'Minari', meeting ground between Korean immigrant story, American farming story

Ahead of the March 3 theatrical release of Lee Isaac Chung’s “Minari,” the cast and director shared the joy and surprise at the reception of the film. The movie won 74 awards in film festivals around the world, and Youn has won 26 awards for best supporting actress so far. “Minari” depicts the story of an immigrant family of four from Korea who move to the middle of the US in Arkansas. Jacob, played by Yeun, and Monica, played by Han Ye-ri, pursue their American d

Feb. 26, 2021

Master of period films returns with ‘Book of Fish’

Director Lee Joon-ik, a master of period films who directed “Dong-ju: The Portrait of a Poet,” “Anarchist from Colony” and more, is back with his latest work “The Book of Fish.” The film centers around the real-life character of Jeong Yak-jeon, the brother of scholar Jeong Yak-yong. Both brothers were leading scholars from the Joseon era. While living in exile on the remote southern Heuksan Island in South Jeolla Province, Jeong Yak-jeon meets a young fishe

Feb. 26, 2021

Monsta X member apologizes over 'immature behavior' amid bullying accusations

Kihyun, a member of K-pop boy band Monsta X, on Friday voiced regret and apologized over his "immature behavior" after he was accused of school bullying. "If there are people who were hurt by my immature attitude and behavior during school, I would now like to sincerely apologize," the singer said in a statement posted on a fan community. "I'm very sorry for disappointing (you) and I will live on deeply reflecting on it." Kihyun mentioned some episodes from back w

Feb. 26, 2021

BLACKPINK tapped as advocates for UN climate action campaign

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK has been appointed as advocates to raise awareness for a global campaign against climate change issues, the band's agency said Friday. The four-piece act recently received a personal letter from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in which he invited them to serve as advocates for COP 26, or the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, according to YG Entertainment. "Your recent video 'Climate Action in Your Area #COP26' was a huge success, being viewed

Feb. 26, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Chaos Walking (US) Opened Feb. 24 Action Directed by Doug Liman In a not-too-distant future, there is a planet called “New World” where only men live and all living creatures can hear each other‘s thoughts in a stream of images, words and sounds called Noise. One day, Todd Hewitt (Tom Holland) discovers Viola (Daisy Ridley), who crashed into the planet. The two start questioning the dystopian world and make plans to escape from it. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (UK) Re

Feb. 26, 2021

[Eye interview] Swift as a flying fish, Leenalchi breaks new ground

You know you’ve made it when you hear your songs everywhere you turn. When you are signed up with major advertisers, including Samsung Electronics for their latest phone commercial, you know you are at the top of your game. Band Leenalchi finds itself in just that position. Launched in May 2019, the seven-piece band took the country by storm when tourism promotion videos featuring the band’s music and the Ambiguous Dance Company went viral last summer and there has been no looking b

Feb. 26, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] NiziU collaborates with Universal Studios Japan

NiziU teamed up with Universal Studios Japan for the park’s 20th anniversary.  The theme park announced on Thursday that the girl group is participating in “No Limit! Time,” its special campaign to mark the anniversary in April.  The band recorded the theme song “Festa” that will be played during the parades and throughout the facility. The song will also be part of an entertainment show for visitors and staff to dance together. USJ said that it chose

Feb. 25, 2021

BTS earns 2nd 'million point' song on Oricon chart with 'Dynamite'

Global superstar BTS has earned another "million point" song on Japan's Oricon music chart with its upbeat pop-disco hit "Dynamite," the band's agency said Thursday. "Dynamite," the all-English summer number released in August, has accumulated more than 1 million points on the Japanese music chart's weekly single rankings, according to Big Hit Entertainment. Oricon ranks singles based on digital downloads and streaming plays. In the latest weekly chart tallied bet

Feb. 25, 2021

Netflix to invest W550b Korean content

Global streaming giant Netflix introduced numerous original series and movies planned for 2021, along with its plans to invest 550 billion won ($496 million) in Korean content this year. Netflix held the online press conference “See What’s Next Korea 2021” on Thursday to commemorate the fifth year of Netflix service in Korea. During the event, Netflix released still scenes of many original series planned for this year and announced the creation of two original Netflix Korean

Feb. 25, 2021

Green witch works her magic in Korea

After months of shutdown, the local performing arts scene has finally begun to return to a new normal. The comeback is led by a green-skinned witch, riding on a broomstick. The musical “Wicked” opened this month at Blue Square in Itaewon, central Seoul. Though still affected by the government’s social distancing rules, which require that every other seat be left vacant, the show is recording sellouts. Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and T

Feb. 25, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Ateez to release Japanese album

  Ateez announced on Wednesday that it will come out with a studio album titled, “Into the A to Z,” in March. 　 In the photo that was released with the announcement, seven bandmates of the eight-piece act donned white outfits, showing off an elegant side of the group. Mingi is taking a break due to health reasons.  　 This is the band’s first all-Japanese album since it officially debuted in Japan in December 2019. Its “Treasure EP. Extra: Shift The Map”

Feb. 24, 2021

Actor Han Ye-ri says ‘Minari’ did not take the easy way

South Korean actor Han Ye-ri said she feels a bit nervous hearing Korean audiences’ response to her upcoming US film “Minari” as it does not have a clear plot sequence consisting of a beginning, a middle and an end. “This movie did not take the easy way of making a provocative story,” Han told reporters during a joint media interview on Tuesday, conducted via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather, “Minari” calmly presents a universal and relatable

Feb. 24, 2021

BTS performs 'BE,' surprise Coldplay cover on 'MTV Unplugged'

Global superstar BTS on Wednesday brought to stage songs from its latest album "BE" and a surprise cover of band Coldplay's hit "Fix You" in its debut performance on the iconic music program "MTV Unplugged." The seven-piece act kicked off the show with its first-ever performance of "Telepathy," a number on its November-released album "BE," in which members Suga, Jung Kook and RM took part in songwriting. All seven members -- including Suga who

Feb. 24, 2021

BTS' 'Map of the Soul: 7' achieves record high 52nd consecutive week on Billboard 200

"Map of the Soul: 7," an album by global superstar BTS, has stayed on the Billboard main albums chart for almost one straight year this week, recording another piece of history for K-pop. According to the latest Billboard chart results updated Tuesday (US time), the mega-hit album released in February 2020, came in at 108th on the Billboard 200 chart. This marks the album's 52nd consecutive week on the highly competitive chart since it debuted atop the list in the first week of March

Feb. 24, 2021

Agency refuses to confirm report Jennie, G-Dragon are dating

The management agency of K-pop stars Jennie of BLACKPINK and G-Dragon of BIGBANG on Wednesday refused to confirm a report that they are secretly dating. Dispatch, an entertainment news outlet, reported on the same day that the two popular singer-rappers have been in a relationship for about a year. YG Entertainment immediately issued a statement, saying it cannot confirm anything about its artists' private lives. G-Dragon, 32, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, debuted in 2006 as the leader of

Feb. 24, 2021

Sejong Center’s 2021 season to open with renewed hopes

Though constrained by the COVID-19 crisis for the past year, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, one of the leading performing arts venues in South Korea, is gearing up for its 2021 season with renewed hopes. The Sejong Center in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, is to present 56 performances and seven exhibitions this year. “Until the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarter calls for the shutdown of performing theaters, the Sejong Center will remain open. If the audi

Feb. 23, 2021

Sunmi returns with a bold swing of ‘Tail’

Channeling her inner feline, Sunmi has returned with a transformation into a seductive yet innocent, cat-like woman in her new single “Tail” released Tuesday. “It’s completely different from my previous song ‘pporappippam’ and also strays far from my other songs released so far,” Sunmi said during a live-streamed press conference about the title song of her new digital single. “Tail,” as the title implies, is an embodiment of the instincti

Feb. 23, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Shinee tops iTunes chart in 45 regions

Shinee demonstrated their star power sweeping across the world with their new album “Don’t Call Me.”   　 The band’s seventh studio album that came out Monday -- its first in 2 1/2 years -- landed at the top of iTunes’ top albums chart in 45 regions, including the US, UK, Germany and Canada, according to management company SM Entertainment on Tuesday. It also topped multiple charts in Korea as well as those in China and Japan.   　 The four-piece act will

Feb. 23, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Shinee returns stronger than ever

Shinee discussed their new album “Don’t Call Me” at an online media conference on Monday.  The quartet is returning as a whole -- after 2 and a 1/2 years -- with its seventh studio album as three of the members completed their military duties.  “I was nervous and full of worries resuming my career after such a break,” confided leader Onew. “We’ve prepared as much to make up so please keep up your expectations,” he went on, “and

Feb. 22, 2021

BTS most tweeted about musician in US in 2020

K-pop sensation BTS was the most tweeted about musician in the United States last year, the band's agency said Monday. In a recent survey by Twitter, BTS topped the list of 2020 most tweeted about musicians in the US, followed by Kanye West, Beyonce and Drake, according to Big Hit Entertainment. Other South Korean bands, ATEEZ, NCT and EXO, also made the top 10, along with Megan Thee Stallion, Harry Styles and Bad Bunny. BTS made a splash in the US music scene last year as its first English-l

Feb. 22, 2021