Phoenix Storm Unveils Festive Magic with K-Pop Christmas Single, “A Christmas Flavor”

 

Celebrated artist Phoenix Storm has once again captivated audiences with his latest musical masterpiece, “A Christmas Flavor.” The K-pop sensation, whose illustrious career spans over a decade, teams up with bass music producer JAPANDA to bring a fresh and vibrant holiday spirit to the music scene.

Known for his exceptional contributions to the industry, Phoenix Storm has left an indelible mark on the global music landscape. His previous work on Snowman’s “JUICY” music video achieved remarkable success, earning 2x Platinum certifications in Japan and amassing an impressive 55 million views. The album “Snow Mania S1,” on which Phoenix played a pivotal role, soared to unprecedented heights, securing its place as the best-selling album in the first week of release—a historic feat in Japan’s music history for a boy band’s studio album.

In 2022, Phoenix Storm received platinum and multi-platinum accolades for his contributions to three chart-topping hits, collectively selling a staggering 2,600,000 physical copies. The artist’s influence continued into 2023 with significant contributions to NCT’s chart-topping hit “Kangaroo” and Kim Jae Joong’s acclaimed “Born Again” album.

“A Christmas Flavor” is set to become the new holiday anthem, infusing the season with Phoenix Storm’s signature style and festive charm. The track is a testament to the artist’s ability to transcend boundaries and deliver a musical experience that resonates with audiences globally.

Experience the magic of the holiday season with Phoenix Storm and JAPANDA’s “A Christmas Flavor,” available now on all major streaming platforms.

For updates, follow Phoenix Storm on Instagram and check out his website!

 

 

#PhoenixStorm #kcrushnews #JAPANDA #AChristmasFlavor #streamingplatforms #kcrushamerica #jpop #kpop #KangarooNCT #KimJaeJoongBornAgainalbum #topasianamericanentertainmentmagazine #music #newmusic #christmas #snowmansJuicymusicvideo #newholidayanthem #kcrushmedia #kcrushgoogleindexed

 

K-Pop solo artist KIM WOOJIN is heading to Europe for his “THE MOMENT TOUR EUROPE”. He is ready to take on five cities in Europe with stops in Paris, Warsaw, Berlin, London, and Madrid. The Europe tour kicks off in Paris on January 17 and continues through three more cities before reaching the last stop in Madrid on January 25.

KIM WOOJIN is a K-Pop male solo artist under KREATION Music Rights. KIM WOOJIN made his solo debut in August 2021 with the album ‘The moment : 未成年, a minor.’ and imprinted his name to K-Pop listeners by entering the iTunes Chart in 13 countries worldwide, including Taiwan and the United States.

He proved his potential for success as a solo artist and even participated in the writing of the entire album. KIM WOOJIN recently won the Top Artist award at the Asia Top Awards 2023. As he took his first step as a solo artist, he remained active in acting, participating in K-Drama OSTs for K-Dramas like ‘King The Land’ and ‘Reborn Rich’, and went on global tours and musicals. The solo artist completed The Moment Tour India 2023 in October. As a headliner for various famous festivals as well as concerts, he kept his promise to his long-awaited fans in India.

KIM WOOJIN quickly surpassed 1 million views on his official debut song as well as pre-debut, attracting global fans with his steep rise to popularity, proving himself as a rookie-monster. His pre-debut song “Still Dream” surpassed 1 million views in just 210 hours, and his official debut song “Ready Now” also quickly reached 1 million views, kickstarting his career as a solo artist with a flourish. Furthermore, his official SNS and Spotify followers also presented significant growth rates, showing a remarkable increase in fandom indicators.

KIM WOOJIN starred in ‘Beyond The Wardrobe’, a Brazilian HBO Max original, playing the character Kyungmin’ making him the first Korean to lead an HBO Max series. Through this show, he succeeded in drawing enthusiastic attention not only from Brazil, but also from several South American countries. Additionally, he surprised fans by challenging the musical “Sherlock Holmes: Secret Of The Anderson Family” based on his experience in acting and global tours.

KIM WOOJIN participated in songwriting in his second mini-album ‘The moment : 美成年, Bounce.’, proving his limitless growth by sincerely capturing his story. As an extension of the last album, it contains a desire to present more challenging and bright songs as a gift to CUBS (official fandom name) and to be recognized by the public with his songs. “The moment” series captures the emotions we have experienced in our lives or at the moment and inserts messages throughout the album to bring sympathy and comfort to the public. KIM WOOJIN unravels his message and aspirations to the world in his way in every album and shows off his refreshing vocals.

In 2022, KIM WOOJIN proceeded with his first world tour “STILL DREAM” in 27 cities in various countries, including the United States, Europe, South America, and Japan. The tour was named after “STILL DREAM,” his pre-debut single. Through the world tour, which has been a long-awaited dream, he expressed his eagerness to run toward his dream with his fans. At the time of the world tour, not only the entire mini-album tracks but also the drama OST that he participated in, showed off a variety of charm to the audience. Fans are paying keen attention to his upcoming tour, awaiting what setlist will surprise fans this time.

It has been over a year since his last world tour KIM WOOJIN 1ST WORLD TOUR 2022 ‘STILL DREAM, the upcoming THE MOMENT TOUR EUROPE is sure to be a meaningful time not only for CUBS (official fandom name) but for him as well. During his previous Europe tour, KIM WOOJIN had no choice but to raise his in-ear monitor volume because the fans cheered so passionately. He conveyed that the cheer was loud enough to cause tinnitus all day long after the performance. As this tour is also expected to be full of energy, it is exciting to look forward to the stage where KIM WOOJIN and CUBS(official fandom name) will be together.

Proving his capabilities as a solo artist, KIM WOOJIN is ready to take center stage on his second Europe tour. He has showcased his presence through special performances combined with an attractive voice.

With fascinating tracks and choreography that allows him to show who he is, KIM WOOJIN invites fans to his unique shows through a series of live performances. After the tour announcement, he has garnered keen attention from local fans alike as they anticipate making memories together through his second Europe tour.

Pre-sale tickets for London will go on sale on December 16, 09:00 (GMT) and general sale for all cities will start on December 18, 09:00 (GMT). Information regarding ticketing for the shows can be found on: mmt.fans/bw2B

 

KIM WOOJIN: THE MOMENT TOUR EUROPE – Tour Dates

17 Jan – PARIS – La Bellevilloise

19 Jan – WARSAW – Hybrydy

21 Jan – BERLIN – Columbia Theater

23 Jan – LONDON – O2 Academy Islington

25 Jan – MADRID – Changó Club

 

About KREATION Music Rights:

Established in 2020, KREATION Music Rights is a K-pop agency that aims to innovate communication between artists and fandom.

 

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.

 

 

#KimWooJin #KimWooJinEuropeanTour #kcrushnews #MyMusicTaste #KREATIONMusicRights #kpop #tour #europeantour #KimWooJinTour2023 #kcrushamerica #Paris #Warsaw #Berlin #London #Madrid #koreansinger #TheMomentTourKimWooJin #CUBSKimWooJinFas #kcrushtopasianamericanmagazine #ReadyNowKimWooJin #kcrushgoogleindex #kcrushcontent #kpopidol #kdramaOST #MyMusicTasteKimWooJinTour

 

Che’Nelle has released ‘I AM’, her first CD and digital single with Japanese lyrics in six years, on December 13.

Che’Nelle made her global debut in 2007 on the major US label Capitol Records. Her song ‘Love with DJ’ from her first album was a big hit in Japan, and the album reached No. 1 on the Oricon Western music charts in Japan, and also won the Rookie of the Year award at the Gold Disc Awards. Later, ‘Baby I Love You’, a cover of TEE’s famous song with English lyrics, created a sensation in Japan and made her a household name in the J-pop world. After that, ‘Believe’, the theme song for the movie ‘BRAVE HEARTS Umizaru’, and ‘Happiness’, the theme song for the Fuji TV drama ‘Dear Sister’, became big hits. But with a number of personal events since 2018 such as childbirth and childcare, as well as restrictions on visiting Japan during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been six years since she has released a CD or sung a new song with Japanese lyrics.

The title track, ‘I AM’, was composed by SUNNY BOY, a producer and songwriter who has produced numerous hit songs. It is a ballad with a chill and beautiful melody typical of Che’Nelle, and with lyrics that preach the importance of self-acceptance.

With the lyrics “I am all I want” and “I am all I need”, the chorus teaches the importance of affirming and accepting yourself as you are. Che’Nelle hopes that listeners will feel the same way after listening to her lyrics. She tells her listeners, “Even if you have a day when things don’t go well, as long as you know your own self-worth, you can handle anything.”

The first pressing of the CD includes a bonus message card from Che’Nelle to remind you to love yourself, reflecting the song’s theme.

 

Release information

■ Released Wednesday, December 13

1. I AM
2. Ame no Sei
3. I AM (English version)
4. I AM (Chinese version) *digital exclusive

https://avex.lnk.to/IAM_CheNelle

 

CD ‘I AM’

AVCD-61384 / Price: 1,155 yen (including tax)

 

▼ CD purchase links:

https://avex.lnk.to/CheNelle_1213CD

 

Che’Nelle official links

■ LINE: https://page.line.me/?accountId=che_nelle

■ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh5Jn_Vg4oa5CQK3v-4a0vA

■ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chenelleworld/?hl=ja

■ Twitter: https://twitter.com/chenelleworld

■ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chenelleworldjapan

 

#CheNelle #CheNelleJapaneseLyrics #IAMCheNelle #composedbySUNNYBOY #kcrushnews #JPop #JapanesePop #CDCheNelle #DigitalSingleCheelle #BelieveThemeSongForBraveHearts #kcrushamerica #kcrushmedia #loveyourselfisIAMtheme

 

Japanese mannequin duo FEMM will be performing their final show with the collaboration with  fancyHIM on Christmas Eve in Tokyo, Shibuya.

fancyHIM continues to provide fashionable and exciting nights that transcends gender, they can clearly be titled as “Tokyo’s cutting edge.” FEMM has a long history with them, since fancyHIM were the ones who first discovered FEMM back in 2015, and kept on collaborating. It is truly a “home ground” for FEMM.

This event will feature a number of guest artists who have a close relation with FEMM, such as singer-songwriter Yup’in who worked with FEMM in the group “FAMM’IN,” and Micro Mica who co-starred in their Europe tour “FEMM-Isation UK/EU tour 2022,” and “KANNAGI,” who are a vogueing dance duo. As for DJs, UNA + MATCHA, who are famous for spinning at high fashion events and are close performing buddies with FEMM for years. PELI, the designer of “PAMEO POSE,” and UNO FUMI, DJ and fashion press for “PAMEO POSE.” “Wabisabi,” who captivates with music and costumes of various genres. Artists based in “FancyHIM,” are “fancyBOYS”, “NAOPIS + TARO” who are also a model and product designer, “CLOUDOM” who is active as a DJ and beauty Youtuber, BCG, who consist of Gwns who actively works to protect the cuteness of orangutans, and ERI KAWAKAMI, a painter. “SHINTAKA” from Osaka is also performing.

The last performance outside of Japan will be “Last FEMM-Isation” in London, which will be held on December 16th. This will be an emotional show and will be a must see for sure. They will have special merchandise for the day as well.

 

“HIMM & FEMM”

Date: December 24, 2023

Venue: BAIA Shibuya

official site:

https://passmarket.yahoo.co.jp/event/show/detail/02nrfep8upf31.html

 

『Last FEMM-Isation』

Date: December 16, 2023

Venue: The Lower Third (London)

Afternoon performance: https://link.dice.fm/Q2874d426e29

Night performance: https://link.dice.fm/gafa1aeb6fcb

JPU official site:

https://jpurerecords.com/blogs/news/last-femm-isation-concert-london

 

2023/11/15 Distribution release

『CHERRY』

1.CHERRY

2. We Flood the Night (MYLK Remix)
3. SUN
4. Living in the Spotlight
5. Butterfly to the Moon

 

FEMM / Profile

Two mannequins with intentions / Female rap duo by RiRi and LuLa. Their first album “Femm-Isation” entered the top 10 of the US Billboard chart “World Albums” and was selected as “Best Indies Album” at all HMV stores in the UK. The latest album “Tokyo Ex Machina” features participation from world-class producers such as “Jenna Andrews,” who worked with BTS, and “Kool Kojak,” who worked with Ariana Grande and Doja Cat. “We Got Each Other”, which was one of the first to incorporate Y2K pop punk, was ranked on the major US radio chart “Mediabase Activator Chart” for 12 consecutive weeks. In 2023, which will be the 10th anniversary of their activities, they announced that they will cease their activities by the end of the year.

 

Music release information:

Latest album “CHERRY”

DL & Streaming: https://femm.lnk.to/1115CHERRY

 

We Got Each Other (Music Video)

https://youtu.be/_FEBK7xZOEA

 

Falling For A Lullaby (Music Video)

https://youtu.be/lpBoFZL_dBA

 

Crystal Ball (Music Video)

https://youtu.be/CYh9RUBiQyI

 

YouTube: https://bit.ly/2THLXBn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femm____/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FEMM____

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@femm____

Official Website: https://femms.jp/

 

#FEMM #fancyHIM #ChristmasEveInTokyo2023 #Japanesesingers #kcrushnews #JPop #CHERRYalbumFEMM #JapanesemannequinduoFEMM #mannequinduoJapanese #kcrushmedia #WeGotEachOthermusicvideoFEMM #CrystalBallmusicvideoFEMM #FallingForALullabyFEMM #TokyoEvent #rapduobyRiRiandLuLa #RIRI #Lula #Y2KPopPunk #kcrushamerica #rap #pop #kcrushtopasianamericanentertainmentmagazine #ButterflyToTheMoonFEMM #FEMMIsation #kcrushgoogleindex #TokyoShibuya #Shibuya

 

Japanese band THREE1989, whose three members were each born in 1989 and whose band name is simply pronounced “Three”, have been selected to provide the ending theme tune to the new TV drama ‘kiss×kiss×kiss~LOVE ii SHOWER~’, which began broadcasting on TV Tokyo on Thursdays, November 2. Their ending theme song ‘Aiiro’ was released on November 8.

TV Tokyo has teamed up with avex to create a series for broadcast television based on the successful show ‘kiss×kiss×kiss’, which was originally shown on dTV®, racking up some 220 million views and an audience including more than 5 million women. The new song will be used as the ending theme for the project’s second season.

The song is closely based on the TV series itself, with the band members reading the show’s script before writing the lyrics and composing the music. The song was arranged by kei matsuura, who worked with the band early on in their career. Each episode of the TV show tells a different story, and the song’s lyrics express the diversity of modern romance through the conceptual use of “color”, using as few sounds as possible and featuring a piano melody that shines from the intro, resulting in a mellow love song.

 

 

THREE1989 profile

• THREE1989 (pronounced “Three”)
• Shohei (vocals)
• Datch (DJ)
• Shimo (keyboard)

THREE1989 was formed by three members who were each born in 1989. Each of the three members write the music and lyrics together, uniquely blending 1970s, ’80s and ’90s sounds such as New Jack Swing, funk, disco and R&B, interwoven with dance music to create a sound that is both modern and what the band call “New Nostalgic”.

The band are set apart by vocalist Shohei’s incredible singing technique and stunning voice, DJ Datch’s play style that uses scratching and samplers to go beyond the usual framework of a DJ, and keyboardist Shimo’s impressive multi-instrumental abilities.

The band have already held headline shows at prestigious venues in Japan such as Liquidroom in Tokyo and appeared at multiple Japanese music festivals, as well as performing overseas in countries such as Taiwan, South Korea and Spain. They have also worked with several artists from around the world, releasing musical collaborations with Ink Waruntorn (Thailand), Midas Hutch (The Netherlands) and LINION (Taiwan) – placing THREE1989 firmly on the global stage.

 

Further information

Official website: https://www.three1989.tokyo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/three1989.tokyo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/three1989tokyo/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/THREE1989tokyo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@three1989tokyo

 

#Three1989 #Japaneseboygroup #kcrushnews #threememberband #newmusic #three1989tokyo #LiquidRoomTokyo #kcrushamerica #kcrushcontent #Shohei #DJDatch #Shimo #jpop #newjackswing #funk #RnB #disco #dancemusic #kissxkissxkissTVshow #Aiiro #TVdramakiss×kiss×kissLOVEiiSHOWER #topasianentertainmentmagazine #americanmagazine #googleindexed #globalstageThree1989 #TVTokyo #Avex #keimatsuura #topjapaneseboygroup #newnostalgic  #Shohei #vocals #Datch #DJ #Shimo #keyboard

 

SEOULCon Announces Official K-Pop Lineup and Programming Details With League of Legends’ World Champion T1 Team Alongside Global Brands

Cultural Event Offers Asian Entertainment Diaspora of State-Of-The-Art Technology, Interactive Netflix Programs, and More

 The world’s largest influencer expo with 3,000 teams from 50 countries participating

 SEOULCon, a dynamic two-day exhibition, is set to captivate audiences with its celebration of Asian entertainment and culture on December 30 and 31. Organized independently and driven by a passion for promoting diversity in creative expressions, SEOULCon aims to connect various facets of Asian music, media, technology, art, and consumer entertainment entities. In a world where Asian influence continues to shape global pop culture, the exhibition provides a platform to unite these diverse elements into a seamless, immersive experience. SEOULCon’s attendees will explore and appreciate the rich tapestry of Asian artists and cultures, offering a multi-sensory, live event that bridges the present, the new, and the next in Asian creative expressions. The full music artist lineup consists of K-pop heavyweights such as Jay Park, APINK, ASH ISLAND, CHUNG HA, DJ Soda and LEE GIKWANG of HIGHLIGHT.

The exhibition will take place at various locations within the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), including the Art Hall, Oullim Square, and Design Lab, and will house all programming listed below. There will be over 20 programs created to showcase the latest lifestyle of Seoul, amongst the present and future of technology companies that are highlighted through the ‘Seoul Tech Meetup & Technology Demonstration’, which showcases the innovative technologies of Seoul-based tech companies such as AI, robots, fintech, biotechnology, mobility, and notably popular content creators.

T1, as one of the most prominent teams, has won a record total of four League of Legends World Championship titles (2013, 2015, 2016 and 2023), two Mid-Season Invitational titles (2016 and 2017). ‘T1 CON’, a fan meeting program of the world’s top e-sports club T1, will be held. The T1 team, including Faker, will hold an event to repay the fans who have supported them throughout the year.

SEOULCon aims to secure the ‘content industry’ as a new driving force for the Seoul economy through various programs such as the exhibition related to Hallyu content, beauty activations presenting a sustainable fashion in Seoul launching shows for promising small and medium-sized enterprises, and exhibitions and demonstrations of the latest technologies. The event’s focus is to enhance its competitiveness in the global social media and business lifestyle industries by showcasing invited content creators who share a common interest in SEOULCon’s initiatives and bring them together to collaborate.

 

 

Consumer Entertainment

Popular Netflix programs such as “Single’s Inferno” and “Physical 100” who’ve become global sensations when first premiered, have continued their commercial dominance and cultural omnipresence in 2023. Some of the cast members from both programs will participate in panels and a live Drawing Show.

 

Hallyu Star and Global Influencer Awards

On December 30, the Hallyu Star and Global Influencer Awards will collaborate with the 2023 APAN Star Awards for an awards ceremony featuring multiple entertainment categories such as domestic broadcasting and OTT drama; to be attended by actors, journalists, and global influencers. This ceremony will be attended by numerous Hallyu stars. The 2022 Grand Prize Winner was Song Joong-Ki from the hit Netflix series, Vincenzo.

 

Street Fashion and Sneakers Market

Starting from December 30 for two days, the “2023 SEOULCon:ORIGINAL SEOUL” will feature numerous domestic and international street brands, presenting hip fashion trends. Each brand will showcase their latest lineups, limited-edition goods, and conduct brand-specific events. Brands participating will be including Musinsa, Another Shop, Kasina, Peaches, LEVI’s and more.

 

2023 SEOULCon Media Trailer

On December 31, the 2023 Media Trailer will kick off their program where popular or highly anticipated content participants, including those from past successes or upcoming works, engage in experiences and talk shows with the audience. This will feature a showdown between the popular Netflix series ‘Physical 100’ cast and global content creators attending. Winners of ‘Physical 100’ program, including Woo Jin-yong, along with celebrities like Jo Jin-hyung, and Australia Tarzan, will face off against notable creators. ‘Single’s Inferno’ participants from previous seasons such as Oh Jin-taek will also host relationship counseling and talk shows in a panel.

 

 

K-Pop Random Play Dance & Meet and Greet

At the DDP Oullim Square, from December 30 (Saturday) to December 31 (Sunday), the K-Pop Random Play Dance will take place, bringing together entertainment networks and domestic dance crews to collaborate; KBS, DGDG Studio and more taking part in this installation. On the 30th, T1 from League of Legends will hold a fan meeting expressing gratitude to the fans who have supported them throughout the year.

 

K-Pop Concert

On December 31st (Sunday) from 18:00, the highlight of the 2023 SEOULCon edition, the K-Pop Concert, will take place with some of the biggest artists in the genre currently. As the clock strikes midnight on January 1 (Monday), the celebration will continue, heating up the atmosphere to welcome the year 2024. The lineup consists of Jay Park, APINK, ASH ISLAND, CHUNG HA, DJ Soda and LEE GIKWANG of HIGHLIGHT.

 

Notable Attending Content Creators

Anushka Sen is an Instagram influencer with an impressive 40 million followers. Representing India, Sen has been appointed as an honorary ambassador for promoting Korea as a tourist destination, expressing her aspiration to be a bridge connecting Korea and India.

Kika Kim, born to Korean parents in Russia, has amassed 36 million followers on TikTok since she began creating.

Attendees can look forward to musical artist showcases, captivating dances and various content experiences. SEOULCon promises a unique and immersive experience, bringing together enthusiasts to celebrate the richness of Korean arts in the heart of Seoul.

 

 

#SEOULCon #JayPark #APINK #kcrushnews #ASHISLAND #CHUNGHA #DJSoda #LEEGIKWANGHIGHLIGHT #kpopidols #kpopcontent #NotableAttendingContentCreators #AnushkaSen #KikaKim #KPopConcert #kpopmusic #kcrushamerica #SeoulBusinessAgency #KPopRandomDancePlay #KBS #DGDG #dancecrew #T1fromLeagueofLegendsfanmeeting #kcrushmedia #DDPOullimSquare #kcrushtopasianamericanentertainmentmagazine #googleindexkcrush #Netflix #NetflixseriesPhysical100 #WooJinyong #JoJinhyung #AustraliaTarzan #SinglesInfernoparticipants #OhJintaek #Musinsa #AnotherShop #Kasina #Peaches #LEVIs #streetfashion #sneakersmarket #hallyu  #HallyuStarandGlobalInfluencerAwards #2023APANStarAwards #SBA #WomensWearDailyKorea #kpopculture #eSportschampionshipT1

 

Based on the popular webcomic Pleasant Bullying by Kim Soong-nyoong, writer and director Um Tae-hwa’s Concrete Utopia the world seems to have come to its apparent end. Millions in the once densely populated city of Seoul, South Korea’s capital and social centre have been killed in a massive earthquake that decimated the country, and perhaps the world. But strangely amidst the destruction and impending decay, stands Hwang Gung Apartments.

In Hwang Gung Apartments, social collapse has occurred but over time the inhabitants begin to rebuild it one rule at a time but unfortunately not for the better. The residents, wanting a leader, choose Young-tak, an at first unassuming taxi driver played excellently by Lee Byung-hun. As his almost de facto second is Geum-ae (Kim Sun-young), his right-hand man Min-sung (Park Seo-jun), and Min-sung’s wife, a nurse played (Park Bo-young).

In this interview director Um talks about being inspired by the quest for ownership of space and apartments in South Korea, to create a film about social inequality and hierarchy. We spoke about how rather than in a way levelling the playing field, Young-Tak, Geun-ae, and other residents choose to exclude and push out others they now see as beneath them.

These themes that are relatable to anyone anywhere, the terrific performances by the film’s ensemble cast, flawless VFX that create an immersive and frightening new environment for the survivors, and Um’s steady directing make Concrete Utopia a very entertaining watch but one that doesn’t detract from the serious of the subject matter. Because why should class and what floor of a crumpling apartment building you hold onto matter if you lose your humanity in the process.

Follow this link to watch a previously recorded interview with director Um Tae-hwa and Lee Byung-hun which took place during a press junket.

Concrete Utopia is distributed by LOTTE Entertainment and Climax Studio Inc. It was an Official Selection and screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Fantasia Fest, and Stiges Orbita festival.

It has its North American theatrical release December 8th, and wide release December 15th.

 

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

 

For the seventh consecutive year, Kcrush America invites you, our readers, to vote for our year-end superlatives.  We love to hear from our readers, and we enjoy seeing who you view as the best each year. The past two years have yielded several surprises in each category, so we expect much of the same this year!

For 2023, soloists brought their A-games, especially those artists from idol groups who showed us what they’re made of away from their ensembles. Some of the top nominees include BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, BTS’ Suga (Agust D) and Jimin, and OMG’s Jini for their impressive solo work, while perennial voting favorites Eric Nam, Sunmi, KangDaniel, Shaun, and Jackson Wang have a tough climb ahead of them.

On the idol group side, (G)I-dle, Dreamcatcher, ATEEZ, Stray Kids, EPIK HIGH, and SHINee continue to shine, proving yearly that they’ll always be contenders. However, new school powerhouses like Le Sserafim, New Jeans, and the surprising-yet-surprisingly-dysfunctional Fifty-Fifty aim to knock previous generations from their podiums in our polls.

If the brewing drama in the K-Pop polls isn’t enough, you can, of course, vote for your favorite K-Dramas. Will Tale of the Nine-Tailed: 1938 and Mask Girl be worthy winners, or will there be a different King of the Land?

From December 13, 2023 to January 13, 2024, let your voices be heard! We can’t wait to see who your winners are this year!

#kcrushkpopmusicawards2023 #kcrushamericakpopmusicawards2023 #kcrush7thkpopmusicawardspoll #kpop #kpopidol #koreanmusic #kdramas #koreandramas #voteforyourfavorites #hallyusurveykcrush #rnb #kindie #ksoul #groupfavorite #soloartist #votetodaykcrushmusicawards #kcrushawards #kcrushcontent #kpopawards2023 #ATEEZ #BlackPink #EpikHigh

 

Highly acclaimed Japanese artist Vicke Blanka has announced his first-ever headline tour of North America, simply titled ‘Vicke Blanka North American Tour 2024.’  The tour will include a total of 10 shows, launching in Vancouver on January 31^st and closing in New York on February 20^th.

This year, Vicke Blanka has performed at a number of overseas events, drawing a peak attendance of over 5,000 fans per show.  In May, he played at Jeddah Events Calendar 2023  Anime Village at City Walk in Saudi Arabia, in July he performed at Riminicomix in Italy and at Japan Expo 22nd Impact 2023 in France (as Music Guest of Honor), before returning to Saudi Arabia again in August for Gamers8 Cosplay Cup Supported by WCS.  In December, he will perform at Magnificon Expo 2023 in Poland, and at Manga Barcelona 2023 in Spain.

In addition, his opening theme tunes for the anime series ‘Black Clover’ continue to be ongoing hits: His Season 3 opening theme song “Black Rover“ has now been played over 170M times, while his Season 10 opening theme song “Black Catcher” has surpassed 200M plays, ranking in Spotify’s Top 10 chart of songs by Japanese artists played by overseas users for the third consecutive year since 2020.

As Vicke Blanka continues his meteoric rise around the world, it will be exciting to see what kind of performance he brings when he hits stages across North America for the first time.

 

Tickets are on sale from Friday, December 8th, 7AM (PST).

 

★ Tour information

Vicke Blanka North American Tour 2024

• Jan 31 (Wed): Vancouver – VOGUE THEATRE (ticket)
• Feb 2 (Fri): Denver – GOTHIC THEATRE (ticket)
• Feb 5 (Mon): San Francisco – GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL (ticket)
• Feb 6 (Tue): Los Angeles – THE BELASCO (ticket)
• Feb 8 (Thu): Dallas – STUDIO AT THE FACTORY (ticket)
• Feb 9 (Fri): Houston – SCOUT BAR (ticket)
• Feb 13 (Tue): Chicago – PARK WEST (ticket)
• Feb 15 (Thu): Toronto – ANNABEL’S (ticket)
• Feb 18 (Sun): Montreal – RIALTO THEATRE (ticket)
• Feb 20 (Tue): New York City – PALLADIUM TIMES SQUARE (ticket)

 

★ Official links

Official website: https://vickeblanka.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO0qNLhe

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VickeblankaTV

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickeblanka/

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

TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@vicke_blanka

French Link fan club: https://vickeblanka.fc.avex.jp/

 

#VickeBlanka #VickeBlanksUSTour2024 #VickeBlankaTV #BlackCloverVickeBlanka #JapaneseArtist #kcrush #kcrushnews #kcrushtopasianamericanentertainmentmagazine #officialrelease #newtour #VickeBlankaFirstNorthAmericanTour #BlackRover #BlackCatcher #MangaBarcelona #guestofhonor

 

ATEEZ is back with their second full-length album, THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL. This album has everything– hype tracks, ballads, hip-hop, rap, cinematic tracks, and dance grooves. ATEEZ only continues to thrive and show their talent with each new release. THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL is no different! Here’s how I rank each song.

WE KNOW: 8/10

“WE KNOW” ushers in the album with an interesting synth and an almost mysterious sound. This track is great to listen to because it’s unpredictable, with powerful vocals and bold rap around every corner. The chorus is a bit simple, but the song needs this easy-to-follow melody because of the explosive sound that surrounds it!

 

Emergency: 4/10

I was a tad disappointed by the chorus on this. It lacks a bit of originality in lyrics and melody. Hongjoong’s rap here is great, but the song falls flat for me coming right after “WE KNOW.”

 

Crazy Form: 9/10

“Crazy Form” shows all that ATEEZ excels at. With big rap moments and bold vocals, “Crazy Form” is insanely catchy. ATEEZ are unapologetic. Lyrics like, “We’re changing the game. Ayy, oh, ayy. We’re dancing every day” with the addictive beat is a clear sign that this group is here to fight for their place in the K-pop world!

 

ARRIBA: 8/10

The bass in this track is a star as it fuels so much of the song’s movement. “ARRIBA” is a track that seamlessly blends genres–with pop and Latin coming to the forefront. The rhythm in the song draws in listeners, and the unique beats help the track stay fresh.

 

 

Silver Light: 9/10

“Silver Light” opens with a static radio sound and then explodes into an electronic, haunting melody. The instrumental is reminiscent of synth-wave and gives a cyber-punk feel to the song. “Silver Light” is crisp, with plenty of amazing vocals and passionate lyrics. Take a look:

Those blue bruises

Come back and become a spark

So that nothing stains you

Burn it up far away, oh-oh

 

Follow me, silver light

Finally fly away

Piercing through the darkness into the light

Beyond that light

Shine on me, silver light

At last, rise up

Piercing through the darkness

Into the light, into that light

 

Crescent Part 2: 9/10

A stunning instrumental piece, “Crescent Part 2” creates a beautiful soundscape. With waves gently caressing the shore and the sound of a ship echoing in the background, it sticks within the world ATEEZ has created. Cinematic, “Crescent Part 2” invites listeners to stay within this world and keep listening!

 

Dreamy Day: 9/10

“Dreamy Day” carries on some of the instrumentation from “Crescent Part 2”. This track is uplifting and filled with caring lyrics: We capture this scene in our hearts, even if we have to wake up someday, all the memories never gonna fade away. With plenty of great vocal and rap moments, “Dreamy Day” is an anthem on this album.

 

 

MATZ (HONGJOONG, SEONGHWA): 7/10

And here come the unit songs! “MATZ” is in your face! With bold instrumentals and intense beats, Hongjoong and Seonghwa exchange confident rap throughout the track. It truly is a hype song! I love the line that says, “Two men, we’re on fire, it’s dangerous. We have chemistry that bursts, again, we turn up.” No truer words were spoken.

 

IT’s You ( YEOSANG, SAN, WOOYOUNG): 7/10

“IT’s You” is about impressing someone and the melody seems to follow this impression. With a mix of airy and bold vocals, the track is a wonderful display of each member’s unique contribution to the whole of ATEEZ.

 

Youth (YUNHO, MINGI): 7/10

This song opens with a retro R&B style. There’s a sense of comradery on this track that feels unique to the others, and that’s likely due to Yunho and Mingi’s genuine and long-held friendship. Their rap and vocals pair perfectly!

 

Everything (JONGHO): 9/10

I would expect nothing less than a stunning ballad as a solo track for Jongho. This apple-splitting vocalist is one of a kind, and truly remarkable in both his soft vocals as well as his powerful belts. Jongho has a special gift of conveying emotions so well, and “Everything” is passionate and emotional. There’s even a key change at the end!

 

FIN: WILL: 10/10

This track opens with the questions:

What does emotion mean to you?

Are you still tormented by the pain from the past?

Have you ever panicked and felt broken by sadness?E

Have you ever lost yourself in overwhelming fear?

Have you ever felt so down that you wanted to be alone in this world?

 

“FIN: WILL” truly displays ATEEZ’s mission to reach real people with their music. It feels personal, warm, and truthful. The drums increase and surge into a beautiful chorus of vocals and an explosion of cinematic sound. ATEEZ do cinematic like few others, and it’s truly their signature in the K-pop world.

FINAL: 8/10

This album was beautifully crafted. ATEEZ is such a special and needed group in K-pop, and I’m so thankful they’ve stayed true to their sound which is deep and powerful. I can’t wait to see what comes next! But until then, THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL will keep me listening on loop!

—-Ellie Boyd

 

 

#ATEEZ #ATEEZnewalbum #kcrushalbumreview #kcrushATEEZalbumreview #ATEEZTheWorldEPFINWill #kpop #kpopalbum #newkpopmusic #newateezsongs #kcrushtopasianentertainnentmagazine #EverythingATEEZ #jungho #YOUNGATEEZ #Mingi #Yunho #ITsYouATEEZ #YEOSANG #SAN #WOOYOUNG #MATZATEEZ #HONGJOONG #SEONGHWA #DreamyDayATEEZ #CrescentPart2ATEEZ #ARRIBAATEEZ #SilverLightATEEZ #CrazyFormATEEZ #WeKnowATEEZ #EmergencyATEEZ #kcrush2014official #albumreview #kcrushamericamagazine #googleindexed #asianamericanmagazine #krushcontent #TheWorldEPFINWillReview2023

 

K-pop girl group EVERGLOW is gearing up to meet their fans, “FOREVER” (official fandom name), in Europe through their highly-anticipated EVERGLOW EU TOUR [ALL MY GIRLS]. This series of shows marks the group’s first Europe tour and is sure to captivate fans in six different cities across Europe throughout January and
February of 2024.

EVERGLOW is a six-member girl group formed by Yuehua Entertainment on March 21, 2019, consisting of members SIHYEON, E:U, MIA, ONDA, AISHA, and YIREN. The group debuted with their first single album, Arrival of Everglow, and its lead single track, “Bon Bon Chocolate”.  Arrival of Everglow was met with immediate enthusiasm and public interest, debuting at number 6 on South Korea’s Gaon Chart and their track “Bon Bon Chocolate” peaked at number 5 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.

EVERGLOW’s momentum didn’t slow as they continued to rise in the charts and capture fans’ hearts domestically and internationally. After their debut album’s success and impact, each of EVERGLOW’s subsequent musical releases saw impressive success on domestic and international charts and further expanded the group’s reach globally. They are well-known and acclaimed for their powerful, charismatic stage presence and bold musicality.

Their latest album, ALL MY GIRLS marks their first album release since their 20-month hiatus, and fans’ anticipation is high. The lead single track, “SLAY”, is overflowing with a bold, unique musical sound and is accompanied by a music video with powerful, ethereal, and confident visuals.

In November 2023, EVERGLOW successfully completed their 2023 EVERGLOW US TOUR [ALL MY GIRLS]. Starting the show in New Haven, EVERGLOW held their U.S. tour in 10 cities; New York, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., St. Petersburg, Louisville, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Proceeding with their U.S. tour success, EVERGLOW is now ever more ready to meet “FOREVER” in their upcoming Europe tour.

Tickets for the EVERGLOW EU TOUR [ALL MY GIRLS] will go on sale starting December 11 at 1 PM (GMT) for Amsterdam and Warsaw. Tickets for Barcelona and Berlin will go on sale starting December 13 at 1 PM (GMT). Tickets for London will go on sale starting December 15 at 10 AM (GMT). Paris ticket sales will be announced separately later at MyMusicTaste. Information regarding ticketing for the shows can be found in the link: mmt.fans/bw2m

 

EVERGLOW EU TOUR [ALL MY GIRLS]

• January 23 – Barcelona, Spain – Sala Apolo
• January 25 – Paris, France – Le Bataclan
• January 27 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg
• January 30 – London, UK – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
• February 2 – Warsaw, Poland – Palladium
• February 4 – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys

 

About Yuehua Entertainment:

Yuehua Entertainment Korea is a global total entertainment group paving new pathways as a leader in the global cultural content industry through investments in new businesses in music, film, TV series and shows with unique methods or by discovery and production of differentiated content suitable for diverse markets.

 

About MyMusicTaste:

MyMusicTaste organizes fan-initiated concerts around the world. We’re driven by our mission to connectand 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.

 

 

#EVERGLOW #YuehuaEntertainment #MyMusicTaste #EVERGLOWEUTOUR #ALLMYGIRLS #kcrushnews #BarcelonaSpain #ParisFrance #AmsterdamNetherlands #LondonUK #WarsawPoland #BerlinGermany #kpop #koreangirlgroup #ticketsonsale #kcrushamerica #topasianamericanentertainmentmagazine #kcrushmedia #kpopidol #BonBonChocolate #SIHYEON #EU #MIA #ONDA #AISHA #YIREN #EVERGLOWSLAY #kcrushgoogleindex #music #kpopmusic #kpopconert #EVERGLOWEuropeanTour2023

 

South Korean Singer-Songwriter Zion.T releases the final single and music video “V (Peace) (feat. AKMU)” from his 10-track album titled [Zip] via THEBLACKLABEL. The K-Pop sibling sensations deemed “prodigies’, Akdong Musician (AKMU) link up for a second time after previously featuring Zion.T on their 2021 track “BENCH“.

“V (Peace) (feat. AKMU)” is the third single off of the album arriving two days after the release of “UNLOVE (prod. HONNE)” and “Stranger”. The colorful music video finds Zion.T being followed by a group of dancers wearing his face as a mask as he moves through various parts of the city. Throughout the video, a peace sign is made with the hands forming the shape of a “V” and you can see cameos from various talents such as M-Flo, Tanaka and Kunichi Nomura.

[Zip] lists an impressive lineup of features from various music fields, in addition to Akdong Musician, American jazz trumpeter Benny Benack III, pianist Seokcheol Yoon and British electronic duo, HONNE. The 10-track project tells various stories of daily life based on deep reflections and experiences with Zion.T participating in the songwriting on every track. The album mixes various genres including parts of pop, R&B, soul, folk, ballad, jazz and hip-hop with production from PEEJAY, Junu Park, Fisherman and Slom.

This is Zion.T latest solo project since his last EP [ZZZ] as he has since appeared as a judge on the hit show “Show Me The Money 10” where he co-produced and featured on “MERRY-GO-ROUND” which remained #1 on Billboard K-Pop chart for 12 straight weeks. He also collaborated with Gen Hoshino on the soundtrack for the Marvel action-film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and this past October, he also collaborated with Rich Brian and Warren Hue on the song and music video for “World Stop Turning” released through 88rising.

Zion.T has said of this project

“As I enter my twelfth winter, I release my third studio album, [Zip]. Looking back, I realize that I don’t release albums regularly. It seems more rare than an annual event, doesn’t it? 

The songs on this project were not created easily. Scattered at times, hidden at others, they eventually came together over time to form what they are now. 

While they may not be perfect, I believe that they’ve turned out quite wonderfully. I hope that among these ten tracks, there is at least one song that you would like to keep and cherish.

Once again, thank you for listening! Your support enables me to continue making music.

Zip.“

 

Stream The Album: https://lnk.to/Zion.T_Zip

 

 

More of Zion.T:

Physical Album Pre-Order

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

 

About Zion.T:

Zion.T is one of the most original and commercially successful artists in South Korea.

He is a singer and producer best known for his ability to flawlessly blend his distinctive voice with elements of hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz and pop. He has been nominated multiple times for ‘Artist of the Year’ with his unconventional yet deeply sincere music. His incredible talent in music, coupled with his unique sense for fashion and visualization, has solidified his position as an artist who transcends the musical landscape.

Zion.T has collaborated with global acts like PSY and G-Dragon and also featured on Marvel’s ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ soundtrack with Japanese artist Gen Hoshino. In 2021, he mentored aspiring musicians on Korea’s hit hip-hop competition show ‘SHOW ME THE MONEY’, where he co-produced and featured on ‘MERRY-GO-ROUND’, which topped the Billboard K-Pop chart for 12 straight weeks.

Noted as being one of the best live performers, he has toured all over the world starting SXSW in the US to solo concerts across Europe and Asia.

Zion.T has collaborated with major global brands, has landed on Forbes ‘Korea Power Celebrity’ list, and will continue to pave the way by setting new standards in the music industry as a legend-in-the-making.

 

 

#ZIONT #ZIONTNewAlbum #ZipZIONT #TheBlackLabel #kcrushnews #VPeaceZIONT #kindie #kpop #AKMU #kcrushamerica  #UNLOVE #producedbyHONNE #Stranger #kcrushtopasianamericanentertainmentmagazine #kcrushofficial2014 #newmusic #ZIONTsingersongwriter #koreansinger ##ZIONTsongwriter #koreanmusic #AkdongMusician #pop #rnb #folk #soul #PEEJAY #JunuPark #Fisherman #Slom #MFlo #Tanaka #KunichiNomura #actorChoiMinsik # #trumpeterBennyBenackIII #pianistSeokcheolYoon

https://windows10spotlight.com/images/30088

Korea…

…may look small on a map. And that includes a unified Korea, which comprises a considerably bigger landmass than if we just consider North or South alone. But Korea has a lot going on, North and/or South! Certainly, a reference to Korea as a whole, or one of the two Koreas will bring to mind a whole laundry list of things. The Korean War, K-Pop, K-Dramas, Hallryu, Gangnam Style, nuclear threats, kimchi, K-Beauty, BTS, Squid Game, and much, much more.

One thing Korea, at least the South, may be known for is its 24/7 non-stop energy and drive. Which may make it surprising for some to learn of one of Korea’s alternative names. What might that name be? Why, the Land of Morning Calm, of course! But what’s in a name? And why of all titles did Korea earn “Morning Calm”? Keep reading to learn the history and meaning behind this beautiful and serene title for one of Asia’s most vivacious nations!

 

Day and Night

Across the East Sea from Korea lies Japan, which many may know by its other name, the Land of the Rising Sun. But, hopping back to the other side of the East Sea, on the Korean peninsula side, is the Land of Morning Calm. Japan’s name came from the idea that the sun rises first on the Japanese islands and was developed as a point of national pride as Japan became more centralized and unified as an island nation. Rising Sun and Morning Calm are a fun and logical juxtaposition, but Korea’s title as Land of Morning Calm is not in reference or in relation to Japan’s title as Land of the Rising Sun.

So how and where did Korea’s name as the Land of Morning Calm originate from? Well, it is important to know that countries like China, Japan, and Korea among many others have different names in their own languages, and had names before their modern names, too.

For Example, South Korea is known as “DaeHanMinGuk/대한민국” or “Great Korean People’s Country” or more simply, “HanGuk/한국” which means “Korean (Han) People’s Country” today. But prior to such modern names Korea was known by a different one; Chosun, or Joseon as it is written more commonly nowadays. Ah, but now what does Korea’s ancient name and dynasty have to do with “Land of Morning Calm”? Everything, actually!

 

https://www.nathanielmerz.com/post/shooting-korea-s-majestic-mountain-pine-trees

 

The Joseon Dynasty

The year was 1392. This was when Korea was still ruled by the Goryeo dynasty. The Goryeo dynasty, interestingly enough, is often theorized to have given Korea its modern name, “Korea” after the name was written on maps during the Age of Exploration. However, the Goryeo dynasty was overthrown by the military general, Yi Seong-Gye in the year 1392.

Yi Seong-Gye would go on to found the Joseon dynasty which would rule Korea and influence its culture and language for the next 500 years. In fact, such Korean things as Hanbok or Korean folk clothing that is often seen in historical K-Dramas, Hangul which is the Korean alphabet, and most of the very Confucianized social customs and mores still seen in Korea today all have their origins (mostly) in the Joseon era.

But as for the name “Joseon/조선”, this is the part that is of particular interest to us today. The name comes from the Chinese characters “朝鮮” which mean “Pristine Morning” or “Morning Calm” and are pronounced in Korean as “Joseon”. The name, according to legend, was given to Korea ages and ages ago by one of China’s mythical rulers who looked out and saw the beauty of Korea’s mountains, rivers, flowers, forests, and general natural splendor. The sight brought a feeling of peace to the emperor especially when viewed in the early hours of the morning when the light just touched the Earth. Hence Korea’s first semi-mythical kingdom, GoJoseon, was believed to be the “Land of Morning Calm”.

Though the name is considered ancient, the Joseon rulers chose it to give their dynasty more legitimacy by invoking the legacy of a far older and more mythic dynasty from the past. In this way, politically and symbolically, they were not overthrowing a current ruler, the Goryeo dynasty, but rectifying the present age by reviving and rejuvenating an ancient and rightful dynasty instead.

The name “Joseon” has also not died out, with North Korea still using the name “Joseon” to refer to themselves, and their language is known as “Joseonmal” or “Joseon Speech/Language” to North Koreans rather than “Hangukmal” or “Korean Country Language” as it is known in South Korea.

 

What’s in a name?

Thus, the origins of Korea’s title of “Land of Morning Calm” originates from a myth and was carried into the modern era thanks to the reign of the Joseon dynasty who used the title themselves. But is there more to the name than just some ancient poetics and political maneuvering?

Yes, there is! Though modern Korea may have a reputation as a land where the party (and the work) never stops, it is certainly also true that Korea’s natural landscape and beauty are truly awe-inspiring. Whether in the majestic mountains, the deep forests, or the enchanting coasts, Korea is a country that has a great deal of natural beauty and splendor to behold. Thus, while a modern role as a 24/7 nation persists, one can experience firsthand the very serene, blissful, and calm feeling of looking out on the Korean landscape in the early hours of the morning, just as mythic emperors are said to have done. Before the hustle and perhaps after all the bustle, the moments in which the night turns to that soft morning light are truly tranquil. The name, Morning Calm, is also a quite literal one!

 

The Land of Morning Calm

We can thank Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, or “Morning Calm” dynasty for giving modern Korea this wondrous title. If one is lucky enough to come and pay a visit to Korea, one will be able to experience firsthand just how accurate of a name this is! Maybe after experiencing the restless nightlife and fast-paced experiences big cities like Seoul or Busan have to offer, one can encounter the serenity of the early mornings in Korea’s natural treasures as well.

 

 

—-Kevin H.

 

 

Works Cited

https://plus.google.com/+UNESCO. “December 1978.” UNESCO, 24 Apr. 2017, en.unesco.org/courier/december-1978.

Kim, Jinwung. A History of Korea: From “Land of the Morning Calm” to States in Conflict. JSTOR, Indiana University Press, 2012, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt16gh5vd. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

“Names of Korea.” KoreanAmericanStory.org, koreanamericanstory.org/written/names-of-korea/#:~:text=Joseon%20(hangeul%20%E2%80%93%20%EC%A1%B0%EC%84%A0%2C%20Chinese. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

 

#LandofMorningCalm #ahistoryofkorea #kcrushamerica #koreanamericanstory #UNESCO #JoseonDynasty #pristinemorning #chinesecharacters #GoryeoDynasty #DaeHanMinGuk #HanGuk #Korea #GreatKoreanPeoplesCountry #kcrushcontent #kcrusharticle #googleindexed #topasianamericanmagazine #americanasianmagazine #koreanhistory #Zeoul #Busan

 

Korean-Inspired Christmas Gifts

Christmas holiday is here and it’s time to pamper and show affection to our friends and loved ones. A thoughtful gift would go a long way in expressing your desire to be part of your loved ones’ life journey. It would ooze your support towards their dreams, even in the little things such as hobbies and likes. For your friends and loved ones who are obsessed with all things Korea, we’ve got you covered with Korean-inspired gift ideas that will blow their minds this holiday season.

 

Foodies

For food and drink enthusiasts, the choice for a perfect Christmas gift is endless. Kimchi and a pack of Ramyeon are by far the best Christmas food presents. Both foods are quite popular amongst Korean enthusiasts, especially K-drama fans. Korean Soju and Makgeolli are the best choices for a Christmas gift. Brewed from fermented rice, these two drinks are deeply rooted in traditional Korean culture infusing a taste of Korea in every sip

 

 

K-Pop Fans

Make a K-pop die-hard’s dream come true this Christmas with a K-pop-themed gift. It’s advisable to choose the gift bearing in mind the biased K-pop group or artist of the one receiving the present. A K-pop album is a collection of memories that would quench fans’ thirst for the K-pop act they support. An album usually contains a K-pop group’s photo cards, posters, tapes, and sometimes t-shirts.  K-Pop merchandise such as T-shirts, hoodies, and caps would also go a long way in turning a fan into a legitimate army. K-pop posters and K-pop light sticks would solidify a fan’s loyalty towards their biased K-pop artist. K-pop-themed characters such as TinyTAN (BTS members’ characters), would also brighten a fan’s Christmas mood. K-pop groups-themed stationery such as pens, books, and pencil cases among others would also be a great choice for a Christmas gift. For instance, if your friend is a BTS die-hard, BT21 stationery would be the ideal match.

 

 

Health Freaks

Korea is known for traditional concoctions good for one health. To those who value health, the best Korean-inspired gift would be a package of Korean red ginseng root extracts. The extracts come in different forms including powder ginseng, ginseng tablets, and ginseng-infused teas. Talking of teas, Korea is also known to have a wide variety of specialty traditional herbal teas that would be the ultimate Christmas gift. Recommendable teas include citron tea, jujube tea, yuja tea, corn silk tea, and mugwort tea among others.

 

 

Traditionalists

As for our loved ones who admire history, tradition, art, and culture there is a way to make their Christmas memorable as well. You can gift such loved ones antique artworks that deeply reflect Korean history. A Hanbok, a Korean traditional dress, might be too much given that one won’t have an occasion to wear it outside of Korea. However, you can gift them vintage Korean wooden carvings or figurines of people in Hanbok to display in their living rooms. You can also gift these loved ones traditional household products, such as Korean traditional tea sets, to brag about with their fellows. Korean traditional game sets such as the Yut Nori game board would also be the best gifts ever as they would strengthen the bonds when learning the game and playing together.

 

 

Skincare Addicts

For your friends who are into self-care routines, giving them a touch of Korea’s 10-step skincare routine, or part of it, would make their Christmas insanely memorable. If you’re unsure of their skin type, you can get them a bundle of face sheet masks as they are a one-time-use sachet and can be used on all skin types. If you would wish to surprise them further, a tine secret investigation into their preferred brands wouldn’t hurt. If more, it would express your unwavering dedication to their satisfaction and well-being. Korean brands such as Etude and Cosrx would be a place to start for your Christmas gift quest, especially for their skincare package sets.

 

 

Language Nerds

For your linguaphile loved ones who find joy in perfecting their multilingualism and have an interest in Korean, gifting them Korean language books or a paid online Korean class package would mean the world to them. These resources would help them achieve their life goals making you a crucial figure in their life journey. Recommendable resources would be the TTMIK (Talk To Me In Korean) book series and online Korean class packages. For the book-warmers, a gift of Korean-inspired books depending on their biased genre would be the perfect choice.  Korean comics and print cartoons, famously known as Manhwa, are the perfect gifts for such individuals. You can also gift these bookworms bestselling Korean novels such as “Please Look After My Mother” by Shin Kyung Sook.

Do you have any suggestions for great Christmas Holiday gifts?

 

 

—-Karen Mwenda

 

 

#KoreanInspiredChristmasGifts #Koreangifts #kcrushcontent #GiftsForKPopFans #kpop #Manhwa #kpopgifts #topasianentertainmentmagazine #googlekcrushcontentindexed #TalkToMeInKorean #learnkorean #koreanskincareforgifts #koreanfoodgiftsuggestions #koreanhealthgiftsuggestions #koreancomicsandprintcartoons #koreantraditionalitemgiftsuggestions #kcrusharticle #christmas

 

This third full-length album from Red Velvet is a sonic adventure that truly displays the group’s evolution as professional artists. The incredible soundscapes created show their explosive dynamic as a collective and the lyrics of some songs provide a means for down-to-earth reflection. Red Velvet is unafraid to push the boundaries and break conventional molds. Chill Kill is a testament to their continual growth and artistry. Here’s how I rank the songs!

Chill Kill: 8/10

This song had surprises around every turn! It was anything but predictable. “Chill Kill” starts with a mysterious feeling–echoing vocals, anxious bass, and synths. But the chorus explodes with a positive and uplifting sound! It was likely just as much a shock to other listeners as it was to me! Hearing this song first made me extremely curious to see what the rest of the album would hold.

 

Knock Knock (Who’s There?): 9/10

This song almost feels like a melody from a music box and some have suspected that the song borrowed from Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”. I can see that possibility using the strings and haunting vocals. The lyrics are a bit eerie, too:

Knock-knock, open up the door

A gamе where we keep wandering around looking for each other

I’m falling more and more into it

It’s so bittersweet but I like the chase

Got a devil on my shoulder

A gently whispered voice

Like an angel, come to me

Starting again

Knock-knock, who’s there?

 

Underwater: 7/10

“Underwater” starts with a mesmerizing solo by Seulgi. This track has plenty of amazing harmonies, showing the power of the group’s union. The song feels ethereal and enchanting, helping listeners enter a soundscape that transports them to an underwater world.

 

Will I Ever See You Again?: 10/10

The melody of this song perfectly matches the question being asked in the title. The verse’s haunting echos and deep vocals reflect the fear in not knowing if you will see your loved one again. But the chorus explodes in a synth melody that is an absolute earworm. Be warned: this song is addictive!

Nightmare: 7/10

“Nightmare” is a great storytelling track. The waltz-like melody and use of bells transports listeners to a different place. Though the song’s title might feel more like Halloween, the chorus feels very much like Christmas. The highlight for me on this track was the rap– the rhythm is incredible.

 

Iced Coffee: 8/10

I really liked the soft entrance of this song. The ballad is so cute lyrically– “Cause you make me feel all this fantasy. I want more iced coffee.” Iced coffee truly makes me feel a rush so I love that Red Velvet compares this to being in love and being “up all night” from the caffeine.

 

One Kiss: 5/10

The beat in this song stands out, with its variety and the way it hustles the song along. The bass is also a standout in “One Kiss”. However, the song’s main melody falls a bit flat compared to other tracks on the album, making it easy to forget.

 

Bulldozer: 6/10

The groove in “Bulldozer” is great! It’s smooth and easy listening. I unfortunately feel like this one slides under the radar, too, as there are other songs on the album that are similar and more memorable. I do need to highlight the lyrics in this track, as they’re unique!

I’m a bulldozer

Hurry up when I give you a chance

I run away from what I see

I’m impatient

I’m your poet

I’m your pain

How to stop once you start

There is no such thing as a brake

I’m a bulldozer

 

Wings: 7/10

“Wings” opens with a delightful acapella harmony and uplifting melody. This track shows the vocal abilities of Red Velvet. The chorus is sweet as they sing, “Spread Your Wings, Butterfly!”

 

Scenery: 8/10

The last song on the album is a gentle ballad with an acoustic guitar and piano as the main instruments. This light instrumental allows listeners to hear the vocals much more easily, and wow are they worth listening to! Red Velvet is an incredibly talented group. “Scenery” feels sentimental and reflective.

 

Final: 7.5/10

Chill Kill is a lovely album to listen to. Each song is unique and brings something special to the table. Red Velvet delivered quite the full-length album here and proved why they’ve been so successful.

 

—-Ellie Boyd

 

#RedVelvet #RedVelvetChillKill #ChilKillRedVelvet #newredvelvetmusic #kcrushreview #kcrushnews #kcrush #kpop #newmusic #koreangirlgroup #kcrushamerica #RedVelvetnewalbum #SceneryRedVelvet #WingsRedVelvet #BulldozerRedVelvet #OneKissRedVelvet #IcedCoffeeRedVelvet #googleindexedkcrush #kcrushindexedgoogle #NightmareRedVelvet #WillIEverSeeYouAgainRedVelvet #UnderwaterRedVelvet #kcrushtopasianmagazine #KnockKnockWhoseThereRedVelvet #kpopidols #RedVelvetgirlgroup #RedVelvetChillKillAlbumRatingReview

 

Thanksgiving has come and gone, it’s time to put away the turkey and bring out the Christmas films. There are always tons of choices, but when it comes to representation of the Asian community within Christmas movies, the choices are very slim and they’re a bit hard to find. So, I decided to put together a list of a few such projects.

 

 

1. “Dash & Lily” (2020) Streaming on Netflix, 7.5/10 IMDb

Technically, “Dash & Lily” is not a movie, but rather a limited series. There’s not a Christmas where I don’t rewatch all eight episodes, I could not leave it off the list. Austin Abrams (of “Brad’s Status”) plays Dash, a recently heartbroken teen who is looking to escape Christmas, but stumbles into some holiday joy after finding a notebook with a Christmas dare from Lily (played by Midori Francis of “Sex Lives of College Girls”). Dash and Lily exchange a number of dares through the notebook during the holiday season in New York. The rest of the cast includes Dante Brown (of “Lethal Weapon”) as Dash’s best friend Boomer and Troy Iwata (of “WeCrashed”) as Lilly’s older brother Langston. It’s truly a masterpiece of entertainment: the writing, the acting from a rich cast, representation all around and a killer soundtrack. The adventure of love in this series reminds me of “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist.”

 

 

2. “Last Christmas” (2019) Streaming on Prime Video, 6.5/10 IMDb

The first actual movie on the list is “Last Christmas,” which is based on the Wham song of the same name. Set in London, Emilia Clarke (of “Game of Thrones”) plays Kate, an aspiring singer who recently had a heart transplant and is a complete mess. She works at a Christmas store owned by Santa (played by Michelle Yeoh of “Everything Everywhere All at Once”). While at work, she meets a charming and warm young man named Tom (played by Henry Golding of “Crazy Rich Asians”). Spending time with him seems to brighten up Kate’s dark and troubled life. It’s truly a movie with love, relatable characters and a sense of magic. It’s really beyond the typical holiday romance movie.

 

 

3. “Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas” (2019) Streaming on Prime Video, 5.9/10 IMDb

This is such a hidden gem of a film. Let me just say that the rating is not exactly a good representation of the quality of the movie. It tells the story of Jess (played by Aisha Dee of “The Bold Type”) who has a great first date with Ben (played by Kendrick Sampson of “Insecure”). Driving home and texting him, she is killed in an accident. She awakes as a ghost and realizes that her best friend Kara (played by Kimiko Glenn of “Orange is the New Black”) can see her. Together they try to make sense of the situation. Although Kara is not a ghost, she also has own issues to work through. The film is filled with so many new concepts. The cast is stellar and the story is so rich.

 

 

4. “Must Love Christmas” (2022) Streaming on Paramount Plus, 6.5/10 IMDb

Liza Lapira (“The Equalizer”) stars in “Must Love Christmas” as revered romance author Natalie Wolfe. At the behest of her editor, Natalie travels to a book signing to build new experiences to improve her writing. She ends up in the snow filled and wholesome town of Cranberry Falls, and in a love triangle between her childhood crush Caleb (played by Nathan White of “Superman & Lois” ) and a reporter named Nick (played by Neal Bledsoe of “The Mysteries of Laura”). The cast of the film is great and the story is rich as well. Anything with Liza Lapira is always a great watch.

 

 

 

5. “Love Hard” (2021) Streaming on Netflix, 6.3/10 IMDb

Natalie Bauer (played by Nina Dobrev of “Let’s Be Cops”) is a LA girl head over heels for a guy on the East coast, who she met on a dating app. Taking a chance on love, she decides to surprise him by showing up over the Christmas holiday. To her surprise, it is a catfish named Josh (played by Jimmy O. Yang of “Crazy Rich Asians”). The man Natalie saw in the pictures is actually someone local that Josh knows named Tag (played by Darren Barnet of “Never Have I Ever”). The two strike an agreement where Josh is to help Natalie land Tag, while Natalie is to play the part of his girlfriend. It’s a movie that is funny, has some heart and has a great cast of actors.

 

—-Cwamne Howard

 

#5ChristmasMovieswithAsianLeadsToStream #kcrushreview #kcrush #LoveHard2921 #NinaDobrev #JimmyOYang #LizaLapira #googleindexedkcrush #topasianentertaiinmentmagazine #MustLoveChristmas #NathanWhite #GhostingTheSpiritOfChristmas #AishaDee #KimikoGlenn #LastChristmas #MichelleYeoh #HenryGolding #LilyandDash #AustinAbrams #MidoriFrancis #TroyIwata #asiancommunity #asianmovies #kcrushamerica #kcrushcontent lizalapira, autsinabrams, kimikoglenn, henrygolding, midorifranncis, emiliaclarke, bestchristmasmoviestostream, asianchristmas, christmasmoviesamazonprime, asianmovies, chirstmasmovies, bestchristmasmovies

 

Wonderego is a well-crafted album with 19 tracks, each having Crush’s signature on them. He was heavily involved in this project, from the lyrics to production, and this proves he is successful at his craft on multiple levels. Here’s how I rate each song!

 

New Day: 10/10

“New Day” is an intro track, with only 72 seconds! But what a great minute and 12 seconds it is. Crush enters confidently with his vocal groove and rap. It doesn’t take long to get excited to see what this talented artist is going to do in Wonderego.

 

Hmm-cheat: 6/10

With a pop style and R&B groove, this track is reminiscent of the early 2000s boybands like N*Sync. The harmonies, melody, falsetto, and synth especially call this to mind. It gives “Hmm-cheat” a retro feel that is fun and easy to jam to!

 

No Break (Feat. Dynamicduo): 6/10

“No Break” is an upbeat R&B track with a great feature via Dynamicduo. The rap is excellent and gives it an old-school classy feel. The melody is catchy and the lyrics are feel-good:

No break, we’re gonna slide into the morning,

Worries, just eat them up, don’t worry.

The steering wheel, a broken 8-ton truck for me,

No break, don’t care about nothin’ (Ooh)

 

Me Myself & I: 7/10

Crush shows off his vocal talent in this track. “Me Myself & I” is a chill melody with elements of soul and funk. The song explores the idea of how being alone is better than being with a toxic ex. Lyrics like “It’s gonna be me, myself, and I; switch it up and love myself this time” help listeners process the pain of a break-up and the victory of finally choosing to let go of the hardship and embrace who you are.

 

Satisfied (Feat. PENOMECO): 6/10

“Statisfied” is smooth and has a good groove, with great rap from PENOMECO. I really loved the use of the wind instrument near the end. Unfortunately, at this point in the album, this melody sort of blended in with the others, and it didn’t stand out too much.

 

Deep End (Feat. AMAKA): 8/10

AMAKA’s voice is the perfect match for Crush in this track. It’s a magical combination that makes “Deep End” feel light as a feather. So far on the Wonderego album, this has been my favorite feature. The harmonies and adlibs were truly next level together.

 

EZPZ: 7/10

The production on this track is great! With the fast beat, use of minimal instruments, and Crush’s rhythmic lyrics, it all works together so well! The song itself is carefree. The lyrics read, “Girl, you’ve been running through my mind / All the time that’s a sign get inside / Girl, I can make it easy, peasy, easy, peasy, easy, peasy / I think about you all the time.”

 

Nothing Else (Feat. Kim Ximya): 8/10

Though this track is only 70 seconds long, wow does it make an impact! It’s dark, mysterious, and haunting. Kim Ximya’s rap is direct and cuts to the core, making quite the punch! Catch the last verse:

You just gotta live with it

You just gotta believe it

This is the life I’ve been living

It’s nothing else

Even if everything is covered, I’m discreet

Caught up, body so sticky

Sick and tired

Just ordinary

It’s nothing else

 

GOT ME GOT U: 6/10

The first verse features slow echoing lyrics that lead into an EDM-styled instrumental with vocal samples and a strong beat. There are some house elements in this as well, making “GOT ME GOT U” a standout on Wonderego. It’s just as much instrumental as it is a vocal track, which is a nice song to help cleanse the pallet for what’s to come.

 

Bad Habits (Feat. LeeHi): 9/10

“Bad Habits” is a smooth R&B track that feels warm and delicate. The vocals are stunning in this and the melody is sweet. The lyrics are also meaningful, too, making this one of my favorites on the album.

In the arms of another different person

Once again, searching for you

I just wanna know why but I don’t know

At the end of another different love

Once again, falling in

Now, I know that’s my bad habits

 

Ego: 8/10

“Ego” is light and feels great to listen to. It has a soft groove and memorable rap and lyrics. So catchy and easy to vibe to! No wonder it was a single!

 

Ego’s Theme-Interlude: 7/10

This track is interesting in that it’s dark and mysterious whilst also sounding familiar. It’s a great instrumental break in the album.

A Man Like Me: 7/10

We’re back to retro R&B! “A Man Like Me” has the same vibe as some earlier tracks, helping to bring this album together. Crush’s vocals really stand out, and it’s all in English, too!

 

Monday Blues: 6/10

The song starts with some lo-fi vibes, but comes back to that R&B sound that is classic for Crush. It’s an easy listening track and though it’s enjoyable, it doesn’t stand out too much on this album.

 

You: 7/10

“You” has a great introduction with acapella harmonies and light instrumental. The vocals shine in this production. I loved the moments where the instruments died away and it was just Crush’s voice.

 

SHE: 7/10

“SHE” opens with the strumming of a guitar, making it an easy-to-recognize track on Wonderego. “SHE” is a tender ballad. With the vocals being paired with the guitar, it creates an intimacy that isn’t felt as much in other songs.

 

Harness: 9/10

“Harness” is another slower-paced track. It has a beautiful string section featured, which makes me feel like I’m in a ballroom while listening. This song calls your attention because of how different it is from the others on the album. The saxophone solo was a great touch, too.

 

 

For Days to Come: 6/10

“For Days to Come” is another nice slower track but it unfortunately is too similar to others on the album as far as style and sound, which makes it fall a little flat for me.

 

Remember Me: 8/10

“Remember Me” helps end the album on a good note. It’s upbeat, hopeful, and has a fantastic beat. I was bobbing my head along whilst listening. It’s a great song in itself, but was also perfectly placed as the cherry on top of Wonderego.

 

TOTAL: 7/10

Crush made a cohesive and jam-packed album! With 19 tracks, it’s amazing that he was able to compile them so well. This was the first Crush album I listened to all the way through and he definitely has my respect as an amazing artist!

—–Ellie Boyd

 

#CRUSH #WonderegoCRUSH #newCRUSHalbum #kcrushreview #kcrushnews #Wonderego #NewDayCRUSH #kpop #khiphop #koreanartist #soloartist #HmmCheatCRUSH #googleindexedkcrush #RememberMeCRUSH #ForDaysToComeCRUSH #SHEbyCRUSH #YOUbyCRUSH #HarnessCRUSH #kcrushtopasianmagazine #album #MondayBluesCRUSH #AManLikeMeCRUSH #kcrushmusicreviewandrating #EgosThemeIntroCRUSH #kpopidol #EgoCRUSH #BadHabitsLeeHiandCRUSH #GotMeGotYouCRUSH #EZPZCRUSH #NothingElseFeatKimXimya #DeepEndFeatAMAKA #SatisfiedFeatPENOMECO #MeMyselfandICRUSH #NoBreakFeatDynamicduoandCRUSH

 

The November list is out and the competitor amongst K-Pop artists is a chaotic beauty to uphold. With new ‘artists joining this month’s top five list, others have barely managed to hang on but at lower positions. As expected, this month’s top K-pop act has taken the world by storm beating their seniors to shine and reign.

 

 

1. New Jeans

This bubbly fresh-off the boat K-pop act has yet again proved its sovereignty by taking the lead in this November’s Top Korean Singer Rankings with a brand reputation index of 7,323,578. Up from last year’s 4^th position. this new kid on the block under HYPE company has continued to soar higher setting an unbeatable record in the K-Pop world only 2 years into debuting. In addition to this win, New Jeans reigned the 2023 MAMA Awards held late this month in Japan, after winning in 4 different categories, including the Best Dance Performance Female Group and Best Female Group. New Jeans has also scooped various awards early this year including in Billboard Music Awards, Asia Artist Awards, and Asian Pop Music Awards among others.

 

 

2. Lim Young Woong

Lim Young Woong scooped second place with a brand index of 7,209,898. The mesmerizing national tour concerts played a big role in Young Woong’s securing a top-three position against other powerhouse K-pop singers. Young Woong’s active engagements through social media platforms and concerts have given the ballad, pop, and trot singer a better standing in the rankings compared to last month’s 3^rd place ranking. Lim Young Woong has become a household name.  Young Woong’s tickets for last month’s IM HERO 2023 tour sold out minutes upon release as fans tried hard to get into the maxed-out server line. Lim Young Woong’s fans are a fanbase to behold, especially the elderly fans who aren’t shy to shower the talented singer with love and praise.

 

 

3. BTS

Despite the group’s busy schedule with military enlistments, BTS has still managed to maintain its dominance among the top 3 K-pop acts. The legendary boy band scooped 3^rd position, down from being the lead in last month’s rankings, with a brand reputation index of 5,994,183. Over the last two years, the members have majorly focused on personal projects which have also been successful. Jungkook, the group’s golden maknae, has lived up to his nickname and strengthened the power and popularity of BTS as a powerhouse, especially with the “Seven” solo album. With more BTS members expected to enroll for mandatory military service in the coming months, ARMY (BTS’ fanbase) can’t wait to see what the remaining members are brewing to deliver.

 

 

4. IVE

IVE is out to conquer and reign in the K-Pop industry with mesmerizing performances and lyrical pieces. In this November’s top Korean singer rankings, the girl band came in fourth, from last month’s 5^th position, with a brand reputation index of 5,475,890. Just 2 years after debuting, IVE has had an immense impact backed by numerous awards including in MAMA awards, Japan Gold Disc Awards,  and Golden Disc Awards. In October, IVE became the 1^st K-Pop act to top Melon’s Top 100 chart with 3 different songs. IVE is having its first-ever world tour, the ‘Show What I Have’ tour, planned to kick off on January 13, 2024. This tour is expected to solidify the band’s global popularity.

 

 

5. Seventeen

Seventeen came in fifth, climbing up from last month’s 11^th position’, with a brand reputation index of 4,750,508. The “Super” hitmaker showed its popularity in the K-pop industry after scooping the Best Album award in the 2023 MAMA Awards. Seventeen’s tours throughout the year, including the ‘FOLLOW’ tour, have also contributed heavily to the rising brand popularity of the boy band. Seventeen’s incoming tours set early next year are expected to give the group leverage against other worthy components in the K-Pop industry.

 

—-Karen Mwenda 

 

 

#November2023TopKoreanSingerBrandReputationRankings #kcrushnews #kcrushamerica #kpopidolrankings #2023ratingkpopidols #topasianentertainmentmagazine #IVY #BTS #Seventeen #LimYoungWoong #NewJeans #kpop #2023MAMAAwardsSeventeen #kpopbrandreputationindes #kcrushcontent #Koreansingerrankings #googleindexkcrush #krushindustry

 

The Dallas, Texas Concert was really jumping and ecstatic!! The girls performed their iconic songs with a mixture of some cover songs too, which they did a cover on one of my favorite songs I like to listen to. It’s awesome to see how the girls have grown from their rookie days to now doing their first ever USA tour! It was cool to see a mixture of Plories alike there from kids to young adults to adults. The Plory were really happy to be there and showing their support for the girls; shouting their names, saying “I love you’ and swaying or jumping from their performance.

I also want to shout out to Gilley’s, who hosted the Purple Kiss concert. Their venue was really spacious and instead of having people standing the whole time during the concert, they put chairs out for the Plory so it became a sitting venue instead of a standing venue which was really nice. Speaking of nice, the staff were really friendly and lovely to talk to. They made us feel welcome and the volunteers were helpful to get us help on where to be stationed..3. The one cool thing in that venue was the disco ball that was hanging above the audience and they did use it a couple of times.

 

 

Okay! Now let’s talk about the awesome performance of Purple Kiss. They started off with their “Intro: Bye Bye Bully” which was really cool to see, I loved their outfits for it and the dance was awesome. The crowd was really feeling it and waving their lightsticks in the air. The next song they performed after is  “Nerdy”. The crowd was showing a lot more energy for this one. The dancing for this song was super cool and I enjoyed the beat of the music. Their third song was “Pretty Psycho”.   I will say this one is a favorite of mine because the dancing and music is really awesome. The instrumental of the song made me feel like I was in a spy movie or in that time frame, but I wasn’t the only one jumping more during this song. I did enjoy all their songs throughout the concert even my partner photographer, Beau even liked some of their songs, his favorite one out of the ones we heard I believe was “MemeM” which I think the fans agreed was their favorite too because a lot of fans were moving their lightsticks with the beat and singing along.

 

 

Now! Let’s talk about their amazing covers. The first group to go first was Chaein and Ireh. They did “We Don’t Talk Anymore” and “Sway With Me”. I loved their performance of “Sway With Me”. It was well performed!  By the way, this is the song I mentioned in the beginning is one of my favorite songs to sing too. But anyway, I loved their dance performance for it and they both had amazing singing voices especially when they performed “We Don’t Talk Anymore”. That one was cute and I liked their choreography. The two of them did an amazing show on both of the songs and the outfits were super cute too. The next three girls, Swan, Dosie and Goeun, did “Light Switch” and “Rain On Me”. They’re dance numbers for both songs were awesome. I also loved that the venue added the Disco Ball part to “Rain On Me” . It was super cool and a very nice touch for their performance for this song. The crowd agreed too because that made them raise their hands and the crowd was really jumping. Fun fact, the girls didn’t know they were going to use it so it surprised them.

 

 

They did a very cute Q&A for Purple Kiss, it was adorable. After the girls were done performing their individual covers they pulled out a white board filled with sticky notes. The Plory while they were waiting to get inside the venue to write down questions they wanted the girls to answer or pick questions to answer. Purple Kiss picked four questions from the board, the first one was about super powers which were very cute and matched the girls’ personalities. The second question wasn’t really a question, mostly a competition between the girls to see who could/. do a better Yee-Haw in a country accent. All the girls went up one by one and the winner was Swan, she was the closest one to sound country while saying Yee-haw. The third question was would you live in space or underwater? It was cute to see their reason for picking where they would live, but mostly there were three votes to live in space and two votes to live underwater. The fourth question wasn’t a question either, it was a shout out to a band because they have a sticky note that has been on their board since they started touring in the USA. They said it looked like a cat eye on it and it’s a rock band called SoulKeeper, which the guy, Eric from the band, is a part of the company that brought them to the USA. They asked him to do something and he screamed into the mic saying “What’s Up Dallas!” Really loudly, which surprised the girls because they never heard him be that loud before during their touring, they said he’s always talking to them softly so it was pretty neat to them to see that side of him.

 

 

After the Q&A Purple Kiss went back to performing their songs. “Sweet Juice” and “Agit” were really awesome songs to hear. The Plory were really into both songs the first one was popping and the second song was groovy (yes, I used groovy) because that was the vibe I was getting from it and I wasn’t the only one that was swaying to that song plus popping our heads up and down the Plory were doing it too. The crowd got really hyped for “Ponzona”. Plory were dancing around for that song and enjoyed the break dance a lot that the girls did. After the very, very last song they went to the back to probably change into their next outfit. Once they were off stage Plories sat down then began to chant the girls’ names and stomped their feet on the ground trying to get the girls back on stage. It was enough to bring the girls back and they were wearing purple cowboy’s hats. It was so cute, they even had flowers on them. The last two final songs were “Skip Skip” and “Twinkle”. The first song was really good, catchy and I loved the dance moves for it plus the rapping part in the song was good too. The second song, they used the disco ball again which still was a good added touch for the song and I loved the music beat. It made me feel like I was going on a grand adventure. Again, the crowd was jumping around on this song. As the song was about to come to an end, the girls decided to throw their cowboy hats to the crowd and Plory was really happy about it. The concert came to a close and the announcer asked whoever has the VIP to stay and everyone else may please exit.

 

 

As we exited the Gilley’s, Plories stopped to take a final picture at the sign with Purple Kiss name on the billboard. It was nice to see so many fans that wanted to take group photos, solo pictures, or just the billboard. So, all in all I loved the Purple Kiss concert. It was amazing, I was enjoying the vibe, the music, the dancing and the interaction with their Plories. You could see the excitement in the girls’ eyes and their movements while they were performing and talking amongst their Plories. Even the Plories were also showing the same energy as the girls. I’m super grateful for being invited to do an article for them because it was awesome to see their very first USA tour and I can’t wait to see more tours of them in the future.

 

 

Article by: Breya

 

 

#PurpleKiss #PurpleKissUSTour2023 #PurpleKissDallasConcert2023 #kcrushnews #kpop #TheFestTourUSAPurpleKiss #koreangirlgroup #kcrushconcertcoverage #kcrushamerica #PurpleKissDallas #Plories #kcrushmedia #googleindexedkcrush #GilleysDallas #Korea #PonzonaPurpleKiss #SweetJuicePurpleKiss #AgitPurpleKiss #endofyearconcerttour #topentertainmentmagazine #topasianentertainmentmagazine #PurpleKissPlory #dance #SoulKeeper #Chaein #Ireh #Swan #Dosie #Goeun #Yuki #kcrushoriginalcontent #koreanmusic #Hallyu #loveforkpop #LeoPresents #RBW

 

It’s not often that I have the opportunity to speak with and interview directors of films I’ve seen, and even more rare to be able to speak to those who’ve produced one of the best action films in the last few years like A Man of Reason directed by and starring Jung Woo-sung, the found-family dramatic feature Broker by Japanese film legend Hirokazu Kore-eda, or The Guest, the intense psychological thriller feature debut by Yeon Je-gwang who’s work premises a very successful career following a successful premiere at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)

 

The Guest (2023)

There’s more films and dramas I could list, but needless to say, it was a very big deal for me personally to have the chance to speak with Song Dae-chan about his career in the Korean film industry. With a career that spans two decades this year, Song following the life changing decision to switch careers from being a marketer, worked his way up from being a production assistant on notable projects such as A Letter from Mars (2003), A Frozen Flower (2008), to taking the reins himself and starting Studio TAKE his own company.

As a producer, Song has led the production of films of all genres beginning with the thriller Haunters in 2010, to the 2021 feel good musically driven drama The Box starring K-pop super star Park Chan-yeol of the group EXO (one of my personal favourite groups), and of course Broker which had its world premiere at TIFF 2022 (Toronto International Film Festival), and was the first Korean produced and starring film by Hirokazu.

 

 

A Man of Reason (2022)

Following the premiere of The Guest at BIFF, and my interview with Yeon Je-gwang, I had to speak with Song about his perspective on the Korean film industry as an insider who’s spent years being a part of building it to be the impressive juggernaut it’s become. Despite the ever increasing global awareness of Korean films, there’s an almost ironic decline in financial support from the government for festivals like BIFF, and arts organisations like the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).

Song shared his valuable insight in these topics and the pros and cons of the state of streaming and how the push by American companies like Netflix and Disney+ is having a significant impact on creatives and the industry’s economy. In doing so he revealed to me that he and a collective of other producers have formed the World Content Network Agency (WCNA) to address these very issues.

All in all it was a great conversation and I gained new insight into an industry and company that fascinates me, and I appreciate Song sharing how his past experiences shaped his path, and where he sees the future of Studio TAKE and the industry going.

 

Interpreting for the interview was done by Park Chan-yeon.

 

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

 

 

#SongDaechan #SongDaechanProducer #TheGuest #Broker #ManOfReason #kcrushinterview #BIFF2023 #Koreanfilm #KoreanFilmFestival #BusanInternational FilmFestival2023 #kcrushexclusiveinterview #shortfilm #topasianentertainmentmagazine #googleindexed #kcrushamericamagazine #koreanculture #KOFIC #Korea #KoreanFilmCouncil #WorldContentNetworkAgancy #WCNA #KoreanFilmIndustry #HauntersSongDaechan #TheBox #ParkChanyeolEXO #kcrushmedia #kcrushcoverage #interviewwithproducerSongDaechan

 

This is my time learning of Vince, but it wasn’t my first time encountering his work. You likely have listened to some of the famous hits he has contributed to as well such as SUNMI’s “Gashina”, LISA’s “MONEY”, and BLACKPINK’s “Shut Down.” Though he has released a handful of singles over the past few years, The Drive is his first EP Album. With a mix of R&B, hip-hop, soul, and pop, Vince truly displays his artistry and skill as a solo artist. Let’s dive into how the tracks rank!

 

Work: 8/10

“Work” is the first solo song I’ve heard from Vince. My first impression is positive! His vocals are smooth and warm. This is a track that I could listen to on loop. I love how the melody flows and the clean production. The chorus is simple, but with the fullness of the verse and pre-chorus, it needs to be! “Work” is well-balanced and a great opening track to The Drive.

 

 

About you: 8/10

“About you” is a great R&B ballad. I’m impressed, again, by Vince’s vocals. They’re so crisp, precise, and smooth. This track is laid back but has unique instrumental elements that keep it interesting to the listener. “About you” has a wonderful groove that had me bopping my head along to the flowing rhythm. If you’re a fan of falsetto, you’ll enjoy Vince’s vocal abilities in this song.

 

GET OUT: 9/10

What an energetic track! It’s so groovy, with an incredible bass as the star. This disco-based track is all you could ask for on a night out. It definitely makes you want to get up and dance! “GET OUT” is fresh and fun, and honestly the K-Pop world can use a little more of this sound! Because Vince isn’t sticking to what seems to be the popular pattern of solo artists, he stands above the rest as distinct. And that’s exactly what you need to do on a debut album! I’ve already shared this song with a friend. That’s when you know that this is a true bop!

 

Like That: 7/10

Another ballad, “Like That” starts with a soft piano and airy vocals. Make no mistake, not every artist can pull off a simplistic production, as it highlights any and all flaws in vocals or instruments. But Vince makes this effortless. It has a good melody and beautiful backing vocals. “Like That” doesn’t stick out as the best track on the EP, but it’s a necessary one as it breaks up the sound and gives a nice landing.

 

UUU: 9/10

“UUU” is a powerful track. The song immediately pulled me in as the tension built with each line. The production on this is top-notch, thanks to 24. 24 frequently works with BLACKPINK and the quality shows! Vince also collaborated with TEDDY to write “UUU”. This song combines rock and cinematic instruments. It’s an excellent explosion of passion. I can easily see this featured on a K-Drama OST. The way Vince’s voice commands you to listen to every lyric is impressive. THEBLACKLABEL released a music video for “UUU”. The black and white visuals are compelling and match the song perfectly. I believe Vince will get good attention with this track!

 

Emergency (Feat. Zion.T): 9/10

This might not be a new track to some, as it was originally released in 2020. “Emergency” is also Vince’s top streamed song on Spotify, with nearly 4 million listens. And it’s no wonder–this song is amazing. A mix of trap and R&B, “Emergency” is a real standout track on this EP. It shows Vince’s vocal range and ability–from soft, airy vocals to powerful, bold belting. Vince didn’t come to play with this song and it’s truly impressive. The feature of Zion.T was a great choice, and really elevates “Emergency” to the next level.

 

 

MENNAL (feat. Okasian): 8/10

“MENNAL” is a powerful exit to this EP. Vince’s skill is front and center, reminding you that he is worth remembering! With falsetto, rap, and breathy vocals, “MENNAL” is guaranteed to grab attention. Like “Emergency”, “MENNAL” was previously released in 2019. It’s Vince’s second most streamed track at nearly 2.5 million Spotify listens. “MENNAL” displays artistry and skill in the delicate and intimate vocals. The melody is catchy and is an easy song to press “repeat” on.

 

FINAL: 8/10

Vince is going to become a household name for me. I really enjoyed this debut EP. He is an artist who may have been behind the scenes for a while, but he has truly stepped into the spotlight with The Drive. I really hope others can be exposed to his talents as a solo artist as well. I doubt this is the last we will hear from him!

 

—-Ellie Boyd

 

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