An upbeat version of “Baby Shark,” under the South Korean education brand Pinkfong, has attracted some 1.6 billion views on YouTube as of Tuesday, but the seemingly innocent children’s song faced its share of controversy.Though the variations of the song have enjoyed success on the video platform, its dance version is by far the most watched.The children’s song with a K-pop makeover became so popular it charted in the top 40 singles chart in the UK last week, joining the likes of Psy and BTS. (P

From bright hair dye, heavy eye makeup to flashy stage costumes, some of the key elements of a K-pop boy band defy conventional beauty standards for men.K-pop groups have long drawn a stark contrast with Western boy bands, but are increasingly challenging what many brand as “traditional masculinity” by fully embracing makeup and fashion forward styles to best deliver their music.Perhaps ironically, BTS, the group that has enjoyed most success in the West, is also among the groups that least conf

K-pop sensation BTS now holds yet another record after its “Idol” video hit 100 million views in less than five days.The video for the lead track off the new album “Love Yourself: Answer” had been watched more than 100 million times as of 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, the septet’s agency Big Hit Entertainment said.The record comes on the heels of the video’s “most watched in first 24 hours” title, which saw the group unseat American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift last week.(BTS' YouTube channel)“Idol” su

Further details have been unveiled about new BTS album “Love Yourself: Answer,” which is to be released Friday.The group’s latest album wraps up their 2 1/2-year long “Love Yourself” series with the main message that the key to finding one’s self lies within.The repackaged album features 25 songs alongside remixes of “DNA” and “Fake Love.” (Big Hit Entertainment)Lead track “Idol” is a South African-style dance tune with elements of traditional Korean music.In a bold move, the group mixes African

BTS embraced its Korean roots in a new teaser clip for its song “Idol.”In the video for the upcoming repackaged album “Love Yourself: Answer,” which will be released Friday, members of the K-pop act wear traditional Korean clothing. A digitally constructed gold traditional building took center stage in the clip, with each bandmate striking a pose and walking around it. Members of BTS showcase a traditional Korean dance move. (YouTube)“Idol” is the second new track from “Love Yourself: Answer” to

Conscientious objectors present one of the most contentious issues for South Korea, where mandatory military service is required of all able-bodied men. Some critics, including some politicians, want to see them take on the toughest and most dangerous tasks as an “alternative” -- including the removal of land mines.A group of lawmakers led by the conservative Liberty Korea Party last week moved to pass a bill prioritizing mine clearance, or demining, as one of the main tasks conscientious object

Sunmi is set to make a splash in early September with a new single, “Warning.”Sunmi released a poster for the single Monday, featuring two red roses and candles with wax dripping from them. The blurred image and purple background create a seductive, mysterious atmosphere in line with the song’s concept.The new single is Sunmi’s first work in eight months. Her last single, “Heroine” -- a prequel to her massive hit single “Gashina” -- was released in January. “Warning” is the last single in the th

YG Entertainment announced Tuesday it is launching a major legal battle against vicious online comments targeting its artists.The major K-pop agency said it has gathered evidence from February and has filed complaints concerning a dozen posts containing malicious rumors, slander and pornographic content, as well as 57 posts intended to humiliate the agency’s artists.(YG Entertainment)A legal move of this scale is seen as rare in South Korea’s entertainment industry, and could send a strong messa

Singer CL was bombarded with headlines and comments on her appearance after pictures emerged in which she appeared to have gained weight while traveling to Singapore last week. She was photographed at Incheon Airport on her way to the Southeast Asian country. The singer from now-disbanded 2NE1 was even labeled as “XL” by a local media outlet, an abbreviation of the “X-large” size, which was intended to rhyme with her stage name.Despite the ridicule over her weight gain, CL delivers a powerful pe

As a record-breaking heat wave continues to scorch Korea, more people are turning to dishes that are believed to help beat the summer heat.Known as boyangsik, which translates to “invigorating food” in Korea, the strength-building dishes are often served in summer, with people even lining up in front of famous restaurants to enjoy the healthy and tasty dishes.  Galbitang (top left), Jang-eo gui (top right), Chueotang (bottom left) and Samgyetang. (bottom right)Here are the top five boyangsik dis

“Finger hearts” have become one of South Korea’s biggest cultural exports of late, with celebrities using the gesture as a go-to pose during photo opportunities in Korea and abroad. It usually involves crisscrossing your thumb and index finger to create the shape of a heart. While cynics might think the gesture has been overdone, the growing number of Instagram posts with finger hearts shows it is here to stay for a while.Here are some of the most memorable finger hearts done by celebrities.1. B

Pop duo MXM has released concept photos ahead of the release of its debut album “More Than Ever” next week.The duo, Im Young-min and Kim Dong-hyun, released two sets of photos on Instagram on Monday, as the upcoming album is to be released Tuesday the following week in two different versions.The “More” version showed the duo’s youthful side, with the two in bright clothes and flashing a smile.Members of MXM cut a stylish figure in a new teaser image. (Brand New Music)MXM looked more mature in th

Pictures showing CL’s dramatic change in appearance have drawn a great deal of attention from media and fans.On Friday the charismatic singer appeared to have gained a significant amount of weight when she was spotted at Incheon Airport on Friday, as she traveled to Singapore for a concert.In the images released by local media, CL was seen wearing an oversized black T-shirt that draped over her body with a pair of jeans baring her knees. (CL's Instagram)But her outfit was overshadowed by talks o

HyunA confirmed she has been dating E’Dawn, a fellow member of the group Triple H.The confirmation came as local news outlets reported Friday the stars have been dating for two years. HyunA and E’Dawn perform together on stage as two-thirds of Triple H. (Yonhap)HyunA said she had met E’Dawn when he was a trainee and they became friends while working together, before starting a relationship around May 2016.She said she got closer with E’Dawn while making music together, particularly when E’Dawn h

HyunA’s agency has denied rumors that the singer is dating E’Dawn, a fellow member of mixed-gender pop trio Triple H.Dating rumors between the two swirled after a report by Korean online media outlet TV Report claimed they began dating after meeting via Triple H.A source close to both singers’ agency Cube Entertainment denied the rumors in talks with multiple media outlets.HyunA (middle) and E'Dawn (right). (Yonhap)But speculation continues unabated, as the detailed report outlined the timeline

The capital of South Korea experienced one of its hottest nights  Wednesday evening since records began in 1907. The continuing heat wave once again broke records after temperatures reached a low of 30.3 degrees Celsius between 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday and 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, the hottest in 111 years.Wednesday’s temperatures in Seoul reached 39.6 C at one point, becoming the hottest day in history.(Yonhap)The scorching heat wave will continue across the country Thursday, with temperatures reach

South Korean hip-hop artist Tiger JK will oversee the Black Music Festival, a music event that celebrates various genres of black music including R&B, hip-hop, soul and jazz.The rapper has taken on the role of art director for the two-day outdoor festival, which will take place from Aug. 24-25 in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province.Tiger JK said he hopes to see amateur and up-and-coming hip-hop musicians take the stage and keep hip-hop culture alive at the festival. (Yonhap)The BMF embraces the cultura

Much-anticipated TV series “Boyfriend,” starring Par Bo-gum and Song Hye-kyo, is to air on tvN in November.The new drama series, which will air every Wednesday and Thursday, garnered attention when reports revealed Song would mark her return to the small screen after marrying actor Song Joong-ki in October. “Boyfriend” is the first series to feature Song since megahit series “Descendants of the Sun” in 2016, while it will also be Park’s first TV gig since “Love in the Moonlight,” a series he sta

South Korean hypermarket chain E-mart unveiled Tuesday its plans to make a film based on its mascot Electro Man.Electro Man, a mascot for E-mart’s electronics store chain Electro Mart, will be featured as the main character in the film slated for release in 2020. The announcement came after overall sales of Electro Man-inspired products including an air fryer rose over 300 percent on-year in the first half of 2018. The film is part of the retailer’s efforts to attract more customers by using sof

브라질 축구스타 네이마르(파리 생제르맹)는 2018 러시아 월드컵에서 브라질이 탈락한 후 한때 남은 경기는 물론 축구공조차 보고 싶지 않았다고 털어놓았다.네이마르는 22일(한국시간) 브라질에서 한 AFP통신과의 인터뷰에서 "다시는 축구를 하고 싶지 않았던 정도까진 아니지만 공을 보거나 경기를 보고 싶지 않았다"고 말했다.6살 아들 다비 루카와 함께 인터뷰에 응한 네이마르는 "비통한 상태였다. 정말 슬펐다"며 "그러나 슬픔은 지나갔다. 아들과 가족, 친구들이 내가 더는 침울해 하는 것을 원치 않는다. 슬퍼할 이유보다 기뻐할 이유가 더 많다"고 말했다.월드컵 기간 유독 상대 선수들의 반칙 공세에 시달렸던 네이마르는 반칙을 당한 후 과도하게 아파하는 모습으로 비난과 조롱의 대상이 됐다.네이마르는 "사람들은 반칙한 선수보다 반칙 당한 선수를 먼저 비판하는 것 같다"며 "난 경기를 하고 상대를 이기려 월드컵에 간 것이지 발길질 당하러 간 것이 아니다"라고 말했다.그러면서 "날 향한 비판은 과