If your daughter’s killer had the opportunity to start again, would she, to your mind, be deserving of that second chance? That is the question at the heart of December, a Japanese court drama helmed by Indian filmmaker Anshul Chauhan. Crime, punishment, and the rehabilitation of criminals are topics that are debated all around the…
25th Far East Film Festival: “Ditto” Review
Ditto, a 2022 South Korean film directed and written by Seo Eun-young and starring Yeo Jin-goo, Cho Yi-hyun, Kim Hye-yoon, and Na In-woo is, according to media, a remake of the 2000 film of the same name, starring Yoo Ji-tae and Ha Ji-won. Although the producers bought the rights to the remake, the 2022 version…
Aimee Kwan details her role in “John Wick: Chapter 4”, her inspiration, and Asian representation in Hollywood
John Wick, John Wick, who doesn’t know John Wick? The action thriller franchise first took the world by storm in 2014 with its unique and engaging plot, as well as Keanu Reeves’ powerful performance in the title role. His portrayal of the character is one of the main reasons why the films have been so…
Bringing the Heat: pH-1 Delivers a Show-Stopping Performance in London
pH-1, a Korean-American artist, is known for his unique and versatile rapping style as well as his smooth and confident flow. One of the defining characteristics of pH-1’s style is his ability to tell personal and relatable stories through his lyrics. He often draws on his own experiences to craft introspective verses. He rejects using…
The Sands of Time: Agust D – “People Pt.2” (ft. IU) Song Review
“People Pt.2” (ft. IU) is the pre-release single from Agust D’s forthcoming ‘official’ debut album, D-Day, which will be released on 21st April. A prolific, versatile rapper and songwriter, Min Yoongi, has two nome de plume’s: Agust D and Suga (from BTS), and has collaborated with both Korean and Western musicians. “People Pt.2” is his…
TRENDZ Open Up About Their Latest Release “NEW DAYZ”, Their Journey to Becoming Idols, and Their Work as a Group
TRENDZ, an emerging K-pop boy group consisting of Havit, Leon, Yoonwoo, Hankook, ra.L, Eunil, and Yechan, debuted in 2022 with the EP Blue Set Chapter 1. Tracks, followed by Blue Set Chapter 2. Choice. And with their impeccable visual appeal, talent, and versatility, the group has definitely shown promise with their two aforementioned releases. In…
Lost in Time: “Like Crazy” MV Review (Jimin, Oui Kim, 2023)
“Like Crazy”, the single from Face, Jimin’s solo debut, is accompanied by a music video by Oui Kim, who also directed the music video for the pre-release single, “Set Me Free: Pt 2”. Oui Kim is one of South Korea’s leading creative directors and has shot videos for aespa, NCT127, KATIE, Zion.T and Red Velvet…
SHAUN Breaks Down His “Steal the Show” Single, His Collaboration with Jeff Satur, and His Music
When SHAUN, a South Korean singer-songwriter and producer, released Way Back Home in 2018, the lead single from his debut EP, Take, he took the music charts by storm. The song itself has a catchy melody and a simple, yet heartfelt, message. SHAUN’s vocals are soft and emotional often conveying a sense of longing. SHAUN…
A Long Journey Into Night: Jimin’s “FACE” EP Review
Jimin (Park Jimin) is part of the maknae line of global sensation BTS, he is the same age as V (Kim Taehyung) and two years older than Jungkook (Jeon Jungkook), the youngest of the group. While Jimin has released singles in the past, FACE is his debut as a soloist, and he is the first…
FIFTY FIFTY reflect on their new release “Cupid”, the songwriting process, and their inspiration
FIFTY FIFTY, a South Korean girl group consisting of Saena, Aran, Keena, and Sio, debuted in November last year. They grabbed the attention of an overseas audience when they released Higher, a single from their first EP, The Fifty. The song’s mid-tempo not only displayed the girls’ charming vocals but also showcased the group’s harmonies. …
Finding Order Within Chaos: A Review of Park Jimin’s “Set Me Free: Pt.2”
Jimin’s “Set Me Free: Part 2” is a spiritual successor and not a sequel to Agust D’s (Min Yoongi) “Interlude: Set Me Free” (which it was speculated to be from the title of the track), the ninth track on his second mixtape, D-2, which was released on the 22nd May 2020. A mere two minutes…
In Conversation with MC HotDog, a Hip-hop Artist and Producer
Yao Zhongren, a.k.a. MC HotDog, is an award-winning Hip-hop artist from Taiwan and has been in the music business for over 20 years. MC HotDog has a unique flow and delivery, setting him apart from other Taiwanese rappers. Not only does he have a distinctive voice, but he also knows how to use it to…
JUNNY Brings a Stellar Performance to Lafayette in London – Concert Review
How many artists would you say evoke happiness or bring tears to your eyes when you listen to their music? For me, there are only a rare few who can achieve this, and that includes JUNNY, a Korean-Canadian singer-songwriter. Although the artist debuted in 2017 with the EP Monochrome, it was in 2020 when he…
The Ephemerality of Longing: So!YoON!’s “Smoke Sprite” (feat. RM) Single Review
So!YoON! (황소윤) is the stage name of Hwang Soyoon, a South Korean guitarist and singer-songwriter. She is the lead vocalist and one of the founder members of SE SO NEON, an indie rock group, which debuted in 2017 under Magic Strawberry Sound, with the critically acclaimed EP Summer Plumage, the lead single of which was…
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