Teen girls flock to EXO showcase Members of the group EXO perform at a showcase for their second mini-album “Overdose” at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium, Seoul, Tuesday. / YonhapBy Park Jin-haiIf the decibel level from a cheering crowd measures the popularity of a pop band, EXO tops them all.During the one-and-half hour showcase for the K-pop boy-band’s second mini-album, “EXO Comeback Show,” Tuesday night, the non-stop screams from swooning female teenage fans were literally deafening.Yet it was not even a proper concert — just a showcase prior to their album release slated for April 21 — and held in the evening in the middle of the week. Despite this, some 8,000 thrilled fans filled the Jamsil Indoor Stadium, Seoul.Some fans showed up as early as 11 a.m., although all seats were reserved except for an 800 person standing room area. Around half past four, fans queued for those on a first-come-first-served basis.“I’m a huge fan. I just came here for the showcase,” said Mia, from Japan, who was part of a group of Japanese tourists on a bus.Tong, a 20-somethApr 16, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Korean producer joins Tupac Shakur musical on Broadway By Chung Ah-youngShin Chun-sooKorean producer Shin Chun-soo will put on a new musical inspired by American legendary rapper Tupac Shakur’s music on Broadway next month.“Holler If Ya Hear Me” is one of the most anticipated musicals on Broadway, which will see preview performances from May 26 and then officially open on June 19 at the Palace Theater.Shin, CEO of OD Musical Company in Korea, has joined as one of the producers who include the late rapper’s mother, Afeni Shakur, Eric L. Gold and Jessica Green.Previously, other Korean producers participated in co-productions on Broadway but this is the first time for one to have overall control of the story development.He built up his reputation through the successful revival of “Dreamgirls” co-produced with John F. Breglio in 2009 on Broadway.The musical is based on the legendary rapper’s lyrics and tunes such as “Me Against the World,” “California Love,” and “Keep Ya Head Up.”Shakur was an iconic hip-hop musician who was shot in a drive-by shooting and died in Apr 15, 2014
Teen duo 15& releases single Cover of 15&’s latest digital single “Can’tHide It.”By Kim Ji-sooThe K-pop teen female duo 15& have released a new digital single.Comprised of Park Ji-min, 16, and Baek Ye-rin, 16, the two released “Can’t Hide It!” Monday. The duo made their debut last year.The song was pre-shown in the final episode of the audition program “K-Pop Star 3,” Sunday. Park was the winner of the first audition program.The powerful vocal duo with JYP Entertainment have returned with their trademark ballad sound.Apr 15, 2014
Tablo to return as radio DJ By Kim Ji-sooTablo of Epik High will start his own radio show on April 21.Slated for the 10 p.m.-midnight slot every day, the program will air on MBC radio (91.9 MHz).The show will mark the singer/rapper’s first return to radio since his last programcame to an end in June 2009.The Stanford-educated singer had long faced public rumors about whether his degree was genuine, which the American university ended in 2012 by issuing a copy of the diploma.Married to actress Kang Hye-jung (“Oldboy”), Tablo is currently appearing with hisdaughter Haru in a variety program titled “Superman Returns.”Tablo said that as a DJ, he wants to contribute to creating a radio program that offers stories as well as music people want to hear.Apr 15, 2014
Lady Gaga, Psy share Seoul stage in August Lady Gaga holds hands with David Letterman when they walk on 53rd Street when she appears on Late Show with David Letterman in New York City on April 2, 2014. / UPI-YonhapBy Kim Ji-sooPop star Lady Gaga will co-grace a Seoul stage with leading YG artists including Psy, Big Bang and 2NE1 in August.The concert organizer Live Nation and YG Entertainment said Tuesday that the concert will take place Aug. 15-16 at the Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium in southern Seoul. The pan-Asian life insurance group AIA will be the global sponsor for the concert titled Real Life: Now Festival 2014.”YG artists Psy, Big Bang, 2NE1 and the new group Winner will take to the stage on Aug. 15 and Lady Gaga on Aug. 16.More details for the concert will be disclosed in stages via www.facebook.com/nowfestivalkr.Ticket sales will open on April 21 via Yes24 and G-Market. There will be an “early-bird”shopping chance starting at 8 p.m. on April 17 with a 20 percent discount.A one-day pass is expected to be priced at 126,000 won, and the two-day pass at 185,000 won.The concert is expected to be a vApr 15, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Reality programs focus on singles Members of the cast of “Share House” pose at a press conference at CJ E&M Center in Sangam-dong, Seoul, Monday. The program brings nine starstogether to share a common living space. / Yonhap‘Share House,’ ‘Roommate’ start this weekBy Kim Ji-soo One of the reasons that Korean “reality” programs are enjoying a heyday is that they reflect what’s in demand or what’s lacking in Korean society today.In graying Korea, the television audience is highly attuned to celebrities traveling with their children as in “Where Are We Going Dad?” and “Superman Returns.” The former, which has been successfully remade in China, won the top prize in the television entertainment program division at the Houston International Film Awards, Monday.A more affluent Korean society is also more into vicariously enjoying life through watching travel programs as seen with “Grandfathers Over Flowers,” where veteran Korean actors Lee Sun-jae, Shin Gu, ParkGeun-hyung and Baek Il-sup travel overseas with a Apr 15, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Bernard Park wins 'K-pop Star 3' Bernard ParkBy Park Si-sooKorean-American Bernard Park won “K-pop Star 3,” the third session of a talent show on SBS TV, on Sunday and decided to do his pre-debut activities with the JYP music label.In the final round of the competition aired live, the 21-year-old from Atlanta received the biggest acclamation from three judges — Park Jin-young, Yang Hyun-suk and Yoo Hee-yeol — and audiences for his rendition of American R&B singer R. Kelly’s hit “I Believe I Can Fly,” as well as the Korean song “Because I Love” by the late K-pop legend Yoo Jae-ha.The runner-up was another Korean-American contestant, Sam Kim.“I’m so happy. Thank you so much,” Park said in tears after his victory was announced.“Please keep watching me.” Given an opportunity to select a label he will work with for his official debut, he selected JYP, the third largest Korean label, saying, “I consider Park (Jin-young) to be the best teacher for me.” JYP manages several top K-pop musicians, inApr 14, 2014
Rising actor stays calm Rising star remains calm: Actor Yeo Jin-goo said Monday that he had no comment regarding the cancellation of his role in “Gweonbeop,” ata press conference for a 3D film on the making of “Uigwe” or the Royal Protocols of the Joseon Kingdom (1329-1910). / Korea TimesApr 14, 2014
Boy band EXO plays to sold-out concerts in Japan K-pop boy band EXO meets some 100,000 fans in Japan at a large-scale meeting event “EXO Greeting Party in Japan, Hello!” at the Saitama Super Arena in the north of Tokyo, from April 11 to April 13. / Korea TimesBy Park Jin-haiTop K-pop boy band EXO wowed nearly 100,000 fans in Japan with sold-out concerts over the weekend, indicating that the geopolitics-driven anti-Korean sentiment there fell short of undermining the 12-member band’s popularity. The band hosted five mini concerts, titled “EXO Greeting Party in Japan, Hello!” at the Saitama Super Arena near Tokyo from April 11 to 13, according to SM Entertainment. They thrilled audiences at each event with nine songs, including “Growl,” “MAMA” and “Wolf,” as well as greeting fans in pre-practiced Japanese, the agency said. “EXO’s dance routines are covered in school festivals. I like the band since they show powerful dance moves, even male students were amazed. My jaw dropped at the sight of them dancing up close,” said Daiske, 18, who cameApr 14, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Kang Sung-hoon to return in 10 years By Park Si-sooKang Sung-hoon, 34, a vocalist of now-defunct K-pop boy band Sechs Kies, will return on Tuesday with a digital album “Couple.” This is his first solo-album release in 10 years, his management agency said.Singer/songwriter Bumkey and guitarist Jang Jae-joon contributed to making the new album, the agency said.“Kang has no plan to appear on TV to promote the album,” it said in a statement. “He is now in talks with former Sechs Kies members to reinstate the band.” Among the band’s six members was Eun Ji-won, a nephew of President Park Geun-hye.Kang has kept a low profile since 2009 when he was indicted on a fraud charge. He was convicted in September but was not given jail sentence. Apr 14, 2014
