YoonA’s ‘You Are My Star’ next in line for SM Station

YoonA of Girls’ Generation is set to drop her new solo track “You Are My Star” on SM Station, S.M Entertainment’s weekly digital music release channel.         A teaser photo for YoonA’s upcoming solo track “You Are My Star” (S.M. Entertainment)According to the agency Monday, the upcoming track, which marks YoonA’s second solo work since “Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway,” will be released in both Chinese and Korean on Friday evening via several local music streaming sites including Melon, Genie and

Sept. 4, 2017

[Next Wave] Glen Check tells stories of Seoul, curiosity, experience

Electronic duo Glen Check are nothing if not careful in crafting their music. 　It has taken the group four years to drop “The Glen Check Experience” -- a multi-genre EP consisting of five tracks that came out on Aug. 13. It wasn‘t a lack of inspiration or difficulty getting together that led to the substantial gap between the two albums. Glen Check’s Kim June-one, 23, and Kang Hyuk-jun, 22, say that “every single day of the four years” was spent on developing the album’s story, one that could de

Sept. 4, 2017

‘Culture President’ reigns once again with BTS

Even after two decades and a half since his debut, “culture president” Seo Tae-ji, who was a K-pop icon before K-pop was even a thing, proved to more than 35,000 fans why he still remains a legend and pioneer of K-pop. Staying true to its concept of “Time: Traveler,” the Saturday concert that was held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium to commemorate the 25 year anniversary of Seo’s debut, revived a trove of memories from the past, as it showcased the barrage of megahits by the singer. The concert was a

Sept. 3, 2017

BTS to hold 1st dome concert in Japan

BTS is at it again, this time with an October concert in Japan.Big Hit Entertainment said Sunday the K-pop act would hold a concert on Oct. 14 and 15 at Kyocera Dome in Osaka, marking its first concert at a dome in the country.The boy band has enjoyed popularity in the country, with its Japanese tour gathering some 145,000 fans across Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Saitama, Fukuoka and Sapporo from May to July. A poster for BTS’ upcoming concert in Japan (Big Hit Entertainment)Its single “Blood Sweat

Sept. 3, 2017

IU to drop second cover EP this month

Singer IU will release her new album “A Flower Bookmark Two” in mid-September, her agency FAVE Entertainment said Friday. The album is the singer’s second cover EP following “A Flower Bookmark” released in May 2014. The 2014 album featured the singer’s cover versions of K-pop classics from 1980s to 90s, such as Kim Chang-wan’s “The Meaning of You,” Kim Wan-sun’s “Pierrot Smiles at Us” and Kim Kwang-seok’s “Flower.” It received favorable reactions both from critics and the general public, sweepin

Sept. 1, 2017

Lena Park to become KBS World Radio DJ

Power vocalist Lena Park will be debuting as a radio DJ on the program “One Fine Day” on KBS World Radio.　“It’s been my longtime dream to be a DJ,” she told reporters at a press conference Friday at the Yeouido KBS headquarters. 　“One Fine Day” will be delivering Korean music and musicians’ stories to listeners in English. “I want to make a program that can get close to and offer good music to foreigners in Korea and people abroad,” the veteran R&B singer said. 　Park, who married a Korean-Americ

Sept. 1, 2017

EXO listed in Guinness World Records

EXO has been listed in the 2018 edition of the book of Guinness World Records for winning the most grand prizes, or Daesang, at the Mnet Asia Music Awards. The K-pop sensation won the album of the year award at the annual awards ceremony in 2016 for its third full-length album “EX’ACT.” It won awards from 2013 to 2015 with the albums “XOXO” (2013), “Overdose” (2014) and “EXODUS” (2015). In 2014, the group also won the artist of the year award.  EXO poses at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards held

Aug. 31, 2017

Black Pink makes powerful debut in Japan

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

Aug. 31, 2017

GFriend to return with repackaged album

GFriend will be releasing a repackaged version of its fifth album “Parallel,” titled “Rainbow.”The album will include the fifth album’s lead track “Love Whisper,” which topped various charts after its release on Aug. 1.  A teaser image for GFriend’s upcoming repackaged album “Rainbow” (Source Music)Teaser photos featuring the members posing in rainy summer weather were released Wednesday night. The repackaged album will be dropped on Sept. 13. GFriend, a six-piece group consisting of Eunha, Shin

Aug. 31, 2017

Twice's 'Signal' music video tops 100 mln YouTube views

K-pop group Twice's music video for "Signal" surpassed 100 million views on YouTube, its agency said Thursday. Released on May 15, the video reached the milestone late Wednesday, becoming the fifth video by the band to reach the milestone, according to JYP Entertainment. (JYP Entertainment)Twice has stormed the K-pop scene since its debut in October 2015. Starting with its debut track "OOH-AHH" and up until "Signal," all of its five lead tracks have nabbed the top spots on major music streaming

Aug. 31, 2017

‘Following’ a gift to HyunA’s fans

It's been a decade since baby-faced HyunA debuted with Wonder Girls in 2007. Having transitioned from a wide-eyed teen into a sex symbol and pop icon, HyunA says her new EP “Following” carries a message for those who supported her through thick and thin.“There are those who have trusted and followed me, who kept a close eye on me. (The album’s) meaning is that those people would keep doing that -- trust and follow me,” she said at a press conference held at Blue Square Samsung Card Hall in centr

Aug. 30, 2017

BTS’ new album ranks No. 1 on Amazon’s music preorders

K-pop band BTS’ upcoming new album became the most sought-after record among music preorders on Amazon, according to the online retailer’s website Wednesday. The EP “Love Yourself Seung ‘Her’” stood at No. 1 in Amazon’s CDs & Vinyl category, according to Amazon’s website and Big Hit Entertainment, which is BTS’ management agency. A screen grab of Amazon’s CDs & Vinyl category (Big Hit Entertainment)Amazon started accepting preorders for the album Tuesday at 7 a.m., a first for the US retail gian

Aug. 30, 2017

‘Following’ invites HyunA’s fans to ‘trust and follow’ her

Baby-faced HyunA has endured a decade since her much-publicized debut as a member of Wonder Girls in 2007. Having turned from a wide-eyed teen prospect into a sex symbol and pop icon, HyunA says her new EP “Following” carries a message for those who supported her through thick and thin. HyunA speaks at a press conference held Tuesday in Seoul. (Yonhap) HyunA speaks at a press conference held Tuesday in Seoul. (Yonhap)“There are those who have trusted and followed me, who kept a close eye on me.

Aug. 29, 2017

EXID wraps up Asia tour with Taipei concert

Girl Group EXID wrapped up its international tour of four Asian cities on Saturday with a concert held in Taipei, Taiwan.Visiting Taiwan for the first time since a fan meeting event last month, the K-pop act performed hits including “Hot Pink,” “L.I.E,” “Ah Yeah” and its 2014 breakout hit “Up & Down.” It also performed “With Out U” and “Of Course” live for the first time. EXID at 2017 Asia Tour in Taipei on Saturday. (Banana Culture Entertainment) EXID at 2017 Asia Tour in Taipei on Saturday. (B

Aug. 29, 2017

CL expresses feelings about 2NE1’s disbandment, promises new release

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

Aug. 29, 2017

K-pop artists heat up Japan at A-nation 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

Aug. 29, 2017

[Herald Interview] From morning to midnight, K-pop rookie Good Day presents ‘All Day Good Day’

This group of K-pop newcomers wants to make sure that fans’ daily lives revolve around good music all day, from the moment they open their eyes in the morning until they lay their heads on their pillows at night.Good Day, a bubbly K-pop act that will introduce itself Tuesday with its first EP “All Day Good Day,” is the first girl group to debut under C9 Entertainment, the label of artists such as Younha, Jung Joon-young and Cheetah. Fully charged with an upbeat spirit and youthful energy, the 10

Aug. 28, 2017

Limited LP versions of Seo Tai-ji tribute album announced

A remake album celebrating the 25th anniversary of groundbreaking Korean pop musician Seo Tai-ji's debut will also be released in limited vinyl copies, according to the publisher Monday.The Seo Tai-ji Co. said that it has printed 2,500 LP editions of "Time: Traveler," a 20-song album consisting of covers of Seo's past catalogue, which will come out Saturday.  (Seo Taiji Company)The retrospective album is a collection of songs produced by today's leading K-pop artists, including BTS, Suran, Younh

Aug. 28, 2017

K-pop star BoA chosen as promotional ambassador for Jeju Biennale

Singer BoA has been tapped as the promotional ambassador for the Jeju Biennale, an inaugural international art event on the resort island of Jeju, the organizer said Monday."BoA's image of always challenging herself and trying to adapt to different trends in the Korean music scene while globally raising the profile of K-pop matches exactly with what the Jeju Biennale is pursuing," said the organizer Jeju Museum of Art in a statement. BoA (Yonhap)The singer will attend the opening ceremony at the

Aug. 28, 2017

Tablo says new Epik High album will feel like ‘autumn’

Rapper Tablo appeared on the live music program “Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook” Saturday, announcing the upcoming return of his rap trio Epik High. 　“We’ve continued to make music. Now, I think we’ve completed an album that we can let you hear,” Tablo said on the KBS show. 　“After three years, it will be an album that will make you feel ‘autumn’ for certain.” 　 Rapper Tablo appears on “Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook” (KBS)Epik High’s new album will drop in October. 　YG Entertainment announced Friday that

Aug. 27, 2017