Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Top 10 most memorable K-pop stories of 2018
BTS members pose for a photo during the annual year-end music awards of SBS held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
2018 has been the biggest year ever for K-pop. The genre landing on the charts in the U.S. and seeing K-pop acts win big in international markets. But it's also seen many acts fade or disband. K-pop has also played a role in inter-Korean relations and inspiring the youth. However the music scene was tarnished by chart manipulation accusations, assault cases and debt scandals. Here are the top 10 memorable K-pop news stories of the year.
BTS is the future of pop (for post-millennial generation)
If 2017 was about getting to know who BTS is, 2018 was the time to raise questions about why BTS has such a rabid fan base all over the world and is taking over the pop music world. This year, BTS became the first ever K-pop group to claim the No.1 spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. The band won the online reader's poll for Time magazine's 2018 Person of the Year and earned the honor of being the most-tweeted-about celebrity in 2018. The members of the boy band were more than singers when they gave an inspiring speech about self-love at the United Nations.
Zico speaks to reporters after arriving in Seoul on Sept. 20 after visiting North Korea as a member of President's Moon Jae-in's special entourage. Yonhap
Music helps 2 Koreas overcome tensions
Some of South Korea's biggest K-pop stars flew to North Korea this year for rare performances that helped inter-Korean relations thaw after years of diplomatic standoff over the North's nuclear threats. Four members of Red Velvet, with member Joy unable to attend the concert due to her shooting schedule, made a trip to Pyongyang in April ahead of a historic summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In September, rapper Zico and R&B starlet Ailee performed in Pyongyang following the third inter-Korean summit.
Chart-rigging scandals
Indie singer Shaun Korea Times file
Indie artists Nilo and Shaun have drawn chart-rigging accusations from K-pop fans for their unusually high ranks on charts of major Korean music streaming services, beating K-pop super groups with big fan bases such as BTS, TWICE and BLACKPINK. Nilo's song “Pass” was released in October 2017, and it reached No. 1 on the charts in April, and maintained a high spot for a few weeks on many charts following that.
Shaun was accused after his song “Way Back Home” climbed to No.1 on official charts including Melon and Genie in July. The artist, insisting on his innocence, requested a police investigation into the case. He also filed charges against several citizens for spreading rumors about him manipulating the charts. The Ministry of Culture, Spots and Tourism is investigating the cases, whether the singers and their labels improperly boosted the number of songs' plays to better rank on charts.
IZ*ONE Korea Times file
'Produce' project group steal show
IZ*ONE, a 12-member girl group selected among 48 Korean and Japanese idol trainees from the third season of Mnet's audition reality program “Produce 48,” garnered much attention in the music scene.
In its first week of debut, IZ*ONE's first album “COLOR*IZ” sold a total of about 80,000 copies. The group also won the best new artist award at 2018 MAMA Premiere in Korea. Riding on the continuing popularity of the show, Mnet recently announced it will launch the fourth series of “Produce 101” for male contestants in 2019, featuring wannabe K-pop stars from around the world.
HyunA, right, and her boyfriend E'Dawn
'Couple' HyunA and E'Dawn end contract with label
In August, singer HyunA confirmed her relationship with E'Dawn, a member of K-pop group Pentagon, without their agency's approval. After the shocking declaration Cube Entertainment publicly ditched the two before taking back the announcement after facing an angry backlash from fans. However, after the fallout HyunA and E'Dawn terminated their contracts with Cube in October and November, respectively. The couple, who also worked as members of unit group Triple H, haven't signed a new management agency yet, but told their fans via Instagram live that they are currently preparing for a new album.
Lee Seok-cheol, a former member of the K-pop group The East Light, sheds tears while testifying in Seoul, Friday, about alleged assaults and threats he and his brother suffered at the hands of Media Line Entertainment producer Moon Young-il. Yonhap
Ugly side of K-pop unveiled
In October, Korean pop group The East Light's drummer Lee Seok-cheol and his brother Seung-hyun filed a complaint against Media Line Entertainment's producer Moon Young-il and CEO Kim Chang-hwan, accusing both of verbally and physically assaulting them and their band-mates repeatedly for nearly four years.
After the disclosure, The East Light disbanded and the CEO Kim denied his involvement in the abuse case, threatening to take legal action for defamation if the allegations are found to be groundless. This shed light of the dark side of K-pop industry and the harsh reality for idol trainees.
Indie rock band Kiha & The Faces Korea Times file
Indie bands part ways
Prior to the release of their fifth studio album “mono” in November, Kiha & The Faces announced they will be disbanding on Dec. 31 after their year-end concert. Vocalist Jang Ki-ha explained that the reason they decided to disband is to end things beautifully when they are at their best. The decision had been unanimous, according to him. Since debuting in 2008 with “Cheap Coffee,” the band has worked together for 10 years to reinvent themselves. Another experimental band, Rose Motel also broke up, ending its seven-year musical journey together.
Koo Hara, left, and her former boyfriend Choi Jong-bum Korea Times file
Former girl group member involved in assault case
Former girl group Kara member Goo Hara is currently involved in an assault case with her ex-boyfriend Choi Jong-bum. While testifying to the police, it was revealed that Choi blackmailed the singer with threats of uploading the couple having sex on the web. Earlier, he had sent an e-mail to paparazzi media Dispatch, saying “I have a report to make about Goo Hara. Please give me a call. I won't disappoint you.” In November, the police forwarded both parties' cases to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment ― Goo for bodily injury and Choi for bodily injury, blackmail, and sexual violence.
Rapper San E Korea Times file
Rapper and feminism
2018 has been a year of many milestones for feminism in Korea, but a social rift widened by gender-divided online communities ― the far-right troll website Ilbe and the radical feminist website Womad. Rapper San E has faced public opprobrium with a series of incidents in which he ranted against the burgeoning feminist movement in the country. San E was in the midst of controversy after lashing out at audience at a year-end Brand New Music concert held in December. His label Brand New Music issued an apology for the incident and then terminated their contract with the rapper.
A number of K-pop stars have been involved in their own parents' debt controversies. Graphics by Hankookilbo
Debt scandals
Debt allegations poured in after rapper Microdot's parents were accused of scamming dozens of close neighbors out of about 2 billion won ($1.77 million) and fleeing the country 20 years ago. The musician initially threatened legal action against the accusers for spreading false rumors, but later issued an apology to the victims and withdrew from all TV shows. Yet the rapper is still in the hot seat as the whereabouts of him and his parents remain unknown. Following Microdot, many other K-pop stars, including Rain, Dok2, MAMAMOO's Wheein, BTOB's Minhyuk, Girls' Generation's Tiffany and Vibe's Yoon Min-soo have been involved in controversies over their parents' debt.