Tenor pushes classical music boundary, incorporates folk music Tenor Ryu Jung-phil / Courtesy of Feel CompanyBy Lee Gyu-leeTenor Ryu Jung-phil is so much more than just a classical music vocalist. Dubbed a "multiplayer in genres of music," Ryu unshackled himself from the conventions of classical music, and has been striving to apply his musical techniques in new and diverse ways. “I want to be the singer who shows diverse pictures and genres of music,” Ryu said during an interview with The Korea Times, Thursday. “Rather than specializing in one specific genre or having a similar repertory, I want my voice to be heard in different ways.”After graduating from Seoul National University Vocal Music Department, Ryu went to Italy for soloist diploma at Accademia Internazionale di Parma “Orfeo” in the late 1990s. Then he made a debut in Europe in the early 2000s and spent about 10 years there, performing as a classical music singer across Europe.During his time abroad, he was exposed to many different types of music which caused him to take a deep interest in a wide variety of genres. “I've traveled foreign couAug 30, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
VIDEO BTS looks lost behind untinted window Jimin look out of the car's window as the band leaves Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasedena, California, after performing there in May 2019. Capture from Twitter postBy Ko Dong-hwanJimin at a press conference at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul's Jung-gu District, April 17, 2019, after the band's release of "Map of the Soul: Persona." Korea Times fileIt can forever remain a mystery to fans what celebrities do when they are on the move in their cars. Now BTS's Jimin has broken the spell.A Twitter user's video from last May shows the artist from the globally acclaimed K-pop boy band sitting in a black sedan as it leaves the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. With crowds outside the stadium, Jimin's car is part of a motorcade leaving the venue where the band played as part of its world tour. Jimin appears dumbfounded as he looks out of the untinted rear window at the crowd. Slow motion makes the moment seem even more dramatic. The person who posted the clip said her father captured the scene while waiting for her outside the stadium.In the 36-second clip, other cars in the motorcade appAug 30, 2019By Ko Dong-hwan
Singer Kassy returns with second mini-album in September Kassy is returning with her second mini-album "Rewind" on September 5. Capture from Instagram @real.kassyBy Lee Han-naSinger Kassy will make a comeback with her second mini-album “Rewind” on September 5, six months after the single “True Song.”She uploaded a short video on her social media, sharing a melody from the new song ― a harmony of slow guitar instrumentals, with the sound of harmonica reminding of the approaching autumn.As she is known for her husky voice, many fans expressed excitement on her comeback. One commented: “It is a perfect autumn song.” Others wrote: “Melody itself already excites me, what more will it be with her voice?”Kassy debuted in 2015 with the digital single “In My Bed.” Her single “The day was beautiful,” released last December, topped several music charts. The following single, “True Song,” released in March, also topped the charts. Her popularity is shown by the fact her May concert sold out in 40 seconds.Aug 29, 2019
EXO singer melts fans' hearts at Busan beach From left, Jeongyeol, Chen and Cho Jung-chi busk at Gwangalli Beach in Busan, Wednesday. The city's symbolic Gwangan Bridge is behind them. Courtesy of Naver blogBy Ko Dong-hwanChen made his solo debut in April. Courtesy of SM EntertainmentEXO singer Chen presented a busking event for crowds at Gwangalli Beach in Busan on Wednesday evening, melting their hearts with calm ballads.The star from SM Entertainment's nine-member K-pop boy band sat on a seat on the sandy shore and sang to an acoustic guitar tune played by Cho Jung-chi.Singer Jeongyeol from duo band 10CM joined the busking.At the beach, Chen sang numbers from his first solo mini-album released in April, including “Beautiful Goodbye” and “Love words.” The album “April, and a flower” signaled his solo debut after having worked with his teammates since 2012.The singer was at ease throughout the gig, throwing comments at the crowd and conversing with fellow artists. After singing a snippet of his own number, he laughed, saying “I am not good at memorizing even my own songs.”His reaAug 29, 2019By Ko Dong-hwan
Trot diva in contract dispute with agency Trot diva Hong Jin-young is in a contract termination dispute with her agency. Capture from her Instagram @sambahongBy Lee Han-naTrot diva Hong Jin-young is in dispute with her agency Music K over the termination of her contract.Hong announced her decision and reason to leave the agency on Instagram Friday. She described the agency as her family for which she had worked for 10 years and how this had made her feel more betrayed. She wrote: “My health started to deteriorate and starting this June, I had a strong lower abdominal pain and got surgery. It became hard to carry out all the schedules and I have informed the agency but they forced the schedules on me.”She claimed there were dual contracts with advertisers that she did not know about and doubtful profit payment calculations. “The agency did not apologize and admit, but made excuses,” Hong said. “I decided that our trust in this relationship is broken. I filed a contract termination lawsuit today.” Music K said it was a misunderstanding and the contract was already in her favor. As for the prAug 26, 2019
Idol rapper-turned-producer B-Bomb surprises fans with August comeback Idol rapper B-Bomb will release another single, "Love Song," on Friday evening. Capture from Instagram @bbomb2011By Lee Han-naBlock B's rapper B-Bomb is back with another single “Love Song” ― to be released Friday ― following the single “Dawn,” released on July 2. His band and B-Bomb uploaded a teaser photo on their social media account. On a blue background, the teaser showed a blurry silhouette of a person, adding to the curiosity of fans.Through the previous single, B-Bomb showed off his production skills and talent. The new single features his close rapper friend Hanhae and many fans are expecting a special synergy from the pair.B-Bomb debuted in April 2011 with the seven-member boy band Block B with the single “Do U Wanna B?” B-Bomb has performed as Block B BASTARZ with other two ― P.O and U-Kwon ― since 2015.Aug 26, 2019
Singer-songwriter Nilo releases comeback song 'He's story' Singer-songwriter Nilo has written a song based on his experience as an acapella band member to thank his supporters and friends. Capture from Instagram @real.niloBy Lee Han-naSinger-songwriter Nilo will release his comeback single “He's story” on Monday evening, six months after his fifth single, “The day, I hate myself.” Its Korean title "But" has a double meaning in English and Korean, in which it means “friend.” He wrote the song to thank his supporters and friends and based the lyrics on his experience as a member of an acapella band, likewise its English title. Through the comeback single, Nilo will present a brighter image, following the gloomy perception listeners have of the artist because he usually sings about breakups.Nilo debuted in 2015 with the single “Fool” and rose to stardom with “Pass By” from his first EP album “About You.” Aug 26, 2019
Review: Taylor Swift taps into her joyful side with 'Lover' This cover image released by Republic Records shows "Lover", the latest release by Taylor Swift. APIf you want an easy way to see how far Taylor Swift has come since her last album, just compare the two covers. If 2017's ``reputation'' featured a photo of Swift unsmiling in black and white, ``Lover'' is an explosion of color, clouds and sparkles. The superb new 18-track collection finds Swift looking backward and forward through the lens of love _ both present and absent, lustfully and wistfully, friendly and concerned. She calls it a ``love letter to love itself.'' It's a remarkable look at the various hues love can take. A songwriter long associated with bright red is painting now in blues and golds. ``I want to be defined by the things I love _ not the things I hate,'' she writes in the album notes and repeats in the final song, ``Daylight.'' For many of the songs, she's reunited with producer Jack Antonoff. This time, they've hacked away at a lot of the previous electronic clutter to show off Swift and her rich pop songwriting. The album kicks off with the trop-hop ``I Forgot Aug 25, 2019
Berlin Philharmonic, new conductor perform at Brandenburg Gate New chief conductor Kirill Petrenko conducts the Berliner Philharmoniker philharmonic orchestra performing the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven during a free of charge, open-air concert in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany Aug. 24, 2019. ReutersThe Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and its new principal conductor, Kirill Petrenko, played Beethoven's Symphony No 9 for crowds in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Saturday night.The concert was part of celebrations marking 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. An estimated 35,000 people turned up for the performance under open skies on the central Strasse des 17 Juni.After the final chorus with Friedrich Schiller's "Ode to Joy," the crowd celebrated Petrenko and the orchestra with a long applause.The concert, the first time the philharmonic has played in front of the historic gate, was broadcast live by German TV station RBB.Petrenko had already began his time at the helm of the philharmonic on Friday by conducting Beethoven's Ninth. He is only the orchestra's seventh chief conductor in its 137-year history. (DPA)Aug 25, 2019
Singer Eddie Money says he has stage 4 esophageal cancer In this Aug. 6, 2004, file photo, Eddie Money performs during Grandstand Under the Stars at the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, Iowa. APEddie Money says he has stage 4 esophageal cancer. The singer known for such hits as ``Two Tickets to Paradise'' and ``Take Me Home Tonight'' says his fate is in ``God's hands.'' Money's comments appear in a video released Saturday from his AXS TV reality series ``Real Money.'' The full episode airs Sept. 12. In the video, Money says he discovered he had cancer after what he thought was a routine checkup. The 70-year-old whose real name is Edward Mahoney learned that the disease had spread to his liver and lymph nodes. Money said it hit him ``really, really hard.'' He's had numerous health problems recently including heart valve surgery earlier this year and pneumonia after the procedure, leading to his cancellation of a planned summer tour. (AP)Aug 25, 2019
