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  • K-pop

    BTS celebrates 13th anniversary with return to Busan

    BUSAN — K-pop juggernaut BTS marked its 13th anniversary with a massive celebration, bringing the group's ongoing "ARIRANG" world tour to Busan's Asiad Main Stadium on Friday and Saturday for a two-night run that felt much bigger than a concert. The timing was no accident. The second show landed squarely on June 13, the group's debut anniversary, sending fans worldwide into a frenzy well before the first note dropped. Busan, too, carries deep meaning for the group — it is the hometown of members Jimin and Jung Kook, and the site of "Yet to Come," the sprawling farewell concert that preceded the members' hiatus due to mandatory military service in 2022. The group's return had been anticipated for weeks. "BTS THE CITY ARIRANG BUSAN," a large-scale urban festival running since early June, transformed the city's landmarks into extensions of the "ARIRANG" album's themes, stretching from a grand welcome at Busan Station to a drone light show above Gwangalli Beach. By Saturday evening, 55,000 fans packed the stadium. The crowd had already endured a roughly 75-minute delay the night before a

    4 MIN READBy Pyo Kyung-min
    BTS celebrates 13th anniversary with return to Busan
  • K-pop

    EVAN drops snippets of debut solo single 'RIDE OR DIE'

    2 MIN READBy Pyo Kyung-min
    EVAN drops snippets of debut solo single 'RIDE OR DIE'
  • Entertainment

    BLACKPINK's Lisa headlines FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in US

    2 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    BLACKPINK's Lisa headlines FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in US
  • Entertainment

    Is Korea ready for era of YouTuber directors?

    2 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    Is Korea ready for era of YouTuber directors?
  • Films

    For ‘Colony,’ K-zombie film from ‘Train to Busan’ director, Korean box-office success is no surprise

    3 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    For ‘Colony,’ K-zombie film from ‘Train to Busan’ director, Korean box-office success is no surprise
  • K-pop

    HYBE apologizes for delay on 1st night of BTS world tour in Busan

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    HYBE apologizes for delay on 1st night of BTS world tour in Busan
  • Music

    EJAE, Andrea Bocelli perform at World Cup opening ceremony

    1 MIN READBy Kim Se-jeong
    EJAE, Andrea Bocelli perform at World Cup opening ceremony
  • K-pop

    BTS to launch Busan shows for 'Arirang' world tour

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    BTS to launch Busan shows for 'Arirang' world tour
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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

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Shows & Dramas

‘Taxi Driver’ may be over, but Lee Je-hoon still tops Korea’s drama star buzz

Even after his hit series “Taxi Driver” wrapped up, actor Lee Je-hoon remains Korea’s most talked-about drama star. According to big-data brand rankings released in January 2026, Lee ranked number one in the drama actor brand reputation index, beating out Jang Ki-yong in second place and Park Seo-joon in third. The results measure how much attention, discussion and online engagement each actor generates across news outlets, social media and fan communities. The Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute said it analyzed more than 80,187,626 data points related to 100 actors who appeared in television dramas between Dec. 14, 2025 and Jan. 14, 2026. Compared with the previous month’s 95,133,320 data points, overall buzz around drama actors dropped by 15.71 percent — making Lee’s continued dominance even more notable. Lee’s brand reputation score reached 4,384,492 points, driven by strong participation, media exposure, communication and community engagement. Jang Ki-yong followed with 3,214,411 points, while Park Seo-joon recorded 2,225,043. The institute said that in Lee

Jan 14, 2026By Xportsnews
‘Taxi Driver’ may be over, but Lee Je-hoon still tops Korea’s drama star buzz
K-pop

Chaebol heiress-turned-idol Annie returns to Columbia University while keeping her K-pop career alive

Annie of rookie K-pop group AllDay Project is heading back to the classroom — but without putting her celebrity life on pause. The Black Label said Wednesday that Annie will return this month to Columbia University in New York to attend the school’s spring semester. She will use the group’s current break to focus on her studies through May, while still remaining available for select overseas activities, such as fan signing events. The agency said Annie’s return to school does not mean a suspension of group activities. During this period, the other members of AllDay Project will also pursue individual activities, keeping the team active even while Annie balances academics and entertainment. Annie has drawn intense public interest since before her debut, not just as an idol but as a member of one of Korea’s most powerful business families. She is the granddaughter of Lee Myung-hee, the chairwoman of retail giant Shinsegae Group, and the eldest daughter of Chung Yoo-kyung, the company’s president — making her one of the rare “chaebol," or conglomerate, heirs to enter the K-

Jan 14, 2026By Xportsnews
Chaebol heiress-turned-idol Annie returns to Columbia University while keeping her K-pop career alive
K-pop

KATSEYE lands 3 songs on Billboard Hot 100, led by 'Gabriela' at No. 21

Hybe's U.S.-based girl group KATSEYE has placed three songs on the U.S. Billboard's main singles chart this week, led by "Gabriela," which rose one spot to a new peak of No. 21 for the group, Billboard said Tuesday (U.S. time). The group's latest release, "Internet Girl," debuted at No. 29, while "Gnarly" slipped seven places to No. 89. The feat marks the act's first time landing three tracks simultaneously on the chart. Songs from the original soundtrack of Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" maintained strong showings on the chart, with "Golden" at No. 3, "Soda Pop" at No. 39, "Your Idol" at No. 49 and "How It's Done" at No. 50. On the Billboard 200 main albums chart, the soundtrack fell one spot to No. 4, extending its run to 29 consecutive weeks inside the top tier. KATSEYE's album "Beautiful Chaos" ranked No. 32, while boy band Stray Kids charted at No. 155 with "Do It."

Jan 14, 2026By Yonhap
KATSEYE lands 3 songs on Billboard Hot 100, led by 'Gabriela' at No. 21
Films

'The Great Flood' dominates Netflix chart for 4th week

The sci-fi disaster film "The Great Flood" held the No. 1 spot for the fourth consecutive week on Netflix's non-English movies chart, the streaming service said Wednesday. Directed by Kim Byung-woo, the Netflix original garnered 5.2 million views for the week ending Jan. 11, outperforming the Indian courtroom drama "Haq," which logged 4.5 million views. The film's popularity propelled it to No. 7 on Netflix's all-time top 10 most popular non-English movies, becoming the only South Korean entry on the list. "The Great Flood," released Dec. 19, depicts the struggles of An-na, played by Kim Da-mi, a single mother of a 6-year-old son who suddenly wakes up in the middle of a devastating flood that engulfs her apartment complex and, by extension, the planet. She fights to protect her young son as she navigates the inundated building. Meanwhile, Yeon Sang-ho's mystery drama "The Ugly" entered the weekly chart at No. 5, garnering 2 million views in its debut week. Based on Yeon's 2018 debut graphic novel of the same name, the low-budget film follows Dong-hwan (Park Jeong-min), the only son of bli

Jan 14, 2026By Yonhap
'The Great Flood' dominates Netflix chart for 4th week
K-pop

'Biggest global K-pop tour of all time': BTS announces 79 shows for first large-scale world tour after hiatus

After a three-year hiatus, global superstars BTS are set to embark on their largest world tour yet. The tour will kick off with a three-day concert at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on April 9, April 11 and 12. The pop icons announced the upcoming tour on the fan platform Weverse on Wednesday midnight, sharing the tour’s poster with a list of 79 shows across 34 regions. The band will meet fans worldwide from April 2026 to March 2027, with stops set for North America, Europe, Oceania, East Asia and Southeast Asia. The tour is set to be the "biggest global K-pop tour of all time," a press release by concert promoter Live Nation said. BTS' highly anticipated comeback tour will also feature a "a 360-degree, in-the-round stage design," which is a first for K-pop stadium tours. According to Live Nation, this concert setup allows for increased capacity at every venue. The band will also visit Latin America, holding shows in countries like Argentina, Peru and Colombia for the first time. BTS is also set to celebrate its 13th anniversary in the port city of Busan, Korea's second lar

Jan 14, 2026By Inna Christine Cabel
'Biggest global K-pop tour of all time': BTS announces 79 shows for first large-scale world tour after hiatus
K-pop

Jay Park says K-pop lost its romantic spirit, introduces LNGSHOT as his answer

R&B singer Jay Park says K-pop has lost some of its "romantic spirit" and "authenticity," and his answer is LNGSHOT, a four-member boy band that made its debut Tuesday with the release of its first mini-album, "SHOT CALLERS." Introduced under Park’s label, More Vision, LNGSHOT consists of Ohyul, Ryul, Woojin and Louis. The group’s name refers to a "long shot," a decisive play with slim odds that can flip the game entirely. Just hours before the album’s release, the group held a debut showcase at MyungHwa Live Hall in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo District, where they performed tracks from the album and spoke about its production process. Woojin admitted that the group name initially felt unfamiliar. “It wasn’t a term commonly used in Korea, so it felt strange at first,” he said. “But as we started promoting, I realized there isn’t another word that could replace LNGSHOT or capture its meaning. Now I’m very attached to it.” The band's debut album, "SHOT CALLERS," is mainly built on hip-hop and R&B foundations, reflecting Park’s long-established musical tastes. The album incl

Jan 13, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Jay Park says K-pop lost its romantic spirit, introduces LNGSHOT as his answer
Shows & Dramas

Ahn Hyo-seop of 'KPop Demon Hunters' steps into US spotlight with appearances on major shows

Actor Ahn Hyo-seop has made back-to-back appearances on major U.S. television shows, signaling his growing recognition among North American audiences. On Monday, he appeared on NBC’s late-night flagship "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," followed by another appearance the following morning on "TODAY." The high-profile appearances coincide with the global success of the Netflix animated feature "KPop Demon Hunters," in which Ahn voices a lead character. The project marks his first English-language dubbing role and his first leading part in a Hollywood-produced animated film, a milestone that has drawn industry attention. That broader exposure was especially evident in his appearance on "TODAY." First broadcast in 1952, the program is one of the most influential morning shows in the United States, featuring news, politics, business and entertainment. Guest spots are typically reserved for senior political figures and top Hollywood talent, highlighting Ahn’s growing presence in U.S. popular culture. The momentum has since extended beyond television. At the 83rd Golden Globe Award

Jan 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
Ahn Hyo-seop of 'KPop Demon Hunters' steps into US spotlight with appearances on major shows
Shows & Dramas

'Can This Love Be Translated?' explores romance beyond language barriers

"Can This Love Be Translated?," a new Netflix Korean original series, takes the classic rom-com and gives it a global spin. Instead of just focusing on language barriers, the show asks if it is really possible to fully understand another person — especially when it comes to love. The 12-part series tells the story of Joo Ho-jin (Kim Seon-ho), an interpreter who is fluent in several languages but clumsy when it comes to the language of romance, and Cha Mu-hee (Go Youn-jung), an actor who is adored by many but struggles with her love life. "It is a romantic comedy where characters gradually come to interpret each other's languages of love through their own perspectives," director Yoo Young-eun, known for the 2022 drama “Bloody Heart,” said during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. The drama is penned by the celebrated screenwriting duo Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, better known as the Hong Sisters, who have written many hits including "Sassy Girl Chun-hyang" (2005), "Couple or Trouble" (2006), “Hotel Del Luna” (2019) and “Alchemy of Souls” (2022). The series is highly ant

Jan 13, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'Can This Love Be Translated?' explores romance beyond language barriers
K-pop

BLACKPINK unexpectedly takes over Golden Globes

K-pop idols didn’t just attend Hollywood’s biggest award night this year — the genre became part of the soundtrack. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, held Sunday at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, BLACKPINK and other K-pop stars made their presence felt in ways no one expected, as their songs and members were woven directly into the live broadcast. When Jennifer Lopez stepped onstage to present the Best Actor award in the Musical or Comedy category, the arena was filled with "like Jennie,” a popular song from BLACKPINK member Jennie. The moment was a playful wordplay — Lopez and Jennie share the same name — but it instantly sent K-pop fans into a frenzy online, celebrating how a Korean pop star’s solo track was used at one of America’s top four awards shows. Soon after, host Nikki Glaser introduced Judd Apatow, who was presenting the Best Director award, playing “APT.,” the hit collaboration between BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars. The choice was another joke, referencing the similarity between “Apatow” and “apateu,” the Korean word for apa

Jan 13, 2026By Xportsnews
BLACKPINK unexpectedly takes over Golden Globes
K-pop

BoA closes historic chapter with SM Entertainment after 25 years

BoA has ended her exclusive contract with SM Entertainment, the agency that has been by her side since her debut. SM announced Monday that, “After extensive discussions with BoA over a long period, we mutually agreed to conclude our 25-year partnership as of Dec. 31.” “BoA has been, in every sense, the pride and symbol of SM for 25 years,” the agency said. “Although her exclusive contract has ended, we will continue to support her future activities and challenges.” The company also posted a five-minute video celebrating her career on YouTube. BoA debuted in August 2000 at age 14 with her first album, “ID; Peace B.” Including her time as a trainee after being scouted in 1998 as a sixth grader, her relationship with SM spans more than 25 years. Since her debut, BoA has released hit songs such as “No.1,” “Atlantis Princess” and “Only One.” She helped lead the K-pop wave in Japan, becoming the first Korean artist to have two albums sell more than a million copies on the Oricon Albums Chart. She appeared on NHK’s “Kohaku Uta Gassen,” Japan’s premier year-end

Jan 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
BoA closes historic chapter with SM Entertainment after 25 years
  • BoA leaves SM after 25 years — and one emotional video makes fans feel like an era just ended
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