Articles by Hong Yoo
Hong Yoo
yoohong@heraldcorp.com-
Australian BTS fans in Seoul to celebrate group's 10th anniversary
Dressed in colorful hanbok, 28 BTS fans shouted out loud “BTS, we love you” as they posed for a group photo at Changdeokgung in Seoul on Wednesday. As members of the BTS fandom, Army, the fans from Australia are in South Korea as part of a special tour hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the K-pop megastars' debut. Under the name “BTS Road,” the tour will focus on following in BTS' footsteps, visiting locations that hold special s
K-pop June 7, 2023
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NCT’s Taeyong sheds tears of thanks for his solo debut
Taeyong of the popular K-pop band NCT made his solo debut with his first mini album, “SHALALA,” on Monday. The talented artist composed and wrote the lyrics to all of the seven tracks in this new album, which is led by title track “SHALALA.” “The album comprises all kinds of honest feelings and thoughts from when I was having a hard time in life, to when I was having my best moments as well. I hope this album can help people cheer up to achieve their dreams and (fin
K-pop June 6, 2023
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[Herald Review] K-pop diva Taeyeon leaves audience in awe with a cappella performance
It took more than three years for Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation to hold a solo concert in-person. The excitement from thousands of fans seated at the KSPO Dome in Seoul on Sunday to finally see their star onstage fired up the venue even before the concert began. As soon as the lights dimmed to signal the beginning of Taeyeon’s fifth solo concert “The ODD Of LOVE,” the audience aroused an ear-deafening cheer and the dome was rippling in pink lights coming from the fan light
K-pop June 5, 2023
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[Herald Interview] For singer-songwriter Kassy, music is means of expressing true feelings
Singer-songwriter Kassy is an introvert who has difficulty expressing her feelings and emotions, but she has music to lean on as her medium to share such things. “Just like me, I think there are a lot of people who are not used to talking about themselves and instead rely on music to relieve their stress and express their feelings. I share my experiences and feelings through music hoping that it could help such people relate to and be comforted,” she said in an interview with The Kor
K-pop June 5, 2023
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Stray Kids hopes 3rd LP "5-Star" can inspire confidence and courage
Stray Kids returned with their third studio album “5-Star” on Friday, eight months since their seventh EP “Maxident.” “It took us around two years to release a studio album after the second one ‘Noeasy,’ because we took a lot of time in choosing the songs that would appeal to Stay and also all of our members,” said Changbin of Stray Kids through a press release. Stay is the name of Stray Kids' fandom. Despite their worries, the new album helpe
K-pop June 2, 2023
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JYP Entertainment to enhance strategic partnership with US music label
K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment and US music label Republic Records are expanding their strategic partnership. The labels announced Thursday their plan to expand their partnership, which includes global distribution of artists and catalogs, marketing, business development and artist repertoire. Their partnership was initially formed back in 2020 to promote JYP Entertainment’s girl group Twice outside South Korea. The partnership has proved successful, with Stray Kids and Twice housed by
K-pop June 1, 2023
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SHINee makes long-awaited comeback with 8th studio album “HARD”
After more than two years of hiatus, K-pop legend SHINee is finally returning to the music scene with its eighth studio album, “HARD,” on June 26. The upcoming album comprises a total of 10 tracks led by the titular track “HARD,” according to SM Entertainment. SHINee celebrates its 15th debut anniversary this year with this studio album which will open a new chapter in the group's career. The band established a strong position in the K-pop industry with irreplaceable
K-pop June 1, 2023
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Stray Kids set album preorder record with 3rd LP
JYP Entertainment boy band Stray Kids have written themselves into K-pop history, logging the highest number of preorders for its upcoming album. Stray Kids' third full-length album “5-Star,” to release Friday, hit 4.93 million preorders on Tuesday, according to JYP Entertainment. Stray Kids became a million-selling act just three years since debuting with its second full-length album, “Noeasy,” in August 2021 selling more than 1.67 million copies. That success was f
K-pop May 31, 2023
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Aespa reaches new career high with 3rd EP
The fourth-generation K-pop girl group aespa is rewriting K-pop history for female bands with its latest album “My World.” The four-member group’s latest album sold more than 1.69 million units just within the first week of its release breaking records for a K-pop girl group, according to label SM Entertainment. This dethrones Blackpink, whose second full-length album “Born Pink” logged 1.54 million copies in September last year. Despite it being a mini album, the E
K-pop May 30, 2023
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More than 31,000 K-pop fans flock to Busan for 29th Dream Concert
The 29th Dream Concert enlightened Busan, the marine city of South Korea, on Saturday, starring major players of K-pop. The event was held at the Asiad Main Stadium with more than 31,000 K-pop fans in attendance. Nineteen acts, including Nmixx, Itzy, Oh My Girl and BTOB adorned the stage. Dream Concert, whose history dates to 1995, marked the finale of the 2023 World Climate Industry Expo. According to the event’s hosts, the Korea Entertainment Producers Association and Korea Tourism Organ
K-pop May 29, 2023
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SHINee celebrates 15th anniversary with fans
SHINee celebrated its 15th anniversary with its fans during the weekend in Seoul. The K-pop legends held a fan meeting “Piece of SHINE” at Jamsil Indoor Stadium for the first time as a full unit in four years and eight months. With all seats to the fan meeting sold out, SM Entertainment live-streamed the event via Beyond LIVE for the group’s global fans in 102 different regions including the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, China, Thailand, Australia, Singapor
K-pop May 29, 2023
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Rapper Swings offers free tickets to his label's concert due to flat ticket sales
Rapper Swings is hosting a free concert on June 3 with the artists that he houses in his hip-hop label AP Alchemy. “It was our CEO Swings’ decision to transition from the paid concert into a free one. He invested his personal money into it,” announced AP Alchemy on Thursday. The concert slated to be held at the Tiger Dome at Korea University on June 3 was initially planned as a paid concert with 5,000 tickets on sale. But as only 800 seats were sold, Swings decided to fill up t
K-pop May 25, 2023
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Taeyong of NCT to hold fan showcase to celebrate solo debut
Taeyong of NCT is holding a fan showcase to celebrate his solo debut. According to SM Entertainment, Taeyong will present his solo debut album “Shalala” to his fans during the showcase to be held in Seoul on June 5 at 8 p.m. The showcase, titled “Code: Stage,” will consist of Taeyong’s introduction of singles from his mini album, and performance of some of the tracks including the title track for the first time onstage. He is also expected to share with fans his rem
K-pop May 25, 2023
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[Herald Interview] Formerly unknown K-pop boy band Vanner proves hard work pays off
It took more than four years, but K-pop group Vanner is finally making a name for themselves. Over the last few years, the group struggled. The members had to work part-time jobs just to make ends meet, as becoming a K-pop artists only left them with debt. However, those days appear to have reached their end. “Once, I met a fan when working at a store. I was really worried about what the fan would think of me after seeing me off stage. But the fan told me that she likes me for who I am, w
K-pop May 25, 2023
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Super Junior named as ambassador of Saudi Arabia Tourism Authority
Super Junior is the new ambassador of the Saudi Arabia Tourism Authority, SM Entertainment announced Tuesday. The inauguration took place during a tourism roadshow at the Westin Josun Seoul on Monday. “We will do the most we can to advertise tourism in Saudi Arabia. We were recently invited to the country by the Saudi Arabia Tourism Authority and there we made unforgettable memories. Saudi Arabia was not as far as we thought because there is a direct flight from South Korea to Saudi Arabia
K-pop May 23, 2023
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