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Unsuk Chin has been selected as the Grand Prize winner of the 14th Daewon Music Awards, the Daewon Culture Foundation announced Wednesday. Pianist Sunwoo Yekwon received the Performance Award, while violinist Kim Seo-hyun was named recipient of the Emerging Artist Award, which honors promising young musicians. Chin is regarded as the most internationally acclaimed Korean composer since Isang Yun (1917-1925). Over the years, she has elevated the global standing of Korean classical music through a string of prestigious honors, including the Grawemeyer Award (2004), the Arnold Schoenberg Prize (2005), the Prince Pierre of Monaco Composition Prize (2010), the Wihuri Sibelius Prize (2017), the Hamburg Bach Prize (2019), the Marie-Josée Kravis Prize (2020), the Léonie Sonning Music Prize (2021) and the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize (2024). Last year, Chin won the Contemporary Music Recording Award at the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) for the Berliner Philharmoniker’s “Unsuk Chin Edition.” In March this year, she also became the first Korean recipient of the BBVA Foundati

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Hybe unveiled a revamped corporate brand system on Wednesday, including a new mission, vision and corporate identity, as part of its long-term growth strategy. The company introduced a new mission statement: "Discover a new universe, unlock an immersive journey." According to Hybe, the mission reflects its goal of delivering immersive experiences through artists, content and various services while enabling audiences to discover new tastes and worlds. The company said the message also represents

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SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean director Park Chan-wook said he will eval

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CANNES — Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez will lead a cast reunion of "The Fast and the Furious" stars on Wednesday in Cannes ahead of a special screening to mark the 25th anniversary of the original movie. Diesel and Rodriguez posed with fellow actor Jordana Brewster and the daughter of late co-star Paul Walker, who died in a car crash in 2013, at the French film festival Wednesday. "The Fast and the Furious" will be screened in a midnight slot later in the day, bringing some Hollywood razzle-dazzle to Cannes where U.S. studios are notably absent. Hollywood majors such as Universal, Disney or Sony, as well as streaming giants Netflix and Amazon, have decided against launching any of their blockbusters on the French Riviera, unlike in previous years. Reasons for their absence include cost-cutting, a growing preference for tightly controlled social media-led launches, and the risk that a mauling from the Cannes critics can doom a movie. The first edition of the "The Fast and the Furious", a street-racing thriller, helped launch a franchise that has grossed more than seven billion dollar

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Flare U made its debut Wednesday with its first EP, “Youth Error,” introducing itself as a two-member act built around the idea that imperfection can become its own kind of brightness. The duo of Chuei Liyu and Kang Woojin held a debut showcase ahead of the EP’s release, presenting the album as the starting point of a youth story shaped by trial and error as well as companionship and growth. The duo's name refers to the moment when two separate lights come together to form one brighter glow. The

K-drama heartthrob Song Joong-ki is set to return to KBS with the drama, “Love Cloud,” marking his first project with the broadcaster in about a decade since the hit series “Descendants of the Sun.” According to an exclusive report by Hankook Ilbo on Wednesday, “Love Cloud,” starring Song and Park Ji-hyun, has officially secured a weekend time slot on KBS2. The drama is expected to air in the first half of next year as the follow-up to KBS’s highly anticipated series “Munmu.” Reports of Song positively reviewing the offer first surfaced late last year, and discussions regarding scheduling and production have since progressed. Actors Lee Si-woo and Choi Hee-jin are also said to be considering roles in the project. “Love Cloud” is a romantic comedy set in the mystical atmosphere of Jeju Island, where “love becomes the weather.” The story follows Kang Woo-joo, a former flight instructor, and aspiring pilot Ahn Ha-nee, who reunite seven years later as an air traffic controller and pilot. Director Song Min-yeop will helm the drama. The project carries particular sign

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SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- Despite decadeslong thorny ties between South Korea an

SBS’ new drama "My Royal Nemesis" centers on Kang Dan-sim, a Joseon-era "villainess" executed by poison who wakes up 300 years later in the body of a struggling actress, Shin Seo-ri. While the premise risked being dismissed as just another derivative time-slip trope, the series has instead debuted as a bold and cheeky romantic comedy. Actress Lim Ji-yeon’s performance is the show's true anchor, as she effortlessly pivots between slapstick comedy and poignant romance to strike a perfect balance of comedy, angst and romantic chemistry. Driven by Lim’s powerhouse performance and a narrative that outpaces the typical fantasy rom-com formula, the show has already captivated audiences. By its second episode, it hit a 5.4 percent nationwide rating, according to Nielsen Korea, and clinched the top spot on Netflix Korea. The drama opens with a haunting sequence: Kang Dan-sim (Lim), a royal concubine branded a villainess, collapses after drinking poison. Her final cry — "My only crime was struggling to survive in a palace where everyone sought my head" — is cut short as a total lunar ec

Korean director Park Chan-wook said he will evaluate films at this year's Cannes Film Festival with the "pure eyes of an audience." Speaking at a press conference in Cannes, France, for the festival's competition jury, held before the festival opened Tuesday (local time), Park outlined his dual approach to viewing and evaluating the entries as the jury president. "I want to watch the films with a sense of excitement, without prejudice, preconceptions or fixed ideas, waiting to see which work will surprise me," Park said in a video of the event posted on the festival's website. "But when it comes time to discuss them, I will speak as a professional with clear views and an understanding of cinema history." Asked by a reporter whether art should be separated from politics, Park rejected the idea. "It is strange to think of politics and art as opposing concepts," he said, adding that films with political messages should not be seen as "the enemy of art" if expressed effectively. The 79th edition features three Korean films across sections, underlining the country's growing global cinematic pr

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For years, Korean cinema arrived at the Cannes Film Festival as a celebrated outsider, a source of visceral, high-concept energy that reliably jolted the traditional hierarchy. This year, as the 79th edition of the festival begins, that energy has been translated into institutional power. The most visible sign of this new status is the appointment of Park Chan-wook, the director of "Oldboy" and "Decision to Leave," as the first Korean to serve as president of the main competition jury. His role as the festival’s lead arbiter marks a transition for the Korean film industry: It is no longer just a trend to be watched, but a standard-bearer for the medium. To turn this symbolic prestige into structural influence, the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) launched an expansive commercial offensive on the Croisette. Operating from a dedicated pavilion in the International Village, the council is moving beyond the promotion of finished films toward a strategy of deep-rooted international integration. At the heart of this effort is the "KO-PICK" initiative, a program designed to embed Korean producers

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Younite returned Tuesday with a refined sound and renewed sense of direction, unveiling its eighth EP “Inyun Part. 1” as the beginning of a new chapter. The media showcase, held in western Seoul, marked the boy group’s first comeback in nine months and its first release under Para Music, a K-pop label under Brand New Music. The seven members present — Eunho, Steve, Hyungseok, Woono, Dey, Kyungmoon and Sion — described the album as both a turning point and a fresh start. “We prepared really hard

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Mamamoo shared promo photographs of Solar and Moonbyul ahead of its upcoming international tour “4Ward,” agency RBW Entertainment announced Tuesday. Clad in all black, the two pose in close-up shots released after the group's poster for its Seoul show, which will kick off the tour. The four members will hold three concerts in the capital on June 19, the day of their 12th debut anniversary. It will be the first full-group show in three years. The tour then takes Mamamoo to five more cities in Asi

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Hybe x Geffen, a joint venture formed between Hybe and Geffen Records, has revealed the name and final lineup of its second global girl group, Saint Satine. The quartet was introduced during the finale of "World Scout: The Final Piece," a 12-episode audition program that aired Wednesday on the Japanese streaming platform ABEMA. Former "The Debut: Dream Academy" contestants Emily, Lexie and Samara were confirmed as members, with Sakura selected as the final addition through the show. Saint Satine

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BTS returned to the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Global Excl. US chart, after a week one rung below, with “Swim,” according to the latest chart dated May 16. The lead single from the band’s fifth studio album “Arirang” sat at No. 2 on the Global 200 and climbed back up two rungs to No. 30 on the Hot 100, tallying seven weeks on the main songs chart. The album slid down two rungs to No. 7 on Billboard 200, sitting among the top 10 for seven weeks straight, including three atop the ranking. Separatel

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Yoo Hae-jin, who plays the warden in the megahit film "The King's Warden," has donated 100 million won ($66,787) to support patients receiving cancer treatment, a Seoul hospital said Wednesday. Yoo expressed hope that the donation will help cancer patients receive better treatment in a more comfortable and safe environment and eventually return to their everyday lives, according to Asan Medical Center. With the latest contribution, Yoo has donated a combined 200 million won to the hospital, following earlier donations in 2022 and 2023. The hospital said it plans to use the donation to establish cutting-edge treatment systems for cancer patients and improve the environment for their treatments. Yoo recently received the grand prize in the film category at the Baeksang Awards for his performance in "The King's Warden," which has become the second-most watched film in Korean cinema history following its release in February. Directed by Jang Hang-jun, the film portrays the unlikely friendship between village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hae-jin) and the dethroned King Danjong (Park Ji-hoon) of the

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Illit’s fourth EP “Mamihlapinatapai” debuted at No. 26 on the Billboard 200, its best career rank on the main albums chart, agency Belift Lab said Wednesday. Its first EP “Super Real Me” ranked No. 93, second EP “I’ll Like You” No. 94 and third EP “bomb” ranked No. 171. The focus track from the EP, “It’s Me,” ranked No. 55 and No. 104 on Billboard Global excl. US and Global 200, respectively, pushing the group to No. 26 on its Artist 100 chart. The five-track release entered Oricon’s Daily Album

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The fantasy rom-com series "My Royal Nemesis" featuring "The Glory" star Lim Ji-yeon ranked No. 1 on Netflix's non-English chart, the streaming platform said Wednesday. The SBS drama series garnered 3.9 million views for the week that ended Sunday, according to Netflix. It ranked in the top 10 in 44 countries and regions, including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Greece and Mexico. Released last week, "My Royal Nemesis" follows a legendary villain from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) whose soul is reborn into the body of a modern-day actress with little fame. Korean shows swept the weekly chart, with the young adult horror series "If Wishes Could Kill" placing No. 2, followed by the rom-com series "Sold Out on You," which ranked third. In the English-language film category, "KPop Demon Hunters" ranked No. 5, staying in the top 10 for the 47th straight week.

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SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- Yoo Hae-jin, who plays the warden in the megahit film

TWS has confirmed a No.1 spot on Oricon’s Weekly Album Ranking with its fifth EP, agency Pledis Entertainment said Tuesday, citing the prereleased chart dated May 18. The Japanese ranking noted that EP “No Tragedy” is the boy group’s first leader on the albums chart, selling over 220,000 copies in the country. The mini album headed straight to the top of its Daily Album Ranking and claimed the top spot for two more days. The group released the album in Korea on April 27, selling over a million c

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Actor Ra Mi-ran expressed both excitement and pressure in taking on the lead role for the upcoming fantasy film "The Mysterious Candy Store Jun Chun Dang," based on the hit Japanese children's book series. "I felt a sense of responsibility in playing Hong-ja because the original work is loved by so many people," Ra said during a press conference at a theater in Seoul, Wednesday. "I was motivated by the desire to create a Korean version of the story and to challenge myself with the fantasy genre after focusing on more realistic roles in the past." "The Mysterious Candy Store Jun Chun Dang" is a fantasy drama based on the best-selling Japanese novel series "Mysterious Candy Store Sentendo" by Reiko Hiroshima. The story follows the mysterious owner of a candy store who sells magical treats that grant wishes to lucky customers holding specific coins. The original book series is a major cultural phenomenon in Korea with more than 2 million copies sold. Its popularity has led to various adaptations including an animated series and a movie in Japan and a musical in Korea. The musical version he

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K-pop duo FLARE U released its debut album, "YOUTH ERROR," Wednesday, officially marking its arrival after months of anticipation from fans who first fell for them on an audition show. The two members, Chuei Li Yu from Taiwan and Korean Kang Woo-jin, competed on Mnet's "Boys II Planet" last year, finishing 10th and 16th, respectively. Neither made the final debut lineup, but their easy rapport became one of the show's more talked-about storylines. The name, FLARE U, captures exactly that: two separate sparks becoming one light. A few hours before the official album drop on Wednesday, the two met the press for a media showcase at BlueSquare Woori WON Banking Hall in Seoul's Yongsan District, sharing behind-the-scenes stories leading up to the duo's launch. "After the audition program ended, I took some rest and then prepared for a fan event. I felt sorry that I couldn't share more news in the meantime," Kang said. It was also a period of real growth, he noted. Appearing on a TV show had been a first for him, and the physical and emotional demands caught him off guard early on. "Having gone

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