The Korea Herald

Jung Joon-young releases debut single ‘Spotless Mind’

Oct 1, 2013

South Korean singer Jung Joon-young on Tuesday made his official debut with single “Spotless Mind,” a pre-released title track off his upcoming album.The ballad track by the 24-year-old singer, who is best known to the public for his appearance in the popular audition program “Superstar K4,” immediately made an impact on the country’s charts. Just an hour after release, “Spotless Mind” nabbed the top spot on both Mnet and Bugs, and took the No. 5 spot on Soribada.The new song, written by Luvan a
Singer’s obsessive fans wreck wedding, stir dispute

Sept 30, 2013

Diehard fans of a popular K-pop boy band Exo burst into the wedding of the brother of Exo member Baek Hyun and caused trouble at the ceremony, an anonymous witness claimed on Sunday.According to the witness, who claimed to be a friend of the groom, the fans started “making a fuss” once Exo members arrived.“When the three Exo members stepped forward to sing a song, (the fans) all rushed toward them. They stood on chairs to shoot photos and videos,” said the witness in a posting that circulated on
Making Korean hip-hop a culture

Sept 29, 2013

First-generation hip-hop artist P-Type hopes Korean hip-hop becomes more than just a trend
Wonder headlines New York concert highlighting poverty

Sept 29, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) ― U2 frontman Bono gave a funky, rousing introduction to Stevie Wonder, who headlined the Global Citizen Festival on New York’s Central Park on Saturday. It was the second annual concert to help end poverty around the world.Wonder performed a number of his hits, wowing the audience of thousands who danced and sang along to “Superstition” and “Isn’t She Lovely.”“This is a global celebration,” Wonder yelled to the crowd. “We will end extreme world poverty in our lifetime.”Wonder has
Eyelike: Busker Busker’s 2nd album doesn’t disappoint

Sept 27, 2013

Busker Busker’s follow-up repeats winning formulaBusker Busker “Busker Busker 2nd Album”CJ E&MBusker Busker’s 2nd album sounds a lot like their first album, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The band’s signature acoustic sound mixed with Jang Beom-jun’s smooth voice is a breath of fresh air compared to the many repetitious, electronic beat-ridden songs currently in the charts. The album starts with a sentimental classical instrumental track, “Autumn Night,” which demonstrates the obvious t
James Levine shines in return to Met opera

Sept 26, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) ― It wasn’t opening night, it wasn’t a new production, it wasn’t even a gala ― but it was nonetheless a momentous event in the history of the Metropolitan Opera: Conductor James Levine returned to the house he has called home for more than 40 years.Before the orchestra had even played a note, the Met’s music director ― rolling his motorized wheelchair onto a specially constructed podium ― was greeted by a 71-second standing ovation from the crowd that filled the 3,800-seat theater
Yoel Levi hopes to patch up, enhance KBS Symphony Orchestra

Sept 25, 2013

After being left vacant for nearly a year, the post of music director for the KBS Symphony Orchestra has been taken up by maestro Yoel Levi. Born in Romania but raised in Israel, Levi, with his rich international experience including the U.S. and Europe, is said to be the perfect fit for the orchestra, which aims at becoming the best in Asia. Levi has performed with the orchestra five times as a guest conductor in the past 16 years. And he will be leading the “Masterpiece Series III” concert on
Upcoming K-pop releases to usher in fall season

Sept 25, 2013

October is set to be a star-studded month with a long list of K-pop acts who have announced their return to the scene with the release of new albums or EPs. Some of next month’s highly anticipated releases include K-pop idols IU, T-ara, Nine Muses and Kim Jae-joong of JYJ. However, the list doesn’t end there: Other scheduled K-pop releases include new beats from groups such as Block B, Boys Republic, Monday Kids and others. Superstar rapper Psy previously stated that his upcoming studio album wa
Busker Busker’s latest sweeps charts

Sept 25, 2013

Busker Busker released its long-anticipated second studio album Wednesday, nabbing the top spot on numerous music charts in a matter of hours. The three-member band features Jang Beom-jun on vocals and guitar, Kim Hyung-tae on bass, and Brad Moore on drums. Soon after the album’s release, all of its nine tracks were ranked No.1-No.9 on most major online music services including Naver, Bugs, Melon, and Mnet. Title track “Love, At First” took the top spot on all of the charts. While Busker Busker’
MU:CON Seoul gears up for second global music conference

Sept 24, 2013

Music executives from around the world will soon flock to Seoul to attend the second annual three-day MU:CON global music conference and showcase from Oct. 10-12. The MU:CON conference has invited a number of key international and local figures in the music industry who will come together to discuss topics such as creative global cooperation and communication in the Asian music market as well as having the opportunities to attend showcases that highlight various Korean music acts. “MU:CON is abo
U.S. honors Ray Charles with limited-edition stamp

Sept 24, 2013

ATLANTA (AP) ― The U.S. Postal Service is planning to add soul singer Ray Charles to its “Music Icons Forever” stamp series.Postal officials say the agency is releasing a stamp featuring the Albany, Georgia, native on Monday along with one of the artist’s previously unreleased songs.Charles was a singer and songwriter who pioneered the soul and rhythm and blues genres. He died in 2004.Events are being planned in Atlanta and Los Angeles to celebrate Charles’ inclusion in the series.R&B singer Ash
Trove of U.S. folk music unearthed in library archive

Sept 24, 2013

DETROIT (AP) ― Detroit is famous for its music, from the Motown hits of the 1960s to the cutting-edge punk of Iggy Pop to the rap of Eminem. Little known, though, is that Michigan was also fertile ground for folk music, brought to the region by immigrants in the early 20th century and played in the logging camps, mines and factory towns where they worked. Legendary folklorist Alan Lomax discovered the music in 1938 when he visited the Midwest on his famous 10-year cross-country trek to document
Yellow Lounge to marry classical music with club scene

Sept 23, 2013

Classical music doesn’t always have to be enjoyed in a sedate concert hall. On Oct. 3, Oct. 31 and Nov. 12, Seoul nightclub Octagon will be filled with the sounds of string and wind instruments delivering classical tunes under flamboyant lighting, along with drinks, cheer and laughter. The 2013 Yellow Lounge Seoul, aimed at bringing more people to classical music by visiting the trendiest venues, will present The Philharmonics, composed of members of the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Busker Busker to usher in fall with new album

Sept 23, 2013

The trio of Busker Busker has squashed last year’s rumors of a possible breakup by announcing that they will be releasing the group’s much anticipated second studio album on Wednesday. The upcoming studio album will once again feature tracks written and composed by the bandmates themselves, according to representatives of Chungchun Music. The Korean alternative band with members Jang Beom-jun on vocals and guitar, Kim Hyung-tae on bass and Brad Moore on the drums first gained fame as participan
Men of ‘Parsifal’

Sept 22, 2013

Bass singer Youn Kwang-chul, tenor Christopher Ventris to show quintessential Wagner at the Korean premiere of Wagner opera