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Potatoi displays 'Orange Courage' with first full-length album

Potatoi, the stage name of Cha Soon-jong, bassist of Korean indie rock band wave to earth, has dropped his first-ever studio album, “Orange Courage.” An ode to his youth, the musician combined “orange,” the color he associates with this period of his life, with “courage,” for his journey to fully embrace his artistry. “I needed courage to try new things — to experiment, and to acknowledge that I can do these things. It takes tremendous courage to do so,” he explained about the creation of the record. Released March 13 and composed of 10 tracks — including pre-released singles “100p,” “She Wanna Blue,” “See Ya” and “90s” — the record merges the mundane with imagined narratives. “The idea comes from daily life, but when I start adding flesh to it, I sometimes include a bit more fiction,” he said. He cited “See Ya,” as an example, inspired by saying goodbye to his wife when he had to take a flight for an overseas tour. He also mentioned how “Lion’s Tear” — a favorite and collaboration with his bandmate Daniel Kim — was born from an in

Mar 13, 2026By Mariel Abanes
Potatoi displays 'Orange Courage' with first full-length album
K-pop

Ultimate BTS pilgrimage guide: Every landmark worth visiting before, after Gwanghwamun concert

As K-pop juggernaut BTS prepares to return to the stage at Seoul’s historic Gwanghwamun Square, fans from around the world are once again planning journeys that extend far beyond a single night of music. For many members of ARMY, BTS' official fandom, traveling to Korea is not simply about attending a concert. It is about stepping into the physical landscapes that shaped the group’s story, tracing the arc from uncertain trainee years to global influence. Across Seoul and beyond, buildings, cafes, coastal landmarks and performance sites have quietly evolved into a living map of BTS' rise. Some are grand symbols of the group’s transformation. Others are modest, almost hidden spaces that carry emotional resonance precisely because they reflect the ordinariness of the members’ early lives. Together, they form an unofficial pilgrimage route that continues to grow in significance each time BTS embarks on a new chapter. HYBE Labels headquarters, Yongsan District, Seoul Few places illustrate the scale of BTS' sheer impact more clearly than HYBE’s glass-and-steel headquarters in Yongsan

Mar 13, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Ultimate BTS pilgrimage guide: Every landmark worth visiting before, after Gwanghwamun concert
Shows & Dramas

From chaebol to secret agent: Virtual roster of 'Boyfriend on Demand'

Since its release on March 6, Netflix’s "Boyfriend on Demand," starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, has captured both local curiosity and global buzz. Beyond its star power and glossy production, the show taps into a distinctly modern fantasy — the comfort of love without the risk of heartbreak. At the heart of the story is Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer worn down by deadlines, a difficult author she manages and the emotional residue of a breakup. Her ex-boyfriend is about to marry someone else. Out of loneliness, exhaustion and a flicker of curiosity, she turns to a virtual reality subscription service promising up to 900 kinds of love. With a simple headset and the push of a button, Mi-rae can meet boyfriends who fulfill every imaginable romantic ideal — from a devoted CEO to a sentimental artist — all without the messy unpredictability of real life. Fans adore its straightforward bliss. "I miss K-dramas just for fun — no murders, just love and butterflies," one Reddit user raved. Others nod to its real-world edge: "It nails the fear of relationships ending," while another mused, "P

Mar 13, 2026By Park Jin-hai
From chaebol to secret agent: Virtual roster of 'Boyfriend on Demand'
Films

'KPop Demon Hunters' to return for sequel

Netflix's record-breaking animated feature "KPop Demon Hunters" will get a sequel, the streaming company said Friday. Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, who directed the original, will return to helm the sequel to Netflix's most popular film of all time, according to the company. "I feel immense pride as a Korean filmmaker that the audience wants more from this Korean story and our Korean characters," Kang was quoted as saying. "There's so much more to this world we have built, and I'm excited to show you. This is only the beginning." Since the film, produced by Sony Pictures Animation, premiered in June 2025, it has garnered more than 500 million views. "We're excited to write their next chapter, challenge them and watch them evolve -- and continue pushing the boundaries of how music, animation and story can come together," Appelhans said of the sequel. The film has received Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for "Golden." The award ceremony will be held Sunday (U.S. time).

Mar 13, 2026By Yonhap
'KPop Demon Hunters' to return for sequel
K-pop

‘Stop blaming me’: Producer El Capitxn criticizes ENHYPEN fans after Heeseung exit

K-pop producer El Capitxn found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after responding angrily to ENHYPEN fans who blamed him following Heeseung’s sudden departure from the group. El Capitxn — whose real name is Jang Yi-jeong — posted a message Thursday on his personal social media account telling fans to stop sending him messages about Heeseung. The post included explicit language as he criticized those directing blame at him. “Stop sending me stuff about Lee Heeseung. The kid can mess up sometimes. If you’re real fans, you should hug him before throwing stones,” he said. “Why do you keep blaming me?” The message quickly spread online, drawing intense reactions from ENHYPEN fans. Speculation has emerged among some fans that El Capitxn may have influenced the circumstances surrounding Heeseung’s departure because of their previously known friendship. Some online users even accused the producer of encouraging what they described as “artist syndrome,” fueling the controversy. El Capitxn and Heeseung have worked together musically in the past. Both were cred

Mar 12, 2026By Xportsnews
‘Stop blaming me’: Producer El Capitxn criticizes ENHYPEN fans after Heeseung exit
Shows & Dramas

‘My 901st boyfriend?’ BLACKPINK’s Jisoo shares Seo In-guk photo from Netflix’s ‘Boyfriend on Demand’

BLACKPINK star Jisoo delighted fans with behind-the-scenes glimpses from the Netflix show “Boyfriend on Demand,” sharing a series of photos that quickly drew attention online — including a solo shot of co-star Seo In-guk, who plays her character’s “901st boyfriend.” On March 10, Jisoo uploaded several photos to her personal social media account with the short caption “The sea,” accompanied by dolphin and blue heart emojis. In one image, Jisoo appears in a flowy long white dress, completing a breezy resort look that blends perfectly with the bright blue seaside backdrop. In another shot, she poses on a wide airport runway wearing a black off-shoulder mini dress. The design, which reveals her shoulder line, adds an elegant yet sophisticated mood. The photos appear to capture moments from the production of the Netflix series “Boyfriend on Demand,” a romantic story set around a virtual reality dating service. Jisoo also shared friendly snapshots with fellow cast members Kim Ah-young and Go Gyu-pil, who appear with her in the virtual reality setting of the series. Among the

Mar 12, 2026By Xportsnews
‘My 901st boyfriend?’ BLACKPINK’s Jisoo shares Seo In-guk photo from Netflix’s ‘Boyfriend on Demand’
Others

Does your boyfriend’s phone matter? 'Single’s Inferno' star Freezia’s Galaxy comment sparks debate

Korean content creator Freezia, also known as Song Ji-a, is facing online backlash after casually saying she would dislike dating a man who uses a Samsung Galaxy phone — a remark that quickly went viral and reignited debate about tech preferences, image culture and dating standards among young Koreans. The controversy grew further as past comments from actress Joo Hyun-young resurfaced online, highlighting a starkly opposite view: she once said her ideal type is a man who uses a Galaxy phone. The debate began after Freezia uploaded a vlog Sunday to her YouTube channel. In the video, filmed at a nail salon, Freezia chats with a friend about smartphone brands. After hearing that her friend’s boyfriend uses a Galaxy Fold, she said, “Honestly, if my boyfriend used a Galaxy, I think I’d kind of hate it.” When her friend asked why, Freezia said, “My mom and dad both use Galaxy phones. But parents and a boyfriend are different, right?” She added, “Just imagining him taking pictures of me with that phone annoys me so much.” The comments quickly spread across Korean online commun

Mar 12, 2026By Xportsnews
Does your boyfriend’s phone matter? 'Single’s Inferno' star Freezia’s Galaxy comment sparks debate
K-pop

Seventeen's Vernon, The8 to launch new unit this summer

Vernon and The8 of K-pop boy group Seventeen will form a new unit and are preparing to release an album in June, a music industry source said Thursday. "Vernon and The8 are working on a unit album with the goal of releasing it in June," the source told Yonhap News Agency. "Both members are actively participating in production." The new duo marks Seventeen's sixth unit project, following BSS composed of DK, Hoshi and Seungkwan; Jeonghan and Wonwoo; Hoshi and Woozi; S.Coups and Mingyu; and DK and Seungkwan. Vernon, a rapper in Seventeen, has been writing and composing songs since the group's debut. He joined the Recording Academy, which organizes the Grammy Awards, as a voting member last year. The8, a Chinese member, is known for his strong dance skills and has released several solo records in China, including the EP "Stardust." Vernon collaborated with The8 on the album's lead track "Orbit," contributing to both lyrics and composition. Seventeen is currently on its "New_" world tour and will hold encore concerts of the tour on April 4–5 at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, about 30 kilome

Mar 12, 2026By Yonhap
Seventeen's Vernon, The8 to launch new unit this summer
Films

'The King's Warden' surpasses 12 mil. admissions

The Korean hitorical drama "The King's Warden" has drawn more than 12 million moviegoers nationwide, the film's distributor Showbox said Wednesday, extending its run as one of the biggest box-office successes in recent years. The number surpasses the 11.91 million admissions recorded by "Exhuma," the most-viewed film of 2024, making "The King's Warden" the 20th title in Korean cinema history to cross the 12-million mark. Released on Feb. 4, the film reached 10 million admissions on March 6, becoming the first title in two years since "Exhuma" and "The Roundup: Punishment" (2024) to achieve the feat. In South Korea, 10 million ticket sales is widely regarded as the benchmark for big success for commercial films. Directed by Jang Hang-jun, "The King's Warden" reimagines historical events through a fictional lens, following the unlikely friendship between village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hai-jin) and the deposed King Danjong (Park Ji-hoon) of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) during the latter's exile in the village. The film has drawn praise for its ensemble performances, which allow viewers to

Mar 11, 2026By Yonhap
'The King's Warden' surpasses 12 mil. admissions
Shows & Dramas

InterviewLee Na-young says 'Honour' is not just about sexual violence

ENA’s thriller “Honour,” which wrapped Tuesday, follows a team of lawyers taking on a powerful sex trafficking cartel in a story that inevitably echoes the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Centered on three determined attorneys at the victim advocacy firm L&J — short for Listen & Join — who choose solidarity over silence while investigating scandals linked to the shadowy digital sex trade platform “Connect In,” the drama marks actor Lee Na‑young’s first work on the small screen in three years. Lee plays Yun Ra‑yeong, a celebrity lawyer with millions of followers online, but beneath her polished public image lies a woman shaped by deep personal trauma. Lee's restrained performance has drawn praise from viewers. "I first read the script with the curiosity of a novel reader, just dying to know what would happen next. Then I went back through it, thinking about the role I had to play and that's when I felt like I just had to be part of this story," Lee said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in central Seoul, Wednesday. Taking on a role with lengthy legal dialogue

Mar 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Lee Na-young says 'Honour' is not just about sexual violence
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