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  • 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'
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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

G-Dragon confirms BIGBANG's official comeback this year

K-pop icon G-Dragon made it official that his group BIGBANG will make a comeback later this year, marking the band's 20th anniversary since its debut, his agency said Monday. According to Galaxy Corp., the singer-songwriter made the announcement during his fan meet-and-greet event over the weekend at the KSPO Dome in Seoul. "This year, BIGBANG will come back to coincide with our 20th debut anniversary," he said. "As a member as well as a fan myself, I am looking forward to it, and so are the other members." "As spring is around the corner, please wait a bit more while taking a short rest along the flower road," he said, alluding to the lyrics of the group's song, "Flower Road." Meanwhile, the singer is set to perform at "Krazy Super Concert," which will be held at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre in the United Arab Emirates on Feb. 17.

Feb 9, 2026By Yonhap
G-Dragon confirms BIGBANG's official comeback this year
Films

'The King's Warden' opens at No. 1 at weekend box office

The historical drama "The King's Warden" debuted at No. 1 at the weekend box office, drawing more than 760,000 moviegoers, data from the Korean Film Council showed Monday. Directed by Jang Hang-jun, the film attracted 761,831 viewers from Friday to Sunday, bringing its cumulative audience number to over 1 million. The movie, released Wednesday, 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. The runner-up was "Choir of God," a film about North Korea, facing international sanctions, seeking $200 million in aid by creating its first fake praise troupe. Released Dec. 31, the film drew 103,799 viewers over the weekend, pushing its cumulative audience to 1.1 million. The romance drama "Once We Were Us," which had dominated the chart for four consecutive weeks, slipped to the No. 3 spot with 82,473 viewers. Its cumulative audience reached 2.48 million.

Feb 9, 2026By Yonhap
'The King's Warden' opens at No. 1 at weekend box office
Films

Veteran director, producer Jeong Jin-woo dies at 88

Director Jeong Jin-woo, a key figure in Korean cinema's formative years, has died, according to his family. He was 88. Jeong passed away at a hospital in Seoul at around 8 p.m. Sunday. He had been hospitalized after a fall while walking his dog about two months ago, and his condition reportedly worsened after he contracted COVID-19. A leading director in Korean cinema from the 1960s, he is widely credited with helping shape the renaissance of Korean filmmaking. Jeong made his directing debut with "The Only Son" in 1962. Over the more than 50 films he directed, he became known for innovative storytelling and visual experimentation in works such as "Does Cuckoo Cry at Night" (1980) and "Mugoonghwa-Korean National Flower" (1995). He was also one of the few Korean directors whose movies received global recognition in the 70s and 80s. His film "Long Live the Island Frogs!" competed at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1972, while "The Family Tree" was invited to the 42nd Venice International Film Festival in 1985. In 1967, he helped found the Korean Film Directors Association and serve

Feb 9, 2026By Yonhap
Veteran director, producer Jeong Jin-woo dies at 88
Films

Yoo Ji-tae says he shows ‘Vigilante’ when his sons misbehave

Actor Yoo Ji-tae has shown many faces on screen — from gentle, romantic leads to chilling villains and characters with imposing gravitas. Married to actress Kim Hyo-jin and a father of two sons, he is also known as a devoted family man. When reporters commented that he seems softer than before, Yoo widened his eyes and laughed, saying, “Is that so?” Yoo stars as Han Myeong-hoe in the film “The King’s Warden,” which opened Feb. 4. He said he even altered his appearance for the role. Known for enjoying the physical transformations required for his projects, Yoo explained that he gained more weight than expected this time. “I put on more weight than I originally planned,” he said. “The director wanted a slimmer look, but I thought that might overlap with the image of Prince Geumseong, so I felt a sturdier build wouldn’t be bad. I like working out, and if I have time, I actually enjoy the whole process of shaping my body like this.” Asked which actor he would like to work with again, Yoo immediately named Jeon Mi-do. “She’s such a great actress,” he said. “Her

Feb 7, 2026By Hankookilbo
Yoo Ji-tae says he shows ‘Vigilante’ when his sons misbehave
K-pop

Why does BLACKPINK's Jennie struggle on Korean TV shows?

In the global music industry, Jennie embodies formidable brand power. On Korean domestic television, however, she is struggling to leave a lasting impression, drawing criticism for generating only short-lived buzz with little measurable impact on ratings. Jennie has been active in the entertainment industry since her debut in 2016. During that time, she has risen to the pinnacle of success in music, but far less attention has been paid to her ventures into television — and even less to their results, given the lukewarm reception they have received. Television appearances were not a one-off endeavor for Jennie: She appeared as a regular cast member on "Village Survival, the Eight" (SBS), "Apartment 404" (tvN), "My Name is Gabriel" (Disney+) and most recently "The Secret Friends Club" (MBC). Yet the reception has been mixed. Beyond initial buzz, her appearances have not translated into ratings growth or sustained viewer loyalty. Last month’s "EXchange 4" (Tving) offers a telling example of Jennie’s largely symbolic, low-engagement role. Previous celebrity guests on the show typically

Feb 7, 2026By Hankookilbo
Why does BLACKPINK's Jennie struggle on Korean TV shows?
Shows & Dramas

Hybrid genre romance now dominates global K-drama trends

K-romance is regaining momentum on global streaming platforms after a period when more provocative genres dominated viewer attention. This rebound stems from a shift toward hybrid storytelling that infuses romance tropes with thriller, fantasy and mystery elements. Data released Wednesday by Netflix’s Tudum shows three Korean romance titles in the Global Top 10 Non‑English TV list. The Netflix original “Can This Love Be Translated?” ranked No. 1, followed by SBS’ “No Tail to Tell” at No. 6 and ENA’s “I Dol I” at No. 9. This resurgence is attributed to a hybrid strategy — by combining emotional narratives with high‑concept hooks, these shows are attracting viewers seeking both lighthearted comfort and fresh storytelling. "Can This Love Be Translated?" introduces psychological elements through a character with split personalities, while "No Tail to Tell" mixes fantasy into a love story between a soccer player and a gumiho (mythical nine-tailed fox) who refuses to become human. Meanwhile, "I Dol I" combines a courtroom mystery with fan culture, depicting a lawyer fi

Feb 7, 2026By Hankookilbo
Hybrid genre romance now dominates global K-drama trends
Others

In beauty-driven Korea, stars are naming their cosmetic procedures — and costs

In South Korea, where the beauty industry plays a major cultural role, celebrities across generations — from actors in their 80s to reality television personalities in their 30s — are becoming increasingly open about their cosmetic procedures. Their candid disclosures are now emerging as a trend in entertainment and online content. On Tuesday, veteran actress Jeon Won-joo, 83, uploaded a video on her YouTube channel titled “Jeon Won-joo receives skin lifting procedure said to turn back the clock by two decades in Cheongdam — but how much does it cost?” “Everyone wants to age gracefully,” Jeon said, pointing to wrinkles and dark spots as reasons she felt reluctant to face herself in the mirror and why she decided to visit a dermatology clinic. Doctors recommended lifting and pigmentation treatments. She opted for a range of procedures, including Ultherapy, titanium lifting, ONDA lifting, dark spot removal and Botox, totaling about 3 million won ($2,250) for a single session. The cost can rise to as much as 5 million won with additional procedures, a sum that drew attention o

Feb 7, 2026By Xportsnews
In beauty-driven Korea, stars are naming their cosmetic procedures — and costs
K-pop

BLACKPINK's Lisa to star in new Netflix original film

Lisa of the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will lead a new Netflix original film, the global streaming platform said Friday. "Lisa will star in a new 'Notting Hill'-inspired romantic comedy feature for Netflix," the platform said in a brief post on X, referring to the 1999 film featuring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. It added that the movie was written by Katie Silberman, known for "Booksmart" and "Set It Up." The film's title and release timing remain undecided. Lisa debuted as a BLACKPINK member in 2016 and began her acting career last February by appearing in the third season of the award-winning HBO series "The White Lotus." She is now filming a Netflix Korean original action movie, "Tygo," a spinoff of "Extraction" (2020), alongside Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee, and Lee Jin-uk.

Feb 6, 2026By Yonhap
BLACKPINK's Lisa to star in new Netflix original film
K-pop

BTS' 'ARIRANG' comeback to turn Seoul landmarks into art

BTS is preparing to transform Seoul into a citywide cultural playground as part of its “ARIRANG” comeback, bringing music, art and large-scale media installations to iconic locations across Seoul. The K-pop group is set to release its fifth studio album, “ARIRANG,” on March 20, with a massive comeback performance at Gwanghwamun scheduled for the same day. On Friday, BigHit Music announced a new immersive program titled “BTS The City Arirang Seoul,” which will run from March 20 to April 12 and turn major parts of the city into a multilayered fan experience. On March 20, the day the album is released, key landmarks — including Sungnyemun and N Seoul Tower — will light up with large-scale media facades. At Sungnyemun, modern media art will be projected onto the historic gate, creating a symbolic visual blend of tradition and technology aimed at connecting global audiences with Korea’s cultural heritage. Additional events are planned at Yeouido Han River Park, where a lounge-style program will invite fans to relax, gather and enjoy BTS’ music through March 22. In April, t

Feb 6, 2026By Xportsnews
BTS' 'ARIRANG' comeback to turn Seoul landmarks into art
K-pop

Girl group Katseye makes Jimmy Fallon show debut

Katseye, the girl group jointly launched by Korea's Hybe and U.S. label Geffen Records, appeared on the popular NBC TV program "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Thursday (U.S. time). Fallon introduced the K-pop group as "TikTok's Global Artist of the Year and a nominee for two Grammy awards" before welcoming the six members, who took the stage in matching long dresses of different styles. Team leader Sophia described Katseye as "a global girl group that was formed through K-pop training program." During the appearance, the members reflected on their experience performing at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, where they shared the stage with music heavyweights, including Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus. The group's Korean member, Yoonchae, introduced herself as a huge fan of top K-pop girl group BLACKPINK since she was nine years old. She said she met the group's main vocalist, Rose, backstage and recalled being so nervous that she spoke in English, even though she had wanted to speak in Korean. She greeted in her mother tongue only after Rose asked if she can speak Korean, Yoonchae said,

Feb 6, 2026By Yonhap
Girl group Katseye makes Jimmy Fallon show debut
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