K-pop band VIXX to return with 'Hades' VIXX is on the comeback trail with a new album. / Courtesy of Jellyfish EntertainmentBy Lee Jin-aKorean boy band VIXX will make a comeback with a new album “Hades” on August 12, its agency said.Jellyfish Entertainment announced the band’s return by releasing a teaser video through VIXX’s Instagram at midnight on Sunday.“Hades” is the second album of the band’s “Conception” trilogy following the album “Zelos” which was released in April. The title track of the new album has not been revealed.The six-member band will also hold a concert titled “Live Fantasia Elysium” at Olympic Park in eastern Seoul on August 13 and 14. The agency said VIXX would perform the new songs at its concert for the first time. Aug 1, 2016
TV show banks on popularity of rap music Participants of Mnet’s female rap competition show “Unpretty Rapstar” season 3 pose during a press meeting at Amoris Hall in Time Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, Friday. Contestants, from left, are rappers Grace, Nada, Miryo, Euna Kim, Yuk Jidam, Giant Pink, Jeon So-yeon, Janey, Kassy and Ha Joo-yeon. / Courtesy of CJ E&MBy Kim Jae-heun The third season of Cable TV Mnet’s rap competition show “Unpretty Rapstar” premiered Friday, hoping to take on the success of the recently ended season 5 of the hit hip-hop survival series “Show Me the Money” (SMTM).Unpretty Rapstar is a spin-off of SMTM, featuring female contestants only, and aired its first and second seasons last year from January through March and September through November. Both seasons turned out successful, recording a 1.4 percent and 2 percent viewer rating, which are high for cable TV series, considering that the content is limited to a genre of music that mainly appeals only to young adults.SMTM confronted the same dilemma as Unpretty Rapstar in its earlier seasonJul 31, 2016
Former K-pop star denies sexual harassment / Courtesy of TwitterBy Hong Dam-youngLee Hyun-do, a former member of Korean hip-hop duo DEUX in the early 1990s, has denied sexually harassing a woman nearly three years ago.D.O Entertainment, which Lee, 44, founded, said in a statement on Friday, “Nothing is true about the plaintiff’s claim. We just found out about the accusation through an article today. There has not been any record of Lee undergoing any investigation regarding the issue.”Former DEUX member Lee Hyun-do, left, and the late Kim Sung-jae / Courtesy of YoutubeThe plaintiff lodged a complaint last month, claiming Lee sexually harassed her at his home in Seoul’s Gwangjin district at around 2 a.m. on Sep 2, 2013.The agency stated, “We can’t help but view this as mere malice, to which we will strongly respond.”The agency also emphasized that Lee fully welcomed an investigation so the truth could be revealed.Jul 31, 2016
I.O.I to go head-to-head with BLACKPINK I.O.I unit / Courtesy of TwitterBy Lee Han-sooSeven members of K-pop girl band the Ideal of Idol, better known as I.O.I, are making a comeback with a new unit on August 9.The timing coincides with YG Entertainment’s ambitious new K-pop girl group BLACKPINK that debuts a day before.The unit of I.O.I -- who are 11 winners from Mnet’s star audition show “Produce 101” -- includes Lim Na-young, Kim Chung-ha, Zhou Jieqiong, Kim So-hye, Choi Yoo-jung, Kim Do-yeon and Jeon So-mi.This will be the I.O.I unit’s debut after releasing its mini album, “Chrysalis,” in May.BLACKPINK / Courtesy of TwitterBLACKPINK is the first girl band YG has debuted in seven years, since 2NE1 in 2009. It consists of Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo and Rose. Its dance video uploaded to YouTube has surpassed 5 million views in 24 days.Jul 29, 2016
2PM's Jun.K plans August solo comeback Jun.K will go on stage as a solo artist in August. / Courtesy of 2PM’s FacebookBy Yeo Ye-rimK-pop boy group 2PM’s Jun.K will return as a solo artist in August.Jun.K’s agency, JYP Entertainment, said Friday it will reveal on August 1 the track list for his new album, “Mr. No Love.” On August 4, it will release a track from the album, “Don’t Go,” a duet with Baek A-yeon, a final contestant from the Korean talent show “K-pop Star.”Teaser images for the album will be released the same day, while a music video teaser will be released on August 5 and the album go on sale on August 9.Jun. K debuted in 2008 as a member of 2PM and has released several solo albums since 2011. He also gained popularity in Japan with his mini solo albums “LOVE & HATE” and “Love Letter,” which topped Japanese music site Oricon.Jul 29, 2016
SM stars ready to say 'aloha' Hawaii (From top) Super Junior, Girls’ Generation and EXOBy Ko Dong-hwanAn army of K-pop stars is heading to Hawaii in late August to bask in the sun, eat, swim and have fun.SM Entertainment, which houses bands and soloists including Girls’ Generation, EXO, Super Junior, SHINee, f(x) and BoA, said Tuesday it will take the stars and other employees to the American island state for a vacation. The group of 350 will travel there in a private jet to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary.“Since the trip has been planned to celebrate the company’s legacy, most of the company’s crew will participate,” a spokesman said, according to Star News. He said planning started early this year.Company founder and CEO Lee Soo-man will lead the trip and several hotels will be used.Because of the trip, the SM performers will not participate in one of the nation’s biggest sports competitions for K-pop stars, “Idol Star Athletics Championships,” hosted by MBC. Filming will start before the Chuseok holidays ― the Korean version of ThanksgivinJul 29, 2016
Actor Park Hae-jin donates 1 billion won Actor Park Hae-jin / Courtesy of Mountain Movement ManagementBy Lee Jin-aActor Park Hae-jin has donated 1.1 billion won ($970,000) over the past six years, his agency said.According to Mountain Movement Management on Tuesday, the star of tvN’s hit drama “Cheese in the Trap” gave the money from 2011 to 2016. “Park believes he should return the love from his fans,” the agency said. “He not only continues to make a donation but also participates in volunteer activities.”Park donated to Japanese earthquake victims and child-care centers in 2011 and gave 100 million won of daily necessities to Guryong Village in Gangnam in 2013.In the following year, the actor contributed to the fund for victims of the Sewol ferry sinking and donated another 100 million won to a senior welfare center in Guryong Village. He also donated the same amount to help the victims of floods in Busan in August 2014.Park contributed to the Community Chest of Korea last year and gave all proceeds of his fan meeting in China to a welfare center in Shanghai in April. Jul 27, 2016
Woman admits false charges against Lee Lee Jin-wook A woman in her 30s who accused actor Lee Jin-wook of sexual assault on July 14 admitted Tuesday that her accusations were false, according to the Suseo Police in Seoul.According to the police, the woman had initially accused the actor of sexually assaulting her after she drank with him at his apartment on July 12 after their first meeting. But she changed her story and claimed that their intercourse was consensual.Due to the woman's confession, Lee is likely to be cleared of the charges.Lee had strongly denied the allegations, claiming the act was consensual. He filed a countersuit against the woman for defamation.The police said they found circumstantial evidence that threw the charges into question in the process of their investigation, yet continued the investigation to collect more evidence. The woman's legal representatives resigned on July 23, when it became clear her accusations were false.The woman and Lee were both summoned for questioning and were given a lie detector test. Jul 27, 2016
Las Vegas 'Chippendales' strip show comes to Korea /Courtesy of TwitterBy Lee Han-sooMajor Las Vegas show the “Chippendales” is coming to Seoul to turn up the heat for Korean women.The Chippendales, a dance troupe best known for its male striptease performances, has toured over 100 cities and mesmerized millions of women worldwide during its 35-year history.Actors dress as firefighters, police and cowboys, with matching concepts and plots behind each performance. One of the most famous performances includes the actors ripping off their tops and throwing them into the crowd, followed by synchronized dancing.The show, open to women over the age of 19, will be performed at Olympic Hall in Seoul Olympic Park from Aug 3 to 8. Tickets, ranging from 60,000 won ($52) to 180,000 won, can be purchased from Clipservice, Hana Ticket, Auction, Yes24 and Interpark.Discounts are available for VIP, R and A seats reserved by the end of Friday.Jul 27, 2016
Lizzy's Dokdo comments spark Japanese flak Lizzy at the Island of Ulleungdo with the Korean flag / Courtesy of InstagramBy Yeo Ye-rimLizzy from K-pop girl group After School has been facing criticism from Japanese netizens after posting several photos of Dokdo Island on Instagram.The photos showed Lizzy holding the Korean flag and cheering for the Korean guards on the island off Korea’s east coast. In some photos she said: “Dokdo is a Korean territory.”Japanese netizens responded with fury, with some attacking her personally. They said “Lizzy should not come to Japan, ever,” “Dokdo is Japanese territory,” “You are not very considerate of your Japanese fans” and “Your caption is very offensive to Japanese fans.”But Korean fans embraced the singer, whose real name is Park Soo-young. They said “We are proud of you,” “Dokdo definitely belongs to Korea” and “You are a patriot! Don’t mind the malicious comments.”Dokdo Island has long been embroiled in controversial territorial disputes between South Korea and Japan.Jul 27, 2016
