Steven Borowiec is a journalist and broadcaster based in Seoul, South Korea. He has written for the Guardian, Time, the Wall Street Journal, on other top notch media outlets. He has appeared as a commentator on radio and television networks including NPR, BBC and CBC.

South Korea’s Moon touts K-pop, arms on Middle East tour

19 Jan 2022  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  K-pop

South Korean President Moon Jae-in's tour of the Middle East highlights South Korea's expanding influence in entertainment, energy, and military sectors. Key developments include a $3.5 billion missile deal with the UAE and efforts to boost South Korea's export-reliant economy. The trip underscores South Korea's strategic partnerships in the region, with a focus on arms sales, cultural diplomacy, and energy cooperation. Despite challenges in domestic economic growth and stalled North Korea relations, Moon aims to solidify South Korea's international standing before his term ends in May.

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K-pop International Relations Arms Trade

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Sebastián Calderón is a journalist based in Bogotá, Colombia. It's main expertise is in the automotive and aviation sector. Recognized motorsport journalist with more than 8 years of experience.
Founder & editor of revistacarros.com.co and aviones.net.co

BTS Members To Join Military Service until 2025

19 Oct 2022  |  ChapterZ Magazine - We are a movement, not a moment.  |  English  |  K-Pop

BTS members are set to begin their mandatory military service starting this year, with plans to reunite around 2025. The South Korean boy band will not receive an exemption from military service, despite speculation and their significant contributions to Korean culture. The group's oldest member, Kim Seok-jin, will be the first to enlist, followed by other members at different times. Fans have mixed reactions, with some expressing relief that the hiatus will end in 2025.

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K-Pop Military Service BTS

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Marco Ferrarese is a journalist and travel writer specializing on Malaysia, Southeast Asia and India. He earned a PhD in Anthropology with a focus on Malaysia from Monash University. 

Ferrarese has written about travel, culture and extreme music in Asia for a variety of international ...

Has K-pop's global march lost rhythm?

23 May 2023  |  asia.nikkei.com  |  English  |  K-pop

The article reflects on the global impact of South Korean pop music, particularly through the lens of PSY's 2012 hit 'Gangnam Style,' which became the first YouTube video to reach 1 billion views. The narrative underscores the cultural significance and global reach of K-pop, symbolized by the bronze hands statue in Seoul's Gangnam district.

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K-pop Global Music Industry

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Justin Heifetz is a freelance journalist in France with more than a decade of experience in reporting, writing and editing.

Based out of Marseille, he covers news and social affairs with a focus on immigration, crime and human rights.

His work can be found in VICE, CNN, Anthony Bourdain: ...

Inside the Intense Training Centers Where Young Girls Compete to Be K-Pop Stars

01 Oct 2023  |  www.vice.com  |  English  |  K-Pop Industry

The article explores the rigorous training regimes at K-pop training centers in Seoul, where young girls aspire to become K-pop idols. It highlights the intense physical and emotional demands placed on trainees, including strict diets, plastic surgery, and long hours of practice. The narrative delves into the roles of major K-pop labels like SM, JYP, and YG, and the cultural significance of K-pop in South Korea. The piece also touches on the industry's evolving standards of beauty and the challenges faced by foreign trainees. Despite the harsh realities, the allure of fame and the expanding global influence of K-pop continue to draw many hopefuls to these training centers.

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K-Pop Industry Entertainment Industry Youth Culture

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Political View

I am a versatile writer specializing in content creation, research, and creative solutions. I develop ideal narratives and content leads in various formats, for various market segments. Whether an exclusive feature article, a crisp ad copy, a succinct web page, or an extensive brand book, my work ...

South Korea’s real-life Crazy Rich Asians: from K-pop and K-drama stars to Samsung and AmorePacific chaebol scions, meet 5 wealthy Korean influencers living their best lives

08 Oct 2020  |  South China Morning Post  |  English  |  K-pop

The article highlights five wealthy South Korean influencers, including K-pop and K-drama stars, who come from affluent backgrounds. Gang Dong-won is the son of a vice-president at SPP Heavy Industries, while Siwon Choi, a regional ambassador for Unicef East Asia and Pacific, comes from a wealthy family. Suh Min-jung, daughter of AmorePacific's billionaire chairman, holds significant shares in Etude House and Innisfree. Yoon Tae-young, another actor, is the son of a former vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics. The article provides insights into their family backgrounds and current endeavors.

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K-pop Wealthy Individuals K-drama

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Julia Kim is a journalist based in Chuo City, Japan.

BLACKPINK Lisa Faces Backlash Over Alleged 'Incredibly Obvious' Lip Syncing at the 2024 VMAs

12 Sept 2024  |  www.btimesonline.com  |  English  |  K-pop

BLACKPINK's Lisa faced backlash for alleged lip syncing during her performance at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City. The controversy sparked a debate among fans and critics, with some accusing her of lacking authenticity, while others defended her, citing the challenges of live performances at large events. The incident has reignited discussions about the use of lip syncing in the music industry, highlighting a divide between fan expectations and industry practices. Despite the criticism, Lisa's fashion choices at the event were widely praised, maintaining her status as a style icon.

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K-pop Music Industry Lip Syncing Controversy

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For over 20 years I was an English-language journalist based in Moscow. Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, I left Russia. However, I continue to closely monitor developments in Russia (and my homeland, Belarus), contributing articles on Russia-related topics. My focus lies ...

SM Entertainment Appoints New CEO & Board as K-Pop Giant Looks to the Future

31 Mar 2023  |  Billboard  |  English  |  K-Pop

South Korea's SM Entertainment has appointed Jang Cheol-hyuk as the new CEO, succeeding Lee Sung-soo, as part of a significant corporate restructuring aimed at improving governance and production systems. The changes come amid a backdrop of corporate rivalry involving HYBE and Kakao, with Kakao and its subsidiary now holding nearly 40% of SM's shares. The new board includes executives from both SM and Kakao, as well as independent directors. The article also touches on the legacy of SM's founder, Lee Soo-man, who remains a minor shareholder but has not disclosed his future plans.

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K-Pop Corporate Governance Entertainment Industry

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Jake Kwon is a CNN producer based in Seoul, South Korea.

Are AI-powered virtual bands the future of K-pop?

05 Oct 2023  |  CNN  |  English  |  K-pop

The article discusses the rise of virtual K-pop groups in South Korea, focusing on the AI-powered band Eternity created by Pulse9. Eternity's members are designed using AI technology and are capable of singing, rapping, and acting through the use of real-time face-swapping and AI-generated voices. The article highlights the advantages of virtual stars, such as their ability to engage with fans through AI language programs and the elimination of costs associated with human artists. It also mentions other virtual acts like Aespa from SM Entertainment and MAVE from Metaverse Entertainment. While acknowledging the potential of AI in entertainment, the article suggests that human artists will continue to coexist with virtual idols, drawing a parallel to the introduction of photography and its impact on painting.

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K-pop Artificial Intelligence in Entertainment Virtual Popstars AI Technology in Music

I’m a freelance journalist, based in Hong Kong, and have covered a range of topics, from political unrest to public health. My work has appeared in several publications, including South China Morning Post,
Forbes.com, Hong Kong Free Press, France 24 among others.
Last year, I spent the bulk of ...

MAMA 2019: BTS take home eight wins at K-pop’s biggest awards night; Twice stun Blackpink for best female group

05 Dec 2019  |  South China Morning Post  |  English  |  K-pop

BTS dominated the MAMA 2019 awards, winning eight categories including best male group, best music video, song of the year for 'Boy With Luv', album of the year for 'Map of the Soul: Persona', and artist of the year. Twice won best female group, surpassing Blackpink, and also secured the award for best female dance performance. Other notable winners included Baekhyun for best male artist, Chungha for best female artist, Tomorrow X Together for best new male artist, and Itzy for best new female artist.

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K-pop Music Awards

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Hien Nguyen is an award-winning multimedia journalist based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with experience in print, broadcast and photojournalism. She holds two degrees including a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California. Hien can cover a range of topics, ...

KCON LA 2023 Stage Brings Fans and Artists Together

29 Aug 2023  |  The Kraze  |  English  |  K-Pop

KCON LA 2023, held at Crypto.com Arena from August 18 to 20, showcased a star-studded lineup of K-Pop artists, including both veteran idols and newcomers. The event featured performances from groups like WayV, NMIXX, CRAVITY, IVE, and solo acts like TAEMIN and Rain. Highlights included special covers, interactive fan experiences, and the 'Dream Stage' where fans performed alongside their idols. Despite local storm warnings affecting the final day, the event was deemed a success, with performances from EVERGLOW, (G)I-DLE, ITZY, and others. The article praises the dedication of K-Pop fans and the high-energy performances of the artists.

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K-Pop Music Festival Concert

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Karen Pereira is a journalist based in Madrid, Spain.

10 records Jung Kook broke ahead of GOLDEN album launch

10 Oct 2023  |  Times of India Blog  |  English  |  K-Pop

Jung Kook has set multiple records ahead of his 'GOLDEN' album launch, including being the first K-Pop soloist with No. 1 hits on the Hot 100, the K-Pop act with the most monthly listeners on Spotify, and achieving the longest-running No. 1 hit by an Asian act on the Billboard Global 200 US singles chart with 'Seven'. He has also sold over 1 million units of 'Seven' in the US, tied with PSY for the most top 10 hits in Hot 100 history, and broke a 20-year record held by Beyonce for the fastest debut album to score multiple top 10 hits on Billboard Hot 100.

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K-Pop Music

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I'm Elaine Ramirez, a prose journalist and editor based in Seoul, South Korea.

I cofounded a web magazine in Chile and directed a print magazine in South Korea. I've written and edited for newspapers and magazines in New York, Santiago and Seoul. I currently cover Korea's politics, economics and ...

BlackPink: The All-Girl K-Pop Group Following BTS's Footsteps And Taking Over The U.S.

01 Apr 2019  |  Forbes  |  English  |  K-Pop

BLACKPINK, a South Korean all-girl K-pop group, is making significant strides in the Western music market, following the success of BTS. The group, consisting of members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, has achieved notable milestones, including being the first girl group to land on Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 list and dominating YouTube's top 50 global artists. Their global appeal is attributed to their multicultural backgrounds and multilingual abilities. As they embark on their 'In Your Area' world tour, they are set to perform at Coachella and release their third album, 'Kill This Love,' showcasing their evolving musical spectrum.

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K-Pop Music Industry Global Tours

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Raphael Rashid is a freelance journalist based in Seoul, South Korea.

Having pursued Korean Studies at an undergraduate (SOAS, University of London) and graduate (Korea University) level, Raphael has a solid understanding about Korea, inter-Korean relations, and the Korean language.

Raphael ...

25th World Scout Jamboree Ends with K-pop Concert Amid Challenges

11 Aug 2023  |  www.theguardian.com  |  English  |  K-pop

The 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea concluded with a concert in Seoul, despite facing numerous challenges including a heatwave, unsanitary conditions, and a typhoon threat. The event's secretary general, Ahmad Alhendawi, acknowledged the difficulties faced by participants during the closing ceremony. South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo expressed regret over the climate change-induced weather events. The ceremony featured performances by top K-pop acts and the handover of the scout flag to Poland, the next host. The jamboree experienced issues from the start, with scouts enduring harsh camping conditions. Some contingents, including the UK's, withdrew early. The South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, promised government support for participants until their departure. The financial implications for the UK contingent's early move remain uncertain.

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K-pop World Scout Jamboree Climate Change

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Komeil Soheili is an experienced journalist, filmmaker, and author with over two decades of experience in journalism. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Master's degree in Media Studies, providing him with a strong foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of journalism....

Grueling gym routines, restrictive diets, and no dating: K-pop stars tell us about the dark side of their industry

01 Dec 2019  |  Business Insider  |  English  |  K-pop Industry

The article explores the harsh realities behind the glamorous facade of the K-pop industry, focusing on the strict gym routines, restrictive diets, and enforced singledom that idols endure. Members of the boyband Great Guys and former Crayon Pop member Way share their experiences, revealing the intense pressures to maintain beauty standards and the lack of personal freedom. The tragic case of K-pop star Sulli, who faced cyberbullying and mental health struggles, underscores the industry's darker side. Calls for better mental health support and more humane treatment of idols are highlighted, with BTS's recent break serving as a positive example.

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K-pop Industry Mental Health Entertainment Industry

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Zara Stone is a freelance multimedia journalist and producer. She has produced, shot and edited video for live TV and ABC affiliate stations and written stories for The Atlantic and OZY media.

Julia Tan is a journalist based in Copenhagen, Denmark. She writes about communications trends, business events, music technology and travel.

SNSD's make-up artist in Singapore for workshop

10 Aug 2017  |  tnp.straitstimes.com  |  English  |  K-pop

Miss Seo Ok, the official make-up artist for Girls' Generation, will conduct a one-day make-up workshop in Singapore, supported by Vaniday. Known for her work with the K-pop group, Seo emphasizes communication and individual charm in her make-up techniques. She also shares beauty tips through her YouTube channel, Ok!Beauty. Seo's work is crucial in maintaining the group's image, and she takes pride in her ability to enhance their careers through her make-up artistry.

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K-pop Beauty Workshops

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