PyeongChang Music Festival continues putting Olympics host city on map

Initially conceived as a way to promote PyeongChang’s bid to host the Winter Olympics, the PyeongChang Music Festival and School has come a long way. When violinist Kang Hyo, a professor at the Juilliard School in New York, launched the summer classical music festival and school in 2004 in the mountains of Gangwon Province, it was called the Daegwallyeong Music Festival and School, or the Great Mountains Music Festival and School in English. Modeled after the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, US

June 27, 2017

Lovelyz to hold first solo concert in Japan in August

K-pop group Lovelyz will hold its first solo concert outside of Korea in August, holding a performance for the fans in Tokyo. According to its agency Woolim Entertainment, Lovelyz will hold “2017 Lovelyz Concert Alwayz in Japan” on Aug. 5 and Aug. 6 in the Japanese capital. The group’s concerts in Seoul on July 29-30 are sold out.  (Woolim Entertainment)“We hope that (the Tokyo concert) will mark the beginning of more opportunities for the group to meet fans from around the world,” said Woolim E

June 27, 2017

BTS ‘one of most influential people’ on internet: Time

K-pop sensation Bangtan Boys -- or BTS -- added another impressive feat to its resume as Time magazine included it in the annual list of most influential people on the internet. According to the magazine, it looked into the candidate‘s global impact on social media and their overall ability to drive news in drawing up the 25-member list. BTS (Bighit Entertainment)“Overtaking Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez to spend 27 consecutive weeks atop Billboard’s “Social 50” chart, which tracks popularity a

June 27, 2017

Black Pink shatters record with 30 million YouTube views

Black Pink appears to be on the path from rookie sensation to K-pop giants, as the music video for the recently-released single “As If It‘s Your Last” reached 30 million views faster than any other K-pop group in history.The video topped 30 million views in less than fic days since its release. The previous record-holder was held by Twice‘s “Knock Knock,“ which reached the milestone in just over six days of its release. Black Pink (YG Entertainment)Psy holds the record among all Korean artists,

June 27, 2017

Ex-WINNER Nam Tae-hyun to release 1st EP with his new band

Singer Nam Tae-hyun will release his first EP as a member of the band South Club at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The band, led by the former singer of K-pop act WINNER, will unveil the EP ”90“ containing seven songs including ”I Got the Blues,“ ”Liar“ and previously-released ”Hug Me.“ Nam has participated in the creation of all the songs, except for the instrumental songs.Following the release, Nam will hold a fan meeting in Tokyo on July 8.Nam, 23, debuted in 2014 as a member of the boyband WINNER, but left

June 27, 2017

Korean violinist takes 1st prize in junior Tchaikovsky

A South Korean violinist has taken first place in an international competition for young musicians held in Astana, Kazakhstan, an institute for talented artists in Seoul said Monday.The National Institute for the Gifted in Arts said 14-year-old Kang Na-kyung topped the violin section, along with Japan's Eugene Kawai, at the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians and won a prize of US$5,000. This provided photo shows violinist Kang Na-kyung, who took first prize at the Internat

June 26, 2017

Lena Park to wed in Hawaii

Korean-American singer Lena Park will tie the knot with her partner of three years next month, her agency said Monday.Confirming earlier reports, Catch Pop Entertainment told the media the wedding will take place in Hawaii on July 15, with only their respective families present at the ceremony. The groom-to-be’s family lives on the US island. A poster advertises Lena Park’s April concert. (Catch Pop Entertainment)Park will continue her career as a singer in Korea, officials said. She will live i

June 26, 2017

BoA to ‘transform’ in ‘CAMO’ project

K-pop icon BoA will go in a new direction with her new song, which her agency said will show off a completely different side to the 31-year-old artist. (S.M. Entertainment)S.M. Entertainment said the song for her “CAMO” project will be released online at 6 p.m. Monday, in line with its music video on online outlets, including Naver’s V channel and its own SM Town channel.The song will be a dance number with a heavy emphasis on bass and synthesizer sounds, according to the agency. US production t

June 26, 2017

Lee Hyo-ri to pre-release 'Seoul' this week

K-pop diva Lee Hyo-ri will pre-release a new song from her upcoming comeback album this week, her agency said Monday.A teaser image for Lee Hyo-ri`s new song "Seoul" (Yonhap)Kiwi Media Group, which represents the former girl group FIN.K.L member, announced on its social media that Lee will pre-release "Seoul" on Wednesday. The rest of the album is scheduled to come out July 4.A teaser image shows Lee's face covered by a turtle neck sweater with the song's title.The former sexy dance icon collabo

June 26, 2017

Apink drops teaser video, concept image before new release

Just a day before the release of “Pink Up,” Apink on Sunday offered a peek at what its concept and the music video would be for its upcoming EP.Its agency Plan A Entertainment uploaded the concept image with Park Cho-rong, Yoon Bo-mi, Jung Eun-ji, Son Na-eun, Kim Nam-joo and Oh Ha-young on the band’s official fan page and social media pages at midnight Saturday. It followed up by revealing a teaser video of the song at noon, Sunday. The clip, an excerpt from Apink’s new music video, revealed par

June 25, 2017

Black Pink’s new song makes it to Apple Music list

Black Pink’s new single “As If It’s Your Last” is getting attention from home and abroad, with Apple Music Pop putting it on its “Best of the Week” list.The list compiles popular songs across the globe, selected by Apple Music’s editors. The songs on the latest list include rock legend Radiohead’s “Man of War” and rapper Drake’s “Signs.”“As If It’s Your Last” was released last week, garnering immediate popularity.  Black Pink (YG Entertainment)According to YG Entertainment, the music video for B

June 25, 2017

Stolen Buddhist painting exhibited to public after discovery in US

A South Korean temple on Friday opened an 18th-century Korean Buddhist painting, stolen about 50 years ago, to the general public after its American owner and a US art museum let it be repatriated to South Korea last year.The painting, called "Obuldo" in Korean, a depiction of the Five Buddhas, was stolen from Songgwang Temple in Suncheon, 415 kilometers southwest of Seoul, in the early 1970s. Obuldo, made by Uigyeom, a Buddhist monk and painter in the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, was one painting

June 23, 2017

Black Pink’s new release tops charts

Black Pink’s latest release “As If It‘s Your Last” is sweeping local charts as of Friday. The single has topped major music charts Genie, Bus Music, Naver Music, Olleh Music, Soribada and Monkey 3, and ranked second on Mnet and Melon behind girl group Mamamoo’s “Yes I Am.”(YG Entertainment)(YG Entertainment)(YG Entertainment)(YG Entertainment)“As If It’s Your Last” also scored first place on the iTunes global singles chart and second on iTunes Japan. The music video for the track surpassed 13 mi

June 23, 2017

Son Ye-jin, Hyun Bin begin shooting new police thriller

Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin have started shooting the new police thriller “Negotiation” (unofficial translation) last Saturday, the film’s producer JK Film announced Friday.　The film is about Chae-yoon, a cop at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency played by Son ye-jin, attempting a dangerous negotiation with a kidnapper who has taken her boss Tae-gu, played by Hyun Bin, hostage.　The first shoot was completed on a set in Paju, Gyeonggi-do Province, JK Film said.　 Son Ye-jin (left) and Hyun Bin on se

June 23, 2017

AOA's Choa announces departure, FNC says matter being discussed

Choa, lead singer of K-pop girl AOA, said Thursday she was leaving her team, citing long term insomnia and depression as the reasons."I've taken medication and have reduced my schedule for two years to treat my insomnia and depression. But I came to cease all activities, as the problem wasn't due to fatigue," the singer wrote on her Instagram."Following talks with my agency, I plan to leave AOA effective today and cheer on my fellow members," the 28-year-old said. (Yonhap)FNC Entertainment stopp

June 23, 2017

Black Pink feels pressure to fill shoes of Big Bang, 2NE1

With 2NE1 disbanded and Big Bang members joining the military service, the pressure on remaining artists of YG Entertainment is greater than ever.Black Pink said it feels the pressure, but not from being the only female group in the company.“I know we don’t have girl groups (in YG), but we don’t really think about that. ... It’s important to realize that we represent the company and act accordingly,” said Jennie during a joint press interview in Seoul on Thursday.Jennie of Black Pink (YG Enterta

June 22, 2017

Black Pink’s Lisa hopes for Thailand showcase and concert

As Black Pink gears up for a stage comeback with its single “As If It’s Your Last,” the group said it hopes to expand its activities to outside of Korea. Thai member Lisa said that she has always hoped to return home.“Since I’m Thai, naturally I want to go there. I think eventually we will also hold showcases and other various performances there,” she said, during a press interview in Seoul on Thursday. Lisa of Black Pink (YG Entertainment)Black Pink speaks during a join press interview in Seoul

June 22, 2017

Black Pink wants to embody both pink and black

K-pop girl groups have always been associated with words like “cute” or “lovely,” and their 20-something members are often referred to as “girls.”Black Pink has been one of the exceptions, with its provocative and suggestive lyrics and powerful dance moves. Now in its second year, the group says it wants to show off its “girly” charms as well.“It’s the first time we’re being seen (by the public) in six months, and we have a completely new look. I hope we can really make it on our own,” said Jenn

June 22, 2017

British-Korean singer Shannon’s new song to feature members of f(x), Geeks

Established Koran artists will chip in for British-Korean singer Shannon’s upcoming song, slated for release Tuesday.According to her agency MBK Entertainment, the song will feature rapper Lil Boi of Korean hip-hop duo Geeks. The English version of the song will feature Amber of f(x), who is close friends with Shannon.  (MBK Entertainment)Celebrity makeup artist Pony will be in charge of the singer’s appearance. Shannon, whose full name is Shannon Areum Williams Lees, was born to a Welsh father

June 22, 2017

Big Bang’s Taeyang named honorary ambassador for PyeongChang Winter Olympics

Taeyang of Big Bang has been selected as the face of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games and Winter Paralympics, authorities said Wednesday.The organizing committee for the upcoming Olympics officially named the K-pop superstar its honorary ambassador for the international event in a ceremony held at Seoul Press Center. As the honorary envoy, Taeyang will not only promote the event, but also produce a song dedicated to the PyeongChang Olympics. Taeyang (YG Entertainment)“Through my performances ou

June 21, 2017