[Herald Interview] Samuel Seo, a musician who owns the moment and lives in the now

Samuel Seo’s artistic identity could be a little understated. He dons black from head to toe, large portions of his body are shaded in pitch-black ink and the look is completed with several piercings. Yet in contrast to his simple look, the singer-songwriter draws upon a wide range of musical genres to produce songs worth the listen. Scavenging for music Six years ago, a budding rapper in his mid-20s introduced fresh tunes to listeners that were somewhat offbeat. But now his distincti

K-popNov. 5, 2021

YouTube and S.M. to unveil remastered old K-pop music videos

K-pop powerhouse S.M. Entertainment will be bringing K-pop music videos from the 1990s and 2000s back into the limelight through their remastering project with YouTube. S.M. Entertainment CEO Lee Sung-soo and YouTube Head of Music Partnerships in Greater China and Korea Lee Sun, on Thursday held an online press conference that livestreamed through YouTube. Members of S.M.‘s rookie girl group aespa, Karina and Giselle, also joined the event. According to the two companies, the “S

K-popNov. 4, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Hybe posts record quarterly earnings thanks to “Butter”

Hybe announced in a disclosure on Thursday that its third-quarter operating profit jumped 63.33 percent on-year to 65.6 billion won ($55.41 million). 　 Its sales reached 341 billion won, up 79.49 percent from the same period last year. Both figures are the highest ever for the company. Its net profit ballooned 81.86 percent to 49.5 billion won. 　 Album sales, merchandise and licensing all propelled the stellar performance, said the firm. 　 Album sales increased 21 percent from the previous qua

K-popNov. 4, 2021

Hybe says ‘boundless’ is its future, shares plans for more diversified portfolio

Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse behind boy band BTS, announced its plan to augment its business portfolio and garner more people to engage in the process. The label held an online YouTube event Thursday morning to share its futuristic visions and strategies to lead the entertainment industry. Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of Hybe and founder of the label, said, “Hybe has always used the terms like ‘global’ and ‘connected,’ but now, these words are common and easily found els

K-popNov. 4, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Wanna One may reunite: report

  There have been talks about disbanded boy band Wanna One reuniting, according to local media reports on Wednesday. 　 Following the reports, CJ ENM confirmed that it is discussing a range of plans, including an appearance at the Mnet Asian Music Awards, a concert and an album, which would include every member of the group. 　 The project group was formed on the second season of audition program “Produce 101” in 2017 and officially disbanded after approximately 1 1/2 years toge

K-popNov. 3, 2021

BTS-Coldplay collaboration ranks 20th on Billboard Hot 100

"My Universe," a collaborative song between K-pop superstars BTS and British rock band Coldplay, ranked No. 20 on the Billboard main albums chart for this week. According to the latest chart that became available Tuesday (US time), the song was down seven notches from the previous week's No. 13 on the Hot 100 chart, which ranks the most popular songs of the week in the United States by blending streaming, airplay and sales data. The tune debuted atop the chart in the first week of it

K-popNov. 3, 2021

[Herald Interview] oceanfromtheblue on making music that carries time

As the seasons change, so too does the ocean. The water is warm in the summer, wrapping around the body pleasantly as the waves gently slap the skin, while in the winter, the currents turn stronger, surging up and down below the high, gray skies as the abyss delves down unfathomably. Singer-songwriter and producer oceanfromtheblue, initially going by the name Ocean, said his music is like the vast waters that change with the turn of the seasons. “It’s the same ocean, but it exude

K-popNov. 3, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen’s 9th EP lands on Billboard 200 at No. 13

Seventeen’s ninth EP “Attacca” entered the Billboard 200 at No. 13, the group’s agency Pledis Entertainment announced Tuesday. 　 The EP came out on Oct. 22 and is now the group’s highest ranking release yet. Its previous EP “Your Choice” ranked No. 15 on the chart. The EP topped Billboard’s top album sales chart as well as Oricon’s daily and weekly album ranking, and Billboard Japan’s three main charts. 　 With the EP having sold mor

K-popNov. 2, 2021

10 years on, Super Junior D&E is back to square one

When Super Junior D&E was formed in 2011 as a subunit of the popular boy band Super Junior, its members Donghae and Eunhyuk never expected it would remain active even after 10 years. The two, both born in 1986 and having been with the group since they were trainees, looked back on their past years during an online press conference held Tuesday to promote their first full-length album. The new release will drop at 6 p.m., ahead of the unit's 10th anniversary next month. "Super Junior D

K-popNov. 2, 2021

BLACKPINK's Lisa makes second appearance on Billboard Hot 100 with 'Money'

Lisa, a member of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, scored her second-ever appearance on the Hot 100, Billboard's main singles chart, with "Money." According to Billboard on Monday (US time), "Money," a track from Lisa's first individual single album released in September, opened at 90th on the chart for the week ending Nov. 6. The singer and rapper first entered the chart with "Lalisa," the title track of the album, ranking No. 84 in the first week of its release. The

K-popNov. 2, 2021

BTS 'Dynamite' certified triple platinum in US

"Dynamite," a megahit single by K-pop superstars BTS, has received triple platinum certification in the United States. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) revealed the certification on its website Monday (US time), recognizing the song for achieving more than 3 million certified units in sales and streams. The awards range from gold certification (500,000 units) to platinum (1 million units), multi-platinum (2 million units) and diamond (10 million units). The certi

K-popNov. 2, 2021

All Lovelyz members except Baby Soul to leave Woollim this month

Almost all members of K-pop girl group Lovelyz will leave their management agency Woollim Entertainment this month when their contracts with the company expire, the agency said. "Exclusive contracts between our company and Lovelyz members are set to expire on Nov. 16," it said in a statement Monday. "After a long in-depth discussion, seven members -- Yoo Ji-ae, Seo Ji-soo, Lee Mi-joo, Kei, Jin, Ryu Su-jeong and Jung Ye-in -- have decided to prepare for another start." But t

K-popNov. 2, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] The Boyz dip deeper into hip-hop with 3rd single

The Boyz exuded charisma at an online showcase held on Monday to introduce its third single “Maverick.” 　 It has been only three months since the release of its sixth EP “Thrill-ing,” but the members were full of confidence saying that the new single will show off the band even clearer. 　 “We wanted to showcase more diverse sides of ourselves as fast as possible,” said Eric, adding with a laugh that there were no difficulties preparing for the return except

K-popNov. 1, 2021

BLACKPINK's 'Boombaya' tops 1.3b YouTube views

The music video for K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's "Boombaya" has surpassed 1.3 billion YouTube views. The video, released in August 2016, hit the milestone at 9:34 a.m. Monday, 146 days after passing the 1.2 billion mark, according to the group's management agency, YG Entertainment. "Even though four years have passed since the release of the music video, (the number of its YouTube views) has been on the steady rise," the agency said. "BLACKPINK now has its third music

K-popNov. 1, 2021

K-pop industry sees bigger opportunities in international market

Big-name K-pop companies saw their revenues from overseas rise sharply in the first half of the year, financial data showed Monday, as the number and influence of overseas-based fans grew to a point where they can determine the rankings of local music charts. According to data available on the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system as of Monday, Hybe, which manages BTS, Seventeen and Enhypen, saw domestic sales account for only 24.96 percent out of 456.9 billion won ($390

K-popNov. 1, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Twice reveals song list for upcoming LP

Twice announced the list of songs that will consist its third studio album Friday. 　 In keeping with the album title, “Formula of Love: O+T=<3,” the main track is called “Scientist,” putting a study of love into frank and upbeat lyrics. 　 The bandmates took a bigger role in making the songs: Dahyun, Nayeon and Jihyo wrote the words for “Cruel,” “Fall In Love Again,” and “Real You,” respectively while Jihyo got the credit for the me

K-popOct. 29, 2021

Jeon Somi is confident about her first full-length album ‘XOXO’

Female soloist Jeon Somi is back, unveiling her first full-length album, “XOXO,” on Friday. Ahead of the album’s release at 6 p.m., Jeon held a media showcase in Seoul, livestreamed due to the pandemic. “XOXO” comes only three months after the singer gave a preview of the album with the single “Dumb Dumb.” “I want to show my confidence with the new album. If I showed a relaxed manner with ‘Dumb Dumb,’ now I have self-confidence. I ca

K-popOct. 29, 2021

BTS gets three nods at American Music Awards, including Artist of The Year

K-pop superband BTS has been nominated for three categories in this year's American Music Awards, including for the top Artist of The Year prize for the first time. In the 2021 AMA nomination list released Thursday (US time), BTS was recognized in the Artist of The Year, Favorite Duo or Group and Favorite Pop Song categories. It is the first time that the Korean boy band has made the cut for Artist of The Year, the grand prize of the fan-voted AMA, one of the largest music shows in the United

K-popOct. 29, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Park Jihoon comes out with 5th EP

Park Jihoon held a media showcase to roll out his fifth EP, “Hot & Cold,” in southern Seoul on Thursday.   　 It has been only two months since his previous EP. During that short period he has also hosted an online concert and appeared on TV shows.   　 “I can’t not be busy since there are fans who like me,” he said, thanking them and adding that they are the source of momentum for him. He said he keeps himself healthy by boxing and learning how to pla

K-popOct. 28, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa sets record with solo music video

Lisa of Blackpink’s solo debut song reached over 300 million views on YouTube on Wednesday, her label YG Entertainment announced . 　 It took 48 days to reach the milestone, the shortest time for a music video released by a K-pop solo female artist. This replaces the previous record held by bandmate Jennie’s “Solo,” at 183 days. The two are the only music videos made by a K-pop female solo musician to achieve the feat so far. The video for “LaLisa” set the wor

K-popOct. 27, 2021