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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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K-pop

Momoland to regroup under new management after 2-year hiatus

Two years after stepping away from the spotlight, the members of K-pop girl group Momoland are reuniting under a new agency. According to multiple reports Thursday, all six Momoland members — Hyebin, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin and Nancy — have signed an exclusive contract with Inyeon Entertainment for group activities. The agency also represents actors Kim Ji-ho and Kim Hee-jung, along with singer ONLEE. Momoland debuted in November 2016 as a seven-member group. The group later expanded to nine with the addition of Taeha and Daisy, quickly gaining popularity with energetic, feel-good hits like "Boom Boom," "BAAM," and "I'm So Hot." But challenges began to mount in 2019, when members Taeha and Yeonwoo announced their departure from the group, followed by Daisy's exit in 2020. Struggling to regain momentum amid lineup changes, Momoland reached the end of its standard seven-year exclusive contract in January 2023, officially bringing its time with its former agency, MLD Entertainment, to a close. The group spent the next two years in effective hiatus, with no official word on future activiti

Apr 11, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Momoland to regroup under new management after 2-year hiatus
  • Who owns rights to K-pop group names?
K-pop

Sunny of Girls' Generation joins Lee Soo-man's agency as K-pop producer

Sunny of Girls' Generation has signed an exclusive contract with A2O Entertainment, the new agency founded by her uncle and former SM Entertainment chief producer Lee Soo-man. The label confirmed the deal Wednesday, saying the K-pop star is currently undergoing undergoing training as a producer under SM's former producer Yoo Young-jin. The agency added that Sunny is also taking an active role in shaping its next generation of talent — from mentoring trainees and designing training programs to offering psychological support, overseeing styling and choreography and appearing in video content. “We are always grateful for the love and interest in Sunny,” A2O said. “We hope to show her in [an] even better light going forward.” Speculation about her involvement in the company began earlier this week after A2O posted a behind-the-scenes video showing Sunny observing a trainee's recording session. The footage was released as A2O trainees were attending a training camp in the U.S. Sunny, 35, debuted in 2007 as a member of Girls' Generation. Her exclusive contract with SM ended in August

Apr 10, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Sunny of Girls' Generation joins Lee Soo-man's agency as K-pop producer
K-pop

K-pop taps French songwriters to broaden its reach

What happens when Korean precision meets French flair in the music studio? The answer played out in Seoul, where the first-ever "Atelier K-pop" songwriting camp brought together music professionals from both countries for six days of creative collaboration. The camp, which ran March 24 to 29, marked a rare partnership between the French government and top K-pop publishing players, including LEEway Music & Media, Amplified Corporation and JYP Publishing. Jointly organized by the Embassy of France in Korea and the Centre National de la Musique (CNM), the initiative brought four French composers — Poppy Fusée, Jean-Noël, Robin Peret and Ugo — to Seoul, for a deep dive into K-pop's unique production process. "It was more than just sharing music," Jake Lee, CEO of LEEway Music & Media, one of the main hosts, said in an interview with The Korea Times, April 4. "It was about bringing fresh perspectives to K-pop and creating songs with global appeal." While countries like the U.S., the U.K., Sweden and the Netherlands have long been regular sources of international songwriting talent for Ko

Apr 10, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
K-pop taps French songwriters to broaden its reach
Travel & Food

Spirituality gets trendy: Why Korea's younger generation vibes with Buddhism

Among young Koreans, a meme-ish phrase loosely translated as "Buddhism is having fun without me again," has been making the rounds — and it's not just a joke. From increasing visibility in pop culture to large-scale public events, Korea’s Buddhist institutions are actively engaging a younger audience — many of whom are seeking spiritual or emotional relief from modern-day stress. The most recent example came at the 2025 Seoul International Buddhism Expo, which ran April 3-6 at COEX in southern Seoul's Gangnam District. The expo, held in coordination with nearby Bongeun Temple, was designed as a comprehensive celebration of religion, art and industry — with both heartfelt spirituality and light-hearted fun on display. This year’s event featured more than 360 companies and continued the buzz from last year’s viral sensation “NewJeansNim” — the playful Buddhist name adopted by comedian-turned-DJ Youn Sung-ho, which combines the name of the K-pop girl group NewJeans with "seunim," the Korean word for monk. Under this year's theme “Find Your Enlightenment,” the expo leane

Apr 9, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Spirituality gets trendy: Why Korea's younger generation vibes with Buddhism
People & Events

Korea Times editor honored for excellence in journalism

Kwon Mee-yoo, right, editor of the K-Culture Desk at The Korea Times, receives an award from Chang Seung-joon, vice chairman of the Korean Association of Newspapers and vice chairman of Maekyung Media Group, during the 69th Newspaper Day ceremony at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min

Apr 7, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Korea Times editor honored for excellence in journalism
K-pop

Your ultimate springtime K-pop playlist

As winter finally loosens its grip and spring bursts into full bloom, it becomes a seasonal ritual in Korea for couples to stroll hand in hand beneath the sunlight and the cherry blossoms in all their splendid glory. But for those not swept up in romance, the season can sometimes feel more like a rom-com they didn’t audition for. Thankfully, music speaks a universal love language that doesn’t require a plus-one. For those flying solo, these springtime tunes provide a comforting escape, free from the highs, lows, and aftermath of romance. From breezy ballads by megastars to playful anthems from indie artists, these K-pop tracks will let you embrace the season’s charm — or at least enjoy a good laugh along the way. 1. "Bom Bom Bom" by Roy Kim (2013) When it comes to songs that capture the essence of spring, Roy Kim's "Bom Bom Bom" — with "bom" meaning spring in Korean — is practically the blueprint. With its bright acoustic guitar and Kim's warm vocals, this breakout hit celebrates the season's arrival with genuine charm. Simple yet irresistibly catchy, it feels like the music

Apr 7, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Your ultimate springtime K-pop playlist
K-pop

NewJeans denies internal rift, erases rebranded NJZ content amid contract dispute

The parents of all five members of K-pop group NewJeans have denied reports of internal conflict amid the group's ongoing legal battle with its agency, Ador, while also wiping away signs of the group's rebranding attempts under its short-lived new name, NJZ. The parents of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein released a joint statement Friday through an Instagram account, refuting local media reports that claimed a disagreement had emerged among them regarding the group's lawsuit to cut its ties with Ador. "The claims made by some outlets that there is conflict among the members' parents are completely untrue," they wrote. "All five members firmly believe they cannot return to HYBE and this decision was made after thorough discussions within each family." The rebuttal followed a local media report alleging that the parents of one underage member had disagreed over how to exercise parental authority in connection with the lawsuit. The report claimed the dispute was significant enough to prompt a ruling from the family court. Haerin, born in 2006, and Hyein, born in 2008, are the two m

Apr 6, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
NewJeans denies internal rift, erases rebranded NJZ content amid contract dispute
K-pop

Kiss of Life under fire for alleged cultural appropriation during livestream

K-pop girl group Kiss of Life is facing backlash over a recent livestream that some say perpetuated racial stereotypes, reigniting scrutiny over member Julie's past use of a racial slur. The four-member group hosted the livestream Wednesday to celebrate Julie's birthday, adopting an "old-school hip-hop" theme at her request. During the broadcast, members appeared wearing cornrows, Bantu knots, oversized gold chains and darker lipstick colors, prompting accusations of appropriating Black culture. Clips also showed them mimicking rap mannerisms, attempting to freestyle and referring to one member as "Lil Taco Bell," leading to further criticism. Fans reacted swiftly, calling the livestream insensitive and accusing it of trivializing hip-hop aesthetics for entertainment value. Some comments written on the recorded livestream on YouTube condemned the group for "milking and mocking" another culture, with some expressing their disappointment by stating that they were "leaving the fandom hurt." Some also pointed to a Monday message posted on the group's fan platform that appeared to anticipate

Apr 3, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Kiss of Life under fire for alleged cultural appropriation during livestream
Arts & Theater

INTERVIEW Yoon Gong-joo rediscovers Lucy in musical 'Jekyll & Hyde'

For 20 years, "Jekyll & Hyde" has reigned as one of Korea’s most beloved musicals, drawing both die-hard fans and newcomers with its high drama and powerhouse songs. Much like many hit Korean dramas and films, the enduring appeal of "Jekyll & Hyde" in Korea stems from its emotionally charged, often heartbreaking love story. While its source material — Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" — centers on a man’s internal battle between good and evil, the musical expands the narrative into a battle of love between Jekyll, his violent alter ego Hyde and the two women caught in his orbit. Of the two troubled women, Lucy Harris — known simply as Lucy to Korean audiences — has long been a fan favorite. A showgirl at the Red Rat tavern, she grows fond of Jekyll, the first man to treat her with kindness, but later finds herself ensnared in Hyde's dangerous obsession. The role is intense, emotionally demanding and, for musical actor Yoon Gong-joo, deeply personal. Now in her third run as Lucy, Yoon has played the role more than 300 times — a miles

Apr 3, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
[INTERVIEW] Yoon Gong-joo rediscovers Lucy in musical 'Jekyll & Hyde'
  • REVIEW What makes 'Jekyll & Hyde' Korea's most beloved musical?
Arts & Theater

REVIEW What makes 'Jekyll & Hyde' Korea's most beloved musical?

In Korea, few musicals have left as lasting an impression as "Jekyll & Hyde." Through 10 runs over two decades, the production has captivated Korean audiences, cementing its status as one of the country's most beloved shows. Originally premiering on Broadway in 1997, the musical arrived in Korea in 2004. Despite its lukewarm reception in the U.S., the Korean adaptation — tailored to better suit local tastes — was met with immediate enthusiasm. Now in its 10th run, which began in December 2024, the production has surpassed 2 million cumulative viewers, a rare milestone in Korea that underscores its enduring popularity. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," the musical features a book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, music by Frank Wildhorn and direction by David Swan. OD Company produces the Korean run. The story follows Henry Jekyll, a brilliant physician and scientist determined to develop a formula that separates good and evil within the human psyche, hoping to cure mental illness. When the hospital board rejects his request for human

Apr 3, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
[REVIEW] What makes 'Jekyll & Hyde' Korea's most beloved musical?
  • INTERVIEW Yoon Gong-joo rediscovers Lucy in musical 'Jekyll & Hyde'
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