MAMAMOO's Hwasa tops major South Korean song charts with solo track

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• Yeosu's Night Sky Dazzles with Fireworks at 2026 Cultural Month Opening The autumn nights in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, were illuminated by vibrant fireworks, music, and art during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Cultural Month at the Yeosu World Island Expo. The event featured large aerial performances, a K-POP concert, and a maritime fireworks display, creating unforgettable memories for attendees. According to the organizing committee on the 18th, the opening ceremony took place the previous day at the main stage of the Yeosu World Island Expo, themed 'Yeosu Night Sea: A Voyage of Romance and Culture.' The Cultural Month event, held annually by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to promote local cultural values, is taking place in Yeosu this year, with performances, exhibitions, and experiential programs running until the 19th in conjunction with the expo. This event aims to showcase the historical, cultural, and artistic values of the islands through diverse performance content, providing visitors with a multifaceted cultural experience beyond mere exhibition viewing. The opening ceremony began with street performances by a marching band and Yeosu's character parade. The dynamic rhythms of the Brazilian samba percussion band 'La Percussion' blended with traditional melodies from the Yeosu Municipal Traditional Music Group, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Key attendees participated in a departure ceremony, turning a large 'key of navigation' together, symbolizing the connection of culture and art between the region and the world. The highlight of the opening ceremony was the original themed performance 'Yeosu: Beyond Time, Through Light.' This performance, which depicted the stories of Yeosu's thousand-year history and its 365 islands through a voyage connecting the past, present, and future, combined media art, percussion, choir, and aerial performances. As the harmonies of local children's choirs and the municipal choir filled the air, the performance team 'Project Nalda' captivated the audience with an aerial display using a large crane that traversed the night sky. The subsequent K-POP special concert featured performances by Seo Do Band, Mamamoo's Solar, and Zico, each adding their unique musical charm to the event. The grand finale was a fireworks show set against the backdrop of the Yeosu night sea. Colorful fireworks lit up the night sky and reflected on the water, filling the venue with cheers from visitors enjoying the romantic autumn night. The event showcased the potential for stay tourism, allowing visitors to explore the expo during the day and enjoy cultural performances and fireworks in the evening. Lee Sun-mi, 29, who attended the event with her family, said, "There was so much to see from the themed performances to the concert, but I think I will never forget the sight of the final fireworks bursting over the sea. I was satisfied that we could explore the exhibition during the day and enjoy the performances and fireworks in the evening." The Cultural Month event will continue until the 19th. On the 18th, a special performance by the Hwasun Yeomi Choir, a play titled 'The Song of Sinjiggi' based on island legends, and the 'Yeomun Art Sharing Stage' featuring local artists will take place. At 6:30 PM, 'Island Friends Day,' showcasing Cuban music and dance, is scheduled. On the final day, the 19th, a street performance at the open stage photo zone will kick off at 11 AM, followed by the closing ceremony and celebratory performances at 3 PM. Outside the expo, cultural events such as the YK Dance Festival, Marine Street Arts Festival, and Living Culture Festival will be held, spreading the festive atmosphere throughout Yeosu. Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, who attended the opening ceremony, stated, "We will do our best to ensure that the region's unique culture grows into attractive tourism content and that this vitality translates into the daily lives of residents, fostering the development of culture and tourism together." Kim Jong-ki, Secretary General of the organizing committee, expressed hope that the diverse performances and experiences at the expo would provide visitors with enjoyable experiences and offer a new perspective on the life and cultural values of the islands. Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, themed 'Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future,' opened on September 5 and will run for 61 days until November 4, taking place in the Dolsan Jinmo area and the Yeosu World Expo site, including Gaedo and Geumo Island. The organizing committee plans to promote the value of the islands through exhibitions, experiences, and cultural performances during the expo period, aiming to revitalize local tourism.* This article has been translated by AI.
• KBS demands apology from Real Madrid after abrupt cancellation of K-pop concert Fans react at a K-pop concert at Paris La Défense Arena in France, in this file photo taken in April 2023. Yonhap SEOUL, September 20 (AJP) - Terrestrial network Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) has requested a public apology from Spain's prestigious football club Real Madrid for abruptly canceling a K-pop concert that was scheduled to take place next month. The Spanish club unilaterally announced last week its decision to suspend all music concerts and other events at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium until next March, citing constant noise complaints from residents. Staff members and others from KBS were preparing to travel to the European country to stage a concert as part of its K-pop music program there on Oct. 12. A group of K-pop acts such as Riize, NMIXX, Kiss of Life, P1Harmony, BoyNextDoor, Enhypen, and Mamamoo were slated to perform with some 33,000 fans from 87 countries already having purchased tickets. "There was neither prior notice nor explanation provided by the Spanish club, even after the decision was made," KBS said. Producers of the program said they are still hoping to hold the event there by finding a solution to the noise concerns. First built in 1947 and reconstructed in 2024, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium can accommodate up to 80,000 spectators as Real Madrid's main stadium.
• Virtual human YuA to debut as singer through dance song 'I Like That' SEOUL -- YuA, a virtual artist created by South Korean game publisher "Smilegate" and a visual effects company, will make her debut with a dance song titled "I Like That." Hundreds of voice data were synthesized using artificial intelligence technology to create the 20-year-old's voice. Smilegate said in a statement that YuA's debut song will be released through music websites at 6 p.m. (0900 GMT) on April 12. The new single portrays an AI human expressing her mysterious feelings while enjoying her delightful days on Earth. Various voice data from different age groups were collected to create YuA's voice. "We hope that many people take an interest in YuA, who will engage in various activities as a virtual artist in the future," Smilegate IP business executive director Baek Min-jeong said in a statement. Park Woo-sang, a famous K-pop producer who created hit songs including "Starry Night" by MAMAMOO, created lyrics and composed the song. Kim Do-hee, a famous choreographer at 1MILLION Dance Studio, was in charge of YuA's choreography. The music video was directed by Vikings League, a famous dance team that produced girl band Red Velvet's music video. YuA with some 104,000 followers on Instagram has a goofy personality and enjoys eating ice screams. Her favorite song is "Dancing in the Moonlight" by Toploader. Various artificial humans are active as models and singers in South Korea. Reah Keem, an artificial musician created by LG Electronics, made her debut in January 2022 by signing an agreement with entertainment company Mystic Story. The entertainment agency is run by South Korea's veteran singer-songwriter Yoon Jong-shin.