Latest news with #Ki
American Press
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- American Press
14-year-old ready to take audience on musical journey of Elvis' hits
Elvis tribute artist Zaden J., 14, will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Strand Theatre, 432 N. Main St. in Jennings. (Special to the American Press) Fourteen-year-old Zaden J. Gallion has been an avid fan of Elvis Presley since he watched one of his concerts with his dad. Zaden, who hails from Jonesboro, Ark., has been performing as an Elvis tribute artist for more than three years, appearing in theaters and restaurants across Arkansas and Missouri. He performs under the stage name 'Zaden J.' He will be performing at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Strand Theatre, 432 N. Main St. in Jennings. Doors open at 5 p.m., and Zaden will be taking the audience on a musical journey of Elvis' hits. 'It started by my dad,' Zaden explains. 'He got me started when I was little. He had an Elvis concert on TV and I started to watch it, and later on, he took me to Dean Z, an Ultimate Elvis tribute artist in Branson, Mo., and I just started learning one song after another, and then had my first show, and I just kept on going,' he said. 'I love doing it, and I want to keep doing it,' he continued. 'I want to eventually be an Ultimate Elvis one day. That's where you go to Memphis and compete, and you compete for $20,000, and then you also get the championship belt, and get to be called the Ultimate Elvis.' Zaden placed first place in the Tupelo Elvis Youth Competition last year during the Elvis Festival after securing second place in 2023. 'I did a song called 'Hurt,' which is probably one of the shortest Elvis songs out there, but I think I did it pretty good because it got me first place,' he said. 'I was surprised, too, because there were others who did really good, too, but it was fun. I was glad that I got first place because I worked hard for it. I studied that song every night, just watching videos and learning about it.' Zaden said his parents have always been supportive of his act and are among his biggest fans. 'They were the ones that kind of got me into it,' he said. 'They already liked Elvis … well, my dad really liked Elvis. My mom was a real big Bon Jovi fan, but then one day, we went to Graceland with some friends from Kentucky, and that's when my mom started liking Elvis a little more.' Zaden said he has always been fascinated by Elvis' music, moves and the way he captivated audiences since watching the concert with his dad. He's seen most of Elvis' movies and watches videos of his performa nce to perfect his own act. 'There's just something about the overall atmosphere,' he said. 'How he made the crowd have fun, and the show was good to watch. People enjoyed it. I enjoyed it. It just looked like he was having a good time, and it just looked like something fun to do.' Zaden's performance promises a night of nostalgia and high energy, taking audiences on a musical journey through the 'King of Rock and Roll's iconic career. Audiences attending Zaden's performance can expect a night filled with nostalgia, energy and a musical journey through the 'King of Rock and Roll's' career, from the iconic 1950s to the his legendary movie career to the electrifying 1968 comeback and the vibrant 1970s — complete with Elvis' timeless hits, signature moves and flashy jumpsuits. He covers songs from the 50s, movie soundtracks, the 1968 comeback special, and the Las Vegas years of the 70s. 'There's a lot of hip shaking and a lot of leg shaking and an overall great time,' he continued, adding he also enjoys interacting with the audience and making jokes during his shows. Zaden said he learned most of Elvis' moves and his persona by meticulously studying videos and watching other impersonators on stage. 'I just take my time learning to do the moves one step at a time, one finger movement, and just learning it all to 100 percent,' he said. Zaden said he really enjoys doing the 1970s Elvis, which he says is 'so much fun to do.' When asked about his favorite Elvis song to perform, Zaden chose 'If I Can Dream,' noting its powerful message of hope during a time when the world needed it. 'When Elvis sang it, it was during a time period when the world needed hope, and that's why he made that song,' he said. 'He stayed up all night learning it, and he just has a really powerful message to that song.' Zaden enjoys performing on stage, meeting new people, and hearing their stories and memories about Elvis. He finds joy in seeing the audience sing along, dance and have a great time. After his shows, he often does meet-and-greets, taking pictures and signing autographs. 'I enjoy meeting the people because I get to hear the stories about where they are from and stories about Elvis,' he said. 'I get to know where they're from, or they'll tell me a little bit about themselves. I enjoy getting to know people.'
Korea Herald
09-07-2025
- Korea Herald
Court sides with soccer star Ki Sung-yueng in defamation suit over assault allegations
A South Korean court on Wednesday ruled in favor of former national soccer team captain Ki Sung-yueng in a civil defamation lawsuit against two former teammates who had accused him of sexual assault during their elementary school years. The Seoul Central District Court ordered the defendants to pay 100 million won ($72,000) in damages. Ki had sought 500 million won. Still, the ruling marks a victory for Ki, as the court acknowledged that the defendants had defamed him. The allegations first surfaced in February 2021, when the two individuals, who had played alongside Ki on an elementary school soccer team in South Jeolla Province, claimed they were sexually assaulted by Ki and another teammate over a six-month period in 2000. Although the accusers did not mention Ki by name, the descriptions they provided strongly implied he was one of the alleged perpetrators. Ki denied the accusations and responded by filing both a criminal complaint and a civil lawsuit. In August 2023, police closed the criminal defamation case, citing a lack of evidence. Investigators also concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the sexual assault allegations. The civil trial, which began in March 2022, was paused during the criminal investigation and resumed in January 2024.
The National
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
I'm a Celtic cult hero - here's why I'm making shock retirement U-turn
The South Korean, who played 87 times for the Parkhead club, was deemed surplus to requirements at FC Seoul in his homeland. After manager Gi-dong Kim told Ki that he was no longer in his plans, the 36-year-old decided to hang up his boots and told Kim as much. He has since made a surprising U-turn, though, and will now play on with Pohang Steelers. Read more: The midfielder explained the situation on Instagram: "I am posting this with a heavy and sorry heart, thinking of the fans who support me," wrote Ki. "Recently, in a conversation with my coach, I heard that I am not in the team's plans for the future. I thought that it was the time to retire, so I told my coach that I would retire and he respected my intentions. "However, family, and footballers I trust and rely on have yet to do more as a player, and in confusion, they have looked into me worried for a few days. And I realised that I still have more and the will to walk more is strong. It was very painful and difficult for me as a player to force myself to have this heart that I want to have. "Of course, I thought deeply whether this is my greed as a military officer. However, when I concentrate only on my mind, 'I want to and I can do it'. Maybe this is selfish, but I think it's my most honest mind. I also thought that if I had a chance to finish my last career as a player so that I could do my best to lay down on the ground and retire in a good shape. "While I told my heart to the club and was waiting for a team that needed me, Pohang coach Park Tae-ha contacted me first that I needed him and decided to transfer. It may not have been an easy decision, but I am very grateful to coach Tae-ha Park for embracing me. "I know all too well that you will be surprised by the sudden news and it will be hard to accept. When I came back to Korea, I never imagined my life as a player in a place other than Seoul, and I am still confused by this situation. My heart hurts when I think about Seoul fans and I still can't sleep well. I'm just sorry that I'm not good enough that I've come to this situation. "It was a very difficult time for me to make this decision. "I dare you to understand my decision and cheer me on so that I can pay off everything I have left as a football player and play football happily. "FC Seoul is my hometown. It is also my pride. I was obsessed with this team as much as I wanted to burn my last here and I loved it so much. My colleagues and FC Seoul fans who l've been with have been so precious to me in my life. "I was always touched by your love that always lifted me up with deep affection and support. I also promise that my heart towards you will never change, and I will hold you in my heart forever. Please support our players in the future! "I'm so sorry to stop greeting you with this news. Thank you."
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Celtic star reveals retirement U-turn after fans sent FUNERAL WREATHS to club amid his bitter feud with manager
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER Celtic star has found himself at the centre of an almighty storm in his homeland. And it's led to fans of a club sending FUNERAL WREATHS to the training ground as part of a major protest. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 4 Ki Sung-yueng is at the centre of a major storm in South Korea Credit: REUTERS 4 The midfielder spent two-and-a-half years with Celtic Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow 4 Fans have been left furious with the situation Credit: X Ki Sung-yueng enjoyed a successful two-and-a-half years at Celtic between 2010 and 2012. He won the SPL and a Scottish Cup with the Hoops before moving on to Swansea City in 2012. Celtic signed the former South Korea international from FC Seoul, where he'd impressed during three years in the first team. After spending more than a decade in Europe, Ki made an emotional return to his first club in 2020. The midfielder, now aged 36, has gone on to become a club legend at FC Seoul. But his second spell at the club, which has lasted more than five years, has now come to a very unceremonious end. Shock reports emerged in Korea earlier this week that manager Kim Gi-dong had deemed the influential midfielder surplus to requirements. Ki had missed a chunk of last season through injury, but even when fit and available again, hadn't been used by Kim. Amid swirling rumours, FC Seoul initially DENIED that Ki, who also played for Newcastle and Sunderland, was going to be leaving the club. But fans were absolutely livid at the prospect of Ki - a huge fans' favourite - leaving the club. The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up And they made their feelings clear. Pictures from Korean outlets Nate Sports and Yonhap News TV show the dramatic lengths the FC Seoul supporters went to get their point across. A truck with a large TV monitor on its back was driven to the headquarters of GS Group, the company that owns the club. The monitor displayed several messages blasting the club and its manager. One of the messages simply read: "Kim Gi-dong get out!" There was an even MORE dramatic protest at the club's training facility. Images show several FUNERAL WREATHS were outside the training centre, with rows of them sent by raging fans. Last night, the supporters' worst fears were realised when FC Seoul confirmed that Ki had left. The club, however, insisted that it would be a 'temporary separation' and he will have a retirement ceremony at the club once he decides to call it quits. FC Seoul also referred to Ki as an 'eternal legend.' They said that they had allowed Ki to leave because he had "confirmed that he had no opportunity in the Seoul team management plan for this season" and had "requested to go to a team where he could play more in order to finish the remainder of his career with meaning." Ki himself has now taken to social media with a lengthy statement sharing his side of the dramatic developments. He revealed that after being informed by boss Kim that he wouldn't be in his plans, he'd made the decision to retire. However, after being persuaded by those close to him, he made a dramatic U-TURN to keep on playing. Ki has now subsequently signed for Pohang Steelers. On Instagram, he said: "I am writing this with a heavy and apologetic heart, thinking of the fans who support me. "Recently, I heard from the manager that I was not in the team's future plans. I thought it was time for me to retire, so I told the manager that I would retire, and he said he would respect my wishes. "However, my family and the football players I trust and rely on dissuaded me, saying that I could still do more as a player, and I took a few days to calmly look at myself in confusion. "And I realised that I could still play more and that I had a strong desire to play more. It was really painful and difficult for me as a player to suppress this desire to play even if I only played for a few minutes. "Of course, as a veteran, I thought deeply about whether this was my greed. However, when I focused on my feelings, I thought that 'I want to play and I can play' might be selfish, but it was my most honest feeling. "I also thought that rather than ending my last days as a player like this, if I had the chance, I would do my best on the field and retire in a good way, which would be a way to repay the fans. 4 "When I told the club about my feelings and waited for a team that needed me, Pohang coach Park Tae-ha was the first to contact me and I decided to transfer. It must have been a difficult decision, but I am very grateful to coach Park Tae-ha for embracing me. "I know very well that you will be very surprised by the sudden news and that it will be difficult to accept. When I returned to Korea, I never imagined playing in a place other than Seoul, so this situation is still unfamiliar to me. When I think of the Seoul fans, my heart aches and I still can't sleep well. I feel sorry that this situation came about because of my shortcomings. "It was a very difficult time for me to make this decision. Please understand my decision and cheer me on so that I can devote my remaining time as a soccer player and play soccer happily. "FC Seoul is my hometown. It is also my pride. I was obsessed with this team so much that I wonder if there is anyone who loves this team as much as I do, and I wanted to burn my last here, and I really loved it. "The colleagues I've worked with and the FC Seoul fans have been and are so precious to me that I can't forget them. Your love, which has always raised me up with deep affection and support, has always touched me. "I promise that my feelings for you will never change and I will keep you in my heart forever. Please continue to support our players and be their strength! "I'm so sorry to greet you with this news. Thank you. I love you." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's Swansea City transfer news as club 'agree deal' for star and McBurnie timeframe emerges
Tonight's Swansea City transfer news as club 'agree deal' for star and McBurnie timeframe emerges The latest news from the Stadium Kwame Poku has a number of admirers (Image: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images ) Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Wednesday, June 25. Swans enter Poku race Swansea City have reportedly made a move to sign Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku - but face an intense tussle for his signature. According to Sky Sports, Swansea, Queens Park Rangers and one other unnamed club have all had agreed a compensation fee for the 23-year-old, whose contract at London Road is set to expire this summer. Rangers and Birmingham City have also been credited with an interest in the forward this summer. There had even been a suggestion he was heading for a medical at QPR, but it appears he might not have yet made a decision over his future. Poku shone in League One last season racking up 20 goal contributions in 27 matches for Peterborough, and was also hugely instrumental in their Vertu Trophy final victory over Birmingham City at Wembley. Article continues below Content cannot be displayed without consent Swansea hero set for release FC Seoul have confirmed that former Swansea City star Ki Sung-Yueng is to leave the club this summer. "We have decided to pause our relationship with Ki Sung-yueng, our franchise star and eternal captain," the club said in a statement. "After confirming that he is no longer part of our club's plans, Ki Sung-yueng asked to be moved to another club where he can play more and have a meaningful end to his career. We decided to accept that." The K League 1 club won't cut ties with Ki, however, adding they will help the 36-year-old in navigating his way through a new career in coaching. "We both agreed that the team will do its best to support his pursuit of a new career in coaching after his playing days are over," the club added. "We will reserve our utmost respect for Ki that he deserves as a legend for FC Seoul and ensure that he will be respected by many others." In total, Ki made 162 appearances for the Swans during a four-spell before leaving in 2018. He scored 12 goals during that time. McBurnie close to decision In-demand striker Oli McBurnie is reportedly expected to make a decision over his future within the next week or so. Our colleagues at Hull Live claim the Scotland striker has received a number of contract offers, having made the decision to leave Las Palmas his summer following their relegation from La Liga. Article continues below It's claimed McBurnie has held discussions with Hull City throughout the summer, and is believed to have shown an interest in moving to the MKM Stadium. The 29-year-old is also said to have met virtually with Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic last week, but there is interest from elsewhere. Former side Sheffield United are in the frame, while Swansea City have also internally discussed the possibility of a move.
