DMC Festival kicks off with ‘K-pop Super Concert’

The “Digital, Media and Culture Festival” kicked off with the “K-pop Super Concert” at the Sangam Culture Plaza in Seoul on Saturday. Hosted by TV personality Kim Sung-joo and SNSD’s Tiffany and Yuri, the concert saw some of the biggest names in K-pop take to the stage to kick-start the nine-day festival.Jointly hosted by broadcaster MBC and the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, the DMC Festival will continue until Sept. 13.The festival aims at promoting the Korean Wave a step furthe

Sept. 6, 2015

G-Dragon says he's 'shy,' has 'no girlfriend'

G-Dragon of boy band Big Bang has officially declared himself single.“I don’t have a girlfriend,” he said in Wednesday night’s live broadcast on Naver’s V app, a real-time video-streaming application for K-pop stars. The announcement comes after reports alleged the K-pop singer-songwriter had broken up with his recent girlfriend, Japanese model Kiko Mizuhara. Rumors of G-Dragon and Mizuhara’s relationship have circulated since 2010 -- though neither of the two celebrities have ever publically ad

Sept. 3, 2015

Hallyu star Jang Keun-suk to hold concert in Seoul

 Actor-singer Jang Keun-suk will hold a solo concert in Seoul on Saturday.　Jang’s concert, titled “Jang Keun-suk Live in Seoul 2015,” will take place at Jangchung Gymnasium at 7 p.m. It is his first Seoul concert in three years since “2012 Jang Keun-suk Asia Tour Cri Show 2 in Seoul.” Concert poster of Jang Keun-suk (Tree J Company)For the upcoming show, the 27-year-old star will perform a string of his hit songs, including “What Should I Do?” and “Can You Hear Me Part 2.” 　“Jang has high expect

Sept. 1, 2015

How K-pop keeps up with international fans

With K-pop now having risen as an international phenomenon, communication between the stars and their fans -- who are multilingual, multiethnic and span across the continents -- has emerged as a significant issue. Though some celebrities already engage in extensive social media activities, it seems photos, text and manufactured videos are not quite enough to satisfy international fans’ thirst for a more personal, immersive connection, according to Chloe Choi, a spokesperson for Korean Internet g

Sept. 1, 2015

EXO to drop its first Japanese single

(OSEN)Popular boy group EXO is set to make its official debut in Japan on Nov. 4. EXO said Saturday at the Japanese music festival “A-nation” in Yanmar Stadium, Osaka, that it would drop a Japanese single next month, according to SM Entertainment. The group debuted in South Korea with “What Is Love” in January 2012, and released many hit songs, including “Growl,” “Overdose,” “Love Me Right” and “Call Me Baby.”EXO is set to hold concerts for its “EXO PLANET #2 - The EXO’luXion” tour in Japan on N

Aug. 31, 2015

Park Yoo-chun begins military service

Singer-actor Park Yoo-chun of boy group JYJ joined the Korean Army as a conscript Thursday afternoon, beginning his two-year mandatory military service. 　　The 29-year-old enlisted at an Army training camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, where he will receive five weeks of basic military training. After the training, he will serve as a public service worker at a public office in substitute for the active duty service at a military camp, due to his asthma. 　 Park Yoo-chun (OSEN)He is the se

Aug. 27, 2015

BoA performs 'dream' 15th anniversary concert

 K-pop singer BoA, who successfully wrapped up her two-day concert at Seoul’s Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, said it was a dream come true to perform at the prestigious venue. 　“I am honored to be celebrating the last of my 20s at such a meaningful place,” she told the press ahead of the concert Sunday. 　“Before making my debut, I saw H.O.T. performing at the Sejong Performing Arts Center, and I thought to myself, ‘When will I get to be on the big stage like them?’” she said. “But this y

Aug. 24, 2015

‘Infinite Challenge’ songs sweeping charts

Songs from MBC’s “Infinite Challenge Music Festival,” which was held Aug. 13 in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, are sweeping South Korea’s major online music charts, including Melon, Bugs and Mnet.A special edition of the light entertainment program featuring the festival was broadcast Saturday, after which all the tracks performed hit music streaming services. (OSEN)The six tracks are “Oh My God” by G-Dragon, Taeyang and Kwang-hee, “Leon” by IU and Park Myeong-su, “Sponsor” by Zion. T and Haha,

Aug. 23, 2015

‘Veteran’ surpasses 7m-viewer mark

Crime action flick “Veteran” is racing up its viewer record at a pace matching that of “Assassination,” breaking the 7 million milestone in two weeks since release Wednesday.  Poster of 'Veteran' (CJ Entertainment)　The film opened nationwide on Aug. 5, marking 1 million viewers by the third day, 2 million on fourth, 3 million on sixth, 4 million on ninth, 5 million on 10th, 6 million on 12th, and finally surpassing 7 million on the 14th day.　“Assassination” released on July 22 and entered the 10

Aug. 19, 2015

Girls’ Generation tops charts with new LP

K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation topped local music charts with its new LP “Lion Heart.”　On Wednesday, eponymous lead track “Lion Heart,” which was released at noon on Tuesday, ranked No. 1 on five charts -- Genie, Bugs, Soribada, Naver Music and Monkey 3. Another lead track “You Think,” which was released at midnight, ranked No.1 on two other charts -- Mnet and Olleh Music -- while following a close second place on four charts.  Girls` Generation (SM Entertainment)The eight-member group’s fif

Aug. 19, 2015

Korea’s ascent on culture map

From the cultural staples of Korean folk music and historical soap operas, to love-triangle-plagued TV dramas and the heavily choreographed, modern hodgepodge of K-pop, the nation’s entertainment industry has seen a paradigm shift in its international prominence over the past few decades. Following a number of game-changing TV dramas and musical acts such as KBS’ “Winter Sonata” and first generation K-pop idols BoA and H.O.T., overseas interest in the nation’s entertainment content has shot up,

Aug. 16, 2015

Lee Seung-gi, Yoona split up: agency

Iconic Hallyu couple, Lee Seung-gi and Yoona of Girls’ Generation, split up recently, largely due to their busy schedules, agencies said Thursday. 　 “The couple recently ended their relationship though they decided to remain good friends,” said SM Entertainment, Yoona’s management agency. 　 Lee Seung-gi (left) and Yoona (Yonhap) Early this year, the two confirmed that they had been dating since Oct

Aug. 13, 2015

K Festival’ unveils lineup including AOA, Wonder Girls

(Official website of "The K Festival")The Korean culture festival dubbed “2015 The K Festival” unveiled its lineup of stars on Wednesday. The festival is set to be held at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on Sep. 11-13. According to its official website, the lineup includes EXID, AOA, Lyn, Chaeyeon, Tiger JK, Wonder Girls, Gain, Boyfriend, NC.A, The One, Lee Jung, Bestie, Hong Jin-young, Gummy and Youngji.The festival is set to feature not only K-pop but also other segments such as Korean food, fa

Aug. 12, 2015

Jay Park to drop hip-hop album in September

K-pop singer Jay Park, a former member of 2PM, will release a hip-hop album in September, local news reported on Tuesday. 　Park’s upcoming album will be composed entirely of rap music, a music industry insider was quoted in the report.　He is currently recording the upcoming EP. After the release, however, he is not planning to perform on TV music programs or do further promotional activities for the album.  Jay Park (Yonhap)The news of Park’s album release has already spurred huge anticipation a

Aug. 11, 2015

Lee Young-ae, Song Seung-heon to be lovers in new TV drama

Actors Lee Young-ae and Song Seung-heon will play a couple in the upcoming SBS drama “Saimdang, the Herstory,” Group 8, its production company, said Monday.  (OSEN)　The filming of the show began Monday. The production is expected to be completed in the first half of 2016.　The new drama marks Lee’s return to the small screen after an 11-year absence. It also ends a three-year absence for Song.　“Saimdang, the Herstory” is a reinterpreted tale of the life of a renowned female artist from 16th centu

Aug. 10, 2015

B.A.P returns to their label following legal strife

K-pop boy band B.A.P is back with agency TS Entertainment, ending a nine-month legal battle against the label.　“B.A.P has returned to TS on Aug. 1,” the company said in an official statement Monday. “Faith has been restored,” it said, signaling the end of disputes over their alleged “slave contracts.”   B.A.P (TS Entertainment)　In November, the group had filed a lawsuit against their agency, claiming their exclusive contracts with TS were unfair and demanded their immediate termination.　All six

Aug. 3, 2015

23 K-pop acts confirmed for Naver's ‘V’ live streaming

South Korean search portal Naver has unveiled a full list of K-pop acts joining its new streaming mobile app named “V,” set to launch Aug. 1.  A total of 23 K-pop teams will be streaming their activities and off-stage life on the video app, interacting in real time with the global audience and fans via mobile devices. Joining the lineup Friday as the 23rd member was SM Town, an umbrella brand comprising all 62 acts under the SM Entertainment label, including TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee, EXO and G

July 31, 2015

Bae Yong-joon foots dinner bill for fans after wedding

“Winter Sonata” actor Bae Yong-joon footed the dinner bill for some 200 of his fans who visited the hotel where his wedding took place Monday, local reports said Tuesday. 　Bae married actress Park Soo-jin at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill hotel in a private ceremony attended only by family and close friends. (Yonhap)About 200 fans, many of whom flew from Japan, lined up in front of the hotel to catch a glimpse of the 43-year-old star and congratulate him on his nuptials. According to the reports

July 29, 2015

Bae Yong-joon is no longer a bachelor

First-generation Hallyu star marries actress Park Soo-jin in private wedding Bae Yong-joon, the sweet guy from “Winter Sonata” who stole the hearts of many Japanese housewives in the early 2000s, has married a lesser-known actress 13 years his junior in a private nuptial in Seoul on Monday.  (Instagram)The wedding between Bae and Park Soo-jin took place at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill hotel in Seoul, with only family and close friends in attendance. Hoping to catch a glimpse of the br

July 27, 2015