[Today’s K-pop] Dreamcatcher ready for summer holidays

Girl group Dreamcatcher held an online media showcase Friday to promote its latest EP, “Summer Holiday.”  　 It has been six months since the band wrapped up its “Dystopia” series with “Dystopia: Road to Utopia,” and the musicians are enjoying a breather before they embark on a new narrative. 　 “We’ve prepared special new songs to let InSomnias all over the world feel cool just by listening to them,” said Gahyun, referring to the band&

K-popJuly 30, 2021

New releases to heat up August music charts

A handful of K-pop acts are vying to control domestic music charts during the sweatiest season. From rookies to heavyweights, many artists are gearing up for a spin next month. Following is a list of singers who are ready to showcase their new summer anthems that will allow music lovers to unplug from pandemic-triggered fatigue.  Astro Astro is ready to switch on the summer button with the release of its eighth EP, “Switch On.” The sextet revealed a snippet of their album

K-popJuly 30, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Girls’ Generation to appear in variety show to mark 14th debut anniversary: report

All bandmates of Girls’ Generation will appear in a variety show in time for the group’s 14th anniversary, according to media reports Wednesday. 　 It has been four years since they were seen on an entertainment program although they have been seen together on each other’s social media and YouTube channels. 　 Producers of “You Quiz on the Block,” a show hosted by veteran comedian/emcee Yoo Jae-seok, confirmed their appearance saying that they are discussing the ti

K-popJuly 28, 2021

BTS makes debut performance on BBC's 'Live Lounge'

South Korean superband BTS appeared on a BBC radio show on Tuesday to perform two of its biggest hits, as well as a cover of the Billboard-topping hit "I'll be Missing You." The seven-piece act sang "Dynamite" -- the group's first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard's main singles chart -- and its latest single "Permission to Dance," which topped the music chart last week, on BBC Radio 1's "Live Lounge." In addition to the group's own songs, BTS also pe

K-popJuly 27, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] EXO’s D.O. tops iTunes charts in 59 regions with solo debut album

The first solo album of EXO’s D.O. hit No. 1 on iTunes top albums chart in 59 regions.   　 The album came out Monday and swept all major music charts in Korea as well.   　 The eight-track album marks the debut of the veteran idol as a solo vocalist after almost 10 years of providing the main vocals of EXO.   　 It also is the first release since he returned after completing his mandatory military service in January, besides the band’s special album that came out in

K-popJuly 27, 2021

BTS vs BTS: 'Butter' returns to top of Billboard after giving way to 'Permission to Dance'

South Korean supergroup BTS sat atop the Billboard's main singles chart for the ninth consecutive week as its hit single "Butter" returned to the throne after briefly giving way to its own latest single. "'Butter' officially returns to No. 1 on this week's #Hot100 chart for an eighth total week," Billboard said on its Twitter account Monday (US time). The song had reigned on the singles chart for seven straight weeks before giving way to the septet's latest single, "Pe

K-popJuly 27, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] EXO's D.O. unveils solo debut album

D.O. of EXO discussed his first solo album, “Empathy,” which came out Monday. 　 “This is quite a new frame of mind,” he confided through a Q&A statement through his label SM Entertainment. Singing alone was difficult in a way but was a different and fun experience, said the performer, wondering how listeners would find the eight tracks from the album. 　 As for naming the album “Empathy,” he explained that he realized the sheer energy of the word, after

K-popJuly 26, 2021

AKMU helps to take leap through new collaboration album

Sibling duo AKMU is ready to take the music scene by storm. The duet is opening a new chapter in their music career with new collaboration album “Next Episode,” releasing Monday evening. The seven-song package provides support and comfort to people when they hit rock bottom in their lives, brother and songwriter Lee Chan-hyuk and sister Lee Su-Hyun said during an online press conference. Fronted by lead track “Fall,” featuring singer and actress IU, the latest print

K-popJuly 26, 2021

BTS member V roots for S. Korean table tennis teen phenom

BTS member V's message supporting self-proclaimed BTS fan and teenage ping pong sensation Shin Yu-bin has gone viral. Shin Yu-bin, the youngest member of the South Korean women's table tennis team at 17, is a fan of the South Korean supergroup. Shin, who beat Luxembourg's Xia Lian Ni, a 58-year-old veteran athlete, at the Tokyo Olympics Women's Singles Round 2 on Sunday, has often mentioned how she is a huge fan of the septet. Previous interviews showed her carrying photos of BTS members in he

K-popJuly 26, 2021

[Herald Interview] Jimmy Brown, the Korean who sings of love in English

Listening to the first few lines of indie R&B artist Jimmy Brown’s recent release “Yours,” you might not figure that he is Korean, let alone a Korean with only a year’s experience of living abroad. Brown, whose real name is Lee Ji-won, will be an unfamiliar name to most Korean listeners, as he has rarely promoted himself or his songs outside his social media and streaming platforms. He has occasionally caught the eye of the general public -- when BTS’ Jimin

K-popJuly 25, 2021

BTS: 'We want to help future generation with public role'

South Korean superband BTS said it hopes to play an active role in helping youths around the world amid global challenges like economic hardships, inequality and the ongoing pandemic. The seven-piece group, which has rewritten history by ruling Billboard charts and becoming the first Korean pop group to receive a Grammy nomination, was recently named for the public diplomacy role. With the appointment, the group is set to attend major international meetings, including the 76th session of the U

K-popJuly 25, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Girl group aespa signs with top US agency

SM Entertainment girl group aespa has signed with the largest agency in the US, Creative Artists Agency, as the team gears up for the global stage. 　 The group will be represented overseas by the talent agency, according to their label on Friday. SM Entertainment boy bands NCT 127 and SuperM are signed to the agency as well. 　 The quartet debuted in November and has set multiple records since. The music video for its debut single “Black Mamba” reached 100 million views in about 51

K-popJuly 23, 2021

BTS drops R&B remix of 'Permission to Dance'

South Korean superband BTS on Friday unveiled an R&B version of its latest Billboard-topping hit "Permission to Dance." The remix, which the group's agency Big Hit Music described as having a 1990s vibe, was released at 1 p.m., two weeks after the septet dropped the summer song. The new version is a gesture of gratitude for fans around the world who supported BTS in hitting No. 1 on the Billboard main singles chart with five songs, the agency added. BTS recently topped the Billb

K-popJuly 23, 2021

Korean credit card companies target K-pop fans with fan-friendly products

South Korean credit card companies are pushing to collaborate with K-pop agencies to launch customized products for fans who are becoming increasingly important customers across most industries. Earlier this week, credit card giant BC Card released a new product with K-pop giant YG Entertainment. Dubbed the "BLACKPINK Card," the new credit card offers fan-friendly features like discounts on ticket purchases and streaming, according to the two companies. BLACKPINK's four members -- Ji

K-popJuly 23, 2021

BTS to perform on BBC radio show 'Live Lounge' next week

K-pop juggernaut BTS will appear on the popular BBC radio show "Live Lounge" next week, the group's agency said Friday. The group will perform its first Billboard Hot 100 chart topper "Dynamite," its latest hit song "Permission to Dance" and a special cover of "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans on the British radio show next Tuesday (local time), Big Hit Music said. "Live Lounge" on BBC Radio 1 is known for its segment featurin

K-popJuly 23, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ “Butter” has no copyright infringement: label

BTS’ label Big Hit Music said in a statement on Thursday that “Butter” does not breach any copyrights.   　 “It remains unchanged that the right to the music belongs to ‘Butter,’” said the company, acknowledging that it is aware of the claims that the intro of the song may be plagiarized.   　 “The song has been finalized and released after a process of confirming with all copyright holders that there is no issue surrounding the song,&rd

K-popJuly 22, 2021

Commercials that became talk of town with BTS

Celebrity endorsement is not a new concept in the advertising business -- it sells products. BTS’ meteoric rise to prominence over the years has brimmed companies with excitement -- the group has caused a ripple effect on companies that use them to promote their brands. The seven-piece, in particular, has ticked off many factors on the success list that companies yearn for when it comes to advertising. Today, more companies seek a promotional boost by interweaving their well-crafted mar

K-popJuly 22, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] EXO’s Dio wrote two songs for solo debut album

D.O. of EXO participated in writing lyrics for two songs from his upcoming solo debut album, label SM Entertainment said on Wednesday. 　 The musician is putting out his first solo album “Empathy” on July 26 and co-authored words for two out of eight tracks. Six of the songs are new and two are bonus tracks including an English version of title track “Rose.” 　 “Rose” is an acoustic folk number and he sings of how one’s heart goes aflutter having fallen

K-popJuly 21, 2021

BTS named S. Korea's special presidential envoy for public diplomacy

President Moon Jae-in appointed South Korean boy band BTS as his special envoy for public diplomacy Wednesday. In their capacity of "special presidential envoy for future generations and culture," the members of the group plan to attend major international meetings, including the 75th session of the U.N. General Assembly slated for September, Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Park Kyung-mee said. They will send a message of consolation and hope for the youth around the world and also join v

K-popJuly 21, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] BTS launches “PTD” dance challenge on YouTube’s new service

BTS invited fans to participate in a dance challenge exclusive to YouTube Shorts.  From July 23 through to Aug. 14, participants can send in 15-second-long videos that cover the choreography from the band’s newest hit “Permission to Dance” on YouTube’s mobile app. It is the first global dance challenge on YouTube’s short-form video feature that was recently introduced. The bandmates will select some of their favorite entries and create a compilation video as

K-popJuly 20, 2021