Taeyang confirms second global tour as solo artist

Taeyang will showcase his skills worldwide again, with the lead vocalist of Big Bang on Monday confirming his second global tour as a solo artist.The tour, named “Taeyang 2017 World Tour ‘White Night’,” will kick off Saturday with four concerts across Chiba and Kobe in Japan that are expected to attract some 140,000 fans. The K-pop singer has made impressive progress in the country since his album “Rise+Solar&Hot” peaked at No. 2 on Oricon’s daily album charts. (YG Entertainment)In addition to b

July 3, 2017

[Photo] VIXX reveals extra images from Nylon cover shoot

Boyband VIXX on Monday released unused photographs from its photo shoot last month for the fashion magazine Nylon.Its agency Big Hit Entertainment revealed the images featuring members N, Leo, Ken, Ravi, Hongbin and Hyuk through the photos that were not used for the July cover of Nylon.In the interview that was conducted with the photo shoot, the group said the concept it chose for the recently-released “Shangri-La/Paradise on Earth” was their favorite.VIXX, which has been noted for its various

July 3, 2017

Taemin of SHINee holds first concert in Japan

Taemin of K-pop act SHINee wrapped up his first concert as a solo artist in Japan on Sunday, S.M. Entertainment said Monday.“Taemin The 1st Stage Budokan” took place over the weekend at Budokan arena in Tokyo. The sellout concerts attracted 28,000 fans. (S.M. Entertainment) (S.M. Entertainment)The 23-year-old singer performed hit songs, including “Tiger,” “Danger,” “Press your Number” and “Drip Drop.” He also showcased songs like “Flame of Love,” “I’m Crying” and “Door,” which will be included i

July 3, 2017

[Next Wave] Babylon taking next step to grow as artist

The Korea Herald is introducing Korean singers, musicians and actors poised to join the next wave of top stars in a twice-monthly series. -- Ed.At one point, virtually every clubber in Korea was grooving to the vocals of singer Babylon, featured in the popular single “Boys and Girls” by Zico.The R&B singer, who debuted in 2015 with “Pray,” has one of the more recognizable voices in the Korean music scene, a result of his many collaborations with prominent artists.But the 29-year-old says he is r

July 3, 2017

Twice's Japanese debut album tops Oricon chart

K-pop girl group TWICE's Japanese debut album has topped the country's key music sales chart, according to its agency Monday."#TWICE," released last Thursday in Japan, rose to No. 1 on Oricon's daily album sales chart as of Sunday, JYP Entertainment said. The record has sold over 115,000 copies in just five days. (JYP Entertainment)On the day, TWICE held a debut showcase in front of a 15,000-large crowd at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.The album, which has TWICE's past hit songs, both in Japa

July 3, 2017

Big Bang’s ‘Fxxx It’ MV garners over 100 million views

Big Bang’s music video for “Fxxx It” became the K-pop group’s ninth MV to reach over 100 million views on YouTube.The video for “Fxxx It,” released in December, surpassed 100 million views on YouTube on Saturday evening, YG Entertainment announced.The agency’s head Yang Hyun-suk posted an image on his social media account congratulating Big Bang. “Fxxx It” (YG Entertainment-YouTube)Other Big Bang music videos that have garnered over 100 million views include “Bang Bang Bang,” “Bad Boy,” “Loser”

July 2, 2017

Gill apologizes after caught drunk driving again

Singer-producer Gill of hip hop duo Leessang apologized Saturday on social media after he was found intoxicated and asleep at the driver’s seat last Wednesday. “I have nothing to say even if people point a finger at me and throw insults at me for the rest of my life,” he wrote on his Twitter account. “I am ashamed to face my parents, family, friends and fans. I am very sorry.”  Gill stars in “Show Me The Money 5.” (Mnet)Gill, whose full name is Gill Sung-joon, was caught near the entrance of Nam

July 2, 2017

Pentaport Rock Fest announces third lineup for 2017 event

The third and last lineup for the annual rock festival in the western port city of Incheon was announced by its organizer.Brother-sister acoustic duo Akdong Musician, female acoustic duo Bolbbalgan4, hip-hop/R&B singer Zion.T and Japanese rock band Crystal Lake are among the eight new names added to the festival‘s lineup released on Friday.They will perform in this year’s Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival that will be held on Aug. 11-13 at the Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, also known as Pentapor

July 2, 2017

Shinhwa’s Eric ties knot with actress Na Hye-mi

Singer-actor Eric of boy band Shinhwa and actress Na Hye-mi tied the knot at a quiet church ceremony Saturday.The ceremony, attended by family and a number of close acquaintances, took place around 3:30 p.m. at Young Nak Presbyterian Church in Seoul.Several celebrities attended the wedding, including the five other Shinhwa members who were present as best men, Lee Seo-jin, Yoon Kyun-sang and Ye Ji-won. 　Wedding photo of Eric and Na Hye-mi (E&J Entertainment)“I sincerely thank the many fans who h

July 2, 2017

Halo unveils teaser video, thanks fans

Boyband Halo released a teaser video for a song from its soon-to-be-released EP “Here I Am.”The 30-second clip, cut out from a music video, was released via official channel of the six-member band. The video offered a glimpse of the melody and the choreography for the new song.(HNS HQ)Prior to the video‘s release, Halo on Wednesday communicated with its fans via live broadcast on Naver V application. The members entertained the fans through games while thanking them for always being there for th

June 30, 2017

Zico to release EP next month

Rapper Zico of boyband Block B will release a new EP next month, officials said Friday.His agency Seven Seasons Entertainment told local media that the album will be unveiled mid-July, and the rapper is currently putting the finishing touches on it.Zico (Yonhap)It marks the first time in about 19 months that the artist will be releasing an EP. He has released a single earlier in the year. Zico is not only a rapper and leader of Block B, but is also known as a songwriter and a producer. He is cur

June 30, 2017

Twice uses Tokyo Tower to promote Japanese album

South Korean idol group Twice launched a promotion campaign for its debut record in Japan making use of the landmark Tokyo Tower, according to its agency Friday.On Thursday, "TT," the title of one of TWICE's hit songs, was displayed in bright pink lighting on the Japanese tourist destination, JYP Entertainment said. It was put on display for five hours from 7 p.m.Tokyo Tower was scheduled to carry out the lighting on Friday evening as well.(JYP Entertainment)"The title "TT" coincides with the in

June 30, 2017

Red Velvet to return with ‘Red Summer’

Summer songs are bountiful in the K-pop scene this year, but Red Velvet hopes to make its presence with the release of its EP “The Red Summer.” The five-song album will be released July 9 online, and will show off the group’s vivacious charm and energy, according to the S.M. Entertainment. The physical copies will hit the market the next day.The teaser image of Red Velvet (S.M. Entertainment)On Friday, the agency unveiled the teaser image for the new EP with member Irene making an appearance. Th

June 30, 2017

‘Show Me The Money 6’ to shine light on ‘brighter’ side of hip-hop

Despite the huge popularity of the audition program “Show Me The Money,” there has been criticism from the hip-hop scene that it focuses only on few elements of the genre like rap battles and the culture of “dissing.”For season six of the show, the nation’s most established hip-hop musicians gathered to ensure that various aspects of hip-hop music and its culture are explored.From left: Dok2, Jay Park, Bizzy, Gaeko and Choiza of Dynamic Duo, Dean and Tiger JK pose for a photo prior to a press co

June 30, 2017

Guitar legend Richie Kotzen to perform in Korea

US musician Richie Kotzen will visit Korea to perform in Seoul in August, local promoters said Friday. According to AIM, the artist will hold a concert at 7:00 p.m., Aug. 19 at MUV Hall in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. It is part of Kotzen’s ongoing global tour that will cover 22 countries including Japan, Britain, Germany and Spain. The tour was to commemorate the release of his recent album “Salting Earth.” (AIM)Since recording his first solo album “Richie Kotzen” in 1989, the guitarist has had a pr

June 30, 2017

Clon vows to stay duo forever with 20th anniversary album ‘We Are’

More than anything, it was “friendship” that has kept together the legendary dance music duo Clon through decades of ups and downs. With a bond that goes back 30 years, Koo Jun-yup and Kang Won-rae weathered Kang’s motorcycle accident and the group’s subsequent disbandment. Most recently, they were able to reunite for the duo’s newly released 20th-anniversary album. From left, Koo Jun-yup and Kang Won-rae of duo Clone pose at a press conference for its 20th anniversary album “We Are” that was re

June 29, 2017

K-pop singer Lee Chang-min collaborates with Solidemo for “Aitai”

Lee Chang-min of the duo Homme worked with Japan’s Solidemo to release “Aitai.”According to his agency Bighit Entertainment, the song was released on Japanese online music websites Wednesday. The song is a ballad about a man longing to meet his loved one. From left: Takeshi Mukaiyama, Lee Chang-min and Schnell (Big Hit Entertainment)Lee is best known for his works as a member of Homme and K-pop group 2AM. In addition to singing, the versatile artist has also taken on radio, TV shows and musical

June 29, 2017

T.O.P attends first hearing for marijuana charges, apologizes to mother

Prosecutors are seeking a suspended sentence against a top boy band rapper charged with marijuana use.On the first day of the trial Thursday, the prosecution said it is seeking a 10-month jail sentence suspended for two years for Big Bang rapper T.O.P, who has been charged with using marijuana on four occasions.T.O.P entered the Seoul Central District Court at around 11:31 a.m. clad in a black suit and read a statement of apology in front of press. T.O.P of Big Bang reads a statement in front of

June 29, 2017

Lee Hyo-ri to appear on JTBC’s ‘Newsroom’

K-pop singer Lee Hyo-ri will appear on JTBC’s “Newsroom” on Thursday to promote her upcoming sixth full-length album “Black,” her agency Kiwi Media Group said. The former member of girl group FIN.K.L had remained mostly out of the spotlight after her marriage with musician Lee Sang-soon in 2013. She signed with her current agency late last year and has been busy producing her new album. (Yonhap)She prereleased “Seoul,” a track from her comeback album Wednesday. The rest of the album is scheduled

June 29, 2017

VIXX’s Ravi to perform in Australia

Rapper Ravi of VIXX will show off his groove at a hip-hop concert down under as part of the “Rapbeat Show 2017 in Australia” to be held in Sydney on Saturday.According to his agency Jellyfish Entertainment, Ravi will perform onstage alongside other top Korea-based artists including Jay Park, Zion. T, Loco and Heize. In addition to his activities as a member of the boy band VIXX, Ravi has an impressive solo career as a hip-hop artist.  Ravi (Jellyfish Entertainment)Last year, he released his firs

June 29, 2017