K-pop group EXO has delayed the release of its winter album "Universe" in light of the tragic passing of SHINee lead singer Kim Jong-hyun, the group announced Tuesday.EXO announced on its official Web site that the release of "Universe" will be delayed to Dec. 26. The album was originally slated to come out on Thursday. (S.M. Entertainment)S.M. Entertainment appears to have postponed the release amid the death of Kim, better known by his stage name Jonghyun. EXO and SHINee are both signed to S.M

PARIS (AFP) - With his suicide, Kim Jong-Hyun, lead singer of South Korean boyband SHINee, joins an ill-fated group of famous rock stars who passed away at 27 -- the so-called "27 Club".He was found on Monday in a hotel room in the South Korean capital Seoul in what police said was suicide.  (Yonhap)Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones, guitarist Jimi Hendrix, singer Janis Joplin, The Doors singer Jim Morrison, Nirvana singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, and British soul singer Amy Winehouse

Hundreds gather at memorial; fans call for better care of K-pop stars

K-pop group SHINee on Tuesday mourned the death of lead singer Kim Jong-hyun, who reportedly took his own life, on social media. Kim, better known by his stage name Jonghyun, died in southern Seoul on Monday. He was rushed to a hospital in a state of cardiac arrest but was later pronounced dead. The singer left behind a painful note describing his harrowing fight against depression."Jonghyun is the best artist who loves music, enjoys the stage and cherishes communicating with fans through music,

Dear Cloud's vocalist Nine9 revealed the late Jonghyun’s painful suicide note on his Instagram on Tuesday.Following is the unofficial English translation of Jonghyun‘s suicide note in Korean. (Yonhap/Nine9`s Instagram)---------------------------------------------------I was broken from the inside.The depression slowly chipped me away, finally devouring me. I could not beat the negativity. I hated myself. Even though I tried so hard demanding my memories that kept getting cut off to ‘wake up,’ al

The body of the late K-pop star Kim Jong-hyun will not undergo an autopsy, Seoul police said Tuesday, as the singer‘s cause of death is clear.“We’ve decided not to autopsy the body, as it is certain that the deceased had taken his own life and the bereaved families did not want it,” said an official from Seoul Gangnam Police Tuesday morning. “We will wrap up the investigation as soon as we‘ve finished talking to the family.”Kim Jong-hyun(Yonhap)Kim, a member of boy band SHINee, was found in a st

Jonghyun’s untimely death came just a week after he wrapped up his solo concerts, a testament to his successful career that extended beyond the boy band SHINee.  (Yonhap)Born on April 8, 1990, the singer was picked up by talent scouts of S.M. Entertainment in 2005 during a singing contest. After three years of training at the talent agency, he debuted in 2008 as a member of the five-piece boy band SHINee with the EP “Replay.”Jonghyun stood out as the main vocalist of the group, captivating fans

Taeyang of Big Bang will marry actress Min Hyo-rin early next year. YG Entertainment, which represents the singer, confirmed that the two would wed around February next year before Taeyang’s enlistment.　Taeyang is expected to join the military in the first half of next year.  (YG Entertainment/ Yonhap)The two confirmed they were dating in May 2015.Min, 29, appeared in Taeyang’s solo music video for “1AM” in June 2014. The music video, which includes passionate kiss scenes, is based on a storylin

Singer-songwriter Lee Juck will release an album in Japan on March 14, Lee‘s agency Music Farm announced Monday.　The album is to comprise his past hits. 　“Lee Juck will be foraying into the Japanese market,” said Music Farm. “His Japanese label Pony Canyon has launched his official website.”　Lee, 43, debuted in 1995 and is a folk-rock and acoustic pop singer with numerous hits, including “Run Across the Sky” (2003), “I Didn’t Know That Time” (2003) and “Lie Lie Lie” (2013). 　Lee Juck (Music Farm

Super Junior wowed fans at “Super Show 7” held at Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul from Friday to Sunday.At the concerts, the group performed some of its hit tracks, such as “Sorry, Sorry,” “Boanamana” and “Mr. Simple,” as well as tracks from its latest album “Play” including the lead track “Black Suit,” “Scene Stealer,” “Too late,” “Runaway and “The Lucky Ones.”  Super Junior performs during the “Super Show 7” concert at Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul on Sunday. (SJ Label)Four of the group’s members -- Kan

‘King of Ballad’ Shin Seung-hun feeds fans with nostalgia at year-end concert

The South Korean mastermind behind K-pop band BTS, which was tweeted about more than any celebrity in the world this year, is considering an initial public offering as the $5 billion industry that unleashed Psy’s “Gangnam Style” climbs the charts in the US and China.Big Hit Entertainment has talked with its shareholders -- which included Legend Holdings Corp.’s venture-capital arm and LB Investment -- about an IPO, Bang Si-hyuk, the company’s chief executive officer and founder, said during an i

YG Entertainment criticized for drug-related incidents

Trailblazing K-pop boy band BTS has set yet another record in K-pop history. 　The music video for the group’s song “DNA” has surpassed 200 million views on YouTube in three months since its Sept. 18 release. 　It is the quickest a K-pop music video has surpassed 200 million views.　BTS now has under its belt four videos that have surpassed the 200 million mark, including those for “Fire,” “Blood, Sweat & Tears” and “Dope.”　 BTS stars in the music video of “DNA.” (Big Hit Entertainment-YouTube)Seve

Continuing its domination of the Billboard charts, BTS’ recent single “DNA” has landed on the US magazine’s 100 Best Songs of 2017 chart. According to Billboard Wednesday, the smash hit from its latest album “Love Yourself Seung Her” was ranked No. 49 on the chart, making the seven-piece boy band the only K-pop act on this year’s list.   BTS‘ “DNA” lands No. 49 on Billboard’s 100 Best Songs of 2017 chart. (Billboard)“BTS’ crossover into the US market isn’t a coincidence: The K-pop superstars hav