BTS' J-Hope releases collaboration with Becky G J-Hope / Korea Times fileBecky G / APJ-Hope, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, will release Friday a hip hop single featuring American musician Becky G, his management agency said. The song, "Chicken Noodle Soup," set for release Friday evening through BTS' official social media channels, is a recreation of the namesake song released by American musician, DJ Webstar and rapper Young B. The new song will also come with a music video featuring J-Hope and Becky G, according to Big Hit Entertainment. J-Hope wrote Korean rap lines for "Chicken Noodle Soup" while Becky G wrote her lines in Spanish, adding fresh elements to the old-school hip hop song.The two artists joined hands for the collaboration, having both fallen for hip hop music in their childhoods. The song also comes with witty choreography executed by J-Hope and Becky G in the music video as well as a dance ensemble of some 50 dancers from across the world. J-Hope, known for his dance prowess, has also shown talent in music production, having joined in the production and rapping of many BTS songs, including "MIC Drop," "Blood SweSep 27, 2019
AKMU releases songs written by Chan-hyuk at sea during days as marine Sibling duo Akdong Musician (AKMU) released its third full-length album “Sailing” on Monday. Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaWhen Lee Chan-hyuk of brother-sister duo Akdong Musician (AKMU) was doing his obligatory military service in the Marine Corps, the environment wasn't perfect for him to work on music. In particular, he had virtually nothing to play when his unit was out at sea during a drill with the Navy ― not even a recorder. As a Marine, he had to be on board a naval ship for as long as a month at a time.But this could not kill his passion for music. Amazingly, Chan-hyuk created dozens of cross-genre numbers included in the duo's latest release “Sailing” while he was in the corps from September 2017 to May 2019. “This is why the titles of most tracks are linked to ships and the ocean,” he said during a press preview on Wednesday at the CGV Cheongdam Cine City in Seoul. “I solely resorted to pen and notebook to compose them while on board ship. I suffered from seasickness sometimes. The EP in general revolves around farewelSep 26, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
BTS's 'Blood Sweat & Tears' hits 500 million YouTube views BTS' 2016 music video "Blood Sweat & Tears" surpassed the YouTube milestone of 500 million views Wednesday, becoming the eighth BTS video do to so.The video for "Blood Sweat & Tears," the main track of the K-pop band's second full-length album, "Wings," hit the threshold Wednesday morning, nearly three years since its release in October 2016.It was the eighth BTS music video to pass the milestone. Other BTS videos that have achieved the feat include "DNA," which went on to garner more than 800 million views, "Fire," which has more than 600 million views, and "Fake Love."The band's two latest songs, "Idol" and "Boy With Luv," have also hit the 500 million mark.Among South Korean artists, BTS has the greatest number of music videos over the 500 million YouTube views threshold. (Yonhap)Sep 25, 2019
Music award MAMA to take place in Japan amid trade row The Mnet Asia Music Awards (MAMA) will be held on Dec. 4 at the Nagoya Dome, Japan. Courtesy of MnetBy Dong Sun-hwaThe Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), one of the largest Korean music awards, will be held on Dec 4 at the Nagoya Dome in Japan amid the ongoing trade row between Seoul and Tokyo. Entertainment giant CJ ENM, the organizer, said most of its people agreed that the civil and cultural exchange should be treated separately from political issues and go on.“MAMA has positioned itself as the best music awards in Asia,” Shin Hyung-kwan, Music Content Director of CJ ENM, was quoted as saying. “We will continue striving to make K-pop and Asian music mainstream worldwide.” The celebrity lineup has not been disclosed. Following Tokyo's export curb in July on components needed for Korean firms to produce semiconductors and display panels, many Koreans have been boycotting Japanese products. Hence, Korean netizens are giving CJ ENM the cold shoulder for its decision. One online user commented: “CJ is hosting an event in Japan while Koreans are boycotting JapSep 24, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
TWICE's incomplete return: Mina out, Jihyo on chair K-pop girl band TWICE returned on Monday with the fresh release “Feel Special.” Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaFans of K-pop girl band TWICE were elated when they saw Japanese member Mina in the teaser photos and videos for the group's latest release “Feel Special.” Many believed Mina has recovered from an anxiety disorder that has been plaguing her since July. But it was revealed they had to wait a little longer.Before the album showcase on Monday at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, a JYP Entertainment official said Mina would not participate. “Although Mina did her bit in the album production, she will not be on stage with other members today and for the time being,” he said. “We ask for your understanding.” Another Japanese member, Momo, said: “Mina's health should be a priority. I was happy enough to have her on our music video and hope she recovers soon and rejoins us.” But Mina was not the only one off her form. Leader Jihyo could not perform a polished dance routine on Monday due to a mild neck Sep 24, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
BTOB's Lim Hyun-sik to make solo debut Lim Hyun-sik, member of K-pop boy band BTOB will release his first solo album in October. Korea Times file, Courtesy of Cube EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaLim Hyun-sik of K-pop boy group BTOB is to make his solo debut in October, according to his agency Cube Entertainment, Monday. The agency posted a photo on the band's official Twitter early Monday, hinting at the singer's first solo album. The image features an astronaut on an unidentified planet, pointing at a sign above him that reads “LIM HYUNSIK.” The photo also includes a cryptic code ― RD-V1102-3 ― at the top. But Cube has not disclosed the album's release date or the title of the lead track. Lim debuted as a member of the seven-piece band BTOB in 2012 with the album “Insane.” The group has had dozens of hits including “Missing You” (2017) and “Only one for me” (2018). Three members ― Seo Eun-kwang, Lee Min-hyuk and Lee Chang-sub ― are serving compulsory military service. Sep 23, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
IU to celebrate 11th anniversary of her debut Photo of IU during her concert. Korea Times fileBy Cho Hae-minIU's fan meeting was held Sept. 21 at Kyung hee University's Grand Peace Palace in Seoul to celebrate the 11th anniversary of her debut. All 6,000 tickets were sold out instantly as soon as online ticketing started.She revealed her 2019 tour concert, “Love Poem” in November, kicking off in Gwangju on Nov. 2 and making stopovers in Incheon, Busan and Seoul. The international part of her concert itinery includes Taipei, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Thailand and Jakarta. She donated 100 million won or $84,000 to a charity organization in the name of her club “U&I.”Sep 23, 2019
Music show contestant found dead at home Woo Hye-mi/ Korea Times FileBy Jung Hae-myoungMusician Woo Hye-mi, 31, was found dead in her home on Saturday, according to her friends and police. Woo was a contestant on Mnet's 2012 audition program “The Voice of Korea.” There were reportedly no signs of foul play. According to her colleagues, Woo had been out of contact since Friday. They tried to reach her several times but she didn't answer. “We're sorry to inform you that Woo Hye-mi passed away at home, Saturday,” Downtown E&M said in an official announcement on Sunday. Agency employees said they also tried calling her several times for a meeting. “Woo didn't show up at the meeting for her new single's music video. We called her several times but she didn't pick up,” the staff said. Woo competed in “The Voice of Korea” season one in 2012 and was one of the four finalists. She joined Downtown E&M after the show and released her first mini-album “s.s.t” this July. She used Miwoo as her stage name.In her 2015 album “Broken Doll,” she reflected her thouSep 23, 2019
SM apologizes over NCT's Taeyong's bullying scandal Taeyong is a member of K-pop boy band NCT. Korea Times fileBy Dong Sun-hwaSM Entertainment, representing K-pop boy group NCT, apologized Thursday on behalf of member Taeyong over bullying allegations against him. “Taeyong deeply regrets his insensitive behavior and hurtful words during his middle school days,” the agency said. “He also is sorry to everyone who has been hurt by him so far. He has been reflecting on himself and striving for the best performances in every field.”On Tuesday, a netizen, who claimed to be a middle school classmate of the singer, said in an online community that Taeyong was frequently judgmental about the appearance of female friends and hurt them. He said he decided to reveal this so the singer could examine himself. A media outlet claimed a day later that it interviewed another of Taeyong's classmates, who said the singer had bullied a friend. “Taeyong treated pretty and cool friends well, but was not nice to those who were not,” the classmate was quoted as saying. But SM said it checked the singer's school record and dSep 20, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
Police drop pimping charges against YG founder YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun-suk walks out of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's intellectual crime investigation division in Moon-dong, Seoul, Aug. 30, after an overnight interrogation. YonhapPolice have dropped pimping charges against Yang Hyun-suk, an idol-turned-K-pop guru who was head of YG Entertainment, one of the biggest K-pop management firms, police officials said Friday.The officials at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said police investigators failed to verify suspicions that Yang arranged sex services for foreign investors in 2014 and sent his case to the prosecution with a recommendation that he not be indicted on pimping charges.The 49-year-old Yang was booked in July on suspicions that he invited prostitutes to a Seoul restaurant in July and September 2014 to arrange sex services for a foreign businessman. Yang was also suspected of having 10 prostitutes travel abroad with him in October 2014 to offer sex services for foreign investors.Police investigators have looked into records of Yang's financial transactions and communications and questioned the concernSep 20, 2019
