BTS’ Jungkook warns of strong action after stalker breaks into homeBTS member Jungkook has vowed strong action against repeated invasions of his privacy, after a woman was arrested for breaking into his home. During a Weverse livestream held on Sept. 1 to mark his birthday, Jungkook spoke about the incident, which occurred just days earlier. According to Yongsan Police in Seoul, a woman in her 40s was arrested on the night of Aug. 30 for trespassing in the underground parking lot of Jungkook’s residence. She followed a vehicle through the entrance, loitered around the building and then attempted to flee when police arrived. The woman allegedly told officers incoherently that she had entered because it was “a friend’s house.” Jungkook said he personally witnessed the events unfold on CCTV. “I was watching everything from home. When the police arrived, she tried to run out of the basement parking lot in a panic,” he said. He criticized the intruder’s behavior, noting that she had even claimed to be his friend. “ARMY are all like family and friends, but this was just upsetting,” he said. “I appreciate the support, but what is that supposSep 3, 2025By Hankookilbo
BTS' 'My Universe' surpasses 1.5 bil. Spotify streams"My Universe," a collaboration single between boy group BTS and global pop icon Coldplay, has surpassed 1.5 billion streams on Spotify, the world's largest music streaming platform, BTS' agency said Tuesday. It became the second BTS' group song with more than 1.5 billion streams following "Dynamite." The two bands are credited as co-writers of "My Universe" from Coldplay's ninth studio album, "Music of the Spheres." The track gained global popularity upon its release, reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100 main singles chart of U.S. Billboard and No. 3 on Britain's Official Singles Chart Top 100.Sep 2, 2025By Yonhap
Wonder Girls’ Yubin reveals sister-in-law’s cancer battle, urges insurance coverage for treatmentYubin, a former member of girl group Wonder Girls, has disclosed a family struggle with cancer while calling for expanded health insurance coverage for breast cancer treatment drugs. The singer shared on social media on Monday that a close family member has been battling breast cancer since 2020. “My elder sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and has endured treatment ever since. Unfortunately, in 2024, it metastasized to her brain, and she has been fighting a painful battle every day,” Yubin wrote. She said that while her family has identified an effective treatment, financial barriers have made it difficult to continue. “We found a medication that works, but due to the financial burden, receiving proper treatment has become nearly impossible,” she said. Alongside the post, Yubin urged fans to support a national petition calling for health insurance coverage of Tukysa (tucatinib), a treatment shown to be effective for advanced breast cancer. The petition highlights that although Tukysa is approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, patients must import itSep 2, 2025By Hankookilbo
From survival show to superstardom, ZEROBASEONE aims higher with 'NEVER SAY NEVER'Two years ago, nine trainees stepped onto the survival show stage with little more than ambition and nerves. Now, those same boys — the winners of Mnet's "Boys Planet" — are back as grown men, armed with their first full-length album, "NEVER SAY NEVER." For K-pop boy band ZEROBASEONE (ZB1), this release is not just a milestone, it's a bold attempt to prove that a project group born under temporary contracts can still command the spotlight like stars built to last. The group, comprising members Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook and Han Yu-jin, released the 10-track record on Monday. It was the band's first album since February's "BLUE PARADISE." At a press showcase held just hours before the album drop at Blue Square in central Seoul, the nine emerged in racing-core leather, trading in their rookie glow for something more sultry and stylish. "It's our first full-length release, so we're really excited," Zhang Hao said. "This one captures the growth and changes of the past two years. We wanted it to be a gift to fans whoSep 1, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Review'Rich Man,' real power: aespa's 3-day Seoul spectacle makes big statementWhen the four members of K-pop powerhouse aespa descended from gleaming metallic orbs in blood-red leather Sunday night, they didn't just look like pop stars — they looked like warriors materializing from another dimension. It was a theatrical entrance that set the tone for "SYNK : aeXIS LINE," the group's third concert series and one of the beloved SM quartet's most ambitious productions yet. Across three sold-out nights from Friday through Sunday at Seoul Olympic Park's KSPO Dome, 30,000 fans packed the arena to witness aespa's new spectacle. Anticipation buzzed outside on the final night as fans filmed themselves in the moment, all while clutching the band's newly unveiled official light stick glowing in shades of magenta and cyan. Even before the first note, the staging spoke volumes upon initial entrance. Curved LED walls wrapped the arena in ethereal light, the stage rose and fell like a living machine, and curtains cascaded to reset the atmosphere between acts. Even the camerawork became part of the drama, zooming in so tightly that the audience gasped at every glint of sweat aSep 1, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Stray Kids earns 7th Billboard 200 No. 1K-pop boy group Stray Kids has claimed its seventh No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart with its new album, "Karma." "Karma" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week, replacing Morgan Wallen's "I'm the Problem," Billboard said in a chart preview released Sunday (U.S. time). It marks the group's seventh No. 1 on the chart, following "Oddinary" and "Maxident" in 2022, "5-Star" and "Rock-Star" in 2023, and "Ate" and "Hop" in 2024. "It's unbelievable, and we're stunned. It's such an honor and a marvel," the group said through its agency, JYP Entertainment. "We sincerely thank Stay and everyone who loves our music," it added, referring to the name of its global fandom. With the achievement, Stray Kids outdid BTS for the most No. 1s among K-pop acts on the Billboard 200. Stray Kids became the only act in Billboard history to see all seven of its albums debut at No. 1 on the chart. "Last year, when 'Hop' debuted atop the list, Stray Kids became the first act to debut at No. 1 with their first six entries in the 69-year history of the chart. With 'Karma's arrival, they extend thaSep 1, 2025By Yonhap
Cleo member Chae Eun-jung ties knot with video directorChae Eun-jung, 43, a member of first-generation girl group Cleo and now a solo artist, married a video director at a hotel in Seoul’s Gangnam District on Sunday. Ahead of the wedding, Chae Eun-jung expressed her excitement and gratitude, saying she looked forward to meeting each guest who made the time to attend. “I prepared with the hope that everyone would enjoy themselves and leave with good memories,” she said. The wedding resembled a concert, with a program divided into two parts that blended congratulatory performances with heartfelt moments. In the second half, Chae surprised even her groom by reuniting with her Cleo bandmates to perform a medley of their hits. The couple then took the stage together for a duet, drawing loud cheers in a moment that highlighted both their harmony and presence. “I always longed to have my own family," Chae said. "This marriage holds a special meaning for me, and thanks to everyone who celebrated with us, I feel I will be able to live well.” This article from the Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea TimeSep 1, 2025By Xportsnews
BTS' Jimin no longer in relationship with actor Song Da-eun, says agencyBTS member Jimin had dated actress Song Da-eun years ago but they are no longer in a relationship, his agency said Sunday. Last week, dating speculation surrounding Jimin and Song surfaced after Song uploaded a video to her TikTok account that featured the K-pop star. In the clip, Song is seen waiting in front of an elevator, and Jimin, seemingly surprised to see her, engages in a brief conversation. "They were romantically involved several years ago, but they are no longer in a relationship," BTS agency BigHit Music said in a statement. "We refrained from commenting on the matter out of respect for the other party. Due to speculative reports and false rumors regarding the artist's private life, however, we felt it necessary to clarify the basic facts," it added. BigHit also asked people to refrain from making "baseless speculations" about Jimin's private life, as well as from taking actions that could harm Song.Aug 31, 2025By Yonhap
ReviewIVE dives into darkness with 'IVE SECRET,' in test of group's identityK-pop megastar girl group IVE is back in the spotlight with "IVE SECRET" and its moody title track "XOXZ," with the band's first release in seven months already creating an undeniable buzz. Fans rushed to streaming platforms, with the single debuting at No. 32 on Melon within an hour of its release on Aug. 25. The official music video also racked up nearly 5 million views in less than one day to top YouTube's trending music chart. But hype doesn't tell the full story. What IVE offers in the new work is a daring image shift that sounds good on paper, yet leaves room to question whether the group itself is ready to embrace it. From the beginning, the six-piece group — consisting of Ahn Yu-jin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Won-young, Liz and Leeseo — have been carving a lane of their own. The group's opening trilogy — "ELEVEN," "LOVE DIVE" "After LIKE" — built a glittery, modern spin on Y2K under the banner of self-love. Instead of leaning on K-pop's fierce "girl-crush" archetype, the members focused on delivering a princess-like elegance, presenting themselves as confident young women with a toAug 31, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Woman apprehended for entering BTS Jungkook's home parking lotA woman in her 40s has been apprehended after entering the home parking lot of BTS member Jungkook, police said Sunday. The woman, a South Korean national, was booked on suspicion of housebreaking after trespassing on the parking lot of Jungkook's home in Seoul's Yongsan district at 11:20 p.m. Saturday, according to the police. The police have been questioning the suspect about her motives. Separately, a Chinese woman was transferred to the prosecution last week for allegedly attempting to trespass on Jungkook's home in June. The woman, in her 30s, is accused of visiting Jungkook's home in the late hours of June 11, the day the South Korean K-pop star was discharged from military service, and pushing the keypad door lock multiple times. The police had responded to a call and apprehended her at the scene. The woman reportedly told the police that she did not live in South Korea and visited the country to see Jungkook.Aug 31, 2025By Yonhap
