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Pyo Kyung-min

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Stay tuned for Pyo Kyung-min's latest K-pop stories, where she digs into the backstories that matter. She’d love to hear from you — share your thoughts at pzzang@koreatimes.co.kr. After all, every article gets better with insights from those who love the scene, just like she does!

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People & Events

Seoul invites residents to modern hanbok fashion show along Deoksu Palace wall

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is hosting a modern "hanbok" fashion show on May 2 along the stone-walled path outside Deoksu Palace in Jung District. The show will be held twice — at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. — spotlighting a new wave of hanbok, Korea's traditional attire, reimagined with contemporary flair. The runway will stretch from the palace's Daehan Gate to the roundabout by the Seoul Museum of Art, offering a fusion of history and style. Four hanbok brands — Seodamhwa, Guiroe, Ccomaque and Studio Hyeon — all known for their craftsmanship and efforts to modernize the garment, will take part in the event. "The stone walls of Deoksugung-gil and the surrounding historic architecture create vastly different atmospheres depending on the light," said Joo Yong-tae, Seoul's director-general of economy. "That's why this fashion show was designed to unfold in both daylight and evening." "We hope many citizens will experience this picture-perfect runway where hanbok meets the beauty of Deoksugung-gil," Joo added. The fashion show is part of the broader Seoul Fashion Road initiative, aimed

Apr 23, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Seoul invites residents to modern hanbok fashion show along Deoksu Palace wall
K-pop

K-pop acts seek to dominate international festivals

K-pop's presence at the world's top music festivals is no longer a novelty. As global lineups increasingly feature Korean artists alongside Western superstars, the genre has become a staple on international stages. The 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which concluded last weekend in California, was the latest testament to K-pop’s global reach, featuring standout performances from BLACKPINK members Jennie and Lisa and boy band ENHYPEN. Social media lit up following the performances, with TikTok users praising BLACKPINK's Jennie and Lisa for their delivery despite the desert heat and technical issues. ENHYPEN's set drew equally fervent reactions, with some fans joking they "literally broke their vocal cords" from cheering too hard. K-pop is also making inroads across other major global festivals, including Lollapalooza, which now spans North and South America as well as Europe. At Lollapalooza Chicago, which kicks off July 31, TWICE is expected to make headlines — marking another major festival milestone for the girl group. Also joining the lineup are JYP Entertainment la

Apr 22, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
K-pop acts seek to dominate international festivals
Music

Pianist Cho Seong-jin to launch nationwide tour featuring Ravel's works

Pianist Cho Seong-jin will embark on a nationwide recital tour in June to mark the release of his album featuring the complete solo piano works of French composer Maurice Ravel (1875–1937). Concert organizer Credia Music & Artists announced Monday that Cho will hold eight commemorative performances across Korea, beginning on June 12 at Arts Center Incheon. The tour will continue through July with stops in Seoul on June 14 and 17, Seongnam on June 15, Daegu on June 20, Gimhae on June 21, Daejeon on July 2 and Cheonan on July 6. The tour commemorates the 150th anniversary of Ravel's birth and is part of Cho's larger project to present the French composer's complete solo piano repertoire along with his two piano concertos. Cho previously released the first part of this project, "Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works," on Jan. 17. A second album, featuring Ravel's piano concertos recorded with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Latvian conductor Andris Nelsons, was released on Feb. 21. Following the album releases, Cho launched an international recital tour that has already made stops at m

Apr 22, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Pianist Cho Seong-jin to launch nationwide tour featuring Ravel's works
K-pop

TWS showcases thrill of turning 20 with new album 'TRY WITH US'

Channeling the excitement of stepping into their 20s, K-pop boy band TWS released its third mini album, "TRY WITH US," Monday, hoping to build on the momentum it gained as one of last year's most promising rookie groups. Just hours before the album dropped, the six members — Shinyu, Dohoon, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon and Kyungmin — gathered at Blue Square's SOL Travel Hall in Seoul's Yongsan District for a press event, where they shared stories behind the making of the new project. According to the group, the album tells "the story of being 20 — embracing new challenges with joy and courage, and stepping into the unknown with the spirit of youth." For Jihoon and Hanjin — who both turn 20 in Korean age this year — the album holds a deeper meaning. "I was born in 2006, so I turned 20 this year. Preparing for this album while stepping into my 20s has been such a happy experience," Jihoon said. "Being 20 is exciting and all, but I think it's also a time full of effort and new challenges. This album really feels like it captures that chapter of my life, and that makes me truly happy." "

Apr 21, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
TWS showcases thrill of turning 20 with new album 'TRY WITH US'
K-pop

K-pop group Oh My Girl celebrates 10-year legacy with concert of soul over spectacle

What makes a K-pop group truly successful? While major K-pop conglomerates and even minor labels strive to crack that code, a recent concert by girl group Oh My Girl offered some clear answers: an unwavering camaraderie among group members and their genuine love for performing. Held last weekend at Olympic Hall in Seoul's Olympic Park, the "2025 OH MY GIRL CONCERT 'Milky Way'" marked the group's first standalone show in more than six years. Their last show was "Fall Fairy Tales" in October 2018. The concert wasn't just a comeback — it was a celebration and tribute to a decade of Oh My Girl's music, memories and milestones since their debut in April 2015. And the celebration was filled with soulful music rather than spectacle. Born under a relatively small agency, the group didn't skyrocket to fame overnight. Instead, they took the textbook road — earning recognition through emotionally resonant tracks and performances built on harmony. That authenticity is what drew fans of all sorts to Sunday's concert — from seasoned supporters wielding enormous camera lenses to young families and

Apr 21, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
K-pop group Oh My Girl celebrates 10-year legacy with concert of soul over spectacle
Music

Sumi Jo says her path to opera began with her mother's love for Maria Callas

Long before soprano Sumi Jo stepped onto the opera stage, her future had already been decided by her mother's admiration for American-born Greek soprano Maria Callas, Jo said Saturday. "My mother said hearing Callas on the radio as a teenager shook her to the core," Jo said during a Q&A session following a screening of Pablo Larraín's biopic, "Maria," at Megabox COEX in Gangnam District, Seoul. "She even vowed that if she ever had a child, she'd raise her to be an opera singer." That vow shaped Jo's life from the very beginning. Her mother played her recordings of Callas while she was still in the womb as a form of musical prenatal care, according to the soprano. "From the moment I was born, my destiny was already set," Jo said. "By age four, I was studying vocal music, piano, ballet, Korean dance, figure skating and public speaking — my mother believed all were necessary to stand on the opera stage." Starring Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie as the legendary soprano, the film traces Callas' tumultuous career and private struggles — parallels that resonated deeply with Jo, especially t

Apr 20, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Sumi Jo says her path to opera began with her mother's love for Maria Callas
K-pop

CJ ENM unveils global music strategy as Mnet celebrates 30th anniversary

Entertainment giant CJ ENM celebrated the 30th anniversary of its flagship music channel Mnet, Tuesday, unveiling an ambitious global strategy that includes the launch of a new record label, expanded international production and a deeper push into global music commerce. At a media event in southern Seoul titled "Mnext: Worlds of Mnet Since 2025," executives laid out a roadmap for the company's music business, positioning CJ ENM to grow as a global content powerhouse. Shin Hyung-gwan, head of CJ ENM's Music Contents Division, outlined a three-pronged strategy focused on global multi-label operations, large-scale international projects and an integrated online and offline platform. The most headline-grabbing announcement was the planned launch of a new global music label this year. "By the first half of this year, we will share more details about a new global label created in partnership with some of the world's leading music forces," Shin said. CJ ENM already manages music labels WAKEONE and Japan-based LAPONE Entertainment. WAKEONE represents singer Roy Kim, Ha Hyun-sang and "Squid Game"

Apr 15, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
CJ ENM unveils global music strategy as Mnet celebrates 30th anniversary
K-pop

Red Velvet pushes ahead with new plans amid contractual changes

Despite some members of K-pop girl group Red Velvet parting ways with SM Entertainment, the group — especially through the subunit Irene & Seulgi — is pressing ahead with fresh activities amid the changes. SM said Monday that Red Velvet's duo unit, Irene & Seulgi, will release a new mini-album in May. The duo will also embark on an Asia tour, "2025 IRENE & SEULGI Concert Tour [BALANCE] in ASIA," visiting seven cities. The tour kicks off with a two-day show at Olympic Hall in Seoul's Olympic Park, Songpa District, on June 14 and 15. From there it continues across Asia, with stops in Singapore, Macau and Bangkok in July, Taipei in August and Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo in September. Launched in July 2020, Irene & Seulgi is a subunit featuring Red Velvet's leader, Irene, and main dancer, Seulgi. The pair debuted with their first mini-album "Monster," promoting both the title track and the tutting-infused B-side, "Naughty." Meanwhile, SM confirmed on April 4 that it ended exclusive contracts with members Wendy and Yeri. "We will always cherish the memories we've built together and sincerely sup

Apr 15, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Red Velvet pushes ahead with new plans amid contractual changes
K-pop

ENHYPEN to release new music on June 5

Cementing its global presence through appearances at major music festivals, K-pop band ENHYPEN is set to return with new music in June, after a seven-month break. The boy band's agency, Belift Lab, announced Monday that ENHYPEN will release its sixth mini album on June 5. This marks the group's first release since "ROMANCE : UNTOLD -daydream-," the repackaged version of its second studio album, which dropped in November 2024. The group teased the news during a live broadcast Sunday on the fan platform Weverse shortly after performing at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the largest music festival in the United States. Confirming the release through an official statement, Belift Lab said that "while ENHYPEN has been fully dedicated to preparing for its Coachella performance, the band has also poured great effort into working on its sixth mini album. "As ENHYPEN has established their identity through the narratives and concepts of its albums, fans can look forward to seeing the group unfold a new chapter of its music." ENHYPEN — a seven-member act consisting of Jungwon, Heeseung,

Apr 14, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
ENHYPEN to release new music on June 5
K-pop

From rookie jitters to confident steps, NCT WISH defines its sound with new release 'poppop'

What does love mean to NCT WISH, the youngest stars in SM Entertainment's powerhouse roster? For these bright-eyed K-pop rookies, whose oldest member is just 22 and the youngest only 17, the answer is crystal clear — their official fandom, NCTzen, lovingly called Czennie, is their "first love." No matter how the question was phrased, the members— Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo and Sakuya — never strayed from this heartfelt devotion. "The thing that makes our hearts 'pop' the most is Czennie!" the group exclaimed in unison during an interview Thursday with The Korea Times at a studio in Seoul's Yongsan District. Since their debut a little over a year ago, every stage has been a love letter to their fans. "Whenever we catch a glimpse of Czennie's faces and their reactions from the stage, it fills us with happiness," Riku said. Sakuya, who remained thoughtful and serious throughout the interview, chimed in. "Whenever Czennie cheer us on, we gain so much energy," he said. NCT WISH is the youngest addition to the sprawling NCT roster, which boasts both one of K-pop's largest fandoms and it

Apr 14, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
From rookie jitters to confident steps, NCT WISH defines its sound with new release 'poppop'
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