JESSICA LEGASPI WRITES — Indians around the world can turn to the media to see the Diwali celebration in India, but for those living in New Delhi, they can barely see the hands in front of their faces. On October 31, the day after Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights,…
Full Article INDIA: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT BLANKETS PEOPLE IN SMOG
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – K-Pop idols appear to be present in virtually every aspect of Korean media. They’re acting in television and web dramas, hosting and guest starring on variety shows, promoting various brands and products, and even competing in the Korean E-Gaming scene. On November 1, S.M. Entertainment officially…
Full Article KPOP KORNER: K-POP IDOLS ENTER A NEW ‘LEAGUE’
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – In this episode of I Hate To See You Go (K-Pop Edition), Han Sunhwa will be departing from big-name girl group SECRET. On September 26, TS Entertainment, SECRET’s management agency, confirmed that the singer/actress would be leaving the quartet after her contract expires in October. Following…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: COINCIDENCE OR CURSE?
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – They say that diamonds are forever, but in K-Pop fandom, nothing lasts longer than a good, ol’ (often blown ridiculously out of proportion) dating scandal. From a Western perspective, celebrities dating isn’t a big deal; in fact, it is often expected, even celebrated. But when news…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: PSA – Your Idol Is Not Your Boyfriend
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – In the past year, livestreaming has become a hot trend in pop culture. The ability for fans to watch their favorite singers and bands talk and answer questions in realtime is obviously appealing. But while it can create positive interactions between artists and fans, it can…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say…
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – There doesn’t seem to be a lot of options when it comes to making a music video teaser. Single-takes have been done. Multi-parts are a thing of the past. So what can K-Pop groups do to rope in a wider audience for their tracks? Seven-member boy…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: “Reality” Goes Virtual with Infinite’s 360VR Teaser
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) announced that it has banned top K-Pop group, Big Bang, from appearing on its weekly music show, Inkigayo. It has been reported that the staff of Inkigayo had made the decision to ban the five member band when two of its…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: Big Bang Banned
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – English-speaking K-Pop fans no longer need to experience one-sided love from their idols and favorite groups from behind their computer screens. After School Club (ASC), produced by Arirang, is a web-talk show that allows international fans (fans not domestic to South Korea) to live video chat…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: “Hangout” at Arirang’s After School Club
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – In late March, CL, leader of K-Pop girl group 2NE1, was nominated for TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2015. CL, whose birth name is Lee Chaerin, was the only Korean out of the 158 figures nominated for the list. Other individuals that were nominated for…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: CL Makes Waves with TIME’s Top 100 Nomination
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – After almost a year away and the departure of two members, boy group sensation EXO is officially back on the K-Pop scene. The now ten-membered group began releasing teasers for their new album “Exodus” on March 18th through the YouTube page of their entertainment company, SM…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: Crack the Code with EXO’s Pathcode Teasers
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – The Korean Wave, or Hallyu, will be crashing over mainstream American television through Nickelodeon’s new TV musical comedy, “Make It Pop.” The television network and co-producers Nick Canon and Thomas W. Lynch describe the show as “a comedic, music-infused daily strip about three unique girls who…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: “Make It Pop” or Make it Stop?
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – Atlanta-born K-Pop solo artist and YouTube sensation Eric Nam recently announced that his first U.S. tour would have to be put on pause. The one-week showcase tour was supposed to kick off on February 20th in New York, continue on to Atlanta and Dallas, and finish…
Full Article K-Pop Korner: Bad Weather “Rains” on Eric Nam’s First U.S Tour
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – Korean entertainment companies are always looking for the newest and freshest way to market and promote their idol-singers through means other than just the group’s music. Idols can be seen guest starring on variety and radio shows, endorsing products and companies, and modeling in magazine pictorials.…
Full Article K-Pop Korner: Web Dramas – The Next Big Hit (or Miss)
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – EXID, a girl group that debuted in 2012, won their first weekly music show award four months after releasing and promoting their song “Up&Down.” Back in August 2014, EXID released their music video and single for “Up&Down.” The song failed to gain the attention of the…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: You’re Nothing Without Your Fans
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – Block B’s Zico has recently come under fire after the release of his official solo debut music video “Tough Cookie” on November 6th. In the video, the rapper uses a homosexual slur and is seen wearing a jacket with a Confederate flag. The music video is also…
Full Article K-POP KORNER: Homosexual Slurs Do Not Make You a Tough Cookie
KELCEY LORENZO WRITES – Since the mid 90’s, Korean pop idols have appeared and starred in many Korean TV dramas and movies. Many idol-actors have been successful despite their lack of formal training and experience in acting. Reply 1997, starring solo singer Seo In Guk and A-Pink’s Jung Eun Ji,…
Full Article SOUTH KOREA: Pop Stars or Movie Stars?