BTS spills the beans on edging out Justin Bieber

BTS beat out pop icons like Justin Beiber for the top social artist award at the Billboard Music Awards last week, and the group said communication with fans was key. The boyband, while recognizing that they are not yet as popular worldwide as Beiber, said communicating with fans on social media was one thing that they can confidently say is their advantage over the Canadian superstar.  BTS poses for a photo prior to a press conference in Seoul on Monday. (Yonhap)“We share our everyday lives a l

May 29, 2017

BTS says just getting started with BBMA award

Bangtan Boys made a mark in Korean pop music history last week by becoming the first K-pop group to win a prize at the Billboard Music Awards.The boy band, however, said its journey toward global stardom is just beginning, emphasizing that it will steadily build its own brand of music. Speaking at a press conference at Lotte Hotel Seoul on Monday, Rap Monster of the group brushed off comparisons to Psy, whose wildly-popular “Gangnam Style” set the world on fire a few years ago. BTS poses for a p

May 29, 2017

Seventeen sets record sales of new album

K-pop boy group Seventeen sold over 190,000 copies of its new album “Al1.” Hanteo Information System, which collects data on album sales, said on Monday that Seventeen secured the top spot, selling the most records among K-pop artists, in the period May 22 to 28. K-pop group Seventeen (Pledis Entertainment)Seventeen released the album with the lead track “Don’t Wanna Cry” on May 22. The group became this year’s second fastest-selling album from a K-pop artist within a week. Among K-pop acts of a

May 29, 2017

[Herald Review] Fans beat early summer heat with music at Dream Station festival

The loud exciting EDM rhythm at the Dream Station Live for Now festival on Saturday pounded as visitors made their way to the venue. The all-day festival attracted more than 20,000 people to Nanji Hangang Park, who wanted to cool down from the early summer heat with music. “What’s unique about Dream Station is that unlike any other adults-only EDM festivals, people who are 15 years old and up can come and enjoy it,” said an official from DreamMaker Entertainment, which organized the event. “From

May 28, 2017

BTS wows fans in Asia-Australia tour

Fresh off last week’s win at Billboard Music Awards, Bangtan Boys on Friday held a concert in Sydney as the last leg of its tour across Asia and Australia.  BTS performs during its concert in Jakarta on April 29. (Big Hit Entertainment)Big Hit Entertainment, the agency of the K-pop sensation, said Sunday that the boyband had wrapped up “2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour.” The group entertained some 90,000 fans across Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Australia,

May 28, 2017

Music festivals to set Korea on fire

From EDM to rock, the music festivals across the country are set to further fuel the blazing heat this summer.With Ultra Korea 2017 just around the corner, music lovers of all genres are gearing up for events that will dial the excitement all the way up to 11. Fans will be treated to an opportunity to release the burden of everyday mundanity and lose themselves in a frenzy of beats and melody.Organizers for Ultra Korea, set to take place in Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul, says this yea

May 28, 2017

B.A.P’s Daehyun, Jongup in album coordination

Daehyun and Jongup of B.A.P will collaborate on a new project album, according to TS Entertainment.  (TS Entertainment)The agency teased Friday that the two band members will drop a special album in June, unveiling an image that showed “Daehyun x Jongup” via its official social media account. "Daehyun and Jongup will pay tribute to fans who have supported the group through its multicity world tour through the album,” said an agency official.B.A.P recently wrapped up its 2017 world tour “Party Ba

May 26, 2017

TVXQ’s Yunho to star in upcoming drama ‘Meloholic’

Yunho of TVXQ is set to return as an actor with the upcoming drama “Meloholic” (unofficial translation), according to S.M. Entertainment. Yunho of TVXQ (Yonhap)The agency said Thursday that Yunho will play Yoo Eun-ho, a heartthrob who has the special power to read people’s minds, in the rom-com drama based on a web comic. In the series, Yoo falls in love with a woman who has a split personality. The drama marks the singer-turned-actor’s first project since he was discharged from military service

May 25, 2017

Tech meets art in McGregor’s ‘Atomos’

How can modern-day technology be integrated into art? According to decorated choreographer Wayne McGregor, the mix of science and art can be quite “poetic.”“We’re interested in technology, not necessarily on stage, but a way it’s inspiring process,” said McGregor while explaining the production of his show “Atomos,” which is set to be performed at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul on Friday and Saturday. During the press conference on Thursday, McGregor said he and other artists at Company Wayne

May 25, 2017

Kriesha Chu debuts with high-energy album ‘Trouble’

After nearly two years preparation in Korea, 18-year-old Filipino-American teen Kriesha Chu took to the stage for a sweet but energetic debut.   Chu, once a runner-up on audition program “K-Pop Star 6,” delved into the experience of falling in love for her two-track debut album “Trouble,” released Wednesday. The lead track also titled “Trouble” and “I Wish It Were You” from the album both portrait a girl in love, while they differ starkly in musical styles.Kriesha Chu performs at a press showcas

May 25, 2017

Sistar bids farewell in video

Tuesday marked the end of an era for soon-to-be disbanded Sistar and its fans, to whom the group said a sentimental goodbye on social media. A video uploaded by its agency Starship Entertainment featured images of what appears to the four members Hyolyn, Bora, Soyou and Dasom enjoying their everyday lives. It also included farewell messages starting with each letter of the band’s name: “See you again. It’s not goodbye. Separate ways we may go. To achieve new dreams. All the memories together. Re

May 24, 2017

FT Island to release remake of single ‘Lovesick’

K-pop boy band FT Island is set to return with a remake of its digital single “Lovesick” on Sunday, according to its agency.“FT Island will drop the remake of its debut song ‘Lovesick,’ ahead of releasing a new album on June 7, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its debut,” FNC Entertainment said. A teaser image for the special digital single “Lovesick” (FNC Entertainment)Since its debut in June 2007 with its first studio album “Cheerful Sensibility,” the five-member band has enjoyed popularit

May 24, 2017

BTS makes new friends on Billboard red carpet

While Sunday may have marked an all-time best moment for BTS, the winner of Top Social Artist at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, the group‘s euphoria probably doubled with the amount of friends who shared in the group’s joy. Billboard Music Award always brings artists together, and BTS also seems to have made some new pals on the global event’s magenta carpet. (Yonhap)Here is a list of new friends spotted at the group’s historic moment on site. 1. The Chainsmokers(BTS` Twitter)The Sunday award

May 23, 2017

The women of Psy’s music videos

Son Na-eun is basking in the glowing limelight of the “Psy effect” since her appearance in the singer’s music video for “New Face.”The Apink member is being bombarded with requests for advertisements and photo shoots, her agency Plan A Entertainment said Tuesday. The music video for “New Face” has reached over 3 million views on YouTube since its May 10 release. Son stars in it as the poker-faced subject of Psy’s fervent advances.Other female K-pop singers and actresses who have starred in Psy’s

May 23, 2017

Sistar confirms disbandment after 7 years

Starship Entertainment, which represents Sistar, confirmed the K-pop group’s disbandment Tuesday. (Starship Entertainment)“Sistar will officially end its seven-year promotion as a group with its last album, which will be released on May 31,” the agency said in a statement. “We have been discussing the issue and agreed to bring the group to an end.” The four-member Sistar debuted in June 2010 with “Push Push.” It has enjoyed popularity with hit songs such as “So Cool,” “Loving U” and “Give It to

May 23, 2017

iKON dominates iTunes charts with ‘New Kids: Begin’

K-pop boy band iKON’s long-awaited EP “New Kids: Begin” has been going strong abroad, topping iTunes charts in 10 regions as of Tuesday. Since its release Monday, the second EP has shot to the top spot on iTunes K-Pop Music Albums charts in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, among other countries. K-pop group iKON (YG Entertainment)The two-track album also made it to the top 50 on the charts of 32 countries, including Sweden, Turkey and Mexico. “Bling Bling,” one of the tracks

May 23, 2017

[Herald Interview] iKON’s street boys return with ‘New Kids: Begin’

Without the gloss and glitter, seven street boys are back in the K-pop music scene amid growing anticipation toward their reunion with fans in Korea. Likening themselves to the “boys from backstreet,” rising K-pop group iKON dropped its long-awaited second single “New Kids: Begin” on Monday.The release came after the group held its first Japanese dome concert in Osaka on Saturday, which was a huge success. iKon (YG Entertainment)“Since we had such a long hiatus, it feels like we became newbies a

May 22, 2017

[Next Wave] Dumbfoundead on Koreatown, ‘Foreigner’

While growing up in Koreatown, that bustling enclave in central Los Angeles home to a distinctly hybrid culture of Korea and America, rapper Dumbfoundead noticed something odd. 　 The neighborhood’s young residents, born to Korean immigrant parents but raised entirely on American soil, seemed to adhere to Korean social codes with enthusiasm. They would pour the staple Korean liquor soju for each other using both hands, and refer to older males as “hyung” or “oppa.” Whether reflecting a desire to

May 22, 2017

BTS becomes first K-pop group to win at Billboard Music Awards

BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys, has become the first K-pop group to win at the Billboard Music Awards. The South Korean boy band grabbed the top social artist category award at the high profile event Sunday, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It was the first time that a Korean artist won at the global awards since Psy was honored in the top streaming song (video) category with his worldwide smash-hit “Gangnam Style” in 2013. BTS poses in the press room with the trophy for top social arti

May 22, 2017