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J-horror meets K-occult in spiritual thriller ‘The Shrine’

Singer and actor Kim Jae-joong is making his long-awaited return to the big screen in a unique horror movie that bridges the chilling aesthetics of Japanese and Korean cinema. Directed by Japanese filmmaker Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, upcoming horror movie “The Shrine” marks Kim’s first movie in 14 years since his appearance in the 2012 comedy “Code Name: Jackal.” “The Shrine” follows the story of three university students who mysteriously disappear after visiting an abandoned shrine in Kobe, Japan. Shaman Myung-jin (Kim) tries to uncover the truth behind the disappearances, but faces a bizarre and terrifying evil spirit. Joining him is Yu-mi (Kong Seong-ha), Myung-jin’s university junior who seeks his help. Kim described the film as a refreshing departure from typical Korean horror movies, largely due to the cross-cultural collaboration. “Even though this is a Korean production, about 90 percent of the crew members were Japanese,” Kim said Monday after the premiere. “Because we worked with a Japanese director, it became a movie where the distinct characteristics of J-horror

Classic hits, pop anthems find new life as K-pop embraces sampling trend

Listen to Le Sserafim’s latest song, “Boompala,” and it might sound familiar. The lead single from the group’s second album, “Pureflow Pt. 1,” samples elements of Los del Rio’s 1993 global hit “Macarena,” with the song incorporating parts of its iconic melody and the video reinterpreting aspects of its signature choreography. The group's use of sampling as a strategy to appeal to global audiences seems to be paying off, as the album recently debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, while “B

LE SSERAFIM

Girl group izna sets its own tempo with 3rd EP

Rising K-pop girl group izna is setting its own pace and inviting listeners to follow. With "Metronome," which leads its upcoming third EP "Set the Tempo," the group joins a growing wave of house music in K-pop scene with a message of self-definition. "We thought the house beat fit perfectly with the theme of finding our own rhythm in chaos," member Choi Jung-eun said Monday during a press showcase for the album, set for release at 6 p.m. For izna, the genre is more than a trend — it is a vehicle for amplifying what they call their "powerful, dreamlike" performance," where intensity meets atmosphere. "House felt like a genre that could further elevate the powerful performances we do best," member Mai added. "That's why we chose to take on the challenge." The five-track album carries a message of self-definition, with the members emphasizing independence from other people's expectations. "Since our debut, we've sung about confidence and independence," said Bang Ji-min. "This time, we go further, expressing our conviction to move forward by becoming our own standard rather than following o

Choi Jungeun

izna

Busan subway station gets BTS makeover from fans

Subway stations in Busan have been transformed with BTS-themed wraps, as the city gears up for the K-pop supergroup's concerts later this week. Sports Complex Station, the closest stop to Busan Asiad Main Stadium, where BTS will make a two-night stop on its “Arirang” world tour Friday and Saturday has been decorated with large photos of the seven-member group, particularly of Jimin and Jungkook, who were both born and raised in Busan. Funded by fans, the project covered the station’s platform sc

Jungkook

BTS

Girl group izna sets its own tempo with 3rd EP

SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- Rising K-pop girl group izna is setting its own pace a

izna

Nvidia CEO praises singer Hwasa on ‘You Quiz on the Block’

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang praised K-pop singer Hwasa and cited her recent projects in a preview for tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block,” drawing attention for his highly specific knowledge of the genre. On Sunday, the popular talk show released a preview titled “Jensen Huang shout-out to Hwasa! Park Jung-min, Kim Nam-gil, and next Jensen Huang?” When host Yoo Jae-suk asked which K-pop songs he typically listens to, Huang first noted “Golden,” from the soundtrack of Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” and praised the song. Huang then turned to Hwasa. “I do also love Hwasa,” he said. He cited “Good Goodbye” and “So Cute,” demonstrating he follows not only her established hits but also her recent releases. Yoo responded with surprise, asking, “You even know her new song?” Huang also praised Hwasa as a performer. “She is pretty good,” he said, describing her as a “very good dancer” and a “good singer.” Hwasa drew major attention last November following a “Good Goodbye” performance with actor Park Jung-min. The performance video attracted global

Jensen Huang's K-pop playlist includes a hit and a surprise

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has revealed three of his favorite K-pop songs, naming global smash hit "Golden" by fictional girl group Huntrix of Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" and the unexpected choices of Hwasa's "Good Goodbye" and "So Cute." During an appearance on popular South Korean television program "You Quiz on the Block," set to air Wednesday, Huang was asked about his interest in K-pop and the music he listens to at work. "Who doesn't love 'Golden?'" Huang said in a teaser video released Su

Huntr/x

Aespa's Giselle says she lost 10kg over 7 years, opens up about ADHD and health concerns

Aespa member Giselle is addressing growing fan concerns about her noticeably slimmer appearance, revealing that she has lost around 10 kilograms over the past seven years while also opening up about ADHD symptoms and her current health condition. The K-pop star shared the candid update during a recent interaction with fans on social media on Saturday, after one fan asked how she had managed to lose so much weight. "People talk a lot about my appearance," Giselle said, acknowledging the constant scrutiny idols face over their looks. She pushed back against assumptions about her changing physique, saying that fluctuations in weight are a normal part of life. "Gaining and losing weight is natural," she said. "I've gained weight before, and I've lost weight before. Over the last seven years, I've lost about 10 kilograms. Things changed as I got older." The comments come as Giselle has recently become the subject of online discussion over her increasingly thin frame, with some fans expressing concern about her health after noticing what they described as signs of fatigue during performances. Gi

Giselle

Aespa

Election protestors flood IU’s Instagram, demanding her support

A growing protest calling for a redo of last Wednesday’s local elections over ballot shortages at polling stations has taken an unexpected turn, with some protesters demanding that actor and singer IU send coffee to the rally. The demand appears to stem from IU’s previous decision to provide prepaid food and drinks for demonstrators calling for the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid. The protesters calling for a new election, who are widely seen as standing on the opposite side of the political spectrum, are now demanding that the celebrity do the same for them. On Saturday, IU’s Instagram post from last September announcing the release of a new album was flooded with comments from protesters. “We really want to drink coffee here at Jamsil,” one user wrote. Others joined in, writing, “Please send coffee to citizens robbed of their right to vote,” and “Why are you not sending coffee to conservatives and right-wingers?” According to an unofficial police estimate, more than 10,000 protesters gathered on the same day near a vote-cou

I-dle releases teaser for 9th EP

I-dle released trailer content for its ninth EP “We made” on Monday via agency Cube Entertainment. Themed on thermal images and X-rays, it hinted at how the soon-to-be-released album will be inspired by love. The mini album will roll out on July 6, approximately six months after digital single “Mono (feat. Skaiwater),” and more than a year after the previous EP “We are,” its fourth consecutive million-selling album. Before bringing out the set, the group of five will visit Singapore, Yokohama in

I-DLE

Seventeen subunit V8 teams up with A-list musicians

The8 and Vernon of Seventeen are joining forces with a team of hitmakers, including Pharrell Williams and Kirara, the pair’s agency Pledis Entertainment announced Monday. The two idols will form the subunit duo V8 to release a namesake EP on June 29. The mini album captures the freedom and energy they found to keep moving forward and the synergy between the two members. Several songwriters and producers will collaborate with V8 on the album, from Bumzu, the mastermind behind Seventeen’s success,

The8

Vernon

Seventeen

BTS’ Jungkook hits milestone on Spotify chart

Jungkook of BTS reached his 150th week on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs Global Chart with his 2023 megahit “Seven (Feat. Latto),” a fresh milestone for an Asian solo singer. The single ranked No. 98 on the chart dated May 22-28, garnering over 11 million streams during the period and climbing back up five rungs from the previous frame. “Seven” stayed atop the chart for nine weeks upon its release, the longest chart-topping run for a male artist in 2023. It charted 71 days at No. 1 on the Daily Top

Jungkook

BTS

Aespa's 'Lemonade' debuts at No. 9 on Billboard 200

K-pop girl group aespa has entered the US Billboard's main albums chart at No. 9 with "Lemonade," its second full-length album. This marks the group's third top 10 entry on the Billboard 200, following "Girls" and "My World." According to Billboard's preview of the upcoming chart for this week on Sunday, aespa earned 41,000 equivalent album units during the latest tracking week. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units c

Aespa

Sandara Park Establishes New Label ARADNAS + Shares New Profile Photos And Future Plans

Sandara Park, formerly of the group 2NE1, is gearing up for her comeback! On June 8, Sandara Park’s new agency ARADNAS announced, “Sandara Park is making a new beginning with her own label ARADNAS. She will release a new single album titled ‘rePRISM’ on June 20. Starting with this, she plans to continue various activities,

Dara

2NE1