Three K-pop entries among top 10 on Billboard 200
The original soundtrack album from Netflix hit animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters' has stayed strong, ranking No. 5 on the chart in its fourth frame. The album hit the chart at No. 8 and rose as high as No. 2. It became the highest-charting soundtrack this year and is the only soundtrack album to debut in the top 10, then see unit increases in its second, third and fourth weeks since 2014, according to Billboard.
Meanwhile, Ateez reentered the Billboard 200 at No. 7 with its 12th EP, 'Golden Hour: Part 3.' The mini album hit the chart at No. 2 when it was released and resurfaced on the chart boosted by the release of the 'In Your Fantasy' edition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Korea Herald
Actor Park Bo-gum new face of Korea tourism
Following BTS, Lee Jung-jae and NewJeans, Park joins Korea's tourism efforts as honorary ambassador Actor Park Bo-gum has been appointed as the honorary ambassador for 2025 Korea Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Thursday. A teaser video for the upcoming global promotional campaign was unveiled on the ministry's official YouTube channel 'Imagine Your Korea,' revealing Park as the new face of Korean tourism. The ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization have consistently tapped top-tier Hallyu stars to front their annual campaigns — BTS in 2022, Lee Jung-jae in 2023 and NewJeans in 2024. Park, widely loved for his nuanced acting, most recently in the Netflix hit 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' will now lead efforts to promote Korea abroad over the next year. As global travelers increasingly seek personalized, emotionally resonant journeys rather than conventional sightseeing, this year's campaign encourages visitors to take charge in their own Korean travel stories. In the teaser clip, Park extends an invitation, asking, 'Will you be the main character of this story?' The message kicks off the 'Never Ending Korea' campaign, aimed at showcasing the country's charms and immersive travel experiences. The ministry and the tourism authority will officially appoint Park as the ambassador on Tuesday and unveil two campaign films along with a behind-the-scenes clip. The ads -- produced in the style of a short film and music video -- feature both Park's real-life persona and an alter ego. Adding to his involvement, Park also recorded the campaign's official theme song, 'On My Way,' composed and written by KZLAB, a team led by renowned K-pop producer Kenzie of SM Entertainment. The song will be released Thursday on major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Melon. In collaboration with Netflix, the ministry has also produced tourism-themed videos inspired by global Korean hits 'Squid Game' and 'All of Us Are Dead.' The 'Squid Game' version, titled 'Escape to Korea — Better Run,' has drawn more than 8.4 million views since its release on July 3. The 'All of Us Are Dead' campaign video, 'Escape to Korea — Better Together,' is slated for release on Aug. 7. According to Netflix, 72 percent of Korean content viewers expressed interest in visiting Korea, nearly double the 37 percent among non-viewers. 'More than 85 percent of this year's eight campaign videos were filmed outside Seoul, emphasizing hidden gems and lesser-known destinations in a bid to boost regional tourism,' a ministry official said in a statement. As part of efforts to support regional tourism, the campaign also includes theme ads spotlighting the Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces, which suffered recent setbacks due to natural disasters and transportation incidents. The Gyeongsang video, 'Where Energy Never Sleeps,' focuses on Gyeongju, the host city for the upcoming APEC summit, while the Jeolla provinces' 'Where Beauty Moves Hearts' highlights the region's artistic allure through music and dance. The campaign videos will be screened on landmark billboards in 16 major cities including New York's Times Square, Tokyo, Beijing and Bangkok through November. Additional promotions will run across YouTube and Netflix, targeting over 20 key global tourism markets.
Korea Herald
4 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Ive confirms August return
Ive is gearing up for a late August return, agency Starship Entertainment said Thursday. The group will release a new album seven months after its third EP 'Ive Empathy' swept all music charts at home, led by prerelease 'Rebel Heart.' The EP became Ive's fifth consecutive million-seller, and the main track 'Attitude' as well as the prerelease earned the six-piece act 15 trophies from television music chart shows. 'Rebel Heart' spent 10 consecutive weeks on Billboard's Global excl. US chart and made the magazine's 'The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far)' list. On Sunday, Ive set the audience abuzz at Lollapalooza Paris with its hourlong performance after going live at Lollapalooza Berlin eight days earlier. The group is set to drop its third EP in Japan, 'Be Alright,' on July 30. The album's title track was unveiled July 16 along with a music video.
Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Let 'KPop Demon Hunters' guide your culinary tour of Seoul
In 'KPop Demon Hunters,' food is more than just a background addition — it's central to the characters' energy and their culture. The film follows Huntrix, an all-female K-pop trio who moonlight as demon slayers. And to slay demons, you need fuel. Their meals, featured throughout the film, are packed with iconic and sometimes lesser-known Korean dishes, revealing a deep culinary layer to the storytelling. For writer-director Maggie Kang, the choice to incorporate a variety of Korean dishes wasn't just aesthetic. It was personal. 'I remember telling the crew I only want kimchi on the table,' Kang said. 'I never want anybody to say the word 'kimchi' or to feature it, because it's just such a cliched thing to talk about kimchi like that is the one representative thing for Koreans. So I made that a kind of a harsh rule.' Instead, Kang and co-director Chris Appelhans aimed to present a broader, more intimate portrait of Korean food. That starts with Pyongyang naengmyeon, a chilled North Korean noodle dish in beef broth, which appears in the very first scene as the girls carbo-load on a flight. Pyongyang naengmyeon in the spotlight For viewers looking to sample the same noodles in Seoul, Jinmi Pyongyang Naengmyeon in Gangnam is a must-visit. A Michelin Guide-listed restaurant and two-time Blue Ribbon recipient, Jinmi offers a version of the dish that satisfies both seasoned aficionados and newcomers. The broth is rich yet clean, the flavors subtle but addictive — a reflection of chef Yim Se-kwon's 20 years of experience. At 15,000 won, the dish is served in the traditional stainless steel bowl and often paired with classics like boiled pork (pyeonyuk), bulgogi or handmade dumplings. Beyond noodles, 'KPop Demon Hunters' also showcases the everyday street foods and convenience store staples familiar to many Koreans. Hard-boiled eggs, shrimp crackers, cup ramyeon and skewered fish cake soup (odeng-guk) all make cameo appearances. Fuel up with kimbap There's also kimbap, the beloved seaweed rice roll seen in shows such as 'Squid Game.' In Seoul, one standout spot is Botanic Garden Kimbap in Seocho. The shop has recently gained viral popularity thanks to singer and influencer Kang Min-kyung of Davichi. The most popular choices include the flying fish roe, aged kimchi and tuna kimbap, and the mentaiko egg kimbap. The delicate balance of ingredients, including a mix of white and black rice, and generous fillings make it worth the 9,000 won price tag, which is on the higher end for a roll of gimbap. The shop is small and only offers takeout, so ordering ahead via a delivery app is highly recommended. Seollongtang for comfort The girls' post-rehearsal comfort food scene features seolleongtang, an ox-bone soup served in warm stone bowls. 'The soup seolleongtang was a must for me,' Kang said. 'I think anytime Koreans are thinking about comfort food, it's 'tang,' it's stew and soup. So that felt right for that moment, just something warm and comforting.' Fans can find that same comfort at Oegojip Seolleongtang, a Michelin-recognized establishment also located in Gangnam. Launched in 2005 with a recipe passed down from the founder's mother-in-law, the spacious restaurant takes pride in using only 1++ grade Korean beef from Hoengseong, Gangwon Province. At 14,000 won, their seolleongtang comes generously packed with beef and noodles, paired with house-made radish kimchi, kkakdugi. In addition to seolleongtang, the menu includes hearty options such as yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) for 18,000 won, and sizzling platters of suyuk (boiled pork slices). In a film filled with choreography, action and supernatural flair, 'KPop Demon Hunters' doesn't overlook the small, human comforts. Whether it's a humble bowl of broth, a seaweed-wrapped lunch or a cold noodle dish, each meal grounds the story in something deeply Korean and delicious. For those inspired to take their own culinary tour through Seoul, just follow Huntrix's trail.
