my timesThe Korea Times

Entertainment

K-popShows & DramasFilmsMusicOthers
  • K-pop

    InterviewKATSEYE reflects on AMA wins as group prepares new release

    Girl group KATSEYE is having its moment. It recently swept all three of its nominations at the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) on May 25: New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for "Gnarly" and Breakthrough Pop Artist. "We never expected to go home with all three awards that night," Sophia said in a written interview with The Korea Times. For a group that debuted less than two years ago, the achievement marks an important milestone in the group's rapid rise. KATSEYE was formed through the 2023 competition reality show "The Debut: Dream Academy," and the members went through the K-pop trainee system, involving months of vocal and dance training under a survival format. Signed jointly under HYBE Labels and Geffen Records, the group debuted in August 2024 with its first EP "SIS (Soft Is Strong)," positioning itself as a bridge between the K-pop world and Western pop audiences. While KATSEYE was conceived as a global pop act, its connection to Korea remains strong. Korea is often among the first stops on the group's promotional schedule, and its members credit the country's music industry

    3 MIN READBy Pyo Kyung-min
    KATSEYE reflects on AMA wins as group prepares new release
  • K-pop

    'KPop Demon Hunters' singer EJAE to take World Cup opening stage

    2 MIN READBy Park Jin-hai
    'KPop Demon Hunters' singer EJAE to take World Cup opening stage
  • Shows & Dramas

    Are multiple seasons becoming the new norm for Korean dramas?

    3 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    Are multiple seasons becoming the new norm for Korean dramas?
  • Shows & Dramas

    'His Man' creators return with Korea's first bisexual dating show

    2 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    'His Man' creators return with Korea's first bisexual dating show
  • K-pop

    BIGBANG unveils plans for world tour marking 20th anniversary

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    BIGBANG unveils plans for world tour marking 20th anniversary
  • K-pop

    Stray Kids' Han to drop solo digital single 'back to life'

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Stray Kids' Han to drop solo digital single 'back to life'
  • Films

    ReviewSpielberg returns to familiar territory with ‘Disclosure Day’

    2 MIN READBy Baek Byung-yeul
    Spielberg returns to familiar territory with ‘Disclosure Day’
  • Shows & Dramas

    From temple stays to TV: The rise of Korea's 'hip Buddhism'

    3 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    From temple stays to TV: The rise of Korea's 'hip Buddhism'
Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
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.

Read more

BTS ARIRANG

BTS' 'Swim' soars to No. 1 on domestic music chart

"Swim," the lead track of boy group BTS' latest studio album, topped the Top 100 main songs chart on Melon, a leading music streaming platform in South Korea, shortly after its release on Friday. "Swim," which was unveiled at 1 p.m., debuted straight at No. 1 on the Top 100 chart an hour later. In 2022, the group made history as the first act to reach No. 1 on the chart within an hour of release with "Yet to Come," following the chart's launch in 2021. As of 2 p.m., all 14 tracks from the new album had entered the chart, including "Body to Body" at No. 3, "Hooligan" at No. 6, "Aliens" at No. 9, and "Fya" at No. 11. The album "Arirang" also sold over 1.11 million physical copies as of 3 p.m. on Hanteo Chart, a leading local album sales tracker. The record surpassed 4 million preorders in January.

Mar 20, 2026By Yonhap
BTS' 'Swim' soars to No. 1 on domestic music chart
BTS ARIRANG

BTS’ RM injured during rehearsal, movement to be minimized at Gwanghwamun show

BTS' leader RM was injured during the group's comeback show rehearsal with the much-anticipated concert only hours away. The group's label, BigHit Music, said Friday that RM suffered an ankle injury while rehearsing for the performance on Thursday. Medical examination results showed a sprain of the accessory navicular bone and partial ligament tear and others. Doctors advised that he wear a leg cast and minimize movement for at least two weeks while focusing on recovery. BigHit Music has released the following statement to update fans and concertgoers on RM's latest. Statement from BigHit Music We would like to inform you regarding RM’s participation in the upcoming performance scheduled for March 21, “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG.” During rehearsal on March 19, RM sustained an ankle injury and was taken to the hospital for a thorough examination and treatment. The results indicated a sprain of the accessory navicular bone, partial ligament tear, and a contusion of the talus (ligament damage and inflammation). Medical staff advised that he should wear a leg cast and focus on recove

Mar 20, 2026By Xportsnews
BTS’ RM injured during rehearsal, movement to be minimized at Gwanghwamun show
BTS ARIRANG

'Excited and honored' to livestream BTS show: Netflix VP

BTS will transform the heart of Seoul into a massive stage on Saturday as the K-pop band marks its historic return with a live performance at Gwanghwamun Square to celebrate the release of its new album "ARIRANG." The event will be broadcast live to more than 190 countries via Netflix starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, marking the first time the global streaming giant will host a live music event of this scale in Korea. Brandon Riegg, vice president of nonfiction series and sports at Netflix, said the partnership with HYBE was a natural fit for the platform's live strategy. "We're incredibly excited and honored to be able to partner with HYBE and BTS on this landmark event," Riegg said during a press conference in Seoul Friday. "As we look at entertaining the world and the big events in the live space that we tried to do, it was very clear from the start that this opportunity was one we could not pass up." Riegg added that the collaboration is a continuation of Netflix's belief in the power of Korean culture. "I think it really doesn't get any bigger than BTS, and what this tour and performance

Mar 20, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'Excited and honored' to livestream BTS show: Netflix VP
K-pop

T.O.P unleashed: BIGBANG icon preps career-first full-length solo album

Rapper and singer T.O.P is set to release his first full-length solo album since his debut, his agency said Thursday. The enigmatic rapper and BIGBANG veteran is finally ready to drop his first-ever solo studio effort. Titled “Another Dimension,” the project is slated to hit major streaming platforms on April 3, according to his agency, TOPSPOT PICTURES. Coinciding with the album’s reveal, the rapper has flooded his official channels with a series of high-concept teaser videos — visual appetizers for what is being billed as a radical creative pivot. According to TOPSPOT PICTURES, these clips go beyond promotion. They are a curated look into the “Another Dimension” concept, a world seemingly as avant-garde and meticulously crafted as the BIGBANG architect’s own storied art collection. The first teaser, “Studio54,” employs a distinctive typography effect, signaling the start of the album’s promotional rollout. A second teaser, “Desperado,” adopts a cinematic mise-en-scène, hinting at a shift in T.O.P’s musical style. The project represents a sweeping assertion of

Mar 20, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
T.O.P unleashed: BIGBANG icon preps career-first full-length solo album
BTS ARIRANG

ReviewBTS revisits roots, swims forward on new album 'ARIRANG'

K-pop juggernaut BTS has released its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” marking the group’s first studio project together in nearly four years and signaling what the members describe as the start of a new chapter, “BTS 2.0.” The 14-track record follows the 2022 anthology album “Proof” and was shaped through extended songwriting sessions involving all seven members. Part of that work took place in Los Angeles, where dozens of demo tracks were developed and refined. Built around themes of identity, growth and shared experience, “ARIRANG” is framed by the group as a reflection of BTS' identity today. The title draws from the Korean folk song long associated with longing and resilience, an idea the band said it aimed to reinterpret in a contemporary pop context. Following the release, BTS is set to begin major promotional activities, including a large-scale comeback performance at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square that will be livestreamed globally through Netflix. Roots, risk, sound of return Yet promotional scale alone does not explain what “ARIRANG” is trying to do. After

Mar 20, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
BTS revisits roots, swims forward on new album 'ARIRANG'
Shows & Dramas

Korean drinking shows face renewed backlash after celebrity DUI sparks debate

Actor Lee Jae-ryong's third drunk driving arrest has ignited public backlash against Korea's unregulated YouTube drinking shows, exposing a regulatory gap in digital media that critics say glamorizes intoxication. Police booked Lee on charges of crashing his vehicle into a median barrier and fleeing the scene in Gangnam, an affluent commercial district in southern Seoul, at around 11 p.m. on March 6. His blood alcohol concentration was at a level warranting license suspension at the time of the crash. The actor previously faced drunk driving charges in 2019 and 2023. Following his third offense, he faced widespread public condemnation and stepped down from ongoing projects. Public anger escalated after Lee recently appeared on the YouTube channel "Zzanbro Shin Dong-yup," a YouTube talk show built around drinking alcohol on camera. The channel, which has about 2.07 million subscribers, regularly features celebrities engaging in candid conversations over drinks. In the episode, the program introduced Lee as a heavy drinker, a framing that drew criticism once news of his latest offense bro

Mar 20, 2026By Hankookilbo
Korean drinking shows face renewed backlash after celebrity DUI sparks debate
K-pop

BTS’ Jin shares heartfelt message ahead of Gwanghwamun show

BTS’ Jin reached out to fans as the group’s Gwanghwamun concert, set to mark its first full-member comeback following military service, draws closer. “Before I knew it, our comeback is just one day away,” Jin wrote in a message posted Thursday on Weverse, the group’s official fan community platform. “Thanks to so many people helping us and cheering us on, we were able to hold the comeback show at Gwanghwamun,” he said, referring to BTS’ upcoming comeback concert in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square area this Saturday. He added that it felt especially meaningful to greet fans together again in such a symbolic place. “It’s an honor to be able to say hello again all together in such a meaningful place,” Jin wrote, before thanking those who helped make the event possible and everyone who showed understanding. “We’ll also do our best to put on a great performance.” Jin also urged fans planning to attend in person to make safety a priority. “Those of you watching on site, I ask that you please be sure to stay safe,” he wrote. BTS is set to release its fifth full-length

Mar 20, 2026By Hankookilbo
BTS’ Jin shares heartfelt message ahead of Gwanghwamun show
BTS ARIRANG

Heading to Gwanghwamun for BTS? Here’s how to stay safe amid expected crowd of 260,000

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. The full-group comeback of K-pop phenomenon BTS at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square is drawing global attention to Korea. More than 260,000 people are expected to gather at the iconic spot in the Korean capital this Saturday. To ensure public saftey, the police and the Seoul Metropolitan Government plan to control access to 31 nearby buildings to prevent overcrowding. In places where large crowds gather, special caution is needed to avoid crowd crush incidents. Why do crowd crush incidents occur? First, let’s look at why crowd crush incidents happen. A crowd crush refers to death caused by pressure. When a large number of people gather in a confined space, the pressure exerted on each individual increases. In particular, if excessive pressure is applied to the chest, it can lead to rib fractures or oxygen deprivation. When oxygen supply decreases, brain activity stops. An adult consumes about 0.2 to 0.3 liters of oxygen per minute, with the brain using the most amount. If deprived of oxygen for two minutes, cerebral cortex cells begin to be damaged.

Mar 20, 2026By Kormedi.com
Heading to Gwanghwamun for BTS? Here’s how to stay safe amid expected crowd of 260,000
BTS ARIRANG

‘I want everyone to know I'm an ARMY’: How this fan is preparing for BTS' Gwanghwamun concert

When Marga Uy Baula planned her birthday trip to Seoul in January, all the information she had was one date — March 20. Baula was determined to be in Seoul when pop icons BTS dropped their highly anticipated comeback album, “ARIRANG.” “There were no announcements about the comeback yet, but I knew I had to be here,” Baula said. So when more details about the return of the world’s biggest boy band came to light, Baula had a simple plan: enjoy the sights of Seoul on her birthday, and secure a ticket to BTS’ free comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, scheduled for March 21. As everything fell into place, Baula found herself in Seoul on March 18, just a few days until RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook were set to perform at the biggest stage of their careers. Baula is one of thousands of BTS fans, or ARMYs, who booked flights to Seoul, with or without a concert ticket, to witness BTS’ comeback. After a break of almost four years, K-pop’s biggest act is set to make music history with a large-scale show in the heart of Seoul, one that has filled headlines for mont

Mar 20, 2026By Inna Christine Cabel
‘I want everyone to know I'm an ARMY’: How this fan is preparing for BTS' Gwanghwamun concert
K-pop

Gov't, Hybe establish cybersecurity hotline to prepare against BTS-related online threats

The government has set up an emergency communication hotline with Hybe, the entertainment agency of global K-pop sensation BTS, ahead of the group's comeback concert this week to boost cybersecurity readiness, according to officials Friday. The Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and Hybe have set up the three-way communication channel to jointly address potential cybersecurity attacks during the concert to be held at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Saturday, according to the authorities. Police expect around 260,000 people to gather in the area stretching from the square to Sungnyemun Gate, the largest number since the 2002 World Cup, when up to 250,000 people cheered in the streets. The event will be aired on the global streaming service Netflix. KISA will monitor 37 websites related to the event, including those of the agency, around the clock to inspect for security vulnerabilities and provide technical support to ensure stable operations and prevent threats, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Officials from the science

Mar 20, 2026By Yonhap
Gov't, Hybe establish cybersecurity hotline to prepare against BTS-related online threats
previous page
6061626364
next page

Most Read in Entertainment