Author: Denise Coley
From K-pop stars to K-Drama icons and notable bands like NCT to NU’EST, the compulsory military service has come knocking this year. The mandatory service, in honor of their country, is a rite that every man in Korea is deemed to go through. Here are some of the Korean entertainment icons who have enlisted or have been scheduled to enlist in the military from January to mid-April 2024. 1. NCT’s Taeyong Taeyong will be leading the iconic NCT boy band in military enlistments. Taeyong shared a handwritten heartfelt message on Weverse thanking the fans for their continued support…
Do you have a philosophy or story behind your brand name, because it seems to evoke interest and possibly have a hidden story behind it, right ? There was a period of time when I used to be very edgy and “way too serious”. This was actually the time when I began learning fashion design at KASSA (한국패션봉제아카데미). The angry face logo depicts myself at that time. I mean, my self-esteem was very low that I couldn’t accept myself making any mistakes; hence I was extremely stressed all the time and probably had an angry face all the time. So I would comfort myself by saying to myself “hey, why so serious? it’s okay to laugh.. it’s okay to smile once in a while.. it’s okay to make mistakes for every mistake is an opportunity to mature ”. Why so serious, let’s be cerealz!
HOPE ON THE STREET opens with J-Hope saying, “I’m about to start my military service, so this was a chance for me to look back on my life. What is it that made me who I am today? The answer I kept coming to was dance. If I didn’t have dance, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.” And it’s on that note that HOPE ON THE STREET invites viewers into the love story between Hoseok and dance. Episode One The first episode gives viewers a sneak peek of all that is to come–his experience in 5…
Oneus kept their promise, they kept their promise to return to Dallas and make more memories! It was my second time seeing them in Dallas before their first world tour and the boys only showed excitement for being back. “To Moons”, we’re more than welcome to share how much we missed Oneus by showing off special outfits and many signs. The set list showcased their newer releases such as “Baila Conmigo,” “Erase Me” and “Simulation”. From the beginning of VCR, it already felt like Oneus truly never left. When they performed you could see on their faces…
Electricity. That’s what comes to mind when I conjure the images left burned behind my eyelids after Jjangyou’s performance at SXSW. I don’t know what I expected from a Jjangyou performance, especially one so driven by techno and dub house. What was simply experimentation for the effervescent rapper to learn how to DJ for himself has become something of a mythical turn of fancy. With the guidance, production and musical madness of Jflow and the aggressively unflinching lyrical mastery and chaotic delivery of Jjangyou, Hypnosis Therapy was born, and with it the epitome of controlled chaos. Visa issues kept…
Showcasing his unique colors, the ‘unconventional’ solo artist unveils new track ‘LURE’ Listen to 3rd EP ‘Off The Beat’ Watch LURE Music Video Here MONSTA X’s I.M continues his ambitious solo artist journey with a new E.P, ‘Off The Beat’. With six new songs, each embodying a unique story, the extended playlist incorporates hip-hop and track all the while incorporating ‘atypical’ musical elements from various genres such as soul, R&B, and bossa/Latin music. The new extended play is available on all music streaming platforms via Sony Music Entertainment. From his former releases ‘Duality’ and ‘Overdrive’, fans around the globe…
Two popular K-drama actors made waves recently for their romance. Han So-hee, known for acting in the drama Nevertheless, and Ryu Joon-yeol, known from Reply 1989, were a surprising pair to come onto the scene less than a month ago. They were spotted and photographed by a fan together in Hawaii. The fan noted that they appeared affectionate. Mid-March, their agencies initially did not confirm the rumors that the photos sparked, but soon they confessed that these two were indeed an item. However, this whirlwind romance has quickly come to an end, with the first reports of the break…
Entertainment households, from SM to CUBE entertainment, are on a spree to strengthen their labels with new and fresh K-pop acts. With the number of independent entertainment labels rising daily and the global craze for K-pop entertainment, the debuting of new K-pop acts and rebranding of iconic ones has become a marketing norm. Here are some K-pop acts that will be debuting this April 2024. 1. NOWADAYS (나우어데이즈) NOWADAYS is a quintet boy group under CUBE Entertainment set to debut on 2nd April 2024. Composed of Hyeonbin, Jinhyuk, Yoon, Yeonwoo, and Siyun, NOWADAYS is scheduled to venture into…
In the thematic music video for her song ‘Seven Sisters’, singer, lyricist, composer, and producer Chun Yun Rainbow Chan looks into her ancestry to the ways of the Weitou people and the ‘bridal lament’ of the women yearning to be free of marriages they can’t escape. Directed by Anne Berry, Creative Director and Lead Editor at the Hong Kong based boutique marketing and media production company Capsule48, ‘Seven Sisters’ combines the traditional with the modern and contemporary as the ‘Bride’ played by Rainbow (her stage name), sings her own version of a modern-day bridal lament. The music…
Famous for its historical buildings, Korean traditional cuisine, and sporting activities, Jeonju is a one-of-a-kind beehive of activities city. Jeonju City, Jeollabuk province’s largest city, is a blend of urban and rural life intertwined with historical and modern vibes. Jeonju joined UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network after being named a Creative City for Gastronomy in May 2012 for the preservation of archaic traditional cuisine. The good and gastronomy industry has also credited Jeonju with the “Taste City” nickname amplified by the city’s active involvement in food research and innovative local and international food festivals. Jeonju belonged to the…
The phrase “Girls will be girls”, shouldn’t seem like a revelation, but if you pause and think about it…it is. Award-winning writer and director Suchi Talati takes the well-known adage “Boys will be boys”, and recontextualizes it to describe the at times strained relationship between a young mother Anila (Kani Kusruti) and her teen daughter Mira (Preeti Panigrahi), in her debut feature film Girls Will be Girls. Set in a boarding school in the Himalayas of northern India, Girls Will be Girls, takes the typical coming-of age story and positions it to the coming of age for Mira who, having…
NU’EST was a five-member South Korean boy band that debuted on March 15, 2012, under Pledis Entertainment. This pop, R&B, and electronic music band gathered a massive following, especially with its “Face” debut single whose message on self-acceptance and resilience resonated with many. NU’EST band’s fame further skyrocketed when they participated in Produce 101 Season 2 survival reality show. NU’EST was further promoted by Minhyun, one of its members, whilst a member of the Wonna One group project. Minhyun’s return solidified the identity of NU’EST in its new journey of evolution and growth. The group’s rebirth showcased their musical diversity…
Due to unforeseen production challenges, we have made the difficult decision to not return this April 2024 for WE BRIDGE. Our team is dedicated to providing a high standard for all the wonderful fans who travel far and wide to see their favorite artists in person. If you’ve bought tickets, please look out for an email coming shortly with more information regarding a full refund. We are looking forward to coming back next year to see all of you and thank you for your continued support!
Japanese group GENIC have released their third album, ‘N_G’, on March 6, 2024. GENIC third album ‘N_G’ Released March 6, 2024 Download and streaming links: https://genic.lnk.to/N_G GENIC / ‘N_G’ official music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_z0ETA8pP8 GENIC / ‘N_G’ YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJThXH8HWXOjrKApLtfjUAlejlhlrUnk0 The album’s title ‘N_G’ comes from the “SeveN_Gifts” of its seven talented members, and is also a reference to the Japanese phrase “Negai_Goto”, which means a wish from the heart. With songs based on these themes, the album is filled with the type of vocal harmony that is unique to this seven-member co-ed dance and vocal group, and all…
The Himalayas are majestic mountains known around the world for their awe-inspiring beauty. You can find Himachal Pradesh nestled away in Northeast India among the Himalayas. It’s filled with peaceful valleys, breathtaking views, and a colorful culture. There’s a timeless mix of tranquility, spirituality, and adventure. Below are some of the best sites and experiences to take in from this beautiful part of the world! Shimla Kalka Toy Train If you visit Northeastern India, a wonderful experience is riding the iconic toy train from Kalka to Shimla, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This train journeys through…
As one of Cocone’s most ambitious projects yet, AlterEgo City seeks to redefine digital social interaction with deep levels of player choice and customization Cocone, a leading Japanese immersive entertainment studio at the forefront of avatar and digital fashion creation, today announced the launch of AlterEgo City (formerly known as Centennial and AlterEgo City), a unique digital experience at the intersection of art, fashion, and music, now available on iOS and Android devices via the Apple App Store and Google Play. The launch of AlterEgo City represents the first major games release from Cocone in the US market, and…
The 2024 Autumn/Winter Seoul Fashion Week, hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, unfolded from the 1st to the 5th at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and E-Factory. This event, under the banner of “Change, Expansion, and Diversity,” captured significant attention by introducing a novel format of shows and sales across Seoul, marking a transformative approach in engaging audiences and participants. Innovative Exhibition Formats and Expanded Participation The Seoul Metropolitan Government enhanced the “Off-Show” system, allowing individual designers to freely conduct their shows at external locations. This initiative successfully reduced overall event congestion, offering designers more freedom and creativity. Indeed, this initiative…
Japanese boyband LIL LEAGUE have released their first full album, ‘TRICKSTER’, with all tracks available on download and streaming services now. The album ‘TRICKSTER’ includes the song ‘Lollipop’, which began advance streaming on February 5, and whose music video is fast approaching 4 million views, as well as the up-tempo song ‘FeiLong’, which became a fan favorite at concerts and a much-requested release. The album also includes ’15 Minutes’ and ‘Okay’, both of which were unveiled during the group’s LIL LEAGUE LIVE TOUR 2023 ‘LIL GATEWAY’ hall tour held in Japan last summer, as well as new bonus tracks…
LIL LEAGUE is a dance, vocal, and rap group that has shown its worth in less than 2 years after its official debut. This Japanese six member boy band is indeed lining up to its name and causing ripples in the entertainment world with internationally acclaimed hit singles and killer dance moves. Despite their young age LIL LEAGUE is becoming the pace-setter worth watching out for. K-Crush America magazine had a one-on-one talk with this rising star band to get to know them more. How would you describe LIL LEAGUE? Yamada LIL LEAGUE is a six-member group with…
“Brave New Sound,” band Silica Gel The band ‘Silica Gel’ is comprised of four members: Kim Hanjoo (keyboard/vocal), Kim Chunchu (guitar/vocal), Kim Geonjay (drums), and Choi Woonghee (bass). Their unique blend of psychedelia, built on a colorful spectrum, alongside their explosive live performances, have positioned them as the newest, most courageous sound-producing band, ‘Silica Gel’. If you’re curious about the potential of Silica Gel, the answer lies in their music. It’s unheard of because no one has attempted it before; thus, it’s new and unfamiliar. As the saying goes, the weirder the better, for it brings novelty the more…