‘Following’ invites HyunA’s fans to ‘trust and follow’ her

Baby-faced HyunA has endured a decade since her much-publicized debut as a member of Wonder Girls in 2007. Having turned from a wide-eyed teen prospect into a sex symbol and pop icon, HyunA says her new EP “Following” carries a message for those who supported her through thick and thin. HyunA speaks at a press conference held Tuesday in Seoul. (Yonhap) HyunA speaks at a press conference held Tuesday in Seoul. (Yonhap)“There are those who have trusted and followed me, who kept a close eye on me.

Aug. 29, 2017

EXID wraps up Asia tour with Taipei concert

Girl Group EXID wrapped up its international tour of four Asian cities on Saturday with a concert held in Taipei, Taiwan.Visiting Taiwan for the first time since a fan meeting event last month, the K-pop act performed hits including “Hot Pink,” “L.I.E,” “Ah Yeah” and its 2014 breakout hit “Up & Down.” It also performed “With Out U” and “Of Course” live for the first time. EXID at 2017 Asia Tour in Taipei on Saturday. (Banana Culture Entertainment) EXID at 2017 Asia Tour in Taipei on Saturday. (B

Aug. 29, 2017

CL expresses feelings about 2NE1’s disbandment, promises new release

Former 2NE1 member CL took to Instagram on Monday to write a letter in English to her fans, expressing her feelings on the K-pop group’s disbandment and hinting at her new release. “I want to thank my fans for being patient/impatient and for always being there for me,” she wrote. “I promise you new music soon. I just want u to know I’m on my way and haven’t given up.”She said she was “completely broken” and that the “breakups from my love and to my group” -- were not easy for her because they we

Aug. 29, 2017

K-pop artists heat up Japan at A-nation 2017

A-nation, an annual summer concert series in Japan, wrapped up this year’s event Sunday, drawing tens of thousands of fans at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo.The two-day event featured a stellar lineup of K-pop acts, including EXO, NCT 127, Red Velvet, Black Pink, D-Lite (Daesung) of Big Bang and iKON. EXO performs at the A-nation 2017 concert held at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday. (S.M. Entertainment)The three K-pop groups of S.M. Entertainment -- EXO, NCT 127 and Red Velvet -- took to the

Aug. 29, 2017

[Herald Interview] From morning to midnight, K-pop rookie Good Day presents ‘All Day Good Day’

This group of K-pop newcomers wants to make sure that fans’ daily lives revolve around good music all day, from the moment they open their eyes in the morning until they lay their heads on their pillows at night.Good Day, a bubbly K-pop act that will introduce itself Tuesday with its first EP “All Day Good Day,” is the first girl group to debut under C9 Entertainment, the label of artists such as Younha, Jung Joon-young and Cheetah. Fully charged with an upbeat spirit and youthful energy, the 10

Aug. 28, 2017

Limited LP versions of Seo Tai-ji tribute album announced

A remake album celebrating the 25th anniversary of groundbreaking Korean pop musician Seo Tai-ji's debut will also be released in limited vinyl copies, according to the publisher Monday.The Seo Tai-ji Co. said that it has printed 2,500 LP editions of "Time: Traveler," a 20-song album consisting of covers of Seo's past catalogue, which will come out Saturday.  (Seo Taiji Company)The retrospective album is a collection of songs produced by today's leading K-pop artists, including BTS, Suran, Younh

Aug. 28, 2017

K-pop star BoA chosen as promotional ambassador for Jeju Biennale

Singer BoA has been tapped as the promotional ambassador for the Jeju Biennale, an inaugural international art event on the resort island of Jeju, the organizer said Monday."BoA's image of always challenging herself and trying to adapt to different trends in the Korean music scene while globally raising the profile of K-pop matches exactly with what the Jeju Biennale is pursuing," said the organizer Jeju Museum of Art in a statement. BoA (Yonhap)The singer will attend the opening ceremony at the

Aug. 28, 2017

Tablo says new Epik High album will feel like ‘autumn’

Rapper Tablo appeared on the live music program “Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook” Saturday, announcing the upcoming return of his rap trio Epik High. 　“We’ve continued to make music. Now, I think we’ve completed an album that we can let you hear,” Tablo said on the KBS show. 　“After three years, it will be an album that will make you feel ‘autumn’ for certain.” 　 Rapper Tablo appears on “Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook” (KBS)Epik High’s new album will drop in October. 　YG Entertainment announced Friday that

Aug. 27, 2017

[Eye Plus] One summer night, when you only live once

“You only live once: that’s the motto,” said Drake in “The Motto.” Since then, YOLO has become the anthem of youths all around the world.Thousands of young men and women gathered for the 2017 Cass Blue Playground. Filled with excitement, they blasted away the scorching heat of August, rocking on to music provided by the hottest hip-hop and electronic dance music artists the country has to offer.Kicking off the festivities, DJs Garenz and Juncoco pumped up the crowd, who did not need much convinc

Aug. 25, 2017

[K-Talk] BTS’ Suga may participate in Lee So-ra song

BTS’ rapper Suga may take part in an upcoming single by Korean singer Lee So-ra, which would mark the first time a song by the vocalist features rap music.Lee’s agency told local media that Lee is currently preparing a new single that might involve collaboration with Suga and Tablo of the hip-hop trio Epik High, adding that it has not been confirmed yet. BTS (Big Hit Entertainment)Earlier in the day, a local media outlet reported that Lee is eyeing to return to the music scene in the second half

Aug. 25, 2017

[Album review] Taeyang explores new style, but something’s missing

Taeyang “White Night”Genie Music (YG Entertainment)K-pop fans have always expected something different from this particular Big Bang member and when the emotional R&B crooner dropped his third solo full-length album “White Night” last week, the expectations were heightened.With his mellow and soulful vocals, Taeyang explored new genres in this electro-R&B fueled eight-track album, successfully projecting himself as an irresistible mournful lover. The artist’s vocal is impeccable as always in “Wh

Aug. 24, 2017

BTS to release new EP on Sept.18

BTS announced Thursday it will release its latest EP next month, the first of the upcoming “Love Yourself” series.According to Bit Hit Entertainment, “Love Yourself Seung Her“ will be released on Sept.18. The agency said the album’s theme will be youth falling in love.The record will be released in four different versions, and will include a bonus track produced by member Rap Monster. BTS poses at Billboard Music Awards in this May 21 file photo. (Big Hit Entertainment)“Love Yourself” is a serie

Aug. 24, 2017

Teen-spirited Pristin returns with rebellious ‘Schxxl Out’

It has been almost five months since 10-piece K-pop act Pristin introduced itself to K-pop fans by shouting out their group slogan “We are Pristin!” in March. The group’s debut EP “Hi! Pristin” was successful on both local and world albums charts, leading the rookie group to be tapped as a rising K-pop act to watch for this year by Billboard.  Reloaded with cheerful energy and confidence, the budding K-pop darlings have returned with their second EP, “Schxxl Out,” and the band seems to have part

Aug. 24, 2017

Seo Tai-ji tribute album to be released next month

A remake album celebrating the 25th anniversary of groundbreaking Korean pop musician Seo Tai-ji's debut will be released next month, according to a record label Wednesday."Time: Traveler," an album consisting of covers of Seo's past catalogue, will come out on Sept. 2, Seo Tai-ji Company said. (Seo Taiji Company)The record will be a collection of songs produced by today's leading K-pop artists, including BTS, Suran, Younha and Heize. The numbers include "I Know," the breakout track for idol tri

Aug. 23, 2017

Taeyang climbs to top of Billboard’s world albums chart

Taeyang means “sun” in Korean, and the K-pop star has shined as bright as anyone on the international stage, topping Billboard’s world albums chart with “White Night.”As of Wednesday, the Big Bang singer had claimed the No. 1 spot with his third studio album “White Night,” released Aug. 16. It also took the top spot on iTunes album charts in 24 countries, according to YG Entertainment. Taeyang (YG Entertainment)The R&B vocalist went out of his way to explore new possibilities with the album, fro

Aug. 23, 2017

[Herald Review] Electrifying show by Gallagher, Foo Fighters; could’ve been more?

The fans waited a very long time for a kick-ass show, which they got but not for very long.Liam Gallagher and Foo Fighters sent tremors down the city of Seoul and shivers down the spines of music fans gathered at Jamsil Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul on Tuesday. “Live Forever Long” offered Korea a chance to see Gallagher and Foo Fighters for the first time in five and two years, respectively. And it did not disappoint.Liam Gallagher performs during the “Live Forever Long” concert in Seoul on Tuesda

Aug. 23, 2017

Dia returns full of love with ‘Love Generation’

K-pop act Dia returned fully charged with powerful energy with its third EP “Love Generation.” Clad in black-and-white school uniforms, the group’s nine singers sparkled as they took to the stage at a media showcase for their new EP in Seoul on Tuesday. Dia is short for “Diamond.”(Yonhap)“Love Generation” marks Dia’s first release since its second full-length album “YOLO” four months ago. The EP delves into the feelings of a teenage girl dabbling in love. Each track features a different musical

Aug. 23, 2017

BTS, Seo Taiji to sing 8 songs together

Boy band BTS and Korean pop legend Seo Taiji have revealed the songs that they will perform together at Seo’s upcoming 25th anniversary concert.Seo’s label Seotajji Co. revealed the eight songs in the set list, consisting of his biggest hits including “Nan Arayo,” “Hayeoga,” “Kyoshil Idaeyo” and “Come Back Home.”  The set list for Seo Taiji’s upcoming concert (Seotajji Co.)The songs are from four albums Seo released as the leader of Seo Taiji and Boys, a trio which consisted of Seo, Lee Juno and

Aug. 22, 2017

[Next Wave] DJ duo Garenz hopes to fill clubs with own music

Dance music fans may recall Garenz at the 2017 Seoul World DJ Festival in May, an energetic and funky Korean DJ duo that danced atop the DJ booth while spinning one of the anthems for this year’s annual electronic dance music festival.   The DJ duo that produced “Wanna Get You Closer,” chosen as one of two official tracks for this year’s festival at Jamsil Olympic Stadium, said it was time for DJs to move beyond the ailing local club scene and explore their options as artists.  (DCTOM)Consisting

Aug. 21, 2017

‘TVXQ Week’ heralds phase 2 of duo’s career

They’re back.Having started off as teenage heart-throbs before blossoming into artists of international fame, the duo of U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin appeared before the public as TVXQ on Monday, the first time since being discharged from the military.“We’ve been introduced as ‘K-pop kings, and I’m really starting to feel the weight of such an expression. I’m happy to be back and to be able to greet you all as TVXQ,” U-Know Yunho said at a press conference held at Hotel Shilla in Seoul on Monda

Aug. 21, 2017