Prodigy K-pop composer enlists Marine Corps Lee Chan-hyuk (left) and Lee Su-hyun of Akdong Musician / Korea Times fileBy Ko Dong-hwanK-pop duo band Akdong Musician’s composer and singer Lee Chan-hyuk, often regarded as a musical prodigy, enlisted in the Marine Corps on Monday. The star, 21, who plays with his younger sister Su-hyun, voluntarily entered a training center in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. He kept his enlistment quiet from the public as his Christian pastor parents, a few close friends and staff from his agency YG Entertainment saw him enter the military world for two years.Lee enlisted early compared to other K-pop celebrities, who usually postpone mandatory military service until their late 20s or 30s. He said he enlisted to train with others around his age “to build diverse experiences and improve my musical skills,” according to media reports.Lee joins other celebrities who have gone through the military challenge notorious for physically tough training and merciless hierarchical culture.The others included actors Hyun Bin, Yoon Shi-yoon and former K-pop idol star Oh Jong-hyuk.AkdoSep 18, 2017
Bobby becomes first YG young artist to release solo album Bobby pose before the press interview at a cafe in Mapo, Seoul, last Thursday. / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentSinger regrets IKON fans’ boycott of band’s souvenirBy Kim Jae-heunRapper Bobby of IKON, YG Entertainment’s latest boy band, has become the first to release a solo album.While individual members of YG Entertainment’s most successful groups BIGBANG and 2NE1 each have solo activities _ notably G-Dragon and Tae Yang from BIGBANG and CL of 2NE1 _ chief producer and the owner of the entertainment company Yang Hyun-suk has not allowed any of the young YG stars to pursue solo careers.Bobby had been writing songs for his enjoyment and kept sending them to Yang for feedback, which he thinks helped him become the first among the young YG groups IKON and WINNER to release a solo album.“It is an honor for me to release a solo album,” said Bobby during a press interview at a cafe in Mapo, Seoul, last Thursday. “I did not write songs intending to release them on an album. I have just enjoyed producing music for a long time and hoped I could share thSep 17, 2017
Lotte Concert Hall offers 'On Air' concert Conductor Choi Young-seon with Gangnam Symphony Orchestra / Courtesy of Lotte Concert HallBy Yun Suh-young A music concert themed and staged like a live audiovisual radio show will take place every month at the Lotte Concert Hall until the end of the year.The concerts, dubbed "On Air Concert" will include narration during the performances. The stage will be set up as a radio broadcasting station recording booth. The concerts are the second part of a two-part year-long series and will be held on Sept. 26, Oct. 31, Nov. 28 and Dec. 26 at 11:30 a.m. They will be conducted by Choi Young-seon, performed by Gangnam Symphony Orchestra and emceed by Lee Ah-hyun.The matinee concert will offer performances and narration in a variety of genres ranging from opera, movies, traditional orchestral music and jazz.The September concert themed "Cinema music" will feature various classical compositions from movies, such as Verdi's Overture from La Forza del Destino from "The Scarlet Letter," Ennio Morricone's Love Theme from "Cinema Paradiso," Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto No. 1 from "August Rush.Sep 17, 2017
Veteran singers all out to promote indie bands Singer Lee Seung-hwan talks during a press conference for an indie band promotion project with the CJ Culture Foundation at CJ Azit in Gwangheungchang, Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of CJ EntertainmentLee Seung-hwan, Yoon Sang launch projects to support indie musicians By Kim Jae-heunVeteran pop singer Lee Seung-hwan has joined hands with CJ Culture Foundation to promote indie musicians and his first collaboration will be held Oct. 21 at YES24 LiveHall with rocker trio iamnot.Lee picked iamnot as a frontrunner of this project to hold a solo concert, where the band is given a mission to fill up the 2,000 seats at the event hall.The band vocalist and guitarist Lim Heon-il knows this is not an easy challenge for his band which has been drawing 300 people to their shows mostly.“We have been playing music for 10 years and there are many iamnot fans out there. The number 2,000 is seven times our normal audience size. We feel the pressure but at the same time we are thrilled. I hope this project can give more opportunities for indie musicians and promote various stages for them,&rSep 11, 2017
Koreans seize major prizes at global music competitions By Yun Suh-youngKorean musicians are winning prizes at major global music competitions.After pianist Sohn Jeung-beum won first prize at the respected 66th German classical music competition, the ARD Music Competition, Friday, as the first Korean to win in the category, other Korean musicians have followed, clinching victory in other categories and competitions.Oboist Ham Kyeong / Courtesy of Keumho Asiana Cultural FoundationOboist Ham Kyeong was awarded second prize at the same competition in the oboe category, Sunday. He was one of three finalists in the competition who all tied in second place. Ham is the first Korean to receive the highest prize for the oboe in the competition and the first Korean musician in seven years to receive a prize in the wind instrument category after flutist Kim Soo-yun who came in third in 2010.The 24-year-old played R. Strauss' Oboe Concerto in D Major in the final round which won him the prize. He was awarded 7,500 euros.Ham was among three finalists from the initial 39 of the first round. The competition was held from Sept. 2 to 10. GermanySep 11, 2017
Korean pianist wins German music competition By Yun Suh-youngPianist Sohn Jeung-beum / Courtesy of Keumho Asiana Cultural FoundationA 26-year-old Korean pianist won first prize at the respected German classical music competition, ARD Music Competition, Friday (local time).Sohn Jeung-beum is the first Korean to win in the piano category in the history of the competition which began in 1952 in Munich, Germany. The ARD is the largest classical music competition in Germany and had its 66th anniversary this year. Sohn won in the final round of the three-round competition with Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. He will be awarded 10,000 euros.South Korean Culture Minister Do Jong-whan sent a congratulatory message Saturday to Sohn for the win and in appreciation for promoting Korea's classical excellence and artistry."Sohn's winning of the prize helped publicize Korean musicians' outstanding artistry to the world," Do said."I hope the event will be a stepping stone in expanding the reach of classical music. I wish Sohn will be remembered as the world's greatest pianist in the minds of the people."Sohn was among 34 finalists who compSep 10, 2017
Pentagon releases album comprised of their own music K-pop band Pentagon performs during a press conference at YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. / YonhapBy Kim Jae-heun K-pop boy band Pentagon of Cube Entertainment released their fourth mini-album “DEMO_01,” proudly introducing as their first album in which they produced all tracks on it themselves.K-pop groups usually receive tracks from popular music producers and begin to write their own songs only after releasing several studio albums. But Pentagon, which debuted only a year ago, has decided to take a risk by filling the album only with songs its members have composed.“We are very close to celebrating our first anniversary and we had a goal to write our own single when we debut,” the member Kino said during a press conference at YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul, Wednesday. “For this album, we have participated in all the meetings to share ideas on costumes, album jacket design and our music video concepts. We believe this is already a big achievement.”The album consists of five tracks including the lead single &lSep 8, 2017
Dolce Matinee Concert invites composer Lee An-sam By Yun Suh-youngComposer Lee An-samThe 53rd Dolce Matinee Concert featuring renowned composer Lee An-sam as guest composer will be held Monday at the Dolce Art Hall in Seoul. The concert will consist of 14 works of music composed by Lee, which are melodies put to poems written by 12 poets. Three of the 14 pieces were written by poet Seo Young-soon.Lee has worked extensively on turning poems into music, several of which were Seo's, including "Our Love," about a couple's ideal married life. This opened the 22nd Spring Gagok Concert organized by Dongin Music last year.Lee is the chairman of the Spring Gagok Concert organizing committee. He graduated from the Kyung Hee University Music School Department of Composition and went on to study composition at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and conducting at the Julliard Music School.This time, the "The Love of Wolyeonggyo" will be the title song, a poem by Seo with music composed by Lee, performed by soprano Kim Sung-hye."The Love of Wolyeonggyo" poem was inspired by a true love story from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The stSep 8, 2017
Korea's oldest celeb to host singing contest to mark 70 years on stage Song Hae / Korea Times fileBy Park Si-sooSouth Korea’s oldest celebrity Song Hae, 90, will host his namesake singing contest this month in a show of appreciation to fans who have stood behind the singer-turned-emcee through thick and thin for seven decades.The Song Hae Singing Contest is offering 8.5 million won ($7480) for the best four singers.Preliminary auditions are under way, through which 18 contenders (individual or team) will advance to the final round in central Seoul on Sept. 17.“The event is sort of my expression of appreciation to those who have supported me for the past seven decades,” Song said at a press briefing, Wednesday.“Looking back, I was saddened and depressed when those who had graced the stage with me passed away one after another. Also there were many occasions I felt euphoria and happiness. That’s why I call my on-stage life an encapsulation of life.”Winners will be given an opportunity to release their albums. Part of proceeds from the contest will be donated to help underprivileged children.Song was born in 1927 in HaejSep 6, 2017
Korean rapper Gil faces jail term for DUI Hip-hop star Gil arrives at Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday./ YonhapBy Chyung Eun-ju, Park Si-sooPopular rapper Gil faces imprisonment for alleged drunk driving.The prosecution on Wednesday sought an eight-month jail term for the musician, whose real name is Gil Seong-joon, a member of popular hip-hop duo Leessang.Gil, 39, was caught on a Seoul street at around 3 a.m. on June 28, with a blood alcohol content of 0.164 percent, well over the license revocation limit.He has admitted the charges. At his last hearing, he said he would “receive the punishment for the mistakes I made.”His ruling trial will be at Seoul Central District Court at 2 p.m. on Sept. 29.It is the third time the musician has been caught drunk driving, after 2004 and 2014.Sep 6, 2017
