
WayV to drop 7th EP next month
WayV is gearing up to return with its seventh EP 'Big Bands' on July 18, label SM Entertainment announced Monday.
The upcoming mini album will be dropped about eight months after the group's previous EP 'Frequency,' which charted in the top five on the iTunes Top Albums Chart in 19 regions and earned the band three trophies from the television music charts in Korea.
The new EP will consist of six tracks, including Korean and Chinese-language versions of the title track. Soon after the album release, the band of six will launch its second concert tour, 'No Way Out.' After going live in Seoul on Aug. 2-3, it will visit fans in 13 more cities across Asia, from Beijing and Shanghai to Bangkok and Osaka, Japan.
Meanwhile, WayV hit the stage in London on Saturday, joining the lineup for the label's all-star concert "SM Town Live 2025."
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Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
[Grace Kao] Life as a K-pop trainee begins at hagwon
Most children in Korea spend part of their daily lives at a hagwon, or a private academy sometimes referred to as a 'cram school.' While the majority of these institutions offer classes in academic subjects such as English and math, some prepare students for an audition to be a K-pop trainee. I visited one last month and was stunned by what I witnessed. Modern K Music Academy has five campuses — Seoul, Suwon, Bundang, Yeongtong and Incheon. I visited its largest, the Suwon Campus. The academy currently enrolls over 1,000 students and employs 200 teachers and 35 staff members. It is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The school has trained notable idols, including EXO's Chanyeol, Apink's Bomi, BTOB's Eunkwang and Changsub, and Stray Kids' Changbin. During the evening I visited, students were busy arriving after school. They politely bowed and said hello when they saw the CEO and his visitors, including me. Most of the students I saw looked between 12 and 18. Not surprisingly, almost all were Korean. However, I did see two non-Koreans — one was Albanian and came to Korea to prepare to become an idol. I heard all kinds of music from over 70 different practice rooms. There were an additional 55 lesson rooms. Some rooms were just wide enough to fit a piano; it was as if the walls were installed after the piano was in place. The students were also busy because there was a set of ensemble performances that evening. Groups of students would perform the same song to their peers, and then be judged on their performances. This seemed similar to the weekly and monthly evaluations of trainees at actual K-pop companies. That's no surprise, as the academy was founded by Kim Hyung Kyu, who has produced many well-known groups such as Beast, 4minute, BTOB, Apink and I-dle at Cube Entertainment, and Mamamoo, Onewe and Oneus at RBW Entertainment. I was fortunate to meet him a few times when visiting RBW (where he still works as an executive). He also attended the K-pop conference I held at Yale last year. As a skilled musician, he really knows what he's teaching. Students can choose from a variety of curricula that focus on trainee auditions, college entrance exams, hobbyists and those interested in becoming professional songwriters. Students at this academy were pursuing a range of goals, but the single largest group was those interested in the K-pop industry. Depending on the curriculum, the tuition ranges from 600,000 won to 1 million won ($440 to $740) per month. That evening, I watched students perform. One was supposedly 'mid-range' in their skill set, but they seemed professional. After their stirring performance, the teacher for each instrument ran up to the stage to give each student feedback. I think there were probably 100 of us in the audience cheering the musicians. Near the end of the performance, Kim kindly allowed us to follow him to his office, where he would welcome a new group of students. There were only four students on that Monday at 8 p.m. They were nervous, and one young woman's voice was barely audible. Thanks to Yale Ph.D. student Jenny Jiyoung Bae, I was able to understand his introductory lecture to the students. He told them that there are three essential parts of becoming a successful musician: diligence, creativity and personality. One is unlikely to succeed without excelling in all three aspects. Diligence involves consistent daily practice. Eight hours a day is the bare minimum, and one should spend more than that on the weekends. Creativity means that one has to learn how to create something completely new, even within the confines of the rules given. He believes that every successful K-pop group includes at least one member who will become a producer. That person will help the group innovate. Personality is the foundational and final decisive factor. It doesn't matter how talented or hardworking an individual is; no one will want to work with them if they are rude or arrogant. Personality matters as much (and perhaps more) than skill. The students were enthralled by his remarks. I then realized that every student I had seen that evening had been given the same talk. Hence, they each felt like they knew him personally. After the lecture, we ran back upstairs to the auditorium, where the ensemble players were wrapping up for the evening. He made a number of announcements and talked about idols and producers who will soon visit the campus. I was also introduced to the students. We left at around 8:30 p.m. I was exhausted, and it would be an hour before we got back to our hotel. However, the students would likely be there until 10 p.m., when the school closed. Many would also have a long bus ride back home. The more I learn about K-pop, the more I realize how its organization is distinctly Korean. Even in the world of trainees and idols, life can begin at a hagwon.


Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
N. Korean leader flaunts Russia ties from battlefield to stage
Kim Jong-un's daughter attends NK–Russia concert in 2nd official diplomatic outing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un put Pyongyang's growing alignment with Moscow on full display — from the battlefield to cultural exchanges — by attending a concert, where scenes of North Korean troops fighting for Russia and the repatriated remains of fallen soldiers were shown on a large background screen. Kim and Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova watched the concert at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in the capital Pyongyang on Sunday, featuring performances by visiting Russian artists and a return performance by North Korean performers, North Korean state media reported Monday. The concert was held to mark the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty on June 19, 2024, which includes a mutual defense commitment. State-run Korean Central Television aired footage of North Korean artists performing in front of a screen depicting the chronology of North Korea's troop deployments in support of Russia's war against Ukraine. The concert's backdrop included scenes of Kim Jong-un kneeling and touching a coffin draped in the North Korean flag, believed to contain the remains of a soldier killed in Russia's war against Ukraine. His sister, Kim Yo-jong, and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui were also shown receiving the repatriated remains of fallen North Korean soldiers from Russia. Pyongyang also revealed for the first time, through on-stage visuals, that Kim had approved operational plans for North Korean troops in the Kursk region and had ordered attacks to be carried out between Oct. 22 and Dec. 22, 2024. This marks the first time North Korean state media has shown footage and photos of its soldiers sent to Russia that are accessible to the North Korean public. Pyongyang officially confirmed its troop dispatches both domestically and internationally in late April, following around six months of silence. North Korean artists performed against a backdrop of images showing North Korean and Russian soldiers deployed on the battlefield and North Korean soldiers holding the flags of their country and Russia, according to photos released by the KCNA. North Korean media reports came as South Korea's spy agency said Thursday that additional troop deployments by North Korea could occur as early as July or August. During the concert, Kim Jong-un was also accompanied by his daughter — believed to be named Ju-ae — who sat next to her father. This marks Ju-ae's second official diplomatic activity, following her visit to the Russian Embassy in North Korea with her father on May 8 for Russia's Victory Day. Before the concert, Kim and Lyubimova held talks at the headquarters of the Party Central Committee in Pyongyang. 'Kim Jong-un expressed belief that the current visit would further raise the militant comradeship and feelings of friendship between the two countries,' said the state-run Korean Central News Agency in its English-language report on the significance of Lyubimova's visit to Pyongyang, which began Saturday. The Russian Embassy in Pyongyang on Sunday also confirmed the visit of a large Russian delegation comprising 125 people, including artists. North Korean state media has highlighted the country's growing ties with Russia through extensive media coverage in recent weeks. The North Korean Foreign Ministry and the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang co-hosted a reception on June 19, marking the one-year anniversary of a bilateral defense treaty. Kim also met with Russia's top security official, Sergei Shoigu — a close confidant of Putin — on June 4 and 17, marking two meetings in just two weeks in Pyongyang. In a vividly contrasting picture, Pyongyang has remained silent on US President Donald Trump's continued overtures to revive summit diplomacy with Kim. In an apparent sign that Pyongyang and Washington are not on the same page, North Korean state media continues to instill anti-US sentiment through its articles, while carefully avoiding direct criticism of Trump. In the Oval Office, when Trump was asked whether he had written a letter to Kim as reported by the media, he responded Friday, "If there is a conflict, I get along with him very, very well. And we'll get the conflict solved with North Korea.' North Korea's main newspaper carried a front-page article on Sunday emphasizing the importance of self-reliance in the face of sanctions imposed by 'hostile forces,' apparently referring to the US. The article underscored that the banner of self-reliance is by no means a temporary solution to overcome immediate difficulties, but something that "must always be firmly held as a strategic weapon." The Unification Ministry in Seoul said it viewed the article as part of North Korea's routine criticism of the US, but noted that it has been tempering its denunciations. 'In particular, since the launch of the Trump administration, we assess that North Korea has actually been moderating the tone of its criticism toward the US compared to before,' the ministry's spokesperson Koo Byoung-sam said.


Korea Herald
17 hours ago
- Korea Herald
East Meets West: Shanghai Bridal 2025 to Showcase Unprecedented Fusion of Chinese Heritage & Global Design
SHANGHAI, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Organized by Shanghai International Exhibition Management Co., Ltd., the Shanghai Bridal Fashion Showroom 2025 will be held from July 16 th to 18 th at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Featuring 200+ exhibiting brands from 14 countries and regions and showcasing 2,000+ original new products, the exhibition promises an unparalleled celebration of bridal innovation. The 2025 edition highlights the rise of Chinese bridal designers, with leading brands including WANGFENG BRIDAL, LAFINE, VIO WANG, DE GARBO, RIMA VIRA, 5'VOZ, HearGarden, Pallimo, Xiu Qipao, TianXi, and KATE LANNAR. These designers will showcase their unique fusion of cultural heritage and contemporary aesthetics. A Global Convergence of Bridal Excellence This edition presents an unparalleled gathering of international bridal talent, forming one of China's most comprehensive showcases of overseas design. The spotlight shines on Ukrainian brand Lietta's highly anticipated China debut, alongside the Spanish Pronovias Group's complete luxury portfolio—including Pronovias, Pronovias Privée, Vera Wang for Pronovias, Atelier Pronovias, Nicole Milano, WHITE ONE, and Ladybird. The global roster extends across continents with design luminaries: WONA (Ukraine's ethereal romance), Tralinh (Vietnam's cultural fusion), Natalia Romanova (Russia's regal grandeur), Eva Lendel (America's red-carpet glamour), Casablanca Bridal (classic American elegance), Yolancris (Spain's architectural designs), Ricca Sposa (Italy's artisanal craftsmanship), Dì'ào (Malaysia's tropical luxury), Korea's fashion-forward Vanilla Milla, Malanshi and Blossomveil, alongside Germany's Amelie and Turkey's Didem Kinail. Together, these visionary creators compose a cross-border symphony of design, showcasing the full spectrum of contemporary bridal innovation—from timeless elegance to avant-garde expression—while setting new benchmarks for global fashion dialogue in China's dynamic market. Insight into Consumer Trends: Quality-Centric, Rationality Prevails, Value-for-Money is Key In the current market, bridal consumers are increasingly rational and pragmatic, with "value-for-money" becoming the core decision factor. The exhibition addresses this demand with its diverse brand matrix and product tiers: Local designer brands including DaoXu, MUZI, PERFECT, WEST SUNNY, BangYi, YUNI DESIGN ,ENJOY, TRAVIS YOUNG, and ShaLa Chinese Wear leverage deep understanding of domestic needs, flexible supply chains, and cultural resonance. They offer competitive pricing while ensuring excellent design and craftsmanship. Makeup & Fashion Accessories: Enhance Your Bridal Style Beyond wedding dresses, the exhibition features dedicated zones for makeup artistry and fashion accessories. Renowned makeup artists and accessory designers showcase their expertise and creative collections on-site, offering brides a one-stop experience—from beauty looks to accessory styling. Bridal Fashion Show 2025: A Fashion Gala Mark your calendars: The Bridal Fashion Show 2025 arrives July 15-17 at Hall E5 of the New International Expo Center. We've partnered with industry leaders to create a 360° immersive wonderland—featuring cutting-edge stage design and interactive light technology. Discover global trends before anyone else as premier designers converge: From timeless elegance to avant-garde silhouettes, intricate embellishments to ethereal minimalism—witness the season's most anticipated designs unveiled live. Special appearance: A celebrated guest star will grace the event! Join us for this exclusive celebration of bridal artistry. 2025 ASIA PACIFIC CHINESE OUTSTANDING MAKEUP AND STYLING ARTIST COMPETITON: Defining the Pinnacle of Asian Aesthetics Hosted by the Shanghai Bridal Fashion Showroom 2025, the Asia Pacific Chinese Wedding Photography Exchange Association, and the Asia Pacific Chinese Makeup & Styling Organizing Committee, the 2025 ASIA PACIFIC CHINESE OUTSTANDING MAKEUP AND STYLING ARTIST COMPETITON takes place on July 17 th -18 th in Hall E5 . Esteemed judges including Qingqing, Yifeng, Xiaobei, Duan Hao, Li Yun, Duan Bin, Zhou Ding, YAKUP, Abu, SUMI, and Lanlan will provide expert critiques. Competitors include independent artists pushing boundaries, uniquely styled influencer MUAs, and rising stars from top makeup academies. This premier event gathers top resources, forges IP potential, empowers beauty entrepreneurs to break through boundaries. Event Information: SHANGHAI BRIDAL FASHION SHOWROOM 2025 Date: July 16-18, 2025 Bridal Fashion Show 2025 Date: July 15-17, 2025 Venue: Hall E5, Shanghai New International Expo Centre