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  • K-pop

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

    Singer-songwriter EJAE — best-known for co-writing and performing the theme song "Golden" for animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" — is set to take the stage at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Thursday (local time). FIFA announced that she will join a star-studded lineup for a special show ahead of the tournament's kickoff match between Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. She will join legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli and a lineup of special guest singers to debut the official theme song for the tournament, "DNA." "Being a part of the official FIFA World Cup anthem means so much to me. It's especially meaningful because I was able to write Korean lyrics in the song — representing Korea on this stage is such an honor," EJAE said via FIFA. "One of my favorite childhood memories is being in Seoul during the 2002 World Cup, and seeing the city unite. I'll never forget the feeling of seeing strangers on the street hug each other and celebrate. To me, that feeling of togetherness is what the World Cup means, and I'm grateful to be a part of it

    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?
  • K-pop

    BIGBANG unveils plans for world tour marking 20th anniversary

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

    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'
  • Films

    Jun Ji-hyun opens up about 'Colony' role, timeless beauty praised by viewers

    2 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    Jun Ji-hyun opens up about 'Colony' role, timeless beauty praised by viewers
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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

ENHYPEN's Heeseung announces departure from group

Heeseung of K-pop boy band ENHYPEN will leave the group, his agency Belift Lab announced Tuesday. In a statement posted on fan platform Weverse, the company said it had held extensive discussions with the members about the group’s future direction and goals. “Through deep conversations about each member’s vision for the future and the team’s direction, we confirmed that Heeseung has a clear musical path he wishes to pursue,” the agency said. “After careful consideration, we decided to respect his aspirations.” The HYBE Labels subsidiary said the 24-year-old singer will depart the group and ENHYPEN will continue activities as a six-member act during its upcoming promotional schedule. “Although it is difficult to explain every detail in a short statement, we want to emphasize that this decision was made after a long period of deliberation,” the company said. “We understand that this news may be difficult for fans to accept, but we hope you will understand that it was made with the future of both ENHYPEN and Heeseung in mind.” Belift Lab added that ENHYPEN would continu

Mar 10, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
ENHYPEN's Heeseung announces departure from group
  • What Heeseung's exit means for ENHYPEN, fans
Shows & Dramas

Jang Keun-suk to return to TV with new drama 'Hyupban'

Korean actor Jang Keun-suk is set to return to the small screen for the first time in about three years, taking the lead role in the upcoming drama "Hyupban" (working title). According to industry sources Tuesday, Jang will play the main character Ma Han-sang in the new series. The drama tells the story of a skilled cook who also happens to be a gangster. After saving a college student in danger, Ma ends up hiding out at the student’s home, where the two gradually find comfort and encouragement through sharing warm meals. The series is based on a popular novel of the same title that has already been published in book form and adapted into a drama (Otoko Meshi) in Japan. Jang has previously showcased his cooking skills on various television programs, drawing attention to how closely the character may align with his real-life talents. The drama will be directed by Lee Min-woo, known for works such as the hit series “Boys Over Flowers,” “God’s Quiz Season 4” and “Not Others.” Lee has received praise for his detailed, character-driven storytelling, raising expectations for h

Mar 10, 2026By Hankookilbo
Jang Keun-suk to return to TV with new drama 'Hyupban'
Shows & Dramas

‘Boyfriend on Demand’: Jisoo’s acting sparks debate, but 901 virtual boyfriends keep Netflix series trending

A new Netflix series starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo is drawing global attention — and reigniting a familiar debate. While some viewers remain skeptical about her acting, the romantic comedy’s unusual premise and star-packed “boyfriend” lineup are helping propel the show up Netflix’s charts. Released on March 6, the Netflix original “Boyfriend on Demand” follows Mi-rae, a webtoon producer played by Jisoo, who is exhausted by real life and turns to a virtual dating simulation service where users can “subscribe” to and experience romantic relationships. The show marks Jisoo’s first solo lead drama, placing her squarely at the center of the story after several supporting roles since her acting debut in the 2021 JTBC drama “Snowdrop.” She has also appeared in films such as “Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy” as well as the Coupang Play series “Newtopia.” But the new release has once again put her acting skills under scrutiny. Since her debut, Jisoo has frequently faced criticism over pronunciation, vocal delivery and facial expressions. With “Boyfriend on Demand,

Mar 10, 2026By Xportsnews
‘Boyfriend on Demand’: Jisoo’s acting sparks debate, but 901 virtual boyfriends keep Netflix series trending
K-pop

BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones

K-pop juggernaut BTS will perform before some 22,000 fans at its upcoming comeback show at Gwanghwamun Square as organizers added new standing areas to accommodate soaring demand, the group's agency said Tuesday. BigHit Music said "additional" standing spots will open Thursday through NOL Ticket for the group's "Arirang" concert on March 21. While the agency did not specify the exact number of new tickets, the figure appears to be around 7,000 as the agency noted the show will now accommodate some 22,000 people, up from the 15,000 tickets previously available for reservation. The new standing zones will stretch from the Gwanghwamun intersection toward the City Hall subway station, where audiences will be able to watch the performance on large LED screens installed across the area, according to the agency. BigHit said the expanded capacity was planned "with safety and crowd control as top priorities." Organizers also pledged to monitor illegal ticket resales in real time and strengthen identity checks to prevent scalping and unauthorized entry. The concert will follow the release of BTS'

Mar 10, 2026By Yonhap
BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones
K-pop

BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release

K-pop supergroup BTS will open special pop-up stores to celebrate the release of its fifth studio album, "Arirang," the group's agency said Tuesday. The pop-ups, titled "Arirang," will open at 1 p.m. on March 20, the day of the album's release, and run until April 12 at The Heritage in Shinsegae Department Store's main branch and at HYBE's headquarters in Seoul. In collaboration with the National Museum Foundation of Korea, the band will showcase merchandise that reinterprets traditional Korean aesthetics with a modern touch in keeping with the album's theme. The products will be produced jointly with Mu:ds, the foundation's cultural goods brand, to help promote Korean culture to a global audience. Other products, such as hoodies and ball caps, will also be available. Early sales for select items will open on the Weverse Shop on Thursday, while all merchandise will become available March 20. The Mu:ds collaboration goods will also be sold at the National Museum of Korea's gift shop beginning the same date. Visitors must book in advance through the Weverse Spot reservation system. Describe

Mar 10, 2026By Yonhap
BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release
Shows & Dramas

'Mad Concrete Dreams' satirizes Korea's debt-laden real estate obsession

Veteran actor Ha Jung-woo returns to the small screen with tvN's dark comedy "Mad Concrete Dreams," 19 years since his last role in the 2007 drama "H.I.T." The 47-year-old stars as Ki Su-jong, a small building owner pushed to the brink by debt. After stretching his finances to the limit in an attempt to hold on to his prized property, he becomes entangled in a fake kidnapping scheme as he struggles to protect both his family and his investment. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Korea’s real estate-obsessed culture. It reflects the so-called "yeongkkeul" phenomenon — a Korean slang combining "yeonghon" (soul) and "kkeulda" (to drag), referring to buyers who "pull together their soul" to enter the property market. The phrase describes people, mostly in their 30s and 40s, who stretch their finances through high-ratio mortgages in hopes of riding continued rising housing prices. As lending rules tighten and interest rates remain elevated, many of these heavily leveraged buyers now face mounting financial pressure. Director Yim Pil-sung credited the series' strong script for brin

Mar 9, 2026By Park Jin-hai
'Mad Concrete Dreams' satirizes Korea's debt-laden real estate obsession
K-pop

Critics split as BLACKPINK's 'DEADLINE' sees record sales

BLACKPINK's third EP "DEADLINE" has shattered records for K-pop girl groups by selling roughly 1.77 million copies in its first week, achieving massive commercial success despite sharply divided reviews from music critics. The album, released Feb. 27, sold 1,774,577 copies by Thursday, according to Hanteo Chart, an increase of about 230,000 copies from the quartet's previous 2022 studio album "BORN PINK," setting a new high-water mark for female K-pop acts. The release surpassed aespa's "My World," which held the previous record with 1.69 million copies sold in its first week in May 2023. NewJeans' "Get Up" sits in third place with 1.65 million copies, followed by IVE's "I've Mine" and BLACKPINK's "BORN PINK." "DEADLINE" dominated immediately, selling over 1.46 million copies on its first day and topping iTunes "Top Albums" charts in 38 regions globally. YG Entertainment said, "As global demand greatly exceeds expectations and additional production is underway, the final sales volume will increase even more." The commercial triumph, however, contrasts with sharply divided reviews from the

Mar 9, 2026By Hankookilbo
Critics split as BLACKPINK's 'DEADLINE' sees record sales
K-pop

China streaming giant crowns i-dle member Yuqi Woman of the Year

I-dle member Yuqi continues to dominate the Chinese music market as she was named Woman of the Year in Music 2026 by streaming giant Tencent Music. The artist's agency announced Sunday that Tencent selected Yuqi based on her commercial influence and artistic output across its platform and the broader Chinese music market throughout 2025. The honor was awarded under the theme "Where she is, there is light." Tencent Music representatives highlighted her vibrant energy and expanding creative role. "She participated in writing and composing all songs of her first single 'Motivation' last year, showing her talent as a next-generation female singer-songwriter," the platform said. They added that the lead track "M.O." not only recorded first place in Korea but also achieved good results in China. Streaming data underscores her market dominance. Yuqi landed on the Tencent Music Korea Chart a total of 147 times, placing in the top 20 on 122 occasions. She swept the platform's 2025 year-end honors, taking home Singer of the Year, Solo Singer of the Year, Song of the Year for "FREAK" and EP/Single

Mar 9, 2026By Hankookilbo
China streaming giant crowns i-dle member Yuqi Woman of the Year
Films

Why 'The Ultimate Duo' took 7 years to reach theaters

It took seven years, a global pandemic and a drunk driving scandal before crime action film "The Ultimate Duo" made it to theaters. The buddy detective thriller starring Bae Sung-woo and Jung Ga-ram will finally open on April 2, nearly seven years after filming wrapped in 2019, bringing an end to one of the industry’s more unusual release delays. Director Park Cheol-hwan, making his feature debut at 53, was candid about what the long wait meant to him. "I began my directing career a bit late, but I hope the audience will simply judge the film on its own merits,” Park said during a press conference in Seoul Monday. "I took a conservative approach to the production without using excessive camera techniques, which helped the movie maintain a timeless feel despite the long wait. I am truly satisfied with the final version of the film after the long editing process." “The Ultimate Duo” follows Jae-hyeok, a veteran detective played by Bae who has been demoted to a rural town. He teams up with a passionate rookie officer Jung-ho (Jung) and travels to Seoul for a final high-stakes investi

Mar 9, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Why 'The Ultimate Duo' took 7 years to reach theaters
K-pop

EJAE named most-streamed K-pop artist in US in 2025

Korean American singer-songwriter EJAE, who performed songs for the Netflix animation sensation "KPop Demon Hunters," was the most-streamed K-pop artist in the United States last year, according to data recently released by U.S. entertainment data company Luminate. EJAE recorded about 2.1 billion on-demand streams, a figure combining audio and video plays, in 2025, topping all K-pop acts in the U.S. market, Luminate said. On-demand streams count how many times listeners choose and play specific tracks or videos. Huntr/x, the in-film girl group whose songs were partly performed by EJAE, ranked second with 1.8 billion streams. It was followed by boy band Stray Kids in third place with 1.2 billion. The film's fictional boy group Saja Boys took fifth place with 921 million streams, while K-pop supergroup BTS, set to make a full-group comeback this month, placed tenth with 892 million. Luminate said eight of the 10 most-streamed K-pop acts were artists or groups connected to the film's original soundtrack, underscoring the film's global reach. The company noted that the success of "KPop Demon H

Mar 9, 2026By Yonhap
EJAE named most-streamed K-pop artist in US in 2025
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