Children of 1980-90s pop stars venture into K-pop Lee Chan-young on the 2018 variety show, “Single Wife” / Captured from SBSSinger-songwriter Yoon Sang's son to debut as K-pop singerBy Dong Sun-hwaChildren of popular Korean singers in the 1980s-1990s are foraying into the K-pop industry, aiming to use the talent they apparently inherited to follow in the footsteps of their successful parents. Lee Chan-young, the oldest son of award-winning singer-songwriter Yoon Sang and actress Shim Hye-jin, will reportedly debut as a member of a new boy band to be launched by K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment in September. The company has not yet confirmed the news but said it would provide more details about the group on Aug. 1. The new act will consist of Sungchan and Shotaro ― former members of SM's multi-national boy group NCT ― Eunseok and Seunghan ― the idol trainees at SM ― and Lee, among others. Lee, a former swimmer, made his face known to the public on the 2018 variety show, “Single Wife,” appearing on the program with his father. He was born in 2003. Yoon Sang, whose real name is Lee Yoon-sang, started his mJul 26, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
INTERVIEW Monsta X Hyungwon, Shownu talk about versions of themselves with 'UNSEEN' Singers Hyungwon, left, and Shownu, the members of K-pop group Monsta X, debuted as a unit with the album “THE UNSEEN,” Tuesday. Courtesy of Starship EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-leeK-pop group Monsta X debuted a new subunit featuring its two members Shownu and Hyungwon, for the first time in the group's eight-year career. Shownu X Hyungwon, a subunit of Monsta X / Courtesy of Starship Entertainment“This time has been meaningful for us as it's the first unit from Monsta X,” Hyungwon told The Korea Times during a recent interview, held at a cafe in southern Seoul's Gangnam District. “Although it's not a group act, we were excited to showcase the unit because we felt we can show a new type of performance.”The unit, Shownu X Hyungwon, debuted its first album “THE UNSEEN,” which hit shelves on Tuesday, comprising five tracks ― “Love Me A Little,” “Love Therapy,” "Roll With Me,” “Play Me” and “Slow Dance.” The singers talked about different versions of themselves, exploring their own perspectiJul 25, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
As 'Summer Comes,' OH MY GIRL makes much-awaited comeback K-pop act OH MY GIRL performs its new song, “Summer Comes” during a press event at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of WM EntertainmentOH MY GIRL releases 9th mini-album, 'Golden Hourglass'By Dong Sun-hwaFrom “Dolphin” (2020) to “Dun Dun Dance” (2021), summer bangers by K-pop act OH MY GIRL have never failed to impress its fans and the public. To extend its winning streak, the group rolled out a new song titled, “Summer Comes” on Monday, the lead single off its ninth mini-album, “Golden Hourglass.”“To date, we have never really described our tunes as summer songs, but 'Summer Comes' sounds pretty obvious from the title,” member Mimi said during a press event at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, Monday. “It has a cool and refreshing vibe that goes well with any season. It will remind people of summer even when it's spring or winter.”Seunghee said, “We spent much time figuring out what kind of music people were expecting to hear from Jul 25, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS member Jungkook's solo single 'Seven' tops Billboard Hot 100 Jung Kook of BTS performs on "Good Morning America"'s 2023 Summer Concert Series at the Rumsey Playfield/SummerStage in Central Park in New York City, July 14. UPI-YonhapBTS member Jungkook has topped the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart with his first solo single, "Seven," becoming the second South Korean soloist to lead the list following his bandmate Jimin. Released July 14, "Seven," a summery pop song featuring American female rapper Latto, has sold 153,000 song downloads and CD singles combined, and drawn 21.9 million streams and 6.4 million radio airplay audience impressions, according to the Billboard chart released Monday (U.S. time).BTS member Jimin made history when he became the first South Korean solo artist to reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 with his single "Like Crazy" in April. Jungkook is the sixth member of the septet to debut as a soloist, following J-Hope, Jin, RM, Jimin and Suga.Previously, six BTS songs ― "Dynamite," a remix of "Savage Love," "Life Goes On," "Butter," "Permission to Dance" and "My Universe" ― made it to the top of the Hot 100. The Hot 100 Jul 25, 2023
Monsta X's Joohoney starts military service Joohoney of K-pop boy group Monsta X / Courtesy of Starship EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaJoohoney, a member of K-pop boy group Monsta X, has commenced his mandatory military service. The 29-year-old entered boot camp on Monday and will join the Army as an active duty soldier after completing basic training, according to his management company, Starship Entertainment. The agency did not disclose the place and time of his enlistment to avoid overcrowding. Joohoney, whose real name is Lee Joo-heon, is the third Monsta X member to fulfill his military duty following Shownu and Minhyuk. Shownu finished his service in April, and Minhyuk will return to civilian life in October 2024. “I am not leaving forever, so please don't worry and think of me once a day,” Joohoney said in a handwritten letter to his fans on Monsta X's official fan website on July 11. “Let's put a pause for the time being. I love you.”Joohoney debuted as part of Monsta X in 2015 with the EP, “Trespass.” The group put out a string of hits including, “GAMBLER” (2021) and &ldquJul 24, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
New audition programs for next K-pop stars to air The teaser for SBS's upcoming audition show, “Universe Ticket” / Courtesy of SBSBy Dong Sun-hwaA host of talent search shows to create new K-pop acts will soon hit the air. Local broadcaster SBS will join forces with K-pop management company F&F Entertainment to launch a new audition program titled, “Universe Ticket.” They will pick eight members to join a new girl group, which will be represented by F&F for two and a half years.The girls from 128 countries including New Zealand, Germany, Mexico and India applied for the show, according to SBS. So far, the broadcaster has unveiled the faces of 82 contestants, including Eunchae (Kwon Chae-won) of now-defunct K-pop girl group DIA and trot singer Lim Seo-won. “We were surprised to see so many applicants,” said Lee Hwan-jin, the producer of Universe Ticket. “We could again realize K-pop's global clout. We believe our program will help K-pop gain a foothold to take a further leap.” “Universe Ticket” is scheduled to premiere in November. Another audition program, “FaJul 24, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Girls' Generation's 'Gee' picked as greatest song in K-pop K-pop act Girls' Generation / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaAmerican magazine Rolling Stone has chosen “Gee,” the 2009 release by Girls' Generation, as the greatest song in K-pop history. The tune ranked first on its “The 100 Best Korean Pop Songs of All Time” list unveiled last week. “This enduring hit overflows with rapidly repeated syllables, every utterance becoming an onomatopoeic expression of joy,” said Rolling Stone. “Like no other K-pop song before it ― or since ― it's a pure distillation of the giddiness of infatuation … 14 years after it came out, 'Gee' still feels like a revelation, and that's because love always does too.”Trailing behind were “Candy” (1996) by boy group H.O.T., “Good Day” (2010) by songstress IU and “Spring Day” (2017) by boy band BTS. Rolling Stone said that “Candy” set the bar for all other sweet summertime earworms of K-pop boybands to come while describing “Good Day” as a bouncy, sweet tune, bolstered with orchestral instrumJul 23, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
NewJeans to release new EP 'Get Up' ahead of 1st anniv. K-pop girl group NewJeans is seen in this photo provided by ADOR. YonhapK-pop girl group NewJeans will drop its second EP, titled "Get Up," on Friday, the band's agency said.The album will hit music services worldwide at 1 p.m., a day before the band's first anniversary, according to ADOR.The group's last release was "OMG," a single released in January.The new album will have six songs, including three leading tracks ― "Super Shy," "Cool With You" and "ETA."NewJeans said it will maintain their signature trendy and "easy listening" style from previous albums."We have so far tried to show our true selves as NewJeans," the group said through the agency. "We want to continue pursuing new music that everyone can comfortably listen to and enjoy in the future."The group also said it has made lots of new attempts with the forthcoming album at the same time.The group had to film music videos and learn choreography for all six tracks, according to member Minji. "In this album, the vocal parts are very different from what we've done before," Hanni said. "The members' airy vocals sound more appeJul 21, 2023
BTS' synergy will be powerful when reunited, says Jungkook BTS' Jungkook poses in a radio booth for BBC Radio 1 “Live Lounge,” July 20. Courtesy of BigHit MusicJungkook of K-pop supergroup BTS has expressed his anticipation for the group's future reunion after all the members complete their military service, saying their synergy will be much more powerful then."It's good that we all have time to grow up individually through our solo projects that reflect our own characteristics and taste," the vocalist said during his appearance on BBC Radio 1's "Live Lounge" on Thursday. "After these times of personal growth, our synergy will be much more powerful as one team. I want to witness that as soon as possible."BTS' Jungkook sings for BBC Radio 1 “Live Lounge,” July 20. Courtesy of BigHit MusicIt marks his second appearance on "Live Lounge" in about two years with his last appearance dating back to 2021 when he performed as part of a group.On Thursday's program, he performed his first solo single, "Seven," and "Let There Be Love," a classic song by the British rock band Oasis."I have been waiting to meet my fans with great sJul 21, 2023
From BBGIRLS to MAMAMOO+, high-profile stars to heat up K-pop scene in August By Dong Sun-hwaAugust is going to be an electrifying month for K-pop lovers around the world, with a legion of K-pop stars including BBGIRLS and MAMAMOO+ gearing up for their August releases. BBGIRLS (Aug. 3)The teaser for K-pop act BBGIRLS' upcoming song / Courtesy of Warner Music KoreaBBGIRLS, formerly known as Brave Girls, are set to release a new song under their new label Warner Music Korea, Aug. 3.Brave Girls were created by Brave Entertainment in 2011 and were rebranded with the current members ― Minyoung, Yujeong, Eunji and Yuna ― in 2016. The group was catapulted to fame in 2021 with the belated success of its 2017 summer anthem, “Rollin,'” but Brave Entertainment said in February that the quartet decided to part ways with the company following contract termination. Many fans were anxious that the group would disband, but its members soon heralded their new beginning, revealing that they had signed exclusive contracts with Warner Music Korea, a subsidiary of the American global music conglomerate. The group also changed its name to BBGIRLS. To whet its fans' appeJul 20, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
