Seungri soars as solo artist

While K-pop act Big Bang is on a hiatus with four of its members serving their military service, Seungri is pursuing a solo career on and offstage.Seungri has become the CEO of a hip-hop label under YG Entertainment, according to Yang Hyun-suk, the head of the agency, who made the announcement Tuesday through his social media account, dropping an image of Seungri’s business card.As the CEO of YGX Entertainment, Seungri will work on recruiting talented hip-hop rookies and running entertainment bu

June 6, 2018

Time-traveling detective to search for identity

Another drama series featuring a time-traveling detective is on its way, but its producers claim it does not rely too much on the instrument of going back in time, describing it as a “journey of finding one’s identity between dream and reality.” Perhaps buoyed by past successes in the genre -- “Signal” and “Tunnel,” for example -- CJ E&M’s OCN network is to air yet another time travel series in “Life on Mars,” a remake of the popular British BBC production of the same name that aired 2006-2007. 

June 6, 2018

Viktoria Mullova, David Greilsammer to bring rich musical diversity

Internationally acclaimed violinist Viktoria Mullova and rising conductor David Greilsammer’s chamber music orchestra Geneva Camerata will introduce an unusual classical music program on Friday at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall.From Beethoven Symphony No. 8 to Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” the audience will be provided a chance to listen to pieces that are rarely performed in the local classical music scene. Violinist Viktoria Mullova (Credia)  Pianist and conductor David Greilsammer (Credia)The

June 5, 2018

‘If Wonder Girls’ music was red, mine is blue,’ says Yubin

“Wonder Girls, it was everything about my 20s. It’s a huge part of my identity,” Yubin said, looking back on the days when she toured the US on a bus as a member of one of the most legendary K-pop girl groups. Eleven years after her debut, the former Wonder Girls rapper has returned as a solo vocalist with her retro-themed debut EP “City Woman.” Sporting a vivid pink blouse and large accessories that matched the theme of her album, Yubin sat down with The Korea Herald in Seoul on Monday to talk

June 5, 2018

Despite rumors, 20th Century Fox not ceasing production of Korean films

20th Century Fox Korea on Wednesday denied recent reports that it is withdrawing from producing Korean films, saying that there are no such plans as of now. “There are several movies currently in production or waiting to be released (by Fox Korea),” an official from the company said. “20th Century Fox is currently undergoing reform at a structural level, so there will be some redistribution of work within the organization. But it is just not true that the company will be moving away from produci

June 5, 2018

Yoon Mi-rae confirms July release, solo concerts

Hip-hop legend Yoon Mi-rae on Tuesday confirmed the release of her studio album next month, along with concerts that will be her first as a solo artist in 12 years.According to Feel Good Music, Yoon will perform at Jangchoong Stadium in Seoul from July 14-15. The concerts are titled “YOONMIRAE,” which carries the meaning that they will feature music that only she can make.“The solo concerts will be filled with ‘Yoon Mi-rae’ as she is,” the agency said. Yoon Mi-rae (Feel Good Music)Yoon is curren

June 5, 2018

Lee Seung-gi, Suzy reunite for drama ‘Vagabond’

Lee Seung-gi and Suzy have been cast in the upcoming drama “Vagabond” as a stuntman and a secret agent respectively, reuniting the Joseon-era lovebirds from the drama “Gu Family Book.”The new drama, which commenced production Saturday with a read-through by the cast, revolves around an action star-wannabe, Cha-gun, who gets involved in a grand conspiracy after a plane crash.Suzy -- whose full name is Bae Suzy -- plays Go Hae-ri, an official of the National Intelligence Service who chose the life

June 5, 2018

Director Kim Ki-duk sues rape, harassment accusers

Arthouse filmmaker Kim Ki-duk has sued three actresses and a TV show for falsely accusing him of sexual assault and sexual harassment.According to industry sources, Kim recently filed a suit with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office against an actress for falsely accusing him of sexual harassment. He also sued two more actresses, one of whom accused him of rape and the other of sexual harassment, and the MBC show “PD’s Notepad” for defamation. Director Kim Ki-duk attends the red carpet

June 4, 2018

SPO to hold outdoor concert along Han River

The 2018 Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Riverside Concert will be held on Saturday at Yeouido Hangang Park, featuring a wide range of music, from classical music concertos to collaborations with renowned local folk musicians. Conductor Christopher Lee will lead the orchestra for the evening concert, while singer-songwriter Jang Phil-soon, and guitarist Haam Choon-ho will perform with the orchestra. cap - 2017 Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Riverside Concert (SPO)The evening concert will start at 7:3

June 4, 2018

Lee Joon-ik’s new film focuses on upsides of harsh reality of youth

Today’s young generation faces issues that make it difficult for them to see themselves as being in the prime of their lives. But Lee Joon-ik, the director of “Sunset in My Hometown,” which caps off his “youth trilogy” movies, advises youngsters to go with the flow and maintain a positive attitude.“There seems to be efforts to ponder the joys and sorrows of youth. Is it something to be concerned about? I think the wisest thing to do to overcome (the hardships in youth) is to accept it as it is,

June 4, 2018

Twice set for Japan tour, 1st album

Marking the one year anniversary of its debut in Japan, Twice is gearing up to boost its popularity there with an arena tour and the release of its first album in the country.JYP Entertainment on Monday announced that it will hold nine concerts in four cities in Japan in September and October. It will commence with concerts on Sept. 29-30 in Chiba Prefecture, which will move to Aichi Prefecture, Kobe and cap off with Tokyo concerts on Oct. 16-17.  Twice performs in Osaka, Japan. (JYP Entertainme

June 4, 2018

JYP’s 1st Chinese boy band to debut in September

In an effort to expand its clout in the Chinese market, JYP Entertainment is gearing up to launch its first Chinese boy band in the country.The agency announced on Monday that Boy Story, a new Chinese idol group jointly formed by JYP China, a subsidiary of the K-pop agency, and Chinese streaming giant Tencent Music Entertainment, is eyeing an official debut in September. The six-member group consists entirely of teenagers, 11 to 14 years old, and it will focus solely on promotion activities in C

June 4, 2018

SHINee to release part 2 of 6th album

SHINee is set to release the second part of its upcoming full-length album on June 11. According to S.M. Entertainment Monday, SHINee will drop “The Story of Light EP. 2” next Monday as part of the group’s sixth studio album.  (S.M. Entertainment)SHINee’s sixth album will consist of three separate EPs with five tracks each, said the group’s agency. SHINee released “The Story of Light EP. 1” on May 28, with “Good Evening” as its lead track. The lead track of the upcoming EP will be “I Want You,”

June 4, 2018

BTS releases remix of 'Spring Day' to kick off celebration marking 5th year since debut

K-pop superstars BTS kicked off an annual celebration Monday to mark the fifth anniversary of the septet's debut by releasing a remix of its 2017 song "Spring Day.""The Brit Rock" remix was released on the online audio distribution platform SoundCloud on Monday on the first leg of the 2018 BTS Festa, celebrated on major BTS social media accounts and video- and audio-sharing websites.The boy band hosts the fan event online every June in celebration of the anniversary of their official debut on Ju

June 4, 2018

BTS slips to No. 6 on Billboard chart

World-renowned K-pop group BTS fell five notches on a main Billboard chart after clinching the No. 1 spot last week.The band's third album, "Love Yourself: Tear," ranked sixth on the Billboard 200, according to a preview published on the online edition of the US Billboard magazine Sunday (US time).Last week BTS became the first Koreans to top any Billboard chart. BTS (YouTube)The same week the seven-member band also ranked 10th on the Hot 100 singles chart with its latest song "Fake Love."Billbo

June 4, 2018

Wanna One continues at full throttle

Already half way through its short lifespan, with a disbandment planned at the end of the year, boy band Wanna One is working at full throttle.The act’s special album “1÷x=1 (Undivided),” due out on Monday, is a follow-up of its previous “0+1=1 (I Promise You)” EP released in March. The new EP is led by “Light,” an up-tempo garage dance track that throws a message of hope and love. “‘Light’ delivers a sexy image that all of us (members) wanted to try. We’ve put a lot of effort into our choreogra

June 3, 2018

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha expresses confidence with choice of violin

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha was all confidence, as bright and warm as the early summer afternoon when she met with a small group of reporters Wednesday at an old fashioned cafe near her home in Gugi-dong, Seoul, at the foot of Bukhansan National Park.“Come and see how I perform if you are curious,” said Chung a few days ahead of her recital Sunday, dispelling concerns about the less than stellar reviews of her performances over the past few years.　The iconic violinist’s confidence is evident in he

June 3, 2018

BTS world tour sold out

BTS has sold out its upcoming “Love Yourself” world tour scheduled across 10 cities throughout Europe and North America.According to Big Hit Entertainment, all of the 180,000 tickets for North America and 100,000 tickets for Europe have been sold. BTS (Big Hit Entertainment)Starting with concerts on Aug. 25 and 26 in Seoul, BTS will embark on its world tour of 21 concerts, holding 14 in North America and seven in Europe.The destinations include Los Angeles, Oakland, Fort Worth, Newark, and Chica

June 3, 2018

BTS sells out North American, European dates on world tour

Tickets for the North American and European dates of K-pop sensation BTS' upcoming world tour have sold out, the group's agency said Sunday.Big Hit Entertainment said 280,000 tickets for 21 shows in 10 venues during the "Love Yourself" tour sold out during the sales window from May 5 to June 1.BTS will perform in Los Angeles, Oakland, Fort Worth, Newark and Chicago in the United States and Hamilton in Canada. In Europe, the seven-member group will stop in London, Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris. (BT

June 3, 2018

Actor Jung Hae-in to hold first fan meeting in July

Rising actor Jung Hae-in will hold his first fan meeting in Seoul in July.Jung’s agency FNC Entertainment recently said that the event titled “Smile” will taks place at the Grand Peace Palace of Kyung Hee University at 5 p.m. on July 28. Jung Hae-in (FNC Entertainment)　After his first fan meeting in Korea, Jung will bring the event to Taipei, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Manila. Jung made his debut with a TV series “Bride of the Century” in 2014. He has featured in various dramas and films, including

June 3, 2018