JYJ's Park cleared of sex assault charges: agency

Park Yu-chun, member of K-pop boy band JYJ, has been cleared of all four sexual assault allegations that have dogged him since last year, his agency said Thursday.C-JeS Entertainment, Park's agency, said that "the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office notified (Park) of such investigation results," and added, "the string of cases involving Park Yu-chun since last June have been closed."(Yonhap)Park, a member of the famous K-pop boy band JYJ, was embroiled in a scandal as four different women

March 16, 2017

[K-Talk] T-ara to release last album in May

K-pop group T-ara is set to release a new album, to be the group’s last album with all the members before their individual contracts expire. The group’s agency MBK Entertainment released a statement saying that the upcoming album -- slated for a May 17 release -- will be the last in its “complete form.” T-ara (MBK Entertainment)“Concerts and other activities as a group will cease as of late June. The members will discuss their future plans with the agency afterwards,” MBK Entertainment said.The

March 16, 2017

Kim Jae-joong's 2nd studio album named favorite K-pop album in China for 2016

South Korean singer Kim Jae-joong's second full-length album has been chosen as the most popular K-pop album in China for 2016, his management said Wednesday.Kim's "NO. X" topped the ranking recently announced by the major Chinese video streaming platform Youku, C-JeS Entertainment said. The ranking was based on album reviews and grades posted on the popular media review sites in China. Kim Jae-joong, a member of K-pop boy band JYJ, performs during a concert in Seoul on Jan. 22, 2017. (Yonhap)Re

March 16, 2017

SM Entertainment plans talent audition in Indonesia

SM Entertainment will hold auditions in Indonesia to scout talent for its "NCT" idol group project, the nation's top entertainment agency said Wednesday.Company founder Lee Soo-man unveiled the plan for its first-ever talent audition in Indonesia at a South Korea-Indonesia business summit in Jakarta the previous day. "Last year, we launched our global idol group project NCT and are producing groups tuned to the cultures of each city around the world," Lee was quoted as saying. The K-pop mogul an

March 16, 2017

How K-pop fans reach for the stars

Tucked away from the main thoroughfare of Cheongdam-dong, a posh residential-business area, is the headquarters of JYP Entertainment, one of the three biggest entertainment agencies in Korea.A blown-up poster of the company founder Park Jin-young is plastered on the building’s facade, making it impossible to miss. The excited faces of a group of young people standing outside it suggest something is going on.“Why did Jackson (of GOT7) come here? I thought he didn’t have anything on his schedule t

March 15, 2017

Twice wins endorsement deal for Pocari Sweat

South Korean girl group Twice has been hired by beverage maker Donga Otsuka Co. to promote the company's flagship sports drink Pocari Sweat, the group's agency said Wednesday. (Yonhap)"Twice was picked as Pocari Sweat's model for the beverage's 30th anniversary," JYP Entertainment said, adding that Twice has become the first idol group to model for the iconic drink product. In the TV commercial which begins airing Wednesday, the team's nine members head to the beach sporting attire that matches

March 15, 2017

Seo Tai-ji mulls 25th anniversary concert

Korean pop cultural icon Seo Tai-ji is mulling a concert to mark 25 years since his debut, his agency said Tuesday.SeoTaiji Company confirmed earlier reports that local production companies have approached Seo about a 25th anniversary concert.“We have had offers and held meetings. But nothing has been decided yet,” an official from the company told local media. Seo Tai-jiThe official noted, however, that the singer will certainly celebrate the silver jubilee of his debut in some form.Last month,

March 14, 2017

Ex-Wonder Girls member Sunmi joins new management agency

South Korean pop singer Sunmi has signed up with a new management agency after leaving JYP Entertainment following the disbandment of Wonder Girls early this year, her new company announced on Tuesday. Make Us Entertainment said that it signed an exclusive contract with Sunmi last month. The company, which also represents artists Park Won and Urban Zakapa, said it "won't shy away from fully supporting Sunmi's music endeavors."Sunmi promised fans that she will deliver an unseen, fresh image throu

March 14, 2017

BTS' 'Boy In Luv' video tops 100 mln YouTube views

The "Boy In Luv" music video by BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys, has surpassed 100 million views on YouTube, becoming the South Korean idol group's fourth video to reach the milestone, its agency said Tuesday.The view count for the video, uploaded on February 2014 on YouTube, stood at 100,274,422 as of 8:50 a.m. Tuesday, according to Big Hit Entertainment, the team's agency. (Big Hit Entertainment)So far, BTS has four songs -- the three others being "Dope," "Fire" and "Blood Sweat & Tears" -- wi

March 14, 2017

MAP6 to release second Japan album

Korean boy band MAP6 will release its second album “No Surrender” in Japan on March 15, according to its agency Dream Tea Entertainment.  Korean boy band MAP6 (Dream Tea Entertainment)“The title song ‘No Surrender’ has the group’s newfound resolve to step onto the new terrain of infinite possibilities,” the agency said Monday. In the released photo, the band gives off a “manly and renegade feel,” it added. MAP6 debuted in November 2015 with its first single album “Storm.” It has members Minhyuk,

March 13, 2017

Singers Kwanghee, Lim Hyung-joo join Army

Kwanghee of K-pop boy band ZE:A and operatic pop tenor Lim Hyung-joo enlisted in the Army to fulfill their military duty on Monday. (Yonhap)Kwanghee, who is better known as one of the six emcees for popular variety show "Infinite Challenge," entered a basic training camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, and Lim was sent to one in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on Monday afternoon.After five weeks of basic training, Kwanghee will begin service in an Army band while Lim will join a regional Army u

March 13, 2017

[Herald Interview] GFriend comes of age with ‘The Awakening’

At its creation, the concept of GFriend was embodied by its name: a girlfriend, who is with you at all times. True to its driving idea, the group’s image was of a band approachable and easy to relate to.With its fourth EP “The Awakening,” however, the six-member group has shed its girl-next-door image for a mature and chic look, with heavier makeup and colorful clothing. The group says the change is in accordance with its youngest members reaching the age of majority this year. GFriend (Ije Comp

March 12, 2017

AOA sheds tears in first-ever standalone concert

South Korean girl group AOA has successfully finished its first standalone concert since its debut five years ago, its agency said Sunday.The group performed 27 songs for 150 minutes during the "Ace of Angles" concert at Seoul's Olympic Park on Saturday that followed the release of its first full-length album "Angel's Knock" in January, the FNC Entertainment said. (FNC Entertainment)The 27 songs included the album's title piece "Excuse Me," "Like a Cat," "Miniskirt," "Good Luck" and "Heart Attac

March 12, 2017

TWICE proves unbeatable again with 'Knock Knock'

Always a hit and never a miss, the South Korean girl group Twice has proved again, as it bows out from publicity appearances on Sunday for its latest hit "Knock Knock" following a raving reception. "Knock Knock" is the lead track off TWICE's new album "TWICEcoaster: LANE 2," which came out on Feb. 20. Upon release, it immediately topped most streaming service charts, including Melon, Mnet and Naver Music. The team ends media promotion for the song through SBS TV's pop music program Inki Gayo.  (

March 12, 2017

Herald Philharmonic rivets audiences with Western-Korean harmony

The Herald Philharmonic Orchestra held its fourth annual concert at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall in Seoul on Thursday, enthralling 2,000 guests with a harmony of classical Western and Korean music. Among the guests were 30 foreign diplomats, several company heads and 30 lawyers, as well as 280 freshman cadets and 20 professors from the Korea Military Academy in Seoul. Ambassadors of the European Union, Spain, South Africa, Turkey, Austria, Thailand and Malaysia were in attendance. Titled “

March 10, 2017

[Eye interview] Pansori stars needed to popularize the genre

She was the inveterate backseat driver. From her seat at the back of the car, pansori master and Intangible Cultural Property title holder Ahn Sook-seon gave precise instructions to her manager who was driving us to a restaurant near the airport in Seongnam on Monday.She has a photographic memory when it comes to streets, but she can’t remember restaurant names, she confessed. “And all the lines I need to remember,” she said with a sigh, adding that with age it is getting increasingly difficult

March 10, 2017

[Herald Review] Chick Corea Elektric Band jazzes up Korea

Considering the name, it was long overdue. Chick Corea Elektric Band‘s first concert in Korea took place at the LG Arts Center in Seoul on Wednesday, where Corea fans were treated to a wondrous two hours of music by original members of the legendary band.Chick Corea Elektric Band performs at the LG Arts Center in Seoul on Wednesday. (LG Arts Center)“I’m very happy to be here in my country again. ...This is Seoul Korea Elektric Band!” the band’s leader and pianist/keyboardist/composer Chick Corea

March 10, 2017

[K-Talk] Brave Girls release ‘cleaner’ music video

K-pop group Brave Girls on Friday released a new music video of its latest single “Rollin’,” after the previous version had been accused of being oversexualized.The five-member group Tuesday released the single with an EP of the same name alongside a music video for it. The video was rated “19+” by the Korea Media Rating Board. Brave Girls (Brave Entertainment)The new version of the video was rated suitable for people aged 15 and above. “We were concerned that the new song would be underapprecia

March 10, 2017

Roy Kim’s plagiarism trial resumes

The plagiarism trial involving K-pop singer Roy Kim resumed Thursday after a 17-month break.A local Christian music composer had sued Kim, accusing the singer of plagiarism in the hit song “Bom, Bom, Bom.” When he lost the case on Aug. 21, 2015, the unidentified singer took the case to the appellate court.The two sides met at the Seoul High Court to plead their cases. Roy Kim (CJ E&M)The lower court had ruled in favor of Kim on the basis that while the two songs share some similarities, most of

March 9, 2017

Metallica, top rappers as Quebec festival turns 50

Metallica and leading rappers including Kendrick Lamar will play the Quebec City Summer Festival as one of North America‘s rare non-profit music festivals turns 50.Known in French as the Festival d’ete de Quebec, the event runs from July 6-16 with headliners playing at the Plains of Abraham battlefield, billed as the continent‘s largest stage with audience capacity of 100,000. Kirk Hammett, guitarist of the heavy metal rock band Metallica, performs in a concert in Mexico City, Sunday. (AP-Yonhap

March 9, 2017