[Herald Interview] Singer-songwriter Lydia Lee sings about fluidity of life in ‘Ways We Change’

In 2015, Lydia Lee, then a teenager studying music in high school, took the internet by storm with her cover video of Adele’s “Hello.” The viral video led to Lee appearing on popular US TV talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and speaking of her dreams to be a singer. Fast forward seven years, Lee has now earned the title of musician and is free to roam her musical universe at her own pace, sharing her thoughts with the world through her words. Popping in and out of the local

K-popAug. 4, 2022

Rookie girl group NewJeans makes impressive debut on charts

NewJeans, the first girl group from an independent label under K-pop powerhouse Hybe, has made an impact on music charts at home and abroad upon its debut. "Attention," a lead track of the group's debut EP, "New Jeans," topped Spotify's daily top songs chart in South Korea on Monday, when it dropped, the global music streaming service said Wednesday. The album's three other tracks, "Hype Boy," "Cookie" and "Hurt," also placed secon

K-popAug. 4, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa 1st female to top Billboard‘s new chart

The solo track by Lisa of Blackpink went to the top of Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart dated Aug. 6. 　 She became the first female artist to claim the No. 1 spot. 　 The tally, powered by Twitter, is a weekly recap of the most popular songs across genres and across the world, ranked by online streaming activity data. 　 Her first solo single, “Lalisa,” climbed five places to the top spot from the previous week. It also is the only song to stay on the chart since it was la

K-popAug. 3, 2022

Choi Yena brings summertime magic to beat the heat with ‘Smartphone’

Out with the old, in with the new, Choi Yena welcomed the hottest season of the year with her improvement-themed second EP, “Smartphone,” released Wednesday evening. This marks the soloist‘s return, nearly seven months since she released her first EP, “Smiley,” in January. During Wednesday’s press conference, Choi said the theme of her new album is “upgrading.” The singer said she is back with new songs that have improved in sound, reflecting

K-popAug. 3, 2022

Girls’ Generation, Blackpink and Twice: K-pop A-listers gear up for summer

As a slew of big-name K-pop artists are set to return with bops for the sweltering summer, with major girl groups among those vying to make their way into summer playlists. On the star-studded roster is Girls’ Generation, one of the longest-running K-pop girl groups, making its long-awaited full-group comeback to celebrate its 15th anniversary. After rumors that the K-pop icons were returning with new songs, the band’s agency SM Entertainment confirmed that the band would drop i

K-popAug. 3, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen tops Oricon chart with repack

Seventeen’s repackaged album claimed the No. 1 spot on Oricon‘s weekly album ranking, according to the most recent tally that was released on Tuesday. 　 “Sector 17,” a repacked version of the fourth studio album “Face The Sun,” is the band’s seventh album – and the third in a row to top the chart. 　 The reissue came out on July 18, landed atop Oricon‘s daily album ranking on July 29 and stayed for three consecutive days. The album and lead

K-popAug. 2, 2022

[Newsmaker] BTS to resume group variety show amid ongoing solo work

K-pop group BTS is getting together amid each member’s busy solo schedule to relaunch its online variety show. Big Hit Music, the label behind BTS, on Tuesday announced that the band would resume the variety show “Run BTS” after a 10-month break. “‘Run BTS’ is finally returning after a 10-month hiatus,” leader RM said in a teaser video released on YouTube on Monday. “We’re back recharged and it will be more fun, so please look forward to

K-popAug. 2, 2022

BTS to resume 'Run BTS' variety show after 10-month break

K-pop boy group BTS has announced the return of its own variety show, titled "Run BTS," after 10 months. "'Run BTS' will finally make a return after a 10-month break," the band said in a teaser video it shared on social media Monday. "Please look forward to the release, because the show would be more fun after being recharged." "Run BTS" is a South Korean web-based series starring the septet, which first began in August 2015 and has since release

K-popAug. 2, 2022

BTS could be allowed to perform overseas during military service: defense minister

Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup has said there could be a way to allow members of K-pop supergroup BTS to perform overseas while carrying out their mandatory military service. Lee made the remark during a parliamentary defense committee meeting Monday, saying the issue can be handled without breaching the principle of "fairness and equity." "I believe there is a way to give BTS an opportunity to continue to perform for the benefit of national interest," Lee said. "If they

K-popAug. 2, 2022

Trendy rapper Zico returns with 4th EP ‘Grown Ass Kid’

The season of upbeat music has arrived, and rappers are known to save their strongest material for summer, Zico made his grand return with his 4th EP, “Grown Ass Kid,” released Wednesday evening. This marks the solo artist‘s return nearly two years since he last released his “Random Box” in July 2020. It’s also his first material after officially being discharged from his mandatory military service in April this year. Zico dropped “Grown Ass Kid&rdq

K-popAug. 1, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen’s repackage album enters Billboard 200 at No. 4

Seventeen’s repackaged fourth LP hit Billboard 200 at No. 4, according to Billboard’s preview of the forthcoming chart that came out Sunday in the US. 　 The reissue of “Sector 17” is the 13-member act’s highest-charting album so far. Its 4th LP “Face The Sun” reached No. 7 in June and has remained on the chart for seven consecutive weeks. 　 The repackaged album sold over 1.12 million copies in its first week, becoming the band’s seventh million-

K-popAug. 1, 2022

Hybe indie label Ador launches first group NewJeans

NewJeans, the first girl group from Ador, an independent label under K-pop powerhouse Hybe, threw its glitzy hat into the ring with its namesake debut album on Monday. Hybe is the multi-label entertainment company home to several big-name K-pop labels, including Big Hit Music, the label behind superstars BTS. Brought together by Ador’s CEO and head producer Min Hee-Jin, NewJeans released its debut digital album “New Jeans” on Monday evening. As the name suggests, the band&

K-popAug. 1, 2022

Stray Kids releases new digital single

K-pop group Stray Kids put out its new digital single, titled "Mixtape: Time Out," on Monday, the group's agency said. "Aug. 1 is a meaningful day, when the name of the band's fandom 'Stay' was made, so the band prepared a surprise present to celebrate the fandom's birthday," JYP Entertainment said. "Mixtape: Time Out," released at midnight, is a rock genre song written by the members based on their experience from their latest trip to Gangw

K-popAug. 1, 2022

Seventeen lands at No. 4 on Billboard main albums chart

The latest repackage album from Seventeen has come in fourth on the US Billboard's main albums chart, becoming the band's highest-charting album. "Sector 17" was fourth on the Billboard 200, selling 34,000 equivalent album units, Billboard said Sunday (US time) in a preview of the upcoming chart. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units, comprising physical album sales and other digital sales records.

K-popAug. 1, 2022

[Herald Interview] UKiss’ Soohyun is hopeful a group activity is in store this year

It took Soohyun of UKiss years to drop his first solo EP, “Count on Me,” and the 33-year-old artist views the album as an achievement he’s made thanks to the help of many others. Soohyun’s first album has taken a great weight off of his shoulders and is packed with feel-good rock melodies bursting with jovial energy, which is exactly the spirit he hoped to share with the world as part of his first set of songs released under his new label. Soohyun -- along with two ot

K-popAug. 1, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Kang Daniel ready to tap into Japan

Kang Daniel has set his eyes on Japan, and will give fans a taste of his music with a single soon before releasing an EP. 　 He joined hands with Warner Music Japan in June and will drop the single “TPIR (feat. Miyavi)” first on Aug. 17, a collaborative work with Japanese guitarist Miyavi. The song will be a pre-release from his upcoming EP “Joy Ride.” 　 The EP will be his first album to come out in Japan, and consists of six tracks. They will be Japanese language versi

K-popJuly 29, 2022

BTS’ J-Hope to make history as first K-pop headliner at Lollapalooza 2022

J-Hope of K-pop sensation BTS will make history as the first Korean musician to take the main stage at Lollapalooza, an annual four-day music festival held in Chicago’s Grand Park. He is scheduled to perform as the main headliner on Sunday (US time). This year’s Lollapalooza kicked off on Thursday at noon, with some 170 big-name artists set to perform on eight different stages. J-Hope will perform onstage between 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. (US time) on the last day of the rock festival. A

K-popJuly 29, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Ateez challenges itself with new EP

Ateez held a media showcase to bring out a new album in Seoul Thursday. 　 The EP “The World Ep. 1: Movement” is the beginning of a new series, said Mingi, and aims to awake people who feel like they are repeating an endless rounds of routine. 　 It also is a challenge for the bandmates as they tried a new style in terms of music, said Yeosang. The seven-track EP includes focus track “Guerrilla” that features psychedelic sounds. 　 “To many, Ateez signifies strong

K-popJuly 28, 2022

TO1 return as funky drummers with 3rd EP ‘Why Not??’

K-pop boy band TO1 on Thursday dropped its 3rd EP “Why Not??,” marking its return to the music scene after eight months. TO1 is a nine-piece multinational K-pop group consisting of Dong-geon, Chan, Ji-su, Jae-yun, J.You, Kyung-ho, Daigo, Renta and Yeo-jeong. This is its first album with three new members -- Daigo, Renta and Yeo-jeong -- who joined the group last year. After dropping the new album, the group conducted a press conference in Seoul on Thursday afternoon to discuss i

K-popJuly 28, 2022

[Video] Everything about India’s first K-pop idol, Sriya from Blackswan

We have been receiving many messages from our Indian viewers about how to become a K-pop idol here, so we decided to invite India’s first K-pop idol, Shreya Lenka. Shreya is about to debut with the K-pop band Blackswan as Sriya. From why she decided to debut here, to what it was like to secure that one spot competing against 4,000 applicants and her goals as a K-pop idol, Shreya shared with us her Korea journey! Park Sun-yeong, Kim Su-hyeon and Lee Ji-min contributed to this report. By K

K-popJuly 28, 2022