[Video] Ex-BTS trainee’s message to BTS

BTS holds a special place in many peoples’ hearts. But for Kim Ji-hun, the seven-member act is more than just a record-breaking band to him. They were once his closest friends that he shared the best times of his life with. We talk to Ji-hun about his time as a K-pop trainee, memories with BTS and also how the experience has changed his life. Watch till the end for his message to BTS ! By Team Konnect Kim Min-Jung(minjung.kim@heraldcorp.com) Choi Jeong-yoon(jychoi@heraldcorp.com) Kim J

K-popApril 15, 2022

Seventeen’s first English single ‘Darl+ing’ gets Apple spotlight

Just as K-pop boy band Seventeen’s new single “Darl+ing” was unveiled online Friday afternoon, the song rang out gently through the Apple Store in Myeong-dong, central Seoul, where the first of the band’s collaborative session with the tech company was taking place. Dropping their first ever English-lyric single, “Darl+ing,” the band joined hands with Apple as the first K-pop artist to be selected for the “Today at Apple” remix session. The creati

K-popApril 15, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] TXT to return with 4th EP next month

  Tomorrow X Together will put out its fourth EP “minisode 2: Thursday’s Child,” said label Big Hit Music on Thursday. 　 The quintet wrapped up its “The Chaos Chapter” series last year with “The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape,” a repackage of its second studio album “The Chaos Chapter: Freeze.” The second LP from August last year ranked No. 5 on Billboard 200, the band’s career high. The two albums each made the year’s best

K-popApril 14, 2022

‘Into the New World’: Girls’ Generation’s debut song lives on as Millennials’ anthem of solidarity

After debuting with the single “Into the New World” in 2007, Girls’ Generation was soon propelled to stardom and went on to become one of the biggest acts in the K-pop industry. Written by SM Entertainment’s in-house songwriter Kenzie and her husband and lyrist Kim Jung-bae, the cheerful song’s joyful melody is accompanied by resolute lyrics. “With the unknowable future and obstacles, I won’t change, I can’t give up,” the then nine-member g

K-popApril 14, 2022

The Boyz to launch first world tour next month

K-pop group The Boyz will begin its first-ever world tour, encompassing North America and Europe, next month, its management agency said Thursday. The 11-piece group will kick off the tour titled "The Boyz World Tour: The B-Zone" in Los Angeles on May 29, IST Entertainment said. It will mark the band's first live concerts in front of overseas fans in about two years and five months after a tour of major European cities such as Berlin and Paris in 2019. But the boys have never had a big

K-popApril 14, 2022

[Herald Interview] Just B bids farewell to ‘Rage’ trilogy, starts new journey through ‘Just Begun’

Less than a year since the group’s debut, rookie boy band Just B hopped onto the April music craze with its second EP, “Just Begun,” which is to be released Thursday evening. This marks a return from the sextet nearly six months after its previous work, “Just Beat,” released in October. It’s unusual for a rookie band to be away for months, since they must get their name out to the public. But it took the sextet six months to add value to their musical caree

K-popApril 14, 2022

Jessi’s ‘Zoom’ looks into her 18-year life under spotlight

One of the busiest TV personalities in the Korean entertainment scene right now, singer and rapper Jessi has finally returned as a musician with her new single “Zoom.” Ahead of dropping the digital single Wednesday afternoon, Jessi conducted an online media showcase in Seoul to give a peek into how the song came out. Returning after six months with a new song, Jessi said, “I feel like it’s been much longer, but in terms of promoting my songs, it’s been around a ye

K-popApril 13, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids stays on Billboard 200 for 3rd week

Stray Kids extended their stay on the Billboard 200 for another week, ranking No. 59 with EP “Oddinary,” according to the publication’s tally for next week.   　 The EP was the chart-topper on the world albums chart for three consecutive weeks. Along with the focus track “Maniac,” it has put the band’s name on 10 charts in total.   　 The EP was fully unveiled on March 18 and debuted on Billboard 200 at No. 1. The eight-member act became the third K

K-popApril 13, 2022

Hybe's first girl group to debut next month

The first girl group from K-pop powerhouse Hybe will release its first album next month, its management agency said Wednesday. Le Sserafim will drop the debut EP "Fearless" and hold a showcase for fans at the Jangchung Arena, an indoor sports stadium that can house 4,000 people, on May 2, Source Music said. The showcase will also be livestreamed online, it added. Le Sserafim is a six-piece group that consists of Miyawaki Sakura, Kim Chaewon, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, Kim Garam and Hong Eunch

K-popApril 13, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] SHINee’s Onew tops iTunes chart in 40 regions

    Onew of SHINee landed atop iTunes top albums chart in 40 regions with his second solo EP, “Dice.”   　 The six-track EP was fully unveiled Monday and also swept all major charts at home. It came almost 3 1/2 years after his first solo EP, “Voice,” and the musician demonstrated a fuller spectrum with the new EP, proving himself capable of going beyond the ballads for which he is best known.   　 He debuted as a member of SHINee in 2008 and has si

K-popApril 12, 2022

Dreamcatcher calls for climate action with second LP ‘Apocalypse: Save Us’

K-pop girl group Dreamcatcher on Tuesday made a comeback in nine months with their second full-length album, “Apocalypse: Save Us.” The band conducted a press conference ahead of their comeback to talk about the album and its production. The new album is the first studio album participated by all members, as the act’s Chinese member Handong had to sit out on the first LP, “Dystopia: The Tree of Language,” due to activities in her home country. “Handong cou

K-popApril 12, 2022

EPEX sends sheep in the midst of wolves through ‘Prelude of Anxiety’

Less than a year since the group’s debut, rookie boy band EPEX welcomed the spring season with the third EP, “Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 1. 21st Century Boys,” released Monday evening. This marks the band‘s return nearly five months after its previous work, “Bipolar Pt. 2 Prelude of Love,” released in October. In a press conference Monday, Wish said it is “an album that aims to talk about the younger generation and youth’s struggle with the oppr

K-popApril 11, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Ateez to drop 2nd Japanese EP next month

     　 Ateez will release its second EP in Japan on May 25, agency KQ Entertainment announced Monday.   　 The EP, “Beyond: Zero,” consists of seven tracks: “The King,” a new song in Japanese as well as Japanese versions of hit songs such as “I’m the One,” “Take Me Home” and “Deja Vu.”   　 Main track “Rocky” is the work of leader Hongjoong, who was inspired by the classic underdog movie of

K-popApril 11, 2022

SHINee’s Onew hopes to unravel his ‘diversity’ through second solo EP ‘Dice’

K-pop group SHINee’s Onew on Monday put out his second solo album, “Dice,” through which he hopes to show his diversity as a solo musician and spread hopeful messages. Ahead of dropping his new album, Onew conducted a media showcase in Seoul on Monday afternoon. Hosting the show was SHINee bandmate Minho. Onew has been constantly releasing music, but mostly in for the original soundtracks of dramas, as the new album marks his official comeback as a soloist after over three ye

K-popApril 11, 2022

[Herald Review] YG’s rookies Treasure prove they’ve come far with first concert ‘Trace’

Making a star-studded debut in August 2020 as the rookie boy band of K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment and the winners of K-pop competition “YG Jewel Box,” Treasure has been fast-expanding the envelope ever since. But it was during the two nights of the act’s first stand-alone concerts, “Trace,” over the weekend that the 12 bandmates realized for themselves how far they have come in the past two years. “Tonight, it really hit me that we are singers. The re

K-popApril 11, 2022

[Herald Review] “If BTS and Army are together, the desert becomes the sea.”

LAS VEGAS -- In what would be one of the most memorable nights in the history of Las Vegas, BTS took over Sin City, proving the K-pop phenomenon’s matchless presence once again. Ahead of the four-day sold out show, which kicked off at Allegiant Stadium on Friday, the already festive Las Vegas strip completely transformed for BTS fans visiting from all over the world. With an array of Army -- the group’s fandom -- flooding the busy strip and fancy hotel casinos, the iconic Bellagio

K-popApril 10, 2022

BTS has hands off military issue, hopes to continue competing for Grammys

K-pop phenomenon BTS had a brief meeting with Korean media in Las Vegas ahead of the band’s concert on Saturday. The group‘s seven members -- RM, V, Jin, Jimin, J-Hope, Jungkook and Suga -- greeted the press at Allegiant Stadium, where the concert was taking place, dressed in their white and red stage outfits and offered short responses to questions. “We’re happy to be seeing you guys in person again. We’re holding another in-person concert today,” RM, the b

K-popApril 10, 2022

BTS to begin four live concerts in Las Vegas on Saturday

Las Vegas is going to turn into a city of BTS with the start of the K-pop supergroup's four sold-out concerts this weekend. The septet will hold four "Permission to Dance on Stage - Las Vegas" shows on Friday-Saturday and April 15-16 (US time) at Allegiant Stadium, about a month after it had its first concerts before a live audience in Seoul since 2019. The upcoming concerts will focus on the reunion between the BTS members and their fans as the Seoul shows did, according to the band's

K-popApril 8, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Twice adds concert to LA show

    Twice will perform one more time in Los Angeles on May 15, label JYP Entertainment announced Thursday. 　 The group is performing at Banc of California Stadium on May 14 and tickets for the live show sold out as soon as they became available. The stadium accommodates 22,000 people. 　 Label JYP Entertainment decided to add another concert on the following day. The nine-member act toured the US -- from Los Angeles to Atlanta and New York -- in February as part of its fourth in

K-popApril 7, 2022

Seventeen to drop first all-English single ‘Darl+ing’ next week

K-pop boy group Seventeen will release its first all-English language single titled “Darl+ing,“ hoping to expand its presence in the global music scene, the band’s agency Pledis Entertainment said Thursday. The 13-member group posted an image of its upcoming digital single’s title poster on its official social media at midnight. The group’s mood teaser, concept photos, voice messages and official teasers are also set to be unveiled in order. “Darl+ing&rdqu

K-popApril 7, 2022