L'Arku!!!!

L'Arc-en-Ciel to Rock Fans in May

Japanese rock fans in Seoul are eagerly awaiting the return of rockers L'Arc-en-Ciel in May. / Courtesy of Iyescom Entertainment By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Popular Japanese band L'Arc-en-Ciel will rock Seoul in May, as part of its ``Tour 2008 L'7 Trans Asia via Paris'' world tour. L'Arc-en-Ciel will perform at Olympic Gym, Olympic Park, southern Seoul on May 17. This will be the group's third time in Korea, since holding a concert in Seoul in 2005 and participating in the Pentaport Rock Festival, Incheon last year. L'Arc-en-Ciel, comprised of vocalist and guitarist Hyde, bassist Tetsu, guitarist Ken and drummer Yukihiro, is one of the most popular Japanese rock bands around Asia. The group, whose name means ``the arc in the sky'' or rainbow in French, has sold over 15 million albums and 30 million singles since it was formed in Osaka in 1991. Their first album ``Dune'' topped the indie charts in Japan, and got them noticed by top record label Sony Music, which signed them to a record deal in 1994. L'Arc-en-Ciel achieved a breakthrough in 1996, selling a million copies of their fourth album ``True.'' Their popularity in Asia grew when they simultaneously released two albums ``Ark'' and ``Ray'' in seven Asian countries in 1999. L'Arc-en-Ciel made their American debut when they performed during the Otakon anime convention in Baltimore, Maryland, July 2004. The group gained a following among anime fans, since their music has been used as theme songs for Japanese anime. The following year, the band released ``Awake,'' which included ``Lost Heaven," the closing theme for the Full Metal Alchemist movie. The band went on a Japan-wide ``Awake'' tour, and the ``Asia Live 2005'' tour which took them to Seoul and Shanghai. Band members also have also worked on solo projects. Hyde released several solo albums, starred in movies, and even had a concert in the San Francisco and Anaheim in 2006. Tetsu recorded with another band Creature Creature, while Yukihiro joined Acid Android. Ken also released a solo album ``Speed'' in 2006. L'Arc-en-Ciel's latest album ``Kiss'' was released in November. ``Seventh Heaven'' and ``My Heart Draws a Dream'' topped the Oricon charts. The album, which was available on iTunes in the United States, will also be released in Europe in April. L'Arc-en-Ciel will kick off their world tour on April 19 in Shanghai. The group will make their debut European performance in Paris, and hold concerts in Taipei and Hong Kong. They will wrap up their world tour with concerts at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, and Kyocera Dome in Osaka. Tickets are 99,000 won, 77,000 won, 55,000 won and 44,000 won. For English inquiries, send an e-mail to larc.korea@gmail.com or call Iyescom Entertainment at (02) 783-0114. Visit ticket.interpark.com. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr