Jungkook's solo exhibition to open in Seoul

An exhibition showcasing Jungkook, who debuted as the youngest member of BTS and has shown his capabilities as a solo artist, is set to open in Seoul at the end of August. Hybe's exhibition brand Hybe Insight announced that it will host "Golden: The Moments" from Aug. 30 to Sept. 22 at Le Meridien & Moxy in Myeongdong, Seoul. The exhibition is inspired by Jungkook's first solo album "Golden," released in November 2023. The music videos for "Seven" and

July 23, 2024

Will YG's bets on 2NE1, Blackpink pay off?

Legendary girl group 2NE1 will reunite for concerts and Blackpink will set off on a much-anticipated world tour next year. Yang Hyun-suk, founder and chief producer of YG Entertainment, revealed the company’s short-term plan Monday via its YouTube channel, announcing 2NE1 concerts in the second half of this year and Blackpink concerts next year. He also hinted that YG Entertainment is preparing a new K-pop band to debut in the near future. The most eye-catching announcement is the comeback

July 23, 2024

Seoul Metropolitan Ballet debuts with reimagined 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

The debut performance of Korea's first public contemporary ballet company, Seoul Metropolitan Ballet, is set to break new ground in Korea's dance scene in August. Choreographer Joo Jae-man behind the inaugural production "A Midsummer Night's Dream," expressed his excitement at a press conference held Monday at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. "In Korea, dance has been divided distinctly into ballet, traditional Korean dance and contemporary dance. I am so

July 23, 2024

'I, the Executioner' invited to 49th TIFF

South Korean filmmaker Ryoo Seung-wan’s latest action film, “I, the Executioner,” has been invited to the 49th Toronto International Film Festival, continuing its streak of acclaim after premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May, CJ ENM announced Tuesday. “I, the Executioner" is a sequel to 2015 blockbuster “Veteran.” "Veteran," which attracted 13.4 million cinemagoers in Korea during its run, was showcased in the vanguard category at the 20

July 23, 2024

K-pop agency Starship apologizes for security assault on fan

South Korean label Starship Entertainment apologized for the excessive security actions taken against a fan of its boy group Cravity at an airport last month. The K-pop agency posted an official statement to the boy band's fan community on Monday in response to a fan’s post on X. The fan alleged that Cravity’s security guard physically assaulted and mocked them at Gimpo International Airport on June 23 as the band returned to Korea from promotional events in Japan. The fan, id

July 23, 2024

Ador's Min refutes allegations she stole NewJeans from Source Music

K-pop label Ador’s CEO Min Hee-jin denied allegations that she "stole" some of the bandmates who would form NewJeans from Source Music. On Tuesday, local entertainment media outlet Dispatch reported that Min took Minji, Hanni, Danielle and Haerin of NewJeans from Source Music, where they were being trained to become K-pop artists. According to the report, these four of the five-member group were part of a project group being called “N team” training under Source Music

July 23, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Exhibit on BTS’ Jungkook to run next month

The solo career of BTS’ Jungkook will be highlighted with a new exhibition, Big Hit Music said Tuesday. As the show title “Golden: The Moments” indicates, it will focus on the artist’s first solo album which came out in November last year, and give visitors a glimpse into the making of the album. Costumes and equipment he used on stage for live performances and the trophies he earned will be on display along with a series of unpublished photographs. The LP hit the Billboa

July 23, 2024

Stray Kids featured on 'Deadpool and Wolverine' soundtrack

Taking part in the soundtrack of “Deadpool and Wolverine,” Stray Kids became the first K-pop group to release a song for Marvel's Deadpool series. The new song "Slash" is a collaboration between the group's in-house producing team 3Racha, composed of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, and K-pop songwriter Versachoi. "Slash" will be available on music streaming platforms starting at 6 p.m., Tuesday. Stray Kids has had a special connection with "Deadpool&q

July 23, 2024

Riize to debut in Japan in September

K-pop rookie group Riize is making its official debut in Japan. The six-member boy group is releasing its first-ever Japanese single album “Lucky” on Sept. 5, according to SM Entertainment. Riize is promoting its upcoming Japanese single album by unveiling the B-side track in advance on July 29. The group is also embarking on a fan concert tour in Japan titled “Riizing Day” which kicks off July 30 in Kanagawa, Japan. The tour consists of 15 shows in nine cities in Japan i

July 23, 2024

(G)I-dle's agency apologizes for use of Red Cross emblem on group's costume

Cube Entertainment, the agency behind K-pop girl group (G)I-dle, has apologized for using the Red Cross emblem on the group members' stage costumes. “We recognize that the stage costume had an issue. We contacted the Korean Red Cross to apologize and to actively discuss follow-up measures to prevent reoccurrences. We apologize once again to those concerned,” said Cube Entertainment on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday. (G)I-dle wore a lifeguard-themed stage costume that included a

July 23, 2024

Quad Summer Festa to beat the heat with electronic music

The Quad Summer Festa, featuring its signature 360-degree stage, is set to take place from August 22 to 25 at the Quad Theater in Daehagno, a public venue operated by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture. This year, the four-day festival will showcase four distinct electronic music artists, each performing on a different day. The festival kicks off with Kirara, who combines powerful beats with delicate melodies. She has released four studio albums: “Rcts,” “Moves,” &

July 23, 2024

Lee Sun-kyun's posthumous film 'Land of Happiness' to serve as historical record

Lee Sun-kyun's posthumous "Land of Happiness" accurately recreates events that took place during pivotal moments in Korean history and serves as a historical record, according to the film's director on Monday. “Land of Happiness” is a historical drama that follows the story of In-hoo (Jo Jung-suk), a lawyer striving to defend Tae-joo (Lee), a soldier implicated in the assassination of President Park Chung-hee and put on trial. The assassination, which occurred on

July 22, 2024

Ye concert ticket sales schedule unveiled

Channel Candy, a music media brand operated by Nextix, has announced that schedule for tickets to go on sale to see rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and Ty Dolla $ign concert in Korea. Tickets will be available exclusively through domestic ticket sales platform Melon Ticket, with both general and presale options. Presales will be available from 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, while general ticket sales begin at 8 p.m. on July 30. Presales will be available only to those also attending th

July 22, 2024

Iconic Daehangno venue reopens, with focus on children's theater

Hakchon Theater, an iconic venue for Korean performing arts in Seoul's Daehangno theater district and a lasting legacy of Kim Min-gi, who died Sunday, has begun a new chapter in its storied history. Four months after its closure in March, the theater resumed its operations Thursday, rebranded as the Arko Kkumbat Theater, which translates to Arko Dream Field Theater, dedicated to performances for children and youth. “Arko Kkumbat Theater aims to inherit the historical and cultural lega

July 22, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jimin to release solo single remix album

Jimin of BTS will release a retake on “Who,” the main track from his second solo EP, on Tuesday, said label Big Hit Music on Monday. The remix album will consist of seven tracks – six different versions of the song as well as the original hip-hop R&B tune. “Who” fronted his solo album “Muse” that came out on Friday and topped iTunes Top Songs chart in 112 regions. It debuted on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global at No. 3 with over 7.9 million pla

July 22, 2024

NewJeans says Tokyo Dome fan meet highlight of career

K-pop sensation NewJeans chose its recent fan meeting at Tokyo Dome in Japan as its favorite moment in the past two years. "There have been many memorable moments, but the Tokyo Dome fan meeting stands out the most. It felt like a dream spending time with the Bunnies who love our music," said Minji in a publicity material released by Ador, the group's agency, Monday, marking the group's two-year anniversary. Hanni who covered popular Japanese singer Seiko Matsuda's "

July 22, 2024

[Herald Interview] Russian K-pop soloist Lana returns with first English single

With her unique looks and charismatic stage presence, Lana may seem like just another foreign-born K-pop singer. However, she is the first Russian K-pop singer without any Korean heritage, having embarked on an adventurous journey in a foreign land from a young age to pursue her dreams. Lana, who debuted in June 2019, celebrated her 5th debut anniversary this year with a new single. Released on July 12, her single "Circus" talks about the glamorous facade of a pop star and the loneline

July 22, 2024

'Minari' director's 'Twisters' sees biggest opening for natural disaster film in North America

"Twisters," the latest disaster film from multiple-award-winning "Minari" director Lee Isaac Chung, achieved the biggest opening for a natural disaster film in North America, according to an online box office analysis service, Monday. According to Box Office Mojo, a US online box office analysis service, "Twisters" amassed $80.5 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend in North America. In Box Office Mojo's terms, North America includes the gross box-

July 22, 2024

'Morning Dew' singer Kim Min-gi, founder of iconic Hakchon, dies at 73

Singer-songwriter Kim Min-gi, founder of the iconic small theater Hakchon in Daehangno, died on Sunday at the age of 73. Kim had been undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with stomach cancer last fall. Kim began his music career in 1970 while studying art at Seoul National University, forming the folk duo Dobidu with his friend Kim Young-se. In 1971, he released his debut solo album featuring the popular song "Morning Dew." This song, better known through singer Yang Hee-eun&#

July 22, 2024

National Theater of Korea new season a mix of old and new

The National Theater of Korea unveiled its 2024-25 season programs which will “emphasize its identity as producing theaters.” The new season, which runs from Aug. 28 to June 29, 2025, will feature 61 titles, including 23 new works, 8 productions from repertoires, 14 regular performances and 16 co-hosted works. “We have prepared works that focus on two trajectories: Contemporary creative productions based on tradition and encore performances from our repertoires that audiences h

July 21, 2024