BLACKPINK to headline British Summer Time Hyde Park festival next year BLACKPINK /Courtesy of YG Entertainment K-pop sensation BLACKPINK will headline British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park in London next year, the group's agency and the festival announced Saturday.The four-member act will perform at the major British music festival on July 2, 2023, becoming the first Korean artists to perform in the event, YG Entertainment said. "The unstoppable BLACKPINK are your next headliners for American Express presents BST Hyde Park," the festival's organizer said. The full supporting lineup will be announced later.In 2019, BLACKPINK became the first K-pop girl group to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the United States. BST Hyde Park, launched in 2013, is held over two or three weekends once a year. Its headliners included Celine Dion, the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Barbra Streisand, Lionel Richie, Taylor Swift and Adele. The event reportedly drew 65,000 fans in 2022. (Yonhap)Oct 22, 2022
ITZY releases English-language single By Lee Gyu-leeK-pop girl group ITZY has dropped its new English-language single, “Boys Like You,” Friday, about a year after releasing the English version of the group's hit song, “LOCO.”The poster for K-pop group ITZY's new English-language single, “Boys Like You” / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentThe group's new single is a punk rock-style pop genre song and is co-written by Swedish songwriters Didrik Thott and Sebastian Thott, who wrote its previous song, “SNEAKERS.”“The song is about sending a message that 'I won't fall for a boy like you ever again' to the person who betrayed you,” the group's agency, JYP Entertainment, said. The five-piece group ― comprised of Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, Yuna and Lia ― debuted in 2019 with the single, “Dalla Dalla.” It soon shot to stardom as the first girl group of JYP Entertainment since TWICE, topping a local music show in 10 days with the song. The group released a string of hit songs, including "Icy" (2019) and "Not Shy" (2020), and made it onto Billboard's main albums charOct 21, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW DREAMCATCHER: a standout in K-pop scene returns with signature rock sound Members of K-pop girl group DREAMCATCHER wave during a recent interview with The Korea Times at a studio in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. Korea Times photo by Yun Da-beenK-pop girl group drops 7th mini-album, 'Apocalypse : Follow us'By Dong Sun-hwaWearing heavy stage makeup and glamorous accessories, the seven members of K-pop girl group DREAMCATCHERS ― Jiu, Sua, Siyeon, Handong, Yoohyeon, Dami and Gahyeon ― seemed unapproachable when they first arrived at a studio in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, for an interview with The Korea Times, shortly after performing its new song, “Vision,” on a Korean music show. However, that viewpoint changed in less than a minute as they began exchanging greetings with people on the spot. Despite their hectic schedules, all of them were lively and were willing to talk as much as possible about their new EP, “Apocalypse : Follow us,” that hit shelves on Oct. 11.Since its debut in 2014, DREAMCATCHER has been a standout in the K-pop universe as it opted for a music genre that a girl group rarely pulls off: rock. Most of its Oct 21, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
Jin of BTS collaborates with Coldplay for first official solo track The teaser poster for BTS member Jin's solo single, “The Astronaut,” co-written with British band Coldplay / Screenshot from BTS' Twitter accountBy Kim RahnJin of K-pop juggernaut BTS and British rock band Coldplay have collaborated for Jin's first solo single, “The Astronaut,” his agency said Thursday. According to Big Hit Music, Coldplay has participated in the song, set for release on Oct. 28, as co-writer of the music and lyrics as well as a player. The agency uploaded a teaser poster for the upcoming single track on the group's social media channels.Jin of BTS, right, poses with Chris Martin of Coldplay after receiving Martin's guitar as a present in this September 2021 photo. Screenshot from BTS' Twitter account“Jin and Coldplay will show a different charm and fantastic synergy through 'The Astronaut,'” the agency said in a release.At the Oct. 15 concert in Busan, Jin hinted at the collaboration by saying, “I've come to roll out a song in collaboration with the people I like.”It will be the second BTS-related collaboration for theOct 20, 2022By Kim Rahn
BTS' Jin to release first solo single 'The Astronaut' on Oct. 28 Jin of K-pop titan BTS and his version of ARMY's room / Courtesy of HYBEJin of K-pop supergroup BTS will drop his first solo single, titled "The Astronaut," on Oct. 28, his agency said Wednesday.The song will make Jin the second BTS member to debut as an individual artist, following J-Hope, Big Hit Music said on Weverse, a K-pop fan community platform.J-Hope dropped his first solo album "Jack in the Box" in July, becoming the first member from the septet to go solo."The Astronaut" will likely be the last song from Jin before he goes to the military.Jin made a surprise announcement of his upcoming release during the band's concert in the southeastern port city of Busan on Saturday, saying he came to release a song with the help of a person he personally likes. He did not give any further details.On Monday, the agency said the 29-year-old singer, whose full Korean name is Kim Seok-jin, will forego the delay of his enlistment at the end of this month and take steps to enlist. In Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for about two years. But Jin, born in 1992, Oct 19, 2022
BTS members can join 'national, public good' events during military service: defense ministry A photo of BTS member Jin, captured from the group's official website / YonhapMembers of K-pop super group BTS will be able to participate in "national" events for the "public good" even while serving in the military, the defense ministry said Tuesday.Col. Moon Hong-sik, the ministry's acting spokesperson, made the remarks a day after Big Hit Music, the band's agency, said all BTS members will fulfill their military service, starting with the eldest member, Jin."Our position is that we will provide an opportunity if they wish to participate when there is a national-level event for the public good or an event designed in light of the national interest," Moon told a regular press briefing.He added that such an opportunity can be granted to other service members under current regulations. Earlier this month, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup told a parliamentary audit that BTS members will be able to join even overseas performances during their military service All able-bodied Korean men are obliged to complete around 18 months of military service between ages 18 and 28 under the ConstitutiOct 18, 2022
BTS fans support group members' decision to fulfill military service A BTS fan holds a sign before the K-pop boy group's “Yet to Come in Busan” concert in the port city, Saturday. The sign reads: “We ARMY (BTS' fan club) are here, so BTS you don't worry.” YonhapBy Kim RahnFans of K-pop juggernaut BTS have expressed positive responses in general to the announcement by its agency, Big Hit Music, that the members of the boy band will fulfill their mandatory military service, starting with the oldest member Jin. Tired of years of debate about whether to exempt them from duty because of their contribution to the country's image, they say it will be better for the group and its agency to settle the issue, so that there will be no more controversy or uncertainty about their future.On Weverse, a K-pop fan community platform, the most posted words after BTS' announcement that the members will fulfill their military duty were, “(I'll be) waiting” and “(I) support (the decision).”“I'll wait until all of the seven members will finish their service and return as a group,” one fan wrote on Weverse.“IOct 18, 2022By Kim Rahn
Why did BTS decide to fulfill military service? K-pop boy band BTS / Courtesy of HybeThe music industry sees K-pop superstar BTS' abrupt decision Monday to fulfill its members' military duty was aimed at keeping the group's promise to society and drawing a big picture to become a long-running group.Regarding the military service issue, the members of BTS have maintained the position that they will voluntarily go to the military when the time comes. During a press conference to mark the release of the group's fourth full-length album in February 2020, Jin said, "I think military service is a duty as a Korean citizen, and I will respond at any time if the country calls."He made a similar response when asked by a U.S. broadcaster about a year earlier, saying he and his bandmates are ready to run and do their best when are called by the state.Another member, Suga, briefly touched on the topic of the band's military service in "What Do You Think?," a track off his unofficial solo mixtape released in May 2020. The lyrics he wrote for the song go: "Woo woo, we'll be sure to go to the military when it's time, so all the bastards who triedOct 17, 2022
Jin of BTS to fulfill mandatory military service from end of this year Jin of K-pop group BTS / Courtesy of HYBEOther members to follow suit, hope to resume group activity in 2025By Kim RahnJin, the oldest member of K-pop juggernaut BTS, will begin his compulsory military duty soon, the group's agency, Big Hit Music, said, Monday. The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions at the National Assembly on revising the Military Service Act to exempt the seven members of the boy band from military service to recognize their contribution to the country's culture industry, or at least to partially allow their group activities during the service.Big Hit Music made a public announcement: “Jin will apply to cancel the delay of his military service at the end of this month and follow the Military Manpower Administration's (MMA) conscription procedure afterward.”The agency said the other members will fulfill their duty one by one according to their individual plans, adding they thought it is the right time to make the announcement after finishing a concert in Busan on Saturday to support the city's bid to host World Expo 2030.“The agency and thOct 17, 2022By Kim Rahn
BTS members to fulfill military service starting with oldest member Jin Jin, a member of K-pop band BTS / AP-YonhapK-pop supergroup BTS on Monday announced that all its members will fulfill their military service starting with the oldest member Jin, the band's agency said Monday."Jin will revoke his request to delay his conscription at the end of this month and will follow conscription procedures required by the Military Manpower Administration," Big Hit Music said in a public notice to the local bourse. "Other members will fulfill their military duty in turn according to their individual plans."Jin, born in 1992, had his conscription delayed till the end of this year under the Military Service Act revised in 2020.BTS member Jin during the band's concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday (local time) / Courtesy of Big Hit MusicIn Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for about two years. But the current law allows global award-winning athletes and classical musicians recommended by the minister of culture, sports and tourism to do alternative services in their respective fields instead of serving in active military duOct 17, 2022
