Author: Denise Coley
We are happy to announce that fans of Korean band W24 can expect to cool off the heat this season with their addictive new single ‘Solfamiredo’ – and a Latin America tour is also on the horizon for the band this September. W24 is due to make their comeback July 1st of 2019, with the official release of a brand-new digital single, ‘Solfamiredo’. Since the band’s official debut in March of 2018, W24 has appeared in various music programs, TV shows, and festivals – and worked hard to garner worldwide popularity in many countries around the globe, in particularly…
On June 21, 2019, Monsta X released “Who Do U Love?” The track features French Montana, making Monsta X next in a line of K-Pop artists to collaborate with Westerners. “Who Do U Love?” is a solid track. Monsta X’s English is clear and nearly flawless. There are a few places where some words feel a little muddled, but it’s hardly noticeable after a few listens. The lyrics Monsta X sing are simple, but the theming is relatable for many audiences, making the track a shoo-in for Western radio play. What’s special about “Who Do U Love?”…
Some tales don’t always end in happily ever after… The celebrated and much-loved “Song-Song Couple,” Song Hye-Kyo and Song Joong-Ki, are headed toward divorce after two years of marriage. The pair, who held leading roles in the nationally and internationally loved drama Descendants of the Sun, won audiences over due to their on-screen chemistry. At the time, the chemistry for the 32-year-old actor and 37-year-old actress carried on off-screen as well, leading to their feted October 31, 2017 wedding. Song Joong-Ki filed the motion for divorce at the Seoul Family Court on Wednesday June 26, 2019. In a statement,…
On June 24, 2019, Yonhap News reported that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office indicted B.A.P’s Kim Himchan on sexual assault charges that stemmed from a July 24, 2018 incident. The news of the incident initially broke in September 2018. His indictment, which does not have a detention order, occurred April 2019. The indictment comes after witness testimonies that caused police to state there was enough evidence for indictment. Last year, Kim, his accuser, and two other males, and two other females vacationed in Namyang-ju. During the trip, both Kim and his accuser were allegedly drinking. The alleged victim…
Being selected in the first round of any sports draft is a big deal but being selected in the top ten of any sports draft is an even bigger deal. For Gonzaga University student and basketball small-forward and power-forward Rui Hachimura, being the first Japanese-born player to be selected in the first round and in the top ten of the 2019 NBA draft is an even bigger deal. “For Japan to qualify for the world championships, [Hachimura’s] the focal point. And when the (Tokyo) Olympics come in 2020, he’s going to be the focal point of that country on…
Since the beginning of the year, the K-Pop World has experienced controversy after controversy starting with the Burning Sun scandal that rocked the entertainment world. Stemming from Burning Sun came the KakaoTalk controversy surrounding Jung Joon Young and several other celebrities, which lead back to Seungri and multiple allegations for prostitution, embezzlement, and gambling. Most recently, Yang Hyun Seuk, the founder of YG Entertainment has been dragged into a drug controversy along with now-former iKON member B.I. With these controversies dominating Korean entertainment news, at what point does controversy become too much controversy, especially when the media goes out of…
Starting in October 2019, Tiffany Young (SNSD) will embark on her multi-city North American tour! Young’s Magnetic Moon tour will bring her to 18 cities across the United States and Canada. Concert goers that register on the Tunespeak website have a chance to get tickets during a presale period, and they will be entered to win two tickets, soundcheck access, and autographed tour merchandise. The sweepstakes period is June 21, 2019 to June 25, 2019. Sweepstakes rules vary per city but offer multiple chances to win the grand prize. Check out the tour dates, cities, and sweepstakes rules below! Will you…
Kan Sano is an inventive Japanese keyboardist and trackmaker, who studied jazz at Berkley Music College, and performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival with his band while he was enrolled there. He infuses jazz and classical into an original sound which can be enjoyed by any audience: from concert halls to underground night clubs. Kan Sano’s work include a ton of collaborations, both in Japan and overseas and has worked with various artists including Madlib, Shing02, Eric Lau, Monday Michiru, Chara, Ohashi Trio, Twigy, Ryhmester… Kan states that he thinks about music all the time, and constantly adding music to…
Kcrush America K-Pop Top 30: May 2019
*Singapore is among the 20 of the smallest countries in the world, with a total land area of only 682.7 square kilometers. (The U.S is about 15,000 times bigger.) *Singapore includes 63 additional islands, most of which are uninhabited. *Sang Nila Utama, a prince from Palembang, saw a creature he thought was a lion and named the island “Singapura” which means “Lion City” in Sanskrit. *Singapore’s Independence from Malaysia, in 1965 – was not through a war or military dispute – Malaysia democratically voted to throw Singapore out. *Lee Kuan Yew was the first prime minister of Singapore who…
Highschool is a 4-member Korean girl group, signed under Richworld Entertainment. The CEO is a singer who was also a member of the 90’s boy group, Eagle Five. Highschool made their debut on April 30th, 2019, the original date was postponed due to minor member changes. For now, Highschool’s present concept involves the members to cover most of their faces by wearing masks – this was because their CEO wanted the audience to focus on the members’ music and talent, rather than their appearance – and the whole masked look has garnered much attention. The group’s ages, birth places,…
Following yet another scandal involving YG Entertainment artists, Yang Hyun-Suk resigned from the company June 14, 2019. Yang Hyun-Suk announced his resignation through a statement. This is Yang Hyun-Suk. I am so sorry to the fans who love YG and our agency celebrities. I am also sincerely apologetic to all of our employees who are silently continuing to do their work throughout the downpour of criticism. I have been patiently tolerating words about the current situation that are too disgraceful and humiliating to mention as they have been told indiscriminately as though they are the truth. However, I…
On June 12, 2019, Dispatch reported that iKON’s leader, B.I, allegedly attempted to purchase drugs back in 2016. The report showed text messages and information that purportedly show B.I. tried to purchase LSD and that the police didn’t investigate the matter. The Dispatch report showed the texts between B.I. and “A” (later revealed to be former-trainee Han Seo Hee) discussing marijuana usage and the purchase of LSD. B.I: I want to use that [LSD] forever. Is it strong? A: L (LSD) is a top-grade drug in Korea. B.I: No, not that, haha. The strength of the drug. A:…
On June 11, 2019, 2PM’s Chansung entered the recruit base camp for the 5th Infantry Division at Yeoncheon of Gyeonggi Province. He is the last member to enlist; Junho enlisted in May. In late May, JYP and Chansung both confirmed his imminent service. On his enlistment day, fellow 2PM members Jun.K, Taecyeon, and Nichkhun sent him off as shown on 2PM’s official Twitter account: 2PM’s eternal maknae Chansung was cheerful until the end! Come back safely! Hottest, let’s wait without crying! featuring all of the old boys who’ve gathered to send off the maknae. The oldest hyung took…
South Korea currently boasts of having the fourth largest mobile game market in the world, and what we find unique is that over half of the gaming population play via their smartphones. (The country will rank higher than fourth place, if internet connections were also counted.) South Korea is also credited as the first country to host esports events 20 something years ago, when the rest of the world had no idea what esports was. Korea’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism sponsored the World Cyber Olympics alongside Samsung and Microsoft. This obviously aided in making the country into a…
Former ZE:A member and award-winning actor Hyungsik (High Society, Strong Girl Bong-Soon, Suits) has reported to boot camp for his mandatory military service. Hyungsik reported to his command post for four weeks of basic training June 10, 2019. From there, he will serve in the Capital Defense Command. “I wanted to serve the position that I’m interested and good at,” Hyungsik told Hankook Ilbo in May. Hyungsik had an opportunity to decide what post he may be the best for thanks to his appearance on Real Men, a show that gives celebrities a chance to experience life at different…
Heize will be coming to North America starting June 26 for her first-ever U.S-Canada tour! The songstress and Unpretty Rapstar 2 alumna, who is the voice behind the hit songs “Jenga,” “Shut Up and Groove,” “And July,” “Didn’t Know Me,” and “She’s Fine,” will begin her tour in Los Angeles, California and wrap-up the tour in Brooklyn, New York July 12. Tickets for the tour have been on sale since June 5, 2019 on the Proper Form Events website. Tickets for the all-ages show (except for Toronto and Brooklyn that are 19+ and 16+, respectively) are available in three…
A photo of Psy from his Instagram account @42psy42. Crazy about music, dancing & performing Park Jae-sang, better known under his stage name Psy, stormed into the international music charts in 2012 with his worldwide hit single ‘Gangnam Style’. Although previously unknown outside South Korea, he was already a 12-year veteran of the domestic South Korean music industry at the time. His signature unconventional appearance coupled with bizarre dance moves and explicit lyrics have been titillating South Koreans since his debut in 2001 with the aptly named album ‘Psy from the Psycho World!’. Coming from a wealthy background, Psy…
Following an alleged suicide attempt and a subsequent apology, Goo Hara has been released from the hospital. Following her release, Hara departed Korea for Japan to be under the care of her Japanese agency. In January 2019, Hara’s contract with her Korean agency, Contents Y, ended. Hara’s decision to head to Japan offers her more privacy as her Korean home was exposed to the public on the news. Those close to the former-KARA member fear for her safety if she remained home. Hara’s alleged suicide attempt occurred May 26, 2019. However, Hara was saved due to a manager who…
On June 20, 2019, B1A4’s Jinyoung will report for his mandatory military service as a public service worker. In May, his agency, LINK8 Entertainment, initially denied he would be enlisting but later confirmed his upcoming service soon after when he received his service card. “[Jinyoung] has received his draft notice from the Military Manpower Administration. He will be entering a recruit training center on June 20,” a representative from LINK8 said. After news broke about his service, Jinyoung left a message on B1A4’s fan café: Hello. This is Jinyoung. It’s really hot these days, right? Are you all…