VANNER’s Hyesung was forced to quit his military service early due to health reasons.
On December 16, Kleb Entertainment announced that Hyesung had cut short his military service due to health reasons. Hyesung enlisted on November 4 and was looking forward to serving his country with pride.
The agency added that Hyesung was admitted to the Armed Forces Daejon Hospital owing to pre-existing mental and panic disorders. The agency stated that given his condition and the need for continued treatment, Hyesung was discharged from the military service.
—-Karen Mwenda
#VANNER #Hyesung #militaryservicecutshort #kcrush #mentalhealth #armedforcesdaejonhospital #preexistinghealth #kpop #kidol #wishhimwell #kcrushamerica #wellnesstohim #mentalwellbeing #supporthim #mentalhealthtalk
Here are some of the K-pop tours that have been confirmed so far.
1. KISS OF LIFE
KISS OF LIFE will be going on their first world tour titled ‘KISS ROAD’. The tour is scheduled to happen across Europe including Netherlands, France, and Germany. Further details, including the exact dates, will be communicated soon.
2. BABYMOSTER
BABYMOSTER will be holding its first world tour titled ‘Hello Monsters’. The tour is scheduled to run from January to April 2025 and will take place in Korea, Japan, and the US.
3. Lee Young Ji
Talented Lee Young Ji will be performing across Europe through the ‘All or Nothing’ tour. The tour is scheduled for late January 2025. Lee Young Ji will perform in the UK and France.
4. P1Harmony
P1Harmony will be holding the ‘P1ustage H: UTOPIA’ live tour across Europe. The tour is scheduled for January 2025 and will take place in the UK, France, and Germany among others.
5. Big Ocean
Big Ocean band, composed of hearing-impaired members, will be interacting with global fans at the Pict’ Asia 2025 concert. The concert is scheduled for February 2025.
6. W24
W24 rock band will be engaging with global fans through the W24 EUROPEAN TOUR 2025. The tour is set to run from May through June 2025. The band will visit Spain and France among others.
7. Stray Kids
Stray Kids will be touring across Europe through the ‘Dominate’ tour. The band will have performances in the UK, Spain, and France among others. The tour is scheduled for July 2025.
8. DAY6
DAY6 will be continuing its ‘Forever Young’ third world tour in 2025. The tour took off in September 2024 in South Korea. In 2025, the tour will see performances held in Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, and the US.
9. ENHYPHEN
ENHYPHEN will also be continuing its ‘Walk the Lane’ third world tour in 2025. The tour commenced in October 2024 in South Korea. The tour will continue in 2025 across Japan.
10. ATEEZ
ATEEZ will be taking its currently ongoing ‘Towards the Light: Will to Power’s world tour into 2025. The tour, which began in January 2034 in South Korea. The tour will embark on the European leg starting from January to February 2025.
11. aespa
aespa’s ongoing ‘SYNK: Parallel Line’s live tour will also spill over to 2025. The tour started in June 2024 and will enter 2025 with performances across America and Europe from January through March 2025.
12. SHINee’s Taemin
Taemin will be continuing his ongoing ‘Ephemeral Gaze’ world tour in 2025. The tour commenced in August 2024. In 2025, the tour will embark with the America leg in January before taking place across several cities in the US and Europe until March 2025.
—-Karen Mwenda
#2025WorldTours #Taemin #aespa #BabyMonster #StratKids #ENHYPHEN #ATEEZ #kcrush #kpop #koreanpop #kidol #Day6 #W24 #BigOcean #P1Harmony #KissofLife #LeeYoungJi #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #koreanculture #hallyucraze #funconcert #kpoptour #worldtour #koreangroupconcerts #kpopindustry
Actor Ji Soo is steadily rebounding his career starting with the Philippines.
Actor Ji Soo’s career took a wrong turn after school violence allegations in 2021. As a result, the actor issued an official handwritten apology and terminated his contract.
Nonetheless, Ji Soo has continued to claim his innocence citing being a victim of wrong accusations. In the meantime, the actor enlisted in the military and has been steadily working on his comeback in the Philippines.
Ji Soo has so far been cast in Philippines’ ‘Black Rider’ drama and ‘Rainbow’ film. The actor has also appeared in magazine covers including VMAN South East Asia. The actor also recently received the Outstanding International Actor award at the International Asian Film Festival.
The talented singer and actor also showcased his skills through an outstanding performance at a concert in Bicol, Philippines early this month.
—-Karen Mwenda
#JiSoo #ActorJiSoo #JiSoosingerandactor #kcrush #JiSoorestartsCareerinThePhilippines #VManSouthEastAsia #koreanactor #hallyucraze #koreantalent #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #OutstandingInternationalActorAward #InternationalAsiamFilmFestival #BlackRiderdrama #Rainbowdrama #actinginthePhilippines #kpop #kpopidol
BOYNEXTDOOR band had introduced its official characters.
BOYNEXTDOOR revealed it’s animated characters by the name BBNEXDO. The characters represent each of the members and include Catbbi (Sungho), Darling (Riwoo), Myngmyng (Myung Jaehyun), Han Tatpung (Taesan), 312 (Leehan), and Woonbaby (Woonhak).
.BOYNEXTDOOR members participated in creating the characters to give each a personal touch. BBNEXDO characters are scheduled to be launched in 2025.
—-Karen Mwenda
#BOYNEXTDOOR #OfficialCharactersIntroduced #BBNEXDOCharacters #Catbbi (Sungho) #Darling (Riwoo) #Myngmyng (Myung Jaehyun) #HanTatpung (Taesan) #312 (Leehan) #Woonbaby (Woonhak) #kcrushamerica #kpop #koreankpop #kcrushmagazine #kculture #kcharacters #BOYNEXTDOORcharacters #kpopboygroup #hallyu
Park Chal Yong has signed as a trainee under MBK company.
On December 13, MBK Company announced it had signed Park Chal Yong as its trainee. Park Chal Yong will train under the agency before his debut. The company also manages other notable artists including Kim Hyun Gyeol.
Park Chal Yong was a contestant at JBTC’s ‘Project 7’ idol audition program. Chal Yong is scheduled to debut with an upcoming MBK Company’s new boy group once his debut period is over.
—-Karen Mwenda
#ParkChanYong #Project7contestant #ParkChanYongsignswithMBK #MBKCompany #kcrush #kpop #kpopidol #kpoptrainee #koreankpop #JBTCProject7IdolAuditionProgram #hallyu #kpopindustry #kcrushmagazine
VICTION’s member Seungwoo has signed with a new agency.
On December 13, AURA Entertainment agency confirmed that it had signed VICTION’s Han Seungwoo. Seungwoo will be joining notable artists including Lee Soo Ho and Kim Young Heum.
VICTION debuted under IST Entertainment in 2016. In April 2023, Byungchan, Hanse, and Subin decided not to renew their contracts with the agency after the expiration date. Seungwoo, Seungsik, and Sejun had their contract periods changed due to military service.
—-Karen Mwenda
#VICTION #Seungwoo #SeugwoosignswithAURAEntertainment #AURAEntertainment #kpop #kcrush #kpopidol #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #Byungchan #Hanse #Subin #Seungsik #Sejun #contractended #kmusic
Hyukoh’s Oh Hyuk walked down the aisle with his partner, Model Hwang Ji Min.
On December 14, Hyukoh band’s member Oh Hyuk married model Hwang Ji Min at a church in Seoul. The couple enjoyed a private ceremony surrounded by family and friends
On November 29, DooRooDooRoo Artist Company confirmed that Oh Hyuk was set to marry in December.
—-Karen Mwenda
#Hyukoh #OhHyuk #OhHyukeds #HwangJiMin #model #DooRooDooRooArtistCompany #OhHyukWedModel #kmusic #kfashion #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #weddingnews #weddingceremonyinSeoul #koreanculture
Hyerim, a former Wonder Girls member, is now a mother of two.
In an exciting post, Hyerim revealed they had welcomed their second baby. Nicknamed Kong, this is Lim’s second son. Lim could not hide her joy, especially now she is a mother of two.
Hyerim walked down the aisle with Shin Min Chul, a taekwondo athlete, in July 2020. The two welcomed their first son in February 2022.
—-Karen Mwenda
#Hyerim #WonderGirls #HyerimWelcomes2ndChild #kcrush #ShinMinChul #taekwondo #kpopgirlgroup #kpop #kidol #koreankpopidol #kpopidolwelcomes2ndchild #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #LimHyerim #koreanidol
BIGBANG’s G-Dragon teamed up with producer Kim Tae Bo to create the “GD and Friends” variety show scheduled for release in 2025.
“GD and Friends” is a variety show featuring G-Dragon who will be hosting other celebrities.
According to Kim Tae Ho, the show is still in production and the ‘GD and Friends’ is a tentative title that might change.
Given BIGBANG’s recent reunion at the 2024 Mama Awards, fans are hoping that members Taeyang and Daesung will appear as guests in the show.
Some of the celebrities whose appearances have been confirmed include Im Si Wan, Jung Hae In, Hwan Jung Min, Day6, Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Go Run, aespa, and Seventeen’s Hoshi.
—-Karen Mwenda
#GDragon #GDAndFriends #GDragonNewShow #celebrityappearances #kcrush #koreanpop #kpop #kidol #kmusic #koreancelebrity #IMSiWan #JungHaeIn #HwanJungMin #Day6 #KimSooHyun #KimGoRun #aespa #hallyu #SeventeenHoshi #TaeyangandDaesung #BIGBANG #2024MAMAAwards #KimTaeHo #koreanfashion #kfashion #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #kactors #kartist
NewJeans has opened a new social media account.
On December 14, NewJeans launched a new social media account. The group chose a catchy name, Jeanzforfree, for their new journey. The 5 members uploaded a video on the new account confirming it is their real account. The account has gained over 1 million followers so far.
NewJeans held an official briefing in November confirming that they would terminate their contracts with ADOR as of November 29. ADOR later refitted the claims and even filed a lawsuit claiming the group’s contract validity. NewJeans fought back claiming that they have the right to terminate the contract if ADOR doesn’t fulfill its obligations.
—-Karen Mwenda
#NewJeans #NewJeansNewSNSAccount #NewJeansterminatedtheirADORcontract #JenzForFreeSNS #kpop #kidol #kcrush #kcrushamerica #knews #koreanculture #5memberkpopgirlgroup #kcrushmagazine #kfashion #kcosmetics
BB Girls, formerly Brave Girls, has signed a contract with GLG entertainment agency.
On December 11, GLG Agency announced that BB Girls had joined their team. The agency, which houses H1-KEY and other artists, expressed its excitement and committed to helping BB Girls band soar.
BB Girls debuted as Brave Girls in 2011 before rebranding to BB Girls in 2023. Yujeong left the group in April 2024 leaving the band with 3 members.
—-Karen Mwenda
#BBGirls #BraveGirls #3membergirlgroup #BBGirlssignwithGLGAgency #GLGAgency #kcrush #kpopgirlgroup #kpop #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #newstart #Yujeongleftthegroup #HIKEY #GLGEntertainmentAgency #hallyu
Former national defense minister Kim Yong Hyun a key suspect in the December 3 martial law case is reported to have attempted suicide.
On December 11, the Ministry of Justice’s correctional bureau head, reveals the incident during the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session. Shin Yong Hee stated that a duty officer at the control room came to know of the suicide attempt at 11:52 pm while at the waiting bay before a warrant was issued.
The duty officer indicated that Kim Yong Hyun attempted suicide using a string made from his clothes. The individual gave up his attempts owing to the officer’s immediate response. Kim Yung Hyun suffered no health issues and is currently in a protective cell.
—-Karen Mwenda
Actor Um Ki Joon will be walking down the aisle with his partner this December.
On December 12, Um Ki Joon’s agency clarified that their client would marry on December 22. The actor is set to marry his non-celebrity wife at a private event in Seoul.
Um Ki Joon made his relationship status public in May announcing the exciting engagement news. Um Ki Joon, who debuted in 1995 with the ‘Richard 3’ play is known for his acting skills in several drams including “Little Women” and “The Penthouse: War in Life” among others.
—-Karen Mwenda
#UmKiJoon #koreanactor #KoreanWedding #LittleWomenActor #Richard3play #LittleWomen #koreanbroadway #Koreanplays #ThePenthouseWarinLife #engagementannouncement #weddingannouncement #kcrush #kdrama #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #koreanentertainment #koreanentertainmentindustry #noncelebritywife #happy
South Korea’s president asserted that his martial law declaration was in order and that he would fight to the end to protect the country.
On December 12, south President Yoon Suk Yeol released a statement with regards to calls for resignation and martial law declaration. The president said that he has the legal power to declare martial law to return the country’s administrative affairs to normalcy and save it from administrative paralysis.
The president also added that perceiving an emergency act, meant to rescue the nation, as an act of treason portrays the grave danger in the country’s legal system. The president claimed that the reason behind his impeachment is that the opposition party’s representative is on the brink of being declared guilty of crimes. As such the representative is using the impeachment to outdo the current president and take over.
President Yoon added that he will fight to the end to block off this criminal organization that incites administrative disorder and breaches the constitution. He will prevent this group from seizing state power and threatening Korea’s future.
—-Karen Mwenda
BTS’ Jin and renowned chef Baek Jong Won have teamed up to launch a traditional Korean liquor.
According to reports, Jin and Baek Jong Won have already started their traditional liquor venture after co-founding the ‘Yesan Doga’ agricultural corporation scheduled to release ‘IGIN’ distilled liquor soon.
The duo’s company will also launch ‘IGIN Sweet Tonic’ and ‘IGIN Tangy Tonic’ ready-to-drink beverages. It’s also been reported that “The Godfather of Korean Traditional Liquor”, Park Rok Dam, will serve as the product development and quality advisor.
—-Karen Mwenda
#JIN #BTSJIN #launchIGIN #ChefBaekJongWon #IGINSweetTonic #IGINTangyTonic #kcrush #kpop #kidol #BTSIdol #readytodrinkbeverages #koreanculture #koreantraditionalliquor #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #ParkRokDam #TheGodfatherofKoreanTraditionalLiquor #productdevelopmentandqualityadvisor #YesanDogaagriculturalcorp #kculture #distilledliquor #koreannews #newsaboutJIN #koreanbeverages
Pledis Entertainment’s founder Han Sung Soo received a government commendation for his contribution to the global growth of K-content
Han Sung Soo received commendation from the Prime Minister for his contribution towards the expansion of Korean content. Sung Soo is the founder of Pledis Entertainment which houses notable groups like SEVENTEEN and TWS.
On December 11, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism hosted the 2024 Korea Content Awards where Han Sung Soo received accreditation under the Overseas Advancement Contribution accreditation area.
—-Karen Mwenda
#PLEDIS #PLEDISEntertainment #SEVENTEEN #TWS #kcrush #MinistryofCultureSportsandTourism #kpop #KoreanContent #2024 KoreaContentAwards #HanSungSoo #accreditationundertheOverseasAdvancement #Contributionaccreditationarea #koreanculture #koreanmusic #kidol #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #HanSungSooFounderofPLEDISEntertainment #PrimeMinisterawardedHanSungSoo
The Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) has called out NewJeans and Min Hee Jin in their recent statement.
On December 13, KMCA expressed its concerns on the rising tampering attempts that have tainted and undermined the integrity of Korea’s music industry. Tampering involves preemptively engaging with artists or artist representatives before contractual agreements are concluded with current agencies.
This follows recent cases including FIFTY FIFTY’s poaching incident, NewJeans’ contract termination incident, and Min Hee Jin’s tampering allegations. KMCA stated that producers working for entertainment agencies are misusing their power to sway young artists into canceling their contracts. KMCA called out on Min Hee Jin asking her to provide a factual account of the recent tampering accusations to prevent further speculations and damages.
KMCA also called out NewJeans asking them to faithfully execute their contracts through genuine dialogues with their agency. The association also advised NewJeans to wait on judicial decisions in case a resolution with the agency is impossible. KMCA further advised NewJeans to mind their actions and be responsible K-pop representatives as their actions have impact on fellow artists, aspiring musicians, and the K-pop ecosystem’s integrity.
KMCA called on lawmakers and the government to help combat tampering through strengthened legal strategies. The association addressed the existing legal system’s inadequacy in addressing the music industry’s complexities. KMCA also rolled out plans to give penalties on tampering parties. The penalties include removing albums and digital sales figures from its rankings and discontinuing data provision to major award shows and music programs.
—-Karen Mwenda
#KMCA #KMCACallsOutNewJeansandMinHeeJin #KMCAcallsoutagencies #KMCAcalledonlawmakers #kpop #kidol #kcrush #TheKoreaMusicContentAssociation #FIFTYFIFTY #musicagencies #koreanculture #musicassociation #pop #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #kpopintegrity #kfashion #kindustry #kmusic #MinHeeJin
Seventeen, Stray Kids, and BTS’ Jungkook showcased K-pop’s global footing through outstanding performances and taking home awards.
On December 13, the 2024 Billboard Music Awards took place at the Santa Monica Pier. Seventeen and Stray Kids mesmerized the attendees with classic performances. Seventeen performed ” Love, Money, Fame” track while Stray Kids performed “Jjam” and “Chl Chl Boom” tracks.
Seventeen took home the ‘Top K-Pop Touring Artist’ award. On the other hand, Stray Kids bagged the ‘Top Global K-Pop Artist’ award.
Jungkook won the ‘Top K-Pop Album’ for the Golden album and ‘Top Global K-Pop Song’ award thanks to the “Standing Next to You” track.
—-Karen Mwenda
#BillboardMusicAwards2024 #Seventeen #StrayKids #Jungkook #BTS #kkcrush #TopKPopAlbumforGolden #kpop #kidol #topGlobalKPopSong #StandingNextToYoutrack #TopKPopTouringArtist #TopGlobalKPopArtist #koreanpop #hallyu #koreankpop #SantaMonicaPier #BillboardMusicAwardPerformaners2024 #koreanboygroup #kcrushamerica
As the year comes to an end, here are the top 10 K-pop boy group rankings for December.
1. SEVENTEEN
SEVENTEEN took first place with a brand index ranking of 6,106, 152. The band rose from its November’s no.2 position whose brand index ranking was 4,562,920.
2. BIGBANG
BIGBANG made the most improvement after moving from last month’s no.16 to position 2 this month. BIGBANG’s brand index rankings improved from 1,064,193 to 4,696,756.
3. BTS
BTS dropped from no.1 to no.3 this month. The group brand index ranking also fell from 5,447,345 to 4,533,725.
4. Stray Kids
Stray Kids rose a position higher and took fourth place. Nonetheless, the band’s brand index ranking dropped from 2,599.566 to 2,540,005.
5. NCT
NCT came in fifth with a brand index ranking of 2,465,199. NCT dropped from last month’s position no.3 whose brand index ranking was 3,391,698.
6. SHINee
SHINee came in fifth with a brand index ranking of 2,457,505. The band dropped from last month’s position no.4 whose brand index ranking was 3,250,297.
7. The Boyz
The Boyz took position six with a brand index of 2,016,048. The band maintained the same position as last month but the brand index ranking dropped from 2,230,784.
8. TWS
Just like The Boyz, TWS maintained the same position as last month. However, the brand index rankings dropped from 2,085,472 to 1,971,581.
9. ENHYPEN
ENHYPEN came in ninth maintaining the same position as last month. The brand index rankings, however, increased from 1,890,151 to 1,969,836.
10. ATEEZ
ATEEZ also maintained its no.10 position as last month. The brand reputation rankings dropped from 1,561,315 to 1,558,687.
Super Junior, ZEROBASEONE, and ASTRO came in 11th, 12th and 13th respectively.
—-Karen Mwenda
#Top10KpopBoyGroupDecemberRankings #kcrush #BoyGroupRankingsforDecember #kpop #koreanpop #kidol #rankings #koreancelebrity #ATEEZ #SEVENTEEN #SuperJunior #SHINee #ENHYPEN #BTS #TWS #TheBoyz #kcrushmagazine #kcrushamerica #StrayKids #BIGBANG #NCT #ZEROBASEONE #ASTRO #brandreputation #koreanmusic #hallyuboygroups #kcrusharticle
Taemin, the renowned K-pop artist, is set to embark on his first solo world tour, the 2024-25 TAEMIN WORLD TOUR [Ephemeral Gaze], across Europe. Kicking off in South Korea, the tour has already captivated audiences across Asia, and is now moving to Europe.
Taemin will perform in five vibrant cities, bringing his highly anticipated solo performances to fans across the continent.
The dates and cities for the tour are as follows:
- March 4 (Tuesday) Helsinki, Ice-Hall
- March 7 (Friday) Frankfurt, Stadthalle Offenbach
- March 9 (Sunday) London, Troxy
- March 11 (Tuesday) Tilburg, 013 Poppodium
- March 12 (Wednesday) Paris, Zénith Paris – La Villette
Taemin, who made his debut in 2008 as a member of the iconic K-pop group SHINee, has achieved tremendous global success throughout his career. In early 2024, he signed with BPM Entertainment to further his solo endeavors, and now he is taking his artistry to new heights with his first solo world tour.
On this tour, fans can expect to hear a mix of fan favorites and new tracks from his 5th mini-album, ETERNAL, released in the summer of 2024. Featuring the double title tracks “Sexy In The Air” and “Horizon,” the album has quickly gained traction worldwide, topping the iTunes album chart in 38 regions. The 2024-25 TAEMIN WORLD TOUR [Ephemeral Gaze] IN EUROPE promises to be a breathtaking celebration of Taemin’s artistry. From his signature choreography to his mesmerizing visuals, the tour will showcase the full spectrum of his talents. Known for his exceptional dance skills, unforgettable live performances, and distinctive style, Taemin continues to captivate audiences and solidify his place as one of K-pop’s most innovative and influential solo artists and this tour offers fans an opportunity to witness his evolution firsthand.
Without a doubt Fans are eagerly anticipating Taemin’s first solo world tour. Let us make sure we show him a lot of love and encouragement!
Ticketing Information Tickets for the 2024-25 TAEMIN WORLD TOUR [Ephemeral Gaze] IN EUROPE will be available from December 4, 2024 at 1PM GMT | 2PM CET | 3PM EET. Stay tuned for more details on ticket sales and tour dates through the official channels of Taemin or MyMusicTaste (MMT).
About BPM ENTERTAINMENT:
BIG PLANET MADE Entertainment is a dynamic company dedicated to maximizing the potential of talented artists through innovative content planning, production, and management. Specializing in artist development, album production, and live performances, the company is committed to advancing K-POP culture and creating a global impact. With a unique vision of connecting diverse talents into a unified creative universe, BIG PLANET MADE aims to lead the next generation of global culture. Its label, Million Market, empowers artists to self-produce their music, offering a fresh and diverse approach to the industry and driving innovation in the global music scene.
About MyMusicTaste:
MyMusicTaste (MMT) is a pioneering platform dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of K-pop fans around the globe. As an all-rounder in the music industry, MMT empowers fans by transforming their voices into action. By leveraging fan-initiated campaigns, MMT brings top-tier K-pop artists to cities worldwide, bridging the gap between artists and their global audiences. MMT’s mission extends beyond concert planning; with the newly launched MMT App, MMT aims to create immersive, fan-centric experiences, and exclusive content that resonate deeply with the K-pop community. Additionally, MMT also offers a wide range of K-pop albums and exclusive merchandise, providing fans with unique and memorable collectibles. Through innovative technology and a passion for music, MMT is committed to reshaping the landscape of fan engagement and setting new standards in the entertainment industry.
#TAEMIN #TaeminWorldTourEurope2024 #BPMEntertainment #BigPlanetMade #kcrush #koreanpop #kpop #kcelebrity #SHINee #TaeminSHINee #kfashion #koreanculture #kpopconcert #kpopworldtour #kpopartistTaemin #kcrushamerica #kcrushamericamagazine
For her debut feature film Pierce, writer and director Nelicia Low (Freeze, Let Her Eat Cake) took a look back to her past a member of the national Singapore fencing team, and her curiosity at the complicated relationship between her and her older brother who is autistic, to craft a technically impressive and emotionally dynamic story about a very intensely dysfunctional relationship between two brothers that share a love of fencing and mistrust of each other.
Image courtesy of Magnify
There’s no one that can understand you and frustrate you like a sibling can, and for Zi-jie (Liu Hsui-fu) these are emotions he wishes he felt for his older brother Zi-han (Tsao Yu-Ning), whose reappearance into his and their mother Ai-Ling’s (Ding Ning) life brings feelings of fear an uncertainty. Spending most of his childhood and adolescence building up a fantasy in his head about who his brother truly is, Zi-jie against the warnings of Ai-ling, pays a visit to his brother at the supermarket where he works after being released from a juvenile detention facility. He excitedly, but still apprehensively expresses that he’s missed having Zi-han around and wants them to get to know each other again. But unbeknownst to him, this one act, just like the one that Zi-han had committed all those years ago, starts a chain reaction of events that will ripple across the family’s lives and those of everyone around them.
Pierce is a psychological thriller that pushes its characters to their emotional limits where the bonds of familial relationships are stretched, misshapen and pierced. As Zi-jie begins to questions his own beliefs about his brother, Zi-han tries to convince himself that he’s capable of love, and Ai-ling does her best to hold onto what vestiges of a normal life she’d managed to weave together for herself and Zi-jie, the audience is taken on a thrilling ride of fantastic performances by the cast, particularly its two main leads, and Nelicia’s excellently crafted story about mistaken identity and misdirection.
Image courtesy of Magnify
The characters of Zi-han and Zi-jie would demand a lot of any actor selected to play them, but to be perfectly honest, not every actor could’ve played these two characters the same way and make their dynamic work the way that Yu-ning and Hsui-fu do. As Zi-han, Yu-ning perfectly portrays his charming side, the side that endears people to him and see the potential in this young man his mother has told people will be a doctor one day. A lie that she tells for the safety and social preservation of her and Zi-jie to hide the truth about their family. It’s this charm that Zi-han uses to slyly ease his way back into Zi-jie’s life in a way that should have caused alarm, but doesn’t for the brother who wants to believe him to be something he’s not. But underneath that carefully crafted facade lies a dangerous nature that Zi-han is unable to hide when he’s on the fencing mat facing his opponents. Yu-Ning is impressive in how he lets Zi-han’s aggression slip out with each parry of his sabre, but carefully masks it once he lifts off the fencing hood.
Hsui-fu’s Zi-jie is an excellent foil for Zi-han’s intensity as it off-balances him with Zi-jie’s openness and unfortunate naivete. Though this naiveness can be frustrating for Ai-ling and the audience alike to witness, it’s understandable because Zi-jie just wants his brother back. He believes that his love of fencing, perhaps inspired by wanting to form some sort of connection with a brother he doesn’t really know, will be the way to forge that bond. But it proves to be anything but. It’s all of these layers and so much more that Nelicilia Low has truly done a brilliant job of building such a wonderfully complex and highly entertaining film.
Image courtesy of Magnify
In my interview with her for the films screening at the 2024 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, she discussed her through process in using her own experiences to build the story and characters, how sound, water, and wind were important visual and auditory elements, and why a dinner scene involving a little boy is the personal favorite for both of us. It’s so good. And that ending!
Pierce which is a multinational production between Singapore, Taiwan, and Poland, won Nelicia the Crystal Globe Award for Best Director at the 2024 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and the Grand Jury Prize for Best Film at the La Roche-sur-Yon International Film Festival. The film also won the Dipchand LLP Best Feature Award at Reel Asian.
Image courtesy of Magnify
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Film Critic, Journalist, Podcaster & YouTuber
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Host & Producer Carolyn Talks…, and So Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at Authory.com/CarolynHinds
PTwitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
#KCrush #KCrushAmericaMagazine #ReelAsian #PierceFilm #NeliciaLow #AsianCinema #SingaporeanFilm #TaiwaneseFilm #FilmFestival #Toronto #TorontoReelAsianInternationalFilmFestival #kcrushmagazine #kcrushfilminterview #FemaleFilmmaker #awardwinningfilm