Singer Jo Yu-ri opens up about her role in 'Squid Game' season 2 Jo Yu-ri at the press showcase for her second mini-album “Love All” in Seoul / Courtesy of WakeOneBy Hong Hye-minSinger Jo Yu-ri has shared her personal feelings and the circumstances leading up to her acting role in the highly-anticipated second season of “Squid Game” on Netflix.Jo held a press showcase in Seoul on Wednesday to celebrate the release of her second mini-album “Love All.”The singer had been in the headlines recently after joining the cast of the smash-hit Netflix original series “Squid Game” for its second season. At the press showcase, she was bombarded with questions about her upcoming role in the series, which was to be expected.Jo said, “I got a wonderful opportunity to audition for the drama series, so I prepared a lot and got the role in the end.” She continued, “It's an honor just to be on the same set with all these legendary actors. I'll do my best and I hope you'll appreciate my acting when the second season is released.”Even with filming already underway for the second season of “SAug 10, 2023
Jeon Somi apologizes over copyright controversy Jeon Somi, and a still of the alleged scene from the singer's “Fast Forward” music video / Courtesy of The Black LabelBy Pyo Kyung-minSinger Jeon Somi has issued an apology regarding a copyright infringement issue with her latest album.The singer ended her two-year hiatus on Aug. 7 with the release of her newest song "Fast Forward." However, she faced immediate scrutiny due to copyright issues in her music video. Many pointed out that the animated character in the music video bears a striking resemblance to a character from “Urusei Yatsura,” the iconic manga series by renowned Japanese cartoonist Rumiko Takahashi.Cover of “Urusei Yatsura,” a manga series created by Japanese cartoonist Rumiko Takahashi / Courtesy of Seoul Media ComicsTakahashi is widely known in the country for her animated series "Inuyasha." In a swift response to the allegations, The Black Label, Jeon Somi's agency, clarified its stance yesterday, opting to address the concerns by removing the controversial scenes from the music video."We came across the news that the animated chaAug 10, 2023By Pyo Kyung-min
Ive to join lineup for Jamboree K-pop concert Korean girl group IVE poses during a showcase to promote the release of the group's first album "I've IVE" in Seoul, April 10. YonhapIve, one of the hottest K-pop girl groups, will be added to the lineup for the World Scout Jamboree's K-pop concert, the event's organizer said Thursday.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said in a release Ive has recently decided to join the concert slated for Friday at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul by changing its schedule for the day.The six-piece group previously canceled its plan to perform at the concert after the event was pushed back to Friday from last Sunday due to safety concerns and scorching heat, according to the ministry.Including Ive, the "K-pop super live" concert will feature 19 teams of K-pop artists led by NewJeans, NCT Dream, ITZY, Mamamoo, The Boyz, Kang Daniel and fromis_9. Some 40,000 Scout members from about 150 countries will attend the show. (Yonhap)Aug 10, 2023
Music video for BTS V's debut solo track 'Love Me Again' unveiled V, a member of K-pop superband BTS, is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music. YonhapThe music video for "Love Me Again," a track on BTS member V's upcoming first solo album, was released Thursday.According to BigHit Music, "Love Me Again" is an emotional RB genre number featuring V's dreamlike voice.The music video, shot in a cave in Mallorca, Spain, creates a dreamy atmosphere by combining the cave's mysterious atmosphere, the singer's deep voice, and his glamorous costume.The tune will drop Friday alongside the song and music video for "Rainy Days," another track to be included in the album.The album titled "Layover" will be formally released on Sept. 8.V will unveil music videos for the five major tracks on the album, according to the agency. (Yonhap) Aug 10, 2023
TXT earns two nominations for MTV Video Music Awards MTV Video Music Awards nominee poster for Tomorrow X Together / Courtesy of MTV VMABy Hong Hye-minK-pop boy group Tomorrow X Together (TXT) has been nominated in two categories for the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. The full list of nominees for the 2023 MTV VMA was announced, Tuesday, on MTV's official website and social media.TXT is in the running for PUSH Performance of the Year and Best K-Pop awards for the title track “Sugar Rush Ride” from their fifth mini-album “The Name Chapter: Temptation” released in January.The PUSH Performance of the Year award recognizes the most outstanding artist who has been selected for MTV's PUSH campaign, where one artist is chosen each month by MTV for in-depth interviews, performances and digital content. TXT was the MTV PUSH campaign's artist of the month in April. TXT will be competing against 12 other musicians for the award, including JVKE, who reached number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 19 on the UK Official Singles Chart; Sam Ryder, who had the most TikTok followers of anyone in the UK from 2020 to 2022; aAug 9, 2023
AKMU announces comeback after two-year break AKMU's comeback announcement poster / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Hong Hye-minBrother-sister singing duo AKMU has announced its long-awaited comeback.On Wednesday, YG Entertainment shared a new video titled “AKMU is Coming” on its official blog, announcing the duo's surprise comeback on August 21 and its upcoming schedule.In the video, an all-pink cityscape can be seen unfolding on top of a smartphone. Su-hyun's character appears in the form of Cupid and begins approaching Chan-hyuk, with their paths connecting in the shape of a heart, hinting at more love-themed songs that have been AKMU's calling card.The screen is then filled with heart shapes, followed by the appearance of a QR code. The video ends with AKMU's logo in hot pink popping up on screen, along with the date “2023.08.21.”AKMU's last release came more than two years ago, when the duo dropped the collaboration album “Next Episode” in July, 2021. The 10-track album was universally acclaimed by critics and listeners alike, who praised AKMU's exceptional musical talent and philosophicalAug 9, 2023
BLACKPINK nominated for 4 MTV VMAs this year K-pop girl group BLACKPINK is seen in this photo provided by YG Entertainment. YonhapK-pop girl group BLACKPINK has been nominated for four categories of the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, the U.S. music channel has announced.The group will compete for Best Choreography, Best Art Direction, Best Editing and Best K-pop with its hit song "Pink Venom," MTV said Tuesday (U.S. local time) on its homepage. Boy group Tomorrow X Together got nods in two categories ― Push Performance of the Year and Best K-pop. The first category recognizes the best among the artists who have been featured in the "MTV Push" campaign, which selects one artist each month to highlight through interviews and other content.Among others nominated for the Best K-pop category were aespa, Seventeen, Fifty Fifty and Stray Kids.The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards will be held on Sept. 12 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. (Yonhap) Aug 9, 2023
NCT to make full-group comeback with 4th studio album Promotion for NCT's upcoming fourth full-length album "Golden Age" is seen in this image provided by SM Entertainment. YonhapK-pop boy group NCT will return with all members later this month, dropping its fourth studio album, the group's agency said Wednesday."Golden Age" will hit music services on Aug. 28, SM Entertainment said.It will mark the first LP from the group in the one year and eight months since "Universe," released in December 2021.The upcoming album involves all of the group's 20 members, who had been working in three subunits ― NCT 127, NCT Dream and WayV, according to the agency.The LP has 10 songs, including the title group song, "Golden Age," and "Baggy Jeans," which members Taeyong, Ten, Doyoung, Jaehyun and Mark sung in harmony.Ahead of the album's release, the band will hold a concert titled "NCT Nation: To the World" at Munhak Stadium in Incheon, west of Seoul, on Aug. 26. (Yonhap) Aug 9, 2023
NewJeans, NCT Dream, ITZY among performers in K-pop concert for World Jamboree NCT Dream / Courtesy of SM Entertainment NewJeans, NCT Dream, ITZY, Mamamoo and The Boyz are among the 18 teams of artists who will perform in a K-pop concert for the 2023 World Scout Jamboree, the event's organizer said Wednesday.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the lineup for the "K-pop super live" concert slated for Friday in Seoul in a press release.Also included will be Shownu X Hyungwon, fromis_9, Zerobaseone, Kang Daniel, Kwon Eun-bi, Jo Yuri, P1Harmony, KARD, The New Six and ATBO, according to the release.The show will be co-hosted by actor Gong Myoung, ITZY's Yuna and NewJeans' Hyein.The concert was originally scheduled to take place at the campsite in Saemangeum ― a reclaimed tidal land area in Buan, North Jeolla Province ― last Sunday but was postponed due to concerns about accidents and heat-related illnesses.The venue was initially changed to Jeonju World Cup Stadium, about an hour's drive from the campsite, and again to the Seoul WAug 9, 2023
Sunny of Girls' Generation to leave SM Entertainment Sunny, a member of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation / Screenshot from Sunny's social media accountBy Kim Se-jeongSunny, a member of K-pop group Girls' Generation, announced Tuesday her departure from SM Entertainment after 16 years with the company. “I would like to take courage and explore uncharted territory. I thank SM Entertainment for helping me debut as a member of Girls' Generation,” Sunny wrote on her Instagram account. “Also, I extend my thanks to managers and many staffers with whom I went through difficult times.”SM Entertainment also issued a statement: “We were honored to spend many years together with Sunny and thank her for her hard work. We send our support for her future journey.” Since its debut in 2007, Girls' Generation rose to stardom with its songs, such as “Into the New World,” “Gee,” and “Genie.” Last year, the group dropped its 15th anniversary album, “FOREVER 1.” A lead vocal for the group, Sunny is a niece of Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment, who left the compaAug 9, 2023By Kim Se-jeong
