Author: Denise Coley
What’s a Samurai in the Edo period do when he finds himself transported hundreds of years into the future to the chaotic and confusing world of filmmaking? In his time-slip comedy A Samurai in Time, director Yasuda Junichi gives audiences a highly entertaining look at just what could possibly go wrong or right in this unique premise. Yamaguchi Makiya stars as Shinzaemon Kosaka, a member of the Aizu clan who awakes in a Kyoto as foreign to him as a film set. As he learns to navigate this world beyond anything he and his compatriots could’ve ever imagined, audiences…
For the World Premiere of his latest dramatic feature Seven Days / Haft Rooz, at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, renowned Iranian filmmaker Ali Samadi Ahadi spoke with Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds. The film quite literally follows Iranian human rights activist follows Maryam (Vishka Asayesh) on the tense and isolating journey she takes through the bitterly cold mountains of Southern Iran to Turkey to possible freedom and her family. Having spent six years in prison for her work as an activist advocating for the rights of girls and women, Maryam is granted seven days release for…
(Photo Credit: AM Photography Team / Adam Yoshihara) Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist AGNEZ MO, known globally for award-winning and chart-topping collaborations with Timbaland, and French Montana, released a new version of her “Party in Bali” celebration anthem with Korean American hip-hop and R&B artist Jay Park. This collaboration showcases the perfect blend of these two’s voices and carefree vibe. The song transports listeners to a carefree and exciting trip to Bali with romance and adventurous fun. AGNEZ’ bright voice paired with Jay’s sweet vocals creates the perfect pair to create an upbeat yet romantic feeling that keeps listeners wanting more. The official…
The legendary global icon, Jungkook is reportedly facing backlash from HYBE employees for supporting his juniors. On 14th September, Jungkook posted a picture of Bam, on the dog’s Instagram page, with a viral caption as fans cheered him on for his courageous stunt to speak for the weak. The caption, which read “Artists are not guilty” caught the eye of many especially after speculations led to the fact that the post was in support of NewJeans. Despite their success, NewJeans have been under a series of controversies with their management. Jungkook’s ensuing post on 15th September read “Don’t Use them”.…
Gyuna, NewJeans Danielle’s older sister is set to debut next month, October. Gyuna made her debut in the K-Pop industry with the “Lava” OST for the drama, ‘Hide’ starring Lee Bo Young. Born in 2000, the Australian-Korean star has been in the limelight for the longest as she started as a Kid model. Her vocal ability went viral after she did a cover of Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity” hit in 2018’s Young Artist Festival. Gyuna is set to follow in her younger sister’s footsteps and debut in a girl group. Gyuna will debut under Warner Music Korea’s subsidiary group, MPLIFY. Gyuna…
The former Iz*One member has finally been confirmed as a member of the upcoming iNKODE label’s SAY MY NAME girl group. This Japanese actress, model, and singer rose to fame after appearing on ‘Kodomojikan’ program between 2012 and 2014 while in elementary school in Japan. Honda later joined AKB48 Japanese idol musical girl group in 2014 before debuting as a member of the Korean girl group, Iz*One, in 2018. Honda was the last member to be confirmed for the SAY MY NAME girl group set to debut in October. iNKODE, SAY MY NAME group’s agency, houses other reputable icons including…
Seventeen boy band’s Jeonghan has been confirmed to enlist for mandatory military service at the end of September. Jeonghan had his last appearance with the group days ago at Seventeen’s event in Lollapalooza, Berlin. This means Jeonghan will also be absent from the band’s October promotional activities for the upcoming 12th mini album. The start will also miss out on the scheduled SEVENTEEN RIGHT HERE WORLD TOUR which starts in October. On September 12, Pledis Entertainment confirmed that Jeonghan will enlist in to the military on September 26. Jeonghan will be Seventeen band’s first member to enlist in the military.…
Amidst the debilitating legal battles, HYBE label has chosen Lee Jae Sang as their newest CEO. Taking over Park Ji Won, Lee Jae Sang did not shy away from commenting on the status of HYBE with regards to ADOR. This comes after the global sensation NewJeans girl group released a statement requesting that Min Hee Jin be reinstated as ADOR’s CEO. NewJeans was formed by ADOR in 2022. HYBE Label dismissed Min Hee Jin in August on the basis of misconduct and embezzlement. Lee Jae Sang, previously HYBE Label’s chief strategy officer, commented that HYBE would respond to the dismissal…
The global hit “Moving” k-drama actor, Zo In-sung, candidly shared the marriage questions he is getting from his loved ones. Also famously known for his lead role in “It’s Okay, It’s Love”, Zo In-sung shared on Zzanbro Shin Dong Yub’s YouTube channel regarding the increasingly mounting questions about his love life. In the interview, done early this September, the actor hinted that his parents have become quite inquisitive about his plans and desires to have a family. Zo In-sung, who is in his early 40s, joked about the marriage pressure issue and left fans wondering in a sea of curiosity…
LISTEN HERE WATCH HERE The fierce new K-Pop girl group MEOVV release their feverishly anticipated debut single “MEOW”. Listen HERE via THEBLACKLABEL / Capitol Records. The booming track delivers a razor-sharp mesmerizing introduction to the globally minded idol five-piece. “MEOW” comes with a stunning visual highlighting the group’s dynamic performances. Watch it HERE. MEOVV (pronounced “meow”) are the first ever girl group launched by THEBLACKLABEL and represents the vision of label founder and mega-producer Teddy Park (a.k.a. TEDDY). TEDDY who has played an integral role in shaping the overall direction and creative for BIGBANG, G-Dragon, 2NE1 and BLACKPINK, hand-picked the…
THE FINAL MEMBER OF THE QUINTET REVEALED THURSDAY, AUGUST 29 PRE-SAVE THEIR DEBUT SINGLE HERE Capitol Records, in partnership with THEBLACKLABEL, announces the signing of the fierce, feverishly buzzing new K-pop girl group MEOVV (pronounced “meow”). The globally minded, five-piece group comes via THEBLACKLABEL founder and mega-producer Teddy Park (known as TEDDY), whose credits include hits by BIGBANG, G-Dragon, BLACKPINK, and 2NE1, among others. Capitol, a label with a rich tradition of signing groundbreaking artists, is also currently home to Doechii, Ice Spice, J Balvin, Kali Uchis, Katy Perry, Maggie Rogers, Niall Horan, Sam Smith, The Beatles, Yeat, and Young Miko among many others. The group’s name was announced…
MEOVV is an upcoming 5-member girl group under BLACK LABEL agency. Consisting of Gawon (19), Sooin (19), Anna (18), Narin (17), and Ella (15), MEOVV is scheduled to debut on September 6, 2024. MEOVV, whose members’ training period ranges between 3 to 7 years, stands for “My Eyes Open VVide”. The group’s SNS accounts were launched on August 16. The member reveal was done through debut trailers from August 21 to August 29 starting with Ella and wrapping up with Narin. MEOVV is a multinational group. Ella is a German-Korean born in America who joined BLACK LABEL in 2018 and…
Between the Two of Us – KCrush Interview With Filmmaker Sung Ji-hye by Carolyn Hinds Written and directed by filmmaker Sung Ji-hye, Between the Two of Us looks at the intersection between disability, pregnancy, and loneliness in marriage through her characters Eun-jin a paraplegic who chooses to continue her pregnancy in spite the doubts of her husband Ho-seon, and doctors. Following the film’s premiere at the 2024 Jeonju International Film Festival in the Korean Cinema program, Film Critic and Journalist, Carolyn Hinds speaks with Sung Ji-hye Played by Kim Si-eun, Eun-jin having learned to adapt to being disabled after losing her ability…
The Tenants – KCrush Interview With Filmmaker Yoon Eun-kyoung by Carolyn Hinds For the Fantasia International Film Festival premiere of her noir psychological thriller The Tenants, filmmaker Yoon Eun-kyoung spoke with Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds about the intricacies of constructing a film depicting the realities of living in a society, where the promise of utopia is dangled as a prize for pushing our bodies and minds to the limits working in a capitalist society. Starring Kim Dae-gun as Shin-dong, a 20 something young man working endlessly to be selected to live in Sphere 2 – a promised utopia…
Jo Bo Ah, famously known for her role in “Destined with You” and “Tale of the Nine-Tailed” dramas, will be walking down the aisle in 2 months. The star debuted in the entertainment industry with the “Flower Band” drama in 2012. Jo Bo Ah, who has boldly expressed her desire to have a family in her early 30s, will finally visualize her dreams. Jo Bo Ah is set to get married to her non-celebrity boyfriend in October. With the incoming dramas by the star, including Disney+ original’s “Knock-Off” series, Jo Bo Ah shows no signs of taking a bow from…
There is nothing more mesmerizing than watching fiction evolve into reality. This rare phenomenon is about to be solidified as “My Sibling’s Romance” k-drama co-stars Yoon Ha and Yun Jae announce their upcoming marriage plans. Famously known as the Yoon-Yun couple, Lee Yoon Ha and Kim Yun Jae announced their marriage plan on August 26. The couple also added in the YouTube announcement that they plan to walk down the aisle early next year. Lee Yoon Ha and Kim Yun Jae met on “My Sibling’s Romance” show, a dating reality show that premiered in March 2024. In the YouTube announcement,…
BTS’s Suga has written another apology with regard to his electric scooter accident while under the influence. This second apology, done on 25th August, comes after Suga’s police questioning that happened on 27th August at Seoul’s Yongsan Police Station in Seoul. Burdened by the weight of the matter, Suga poured out his heart on Weverse apologizing to BTS fans and fellow BTS members. In this second apology, Suga admitted that his first apology was rather lacking and confusing due to urgent matters. Hello. This is Suga. It is with a shameful heart that I would like to apologize to you…
After making waves in the K-idol dating world for months, Actor Lee Kyu Han and Former BB Girls’ Yujeong have decided to part ways. After denying dating rumors back in July 2023, the two stars conceded and finally confirmed to the public that they were indeed a couple in September 2023. Despite the over decade-long age gap, Lee Kyu Han and Yujeong’s dating announcement was welcomed with praise making them a notable couple in the entertainment industry. Lee Kyu Han’s agency, Billions, confirmed the two stars’ break up on 26th August 2024. R&D Company, Yujeong’s agency, also backed up the…
SHINee’s Taemin has once again proven his reign in the K-Pop industry with the latest ‘ETERNAL’ mini-album release. Taemin made a comeback on 20th August with his latest mini-album said to embody a mix of diverse genres including hip-hop, electronic pop, and R&B vibes. The 7-track mini-album marks Taemin’s 5th album solidifying the icon’s status in the entertainment industry. “Sexy in the Air” is one of the album’s most trending tracks showcasing Taemin’s articulate dancing moves. Taemin is scheduled to do his first solo world tour titled “Ephemeral Gaze” in late August and early September starting with Incheon Inspire Arena,…
The legendary SF9 band made the highly anticipated comeback on 19th August with their 14th mini-album titled ‘FANTASY’. SF9 debuted in October 2016 with the ‘Feeling Sensation’ single album under the FNC Entertainment agency. Being the agency’s first dance boy group, SF9 has soared high over the years to become a global sensation. After Rowoon left the group in 2023 to focus on his acting career, Zuho followed suit and changed agencies to Haewadal Entertainment to pursue his acting dream. Dawon and Jaeyoon are still undertaking their mandatory military duties leaving Youngbin, Inseong, Yoo Taeyang, Hwiyoung, and Chani to run…