May 27, 2020

From Bruce Lee to martial art, NCT’s ‘Kick It’ co-composer explains creative process

As much as NCT 127 is known as a multi-genre master, the act’s recent single “Kick It” is perhaps the best encapsulation of its dynamic, bravado nature. Released on the band’s previous “Neo Zone” album in March, the boisterous song, tightly packed with shouted vocals, bass-heavy beats and airtight production, is heavily themed on “Bruce Lee” and martial art concept. Read as “Hero” in its Korean title, “Kick It” so explicit

May 26, 2020

Monsta X’s new album ‘Fantasia X’ is a world of emotions

Monsta X released their new EP “Fantasia X” on Tuesday. The record featuring seven tracks comes seven months after their seventh EP “Follow: Find You,” with all the bandmates taking part in its making. Speaking to the press during a livestreamed press showcase, Kihyun said Fantasia is a “liberating” and “energetic” track that speaks to the signature Monsta X sound. The high energy track featuring ethnic melodies and dynamic synths competed with

May 25, 2020

Big Hit acquires Pledis in push for expansion

The move brings BTS, NU’EST, Seventeen, GFriend and TXT together under the same roof

May 23, 2020

BTS Suga's new mixtape 'D-2' tops global iTunes charts

A new mixtape released by Suga of Korean pop sensation BTS dominated the iTunes album charts in 80 regions across the world, his management agency said Saturday. “D-2,” Suga’s second mixtape released Friday, was No. 1 on the iTunes “top album” charts in 80 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, France, Sweden, Japan and Peru as of 8 a.m. Saturday, according to Big Hit Entertainment. Its main track, “Daechwita,” also dominated the

May 23, 2020

TWICE set for June comeback with ‘More & More’

Popular girl group TWICE will make a comeback with its ninth EP, “More & More,” next month, the first in a series of major K-pop comebacks expected to heat up the early summer chart race. JYP Entertainment‘s nine-piece multinational team will release its new record on June 1. It will be the band’s first collection of songs since the previous EP, “Feel Special,” from September of last year. The title song, which shares the same name as the EP itself, w

May 22, 2020

BTS' Suga releases new mixtape 'D-2'

Suga, a member of Korean pop sensation BTS, released his new mixtape "D-2" and the music video for the title track "Daechwita" on Friday. The term "daechwita" refers to a genre of Korean traditional music where percussion instruments are used to play music at a king's parade and other military ceremonies. Big Hit Entertainment, one of the largest music labels in South Korea and home to K-pop darlings BTS, unveiled Suga's second mixtape in four years following his

May 21, 2020

How Taeyeon’s ‘Happy’ came to life after ups and downs

Swedish composer talks the song’s delayed release, creative process and working in K-pop

May 21, 2020

Epik High, Zico to perform at TikTok's online hip hop show

Epik High, Zico and other top South Korean hip hop stars will perform as part of an online concert hosted by video-sharing mobile platform TikTok next week, the company said Thursday. The company announced that it will hold the online concert, named TikTok Stage with Hiphopplaya, next Wednesday at 8 p.m. via the @tiktok_stage account on the platform. Hip hop trio Epik High, rapper-singer Zico and 20 other artists, including Jessie, Jay Park, Crush, Heize, Changmo and Sik-K, will take part in

May 21, 2020

Don’t be too optimistic about lifting of K-pop ban in China: experts

Despite K-pop artists landing endorsement deals in China as of late, pop culture and China experts are cautioning against being too optimistic. Earlier this month, G-Dragon from Big Bang made headlines after signing a contract with Chinese bottled water giant Nongfu Spring to promote the company’s tea brand Chapai. The news marks the first promising sign since China effectively banned K-pop in 2016, after South Korea decided to deploy the US anti-missile defense system THAAD. Soon after

May 21, 2020

[Herald Interview] Yubin, CEO and artist, is happier than ever

Yubin may be having the busiest year of her career, establishing her label rrr Entertaiment in February and now putting out a new digital single “Me Time.” Its release date, May 21 (521), read backward is the date she left JYP Entertainment, January 25 (125), 13 years after debuting as a member of Wonder Girls. The track has already garnered a buzz for mentioning JYP in the lyrics: “I’m freaky freakin’ happy / I feel free / THX JYP but Free now.” “

May 20, 2020

Sales of BTS’ ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’ underreported to IFPI

How sales of one of 2019’s bestselling albums evaporated on one international chart

May 20, 2020

[Herald Interview] Sujeong of Lovelyz takes a leap as a solo musician

Sujeong of girl group Lovelyz returned to the music scene but on her own. It is the first time she is going solo since debuting in 2014 as the lead vocalist of the eight-piece band. Her first solo EP “Tiger Eyes” released Wednesday is packed with seven songs of various genres, from the pop-based EDM title, also called “Tiger Eyes,” to an R&B “Call Back” and acoustics “Your Name” and “zz.” “My voice is husky but isn’t

May 19, 2020

New NCT 127 single packs a ‘Punch’

NCT 127 pulled zero punches with its new single, another powerful anthem that stays true to the group’s dynamic nature.  "Punch," released Tuesday evening, has been featured on “#127 Neo Zone: The Final Round,” the repackage album of the group’s second full-length album.  Also being promoted as the album’s lead track, “Punch” is a fierce urban soul hip-hop track that overflows with powerful synths, throbbing bass and industrial beat

May 19, 2020

BTS producer Bang Si-hyuk named executive producer of K-pop reality TV

Bang Si-hyuk, the chief producer for K-pop sensation BTS, will serve as executive producer in the upcoming reality TV show "I-Land," his company, Big Hit Entertainment, announced Tuesday. The new show airs on cable music network Mnet starting June 26. Bang will play a key role in unearthing and discovering fresh idol hopefuls and developing them into K-pop stars, the company said. The reality show is the first joint project between Mnet and Big Hit after the two established a joint