[ARTICLE] American Billboard spotlighted EPIK HIGH’s comeback… “…the alt-hip-hop trio has been leaders of the genre…”

American Billboard has spotlighted the news of EPIK HIGH’s comeback.

American Billboard introduced the news about EPIK HIGH’s new release.

On January 24 (local time), Billboard published an article about EPIK HIGH’s new album, saying, “Frontman Tablo took to Twitter earlier this week and revealed that the group will return in 2017 with new music.”

Billboard went on to extoll EPIK HIGH by stating, “Since 2001, the alt-hip-hop trio has been leaders of the genre and have returned time and time again with relevant music that draws the attention of both domestic and international audiences… Epik High is one of the most prominent Korean acts internationally and has appeared at both SXSW and Coachella.”

Notably, EPIK HIGH is drawing keen attention from music fans around the world, after announcing the release of a new album in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the release of “Remapping the Human Soul”. “Remapping the Human Soul” with 27 songs was released in Korea in 2007 and it recorded the third-largest sales among the albums released in that year, even though it was banned from TV performances because of the songs’ sensitive themes about social issues, politics, religion, war, etc.

EPIK HIGH’s new album to be released this year is already drawing keen attention, as it is EPIK HIGH’s first album in three years since “SHOEBOX” which was released in 2014.

In the meantime, TABLO will release “Cave Me In”, a single for which he collaborated with world-famous R&B artist “Gallant” and versatile entertainer “Eric Nam”.

SOURCE: YG-LIFE

[ARTICLE] Kang Seung-yoon rushed to hospital

Winner’s Kang Seung-yoon was rushed to the hospital due to a high fever while filming SBS’ “Flower Crew” on Tuesday. “He has been suffering from stress-induced gastritis since Monday. The filming crew recommended he go to the hospital,” a representative from SBS said. YG Entertainment confirmed he had been receiving treatment the last two days. Filming for “Flower Crew” was done without him Wednesday. Kang joined the program in November last year as a regular cast member replacing Sechskies’ Eun Ji-won and Lee Jae-jin.

SOURCE: KPOP_HERALD

[ARTICLE] Sandara Park Recalls Encouraging Support She Received From Her YG Family

While guesting on this week’s episode of the JTBC talk show “Talking Street,” Sandara Park made sure to give props to the strong support system she has from her fellow label mates at YG Entertainment.

On the show, Sandara was asked about many topics, including how she feels about 2NE1’s disbandment as well as the insecurity she felt while she was a part of the group. She also mentioned the strength she found through her agency’s artists. When asked how she was able to overcome the difficult times in her life, she answered, “I think the people around me were really important.”

She brought up an instance when she was preparing for the YG Family concert and she was told by someone, “I love listening to your voice.” She recalled that BIGBANG member Taeyang had also encouraged her, saying, “I hope you will be able to think more positively.”

More than anything, she remembered a powerful moment when she had been feeling insecure about standing on stage. Fellow member CL came to her and said, “Do you want to perform? You can do it! You’re good at this.”

Everything aside, these friendships are unmistakably genuine.

SOURCE: SOOMPI

[ARTICLE] Nam Joo Hyuk Opens Up About Love, Dating Publicly, And His Ideal Type

Following the conclusion of his drama “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo,” actor Nam Joo Hyuk sat down with reporters to talk candidly about love and the public eye.

During a question about who he wants to work with in the future, although he mentioned several actors, including Jo Jung Suk and Jo Jin Woong. As for actresses, he answered, “If the opportunity arises, I would like to act with Lee Sung Kyung again and create a different type of fun chemistry.”

While he had mentioned that he liked actresses Park Soo Jin and Yoon Seung Ah in the past, he did not mention them this time as people he might want to work with in the future. When asked why, he answered, “They’re both married now. It’s not the time now.”

He continued, “I was really hurt at the time. Since I had liked them so much since I was young, as a fan, I was hurt [when they got married]. I don’t want to be hurt like that again.” He looked as if he still carried the scars from that time, as he nostalgically said, “So I’ve realized now that if I do date publicly, I can really hurt my fans as well.”

Nam Joo Hyuk also revealed that he’s the type to like someone for a long time. He confessed, “I had my first unrequited crush in the third grade of elementary school. I liked her for three years and then I dated her in sixth grade and then I couldn’t forget about her until eighth grade. It was nearly six years.” He sweetly revealed, “I’m curious about what she’s doing these days. I used to sporadically ask how she was until I was 20, but I haven’t talked to her in a while since then.”

When asked who his ideal type is, he answered, “I can’t really say it explicitly but I think through this drama, it’s become someone like Bok Joo. I thought it might be nice to have someone who works and exercises alongside you and gives you strength along the way.”

SOURCE: SOOMPI

[VIDEO] Gallant, Tablo, And Eric Nam Drop Much-Anticipated “Cave Me In” MV

Epik High’s Tablo, solo artist Eric Nam, and American singer-songwriter Gallant have teamed up to as an epic trio to release a new track!

Their English-language collaboration “Cave Me In” was released on international music sites such as iTunes and Spotify on January 26 at 9:30 a.m. PST, with the song due to be released in Korea at noon KST on January 27.

The guys have also released a music video for the track, which was filmed in Hong Kong when both Eric Nam and Gallant were there to perform at the 2016 Mnet Asia Music Awards (MAMA) on December 2.

SOURCE: SOOMPI

[ARTICLE] Charismatic T.O.P “Coming Soon”

BIGBANG’s T.O.P shows off his charisma.

On January 26, T.O.P posted a picture on his Instagram page along with the comment “Coming Soon”.

The picture features T.O.P full of charisma pointing a gun at someone at a movie set. He is looking at the camera with a serious look and with wounds on his face.

Meanwhile, BIGBANG successfully completed its 10th anniversary tour by holding concerts in Hong Kong on January 21-22.

SOURCE: YG-LIFE

[ARTICLE] Tracklist of ZION.T’s New Album Featuring G-DRAGON, BEENZINO, and KUSH Revealed

The tracklist of ZION.T’s new album “OO” has been revealed, making his fans anticipate the album even more.

According to the tracklist that was revealed on February 25, the album consists of seven new songs–“Cinema”, “The Song”, “Comedian”, “Sorry”, “The Bad Guys”, “Complex”, and “Wishes”–and an instrumental version of “Cinema”.

ZION.T has a host of self-written hit songs such as “YANGWHA BRDG”, “NO MAKE UP”, “KNOCK”, and “MACHINE GUN”. He has participated in writing the music and the lyrics of all the songs in this album, making the album uniquely his.

The title track of the album has not been announced yet.

Peejay, KUSH, and Seo Won Jin, who has worked with ZION.T before and produced a host of hit songs, participated in making the album, raising the expectations.

BEENZINO and G-DRAGON feature on “Sorry” and “Complex”, respectively. BEENZINO worked with ZION.T for “She”, a song in ZION.T’s first album, and ZION.T featured on G-DRAGON’s “I LOVE IT”, a track in G-DRAGON’s second solo album. Expectations are running high for the chemistry between these talented musicians.

“OO” will be ZION.T’s first album after he joined The Black Label, an independent label headed by YG’s main producer TEDDY. It seems that fans can’t wait to listen to the songs in ZION.T’s new and find out the influence ZION.T’s new label has had on his music.

SOURCE: YG-LIFE

[ARTICLE] AKMU’s “LAST GOODBYE” in No.1 on 6 music charts

AKMU is sweeping No.1 on six music charts with their new song “LAST GOODBYE”.

“LAST GOODBYE”, the title track of AKMU’s new album “WINTER” released on January 3 at 0 o’clock, is staying in No.1 on the real-time chart of six music-streaming websites: Genie, Mnet, Soribada, Bugs, Olleh, and NAVER.

AKMU topped music charts with their first album released in 2014 as well as with “SPRING” album released in spring last year with songs that went well with the spring season. Now, AKMU is sweeping music charts of this winter season with new “WINTER” album.

“LAST GOODBYE” that is taking No.1 on music charts is a song that talks about a feeling of missing ex-lover. The fantastic harmony between the AKMU brother and sister leaves an unforgettable impression, healing the hearts of listeners.

“REALITY”, the other title track, is a song with AKMU’s flagship cheerful and witty lyrics. It sings the innocence in the period of adolescence.

AKMU drew music fans’ attention from before the release of “WINTER” album, by unveiling a musical short film “SPRING OF WINTER” that presented parts of all the eight songs in the new album.

SOURCE: YGFAMILY.COM

[ARTICLE] BIGBANG took two No.1s on Gaon Chart! Overwhelming records

BIGBANG is boasting their unrivalled influence in the music scene again by topping Gaon Chart.

According to Gaon Chart today (Dec. 29), “FXXK IT”, one of the double title tracks of BIGBANG’s third full album “MADE THE FULL ALBUM” , took No.1 on Gaon’s digital chart and on-line streaming chart for the 52nd week of the year 2016.

Notably, “FXXK IT” has been staying in No.1 on the chart of Melon, Korea’s biggest music-streaming website in Korea, for 17 days in a row since its release, recording a long-run hit which is a very rare case these days. It has set another overwhelming record today, by taking two No.1s on Gaon Chart.

BIGBANG appeared in “2016 SAF SBS GAYO-DAEJEON” held on December 26, to present unprecedentedly impressive performances. On December 28, BIGBANG appeared in MBC’s “Radio Star” show, to boast their outstanding sense of humor, drawing keen attention.

After the sensations BIGBANG created in the music festival and TV shows, the team will continue to present themselves in front of fans. BIGBANG will hold “BIGBANG10 THE CONCERT : 0.TO.10 FINAL IN SEOUL” on January 7 and 8, 2017, at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.

SOURCE: YGFAMIL.COM

[ARTICLE] G-DRAGON to Feature on ZION.T’s New Song

Two chart killers are going to do a collaboration song. BIGBANG’s G-DRAGON is to feature on ZION.T’s new song, and expectations are running high for this fabulous combination.

According to sources, G-DRAGON will be featuring on a song in ZION.T’s new album “O O”, which will be released on February 1. There is no doubt that these two artists will be a fabulous combination. Expectations are running high among the fans after news got out that G-DRAGON and ZION.T are going to do a song together. It is yet unsure whether the song featuring G-DRAGON is the title track or just an ordinary track.

The friendship between G-DRAGON and ZION.T goes back a long time. In 2013, ZION.T featured on G-DRAGON’s “I LOVE IT”, a track in his solo album. Four years have passed, and now, they are working together again to make another hit song.

G-DRAGON is known for not featuring on the songs of non-YG artists. But because G-DRAGON and ZION.T goes back a long time and ZION.T was the first singer to join The Black Label, a sub-label of YG, fans will have another chance to see them together again.

It is no wonder that fans are anticipating ZION.T’s new song featuring G-DRAGON. These two musicians have their own charms, and nearly all the songs that they have released became hits. It will be interesting to watch the chemistry between the two chart killers.

The album that ZION.T will be releasing under the title of “O O” is the first album since he moved to his new label. Expectations are running high for ZION.T’s new album as he has produced a host of hit songs including “JUST”, “YANGWHA BRDG”, “EAT”, and “MACHINE GUN”.

SOURCE: YG-LIFE

[ARTICLE] Celebrating its 20th Anniversary This Year, SECHSKIES Plans to Release a New Album and Do Concerts

SECHSKIES has special plans for its 20th anniversary.

On January 22, SECHSKIES held a solo concert titled “2017 SECHSKIES ‘YELLOW NOTE’ FINAL IN SEOUL” at the Jamsil Arena in Seoul and met some 6,500 fans.

EUN JIWON said, “This is the last ‘YELLOW NOTE’ concert. We’ve come this far thanks to our fans. You don’t have to be sad. We’ll hold more concerts to celebrate our 20th anniversary.”

KIM JAEDUCK said, “We’ll release an album before holding concerts”, making the audience cheer loudly.

The concert was an encore concert of SECHSKIES’s “YELLOW NOTE” concerts that started in September last year, and members each put on their performances. SECHSKIES was reunited after a 16-year hiatus, and this year, the group celebrates its 20th anniversary.

SOURCE: YG-LIFE