NEW YORK (AP) ― Madonna has spent a little time living in the judicial world. The pop superstar turned up for jury duty Monday at a Manhattan state courthouse, quickly getting dismissed. She had gotten excused from a jury service date in May. This time, she was finished within two hours and wasn’t questioned for any case, spending the wait in a clerk’s office instead of in the sprawling juror waiting room. State court system spokesman David Bookstaver said officials cut Madonna loose because the

More than 20 A-list celebrities gathered at Seoul’s Myeongdong Cathedral last month sing in a music video for Pope Francis, who’s due to visit here next month. The video was released Monday. The single “Koinonia” celebrates the Holy Father’s Aug. 14-18 visit to Korea. The title is the Greek word for fellowship, sharing in common and communion. “So many people live just for themselves. If more people prayed for others, the world would be a better place to live,” Noh Young-sim, the song’s composer

The international fashion icon and notorious socialite Paris Hilton will be packing her bikini and DJ set and performing live at the upcoming SuperX Summer Festival in Seoul next month. The SuperX Summer Festival is the first all-day poolside party to hit South Korea and will be held at the Walkerhill River Park from Aug. 15-16. Although the starlet is best known as the heiress of the Hilton Hotel franchise, her frequent appearances on reality TV shows launched her into superstardom and made her

All-girl rock band returns with ‘Bitter Sweet’

ALBANY, New York (AP) ― Paul McCartney returned to a concert stage Saturday after being sidelined for two months because of a virus, spinning out songs from the Beatles, Wings and a solo career that has spanned more than 50 years of rock ’n’ roll.McCartney, who turned 72 two weeks ago, looked none the worse for wear. He made no immediate reference to his absence. One oblique reference could have been his performance of the song, “On My Way to Work,” which he said he hadn’t done live before. Paul

Trey Songz is complacent on 6th albumTrey Songz“Trigga”(Atlantic Records)Six albums in and making R&B hits almost seems too easy for Trey Songz.He’s got the vocals of a crooner with the swagger of a rapper, and on his latest release, “Trigga,” the heartthrob once again darts between the bedroom and bottle service, sending his sweet vocals soaring over a landscape of seductive beats, beautiful melodies and lyrics that beg to be repeated. But Songz’s latest set is missing something: growth. Shuffl

Young Korean classical music artists are continuing to collect honors at acclaimed music contests across the world. Two recent competitions in Russia and the U.S. were no exception. Cho Jun-hwi, 18, won the New York International Piano Competition, held from June 23-27, organizers said Thursday. Along with the top honor, the young pianist received a cash prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to make concert appearances throughout America, beginning next year. The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation,

Kim Hyo-sun becomes first actress to succeed at Seoul Action School

Kim Yuna poses with her Platinum-selling records to be hung on the wall of Universal Music Korea’s Hall of Fame. (Universal Music)It looks like Queen Kim Yuna can sell just about everything in Korea. The iconic athlete who ended her trailblazing figure skating career earlier this year models for virtually all sorts of products ― from beer to detergents and air conditioners, to fueling stations for LPG-powered cars. Her mighty marketing power doesn’t stop there. Even Yuna’s music is a hit, too. A

A poster for Kim Hae-sook’s concerts in Germany. (National Gugak Center)Kim Hae-sook, chief of the National Gugak Center and master of the Korean zither-like string instrument the gayageum, will perform at a German world music festival, the state-run center said. Kim will give two recitals and a workshop as part of the TFF Rudolstadt, a German folk, roots and world music festival from July 5-6. The String Quartet of the Liszt School of Music Weimar will collaborate with her, while other masters

Adding extra colors to the season’s chamber music lineup, five veteran members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra are holding a five-city tour of Korea as a wind ensemble, starting Thursday in Busan. Speaking at a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet said the upcoming concerts will be a chance for Korean music aficionados to discover a hidden gem in the world of chamber music which is, both locally and globally, heavily dominated by string instruments. “

K-pop girl group KARA will become a four-member group after it introduces the winner of a TV audition program, the group’s management agency said Wednesday.The group has been working as a three-member group since the departure in January of two of its original five members ― Kang Ji-young and Nicole.According to DSP Media, Heo Young-ji, 20, became a new member of the group, beating out three competitors in the final round of MBC Music’s “KARA project-KARA The Beginning,” which was aired on Tuesd

Madonna performs at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Nov. 8, 2012. (AP)DETROIT (AP) ― Madonna, who was “inspired” during a recent visit to Detroit, is donating money toward the construction of a new youth boxing gym and buying iPods, iPads and other supplies for students at a charter school in her hometown, according to a news release issued by the music icon’s publicist Monday. The statement said Madonna’s donations to three Detroit organizations represent “the first phase of a long-term commi

Jung Joon-young revives rock spirit on new EPJung Joon-young“Teenager”(CJ E&M)Singer Jung Joon-young is bringing back rock ’n’ roll spirit to the local music scene inundated by mainstream pop music with his new EP “Teenager.”With the new release, Jung boldly declares a return to his roots as a hardcore rocker, showcasing six tracks infused with electric hard rock sounds and his signature, soaring vocals that made him a top contestant on the 2012 audition program “Superstar K4.” The new EP defini

Festival goers arrive ahead of Glastonbury music festival, England, Wednesday. (AP-Yonhap)London (AFP) ― Sunshine greeted Glastonbury revellers on Wednesday as Worthy Farm threw open its gates for the music festival but rain forecast in coming days means the traditional mud is set to return at the weekend. “There’s a steady flow of arrivals. Spirits are high,” said the @GlastoLive Twitter feed. Headline acts scheduled to perform at this year’s musical extravaganza range from Metallica, Kasabian