SM Entertainment's Riize and JYP Entertainment's VCHA were named "25 Artists To Watch In 2024," according to Grammy.com on Thursday. Among those listed, the two K-pop groups were the only Korean artists. "(The group) has solidified themselves as one of K-pop’s fifth-generation leaders. Their mini-album, “Get A Guitar,” sold over one million copies in less than a week and quickly landed them at the top of Korea’s music charts," Grammy editors

“Noryang: Deadly Sea” (South Korea) Opened Dec. 20 History/Action Directed by Kim Han-min In 1598, the seven-year Japanese invasion of Korea nears the end as Joseon national hero Adm. Yi Sun-sin leads an allied fleet of Joseon and Ming to the Noryang Strait and annihilates the Wae army. “12.12: The Day” (South Korea) Opened Nov. 22 Drama/Action Directed by Kim Seong-su Over the course of nine hours on Dec. 12, 1979, Gen. Chun Doo-gwang (Hwang Jung-min) attempts a coup,

Two plays highlight lesser-known female independent activists

Wheein of Mamamoo will host her first concert as a solo act, The Live announced Thursday. The singer will take to the stage in Seoul on Feb. 24 and 25 for the first time on her own in her 10-year music career. The concert is likely to expand into a tour, as the title “1st World Tour: Whee In The Mood [Beyond]” suggests. The name of the concert also comes from her first solo studio album, “In the Mood,” that was released in October last year. Wheein debuted as part of Mam

Jisoo of Blackpink is following her bandmate Jennie’s lead in establishing her own agency for her solo career. According to industry sources, Jisoo is setting up a K-pop agency with her brother to be called Blissoo. The new agency recently began recruiting employees, including video editors, producers, designers and security guards. “We offer a unique experience of working with an artist in a startup company,” the Blissoo job announcement said. With the support of her new agenc

Unclear whether all three members will participate in the upcoming album

K-pop singer-songwriter Jeong Sewoon finds joy in making music that comforts his listeners and that joy is amplified when there is personal development at the end of a project. In his sixth EP, “Quiz,” released on Thursday, the artist collaborated with a foreign musician for the first time for “Sharpie,” an experience which helped him expand his musical spectrum. “I worked with American pop band Nightly for the single, ‘Sharpie.’ This was my first time w

    Twice will release the group's 13th EP on Feb. 23, JYP Entertainment announced Wednesday. The nine-member act floated a teaser trailer for the EP, titled “With YOU-th,” adding that it will unveil side track “I Got You” on Feb. 2, in advance to the full release. The mini album comes about a year after the 12th EP, “Ready To Be,” which hit the Billboard 200 at No. 2 and stayed on the main albums chart for nine weeks in a row, a record streak f

Korean Broadcasting System's decision to cancel "Beat Coin," which has been widely popular on streaming platforms but less so on the terrestrial television network's airwaves, has come under fire from the show's fans, who argue that the state broadcaster is prioritizing viewership ratings and profitability over general viewer sentiment. Starring comedians Hong Jin-kyung, Kim Sook and Jo Se-ho, model Joo Woo-jae and singer Wooyoung, "Beat Coin" is a variety show

Technology blurs line between fantasy and reality, creating charming, highly-skilled artists in the virtual world

Kim looks back on 20 years as K-pop singer and musical actor

Sales in South Korea's cultural content industries for the first half of 2023 logged a total of 69.3 trillion won ($52.8 billion), riding high on the rapid growth of the nation's music and film industries, according to a report by Korea Creative Content Agency on Wednesday. According to KOCCA's report on trends in Korea's cultural content industries during the January-June period in 2023, the industries recorded a total of 69.3 trillion won in sales, a 2.5 percent increase

As the curtains rise on a new season, South Korea's two major ballet companies -- the Korean National Ballet and Universal Ballet -- have unveiled captivating lineups to enthrall audiences. From the highly anticipated Korean premiere of John Neumeier’s “The Little Mermaid” to distinct Korean and beloved classics, both companies are set to unleash the magic of ballet with a compelling blend of movement and emotion. KNB premieres ‘Little Mermaid’ in Korea The K

Jisoo of Blackpink will let her own brother oversee her individual activities, according to a local media report on Tuesday. Her older brother runs Biomom, a small company that sells supplements for kids, and the firm recently posted recruitments for staff for Blissoo, a new affiliate for entertainment business. Blackpink will let label YG Entertainment continue to handle its group activities but all four members decided not to renew their contracts, which came to terms last month, for individu

Legendary soloists are returning with new albums for the new year. Singer-songwriter IU is set to drop her first new album in two years. She has been focusing on her acting career since releasing special mini album "Pieces" in December 2021, but confirmed her return as a singer this year. Appearing on BTS bandmate Suga's YouTube talk show "Suchwita" on Dec. 26 last year, IU said she will hold her first overseas concert tour in four years, since the "Love, Poem"