Will Billboard interest in K-pop expand the market?

“The vibrant, two-hour, Michael Jackson-level affair has begun.”The excerpt from G-Dragon’s video interview was posted on U.S. Billboard under the title “G-Dragon Opens Up at World Tour Kickoff” on April 4. The 15-minute video was posted online with an article about G-Dragon’s second solo concert “One of a Kind” on March 30 and 31 at Seoul Olympic Stadium. Also in the interview was Stacey Walker, G-Dragon World Tour’s co-creative director, who praises G-Dragon as having elements of both Michael

April 14, 2013

The real meaning of the birth of ‘K Pop Star 2’ Akdong Musician

If one translates “akdong” straight into English, it would be “mischievous child,” similar to French author Jean Cocteau’s “enfant terrible.” Challenging against what the former generation has defined as their misbehaviors, these akdong are troublesome beings to the adults. So does the appearance of these akdong in K-pop necessarily mean the crisis of internationally acclaimed Korean music? The result is the opposite. Presented as a type of irony or sarcasm, the Akdong Musician duo is the first

April 14, 2013

Blue bird, CNBLUE and the origin of love DNA

　“Searching for happiness across someone else’s fence is foolish. You should look for the blue bird of happiness under your own eaves.”　The most famous group of people that lives by this advice by Maurice Maeterlinck in “The Blue Bird” is probably the K-pop boy band CNBLUE. CNBLUE consists of four talented artists: Lee Jong-hyun, Kang Min-hyuk, Lee Jung-shin and the leader, Jung Yong-hwa. Each member is a singer-songwriter, actor and producer.　The full name of the band is “Code Name BLUE.” “BLUE

April 14, 2013

Psy returns to limelight as a ‘mother father gentleman’

　 By Julie Jackson　“Kim Jong who?” was the line that kicked off the New York Daily News article that introduced the release of YouTube sensation Psy’s long-awaited follow-up song to global hit “Gangnam Style.” 　While the current political tension between the Koreas is making headlines around the globe, the buzz about Psy’s follow-up single “Gentleman” has begun to overshadow talk of missiles and war.  　Psy had kept people around the world on their toes for months with promises of a new song and

April 14, 2013

Psy sweeps stage with 'Gentleman'

South Korean rapper Psy swept his home-turf stage Saturday, unveiling the dance and music video of his new single "Gentleman" for the first time, a day after he released the much-anticipated song.   About 45,000 fans enthusiastically danced along, shouting "Psy", during a two-hour concert at World Cup Stadium in western Seoul. The concert, dubbed "HAPPENING," was streamed live on YouTube.   The strong-beat "Gentleman," a follow-up to his previous global smash hit "Gangnam Style," satirizes a ta

April 14, 2013

Actress Go Hyun-jung casted in “Queen’s Classroom”

Actress Go Hyun-jung will come back to the small screen with MBC’s upcoming television drama series “Queen’s Classroom.”The 42-year-old actress is to play the main role as a ferocious and ruthless primary school teacher in the series, which kicks off this June. “She (Go) chose ‘Queen’s Classroom’ as her next drama for its unique storyline. Also, since Go has never played the role of teacher, she is determined to work with many child actors and actresses to boost the quality of the series,” said

April 12, 2013

Zo In-sung reflects on ‘That Winter, the Wind Blows’

Zo In-sung’s tear-jerking scene on SBS TV drama “That Winter, the Wind Blows” grabbed many viewers’ hearts. The series recently wrapped up after maintaining the top spot in the Wednesday-Thursday TV drama time slot, and Zo played a big part in the runaway success. The 32-year-old heartthrob showcased his acting skills for the drama series after a five-year hiatus from TV, mostly due to mandatory military service. Notably, Zo pulled off onscreen chemistry with his counterpart, Song Hye-kyo, one o

April 11, 2013

Psy’s new song features ‘Psy style’ take on Korean dance

South Korean rapper Psy is promising a “Psy style” take on a traditional Korean dance to accompany the release next week of the highly-anticipated follow-up to his global hit “Gangnam Style.”The new single, titled “Gentleman,” comes out on April 12, and the 35-year-old star will promote it with a special concert the next day in Seoul. “I’ve been working and reworking on it continuously and I think the latest version will be the final one,” Psy told a local TV news program on Monday.“This is anot

April 2, 2013

For Lee Soo-young, 2nd time is sweeter

Lee Soo-young released her second cover album “Classic: The Second Remake” on Thursday.“Lee Soo-young was thankful to be on ‘I Am a Singer 2.’ During the show she said that she was able to redevelop her love and passion for singing,” said T Entertainment on Wednesday. “This album expresses Lee’s emotions from back in the days when she wanted to go up on stage very badly.” The singer also said through her agency that she was very pleased to share the songs with her fans, and that she hoped that e

March 28, 2013

CNBLUE to hold additional concerts in H.K., Malaysia

CNBLUE will add two more concerts to the group’s world tour after selling out all the tickets for their stops in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.On Tuesday FNC Entertainment announced that the shows for the Blue Moon World Tour 2013 were sold out in the three locations. Tickets for the 7,000 seats at the Hong Kong concert sold out in about five minutes, prompting the quartet to add one more show on May 10 in response to fan requests. Now the group will perform in Hong Kong for two days, on May 1

March 27, 2013

Big Bang’s Daesung to host MTV Japan program

Big Bang member Daesung has been chosen to be an MC for a new show on MTV Japan.Daesung will be hosting a five-episode variety show program with MTV’s VJ Boo called “D-LITE & VJ Boo D’splay,” which will air every two weeks on Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. starting April 13.According to YG Entertainment, Daesung and VJ Boo are close friends and the two will be showing off their friendship throughout the series as well as cooking and doing many fun things.“I am nervous as this is my first time being an M

March 26, 2013

2PM announces May comeback

The “Beastly Idols” have released a comeback trailer for their eagerly awaiting fans. On Monday, JYP Entertainment confirmed that the group 2PM is returning to their fans with new music. “2PM is going to come back in May. Also they are going to hold a concert in Korea in June after their comeback,” they said. The company said that the trailer will be broadcast at Times Square in New York and Piccadilly Circus in London. The two locations are among the most sought-after advertising spots in the w

March 26, 2013

Secret to hold exclusive concert in Singapore

Girl group Secret will be holding an exclusive concert, “Secret Live in Singapore” at Marina Bay Sands Convention Hall, Singapore, on March 29. Some 5,000 people are expected to attend the concert.Secret is the fourth K-pop girl group to hold an exclusive concert in Singapore ― Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, and Wonder Girls have performed in solo concerts in the city state. The four-member girl group’s performance in Singapore follows on the heels of two other Southeast Asian engagements. Secret perf

March 19, 2013

SM collaborates with 10 Corso Como

S.M. Entertainment has partnered with luxury retailer 10 Corso Como for a special collaboration project. “To celebrate 10 Corso Como’s 5th anniversary, we will be launching a ‘10 Corso Como Seoul Melody’ event. This project was created to lead new trends in a global culture,” said S.M. Entertainment. “10 Corso Como Seoul Melody” features five SM groups for the shop’s five-year anniversary. The artists chosen are Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, TVXQ, f(x) and SHINee. A limited edition re-mix com

March 19, 2013

Kim Jae-joong ‘Your My and Mine’ concert attracts 5,000 fans

Sunday certainly was a busy day for JYJ Kim Jae-joong who held a press conference in Shanghai, China, and then flew to Bangkok for a concert, all on the same day.In Bangkok’s Bitec Hall, Kim performed in front of 5,000 fans. The event commemorating the release of Kim’s first solo album was a combination of a concert and a fan meet.The first half of the event was a typical fan meeting where Kim answered questions from his fans. He later put on an apron to cook for his fans. Kim sang his solo piec

March 19, 2013

Kim Hyun-joong’s Japanese fans donate $11,000 to charity

Japanese fans of pop idol singer Kim Hyun-joong, from K-pop group SS501, donated approximately $11,000 to the “Kim Hyun-joong Scholarship Fund” through the Beautiful Foundation.The Kim Hyun-joong Scholarship Fund was first created by the members of his local Korean fan club who go by the name of “Kim Hyun-joong Powerful S” in February 2010. In the past three years, the scholarship fund has received nearly $200,000 in donations. The scholarship fund was established to help support university stud

March 13, 2013

Psy to release new single to Korean fans first

Psy fans in Korea will be the first ones to hear the follow-up to the rapper’s 2012 smash hit “Gangnam Style.”The singer announced that he would be releasing his new single on April 13 at his solo concert in Seoul, “Happening,” adding that fans in Korea would get the chance to hear the new song first before anyone else.  According to YG Entertainment, Psy will be releasing his new single on April 12 in Korea. “Psy expressed his wish to reveal the song first to Korean fans, who have supported him

March 12, 2013

Pop diva Gummy to release second album in Japan

Pop diva Gummy is finally back in the music scene, releasing her new mini album in Japan on April 3.To commemorate her ten years in the music business, Gummy will release her second Japanese mini album “Fate,” said YG Entertainment last week. Her latest album is imbued with her signature groovy vocals, addressing how people manage to fall in love in spite of fate. On her new album, Gummy worked with famous producer Jeff Miyahara, who has worked with numerous acclaimed singers including Amuro Nam

March 11, 2013

Boy band Super Junior to tour South America

K-pop group Super Junior have added four South American cities to their world tour next month. The group’s agency, S.M. Entertainment, said Super Junior would perform in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 21, Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 23, Santiago, Chile, on April 25 and Lima, Peru, on April 27 as part of the their “Super Show 5” world tour.“The tour is Super Junior’s exclusive concert. It is the biggest K-pop tour ever held in South America as far as we are concerned. We will show how the ‘Hal

March 11, 2013