Articles by Lee Jung-youn
Lee Jung-youn
jy@heraldcorp.com-
[Music in drama] Centuries-old royal romance regains life
Some stories become more powerful because they are not told directly. Having aired in late 2021, the MBC period drama "The Red Sleeve" depicts the story of King Jeongjo of the Joseon era and his beloved concubine, Uibin Seong. That the story is based on history is intriguing, but the series is remarkable in its focus on the will of the female character even within the patriarchal narrative. It is a departure from the typical Korean period drama formula, especially for one that involves
Television April 15, 2024
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Mnet presents new audition program ‘I-Land2: N/a’
Mnet, a Television music channel known for several successful audition programs, presents another girl group audition program with advanced technology and the ambition to launch an iconic next-generation K-pop group. "I-Land2: N/a," scheduled to premiere on April 18, is a sequel to "I-Land," which produced the seven-member boy group Enhypen. CJ ENM, Wakeone, and The Black Label came together to launch the second season, and the final debut group will be under the management o
Television April 12, 2024
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Singer Park Bo-ram dies, age 30
Singer Park Bo-ram has died at the age of 30. The singer's agency, Xanadu Entertainment, said that Park Bo-ram died unexpectedly Thursday afternoon. According to the police, Park was with two other women at her acquaintance's house when she was found collapsed and in cardiac arrest. She was moved to the hospital but died at 11:17 p.m., about an hour later. Police are investigating the exact cause of her death. Park Bo-ram drew attention by appearing on Mnet's audition program &quo
K-pop April 12, 2024
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Young Korean stars vote for first time
For this month's legislative election that selects the members of the National Assembly, several young celebrities have gained their right to vote for the first time. The election law of South Korea was amended in 2020, allowing all Koreans aged 18 and above to vote. That means any Korean born before April 11, 2006, can participate in the nation's 22nd legislative election. For those born between June 3, 2004, and April 11, 2006, this year’s election is the first election in thei
K-pop April 10, 2024
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Jazz singer Nah Youn-sun to mark 30th debut anniversary with concert
Korean jazz singer Nah Youn-sun will mark the 30th anniversary of her debut with a concert. Nah's concert, "Elles," will take place on April 17 at the Lotte Concert Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The concert is titled after her 12th album released in January which commemorated her 30th year as a jazz musician. Nah's latest album is dedicated to influential female musicians who have had an impact on her musical career. The album features songs by legendary singers such as Nina Sim
Performance April 9, 2024
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Legendary DJ, producers to play at World DJ Festival
South Korea's World DJ Festival has announced a lineup that includes legendary DJs and producers. This year's festival will mark the first visit to Korea by Swedish DJ Eric Prydz, renowned as one of the top progressive house and techno producers. Prydz, whose hits include "Call on Me" and "Pjanoo," will also take to the stage with dazzling lights, visuals, and special effects. Also in the lineup are The Chainsmokers, known for their hits in Korea, Alok, who ranked f
Performance April 9, 2024
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[Herald Review] ONF mark new start with concert, new album
ONF returned to the stage after a hiatus brought on by military service, presenting an energetic performance. The six-member group performed a stand-alone concert, dubbed “Spotlight,” at the KBS Arena, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on Saturday and Sunday. Dressed in sparkling white suits, the group kicked off the concert with a series of charismatic songs including "New World," "Ugly Dance," and "Gucci," setting the tone for the concert. "I've been waitin
Performance April 8, 2024
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AKMU to mark 10th anniversary with concert
K-pop sibling duo AKMU will hold a concert to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the band's debut. According to YG Entertainment, AKMU will host the "AKMU 10th Anniversary Concert 10VE" on June 15-16 at the KSPO Dome. The venue, located at the Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, can accommodate approximately 15,000 spectators. The concert title, "10VE," combines the word "Love" with the number 10, symbolizing AKMU's 10th anniversary. The agency stated that AKM
Performance April 7, 2024
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[Well-curated] Pies, cute stationery and Confucianism
Savoring leisure with warm pie and coffee If you're planning to embark on a journey from Seoul Station or just passing through the heart of Seoul, enjoy a warm pie for a meal that's a little different than the typical. Focal Point is a pie restaurant in at a brown brick building behind Seoul Station. Various savory pies welcome visitors, including the Song-jung tteokgalbi pie, featuring minced short rib, broccoli and corn seasoned with soy sauce, the grilled corn pie topped with al
Culture April 5, 2024
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NCT Doyoung to kick off solo journey
NCT's Doyoung is set to make his solo debut with the release of his first album. According to the singer's agency, SM Entertainment, Doyoung's first solo album, "Youth," will be released on April 22. The album's Korean title, "Youth's Bubble," is intended to reflect the emotions that youngsters experience, likening those feelings to bubbles created from the waves of youth. A total of 10 songs, full of honest feelings and emotions of Doyoung, will cons
K-pop April 4, 2024
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Kim Woojin set to return with new album
Solo artist Kim Woojin is set to make a comeback on April 22 with his third mini-album. On Thursday, concept photos of the new album were released on Kim Woojin's official social media account and through Kustomade, a producing label under SM Entertainment's music publishing subsidiary KMR. In the photos, Kim Woojin is cutting his hair, symbolizing a fresh start by erasing his past self. According to KMR, the upcoming new album, dubbed "I Like The Way," marks the singer'
K-pop April 4, 2024
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[Music in drama] Love blooms against all odds
Behind the phenomenal success of the TV drama series “Descendants of the Sun,” which recorded nearly 40 percent viewership ratings, was the soundtrack that enhanced the completeness of the drama. Aired in 2016 on KBS, "Descendants of the Sun" depicts the love story between Army Captin Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) and Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo), a medical doctor, in the fictional land of Uruk. The second lead pair, First Lieutenant and Army Doctor Yoon Myung-joo (Kim Ji-won)
Television April 3, 2024
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TXT sums up its five-year story with ‘minisode 3: TOMORROW’
Tomorrow X Together returned with its sixth mini album, "minisode 3: TOMORROW," which encompasses the stories of the albums they have released over the past five years. The quintet held a press conference at Korea University’s Hwajung Gymnasium on Monday. The new album is the first after the group’s 3rd full-length album, “The Name Chapter: Freefall,” released last October. "It's an album with outstanding completeness, and I believe listeners will be a
K-pop April 1, 2024
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[Herald Review] Lucy kicks off 1st world tour with dynamic performance
South Korean group Lucy delivered a thrilling and powerful performance to fans Sunday, successfully kicking off its first world tour. The Seoul performance of the group's first world tour, “Written by Flower,” took place at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in the Olympic Park in Seoul, on Saturday and Sunday. Audiences of over 10,000 people gathered at the concert hall over the two days. The four members appeared on the stage in white outfits -- which was the pre-set dress cod
Performance April 1, 2024
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[Herald Interview] Minseo returns with dark charisma in ‘Dead Love’
Although she is often thought of as a ballad singer with a soft, emotion-laden voice, Minseo is full of bright energy and has so much more she wants to express. "Everyone is surprised when they meet me in person. I became famous for the lyrical, emotional ballad 'Yes,' so everyone assumes I would be a sentimental, quiet person," the singer said during a group interview on March 21. Minseo came to attention when she made it to the top eight on “Superstar K7” in 201
Performance March 31, 2024
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