We have a brief interview with K-pop artist AleXa – formerly known to many as Alex Christine. AleXa is a Korean-American singer from Tulsa, Oklahoma and signed under ZB Label based in South Korea. You can also catch her via her personal Youtube channel to find out more about her.
We would like to thank AleXa for making the time the do this interview with us again – we know how busy she is – and we send a lot of luck on her way with her new releases and ventures!
Hello, thank you for your precious time. This is our second interview but kindly introduce yourself to our readers again.
Greetings~ I’m AleXa!! I’m a K-pop solo artist in South Korea under ZB Label.
So excited to have another interview with y’all!!
How do you feel about performing at Joy Rukus Joy Club and what do you most enjoy about performing in general?
It was a blast performing at Joy Ruckus Club’s K-Pop SuperFest!! I had the time of my life!! In times like this, it’s hard to pinpoint what I enjoy most about performing. I typically love feeling the energy from the crowd and fans, but as we know, that’s not exactly the applicable situation at the moment…
I’d say, for now, I love being able to leave Alex behind for 3-4 minutes and focus on being someone else while I’m on stage.
Do you get to have a lot of free time these days? What do you like to do for leisure?
During my free time, I like to make beaded bracelets, watch horror movies, and try to sleep when I can. If creativity strikes, I tend to write lyrics and or topline songs in my free time, as well.
Who do you most like to do a collaboration with and why?
I would love to collaborate with a handful of artists, namely Ashnikko, Doja Cat, Pabllo Vittar, and Anitta.
Since our first interview you have had many charted singles, is there a favorite?
Out of all my songs, my favorite to this day is still “Bomb”!! It was my debut song and therefore holds a special place in my heart. However, my latest comeback “Xtra” certainly comes in at a close second!
Which country or venue would you most like to perform in the future?
Country wise, I’d honestly like to travel all over and meet my fans all across the globe!! Once the world heals itself, touring is definitely on my to-do list.
Personally, I would love to play a show at the BOK (Bank of Oklahoma) Center in my hometown… that venue is a definite goal of mine!
Please share with your fans about your plans and goals ahead.
Many things are in the works behind the scenes right now!! Please keep your eyes peeled for even more new sides of AleXa that you have never seen before.
-J.Chung.
#Alexa #Xtra #kpop #kpopidol #koreansinger #JoyRucusClub #korean/American #kindie #newsingle #koreanmusic #seoul #kcrush #BankOfOklahoma #ZBLabel #Ashnikko #Doja Cat
BTS lands No. 1 on the Billboard HOT 100 chart again with the summer hit âButterâ extending its eighth week at the top and tying for the chart’s longest chart reign of this year so far, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” from January until March.
BTSâ latest release âPermission to Danceâ is currently positioned at No. 7 having fallen after topping the chart last week for one week.
The K-pop super group set another new record – the septet replaced itself at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with a brand new single âPermission to Danceâ and then had the previous chart-topper âButterâ climb back to the peak with no other acts claiming the top spot in between.
âButterâ also replaced âPermission to Danceâ on the Digital Song Sales chart.
âButter,â released on HYBE/BigHit Music/Columbia Records, drew 30.7 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 2%) and 8.8 million U.S. streams (down 21%) in the week ending July 22, according to MRC Data.
One week after âPermission to Danceâ opened after its release on July 9, âButterâ dropped by 39% to 85,000 in the week ending July 22. It resurged by 132% to 115,600 sold from 49,800, which gained the K-pop band the Hot 100’s top Sales Gainer award.
Despite the change in rankings, both âButterâ and âPermission to Danceâ were the top two best-selling songs of the week in the United States.
Meanwhile, the music video for a remix version of âMIC Dropâ uploaded in November of 2017 has earned 1 billion plus views on YouTube, setting another milestone for BTS.
âMIC Dropâ is a track originally featured as a B-track on the BTSâ fifth extended play âLOVE YOURSELF: Herâ which was released in September 2017. A remix version by American DJ and producer Steve Aoki was released a couple months later as the second single from the EP, and charted on Billboard’s Hot 100 for 10 weeks – Bangtanâs first track to reach the top 40 on the chart.
The hip hop track also appeared at number 37 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 46 on the UK Singles Chart, while the Japanese version debuted at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart and the Billboard Japan Hot 100.
BTS now owns four music videos with over a billion views. âDNA,â âBoy With Luv,â âDynamite,â and most recently âMIC Dropâ became a new addition to the billion view club.
-J.Chung.
#BTS #Butter #PtoD #Billboard #kpop #kpopidol #boygroup #koreanboygroup #dynamite #MicDrop #billionviewclub #youtube #BTSARMY #BangTanBoys #HYBE #BIGHIT #july #kcrush #kdrama #kmusic
Apart from EXO, Winner, Monsta X, GOT 7, DAY 6, and Seventeen (svt), the 2010 to 2015 half-decade was overloaded with beautiful melodies from the rising K-Pop stars. The K-Pop entertainment industry was yet again swept by the overwhelming outstanding chorographical, vocal and lyrical explosion, especially by the then newly formed boy bands. Compared to their female counterparts, the boy groups dominated the industry further spreading the Hallyu wave beyond Asia. Here are the most artistic and versatile boy groups that were formed and rocked the K-Pop world between 2010 and 2015.
- BTS
Over the years since its conception in 2010, the septet boy group has progressively been delivering record-breaking hits. Owing to the magically woven lyrics and beautifully crafted choreography in each hit, the band has not just wooed Asian fans, but has overtaken the world, and especially Hollywood, by storm. The fresh themes paraded through perfectly blended splash of colors, style and sophistication that effortlessly fuse with each hitâs trend further catapults the bandâs eminence in the entertainment industry. Some of Bangtan Boyâs best hits during the half decade session from 2010 include â I Need Uâ, âFor Youâ and âRunâ, with some accompanied by Japanese versions. The band has so far received countless awards including the Best New Artist award in 2013, which was among its first rewards upon their debut. On account of their overwhelmingly proliferating international recognition, the band has in the recent years added an international taste to their music through lyrical content in other languages and diverse genres, among others.
- VIXX
Debuted in 2012, the âconcept kingsâ have lived up to their nickname through unmatchable out of this world performances that leave a lasting impression on the audience. The now five member team band, after Hongbin kept in 2020 due to controversial comments on other K-Pop groups, was conceived from the myDOL show. It experienced its share of scrutiny early in its beginnings as their songs and videos were deemed as rather wanting. The band however, focused on its visual concept through choreography and storytelling, which has become the crewâs signature and has brought it good deeds. Some of its highest charted lyrical masterpieces include âOn and Onâ, âHydeâ and âVoodoo Dollâ, which comprised a dark, intense, emotional and well-crafted concept that left the audience craving for more. The âChained Upâ record-breaking hit; although birthed a controversy as their stylist was accused of promoting perversion over the shirtless suits, gave VIXX an international recognition, especially in the Western market. The boy band continues to skyrocket thanks to their concept signature.
- BTOB
Since its debut back in 2012, BTOB is deemed among the most stable veteran bands in the K-Pop industry despite the recent shuffling in and out of the military by its members. The septet veteran group fashions lyrical contents of diverse genres; including RNB and 90âs pop songs, and assorted themes; from intensively dark to lighter and conservative ones. âWhen I was your manâ is among the groupâs signature hits which highlights the bandâs chemistry, especially owing to the live performance video. âThrillerâ, âBeep Beepâ, âItâs okayâ and âWay Back Homeâ are other notable hits that saw the groupâs prominence surge. The groupâs shift to ballads from pop music has immensely given them recognition as a top ballad boy group and earned them numerous nominations, awards and top chart positions.
- iKON
Compared to other bands, the 6 member group is said to have a wider fan base internationally than in Korea. However, the bandâs skills are highly rated, especially after competing in reality shows against Mix and Match and Winner. The groupâs songs are mainly written by their leader B.I, who unfortunately is rumored to be leaving the group in mid-2021. âClimaxâ, âLove Scenarioâ, âB-Dayâ and âKilling Meâ are some of the groups hit lyrical masterpieces that surged their success and fame in the K-Pop entertainment industry. Since their âi DECIDEâ 2020 mini-album and the âwhyâ single, iKON cameback late mid-2021 appearing on âBehind The Kingdomâ Mnet shows engaging with the crowd online in preparation for the âKingdom: Legendary Warâ competition show.
- B.A.P
The originally 6 member group was debuted under TS Entertainment in 2012. The band was and still is among the most recognized rookie groups in Korea in addition to a wide fan base outside Korea, especially through their first single âWarriorâ. They are known for taking on subjects not spoken about before, i.e., mental illness through their âstories with meaningâ videos. Unfortunately, in consequence of unavoidable circumstances the group went on hiatus after nullifying the contract with their company before settling the issue and coming back after a year, in 2015, with the âMatrixâ EP. They engaged in various notable tours and reality programs that further spread their fame, all the while, fans working with them to make sure that their many charitable efforts were successful. However, the group officially disbanded in 2019 after all its membersâ contracts expired, but fans are hoping they would reconsider coming again together as a group. The bond between the members still holds strong even as they individually pursue personal aspirations.
—-P. Earlkh
Buenos Aires, Argentina (July 17, 2021) Before their live performance exclusively for Latin America, the girl group 3YE told us how they feel and anticipate this meeting with their Latin fans.
How long did you rehearse together before debuting as 3YE?
HAEUN: âI have always liked to dance and sing. When I was 12 years old, I joined the group and started practicing with my members. ”
YURIM: “I was chosen by the agency in the second year of high school and I have been with my groupmates ever since.”
YUJI: “I learned belly dancing in elementary school and different styles of dance while preparing to become a singer, I have been singing since I was 15 years old.”
What artists marked your career, your desire to make music?
HAEUN: “I admire Taylor Swift”
YURIM: “The Kpop group, Girlsâ Generation, because they have been in the industry for a long period of time. ”
YUJI: “I love Ariana Grande, she perfectly expresses her music with her vocal and acting skills.”
What are her favorite Latin artists?
HAEUN: “I love Tini, please, she is beautiful.”
YURIM: âPaulo Londra. I love the sophisticated hip hop of him. ”
YUJI: “I’ve been a Nicki Nicole fan forever.”
What do you know about Latin America and the people of it?
HAEUN: “I love the energy of Latin America, they always leave us positive messages.”
YURIM: “I love the rhythm of their dances, and I would love to learn more about the traditional culture of Latin America.”
YUJI: âI love the energy and passion of your people. And since I love meat, I want to try all Latin American dishes. ”
What do you expect from this exclusive concert for Latin America?
HAEUN: “I am honored that our first concert is in Latin America, and I am very excited about that.”
YURIM: “I’m a little nervous but at the same time excited, since this is our first concert. We’ve been working hard, so have fun with us!â
YUJI: âI wish we could meet in person, and I hope that happens soon. Please enjoy our show and receive good energy from us. And please continue to support us! ”
3YE LATAM ONLINE CONCERT
Date: Saturday, July 31 | Schedules:
â Argentina / Uruguay / Brazil 8:00 pm Transmission opening | 9 pm Show
â Chile / Bolivia / Paraguay / Venezuela / Puerto Rico / Dominican Republic 7:00 pm Broadcast opening | 20 hs Show
â Mexico / Peru / Ecuador / Colombia / Panama / Cuba / Jamaica / Haiti / Bahamas 6 pm Broadcast opening | 7 pm Show
â Costa Rica / Nicaragua / El Salvador / Honduras / Belize / Guatemala 5 pm Broadcast opening | 18 hs Show
Platform: www.masvivo.tv | Tickets: www.passline.com
- FULL TICKET FULL TICKET (Includes Access to the Concert in a single device for 24 hours. Audio in Stereo and Video in HD).
- FULL PLUS TICKET (Includes Access to the Concert in a single device for 24 hours. Exclusive Backstage Content and the possibility of enjoying it with 8D Audio – immersive sound- and ULTRA HD Video).
- · FULL PLUS VIP TICKET (Includes Access to the Concert on a single device for 72 hours. Exclusive Backstage Content, 8D Audio – immersive sound, ULTRA HD Video + Virtual Meet & Greet)
Buenos Aires, Argentina (July 16, 2021) Prior to the 3YE show, we also spoke with Eduardo Basagana, creator of EB Producciones and + VIVO, who tells us about his expectations regarding this concert and the future of face-to-face Kpop shows and virtual in Latin America.
How did your interest in Asian culture start?
âI always really liked Asian culture, I consume anime and I have always been attracted to its ancient history. But above all else, I deeply admire his resilience in the face of adversity. ”
Which Kpop artists are you excited about?
âLately I have been very excited about SM’s latest project, AESPA. I find the use of avatars very innovative, which can coexist in the near future independently with the group, and I think it is very likely that they can even tour together or even separately. I was able to personally say this to the Vice President of SM Globally in a talk we shared recently. He told me that behind AESPA, there is an idea for the company to explore new paths, and that they will strongly support it in the coming years. ”
Do you think Korea is interested in the Latin American market?
âI never would have imagined that today we would be announcing that a K-Pop group would be performing an online show exclusively for Latin America! Furthermore, I can announce to you (I cannot advance much more for a matter of confidentiality) that we have just signed an agreement with one of the Big 3 for all Latin America.
How do you see the Kpop movement in Latin America?
âI think the real growth is now, since there is a lot of public discovering Korean music thanks to the globalization of artists like BTS or Blackpink, who are the gateway to other artists. To this is added that the Latin public is loyal, and that our region has 2 of the largest and strongest music markets in the world, Mexico and Brazil, which together with Chile -a country that did a lot for Kpop-, Peru, Colombia and Argentina make up fertile territories for Korean music.”
What expectations do you have about this concert?
âLots of! All the big agencies are attentive to this show. They are surprised by the announcement and are watching us to see if we are indeed a mature region with regard to this type of formats and technologies, and especially with the avant-garde commitment behind any show by an artist from Korea. If we succeed, we will show that we are a region that supports Korean music and more online shows will come. And then, also face-to-face visits. ”
How do you see the future of the shows?
âThe future of music shows points more to virtuality, and the numbers don’t lie. If we talk about K-Pop, it was BTS’s âBang Bang With: The Live,â which grossed nearly $20 million and attracted more than 750,000 viewers from 107 countries (equivalent to 15 stadium capacity of 50,000 seating!)”
What are your dreams for the future?
I want to be the bridge between the culture of Asia and Latin America. Make many people happy, generate work. Every time I do a show and see the fans excited, I get excited with them. Because I think that beyond dreaming (and working for it) doing the BTS or Blackpink stadium tour, or bringing Festivals like Music Bank or SMTown, my real dream is much deeper. It is creating something that is sustained over time, that lasts. And also facilitate the landing of Latin culture in Asia. Connect, unite. As human beings, we have that need for community, for bond. I believe that differences enrich us, help us to be better, to understand the other. I work to create a better world, and I think music is an ideal place to do it. ”
About + VIVO
MAN WITH A MISSION, a band that has just released their latest single called, âINTO THE DEEPâ on the 9th of June, just announced more exciting news about a new song!! This new song called âMerry-Go-Roundâ is featured as the new opening theme song for the TV Anime âMy Hero Academiaâ for the second term of season 5. âMy Hero Academiaâ has been broadcasted from Saturday the 26th of June in Japan. This popular TV Anime, which has avid fans from inside and outside Japan, is based on the Manga series of the same title. âMy Hero Academiaâ is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi and has been published serially on the âWeekly Shonen Jumpâ. The popularity of the TV series has grown rapidly and this summer, âMy Hero Academia THE MOVIE: World Heroesâ Missionâ will be released in Japan.
The story is set in a world where people have supernatural abilities called a âQuirkâ and the story evolves around a boy, Izuku Midoriya, who stands up and battles against villains who try to misuse peopleâs Quirk. Viewers get to witness the boysâ journey to becoming mature.
©K. Horikoshi / Shueisha,My Hero Academia Project
MWAM who composed the song commented that the members have also been a big fan of the original manga. âI was so pleased that I had the great opportunity of creating the opening theme song for âMy Hero Academiaâ since I truly love this manga series!â
MAN WITH A MISSION is a rock band consisting of five band members. They are the five âUltimate Life Formâ who have the head of a wolf and a human body.
Their latest song consisted of a dramatic and strong sound. This song is about the frustrated and endless circulation of oneâs emotion when people aim to achieve something. Like the song title âMerry-Go-Roundâ, it describes when you run passionately after trying to reach someone special which is your aim, but you donât feel like you are achieving or getting closer at all. This new opening theme song was first heard on Saturday the 26th of June and their new PV with the footage of the new opening sequence was also released prior to the broadcasting of the theme song on TV. The digital distribution of âMerry-Go-Roundâ starts on the 17th of July.
â Comments from members of MWAM
âIâm truly glad that I had this amazing opportunity of composing the theme song of âMy Hero Academiaâ. I have always enjoyed reading the manga series! When Izuku admires All Mighty, when people chase someoneâs back trying to reach their goals, and still you don’t feel like you are getting closer to it at all⊠I made this song based on that complex feeling. And I compare the feeling to a merry-go-round. I hope this song will be an exciting addition to the story as a âPlus Ultraâ.Letâs enjoy this new season of the story together!â
â Information about the release
âMerry-Go-Roundâ Digital release
on the 17th of July 2021
You can download and stream from here:ăhttps://MWAM.lnk.to/NwtYXPOS
â TV Anime Opening movie without title
âMy Hero Academiaâ, My hero Academia TV Anime, season 5, PV the 4th version / the second term starts on Saturday the 26th of June/ the opening theme: Merry-Go-Round, MAN WITH A MISSION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI17EkQBEc0
â Artist related websites and SNS
MAN WITH A MISSION Official Website http://www.mwamjapan.info/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mwamjapan
Staff Twitter: https://twitter.com/mwaminfo029
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWAMjapan/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mwamofficial/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mwamofficial/
â Artistâs profile
MAN WITH A MISSION is a Japanese rock band consisting of five band members. They are the five âUltimate Life Formâ who has a head of a wolf and a human body. Those five members are, with stage names of Tokyo Tanaka (vocals), Jean-Ken Johnny (guitar, vocals, rap), Kamikaze Boy (base guitar), DJ Santa Monica (DJ) and Spear Rib (drums). They emerged suddenly into the Japanese music scene in 2010. Since then they have been very successful performing live gigs. Their one-man performance live was sold out on the same day, including live shows at Nippon Budokan, Yokohama Arena, Makuhari Messe, Saitama Super Arena, Hanshin Koshien Stadium. They have been producing many songs for TV commercials, the theme songs for Anime, TV dramas and Movies as well. They have been gaining a wide range of fans.
They have been active not only inside Japan, but also gaining attention overseas after making their debut in the States. They toured with Zebrahead and Jimmy Eat World who are recognized as big name artists. And they also appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festival which is the biggest outdoors music festival in the UK. They also performed at the Download Festival and had a solo tour in North America. This rock band celebrated their 10th Anniversary in February 2020 and is one of the most talked about bands, leading the Japanese music scene.
#ManWithAMission #animetvmovie #anime #rockband #Japanesemusicscene #MyHero Academia # MWAM #Japan
Kris Wu (30), the Chinese-Canadian rapper and model who is best known for being a member of popular K-pop group Exo until his departure in 2014, is currently making headlines after being accused of raping a 19-year-old college student named Du Meizhu. Du strongly claims that she is not the only one – that there are more (sources claim up to 30) victims involved, two of them being underaged.
Du Meizhu revealed in an interview on July 18 that she first visited Wu at his home when she was 17 years old, around two years prior. She says to have believed they would discuss the business of her becoming a celebrity since Wu claimed to be recruiting young actresses. The pop starâs managers were alleged to be also present at the time of the assault and they held Du back to stay for drinks, and stopped her from leaving the premises until she got intoxicated.
âI became unconscious soon after. When I woke up again, I was on Wuâs bed.â Wu stated and added that they did not use any contraceptives during the alleged rape.
For the next few months or so, Du was convinced that she was in a romantic relationship with the pop star – the two are said to have exchanged flirtatious text messages and Du was promised that sheâd soon be introduced to Wuâs mother some time in the new year. However, she was soon ghosted by the singer. Some news outlets had reported that Wu had ghosted his ex and put her under depression last year.
Du said that she came to learn that there were several other women who went through similar experiences with Wu, including two minors who claim to have evidence, which made her determined to speak out her story.
Since Du made her public claims on Monday, Wu has since denied all the rape allegations against him via his Weibo account and Twitter.
He tweeted, âI only met Miss Du once at a friendâs gathering, I didnât ply her with alcohol. I have never coerced women into sex or engaged in date rape.â And he went on to add he does not have sex with underage girls. His management team announced it will take legal actions against the accuser.
It has been reported that Du had received around 500,000 yuan as hush money from the singerâs management team, but has refused the payoff and returned the sum in batches. Both parties are currently making opposing claims. On Sunday, Du had called Wu to apologize to his victims within the next 24 hours, and retire from the entertainment industry.
Meanwhile, fashion powerhouse Louis Vuitton, which Wu has been an ambassador in China since 2018, stated to suspend its collaboration with the Chinese rapper until the results of the investigation are out.
German car manufacturer Porsche, which appointed Wu Chinese spokesman back in April, also terminated its contract with Wu.
LancĂŽme, Kiehl and many other major brands also immediately severed ties or their sponsorships with the singer.
Wu currently remains adamant that he is completely innocent of all claims made against him and seems confident that Chinaâs law and its police can clear his name.
China is very strict with laws banning underage sex, and if Wu is ever proven to be guilty, he could be imprisoned for life or even given a death penalty. In this kind of situation, owning a Canadian citizenship would probably not have much effect in China.
-J.Chung.
We interviewed the owner of StyleupK, an online clothing store that ships Korean fashion items worldwide. All the listed fashion brands at StyleupK are produced and shipped from South Korea.
We thank Chloe for the great interview and wish all the best for her business and endeavors.
*Please introduce yourself and Styleupk for our readers.
Hi, StyleupK is an online Korean fashion platform built for people living overseas. It is a place to shop for the trendy Korean fashion at the comfort of your home.
*How and what inspired you to launch Styleupk?
I launched StyleupK as I am a foreigner myself who likes to shop in Korea. However, it always seems like a shopping fantasy that stops after I leave Korea. I would like to bring this closer to everyone who feels the same way as I do. You can also shop for K-fashion even if you are overseas!
*Tell us some of the most unique characteristics about Korean fashion and trends in your opinion.
Korean fashion is very dynamic and changes faster than for many other countries. This is made possible by the many talented local fashion designers, local manufacturing factories and also the people who love fashion. Many fashion brands also do collaborations with K-pop idols and do cross collaborations between brands which keep the trend refreshing.
*Please name some of the hottest items available on Styleupk right now.
1. Cute teddy bear T-shirts like the Born Champs Bear Head Oversized T-shirt. This shirt is a collaboration with Jeju island fashion brand, thus the cute tangerine hat on the teddy bear!
https://www.styleupk.com/products/born-champs-bear-head-oversized-t-shirt
2. Quality designer bags like the Alki Alka Harts Bag. Alki Alka is a Korean designer bag brand that is affordable yet so beautifully made. The finishes are made with real 24k gold too, which gives it a nice sheer that is difficult to find in other bags.
https://www.styleupk.com/products/alki-alka-harts-bag
*If you had to choose any one person to endorse or model your brand, who would it be and why?
Yuna from ITZY. She is young, energetic and stylish, which is the essence of our brand.
*What do you think are the most essential clothing/accessories for this summer?
This summer, go for mini bags and tops with brighter colors to make everyone around you feel more positive!
Go for the Ames Rimple Crop Cardigan that screams summer with its cropped ripple design. It can be worn on its own or as a short sleeve cardigan.
https://www.styleupk.com/products/ames-rimple-crop-cardigan
Bags like the Donkie Thyme Bag Cream will continue to trend for its casual feminine vibe, which enhances oneâs style effortlessly.
https://www.styleupk.com/products/donkie-thyme-bag-cream
*What would you say are the most challenging aspects when it comes to running a clothing business?
We always like to showcase the latest trending fashion items to overseas customers, so I would say it would be to keep up with the fashion trend, which is so dynamic in Korea!
*Share with us what you like to do in your free time when youâre not working?
Nowadays, I read books, watch animation and Korean shows.
*What do you personally like about Korean fashion/trend and why?
I am almost always ensured of good quality and design with Korean fashion. The plus point is that they are affordable and sometimes I get to wear the exact same piece as my favorite idols too!
*What are your future plans and goals for StyleupK?
We are expanding to more countries like the USA and Japan. We will be getting more stylish brands to meet all of you! Do look forward to it!
-J.Chung.
#koreanfashion #kdramafashion #kpopidol #kpopfashion #StyleupK #kpopinterview #interviews
(Photo credit: Lim Hyo-jin)
HAEPAARY is an electronic group formed by Choi Hyewon and Park Minhee. The talented duo compose, write lyrics and produce their music using various instruments and vocals.
Weâd like to thank the members of HAEPAARY for providing us with an insightful interview, as we wish them the best in all their endeavors.
Hello. Thank you for taking the time out for an interview with us.
Introduce yourselves to our readers, please.
Hyewon: I am Choi Hyewon. I make music based on MIDI and play percussion instruments.
Minhee: I am a singer named Park Minhee. My vocal style is based on âGagokâ which is a Korean traditional type of singing genre.
Please tell us how you two got together to join forces and start music?
Hyewon: We began working together after Minhee contacted me. After discussing what we liked and didn’t in much detail, we learned that we had a lot in common. We were then given a chance to perform together, which started our journey as HAEPAARY.
Minhee: I happened to watch Hyewonâs solo performance in 2017, and was very drawn to her musical talent and charm, which made me wonder if we could work together. Later, I took the time to see her other works and I proposed that we do a simple collaboration via several emails. After briefly performing improvised music together at a small gig at a club in Hongdae, we could tell straight off that we shared the similar style of handling work and had the same taste in music. So we naturally became a team.
Enlighten us on what HAEPAARY refers to and what the name means to you musically speaking.
Hyewon: We wanted to avoid naming the group something that relates too much to music. Minhee told me her reason for having HAEPAARY as her username on her social media, I felt that it sounded pretty. Also, since my childhood nickname was also haepaary – jellyfish, thatâs how we decided on the name.
Minhee: I saw an unbelievably beautiful jellyfish when I visited an aquarium and thought to myself that I would use HAEPAARY (which means jellyfish in Korean) to name my band one day.
When I met Hyewon, I felt that it was time for me to use that name. The reason I didnât use âjellyfishâ was due to the fact that âHAEPAARYâ actually has a distinctive feel to the pronunciation. And after Hyewon and I discovered that we shared something amazing in common, we had to use HAEPAARY as our name.
We want to become something as flexible and beautiful enough to make people even forget to think.
How did you initially get interested in music? Was music something you wanted to pursue growing up?
Hyewon: When I was in my lower grades in elementary school, musician Kim Deok-suâs âThis is Samal noriâ became popular and it became easy to learn Samul nori all throughout the country. The teacher that taught Samul nori at my after-school class was a member of Mr Kim Deuk-suâs art troupe, so I was able to learn the instruments more in depth.
As a child, I was just fickle on what I wanted to be and my dreams switched all the time. My parents told me that by the time I was a grown up, a person could have up to 80 jobs and that it was better to have as many jobs and dreams as possible.
Thanks to their advice, I wanted to become a singer, pianist, choreographer, music program producer, composer and so on.
But all of those dreams were related to art. Looking back, I think the dreams all met at one point now.
Minhee: When I was in middle school, I started singing as a hobby with my father. I was excited to be doing something special. When I later got into high school, I concentrated on majoring in music.
My childhood dream was to be in a punk rock band, produce all the music and direct stage performances myself. I attended a school where they taught traditional Korean music and I was very drawn to it all. I really felt the need to express the beautiful music in such a way through performance.
When I graduated uni, I started working on performing and am currently living my dream. But I havenât yet been able to fulfill my dream of starting a punk rock band, so my future goal is to become a punk rocker.
(Photo credit: Lee Kanghyuk – Harper’s Bazaar)
Please select one song by HAEPAARY that you find the most appealing to you personally.
Minhee: Iâm really attached to each one of our songs. But if I had to choose, it would be A Shining Warrior – A Heartfelt Joy and Beyond a Life of &$!#%.
Both songs seem perfectly matched to both of our musical styles. Hyewonâs music is largely based on the beat, while I focus more on the textures of the vocals and how they are layered.
I feel that 100 percent of the qualities that Hyewon and I each have completes HAEPAARY. We even dance during those songs. Weâve always wanted to attempt adding movements during a performance, and Ilmoo – ìŒëŹŽ happens to be my favorite form of group dance that I know, so it was a performance that I really wanted to showcase on stage. (*Ilmoo (ìŒëŹŽ) refers to a dance performed in large groups during the royal ancestral ritual.)
âBeyond a Life of &$!#%â has lyrics that a person living in the current times would want to truthfully express.
We also implemented the genre âGagokâ which was popular in the 17th century and we mixed it with an adaptation of the spirit of modern times. Since this was somewhat a brave move for us, I feel very fond of the song.
Hyewon: Like Minhee, I also like âA Shining Warrior – A Heartfelt Joyâ because it was one of the few songs that was proudly selected from the list when Minhee and I first started making music based on âThe Royal Ancestral Ritual in the Jongmyo Shrine.â
The repetitive chord that doesnât change and its techno-like beats suit both of our tastes in music. The heavy music of âThe Royal Ancestral Ritual in the Jongmyo Shrine” and Minheeâs voice in contrast, complement each other to show the uniqueness of HAEPAARY very well.
How do you like to find inspiration when it comes to creating new music?
Hyewon: I normally get inspiration from living everyday life. I enjoy sports like surfing and love traveling. I regard the balance of working and playing in life very important, and get inspired by this kind of lifestyle. I especially feel like getting away from everyday life when I am surfing, and can get back to work and come up with fresh ideas afterwards.
I consider myself a simple person, so rather than being inspired by specific things, I tend to accumulate various thoughts naturally and these come into form when I make music. I learned to play the percussion instruments since I was young, so Iâve adapted to thinking rhythmically and a lot of noises that I hear on a daily basis sound like rhythms to me and I develop that into my work.
Minhee: I get inspired from happenings in life. Especially from the attitude and the way we live in our society. I try to utilize those thoughts in my work.
Like many artists who study or produce traditional Korean music, we try to express what we feel from living in Korea due to its geographical conditions, cultural position or environment in the international society.
Since music is not only about producing sounds, I believe the attitude of expressing it, also plays a big part.
When do you feel the most rewarded or difficult when working on new music or performing?
Hyewon: I think itâs hard when my skills feel limited and Iâm unable to reach what I want to achieve. I get stressed out when things donât get solved or donât meet my expectations due to my personal incompetence even when I know what I want to accomplish.
But I also think that the stress derived from work can become a driving force to develop yourself, so instead of blaming myself, I try to gain more experience and make it a habit to work in order to do a better job next time.
I feel the most rewarded when people understand and relate to the purpose of my work. Whenever I work on stuff related to HAEPARRY, I think to myself, âLetâs just do what I feel like doing,â so I work by not caring too much about what other people think. So, I really feel encouraged that there are people who understand and appreciate our work.
Minhee: I find it the most difficult when something that I worked so hard on doesnât get understood properly by others. I know we all get misunderstood at times, but I canât help wanting to be understood. Since we formed HAEPARRY, I am grateful and feel rewarded right now because there are so many people out there who show support more than I ever expected.
Would you recommend any music that youâre listening to frequently?
Hyewon: I enjoy listening to deep techno music, but these days, Iâm listening to simple house music. I think the current weather has something to do with what I like to listen to, so I have a different playlist set for different types of weather. When setting a playlist, I save music that my favorite artists follow after checking it out first.
Minhee: Iâve been listening to a lot of SUMIN – Fightman and The Linda Lindas. Since SUMINâs music is so exceptional in structure, sound, vocals, lyrics, visuals, and is even humorous, itâs great and will get you energized on gloomy days.
The Linda Lindas is the kind of band that I dreamt of becoming in my childhood, so Iâm just happy just by watching them. To me, they are the most perfect band!
Name some of the musicians and artists who inspired you that you wish to collaborate with.
Hyewon: I love artists like Björk and Ălafur Arnalds who have their own signature musical sound and are still very active.
I also like music by the Korean artist Jang Young-gyu. I am researching and learning how these artists release music and how they produce their music.
I also get inspiration from various artists around me. The newer artists that just got started also have a lot that I can learn from, so I often check out their music as well.
Minhee: Regardless of the genre, we are continuously being inspired by so many artists who are currently active – we admire all artists who create their own way to introduce a new worldview. We have so many that we want to collaborate with.
Right now, HAEPAARY is negotiating with Ram Han, Ghost Shotgun which consists of Gloryhole Light Sales, and .pic (Noh Sangho and Hyeonsu Jeon). Weâre working on our performance later in July.
What do you predict youâd be doing in ten years time?
Hyewon: I think Iâd be still working on different projects that I want to do while getting stressed out and feeling happy while taking care of myself.
Minhee: I want to be doing what I am doing now, except to enjoy myself much more than now to continue working and contemplating as an active artist. If possible, I want to be able to work to make the next generation proud.
Weâve come to the last question. What are your plans and wishes for your career ahead?
Hyewon: We have our own concert planned this July with a live audience. We also plan on releasing two singles and a full album.
If I had one wish for the future, I wish that HAEPAARY would continue on. I want us to keep going even if things slow down, and hope to put in an effort so as to not lose touch.
Minhee: I wish our music would acquire a universal value within the music industry. It will be a challenge to survive in the business by making the music that we want, in the way we want, so weâre currently planning to achieve that goal.
Weâd be grateful if youâd listen to our music and support us!
Website: http://haepaary.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HAEPAARY/
Bandcamp: https://haepaary.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haepaary/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/haepaary/
-J.Chung.
#HAEPAARY #composer #gagok #electronicmusic #traditionalkoreaninstruments #techno #AShinningWarriorAHeartfeltJoy
K-pop supergroup BTS made history again after reaching the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart with new single “Permission to Dance” and dethroning their previous single âButter.â This now marks the South Korean actâs fifth Hot 100 chart-topper.
Jin, RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook beat their own previous record with single “Butter” from the top spot, which currently dropped to No. 7 after reigning at the top of the chart for 7 consecutive weeks.
Since BTSâs previous No. 1s since 2020 , “Dynamite,” “Life Goes On,” “Butter” and “Permission to Dance” have all debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 – the K-pop act is the fourth act with at least four singles to reach the top. American pop singer Ariana Grande is currently leading with five.
According to Billboard, “Permission to Dance,” released on HYBE/BigHit Music/Columbia Records, is the 1,126th No. 1 in the Hot 100’s 62-year history, and the 55th to enter on top.
On its July 9 release, “Permission to Dance” has so far gained 15.9 million U.S. streams, 1.1 million radio airplay audience impressions plus 140,100 downloads by July 15. The hit song also debuts at the top of Digital Song Sales chart, where it’s BTS’ eighth No. 1, extending the act’s record for the most for groups.
Itâs very impressive to note that the Bangtan Boys managed to achieve its fifth Hot 100 chart No. 1s within just 10 months and two weeks – the fastest record since Michael Jacksonâs hit singles “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” with Siedah Garrett, “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Man in the Mirror” and “Dirty Diana” took him over nine months and two weeks from 1987 to 1988.
The Beatles still hold the all-time fastest record for the quickest span of five top HOT 100 chart-toppers – their first five singles made it to the top in only six months in 1964 with hits, “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “She Loves You,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Love Me Do,” and “A Hard Day’s Night.”
With “Permission to Dance,” BTS replaced “Butter” from Hot 100âs No. 1, which makes the band the first to dethrone itself since American rapper Drakeâs “In My Feelings” ended the eight-week reign of “Nice for What” in 2018.
To celebrate the release of their new hit, BTS and their team announced to launch a âPermission to Danceâ challenge this week. Here are the details:
The challenge is an invitation to BTS fans from all over to groove along to “Permission to Dance” and this will kick off on July 23, until August 14.
BTS fans are encouraged to get creative and produce their 15-second short on the YouTube mobile app by BTSâ “Permission to Danceâ by using hashtags #PermissiontoDance and #Shorts.
Big Hitâs general manager Shin Young-jae stated, “Just as Permission to Dance sends the message that you don’t have to ask anyone for permission to dance, we hope that we can bring people all over the world together to dance along with us, free of any limits or constraints. We are very excited to watch this challenge come to life on YouTube Shorts and canât wait to see what you all create.”
Lyor Cohen, YouTubeâs global head of music added, “BTS are global icons. Breaking record after record on YouTube, BTS’ immense contribution to the world of music has made them an undeniable force. We are humbled to be partnering with them on the Permission to Dance challenge on YouTube Shorts, helping to spread happiness and build lasting connections amongst their fans on YouTube across the globe. We are stoked to see the ARMY dance!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh5uLLNO1dI
-J.Chung.
#bts #permissiontodance #butter #billboard #kpop #boygroup #koreanmusic #seoul #musiccharts #bangtanboys #july #army #kpopgroup #kpopdance #worldwide
Hello, this is Mwave.
Mwave is launching a new website on August 17, 2021.
On the new Mwave site, youâll be able to purchase signed albums from various artists, participate in MEET&GREET, and find out information about various events such as MAMA, KCON, etc.
The new Mwave site requires existing members to newly sign up again due to a change in the login verification system.
Please read carefully the following guideline on using the new Mwave site.
1. New membership : Please create a new account through email verification to use the new Mwave site starting from August 17, 2021.
2. Order Data : You can find information on orders made till August 16, 2021 in the footer area at the bottom of the new Mwave service.
For order inquiries, please contact the CS center of the new Mwave site.
3. Credit Use : Users who have any remaining credit, please contact the CS center of the new Mwave site from August 17, 2021 to September 16, 2021 and
we will provide you with information on how to use your credit.
(Information on the user account of the new Mwave site, userâs nickname that has been given credit, and credit amount are required)
* User/Membership data until August 16 will be held for a safe delivery and CS purposes only.
Please look forward to the newly transformed Mwave.
– New service launching date: August 17, 2021 (scheduled)
Thank You.
#Mwave #kpop #MCountdown #kidols #musicshows #kpopfans #kcrush #korea #kmusic #koreanperformers #koreanentertainment #kpopshows koreantalent
Apple Music:
(From left to right: KG, JC, Sam, ORio)
Fire Ex. is a rock band from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, founded in 2000. Their music is in Taiwanese and Mandarin Chinese. The members consist of Sam (lead vocals), ORio (guitar), JC (bass), and KG (drums). Fire Ex. is known for their activism in supporting Taiwanese independence.
We thank the members for this great interview and wish them all the best in their career!
Hello, Fire Ex. members. Would you please introduce yourselves and your position in the band to our readers?
Hello, Kcrush. We are Fire EX.!
Formed in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2000, Fire EX. is made up of lead vocalist Sam, guitarist ORio, bassist JC, who were classmates in high school, and KG stepped in as the drummer since early 2019.
Tell us how you got together to form the band. Was it your dream to become musicians from a young age?
We formed Fire EX. during our high school years. At that time, we just wanted to hangout and play music together, and seldom thought about our future or career.
What kind of vocabulary would you use to describe your music?
Taiwanese, Courageous, Passionate, Empathetic…
Please reveal some of the musical artists or musicians who inspired you and your sound?
Green day, Blink 182, Sum 41…
Tell us what youâve been up to recently.
Due to the public health concerns over the coronavirus, SXSW 2021 came back as an online festival. We’re so excited to take part in the “Taiwan Beats” showcase.
It is our pleasure to join the Taiwan Beats showcase. To perform at Taiwanese iconic attractions, varied from mountains, traditional factory, indoor shrimp fishing to Taiwanese temples. The experience of playing in a traditional factory is so amazing that it is beyond words.
What do you like most about performing and making music?
We can grow together, and share our life experiences not only with band members but also with the fans.
*Name just one song that you enjoy the most to perform and why.
Itâs so hard to choose only one song! âCycle of Freedom Soulâ is a song with strength and speed, which is so great to perform, and we can blow off steam at the same time.
âA One and A Twoâ – We are very satisfied with the lyrics and the arrangement, and we love that the rhythm of the show is slow then fast when we perform it.
Please enlighten us on some of the social activism work that you are involved in.
â The Sunflower Student Movement.
âThe studentsâ occupation of parliament was in a bid to prevent the passage of an agreement allowing for freer trade in services with China. They argue that the pact was negotiated in secret and will allow China to gain greater political control over the islandâ â from The Economic.
The Sunflower Movement kicked off in March of 2014 when Fire Ex. was asked by the students of Taipei University of Arts to write the song âIslandâs Sunrise.”
– The Freedom of Speech Day.
In 2016, the Executive Yuan announced that it will be April 7th. The purpose is to commemorate the spirit of sacrifice by Cheng Nan-jung, the founder of “The Freedom Era Weekly.” On December 10, 1988 (International Human Rights Day), the “The Freedom Era Weekly” promoted the Taiwan independence movement; Cheng Nan-jung, the founder and editor-in-chief of the magazine was accused by the government for intending to split the country, and on January 21 1989, he received a summons for the crime of rebellion from the court. For the idea of ââ”Struggle for 100% Freedom,” he resisted arrest and setting himself on fire in support of freedom of speech.
To remember The Freedom of Speech Day, Fire On Music Co. LTD., participate in holding the annual event and Fire EX. performed in the event many times.
Outside of music, what do you like to do for leisure?
Sam: I exercise and have family time.
ORio: Play videos/mobile games… play with Kirby (my cat).
JC: Exercise and eat ramen.
KG: Play with cats.
What do you normally do to release or handle stress?
Exercise or do nothing and just take a rest.
At which country or venue do you most enjoy performing?
Our home – Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Would you have any advice for people who wish to start their own band?
Start right now, give it a try or you will never know.
-J.Chung.
#FireEx #Taiwanese #CycleOfFreedomSoul #AOneAndATwo #hardrockband #SXSW2021 #TaiwanBeatsShowcase #KaohsiungTaiwan #rockband #
Ambika Nayak, known professionally as Kayan is a singer, recording artist, model and DJ from Mumbai, India.
She has released music and appeared in commercials, films, voice-overs, and independent movies.
Weâd like to thank Kayan for this interview and wish her all the best in her career.
*Introduce yourself to our readers please.
Hi Iâm Kayan, an artist based in Mumbai, India. I sing, I DJ, I model, I act, I laugh – basically the things that bring me a lot of joy.
*Tell us about your musical sound and how you were first inspired to make music.
My sound is a mix of everything that has inspired me over the years and is usually an immediate reflection of my current emotions. I wouldnât want to label it, itâs for people to perceive in their own way. I think my first inspiration came from growing up around my motherâs music classes. She teaches Indian classical vocals. So, itâs something thatâs just always been around.
*What have you been up to lately and how has life changed for you during the pandemic?
Life has honestly changed for the better even though there are some difficult days. I actually was able to release my music as Kayan last year and we just recently shot a music video for the next single!
*What would be your favorite song to perform and why?
Iâm waiting to play Cool Kids live. I just want to vibe with the people who are going to be there. That is something Iâm really looking forward to.
*Where would you most like to perform?
There are sooo many places! I think when it comes to music festivals, Primavera Sound. And the Red Rocks Amphitheatre is most definitely a venue I want to play at someday!
*Please name some artists/musicians who inspired you musically.
I take a lot of inspiration from not just musicians but artists across various spectrums – CB Hoyo, Jemima Kirke, Jorja Smith, Brent Faiyaz, to name just a few from sooo many!
*What kind of music have you been frequently listening to lately?
My playlist is always a mix of so many different genres. Hip-Hop, Ghetto Tech, Drum & Bass, R&B , Dancehall – Always a healthy mix of all these vibes.
*What do you like to do for leisure?
Iâm still working on enjoying leisure time.
But when I do, itâs spending time with my cats Sakura and Akira. Itâs just the best.
*What do you usually do when youâre mentally drained or stressed out?
I meet up with my friends or play some music that makes me feel good. Sometimes I clean the house, write or just cry it out, haha.
*How do you want to be remembered as an artist?
If youâre gonna remember me, my music. Iâm okay. I canât make someone feel any way about it. Like I said, once itâs out there everyone is going to perceive it in so many different ways. But if it has any kind of impact on someoneâs life, thatâs just beautiful. I hope I can be even close to how my favorite artists make me feel.
*Weâve come to our last question. What are your plans and goals for the future ahead?
Thereâs a lot more music in the making, music videos to be shot, tasty collaborations. When things are better, there will be tours and shows lined up and I canât wait for it all!
-J.Chung.
#Rayan #model #MumbaiIndia #indiadj #PrimaveraSound #RedRocksAmphitheatre #hiphop #indiasinger #indiaactor #rayanmusicvideo #classicalvocals
Dasom Baek is a prolific Korean musician, composer, and lecturer. She performs and produces music using traditional Korean instruments, including Daegeum, Sogeum, and Saenghwang.
Weâd like to thank Ms Baek for providing us with a great interview with a very insight into traditional Korean musical instruments. We wish her all the best in all her endeavors!
Hello, thank you for taking the time out for this interview.
Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers please?
Hello. I am Baek Dasom and I deliver my own stories through music. I produce music using traditional Korean musical instruments like Daegeum, Sogeum, Saenghwang and others.
We are curious to know how you started playing multiple musical instruments.
When I was in second grade in elementary, I learned about the oboe and clarinet during class. So, I told my parents that I wanted to learn those instruments, and my mother told me since I already play a western instrument, I should learn a traditional Korean instrument.
At the time, I had been learning the piano since the age of four.
My mother then took me to learn danso in the neighborhood. I began learning the instrument from then onwards for about two years. The teacher later introduced me to an instrument called daegeum.
Thatâs how it all started.
Could you introduce our readers to the traditional Korean instruments that you play?
The musical instruments that I play the most frequently are Daegeum, Sogeum, and Saenghwang. These three instruments are all traditional Korean wind instruments.
Daegeum is the same pipe from the Silla‘s legend, and itâs the largest Korean wind instrument with a very broad musical range. Also, there is a characteristic called âcheongâ in Daegeum, which is a buzzing membrane that produces unique sounds.
Sogeum, like a piccolo, has one octave higher than Daegeum.
With Saenghwang, air is blown into the wind chest, letting the metal reeds to vibrate. It is also the only melodic instrument among traditional Korean wind musical instruments to produce more than two tunes at the same time.
Could you tell us how you normally spend your day and what your daily schedule is like?
I usually have a set time for practice each day and I also tend to do the things that need to be done that day. Since I am a musician who is also working as a freelancer, I cover different things for each day and the schedule is never the same. But I always try to keep up with my music practice.
Youâve performed in front of so many audiences. Do you have a particular performance that you recall the most?
In 2019, I held a concert where only the music I produced was performed. Before that, I performed numerous times to other peopleâs music as a daegeum musician, but this concert consisted completely of my music. Because this was a concert, I had to explain the music to the audience in between the performances, instead of merely playing on stage. This was all new to me and I recall having to do a lot of preparation. Since it was the first time for me to do that kind of concert, I remember being both nervous and excited while in the process of rehearsing.
What kind of music do you normally enjoy listening to and gain inspiration from?
I have loved classical music since I was very young, which I still listen to a lot. Rather than listening to music to gain inspiration, I tend to get more inspired from art works. When making music, I try my best to express my story as honestly as possible, so I look at a lot of art and read books that can help me look into my inner self.
What do you do in your free time when youâre not working?
I really love traveling. I havenât been able to do much since the pandemic⊠I believe in working hard and also taking time off to rest, so I enjoy going away to travel after working hard.
How do you tend to release stress?
I just go out for a walk alone without any plans. I can refresh my mind to a certain degree after walking for a while. When I come back after sorting out my thoughts, I can face the issues with a new mindset and get to think more positively.
Are there any regions in the world where youâd like to perform?
I havenât yet been able to visit South America or Africa⊠So I would love to go there as an excuse to perform.
Weâve come to our last question. What are the plans and wishes for yourself in the future?
I recorded a new record with an Argentinian cellist named Violeta whom I met while I was on a residency program in the U.S. back in 2019, which Iâm planning to release this year.
My first album <돎(çĄ): Nothingness> is also to be available in LP. Iâm currently working on my next album, so it will be ready by the end of this year and released next year.
Doing a world tour performing my music has always been the first on top of my bucket list. Iâve been working with an agency based in the Netherlands since this year, so we plan to proceed with a world tour when the situation with the coronavirus gets better. I really look forward to traveling freely and meeting the audience on stage…
-J.Chung.
#DasomBaek #traditionalkoreaninstruments #koreanmusician #oboe #clarinet
#돎(çĄ):Nothingness #koreantradition #walking #koreanwindinstruments #koreancomposer #koreanlecturer #Daegeum #Sogeum #Saenghwang
South Korean pop artist Lee Michelle, got her start as a contestant on the first season of âK-pop Starâ, which showcased talent from across South Korea. She followed up that experience by joining the all-girl group called SuPearls, which however soon disbanded. Lee began to focus on her solo career, while also establishing exciting collaborations with other notable artists which have helped grow her fan base even more. To complete her metamorphosis into a successful solo artist Lee Michele released her 7 track album âDay-By-Dayâ, as well as her brand new single, âWonât Talk With Youâ, in conjunction with Wildest Dream Entertainment, a division of KCrush America Magazine which is committed to bringing the best of Asian entertainment to fans globally.
Lee Michelleâs studio album âDay-By-Dayâ, without question, catapults her into the ranks alongside her high-profile singer-songwriter contemporaries.  Itâs a brand of smooth and sultry pop and R&B that drips emotional vibes that feel sensual, yet vulnerable, introspective but fiercely passionate. On the opening track âIâll Be Here Tomorrowâ, Leeâs voice practically pours into the beat, melting in between the drums and the keys, with the texture of melted butter.
Lee Michelleâs greatest attribute is translating words to feelings, and instrumentals to moods, which is what she achieves on the self-penned, funky mid-tempo groove of âBreak Timeâ, and then goes on to outdo with the sophisticated elegance of the title song, âDay By Dayâ. Lee definitely nods to more classic pop and R&B, but its super of-this-moment in terms of the aesthetic â gracious and smooth.
Leeâs style is also informed by hip-hop, of which evident traces can be found on the catchy and rhythmic âGood Lifeâ. I think what makes Lee Michelle so special is that there are through-lines to hip-hop, to pop and to R&B in her music, thereâs something for everyoneâs sensibilities. If you just like something slow-burning and intimate, she has something for you. But if you like the more upbeat, super polished pop sounds, she has something for you as well.
On songs like âBlue Oceansâ, and then âEoeoâ, Lee Michelle showcases her ability to straddle any kind of beat with her mellifluous voice and captivating phrasing. She maneuvers with a standout level of artistry that leaves you in no doubt that she is indeed here to stay. Moreover, Lee is transparent and honest in her lyricism throughout these tracks, conveying different interpersonal perspectives matched by the varying styles of production.
Lyrically, there is a relatability and willingness to go deeper than the surface level that elevates the project above those of a lot of her contemporaries. On âIntermissionâ (Feat. Henmi), Lee Michelle once again showcases the sheer rich and sultry beauty of her voice. She is subtle, yet also hypnotic, adding a sense of refinement to her performance.
Her latest single, âWonât Talk With Youâ strikes a nice balance between modern pop elements and R&B. It also sets an urgent mood, with catchy hooks that tend to draw you back in, time after time. It is definitely a vibe, finding Lee Michele continuing to deliver a cool, yet energetic vocal performance, with an ample dosage of understated swagger. She makes her point loud and clear here.
Lee Michelle is leading the way of a new generation of female musicians who are taking a dominating role in their careers, by writing most of their own songs. All in all, Lee delivers both a fantastic album and single. She forges terrific vocals, never over-singing, yet packing just the right amount of punch into each song. Highly recommended!
Originally Printed by Jamsphere Magazine – July 8, 2021
Back in April of 2021, BTS fans all over the world were delighted with the announcement that the K-pop sensation is partnering up with French fashion house Louis Vuitton as the brandâs house ambassadors. A tweet from the brand said, “#BTS for #LouisVuitton. Joining as new House Ambassadors, the world renowned Pop Icons @bts_bighit are recognized for their uplifting messages that impart a positive influence. Louis Vuitton is pleased to welcome members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook.”
The worldâs top selling luxury brand stated that BTS is âone of the most renowned and influential groups in the worldâ during a press release when announcing the new ambassadorship.
Louis Vuittonâs artistic director Virgil Abloh previously confirmed that he has been discussing creative ideas with the seven members of BTS and said, “I am delighted BTS are joining Louis Vuitton today. I am looking forward to this wonderful partnership which adds a modern chapter to the House, merging luxury and contemporary culture. I can’t wait to share all the very exciting projects we are working on.”
On July 5, BTS_official released plans via Twitter that stated, âWe are excited to be part of the upcoming #LouisVuitton show in Seoul! (Purple heart) this tweet to set a reminder to watch on July 7th at 7pm (KST).â
As announced, American designer, DJ, and CEO of Off-White Virgil Abloh, the artistic director of Louis Vuitton since 2018, presented his Menâs Fall/Winter 2021 collection via Youtube live for the world to watch on July 7.
The 10-minute film was shot at Art Bunker B39 – a culture space located in Bucheon, South Korea. The film was directed by filmmakers Jeon Go-woon and Park Sye-young, and produced by Kim Soon-mo.
From now on, the K-pop band will be working with the luxury fashion house on various projects and will adorn the Louis Vuittonâs attire and accessories in appearances, and participate in campaigns related to the brand.
This was the first time that the members of BTS participated in a fashion show as house ambassadors of Louis Vuitton.
-J.Chung.
#BTS #LouisVuitton #VirgilAbloh #Kpop #BIGHIT #HYBE #kpopidol #livestream #fashionshow #SeoulFashionShow #catwald #runway #BUTTER
BTSâ hit single âButterâ (released on May 21) remains at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 songs chart for its sixth consecutive week after its release, setting another record for the group.
Billboard announced via its Twitter account that “Butter,” which was released on HYBE/BigHit Music/Columbia Records, drew 11 million U.S. streams, down 11%, and sold 153,600 (downloads, cassette and vinyl combined), up 20%, in the week ending July 1, according to MRC Data. It also attracted 28.3 million radio airplay audience impressions, up 2% in the week ending July 4.
“Butter” is now the longest single by the K-pop supergroup to land a chart-topper on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, followed by its 2020 hit “Dynamite” with three weeks, one week with “Life Goes On” and âSavage Loveâ (Laxed – Siren Beat). Making BTS claim four No. 1s in less than a year.
The South Korean group also became the first Asian act to score No. 1 for four straight weeks back in June. Late Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto previously held the title with the hit song “Ue o Muite ArukĆ” in 1963.
âButterâ went on to dominate the iTunes top songs charts in over 100 regions of the world after the single was dropped, hitting 108.2 million views on YouTube within the first 24 hours of release, achieving âthe most streamed actâ in Spotify’s history and making several new records on the Guinness World records with 11,042,335 global streams in just one day – pushing out Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieberâs 2019 hit âI Donât Care.â
A physical album for the Billboard-topping hit âButterâ is to be released on July 9, which also marks the day that the BTS fandom, ARMY, was born eight years prior.
The CD is available for pre-order on Weverse Shop with two versions of the âButterâ to choose from. The Cream version features a yellow cover and the Peaches version is orange. Each version includes a photo book, poster, photo card, CD, graphic sticker, photo stand, etc.
This album includes BTSâ latest Billboard chart-topping single, its two instrumental versions, as well as a yet-to-be-released single “Permission to Dance” – written/produced by Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Steve Mac, Steve Kirk and Jenna Andrews, among others. The latter two writers also worked to pen âButter.â
This is the second time that BTS collaborated with British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran since RM and Suga co-wrote “Make It Right” with him for BTSâ âMap of the Soul: Persona” album in 2020.
-J.Chung.
#BUTTER #ARMY #kpop #Billboard #BUTTERALBUM #kpopidols #charttopper #supergroup #BIGHIT #HYBE #BangTangBoys
Solo artist Nakimushi released his new song âTokyo Wonderâ on Friday the 2nd of July. This song is the ending theme song of the TV Anime âTokyo Revengers- Bloody Halloween editionâ. The movie has no credit title.
This Nakimushiâs latest song âTokyo Wonderâ has a uniquely edgy sound and Nakimushiâs lyrics are original and have a strong message which is totally linked to the world of the AnimeâTokyo Revengersâ. The song is full of fun and positive feelings.
Please watch the video and check out how this song has matched the atmosphere of the Anime. TV Anime âTokyo Revengersâ just started its Bloody Halloween edition from this July. Fans are excitedly expecting to see whatâs going to happen next.
Nakimushi is a solo artist who doesnât reveal his real name, face and age. His distinct husky voice is on the melody which is very freely arranged. He chooses his words very tactically so his song is very special. He is gaining popularity rapidly, especially among young listeners.
Nakimushi writes lyrics and composes for his song and also makes arrangements and create a track. He also does the direction for Music Video and Artwork as well. He collaborated and provide the music for the popular singer yama and Ado.
He is going on tour in Tokyo and Osaka titled âTokyo Kyoiâ, which will present this latest song âTokyo Wonderâ. He will have a show in Osaka Umeda CLUB QUATTRO on Saturday the 24th of July. The second one is in Tokyo Ebisu LIQUIDROOM on Sunday the 1st of August.
âžKen Wakui, KODANSHA / TOKYO REVENGERS Anime Production Committee.
â TV Anime âTokyo Revengersâ ( clean end), Nakimushi âTokyo Wonderâ
URLïŒ https://youtu.be/8EVUrD1etHs
â Nakimushi âTokyo Wonderâ is streaming now!
streaming URLïŒ https://lnk.to/_TokyoWonder
â Information of TV Anime âTokyo Revengersâ
âSpecial News PV
https://youtu.be/MhH0dQAc5ck
âFirst PV
https://youtu.be/r9M34VgTfzY
âSecond PV
https://youtu.be/nYQUVwwD-H4
âThird PV
https://youtu.be/obFiWF6pHbk
TV Anime âTokyo Revengersâ Introduction
Takemichi Hanagaki is unsuccessful with only a part-time job. He heard the news that his only girlfriend from middle school, Hinata Tachibana was killed by the fiercest and worst criminal gang,âTokyo Manji Gangsâ
The next day after he found out the horrible news, Takemichi was pushed from the platform of the station. He fell on the track and when he opened his eyes he was teleported back 12 years.
Takemichiâs middle school days which was 12 years ago, was his highest point in his life. Takemichi goes back to this time and start his revenge by saving his ex- girlfriendâs life and changing himself. Takemichi wants to change and become a person who doesnât keep running away from himself.
What is âTokyo Manji Revengersâ
âTokyo Revengersâ started in Kodanshaâs Weekly Shonen Magazine in 2017 and has had over 20 million copies in circulation since it was written and illustrated by Ken Wakui who also created âShinjuku Swanâ.
Nakimushi profile:
Nakimushi is a solo artist who doesnât reveal his real name, face and age. His distinct husky voice is on the melody which is very freely arranged. He chooses his words very tactically so his songs are very special, He is gaining popularity rapidly especially among young listeners.
Nakimushi writes lyrics and composes songs and also makes the arrangement and creates tracks. He also does direction for Music Video and Artwork. He collaborated and provide the music for the popular singer yama and Ado.
He released his first packaged product ârendez-vousâ this February. This album was promoted with âposter jackâ throughout 27 tower record shops from more than one month before it was released.
This album was chosen as âTawarecomen: Tower recordâs recommendationâ and also âH Oshi: HMVâs recommendationâ. As a newcomer for producing packaged products, he has achieved an exceptional success.
â Nakimushi Free Online Live âre:ndez-vousâarchive
https://youtu.be/_LkAl7jT1HI
â Nakimushi site link summary
https://lit.link/nakimushi
â Nakimushi YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6zmTQ4nubGPbw2WpBs6N6Q
â Nakimushi song distribution site
https://lnk.to/Nakimushi
â Nakimushi official site
https://rarirarirarirari.com
â Nakimushi TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@dead.aquarium?
â Nakimushi Twitter
https://twitter.com/rarirari_life
â Nakimushi InformationTwitter
https://twitter.com/wakuwakusunlife
â Nakimushi Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/rarirari_life/
â Nakimushi Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/rarirarirarilife/
Rising acts LOONA and KARD’s BM are ready to meet global fans face-to-face through K-Pop fandom app theQoos’ unique video-based Q&A fan event.
theQoos’ ‘virtual’ fan Q&A events invite fans to upload short question videos to the platform, where other users can ‘like’ the video to up the chances that video will be seen by the artist. The artist then will choose their favorite questions among the top entries, answering them through a series of response videos personalized for each winning fan.
LOONA, who recently topped iTunes charts in over 30 countries with their latest mini album ‘&’, kicked off their Q&A event through theQoos on June 29, while BM, who will be making his solo debut this week with ‘triple single’ album ‘The First Statement’ later this week, launched his Q&A event on June 30. Fans will be able to submit questions until July 19 for LOONA and July 12 for BM, and the response videos will be released within the following days.
theQoos began the Q&A events as a way to ease communication between global fans and K-Pop artists, giving these fans additional visibility with their favorite K-Pop stars without having to travel to Korea or struggle with language barriers. Since the launch of the virtual Q&As in late 2020, this unique fan-run interview format has attracted collaboration with a growing number of K-Pop acts wanting to get in touch with their overseas fans, including A.C.E and Chungha.
Participants are encouraged to submit their video questions in fun and creative ways, as the more love their video receives from other users on the app, the higher the chance that the artists will see their video and choose to respond to it. Camera shy fans are not required to show their faces in their submissions; and theQoos’ translation team will handle translation and subtitles to ease communication between the idols and their fans.
For more information, fans can head to theQoos’ official social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
ABOUT LOONA
As one of K-Pop’s most anticipated debuts of 2018, LOONA has since gone on to solidify their reputation as one of the most popular Korean girl groups with global fans. The U.S.-based popularity of their 2019 album ’12:00′ landed them their first album to enter the Billboard 200 chart, making them the first and only girl group outside of K-Pop’s Big 4 agencies to do so. The album’s B-side promotional track “Star” also received enough stateside radio play to make them the second Korean girl group to appear on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40. With new mini album ‘&’, the members have been reunited with their leader Haseul, who had been on hiatus for a year and a half of the group’s activities. Now back as a 12-member group, LOONA aspires to not only continue to see global success, but also entertain the fans they have not seen for so long with great music and performances.
ABOUT BM
Hailing from Los Angeles, Calif., BM is a rapper in DSP Media’s co-ed four-member K-Pop group KARD. Since their debut with “Hola Hola” in 2017, KARD has gone on to attract fans from all over the world, with the act’s successful ‘WILD KARD’ world tour taking them directly to fans throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. On July 2nd, BM will become the first KARD member to go solo with ‘triple single’ album ‘The First Statement,’ featuring pre-release single “Broken Me”, title track “13IVI”, and “Body Movin.” The lyrics for each track were written by BM himself, and he also collaborated in arranging and composing them as well. Outside of his music, the idol has also won fans over with his straight-talking, humorous personality, and his VLIVE live stream videos tend to go viral as hot topics with fans online.
ABOUT THEQOOS
Founded by Peter Chun, former U.S. marketing director of YG Entertainment, and Ted Karam Han, former business/service director of Kakao Music, theQoos is a hybrid company based in both New York City and Seoul aiming to bridge the cultural gap between K-Pop and its rapidly growing international fandom. Positioned as a digital clubhouse made just for K-Pop fans, theQoos offers real-time updated idol news from both official and fan sources, social features like chatrooms and direct messaging, and opportunities to win albums and meet emerging K-Pop acts. theQoos also recently launched an online store where global fans can purchase the latest K-Pop albums at a lower price with quality customer service.
Official Website: www.theqoos.com
Available for free download on iOS: https://apple.co/2kUPvmb
Available for free download on Android: http://bit.ly/2Rs61rq
RELEASE FIRST EVER ENGLISH VERSION OF HIT SINGLE âINTO THE NIGHT,â PLUS NEW TRACK â(SANGENSHOKU)â OUT TODAY
J-Pop stars YOASOBI are debuting their new single, âäžćèČ(Sangenshoku).â With this song, YOASOBIâs vocalist, Ikura, raps on a track for the first time. âInto the Night,â the English version of YOASOBIâs top track, âć€ă«é§ăă(Yoru ni kakeru),â is also out today. Listen/share both tracks HERE and HERE.
YOASOBI is a duoâcomprised of composer Ayase, and vocalist Ikuraâthat âcreates music from novels.â Each of the duoâs songs are based off plots from short stories published on popular online creative website monogatary.com. Their first single âć€ă«é§ăă(Yoru ni kakeru)â became a smash hit as soon as it released in November 2019. âYoru ni kakeruâ topped multiple streaming charts in Japan and has also ranked in various viral charts around the world. The track placed No.1 on both the Billboard Japan Total Song Chart and Billboard Japan Streaming Song Chart in 2020. YOASOBI also performed at the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen (NHK Red & White Song Battle).
Earlier this year YOASOBI released their debut album, THE BOOK. The group released two singles, âæȘç©(Kaibutsu)â and âćȘăăćœæ(Yasashii Suisei),â both of which were chosen to be the opening and closing theme songs, respectively, for the TV animation âBEASTARSâ and ranked No.1 on various music charts.
In February 2021 YOASOBI performed their first solo concert âKEEP OUT THEATERâ at a construction site in Kabukicho, Shinjuku which used to be the Milano Theater; more than 40,000 viewers tuned in for the livestream. In June 2021, Billboard Japan announced their music chart for the first half of the year and YOASOBI ranked No.1 on the Billboard Japan Top Artists Chart.
YOASOBI is also collaborating with Uniqloâs graphic T-shirt brand UT. YOASOBI UT features the bandâs key visuals as well as six YOASOBI songs including their debut single âć€ă«é§ăă (Yoru ni Kakeru),â âăă«ăžăȘăł (Harujion),â âăă¶ă (Tabun),â â矀é (Gunjyo),â âăă«ă« (Haruka),â âăąăłăłăŒă« (Encore)â and YOASOBIâs latest song, âäžćèČ (Sangenshoku).â
To celebrate the release of YOASOBI UT, YOASOBI will stream a free live show âSING YOUR WORLDâ on July 4 at 7P.M. JST/6A.M. EST on YOASOBIâs official YouTube channel. The title of the performance pays tribute to UTâs theme âWEAR YOUR WORLD.â This marks YOASOBIâs second-ever livestreamed performance; watch/share it HERE.
About YOASOBI:
YOASOBI is a band that creates âmusic from novelsâ featuring composer Ayase and vocalist Ikura. Their first single âć€ă«é§ăă (Yoru ni kakeru),â released in November 2019, has been streamed more than 400 million times.
Later in 2020, YOASOBI released their singles âăă¶ă (Tabun)â and â矀é (Gunjyo),â the latter of which was selected for a commercial song for Bourbonâs Alfort Mini Chocolate.
In December 2020, YOASOBI released their song âăă«ă« (Haruka)â based on a novel by Osamu Suzuki. YOASOBI released their first album THE BOOK on January 6, 2021. The album debuted No. 2 on the Oricon daily ranking chart, while each album track landing in the Top 15 of the Apple Music streaming chart simultaneously.