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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

EXO boasts masculinity and charisma in new album

EXO members pose for a photo during a press conference to promote their new album “Don't Mess Up My Tempo” at COEX Artium in Seoul, Thursday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooAfter taking a 14-month hiatus, K-pop sensation EXO returned with their fifth full-length album “Don't Mess up My Tempo,” fronted by the track “Tempo” on Friday. The new album's theme is a supernatural power concept with “masculine vibes.”“During the interval, we were all busy with individual activities. D.O. starred in tvN's drama series 100 Days My Prince; Chanyeol appeared on a reality show; Sehun filmed a web movie; EXO-CBX, comprised of Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin released a single; and I took roles in two musicals,” group leader Suho said during a press conference held at COEX Artium in Seoul, Thursday.The new album consists of 11 tracks ranging from Latin, electro pop dance to R&B ballads. Overall the album gives a glimpse into each member's “supernatural power.” The nine have been present themselves as having the ability to control fire, ice,

Nov 2, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
EXO boasts masculinity and charisma in new album
K-pop

'Produce 48' project group IZ*ONE makes debut

IZ*ONE members perform “La Vie en Rose” to unveil their debut album at Olympic Hall in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Off The Record EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooKorean-Japanese project group IZ*ONE, made up of the 12 finalists from Mnet's idol survival show “Produce 48,” debuted with its first mini album “COLOR*IZ,” Monday.The collaboration between Mnet's “national producer” system and the recruitment of Japanese talent with Japan's AKS, the entertainment company behind popular Japanese girl band AKB48, saw 96 idol trainees from Korea and Japan compete from June to August, before the final 12 were selected by audience votes. The Korean finalists were Lee Chae-yeon, Kim Min-ju, Kim Chae-won, Kang Hye-won, Kwon Eun-bi, Ahn Yoo-jin, Choi Ye-na, Jo Yu-ri and Jang Won-young. The three Japanese members, who have already made their debut in Japan, are Miyawaki Sakura and Honda Hitomi of AKB48, and Yabuki Nako of HKT48. IZ*ONE is the latest idol band formed through Mnet's show, after girl band I.O.I and boy band Wanna One made successful debuts af

Oct 30, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Produce 48' project group IZ*ONE makes debut
K-pop

BTS, Charlie Puth to perform together at 2018 MGA

K-pop boy band BTS and U.S. singer-songwriter Charlie Puth will stage a never-seen-before joint performance at 2018 MGA, a local music award event on Nov. 6 at Namdong Gymnasium in Incheon. Courtesy of Live Nation Korea and Big Hit EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooK-pop phenomenon BTS and U.S. singer-songwriter Charlie Puth will stage a never-seen-before joint performance at 2018 MGA, a local music award event in Korea, the organizers announced Monday. The 2018 MGA, co-organized by broadcasting company MBC Plus and online music streaming service Genie Music, is slated for Nov. 6 at Namdong Gymnasium in the port city of Incheon. Their collaboration comes after the two sides have shown their mutual respect toward each other's music and exchanged affectionate comments on Twitter. While the idol group and singer-songwriter haven't met in person before, their tweets have sparked explosive response from their fans and raised hopes for collaboration. Their performance will take place ahead of Puth's concerts in Korea on Nov. 7 and 8 as part of his Voicenotes Tour. Rising to stardom in 2015 with

Oct 29, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
BTS, Charlie Puth to perform together at 2018 MGA
K-pop

BoA takes on feminism in comeback single 'Woman'

BoA performs “Woman” at a press showcase to unveil her new album at COEX Artium in Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooSinger BoA, a pioneer of the K-pop boom in Asia, released her ninth studio album titled “Woman,” to deliver a message of women's empowerment and self-love. Making a comeback after a three-year hiatus since her eighth full-length album “Kiss My Lips,” BoA took a major role in writing six of 10 tracks on the album.The title track “Woman” is dance-pop with bright synth and a steady beat. Its lyrics talk about self-confidence and the empowerment of women. “I wanted to highlight the importance of staying confident. I think a woman I look up to is someone who focuses on her strengths, not weaknesses,” BoA said during a press showcase in Seoul, Wednesday.The K-pop icon's pride in being a confident woman shines through the song. BoA explained she already explored the concept of girl power 13 years ago in her single “Girls on Top,” but there is a clear difference between her latest album and the old o

Oct 26, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
BoA takes on feminism in comeback single 'Woman'
Trends

'PIGGY DREAM' - keywords for next year

SNU consumer studies Professor Kim Nan-do speaks during a press conference for promoting the book “Trend Korea 2019” in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Miraebook Publishing Co.Best-selling author unveils consumer trend outlook for 2019By Kwak Yeon-sooSeoul National University (SNU) consumer studies Professor Kim Nan-do, in collaboration with the Consumer Trend Research Institute of SNU, has unveiled the 2019 consumption trend outlook which reveals the trends consumers should be aware of, opportunities for growth, and which markets are emerging. “The upcoming year, 2019, is the Year of the Pig, a year often regarded as a symbol of good luck and fortune,” Kim said during a press conference to promote his new book “Trend Korea 2019” in Seoul, Wednesday. “So we reported 'PIGGY DREAM' as the main catchphrase.” The term is made up of an acronym of 10 consumption trend keywords. Professor Kim and his team have reported on consumer keywords and published the “Trend Korea” series annually, and the year 2019 marks its 11th anniversary.A

Oct 24, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
'PIGGY DREAM' - keywords for next year
K-pop

'King of ballad' returns with 16th album

Ballad singer Lee Moon-sae speaks during a press conference for promoting his 16th studio album “Between Us” in Seoul, Monday. / Courtesy of KMOONfndLee Moon-sae seeks musical makeover in 16th albumBy Kwak Yeon-sooBallad singer Lee Moon-sae released his 16th studio album titled “Between Us” on Monday, a package of 10 songs featuring young artists like Heize, Dynamic Duo's Gaeko, Sunwoo Jung-a and Jannabi. His newest album comes three and a half years after the release of “New Direction” in 2015.The theme running through “Between Us” is a reminder of finding commonalities with others. “I think music reflects the dynamics of life and the relationships that come in all forms and depths,” Lee said during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. “I recommend you to listen to my songs in an open, empty space alone using earphones. That way, you can feel the intimate relationship between the artist and the listener.”The veteran singer's “open mind to new experiences” pushed him to try a wide array of genres. Wit

Oct 23, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
'King of ballad' returns with 16th album
K-pop

K-pop brother speaks out 'systematic abuse'

Lee Seok-cheol, a former member of the K-pop group The East Light, sheds tears while testifying in Seoul, Friday, about alleged assaults and threats he and his brother suffered at the hands of Media Line Entertainment producer Moon Young-il. The Lee brothers were forced to leave the agency after they made the abuse allegations public. YonhapAbuse case casts shadow over K-pop industryBy Kwak Yeon-sooKorean pop group The East Light's drummer Lee Seok-cheol and his brother Seung-hyun filed a complaint against Media Line Entertainment' s producer Moon Young-il and CEO Kim Chang-hwan on Monday, three days after they accused both of verbally and physically assaulting them and their band-mates repeatedly for nearly four years.On Monday, their lawyer Cheong Ji-seok submitted relevant documents to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency with voice recordings and photos showing their injuries as a result of assaults as evidence to prove their claims. At a press conference held Friday, the drummer claimed he and his brother were the victims of assaults which first began in 2015 and continued until

Oct 22, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
K-pop brother speaks out 'systematic abuse'
K-pop

FTISLAND's lead vocalist releases new album, talks army plans

Lee Hong-gi poses for a photograph at a press conference held in Seoul, Thursday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooLee Hong-gi, Korean pop-rock band FTISLAND's lead vocalist, released his newest solo single “Cookies” from his second mini album “DO n DO,” Thursday.During a press conference to promote the new album, he revealed the back story of the title. “We usually use the phrase 'again and again' for doing things over and over again, but the phrase 'do and do' struck in my head because it sounded cute to me,” Lee said. Inspired by a nickname for Marvel post-credits scenes, “Cookies” is an electro-pop track quite different from Lee's typical musical style within FTISLAND. BTOB's Jung Il-hoon features as a guest rapper for the upbeat song. “I wanted to pick up dance music instead of rock ballads because it's more mainstream and better portrays my light-hearted personality,” Lee said.Full of warm and positive messages about the future, the single was written as a “love letter” to fans before his military enlistment. Its hear

Oct 19, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
FTISLAND's lead vocalist releases new album, talks army plans
Trends

Plus-size models redefine true beauty

From left, Bang Wu-ri, Kim Yoo-jin and Bae Kyo-hyun pose for a photo shoot held before an interview with The Korea Times. Courtesy of J StyleLiving as plus-size models in Korea, country obsessed with slimness By Kwak Yeon-sooUnrealistically thin runway models have long defined the beauty in the fashion industry. To maintain their perfect body shapes, it is well-known that they endure an “inhumane” diet behind the scenes. Today's conventional beauty standards, in which slimness is considered one of the key components of women's beauty, push them around to forgo meals and ultimately leave them exposed to health risks and eating disorders.Having grown tired of an anorexic society, plus-size models have recently started to challenge conventional notions about beauty and promote alternative beauty. Beauty is, according to them, much more than a slim frame. It's about embracing the fact that women come in all shapes and sizes.Surprisingly, their voice is gaining momentum in Korea, one of the world's thinnest countries. Korea ranked 34th out of 35 member Organization for Economi

Oct 18, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
Plus-size models redefine true beauty
Arts & Theater

'Sex and the City' illustrator gives a sneak peek into her exhibition

Megan Hess speaks during a press conference to promote her “Megan Hess ICONIC exhibition” at the Seouliteum in central Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of JnJohn ArtBy Kwak Yeon-sooMegan Hess, a fashion illustrator well-known for her elegant and sophisticated works, has become a household name after her works were featured in “Sex and the City” books. Since earning fame in the wake of the huge success of the namesake HBO's hit TV series, Hess has worked with global high-end fashion houses, including Chanel, Fendi and Cartier, as well as jewelry maker Tiffany & Co.Among all the enormous projects that she has worked on, Hess lifted the lid on her most exciting project to be the “Megan Hess ICONIC exhibition” that will be held from Oct. 18 to Dec. 30 in Seoul.“The exhibition has been in the works for about a year. It's the biggest project I've ever worked on,” she said during a news conference to promote the exhibition at Seouliteum in Seoul, Tuesday. “What's enormous about this project is that it looks at all the works _ more than 300 i

Oct 16, 2018By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Sex and the City' illustrator gives a sneak peek into her exhibition
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