tvN’s “Mad Concrete Dreams” has come to an end!

On April 19, “Mad Concrete Dreams” enjoyed a significant increase in viewership for its series finale as it wrapped ...]]>

tvN’s “Mad Concrete Dreams” has come to an end!

On April 19, “Mad Concrete Dreams” enjoyed a significant increase in viewership for its series finale as it wrapped its run. According to Nielsen Korea, the final episode of the drama scored an average nationwide rating of 3.7 percent.

Meanwhile, TV Chosun’s “Doctor Shin” achieved a new personal best with its latest episode, which earned an average nationwide rating of 1.8 percent.

JTBC’s new drama “We Are All Trying Here” held steady for its second episode, maintaining the nationwide average of 2.2 percent earned by its premiere the night before.

Finally, KBS 2TV’s “Recipe for Love” continued its reign as the most-watched program of Sunday with an average nationwide rating of 14.9 percent.

SBS’s upcoming drama “Sold Out on You” has shared a sneak peek of its first episode!

“Sold Out on You” is a romantic comedy about the unexpected love story between ...]]>

SBS’s upcoming drama “Sold Out on You” has shared a sneak peek of its first episode!

“Sold Out on You” is a romantic comedy about the unexpected love story between Matthew Lee (Ahn Hyo Seop), a perfectionist farmer juggling multiple jobs, and Dam Ye Jin (Chae Won Bin), a top home shopping show host who suffers from severe insomnia.

The newly released preview of the drama’s premiere captures the two leads getting off on the wrong foot when they meet for the first time. While driving on a single-lane country road, Dam Ye Jin is caught off guard by Matthew Lee approaching her from the opposite direction.

Unable to see his face, Dam Ye Jin assumes Matthew Lee is an older man and addresses him as an elder while politely asking him to back up and let her pass. However, Matthew Lee doesn’t respond, and with neither of them willing to reverse course and move aside for the other, the two drivers wind up getting into a fierce honking battle.

When Dam Ye Jin finally stands up in her convertible to say something, Matthew Lee takes off his hat, and she is momentarily stunned by the fact that he is a handsome young man. However, she quickly regains her composure and yells at him to get off the road. Matthew Lee responds, “You must not be from around here,” before explaining that this road is a one-way exit.

Undeterred, Dam Ye Jin points out that she is much farther into the road than he is and that it would be faster for him to back up. Matthew Lee stubbornly insists that he cannot back up because he would wind up falling into a ditch, but Dam Ye Jin is unswayed by his argument.

“Sold Out on You” will premiere on April 22 at 9 p.m. KST.

MODYSSEY’s career is off to a strong start!

Last week, MODYSSEY—a new group formed through the “BOYS II PLANET” spin-off “PLANET C : HOME RACE”—made their debut wit...]]>

MODYSSEY’s career is off to a strong start!

Last week, MODYSSEY—a new group formed through the “BOYS II PLANET” spin-off “PLANET C : HOME RACE”—made their debut with their first single album “1.Got Hooked: An Addictive Symphony.”

Hanteo Chart has now reported that in the first week of its release (April 13 to 19), “1.Got Hooked: An Addictive Symphony” sold an impressive total of 302,604 copies, marking the second-highest first-week sales of any debut album released in 2026.

The only debut album released this year to achieve higher first-week sales is “BOYS II PLANET” group ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s “EUPHORIA,” which sold over 1.4 million copies in its first week and currently holds the record for the second-highest first-week sales of any debut album in Hanteo history.

Congratulations to MODYSSEY!

Cube Entertainment has confirmed that the entire North American leg of i-dle’s “Syncopation” world tour has been canceled.

Several days ago, ticket holders for the ...]]>

Cube Entertainment has confirmed that the entire North American leg of i-dle’s “Syncopation” world tour has been canceled.

Several days ago, ticket holders for the North American stops of i-dle’s ongoing “Syncopation” tour unexpectedly received notification that the concerts had been canceled.

On April 20, MyDaily reported that Cube Entertainment had officially confirmed that all of the group’s scheduled concerts in Canada, the United States, and Mexico would not be taking place.

“After comprehensively considering the direction of [i-dle’s] global activities, local scheduling, and all other circumstances, we decided to reorganize the North American tour,” stated Cube Entertainment. “We are currently preparing so that they can meet their local fans through even higher-quality concerts and a wide variety of activities.”

As i-dle has been confirmed to be making a comeback in July, it is said that the cancellation of their North American tour—which was scheduled to kick off on August 2—will allow them to carry out their comeback promotions on a more relaxed schedule.

Get ready for a fun episode of “Amazing Saturday” with several idol guests!

The popular tvN variety show has revealed a sneak peek of its upcoming episode, which wi...]]>

Get ready for a fun episode of “Amazing Saturday” with several idol guests!

The popular tvN variety show has revealed a sneak peek of its upcoming episode, which will feature TWS’s Dohoon, NCT WISH’s Sion, KickFlip’s Kyehoon, and KiiiKiii’s Kya as guests.

In the new preview, Dohoon shows off his cute side with his famous “OVERDRIVE” choreo, then switches things up with a sexy version of the viral challenge. Meanwhile, Sion charms with his Jeolla Province accent and impresses the cast with his lyric-guessing skills.

Kyehoon, on the other hand, gets playfully scolded by his JYP Entertainment labelmate DAY6’s Young K for needing to step up his game. Shin Dong Yup also jokes, “It’s a good thing [Kyehoon] became an idol; otherwise, he would definitely have become a big-time con artist.”

Finally, Kya shares that “Amazing Saturday” was a part of her childhood and has been around as long as she can remember.

BTS’s latest album continues to make history on the Billboard 200!

On April 19 local time, Billboard announced that after three weeks at No. 1, BTS’s album “ARIRANG...]]>

BTS’s latest album continues to make history on the Billboard 200!

On April 19 local time, Billboard announced that after three weeks at No. 1, BTS’s album “ARIRANG” had ranked No. 3 in its fourth consecutive week on the Top 200 Albums chart, which ranks the most popular albums in the United States.

“ARIRANG,” which was already the first album by a Korean artist ever to spend more than one week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, is now also the first album by a Korean artist to chart in the top 3 for four weeks.

According to Luminate (formerly Nielsen Music), “ARIRANG” earned a total of 78,000 equivalent album units during the week ending on April 16.

Congratulations to BTS on their historic feat!

BXB will be parting ways with their agency WOLFBURN.

On April 17, WOLFBURN announced that BXB’s exclusive contracts with the agency were set to expire within the fi...]]>

BXB will be parting ways with their agency WOLFBURN.

On April 17, WOLFBURN announced that BXB’s exclusive contracts with the agency were set to expire within the first half of the year.

The agency’s full statement is as follows:

Hello. This is WOLFBURN.

First, we would like to sincerely thank the GREAM [BXB’s fans] who have cherished and rooted for BXB up until now.

As BXB’s exclusive contract period will end in the first half of this year, their exclusive contracts with our agency will be expiring during the first half of the year.

We will make a separate announcement regarding the precise contract end date.

After plenty of discussion between the members and the company over a long period of time, we have decided to end things on a beautiful note after the following scheduled activities:

● Final concert in Japan: April 17 ~ 19, 2026

● Fan meeting in Korea (final goodbye to fans): scheduled for May 2026

We will do our utmost to prepare so that the BXB members and GREAM can spend meaningful time together during the remaining period.

Once again, we express our deep gratitude for the love and support you have given BXB up until now, and we ask that you continue to give the members your warm love and support as they make new starts.

Thank you.

BXB, a five-member group that includes four former members of TRCNG, first debuted in 2023.

Wishing the BXB members all the best in their future endeavors!

MBC’s “Perfect Crown” swept the top spots on this week’s rankings of the most buzzworthy dramas and actors!

This week, “Perfect Crown” returned to No. 1 on Good Dat...]]>

MBC’s “Perfect Crown” swept the top spots on this week’s rankings of the most buzzworthy dramas and actors!

This week, “Perfect Crown” returned to No. 1 on Good Data Corporation’s weekly list of the dramas that generated the most buzz. The company determines each week’s rankings by collecting data from news articles, blog posts, online communities, videos, and social media about dramas that are either currently airing or set to air soon.

Not only did “Perfect Crown” top the drama list, but its stars also dominated the list of the most buzzworthy drama cast members, where IU and Byeon Woo Seok remained No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. Gong Seung Yeon also entered the list at No. 7.

The next spots on both lists went to Netflix’s “Bloodhounds 2,” which took No. 2 on this week’s drama list. Rain rose to No. 3 on the actor list, followed by Woo Do Hwan at No. 4 and Lee Sang Yi at No. 8.

“Climax” held steady at No. 3 on the drama list this week, with Ju Ji Hoon coming in at No. 5 on the actor list, Ha Ji Won at No. 6, and Cha Joo Young at No. 10.

SBS’s “Phantom Lawyer” maintained its position at No. 4 on the drama list, and star Yoo Yeon Seok rose to No. 9 on the actor list.

tvN’s new series “Yumi’s Cells 3” debuted at No. 5 on this week’s drama list, while JTBC’s “We Are All Trying Here” entered the list at No. 7.

Finally, SBS’s upcoming drama “Sold Out on You” debuted at No. 10 ahead of its premiere.

The top 10 dramas that generated the most buzz this week are as follows:

1. MBC “Perfect Crown”
2. Netflix “Bloodhounds 2”
3. ENA “Climax”
4. SBS “Phantom Lawyer”
5. tvN “Yumi’s Cells 3”
6. tvN “Mad Concrete Dreams”
7. JTBC “We Are All Trying Here”
8. tvN “Siren’s Kiss”
9. TV Chosun “Doctor Shin”
10. SBS “Sold Out on You”

Meanwhile, the top 10 drama actors that generated the most buzz this week are as follows:

1. IU (“Perfect Crown”) 
2. Byeon Woo Seok (“Perfect Crown”)
3. Rain (“Bloodhounds 2”)
4. Woo Do Hwan (“Bloodhounds 2”)
5. Ju Ji Hoon (“Climax”)
6. Ha Ji Won (“Climax”)
7. Gong Seung Yeon (“Perfect Crown”)
8. Lee Sang Yi (“Bloodhounds 2”)
9. Yoo Yeon Seok (“Phantom Lawyer”)
10. Cha Joo Young (“Climax”)

Billboard has published its World Albums chart for the week ending on April 18!

ENHYPEN’s latest mini album “THE SIN : VANISH” held onto its spot at No. 1 in its 12...]]>

Billboard has published its World Albums chart for the week ending on April 18!

ENHYPEN’s latest mini album “THE SIN : VANISH” held onto its spot at No. 1 in its 12th week on Billboard’s World Albums chart, while the group’s 2024 album “ROMANCE : UNTOLD” climbed back up to No. 21 in its 91st week on the chart.

BTS’s 2022 anthology album “Proof” rounded out its 200th week on the chart at No. 3, while their 2020 Japanese album “Map of the Soul: 7 ~The Journey~” maintained its position at No. 9 in its 23rd week.

Stray Kids landed an impressive total of five entries on this week’s World Albums chart. “DO IT” held steady at No. 4 in its 20th week on the chart, followed by “KARMA” at No. 14 (in its 33rd week), “ATE” at No. 14 (in its 90th week), and “★★★★★ (5-STAR)” at No. 23 (in its 80th week). Meanwhile, “合 (HOP)” re-entered the chart at No. 25, marking its 67th week on the chart.

CORTIS’s debut EP “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES” rose to No. 6 in its 31st week on the chart, while P1Harmony’s “UNIQUE” came in at No. 7 in its fourth week.

ATEEZ’s latest mini album “GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4” took No. 12 in its ninth week on the chart,  with NewJeans’ “Get Up” ranking No. 17 in its 135th week.

Finally, T.O.P’s first full-length solo album “ANOTHER DIMENSION” debuted at No. 20 on this week’s chart.

Congratulations to all of the artists!

Mark your calendars for aespa’s return!

On April 20 at midnight KST, aespa officially announced the date and details of their highly-anticipated comeback next month...]]>

Mark your calendars for aespa’s return!

On April 20 at midnight KST, aespa officially announced the date and details of their highly-anticipated comeback next month.

The group will be returning with their second full-length album “LEMONADE” on May 29 at 1 p.m. KST.

BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Tame Impala’s remix of “Dracula” is on the rise!

After becoming both Jennie and Tame Impala’s first song ever to enter the top 20 of Billboar...]]>

BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Tame Impala’s remix of “Dracula” is on the rise!

After becoming both Jennie and Tame Impala’s first song ever to enter the top 20 of Billboard’s Hot 100 last week, “Dracula” continued its ascent up the Billboard charts this week.

On the Hot 100, which ranks the most popular songs in the United States, “Dracula” climbed to a new peak of No. 17, marking a new personal record for both Jennie and Tame Impala.

“Dracula” also soared to new peaks on both of Billboard’s global charts, rising to No. 2 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart and No. 3 on the Global 200.

Additionally, “Dracula” broke into the top 10 of both Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart and Streaming Songs chart for the first time this week. The song jumped to No. 9 in its second week on the Digital Song Sales chart, meaning it was the ninth best-selling song of the week in the United States, and it rose to No. 10 on the Streaming Songs chart, meaning it was the 10th most-streamed song of the week.

On Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart, which measures weekly plays on mainstream Top 40 radio stations across the United States, “Dracula” hit a new peak of No. 24.

Meanwhile, “Dracula” debuted on Billboard’s Radio Songs chart, which measures weekly plays on U.S. radio stations across all genres, at No. 49.

Congratulations to both Jennie and Tame Impala!

I.O.I has kicked off the countdown to their long-awaited return!

On April 20 at midnight KST, the “Produce 101” girl group unveiled their first teaser for their upc...]]>

I.O.I has kicked off the countdown to their long-awaited return!

On April 20 at midnight KST, the “Produce 101” girl group unveiled their first teaser for their upcoming comeback in May.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of their debut, I.O.I will be reuniting to release their third mini album “I.O.I : LOOP” next month, followed by a special concert tour.

The newly released teaser image for “I.O.I : LOOP” declares, “It was never over,” in addition to featuring the names of the nine members that will be participating in the upcoming comeback: Jeon Somi, Kim Se Jeong, Choi Yoojung, Chungha, Kim So Hye, Jung Chaeyeon, Kim Doyeon, Lim Nayoung, and Yeonjung.

Stay tuned for a comeback date announcement!

BTS has won their first music show trophy for their B-side “2.0”!

On the April 19 episode of SBS’s “Inkigayo,” the candidates for first place were BTS’s “2.0,” IVE’...]]>

BTS has won their first music show trophy for their B-side “2.0”!

On the April 19 episode of SBS’s “Inkigayo,” the candidates for first place were BTS’s “2.0,” IVE’s “BANG BANG,” and Hearts2Hearts’ “RUDE!” BTS ultimately took the win with a total of 4,701 points.

Performers on today’s show included TXT, SANTOS BRAVOS, KickFlip, KISS OF LIFE, WJSN’s Dayoung, MODYSSEY, KEYVITUP, AMPERS&ONE, RESCENE, ifeye, ALL’N, hrtz.wav, RED OOPART, BE BOYS, 1000°, and cosmosy.

TXT – “Stick With You”

SANTOS BRAVOS – “VELOCIDADE”

KickFlip – “Eye-Poppin’”

KISS OF LIFE – “Who is she”

WJSN’s Dayoung – “What’s a girl to do”

MODYSSEY – “HOOK”

KEYVITUP – “KEYVITUP”

AMPERS&ONE – “GOD”

RESCENE – “Runaway”

ifeye – “Hazy (Daisy)”

ALL’N – “We Up”

hrtz.wav – “NINETEEN”

RED OOPART – “far away”

BE BOYS – “SLAM DUNK”

1000° – “FIX IT”

cosmosy – “Silence ~ body & soul ~”

MBC’s “Perfect Crown” has shared a new behind-the-scenes video for episode 3!

Behind the scenes, IU and Byeon Woo Seok pay special attention to detail while rehears...]]>

MBC’s “Perfect Crown” has shared a new behind-the-scenes video for episode 3!

Behind the scenes, IU and Byeon Woo Seok pay special attention to detail while rehearsing, working with the director to perfect the takes. In one scene, while struggling to fight over the blankets, the two burst out laughing as Byeon Woo Seok yells, “Stay still!” IU remarks, “You have to say it confidently,” but Byeon Woo Seok replies, “It’s because I suddenly said it in such a modern tone.” The two still struggle to not laugh in the following takes.

In another scene where Byeon Woo Seok has to carry IU, he jokes about pretending to have a hard time. Although planning to quickly finish the scene, he can’t help but burst into laughter after IU makes a fainting noise. Later, IU playfully teases Byeon Woo Seok for his shaking arms. In the interview that follows, Byeon Woo Seok explains, “She’s so light, there was nothing to prop up.”

“Perfect Crown” airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. KST.

Red Velvet’s Kim Ye Rim (Yeri) and Kang Sang Jun’s upcoming drama “Azure Spring” has unveiled a new teaser!

Based on the webtoon of the same name, “Azure Spring” is...]]>

Red Velvet’s Kim Ye Rim (Yeri) and Kang Sang Jun’s upcoming drama “Azure Spring” has unveiled a new teaser!

Based on the webtoon of the same name, “Azure Spring” is a healing youth drama that follows Seo Anna (Kim Ye Rim), who has come to a standstill out of fear of the future, and Yoon Deok Hyun, who remains trapped in the past and unable to move forward. As they live as a haenyeo (female diver) and haenam (male diver), the two gradually grow through one another.

The newly released teaser begins with Seo Anna who comes back to her hometown after being fired from her part-time job at a swimming pool despite dreams of becoming a professional swimmer.

However, an unexpected cohabitation begins when she returns to her hometown and meets Yoon Deok Hyun. He comforts Seo Anna, “There are plenty of people in the world who can’t swim. Is your life ruined just because you can’t swim?”

Eventually, Seo Anna resolves to become a haenyeo, learning how to dive and gather seafood underwater from Yoon Deok Hyun. Seo Anna narrates, “Life is unpredictable, but that’s okay. Our today is azure spring.”

“Azure Spring” is set to premiere on May 11 at 11 p.m. KST via MBN Plus.

tvN’s “Mad Concrete Dreams” is nearing its grand finale!

“Mad Concrete Dreams” is a thriller drama starring Ha Jung Woo as Ki Su Jong, a struggling landlord who get...]]>

tvN’s “Mad Concrete Dreams” is nearing its grand finale!

“Mad Concrete Dreams” is a thriller drama starring Ha Jung Woo as Ki Su Jong, a struggling landlord who gets caught up in crime to protect his family and property. Despite achieving the coveted status of a landlord, mounting debts lead him to become entangled in a staged kidnapping. However, the plan spirals out of control as the fake kidnapping turns dangerously real.

Spoiler

Ahead of the final episode, the drama unveiled three final points to keep an eye on.

1. Yo Na’s new target: Will Kim Seon be able to survive?

After learning the truth of her younger brother Kim Gyun’s (Kim Nam Gil) passing, Kim Seon (Lim Soo Jung) resolved to divorce her husband Ki Su Jong.

In the case of divorce, a share of Seyoon Building will go to Kim Seon, causing problems to the redevelopment business. Thus, Kim Seon has become Yo Na’s (Shim Eun Kyung) next target in an attempt to speed up the redevelopment plans. Having already tried to kill Jeon Yi Gyeong (Krystal), tensions are rising for Yo Na’s next steps.

2. Will Ki Su Jong choose his family or the building

After Kim Seon expressed her wishes to get a divorce, Ki Su Jong is left to make a choice between his family and the building. However, with redevelopment so close, Ki Su Jong feels torn to have to give up a golden opportunity.

As the teaser for the final episode depicted Ki Su Jong asking Yo Na, “Can you kill my wife?” viewers are curious to find out what he is thinking, especially as his initial reasons for wanting to keep the building was for the sake of his family.

3. Who will survive in the end?

Through kidnapping, confinement, murder cases, and more, various individuals have been hurt and killed over the building. Ki Su Jong and Kim Seon can no longer be innocent parents to their daughter Ki Da Rae (Park Seo Kyung), while Jeon Yi Gyeong is in despair after losing her mother and husband.

With their livelihood collapsing, Yo Na will continue to push for redevelopment, making viewers wonder who will survive in the aftermath and who will come out victorious in the redevelopment battle.

Not to mention, the final episode of “Mad Concrete Dreams” has previewed a special appearance from Ju Ji Hoon, who will appear in front of Ki Su Jong as a mysterious figure, raising anticipation for what role he will play in the final battle.

The final episode of “Mad Concrete Dreams” will air on April 19 at 9:10 p.m. KST.

tvN’s “Filing for Love” has unveiled a new teaser of the first episode!

“Filing for Love” is a romantic comedy that tells the story of Noh Ki Joon (Gong Myoung), th...]]>

tvN’s “Filing for Love” has unveiled a new teaser of the first episode!

“Filing for Love” is a romantic comedy that tells the story of Noh Ki Joon (Gong Myoung), the ace of a major corporation’s audit department, who is suddenly demoted to the team that handles internal misconduct. As a result, he winds up getting entangled with Joo In Ah (Shin Hae Sun), a tough and eccentric team leader who is hiding a secret.

The newly released preview for episode 1 begins with the confident entrance of Noh Ki Joon, the ace of Audit Team 1 rumored to get a special promotion. However, as Joo In Ah comments, “Let’s adjust his position a bit,” Noh Ki Joon’s life turns around, being sent to Audit Team 3 which is in charge of internal misconduct.

Noh Ki Joon asks, “You want me to be in charge of affairs?” and back home, he screams, “Why?” in despair. He continues to wonder, “Why does the audit office have to deal with that? It’s lacking class,” as he runs out of the office dry heaving and nearly explodes with anger after receiving incredulous tip-off calls. Noh Ki Joon’s new position at the office after Joo In Ah enters his life raises questions about how he will adjust to his new tasks at work.

TV Chosun’s “Doctor Shin” has shared a glimpse of the tense dynamic between Jung E Chan and Joo Se Bin on its next episode!

“Doctor Shin” is a medical thriller abou...]]>

TV Chosun’s “Doctor Shin” has shared a glimpse of the tense dynamic between Jung E Chan and Joo Se Bin on its next episode!

“Doctor Shin” is a medical thriller about a brilliant doctor who pushes medicine beyond limits once considered the domain of God.

Spoilers

Previously on “Doctor Shin,” Shin Joo Shin (Jung E Chan) learned that the object of Geum Ba Ra (Joo Se Bin)’s affections was none other than his friend Ha Yong Joong (An Woo Yeon). Meanwhile, Geum Ba Ra, who had been happy after spending the night with Ha Yong Joong, was seen preparing to leave the country.

The latest episode of the drama ended on a shocking cliffhanger, with Shin Joo Shin attempting to save Geum Ba Ra’s life through respiratory resuscitation when she suddenly suffered respiratory distress after hearing Ha Yong Joong’s name.

In newly released stills from the drama’s upcoming episode, Shin Joo Shin and Geum Ba Ra sit down for a meal that hints at a shift in their relationship. In contrast to his indifferent and unemotional demeanor from before, Shin Joo Shin is visibly worried about Geum Ba Ra, who appears impassive and detached while speaking to him. The gap between Shin Joo Shin’s open concern and Geum Ba Ra’s emotionally dry vibe raises the question of where their conversation will lead.

It also remains to be seen why Geum Ba Ra, who has feelings for Ha Yong Joong, is with Shin Joo Shin at his home.

The “Doctor Shin” production team commented, “After spending a night with Ha Yong Joong, the object of her unrequited love, Geum Ba Ra shocked [viewers] in Episode 11 by suddenly facing an extreme crisis.”

They went on to tease, “To find out what becomes of the relationship between Shin Joo Shin and Geum Ba Ra, who are heading for a major catastrophe, please look forward to Episode 12.”

The next episode of “Doctor Shin” will air on April 19 at 10:30 p.m. KST.

KISS OF LIFE’s Haneul will be rescheduling some of her upcoming activities due to her health.

On April 19, S2 Entertainment announced that Haneul had recently devel...]]>

KISS OF LIFE’s Haneul will be rescheduling some of her upcoming activities due to her health.

On April 19, S2 Entertainment announced that Haneul had recently developed a sore throat and cold symptoms. Although her symptoms are said to be “gradually improving,” the agency stated that she would be rescheduling a couple of her upcoming fan signing events in order to make a speedier recovery.

The agency’s full statement is as follows:

Hello. This is S2 Entertainment.

On April 15, due to a sore throat and cold symptoms, our artist Haneul visited the hospital after returning to the country. Although her symptoms have been gradually improving up until now, we have unavoidably had to adjust some of her scheduled fan signing events for the sake of a speedier recovery.

The Apple Music video call fan signing event that was scheduled to take place this evening and the Makestar video call fan signing event that was scheduled to take place on April 21 will both be rescheduled. The in-person fan signing event scheduled for today will proceed without any changes.

Each retailer will inform the winners directly of the new schedules [for the fan signing events].

We apologize for having to convey this sudden news, and we would like to let you know that it was an unavoidable decision made for the sake of the artist’s speedy recovery.

Thank you.

Get well soon, Haneul!

Billlie’s Moon Sua has shared a heartfelt message for her late brother Moonbin.

On April 19, the third anniversary of ASTRO’s Moonbin’s passing, Moon Sua paid tribu...]]>

Billlie’s Moon Sua has shared a heartfelt message for her late brother Moonbin.

On April 19, the third anniversary of ASTRO’s Moonbin’s passing, Moon Sua paid tribute to her brother with an emotional cover and a touching post on Instagram.

In addition to releasing a cover of Christopher’s “Moments,” a song that Moonbin particularly liked, Moon Sua posted the following message:

Brother, it’s been a long time.

You’re curious which song I brought this time, right? After pondering it, I wanted to choose a song that also had memories of you.

Because you liked this song.
Reading the lyrics, they were so great.
It’s like they were exactly the words I wanted to say.
I hope that my sincere feelings reach you.

The weather has gotten much warmer.
I’m in the middle of working hard to prepare for a comeback, and it’s our first full-length album!
I feel like if you see it, you’ll give me a lot of feedback.
I’m going to work hard while thinking that you’re watching.
If we meet, praise me, okay?

I miss you a lot. I love you.

If you would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to seek help and reach out. Click here for a list of international hotlines that you can call, and if you can’t find your country listed, please call your local emergency number.

Kang Mal Geum will take a drastic measure to rein in an out-of-control Koo Kyo Hwan on the next episode of “We Are All Trying Here.”

“We Are All Trying Here” tells ...]]>

Kang Mal Geum will take a drastic measure to rein in an out-of-control Koo Kyo Hwan on the next episode of “We Are All Trying Here.”

“We Are All Trying Here” tells the story of Hwang Dong Man (Koo Kyo Hwan), an aspiring film director who, surrounded by successful friends, believes he is the only one whose life isn’t working out. Consumed by anguish, envy, and jealousy, he sets out on a journey in search of peace.

Spoilers

On the first episode of “We Are All Trying Here,” aspiring film director Hwang Dong Man struggled with the pain and anxiety of having been unable to achieve his dream for 20 years. The fact that he hadn’t yet managed to debut weighed heavily on him as the only member of “The Eight Club”—a group of eight friends in the film industry—to not have found success in his career.

As a result, the wildly insecure Hwang Dong Man repeatedly tested the patience of his friends in the group. Whether torturing them with rambling tirades, hatefully lashing out at them, or openly wishing for their failure, Hwang Dong Man constantly clashed with the other members of The Eight Club at every turn.

In the upcoming second episode of the drama, the patience of the other members, who are exhausted and worn down by Hwang Dong Man’s antics, ultimately reaches its breaking point. Unable to take it any longer, Go Hye Jin (Kang Mal Geum), who has held the group together, finally decides to take action by banning Hwang Dong Man from the club’s hangout spot.

After Hwang Dong Man goes too far and crosses the line, a fed-up Go Hye Jin confronts him and sternly informs him that he is no longer welcome at AGIT. To drive the point home, a sign taped to the front door of the establishment reads, “Hwang Dong Man Prohibited Entry.”

Has Hwang Dong Man been kicked out of The Eight Club for good, or will this childish but fierce battle take another unexpected turn?

The second episode of “We Are All Trying Here” will air on April 19 at 10:30 p.m. KST.

Get ready for a big change in Kim Go Eun and Kim Jae Won’s relationship on tvN’s “Yumi’s Cells 3”!

Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, “Yumi’s Cells” tel...]]>

Get ready for a big change in Kim Go Eun and Kim Jae Won’s relationship on tvN’s “Yumi’s Cells 3”!

Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, “Yumi’s Cells” tells the story of an ordinary office worker named Yumi (Kim Go Eun)—from the point of view of the many brain cells in her head controlling her every thought, feeling, and action. In Season 3, Kim Jae Won plays Yumi’s new love interest Soon Rok, an editorial PD at Julie Publishing.

Spoilers

On the first two episodes of “Yumi’s Cells 3,” Yumi and Soon Rok made viewers laugh with the start of their “love-hate romance,” which took Yumi and her cells on a rollercoaster ride of emotion. However, in the upcoming third and fourth episodes of the drama, the dynamic between the two leads will shift in a way that is certain to make viewers’ hearts flutter.

At the end of the second episode, Yumi was surprised to find out that Soon Rok had requested to have a different PD assigned to her in his stead. Furious, Yumi couldn’t contain her rage and wound up angrily questioning him about his reasons on the train to Busan.

Newly released stills from the drama’s next episodes capture Yumi looking visibly disconcerted as she faces Soon Rok on a train platform. In contrast to Yumi’s expression, which betrays a complicated mix of emotions, Soon Rok wears a gentle smile as he helps her with her luggage.

The scene is said to be a turning point in the pair’s relationship, piquing curiosity as to the reason for Yumi’s and Soon Rok’s completely different demeanors.

The next episode of “Yumi’s Cells 3” will air on April 20 at 6 p.m. KST.

What lengths can one go to for ambition, power, and fame? Husband and wife duo Bang Tae Seop (Ju Ji Hoon) and Chu Sang Ah (Ha Ji Won) are unstoppable when it comes to servi...]]>

What lengths can one go to for ambition, power, and fame? Husband and wife duo Bang Tae Seop (Ju Ji Hoon) and Chu Sang Ah (Ha Ji Won) are unstoppable when it comes to serving their interests. Manipulation is second nature to them, and even as they stand on the brink of destruction, the two remain steadfast and unshakeable.

As we saw last week in “Climax,” Sang Ah’s sex scandal broadcast has derailed Tae Seop’s political ambitions. Lee Yang Mi (Cha Joo Young), the chief perpetrator, has proven that she is the one scripting their lives. But is she? It seems the husband and wife have yet another ace up their sleeve.

From mind games to psychological blackmail and intimidation, Tae Seop and Sang Ah prove that whatever the stakes, they are the ones calling the shots. Here are three shocking turns that happened in the finale episodes.

Tae Seop chooses his side

Tae Seop and Sang Ah are two sides of the same coin. The two play the victim card to the hilt when it suits them and gaslight when it does not. Both thrive on the premise that they have survived hell to achieve whatever they have, even if it means trampling over the other.

Sang Ah’s scandal is the top national headline, and for someone who has been violated, she looks unfazed. So much so that one wonders if she was in the know that she was being filmed. From what we have seen of Sang Ah, it is evident she can play and serve however it suits her.

But this time around, the infallible Tae Seop is down on his knees. His wife cheating on him hasn’t upset him as much as what he stands to lose because of the scandal. This is the first time one sees him broken. Through the worst of situations, he has had a know it all smirk on his face, giving us an inkling that he may be down, but never out. But this is the first time he looks utterly devastated. The party has asked him to step down, announcing his departure, and public opinion has turned against him.

He can no longer expose Guk Won, the rival candidate’s fraud. Even the investor, Lee Yang Mi’s former husband, sends goons to beat him up and withdraws his investment.

The blame game starts. Tae Seop accuses Sang Ah of being selfish. She turns around and tells him he only sees his interests over hers. She tells him that had he colluded with Yang Mi, all this wouldn’t have happened. Sang Ah reveals that Jeong Won had drugged her and filmed their intimate moments together, at the behest of Yang Mi.

Browbeaten for once, Tae Seop holds a press conference apologizing for the inconvenience caused and steps away from the campaign. Known to be adamant and unapologetic, he stands on the edge and needs to choose his side. He makes his way to Yang Mi, well aware that he has to do her bidding, and he will, whatever it takes.

From what we have seen of Yang Mi, she is a woman without an emotional radar or a moral compass. She makes her move first on Tae Seop, telling him she has always had a thing for him. It’s unexpected, yet inevitable. Yang Mi has had a Sang Ah complex and clearly wants anything she has. Tae Seop, who has never once cheated on his wife, given their own arrangement, succumbs to Yang Mi.

Soon after, she tells him to visit the ancestral grave of Guk Won’s family member and perform a ritual as informed by her fortune teller. In return, she will have him reinstated in Guk Won’s party. Tae Seop looks destroyed and helpless, but there seems no other way out.

Yang Mi, who is enjoying his suffering, tells him that if he makes one wrong move, things will get worse. Tae Seop has chosen his side, and he is not going to mess this up. But as of now, he is the one being controlled, and it is clear he hates it.

With Tae Seop on Yang Mi’s side and Sang Ah on the opposite, the battle lines have been clearly drawn. But in this charade, it is still unclear who holds the upper hand.

Sang Ah and Tae Seop regroup

The split between Tae Seop and Sang Ah is wide open. He has chosen to align with Yang Mi, and if you think this move has left Sang Ah bereft, it’s far from it. The couple is just leading separate lives.

Sang Ah has always been an unreadable sort, masking her emotions and weighing her responses. The few times she has acted out of character have been in front of Jeong Won, and it is clear her feelings run deep. But this time, Sang Ah wants to protect Tae Seop; she feels she owes it to him. She messages him that the two should look for a way to bring Yang Mi down.

Soon after the broadcast, Jeong Won is ordered by Yang Mi’s people to disappear for good. She doesn’t budge, holding her ground. It is clear she has something on them. She coolly tells them, “If I spill what I have, we all go to hell.”

One would think Sang Ah would be upset that Jeong Won filmed the two of them together at Yang Mi’s orders. But it’s far from it. She sees this as a way to hit back at Yang Mi, well aware that Jeong Won has intel. She meets her, and not one to waste time on sentiments, asks her to divulge what she knows. Jeong Won tells Sang Ah it is best to let Yang Mi be and not get involved any further.

Yang Mi’s people have been shadowing Sang Ah, and Jeong Won, on seeing a hitman approach Sang Ah with a knife, turns around and takes the attack. She sacrifices herself for Sang Ah; it is clear she cares deeply for her. Despite the grim nature of the circumstances, Jeong Won has finally been set free, free from being constantly used and manipulated. Sang Ah looks shocked, and her expression is the same when Ji Soo had died, one of helplessness and regret.

However, at the questioning, Sang Ah appears calm and composed. When Tae Seop arrives, she testily asks him if he regrets that it wasn’t her. He looks pitiful, having turned into a Yang Mi stooge and hating his own predicament. This is a first for him, as he is usually the one plotting the moves.

As they walk out, they see Jeong Won’s aide, Woo Shik, being held hostage and charged for the murder. Sang Ah wants to shield him, but Tae Seop warns her not to. Taking on Yang Mi could prove fatal for all.

The couple, despite their differences and issues, are fighting the same evil — the rich who manipulate the underdogs. Tae Seop and Sang Ah, as we have seen, don’t play fair; they play dirty and they play rough. If we have learnt one thing about the two, it is that they hate their lives being scripted by others and dislike being secondary players. Though they can trample on anyone, they are co-dependent on each other, always keeping their cards close.

Tae Seop visits the mortuary and registers himself as next of kin to Jeong Won. As he goes through her belongings, he finds a pen drive, and the contents are explosive.

It clearly shows Yang Mi as the one behind Jae Sang’s death. We finally see the old Tae Seop surfacing. He shows the contents, carefully edited to his advantage, to Yang Mi. Though she says it is not incriminating enough, he insists it could be, and he has a deal.

Jeong Won, even in death, is dishonored, portrayed as an aspirational actor whose murky and violent past caught up with her. The so-called sex clip is showcased as a scene from the film “Four Seasons,” uploaded by someone to derail Tae Seop’s career and malign Sang Ah’s reputation.

Yang Mi reinstates Tae Seop’s career; he is now advisor to Guk Won. Sang Ah is back in business, winning praise for her acting. Even though it was used against her, it only went on to prove how wonderful an actor she is.

The toast of the town, Sang Ah attends the premiere of her film and wins acclaim for her performance. But victory doesn’t taste sweet, with Yang Mi still a thorn in her side.

She hands over a diary to Tae Seop which details the exploitation she had suffered at the hands of Oh Kwang Jae. It also lists several influential people who were involved and are now bankrolling the presidential campaign. She asks Tae Seop to use the proof in the diary. He looks visibly uncomfortable reading it, confronted with the extent of her exploitation.

We once again notice a rare flicker of emotion which comes and goes on his face. Does he possibly care for Sang Ah more than he is willing to admit? He is shocked since his usually disinterested and aloof wife has never stepped up for him, especially after she has got what she wants.

Tae Seop and Sang Ah may be back in the spotlight for all the right reasons, but their nemesis Yang Mi is the one calling the shots. So, they get ready to set the stage for their final act.

Climax set in motion

The wheels have been set in motion. Tae Seop and his legendary two-faced optics are back in business. Yang Mi has appointed him as advisor to Guk Won during the campaign, but Tae Seop’s own political ambitions come simmering to the surface. He has never been the kind to lie low, and it makes you wonder how he plans to play.

Armed with Sang Ah’s diary and the pen drive left by Jeong Won, Tae Seop devises his master plan. He reaches out to the opposition and hands over evidence of Guk Won’s financial misdeeds. Meanwhile, Sang Ah approaches a TV network with footage from the pen drive which clearly shows Yang Mi ordering Jae Sang’s death. Both husband and wife have their plan in place.

Tae Seop is not someone who puts all his eggs — in this case, evidence — in one basket. He is well aware that Yang Mi wants Guk Won to pass the inheritance bill, which will allow her illegitimate daughter access to Chairman Kwon’s wealth once he becomes President. This sets up his next move.

He tells Guk Won he will expose his scandal if he continues to work with Yang Mi. If he drops her and helps them expose her instead, his scandal will never be revealed. Of course, Tae Seop never does anything for free. In return, he should grant Tae Seop the position of Secretary of State.

One has to applaud this man and his ingenuity. Guk Won agrees. Yang Mi is arrested, along with her accomplices. Sang Ah, standing as a bystander as Yang Mi is being publicly humiliated, smirks as if goading her downfall. The ball is in her court for once. But you can’t help but root for Yang Mi’s downfall, since she is one of the most despicable characters, one who abuses her position and plays people.

The contents of Sang Ah’s diary lead to a wider investigation. Guk Won is seen as a man devoted to the well-being of the nation and both Tae Seop and Sang Ah as citizens who took the hit for truth and justice.

Guk Won wins the election, and Tae Seop is appointed Secretary of Civil Affairs. Sang Ah is winning accolades across the world for her work and delivers an equally unforgettable performance on stage as she receives her Best Actor nod. Playing to the galleries in typical Sang Ah style, she takes a dig at Yang Mi and the media for shaping her as an artist. However, the only time we see her break character is when she imagines both Jeong Won and Jisoo in the audience. Her eyes turn moist for a fraction — it is her way of acknowledging that her victory has been shaped by the sacrifices of these two women who loved her.

As Tae Seop climbs up the stairs of the Blue House, and he stops short to take in the view from the top. As he stands alone, it is clear he is not done yet; he hasn’t come this far to serve those who can still trample over him. Tae Seop has an insatiable greed, and somewhere within him is a son who has never been able to avenge his father’s death.

Tae Seop’s manipulations operate beyond anyone’s radar, and the way his mind works is almost incomprehensible. We see that in his next move when he approaches the WR Group and tells Kwon Jong Uk (Oh Jung Se) he is aware that Jong Uk has been engaging in malpractices along with his father’s doctor so that Chairman Kwon doesn’t wake up. Tae Seop would keep his secret, which he is an expert at, for something in return. This time he wants full control of the now headless WR Group, while Jong Uk would merely be a puppet CEO.

The table has been set. Both Tae Seop and Sang Ah are winning hearts and playing the perfect power couple, both on top of their game. Tae Seop is the new poster boy of politics and has been elected Mayor, while Sang Ah continues to rise. The two play the ambitious yet committed couple to the hilt.

But there comes another twist: Chairman Kwon has woken up from his coma. And Yang Mi has been granted a pardon and will be back soon. When bad news comes, it comes from all corners. Though Tae Seop seems unmoved, Sang Ah looks shaken after she gets a call from Yang Mi, saying she is coming for her.

The stress leads to Sang Ah overdosing at Tae Seop’s swearing-in; he finds her just in the nick of time. It is clear he is worried that he may once again lose everything because of his wife and her ways. As he gets her cleaned up, the two walk hand in hand for the ceremony with the camera zooming in on their backs as they enter the auditorium.

Is this the end, or the beginning of the hell that both Sang Ah and Tae Seop have always spoken about? Will there be a “Climax 2”? We can only wait and watch since Yang Mi may be down but not out.

Start watching “Climax”:

Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Yoo Yeon Seok and Lee Junho bias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.

KATSEYE is soaring to new heights in the United Kingdom with their latest single!

On April 17 local time, the Official Charts (widely regarded as the U.K. equivalen...]]>

KATSEYE is soaring to new heights in the United Kingdom with their latest single!

On April 17 local time, the Official Charts (widely regarded as the U.K. equivalent to Billboard’s U.S. charts) announced that KATSEYE’s new single “PINKY UP” had debuted at No. 14 on its Official Singles Chart.

Not only was “PINKY UP” the highest new entry on this week’s Official Singles Chart, but it also achieved KATSEYE’s highest ranking on the chart to date. The group’s previous personal best was set by their last single “Internet Girl,” which debuted at No. 24 earlier this year.

“PINKY UP” is KATSEYE’s fourth song to enter the Official Singles Chart, following “Gnarly” (which peaked at No. 52), “Gabriela” (No. 38), and “Internet Girl” (No. 24).

Congratulations to KATSEYE!

Just four episodes into its run, viewership ratings for MBC’s “Perfect Crown” have already soared into the double digits!

On April 18, the new romance drama starrin...]]>

Just four episodes into its run, viewership ratings for MBC’s “Perfect Crown” have already soared into the double digits!

On April 18, the new romance drama starring IU and Byeon Woo Seok achieved its highest ratings yet. According to Nielsen Korea, the fourth episode of “Perfect Crown” took first place in its time slot across all channels with an average nationwide rating of 11.1 percent.

“Perfect Crown” was also the most-watched show of any kind to air on Saturday among the key demographic of viewers ages 20 to 54, with whom it earned an average rating of 5.3 percent.

Meanwhile, JTBC’s new drama “We Are All Trying Here” premiered to an average nationwide rating of 2.2 percent for its first episode.

tvN’s “Mad Concrete Dreams,” which has just one episode left in its run, scored an average nationwide rating of 2.4 percent ahead of its series finale.

SBS’s “Phantom Lawyer” earned an average nationwide rating of 6.0 percent for the night, while TV Chosun’s “Doctor Shin” scored a nationwide average of 1.1 percent.

Finally, KBS 2TV’s “Recipe for Love” defended its title as the most-watched program of Saturday overall with an average nationwide rating of 13.5 percent.

The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for individual girl group members!

The rankings were determined through a...]]>

The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for individual girl group members!

The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, communication, and community awareness indexes of 730 girl group members, using big data collected from March 19 to April 19.

IVE’s Jang Won Young continued her reign at the top of the list this month with a brand reputation index of 7,226,014 for April. High-ranking phrases in her keyword analysis included “BANG BANG,” “ambassador,” and “Won Young bunny,” while her highest-ranking related terms included “lovely,” “effort.” and “prove.” Jang Won Young’s positivity-negativity analysis also revealed a score of 91.89 percent positive reactions.

Meanwhile, BLACKPINK’s Jennie held onto her spot at second place with a brand reputation index of 5,372,851.

aespa’s Karina rose to third place after seeing a 73.42 percent increase in her brand reputation index since March, bringing her total score to 4,963,882.

BLACKPINK’s Rosé took fourth place with a brand reputation index of 4,445,419, while her bandmate Lisa rounded out the top five with a score of 3,866,448.

1. IVE’s Jang Won Young
2. BLACKPINK’s Jennie
3. aespa’s Karina
4. BLACKPINK’s Rosé
5. BLACKPINK’s Lisa
6. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo
7. IVE’s An Yu Jin
8. aespa’s Winter
9. KISS OF LIFE’s Natty
10. ILLIT’s Wonhee
11. IVE’s Liz
12. IVE’s Rei
13. aespa’s Ningning
14. TWICE’s Nayeon
15. TWICE’s Sana
16. Girls’ Generation’s Lim Yoona
17. NMIXX’s Sullyoon
18. ITZY’s Yuna
19. LE SSERAFIM’s Kim Chaewon
20. Red Velvet’s Joy
21. IVE’s Gaeul
22. Red Velvet’s Seulgi
23. Red Velvet’s Irene
24. TWICE’s Jihyo
25. TWICE’s Jeongyeon
26. Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon
27. Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung
28. IVE’s Leeseo
29. OH MY GIRL’s Mimi
30. TWICE’s Dahyun

BTS has won a 14th music show trophy—and another triple crown—for their latest hit “SWIM”!

On the April 18 episode of MBC’s “Music Core,” the candidates for first p...]]>

BTS has won a 14th music show trophy—and another triple crown—for their latest hit “SWIM”!

On the April 18 episode of MBC’s “Music Core,” the candidates for first place were BTS’s “SWIM,” AKMU’s “Joy, Sorrow, A Beautiful Heart,” and Hearts2Hearts’ “RUDE!” BTS ultimately took the win with a total of 5,723 points.

This is the third time that “SWIM” has taken first place on “Music Core,” meaning that the song has now achieved a “triple crown”!

Performers on today’s show included TXT, PLAVE, SANTOS BRAVOS, WJSN’s Dayoung, KickFlip, KISS OF LIFE, MODYSSEY, VVS, ALL’N, KEYVITUP, AMPERS&ONE, RESCENE, ifeye, hrtz.wav, BE BOYS, Lee Ji Min, 1000°, and cosmosy.

TXT – “Stick With You”

PLAVE – “Born Savage”

SANTOS BRAVOS – “VELOCIDADE”

WJSN’s Dayoung – “What’s a girl to do”

KickFlip – “Eye-Poppin’”

KISS OF LIFE – “Who is she”

MODYSSEY – “HOOK”

VVS – “DA$H”

ALL’N – “We Up”

KEYVITUP – “KEYVITUP”

AMPERS&ONE – “GOD”

RESCENE – “Runaway”

ifeye – “Hazy (Daisy)”

hrtz.wav – “NINETEEN”

BE BOYS – “SLAM DUNK”

Lee Ji Min – “You’re Mine, You’re My Man”

1000° – “FIX IT”

cosmosy – “Silence ~ body & soul ~”