Top Photographers to The Korean Stars

 

With the rise of Korean culture in the form of entertainment media (such as K-Pop, K-Dramas, and even K-Movies), naturally the popularity of Korean artists is also rising. And along with this, we can look deeper into the images of these artists which is captured by professionals and ultimately viewed by us, the general public. Today we will be talking about the Top Photographers that capture images which build and create the Korean Stars that we all know. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but maybe it is also in the one who is holding the camera. Let’s learn a little about the recognized Photographers who take pictures of the Korean Stars, and thus, may be regarded as the stars by the actual Stars.

The Photographers we will discuss are those known for their portrait photography (this refers to pictures capturing a person or a group of people), and it includes renowned photographers: Kim, Jung Man (김중만); Oh, Joong Seok (오중석); Cho, Sun Hee (조선희); and Cho, Sei Hon (조세현). Of course, these are not the only renowned photographers in Korea, but they are a few that are known when talking of portrait photography in Korea.

• Kim, Jung Man (김중만) is a first generation Korean photographer (he started doing photographer in the 1970s). Aside from being a part of the rise of popular photography, he was a fashion photographer who enjoyed capturing natural poses. Kim also released photo collections he has taken of top Korean Stars since the 1980s. The stars he has photographed include legendary singer Cho, Yong Pil (조용필); actor Jung, Woo Sung (정우성); multi-entertainer Rain, and more than a thousand Korean stars throughout the years in the form of movie posters (The Host, Tazza, etc.), commercials, fashion spreads, and alike. He doesn’t just take pictures of just any superstar though, he stated in an interview back in the early 2000s that a bond has to be made with the person for a successful photography process. And this has seen positive results as Uhm, Jung Hwa (엄정화) mentioned that “he is an artist that captures wonderful images of me that even I didn’t know I had.” He also took photos of first generation idols such as H.O.T, and said they needed a day to fully relax and break away from their idol image to be models.

 

 

Being photographed by Kim may not be easy now, since in 2006 he said that he would no longer take commercial photographs (for profit), and has gone to artistic photography.

(from Top to Bottom, left to right: actress Lee, Mi Yeon; actor Bae, Yong Joon; actress/singer Uhm, Jung Hwa; actor Hwang, Jung Min photographed by Kim, Jung Man)

• The next Top Photographer we will talk about is: Oh, Joong Seok (오중석). If his name is not familiar to you, those who he has worked with would certainly ring a bell. In advertising campaigns, he has worked with BTS, IU, Suzy, Lee Jung Jae, Song Joong Ki, to name a few. His has also taken pictures of the members of Infinity Challenge (무한도전 – the variety television show), and the members and children of the TV show Return of Superman (슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다. His specialty seems be in wedding photography, as celebrities including Ji Sung and Lee Bo Young, Sean and Jung Hye Young, Baseball star Ryu Hyun Jin, have had their wedding photographs done by Oh. Merely going through Oh’s portfolio would show you that he is indeed one of the photographers that Korean Stars go to, and his experience of taking fashion photos that cover Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire is just the icing on the cake.

 

 

 

• Next, we have female photographer Cho, Sun Hee (조선희). A student of Kim, Jung Man, a photographer we mentioned earlier, Cho also is known to take fashion spreads with celebrities as well as take movie posters (Architecture 101, The Face Reader, Miracle in Cell No. 7, and alike). She is very recognized in the fashion scene that she was a guested in multiple episodes of Korea’s Next Top Model (the Korean version of the franchise). In an interview from the mid-2010s, when asked what the secret is to constantly taking pictures, she simply said “I love doing it. It’s so much fun that I may do it until the day I die.” And this passion of hers was also supported by what Lee, Jung Jae said in an interview, “We (Cho and I) fought a lot when she was still new in to the photography scene. She had so much she wanted to do, and she wanted to experiment with different shots. This included me going underwater, putting paint on me, and alike. As a model, I thought that she was eccentric.” Reflecting on that time, Cho said that the photography session lasted 12 hours, which was normal for her. She added that at the time, she only saw Lee, Jung Jae, and after the shoot, she had to lay in bed resting for the next 3 days.

 

 

• Last in our list, but definitely not the least, we have photographer, Cho, Sei Hon (조세현). Fitting with our theme of portrait photography, Cho has taken pictures of various famous people for magazine covers, interviews, news articles, and alike.

Not only does he have the eye for a good shot, but he is also said to have casted the then unrecognized Jun Ji Hyun (from My Love from the Star, My Sassy Girl, etc.) and made her a cover girl. He had cast actress Kim, Min Hee and Im, Soo Jung in a similar way, and it led to these ladies becoming international stars.

But Cho is not only recognized as a commercial photographer, he was also appointed as the Official Photographer of the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London and the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi for the Korean athletes. And he continues to do charity work in various forms. This includes the “Letters from Angels,” an adoption campaign which started in 2003, with its finale on 2018. The campaign is a photo exhibition ran by South Korea’s Social Welfare Society and Cho, wherein 100-day-old orphans waiting to be adopted are photographed with celebrities to bring awareness to orphans and single mothers. This is just one of the many charity campaigns Cho is involved in, and various Korean Stars are more than willing to lend a helping hand.

 

 

 

These days, almost everyone has a portable camera on their phones so almost anyone can be a photographer. But there is still something unexplainable that these photographers (among others) are able to capture with their pictures. People may think that taking a good photo of a Korean Star, who is already good looking, isn’t difficult, but why are certain photographers more popular than others? What makes people seek these specific photographers? Maybe it isn’t bound on what is seen through the lens, but maybe it’s in their ability to create and capture the beauty they and others envision.

 

—-Eun Oh

 

There is a reason why the world seems to love this show. It is a classic! So many of my friends who have never touched a K-Drama have told me about their interest in Crash Landing On You. For those of us who have been trying for years to get people to join in the fun, Crash Landing on You is an excellent place to start! With an interesting plot, endearing characters, and a good mix of romance and adventure—this drama has something for everyone!

Plot:

South Korean businesswoman, Yoon Se-ri, accidentally parasails right into North Korea! She is met by North Korean military captain, Ri Jung Hyuk, who has compassion and tries to help her escape North Korea undetected. Joined by his crew of North Korean soldiers who also help Se-ri, Crash Landing On You is loved by so many because of the incredible, heart-warming story.

A Romeo and Juliette situation always has an appeal to me. Star-crossed lovers, two people who have all the odds against their romance—and that exactly what Ri and Se-ri experience. Throughout the series, Se-ri softens Ri, while Ri helps her mature. Their personalities are so well matched; it makes viewers want to fight tooth and nail to see them together.

There are so many memorable scenes in this show! Captain Ri finding Se-ri in the market with a scented candle, Ri and his soldiers deciphering a Korean finger heart, Se-ri’s birthday surprise, Ri admitting he wanted to stay in South Korea with Se-ri, and of course all of Captain’s Ri’s self-sacrificing moments.

One of the most impactful scenes is the moment Ri and his soldiers are being deported and Se-ri makes it there just in time. That moment with slow motion, the acapella singing, the confessions of love between them, and the soldiers looking on with tears in their eyes—how could any viewer make it through without sobbing!?

 

 

The writer of this show (Park Ji-eun) knew the perfect balance between drama and humor. There is always a tension wondering how it would all work out in the end between them, and yet so many moments of joy sprinkled throughout help to alleviate the tension. This was carried out with the village women, the North Korean soldiers, and the romance between Seo Dan and Gu Seung-jun. Of course, Ri and Se-ri have their fair share of comical moments as well.

I appreciated that the ending of this show was realistic. With the plotline, there was a chance that Captain Ri could have been granted an opportunity to stay in South Korea. But knowing his character, and keeping it true-to-life, he returns to North Korea. However, Se-ri and Ri reunite in Switzerland. I found it to be the perfect balance of giving viewers a concrete ending, whilst also allowing room for thought on the tragedy of their nationalities causing them from being permanently together. Plot: 9/10

 

Setting:

I adored them when they were in the North Korean village. Seeing the various homes and the market brought the place to life and spoke to Captain Ri’s experience. This backdrop at first felt foreign, which helped viewers sense what Se-ri did upon arrival. But After some time, like Se-ri, it started to feel like home.

When we swap to South Korea, things feel much colder. Se-ri’s home and the office had a dry, professional feel to them—this was good to show how she didn’t have a sense of home herself. However, I often found myself missing the village environment while they were in South Korea. Setting: 7/10

 

Characters: 9/10

Captain Ri was a Messiah figure. He never did anything wrong or had perceivable faults that needed to be worked through. I loved the man, but because of his near perfection, it made it hard to connect with him at times or see him as realistic. Besides this, I cherished his character and how kind and generous he was. He also has a quiet strength to him that I admired.

Se-ri was fun and outlandish and was just the personality needed for this show! She grew as a character and not only gained a family in North Korea, but a sense of purpose. Remember, she wanted to die for a while and I believe that Ri and his men saved her not only physically, but mentally as well. She needed a crazy reset and this was the one! I enjoyed seeing this change in her.

 

 

As far as side characters go, I adored the gang of soldiers just as much, if not more, than Se-ri and Captain Ri. I looked forward to every scene they were in! Each of them had such unique personalities and brought the show to life! I also really enjoyed the personality of Gu Seung-jun. I initially thought he was a bad man, but as the show wore on I grew to love him! I hated when he died, and even more, how quickly it seemed to happen! I don’t feel like I had enough time to mourn the loss before they cut to another scene, but I do believe that his death was appropriate and moving. Characters: 9/10

 

Theme:

A big theme in this show is sacrifice. Captain Ri is always laying his life on the line for his friends. Not only has that, but he even lies to keep them from worrying about him. He is selfless and noble. His actions show his deep love for those around him and this was a wonderful trait to watch play out again and again.

Another important theme is the breaking down of prejudice. Both South Koreans and North Koreans in this show have preconceived notions of each other that are proven false. Though culture differences, humans are human. They love, laugh, cry, and have families. Se-ri found more comfort in the arms of North Korean soldiers than she did from her family in South Korea. This is a powerful message to not judge based on nationality. Theme: 8/10

 

 

OST:

This has to be one of the best original soundtracks I’ve heard for a K-Drama. The orchestral value is amazing. I have listened to this album a few times after watching the show and I tear up every time. Some of the best instrumentals are “My Companion,” “The Song for My Brother,” and “Same Sky, Different World” by Nam Hye Seung and Park Sang Hee, as well as “Photo of My Mind” by Song Ga In.

As far as singles go, some of my favorites are “The Hill of Yearning” by 2^nd April, “Flower” by Yoon Mirae, “Here I am Again” by Yerin Baek, and “Sigriswil” by Kim Kyoung Hee. OST: 10/10

 

Final Score:

The world was buzzing over Crash Landing On You for a reason! It is timeless, easily re-watched, and has a gripping storyline. It truly does live up to the title of one of the best K-Dramas of all time! You can watch it again and again and feel the same warm fuzzies that never go away. Final Score: 9/10

 

—-E. Boyd

 

It has been agreed upon that spectators from outside of Japan will be excluded from the Tokyo Olympics, which is to be held in 4 months.

This was announced at an online meeting held by the International Olympic Committee, the Japanese and Tokyo government, the International Paralympic Committee and organizers that due to the pandemic, such cautions have to be made.

It is revealed that the majority of the Japanese public are against allowing people to enter the country at this time. 80 percent of the citizens who oppose the Olympics being held, are also against spectators from overseas attending the games.

Around 600,000 tickets for the Tokyo Olympics were sold internationally, outside of Japan. The tickets are said to be refunded, but it is up to the ticket resellers to decide if they will refund the charged fees, which is around 20 percent.

Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the organizing committee stated that organizers of the committee will not be held responsible for monetary losses made on flights or hotel reservations, saying they do not have any contractual agreement with the city.

He also speculated that those ticket-holders may have gotten free tickets from sponsors. “If they are part of the operation of the games and involved in the operation, there is still a possibility they may be able to enter Japan. They will not be allowed to make an entry as spectators to watch the games.”

The missing out on the ticket sales is a big financial loss on the Tokyo Olympics – around $800 million would have been made on ticket sales. Japan is reported to be spending $15.4 billion for hosting the Olympic games – some sources estimate the cost to be double the amount.

This announcement of the current ban of spectators from abroad, was made just days before the torch relay starts from Fukushima, Japan. The relay will last for 121 days, and is to end on July 23 at the opening ceremony in Tokyo.

15,400 athletes will be participating in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. It is not a requirement to be vaccinated before entering Japan, but many of them are expected to be vaccinated. They will be tested for COVID-19 before leaving their countries, on arrival to Japan and tested often during their stay at the Athletes Village, venues or training grounds.

In Japan, 8,800 lives were sadly taken due to COVID-19, so it should be no surprise that they’ve made the decision in order to prevent bigger risks.

 

 

–J.Chung.

Big Hit Entertainment, the company famous for housing BTS, has officially changed its name.

On March 19, the company held a presentation from the Big Hit Labels YouTube channel and announced to the world that their new name is “HYBE.” This name is said to symbolize “connection, expansion and relationships.” From now onwards, HYBE will act as a “bigger vessel for Big Hit Entertainment.”

Regarding this transition, the company’s founder and CEO Bang Si-hyuk stated, “What we think of as variation of music is that of the indefinite realm and I think the name Big Hit Entertainment cannot fully capture this concept. We needed a new company name that could encompass all the business realms that we carry out, and be a symbol for our connecting and expanding structure.”

 

 

Consisting of HYBE HQ and HYBE America, the company is formed of HYBE Labels, HYBE Solutions, and HYBE Platforms. Big Hit Music, BELIFT LAB, Source Music, Pledis Entertainment, KOZ Entertainment, and HYBE Labels Japan will be housed under HYBE Labels.

With all these new ventures going on, the name Big Hit – which has been used since 2005, will not be fading, and will still be used to represent BTS and TXT and other artists as before.

The umbrella label system will reinforce the independence of artists managed by each label – creative activities will receive support and input from HYBE.

By wrapping up the presentation, Bang Si-hyuk said, “We are embarking on a new journey in HYBE with a new mission, organization structure and space. But as always, our fundamentals will not change. We will continue to believe in the power of music, innovation, the industry, spreading positive influence, and bring changes to lifestyles.”

The viewers were also virtually shown around the entertainment company’s new headquarters based in Yongsan, South Seoul. The first six floors of the building are said to be used as studios and the rest of the space to facilitate in creating music and various productions.

 

–J.Chung.

It’s Okay Not To Be Okay 100% lived up to the hype. In fact, it was better than I thought it was going to be! Dealing with deep topics such as mental health, identity, and forgiveness—this show is sure to not only pull at your heartstrings but make you reflect on how you view others and your motivation in life.

 

Plot:

This story surrounds Gang-Tae, a man employed in a psychiatric ward who also cares for his adult brother, Sang-Tae. He crosses paths with Mun-Yeong, a popular writer of children’s books who suffers from an anti-social personality disorder. All of them are orphans of sorts and share sad family histories that have affected them into adulthood.

This show has some amazing moments. I love the change we see in Gang-Tae. At first, his smile is called disgusting and disingenuous. But as he overcomes more of his past and allows himself to feel, his smile becomes authentic.

Another favorite moment was the change in Sang-Tae when he takes on the role of the older brother. It was so sweet watching him pay for Gang-Tae’s dinner, give him an allowance, and eventually saving both Gang-Tae and Mun-Yeong because of his big brother role.

A scene that left me with my mouth gaping open was when Gang-Tae comes late to the photo studio with his hair slicked back and in a tux. You know the writers kept his bangs down the whole season just for that big reveal! I gasped when he entered the room. Additionally, Mun-Yeong and Sang-Tae’s brilliant smiles when they saw him gave me chills!

The writers knew how to pull at the heartstrings, too. How could you not sob when Sang-Tae read the book at his mother’s tree, or when Mun-Yeong tells her mother that butterfly means “cure” and not “psycho”, or when Gang-Tae smiles in his sleep?

However, I do have one complaint about this storyline. A big plot hole surrounds Mun-Yeong’s mother. Did she really murder Gang-Tae’s mom just because she insulted her daughter? I think it would have been more interesting to say she did it as a part of her series about the murder of the witch of the west. It possibly could have been a plot point in that lost manuscript. Mun-Yeong’s mother also went to medical school, so it would only deepen the creepiness of the murder if it was tactical in that way and not done out of spite.

Another question to consider— how did she recover from a crack to the head like that? There is also a scene where the dad goes “fishing” and we see a body being dumped in the lake. What was that all about? Some of these loose ends put a damper on this plotline.

One last thing on the mother—what was her end goal? She went through plastic surgery…all to watch her husband and daughter from afar? Mun-Yeong said that she felt her mom’s presence. Was the woman communicating with her at all? And if so, was it all just to create someone heartless? How does one even do that? This unfinished storyline was the one major flaw I had with the show. Everything else felt near perfect! Plot: 8/10

 

Setting:

Mun-Yeong’s house is creepy and perfect for a fairy-tale gone wrong. But over time, there is more light in the house and it becomes a home with the presence of Gang-Tae and Sang-Tae. I also really loved the OK Psych Ward’s garden, overlooking the ocean. Setting: 8/10

 

Characters: 10/10

The lead characters in this show are fantastic! All three of them have deep layers to their personalities and I never felt like I had completely figured them out. It was exciting to see more depth as the show went on and to understand why they acted the way they did.

The side characters are just as amazing. Each of the staff at the OK Psych Ward added to the plot through humor or just their observation of events. Director Oh was my favorite! I loved the fatherly presence he gave the show. Additionally, the ward patients breed compassion. Each has a backstory of why they became mentally unstable, and it made me feel like I wanted to care more for others that suffer from similar ailments.

Lee Sang-in and Ju-ri’s relationship was fun character growth to watch, as each of them learns to let go of obstacles in their lives. Gang-Tae’s BFF, Jae-soo, was a very helpful character too. He was not only humorous but allowed us to see an outsider’s view of the family dynamic between Gang-Tae and Sang-Tae. Characters: 10/10

 

 

Theme:

There were several themes in this show that I really loved. One was identity—all three of the main characters had negative childhood experiences that they carried into adulthood. In the first episode, Mun-Yeong reads her book which says if obstacles are not overcome you will remain a child whose soul never grows up. We see this idea portrayed in scenes where it would place their childhood-selves in real-time. They were attached to their past obstacles and let them define their lives. Sang-Tae, Gang-Tae, and Mun-Yeong were all still those children whose souls never grew up. But in the end, we belong to ourselves—Gang-Tae belongs to Gang-Tae! They grew into who they were, not what their pasts define them to be.

Another theme was family. With the main characters’ families being detached or non-existent, it helped redefine what that commitment looks like. It was beautiful as they took a family portrait, made spoken and unspoken promises to each other (like Sang-Tae saying he would leave the house over his dead body!), and truly caring for one another as a family would. Such tender moments around the dining table and silly scenes with Mun-Yeong and Sang-Tae arguing like siblings. Theme: 10/10

 

OST:

The OST is so rich! Some of my favorites are “Breath” by Sam Kim, “Wake Up” by Elaine, “Got You” by GA EUN, “In Your Time” by LEE SUHYUN, “In Silence” by Janet Suhh, and “Hallelujah” by Kim Feel. OST: 8/10

 

Final Score:

This show left me feeling so whole. It made me want to appreciate my relationships more, be my authentic self, and recognize that everyone is going through a battle. It’s Okay Not To Be Okay taught me exactly what the title says—we all have our struggles and we support each other in those burdens. For a drama that you will want to binge and happy cry at the end, this is for you! Final Score: 9/10

 

—-E. Boyd

 

The pandemic, lockdowns, and the cancellation of live music events all over the world left many K-Pop fans searching for a viable fix until they could see their favorite k pop groups perform in person again. While many spent hours every day sifting through YouTube videos trying to find any viewable content which offered a glimpse of their faves, others turned to V-Live and found exactly what they were looking for right away.

 

What Is V-Live?

For those who don’t know what V-Live is, you are about to experience one of the best online platforms for K-Pop fans. Launched in late August 2015 by the Naver Corporation, V-Live, which is sometimes referred to as V App, is a South Korean live video streaming service which allows K-Pop performers to broadcast live videos. These can include everything from live chat sessions with fans, to virtual performances, reality shows, and award shows, all online and accessible any time, day, or night.

 

V-Live users can stream content online or on their Android and iOS mobile devices. With more than 1,400 channels featuring some of K-Pop’s leading artists, performers, and celebrities, V-Live continues to grow bigger every day.

 

With that in mind, we are going to take a look at the top viewed and rated V-Live Artists In 2020:

 

BTS

Members- 26,376,783

 

 

BLACKPINK

Members 12,298,698

 

EXO

Members 11,424,038

 

GOT7

Members 8,524,256

 

TWICE

Members- 8,213,882

 

BIGBANG

Members- 6,507,682

 

SMTOWN

Members- 6,325,800

 

SEVENTEEN

Members- 5,621,041

 

NCT

Members- 5,527,279

 

iKON

Members- 4,850,394

 

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Members- 4,632,938

 

Stray Kids

Members- 4,362,598

 

IU

Members- 3,891,350

 

MONSTA X

Members- 3,806,896

 

NCT 127

Members- 3,370,963

 

Red Velvet

Members- 3,241,583

 

WINNER

Members- 3,234,830

 

MAMAMOO

Members- 3,127,746

 

YG Family

Members- 3,093,507

 

Wanna One

Members- 3,050,557

 

NCT DREAM

Members- 2,858,766

 

ASTRO

Members- 2,799,545

 

V SPECIAL

Members- 2,689,885

 

Apink

Members- 2,588,413

 

BTOB

Members- 2,554,926

 

JYPnation

Members- 2,460,402

 

INFINITE

Members- 2,358,443

 

ITZY

Members- 2,014,871

 

GFRIEND

Members- 1,993,919

 

EXID

Members- 1,859,934

 

As you can see, many of these artists have millions of subscribers to their channels and millions more fans waiting tirelessly for the day when live music events return, and they can experience their K-Pop favourites up close again!

 

 

Contact KCrush America

To learn more about healthy Asian snacks, contact KCrush America today and become a part of one of the largest online K-Pop communities.

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to share it on your favourite social media sites.

 

—-Julie Luong

 

Rosé has set new records for herself as a solo artist, without her fellow BLACKPINK members this time.

The 24-year-old’s first solo album “R” sold a staggering 282,674 copies on the first day since the release of her album “R” on March 16. It received over 500,000 stock pre-orders. This easily surpassed IU’s record of “Love Poem” which sold 147,856 in its first week back in 2019.

The single album also made its presence known on Spotify since its debut. Her title track “On The Ground” reached at No. 8 on Spotify’s daily Global Top 50 chart for March 12 with 3,262,615 streams in the first 24 hours since its release. “Gone” reached No. 11 with 2,945,783 streams.

“On The Ground” currently has the most streams gained in 24 hours by a song released by a Korean solo artist on Spotify.

It also reached No. 1 on iTunes Top Songs charts in over 50 different regions, including Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Chile, Spain, France, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States.

We believe that the album is in such a demand partly due to the fact that the tracks are recorded in English.

Rosé commented regarding recording her album in English. “I’m sure that every song has a language that suits it best. I debated a lot about what language would suit the title track, and it turned out, it was English. In truth, I was worried that fans might be disappointed with English lyrics, but I also felt that it was important to present them with a completed song, the best song that I could be satisfied with.”

Rosé performed her first solo appearance on ‘The Tonight Show’ which premiered on March 17. Watch it here:

 

Roseanne Park (professionally known as Rosé) was born 11 February 1997. She is a South Korean-New Zealand singer based in South Korea.

Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Rosé signed with South Korean label YG Entertainment in 2012, and trained for four years. She made her debut as a vocalist in the girl group BLACKPINK in August 2016 and released a solo single album in March 2021.

We’d like to congratulate Rosé on her solo album success.

 

 

–J.Chung.

SM Entertainment confirmed that Baekhyun will be back with his third solo album “Bambi” on March 30. The EXO member’s new EP will include six songs with the title track “Bambi,” and will be available for streaming starting 6 p.m. on March 30.

SM Entertainment stated that “Bambi” is a R&B track which very much showcases Baekhyun’s vocal sound and abilities. Details on the other five tracks of the album will additionally be released by the agency soon.

Byun Baek-hyun is a South Korean singer, songwriter and actor. He was born on May 6, 1992, and is best known mononymously as “Baekhyun”.

Since training in SM Entertainment from 2011, he made his debut in 2012 as a member of the mega K-pop boy group EXO, its sub-group EXO-K, and EXO-CBX. He is also the leader of South Korean supergroup SuperM.

Baekhyun first began his activities as a solo singer in 2019 with his debut EP “City Lights,” which sold 500,000 copies in its first week. His second EP “Delight,” released in 2020, became a million seller and the first album by a South Korean solo artist to do so in 19 years.Baekhyun’s first ever virtual concert in January was also proved to be extremely successful, pulling in 110,000 plus viewers from 120 countries. The singer performed 23 songs, including “UN Village” and “Amusement Park.”

 

 

–J.Chung.

 

Although BTS failed to win a Grammy this year, they managed to collect eight trophies from Japan Gold Disc Award – a major Japanese music awards show – setting a new record as a non-Japanese artist.

On the 35th Japan Gold Disc Award aired on Monday, the band won eight categories. Best Artist (Asia), Album of the year (Asia), Best 3 Album (Asia, for BTS’s Map of the Soul: 7, and BTS’s Map of the Soul: 7 ~The Journey~), Best Music Videos (Asia), and Song of the Year by download (Asia) as well as the new awards Best Song of the Year by streaming (Asia) and Best 5 Songs by streaming (Asia).

The Bangtan Boys were honored to be named the best Asian artist for three consecutive years and their mega hit single gained them three awards: Song of the Year by download, Song of the Year by streaming and Best 5 Songs by streaming.

The seven members expressed their thanks towards the fans by saying, “We have won the Best Asian Artist award for the third consecutive year. Thank you ARMY for always giving us a lot of love and support. We would also like to express our gratitude to Producer Bang Si-hyuk and the Big Hit staff who have always been working hard to help us release good music and show great performances.”

Along with the super group, multiple K-pop artists also took home prizes. This year’s Best 3 Albums (Asia) awards were awarded to SEVENTEEN’s 24H. TXT, who made their Japanese debut last year, received two awards – Best New Artist of the Year (Asia), one of this year’s Best 3 New Artists awards along with Stray Kids, who also made their debut in Japan in 2020.

Congrats to all the winners!

 

–J.Chung.

 

It’s been announced that “Minari” is up for six nominations for the Academy Awards – for best picture, best directing, best original screenplay, best actor for Steven Yeun, best score, and best supporting actress for South Korean veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung.

Its six nominations are on par with “Parasite,” as it made history as the first non-English language film to win best picture in the 92-year history of the Academy Awards, last year.

In the best direction category, Korean-American director Lee Isaac Chung will be competing with Thomas Vinterberg of “Another Round,” David Fincher of “Mank,” Chloe Zhao of “Nomadland” and Emerald Fennell of “Promising Young Woman.”

“Minari,” written by Chung based on his childhood, will contest for the best original screenplay title with “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Promising Young Woman,” “Sound of Metal” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”

Youn Yuh-jung, who played the grandmother in “Minari,” was honored as the first South Korean actress to get a nod in an acting category from the Academy Awards.

The 73-year-old actress is the fourth Asian actress to gain a best supporting actress nomination – Japanese actresses Miyoshi Umeki from “Sayonara” (1957), Shohreh Agdashloo “House of Sand and Fog” (2003) and Rinko Kikuchi “Babel” (2007) have also been nominated. So far, Umeki is the only of the list to win the Oscar.

Actor Steven Yeun also made history by becoming the first actor born in Asia to be nominated for best actor in a leading role. Yeun was born in Seoul, and his family immigrated to Canada before settling in Michigan, where the actor grew up.

“Minari” depicts a family of immigrants who arrived from Korea to settle down in America and the film very much resonated with immigrants from all over, not just to Korean-Americans.

The title of the film “Minari” refers to a type of watery vegetable used in Korea as a side dish. Since the green plant is tough enough to grow everywhere and robust in flavor, it serves as a metaphor for the family who struggles to fulfill their American dream.

Since its debut at the Sundance Film Festival last year, “Minari” was often dubbed as “the film of the year” and one of the most highly acclaimed movies of 2020, by earning numerous international awards and nominations from film critics.

“Minari” has also been nominated for six categories at BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), Producers Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild of America.

The 93rd Academy Awards is to be held on April 25.

 

 

–J.Chung.

We’re bringing you an interview from HMLT and KEI-LI. For those who may not be aware, HMLT (pronounced “Hamlet”) is an artist, producer and collaborator who has worked with various flourishing musical acts. KEI-LI is a singer, producer, animator and XR Game Designer.

We would like to state a massive thanks for this awesome interview and wish the guys all the best in their careers.

 

 

Please briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

KEI-LI: I’m a singer-songwriter and producer as well, known to bust out the keytar/talkbox every now and then. I’m mostly influenced by the great hip hop and neo-soul artists of past and present but am inspired by pretty much anything with a groove.

HMLT: I’m a producer-artist that thrives off collaboration. I enjoy playing instruments and helping my artist friends build their sound. I naturally lean towards slow jams but that never stops me from trying to make a bop! Aside from music, I will break your ankles on the basketball court.

 

Tell us how you first got influenced to produce and make music.

KEI-LI: When I was really young, I would write lyrics into a little notebook after having taught myself how to play a little guitar. I had composed music on piano and drums, and picked up music production when I was 13, but it wasn’t until I first heard D’Angelo and Musiq SoulChild that I really understood what kind of music I wanted to make.

HMLT: My parents put me into piano at a young age – I’m glad that paid off. I also taught myself how to play guitar when I became a teen and always played in bands. I actually first learned how to play music at church! But when my band broke up, I still needed a way to make music on my own so that’s when I got into production.

 

How has the pandemic affected your music and how you live your lives?

KEI-LI: It’s certainly made it a bit more difficult to jam or session together, or even create other things like visuals or shows. We’ve streamed a lot since the start of the pandemic and it’s definitely been a change in gears but it feels like we’re all holding our breath for live shows to come back. I think for me personally, it’s been a bit rougher graduating/moving back home during COVID, so at least the album concept still feels relevant – feeling stuck in the in-between.

HMLT: It’s interesting because our upcoming album, “Drifters”, is essentially about being far away and separated from loved ones. We actually came up with the concept before the pandemic but I think as we were finishing the music at the start of Covid, we started to realize that it became very relatable to what was happening in the world. When it comes to the lockdowns and quarantines, a lot of musicians and artists have an introverted side so that part of us is somewhat used to being by ourselves. However, I also became an Uncle recently so I had to quarantine to see my niece but now that I’m back to work, I’m not sure when I will be able to see her again. The pandemic has definitely been a rollercoaster ride.

 

You’ve performed at the Joy Ruckus Club recently, how was the experience for you?

KEI-LI: This was actually our second performance at Joy Ruckus Club – the first time was summer of last year. It was an amazing time and it was awesome seeing the reaction from people to our music and performance. HMLT’s whole proposal was in the works for quite some time so I’m glad it all panned out and so happy for those two.

HMLT: I actually had a very special surprise for my girlfriend (now fiancée). I proposed to her during the performance and caught her totally off guard. Thankfully she said yes! And a special thanks to Kevin for helping me prepare and plan the idea!

 

Were there any artists at the show that you are a fan of that you’d like to collaborate with in the future?

KEI-LI: There was so much talent from across the world at the JRC event this year, and one of the coolest things was watching other local acts we hadn’t heard of before like DACEY and Foreign Flow. Love their vibe and energy!

HMLT: Like Kev said, both these fellow Canadian acts were great! I also managed to catch a band called Derby – a very cool and tight 3-piece band!

 

What do you like most about being a musical artist and are there any inconveniences that comes with being one?

KEI-LI: For me I love the freedom to express the art I want to express – the privilege of creating for the sake of my own vision and feeling. That said, that freedom comes at the cost of never knowing if you’re doing the right thing and chasing a seemingly impossible goal of ‘making it’ for years and years and years. To do it seriously is to sacrifice something else in your life to make room for this, so it’s all rock ‘n roll but tread lightly.

HMLT: Feels good; little money. Being a musical artist has its upsides but it’s actually a lot of work with very little return at the start. It took me a long time to finally see music like a business instead of just a hobby. However, it is also hard to gauge your level of success as a musician or artist because there is no standard way to ‘make it’. There is no annual review from a boss who gives you a raise and a pat on the back if you’re doing well and not a lot of validation. And the definition of ‘success’ can be different for everybody so it’s hard to compare your journey to other peoples.

 

Please name some of your fav song/album that you’re the most attached to, and why?

KEI-LI: I love Two Melodies by Zion T ft. Crush – it was one of the first albums I came back to after sessioning with Robotaki in Montreal one summer, when Zion T had just released the Red Light album. That entire album actually kind of opened my eyes back up to contemporary neo-soul. One Mo‘Gin is also one of my favorite D’Angelo songs because of that beautiful chord turnaround at the chorus.

HMLT: Feist – The Reminder. Because she is from Toronto, she is an artist who really gives me hope and her style of music is timeless. Frank Ocean – Blonded Album. I love how he embodies true artistry without trying to be somebody else. Everything off that album speaks to me musically.

 

What do you like to do in your free time? Do you enjoy interacting with the fans?

KEI-LI: I practice my keytar and talkbox, or my beatboxing/street dance. I also design and animate games/visuals professionally (@keilimusic). Honestly, it’s pretty surreal and humbling that people actually want to go out of their way to listen to music I vomit out when I’m feeling sad, and awesome that they relate enough to go out of their way to say hi to us. Messages about how people have followed our journey for years inspires me to keep pushing.

HMLT: Fans are essentially the thing that keeps a lot of artists going. I don’t have as many fans as some but the ones who do reach out to say kind words really keeps me going, especially on days where I find it hard to support myself with music. Aside from music, I’ve been getting into making Filters for Instagram and Facebook. You can actually check out the one for Peaches & Cream that I made. You can find me on IG (@HMLTlive) and search for the ‘Peaches & Cream’ filter!

 

Tell us a little about what we can expect from your new single Peaches & Cream that is out this month?

KEI-LI: This track is inspired by some old school ballads and all of the juicy metaphors you can imagine. We hope you enjoy it!

HMLT: We have a music video to go along with the song. As mentioned before there’s also a filter you can use on Instagram and Facebook called ‘Peaches & Cream’.

 

Could you share with us some of your dreams and plans for this year?

KEI-LI: Lately I’ve been filming a bunch of music videos both for me and HMLT’s Drifters album as well as my upcoming album with Robotaki, so we’re excited for all the visuals coming soon. Also, as I’m also an XR game designer, keep an eye out for future games and experiences from KEI-LI soon!

HMLT: I have a lot of songs coming out for artists that I’ve produced for and I’m planning to release a full-length album either at the end of this year or next year called “Studio Paradise”. I just came up with the concept a couple days before writing this interview. I’m very excited, stay tuned!!

 

 

–J.Chung.

Because This Is My First Life is a cute show with an interesting plot, funny moments, and heartwarming vibes. If you need a pick me up after having your heart ripped out from the drama you just binged, this show is perfect for you!

 

Plot:

Because This Is My First Life’s plot is upbeat and a much more romantic comedy than a heart-wrenching drama. It all starts with female writer Yoon Ji Ho, who is in her thirties without any real financial stability. She isn’t dating and has no hopes of independence any time soon. Needing to move out of her family’s home, she goes in search of an affordable place to live. An affordable place to live equates to finding a roommate!  Meanwhile, Nam Se Hee is a single man in his thirties who owns his own place and a cat but needs a roommate to help pay off his mortgage. He goes in search of someone who is clean and can feed a cat, as well as other specific attributes. Through an exchange of information, and without ever seeing one another, Ji Ho moves into Se Hee’s flat as his new roommate. She’s perfect! He is so happy with the way she cares for his cat, follows what has been laid out in their housemate agreement, and her overall cleanliness. She is the best roommate he has ever had and scored almost perfectly on his self-made roomie assessment. Unfortunately, neither of them realizes that they are sharing a space with the opposite gender. One day, the inevitable happens as they cross paths and recognize the mishap. With a need for one another—Se Hee will never find a better roommate and Ji Ho desperately needs a place to live—they decide to form a marriage contract. No relationship, no feelings, a simple black and white agreement.

I love the premise of this show! It’s fascinating to think through what a contract marriage would be like. I found myself often wondering if their feelings would develop, and if they did, how they would disclose them. Se Hee was so closed off emotionally; I doubted it would ever work out without some serious character development! This interest helped propel the show. I never found myself binging it, but it was something I looked forward to watching. By no means does this show make you feel rushed or anxious, and I think its slower pace is part of the charm.

There was significant character development between these two, and the side characters also. The writers used plot points to help expose deeper emotions and bring out progression in the storyline, such as Yeon Bok-nam proving to be a threat.  It’s good writing like this that helps strengthen a storyline and they did just that!

After breaking things off, Ji Ho chooses to be in a relationship with Se Hee, but on her terms. No contract, no fake emotion—authenticity. The ending left me feeling uplifted and completely satisfied.  This is a drama I would definitely watch again, not only for its chill nature but the many sweet moments that transpire.    Plot:  8/10

 

Setting:

We’re in the city, folks! Much of the show takes place in the apartment. In their living space so much is utilized to display their nonverbal communication. This encouraged the realism of the situation. I also enjoy that we are in an everyday setting that is familiar and homey. This causes viewers to realize the real-world implications of the message writers are trying to portray. Many want to find love and have to work through relationships—seeing this happen in a humble setting instead of an elaborate penthouse was refreshing and hit home more.   Setting: 8/10

 

Characters:

Se Hee has no chill. The man literally says to Ji Ho, “Perhaps, if you have some free time, will you marry me?” Because his personality is so dry and factual, it lends to so many funny moments! Ji Ho is the perfect match for him because she is so understanding, sweet, and more expressive (but not overwhelmingly so). Experiencing the humor of their interaction with in-laws, and more frequently with each other, is a delight! As they grow closer in their relationship, with more at stake, we witness character growth and realistic choices come into play. It is an adventure watching their walls come down as genuine feelings develop. And when they did express themselves it was so tender and sweet.

As far as the side characters go, I feel like this show left something to be desired. Some of their scenes were funny or cute, but for the most part, I didn’t pay much attention to their side plots. I appreciated the focus on sexual harassment in the workplace and how a strung-out relationship can affect one of the parties involved. However, I don’t feel like they were very memorable in the long run and I didn’t anticipate finding out what happened in their lives.   Characters: 6/10

 

Theme: 

The theme of this show is to not rush through life and be authentic in your decision-making. Often, we feel like we must meet deadlines—get married by 30, be established in a career soon out of college, be independent, and have our own house or apartment. Because This Is My First Life challenges all these standards. Everyone should be allowed to move at their own pace and figure out the world on their terms. This is a coming of age story for our protagonist as she grows out of the boxes society has placed her in and grows into her true self. She recognizes that life isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about actually living! This was a poignant message that will resonate with so many.   Theme: 8/10 

 

OST:

The soundtrack is cute. The orchestral value is not as potent as other dramas but still has its beautiful moments. My favorite emotional songs off the record are “Marriage” by MoonMoon, “Loner” by Lee Kyeong Sik, “This Life” by Moon Sung Nam, and “Can’t Go” by BEN. For happy, upbeat tunes, I enjoyed “Tomorrow” by Ryu Ji Hyun, “Shelter” by HEE JIN, and “Feel Like Falling in Love” by MeloMance.   

OST: 6/10

 

Final Score:

I loved the focus throughout the show on the fact that as humans, we stumble and fall. This is our first life, after all! The plot was fun, romance tender, and was relatable to many. This drama has my stamp of approval!    Final Score: 7/10

 

—-E. Boyd

 

HMLT & KEI-LI dropped their third single – Peaches & Cream – from the album Drifters, on March 5th of this year.

The music video for the single was directed by photographer/videographer Jason Li (@siego_pidgin).

KEI-LI says (via his social media) that he wrote Peaches & Cream after HMLT (pronounced Hamlet) sent him the basic instrumentals – and this was over 2 years ago. Since then, the single went through numerous tweaks and changes in the process before being released into the world. He stated that he hopes the listeners will resonate with its vibe and feelings.

HMLT and KEI-Li both expressed how excited they are with their latest released work.

Peaches & Cream music video, seems to be shot in someone’s backyard – features HMLT and KEI-LI, a few nectarines, a blender and a rubber swimming pool which all kind of blend in with the sensual lyrics and laid-back tune of the song strangely well.

The video overall portrays a very dreamy feeling and you also get to glimpse the humorous side of the artists.

Check the MV here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7KODO5j8jg

 

 

 

 

—-J.Chung

 

Over a week ago, songs from Kakao Entertainment (formerly Kakao M) artist were dropped from Spotify without warning. Now, music from the distributor will return to Spotify following a new agreement.

On March 1, Kakao Entertainment’s music catalog was pulled from Spotify after the licensing agreement between the two companies expired, which came as a surprise to many K-Pop fans. At the time, a Spotify spokesperson stated that a new agreement between the companies was not reached despite “their best efforts.”

“We have been working with Kakao Entertainment over the last year and a half to renew the global licensing agreement so that their artists’ music would remain available to Spotify’s 345m+ listeners in nearly 170 markets around the world,” the spokesperson said. “Despite our best efforts, the existing licensing deal we had with Kakao Entertainment (which covered all countries other than South Korea) has come to an end. The fact that we have not yet reached an agreement on a new global deal is unfortunate for their artists, as well as for fans and listeners worldwide.”

“It is our hope that this disruption will be temporary and we can resolve the situation soon,” the spokesperson continued. “We remain committed to working with local rights holders including Kakao Entertainment, to help grow the Korean music market and overall streaming ecosystem together.”

Kakao Entertainment confirmed the two parties were still working on a new agreement.

On March 10, 2021, Spotify and Kakao Entertainment (formerly Kakao Entertainment) announced a new licensing agreement has been reached and Kakao Entertainment’s library will return to the music streaming service.

“Both companies have completed discussions about the renewal of their global licensing contract. As a result, Kakao Entertainment’s content will be available on Spotify platforms around the world, including in South Korea,” Kakao said in a statement.

“Kakao Entertainment and Spotify have completed discussions for our music licensing contract, and we have agreed to resume releasing our music on the global service, including in South Korea,” a Kakao spokesperson said. “Through diverse partnerships around the world, including Spotify, we aim to help our artists connect to listeners all over the world and create opportunities for people to enjoy K-Pop.”

In a statement, Spotify said, “The music of Kakao Entertainment artists will be available on Spotify once again for their global fans and for the over 345 million Spotify listeners in 170 countries around the world. As it is Spotify’s mission to connect artists to fans all over the world and to showcase music from around the world to our users, we are happy to be able to reach Korean listeners with not only these tracks but also with our library of over 70 million tracks and over 4 billion playlists.”

The agreement is welcomed news for K-Pop fans globally as tracks from Seventeen, Monsta X, LOONA, Epik High, and IU were among several artists affected by the licensing dispute. While the songs are not all available yet, they are expected to be available again “soon.”

 

—-Olivia Murray

 

On March 9, 2021, Kim Himchan, formerly of K-Pop group B.A.P, opted to file an appeal following his sexual assault sentencing this past February, Insight revealed.

Kim, 30, was sentenced to 10 months in prison and 40 hours of sexual violence treatment at the conclusion of the initial sexual assault case’s trial. At the conclusion of the trial February 24, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the female accuser’s evidence and witness statements were credible enough for conviction.

According to Insight, Kim’s lawyer’s filed appeal papers a day after the sentencing was handed down. Following Kim’s appeal, the prosecutor also filed an appeal. Currently, it is unknown when the appeals will be reviewed by the courts.

Following the conclusion of the initial case, Kim was not immediately sent to prison as the court allowed him to seek forgiveness from the victim.

“While the defendant is being sentenced to prison today,” Judge Jung Sung-hwan said, “the court is not placing him in detention so that he is given a chance to seek forgiveness from the victim.”

In addition to the sexual harassment charges, Kim still has a pending case for drunk driving stemming from an October 2020 incident. Stay tuned for updates as the legal matters continue.

 

—-Olivia Murray

 

Vicke Blanka is a globally-acclaimed Japanese singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist. His music has been featured on various anime series, Japanese TV dramas and commercials. Vicke Blanka is also active as a radio DJ, a model and an esports streamer. 

We would like to express “a massive thank you” to Vickeblanka for giving us a great interview and insight into his life and music. 

 

Please briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello, I am Vicke Blanka.

 

We’ve read that you were musically influenced by Michael Jackson to start music, could you name other artists or musicians that inspired your song writing?

MIKA、Billy Joel, and Elton John are among those who inspired me most. I feel like being drawn into the world of free music by these figures.

 

What has changed the most for you since you made a debut as a singer?

I think that everything has become very simple. As a musician, I face interesting challenges. Before all that, I am pondering over the personal qualities I should embody.

 

You have a very unique style of songwriting. Where do you like to gain inspiration and ideas from when creating new music?

Sometimes an idea occurs to me all of a sudden, and at other times I get it while walking to my desk. The moment of finding such inspiration is exhilarating. I feel really excited.

 

What is your opinion on J-pop music that is out currently?

J-POP was unique in its musical style, but now, except for the difference in language, it seems that there is no distinction in sound. I believe that everyone is creating music more freely, partly because of K-POP.

 

How are you spending your time during the current pandemic? What do you like to do during your free time?

Playing online games with friends is good. Also, we chat about music and love, or I complain about the pizza I ate yesterday.

Name some of your favorite foods or beverages. (And why.)

I like Coke Zero. After a performance is over, I usually drink Coke Zero with lots of ice.

 

Tell us a bit about Ponytail and its music video. Were there any fun episodes while shooting or recording the song?

It was very cold, as far as I remember. Luckily, I played a meagre role in that. But I really appreciate Hinako, Yoshirou, and all the other crew for working so hard.

 

Which one of your songs are you the most proud of?

Every song I love. Many crew members gave me active help and I like all that have been created.

 

What kind of song/album would you recommend to our readers that you listen to frequently?

I love Alan Walker’s songs. We met for the first time at the SUMMER SONIC in Japan, and I remember he was very kind. I asked him to listen to my songs. At first he looked surprised, but after listening to them, he said they were cool and we exchanged each other’s CDs. I look forward to seeing him again.

 

What kind of advice would you offer to aspiring musicians?

Having confidence in yourself is the key. It is just you who can feel your potential best. I think you must not waver whatever others might say, but instead keep going in your own way.

 

 

–J.Chung.

 

Japanese-American mixed-culture boyband INTERSECTION are exploding in popularity in Asia following a number of killer performances on Chinese variety show ‘CHUANG2021’, resulting in their music video ‘You’re the Reason’ surpassing 5 million views on YouTube.

INTERSECTION already had a strong following in Japan, where they have been most active until now. Their popularity skyrocketed in 2019 when INTERSECTION member Mitchell Kazuma, a multitalented fashion model who has walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week, appeared on a reality show on AbemaTV called ‘Okami-chan ni wa Damasarenai’ (Don’t be Fooled by the Wolf). During one memorably romantic scene, Kazuma, who was studying abroad at Boston’s Harvard University at the time, confessed his feelings for his Japanese female co-star and invited her to join him in the United States, setting fans’ hearts alight and igniting major interest in the group.

Now, Kazuma has been joined by fellow INTERSECTION members Mika Hashizume and Caelan Moriarty to appear on ‘CHUANG2021’, the hugely successful Chinese version of hit music variety show ‘PRODUCE 101’ – and their good looks and singing ability have become a hot topic around Asia.

The reality show focuses on the cultural exchange between its domestic and international guests, and shows how the participants work hard to grow their talents. Over the course of three series, it has exceeded a staggering 5 billion views in China. The current series began broadcasting on February 17, featuring roughly 100 participants from a variety of countries and backgrounds, and a panel of mentors that includes such stars as Amber from the popular K-pop group f(x).

After the initial broadcast, reactions to INTERSECTION’s performance immediately began trending online, with Chinese social media platform Weibo flooded with comments praising the boys’ impressive singing voices and their Chinese language ability topping the keyword trending chart. A clip on video platform Bilibili of Hashizume’s solo vocal performance surpassed 1 million views in just two days, while his personal page on the official ‘CHUANG2021’ app operated by broadcaster WeTV was the first among all the participants to surpass 1 million followers. His passionate cover of Ne-Yo’s ‘So Sick’ ranked No.1 on Chinese music streaming site QQ Music, and with every new broadcast INTERSECTION once again dominate Weibo’s trending chart.

The fever reached Thailand, where the show was also broadcast, and this time the name ‘Mika’ took the No.6 spot on Thailand’s Twitter keyword ranking.

INTERSECTION’s music video ‘You’re the Reason’ has now reached 5 million views on YouTube, and those views are climbing as ‘CHUANG2021’ is broadcast in China and other countries and the group’s exposure continues to increase. As their performances on ‘CHUANG2021’ grow ever more exciting, INTERSECTION have become a boyband you don’t want to miss.

‘CHUANG2021’ is broadcast on WeTV and YouTube throughout Asia, and subtitled in seven languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian.

Links

‘CHUANG2021’ YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA5scr9hNC7nMmDhdU8hkXA

INTERSECTION performance ‘Swim’:

https://youtu.be/4npKHg8i5Nw

Mika Hashizume solo performance ‘So Sick’:

https://youtu.be/hds2E6uzI9o

 

Mitchell Kazuma solo performance ‘Mercury Records’:

https://youtu.be/Abkwzku6an8

 

Caelan Moriarty solo performance ‘The Search’:

https://youtu.be/2dYrICC1Rmg

 

INTERSECTION YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4NV2P_DEw7GI7s50Z_BIAA

INTERSECTION ‘You’re the Reason’:

https://youtu.be/yQCVH6uY90k

INTERSECTION official website:

https://intersection-tokyo.jp/

INTERSECTION Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/intersection_tokyo/

—

Images:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mma7gt4y9m2plhb/AAA3ajMJQHgp5h1AqQKKqt4Wa?dl=0

 

If you’re a fan of the Paula Hawkins’ 2015 novel The Girl on the Train and the 2016 film of the same name starring Emily Blunt, Netflix recently released the Hindi version of The Girl on the Train. As of March 4, 2021, the film has been one of the top-ten trending films in the United States. However, just because a movie is trending doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a stellar film. In fact, the latest version of The Girl on the Train is quite the opposite thanks to poor acting, snooze-worthy yet laughable scenes, and a questionable ending that changes the whole original story. Buckle up! You’re going on a wild ride on one rickety caboose of a story!

Like the original story, the Hindi version of The Girl on the Train is set in London, England. The story follows Mira (Parineeti Chopra) as she unravels, becomes an alcoholic, and struggles with amnesia following the loss of her unborn child and marriage after an accident. As she continues to go off the rails, she watches and idealizes a young woman’s (Nusrat, played by Aditi Rao Hydari) married life from the window of a train. In the original book and film, the main character’s named Rachel, while the woman she watched is Megan. From here, the similarities between the stories end. While the original focuses on how three women are tied together thanks to someone in their lives, the latest version of the story takes that original plot and tosses it out.

With the latest retelling, it’s difficult to tell if the movie takes itself too seriously or if it doesn’t know how to execute the suspense-thriller genre. This is sometimes evidenced by slow montages set to sappy music where the viewer sees the “anguish” Mira feels. During these moments, the movie turns into a weak drama. Any suspense the movie has is, at times, laughable due to the almost cartoonish events meant to provide jolts of fright. For example, at the beginning of the movie, Mira is supposed to be scared and running from a Jeep following her, but it ends up looking like a scene from a bad zombie flick. Even when the Jeep’s sitting in her driveway following a cliché “rock-through-the-window-with-a-childish-looking-note” moment, Chopra’s shock looks more like disappointment that she spilled some milk instead of a look of genuine fear.

The stilted acting doesn’t help the story at all. Chopra’s take on Mira looks like a combination of over-the-top melodrama, 1990s after-school special, and early 2000s teen-oriented TV show. Her inability to show true emotion, save for the scene in the bathroom where Mira fantasizes about murdering Nusrat, makes the movie boring. Chopra isn’t believable as a raging alcoholic. Similarly, Kirti Kulhari’s Detective Bagga is unconvincing as a badass cop. Kulhari’s role’s forced and unrealistic. Her character is supposed to be cold, calculating, and tough, but the lack of expression murders the character. Kulhari doesn’t work as a cop or a villain.

The men in film are also severely undeveloped and interchangeable, so much so that between the three—Dr. Kapoor (Mira’s ex-husband played by Avinash Tiwary), Anand (Shamaun Ahmed), and Dr. Hamid (Tota Roy Chowdury)—it’s hard to distinguish who is who because they are all styled similarly: Unshaven, rugged, and handsome. The only distinguishing characteristics between the three is that Dr. Kapoor is tall and Dr. Hamid wears glasses. Beyond this, the male characters are empty husks with no real purpose beyond serving as Mira’s reason to become unhinged (Dr. Kapoor) and somewhat move the plot along.

Speaking of plot movers, the characters of Walter (Richie Lawrie) and “Horse Guy” are comedic even though this isn’t the intention (I hope). Walter’s appearance is brief and left more questions than answers since he knows who committed the investigated crimes. On the other hand, “Horse Guy” literally just stands in a field with horses and never moves from one of them even though time advances. It must be a lonely existence just standing in a field propped up by a horse.

 

 

Sadly, the makeup has more acting range than the people in the film. Mira’s garish head wound and eyeliner become characters all their own. As The Girl on the Train unfolds, both the gash and the eyeliner become distractions as they change in almost every scene. The gash goes from almost healed to nasty and peeling in a weird sequence from scene-to-scene, while the eyeliner switches between raccoon-thick and Goth teenager at a My Chemical Romance concert, so it becomes humorous to see how it changes as the story progresses. The makeup shouldn’t take on a life of its own unless the script depicts it.

The plot has several issues and holes. One of the most annoying elements is how Detective Bagga questions a murder suspect in the middle of a busy sidewalk where everyone can overhear. In real life, that would never happen because the integrity of a case would be sullied if these shenanigans occurred.

Then there’s Jimmy Bagga (Krishan Tandon), a gangster that somehow puts the whole plot in motion. Jimmy isn’t in the original story. For some reason, the writers thought The Girl on the Train needed a gangster (which, why are gangsters in movies almost always named “Jimmy?”) to help show that Mira was once a successful lawyer. Her win at a trial is the reason for the unnecessary spin the movie takes, setting up an unrealistic story that gives The Girl on the Train a massive “wtf?” moment in the chaotic last 20 minutes of the film.

The ending and the reveal make zero sense given the original story. The last 20 minutes feel like a rushed train to Weirdsville as an odd plot-point’s revealed. The ending has three characters in a house with one of them revealing the details of a crime. As the character’s giving away the intentions behind the crimes, it’s a moment that feels almost Scooby Doo-like to where the line “And I would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for you meddling kid!” could have dropped any moment. For fans of the original story, the twist is unnecessary and inauthentic given the massive plot holes that exist (one of the characters touches pretty much everything in the house, so if you want to frame someone for something you did, this isn’t the way to go). The ending’s abrupt and will make you yell “what in the actual ___?!” if you saw and read the original stories.

Overall, The Girl on the Train is on a train to nowhere. The film lacks direction, strong characters, and a solid story. This story may not be worth it if you are familiar with the original, but it is worth watching if you enjoy cringy takes on best-selling novels. The Girl on the Train earns a disappointing 1/5.

The Girl on the Train is available on Netflix.

Photo cr. The Indian Express, Hindustan Times

 

—-Olivia Murray

 

Dreamcatcher Stands At The “CROSSROADS” To Their Third Online Concert

Popular South Korean girl group, Dreamcatcher prepares dual concepts with a live band for their third online concert [DREAMCATCHER CONCERT CROSSROADS], a two-night event happening on March 26 and March 27 at 10pm KST.

Dreamcatcher has garnered significant attention, even claiming the title of K-pop’s first female act to hit #1 on Billboard’s Next Big Sound Chart. It’s not their first run on the Billboard Charts though, as the musical septet have ranked on the Billboard World Albums Chart and Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart multiple times since their re-debut as Dreamcatcher in 2017 with hits like “데자부 (Deju Vu)” from their special mini-album Raid of Dream.

Sonically, they differ from most other K-Pop groups, choosing to take on a more pop rock and metal sound that has gained them popularity globally. Their Dystopia trilogy of music releases dropped hits like “Scream” and “BOCA”, that pushed the message of reflecting on the modern day “witch hunt” in today’s technologically advanced society that is ripe with hate comments and ‘cancel’ culture. Their latest song, “Odd Eye” comes off the last installment of the trilogy, the sixth mini album Dystopia : Road to Utopia. Their music video for the title track currently has 32 million views, cementing their position in the K-Pop wave as an influential artist.

With their most recent online showcase and previous successful online concerts that brought in over 13,000 viewers per show, Dreamcatcher is ready to meet their fans, InSomnia [official fan club name] again for their third online concert.

Dreamcatcher’s third online concert will be split into two nights. The first night of the show, March 26, is ‘Part 1. Utopia’ – showcasing their angelic voices in an acoustic setting. The following night, March 27, is ‘Part 2. Dystopia’ – is the flip side of their story that highlights a rock-n-roll theme. Each night of the concert will show a different side of Dreamcatcher in their journey to close the Dystopia trilogy together with their fans. The title of the concert, [CROSSROADS], emphasizes the final place the group stands at in the end of the storyline of their Dystopia trilogy as they searched for their Utopia in a neverending Dystopia.

For this concert, Dreamcatcher continues their collaboration with MyMusicTaste, a technology forward platform that breaks the barriers set by the pandemic and brings fans and artists together to create a new way of connection. DREAMCATCHER’s seven members: JI U, SU A, SIYEON, YOOHYEON, DAMI, HANDONG, and GAHYEON

 

Further information regarding ticketing and the show itself can be found through https://mmt.fans/MjNU and https://mmt.fans/Mj7A or through MyMusicTaste’s other social media channels.

드림캐쳐 Dreamcatcher [DREAMCATCHER CONCERT CROSSROADS: Part 1. Utopia] March 26, 2021, 10:00PM KST – MyMusicTaste

드림캐쳐 Dreamcatcher [DREAMCATCHER CONCERT CROSSROADS: Part 2. Dystopia] March 27, 2021, 10:00PM KST – MyMusicTaste

About MyMusicTaste: MyMusicTaste is a fan initiated live event making service that brings fans, artists and promoters from all over the world together in one place to create a valuable and meaningful concert experience for everyone involved. MyMusicTaste puts the power in the fans’ hands, allowing fans to request their favorite artist’s concert in their city. With the mission to connect and amplify the voices of fans all over the world, MyMusicTaste successfully promoted concerts of artists such as EXO, GOT7, MONSTA X, The xx, Machine Gun Kelly, and more in over 57 different cities. With the simple idea–empowering fans to bring their favorite artist’s concert in the city of their choice based on fan demand–MyMusicTaste is challenging the $27 billion concert market through cutting-edge technology and sophisticated, user-friendly service. Currently, www.mymusictaste.com supports more than 30 countries and offers 15 different languages.

About DREAMCATCHER COMPANY: Established in 2008, DREAMCATCHER COMPANY is a South Korean record label and entertainment agency founded by the prominent production duo E-tribe. Since the debut of its first artist Nassun, the company has grown in size over the years, producing artists and idol groups under its own name. V.O.S, Dalshabet, and DREAMCATCHER are the major artists that are currently associated with the label. Recently, the company also launched subsidiary labels HF Music Company, Dreamcatcher Company, and D1CE Entertainment and is garnering much attention and recognition from the public as the rising creator of future K-pop artists.

 

On February 28, 2021, the 78^th Golden Globe Awards were held. This year’s awards were a socially distanced and virtual affair thanks to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

During this year’s awards, two Asian and Asian-American directors made a splash.

Lee Isaac Chung’s film, Minari, won the Best Motion Picture- Foreign Language category. The film, which is about a Korean-American family searching for the American dream during the 1980s, was shrouded in controversy.

Minari received a nomination in the Best Foreign-Language Film category instead of the Best Motion Picture category because it failed to “meet the Globe’s 50 percent English language requirement.” The characters speak Korean in the film, but the film was shot in America and backed by American companies.

In an interview with the New York Times, Chung stated, “Maybe the positive side of all of this is that we’ve made a film that challenges some of those existing categories and adds to the idea that an American film might look and sound very differently from what we’re used to.”

In his acceptance speech, Chung, who is American, seemingly took a stab at the language requirements for Best Motion Picture: “Minari is about a family. It’s a family trying to learn how to speak a language of its own. It goes deeper than any American language and any foreign language; it’s a language of the heart.”

 

Minari wins Best Motion Picture, Foreign Language at the #GoldenGlobes! pic.twitter.com/486jld6AIz

— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) March 1, 2021

 

However, another film by an Asian director, Nomadland, earned the award for Best Motion Picture-Drama. Nomadland, which is about a woman who lost everything in the Great Recession and journeys throughout the Western United States as a modern-day nomad, was directed by Chloé Zhao.

Zhao was one of three women to be nominated for the award. Regina King (One Night in Miami) and Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) also earned nods.

“This award belongs to the whole Nomadland team,” Zhao said. “Thank you, everyone who made it possible for me to do what I love.”

 

 

Zhao, 38, made history as the second woman to win the Best Director Golden Globe award. She is second woman after Barbra Streisand who won for Yentl in 1984. Moreover, Zhao is the first Asian director and the first woman of color to nab the award. Her win prompted Streisand to celebrate on Twitter.

 

It’s about time! Congratulations Chloé! Well deserved!

— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) March 1, 2021

 

The Golden Globes, like many other award shows held in America, went on with a shadow of controversy hanging over them due to the lack of diversity in the voting categories each year. This year’s awards were slammed for not having black representation within the voting body as well as allegedly having ethical issues within the ranks. Show hosts Amy Poehler and Tina Fey made quips throughout the night about the lack of diversity within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). Meanwhile, Tina Tchen, president and CEO of Time’s Up, stated “We listened tonight and hoped to hear the HFPA respond with some awareness that the industry wide discontent with your organization’s practices goes far beyond what you offered tonight and in the days preceding.”

As always, a hope for change and a charge for diversity is always welcome, and hopefully some of the wins by minority actors, actresses, and directors help signify legitimate change instead of a pittance to quell voices that want representation.

Photo cr. Image Journal, CNN, BBC

 

—-Olivia Murray

 

At Kcrush, we’ve interviewed Josh Johnson who is the Lead Designer at Golden Gear Press that recently created a fun board game KPOP: Becoming an Idol. We hope this interview draws more interest to the work and we wish Josh and his team a lot of success!

 

Hello! Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers, please?

Hi! I’m Josh and I’m the Lead Designer at Golden Gear Press for KPOP: Becoming an Idol. My team and I are all professional game designers and huge K-pop fans so Becoming an Idol is a real passion project for us. My team and I are hugely excited to finally be able to show off the results of all our hard work!

 

Tell us about your K-pop Board game and how you came to create it.

KPOP: Becoming an Idol is a project that we’ve always wanted to do. Everyone at Golden Gear Press have been K-pop fans for years, but until 2020 arrived we were having a hard time figuring out exactly what our K-pop board game would look like. Once quarantine began, we had the time to work out the details and create a fun board game that is steeped in K-pop culture.

When we designed KPOP: Becoming an Idol, we wanted 2 things to stand out:

This is a game with K-pop at its heart. We’re fans, and so we wanted to design a game that other fans would know is real and authentic. Rather than picking up another game design and slapping some K-pop words on it, we designed the game from the ground up so that K-pop was woven into every aspect of the game.

Anyone can play this game and enjoy it. We wanted friends and family to be able to play with you whether they were new to K-pop or if they had been fans for years. Sharing your love for K-pop is something that unites the community, and we felt that making the game entertaining for everyone was a great way to bring people together in mutual love for K-pop!

It is our hope that when the fans see our game, they will agree that we have achieved both of these goals to make a board game that is worthy of their support!

 

 

What can the players expect from the game?

Lots of fun, of course!  Seriously though, KPOP: Becoming an Idol is a game about living life as a K-pop trainee preparing for their final Evaluation.

You and your friends will be rolling dice and moving around a massive 20×20 game board which is separated into 4 colored Sections – Dance, Vocal, Rap and Fans. Each section of the board gives you a different way to improve your character as you prepare to head into the center and face the Evaluation judge.

Of course, the board is only half of the game: as you draw cards and improve in your training each player will be keeping track of how well they’re doing on a separate 10×10 Player Mat. And that’s just the beginning! Here’s a list to give you an idea of what you’ll see as you play:

80 Story cards that explain how you’re doing in your training.

95 Skill cubes for everyone to keep track of all their skills!

Contest Spaces – Compete with your friends to see who is the best Dancer, Vocalist, or Rapper!

5 Evaluation Tokens – Prove yourself worthy to enter your Evaluation.

More!

 

What inspired you in the process of designing the board game? Were there any K-pop artists that inspired your project?

Our biggest inspiration was actually K-pop fans themselves! We loved seeing how everyone pulled together to help and support each other this past year even if they supported different groups. That element actually made it into the game, too! Some cards allow you to give yourself and one other player a benefit, so over the course of a game players can end up working together even while they’re competing to see who is the best!

 

Please tell us about your previous designs or projects in the past.

This is our first big project in the K-pop area, but we’re looking forward to continuing to give fans new and interesting board games and other projects from our studio in the future.

 

What are your hopes and plans for this year?

KPOP: Becoming an Idol is going to be launched on Kickstarter coming this April, and we’re putting all our energy into being ready for that! After the Kickstarter is over, our team will be managing the manufacturing process to get the game out to all of our supporters, as well as working to get the game into the hands of local retailers all over the world! It’s no exaggeration to say that this board game is going to be our prime focus for all of 2021.

 

 

–J.Chung.