While Jack In The Box is J-Hope’s first solo album, it is not his first outing without the other BTS’ members. On 2nd March 2018, the triple threat (rapper, dancer, vocalist) released his debut mixtape, Hope World, which peaked on the Billboard 200 at 38, despite being a free mixtape, available on SoundCloud as well…
Category: Music
“[In the Future] I May Experiment with Music, but I Want to Find My Own Path Even Though That Is a Long Way Journey.” – In Conversation with Paul Kim, a Singer-songwriter
“I have never done a show in English before, that was a big challenge for me,” Paul Kim candidly admits when asked about his performance during the HallyuPopFest at Wembley Arena. Although English is not Paul’s mother tongue, he surely has an excellent command of the language. His entire performance in London was conducted in…
MIK Festival, the 1st and the Largest Outdoor K-pop Festival is to Take Over Southwark Park in London
The largest Korean music festival, the MIK Festival, is coming to London. Taking place in Southwark Park on the 30th and 31st of July, the festival will feature acts such as Red Velvet, SUHO of EXO, Pentagon, VIVIZ, CHUNG HA, Golden Child, Cherry Bullet, and Billlie, as well as showcasing some of South Korea’s finest…
In Conversation with Sam Kim, a Singer-songwriter and Producer
Who is Sam Kim? Born in the United States, Sam attended a high school in the state of Washington. At the age of 15, he moved to South Korea where he participated in a talent show, K-pop Star. After placing second in the competition, the singer signed with Antenna Music, a record label that is…
We Move Our Feet to the Beat – HallyuPopFest Takes Over the Wembley Arena in London
HallyuPopFest, the first and the biggest indoor K-pop festival in the UK, was mainly aimed at fans of K-pop music. TEG MJR, the worldwide producers, venue operators, and entertainment industry innovators, also ambitiously hoped to create an event that would be a great introduction to the universe of Korean pop for those unfamiliar with the…
Remembrance of Things Past: BTS’ “Proof” Album Review
Since the release of the studio album BE in November 2020, BTS has released three English language singles: “Dynamite”, “Butter” and “Permission to Dance”. Proof is their first substantive album in nearly two years. Marketed as an anthology album, Proof is perhaps best understood as a ‘memory-box’, combining mementos from the past with promises of…
“Dance is the Most Essential Part of K-pop” – In Conversation with Sea Ni, a South Korean Choreographer and Dancer
“I started [my dancing career] as a backup dancer for K-pop idols”, says Sea Ni while sipping his drink in one of the restaurants in Tower Bridge, London. Despite the fact that it wasn’t the exact kick-start he wished for, this first opportunity marked the beginning of his career and helped him to become a…
Yonko on Music and Life – Exclusive Interview
Jang Yong-ha, often known as Yonko, is a Seoul-based independent artist who, although fearless to combine various genres in his music, truly expresses himself while playing Soul. Yonko’s soulful vocal tone, stellar music, and straightforward lyrics makes him one of the most promising new artists from South Korea. Undoubtedly, his delivery is always 10/10. While…
Born to Rock! Woosung of The Rose Brings “Moth” EP Showcase to London’s O2 Academy Islington
Whenever you listen to Woosung’s music, you can be certain that his songs are written in the correct key for his voice – his incredible musical arrangements perfectly suit his style of singing. There is no doubt that the singer always delivers a masterclass in the art of songwriting. His songs are relatable and honest;…
“I Would like to Be a Musician That Can Stay Consistent and Continue to Make Music That He Loves.” – In Conversation with Kim Feel, a South Korean Singer-songwriter
“Yours, Sincerely was made while I was doing my mandatory military service. It was an album with the most candid stories of so many concerns that I had about myself, things I missed, and emotions I couldn’t accept”, says Kim Feel when asked about his first studio album which released in 2019. He also admits…
MCND Brings Cosmic Energy to London’s O2 Islington – Concert Review
“They were truly born to be on stage”, one of MCND’s fans exclaimed after the gig. [twitter handle: HUIJUNLVR]. And she was right! It is very rare for me, a person who is quite particular about the K-pop music they enjoy, to be absorbed by a new up-and-coming boy-group’s performance. But let’s start from the…
“Singing Is About Feelings” – In Conversation with CHOA, a South Korean Singer
K-pop holds a specific place in the Korean music industry, and if one wants to survive in such a place, they have to make sure that they won’t become a star for just a single season. Unfortunately, this often happens to idols who decide to leave their groups to focus on solo careers or at…
“If One Person Somewhere Is Affected by the Emotions or the Words of My Songs, That’s Enough Reason for Me to Make Music.” – In Conversation with Kim Jeong-uk, a Singer-songwriter and Rapper
Kim Jeong-uk, a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper, began his music career when he debuted as a member of a boy group, 24K, back in 2012. After a relatively successful career with the group, the artist decided to pursue a solo career. In 2019, Jeong-uk released his first EP called #down which brought a new…
“Lyrics That Hit Me More Profoundly Are the Lyrics That I Thought a Lot about and Invested a Lot of Time Into.” – In Conversation with Kyle Lo, a South Korean Singer-songwriter and Producer
It is said that long-term contact with music improves cognitive function. There is no denial that music is the embodiment of beauty; it makes everyday activities more pleasant and often transfers the listener into “another dimension”. I have never thought that I would be grateful for social media, such as Instagram. Searching for new artists…
VIEW OF THE ARTS 