Twice going strong on foreign charts

Twice’s new album “TWICEcoaster: LANE 2” is on fire not just in Korea, but abroad as well.As of Wednesday, the album topped iTunes top 20 music album charts in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. It also had a strong showing in the Philippines, taking the No. 5 spot. Twice (JYP Entertainment)The main track, “Knock Knock,” topped the top 20 songs charts in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan, and was ranked among the top 10 on charts for nine regions. “TWICEcoaster : LANE 2” was espe

Feb. 22, 2017

Burkina architect Kere honoured with UK pavilion project

Burkina Faso’s Diebedo Francis Kere will be the first African architect to design a temporary pavilion in London’s Hyde Park, a prestigious assignment given to a world-famous architect every year.Kere’s design is inspired by a tree in his hometown of Gando that serves as “a central meeting point for life,” the Serpentine Galleries said in a statement.“An expansive roof, supported by a central steel framework, mimics a tree’s canopy, allowing air to circulate freely while offering shelter against

Feb. 22, 2017

Huge art show questions legend of Vermeer the lone genius

A new blockbuster Vermeer exhibition which opens Wednesday aims to smash the myth that the Dutch master was a solitary genius who worked alone at home cut off from the world.The Louvre in Paris has gathered a third of the 17th century painter’s canvasses for the show -- the most ever shown in one place since his death -- where they will hang alongside nearly 60 painting by his friends, rivals and contemporaries.“We wanted to do away with the stereotype of Vermeer as ‘the Sphinx of Delft,’” said

Feb. 22, 2017

Ali to sing at Nathan East concert

Korean singer Ali has been invited by legendary bassist Nathan East to perform at his upcoming concert in Seoul as a guest singer, the show’s promoters said. The 32-year-old singer decided to perform with the founding member of jazz quartet Fourplay “immediately upon being asked” by East, U&I Communications said. Ali (U&I Communications)“Ali said she has been listening to East’s music for a long time and has had great respect as a fan of his talents and bass performance that brings out the best

Feb. 21, 2017

Imagining a 50-year-old Kurt Cobain

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, who defined grunge and the rise of alternative rock, would have turned 50 on Monday. He remains an enduring cultural presence even for many young people -- but what would he be doing if he were alive?The 27-year-old shot himself at his home in Seattle on April 5, 1994, ending his life, his suffering and, at least symbolically, the grunge movement. Rock has kept evolving since his suicide, yet “Nevermind,” Nirvana’s brutal 1991 masterpiece, is still widely considered

Feb. 20, 2017

Red Velvet’s song is once again ‘weird at first, addictive later’

Red Velvet’s new song “Rookie” has been enjoying a streak of popularity lately, topping charts of major music programs since its Feb. 1 release. For two weeks in a row now, “Rookie” has nabbed first place on music programs “M Countdown,” “Music Bank” and “Inkigayo” as of the weekend of Feb. 18-19. Since Feb. 2, the song has maintained first place on the Korean songs section of Chinese Xiami Music charts.　 Red Velvet (S.M. Entertainment)Billboard describes “Rookie” as a “quirky, funk-driven dance

Feb. 20, 2017

BTS reveals powerful new music video for ‘Not Today’

BTS revealed Monday the music video for “Not Today,” a song from the boy band’s new album “You Never Walk Alone,” released Feb. 13. The clip depicts BTS members performing powerful choreography with some 30 background dancers, similar to some of the boy band’s other beat-heavy hits such as “Fire” and “Dope.”  A scene from BTS’ music video for “Not Today” (YouTube) A scene from BTS’ music video for “Not Today” (YouTube)The music video, which shows the members dancing against a backdrop of rocky v

Feb. 20, 2017

Sandara Park shares secrets of looking young at ‘Get It Beauty’

Singer Sandara Park has made her TV show host debut through the local TV show “Get It Beauty 2017,” which discusses makeup tips.Park, also known by her stage name Dara, appeared on the first episode of the latest season of the OnStyle show Sunday. The 32-year-old Park, who is a fashion icon and appears more youthful than her actual age, shared secrets on how to apply makeup for different occasions. This included a look suitable for clubbing, which she said was inspired by fellow K-pop artist G-D

Feb. 20, 2017

Former Rainbow member Cho Hyun-young splits with Alex

Cho Hyun-young, formerly a member of the K-pop group Rainbow, recently ended her romantic relationship with the singer Alex, her agency said Monday,MAMA C&C released a statement confirming earlier reports that the 25-year-old singer and actor had agreed to part ways with Alex of electronica group Clazziquai. “Cho has been busy with preparation for various activities including acting, leading to the relationship falling apart,” it said. “We expect prolific activities (from Cho) as she prepares to

Feb. 20, 2017

NY's Met Museum offers exercise amid world-class art

“This offers you amazing moments,” said participant Oliver Ryan, who runs a New York corporate wellness company. “We did our first stretch, and there in the vast gallery was Perseus holding the head of Medusa. What hit me was this was the TV of ancient times, a frozen moment from a story everyone knew.”The Met commissioned the innovative Monica Bill Barnes Dance Company for the project. It was choreographed by the two women leading the workout -- Monica Bill Barnes herself and her dance partner,

Feb. 20, 2017

g.o.d. wraps up tour in Busan

Boy band g.o.d. on Sunday held a concert in Busan, wrapping up its monthlong tour of six cities across the nation.The concert, held at the Bexco exhibition center, was part of a tour to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the group’s debut. It started with Seoul concerts from Jan.6-8, and moved on to Incheon, Daegu, Ilsan and Gwangju, concluding in the southern port city. (Sidus HQ)All the concerts were sellouts and the tour amassed a total of 40,000 fans.One of the longest-running K-pop groups

Feb. 19, 2017

Twice unveils final teaser image for new album

Twice on Sunday revealed its final teaser image for its new mini album “TWICEcoaster: LANE 2.”Just a day before the album’s official release, the image was released via the official social media accounts of JYP Entertainment. The image showed the nine-member group posing in an area designed to look like a school locker room, with the album’s title, the words “knock knock,” and the release date on one side of the picture.  (JYP Entertainment)On Sunday evening, Twice will wrap up its three-day con

Feb. 19, 2017

Junggigo teams up with EXO’s Chanyeol for ‘Let Me Love You’

Singer Junggigo and Chanyeol of boy band EXO will release a collaborative single “Let Me Love You” on Thursday. Junggigo’s agency Starship Entertainment announced the collaboration on Thursday via its Facebook page, posting a “Coming Soon” image. An image posted on the Facebook page of Starship Entertainment heralds a collaborative track from Junggigo and Chanyeol of EXO. (Starship Entertainment)Junggigo and Chanyeol, who first met through social media, have since have built a close relationship

Feb. 17, 2017

Lee Min-ho to drop international album

Actor Lee Min-ho will drop an album worldwide in March, according to the actor’s agency MYM Entertainment on Friday.Through the new single, titled “Always by Lee Min-ho,” Lee wanted to communicate with fans the “happiness and gratitude he felt” during his 10-year career, according to his agency.  Promotional image for Lee’s upcoming single (MYM Entertainment)The song will be revealed for the first time at a fan meeting at Seoul’s Kyung Hee University on Saturday and Sunday. Lee previously releas

Feb. 17, 2017

SHINee goes on North American tour next month

Popular K-pop boy group SHINee will embark on a North American tour next month for the first time since its debut, its management S.M. Entertainment said Friday. The image provided by S.M. Entertainment shows the concert poster for "SHINee CONCERT-SHINee WORLD V." (Yonhap)The group will tour on the continent to perform "SHINee CONCERT-SHINee WORLD V," at Toronto's Sony Centeron March 19, Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre on March 21, Dallas's Verizon Theatre on March 24 and LA's Shrine Auditorium on M

Feb. 17, 2017

Park Ji-yoon to release ninth studio album next month

Park Ji-yoon, an idol diva-turned-singer songwriter, will release her ninth full-length studio album next month, her distributor said Friday.Park's new album titled "parkjiyoon9" will be released on March 2 and will carry 10 tracks, according to Sony Music. It will be her first full-length album in five years outside of several singles released since. This promotional image provided by Sony Music shows singer-songwriter Park Ji-yoon. (Yonhap)On the title track "Gereoji Mayo," which means "Don't

Feb. 17, 2017

China goes Hollywood in ‘The Great Wall’

Big Hollywood hits commonly reap half or more of their box office overseas, as “Finding Dory” and “Rogue One” have done. Zhang Yimou’s “The Great Wall,” which opens Friday, will test whether that trick works both ways.“The Great Wall,” a mostly English-language film with a Chinese director, crew and cast, stars Matt Damon as a European mercenary who finds himself caught in a battle between a Chinese army of the Song dynasty (960 -1279) and ravenous monsters on the other side of -- you guessed it

Feb. 17, 2017

S.M. Entertainment aims to open K-pop school

S.M. Entertainment has announced plans to open an alternative high school called “K-pop International School” in Seoul in September.  The architectural design for K-pop International School (S.M. Entertainment)The agency, known for its high-profile singers and entertainers, said it expects to get approval from authorities in March, paving the way for the launch of the school before a new semester begins here. The school will teach not only the usual subjects such as Korean, English and mathemati

Feb. 16, 2017

Risque four-hands piano fires up winter-weary souls

PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province -- The PyeongChang Winter Music Festival got off to a rousing start at Alpensia Concert Hall on Wednesday evening with an eclectic program that played on the theme of this year’s festival -- a mix of classical and jazz.Pansori singer Ahn Sook-sun, cellist Chung Myung-wha, who is the co-artistic director of the festival alongside violinist Chung Kyung-hwa, pianist Son Yeol-eum and Jun Kye-youl on the buk, or Korean drum, started the evening with a performance of “Thr

Feb. 16, 2017