The Korea Times

Japanese netizens attack BTS with '90% Asian audience' claim

Some Japanese are underestimating the success of K-pop sensation BTS. YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaSome Japanese are attempting to underrate the success of K-pop titan BTS, insisting that most fans who attended the group's gig at New York's Citi Field on Oct. 6 were Asians. “Ninety percent of the audience are Asians,” wrote one netizen in an article about BTS on Yahoo! Japan. The group made headlines for attracting over 40,000 people to Saturday's concert.Another commented: “Will any member in this group still be praised in America after five years? I wonder what percentage of the audience was Americans.” Another Japanese netizen wrote: “The group topped the Billboard 200 Chart twice but the scale of its world tour seems so small ― if it is that hot, they should be able to have stadium tours around the world. It can make money only in Japan and some Asian countries ― I know it wants to manipulate its popularity but I am so annoyed to hear this news continuously.”But many other Japanese supported the group. “The popular American shows would not have i

Oct 11, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa

Japanese netizens attack BTS with '90% Asian audience' claim

K-pop

'We were fried over EXO': fans hit out at BBQ's concert texts

Some EXO fans are upset at BBQ for its “misleading” marketing. YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaChicken franchise company BBQ has infuriated some fans of K-pop boy band EXO over what they say is misleading advertising for a “super concert” on Sunday. Several fans spent millions of won buying chicken to get coupons for concert seats after receiving a text message that reads: “Let's eat chicken and enjoy the concert ― EXO is confirmed to be on the stage.” But EXO is not performing.The “BBQ & SBS SUPER CONCERT” on Oct. 14 at Suwon World Cup Stadium is expected to attract an audience of 37,000. The company has been enthusiastic about advertising the event for months, saying it will invite “top K-pop artists.” After reading the text message, many fans believed the boy band would perform and began ordering BBQ chickens to get seats. One even claimed she spent about 1.5 million won ($1,300) on chicken to increase the likelihood of meeting EXO, which has not performed as a team since 2017. But when the final line-up was disclosed, these fan

Oct 11, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa

'We were fried over EXO': fans hit out at BBQ's concert texts

Shows & Dramas

Actor may be probed for allegedly aiding, abetting drunk driving

Police may investigate actor Baek Sung-hyun for allegedly aiding and abetting drunk drinking. YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaActor Baek Sung-hyun, 29, may be under investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting drunk driving on Wednesday in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Baek is serving as a conscripted marine policeman and was on an overnight pass when an accident happened.He was in a car driven by a woman who was found to have a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent, which exceeds the license revocation limit, according to Goyang Police Station. The car rammed into a median strip at about 1:40 a.m. Baek also was reportedly drunk. “Baek was on regular leave ― we are sorry to cause anxiety and disappointment,” the actor's agency SidusHQ said Wednesday. “Baek is regretting what he did and is now having time for self-reflection.” The agency promised to prevent a recurrence of such an incident. Baek debuted as a child actor in 1994 and has appeared in several shows, including TV series “Iris II: New Generation” in 2013. He enlisted in Jan. 2017.

Oct 11, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa

Actor may be probed for allegedly aiding, abetting drunk driving

K-pop

BTS documentary to be screened in theaters from Nov. 15

The film version of the documentary “BTS: Burn The Stage” will screen at Korean theaters next month. Courtesy of Big Hit EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwa“BTS: Burn The Stage,” a documentary about K-pop powerhouse BTS, will screen in Korean theaters beginning Nov. 15.Fans can enjoy the eight-episode series at CGV. It features the group's “2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour,” a 300-day world tour of 19 cities. Included are stories of conflict between members and their anguish behind the stage. The film version runs for about an hour and 25 minutes. It is also set to be screened overseas.The documentary was played on YouTube Premium, which was YouTube Red, from March to May this year. BTS has been rewriting the history of K-pop with unprecedented feats. The team's latest album “LOVE YOURSELF 結 'Answer'” topped the Billboard 200 Chart and has remained on it for six consecutive weeks as of Wednesday. The group also made a three-minute speech at the Trusteeship Council Chamber of the United Nations headquarters in New York on Sept.

Oct 10, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa

BTS documentary to be screened in theaters from Nov. 15

K-pop

VIDEO NCT 127 rising in America

NCT127 at “Mickey's 90th Spectacular” on Oct. 7. Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop act NCT 127 is grabbing attention in America, appearing on many popular TV shows before releasing the studio album “NCT 127 #Regular-Irregular” on Oct. 12. Members of the team ― Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, Mark, Haechan and Jungwoo ― featured on the FOX 11 morning show “Good Day LA” Tuesday. Some members showed highlights from the group's performance of songs including “Fire Truck,” “Limitless” and “Cherry Bomb.” The music video of the new album's lead track “Regular” was played, wowing viewers. Watch the English version of “Regular”: bit.ly/2QA2jIMNCT 127 also appeared on ABC's “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Monday and performed “Regular” publicly for the first time. Some fans reportedly waited overnight before the show to see the group. The show's crew described the band as a “K-pop sensation.” NCT 127 was the only Asian group invited

Oct 10, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa

K-pop

VIDEO 'Monthly Idol' game hot among K-pop stars

Players can foster their own idol groups on mobile game “Monthly Idol.” Courtesy of Google PlayBy Dong Sun-hwa“Monthly Idol,” an idol-fostering mobile game, has been attracting a growing number of players, including real K-pop stars Ilhoon from BTOB and Eunsu from MYTEEN. In the game, the players are CEOs of an idol agency who can make their own K-pop groups from 150 idol trainees. The game is designed to reflect the reality of the show business world by dealing with contracts, streaming, world tours and even the dating issues of idol group members. Many players have disclosed that they have become an “evil boss” after taking options mostly for the benefit of their company, not the singers. Rapper Ilhoon revealed his play for nearly two hours on YouTube Monday.Watch Ilhoon playing “Monthly Idol”: bit.ly/2OOacNpHe made fans burst into laughter as he gradually turned into a realistic CEO. For instance, when one of his characters was found dating, he said: “I am so disappointed ― I do not mind you dating, but you should not have been

Oct 10, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa

K-pop

Ten years on, Song Hye-kyo still keeps her luster in China

Actress Song Hye-kyo. Courtesy of UAABy Dong Sun-hwaActress Song Hye-kyo is still enjoying her heyday in China as a beloved hallyu star, with almost no negative or malicious comments in articles about her, according to media outlet Asia Today's Wednesday report. In fact, the actress was also ranked as the No. 4 hallyu star that fans across the world most want to see, according to the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, or KOFICE. Psy, Lee Min-ho and Song Joong-ki were ranked first, second and third respectively. Even amid the row over Korea's decision to deploy the U.S. THAAD missile interceptor, for which China banned Korean celebrities from appearing on television, Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki's private wedding was broadcast live on social media platforms in China, with 200 million views on Baidu and Weibo. One of the most obvious reasons for her success is that she has been appearing in a myriad of Chinese works including the film “The Grandmaster” in 2013. Her close relationships with top Chinese celebrities seem to be another factor for her popular

Oct 8, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa

Ten years on, Song Hye-kyo still keeps her luster in China

K-pop

'I work 20 hours a day for below minimum wages': drama staff members

Staff involved in production. Courtesy of the Federation of Korea Movie Workers' UnionBy Dong Sun-hwa, Park Si-sooWorking conditions for K-drama production staff are notoriously poor in contrast to the glamor of their products.About 50 staff members were invited to speak about their conditions at the National Assembly last week. “Even my wife did not believe that I had to work till 3 a.m. (from early morning),” a TV drama staff member was quoted as saying about a recent drama in which he was involved. “Then I left home at 7 a.m. for work.” According to industry insiders, a 12-hour work day is not abnormal and sometimes staff have to work 20 hours. The Broadcasting Staff Union of TV workers also revealed that production staff at the ongoing MBC TV series “Bad Papa” has been working more than 19 hours a day on average.Still, most of them are paid below minimum wages.The hourly minimum wage for 2017 was 6,470 won ― if a person works 25 days, it would amount to 1.3 million won. However, Yonhap News estimated production staff received 4,980 won per hour

Oct 8, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa

'I work 20 hours a day for below minimum wages': drama staff members

K-pop

Up-and-coming rapper, 15, mired in sex scandal

Rapper D. Ark. Capture from MnetBy Dong Sun-hwaThe ex-girlfriend of 15-year-old rapper D. Ark claimed Saturday he forced her to have sex with him ― but later said her claim was based on a misunderstanding. “I was your fan, and you gave me your number and address,” wrote the former girlfriend, 20, on Instagram. “You wanted to a have sexual relationship with me without using a contraceptive device ― that's rape.”She added, “You are just like other rappers who are known to have dumped women after one-night stands.”Watch D. Ark on “Show Me The Money 777”: bit.ly/2Ry1npFBut after her post went viral online, the woman changed her story. “We apologized to each other and cleared up our misunderstanding,” she wrote. D. Ark also posted a hand-written apology on Instagram on the same day. His post reads: “I was wrong to disregard her feelings and cause misapprehension. We resolved our misunderstanding through conversations, and I would like to make another sincere apology here.”Both said they would take legal action against

Oct 8, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa

Up-and-coming rapper, 15, mired in sex scandal

K-pop

INTERVIEW Park Ji-min sings her stories [VIDEO]

Singer Park Ji-min. Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaAt 20, Park Ji-min writes and sings the songs of her own life. “My music is about me and my experiences,” Park told The Korea Times. Many musicians cite films or music made by the others as their source of inspiration, but not Park. “Tapping into other people's experiences was difficult for me,” Park said. “Hence, I decided to recount my own stories. I was anxious at first that people would find it hard to sympathize.”However, the positive reactions from listeners proved her wrong. “I have come to know that people share universal feelings and thoughts ― so from then on, I began focusing more on my stories,” Park said. “Still, I have many hurdles to climb and I am in the progress of discovering my style by exploring diverse genres.” Her being 20 is rather deceptive. In 2012, when she was 14, she won the SBS audition program “K-pop Star.” Her precocious vocal ability helped her outperform older contestants. After the show she joined JYP Entertainment

Oct 7, 2018By Dong Sun-hwa

Dong Sun-hwa

Read more

Japanese netizens attack BTS with '90% Asian audience' claim

'We were fried over EXO': fans hit out at BBQ's concert texts

Actor may be probed for allegedly aiding, abetting drunk driving

BTS documentary to be screened in theaters from Nov. 15

VIDEO NCT 127 rising in America

VIDEO 'Monthly Idol' game hot among K-pop stars

Ten years on, Song Hye-kyo still keeps her luster in China

'I work 20 hours a day for below minimum wages': drama staff members

Up-and-coming rapper, 15, mired in sex scandal

INTERVIEW Park Ji-min sings her stories [VIDEO]

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