Former Wonder Girls' Hyerim joins ex-band mate Yubin's agency Hyerim, right, a former member of disbanded girl band Wonder Girls, has joined ex-band mate Yubin's agency. Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaHyerim, from defunct K-pop girl group Wonder Girls, has joined rrr (“real recognize real”) Entertainment, established by her ex-band mate Yubin. “After Hyerim left JYP Entertainment ― which represented Wonder Girls ― in January, she has carefully weighed up her future and talked about her coming days with Yubin, an artist and the CEO of rrr Entertainment,” the music label said Tuesday. It said the singer decided to join Yubin's company following a discussion and negotiations. “We will give full support to Hyerim so that she can display her untapped sides as she wishes,” it said. Yubin debuted as a Wonder Girls member in 2007 and Hyerim joined the band in 2010. Until its disbandment in 2017, the K-pop act enjoyed popularity with a string of hit numbers including “Tell Me” (2007), “So Hot” (2008), “Nobody” (2009) and “Why So Lonely” (2016). Hyerim and YuMar 10, 2020By Dong Sun-hwa
Seventeen to drop second Japanese single next month Seventeen / Korea Times fileK-pop boy band Seventeen will officially drop its second Japanese single, "Fallin' Flower," next month, the band's management agency said Tuesday.Ahead of the new single's official release on April 1 in Japan, Japanese FM radio program "School of Lock!" aired the song for the first time on Monday, according to Pledis Entertainment."'Fallin' Flower' is a song fit for the spring season, carrying a positive message that a fall for the time being is not the end, but another new start," Pledis said. Team member Woozi jointly composed and wrote the single, while another member, Dino, also lent his talent in writing the song's lyrics.It is Seventeen's second Japanese single after "Happy Ending," which was released in May last year and was a solid hit in the country. In May, the band will go on a concert tour in Japan, performing in Saitama, Tokyo, Fukuoka and Osaka. (Yonhap)Mar 10, 2020
PHOTOS Seungri joins boot camp amid ongoing trial Seungri, the former member of K-pop giant BIGBANG, began five-week boot camp training Monday before starting mandatory military service. YonhapBy Lee Gyu-leeSeungri, the former member of K-pop giant BIGBANG, began mandatory military service Monday. He is standing trial on multiple charges, including prostitution arrangement, embezzlement, and illicit gambling. The singer, 29, appeared at a military boot camp in Cherwon, Gangwon Province, around 1:30 p.m. to begin five weeks' training before being stationed at a military base. Reporters asked questions such as “How do you feel?” and “Do you deny all of your allegations?” as he entered the camp. But he did not answer any of the questions. The prosecutors' office sought his arrest warrant twice ― in last May and January ― but the court denied the request, saying, “There is room for dispute.” He will be tried for his indictments in a military court during his 18-months service. Seungri gets out of his car to enter a military boot camp in Cherwon County, Gangwon Province, at around 1:30 p.m., Monday. YoMar 9, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
ASTRO releases teaser photos for new single Teaser photo of K-pop boy band ASTRO's new single. Courtesy of FantagioBy Cho Hae-minK-pop boy band ASTRO on Sunday released two teaser photos on its Twitter account for its single “ONE&ONLY.”The first photo features group members sporting beige suits and the second photo shows the group standing in front of a floral shop, dressed as florists.On March 2-8, individual photos of the six members, posing with floral bouquets, were also unveiled through its Twitter account.Another teaser photo for the new single. Courtesy of FantagioThe single, in which all six members participated in writing the lyrics, is set to be released on Mar. 13 to celebrate the group's fourth anniversary. The six-piece boy band ― Cha Eun-woo, MJ, Moon bin, Jin Jin, Rocky, Yoon San-ha ― debuted in 2016 with the mini-album “Spring up.” Mar 9, 2020
Park Yoo-chun appears on brother's live streaming program Former member of K-pop band JYJ Park Yoo-chun, left, reads viewers' comments during his brother Park Yu-hwan's live stream on Sunday. Screen capture from TwitchBy Lee Gyu-leeFormer member of K-pop band JYJ Park Yoo-chun made first media appearance through a live streaming channel Sunday, after announcing his retirement from show business. The artist, 33, appeared on his brother Park Yu-hwan's live stream on Twitch and spent time communicating with his fans and performing some of his songs.Park held a press conference last April when his drug use allegations surfaced and said: “If I test positive for a drug, I will retire from the entertainment industry.”The singer was later tested positive and was indicted the next month on charges of buying and injecting methamphetamine with his ex-girlfriend. In July, he received a 10-month sentence suspended for two years. Park held a media conference last April and said he would retire from the entertainment business if he tested positive for drug. YonhapPark had been staying away from the media until last January when he expressed hiMar 9, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
K-pop rookie ITZY sings about 'being myself' K-pop girl band ITZY will release its second mini-album “IT'z ME” on Monday afternoon. Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaK-pop rookies are often asked about their role models when they embark on a musical adventure. Girl group ITZY was no exception, but contrary to many other new faces that name specific artists ― usually superstars or the “superiors” in their music labels ― the five-piece act gave an unconventional answer. “When 'GALACTIKA *,' the team that produced our debut track 'Dalla Dalla (2019),' asked us who our role models were, we said we just wanted to be ourselves,” leader Yeji said in an email Q&A, Monday. “The lyricist later told us that this remark became his well of inspiration in creating our new album's lead song, 'WANNABE.'”ITZY is slated to release its second mini-album “IT'z ME” on Monday afternoon. The seven-number album includes the powerful and energetic “WANNABE” ― a combination of EDM and hip-hop among other genres ― and B-side tracks such as “24 HRS,” “NMar 9, 2020By Dong Sun-hwa
Kang Daniel to return on March 24 K-pop singer Kang Daniel will release his first mini-album “CYAN” on March 24. Courtesy of Konnect EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaThe clock is ticking for the return of K-pop star Kang Daniel, who has been on a three-month hiatus due to depression and a panic disorder. The singer is slated to release his first mini-album “CYAN" on March 24, according to his agency Konnect Entertainment, Monday. The company took to Kang's official Twitter and floated a teaser photo against blue backdrop. The image features a cryptic shape in the middle, along with the album title and the release date. “The upcoming album ― a sequel to the singer's July release “color on me” (2019) ― marks the beginning of a new trilogy, 'COLOR,'” Konnect said in a statement. “Kang will take the first step to craft his unique color.”It added that “CYAN” revolved around his dream, passion and challenges. But it did not disclose the title of the lead song. It is also uncertain whether Kang will hold a media showcase, considering the coronavirus here. As of MoMar 9, 2020By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop stocks tumble on Japan's tightened entry restrictions YonhapThe stock prices of South Korea's major entertainment companies have plunged following Tokyo's decision last week to impose new entry restrictions on South Koreans over the coronavirus, data showed Monday.Starting Monday, Japan adopted a 14-day quarantine for people flying in from Korea and China at designated facilities to check infections for COVID-19.The tightened entry policy, which remains in effect until the end of March, also included the suspension of a 90-day visa-free entry program for South Koreans, pulling down the K-pop stock prices.As of Monday 10:44 a.m., JYP Entertainment stocks fell to 20,050 won (US$16.72), down 13 percent from closing prices Thursday when Japan announced its entry restrictions for South Koreans.JYP's cash-cow girl group TWICE pushed back its March concert at a dome stadium in Japan, hoping to reschedule it for April.About 30 percent of JYP's revenue comes from Japan, the highest among the big three K-pop agencies, according to local brokerage data. SM Entertainment stocks dipped to 26,500 won, down 10.8 percent during the cited period.SM's idMar 9, 2020
Japan's coronavirus entry restrictions hits K-pop K-pop group Super Junior has canceled March concerts in Japan after Tokyo toughened entry restrictions on people coming from Korea. Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-leeWith Japan set to strengthen entry restrictions on all foreign visitors coming from Korea, some K-pop stars are canceling or putting off concerts there.The Japanese government announced last week that, from Monday, it will require visitors from Korea and China to quarantine themselves for two weeks at designated facilities. It also suspended no-visa entries from the countries. The decision is expected to disrupt K-pop stars' plans in Japan.Boy band Super Junior's agency SM Entertainment said its concerts ― scheduled for March 25-26 at Saitama Super Arena ― had been canceled.“KCON 2020 JAPAN,” another major K-pop concert planned from April 3-5 at Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba, has been postponed.“We have decided it would be best for the safety of the audiences, artists, and staff,” CJ ENM, the event's organizer, said in a statement Friday.Girl group TWICE plans to hold two conceMar 8, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
Former Wanna One member to release first mini-album Former Wanna One member Ong Seong-wu is set to make a comeback. Captured from the singer's official InstagramBy Cho Hae-minK-pop singer Ong Seong-wu will make a comeback with his first mini-album “LAYERS,” which will be released on March 25. The poster for Ong Seong-wu's new album. Courtesy of FantagioHis label Fantagio uploaded the new album's poster ― a simple image with the album's title and his comeback date March 25, 2020 ― through its official Twitter account Friday.Fantagio said Ong participated in composing and writing the lyrics of all the songs and the singer's emotions will be well delivered through the tracks.Ong was in the second season of Mnet's audition program “Produce 101” and debuted as a member of the project group Wanna One on August 7, 2017. After the group disbanded in December 2018, he began a solo career as an actor and a singer.He made his acting debut in JTBC's 2019 drama “At Eighteen” and released his first digital single “We Belong” on Jan. 9.Mar 6, 2020
