Lee brothers from The East Light talk to police in Media Line assault case

Lee Seok-cheol and his brother Seung-hyun -- both members of teenage boy band The East Light -- attended the Bangbae Police Station in southern Seoul, Friday, to give additional statements to police regarding the alleged assaults at Media Line Entertainment. In front of reporters who had gathered in front of the police station, Lee, 18, said he’d lived in fear due to the threats and beatings. “I hope my actions do not cause any more victims (of assault). I was only able to make it this far as I

Oct. 26, 2018

Still passionate at 77, Placido Domingo expects heart-touching performance

Legendary opera singer Placido Domingo is to hold a concert Friday at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul, marking the Spanish tenor’s seventh visit to Korea since his first in 1991. “I have been different times in Korea for probably the last 20 years or more, and I have always enjoyed your city and the public who is so warm and love classic music and opera,” said Domingo during a press conference held on Wednesday at Lotte Hotel in Jamsil, Seoul. Domingo also praised “the sensibility of the people i

Oct. 25, 2018

BTS’ BT21 characters to go on sale at Homeplus

Hypermarket chain Homeplus is to launch a range of merchandise in collaboration with BTS.According to Homeplus on Thursday, the market became the only offline shopping mall to launch products using the group‘s BT21 characters. (Instagram)There will be some 49 living products including cushions, blankets and slippers with BT21 characters, luring fans of the K-pop sensation BTS to decorate their houses. However, the products will only be sold until Nov. 28, not in every Homeplus but designated 130

Oct. 25, 2018

BTS drops 3rd collaboration with DJ Steve Aoki

DJ and producer Steve Aoki surprised global fans by announcing a new song featuring BTS, titled “Waste It on Me,” would be released on Thursday.(Twitter)“We’re back! Got a new collaboration with my brothers BTS coming at you tomorrow!” Aoki wrote on Twitter. He also posted a short preview of the new song, to which the lyrics are all in English. (Twitter)This will be the third collaboration of BTS and Aoki, after the DJ remix versions of BTS’ hit single “Mic Drop” and “The Truth Untold.”Aoki also

Oct. 25, 2018

BTS awarded with cultural medal for role in promoting Korean culture

Superstar K-pop group BTS on Wednesday was awarded a cultural medal from the government for its contribution to the promotion of Korean culture worldwide.Cultural Minister Do Jong-hwan gave the medal to the septet at a ceremony at Olympic Hall in Seoul, after the group returned home earlier in the day after a highly successful, 52-day concert tour of the United States and Europe.(Yonhap)The BTS members said that they feel honored to receive the medal and will make efforts to further promote Kore

Oct. 24, 2018

BoA sings female empowerment with ‘Woman’

After revamping her career with “Negal Dola” and “One Shot, Two Shot” earlier this year, K-pop diva BoA mustered up more strength to return as charismatic and independent in “Woman.”Marking her ninth full-length album, the new record’s title track blends upbeat synths and diverse beats that lead into the soloist’s explosive chorus where she belts out, “Feels good to be a woman.”Crafted by BoA herself, the song kicks off with the clicking sounds of high heels and embodies the image of a charismat

Oct. 24, 2018

Gugudan to surprise fans with first individual concert

K-pop girl group Gugudan will hold its first individual concert in December, its agency confirmed Wednesday. “The ‘gu9udan 1st concert PLAY’ concert will take place at the Ewha University Auditorium on Dec. 1-2,” Jellyfish Entertainment said via Gugudan’s fan community site. The agency added the concert will showcase the group’s many charms in a new fashion. (Jellyfish Entertainment)Gugudan plans to perform tracks from the group’s four albums, “Act. 1 The Little Mermaid,” “Act. 2 Narcissus,” “Ac

Oct. 24, 2018

Black Pink's 'Boombayah' music video draws over 400m YouTube views

The music video for Black Pink's "Boombayah" has surpassed 400 million views on YouTube, making it the first K-pop group with three videos to hit the milestone.The video passed the 400 million mark at 9 p.m. Tuesday, more than two years after its release in August 2016, according to the group's management agency, YG Entertainment. (YG Entertainment)"Boombayah" is the main track off the group's debut single album "Square One." Black Pink became the first rookie girl group to top Billboard's World

Oct. 24, 2018

[K-talk] BTS returns triumphant from Europe tour

After finishing the European leg of its “Love Yourself” world tour, BTS returned to its homeland of Korea safe and sound. On Wednesday morning, BTS arrived at Incheon Airport, ending a stretch of 52 days abroad since it departed to Los Angeles for the first stop of the world tour. (Yonhap)Overflowing with a European vibe, Jin wore a sky-blue T-shirt printed with the portrait of “Mona Lisa” and sandals from Givenchy, while Suga sported a long navy coat and blue wool hat from Chanel. Always jocula

Oct. 24, 2018

RM’s new mixtape gets warm reception around the globe

BTS member RM’s mixtape “Mono” has shot to the top of iTunes albums charts in over 80 countries including the US, France, Germany and Russia.Fans can download the mixtape for free.“Mono” consists of seven tracks including “Tokyo,” “Seoul,” “Moonchild,” “Badbye,” and “Forever Rain.” (Yonhap)RM was given more artistic freedom than usual this time, given the nature of a mixtape, and this freedom comes through in the raw lyrics of the track “Seoul,” which he worked on together with the British elect

Oct. 24, 2018

NCT 127 lands on Billboard 200 chart as second-highest-charting K-pop boy band

K-pop boy band NCT 127 landed their latest full-length album on the Billboard chart of the 200 most popular albums, becoming the second-highest-charting Korean male band, the Billboard said Tuesday."The 10-member K-pop group sees their 'Regular-Irregular' album debut at No. 86 on the Billboard 200, marking NCT 127's first appearance on America's definitive albums chart," Billboard said, referring to the week ending on Oct. 18."NCT 127 now becomes the second-highest charting K-pop boy band on the

Oct. 23, 2018

Online troll who sexually harassed Seolhyun found guilty

A man who sent sexually humiliating messages and videos online to singer Seolhyun has been found guilty.In a statement Tuesday, the singer’s agency, FNC Entertainment, said the online troll who’d sent sexually degrading content in direct messages on Instagram had received a sentence of six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, after the Incheon District Court delivered its verdict. FNC EntertainmentThe agency also added that it was taking legal steps against other people who had made an

Oct. 23, 2018

K-pop singer to open Korean restaurant in Paris

K-pop singer Jung Joon-young, 29, will try his luck at running a Korean restaurant in none other than the culinary connoisseur city of Paris.Jung will open Maison de Coree next year, according to his agency, C9 Entertainment, Tuesday. Prior to a full-fledged launch, Jung will test the waters with a pop-up store at 80 Rue des Tournelles in the third arrondissement in Paris from Oct. 29 to Nov. 17. At Jung’s side will be chef Lee Jun of Seoul’s Michelin one-star contemporary cuisine restaurant Soi

Oct. 23, 2018

Taeyeon’s musical versatility on full display in Seoul concert

Singer Taeyeon, a member of the K-pop powerhouse Girls’ Generation, came into her own Sunday as thousands of fans cheered on during her solo concert in Seoul.Taeyeon’s third solo concert was not only a commercial success, drawing nearly 10,000 people in two days, but also a celebration of her artistic identity as she powered through 24 songs in 2 1/2 hours, showcasing her versatility as an artist.Taeyeon kicked off the last day of her two-day Seoul concert with a new song, “Here I Am,” appearing

Oct. 22, 2018

Ed Sheeran to hold Seoul concert in April

Pop singer Ed Sheeran has confirmed that his first concert here will take place in April. The star will perform at the Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, an hour’s drive west of central Seoul, at 6 p.m. on April 21.  Poster for Ed Sheeran’s April concert (Private Curve)The artist will be visiting Seoul as a part of his Asian tour next spring. He will also be performing in Singapore and Thailand. A more detailed schedule of the tour has yet to be released. Tickets for his concert cost 110,000 ($97)

Oct. 22, 2018

[K-Talk] Dark side of K-pop: Leader of The East Light claims years of abuse

Members of teenage K-pop boy band The East Light have suffered years of physical and verbal abuse and threats from a music director, the group’s leader Lee Seok-cheol told a press conference Friday. Lee, the 18-year-old band’s leader and drummer, fought back tears as he described abuse dating back to 2015. In a media report released Thursday, Lee had accused Media Line Entertainment Chairman Kim Chang-hwan of turning a blind eye to the abuse meted out to The East Light members by the resident pr

Oct. 21, 2018

Teenage K-pop band member claims beatings, threats by management agency staff

Members of teenage K-pop boy band The East Light have been beaten and verbally threatened by a producer and the head of their management agency, one of the members claimed Friday, vowing to take a legal action.Lee Seok-cheol, the 18-year-old band leader and drummer, held a press conference and confirmed a media report a day earlier that Kim Chang-hwan -- the chairman of Media Line Entertainment -- and a resident producer had assaulted or connived in assaulting the members before and after the ba

Oct. 19, 2018

Seoul Fashion Week KYE show draws K-pop celebrities

Designer Hanhee Kathleen Kye’s 2019 spring-summer show at HERA Seoul Fashion Week on Friday attracted a slew of K-pop celebrities in the audience, as well as strutting down the catwalk for her brand KYE. In the photo, from left, are GWSN’s Lena, singer Ko Sung-min, makeup artist Risabe, 9 Muses’ Kyungri, model Irene, f(X)’s Amber, Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyoen, Chungha, AKMU’s Lee Su-hyun and veteran singer Noh Sa-yeon.  (Lim Je

Oct. 19, 2018

NCT’s Lucas takes to catwalk in KYE show at Seoul Fashion Week

NCT’s Lucas strutted with nonchalant confidence in the KYE show at Hera Seoul Fashion Week, Friday.Sitting in the front row at the show was f(x)’s Amber, who whispered to Hyoyeon of Girls’ Generation as Lucas walked in front of them.A look of recognition flashed across Hyoyeon’s eyes as she took another measure of Lucas, while Amber took photos of him. (HERA Seoul Fashion Week) (Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald)By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heralcorp.com)

Oct. 19, 2018

EXO to hold showcase on Nov. 2

K-pop sensation EXO is returning to the stage as a whole group after a long hiatus.According to the group’s agency S.M. Entertainment on Friday, EXO will throw special showcase “EXO Comeback Showcase Tempo” on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. in Paradise City’s Plaza in Incheon.  (S.M. Entertainment)On that same day the album releases, EXO will stage a performance for the upcoming LP “Don’t Mess Up My Tempo” for the first time. The group also plans to talk with fans in various sessions, including about episodes

Oct. 19, 2018