SHINee returns with '90s new jack swings S.M. Entertainment’s K-pop band SHINee, from left, Onew, Taemin, Jonghyun, Minho and Key, hold a press conference for their new album “1 of 1” at SM TOWN @ Coex Artium, Seoul, Tuesday. / YonhapBy Kim Jae-heunK-pop boy band SHINee introduced their fifth album “1 of 1” at SM TOWN @ Coex Artium, southern Seoul, Tuesday, returning to their fans with a new retro style of music and fashion.It has been a year and four months since the S.M. Entertainment act released their last full-length album “Odd” in May 2015. Members say they had many discussions on their next concept.“First of all, our new song is new jack swing genre,” said group member Jonghyun during the press conference. “It was a risk going back to the retro style but we decided to add SHINee’s original signature style on it. We had troubles and concerns while working on the album but at the end we all had fun.” The new album consists of nine tracks, including the title track “1 of 1.” International producers Mike Daley, Mitchell Owens,Oct 4, 2016
K-pop star joins int'l high IQ society Block B's Park kyung, a regular guest on tvN's "Problematic Man," has become the first K-pop star to join Mensa.By Ko Dong-hwanKorea’s K-pop industry now has one more thing to be proud of other than borderless fandom and the world’s second-to-none idol culture: it has its first star to join Mensa, an international group of high-IQ people.The breakthrough was led by boy band Block B’s Park Kyung, whose news spread online Tuesday.Seven Seasons, the band’s agency, said the singer had passed a MENSA test, according to Sport Chosun. The band’s Facebook page also confirmed the news on Tuesday with a photo of the letter that informed him he had passed.“tvN’s ‘Problematic Man’ team suggested Park sit the test,” the agency said, referring to the TV quiz show where celebrities known for their knowledge solve brain-teasing problems. Park is a regular guest.“He accepted the challenge and, sitting the test on Sept. 24, has been informed that he passed the test. He is very pleased at the outcome.”The rapper, 24, from the sevenOct 4, 2016
Crayon Pop's Soyul struggles with anxiety disorder Crayon Pop member SoyulBy Ko Dong-hwanK-pop girl band Crayon Pop member Soyul has taken a temporary break as she battles a worsening panic disorder.Chrome Entertainment, the band’s agency, said Monday the singer, 25, was diagnosed while preparing the full-length album “Evolution pop ― Vol. 1,” released Sept. 26. The star’s illness worsened and she gave up joining the band’s comeback schedule after their 18-month hiatus, the agency said.“During the hiatus, the agency’s staff, including the CEO, all changed,” Sports DongA said, citing an agency official. “In addition to the new atmosphere, the band deeply pondered making a good album but that might have given some members serious mental pressure and stress.”Soyul, whose name is Park Hye-kyung, participated in the band’s album showcase at YES24 MUV Hall in western Seoul on Sept. 23 despite the illness. But her symptoms grew worse, with mental uneasiness and fever, as the band began TV appearances. The report said she “really wanted to manage the illness and continueOct 4, 2016
Park Hyo-shin sweeps K-pop charts with new album K-pop singer Park Hyo-shin swept local music charts Monday with the release of his first full-length album in six years.Park's seventh album, titled "I am A Dreamer," contains two title tracks, "Home" and "Beautiful Tomorrow," both of which climbed to the top of eight charts immediately after their release at the stroke of midnight. The charts included those of music sites mnet.com, Bugs and Genie.Other tracks on the album, including "Breath" and "Wonderland," also rose to the top 10, overtaking other top artists such as Lim Chang-jeong and duo Bolppalgan Puberty on the lists.The new album has received positive reviews, with netizens calling it "real music" and "crazy from the first track." Critics have said it blends lyrical sounds with heartwarming words, while capturing the 34-year-old's unique style of singing as if he is speaking.Park is scheduled to hold solo concerts in Seoul on Oct. 8, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 16. All 55,000 tickets were sold out within just 12 minutes. (Yonhap)Oct 3, 2016
BigBang member's debut as curator sparks criticism Rapper T.O.P of the K-pop idol group BigBang poses in front of Korean artist Paik Nam-june’s project “Fat Boy” (1997). / Courtesy of Gary So @ Mad Carrot ProductionBy Kim Jae-heunT.O.P, a rapper in the K-pop boy band BigBang, made his international debut as a guest curator at Sotheby’s evening auction of Western and Asian contemporary art in Hong Kong, Monday, but drew criticism from some experts.The 29-year old musician is well-known for his hobby of collecting designer furniture and contemporary artwork, which led him to work on art-related projects recently, including serving as co-curator of the contemporary Asian art exhibition, “The Eye Zone,” at Singapore’s ArtScience Museum in 2015 and loaning part of his collection to Yang Haegue’s exhibition at the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art the same year.However, debuting as a solo curator at Sotheby’s is at a different level and some experts questioned his credentials to do the job at one of the world’s largest brokers of fine and decorative art with a collection wortOct 3, 2016
Sex scandal singer takes break from TV shows Jung Joon-young, a prodigy from singing competition “Superstar K: Season 4,” says he will be stepping down from KBS TV variety show “2 Days & 1 Night” and tvN TV cooking show “Mr. Baek the Homemade Food Master 2” until his case is resolved. / Courtesy of C9 EntertainmentBy Lee Han-sooSex scandal-hit Korean singer Jung Joon-young has decided to step down from TV variety show “2 Days & 1 Night” and “Mr. Baek the Homemade Food Master 2.”The singer was embroiled in the scandal after his ex-girlfriend sued him on Aug. 6 for allegedly taking naked pictures of her without consent while they had sexual intercourse.“The pictures were taken by my mobile phone with consent of a woman I had dated earlier this year,” Jung said at a press conference on Sept. 25. “They were erased immediately and the charges have been dropped by the complainant”Jung also apologized to fellow cast members of the TV shows and said he would accept any decision made by the program directors.The director of “2 Days &aSep 30, 2016
tvN unveils 10-year global expansion strategy Lee Deok-jae, president of Media Content Business at CJ E&M, speaks during a press conferenceat Stanford Hotel in Mapo, western Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of CJ E&MBy Kim Jae-heunCJ E&M’s cable network tvN unveiled its 10-year strategy aiming to expand its global influence on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.“It has been four years since we developed content for the global market and formed a business group,” said Lee Deok-jae, president of CJ E&M’s Media Content Business, during a press conference at Stanford Hotel in Mapo, western Seoul.“We have already established the global center within our company and it aims to distribute our reality TV shows like The Genius worldwide. Better Late than Never, the American remake of Grandpas Over Flowers, attracted many viewers with its pilot program among its competitors aired at the same time and NBC has decided to renew it for season two. It is a very meaningful achievement and the media of other countries are paying close attention to it.”“The Genius” is tvN&rsquoSep 30, 2016
Dal Shabet's 'FRI. SAT. SUN' salutes weekends K-pop girl group Dal Shabet pose for a photo during a press conference at Ilchi Art Hall in Gangnam, southern Seoul, Wednesday. From left are Subin, Ayoung, Serri and Woohee. / /Courtesy of Happyface EntertainmentBy Park Jae-hyukK-pop girl group Dal Shabet released their 10th mini-album “FRI. SAT. SUN” and a new music video, Thursday. The four-member group introduced their new songs to fans on Mnet’s “M Countdown,” on the same day.“We actually planned to return before September,” said Subin during the press conference at Ilchi Art Hall in Gangnam, southern Seoul, Wednesday. “However, we had to delay our return because it took time to decide the title track.”The title track of the five-song album is “FRI. SAT. SUN,” which was composed by hit songwriters Sinsadong Tiger, Monster Factory and Samuel Ku. The song features a blending of ratchet, drum and bass, tropical and trap.Dal Shabet said they tried to contrast busy weekdays and exciting weekends through the song. The song’s beat and dance become faster when Sep 30, 2016By Park Jae-hyuk
It's official! Seoul's 10 must-visit sites N Seoul Tower, on top of Mt. Namsan in central Seoul, ranks first in a list of the top-10 sites based on Seoul City's survey on 12,000 foreign visitors and Seoul citizens between Sept. 1 and 20. / Korea TImes fileBy Hong Dam-youngAre you finding it difficult to decide where to go in Seoul?Seoul City can help. It has just released a list of the top-10 sites based on its survey of 12,000 foreign visitors and Seoul citizens between Sept. 1 and 20. Graphic by Cho Sang-wonN Seoul Tower, on top of Mt. Namsan in central Seoul, ranks first. It has been maintaining its reputation as Seoul’s must-see landmark among couples and tourists because of its relaxing atmosphere and cultural spaces.It gained more fame when it featured in SBS drama “My Love from the Star” -- which went viral among Korean Wave (hallyu) fans -- as a symbolic site for romance. In the show, the main female character, Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun), and Do Min-jun (Kim Soo-hyun) vow their eternal love by fastening a “love lock” to the wall of a terrace at the tower.Gyeongbokgung Palace, aSep 29, 2016
Singer Horan hides after drunken car accident Horan performs in a TV music performance show on EBS. / Courtesy of EBSBy Ko Dong-hwanK-pop singer Horan has gone into hiding after an alleged drunken car accident on Thursday.The female star from trio Clazziquai Project rammed a cleaning truck near an intersection on the south side of Seongsu Bridge in Seoul around 5:50 a.m., according to media reports. She was on her way to host her daily morning radio show on SBS Power FM.Seoul Gangnam police booked the singer without arrest on a charge of drunk driving and causing injury to the truck driver in his 50s. Police said her blood-alcohol level was 0.101 percent, enough to revoke her license.“She is deeply regretting her wrongdoing,” Fluxus Music, the star’s agency, said. “She has fully cooperated with the police investigation. From now on, she will indefinitely cut off all her public appearances.”Clazziquai Project, popular for its electronic music, released its seventh studio album, “Travellers,” earlier this month, two years after its previous album.Horan, 37, whose name is Choi Soo-jin,Sep 29, 2016
