Articles by Hong Yoo
Hong Yoo
yoohong@heraldcorp.com-
[Herald Review] TVXQ takes fans back 20 years during ‘20&2’ concert
Cries of joy rippled through the arena as the K-pop legend TVXQ appeared on stage to begin the last show of its two-day concert, “20&2,” at the Inspire Arena in Yongjeong-do, Incheon, on Sunday. The venue glowed red from the fan lights held by TVXQ’s fandom, Cassiopeia, who had waited five years to see their favorites on stage. Changmin and Yunho of TVXQ appeared on a lift to kick off their last show of the year with “Rising Sun,” the lead track of the duo'
K-pop Jan. 2, 2024
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[2023 K-pop in a Nutshell] From Moonbin’s death to Fifty Fifty’s legal dispute: Twists and turns in the K-pop scene
A string of unexpected twists and turns made this year a tumultuous one for both the K-pop industry and K-pop fans. Early this year, SM Entertainment removed its founder Lee Soo-man, considered the "godfather of K-pop," from the company’s head producer position to open a new chapter under a strategy plan called “SM 3.0.” SM 3.0 involves establishing five different production centers and independent music labels to diversify production, a significant departure from the
K-pop Dec. 31, 2023
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Blackpink members not renewing individual contracts at YG: agency
All four members of the K-pop sensation Blackpink are leaving YG Entertainment to pursue their solo careers. “We recently extended our exclusive contract with Blackpink for its group projects. We agreed not to proceed with an additional contract for each member’s individual activities,” said YG Entertainment in a press release on Friday. YG announced on Dec. 6 that the four-member group had renewed an exclusive contract with the agency for group activities. Since their debut in
K-pop Dec. 29, 2023
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Twice to perform at Nissan Stadium in Japan next summer
K-pop girl group Twice will hold standalone concerts at Nissan Stadium, the biggest multipurpose stadium in Yokohama, Japan, in July next year. The group announced the upcoming concert during a gig at the PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, Japan, Thursday. Twice will later hold standalone concerts at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka, Japan, July 13-14, 2024, as well as at Nissan Stadium on July 27 and 28. Twice will become the second K-pop act to perform at Nissan Stadium, following legendary K-pop boy band T
K-pop Dec. 29, 2023
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[Well-curated] Cartoon heaven, luxury sushi course and NCT Dream exhibition
Animation, cartoon lovers' heaven Situated on the sixth floor of HDC IPark Mall in Yongsan, central Seoul, is a fantasylike space in which animation and cartoon characters from across the world are displayed, along with a plethora of merchandise. Dubbed Popcon D Square, the space is separated into three zones. The first zone, categorized as character shops, contains the Studio Ghibli Collection, Marvel Collection and stores Aniland and Ichiban Kuji. Figurines and stationery based on popula
weekender Dec. 29, 2023
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‘Excessive’ police questioning over celebrities’ alleged drug use comes under fire
Controversy is brewing over the police's excessive investigation of celebrities following the sudden death of actor Lee Sun-kyun. Lee was found dead in an apparent suicide on Wednesday, days after police questioning amid suspicions of illegal drug use. According to the police, the alleged case of illegal drug use against Lee was first made public on Oct. 19 through a report by the local media. It was when the case was still in the confidential initial stage of investigation. But the leaka
K-pop Dec. 28, 2023
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[2023 K-pop in a Nutshell] Easy listening, new trending genre in K-pop
Easy listening, a popular music genre of soothing vocal and instrumental sounds that first appeared in the 1940s, or also sometimes called "elevator music," hit the K-pop scene this year. In a departure from their typical conceptual-driven songs, many K-pop groups started introducing easy-listening singles. Releasing a single of this genre was one of the key factors in girl group Fifty Fifty's record-breaking feats on the biggest music charts in the West, the US-based Billboard an
K-pop Dec. 27, 2023
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New boy band TWS to debut Jan. 22
Pledis Entertainment, which represents K-pop boy band Seventeen, is to launch a new boy band under the name TWS on Jan. 22, 2024. The six-member TWS will release a single, “Oh Mymy: 7s,” on Tuesday prior to the official debut, according to Pledis Entertainment on Wednesday. The predebut single will be part of the group’s debut EP, “Sparkling Blue.” TWS is scheduled to release various video content before its official debut, such as a clip on the story behind the deb
K-pop Dec. 27, 2023
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TVXQ looks back on two decades and the next to come with 9th LP
As it celebrates two decades in the music business, TVXQ said Tuesday it hopes to slowly but steadily continue its journey as K-pop artists for many years to come. “We’ve run forward like wild horses during the past 20 years. For the next 20 years, we hope to work slowly but continuously," said Yunho of TVXQ during a press conference in Seoul. "Looking at other artists who have been in the industry longer than us, I learned that we’ve also got to make new attempts ins
K-pop Dec. 26, 2023
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[2023 K-pop in a Nutshell] Return of K-pop veterans stirs up nostalgia
A rush of veteran K-pop boy groups returning with new releases stirred up nostalgia among old K-pop fans and enriched the music scene. That includes the so-called "second-generation" boy groups, those who debuted between 2003 and 2011, such as legends SHINee, Ukiss, Infinite, Teen Top and TVXQ. SHINee started the comeback race with the release of its eighth studio album, "Hard," in June, breaking a hiatus of more than two years. The group celebrated its 15th anniversary this
K-pop Dec. 26, 2023
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[2023 K-pop in a Nutshell] Debut acts set bar high for future rookies
Rookies who embarked on a new journey as K-pop idols this year wrote many firsts in K-pop history. Even in the overpopulated industry, the debut acts managed to set the bar high for those following their footsteps by setting new records. Zerobaseone, a group of nine artists chosen through Mnet’s idol survival program, “Boys Planet,” made its grand debut in July with its first EP, “Youth in the Shade.” According to local album sales tracker Hanteo Chart, 1.24 million
K-pop Dec. 26, 2023
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G-Dragon names anti-drug foundation 'JusPeace,' donates W300m
K-pop artist G-Dragon unveiled a plan on Monday to donate 300 million won ($230,237) to an anti-drug foundation he is establishing next year. According to G-Dragon's agency Galaxy Corporation, G-Dragon named the foundation "JusPeace Foundation," a word that combined “justice” and “peace.” The 35-year-old artist is donating 300 million won in the name of his now defunct group Big Bang’s fan community, VIP, to the JusPeace Foundation. “The foundat
K-pop Dec. 25, 2023
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Jennie of Blackpink starts solo journey with own label, OA
Jennie of Blackpink announced a new beginning under a new agency that she has established for her solo career. “This year was filled with many accomplishments, and I’m so thankful for all the love I’ve received. I’m also excited about what’s to come, as I start my solo journey in 2024 with a company that I have established called OA. Please show lots of love for my new start with OA and of course, Blackpink,” Jennie wrote in a post uploaded on X, formerly Twit
K-pop Dec. 25, 2023
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G-Dragon to return with new album next year, set up anti-drug foundation
K-pop artist G-Dragon is making a comeback next year and will establish a foundation aiming to, in his words, "eradicate drugs." In a press conference held in Seoul on Thursday, G-Dragon’s new agency Galaxy Corporation explained the result of the recent police investigation on the artist’s alleged illegal drug use and his plans for next year. G-Dragon did not attend the press conference. “The Police wrapped up the drug investigation on G-Dragon without suspension. We
K-pop Dec. 21, 2023
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Two popular Korean webtoons to be released as e-books in English
Two popular Korean webtoons available on Tappytoon, a digital webtoon platform developed and operated by Contents First, will be released as e-books in English. “The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway” written by author Kim Chacha and “I Tamed My Ex-husband’s Mad Dog” by Jaekyum, will be released as English-language e-books, according to Contents First on Tuesday. The English e-book version of these webtoons was released on Amazon Kindle on Wednesday and wi
K-pop Dec. 20, 2023
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