EXO to return with ‘The War’ on July 18

K-pop hit maker EXO will make a long-awaited comeback on July 18 with new album “The War,” its label S.M. Entertainment said Monday.  A teaser photo of EXO‘s Kai for the group’s upcoming album ‘The War’ (S.M Entertainment)“The War,” EXO‘s fourth full-length album, includes nine tracks of various genres, featuring upbeat dance track “Ko Ko Bop” as a lead song. The upcoming album will be released on July 18 at 6 p.m. via local music streaming sites. The label has also hinted at the album’s concept

July 10, 2017

Highlight, EXID and other K-pop stars to perform, make donations in London

Several of the hottest K-pop singers will visit London this weekend to perform in a Hallyu event hosted by state-run organizations.According to the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, “2017 Feel Korea in London” co-hosted by the foundation and the Korean Culture Center UK will be held Friday and Sunday at the Olympia National exhibition hall in downtown London. (Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange)The event was launched to introduce various forms of Korean art, i

July 7, 2017

Ex-4Minute member Jeon Ji-yoon to release single

K-pop star Jeon Ji-yoon, also known by her stage name Jenyer, confirmed that she will release a new single on July 20. It will be her first official release since she released “Cliche,” a collaboration with singer Samuel Seo, four months ago.  Jeon Ji-yoon (Robin K. ENT)According to her agency Robin K. ENT, her new single will be produced by Primary, who has worked with several hip-hop and pop artists in Korea including Supreme Team, MBLAQ and Dynamic Duo. The agency said Taylor Parks participat

July 7, 2017

‘Desperate’ Halo seeks breakthrough with new EP

Since its 2014 debut, boy band Halo has for the most part stayed under the radar.While the group has had a following, it has fallen short of the standards set by major rivals like Winner, GOT7 and BTS.“We are smiling on the outside, but we are desperate for our names to be widely-known,” said Dino during a press showcase held Thursday in Seoul for its third EP “Here I Am.” It marked the group’s return from a 10 month break, by K-pop boyband standards, a considerable hiatus. Halo members perform

July 7, 2017

[Herald Interview] Hang5va hopes to become EDM sensation in K-pop

With electronic dance music bringing many people around the world to their feet, an EDM act in Korea hopes to carve out its own niche in the K-pop industry with the band’s throbbing electro bass. The group’s relaxed, jovial nature belies the quartet’s name: Hang5va, pronounced like “hangover.” The hip-hop-based EDM group strutted into the K-pop scene with a swagger early this year, consisting of band leader Kazu, MC Crooner, Chocoboi and DJ Hotdog. Korean EDM quartet Hang5va poses during a recen

July 6, 2017

Former I.O.I members to debut with girl group next month

Choi Yoo-jung and Kim Do-yeon of disbanded K-pop group I.O.I will reunite in the new group Weki Meki, which will debut in August.According to their agency Fantagio Entertainment, the pair will join six other singers to form the group. A pre-released image of the group showed only the shoes and legs of the eight members, keeping its concept under wraps.  (Fantagio Entertainment)With Choi and Kim joining Weki Meki, all 11 members of I.O.I have formally launched careers with their respective groups

July 6, 2017

Week of Twice -- 210,000 albums ship in Japan debut

Twice’s Japan debut is garnering an explosive reaction, as over 210,000 copies of the group’s album “#TWICE” have been shipped out just a week since its release.According to JYP Entertainment, the K-pop group has sold 130,594 records, taking the No. 2 spot on Japan’s Oricon daily album charts on Thursday. Twice held the top spot for three straight days before being dethroned by Kanjani8’s “Jam.” (JYP Entertainment)Twice has already been the top-selling K-pop artist or group in Japan for the past

July 6, 2017

‘People loved me for being pretty, bright’: K-pop diva Lee Hyo-ri

“I used to put on makeup and wear clothes with so much color. I dyed my hair every color. I wondered if the public would still like me if I took all that away,” said Lee on the inspiration behind the title of her latest album, “Black,” at a press conference in Seoul Tuesday.Lee wrote the lyrics for eight of the 10 tracks on the album. She also participated in the composition of eight songs. Lee Hyo-ri (Yonhap)Lee Hyo-ri (Yonhap)“People have always loved me for smiling and being bright,” she said

July 5, 2017

Top 11 of ‘Producer 101’ to debut as Wanna One

The 11 winners of the second season of K-pop competition show “Produce 101” will debut on Aug. 7 as the boy band Wanna One, the group’s agency said Wednesday.According to YMC Entertainment, the hotly anticipated rookie group will release its first EP next month and perform on stage for the first time as a group at Wanna One Premier Show-Con. Wanna One (YMC Entertainment)The event, a combination of a showcase and a concert, will be held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, western Seoul. Details of th

July 5, 2017

Dream Theater returns to Korea for ‘Images, Words & Beyond’ tour

Legendary progressive metal band Dream Theater will hold a concert in September to mark the 25th anniversary of its iconic album “Images and Words.”According to the show’s local promoter AIM, the concert will take place at Olympic Hall in Seoul at 6 p.m. on Sept. 16. It marks the eighth time that the US band will be performing in the country. A poster for Dream Theater’s “Images, Words & Beyond” concert in Seoul (AIM)The concert is part of the global tour “Images, Words & Beyond,” which commemor

July 5, 2017

Woman in false accusations case involving Park Yoo-chun found not guilty

The second woman who sued K-pop singer-actor Park Yoo-chun for sexual assault was declared not guilty Wednesday of wrongful accusations against Park. 　“It is difficult to ascertain that the defendant brought a suit against (Park) based on false facts, or that she damaged his reputation,” the court announced at the end of the first trial. “It is a case where there is no evidence of the criminal counts charged,” the court said. 　The woman, surnamed Song, was charged with falsely accusing Park of s

July 5, 2017

[Exclusive] Gospel singer Sohyang collaborates with Swedish composer for upcoming release

Gospel singer Sohyang, who set an impressive winning record on MBC’s weekly music competition show “King of Masked Singer,” is collaborating with a Swedish composer for her upcoming release. According to Sohyang’s manager Monday, the singer and Simon Petren, a Swedish composer, recently finished working on Sohyang’s two new songs.“Sohyang and Petren have recently wrapped up producing two of her new songs, and they are now in the middle of mixing process,” the manager said.“The upcoming new songs

July 4, 2017

Zico releases teaser image for new EP

Rapper Zico of boy band Block B on Tuesday released a teaser image for his new song “Behind the Scenes,” which will be included in his upcoming EP.His agency Seven Seasons Entertainment uploaded the image on its official social media pages Tuesday. The image showed a television with a tongue extended from it, set atop a pile of books.  (Seven Seasons Entertainment)The agency did not elaborate on the meaning of the image, but said that the new song will be about Zico’s personal story and how he a

July 4, 2017

Twice defends No.1 spot at Oricon daily album chart

Twice remained on the top at Oricon’s daily album chart in Japan, taking the No. 1 spot for the second straight day as of Tuesday.“#TWICE,” released last Wednesday by the K-pop act, recorded daily sales of 14,988 records on Tuesday to top the chart. It stayed at the No. 2 spot for four straight days after its release before taking the top spot on Sunday.Twice is featured on a Japanese TV show. (JYP Entertainment)Twice also held a debut showcase on Sunday at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. As of Tu

July 4, 2017

Girls’ Generation celebrates 10-year anniversary with new album

Girls’ Generation -- one of the longest running K-pop acts in the country -- will release its sixth studio album in August.According to S.M. Entertainment, the group will release the album -- the title of which has not been revealed -- sometime next month.(http://ticket.yes24.com)The group will also hold a fan meeting at Olympic Park in Seoul on Aug. 5, which will mark exactly 10 years since its debut on Aug. 5, 2007. During the event, it will perform its biggest hits and hold fan activities loo

July 4, 2017

BTS wraps up Japan tour

BTS heated up Japan with its May-July tour that concluded with a concert in Sapporo on Sunday.According to Big Hit Entertainment, the K-pop sensation’s “2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III The Wings Tour ~Japan Edition~” was attended by 145,000 fans in Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Saitama, Fukuoka, and Sapporo. The agency added that the concerts were a complete sellout, including standing-only tickets that were released after all seats were sold.“We’re so happy and thankful to meet our Japanese fans

July 3, 2017

Heize rules local music charts

Singer-songwriter Heize is topping Korean music charts with songs from her third EP “///,” released on June 26 Singer Heize (CJ E&M) 　“You, Clouds, Rain,” one of the tracks from the new EP has debuted at No. 1 on seven main music charts including Melon, Genie and Mnet, as of Monday morning. The album’s lead track “Don’t You Know” was also ranking high on the charts since its release, until “You, Clouds, Rain” took over the first spot. Featuring singer Shin Yong-jae, “You, Clouds, Rain” is an emo

July 3, 2017

[Photo] Black Pink hands out treats to fans

Fans who gathered to meet Black Pink over the weekend caught a glimpse of the stars, got their autographs -- and even scoops of ice cream.On Sunday, the K-pop act held its first autograph-signing event since its debut last year. Each member expressed her gratitude to fans. Lifting the mood even further was the news that Black Pink had ranked No. 1 at SBS “Inggi Gayo” with its recently released single “As If It’s Your Last.” Prior to Sunday’s autograph session, Black Pink held an event in front o

July 3, 2017

Red Velvet releases teaser for ‘The Red Summer’

Red Velvet on Monday released a teaser image featuring Seulgi for its upcoming EP “The Red Summer.” The image released by its agency S.M. Entertainment is available at redvelvet.smtown.com and instagram.com/redvelvet. Seulgi is seen posing inside a frame that has the words “Red Velvet Summer Mini Album (EP) ‘The Red Summer’ - July 09, 2017” with the complete track list. (S.M. Entertainment)The new EP consists of five songs: “Red Flavor,” “You Better Know,” “Zoo,” “Mojito” and “Hear the Sea.” Acc

July 3, 2017

Taeyang confirms second global tour as solo artist

Taeyang will showcase his skills worldwide again, with the lead vocalist of Big Bang on Monday confirming his second global tour as a solo artist.The tour, named “Taeyang 2017 World Tour ‘White Night’,” will kick off Saturday with four concerts across Chiba and Kobe in Japan that are expected to attract some 140,000 fans. The K-pop singer has made impressive progress in the country since his album “Rise+Solar&Hot” peaked at No. 2 on Oricon’s daily album charts. (YG Entertainment)In addition to b

July 3, 2017