Some of the biggest names in Korea’s hip-hop scene are getting together for one night at Olympic Park in Seoul next month. 　Opening with a performance from up-and-coming female hip-hop artist Ilya, the concert “No Sleep ‘Til...” will star Mnet’s hip-hop competition show “Show Me the Money” season five winner BewhY, rapper-producer Paloalto, K-pop boy group Block B’s lead member Zico and singer-songwriter Dean.　Additionally, newly formed hip-hop duo MOBB -- consisting of boy band Winner’s Mino an

NEW YORK (AP) -- During his musical career, classical pianist Lang Lang has tackled some musical titans like Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. Now he's gleefully taking on Jay Z.The Chinese superstar has recorded a new crossover album in which he tries to capture the spirit of New York, including doing a cover of the rapper’s “Empire State of Mind,” with its lyrics “Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we selling rock.”“I'm really always curious to hear different kinds

Global K-pop icon Big Bang is looking back at the group’s 10-year career in an old-fashioned way. 　In partnership with Hyundai Card, the boy band will release 5,000 copies of limited-edition vinyl containing some of their greatest hits, including “La La La,” “Fantastic Baby,” “Bang Bang Bang” and more, next week, according to the group’s management agency YG Entertainment on Thursday.  The vinyl package will also include five posters, a ticket to Big Bang’s multimedia exhibition “Big Bang 10 the

Park Kyung of K-pop group Block B has a lot to celebrate this week.　On Tuesday, coinciding with the boy band’s 2,000th day since their debut, Park received the invitation to join Mensa International, the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world. 　“Park Kyung was recommended to take the Mensa test on tvN’s ‘Problematic Men,’” said Block B’s management agency Seven Seasons on Tuesday. Since joining the variety show last year, the 24-year-old singer has showcased his talents beyond music-mak

Doyenne of classical music Chung Kyung-wha has made a return to the recording studio, releasing her first album in 15 years. Released Wednesday, the world-acclaimed violinist’s new album, “Sonatas & Partitas Bach,” features unaccompanied renditions of Bach’s solo sonatas and partitas repertoires for violin in a two-hour-plus, two-disc album compilation.“I consider this a project that I have been working toward since 1961, the year when I first starting learning the works of Bach,” said the 68-ye

K-pop boy band SHINee has come back with its fifth album “1 of 1” which, both visually and musically, spins a hyper-modernized twist on the retro genre, according to its members.　The band appeared onstage in full embodiments of the new concept -- sporting multicolored bell bottoms, golden neck chains and slicked back hairstyles at the press showcase. Sooyoung of Girls’ Generation served as the MC for the event marking the release of the latest album held at SMTOWN Coex Artium theater in southeas

Another first-generation K-pop group is gearing up for a comeback. 　On Monday, Choi Sung-hee -- better known by her stage name Bada -- of girl group trio S.E.S. revealed the group’s plan to make their return next year. 　“S.E.S. will be celebrating its 20th debut anniversary next year,” Bada wrote via her personal social media page, with a recent picture of the group. “To commemorate our 20th year, we are planning on creating meaningful experiences to spend it together with ‘Friends.’” The trio’s

K-pop girl group Crayon Pop member Park Hye-kyeong -- better known by her stage name Soyul -- will be suspending all group activities for the foreseeable future. 　“Soyul was recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder,” the group’s management agency Chrome Entertainment announced on Tuesday. “As her conditions are worse than expected, she will not be participating in upcoming promotional activities for a while.”The company added that she does not require hospitalization, and that Crayon Pop will

Renowned for his gracefully fleeting fingers, Paris-based Korean pianist Paik Kun-woo made his much-welcomed return to the local stage last week in a concert program that was all about paying tribute to his loyal fans. While the pianist breathed new life into Bach’s French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 and Brahms’ “Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24” in the first half of his concert, last week’s performance was really all about the second half.  Pianist Paik Kun-woo performs dur

The maestro’s upcoming concert in Seoul may be his last in the country

NEW YORK (AP) -- Mary J. Blige said she decided to sing Bruce Springsteen's “American Skin (41 Shots)” to Hillary Clinton during her recent interview because she was trying to get the Democratic presidential nominee to feel and understand the widening frustration among blacks in America over police brutality and similar topics.A pair of clips teasing Blige’s interview with Clinton was roundly mocked Tuesday, including a brief video of Blige singing to Clinton, leaving some confused. But on Wedne