Half of Loona restarts as quintet Loossemble

Loona's Hyunjin, Yeojin, Vivi, Go Won and Hyeju are starting off afresh as Loossemble under a new label on Tuesday. The quintet held a debut press showcase in Seoul on Tuesday afternoon, greeting local press for the first time since its self-titled debut album, "Loossemble," released Sept. 15. "Half nervous, half excited," was how Vivi and the rest of the members said they felt as they set off from scratch again. "We look forward to our future as Loossemble," H

Oct. 10, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jungkook hits Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 5 with solo single

Jungkook of BTS landed on Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 5 with solo single “3D,” according to the chart preview published on Monday in the US. The collaboration with Jack Harlow was also No. 1 on Billboard’s Global 200 and Global Excl. the US, as well as the digital song sales chart. His last single “Seven” ranked No. 2 on Global Excl. the US, making him the first solo artist to ever occupy the top two spots at the same time. Jungkook is also the first K-pop solo

Oct. 10, 2023

[From the scene] Eye-catching films at 28th BIFF

This year’s Busan International Film Festival, which kicked off Oct. 4, invited a total of 269 movies -- about 90 fewer than last year due to a cut in government funding. But Asia's largest film festival continues to be a hit with the public, achieving a 90 percent seat occupancy rate as of Monday. With just days to go before the 28th edition of Asia's largest film festival comes to an end Friday, following is a recap of the first half of the festival. 'Ballerina' A

Oct. 10, 2023

YG's new girl group Babymonster to debut next month

YG’s new K-pop girl group Babymonster is making its debut next month, according to YG Entertainment. The group will be filming its music video at the end of this month. YG says Babymonster’s debut album will be filled with high-quality tracks that have been gathered through song camps held with renowned foreign music producers and YG’s music producers. Babymonster is set to debut with a piece of powerful music. “We devoted our time and effort to choosing the group’s

Oct. 10, 2023

Jungkook becomes first Korean soloist to log 2 songs in Top 5 of Billboard's Hot 100

BTS' Jungkook has become the first South Korean soloist to place two songs in the top five of Billboard's Hot 100 main singles chart. Jungkook's latest single, "3D (feat. Jack Harlow)," debuted at No. 5 on this week's Hot 100 chart dated Oct. 14. The BTS vocalist topped the chart earlier in July with "Seven (feat. Latto)." The latest feat adds to Jungkook's record-setting streak on the global chart. With "Seven," he had become the second S

Oct. 10, 2023

'Frasier' returns to TV but you don't need to be a superfan of the original to laugh at its jokes

You could say Joe Cristalli tweeted his role as an executive producer and co-showrunner on the new “ Frasier ” sitcom into existence. About 10 years ago as a fledgling TV writer and “Frasier” super fan, Cristalli started a Twitter account with “random jokes" about the show and character made famous by Kelsey Grammer in the sitcoms “Cheers” and “Frasier.” “It was stupid and nobody cared about it. I think I had maybe 3,000 followers

Oct. 10, 2023

Taemin of SHINee to drop new EP 'Guilty' on Oct. 30

SHINee’s Taemin is returning with a new solo EP titled “Guilty” on Oct. 30, according to SM Entertainment. His fourth solo mini album “Guilty” will carry six tracks, led by the titular track “Guilty.” This is Taemin’s first EP since his third EP “Advice” was released in May 2021. The artist hopes to capture global listeners with the upcoming album, which he filled with his unique colors. Taemin is recognized for his outstanding performa

Oct. 10, 2023

Pentagon’s Yeo One, Yanan, Yuto, Kino, Wooseok leaves Cube Entertainment

Yeo One, Yanan, Yuto, Kino and Wooseok of the K-pop boy group Pentagon will not renew their exclusive contract with Cube Entertainment. “We’ve had an open conversation with members as their exclusive contract with our agency is near expiration. After a thorough discussion, Yeo One, Yanan, Yuto, Kino and Wooseok have decided to terminate their contract,” announced Cube Entertainment on Monday in a press release. “We want to thank them for being with us for seven long years

Oct. 10, 2023

[Herald Review] ‘Because I hate Korea’ tells about agony and happiness of young Koreans here and abroad

“Because I hate Korea,” director Jang Kun-jae’s coming-of-age film based on the novel of same title by Jang Kang-myung, realistically portrays the journey of Kye-na (Go Ah-sung) in search of empathy and consolation. In her late 20s, Kye-na isn’t sure about her life in Korea. Her longtime boyfriend Ji-myeong who is preparing to become a journalist, not so well-off parents who are dependent on Kye-na and her boss who asks Kye-na to do something unethical because it is a com

Oct. 9, 2023

Four days of jazz festivities take over Jara Island

GAPYEONG, Gyeonggi Province -- South Korea’s biggest jazz festival completed its four-day run on Monday with a total of 42 acts from around the world. The Jarasum International Jazz Festival, which started in 2004, takes place in October every year on Jara Island, a river island in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province -- some 40 minutes from Seoul by the ITX Cheongchun High Speed Train. This year, more than 30,000 music lovers attended the paid areas of the festival, the event organizer said. The 2

Oct. 9, 2023

N.SSign to resume album promotion without Doha

K-pop boy group n.SSign will continue promoting its debut album one member short, with Doha on a break due to health issues, according to n.CH Entertainment on Monday. “Doha has been having health issues and he is currently taking a break for a medical diagnosis of his symptoms," said the agency in a press release. "As we prioritize our artist’s health and stability, we have decided along with other members of n.SSign that it is for the best for Doha to halt group activitie

Oct. 9, 2023

Jungkook of BTS to hold fan showcase on Nov. 20

Global pop star Jungkook will hold a fan showcase, “Jungkook Golden Live On Stage,” at Jangchung Municipal Stadium in Seoul on Nov. 20, according to Big Hit Music. Jungkook will perform the tracks of his upcoming solo album, “Golden,” for fans at the event. The event was prepared at the request of Jungkook, as he wanted to perform for his fans and also wished to communicate closely with them. The artist is also expected to share some behind-the-scenes stories of bringing

Oct. 9, 2023

[Herald Interview] Singer-songwriter Lee Min-hwi on bringing big questions into music

Singer-songwriter Lee Min-hwi's serene acoustic music and soft melodies disguise a cynical edge. "Your tongue and ears were never yours" she says on her first album "Borrowed Tongue." Lee's lyrics -- delivered in a whispering tone, sometimes like reciting poetry -- are the part of songwriting she finds most time-consuming. "Once I sat down to work on my music, many questions pop up in my head, and usually they lead to one question," Lee told The Korea He

Oct. 9, 2023

[Herald Review] Ive gives a sneak peek of new album, kicks off first world tour with Seoul gigs

The first concerts of Ive's "Show What I Have" world tour in Seoul on Saturday and Sunday were more than just the group's first-ever live music gigs since its debut in December 2021. The shows represented a dream-come-true moment and the realization of the band's biggest goal, which the members set for themselves less than two years ago when they set foot in the music scene. "It's been a dream to hold a concert. I said during our debut showcase that we wanted t

Oct. 9, 2023

Disney+’s ‘Moving’ sweeps BIFF’s Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards

The 28th Busan International Film Festival held its new awards festival, the Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards, at Busan Cinema Center on Sunday, with Disney+ drama "Moving" the biggest winner on the night. The Asia Contents Awards, established in 2019, has been renamed to the Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards this year, to reflect the global trend toward streaming. At this year’s edition, five new awards have been added, including the Best Creative award. D

Oct. 8, 2023

Ive kicks off first world tour, 'Show What I Have'

Ive launched its first world tour, "Show What I Have," in Seoul on Saturday. The two-day event, held over the weekend at the Jamsil Arena, comes a few days ahead of the group's comeback, set for Friday. On Sunday, the six-piece girl group held a press conference at the concert venue a few hours ahead of its gig that evening. "It was our dream to hold a concert. I said during our debut showcase (in 2021) that we want to hold a world tour, and I'm delighted that my dream a

Oct. 8, 2023

KCON Saudi Arabia 2023 attracts 23,000 K-pop fans

KCON, the world’s largest Korean culture and music celebration, attracted 23,000 people in Saudi Arabia on Friday and Saturday, according to organizer CJ ENM on Sunday. Around 3.5 million more from around 171 countries enjoyed a live stream of the concert. Under the theme “Be A KCONer,” KCON offered diverse Korean cultural content such as talk shows with K-pop artists and K-pop performances. Many Korean brands from the food and beverage, cosmetic and lifestyle sectors opened up

Oct. 8, 2023

Youn Yuh-jung, Han Hyo-joo share behind-the-scene stories at BIFF

South Korean veteran actor Youn Yuh-jung and prolific actor Han Hyo-joo went over their latest acting career feats with the audience in Busan during the 28th Busan International Film Festival’s flagship special talk session Actors' House. Launched in 2021 as an intimate, in-depth talk show, Actors' House has become a place where actors go over their filmography, reveal behind-the-scene stories and their new plans and projects. Youn shared what it meant for her to receive the pres

Oct. 8, 2023

BIFF expands award categories beyond Asian content to global titles

The Busan International Film Festival has traditionally focused on Asian content, but this year's edition newly added awards for global streaming titles to expand its reach to a broader market. Launched in 2019, the Asia Contents Awards has celebrated outstanding TV shows, streaming content and online platform content from around Asia. This year, the annual awards were renamed the Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards to recognize global content, reflecting the changing industry tren

Oct. 8, 2023

[New on the Scene] Kim Seong-sik makes directorial debut after 10 years as assistant director

Director Kim Seong-sik’s “Dr. Cheon and The Lost Talisman,” which has been top of the box office since the extended Chuseok holiday that started Sept. 28, comes after he spent 10 years as an assistant director. In the first week of opening, the film attracted over 1.5 million moviegoers. Originally an animator who wished to become like renowned Japanese animation filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, Kim decided to change course after watching director Bong Joon-ho’s “Memories

Oct. 7, 2023