by Ra Hwak Jin / Kim Sun Min
 

▲ This photo, provided by P NATION, shows PSY and BTS' Suga. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

◇ PSY returns by sweeping music charts

S. Korean singer PSY has shown his steady popularity as the title song “That That” of the ninth full album “PSY 9th,” which was released after five years, is sweeping the major music charts in Korea.

According to the music scene on May 6, the song is ranking No. 1 on various music platforms, including Genie Music, FLO, and Bugs, on Friday at 2 p.m.

In particular, the song is maintaining its second place on the “Top 100” of Melon, the greatest music platform in Korea, following BIGBANG’s long-run hit “Still Life.” “That That” even topped the chart for a while on Friday morning.

“That That” was produced and featured by K-pop superband BTS’ Suga and it drew great attention even before its release. It has received reviews that the song received attention as the singer’s playful energy goes along with the COVID-19 “endemic.”
 

▲ This file photo shows PSY. (Yonhap)
PSY, who made his debut with the song "BIRD" in 2001, has already marked his 22nd debut anniversary this year, but he proved that he hasn’t lost his touch while targeting the public’s taste. The popularity of BTS’ Suga, who participated in "That That," also played a big role in the success.

Just like his desire to mark the endemic, PSY performed on the stage at the festival in Sungkyunkwan University for the first time in three years on May 4 and sang his hit songs for about an hour. Students responded to his energy with a "group sing-along" to quench their thirst for the festival.

Moreover, the music video for "That That (prod. & feat. SUGA of BTS)" surpassed 100 million streams on YouTube as of May 6 at around 6 p.m., which is a week after its release on Apr. 29.


▲ This photo, provided by Source Music, shows LE SSERAFIM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

◇ HYBE's first girl group LE SSERAFIM drops debut album

K-pop powerhouse HYBE unveiled its first girl group LE SSERAFIM on Monday amid high anticipation from global music fans.

The six-piece group composed of Miyawaki Sakura, Kim Chaewon, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, Kim Garam and Hong Eunchae dropped its debut EP "Fearless" at 6 p.m. Monday.

The EP depicted a story of the six members who "move forward fearlessly without being swayed by other people," according to the agency.

HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, who is the mastermind behind BTS, participated in the production of the title track and "The Great Mermaid" while members Kim Chaewon and Huh Yunjin penned the lyrics for "Blue Flame."

 

▲ This photo, provided by Source Music, shows LE SSERAFIM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The EP had sold over 380,000 copies in preorders, the agency said, as it drew high anticipation from K-pop fans at home and abroad.

Member Sakura said happily, “When the first article regarding the preorders came out, I was the first one among the members to wake up, send a link to the group chat room after checking it, and contact my parents,” adding, "I thank our fans so much for the support."

After the album's release, the band held an online and offline showcase for fans at the Jangchung Arena, an indoor sports stadium in Seoul that can house 4,000 people.


▲ This photo, provided by Fish Music, shows Lim Young-woong. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

◇ Lim Young-woong dropped first full album in 6 years since debut

S. Korean singer Lim Young-woong from “Mr. Trot” released the full album under his own name for the first time in six years since the debut.

The singer, who has topped the music charts in Korea with various songs, including “My Starry Love,” “Trust In Me,” and “Love Always Run Away,” returned with the album “IM HERO.”

The title song “Could We Meet Again(translated)” of the album is a ballad song that highlights the sad emotions.

 

▲ This photo, provided by Fish Music, shows Lim Young-woong. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S. Korean singer Lee Juck participated in writing lyrics and composing the song while Jung Jae-il arranged for strings.

Among the other tracks of the album, “I Love You(translated)” was written and composed by the great senior Sul Woon-do and the musical band Jatanpung’s Song Bong-joo worked on the song “Love Letter(translated).” Besides, Park Sang-cheol, DICKPUNKS’ Kim Hyun-woo, and Yoon Myung-sun participated in the album.

 

▲ This photo, provided by Fish Music, shows Lim Young-woong. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Lim chose “I Really Love You(translated)” as his favorite song other than the title song and introduced, “It was previously revealed in the show on KBS and it is a lovely song with sweet lyrics and melody.”
 

▲ This photo, provided by Baeksang Arts Awards, shows the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

◇'Squid Game,' director Ryoo of 'Mogadishu' win grand prizes at Baeksang Arts Awards

The Netflix sensation "Squid Game" and director Ryoo Seung-wan of the period action thriller "Mogadishu" have won grand prizes at this year's Baeksang Arts Awards.

The Netflix's South Korean original series and Ryoo were honored respectively in the TV and film categories during the 58th awards ceremony at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul, on Friday night.

 

▲ This composite photo shows scenes from the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards -- the cast and crew of Netflix's "Squid Game" (top) and director Ryoo Seung-wan of action film "Mogadishu" -- broadcast live on cable channel JTBC on May 6, 2022. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

"Squid Game" won three prizes, including the grand prize and best director. The military series "D.P." also secured three trophies -- best drama, best supporting actor and best new actor. "Juvenile Justice" and director Yeon Sang-ho's dystopian horror "Hellbound" received best screenplay and best supporting actress, respectively.

Directed and written by Hwang Dong-hyuk, "Squid Game" is about contestants competing in deadly Korean children's playground games to win 45.6 billion won (US$38.2 million) in prize money. The nine-part series became the most successful TV show in Netflix history with more than 1.65 billion hours of viewing in the first four weeks after its release on Sept. 17.

 

▲ Director Hwang Dong-hyuk of Netflix's South Korean original series "Squid Game" speaks during the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards on May 6, 2022, in this photo captured from JTBC's live broadcast. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

"Mogadishu" is about diplomats at the South and North Korean missions in Somalia cooperating to escape the country during the 1991 civil war.

Launched in 1965, the Baeksang Arts Awards is one of the most prestigious entertainment award shows in South Korea and encompasses the fields of TV, film and theater.

 

▲ This image provided by the Baeksang Arts Awards shows the 58th awards show held at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul, on May 6, 2022. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The annual ceremony returned to an in-person format this year after holding the event without an audience for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was emceed by comedian Shin Dong-yeob, singer-actress Suzy and actor Park Bo-gum.

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