Sechs Kies dominates music charts with 'Three Words' Reunited Korean boy band Sechs Kies made a chart-topping comeback after a 16-year absence. / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Lee Jin-aReunited K-pop band Sechs Kies has swept local music charts with new song “Three Words,” released 16 years after the group disbanded.On its release on Oct. 8, the ballad topped eight major music charts, including Melon, Olleh Music, Bugs and Mnet Music. It also ranked first on the monthly Gaon Music Chart on Thursday. The six-member boy band debuted in 1997 but disbanded unexpectedly in 2000. After reuniting in April this year for a concert on popular TV variety show "Infinite Challenge," it made a successful comeback to the music scene in September.Sechs Kies is best known for songs including “Way of Knighthood” (1997), “Road Fighter” (1998) and “Couple” (1998). Nov 11, 2016
Psy abruptly cancels TV appearance, raises suspicion Psy By Kim Jae-heunGlobal K-pop star Psy has reportedly postponed his planned appearance on popular talk show “Radio Star” next Wednesday, raising suspicion over allegations the rapper is connected to the Choi Soon-sil scandal.PSY is not directly involved with Choi, President Park Geun-hye’s close confidant suspected of having abused power in state affairs, his agency YG Entertainment announced last Thursday. However, YG cannot deny PSY’s connection with artistic director Cha Eun-taek, another key figure in the scandal related to cultural affairs with Choi. Cha directed music videos for Psy’s digital single “Hangover” in 2014 and YG’s most successful hip hop boy band BigBang’s biggest hit “Lie” in 2007..Although YG said Psy has delayed his TV appearance due to his busy schedule preparing for his new album, many believe he is uncomfortable appearing on the small screen where he may face possible questions on his relationship with Cha and Choi.The artistic director also has connections with YG Entertainment CEO YangNov 9, 2016
More K-pop idols active in producing music ZicoBy Kim Jae-heunIn the K-pop scene, it can be hard to find popular idol singers who could write their own songs, as many of them were trained to only sing and dance before their debut. However, more young K-pop stars are beginning to write their own songs, allowing them to pursue originality in music and providing them with a chance to work as songwriters at the same time.There have been popular singer-songwriters like Park Jin-young, Gaeko and Choija of Dynamic Duo, who’ve all received much love for their own style of music. However, most of the singers from past idol groups, such as H.O.T, Fin.K.L or G.O.D did not create their own songs. They had professional music producers in the company to write songs for them and would record their albums according to producers’ guidance. And many times, although they were very successful in selling millions of albums, others did not regard them as true musicians.G-DragonG-Dragon, the rapper of YG Entertainment’s most successful hip-hop group BIGBANG, rose as one of the first idol musicians to produce songs since his debut Nov 8, 2016
K-pop band Snuper sweeps Japan's music charts K-pop boy band Snuper has swept Japan’s music charts with its new album “You=Heaven” as of this week. / Courtesy of Widmay EntertainmentBy Lee Jin-aK-pop boy group Snuper has dominated Japan’s music charts with its new single “You=Heaven.”The song, released on Oct. 30 in Japan, has hit no. 3 on Tower Records’ weekly chart and ranked 12th place on Oricon’s music charts as of Monday.“Through its success in Japan, the group has proven its potential to become the next breakthrough Hallyu boy band,” said its agency, Widmay Entertainment.The six-member group debuted in 2015 with the mini-album “Shall We.” It gained its popularity through its soundtrack for the drama “Oh My Venus” (2016) and song “U” (2016).The agency said Snuper will release its next mini-album, “Rain of Mind,” in Korea on Nov. 15.Nov 7, 2016
K-pop star Psy denies ties to Choi Soon-sil By Kim Jae-heun Psy Lee Seung-chulK-pop star Psy is not acquainted with the niece of Choi Soon-sil, President Park Geun-hye’s confidant who is currently charged with abuse of authority and attempted fraud, YG Entertainment announced Thursday. Jang Si-ho, the daughter of Choi’s older sister Soon-deuk, is suspected pulling strings along with her mother to wield her influence in the entertainment industry. She has reportedly made connections with celebrities in the entertainers’ football team called FC Hoeori, according to opposition party lawmaker An Min-suk in his report on news channel TBS.Although An did not name specific celebrities who could have been in contact with Jang, the names of singers Psy, Lee Seung-chul and Kim Heung-gook surfaced as rumors spread fast on the internet.YG Entertainment said in its official statement Psy has never met Jang and the top star has no relationship her. In addition, the company said Psy is not a member of FC Hoeori and Jang has never worked at YG.Kim, who is president of the Korea Singers Association, said in an Nov 4, 2016
Actor Park Bo-gum to embark on Asia tour Park Bo-gum, the star of TV series "Love in the Moonlight," will soon travel across Asia to meet with his fans, his management agency said Thursday.Park, who played the charming Crown Prince Lee Yeong, will kick off his tour in Malaysia and then travel to Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and China, Blossom Entertainment said. The tour will wrap up with a fan meeting in South Korea before the end of the year.Details of his visits to each country will be announced through Blossom Entertainment's official website and social media accounts at a later date, it said."The upcoming fan meetings will be a special occasion for Park Bo-gum to hold proper meetings with his fans not only at home but also across Asia," the agency said. "They will be made up of various programs through which Park and his fans can talk and enjoy themselves."The KBS period drama ended last month after recording viewership ratings above 20 percent. (Yonhap)Nov 3, 2016
BLACKPINK still uncertain about its musical identity BLACKPINK members pose during an interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday. From left are Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo and Rose. / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Kim Jae-heunBLACKPINK released their latest mini-album “Square Two,” sweeping online music charts both local and abroad. However, the YG Entertainment girl group has still failed to establish its own identity and differentiate its music style from YG’s other girl group 2NE1.During an interview with The Korea Times in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul, on Wednesday, the girl group struggled to answer questions on the difference between their music and 2NE1’s songs.“Because we are in the same company, we have the same influence undoubtedly,” said Jennie. “2NE1 has been very successful in many ways and I don’t know if we can make it as far, but we will try to do it on our own.”She also added that the group dances well, as all four members have been practicing for a long time.“We dance to difference genres such as krumping, ballet and hip-hop, together with invited foreign choreograNov 2, 2016
'I don't want to let go of Moonlight' Actress Kim You-jung poses ahead of the media interview at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday. / YonhapKim You-jung says ‘Moonlight’ made her mature actressBy Park Jin-haiThe heroine Kim You-jung, who played the male servant Hong Ra-on who pretends to be a eunuch in the fantasy period drama, “Moonlight Drawn by Clouds” -- which has recently finished airing -- with the actor Park Bo-gum, said that she doesn’t feel that the hugely popular drama has actually ended.“I felt like the drama would continue forever while I was shooting, but it ended. Since I have felt a deep attachment to the Ra-on character, it is hard to leave it and say goodbye,” said Kim during the interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday. “‘Moonlight’ has been the drama that I cannot and I don’t want to forget.”The 17-year-old actress debuted in 2003 through a local cookie commercial and has built her acting career appearing in many movies and dramas since. In “Moonlight” the teenage actress has formed a sweet and rNov 2, 2016
Tom Cruise to promote 'Jack Reacher' sequel in Korea American actor Tom Cruise will visit Korea on Nov. 7 to promote his new film, “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back." / Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Lee Jin-aHollywood star Tom Cruise will visit Korea on Monday to promote his new movie, "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.”According to movie industry sources Wednesday, Cruise will hold a press conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel at 1:30 p.m. Monday and a red carpet event at Lotte World at 5:40 p.m.This will be his eighth visit to Korea, with the first promoting “Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles” in 1994.His second ‘Jack Reacher’ film, set to be released on Nov. 24 in Korea, tells the story of Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise), a man with exceptional intelligence and sharp intuition, who strives to uncover the truth behind a government conspiracy and the assassination of his colleagues.Nov 2, 2016
Girl band Blackpink sweeps music charts (From left) Blackpink's Jisoo, Rose, Jennie and LisaBy Ko Dong-hwanYang Hyun-seokYG Entertainment founder and acting chief Yang Hyun-seok’s faith in the company’s girl band Blackpink has been well and truly justified.The group’s latest numbers have swept Korea’s seven major online music charts.Back in August, at a showcase event in Seoul that introduced the band, Yang said: “Girl groups are five times harder to make than boys.”“Girl bands have just too many things to fix compared to boys,” said Yang, the former K-pop idol from iconic band Seo Taeji and Boys. “But I have seen them for the past six years practicing. I believe in them.”Three months after Blackpink earned fame with single hits “Whistle” and “Boombayah,” the dance-music band on Tuesday released its second mini album, “Title Two,” which contains lead tracks “Playing with Fire” and “Stay.”The seasoned YG executive’s faith in the band was reinforced as the two numbers, which were released at midnight,Nov 1, 2016
