Chaeyoung of Twice and Zion.T are dating: agencies

Chaeyoung of Twice and singer-songwriter Zion.T confirmed that they are in a relationship. JYP Entertainment, which houses Twice, and The Black Label, which represents Zion.T, announced on Friday that “the two are in a relationship after growing to like each other” and that “they are supporting each other.” Earlier on Friday, a local media outlet reported that Chaeyoung and Zion.T have been dating for six months after they were first introduced to each other by acquaintan

April 5, 2024

Kakao Entertainment's co-CEOs stress enhancing competitiveness of content business

The co-CEOs of Kakao Entertainment, Kweon Ki-su and Joseph Chang, are planning organizational reform to create positive synergy between the company's music, media content and other intellectual property. This business plan was revealed during the first town hall meeting held after they took office on Thursday. Joseph Chang will establish and lead a team in charge of music IP and data-based music development, to help foster the team's role of producing and expanding music and artist IP.

April 5, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“The Beekeeper” (US) Opened April 3 Action Directed by David Ayer Adam Clay (Jason Statham), a former agent from a powerful organization known as Beekeepers, sets out on a quest for brutal vengeance by hunting down those responsible for the incident after someone very important to him is scammed and driven to harm.     “The First Omen” (US, Italy) Opened April 3 Horror Directed by Arkasha Stevenson A young American woman Margaret (Nell Tiger Free) heads to Rome

April 5, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Ive to bring out 2nd EP later this month

Ive will drop its second EP “Ive Switch” on April 29, announced agency Starship Entertainment on Thursday. A teaser trailer for the mini album began with a milky white book that had “Switch” written on the cover. A magic wand bearing a huge gemstone turned into a key when six different colored stones glow and the book pops open to reveal a castle. Sliding the key into the castle door turns the book silver, and then it starts to glow. The upcoming EP comes about six mont

April 4, 2024

[Herald Interview] 3rd season of 'Physical 100' with international contestants being considered

The third season of global hit survival series "Physical: 100" may be underway with a revamped format and the inclusion of some international contestants. The "Physical: 100" series showcases 100 contestants engaging in various survival matches to determine the most physically fit individual. The winner receives a prize of 300 million won ($228,000). The series' first season became a global success by becoming the first Korean variety show to claim the number one spot on

April 4, 2024

Actor accuses wrong woman of having relationship with estranged husband

Actor Hwang Jung-eum posted an official apology Thursday for her earlier Instagram post about a woman she mistakenly accused of having a relationship with her now-estranged husband. "There has been a misunderstanding as I sorted out my personal affairs. I apologize for inflicting harm on the person and those around her for posting about her," she wrote on her Instagram page, adding that she has apologized to the victim in person. The 39-year-old singer-turned-actor is currently going t

April 4, 2024

NCT Doyoung to kick off solo journey

NCT's Doyoung is set to make his solo debut with the release of his first album. According to the singer's agency, SM Entertainment, Doyoung's first solo album, "Youth," will be released on April 22. The album's Korean title, "Youth's Bubble," is intended to reflect the emotions that youngsters experience, likening those feelings to bubbles created from the waves of youth. A total of 10 songs, full of honest feelings and emotions of Doyoung, will cons

April 4, 2024

Kim Woojin set to return with new album

Solo artist Kim Woojin is set to make a comeback on April 22 with his third mini-album. On Thursday, concept photos of the new album were released on Kim Woojin's official social media account and through Kustomade, a producing label under SM Entertainment's music publishing subsidiary KMR. In the photos, Kim Woojin is cutting his hair, symbolizing a fresh start by erasing his past self. According to KMR, the upcoming new album, dubbed "I Like The Way," marks the singer'

April 4, 2024

Korean stars haunted by accusations of school violence

South Korean actor Jeon Jong-seo's agency on Thursday denied recent accusations of school bullying against the star of the critically acclaimed film, "Burning," vowing to take legal action against what it said were groundless rumors. "We have checked with (Jeon) and her acquaintances and have found that the (rumors) in the online posts are not true at all. ... We will pursue legal action to protect the actor," Jeon's agency Endmark said in an official statement. J

April 4, 2024

[Herald Interview] NCT Wish aims to live up to group name

It would be a lie for the bandmates of SM Entertainment rookie K-pop boy band NCT Wish to say they did not feel the pressure of their debut as a subunit of NCT. Yet, NCT Wish hopes to continue to do its best to live up to the group’s name. “Our seniors from the group NCT are outstanding live performers, so we try our best to live up to their name by practicing hard for our performance and monitoring our rehearsals meticulously for improvement. We still have a long way to go,” S

April 4, 2024

25th JIFF to run special screenings to mark 10th anniversary of Sewol ferry disaster

This year’s Jeonju International Film Festival, running May 1 to May 10, will showcase several films on the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster to mark the 10th anniversary of the tragedy that claimed almost 300 lives, most of them high school students on a field trip on April 16, 2014. “The year 2024 marks the 10th year since the Sewol tragedy. Although 10 years have passed, the scars of this disaster have not yet healed. Rather, we had to go through a similar tragedy that happened in Itaewon

April 3, 2024

[Music in drama] Love blooms against all odds

Behind the phenomenal success of the TV drama series “Descendants of the Sun,” which recorded nearly 40 percent viewership ratings, was the soundtrack that enhanced the completeness of the drama. Aired in 2016 on KBS, "Descendants of the Sun" depicts the love story between Army Captin Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) and Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo), a medical doctor, in the fictional land of Uruk. The second lead pair, First Lieutenant and Army Doctor Yoon Myung-joo (Kim Ji-won)

April 3, 2024

Who will get it right?

South Korean broadcasters will be leveraging advanced artificial intelligence technology, upgraded election outcome prediction systems and personalized services in their coverage of the general election on April 10. SBS will introduce an AI character as a commentator for its general election broadcasts, a first in Korean broadcasting history. Named "Toopyoro" and taking the form of a teddy bear, the AI character will provide real-time commentary on the general election using generative

April 3, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Riize drops single before June comeback

Riize released performance single “Siren” on Wednesday raising expectations for its next album, which is due out in June. “Siren” was the background music for the rookie band’s minute-long pre-debut performance video that was unveiled in August. The new single harks back to the hip-hop sound of the 90’s, with an addictive rhythm and bass riff. The six-member act will drop prologue single “Impossible” on Apil 18 and three B-side tracks on April 29

April 3, 2024

Cube Entertainment’s new boy group Nowadays wants to be game changer

K-pop boy group Nowadays debuted Tuesday with its first single album, “Nowadays.” Consisting of five members -- Hyeon-bin, Yoon, Yeon-woo, Jin-hyuk and Si-yun -- Nowadays is Cube Entertainment's first new boy group in eight years. “We combined the words ‘Now’ and ‘Days’ for our name as we hope to make special memories with our fans now, at this present moment, and also in the days to come,” said Hyeon-bin during a press conference in Seoul on

April 3, 2024

aespa’s Karina, actor Lee Jae-wook go separate ways

Under heavy pressure from fans, Karina of aespa and actor Lee Jae-wook have parted ways, just five weeks after their relationship became public. “Actor Lee Jae-wook decided to break up with Karina to concentrate on work. The two of them will continue to support each other as colleagues working in the same industry," said Lee Jae-wook’s agency, CJes Studios, in a press release Tuesday. The breakup was confirmed by Karina's agency. “Karina and Lee Jae-wook have decided

April 2, 2024

[News Analysis] Behind the box office success of thriller ‘Exhuma’

For the first time in Korean cinema history, a mystery thriller film on the occult phenomenon has hit the milestone 10 million admissions mark. “Exhuma,” the most-watched film so far this year, surpassed that mark just 32 days after opening in February. As of Tuesday morning, “Exhuma” had recorded more than 11 million ticket sales in a country of fewer than 52 million people, with the film now poised to become the 22nd highest grossing film within the entire breadth of Ko

April 2, 2024

[Herald Interview] Countertenor Philippe Jaroussky to go on spiritual journey of 'St. Matthew Passion'

In the upcoming performances of “St. Matthew Passion,” BWV 244 by J.S. Bach, in South Korea, renowned countertenor Philippe Jaroussky will join forces with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra conducted by Francesco Corti. Jaroussky will sing “Erbarme dich” in the three-hour-long performance. “I’ve been working specifically on this aria for more than 6 months! I think the difficulty is to express the powerful expression of regret and the dramatic aspect of it, wit

April 2, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Age is not a limit,' says young cast of changgeuk 'Lear'

Among Shakespeare's tragedies, "King Lear" stands out for its portrayal of one of the oldest protagonists. Betrayed by his daughters, losing his kingdom, his sanity, and ultimately his life, the stage is filled with the anguished cries of a monarch in his twilight years. In a groundbreaking departure from convention, young "changgeuk" performers took the lead roles in the sold-out production of "Lear" by the National Changgeuk Company, affiliated with the Natio

April 2, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] TXT’s 6th EP is instant million-seller

Tomorrow X Together’s sixth EP “minisode 3: Tomorrow” sold over 1 million copies on its day of release, repeating the early success of its two previous albums, label Big Hit Music said Tuesday. The last two albums are fifth EP “The Name Chapter: Temptation” and third studio album “The Name Chapter: Freefall.” The former claimed the top spot on Billboard 200 and the latter No. 3. The mini album logged 1.18 million in sales and topped iTunes top albums cha

April 2, 2024