2PM’s Junho to release ‘2017 S/S’ in Japan next month

K-pop boy band 2PM’s Junho will drop his fifth solo album “2017 S/S” in Japan on July 26, according to his agency on Tuesday.The artist has been releasing special albums every summer since 2013 and topped the Oricon’s Daily chart in July 2016.  Album image for “2017 S/S” (JYP Entertainment)“’2017 S/S’ will be part of his summer project. ‘S/S’ stands for ‘Summer Stream,’” JYP Entertainment said. “The lead track for the album is ‘Ice Cream,’ which will remind people of fresh summer.” The pop-dance

June 6, 2017

[Next Wave] Getting the language and music right

The Korea Herald is introducing Korean singers, musicians and actors poised to join the next wave of top stars in a twice monthly series. -- Ed.Fans of OOHYO have something to be excited about this year as the singer, who remains a mysterious figure in the Korean indie scene, is expected to finish up her studies in England this summer and return to Korea to focus on music. 　 OOHYO (MUNHWAIN)“(M)y goal this year is to put together a new album, write lots of new, better sounding songs and to reall

June 5, 2017

Prosecution indicts Big Bang’s T.O.P over marijuana use

T.O.P, a member of Big Bang, has been indicted without detention on charges of smoking marijuana, prosecutors said Monday. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said that T.O.P, 29, is suspected of smoking the banned substance four times with a female singer trainee at his home in Seoul in October last year.(Herald DB)The types of illegal drugs he is alleged to have used are marijuana and liquid cannabis through e-cigarettes. T.O.P initially denied he had smoked marijuana. After he test

June 5, 2017

Black Pink confirms June release, following G-Dragon

K-pop girl group Black Pink will release a new album in June, according to its agency on Monday. “The exact date of release has not yet been confirmed but Black Pink is slated to drop the album sometime in mid-June,” YG Entertainment said. “The group will be filming the music video for an upcoming song this week.” Black Pink will be the next YG Entertainment artist to release an album, following Big Bang’s G-Dragon’s album release in early June, according to the agency. K-pop quartet Black Pink

June 5, 2017

Nine Muses reveals tracklist for upcoming EP

A tracklist for Nine Muses’ upcoming EP “Muses Diary Part2: Identity” has been revealed.  Promotional photos for Nine Muses‘ upcoming EP “Muses Diary Part2: Identity” (Star Empire Entertainment) A tracklist for Nine Muses‘ upcoming EP “Muses Diary Part2: Identity” (Star Empire Entertainment)A total of six songs, including the lead track “Remember,” are on the tracklist that was released by the group’s agency Star Empire Entertainment Saturday. The new EP marks the group’s first release since its

June 4, 2017

Big Bang’ T.O.P issues hand-written apology for marijuana use

T.O.P of Big Bang wrote a letter to apologize for his recent marijuana case. A hand-written letter from T.O.P to apologize for his marijuana use (YG Entertainment)In the hand-written letter released by YG Entertainment Sunday, the rapper wrote, “First of all, I would like to extend my sincere apology to many of you for causing huge disappointment and disturbance. I feel so embarrassed that I can’t show myself in front of you to apologize.”“I have no excuses and deserve any kind of punishment. I

June 4, 2017

Son Ga-in claims boyfriend‘s friend suggested marijuana

Singer Son Ga-in of Brown Eyed Girls dropped shocking news that a friend of her boyfriend Joo Ji-hoon had suggested she use marijuana. (Son Ga-in`s Instagram)Son took to Instagram Sunday to reveal a photo that screen-captured messages between her and a man surnamed Park, whom she identified as Joo’s friend and the person who suggested she smoke marijuana. Along with the photo, she also posted a lengthy letter that fiercely accused Park of offering her the product.In the letter, Son said that her

June 4, 2017

Former I.O.I. member Kim Chung-ha drops teaser video

Singer Kim Chung-ha on Friday revealed the teaser video for the music video of her upcoming song “Why Don’t You Know.” The singer poses in an exotic-looking outfit, with the release date of her song June 7 shown in the background.Scenes from Kim Chung-ha’s teaser video (MNH Entertainment)The release of “Why Don’t You Know,” due Wednesday, will mark the first solo debut for any former member of now-disbanded I.O.I.Kim was a contender in survival show “Produce 101,” which picked out 11 winners to

June 2, 2017

Lovelyz to hold second solo concert ‘Alwayz’

K-pop act Lovelyz is set to host its second concert series “2017 Lovelyz Concert Alwayz” on July 29 and 30.Lovelyz will showcase a variety of performances with a wide repertoire of songs, according to its agency Woollim Entertainment on Friday. K-pop group Lovelyz (Woollim Entertainment)The girl group held its first concert Jan. 13-15 in Seoul, performing hit songs such as “Hi,” “Ah-Choo” and “Destiny.”“Lovelyz still has a lot more to show to its fans. The group is preparing to present good memo

June 2, 2017

Big Bang’s T.O.P under investigation over marijuana use

Big Bang member T.O.P has been booked without detention on charges of smoking marijuana multiple times last year, police said Thursday.T.O.P (Yonhap)The rapper had tested positive for marijuana in a drug test conducted by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s drug crime unit in March.T.O.P’s agency YG Entertainment confirmed the news and issued a statement that said, “It is true that T.O.P smoked marijuana before the enlistment and we sincerely apologize for the outcome.”“The rapper has undergone a

June 1, 2017

G-Dragon to return with ‘Bulls---’

G-Dragon has confirmed the lead track for the upcoming album -- “Bulls---.”YG Entertainment, the K-pop sensation‘s agency, revealed the poster for his new album and announced that the title of the track will be “Bulls---.”“The song ’Bulls---‘ will be a hip-hop track which is every bit as powerful as the title suggests,” YG officials said.  Poster for G-Dragon’s upcoming new album. (YG Entertainment)The album, titled after G-Dragon’s real name Kwon Ji-yong, will be the first studio album since “C

June 1, 2017

Mamamoo’s Wheein teams up with Jeff Bernat for ‘Da Ra Da

Wheein of K-pop group Mamamoo will collaborate with US musician Jeff Bernat and up-and-coming singer B.O. for a new song “Da Ra Da.” According to Wheein’s agency RBW Entertainment, the unscheduled release of the song takes place online on Sunday. “’Da Ra Da‘ was inspired by a pleasant humming, and will feature jazz piano and strings combined with lyrics about love,” said the agency. Wheein of Mamamoo (RBW Entertainment) Jeff Bernat (RBW Entertainment)The song is part of Wheein‘s collaboration pr

June 1, 2017

T-ara to release 1st EP as 4-member group

T-ara on Wednesday released the cover image for its upcoming EP, its first record since the departure of two members Boram and Soyeon.According to its agency MBK Entertainment, the group’s 13th EP will be released on June 14. The lead track is “‘My Name is” produced by Brave Brothers.One of the images revealed Wednesday shows the four member Qri, Eunjung, Hyomin and Jiyeon wearing tiaras, while another photo shows the members in suits with their backs to the camera. Cover image for T-ara’s new E

May 31, 2017

BTS’ ‘The Wings Tour Japan Edition’ to air in Japan

BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys, has proved once again that its intentional fame is soaring.The K-pop act will hit the small screen in Japan with its “2017 BTS Live Episode III The Wings Tour Japan Edition” on July 16. A teaser image of BTS’ “2017 BTS Live Episode III The Wings Tour Japan Edition” broadcast (Captured from TBS website)Japanese entertainment company Oricon Style said Tuesday that the live tour concert, which will take place in Saitama, Japan, on June 21, will air on TBS Channel 1.

May 31, 2017

US singer-songwriter Gnash to perform in Korea in August

Breakout American singer-songwriter and rapper Gnash will perform in Korea for the first time in August. Known for his viral hit “I Hate U, I Love U,” the artist will participate in a two-day hip-hop and EDM music festival, Sounce Parade 2017, which takes place at Nanji Hangang Park in Seoul from Aug. 5 to 6, according to the festival organizer Flukers.  Promo poster for Gnash‘s first performance in Korea (Flukers)The 23-year-old, whose real name is Garrett Charles Nash, debuted with his first E

May 30, 2017

Psy becomes first Asian artist to reach 10m subscribers on YouTube

Global star Psy has set another record on YouTube, surpassing 10 million subscribers on his official channel on the video-sharing site. He is the first Asian solo artist to have reached the milestone.On Monday, the K-pop singer received the Diamond Creator award from YouTube, given to YouTubers when they reach 10 million subscribers.  Psy receives the Diamond Creator award from YouTube on Monday. (YG Entertainment)Upon receiving the award, Psy expressed his gratitude and promised to be a more ac

May 30, 2017

FT Island reveals poster for 10th anniversary song

FT Island on Tuesday rolled out the poster for “Wind,” the lead track for its 10th anniversary album “Over 10 Years.”The two images of the poster were revealed on the web page set up by its agency FNC Entertainment specifically for teaser images and videos of the upcoming album.“The song ‘Wind” depicts a man’s sense of longing for a lost love, and his desire to become wind so that he can take off in search for her,“ the FNC said in explaining the concept.  Poster for FT Island‘s upcoming 10th an

May 30, 2017

[Herald Review] EXO wraps up ‘EXO’rdium’ tour in grand form

EXO’s global tour “EXO Planet #3 -- The EXO’rdium” concluded with a grand finale at Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium on Sunday with a powerful and dynamic performance that has come to characterize the group.The group brought the 35,000 fans that packed the stadium to their feet during the three-hour concert, singing 31 songs in total. EXO performs at Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium on Sunday. (S.M. Entertainment)Before getting on the stage, EXO held a brief press conference marking the end of its 10-mont

May 29, 2017

BTS's Jin says he’s ‘world-wide handsome’

BTS last week became the talk of the town on social media; some members more than others.As pictures of the Billboard-designated top social artist circulated online, some fans new to the boyband started to show interest in “the third guy from the left.” Jin from BTS (Yonhap)“But I‘m not gonna lie, they’re cute, specially the third one from the left,” posted a user identifying herself as “Laura” on her Twitter account. “At first I didn‘t really know about it but people kept asking me about it dur

May 29, 2017

Starstruck BTS says open to collaboration

BTS may have made history as the first-ever K-pop group to win a Billboard Music Award, but the Bangtan Boys found themselves gawking at their childhood heroes like little boys at last week‘s BBMA ceremony. “We felt pressure as the first K-pop group to attend the ceremony, but had a blast seeing artists whom we’d only seen on TV,” said Suga of the group at a press conference in Seoul on Monday. “It was so amazing to actually see Drake.”BTS got to do more than just stare; The Chainsmokers invited

May 29, 2017