NewJeans terminates contract with Ador, embarks on new journey

NewJeans has unilaterally terminated its exclusive contract with Ador, a subsidiary of Hybe, and announced plans to embark on a new journey outside the company, during a press conference held in Seoul, Thursday. "Our contract will be terminated as of midnight, today. It was Ador and Hybe that violated the contract, so we are ending it," member Minji said. "Moreover, we have never breached our exclusive contract and have always given our best efforts. There is no reason for us to p

Nov. 28, 2024

NewJeans to terminate contract with Ador

Popular K-pop girl group NewJeans has announced plans to terminate its exclusive contract with Ador, a subsidiary of Hybe, its PR agency confirmed Thursday. The group is set to hold a press conference at 8:30 p.m. Thursday to address the decision.

Nov. 28, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Seventeen tops Oricon chart with 4th Japan single

Seventeen's fourth Japanese single album headed straight to the top of Oricon’s Daily Single Ranking, said agency Pledis Entertainment Thursday citing the Japanese tally. “Shohikigen” is led by a ballad tune of the same title, which has been used as a theme song for NHK drama “Me and Future Me!?” that started airing last month. On Friday, the 13-member act will launch its dome tour in Japan, starting in Aichi before heading to Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. The gr

Nov. 28, 2024

Crush to introduce vinyl ‘Dip Cuts Vol.1’ filled with new singles

Singer-songwriter Crush is wrapping up the year by releasing a vinyl album, “Dip Cuts Vol. 1,” carrying new singles. The vinyl will be sold at three days of concerts, called “Crush Hour: O,” to be held at the KSPO Dome in Seoul Dec. 20-22. The vinyl carries seven tracks-- “intro (240321),” “may I be your may,” “life is a circle,” “Red Day,” “O,” “deep dive into dipcuts” and “far-sighted,”

Nov. 28, 2024

[Herald Interview] Meet 1VERSE, first K-pop boy band to feature North Korean defectors

The four members of 1VERSE – Hyuk, Seok, Aito and Kenny – are about to achieve the first milestone that countless K-pop trainees dream of: an official debut with an album and showcases. This group, tirelessly honing their skills with the goal of debuting by the end of this year, has one special distinction. It is the first K-pop group featuring North Korean defectors. When 24-year-old Hyuk and Seok, who escaped North Korea and arrived in South Korea 10 years and 5 years ago, respectively, make t

Nov. 28, 2024

‘VCHA, Katseye and Dear Alice are not K-pop groups,’ industry experts say

The emergence of K-pop powerhouses’ “localized” groups such as VCHA, Katseye, and Dear Alice has sparked debates over whether they can be called K-pop acts. Despite their association with prominent K-pop agencies, industry experts largely agree that they fall outside the traditional definition of K-pop. Major players in the K-pop industry, including Hybe, JYP Entertainment and SM Entertainment, have identified localization as the next step in the genre’s evolution. This s

Nov. 28, 2024

Kyuhyun marks 10th solo debut anniversary with first LP ‘Colors’

Kyuhyun, known for his multifaceted persona as a member of veteran boy band Super Junior, a beloved ballad soloist, a musical actor and an entertainer, has embraced all these identities in his first studio album, "Colors," marking the 10th anniversary of his solo debut. The album features 10 tracks spanning various genres, from featured track “Unending Days,” in the singer's signature sentimental ballad style, to dance-pop track “Bring It On,” Kyuhyun&rsquo

Nov. 28, 2024

Ador calls for Belift Lab’s ‘sincerity’ in Hanni workplace harassment case

NewJeans' agency Ador, on Wednesday, called on its sister company Belift Lab to demonstrate a sincere and respectful approach to the recent workplace harassment allegations involving member Hanni. The demand came just one day before the deadline for NewJeans’ ultimatum that Ador “rectify all major contract violations within 14 days” or they will terminate their exclusive contracts with the agency. Among the conditions listed in NewJeans’ certification of contents sen

Nov. 27, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids add dates to world tour

Stray Kids confirmed that it will perform two more times in the US for its ongoing international tour dominATE, label JYP Entertainment said Wednesday. The decision comes after tickets for its concerts, in Los Angeles and New York, sold out as soon as they became available last week. The tour now will be held across 32 regions and will be made up of 44 live shows in total. The eight members will carry on with their tour in Macao on Friday and visit four more cities in Asia until January next yea

Nov. 27, 2024

Hybe consolidates chairman Bang Si-hyuk’s regime with leadership changes

Hybe appears to be reinforcing Bang Si-hyuk’s authority with a series of leadership reshuffles following this year’s high-profile fallout with former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin. Big Hit Music, Hybe’s subsidiary label home to global sensation BTS, appointed Shin Seon-jeong as its new CEO on Tuesday. Shin, a pivotal team member at Hybe, joined its predecessor Big Hit Entertainment in 2010 and contributed significantly to the creation and early success of BTS. The label stated its goal

Nov. 27, 2024

[Herald Review] Aladdin: The Korean Genie is out of the bottle in magical adaptation

The Genie is out of the bottle in Korea, a decade after the hit musical "Aladdin" hit Broadway. The Korean edition of "Aladdin," which debuted on Friday, delivers a winning combination of Disney’s beloved story and tunes, standout performances by Korea’s top actors, and humor that resonates with local audiences. The role of the Genie is shared by three actors: Jung Sung-hwa, Kang Hong-seok and Jeong Won-yeong. Aladdin is played by Kim Jun-su, Park Kang-hyun -- kno

Nov. 27, 2024

'Harbin' redefines Korean cinema with reimagining of Ahn Jung-geun

“Harbin,” which has been confirmed for a Christmas release, is poised to redefine Korean cinema by reimagining the legendary historical figure Ahn Jung-geun with world-class visuals and sound. While Korean films revisiting the period of Japanese colonization and the independence movement are nothing new, “Harbin” takes a fresh approach. Instead of portraying Ahn Jung-geun solely as a martyr and activist, the film reimagines him as a military leader commanding the Korean I

Nov. 27, 2024

'Squid Game 2' main trailer shows unseen footage, new game venue

With just a month to go until the highly anticipated release of Netflix's "Squid Game 2," a stunning new game venue has been revealed -- an unexpected yet striking addition to the show’s roster of deadly arenas: a Ferris wheel. On Wednesday, Netflix unveiled the main trailer for "Squid Game 2" on its official YouTube channel. The 108-second video showcases never-before-seen footage, including a haunting glimpse of the Ferris wheel, which is seen bloodstained, as co

Nov. 27, 2024

UK K-pop boy group Dear Alice and Gamma partner for debut

K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment’s first UK-based boy group, Dear Alice, has signed with Gamma, a US media and record company, finalizing its debut preparations. On Wednesday, SM and Kakao Entertainment’s North American joint venture announced a strategic partnership with Gamma for Dear Alice’s debut and promotion. As the first step in this partnership, Dear Alice is set to release its official debut single later this year. SM’s Chief Global Officer Choi Jung-min, Kakao

Nov. 27, 2024

Diva Lee Eun-mi to 'Move On' with nationwide tour

Singer Lee Eun-mi is set to celebrate her 35th debut anniversary with a nationwide tour concert titled “Move On,” offering audiences a meaningful stage that bridges her past and present. Her timeless music, which has captivated listeners for decades, will be reimagined with fresh sensibilities and emotional depth in this series of performances. Affectionately called the "Barefoot Diva" -- the ballad singer is known for singing barefoot on stage -- Lee is known for her soulf

Nov. 27, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jin single hits Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 53

Jin of BTS entered Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 53 with his solo single “Running Wild,” according to the chart preview published Tuesday. It is his second solo entry on the main songs chart, following “The Astronauts,” a Coldplay collaboration released in 2022. “Running Wild” is the focus track from his first solo album “Happy” and is expected to claim the No. 4 spot on Billboard 200. The pop rock tune, which is based on British rock, hit the U

Nov. 26, 2024

Dark thriller ‘Family Matters’ explores unique family with extraordinary abilities

Actors Bae Doo-na and Ryoo Seung-bum return in Coupang Play’s “Family Matters,” in the roles of a mom with a special ability to edit memories and a dad who supports her in defeating evildoers. The six-part thriller drama revolves around this unique family, each of whom has unusual traits and secret abilities, embarking on a mission to confront and take down villains. Bae, whose latest Korean work was the 2023 film “Next Sohee,” takes on the role of Han Young-soo,

Nov. 26, 2024

K-pop fandoms wield growing influence over industry decisions

K-pop fans have transitioned from enthusiastic supporters to influential stakeholders in the industry, shaping not only the success of idols but also the decisions of major entertainment companies. Through social media, fans have amplified their collective power, helping their favorite artists promote albums and top global music charts by purchasing multiple copies and streaming songs on platforms like Spotify. This increasing influence has compelled entertainment agencies to adapt their strateg

Nov. 26, 2024

Legendary avant-garde director Robert Wilson on the power of silence

The lecture had begun, but the 83-year-old director stood silently at the lectern on the stage in the 500-seat auditorium. He looked straight ahead, occasionally turning his gaze to observe the audience. The weight of the silence filled the space. Only after five full minutes did he finally speak, breaking the tension with a brief greeting. A wave of relief and small laughter rippled through the audience. Robert Wilson, the legendary avant-garde theater director and one of the most innovative vi

Nov. 26, 2024

Girl group Izna debuts, full of confidence

Girl group Izna set off on an ambitious journey exuding confidence and pride with the release of its debut mini album "N/a." Izna is a seven-member group formed through the Mnet audition program "I-Land 2: N/a," which concluded in July. Even before its official debut, the group impressed audiences with polished performances at KCON Germany 2024 in Frankfurt in September and at the 2024 Mnet Asian Music Awards on Friday. The group's debut album "N/a" comprises f

Nov. 26, 2024