Singer IU will drop her fourth EP “Chat-Shire” on Oct. 23, the 23-year-old singer revealed via social media.  (Loen Entertainment)Her previous album “A Flower Bookmark” was released in May last year. IU, who debuted in 2008, is one of the most visible female solo singers in the local music scene now, with hits “Good Day,” “You&I,” “The Red Shoes” and “Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms.”She recently admitted her two-year romantic relationship with Korean singer Chang Ki-ha.By Kim Yu-jin　(kimyu

The “One K Concert” was held Friday at World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Seoul, under the slogan “One Dream One Korea.”In spite of the its original intention of aspiring for Korean unification, the concert was actually no different from other K-pop concerts, hardly putting any emphasis on the theme.Mainly hosted by the organizing committee of the New Era Unification Song Campaign, the concert was sponsored by an array of institutions including the Ministry of Unification and Lotte Group.It was d

YB, one of the country’s most iconic rock bands, will be celebrating 20 years of rocking with the release of new single “20-years,” as well as by holding four concerts in Seoul later this month. 　“It has not been an easy ride and many bands do not make it this far, so this is a very special feat,” said band leader and vocalist Yoon Do-hyun during a press conference held at Ilchi Art Hall in Seoul on Tuesday.With Yoon at the helm over the past two decades, YB has not only solidified its name as o

4th Seoul Music Fair kicks off on themes of new technologies, markets

　　Gary　“2002”　(Loen Entertainment)　Rapper Gary of Leessang has widened his fan base with his steady role in the megahit game show “Running Man,” but his first studio-length album “2002” shows that he is first and foremost a musician.Collaborating with artists like Koonta, Jay Park, John Park, Skull and Deepflow, Gary weaves together an album that bears the hallmarks of past Leessang hits -- strong featured vocals that provide choruses to anchor down the candid, sometimes explicit lyrics that are

Performing in Korea for the first time since 1995, the band heats up Jamsil Stadium with unchanged rock spirit

This year’s Seoul International Music Fair, or MU:CON, is set to see an impressive lineup of 51 artists, including alternative bands Hyukoh and Kiha & The Faces, K-pop groups B1A4 and GFriend and power vocal acts such as ALi and Mamamoo. Of the 51 teams set to appear onstage in next month’s event, 16 are rock or alternative rock bands, the organizer Korea Creative Contents Agency said in a press release. The bands include Hyukoh, a four-member act that has recently soared to stardom with its ind

Singer-actor Park Yoo-chun of K-pop trio JYJ is set to work as a public service worker at Gangnam-gu Office starting Thursday, the Defense Ministry announced Tuesday. (C-jeS Entertainment)The 29-year-old began his four-week basic military training on Aug. 27 at an Army training camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. He will serve for two years as a public service worker, a substitute for active mandatory military service, due to his asthma. By Ko Ji-seon (jiseonko@heraldcorp.com)

Formed through reality battle show, rookie group has potential to become next big thing in K-pop

Singer Lee Seung-hwan performs a six hour-long concert on Saturday in Seoul’s Uniqlo Ax Hall. (Dream Factory)Iconic balladeer-rocker Lee Seung-hwan held a six hour and 21 minute-long concert for his 26th anniversary show on Saturday, Sept. 19, surpassing his own record set in 2012 for the longest single performance held in Korea and cementing his longtime reputation as the “god of live shows.” The spectacle-filled concert, titled “Bar Day -- 26 years” and held at Seoul’s Uniqlo Ax Hall, lasted f

Up10tion"Top Secret"(Loen Entertainment)Ten-member boy band Up10tion is the latest addition to the K-pop scene, and their debut EP “Top Secret” shows they are determined to get attention with flashy music reflecting the latest trends. After an intense intro, the album heads straight into the lead track “So, Dangerous,” produced by the composer who wrote EXO’s megahit “Growl.” The pounding dance track is reminiscent of “Growl,” with a dramatic structure and lyrics about wanting to protect a girl

LYn“9x9th”Loen EntertainmentLYn amplifies the emotional depth of her voice to express the wistfulness of a woman who longs for an absent love on her ninth studio album “9x9th.” With six tracks having lyrics written by LYn, the album also represents her growth as a singer-songwriter.The album steps away from her well-known R&B style to take on overarching blues and jazz themes. The lead single “Love Moves On” features a waltz rhythm that allows LYn’s voice to meander in a gypsy style, while “A Bi

Kangnam“Chocolate”CJ E&MOn the first two tracks of “Chocolate,” hip-hop vocal Kangnam of M.I.B. teams up well with heavyweight rappers Microdot (on “Tell Me What”) and San E (on lead track “Chocolate”). The lead track is lighthearted and flirty, with a piano theme and San E’s naughty lyrics putting a mischievous turn on Kangnam’s seemingly innocent song.The album suddenly goes pop rock with “Stay,” where listeners can see what Kangnam is like as a standalone vocal, without his fellow M.I.B membe

CNBLUE lead vocalist Jung Yong-hwa and his bandmates perform at a showcase for their second album, “2gether,” at the AX-Korea stadium in Seoul on Monday. (Yonhap News)Coming six years after their debut and 19 months since their previous release, CNBLUE finally dropped their second full-length album, “2gether,” on Monday. “We’ve been together for six years, but this is only our second full-length album,” said CNBLUE front man Jung Yong-hwa, during a news conference at the AX-Korea Stadium in Seou

Experts discuss current condition of K-pop, future steps