BTS' agency inks partnership with US streaming firm Kiswe

Big Hit Entertainment, the management company of K-pop super stars BTS, said Tuesday it has inked a deal with US streaming service provider Kiswe Mobile to cooperate in areas of real-time online concerts. Big Hit said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the American video technology startup on Monday. The deal was signed between Big Hit Global CEO Lenzo Yoon, and Kiwse Chairman Jeong Kim and Mike Schabel, Kiswe's CEO and president. Kiswe was co-founded by Kim, former president of Be

K-popJune 9, 2020

Daechwita: When traditional music meets K-pop

Suga’s solo track “Daechwita” under the alias Agust D in late May begins with a powerful burst from a taepyeongso -- a Korean wind instrument -- as the BTS member sits up from a throne in a period thriller-themed video reminiscent of Netflix’s zombie series Kingdom. “I sampled ‘Daechiwta,’ which is the music played for when a king was on the move,” the rapper said on the group’s YouTube channel. In a swirling pre-chorus, he sings, “Wh

K-popJune 8, 2020

[Herald Interview] Natty makes miraculous debut after six years

Natty is a super rookie in the K-pop world who debuted only a month ago with the single “Nineteen.” Among fans of the genre, however, her name is not unfamiliar. Having been an idol trainee for six years, Natty was a contestant on a JYP Entertainment and Mnet girl group competition in 2015 called “Sixteen” that created Twice. She was also on Mnet’s “Idol School” in 2017. While not able to make the final cut in the groups then, causing her to doubt he

K-popJune 8, 2020

20 songs from BTS Suga’s mixtapes

1. Moonlight Suga chronicles his music career from working in a small music studio located in his hometown of Daegu, releasing his first mixtape album to yielding success as BTS in the self-reflective track. The only thing that hasn’t changed throughout the roller coaster of years is the bright moonlight up in the sky. 2. Daechwita Incorporating Korean military traditional instruments and hip-hop sounds, this swaggering song identifies the rapper as a domineering king who comes fr

K-popJune 8, 2020

Despite success, BTS members say they are no different from ordinary youths

K-pop giants BTS is unquestionably one of the biggest stars in today's global entertainment, with international sell-out concerts and multiple chart-smashing records under its belt. But at heart, the seven members, all in their 20s, say they share more commonalities with an ordinary 20-something trying to get a grasp on life than meets the eye. "To be really, really frank, we still feel very unsure and unsettled as we speak. Just like that day we left the school gates for the last time on

K-popJune 8, 2020

BTS, Big Hit donate $1m to Black Lives Matter movement

K-pop superstars BTS and their label-management agency Big Hit Entertainment have donated $1 million to the cause of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the United States, according to a company representative Sunday. "It is true that a donation of $1 million was made in the name of BTS and Big Hit towards the Black Lives Matter cause," a representative at Big Hit told Yonhap News Agency. American entertainment publication Variety first reported Saturday (local time) that the K

K-popJune 7, 2020

BTS' Jungkook releases new solo track 'Still with You'

Jungkook, a member of K-pop superstar BTS, released a new solo song titled "Still with You" on Friday. The song was uploaded on the music sharing service Soundcloud and BTS' official blog and Twitter for free download. The BTS singer produced the song along with Big Hit Entertainment's producer Pdogg, according to BTS' Twitter. Starting with the sound of rain, "Sill with You" is a ballad about never-ending love, smoothed by a jazzy melody and Jungkook's silvery voice. Th

K-popJune 5, 2020

BTS expresses support for Black Lives Matter movement

K-pop superstars BTS on Thursday expressed support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the United States, joining the worldwide initiative in the music industry to protest against racism and violence. "We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together," the boy band wrote on its official Twitter account, with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. The group's agency, Bit Hit Entertainment, said the

K-popJune 4, 2020

'Boy With Luv' by BTS gets over 800m YouTube views

The music video of K-pop band BTS' "Boy With Luv" racked in over 800 million on YouTube, according to the band's agency Thursday. The video for the main track on the album "Map of the Soul: Persona," released in April 2019, achieved the feat earlier Thursday, Big Hit Entertainment said. Featuring US pop singer Halsey, the colorful music video pays homage to the iconic 1952 American musical film "Singin' in the Rain," highlighted by a mass cadence dance near the e

K-popJune 4, 2020

BTS' agency Big Hit opens online global audition

Big Hit Entertainment, the record label and management agency of K-pop giants BTS, has opened an online global audition program for 2020, the company said Tuesday. Big Hit announced on its official website and social media accounts that it started receiving online applications on Monday for the 2020 Big Hit Global Audition aimed at creating a new boy band that will hopefully achieve the global fame of BTS. The company will receive applications until July 10, with the deadline for the United S

K-popJune 2, 2020

Twice sings deep longing for love in ‘More & More’

Set to continue a winning streak, Twice returned with the new single “More & More” on Monday. Released as the lead track of the group’s new album of the same title, “More & More” talks about the longing a person in love goes through. Like most of Twice’s romantic songs, the nine bandmates in the popular K-pop girl group show a bold attitude in winning the heart of their love interests. “You are gonna be mine again/Cause you know me know me/You&

K-popJune 1, 2020

Donations, hashtags and fancams: K-pop world reacts to George Floyd protests

As protests continue following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died at the hands of police in the US, multiple K-pop stars and fandoms have joined in solidarity to speak up against police brutality. In a tweet on Sunday, Mark Tuan from GOT7 told his followers to stay strong and safe as he announced his donation of $7,000 to George Floyd Memorial Fund. Jae from rock band DAY6 donated to Minnesota Freedom Fund as he linked a page that shows ways to help the Black Lives Matter movemen

K-popJune 1, 2020

Online KCON to star 32 acts, including Mamamoo, ITZY

Girl groups Mamamoo and ITZY and solo male artist Kang Daniel were included in the lineup for the online edition of KCON, an annual K-pop and Korean culture festival scheduled to be held later this month, its organizer announced Monday. A total of 32 artists were confirmed to appear on KCON:TACT 2020 Summer, which will be streamed on YouTube from June 20-26 through the channel "M-net K-POP," according to South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM. Some of the top-billed K-pop acts incl

K-popJune 1, 2020

Sampling blunder by BTS member serves as cautionary tale for K-pop act going forward

A recent audio sampling controversy surrounding BTS member Suga's new album shows that even global K-pop superstars are not bulletproof from potential public relations debacles. It highlights the inevitable risks associated with celebrities trying to step up their game on the international stage amid heightened calls for political correctness. On Sunday evening, Big Hit Entertainment issued an apology over the use of an audio clip of American cult leader Jim Jones, associated with the infamo

K-popJune 1, 2020

BTS' 'DNA' music video tops 1b YouTube views

The music video of BTS' 2017 hit song "DNA" topped 1 billion YouTube views on Monday, becoming the band's first music video to surpass that milestone. "DNA," the lead track of BTS' 2017 album "Love Yourself: Her," achieved the feat early Monday morning, according to the band's label-management agency Big Hit Entertainment. Released in September 2017, the song stayed on Billboard's Hot 100 chart for four consecutive weeks, and in February the following year, it

K-popJune 1, 2020

Lady Gaga song featuring K-pop act BLACKPINK tops 57 iTunes charts

"Sour Candy," American pop singer Lady Gaga's latest song featuring K-pop quartet BLACKPINK, reached the No. 1 spot on more than 50 Apple iTunes charts, according to the group's management agency Friday. The song, part of Lady Gaga's new album "Chromatica," climbed to the top of the iTunes Song charts in 57 regions, YG Entertainment said. The song was put out Thursday, a day ahead of the release of "Chromatica." "Sour Candy" also rose to the top spot o

K-popMay 29, 2020

Genie Music to supply K-pop to China’s Tencent Music

Genie Music, the music streaming platform owned by Korean telecom giant KT, said Wednesday it has recently signed a deal with Tencent Music to supply K-pop for streaming services in the Chinese market. Genie has distributed K-pop in over 50 countries through diverse global platforms, including Apple Music, Google Music and Spotify. The latest deal paves the way for it to enter the soaring Chinese music streaming market. “Investors have responded optimistically, and our stocks reached

K-popMay 28, 2020

From Bruce Lee to martial art, NCT’s ‘Kick It’ co-composer explains creative process

As much as NCT 127 is known as a multi-genre master, the act’s recent single “Kick It” is perhaps the best encapsulation of its dynamic, bravado nature. Released on the band’s previous “Neo Zone” album in March, the boisterous song, tightly packed with shouted vocals, bass-heavy beats and airtight production, is heavily themed on “Bruce Lee” and martial art concept. Read as “Hero” in its Korean title, “Kick It” so explicit

K-popMay 27, 2020

Monsta X’s new album ‘Fantasia X’ is a world of emotions

Monsta X released their new EP “Fantasia X” on Tuesday. The record featuring seven tracks comes seven months after their seventh EP “Follow: Find You,” with all the bandmates taking part in its making. Speaking to the press during a livestreamed press showcase, Kihyun said Fantasia is a “liberating” and “energetic” track that speaks to the signature Monsta X sound. The high energy track featuring ethnic melodies and dynamic synths competed with

K-popMay 26, 2020

Big Hit acquires Pledis in push for expansion

Big Hit Entertainment has become the biggest shareholder of its smaller rival Pledis Entertainment, the company said Monday. The acquisition is the latest in a series of moves to expand Big Hit’s presence in the burgeoning K-pop industry. Last year alone, the firm acquired Source Music, the music label for girl band GFriend, and game music company Superb. With the addition of Pledis, the firm now boasts an extensive roster of artists under its roof in a multi-label system, bringing som

K-popMay 25, 2020