Go vote for Gate Flowers as MTV Iggy’s artist of the week. Says MTV Iggy: One of the bands we have our eye on is Gate Flowers, winners of both the “Rookie of the Year” and “Best Rock Song” awards in the 2011 Korean Music Awards. Their throwback sound takes the dense guitars of Nirvana-era … [Read More]
Music (page 68)
CD review: Nah Youn Sun — Lento
Nah Youn Sun: Lento ACT Records, April 2013 Nah Youn Sun’s collaboration with Swedish guitarist Ulf Wakenius continues to bear fruit. This is her third album with Wakenius on the ACT label (and her 8th studio album overall), and like her previous ACT releases they are supported by Lars Danielsson on bass and Xavier Desandre-Navarre … [Read More]
View 2NE1’s New Evolution tour on the big screen in Wimbledon
If you can’t get to see 2NE1 live, the next best thing is to see them on the big screen with like-minded people. Hallyu UK and the UK YG Queens have combined to take over the Curzon in Wimbledon this coming Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May, 4pm-6pm. Book tickets via either of their sites linked … [Read More]
Korea Rocks profile #1: Apollo 18
Four top bands are coming to the UK this month as part of the Korea Rocks tour presented by Hyundai Card Music. Here’s a profile of Apollo 18, who have featured in LKL’s Critics’ Choice two years running, 2009–2010, selected by Anna Lindgren and Mark Russell. Award-winning South Korean post-hardcore/post-rock act Apollo 18 formed in … [Read More]
Korea Rocks profile #2: Galaxy Express
Four top bands are coming to the UK this month as part of the Korea Rocks tour presented by Hyundai Card Music. Here’s a profile Galaxy Express, who featured in LKL’s Critics’ Choice for 2011. Award-winning South Korean rockers Galaxy Express formed in 2006 in Seoul. The trio of guitarist/vocalist Jonghyun Park, bassist/vocalist Juhyun Lee, … [Read More]
Korea Rocks profile #3: Goonamguayeoridingstella
Four top bands are coming to the UK this month as part of the Korea Rocks tour presented by Hyundai Card Music. Here’s a profile of Goonamguayeoridingstella, or Goonam for short, whom keen-eared filmgoers might have heard in one of the Leesong Hee-il films that screened at the BFI recently as part of the London … [Read More]
Korea Rocks profile #4: Gate Flowers
Four top bands are coming to the UK this month as part of the Korea Rocks tour presented by Hyundai Card Music. Here’s a profile of Gate Flowers: Playing a mix of hard rock and alternative rock, Korean quartet Gate Flowers’ debut eponymous EP netted them the government-sponsored Hello Rookie prize for being the most … [Read More]
Four top Korean rock bands come to the UK
Thanks to Anna over at koreanindie.com for telling us the good news. Hyundai Cards have been promoting Korean indie music with videos and live performances at their Hongdae popup store, and now are bringing for top bands to the UK. The bands are Galaxy Express, Apollo 18, Goonamguayeoridingstella and Gate Flowers, and koreanindie.com gives us … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: another car crash of a week in the world of Korean celebrity
Rain is still on a no-show as a witness in the lawsuit against him by a fashion company investor citing that he is a soldier. But as he has had time to meet his girlfriend Kim Tae-hee, this excuse is not going down too well. This case is related to the debacle back in 2010 … [Read More]
Free Gayageum classes at the KCC
Many readers will have seen KAA Chairman Jung Ji-eun perform on her gayageum at various events. Now you can have some free classes from her at the KCC. Download an application form from the KCC website. Korean Music Classes: Introducing the Gayageum Would you like to learn a Korean Musical Instrument? The Korean Cultural Centre … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: it’s going to be one of those years…
It’s going to be one of those years. If you hadn’t already guessed from the propofol and Park Shi Hoo case, the rather dirty side of K-pop and celebrity has started to show itself. The propofol investigation has almost reached its conclusion. Still limited to four celebrities, Hyun Young, who had it administered 42 times, … [Read More]
Nah Youn Sun on reducing an audience to tears
LKL’s favourite jazz singer, Nah Youn Sun, fresh from singing at Park Geun-hye’s inauguration talks to the JoongAng Daily about her career, about her new album, Lento, which will be released in the UK in April, and about singing Arirang to foreign audiences: To my surprise, audiences, regardless of their nationality, shed tears while listening … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: the week of the younger siblings
The Park Shi-hoo scandal, as predicted, still has a lot of mileage. The full Kakao talk conversations between the trainee and her actor friend have been released by his law firm. They indicate the trainee and her friend were in communication after she had filed charges – contrary to her claims they were not. The … [Read More]
Guardian list of Seoul music
Annie Ko from Seoul electro rock band Love X Stereo selects her perfect playlist for her home city, in the Guardian. It’s also a great introduction to South Korean music. Seoul Seoul Seoul by Cho Yong-pil (pictured) tops the list. Mark Russell adds his own suggestions over on his own website, too. It’s good that … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: a packed calendar for new releases, and a focus on sexual harassment in the industry
The main dominating news this week has been the Park Shi-hoo alleged sexual assault case. Netizens and media alike have pounced on the story like a starving dog and there have been a number of stories, gossips and accusations relating to the case (and not to the case). Various text messages have apparently been obtained … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: SHINee and B.A.P battle it out
Welcome to anther week in K-pop – a little delayed thanks to a full working weekend (doncha just love them??). So without further ado… SHINee: Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You has been released and is being promoted on the usual music shows: http://youtu.be/vhxjEXDAy6s dance version: http://youtu.be/EzNaAY2yn6g. Their album rose to the top of … [Read More]