EXID uncovers ‘hidden gems’ in ‘Re:flower’ project

EXID became a household name with “Up & Down” in 2014, but the K-pop act has more to offer. It plans to re-release songs that were not heavily promoted in the past. Banana Culture Entertainment on Wednesday announced the group would kick off its “Re:flower” project next week, unveiling re-mastered versions of EXID’s previously released songs. The first song will be released at 6 p.m. Monday. A promotional image for EXID’s “Re:flower” project (Banana Culture Entertainment)The agency said that the

Jan. 10, 2018

Block B’s Park Kyung thanks fans

(Youtube)Park Kyung, a member of Block B, expressed his gratitude toward fans for helping the K-pop group’s song reach No. 1 on a Korean music chart. He posted a snapshot of the song “Don’t Leave” at No. 1 on the Bugs chart on his Instagram account, along with a comment that said, “Thank you so much for making the song No. 1. We will always try our best to make better music for you guys.”Park Kyung was in charge of producing the song “Don’t Leave,” the lead song of Block B’s latest album “Re:Mon

Jan. 9, 2018

After long break, Infinite revamps as six-piece with ‘Top Seed’

Ever since K-pop superstar Infinite became a six-member act with the departure of Hoya last August, the group seems to have spent its time preparing for its comeback hoping to prove it is still intact from the blow. Infinite’s latest full-length album “Top Seed,” released Monday, is the group’s first release since its 2016 EP “Infinite Only,” also the first full-length album since 2014’s “Season 2.” “We named the album ‘Top Seed’ as it refers to the highest ranking team in sports. We hope it bec

Jan. 9, 2018

[Herald Interview] Out of dark tunnel, Yangpa sings to send message of ‘comfort’

In 1996, when cassette tapes were not old-fashioned and wide-legged pants were trendy, there was one particular song dominating the Korean airwaves: “Novice’s Love,” a love ballad by an 18-year-old high-schooler. Even after 20 years, Yangpa, whose real name is Lee Eun-jin, vividly remembers the first performance of that smash hit, her debut song that immediately shot the teenager to stardom. “That tense, that jittery feeling before going up onstage... It’s still fresh in my memory. I was singing

Jan. 9, 2018

T-ara refutes ‘super car’ report

Members of girl group T-ara publicly denied media reports that a Chinese business mogul gave them luxury cars and paid a huge sum of money to the group’s former agency MBK Entertainment to sign the group onto his own media firm.In an Instagram post late Monday, the group said it contacted Banana Culture founder Wang Sicong, who confirmed that such reports were false. T-ara (Yonhap)A Korean news outlet reported earlier that Wang -- reportedly an avid fan of the group -- paid T-ara’s former agency

Jan. 9, 2018

YG chief hints solo album for Winner’s Mino

Yang Hyun-suk, the head of YG Entertainment, issued on Monday a not-so-subtle hint at rapper Mino’s solo album. Yang posted a picture of a long line of fans waiting outside of a hip-hop club in Hongdae, Seoul, where the Winner member was to perform. Accompanying the photos were hashtag “the longest line in Hongdae history,” and “Instructing preparation for a solo album tomorrow.”  Mino (YG Entertainment)“From what we know, he (Yang) has talked to Mino about it (solo album),” said an official fro

Jan. 8, 2018

From ‘Idol School,’ fromis_9 to debut Jan. 24

Nine trainees who survived Mnet competition “Idol School” are to make their official debut as a K-pop group later this month.Promoters of the unit, named “fromis_9,” said Monday that the girl group will release its debut EP on Jan. 24, the title of which was not yet been revealed. fromis_9The nine-piece group has already been showcased on the public stage, performing its predebut single “Glass Shoes” at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards in Japan.The group consists of the top placers from “Idol Sc

Jan. 8, 2018

[Herald Review] GFriend rocks first solo concerts

After three years in the K-pop scene, GFriend’s dream has finally come true: The group successfully wrapped up its first solo concerts “Season of GFriend” in Seoul on Saturday and Sunday. The concerts, held at the Olympic Hall at Olympic Park in Seoul, were a testament to the six-piece group’s reputation as one of Korea’s most promising young acts. The event, which ran for more than three hours on each day, featured the group’s hits and individual members’ solo performances for the first time. 

Jan. 8, 2018

Violinist Yang In-mo welcomes challenge of playing 24 Paganini caprices

Violinist Yang In-mo expressed confidence in performing Niccolo Paganini’s 24 caprices for solo violin -- notorious for their difficulty -- during a showcase at Kumho Art Hall in Seoul on Monday.“I have always wanted to play the 24 caprices by Paganini. I remember my aunt buying me the album when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I listened and thought that I would also play them someday. Instead of overwhelming me, they encouraged me to play the string instrument,” said Yang, Kumho Art Hall’s artis

Jan. 8, 2018

T-ara faces unknown future

Dark clouds are gathering over K-pop act T-ara’s future, with its former agency seeking exclusive rights to the group name. On Monday, local media reported that MBK Entertainment, which had represented T-ara for a decade until the members’ departure last week, had applied to register the group’s name “T-ara” as its trademark at the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 28 last year, three days before the members’ contract with the agency expired.  T-ara (MBK Entertainment)The application,

Jan. 8, 2018

iKon to release second full-length album ‘Return’

K-pop boy group iKon is gearing up for a comeback with its second full-length album “Return,” according to YG Entertainment Saturday. A teaser video for the upcoming album, released on the agency’s official blog Saturday, featured the members in a short film that was dubbed with member Bobby’s short reflective monologue.  iKon (YG Entertainment)“Return” marks the group’s first full-length album in over two years since 2015’s “Welcome Back,” the agency said. Following its debut with the single “M

Jan. 7, 2018

K-pop couple Minhwan, Yulhee to tie the knot

Minhwan of FTIsland and Yulhee, a former member of Laboum, are to get married in 2018. Minhwan made the announcement through his social media account Thursday, by posting a lengthy letter to his fans. “(My girlfriend and I) plan on bearing the fruit of our relationship,” the post read. “After coming to the life decision of marriage, I am thankful for the congratulations that I have received from so many.”  Minhwan of FTIsland on the right and Yulhee, a former member of Laboum (Instagram)After th

Jan. 5, 2018

Pianist Cho Seong-jin to make his first tour in Korea

Pianist Cho Seong-jin on Thursday announced his first nationwide recital tour, scheduled to kickoff in Busan on Sunday. At a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center on Thursday, Cho said that the program for the tour features his favorite pieces, including those by Beethoven, Debussy, as well as Chopin, for whom the Korean pianist is best known.Pianist Cho Seong-jin performs during a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)“I have been wanting to play

Jan. 4, 2018

Suzy to drop new EP on Jan. 29

Suzy will return with her second solo EP in late January. The singer-actress’s agency JYP Entertainment announced Thursday that “Suzy’s new EP will be dropped on Jan. 29 through local music applications and websites. Some of the tracks will be prereleased a week earlier.”  Suzy (JYP Entertainment)Suzy is currently in Los Angeles shooting four music videos for the EP. Formerly a member of the now defunct group Miss A, Suzy has contributed to the soundtracks of drama series in which she also had a

Jan. 4, 2018

S.M. to hold auditions in 10 countries

S.M. Entertainment, one of Korea’s leading K-pop agencies, announced Thursday that it will hold auditions around the world to search for aspiring K-pop stars. The upcoming auditions, titled “2018 S.M. Global Audition,” will begin in Korea on Jan. 21 before traveling to 45 cities across 10 countries, including China, the US and Japan, until December. S.M. will also be holding an audition in Vietnam for the first time. Auditions will be held in five cities in Korea -- Seoul, Jeonju, Daejeon, Gwang

Jan. 4, 2018

Kriesha Chu returns with ‘Dream of Paradise’

About eight months after introducing her sweet and bubbly self to the K-pop scene, soloist Kriesha Chu released her first EP “Dream of Paradise” Wednesday. When this 20-year-old Filipina-American K-pop sweetheart released her debut single “Trouble” in May, she was covered in an innocent and pure vibe, more so because of her signature beaming smile that brightened up the stage. With “Dream of Paradise,” Chu’s sugary and bubbly nature remain the same, but there seems to be a slight change in her s

Jan. 4, 2018

[K-talk] Baekhyun of EXO apologizes for comment on depression

EXO’s Baekhyun apologized for his choice of words regarding depression. A supposed fan uploaded a clip from a conversation that she had with the singer at a fan event on Dec. 30. In the audio clip, Baekhyun could be heard saying, “I don’t know why people get depressed.”  (S.M. Entertainment)The singer was criticized for being inconsiderate of people who suffer from depression. The statement came as a shock for fans, especially since his label mate Jonghyun died by suicide last month and had suff

Jan. 3, 2018

Genre-crossing, innovative performances at LG Arts Center

The 2018 Contemporary Music & Performing Arts Season at LG Arts Center features an exciting line-up of 12 productions, ranging from the highly acclaimed international theatrical works to cross-genre performances. Michael Keegan-Dolan’s ”Swan Lake/Loch na hEala“ (LG Arts Center)Michael Keegan-Dolan‘s “Swan Lake/Loch na hEala” will perform from March 29 to March 31. The contemporary reinvention of the Tchaikovsky ballet, “Swan Lake,” by the acclaimed Irish director and choreographer features 13 mu

Jan. 3, 2018

Chin Un-suk leaves Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

Chin Un-suk, Berlin-based composer of contemporary classical music, on Tuesday said that she has decided to leave the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, where she has been its composer-in-residence since 2006. Chin also held the orchestra’s artistic adviser post since 2016, a year after maestro Chung Myung-whun left the SPO at the end of 2015 after 10 years. Chin Un-suk (SPO)“I hope to later return to make a contribution to Korean music,“ Chin said in the email she wrote to her colleagues and fans. “

Jan. 2, 2018

Sunmi to return with new single ‘Heroine’

Solo artist Sunmi will drop her new single “Heroine” on Jan. 18, her agency MakeUs Entertainment said Tuesday, about five months after she released the infectious dance pop song “Gashina.” A teaser image released on her official social media account showed roses of different colors frozen in a chunk of ice. Roses have been an overarching image and concept for her East-Asia-inspired “Gashina.” A teaser image for Sunmi’s upcoming single “Heroine.” (MakeUs Entertainment)According to the agency, Sun

Jan. 2, 2018