms’ shows why mothers are true star makers

There were times when young K-pop wannabes had to confront parents who were unsupportive of their seemingly rugged dreams. But with K-pop’s recent global success, the situation is now vastly different, with mothers of idol hopefuls standing firmly at the forefront of raising their kids to be the next K-pop stars. To deliver such a message, “Idol Moms,” Lifetime Korea’s new reality show co-produced with S.M Entertainment, focuses on the lives of such young K-pop wannabes and their mothers, who fu

Jan. 30, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead,’ formulaic, funny, but not super-fun

It’s a bit of a stretch to compare director Kim Sok-yun‘s “Detective K” series to Marvel’s “Iron Man” franchise. In both cases, the first movie was a pleasant surprise, the second was a disappointment, and the third was not bad, but leaves viewers scratching their heads.The third installment “Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead” takes the audience on a ride to uncover a mystery surrounding a vampire legend and a strange serial murder case. There were no vampire lores in the Joseon Dynasty, bu

Jan. 30, 2018

French director Sylvain Chomet to cinematize novelist Hwang Sok-yong’s ‘Familiar Things’

Korean author Hwang Sok-yong’s novel “Familiar Things” is expected to be cinematized by French animator Sylvain Chomet, who directed “Triplets of Belleville” and “The Illusionist.”The Susijn Agency, a London-based literary agency that represents Hwang, on Tuesday said that the firm is currently “in mid-negotiation” with Chomet over the cinematization of the novel. Details will be revealed after contracts have been signed, it added. Chomet had expressed hopes to make an animation with Seoul as a

Jan. 30, 2018

Steve Aoki confirms collaboration with BTS

Steve Aoki, the mastermind behind BTS’ “Mic Drop” remix, has confirmed his next collaboration with K-pop’s reigning boy band. The musician-producer recently told US pop site Trending Live that he plans to release an original track with BTS this year. Steve Aoki (Yonhap)“That (‘Mic Drop’ remix) was the start. And now we got some new music coming out for 2018. That’s exciting as well. So we got this remix to put out there, but now we have some more original music as well,” he said. The “Mic Drop”

Jan. 30, 2018

Suzy: “I always wanted to sing about various facets of love”

Juggling her roles as a singer and an actress, Suzy has been keeping a delicate balance. Just when the scale seems to have tipped toward acting, the former Miss A member once again jumped toward music with her new EP “Faces of Love.”  Suzy at a media showcase for her new EP “Faces of Love” in Seoul on Monday. (JYP Entertainment)The singer’s second EP released Monday evening marks her first album release since her R&B-tinged debut EP “Yes? No?” in January last year. Returning as a soloist has bee

Jan. 29, 2018

White roses, Kesha offer rallying cry for women at Grammys

NEW YORK -- Dozens of Grammy Award performers and attendees wore or held white roses Sunday in support of the Time’s Up movement, in an awards season where every awards show has confronted sexual misconduct in show business.“My message on this is for everybody to treat each other like we want to be treated,” said Reba McEntire, winner for best roots gospel album. “It’s the golden rule.”Singer-songwriter Ledisi, nominated for three Grammys and a performer at the Women‘s March in Las Vegas earlier

Jan. 29, 2018

BTS: Secret behind our success is not social media, but sincerity, equality

Many have attributed the high popularity of the K-pop boy band BTS to its clever use of social media, but the group said its sincerity and quality were more integral to its success.“People pay attention only to the fact that we have communicated well with our fans on social media. But more important is that since we’re singers the quality of our music and performance should be unconditionally good,” RM, leader of the group, said during a recent interview with Yonhap News Agency in Seoul. BTS (GQ

Jan. 29, 2018

Bruno Mars has magical night at Grammys, winning 6 for 6

NEW YORK -- Bruno Mars owned the Grammys with his R&B-inspired album “24K Magic,” winning all six awards he was nominated for at a show where hip-hop was expected to have a historical night.Jay-Z, the leading nominee with eight, walked away empty handed Sunday -- a year after his wife lost album of the year to Adele, causing fans and peers to criticize the Recording Academy for not properly rewarding Beyonce’s bold “Lemonade” project. And though Kendrick Lamar won five awards, he lost in the top

Jan. 29, 2018

H.O.T to reunite on ‘Infinite Challenge’

Legendary K-pop act H.O.T is to reunite on TV entertainment show “Infinite Challenge.” The mega-hit band debuted in 1996 and quickly rose to stardom, attracting fans from all age groups before it ultimately disbanded in 2001.  H.O.T (S.M. Entertainment)The production staff of MBC’s “Infinite Challenge” announced the H.O.T reunion Monday, “H.O.T is to perform at MBC Dream Center on Feb. 15 as a part of the TV show.” It explained discussions had started in 2014, but as the bandmates had spent a lo

Jan. 29, 2018

Guilt-free shopping spree without spending a dime

“I just spent over 15 million won ($14,000) on shopping.” A popular beauty vlogger’s recent post created buzz in the YouTube community. It wasn’t violent, disgusting or sexual -- it was lavish. In the clip, the vlogger excitedly explained how she spent some 15 million won on bags, clothes and shoes from a high-end fashion brand. Beauty vloggers introduce luxury goods they have purchased. The two vloggers spent more than 15 million won ($14,000) each buying clothes, bags and shoes. (YouTube)The e

Jan. 29, 2018

GOT7 to drop new album

Boy band GOT7 is to release a new album. “The group is preparing for a comeback, but the exact date has not been set,” said the group’s management agency JYP. GOT7 (JYP Entertainment)Local media outlets expect the release to be between February and March, citing industry officials. According to reports, the seven-member group is shooting a music video for the new track. The multinational band, which includes three non-Korean members, debuted in 2014. Its latest EP “7 for 7” released last October

Jan. 28, 2018

B1A4 sustains minor injuries in car crash

K-pop act B1A4 was rushed to a hospital after being involved in a car accident.The boy band was on its way to perform at the ICON Concert in Inje, Gangwon Province, on Saturday. The event was held in support of the upcoming 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.  B1A4 (WM Entertainment)The accident occurred in the Gapyeong area of Gyeonggi Province when the group’s car collided with a vehicle in front of it. At the time of the crash, all of the five members -- CNU, Baro, Gongchan, Sandeul and Jinyoun

Jan. 28, 2018

Medical drama ‘Cross’ to bring attention to organ transplantations

Setting itself apart from other medical dramas, tvN’s “Cross” deals with the subject of organ transplantation, hoping that viewers come to recognize the importance of the issue. Medical dramas have become a popular fixture on Korean TV, many portraying the strenuous lives of surgeons. But there has not been a drama that speaks of organ transplantation, as the subject itself is still unfamiliar to the public. A new Monday-Tuesday drama series “Cross” -- featuring actors Cho Jae-hyun and Go Kyung-

Jan. 28, 2018

Seoul Philharmonic to perform Beethoven‘s ‘Emperor’ with pianist Yevgeny Sudbin

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a concert at Seoul Arts Center in Seoul on Thursday, along with Russian concert pianist Yevgeny Sudbin and conductor Antony Hermus. 　The concert will feature Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73 -- also popularly known as “Emperor” -- with Sudbin on the piano. Pianist Sudbini is acclaimed for his recording of Beethoven’s “Emperor” concerto together with the Minnesota Orchestra, conducted by Osmo Vanska. The pianist is currently signed with Sweden-based

Jan. 28, 2018

How much 'Along With the Gods' has grossed?

With the Korean film "Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds" expected to surpass a cumulative audience of 14 million, attention is now being paid to how much it has earned in and out of its home country.According to the real-time based box office tally from the Korean Film Council, the movie has garnered 13.85 million views as of Saturday. The fantasy action movie is currently the third most-viewed film of all time in South Korea after "Roaring Currents" (2014, 17.6 million) and "Ode to My Father"

Jan. 28, 2018

Actress Jun Ji-hyun gives birth to second son

Actress Jun Ji-hyun has become a mother of two sons, her agency said Friday."Jun Ji-hyun gave birth to a baby boy at a maternity clinic in Seoul on Friday at about 6 p.m.," her agency, Culture Depot, said in a release. "Both mother and baby are doing well and relaxing. We thank all those who have congratulated her."(Yonhap)The 36-year-old actress, also known as Gianna Jun outside of South Korea, married Choi Jun-hyeok, the second son of famous fashion designer Lee Jung-woo, in 2012. She gave bir

Jan. 26, 2018