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J-pop sees Korea as gateway to global expansion

The area in front of Inspire Arena on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, was packed with fans in their 20s eagerly waiting for the first Korean concert of Japanese superstar Kenshi Yonezu on March 22. Tickets for the two-day event, totaling 22,000 seats, sold out immediately when they opened in October, a clear indication of J-pop’s growing presence in Korea’s music market. Yonezu, who began as a Vocaloid producer in 2009 and officially debuted in 2012, is known for his artistic versatility — writing, composing, arranging, mixing, performing and even creating visuals for his work. His Korean fanbase has grown steadily, drawn to his emotionally charged rock-influenced pop sound. During the two-hour concert, he performed hit songs like “Lemon,” which became the first J-pop music video to surpass 900 million views on YouTube, “Lady” and “Kick Back,” accompanied by stunning visuals and lighting. Despite delivering all remarks in Japanese, the audience responded with enthusiastic cheers and singalongs. “I was a bit nervous about how Korean fans would react,” he said, “but tod

Mar 28, 2025By KTimes
J-pop sees Korea as gateway to global expansion

Korea's legendary folk duo returns with new album after 13 years

Singer-songwriter Joung Tae-choon and his musical partner and wife Park Eun-ohk, widely recognized as symbols of Korean resistance folk music, are set to return with their first new studio album in 13 years, titled "Between Torrential Rain." The album, slated for digital release in April, marks their first since their 2012 project "City Bus to the Sea." Accompanying the album is their literary project "Songs, Break the Wall," which emphasizes the inherent connection between songs and poetry. Joung declared a creative hiatus and entered seclusion in 2019 but has once again stepped into the world of creative work. The 71-year-old Joung has frequently expressed that he owes a debt to Korean literature, reflecting on the profound impact it has had on him as an artistically refined language. "Through literature, I was moved and felt a sense of awareness about various issues," Joung said during a press conference Tuesday at Roh Moo-Hyun Civic Center in Jongno District, Seoul, to celebrate the couple's 45th anniversary in the music industry. "I should have withdrawn (from music) as I declared b

Mar 27, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Korea's legendary folk duo returns with new album after 13 years

K-Fellowship invites 11 arts, literature figures for cultural exchange

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is inviting 14 key figures in the performing arts and literature fields from 11 countries to join its fellowship program in Korea as part of the nation's efforts to enhance international recognition of Korean culture and arts and promote the exchange of cultural and artistic institutions. The ministry said Wednesday that it nominated 14 participants from around the world, including Germany, France, Hungary, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, to take part in the 17th K-Fellowship program from May to October. Launched in 2009, the fellowship program has annually invited artists, cultural institution leaders and policymakers from major countries in which overseas Korean cultural centers are located. More than 200 notable figures have visited Korea through the program to expand their understanding of the country and strengthen their relationship with Korean cultural centers in their countries. "The K-Fellowship program should be more than just formal meetings and cultural experiences with domestic institutions, but a starting poi

Mar 26, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
K-Fellowship invites 11 arts, literature figures for cultural exchange

Yoo Hee-yeol to return to broadcasting after 3-year hiatus on 'Bae Chul-soo’s Music Camp'

Singer-songwriter Yoo Hee-yeol is returning to broadcasting with a comeback on MBC radio’s long-running program “Bae Chul-soo’s Music Camp" after stepping away three years ago amid plagiarism allegations. At a press conference Tuesday at MBC’s new headquarters in Seoul, the show’s producer Nam Tae-jung revealed that host Bae Chul-soo will be taking a vacation to mark the 35th anniversary of the program. During his absence, a lineup of guest DJs will fill in, including musicians Okdal, Yoon Do-hyun, Yiruma and Yoo Hee-yeol. Nam said the guest hosts will take turns over the next two weeks. Yoo’s return is drawing attention, as it marks his first public appearance since 2022, when he was accused of plagiarizing a composition by Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto. Although Sakamoto personally stated that he did not consider the work plagiarism, additional allegations involving other songs fueled continued criticism. Yoo denied the claims, saying many of the accusations were subjective and difficult to accept, though he acknowledged the controversy. As public backlash mounted, Yoo

Mar 25, 2025By KTimes
Yoo Hee-yeol to return to broadcasting after 3-year hiatus on 'Bae Chul-soo’s Music Camp'

'Dance frees us from jail of our bodies': Ohad Naharin

Ohad Naharin, the world-renowned Israeli choreographer, visited Korea for the Seoul Metropolitan Ballet's season opener, "Decadance." Now in its second year, Korea's third public ballet company and first public contemporary ballet troupe is collaborating with leading choreographers from the global ballet scene to present four performances, showcasing seven works this year. Kicking off this ambitious program is "Decadance" by Naharin, which opens on Friday and runs until March 23. "Once dancers are talented, I come and share my discoveries. I don't need a long process. All I have to do is give dancers a key to open up their own treasures and this can happen very quick[ly]," he said of his experience working with Korean dancers at a press conference at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul, Wednesday. The 72-year-old said he often tells dancers to give up old ideas for better nuance, noting that the effective way of achieving this is to "cover the mirrors" in dance studios. "When we come to the studio, we cover the mirrors. Mirrors are forbidden in my work. The use of

Mar 12, 2025By Park Jin-hai
'Dance frees us from jail of our bodies': Ohad Naharin
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