[Herald Review] ONF mark new start with concert, new album

ONF returned to the stage after a hiatus brought on by military service, presenting an energetic performance. The six-member group performed a stand-alone concert, dubbed “Spotlight,” at the KBS Arena, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on Saturday and Sunday. Dressed in sparkling white suits, the group kicked off the concert with a series of charismatic songs including "New World," "Ugly Dance," and "Gucci," setting the tone for the concert. "I've been waitin

April 8, 2024

Disney+ thriller 'Blood Free' to explore food production in near-future

Disney+'s original series "Blood Free" will explore the philosophical quandary of how humans should approach food production through its authentic portrayal of the near-future. The 10-part suspense thriller series follows the story of Yoon Ja-yoo (played by Han Hyo-joo), the CEO of a biological engineering company named BF, and her bodyguard Woo Chae-woon (played by Ju Ji-hoon). The series, written by award-winning screenplay writer Lee Soo-yeon, narrates the story that unfolds af

April 8, 2024

J-Hope of BTS lands at No. 5 on Billboard 200

J-Hope of BTS made history on the Billboard chart with his special album, “Hope on the Street Vol.1,” released last month. According to Billboard, J-Hope’s “Hope on the Street Vol.1” landed at No. 5 on Billboard’s main album chart, the Billboard 200, dated April 13. This is the second time J-Hope has made it to the top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 following the success of his first solo LP, “Jack In The Box,” which landed at No. 6 on the same cha

April 8, 2024

Solar of Mamamoo to return with solo album

Solar of the K-pop girl group Mamamoo is returning with a new solo album on April 30, according to her agency RBW. Solar announced her comeback by dropping a teaser clip in which she revealed the title of her upcoming second EP, “Colours.” This solo release is the first since her debut solo EP, “Face,” was released in March 2022. The upcoming album will cover diverse genres, showcasing Solar’s multifaceted musical talents, the agency said. Since making her solo debu

April 8, 2024

AKMU to mark 10th anniversary with concert

K-pop sibling duo AKMU will hold a concert to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the band's debut. According to YG Entertainment, AKMU will host the "AKMU 10th Anniversary Concert 10VE" on June 15-16 at the KSPO Dome. The venue, located at the Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, can accommodate approximately 15,000 spectators. The concert title, "10VE," combines the word "Love" with the number 10, symbolizing AKMU's 10th anniversary. The agency stated that AKM

April 7, 2024

Hollywood readies long-awaited sequels to blockbuster hits

A series of successive installments to hit Hollywood flicks are poised to grace the silver screens of local theaters soon, starting in May. "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," a prequel to Australian post-apocalyptic action film "Mad Max: Fury Road," opens in local theaters next month. Coming out nine years since the release of "Mad Max: Fury Road," the prequel explores the backstory of one of the Mad Max series' central protagonists, Imperator Furiosa, a fierce combata

April 7, 2024

New girl group ILLIT debuts on British Official Singles chart

Girl group ILLIT has made its debut on the British Official Singles chart with its first single "Magnetic." The song landed at No. 80 on the latest British Official Singles Top 100 unveiled Friday (British time), becoming the first debut song by a K-pop act to hit the prestigious chart. The milestone came just 11 days after the group debuted under Belift Lab, a subsidiary music label of K-pop giant Hybe, on March 25. "Magnetic" is the lead single of the group's first EP,

April 6, 2024

[What to Watch] Three great documentaries to watch this weekend

The proliferation of documentaries often makes it difficult to choose which ones to watch. The three selected here take a fresh look at the life of a father who has lost a daughter, a gripping competition among cyclists and life-humbling moments at a hospital. “Sewol: Years in the Wind” (2024) This month marks the 10th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster which claimed more than 300 lives, most of them high school students on the school trip. A father who lost a daughter in the

April 6, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Itzy to drop 3rd single in Japan next month

Itzy will release its third single in Japan on May 15, JYP Entertainment unannounced Friday. The single “Algorhythm” will consist of four tracks -- a title track and “No Biggie” as well as instrumental versions of both -- that will convey the group’s signature positive energy. Its last new release in the country was first studio album “Ringo,” which came out in October. The upcoming single will feature only four members of the quintet as Lia has been t

April 5, 2024

[New on the scene] ‘FAQ’ creatively responds to S. Korea’s private education obsession

Despite having never attended a "hagwon" or private cram school herself, director Kim Da-min's debut film, "FAQ," confronts the topic of South Korea's obsession with private education, centering on the story of Dong-chun, an 11-year-old girl. The film's English title doesn’t fully convey its creative and witty yet powerful spirit as well as its Korean title does: “Makgeolli will let you know” (direct translation). Makgeolli is Korean tradition

April 5, 2024

Korean National Ballet to premiere John Neumeier's 'Little Mermaid' in Korea

The Korean National Ballet is gearing up for the highly anticipated Korean premiere of John Neumeier's adaptation of "The Little Mermaid" at the Seoul Arts Center from May 1 through 5. Neumeier, who has been the director and chief choreographer of Hamburg Ballet based in Germany since 1973, is widely acknowledged as one of today's foremost choreographers. He has crafted more than 170 works so far, bearing his distinctive interpretation of classic narratives. Neumeier will vis

April 5, 2024

Chaeyoung of Twice and Zion.T are dating: agencies

Chaeyoung of Twice and singer-songwriter Zion.T confirmed that they are in a relationship. JYP Entertainment, which houses Twice, and The Black Label, which represents Zion.T, announced on Friday that “the two are in a relationship after growing to like each other” and that “they are supporting each other.” Earlier on Friday, a local media outlet reported that Chaeyoung and Zion.T have been dating for six months after they were first introduced to each other by acquaintan

April 5, 2024

Kakao Entertainment's co-CEOs stress enhancing competitiveness of content business

The co-CEOs of Kakao Entertainment, Kweon Ki-su and Joseph Chang, are planning organizational reform to create positive synergy between the company's music, media content and other intellectual property. This business plan was revealed during the first town hall meeting held after they took office on Thursday. Joseph Chang will establish and lead a team in charge of music IP and data-based music development, to help foster the team's role of producing and expanding music and artist IP.

April 5, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“The Beekeeper” (US) Opened April 3 Action Directed by David Ayer Adam Clay (Jason Statham), a former agent from a powerful organization known as Beekeepers, sets out on a quest for brutal vengeance by hunting down those responsible for the incident after someone very important to him is scammed and driven to harm.     “The First Omen” (US, Italy) Opened April 3 Horror Directed by Arkasha Stevenson A young American woman Margaret (Nell Tiger Free) heads to Rome

April 5, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Ive to bring out 2nd EP later this month

Ive will drop its second EP “Ive Switch” on April 29, announced agency Starship Entertainment on Thursday. A teaser trailer for the mini album began with a milky white book that had “Switch” written on the cover. A magic wand bearing a huge gemstone turned into a key when six different colored stones glow and the book pops open to reveal a castle. Sliding the key into the castle door turns the book silver, and then it starts to glow. The upcoming EP comes about six mont

April 4, 2024

[Herald Interview] 3rd season of 'Physical 100' with international contestants being considered

The third season of global hit survival series "Physical: 100" may be underway with a revamped format and the inclusion of some international contestants. The "Physical: 100" series showcases 100 contestants engaging in various survival matches to determine the most physically fit individual. The winner receives a prize of 300 million won ($228,000). The series' first season became a global success by becoming the first Korean variety show to claim the number one spot on

April 4, 2024

Actor accuses wrong woman of having relationship with estranged husband

Actor Hwang Jung-eum posted an official apology Thursday for her earlier Instagram post about a woman she mistakenly accused of having a relationship with her now-estranged husband. "There has been a misunderstanding as I sorted out my personal affairs. I apologize for inflicting harm on the person and those around her for posting about her," she wrote on her Instagram page, adding that she has apologized to the victim in person. The 39-year-old singer-turned-actor is currently going t

April 4, 2024

NCT Doyoung to kick off solo journey

NCT's Doyoung is set to make his solo debut with the release of his first album. According to the singer's agency, SM Entertainment, Doyoung's first solo album, "Youth," will be released on April 22. The album's Korean title, "Youth's Bubble," is intended to reflect the emotions that youngsters experience, likening those feelings to bubbles created from the waves of youth. A total of 10 songs, full of honest feelings and emotions of Doyoung, will cons

April 4, 2024

Kim Woojin set to return with new album

Solo artist Kim Woojin is set to make a comeback on April 22 with his third mini-album. On Thursday, concept photos of the new album were released on Kim Woojin's official social media account and through Kustomade, a producing label under SM Entertainment's music publishing subsidiary KMR. In the photos, Kim Woojin is cutting his hair, symbolizing a fresh start by erasing his past self. According to KMR, the upcoming new album, dubbed "I Like The Way," marks the singer'

April 4, 2024

Korean stars haunted by accusations of school violence

South Korean actor Jeon Jong-seo's agency on Thursday denied recent accusations of school bullying against the star of the critically acclaimed film, "Burning," vowing to take legal action against what it said were groundless rumors. "We have checked with (Jeon) and her acquaintances and have found that the (rumors) in the online posts are not true at all. ... We will pursue legal action to protect the actor," Jeon's agency Endmark said in an official statement. J

April 4, 2024