Articles by Lee Jung-youn
Lee Jung-youn
jy@heraldcorp.com-
[What to play] Melodies of liberation
On Aug. 15, 1945, Korea achieved independence after 35 years of Japanese colonial rule. Many fought for the country’s liberation from the Japanese Empire, with many losing their lives. August seems to be a perfect time to reflect on the stories of those who endured tremendous hardships and their legacies in Korean music today. "Women’s March" sung by Ahn Ye-eun In 1919, after the nationwide March 1st Independence Movement, seven female independence activists — Yu Gwan
Performance Aug. 10, 2024
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[Well-curated] Escape from heat with Samoyeds, nature in a glass, comics
Fluffy happiness In the bustling streets of the Hongdae area, there is a must-visit spot for dog lovers. At the special cafe named Winter’s Village, visitors can meet 11 Samoyeds and one Malamute spread across two floors, all enjoying their free time. While animal welfare is a common concern with pet-related businesses, this cafe is run by the owner who personally raises all the dogs. They limit the number of customers to prevent overcrowding and provide regular breaks for the dogs. To dis
Culture Aug. 9, 2024
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Yoon San-ha of Astro ‘Dive’ into solo journey
Yoon San-ha of the boy band Astro set off on a journey as a soloist with his first mini album "Dusk." The singer debuted as the youngest member of Astro in 2016. The album's title symbolizes the transition from being an Astro member to his new solo artist identity. “When I started preparing the album, I pondered what kind of music I could make and my unique color. Then I decided to incorporate those struggles into the album,” said the singer at a press conference held
K-pop Aug. 7, 2024
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[Herald Review] Infinite leader Kim Sung-kyu mesmerizes fans with top-notch live performance with band
Kim Sung-kyu, the leader of veteran boy band Infinite, thrilled fans with a stand-alone concert last weekend, his first in 18 months. The singer's “LV3: Let's Vacay” concert took place over the weekend at Jamsil Student Gymnasium in Seoul. Following 2022's "LV1 : Light & Voice" and last year's "LV2: Like Your Vibes," the third iteration of the singer's branded concerts embraced the theme of summer vacation in steaming heat, subtitled &
Performance Aug. 5, 2024
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Solo debut rush of K-pop artists
In the latter half of this year, the K-pop scene will witness several high-profile solo debuts of K-pop artists. Yoon San-ha of Astro releases his debut solo mini-album "Dusk" on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in his eight-year career. The album features six tracks, each designed to signify the stages of dusk, from the setting sun to the deep night. San-ha, who debuted as the youngest member of Astro in 2016, has been steadily building his solo musicality, contributing to the
Performance Aug. 3, 2024
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SM reveals first British K-pop group 'Dear Alice'
K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment introduced their first British K-pop boy band “Dear Alice” on Thursday at the Soho Hotel in London, the agency said Friday. The group is a collaborative effort between SM Entertainment, the North American corporation of Kakao Entertainment, and the British entertainment company Moon & Back. The British company handled casting in the UK, while SM Entertainment provided K-pop expertise in music, vocals and choreography. "Training at SM has bee
Performance Aug. 2, 2024
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FT Island to launch Asia tour
FT Island is gearing up for a tour of Asia, FNC Entertainment announced Friday. The tour, under the banner of "Pulse in Asia," kicks off in the Philippines' capital Manila on Sept. 14, followed by performances in Hong Kong on Sept. 28, Kaohsiung in Taiwan on Oct. 26 and Macao on Nov. 10. As implied by the tour's name, FT Island plans to deliver live performances filled with intense musical energy, reminiscent of a beating heart. The band recently held a concert in Seoul, also
Performance Aug. 2, 2024
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G-Dragon secures trademark rights ahead of comeback
K-pop icon G-Dragon is preparing for a long-awaited comeback after securing the trademark rights to his stage name from his former agency, YG Entertainment. G-Dragon has taken a significant step towards his future activities by acquiring the trademark rights to his name. His former agency extended a favor by transferring the rights to “G-Dragon” and “GD” to his current agency, Galaxy Corporation, without any compensation. “Thanks to the generosity of Chief Executive
K-pop Aug. 2, 2024
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K-pop summer queens set to return in August
Female K-pop artists are returning to earn the title of summer queens. Hyolyn, known for her energetic and summer-ready image since her time as a member of the girl band Sistar and as a solo artist, is making a comeback. Her new single "Wait," set to be released on Aug. 12, is an Afrobeat track featuring addictive beats and lyrics celebrating freedom. Concept photos and teaser videos show Hyolyn with tanned skin, wandering through streets and lush forests. Hyolyn showcased the performa
K-pop Aug. 1, 2024
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TXT premieres VR concert
K-pop boy group TXT has announced its first virtual reality concert. From July 31 to Aug. 27, TXT is presenting its first VR concert, “Hyperfocus: Tomorrow X Together VR Concert,” at Megabox Coex in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This VR concert will feature prefilmed performances of hit songs such as “Sugar Rush Ride” and “Deja Vu,” and run for approximately 60 minutes. For the virtual concert experience, the audience will wear VR headsets, immersing themselves in perfor
Performance July 31, 2024
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Veteran DJ Kim Chang-wan returns to radio
Singer-actor Kim Chang-wan, also a legendary radio DJ known for his warm, comforting messages, has returned to radio four months after stepping down from a show he had hosted for 23 years. Kim and SBS radio program producer Jung Han-sung held a press conference at the SBS headquarters to celebrate the launch of their new radio program, "6 O’clock Evening Breeze, Kim Chang-wan Ibnida" on July 22. After an emotional farewell shared during the last broadcast of his long-running morn
Culture July 30, 2024
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Blackswan is back with 'Roll Up'
Blackswan, the first K-pop girl group consisting of all members who are not from South Korea, is set to make a comeback. The group will return with new album "Roll Up" on July 31 at 6 p.m. This EP is the group's first release since single album "That Karma" released in May last year, and includes a total of four tracks, with title song "Roll Up." The title track boasts an impressive lineup of producers, including: Rob Grimaldi, Alina Smith, Lauren Dyson, A Wrig
K-pop July 29, 2024
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[Herald Interview] 'Tiny Desk Korea,' a small production with big goals
A small office filled with albums, books and LPs, a singer performing in a modest setup without any special effects or lighting — these are the images that come to mind when thinking of "Tiny Desk Concerts." "Tiny Desk Concerts," adapted from a popular National Public Radio segment in the United States that began in 2008, strives to capture the essence of music across genres and generations. Kang So-yeon and Kim Hee-won, project managers at South Korea's telecommun
Performance July 29, 2024
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Music festival Boiler Room Seoul halted due to overcrowding
The music festival "Boiler Room Seoul 2024," where DJ Peggy Gou was scheduled to perform, was abruptly halted due to excessive crowding. The festival was held at the Sfactory, a multipurpose cultural venue in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, but was stopped three hours earlier than scheduled for safety reasons as the venue became overcrowded. It was set to run from 9 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday, but the festival was forced to end around 1 a.m., just before Peggy Gou's performance. Festival
Performance July 28, 2024
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[Herald Review] Noel Gallagher rocks Korean music fans across generations
British rock legend Noel Gallagher, a key member of the rock band Oasis, thrilled fans in Korea last week with his second gig in the country in eight months. On Friday evening, around 18,000 fans gathered at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds concert. The audience included long-time fans who enjoyed Oasis's music during their youth in the 90s, as well as younger fans in their teens and twenties. South Korean band Silica Gel opened the concert a
K-pop July 28, 2024
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