The Korea Herald

2016 begins and ends with music deaths

Dec 27, 2016

NEW YORK (AFP) - Pop superstar George Michael‘s death over the Christmas holidays caps one of the most tragic years in memory for the music world which mourned a steady stream of top names.Here are some of the prominent musicians who died over the momentous year:-- David Bowie. The rock icon’s fans were stunned by his death on Jan. 10, just two days after releasing an acclaimed album, “Blackstar,” on his 69th birthday. Bowie, musically innovative until the end, had been battling cancer but his i
Taiwan-born Tzuyu chosen as most popular K-pop idol in Taiwan

Dec 26, 2016

TAIPEI -- Tzuyu, a Taiwanese member of the multinational K-pop girl group TWICE, and "Descendants of the Sun" have turned out to be the most popular Korean idol and TV series, respectively, in Taiwan, a local paper reported Monday.The Liberty Times released the popularity results based on the number of searches on the Internet and social media sites.In November 2015, Tzuyu put herself at the center of a diplomatic controversy when she waved the Taiwanese national flag during an online-exclusive
Red Velvet’s Wendy releases song with Ricky Martin

Dec 26, 2016

Red Velvet’s main vocalist Wendy collaborated with Latin music icon Ricky Martin for his new digital single, “Vente Pa’ca.” The song was released Tuesday on major local music streaming sites including Melon, Genie and Naver Music, and on global services such as iTunes and Spotify. “Vente Pa’ca,” a club dance track with pop-reggae sounds, was previously released in Spanish in September with Columbian artist Maluma. Wendy contributed to the English version. Wendy of Red Velvet (SM Entertainment)Ma
Pianist Steve Barakatt to compose anthem for Saemangeum

Dec 26, 2016

Canadian pianist, composer and producer Steve Barakatt has agreed to compose and record the official anthem for the city of Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province. 　Saemangeum lies at the mouth of the Dongjin and Mangyeong rivers on the coast of the province. The area comprises reclaimed tidal land and is currently being developed as a free economic zone. 　“It is now official, I will compose the Official Anthem of the revolutionary City Project of Saemangeum, South Korea,” the New Age pianist tweete
Argentine court to try Bieber for photographer assault

Dec 23, 2016

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - An Argentine court has ruled that pop star Justin Bieber must face trial for allegedly assaulting a photographer outside a nightclub in 2013, according to a decision published Thursday.　Judge Alberto Banos ordered Bieber to go on trial on charges of robbery, attempted robbery and assault with minor injuries, according to the decision.　The case dates to a stop in Buenos Aires on the Canadian heartthrob‘s Believe tour.　According to the complaint, a bodyguard, following Bieber’
Bjork slams ‘sexist’ music critics

Dec 23, 2016

REYKJAVIK (AFP) -- Icelandic icon Bjork, who has built one of the boldest careers in pop music, has lashed out at the media for its “sexist” views, saying women are expected to sing about romance, not science.　“Women in music are allowed to be singer-songwriters, singing about their boyfriends,” she wrote in an impassioned Facebook post late Wednesday. 　But, she added, “if they change the subject matter to atoms, galaxies, activism, nerdy math beat editing, or anything else (other) than being pe
Kane Brown turned Facebook likes into a country music career

Dec 22, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- As a kid, Kane Brown and his mother used to sing together as pretend “American Idol” contestants. But when Brown actually tried out for the show years later, he kept getting rejected or stereotyped. “They told me they didn‘t need another Scotty McCreery,” Brown said. “I tried out for ‘X Factor’ and they put me in a boy band and I ended up quitting.”So the 23-year-old singer from the Tennessee-Georgia border near Chattanooga turned to Facebook to find an audience for
Bolbbalgan4 knocks Big Bang off top spot

Dec 22, 2016

Indie duo Bolbbalgan4 (Shofar Music)Indie duo Bolbbalgan4 has taken over the top of the charts once again with its new single “Say You Like Me,” knocking K-pop powerhouses Big Bang and EXO from the top spots.　A hidden track off the female duo’s first studio album, “Red Planet” was released on Thursday and has claimed the No. 1 spot on seven of the biggest local music charts including MelOn, Genie and Olleh. 　Bolbbalgan4 is considered to be unique in the local music industry, which is largely dom
'Hwarang’ drama to be made into musical

Dec 22, 2016

A promotional image for the TV drama “Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth.” (KBS2)The new TV drama “Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth” is gearing up to hit the musical stage, according to Asia Bridge Contents on Wednesday. 　The period drama’s first of 20 episodes aired Monday, but there are already talks of turning the KBS2 TV series into a live musical. 　A statement by Asia Bridge Contents confirmed that the company, along with Oh Boy Project, already have plans to produce a musical spin-off of “Hwar
AOA to drop first full-length album

Dec 21, 2016

AOA (FNC Entertainment)K-pop girl group AOA is hitting the spotlight next month, dropping the group’s first full-length album since debuting in 2012. 　According to an announcement by FNC Entertainment on Tuesday, the girl group will unveil their upcoming album on Jan. 2. The soon-to-be-released new album will also mark AOA’s first promotional activities following the departure of drummer Youkyung.　In October, FNC Entertainment announced that the K-pop starlet had decided to leave the agency afte
Herald Philharmonic to stage ‘Nalrari’ New Year’s concert

Dec 20, 2016

The Herald Philharmonic Orchestra will take to the stage alongside ballad singer Shin Jae, soprano Shin Della, pansori singer Ahn So-eun and tenor Ryu Jung-pil in the upcoming “Nalrari Concert” series in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province.　The orchestra’s upcoming New Year’s concert is being held Friday in the Sejong Gugak Center at 7:30 p.m.Ballad singer Shin Jae (Star & Tree Entertainment)　The “Nalrari Concert” series is aimed at providing rural audiences with an affordable opportunity to enjoy classica
Samba gets new rhythms 100 years after first recording

Dec 19, 2016

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) -- Monday nights feel like Saturdays in Rio‘s Little Africa neighborhood when the sun sets and the samba starts to play.Surrounded by a mostly young crowd, seven musicians sit around a table with the small four-string guitar called a cavaquinho, the cuica drum and a tambourine.The instruments and the relaxed format, known as a “roda de samba,” has changed little since its infancy in the late 19th century, when Afro-Brazilians first developed the style in this same neighborho
Stravinsky's once-lost 'Funeral Song' to make Asian premiere in Korea

Dec 18, 2016

Markus Stenz debuts as SPO conductor-in-residence
Uhm Jung-hwa to return with nine dreams

Dec 17, 2016

Mystic Entertainment announced the details of Korean pop diva Uhm Jung-hwa’s new album, “The Cloud Dream of the Nine,” on Friday. The songstress is returning to the stage for the first time since her 2008 digital single “D.I.S.C.O Part 2.” The album’s promotion will kick off with four promotional images, two preview videos and five series of interviews with Uhm’s acquaintances, including actor Jung Woo-sung. The album’s nine tracks will each tell the story of a dream. Four songs will be released
Kanye West emerges from hospital to meet Trump

Dec 14, 2016

NEW YORK (AFP) - Rap superstar Kanye West on Tuesday delivered a surprise even in this most unusual of political years -- he met President-elect Donald Trump, marking the artist’s first appearance since a reported mental breakdown.　West, a rare artist and even rarer African American celebrity to voice support for Trump, said he went to discuss issues of concern to minorities with the populist leader.　Trailed by an entourage including his own cameraman, West silently walked into Trump Tower and r