Blue Square: Space behind Korea’s musical boom

In 2011, when a sprawling 29,492-square-meter, eight-story building opened its doors near Itaewon, Seoul’s vibrant nightlife district, not many could have imagined what was in store for Korea’s musical scene. Fast forward to a decade later, the building, Blue Square, has welcomed more than 10 million visitors coming to see 7,743 performances of 1,031 musicals, according to Interpark Group, which operates a major ticketing platform. Interpark built and runs the cultural complex, whi

Nov. 27, 2021

‘Sing Again’ winner Lee Seung-yoon shares musical philosophy in first studio album

Singer-songwriter Lee Seung-yoon, the winner of JTBC competition “Sing Again,” released his first studio album, “Even If Things Fall Apart,” Wednesday, revealing his musical philosophy to fans and new listeners. “I would like to be a musician who delivers two messages -- ‘You’re unique in your own way’ and ‘You mean nothing in this vast world’ -- through my songs. ... And this album could be the pinnacle moment of my career into w

Nov. 24, 2021

Russian conductor Gergiev to present power of music

Russian conductor Valery Gergiev is to present two unique performances Wednesday in Seoul, returning to the city for the first time in two years. “We were told only two or three weeks ago that we could visit South Korea and I’m thrilled that this performance can happen in the midst of the pandemic situation,” Gergiev, one of the world’s most celebrated conductors, told reporters in a press conference Tuesday. The 68-year-old energetic conductor will present two diff

Nov. 23, 2021

[News Focus] Winning three awards at AMAs, BTS’ universe makes Army proud

BTS indeed is the biggest boy band in history. The seven-member boy band on Monday bagged three trophies at this year’s American Music Awards, including the top prize -- the artist of the year. The 49th Annual AMAs was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. “Four years ago, we gave this first-time-ever TV live performance at this stage, AMAs, it was ‘DNA,’ and we were too excited and nervous at the time. And it’s been a long and amazing ride since then, bu

Nov. 22, 2021

BTS chosen Variety’s 2021 ‘Record of The Year’

K-pop superstar BTS’ “Butter” has been named as Variety’s 2021 record of the year, its agency Big Hit Music said Sunday. Influential US entertainment magazine Variety had announced the final list of honorees for its annual Hitmakers celebration Friday in the US, elaborating that the writers and producers -- “multi-hyphenate creatives/executives Jenna Andrews and Ron Perry, RM, Stephen Kirk, Alex Bilowitz and Rob Grimaldi” -- had crafted the perfect hit. The

Nov. 21, 2021

Leenalchi to put on XR concert

Traditional Korean music-inspired band Leenalchi, which rose to stardom last year with its song “Tiger Is Coming,” is to hold an extended reality concert online. The concert, “Sugungga: Catch the Rabbit,” will be released on local mobile streaming platform Kakao TV on Nov. 30. Extended reality is an umbrella term that covers virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. 　 The XR concert will revive scenes from the band’s album “Sugungga,” a

Nov. 20, 2021

BTS' 'Dynamite' video passes 1.3 bln YouTube views

The music video for K-pop superband BTS' "Dynamite" has passed 1.3 billion views on YouTube, its management agency said Saturday. The video for the megahit single released in 2020 reached the milestone at 10:15 p.m. Friday, Big Hit Music said. It became the seven-member group's third music video to hit 1.3 billion YouTube views following "DNA" and "Boy with Luv." BTS has a total of 35 music videos with more than 100 million views on the global music sharing sit

Nov. 20, 2021

Tenor John Noh’s album certified multi-platinum

Tenor John Noh, who appeared on cable channel JTBC’s audition show “Phantom Singer 3,” has received multi-platinum certification from the local recording industry. More than 20,000 physical copies of Noh’s latest album, “The Classic Album: NSQG,” have sold since its release in September under Warner Music Korea. According to Noh’s agency, Credia, the local recording industry gives multi-platinum certification to albums that sell more than 20,000 physic

Nov. 17, 2021

Gergiev to go onstage in Korea

As Korea gradually opens it borders to foreign artists and acts, maestro Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Stradivarius Ensemble are to take to the stage here. The ensemble, led by the celebrated conductor Gergiev, is to go onstage at the Lotte Concerts Hall in eastern Seoul on Nov. 24 for two performances. Gergiev, one of the most sought-after conductors in the world, has been long affiliated with the Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg. The Russian maestro is credited with raising the Ma

Nov. 16, 2021

AleXa to hold first ever K-pop metaverse fan meeting

K-pop super rookie AleXa is set to hold a fan meeting on the metaverse on Nov. 21, her agency ZB Label announced Monday. The event marks the first such attempt in the K-pop industry, according to the agency. AleXa came to attention in 2016 through K-pop community website Soompi’s audition program, “Rising Legends.” AleXa appeared two year’s later on Mnet’s “Produce 48.” AleXa made her official debut in October 2019, with her first digital single &ld

Nov. 16, 2021

US conductor wins top prize at inaugural KSO International Conducting Competition

US conductor Elias Peter Brown won the top prize at the first KSO International Conducting Competition organized by the Korean Symphony Orchestra. Brown, 26, clinched the win with his performance of Debussy’s “La Mer” (The Sea), L. 109, CD. 111 at the finals of the competition held Sunday at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. A graduate of Yale University and the Royal Academy of Music in England, he won third place at the Khachaturian International Conducting Competit

Nov. 15, 2021

SPO to go onstage with Chopin Competition winner

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is to hold a concert with the winner of the 18th Chopin International Piano Competition, Bruce Liu. Liu, 24, the first prize winner of the competition which took place in Warsaw, Poland, in October, will go onstage with the Seoul-based orchestra on Nov. 27 at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul, under the baton of associate conductor Wilson Ng. The Canadian pianist will perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11. Other works on the prog

Nov. 14, 2021

Joseon pop: Tradition gets makeover

Young musicians’ efforts to create new styles of traditional Korean music are finally bearing fruit with a new school of music winning over television audiences. While artists such as gender-bending singer Lee Hee-moon, and traditional Korean music-inspired avant-rock band Jambinai have paved the way for fusion music, Joseon pop is now breaking through with a more mainstream sound. A reference to the Joseon era (1392-1910), Joseon pop mixes traditional music, known as “gugak,&rd

Nov. 14, 2021

Singer-songwriter Sam Kim, Indonesian singer Raisa drop single ‘Someday’

Singer-songwriter Sam Kim and Indonesian singer Raisa dropped their song “Someday” on Friday. It is the Korean American musician’s first time collaborating as a producer with a non-Korean artist. The two artists held a joint global press conference Friday afternoon in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Kim and the South Korean media attending through Zoom. Kim produced the song with the assistance of another Korean singer-songwriter, Jukjae, and it will be part of Raisa’s upcom

Nov. 12, 2021

Coldplay to meet Korean fans in online concert next month

British rock band Coldplay will meet Korean fans in a virtual concert on Dec. 4 via video streaming service Coupang Play. Coldplay’s online concert will be hosted exclusively and broadcast live by Coupang Play, according to the local streamer. “As Coldplay is widely recognized for its explosive singing, spectacular playing of instruments and amazing stage manners in interacting with fans, we look forward to seeing what will happen at this year’s concert,” Coupang Play

Nov. 11, 2021

Clara Jumi Kang to hold encore recital of Bach’s sonatas and partitas

Violinist Clara Jumi Kang will return to the stage for an encore recital of Bach’s violin works to round out a successful year. Kang, 34, is set to perform the entire cycle of the famed composer’s sonatas and partitas for solo violin at Lotte Concert Hall in eastern Seoul on Dec. 13. In May and June, the Korean-German virtuoso went on a nationwide tour with stops in Seoul, Daegu and Daejeon and more, performing Bach’s sonatas and partitas for solo violin (BWV 1001-1006),

Nov. 10, 2021

Metaverse to be brought to stage through ‘Ultraworld’

With many betting on the “metaverse” becoming a huge part of our lives, the National Theater of Korea has invited a German project team to stage “Ultraworld” this month, a production that delves into the ambiguities of the real and virtual worlds. “Ultraworld,” directed by Susanne Kennedy, had its premiere in January 2020 at the Volksbuhne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz theater in Berlin, Germany. According to NToK, the Volksbuhne theater has been presenting some o

Nov. 9, 2021

In a first, singer Young Tak’s agency admits to chart manipulation

When a song by an unfamiliar artist tops music charts, beating out top bands with megasized fandoms, rather than herald a new star people now often wonder if “sajaegi,” or manipulation of music charts and streaming counts, is at work. Such suspicion seems justified in light of recent developments. On Thursday, Trot singer Young Tak’s agency Milagro said in an official press statement that the company was involved in sajaegi, becoming the first agency to admit to the long-ru

Nov. 8, 2021

Four violinists awarded in Isang Yun Competition 2021

The winners of the Isang Yun Competition 2021 in the violin discipline were announced late Saturday after four finalists competed for the prizes at the Tongyeong Concert Hall in South Gyeongsang Province. The first prize went to Karisa Chiu from the US, who performed J. Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 77. The second and third prizes were awarded to Jeong Ju-eun and Kang Na-kyung from South Korea. Lim Dong-min received the Isang Yun Special Prize. The awardees were announced on the

Nov. 7, 2021

Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae, CL and more to perform at HITC

Several Korean artists will be participating at the Head in the Clouds music festival that starts Saturday at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Known for bringing together some of the biggest names in Asian music, the two-day event is returning after taking a break in 2020. Hip-hop legends Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae, rappers Bizzy, CL, DPR Ian, DPR Live, singer and songwriter Bibi, Seori and guitarist and singer of DAY6 eaJ are among the line up of Korean artists. Other Asian musicians

Nov. 5, 2021