Philippines gets surprise visit from ‘K-pop Star’ runner-up Kriesha Tiu

Cebu got a pleasant surprise last weekend when Filipino-American K-pop star Kriesha Tiu visited her birthplace in the Philippines, and met her fans there. According to her agency Urban Works Ent, Tiu visited the city on Sunday where she attended a fan meeting and appeared on local TV. “Tiu’s visit was originally supposed to have been a vacation with her family. But the news got out and the local fans prepared various events for her,” the company said. After meeting some 500 fans in the tropical

May 3, 2017

Twice, JYP collaborate for a main track for the first time in 'Signal'

For the first time, Twice will have a main track written by Park Jin-young, the head producer of the group’s agency. JYP Entertainment announced Wednesday that Park wrote the main track “Signal” for Twice’s new EP of the same name. A teaser image of Sana for Twice’s upcoming EP “Signal” (JYP Entertainment)A teaser image of Nayeon for Twice’s upcoming EP “Signal” (JYP Entertainment)A teaser image of Dahyun for Twice’s upcoming EP “Signal” (JYP Entertainment)Park, founder of the company, has writt

May 3, 2017

VIXX reveals concept for new EP

Boy band VIXX on Tuesday unveiled the concept for its upcoming fourth EP, along with the title “Shangri-La/Paradise on Earth.”Set for release later in the month, the upcoming release is part of its “VIXX V Festival” project to commemorate the band’s fifth anniversary. The concept image revealed via its official channels bears drawings of flowers, a pine tree, grass and a butterfly with the words “VIXX 4th mini album (EP)” inscribed. The title refers to a utopia, which is made clearer in the Kore

May 2, 2017

Choi Yoo-jung, Kim Do-yeon to debut as i-Teen Girls in July

Choi Yoo-jung and Kim Do-yeon, former members of now-disbanded project group I.O.I, aim to debut as part of a new girl group tentatively named i-Teen Girls.The agency Fantagio said Tuesday, “i-Teen Girls is gearing up to debut in July. With Choi Yoo-jung and Kim Do-yeon as the core of the group, eight to 10 members will form a new group. Except for Choi and Kim, other members have not yet been decided.” Choi Yoo-jung (left) and Kim Do-yeon (Fantagio)In January, the agency hinted at the two artis

May 2, 2017

2017 Dream Concert announces lineup

The 2017 Dream Concert -- one of the largest K-pop concerts in Asia -- announced its lineup of artists Tuesday.The annual music concert will be held June 3 at 6 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul. Now in its 23rd year, Dream Concert will feature 26 acts, ranging from K-pop icons EXO, Twice, Red Velvet and SHINee’s Taemin to rookie groups Gugudan and Pristin.  (S.M. Entertainment/Tomaru)Other idol groups include popular boy bands NCT 127, NCT Dream, VIXX and Seventeen, as well as girl group

May 2, 2017

Singer Kim Jang-hoon promotes history of ‘Battleship Island’ in Japan concert

Kim Jang-hoon on Monday said he held a history-themed concert in Japan about the forced Korean laborers during World War II on Hashima Island, better known as Gunkanjima or “Battleship Island,” on Sunday.According to the Korean singer, the concert in Fukuoka, Japan was held in cooperation with the labor union of KB Securities. “I’ve been meaning to hold a concert in Japan for Koreans in the country and Japanese people who are persecuted by the Japanese far-right, but I wasn’t able to get a permi

May 1, 2017

Britney Spears rumored to be planning Seoul show

American pop singer Britney Spears is set to hold her first solo concert in Korea, according to a local media report on Monday.“Britney Spears is preparing to meet fans in Korea. The concert will be part of her Asia tour ‘Britney: Live In Concert,’ which will start in Tokyo, Japan on June 3,” the report said. American pop singer Britney Spears (Yonhap)Seoul Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation, which manages the stadium, confirmed that Gocheok Sky Dome is reserved from June 6 to June 1

May 1, 2017

Twice’s new ‘Signal’ slated for May 15

Twice is set to drop its new album on May 15, according to agency JYP Entertainment. A preview image of Twice’s upcoming mini album “Signal” (JYP Entertainment)The agency said Monday the group’s fourth mini album “Signal” and the title track will be released on May 15 at 6 p.m. In a preview image of the new album unveiled via the agency website also Monday, the band can be seen wearing white and navy school uniform-styled outfits.    The nine-member girl group debuted in October 2015. Its first

May 1, 2017

[Herald Interview] Sechs Kies back with ’90s memories

The legendary K-pop group Sechs Kies has returned with a new album to celebrate its 20th anniversary as a group. Called a “first-generation” boy band here, the group had sensational popularity in the late 1990s, with fans waiting in lines to buy its cassette tapes and camping out at its concert venues all night. Catering to those who have nostalgic memories of the band, the five members -- most of them in their late 30s now -- released the album “The 20th Anniversary” on Friday.  Sechs Kies memb

April 28, 2017

Super Junior's Kyuhyun to meet with fans before military service

Kyuhyun, a member of South Korean idol group Super Junior, will hold a fan meeting next month ahead of his scheduled military enlistment, his agency said Friday.S.M. Entertainment said the singer will hold a meet-and-greet event on May 20 at Kyunghee University in northeastern Seoul. (Yonhap)Kyuhyun is scheduled to join the military on May 25. The 29-year-old singer debuted in 2006 through idol group Super Junior. Outside of music, he's also become a well-known TV celebrity by appearing in sever

April 28, 2017

EXO’s Tao loses lawsuit against management agency

Tao, a former Chinese member of the popular boy band EXO, on Friday lost the lawsuit he filed against the group’s management agency to nullify his exclusive contract.The Seoul Central District Court turned down the 24-year-old singer‘s request to nullify his management contract with S.M. Entertainment. Former EXO member Tao (Yonhap)Tao filed the lawsuit in August 2015 after leaving the group without approval with two other Chinese members, Kris and Luhan.He claimed in his written opinion to the

April 28, 2017

Park Bo-gum, Irene to emcee Singapore tour of 'Music Bank'

Popular music show "Music Bank" will hold its first overseas concert in two years in Singapore in August, KBS said Friday.The music show on KBS 2TV will take place at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Center on Aug. 4, the latest date of its global tour of countries including France, Chile, Turkey and Mexico that started in 2011. (KBS)Actor Park Bo-gum and Irene from girl group Red Velvet, former hosts, will get together once again to emcee the special show.The upcoming Singapore sh

April 28, 2017

Stellar to hold Tokyo concert May 19-20

Stellar will hold a concert in Tokyo from May 19-20, its agency said Thursday.It will be the second time the K-pop group is holding a concert in Japan.According to Entertainment Pascal, the band will not only perform its hit songs but also introduce new songs at the concerts. Solo performances by each members are also planned. Stellar (The Entertainment Pascal)The concert follows the four-member group’s debut in Japan with a showcase in Tokyo last August. It was also the first female K-pop group

April 27, 2017

Hanwha Classic 2017 invites baroque master William Christie

Having hosted French conductor Marc Minkowski and the Musicians of the Louvre orchestra last year, this year’s Hanwha Classic 2017 annual concert series will once again highlight the French baroque era. According to Hanwha Group on Wednesday, the upcoming classical music concert series will feature American-born French conductor and harpsichordist William Christie and his Les Arts Florissants orchestral ensemble.  France’s Les Arts Florissants orchestral ensemble (Courtesy of Hanwha Group)The tw

April 27, 2017

Minzy ranks No. 2 on Billboard world chart

Minzy’s first EP took the second spot on Billboard’s world albums chart as of Wednesday, marking the former 2NE1 member’s successful transition into a solo artist.Released April 17, “Minzy Work 01 Uno” made an immediate impact on local and international charts. It took the top spot on the iTunes K-pop top album charts upon its release in several countries, including the US, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.Minzy (Music Works)Minzy, 23, participated in writing the lyrics for all six songs in the

April 26, 2017

Zico, BewhY to perform at ‘Seoul Sessions Live Music Event’

Korean rappers Zico and BewhY will headline the “Seoul Sessions Live Music Event 2017,” along with American rapper Wiz Khalifa.The upcoming music event will mark American rapper Wiz Khalifa’s first music performance in Korea. He has enjoyed high international fame with hit songs such as “Black and Yellow,” “Work Hard, Play Hard” and “Young, Wild & Free.”The “Seoul Sessions Live Music Event 2017” poster showing Zico (left) and BewhY as headliners. (Mixmag Korea)Mixmag Korea, which represents the

April 26, 2017

G-Dragon confirms global tour

 G-Dragon is set to kick off a world tour of 19 cities across the globe in June, his agency YG Entertainment said Tuesday. A promotional image for G-Dragon’s upcoming world tour. (YG Entertainment)The K-pop icon will hold “G-Dragon 2017 Concert: Act III, M.O.T.T.E” in World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Seoul on June 10, which will herald the beginning of the tour named “Act III, M.O.T.T.E.” He will perform across four continents in places that will include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto,

April 25, 2017

‘Art circus’ La Verita to be performed in Seoul this weekend

The circus is in town. But instead of lions jumping through flames and brightly-dressed clowns, “La Verita” will seek to portray the spirit and life of surreal artist Salvador Dali through a mixture of music, skits and acrobatics.Daniele Finzi Pasca, who wrote and directed La Verita, said the “art circus” seeks to portray a surreal depiction of Dali’s life through circus.La Verita was inspired by “Tristan Fou (Mad Tristan),” painted by Dali in 1944 and depicting the legend of Tristan and Isolde.

April 25, 2017

MBLAQ’s Seungho steps into acting career

Seungho of MBLAQ sealed a deal with Will Entertainment to start his acting career. Seungho of MBLAQ (Herald DB)The agency said Tuesday that it would fully support Seungho’s plan to build his career as an actor, sending an encouraging message about his new step. “Seungho has always wanted to become an actor. Please extend your support to his passion and commitment toward acting,” said an agency official. The singer-turned-actor debuted as MBLAQ in 2009. Aside from group activities, he starred in

April 25, 2017

[Next Wave] Punchnello seeks to shape image as artist

The Korea Herald is introducing Korean singers, musicians and actors poised to join the next wave of top stars in a twice monthly series. - Ed.Punchnello spent a busy year in 2016 after first making headlines in March with his decision to join HIGHGRND, the independent label run by Tablo of Epik High, and releasing his debut deluxe single “Lime” in September.This year, Punchnello hopes to show a different side of himself with the recent announcement of his participation in Mnet&rsquo

April 24, 2017