Paul Kim to collaborate with Chungha Photo image of singer Chungha and Paul Kim for their new collaboration. Courtesy of Kakao MBy Cho Hae-minK-pop singer Chungha and solo artist Paul Kim collaborated on the song “Loveship,” which will be released Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. Chungha and Paul Kim both uploaded the same black and white photo of the pair in school uniform, to Instagram, Jan. 8.Kakao M, the music production company, officially revealed Jan. 13 that the two artists will release a duet song, which Paul Kim has both composed and written the lyrics for. Chungha, best known as a member of the girl group I.O.I from Mnet's survival show “Produce 101,” debuted with the EP “Hands on Me,” June 7, 2017. One of her songs “Gotta go” released Jan. 2, 2019 set a milestone of being streamed over 100 million times as of last November. Paul Kim debuted in 2014 as a ballad singer and gained popularity through his song “Every day, Every moment,” a song from the soundtrack of the 2018 SBS drama “Shall we kiss first?” Jan 13, 2020
Singer shows it's never too late to resume career Trot singer Ryu Chun-geum, also known by her Chinese name Liu Chunjin, resumed her career recently. She debuted as a singer in 1992 but has had a two-decade hiatus to take care of her startup business and raise her son. Courtesy of Ryu Chun-geumKorean-Chinese trot singer back on stage after decade hiatusBy Park Ji-wonWhen asked about the timing of their comeback, some singers say they do their best to return as soon as they can. This stock answer is offered particularly when an artist's comeback is certain but the exact date has not yet been fixed. But for some musicians, including Korean-Chinese singer Liu Chunjin, the timing of their comeback is much less certain. Liu, better known to Koreans as Ryu Chun-geum, has been absent from the public eye over the past decades since her debut as a trot singer in the early 1990s. As a single mother, she found it tough to pursue a full-time career as a trot singer.Ryu, 57, has recently returned to the stage to restart her career as a full-time singer, showing it is never too late to restart a career as a trot singer. Time seems to be on her siJan 12, 2020By Park Ji-won
Singer-songwriter advises on 'buying high chart ranks' allegation Yoon Jong-shin reveal his thoughts about music chart manipulation. Korea Times fileBy Cho Hae-minSinger-songwriter Yoon Jong-shin uploaded a post on his Instagram about allegations that musicians pay to gain higher ranks on music charts, Jan. 7.The veteran singer said it was unnecessary to keep an eye on music charts all the time. Yoon has been traveling overseas since Nov. 1 for 2020 Monthly Yoon Jong-shin's “Nomad Project.”The chart manipulation allegations came to light when K-pop boy band Block B's Park Kyung wrote on Twitter on Nov. 24, “I want to do bulk buying like Vibe, like Song Ha-ye, like Lim Jae-hyun, like Jeon Sang-keun, like Jang Deok-cheol and like Hwang In-wook.” Jan 7, 2020
INTERVIEW Seoul Philharmonic's fresh start: 'Back to basics' Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra President and CEO Kang Eun-kyung, also known as Annette Eunkyung Kang, speaks with The Korea Times at her office in central Seoul. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukCEO Kang leads SPO's successful revival with stable leadership By Anna J. ParkAs a special interview series commemorating the start of the new year, The Korea Times sat down with Kang Eun-kyung, the president and CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO). Tapped as the leader of Korea's representative orchestra back in March 2018, the 49-year-old has been leading the municipal music group successfully and stably, earning trust from both members of the orchestra and watchers on the outside, including music aficionado and city officials. During the interview, Kang talked about her previous studies and experiences in music and legal fields, SPO's 2020 season highlights, SPO's new music director Osmo Vanska, the orchestra's concert hall construction project and more. Veering between arts and law Kang started to play the piano at the age of five and studied the violin at Yewon School ― KoreJan 5, 2020By Anna J. Park
Multi-talented singer MAX to hold first concert in Seoul A poster for MAX's concert “The Intimate Af Tour,” to be held at MUV Concert Hall on Jan. 14. / Courtesy of Live Nation KoreaBy Jung Hae-myoung Singer-songwriter, model and actor MAX will visit Seoul on his “The Intimate Af Tour,” Jan. 14. Ahead of his first concert in Korea, the multi-faceted musician shared his thoughts via an e-mail interview with The Korea Times. MAX, also known as Maxwell George Schneider, is a New York-based singer who has been building his career since he appeared in the Broadway musical “13” at an early age, and he has been working in various fields including film, television and modeling. He made his first appearance in Madonna's Dolce and Gabbana campaign in 2010, and has been making music under the stage name MAX. He has also collaborated with Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, and Justin Timberlake via YouTube. MAX said his experience starting in a Broadway musical had influenced his music and performance style on stage. “There is nothing I love more than performing live and giving a real show,” he said. “A theatriJan 5, 2020
SHINee's Taemin prepares for solo comeback SHINee's Taemin will make a solo comeback in March. Korea Times fileBy Cho Hae-minK-pop band SHINee's Taemin is set to make a solo comeback with a new album in March. His agency, SM Entertainment, said Taemin is working on the album and details will be released later. He recently finished his solo Japanese Arena tour, “TAEMIN ARENA TOUR 2019 ～X™～” which had stopovers in six cities including Osaka and Tokyo. It began on June 8.Taemin debuted with SHINee in May 2008 and released the album “Ace” on Aug. 18, 2014. His most recent solo album ― his second Korean mini album ― “Want” was released on Feb. 11 last year. He also has worked with the seven-piece project group Super M. Its first mini-album, “Jopping,” was released last October.Jan 2, 2020
Greet 2020 with New Year's concerts Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and maestro Chung Myung-whun will present a New Year's concert at 5 p.m. on Jan. 4 at the Grand Theater in Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Courtesy of Sejong Center for the Performing ArtsBy Anna J. ParkMarking the start of 2020 ― the 250th birth anniversary of Beethoven, many classical music groups and performance halls in Korea have prepared their own New Year's concerts to usher in this fresh year for audiences.One of the concerts that draws the most attention among classical music lovers in the nation is the New Year's concert performance by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of maestro Chung Myung-whun, scheduled to take place on Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. The concert will be the first joint performance by the orchestra and maestro Chung in four years since 2016.Chung led the orchestra for 10 years from 2006 to 2015 as its chief conductor and music director. During those 10 years, the orchestra and the conductor released several CDs through the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon lDec 31, 2019By Anna J. Park
BTS's RM collaborates on Younha album The teaser image of singer Younha's fifth mini-album. Captured from Younha's InstagramBy Cho Hae-minK-pop idol group BTS's RM will feature on “winter flower,” the opening track of Korean singer Younha's fifth mini-album “Unstable Mindset.”The track list of Younha's latest album was unveiled on Dec. 30.Besides the title track, “Rain Cloud,” the album includes five songs such as “winter flower” and “26.” According to the track list, RM also co-wrote the lyrics of the opening number with Younha and singer-songwriter Eden. The album will be released on Jan. 6, 2020.Dec 30, 2019
Wrapping up 2019 with year-end concerts Lotte Concert Hall presents its year-end concert at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31. / Courtesy of Lotte Foundation for ArtsBy Anna J. ParkWith only a few days until the end of this year and the start of 2020, what better way to celebrate than to attend a year-end concert with loved ones? Seoul's major classical concert halls have prepared concerts to be held on the evening of the last day of the year. Seoul Arts Center presents its New Year's Eve Concert on Dec. 31 at 9:30 p.m. at the Concert Hall of Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. Courtesy of Seoul Arts CenterThe Seoul Arts Center (SAC), home for classical music aficionados and arts lovers in the nation, has aptly named its year-end concert, “New Year's Eve Concert,” hoping to highlight wishes for the upcoming year through the concert. The 130-minute concert will start at 9:30 p.m. and when it ends around 11:40 p.m., the audience can enjoy a New Year's countdown starting at 11:59 p.m. in the art center's open square. Fireworks and balloons will jointly welcome the New Year as people send their wishes for 2020. Those who did not Dec 27, 2019By Anna J. Park
T-ara's Jiyeon in comeback with second solo mini album T-ara's Jiyeon returns with her second mini album “SENPASS.” Courtesy of Longzhen Culture DevelopmentBy Cho Hae-minJiyeon, from K-pop girl group T-ara, is making a comeback with her second solo mini album “SENPASS,” released Dec. 26.“SENPASS” is a portmanteau of “sense” and “compass,” encouraging one to follow inner feelings. The music video teaser of the hip-hop style title track “Take a Hike” was released on Dec. 24 and featured Jiyeon with purple hair and a vivid pink fur coat. She debuted with T-ara on July 29, 2009, and made a solo debut with her first EP, “Never Ever,” on May 20, 2014. Her last digital single was “One Day,” released on Dec. 22, 2018. Jiyeon has been starring in various dramas and films, including the 2010 KBS2 drama “Master of Study” and the horror film “Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp” released in 2010.Dec 26, 2019
