Choi Si-won to sit out Japan Super Junior fan event

Super Junior’s Choi Si-won will not take part in the group’s fan event in Japan, its official Japanese fan club E.L.F. Japan announced Monday. According to the announcement, Choi will not attend “E.L.F-Japan Festival 2017 -- Super Sports Day” event which is scheduled to be held today and tomorrow at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.The announcement did not give a reason for his absence. “We are very sorry for the fans who have been looking forward to the event. We ask for your kind understandin

Oct. 24, 2017

[Herald Interview] After 3 years, Epik High raps as if it’s their last

Whether it’s a student studying in a library or an office worker surrounded by piles of paper, the dark vibe of Epik High’s music has long functioned as a remedy for many people struggling with their daily lives. The hip-hop trio’s music dives deep into subjects like desperation, remorse and anger -- everyday emotions that people would rather avoid discussing -- and consoles people in its own way. Three years after topping the charts with “Shoebox,” Epik High, which consists of Tablo, Mithra Jin

Oct. 24, 2017

Veteran singer Uhm Jung-hwa to drop new album next month

Singer-actress Uhm Jung-hwa will release a new album next month, according to a music production company Tuesday.The five-track record will be the second half of "The Cloud Dream of the Nine," Uhm's 10th full-length album, Mystic Entertainment, the production company of Uhm's record, said. The first half, a four-track record, was released in December of last year.The new album will feature contributions by fellow '90s idol stars Lee Hyo-ri and Jung Ryeo-won. The 48-year-old songstress has finish

Oct. 24, 2017

Veteran balladeer Im Chang-jung returns with heart-wrenching EP

There are certain tracks that need to be heard in this sweater weather, and veteran balladeer Im Chang-jung is back on the circuit with a new fall-focused EP to help you get in the mood for the season. Best known for his effusive voice that evokes a whirlwind of feelings, Im returned with his second EP “Do You Know That Person” on Monday, fully charged with bitter emotions for past romances. After kicking off the media showcase for his new EP on Monday in Seoul with a performance of his previous

Oct. 24, 2017

Epik High’s done something wonderful with new album

Hip-hop trio Epik High is sweeping music charts at home and overseas with its long-awaited ninth full-length album “We’ve Done Something Wonderful.”Since their release on Monday evening, the album’s two lead tracks “Home is Far Away” and “Love Story,” each featuring singer Oh Hyuk and IU, quickly cruised to the top of seven local music charts including Melon and Naver Music. Other tracks from the album -- which feature star-studded artists such as Crush, Suhyun of AKMU, Kim Jong-wan of Nell, Son

Oct. 24, 2017

AOA’s Mina to publish book of essays

Singer and actress Mina of K-pop girl group AOA will soon publish her first essay collection, on Nov. 1, according to her agency.FNC Entertainment announced that Mina’s soon-to-be-released essay, titled “Stars Don’t Lose Their Way, Even at Night,” will offer insights into the author’s experiences as well as candid personal stories.The book will additionally feature quotes of wisdom that have supported the singer through her tough times in the past, through which Mina intends to encourage fellow

Oct. 23, 2017

Jarasum Jazz Festival draws 100,000

The 14th Jarasum International Jazz Festival successfully closed the curtain on its three-day event, Sunday, with 100,000 music lovers attending the festival. The JIJF, which is the biggest festival celebrating jazz music in Korea, takes place in October each year on Jarasum Island at the heel of the surrounding mountains in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province – an hour from Seoul by the ITX Cheongchun High Speed Train.At this year’s festival, a total of 257 musicians from 20 countries formed 42 teams t

Oct. 23, 2017

AOA’s Mina to publish book of essays

Singer and actress Mina of K-pop girl group AOA will soon publish her first essay collection, on Nov. 1, according to her agency.FNC Entertainment announced that Mina’s soon-to-be-released essay, titled “Stars Don’t Lose Their Way, Even at Night,” will offer insights into the author’s experiences as well as candid personal stories. Cover of AOA Mina‘s first essay collection “Stars Don’t Lose Their Way, Even at Night” (FNC Entertainment)The book will additionally feature quotes of wisdom that hav

Oct. 23, 2017

Twice tops Japan's Oricon chart for fifth straight day

K-pop group Twice has led Japan's main music chart for the fifth day, with combined sales of its latest single album in the country poised to soon break the 200,000 mark, its agency said Monday."One More Time," released in Japan last Wednesday, held on to the pole position on Oricon's Daily Single Chart as of Monday morning, according to JYP Entertainment. Combined sales stand at 191,157 copies to date.Twice has become the fastest-selling K-pop girl group album in Japan based on first week figur

Oct. 23, 2017

BTS makes it to US Weekly’s ‘Most Influential Celebs on Social Media’ chart

K-pop superstar BTS has been tapped as one of the most influential celebrities on social media by US Weekly. On Friday, the US magazine published a list of the top 15 celebrities around the globe that are the most influential and active on social media. BTS landed at No. 14, becoming the only Asian act to make it to the star-studded list. US Weekly also introduced BTS’ recent achievements related to social media, which included how the group’s worldwide fan group contributed to BTS winning top s

Oct. 22, 2017

Singer-actor Choi Si-won apologizes for death of neighbor bitten

Korean singer and actor Choi Si-won on Saturday offered an apology over the death of a local businesswoman who recently died after being attacked by his family's pet dog at an apartment in southern Seoul.The 30-year-old Choi, who gained fame as a member of the Korean boy band Super Junior, said in his social media post that he is deeply sorry for the death of his neighbor bitten by a dog raised by his family and offered an apology to the bereaved family.(Yonhap)News reports said earlier that the

Oct. 21, 2017

Ode to Kobe: Korean rapper pays tribute to retired NBA superstar

Black Mamba may be gone but he will always be remembered, even among Korean fans as rapper myunDo is set to release a tribute song for the retired L.A. Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant.myunDo said that he decided to release “Black Mamba” because he was deeply sorry for Bryant’s departure as a long-time fan. The Lakers’ shooting guard hung up his sneakers last year after wrapping up his highly-decorated 20-year career. The Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant salutes the crowd after his final game, on Apr

Oct. 20, 2017

EXO to bring ‘ElyXiOn’ to Gocheock Sky Dome

EXO will hold its fourth solo concert “EXO Planet #4 -- The ElyXiOn” from Nov. 24-26 at Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul, its agency S.M. Entertainment said Thursday. It is the group’s first concert at the venue in two years since it held “2015 EXO-Love Concert in Dome” in October 2015.Gocheok Sky Dome, the first domed baseball stadium here, accommodates more than 22,000 spectators. EXO was the first-ever act to hold a concert at the site and will again be the first to hold a second concert.  A promotion

Oct. 20, 2017

TWICE becomes fastest-selling K-pop girl group in Japan

TWICE’s new Japanese single album has sold over 130,000 copies by day two of its release, becoming the fastest-selling K-pop girl group record in the country, its agency said Friday.“One More Time” has so far sold 138,369 copies, with 94,957 and 43,412 purchased on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, according to JYP Entertainment. TWICE has become the fastest-selling K-pop girl group album in Japan based on first week figures. The previous record holder was KARA, which sold 122,820 copies dur

Oct. 20, 2017

[Album review] BTOB presents best musical mash for autumn

BTOB“Brother Act.”Loen Entertainment It‘s true that BTOB has been underrated to some extent. But just add all 12 tracks of the group’s latest full-length album “Brother Act” to your playlist and bask in the crisp autumn air until it plays out. Without doubt, the autumn-tinged album will provide you with a soothing slow-down to your hectic day. The orchestra-themed album opens with “Prelude: A Day,” an emotional piano melody masterpiece that will immediately soften your heart. The pure instrument

Oct. 19, 2017

Twice gives sneak peek at ‘Likey’

Twice on Thursday revealed the first teaser images for “Likey,” the lead track for its upcoming album.JYP Entertainment revealed the two photos via its official social media pages, which showed the nine bandmates posing in brightly colored clothes. (JYP Entertainment)The new “Twicetagram” is the first full-length studio album by the K-pop act, which has produced hit songs like “Knock Knock,” “TT” and “Signal” since its 2015 debut.The album is slated to be released at 6 p.m. on Oct. 30, and marks

Oct. 19, 2017

[Herald Interview] Block B’s U-Kwon seeks to make name for himself

U-Kwon is not the first name that pops into your head when you think about Block B. Odds are that it is not even the second or third. But the 25-year-old K-pop star says he wants to be remembered as more than the top dancer of his group, seeking to establish himself as an artist by honing his skills as a musician. “When I look back at the past seven years, I wasn’t the most notable member of the team. I’ve never been the leader,” U-Kwon said, in an interview a month before Block B’s next release

Oct. 18, 2017

Ed Sheeran cancels part of Asia tour after cycling accident

British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran said Wednesday that he is canceling some concerts of his upcoming Asia tour, including one in Seoul, due to an injury he sustained in a cycling accident.“A visit to my doctors this morning confirmed fractures in my right wrist and left elbow that will leave me unable to perform live concerts for the immediate future. Sadly, this means that the following shows will not be able to go ahead as planned: Taipei, Osaka, Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong,” Sheeran was quot

Oct. 18, 2017

Ed Sheeran’s Asia concerts in doubt after arm injury

Ed Sheeran’s upcoming Asia tour, including a concert in Seoul, was thrown into doubt Tuesday after the award-winning British artist notified fans that he had sustained an arm injury in a cycling accident.The singer-songwriter on Monday posted a picture of his arm in a cast on his Instagram account. The UK media reported that the incident had happened Sunday. The poster for Ed Sheeran’s upcoming Seoul concert ( Private Curve)“I’ve had a bit of a bicycle accident and I’m currently waiting on some

Oct. 17, 2017

Block B to comeback in November　

Block B is gearing up for a new release in early November, its agency said Tuesday.According to officials at KQ Entertainment, the group is currently preparing for the album. (KQ Entertainment)“It is likely that (the group) will return next month,” said an official from the agency. “We are uncertain about the details, as we aren’t even set on what the title track will be.”It is still unclear whether the new record will be a single, EP or a full-length album.It would mark the first time in nine m

Oct. 17, 2017