New Japanese single by BTS tops iTunes charts in 97 countries

A new Japanese single by global K-pop sensation BTS has topped iTunes charts in 97 countries and regions, the group's agency said Sunday. According to Big Hit Music, "Film Out" also debuted at No. 1 on Oricon's daily digital singles chart in Japan, with 23,344 downloads. The single also reached the top of major Japanese streaming sites, such as Line Music, AWA and mora. "Film Out" was released last Friday, with its music video also uploaded on YouTube the same day. It garn

April 4, 2021

Busan's annual K-pop fest to kick off online next month

BUSAN -- The Busan One Asia Festival (BOF), a major annual K-pop event, will kick off online next month in this southeastern port city due to concerns over the new coronavirus pandemic, organizers said Sunday. According to the Busan Tourism Organization, BOF 2021 will be streamed online from May 6-9 from the second-biggest South Korean city, about 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to reach more fans amid the pandemic. The festival's three main events -- K-pop Concert, Park Concert and BOF Lan

April 4, 2021

CJ CGV to screen 11 Oscar nominated films starting Saturday

Multiplex chain CJ CGV will screen 11 films nominated for this year’s Academy Awards at its 35 theaters starting Saturday. “Nomadland” directed by Chloe Zhao, “Judas and the Black Messiah” directed by Shaka King and “Quo Vadis, Aida?” directed by Jasmila Zbanic will be screened before their official release as part of the special screening program that will give theatergoers an opportunity to watch Oscar nominated films, the cinema operator said. &ldq

April 3, 2021

Asiana International Short Film Festival cancels due to absence of sponsor

The organizers of the Asiana International Short Film Festival on Wednesday announced that this year’s festival has been canceled, after Asiana Airlines decided to drop its sponsorship. “Asiana International Short Film Festival closes its doors, as the sponsorship of the Asiana Airlines has been discontinued due to various circumstances such as COVID-19,” the Asiana International Short Film Festival secretariat office said in a statement. Established in 2003, the short film

April 3, 2021

EXO's Baekhyun to join military next month

Baekhyun, a member of K-pop boy band EXO, will join the military next month to fulfill his mandatory military service, his agency said Saturday. The 28-year-old singer is set to enlist on May 6, according to SM Entertainment. The agency did not elaborate further on the venue and schedule of the enlistment. Baekhyun released his third solo EP "Bambi" last week, following his million-seller "Delight" in 2020. He will be the sixth EXO member to enlist in the military after Xi

April 3, 2021

Korea's only mountain film festival opens in Ulju

This year's Ulju Mountain Film Festival (UMFF) kicked off Friday for an 11-day run in the southeastern county of Ulju, with 146 movies from 43 countries set to be screened. Under the slogan of "My Green Mountain," the sixth edition of South Korea's only mountain-themed film fest runs through April 11 in Ulju, part of the Ulsan metropolitan city 414 kilometers from Seoul. Unlike the previous editions held every fall, the UMFF took place in spring beginning this year, becoming the yea

April 2, 2021

BTS agency Hybe to acquire Scooter Braun-led firm in W1tr deal

Hybe, the company behind K-pop phenomenons BTS, announced Friday a deal to buy a 100 percent stake in American music entrepreneur Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings. Under the deal, Hybe -- formerly Big Hit Entertainment -- will be acquiring the media company, which owns affiliates like SB Projects, founded by Ithaca chief executive Scott "Scooter" Braun and Big Machine Label Group, the company said in a statement. In a separate regulatory filing, the company said it plans to buy an ad

April 2, 2021

State film council under fire for shoddy probe into film industry blacklist

The Korean Film Council’s investigation into blacklisting of film industry figures has come under fire for failing to reflect victims’ voices and not dealing with all major cases. Filmmakers immediately condemned the investigation results presented during a briefing on March 9 and launched a petition drive calling for a reinvestigation. The blacklist refers to a list of nearly 9,300 artists or groups who were unfairly excluded from government subsidies and support or who were sur

April 2, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Stray Kids rocks stage on “Kingdom: Legendary War”

Stray Kids rocked out during the first episode of the Mnet boy band competition program “Kingdom: Legendary War” on Thursday. 　 The band was one of six groups -- along with iKON, BTOB, SF9, Ateez and first season winner The Boyz – competing in the second edition of the show. 　 In the first episode, each group was given 100 seconds of “face-to-face time” and a chance to perform their chart-toppers. Stray Kids chose a rearranged version of “Miroh,” i

April 2, 2021

TV series studio seeks W3b in damages for replacing lead actor after bullying scandal

The production studio of KBS' historical romance "River Where the Moon Rises" said Friday that it has filed a claim for damages against the agency of a lead actor who dropped out of the project after being embroiled in a school bullying scandal. In the lawsuit against KeyEast, Victory Contents said it is seeking 3 billion won ($2.7 million) in compensation for damage caused by the abrupt exit of actor Jisoo, who took the lead role of General Ondal in the show about the love story of P

April 2, 2021

K-pop boy band Seventeen shines in 1st performance on Ellen DeGeneres show

K-pop boy band Seventeen made its first appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Thursday (US time), giving a performance of its 2019 smash song "Hit." The 13-member group, in black leather outfits, delivered a pre-recorded performance of its EDM number on the popular American talk show. The segment, which Seventeen described as involving "the toughest choreography out of all its performances," was filmed at an outdoor sports stadium in South Korea. In an inte

April 2, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Godzilla vs. Kong (US) Opened March 25 Action Directed by Adam Wingard Godzilla and Kong are the last known active titans on Earth‘s surface. One day, Godzilla suddenly attacks secret lab Apex Cybernetics. To avoid further disruption and protect mankind, Kong and his protectors undertake a dangerous journey to find the energy source of Hollow Earth. However, they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla. 　 The Box (Korea) Opened March 24 Drama Directed by Yang Jung

April 2, 2021

Mnet’s ‘Kingdom: Legendary War’ to be a global K-pop festival amid COVID-19

Six K-pop boy bands will be vying for the final crown in Mnet’s new “Kingdom: Legendary War,” which is set to air its first episode at 7:50 p.m. Thursday. Program producers and participants conducted an online press conference ahead of its premiere that day. A male counterpart to Mnet’s 2019 female idol competition “Queendom,” “Kingdom: Legendary War” features six popular boy bands: BTOB, iKON, SF9, the Boyz, Stray Kids and Ateez. The Boyz won t

April 1, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Rose to unveil video for “Gone”

  Rose will float the video for “Gone” on April 5, announced label YG Entertainment with a poster on Thursday. 　 “Gone” is the second track from her solo debut record, “R,” and the 33-second teaser snippet surpassed 50 million views on YouTube. 　 The performer sings of the sadness of finally letting go of a person who has left her. She keeps the arrangement minimal and makes the most of her moving voice. 　 She performed “Gone” for the first

April 1, 2021

Will upcoming homegrown blockbusters bring audience back to cinemas?

Local movie theaters, which have been in the doldrums amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, are expected to get a fresh boost from several upcoming releases of homegrown blockbusters. The black-and-white historical drama "The Book of Fish" has spearheaded the potential spring run that would attract audience members who have been reluctant for nearly a year to come to theaters under strict social distancing. It garnered nearly 35,000 moviegoers on its opening day Wednesday, far outnumb

April 1, 2021

BTS becomes 1st Korean artist to be nominated for Brit Awards

K-pop sensation BTS has added another feat to its long list of accolades, becoming the first Korean artist to be nominated for the annual Brit Awards. The seven-piece act was nominated for the international group award, alongside musicians Fontaines D.C., four-time winner Foo Fighters, HAIM and Run the Jewels. Past winners in the category include prominent acts like Bon Jovi, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2 and Daft Punk. This year's awards ceremony, which was postponed due to the pandemic, is sche

April 1, 2021

[Today’s K-pop] Shinee to unveil repackaged 7th LP

Shinee is putting out a repackaged version of its recently released seventh studio album “Atlantis,” SM Entertainment said Wednesday. 　 It will include nine tracks from the LP “Don’t Call Me” as well as three new songs: “Atlantis,” “Area” and “Days and Years.” 　 The veteran idol group came out with new music for the first time in 2 1/2 years and topped iTunes top albums chart in 47 regions. 　 It will host its first virtual conc

March 31, 2021

S. Korean series 'Vincenzo' to remove controversial ad scene from overseas streaming services

Producers of the popular Korean TV series "Vincenzo" said Wednesday that they will remove the controversial scene featuring a Chinese product from overseas streaming services amid rising domestic anger over Chinese sponsorship. In the eighth episode of the dark comedy that aired on March 14 on tvN, an instant Chinese bibimbap brand was exposed while the lead characters Vincenzo (Song Joong-ki) and Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-bin) have a meal. Bibimbap is a popular Korean dish consisting of a

March 31, 2021

'Dynamite' ties 'Gangnam Style' for longest charting K-pop song on Billboard Hot 100

The megahit BTS single "Dynamite" has tied the 2012 viral sensation "Gangnam Style" for the longest charting song by a South Korean act on Billboard's main singles chart. The disco-pop number, released in August, jumped eight notches to No. 26 on the weekly Hot 100 chart, refreshed Tuesday (US time). This marks the song's 31st consecutive week on the chart, equaling the record set by singer-producer Psy's "Gangnam Style" in 2012. Since its release, the septet's f

March 31, 2021

Music returns to live clubs in Hongdae

Live clubs in the Hongdae area will now be able to hold performances under the current social distancing scheme, as details of the infectious disease prevention and control measures have been changed. “The Mapo-gu district office has decided general restaurants with stages and performance facilities in its jurisdiction can host performances while complying with the government’s infectious disease prevention and control measures for performing arts facilities,“ the Korea Live

March 31, 2021