Keys matures as ‘Girl on Fire’ ignitesAlicia Keys``Girl on Fire‘’(RCA Records)Alicia Keys doesn‘t do half-measures. Her fifth studio album, ``Girl on Fire,’‘ comes on hard and fast, seemingly stripped but rich in sound, triumphant to the point of a cinematic epic scope. It’s her first release since marrying producer-rapper Swizz Beatz and the birth of their son, Egypt.Keys‘ name pops up buoyantly on all writing and producing credits of this 13-track record, a perfect mirroring of its title. But

Wednesday saw a historic showbiz moment as the legal battles between idol group JYJ and S.M. Entertainment came to an end. Industry insiders are watching whether the settlement will have much influence on entertainment companies often accused of abusing their power. On that day, both parties withdrew all lawsuits and came to a mutual understanding, filing written agreements not to interfere with each other’s future activities.“We judged that we no longer need to provide management service to the

Rookie band hopes to make their mark as a vocal trio

Yang Yo-seob, musical actor and main vocalist of K-pop group Beast, has released his first solo EP album, titled “The First Collage,” on Monday.The album, which includes five tracks, was partly produced by rapper, composer and fellow Beast member Yong Jun-hyung, who co-wrote, produced and is featured in one of the tracks, “Caffeine.” “You’re bad to me, so bad to me, oh girl, you’re like caffeine,” is the main chorus line to the title track, which is an upbeat ballad comparing the trials of love

Sun-ye, leader of popular K-pop girl group Wonder Girls, will marry her boyfriend of about two years on Jan. 26 next year, the singer announced on Tuesday. On her fan site, the 23-year-old singer said she would wed a 28-year-old Korean-Canadian missionary, whom she admitted she has been dating since early last year. “The two will become one and promised to walk the road of life together,” she wrote. Sun-ye’s agency, JYP Entertainment, also confirmed the news on the day. “We understand that her d

Amid Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and other classical powerhouses ruling the November music scene here, French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard’s Sunday recital highlighting contemporary classical composers was bold but a successful breath of fresh air. The concert held at LG Arts Center was delicate, sophisticated and a good two-hour journey into a field of music many Koreans were not familiar with. His program was filled with some friendlier names such as Debussy and Schumann ― his Debussy was clear an

LONDON (AFP) ― The Rolling Stones rocked London on Sunday as they thrilled a 20,000 crowd in the first of five concerts to mark their 50th anniversary.Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood were joined by their original bass player Bill Wyman at the O2 Arena as the ageing rockers performed their first major concert for five years.Lead singer Jagger made light of criticism of the ticket prices for the sold-out gig, with fans paying up to 406 pounds (650, 500 euros) for a stand

The Rolling Stones made a triumphant return to the London stage on Sunday night in the first of five concerts to mark the 50th anniversary of their debut as an American-oriented blues band.They showed no signs of wear and tear _ except on their aging, heavily lined faces _ as frontman Mick Jagger swaggered and strutted through a stellar two-and-a-half hour show. He looked remarkably trim and fit and was in top vocal form.The Stones passed the half-century mark in style at the sometimes emotional

Young Belgian takes on all facets of Korean entertainment

Rihanna brings the goods on 7th albumRihanna"Unapologetic"(Island Def Jam Music Group)There‘s something about Rihanna. And her producers.The singer’s new album -- her seventh in as many years -- is like many of her other releases, full of songs that are catchy, fun and addictive. Her albums are almost like listening to a "NOW" compilation disc."Unapologetic" is no different. It‘s full of future hits, and not a single miss."Phresh Out the Runaway," which kicks off the album, does so with a bang.

This is part of a series featuring new hallyu stars. ― Ed.Leaving the mini-skirts and high heels at home, the three-member group D-Unit is not your stereotypical K-pop girl group. The members Jun Woo-ram (R.A.M), Jung Yoo-jin (Ujin) and Kwak Soo-jin (Z.I.N), through their hip-hop and electro-pop beats and bold dance moves, steer away from the cutesy, innocent image of most girl groups and try to portray a fiercer image of women. “We are not the typical image when you think about girl groups,” sa