Twice uses Tokyo Tower to promote Japanese album

South Korean idol group Twice launched a promotion campaign for its debut record in Japan making use of the landmark Tokyo Tower, according to its agency Friday.On Thursday, "TT," the title of one of TWICE's hit songs, was displayed in bright pink lighting on the Japanese tourist destination, JYP Entertainment said. It was put on display for five hours from 7 p.m.Tokyo Tower was scheduled to carry out the lighting on Friday evening as well.(JYP Entertainment)"The title "TT" coincides with the in

June 30, 2017

Red Velvet to return with ‘Red Summer’

Summer songs are bountiful in the K-pop scene this year, but Red Velvet hopes to make its presence with the release of its EP “The Red Summer.” The five-song album will be released July 9 online, and will show off the group’s vivacious charm and energy, according to the S.M. Entertainment. The physical copies will hit the market the next day.The teaser image of Red Velvet (S.M. Entertainment)On Friday, the agency unveiled the teaser image for the new EP with member Irene making an appearance. Th

June 30, 2017

‘Show Me The Money 6’ to shine light on ‘brighter’ side of hip-hop

Despite the huge popularity of the audition program “Show Me The Money,” there has been criticism from the hip-hop scene that it focuses only on few elements of the genre like rap battles and the culture of “dissing.”For season six of the show, the nation’s most established hip-hop musicians gathered to ensure that various aspects of hip-hop music and its culture are explored.From left: Dok2, Jay Park, Bizzy, Gaeko and Choiza of Dynamic Duo, Dean and Tiger JK pose for a photo prior to a press co

June 30, 2017

Guitar legend Richie Kotzen to perform in Korea

US musician Richie Kotzen will visit Korea to perform in Seoul in August, local promoters said Friday. According to AIM, the artist will hold a concert at 7:00 p.m., Aug. 19 at MUV Hall in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. It is part of Kotzen’s ongoing global tour that will cover 22 countries including Japan, Britain, Germany and Spain. The tour was to commemorate the release of his recent album “Salting Earth.” (AIM)Since recording his first solo album “Richie Kotzen” in 1989, the guitarist has had a pr

June 30, 2017

Clon vows to stay duo forever with 20th anniversary album ‘We Are’

More than anything, it was “friendship” that has kept together the legendary dance music duo Clon through decades of ups and downs. With a bond that goes back 30 years, Koo Jun-yup and Kang Won-rae weathered Kang’s motorcycle accident and the group’s subsequent disbandment. Most recently, they were able to reunite for the duo’s newly released 20th-anniversary album. From left, Koo Jun-yup and Kang Won-rae of duo Clone pose at a press conference for its 20th anniversary album “We Are” that was re

June 29, 2017

K-pop singer Lee Chang-min collaborates with Solidemo for “Aitai”

Lee Chang-min of the duo Homme worked with Japan’s Solidemo to release “Aitai.”According to his agency Bighit Entertainment, the song was released on Japanese online music websites Wednesday. The song is a ballad about a man longing to meet his loved one. From left: Takeshi Mukaiyama, Lee Chang-min and Schnell (Big Hit Entertainment)Lee is best known for his works as a member of Homme and K-pop group 2AM. In addition to singing, the versatile artist has also taken on radio, TV shows and musical

June 29, 2017

T.O.P attends first hearing for marijuana charges, apologizes to mother

Prosecutors are seeking a suspended sentence against a top boy band rapper charged with marijuana use.On the first day of the trial Thursday, the prosecution said it is seeking a 10-month jail sentence suspended for two years for Big Bang rapper T.O.P, who has been charged with using marijuana on four occasions.T.O.P entered the Seoul Central District Court at around 11:31 a.m. clad in a black suit and read a statement of apology in front of press. T.O.P of Big Bang reads a statement in front of

June 29, 2017

Lee Hyo-ri to appear on JTBC’s ‘Newsroom’

K-pop singer Lee Hyo-ri will appear on JTBC’s “Newsroom” on Thursday to promote her upcoming sixth full-length album “Black,” her agency Kiwi Media Group said. The former member of girl group FIN.K.L had remained mostly out of the spotlight after her marriage with musician Lee Sang-soon in 2013. She signed with her current agency late last year and has been busy producing her new album. (Yonhap)She prereleased “Seoul,” a track from her comeback album Wednesday. The rest of the album is scheduled

June 29, 2017

VIXX’s Ravi to perform in Australia

Rapper Ravi of VIXX will show off his groove at a hip-hop concert down under as part of the “Rapbeat Show 2017 in Australia” to be held in Sydney on Saturday.According to his agency Jellyfish Entertainment, Ravi will perform onstage alongside other top Korea-based artists including Jay Park, Zion. T, Loco and Heize. In addition to his activities as a member of the boy band VIXX, Ravi has an impressive solo career as a hip-hop artist.  Ravi (Jellyfish Entertainment)Last year, he released his firs

June 29, 2017

Twice marks No. 2 on Oricon chart

Twice is making a splash in Japan, with its debut album there, “#TWICE,” notching the No. 2 spot on Oricon’s daily album chart.In just a day after its Wednesday release, the K-pop group sold an estimated 46,871 records in the country. The top spot on the chart belonged to “Jam” by Japan’s Kanjani8.It marked smooth sailing for one of Korea’s most popular girl groups. Twice’s album had topped the iTunes top album charts in the country almost immediately after its midnight release Wednesday.Accordi

June 29, 2017

Psy, IU to throw free concerts at Boryeong Mud Festival

Leading K-pop stars Psy and IU plan to throw free stand-alone concerts at this year's Boryeong Mud Festival, according to organizers Thursday.Psy will hold a concert July 25 at Daecheon Beach, 170 kilometers southwest of Seoul, the venue for the mud festival, celebrating its 20th year, according to Boryeong City. This year's festivities will be held from July 21-30.The singer, star of the 2012 smash hit "Gangnam Style," released his eighth full-length album in May, performed at last year's openi

June 29, 2017

Twice tops Japanese iTunes album chart

Twice‘s Japan debut set off on a successful path, as its first album “#TWICE” topped the iTunes top albums chart for Japan after its midnight release on Wednesday.It also took the No.1 spot on the same chart in nine countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru and Thailand, as one of Korea’s hottest girl groups. (JYP Entertainment)The recently-released album consists of the Korean and Japanese versions of Twice‘s biggest hits including “Cheer Up,” “Knock Knock,” “TT” and “Signal.Having made a s

June 28, 2017

Black Pink tops Billboard’s world digital songs chart yet again

Black Pink has topped the international chart at the Billboards with its single “As If It’s Your Last,” notching the No.1 spot at the chart for the third time since the group’s sensational debut last year.(YG Entertainment)As of Wednesday, the song edged out “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo‘Ole for the top spot. The K-pop act is on fire on local and international charts, which include topping the iTunes chart in 18 countries. It has also featured on the “Best of the Week” l

June 28, 2017

Nine Muses reveals practice for ‘Remember’

Nine Muses‘ agency on Wednesday revealed a video of the K-pop act practicing the dance moves for its recently-released song “Remember.”In the video, the four members are seen honing the moves in a practice facility, showing off both their skills and looks. It is customary for K-pop groups to release a video of themselves practicing songs, in a bid to offer fans a closer look at the stars.The four-member group released its new EP “Muses Diary Part2: Identity” earlier in the month, which marked it

June 28, 2017

Sojin of Girl's Day, Eddy Kim confirm relationship

Sojin, a member of K-pop group Girl's Day, and singer-songwriter Eddy Kim admitted to being in romantic relationship on Wednesday. The couple had denied the rumors earlier in the day.Her agency Dream Entertainment said that Sojin has denied the reports, and said that she and Kim are just good friends. Sojin (Dream Entertainment)Kim‘s agency Mystic Entertainment also denied the reports.Earlier in the day, a local outlet reported that Sojin is dating the singer-songwriter, who is four years her ju

June 28, 2017

Idol singer Chanmi wins acting contest

K-pop star Chanmi proved that she can do more than dance and sing by winning an acting contest that pitted the nation’s idol singers against one another. In the final episode of “I’m An Actor,” aired Tuesday on cable channel K Star, Chanmi clinched the top spot based on the results of past matches that had the participants re-enacting famous scenes from TV shows. She finished first twice in a total of six matches on the show. Chanmi (FNC Entertainment)For her final performance, she played a part

June 28, 2017

K-pop star Bora dating Feeldog of Big Star

Another K-pop star couple had been born, as Bora -- formerly of the now-disbanded Sistar -- confirmed her romantic relationship with Feeldog, of boy band Big Star.Bora’s agency Hook Entertainment told local media she has “a serious relationship with Feeldog,” confirming earlier reports. It did not elaborate on how long the relationship has been going on.  Bora (right) and Feeldog (Yonhap)Brave Entertainment, Feeldog’s agency, also confirmed the two have been dating for months. The relationship s

June 28, 2017

Apink makes dramatic return with ‘Pink Up’ amid bomb threat

K-pop group Apink made a dramatic return to the music scene, undeterred by a bomb threat that had heightened tension at a media showcase for its new EP in Seoul on Monday. A few hours before Monday’s showcase, Apink was threatened by an unidentified man who claimed to have set up explosives at the event venue. After a sweeping search at the venue, police said that no evidence or trace of explosives were found. Despite the bomb scare, Apink decided to proceed with the event and talked about its n

June 27, 2017

G-Dragon adds 5 European cities to on-going world tour

G-Dragon of Big Bang is set to hold solo concerts in five European cities in September, as part of his ongoing solo world tour.The artist’s label YG Entertainment said Monday that London, Birmingham, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin have been added to the list of destinations for his solo tour, ACT III, M.O.T.T.E, that kicked off in Seoul on June 10. This is the first time for the artist to perform solo concerts in Europe. The European portion of the tour begins in Birmingham, England from Sept. 23. 

June 27, 2017

Seo Tai-ji to collaborate with BTS for 25th-anniversary concert

K-pop icon Seo Tai-ji will collaborate with K-pop boy band BTS for a concert in September to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Seo’s debut. Seo’s label Seotajji Co. said Tuesday that the legendary singer and BTS will perform several hits from all four albums of Seo’s previous group Seo Taiji and the Boys, without any changes to the original versions of the songs. “With BTS, Seo will perform his earliest songs exactly as they were performed in the 1990s,” an official from the label said.  Singer

June 27, 2017