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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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K-pop

TWICE’s Momo has tooth pulled during Chicago stop of world tour

TWICE member Momo left fans worried after revealing she had a tooth pulled in Chicago because the group’s world tour schedule prevented her from returning to Korea for treatment. The K-pop star shared news of the sudden extraction on a fan communication platform. “I had a tooth pulled here in Chicago,” she wrote, asking fans for understanding if the left side of her face “still looks swollen.” Momo said the pain became so severe during the group’s Chicago stop that she could not even sleep, forcing her to visit a local dentist the next morning. According to her, the tooth had previously undergone root canal treatment, but the condition worsened and required further care in Korea. With more than a week still left on the tour schedule, however, returning home was not an option. “It didn’t originally need to be pulled, but there was no time because of the concert,” she said. “I had no choice but to have it removed, even though I didn’t want to.” She added that she will likely need an implant once she returns to Korea. TWICE has been on its sixth world tour, "This Is Fo

Apr 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
TWICE’s Momo has tooth pulled during Chicago stop of world tour
K-pop

They’re ARMY too: Actors Ha Ji-won, Ko So-young and more spotted at BTS concert

Even Korea’s top celebrities couldn’t resist going full fan mode at BTS’ latest concert, as a wave of actors and entertainers were spotted cheering — and even snapping backstage photos with members — during the group’s world tour. From April 9 to 12, BTS held three “ARIRANG” concerts at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province, drawing not only tens of thousands of fans but also a number of high-profile names whose posts quickly spread across social media. Among them, Ha Ji-won drew particular attention after sharing a backstage photo with members V and Jung Kook. Smiling and posing together in what appeared to be a waiting room, the trio’s “three-shot” quickly became a talking point online. “After the BTS concert with V and Jung Kook~ everything was truly cool and beautiful,” she wrote, adding in another post that “every single moment was perfect.” Fans reacted with comments such as “She’s totally in fan mode” and “That three-shot is unreal,” highlighting how even veteran stars are not immune to BTS’ global appeal. Actor Ko So-young also shared her ow

Apr 13, 2026By Xportsnews
They’re ARMY too: Actors Ha Ji-won, Ko So-young and more spotted at BTS concert
Shows & Dramas

'Agency packaging' raises concerns over fair competition in K-drama industry

It is no longer unusual for much of a drama’s lead cast to come from the same agency. A casting strategy built around a lead actor and fellow agency actors, once a rare occurrence, now dominates the casting process. While it offers production efficiency, critics say the trend stymies open auditions, production diversity and the discovery of new talent. The trend of "agency packaging" is distinctly visible across major recent broadcasts. Ongoing SBS drama "Phantom Lawyer" features lead Yoo Yeon-seok and supporting actor Kim Kyung-nam, both represented by King Kong by Starship. Recently concluded JTBC series "The Practical Guide to Love" cast Han Ji-min, Park Sung-hoon and Cho Bok-rae, all under BH Entertainment. Furthermore, upcoming SBS series "Good Partner 2" filled its lineup with Park Hae-jin, Kim Hye-yoon and Pyo Ji-hoon, all affiliated with Artist Company. Production companies defend the practice as a reasonable market strategy. Centering a project around a proven star secures buzz, while casting their agency peers increases production efficiency and onscreen chemistry. It also

Apr 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Agency packaging' raises concerns over fair competition in K-drama industry
K-pop

NewJeans’ Haerin, Hyein spotted in Denmark as comeback buzz grows

NewJeans members Haerin and Hyein have been spotted in Europe, fueling speculation about the group’s next move — even as their former bandmate, Danielle, signals a separate path with a surprise music release amid an ongoing legal battle. Multiple eyewitness accounts surfaced on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Sunday, claiming that Haerin was seen in Copenhagen, Denmark. One user said, "I saw someone who looked exactly like her and thought, ‘Could it be?’ But by the time I tried to follow, she and her group were walking too fast." The user added they were convinced that they did see the NewJeans member after seeing similar posts from others. "She stood out because she was so pretty," the user said, noting Haerin’s distinctive cat-like eyes and familiar fashion style as clues that made her easy to recognize. Photos shared online appear to show Haerin walking down a street in a gray jacket-and-skirt set alongside what looked like staff members. She is seen smiling and chatting. Another fan said they encountered both Haerin and Hyein in Copenhagen, saying, "I told Hyein she

Apr 13, 2026By Xportsnews
NewJeans’ Haerin, Hyein spotted in Denmark as comeback buzz grows
Others

From church friends to couple: Actress Ji Ye-eun, dancer Vata confirm romance

Actress Ji Ye-eun and dancer Vata have taken their long-time friendship to the next level, quietly becoming one of the latest celebrity couples in Korea — a pairing already drawing attention for their shared background and creative collaborations. The two began dating after growing close over time through shared interests and religion. Both born in 1994, Ji and Vata reportedly first bonded as church friends before their relationship developed into a romantic one. Their connection had already been visible behind the scenes. When Ji performed as part of the project group “Chungju Ji Clan” with entertainer Ji Suk-jin at Waterbomb Seoul 2025 last year, created the choreography for their song “Milkshake,” offering support that now appears to hint at a deeper relationship. Ji, a graduate of Korea National University of Arts’ acting department, debuted in 2017 through the web drama “How To.” She has since appeared in projects such as “Yellow,” “Taste of Cat” and short films including “Night Has Come” and “Acting Class.” Her popularity surged after joining the co

Apr 13, 2026By Xportsnews
From church friends to couple: Actress Ji Ye-eun, dancer Vata confirm romance
Films

'Salmokji' debuts atop weekend box office chart

The horror thriller "Salmokji: Whispering Water" led the box office, drawing over 530,000 moviegoers in its opening weekend, data showed Monday. The Korean film recorded 536,454 admissions from Friday to Sunday, bringing its total audience number to 724,039, according to the Korean Film Council. Premiering last Wednesday, the movie follows a filming crew, led by Soo-in (Kim Hye-yoon), who travel to a location to complete a shoot within a deadline -- only to find themselves sinking deeper into an inescapable, swamp-like terror as time runs out. The filming location, Salmokji, is a reservoir in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province, long rumored among locals to be a paranormal hotspot with a history of reported ghost sightings. Hollywood sci-fi "Project Hail Mary" came in second with 274,733 viewers for the three days to push its cumulative audience past two million since its March 18 release. "The King's Warden" attracted 175,342 viewers, bringing its cumulative total to 16.39 million. On Saturday, it became the second most-viewed movie of all time in South Korea.

Apr 13, 2026By Yonhap
'Salmokji' debuts atop weekend box office chart
K-pop

NCT's Taeyong to drop collaboration single with Anderson .Paak

NCT member Taeyong will release a new single, "Rock Solid," featuring American pop star Anderson .Paak on Friday, his agency SM Entertainment said. Describing "Rock Solid" as a hip-hop track marked by distinctive drum rhythms and repetitive chant sounds, SM said Monday that the song captures Taeyong's resolve to safeguard what he has refined so far and his confidence to stay unwavering in proving his artistry. "Anderson .Paak's dynamic flow and trademark groove elevate the song," the agency said, adding that his performance harmonizes with Taeyong's intense rap to create "a multidimensional synergy." The NCT leader also plans to drop his first full-length solo album next month.

Apr 13, 2026By Yonhap
NCT's Taeyong to drop collaboration single with Anderson .Paak
K-pop

LE SSERAFIM to drop new studio album next month

K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM will release its second studio album, "Pureflow pt. 1," next month, the group and its agency said Monday. The quintet announced on the K-pop fan community platform Weverse that the new record will drop May 22 at 1 p.m. (Korean time) through major online music services. "Pureflow pt. 1" marks LE SSERAFIM's first full-length album in nearly three years, following "Unforgiven" in 2023. The release delves into the change and growth experienced by its five members through confronting fear and finding strength, according to the agency, Source Music. It said LE SSERAFIM, 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. Ahead of the album's release, the group will unveil the lead single, "Celebration," on April 24, a song about celebrating the moment it gained the strength to embrace change. LE SSERAFIM earned global recognition last October when its first single album, "Spaghetti," landed at No. 50 on Billboard's Hot 1

Apr 13, 2026By Yonhap
LE SSERAFIM to drop new studio album next month
BTS ARIRANG

BTS claims 3rd week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 with 'ARIRANG,' a first in K-pop

"ARIRANG" by South Korean boy group BTS scored a third week at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart for the first time in K-pop history. Billboard said Sunday (U.S. time) in a chart preview for this week that the group's fifth studio album held onto the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for a third consecutive week, ahead of Morgan Wallen's "I'm the Problem" and "Bully" by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. No other K-pop artist has achieved three weeks atop the chart, marking a historic milestone for the genre's global reach. The original soundtrack of the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" earlier reached No. 1 for two non-consecutive weeks. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units, comprising physical album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). "ARIRANG" earned 124,000 equivalent album units in the latest tracking week, down 34 percent from the previous week. Of that sum, 71,000 came from physical and digital album sales, while SEA units accounted for 50,000 and TEA

Apr 13, 2026By Yonhap
BTS claims 3rd week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 with 'ARIRANG,' a first in K-pop
Films

Korea returns to Cannes with ‘Hope,’ ‘Colony’ after year of absence

Korean cinema is making a return to the Cannes Film Festival this year, with two films selected for the official lineup of the 79th edition, after its absence last year raised concerns about the sustainability of the local film industry. The executive committee of the Cannes Film Festival announced Thursday that director Na Hong-jin’s “Hope” was invited to the Competition section, while director Yeon Sang-ho’s zombie thriller “Colony” secured a spot in the Midnight Screening section. This marks the first time in four years that a Korean feature has returned to the festival’s prestigious Competition section since Park Chan-wook’s “Decision to Leave” in 2022. The two films’ invitation is significant, given that no Korean feature films were included in last year’s lineup. Industry observers pointed to the shift toward streaming platforms and a prolonged slump in the domestic movie market as key factors behind the absence, Korea’s first in 12 years. “Hope,” which will compete for the Palme d’Or alongside films from some of the world’s most celebrated directo

Apr 12, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Korea returns to Cannes with ‘Hope,’ ‘Colony’ after year of absence
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