Kai of EXO begins national service

Kai of EXO began his mandatory military service today, according to SM Entertainment. He is to serve as an alternative social worker after receiving basic military training at a boot camp. He is the seventh member of the group to enlist after Xiumin, D.O. Suho, Chen, Baekhyun and Chanyeol. The specific time and place of his admission have not been revealed. “We respect Kai’s decision to go as quietly as possible, so we will not share the time and place of his military admission. Ther

May 11, 2023

Blackpink Lisa earns two more Guinness World Records

Blackpink's Lisa racked up two more Guinness World Records, YG Entertainment said Thursday. According to YG Entertainment, Lisa's solo album "Lalisa" has won the Guinness World Record for the first album by a K-pop solo artist to amass a billion streams on Spotify. "Lalisa" is the Blackpink rapper's debut solo album which was released in September 2021 and consists of two songs, "Lalisa" and "Money." YG said the Thai singer earned another gl

May 11, 2023

[Herald Review] 'Sejong 1446' offers majestic musical experience at Gyeongbokgung

Sitting outside in a cold and windy night on an uncomfortable plastic chair for 100 minutes might be challenging, but witnessing a musical centered on King Sejong the Great with the majestic hall, Geunjeongjeon, National Treasure No. 233, as the backdrop at Gyeongbokgung truly felt like a privilege. At 7:30 p.m. on May 2, night had already fallen and the show began by illuminating a spotlight on a pansori performer who introduced the historical background of the story. As pansori singer Lee Bong

May 10, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] NCT’s Lucas quits NCT, WayV

Lucas of NCT told fans that he is leaving the band, as well as WayV, he said on social media on Wednesday, approximately two years after he suspended activities. “After a long consideration, I’ve decided to quit groups NCT and WayV,” he wrote in Chinese. He said he feels really sorry and bad to leave his bandmates who have been together for almost eight years. He reiterated that this was the "best decision" for all of them, and that he will soon be back on his own. H

May 10, 2023

In Papaioannou's 'Ink,' duet turns into duel in flooded universe

Greek contemporary theater director Dimitris Papaioannou is scheduled to premiere his latest project “Ink” in Asia at the National Theater of Korea’s Daloreum Theater from Friday to Sunday. Premiered at the Torinodanza Festival in Italy in September 2020, "Ink," a two-person performance, embarked on a world tour in January with some modifications and enhancements, and new music by Greek composer Kornilios Selamsis. Papaioannou, who describes the performance as one abo

May 10, 2023

BTS' Jimin features in 'Angel Pt. 1' from 'Fast X' soundtrack

Jimin of BTS featured in “Angel Pt. 1,” the original soundtrack of the upcoming movie “Fast X” along with other artists including Kodak Black, NLE Choppa, JVKE and Muni Long. The single will be released on May 18, a day after the movie premieres in South Korea, according to Universal Pictures on Wednesday. Jimin also starred in the song's music video, scheduled for release on the same day as the single. Jimin is the first South Korean singer to feature in the soundtr

May 10, 2023

IU denies plagiarism allegations, takes legal action

Singer-songwriter IU is refuting allegations of plagiarism, and is taking legal action against those raising the allegations. IU's agency Edam Entertainment on Wednesday afternoon said in a press statement that it has pressed charges over continued malicious behavior against the singer online. "For several months we have been aware that posts alleging plagiarism and carrying false rumors based on unverified claims have been spreading via online communities, social media and YouTube,&qu

May 10, 2023

Netflix’s ‘Black Knight’ explores dual life of deliveryman in post-apocalyptic 2071

The Netflix original series “Black Knight,” starring Kim Woo-bin and Song Seung-heon, explores the life of a deliveryman who offers necessities to people in need on a devastated Earth in 2071. Based on the webtoon “Delivery Knight” by Lee Yoon-kyun, published from 2016 to 2019, director Choi Ui-seok of “Cold Eyes” (2013) and “Master” (2016) tells the story of Earth in 2071, suffering from toxic air pollution. People rely on parcel delivery services

May 10, 2023

Secret Number to drop new album this month

Multinational K-pop girl group Secret Number will release a new album on May 24, some six months after its fifth single album, “Tap," was released. Secret Number’s return was announced through a teaser clip of its upcoming track posted on its YouTube channel. The teaser clip shows the band recording in a studio holding sheet music for a song titled “Beautiful One.” The lyrics read “Sorry for taking long,” “My heart is a lock and you’re my key

May 10, 2023

BTS solo documentaries to hit global cinemas in June

Two documentaries starring BTS' Suga and J-Hope are set for global release in June, Lotte Cinema announced Wednesday. The cinema release of "J-Hope in the Box" and "Suga: Road to D-Day" is in celebration of BTS' 10th anniversary, Lotte Cinema said. BTS, the seven-piece K-pop sensation consisting of Jin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook, celebrates its anniversary on June 13. More details on where the films will be available worldwide have not been announced.

May 10, 2023

[Herald Interview] Joshua Bell to perform Vieuxtemps, Chausson with SPO

Renowned American violinist Joshua Bell will make his debut with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra with two very special "old fashioned violin pieces" as he returns to Korea in May for the first time in five years to meet his favorite audience in the world. The 55-year-old chose Vieuxtemps’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A minor, Op. 37, a piece not frequently performed over the past 40 years, he explained in an email interview with The Korea Herald. Chausson’s Poeme for Violi

May 10, 2023

[Herald Interview] For young people today, life is ‘Almost Entirely a Slight Disaster’

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province – "Almost Entirely a Slight Disaster" is a "film about unhappy people, but not in a dark way," Turkish director Umut Subasi told the audience at its Asian premiere at the Jeonju International Film Festival in North Jeolla Province on April 28. The festival had described it as a “depression comedy.” "Humor is a survival tool," Subasi explained. Set in Istanbul, "Almost Entirely a Slight Disaster" revolves arou

May 9, 2023

Reinterpretation of 'Chun-hyang' embraces modern style in traditional Korean dance

The National Jeongdong Theater of Korea is set to open the season with “Chun-hyang: Bird with Broken Wings.” Initially scheduled for a 2022 premiere, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Chun-hyang” is a modern retelling of the 17th-century Korean folk tale which was orally handed down through the pansori “Chunhyangga.” It tells about the love story between Seong Chun-hyang, the daughter of a retired courtesan, and Yi Mong-ryong, the son of a noblem

May 9, 2023

Universal Ballet's 'Shim Chung': a blend of filial folk tale and classical ballet

The Universal Ballet’s iconic original repertoire “Sim Chung: A Legend from the Far East“ returns this week for the first time in four years. The piece is based on the classic Korean folktale of Sim Chung, who sacrifices herself to the King of the underwater world in a desperate attempt to have her blind father's sight restored. The neoclassical choreography is the work of UBC’s first artistic director, Adrienne Dellas. Since its premiere in 1986, “Sim Chung&rd

May 9, 2023

[News Analysis] Star filmmakers flock to streaming

Movie directors including star filmmakers Lee Byeong-heon and Jason Lee will release their next projects soon after the release of movies “Dream” and “My Heart Puppy,” respectively, earlier this year, but this time as Netflix drama series. Lee Byeong-heon, known for the hit comedy “Extreme Job” (2019), is expected to release “Chicken Nugget,” starring Kim Yoo-jung and Ryu Seung-ryong, as a Netflix original series sometime toward the year-end. Kim a

May 9, 2023

[Today’s K-pop] aespa sets sales record with 3rd EP

The third EP from aespa sold more than 1.37 million copies on the first day, a record for a K-pop girl group. It is the group’s second million-seller, after its previous EP “Girls” sold 1.12 million in the first week, then fourth highest for a K-pop girl group. The mini album came out Monday, about 10 months after the last album, and logged 1.8 million in preorders. It swept a series of major music charts at home and topped iTunes top albums chart in 20 regions.   NewJean

May 9, 2023

New season of late-night KBS music talk show to reawaken legendary artists and music

The late-night KBS music talk show “The Seasons” is set for a fresh start with Choi Jung-hoon, band Jannabi's vocalist, as its new face. “I’m so honored to be part of this program. I’ve dreamed of performing at a late-night music talk show but never of hosting it. Different to Jay Park, who did an amazing job as the emcee of the first season and put his focus on the artists themselves, I will try to focus more on their music,” said Choi Jung-hoon during

May 9, 2023

Oneus sets off as a quintet with 'Pygmalion'

Boy band Oneus is opening its second chapter with its ninth EP, "Pygmalion." "This album in one phrase is 'Oneus' new takeoff.' We've worked really hard to show a different side of us," Hwanwoong said at a press showcase in Seoul on Monday. "Pygmalion" marks the return of Oneus after eight months, the group's longest break to date. It is also the group's first album dropped following the departure of member Raven in October, which left

May 9, 2023

‘Race’ to offer realistic, relatable stories of office life

Disney+ seeks to entertain viewers with realistic stories that unfold inside a public relations firm in its upcoming series, "Race." The global streamer’s project helmed by director Lee Dong-yun centers around an office worker, Park Yoon-jo (played by Lee Yeon-hee), who becomes the newest member of a top public relations company in South Korea. “When I read the script, I felt that the troubles and concerns of office workers, who are around my age, were realistically feature

May 9, 2023

Seventeen hits No. 2 on Billboard albums chart

Seventeen continues to write history with its 10th EP, "FML," with the album landing at No. 2 on Billboard's main albums chart. The US music publisher on Monday announced the chart placing, which beats the groups previous best performance, when it hit No. 4 with its fourth LP-reissue "Sector 17" in July 2022. Since its debut on the chart at No. 15 with eighth EP "Your Choice" in 2021, all of Seventeen's albums made it into the chart and set highs every tim

May 9, 2023