Some of the boys are coming back CNBLUE performs at a music show on SBS in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of FNC EntertainmentBy Kim Ji-sooIt’s not that the boy groups are out of the “K-pop” equation.FNC Entertainment’s CNBLUE has released its fifth mini-album “Can’t Stop” on Feb. 24, winning good reviews from fans and Billboard. In a review carried in the latter’s column K-Town, the magazine wrote of CNBLUE’s “Can’t Stop,” saying that it “sounds sure to send the rock-pop outfit to the upper rankings of the chart.” The column also rated the mini-album as encompassing a broad range of rock-pop compositions.2PM, who are known as “jeumseungdol” or athletic “idol” stars, are also working on a new album for Korean fans in April. The members Nickhun, Tacyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, Chansung and Jun.K released their third studio album last May titled “Grown.”The group’s “Genesis of 2PM” released Jan. 29 topped the weekly Oricon chart.Big Bang has said that they would like to release a new album byFeb 27, 2014
Heroines of hallyu come to fore Girls’ Generation members pose in this promotional photo for their fourth mini-album “Mr. Mr.”By Kim Ji-sooKorean women are coming to the fore and taking lead roles in various sectors of society.At the just-ended Sochi Winter Games were Korean female athletes such as speed skater Lee Sang-hwa, and figure-skating champion Kim Yu-na. Coincidentally, it’s the girl groups and female solo singers that are having the best of times. In just two months the girl groups have industriously put out new songs and dazzled with image changes since the start of the New Year.Female solo singers have joined in, demonstrating that women power is a force to be reckoned with in the popular music sector. Sunmi, Ga In and Park Ji-yoon have all released new songs. Sunmi and Ga In are faring well. The former, a member of the Wonder Girls is once again barefoot for alluring performance for her new song “Full Moon.” On the Naver music chart, the song has charted at No. 5. Right behind her are Ga In, a member of the Brown Eyed Girls, whose “Truth or Dare” and &ldqFeb 27, 2014By Kim Ji-soo
Rock the world! YB’s guitarist Heo Joon, from left, vocalist Yoon Do-hyun, drummer Kim Jin-won, bassist Park Tae-hee and guitarist Scott Hellowell are caught in this teaser photo for the band’s first English-language digital single “Cigarette Girl.” / Courtesy of Dee CompanyVeteran rock band YB going globalBy Park Si-soo“BANG BANG BANG BANG du-dung du-dung ...”Powerful drum beats open the track. The solo performance is soon overrun by the noisy but rhythmic sound of electric guitar.The sound instantly stirs listeners to shake their shoulders and tap their feet. It goes on for seconds and then the voice comes in: “Cigarettes is what she sells, I never saw such a beautiful face. Long hair, smoky eyes looking prettier everyday...”The vocalist sings the story of a man’s witty and tenacious attempts to go out with the girl and marks the end of the song’s first bar by shouting: “Saechimttegi,” a Korean term that can roughly be translated into “mean girl.”This is the beginning of “Cigarette Girl,” an English-lanFeb 26, 2014
New CQ class offers ways of learning Korea by experience Choi Jung-wha, fourth from left in the first row, president of the Corea Image Communications Institute (CICI) poses with participants of the Korea CQ Forum’s 17th session, including Indonesian Ambassador to Korea John Prasetio, fifth from left in the first row, and his wife, sixth from left, at an opening event held at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul. Standing behind Choi is James Bemowski, fourth from left in the second row, vice chairman of Doosan Corp.By Park Jin-haiThe Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) launched the 17th session of its CQ forum, Tuesday, which will be devoted to learning more about Korea over the next three months. A launch ceremony was held at the Indonesian Embassy in Yeouido with some 70 participating. “CQ” represents culture, concentration, communication, creativity and cooperation. CICI, founded in 2003, has held CQ forums twice a year since 2006 and brings together leaders from all walks of life to share cultural experiences, and to brainstorm innovative ways to promote Korea’s image overseas. “This year, we introducedFeb 26, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Choshinsung, 2PM to perform in Yokohama 2PM, Choshinsung and Girl’s Day will perform at the M! Countdown show on April 2 at the Yokohama Arena, CJ E&M has announced.The group 2PM’s latest studio-album “Genesis of 2PM” topped the Japan Oricon Chartlast year, and Girl’s Day is soaring to new level of popularity this year with such songs as “Something” from the third mini-album “Everyday 3” released in January. But boy band Choshinsung continues to gain popularity in Japan since it debuted in 2007. A concert given by the group held at the Yokohama Arena last year drew 12,000 fans.The three groups are the first line-up announced at the global tour that will also feature various fan engagement events including a meet and greet, a red carpet ceremony, and cultural workshops.Feb 25, 2014
Eru, Tae Jin-ah to represent Indonesian Embassy Singer Eru, left, and his father in this photo grace the wall of the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul.By Park Si-sooPopular trot singer Tae Jin-ah and his son Eru were selected as Korean celebrities representing the Indonesia Embassy in Seoul, Tae’s management agency said on Tuesday.To celebrate the selection, the embassy hung a giant banner outside the building, on which the two musicians posed together with a message “Towards Enduring Friendship Indonesia-Korea” imprinted. The banner will be displayed for one year, the embassy said.Eru, whose real name is Cho Sung-hyun, is enjoying heartthrob status in Indonesia. The 31-year-old won several music awards there in recent years, which led him to be nicknamed “Indonesia’s Prince.” His father, 61, whose real name is Cho Bang-hun, created a sensation here recently by collaborating with popular K-pop singer Rain on his new hit “La Song.”“We selected them as the face of our embassy in recognition of their contribFeb 25, 2014
Jang couple get newborn daughter Jang Dong-gunBy Park Jin-haiIt’s a girl for the famous star couple Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young.Their agency SM C&C announced Tuesday that actress Ko gave a birth at 10:30 a.m. at a hospital in southern Seoul the same day.“Jang stayed beside Ko while she was in labor and watched the moment of birth,” said a manager of the agency. “The newborn is a girl and both mother and baby are in good health.” The two were married in May 2010, and already have a 3-year-old son. Jang recently finished shooting for the upcoming film “Crying Man,” where he played a professional hit-man.Feb 25, 2014By Park Jin-hai
Girls' return with new album K-pop group Girls’ Generation revealed teaser images of its members along with its mini album “Mr. Mr.” on Monday. The album is available at online music sites both at home and abroad. The new album features a variety of genres in six tracks from ballad to dance. The group will make an appearance at M!Countdown, the cable music show, on March 6. / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentFeb 24, 2014
Hallyu Line g.o.d g.o.d to return with new albumThe Korean male group g.o.d. will come back after nine-year hiatus with hit-making producers Duble Sidekick.Initially rumored to return in March, a firm date for the group’s comeback has yet to be set. But insiders have repeatedly said that the group has received music from Duble Sidekick. The group was initially comprised of Kim Tae-woo, Danny Ahn, Park Joon, Son Ho-yeong and Yoon Gye-sang, but Yoon later left g.o.d. There is no word on whether Yoon will rejoin the group for the new album, but suspicions are that he will. Duble Sidekick is comprised of Park Jang-geun and Mikey.The group, whose initials stand for “groove over dose,” debuted under producer Park Jin-young in 1999 with the song “To Mother.” Its last album was its seventh, titled “Into the Sky.”AlphaBAT's mini albumAlphaBAT to release mini album K-pop band AlphaBAT will release its mini album “Attention” on Feb. 25. The album will include “Ttanttara” and “War Head.” The teaser music video featuFeb 24, 2014
Popular animation series 'Larva' turns into musical By Chung Ah-youngA popular Korean animation series “Larva” which features a pair of slugs ― Red and Yellow ― will be made into a stage musical, according to Tuba N, its production company.The musical version will be produced in cooperation with DS Musical Company and Daegyo TV, a children’s cable channel.The company said the musical will upgrade the storyline of the animation series combining comical elements and reflect more interactions with children.First appearing in 2011 on national network KBS and cable, the short, slapstick episodes have become one of the most popular cartoons on television. They are refreshing the Korean animation scene, which has been overflowing with children’s cartoons without works adults too could find funny. In its episodes ― only a couple of minutes long ― two slugs engage in a series of comedic fights, with other creatures such as flies, mosquitoes, dung beetles and snails making cameo appearances.The animation has been broadcast in 97 countries and made into merchandise products in 20 countries.The performaFeb 24, 2014
