Boy group INFINITE to release new album after five years K-pop boy group INFINITE / Courtesy of Woollim EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop boy band INFINITE is poised to put out a new album on July 31, about five years after the release of its previous album, “Top Seed” in 2018.Its agency, INFINITE Company, floated a teaser on the group's official Twitter, Friday. INFINITE Company is a record label established by the six INFINITE members: Sungkyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Sungyeol, L and Sungjong. The CEO is Sungkyu, the frontman of INFINITE. The teaser features INFINITE's logo against a black backdrop. It also includes a message that reads, “Coming Soon, 2023. 07. 31,” but does not provide details about the upcoming album. INFINITE is scheduled to stage a series of concerts after making its comeback. It will perform in Seoul on August 19-20, before heading to Yokohama, Taipei and Macau. It has taken seven years for the group to hold a solo concert since its last show in 2016. "We could not perform as a sextet for a long time due to our compulsory military service,” Sungkyu said during a press event on June 28, which Jul 8, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
INTERVIEW Now it's rookie boy band 8TURN's turn to 'Excel' A teaser for K-pop boy group 8TURN's new mini-album, “Uncharted Drift” / Courtesy of MNH Entertainment8TURN returns with new hip-hop song 'Excel' By Dong Sun-hwaHow is the Korean dish budae jjigae (or “army base stew”) similar to K-pop boy group 8TURN? At a glance, the popular stew ― made with canned ham, sausages, vegetables, baked beans, instant noodles, kimchi and gochujang (red chili paste) ― seems irrelevant to the fledgling K-pop act that just arrived on the music scene.However, 8TURN's Korean Kiwi leader Jaeyun drew parallels between the two during a recent interview with The Korea Times, saying both of them are emblematic of diversity and harmony. “Budae jjigae combines various ingredients together, but still creates a great harmony of flavors,” he said in an interview at a studio in Gangnam, southern Seoul. “Likewise, all 8TURN members have different looks and distinctive characters, but we can still form harmony and display solid teamwork.”After likening themselves to different ingredients such as sausages and noodles, the eigJul 7, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
NewJeans prereleases 2 tracks on upcoming EP K-pop girl group NewJeans / Courtesy of ADORK-pop girl group NewJeans on Friday released "New Jeans," a song to be included in its forthcoming second EP.The song has a unique composition alternating between U.K. garage rhythm and Jersey club rhythm with smart lyrics and utilizes the team's name."Super Shy," another prerelease song unveiled together with "New Jeans," features the members' unique voices and refreshful and bouncy charms. The music video for "New Jeans" was uploaded on YouTube at midnight.The new EP, titled "Get Up," will hit various music services on July 21. (Yonhap)Jul 7, 2023
Le Sserafim tops Japan's rookie sales chart in first half of 2023 Le Sserafim recorded sales totaling 1.18 billion yen in the first half of the year. Courtesy of Source MusicBy Hong Hye-minK-pop girl group Le Sserafim has taken Japan by storm, topping the country's rookie charts and recording sales worth 1.18 billion yen in the first six months of the year.On Monday, Oricon released its mid-year charts covering the period between December 12, 2022 and June 11, 2023, where Le Sserafim was named the top-selling rookie artist in the first half of 2023. Oricon has been releasing its mid-year charts, which compile revenues from singles, albums, streaming platforms and DVDs among others, since 2018. Oricon announced on its website that Le Sserafim had logged sales worth 1.18 billion yen during the six-month period, becoming the first newcomer to ever top the 1 billion yen mark.Le Sserafim's popularity was mainly driven by its Japanese debut single “Fearless” released in January earlier this year. It topped Oricon's weekly and combined weekly singles charts on February 6, setting a new record for the highest first-week sales by a K-pop artist Jul 6, 2023
2PM member Nichkhun's first Hollywood film to hit theaters A scene from the upcoming movie, “The Modelizer” / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment, Berton Chang By Dong Sun-hwa“The Modelizer,” a rom-com marking the Hollywood debut of Thai K-pop star Nichkhun, will be released in North America, July 14. Set in Hong Kong, the upcoming film follows a young Hong Kong tycoon named Shawn Koo (Byron Mann) and a Brazilian model named Camila Oliveira (Rayssa Bratillieri), who fall for each other despite their polar opposite personalities. In the movie, Nichkhun, a member of K-pop boy group 2PM, assumes the role of Bucky, a close friend of Shawn. Bucky and Shawn almost end their friendship because of Camila, but they later manage to mend things. “The Modelizer” is helmed by American director Keoni Waxman, who was behind the success of the 2009 movie, “The Keeper.” It is produced and written by Hong Kong-American actor Byron Mann, best known for his role in the Netflix series, “Wu Assassins.” Nichkhun, whose full name is Nichkhun Buck HorvejJul 5, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Fifty Fifty's 'Barbie Dreams' music video canceled amid court battle ATTRAKT has released a statement regarding the cancellation of Fifty Fifty's planned music video for the song “Barbie Dreams” which features in the soundtrack of the forthcoming film “Barbie.” Courtesy of ATTRAKTBy Jung Han-byulFifty Fifty's agency has opened up about the cancellation of producing a music video for the girl group's song “Barbie Dreams” which features in the soundtrack of the soon-to-be-released film “Barbie.”On Tuesday, a representative from ATTRAKT told the Hankook Ilbo, “It is true that Fifty Fifty hasn't filmed the music video for the new “Barbie” film's soundtrack. Aran was ill and underwent surgery recently, so we weren't able to work out a schedule given her two-month timetable for recovery.”Fifty Fifty has been on break since May as Aran continues to recover from her operation. Regardless, an announcement from ATTRAKT in late May that Fifty Fifty would be releasing the track “Barbie Dreams” for the popular doll-themed movie had many fans buzzing over the group's return.However,Jul 5, 2023
PSY's Summer Swag show kicks off with a bang Singer PSY performs during the Summer Swag 2023 show at Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium in southern Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of P NATIONSome 30,000 fans flock to PSY's Friday show By Dong Sun-hwaMost global audiences associate PSY with his 2012 viral hit, “Gangnam Style.” But for his Korean followers, the 45-year-old is not just Gangnam Style's singer, but a born performer with tireless energy who cools them off with his Summer Swag show every summer. Launched in 2011, the Summer Swag concert is one of the most popular and crowded summer events in Korea, which draws some 30,000 people per day. It is a water-drench party where the audience can enjoy PSY's performances to the fullest without being bothered by the sweltering heat. Clad in blue outfits and accessories, people of all ages enthusiastically sing and dance along with the veteran singer, who has dropped a string of hits like “Entertainer” (2006) and “That That” (2022) since his debut in 1999. Some 30,000 people pack Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium in southern Seoul, Friday, to attend PSY's Summer SwJul 2, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS ARMY most loyal fandom in US: survey BTS fans gather during the group's 10th Anniversary Festa at Seoul's Yeouido Hangang Park on June 17. AP-YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop titan BTS' global fan base, ARMY, is the most devoted fandom in the U.S., according to a recent survey conducted by local travel information provider Upgraded Points. It asked 3,192 Americans how far they would travel to see their favorite stars and how much they would pay to attend their concerts. Upgraded Points revealed that ARMY garnered a loyalty score of 88.4 out of 100, edging out the fandoms of the late singer Michael Jackson (76.8 percent) and singer-songwriter Elton John (66.4), among others. It also outperformed the fan bases of pop stars Lady Gaga (63.3 percent) and Taylor Swift (60.0). BTS followers are also willing to travel an average of 2,040 miles to attend a concert performed by the septet, Upgraded Points added. “This is the farthest of any fan base,” it explained. “BTS fans are also the most likely to follow them from city to city (62.5 percent), compared to just 32.2 percent of fans who would go to multiple cities tJul 2, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop group XG kicks off comeback with 'GRL GVNG' single pre-release Album cover of XG's first mini-album “GRL GVNG” / Courtesy of XGALXBy Jung Han-byulK-pop group XG has kick-started their much-anticipated comeback with the pre-release of their single “GRL GVNG.” The track is set to be a part of their first mini-album, marking a notable step forward in their musical journey.“GRL GVNG” was unveiled on Friday, stirring high hopes and excitement among fans for their upcoming mini-album.XG members chose “GRL GVNG” as the title of their debut mini-album for the resonance it creates with the group's unique persona. As trendsetters in the hip-hop R&B scene, “GRL GVNG” is a prime example of the group's incomparable and uncompromising musical style. It is a reflection of XG's evolving identity, demonstrating its commitment to originality and creative independence.“GRL GVNG” offers a distinctive auditory experience, characterized by the sounds of an intense siren that echoes the howling of a wolf, paying homage to XG's fan club, ALPHAZ. This sonic element seamlessly harmonizes with a mJun 30, 2023
BTS' Jungkook to make official solo debut next month This photo shows the online cover image for BTS member Jungkook's first official solo single, "Seven," set to arrive July 14. YonhapJungkook of K-pop supergroup BTS announced Friday he will drop his first official solo song next month.The track, titled "Seven," will arrive on July 14 at 1 p.m., the vocalist said on Weverse, Hybe's K-pop fan community platform. It is an invigorating, summery song that will make BTS fans feel the full breadth of the member's charm, according to the band's agency, BigHit Music.He also unveiled the cover image of the digital single featuring its title "Seven" and his English name overlapped with the number "7" on a white background.The upcoming release will make him the sixth BTS member of the septet to debut as a soloist, following J-Hope, Jin, RM, Jimin and Suga.Jungkook previously released his solo track "Dreamers," featuring Qatari artist Fahad Al Kubaisi, for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November. He performed the song during the international soccer tournament's opening ceremony. (Yonhap)Jun 30, 2023
