'Im Nayeon': TWICE's Nayeon shows who she is with her 1st solo EP Nayeon of K-pop girl group TWICE poses during a press conference in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaIt has taken about seven years for Nayeon to go solo since her 2015 debut as part of K-pop girl group TWICE. But the 26-year-old singer, whose first solo EP “Im Nayeon” came out on Friday afternoon (KST), believes it is not too late.“We have achieved many feats over the past few years as a group and I believe now is a very good time for us to start solo projects and showcase our various sides,” Nayeon said during a press conference at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul hotel on Friday morning. Since debuting in 2015, TWICE has dropped a series of chart-topping hits such as “Cheer Up” (2016), and recently became the first K-pop girl group to hold a concert in a U.S. stadium. “As I geared up for my first solo mini-album, I think I pushed the envelope,” she said. “I was afraid of singing alone in the past as I was not used to this, but this time, I learned a way to do so and also realized how much I love singing.&Jun 24, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS' Jungkook drops collaborative single with U.S. singer-songwriter A promotional image for "Left and Right," a collaborative single between Jungkook, a member of K-pop giant BTS, and famous U.S. singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, provided by provided by Warner Music. YonhapJungkook, a member of K-pop giant BTS, rolled out a collaborative single with U.S. singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, Friday.Produced by Puth, the song, "Left and Right," is an uplifting, summery song featuring the unique styles of the two vocalists.The song will be included on Puth's third full-length album, "Charlie," set for release in the second half of the year, according to Warner Music. The two artists will also unveil a music video for the song.The collaborative single comes days after the South Korean septet announced a plan to take a break from group activities to focus on solo projects.The two artists performed together on stage at a South Korean music awards show in 2018. (Yonhap)Jun 24, 2022
Singer Lee Mu-jin drops first EP since debut Singer-songwriter Lee Mu-jin poses during a press conference to promote his first EP, “Room Vol. 1,” in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Big Planet MadeLee Mu-jin, up-and-coming star best known for "Traffic Light," on Thursday put out his first EP since his debut four years ago.The singer-songwriter debuted in 2018 with "Walk" but first appeared in public on "Sing Again," cable channel JTBC's rebirth talent show for unknown singers, at the end of 2020. The 21-year-old rose to fame when the video clips for some of the songs he sang on the show, including "Is There Anybody," "Whistle" and "Dream," went viral on YouTube. Although he finished the show in third place, he later became more popular than the top two contestants, captivating viewers with his unique soulful voice and modern yet classic vibe.He then swept music charts around the country with "Traffic Light," his self-written first single released in May that year. He later released four more singles, including "The Assignment Song," and sang on the original soundtrack of several popular TV serJun 23, 2022
KARD's new release 'Re:' heralds rebirth of co-ed group From left are BM, Somin, Jiwoo and J.seph, the four members of K-pop group KARD during a media event in Seoul, Wednesday. NewsisBy Dong Sun-hwa“Re:” ― the title of the fifth mini-album by mixed-gender K-pop quartet KARD ― stands for multiple words, like rebirth and restart, but it has one clear message: KARD is eager to refresh itself. “'Re' is a prefix meaning 'again,' so we thought it was the best title for our new release, which came out after more than a year off,” leader BM said during a media event at Yonsei University in Seodaemun District, Seoul, Wednesday. “Re:” was released just a few hours later.“Since 'Re:' is an EP showing our new mindset, we poured a lot of passion into producing it,” he added. Member Jiwoo elaborated, “We wanted to restart everything and showcase something decent to people.”“Ring the Alarm” is a rhythmical summer song that tells listeners to enjoy their time to the fullest, in which BM and J.seph took part in penning the lyrics. “KARD's music has mostly been deep and serious,Jun 23, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
VIVIZ to drop 2nd EP next month K-pop girl group VIVIZ / Yonhap Girl group VIVIZ will put out its second EP next month, the group's management agency said Thursday.The EP titled "Summer Vibe" will hit various music services at 6 p.m. July 6, Big Planet Made said.It will be the first release from the band since its first EP, "Beam of Prism," in February.The trio aims to become the new summer queens of the K-pop scene with the new EP after returning with a more mature side, the agency said in a release.VIVIZ debuted in February with "Beam of Prism" led by the song "Bop Bop." The group consists of Eunha, SinB and Umji, all from the now-disbanded girl group GFriend. (Yonhap)Jun 23, 2022
Winner, aespa: K-pop hotshots prepare for July releases By Dong Sun-hwaK-pop lovers will have their hands full in July, with dozens of K-pop stars putting out their new music offerings next month. From WJSN to Winner to aespa, some of the most attention-grabbing acts are getting ready to steal the hearts of people with their summer songs. 1. WJSN (July 5)K-pop girl group WJSN / Courtesy of Starship EntertainmentWJSN, also known as Cosmic Girls, is slated to drop a new mini-album, July 5, after being crowned the winner on Mnet's competition show, “Queendom 2.” The group will roll out “Sequence,” which will be fronted by the lead single, “Last Sequence.”“'Last Sequence' will shed light on the members' refreshing vibe,” WJSN's record label Starship Entertainment said in a statement. “The EP will also offer 'Aura,' a self-written song by leader Exy, and 'Stronger,' sung by Yeonjeong and Dawon on 'Queendom 2.'”WJSN ranked first on “Queendom 2” after competing with four other K-pop girl groups ― Kep1er, Loona, Brave Girls and Viviz ― and soloist Hyolyn. It was thrust into tJun 23, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
Singers' association head opposes BTS' break from group activities BTS during its “Proof Live” performance on YouTube / Courtesy of Big Hit MusicBy Kim RahnThe head of the Korea Singers' Association, Lee Ja-yeon, has urged K-pop giant BTS and its agency to reconsider their recent decision to halt group activities and instead focus more on solo projects, saying it will cause a negative impact on the global fever for hallyu.Singer Lee Ja-yeon / Courtesy of Korea Singers AssociationIn a statement released by the association, Wednesday, Lee said, “I'm concerned that the Korean wave centering around BTS, which has the strongest cultural soft power in Korea and the world, may fade away … Like a 'second Beatles' won't arrive easily, it is unlikely for there to be a 'second BTS,' so I'm worried that hallyu may be cut.”She continued, “You may have made the decision after deep deliberation, but would you reconsider (a withdrawal of the decision) for the sake of Korea's music industry?”Lee claimed no BTS would mean no “Army,” the name of the boy band's fan club, saying many of them are hallyu followers andJun 22, 2022By Kim Rahn
BTS tops Billboard Global, Japan's Oricon weekly charts with 'Yet To Come' A photo of K-pop group BTS, provided by Big Hit Entertainment. YonhapK-pop giant BTS' new single "Yet To Come" has topped the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, becoming the group's sixth No. 1 debut on the chart, Billboard said on social media. The song is from the septet's new album, "Proof," which landed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 main albums chart for this week, according to Billboard, Monday (local time). The chart, which began in September 2020, ranks songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, excluding the United States.It marks the group's sixth debut on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. after "Dynamite," "Life Goes On," "Butter," "Permission to Dance" and "My Universe," a collaborative single with British rock band Coldplay. "Yet To Come" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200, another Billboard chart that began in September 2020. There had been expectations that the song would also rank high on the Hot 100 main singles chart, but it failed to chart in the top 10, according to Billboard. The latest Hot 100 list Jun 21, 2022
Kep1er invites listeners to 'Kep1er Island' Members of K-pop act Kep1er perform during a press event in eastern Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Wake One Entertainment, Swing EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop girl group Kep1er is inviting listeners to “Kep1er Island” ― a place of happiness created by the nine members.The group rolled out its second mini-album, “Doublast,” Monday afternoon, about five months after the release of its debut EP, “First Impact.” The singers, who sang about their determination to become the best player in the K-pop scene in “First Impact,” have transformed themselves into the “spreaders of joy and happiness” this time. “We brought our charisma to the forefront in 'Wa Da Da' ― the lead single off our debut EP ― but this time, we will display our refreshing vibe,” leader Yujin said during a press event at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, Monday. Chaehyun elaborated, “We want to show that we can also pull off something different like this.” Leading the mini-album is “Up!” ― a rhythmical sonJun 20, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS snatches sixth Billboard 200 No. 1 with 'Proof' A photo of K-pop group BTS, captured from its official Twitter account, June 19. YonhapBTS' new album, "Proof," has topped the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart for this week, becoming the sixth chart-topper from the South Korean group, the chart's operator said.The anthology album landed atop the Billboard 200 by earning 314,000 equivalent album units in the United States in the week ending June 16, Billboard said Sunday (local time)."The overwhelmingly majority of that unit figure was driven by CD album sales," it added.Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S., measured by equivalent album units, comprising physical album sales and other, digital sales records.It became the sixth BTS album to debut at No. 1 on the chart after "Love Yourself: Tear," "Love Yourself: Answer," "Map of the Soul: Persona," "Map of the Soul: 7" and "Be.""Proof" was released as a three CD-album with 48 tracks, June 10. It includes the biggest hits from throughout the group's career and three new songs ― "Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)," "Run BTS" and "For Youth," the grJun 20, 2022
