The Korea Herald

BigBang's 'Fantastic Baby' tops 200 mln YouTube views

Jan 27, 2016

The music video for "Fantastic Baby" by boy band BigBang has surpassed the 200-million-view mark on YouTube, the group's agency said Wednesday."Fantastic Baby" took a year and 10 months to reach the milestone, having been listed on the video-sharing website on March 6, 2012, YG Entertainment said.As of Tuesday night, South Korean time, the video had been viewed 207 million times, the agency said, adding on Wednesday that the figure was up to 212 million."Fantastic Baby" is part of the fifth mini
'70s pop stars Olivia Newton-John and Tom Jones return to Korea

Jan 26, 2016

Fans of ’70s pop music will soon have a chance to indulge their nostalgia as stars Olivia Newton-John and Tom Jones are set to hold concerts in Korea at Seoul Olympic Park in May and April, respectively.It has taken a long time for both musicians to return to Korea -- 16 and 33 years, respectively, for Newton-John and Jones.Olivia Newton-John (Official Facebook)Newton-John, a four-time Grammy award-winner recording five No. 1 and ten other Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles, will perform old favor
Global 'hallyu' fans swell to 35 million in 86 countries

Jan 26, 2016

The number of global fans for the Korean culture "hallyu" have exceeded 35 million in 86 countries, a government-affiliated foundation said Tuesday.As Korean wave becomes global, the number of enthusiastic fans for Korean culture and food last year increased 63 percent to be 35.59 million over the previous year's number of 21.82 million, according to global hallyu data 2015 published by the Korea Foundation (KF). The growing popularity of hallyu, which had initially started in Asian countries, h
Super Junior's Ryeowook to drop first solo album

Jan 26, 2016

Ryeowook of the boy band Super Junior is set to release his first solo album in 11 years."The Little Prince" is a ballad collection inspired by the French novel of the same name. Ryeowook is the second Super Junior member to fly solo after Kyuhun, who released his first solo album in 2014."Had Kyuhun not done so well, I would have been more overwhelmed," the main vocalist of the 12-member act told reporters in Seoul on Monday. "Kyuhun told me he really likes my music, so I hope that's a good sig
San E and G.Soul to release song together

Jan 25, 2016

　Hip-hop rapper San E of Brand New Music and R&B and soul singer G.Soul of JYP Entertainment are set to release a song in February, according to industry insiders.　The label crossover collaboration between JYP Entertainment and Brand New Music is expected to showcase harmony between G.Soul’s soulful voice and San E’s rapping. San E (Brand New Music) and G.Soul (official Facebook)　San E, previously affiliated with JYP Entertainment, debuted in 2010, winning the Best Hip Hop Song award at the Kore
Cho Seong-jin signs with Deutsche Grammophon

Jan 25, 2016

Following his win at last year’s International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, pianist Cho Seong-jin has signed on with Deutsche Grammophon, the world’s most prestigious classical music record label, according to an announcement by Solea Management Sunday. 　Cho, who is the first Korean to win first place in the competition, has now joined the ranks of internationally renowned classical pianists including Lang Lang, Yundi and Yuja Wang. Cho Seong-jin (Bartek Sadowksi)　Deutsche Grammophon was
Zion.T unveils third Winner pre-release cover

Jan 24, 2016

YG Entertainment released a video Saturday titled “Zion.T – ‘Baby Baby’ by Winner Cover 03” on its official blog, www.yg-life.com.　This is the third time that other musicians have released their own version of Winner’s upcoming song “Baby Baby.” A still from “Zion.T-‘Baby Baby’ by Winner Cover 03” (YG Entertainment)　The prerelease promotion of the album by Winner, a five-member idol group affiliated with YG Entertainment, began Jan. 21. The promotion presents part of Winner’s new song “Baby Baby
[Album Review] The Legend finally turns it around

Jan 22, 2016

The Legend“Sound Up!”(Loen Entertainment)　It’s almost a shame that “Sound Up!” wasn’t boy group The Legend’s first EP. Making a 180-degree flip from rookie group’s original pained, brooding image, “Sound Up!” brings out the commercial pop appeal of the group, who had previously had trouble getting off the ground despite the tall, handsome looks. The five-track EP kicks off with the lead track “Crush on You,” a funky, fun and brass-heavy dance track about a guy who falls in love at first sight wi
Kpop group Shinhwa plans concerts in March

Jan 22, 2016

Longest-running Korean boy band Shinhwa will stage concerts in March commemorating the 18th anniversary of its debut, the group's agency said Friday.Shinhwa Company said the concerts will be held on March 26 and 27 at Seoul Olympic Gymnasium in the southern part of the capital city.The six-member boy band achieved huge success with their latest album released in February last year, as the act earned 10 trophies, topping weekly TV music show "M Countdown" numerous times. The album pays tribute to
[Album Review] ‘Paper Moon’ a playbook on pop rap

Jan 22, 2016

JQ“Paper Moon”(Bugs)　Singer-songwriter and rapper JQ’s music is always easy on the ears. Although he is a rapper, his songs are catchy and rhythmic and never overbearing. Perhaps the reason that his music is so listener-friendly is that he is best-known for being the rap coach for artists at SM Entertainment such as TVXQ, Super Junior, and EXO. On his sixth EP “Paper Moon” JQ aptly demonstrates that he has a full understanding of how to shape rap for a pop audience.The six tracks each take on a
[Album Review] Cross Gene’s ‘Game’ needs speed

Jan 22, 2016

Cross Gene“Game”(Universal Music)Cross Gene’s third EP “Game” is slow overall, considering the group’s talents in dance. For whatever reason, the dance tracks all take on a slower tempo, leaving the songs feeling outdated and reminiscent of the dance tracks of the past decade.Perhaps the biggest culprit is “Noona, You,” which lacks any sense of personality. With an intro that sounds like the starting notes of a cardio workout mixtape, a bland melody and lyrics that take yet another whack at the
Actor-singer Lee Seung-gi releases single ahead of conscription

Jan 21, 2016

With the start of his mandatory military service around the corner, actor-singer Lee Seung-gi has released a song about the very subject.His agency, Hook Entertainment, said Lee will enter the Army on Feb. 1, and put out the single "I Am Joining the Military" at noon Thursday.Through his agency, Lee said the midtempo ballad is as much about himself as about those who will also have to complete their military service, as well as their families and friends.The 29-year-old, who debuted with the cha
Big Bang nears grand finale of world tour

Jan 21, 2016

K-pop idol group Big Bang is holding encore concerts at Seoul Olympic Park Gymnastic Stadium on March 4-6 following its world tour, YG Entertainment, the group’s agency, said Wednesday.　The group’s world tour “MADE,” which kicked off in Seoul last April, has covered 32 cities in 13 countries, including in Asia, North America and Australia. Some 120 million people attended the concerts and the tour set a record for the largest cumulative audience for a Korean group in China, with 25 million atten
4Minute to release new album next month

Jan 21, 2016

Five-member girl group 4Minute is releasing its seventh EP album “Act 7” on Feb. 1, the group’s agency Cube Entertainment said in a press release Wednesday.　Cube Entertainment also unveiled the jacket image of “Act 7” on its official social media sites Thursday, following the release of a teaser image on the previous day announcing the group’s return after a yearlong hiatus. The cover of 4Minute’s 7th EP “Act 7” (Cube Entertainment)　The jacket image is based on the concept of Amazons, the group
BigBang to make encore performance of world tour in Seoul

Jan 20, 2016

South Korean boy band BigBang will close its ongoing world tour in March after staging three encore performances in Seoul, its management said Wednesday.The five-member band started the world concert tour "MADE" in Seoul last April and will have the grand finale of the tour with encore performances for three days from March 4 to 6 at Seoul's Olympic Park, YG Entertainment said.For nearly 10 months so far, the band has performed some 60 concerts before 1.5 million fans in 32 cities of 13 countrie