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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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Shows & Dramas

How Korea’s dating reality show ‘Single’s Inferno’ became a lasting dating hit through five seasons

The latest season worked again. Even as new dating shows with novel formats flood the market, “Single’s Inferno” has secured its place as a long-running reality hit by preserving its signature tone without drastic changes. As its storytelling deepened, dopamine-driven tension intensified, and the steady build-up of shifting emotions and relationships kept viewers immersed. On Feb. 10, the final selections of “Single’s Inferno 5” were revealed. The 15 contestants wrestled with tangled feelings until the last moment, and several unexpected pairings heightened suspense. After a push-and-pull battle for love, five couples — Kim Min-ji and Song Seung-il, Park Hee-sun and Lim Su-bin, Choi Mina Sue and Lee Sung-hoon, Kim Go-eun and Woo Sung-min, and Lee Ju-young and Kim Jae-jin — left Inferno Island together. Premiering Jan. 20, “Single’s Inferno 5” drew strong reactions throughout its release window. It ranked No. 2 in Netflix’s global Top 10 non-English shows for three consecutive weeks and reached No. 1 in markets including Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. It

Feb 15, 2026By Hankookilbo
How Korea’s dating reality show ‘Single’s Inferno’ became a lasting dating hit through five seasons
Shows & Dramas

Park Bo-gum and Kim Tae-ri bring ‘kind variety’ shows to local communities in Korea

Actors known for their work in films and dramas are stepping into a new genre — so-called “kind variety” programs that blend into local communities and share their talents with residents. Just before midnight, actor Park Bo-gum is seen hurrying down a dark country road to a barbershop with its lights off. Sitting a staff member in front of a mirror, he begins a final haircut check before the shop’s opening. The snipping of scissors fills the empty space for hours, followed by roll-drying and even hair coloring practice. The rehearsal continues for more than three hours. “I hope visiting this barbershop becomes a truly magical time for our guests,” Park said. The tvN program “Bogum Magical,” which premiered on Jan. 30, follows the process of running a barbershop for residents in a remote rural village with not even a convenience store. Park, who obtained a national barber’s license during his military service, takes full charge of hair services. Actor Lee Sang-yi works as a nail artist, carefully tending to customers’ hands, while Kwak Dong-yeon assists by preparing w

Feb 15, 2026By Hankookilbo
Park Bo-gum and Kim Tae-ri bring ‘kind variety’ shows to local communities in Korea
Others

Sold out despite controversy: Kim Seon-ho’s smile returns on stage in ‘Secret passage’

Just weeks after addressing tax evasion allegations, South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho is back in the spotlight — and this time, it is a smiling stage photo that is going viral. Photos from the first performance of the play “Secret Passage” were recently shared on the production company’s official account with the caption, “‘Secret Passage’ first show pair photo revealed. ‘I’ve been waiting for you.’” The images show Kim posing brightly alongside co-star Lee Si-hyung following their opening performance. For many fans, the smile carried extra meaning. “Secret Passage” marks Kim’s first official schedule following recent controversy surrounding his use of a one-person family corporation. The actor had faced allegations that he used the corporation to evade taxes — a sensitive issue in South Korea, where celebrity tax scandals often trigger intense public scrutiny. His agency, Fantagio, said in an official statement that Kim established the corporation in January 2024 for acting activities and theater production. The company said that until his new contract with F

Feb 15, 2026By Xportsnews
Sold out despite controversy: Kim Seon-ho’s smile returns on stage in ‘Secret passage’
K-pop

K-pop icons incorporate national heritage into comeback projects

Global K-pop icons BTS and BLACKPINK are tapping into national heritage for their major new projects, collaborating with historic landmarks and national institutions to spotlight traditional Korean culture on the global stage. BLACKPINK will team up with the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul to mark the Feb. 27 release of its new EP, "Deadline." The quartet became the first K-pop act to launch a large-scale collaboration with the national museum. The "National Museum of Korea X BLACKPINK" project will begin Feb. 26 for an 11-day run in partnership with the museum and the global music streaming platform Spotify, according to YG Entertainment, the group's agency, Thursday. "Deadline" will mark the band's first full-group project in three years and five months since "Born Pink" in September 2022. The girl group will provide voice commentary on eight of the museum's signature artifacts, allowing visitors to hear descriptions of Korea's historical treasures in the members' voices. The museum's exterior will be illuminated in the group's signature color of pink to mark the release. A lis

Feb 15, 2026By Yonhap
K-pop icons incorporate national heritage into comeback projects
K-pop

BTS graces GQ magazine cover in 15 markets ahead of new album release

K-pop group BTS has graced the cover of GQ magazine's latest edition in 15 international markets ahead of the release of its fifth full-length album next month, its agency said Saturday. According to BigHit Music, BTS has been selected as the cover model for the March issue of the men's fashion magazine in 15 countries and regions, including Korea, the United States, Britain, Japan, Mexico, Germany and Thailand. The agency said it marked the first time a Korean artist has simultaneously appeared on such a number of regional covers of GQ. In an interview with GQ, the members shared their thoughts on preparing the new album, emphasizing their commitment to the group while expressing their affection for BTS' international fandom, known as ARMY. The group's upcoming album, "Arirang," will be BTS' first release since "Proof" in June 2022 and the first since all members completed their mandatory military service. It is scheduled to be released March 20, followed by a world tour by the seven-member group starting in April.

Feb 14, 2026By Yonhap
BTS graces GQ magazine cover in 15 markets ahead of new album release
Films

'The King's Warden,' 'Humint' vie for box-office crown during Lunar New Year holiday

Two Korean movies, "The King's Warden" and "Humint," are competing for first place at the domestic box office during the Lunar New Year holiday, data showed Saturday. "The King's Warden," a historical drama, is leading the box-office chart, with an advance ticket sales rate of 44 percent as of 9 a.m., outperforming the 28.7 percent logged by action thriller "Humint." Directed by Jang Hang-jun, the former reimagines historical events through a fictional lens, following the unlikely friendship between village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hai-jin) and the young, deposed King Danjong (Park Ji-hoon) during the latter's exile in the village. It has attracted nearly 1.5 million viewers since its Feb. 4 release, becoming the first Korean film this year to surpass the 1 million admission milestone. The runner-up, Ryoo Seung-wan's action thriller "Humint," has drawn a cumulative audience of 304,738 since it was released Wednesday. Short for human intelligence, "Humint" follows Manager Cho (Zo In-sung), a South Korean national intelligence officer who forms an unlikely cooperation with Park Gun, a North

Feb 14, 2026By Yonhap
'The King's Warden,' 'Humint' vie for box-office crown during Lunar New Year holiday
Others

Ghanaian TV personality Sam Okyere says racism controversy was painfully difficult

Ghanaian television personality Sam Okyere was on a successful streak before being embroiled in a racism controversy that led to him suspending his entertainment career. Now, he is opening up to share his life after the controversy. "I suffered a lot. I suffered more than I thought I would and endured better than I thought I could," Okyere said during a recent YouTube appearance alongside former South Korean lawmaker Jasmine Lee. "I did not get through it alone. Thankfully, there were many people who cared about me, and with their comfort and support I was able to pull through." In 2020, Okyere publicly criticized a photo of South Korean high school students recreating the "dancing coffin" meme, a viral internet trend featuring Ghanaian pallbearers that spread worldwide across social media and short-form video platforms. "It is very offensive to Black people," he wrote on social media. "This has to stop in Korea." He faced backlash from online users who argued the students had no intention of creating a racist parody. Okyere later issued an apology, saying he was not trying to attack the

Feb 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
Ghanaian TV personality Sam Okyere says racism controversy was painfully difficult
K-pop

Concerns mount over historic BTS 'Arirang' concert readiness at Gwanghwamun

BTS will mark its return as a full group after a three-year and nine-month hiatus with a historic performance at Gwanghwamun Square, potentially entering the stage via Seoul’s royal ceremonial path. The K-pop juggernaut is scheduled to hold "BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG" at 8 p.m. on March 21 to celebrate the release of the group's new studio album, "Arirang." It will be the first solo concert by a pop act in the history of the square, a space traditionally reserved for political or national events. BigHit Music said the location was chosen to reflect the album’s themes. "The new album 'Arirang' captures BTS' origins, identity and the emotions they wish to convey right now," the agency said in a statement. "Given the symbolism of the word 'Arirang,' we wanted to stage their first postmilitary performance in the space that best represents Korea." The group is currently negotiating a dramatic entrance with the National Heritage Administration and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. According to the permit application, members would process through the "King’s Road" — moving from Geunj

Feb 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
Concerns mount over historic BTS 'Arirang' concert readiness at Gwanghwamun
Shows & Dramas

'Singles' Inferno' producer explains record-breaking Netflix renewal

The producer behind Netflix's dating reality show, "Single's Inferno," said actively incorporating viewer feedback has been key to the program's success and its renewal for multiple seasons. "We really try not to miss a single opinion that's shared and make a great effort to capture what the majority's viewpoints are," Kim Jae-won, one of the three producers of the hit show, said at an interview with local reporters Friday. "For example, one of the things that came up for Season 4 was the screen time was too concentrated on just a few people," he said, explaining why the fifth season featured 15 participants — the show's largest cast to date. "We thought by increasing the number, various love lines would naturally form and the focus would be distributed among more people," he said. "Fortunately, the new season presented diverse relationships and characters, just as we predicted." Earlier this week, Netflix announced production of a sixth season, making "Single's Inferno" the first Korean series to be renewed six times. The show follows attractive young singles seeking romance on a seclu

Feb 13, 2026By Yonhap
'Singles' Inferno' producer explains record-breaking Netflix renewal
K-pop

BTS to stream new world tour shows in cinemas worldwide

K-pop giant BTS will livestream the opening shows of its new world tour "Arirang" in cinemas across South Korea and around the world, its agency BigHit Music said Friday. The screenings will feature the band's concerts in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul, on April 11 and in Tokyo on April 18 at more than 3,500 theaters in 75 countries. Some regions will show delayed broadcasts due to time differences, the company said. In South Korea, leading multiplex chains CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox will host the live viewing events, with ticket reservations starting at 10 a.m. on Feb. 25. The shows mark the start of what BigHit described as the biggest world tour ever by a K-pop act, spanning 82 concerts in 34 cities. Tickets for 41 shows in North America and Europe have already sold out, including those in Goyang. BTS will also become the first Korean act to hold standalone concerts at major global stadiums, including Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Stanford Stadium in California, AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Allianz Arena in Munich. The group already achieved record attendance at London's Tottenh

Feb 13, 2026By Yonhap
BTS to stream new world tour shows in cinemas worldwide
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