The Korea Times

BIGBANG: K-pop troublemakers

K-pop boy band BIGBANG. Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaBIGBANG, the five-piece boy band, has been a prominent group on the K-pop scene, but most of its members have been branded as troublemakers, tarnishing the group's reputation as musicians. Seungri. Korea Times fileSeungriSeungri, 29, tested negative for a drug test on Thursday. He also was questioned at Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for more than eight hours the same day.His agency YG Entertainment said on Wednesday that Seungri would cooperate with police investigating multiple allegations surrounding him. He allegedly tried to buy sexual services for foreign investors, and a nightclub affiliated with him has been under suspicion for being involved with drugs. YG said it hoped to get to the bottom of the indiscriminate rumors, saying, “If any problem is found (after the investigation,) legal punishment should follow. On the contrary, if rumors are found to be false, we would seek legal actions.” Seungri has been in the hot seat since January as the former executive director of the nightclub “Burn

Mar 1, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Global Community

INTERVIEW Korean-American singer calls attention to tragic history of national anthem

Korean-American singer-songwriter Zoe Yungmi Blank.By Dong Sun-hwa“I hope people do not forget the tragedy behind national anthem,” said Zoe Yungmi Blank, a Korean-American singer-songwriter. She will sing Korea's national anthem “Aegukga” on the 100th Anniversary of Korean Independence Movement Day at the Seodaemun Prison in Seoul.“When I sing Aegukga, I will bear in mind the background of its composer Ahn Eak-tai (1906-1965),” Blank told The Korea Times, Thursday. “I learnt he was not yet pro-Japanese and did not work for the Nazi Party when he composed the song in 1935, but later, he seemed to have succumbed to colonial power after losing hope to stand against it.” She began digging into Ahn's background after being invited by Funday Korea Networks, an organization that promotes Korean culture, to sing the anthem for the upcoming March 1 event. She referred to the research of Lee Hae-young, a professor of international relations at Hanshin University, who published a book on Ahn titled, “The Ahn Eak-tai Case: A Study of the Sym

Feb 28, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

[INTERVIEW] Korean-American singer calls attention to tragic history of national anthem

K-pop

VIDEO 'BTS father' to students: 'Fight against wrong practices with fury'

Bang Si-hyuk, the “father” of BTS, delivers his commencement speech on Tuesday at Seoul National University. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-minBy Dong Sun-hwaBang Si-hyuk, the “father” of K-pop superstar band BTS, said anger is his driving force, telling the graduating class of Seoul National University Tuesday to fight with fury to fulfill their goals. In his commencement address during the 73rd graduation ceremony of his alma mater, Bang said: “Fury has been my own source of energy. I do not have any dream, but I have endless discontent. I raise complaints whenever the situation is not at its best, even if it is irrelevant to my work.” The founder and CEO of Big Hit Entertainment added, “My dissatisfactions evolve into fury when there is still no enhancement despite raising issues over the problem.”Revealing he has been in the business for 21 years, he said: “My colleagues and juniors are still having a tough time due to evil practices and unfairness in the industry. Many of them are even ashamed of speaking about their professio

Feb 27, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

'BTS father' to students: 'Fight against wrong practices with fury' [VIDEO]

Shows & Dramas

Actor Lee Jong-suk to do alternative military service

A-list actor Lee Jong-suk will begin his alternative military service on Mar. 8. Korea Times fileBy Dong Sun-hwaKorean heartthrob Lee Jong-suk will kick off his alternative military service on Mar. 8, spending about two years away from his followers. A spokesperson for his agency, A-Man Project, said Tuesday that Lee, 30, will serve as a public service worker. “He promised he would come back after faithfully fulfilling his military duty,” the spokesperson said.Lee could not do active duty because of a knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament) that he sustained in a traffic accident when he was 16, according to the agency. He is starring in tvN's ongoing 16-episode soap opera “Romance is a Bonus Book,” but his absence will not affect the drama since his last filming is scheduled for Wednesday. The other actors will round off their filming by March. Lee reportedly has to manage additional schedules before he begins service. Lee debuted as a runway model in 2005 and began forging an acting career after appearing in the 2010 TV series “Princess Prosecutor.&rd

Feb 26, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Actor Lee Jong-suk to do alternative military service

Films

VIDEO Film 'Svaha' tops domestic box office

By Dong Sun-hwaOccult film “Svaha: The Sixth Finger” has topped the domestic box office. Courtesy of CJ EntertainmentMystery thriller “Svaha: The Sixth Finger” has topped the domestic box office for five consecutive days as of Monday, mustering over 1.1 million admissions in its first week. Released on Wednesday, the 122-minute movie sold more than 660,000 tickets during the weekend. The occult film starring first-rate actor Lee Jung-jae revolves around a Christian pastor surnamed Park who bumps into enigmatic figures and incidents while tracking a secretive Buddhist cult. The title “Svaha” is a Sanskrit word used in Buddhism that conveys the similar meaning as “amen.”Watch the movie teaser at: bit.ly/2EwwrSoJang Jae-hyun, the director of the film who established his presence with the hit “The Priests” in 2015, said: “In my opinion, 'Svaha' is a classical movie. The viewers may feel they are reading a fictional mystery.”Comedy film “Extreme Job,” which has attracted over 15 million viewers and has bec

Feb 25, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Film 'Svaha' tops domestic box office [VIDEO]

K-pop

K-pop diva Sunmi set for recording return on March 4

K-pop singer Sunmi will make her recording comeback on March 4. Courtesy of MAKEUS EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaSoloist Sunmi, a former member of now-disbanded K-pop girl band Wonder Girls, announced her March comeback during her Seoul gig on Sunday. She disclosed the first teaser video at the end of her world tour concert “Warning,” held at Yes 24 Live Hall in Gwnagjin-gu. Her agency, MAKEUS Entertainment, also confirmed her comeback on Monday by unveiling the clip on its official Twitter. The video is also available on YouTube. Watch the clip: bit.ly/2BPCVtuBut details such as the title of the lead track are not yet known.Sunmi, 27, debuted as a member of Wonder Girls in 2007, left in 2010, and rejoined in 2015. She launched her solo career in 2013 with “24 hours,” and after the disbandment of the group in 2017, released a myriad of hits including “Gashina” and “Heroine.” She made headlines a few days ago for posting a photo with painkillers on Tuesday, and for crying during a live video streaming service with her followers on Thursday

Feb 25, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

K-pop diva Sunmi set for recording return on March 4

Law & Crime

Student transferred to Korea 52 days after Grand Canyon fall

By Dong Sun-hwaPark was transferred to Korea on Friday. YonhapPark Joon-hyuk, who was hospitalized in the U.S. after falling off a cliff at the Grand Canyon in December, was transferred to Korea on Friday. Park, 25, was on a Korean Air plane that arrived at Incheon International Airport Friday afternoon, 52 days after the accident. An air ambulance, which costs about 200 million won ($177,000), was not needed thanks to Park's improved condition. The transfer cost was about 25 million won ($22,000) and Korean Air is known to have paid it. The airline reportedly connected seats to provide a bed for Park, arranged space for the medical devices and offered a free seat for a medical assistant. After the accident on Dec. 30, Park was hospitalized at the Flagstaff Medical Center in Arizona. He was in a coma, but recently regained consciousness. There has been debate in Korea over whether the government should support Park's medical and transport expenses. His medical bill is known to be about 650 million won ($570,000). The controversy was ignited after Park's uncle called for help to bring

Feb 22, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Student transferred to Korea 52 days after Grand Canyon fall

K-pop

SM artists feature in Michael Jackson tribute

By Dong Sun-hwa“Let's SHUT UP & DANCE” was released on Friday. Courtesy of 7SIX9 EntertainmentArtists from SM Entertainment feature in the song “Let's SHUT UP & DANCE,” the first single included in the four-track album “The Greatest Dancer” dedicated to the late “King of Pop” Michael Jackson. The number featuring the K-pop label's boy band NCT 127 and Lay, a Chinese member of boy group EXO, was released simultaneously across the world at 12 a.m. Friday (Eastern Standard Time.) American singer-songwriter Jason Derulo, who is known for his Billboard chart-topping song “Wiggle,” performs with the K-pop stars. He was also among the artists involved in the songwriting. The single reportedly reproduces the artistry and sensitivity of Jackson in an impeccable way, enabling followers of the legend to remember his hits such as “Black or White,” “BAD” and “Smooth Criminal.” The complete version of the album will hit shelves on June 25, which marks the 10th anniversary of Jackson's death. Jac

Feb 22, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

SM artists feature in Michael Jackson tribute

K-pop

VIDEO ITZY tops major music chart 10 days after debut

K-pop rookie ITZY. YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaGirl band ITZY has taken K-pop fans by surprise by reaching the summit of one of the nation's major music charts only 10 days after its debut. Korea's music-only cable network Mnet said Thursday the five-member band had conquered its “M COUNTDOWN” chart with “Dalla Dalla.” Such a quick rise to the top is unusual and the band's ranking on other charts will be announced in coming days. Watch the music video of “Dalla Dalla”: bit.ly/2SIcIXB“We could have taken the top spot thanks to great affection from our fans,” ITZY wrote on its official Twitter, Thursday. “We really appreciate you for getting together with us from the beginning and will continue to work hard.”Park Jin-young, CEO of JYP Entertainment that created the band, congratulated on its achievement but expressed concerns about the team's “too quick” success. Park advised ITZY members to keep their initial mindset as rookie singers.ITZY, comprised of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna, is JYP's first all-girl grou

Feb 22, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

ITZY tops major music chart 10 days after debut [VIDEO]

K-pop

Singer Kim Jong-kook to present solo gig after 9 years

Singer Kim Jong-kook will hold a solo gig on Mar. 30 and 31 at Samsung hall, Ewha Womans University, Seoul. Korea Times fileBy Dong Sun-hwaSinger Kim Jong-kook will stage a solo gig on Mar. 30 and 31 at Samsung Hall, Ewha Womans University, Seoul. Kim took to his Instagram on Wednesday to deliver the news. “Come to my concert ― I have dozens of songs to sing and lots of things to say,” he wrote. He also used English to communicate with international followers, saying: “It's been nine years ... I'm having my solo concert this time!”A spokesperson for his agency, JK Entertainment, said on Thursday: “Kim, who has been establishing his presence in reality shows, will come back and do his 'day job.'”Tickets will be available from Friday at the Interpark website.Kim, 43, debuted as a part of the duo Turbo in 1995 and enjoyed popularity until its disbandment in 2000. He began his solo career in 2001 after releasing the album “Renaissance” and had further success with tracks such as “Lovely” and “Standstill.” He reached

Feb 21, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa

Dong Sun-hwa

Read more

BIGBANG: K-pop troublemakers

INTERVIEW Korean-American singer calls attention to tragic history of national anthem

VIDEO 'BTS father' to students: 'Fight against wrong practices with fury'

Actor Lee Jong-suk to do alternative military service

VIDEO Film 'Svaha' tops domestic box office

K-pop diva Sunmi set for recording return on March 4

Student transferred to Korea 52 days after Grand Canyon fall

SM artists feature in Michael Jackson tribute

VIDEO ITZY tops major music chart 10 days after debut

Singer Kim Jong-kook to present solo gig after 9 years

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