Will BTS propel K-pop to the top?

In 2012, Psy’s “Gangnam Style” took the world by storm, shattering YouTube records left and right while mesmerizing those around the world with its catchy beats and “horse-riding” dance moves.Psy’s success, however, failed to spill over to spark interest in other K-pop groups, as the song’s popularity centered mostly on the hilarious music video and comic dance moves. It earned the artist’s follow-up song “Gentleman” a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and over a billion views on YouTube, but that w

Jan. 1, 2018

G-Dragon, Lee Joo-yeon dating rumor resurfaces

Dating rumors between Big Bang‘s G-Dragon and singer-turned-actress Lee Joo-yeon have resurfaced. A local media outlet on Monday reported that the Big Bang frontman and Lee, formerly a member of K-pop girl group After School, have been secretly dating for over a year, claiming that the two celebs recently went on a four-day trip to Jeju Island together. The two were swept up in dating rumors in November last year, when the photos of the two enjoying a trip in Hawaii raised suspicions among fans.

Jan. 1, 2018

Twice performs at Japanese year-end music festival

Reigning K-pop act Twice became the first K-pop act to attend Japan’s renowned year-end music festival “Kohaku Uta Gassen” in six-years. On Sunday, the nine-piece girl group performed the Japanese version of its breakout hit “TT” at the annual Japanese show produced by NHK and held live at NHK Hall. The group was the latest K-pop artist to have participated in the show, following TVXQ, Kara and Girls’ Generation. Due to the show’s wide reach, the program is known for inviting artists with the mo

Jan. 1, 2018

Big Bang promises fans to return as fivesome

Rounding out 2017, K-pop act Big Bang on Sunday wrapped up its last concert as a group before members’ upcoming military enlistment, with a promise to return as the complete five-piece.“Big Bang 2017 Concert Last Dance in Seoul,” the two-day concert that kicked off Saturday at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, was especially meaningful to both the K-pop act and fans, as it marked Big Bang’s last performance before it goes on hiatus due to members G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung’s upcoming enlistment. And

Jan. 1, 2018

After Hoya’s departure, 6-piece Infinite stands tall

Preparing for the first release since the departure of member Hoya, Infinite on Friday revealed a teaser image for its upcoming album “Top Seed.”The image, which was released via Woolim Entertainment’s official social media services, has the members staring at a camera as a group, which the agency said was to hint at the chemistry of the six. The album will be released on Jan. 8. Inifite (Woolim Entertainment)The K-pop act’s new album will mark its third full-length studio album, and the first r

Dec. 29, 2017

After a blockbuster year, K-pop looks to keep momentum into 2018

From an unprecedented mega-hit debut to groundbreaking overseas successes, K-pop had one of its biggest years in 2017 in terms of diversity, substance and global outreach. And it will continue to be at the forefront of the resurgence of “hallyu,” or the global popularity of Korean pop culture, into 2018, according to industry watchers. From the start, the 2017 K-pop calendar was filled with back-to-back releases, with the first half and early summer highlights predominantly coming from female st

Dec. 29, 2017

BTS’ V named the most handsome face of 2017

Another record was added to BTS’ collection as its member V was named the most handsome face of 2017. The Independent Critics led by TC Candler unveiled its annual lists of the 100 Most Handsome Faces of 2017 and the 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2017 on Thursday.  (Screen captured from YouTube)On this year’s list, the K-pop superstar cruised to the top from last year’s No. 60. His bandmate Jungkook took the No. 13 spot while Jimin reached No. 64. The list was filled with many of other K-pop stars

Dec. 28, 2017

Balladeer Park Hyo-shin to return with wintry ‘Winter Sound’

Veteran balladeer Park Hyo-shin will return with the new wintry single “Winter Sound,” according to his agency Glove Entertainment. The agency said Thursday that Park’s upcoming new single, penned and composed by the singer himself, marks his first release since “I am a Dreamer” in October last year. Park is said to have recorded the song while recalling the person he missed most and focusing on the sound of winter. The release date for “Winter Sound” is yet to be revealed. The seasoned singer,

Dec. 28, 2017

Producer duo Black Eyed Pilseung to nurture K-pop idols

Black Eyed Pilseung, a prominent K-pop producer duo, will kick-start its K-pop management agency by holding nationwide auditions in January next year. In June, Rado and Choi Kyu-sung joined forces with CJ E&M to establish their own K-pop agency called High-up Entertainment.  Black Eyed Pilseung (High-up Entertainment)On Thursday, Black Eyed Pilseung announced the official launch of the agency, along with a plan to hold auditions in eight cities, including Gwangju, Busan and Seoul, in January nex

Dec. 28, 2017

JYP confirms MissA’s disbandment

K-pop group MissA will be ending its seven-year career, its agency JYP entertainment said Wednesday. The announcement did not come as a surprise, as the originally four-piece group only consisted of Suzy and Fei, who renewed their contracts with JYP in August this year and May last year, respectively. (JYP Entertainment)Industry insiders had also anticipated that MissA’s disbandment was only a matter of time, with the group taking a long break since the release of its EP “Colors” in 2015. Former

Dec. 27, 2017

G-Dragon’s USB EP is legitimate: Gaon

Gaon Music Chart on Tuesday announced its decision to accept albums and EPs released in USB form as physical albums, reversing its previous position. Gaon said in a statement Tuesday that it is changing its definition of “album” from an offline record to a music product sold in a bundle. The chart tallies online and offline sales of music released in Korea.  G-Dragon (YG Entertainment)“As a result, G-Dragon’s USB EP will be included on Gaon’s chart from next year. In addition, we expect various

Dec. 26, 2017

[Herald Interview] Dalchong stands strong by herself for Cheeze

[Next Wave] Watching her bandmates, also her longtime friends, walk out of the band over the past few years has been painful. But the vein of optimism still runs through Dalchong, who declared she would become the one and only vocalist of band Cheeze in January this year. “Looking back, I was full of concerns when I stood solo earlier this year. Standing alone was tough, but I remember that my New Year’s resolution for 2017 was, ‘Let me do whatever I can do as much as I can.’ Come to think of it

Dec. 25, 2017

BTS No. 13 on Oricon’s annual singles chart

K-pop sensation BTS again proved its power, as it was ranked the highest among K-pop acts on Japan’s annual Oricon singles chart, according to the group’s agency Big Hit Entertainment Sunday.“Mic Drop/DNA/Crystal Snow,” the band’s eighth Japanese single album, secured its spot at No. 13 on the Japanese chart for 2017. “Blood Sweat & Tears,” its seventh Japanese single, ranked No. 22. BTS‘ “Mic Drop/DNA/Crystal Snow” (Big Hit Entertainment)The two single albums marked the highest and second-highe

Dec. 25, 2017

BTS ranks 13th place on Japan’s annual Oricon single chart

K-pop sensation BTS has come in at No. 13 with “Mic Drop/DNA/Crystal Snow” on Japan’s annual Oricon single ranking, according to Oricon. BTS performs “DNA” at the American Music Awards held Nov.19 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (AP-Yonhap)　It marked the highest ranking by a South Korean band, said the Japanese music statistics-tracking company.　The boy band‘s “Blood Sweat & Tears” took the 22nd spot, said Oricon.　On Friday, the global K-pop sensation performed on Japanese broadcaster TV As

Dec. 24, 2017

[Herald Interview] Pianist Kim Da-sol returns a young man

[Eye] When a publicist called to say that Kim Da-sol would be performing the complete Beethoven piano sonatas, my first reaction was, “Isn’t he a bit too young?”Alas, I was mistaken. Just as he thinks he stopped growing at 15 when he left for Germany, the image I had of Kim was from all those years ago. In Korea earlier this month for a number of engagements, including two Beethoven piano sonata recitals at the Kumho Art Hall, Kim says he finally feels youthful, not young. Pianist Kim Da-sol pos

Dec. 22, 2017

Infinite to return with new album ‘Top Seed’

K-pop act Infinite will roll out the album “Top Seed” on Jan. 8, according to the group’s agency Woolim Entertainment.   A teaser photo for Infinite’s upcoming album “Top Seed” (Woolim Entertainment)At midnight on Thursday, the agency heralded Infinite’s return by dropping a teaser image for “Top Seed,” which marks the group’s third album. Fronted by the lead track “Top Seed,” the album will be the group’s first release in more than a year after “Infinite Only.”The teaser photo showed the member

Dec. 22, 2017

Indonesian fan attempts suicide following Jonghyun‘s death

Following Jonghyun’s untimely death that spread grief around the globe, an Indonesial female fan’s recent suicide attempt has sparked a possible copycat suicide alert. According to Indonesian media reports Thursday, the fan was found unconscious from an overdose and hospitalized in an apparent suicide attempt. On Monday she left suicidal posts on her Twitter account, the day Jonghyun passed away. She wrote, “I can‘t endure it anymore. Mom, dad, Jonghyun oppa, we’ll meet really soon” in both Kore

Dec. 21, 2017

IU named singer of the year in survey

IU has been chosen as the top singer of the year in an annual poll.Gallup Korea canvassed 4,200 people aged 13 to 59 across the country from July 6-26, Sept. 1-29 and Nov. 8-28, and the singer took the top spot, racking up 15.2 percent of total votes. Having debuted in 2008, IU released many chart-sweeping songs, including “Good Day,” “You & I” and “The Red Shoes.” In 2014, the singer was named best singer of the year in the survey as her cover album “A Flower Bookmark” gained popularity among a

Dec. 21, 2017

SHINee members, fans bid goodbye to Jonghyun

SHINee members, K-pop stars and fans gathered at Jonghyun’s funeral at Seoul Asan Hospital on Thursday morning to bid the late singer farewell. Hundreds of fans from across the country watched as the casket of Jonghyun -- whose real name is Kim Jong-hyun -- was carried out. Onew, Key, Taemin and members of Super Junior were pallbearers, while Minho and Jonghyun’s sister walked ahead of the procession holding his photo.  Members of SHINee and Super Junior carry Jonghyun’s coffin at Seoul Asan Hos

Dec. 21, 2017