BIGBANG makes triumphant return with chart-topping 'Still Life' BIGBANG returns with new digital single “Still Life.” Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Park Han-solK-pop boy band BIGBANG has made its triumphant return as a quartet after four years, Tuesday, with its new single, “Still Life,” already topping music charts both at home and abroad.Upon its release Monday at midnight, the song has blasted in at No. 1 on the worldwide iTunes song chart, as well as on Asian music streaming charts ― Melon, QQ Music and Line Music ― in Korea, China and Japan, respectively.“Still Life,” also called, “Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter,” in Korean, is a melodic and lyrical soft rock track, with members G-Dragon and T.O.P credited as the lyricists and composers.“It's a song driven by poetic metaphors and narrative in lieu of intense performance and spectacular music,” YG Entertainment said in a statement. “Within the beautiful melody, the band delivers deep emotions that resonate with fans worldwide.”Calling their comeback a return of “K-pop legends,” the U.S. music magazine, RolliApr 5, 2022By Park Han-sol
How fantasy novel 'Momo' inspired EXO's Suho to put on 'Grey Suit' By Dong Sun-hwaSuho of K-pop boy group EXO poses during an online media event, Monday. Courtesy of SM EntertainmentFor Suho of K-pop boy group EXO, his life has been somewhat downcast and grey during the last two years. The SM Entertainment star was discharged from his alternative military service in February, after serving as a social service worker in Seocho District Office in southern Seoul for nearly two years. “I felt like I was the only one confined to a grey-colored world, whereas other people were enjoying their lives in a colorful and beautiful world,” Suho said during an online press conference Monday, ahead of the release of his new album, explaining why he named his new solo album, “Grey Suit.” However, there was another reason. As he was able to take some time out from his hectic K-pop life, the 30-year-old spent more time on himself, immersing his energies in reading. Among all the books that he read, “Momo,” the 1973 fantasy novel by Michael Ende, which is also known as “The Grey Gentlemen” or “The Men in Grey,&rdquApr 5, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
No Grammy awards for BTS doesn't mean 'failure' Members of K-pop boy band BTS pose during the 64th Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Sunday (PST). Courtesy of Big Hit MusicBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop behemoth BTS did not succeed in winning any trophies at this year's Grammy Awards, Sunday (PST), but that should not be considered a failure, music industry experts say. The septet was nominated in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category for its 2021 summer banger, “Butter.” The honor, however, went to Doja Cat and SZA for their hit song, “Kiss Me More.”“BTS was left empty-handed this time, but this means the group still has a lofty goal to achieve,” Kim Jin-woo, a music business professor at the Seoul Institute of the Arts and the head researcher for album/streaming chart Gaon, told The Korea Times. “So we should not call this a failure. It should be seen as an opportunity for BTS to tackle another challenge.”K-pop boy band BTS performs its song “Butter” during the 64th Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Sunday (PST). Courtesy of RApr 4, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS fails to win Grammy for second consecutive year BTS performs "Butter" at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, April 3. AP-YonhapK-pop juggernaut BTS has failed to take home an honor at the Grammy Awards, one of the biggest U.S. music awards, for the second consecutive year. BTS was nominated for best pop duo or group performance with its megahit "Butter" for the 64th Grammy Awards but left the ceremony empty-handed on Sunday (U.S. time).The honor went to the Doja Cat-SZA duo with its hit song "Kiss Me More" during the ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.Released in May last year, "Butter" is a vibrant summery song that secured the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 10 nonconsecutive weeks following its release. It also has surpassed 720 million YouTube views.Since the nomination closely followed the band's winning of three awards, including the top honor of the artist of the year, at the American Music Awards in November, there was high expectation in the K-pop industry that BTS would also win a Grammy for the first time in the country.It also took home four awards, including top selling song, forApr 4, 2022
BTS stages suspense-filled performance of 'Butter' at Grammy Awards BTS performs during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards show in Las Vegas, April 3. Reuters-YonhapK-pop supergroup BTS has grabbed the attention of music fans around the world with a suspense-filled performance of its 2021 megahit single "Butter" on the stage of this year's Grammy Awards ceremony.The septet was fourth on the star-studded lineup of performers of the 64th edition of the show held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday (U.S. time). Dressed in all black like spy agents, the group made a tense entry onto the stage to perform "Butter" with Jungkook descending on a wire from the top of the stage and V pulling a card from behind Olivia Rodrigo's head.The group then presented a spectacular show reminiscent of a scene from an spy thriller, jumping over lines made of laser light, throwing business cards or taking off their jackets, tying them together like a rope and pretending to play it like a guitar.Jin sang the song sitting on a chair due to the injury he sustained last month.BTS performs "Butter" at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, April 3. AP-YonhapAs sApr 4, 2022
Ahn Cheol-soo to visit HYBE to discuss ways to bolster culture industry K-pop boy band BTS / Courtesy of Big Hit MusicBy Dong Sun-hwaAhn Cheol-soo, the chairman of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's transition committee, will visit the headquarters of HYBE, the record label behind K-pop juggernaut BTS, in Seoul on Saturday to discuss ways to support the entertainment industry.“Ahn and the members of different subcommittees will pay a visit to listen to the voices of those who have been working to promote Korean culture,” Shin Yong-hyun, a spokeswoman for the transition committee said in a regular briefing, Friday. “We will try to identify different factors hampering the growth of our industry.” Ahn Cheol-soo, the chairman of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's transition committee / Joint Press CorpsPrior to the briefing, there were media reports claiming that Ahn and HYBE officials will have a discussion about exempting BTS members from mandatory military service. Under current law, all able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 should join the armed forces and serve for almost two years. International award-winning classical musicians and Apr 1, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop group DKZ meets with belated success thanks to drama 'Semantic Error' K-pop boy band DKZ is slated to drop its new EP, “Chase Episode 2. Maum,” on April 12. Courtesy of Dongyo Entertainment By Dong Sun-hwaBoy band DKZ ― formerly known as Dongkiz ― was until recently one of the many K-pop acts that could hardly get on people's radar despite their musical prowess. The group has put out a number of albums since debuting in 2019, most of which failed to receive much attention, with its 2021 release “Chase Episode 1. Ggum” selling only 1,200 copies in total.However, the Dongyo Entertainment act is about to start a new chapter in its career with the upcoming EP, “Chase Episode 2. Maum,” which will hit shelves April 12. According to online commerce platform Ktown4u, the EP has racked up more than 27,000 pre-orders as of Thursday, recording more than a 20-fold increase. It also sold 3,132 copies on Thursday alone and became the most-sold album of the day after edging out Suho of K-pop act EXO with 2,987 sales and boy band NCT Dream with 2,083Apr 1, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
War to become next K-pop queen to intensify with debut of HYBE's new girl group HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, center, poses with Kim Chae-won, left, and Sakura, the members of soon-to-debut girl group Le Sserafim. Captured from InstagramBy Dong Sun-hwaHYBE is mostly known as a record label behind some of the most celebrated K-pop boy groups like BTS, Tomorrow X Together (TXT) and Enhypen. But it now seeks to expand its footprint in the world of girl groups.The company will debut its first-ever girl group, Le Sserafim, in May, which will include Sakura and Kim Chae-won of IZ*ONE, a now-defunct project group that was created through Mnet's popular audition program “Produce 48” in 2018. Le Sserafim is an anagram for the team's motto, “I'm fearless,” according to HYBE.K-pop girl group aespa / Courtesy of SM Entertainment“The name reveals the members' determination to proceed without being disturbed by the judgment of others,” the company explained. “HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk will serve as the executive producer of Le Sserafim's debut album, with creative director Kim Sung-hyun ― who has been working with BTS and TXT ― joiningMar 31, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
TWICE to hold encore concert in L.A. after sold-out tour of US cities K-pop girl group TWICE / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment K-pop girl group TWICE will return for a one-day encore concert in Los Angeles as part of its fourth world tour that took it to five U.S. cities, including L.A., in February, the group's agency said Thursday.The nine-piece group will hold the concert at the 22,000-seat Banc of California Stadium, May 14 (U.S. time), becoming the first K-pop girl group to hold an individual show at a stadium in North America, JYP Entertainment said on the band's official social media channels.The band played seven sold-out concerts in L.A., Oakland, Atlanta, Forth Worth and New York during its recent world tour titled "III" from Feb. 15 to 27, drawing around a combined 100,000 fans, according to the agency.TWICE has been gaining popularity in the U.S. since its third full-length album "Formula of Love: O+T=<3" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 main albums chart following its release in November. The album's lead-off track "Mar 31, 2022
From EXO's Suho to BIGBANG, K-pop megastars to make much-anticipated return in AprilBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop fans' long wait will finally come to an end in April, with their favorite stars, like Suho of K-pop boy group EXO and BIGBANG ― who have been on a hiatus for years ― planning to return to the music scene with their new offerings. 1. EXO's Suho (April 4) Suho, the leader of K-pop boy group EXO / Courtesy of SM Entertainment Suho of K-pop boy group EXO, who was discharged from his alternative military service in February, will be releasing his new solo album, “Grey Suit,” April 4. The upcoming album will present a moment of healing for people, according to his record label, SM Entertainment. “Suho participated in the creative process of all six tracks included in his new album,” the company said in a statement. “It will mostly center on the theme of time. The lead single, in particular, is a progressive rock song about a man who sees his empty and grey-colored world changing after he reunites with his loved one.”Suho, whose real name is Kim Jun-myeMar 30, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
