[Next Wave] Hip-hop duo XXX’s music is instinctive, like animals

Asked what position he would like his team XXX to occupy in the Korean hip-hop scene, rapper Kim Ximya was quiet but confident in his response.　“Tupac,” he answered, referring to the iconic American rapper, as he sat down for an interview with The Korea Herald on Thursday at the group’s studio in Seogyo-dong, Seoul. “By that I mean that I hope people, whether they know a lot about music or not, wouldn’t dare judge our music easily.” 　Music duo XXX, which consists of rapper Kim Ximya, 23, and com

June 19, 2017

CNBLUE’s Jung Yong-hwa to drop solo album next month

Jung Yong-hwa, vocalist and leader of the band CNBLUE, will release a new album as a solo artist next month. Confirming earlier reports, Jung’s agency FNC Entertainment said that the artist is preparing the album that is targeted for release in July. In 2015, the singer made his solo debut with the album “One Fine Day,” showcasing his skills as a singer-songwriter.  Jung Yong-hwa (FNC Entertainment)Jung told local media that he wrote the songs for the new album “in a fresh way,” hinting that he

June 19, 2017

Girls’ Generation preparing for 10th anniversary project

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Girls’ Generation, and the K-pop group has several treats in store for fans. According to agency S.M. Entertainment, the group is planning the release of a commemorative album and a fan meeting in August. It will mark the first album by the now-eight member group since its fifth Korean studio album “Lion Heart” in 2015. Jessica left the band shortly after the release.Girls’ Generation released its first single “Into the New World” on Aug. 3, 2007 and made

June 19, 2017

(Photo) Twice wraps up encore Seoul concert

Twice performed for a total of 12,000 Korean fans at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul, at its encore concerts for February tour “Twice Land - The Opening.”On Saturday and Sunday, the group held the concerts that was a follow-up to its first concert in February and a tour across Thailand and Singapore. During the concert, Twice performed songs including “TT,” “Knock Knock” and its biggest hit “Cheer Up,” along with songs from its recent EP, including “Signal” and “Eye Eye Eyes.”The group is on

June 19, 2017

Black Pink reveals teaser with new song title

Last year’s rookie sensation Black Pink is gearing up for another run, releasing a teaser image with the title of its next song on Monday.Its agency YG Entertainment posted the image featuring all four members along with the song’s title “As If It’s Your Last.” Before Monday‘s release of the group‘s teaser image, it had unveiled individual teaser images of Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa. Teaser image for Black Pink’s “As If It’s Your Last.” (YG Entertainment)According to the agency, the new track

June 19, 2017

Gaon chart confirms G-Dragon’s USB release not an album; YG says ‘regrettable’

Local Gaon music chart on Monday confirmed its position that G-Dragon’s latest EP available in a USB drive form cannot be regarded as an album, as it does not fall under the conventional definition of the concept. Gaon Chart, which tallies online and offline sales of music released locally, said that it will not include offline sales of the K-pop artist’s “Kwon Ji Yong” in album sales, since the EP does not have the music on a physical platform. G-Dragon (YG Entertainment)The recently released E

June 19, 2017

Is USB release an album or not?

While G-Dragon’s latest eponymous solo EP has made headlines for its unique USB flash drive format, it has also stirred up a heated debate over whether or not it can be officially recognized as an album. G-Dragon’s solo EP “Kwon Ji Yong” that takes form of a USB flash drive. (Yonhap)The dispute arose after the Korean Music Content Industry Association, the operator of Korea’s Gaon Chart, recently stated that Big Bang member’s USB format EP “Kwon Ji Yong” could not be seen as a true physical albu

June 18, 2017

EXO to drop new album in summer

K-pop group EXO plans to release its latest album this summer, S.M. Entertainment said Thursday. “EXO will make its return in summer, but a specific timeline has not been set up yet,” said an official from the boy band’s agency in response to an earlier report that EXO’s release would be in July. EXO (S.M. Entertainment)EXO, one of the most popular K-pop acts both locally and internationally, recently wrapped up its global tour “EXO Planet #3 - The EXO’rdium.” During its concert in Seoul last mo

June 16, 2017

G-Dragon’s ‘Kwon Ji Yong’ going strong in China

G-Dragon’s solo album “Kwon Ji Yong” has set the charts on fire in China.As of 10:55 p.m. on Wednesday, the singer has set the record of selling over one million copies of his latest album on QQ Music, the biggest music site in China.  Big Bang’s G-Dragon (YG Entertainment)“Kwon Ji Yong” set the record within six days of its release, the shortest time ever for an artist, as well as selling the most number of albums so far this year on the website. The digital album is being sold at 10 yuan ($1.5

June 15, 2017

Apink says 'can't laugh off’ death threat

K-pop group Apink remains shaken up by the death threat made Wednesday, its agency said Thursday.“It’s not just the members who are shocked, it’s all of us. It (the death threat) is not something that we can just laugh off as a joke,” said an official from Plan A Entertainment. “The threat just happened, so we’re keeping a keen eye on it. We’re still waiting on what the police investigation finds out.” Jeong Eun-ji of Apink (Plan A Entertainment)Around 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday, an unidentified man

June 15, 2017

T-ara returns as quartet asking ‘What’s My Name’

Back from brink of disbandment, T-ara unveiled its 13th album, “What’s My Name,” Wednesday. The nine-track record is the 13th from the K-pop group, and the first since Boram and Soyeon left last month. It contains seven songs, including four solo tunes from Qri, Eunjung, Hyomin and Jiyeon, along with a Chinese version and an instrumental version of the title track.According to the group’s agency MBK Entertainment, the latest album carries a significant amount of each members’ messages. T-ara per

June 14, 2017

Sandara Park named ambassador for Korea-Philippines’ relations

Sandara Park has been appointed as the new face of Korea-Philippines Friendship ambassador, according to her agency on Wednesday. For the 119th Philippine Independence Day and 22nd Migrant Workers Day, Park attended the event named “Bayanihan sa Korea 2017” (meaning Filipino community spirit in Korea) in Seoul on Sunday.  (YG Entertainment)Hosted by The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, some 1,500 Filipinos got together to celebrate and encourage one another. “Thank you so much for inv

June 14, 2017

Rising K-pop rookie NCT 127 drops powerful ‘Cherry Bomb’

K-pop fans will be showered with a fruity yet powerful K-pop bomb this summer, as rookie group NCT 127 returns with its high-energy EP “Cherry Bomb.”NCT 127, a Seoul-based unit of S.M. Entertainment’s NCT boy band project, dropped its third EP “Cherry Bomb,” led by the modern hip-hop title track, Wednesday.  “‘Cherry Bomb’ is our best and finest work that boasts spectacular performances. While I like every single song from the new EP, the lead track is my favorite, as I had to go through countle

June 14, 2017

G-Dragon, NCT 127 songs deemed unsuitable for KBS

Four of the five songs on G-Dragon‘s new EP “Kwon Ji-yong” were deemed unsuitable to be aired on KBS.The K-pop sensation’s “Middle Fingers-Up,” “Bull---” and “Divina Commedia” were banned due to use of foul language, and “Super Star” was prohibited for promoting a particular brand of product, according to the state-run broadcaster. Out of all the songs from the EP, only “Untitled, 2014” was approved by KBS. G-Dragon performs during his concert in Seoul on Saturday. (YG Entertainment)A song by SM

June 14, 2017

Twice endorses Japan’s Shibuya 109 stores

Twice will be promoting the summer sale campaign of Japan’s department store chain Shibuya 109, JYP Entertainment said Wednesday.The members of JYP’s multinational group were recently selected as the models for the chain’s “109 Summer Sale” campaign for 2017. Billboards featuring Twice will be hung at seven stores in Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Shizuoka and Kagoshima.  A promotional image of Twice (JYP Entertainment)Twice will officially debut in Japan on June 28 with the album “#TWICE.” Following it

June 14, 2017

Death threat against Twice’s Mina latest in crimes targeting K-pop stars

The internet was abuzz Tuesday at news that a death threat was made online against Twice’s Mina Miyoui. The unidentified person had posted a photo of a wrist and a knife, saying he or she would violently murder Mina if she did not mutilate her supposed boyfriend.It was later revealed to have been a practical joke of extremely poor taste. But JYP Entertainment said there will be ”no mercy” for the perpetrator and vowed legal action in what is the latest in a long line of crimes against Korea’s id

June 14, 2017

Psy to cool off summer heat at ‘Summer Swag’

Global pop star Psy will hold summer concerts for the first time in five years, according to his agency Wednesday.The artist had previously promised to host a summer concert this year at a press conference for his new full-length album, “4x2=8,” in May. Poster image for Psy’s “Summer Swag” concert series (YG Entertainment)In 2011 and 2012, the singer held music event series where concertgoers could beat summer heat. According to YG Entertainment, this summer’s concerts will take place at Busan W

June 14, 2017

Lim Seul-ong to return with new solo album

Balladeer Lim Seul-ong, a member of K-pop quartet 2AM, is set to return with two new songs in a digital album on June 20, according to the singer’s agency Sidus HQ on Wednesday. The album will consist of two tracks: “That’s Right” and the title track “It’s You” (unofficial translation), a soft ballad promising eternal love. Rapper Beenzino is featured in the song.An image for Lim Seul-ong’s upcoming digital album “It’s You” (Sidus HQ)Lim participated in the producing of the tracks, according to

June 14, 2017

Black Pink confirms release date

Black Pink‘s latest album will be released on June 22.YG Entertainment unveiled the teaser image for the new record on its official blog (www.yg-life.com). The image shows four pillars of what appeared to be a Greek temple, each pillar symbolizing the four members Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa.The news of the group shooting a new music video made the rounds earlier in the month, which had the fans buzzing in anticipation for their June return.  Black Pink’s teaser image (YG Entertainment)A follow

June 13, 2017

JYJ’s Park Yu-chun to wed in September: report

JYJ’s Park Yu-chun will reportedly get married on Sept. 10, according to a local media report Tuesday.The report quoted Park and his fiance Hwang Ha-na’s families as saying, “Park is set to tie the knot with Hwang in Seoul. The couple is currently preparing for the wedding.”The bride-to-be is the 28-year-old granddaughter of Namyang Dairy Products’ founder. Singer-actor Park Yu-chun (C-Jes Entertainment)“We have not received any notice regarding the exact marriage date and we cannot confirm it,”

June 13, 2017