The first self-composed song from Jimin of boy band BTS, “Promise” was streamed over 13 million times in its first two days and 20 hours since release, the quickest pace among any solo efforts from the bandmates.When the song was released Monday via global music platform SoundCloud, the site was momentarily paralyzed with users rushing to stream the track.  (BTS official blog)“Promise” not only topped the New Hot chart and Top 50 chart of SoundCloud, but regional music charts including for the U

Performance Jan. 3, 2019

Yoon Ji-sung, leader of the recently disbanded Wanna One, will star in the musical “The Days,” which will be staged in Seoul from Feb. 22.According to Insight Entertainment representing the musical on Wednesday, Yoon will take the role of Kang Moo-young, a witty, free-spirited soul who works for the secret service. “I’m grateful to get such an opportunity after my activities end as a member of Wanna One,” said Yoon. “I’ve always had a desire to appear in a musical. I’ll show a new side of myself

Performance Jan. 2, 2019

Singer Hwang Chi-yeul will return with a new album on Jan. 21.The upcoming record will be his second album since his debut in 2007 with the album “Five Senses.” Representing the singer, How Entertainment said Wednesday, “The album will feature Hwang’s unique yet sentimental voice.” (Yonhap)Hwang released the EP “Be Myself” in April last year. The 36-year-old singer rose to stardom in 2015 after nearly a decade in obscurity. Since then, Hwang has established himself as one of the hottest K-pop so

Performance Jan. 2, 2019

Comedian Lee Young-ja made history by becoming the first female comedian to win the grand prize at the KBS Entertainment Awards held Saturday. KBS has held the annual awards ceremony since 2002 to recognize achievements in variety and entertainment programs. The grand prize had been won by men for 16 years in a row. There were six nominees for the grand prize this year, including Yoo Jae-suk, Shin dong-yup, Lee Dong-guk and Kim Jun-ho.  (Yonhap)Lee Young-ja, who debuted 27 years ago, burst into

Television Dec. 23, 2018

The freezing temperatures may make some want to climb into bed and snuggle deep under the covers, but for Koreans it is time to lay their backs on heated floors. The ideal place is a jjimjilbang, a Korean-style sauna that incorporates two traditional heating systems. The “ondol” -- heated floors -- and “gama” -- heated kilns akin to typical sauna rooms -- offer comfort in the cold weather.  Dragon Hill Spa in Seoul (Dragon Hill Spa)The origin of jjimjilbang can be traced back to the Joseon era.

Social Affairs Dec. 13, 2018

BTS has become the first K-pop group to be included on Bloomberg’s list of 50 most influential people of the year, called “The Bloomberg 50,” which was revealed Friday on the US media outlet’s website.  (BTS' official Twitter)“BTS ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s album chart with its ‘Love Yourself Tear’ and topped the chart again with another album ‘Love Yourself Answer,’ showing unprecedented success in US,” Bloomberg said on why BTS made it to the list.  (Bloomberg)According to the US media outlet

Performance Dec. 7, 2018

BTS member Jin penned a handwritten letter to the group’s official fan club, Army, on his birthday, which fell on Tuesday.In the long letter posted on the group’s official social media account, he said that he is happy. “I’m happy not only because it’s my birthday but mainly because Army members are happy celebrating my birthday together,” read the letter. “BTS could do everything it did because Army was supportive all the time.” (BTS` official Twitter)“Sorry for not being fluent in English but

Performance Dec. 4, 2018

Cloudy skies will continue Tuesday morning with showers that will cease in the afternoon.Korea’s state weather agency said the rain was forecast to stop in the day as the effect of a low pressure trough will fade out on the peninsula by the afternoon.Chungcheong Province, Jeju and Southern regions except for North Gyeongsang Province will get 5-20 millimeters of rain, while Gyeonggi and West Gangwon areas will see less than 5 mm. (Yonhap)According to the National Institute of Environmental Resea

Social Affairs Dec. 4, 2018

A cloudy Monday is expected nationwide, with light showers in some areas of the country reducing levels of fine dust.South Jeolla Province and Jeju Island will get 10-50 millimeters of rain, while North Jeolla Province and the Chungcheong and Gyeongsang provinces can expect 5-30 mm. Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces and Dokdo will see less than 5 mm.  (Yonhap)According to the National Institute of Environmental Research, fine dust levels will range between “normal” and “good” thanks to the rain.Mon

Social Affairs Dec. 3, 2018

NU’EST W has returned with its third and final album as a four-piece unit of NU’EST. Dressed in black suits, the four bandmates looked confident yet nervous as they spoke about “Wake, N.”“Our main focus in this album was to deliver the lyrics well,” said JR during a showcase Monday. “The album includes group songs that express waking up from sleep, and solo tracks talking about feelings coming alive.” (Pledis Entertainment)The seven-track record is led by “Help Me,” a fusion pop rhythm and blues

Performance Nov. 27, 2018

Cold weather hit the nation Sunday morning, with fine dust covering the peninsula. Thick fog is expected to remain throughout the day across the nation except for east coast areas. Some roads in South Korea are slippery because the remains of Saturday’s snow remains have frozen overnight. The Korean Meteorological Agency advised drivers, pedestrians and hikers to take special caution.The daytime highs will range from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius, approximately 3 C higher than Saturday. (Yonhap)Fine d

Social Affairs Nov. 25, 2018

British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran said on Tuesday that he is interested in working with BTS, saying the band is “great.”  (Twitter)“Actually, I wrote a song that I think they might be messing with. I heard this the other day,” said Sheeran in an interview with a UK media outlet. “I really like BTS though, I think they are great.” (Instagram)Tuesday was not the first time the renowned singer has shown interest in collaboration with BTS. When the boy band released its latest album, “Love Yourse

Performance Nov. 20, 2018

The Korea Meteorological Administration on Friday issued its forecast of cloudy skies and bad fine dust levels across the nation. According to the weather agency, South Jeolla Province and Jeju Island will see some rainfall, while parts of the North and South Gyeongsang provinces will be covered in thick fog.  (Yonhap)Fine dust will hit “bad” levels in Daegu, North Chungcheong Province, South Chungcheong Province, North Jeolla Province and North Gyeongsang Province, while other remaining areas w

Social Affairs Nov. 16, 2018

Singer Psy is planning to entertain fans with another installment of the “All Night Stand” concerts at the end of 2018. “All Night Stand” will be held at the KSPO Dome at Olympic Park in Seoul from Dec. 21-24. (Instagram)Psy notified fans of the upcoming shows via his social media account on Monday, posting a couple of playful tips, such as “Although it’s winter outside, where you’ll be with me is going to be summer. Wear mid-summer clothing inside your mid-winter jackets.”“All Night Stand” star

Performance Nov. 13, 2018

Cloudy skies will remain across the nation Friday, with some parts of South Korea forecasted to have scattered showersA strong-wind warning alert has been issued by the weather agency, advising special attention to protect installments. (Yonhap)High atmospheric pressure coming in from China will bring sporadic rainfall for the time being.Daytime highs will vary from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius nationwide. Temperatures for the remainder of the week are expected to be similar to the average for this

Social Affairs Nov. 9, 2018