Sauqi band

July 21, 2012 08:28 A veteran singer who has spent much of her career in relative obscurity appeared on MBC's "I Am a Singer 2" on July 8, captivating audiences nationwide with her rousing rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing." So-hyang is a well-known contemporary Christian music singer who has held several overseas tours since she debuted in 1996 as a member of CCM band POS, but did not enter the mainstream public consciousness until this month. "I think I got to show just 50 percent of my potential in 'I Am a Singer'," she said, "I have a lot more up my sleeve other than just being able to hit all the high notes, which garnered a lot of attention when I first appeared on the show." She said nerves had played a part in hampering her performance. "It was a completely different setting [from what I'm used to]. Until the rehearsal, I thought I would do very well, but I felt extremely nervous as soon as I got on the stage. I didn't manage to sing with quite … [Read more...] about Christian Crooner Takes Center Stage on MBC’s Reality TV Show

November 23, 2012 11:30 A music video titled "Pyongyang Style" that pokes fun at the North Korean regime based on Psy's global hit "Gangnam Style" is drawing growing attention with over 200,000 hits in almost three months. Made by a performance group called Haramggun, it features lyrics such as, "It's a country who's number one export is nucular test." The band has a patriotic bent, also promoting reunification and South Korea's sovereignty of the Dokdo islets. Frontman Im Byoung-doo (30) said, "We tried to make the video humorous in order to get young people interested in problems in North Korea. We poked fun at high-ranking North Korean officials ignoring the food shortages affecting their people, intent on feeding only themselves and developing nuclear weapons." Im, who has a college degree in animation, used to work at an apparel company and an animation studio until 2007. He said he "suddenly" quit his job one day. "I wanted to live in a unified Korea, a … [Read more...] about Patriotic Performers Spoof ‘Pyongyang Style’

August 27, 2012 08:20 Geomungo Factory, a traditional string ensemble consisting of three geomungo players and one gayageum player, has been invited to perform at WOMEX, the world's largest gathering of music professionals that will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece, from Oct. 17 to 21. Geomungo Factory was one of 17 teams selected from 850 applicants. "We are nervous and feel tremendous pressure as there is no 'correct' way to introduce Korea's traditional string music to the world," said band member Lee Jeong-seok. The gayageum is a multi-stringed zither (12 to 21 strings) known for its discordant plucking sounds, while the geomungo is slightly more percussive. The members are all alumni of Gukak National Middle and High School and the Korea National University of Arts. When they first formed the band in 2006, they set themselves a motto to keep challenging what can be done with the two instruments. "Because people were not very interested in us, we had to take on a … [Read more...] about Geomungo Factory to Promote Korean String Instruments at WOMEX

October 27, 2012 08:17 Over a decade since she appeared as the lead vocalist of a high school band in the box-office smash hit "Friend" -- a role she is still remembered for -- actress Kim Bo-kyung has resuscitated her flagging career and hopes to raise it to new heights. The determined 35-year-old has returned to TV and is mesmerizing viewers with her portrayal of a ruthless career woman on MBC's morning soap "It Was Love," which began airing on Oct. 15. "I was not prepared for all the sudden attention I received after the success of 'Friend,' and I wasn't ready to become an actress at the time," she said. "But I've more than filled the gap in the last 10 years and now I'm very confident of my acting skills." In the soap, Kim plays an ambitious woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. The character plots to take a short cut to success and race up the social ladder by marrying a man of money and influence, even though she is a highly competent woman with … [Read more...] about Actress Kim Bo-kyung Bounces Back After 10-Year Slump

March 09, 2013 08:25 Singer Yoari is holding a solo concert at Veloso near Hongik University on Saturday. Since her debut, the singer has struggled through various performance venues, and she hopes the upcoming show will give her a real chance to showcase her abilities. "I want to hold as many concerts as possible to become a better singer rather than appearing on TV," the 26-year-old said. Yoari first entered show business in 2007 at the age of 20 but failed to grab the spotlight. She was rediscovered on a TV audition show last year and drew attention when it was revealed that she had to wear a mask to hide her lack of confidence about her looks. Show business has been somewhat of an escape for Yoari, who dropped out of middle school due to financial problems. "I learned hairdressing skills, worked in a call center and sold clothes at Dongdaemun Market," she explained. "I sang songs, wearing a bucket on my head, whenever I felt frustrated. I was happiest when I was … [Read more...] about Yoari Breaks Out of Her Shell to Showcase Skills, Not Looks