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K-pop

T.O.P returns with 'Another Dimension,' his 1st solo studio album

Singer-actor T.O.P, a former member of boy group BIGBANG, is set to release his first solo studio album, "Another Dimension," his agency said Friday. The 11-track album, set to be released at 6 p.m., features double lead singles "Studio54" and "Desperado." It marks his first full-length solo album since his debut in 2006, according to Topspot Pictures. T.O.P oversaw production of the entire album alongside acclaimed Italian music producer and sound engineer IRKO, with "Squid Game" art director Chae Kyoung-sun also participating in the project. In a recent interview with GQ magazine in Hong Kong, T.O.P said he has focused on creating music over the past decade, describing the time "extremely constructive." As an actor, his most recent appearance was as Thanos in Season 2 of Netflix's hit series "Squid Game."

Apr 3, 2026By Yonhap
T.O.P returns with 'Another Dimension,' his 1st solo studio album
Films

Bong Joon-ho ventures into animation with debut feature 'Ally'

"Parasite" director Bong Joon-ho will debut his first animated feature, "Ally," CJ ENM said Friday. The company said it has invested in and will distribute the film, together with Penture Invest and French film company Pathe Films, though a release date has yet to be announced. The animated film tells the story of deepwater creatures fascinated by humans and their lives above the surface. At the center of the plot is Ally, a deepwater octopus, who embarks on an unexpected journey with its friends after a plane crashes and sinks into the ocean. Jason Yu, director of the 2023 mystery horror "Sleep," participated in the screenwriting. The Oscar-winning director has been working on the animation since 2018, with production expected to wrap in the first half of next year. The film will mark Bong's first since his 2025 sci-fi movie "Mickey 17."

Apr 3, 2026By Yonhap
Bong Joon-ho ventures into animation with debut feature 'Ally'
K-pop

BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP

BTS will drop a new single, "Come Over," as part of an LP version of their "Arirang" album, BigHit Music said Friday. The new vinyl record will feature all 14 songs from the fifth studio album, along with the new song dedicated to their fans, ARMY, which will be available exclusively on the LP, according to the company. Member Suga participated in producing the song, with RM and J-hope contributing to the songwriting. Meanwhile, the group will embark on the "BTS World Tour Arirang" in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, on April 11 and continue in major cities around the world through 2027.

Apr 3, 2026By Yonhap
BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP
K-pop

Global push is fueling English boom in K-pop, but at what cost?

After BTS, one of the biggest names in K-pop, returned last month with its fifth studio album wrapped in Korean cultural symbols, one detail drew particular attention beyond the music — how much of the songs were sung, partly if not entirely, in English? The group's latest release, "ARIRANG," takes its title from Korea's best-known folk song and threads Korean identity through its visuals, sonic references and even its recent comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. But behind the scenes, the album reflected a tension that is becoming increasingly visible across the K-pop industry. In a recently unveiled Netflix documentary tied to the project, BTS' leader RM was seen raising concerns about the album's heavy use of English lyrics, questioning whether a project centered on Korean identity could remain "authentic" if much of it was not in Korean. Fellow member Suga also suggested increasing the number of Korean lines. Their label executives, however, emphasized a different priority — global reach. That exchange landed at a moment when English has become more prominent tha

Apr 3, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Global push is fueling English boom in K-pop, but at what cost?
Others

Former K-pop idol reveals how she became a shaman

Former K-pop idol and sports announcer Park Seo-hwi is opening up about becoming a shaman. Park is scheduled to appear on MBN’s “Special Scoop World” on Thursday to discuss how she chose to become a shaman after debuting as a member of the girl group, LPG, and later working as a sports announcer. In a preview clip released ahead of the broadcast, Park is seen describing repeated dreams of family members dying. She recalled that when she visited a shaman for a reading, the first words she heard were, “You are filled with spirits,” an experience she said set her on the path to becoming a shaman. Park said she ultimately accepted the shamanic calling out of fear over what might happen to her family if she refused it. Fighting back tears, she said her family mattered most to her and that although she had wanted to continue working in television, she felt she had no choice but to accept that path. Park’s father also expressed conflicted emotions. “Becoming a shaman is a difficult path,” he said through tears. “It is heartbreaking to see this when she graduated from a well-re

Apr 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
Former K-pop idol reveals how she became a shaman
K-pop

Reuniting after 15 years, SeeYa confronts new K-pop reality

“I hope our music can feel different from the songs dominating the charts these days. I believe music should reflect a range of styles, but lately the industry seems to be leaning too heavily toward a narrow set of genres. In the past, there was a broader mix of artists,” the members of SeeYa said. “We hope our return can have a positive impact by helping open space for more distinctive and diverse musicians.” For SeeYa, whose reunion comes 15 years after the group disbanded, the message is about more than a comeback. It is also a pointed reflection on what they see as a deeper structural imbalance in Korea’s music industry. Even as K-pop continues to strengthen its global standing as a mainstream genre, criticism has been mounting in Korea that the domestic market has grown increasingly concentrated around idol music. In that sense, SeeYa’s return means more than the reappearance of a vocal group that once stood at the center of Korea’s ballad boom. It also revives a long-simmering conversation about musical diversity within K-pop. What was lost in an idol-centered industry

Apr 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
Reuniting after 15 years, SeeYa confronts new K-pop reality
K-pop

Lee Su-hyun says she almost quit AKMU during emotional slump

Lee Su-hyun of sibling duo AKMU opened up about going through a slump and expressed gratitude to her brother and band member, Lee Chan-hyuk, for helping her through it. The duo appeared on “You Quiz on the Block” on Wednesday. When host Yoo Jae-suk asked how the siblings were doing living under the same roof, Lee Chan-hyuk said he had been the one to suggest they live together. “Su-hyun was having a hard time living alone because she wasn’t used to it,” he said. Lee Su-hyun said her slump initially came from work, but as she endured the emotional strain, she began to have deeper doubts about life itself. “That question first hit me after my brother left for his mandatory military service. What kind of person would I be without him? His absence made me realize just how big his presence had been. I ended up feeling disappointed in myself, and hurt.” She said she waited for Chan-hyuk to return from military service, but when he did, he charged ahead like a racehorse, focused only on what was in front of him. At some point, working with him began to feel dull. “I told him that

Apr 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
Lee Su-hyun says she almost quit AKMU during emotional slump
Shows & Dramas

Legal dramas dominate Korean TV as ‘Phantom Lawyer’ builds momentum, raising hopes for ‘Good Partner 2’

Courtroom dramas are turning into one of the biggest success stories on South Korea’s broadcast TV scene this year, with back-to-back ratings wins fueling fresh excitement for SBS’s upcoming “Good Partner 2.” The latest standout is SBS’s Friday-Saturday drama “Phantom Lawyer.” Its sixth episode, which aired on Saturday, posted a nationwide viewership rating of 10 percent and 10.6 percent in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea, extending its noticeable upward run. The series has broken its own ratings record for three straight weeks, reinforcing the view that it has fully entered hit-drama territory. “Phantom Lawyer” has drawn attention for keeping the familiar frame of a legal drama while mixing in emotionally charged storytelling and “han-puri,” a distinctly Korean narrative element tied to the release of long-held grief, resentment or sorrow. That blend of courtroom cases and human drama appears to be connecting with viewers. As the first quarter of 2026 closes, legal dramas have emerged as a clear strength for Korea’s terrestrial broadcaster

Apr 2, 2026By Xportsnews
Legal dramas dominate Korean TV as ‘Phantom Lawyer’ builds momentum, raising hopes for ‘Good Partner 2’
K-pop

Wanna One reunites for reality show 7 years after disbandment

K-pop project group Wanna One will reunite for a new reality show seven years after disbanding, K-pop content platform Mnet Plus announced Wednesday. The 11-member group's new program, "WANNA ONE GO — Back to Base," will premiere April 28. Prior to the broadcast, the group will host an in-person fan event April 6 at DMC Culture Park in western Seoul. Organizers prepared the gathering to officially announce the program's start and allow the members to reconnect with their fan base, known as Wannable. The group generated a nationwide cultural phenomenon upon debuting in 2017. They immediately sold out the Gocheok Sky Dome, Korea's largest indoor arena, sold 1 million copies of their debut album and swept rookie and grand prize honors at major award ceremonies. Even after the project group disbanded, the 11 members — Kang Daniel, Park Ji-hoon and Lee Dae-hwi, Kim Jae-hwan, Ong Seong-wu, Park Woo-jin, Lai Kuan-lin, Yoon Ji-sung, Hwang Min-hyun, Bae Jin-young and Ha Sung-woon — established themselves as solo singers, actors and producers. The upcoming program is highly anticipated glob

Apr 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
Wanna One reunites for reality show 7 years after disbandment
K-pop

How much could ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ songwriter earn? EJAE reacts to $34 mil. rumor

Singer-songwriter EJAE is fueling curiosity — and a bit of disbelief — over how much money could be coming from the global hit “KPop Demon Hunters,” as talk of 45.6 billion won in royalties continues to circulate online. At a press conference Wednesday at Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul, celebrating the film’s recent awards success, EJAE addressed the speculation with a cautious but optimistic tone. “I don’t really know yet. It takes time,” she said when asked about royalty settlements. From viral hit to awards sweep “KPop Demon Hunters” — an action-fantasy animation about K-pop superstars who secretly protect the world — has become a rare crossover success, winning major honors at global awards including the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes and the Grammys. The film reached a new peak on March 15, when it won both Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards. Alongside the soundtrack's breakout hit "Golden," other tracks have also gained traction internationally, with songs like “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol” charting and contribut

Apr 2, 2026By Xportsnews
How much could ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ songwriter earn? EJAE reacts to $34 mil. rumor
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