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  • K-pop

    BTS celebrates 13th birthday with two-night homecoming stand in Busan

    BUSAN — K-pop juggernaut BTS marked its 13th anniversary with a massive homecoming, 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 as much like a celebration as a concert. The timing was no accident. The shows 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' mandatory military service in 2022. The group's return had been building for weeks. "BTS THE CITY ARIRANG BUSAN," a large-scale urban festival running since early June, had 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, a crowd that had already endured a roughly 75-minute delay the night before and a

    4 MIN READBy Pyo Kyung-min
    BTS celebrates 13th birthday with two-night homecoming stand in Busan
  • 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
  • K-pop

    BTS to release new digital single 'Come Over'

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    BTS to release new digital single 'Come Over'
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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

BLACKPINK's Jisoo wins rising star award at Canneseries

Jisoo of BLACKPINK received the Madame Figaro Rising Star Award at the 2026 Cannes International Series Festival (Canneseries), organizers said Friday. The festival noted that Jisoo "continues to balance careers in music and acting, with a focus on expanding her filmography through diverse roles and formats." "With her international reach, screen presence, and ongoing artistic growth, she remains a prominent and promising figure in contemporary Korean and global entertainment," it said on its website. In March, her latest television series "Boyfriend on Demand" premiered on Netflix, in which she plays Mi-rae, a webtoon producer worn down by work who seeks romance through a virtual dating subscription service. Jisoo took the stage to receive the award in person in Cannes on Thursday (French time) at the festival's ninth edition, which runs from April 23-28. Established in 2018, the annual festival showcases outstanding TV series from around the world through four official sections — Competition, Short Form Competition, Documentary Series Competition and Out of Competition — as well as

Apr 24, 2026By Yonhap
BLACKPINK's Jisoo wins rising star award at Canneseries
K-pop

Le Sserafim to prerelease lead single of new studio album

K-pop girl group Le Sserafim on Friday will prerelease the lead single of its second studio album set for release next month, the group's agency said. The song "Celebration" celebrates the moment one acknowledges fear and finds the inner strength to confront it, according to Source Music. Blending melodic techno with hardstyle, a form of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1990s, the track features an upbeat, addictive rhythm and melody, the agency added. It will lead "Pureflow pt. 1," the band's full-length album set for release on May 22. "Pureflow pt. 1" marks the band's first full-length album in nearly three years, following "Unforgiven" in 2023. The agency said the quintet, which debuted in 2022 with the message "We are strong because we have no fear," now offers a more mature perspective — that understanding fear has made them even stronger — on the upcoming album. "We imagined people enjoying the song together at parties or concerts from the moment we first heard it, and we wanted to share it as soon as possible," the group said through its agency. "We believe

Apr 24, 2026By Yonhap
Le Sserafim to prerelease lead single of new studio album
K-pop

The Boyz members granted court injunction to suspend contracts with agency

A court has granted an injunction sought by members of K-pop group The Boyz to suspend their exclusive contracts with management agency One Hundred Label, a legal representative said Friday. The injunction was filed by nine of the group's 10 members, excluding New. Kim Moon-hee, an attorney at the local law firm Yulchon representing the members, said the court found the agency violated its obligation to make settlement payments and provide financial data. The court also ruled the agency failed to fulfill key contractual duties, including management support and artist protection. "The court determined that the trust between the parties of the contracts had broken down to an irreparable level due to the agency's fault," Kim said. One Hundred Label had argued that signing bonuses paid to the members constituted advance payments. The court rejected that claim, noting that contract provisions treat signing bonuses separately from the distribution of earnings generated from the members' activities. Kim said the members will fulfill previously confirmed schedules despite the suspensions.

Apr 24, 2026By Yonhap
The Boyz members granted court injunction to suspend contracts with agency
Shows & Dramas

Streaming platforms bet on sports broadcasting to lock in subscribers

Streaming platforms are increasingly turning to live sports broadcasting as a strategy to retain subscribers, with the trend now extending beyond traditional sports into esports, industry officials said Thursday. As platforms look for new ways to hold onto subscribers in an increasingly crowded market, live sports and esports are emerging as some of their most reliable tools. They said the appeal of live sports for streaming platforms is rooted in the nature of the content itself. Unlike dramas or films, which viewers tend to watch once before moving on to another content, sports events can continuously garner viewers with new games and competitions held on a regular basis. This gives fans a recurring reason to keep their subscriptions active. “Diversifying content lineups, broadening subscriber demographics and the relatively lower production costs compared to making original series or movies are among the key reasons why sports events, including esports, are becoming increasingly attractive to streaming platforms,” an official from a local content industry said on condition of ano

Apr 23, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Streaming platforms bet on sports broadcasting to lock in subscribers
  • Jinju to host Esports Championships Asia 2026
Entertainment

BTS' RM faces smoking controversy after Japan media report

RM of BTS has been swept into controversy after a Japanese tabloid reported that he smoked and discarded cigarette butts in a designated no-smoking area in Tokyo — sparking mixed reactions among fans and online communities. In a report by Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun on Wednesday, RM was said to have been spotted multiple times smoking in a non-smoking zone around Shibuya, Tokyo, where he had been staying during the group’s world tour. The report said RM spent time with acquaintances moving between izakayas and bars. The report claimed that despite the absence of designated smoking areas inside the establishments, he and his group allegedly smoked in building corridors and discarded cigarette butts on site. The outlet published photos alongside detailed descriptions of the situation. It also cited witnesses saying a building security guard warned RM at one point, while another female staff member later cleaned up the cigarette butts. In Japan, smoking regulations are strictly enforced, with many public streets designated as non-smoking zones and limited, clearly marked smo

Apr 23, 2026By Xportsnews
BTS' RM faces smoking controversy after Japan media report
Films

Oscar-winning director Maggie Kang signs with Korean entertainment agency

Oscar-winning director Maggie Kang has signed with The Present Company, a Korean entertainment agency, to launch her activities in Korea, the agency said Thursday. "We plan to launch various projects with Maggie Kang, who has a global sensibility and creativity," the company said in a statement. "We will fully support her work in promoting Korea-related content to the world," it added. A Korean Canadian filmmaker, Kang co-directed Netflix's acclaimed animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," which won both the Oscar and Golden Globe for the best animated feature. The agency will oversee Kang's activities in Korea. Actor Ahn Hyo-seop who voice-acted Jinu, the charismatic leader of the Saja Boys, is also represented by the agency. The director's overseas activities will be handled by her U.S.-based agency UTA.

Apr 23, 2026By Yonhap
Oscar-winning director Maggie Kang signs with Korean entertainment agency
Films

Celebrated abroad, sidelined at home: Hong Sang-soo marks 30 years in cinema

Korean director Hong Sang-soo marks 30 years in cinema and a seventh consecutive invitation to the Berlin International Film Festival, yet persistent public backlash continues to overshadow his domestic reception. The director's 34th feature film, "The Day She Returns," hits Korean theaters May 6. Despite the major milestone, Hong will maintain his decade-long absence, shunning the domestic press and skipping all local promotional events and press conferences. Hong has built a formidable legacy since his debut with "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well." To mark his 30-year career, the Korean Film Archive will hold a special exhibition titled "Hong Sang-soo Retrospective: Introduction." His latest work premiered in the Panorama section of the 76th Berlinale, extending his run of appearances at the prestigious European festival and garnering favorable reviews ahead of its domestic launch. "The Day She Returns" follows a formerly beloved actress who reenters the independent film scene and faces reporters following a long maternity hiatus. The film features frequent collaborators Song Sun-mi,

Apr 23, 2026By Hankookilbo
Celebrated abroad, sidelined at home: Hong Sang-soo marks 30 years in cinema
Music

K-pop on violin? Ray Chen ventures out to become gateway to classical music

Ray Chen is serious about bridging people with classical music. The Taiwanese Australian violinist is one of the most active YouTubers among star instrumentalists in his generation. A recent video features him playing “Soda Pop” from the Oscar-winning animation “KPop Demon Hunters.” He also founded the app “Tonic” to help musicians from all over the world connect and share effective ways to practice. Ahead of a recital in Seoul on June 4 at Lotte Concert Hall, Chen gave a written interview on The Hankook Ilbo. “Even if one is not a concertgoer, a familiar tune played in a way unheard before can make one stop scrolling and pay attention. In that moment of surprise — ‘K-pop on the violin?’ — a door opens.” The 37-year-old made his mark by winning the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists in 2008 and the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2009. Since then, he has remained active on the international stage, performing with major orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and many others. He is also a classical

Apr 23, 2026By Hankookilbo
K-pop on violin? Ray Chen ventures out to become gateway to classical music
K-pop

EVAN debuts bold blond look at first public event after ENHYPEN exit

Former ENHYPEN member Heeseung made his first official public appearance under his new stage name, EVAN, drawing attention with a striking blond transformation as he begins his solo career. EVAN attended a photocall event on Wednesday afternoon at a Musinsa Megastore in Seoul’s Seongdong District for a global colored contact lens brand. The appearance marked his first official schedule since announcing his departure from ENHYPEN and rebranding himself as a solo artist. Sporting platinum blond hair, EVAN paired the look with a sleek black suit, creating a refined, princely image that immediately caught the attention of fans and media. He greeted attendees warmly, posing with heart gestures and offering friendly waves throughout the event. The outing carried added significance as it came after his abrupt exit from ENHYPEN last month — a move that sparked backlash among some fans online, with calls for him to reverse the decision. EVAN debuted in 2020 as part of ENHYPEN, a globally popular K-pop group. As the eldest member and main vocalist, he contributed to multiple hit releases and a

Apr 23, 2026By Xportsnews
EVAN debuts bold blond look at first public event after ENHYPEN exit
K-pop

NMIXX to return with new album next month

K-pop girl group NMIXX will drop a new album titled "Heavy Serenade" next month, the group's agency, JYP Entertainment, said Thursday. The band's fifth EP, set to come out May 11, consists of six songs, fronted by the title track whose lyrics were written by singer-songwriter Hanroro. Other tracks include "Crescendo," co-written by members Lily and Bae, and "Different Girl," according to the agency. Ahead of the release, the six-member group will deliver the first live performance of "Superior," also a track from the album, at a pre-event for an e-sports festival in Incheon, just west of Seoul, on Friday and unveil the music video for "Crescendo" on Tuesday.

Apr 23, 2026By Yonhap
NMIXX to return with new album next month
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