Author: Denise Coley
The Seoul Metropolitan Police confirmed on August 19th that BTS’s Suga is expected to appear for questioning this week. Suga was involved in a scooter accident that later became a hot issue after several allegations including DUI and an unregistered scooter (if it indeed it was not an electric kickboard as claimed by Big Hit Music). The Seoul Metropolitan Police also added that they are yet to set the exact date for Suga’s questioning. Additionally, the representative said that Suga’s questioning will follow the normal process, which gives an individual the option of not appearing in front of the press.…
Life is unpredictable in oh so many ways, and no matter what plans we make for the path we want to take to our individual goals, hurdles and obstacles that are challenging to get over or around can be tricky and difficult. But more often than not, those obstacles and some deviations provide us with the experiences we need to complete our goals even if we don’t see it at first. For veteran Korean actor Jung Woo-sung, having over twenty years of experience in front of the camera playing a multitude of characters in practically every film genre, stepping behind…
World renowned Japanese director and animator Tatsuya Ishiwaki, and Aniplex producer Tatsuya Oishi, joined film critic and journalist Carolyn Hinds to chat about their world famous animated film ‘KIZUMONOGATARI – Koyomi Vamp’, which had its international theatrical premiere at the 2024 Fantasia Fest International Film Festival, in Montreal, Canada. Based on the famous manga series MONOGATARI created and written by Nisioisn, and drawn by Shaft, ‘KIZUMONOGATARI -Koyomi Vamp’ is a revamped version of of the three part film series originally released in 2016. In their interview the filmmaker and producer spoke about how the story’s protagonist’s Koyomi Araragi beliefs…
Some of B.A.P is back!! Debuting as a boy band in 2012, four out of six members are back and ready to show the world their music talents once again. After a six-year dry spell, fans wondered if a return would ever happen. But now they’ve debuted a release under the new name BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON, which correlates with the four members. There’s a YouTube documentary series titled, “Man on the Moon” which showcases how the group has prepared for this comeback. It provides great insight into where the members are now and all that they’ve put into this project. For those…
Readers, get comfy and let’s revisit the Seoul International Wine & Spirits Exhibition (SIWS)! We’re still reeling from the excitement of the annual event held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea, since 1992. The 2024 edition featured over 240 exhibitors and attracted tens of dozens of buyers and thousands of attendees from various countries. This three-day event included seminars, countless samples, and engaging exhibits, highlighting significant trends and innovations in wines and beers. The diverse, multilingual atmosphere made it a dynamic and educational experience for all participants. You can read more about my friend and colleague’s CoolHappyTash’s experience with the beverage…
Japanese boyband LIL LEAGUE have released ‘Youth Spark’, the lead track from their July 31 third single, on digital platforms. The song is accompanied by a music video. ‘Youth Spark’ is a thrilling dance track released during the last summer in which all members of LIL LEAGUE will still be in their teens. The track has a funk base, and just as the title suggests, the members’ passionate vocals are cut through with the spark of youth. The music video is set in a fictional city based loosely on the United States, showing a cinematic take on the irreplaceable time…
Pre-Sale began August 1 and General On-Sale begins August 2 at krazysuperconcert.com Pulse Events, the company known for bringing global music events to New York, today announces the full artist lineup for ‘Krazy Super Concert’ to be held September 14 and 15, at Long Beach Arena. Previously announced acts aespa, CL, ZEROBASEONE will take the stage along with newly confirmed acts DK from hit boy group iKON, SUNMI, BamBam, LAY ZHANG, Kim JongKook (Running Man), KATSEYE, and AKMU. Girl group aespa and boy group ZEROBASEONE are set to perform both days. Additionally, rising force in hip-hop and GRAMMY-nominated artist, The Kid LAROI will round out the predominantly K-pop lineup. General admission tickets and VIP Packages will be available through pre-sale on Thursday,…
LEX and LANA, a charismatic brother and sister pairing from Japan who are leading a new generation of hip-hop artists, have released a new collaboration song today, titled ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. Following the success of ‘AKARUIHEYA’, which stole the attention of the hip-hop scene when it was released earlier this year, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ is the second collaboration song from this commanding brother-sister duo. While ‘AKARUIHEYA’ spoke of evolving from a dark past to lead a bright future, this new song takes in the universal themes of communication typical of LEX and LANA, such as misunderstandings and reconciliation, set to…
▲ Dreamcatcher 2024 World Tour 【Luck Inside 7 Doors】 in USA official poster South Korean sensation Dreamcatcher is set to captivate audiences across the United States with their upcoming Dreamcatcher 2024 World Tour 【Luck Inside 7 Doors】 in the USA. Organized by MyMusicTaste, this eagerly awaited tour will kick off on November 2, 2024, in a journey that promises to bring their electrifying performances and distinctive sound to fans throughout the country. Known for their unique blend of rock-infused K-pop and powerful performances, Dreamcatcher has garnered a global following with hits such as ‘BOCA’, ‘Odd Eye’, and ‘Scream’. Their music…
For the World Premiere of their ensemble multi-genre western inspired film ‘Mash Ville’, at the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival, Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds spoke with filmmaker Hwang Wook, co-writer and producer Lim Dong-min, and actors Jeon Shin-hwan and Kim Hee-sang. They spoke about how the creative team took inspiration from international films of various genres and styles, Cuba, bourbon, and world music to create this unique story – and score – about living in the grey and vices. For his unique directing and narrative style of this modern day Korean western, Hwang Wook won the Best…
Fourth of July this year brought in a new kind of bang when I attended the Seoul International Wines & Spirit Expo 2024 (SIWSE) hosted at the Coex Exhibition Centre in Gangnam, Seoul, organized by the Korea International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (KIECO). By the end of day three, I felt I had time traveled to tastes steeped in history and back again to the commanding allure that is modern-day Seoul. Unforgettable does not do the experience justice. Being a woman that is well into my ajumma (아줌마/married or middle-aged woman) phase at just a few years short of a half…
For the 2024 Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds spoke to writer, director, composer and actress Koo Hye-sun about her short film ‘STUDIO KOOHYESUN’ in which Koo takes a look back at what she wishes she could’ve done differently and audiences understood about her 2012 dramatic feature ‘The Peach Tree’. ‘STUDIO KOOHYESUN’ screened in the Korean Short Film Program of #SSFF2023. Interpreting for the interview was conducted by Jang Taek-soo. #KooHyeSun #KCrush #KoreanCinema #KoreanFilm #AsianCinema #KooHyeSun #KCrush #KoreanCinema #KoreanFilm #AsianCinema
LISTEN TO “UNBREAK” HERE WATCH VISUALIZER HERE Asian-American artist, KATIE, releases her new all-English single, “Unbreak”, via Sony Music Entertainment Korea. Don’t call her just a K-pop star because the pop sensation is primed for global takeover with new music that makes her true to herself. Poised for global stardom at a young age after winning first place on “K-Pop Star,” the hit TV program in South Korea, the singer-songwriter is ready for her comeback. KATIE’s unique sound and emotional vocals features an intimate performance and a luxurious soundscape in the future R&B genre. The song conveys the message of healing someone’s…
▲ 2024 EVERGLOW US & LATAM TOUR <PULSE & HEART> official poster K-pop sensation EVERGLOW is set to ignite stages across America and Latin America with their 2024 US & LATAM Tour <PULSE & HEART>. Organized by MyMusicTaste and managed by YUE HUA Entertainment Korea, this tour promises an electrifying experience for fans, featuring their latest hits and fan favorites, including the highly anticipated track ‘ZOMBIE’. Following their recent announcement, EVERGLOW has captured global attention with their 5th single album’s title song ‘ZOMBIE’, a song expected to showcase their signature charisma and dynamic musical style. Fans can look forward to…
Film Critic and Journalist spoke with writer and director Yoo Ji-min about her narrative short film ‘Jung Ok’, which screened at the 2024 Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, Japan. In their interview, Carolyn and Yoo Ji-min spoke about how the film depicts how the journey from experiencing their period for the first time to entering into menopause changes how young girls and women see themselves and how the world sees them. ‘JungOk’ screened in the Women in Cinema Project program at #SSFF2024, and stars LEE Hyun, KIM Jingoo, KIM Bomin. Interpreting for the interview was conducted by Jang…
Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds spoke to filmmaker Lee Won-sik about his documentary ‘A Song of Korean Factory Girls’ about the young Korean girls and women who were taken to work in the Osaka cotton mills, during the Japanese occupation of Korea. The film screened in the Korean Cinema program of the 2024 Jeonju International Film Festival, South Korea. #KCrush #JEONJUIFF25 #전주국제영화제 #제25회전주국제영화제 #JEONJUIFF2024 #KoreanCinema
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…