K-pop rookie group Illit seems to have skirted the controversy surrounding its originality, successfully landing on the Billboard 200 chart with its first EP “Super Real Me” on Tuesday. The group had been facing criticism that its concept was similar to that of the popular girl band NewJeans, which is housed under the same Hybe umbrella. According to Belift Lab, Illit ranked 93rd on the Billboard 200, less than a month after it debuted in 91st place on the Hot 100 chart with its titl

Ador CEO Min Hee-jin is likely to be removed by Hybe at the extraordinary meeting with shareholders sometime between May 27 and 30, an industry source said Thursday. Min revealed Tuesday her plan to hold a board meeting Friday with the parent company to discuss the agenda for a shareholders meeting. Hybe will most likely sack Min for the alleged breach of trust at the extraordinary meeting with evidence it has yet to disclose. “While it is difficult to speculate on the allegation of Min&rs

The Daewon Cultural Foundation, which marks the 20th anniversary of its establishment on Wednesday, announced the winners of its 13th music prize -- pianist Son Yeol-eom, violinist Kim Bomsori and pianist Lim Yunchan. Returning after four years of a pandemic-induced hiatus, the foundation selected Son as the grand prize winner, while violinist Kim Bomsori was selected for the Daewon Music Award for performance. In February 2021, Kim, the winner of many international competitions including the

The feud between K-pop powerhouse Hybe and Min Hee-jin, the CEO of its subsidiary Ador, is probably one of the most controversial cases in the world of K-pop to have grabbed attention not only at home but also abroad in recent years. As music critics continue to discuss the latest developments, it is still not certain what sparked the very public fight between the influential music producers. Yet, most experts agree that there are more fundamental issues at play and that the K-pop industry is go

Korean traditional dance performance 'The Prince's Dream' celebrates 'The Year of Cultural Exchange'

Volunteer-based human-pet patrol teams provide civilian aid in the nation's capital

Shamanism. It resonates with Koreans -- in private. Rarely is it endorsed openly, however. Accusing someone of having acknowledged its power in any official capacity forces the person to counter the assertion, at all costs. How this plays out in real life was on vivid display last week. K-pop giant Hybe, the company behind BTS, cornered its sublabel Ador Chief Executive Min Hee-jin over plotting to take independent the lucrative subsidiary that manages popular girl group NewJeans. A shaman was i

PARIS -- In the Chatelet Theatre in Paris on Thursday, two dance groups joined forces for a performance to officially kick off Korea Season 2024, an annual program organized by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. Titled "Urban Pulse Uprising," South Korea's 1Million and the French Pockemon Crew showcased a performance encompassing various street dance genres, including K-pop, hip-hop and breakdancing for the audience that packed the 1,600-seat theater. The p

Lantern installations illuminate Songhyeon Green Plaza, next to the main palace from the Joseon era, Gyeongbokgung, in central Seoul on Thursday. The annual Buddhist Lantern Festival runs through May 15, which is the Buddha’s Birthday holiday, at Songhyeon Green Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggye Plaza and around Jogyesa, the main temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in downtown Seoul. (Yonhap)

Explore world of reptiles Gecko's Republic, located right around the corner from Mangwon Station on Subway Line No. 6, is a mini reptile zoo housing a wide range of unique reptile species, including chameleons, turtles and lizards. The two-story building is an inviting spot not only for reptile enthusiasts but also for those looking to raise reptiles themselves. Unlike some other reptile cafes that allow visitors to feed turtles and watch the lizards, Gecko’s Republic looks after som

The Bucheon Art Center will celebrate its first anniversary with a four-day festival and recital by pianist Lim Yunchan. To mark one year since its opening on May 19, the center will host a four-day festival from May 16 to 20, featuring performances by renowned classical musicians including pianist Paik Kun-Woo, pianist-and-conductor Kim Sun-wook, pianist Jung Kyu-bin, cellist Choi Ha-young and more. Following this celebration, Lim's recital will take place June 17 as part of his nationwi

Attention now turns to commercial success, award nominations for $25 million production

The Korean crime-action film "The Roundup: Punishment" surpassed 2 million admissions on Saturday, three days after its release, its distributor said. It became the fastest film of 2024 to date to reach the milestone, according to ABO Entertainment. The fourth installment of "The Roundup" crime-action film franchise starring Ma Dong-seok opened big Wednesday, drawing 820,000 moviegoers nationwide, and topped 1 million the following day. As of 9 a.m. Saturday, it accounted f

The annual Hampyeong Butterfly Festival opens at Hampyeong Expo Park, an eco-themed tourist attraction in Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province, Friday. The 11-day spring festival beckons visitors who wish to learn about the flora and fauna of Korea via various programs, including virtual reality and hands-on experiences with butterflies and insects. There will be performances by local artists, banana harvesting, pizza making and exhibitions.

More than a library Throw yourself into the endless rows of bookshelves filled with various kinds of books. Located in Jung-gu, Seoul, near major transportation hub Seoul Station, Sohn Kee-chung Culture Library is a calm, peaceful library surrounded by a beautifully landscaped park and a walking track. In fact, you might even skip the library and just go for a leisurely stroll there. The library reopened in 2021 after an extensive renovation. The library, now spanning over 771 square meters, has