Black Pink’s Japan debut got off on the right path with its first mini album “Blackpink” topping Oricon and Tower Records’ album charts. In less than a day after its release on Wednesday, “Blackpink” sold more than 21,583 copies in the country, putting itself on the No. 1 spot on Oricon’s daily CD album charts by 9 p.m. The album also secured the top spot on the Tower Records’ comprehensive album chart. The Japan debut album consists of Korean and Japanese versions of the group’s hit songs -- “B

Performance Aug. 31, 2017

SBS hit drama “Legend of the Blue Sea” has been cleared of accusations of plagiarism.In January, screenwriter Park Ki-hyun filed a lawsuit against Park Ji-eun, screenwriter of the SBS show, claiming the TV series violated copyright of an unmade movie scenario titled “The Legend of Hae Wol Sea: Pearly Shells.”The Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office on Monday decided there was no charge to make, as “there is no possibility that Park Ji-eun or the production company could have seen the claim

Television Aug. 30, 2017

Former 2NE1 member CL took to Instagram on Monday to write a letter in English to her fans, expressing her feelings on the K-pop group’s disbandment and hinting at her new release. “I want to thank my fans for being patient/impatient and for always being there for me,” she wrote. “I promise you new music soon. I just want u to know I’m on my way and haven’t given up.”She said she was “completely broken” and that the “breakups from my love and to my group” -- were not easy for her because they we

Performance Aug. 29, 2017

A-nation, an annual summer concert series in Japan, wrapped up this year’s event Sunday, drawing tens of thousands of fans at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo.The two-day event featured a stellar lineup of K-pop acts, including EXO, NCT 127, Red Velvet, Black Pink, D-Lite (Daesung) of Big Bang and iKON. EXO performs at the A-nation 2017 concert held at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday. (S.M. Entertainment)The three K-pop groups of S.M. Entertainment -- EXO, NCT 127 and Red Velvet -- took to the

Performance Aug. 29, 2017

Actor Jang Dong-gun, star of the upcoming political noir film "V.I.P.," will cameo in a teaser video for rookie K-pop band Le Ciel, according to the latter's agency Tuesday."Jang Dong-gun will star in the teaser video for 'Thank You So Much,' the debut song of Le Ciel," said Kang Min, head of management agency Van Demn Tiger. (SM C&C)Kang added: "I asked for him to cameo as we've known each other for a long time since Jang's debut. I'm grateful for him accepting the offer without hesitation."Le

Film Aug. 22, 2017

KBS World Radio, an international radio broadcast run by the public network of KBS, will launch a 24-hour English broadcast next month, the network said Monday.The radio channel has recently reorganized to create several new English programs that will go on air starting Sept. 4, including "One Fine Day," a music show run by Korean-American singer Park Jung-hyun, "KOREA 24," a news show by Henry Shinn, and "K-Pop Connection" by Angela Park and Oneway Peter.The move is in line with growing demands

Television Aug. 21, 2017

Actors Jung Yu-mi and Lee Kwang-soo have been cast for a new TV series on cable channel tvN written by popular screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung, the network said Monday.The two will appear in the new program "Live," a story about policemen, that will be shown some time in the first half of next year.  (Yonhap)Jung of the movie "Train to Busan" and popular reality show "Youn's Kitchen" plays tough policewoman Han Jeong-oh who fights against male-dominated working culture while Lee acts as Han's colleag

Television Aug. 21, 2017

"The Battleship Island," a Korean film about the dark history of Japan's Hashima Island off the coast of Nagasaki during World War II, has grossed more than $1 million at the US box office, its distributor said Sunday.The film reached the milestone on Friday, 15 days after its Aug. 3 opening in American theaters, according to CJ Entertainment America."Even in its second week of release, we are getting an enthusiastic response here, with various organizations asking us for information about scree

Film Aug. 21, 2017

The music video for “Dope,” a track from K-pop boy band BTS’ “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1,” has reached over 200 million views on YouTube.Released on June 23, 2015, the video reached the milestone on the YouTube channel run by 1theK, the content production division of Loen Entertainment, at 6:34 p.m. Saturday. Loen is the music label behind the group‘s 2015 EP album.  A screen capture of BTS' "Dope" music video (Big Hit Entertainment)Including views on the official channel run by t

Performance Aug. 20, 2017

Changmin of TVXQ and Siwon of Super Junior will be discharged from the military Friday. The two singers enlisted in the military on Nov. 19, 2015 and served as police officers at the Seoul Police Agency’s department of public relations. Changmin of TVXQ (left), Donghae and Siwon of Super Junior (Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Instagram)Following Changmin’s discharge, TVXQ will embark on the TVXQ! Asia Press Tour in Seoul on Monday. The duo will visit three Asian cities to meet the press and

Performance Aug. 17, 2017

Hyeri of Girl’s Day and actor Ryu Jun-yeol, the leads in popular tvN drama “Reply 1988,” confirmed Wednesday they are engaged in a romantic relationship. A local media outlet reported earlier in the day the two stars had started dating by the end of last year after starring in the show together. The report also released photos of the two spotted during three secret meetings.  Hyeri (left) and Ryu Jun-yeol star in "Reply 1988." (tvN)Hyeri and Ryu’s agencies were quick to confirm the report.“Hyeri

Television Aug. 16, 2017

Prosecutors will investigate Onew of boy band SHINee for allegedly touching a woman inappropriately at a club in Gangnam, Seoul, on Saturday. The singer was arrested at the club after a friend of the woman called the police. Onew denied the charges, saying that he has no memory of the alleged incident, as he was too drunk at that time.Police plan to send the case to the prosecutor’s office.  Onew of SHINee (Herald DB)SHINee’s agency S.M. Entertainment said the incident stemmed from “a misunderst

Performance Aug. 15, 2017

K-pop mixed gender rookie group K.A.R.D wrapped up its promotional activities in Korea for its latest track “Hola Hola” and will meet its overseas fans again. K.A.R.D will perform at the Summer Sonic 2017 rock festival in Japan on Saturday. It will then head to Los Angeles for KCON 2017, the annual Hallyu convention hosted by entertainment giant CJ E&M. In September, it will embark on another world tour in Europe, during which the group will visit five countries including the United Kingdom and

Performance Aug. 15, 2017

The 2017 Asia Song Festival, an annual Asian pop music festival, will take place in September, featuring a star-studded lineup of artists, according to its organizer Monday. Under the theme of “Asia is One,” the festival will be held from Sept. 22-24 at venues across Busan. The opening ceremony of the Asia Song Festival in 2016. (Busan-Yonhap)On its first day, music industry officials from 10 countries will gather for a conference at Nurimaru APEC house in Haeundae to discuss issues related to i

Performance Aug. 14, 2017

The cast of popular MBC variety show “Infinite Challenge” were reunited with American actor Jack Black. On Wednesday, Black dropped a group selfie with the five “Infinite Challenge” members -- Yoo Jae-suk, Park Myeong-su, Jeong Jun-ha, Haha and Yang Se-hyeong -- on his Facebook with the caption “Long time no see, Infinite Challenge! Welcome to LA.” From top-left: Jeong Jun-ha, Yoo Jae-suk, Jack Black, Park Myeong-su, Haha and Yang Se-hyeong pose for a photo. (Jack Black‘s Facebook)Black appeared

Television Aug. 9, 2017