When I first met Kim Hyeong-Jun, a.k.a JUNNY, it was a scorching day in Seoul. We met nearby Hongdae, sat down on a white sofa, and spent hours chatting like we had known each other for a really long time. By then, I was already aware of what a one of a kind talent JUNNY…
Pure Vocal Perfection – Kim Woojin Takes Over O2 Academy Islington
Kim Woojin, a 25-year-old South Korean K-pop singer, is well known for his great vocals. Whilst he began his career as a member of an idol group, he later chose a different path in life and began a successful solo career. In August of 2021, Woojin released his first mini-album, The Moment: 未成年, a Minor,…
“For Me, Performing Live Is Vital” – In Conversation with Woojin, a K-pop Idol
“My career towards music has been very natural. I always knew music was [something] I wanted to do. I also went to an art-centric high school, and [in all honesty] I have never considered any other career apart from being an artist”, Woojin confesses when asked about the role of music in the early years…
MIK Festival 2022: Hip-Hop Day Review
There is no denying that the Korean music industry is mainly associated with K-pop, which often draws on Hip-hop whether this is obvious to listeners or not. What’s more interesting is that Hip-hop has now become an indispensable part of K-pop and, while the latter is the one with the most popular tunes around the…
MIK Festival 2022: K-Pop Day Review
The UK has always been famous for its incredible music festivals. Since the 1960s, the country’s outdoor music events have boasted diverse line-ups and a variety of music genres to offer fans. Whether it is Pop, Jazz, Hip-hop, Rock or Metal, there is always something for everyone. But what about K-pop? This particular music genre…
Netflix’s “Carter” Review
Playing a video game is fun, but watching someone else play one can become tiresome pretty quickly. This is the most rational explanation as to why any action film that aims to mimic the medium’s aesthetic, be it 2015’s Hardcore Henry or the collected oeuvre of Neveldine and Taylor, will become exhausting by the end…
Will the Real Jung Ho-seok Please Stand Up: “Jack In The Box” Album Review
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…
“Kingmaker” Review
Released in January 2022 just weeks before the presidential election in South Korea, writer-director Byun Sung-hyun’s fourth directorial effort, Kingmaker, is as much a character drama as it is a political film. It is 1961, Seo Chang-dae (Lee Sun-kyun), a local pharmacist who fled the North, meets Kim Woon-bum (Sol Kyung-gu), an eloquent small-time politician…
“[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…
In Conversation with Ryutaro Nakagawa, Director of “One Day, You Will Reach the Sea”
Ryutaro Nakagawa sits with his hands clasped together, listening intently and speaking passionately with View of the Arts ahead of the international premiere of his film: One Day, You Will Reach the Sea. The drama, which is based on Maru Ayase’s novel of the same name, focuses on themes that Nakagawa has wanted to explore…
BTS Club Night Brings Huge Excitement to The Garage in London.
“It’s my first time at the BTS Club Night”, says Charlotte, then adds: “It’s very nice, the organisers are friendly and quick to respond – there’s a good atmosphere and it’s a great night out with friends.” There is no denial that the BTS Club Night might be one of the hottest K-pop events in…
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