Controversy is growing in China over comments made by Jang Won-young of the K-pop group IVE after she referred to Hong Kong as one of the “countries” she likes during a recent behind-the-scenes video. The remark appeared in a video on IVE’s official YouTube channel. While the members were shown visiting Hong Kong to attend an awards ceremony, Jang said, “We should eat a delicious dinner,” adding, “I like Hong Kong. There is a lot of good food. Hong Kong is one of the countries I like.” After the video was released, some Chinese social media users protested the fact that she referred to Hong Kong as a “country.” China maintains the One China principle, under which Hong Kong is defined as a special administrative region of China. Jang’s phrasing, interpreted as contradicting that stance, quickly fueled online criticism. On Chinese social media platforms, related hashtags such as “#JangWonyoungHongKongCountry,” “#IVEGetOutofChina” and “#KoreanIdolsHistoryEducation” are spreading, with some users even calling for a boycott of IVE-related content. Local media a

Ahead of their much-anticipated group comeback this March, BTS are already making waves globally, driven not by new material, but by a renewed surge of fan interest in an older track. The song "Run BTS," first released on the group’s 2022 anthology album "Proof," returned to No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in 61 countries, including Brazil, Finland, Mexico and Greece, as of the morning of Jan. 2 local time. Fans around the world, collectively known as ARMY, launched a coordinated streaming drive to celebrate the start of 2026 and the group’s upcoming return, turning a nostalgic fandom gesture into a fresh chart milestone. Fans say the song’s message — a vow to keep running forward together — resonates especially strongly as all seven members prepare to resume full-group activities. The track is widely regarded among ARMY as one of the clearest expressions of BTS’ teamwork and identity, and its renewed success reflects a shared anticipation for the group’s new album, scheduled for release on March 20. International media outlets are also paying close attention. The New

T.O.P, a former member of boy group Big Bang, is getting ready to return with a solo album for the first time in over a decade. The artist took to Instagram on Thursday to post a short teaser video along with the caption, “A new album is on the way.” He also referenced the phrase “Another Dimension,” strongly suggesting it as the title or the overall concept of the upcoming release. He simultaneously launched a new Instagram account under the handle @topspot_pictures, where a teaser of his album

OneUs decided not to renew its exclusive contract with agency RBW Entertainment which expires next month, the group's management company announced Friday. Although the five bandmates are parting ways with the agency, they will carry on as a team and will keep the name of the band. The fivesome brought to a close its international tour “H_Our, Us” in Warsaw last month, having performed in seven cities in Europe and 10 in the US, as well Yokohama, Japan, and Seoul. OneUs is planning to bring out a

BLACKPINK member Jennie has unveiled a dramatic new look, revealing a bold new hairstyle in a recent U.S. magazine photoshoot — a style shift that fans say highlights a more confident and mature side of the global K-pop star. On Wednesday (local time), U.S. fashion magazine “V Magazine” released Jennie’s photos and an accompanying interview. In the shoot, she appears with her long straight hair cut into a strikingly short style, creating a stronger and more sophisticated aura. In one of the featured images, Jennie pairs a black-and-white halter-neck top with oversized hoop earrings, presenting a hip and trend-forward visual that contrasts with her previous image. Speaking to the magazine, Jennie said she remains focused on her core work as an artist, noting that she will be performing in Tokyo around her birthday week. “I can’t believe I’m still saying this. Because it’s something I said a year ago before my first album 'Ruby,' but I feel like a baby stepping into the world,” she said, sharing candid thoughts about her current mindset. When asked about approaching her 3

Itzy listed the datesfor its third international tour Friday via label JYP Entertainment. As announced earlier, the group will kick off the concert trip with a three-night run in Seoul, with last day’s performance to be livestreamed. In April, the quintet will visit fans in Australia and New Zealand, performing in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. It will then head back to Asia and go live in five cities — Tokyo, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Bangkok and Manila — until mid-July. The nine-city tour is titl

All 11 members of Wanna One are expected to reunite for a reality show, media reported Tuesday. The show will premiere in the first half of this year, although details are yet to be finalized, reports said, citing a source from Mnet, a music cable network. The network set fans abuzz with a teaser video on the New Year’s Day. The clip showed a cassette tape bearing the group's logo, which starts playing part of “Spring Breeze,” followed by a message: “we GO again.” Wanna One was borne out of Mnet

Zerobaseone will roll out a special album on Feb. 2, agency WakeOne Entertainment announced Thursday. The limited edition release, dubbed “Re-flow,” will convey the candid emotions and memories the nine members have accumulated over the 2 1/2 years they have spent together, the company said. The project group formed through audition show Boys Planet and was slated to disband in January but decided to extend their activities by two months. The upcoming album comes about five months after the grou

Disney's "Avatar: Fire And Ash" has become the fastest 2025 release to surpass 5 million admissions in Korea, box-office data showed Friday. The sci-fi tentpole drew about 358,000 moviegoers Thursday, taking a 50.7 percent revenue share and maintaining its lead at the local box office, according to the Korean Film Council. The movie's cumulative admissions stood at about 5.01 million as of 7 a.m. The third entry in James Cameron's 16-year-old blockbuster franchise reached the 5 million mark in 17 days after its release, two days faster than Disney's popular animated sequel "Zootopia 2." "Zootopia 2" placed second Thursday with around 137,000 viewers and a 16.2 percent revenue share. It has attracted a total of 7.84 million moviegoers since its local release on Nov. 26.

SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- Disney's "Avatar: Fire And Ash" has become the fastest...

K-pop project boy group Wanna One will reunite with fans for the first time in a while through a new reality TV program set to air in the first half of this year. "The Wanna One members have been considering ways to meet Wannables, and agreed to produce a new reality show, a format most beloved by their fans," an official with the cable music channel Mnet said Friday. Wannable is the name of the group's fandom. The official added that the channel is preparing the show with the aim of releasing it within the first half of the year and details of the show will be announced once fixed. Formed through Mnet's 2017 audition program "Produce 101" Season 2, Wanna One debuted as an 11-member project group and gained huge popularity with hit songs, like "Energetic" and "Beautiful." The group stood at the forefront of K-pop's third generation alongside two other boy groups, EXO and BTS. With EXO's new album due out this month and BTS' album release planned for March, fans will be able to greet all three of these top-tier acts of the third-generation K-pop in various ways during the first half of th

SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- K-pop project boy group Wanna One will reunite with fa...