Direct from Korean news and other sources
It’s official: aespa’s Ningning is the new face of Gucci! On April 29, Gucci officially announced that Ningning had been chosen as the newest global ambassador for the Italian luxury fashion house. “I am excited and delighted to have been chosen as a global ambassador for Gucci,” said Ningning. “As it’s a brand that I’ve… The post appeared first on .
TXT’s Yeonjun has forged an official partnership with Italian luxury brand Miu Miu! This week, Miu Miu announced that Yeonjun had been chosen as the fashion brand’s first official “friend of the house.” According to Miu Miu, “friend of the house” is a title bestowed upon partners who share the brand’s aesthetic values and conveys… The post appeared first on .
8TURN’s Kyungmin will be temporarily halting activities due to his health. On April 29, MNH Entertainment announced that during the latter half of 8TURN’s promotions for “BRUISE,” Kyungmin had begun “experiencing symptoms related to his stomach and has been balancing his schedule with treatment.” The agency went on to state that the idol had since… The post appeared first on .
HYBE, the company behind K-pop megastar BTS, posted a sharp rise in first-quarter revenue on the back of the band's comeback, but swung to an operating loss due to a one-off accounting cost tied to stock-based compensation for employees. The company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that its January-March revenue rose 39.5 percent year-on-year to 698.3 billion won ($468 million), marking a record high for a first quarter, which is typically a slow season for the music industry. Operating loss came to 196.6 billion won, compared with a profit of 21.6 billion won a year earlier, missing the market consensus of 42.6 billion-won profit compiled by Yonhap Infomax, the financial data service of Yonhap News Agency. Net loss stood at 156.7 billion won. HYBE said the loss reflected a 255 billion-won one-off expense after Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, the company's largest shareholder, granted shares from his personal holdings as employee incentives. The firm said the cost did not involve an actual cash outflow. Excluding the one-off item, adjusted operating profit was 58.5 billion won. Revenue from a
Circle Chart (formerly known as Gaon Chart) has revealed its chart rankings for the week of April 12 to 18! Album Chart TXT achieved a double crown on this week’s Circle charts, topping both the physical album chart and the digital download chart with their new mini album “7TH YEAR: A Moment of Stillness in… The post appeared first on .
Singer-actor Cha Eun-woo has resurfaced during his military service — but not without renewed scrutiny — after news of his roughly 13 billion won ($9.5 million) tax payment spread online, drawing both praise and lingering criticism. Recent photos and clips of Cha in uniform began circulating across online communities and X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, quickly going viral among fans and netizens. In the images, Cha is seen dressed in formal attire, delivering a sharp, precise salute in front of members of a military band orchestra. A short video also shows him performing g.o.d’s song “One Candle,” capturing attention with his steady vocals even while serving. His disciplined posture and unchanged “face genius” visuals — a nickname often used in Korea to describe his striking looks — further fueled online buzz. However, the response has been divided. While many fans expressed excitement at seeing him well, public opinion remains mixed as the update comes months after his tax controversy. Cha enlisted in July last year after being accepted into the Ministry of National De
When BTS staged performances in central Seoul and Goyang in March and April, the events triggered a measurable tourism surge. International fans stayed longer and spent significantly more than other visitors from abroad, while foreign foot traffic and card spending in surrounding districts multiplied more than 30-fold within days, according to data released Wednesday by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute; and the Korea Tourism Organization. The a
YG Entertainment has revealed some of its plans for the months ahead—along with the third member of its upcoming girl group! On April 30 at midnight KST, YG Entertainment released an announcement video in which founder Yang Hyun Suk spoke about what the agency has coming up. With BABYMONSTER gearing up to make a comeback… The post appeared first on .
LE SSERAFIM has shared a closer look at the intense choreography for their new single! On April 29, LE SSERAFIM released the “Moving version” of their dance practice video for “CELEBRATION,” the lead single off their upcoming album “PUREFLOW.” In contrast to the group’s previously released “Fix version” dance practice video, which offered a full… The post appeared first on .
Hybe's first-quarter revenue hit an all-time high on the back of BTS's full-group return and rising momentum from newer acts, but the K-pop powerhouse swung to an operating loss after booking a one-time charge tied to employee bonuses funded by its chairman. Revenue for the January-March period reached 698.3 billion won, up 40 percent from 500.6 billion won a year earlier, the company said. Adjusted operating profit — which strips out a one-time, non-cash accounting charge — came in at 58.5 bill
Amid ongoing litigation in which entertainment agency ADOR has filed a damages lawsuit worth approximately 43 billion won ($29 million) against former NewJeans member Danielle and others, ADOR’s entire legal team has stepped down. Xportsnews confirmed on April 29 that five attorneys from Kim & Chang, who had been representing ADOR in the case, have all resigned. The resignations come less than a month after the first pretrial hearing, drawing speculation over possible reasons behind the move. With the legal team stepping down, HYBE must now appoint new legal representatives. Some speculate that the trial could be prolonged as a result. Meanwhile, Danielle’s legal representatives remain unchanged and will continue handling the case. Previously, during the first pretrial hearing held on March 26 at Seoul Central District Court, the two sides clashed over the pace of proceedings. At the time, Danielle’s side raised suspicions that ADOR was intentionally trying to delay the case, stating, “They recently requested to postpone the pretrial hearing by two months, which makes it seem like
Park Jihoon is making his return to the music scene with the single album “Re:flect,” to be released at 6 p.m. Wednesday across major streaming platforms. The release marks his first musical project in three years, following his seventh EP “Blank or Black,” released in April 2023. During his musical hiatus, Park continued to work as an actor, appearing in Netflix’s “Weak Hero” and the film “The King’s Warden,” which surpassed 16 million ticket sales as of April 19. “Re:flect” explores themes of
Mark your calendars for ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s return! On April 30 at midnight KST, the “BOYS II PLANET” group officially announced the date and details for their first-ever comeback. ALPHA DRIVE ONE will be returning with their prologue single “No School Tomorrow” on May 26 at 6 p.m. KST. Check out ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s new… The post appeared first on .
After seven years together, CIX will be going their separate ways. On April 29, C9 Entertainment officially announced that CIX would be halting group activities ahead of the upcoming expiration of their exclusive contracts. The agency also revealed that Yonghee would be enlisting in the army as an active-duty soldier on May 11. All four… The post appeared first on .
With its eighth EP “Redefine,” Cravity turns inward, using a six-track release to explore growth, uncertainty and the process of redefining itself. Fronted by the track “Awake,” the album reflects both a creative shift and a transitional moment for the group. The album comes at a meaningful point for Cravity. With the group now six years into their career and contract renewal decisions approaching, Wonjin said the members had discussed the future before preparing the comeback. “We talked about c
A casual remark by Kai about EXO’s current lineup is stirring online debate, with fans questioning whether the trio “CBX” may be drifting further from a full-group return. The moment came during the Monday broadcast of SBS variety show “Uh, But Like, Seriously!,” where cast members jokingly expressed interest in appearing as guests at EXO’s upcoming world tour concerts. When host Lee Sang-min mentioned that Kai would begin EXO concerts in April, Kai confirmed plans for a world tour. As the cast playfully pushed for guest appearances, Kai shut it down, saying, “Don’t get your hopes up,” and added, “It’s a secret. The concert might even get canceled,” waving his hands dismissively. The banter continued, with Tak Jae-hoon jokingly asking for a favor, and Lee urging Kai to let them join. Kai replied cautiously, “I’ll say just one thing. I’m also entering contract renewal season soon,” prompting laughter and more teasing from the cast. But it was one seemingly simple exchange that drew the most attention. When Tak asked, “Kai, how many EXO members are there b
K-pop supergroup BTS drew about 190,000 fans over three days as it kicked off the North American leg of its "Arirang" world tour in Tampa, Florida, the group's agency said Wednesday. The group performed at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday (local time) as part of the North American leg, delivering tracks from its latest studio album, "Arirang," and past hits, such as "MIC Drop" and "Fake Love," BigHit Music said. BTS began the world tour with three-night concerts in the Korean city of Goyang earlier this month. The tour spans a total of 85 shows across 34 cities, making it the largest tour ever undertaken by a K-pop artist. After Tampa, the seven-member group will continue the tour on May 2–3 at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, becoming the first Korean act to hold a concert at the venue. The North American leg involves 31 shows across 12 cities, including Mexico City, Stanford and Las Vegas, with all dates sold out, according to the agency.
Singer-actor Cha Eun-woo has resurfaced during his military service — but not without renewed scrutiny — after news of his roughly 13 billion won ($9.5 million) tax payment spread online, drawing both praise and lingering criticism. Recent photos and clips of Cha in uniform began circulating across online communities and X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, quickly going viral among fans and netizens. In the images, Cha is seen dressed in formal attire, delivering a sharp, precise salute in front of members of a military band orchestra. A short video also shows him performing g.o.d’s song “One Candle,” capturing attention with his steady vocals even while serving. His disciplined posture and unchanged “face genius” visuals — a nickname often used in Korea to describe his striking looks — further fueled online buzz. However, the response has been divided. While many fans expressed excitement at seeing him well, public opinion remains mixed as the update comes months after his tax controversy. Cha enlisted in July last year after being accepted into the Ministry of National De
SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- Singer-actor Park Ji-hoon will return to the music s...
SM Entertainment has released an official statement following the court’s final ruling against the malicious YouTuber Sojang. Previously on April 22, the 14th Civil Division of the Seoul District Court ruled that the operator of Sojang infringed upon the personality rights of the members of EXO, Red Velvet, and aespa by producing and posting videos… The post appeared first on .
A Seoul court approved Ador’s request in February to freeze assets owned by former NewJeans member Danielle's mother, and former CEO Min Hee-jin, according to local reports on Wednesday citing legal sources. The total claim amounts to 7 billion won ($4.73 million), comprising 5 billion won against Min and 2 billion won against Danielle’s mother. The measure is intended to prevent the disposal or concealment of assets before a final ruling, ensuring the enforceability of potential compensation. T
A growing number of rookie K-pop boy groups are embracing youthfulness, signaling a shift away from the darker, powerful styles that defined many third-generation boy groups. Often described as refreshing, the concept emphasizes bright, emotionally sincere imagery and boyish innocence expressed through both music and visuals. Notable examples include TWS and NCT Wish, which have both built their identities around youth-driven storytelling and approachable aesthetics. TWS, in particular, has gain
Artists under Big Hit Music are continuing to flourish on global music charts, led by BTS and Tomorrow X Together. According to the latest Billboard charts dated May 2, BTS’ fifth studio album “Arirang” maintained a strong presence across major rankings. Its main track “Swim” ranked No. 2 on the Global Excl. US chart and No. 3 on the Global 200, extending its run in the top three to five consecutive weeks. All 13 vocal tracks from the album — excluding the sixth track, “No. 29,” which features t
Two tracks from K-pop sensation BTS' fifth studio album, "Arirang," have spent a fifth consecutive week on the Billboard Hot 100 chart of the United States. According to the chart unveiled Tuesday (U.S. time), the album's lead single "Swim" ranked No. 22 while "Body To Body" placed at No. 95. "Swim," which debuted at No. 1, has since ranked No. 2, No. 5 and No. 10, extending its run on the Hot 100 to five weeks. "Body To Body" entered the chart at No. 25 and has remained for the same period. Elsewhere on the chart, "Golden," from the original soundtrack of the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," ranked No. 9 in its 44th consecutive week on the chart. Australian psychedelic rock project Tame Impala's "Dracula," featuring K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's Jennie on a remix version, came in at No. 16, while Katseye's "Pinky Up" ranked No. 49.
International visitors who traveled to Seoul and Goyang for BTS concerts in March and early April stayed longer and spent significantly more money than the average tourist to Korea, according to data released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The ministry, working with the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute and the Korea Tourism Organization, surveyed concertgoers and analyzed telecommunications and card transaction data to assess the economic impact of major K-culture events on inbound tourism. Foreign visitors who attended the Gwanghwamun concert March 21 stayed an average of 8.7 days and spent 3.53 million won ($2,391), well above figures for general inbound visitors. Those who attended the Goyang Stadium concerts on April 9, 11 and 12 averaged 7.4 days and 2.91 million won in spending, with many extending their itineraries to visit BTS THE CITY Seoul program venues including Yongsan, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The impact on the local economy near Goyang Stadium was particularly sharp. Telecommunications
Foreign tourists who recently visited the country for concerts by K-pop giant BTS stayed longer and spent more than general inbound tourists, according to a government analysis released Wednesday. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute and the Korea Tourism Organization, analyzed on-site surveys, telecommunications and credit card data from the two latest performances by BTS in Korea. Foreign visitors attending the March 21 concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun area to mark its comeback stayed an average of 8.7 days and spent about 3.53 million won ($2,377). This is 2.6 days longer than the 6.1-day average stay for general inbound tourists in the first quarter of this year, and 1.08 million won more than their average spending of 2.45 million won. Attendees at its three-night concerts earlier this month in Goyang, just northwest of the capital, stayed an average of 7.4 days and spent 2.91 million won. Mobile and card transaction data showed a sharp economic impact around Goyang Stadium, the concert venue, with foreign visitor numbers ris
Singer-actor Park Ji-hoon will return to the music scene Wednesday with his first release in three years, "Re:flect," his agency YY Entertainment said. The single album, due out at 6 p.m., marks Park's first release since his seventh EP "Blank or Black" in April 2023. Park, who gained renewed attention for playing the deposed Joseon-era king Danjong in the Korean historical film sensation "The King's Warden," will resume his activities as a singer with the release, after a long hiatus from the recording studio. "Re:flect" centers on reflecting on time passed and the emotions that remain, according to the agency. The album explores a range of feelings, from unfamiliar emotions that slip into daily life to memories that linger over time. The album contains three tracks — the lead single "Bodyelse," the upbeat "Watercolor," and the pop ballad "I Can't Hold Your Hand Anymore." "Bodyelse" is a mid-tempo pop dance track featuring dreamy synthesizer sounds and an emotional guitar riff. It deals with the moment when a strange feeling that began in familiar routines is eventually revealed to be
MBC Plus’s upcoming drama “My Idol, My Debut” has announced its cast lineup including THE BOYZ’s Q, Lee Jin Hyuk, Lee Jin Kyu, Lee Ho Hyun, Hwang Ji Ah, WOOAH’s Nana, tripleS’s Kaede, and AISA! “My Idol, My Debut” is a time-slip coming-of-age story about a passionate fan who travels eight years into the past… The post appeared first on .
AOMG’s new group has unveiled their pre-release digital single! On April 29 at 6 p.m. KST, the five-member girl crew Keyveatz released their digital single “Key Beats” along with the music video for one of the double title tracks. “Key Beats” is a song with bouncy rhythms over trendy synth sounds and showcases Keyveatz’s identity.… The post appeared first on .
Netflix’s upcoming drama “The WONDERfools” has unveiled new character stills! “The WONDERfools” is a superpower comic action set in 1999, a time when apocalyptic beliefs were rampant. It follows a group of neighborhood misfits who unexpectedly gain superpowers and fight against villains threatening peace of Haeseong city. The newly released stills capture Eun Chae Ni… The post appeared first on .
