Articles by Hong Yoo
Hong Yoo
yoohong@heraldcorp.com-
[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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How Hybe trains and develops its artists
K-pop powerhouse Hybe unveiled the training and development program that gave rise to its superstars such as BTS, TXT, Le Sserafim and NewJeans. On Tuesday, the label released five episodes of training and development stories on its official YouTube channel. The video clips show many artists who have been trained by Hybe, including members of BTS, TXT, Enhypen, Le Sserafim and &Team, as well as the people in charge of the training and development program talking about their experiences. Hybe
K-pop Dec. 19, 2023
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RM and V begin mandatory military service
RM and V of K-pop sensation BTS began their mandatory military service Monday. The two bandmates entered an Army training center in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province together, according to industry sources. V is reported to have volunteered to serve in the 35th Special Mission Battalion, a special duty team in charge of defending Seoul. RM and V bid farewell to their fans through various posts on their personal social media accounts and the fan community platform, Weverse. “The hardest pa
K-pop Dec. 11, 2023
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Ateez lands on UK chart with 2nd LP, to go on world tour
K-pop boy group Ateez’s second studio album, “The World Ep. Fin: Will,” landed at No. 2 on the UK’s Official Albums Chart Top 100 Saturday. The chart is compiled by the Official Charts Co. based on sales of CDs and vinyls, downloads, audio streams and video streams. Ateez debuted on the same chart with its ninth mini album, “The World Ep. 2: Outlaw,” in June this year. Ateez is the second K-pop boy group to land on the Official Album Chart Top 100 following K-
K-pop Dec. 10, 2023
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Blackpink survives 7-year curse, renews exclusive contract with YG
Jennie, Lisa, Rose and Jisoo will remain as Blackpink, defying K-pop's infamous “seven-year curse.” The seven-year curse in K-pop refers to the disbanding of most K-pop groups seven years after their debut as the exclusive contracts with their agencies come to an end. “Based on our strong trust in one another, Blackpink renewed its exclusive contract with the agency for group activities,” YG Entertainment announced Wednesday. YG said it plans to actively support Blac
K-pop Dec. 6, 2023
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5 cities in Japan splashed with Seventeen
K-pop boy group Seventeen is adorning five different cities in Japan through The City, a project which hosts diverse events across a specific region for its fans to enjoy. The project is being carried out at 70 different places across Tokyo, Saitama, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka along with 30 companies in time for the group’s visits to these cities as part of its dome tour in Japan, according to Hybe. “The project also took place last year in three different cities in Japan with 25 loca
K-pop Dec. 6, 2023
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BTS to open new chapter after military service
RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook of BTS communicated with their fans through a livestream on Weverse on Tuesday night ahead of starting their mandatory military service next week. “We are looking forward to the day that we resume working as a full unit. We know that together we will generate significant synergy. With this in mind, we will spend the coming year and a half in the military,” said the members. RM and V are enlisting on Dec. 11, and Jimin and Jungkook on Dec. 12, according to in
K-pop Dec. 6, 2023
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[Herald Interview] Zion.T aims to rebrand with new LP ‘Zip’
Singer-songwriter Zion.T contemplated how to reach new listeners when working on his third studio album, “Zip,” which is his first album release in five years. “I (wanted) to present a good album that rebrands my identity as a musician to attract new listeners. I want this album to open a new chapter of my career,” Zion.T said during an interview with a group of reporters on Monday. Zion.T has made his mark on the music industry over the last 12 years as a creative si
K-pop Dec. 6, 2023
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[팟캐스트] (537) MZ가 주목하는 ‘고프코어룩’
진행자: 홍유, Naomi Ng ‘Gorpcore’ a global validation of Korean ajeossi’s fashion instincts? 기사 요약: “고프코어룩” 아저씨 패션이 세계 패션계에서 주목받다 [1] Long before the seemingly inscrutable neologism "gorpcore” entered the global fashion lexicon, middle-aged men in South Korea were trailblazing the look, seamlessly incorporating Gore-Tex jackets and hiking boots into their daily attire for work, dining and socializing. *inscrutable: 불가해한 *neologism: 신조어, 새로운 표현 *lexicon:
Podcast Dec. 4, 2023
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P1Harmony expands reach in US with iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour
P1Harmony has expanded its presence in the US, performing in front of some 30,000 people during the annual iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, performing in front of some 30,000 local fans. The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, a holiday concert presented by Capital One, featuring the year’s top artists performing their No. 1 hits, kicked off Nov. 26 in Tampa, Florida. The multicity tour's lineup is one of the most anticipated, particularly of the Christmas holiday season. It stops at 11 cities
K-pop Dec. 4, 2023
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