Hwaeom Temple causes stir for leaking details about BTS leader's visit RM of K-pop boy band BTS / Courtesy of Big Hit MusicBy Dong Sun-hwaHwaeom Temple in South Jeolla Province has stirred up criticisms after it leaked details about BTS leader RM's visit on Dec. 29. After some parts of a private conversation during his visit with the head monk named Deokmun made headlines, the K-pop superstar took to social media to express disappointment. “I appreciate the good time I had, but did not expect that news stories would be published,” RM wrote on Instagram, Thursday. “Next time, I will quietly pay a visit to another temple.”He also added the hashtag, “#lowkeymustbelowkey.”Hwaeom Temple revealed Wednesday that RM came to the temple with a music producer to relax and find musical inspiration. It also disclosed some parts of a talk he had with Deokmun, who reportedly asked him whether he was upset that BTS did not receive an exemption from mandatory military service. BTS' oldest member, Jin, 30, enlisted on Dec. 13.RM reportedly told the monk he would like to fulfil his duty as a citizen of Korea, adding that one can claim hJan 6, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Boy group Astro's Moonbin & Sanha hopes its songs permeate like 'scent' This photo provided by Fantagio shows members of Moonbin & Sanha, a unit of the K-pop boy group Astro, performing on stage, Jan. 4. YonhapMoonbin & Sanha, a unit of K-pop boy group Astro, expressed hope its songs can permeate into listeners like a "scent" and make them happy, as the unit was to drop its third EP on Wednesday.For "Incense," the album set to hit music services at 6 p.m., the two members presented a concept of alluring perfumers. "We came to decide on the 'perfumer' concept, inspired by the act of spreading perfume right before performing on stage," Moonbin said during a media showcase in Seoul to promote the upcoming album."We hope to imprint the scent of Moonbin & Sanha in people through this album and want them to think, 'The two people's scent was like this' when they listen to new music from us in the future," Sanha said, laughing.Members of Moonbin & Sanha, a unit of the K-pop boy group Astro, pose for the camera during a media showcase in Seoul for their third EP, "Incense," in this photo provided by Fantagio, Jan. 4. YonhapThe EP has a total of sJan 4, 2023
BIGBANG's Taeyang to drop collaboration single with BTS' Jimin This image provided by The Black Label shows the promotional poster for Taeyang's upcoming single "Vibe" featuring BTS' Jimin. YonhapBoy group BIGBANG's Taeyang will release a collaborative song with BTS' Jimin next week, his agency said Wednesday.The BLACK Label released a teaser image featuring the two singers on social media, along with the announcement that the new single "Vibe" will hit music services on Jan. 13.It will be the first release from Taeyang since January 2018, when he dropped "Louder," a song for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.Taeyang debuted as a BIGBANG member in 2006 and has led a successful career also working as a soloist with such hits as "Only Look At Me," "Eyes, Nose, Lips" and "Ringa Linga." He recently left his longtime agency, YG Entertainment, to sign with the current agency. (Yonhap)Jan 4, 2023
K-pop concert-specific venues to open in Seoul metropolitan area A rendering of the proposed design of Inspire Arena / Courtesy of Hanwha Hotels & ResortsKorea in process of building more concert-specific arenasBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop fans will soon be able to enjoy more quality performances at new concert-specific arenas in the Seoul metropolitan area, with three large venues slated to open over the next few years. This year, the 15,000-seat Inspire Arena will begin operations in Incheon, west of Seoul. The performance hall is part of Inspire Entertainment Resort ― a casino resort by U.S. operator Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment ― which will be set up near Incheon International Airport.According to the company, Inspire Arena will be equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system as well as monitors that will ensure visibility for all audience members. “We will install the up-to-date sound system provided by global audio manufacturer Meyer Sound,” a company official was quoted as saying. Founded in 1979, Meyer Sound is known as a leader in self-powered loudspeaker systems and active acoustics. To date, most K-pop stars have staged tJan 4, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
BLACKPINK's 'Ddu-du Ddu-du' video tops 2 bil. YouTube views This image commemorates 2 billion YouTube views for BLACKPINK's hit single, "Ddu-du Ddu-du." Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBLACKPINK's megahit single "Ddu-du Ddu-du" has set a YouTube record for most views for a video by a K-pop group, the quartet's agency said Wednesday.YG Entertainment said the music video surpassed 2 billion views shortly before 9 a.m. The clip was first released on July 15, 2018."Ddu-du Ddu-du," the title track off the group's 2018 mini album "Square Up," surpassed the 1 billion mark in November 2019. It was the world's most-viewed K-pop music video in 2018.The single peaked at No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100, then the highest position by a K-pop girl group on the main singles chart. (Yonhap)Jan 4, 2023
YG Entertainment seeks leap forward with return of founder Members of YG Entertainment's new girl group BABYMONSTER / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentYG's stock price rises after it unveils blueprint for 2023By Dong Sun-hwaWill 2023 become a banner year for K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment? YG, one of the most influential record labels in the K-pop world, unveiled Sunday the seven members who will be part of its new girl group, BABYMONSTER. It is the company's first all-female act in seven years, following the debut of BLACKPINK in 2016. In a short video posted on YG's official YouTube channel, founder Yang Hyun-suk described BABYMONSTER as a group of “babies with YG's DNA.”“I hope the members can wow the world in the way they surprised me with their monthly performances over the past four years,” said Yang, who was introduced as YG's chief producer in the clip. “Please evaluate them based on what you can see and hear from them.” It was not only his announcement but also his appearance in YG's video that immediately made headlines, as it was Yang's first public appearance in nearly four years after he steppedJan 3, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
BLACKPINK's Jisoo to make solo debut this year K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's Jisoo / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentJisoo will become the last member of the top K-pop girl group BLACKPINK to debut as a soloist this year, the group's agency said Monday. "BLACKPINK's Jisoo is now stepping up work to record her solo album," YG Entertainment said in a release."She has been working on music from time to time and finished shooting for photos for the album's cover in order to keep her promise with fans while being under a tight schedule for the team's world tour. She will soon visit you with good news," it added.The three other members of the quartet ― Jennie, Rose and Lisa ― have debuted as soloists.BLACKPINK is currently on a large-scale world tour that's expected to attract some 1.5 million global fans. The group finished the North American and European legs of the tour last year, and will perform in Asia and Oceania in the first half of this year. (Yonhap)Jan 2, 2023
NewJeans release new single 'OMG' K-pop girl group NewJeans / Courtesy of ADORK-pop rookie NewJeans will put out a new single, titled "OMG," Monday after a successful debut year, the group's agency said.According to ADOR, "OMG" is a bouncy and exciting hip-hop RB song that mixes hip-hop drum and percussion sounds with UK garage and trap rhythmsIts lyrics depict a strange sense of distance, caution and unfamiliarity that coexists in a girl's mind with the desire to get close to her love interest, the agency said.K-pop girl group NewJeans / Courtesy of ADORThe five-piece multinational group debuted with its first EP, "New Jeans," in July and rose to stardom as "Attention" and "Hype Boy," two of the album's three main tracks, dominated local music charts."Ditto," a new song released last month, also topped charts of major music streaming services, including Melon. It also reached No. 17 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. and No. 36 on the Billboard Global 200.The song will be included in the upcoming single album set to be out at 6 p.m. (Yonhap)Jan 2, 2023
'Let's plant trees': SM Entertainment spearheads green movement in K-pop industry SM Entertainment Founder/Executive Producer Lee Soo-man speaks during the “SM Sustainability Forum,” Sunday. Courtesy of SM EntertainmentSM holds 'Sustainability Forum,' free online concert on the first day of 2023By Dong Sun-hwaUshering in 2023, K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment has vowed to tackle the climate crisis and ensure environmental sustainability in cooperation with its artists and their international fans. Its first step is to plant trees, according to the company's founder and executive producer Lee Soo-man.“A song can change one's life. In the same way, one tree can change the world,” Lee said during the “SM Sustainability Forum” that took place online, Sunday. This is the first time that a Korean entertainment company has organized such an event, which was livestreamed to some 470,000 people in 105 countries on YouTube.“Planting trees can reduce carbon emissions and prevent desertification,” he explained. “So the tree-planting movement led by K-pop and hallyu, or the Korean Wave, can become a catalyst for a better, Jan 1, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
After BIGBANG, boy group iKON to leave YG Entertainment K-pop group iKON / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentAll six members of K-pop boy group iKON will leave YG Entertainment with the expiration of their seven-year contracts with the agency, the company said Friday."After a long discussion about their future activities with iKON members (Bobby, Jay, June, Song, DK and Chan), we have agreed to end the exclusive management contracts with them in respect of each other's opinions," YG Entertainment said in a press release.It expressed thanks to the band for being with the agency as its artist and said it will support the band's activities in various fields in the future.IKON debuted in 2015 as a seven-member group with the digital single "My Type" and has released hit songs, such as "Rhythm Ta," "Love Scenario" and "Killing Me." The team leader B.I, however, left the group over a drug scandal in 2019. In September last year, he was sentenced to three years of imprisonment, suspended for four years, for his purchase of marijuana and LSD in 2016. Bobby of K-pop boy group iKON / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentAlso in 2021, member Bobby puzzled fans by Dec 30, 2022
