YG’s Winner debuts at No. 1

Winner (YG Entertainment)Rookie K-pop group Winner topped major music charts with its debut album Tuesday. As the YG Entertainment boy band dropped its debut EP “2014 S/S” at midnight on Aug. 12, one of the two main tracks, “Empty,” instantly appeared at the top of the nine major Korean music charts, including Mnet, Olleh Music and Naver Music. The other tunes on the album, including the other main track “Color Ring,” made the top five on the charts. The group’s five members ― Kang Seung-yoon, L

Aug. 12, 2014

JYJ holds autograph session for fans

K-pop trio JYJ hosted an autograph session on Monday to celebrate the release of its second full album “Just Us.”The event was held at the Yeouido IFC Mall in Seoul. JYJ will hold its “The Return of the King” concert tour in eight cities across Asia including Seoul, Hong Kong and Shanghai.By Kim Min-jin, Intern reporter (minjin103@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: OSEN]

Aug. 12, 2014

EXO to release first photobook next week

K-pop sensation EXO will release a photobook titled “Die Jungs (The Boys)” on Aug. 18, which is a compilation of pictures documenting their time in Germany. The album presents pictures of the 11 members posing on the streets of Germany, highlighting their cheeky and mischievous teen image. The upcoming photobook will be released in three versions ― EXO, EXO-K and EXO-M ― to showcase the members’ individual charms. EXO-K and EXO-M are subunits of EXO that specifically target Korean and Chinese au

Aug. 12, 2014

Choi Min-sik’s ‘Lucy’ tops worldwide box offices

Korean actor Choi Min-sik’s Hollywood debut film “Lucy” is sweeping international box offices. The Hollywood blockbuster, costarring Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman, soared to the top of the box office in North America. The movie was released there on July 25.  Scenes from “Lucy.” (EuropaCorp)“Lucy” also topped the box offices of Australia, Bulgaria and the Netherlands in the first weekend of its release. So far, the film has earned more than $100 million worldwide. The film is set to hit

Aug. 12, 2014

G-Dragon praying against wall painting

G-Dragon posted a picture of him praying on his Instagram on Monday. 　In the photo, the K-pop artist, wearing fashionable overalls, has his head lowered and hands together, against a painting of praying hands on the wall. 　“Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight here one day,” the painting reads. 　G-Dragon took the stage as a headliner at KCON 2014, held from Aug. 9-10 in California, the U.S.　(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

Aug. 12, 2014

Kris moves back into spotlight amid ongoing legal battle

Kris, a former member of K-pop idol group EXO, is following in former Super Junior member Hangeng’s footsteps and will star with him in a joint Korea-China film.　According to local news reports on Monday, Kris won a role as one of the male leads in the romantic flick “Xiao You Qiao Mu,” directed by Korean filmmaker Jo Jin-kyoo.  　Kris is the latest addition to the cast and joins Hangeng and Korean actor Joo Won. In the film the three stars compete to win the heart of the same woman. 　Kris’ move

Aug. 12, 2014

Kris, Hangeng to costar in Korea-China film

Kris, an ex-member of K-pop idol group EXO, was cast to star in a Korea-China film, along with Hangeng, formerly of boy band Super Junior, according to news reports on Tuesday.　Kris won the role as one of the male leads in the romantic flick “Xiao You Qiao Mu,” directed by Korean filmmaker Jo Jin-kyoo.Kris is the latest addition to the two other male leads, Hangeng and Korean actor Joo Won. The three stars will compete to win the heart of a woman in the film. 　Kris has been in the spotlight afte

Aug. 12, 2014

Park Shin-hye ends fan meeting tour in China

Actress Park Shin-hye has rounded up her fan meeting tour in China, her agency officials said.Starting in Shanghai on July 26, Park visited five cities including Chongqing, Shenzhen, Changsha and Beijing for the past three weeks.The fan meeting was comprised of Park’s live performances and talk shows. According to local reports, Park met her fans with beautiful smiles throughout the whole event.　Park also showed her love toward her fans by giving photos of herself taken with a Polaroid camera.　“

Aug. 12, 2014

Winner‘s debut album sweeps music charts

K-pop rookie group Winner’s debut album is dominating local music charts shortly after its release on Tuesday. 　The long-awaited boy band from YG Entertainment dropped its debut EP “2014 S/S” at midnight on Aug. 12. 　One of the album’s two lead tracks “Empty” instantly debuted at the top of nine Korean music charts such as Mnet, Genie, Olleh Music and Naver Music. 　The other songs, including the second title track “Color Ring,” also ranked high. 　 (YG Entertainment)Though Winner is not completel

Aug. 12, 2014

Hong Jong-hyun’s daily life captured in pictorial

Actor and model Hong Jong-hyun’s stylish lifestyle was captured by fashion magazine High Cut. The fashion shoot showed Hong with his dog, taking a selfie and riding a bike, all in casual outfits. The entire pictorial can be seen in High Cut’s 131th edition. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: High Cut) 

Aug. 12, 2014

Jun Ji-hyun in charismatic fall editorial

Actress Jun Ji-hyun’s charismatic fall editorial for fashion brand SHESMISS was revealed on Tuesday. The actress can be seen in a range of styles, including a monotone jacket, dress and trench coat. She also exudes charisma in a black jacket matched with a natural, long hairstyle. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: SHESMISS)

Aug. 12, 2014

Baekhyun draws line between work and love

K-pop idol group EXO’s Baekhyun says he will draw a clear line between work and relationships.Baekhyun said that he would separate his work from his love life at a press conference held Monday in Seoul for the upcoming entertainment show “EXO 90:2014.” During a Q&A session with the reporters, Baekhyun was asked whether he would feel awkward appearing with actresses in music videos as he is dating Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation.“Work is work. I will do my best,” he told the reporters. Baekhyun did

Aug. 12, 2014

JYJ proves it doesn’t need broadcasters’ help

K-pop group JYJ has come back with a vengeance, being nominated for the No. 1 spot on SBS music program “Inkigayo” Sunday despite not having any TV promotions for their latest album.The three members -- Junsu, Jaejoong and Yoochun -- came back together to release their second full-length album “Just Us” on July 29, three years after their last EP album “In Heaven.” The album so far has wowed fans and critics in the music industry, especially after their latest feat on “Inkigayo.”This came after

Aug. 12, 2014

Jung Yunho makes first appearance in ‘The Night Watchman’

Member of K-pop duo TVXQ and actor Jung Yunho appeared as an actor for the first time in the MBC drama “The Night Watchman” on Monday.Jung plays the role of Moosuk, one of the greatest swordsmen in the Joseon Dynasty.The actor appeared in the third episode of the drama with actress Seo Ye-ji, who plays Jung’s cousin Park Soo-ryeon. In the scene, Jung quickly destroyed stone roof tiles that were flying toward Seo. Jung’s charismatic first impression gained attention from viewers, who said online

Aug. 12, 2014

BoA shares preview of upcoming pictorial

K-pop star BoA shared a preview picture of her upcoming fashion shoot with Cosmopolitan on Instagram. The singer can be seen with a pensive face, captured in black and white. “Guys, look forward to Cosmopolitan’s September edition,” she wrote alongside the picture.By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Instagram)

Aug. 12, 2014

2PM to return with new album, worldwide concert tour

Boy group 2PM is set to release a new album and launch a worldwide concert tour this fall. The six-member boy band will release its fourth studio album in Korea and an EP in Japan simultaneously in September. Aside from the title song, each album will include different tracks.The upcoming album is especially garnering attention as its lead single was written and composed by 2PM member Jun.K, marking first time the group has showcased a song written by a member.2PM. (JYP Entertainment)“2PM is get

Aug. 11, 2014

Taemin of SHINee to release first solo album

Taemin. (SM Entertainment)Taemin from boy band SHINee will make his debut as a solo artist with a new album this week.Before releasing his new solo EP “ACE” on Aug. 18, the K-pop star will reveal a teaser video on his official website and SM Entertainment’s YouTube channel on Tuesday.Through his solo activities, Taemin seeks to showcase his unique musicality and styles previously unseen as a member of SHINee, according to SM Entertainment.The group ― which also consists of Jonghyun, Minho, Onyou

Aug. 11, 2014

YG Family concert to be WINNER’s official stage debut

WINNER, YG Entertainment’s first boy-band in 9 years since Big Bang, is to make its official stage debut on Friday as it performs with its fellow labelmates.Amid preparation for the concert, WINNER released still cuts from two tracks on its upcoming EP. “Empty” and “Color Ring” were selected from the 10 tracks on the album.Members of the group were carefully chosen through cable channel Mnet's competition program “Win: Who Is Next” in 2013. To show off their talent, the first EP is to consist of

Aug. 11, 2014

EXO to bring back sounds of 1990s

K-pop idol group EXO will revive the K-pop from the 1990s in an upcoming TV show. 　The 11-member group will shed new light on first-generation K-pop by reinterpreting once-trendy tunes in a more contemporary perspective on Mnet’s entertainment program “EXO 902014.” 　(OSEN)The EXO members, who were all born in the early 1990s, will look into the nostalgic music and trigger vivid recollections for those in their 30s and 40s who grew up with first-generation idols such as H.O.T, g.o.d and Seo Taiji

Aug. 11, 2014

EXO’s Lay says he’s a fan of BoA

K-pop idol group EXO’s Lay said that he is a big fan of K-pop diva BoA. 　“I am BoA’s fan,” Lay told reporters at a press conference for the entertainment show “EXO 90:2014.”　(OSEN)The remark came as he spoke on his feelings about taking part in the upcoming show.　“I am honored and excited that I can sing songs by my seniors,” he said.　The Mnet TV program “EXO 90:2014,” starring 11 members from EXO will revisit K-pop tunes from the 1990s to help new generations better communicate through music.　T

Aug. 11, 2014