Author: Denise Coley
The music video for ‘Hush-Hush’, a collaboration between the seven-member Japanese group BE:FIRST and the eight-member South Korean group ATEEZ, has been released on BE:FIRST’s official YouTube channel. BE:FIRST X ATEEZ / Hush-Hush -Music Video- https://youtu.be/6KEqMEmyuIs ‘Hush-Hush’ The collaboration between BE:FIRST and ATEEZ is an electrifying fusion that showcases each group’s unique abilities. The track pulsates with driving synth arpeggios and hard-hitting drums, while the members of each group take turns to show off their skills in twist after thrilling twist. Knowing when to go big but also when to hold back, this collaboration between two powerhouses of Asian pop music is a breathless three-minute…
LISTEN HERE MUSIC VIDEO HERE Music collective 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE has released their latest single “Gasoline” with South Korean rock singer/songwriter LØREN. Out now via 88rising and RCA Records, the single is accompanied by a high-octane music video. Listen to “Gasoline” HERE. “Gasoline” is an electrifying pop-punk re-emergence for both LØREN and the genre-bending collective 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE. The all-English single touches on LØREN’s inner turmoil and angst as he struggles against both his personal demons and societal pressures. Meanwhile, the music video, directed by James Mao, perfectly captures the spirit of teenage angst and rebellion. Watch the…
‘Connection’ is a 2024 K-drama revolving around the grueling fight against drug traffickers embedded deep into crucial departments that govern society. Jang Jae Kyeong, a diligent drug trafficking agent is drugged into an addict even as his former best friend, Park Joon Seo, dies a mysterious and gruesome death. An investigation of the friend’s death while working to dismantle the reigning traffic gangs, layers of revelations connected to the very powerful in the society resurface with each episode making everyone a suspect. Jae Kyeong joins hands with Oh Yoon Jin, also a former friend of Joon Seo, especially since both…
‘My Sweet Moster’ k-drama tells the story of Seo Ji Hwan, a reforming gangster who dismantles his gang and strives to give them a fresh beginning through his company, Thirsty Deer. While on his newly found venture, Seo Ji Hwan bumps into the bubbly Go Eun Ha, whose bubbly spell traps him. Go Eun Ha is a kids’ content creator whose career is on a rocky road with the only source of hope finding her long-lost childhood friend, Hyun Woo. Jang Hyun Woo is a prosecutor famous among girls for his good specs but has a secret crush on Go…
iKON’s Junhoe is making his solo debut this coming July. Junhoe is scheduled to make a debut with the ‘BRUISE’ mini-album on July 3. Junhoe, also a talented actor, will be following the steps of his other group members who have walked before him in the solo artist realm, including DK, Bobby, and Song. Junhoe’s solo debut also comes days after iKON’s Chanwoo and Bobby enlisted into the military. This is a monumental moment for Junhoe who has been in the K-Pop industry for the last 9 years. —-Karen Mwenda #JunhoeofiKON #iKON #Junhoe #JUNHOEminialbum #kcrushnews #Chanwoo #Bobby #militaryenlistment…
The former Wonder Girls member is above the moon with the joy of becoming a mother again. Hyerim, who walked down the aisle with her lover in 2020, first joined motherhood in 2020 after giving birth to their firstborn, Si Woo. On June 25, the former Wonder Girls member shared the joyous news about her pregnancy thrilled that Si Woo would finally get a sibling. With the baby’s gender still a mystery, fans have shown their unwavering support through heartwarming congratulatory messages on her social media platforms. Hyerim promised to keep her fans updated, including through her YouTube channel. Congratulations…
On June 28, BTS’s Jimin graced fans with a pre-release single in collaboration with the talented rapper Loco. Titled “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band”, this lyrical piece is a track from Jimin’s upcoming solo album, ‘MUSE’. ‘MUSE’ will be Jimin’s 2nd solo album scheduled for release on July 19. The “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” pre-release single comes days after a full track list for the upcoming ‘MUSE’ album was revealed. With the track list reveal, fans cannot wait to see how Jimin’s voice blends with the various artists he has collaborated with in this ‘MUSE’ album. Loco, Jimin’s iconic collaborator for…
In this interview, Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds speaks with director Raita Yabushita about his black & white short film ‘AI Love You’, which screened in the Asia & Japan Program of the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, 2024. It stars 柄本時生, 佐々木春香, 広岡由里子, 谷川昭一朗. Interpreting for the interview was done by John Haggerty, MC for the festival. #SSFF2024 #KCrush #JapaneseFilm #ShortFilm #AsianCinema
KARA, a legendary second-generation girl group, is set to make a comeback this coming July according RBW Entertainment. KARA, which debuted in 2007, was among the leading contributors to the rise of Hallyu wave, especially with the 2012’s “Mr.” hit song. This comeback will be KARA’s release in a while with their last release being the ‘Move Again’ special album in November 2022 for their 15th anniversary. The album gained massive views confirming that KARA is indeed the queen on Hallyu. The “When I Move” single, a track from the ‘Move Again’ album, was also selected among Billboard chart’s “Best…
The wait is over for Germany’s, and neighboring states, K-fans. The biggest international K-Pop culture and entertainment festival will be heading to Germany for a 2-day packed-up event. Featuring performances from notable K-Pop artists, KCON Germany is scheduled to take place on the 28th and 29th of September at Messe Frankfurt. KCON Germany will be the fourth KCON event, including the upcoming July 26th to 28th KCON Los Angeles. The other two global KCON events happened in Japan and Hong Kong. KCON is also hinted to be gearing up for an event in Saudi Arabia. The KCON Germany artist line-up…
WINNER’s Lee Seung Hoon, famously known as Hoony, is set to officially debut as a solo artist this coming July. The solo debut comes days before the band, which debuted in August 2013, celebrates its 10th anniversary. According to YG Entertainment, the star is finalizing the debut album which is set to be released in mid-July. In addition to being a skilled dancer and choreographer, Hoony has showcased his capability through WINNER band’s lyrical pieces. One of his most memorable lyrical masterpiece is the “FLAMENCO” track, his solo track, which featured in WINNER’s ‘CROSS’ album released in 2019. Hoony is…
GOT7’s Yoongjae and Bae In Hyuk have switched agencies. Yoongjae of GOT7 boy band has transferred agencies to AndBut Company. The talented musical guru, who also ventured in to the solo artist realm back in 2021, released a teaser of his upcoming comeback digital single titled “T.P.O” late last month. On June 24, AndBut Company shared their joy of working with the star who was formerly under JYP Entertainment. AndBut Company is said to be owned by a former employee of JYP Entertainment. Bae In Hyuk also changed agencies and joined YY Entertainment family that houses legendary artists like…
Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds speaks to Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Nedda Sarshar about her short film ‘Unibrow’, beauty standards, teenage and cultural insecurity and acceptance. The film screened in the Shibuya Diversity Program at SSFF & Asia. #CanadianFilm #BeautyStandards #JapaneseFilmFestival #AsianFilmFestival #Interview #KCrush
In this interview film critic and journalist Carolyn Hinds speaks with filmmaker Nguyễn Hồng Anh about her queer romance short film ‘Saigon Kiss’ which screened in the Rainbow Program at the Japanese festival (SSFF& Asia) #VietnamesFilm #Saigon #ShortShortsFilmFestival #LGBTQ #kcrushfilminterview #QueerRomance #kcrushamerica #filmfestivalinterview #2024kcrushinterview #KCrush #AsianFilmFestival #Interview
BTS’s jovial Jin has been discharged from the military. On June 12, Jin celebrated the milestone with other BTS members as they congratulated him for the hardwork. Jin enrolled into the military last year in June. The star was serving in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, under the 5th Infantry Division recruit training center. Jin was the first BTS member to undertake the mandatory military training. J-Hope and Suga followed months after. Jung Kook, V, Jimin and RM were the last members to enlist in December 2023. BTS is expected to reunite as a band in 2025 after all the members…
In addition to the recently finished “Queen of Tears” and “Lovely Runner” k-dramas, the first half of June 2024 has seen a trend in k-dramas of diverse genres. Here are 8 k-dramas that have received high ratings and are worth bingeing on this June. 1. Connection A reputable narcotics unit detective is forcibly addicted to drugs and his best friend is murdered. Uncovering the mystery behind those who made him addicted and his friend’s murder unveils a web of dark secrets tied to the most powerful figures. With every episode revealing the connection between the over decade-long rogue deals and…
In a devastating heart-wrenching post, the former Hello Venus member shared the news of her battle with cancer. Yoo Ara gained fame after debuting under Hello Venus girl group with the “Venus” hit single in 2012. In June 11, 2024, Yoo Ara shared a touching message on her Instagram page revealing that she had recently been diagnosed with cancer. The star poured her heart out sharing that she had undergone surgery to remove a malignant tumor. Yoo Ara shared that although the journey has been difficult, she is getting better and plans to work hard on recovering and being the…
The legendary boy band has made yet another groundbreaking stride through collaboration to appear in a Hollywood film, the internationally accredited Minions series. On June 14, “Despicable Me 4” hinted that BTS would be part of their highly anticipated film. Despicable Me 4 uploaded a teaser video showing BTS minions dancing to the band’s “Permission to Dance” song. Produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures, this American animated comedy film premiered in New York City on 9th June 2024, and is expected to be released next month. Pharell William, who performed the “Happy” hit song for “Despicable Me 2”,…
Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds speaks with Filmmaker Ikeda Kei about his latest short film ‘to I’ which screens in the Asia International & Japan Program of the 2024 ShortShorts Film Festival & Asia in Japan. Language interpretation was done by John Haggerty.
“All that glitters isn’t gold” Is a phrase I often heard growing up to describe how people can project an outward appearance of perfection while behind closed doors their lives would be anything but perfect. In her second feature film Time to Be Strong, which premiered at the 25th Jeonju International Film Festival, writer and director Namkoong Sun strips down the facade of perfection projected by the Korean music industry to show that the lives of its artists are anything but golden. Following the success of her 2021 debut feature Ten Months which screened at numerous film festivals within…