NCT DREAM to release mini-album 'Candy' for winter season A teaser image for NCT DREAM's upcoming mini-album “Candy” / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Kim RahnK-pop boy band NCT DREAM will drop a mini-album for the year-end holiday season. Its agency, SM Entertainment, said on Friday that the group will release the special six-track winter mini-album, titled “Candy,” at 6 p.m. on Dec. 16 to streaming platforms. The title track with the same name as the album, is a remake of first-generation K-pop boy band H.O.T.'s 1996 hit song.“NCT DREAM has reinterpreted the original song, which has long been loved, with its own fresh color. We believe 'Candy' will entertain both older and younger generations,” the agency said in a release.The hard copy of the album will be available starting Dec. 19, and reservations will start on Nov. 21 at both online and offline record shops.In March, NCT DREAM, a sub-unit of SM's boy band NCT, dropped its second studio album, “Glitch Mode.” It sold 3.61 million copies, making another 3 million mark following its first studio album released in May last year, “Hot SaNov 18, 2022By Kim Rahn
BTS' Jin to release photo book before joining military BTS member Jin's upcoming photo book, titled "Sea of JIN Island" / Courtesy of Big Hit MusicJin, a member of the K-pop megastar BTS, will put out his individual book of photography next month before joining the military, the group's management agency said Thursday.The photo book, titled "Sea of JIN Island," will come out Dec. 2 as part of the group's "Special 8 Photo-Folio" project launched in September to show off the group members' individual characters and new sides. Three other members ― Jungkook, RM and Jimin ― have published their individual photo books under the project.BTS member Jin's upcoming photo book, titled "Sea of JIN Island" / Courtesy of Big Hit Music"Jin expressed various emotions that can be felt on the sea in this book using three concepts: captain, pirate and fisherman," Big Hit Music said in a press release.Last month, the 29-year-old singer announced his decision to serve in the military, practically ending a controversy over whether BTS should be granted an exemption from active military duty for its extraordinary contribution to the field of art. He later revNov 17, 2022
Stray Kids become 'triple million-seller' for first time K-pop boy group Stray Kids / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentStray Kids' latest album "Maxident" has sold a cumulative 3 million copies, setting the best record for the band and all K-pop acts managed by JYP Entertainment, the agency said Thursday.The EP released on Oct. 7 hit the milestone exactly after a month, JYP said quoting data from Circle Chart, a local album sales tracker.K-pop boy group Stray Kids poses for the camera during an online press conference for its seventh EP "Maxident," Oct. 7. YonhapThis made Stray Kids the second K-pop act to surpass 3 million copies in sales of an album, following BTS.Debuting in 2018, Stray Kids have been known for their intense stage performances and unique music style. Last month, the eight-piece group scored their second No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in their career with the EP. The group first entered the chart in March with the previous EP "Oddinary." (Yonhap)Nov 17, 2022
BTS receives multiple 2023 Grammy nominations K-pop boy group BTS / NewsisKorean supergroup BTS has been nominated in multiple categories of the 2023 Grammy Awards, becoming the first K-pop act to receive a Grammy nomination for three consecutive years.The septet was nominated for the best pop duo or group performance for "My Universe," along with British rock band Coldplay, and best music video for "Yet to Come," during the official Grammy nomination ceremony livestreamed by the U.S. Recording Academy on Tuesday (U.S. time).But the total number of nods the band got this time can increase to three if the nomination of "Music of the Spheres," the ninth studio album by the British band, for the album of the year is counted. The album includes "My Universe," the band's collaborative single with BTS.Album of the year is one of Grammy's big four prizes in the general fields section, along with record of the year, song of the year and best new artist. If Coldplay wins the award, BTS will be listed as a recipient under changes in eligibility rules of the prize announced by the Recording Academy last year. The new rules say artists, feaNov 16, 2022
K-pop meets K-literature 'Collaboration of K-pop, K-literature is a win-win for both'By Dong Sun-hwaThe experimental spirit of the K-pop industry is already well-known, and industry insiders are always enthusiastic about finding innovative new ways to add new value to their music offerings. Most recently, the eyes of some of the biggest players have been focused on Korean literature, with many of them seeking collaborations with high-profile novelists.Last month, rookie K-pop girl group Le Sserafim ― comprising of Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha and Hong Eun-chae ― and its management company HYBE made headlines for teaming up with Kim Cho-yeop, a novelist known for her best-selling 2021 science fiction “Greenhouse at the End of the Earth.” The writer wrote a prologue for “Crimson Heart,” a fictional story featuring the five Le Sserafim members. The story was made into a booklet that was included in the quintet's second mini-album, “ANTIFRAGILE,” which hit shelves on Oct. 17.Scenes from “Crimson Heart” / Courtesy of HYBEThe prologue of “Crimson HNov 15, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
Seller of BTS member Jungkook's lost hat referred to prosecution Jungkook, a member of K-pop superband BTS / YonhapPolice on Tuesday referred to the prosecution a former foreign ministry employee accused of attempting to sell BTS member Jungkook's lost hat online, officials said. The suspect put a bucket hat up for sale on an online secondhand market on Oct. 17, saying it was left by Jungkook at the ministry building in Seoul when he visited to apply for a passport. It was priced at 10 million won ($7,562).After the post caused a stir, the seller deleted it and surrendered voluntarily to the police the following day. The Seocho Police Station in Seoul investigated the case and handed the suspect over to the prosecution on the charge of embezzlement without detention.During the police investigation, the seller admitted to the charge and returned the hat. The person quit the ministry before uploading the post, according to the police.The K-pop group's agency confirmed to the police that the hat belonged to Jungkook and that he lost it at the ministry building. (Yonhap)Nov 15, 2022
After eventful three years, EXO's Chen wants to begin anew with 3rd EP A photo of K-pop group EXO's Chen / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentChen, a member of popular K-pop boy group EXO, said Monday he has experienced much change in his life in the past three years and wants to show himself as he is now through his upcoming release."For me, this album means a new beginning," the vocalist said during an online press conference to promote "Last Scene," his third EP set to drop at 6 p.m.The EP marks his first individual project since "Dear My Dear," his second EP released in October 2019.He has built a strong global fandom based on his remarkable vocal skills since his debut as an EXO member in 2012. He, however, began walking an unlikely path for many K-pop idols in 2020 ― with marriage, childbirth and military service.In January that year, he surprised his fans by announcing a plan to get married and that he was expecting a baby. He then fathered a second child this year while serving in the military. He was discharged from the Army in April.A photo of K-pop group EXO's Chen / Courtesy of SM Entertainment"I've changed a lot through all the experiences that I Nov 14, 2022
BLACKPINK, Seventeen win 2 awards each at MTV EMAs K-pop girl group BLACKPINK / Courtesy of YG Entertainment By Kim RahnK-pop girl group BLACKPINK and boy band Seventeen have clinched two awards each at the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMAs). During the award ceremony held in Dusseldorf, Germany, Sunday (local time), BLACKPINK won the Best Metaverse Performance category for its virtual performance on PUBG Mobile, a virtual in-game concert held in the Battlegrounds mobile game. The four-piece act bagged a prize for the same category at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) held in New Jersey back in August.“We're so grateful to have won the EMA for Best Metaverse Performance this year. We had so much fun working on this project and we're so happy that our fans enjoyed it as much as we did,” the group said in its acceptance speech released through a video.BLACKPINK member Lisa also took the award for the Best K-Pop category. Nov 14, 2022By Kim Rahn
BTS' Jin to enter front-line military unit possibly next month Jin of the global K-pop sensation BTS / NewsisJin, a member of the K-pop superband BTS, is expected to serve in a military unit near South Korea's border with North Korea, the singer has said, with his enlistment expected within next month.The 29-year-old unveiled the information Sunday when a fan on Weverse, a K-pop fan community platform, asked whether he is excited about his upcoming birthday. "No... I've been told to go to the front line," he said.He appears to have received notification to report for duty, which requires him to go to a boot camp in a front-line area within next month, considering that his birthday is on Dec. 4.The band's agency, Big Hit Music, did not disclose the exact date or place of his enlistment, however.The vocalist announced his plan to serve in the military after the band's one-day concert in the southern port city of Busan last month. After returning from Buenos Aires, where he gave his first live performance of his solo debut single "The Astronaut" during a concert of British rock band Coldplay, he filed a request with the military to revoke his delayNov 14, 2022
BTS' Jungkook to perform at 2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony Jungkook of the global K-pop sensation BTS / Courtesy of HYBEJungkook of the global K-pop sensation BTS will take the stage for the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Nov. 20, his agency has said."Jungkook will be part of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Soundtrack and will perform at the World Cup opening ceremony. Please look forward to it," Big Hit Music said on social media Sunday.This photo shows people in Doha, Qatar, as the 2022 World Cup approaches / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukThe singer has proved his global popularity as a solo artist, not just as a BTS member, with "Left and Right," his collaborative single with American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, making a long run on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. (Yonhap)Nov 14, 2022
