The UK is enriched by a cultural LGBTQIA+ community that is creative, talented, and speaks up for those whose voices aren’t heard. Many individuals are fighting to protect their rights in a country that likes to pretend everything is fine. Although we still have an incredibly long way to go, singer-songwriter Jason Kwan proves that…
Category: In Conversation with
Exploring TRENDZ: Music, Fans, Dreams and Their Latest Release, “DREAMLIKE” – Exclusive Interview
Watching TRENDZ blossom since their debut in 2022 has felt like witnessing dear friends graduate high school and step into university life. In just two years, these young men have left a great impression on us – not only with their superb vocal skills and diverse repertoire of songs but also with their sunny and…
TRI.BE’s London Triumph: An Intimate Look at Their Journey and “Diamond” Release – Exclusive Interview
TRI.BE, a South Korean girl group, burst onto the music scene in 2021. With six super charming and kind young women, SongSun, Kelly, HyunBin, Jia, SoEun, and MiRe, the group made their debut with the single album TRI.BE Da Loca. TRI.BE’s name is a clever blend of “Tri,” short for “Triangle,” symbolising perfection, and “Be,”…
Exploring the SAAY Vibes: An Exclusive Interview on “DOMINO” and Artistic Evolution – Exclusive Interview
SAAY is an artist who beautifully intertwines genres like R&B, hip-hop, and soul, creating music that reverberates with things that we feel inside of ourselves: emotions. Her background, rich with diverse musical traditions – from the depth of Korean traditional music to the intensity of heavy metal and J-pop – has enabled SAAY to cultivate…
Herman Yau on His Latest Work, “Customs Frontline”, and Filmmaking
Herman Yau’s latest film, Customs Frontline, premiered globally at the FEFF 26 in Udine this past May and is set for its Asian premiere in Hong Kong this July. A maverick director known for his prolific output, Yau was born in China in 1961 and studied Film at Hong Kong Baptist University. Over a remarkable…
OnlyOneOf on Their World Tour, London and Latest Release “Things I Can’t Say LOve” – Exclusive Interview
OnlyOneOf, a K-pop group, has recently completed a major tour across Latin America and North America, followed by a debut in Europe, with each city bringing beautiful memories and experiences. “Each city had its own special charm, but the most thrilling experience was the concerts. Thanks to the overwhelming support from our lyOns, we were…
“Bushido”: Exploring Humanity Through the Lens of a Fallen Samurai – An Insight with Director Kazuya Shiraishi
“Any movie that I make, I always think: ‘What is a human being?’” director Kazuya Shiraishi shares as he reflects on his latest project Bushido. The samurai period drama, or jidaigeki, tells the story of ronin Yanagida Kakunoshin (Tsuyoshi Kuanagi) who has fallen into poverty but has found peace in a humble living with his…
ONE N’ ONLY Discuss “DOMINO” and Their Dreams for the Future – Exclusive Interview
As ONE N’ ONLY prepare to take the stage at Aria Fest 2024 on June 20th at the Faliro Sports Pavilion Arena in Athens, Greece, the group’s exciting mix of JK-Pop and Jatin-Pop has just started taking the world by storm. Sharing the lineup with stars like Suho, Chanyeol, Sistar19, and Omega X, this event…
MCND on Their Sixth Mini-Album, “X10”, and Their International Journey – Exclusive Interview
Music Creates New Dream, better known as MCND, is a five-member South Korean boy group comprising Castle J, BIC, MINJAE, HUIJUN, and WIN. They debuted in 2020 with the hit single Ice Age and quickly adapted by pioneering online fansign events due to COVID-19 restrictions, continuing to build their presence in the K-pop industry. In…
Discussing “Alienoid: Return to the Future” with Director Choi Dong-hoon and Producer Ahn Soo-hyun – Exclusive Interview
I first interviewed Choi Dong-hoon, one of South Korea’s leading directors and screenwriters, in 2015 at the BFI London Film Festival, where he was promoting his espionage action film Assassination. Choi, renowned for his consistent box-office success, spent several years developing the script for Alienoid, a sci-fi fantasy action film. After premiering Alienoid at the…
James An Talks All About Hip-Hop and Breaks Down His Newest EP, “I Have No Friends and I Must Party” – Exclusive Interview
There are many talented artists in the music industry to discover, but if there’s one artist we believe everyone should listen to, it’s Korean-Canadian rapper James An. Even those who are perhaps unfamiliar with hip-hop will find themselves drawn to his incredible new EP, I Have No Friends and I Must Party. James is clearly…
82MAJOR Reveal the Magic Behind Their First Mini-Album, “BEAT by 82” – Exclusive Interview
The excitement surrounding the release of 82MAJOR’s first mini-album, BEAT by 82, was loud and clear, and it’s easy to see why. The album, which includes songs such as Choke, Birthday, Illegal, and 82, presents the group’s more mature side as well as their versatility and creative synergy. As we discussed the making of each…
Beyond Preservation: Curation and Programming of Korean Film Archive – In Conversation with Kim Hong-joon, Director of the KOFA
The theme of the Far East Film Festival’s retrospective program this year was “Saving the Past: 50/50: Celebrating 50 Years of Korean Film Preservation” and it was focused on a tumultuous yet pivotal decade for Korean cinema. The 1950s were a time of great upheaval and these films – restored under the direction of the…
Melodies Beyond Sound: A Spotlight on Big Ocean, K-Pop’s Inspirational Trio – Exclusive Interview
Hard-of-hearing artists have always faced challenges in the music industry, but their contributions are invaluable and deserve support. While traditionally music has been primarily auditory, advancements in technology and shifts in attitudes are enabling greater inclusivity. Supporting deaf musicians is not only about providing equal opportunities but also recognising the diversity of talent and perspectives…
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