Local OTT platform Wavve features movies for two French film festivals

A selection of French films began screening on local over-the-top platform Wavve on Tuesday, in conjunction with two French film festivals. The first French film festival, running from Tuesday to Nov. 4, is being held jointly with the Institut Francais in Seoul. Nine French movies recommended by Korean film director Ryoo Seung-wan, including comedy “Redoubtable,” written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius, will be presented. Ryoo, who made his directorial debut in 2000, is known

Oct. 27, 2020

Refund Sisters: latest K-pop sensation that S. Korea is raving about

It depends on what you define K-pop as, but the Refund Sisters are probably not your typical K-pop stars. Brimming with confidence and bad girl vibes, nothing seems to daunt the group's four divas -- soloists Uhm Jung-hwa and Lee Hyori, rapper Jessi and Hwasa of girl group MAMAMOO -- who seem to get along pretty well despite their age gap and different backgrounds. In fact, the moniker Refund Sisters, otherwise known as Refund Expedition in Korean, comes from their strong girl demeanor that no

Oct. 27, 2020

‘Minisode 1: Blue Hour,’ TXT’s short tale told in the era of COVID-19

Tomorrow X Together returned with their third mini album “Minisode 1: Blue Hour” Monday, sharing a hopeful message to young people isolated and lost in emotions amid the unprecedented pandemic. “The album tells the story of a boy who faces a completely changed world after experiencing a sudden shift in his relationship with his friend,” the quintet’s leader Soobin said during an online press conference in Seoul. Fronting the album is “Blue Hour,” a di

Oct. 27, 2020

BTS' 2014 album lands on Billboard main albums chart

A 2014 EP album by K-pop megastar BTS has made a surprise debut on the Billboard main chart. "BTS' 'Skool Luv Affair' debuts at No. 12 on this week's Billboard 200. It's the group's 12th career entry on the chart," the US music publisher said in a Twitter post updated Monday (US time). "Skool Luv Affair," the septet's second EP released in February 2014, was recently republished and released after it won a fan vote on albums and DVDs that should be released again. The feat

Oct. 27, 2020

BTS nominated for American Music Awards for 3rd year

K-pop megastar BTS has been nominated for this year's American Music Awards (AMAs) for a third consecutive year, the band's agency said Tuesday. The seven-member band was nominated in two categories -- "Favorite Duo or Group - Pop/Rock" and "Favorite Social Artist" -- in the ceremony scheduled for Nov. 22 (US time). Other nominees in the "Favorite Duo or Group - Pop/Rock" category were the Jonas Brothers and Maroon 5. Four other musicians were nominated for the &q

Oct. 27, 2020

Twice in struggle between good and bad with ‘I Can’t Stop Me’

Twice is facing the duality of good and evil in its brand new single “I Can’t Stop Me.” The nine-piece band dropped its second full-length Korean album “Eyes Wide Open” on Monday evening, which features the disco-tinged pop lead track “I Can’t Stop Me.” Ahead of the release, the bandmates shared details of the new song and excitement over releasing their first full-length album in three years. “Comparing ourselves to three years ago, we re

Oct. 26, 2020

TXT's new album appears more relatable than ever amid COVID-19

K-pop act Tomorrow X Together said Monday their upcoming album captures the stories and sentiments of teens who are living in an unprecedented world amid the new coronavirus pandemic. "Like everyone else, we were taken aback and confused by the situation that we're experiencing for the first time. Above all, it was sad not to be able to listen to MOA's cheering sounds when we perform on stage," Taehyun said during a media conference, referring to the group's dedicated fan base called

Oct. 26, 2020

Kurosawa: I didn't need great courage to make film on Japan's wartime crime

Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa said Monday that it didn't take a great deal of courage to make his Venice-winning film that directly deals with his country's wartime atrocities. "It didn't require strong determination or bravery," the prolific director said in an official press conference for "Wife of a Spy" at the 25th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). "I just thought I have to tell the story based on historical facts." The winner of best director at

Oct. 26, 2020

Annual K-Music festival to hit London this week as live-online hybrid event amid pandemic

The annual K-Music festival in London will kick off this week for a 17-day run as a hybrid event combining live performances and YouTube livestreaming amid the global coronavirus pandemic, its organizer said Monday. This year's K-Music 2020 celebrates the 7th year of its presence in the British capital, showcasing traditional Korean music, called "gukak," as well as rock and jazz to British audiences. K-Music 2020 will kick off on Saturday (London time) to run till Nov. 16, co-hoste

Oct. 26, 2020

BLACKPINK becomes first K-pop girl group to sell 1m albums

After becoming the first K-pop girl group to rank No. 2 on the Billboard main album chart, BLACKPINK has set another record by becoming the first all-female act to sell more than 1 million albums, its agency said Monday. "The Album," the group's first studio album released earlier this month, has sold 1.2 million units worldwide, including 871,335 copies here and 319,300 in Europe and the United States, according to YG Entertainment. The previous record is known to be 760,000 album s

Oct. 26, 2020

‘Wishing Dance’ to kick-start SIDance festival

The 23rd Seoul International Dance Festival, SIDance for short, will be held online Nov. 6-22, presenting local and overseas dance programs across various genres. As has been the case with most festivals this year, SIDance, organized by the Seoul section of the UNESCO-based International Dance Council, will be held online, streaming dance performances on its official website as well as its channels on Naver TV and YouTube. The festival will be led by Lee Jong-ho, its founder and artistic di

Oct. 26, 2020

TWICE says 2nd full album shows band's more daring, dark side

Popular K-pop girl group TWICE said Monday that its upcoming full-length album "Eyes Wide Open" will likely surprise fans with the band's darker and bolder side. "It portrays the danger and anxiety that come from standing on the boundary between the good and bad," rapper Dahyun said in a series of questions and answers sent to the press before the album drops at 6 p.m. "It also captures a provocative ambience that boldly crosses the line, which I feel that a lot of peo

Oct. 26, 2020

SM Entertainment's new girl group to debut in Nov.

SM Entertainment, the K-pop powerhouse that represents popular girl groups Girls' Generation and Red Velvet, on Monday announced the debut of a new girl group next month. Little is known about the new act, named "aespa," except for a logo and a teaser video uploaded on the group's social media accounts early Monday. SM Entertainment said the band's name comes from the English words "avatar, experience and aspect" -- with the name meaning "to be able to meet another se

Oct. 26, 2020

NCT, BLACKPINK make Billboard 200's top 10

Popular K-pop acts NCT and BLACKPINK both ranked in the top 10 on the Billboard's main albums chart with their latest albums. The 23-member boy band NCT debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 with its new album "NCT - The 2nd Album RESONANCE Pt. 1," the Billboard reported Sunday (US time). The Billboard 200 is one of the US music publisher's main charts, ranking the most popular albums of the week in the United States based on data, including album sales and streaming. NCT's album ea

Oct. 26, 2020

SAC to stream short-form plays

Adjusting to the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul will stream short-form plays under the Play Clips project. The Seoul Arts Center is to launch Play Clips as a part of its Sac on Screen project which brings performing arts to the virtual stage through online screening. Play Clips will introduce plays, divided into five- to six-minute-long videos. The art center said it hopes to suggest a new paradigm of performing arts for the younger generation who enjoy

Oct. 25, 2020

KOFIC selects 'The Man Standing Next' for 2021 Oscar submission

The Korean Film Council announced Wednesday that “The Man Standing Next” by director Woo Min-ho was chosen out of the 13 films that applied for submission for the Oscar for best international feature film. The 13 movie submissions included “Peninsula” by Yeon Sang-ho, “Deliver Us from Evil” by Hong Won-chan and “Beasts that Cling to the Straw” by Kim Yong-hoon, among others. “We had a lot of discussion as to which movie made this year has t

Oct. 24, 2020

‘Minari,’ more than a memoir of immigrant experience

Director of family drama “Minari,” which won top prizes at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, said US audiences have come to embrace Korean films since director Bong Joon-ho’s ”Parasite” won multiple Oscars. “It’s (‘Minari’ winning the awards is) surprising. I think it is less surprising after ‘Parasite,’” director Lee Isaac Chung said during a press conference held via Zoom on Friday as part of the Busan International Film

Oct. 23, 2020

Pengsoo and AKMU Suhyun to showcase duet

Popular EBS penguin mascot character Pengsoo will perform in a duet with AKMU’s Suhyun at 7:30 p.m. on Friday’s episode of “Giant PengTV” on EBS 1TV. Suhyun uploaded a picture of herself with Pengsoo on Thursday in an Instagram story, foreshadowing the collaboration between the two. EBS confirmed Friday they will take to the stage together in the evening’s episode. Pengsoo topped local music charts in April with “This is Pengsoo,” collaborating with

Oct. 23, 2020

CGV shuts down 7 branches with more closures to follow

Multiplex cinema chain CGV announced Thursday that it would close seven of its branches, including the Daehangno location in Seoul, due to the financial burden of COVID-19. The announcement came just three days after CGV decided to reduce the number of branches by 30 percent due to COVID-19 losses on Monday. The company announced that 35-40 branches of the current 119 branches will close within three years. “As COVID-19 continues, we have unfortunately decided to stop operation of some

Oct. 23, 2020

Red Velvet's Irene apologizes over bullying scandal

Irene, a member of popular K-pop act Red Velvet, admitted to allegations that she verbally attacked a stylist during a recent shoot and apologized over the incident. "I sincerely apologize for hurting the stylist with my foolish attitude and careless words and action," Irene said in an Instagram post uploaded Thursday evening, with an image of a plain black square. "There were a lot of people who helped me to get where I am now, and I regret hurting them with immature behavior,&

Oct. 23, 2020