The Korea Times

INTERVIEW Ryeowook of Super Junior sets mature tone in 'Drunk on Love'

A teaser image of Ryeowook's new solo album “Drunk on Love” Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooAfter a long hiatus due to mandatory military service, Super Junior's Ryeowook is finally back in the limelight. In a recent interview with The Korea Times prior to his solo comeback planned for Dec. 11, the 31-year-old idol said the new album “Drunk on Love” sets a more mature tone than his last album “Little Prince.” “'Drunk on Love' addresses one's emotions after splitting up with a lover. Through this album, I wanted to expand my musical repertoire,” Ryeowook told The Korea Times at the SM Entertainment Communication Center in Seoul, Tuesday.The upcoming album opens with “I'm Not Over You,” a slow-burning pop ballad underscored by piano melodies and orchestral arrangements. Lyrically, it speaks about painful feelings after a breakup. The seven-track album also includes songs “One and Only,” “Drunk in the Morning,” “Without You,” “Something Good,” “Sugar” and a

Dec 6, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Ryeowook of Super Junior sets mature tone in 'Drunk on Love'

K-pop

Korean heartthrob Song Joong-ki to host 2018 MAMA

Song Joong-ki will host the 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in Hong Kong on Dec. 14. Courtesy of Blossom EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-soo“Descendents of the Sun” star Song Joong-ki has been confirmed to be the host of the 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in Hong Kong, according to Mnet. This will be the A-list actor's third time hosting the ceremony, following 2012 and 2017. The announcement comes after the organizer revealed that actor Park Bo-gum will be hosting 2018 MAMA Fans' Choice in Japan and actor Jung Hae-in will host 2018 MAMA Premiere in Korea. Park, who rose to fame with “Moonlight Drawn by Clouds,” performed the same role in 2017 MAMA in Japan. Jung, who rose to fame with “Something in the Rain,” will be part of the event for the first time. “MAMA Week,” the largest-scale MAMA event, will kick off at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul on Dec. 10, then head to Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Dec. 12 and finally to AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong on Dec. 14.Kim Ki-woong, head of the Mnet division, left, and Kim Hyun-soo, head o

Dec 4, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo

Korean heartthrob Song Joong-ki to host 2018 MAMA

K-pop

Rapper's performance disrupted by anti-fans

San E tweeted a captured image of some audience members' reactions to him during his performance Sunday. The words on the image read, “Womad and Megal are social ills.” The 33-year-old rapper implied he will release a new song titled “Oong Ang Oong,” Monday, signaling another war of words between the rapper and radical feminists. Photo from San E's TwitterAngry audience tells rapper San E. to 'get off the stage' By Kwak Yeon-sooRapper San E has his fans and certainly haters too. And the latter tried to make their voice heard by crashing his performance on Sunday. The SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul suddenly turned into a melee as the rapper, who has been painted by some as an anti-feminist for his past remarks, took the stage. A number of anti-fans teased and mocked the singer using sexual slurs. Some held up a banner that read “San E, you are a disgrace.” The anti-San E crowd created a fuss by shouting at the singer to “get off the stage.” San E seemed flustered by the sudden outpouring of negative emotion, but he asked the audi

Dec 3, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo

Rapper's performance disrupted by anti-fans

K-pop

2018 Melon Music Awards: An inside look at the performer lineup

The 2017 MMA Courtesy of Kakao MBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe Melon Music Awards (MMA) ― which celebrate the hottest names of the year in the K-pop scene ― announced the addition of special appearances in their star-packed line-up for the ceremony.Actors Lee Dong-wook, Lee Sang-yoon, Daniel Choi, Son Tae-young, Jung So-min and comedians Lee Young-ja and Park Sung-kwang will join the K-pop stars for this year's MMA as presenters to celebrate the K-pop stars and their respective performances. Marking the 10-year anniversary, this year's theme for the MMAs will be “My Story” with top artists giving special performances that fit with the particular theme. “The full line-up has been confirmed, but we want the audience to watch along with us on Saturday night to check out who else appears on the show,” a 2018 MMA official saidPreviously announced performers include a handful of A-list K-pop groups ― BTS, MAMAMOO, BTOB, Bolbbalgan4, Wanna One, BLACKPINK, iKON and Apink.BTS, who delivered a message of self love to young people during a speech at the United Nations, will be usin

Nov 30, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo

2018 Melon Music Awards: An inside look at the performer lineup

Others

MAMAMOO is back!

MAMAMOO released a new mini album “Blue;s” Thursday, fronted by lead track “Wind flower.” The song delivers a message that although breakups carry stigma, they can be great source for self-growth. The four members sing that better days will come if you surround yourselves with people who truly care for you. Courtesy of RBW Entertainment

Nov 30, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo

K-pop

R&B ballad trio at soulful best in fifth studio album

Urban Zakapa members talk on their new album “05” during a press showcase held at Ewha Womans University's Samsung Hall, Tuesday. Courtesy of MakeUs EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooR&B ballad trio Urban Zakapa ― comprised of Kwon Soon-il, Jo Hyun-ah and Park Yong-in ― released their fifth studio album, “05,” Tuesday after taking a four-year hiatus.The lead track “You are The Reason,” written by Jo, is a song that talks about looking at the world from a lover's point of view, and how special and beautiful that world is. The romantic, jazzy intro and the three members' vocal harmonies, layering hooks on top of one another, underline the charm of the song. The single topped Bugs music chart and grabbed high spots on other major music streaming sites, including Soribada, Melon, Mnet and Genie.“As I Wished,” is an emotional song dedicated to those who feel as if things don't work out as they wish. Kwon composed the music, wrote the lyrics and arranged the song. The piano melody and string sounds accompany powerful vocals to console listener

Nov 28, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo

R&B ballad trio at soulful best in fifth studio album

K-pop

Lovelyz' new album provides sanctuary for fans

A teaser image of Lovelyz' fifth mini-album “Sanctuary” Courtesy of Woollim EntertainmentLovelyz' 5th mini-album emphasizes galactic conceptual vibesBy Kwak Yeon-sooK-pop girl group Lovelyz released its newest album “Sanctuary” on Monday to strengthen ethereal conceptual vibes. It is a seven-track album the members have been working on for months since the release of single “Wag-zak” in July.The lead track “Lost N Found” features a combination of string instruments and synthesizers. Space Cowboy and 1988 composed the song and SWEETUNE penned the lyrics for it. “Lost N Found has an uplifting yet melancholic sentiment. I think it matches well with our trademark Lovelyz-style: a blend of ballad and dance music,” member Ryu Su-jeong said during a press showcase held at YES24 Hall in Seoul, Monday.In the music video for “Lost N Found,” the eight members invite listeners to hear their surreal tales as they shine like stars in an otherworldly land. “We embraced a winter goddess concept for the latest. We hope our

Nov 27, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo

Lovelyz' new album provides sanctuary for fans

K-pop

SHINee's Key debuts as solo artist after 10 years in inventive boy band

Key performs “One of Those Nights” at a press showcase to unveil his new album at New Millennium Hall of Konkuk University in Seoul, Monday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooK-pop boy band SHINee's member Key released his solo album “FACE,” Monday, fronted by the lead track “One of Those Nights” featuring Crush. The song is a smooth R&B track with house rhythm that emphasizes Key's sentimental personality.The album contains tracks produced by various collaborators, such as Skrillex, Valentino Khan, Kenzi, LDN Noise, Bazzi, Adrian Mckinno, TAK and IMLAY. Singers Crush, Soyou and rapper Vinxen also feature on a few cuts.“The album title FACE has multiple meanings. First of all, it was inspired by the phrase 'face it' and also represents my determination to show my various charms and facets,” Key said during a press showcase held in Seoul, Monday. He added that it was his intention to make the title sound similar to SHINee members' previous solo albums. Taemin's first solo album title was “ACE,” while the late Jonghyun's was “BA

Nov 26, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo

SHINee's Key debuts as solo artist after 10 years in inventive boy band

K-pop

INTERVIEW Baek A-yeon breaks free of toxic relationships in new EP 'Dear Me'

A teaser image of Baek A-yeon's new album “Dear Me” Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooBalladeer Baek A-yeon is a storyteller. Her songs illustrate relationships at every point ― when they are happy, stagnant and devastating. It is her tragic songs where Baek shows her mastery as a storyteller. With her most recent album “Dear Me” released on Nov. 21, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter returned with the confident Britpop-influenced ballad track “Sorry for Myself.” The song is about comforting herself after heartbreak. Baek's warm, sweet vocals are poignant over electrical guitar sounds, rhythmical drum beats and the piano melody.“I wanted the album for myself and others as therapy,” Baek said during an interview with The Korea Times. “Back in the day, I was naive and trusted people easily. But now I'm a little careful in doing so because some experiences have taught me not to trust anyone blindly. The whole experience of betrayal and disappointment was stressful and confidence-crushing.”When asked what prompted her

Nov 25, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Baek A-yeon breaks free of toxic relationships in new EP 'Dear Me'

Travel & Food

'Our blood is Korean, but our flavor is Latin'

Korean-Venezuelan chocolate makers Jon Kim, right, and his younger brother Dan pose for a photograph at P.Chokko Laboratorio in Seoul on Nov. 9. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorean-Venezuelan brothers craft chocolates in their parents' homelandBy Kwak Yeon-sooKorean-Venezuelan Jon Kim, 34, and his younger brother Dan grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. After graduating from high school, they went on to Pepperdine University and the University of Southern California, respectively, in the United States. Then both returned to their homeland, Venezuela, to start careers in marketing and accounting, respectively.However, their home country was no longer the livable, safe one it used to be when their parents emigrated there to do business. Venezuela was in dire straits.Since the early 2000s, Venezuela has been notorious for its high crime rate and the country has become one of the world's most dangerous places ― the murder toll in the country is even higher than that of some war zones, according to Jon.“Venezuela wasn't a promising land for those who want to do business because the

Nov 22, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kwak Yeon-soo

Read more

INTERVIEW Ryeowook of Super Junior sets mature tone in 'Drunk on Love'

Korean heartthrob Song Joong-ki to host 2018 MAMA

Rapper's performance disrupted by anti-fans

2018 Melon Music Awards: An inside look at the performer lineup

MAMAMOO is back!

R&B ballad trio at soulful best in fifth studio album

Lovelyz' new album provides sanctuary for fans

SHINee's Key debuts as solo artist after 10 years in inventive boy band

INTERVIEW Baek A-yeon breaks free of toxic relationships in new EP 'Dear Me'

'Our blood is Korean, but our flavor is Latin'

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