Korean production of megahit Broadway musical Chicago sets its own records

Since its launch in 1975, the Broadway musical Chicago has set a string of boundary-pushing records: the show was revived Broadway in 1996 and the ongoing revival became the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.In South Korea, the show was first staged in 2000 with local casting. Since then, the South Korean production has set its own share of unprecedented records in the South Korean musical market and the history of Chicago.For one thing, Park Kolleen, after directing the local

May 11, 2018

Red Velvet recounts on performance in NK

Red Velvet talked about what it was like to perform in North Korea.The K-pop act attended a luncheon hosted by President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae on Friday, as the girl band had visited Pyongyang last month to stage an art performance along with several other artists.  Red Velvet (South Korean joint press pool in Pyongyang)Before the lunch meeting, Red Velvet recounted the performance of their hit tracks “Bad Boy” and “Red Flavor” in Pyongyang to the press.“The North Koreans were unfamiliar

May 11, 2018

Seventeen to hold exhibition for 3rd anniversary

K-pop act Seventeen will hold a special exhibition to celebrate their 3rd anniversary since debut. The band’s management agency Pledis Entertainment released an official poster for the exhibition titled “17’S CUT – The Shining Moments of Seventeen and Carat for the Past 3 Years.” Carat is the nickname for Seventeen’s fans. Seventeen (Pledis Entertainment)The exhibition will take place at Teamwork Design at Seongdong-gu, Seoul from May 26 to June 3. A total of 11 groups of visitors will be permit

May 11, 2018

BTS' latest Japanese album becomes platinum, topping 250,000 in sales

Sales of K-pop sensation BTS' latest Japanese album topped the 250,000 threshold, grabbing the platinum record status from the Japanese record industry, its agency said Friday.The third full-length BTS album in Japan, "Face Yourself," has recently surpassed 250,000 copies in sales and won the certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan, according to Big Hit Entertainment.The record was released in the Japanese market on April 4. (Big Hit Entertainment)It is the fifth highest o

May 11, 2018

Dreamcatcher wraps up ‘nightmare’ series with new EP

Unlike many K-pop girl groups that promote princess-like images with their singsong voices, fledgling act Dreamcatcher has embraced a darker side. Its work has often been spooky, yet hauntingly beautiful, weaved into its “nightmare” concept. And the seven-piece act put a final dot on its dark “nightmare” series with new EP “Escape the Era” staying true to its dark nature. “While our past songs have been themed around ‘nightmare,’ our new album is an album that puts an end mark to that project,”

May 10, 2018

Wind in the air at Seoul Jazz Festival

The annual Seoul Jazz Festival returns from May 19-20 with a lineup of musicians from Korea and abroad, at Olympic Park in eastern Seoul.Wind instruments take center stage this year with the presence of several internationally acclaimed wind instrumentalists, including Cuban-American jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, American solo trumpeter Chris Botti, American funk and soul jazz saxophonist Maceo Parker and American saxophonist and bandleader Branford Marsalis.In addition to the top names in win

May 10, 2018

Seungri joins DJ Walkzz, Julie Bergan for new song

Seungri of Big Bang will release a new song at midnight Friday, in collaboration with the Norwegian pair of DJ Walkzz and Julie Bergan.According to YG Entertainment, “Ignite” is the first in a line of collaborations with electronic dance music label Liquid State, for which Seungri is a promotional ambassador.It was announced earlier this year that Sony Music and Tencent Music Entertainment Group would found the label as a joint venture. Liquid State is planning a “Liquid Nights” EDM tour across

May 10, 2018

Yoona to release collaborative single with Lee Sang-soon

Yoona of Girls’ Generation will release the single “To You” in collaboration with guitarist Lee Sang-soon at 6 p.m. Sunday.According to S.M. Entertainment, “To You” is a song written by Lee with lyrics by Yoona. The two appear in the second season of “Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast” on JTBC.  (S.M. Entertainment)The new track will be an acoustic ballad reminiscent of Jeju Island, the setting of the variety show, where K-pop star Lee Hyo-ri and her husband Lee Sang-soon provide lodging for guests at the

May 9, 2018

[Album review] Ben, please stick to what you’re good at

Ben“Recipe”Genie MusicSingers are divided into two categories: Those who have consistently released albums under their names and those whose resumes are fronted by “soundtracks” and “featuring.”  Ben belongs to the latter, as most of her songs, technically not hers, have been soundtracks of drama series until her first full-length album “Recipe” recently came out.  Unfortunately, there seems to be a reason why her voice was heard mostly in sad ballad songs. Her voice has a narrow spectrum; it su

May 9, 2018

Teen Top returns with energy of ‘Seoul Night’

Seoul is a city that never sleeps; bright with glowing neon signs and buzzing with every hustle and bustle. But the city is also where the members of K-pop act Teen Top became K-pop stars. Nine years on, the group -- which deserves the title of “veteran” in this fast-paced industry -- embodied the energy of a bright night in the capital with its new EP “Seoul Night.”“Our new album is the album we’ve participated in the most. It will remind fans of Seoul’s dazzling night and deliver its bright en

May 9, 2018

Infinite’s Sungkyu takes up arms for his country

Sungkyu of Infinite will be the first in his boy band to begin his mandatory military service on May 14, his agency said Tuesday, confirming the surprise announcement the singer made during his concert the day before.“We were shocked too, because it wasn’t something he discussed with the company beforehand,” said Woolim Entertainment on enlistment of the 29-year-old. He will receive basic training at the boot camp in the 22nd Division of the Army in Gangwon Province. Sungkyu (Yonhap)Sungkyu will

May 8, 2018

Dua Lipa ‘rules’ first solo concert in Seoul

Just like her first name, which means “love” in Albanian, Dua Lipa’s first solo concert in Seoul overflowed with love and passion, as the 22-year-old London-born artist repeatedly blurted out “I love you so much” to screaming fans. There was no fixed choreography for her songs, but the perpetual motions of her arms and legs throughout the 90-minue set showed how much the singer -- whose hair was slightly disheveled from headbanging and perspiration --was enjoying her sold-out show in Seoul on Su

May 7, 2018

V-Square to allow aspiring K-pop stars to audition from around the globe

From 2PM’s Nichkhun to Black Pink’s Lisa, more K-pop group members have come from foreign countries in recent years. With the growing popularity and influence of K-pop around the world, an increasing number of global fans harbor dreams of following in the international members’ footsteps. V-Square, a new online platform, aims to facilitate the remote auditioning process for such aspiring K-pop stars, the company announced Friday.  (V-Square)It has been difficult for most Korean entertainment age

May 4, 2018

Multinational girl group (G)I-DLE debuts with ‘I Am’

(G)I-DLE performs during a media showcase for its debut album “I Am” in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)(G)I-DLE, a new girl group launched under Cube Entertainment, threw its hat into the K-pop ring with its debut EP “I Am.”“We are a team that is capable of songwriting, composing and creating choreography. We can offer fans the best performance as we know each other’s strengths well,” said Miyeon during the group’s debut showcase for “I Am” in Seoul on Wednesday.The multinational six-piece act cons

May 3, 2018

Oasis’ Noel Gallagher to hold solo concert in Seoul in August

(Live Nation Korea)Noel Gallagher, formerly of legendary British rock band Oasis, will hold a solo concert in Korea in August. According to the concert’s organizer Live Nation Korea on Thursday, the British artist will hold the concert titled “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - Stranded on the Earth World Tour” on Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul.  (Live Nation Korea)Gallagher last visited Korea for his performance at the Ansan Valley Rock Festival in July

May 3, 2018

Lee Moon-se to release new album in fall

Lee Moon-se, a legend in Korean music, will release his 16th studio album later this year, his agency said Thursday.According to KMOONfnd, the singer is currently preparing for a new album to be released at an unspecified date in the fall. Other musicians will participated in the album as featured artists, it added. Lee Moon-se (KMOONfnd)Lee most recently collaborated with Zion.T on the song “Snow,” released last December. He also wrapped up his North American tour this year.Earlier in the day,

May 3, 2018

[Album review] GFriend’s Japanese anime sound never gets old

GFriend“Time for the Moon Night” Loen Entertainment  GFriend’s music has always been like a lackluster toy cooped up in a closet. Grown-ups may be reluctant to fiddle with that old toy again, but once walking down memory lane with it, they may realize that it’s actually nice to indulge in a bit of nostalgia. The six-piece K-pop girl group’s recent EP “Time for the Moon Light” is another perfect treat for those wishing to secretly savor such sweetness. As always, the tunes are reminiscent of Japa

May 3, 2018

Violinist Lee Ji-yoon made youngest lifetime-tenure concertmaster at Staatskapelle Berlin

Korean violinist Lee Ji-yoon has been granted lifetime tenure as concertmaster of Staatskapelle Berlin, officials of a local cultural foundation said Wednesday.  Violinist Lee Ji-yoon (Lee's official website)Founded in 1570, Staatskapelle Berlin has been led by numerous internationally acclaimed conductors including Wilhelm Furtwangler and Herbert von Karajan, who was succeeded by Daniel Barenboim in 1992.Officials from the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation confirmed Wednesday that the Berlin-bas

May 2, 2018

iKON to hold fan meeting, celebrate 1,000 days

K-pop boy band iKON will hold a fan meeting to celebrate 1,000 days since the group’s debut, YG Entertainment said Wednesday.IKON debuted on Sept. 15, 2015 with digital single “My Type.” June 10 will mark the 1,000th day, just a day after the scheduled fan meeting event titled “iKON 2018 Private Stage Kolorful.”  (YG Entertainment)After releasing the group’s first full-length studio album in November 2015, iKON made a long-awaited return with its second studio album “Return” in January. The albu

May 2, 2018

BTS to reappear on ‘Ellen’ later in May

BTS will return to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” later in the month to entertain the American audience once again, around the time the band is set to fire up fans with a performance at the Billboard Music Awards.Big Hit Entertainment on Wednesday confirmed earlier reports that the boy band will appear on the popular US talk show, although it added the exact date has yet to be determined.  (Yonhap)It was reported via a US news outlet that BTS will appear on the show on May 25 to perform its upcoming

May 2, 2018