[K-Talk] EXO ‘The War’ stays atop Billboard world albums chart

EXO remains the king of the hill atop Billboard’s world albums chart, defending the No. 1 spot for a second straight week with its latest album.The boy band’s “The War: The 4th Album” became the top-selling international album in the US as of Thursday, while also topping local Gaon charts in digital song downloads and album sales. EXO (S.M. Entertainment)The K-pop sensation has been making strides with the album since its July 19 release, entering the Billboard 200 at No. 87 last week. It marked

Aug. 3, 2017

[Newsmaker] Director Kim Ki-duk accused of actress assault

To say Kim Ki-duk is not a director for everyone would be an understatement. He uses rape, prostitution and incest in his films to strip all pretense and examine the raw human emotions of impulse, violence and lust.However, the controversial director may have gone a step too far: An actress has filed a complaint with prosecutors, alleging that the award-winning director physically assaulted her and coerced her to shoot an unscripted sex scene while filming “Moebius,” which was released in 2013. 

Aug. 3, 2017

Heize, Suran to join Seo Tai-ji retrospective project

Heize and Suran were amongst the newest group of performers to join a retrospective project honoring the 25th anniversary of legendary K-pop icon Seo Tai-ji, according to Seo's company Thursday.The two solo divas, along with Eddy Kim and Crush, are on board for a project to remake Seo's past hits, Seo Tai-ji Company said.The four artists were joined by Seo's recommendation, the company explained.  Eddy Kim, Suran, Crush and Heize (from top left, clockwise)/ YonhapSince last month, BTS, Younha an

Aug. 3, 2017

Girls' Generation, Yuhki Kuramoto to grace DMZ concert

Idol band Girls' Generation and Japanese new age composer Yuhki Kuramoto are among the artists set to perform at this year's DMZ Peace Concert near the inter-Korean border north of Seoul, according to organizers Thursday.The two-day concert at the unification-themed Nuri Peace Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, will be held from Aug. 12, with the first day dedicated to K-pop stars, including Girls' Generation, BTOB, B1A4, Cosmic Girls and GFriend, MBC TV said. (S.M. Entertainment)On Aug. 13, Yuhki

Aug. 3, 2017

GFriend gets in the mood for summer with new single ‘Love Whisper’

Clad in matching mint-green shirts and skirts, the six members of K-pop darling GFriend performed their summery track “Love Whisper” at a showcase Tuesday. The group had made a bold move with its previous funk-driven hit “Fingertip,” diverging from its signature innocent schoolgirl image for the first time. This time, it kept to its sleek sound in “Love Whisper,” the lead track of the group’s fifth EP “Parallel,” released Tuesday evening.  GFriend performs during a press showcase for its fifth E

Aug. 2, 2017

Ferry Corsten may work with S.M. artists this winter

Dutch DJ Ferry Corsten said he may work on another song with an artist of S.M. Entertainment, adding that his previous works with the agency had been “an amazing, cool experience.”“I think I might be back here (Korea) for S.M. writing camp in the winter,” Corsten said before his performance at Unite With Tomorrowland Korea in Incheon on Saturday. “I was very happy to have worked on tracks with Luna and Amber (of f(x)).” Ferry Corsten performs during Unite With Tomorrowland Korea in Incheon on Sa

Aug. 2, 2017

[Herald Interview] Ferry Corsten talks about ‘Blueprint,’ electronic music scene

Pioneer of the music genre now known as trance, Ferry Corsten continues to expand his scope today, just as he has done for the past 20 years.The Korea Herald caught up with the Dutch disc spinner before his performance at Unite With Tomorrowland Korea in Incheon on Saturday, and asked how he continues to motivate himself after two decades. Ferry Corsten performs during Unite With Tomorrowland Korea in Incheon on Saturday. (Unite With Tomorrowland) Ferry Corsten performs during Unite With Tomorro

Aug. 2, 2017

[Herald Interview] JJ Project returns five years later with reflective ‘Verse 2’

Five years ago, the duo of JJ Project, a subunit of chart-topping boy band GOT7, were not so different from other 18-year-olds, as they galloped on stage with their upbeat hip-hop debut single “Bounce,” full of energy. Likening their past to innocent children, JB and Jinyoung, both now in their mid-20s, said they wanted to showcase the more toned down and mature sides of themselves in their latest autobiographical album “Verse 2,” which was released Monday. (JYP Entertainment)“At first, we were

Aug. 1, 2017

Uee, Kangnam break up after dating for 3 months

Actress Uee and singer Kangnam told local media outlets Tuesday that they had broken up, two weeks after they admitted to being in a romantic relationship.The agencies of the two stars confirmed earlier reports that they had parted ways. Officials cited work as the cause, but did not comment on when the two had broken up. The two confirmed their relationship on July 14. They initially denied media reports that they were dating, but confessed after photos of them emerged.  Uee(left) and Kangnam (

Aug. 1, 2017

Jessica confirms Aug. 9 album release

Former Girls’ Generation member Jessica heralded the imminent release of her third mini album “My Decade,” slated for Aug. 9. Her agency Coridel Entertainment released Monday a teaser image via social media and its website. The lead track of the album will be “Summer Storm.”  A teaser for Jessica’s upcoming third mini album “My Decade” (Coridel Entertainment)“As she marks her 10th anniversary this year, she is making a lot of effort to show you a high quality album. Please show lots of love and

Aug. 1, 2017

Former Beast member Jang Hyun-seung apologizes for bad behavior

Jang Hyun-seung, formerly of Beast, apologized for his past disrespectful behavior, over a year after leaving the now-defunct boy band. His unexpected, lengthy apology to fans was made via Instagram on Monday. He shared his thoughts on his departure from the group in April last year. “During the past seven years, I was so loved by many before I left Beast. I achieved my dreams, but during the activities with the group, I had my own thirst and began to stubbornly pursue my own pleasure instead of

Aug. 1, 2017

Winner to reveal behind-the-scenes stories in Hawaii

Boy band Winner on Tuesday revealed the poster for its live broadcast on Naver’s V Live, set to take place a day after the official release of its newest single album, “Our Twenty For,” Thursday.According to YG Entertainment, Winner will take the opportunity to share with fans what happened during the filming of its music video in Hawaii. The band will also spill some details about the new record. (YG Entertainment)Fans of the K-pop act have been anticipating the return of Winner, particularly w

Aug. 1, 2017

Black Pink tops 90 million views faster than ‘Gangnam Style’

Black Pink’s music video for “As If It’s Your Last” is one of the hottest K-pop videos ever on YouTube and the fastest to reach 90 million views.The video surpassed the 90 million mark around Tuesday morning. According to YG Entertainment, it took 943 hours to achieve this.  (YG Entertainment)The previous record was held by the music video for “Gangnam Style,” the 2012 song by Psy, who took the world by storm. It took the sensational video 50 days to reach 90 million views. “As If It’s Your Last

Aug. 1, 2017

Girls’ Generation drops Seohyun teaser for ‘Sweet Talk’

Girls’ Generation on Tuesday revealed a teaser image of Seohyun, along with a sneak peek of its new song “Sweet Talk” from its upcoming album “Holiday Night.”The K-pop group uploaded photos of its youngest member on its official homepage, with excerpts of the song. (S.M. Entertainment)Seohyun wrote the lyrics for the dance number, which is about a man and a woman about to fall in love. She also wrote the lyrics for “Holiday,” one of two title tracks for the album.Girls’ Generation will appear on

Aug. 1, 2017

T.O.P stripped of police post after drug conviction

Police on Monday ruled T.O.P of Big Bang inadequate to serve as a conscripted policeman, after he received a suspended prison term for smoking marijuana.The review committee on reenlistment of the convicted at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency reached the decision not to allow the 29-year-old rapper to continue his police duties, which he had been serving as an alternative to mandatory military service.  T.O.P of Big Bang leaves the Seoul Central District Court in this file photo. (Yonhap)Kor

July 31, 2017

Girls' Generation to showcase new album at fan meeting next week

K-pop group Girls' Generation will unveil its new album at an upcoming fan meeting slated for next week, its management agency said Sunday.S.M. Entertainment said the eight-member act will sing new songs, including "All Night" and "Holiday," from its sixth full-length album "Holiday Night" during the meeting on Aug. 5 to mark the 10th anniversary of its debut.The event titled "Holiday to Remember" will take place at 7 p.m. at the Olympic Hall of the Olympic Park in eastern Seoul. (S.M. Entertain

July 31, 2017

Korea unites with Tomorrowland for all-night music festival

Through the magic of music and livestreaming, revelers here were granted front row access -- so to speak -- to Tomorrowland, a world-renowned electronic music festival. “Unite With Tomorrowland” landed in Korea on Saturday at Munhak Stadium in the country’s gateway city of Incheon. The event is held simultaneously in different locations around the world, with fans also enjoying performances of top-class DJs at the Tomorrowland festival in Belgium.Local DJs kicked things off. Glory was the openin

July 30, 2017

JJ Project unveils teaser before comeback

JJ Project, a subunit duo of South Korean musicians JB and JinYoung of GOT7, released their music video teaser “Tomorrow, Today” and some parts of its melody on Friday. JYP Entertainment unveiled the song via YouTube, Naver TV and Kakao TV as part of JJ Project’s new album “Verse 2,” attracting the attention of K-pop fans. In the grayscale short clip, a white car drives through a forest for about 20 seconds. The new song is expected to draw excitement among the fans, as they have waited for five

July 28, 2017

Girls’ Generation to prerelease song Aug. 4

Fans hotly anticipating the return of Girls’ Generation will get a surprise treat next week, as the girl group will release songs from its upcoming album “Holiday Night” online ahead of its official release on Aug. 7According to its agency S.M. Entertainment, the 10 songs of various genres from the album will be made available for download at major online music sales websites including Melon, Genie and Naver Music.  A teaser image of Tiffany of Girls‘ Generation (S.M. Entertainment)The album fea

July 28, 2017

Lorde, Major Lazer to headline 2017 Jisan Valley Rock Festival

Jisan Valley Rock Music & Arts Festival, one of South Korea’s biggest summer music events, began its three-day run Friday, signaling the start of the country’s summer music festival season.The music event, now in its eighth year, kicked off at the Jisan Forest Resort in Icheon, just outside the capital Seoul, in Gyeonggi Province. CJ E&M, the organizer of the festival, expects 90,000 music fans will congregate at the event, which runs until Sunday. Poster for Jisan Valley Rock Music & Arts Festi

July 28, 2017