ITZY's Yeji tests positive for coronavirus

Yeji, a member of K-pop girl group ITZY, tested positive for the coronavirus Monday after Lia, the group's management agency said, as the virus continued to spread fast across the country, fueled by the highly transmissible omicron variant. "Yeji took a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examination yesterday and received a positive result today," JYP Entertainment said on the group's official website for fans. All members of the five-piece group took the first PCR test on Saturday to fin

K-popFeb. 14, 2022

Apink to drop special album marking its 10th anniv.

K-pop girl group Apink on Monday will release a special album celebrating the 10th anniversary since its debut, the group's management agency said. The album titled "Horn" will be the first release from the six-member group since "Look" in April 2020. The lead single "Dilemma" is a dance number with an addictive hook. Its lyrics are about the dilemma of a woman who does not want to break up with her lover although she knows he no longer loves her and thus should let

K-popFeb. 14, 2022

[Herald Interview] Hwang In-kyu ready to rock ‘n’ roll by interweaving bass with traditional sounds

Harmony is defined as playing more than one note at once or at a counterpoint. Musician Hwang In-kyu crafts music through his bass and expands the possibilities of its sounds into other tunes. Bass: a sound that harmonizes music A typical song structure includes a chorus, verses and a bridge, and the bass guitar acts as a bridge between the melody and listeners by helping them identify the song‘s beat, the bassist says. The 29-year-old described the four-string bass as a “wild

K-popFeb. 11, 2022

What you need to know in spring: Big Bang is coming back

New bands and new hit songs appear at lightning speed in the music scene, but old music and memories flood back: Big Bang is gearing for a return. After years of rumors that the band is preparing a new project or might even reunite for the Coachella music festival in the US, the K-pop superstars are ready to add value to the year by greeting and meeting fans by answering the speculation with their new song. On Monday, Big Bang surprised fans as YG Entertainment said via a press release that

K-popFeb. 11, 2022

[Graphic News] K-pop album sales increased 37% last year

　The K-pop album market has been experiencing an unprecedented boom but the sales of digital music have been sluggish amid the coronavirus pandemic. 　According to the year-end data released by Korea’s album sales tracker Gaon Chart, the nation’s top 400 albums sold 57 million copies in and out of the country in 2021, up 36.9 percent from 41.7 million the previous year. 　The sales of the top 400 albums have been on a steep rise after exceeding 20 million for the first time in 2018.

K-popFeb. 11, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Pentagon’s Yeo One suffers injury from car accident

　 Yeo One of Pentagon will suspend activities for the time being due to a back injury, agency Cube Entertainment said Thursday. 　 He was hit by a car that was driven by a drunken driver the previous day, while he was on his way home. He was brought to the hospital immediately and received emergency care. 　 He appeared in a program in the afternoon but suffered pains returning home and now is recovering after a treatment, the firm said. Local media found a scene from the show that was broadcast

K-popFeb. 10, 2022

Suzy returns to singing after 4 yrs with new single

Singer-actress Suzy is returning to singing for the first time in four years with a new single, her management agency said Thursday. The song titled "Satellite" will hit various music services at 6 p.m. next Thursday, according to Management Soop. The singer has participated in the project as a co-writer, with the lyrics about a nostalgic sweetness, it added. The upcoming single is Suzy's first public release since her second mini album "Faces of Love" in January 2018. The 27

K-popFeb. 10, 2022

After 7 years together, GFriend members start over as rookie trio Viviz

K-pop’s latest rookies come with seven years of experience. Eunha, SinB and Umji of girl group GFriend returned to the K-pop scene to make a splash second debut as a rookie trio under new name, Viviz. Indeed, they seemed at home but nervous at the same time on the stage as they spoke to the media Wednesday during their debut showcase, conducted few hours before the release of their first EP “Beam of Prism.” “I wasn’t the least bit nervous until three minutes ago,

K-popFeb. 9, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Ateez to publish 1st photo book next month

   　 Ateez announced Wednesday that it will release its first photo book on March 18. 　 In a trailer for the book, titled “Ode to Youth,” the bandmates give a behind the scenes look of the photo shoots. 　 “Please keep walking alongside us. Let’s take one slow step after another as we’re doing fine,” wrote the bandmates in handwritten message. The 216-page tome will be accompanied by a making-of DVD, photo cards and a poster. 　 The eight-piece

K-popFeb. 9, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen’s Vernon to collaborate with Charli XCX: report

    Vernon of Seventeen will team up with British musician Charli XCX, according to a local media report Tuesday. 　 The singer-songwriter tweeted on the day asking “how do i get in touch with Vernon?” and suggested a collaboration. Vernon replied: “YES still can’t believe this is real wow.” 　 In 2019, Charli XCX joined forces with BTS for the soundtrack of BTS World, and the song titled “Dream Glow” topped Billboard’s world digital s

K-popFeb. 8, 2022

BTS' RM gives thumbs-up to S. Korean short tracker disqualified during Beijing Olympics

RM, leader of K-pop supergroup BTS, has expressed his support for a South Korean short track speed skater disqualified during the Beijing Winter Olympics amid mounting public outrage over the questionable referee decision. The singer posted a photo, along with a thumbs-up emoticon, on his Instagram account on Monday night of Hwang Dae-heon passing Chinese competitors during a men's 1,000m semifinal. Hwang finished first but was disqualified for what the referee said was an illegal late passing.

K-popFeb. 8, 2022

Momoland to appear on Mexican TV show

South Korean girl group Momoland will embark on a promotional tour of Mexico next week for its new digital single, seeking to advance to the broader Central and South American market, its agency said Tuesday. The six-piece group will leave for Mexico on Monday in its second trip to the region since 2019 when it appeared on the country's music-themed pay-TV channel Telehit, according to MLD Entertainment. During the upcoming visit, Momoland will appear as a special guest in the final round of

K-popFeb. 8, 2022

[Today's K-pop] Treasure to host 1st concert in April

Treasure will be holding its first standalone concert in Seoul for two days in April, announced label YG Entertainment on Monday. 　 The set list includes “Jikjin,” the main track from its upcoming album and feature performances by subunits. The concert will be an opportunity to see that the band has grown in musical capabilities and expanded its spectrum, said the management firm. 　 The band is coming out with its first EP “The Second Step: Chapter One” on Feb. 15. The

K-popFeb. 7, 2022

Wonpil says ‘Pilmography’ is the filmography of his life

Wonpil of boy band Day6 welcomed the second month of the year by hopping onto the February music chart craze with his first-ever solo album. The singer-turned-soloist’s album, “Pilmography,” which dropped Monday evening, touches on the different colors of music and emotions. The frosty winter-themed 10-track package aims to “comfort and heal people, especially among times of trouble,” the singer said during an online press conference held Monday. The versatile

K-popFeb. 7, 2022

K-pop artists present special exhibitions to coincide with album releases

While gearing up for their big returns to the stage, K-pop musicians have been preparing special exhibitions where visitors can view various content related to upcoming albums at different venues across Seoul. Taeyeon, a member of K-pop powerhouse Girls’ Generation, is holding an exhibition as a preview for her upcoming third full-length solo album “INVU” before its release on Feb. 14, according to her label S.M. Entertainment. “INVU: The Exhibit,” which opened M

K-popFeb. 7, 2022

BIGBANG to make a comeback in spring after four years

Boy group BIGBANG will come back to the K-pop scene this spring after four years of hiatus due to the members' mandatory military duties, the group's management agency said Monday. "BIGBANG will drop a new song in the coming spring," YG Entertainment said in a press release. "The group has completed its recording for the new song and is going to film a music video for the song." The date of the group's return and the title of the new song, however, remain unknown. Debutin

K-popFeb. 7, 2022

Disbandment not the end: GFriend members to redebut as Viviz

Putting behind their years as GFriend, members SinB, Eunha and Umji are embarking on a new journey together. As ironic as it may sound, these experienced idols are starting from square one as rookie girl group Viviz. Their first EP “Beam of Prism” is set for release on Wednesday. Ten months have passed since the disbandment of their previous band, GFriend, and it seems the girls are ready to show some new energy. According to their new label, Big Planet Made Entertainment, Viviz

K-popFeb. 4, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] Dawn proposes, HyunAh says ‘yes’

HyunAh and Dawn announced via Instagram that they are tying the knot. 　 Late Thursday, Dawn wrote “Marry Me” with a heart, uploading a short video that showed the hands of the couple wearing new rings. HyunAh uploaded the same video on her account saying “Yes, of course.” The rings are custom made by a Korean jeweler and feature chunky iridescent opals as the main stones embellished with a half dozen colorful gemstones. 　 HyunAh debuted as a member of Wonder Girls in 2

K-popFeb. 4, 2022

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jimin checks in with fans after surgery

　 Jimin of BTS assured fans that he will soon be able to leave the hospital in a post on the band’s online fan community platform on Thursday. 　 Apologizing for making fans worry, the artist said he is recovering quickly and has been eating well. 　 “Please wait for a short while. I will be back on my feet soon and be there,” he added. 　 He suffered from a sore throat and stomach pains on Jan. 30 and was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. He also tested positive for the coronav

K-popFeb. 3, 2022

Treasure is ready to add value to 2022 with ‘Second Step’

After nearly a year away from the music scene, boy band Treasure has found the perfect way to ring in the new year: releasing a new EP. The K-pop act burst on the scene two years ago, beginning “The First Step” series with “Chapter One.” Since then it has released another single -- “The First Step: Chapter Two” in September 2020 followed by its first album, “The First Step: Treasure Effect,” last January. Now the boys are ready to embark on a

K-popFeb. 3, 2022