CL becomes S. Korean female solo artist to enter Billboard Hot 100

Singer-rapper CL has become the first South Korean female solo artist to enter Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, her agency said Wednesday.The 25-year-old musician claimed the 94th spot on the US benchmark music chart with her debut EP “Lifted” on Tuesday. Following the EP’s release on Aug. 19, CL made appearances on several TV shows, including American talk show “The Late Late Show with James Corden” on CBS. On Oct. 29, CL will kick off her US-Canada tour “Hello Bitches Tour 2016” in New York and is s

Oct. 12, 2016

A ballet with Korean twist, ‘Sin-Si’ readies to hit Seoul stage

Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theater is gearing up to stage its latest production, “Sin-Si, The Festival of the Sun,” a ballet combining the art of traditional Korean dance.Depicting the motif of the Dangun Mythology through dance, the upcoming performance tells the 7,000-year-old tale of Hwanung, the son of heaven, who descended to Earth to guide the Ung (bear) tribe and Ho (tiger) tribe. The two tribes had long been at war, fighting against each other in an effort to establish Sin-Si -- a new city

Oct. 11, 2016

I.O.I gears up for stage return

K-pop girl group I.O.I is getting ready to return to the stage. 　The 11-member act shared a teaser image with the question “Miss Me?” on the group’s official social media channels Tuesday morning.　The image also includes the date Oct. 17, which fans have speculated online could be the date when the group releases a new album. I.O.I’s first subunit of seven members -- Kim Do-yeon, Kim So-hye, Kim Chung-ha, Lim Na-young, Jeon So-mi, Zhou Jieqiong, and Choi Yoo-jung -- released the hit track “Whatt

Oct. 11, 2016

Beyond ‘fun and laughter’

In recent weeks, slow ballad tracks have been creeping their way up on local music charts where light and poppy tunes of K-pop typically dominate. 　Earlier this month, singer-songwriter Park Hyo-shin made his return to the spotlight with his first full-length album “I am a Dreamer” in six years.　Though the album relies heavily on the motif of romance, it has been providing listeners with “unlimited consolation” and a “feeling of self-worth,” according to fans online. 　Korea has been experiencing

Oct. 10, 2016

BTS makes splash with new album

K-pop boy band Bangtan Boys, or BTS, had a strong first day back in the spotlight.　Returning with its second full-length album, “Wings,” this week, the group has already topped charts at home and abroad. Released Monday morning, the 15-track album soon dominated eight major local music charts -- MelOn, Mnet, Olleh Music, Soribada, Genie, Bugs, Naver Music and Monkey3 -- according to BTS’ management agency Big Hit Entertainment on Monday.Garnering the attention of international fans, “Wings” also

Oct. 10, 2016

As China rises, top-selling painter looks to his roots

BEIJING (AFP) -- Blue-chip Chinese artist Zeng Fanzhi built up a lucrative career by looking to the West for inspiration and buyers, but a new retrospective in Beijing reveals an unlikely turn back toward China’s own aesthetics and traditions.It is a story increasingly common in the world’s second largest economy, where and growing disillusionment with material wealth has sent a generation in search of a heritage lost. Zeng is China’s second best-selling living artist, according to wealth publis

Oct. 10, 2016

Korean film directors, critics say BIFF's fight for artistic freedom will go on

 The standoff over the Busan film festival's "artistic freedom" may appear to have ended with the opening of this year's festival but what lies beneath is film groups' fiercer fight for the freedom, film critics and directors said Sunday. The 21st edition of the festival kicked off in Busan on Thursday featuring 299 films from 69 countries around the world, a scale that is not conspicuously smaller than past events. It, however, became a lackluster festival without the presence of stellar Korean

Oct. 9, 2016

[Herald Interview] American concert booker Tom Windish talks finding talent in Korean music scene

The annual MU:CON Seoul is an internationally collaborated music marketing event consisting of showcasing and expanding the networking systems of up-and-coming local Korean artists.　Inviting along some of the global music world’s most influential figures in the field of recording, producing and promoting, this year’s conference may have held the key for a select few Korean artists to make their big break overseas. 　Looking to network and find standout local talents was none other than Tom Windis

Oct. 9, 2016

10cm to release new album

Korean indie duo 10cm is getting ready for its return to the spotlight. 　Consisting of vocalist Kwon Jeong-yeol and guitarist Yoon Cheol-jong, 10cm will be releasing a new singles album next week, according to its production company Magic Strawberry Sound on Friday morning. 　Named after the two members’ height difference, the duo made its debut with the mini album “10cm The First EP” in 2010. Since then, the group has produced a number of hit tracks, such as “Americano,” “Fine Thank You and You?

Oct. 7, 2016

Sechs Kies releases new single, tops charts

Legendary K-pop group Sechs Kies has returned with a bang. 　After performing the group’s latest single “Three Words” during its two-day sold-out concert last month in Seoul, Sechs Kies released the track on local music platforms on Friday at midnight. 　The boy band’s first release in 16 years, the song topped not only all major local music charts -- MelOn, Mnet, Olleh Music, Soribada, Genie, Bugs, Naver Music and Monkey3 -- but also one of China’s largest music streaming platforms QQ Music and g

Oct. 7, 2016

[Album Review] Sober mood dominates new Drive-By Truckers album

Drive-By Truckers“American Band”(ATO Records)The Drive-By Truckers are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year in a grave mood. The cover art of an American flag at half-staff is a tip-off.The liberal-leaning Southern rockers who have long struggled to both celebrate their roots and recognize its bitter past have delivered a sober new album with a withering view of today's South.The often-gloomy but vitally important “American Band” sees the Truckers weigh in strongly on such issues as poli

Oct. 7, 2016

[Album Review] Smooth grooves rule on Herb Alpert's 'Human Nature'

“Human Nature”(Herb Alpert Presents)Why mess with success?Pop-jazz trumpeter Herb Alpert has sold records by the truckload since the 1960s, and if his easy-listening style has become a byword for elevator music, that doesn’t make it any less influential.The 81-year-old founder of the Tijuana Brass returns with an album -- his fourth in three years -- featuring original compositions alongside tracks by songwriters including Burt Bacharach, seasoned with a light sprinkling of electronic dance musi

Oct. 7, 2016

[Album Review] Bon Iver delivers offbeat, self-conscious art

Bon Iver“22, A Million”(Jagjaguwar)Some weirdness pervades the release of “22, A Million,” the third album by Bon Iver -- symbols, images and liner notes that feel like they're fraught with meaning. Some of it might be nonsense.But then there’s the music.An adventurous journey in sound, “22, A Million” is never dull. Altered voices, the familiar falsetto of Bon Iver's mastermind, Justin Vernon, and acoustic and electronic shape-shifting stretch the conventional boundaries of song.The album “is p

Oct. 7, 2016

[Highlights] Arts and entertainment calendar

Dance “Seoul International Dance Festival”: Seoul Selection of the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO will be hosting the 19th annual Seoul International Dance Festival until Oct. 15. From the French dance company Carolyn Carlson Company to the Madrid-based Larumbe Danza, contemporary dancers from across the globe will gather for the multi-week festival to showcase modern performances that highlight both Western and Eastern arts. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won, and can be reserv

Oct. 7, 2016

Anti-graft law expected to restrict culture industry

With the recent introduction of a new anti-corruption law, countless questions loom as to the extent of its impact on Korean society as well as certain industries.The “Kim Young-ran law” restricts public officials, private school faculty and journalists from receiving certain amounts of gifts or paid-for entertainment, with the definition of “gifts” including gift certificates and accommodation vouchers as well as complimentary tickets for performances. YonhapHowever, journalists and industry of

Oct. 6, 2016

[Herald Interview] Glass artist Kim Ki-ra looks back on life

During the creation of her latest collection “Dear Life,” glass artist Kim Ki-ra went to hell and back, and lived to tell the tale. “While I was working on the series, I hit the lowest point of my life (due to personal issues),” the artist told The Korea Herald Tuesday at Gallery Sklo, where her solo exhibition is currently being held. “But during this time, I also realized that I can truly rely on myself as an artist, even in desperate situations.”　In those trying times, Kim found inspiration i

Oct. 6, 2016

New hip-hop festival coming to Seoul next month

Some of the biggest names in Korea’s hip-hop scene are getting together for one night at Olympic Park in Seoul next month. 　Opening with a performance from up-and-coming female hip-hop artist Ilya, the concert “No Sleep ‘Til...” will star Mnet’s hip-hop competition show “Show Me the Money” season five winner BewhY, rapper-producer Paloalto, K-pop boy group Block B’s lead member Zico and singer-songwriter Dean.　Additionally, newly formed hip-hop duo MOBB -- consisting of boy band Winner’s Mino an

Oct. 6, 2016

Pianist Lang Lang steps out of comfort zone with new CD

NEW YORK (AP) -- During his musical career, classical pianist Lang Lang has tackled some musical titans like Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. Now he's gleefully taking on Jay Z.The Chinese superstar has recorded a new crossover album in which he tries to capture the spirit of New York, including doing a cover of the rapper’s “Empire State of Mind,” with its lyrics “Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we selling rock.”“I'm really always curious to hear different kinds

Oct. 6, 2016

Big Bang to release anniversary vinyl

Global K-pop icon Big Bang is looking back at the group’s 10-year career in an old-fashioned way. 　In partnership with Hyundai Card, the boy band will release 5,000 copies of limited-edition vinyl containing some of their greatest hits, including “La La La,” “Fantastic Baby,” “Bang Bang Bang” and more, next week, according to the group’s management agency YG Entertainment on Thursday.  The vinyl package will also include five posters, a ticket to Big Bang’s multimedia exhibition “Big Bang 10 the

Oct. 6, 2016