Yang Hyun-suk and B.I. to be Trialed

Former CEO and founder of K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment, Yang Hyun-suk, is to face another criminal trial – this time for allegedly covering up a drug scandal of K-pop boyband iKON’s former member and rapper, Kim Han-bin, professionally known as B.I.

B.I. was investigated back in 2016 for illegal use and purchase of marijuana and LSD, which is considered a serious offence in South Korea that could lead to long term imprisonment.

Since the scandal, the 24-year-old rapper kept fairly quiet after leaving his band, but he made his solo debut with an EP in March and released a full-length solo album this month on June 1, despite having to deal with an ongoing investigation on drug allegations and harsh criticism from the public.

The singer’s agency, IOK Company released an apologetic statement after news of B.I.’s indictment on charges of purchasing illegal drugs broke.

“We apologize for releasing a new album amid the unpleasant issues revolving around the artist. Our company and the artist admitted to past wrongdoing and know that we can’t change what has already happened. But we have been seeking ways for him to become a better and more valuable person to the world.”

B.I. founded his own label 131LABEL last year and is the executive director of IOK Company.

In 2019, B.I. confessed to the police of purchasing illegal drugs but was acquitted after he tested negative for drug use – a whistle-blower who was also his acquaintance – recently made claims that Yang Hyun-suk coerced her to falsely testify during B.I.’s drug investigation and trial.
This whistle-blower is a former trainee and also connected to actor and Big Bang’s member T.O.P in a linked drug scandal.

The informant also claimed that Yang conspired to send her overseas so she couldn’t testify in 2016. Since Yang is not in Korea right now but abroad, that particular investigation is suspended as of now.

Amidst his legal troubles, he is also facing charges of gambling overseas and attaining money, which he could be fined for if found guilty, according to South Korean law.

Yang’s hearing will take place on June 25, while B.I’s is to be held on July 9.

-J.Chung.

[UPDATE – 6-16-21] Woo!ah! and GWSN have been added to the JRC’s lineup. Heize will not be in attendance because of unforeseen circumstances. [UPDATE]

Livestreaming from the famed Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul, this event will be one of the biggest K-Pop festivals in the world and undoubtedly the biggest K-Pop virtual festival in the Western world.

Tickets Available At: sessionslive.com/joyruckusclub

(Download hi res flyer Here)

Following this week’s announcement of I Hate Being Hated, sessionslive.com/ihatebeinghated, Sessions is thrilled to announce another new collaboration with Joy Ruckus Club, the largest Asian music festival in the world, to present K-Pop SuperFest on Sunday, June 19, 2021 at https://sessionslive.com/joyruckusclub at 9PM ET. The one-day festival is the first of its kind for Sessions, and features performances from the premiere K-Pop superstars. The exciting line-up includes 11-member K-pop group The Boyz, legendary South Korean pop star Rain, powerhouse vocalist and chart topping singer/songwriter Ailee, and one of K-Pop’s most exciting rapper and singers’ Jessi. They will be joined by boy band AB6IX, American breakthrough girl group Momoland, singer and rapper Heize, boy bands Cravity and Golden Child, girl group Lovelyz, rapper Bloo, and DJ Soda. K-Pop sensations AleXa and Kevin (The Boyz) will host the global event.

Even as a one-day festival, with livestream filming taking place at the famed Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul, K-Pop SuperFest will be one of the biggest K-Pop festivals in the world and undoubtedly the biggest K-Pop virtual festival in the Western world.

The founder of Joy Ruckus Club, Kublai Kwon made his name as a pioneer of the Asian American music scene. His first cousin is the late great Shin Hae Chul, who is Korea’s first K-pop superstar and creator of the K-pop music genre. According to Kwon, this new festival honors his legacy by highlighting the superstars of K-Pop today.

“Sessions’ growth is rapidly accelerating across Asia,” said Sessions co-Founder Tim Westergren. “The K-Pop SuperFest represents another milestone as we bring even larger events to fans across 194 countries and 18 languages. Sessions’ unique combination of gamification and marketing is driving attendance and revenue for artists at an unprecedented level, and our partnership with Kublai and Joy Ruckus Club continues to deepen.”

Event t-shirts, NFT videos, signed posters, and virtual 1-on-1 meet & greet opportunities with artists will be available in the festival’s and artists’ stores on Sessions. This is the first time that Sessions will be promoting a K-Pop only festival.

Complete Lineup
AB6IX
Ailee
AleXa
Bloo
Cravity
DJ Soda
Golden Child
Heize
Jessi
Lovelyz
Momoland
Rain
The Boyz

About the lineup:

AB6IX

Four-member K-pop boy band AB6IX have been superstars even before their debut in 2019. Park Woo Jin and Lee Daehwi appeared on the K-pop audition show Produce 101 and joined the highly successful K-pop boy band project Wanna One. Kim Donghyun debuted in the duo group MXM, releasing two EP albums and a full album over the two years. Jeong Woong has been known as a “Super Trainee” in the K-pop scene. The quartet recently released their fourth EP Mo’ Complete: Have a Dream.

Ailee

Born in Colorado and raised in New Jersey, Korean-American singer-songwriter Ailee has been a staple in the K-pop scene since moving to South Korea in 2010. Following her debut in 2012, with the single “Heaven,” the powerhouse vocalist has been on top of the charts and amassing numerous awards since. Her 2017 original soundtrack, “I Will Go to You Like the First Snow,” became the most streamed K-pop song of the year and the highest selling soundtrack in South Korea of all time. In 2019, after eight years with her former label, she started a new company called Rocket3 Entertainment. The singer recently released her 6th EP Lovin’.

AleXa

The daughter of a Korean adoptee, AleXa grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A lifelong dancer, AleXa competed and won the talent competition Rising Legends. Afterwards, AleXa signed to ZB Label and competed on the South Korean audition show Produce 48. In 2019, she made her multilingual debut with “Bomb.” In addition to her K-pop prowess, AleXa continues to expand her entertainment empire as the co-host of the People’s Choice Award winning podcast “How Did I Get Here?” with Jae of Day6, a YouTube channel titled AleXa 360, and a forthcoming acting debut.

Bloo

Born in South Korea and moving to the United States as a child, 26-year-old hip-hop artist Bloo is undoubtedly influenced by American hip-hop. He co-founded the hip-hop label MKIT Rain with fellow rappers Nafla and Loopy. The trio moved back to Korea in 2015 and in 2016, Bloo debuted with the single “Drive Thru.” Right out-of-the-gate, his distinctive vocals and jazzy styles made him an artist-to-watch. The rapper has released three EPs since then. His 2017 single “Downtown Baby” reached the top of the South Korean charts in 2020 after singer Lee Hyori performed it on a variety show.

Cravity

As the first boy group to debut under Starship Entertainment since K-pop powerhouses Monsta X, Cravity, (also standing for Center of Gravity) have been destined to make a splash on the K-pop scene. In 2020, they released their debut EP Season 1. Hideout: Remember Who We Are. The album debuted at the top of the South Korean album charts and made them one of the best-selling rookie groups of the year. At the 2020 Soribada Awards, Cravity won the New Artist Award.

DJ Soda

South Korean DJ, Soda embarked on her journey to become a world star DJ in 2013. Her background in musical acting has led to her signature stage move, the viral “Flute Dance.” She also has a presence in the modeling world and the face for a variety of global brands. Heavily influenced by hip-hop and fashion, DJ Soda is capable of captivating audiences worldwide complete with her charming and enigmatic personality. This has led to her playing some of Asia’s top music festivals.

Golden Child

10-piece K-pop boy band Golden Child debuted in 2016 with their EP Gol-cha! and funky single “Dam Da Di.” This marked the first boy group to debut under Woollim Entertainment in seven years since K-pop legends Infinite. Known for their EDM and bass-heavy musical style and complex choreography, the band has amassed a loyal following since debut, releasing four more EPs and one full-length album.

Heize

South Korean singer-songwriter, producer, and rapper Heize blends R&B, soul, hip-hop, delicate vocals, and crisp songwriting to craft the most comforting of music. After releasing her self-titled debut EP, the multi-talented star came into prominence after competing on the reality competition Unpretty Rapstar in 2014. She’s been a force in the industry and has topped the South Korean charts since then. She released the critically acclaimed LP Fine in 2019. Heize finished 2020 with the ultimate power move by signing with P Nation, an entertainment company founded by Psy. She recently released her seventh EP, Happen under the new label.

Jessi

Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, Korean-American singer and rapper Jessi wasn’t made overnight. In 2015, Jessi starred on the reality show Unpretty Rapstar which catapulted her to superstardom. She’s released a slew of singles since then and established herself as one of K-pop’s most exciting artists. In 2019, Jessi became one of the first artists signed to P Nation, an entertainment company created by Psy. In 2020, she released her first album Nuna under P Nation which spawned the hit single “Nunu Nana.”

Lovelyz

Formed in 2014 by Woollim Entertainment, eight-member girl group Lovelyz is your quintessential K-pop girl group. Living up to their name, the group curates cute and fresh concepts that make for the most infectious of music. Since their debut album Girls’ Invasion, the band has released two studio albums and seven EPs. The group competed on the 2019 reality series Queendom and released their single “Obliviate” off their seventh EP Unforgettable in September 2020.

Momoland

Under MLD Entertainment, K-pop girl group Momoland formed on the 2016 reality show Finding Momoland. They released their debut album Welcome to Momoland later that year. The six-member piece has released a total of six EPs since then. In 2018, the group released the wildly successful, “Bboom Bboom,” peaking at number two on the South Korean song charts. The group is set for a breakthrough in the American market after signing with ICM Partners in 2020. They most recently released their album Ready Or Not and single with the name title.

Rain

Legendary South Korean pop star Rain released his debut album Bad Guy in 2002 under JYP Entertainment. In the next few years, he went on to become one of the biggest and most influential stars in Asia and around the world. In 2015, he created his own agency called RAIN Company. Most recently, he reunited with his mentor Park Jin-young on the collaboration “Switch to Me” off his third EP Pieces by Rain.

The Boyz

11-member K-pop group The Boyz was formed in 2017 under Cre.ker Entertainment. Later that year, they released their debut EP The First and lead single “Boy.” In 2018, the rookie group then went on to release their second and third EPs, leading to their winning of numerous awards. In 2020, they released their first studio album Reveal and single of the same name. In another milestone, the group won the South Korean reality show Road to Kingdom securing a spot in its sequel Kingdom: Legendary War. They released their fifth EP Chase and its lead single “The Stealer” in September 2020.

About Joy Ruckus Club

A humanitarian-oriented, virtual concert series, founded by Asian Americans, and led by artists of Asian descent from all over the world, Joy Ruckus Club is a revolution in pan-Asian music. Not silent, not complacent, not foreign, Joy Ruckus Club is a society of woke Asians who are in solidarity with all truthfully progressive movements of the oppressed and conquered.

About Sessions

Sessions is co-founded by digital music pioneer and former Pandora founder Tim Westergren and fellow entrepreneur and long time developer of virtual games Gordon Su. Sessions is the only live streaming solution providing all of the necessary components for musicians to succeed: audience development, fan engagement, and state of the art monetization drawn from the most advanced techniques of virtual gaming. Sessions is creating a space to bring artists and fans together for intimate live experiences 24/7. In less than a year after its public launch, Sessions is attracting thousands of artists to its live video streaming service. Available in over 194 countries and 18 languages, Sessions offers musicians anywhere in the world, at any stage of their career, an unprecedented opportunity to develop a global audience and earn substantial and sustainable revenue.

From pop and hip-hop to country and classical, there’s an artist for every music fan in Sessions. Since the start of 2021, Sessions has expanded the platform’s focus from just musical performances to staging various cultural events including “Alaska’s Drag Queen of the Year 2021 Pageant” this March and Joy Ruckus Club 3, featuring over 180 Asian American artists from around the world making it the largest ever Asian American virtual music festival. Available online and on all mobile devices worldwide, artists and fans can play more, earn more, experience more in Sessions.

서울 ‘예스24 라이브 홀’에서 생중계되는 이번 행사는 전 세계에서 가장 큰 K-POP 페스티벌임과 동시에 서구권에서 가장 큰 K-POP 가상 음악 축제가 될 것이다.

티켓 구매: sessionslive.com/joyruckusclub

(고해상도 이미지 다운로드)

미국 캘리포니아 샌프란시스코: 2021년 5월 28일 – 이번주 ‘I Hate Being Hated’ (sessionslive.com/ihatebeinghated) 발표 이후, Sessions Live(이하 ‘세션스’)는 세계 최대의 아시안 음악 축제인 Joy Ruckus Club(이하 ‘조이 러커스 클럽’)과의 또 다른 콜라보레이션을 발표하게 되어 기뻐하고 있다. ‘K-POP 슈퍼페스트’는 미국 동부 시간으로 일요일인 2021년 6월 19일 저녁 9시(한국시간 6월 20일 오전 10시)에 https://sessionslive.com/joyruckusclub에서 생중계된다. 하루 동안 진행되는 이번 페스티벌에서는 K팝 슈퍼스타들의 공연이 펼쳐질 예정이다. 라인업에는 11명의 멤버로 구성된 K팝 그룹 더보이즈(The Boyz), 한국의 전설적인 팝 스타 비, 파워풀한 보컬리스트이자 음원차트 1위에 빛나는 가수 겸 싱어송라이터 에일리, 그리고 K팝의 가장 신나는 래퍼이자 가수 중 한 명으로 꼽히는 제시가 포함되어 있다. 이들은 보이그룹 AB6IX, 미국 시장 진출을 예고한 걸그룹 모모랜드, 가수 겸 래퍼 헤이즈, 보이그룹 크래비티, 화려한 퍼포먼스와 완벽한 라이브의 ‘완성형 아이돌’ 골든차일드, 감성과 아련함의 대명사 ‘믿고 듣는’ 러블리즈, 래퍼 블루(Bloo), DJ 소다 등과 함께 무대를 펼친다. 이번 글로벌 행사의 진행은 K팝 열풍을 이끄는 알렉사(AleXa)와 더보이즈의 케빈이 맡는다.

서울의 ‘예스24 라이브 홀’에서 라이브 스트리밍 촬영이 진행되는 K-POP 슈퍼페스트는 단 하루 동안 열리는 페스티벌임에도 불구하고, 전 세계에서 가장 큰 K팝 페스티벌임과 동시에 서구권에서 가장 큰 K팝 가상 음악 축제가 될 예정이다.

조이 러커스 클럽(Joy Ruckus Club)의 창립자인 쿠블라이 권(Kublai Kwon) 대표는 아시아계 미국 음악의 선구자로 이름을 떨쳤다. 그는 한국 최초의 K팝 음악 장르 창시자이자 슈퍼스타인 故 신해철과 사촌 관계다. 권 대표에 따르면, 이 새로운 축제를 통해 오늘날의 K팝 슈퍼스타들을 선보임으로써 그의 유산을 기린다.

세션스의 공동 창업자인 팀 웨스터그렌(Tim Westergren)은 “세션스의 성장은 아시아 전역에서 빠르게 가속화되고 있다”고 말했다. “전 세계 194개국의 팬들에게 훨씬 더 큰 행사를 선보이는 것인 만큼, K-POP 슈퍼페스트는 또 하나의 이정표를 상징합니다. 세션스만의 독특한 게임화와 마케팅 조합으로 아티스트들의 참석과 수익을 전례 없는 수준으로 끌어올리고 있으며, 쿠블라이, 조이 러커스 클럽과의 파트너십은 더욱더 깊어지고 있습니다.”

세션스의 페스티벌 및 아티스트 온라인 스토어에서 이벤트 티셔츠, NFT 영상, 사인 포스터, 아티스트와 1:1 영상통화를 할 수 있는 가상 만남 이벤트 등의 기회가 제공될 예정이다. 세션스가 K-Pop 전용 페스티벌을 홍보하는 것은 이번이 처음이다.

전체 라인업
AB6IX 에일리 알렉사 (AleXa)
블루 (Bloo)
크래비티 DJ 소다
골든차일드 헤이즈 제시 러블리즈 모모랜드 비 더보이즈

라인업 소개:

AB6IX 4인조 보이그룹 AB6IX는 2019년 데뷔 전부터 슈퍼스타였다. 박우진과 이대휘가 K팝 오디션 프로그램 ‘프로듀스101’에 출연했고, 이후 폭발적인 인기를 끈 K팝 보이밴드 프로젝트 그룹 ‘워너원’에 합류했다. 김동현은 2년에 걸쳐 2장의 EP 앨범과 1장의 정규 앨범을 발표하면서 듀오 그룹 MXM으로 데뷔했다. 정웅은 가요계에서 ‘슈퍼 연습생’으로 알려져 왔다. 이 4인조는 최근 네 번

째 EP 《Mo’ Complete: Have a Dream》을 발매했다.
에일리 미국 콜로라도에서 태어나 뉴저지에서 자란 한국계 미국인 싱어송라이터 에일리는 2010년 한국으로 이주한 이후 한국 가요계의 주류를 이루고 있다. 2012년에 데뷔한 이후 싱글 “Heaven”으로 파워풀한 보컬리스트로 이름을 떨치며 음원차트 정상에 올랐으며, 그 이후로 수많은 상을 휩쓸고 있다. 2017년 오리지널 사운드트랙인 “첫눈처럼 너에게 가겠다”는 올해 가장 많이 스트리밍된 K팝 곡이자 역대 한국에서 가장 많이 팔린 사운드트랙이 되었다. 2019년, 8년 동안 함께했던 전 소속사를 떠나 로켓쓰리엔터테인먼트라는 새로운 회사를 설립했다. 최근 6번째 EP 《Lovin’》을 발표했다.

알렉사(AleXa) 한국인 입양아의 딸인 알렉사는 미국 오클라호마 털사에서 자랐다. 평생 댄서였던 알렉사는 오디션 프로그램인 Rising Legends에 참가해 우승했다. 이후, ZB Label과 계약을 맺고 한국의 오디션 프로그램인 ‘Produce 48’에 참가했다. 2019년, “Bomb”으로 다국어 데뷔를 했다. 알렉사는 K팝 역량 이외에도 데이식스의 Jae와 함께 ‘피플스 초이스 어워드’ 수상 팟캐스트인 ‘How Did I Get Here?’의 공동 진행자로 활약하고 있으며, 유튜브 채널 ‘AleXa 360’을 운영하는 등 엔터테이너로서의 영역을 넓혀가고 있다.

블루 (Bloo)
한국에서 태어나 어린 시절 미국으로 이주한 26세의 힙합 아티스트 블루는 의심할 여지 없이 미국 힙합의 영향을 받았다. 그는 동료 래퍼인 나플라, 루피와 함께 힙합 레이블 MKIT RAIN을 공동 설립했다. 이 3인조는 2015년에 한국으로 돌아왔고, 블루는 2016년에 싱글 “Drive Thru”로 데뷔했다. 그의 독특한 보컬과 재치 있는 스타일 덕분에 즉시 신예 스타 반열에 올랐다. 그 이후로 3장의 EP를 발매했다. 그의 2017년 싱글 《Downtown Baby》는 가수 이효리가 버라이어티 쇼에서 공연한 후 2020년 한국 음원차트 정상에 올랐다.

크래비티 (Cravity)
‘Center of Gravity’라는 뜻의 Cravity는 K팝 강호 몬스타엑스(Monsta X) 이후 스타쉽 엔터테인먼트 소속으로 데뷔한 첫 보이그룹으로, K팝 음악계에 돌풍을 일으켜 왔다. 2020년, 데뷔 EP 《Season 1. Hideout: Remember Who We Are》을 발매했다. 이 데뷔 앨범으로 한국 앨범 차트 정상을 차지했으며, 2020 올해의 브랜드 대상 – 신인 남자 아이돌 부문에서 수상했다. 2020 소리바다 어워드에서 신인 아티스트 상을 받았다.
DJ 소다

한국인인 DJ 소다는 2013년에 월드 스타 DJ가 되기 위한 여정을 시작했다. 뮤지컬 연기 경험은 그녀의 시그니처인 “피리 춤”으로 이어져 유명세를 떨쳤다. 또한 다양한 글로벌 브랜드들의 얼굴로 모델 활동을 하고 있다. 힙합과 패션에 크게 영향을 받은 DJ 소다는 수수께끼 같은 성격과 매력으로 전 세계 관객들을 사로잡았다. 이로 인해 몇 차례 아시아 최고의 음악 페스티벌에서 공연할 기회를 얻게 되었다.

골든차일드 10인조 K팝 보이그룹 골든차일드는 2016년 EP 《Gol-cha!》와 펑키 싱글 “담다디”로 데뷔했다. 이로써 울림엔터테인먼트 소속으로 데뷔한 보이그룹으로는 K팝 전설 ‘인피니트’ 이후 7년 만에 처음이다. EDM과 베이스 중심의 음악 스타일과 복잡한 안무로 잘 알려진 이 밴드는 데뷔 후 4개의 EP와 1개의 정규 앨범을 더 발표하며 추종자들을 끌어모았다.
헤이즈 한국의 싱어송라이터, 프로듀서이자 래퍼인 헤이즈는 R&B, 소울, 힙합, 섬세한 보컬, 그리고 맑고 산뜻한 작곡이 어우러진 힐링 음악을 만들어낸다. 데뷔 EP 《HEIZE》를 발매한 후, 2014년 리얼리티 쇼 ‘언프리티 랩스타’에 출연해 두각을 나타냈다. 이후, K팝 음악계에서 영향력을 끼치며 한국 음원차트에서 정상을 차지해왔다. 2019년에 평론가들로부터 호평을 받은 LP 《Fine》을 발매했다. 싸이가 설립한 엔터테인먼트 회사인 P Nation과 계약을 맺으며 2020년을 마무리했다. 최근 7번째 EP 《Happen》을 새로운 레이블로 발매했다.

제시 뉴욕에서 태어나 뉴저지에서 자란 한국계 미국인 가수 겸 래퍼 제시는 하룻밤 사이에 만들어지지 않았다. 2015년 리얼리티 쇼 ‘언프리티 랩스타’에 출연해 슈퍼스타덤에 올랐으며, 그 이후로 많은 싱글 앨범을 발표해 K-Pop의 대세 아티스트 중 한 명으로 자리매김했다. 2019년, 제시는 싸이가 만든 엔터테인먼트 회사인 P Nation과 계약한 최초의 아티스트 중 한 명이 되었다. 2020년, P Nation 소속에서의 첫 번째 앨범 《Nuna》을 발매했고, 이 앨범은 히트 싱글 “Nunu Nana”를 탄생시켰다.
러블리즈 2014년 울림엔터테인먼트에 의해 결성된 8인조 걸그룹 러블리즈는 K팝 대표 걸그룹이다. 그룹 이름에 걸맞게 귀엽고 신선한 컨셉을 바탕으로 전염성이 강한 음악을 큐레이션 한다. 데뷔 앨범인 《Girls’ Invasion》 이후, 2장의 스튜디오 음반과 7장의 EP 음반을 발매했다. 2019년 리얼리티 시리즈인 ‘퀸덤(Queendom)’에서 경연을 벌였고, 2020년 9월 7번째 EP 《Unforgettable》을 발매했다.

모모랜드 MLD엔터테인먼트 소속 K팝 걸그룹인 모모랜드는 2016년 서바이벌 프로그램 ‘모모랜드를 찾아서’를 통해 결성되었다. 그해 말, 데뷔 앨범인 《Welcome to MOMOLAND》를 발매했다. 6명의 멤버로 구성된 이 그룹은 이후 총 6개의 EP 앨범을 발매했다. 2018년, “Bboom Bboom”을 발매해 한국 음원 차트에서 2위를 기록하며 크게 성공했다. 모모랜드는 2020년 ICM 파트너스와 계약한 후 미국 시장 진출을 예고했다. 최근 앨범 《Ready Or Not》과 동명의 싱글을 발매했다.
비 한국의 전설적인 팝 스타인 비는 2002년 JYP 엔터테인먼트 소속 당시, 데뷔 앨범 《Bad Guy》를 발매했다. 그 후 몇 년 동안, 그는 아시아를 포함한 전 세계에서 가장 영향력 있는 스타 중 한 명이 되었다. 2015년, RAIN Company라는 자신의 소속사를 만들었다. 최근, 멘토인 JYP(박진영)와 재회해 콜라보한 듀엣곡 “나로 바꾸자(Switch to Me)”가 포함된 세 번째 EP 《Pieces by Rain》을 발매했다.

더보이즈 (The Boyz)
11명의 멤버로 구성된 K팝 그룹 더보이즈는 2017년 크래커엔터테인먼트 산하에 결성되었다. 그해 말, 데뷔 EP 《The First》와 리드 싱글 “Boy”를 발표했다. 2018년 두 번째와 세 번째 EP를 발매했으며, 여러 번 수상했다. 2020년, 첫 번째 스튜디오 앨범인 《Reveal》과 동명의 싱글을 발매했다. 또한, 한국의 리얼리티 쇼인 ‘로드 투 킹덤(Road to Kingdom)’에서 우승하며 후속작인 ‘킹덤: 레전더리 워(KINGDOM: LEGENDARY WAR)’의 출연을 확정 지었다. 2020년 9월, 다섯 번째 EP 《Chase》와 리드 싱글 “The Stealer”를 발매했다.

조이 러커스 클럽(Joy Ruckus Club) 소개
아시아계 미국인들에 의해 설립된 조이 러커스 클럽은 전 세계의 아시아계 아티스트들이 주축이 된 인도주의 중심의 가상 음악 콘서트 시리즈로, 범(汎)아시아 음악의 혁명이라 불린다. ‘침묵하지 않고, 현실에 안주하지 않으며, 외국적이지도 않은’ 조이 러커스 클럽은 억압받고 정복당한 사람들의 진보적인 움직임과 연대하고 있는 깨어있는 아시아인들의 커뮤니티이다.
세션스(Sessions Live) 소개

디지털 음악의 선구자이자 전 판도라 창립자인 팀 웨스터그렌(Tim Westergren)과 동료 기업가인 가상 게임 개발자 고든 수(Gordon Su)가 공동 설립한 세션스는, 청중 개발 및 팬 참여, 그리고 가상 게임의 진보된 기술로부터 끌어낸 최첨단 수익화 모델 등 음악가들이 성공하기 위해 필요한 모든 구성 요소를 제공하는 유일한 라이브 스트리밍 솔루션이다. 아티스트와 팬들을 한데 모아 언제나 가까이에서 소통할 수 있는 라이브 경험을 제공하는 공간을 만들기 위해 노력하고 있다. 세션스는 공식 런칭 이후 1년도 채 되지 않아 라이브 비디오 스트리밍 서비스에 수천 명의 아티스트를 끌어모으고 있다. 194개 이상의 국가에서 18개 언어로 제공되는 서비스를 통해 전 세계 어느 곳에서든, 음악 경력에 상관없이, 아티스트가 전 세계적으로 청중을 개발하고 실질적이고 지속적인 수익을 얻을 수 있는 전례 없는 기회를 제공한다.

팝과 힙합부터 컨트리 및 클래식 음악까지, 모든 장르의 음악 팬들을 위한 다양한 아티스트를 세션스에서 만날 수 있다. 세션스는 2021년 시작 이후, 단순한 음악 공연에서 올 3월 ‘2021 알래스카 올해의 드래그 퀸 선발대회’와 전 세계 180여 명의 아시아계 미국인 아티스트들이 참여한 ‘조이 러커스 클럽 3’ 등의 다양한 문화행사로 플랫폼의 초점을 넓혀 역대 최대 규모의 아시아계 가상 음악 페스티벌로 자리매김했다. 온라인 및 모든 모바일 기기를 통해 전 세계에서 이용 가능하며, 아티스트와 팬들은 세션스를 통해 더 많이 공연하고, 더 많은 수익을 내고, 더 많은 경험을 할 수 있다.

Hazy Sour Cherry is an indie band from Tokyo, Japan. The band members played in various bands in the Tokyo indie scene before joining forces in 2018.

We’d like to thank the three members of Hazy Sour Cherry for this great interview and wish them all the best in their future adventures!

Hello, introduce yourselves to our readers please.

Tsuzumi: Hello, I’m Tsuzumi, a vocalist.

Jun: Hi, I’m a lazy guitarist.

Karin: Hello, I’m Karin, a drummer.

What made you become interested in music and was it something you wanted to pursue since a young age?

Tsuzumi: My parents love music, so music has been in my life since I was child. The first time I played in a band, I was a drummer and teenager.

Jun: The reason I became interested in music is my parent’s influence. My dad played in the band, and I played guitar with his band. When I was fifteen, I formed my punk rock band.The sound was like 70’s style punk.

Karin: As a listener, I loved music, but never thought I was someone who could play. I started playing the drums five years ago when a friend invited me to play.

How were you inspired to name your band “Hazy Sour Cherry”?

Tsuzumi: Hazy, Sour Ale and Cherry are types of craft beer. We love beer, so I named it.

Jun: It was named by Tsuzumi. I wanted the name “Teenage FBI”, but she rejected it, because it was not cute.That was the right decision.

How would you describe your music in one word?

Tsuzumi: What I really enjoy and want you to listen to.

Jun: New Nostalgic Music.

Karin: A record of us, by us, for someone else.

Please select one of your favorite songs to recommend to our readers.

Tsuzumi: Of course, every song. But if I had to choose one song, it’s “Hot Summer Night” because summer is coming soon in Japan.

Jun: “I Need Your Heart” from our first album. The first song I wrote for Hazy Sour Cherry. Everything started from it.

Karin: All of it, of course. ♡

What do you think is the best thing about making music and being in a band?

Tsuzumi: To make miracles. And that wasn’t just thanks to myself only, but to everyone’s effort.

Jun: Make many friends and go to every place. And being honest to myself.

Karin: It can be friends all over the world. And a lot of dreamy things happen.

What would you advise someone who wants to start music or join a band?

Tsuzumi: Let’s get started!

Jun: Need no advice. Take action.

Karin: Whether you like music or not, whether you’ve done it before or not, if you’re at all interested in it, you should start now. I am sure there is something that only you can do. Because that’s how it was for me.

What do you do during your free time? What are your hobbies outside of music?

Tsuzumi: Drink with my friends. When I’m alone, I like watching Netflix.

Jun: Alcohol and cycling.

Karin: I like watching horror movies and learning 3DCG and languages.

Which venue or country would you like to perform the most in the future?

Tsuzumi: I wanna play not only in Japan but also in places where there are people who like Hazy Sour Cherry.

Jun: I want to tour all over the world. Last year we planned a US and UK tour. But it was canceled because of COVID-19. I wanna meet everyone who likes our music in the world.

Karin: UK, Indonesia, Korea, China… I want to join and play with the Damnably family living overseas.

Are there any musicians or artists that you would most like to meet?

Tsuzumi: The Clash – I really wanted to see their show.

Jun: The Young Fresh Fellows, BMX bandits, Go-Kart Mozart, Squeeze, Shy Boys, Khruangbin… etc.

Karin: Viv Prince. I love The Pretty Things. I was so sad when Phil May passed away. Viv is my favorite drummer. I hear he’s growing an orange field now.

Please share with our readers your future goals and plans…

Tsuzumi: I wanna tour everywhere, as long as there are people who want us!! Wait a minute!

Jun: We’ll release a new album soon. I think it’s our best album ever. I’d like to tour around the world with it.

Karin: By the time our second album is ready, we will be able to perform live all over the world. I will take care of my health and work hard on my performance.

-J.Chung.

K-POP ARTIST KEVIN WOO LIVE!
Arlington Backyard
Friday, August 6th | 6:00PM

Kevin Woo, member of XING and U-Kiss is hitting the Texas Live Arlington Backyard Stage with a live concert on August 6, 2021. He is extremely excited to meet the KLOVERs in-person once again!! GA and VIP tickets available!
*VIP Ticket purchasers are entered for a chance at a brief Meet & Greet and photo with Kevin!

Presented by Asia Time Square, Grand Prairie, Texas. Make sure to grab your tickets TODAY!

Tickets now on Sale! https://texas-live.com/events/20210806_kevinwoo

About Asia Time Square:
Asia Time Square – The Asia Times Square Development is one of the largest Asian Markets in Texas, and is located in Grand Prairie. It borders the city of Arlington and is positioned in between 4 major State Highways: 360, 161, I-20, and I-30. This super Complex is much more than your average shopping center. It was thoughtfully designed to commemorate and honor the Asian Community by building a safe, family-friendly environment, filled with restaurants and shops.

#asiatimesquare #kevinwoo #asianmarkets #texas #texaslive #kpopstar #ukiss #liveconcert #xing #axsevents #klovers

BATTLE OF TOKYO is a next-generation entertainment project from LDH, the major Japanese artist management agency behind EXILE and J SOUL BROTHERS III. Now, the project will be fusing the real and virtual worlds to create never before seen entertainment.

A total of 38 members from the 4 groups that make up the Jr.EXILE collective – GENERATIONS, THE RAMPAGE, FANTASTICS, and BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE – have been transformed into avatars, marking the start of a unique “Mixed Reality Entertainment” project that crosses the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds. The project will produce a wide variety of digital and virtual content, from animation to games, live performances, music videos and even theatrical productions. The team has already released a set of incredible hybrid music videos, and a new album is set for release on June 23.

The BATTLE OF TOKYO project centers on the Jr.EXILE generation, and offers a glimpse into Super Tokyo, a vibrant futuristic city in a parallel world that exists in a totally different dimension from our own.

Each group from within the collective has their own virtual counterparts: MAD JESTERS (GENERATIONS), ROWDY SHOGUN (THE RAMPAGE), Astro9 (FANTASTICS) and the JIGGY BOYS (BALLISTIK BOYZ).

The production staff on this project include top-class Japanese creators, such as ‘Ghost in the Shell: The Movie Virtual Reality Diver’ director Hiroaki Higashi; Yusuke Kozaki, the character designer on ‘Pokémon GO’, ‘Pokémon Sword and Shield’, ‘Fire Emblem’ and the ‘Godzilla’ anime trilogy; and mechanical designer Yutaka Izubuchi, who has worked on the ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’, ‘Mobile Police Patlabor’ and ‘Kamen Rider’ series. Meanwhile, the avatars will be voiced by some of Japan’s top talents such as Yuki Kaji, Subaru Kimura, Kaito Ishikawa, Shun Horie and Shunsuke Takeuchi.

This new incarnation of the BATTLE OF TOKYO project recently kicked off with a set of four animated music videos – one for each song by GENERATIONS, THE RAMPAGE, FANTASTICS and BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE. Available now on YouTube, each music video combines intense, action-packed animation with live-action performances from each group.
Be sure to check them out below!

Music Videos
GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE / ‘LIBERATION’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAcywK_V1UQ

THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE / ‘CALL OF JUSTICE’
https://youtu.be/6TBPthuEMSc

FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE / ‘PERFECT MAGIC’
https://youtu.be/cdDs9G_5AMs

BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE / ‘VIVA LA EVOLUCION’
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7m6d3xXhJG8

Release info

New album ‘BATTLE OF TOKYO TIME 4 Jr.EXILE’ to be released on June 23.
This new album includes six new songs and four music videos! It also includes a concert video of ‘BATTLE OF TOKYO ~ENTER THE Jr.EXILE~’, which was filmed in July 2019 at Makuhari Messe in Japan, and is now available for the first time! There are seven versions of the album and videos available, including first-run limited edition and regular edition releases.

CD track list

1. LIBERATION (GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE)
2. CALL OF JUSTICE (THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE)
3. PERFECT MAGIC (FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE)
4. VIVA LA EVOLUCION (BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE)
5. Alternate Dimension (GENERATIONS & THE RAMPAGE)
6. UNTITLED FUTURE (Jr.EXILE)

DVD & Blu-ray track list

DISC 1

LIBERATION (GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE) (Music Video)
CALL OF JUSTICE (THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE) (Music Video)
PERFECT MAGIC (FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE) (Music Video)
VIVA LA EVOLUCION (BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE) (Music Video)

DISC 2

BATTLE OF TOKYO ~ENTER THE Jr.EXILE~ @Makuhari 4DAYS

DISC 3
BATTLE OF TOKYO ~ENTER THE Jr.EXILE~ @Makuhari 4DAYS

Online preorders (overseas shipping available)
https://shop.mu-mo.net/avx/sv/list1?artist_id=JREXI
https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/RZCD-77355?s_ssid=e3538160ace707ab64

BATTLE OF TOKYO official YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCAFzScnTAKPEubuXEoFItg

BATTLE OF TOKYO official social accounts:
Twitter: @BattleOfTokyo
Instagram: battleoftokyo

BTS’ latest single “Butter” becomes the Korean pop group’s fourth chart-topper on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart – all achieved in the last nine months, which is the fastest record since Justin Timberlake and the Jackson 5 in 1970.

“Dynamite” ~ three weeks ~ Sept. 5, 2020
“Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” with Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo ~ one week ~ Oct. 17, 2020
“Life Goes On” ~ one week ~ Dec. 5, 2020
“Butter” one week ~ June 5, 2021

Since “Dynamite,” “Life Goes On” and “Butter” have all successfully debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, BTS is now the first group with three executive No. 1 entries; no other group has achieved more than one.
Pop singer Ariana Grande currently holds the record with five.

BTS’ leader RM said in an interview before the 2021 Billboard Music Awards that BTS’ first No. 1 single “Dynamite” was an upbeat, disco-pop that they tried to give hope to global listeners in the middle of the pandemic, while “Butter,” is a more upbeat, fresh dance-pop track, more like a summer anthem. Just with all the positive vibes and upbeat energy.

Released on May 21, “Butter” collected 32.2 million streams (just in the States), 242,800 downloads, and 18.1 million radio airplay audience impressions in the first week of release.

“Butter” debuted on top of the Digital Song Sales chart for the seventh time, which is the most among groups in the chart’s history.

“Butter” is the 10th song to climb to the top on its first week at the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2021. This year was also the first to have 10 songs hit No. 1 by the first week since the Hot 100 started using MRC Data in 1991. The year of 2020 owned 20 acts, which is the most in current record.

“Butter” also became the seventh song to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 2021. A record 12 titles launched at the top of the chart in 2020, after no more than four did prior. The single also topped the Billboard Global 200 chart, which accounts for 200 countries.

-J.Chung.

The F16s is an alternative band from Chennai, India. The band consists of Abhinav Krishnaswamy, Harshan Radhakrishnan, Joshua Fernandez, and Sashank Manohar.

They began their journey with a 6-song EP “Kaleidoscope” released in 2013. The band later released their debut album, “Triggerpunkte” in 2016. The F16s maintain a nostalgic vibe through its indie and alternative roots into styles of experimental, funk, and jazz.

We would like to thank the band for providing us with a great interview, as we wish them all the best in all their endeavors.

Introduce yourselves to our readers please.

Hello, we’re four boys from Indian east coast who make pop music disguised as rock and roll for a living under the banner of ‘thef16s’

Tell us about your musical sound and how you were first inspired to make music.

We’re obsessed with creating, and when the opportunity to make money out of our art arrived we grabbed it and have been holding on since. Sonically, we make easy going music. Tunes you can listen to on a long drive to the beach or when you’re trying to shovel dirt so you can bury the bodies you’ve been hiding in your freezer.

Please introduce your latest single and how it will raise funds to help combat the coronavirus.

Our latest single is “To Be There With You”, is out for sale on Bandcamp till the 7th of June. All proceeds from the sale go towards the foundations GOONJ, Milaap, Feeding From Far and Give India for Covid relief.

How has life changed for you since the pandemic?

Easy answer: no shows. Live shows are a big part of how we keep doing what we do. We had an EP out that we needed to promote and someone ripped the rug out from under us. However, we did finish another EP which is out very soon.

If you could recommend just one of your songs, which would it be and why?

‘WKND FRNDS’ from WKND FRNDS

Why: It’s a good bridge between the older material and the newer material. Also, you asked us.

Name the artists/musicians that influenced your lives or your music.

Miley Cyrus, Barry White, Hotel California.

What do you like to do for leisure and in your free time?

Be plant dads/cat dads/dog dads. When we aren’t locked down we hit the beach to surf.

What is your favorite food or beverage?

Coffee/Red wine and Chole Bhature.

What would be your most prized possession and why?

Our albums and our rare vintage holographic charizard pokemon card.

Which artist/musician would you most like to do a collaboration with? 

Honestly, we’d much rather like to do collabs with brands like Balenciaga or Tupperware.

One last question. Please share with us your goals and hopes for the future.

Right now, how about we start with a world without a pandemic.

–J.Chung.

#thef16

2Z is a five-member South Korean band under GOGO2020.

The members consist of Hojin, Jiseob, Junghyun, Bumjun, and ZUNON. 2Z made its debut on January 14th, 2020 with the release of EP We Tuz:.

We’d like to massively thank the members of 2Z and their management for the great interview and wish them all the best in the future.

Hello, thank you very much for your time. Please start the interview by introducing yourselves to our readers.

HoJin: Hello. I am HoJin. I’m the vocalist of 2Z.

JiSeob: I am JiSeob, the red-haired guitarist of 2Z.

JungHyun: I’m JungHyun, the bassist and maknae of the group.

BumJun: Hello. My name’s BumJun and I’m 22 years old. I am the leader and drummer of 2Z.

ZUNON: Hi, I am ZUNON and do this and that in the band, aka the multiplayer of the group.

What does 2Z refer to and how did it come about?

Bumjun: First, 투지(Pronounced Tu Ji) means “to set a firm mind to fight” in Korean. The Z in 2Z refers to “to Z” meaning that we’ll fight til the end. Since we’re a band that was formed not just for Korea but for the rest of the world, we wanted something that could work for both Korean and English. We did have a lot of names that came up during the meeting with our company’s producers, CEO and the band members, but 2Z had both the same pronunciation for Korean and English which had a great meaning, so we went for 2Z.

That’s how we came up with the name.

Please explain how you all got to join the band.

HoJin: I’ve been friends with JiSeob since I was younger. He introduced me to rock music all throughout middle school. He later asked me to join him for an audition and I got in and became a member of the band. I worked hard to become a great vocalist and now I’m a proud vocalist of 2Z.

JiSeob: I always felt that it was so amazing and cool that one could become happy or tearful just through music. I also wanted to become a person that could be a hope for others that they can relate to.

JungHyun: I was a fashion model at the time when I was recommended by the agency to take an audition for the band by luck. When I got to the audition, all I could show was my passion and I expressed strongly that I really wanted to join. I was really lucky to become a member with the rest of the group members.

BumJun: I worked as a model before I started doing music. As a model, I was at a number of fashion shows including Seoul Fashion Week and did various photoshoots for magazines and commercials.
The CEO at the agency I was signed under at the time, recommended that I should take an audition to join a band. So that’s how I became a drummer of 2Z.

ZUNON: I actually wanted to become an actor at first. I was working as a model when I came across the band’s audition. Since music and acting were all forms of art, I took the audition and became a member of 2Z.

What makes 2Z’s music appealing in your opinion? And which one of your songs are you the most attached to?

HoJin: Our music has a distinctively strong sound compared to other bands currently existing in Korea. The lyrics that we convey are beautiful with clear messages and melody. Our tracks sound all different but they share the same theme. You can discover diverse sounds in our album. Also, 2Z’s music has a lot of parts where the audience can sing along with us.
All I Need would be the song that I’m the most attached to. It’s the first time that I sang as the vocalist to express emotions like that into a song. The song is kind of heart-wrenching and complicates your mind a little bit.

JiSeob: The song that I am the most attached to has to be Keep the Promise. This always brings back different emotions, scent and memories each time I hear it. Whenever we play and sing this song, the feelings I get are always different. But the funny thing is, I can never erase that feeling I felt when I sang it for the first time.

JungHyun: Turn My Camera. When other people hear the song, they would probably say, “Oh, the bass sounds nice in this song.”
We spent long hours in the studio to produce the great groovy sound. I learned a lot about bass the day we recorded this song. Actually, I learned and felt a lot of things while recording our latest album recently.

BumJun: It’s “Keep The Promise” for me too. Whenever I play or listen to this song, I think back to the past memories I have had since starting music, which makes me tear up. When I’m down and fatigued, I get consolation when I listen to the song. To be honest, I feel attached to it the most because it was the first song that featured my voice.

ZUNON: “Keep the Promise.” I think the emotions of the song go really well with 2Z and musically it’s pure and truthful.

Due to the pandemic, your activities must be limited. How are you spending your time these days?

HoJin: We’re very frustrated that our activities are currently limited, but we get to spend more time on making new music or at practice, so we’re actually enjoying ourselves in the studio nowadays.
Before the pandemic occurred, we used to go out to have a drink after practice, but we don’t get to do that anymore. So that’s a pity.

Please introduce to our readers any music that you’re listening to frequently.

HoJin: LANY – Malibu Nights. The song expresses emotions after a breakup, and I really relate to the lyrics “I got way too much time to be this hurt.” I don’t normally listen to songs about love but when I listened to this at dawn, I couldn’t really get to sleep due to the strange feeling I got.

JISEOB: I listen to 347aidan – Dancing In My Room the most often.
The song has this vibe that only boys can express. The bright and innocent vibe of the song is what makes people feel good when they hear the song. I love the unique beat, witty lyrics, and casually-shot music video.

JungHyun: Mötley Crüe – Take Me To The Top.
“Mötley Crüe” is a band that I liked when I first started doing music.
I used to imitate the bassist and “Take Me To The Top” was my favorite song. I recently looked up all the songs that I used to listen to when I joined the band, and I find myself getting re-energized after hearing it again. I’m listening to it a lot these days.

BumJun: ESEGYE – RomanceYouthLove is one of my favorites which I listen to quite frequently. Back when I was tired and going through a hard time, a good friend of mine shared the song and recommended that I should hear it. My mind becomes calm whenever I listen to it while I’m fatigued and not doing well.

ZUNON: Leellamarz X The Quiett – Another Body is what I listen to a lot. The melody is beautiful and I relate to most of the lyrics.

Tell us what your favourite food or beverage is. And what kind of food or beverages do you dislike?

HoJin: I find eating kind of bothersome. I don’t really like eating…^^
I hate all kinds of vegetables – kimchi the most.

JiSeob: I love Maltesers chocolate. I always have them when I have a headache or need to refresh my mood. Ha ha. I hate rice with peas. Since childhood, I’ve always tried not to eat rice containing peas. Apart from that, I eat almost anything quite well.

JungHyun: My favorite food is hoe. I don’t get to eat it too often but I had some on my father’s birthday recently, and it was really delicious since I hadn’t had any for so long. I’ve made up my mind to have hoe more often from now on when I eat out. 😂

For beverages, I like green tea latte. I recently had green tea mixed with cold brew coffee, and I really loved it! I don’t really have any food or beverages that I dislike. 👍🏻

BumJun: I enjoy eating chicken with sweet powdered flakes on top, cheese balls, and fries a lot. Energy drinks are what I love to drink the most. The calories are low and you lose sleep due to the caffeine.
I don’t have foods I dislike but what I don’t like is coconut drinks.

ZUNON: I drink iced americano often because I love coffee so much. At times, I drink up to 6 cups a day.

What kind of person are you attracted to?

HoJin: My ideal kind of person is someone who doesn’t change their mind easily. A change of heart is the scariest thing in a relationship.

JiSeob: A cute puppy-like facial features, medium height with a good fashion sense. My ideal person is someone who is artistic, considerate for others that I have a lot of things in common with.

JungHyun: I don’t have a specific type in mind. I think the most crucial thing for me is whether our minds can get connected. I also like someone who is always positive and active.

BumJun: I like someone with a catlike or foxy facial features, who dresses well and emits a positive vibe.

ZUNON: Someone who loves and respects me. And has a great sense of fashion.
Other than anything music-related, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

HoJin: I really love webtoons!! It’s usually just a 30-second long cartoon but it really gives me joy, philosophical messages and excitement. One time, I was smitten by a leading female webtoon character. LOL.

JiSeob: You could say that I like to zone out. Since every day has the same routine, I don’t get to have that much free time anymore. So I like to stay numb for my pastime. I often zone out then I start imagining things…

JungHyun: I go for walks at dawn. My old hobbies used to be billiards, bowling, soccer, going to cafes and so on. But I can’t really do those things frequently due to the present circumstances.
There’s no one in the dorms after practice, so I like going to the stream to organize my thoughts which is kind of like a healing process for me. Sometimes, I get scared since it’s so calm and quiet at dawn. 😂

BumJun: I meet up with friends to go shopping or play basketball and soccer. I also love to visit well-known eateries.

ZUNON: I like taking walks and watching movies or dramas via Netflix.

Which country or venue would you most love to perform at?

HoJin: I’d like to perform in England the most. Especially at Glastonbury Festival. The bands that I love the most have performed in front of the huge crowd there. So I also really would love to go on that stage. Not as part of the audience, but as a musician.

JiSeob: Jamsil Sports Complex. Back when I was younger, I used to often think to myself, “What if I became a singer…” Then later I visited the stadium at school and thought that I wanted to perform there one day. I still have that wish, as I work hard each day to fulfill that.

JungHyun: Right now, we would be happy to perform anywhere, even if it means just busking. It’s not easy to go abroad during this time due to covid but if we get the opportunity to perform overseas, I’d love to busk in well-known parks there.

BumJun: There isn’t a specific location where I want to perform at. I just want to perform wherever FromA are at.

ZUNON: I want to perform and communicate with the audience at the rooftop in Itaewon while the sun is setting.

Let us know your plans and wishes this year and beyond. Would you add a nice comment or two for the fans as well?

HoJin: Our goal for this year is to make people hear my singing sound like I’m talking to them. Someone that I really respect told me that music should be heard like a language. As I got to learn what that really means, my goal is to sing naturally so it conveys into words.

FromA!!!!!!!!!! You’ll all be coming to our second concert [ACT1] on May 22nd, right? Can you fly over to Korea?? I’ll buy you dinner!

JisSob: I hope this year will be the year that we can make more music that speaks our mind more honestly and have more people listen to our songs. FromA !! We’re always so thankful that we have such great loyal fans like yourselves. You sing along with us and share all our troubles…
What we can do for you is to bring you more music that is truthful and sincere. Please watch this space!

JungHyun: This year, we’re going to stay healthy and do our best to carry out our plans until the coronavirus is exterminated. Then we’re going ahead with what we held up when the pandemic’s over, so let’s all hang in there.

BumJun: I feel that 2Z is at a standstill. We don’t like to be that way…
But since we are at a standstill, we also believe that this is our time to evolve and grow. We won’t give up because we promised our fans that we will be with them until the end.

ZUNON: We want to show how diverse we are musically and through our activities. We’ll do our utmost to communicate more with FromA. Thank you all for your support and for believing in us ~

–J.Chung.

#2z #Kpop #Interview #Tuzi

Korea’s Popular Rhythm-Based Gaming App Adds All-Star Label to Platform

Los Angeles, California – SuperStar Series, the global music gaming app which allows fans to play games that are themed on the latest and hottest chart-topping songs, is announcing the launch of a version featuring music from label P NATION. Starting today, artists such as PSY, Jessi, HyunA, Crush, DAWN, Heize, Swings, Penomeco and D.Ark will have their music featured in the app. The rhythm-based game series recently collaborated with Kang Daniel’s Konnect Entertainment to launch SuperStar KANGDANIEL, released on April 29.

Dalcomsoft’s SuperStar Series has over 63 million downloads worldwide. The app includes existing K-Pop labels with their artists that are active and within the growing global market having started with SMTown in 2014. Since then, SuperStar has been working with over 140 artists skyrocketing Dalcomsoft with tremendous success.

The app offers a range of highly engaging rhythm-based action games that are dedicated to specific artists and record labels. The platform is the first to utilize original sound sources from the artists, so players can feel connected within the performance they are playing along with. The behemoth gaming series also incorporates an engaging card collection feature, which allows users to collect, level up and upgrade photo cards with the featured artists in the game. Fans of the music stars wanting to play SuperStar Series can now download the app for free on iOS and Google and continue playing their favorite top K-Pop music hits

The company is currently working on an official announcement coming soon about the US version. Powered by Korea-based Dalcomsoft, a leading global music gaming entertainment company, was launched in 2014 and since then has released twelve SuperStar apps: SuperStar SMTown, SuperStar JYP Nation, SuperStar BTS, SuperStar Pledis, SuperStar Starship, Superstar Woollim, SuperStar IZ*ONE, SuperStar GFRIEND, SuperStar YG, SuperStar FNC, SuperStar KANGDANIEL and now SuperStar P NATION.
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The 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival unveiled this year’s official posters. The six posters make up the “cake series” that celebrates BIFAN’s 25th birthday to reflect this year’s slogan: Stay Strange.

The “Stay Strange” slogan expresses BIFAN’s determination to show support for unconventional genre film talents that have turned away from the mainstream. The slogan also represents the hope for filmmakers, audiences, and anyone who struggled due to the strange changes that the pandemic has brought about over the past couple of years.

An actual cake was prepared and photographed, and the eye-catching six-poster series was created to capture the process of the 25th birthday cake being served then consumed since the film festival has a cause to celebrate.
CHARIDA Studio created the cake, and Lee Seung Hee Studio was responsible for the photography. A behind-the-scenes video that reveals what went behind the making of the posters will be uploaded to BIFAN’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/officialPiFan).

Utilizing its experience from 2020, the 25th BIFAN will actively make use of both online and offline platforms for this year’s festival. A three-level operation plan that complies with the public health authorities’ social distancing levels has been set also. The scale of the offline and online events will be different, which will allow for the festival to be proactive and flexible in response to challenges.

“Film festivals, which are theater-based, are struggling because of the pandemic and the rapid progress of online services,” said festival director Shin Chul. “Although it’s difficult to predict how the film terrain will take shape in the post-Corona era, it’s safe to say that the way in which films are created, distributed, and viewed will be completely different from before. BIFAN’s spirit is to look at things with skewed but precise eyes. We are in difficult times without precedent, and the only way to overcome and break through these difficulties is to discover new, creative talents.
BIFAN will work to nurture these new, creative talents, as we are in the midst of new changes.”

The 25th BIFAN will be held for 11 days, from July 8 until 18. The festival will offer both online and offline screenings, as well as various audience events.

–J.Chung.

#BIFAN #Filmfestival #Film #Kmovie

It has been recently reported that Chinese musicians and companies have been infringing on a list of Korean pop artists’ copyrights via YouTube. This is rather ironic since YouTube is banned in China and K-pop culture is also somewhat being restricted by the communist nation’s government.

Certain Chinese companies have registered on YouTube that they own the copyrights to numerous music by K-pop artists including, g.o.d, IU, Davichi, TOY, Lee Seung-chul, and Younha’s – collecting royalties illegally over the years.

Many of the disputed song descriptions have been now deleted since attracting a lot of negative attention and complaints from the public.

These Chinese labels or companies took advantage of the absence of copyright registration on YouTube roughly during the 2010s – before the platform became widely popular – while the actual copyright owners had no idea that a third-party was registering and collecting royalties in their place.

A music expert and professor claimed that “Majority of Chinese music agencies are not aware of intellectual property or they intentionally choose to ignore it because it is okay to violate it in China. The Chinese TV production that bought the rights to use the format of the Korean TV show, “The Masked Singer,” refused to pay them royalties, despite the Korean company winning an international law suit over the issue. Violation of copyrights is very common in the Chinese music industry too. Some say the best we can do is not to work with them.”

YouTube and the Korea Music Copyright Association have signed a bulk contract on getting copyright permission to songs managed by KOMCA and allowed YouTube to use them. Copyright owners don’t necessarily register their property on YouTube, but if there is an issue, they can exercise their rights, as they still own the moral rights separately from the bulk contract. An individual song is not under management and rights owners should settle the issue individually by claiming their rights.

It may not be that easy for Korean musicians to win back their copyrights by filing international lawsuits against the Chinese companies if the Chinese government is not cooperative.

South Korea’s culture ministry is currently collecting evidence of copyright violation cases and will require cooperation from the Chinese authorities to rectify the problem, while KOMCA is also looking for ways to settle the issue through YouTube.

Here’s hoping that the issues will be solved soon.

–J.Chung.

Quite possibly the most vibrant city in the whole of South Asia, Bangkok is a fantastic melting pot of Eastern and Western cultures. With one of the most efficient public transport systems in the world, a throbbing nightlife scene and an affordable currency, Bangkok is unlike any other city in Asia and thus remains the center of attention of every type of tourist from all over the world. We take a look at the top 5 tourist spots of this vibrant and colorful city in the list below.

5. Lumpini Park

Tucked away in the southern corner of the Bangkok metro area is Lumpini Park, a sprawling green space that provides much needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the fast moving city. Composed of expansive gardens, thick trees and an artificial lake in the middle, Lumpini Park is a favourite place for picnickers, joggers and those looking to have a leisurely stroll amidst nature before they go back to their lives in the concrete jungle. With gym and yoga facilities available for those looking to keep themselves fit, the park also houses a group of softshell turtles that pop their head out from the water from time to time. In addition, don’t forget to watch out for the 4 foot long monitor lizards that skimp around the grass, terrifying onlookers due to their sheer size alone.

4. Jim Thompson House

Tucked away in a quiet corner of central Bangkok, is a series of red buildings surrounded by trees commonly referred to as Jim Thompson House. Belonging to the famous American businessman Jim Thompson who made the local silk famous across the globe, Jim Thompson’s House is a cultural melting pot housing buddhist statues, local paintings and porcelain ornaments from across the region that Thompson himself collected during his life. The bright red color scheme stands out from the rest of the area, giving the house a highly unique flair. Intricately designed and beautifully maintained, the Jim Thompson House is an important historical and cultural landmark of old Bangkok and one of the most visited tourist attractions of the city.

3. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

What if an expansive weekend market existed entirely on water with wooden boats replacing stalls as avenues of commerce? This is the entire idea of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market that is organised every day on the Damnoen Saduak canal. Filled with countless boats selling everything from noodles to vegetables and meat, the Floating Market attracts both domestic and foriegn tourists from all over. Although most of the stuff sold here tends to be a little overpriced, this is no reason for concern as haggling or negotiating is considered to be a norm all across Thailand. The market opens from 7 am all the way till noon and at any given time, countless tourists can be seen trying to take instagram friendly photos across the entire length of the canal. Any visit to Bangkok is thus incomplete without a trip to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

2. Khao San Road

Known as a backpacker’s paradise, Khao San Road is a long strip that contains cheap hostels, affordable restaurants and inexpensive beer. With street food hawkers dotting the sidewalks and attractive bar girls enticing customers into their establishment, the party never stops at Khao San Road. With big colorful neon signs flashing through the whole night and loud pulsating music drowning out everything else, Khao San Road is the perfect place to experience the party side of Bangkok. The road is thronged by western college students and curious onlookers for most of the night and low budget travellers can find extremely affordable food and lodging here, if they dont mind the thumping music that emanates from the whole strip.

1. The Grand Palace

A stunning piece of architecture that attracts visitors from all over the globe, The Grand Palace rests beside the Chao Phraya River in central Bangkok. Formerly the official residence of the kingdom’s kings and queens, The Grand Palace is now a cultural museum and consists of a series of complexes, each with its own gold statues and intricately designed murals. Not only does the famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha rest within the Palace’s walls but the famous reclining buddha of Wat Pho is located just beyond the southern periphery of the Palace as well. Easy accessible by both metro trains and buses, The Grand Palace is perhaps the most famous tourist attraction of the city, mesmerizing visitors with its intricate architecture and rich cultural history.

—-Sami Yabbasi

WARPs UP, the Chinese-Japanese group whose song ‘Pleasure’ is the opening theme to the hit anime ‘Fruits Basket’, have released their third track in a series of covers of music from the show.

WARPs UP Vocal Club ‘Eden’ (MONKEY MAJIK)

Covered by LANGYI (WARPs UP)

https://youtu.be/U1u-zMgT7A8

The new release is a cover of ‘Eden’ by MONKEY MAJIK, which was used as the ending theme during the second season of ‘Fruits Basket’. After seeing the video ahead of its release, the members of MONKEY MAJIK heaped praise on the new cover.

MONKEY MAJIK comment

Love how standout and clear LANGYI’s voice is!

Thank you and very glad to see this heart warming cover of “Eden”!

The song’s Japanese lyrics were challenging for Chinese singer LANGYI to pronounce, but he gave it his all, singing a message of hope and determination for the future.

In this series of releases, LANGYI, a member of WARPs UP, has been performing covers of multiple theme tunes from the anime series ‘Fruits Basket’. The first release was a cover of WARPs UP’s own song ‘Pleasure’, which was followed by a cover of ‘Again’, originally sung by Beverly, who praised LANGYI’s version as a “wonderful cover”. Recently the two artists met for their first joint Instagram Live broadcast.

Anime series ‘Fruits Basket’ theme song cover project

‘Pleasure’ Chinese version (WARPs UP self-cover)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_uyTs6gijY

‘Again (Beverly) covered by LANGYI (WARPs UP)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSXb4DsiewU

WARPs is an abbreviation of Wind Assemble Radical People-syndicate, with the concept of “creating a wind of innovation”. Rather than forming groups with fixed lineups, its members work together in different permutations. As one, this group of talented individuals are stronger than the sum of their parts. They aim to create a new world that reflects their values, transcending existing genres and boundaries. The Chinese-Japanese group WARPs UP are one of the various units under the WARPs umbrella.

Release information

Single: ‘Pleasure’

Out now

1. Pleasure

2. Pleasure -Anime ver.-

Download and streaming links: https://warpsup.lnk.to/Pleasure

Mini-album: ‘Prep.20/21SS -Chapter RLSM-’

Out now

1. Hali Gali

2. Cloud 9

3. One Hundred degrees

4. SUPERNOVA

5. Pleasure

Download and streaming links: https://warpsup.lnk.to/Prep2021

Music videos

‘Pleasure’ music video: https://youtu.be/j98v9k9_0I0

‘Pleasure -Anime ver.-’ music video: https://youtu.be/vVK7vO5hN34

WARPs UP links

WARPs UP official website: https://avex.jp/warps/

WARPs UP YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/WARPsyndicate

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WARPsUP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warpsofficial

Weibo: https://www.weibo.com/7028502927

Hello! Let’s start this interview by asking what you’ve all been up to lately.

Castle J: Hello ~ This is Castle J, the leader of MCND! I am doing really well these days ~ I make music, dance and basically having a great time. I hope Gem is all doing well too.

BIC: Hello! This is BIC!! I am working hard to prepare for our next project.

MINJAE: Hello, this is Minjae of MCND. I am working on our choreography and singing so I can show you guys that I’ve improved on my skills.

HUIJUN: Hi!! This is Huijun, the charming voice of MCND! All our activities for <MCND AGE> are over but we’re currently preparing for something else!

WIN: Hi, this is Win the maknae of the group. We’re currently focused on our next project.

Tell us about MCND’s Justin Bieber – Second Emotion (feat. Travis Scott) dance cover video that was posted on May 9th.

MCND: We all enjoy Justin Bieber’s music and listen to his songs regularly. We recently got into “Second Emotion” and checked out the choreography, which we thought was really cool. It felt somewhat free, groovy, chill and yet sophisticated. We thought that we could show it through our own performance. The original dance video had a really great feel and mood to it. We felt the street concept of it was a cool idea, so we also took that route.

Tell us the reason for selecting Second Emotion to cover and any interesting experience that you had while filming it.

MCND: We shot a dance video in America before we had our debut, and we felt this video had a similar vibe so we were pleased. Like we mentioned earlier, covering Second Emotion was due to the fact that we liked the feel of the choreography, and we were really immersed in dancing since it was so chill and groovy. We felt it was a fun and cool process.

How long was the process of filming the cover video for Second Emotion?

MCND: We practiced hard for over two weeks for our latest cover video. The actual shoot took about four hours since we tried our best to get the best quality video.

You’ve uploaded cover dance videos of pop acts like Billie Eilish, BLACKPINK, Post Malone, BTS, ITZY and so on… Which sticks to your mind the most?

Castle J: For me, it’s DALLA DALLA by ITZY, which I remixed for the first time.

BIC: Second Emotion!! It’s the most recent video that we shot and it was the first time that we got to show GEM a cover of a hip hop song of a foreign artist.

MINJAE: I personally like our cover of “Kill This Love” by BLACKPINK the most and think it’s cool.

HUIJUN: Troye Sivan & Lauv – I’m So Tired COVER by Minjae and myself. This was also the start of [PLAY MUSIC GROUND].

WIN: Second Emotion which is our latest cover. We filmed it with confidence and the result was also satisfactory.

How did you usually practice for a dance cover video? Which cover dance was the most difficult to work on?

MCND: We think our cover video of DALLA DALLA by ITZY was the hardest to shoot. The process of delivering the mood of the song into choreography was difficult and especially because it was shot during the middle of summer, it made it more difficult and also memorable.

What kind of cover videos do you wish to film in the future?

Castle J: If it means we get to showcase a new side of us in our own music style, I’m down to try anything.

BIC: We’d go with anything as long as we can showcase our charm!

MINJAE: Would love to do a cover of songs that suits the style of MCND.

HUIJUN: If possible, I want to try doing all types of covers.

WIN: I’m sure we can cover any song quite well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a69fpctg3GI&feature=youtu.be

J.Chung.

#MCND #Kpop #CoverVideo #Interview #kpop #kpopidols #kpopfandom

Korean weddings are particularly intimate affairs with both guests and hosts following a set of traditional rules regarding everything from gifts to food. With particular emphasis on the traditional, Korean weddings therefore provide the perfect opportunity to dabble in original Korean cuisine which has developed over the course of hundreds of years to create highly unique and distinctive dishes. As Korean desserts slowly become part of the cultural zeitgeist, we found it pertinent to take a look at five of the most popular desserts at Korean weddings in the list below.

5. HobakJuk – Pumpkin Porridge

Concentrated yellow in color, Hobak-Juk is a traditional sweet dish that has steadily gained popularity at Korean weddings. The main ingredient here is Korean cheese pumpkins that are sliced and added into glutinous rice flour. The mixture is then boiled and seasoned with several options such as black beans and rice cake balls before serving. Alternatively, sesame seeds may also be utilized for garnishing. Hobak-Juk is quite sweet and frequently served in bangjja bowls, bronzeware that is quite popular in Korean communities. The dish’s simple texture makes it a popular choice at weddings and it is usually one of two or more dessert options at such ceremonies.

4. DotoriMuk – Acorn Jelly

Loosely translated into Acorn jelly, Dotorimuk is a sweet delicacy popularly served on special occasions such as weddings. Making Dotorimuk is a pretty complex process as fresh acorns are first grounded and then mixed with water. The mixture is then boiled and forced to go through another series of processes which results in its final form that resembles brown jelly. This brown jelly can then be made into any required shape with the help of designated utensils. Decorated with sesame seeds or slivered carrots, the final dish is presented to guests in individual single serving plates.

3. Hotteok – Pancake

Although more commonly known as a street food in Korea, intricate forms of Hotteok have in recent times, become part of the wedding menu. Made from wheat flour, milk and sugar, these pancakes are usually filled with brown sugar, peanuts and cinnamon to give them a unique taste. Recent modifications to this age old dessert includes honey glazing, coconut shavings topping and even a serving with vanilla ice cream. The high sugar content of the Hotteok makes it a favourite at wedding dinners and more and more millennial Koreans are deciding to have this particular dish at their weddings. Whilst Hotteok is not the primary dessert at weddings, it is usually a member of a trio of sweet dishes presented to the guests.

2. Tteok – Rice Cake

Made in a variety of colors and with different types of fillings, Korean rice cakes (locally known as Tteok) are a must at every family affair. Shaped into form using steamed rice, Tteok may contain a variety of fruits, fragrances and flowers that add to its sweet and savoury flavour. The most popular rice cakes at traditional weddings are Bupyeon, made with soybean, cinnamon, honey and jujube. Considered to bring good fortune to those who consume it, Korean rice cakes have slowly become part of the dessert menu at weddings after years of being associated with the Korean New Year. The cakes are usually served in tandem with another dessert, usually Hoddeok.

1. Wedding Cake

The star of any Korean wedding is the wedding cake. Usually consisting of three or more tiers, the Wedding Cake is decorated with either edible flowers or other embellishments to give it a royal look and feel. Each layer of the cake is encapsulated with white frosting and the top of the cake may have figurines in likeness with the bride and groom. Frequently placed at the center of the venue where all guests can take a peek at the marvellous beauty of the cake, the cake is usually served to the guests themselves at the end of the wedding. With both the level of intricacy and the height of the cake representing the wealth of the bride and groom, the wedding cake has become the most important dessert at Korean weddings.

—-Sami Yabbasi

Since the K-pop supergroup released their new English-language single at 1 p.m. on Friday, “Butter” debuted at No. 1 on iTunes Top Songs chart in 101 countries, including the United States, Britain, Germany, Argentina, India, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.

The music video made history by gaining over 10 million views on the BTS official YouTube channel in 13 minutes after its release – it has been viewed over 138 million times as of Saturday – and still counting.

“Butter” set a new record for having the most views for a YouTube music video premiere with 3.9 million plus concurrent viewers, and hit No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes chart after two hours of debut.

The group had set the previous record with their 2020 single “Dynamite,” their first single in English. The music video earned 101.1 million in its first 24 hours of release.

BTS will be performing “Butter” for the first time ever on TV at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards on May 23, where the act has been nominated for four categories – top duo/group, top song sales artist, top social artist and top selling song.

BTS will also be appearing and possibly performing on the May 25 edition of “The Late Late Show With Stephen Colbert” and “Good Morning America” on May 28.

The septet have also prepared something special this year to celebrate their eight anniversary with their fanbase ARMY.

“BTS 2021 Muster SOWOOZOO” is a special two-day event, scheduled for June 13th and 14th, which will feature various events, with June 14th titled ‘World Tour Version’ to showcase the group’s foreign language songs. (Details on the ticketing and streaming are said to be announced very soon.)

BTS hosts such events each year on their debut anniversary – June 13th – to spend time with their fans. Although there wasn’t one held last year due to the pandemic, the group chose to stream their shows over a two-day free streaming event Bang Bang Con.

Formed in 2010 by Korean music producer Bang Si-hyuk – BTS consists of seven members V, j-hope, RM, Jin, Jimin, Jungkook, and SUGA who in time became one of the biggest groups in mainstream global pop.

–J.Chung.

The Indonesian island of Bali, often the favourite destination of backpackers, is packed with exquisite spots of nature and culture that attract millions of holidaymakers each year. With lush green forests, lava spewing active volcanos and a series of centuries old buddhist temples, Bali has just about everything a tourist could ask for. We take a look at the top 5 vacation spots in Bali below.’

5. Mount Batur

An active volcano hidden away on the Eastern side of Bali, Mount Batur towers over the plains surrounding it. Visitors often hike to the top of the volcano, a trek that is physically demanding and takes two hours minimum. The views from the top are breathtaking with Lake Batur on one side and a slew of forests on the other. Although lava last flowed from the volcano almost twenty years ago, the site nevertheless provides a breathtaking view of the crater from the top. With temperatures at midday too hot due to direct sunlight, the best time to undertake the hike is at pre-dawn. Following this schedule will enable one to catch the sunrise at the apex of the volcano, along with a sun drenched instagram perfect picture to remember the moment by.

4. Ubud Monkey Forest

Famous for naughty monkeys who will pounce at tourists’ belongings the first chance they get, Ubud Monkey Forest is a treat for tourists and photographers alike. Thousands of grey long tailed macaques make this forest their home, jumping through endless rows of towering trees as they eye the tourists below. An added treat when visiting this forest are ancient sculptures of animals that line the walkways, adding to the mystic and mysterious feel of the forest. This is not all as there are a couple of ancient temples hidden away in the forest as well. Each of these temples is more than 500 years old and showcases a specific period of Balinese history. With its rich flora and fauna along with stunning ancient relics, the Ubud Monkey Forest is one of the most visited vacation spots on the island.

3. Uluwatu

Perched away in the Southernmost corner of the peninsula, Uluwatu is a place of wonder and serenity. Most famous for the Uluwatu temple that is built right at the edge of a hundred meter high cliff, the area is dotted with white sandy beaches perfect for surfing. The Green Bowl and Balangan are the most famous in this regard, always filled to the brim with both professional and aspiring surfers as they master the waves with throngs of tourists chilling nearby. The jagged and elevated rock formations that make up the rest of the coast provide a perfect backdrop for some great photos as well. Paragliding is also available for tourists here enabling them to take in some stunning sights from above. In a nutshell, Uluwatu has everything for tourists; ancient temples to satisfy history buffs, great beaches for surf lovers to unwind on and plenty of hotels nearby to rest in.

2. Tegalalang Rice Terraces

One of the most visited tourist spots on the entire peninsula of Bali, the Tegalalang Rice Terraces have a level of awestruck beauty that is hard to describe. Consisting of rows upon rows of stepped rice terraces on hilly slopes as far as the eye can see, this vacation spot envelops all those who visit it with a sense of wonder and amazement that is unmatched. With clear blue skies providing the perfect backdrop to lush green rice paddies, tourists can walk on several of the walkways that snake across the landscape to discover the area properly. A slew of restaurants and cafes that dot the outer periphery of the area provide refreshments while long jungle swings are also available for the more daring tourists to test their fear of heights.

1. Kelingking Beach

Containing what is quite possibly the most instagrammable spot in the whole of Bali, Kelingking Beach provides a stunning combination of turquoise water surrounded by a white sand beach with extreme waves crashing in. However, the real attraction is the view from the limestone cliffs that look down at the beach as one is mesmerized by the stunning artistry of nature at display. A steep, winding path leads down from this cliff to the beach itself with bamboo railings on either side providing limited security. The perilous journey down does not deter hundreds of thousands from attempting to descend down to a serene beach that has been argued to have the most aggressive waves in all of the peninsula. Quite possibly the most famous landmark in all of Bali, Kelingking Beach encapsulates the essence of Bali itself; a daring yet stunningly serene piece of nature that has no equal anywhere on Earth.

—-Sami Yabbasi

Hello, thank you so much for taking your precious time for this interview. Kindly introduce yourselves to our readers.

Meena: Hello, this is Bae Meena. I’m a vocalist and a bassist.

Myeong-jin: I’m Kim Myeong-jin. I am a drummer and a vocalist.

Jung-hoon: I am Han Jung-hoo. I’m a guitarist and a vocalist.

Tell us how you came up with the name “Drinking Boys and Girls Choir.”

Meena: We came up with the name in hope to always remain as boys and girls who love to drink. We also wanted to put “choir” in because we all sing together as a band.

We are curious on how you guys initially got into music.

Meena: When I was in high school, I got to listen to Marilyn Mason’s music through a friend, and that’s how I got into rock music and made up my mind to join a band when I got into uni.

And after watching Daegu’s well-known indie band A-FRICA perform, I was so impressed by the drummer that I joined the school band a day after enrolling. I was the drummer there for around three to four years. A member of an indie band who was invited to play at a rock festival at my school, asked me to join the band, and that’s how I got into the indie scene in Daegu from 2008.

Myeong-jin: When I was in grade 5 in elementary, I happened to see an idol girl band AIDA on TV, and got really into them.

When I later got into middle school, I naturally began learning how to play the drums and acoustic guitar. Around that time, the priest at the cathedral that I attended had started a band, and being in the band helped me a lot too. In high school, I never played in a band but I got to play different percussion instruments from being in an orchestra.

Jung-hoon: When I was in middle school, I heard Marry Me by Ellegarden play in the car. At the time, I had no dreams for myself, but when I heard the song play, I realized my path was music and being in a band. I began to play the guitar right after that incident and am still doing music till this day.

Pick just one of your songs that you love performing the most and the reason why.

Meena: If I had to choose, it would be I’m A Fucking McDonald’s. It was written based on real experience and it can help to relieve the anger that always exists in my mind.

Myeong-jin: National Police Shit is a really fast song with a section that goes by really quickly, so it’s enjoyable to play the drums to the music.

Jung-hoon: I feel that Red Shift has all the elements of our band. I think it best showcases a “cool” side of us.

Could you take turns to compliment your fellow band members?

Meena: Myeong-jin is not only a great drummer, but she’s really skilled as a songwriter and lyricist. I gain much consolation and even get emotional from listening to songs written by her. My favorite track from our upcoming second album is, “My Second Universe” by Myeong-jin.

Jung-hoon is extremely passionate. He joined the band only recently but I feel that he’s doing his best to fit in with the band’s atmosphere. I hope we can keep spending more time with him as a band.

Myeong-jin : Meena is an emotional and sensitive punk rocker. She really relates to the people who are in need and is doing her part to change the world. Jung-hoon’s best characteristics are the fact that he’s very faithful and zealous. He makes me look back on myself for always being lazy.

Jung-hoon: As the band’s leader, Myeong-jin is always so supportive and her drumming is beyond powerful. I admire how Meena is so incredibly energetic on stage. I’m always learning tons from the two members.

What kind of music are you immersed in nowadays?

Meena: I’m listening to a lot of Billy Carter, Bosudong Cooler, Dead Buttons. I really like the fact that the three bands are all very interested in issues concerning gender, human rights, environmental issues. Billy Carter’s latest album Don’t Push Me literally describes feminism so well, and I cried while listening to it. While working on our album last year, I listened to a lot of music by The Beths.

Myeong-jin : I’ve been listening to a lot of music by TENGGER members Itta and RAAI lately.

Jung-hoon: I usually like to listen to Nothing’s Carved in Stone – a team formed by the guitarist of Ellegarden that helped me choose the path of music. All the members are so talented and never fail to inspire me.

What is the first thing that you do when you get up in the morning?

Meena: I drink water. After staying numb for a while, I get up to brush my teeth. When I have the time, I always try to go for a jog in the morning or hike.

Myeong-jin: I yawn and then drink some water.

Jung-hoon: I think to myself that I want to sleep longer, then I consider sleeping for another 5 minutes or so. Then I spend more time zoned out.

Please name one possession that you cherish the most.

Meena: I can’t say that I cherish this the most but I think I’m the most attached to my phone. When smartphones first came out, I tried not to rely on it too much, but it now feels like it’s become a part of me. What else? Wireless cable..?

Myeong-jin: I try not to give too much attention to things and choose not to be greedy.

Jung-hoon: The songs on my playlist. They’re always with me wherever I go. I have some songs that are hard to find these days, so I consider them as my best friends.

Which country in the world would you most like to perform in and why?

Meena: I’d really love to revisit Indonesia for a tour. I also wish we could perform at the Oktoberfest in Germany. And I would love to visit all the countries that I haven’t been to yet.

Myeong-jin: I would love to perform in Japan, China, and other countries.

Jung-hoon: There are so many countries and cities that we haven’t been able to go so far, but I’ve always wished to perform at the rock festival in Japan.

Can we wrap this interview by stating your plans and hopes for the band’s future, and please add something nice to your fans as well.

Meena: Drinking Boys and Girls Choir’s second album is coming out in July. We hope that our new album will cheer you all up during the pandemic. We look forward to seeing you all soon.

Jung-hoon : Our second album is being released soon. I believe all the tracks on the album are really great. Stay safe and healthy. Please listen to our album and watch this space for our live performances!

–J.Chung.

#drinkingboysandgirlschoir #indie #rockandroll #bands #koreanindie #koreanhardrockbands #hardrock #sxsw2021

Singapore, often labelled as the jewel of South Asia, became an economic powerhouse in the late 20th century. The rapid urban development that resulted prompted Singapore to become a center for cultural and financial progress. As incomes rose, fields such as art and fashion found new patrons, prompting a revolution in the industry. Today, Singapore is one of the premier fashion hubs of the developed world, with plenty of talented designers and craftsmen contributing to a vibrant local industry. We take a look at the top 5 fashion designers of Singapore in the list below.

5. Max Tan

One of the younger fashion designers in the industry, Max Tan exploded onto the fashion scene after immense popularity launched his brand max.tan into the stratosphere. Most of Tan’s designs are his personal takes on minimalism. With duality featuring heavily into his clothing, Tan’s work plays on and challenges the well established notions of femininity and body size. With his primary focus on the younger demographic, Max Tan’s clothing lines can best be described as chic, playing on a combination of comfort and style. Max Tan has successfully infused his personal tastes into overarching themes to create fashion trends that speak to a wide variety of individuals.

4. Hayden Ng

Born in 1966, the story of how Hayden Ng stumbled onto the fashion scene is both inspirational and poignant. Completely self-taught, Hayden Ng spent his early years learning the basics of sewing himself. An opportunity arose in 1987, when Hayden was asked to dress Miss Universe Singapore. This once in a lifetime chance propelled Hayden to stardom and he opened his first store soon after. With his services consistently desired for both Singaporean Armed Forces and the National Day Parade, Hayden found himself turning into a celebrity at the onset of the 21st century. During this time, he consistently contributed to global beauty pageants as well, dressing Miss Universe Singapore in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Further success followed when Hayden founded the ASEAN Fashion Designers Showcase that celebrated the diversity of the ASEAN region through haute couture and street fashion.

3. Keith Png

Self-professed style Guru and fashion designer Keith Png began his illustrious fashion journey with a diploma in apparel design and merchandise from one of Singapore’s top polytechnique schools. Providing exclusive attires to models and actresses such as Sheila Sim, Fann Wong and Lin Chi Ling, Keith has found unparalleled success designing creations for the entertainment industry. Keith has also become the go-to guy for marriage solemnization gowns with some of the top talent in the local entertainment industry such as Fann Wong and Wendy Cheng selecting him for gowns for their respective intimate ceremonies. With frequent collaborations with some of the top brands in the world such as Samsung, Air Asia and Ray Ban, Keith has found himself quite busy during the last decade. Keith is currently focusing on his lifestyle boutique brand, Hide and Seek, which he had launched in 2008.

2. Priscilla Shunmugam

Originally a lawyer, Priscilla Shunmugam found herself drawn towards fashion design while working in England. Deciding to pursue her passion, Priscilla launched her brand titled Ong Shunmugam soon after, introducing hipster heritage clothing into the bustling fashion industry of Singapore. Primarily known for her reimaginings of traditional clothing such as the sari and the cheongsam, Shumnugam has found considerable success in her niche. The response has been so positive that Ong Shunmugam is considering opening stores in neighbouring South Asian countries as well. Her groundbreaking work in infusing traditional dresses with modern spins has shot Priscilla to fame, with several reputable magazines and Awards celebrating her success with full spread adverts and interviews.

1. Benny Ong

Perhaps the most recognizable face from Singapore’s fashion industry to make it big on the global stage, Benny Ong has had an illustrious career in fashion. From designing workplace attires for some of the biggest corporations in the world, Ong has been approached by members of both British Royalty as well as Jordanian Royalty for creating attires for them, a testament to his talents as an artist. After decades of success in the industry, Ong decided to shift gears to textile art noting that fashion had become all about seasonal trends that waste the tremendous amount of work put into clothing. With his towering achievements and an unparalleled contribution to the industry, Benny Ong has rightfully been called the most influential fashion designer to ever come out of Singapore.

—-Sami Yabbasi

Summer is just around the corner! Soon everyone will be in tank tops and flip-flops heading to their favorite beaches or picnic sites. With fun times and travels ahead, I have you covered with ten feel-good summer bops to fuel your sunshine.

“Wave” by ATEEZ

The title alone recalls the soft ocean breeze and cool salty water—perfect for getting into beach vibes. ATEEZ brings an upbeat island sound with this tune. The lyrics also touch on some ocean imagery and good times as they sing “Hakuna Matata” (a reference to “no worries” from the Lion King). You’ll truly feel breezy and at ease with “Wave.”

“Our Summer” by TOMORROW X TOGETHER

No matter what season it is, when you’re with your person—it’s always summer. The last line in the chorus brings this thought to mind, “If we’re together, feel like summer.” TXT also has an acoustic version of this song that invokes deeper emotion than the light-hearted vibes of the original. I love both versions!

“Boy With Luv (feat. Halsey)” by BTS

This is a personal choice. My entire summer of 2019 was fueled by this song! I was always drinking strawberry acai refreshers from Starbucks and jamming to “Boy With Luv.” Ironically, my pink drink matched the pink BTS album this song comes from…coincidence? It’s such a feel-good jam and gets me dancing every time, which is exactly what you want on a summer playlist!

“MORE & MORE” by TWICE

“MORE & MORE” has a unique sound that perfectly matches the theme of the song. These song lyrics are about being your authentic self and how others will just want more and more! Summer is all about being your best self and TWICE gave a fun song to encourage that!

“Paradise” by Eric Nam

Summer is a time of freedom. School is out and vacation is in! During the year, it is easy to feel trapped and long for the moment of release. Eric Nam explores this feeling in his song, “Paradise.” Feelings of wanting to get out of the cage, but being trapped at the same can be difficult, but this song is hopeful! You will taste the outside world because “you were born to fly.” Jam out to Nam!

“Bon Voyage” by YooA

This song is what adventure sounds like. Every time I hear it, I envision myself somewhere else. Being on a cruise ship, snorkeling in the Bahamas, hiking next to mountain streams, jet setting across the globe—this song invokes the feeling of travel. If you haven’t heard it, do yourself a favor and take a journey with YooA!

“Anpanman” by BTS

Nothing but good vibes from “Anpanman.” “Anpanman” is a classic jam from BTS. Those who have been to their shows, or who have watched them virtually, know BTS have a blast performing this! Because of this, it’s the perfect summer song. No cloudy days here!

“Dolphin” by OH MY GIRL

The lyrics of this fun tune are about someone who pops in and out of your life like a dolphin. Check out these lines: “Whenever I’m off guard, you suddenly pop up and quickly swim away. I get splashed once again.” Here’s to catching your dolphin this summer!

“MY TREASURE” by TREASURE

A chill song, “MY TREASURE” is great for relaxing while getting your tan by the pool. The lines are encouraging: “It’s all good,” “It’s gonna be alright,” “We’re gonna be okay,” “Never give up.” If you need a summer pick me up, this is the song for you!

“What You Waiting For” by SOMI

Summer is full of the spontaneous! SOMI’s asking, “What you waiting for!?” Her anthem is all about needing to seize the day on your crush. This bop is perfect for any moment you want to get hype—from a party on the beach to a long drive with friends.

Summer 2021 is going to be amazing! Why not have an amazing playlist, too? These songs are perfect for fueling your adventures and sunshine-filled moments.

—-E. Boyd

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