Articles by Choi Ji-won

Choi Ji-won
jwc@heraldcorp.com-
[Herald Interview] Rookie Xikers gears up for real game with second album
In less than five months after its debut, boy band Xikers returns revamped, ready to invite listeners deeper into its universe. Opening the second chapter of their fledgling journey is the band's second EP, "House of Tricky: How to Play," which is set for release on Wednesday evening. In March 30, the 10-member boy group -- consisting of members Minjae, Junmin, Sumin, Jinsik, Hyunwoo, Junghoon, Se-eun, Yujun, Yechan and, the band's only foreign member, Hunter -- debuted as th
K-pop Aug. 2, 2023
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'13egin': Infinite's new beginning at 13th year
Infinite has returned with its first new album in five years, "13egin," marking a new start 13 years since they debuted. The album, the band's seventh EP, came out Monday evening. The desperation to make their comeback work was even fiercer than when the group first debuted in 2010, Jang Dongwoo, the six-piece's main vocalist and rapper said Monday during a press conference held in Seoul. "Establishing Infinite Company, we did everything ourselves this time, from the alb
K-pop Aug. 1, 2023
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SM to debut new boy band Riize in September
SM Entertainment is debuting a new boy band, Riize, in September. The K-pop powerhouse on Monday announced the new group will be a seven-piece act that will carve out a new niche in emo-pop, an unconventional sound yet to be explored inside the K-pop scene. According to SM, the group's name compounds "rise" and "realize" to convey the group's ambition to rise up and realize its dreams. Consisting of seven multinational individuals with different strengths and charac
K-pop July 31, 2023
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[Herald Review] Enhypen thrives with 'Fate' world tour
Marking the start of Enhypen's second world tour "Fate" in Seoul on Sunday, the electronic screens of the KSPO Dome glided open sideways to show the seven members in shimmering white suits adorned with gold, each holding a rose. The electrifying "Drunk-Dazed" opened the night. Joined by dancers, the boys kicked into a wordless dance break, bringing the whole focus onto their fierce movements and captivating expressions. It seemed like the septet was ready to show how muc
K-pop July 31, 2023
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'Aloha' says returning summer queen Soyou
Singer Soyou returned to the music scene Wednesday with her second mini album "Summer Recipe." The soloist, formerly a member of girl group Sistar, is coming back a year and three months after she last released her first EP "Day & Night." "Summer Recipe" unveils Soyou's tricks for enduring the sizzling summer, the singer's agency BPM Entertainment said. The album's five tracks of various genres and sentiments delves deeper into the charms of the
K-pop July 26, 2023
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Jungkook bolts beyond BTS, cements 'pop star' persona
Jungkook is the sixth member from BTS to come out solo, and the most successful so far, experts say. His solo single "Seven (feat. Latto)" soared to the top of the most recent Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking the second time any South Korean solo song has nabbed a Hot 100 No. 1 spot on the prestigious US singles chart. The first was by his bandmate Jimin's "Like Crazy." "Seven" is also the 68th song in Billboard's history to enter the Hot 100 at the top. W
K-pop July 26, 2023
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Shownu X Hyungwon debut as Monsta X's first subunit with 'The Unseen'
K-pop boy band Monsta X's Shownu and Hyungwon are set to make their subunit debut Tuesday with the EP "The Unseen." Under the name Shownu X Hyungwon, the duo is emerging as the six-piece's first subunit group. The new album, "The Unseen," looks into the minds of the two singers as they face the various shapes of "self" seen through the eyes of others. Just like other Monsta X music, the duet touches on various ideas of love and plays them out through the E
K-pop July 25, 2023
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BTS' Jungkook lands No.1 spot on Billboard Hot 100
BTS' member Jungkook has taken the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart with the single "Seven (feat. Latto)." The US music publication on Monday released its latest weekly chart data, which showed Jungkook's solo single "Seven (feat. Latto)" led the main singles chart Hot 100. This is the second time a South Korean solo singer has topped the singles chart, following his bandmate Jimin's song "Like Crazy" topped the list in April. "Seven&qu
K-pop July 25, 2023
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First Filipino K-pop group HORI7ON sets sail
K-pop's first all-Filipino boy band, HORI7ON, arrived in Seoul on Monday, officially embarking on their journey as a global pop group. Debuting under the local agency MLD Entertainment, HORI7ON's seven members -- Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy and Marcus -- were brought together through Filipino TV audition program "Dream Maker," which was jointly launched by MLD and Filipino TV broadcaster ABS-CBN. They then went through around 100 days of so-called "K-trai
K-pop July 24, 2023
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[Herald Review] Seventeen's extravaganza reembarks with dome tour 'Follow'
For Seventeen, a concert is what completes every chapter of their musical journey. The performance-driven 13-piece K-pop juggernaut don't just bring their music and spirit live to the stage, but enchant the whole space with their phenomenal energy and synchronization on stage. On the shoulders of such a reputation, the band did not disappoint with their latest concert series, "'Follow' to Seoul," held on Friday and Saturday at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul. The
K-pop July 24, 2023
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A year on, NewJeans continues to shift K-pop paradigms
NewJeans began their career last summer with the hopes of sharing their timeless music with their listeners. The past year has seen the five-piece group reign supreme on the music charts, both at home and abroad, with its debut EP, "New Jeans," as well as its following singles. The act's four-song debut EP saw its three title songs land on the top of local music charts, marking the biggest girl group entrance into the K-pop scene since Blackpink in 2016. Like a pair of jeans, &quo
K-pop July 21, 2023
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Stray Kids to headline Lollapalooza Paris on Friday
Stray Kids are headlining Lollapalooza Paris on Friday. The eight-piece boy band will become the first K-pop act to headline the French music festival. Stray Kids are set to take the stage on the first of the three-day run, performing in front of some 65,000 daily concertgoers at the Hippodrome ParisLongchamp in Paris. Other headlining artists include Spanish singer Rosalia on Saturday and American rapper Kendrick Lamar on Sunday. Lollapalooza Paris is the French edition of the annual concert se
K-pop July 21, 2023
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Boy band Mirae drops fresh album 'Boys will be Boys'
Recharged with youthful energy, K-pop band Mirae on Wednesday returned with its fifth EP, "Boys will be Boys." The band held a media showcase event that afternoon in Seoul just before the album release. This marks the seven-member group's return with a new release since with its fourth EP "Ourturn," which had marked the start of the group's new "Boy" series. With "Boys will be Boys," Mirae members said they turned away from the "cosmic fresh
K-pop July 20, 2023
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Starbucks, Blackpink collaboration to hit 9 Asian countries
Starbucks is collaborating with the world's biggest girl group Blackpink this summer. Starbucks Korea on Thursday announced that the brand has teamed up with Blackpink to release limited edition merchandise, beverage and food items this summer. The latest collaboration project will be launched in the Asia-Pacific region, with the drinks and merchandise items available in nine regions in Asia, including South Korea and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, bakery menu items will only be sold in South Korea.
Consumer July 20, 2023
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NewJeans hits new highs with 'Super Shy'
The single "Super Shy" is taking NewJeans to new career highs on global music charts. Released July 7, the song entered Billboard's Hot 100 at No. 66 in the latest chart release, marking the quintet's highest spot on the list. This marks the third Hot 100 song from NewJeans, following "OMG" and "Ditto," which peaked at No. 74 and No. 82, respectively, on the US singles chart. The song, a prerelease from the act's upcoming second EP "Get Up," also came in a
K-pop July 19, 2023
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