F(x) let loose for first concert

The members of SM Entertainment’s girl group f(x) said that they let themselves loosen up for their first solo concert, “Dimension 4 - Docking Station.”“We’re a group that always tries to be perfect, so we normally didn’t accept even the smallest mistakes (in our performances). But with this concert, we wanted to focus on being free and interacting more with our fans, so we made some more mistakes,” member Luna told reporters ahead of the concert‘s third and last show at Olympic Hall on Sunday.A

Jan. 31, 2016

Luna says f(x) music is trendy, global

Luna of SM Entertainment girl group f(x) said that f(x)’s music has been successful because it is global and trendy. The girl group is known for its high quality dance music in addition to its energetic performances. Billboard named the quartet’s latest album “4 Walls” the No. 2 K-pop album of 2015.“F(x) communicates a lot with composers from abroad, so we can connect better with our fans abroad. It also helps us to develop our musical color,” she said at a press conference before the Sunday per

Jan. 31, 2016

‘Come to See Me’ play relives nation’s most infamous serial killings

A scene from the Korean play “Come to See Me,” which is on an open-run at the Myeongdong Theater until Feb. 21. (Pro’s LAB)In 1986, the quiet rural town of Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, was left in horror when a young local woman was found bound, raped and murdered in a ditch near a grassy field. At the time, no one could have predicted that the victim was only the first of what is estimated to be 10 woman killed over a five-year period at the hands of Korea’s most notorious serial killer -- who

Jan. 31, 2016

[Album Review] Ryeowook presents well-made solo ballad EP

Ryeowook “The Little Prince” (KT Music)Vocalist Ryeowook is the latest boy band Super Junior member to release a solo album, and his years of training and performing onstage shine through on his solo debut EP “The Little Prince.”　Ryeowook has already showcased his pure, sweet style of singing through Super Junior, the vocal unit group Super Junior-K.R.Y, drama soundtracks, and musicals, and the six tracks on “The Little Prince” are custom-made for his voice. 　The record kicks off with “Like a St

Jan. 29, 2016

[Album Review] Yezi goes hard on solo debut

Yezi “Foresight Dream” (Loen Entertainment)It’s been a long time coming. Yezi of obscure girl group Fiestar made a splash on Mnet’s female rapper competition “Unpretty Rapstar 2” last year, instantly becoming one of the most interesting figures to watch in the Korean hip-hop scene. She carries that momentum throughout her EP “Foresight Dream,” filling each track with the coarse, hard-hitting lyrics that kept her alive on “Unpretty Rapstar.”　Produced overall by hip-hop powerhouse Brand New Music’

Jan. 29, 2016

[Album Review] Gfriend carries classic girl group torch

Gfriend “Snowflake” (Loen Entertainment)The K-pop market is shifting away from the classic idol group formula of the late 1990s and 2000s both in music and the personalities of the musicians themselves, yet there are still fans who want that old-style feel -- and they can get plenty of it with Gfriend’s EP “Snowflake.”　The intro track “Snowflake” and the lead track “Rough” are a perfect combination entering the album, with dramatic beats and melody shifts that are slightly overdone considering t

Jan. 29, 2016

Tiffany denies rumors of romantic involvement with Gray

Girls’ Generation member Tiffany denied rumors reported Friday of romantic involvement with rapper Gray.　A local daily reported that Tiffany and Gray had been dating for about three months after the two met to discuss Tiffany’s solo album. Quoting an industry insider, the report said that the romance between the two was widely known.  Girls’ Generation member Tiffany (SM Entertainment)and Rapper Gray (AOMG Official Facebook)　Later Friday, Tiffany’s agency SM Entertainment dismissed the rumors by

Jan. 29, 2016

YB Band returns with ’70s sound

Korea’s iconic rock band YB Band will return with a ’70s-inspired new single “Flower Rain” in February, its agency Dee Company said. 　In the teaser image, released on the band’s official Facebook and Instagram, five rockers, wearing ’70s vintage bold print shirts and flare pants, are cheering in joy holding a golden trophy from winning an imaginary Group Sounds competition under the placard that reads “The 20th New-Star Group Sounds Contest.” YB Band poses as ’70s rockers for a teaser image rele

Jan. 29, 2016

The Barberettes to kick off nationwide tour

The Barberettes, the retro female trio composed of An Shin-ae, Gyeong Seon and Park So-hee, will kick off its nationwide tour in February, the group’s agency EggPlant said.　The group is referred to as a “time slip” girl group, traveling back to the days of barbershop music. The Barberettes (EggPlant)　The group’s nationwide tour “It’s Showtime!” will cover seven cities -- Seoul, Jeonju, Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Busan and Chuncheon -- from Feb. 19 to April 2, the agency said. 　The group will unvei

Jan. 28, 2016

Van Zweden to become New York Philharmonic‘s music director

NEW YORK (AP) -- Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden has been hired to succeed Alan Gilbert as music director of the New York Philharmonic.Gilbert, who began in 2008-09, said last February that he intended to leave after the 2016-17 season. The orchestra said Wednesday that van Zweden will be its music director designate in 2017-18 and will become music director starting in 2018-19.  The file picture dated Nov. 12, 2011 shows Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden during a good-bye concert to the Radio Fil

Jan. 28, 2016

Music festival highlights 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha and jazz vocalist Na Yoon-sun will come together in a performance next month at the 2016 PyeongChang Winter Music Festival in Daegwallyeong, Gangwon Province.　Joining the two international names are a number of well-known musicians in classical music and jazz, reflecting the festival’s goal of presenting diverse music styles.　Na and guitarist Ulf Wakenius will open the festival at Alpensia Concert Hall on Feb. 25. Joining the team on stage will be Chung, who will perfor

Jan. 28, 2016

‘Show Me the Money’ season 5 to hold U.S. auditions

The fifth season of “Show Me the Money,” a Korean rap competition show, will hold auditions in the U.S., accepting international candidates for the first time, cable channel Mnet said Wednesday. Open call poster for “Show Me the Money” season 5 (CJ E&M)　Applications will be accepted until March 6 for a chance to appear on the season that will begin airing in May.　“So many rappers overseas have asked to be part of the show,” Mnet said in a statement. “We‘ve decided to expand this opportunity to r

Jan. 28, 2016

SM founder talks new boy band, future localization strategy

SM Entertainment, one of the country’s leading forces in the K-pop industry, is adopting localization as its main strategy going forward, announcing its plans to launch new boy band NCT (Neo Culture Technology), which will break away from convention. At a press conference at SMTOWN Coex Artium in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on Wednesday, SM founder Lee Soo-man presented the company’s new hallyu localization strategy as part of his “New Culture Technology” project. SM is looking to expand its footprint wor

Jan. 28, 2016

Media art lights up cold, bleak city

It has been more than a month since Christmas lights were stripped-down from buildings, reducing the city blocks once again to their default cold, bleak and gray. In Seoul, however, media art installations and exhibitions have replaced the sparkling Christmas decorations, illuminating the city’s bleak midwinter and offering people the opportunity to enjoy some contemporary art. At the grand front entrance of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun, a huge screen has been set up

Jan. 27, 2016

Forgery rumors, suspicions rock Korean art community

The Korean art world has been engulfed in a scandal involving rumors and suspicions surrounding allegedly forged works of Lee U-fan, a leading Korean artist on the international art scene. A forged certificate for his famous “From Point” series painting -- sold for $415,600 at a local art auction in December -- has shaken the Korean art community, spreading mistrust and suspicion in a world where reputation matters a great deal. As the National Forensic Service hasn’t confirmed the authenticity

Jan. 27, 2016