“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 you delve into it.
Members:
- Kim Hanjoo (keyboard/vocal)
- Kim Chunchu (guitar/vocal)
- Kim Geonjay (drums)
- Choi Woonghee (bass)
Could you please introduce the members of the band?
Chunchu: Hi, I’m Chunchu.
Hanjoo: Greetings to the readers of K-Crush. I’m Kim Hanjoo from Silica Gel.
Woonghee: Hello, I’m Choi Woonghee, the one with the beard.
Geonjay: Greetings! I’m Geonjay from Silica Gel.
Can you explain the music style and vision that Silica Gel pursues?
Chunchu: We focus intently on creating interesting music and sounds. We have stories to share and sounds we’re eager to play for you. When we gather, we contemplate how to craft music that embodies these concepts. Our goal is to continue sharing such music with you.
Could you introduce your recent album āPOWER ANDRE 99ā?
Hanjoo: “POWER ANDRE 99” is an album by Silica Gel, released on December 20, 2023. It encapsulates the various textures we’ve explored and concludes stories that have emerged in our world.
You have received high praise, such as “genius” and “a unique band from Korea”. Do you acknowledge this recognition?
Woonghee: Personally, I find Silica Gel to be the most fun band in Korea. However, I wouldn’t consider us geniuses. We’ve invested a lot of effort into doing things that others wouldnāt, but that doesn’t necessarily elevate our music to better or genius status. It’s simply what we enjoy, according to our tastes.
Each song and music video has its own meaning, yet you often leave them open to interpretation. Have you considered hosting a session to explain your music?
Chunchu: While I understand people’s curiosity about the meanings, I somehow donāt want to dispel it too quickly by explaining in detail. Words aren’t always the best medium for explanation. I encourage you to keep listening and imagine for yourself, as there are no definitive answers.
Hanjoo: Even among us, there are varying interpretations of the meaning, which adds to the excitement of Silica Gel. This diversity inspired us to launch an open webpage. While hosting explanation sessions itself could be quite fun, we’d prefer to attend as listeners, eager to hear others’ interpretations than as musicians.
Woonghee: I enjoy sharing some of the explanation about our videos when possible. It’s fascinating to hear how people interpret our work, so I’d rather not diminish that by providing explanations upfront.
Geonjay: Itās not that our work does not have a basis or origin. We believe we’ve adequately expressed it through visual language. The core message expands as it passes through each member and contributor. I love hosting explanation sessions, if fans want. It could be insightful, but it might end up like exploring different parts of an elephant blindfolded… each person perceives a different aspect, but it’s all the same elephant. (Laughs)
Who is responsible for your music videos? Do you always work with the same director?
Woonghee: For our music videos, we’ve collaborated closely with director MELTMIRROR, who has a unique ability to visualize our music, starting with the title track ‘9’ from our debut album. He has a visionary eye. Occasionally, other directors add our stories as well. Recently, Director Choi Woonghee has been producing some intriguing videos as well.
What are the band members’ favorite movie genres?
Chunchu: I haven’t had much time for movies lately, but I’ve always been drawn to occult and thriller genres. I enjoy the eerie atmospheres they create.
Hanjoo: I’m not sure about a favorite genre, but I admire directors like Andrei Tarkovsky and Leos Carax. Lately, I’ve been exploring AgnĆØs Varda’s films.
Woonghee: “End of Evangelion” was recently released in theaters in Korea. I’m a fan of animated movies.
Geonjay: I enjoy documentaries, thrillers, horror, and science fiction films. My tastes are quite broad, including admiration for directors like Clint Eastwood, Ridley Scott, and Martin Scorsese. I also like the works of Stephen Chow’s gang since the 1990s, and I also like the works of former killers, former special forces, and former mafia.
What are your thoughts on the impact of lyrics in popular music and on listeners?
Geonjay: Lyrics hold a unique power through their visual representation. They are an essential tool that can convey messages effectively, beyond mere phonetics, rhythm, and melody. For instance, “In the late hours after midnight, the sound of weary shoes approaches, clicking a couple of times in the shoe rack, the rustling of a bag, and then, without even going to the bathroom, the footsteps halt at the bed.” You can picture it just from this sentence, right? However, it could also be condensed into “The father came home after working late.” Before defining it as “the father’s situation,” it could be about a lover, or a sibling. That’s why I believe lyrics are such an important tool. They deliver messages directly.
Thus, with a 200% personal preference, I hope that lyrics can become a medium that has a more positive impact on people. When writing creates an image, it inevitably infiltrates into people’s lives. It’s not that I’m saying we should only talk about good things all the time; I just always hope that it’s not written thoughtlessly.
What do you hope listeners feel through Silica Gel’s music? What impact do you wish to have?
Chunchu: There’s no specific expectation. It would be great if listeners find our music enjoyable, even if they don’t fully understand it. As you know, we all have different thoughts. The aim is to provoke thought or emotion, symbolized by question marks or exclamation points, when people hear our music.
Hanjoo: Rather than expecting a specific sensation, I hope for resonance at any point. I don’t think we are people who express things in a flat manner. When something happens within the person receiving it, if it even slightly touches upon a specific point of the harmonics we are outputting, wouldn’t that be considered a success?
Woonghee: As I mentioned briefly in the music video, it seems that our music evokes a wide range of emotions in listeners. Therefore, we’d like the impact to be determined by the listeners themselves.
Geonjay: Lately, I don’t carry around any grand lessons or profound impressions. I just hope that the time spent listening to our music or watching our performances doesn’t feel like a waste to our audience and lives up to their expectations. The routine of waking up, showering, changing clothes, and so on, becomes a day, and these days turn into the concept of time. I just guess that the act of appreciating something is just one of those small things existing between routines. Becoming one of those small entities and adding a subtle color to the monotony would be quite nice.
Apart from rock, what are your favorite music genres?
Chunchu: Classical, folk, hypnagogic pop.
Hanjoo: I like all kinds of music (though I’m not sure what defines music). It might be clearer to approach this through a process of elimination. I’m interested in exploring traditional music from around the world and religious music, as I donāt know much about them yet. Recently, I’ve been listening a lot to Forrest Fang, who integrates Eastern sounds with avant-garde and ambient music, and has participated in several records as a violinist.
Woonghee: While I primarily enjoy rock, I also listen to folk music. Kim Mok-in is an artist I admire.
Geonjay: My music taste is quite eclectic. Lately, I’ve been into French touch and house music genres in general. I’ve listened a lot to Dead Can Dance and the Japanese musician Officialé«ē·dism. Last year, I think I listened to a lot of folk.
How did you decide to combine hard rock and VJing in your concept?
Hanjoo: While I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to call it hard rock, but the initial idea came about because drummer Kim Geonnjay was taking a media art course in college, which naturally led to forming such an organization. Geonnjay organized a performance set based on guys he found interesting, and that experience led to the formation of Silica Gel, including members responsible for video. Performing music live, the conditions of the venue greatly influence us, and it was nice to create ‘our own space’ in harmony with VJs, from the interior to the arrangement of furniture.
As musicians, how do you manage your work-life balance?
Chunchu: 100(work):0(life). I’m currently striving for a better balance, as it’s heavily skewed towards work at the moment.
Hanjoo: 0(work):0(life). For me, there’s no distinction between work and life at all.
Woonghee: 10(work):0(life)The balance fluctuates daily; sometimes, work feels like relaxation, and other times, it’s just like all-work.
Geonjay: I don’t like to quantify life in numbers. Still, I try to go out in the morning and come back in the evening to eat. Deep down, I always hope to maintain a 5:5 balance. After working, I want to rest, and after resting, I naturally want to work again. We all feel like that, donāt we? (laughs)
Did you always know you wanted to be musicians? How did you prepare from a young age?
Chunchu: I didn’t prepare to become a musician; it just happened that music became my main occupation. Since childhood, I’ve been learning instruments, and suddenly, I wanted to try the guitar, which led me to want to attend a music high school, and naturally, I decided to pursue music.
Hanjoo: My path as a musician was decided quite early, but rather than attaching any particular story, music has been an uninterrupted part of my life. It’s not just about daily life; all my thoughts are connected to music circuits, and continuous imagination has been nourishing not only my childhood but also my continuous ‘preparation process’ up to now.
Woonghee: Listening to a wide variety of music and engaging with interesting people are key. Seeking enjoyable experiences is also crucial.
Geonjay: I dreamed and fantasized music in my childhood, but unlike other performing arts prodigies, I wasn’t in an environment that prepared me from a young age. Listening to various kinds of music was a great experience. Discovering different music and exploring the information that comes with it (like recorded labels, places, performers, directors, cover art, etc.) made me thrilled and happy. Honestly, I don’t consider myself significant enough to say, ‘I am a musician.’ I’m still dreaming of becoming a great musician and studying.
If you weren’t musicians, what would you be doing?
Chunchu: It’s hard to imagine, but I’ve admired people who cook for a living, so maybe that would have been cool.
Hanjoo: Without music, I might have ended up unemployed and despondent.
Woonghee: I could see myself working with cameras or aspiring to be a soccer player, but I’m terrible at soccer.
Geonjay: Given my intense curiosity and my tendency to get annoyed by the effort required to finish tasks once they pass a certain efficiency-cost threshold, I might have ended up as a messy and self-employed person or a jack-of-all-trades.
What do you consider the unique features or charms of Korean culture?
Chunchu: This is the first time I’ve received such a question, so it’s challenging, but I think the concept of ‘us’ is relatively significant. It might be good or bad. The language and communication aspects are also unique among East Asian languages, which makes me feel that there’s a greater interest in foreign languages. That’s what I think! (laughs)
Hanjoo: From an insider’s perspective, it’s challenging to pinpoint the positives of Korean culture. It’s not a cynical answer about society, but it’s hard to view Korea omnisciently from within. Still, with K-POP leading the way, Korea seems to be a promising hub for Asian culture. The continuous development of a unique culture exported from Korea is charming, and I admire the drive to keep generating such dynamics.
Woonghee: Korea boasts an array of delicious dining options and fascinating cafes. If you come to Seoul, there are many restaurants I’d like to recommend.
Geonjay: I’d say all the characteristics of Korea are concentrated in Seoul. With all infrastructure focused in Seoul, it’s somewhat chaotic but allows for almost all experiences. Other regions are relatively uncrowded and quiet but have depth. It’s charming that you can lightly taste the allure of all Korean regions in Seoul before heading to the local areas of other regions. Did that appeal as a charm?
For international visitors to Korea, what are some must-see places or experiences?
Chunchu: Visiting a rock festival in Korea could be fun. While there’s no traditional Korean food at festivals, you might feel the energy from the easy-going food and good atmosphere of the people. You might also get to listen to domestic live music and possibly see Silica Gel!
Hanjoo: I’ve seen visitors to Korea trying challenging foods like Pyongyang cold noodles and fermented skate. It may seem clichĆ©, but it’s undeniably fun. Personally, I’d recommend ‘Eulmildae’ for Pyongyang cold noodles, ‘Hongeohanmari’ in Seogyo-dong for fermented skate, my favorite vegan restaurant ‘Ferments’ in Yongsan and many more!
Woonghee: I recommend ‘Pildong Myeonok,’ a place I currently want to visit the most. I’d like to introduce cold noodles, and it’s my favorite cold noodle restaurant. Just thinking about it makes me hungry.
Geonjay: I’d like to recommend Seochon, where stylish people actively move around, and Bukchon Hanok Village, where the past and present mysteriously blend. Additionally, I love ‘Soulville,’ a listening bar near Gyeongbokgung Station, and ‘Lazy Burger Club’ in Buam-dong.
We would like to thank Silica Gel for their interview and much continued success.
—-Jiyoung Lee
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#SilicaGel #GeonjaySilicaGel #BukchonSilicaGel #kcrushinterviewwithSilicaGel #KimHanjooSilicaGel #keyboardandvocal #KimChunchu #guitarandvocal #KimGeonjaySilicaGel #drums #newmusic #kindie #ChoiWoongheeSilicaGel #bass #SEO #koreanmusic #SilicaGelband
Written by Kim Ji-eun (Lie After Lie, Enemies from the Past), and directed by Lee Seung-young (Tracer, Voice 2), Wonderful World is the newest MBC produced Korean drama starring Cha Eun-woo, Kim Nam-joo, Kim Kang-woo, and Lim Si-mi. Premiering March 1st in South Korea, the show follows former psychology professor and author Eun Soo-hyun (Kim Nam-joo) as she helps others to seek justice and truth after traumatic events when the justice system fails them.
During a press conference hosted by MBC, the cast and director Lee spoke briefly about the characters and show prior to the televised premiere.
As the lead, Kim Nam-jooās performance is the backbone of the entire show as itās the journey Soo-hyun goes on from having the perfect almost idyllic life of having a successful career, a loving and supportive husband in Soo-ho (Kim Kang-woo), and her son, six year old Geon-woo, to a waking nightmare when heās killed in a hit and run and the driver is allowed to walk free after trial.
Unable to handle the immense grief of this traumatic loss, and the callous reaction of the killer, and overcome with grief and rage, So-hyun kills him and is sentenced to ten years in prison. After serving her sentence, sheās released and finds a new purpose in her life helping others to uncover the hidden truth behind their own life changing experiences.
āMy character Eun Soo-hyun has a strong motherly love for her son, and her life turns upside down in just one day. She has that big scar inside of her and we tried to heal that scar in the show, and we have a very tightly knit storyline and narrative. So you can look out for the motherly bond, the scar and healing process of that scar.ā
This sentiment of the show being ultimately about healing for the characters is echoed by director Lee who sees the darker elements of the narrative and visuals being a backdrop that allows the brightness within the characters to shine and goes in line with the dramaās title of, Wonderful World.
āThe backdrop of our story is indeed a tragedy, but I think itās like thisā¦you know how when the sky is very dark and sometimes when the backdrop is very dark you will see the character shine through. I feel like when the backdrop of a storyā¦the darker it is, the more beautiful the people you see within that backdrop become. So in that way when you you know watch the entire drama, rather than the tragedy of it all, I think that you will get a sense that itās a beautiful story.ā
Kim Nam-joo shared a bit about her six years away from the industry was important to her, and how being a mother influenced her decision to be in the drama.
āIn the past six years I actually distanced myself from work honestly. I spent high quality time with my children as a mother and during that time rather than thinking about what I want to do next with my next work, and rather than thinking about the genre of my works I choose what I decide to work on depending on if Iām drawn to it or not.āĀ āWhen I read a script and I feel like it speaks to me, and I feel like I can do this wellā
She went on to say with a bit of humor that another contributing factor to her decision to be in a Wonderful World was that her children are older now and don’t need her as much as when she took her break following her last drama Misty in 2018.
When asked what audiences could expect from his character Kwan Sun-yool, Cha Eun-woo responded that Sun-yool, whom he described as being mysterious and born with a āsilver spoon in his mouthā, āgoes on an emotional rollercoaster rideā and encouraged audiences to pay attention to Sun-yeolās emotional evolution because as time goes by the truth behind his emotional scars and his mysterious nature would be revealed. He also added that it would be fun for audiences āto look out for the different emotions that he goes through.ā
In speaking about her impressions of the show and her character Han Yoo-ri, Lim Si-mi spoke about Yoo-ri being an example of how the projection of beauty and perfection can be a facade hiding an international struggle.
āOur show is really about the humanistic sides of people. So if you look at beauty as a personā¦she might look positive. She might look bubbly, but thatās just one facet of her. But if you look closely into her you can see that she has gone through a lot of different things.ā She continued by saying that like everyone in life who goes through different experiences, Yoo-ri is a multi-faceted and three dimensional character.
For Soo-ho, director Lee described Kim Kang-woo as being perfect for the role because he saw he believed him capable of portraying the āpure love for his familyā and having the perfect on-screen chemistry with Kim Nam-joo. On his own impression and interpretation of Soo-ho, Kim Kang-woo, whoās known for using animals as inspirations for his characters, there wasnāt a specific animal he referenced. Instead his performance came more from wanting Soo-ho to have a duality to him depending on where he was and whom heās around.
He explained this by saying āat home heās very peaceful, like a bunny or something. But later becomes an eagle, sort ofā. These two descriptions fit Soo-ho perfectly to describe his soft and gentle nature with his wife and son, and the persona he puts on for his work as an investigative reporter.
In speaking about working with Kam Nam-joo the cast all had nothing but praise for her because of her work ethic and consideration on set for them and fans, as Chan Eun-woo shared in a story about an interaction they had during filming outdoors.
After admitting that he had some doubts with his decision in casting her because of his own expectations of her, director Lee also had nothing but positive things to say as he was impressed with her performance of Soo-hyun.
āShe amazed me with her performance every single moment. So the depth that she went into in terms of analyzing her character and she pulled it off with such an effortless way. I was in production for seven months and I was just amazed every single day, and I truly mean that.
I said to her that I want to see her more in shows and in movies because the viewersā¦people have not seen all sides of Nam-joo. She has so many different talents inside of her and we want to see all of that.ā
Episodes of Wonderful World will show every Friday and Saturday on MBC in South Korea, and will be streaming on Hulu in the US, and Disney+ internationally.
*All images are courtesy of MBC. The press conference was held in South Korea with interpretation services provided for international press observing virtually.
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Hereās What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
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āAll the Shows are Memorable for Me!ā Kcrush America Interview with TravellingWill
Have you ever dreamed of being a DJ and traveling the world sharing your musical creations with fans? Enter TravellingWill, a DJ and Ph.D candidate (yes, you read that right!) who does just this. We were lucky enough to interview Will recently, and he shares what inspired him to become an international DJ, why he chose K-pop as his focus, as well as future plans!
Kcrush America (KC): To begin, could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
TravellingWill (TW): Iām Will, my stage name is DJ TravellingWill. Iām an international K-pop DJ and I DJ at K-pop parties around the world. I focus on blending K-pop with various international genres, particularly Latin music and Bollywood.
KC: What inspired you to become an āinternational DJā?
TW: Iāve always loved travel and learning about different cultures. My goal is to bring people together on the dance floor, transcending cultural boundaries, gender, and other characteristics. By mixing K-pop with Latin, Bollywood and other international beats, I can unite K-pop enthusiasts (who often dance to the distinctive choreography of K-pop songs) with Latin and other international dancers, fostering a sense of unity on the dance floor.
KC: Besides the wide appeal of Bollywood and Latin sound in attracting audiences, why did you select these two genres to mix with your K-pop sets?
TW: I chose these genres because as far as I know no other DJs mix K-pop with these two genres. My motto is ācultural transcendence through K-popā so mixing in these diverse genres will also bring people of different backgrounds and musical tastes onto the same dance floor. I also want to prepare something special for my fans in Latin America and India.
KC: Given how you focus on K-pop, what made you want to focus on the genre? Furthermore, what was the song and/or group that got you hooked?
TW: Every K-pop song has a unique choreography which transcends cultural boundaries, gender, and other characteristics, fostering a sense of unity on the dance floor. I would have to say āShineā by Pentagon got me hooked as itās such an uplifting song with positive energy.
KC: Many DJs often share that music is an important part of their identities. Do you find this is the case for you? What does music mean to you and who you are?
TW: Yes, my identity as a DJ is mixing K-pop with diverse international genres such as Latin music and Bollywood, while the norm is to mix K-pop solely with EDM or stick to playing pure K-pop without mixing in any other genres.
KC: I see on your profile that you studied at UC Berkeley and youāre a Ph.D student at Cambridge University. How do you balance your studies, traveling, and DJing?
TW: My Ph.D is in math. I’ve always been fascinated by how complex real world patterns can be modelled in a logical and systematic way through mathematics, which ultimately drove me to pursue a mathematics major and Ph.D at university. I’m currently exploring automated transitioning and mixing using Python and AI, aiming for seamless transitions where the songs harmonize naturally. Just as in mathematics, where we strive for optimal matches, DJing shares a similar philosophy. A Ph.D in mathematics is entirely theoretical so I donāt have any classes, which allows me to travel while completing my Ph.D. I also DJ while I travel so the two go hand-in-hand.
KC: What is a typical day like for you when prepping for a show?
TW: In the days leading up to a show I would do some research about what songs are currently āinā and sometimes produce some remixes for the show. I would also usually spend some time learning the choreographies of new songs as I love to dance along with the crowd when I DJ.
KC: When you do a show, do you have a planned setlist in mind or do you typically follow the vibe of attendees? Whatās your process here?
TW: I always try to read the crowd. Some may only be into boy groups or girl groups, some only into first generation groups and some only into fourth generation groups. I try to play a diverse set every time and keep the energy throughout the night.
KC: Checking out your Instagram, it seems you have fun performing and that you have a lot of passion! When you think back about past shows, is there any specific place or show that was particularly memorable and why?
TW: All the shows are memorable for me!
KC: During your travels, which country was your favorite to visit? Which countries do you hope to visit?
TW: I donāt have a favorite but so far Venice in Italy has been the most breathtaking. It is surreal. It really is like walking on a giant piece of art. I am currently touring Australia and I have plans to tour Latin America, India, Turkey and Poland very soon!
KC: As a traveling DJ, Iām sure youāve met some interesting people along the way. Have you had any celebrity encounters youād like to share?
TW: Yes Iāve had the chance to work with many celebrities in the K-pop industry, I wonāt name anyone in particular.
KC: What do you consider the most interesting aspect of your job?
TW: Bringing joy to people and witnessing the smiles and excitement on their faces when their favorite song is played, while also fostering cultural unity on the dance floor. My career highlight so far has been securing acceptance from the largest party venue in Brazil to host the world’s biggest K-pop party in 2024.
KC: Is there anyone you would like to work with in the future? Who would you love working with and why?
TW: Zico. Dancing alongside him to the choreography of his hit track “any song” has always been a dream of mine. Zico’s (Woo Ji-ho) music serves as a source of inspiration for me. As a largely self-made artist and a prominent figure on social media, Zico gained widespread recognition through viral TikTok videos featuring his hit track “Any Song.”
KC: Speaking of the future, what are your goals with DJing and post-DJ life?
TW: Soon I’ll be moving onto the next leg of my world tour in Latin America, including stops in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and more! Additionally, I’m thrilled to announce plans for hosting the world’s largest K-pop party in Brazil. Stay tuned for updates by following me on Instagram (ID: travellingwill).
KC: What are your plans for 2024, and where can we expect to see you next?
TW: Touring Australia, Latin America, India and more! Possibly the US near the end of the year!
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KC: Do you plan on experimenting with any other music genres in the future? Could we expect a country music-K-pop mashup somewhere as weird and different as that sounds?
TW: Yes certainly! Lil Nas was hugely successful when blending country and trap music for his hit old town road so I donāt see why it wonāt work with K-pop! It is something that has definitely been on my mind!
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KC: For anyone who aspires to do what you do, what advice could you share to help them get started?
TW: Always be open to experimentation and trying new approaches to find what resonates with you. Don’t feel compelled to conform to the norms. To my knowledge, my specialization in mixing K-pop with diverse international genres such as Latin music and Bollywood is quite niche, while the norm is to mix K-pop solely with EDM or stick to playing pure K-pop without mixing in any other genres.
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KC: Finally, is there anything else you would like to say to readers?
TW: Please perform an act of kindness for a stranger today š
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We hope you enjoyed our recent interview! We extend our thanks to TravellingWill for his time. Please check out his Instagram and SoundCloud!
Image Cr. Images provided by DJ TravellingWill
—-Olivia Murray
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WE BRIDGE Music Festival & Expo Inspires DEAN Back to the U.S. Stage for an Exclusive Performance for His Devoted American Fans
Event Lineup Features CRAVITY, DYNAMICDUO, HWASA, JESSI, NMIXX and More!
Tickets for events at Mandalay Bay Convention Center and Michelob ULTRA Arena on sale now at webridgeexpo.com
WE BRIDGE, the three-day convention and two-day music festival celebrating Asian entertainment and culture, surprises fans with a special artist announcement for its Las Vegas event taking place April 26-28 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center (expo) and Michelob ULTRA Arena (festival). Inspired by the event’s mission to empower and celebrate the vibrancy of Asian culture, renowned Korean singer-songwriter DEAN joins the already stacked festival lineup to make his long-awaited U.S. return on the WE BRIDGE stage. While the superstar last toured the U.S. in 2019, his upcoming performance marks a historic return to the American music festival scene after an impressive 8-year hiatus.
DEAN stands as one of the foremost and versatile figures in the realm of Korean music, showcasing his prowess as an alternative R&B singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer. The trajectory of his illustrious career is defined by groundbreaking releases, such as the critically acclaimed EP ‘130 mood: TRBL’, which have solidified his status as a musical visionary. Continually pushing artistic boundaries, DEAN has captivated global audiences with award-winning tracks, such as ‘instagram’ and ‘D (Half Moon) ft. Gaeko’, and his 2023 single ‘DIE 4 YOU’ marked a triumphant return after 4 years since his last released single ‘Howlin’ 404′. A trailblazer for Korean R&B on the international stage, DEAN’s collaborations with global artists and producers, including Eric Bellinger, Anderson.Paak, Daniel Caesar, Syd of The Internet, Gaeko of DYNAMICDUO, IU, Zico, and more, underscore his influence in shaping the genre’s landscape. With an enduring resonance that transcends borders, DEAN continues to earn his esteemed place among Korea’s musical elite.
As excitement builds for the WE BRIDGE Music Festival and Expo, the current lineup is nothing short of spectacular, featuring the iconic DYNAMICDUO, HWASA, and JESSI, alongside chart-topping idol groups CRAVITY, NMIXX, and KARD. Adding to the excitement are rising stars ALL(H)OURS, AMPERS&ONE, KISS OF LIFE, and TEAM BEBE who are set to make their highly anticipated U.S. debut. Beyond the concert stage, these artists will extend their presence to the expo, engaging with fans through GRAMMY MuseumĀ® artist Q&A panels, hi-touch events, and various other exciting fan interactions. The recent surprise announcement of DEAN joining the lineup has only heightened the anticipation, leaving fans eager to discover the additional surprises that WE BRIDGE has in store for this extraordinary event.
Building off of 2023’s wildly successful inaugural event with ENHYPEN, MONSTA X, JESSI, BamBam, KANGDANIEL, Dreamcatcher, CIX, ONEUS, VIVIZ, and BE’O, the 2024 iteration is set to return with an even wider variety of entertainment. Furthermore, the event strives to build a space for all fandoms to unite and connect with their online friends in real life for a community and experience unlike any other.
WE BRIDGE is presented by premier global entertainment company Infinite Prospects Entertainment (IPE) with the support of MGM Resorts International. IPE is best recognized as the team who turned the Las Vegas Strip purple in April 2022 for ‘The City’ project with megastar group BTS who performed four sold-out nights of their ‘Permission To Dance On Stage’ tour at Allegiant Stadium. The company also recently worked with K-pop living legend THE RAIN for the U.S. leg of his highly anticipated comeback world tour. With the explosion of Asian influence on mainstream pop culture around the world and its tremendous impacts across music, film, art, and fashion, WE BRIDGE’s mission is to connect these various creative expressions and the artists and cultures that are fueling them within one epic experience. The result is a multi-sensory, live event that immerses attendees into a curated world that bridges what is now, new, and next in all aspects of Asian pop culture.
Projected to be one of the biggest West x East Asian-centric events of the year, get up-to-date news by following @webridgeexpo on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, and join the conversation using #webridge2024 and #nownewnext. For all information on WE BRIDGE Music Festival and Expo, please visit webridgeexpo.com.
ABOUT INFINITE PROSPECTS ENTERTAINMENT
INFINITE PROSPECTS ENTERTAINMENT (IPE) is a Las Vegas-based entertainment & events company devoted to bridging Asian and Western pop culture. IPE is the team that brought the megastar K-Pop group BTS to Las Vegas for ‘THE CITY’ project, transforming the city into a BTS-themed playground and famously turning the Las Vegas Strip ‘borahae’ purple for two weekends of four sold-out ‘PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE’ concert shows. Most recently, the company worked with K-pop legend The RAIN on the U.S. leg of his highly anticipated comeback world tour.
ABOUT MANDALAY BAY
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Michelob ULTRA Arena, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 2-million-square-foot convention center combine to make Mandalay Bay a captivating Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, a AAA Five Diamond hotel offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite Delano Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll-free at (877) 632-7800, or find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
ABOUT MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500Ā® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 32 unique hotel and gaming destinations globally, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. The Company’s 50/50 venture, BetMGM, LLC, offers U.S. sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker, and the Company’s subsidiary LeoVegas AB offers sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands in several jurisdictions throughout Europe. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet” philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNEĀ® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired CompaniesĀ®. For more information, please visit us at www.mgmresorts.com. Please also connect with us @MGMResortsIntl on Twitter as well as Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT THE GRAMMY MUSEUM
The GRAMMY Museum, currently celebrating its 15th anniversary, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and exploring music from yesterday and today to inspire the music of tomorrow through exhibits, education, grants, preservation initiatives, and public programming. Paying tribute to our collective musical heritage, the Museum values and celebrates the dynamic connection in people’s diverse backgrounds and music’s many genres, telling stories that inspire us, and creative expression that leads change in our industry.
For more information, visit www.grammymuseum.org, “like” the GRAMMY Museum on Facebook, and follow @GRAMMYMuseum on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
#DEAN #DEANatWeBridgeinLasVegas #DEANkpopidol #kcrushnews #GRAMMYMuseum #kpopmusic #kpopmusicfestival #koreanculture #kartists #kconcerts #kpopindustry #kcrushamericamagazine #MGM #MGMResort #CRAVITY #DYNAMICDUO #HWASA #JESSI #NMIXX #MandalayBay #InfiniteProspectsEntertainment #IPE #DEANRnB #RnB #Pop #indie #kpopmusic #WeBridgeExpo #MandalayBayConventionCenterandMichelobULTRAArena #SEO #google #kcrushnewsupdate #kcrush
BTS has become a big international artist beyond the framework of K-POP. It has been announced that they will release their analog album worldwide on June 19, 2024, exactly 10 years after their debut in Japan in June 2014.
The title is “FOR YOU,” the first original Japanese song released as a single in 2015 and the first to reach No. 1 on the Japanese Oricon singles chart (*).
The song is the A-side, and the B-side is “Let Me Know (Japanese Ver.),” which was also included on the single CD at the time of its release.
The song was released as a 12cm CD at the time, but this time it will be released as a larger 30cm (I2inch) single, making it a must-have item for ARMY (fans).
The disc will not be the usual black, but a “pure” color, which is the color before the disc is colored in the analog disc manufacturing process, which will also be a big attraction.
Since all the members are currently enlisted in the military, we hope you will take the time to listen to the feelings they put into “FOR YOU,” a love song about a lover far away.
(*) The Oricon Singles Chart is the Japanese music industry-standard singles popularity chart issued daily, weekly, monthly and yearly by Oricon.
– Product Information
12-inch analog record
FOR YOU
12-inch/45 rpm analog vinyl version of the latest digitally remastered sound source.
Release date: June 19, 2024
Item number: PCJA 00136
Specifications: Color VINYL specification: Pure (original color, transparent vinyl)
Purchase URL: https://shop.ponycan.com/products/list?name=BTSFORYOUVinyl
Link of stores: https://inn.lnk.to/btsforyou12lp
– Included contents
SIDEļ¼A
1. FOR YOU
SIDEļ¼B
2. Let Me Know (Japanese Ver.)
– Music Streaming
https://pony-canyon.lnk.to/BTS_foryou
– YouTube
‘FOR YOU’ Official Music Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTG6nxwdhyA
#BTS #BTSFORYOU #10thAnniversaryJapanrelease #BTS10AnniversaryFORYOURelease #kcrushnews #kpopnews #kpopindustry #kpopinJapan #12inchanalogsingle #June192024BTSreleaseinJapan #kpopidols #BTSreleaseForYou2024 #BTSoriginalJapanesesongFORYOU #worldwidereleaseJune14 #30cmForYou #SEO #google #JapaneseoriginalBTSsong #newBTSannouncement #kcrushamericamagazine #BTSnews #LetMeKnowASide #LetMeKnowBSide
K-pop lost a successful producer and songwriter on February 23, 2024.
Shinsadong Tiger (Lee Ho-yang) was found dead in his studio. Initial reports said an acquaintance found the 41-year-old in his home.
“It is correct that Shinsadong Tiger was found dead, but we are unable to provide further details, including time and place of death,” an officer at Gangnam Police Station said in a statement.
Known for producing the hit songs “Now” (Troublemaker), “Up & Down” (EXID), “Bboom Bboom” (Momoland), “No No No” (APINK), “Bubble Pop!” (HyunA), and “Roly-Poly” (T-ara), among others, Shinsadong Tiger was also behind the groups EXID through his former company, AB Entertainment, and Tri.be, who formed under TR Entertainment.
“Although we are devastated by the sudden sad news, we ask for your support and encouragement to the Tri.be members who will continue their Diamond activities under the support of Shinsadong Tiger,” their label said.
While known as a hitmaker, Shinsadong Tiger did have his share of struggles. In 2017, Shinsadong Tiger experienced financial difficulties following a failed business venture, leading him to file for bankruptcy and debt relief.
In 2018, Russian group Serebro accused Shinsadong Tiger of plagiarism, claiming Momoland’s “Bboom Bboom” sounded like their song “Mi Mi Mi.”
In response to the accusation, Shinsadong Tiger and Beomi Nagi said, “The intro portion of the song can sound familiar due to the similarities in genre and guitar riffs, but the melody and chord progression are completely different [from ‘Mi Mi Mi’]. It seems that the misunderstanding arose from the fact that the bass line and 4-measure chord progression [used in the song] are common characteristics of the retro house and swing electronic genre.”
Despite the brief period of bad luck, Shinsadong Tiger was known for his kindness, generosity, and musical talents.
Before becoming a well-known songwriter, composer, and producer, Shinsadong Tiger dabbled in singing, having auditioned for JYP Entertainment in his younger days.
Shinsadong Tiger’s untimely death will leave a void in the K-pop industry. We send our condolences to his family and friends.
—-Olivia Murray
#ShinsadongTiger #LeeHoyang #kcrushnews #songwriter #composer #producer #JYPEntertainment #kpop #Tribe #kpopindustry #Shinsadong #Troublemaker #UpandDownEXID #NoNoNoAPink #Diamond #TREntertainment #kcrush #kcrushamerica #kpopnews #koreanentertainmentnews #kpopdeaths #condolences #kpopidols #newsaboutShinsadongTiger #SEO #google #ShinsadongTigerwillbemissed
Come and stay a while!
Korea is such a wonderful, dynamic, and exciting country. From K-pop and K-beauty to traditional palaces and Confucian academies. Wouldn’t it be great to come to Korea for a long-term stay? Luckily, Korea offers a few different visa types for those who would like to come to the Land of Morning Calm to work, study, or have fun. Keep reading to learn more about immigration in Korea and about some of the available visas that Korea offers!
Why Korea?
For those interested in studying, working, or living abroad then South Korea is an exceptional place for all of the above. Korea’s universities are popular destinations for study abroad and international students. Hongdae in Seoul is the place to be when you are a student in Korea. For those who are interested in teaching English or doing IT work, Korea offers visas for both to foreign citizens. And if you would just like to see what Korea has to offer then visa-free travel up to 90 days is also possible for certain countries with strong political ties to South Korea. Here are just a few examples of reasons to come to Korea for a long-term stay.
What kind of visas does Korea offer?
Obtaining a visa in Korea, just like with any country, is dependent on a few different variables. Things like one’s nationality, education, income level, and even criminal history (or lack thereof) all play a role in what type of visa one can obtain in South Korea.
But the main factor when it comes to visas in Korea would be regarding what one wants to and is eligible to do here. The Korean government offers a large catalog of different visas, most of which depend on a specific aspect of one’s job or what one intends to do in Korea.
The first major breakdown of categories are the Single and Multiple entry visas. As their names suggest, a Single entry visa only allows one to enter Korea and then one will have to get an additional visa if one were to leave and try to return. Multiple entry visas allow for an individual to leave and re-enter Korea multiple times without the need to obtain a new visa. Then, the visa categories get far more complex with different types starting from A and going all the way down to T. Letās find out more!
A Visa
This category is mainly for diplomatic purposes. Diplomats, government officials, and American armed service members can apply for an A-1, A-2, or A-3 visa respectively.
B Visa
This category allows travelers from the Peopleās Republic of China to travel visa-free for 30 days as long as they use Incheon as a stopover.
C Visa
This is a short-term visa category that includes visiting Korea for news coverage, short-term business and employment like for a business trip, medical assistance, medical tourism, and other short-term business visits.
D Visa
This category is ideal for students. It mainly focuses on those seeking training, education, and/or short-term periods when they are between jobs and, thus, in theory between visa types. Artists, students, trainees, religious personnel, and others are eligible for this visa type.
E Visa
As opposed to the D visa category, the E visa category includes individuals who are coming to Korea to work. The distinction is D category visa holders are here to train and study, not work jobs and get paid or are actively looking for a job in which they will then change visa types. But E visa types can work jobs and get paid. This visa type includes professors, foreign language instructors, athletes, construction workers, agricultural workers, and others. A special note for those seeking to teach English in Korea. Those interested in teaching should apply for the E-2 visa in particular, which is the foreign language instructor visa.
F visa
This category is āFā for family! Or at least that is a handy way to think about this visa type. This one includes spouses of Korean citizens, family visiting from overseas, accompanying children, and others who are seeking long-term residence in Korea.
G Visa
This visa type is wide-ranging and can include those seeking long-term medical treatment, refugees, those involved in lawsuits, and those who have been victims of human trafficking. This visa type focuses on humanitarian aid and related situations.
H Visa
This type focuses on working holiday and working visit visa seekers. Family members visiting students under another visa type and those invited to Korea for short-term visits fall under this category.
M Visa
This visa is for military personnel. A-3 visas are also available for military personnel.
T Visa
This is a tourist landing visa. Ideally one will seek another visa type after landing in Korea if they wish to stay for an extended period.
Hallryu visa
This new visa also known as the āK-Culture Training Visaā is geared specifically at K-pop and Hallryu fans who wish to visit and stay in Korea for up to 2 years. This visa differs from some of the other aforementioned visa types like the E-6 because it requires applicants to register with cultural and other related arts centers like the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The E-6 on the other hand requires applicants to be contacted by Korean entertainment firms.
Digital Nomad Visa
With universal wifi and one of the fastest internet connections in the world, South Korea makes an exceptional place for digital nomads. Ironically, this visa which is another recent addition to the Korean Visa catalog, failed to attract many visa holders. However, those who would like to experience digital nomadism in Korea can stay for up to two years with this visa type while they work for a foreign company or as a freelancer. This visa is also known as the Workcation visa and is classed under F-1-D.
The immigration and visa process
Depending on one’s desired or applicable visa type the immigration process will differ. Korean immigration is very strict so it is advised to obtain all of your documents and have them ready 2-3 months in advance of any sort of scheduled appointments or immigration visits.
When visiting immigration, original documents will be required and your original documents will also generally require apostilles and authentications from the government or other official organizations in order to be accepted.
Always keep copies of your documents, because sometimes when renewing a visa, a copy will suffice and this will save you a great deal of work and stress. To be certain of what visa you are eligible for and what is required be sure to contact the Korean consulate or embassy in your country of origin. Some rules and documents are different depending on one’s nationality and thus the specifics should be sought out by oneself.
A visa for everyone!
South Korea, wanting to shake the old image of the Hermit Kingdom, has been trying to open itself up to the world. One way has been through offering a wide and diverse array of visas to choose from or be eligible for. If you are interested in spending extended time in the Land of Morning Calm, please visit your nearest Korean consulate or embassy or visit their website and see how and where your immigration and visa journey can begin. You will be saying anneyanghaseyo in no time!
Photos: Ministry of Justice, KOICA
Incheon Airport Immigration Office / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
—-Kevin H.
Works Cited
āDigital Nomads Korea.ā Www.digitalnomadskorea.com, www.digitalnomadskorea.com/post/everything-you-need-to-know-about-koreas-digital-nomad-visa. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.
Kelleher, Suzanne Rowan. āSouth Korea Is Launching a Visa Just for K-Pop Fans.ā Forbes, www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2024/01/02/south-korea-is-launching-a-visa-just-for-k-pop-fans/?sh=60dc651e39d3. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.
āList of South Korean Visas.ā Wikipedia, 15 Aug. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Korean_visas.
āOnline Booking for Immigration Office āTakes Too Long.āā Koreatimes, 25 May 2018, www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/12/113_249610.html. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.
Service (KOCIS), Korean Culture and Information. āš§ 2023 to See New Visa for Korean Culture Training, Revamped Expat Card : Korea.net : The Official Website of the Republic of Korea.ā Www.korea.net, www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=226754.
—. āSharing with the World, Part 3: Koreaās Immigration Screening System : Korea.net : The Official Website of the Republic of Korea.ā Www.korea.net, www.korea.net/NewsFocus/policies/view?articleId=141183. Accessed 15 Feb. 202
#ImmigrationandVisasInKorea #koreanvisas #visasforvisitingkorea #kcrush #kcrushamerica #kpop #kpopconcert #DigitalNomadVisa #HallyruVisa #Tvisa #KoreaGVisa #KoreaEVisa #Avisa #BVisa #CVisa #DVisa #KCultureVisa #KpopCultureVisa #KoreasDifferentVisas #WebsiteoftheRepublicofKorea #koreanet #kcrushoriginalcontent #kcrushkoreanarticleonvisa #askkcrush #kcrushsearch #SEO #kcrushandgoogle #traveltokoreavisa
Starring Kim Tae-ri, Ryu Joon-yeol, Kim Woo-bin, and Lee Ha-nee, Alienoid: Return to the Future is the continuation of writer and director Choi Dong-hoon’s hit time jumping Sci-Fi adventure film Alienoid released in 2022.
For information on where to watch Alienoid: Return to the Future, visit the official Well Go USA site.
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Hereās What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
In her latest documentary short film 14 Paintings, which premiered in the Documentary Short Films Program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, award-winning director Dongnan Chen (The Trail From Xinjian 2013, Singing in the Wilderness 2022), invites her audience to not only look at the 14 paintings highlighted, but to think about the artists of the famed Dafen Village, who dedicated hours of painstaking effort to create them.
āArt is subjectiveā and āBeauty is in the eye of the beholderā are two very old sayings used to describe situations where the creation of art in all its infinite variations and forms are either found wanting or complete.
Located in Chinaās Guangdong province is the suburb of Shenzen, and located within it is Dafen Oil Painting Village. Formed in 1989 by a businessman with a love for painting who wanted to create a collective for young artists to work, Dafen became home for thousands of painters from all across China.
Though you may have never heard of Dafen, youāve more than likely seen at least one of the famous reproductions of oil painters like Van Gough, Rembrandt and many others of different eras and styles because at one point in time Dafen artists were responsible for producing up to 60% of all oil paintings sold globally. Thatās over 6 million oil paintings sold to private entities such hotels, and major corporations like Walmart in the U.S.
In 14 Paintings, Chen touches on the history of Dafen, itsā artists – some of whom despite exhaustive research efforts remain anonymous – their impressions on their own work and how it’s perceived, and the ways in which their industry is changing with the involvement of the Chinese government, which seeks to rebrand this unique industry hub into a tourist attraction – which of course has benefits for the community, but also as an avenue of public messaging.
Following the filmās screening at Sundance, I spoke with Chen about her creative influences and style as a documentary filmmaker, how she was inspired to delve into the history of Dafen Village, and the importance of letting the art and artists speak for themselves amidst the hustle of busy city streets, or the unsettling quiet of an MRI lab. In our discussion we also touched on the pros and cons of commercialisation from the perspective of artist and consumer.
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Hereās What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
#DongnanChen #14PaintingsDocumentary #DongnanChenDirector #kcrushatSundance #kcrushinterview #documentarfilmmaker #historyofDafenVillage #SundanceFilmFestival2024 #DafenArtists #oilpainting #DefenOilPaintingVillage #kcrushamericamagazine #SEO #kcrushtopasianamericanentertainmentmagazine #ChinasGuangdongprovincesuburbofShenzen #DafensuppliesartworktohotelsandWalmartintheUS #kcrushnews #TheTrailFromXinjian2013 #SingingintheWilderness2022 #DafenOilPaintingVillage.Formedin1989 #Sundance2024InterviewwithDongnanChenDirectoroftheDocumentary14Paintings #kcrushvideointerview #kcrushfilmmakerinterview #DongnanChenInterviewWithKCrush
Bhutan has been ranked as one of the happiest countries in Asia and the world.Ā Despite being less corporate and industrialized, Bhutan has proven that happiness comes from a mindset, not belongings. This Himalayan kingdom, which was once alienated from the rest of the world until 1974, is a tourist hotspot despite the expensive daily tax for foreigners. Bhutan is one of the fewest countries with the youngest democracy in the world after their monarch willingly abducted the throne to promote the countryās happiness. Bhutanās panoramic views of mountain vistas and ancient lakes as well as cultural and historic treasures fused with the warm and welcoming smiles of the locals credit the country the āSwitzerland of Asiaā title. Moreover, Bhutan is the first carbon-negative country whose resultant fresh air accentuates the breathtaking sceneries.
Bhutan stands out from the rest of the world since it measures its economic status by evaluating its citizenās level of happiness. Through the Gross National Happiness (GNH)/Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH) ministry, this young democracy measures its service to its people which translates to its level of economic wealth. The root of Bhutanās infectious happiness can be traced to their strong Buddhist religious beliefs which prioritize happiness over amassing assets. Buddhism cherishes minimalism and forgoing unnecessary desires for individuals and the common good. Minimalism translates to better health since people are not forced to push themselves beyond the norm like in industrialized. Buddhismās minimalist culture also relieves the pressure of the stress that comes with competing to acquire more. Moreover, the countryās century-old primitive cultures are backed up by generational support and wise guidance from consecutive monarchs.
Bhutanās intricate preservative nature embedded in their beliefs and culture has managed to shell them from the influential Western glamour over the decades. Even after opening its doors to the world in 1974, having lived detached from the world despite gaining its independence in 1943, Bhutan has maintained its culture and values over the decades. There is no need for traffic lights in Bhutan as the citizens patiently and strictly obey directions from police officers, which goes a long way to show just how contented the Bhutanese people are. In a bid to ensure that all people are treated equally, the state government offers free education to the level of skill attainment. The government also offers free health services to its citizens as physical, mental, and emotional health are all related to an individualās overall happiness. In a bid to cultivate an environment that promotes happiness, Bhutan people do not traditionally celebrate individual birthdays. To them, a happy life is more important than the number of years lived. Therefore, all Bhutanese people celebrate all their birthdays as one only on the first of January. This further promotes oneness and shuns individuality, which could foster the need for unnecessary self-desires. The overwhelming number of tourists flocking Bhutan amid heartwarming reviews, despite the expensive daily charges, testifies that this young democracyās perspective on happiness measuring economic wealth is worth taking a shot at.
—-Karen Mwenda
#Bhutan #ButanWorldsHappiestCountry #kcrush #birthdaycelebrationsinBhutan #BhutanFreeEducation #Bhutanindependence1943 #BhutanFreeHealth #AgentOfHappinessBhutanFilmInterviewatkcrush #BhutanFilmProduction #BhutanFilminterviewsonkcrushmagazine #GrossNationalHappiness #GrossDomesticHappiness #BhutanPeiple #BhutanBuddhistbeliefs #kcrushresearchedarticle #kcrushasianculture #kcrushoriginal #kcrushoriginalcontent #asiantravel #kcrushtravelcontent #happyBhutanpeople #Bhutanisahappyplace #Bhutanesepeople #touristflockingtoBhutan
2023 was an amazing year for K-Dramas. From undercover cops to pig farms, here are some of the most popular dramas of the year!
The Good Bad Mother (Netflix)
The Good Bad Mother, available on Netflix, centers around a grown man and his estranged mother. As a lawyer in the city, he stays far away from his hometown village where his mother is a pig farmer. However, after being in a terrible car accident, the manās memory reverts back to when he was a child. Now, his mother cares for her adult son as he struggles to heal from the accident.
With heartwarming scenes, plenty of humorous moments from the villagers, and even action sequences, The Good Bad Mother won many hearts in 2023!
Twinkling Watermelon (Viki)
A model high schooler with a passion for music suddenly travels back in time to 1995! And itās here in the past that he encounters his father as a high schooler. Through these interactions, he realizes that his father has a crush on someone other than his mom. Trying to put things right, he joins a band led by his father, in order to help redirect him. Can his get his parents together before time runs outā¦and will he be able to get back to the future!?
This cute and heartwarming drama is still being talked about quite a bit online! Donāt miss out on the buzz!
My Dearest (Viki)
A hard-hearted man, Jang Hyun, opens himself up to love in the 2023 historical drama, My Dearest. With a complex love triangle, Gil Chaeās first love is engaged to her best friend. Her first love still has feelings for her, but cannot break off the engagement. Meanwhile, Jang Hyun falls for Gil Chae and her feelings start to waver for her first love. As all of these emotions are swirling, so is war. Will love conquer all, and will all survive?
If youāre ready to be on the edge of your seat from an intense love triangle, this is your show!
Deathās Game (Amazon)
After seven years of job hunting and no hope of for the future, Choi Yee-Jae is tired of living. Though he is kind and has a bright mind, lifeās cruelties have proven too much. He couldnāt see any way out except for death. After he ends his life, he finds that death is not the peaceful state he hoped. He encounters the being Death at the gates of hell. His punishment? To experience death through different bodiesātwelve times. To avoid going to hell, Choi Yee-Jae has to find a way to survive!
Based on the web comic Yije Got Jookseummida, Deathās Game is an intense drama!
Tell Me That You Love Me (Disney +)
Airing in late 2023 and continuing into 2024, Tell Me That You Love Me might also end up on the most popular 2024 list! This series is based on the 1995 series Aishiteiru to Itte Kure which aired in Japan. Tell Me That You Love Me focuses on a deaf artist, Cha Jin-woo, who lives a secluded life due to his hearing impairment but nonetheless has a positive outlook. His love interest, Jung Mo-eun, is a woman who lives boldly as an aspiring actress.
What happens when these two passionate souls meet? Find out by watching Tell Me That You Love Me!
The Worst of Evil (Disney +)
Undercover cops in the ā90s infiltrate a crime ring responsible for illegal drug trade between Korea, Japan, and China. Filled with suspense, action, and dramaāThe Worst of Evil is perfect for anyone who enjoys crime shows. With characters trying to gain self-respect and pride, itās so much more than a high action thriller. Be prepare to care deeply about the characters and click ānext episodeā with your heart pounding!
If youāre ready for a show set in the 1990s with drug rings and undercover cops, The Worst of Evil is for you!
Daily Dose of Sunshine (Netflix)
Daily Dose of Sunshine might not exactly be the cheery K-drama you imagined! Based on the Kakao webtoon, Daily Dose of Sunshine, this drama is actually taken from the authorās real life experiences! The series focuses on a skilled nurse in a university hospitalās department of psychiatry. As she interacts with patients who are suffering from mental challenges, she goes out of her way to bring them a daily dose of sunshine.
Dramatic, and guaranteed to pull at you emotionally, Daily Dose of Sunshine is not for the faint of heart!
Choosing from any one of these dramas is sure to be a good choice. Whether you love suspense or romance, thereā something here for everyone!
—-Ellie Boyd
#TheMostPopularKDramasof2023 #popularkdramas #kcrush #DailyDoseofSunshine #reallifeexperiences #TheWorstofEvil #kcrushamerica #TellMeThatYouLoveMe #Disneystreamingofkdramas #DeathGame #Amazon #MyDearest #Vikistreaming #TwinklingWatermelon #kdrama #kakaowebtoon #AishiteirutoItteKure #SEOkdrama #koreanactor #koreandrama #TheGoodBadMother #netflixstreaming #kdramastreaming #webcomic #kcrushcontent #YijeGotJookseummida #kcrushtopasianamericanentertainmentmagazine #koreandramas2023 #mustwatchkdramas
Blue. Itās the first vision one gets when they walk into Houstonās White Oak Music Hall lower level on a Tuesday night in late January. The stage is bathed in it. The mood is set right away. (If you know, you.will.knovv.)
The air is spiced with vanilla and a mingling of scents from excited womxn and some of their male companions, hoping the sultry R&B the DJ promises will cross over into something romantic. And the scene is romantic, a pallor of moody lights and expectant energy that makes the room buzz with anticipation. (Imagine being hypnotized by The Weeknd on a Tuesday.)
Then we begin.
MISO
The lights go out, and an immediate scream ripples through the crowd. First up is an unassuming DJ, further moodening the darkened venue. Misoās impish voice spills from the speakers, now at concert pitch. Itās enough to get phones out and mouths quiet as the first verse of āAloneā sighs like smoke among rapt attendees. Then she emerges. A diminutive elf with a lavender voice and a stoic presence drenched in all black. She revels in shouts of āYes, queen!ā Hollers and hoots. The First Lady of you.will.knovv commands the stage with nothing more than a mic and a sultry coo. Her lights shimmer and quake in red and smoke, fitting for a voice so full of ember as hers. The British-bred UK vocalist and producer does more to elevate the mood in the room than the blue lights and bar-influenced crowd.
As the lights ebb between reds and explosions of purple and white, in time with her performance of āWhere Did I Go,ā she has the crowd under a spell. The silence errs on eerie, until she sways with sultry abandon to the slow groove. Then an eruption lifts the atmosphere into something feverish.
This is a noticeably more extroverted Miso than, say, 2019ās Buzzerbeat Festival rendition. Itās certainly interesting to see her so intent on playing to a ravenous audience. Less reserved, but not so much that anyone unfamiliar with her would notice. Itās clear sheās made an effort to get to this place, and itās certainly not unwelcome. Sheās still trying it on for size, but she seems to be having fun figuring out how to engage the audience like her more outgoing peers in Hoody or Katie. āHave you ever seen a shy Gemini just like me?ā she asks the audience in a voice laced in silk.
She ends with tracks āLet it Goā and āHeaven,ā and the audience is wrapped in velvet. Thereās a tangible buzz in the crowd as her set comes to a close, a collective tingling in the limbs as the audience stays in a liquor-induced reverie. And thenā¦
TABBER
This young man is pure energy from the moment he hits the stage, nearly running Miso over as he barrels onto it, making all the womxn in the audience crumble in peals of screams. His light show is more energetic, matching his instantaneous intensity.
Tabberās frat boy uniform (cap, long-sleeved shirt and khakis) belies someone who truly fashions himself an idol on that stage. Heās the most ostentatious performer of the crew. Sandwiched between two empaths, the extrovert of you.will.knovv lavishes in the adulation like a sunflower absorbing the sun. Heās all pretty-boy swagger and stage presence. He soaks up the screeches and moans as youād expect. Even when he goes up into the rafters during Baek Yaerinās pre-recorded solo on track āBeing,ā the crowd eagerly awaits his return to the main stage as the song ends and leaves the room in silence. And he loves it! When he goes into ā007ā, the audience absolutely erupts, each concertgoer singing/screaming his lyrics back to him when he turns the mic in their direction. Yeah, this one loves the spotlight, and would no doubt stay on the stage longer if he were given permission to do so.
Tabberās sassy with his crowd interactions. He asks the audience if they can jump. (They would jump to the moon if he asked them to.) Everyone gets low with him during the first verse of āDevil May Cry,ā waiting for the detonation. When he does finally explode, the crowd is right there with him, willingly standing at the edge of the volcano and bathing in the eruption.
āItās so hot in Texas,ā he says, flirting with the front row as if his declaration of the Texas heat was meant for each young lady in front of him. By the time he hits āLike a Vampire,ā the last song of his set, the crowd is truly nestled in the palm of his hand. When he asks for flashlights, the room is instantly alight with smartphone torches. Effervescent is the word for this stage. Tabberās in love with the audience, and they unequivocally love him back.
RAD MUSEUM
Itās no surprise, then, that no one, not a single soul, expects what happens next.
The showās headliner, Rad Museum, slinks onto the stage, grabbing attention instantly as if the set right before him didnāt even happen. Thereās something decidedly more raw about Radās introduction. As with his music, he holds no prisoners. Whether youāre along for the ride or not, heās going to go in. And go in he does, absolutely attacking the crowd with āWHPH.ā No prettiness, no shyness. Rad Museum is all in from the word go. The audience gets 2.5 seconds of humming darkness before Rad utterly explodes onto the small White Oak Hall stage. Heās bathed in yellows and reds (fire), and itās no accident. This planned combustion is electric and gives the audience only a pause to breathe, the time it takes to think your next thought before searing his image into your frontal lobe.
His moods swing just like his music: when heās blue, it slurries in your lower bits and makes you anxious for something sweet to get next to (āMOREā). When heās red, he overheats you with just the suggestion of his energy (āSOME GIRLā). Itās no mistake heās the nightās headliner. Who could follow someone so un-insistent about his instance that youāre forced to pay attention to him? He doesnāt ask; he doesnāt demand. He just takes your attention whether you were in the mood to be charitable with it or not.
Thatās the difference between Rad and, say, his labelmate before him. While Tabber thrives on the audienceās affections, Rad could care less. Youāre either with him or youāre not. Heās gonna accost the stage regardless, so you best choose a side and pray he doesnāt pick you as his next target.
Even in soft moments Rad affects a griminess that settles on the skin and sinks into your bloodstream. Just like last yearās GIRL, heās savory, then sweet. Giving as much spice as sugar with his performance, but still caring very little which one is your flavor. He has them all. Pick a mood and sit in it, because Radās gonna be there whether you are or not. So relentless is his natural swagger, he gets a proposal of marriage before the nightās over.
Those who were respectfully docile during Misoās mostly subdued performance and less engaged with Tabberās idol-adjacent ministrations were involuntarily moved by Radās easygoing charisma. Yeah, man knows what heās doing. For someone with limited English, he sure as hell knows how to rile up an all English-speaking audience and keep them shivering on a knifeās edge for the entirety of his 25-minute set. Rad earned that headlining spot, and he doesnāt let it go.
ENCORE
Unsurprisingly, the audience is thirsty for one more song. Rad and Tabber give it to them gladly. The lights blush to a deep red before the stage has enough time to cool down, and the duo launches into something naughty to fit the mood (āROCKSTARā). By the time Miso rejoins the crew (with track āFallinā), the crowd is collectively convulsing, and you.will.knovvās First Lady only makes the emotional upheaval all the more palpable.
The night ends early, but not too soon. This was the perfect amount of moody blues, energetic crowd interactions and unabashed cool. A feast for an early-week audience to carry them to the weekend. This is the type of show audiences crave. While the most popular K-pop acts have the global notoriety to get the resources to greet their Western audiences, those on the lower key of the spectrum (like you.will.knovvās small roster) have so much to offer musically, and their passion is elevated because they have to work on a different scale to get here. The more acts like this we get to experience, the more likely it is that acts that might not make it past Hongdae might get their shot to do just that. Thank you, you.will.knovv, for blessing this devoted Houston audience. This was certainly a night to remember.
—-Cy White
#MISO #TABBER #youwillknovv #RADMUSEUM #kcrush #Houstonindieconcert #Fallintrack #rock #Blues #HoustonWhiteOakMusicHall #MOREtrack #SOMEGIRLtrack #ROCKSTARtrack #DevilMayCry #Being #007track #BaekYaerin #kcrushamerica #kcrushconcertcoverage #LikeAVampireTABBER #SEO #electifying #kcrushcontent #AloneMISO #WhereDidIGoMISO #HeavenMISO #LetItGoMISO #prettyboyswagger #DJyouwillknovv #Houston #Houstonyouwillknovvconcert #koreangroupinHoustoninJanuary2023 #youwillknovvinHouston2023 #RnB #youwillknovvUSTour20232024 #concertsinHoustonTexas2023 #RadreceivedproposalofmarriageHoustonconert
Tongyeong is a coastal city situated in the southern part of Korea with international recognition for its deep maritime history and contribution to arts, music, and culture. In Hansado Island, Tongyeong, the legendary Admiral Yu Sin Si led Koreaās Joseon Kingdom to victory against the Japanese revolution. As such, Tongyeong City is filled with traces of the admiralās legacy through the cityās numerous historical folklore and sites. In addition to being a historical city, Tongyeong City is known as the birthplace of famous musicians, including the iconic composer Yu I Sang, poet Kim Choon Su, and novelist Park Kyong Ni. Tongyeong City has received global accreditation for its continued contribution towards music crediting it the āCity of Musicā title designated by UNESCOās City of Music Network in 2015.
Jeseungdang Shrine is one of Tongyeongās historical places where one can walk down the history lane of Admiral Yuās 16th-century history. One among several shrines, the Jeseungdang Shrine is said to ooze the heroās anguish and valor in his quest to save the Joseon Kingdom from slavery. Termed the āHouse of Victoryā, Jeseungdang Shrine is where the former naval commander spent sleepless nights strategizing for his victory. Surrounded by scenic views, especially from the reflective colorful rays from the adjacent lake, Jeseungdang Shrine is a must-visit spot in Tongyeong.
As the āCity of Musicā, Tongyeong Cityās endless music events, including the international music festival, are worth looking forward to. The Ogwandae mask dance is one of Tongyeong City’s many activities aimed at maintaining the cityās rich cultural footing. As an artistic city, Tongyeongās traditional craft, mother-of-pearl inlay lacquer ware, is another beauty to behold. This artifact, famously termed āNajeonā was considered a treasure in the Joseon era. Tongyeong city is also known for the iconic Camelia Island whose panoramic views include a trail of camellia trees and mountain vistas.
Other worthy places to visit in Tongyeong City include Mireuksan Mountain, Dongpirang Mural Village, and Suryuk Beach. One can view the Tongyeong port and Hallyeo Waterway from the sky using cable cars or enjoy a refreshing sled down the hill with a perfect view of the sea on luges at Skyline Luge Tongyeong.
—-Karen Mwenda
#TongyeongCity #MireuksanMountain #DongpirangMuralVillage #SuryukBeach #HallyeoWaterway #SkylineLugeTongyeong #kcrush #kcrushamerica #traveltoKorea #sightseeing #Koreancities #wanttotraveltokorea #funplacesinkorea #historicalplaces #kcrusharticleonTongyeongCity #Najeon #JoseonEra #TheOgwandaeMaskDance #JeseungdangShrine #expacttravel #kpop #kcrushtravelsuggestion #beautifulplacestotravel #koreaplacestogetmarried #HansadoIsland #historicalplacesinKorea #kcrushtravelarticles #kcrushtopasianamericanentertainmentmagazine #AdmiralYu #TongyeongCityofMusic #SEO #SEOKorea #SEOkcrush #SEOKpop
Premiering at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Brief History of a Family, is first time feature writer and director Jianjie Linās tense, methodically paced, and layered examination of the effects of Chinaās infamous political strategy known as the āOne Child Policyā on a small well-off middle-class family and their mysterious young acquaintance.
Starring newcomer to the screen Lin Muran as Wei a high schooler and aspiring professional fencing athlete who cautiously befriends Sun Xilunās enigmatic Shuo, Brief History of a Family takes a nation-wide government policy and shrinks it down to the micro – literally and figuratively. By focusing on how a family left with no choice but to remain as Father, Mother, and Son Lin ascertains how they could each see the possibilities of becoming more than just three when a new child with a painful past, and troubled present enters their life.
Linās intent with the film isnāt only to critique this once upon a time unique aspect of Chinese culture, but to examine the intricate dynamics of a family where each member has their own expectations of what they want from each other, personally, and even culturally. With the Mum played Guo Keyu, we see a woman who after giving up her job as a Flight Attendant, longs to be needed as a caretaker and finds that with Shuo whose seemingly small gestures like the giving of an orange in appreciation, is seen as a sign that he values the things she does for him.
In the Dad (Zu Feng), thereās the initial impression of a strict taskmaster who only sees his son Wei as an extension of him, and is expected to be the perfect student going on to having the perfect career befitting their status in a bustling upscale Chinese city. But thatās not quite the case as Lin adds layers to both parents by subverting the expected trope of the āTiger Momā, and the emotionally repressed father. Both Zu and Guoās performances are fine tuned to reveal the depth of their characters bit by bit and as methodically performed as the filmās pacing itself.
Of course, thereās the two young leads, Lin and Sun whose performances really ground the film admirably supporting it with their performances that swing wildly from easy but cautious camaraderie during bouts of playing games to intense scuffles and stare downs. Just as with the parents, Lin has carefully crafted two characters that are much more than they appear on the surface.
Like cells under a microscope (a visual theme used throughout the film), the real nature of Wei and Shuo is revealed as the story progresses. You wonder who to trust and believe and question your own preconceived ideas, whether accurate or flawed, of who these boys really are, and are perhaps based on their social status and personalities.
In my interview with Lin Jianjie during Sundance, we discussed these themes presented in the film, how his educational background in the field of Biomechanics, and Chinese culture all came together to create this particular family portrait. We also spoke about the filmās score by composer Toke Brornson Odin, and cinematographer Zhang Jihao created the auditory and visual landscape of the film and are tied to certain aspects of the characters.
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Hereās What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
#BriefHistoryofaFamily #JianjieLinfilmmaker #sundance2024 #kcrushfilminterview #LinJianjie #kcrushvideointerview #TokeBromsonOdincomposer #ZhangJihaocinematographer # ZuFeng #SunXilun #Wei #Shuo #GuoKeyu #SundanceFilmFestival2024 #Chinesefilm #kcrushinterview #kcrushamericamagazine #SEO #onechildrule
Have you ever seen an urban forest? Itās a space of densely compacted greenery right in the middle of a city. Oftentimes, these are planted using the Miyawaki method of forestation. Essentially, this method brings the forest to a small plot of land in an urban setting.
Within the span of 20-30 years, these cultivated plots can grow a forest! That might seem like a long time, but most forests take between 200-300 years to grow. Thatās quite the expedited development!
Hereās how it works: various species of plants are grown directly next to one another. This means that plants only receive sunlight shining down, not sideways, because of how dense the brush is. This causes the plants to grow upwards to face to the sunlight instead of laterally. Itās this that causes the urban forest to become compactā which is exactly what you want in a small plot of land!
The amazing thing about this method is that after 3 or so years, the forest no longer needs maintenance and can care for itself. These incredible urban forests can help mitigate the effects of climate change, help with pollution, and give citizens a beautiful touch of nature in the heart of a bustling concrete jungle!
So, who was the genius who pioneered this movement in botany? Akira Miyawaki was a Japanese botanist who started advocating for the restoration of natural forests as early as the 1970s. He took time to study Japanese forests and noticed that there were many trees introduced to Japan in order to grow timber, but not native to the country. These trees caused changes to the composition of forests, leaving them weak and susceptible to climate change. In order to combat this problem, he sought to create a method of ecological engineering that would help restore native forests. This would strengthen the natural ecosystem and help fight climate change in the process. Miyawaki restored over 1,300 forests in both Japan and the Pacific islands, and taught countless others to take this method to their own regions!
One of the forests that Miyawaki is most famous for is the Tama Forest Science Garden in Tokyo. This forest was made in 1973, and showcases the Miyawaki method perfectly! Its success in displaying a resilient ecosystem in an urban environment went on to inspire similar projects all around the world. The Miyawaki method has made its way to the UK, United States, Europe, and other regions in Asia.
Beyond the practical efforts of forest restoration, Miyawaki was active in education and research efforts. His scientific papers and books on plant ecology and conservation have served readers and researchers for decades. He also conducted workshops on biodiversity, conservation, and forest restoration, teaching individuals how to help their communities.
In 2006, Miyawaki was given the Blue Planet Prize. This is one of the highest awards in environmental science. And he is truly deserving! He pioneered an amazing method in forestry that led to sustainable development in ecological restoration.
This incredible botanist lived to be 93, and his legacy is one that is still benefiting so many lives around the globe! His method of urban forestation not only gives environmental benefits but adds to the well-being of local citizens. Spending time in nature can help reduce stress and improve mental health. And letās not forget the oxygen boost that it gives! Finding nature in the middle of the city can be difficult, but Miyawaki has made it possible! This is not just helping the humans who live near the urban forest, but also the natural wildlife, helping them thrive from an enhanced ecosystem.
As cities continue to boom and climate concerns increase, the Miyawaki method is needed now more than ever! As more and more communities embrace urban gardens they can continue to help their local cities and the world at large.
—-Ellie Boyd
#AkiraMiyawaki #Miyawakimethod #urbangardens #kcrush #improvementalhealth #wellbeing #forestation #environmentalbenefits #naturalwildlife #enhancedecosystem #oxygenboost #urbanforestation #BluePlanetPrize #plantecologyandconservation #TamaForestScienceGardeninTokyo #Japanesebotanist #restorationofnaturalforest #Miyawakirestoredover1300forests
Download and Streaming links
https://lilleague.lnk.to/Lollipop
Music Video
Japanese dance/vocal/rap group LIL LEAGUE have released their new single ‘Lollipop’,
the lead track from their upcoming first full-length album ‘TRICKSTER’, along with a music video.
The song title hints at something sweet, but the theme of the lyrics is the contrast between “the surface and what lies beneath”, or the light side and the dark. We all yearn for a world that is sweet and glamourous, but beneath the surface lie bitter and painful experiences. Ā Artists who live public lives in the bright spotlight may be plunged into darkness for saying or doing the wrong thing.
The track borrows its melody from 19th-century composer Edvard Grieg’s timeless ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’. Ā This classic piece was first composed to soundtrack a scene in the stage play ‘Peer Gynt’, in which the protagonist is pursued by the troll Mountain King’s minions. Ā As ‘Lollipop’ explores themes of light and dark, Grieg’s melody creates a thrilling, mysterious atmosphere.
Making use of tricks like sound effects and a sudden rhythm change in its outro, the song has a playful sound that is typical of LIL LEAGUE.
The music video echoes the themes of the lyrics by contrasting scenes of the group members in the glittering spotlight with darker footage of them as puppets on a string.
Going back and forth between these seen and unseen worlds, LIL LEAGUE express themselves as artists, not puppets, who have their own creativity and vision.
The video was filmed on location in Taiwan at Lihpao Resort as well as at Shitou Park, an abandoned theme park that is now used as a filming location. Ā Look out for the group’s high-speed performance in front of the brightly lit Ferris wheel and giant candy statue in this otherwise desolate, eerie amusement park. Ā It’s a video that perfectly intercuts footage from one resort that is lively and thriving, and one that is deserted.
LIL LEAGUE made their debut in January last year and won the Best New Artist Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards, while their debut single ‘Hunter’ ranked No.1 on the Oricon Chart and No.2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart. Ā LIL LEAGUE were also selected by respondents in the Next Trend Prediction poll for the second half of 2023, based on the choices of 120,000 Generation Z voters. Ā The results of the poll can be seen here (in Japanese): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000090.000020799.html
After a whirlwind debut year that included holding a headline hall tour of Japan just six months after their debut, LIL LEAGUE are moving into a new phase ā and anticipation for their upcoming first full-length album is reaching fever pitch.
ā LIL LEAGUE MEMBERS
Sena Iwaki (19)
Tatsuhiro Nakamura (19)
Kodai Yamada (18)
Matora Okao (15)
Haima Momoda (15)
Sora Nanba (15)
ā RELEASE INFORMATION
‘Lollipop’ released February 5, 2024
Download and Streaming links
https://lilleague.lnk.to/Lollipop
Music Video
‘TRICKSTER’
First album releasing February 28, 2024
List of formats (10 formats in total)
ā¼ General distribution editions
ā Limited edition first pressing CD: RZCD-77898; 3,500 yen (including tax)
ā” Live version CD + Blu-ray: RZCD-77899/B; 7,700 yen (including tax)
ā¢ Music video version CD + Blu-ray: RZCD-77900/B; 5,500 yen (including tax)
ā£ CD only: RZCD-77901; 2,500 yen (including tax)
ā CD purchase links ā
https://lilleague.lnk.to/0228_1stAL
Tracklist:
Visit the link below for full details (Japanese):
https://lilleague.jp/news/detail.php?id=1112972
ā LIL LEAGUE official links:
#LILLEAGUE #LILLEAGUEAlbumRelease #kcrush #kcrushnews #SenaIwaki #TatsuhiroNakamura #KodaiYamada #MatoraOkao #HaimaMomoda #SoraNanba #JapaneseBoyGroup #boyband #newsingle #Lollipop #Trickster #BestNewArtistAwardatthe65thJapanRecordAwards #kcrushamericamagazine #SEO #vocalgroup #dancegroup #rapgroup #JPop #J_POP #youngidolgroup #LILLEAGUEAlbumReleaseAnnouncement #newmusicannouncement #groupfromJapan #newalbumFebruary282024 #kcrushinterviewwithLILLEAGUEcomingsoon #kcrushpressrelease #generationZvoters #EdvardGriegstimelessIntheHalloftheMountainKing
Studio Ghibli films have captured viewers for decades. They have such a beauty to them, and the stories are charming, touching, and peaceful. The stunning imagery can be traced back to Kawase Hasui. A Japanese artist born in 1883, he made incredible contributions to his countryās art scene, influencing not just the craft of his day but inspiring future generations. His work helped inspire the creation of Studio Ghibliās timeless animation.
Kawase Hasuiās artistry took off during the early 1900s. He joined the Shin-Hanga movement, which means ānew printsā. This group wanted to bring Japanese woodblock painting techniques into the modern world by combining them with modern Western painting elements. Kawaseās printed art was full of delightful imagery and craftsmanship, causing him to grow in popularity and become a key figure in this art movement.
And itās no wonder! A quick look at his tranquil artwork will tell you why he is a legend. He so beautifully captures scenes of Japan. From strolling through ancient streets, standing on a mountaintop, or observing Tokyo in the raināviewers are transported through his mesmerizing landscape. His choice of colors, from cherry blossom pinks to floral greens are delightful to the eye. Most of his work focused on townscapes or landscapes, which often were crafted via sketching and watercolors. He knew how to survey the various scenes found in Japan and relay them to his audience.
And wow, did he have a profound grasp on how to depict nature! There is such a stillness that comes across in his artāfrom the serenity of a pond to the vastness of the mountains, he captured Japanās scenery in an enduring fashion. But not just the grand monumentsāunlike most Japanese landscape artists at the time, Kawase didnāt just focus on painting famous places. He depicted ordinary locations, like anonymous fields, rural streets, and unknown forests. The fact that he could portray both iconic locations and everyday scenes shows the breadth of his talent. Itās no wonder that Kawaseās beautiful artwork inspired Studio Ghibli!
The founders of Studio Ghibli turned it into a factory for immersive animated worlds, with rich details and vibrant landscapes. Miyazaki cites Kawaseās work as having a substantial influence on his artistry. And once youāre familiar with Kawaseās work, itās easy to see the influence on Studio Ghibli! Both sets of craftsmanship draw on a sense of wonder and capture the essence of the natural landscape, as well as the beauty in the ordinary.
Films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro echo back to Kawaseās breathtaking artistry. Itās such a treat to have these landscapes in moving pictures through animation. The attention to detail, vibrancy of color, and realistic settings all pay homage to the timeless aesthetic that Kawase pioneered.
A year before his death, Kawase was honored by the Japanese Government which designated him as a living national treasure. His remarkable legacy lives on, not only in Studio Ghibli but influencing anime and manga as well. New generations of artists study him and continue to fill the world with peaceful art. In a world of uncertainty, Kawaseās scenes are grounding and display the beauty found all around us.
In the Japanese animation world, few stand as tall as Kawase Hasui. His ability to capture Japan, from big scenes to small, and infuse the landscape with a sense of tranquility and wonder is what leaves such an indelible mark on animators all over the globe. Through Studio Ghibli, people are discovering this amazing artist who paved the way for some of their favorite animated films. As viewers lose themselves in the world of Howlās Moving Castle and Ponyo, they can thank Kawase whose spirit lives in the landscapes of these immersive film experiences.
—-Ellie BoydĀ
#KawaseHasui #StudioGhibli #kcrush #Japaneseanimation #Ponyo #HowlsMovingCastle #SpiritedAway #MyNeighborTotoro #Miyazakicites #Tokyo #kcrushamerica #KawaseinspiredStudioGhibli #SEO #animation #peacefulart #kcrushtopasianamericanentertainmentmagazine #newprints #ShinHangamovement #kcrushnews #Japanesewoodblockpainting #traditionaljapaneseart #woodblockpainting
The Fort Worth, Texas Concert was extremely hyped for Odd Eye Circle! They performed some of their old songs by the “sub-unit ofĀ ARTMS,” then their solo songs plus their newer songs, along with cover songs that each of them performed amazingly by the way. This is their second time to Texas, their first time was in Dallas, so this is their first time in Fort Worth. The girls’ fans; Loonatics were really excited to see them again, shouting their names and saying āI love you,ā but also jamming out to their music and performance. Plus, it was cute to see a mixture of their āoldā lightstick from Loona and their new lightstick. The girls even seemed like they were having fun and enjoying themselves on stage.
Alright, time to talk about the venue, Will Rogers Auditorium is a really cool place. I have never been there so it was cool to see what the inside looks like. It reminded me of an old opera house and that’s what made the venue great because wherever you were seated you could still see Odd Eye Circle clearly and get good pictures too. The workers were very sweet and nice, they even did a great job making sure everyone was comfortable while watching the girls perform and the security did a great job too on making sure that no one got really too close to the stage while the girls were performing. The whole vibe was great in my opinion, but anyway let’s talk about Cheorry, Kim Lip and Jinsoul’s amazing performance on stage.
Kim Lip started it off by performing āEclipseā which was really great and a bop. The fans were really enjoying it and her outfit was really cute. The outfit made me want to recreate it one day, and her singing voice was amazing. The second person to come on stage after her was Jinsoul, who performed āSinging in the Rainā which, not going to lie, is one of my favorite songs and itās so cool to hear it live. She did an amazing job, the dancing was really good plus the tech team did a great job on the sequence of lights for that song. The last one to perform her solo song was Cheorry, she performed āLove Cherry Motionā. The Dance break for this song was amazing and again the lighting from when she was singing softly was light pink, but when she was about to switch over to the dance break the lighting changes to violet. It is interesting and neat to see the use of lighting to shift the tone. Also, I like how some part of the song sounded Egyptian too.
Now onto their Duet Performances, the first two girls were Jinsoul and Kim Lip. They performed āLove Letterā, their vocals were really amazing together and the fans were really enjoying it themselves, bopping the lightsticks back and forth. The second duet was Jinsoul and Cheorry, they performed āPuzzle.ā This one had a really cute dance performance and their outfits were really nice as well, their fans were enjoying seeing the dance moves and cheering them on.
The next thing to talk about is their fun videos in between breaks for the girls to switch outfits and take a little break. The first video was them playing charades, and they were great at playing charades like I would want one of them to be on my team. Some of the charade questions that they had to act out were tough, but they all did a great job at performing them and guessing them correctly without the crewās help, well except for one, which was the āHowlās Moving Castleā one. Cheorry had to act it and it was difficult for her, but she told Kim Lip that it was her favorite movie and she guessed right away and got it right. Itās awesome to see a Studio Ghibli fan. The second video is them in the dance studio practicing their dances for their tour and it was cute to see the process of them practicing, how hard they practice while still having fun too. The final video was them telling their fans to scream loud as they can to get them to come back out for their encore, which the fans put their heart and soul into it.
The next thing to talk about is their cover songs performance, which they all did wonderfully. Ā Jinsoul was the first to do her performance on āKill Billā and she killed it. The rapping part she did was awesome and the background effects with the blood splatter was a good choice to go with. Kim Lip was second, her performance was āWaterā. Her dance moves were awesome and her singing was great. The dance break she did was great along with the backup dancers doing an amazing performance as well. The last one to perform was Cheorry, she did āDonāt Start Now.ā It was easy for her to get the crowd singing along with her while they were swaying to the music and the awesome backup dancers were back again.
Their Q&A was cute and funny because while they were chanting about their first time in Fort Worth to them thinking about wearing their cowgirl hats, they were surprised to see cows moving about. They even thanked their fans because their new album from last year was number one on the charts on iTunes, which is really awesome for them. But what makes it funny is that while they were talking about all these things their fans would erupt into shouts saying how much they loved them and how cute they are so they would be bashful and reply back saying thank you or love you too. It was a cute sight to see. Oh and Jinsoul also mentioned that it was hard for her to pick which cover song to do because she also wanted to sing āCall Meā but chose to perform āKill Billā. They also mentioned that they let the fans pick what songs they wanted them to perform throughout the tour, so that was cool to know that the fans were the ones who helped pick out the songs for the setlist.
This is a side note, but all their outfit changes kept getting more cute and even more cute each time. Even their backup dancers kept getting more and more cute outfit changes as well.
Now to finish it off, their Encore songs were amazing and I loved what they did on their very, very last song for their fans. The first song was āMy Secret Playlistā, it was a jumping up and down type of song, which had the crowd moving their lightsticks back and forth. The second song, āGirl Front,ā the dance break for this one was awesome! Love the rapping part and the beat drop was well done. The last song they performed to finally end the concert was āHi High.ā Ā This song had everyone singing the chorus and when the fans moved to give the girls their phones to take selfies and headbands for them to wear while they were performing this song. It was very cute and wholesome to see the three girls interacting with their fans that way because I donāt see that as often on the groups actually grabbing phones and taking pictures while they sing their last song. It was even neat to see that the girls returned the headbands after their song was over to the fans.
I really enjoyed the concert and canāt wait for them to come back again. I know their fans canāt wait for them to come back to Texas again and perform their newest hit songs from their new album(s). It will be fun and awesome. I am happy that I got to see them perform on stage and I am happy that I got to write an article about them.
Also, a heads-up, ARTMS will be releasing a complete album in the first half of this year, so please be looking forward to it.
Thank you ODD EYE CIRCLE for coming to Texas.
[All photos are property of KCrush]
Article by: Breya
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#ODDEYECIRCLE #ODDEYECIRCLEDallasConcert #TexasConcert #kcrush #ARTMS #MySecretPlaylistODDEYECIRCLE #kpopidol #kcrushamerica #WillRodgerAuditorium #CheorryODDEYECIRCLE #KimLip #Jinsoul #Loonatics #charadegame #SEO #StudioGhibliFans #kcrushcoverage #kcrushconcertcoverage #GirlFront #nolongerLoona #ODDEYECIRCLEVolumUpConcert
Thank you BMO Stadium and KRAZY Super Concert for your safety and comfort concern for all.
#KRAZYSuperConcertPostponement #BMOStadiumKRAZYConcertpostponement #kcrushnews ##safetyconcernrain #SouthernCaliforniaregionrains #newdate #newdateannouncedsoon #checksocialmediachannels #kcrushamerica #KRAZYSuperConcertNoLongerFebruary9and10 #postponement #KRAZYSuperConcertnews
Japanese idol group Cho Tokimekiā”Sendenbu released their new album ‘Tokimeku Koi to Seishun’ on January 24. This was followed by two hugely successful solo performances at Yokohama Arena on January 27 and 28, the group’s biggest concerts to date. Ā The music video for ‘hapilablue!’ is also out now; the video is packed full of happiness, love and youth, the three themes of the song.
The music video expresses these themes through its must-watch dance choreography, switching between three different costume changes and sets, before reaching the final climax where the members of Cho Tokimekiā”Sendenbu dance surrounded by floating bubbles and flying paper planes. Ā There are over 2,000 of these paper planes flying around the set, and if you look closely, you will notice that the paper planes are shaped like adorable hearts. Ā Right down to the tiniest details, this is a music video crammed with cuteness.
ā· Download and streaming links: https://cho-toki-sen.lnk.to/tokimekukoitoseishun_st
ā· Music video: https://youtu.be/LjJNLn1s-tE
About Cho Tokimekiā”Sendenbu
Locking on to your heart! Cho Tokimekiā”Sendenbu is a six-member idol unit starring Stardust Promotion members Kanami Tsujino, Julia Ann, Hitoka Sakai, Haruka Koizumi, Aki Suda and Hiyori Yoshikawa, who take the concept of “burning love and fresh youth” to the world. Ā Their song ‘Suki! ~Cho ver~’ has topped the charts on TikTok and streaming platforms not only in Japan but around the world ā”
Official website: https://toki-sen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tokisen.official/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokisen_sd/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sendenbu_staff
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TOKISEN
#ChoTokimekiSendenbu #Japaneseidolgroup #StardustPromotion #KanamiTsujino #JuliaAnn #HitokaSakai #kcrush #HarukaKoizumi #AkiSuda #kcrushnews #HiyoriYoshikawa #SukiChover #ChoTokimekiSendenbuTikTok #Tokisen #hapilablue! #Japanese #paperplanesflying #SEO #Japanesesubunit #YokohamaArena #sixmemberidolunit #upbeat #happy #newsong #newalbum #TokimekuKoitoSeishun #newjapanesealbum #kcrushamericamagazine #k-crush
2023 brought us another great K-Pop year, with artists like Fifty Fifty and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo going viral with their respective hits “Cupid” and “Flower,” BTS’ Agust D (Suga), V, and Jungkook proving themselves viable soloists, and SHINee, Sunmi, and BTOB showing that they can still hang with the new group of young guns. This past year was one for the ages as K-Pop fans from various generations had something to be excited about as 2023 sped by.Ā
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The excitement from different K-Pop fandoms radiated in our seventh annualĀ Kcrush America K-Pop Music Awards.Ā This year, voters from Australia, North America, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Italy let their fingers do the talking, voting their favorites to the top of the polls.Ā
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This year, there were clear runaway favorites in several categories, including “Best Male Solo,” “Best New Female Artist,” “Best Collaboration,” and “Best Hip-Hop, Rap, R&B, & Electronic,” with the latter category’s winner being established in the first week of voting and winning by the most significant margin in the history of our awards! Of course, there were also several close races, especially in the “Best Drama” category, which crowned a winner on the final voting day. Who do you think won our latest awards? Take a peek!
Did any winners surprise you? Let us know in the comments!Ā
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Check out our Spotify playlist featuring your top three in each category!Ā
#KCrushAmericaKPopAwards2023 #2023KCrushAmericaKPopAwards #bestdrama #bestmalesolo #bestnewfemaleartist #bestcollaboration #besthiphopraprnbelectronic #randb #musicawards #kcrushamerica #kcrush #readerschoice #musicpoll #peoplevoting #topbestkdrama #hiphopmusicawards #electronicmusicawards #kcrushbestnewfemaleartistaward #kpopidol #asianmusicawards #koreanmusic #kcrushmusicawardwinners #kcrushspotifyplaylist #kcrushplaylist #bestconcert2023 #songoftheyearaward #albumoftheyear #mailegroupoftheyear2023 #readerschoiceawards #SEO #kcrushSEOcontent #whoarethewinners #AugustD #Suga #BTS #FiftyFifty #Jinsoo #BTOB #BlackPink #Sunmi #BTOB #NewJeans #Kai #DPRIan #Jessie #SHINee #Alexa #XG #TheRose