Lee Seunghoon of Winner collaborates with webtoon creator Kian84 for solo EP

K-pop boy band Winner’s Lee Seunghoon hinted at a special collaboration with renowned webtoon creator and entertainer Kian84 for his first-ever solo album, “My Type.” YG Entertainment posted a 14-second clip on YouTube announcing the collaboration. The clip shows Kian84 in a close-up shot, during which he says, “Lee Seunghoon of Winner is back with his first solo album.” The clip also unveils a bit of the melody for the eponymous “My Type.” Lee Seunghoon

July 9, 2024

[Herald Interview] Director of SBS hit series 'Connection' says portraying drugs on TV was difficult

The director of SBS' hit series "Connection" said although he felt burdened to shoulder the responsibilities that came with broadcasting a TV series dealing with drugs, he wanted to explore a new territory with the series. "Connection" is a 14-episode crime thriller series that centers on Jang Jae-kyung (played by Ji Sung), a detective specializing in apprehending drug criminals, who becomes a drug addict, ensnared by an unknown perpetrator. "Connection" became

July 9, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Jay Park to host fan meeting in Seoul

Jay Park will greet his fans at a fan meetup in Seoul on Aug. 10-11, for the first time in 11 years, agency More Vision announced Monday. As the title of the event “Jay Park Season 3: Dedicated 2 U” suggests, it is part of the musician’s namesake project that began in April. The artist told fans that he will focus on music this year through a video clip introducing the project. He has been releasing a series of singles since then – “Your/My” and “Tax

July 8, 2024

Theater treats for children from around world arrive in time for vacation season

As a long-awaited summer break approaches, families and children can look forward to a rich array of performances designed for all ages in the months of July and August. From children's theater, dance dramas and puppet shows to interactive plays where the audience becomes part of the show, a diverse selection of international guest performances and Korean productions are available. Kids and family festival at Seoul Arts Center The Seoul Arts Center is set to host a summer festival for chi

July 8, 2024

French movie wins AI prize at Bucheon film fest

The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), Asia's largest genre film festival, awarded the Best AI Film to French film “Where Do Grandmas Go When They Get Lost?” in its newly established AI Film section. The winners were selected based on the creative use of AI, cinematic and audio artistry and originality, BIFAN said. The award ceremony took place at Bucheon Arts Center on Sunday. Directed by Leo, “Where Do Grandmas Go When They Get Lost?” centers on

July 8, 2024

K-pop groups produced by K-pop artists: Better chances of success?

The number of K-pop artists expanding their careers and venturing into producing new K-pop groups is slowly growing. These artists are typically in their late 20s to 30s who once dominated the entertainment scene such as Kim Jae-joong, Zico and Lee Hae-in. Due to the notorious "seven-year curse" in K-pop, most idols' heyday is over when they are in their 20s. The seven-year curse refers to the disbanding of most K-pop groups seven years after their debut as their exclusive contrac

July 8, 2024

Jimin of BTS lands on Official UK Singles Chart with new solo song

Jimin of the K-pop sensation BTS entered the Official UK Singles Chart with his solo song “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band (feat. Loco).” “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” is a B-side track from the artist’s upcoming second solo album “Muse” and was dropped on June 28 ahead of the full release. The song landed at No. 46 on the Official UK Singles Chart dated July 11, becoming Jimin’s fifth solo single to enter the chart. His first single to chart wel

July 7, 2024

Waterbomb festival to thrill 9 cities

Waterbomb, a summer festival that combines music and water activities, has returned to cool down the summer. The festival, however, also faces criticism for water waste and environmental issues. At Waterbomb, participants can enjoy performances and water activities at the same time. Since its inception in 2015, the festival has been held every year except 2020 and 2021, when the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As an event where alcohol is allowed and therefore restricted to adul

July 6, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Zerobaseone to return next month: report

Zerobaseone is set to make a comeabck in late August, according to a local media report on Friday. Its previous album was third EP “You had me at Hello” that came out in mid-May. The boy band was formed through a survival show and would be a year old next week. It took K-pop scene by storm as its debut album “Youth In The Shade” became a million-seller on the day of release. From then on, it has been shattering sales records as the following two EPs – second EP

July 5, 2024

'Love in Saturn': Melodic jazz concert with drama starring Anupam Tripathi

Indian actor Anupam Tripathi, known for his role in the global phenomenon "Squid Game," is set to perform onstage at the Sejong Arts Center's Sejong S Theater on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. Tripathi will be starring in KimOki Saturnballad's "Love in Saturn," a jazz concert incorporated with short drama scenes. The concert is the opening program of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' summer festival series, "Sync Next," which aims

July 5, 2024

Is Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk really ignoring NewJeans?

One of the issues raised by CEO Min Hee-jin of Ador, the K-pop agency behind the popular girl band NewJeans under Hybe, during her teary press conference on April 25, was that Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk was treating her K-pop quintet poorly. Parents of NewJeans members also revealed in an interview with a local media outlet in May that Bang had regularly ignored the band when they greeted him at the company’s headquarters in Seoul, even before the controversy arose. Hybe denied claims that

July 5, 2024

Son Ye-jin is not worried about aging

The 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival which kicked off Thursday for an 11 day-run is holding a special exhibition on celebrated South Korean actor Son Ye-jin “One and Only Son Yejin” in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. “I’m so grateful for such an exhibition title. I just really think all actors must have their ‘one and only’ presence,” Son told reporters during a press conference held as part of the program at 28th BIFAN on Friday. She is th

July 5, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kim Hee-ae says she can take on 'relaxed' acting

Veteran actor Kim Hee-ae expressed her desire to pursue more "relaxed and comfortable roles," despite her widespread acclaim for portraying charismatic women in popular works such as "The World of the Married" (2020) and "Queenmaker" (2023). "The Whirlwind" is a 12-episode series that follows the story of Park Dong-ho (played by Sul Kyung-gu), a prime minister who kills the president, believing him to be corrupt. As Park seeks to ascend to power after the

July 5, 2024

Korea, South East Asia musicians to hold concerts in Busan

Artists from Korea and Southeast Asia will gather in Busan for two nights of special concerts to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Korea-ASEAN ties. The “Round in Korea” music festival, co-hosted by KBS and the ASEAN Culture House under the Korea Foundation, will be held on Saturday and Sunday at KBS Busan Hall. BamBam of GOT7 will host the event, and the lineup includes singer Kim Yoon-ah from Jaurim, and bands Nell, Touched and Nerd Connection. K-pop group H1-KEY will join them

July 5, 2024

Korean-Taiwanese K-pop audition TV program searches for applicants

A Korean-Taiwanese collaborative K-pop audition TV program is searching for ambitious boys who wish to be a next-generation K-pop star. According to SBS M, applications for the global boy group debut show "Scool," will be open until July 14. Any male applicant born before 2000 who loves K-pop can apply. Applicants wishing to apply must fill out an application form on the official website and send a photo taken within the last three months, a dance and singing video for the audition, an

July 5, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Handsome Guys” (South Korea) Opened June 26 Comedy Directed by Nam Dong-hyup Two well-meaning carpenters and friends, Jae-pil (Lee Sung-min) and Sang-gu (Lee Hee-jun) relocate with dreams of a peaceful suburban life, but are constantly mistaken for troublemakers due to their intimidating appearances. “Inside Out 2” (US) Opened June 12 Animation Directed by Kelsey Mann A now-teenaged Riley sees her mind headquarters undergo sudden renovations to make room for new emotio

July 5, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Twice gives peek at 5th Japan LP

Twice gave fans a taste of its upcoming fifth studio album in Japan on Thursday. It is poised to bring out LP “Dive” on July 17, about two years after its fourth LP, “Celebrate,” with which the group marked the fifth anniversary of its debut in the country. The last LP claimed No. 1 on Oricon’s daily album ranking. In the meantime, the nonet will embark on the Japan leg of its fifth international tour later this month. It is set to hit three stadiums, in Osaka, Toky

July 4, 2024

Lee Chae-yeon proves herself an all-rounder with 'Showdown'

Lee Chaeyeon has returned with her 3rd mini album, “Showdown,” some 10 months after the release of her first single, “The Move: Street.” The singer stressed that she played a large part in producing the album, from writing the lyrics to the choreography. The featured track, “Don’t,” is a two-step dance pop song with a fresh infusion of everyday sounds such as phone rings. Along with repetitive lyrics and addictive melody, the lyrics depict the mind of so

July 4, 2024

Third launch of Billboard Korea delayed

Billboard Korea’s much-anticipated June inaugural issue has yet to hit the stands, with some speculating the launch has been delayed to August. "Billboard K Vol.1 is scheduled to be published in June. With the release of Billboard K Vol.1, you can consider our official launch to have begun,” Billboard Korea CEO and publisher Kim Yuna said at a press conference marking the launch of the magazine on April 15. However, June has come and gone with no sign of the inaugural issue. And

July 4, 2024

Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman say friendship transferred onto screen in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’

Poised to be one of the most talked-about movies this summer, Marvel Studios’ first R-rated superhero flick “Deadpool & Wolverine” is expected to show off Ryan Reynolds' and Hugh Jackman’s long friendship on the big screen. The two, as well as director Shawn Levy who helmed the movie, are known as Hollywood best friends. Levy has also previously worked with each -- Ryan Reynolds in “Free Guy” (2021) and Hugh Jackman in “Real Steel” (2011).

July 4, 2024