Donations, hashtags and fancams: K-pop world reacts to George Floyd protests

As protests continue following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died at the hands of police in the US, multiple K-pop stars and fandoms have joined in solidarity to speak up against police brutality. In a tweet on Sunday, Mark Tuan from GOT7 told his followers to stay strong and safe as he announced his donation of $7,000 to George Floyd Memorial Fund. Jae from rock band DAY6 donated to Minnesota Freedom Fund as he linked a page that shows ways to help the Black Lives Matter movemen

K-popJune 1, 2020

Online KCON to star 32 acts, including Mamamoo, ITZY

Girl groups Mamamoo and ITZY and solo male artist Kang Daniel were included in the lineup for the online edition of KCON, an annual K-pop and Korean culture festival scheduled to be held later this month, its organizer announced Monday. A total of 32 artists were confirmed to appear on KCON:TACT 2020 Summer, which will be streamed on YouTube from June 20-26 through the channel "M-net K-POP," according to South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM. Some of the top-billed K-pop acts incl

K-popJune 1, 2020

Sampling blunder by BTS member serves as cautionary tale for K-pop act going forward

A recent audio sampling controversy surrounding BTS member Suga's new album shows that even global K-pop superstars are not bulletproof from potential public relations debacles. It highlights the inevitable risks associated with celebrities trying to step up their game on the international stage amid heightened calls for political correctness. On Sunday evening, Big Hit Entertainment issued an apology over the use of an audio clip of American cult leader Jim Jones, associated with the infamo

K-popJune 1, 2020

BTS' 'DNA' music video tops 1b YouTube views

The music video of BTS' 2017 hit song "DNA" topped 1 billion YouTube views on Monday, becoming the band's first music video to surpass that milestone. "DNA," the lead track of BTS' 2017 album "Love Yourself: Her," achieved the feat early Monday morning, according to the band's label-management agency Big Hit Entertainment. Released in September 2017, the song stayed on Billboard's Hot 100 chart for four consecutive weeks, and in February the following year, it

K-popJune 1, 2020

Lady Gaga song featuring K-pop act BLACKPINK tops 57 iTunes charts

"Sour Candy," American pop singer Lady Gaga's latest song featuring K-pop quartet BLACKPINK, reached the No. 1 spot on more than 50 Apple iTunes charts, according to the group's management agency Friday. The song, part of Lady Gaga's new album "Chromatica," climbed to the top of the iTunes Song charts in 57 regions, YG Entertainment said. The song was put out Thursday, a day ahead of the release of "Chromatica." "Sour Candy" also rose to the top spot o

K-popMay 29, 2020

Genie Music to supply K-pop to China’s Tencent Music

Genie Music, the music streaming platform owned by Korean telecom giant KT, said Wednesday it has recently signed a deal with Tencent Music to supply K-pop for streaming services in the Chinese market. Genie has distributed K-pop in over 50 countries through diverse global platforms, including Apple Music, Google Music and Spotify. The latest deal paves the way for it to enter the soaring Chinese music streaming market. “Investors have responded optimistically, and our stocks reached

K-popMay 28, 2020

From Bruce Lee to martial art, NCT’s ‘Kick It’ co-composer explains creative process

As much as NCT 127 is known as a multi-genre master, the act’s recent single “Kick It” is perhaps the best encapsulation of its dynamic, bravado nature. Released on the band’s previous “Neo Zone” album in March, the boisterous song, tightly packed with shouted vocals, bass-heavy beats and airtight production, is heavily themed on “Bruce Lee” and martial art concept. Read as “Hero” in its Korean title, “Kick It” so explicit

K-popMay 27, 2020

Monsta X’s new album ‘Fantasia X’ is a world of emotions

Monsta X released their new EP “Fantasia X” on Tuesday. The record featuring seven tracks comes seven months after their seventh EP “Follow: Find You,” with all the bandmates taking part in its making. Speaking to the press during a livestreamed press showcase, Kihyun said Fantasia is a “liberating” and “energetic” track that speaks to the signature Monsta X sound. The high energy track featuring ethnic melodies and dynamic synths competed with

K-popMay 26, 2020

Big Hit acquires Pledis in push for expansion

Big Hit Entertainment has become the biggest shareholder of its smaller rival Pledis Entertainment, the company said Monday. The acquisition is the latest in a series of moves to expand Big Hit’s presence in the burgeoning K-pop industry. Last year alone, the firm acquired Source Music, the music label for girl band GFriend, and game music company Superb. With the addition of Pledis, the firm now boasts an extensive roster of artists under its roof in a multi-label system, bringing som

K-popMay 25, 2020

BTS Suga's new mixtape 'D-2' tops global iTunes charts

A new mixtape released by Suga of Korean pop sensation BTS dominated the iTunes album charts in 80 regions across the world, his management agency said Saturday. “D-2,” Suga’s second mixtape released Friday, was No. 1 on the iTunes “top album” charts in 80 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, France, Sweden, Japan and Peru as of 8 a.m. Saturday, according to Big Hit Entertainment. Its main track, “Daechwita,” also dominated the

K-popMay 23, 2020

TWICE set for June comeback with ‘More & More’

Popular girl group TWICE will make a comeback with its ninth EP, “More & More,” next month, the first in a series of major K-pop comebacks expected to heat up the early summer chart race. JYP Entertainment‘s nine-piece multinational team will release its new record on June 1. It will be the band’s first collection of songs since the previous EP, “Feel Special,” from September of last year. The title song, which shares the same name as the EP itself, w

K-popMay 23, 2020

BTS' Suga releases new mixtape 'D-2'

Suga, a member of Korean pop sensation BTS, released his new mixtape "D-2" and the music video for the title track "Daechwita" on Friday. The term "daechwita" refers to a genre of Korean traditional music where percussion instruments are used to play music at a king's parade and other military ceremonies. Big Hit Entertainment, one of the largest music labels in South Korea and home to K-pop darlings BTS, unveiled Suga's second mixtape in four years following his

K-popMay 22, 2020

How Taeyeon’s ‘Happy’ came to life after ups and downs

When Taeyeon’s latest single “Happy” reached local charts’ top tier earlier in May, fans reveled in the long-awaited joy. The song was originally scheduled for release in March, but it was postponed after the singer’s father passed away on that same day. So when the song was finally out on May 4, fans flooded her social media with blessings and support, but there was also a special someone to whom it felt to the happiest. “When I heard the tragic news, obv

K-popMay 21, 2020

Epik High, Zico to perform at TikTok's online hip hop show

Epik High, Zico and other top South Korean hip hop stars will perform as part of an online concert hosted by video-sharing mobile platform TikTok next week, the company said Thursday. The company announced that it will hold the online concert, named TikTok Stage with Hiphopplaya, next Wednesday at 8 p.m. via the @tiktok_stage account on the platform. Hip hop trio Epik High, rapper-singer Zico and 20 other artists, including Jessie, Jay Park, Crush, Heize, Changmo and Sik-K, will take part in

K-popMay 21, 2020

Don’t be too optimistic about lifting of K-pop ban in China: experts

Despite K-pop artists landing endorsement deals in China as of late, pop culture and China experts are cautioning against being too optimistic. Earlier this month, G-Dragon from Big Bang made headlines after signing a contract with Chinese bottled water giant Nongfu Spring to promote the company’s tea brand Chapai. The news marks the first promising sign since China effectively banned K-pop in 2016, after South Korea decided to deploy the US anti-missile defense system THAAD. Soon after

K-popMay 21, 2020

[Herald Interview] Yubin, CEO and artist, is happier than ever

Yubin may be having the busiest year of her career, establishing her label rrr Entertaiment in February and now putting out a new digital single “Me Time.” Its release date, May 21 (521), read backward is the date she left JYP Entertainment, January 25 (125), 13 years after debuting as a member of Wonder Girls. The track has already garnered a buzz for mentioning JYP in the lyrics: “I’m freaky freakin’ happy / I feel free / THX JYP but Free now.” “

K-popMay 21, 2020

Sales of BTS’ ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’ underreported to IFPI

Overseas sales of BTS’ 2019 record “Map of the Soul: Persona” are believed to have been massively underreported to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry for its prestigious annual global top albums chart. Earlier this year, the septet’s sixth EP was named the third bestselling record of the year in 2019 with 2.5 million unit sales by the London-based IFPI’s Global Top Album Chart. But what would have been a celebratory occasion was soon met wi

K-popMay 20, 2020

[Herald Interview] Sujeong of Lovelyz takes a leap as a solo musician

Sujeong of girl group Lovelyz returned to the music scene but on her own. It is the first time she is going solo since debuting in 2014 as the lead vocalist of the eight-piece band. Her first solo EP “Tiger Eyes” released Wednesday is packed with seven songs of various genres, from the pop-based EDM title, also called “Tiger Eyes,” to an R&B “Call Back” and acoustics “Your Name” and “zz.” “My voice is husky but isn’t

K-popMay 20, 2020

New NCT 127 single packs a ‘Punch’

NCT 127 pulled zero punches with its new single, another powerful anthem that stays true to the group’s dynamic nature.  "Punch," released Tuesday evening, has been featured on “#127 Neo Zone: The Final Round,” the repackage album of the group’s second full-length album.  Also being promoted as the album’s lead track, “Punch” is a fierce urban soul hip-hop track that overflows with powerful synths, throbbing bass and industrial beat

K-popMay 19, 2020

BTS producer Bang Si-hyuk named executive producer of K-pop reality TV

Bang Si-hyuk, the chief producer for K-pop sensation BTS, will serve as executive producer in the upcoming reality TV show "I-Land," his company, Big Hit Entertainment, announced Tuesday. The new show airs on cable music network Mnet starting June 26. Bang will play a key role in unearthing and discovering fresh idol hopefuls and developing them into K-pop stars, the company said. The reality show is the first joint project between Mnet and Big Hit after the two established a joint

K-popMay 19, 2020