JeonjuIFF 24 – Interview with Namkoong Sun Director of ‘Time to Be Strong’

“All that glitters isn’t gold” Is a phrase I often heard growing up to describe how people can project an outward appearance of perfection while behind closed doors their lives would be anything but perfect. In her second feature film Time to Be Strong, which premiered at the 25th Jeonju International Film Festival, writer and director Namkoong Sun strips down the facade of perfection projected by the Korean music industry to show that the lives of its artists are anything but golden.

Following the success of her 2021 debut feature Ten Months which screened at numerous film festivals within South Korea and abroad, Namkoong Sun was chosen by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) to create a film for the organization’s 15h Human Rights Movie Projects.

To the hundreds of thousands of fans of the globally popular K-pop industry and its dozens (yes dozens, rather than hundreds) of successful groups, the bright lights, flashy costumes, tightly choreographed dance numbers, and catchy songs the lives of the performers seem glamorous. Seeing their “idols” smile and perform “aegyo” i.e. cute facial expressions, market their latest songs with viral TikTok videos, and engage in fanservice at fan meetings, and concerts seems like the best life imaginable. But the truth is that for the majority of K-pop artists real life off stage is far dimmer than the bright lights on the stage, especially for former artists forced to retire through disbandment when their groups fail to capture enough public attention to turn big enough profits to remain active.

In Time to Be Strong, former company mates Sumin (Choi Seung-eun), Taehee (Hyun Woo-seok), and Sarang (Ha Seo-yun) go on a longer overdue group trip to Jeju Island in an effort to reclaim parts of their youth lost to the industry. For most children going on field trips is an ordinary part of their childhoods and school experience. Traveling to different locations to enjoy a day or weekend of fun excursions at historical landmarks and museums, playing in parks, or frolicking at the seaside are typical, but for these 3 young adults life became more a series of missed opportunities and lost innocence.

Even as they make it to Jeju, their time there turns into an exercise in coming to terms with the trauma they were subjected to at the hands of adults like greedy company owners, lascivious potential investors, and demanding fans who all wanted more of them than any child and teenager should ever be expected to give. For Sumin the de facto leader of their small group there—and the girl group LOVE&LEEDS of which Sarang was a member—the pressure of always taking the lead and conforming to destructive beauty standards presents in her compulsion to push herself beyond her physical and mental limits.

For Taehee, performing for audiences, for women, becomes second nature to the point that he thinks smiling when he doesn’t want to is normal. Having been conditioned to always put on his ‘best face’ for anyone watching, even as he’s burdened with debt forced upon him by his former CEO as a failed investment. Sarang, being given a suitcase in substitution for her own misplaced one, presents the opportunity for her to finally decide for herself what image she may want to project to the world, and acknowledging the fear of losing herself to bouts of depression and anger as a manifestation of all she’s seen and been subjected to.

Started in 2002 with an omnibus collection of short films by contributing filmmakers such as Im Kwan-taek and Park Chan-wook, the purpose of these projects are to highlight the often hidden and ignored struggles of social minorities and vulnerable people in Korean society through film with the aim of having audiences pay closer attention to the people and issues they consciously and subconsciously overlook. And with Time to Be Strong, Namkoong Sun does that with the K-pop industry which for decades has been an industry that relied on the exploitation of children and young adults for the profit of companies and entertainment of fans.

Though the film is fictional, the experiences of its three main characters are all real. Through dozens of interviews with former and current artists, Namkoong Sun was able to produce a story that is very true to the lives of the thousands of retired artists who were allowed to debut, or never even made it to that point having been fired as trainees by the dozens of companies within the Korean music industry.

To many, the traumas of these children and adults might night register or even be considered Human Rights Violations, but any industry that makes it a practiced of having children sign away 7 years of their lives in contracts they haven’t the capacity to understand on a legal and intellectual basis, and overworks them for years to the point of developing chronic debilitating physical injuries and mental illness, is one that deserves to be intensely scrutinized. No matter how glamorous its facade.

In our discussion during the festival, we spoke about the interviews she conducted to help her gain a deeper understanding of the K-pop industry and develop the characters, their stories representing a type of arrested development, and using the beach as a symbol of feeling overwhelmed.

Time to Be Strong won 3 awards in the Korean Competition category at the Jeonju International Film Festival; the Korean Competition Grand Prize, Best Actor for Choi Seung-eun, and local streaming platform Watcha’s top pick for Best Film.

Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12

#TimeToBeStrong #3awardswon #KoreanCompetition #JeonjuInternationalFilmFestival #kcrushinterview #film #filmreview #bestactoraward #Watchatoppickforbestfilm #kcrushamericamagazine #kcrushcontent #filmfestival #NamkoongSun #WriterandDirector #ChoiSeungeun #kpopcharacters #kpopindustry #kpopgroups #kpop #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #koreanmusicindustry #retiredkpopartists #currentkpopartists #kpopmusic #kpopstory #kpopfilm #kpopfictionfilm #25thJeonjuInternationalFilmFestival2024 #2024koreanfilmfestival #theNationalHumanRightsCommissionofKorea #NHRCK #HyunWooseok #HaSeoyun

The legendary American singer and songwriter, Billie Eilish, is set to appear on Korea’s popular tvN talk show, “You Quiz On The Block’”. The “Lunch” hitmaker is set to interact with Yoo Jae Suk and Cho Sae Ho with the filming scheduled for mid-June.

Billie Eilish released her 3rd studio album, ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’, early last month. On June 5, the star released a music video teaser of one of the album tracks. The “Chihiro” track MV teaser has skyrocketed the fans’ expectations, especially Korean fans as Bille Eilish is expected to visit Korea in June to promote the album.

Released on May 7, the ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ album became a commercial success and credited Billie Eilish with her first spot in Billboard’s Top 10 placement. The star has also gained massive respect over the last two years for fiercely championing mental health awareness: a crucial issue in today’s society.

—-Karen Mwenda

#BillieEilish #BillieEilishtoAppearOnKoreasYouQuizOnTheBlockShow #kcrushnews #YouQuizOnTheBlockShow #popmusic #koreanshow #koreanvarietyshow #HitMeHardandSoftalbumBillieEilish #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #koreantv #popidol #kcrushannouncement #kcrushbreakingnews #Chihiromusicvideo #tvN #YooJaeSuk #ChoSaeHo

Crayon Pop became a sensational K-pop act from the “Bar Bar Bar” single that gave them over 65 million YouTube views in 2021. Formerly known as Hurricane Pop, Crayon Pop girl band debuted in July 2012 with the “Saturday Night” single under Chrome Entertainment. Composed of Gummi, Choa, Way, and Ellin after Soyul’s departure, Crayon Pop band made international strides including occulting in doing an opening act for Lady Gaga. The group strived to maintain high ratings throughout their career earning a well-deserved credibility status in the history of K-pop. Crayon Pop band has been inactive since 2017 after their contract with Chrome Entertainment ended but has not yet disbanded. The band members have been undertaking individual projects that give fans hope for Crayon Pop’s rebirth.

Gummi

Gummi is Crayon Pop band’s leader and main dancer. After the group’s contract with Chrome Entertainment expired, Gummi signed a contract with Climax Entertainment. This meant that she would continue her Crayon Pop group activities under Chrome Entertainment but pursue her activities under Climax Entertainment. Under Climax Entertainment, Gummi went by the name Song Bo Ram and took up acting. With that, Gummi was cast in several dramas including the Lovers in Bloom (2017) drama. In 2020, Gummi walked down the aisle and gave birth to her first child. Gummi and her husband welcomed their second baby in 2022.

Ellin

Ellin is Crayon Pop’s lead dancer and visual. After the group became inactive, Ellin launched a YouTube channel and joined Afreeca TV as a broadcast jockey. Ellin was ranked among Afreeca TV’s highest-paid jockeys before being involved in the unfortunate “romance scam” controversy. Ellin was accused of costing a man 860,000 USD which she initially denied before admitting and apologizing for the incident. After a 3-months break, Elin resurfaced and continued reigning and cashing out of being a broadcast jockey.

Way

Way is Crayon Pop’s lead vocalist and main rapper. After the band became inactive in 2017, Way started her YouTube channel the same year. Her regular and catchy uploads have given the star a consistent and massive following over the years. Way also joined Twitch recently which had further sky-rocketed her fame.

Choa

Choa is Crayon Pop’s main vocalist. After the band went on hiatus, Choa ventured into the musical actress field and was cast in various works including “Hero” musical drama. In addition to opening a personal YouTube channel in 2019, Choa also released the “My Universe” single the same year alongside her twin sister and Crayon Pop member Way. In December 2021, Choa walked down the aisle with her non-celebrity boyfriend.

Soyul (Former Crayon Pop)

Soyul was the Crayon Pop band’s main vocalist and lead rapper. Despite being the maknae, Soyul became the first Crayon Pop member to venture into the parenting journey. Soyul left Crayon Pop in May 2017 to focus on marriage and parenthood after walking down the aisle with Moon Hee Jun, a former member of H.O.T. boy band. In 2020 Soyul returned to the spotlight by participating in MBC TV’s “King of the Mask Singer” program. Just like her former bandmate Gummi, Soyul also shared second-baby pregnancy news in 2022. With two babies to parent, a girl and a boy, Soyul is enjoying an interestingly busy life.

—-Karen Mwenda

#CrayonPop #Soyul #leadrapper #maknae #marriedMoonHeeune #HOTboyband #KingoftheMaskSinger #MBCTV #kcrush #Choa #MyUniverse #leadvocalist #kcrushamericamagazine #WayaCrayonPopmember #YouTubechannels #Twitch #kpop #Ellin #leaddancer #mainvisual #AfreecaTVJockey #AfreecaTVJournalist #Gummi #leaderofCrayonPop #maindancer #BarBarBar #SaturdayNight #ChromeEntertainment #ClimaxEntertainment #kdramaloversinbloom #kcrushamericamagazine

Bobby, who was set to join mandatory military service last month on the 21^st finally enlisted on June 4, 2024. The iKON boy band member became the band’s third member to enlist in the military. Bobby shared a picture with his hair cut short as he thanked the fans for their continued support.

Bobby rose to fame after winning the 2014 Mnet’s Show Me the Money 13 survival reality program. Bobby’s agency, 143 Entertainment, announced it would hold a small private ceremony during his enlistment. Bobby has been quite busy in the first half of 2024 including releasing his 3^rd solo album titled Sir Robert in February and the successful Asian “Zero Gravity” tour in March.

In 2021, Bobby walked down the aisle with the love of his life and have a son together. Therefore, Bobby will be enlisted for full-time reserve service given his responsibilities as a young father and newlywed.

We look forward to your return and family well wishes.

—-Karen Mwenda

#Bobby #iKON #militaryservice #fulltimereserveservice #143Entertainment #kcrushnews #Mnet #ShowMeTheMoney13 #kpop #hallyu #kmusic #kculture #koreanmilitary #kcrushannouncement #kcrushbreakingnews #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kpopidol #ZeroGravity #SirRobertBobby

Viral Music Sensation Gets Ready for 19-city Nationwide Tour on the Heels of Celebrating Two Billion Views Collectively

Trending Asian-American boy group, North Star Boys has released their much-anticipated second full-length album, CYDIA on all digital streaming platforms. The seven-track album showcases the group’s versatility and emotional depth, marking a significant milestone in their careers. Back in April, North Star Boys had already released their main track of CYDIA, Jet Black which garnered attention from fans from all over the world with their 55+ million social media followers.

Jet Black, is a dark yet catchy song that highlights the group’s commanding presence and confidence. Along with the lead single, the group explores youthful recklessness and the excitement of young love in “Never Did This Before.” With, “Sunshine” offering a more emotional and softer touch with heartwarming lyrics. They continue the romantic theme with “You Are My Star,” which beautifully captures the feeling of being in love. “Bug” is an unforgettable song that delves into the idea of being love sick but they will not have it any other way. In the smooth R&B track “CYDIA”, the lyrics reflect on growing and sharing experiences together, and most importantly, healing and moving on from the past. Finally, “Nocturnal,” infused with Spanish lyrics, adds a more passionate and sensual vibe to the album.

The octet have also announced their 2024 CYDIA North America Tour Dates. The members will be performing in 19 cities across the U.S., bringing their new music and old tracks for a spin. They will be starting in Texas, make their way through the East Coast, and end back in the West Coast all throughout the month of June

“CYDIA” Album Tracklist:

CYDIA
Never Did This Before
Nocturnal
Sunshine
Bug
Jet Black
You Are My Star

2024 CYDIA North America Tour Dates:

All dates and cities below are subject to change.

UNITED STATES

June 5 San Antonio, TX
June 6 Austin, TX
June 7 Houston, TX
June 8 Dallas, TX
June 11 Atlanta, GA
June 13 Washington, DC
June 14 Philadelphia, PA
June 15 Brooklyn, NY
June 16 Boston, MA
June 18 Columbus, OH
June 19 Chicago, IL
June 20 Minneapolis, MN
June 21 Kansas City, MO
June 23 Denver, CO
June 24 Salt Lake City, UT
June 26 San Francisco, CA
June 27 Los Angeles, CA
June 28 Las Vegas, NV
June 29 Phoenix, AZ

The North Star Boys’ presence on social media continues to grow globally with over 55 million followers across their Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook and more.

About North Star Boys

The first Asian-American content and music group, North Star Boys was founded in August 2021 by Oliver and Sebastian Moy. In just a short amount of time, they have stolen the hearts of millions and millions of fans across major social media platforms such as Tiktok, YouTube, and Instagram. The group consists of eight members including the founders: Oliver and Sebastian Moy, Regie Macalino, Ryan Nguyen, Justin Phan, Darren Liang, and Kane Ratan, and Tyler Bray. United by a common goal, they aim to be the Asian-American representation in the media that they lacked to see while growing up. The boy band hopes to inspire the younger generation through their content and music.

#NorthStarBoys #OliverandSebastianMoy #PPop #kcrushnews #AsianAmericangroup #eightmembers #RegieMacalino #RyanNguyen #JustinPhan #DarrenLiang #KaneRatan #TylerBray #worldtour #music #kcrushamericamagazine #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #CYDIANorthAmericanTourDates #newalbum #viralmusicsensationNorthStarBoys

I’m a huge RM fan. I loved mono and Indigo. This album is nothing like those! Which to be honest, was a tad disappointing, but Right Place, Wrong Person transports listeners in a new way, and that’s worth exploring.

Right People, Wrong Place: 8/10
This track is unlike anything I’ve heard from RM before. The layers are eerie, curious, and deep. The experimental style probably won’t resonate with everyone, but I liked it. The most understood lyric in this track is “Getting high on a forest fire” and that seems to melt into how the song feels.

Nuts: 7/10
The bass sticks out on this track, it’s funky and soulful, and pairs perfectly with RM’s soft vocals and powerful rap. The song explodes in the second half with electric guitar layers. Overall, the tune follows the theme of “Right People, Wrong Place”, in that it’s slightly unhinged and melancholy. A lyric that sums up “Nuts” is “Love will fail inevitably.”

out of love: 7/10
“out of love” starts with the line, “My life is out of love.” RM raps about how others have taken advantage of him, causing his love for poetry to die, and he believes that love will probably fail. This is the type of lyrical picture fans love RM for–he’s brutally honest.

Domodachi (feat. Little Simz): 7/10
The beat in this song is unique and will keep listeners engaged. My favorite part of the song was Little Simz’s verse. Sometimes features don’t bring anything new to songs, but their rap in a British accent mixed things up and brought something special to the song!

? (Interlude): 8/10
“? (Interlude)” is probably the tamest melody on the album. It’s more optimistic but still has plenty of unusual elements.

Groin: 4/10
“Groin” has a good groove and melody, but the chorus feels lackluster.

Heaven: 8/10
RM finds a better landing place emotionally in “Heaven”. Although the melody is upbeat, there’s still a tinge of sadness. RM’s vocals in this will be a fan favorite on the album, no doubt. There are also wonderful backing vocals and guitar moments.

LOST!: 9/10
“LOST!” opens with female vocals. And although I like them isolated, I don’t enjoy the pairing with RM’s voice when they sing together. However, overall, I really liked this song. Another upbeat track, it’s got a great groove and has plenty of unpredictable moments to give you chills! This track is all about going with the flow and feeling lost yet still finding joy and freedom.

Around the world in a day (feat. Moses Sumney): 9/10
Moses Sumney’s voice paired with the soft strumming of the guitar is a wonderful addition to this album. But don’t let the soft entrance fool you, this song explodes in the second half with RM rapping and singing along with electric guitar and drums. This track highlights the best of RM’s talent on this album. It’s a must-listen for Right Place, Wrong Person.

TT TT (Credit Roll): 8/10
“TT TT (Credit Roll)” is one of the more interesting songs lyrically, though the melody is simple. Check out these lyrics:

When the credits roll do you hang tight?

Do you stay inside or go off to life?

I’m so grateful for everyone’s time

Hope you all had such wonderful night

When the credits roll do you hang tight?

Come back to me: 8/10
A wonderful closing to the album, RM explores complicated romance as well as some of the elements of Right Place, Wrong Person in a playful way. The lyrics open with:

I told you I’m fine tonight

Staying good

Spring always been here

I will sleep in her eyes

Come back to me

Like you used to

Be what you be

I will roll you to the moon

But the song closes with, “You are my pain, divine, divine.” This tension really helps wrap up the album.

FINAL: 7.5/10
This album might not suit everyone. It’s definitely a different vibe from Indigo and mono. RM is still very present but he explores where few have in Right Place, Wrong Person. Additionally, most of the songs on this album are explicit, another possible barrier. I’ve given this album a high score because although it’s not one I’ll have on repeat, it’s artistic! If you love RM, I’d give it a listen but don’t hope for what you’ve heard in the past.

—-Ellie Boyd

#RM #RMofBTS #Rmnewalbum #Rmnewmusic #RmsRightPlaceWrongPerson #kcrushannouncement #kpop #kmusic #ComeBackToMefromRMsnewalbumRightPlaceWrongPerson #TTTT #Groin #Heaven #LOSTbyRM #Koreanpop #emotionalmusic #koreanculture #beingonesself #?Interlude #OutOfLove #NutsbyRM #kcrush #Domodachi #LittleSimz #BTSARMY #kfashion #Rmsoloist #AroundTheWorldInADay #MosesSumney #RM #kcrushalbumreview #kcrushreviewitrateit #kcrushoriginalreviewofalbum #RmalbumreleasedinMay2024 #Rmsloveforpoetry #rap #rnb #BTSfandomARMY #kcrushhonestreviewofRMsnewalbum

MetaMoon Partners with Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at LIU for Innovative Education Initiative with Summit on Asian Representation in Live Music Industry

MetaMoon Music Festival, the event celebrating Asian/AAPI artists and pop culture, is back with two days of programming during the last weekend of September. Headlining the concert at the newly renovated Brooklyn Paramount on Saturday, September 28th will be global superstars Eric Nam and Henry Lau, with rising artists Emei and SUNKIS rounding out the rest of the lineup. This concert marks a milestone for Henry Lau as he makes his solo performance debut in the United States, giving his fans the chance to see him perform live for the first time.

On Friday, September 27th, the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University (LIU) will collaborate with MetaMoon to host the second edition of The Summit: Rise of Asian Artists and their Global Fandom.

The one-day conference on Asian artists and representation in the music industry will be open to students and feature panel discussions and masterclasses by industry professionals. In keeping with the ethos of MetaMoon to spotlight Asian/AAPI talent, on stage and behind the scenes, students and next generation music execs will have the chance to network, meet their peers, and explore the intersection of music, business and the most populous region in the world.

“We are excited to bring MetaMoon back to Brooklyn for two incredible days spotlighting Asian/AAPI artists and pop culture, and to give our fans the chance to see their favorite artist live,” said Grace Chen, founder of MetaMoon. “We are grateful to partner with the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment to continue our mission of amplifying the voices of Asian/AAPI talent, not just on stage, but in the boardroom as well, which starts in the classroom.”

The first edition of the summit took place in February 2023 at the LIU Brooklyn campus, and brought together dynamic executives from organizations like Ticketmaster, Equity Distribution, Sony Music Japan, New Balance, IW Group, Pandora, Meta and many more. The speakers analyzed a range of industry topics, including the expanding influence of Asian music, how brands can best engage with emerging and establish Asian artists, the ways the rapidly-evolving genre can bridge cultural divides and more.

“We look forward to working alongside MetaMoon Festival to facilitate academic discussions about the global impact of AAPI/Asian artists,” Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment Dean Tressa Cunningham said. “It’s vital that our students develop a well-rounded perspective of and appreciation for the global music industry.”

Produced in partnership with Live Nation, the festival celebrates Asian artists, culture and fans while embracing the diverse communities in Brooklyn and across New York City. MetaMoon’s mission to bridge cultures through the global language of music and the discovery of Asian pop culture continues throughout the year with live events, The Summit and other programming.

Invitation to register for the Roc Nation School x MetaMoon Summit on September 27th will begin on September 4th. Presale for the September 28th concert started on May 22nd with general sale began May 24th, available only on www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, please visit www.metamoonfest.com.

ABOUT METAMOON MUSIC FESTIVAL

MetaMoon Music Festival was founded in 2022 as a platform to celebrate and showcase Asian excellence. The inaugural event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn featured a curated lineup of Asian/Asian American artists along with local AAPI-owned brands at the MetaMoon Market and Food Crawl. By empowering artists with a consistent and prominent stage, MetaMoon brings together Asian artists, both emerging and established, with music fans, Asian pop culture enthusiasts and corporate brands. For more information, please visit www.metamoonfest.com.

ABOUT THE ROC NATION SCHOOL OF MUSIC, SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University (LIU) is a globally renowned destination for world-class education, exceptional career development, cultural initiatives, and philanthropic endeavors. The School prepares students for a wide range of careers in entertainment through innovative courses led by renowned faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and exclusive industry experiences.

The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University which formally launched in Fall 2021, leverages its versatile resources and expertise to help students graduate with immersive internship experience and develop a robust network of professional contacts. Located in Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter’s hometown of Brooklyn, the School provides full-tuition support to 25 percent of enrolled students through Roc Nation Hope Scholarships. For more information, please visit: https://liu.edu/rocnation

#MetaMoon #MetaMoonMusicFestival #RockNationSchoolofMusicSportsEntertainment #LongIsland #LongIslandUniversity #Brooklyn #AsianAPPI #kcrushbreakingnews #kcrush #kpop #koreanpopfestival #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #EricNamtoperformatMetaMoonMusicFestival #SUNKIS #EricNam #kmusic #koreanmusicculture #koreanculture #secondeditionofTheSummitRiseofAsianArtistsandtheirGlobalFandom #HenryLau #Emei #September2024AsianEventinBrooklyn #renovatedBrooklynParamount #kcrushmedia #kcrushannouncement #kcrushpressrelease #newstoknow

It has been about 8 years since the talented Orange Caramel girl band’s performance as a group. The trio debuted in June 2010 with the ‘Magic Girl” single. Orange Caramel is a sub-unit birthed from Pledis Entertainment agency’s After School girl group. Orange Camael’s final concert was in April 2016 at the SBS’ 2016 Cultwo Show Legend Concert. As of now, only one member is under Pledis Entertainment agency and is still part of the After School group. However, although the other two members left both After School group and Pledis Entertainment, Orange Caramel has not yet disbanded which is a ray of hope to the subunit group’s dedicated fans.

Liz

Liz left Pledis Entertainment agency and After School group in May 2018 after her contract expired. Nonetheless, she confirmed that she had not left the Orange Caramel sub-group. Liz joined Celltrion Entertainment in May 2018 and changed her promotional name to Park Soo Ah. Under the new name and agency, the star took up acting with her first cast being in the I Picked Up a Celebrity on the Street web drama. After being charged with a DUI in August 2021, Liz’s contract with Celltrion Entertainment expired. Before the DUI incident, Liz (going by the Park Soo Ah) had soared high as an actor and singer. Liz (Park Soo Ah) appeared in dramas like Oh My Baby (2020), variety shows like Dead If Shot (2018), and films like Mood of the Day (2016). Ljz (Park Soo Ah) joined BK Entertainment in October 2022 and has been working on her comeback since then.

Raina

After going on hiatus since 2016, Raina also announced her departure from After School girl group and Pledis Entertainment agency following a contract expiration in December 2019. After years behind the spotlight, Raina participated in the X-MAS project in April 2020 where she released Lena Park’s cover of “Ann”. In June 2020, she released the “Love in Danger” OST in collaboration with Song Yuvin for KBS’ “Once Again” drama. Raina also participated in the MBN’s “Miss Black” reality show that aired from October 2020 through January 2021. The show sought to give female idols whose fame had dimmed off throughout the years another chance to shine and rebuild their careers.

Nana

Unlike Rain and Liz, Nana did not leave After School group and is still under Pledis Entertainment agency. After Orange Carmel went on hiatus, Nana ventured into acting and was cast in several dramas including the Justice (2019) drama for which she the Excellence Award at the 2019 KBS Drama Awards. Nana also acted in Confession (2020) and Oh My Lady Lord (2021). Nana proved that she is still a worthy musical artist through a collaboration with Park Sung Hoon for the “Our Memories in Summer” OST in 2020. Recently, Nana has undertaken various endorsement projects including with Nike, Vogue Korea, Givenchy, and Prada.

—-Karen Mwenda

#OrangeCarmel #Nana #OhMyLadyLord #ParkSungHoon #OurMemoriesInSummerOST #Nike #VogueKorea #Givenchy #Prada #kcrushnews #kcrushamericamagazine #PledisEntertainment #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kpop #idol #kmusic #Raina #LoveInDangerOST #AfterSchool #koreangirlgroup #notdisbanded KBSDramaAwards2019 #ParkSooAh #Liz #BKEntertainment #AfterSchoolSubUnit #kpopgirlgroup #kcrushwherearetheynow #wherearetheynow

There is strength in silence when the silence becomes your testimony of what is too difficult to speak aloud. In director Jee Hyewon’s latest documentary VOICES, which screened in the Korean Cinema program of the 2024 25th Jeonju International Film Festival, the silence and voices of the female survivors of the violent massacres that took place in 1948 on Jeju Island, are finally being shared with the world to listen to.

On April the 3rd, 1948 armed forces of the Namrodang South Korean Labor Party attacked 12 police stations located on the island of Jeju off the southern coast of the mainland. These attacks sparked a wave of violence that led to the executions of around 150 young women and men, and some teenagers one of whom was 17-year-old Kim Eun-yang, who was survived by her then 14-year-old sister Kim Eun-soon. Though 76 years in the past, that fateful day of the Tonso-ri massacre (named for the location on the island where it took place) left a deep scar of trauma within Kim Eun-soon, trauma that to this day makes it difficult to discuss everything she witnessed that year and the years of tumult that followed.

Joining Kim Eun-soon in sharing their testimony in VOICES, are Hong Sun-gong, Koh Jeong-ja, Kim Yong-yeol, and Cho Jung-hee, Jeju April 3rd Incident Researcher, who for the past 20 years has been documenting the testimonies of survivors and their descendants.

Despite gaining liberation from Japanese imperial occupation three years before in 1945, South Korea was decades away from becoming a democracy, for immediately preceding the expulsion of the imperial forces the spread of the fear of communism, known as the ‘Red Scare, that swept the world following WWII, spread throughout the country. Political leaders seeking to establish their own power aided by the U.S. military and government, placed former pro-Japanese officials and police officers were once again put in charge to stir up discontent amongst the people. These officials and officers’ chaos within communities and after the death of a child and 6 civilians which sparked the general strike known as the ‘Jeju Uprising’.

The fighting between government officials, police, and rebel factions resulted in the mass torture, displacement, forced imprisonment on their own land, and massacres of some 30,000 people of which it’s estimated 80% were men, between 1947 and 1954 at the end of the Korean War (officially the war between North and South Korea is in armistice). But that wasn’t the end to the troubles of the people of Jeju Island, for the stigma of being labeled as communist sympathizers, the violent and deadly betrayal by their own people, and the decades of denial and avoidance of what took place by their own government also compounded the trauma of survivors like Kim Eun-soon, Hong, Sun-gong, Koh Jeon-ja, and Kim Yong-yeol.

With all of the memories of all they had suffered weighing on their spirits and bodies, the women of Jeju Island were left with no choice but to put their pain aside in silence and carry on with the lives left for them to lead.

As a director Jee Hyewon is careful in how she gives the women the space to share what they’re comfortable sharing. The moments as they sit contemplatively after speaking of the horrors they witnessed and were forced to endure are given the time to stay on screen to resonate with the viewer. When Hong Sun-gong and Koh Jeong-ja former Haenyeo, share their stories of diving for abalone to make money to provide for their children, the reality that these women known the world over as the famous ‘female free divers of Jeju Island’, – as depicted in the 70s set 2023 action drama Smugglers by Ryoo Seung-wan – are much more than meets the eye or has been told. And finally, those hidden depths are being shared through this documentary.

In my interview with Jee Hyewon we spoke about her experience making the film and listening to the stories being shared and the importance of silence being a testimony for traumatic experiences, as well as this being the time to make a film such as this. I also asked Co-producer Kim Sunah, who acted as interpreter for the interview, about what it meant to her to be involved with a project like this.

For her work as a filmmaker and documentarian, Jee Hyewon has gained critical acclaim for her films Singing with Angry Bird (2016), Free Minu (2018), and Home Away Home (2021), and now Voices which won the Documentary Award in the Special Awards category at Jeonju IFF.

Carolyn Hinds

Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12

#JeeHyewon #VOICES #JeonjulFF2024 #kcrushinterview #kcrush #SingingwithAngryBird #FreeMinu #HomeAwayHome #Documentary #DocumentaryAward #KimSunah #filmmaker #coproducer #Haenyeo #filmfestival #kcrushamericamagazine #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #JejuIsland #grouptrama #Smugglers #actiondrama #documentarian #KimEunsoon #HongSungong #KohJeonja #KimYongyeol #womenofJejuIsland

In a country and culture where the R&B music genre is still gaining traction, HALLEY band has made groundbreaking strides and gained global attention despite their recent debut. This young and multi-cultural band’s music pieces are a fusion of Asian pop, jazz, funk, gospel, and soul music vibes showcasing their uniquely diverse backgrounds. K-Crush America Magazine sits with HALLEY band members; Taehyung (vocals), Shin Nishiyama (keyboards), Haru Toyama (guitar), Naoto Shimizu (drums), and Kay Takahashi (bass), to have a glimpse of what their musical journey entails.

Given your diverse roots, how did you all meet?

We met at the university music club “the Naleio” (Waseda University). The club was famous amongst the young youths, college students, and musicians in Tokyo for its unique concept: Black Music Circle. All of us knew that and gathered at this place in seek of musical inspiration and friends with same music tastes. I (Taehyun) first met Naoto at a jam session for freshmen hosted by seniors of the club and got to know each other briefly and found out that both of us wanted to form a band. Shin and Haru, who were also at the jam session, joined right after. I (Taehyun) called Kay, who was my friend from the freshman year, right on the spot and asked if he wanted to join; and he answered yes. All this happened 2 years ago and still is vivid to this day.

Why “HALLEY” and how does it complete your band’s identity?

If you flip the name around, it is YELLAH and this was our first candidate. YELLA represents our identity of Asians, and the letter H was to quote biblical musical term “Selah”, which means pause. We wanted to quote the bible, not only because I (Taehyun) and Kay are Christians, but also all of us love and somewhat have connections to Gospel/Christian music.

Moreover, It was very important for us to include our identity as Asians in our name because we love and respect the history of the genre we play as much as we love our home: Asia. we want to recreate the genre into “Asian R&B” and be the musical innovation to represent it. This is the goal of HALLEY and our identity.

Of all genres, why a blend of Western R&B and Asian pop, and how has been the reception so far?

To put it simply, it is because we were born in Asia and all of us grew up listening to Western R&B, including Gospel, Jazz, and Funk. It was not our first intention to blend the two, but we got to this place naturally as we aim our pieces to be heard by everybody in the world.

The reception has been very good in Japan so far. Despite most of the lyrics being written in English, people in Japan love our music. We realized that by how media treated us as well. Rolling Stones Japan, the well-renowned music magazine, selected us as “Future 25”, which is a project to represent Japanese freshest music, after the release of our 1^st album. Additionally, Spincoaster, one of the most famous Japanese music media, also featured us in their annual project “SPOTLIGHT 2024”, stating HALLEY is one of the freshest R&B band in Japan.

“Set Free” was among the first back-to-back singles you released in your debut season. What’s the inspiration behind this song?

In the production of Set Free, we let our funky side to take its course. It was to show people that We’re not just some kids who only listens to recent popular neo-soul music. We wanted show our funky side and that’s why it more leaned toward funk/soul.

In the composition phase, PJ Morton and D’Angelo, especially “black messiah (album)” and “Everything’s gonna be alright” were the biggest inspiration to us. We just love these two artists.

Also, we intended the structure to be as simple as possible, hoping that someday, this song would become a session standard in Japanese jam session scenes.

The “Sugary” single, from our 1^st EP titled ‘Daze’, was recently claimed to be a hit and anthem on 21 different radio stations across Japan. How did this make you feel as artists and what do you think attributed to the song going viral?

It left us speechless at first. Just by looking at the list of the radio station, I could understand our tunes are being played literally all across Japan.

And it made me more determined as an artist, as Sugary became the somewhat indicator that we have to breakthrough in near future.

The song used to be more energetic before, but we intentionally made it to be more organic and retro, referencing Isley Brothers and Fleur East. This made the song more easy-listening and warm, and I think this is the one of the reasons why this song got so much attention and love.

Your latest and 1^st ‘Dusk Till Dawn’ album released last month has become a global sensation. What is the overall message and conception story behind this masterpiece?

First of all, thanks for calling our album a masterpiece!

The core concept of the album “From Dusk Till Dawn” lies in its “ambiguity”. If you look up the sky during this hour of the day, you can’t tell if its dusk or dawn. It’s just orange, pink, or blue, and you don’t know the time unless you look at the watch. We wanted to embody that feeling of complexed “ambiguity” throughout this album.

Just like the sky, the emotions that lyrics try to deliver swings throughout the album. You can feel the flow of time as you listen to the album but will witness that this person who sings is stuck at each moment (song) wondering where to go.

In another meaning, we often worked on songs of this album from dusk till dawn, and it was always this beautiful ambiguous sky that welcomed us when we went outside during breaks. We felt like we are in a wonderland hovering around the city, and that was the very time we dwelled in.

So, the title not only represents the time we went crazy making music, but also shows our naked self as young ambitious musicians teamed up in the middle of Tokyo, enjoying themselves.

Your music is a fusion of not only Western R&B and Asian Pop but also Gospel, funk, Soul, and Jazz themes not to mention the Hong Kong, South Korean, and Japanese roots. What’s your music creation process like and how do you blend all these elements?

We don’t necessarily think in advance to include each element. Rather we keep the creative process as intuitive and improvisational as possible, so that all members’ thoughts blend in naturally.

There are many ways to start, but most of the time we start from one of the members’ little ideas, whether that be chord progressions, drum loops, or just a verbal image. When we composed “Breeze” we started from a guitar loop and I sang to that riff and that made the momentum to the song and ended up finish writing it on the day. We also often change the place of production. For example, we developed the idea of “sugary” from a jam session, but we brought that back to DAW and brushed up into the latest version. The other way around was the case of “Whim” and “Lemonade”.

You recently performed in the USA for SXSW 2024 and toured across Tokyo and Osaka for 1^st ever one-man tour. How was it compared to being inside recording studios and what are your takeaways?

It’s always a blessing to perform in front of loving audiences, but what we felt and learned was definitely different this time.

In the US, we realized what we do as a band is surely one of a kind and competitive enough to be on the same stage as big names of the west. It felt like the audience in Texas enjoyed our set and thought of us as pure musicians, and not some interesting or even comedic acts from “Japan, Asia”.

And at our first One-Man-tour, we wanted to show our fans that we are promising artists that are worth being proud of, and that we have become even firmer as artists. We are confident that we would become the one of the most influential Asian R&B/Soul artist in the near future.

How do you perceive music as a tool and what impact do you wish to make or inspire?

I personally think music is a language that can speak to people’s soul. As a vocalist I want to be more able to talk, or to be more persuasive, to people’s heart when I’m singing.

And as a band, I wish to be more versatile so that we can create new value as we grow. We don’t play music for ourselves, but to be heard by as many people as possible.

Are there any particular artists, Japanese or international that have shaped your approach to your chosen music genre?

There are so many that we can’t name them all in here but to name a few, there are PJ Morton, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Musiqsoulchild, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, and J Dilla. Even Korean R&B artists like Crush, Zion. T, DEAN, fisherman, and Sam Kim had huge influence on my musical thinking process.

How do you balance your vision as artists and the expectations of the rapidly changing hip-hop industry?

Music has been an ever-changing media throughout time. We have witnessed J Dilla and D’Angelo bringing sensations of Neo-Soul into the industry. Just like them, as we learn, respect and love the history of music, I hope that not only the hip-hop industry but also other genre to be more inviting toward alternative music.

We, as a band, also wish to be as alternative as ever. It is to keep ourselves fresh, and I believe that is the only way to keep everybody, including myself, motivated.

What does the future hold for HALLEY as a brand?

We will keep on producing music and go on another tour when the time comes. And our short-term closest goal is to play in, either HK, Taiwan or Korea within this year.

Thank you for your time. It was an absolute pleasure getting to delve into your musical journey. We wish you the very best in your endeavors.

—-Makena Mwenda

#HALLEY #Taehyun #KayTakahashi #NaotoShimizu #ShinNishiyama #HaruToyama #kcrush #kcrushinterview #Gospal #Christianmusic #RnBmusic #Japanesegroup #JPop #musicaljourney #bandmadeoffriends #beliefs #newmusic #JCulture #JFashion #AsianRnRSoul #hardworkingAsianartists #RollingStoneFuture25 #SpincoasterSpotlight2024 #interview2024 #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #JSoul #SetFree #Sugary #Daze #DuskTillDawn #newalbum #kcrushmedia #kcrushJapaneseinterview #bass #guitarist #vocals #keyboards #drums #topnewbandinJapan #kcrushnews #bandtowatch

Global K-pop boy group A.C.E is gearing up to meet “CHOICE” (official fandom name), through their A.C.E 2024 US Tour [REWIND_US]. The five-member boy group, managed by BEAT INTERACTIVE, will showcase their charms in fourteen cities, including Madison, Denver, Santa Rosa, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Tampa, Orlando, Nashville, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Detroit, New York and San Juan. The tour kicks off in Madison on June 19, 2024, and concludes in San Juan on July 18, 2024.

A.C.E returns to A.C.E 2024 US Tour [REWIND_US] for the first time in a while. A.C.E, a quintet under the label BEAT INTERACTIVE, comprises members PARK JUNHEE, LEE DONGHUN, WOW, KIM BYEONGKWAN, and KANG YUCHAN. Since their debut in 2017, the group has fearlessly experimented with various concepts and sounds, continually surprising their dedicated fanbase.

Recently making waves with their sixth mini-album, A.C.E released <My Girl: “My Choice”> on February 22. As evidenced by their popularity, “My Girl: My Choice” topped the Hanteo Chart’s weekly chart for the first week of May, with the highest certification rate in the U.S. region. A.C.E is greeting global fans in more diverse ways, after their long break and reunited as an entire team this year. They met their fans through concerts in Seoul and Japan after their album promotion. Their tour in Japan (2024 A.C.E JAPAN 1st LIVE TOUR ～僕らの春～) was held at a venue representing the region to demonstrate the global power of the artist. Successfully wrapping up their tour in Japan, A.C.E will continue to accelerate their global activities with the upcoming tour in the U.S.

Ahead of the tour, A.C.E expressed the following aspirations;

Thinking back on our tour in the U.S. in 2019, we didn’t expect to take this long to meet our fans. We were longing for this moment and missed them so much. It feels like a dream to finally meet CHOICE again in the U.S. As much as our fans have been waiting for a long time, we do desire to show the best performance. As we are standing in front of CHOICE in the U.S. after such a long time, we plan to tear up the stage with our greatest performance.

Per the released setlist, A.C.E might be performing “Savage,” “Facetime,” “Down,” “Baby Tonight,” and “Under Cover,” drawing attention from many fans. The noteworthy part is, that A.C.E will show, the A.C.E 2024 US Tour [REWIND_US] will show English version songs and cover stages with various concepts specifically prepared for local fans. Especially since this tour is being held in the U.S. after a long time, a very special event will be held. Fans can choose the stage they want to see using the voting function on MyMusicTaste website. Many local fans are enthusiastic about A.C.E’s passion for preparing various promotional content and events to celebrate their first tour in a long time.

A.C.E has become an irresistible force in the K-pop industry, conquering the global stage with their music and unique style. A.C.E will continue their journey of being the “performance blockbusters”. After the tour announcement, they have quickly garnered keen attention from both local and global fans alike as they anticipate making memories together through their tour.

Information regarding ticketing for the shows can be found at MyMusicTaste: mmt.fans/bw6G

A.C.E 2024 US Tour [REWIND_US] – Tour Dates

[Madison, WI] Jun 19 – Orpheum Theater

[Denver, CO] Jun 21 – Fillmore Auditorium

[Santa Rosa, CA] Jun 23 – Luther Burbank Center for The Arts

[Los Angeles, CA] Jun 26 – The Orpheum Theatre

[Phoenix, AZ] Jun 28 – The Van Buren

[Houston, TX] Jul 1 – House of Blues

[Tampa, FL] Jul 3 – Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center

[Orlando, FL] Jul 5 -The Plaza Live

[Nashville, TN] Jul 7 – James K. Polk Theater at Tennessee Performing Arts Center

[Minneapolis, MN] Jul 9 – Uptown Theater

[Indianapolis, IN] Jul 11 – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre

[Detroit, MI] Jul 13 – The Fillmore

[New York, NY] Jul 16 – Town Hall

[San Juan, PR] Jul 18 – Coca Cola Music Hall

About Beat Interactive:

Beat Interactive is where creative talents passionately strive to develop transcendent content to create a world that connects with the unique emotions and sentiments of the artists.

About MyMusicTaste:

MyMusicTaste organizes fan-initiated concerts around the world. We’re driven by our mission to connect and amplify the voices of fans all over the world. We’ve successfully promoted concerts of artists such as EXO, Machine Gun Kelly, ATEEZ, and more in over 40 different cities. With the simple idea – empowering fans to bring their favorite artist’s concert to the city of their choice based on fan demand–MyMusicTaste is challenging the $27 billion concert market through cutting-edge technology and sophisticated, user-friendly service. Our service currently supports more than 30 countries and offers 15 languages.

#ACE #ACEWorldTour #kcrush #ACEAnnouncement #MyMusicTaste #kcrushamericamagazine #kpop #BeatInteractive #worldtour #ACEUSTour #Save #Facetime #theACE2024USTourREWIND_US #korea #koreanculture #hallyu #kfashion #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #koreanmagazine #Asiangroup #ACETour #kpopgroup #kpopidol #kcrushannouncement #breakingnews

Download and streaming links

Japanese pop artist SANTA, who has a huge fan base across Asia, will release his first solo album ‘Prologue’ on May 20. But you don’t have to wait until then – seven tracks including lead song ‘Let em Out’ have been made available on streaming services as an early taste of what’s to come.

This will be SANTA’s first full-length album since beginning his solo career last year.

The album includes songs based on the four most important milestone ages in SANTA’s life: ages 14, 17, 21 and 25. On the album, SANTA expresses his life through music, inviting listeners to experience his unique mindscape in all its glory.

Lead song ‘Let em Out’ will also get a music video, due May 15, so be sure to look out for it!

[SANTA profile]

SANTA is a top-level dancer from Japan, a prodigy who began making a name for himself as a kid. He has won numerous dance contests, becoming the youngest ever champion of the prestigious global dance battle SDK.

Since 2023, he has built a successful solo career based in China, where he has also become an ambassador for various brands and appeared on popular TV shows including ‘Street dance of China’ and ‘Great Dance Crew’.

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/santa_zanduo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santazanduo311/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SANTADANCE

Weibo: https://weibo.com/u/7155113315

#SANTA #SANTAJapanesesinger #SANTAAsiandancer #StreetDanceOfChina #GreatDanceCrew” #kcrushnews #kcrushamericamagazine #SANTAfirstalbum #1stalbumSANTA #LetEmOut #newmusic #JPop #ProloguesoloalbumfromSANTA #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #Japanese #Asianmusic

Written by student filmmaker Kim Junhyung, A Sucker Punch is a short which film premiered in the Korean Competition for Shorts program at the 25th Jeonju International Film Festival, in Jeonju, South Korea.

Despite its 15 minute run time, A Sucker Punch is a very effective demonstration of how the simplest games can work as observational studies in human behaviour and motivations. Led by Doyeon (Im Harry), a weekly game session of Mahjong becomes filled with tension when a new invitee, Hyunwoo (Jang Taehyun), to her regular group is added at the invitation of Soyeon’s romantic interest Sian (Song Eunchan), and Hani (Lee Hyemin), their score keeper for more than just the Mahjong.

Beginning with a creepy story of a girl murdered by her family, and Doyeon believing the presence of a cat in Sian’s life meaning one thing, when it’s actually something else are great introductions to a scenario where misdirection and subtext play important roles in figuring out who the players are to each other. Is the flirting we see between certain characters genuine or perhaps being misconstrued by the others and the audience? Is what one person says to be completely believed or are the doubts created simply misplaced suspicions? Is the best player the one who seems to be controlling the board or the player who silently watches, keeping score?

In my interview with Junhyung, in Jeonju, we discuss all of these interesting themes in his film, as well as discuss the portrayal of queer identity and relationships, and Schrodinger’s Cat. Yes, really. We had a very fun and insightful conversation about interesting philosophical ways his film could be interpreted.

A Sucker Punch is Kim Junhyung’s third film. His previous film, 2022’s Family Toast, won the Best Genre Film at the Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival, in Berlin.

Carolyn Hinds

#JeonjuInternationalFilmFestival2024 #kcrushinterview #ASuckerPunch #KimJunhyungFilmmaker #AsianFilm #FamilyToast #BestGenreFilmatSehsuchteInternationalStudentFilmFestivalBerlin #kcrushamericamagazine #filmfestivalinterview #ImHarry #Mahjong #JangTaehyun #SongEunchan #LeeHyemin #SouthKorea

Kwon Eun Bi and TWICE’s Nayeon will be making solo comebacks this June.

Eunbi is scheduled to make a comeback this June. The “Summer Queen” hit-maker will be returning to the entertainment world after 8 months since the October 2023 “Like Heaven” release. Eunbi debuted under Ye-A girl group back in 2021. She then moved to Iz*One girl group in 2018 before venturing into the solo artist realm in 2021 with the ‘Open’ EP which skyrocketed her fame. Kwon Eunbi’s agency, Woollim Entertainment confirmed that the start will be making a comeback this June with a new album.

TWICE’s Nayeon is strengthening her foundation as a solo artist. Nayeon was TWICE girl group’s first member to go solo back in June 2022 with the ‘IM NAYEON’ mini album. Nayeon’s agency, JYP Entertainment confirmed that indeed the star is gearing up for a comeback this June. With the exact dates still unknown, fans excitement is going through the roof especially since it’s been a while since Nayeon made a release.

—-Makena Mwenda

#Eunbi #TWICE #Nayeon #makeacomebackinJune #JuneCombacks #kcrush #JYPEntertainment #IMNAYEONminialbum #SummerQueen #LikeHeaven #WoollimEntertainment #KwonEunbi #Iz #kcrushamericamagazine #YeAgirlgroup #kpop #kculture #hallyu #koreankpop #newreleases #newmusic

SHINee’s Taemin and ONEW have taken huge milestones after leaving their past agency of 16 years.

SHINee’s Taemin official fun club is finally out. The fan club which goes by the name “TEAMate” solidifies the stars change of agency move. “TEAMate” is a combination of “Teamin”, the artists himself, and “Mate”, which means a close friend. The fan club name denotes that fans are Taemin’s closest friends. Taemin, who left SM Entertainment agency last month alongside band teammate ONEW, joined Big Planet Made Entertainment agency. The launched “TEAMate” fun club will help Taemin strengthen his brand while undertaking solo activities under Big Planet Made Entertainment. However, Taemin will also be undertaking SHINee group activities under SM Entertainment.

SHINee’s ONEW, who also left SM Entertainment agency last month, has launched his solo social media accounts. ONEW, who decided to pursue solo activities under GRIFFIN Entertainment agency, is taking things to the next level through official solo social media platforms. Just like Taemin, ONEW will also be undertaking SHINee group activities under SM Entertainment. Having a space to pursue a solo career will give the star room for uniqueness and room to test diverse skills. On May 10, GRIFFIN Entertainment launched ONEW’s solo platforms including Instagram, X, and YouTube.

—-Makena Mwenda

#SHINee #ONEW #ONEWsocialmediaaccount #Taemin #TaeminSoloFanClub #GRIFFINEntertainment #kcrush #koreanKpop #SMEntertainment #ONEWInstagram #TAEMINTEAMate #TEAMate #fanclub #BigPlanetMadeEntertainment #kcrushnews #kcrushamericamagazine #solocareers #kpopidol #hallyu #koreanmusic #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kculture #ONEWannouncement #Taeminannouncement

May 2024 is a busy month with several K-pop acts expected to make a comeback. Others have already made a comeback including YOUNITE (released the 6th EP ‘Another’ on May 1) and Hyuna (released the EP ‘Attitude’ on May 2). Here are some K-pop artists and groups making a comeback this May 2024.

1. BTOB’s Sungjae

BTOB’s Yook Sungjae’s is set to make an official comeback this May with the “EXHIBITION: Look Closely” single. With trailers and concept photos already circulating the internet, the MV official release is scheduled for May 9. This will be Sungjae’s first release under his new agency, iWill Media.

2. EXO’s Suho

Suho will be making a comeback with his 3rd mini-album this May. With the teaser already up, fans can’t wait to see the star’s collaboration with notable artists including Wendy from Red Velvet. The upcoming album titled ‘1 to 3’, with seven tracks, is scheduled for release on May 31.

3. Soojin

The former G-IDLE member will be making a comeback since the EP EGASSI release in November 2023. The album was her first album as a solo artist. Soojin is set to release her second EP titled RIZZ on May 22. A teaser for the upcoming release has already been released is creating ripples on the internet.

4. MCND

About 6 months since their last release, the ‘ODD-VENTURE’ mini-album released in November 2023, MCND is ready to shake up the entertainment scene. The band’s agency, TOP Media, announced that MCND will be making a comeback on May 21 with their 6th mini-album titled ‘X10’. The upcoming release’s teasers have started pouring out including its tracklist snippet.

5. ATEEZ

ATEEZ will be making their Korean comeback this May. ATEEZ group, which has been busy taking the world by storm, especially with their performance at the Coachella music festival in the US, will be making a comeback with their 10th mini-album. The ‘GOLDEN HOUR: Part 1’ mini-album will be released on March 31. The album’s concept photos are already out for all the members.

6. NEW JEANS

The “Super Shy” hitmaker will be making a comeback this May with releases in Korea and Japan. NEW JEANS will be returning to the entertainment scene with double singles titled “How Sweet” and “Bubble Gum” on May 24. A preview of the upcoming double single album, released late last month, has created an internet frenzy with fans eagerly awaiting the double single’s official release.

7. AESPA

The “Lucid Dream” and “Black Mamba” hit make will be gracing the entertainment industry with a comeback this May. AESPA is expected to release their first full-length ‘Armageddon’ album. The release is scheduled for May 27.

—-Makena Mwenda

#AESPA #NEWJEANS #ATEEZ #BTOBSungJae #kpopcomebacksinMay2024 #May2024Comebacks #MCNB #SuhoEXO #kcrush #kcrushnews #SooJin #kmusic #kpop #newmusic #kcrushamerica #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #koreanmusic #kculture #kfashion #kmusicvideo #newmusicinmay2024fromkpop #americakcrush #kcrushannouncement #kpopidol #google

Sunmi, who’s been away since her October 2023 “Stranger” track, is also gearing up for a comeback. Abyss Company, Sunmi’s agency, confirmed that the star just finished shooting her upcoming MV in Croatia. This was a day after the star announced the exciting news on her socials during her birthday celebrations broadcast. Sunmi also revealed the upcoming song’s title, “Balloon with Love”.

The fact that the upcoming MV is a self-composed piece creates more anticipation among fans across the globe. The talented dancer and singer became a global sensation with her “Gashina” track followed by “Tail” single among others. Sunmi was a member of JYP agency’s Wonder Girls girl group, which debuted in 2007 before going solo.

—-Makena Mwenda

#Sunmi #SunmisJuneComeback #WonderGirls #GashinaSunmi #kcrushnews #AbyssCompany #BalloonWithLove #kpopidol #kpopdancer #kpopsinger #kpop #kcrushamerica #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kfashion #koreanculture #hallyu #Sunmimusicvideo #Sunmicomeback #Tail #Croatia #SunmifilmedinCroatia #kmusic #kcrushmedia #MV #Sunmiglobalsensation #Sunmiwinnerkcrushmusicawards

Pledis Entertainment agency’s boy group TWS is gearing up for a comeback scheduled for June. On May 3, Pledis revealed that TWS will be making a comeback this coming June. The agency added that the rookie group is currently in Hong Kong wrapping up the comeback MV.

The rookie group recently dominated domestic charts with the “Plot Twist” track. TWS boy group released its last piece in January with their first-ever mini album titled “Sparkling Blue”. The album was also the group’s debut release. TWs will drop a pre-release single in early June in preparation for the official MV release.

—-Makena Mwenda

#TWSRookieGroup #TWSJuneComeback #PlotTwisttrack #SparklingBlue #PledisEntertainment #kcrush #kpop #koreanpop #comebackinjune #TWSwillmakeacomebackinjune #kcrushamerica #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kculture #hallyu #kfashion #minialbumsparklingblue #JunecomebackforTWS

The 7-year curse of K-pop groups disbanding after 7 years seems to have gone with the wind. the increasing autonomy in the entertainment industry has given K-pop artists the freedom to continue their passion despite contract terminations. This new breeze also enables the artists to explore and test their skills and abilities in different environments. Over the last quarter, several K-pop stars have switched agencies. Some like Jessi, GOT 7’s Youngjae, VIXX’s Ken, Davichi, and VAV band have also left their agencies but are yet to officially announce their latest agencies. Here are some K-pop stars who have confirmed their switched agencies.

1. BBGIRLS (Brave Girls)

Famously known as Brave Girls, this girl group has decided to rebrand to BBGIRLS amidst a change of agencies and member reorganization. The band debuted in 2011 under Brave Entertainment agency, managed by Warner Music Korea, as Brave Girls. On April 27, the girl band officially did not renew their contract with Warner Music Korea and announced their new journey under BB GIRLS company. The band also stated that the band will be operating as a 3-member group after YuJeong’s departure.

2. SHINee’s Onew & Taemin

After 16 years at SM Entertainment, SHINee’s Taemin has finally changed agencies. On April 1, Big Entertainment agency took to its social media to announce that Taemin has finally joined their family. SHINee’s Onew followed suit two days later. On April 3, Griffin Entertainment announced that it had signed an exclusive contract with Onew. SHINee’s Minho and Key decided to renew their contract with SM Entertainment as members and solo artists as well.

3. VIXX’s Leo

As of March 5, VIXX’s Leo officially left Jellyfish Entertainment after 12 years. Leo switched agencies and signed with Big Boss Entertainment which manages stars like Lee Jong Hyuk and Go Kyu Pil. VIXX’s Ken, who left Jellyfish Entertainment alongside Leo on March 4 is yet to reveal his new agency.

4. LOONA’s Yves

After parting ways with BlockBerry Creative in 2023, alongside other band members, LOONA’s YVES signed a contract with PAIX PER MIL on March 14. PAIX PER MIL label is run by producer MILLIC. Yves debuted as a member of LOONA girl band in 2017.

5. Sam Kim

After a decade of working with Antenna agency, Sam Kim left the agency in March 2024. Apparently, the singer had already signed a contract with Big Planet Made agency back in January 2024. Big Planet Made agency houses legends like Soyu and Heo Gak.

6. Kim Woo Seok

After a decade at TOP Media, singer and actor Kim Woo Seok has finally found a new agency. On March 5, the UP10TION boy band member signed an exclusive contract with Blitzway agency which manages several A-list actors including Ji Hoon and Jung Ryeo Won.

7. Former Wonder Girls’ Hyerim

After over 3 years with rrr Entertainment agency, having switched from JYP Entertainment which represented the former Wonder Girls band, Hyerim has finally found an agency to call home. On January 2, 2024, the former Wonder Girls’ member confirmed she had joined Wave Entertainment which houses several foreigners including Eva Popiel and Christina Confalonieri.

We would like to wish each one continued success with their new agencies!

—-Makena Mwenda

#AgencySwitchesbyKPopStars #kpop #kpopidol #kpopstarchangesagency #WonderGirlsHyerim #Hyerim #WaveEntertainment #kcrushnews #kcrush #KimWooSeok #UP10TION #TopMedia #BlitzwayAgency #SamKim #BigPlanetMade #AntennaAgency #kcrushamerica #YVES #LOONA #BlockberryCreative #PAIXPERMIL #MILLIC #VIXXLeo #BigBossEntertainment #kmusic #JellyfishEntertainment #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #Taemin #SHINeeTaemin #SMEntertainment #BigEntertainment #Onew #GriffinEntertainment #BraveGirls #BBGirls #WarnerMusicKorea #BraveEntertainment #BBGirlsCompany #kpopnews

Known for managing notable bans including NCT and RIIZE, SM Entertainment is out to validate its dominance in the K-Pop entertainment industry.

On 1^st May 2024, SM Entertainment officially launched its latest label, KRUCIALIZE, through a short trailer on the group’s already-set social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter). The trailer, which reveals KRUCIALIZE label’s logo, is also an invitation to learn more about the group. The interaction is scheduled to take place at Seoul Forest Understand Ave from the 4^thto the 9^th of May 2024.

SM Entertainment further elevated its fanbase’s excitement with the 도착 (Journey) film in preparation for the new label’s launch. KRUCIALIZE is SM Entertainment’s subsidiary music label that breathes new life into the essence of K-pop. SM Entertainment seeks to forge a pathway toward sustainable artistry through this label.

—-Makena Mwenda

#SMEntertainment #SMEntertainmentNewLabel #KRUCIALIZE #kcrush #Journey #SeoulForestUnderstandAve #SeoulKorea #kpop #koreanpop #newlabel #kcrushamerica #kcrushcontent #kcrushmedia #breakingnews #essenceofKpop #knews #kcrushtopentertainmentmagazine #kcrushgoogleindexed #SMEntertainmentfanbase #koreanmusic #kculture #hallyu #hallyucraze

If there is one regret that will follow me after this experience, it’s that I did not bring a whistle.

Since January 2012, albeit I didn’t become a fan of K-pop until October that year, it’s widely known that a whistle… a Matoki support whistle, at that… is forever tied to Bang Yongguk (Korean: 방용국).

On April 17, 2024, charismatic artist Bang Yongguk, brought ‘III’ THE US TOUR 2024 to House of Blues Houston, Texas. The leader and unmistakable voice of former group B.A.P. rocked the stage with nothing but a deejay, microphone, and charisma that ranged from relentless rizz to knee-weakening aegyo at any given moment, keeping fans captivated and excited.

Credit: MyMusicTaste

The crowd of fans was a diverse and welcoming mix. From longtime fans of B.A.P. with lightsticks in tow, to those who came on board when he first went solo in 2018, everyone was eager to see him.

“I found him scrolling on YouTube,” said one fan before the show started, wearing a t-shirt from his 2023 meet and greet. “If I could tell him one thing, it would be that I love him!”

The enthusiasm felt different than that of idol group tours. And for good reason: the venue was perfectly selected for intimacy, giving Yongguk the perfect opportunity to engage with everyone present. There was no pushing alongside the stage rails, nor was there difficulty in finding a space to regroup if jumping along to the music set one’s adrenaline too high. After experiencing some poor venue choices with other acts, I can confidently say that MyMusicTaste knew exactly what to do to make for a great experience.

After an organized entry into the venue and an energizing set from his deejay, Bang Yongguk launched into jam after jam. At one point, he even popped on a cowboy hat, hyping everyone up even more! His command of the stage is undeniable and the remaining stops on the tour are in for a real treat. The musicality is there and he deserves the interest.

Oh, yeah, don’t forget to bring a whistle.

All image credits, unless otherwise noted: Jessica Nicco

Author by: Ashley Griffin-Borjon

#BangYongguksHoustonShow #BangYonggukinHouston #Matoki #MatokiWhistle #HouseOfBluesHouston #kcrush #IIITheUSTour2024 #BAP #BABY #BAPFandom #cowboyhat #LeaderBAP #koreansoloist #kpop #khiphop #kidol #kcrushconcertcoverage #MyMusicTaste #YYEntertainment #bringtheMatokiback #bringawhistle #kcrushamerica #deejay #DJ #excitement #fun #soloperformance #solotour #thirdtour

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JeonjuIFF 24 – Interview with Namkoong Sun Director of ‘Time to Be Strong’

Gummi

Ellin

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Soyul (Former Crayon Pop)

ABOUT METAMOON MUSIC FESTIVAL

ABOUT THE ROC NATION SCHOOL OF MUSIC, SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

1. BTOB’s Sungjae

2. EXO’s Suho

3. Soojin

4. MCND

5. ATEEZ

6. NEW JEANS

7. AESPA

1. BBGIRLS (Brave Girls)

2. SHINee’s Onew & Taemin

3. VIXX’s Leo

4. LOONA’s Yves

5. Sam Kim

6. Kim Woo Seok

7. Former Wonder Girls’ Hyerim

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