K-pop impresario aims to captivate global fans with 200-member mega band

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - A unique scene unfolded last month when a unit of rookie K-pop girl band BlingOne consisting entirely of non-Koreans, held their debut showcase in central Seoul. While foreign members in Korea's music scene are common, they are the first-ever K-pop girl band from South America incubated in Korea, aiming for global audiences. The three Peruvian members – Abigali, Kenny and Ruby -- were selected from dozens of contestants who participated in the

July 18, 2024

R-rated stand-up show to debut at Sejong Center in Seoul next month

SEOUL, July 16 (AJU PRESS) - A stand-up comedy will be staged at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul next month, offering Seoulites a refreshing escape from the sweltering summer heat, Meta Comedy said Monday. According to the Korea's independent comedy label which boasts 741,000 subscribers, the R-rated show, called "Comedy Assemble," features explicit subjects including jokes about sex, religion, and political satire. The show, scheduled for three

July 16, 2024

BTS' Jin carries Olympic torch in Paris

SEOUL, July 15 (AJU PRESS) - With the Paris Olympics just two weeks away, Jin, the eldest member of global K-pop sensation BTS carried the Olympic flame in the host city in France on Sunday. He appeared at about 8:00 p.m. in central Paris to serve as a touch bearer, while thousands of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of their idol. Jin in a white jersey carried the flame for 200 meters from the Rue de Rivoli to the Louvre Pyramid where he handed over the torch to French skier Sandra

July 15, 2024

Hong Sang-soo's latest movie invited to Locarno Film Festival

SEOUL, July 12 (AJU PRESS) - Director Hong Sang-soo's latest film has been invited to the Locarno Film Festival to be held in Switzerland next month. "By the Stream," also known as "Suyoocheon" in Korean, will compete at the international section of the festival along with 16 other films, the festival's organizers said Thursday. The film is about a university lecturer asking her unemployed uncle to direct a skit. The film is Hong's 32nd feature and

July 12, 2024

NewJeans to promote tourism to Korea

SEOUL, July 11 (AJU PRESS) - K-pop girl band NewJeans will promote Korea overseas, the Korea Tourism Organization said Thursday. The five members of the band were appointed as promotional ambassadors for Korean tourism at an event held at Grand Hyatt Seoul in the capital. At the event which drew a huge crowd eager to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars, the KTO also unveiled a video clip featuring them, aimed at promoting tourism to Korea. It hopes to capitalize on their burg

July 11, 2024

K-pop star couple to tie the knot this fall

SEOUL, July 9 (AJU PRESS) - K-pop star couple HyunA and Yong Jun-hyung will get married this fall. The news came just a few months after they admitted their romantic relationship early this year. According to their respective agencies, the two plan a private wedding in Seoul with only close family members and friends in attendance on Oct. 11. Debuted as a member of girl band Wonder Girls in 2007 before joining the now-disbanded girl group 4minute, HyunA has often sparked mixed

July 9, 2024

Virtual artist Suvi's sporty-themed photos unveiled ahead of next week's debut

SEOUL, July 5 (AJU PRESS) - Studio Meta-K, the agency behind virtual artist Suvi, released her photos on Friday, showcasing a sporty theme for her upcoming debut single "Suncream." The four photos unveiled on social media capture the vibrant energy of summer, the Korean tech startup said. The 22-year-old virtual singer is scheduled to debut next Thursday with the dance track. In the song, Suvi tells the tale of a mermaid emerging from the sea in search of love, only to

July 5, 2024

Bucheon's annual film fest kicks off with focus on AI

SEOUL, July 4 (AJU PRESS) - The annual Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) kicked off its 11-day run with a star-studded red carpet event at a venue, west of Seoul on Thursday. The Asia's largest genre film festival, featuring primarily horror, thriller and sci-fi movies, will showcase about 255 short and feature films from 49 countries this year. With a focus on the rising trend of artificial intelligence, the festival, in its 28th year, exp

July 4, 2024

BTS' Jin to 'carry Paris Olympic torch'

SEOUL, July 3 (AJU PRESS) - Jin of K-pop boy band BTS is expected to serve as one of torchbearers for the upcoming Paris Olympics this summer, industry sources said on Tuesday. Specific details have not been confirmed yet. As a traditional ritual, the Olympic flame was lit from Greece's ancient city of Olympia in April, beginning the torch relay for this year's quadrennial global sporting event. About 11,000 torchbearers have carried the flame through around 400 Fre

July 3, 2024

Virtual artist Suvi to debut with dance single 'Suncream'

SEOUL, July 3 (AJU PRESS) - Suvi, a virtual artist created by Korean tech startup Studio Meta-K, will debut with the single "Suncream" on July 11. In this dance track, the 22-year-old digital being tells the story of a mermaid coming ashore in search of love but falling for summer instead. A teaser music video for the song will be released on Sunday. Suvi is a member of Studio MetaK's virtual artist group "Season." Standing at 170 centimeters (5'7"

July 3, 2024