The Korea Herald

Korean singer to sue over use of song in ‘The Interview’

Dec 26, 2014

The management agency of South Korean pop singer Yoon Mi-rae said Friday that it will take legal action against Sony Pictures Entertainment for allegedly using one of her songs in a controversial movie without permission.“The Interview,” a comedy about the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, hit about 320 theaters in the United States on Thursday. The film has drawn huge attention at home and abroad due to a cyberattack blamed on North Korea and threats against its release.“We came
With N.Y. shows, Mariah Carey thrives on Christmas

Dec 25, 2014

NEW YORK (AFP) ― The festive wreath above the New York stage bore the insignia “MC” ― at once “Merry Christmas” and the initials of the evening’s attraction, Mariah Carey. Indeed for the pop diva, the holiday and her identity as an artist increasingly go hand-in-hand.It’s been 20 years since Carey released “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which quickly became a seasonal favorite with its bouncy holiday cheer infused by a touch of longing.Carey has put out two full Christmas albums but now has
[Herald Review] ‘Happy End’ to sweet, sorrowful year

Dec 23, 2014

The four gentlemen of vocal group Sweet Sorrow have returned with a series of year-end concerts to bring 2014 to a happy end. The year-end concert series, titled “Happy End,” comes less than six months after Sweet Sorrow held its nationwide “Harmony” concert series after its fourth studio album, “For Lovers Only,” was released in June. Though Sweet Sorrow is not part of the mainstream K-pop scene, it still managed to attract thousands of concertgoers to each of its shows, making it one of the mo
Met Opera credit rating downgraded despite labor deal

Dec 23, 2014

NEW YORK (AFP) ― Moody’s on Monday downgraded the credit rating of New York’s Metropolitan Opera, voicing concern over the ability of North America’s largest classical music company to improve its financial profile.The Met, considered among the world’s most prestigious opera houses, in August reached an agreement with labor unions to cut pay and benefits over a four-year period.But Moody’s Investors Service said that the Met had only enough readily available cash at the end of the last fiscal ye
Elton John weds after 21 years with partner

Dec 22, 2014

WINDSOR, United Kingdom (AFP) ― British pop legend Elton John married long-time partner David Furnish in Windsor on Sunday, the ninth anniversary of their civil partnership, with the singer posting evidence on social media.The 67-year-old singer posted a picture on photo-sharing website Instagram of himself and Furnish in blue suits brandishing a pen as they signed a form.“That’s the legal bit done. Now on to the ceremony!” said the caption.The star-studded ceremony was to take place at their Wi
Furious at leaks, Madonna releases songs early

Dec 21, 2014

NEW YORK (AFP) ― Madonna on Saturday suddenly released six new songs months ahead of schedule, furious that early versions had leaked online in what she had described as “artistic rape.”The songs will appear on the pop icon’s first album in three years, “Rebel Heart,” which comes out in March. The six tracks show Madonna going further in a hip-hop direction and include a collaboration with leading female rapper Nicki Minaj.The Material Girl said she decided to put the songs on sale online after
Year’s top song is Beyonce, Sia’s ‘Pretty Hurts’

Dec 21, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) ― Need a new playlist? Check out the Associated Press’ top songs of 2014 list. Heard them before? Then play them again.1. “Pretty Hurts,” Beyonce: Contemporary music’s top singer and songwriter ― Beyonce and Sia ― join forces to create a song that is heavy, deeply felt, emotional ― but most important, beautiful. “Pretty Hurts,” with its winning accompanying music video, tackles the insecurities anyone and everyone feels, and Beyonce’s rising vocals bring Sia’s words to life.2. “Cha
Eyelike: Flaming Lips fail with ‘Sgt. Pepper’ cover

Dec 19, 2014

Flaming Lips fail with ‘Sgt. Pepper’ coverThe Flaming Lips“With a Little Help from My Fwends”(Warner Bros.) Ever wonder what “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” would sound like sung by robots? Me neither, but here’s the answer.The Flaming Lips have recorded a full-length tribute to the Beatles’ 1967 album, and the music is even more far-out and psychedelic than the landmark original. This daft pop is silly, bombastic, druggy, irreverent and rude, with lots of bleeps and blasts, but it’s not
Eric Idle brings ‘Not the Messiah’ to Carnegie Hall

Dec 18, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) ― And now for something completely different. During a time of year when Handel’s “Messiah” is frequently presented around the world, Eric Idle of Monty Python fame brought “Not the Messiah (He’s a Very Naughty Boy)” to Carnegie Hall, a comedic oratorio based on the movie “The Life of Brian.”From the opening overture of John Philip Sousa’s “The Liberty Bell” ― familiar as the theme of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” on BBC from 1969-74 ― the audience laughed loudly and repeatedly Tu
Bon Iver front man to curate new festival

Dec 18, 2014

NEW YORK (AFP) ― The front man of Bon Iver, who won critical acclaim for his emotionally resonant indie folk rock, has announced a festival that promises to throw a spotlight on new music.Justin Vernon announced the inaugural festival to take place on July 17-18 in his hometown of Eau Claire in the Upper Midwestern state of Wisconsin, known for its scenic landscape of forest, rivers and lakes.“After several years of touring and playing music festivals of all different types around the world, I w
Hasselhoff to rock out 2014 at Brandenburg Gate

Dec 18, 2014

BERLIN (AFP) ― “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff will join a massive open air New Year’s Eve concert in Berlin at the iconic spot where he famously sang for freedom after the Berlin Wall fell 25 years ago.Organizers said the actor ― whose sideline singing career also made him hugely and enduringly popular in Germany ― would be among the line-up performing in front of the Brandenburg Gate to help count down to 2015, an annual event that draws hundreds of thousands of revelers.Hasselhoff is remembe
An R&B Jesus? D’Angelo challenges with ‘Black Messiah’

Dec 17, 2014

NEW YORK (AFP) ― After a wait of nearly 15 years, D’Angelo is making a Second Coming of sorts with “Black Messiah,” a hard-charging attack on racial injustice that challenges listeners both musically and lyrically.Released as a surprise Monday, the long-anticipated album moves D’Angelo beyond his R&B roots to embrace the passions of protest rock at a time when demonstrations have swept the United States over police killings of unarmed African Americans in New York and Ferguson, Missouri.D’Angelo
Grammys to pay tribute to Stevie Wonder

Dec 16, 2014

NEW YORK (AFP) ― The Grammys will pay tribute to Stevie Wonder with a special performance after the music industry’s annual award night.Grammy organizers announced a two-hour show in the Motown legend’s honor to be recorded on Feb. 10 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, two days after the awards.An executive at CBS television, which will broadcast the tribute on Feb. 16, said the show will “give everyone he’s inspired a chance to show our esteem.” Stevie Wonder performs in Las Vegas on Nov. 29.
Violinist Lee to perform 3 sonatas

Dec 15, 2014

Violinist Lee Sung-juViolinist Lee Sung-ju will present violin sonatas of Beethoven, Strauss and Franck in a recital at the IBK Chamber Hall of Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 17. Together with her longtime musical partner Oliver Kern on piano, the professor of the Korea National University of Arts will present a full program that cuts across classical, romantic and contemporary string repertoires. The concert will open with Beethoven’s violin sonata “Kreutzer” and conclude with a Strauss work, Violin
R&B star Jeremih charged after airport incident

Dec 15, 2014

NEWARK, New Jersey (AP) ― R&B star Jeremih and two others face charges in New Jersey after one of the men allegedly opened a door to a boarding ramp at Newark International Airport after it had been closed to prepare for takeoff. Port Authority police say a member of the 27-year-old “Don’t Tell ’Em” singer’s party tried opening the door Friday in an attempt to get his tardy fellow travelers on board the Phoenix-bound flight. Jeremih, who police identified as Jeremy Felton, was charged with disor