The Korea Times

Wanna One's Yoon Ji-sung poised to make solo debut

A teaser image of Yoon Ji-sung's debut album “Aside” Courtesy of LM EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooYoon Ji-sung, a member of the disbanded boy band project Wanna One, is poised to make a debut as a solo artist with his first album “Aside,” Wednesday. The title is derived from a term used in theater when a character's dialogue is spoken to the audience but not other actors on stage. It is also short for the phrase “Always on your side,” according to his label LM Entertainment.Yoon, who debuted through the idol survival show “Produce 101” in 2017, went solo after the popular 11-member boy band disbanded at the end of last year. The band held four concerts at Gocheok Sky Dome from Jan. 24 to 27 as their last official performance together before going their separate ways.“I was both nervous and anxious recording an album by myself,” Yoon said during Naver's V Live broadcast on Sunday. The lead-off song “In the Rain” is a pop ballad with sorrowful melodies and an orchestral background. Its lyrics unfold feelings of regr

Feb 19, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

Wanna One's Yoon Ji-sung poised to make solo debut

K-pop

BTS producer Pdogg recognized for top music royalty earnings

By Kwak Yeon-sooProducer Pdogg Courtesy of Big Hit EntertainmentA Big Hit Entertainment producer and longtime BTS collaborator, Pdogg claimed the top prize for making the highest earnings from song royalties.Pdogg, whose real name is Kang Hyo-won, has collected a hefty sum from song streaming by mixing and mastering BTS' multiple hits including “DNA,” “Fake Love” and “Idol.” BTS' song “Fake Love” peaked at No.10 on the Billboard Hot 100 while its single “Idol” peaked at No.11. The group's album “Love Yourself: Tear” topped the Billboard 200 albums chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.The “A-list producer” won three Best Producer Awards in 2018, including Gaon Chart Music Awards, Asia Artists Awards and Mnet Asian Music Awards.Prior to the awards ceremony due on Tuesday, the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) announced the recipients of their Royalties Awards, in which they honor the composers and lyricists who have earned the most in music royalties in 2018. At

Feb 17, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

BTS producer Pdogg recognized for top music royalty earnings

K-pop

Rookie boy band Vanner releases debut full-length album

Rookie boy band Vanner Courtesy of VT EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooWith a large number of new K-pop bands poised to debut this year, Vanner strode into 2019 with a full-length album titled “V” fronted by the lead single “Better do Better,” Wednesday.Overflowing with youthful energy and bold ambition, the five-piece act embodies vocal prowess and a fierce style inspired by hip-hop.Although the group's career has just begun in Korea, Vanner ― composed of members Taehwan,?Gon,?Hyeseong,?Ahxian, and?Younggwang ― had already gained overseas fans through active Japanese promotional activities. “Prior to our official debut in Korea, we've done numerous promos in Japan, holding over 200 concerts there,” Hyeseong said during a press conference for the release of “V” in Seoul, Wednesday.Having just started to make its mark in the K-pop scene, Vanner revealed its hope of becoming a unique K-pop act with incomparable musical style and concept. Gon expressed his excitement, saying, “I'm so happy to finally debut and show what I've built over t

Feb 14, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

Rookie boy band Vanner releases debut full-length album

Arts & Theater

Around Town 2

The National Gugak Center will be holding traditional Korean dance and music performances throughout 2019. Courtesy of the National Gugak CenterTraditionalSaturday Performances National Gugak CenterThroughout 2019 Every Saturday at 3 p.m., the National Gugak Center holds a performance showcasing traditional Korean music and dance. This series will take place all throughout 2018. Each week the series will exhibit the works of various gugak artists. Various performances throughout the month of February will include the piri, pansori and sanjo. There will also be a traditional fan dance at the end of the month. Tickets cost 10,000 won to 20,000 won. For more information, visit gugak.go.kr or call (02) 580-3300.Gugak Concert DaDam National Gugak CenterFeb. 27In 2019, National Gugak Center will continue its DaDam concert series in which members of the public can come in to discuss various aspects of traditional Korean music and culture with experts as well as enjoy performances by professional gugak musicians. On Feb. 27, reporter Kim Hwan-young will give a talk on the topic of love in Ko

Feb 14, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

Arts & Theater

Around Town 1

Murray Perahia will perform at Seoul Arts Center on March 3. Courtesy of Credia and Deutsche GrammophonClassical ConcertsBeautiful Thursday Concert Series: Dami Kim Kumho Art Hall Feb. 21In 2019, the Kumho Art Hall will be featuring a performer every Thursday to spread classical music culture in Korea. One of the upcoming performers is violinist Dami Kim, who started the violin at the young age of five. She attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the New England Conservatory in Boston. She has performed with various world-famous ensembles including the Munich Chamber Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Kim has also been an active member of Korea's KBS Symphony Orchestra as well as the Korean Symphony. At the concert, she will perform pieces by Schubert. Lee Taek-gi will be accompanying her on the piano. Tickets cost 40,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.Murray Perahia Piano Recital Seoul Arts CenterMarch 3Murray Perahia is an American pianist who has been performing for over four decades. He attended Mannes Colleg

Feb 14, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

K-pop

JYP's new girl band ITZY to make splash in K-pop scene

ITZY members perform “Dalla Dalla” at a press showcase for unveiling their debut single “IT'z Different” in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooJYP Entertainment's rookie girl group ITZY debuted with the single “Dalla Dalla,” Tuesday, following a succession of prominent K-pop female acts.ITZY ― consisting of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna ― is the label's first girl group since 2015's TWICE. While TWICE won mass appeal through its bubbly and cute image, ITZY said they aim to bring forth a “girl crush” and “teen crush” image.“We are honored to be compared to TWICE, but we want to present a different style of music to the public. ITZY will present fierce, high-energy music,” Chaeryeong said during a press showcase for unveiling the single, is translated as “IT'z Different” in English, in Seoul, Tuesday. “We will work hard to leave a strong impression on the K-pop scene and earn the title of monster rookies,” leader Yeji said. The track name “Dalla Dalla,” (“differ

Feb 12, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

K-pop

BTS at Grammys: 'It's a Dream Come True Moment'

South Korean band BTS presents the award for Best R&B Album during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Sunday (local time). AFP-YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooK-pop megastar boy group BTS wrote history as it became the first Korean band to present at the Grammy Awards, and they seemingly enjoyed every moment of their night out at the show.The septet took the stage to announce the winner for the best R&B album category, awarding a Grammy to H.E.R for her self-titled album. “Growing up in South Korea, we always dreamed of being on the Grammys stage,” group leader RM said. “Thank you all our fans for making this dream come true and we'll be back.”The seven members of BTS have made history as the first Korean pop group to crush three sold-out world tours, perform at New York's Citi Field Stadium in the U.S. and make a heartwarming speech at the United Nations.BTS' latest album “Love Yourself: Tear” was nominated for Best Recording Package at this year's Grammys, alongside HuskyFox, a professional branding company based in Seoul.Although BTS lo

Feb 11, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

BTS at Grammys: 'It's a Dream Come True Moment'

K-pop

BLACKPINK debuts in US: A Look At Their Big Year Ahead

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK performs at Universal Music's Grammy Artist Showcase, Feb. 9 (local time). Courtesy of Universal Music GroupBLACKPINK performs live at Universal Music's Grammy Artist ShowcaseBy Kwak Yeon-sooK-pop girl group BLACKPINK made a successful U.S. debut at Universal Music's Grammy Artist Showcase in Los Angeles, Saturday (local time), alongside heavy-hitters Post Malone, Greta Van Fleet and Ella Mai. This comes ahead of appearances on ABC's “Good Morning America” and CBS's “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” In January, BLACKPINK made history as the first K-pop girl group to secure a spot in the Coachella music festival's lineup. The group will perform twice, on April 12 and 19, at Coachella, before starting a North American and European tour. Formed in 2016, BLACKPINK ― consisting of Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa ― has gained massive popularity around the world thanks to hits like “As If It's Your Last,” “Forever Young” and “Ddu-duDdu-du.”YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-suk shared his excitement about BL

Feb 10, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

BLACKPINK debuts in US: A Look At Their Big Year Ahead

Travel & Food

Touring DMZ with North Korean defector

Tourists get an overview of North Korea through binoculars at Dora Observatory. North Korean defector Jeong refused to be photographed for this story to protect his family who are still in the North. Korea Times fileBy Kwak Yeon-sooPAJU ― “I'm a dead man in my hometown,” a North Korean defector, who uses the alias Jeong Sang-soo to protect his identity, said during a Korea Times interview in the middle of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) tour. “I had to fake my own death so that my wife and children who are still in the North could live on.”Jeong left his home in North Korea in August 2016, crossed the border into China through Mount Paektu and then fled to Laos before arriving in Thailand over the Mekong River. In Thailand, he surrendered to the police. After several trials, the North Korean escapee was taken to a refugee camp, where he applied for political asylum to South Korea. Three months later, he finally landed here.“The border lines of China were all blocked, so I chose to cross through Mount Paektu,” Jeong said. “I knew the route

Feb 7, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

K-pop

CLC sings 'No' to beauty standards in latest album, but really?

CLC members perform “Show” at a press showcase to unveil their eighth mini album “No.1” at Blue Square hall in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Cube EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooK-pop girl group CLC dropped its eighth mini album “No.1” fronted by the single “No,” Wednesday, this time revealing a chic, elegant concept full of glam looks. The album title refers to the group's ambition to rise to No.1 in the K-pop scene and “No” being the first track of the record, according to members.This is the group's first outing since unveiling “Black Dress” in February 2018. During their one-year hiatus as a group, the members have been busying in a number of individual activities, appearing on various reality shows, drama series, and member Elkie launching a solo career.“No,” composed by rapper Soyeon of rookie girl group (G)I-DLE, is a dance song with dynamic bass lines, with lyrics talking about rebelling against beauty standards. “Red lip No/ Earrings No/ High heels No/ Handbag No,” CLC members sing.

Jan 30, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kwak Yeon-soo

Read more

Wanna One's Yoon Ji-sung poised to make solo debut

BTS producer Pdogg recognized for top music royalty earnings

Rookie boy band Vanner releases debut full-length album

Around Town 2

Around Town 1

JYP's new girl band ITZY to make splash in K-pop scene

BTS at Grammys: 'It's a Dream Come True Moment'

BLACKPINK debuts in US: A Look At Their Big Year Ahead

Touring DMZ with North Korean defector

CLC sings 'No' to beauty standards in latest album, but really?

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