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National Pension caught in crossfire over Heeseung’s departure from Enhypen

South Korea’s National Pension Service was drawn into unexpected K-pop backlash after fans, angered by Heeseung’s departure from Enhypen earlier this month, flooded one of its call centers with complaints. The state pension operator — which runs one of the world’s largest pension funds, with assets exceeding 1,600 trillion won — is a major shareholder in Hybe, the parent company of Enhypen’s management agency, Belift Lab. Kim Sung-joo, the NPS chief executive, said in a Facebook post on Wednesda

ENHYPEN

Stray Kids to release new digital single for 8th debut anniversary

SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- K-pop boy group Stray Kids will release a new digita...

Stray Kids

(LEAD) Police to set up crowd control zone for 100,000 people during BTS concert

SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- Police said Wednesday they will set up a crowd contr...

BTS

Netflix keeps Cha Eun‑woo series on track despite tax allegations

Netflix is pushing ahead with the second-quarter release of an upcoming series starring Cha Eun-woo, despite the actor facing a 20 billion won ($13.8 million) tax evasion scandal in Korea. "As announced at the 'Next on Netflix' event, the release schedule remains unchanged," a Netflix official told Hankook Ilbo Tuesday. "We will announce the specific release date and key dates as soon as they are confirmed." Netflix had previously included "The Wonderfools" among its second quarter releases at the Next on Netflix 2026 Korea showcase held on Jan. 21. After the event, tax evasion allegations involving Cha surfaced, prompting questions about whether the series’ release schedule would be affected. The National Tax Service assessed a 20 billion won tax penalty against the actor. This financial penalty is known to be the largest tax surcharge imposed on a Korean celebrity. Following the controversy, Fantagio, Cha's agency, said it is "reviewing the facts" according to tax authority procedures and will responsibly take necessary measures once legal and administrative judgments become clear. "I

Stray Kids to release new digital single for 8th debut anniversary

K-pop boy group Stray Kids will release a new digital single titled "Stay" next Wednesday to mark the eighth anniversary of its debut, the group's label said Wednesday. The track will be released at 1 p.m. (Korean time) to mark the day eight years ago when the group debuted. The release serves as a musical tribute to the group's fandom, also known as Stay, JYP Entertainment said in a statement. An online cover image of the digital single was posted on the group's official social media accounts earlier in the day. The eight-member group will hold its sixth official meet-and-greet event for fans at Inspire Arena in Incheon on March 28 to 29 and April 4 to 5. All tickets for the shows have sold out, according to the agency.

Stray Kids

P1Harmony Breaks 500,000 1st-Week Sales For 1st Time With “UNIQUE”

P1Harmony is soaring to new heights with their latest comeback! Last week, P1Harmony made their return with their new mini album “UNIQUE” and its title track of the same name on March 12. According to Hanteo Chart, “UNIQUE” has now achieved the highest first-week sales of the group’s career to date. In the first week… The post appeared first on .

P1Harmony

ALPHA DRIVE ONE Reported To Make May Comeback + Agency Briefly Comments

ALPHA DRIVE ONE may be making their very first comeback in May! On March 18, News1 reported that ALPHA DRIVE ONE is currently preparing to release a new album sometime in May. In response to the report, their agency WAKEONE shared, “ALPHA DRIVE ONE is currently preparing for their first comeback. The exact timing has… The post appeared first on .

ALPHA DRIVE ONE

From Broadway stars to wrestlers, your favorite celebrities are also BTS fans

What do a Tony winner, a wrestler, an author and a tennis star have in common? A love for the global phenomenon BTS. As the seven-member boy group gears up for a historic comeback with its first full-length album in six years, its global fandom, known as ARMY, is also preparing to showcase its full support. While K-pop fandoms are widely perceived as predominantly young and female, ARMY has continuously broken the stereotype with demographics spanning not only the globe but also various professions and industries, featuring Oscar winners, rappers and even wrestlers among its ranks. Ahead of Friday’s “Arirang” album release, here are just some of the famous personalities who are excited for the BTS comeback. Naomi Osaka When Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka met BTS’ Suga at an NBA game in 2022, she mentioned loving a lesser-known song of the band — “Autumn Leaves” from its 2015 album “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2.” The top-ranked women’s singles tennis player at the time posted that she told Suga, who produced the track, that “it was a great song,” and

SUGA

BTS

BTS' 'Swim' teaser hints at Hollywood-facing strategy

BTS unveiled a teaser for its new main track "Swim" at midnight on Wednesday, drawing attention not only to the song but also to the high-profile names attached to its music video. The 17-second teaser offers limited clues. Nearly five seconds are devoted to the Big Hit Music logo, leaving less than 10 seconds of actual footage, making it difficult to gauge the song’s concept or sound. Music critics say the teaser suggests the music video may cater to the Western pop market rather than emphasize

BTS

Stray Kids to drop single on 8th debut anniversary

Stray Kids will release a digital single on March 25 in celebration of its eighth debut anniversary, label JYP Entertainment announced Wednesday. The cover image for the single “Star, Light (Stay)” features the compass motif used for the group's official light sticks. Each member contributed to the artwork by drawing their own star. Stay is the name of their official fandom community. The group is likely to perform the single at its upcoming fan meeting in Incheon. Under the title, “Stay in Our

Stray Kids

Watch: ITZY’s Lia Launches Personal YouTube Channel + Reveals Her Home

ITZY’s Lia is now on YouTube! On March 18, Lia launched a new YouTube channel of her very own under the name “LIA CHOI.” For her first video, Lia gave viewers a peek inside her home—along with an introduction to her adorable dog Bella. When asked to share her thoughts on starting her own YouTube… The post appeared first on .

Lia

ITZY

Watch: BTS To Return To “The Tonight Show” For 2 Separate Episodes

BTS is returning to “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”! On March 18, the famous U.S. late-night talk show announced that BTS would be appearing on back-to-back episodes next week. In what marks their first U.S. late-night show appearance as a full group since 2021, BTS will be joining host Jimmy Fallon for an in-studio… The post appeared first on .

BTS

[Graphic News] BTS to brighten Gwanghwamun with comeback concert

BTS is set to hold an outdoor concert on March 21 to celebrate the release of its fifth album “Arirang,” transforming Gwanghwamun Square into festival grounds. The event, “BTS the Comeback Live — Arirang,” will take place at Yukjo Yard, north of Gwanghwamun Square. The seven members will enter through the gates of Geunjeongmun, Heungnyemun and Gwanghwamun, passing the royal viewing platform Woldae, with the procession and concert streamed live to viewers in 190 territories via Netflix. The perfo

BTS

Enhypen logs 8th consecutive week on Billboard

Enhypen is showing strong staying power on Billboard charts in the US, continuing upward momentum weeks after the last release. According to the latest chart dated March 21, the group’s seventh EP, “The Sin : Vanish,” jumped 74 spots to No. 61 on the Billboard 200. Since debuting at No. 2 on the Jan. 17 chart, the album has remained on the ranking for eight consecutive weeks. The release also performed well across other album charts. It reclaimed the top spot on Billboard's world albums chart, a

ENHYPEN

Jennie to headline Lollapalooza Chicago

SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- Jennie of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will headline t...

BLACKPINK

March Individual Idol Brand Reputation Rankings Announced

The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for individual idols! The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, and community awareness indexes of 1,730 idols, using big data collected from February 19 to March 19. Wanna One’s Park Ji Hoon topped this month’s list… The post appeared first on .

Wanna One

Jin

Baekhyun

G-Dragon

Gaeul

NouerA Announces Dates And Cities For 2026 World Tour “CATCH THE WAVE”

NouerA is embarking on a world tour! On March 18, the “MAKE MATE 1” group officially announced their plans for their upcoming world tour “CATCH THE WAVE.” First, NouerA will kick off the European leg of their tour in Amsterdam on May 23 before performing in Berlin on May 27, Warsaw on May 30, Milan… The post appeared first on .

NouerA

Watch: 2PM Reveals New Version Of Official Light Stick

Get ready for a brand-new version of 2PM’s official light stick! On March 18, 2PM released a teaser for the upcoming third version of their light stick. The video reveals the design for the new and improved light stick, which will go on sale online on March 19 at 2 p.m. KST. Check out the… The post appeared first on .

2PM

Watch: P1Harmony Takes 1st Win For “UNIQUE” On “Show Champion”; Performances By KickFlip, NouerA, And More

P1Harmony has won their first music show trophy for their new title track “UNIQUE”! On the March 18 episode of “Show Champion,” the candidates for first place were Hearts2Hearts’ “RUDE!,” IVE‘s “BLACKHOLE,” NouerA’s “POP IT LIKE,” P1Harmony’s “UNIQUE,” and SHINee’s Onew‘s “TOUGH LOVE.” The trophy ultimately went to P1Harmony. Congratulations to P1Harmony! Watch the winner announcement… The post appeared first on .

IVE

QUIZ: Take This Personality Quiz To Find Out Which BTS Solo Track You Are, Just In Time For Their Comeback!

Are you excited for the BTS comeback? Are you sure?! Just kidding. If you’re absolutely dying while waiting, we’ve got a little quiz to occupy your time. You’ll even be able to find out which BTS solo song is suited to your personality! The post appeared first on .

BTS

Store employee accused of taking vouchers NCT’s Jaemin gave to fans

A store employee has sparked controversy after allegedly taking some of the gift certificates a K-pop star had given to fans. The company has apologized and launched an internal investigation. According to the retail industry, Jaemin, a member of K-pop group NCT Dream, sent fans 30 Shinsegae gift certificates worth 100,000 won each ($67) on the night of March 14 to mark White Day. He shared images containing the barcode for each voucher, allowing fans to claim them on a first-come, first-served basis. Some fans who visited an E-Mart branch the next day to exchange the mobile vouchers for paper certificates found that a large portion had already been redeemed at the Gumi branch before the store opened at 10 a.m. The news fueled online suspicion that a store employee had secretly taken the vouchers before opening hours, leading some fans to file complaints directly with Shinsegae Group, which owns and operates E-Mart. After launching an internal investigation, E-Mart confirmed that an employee at the Gumi branch had preemptively redeemed nine of the vouchers. Shinsegae apologized for the inc

Jaemin

NCT

Police to set up crowd control zone for 100,000 people during BTS concert

SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- Police said Wednesday they will set up a crowd contr...

BTS

Lee asks for public's cooperation in ensuring safety at BTS comeback show

President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday asked for the public's cooperation in ensuring safety at K-pop group BTS' comeback concert in central Seoul this weekend. The group is set to perform at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday, where hundreds of thousands of fans and visitors are expected, prompting authorities to prepare crowd control and other safety measures. "In order for the event to proceed safely, relevant ministries, the local government, police, firefighting and other agencies are making full preparations," Lee wrote on social media platform X. "Please cooperate with directions from on-site safety personnel and report any ticket scalping, which undermines the market order," he added. As part of security measures ahead of the concert, the government plans to raise the official terror alert by one notch for parts of central Seoul from midnight Wednesday until midnight Saturday.

BTS

Resale prices for BTS light sticks soar ahead of reunion show

Ahead of BTS’ long-awaited comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square this weekend, as well as their April concert in Goyang, demand for the group’s official light sticks is surging across online resale platforms, triggering price increases and supply shortages. The Army Bomb is the official BTS light stick used by fans, known as Army, at the group's concerts or performances to show support. The latest Army Bomb is the band’s fourth version and its first light stick to be released in six years. Ligh

BTS

Fans flood Korea’s pension fund over ENHYPEN exit, paralyzing hotline

Backlash over a K-pop lineup change has spilled into an unlikely target: South Korea’s national pension fund. After ENHYPEN member Heeseung’s reported departure, overseas fans flooded the National Pension Service (NPS) with calls and emails — temporarily paralyzing operations and highlighting how far fan activism can reach. Kim Sung-joo, chairman of the NPS, said on social media on March 18 that the agency’s International Pension Service Center was hit with a sudden surge of overseas inquiries. “International calls came in all at once, temporarily paralyzing operations, and about 1,500 emails were received within two hours,” he said. The unexpected disruption was tied to fan campaigns circulating online that urged supporters to protest to the NPS, a major shareholder of HYBE — the parent company of BELIFT LAB, ENHYPEN’s agency. Fans dissatisfied with Heeseung’s exit reportedly targeted the pension fund in hopes of pressuring the company. Kim clarified that the affected center handles pension services for foreign workers in Korea and Koreans working abroad, meaning regul

ENHYPEN

BTS drops music video teaser for 'SWIM' as full-group return nears

K-pop supergroup BTS has heightened anticipation for its return with a cinematic teaser for the music video of its upcoming title track, signaling its first full-group comeback in nearly four years. BigHit Music, the label behind the boy band, released the teaser at midnight Wednesday through the group’s official social media accounts and YouTube channel. The clip previews a portion of the melody from “SWIM,” the lead single from BTS’ upcoming fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” due Friday. The teaser unfolds with a woman running into an empty museum and scanning its exhibition halls before stopping in front of a large ship model. As the surrounding lights gradually fade, the vessel remains under a spotlight. The scene then shifts to a glimmering ocean, where sunlight reflects off calm waves. The word “SWIM” appears across the water as the video fades out. The music video is directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Tanu Muino, known for her work on Jungkook’s “Standing Next to You” music video as well as projects for global pop acts including Post Malone, Doja Cat and Dua L

BTS

What's next after disbandment? 4Minute members’ unexpected second acts draw attention

A decade after K-pop group 4Minute disbanded, its members are drawing renewed attention — not for a reunion, but for how far they have drifted from the spotlight. From a secret web novel writer to a Bali-based author and a fitness instructor, their unexpected career pivots are sparking curiosity among fans online. 4Minute, which debuted in 2009, rose to fame with hits like "Hot Issue," "Crazy," and "What's My Name?" before disbanding in 2016. While the group left behind a strong legacy in second-generation K-pop, its members have since carved out strikingly different paths — many far removed from the entertainment industry. One of the most surprising transformations comes from Jeon Ji-yoon, who revealed she has been working as a web novel writer — quietly and under a pseudonym. Appearing on a YouTube show hosted by the channel “ZZIN_PAGE,” she said, "I kept my work as a web novel writer a secret, so I was surprised to be contacted for this appearance." She added, "This is my first time appearing on a broadcast as a web novel writer." Explaining how she entered the field, Jeon s

4Minute

Weather on BTS’ side for comeback show

Near-perfect spring weather is in store for Saturday, the day of the K-pop megaband BTS' comeback concert in Seoul, with daytime highs reaching around 15 degrees Celsius, Korea's weather agency said Wednesday. However, those attending the outdoor concert should be mindful of the sharp temperature swings typical of springtime in Korea, and are advised to dress in layers and bring a jacket. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, temperatures are expected to drop to around 4 degrees

BTS

Le Sserafim hits 20th week on Billboard Global Chart

Le Sserafim extended its stay on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart to 20 weeks straight with “Spaghetti (Feat. J-Hope of BTS).” This marks the longest run on the tally for a single released in 2025 from a fourth-generation K-pop girl group, Source Music noted. The funk-pop tune peppered with J-Hope rapping is the lead single from the group’s first single album, which was released in October last year. It debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 at No. 50 and on the UK’s Official Singles Top 100 at No. 4

LE SSERAFIM

BTS

BTS merchandise nearly sold out ahead of Seoul comeback concert

Demand for official merchandise from the K-pop supergroup BTS is surging ahead of its upcoming comeback concert, driving shortages and pushing resale prices sharply higher, according to market data. On Bunjang, an online marketplace for used goods, searches for BTS-related terms — including “BTS light stick,” “BTS concert” and “BTS ticket” — have ranked among the most popular this month, reflecting a concurrent rise in demand for both concert access and merchandise. As of March, search volume for the BTS light stick — widely known as the “ARMY Bomb” — surged 438 percent from the previous month and 1,764 percent from a year earlier. Monthly transaction volume for the item also rose 136 percent over the same period. Supply shortages have begun to surface in the domestic resale market, where listings are selling out within 30 minutes of being posted. Overseas demand is also increasing, with a growing number of transactions for BTS light sticks reported on Mercari, an e-commerce company. Prices of the official light stick have climbed sharply. On the limited-edition tr

BTS

4 former Zerobaseone bandmates to start anew: report

Four former bandmates of Zerobaseone will begin a new chapter as a new group on May 26, according to a local media report Wednesday. YH Entertainment acknowledged that another debut is in the works for Zhang Hao, Ricky, Han Yujin and Kim Gyuvin, but did not provide any specifics. The aforementioned four debuted with the project group in 2023 as finalists of TV competition “Boyz Planet.” The nine-member act extended its group activities by two months and held its final gigs, encore shows for the

Ricky

ZEROBASEONE

Alpha Drive One to return in May: report

Alpha Drive One is preparing for a May return, local media reported Wednesday. Agency WakeOne Entertainment confirmed that the group is preparing a new album, but said the exact timeline is yet to be finalized. The rookie boy band was formed through an audition show and debuted in January with “Euphoria.” The EP sold more than 1.44 million copies in the first week, the second most for a debut album from a group, and the fourth most for a debut album overall, in K-pop history. Last week, the grou

ALPHA DRIVE ONE

Jennie to headline Lollapalooza Chicago

Jennie of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will headline this year's Lollapalooza Chicago, organizers said Tuesday (U.S. time), as a total of four K-pop acts prepare to take the stage at the major U.S. music festival. The 2026 edition of the event is scheduled to run from July 30 to Aug. 2 at Grant Park in Chicago. Jennie is set to share the headlining spotlight with a diverse roster of artists, including Charli XCX, Tate McRae, Lorde, Olivia Dean, John Summit, The Smashing Pumpkins, and The xx. While Jennie has previously performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival — appearing with BLACKPINK in 2019 and 2023, and as a solo artist in April last year — this marks her debut at Lollapalooza. Other K-pop acts joining this year's lineup include girl groups aespa and i-dle, as well as rookie boy group Cortis, bringing the total number of acts from the industry to perform at the festival to four.

Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack climbs Billboard charts

Netflix's animation sensation "KPop Demon Hunters," which won two Oscars earlier this week, saw its original soundtrack climb on both the main singles and albums charts of the US Billboard, the latest charts showed Wednesday. "Golden" from the soundtrack rose one place to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, logging its 38th consecutive week on the chart. Another hit song from the soundtrack, "How It's Done," held steady at No. 86. The film's soundtrack album climbed two spots to No. 11 on the Billbo

National Pension Service Makes Official Statement On Calls About Heeseung’s Departure From ENHYPEN

The chairman and CEO of South Korea’s National Pension Service has issued an official statement on an incident involving calls about Heeseung’s departure from ENHYPEN. Last week, following the announcement that Heeseung would be leaving ENHYPEN and debuting as a solo artist, posts began spreading on social media urging fans to call and lodge complaints… The post appeared first on .

Heeseung

ENHYPEN

Park Ji Hoon Sweeps No. 1 In Both Drama Actor And Boy Group Member Brand Reputation Rankings For March

After topping this month’s brand reputation rankings for individual boy group members, Park Ji Hoon has also claimed the No. 1 spot in March’s drama actor brand reputation rankings! According to the Korean Business Research Institute on March 18, Park Ji Hoon ranked first in the March 2026 drama actor brand reputation rankings. Lee Jun… The post appeared first on .

Hyun

Bae

Hyuk

Han

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Jin

JYP Entertainment Announces Strong Legal Action Against Stalking Behavior Toward 2PM Member

JYP Entertainment has issued a firm warning regarding stalking behavior targeting a member of 2PM. On March 18, the agency revealed that it had recently identified stalking-related actions that violate the artist’s privacy and threaten their safety. JYP Entertainment stated that it is currently securing evidence and pursuing legal action, emphasizing that it will respond… The post appeared first on .

2PM

HYBE Clarifies Use Of Red Lighting For BTS’s “ARIRANG” Comeback Event

HYBE has addressed concerns surrounding the “red lighting” set to illuminate major landmarks across Seoul in celebration of BTS’s upcoming comeback. The lighting display is part of a large-scale project tied to BTS’s comeback performance, scheduled to take place at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21. At HYBE’s request, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to light… The post appeared first on .

BTS

IU Talks About Why She Chose To Star In “Perfect Crown,” Her Unique Character, And Reasons To Anticipate The Drama

IU is gearing up to charm as Sung Hee Joo in MBC’s upcoming drama “Perfect Crown”! Set in an alternate universe where modern-day Korea is a constitutional monarchy, “Perfect Crown” will tell the love story of Sung Hee Joo (IU), a chaebol heiress who has everything but is only a commoner in status, and Grand… The post appeared first on .

Lee Junho And Go Youn Jung Announced As First Presenter Lineup For Asia Star Entertainer Awards (ASEA) 2026

The Asia Star Entertainer Awards (ASEA) 2026 has revealed its first presenter lineup! On March 18, the 3rd Asia Star Entertainer Awards announced that Lee Junho and Go Youn Jung will serve as presenters for the first day of the upcoming awards ceremony on May 16. Launched in 2024, ASEA has become a global awards… The post appeared first on .

Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu Vin, And Han Yu Jin Reported To Make May Debut In New Group + Agency Comments

Former ZEROBASEONE members Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu Vin, and Han Yu Jin are reportedly gearing up to debut in a new group. On March 18, it was reported that the four are set to debut with additional members through the group NDOUBLE on May 26. In response to the report, a source from their… The post appeared first on .

Ricky

ZEROBASEONE

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Jin

Kim

2026 Korea Grand Music Awards (KGMA) Announces Dates And Venue

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Korea Grand Music Awards (KGMA)! On March 18, the organizers of the Korea Grand Music Awards announced that this year’s ceremony would be held over two days on November 7 and 8 at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. Notably, the upcoming ceremony will mark the first time that… The post appeared first on .