SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — The sensational global ascent of K-pop band BTS has brought to the fore the emergence of a new breed of globally connected, dedicated fans as represented by ARMY, the group’s fandom. Powered by the connectivity of the internet and social network services, ARMY engages in organized transnational operations to [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — Genie Music, the music streaming subsidiary of telecommunications giant KT Corp., launched a new entertainment service that combines the 5G-powered virtual reality technology with K-pop on Tuesday. Announcing the launch of the new service, Virtual Play (VP), Genie Music began Tuesday presales of the first VP product featuring soaring [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — Pop music industry insiders on Monday called for greater transparency in compiling online music charts amid a heated controversy over chart fixing that is currently rocking the South Korean music scene. The chart-fixing controversy that has long nagged pop music was rekindled last month after Park Kyung, a member [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — K-pop sensation BTS picked up nine prizes at this year’s Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in the Japanese city of Nagoya on Wednesday, monopolizing the biggest Asian music awards event. The septet took home the top three prizes at the 2019 MAMA — Album of the Year, Artist of [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — K-pop star Kang Daniel put his music and entertainment career on hold due to depression and a panic disorder, his management agency said Wednesday. The 23-year-old solo artist and former member of disbanded boy group Wanna One will have a hiatus from show business after being diagnosed with the [...]
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – K-pop singer Goo Ha-ra, who was bombarded with malicious comments online and suffered from depression, was found dead at home Sunday in a suspected suicide. As such sad news spread following fellow K-pop star Sulli’s death last month, calls are growing for the government to supplement the system of punishment for [...]
SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — The upcoming 2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) are taking another heavy blow as an ongoing police probe over the music channel’s idol survival shows is eating into its lineup. Earlier this week, police took into custody the director and chief producer of Mnet’s high-profile audition show, “Produce 101,” [...]
PARIS, Nov. 20 (Korea Bizwire) — Globally acclaimed superstars BTS and other high-flying K-pop stars will not be exempted from mandatory military service under the government’s new guidelines on conscription waivers, the culture minister has said. Since early this year, a government task force has been working to revamp the guidelines to raise fairness in [...]
SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s major entertainment agencies are expected to see improved earnings next year on growing album sales and global activities of their idol groups, analysts said Tuesday. SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment, the two largest agencies by market capitalization, reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings, and they are poised to deliver [...]
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — Roaring four-piece K-pop girl band Mamamoo dropped its second full-length album, “reality in BLACK,” Thursday, returning to smash the music scene. The 11-track album, the group’s first full-length since “Melting” nearly four years ago, is fronted by brassy, girl-crush number, “HIP,” but also carries the band’s signature soulful vocal [...]