Articles by Choi Ji-won
Choi Ji-won
jwc@heraldcorp.com-
BTS medal hits record sales for Korea Minting; 2nd edition to follow
South Korea's state-run minting agency said Tuesday the commemorative medal for the 10th anniversary of K-pop sensation BTS' debut has racked up its all-time highest sales ever. Korea Minting and Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corp., or Komsco, on Tuesday said the first edition of BTS' 10th anniversary medal sold over 10,000 copies last year, racking up around 6 billion won ($4.49 million) in sales. Komsco said it is the highest sales recorded by any commemorative medal
K-pop May 16, 2023
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N.Flying to release new fan song for 8th anniversary
K-pop rock band N.Flying is celebrating its eighth anniversary with a new single devoted to its fans. FNC Entertainment, the group's management, announced Tuesday that N.Flying will release a digital single, "Once in a Blue Moon," on Saturday. According to the agency, the new single embodies the band's wish to stay in this moment forever with its fans, watching the blue moon, a term poetically referring to something that occurs extremely rarely. Leading the single package is
K-pop May 16, 2023
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Fromis_9 to make summer splash with first LP
K-pop girl group Fromis_9 will kick off the summer with its first full-length album, "Unlock My World." The act's agency, Pledis Entertainment, on Tuesday announced Fromis_9 is dropping its first LP, "Unlock My World," on June 5. The new album will mark the return of the eight-piece group after almost a year since the release of its fifth EP, "From Our Memento Box," in June. This is the group's first comeback with eight members, following the departure of
K-pop May 16, 2023
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Hybe opens up an era of 'tech-tainment' with new artist Midnatt
South Korean singer Lee Hyun re-debuted on Monday as Midnatt, an alter ego created through the incorporation of artificial intelligence. Midnatt is the first artist to debut through Hybe's new music project, Project L. Midnatt officially debuted on Monday with "Masquerade," a song jointly produced by Hybe's label Big Hit Music and the company's interactive media technology subsidiary Hybe IM. The song was released in six different languages. "It feels strange and ex
K-pop May 15, 2023
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Ukiss to celebrate 15th anniversary with comeback
Once a leading boy band in K-pop, Ukiss is making a full-fledged comeback in celebration of its 15th anniversary. Tango Music, the band's agency, announced Monday that Ukiss will come back as a six-piece soon. "In celebration of its 15th anniversary, Ukiss has confirmed its comeback as a six-piece led by members Soohyun, Hoon and Kiseob," the agency said in a statement Monday, adding, "We will fully support the group so that they can give back to the fans who have waited for
K-pop May 15, 2023
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IU hit with plagiarism attacks, continues legal battle
Singer-actor IU's agency on Friday denied all plagiarism allegations and pledged legal measures against those responsible. Edam Entertainment released an official statement on Friday after reviewing the accusations and the recent plagiarism case filed against the artist. On Wednesday, it was reported that someone had filed a complaint to the local police against IU on charges of plagiarism regarding six of her songs. "Based on comprehensive data that we collected from the media and the inve
K-pop May 12, 2023
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YG's rookie Babymonster to debut with 7 members
YG Entertainment's new girl group Babymonster will debut as a seven-piece this fall, the agency said Friday. The agency on Friday announced the members of Babymonster, revealing the group will consist of seven members and not five as previously announced. YG's founder and executive producer Yang Hyun-suk made the announcement in a YouTube video posted on Friday, two weeks after the band's final evaluation, made public via a YouTube series, came to a close. "So many fans, around 99 percent o
K-pop May 12, 2023
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Teen Top's C.A.P leaves group after controversial livestream
C.A.P, whose real name is Bang Min-su, is leaving his group, Teen Top, following a controversial YouTube livestream, the group's agency, TOP Media, said Thursday. The management on Thursday released an official statement announcing C.A.P's dismissal from the team. "Through discussions with Teen Top members, we have decided C.A.P will leave the group as of today," the statement said, adding the team will continue as a four-piece group with members Niel, Changjo, Chunji and Ric
K-pop May 11, 2023
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Blackpink Lisa earns two more Guinness World Records
Blackpink's Lisa racked up two more Guinness World Records, YG Entertainment said Thursday. According to YG Entertainment, Lisa's solo album "Lalisa" has won the Guinness World Record for the first album by a K-pop solo artist to amass a billion streams on Spotify. "Lalisa" is the Blackpink rapper's debut solo album which was released in September 2021 and consists of two songs, "Lalisa" and "Money." YG said the Thai singer earned another gl
K-pop May 11, 2023
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IU denies plagiarism allegations, takes legal action
Singer-songwriter IU is refuting allegations of plagiarism, and is taking legal action against those raising the allegations. IU's agency Edam Entertainment on Wednesday afternoon said in a press statement that it has pressed charges over continued malicious behavior against the singer online. "For several months we have been aware that posts alleging plagiarism and carrying false rumors based on unverified claims have been spreading via online communities, social media and YouTube,&qu
K-pop May 10, 2023
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BTS solo documentaries to hit global cinemas in June
Two documentaries starring BTS' Suga and J-Hope are set for global release in June, Lotte Cinema announced Wednesday. The cinema release of "J-Hope in the Box" and "Suga: Road to D-Day" is in celebration of BTS' 10th anniversary, Lotte Cinema said. BTS, the seven-piece K-pop sensation consisting of Jin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook, celebrates its anniversary on June 13. More details on where the films will be available worldwide have not been announced.
K-pop May 10, 2023
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Oneus sets off as a quintet with 'Pygmalion'
Boy band Oneus is opening its second chapter with its ninth EP, "Pygmalion." "This album in one phrase is 'Oneus' new takeoff.' We've worked really hard to show a different side of us," Hwanwoong said at a press showcase in Seoul on Monday. "Pygmalion" marks the return of Oneus after eight months, the group's longest break to date. It is also the group's first album dropped following the departure of member Raven in October, which left
K-pop May 9, 2023
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Seventeen hits No. 2 on Billboard albums chart
Seventeen continues to write history with its 10th EP, "FML," with the album landing at No. 2 on Billboard's main albums chart. The US music publisher on Monday announced the chart placing, which beats the groups previous best performance, when it hit No. 4 with its fourth LP-reissue "Sector 17" in July 2022. Since its debut on the chart at No. 15 with eighth EP "Your Choice" in 2021, all of Seventeen's albums made it into the chart and set highs every tim
K-pop May 9, 2023
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Boynextdoor to debut with 3-track single
Hybe's rookie boy band Boynextdoor is set to unveil three songs on its debut single. KOZ Entertainment, Hybe's affiliate label under which the band will debut, on Monday said Boynextdoor's debut single, "Who!," will consist of three songs: "But I Like You," "One and Only" and "Serenade." Rapper-producer Zico, who is the CEO of the team's label, took part in producing "One and Only," teaming up with his longtime musical partner
K-pop May 8, 2023
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MCND takes stage in Dubai for '2023 K-Travel Week in UAE'
K-pop boy band MCND performed in Dubai Festival City, United Arab Emirates, in celebration of "2023 K-Travel Week in UAE," its agency TOP Media said Monday. According to the agency, MCND was the only K-pop artist to perform at the festival held on Friday and Saturday. The event was organized by South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization to promote South Korean culture and tourism in the Middle East. Appearing onstage to fans' cheering, MCND
K-pop May 8, 2023
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