Today   K-pop

(G)I-dle partners with Republic Records for US push

K-pop girl group (G)I-dle has partnered with Republic Records to officially enter the North American market, the band’s agency said Thursday. Republic Records is a major US music label under Universal Music Group, home to high-profile artists including Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande. It is making a big push into K-pop more recently, having established partnerships with K-pop groups Twice and TXT. “We are excited to be teaming up with the multi-talented girl group (G)I-DLE as they

Apr 8, 2020   K-pop

[Herald Interview] AleXa on becoming K-pop star, dancing in boots and cyborg aesthetic

Up-and-coming singer releases electro-pop EP after making a splash with cyberpunk concept

Apr 8, 2020   K-pop

AOMG to host charity live show online

Hip-hop label AOMG will host online streaming show “AOMG Quarantine Nonstop Live” on Sunday, with an aim to promote social distancing and help curb the spread of COVID-19. All profits collected during the show will be donated to support underprivileged families struggling from the outbreak. The label’s artists, as well as their friends, plan to perform on the donation-based show, which will air on AOMG’s official YouTube and Twitch channels. Previously, the label&rs

Apr 8, 2020   Music

Antenna to hold relay live stream, ‘Everything is OK’

Musicians of Antenna Music will hold a live stream concert for fans stuck at home due to the spread of COVID-19. Antenna music posted an official poster for the event on its social media page Sunday announcing the line-up for the event. “Everything is OK, with Antenna” will be held for four days on April 11, 12, 18 and 19 starting at 8 p.m. on its official YouTube channel. The online music festival will feature all 11 artists of Antenna starting with Toy (Yoo Hee-yeol) and Lee Jin

Apr 8, 2020   Theater

‘Phantom of Opera’ extends show suspension to April 22

The Seoul run of the musical “The Phantom of the Opera” will be suspended until April 22. After a Canadian female ensemble cast member was confirmed with COVID-19 infection on March 31, the show was halted through Tuesday. Another COVID-19 case involving a male cast member led to the organizers putting the show on hold until April 22.  The rest of the 128-member team tested negative for COVID-19. The crew, however, remains in self-quarantine at a serviced residence in Jongn

Apr 7, 2020   Theater

NGC to highlight traditional art performers online

Keeping up with the trend of online streaming for art performances amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the National Gugak Center plans to support traditional art performers by streaming their performance videos online. The center will offer performance opportunities for 61 artist individuals and teams. Though the center is currently conducting its “Daily Gugak” series -- releasing a video clip that focuses on one instrument or art form at a time every weekday -- this time, the list

Apr 7, 2020   K-pop

(G)I-dle sings self-confidence in ‘I Trust’

(G)I-dle returned with new album Monday, sending message of self-confidence. Six-piece act (G)I-dle’s third EP is fronted by lead track “Oh My God,” a dynamic urban hip-hop track that switches between various rhythms and melodies. Written and composed by bandleader Soyeon, the dynamic song alludes self-confidence, the main topic of the album, to complex feelings of love. “I believe that our (team) confidence comes from believing in myself,” explained Soyeon duri

Apr 7, 2020   Entertainment

Actor So Ji-sub, TV presenter Cho Eun-jung tie the knot

Actor So Ji-sub and former TV presenter Cho Eun-jung have tied the knot, So’s agency, 51k, said Tuesday. According to the agency, the 42-year-old actor and his girlfriend of two years registered their marriage Tuesday and are now officially husband and wife. “In respect to the couple’s wish to cherish their happiest and most important moment quietly, the wedding ceremony will be held in private with only family members present,” the agency said in a statement. “

Apr 7, 2020   Film

Korean films expected to hit theaters in summer

Though the ongoing coronavirus crisis has stopped the clock for most industries, some big players in the film scene are sticking to their original plans and preparing to release new works this summer. 　　 In recent months, the local film industry has been struggling hard with the ongoing pandemic. Film productions have been postponed or halted. Numbers of cinemagoers have drastically dropped, hitting the lowest point in history, as people refrain from visiting public spaces.　 Meanwhile, amid s

Apr 6, 2020   K-pop

TVXQ’s Changmin releases first solo album

K-pop duo TVXQ’s Changmin released his solo album “Chocolate” on Monday. It is the singer’s very first album as a solo artist since debuting as a part of TVXQ back in 2003. The album, featuring a total of six tracks, shows off the artist’s wide vocal range. Changmin participated in writing the lyrics for the title track “Chocolate” and “No Tomorrow.” “Chocolate” is an addictive dance-pop that attempts to portray an intense de

Apr 6, 2020   Film

Indie films set off on screening tour

The Seoul Independent Film Festival on Monday announced the full lineup of its annual screening tour “Indie Picnic,” hosted by the organization. The lineup of 24 independent films that received awards or premiered at last year’s film fest includes five feature-length films and 19 short films. “Evaporated,” by director Kim Sung-min, winner of last year’s award for best long feature, tells the story of the family of a young child who disappears without a tra

Apr 6, 2020   Theater

‘Phantom of Opera’ production confirms 2 cases of COVID-19, others test negative

While two cast members of the international tour of musical “The Phantom of the Opera” have been confirmed with COVID-19 infection, the rest have tested negative. A Canadian ensemble cast member was confirmed with the virus infection on March 31. Two days later, her colleague, an American actor, was also confirmed.  The final test results came Monday, confirming the rest of the 128-member team had tested negative for COVID-19. However, they all remain in self-quarantine at a

Apr 6, 2020   K-pop

BIGBANG’s top 50 tracks, ranked

Here is a look back at the veteran boyband’s back catalogue

Apr 6, 2020   Film

Number of weekend moviegoers plunges to record low

The number of moviegoers dropped to a record low over the weekend as lingering fears of the novel coronavirus keep people staying at home, data showed Monday. A total of 80,180 people went to cinemas on Saturday and Sunday, down sharply from a combined 86,274 tallied a week earlier, according to the data by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). It is the lowest weekend number since KOFIC started to compile local box office data in 2004. The record-breaking downbeat trend in the number of moviegoer