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Kwak Yeon-soo

Korea Times Digital Content Reporter

Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.

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K-pop

Cosmic Girls return with carnival-inspired album

WJSN members perform during a press showcase for promoting their sixth mini-album “WJ STAY?” held in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooCosmic Girls, also known as WJSN, unveiled their sixth mini-album titled “WJ STAY?” and its single “La La Love” on Tuesday. This comes four months after the release of their trophy-winning single “Save Me, Save You.”The originally 13-member girl group once again returned as 10 members, without three Chinese members Mei Qi, Xuan Yi and Cheng Xiao.“Our Chinese bandmates won't be promoting this album with us due to scheduling conflicts, but they participated in recording the fourth track Memories,” member Eunseo told reporters during a press showcase for promoting their new album. The new album contains seven songs: retro-leaning pop song “La La Love,” new wave number “You Got,” pop ballad with rich piano chords “Star,” medium-tempo dance song “Memories,” classical love piece “Cantabile,” Cinderella-inspired “12 O'Clock”

Jan 8, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Cosmic Girls return with carnival-inspired album
Books

Novelist Yun I-hyeong wins 43rd Yi Sang Literary Award

Novelist Yun I-hyeong Courtesy of MunhaksasangBy Kwak Yeon-sooNovelist Yun I-hyeong was named the winner of the 43rd Yi Sang Literary Award, one of the most prestigious literary awards in Korea, Monday. The 43-year-old won the grand prize for her latest novel, “Their First and Second Cat,” described by the judges as “a trailblazing novel that highlights the importance of loving all living creatures.”The story was published in the November and December issues of local literary magazine Munhaksasang.The judges were unanimous in their choice of winner due to her utterly distinctive depiction of a married couple struggling with hardships in life, including financial difficulties. In the story, the couple eventually gets divorced and the mother takes custody of the daughter.Kwon Yeong-min, Life & Thought's chief editor who was on the judging panel, said he was impressed by how writer Yun depicted divorce without acrimony and hatred. The story and title of the novel were inspired by Yun's experience after the death of her cat, according to the author.“I wa

Jan 8, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
K-pop

Apink's new album 'PERCENT' anchored by charismatic flair

A teaser image of Apink's eighth mini-album “PERCENT” Courtesy of Plan A EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooK-pop girl group Apink released their eighth mini-album “PERCENT” on Monday fronted by a track titled “%%,” which reads “Uh Huh” in Korean.Their latest record aims to further cement the group's strong, charismatic charms rather than clinging to their signature cute and innocent concept.“The new album carries our aspiration to explore Apink's limitless possibilities,” group leader Park Cho-rong said during a press conference ahead of Apink's release of their new album, “PERCENT,” Sunday.“Since our debut, we were concerned about how we could evolve our music over time. By the time 'I'm So Sick' was to be released, we all agreed that then was the right time to seek an image makeover.”Apink's seventh mini-album “One & Six” and its lead track “I'm So Sick,” released in July last year, was a major deviation from the group's well-established “lovely” and “angelic

Jan 7, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Apink's new album 'PERCENT' anchored by charismatic flair
K-pop

BTS sweeps Golden Disc Awards

K-pop superstar group BTS won the Grand Prize in the best album category at the 33rd Golden Disc Awards ceremony held in Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Sunday. The winner was selected based on album sales recorded between December 2017 and November 2018. Besides the grand prize, BTS also received five other awards, including the “most popular artist” and “top 10 best artist” awards at the show. Yonhap

Jan 7, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
BTS sweeps Golden Disc Awards
K-pop

INTERVIEW Flowsik discusses state of Korean hip-hop

Rapper Flowsik Courtesy of EN ManagementBy Kwak Yeon-sooKorean-American rapper Flowsik, acclaimed for his confrontational, aggressive musical approach, has helped popularize Korean hip-hop and its vibrant culture in the United States market as the leader of global hip-hop/R&B trio Aziatix.In 2016, Flowsik released the single “Eung Freestyle” with fellow rappers Sik-K, Punchnello and Own Ovadoz, and the song's music video has surpassed 30 million YouTube views. In the song, he fused rap with elements of traditional Korean music to create a sound Korea had never heard before. At the end tail of last year, he launched a project to release a single every month or two. His sophomore single “Kari” released in December is even more daring than its predecessor “Bbung,” released in October.Flowsik's lyrics of real-life stories and relationships are what make him one of the most daring figures in Korean hip-hop.Born and raised in Queens, New York, the 34-year-old rapper is willing to elevate Korean hip-hop and pave the way for a new generation of Korean

Jan 6, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Flowsik discusses state of Korean hip-hop
K-pop

BTS, EXO, TWICE lead Golden Disc awards nominations

By Kwak Yeon-sooThe 33rd Golden Disc Awards logoThe Golden Disc Awards ceremony, a popular music awards show likened to the Grammys, is to take place on Saturday and Sunday at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.The first night of the show will be co-hosted by actor Lee Seung-gi and actress Park Min-young while balladeer Sung Si-kyung and actress Kang Sora have been announced as hosts for the second night. On Saturday, the awards for the digital song of the year will be presented while Sunday's show will celebrate the album of the year. Songs released from Dec. 1, 2017, to Nov. 30, 2018, are eligible for nomination. However, the sales records will be counted until the end of December 2018.The selection committee, which consists of 30 members ― K-pop reporters, music program producers, culture critics and officials at major music distributors ― has looked into artists' album sales, digital streaming as well as the social and cultural impact of their music to determine the winners.In addition to Best Digital Song and Best Album Awards, Special Awards will be presented to the artist who has excel

Jan 4, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
BTS, EXO, TWICE lead Golden Disc awards nominations
K-pop

INTERVIEW Chungha starts January race with new single, aims solo queen

Chungha poses before a media interview to promote her new single “Gotta Go” at a cafe in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of MNH EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooChungha, one of the winners of the first season of Mnet's idol survival show “Produce 101,” released her first single, Wednesday. Her new solo song “Gotta Go” comes six months after her mini-album “Blooming Blue” fronted by the bubblegum pop “Love U.”“Gotta Go,” or “Already Midnight” in Korean, is the work of producing duo Black Eyed Pilseung and star producer Jeon Goon, who created Chungha's hit “Roller Coaster,” which surpassed 100 million streams on various domestic music charts at the tail end of last year. Thanks to “Produce 101,” Chungha saw immense popularity as a member of the temporary girl group I.O.I. Since its scheduled disbandment, she has gone on to be a chart-topping solo artist with her breezy, vivacious dance tracks.Having had a unique opportunity to be part of a prominent girl group and then pursuing music on he

Jan 2, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Chungha starts January race with new single, aims solo queen
Arts & Theater

Balladeer throws 'something for everyone' concert

Balladeer Kim Bum-soo performs as part of his three-night concert series at SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul from Dec. 29 to 31. Courtesy of Young EntertainmentDiverse set of attendees join Kim Bum-soo's sold-out showBy Kwak Yeon-sooVeteran balladeer Kim Bum-soo took full advantage of his clear, well-controlled voice at his year-end concert series titled “Back: Three” held over three days from Dec. 29 to 31 at SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul.Accompanied by a full back-up band and dancers, Kim's concert had elements for people of all ages to enjoy. The stage varied from emotional ballad tracks to upbeat dance numbers that made the crowd stand up and dance together. And as an added bonus, he showcased two EDM-infused songs.Kim performed 18 songs, attracting 10,000 fans over the three nights.“It's rare to find a concert that has fans of such a wide age span, from babies to baby boomers. To satisfy everyone, I blended diverse musical genres into a colorful, multi-generational set that is much more than just seasonal,” Kim said during his Sunday show.

Dec 31, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
Balladeer throws 'something for everyone' concert
K-pop

Agency repudiates abuse allegation, threatens legal action against singers

Media Line Entertainment CEO Kim Chang-hwan speaks during a press conference held in Seoul, Wednesday, to refute previous claims of violence and child abuse raised by former members of the band The East Light. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooMedia Line Entertainment President Lee Jung-hyun repudiated allegations from members of boy band The East Light that their agency abused them verbally and physically. At a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday, Lee defended his company regarding the assault allegation raised by former members Lee Seok-cheol and his younger brother Seung-hyun. Media Line CEO Kim Chang-hwan and former The East Light members Lee Eun-sung and Jeong Sa-gang joined the news conference to back him up. “We decided to break our silence and reveal the evidence to reporters,” CEO Kim said, calling the ongoing police investigation “biased and unfair.” “We've submitted 103 pieces of evidence to the prosecutor in charge of the investigation recently to defend ourselves against the accusers.” He expressed his grievances with the police, claiming some me

Dec 28, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
Agency repudiates abuse allegation, threatens legal action against singers
People & Events

Jeon Tae-kwan, original drummer of SSAW, dies at 56

Drummer and founding member of jazz fusion band Spring Summer Autumn Winter (SSAW) Jeon Tae-kwan died of kidney cancer Thursday. Korea Times fileBy Kwak Yeon-sooDrummer and founding member of jazz fusion band Spring Summer Autumn Winter (SSAW) Jeon Tae-kwan died of kidney cancer Thursday, bandmate Kim Jong-jin announced on Twitter. He was 56.“Jeon Tae-kwan passed away late Thursday with his family by his side,” Kim said. “After struggling with kidney cancer for the past six years, Jeon couldn't overcome the illness.” Jeon not only earned great respect from fellow musicians but also gained wide public popularity with his music and humble personality. He was often dubbed the “pride of K-pop” and Kim said this was no exaggeration.Jeon formed SSAW in 1988 with guitarist Kim. It became one of the longest-running and legendary bands on the Korean music scene. Its hit songs include “Everyone Changes,” “Someone's Dream,” “Outsider” and “Bravo, My Life.” Three of SSAW's albums are on the 100 Best Albums of Kor

Dec 28, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
Jeon Tae-kwan, original drummer of SSAW, dies at 56
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