Articles by Hong Yoo
Hong Yoo
yoohong@heraldcorp.com-
K-pop artists, agencies step up fight against 'stans'
For some 20 years, K-pop artist Kim Jae-joong has been hounded by fans stalking him to get a sneak peek into his private life. A week ago Kim Jae-joong decided to stand up for himself and take legal measures against “sasaeng” fans -- industry slang referring to fans who invade an artist‘s private life, often exhibiting problematic and obsessive behavior. “We are currently gathering information about Kim Jae-joong’s sasaeng fans and the private taxis they hired to st
K-pop Jan. 31, 2024
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S. Korea is ideal country for ticket scalping, says Record Label Industry Association of Korea
South Korean laws have limited scope in enforcing ticket scalping regulations, according to the Record Label Industry Association of Korea's Chairman Yoon Dong-hwan, who spoke in response to the association's recent report on ticket scalping laws in several foreign countries. The report, published Tuesday, compares the ticket scalping policies and laws of seven countries -- Japan, China, Taiwan, the US, Canada, France and Belgium. Ticket scalping in these countries is subject to fines
K-pop Jan. 30, 2024
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IU to unveil 6th EP ‘The Winning’ next month
Singer-songwriter and actress IU will release her sixth mini album, “The Winning,” on Feb. 20, according to Edam Entertainment. The artist’s new album is the first in two years and two months after the release of her special extended play, “Pieces," in December 2021. The teaser clip of IU’s upcoming album uploaded to her official YouTube channel shows the artist with long bleached hair, wearing a red outfit. IU is seen spraying a red-colored spray at the camera
K-pop Jan. 30, 2024
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[Herald Interview] Vanner ready for 'Jackpot'
South Korean boy band Vanner is contending for victory in the K-pop scene this year with a full transformation of their image from fresh youth to powerful and charismatic artists. “We want to show that Banner is a group that can handle sexy, powerful and charismatic themes through our second mini album, ‘Capture the Flag,’” said Taehwan of Vanner during a group interview in Seoul on Thursday. The quintet’s new album, scheduled to be released on Tuesday at 6 p.m., is
K-pop Jan. 30, 2024
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VCHA debuts with single album ‘Girls of the Year'
JYP Entertainment’s new girl group VCHA debuted with the single album “Girls of the Year” Friday. VCHA is the first multinational girl group that JYP has launched in the US. The group consists of six members from Korea, the US, and Canada. They were chosen through JYP and the American music label Republic Record’s K-pop girl group production project “A2K” which aired on YouTube in July last year. The single album is led by the titular track “Girls of the
K-pop Jan. 26, 2024
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Ten of NCT to debut solo next month
Ten of the K-pop boy group NCT is making his official solo debut in February. According to SM Entertainment, Ten will release his first solo mini album "Ten" on Feb. 13. He is the second member from NCT to debut solo, following Taeyong who released "Shalala" last year. The EP carries a total of six tracks, all sung in English. Ten, a Thai member of the multi-national idol group, made his debut as part of NCT U in 2016. He has also participated as a member of different boy g
K-pop Jan. 26, 2024
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[Well-curated] Test out guitars, explore old photos and drink coffee on airplane
Explore guitars at Guitarnet Showroom While enjoying a weekend stroll through Apgujeong, visit the Guitarnet Showroom, where you can feast your eyes on an array of colorful guitars. Just a 5 to 7-minute walk from Apgujeongrodeo Station's Exit No. 6 on the Suin-Bundang Line, the oval-shaped, dark gray store cannot be missed after making a right turn at the Hana Bank. Insa-dong’s Nagwon Instrument Arcade, also known as the Nagwon Music Mall, is widely considered to be a musicians
Culture Jan. 26, 2024
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NewJeans wins Group of the Year at 2024 Billboard Women In Music Awards
NewJeans won Group of the Year at the 2024 Billboard Women In Music Awards, becoming the first K-pop female act to take home such an honor. NewJeans is attending the ceremony to take place on March 6 at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, according to the group's agency, Ador. Billboard Women In Music Awards is an annual event held by Billboard, established in 2007 to recognize women in the music industry who have made significant contributions to the business. Other honorees for this year&
K-pop Jan. 25, 2024
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Babymonster to return as septet next month with new single
With Ahyeon back in the group, Babymonster is releasing its new single “Stuck In The Middle” on Feb. 1 YG Entertainment made the surprise announcement of the new release with a video on its official YouTube channel on Thursday. “Ahyeon has fully recovered and she is now back recording the singles for the group’s upcoming album. We wanted to drop this announcement that many of you have been waiting for as soon as possible,” YG founder and executive producer Yang Hyu
K-pop Jan. 25, 2024
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Inspire Arena aims for paradigm shift in live concert experience
YEONGJONGDO, Incheon -- Inspire Arena, the first multipurpose arena in South Korea created and managed by Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort, aims to offer a whole new experience for concerts, festivals and sporting events. That begins with visitors buying tickets indoors and waiting in the lobby that can accommodate up to 6,000 for the event to start. Making the wait less tedious is the lobby's kinetic chandelier, or Rotunda. Three main gates at the arena help divert traffic and the aren
K-pop Jan. 24, 2024
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TWS hopes to spread positive energy through music, performances
TWS, the much-anticipated boy group from Pledis Entertainment, made its debut Monday with the release of its first EP, “Sparkling Blue.” TWS is the first K-pop boy group to debut in nine years under Pledis Entertainment, the agency that houses K-pop sensation Seventeen. “We’ve worked hard to accomplish this dream of debuting as a K-pop act. We will continue to do our best to shine even brighter,” said member Dohoon during a press conference in Seoul on Monday. &ldqu
K-pop Jan. 23, 2024
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Le Sserafim to return with 3rd EP, ‘Easy,’ next month
K-pop girl group Le Sserafim will release its third EP, “Easy,” on Feb. 19. Le Sserafim announced its comeback on the fan community platform Weverse on Monday. The upcoming album is about the anxiety and worries that exist behind the group’s confident appearance, according to Source Music. This is the first time that the group will sing about their insecurities, as all their past releases have been about being fearless. Le Sserafim’s return with a new album in Korea comes
K-pop Jan. 22, 2024
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[Herald Interview] Evnne shows off vulnerabilities as 'rascals' in 'Un: SEEN’
Behind every stage beaming with blinding lights are hours spent in the dark, getting ready for that moment in the limelight. The road to debuting as a K-pop artist is likewise a difficult and exacting one. It is a journey that Evnne sings about in its second EP, “Un: SEEN,” released Monday. “We tried to talk about our hidden scars in this album. Such scars represent the difficult journey we’ve been through trying to debut as a K-pop act. As you know, our group consist
K-pop Jan. 22, 2024
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IU renames new single ‘Love Wins All’ in response to queerbaiting allegations
K-pop artist IU has changed the title of her upcoming single from “Love Wins” to “Love Wins All” after a backlash from sexual minorities and fans alleging queerbaiting. “We recognized that the original title of the single could blur the message of the song. We would like to respect and support everyone who loves and lives in various ways,” said Edam Entertainment, the agency representing IU, in a press release on Friday. The agency revealed on Thursday the IU&
K-pop Jan. 21, 2024
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Le Sserafim, Ateez to perform at Coachella
K-pop groups Le Sserafim and Ateez will perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this year. Le Sserafim will take the stage on April 13 and April 20, while Ateez will perform on April 12 and April 19. The festival will take place on April 12-21 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California, according to the festival’s promoter Goldenvoice, Tuesday. Le Sserafim is the only K-pop girl group in the lineup for Coachella this year. The group’s performance at Coachella com
K-pop Jan. 17, 2024
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