The Korea Herald

Big Bang’s August songs dominate charts

Aug 11, 2015

K-pop boy band Big Bang has topped the music charts once again with their new songs “Zutter” and “Let’s Not Fall in Love.” Released on Aug. 5, “Let’s Not Fall in Love” ranked No.1 at major local charts, including Bugs Music, Soribada, Naver Music, Genie and Olleh, as of Tuesday. “Zutter,” by subunit GD&TOP, followed in a close second place on music charts. The five-member band’s respectiv...
B.A.P returns to their label following legal strife

Aug 3, 2015

K-pop boy band B.A.P is back with agency TS Entertainment, ending a nine-month legal battle against the label. “B.A.P has returned to TS on Aug. 1,” the company said in an official statement Monday. “Faith has been restored,” it said, signaling the end of disputes over their alleged “slave contracts.” In November, the group had filed a lawsuit against their agency, claiming their exclusiv...
23 K-pop acts confirmed for Naver's ‘V’ live streaming

Jul 31, 2015

South Korean search portal Naver has unveiled a full list of K-pop acts joining its new streaming mobile app named “V,” set to launch Aug. 1. A total of 23 K-pop teams will be streaming their activities and off-stage life on the video app, interacting in real time with the global audience and fans via mobile devices. Joining the lineup Friday as the 23rd member was SM Town, an umbrella brand co...
Korea’s hottest stars are in love

Jul 23, 2015

Kim Woo-bin, Shin Min-a are the latest to admit their romantic relationship
Ex-EXO member Tao sets out as solo artist

Jul 21, 2015

Tao, a former member of boy group EXO, uploaded a selfie with a message saying “My dreams finally came true” on Weibo Tuesday, signaling his solo debut. Tao announced his withdrawal from EXO in April this year and is already running his own solo activities since he set up his own agency on Saturday. However, SM Entertainment has not released any formal announcement about his status yet. Tao is...
MC Mong returns with first concert in 6 years

Jul 20, 2015

Hip-hop artist MC Mong, who was once mired in a draft-dodging scandal, will hold his first solo concert in six years, his label DreamT Entertainment said on Monday. Titled “The Happiest Time in My Life,” the concert will be held at the Lehzin Comics V-Hall in Seogyo-dong, western Seoul on Sept. 4-6 and 11-13. “The concert will be a time where MC Mong will meet with fans in six years,” an ...
New boy group ‘UP10TION’ to debut

Jul 20, 2015

A new 10-member K-pop boy group “UP10TION” is set to make its debut on the program “Masked Rookie Championship: UP10TION.” The special program, which is adapted from MBC’s “King of Mask Singer,” will be aired on portal Naver, starting from Monday. “UP10TION” is a new boy group from TOP MEDIA, known for being Teen Top’s agency. The group’s 10 members will compete with their singing and dancing ...
Beast’s ‘Gotta Go to Work’ dominates charts

Jul 20, 2015

Beast’s pre-released track “Gotta Go to Work” topped the six online music charts in South Korea. The song emerged as a bestselling title on Melon, Olleh Music, Genie, Bugs, Soribada and Mnet. In addition, its music video attracted more than 3 million views since its initial release on Monday. Expectations are also rising for the group’s upcoming eighth EP, “Ordinary.” The new album is schedule...
K-pop girl groups battle on summer charts

Jul 19, 2015

Those groups will be quickly followed up by Hellovenus on July 22 with “I'm Ill.” Teaser images for that song have the members all sporting different hair colors for a chic look. Meanwhile, girl group GFriend, which is often compared to Apink for its wide-eyed innocent look, will begin promoting “Flower Bud” with title track "Me Gustas Tu" on July 23. The charts have no obvious winner for the c...
Psy uninjured after car accident in China

Jul 17, 2015

Rapper Psy is uninjured after a car crash in China, his management agency said Friday. The car transporting the "Gangnam Style" rapper ran into a bus around 3 p.m. Thursday after making a right turn, a YG Entertainment official said. He was on his way to a party in Hangzhou, a city just south of Shanghai. Psy was transferred to a police vehicle that had been driving in front of him to make it t...
Roy Kim, Bae Da-hae release single to promote animal welfare

Jul 15, 2015

The newly formed duo Team Pet Rescue -- singer-songwriter Roy Kim and Bae Da-hae -- dropped a single titled “For Meeting You” on Wednesday. The new track emphasizes the need for protection of abandoned pets, evoking sympathy among pet owners. “Roy Kim and Bae Da-hae tried to convey a warm message to raise animal awareness,” CJ E&M, Kim’s management agency, said. “All profits from the son...
INFINITE's powerful return

Jul 14, 2015

New EP is ‘culmination of everything we’ve worked for so far’
Infinite sweeps six music charts with new song

Jul 13, 2015

Popular boy band Infinite topped six domestic music charts with its new single "Bad" on Monday. The title track on its new album "Reality," released at midnight, is currently No. 1 on real-time charts for six online music services, including Mnet, Genie and Soribada, as of 10 a.m. The song is about a boy who vows to devote his everything to a girl even though he knows she is a bad girl. "Reali...
Ko Young-wook released from prison

Jul 10, 2015

Singer Ko Young-wook was released from prison Friday after serving 30 months on charges of raping and sexually harassing minors. Ko, 39, was discharged from Nambu Correctional Service in Seoul on Friday morning after serving his full sentence. “I am sorry,” Ko told the press gathered at the site. “I’ve had a time of self-examination over two and a half years. The prison time was difficult...
K-pop idols to star in musical 'In the Heights'

Jul 9, 2015

A slew of K-pop idols will star in the Korean production of Broadway musical “In the Heights.” The star-studded musical will feature Key of SHINee, Chen of EXO, Infinite members Jang Dong-woo and Kim Sung-kyu and Luna of f(x), alongside experienced musical stars. Key will play the protagonist Usnavi, sharing the role with actor Yang Dong-geun, musical actor Jung Won-young and Jang. Music...