Articles by Lee Jung-Youn
Lee Jung-Youn
-
NewJeans pops out ‘Bubble Gum’ video amid troubles at agency
NewJeans kicked off promotion for the group's upcoming album by releasing the music video for “Bubble Gum” on Saturday, amid a spiraling dispute and corporate intrigue involving Min Hee-jin, CEO of Ador, and Hybe Entertainment, the K-pop powerhouse that holds an 80 percent stake in the label. “Bubble Gum” is an easy-listening song with a simple drum pattern and synthesizer sounds. It is the B-side to “How Sweet,” which is to be released May 24. The new si
K-pop April 28, 2024
-
Zico hits the right 'Spot!'
Rapper Zico's collaboration with Blackpink's Jennie on "Spot!" has marked a successful return for the rapper, achieving favorable results on domestic and international music charts. The digital single, released Friday, is Zico's first release in nearly two years, after "Grown Ass Kid" in July 2022. Blending addictive melodies and a simple rhythm with Zico's powerful raps and Jennie's intense vocals, the new song captures the story of two friends who r
K-pop April 28, 2024
-
[Music in drama] An ode to childhood trauma
Sometimes, people with trauma due to emotional scars from childhood find it difficult to "become adults." Aired in 2020, tvN TV series "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" depicts the story of lonely characters who pretend to be average adults despite their vulnerabilities. Ko Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji) is a children’s book writer whose mother -- also a writer --treated her as nothing more than a piece of art. While Moon-young's books are for children, they contain brutally
Television April 27, 2024
-
Ador CEO denies allegations, accuses Hybe of mistreating NewJeans
At a hastily called press conference at the Korea Conference Center in southern Seoul on Thursday afternoon, Min Hee-jin, CEO of Hybe sublabel Ador, said she was innocent of all allegations raised against her by Hybe and accused the K-pop powerhouse of mismanaging Ador. Min dismissed Hybe's accusation that Min had tried to take over the management of Ador, in which she holds an 18 percent stake, by attracting outside investors and pressuring Hybe. Earlier in the day, Hybe posted Min’s
K-pop April 25, 2024
-
Hybe to file complaint against Ador executives
K-pop powerhouse Hybe announced that it will file a complaint against sublabel Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and other executives on the charge of breach of trust on Thursday. In a statement, Hybe said that through the audit of Ador that began Monday, it has obtained concrete evidence of a plan led by Min to seize control of the sublabel, which manages popular girl group NewJeans. Hybe said one of the people subject to the audit has submitted evidence proving the alleged attempts of Ador executives to ta
K-pop April 25, 2024
-
Pianist Cho Seong-Jin named Berlin Philharmonic's artist-in-residence
Pianist Cho Seong-Jin has been named the artist-in-residence of the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic for the 2024-25 season. The announcement of the appointment posted on the German orchestra's website on Wednesday said Cho will present five programs during his residency, which includes programs with the Berlin Philharmonic, collaborations with members of the orchestra, chamber music concerts and a solo recital featuring the complete piano works of Maurice Ravel. In October this year, Cho wi
Performance April 24, 2024
-
Music festivals gear up for summer season
Music festivals are gearing up for the summer season with artists of various genres from around the world set to ignite the summer in Korea, transcending borders and bringing diverse musical experiences. The Seoul Jazz Festival 2024, celebrating its 16th edition this year, will herald festival season on the summer's cusp, from May 31 to June 2. On the festival's opening day, the band Day6 and singer-songwriter and rapper Kik5o will take to the stage along with American singer-songwrite
Performance April 23, 2024
-
[Herald Review] Xdinary Heroes showcase 5-month project, teases new album
The six-piece-band Xdinary Heroes kicked off a five-month-long project with the solo concert “Closed beta ver. 6” on Sunday, which continued from Friday for three days. The concert, which took place at Yes24 Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, comes after successfully wrapping up the sextets’ first world tour last month. Xdinary Heroes, a rock band that debuted in 2021 under JYP Entertainment's sub-label Studio J, will showcase a five-month-long “2024 Xperiment Project&rdquo
Performance April 22, 2024
-
NCT Dream's Renjun to take hiatus due to anxiety
Renjun from NCT Dream is suspending his activities. The agency, SM Entertainment, announced through the global fandom live platform Weverse on Saturday that Renjun will take a hiatus due to health issues. "Renjun recently visited the hospital due to poor physical condition and symptoms of anxiety, and received medical advice that sufficient stability and rest are necessary," said the agency. Renjun was absent from the scheduled fan signing event on Saturday. Only six members -- Mark, J
K-pop April 21, 2024
-
[Well-curated] Life in miniature, spaces in time
Life in miniature Miniatures, or tiny meticulous artworks, are intuitive. No one has to be schooled about the way they should be looked at or studied. And that only puts added pressure on the artist to create a message navigating analogies and twists, without losing anyone in the process. Tatsuya Tanaka is a Japanese artist doing just that. At the IFC Mall in Seoul, the exhibit “Miniature Life” showcases over 200 miniatures spanning seven themes, including home, life and the world.
Culture April 19, 2024
-
Popular foreign acts make return trips this summer
From pop to rock, foreign artists are gearing up to entertain Korean fans this summer. Japanese singer Lisa will hold her first solo concert in Korea in July. The upcoming concert is part of her Asian tour. It will take place on July 20 at Korea University's Hwajeong Gymnasium. Tickets sold out in just three minutes, demonstrating Korean fans' interest in the singer-songwriter. Lisa debuted with the mini-album "Letters to U" in 2011. In 2018, she gained widespread recognition
Performance April 18, 2024
-
Busan One Asia Festival moves up to June
The Busan One Asia Festival, celebrating its eighth edition this year, will take place over two days on June 8 and 9. BOF is hosted by the Busan city government and organized by the Busan Tourism Organization. On the first day of the festival, the BOF Big Concert, featuring various K-pop artists, will be held at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium, while on June 9, the Park Concert will take place at Hwamyeong Eco Park. The lineup for the Park Concert has not yet been announced yet. The BOF Big Concert
Performance April 16, 2024
-
[Music in drama] Centuries-old royal romance regains life
Some stories become more powerful because they are not told directly. Having aired in late 2021, the MBC period drama "The Red Sleeve" depicts the story of King Jeongjo of the Joseon era and his beloved concubine, Uibin Seong. That the story is based on history is intriguing, but the series is remarkable in its focus on the will of the female character even within the patriarchal narrative. It is a departure from the typical Korean period drama formula, especially for one that involves
Television April 15, 2024
-
Mnet presents new audition program ‘I-Land2: N/a’
Mnet, a Television music channel known for several successful audition programs, presents another girl group audition program with advanced technology and the ambition to launch an iconic next-generation K-pop group. "I-Land2: N/a," scheduled to premiere on April 18, is a sequel to "I-Land," which produced the seven-member boy group Enhypen. CJ ENM, Wakeone, and The Black Label came together to launch the second season, and the final debut group will be under the management o
Television April 12, 2024
-
Singer Park Bo-ram dies, age 30
Singer Park Bo-ram has died at the age of 30. The singer's agency, Xanadu Entertainment, said that Park Bo-ram died unexpectedly Thursday afternoon. According to the police, Park was with two other women at her acquaintance's house when she was found collapsed and in cardiac arrest. She was moved to the hospital but died at 11:17 p.m., about an hour later. Police are investigating the exact cause of her death. Park Bo-ram drew attention by appearing on Mnet's audition program &quo
K-pop April 12, 2024
Most Popular
-
1
Blinken calls on China to press N. Korea to end its 'dangerous' behavior
-
2
New celebrity-endorsed therapy for face contouring requires only a pair of rubber bands
-
3
Tensions heighten ahead of first president-opposition chief meeting
-
4
Seoul to provide housing subsidy to married couples with newborns
-
5
[Weekender] How DDP emerged as an icon of Seoul
-
6
Rapper jailed after public street fight with another rapper
-
7
Doctor group's incoming head renews call for govt. to scrap medical school quota hike for dialogue
-
8
Woman gets suspended term for injuring boyfriend with knife
-
9
[KH Explains] No more 'Michael' at Kakao Games
-
10
NewJeans pops out ‘Bubble Gum’ video amid troubles at agency