BRUSSELS -- Renowned South Korean soprano Sumi Jo has said that an international classical singing competition named after her will be launched in France next year. The inaugural "Sumi Jo International Singing Competition in Castle" is scheduled to take place from July 15-21, 2024, at Chateau de La Ferte-Imbault, a medieval castle near Paris, Jo said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Saturday. It is the first time that a Korean classical singer is launching a singing competi

BTS, which celebrates its 10th anniversary on June 13, has grown from a lesser-known hip-hop idol group to the most successful K-pop band, breaking numerous records in K-pop history along the way. Initially launched as a band under Big Hit Entertainment, a smaller K-pop label that later transformed into Hybe, the group encountered considerable challenges in capturing the attention of its fan-base within the fiercely competitive idol music industry. But with its strong rebellious image, the septe

The Italian AsLiCo Competition for Young Opera Singers is breaking new ground as it opens its borders to Asia for the very first time in Seoul, in November, the AsLiCo Asia Department announced Friday. Dominique Meyer, chairman and director of La Scala Opera House, which has been affiliated with the AsLiCo association, will visit Seoul for the final competition in Asia. Established in 1949, the AsLiCo Opera Competition will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2024. Over the years, the competition

“The Last 10 Years” (Japan) Opened May 24 Romance/Drama Directed by Michihito Fujii Twenty-year-old Matsuri Takabayashi learns that she only has 10 years to live due to an incurable disease. She decides not to dwell on her life and not to fall in love, but then she meets Kazuto Manabe at a school reunion. “The Little Mermaid” (US) Opened May 24 Fantasy/Musical Directed by Rob Marshall Ariel, a spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure, discovers a world beyond

The National Theater of Korea is set to premiere its production of the heartwarming play “Our Town” at the Daloreum Theater from June 22-25. The Korean adaption of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by American playwright Thornton Wilder explores the beauty and significance of everyday life, weaving a narrative around a family with a disabled member. Im Do-wan, who directed the National Theater Company of Korea’s production of “Scarpin,” took the helm of the adaptation

The 20th Busan International Performing Arts Festival kicked off in Busan on Friday with 41 productions by artists from 11 countries presenting their work over the 17-day festival. A special performance titled "1945," presented by theater company Dongnyok, will be staged at Busan Citizen's Hall from Friday to Sunday. "1945" tells the story of forgotten individuals who embark on a return journey to Korea after the country’s independence from Japanese colonial rule

Disney+’s star-studded, unscripted “The Zone: Survival Mission” will return on a bigger scale with expanded stories for its second season on June 14. The show features comedian Yoo Jae-suk alongside actors Lee Kwang-soo and Kwon Yuri as they endure catastrophic situations in eight different disaster scenarios for four hours. Adapting escape room-style games, the first season presented disaster situations such as a water shortage and zombie apocalypse. The upcoming series is set

Stray Kids returned with their third studio album “5-Star” on Friday, eight months since their seventh EP “Maxident.” “It took us around two years to release a studio album after the second one ‘Noeasy,’ because we took a lot of time in choosing the songs that would appeal to Stay and also all of our members,” said Changbin of Stray Kids through a press release. Stay is the name of Stray Kids' fandom. Despite their worries, the new album helpe

B.I comes out publicly about his past controversies for the first time at press conference for 2nd LP "To Die For"

The new girl group will debut under Enhypen's agency Belift Lab

K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment and US music label Republic Records are expanding their strategic partnership. The labels announced Thursday their plan to expand their partnership, which includes global distribution of artists and catalogs, marketing, business development and artist repertoire. Their partnership was initially formed back in 2020 to promote JYP Entertainment’s girl group Twice outside South Korea. The partnership has proved successful, with Stray Kids and Twice housed by

(G)I-dle hit the Billboard 200 at No. 41 with its sixth EP “I Feel,” according to the latest chart rankings announced on Wednesday in the US. The album came out on May 15 and topped the iTunes top albums chart in 18 regions. It sold over 1.16 million copies in the first week, the fourth-highest first-week sales figure for a K-pop girl group. The lead track “Queencard” debuted on Billboard’s Global 200 at No. 157 last week and climbed up to No. 38 this week. Separat

SM denounces EXO members' actions as "illegal acts" by "outside forces," warns of strict legal repercussions

A former staff member of the Busan International Film Festival has alleged sexual abuse by ex-BIFF Executive Director Huh Mun-young, who offered to resign on May 11. According to a local news report, the former staff member reported Huh to the Center for Gender Equality in Korean Film for sexual abuse. The staff member reportedly received counseling from the center until recently. Huh is alleged to have ordered the staff member to perform unfair tasks at work, as well as using inappropriate lang

After more than two years of hiatus, K-pop legend SHINee is finally returning to the music scene with its eighth studio album, “HARD,” on June 26. The upcoming album comprises a total of 10 tracks led by the titular track “HARD,” according to SM Entertainment. SHINee celebrates its 15th debut anniversary this year with this studio album which will open a new chapter in the group's career. The band established a strong position in the K-pop industry with irreplaceable