Articles by Hong Yoo
Hong Yoo
yoohong@heraldcorp.com-
Suga of BTS undergoes first questioning on drunk driving
Suga of BTS showed up for his first round of questioning at Yongsan Police Station in Seoul around 7:45 p.m. Friday in connection with allegations he was drunk while riding an electric scooter. “I am deeply sorry. I sincerely regret disappointing my fans and the public. I will cooperate with the investigation. Once again, I apologize,” said Suga once getting out of his car with a serious expression and bowing in front of reporters at the scene. When questioned by reporters about why
K-pop Aug. 23, 2024
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Military Manpower to inspect BTS’ Suga military service onsite
The Military Manpower Administration is set to conduct an on-site inspection to check whether BTS’ Suga is faithfully performing his military service as a social service worker. Suga of the world-renowned K-pop boy group BTS is also currently being investigated by the police for driving an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol. On Aug. 6, Suga was caught by the police drunk driving an electric scooter in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gut, Seoul. In Korea, electric scooters are classified
K-pop Aug. 23, 2024
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NCT Dream releases first English single ‘Rain in Heaven’
K-pop boy group NCT Dream released its first English single “Rain in Heaven” on Friday. “Rain in Heaven” is an '80s-style pop song blended with drum n' bass sounds. Mark of NCT Dream took part in writing the lyrics to the single to convey a warm message of comfort and promise to stand by those who are tired and struggling, offering a sense of solace to global listeners. For Mark, English is his mother tongue as he was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. The musi
K-pop Aug. 23, 2024
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Famous child model Ella to debut as member of The Black Label's first girl group
The Black Label announced Thursday that Ella Gross, a child model-turned-K-pop trainee, will debut as a member of its first girl group MEOVV to be launched in September. The agency dropped an introduction clip of the member, who goes by Ella, on its official YouTube channel Wednesday. The two-minute clip highlights Ella’s authentic looks and the chic mood radiating from her. The clip includes a quote from Ella, “I remember nothing but the destination I was heading to. Which is why I
K-pop Aug. 22, 2024
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We Are The Night’s 'Tiramisu Cake' tops TikTok's Song of the Summer in Korea
Indie band We Are The Night’s single “Tiramisu Cake” has topped TikTok’s Song of the Summer in Korea list. TikTok unveiled on Wednesday its Song of the Summer in Korea list consisting of the top 10 most-used local songs in its short-form content. "Tiramisu Cake” is a song released in 2015 that went viral this summer through more than 1 million TikTok clips using the song for dance challenges. The single was followed by Bumkey’s “Attraction (feat. Dy
K-pop Aug. 21, 2024
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[Exclusive] Fifty Fifty signs with Sony Music's Arista Records to tap into US market
K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty has signed a partnership with Arista Records, an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Together with Arista Records, Fifty Fifty is set to promote its upcoming second mini album globally. “Fifty Fifty joined hands with Sony Music’s Arista Records to distribute the group’s new album in North America. The goal is to land Fifty Fifty’s latest song on Billboard’s Hot 100," an industry insider told The Korea Herald. &q
K-pop Aug. 21, 2024
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[단독] 피프티 피프티, 美 대형 음반사 손잡고 북미 시장 진출
케이팝 걸그룹 피프티 피프티 (Fifty Fifty)가 소니 뮤직 엔터테인먼트 소속의 미국 레코드 레이블 아리스타 레코드 (Arista Records)와 파트너십을 체결했다. 21일 본지 취재를 종합하면, 피프티 피프티는 아리스타 레코드와 함께 곧 발매될 두 번째 미니 앨범을 북미 시장에 홍보 할 계획이다. 소속사 어트랙트 관계자는 “피프티 피프티의 새 앨범을 북미에서 유통하기 위해 소니 뮤직의 아리스타 레코드와 손을 잡았다” 라며 “목표는 피프티 피프티의 최신 곡을 빌보드 핫 100 차트에 올리는 것” 라고 설명했다. 그는 “이번 앨범에 대해 자신감이 있는 이유는 이전의 피프티 피프티의 성공 전과는 다르게 몇 천 곡의 좋은 품질의 곡들 중에서 선택할 수 있었기 때문이다”라고 덧붙였다. 앨범과 음악 비디오를 포함한 홍보 콘텐츠는 약 6주 전에 소니 뮤직 엔터테인먼트에 공유 되었다고 전했다. 아리스타 레코드는 피프티 피프
한국어판 Aug. 21, 2024
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[Herald Interview] Finding inspiration in school life
Eleven-year-old singer and content creator Seo Eve rapidly rose to stardom with her debut digital single “Malatanghulu” released in April which went viral on Instagram and TikTok. Seo proved she had the talent to be a singer by writing the lyrics to her songs and choreographing her dance, belying her age. “I wrote the lyrics based on my school life. ‘Malatanghulu’ is about asking someone I like to take me out on a hot pot date as hot pot is one of the most popular f
K-pop Aug. 20, 2024
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Brutal competition ahead for 1st-generation Fifty Fifty members
The original four members of the K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty are set to compete with one another as Keena returns with new members as the second generation of Fifty Fifty in the second half of this year and the three former members -- Saena, Aran and Sio -- debut as a trio under a new agency. Saena, Aran and Sio recently signed an exclusive contract with Massive E&C, a label under IOK Company. IOK Company is an agency that represents actors such as Go Hyun-jung, Zo In-sung and Shin Hye-sun.
K-pop Aug. 19, 2024
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[Well-curated] Theme your summer
If you have some time to spare before (or after) shopping at the popular shopping complex HDC IPark Mall in Yongsan, central Seoul, head over to “The Great Era of Piracy," a special exhibition on "One Piece," a mega-hit Japanese animation series on air since 1999, on the mall's sixth floor. In Seoul, the exhibition which previously toured Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia, presents Korean anime fans with opportunities to enjoy the beloved series via limited edition merc
Culture Aug. 16, 2024
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Sony Music Korea, Japan to launch K-pop boy band KJRGL
Sony Music Korea and Sony Music Japan are preparing to launch a new K-pop boy band in September. The name of the group is KJRGL, which stands for “Kind (of) Just Right Good Luck,” according to Sony Music Japan. KJRGL consists of three Korean members and three Japanese members who have participated in TV K-pop contests and have spent several years as K-pop trainees. Kouki, one of the three Japanese members, was on the second season of “Produce 101 Japan.” Akira, another Ja
K-pop Aug. 13, 2024
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[Herald Interview] Kard returns with easy-listening summer song
Coed K-pop quartet Kard releases its seventh EP, “Where to Now? (Part 1: Yellow Light)," Tuesday evening, the group's first album in 15 months. Known for its reggae music and powerful performance, Kard is presenting an easy-listening song for the first time on the new album. “New attempts were made in this album hoping that it will satisfy the public's listening needs. We've worked with songs with strong characteristics that many listeners could have found hard to
K-pop Aug. 13, 2024
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Day6 to set off on 3rd world tour next month
K-pop band Day6 is embarking on its third world tour next month. According to JYP Entertainment, Day6 will kick off its third world tour “Forever Young” with a three-day concert at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, Sept. 20-22. Day6 is set to take its show to Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 5, Bali on Oct. 13, Surabaya, Indonesia on Oct. 16, Jakarta on Oct. 19, Singapore on Nov. 22, and Bangkok on Nov. 30. The tour continues into next year with concerts in Hong Kong on Jan. 26, Osaka on Feb. 12-13,
K-pop Aug. 12, 2024
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New members of Fifty Fifty unveiled
The four new members joining Keena to form the second generation of the K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty have been unveiled. On Friday, Fifty Fifty dropped a clip on YouTube introducing its new members — Yewon, Chanelle, Hana and one whose name has not been revealed. Yewon is a 19-year-old born in Korea who took part in the JTBC idol survival program “R U Next?” that launched the girl group Illit and was organized by Hybe subsidiary Belift Lab. Yewon was formerly a trainee at Sourc
K-pop Aug. 9, 2024
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Hybe Chairman Bang spotted in LA with livestreamer Seyeon
Chairman of powerhouse K-pop company Hybe Bang Si-hyuk was spotted crossing the street with renowned livestreamer Seyeon and her older sister in Los Angeles. A YouTube video showing a street in Beverly Hills sometime in July captured Bang with Seyeon and her sister crossing at a crosswalk. As the clip went viral online drawing speculations, Hybe told local reporters that “Chairman Bang had met with Seyeon’s older sister in the past in a gathering with his acquaintances during which s
K-pop Aug. 9, 2024