Bangtan Boys wins best artist award in MAMA 2016

South Korean idol groups Bangtan Boys (BTS), EXO and TWICE took top awards at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) at AsiaWorld-Expo Arena in Hong Kong.K-pop boy band BTS of modest-sized Big Hit Entertainment won the Artist of the Year title, one of the event's three big honors, along with Album of the Year and Song of the Year awards, on Friday night. The band also snatched the best dance performance award for male group artists.   Bangtan Boys wins the Artist of the Year award at the 2016 M

Dec. 3, 2016

2NE1 officially disbands

YG Entertainment released a statement on Friday that announced that girl group 2NE1 has disbanded.Back in May, 2NE1‘s contract with YG ended and Gong Minzy left the group. The fate of the other members was uncertain and after much deliberation, it was decided that the group will no longer continue. In the official statement, YG said, “Rather than investing in a team that is uncertain of a comeback, we have decided to invest our efforts in the members’ solo careers.”CL and Sandara Park have renew

Nov. 25, 2016

Twice's 'TT' sparks dispute over sexual references

South Korean girl group Twice released the music video for “TT,” the title track of its new album, sparking interest and excitement among K-pop fans around the world. But the overly sexual references have left some viewers confused as it doesn’t fit the group’s pure, innocent image. The third EP from the nine-member girl group sounds as expected, but few viewers were prepared for the abrupt sexual symbolism that is jarringly out of sync with the group’s otherwise convincing music track.(JYP Ente

Oct. 24, 2016

Big Bang partners with UNICEF

To commemorate its 10th debut anniversary, iconic K-pop group Big Bang partnered with the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund for the organization’s Special Days Campaign, according to the group’s management agency YG Entertainment on Tuesday. 　“Big Bang has been doing its part in various charity campaigns to celebrate its anniversary every year,” said YG Entertainment in a press release. “This project with UNICEF is a way to show appreciation for all of the support from fans over the past

Aug. 16, 2016

Spica returns to spotlight

Five-member K-pop girl group Spica is gearing up for its comeback.　Returning to the spotlight since the release of its digital track “Ghost” in 2014, Spica will unveil its new single “Secret Time” on Aug. 25, according to the group’s management agency B2M Entertainment on Tuesday. “Prepared tirelessly throughout the group’s hiatus, the song will present a concept unparalleled to what Spica has shown in the past,” said B2M Entertainment in a press release.  During the group’s temporary break, the

Aug. 16, 2016

[Hallyu Power] Korean YouTube stars draw global viewership

What started out as a hobby for Kim Seung-min in 2015 has grown into a YouTube channel with 1.6 million subscribers and total views of 1 billion for more than 600 videos. Kim’s channel Toy Monster focuses on children aged between 3 and 10. It introduces colorful toys and materials as well as how to play with them in videos that range from five to eight minutes. It ranks 21st on a list of top 30 most-viewed YouTube channels for kids’ education globally, according to Socialblade, a YouTube statist

Aug. 2, 2016

Kim Hyun-joong to receive first verdict in August

Singer-actor Kim Hyun-joong will receive the first verdict for the case involving his alleged assault on his ex-girlfriend early next month.Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday concluded hearing from both parties’ legal agents. The court will announce the verdict at 2 p.m. on Aug. 20.  (Yonhap)Kim has been entangled in a number of civil and criminal suits with his ex-girlfriend. She claims that had Kim beaten her, resulting in the miscarriage of a child as she was supposedly pregnant at the

July 20, 2016

GFriend dominates Gaon Chart in first half of 2016

K-pop group GFriend (Source Music)Rookie group GFriend, one of the hottest trending K-pop acts these days, has performed well on the local music chart Gaon Chart in the first half of the year. 　GFriend’s single “Rough” ranked No. 1 on its National Digital Singles, Online Downloads and Online Streaming charts. The single was released in January as part of the group’s third EP “Snowflake.”  　Another single “Me gustas tu,” which was part of its second EP “Flowers,” hit the No. 15 spot on the Online

July 17, 2016

NCT’s Taeyong sheds tears over past wrongdoings

NCT’s Taeyong (SM Entertainment)Taeyong, a member of SM Entertainment’s newest boy band NCT, broke down in tears in an episode of “NCT Life,” apologizing for indiscretions he made before his K-pop debut. 　It was recently revealed that Taeyong was prone to scamming buyers on a local auction website before his official debut as a member of NCT. 　The K-pop idol reportedly auctioned off items under various user IDs, duping customers by not shipping off purchased items or sending defective products.

July 17, 2016

Black Pink is newest YG girl group

YG Entertainment confirmed the launch of new four-member girl group Black Pink on Wednesday.YG released pictures of the new girl group via their official blog, confirming the identities of the members as Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo and Rose.Black Pink is the first girl group that YG has released since 2NE1 seven years ago. YG’s executive director and producer Yang Hyun-suk had initially attempted to sign a nine-member group, but a few years ago, he confirmed the creation of a four-member group instead.

June 29, 2016

Kim Seong-min found unconscious after attempted suicide

Actor Kim Seong-min was found unconscious after a suicide attempt following a fight with his wife in the small hours of Friday, according to the police. (Yonhap)The Seocho police said they first visited Kim’s house past midnight on Thursday night leading to Friday morning when his 18-year-old son reported a domestic violence case at 1:15 a.m., claiming Kim was hitting his wife. Kim’s wife, however, said the fight was “only a minor conflict” between the couple.Instead of pursuing the case, she de

June 24, 2016

Jung Yong-hwa becomes new face of Chinese public campaign

Actor, songwriter and lead singer of K-pop rock band CNBLUE Jung Yong-hwa, is the new face of the Chinese public campaign “Power to Go,” the artist’s agency FNC Entertainment announced Wednesday.　The campaign, which was started by Chinese actor-singer Chen Kun in 2010, includes charity concerts and donations, as well as a silent parade with celebrities. Promotional image of Chinese public event “Power To Go” starring Jung Yong-hwa. (Power To Go)　It is the first time a non-Chinese star has become

June 1, 2016

Cliff from ‘My Love from the Star’ restricted for safety concerns

The famous cliff from 2014 hit-TV drama “My Love from the Star” has been temporarily closed to the public over safety concerns since April 22.  　According to the Incheon Metropolitan City, the cliff in Songdo was graded worrisome D and E in its latest safety examination. A scene from 'My Love from the Star' (SBS)Experts have reportedly warned that the cliff face was unstable and could result in deadly rock falls due to having been previously used as a quarry up to 1994. However, the city is know

May 13, 2016

[Hallyu Power] K-pop powerhouses looking to take a bite out of culinary world

Hallyu continues to forge ahead around the globe, with K-pop powerhouses unrelenting in finding new ways to spread Korean culture, even if it means venturing outside the entertainment field.　One of the biggest current trends in the local entertainment community involves celebrities and entertainment agencies taking a stab at the food and beverage scene. 　Many Korean celebs have invested in their own cafes or dining establishments, such as Grill5taco owned by Super Junior’s Dong-hae, JYJ Junsu’s

May 10, 2016