[Today’s K-pop] TXT to return with 4th EP next month

  Tomorrow X Together will put out its fourth EP “minisode 2: Thursday’s Child,” said label Big Hit Music on Thursday. 　 The quintet wrapped up its “The Chaos Chapter” series last year with “The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape,” a repackage of its second studio album “The Chaos Chapter: Freeze.” The second LP from August last year ranked No. 5 on Billboard 200, the band’s career high. The two albums each made the year’s best

April 14, 2022

‘Into the New World’: Girls’ Generation’s debut song lives on as Millennials’ anthem of solidarity

After debuting with the single “Into the New World” in 2007, Girls’ Generation was soon propelled to stardom and went on to become one of the biggest acts in the K-pop industry. Written by SM Entertainment’s in-house songwriter Kenzie and her husband and lyrist Kim Jung-bae, the cheerful song’s joyful melody is accompanied by resolute lyrics. “With the unknowable future and obstacles, I won’t change, I can’t give up,” the then nine-member g

April 14, 2022

Concert highlights King Sejong’s musical talent

A concert seeking to shed light on the musical talent of King Sejong the Great will take place next week at the National Gugak Center. King Sejong the Great (1397-1450) was the fourth ruler of the Joseon era, whose remarkable legacy includes, most notably, the creation of Hangeul, the Korean writing system. The Court Music Orchestra of the National Gugak Center will celebrate one of King Sejong’s legacies in a concert titled “Sejong’s sound: Yeomindongrak,” which trans

April 14, 2022

[Herald Interview] Chun Woo-hee says she felt ‘fulfilled’ playing news presenter Se-ra in ‘Anchor’

For actor Chun Woo-hee, playing veteran news presenter Se-ra in “Anchor,” directed by Jeong Ji-yeon, was an opportunity she had never had before. “I felt fulfilled playing her because my female character had her own story told from beginning to end,” Chun said in an interview with a group of local reporters Wednesday. In the film, Se-ra is a famous news presenter with a mother, So-jung (Lee Hye-young), who micromanages her life. One day, Se-ra receives a phone call fro

April 14, 2022

[Unveil] Indie musician Fromm talks about her own story through music

Now in her 11th year as an independent artist, singer and songwriter Fromm’s her unbounded music style, charming low-pitched voice and poetic lyrics have earned here the nickname “Goddess of Hongdae” amongst her fans. With her stage name signifying “the music story that starts from me,” her music tells a story that is easy to relate to. “I think musicians are like novelists. After all, they are people who write stories and put some melodies to them,” Fro

April 14, 2022

Yoon Suk-yeol to appear on ‘You Quiz on the Block’

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol will appear in an upcoming episode of the tvN talk show “You Quiz on the Block” set to air April 20. Yoon is making his first TV show appearance in almost four months after showing up on several programs, including SBS’ reality show “Master in the House,” TV Chosun’s “Gourmet Mukbang Trip” and KBS’ “Problem Child in House,” as a presidential hopeful. According to the cable channel, the episode fea

April 14, 2022

The Boyz to launch first world tour next month

K-pop group The Boyz will begin its first-ever world tour, encompassing North America and Europe, next month, its management agency said Thursday. The 11-piece group will kick off the tour titled "The Boyz World Tour: The B-Zone" in Los Angeles on May 29, IST Entertainment said. It will mark the band's first live concerts in front of overseas fans in about two years and five months after a tour of major European cities such as Berlin and Paris in 2019. But the boys have never had a big

April 14, 2022

[Herald Interview] Just B bids farewell to ‘Rage’ trilogy, starts new journey through ‘Just Begun’

Less than a year since the group’s debut, rookie boy band Just B hopped onto the April music craze with its second EP, “Just Begun,” which is to be released Thursday evening. This marks a return from the sextet nearly six months after its previous work, “Just Beat,” released in October. It’s unusual for a rookie band to be away for months, since they must get their name out to the public. But it took the sextet six months to add value to their musical caree

April 14, 2022

Jessi’s ‘Zoom’ looks into her 18-year life under spotlight

One of the busiest TV personalities in the Korean entertainment scene right now, singer and rapper Jessi has finally returned as a musician with her new single “Zoom.” Ahead of dropping the digital single Wednesday afternoon, Jessi conducted an online media showcase in Seoul to give a peek into how the song came out. Returning after six months with a new song, Jessi said, “I feel like it’s been much longer, but in terms of promoting my songs, it’s been around a ye

April 13, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids stays on Billboard 200 for 3rd week

Stray Kids extended their stay on the Billboard 200 for another week, ranking No. 59 with EP “Oddinary,” according to the publication’s tally for next week.   　 The EP was the chart-topper on the world albums chart for three consecutive weeks. Along with the focus track “Maniac,” it has put the band’s name on 10 charts in total.   　 The EP was fully unveiled on March 18 and debuted on Billboard 200 at No. 1. The eight-member act became the third K

April 13, 2022

Jessi says preparation to return with ‘Zoom’ was most intense

Singer-rapper Jessi returned to the stage with her new digital single “Zoom” Wednesday, following her last single “Cold Blooded (with Street Women Fighters),” which was released six months ago. “It’s been a while since I made a comeback on the stage. I’ve been appearing on variety shows lately,” Jessi said during an online press conference Wednesday, ahead of the single’s online release at 6 p.m. “I was pressed for time more than eve

April 13, 2022

Long-running chamber music festival returns next week

A long-running chamber music festival led by violinist Kang Dong-suk is set to return next week with a focus on cello. Titled “Cellissimo!,” the 17th edition of the festival will delve into the beauty of the four-string instrument that originated in Italy in the 1600s. This is the third time the festival is focusing on a particular instrument: In 2011, the piano took center stage followed by the violin in 2012. “Cello is one of the most popular instruments and cellists

April 13, 2022

Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae to perform on Grammys ‘Global Spin Live’

Korea‘s hip-hop power couple Tiger JK and Yoon Mi-rae are to perform on “The Grammy Museum: Global Spin Live” this month. The icons of Korean hip-hop will perform at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles at 7:30 p.m. on April 27. They will be the only K-pop musicians to appear at the concert venue. Tiger JK and Yoon will discuss their music career, creative process and musical influences before taking to the stage separately and together, according to Grammy. “Global Spi

April 13, 2022

Hybe's first girl group to debut next month

The first girl group from K-pop powerhouse Hybe will release its first album next month, its management agency said Wednesday. Le Sserafim will drop the debut EP "Fearless" and hold a showcase for fans at the Jangchung Arena, an indoor sports stadium that can house 4,000 people, on May 2, Source Music said. The showcase will also be livestreamed online, it added. Le Sserafim is a six-piece group that consists of Miyawaki Sakura, Kim Chaewon, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, Kim Garam and Hong Eunch

April 13, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] SHINee’s Onew tops iTunes chart in 40 regions

    Onew of SHINee landed atop iTunes top albums chart in 40 regions with his second solo EP, “Dice.”   　 The six-track EP was fully unveiled Monday and also swept all major charts at home. It came almost 3 1/2 years after his first solo EP, “Voice,” and the musician demonstrated a fuller spectrum with the new EP, proving himself capable of going beyond the ballads for which he is best known.   　 He debuted as a member of SHINee in 2008 and has si

April 12, 2022

Dreamcatcher calls for climate action with second LP ‘Apocalypse: Save Us’

K-pop girl group Dreamcatcher on Tuesday made a comeback in nine months with their second full-length album, “Apocalypse: Save Us.” The band conducted a press conference ahead of their comeback to talk about the album and its production. The new album is the first studio album participated by all members, as the act’s Chinese member Handong had to sit out on the first LP, “Dystopia: The Tree of Language,” due to activities in her home country. “Handong cou

April 12, 2022

Tving's ‘Seoul Check-In’ sets new records

It only took the first episode of Tving’s new reality show “Seoul Check-In” to make a major impact for the local streaming service. After a successful pilot run in January, “Seoul Check-In” set new records at Tving with the first episode released Friday. According to Tving, “Seoul Check-In” contributed the most to its increase in paid subscribers and unique visitors in the three days following its release. “The number of unique visitors who wat

April 12, 2022

Chun Woo-hee returns as successful news presenter in thriller ‘Anchor’

Actor Chun Woo-hee is returning to the big screen as a successful news presenter in the thriller “Anchor,” directed by Jeong Ji-yeon. “My job was to convince audiences that I am a professional news presenter with 9 years of experience,” Chun said during a press conference held Monday at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University. “I did my best. The director, staff and news presenter Kim Min-jung gave me positive feedback during the shooting. I wonder what the audience will

April 12, 2022

Korea Opera Festival chief wants more government funding

While the 13th edition of the Korea Opera Festival is gearing up to kick off this month, the festival’s chief hoped the incoming government would support the annual event with ample financing to offer a wider spectrum of high-quality operas. “We sincerely hope to introduce more great original Korean-language pieces, as well as classic operas,” said Cho Jang-nam, chairman of the Korea Opera Company Association, at a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center on Tuesday, blam

April 12, 2022

Six-day tribute to Schubert to take place in June

Top Korean musicians ranging from pianist Sunwoo Yekwon to the Novus Quartet and soprano Im Sun-hae will join forces for a six-day all-Schubert concert series in June, event organizer Sejong Center for the Performing Arts said Tuesday. Titled “Dear Schubert,” the series is part of the annual Sejong Chamber Series that was launched in 2015. The concert series will open on June 21 with a piano solo recital by Sunwoo Yekwon who will play Four Impromptus D.899, Six Moments Musicaux, D

April 12, 2022