Ador files legal action to confirm validity of contract with NewJeans

Ador filed a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court Tuesday to confirm the validity of its exclusive contract with NewJeans which the group claimed to have terminated, the company said on Thursday. The agency said it deemed it necessary to take this step to affirm that exclusive contracts cannot be unilaterally terminated based on individual claims, ensuring clarity for the artists and other stakeholders involved. “This decision was not made lightly,” the agency said in a stat

Dec. 5, 2024

[Herald Interview] Gong Yoo of 'The Trunk' says he wanted to explore darker sides of love

Gong Yoo, one of South Korea's top actors, famous for his iconic role as the immortal heartthrob in the megahit K-drama "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" and his performances in other popular titles like "Coffee Prince," has returned with "The Trunk" -- a Netflix mystery melodrama released Nov. 29. The series centers on Jung-won (Gong Yoo), a successful music producer haunted by a traumatic past involving an abusive father and a broken marriage, and In-ji (S

Dec. 5, 2024

Ex-martial law commander Park An-su draws attention for past appearance on reality TV show ‘Real Man’

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who was named martial law commander following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on Tuesday, has become a topic of discussion due to his 2013 appearance on the popular reality TV show “Real Man.” The appointment of Gen. Park as martial law commander quickly sparked online chatter, with internet users on social media recalling his appearance on the local reality show 11 years ago. Back then, he was a colonel commanding the 5

Dec. 5, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Rose surpasses 500m views in record time with ‘APT.’ video

Rose of Blackpink amassed 500 million views on YouTube with the music video for “APT.,” her agency The Black Label said Thursday. She achieved the feat in less than 48 days breaking the record for a K-pop artist. “APT.,” featuring Bruno Mars, came out on Oct. 18 and swept all music charts at home and abroad. The catchy tune is enjoying a six-week stay on Billboard’s Hot 100, having peaked at No. 8, the highest spot for a K-pop female solo singer. It also entered the

Dec. 5, 2024

BTS RM's documentary to be released in 110 countries

A documentary film chronicling the making of BTS leader RM's solo album was released Thursday in theaters in 110 countries, including Korea. The film "RM: Right People, Wrong Place" captures the eight-month journey behind RM’s second solo album, "Right Place, Wrong Person." It offers an intimate look at RM navigating the multiple roles of BTS' leader, solo artist and an ordinary man named Kim Nam-joon. Directed by Lee Seok-jun, the documentary also features th

Dec. 5, 2024

Use of name 'The Boyz' uncertain following trademark dispute

Boy group The Boyz is the latest in the long list of groups that face trademark disputes over their name. The Boyz, which recently moved to One Hundred Label after its contract with IST Entertainment ended, might not be able to use its name. On Wednesday night, One Hundred Label announced that negotiations with IST Entertainment over the trademark had broken down, citing “unreasonable negotiation conditions” from IST as the reason. “We have done our utmost to negotiate regardin

Dec. 5, 2024

G-Dragon's 'Home Sweet Home' banned from KBS

K-pop icon G-Dragon's latest song, "Home Sweet Home," has been ruled unsuitable for broadcast by the state-run Korean Broadcasting System. The song violated Article 46 of the broadcasting review regulations, which prohibits content with advertising effects, including lyrics that reference specific product brands, KBS said Wednesday. While KBS did not detail the exact lyrics, the song’s mention of "Airbnb," a global online marketplace for homestays and experiences,

Dec. 5, 2024

Broadcasters fall short in covering martial law crisis

South Korea was thrust into a dramatic political crisis Tuesday night amid President Yoon Suk Yeol's unexpected declaration of martial law. The rapidly unfolding situation, which developed over approximately six hours, exposed shortcomings in media coverage as major broadcasters struggled to respond in real time. While Yonhap News TV and Seoul Broadcasting System were among the few outlets to provide immediate live coverage of the martial law declaration, others lagged behind. The state-run

Dec. 4, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ RM makes Rolling Stone’s best album list

The second solo album from RM was picked as one of “The 100 Best Albums of 2024” by Rolling Stone magazine. The American publication ranked the album “Right Place, Wrong Person” at No. 88, writing, “His lyrical ride is made even more mind-expanding by the music laid down by RM and his collaborators. (The album) is psychedelia-tinged and soulful, its lyrics’ intense self-interrogation balanced by music that feels like an invite to further explorations.” T

Dec. 4, 2024

International fans voice concerns for K-pop idols amid martial law declaration

K-pop fans around the world have expressed deep concerns for their favorite idols, particularly those currently serving in the military, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law late Tuesday night. The sudden announcement, which was lifted Wednesday morning, has left fans worried about the safety of both the artists and the broader population in South Korea, a country they admire. Nana Oh, a Korean immigrant living in Michigan and a fan of BTS, said the emergency situ

Dec. 4, 2024

Actor Ra Mi-ran awarded Film Artist of the Year by Women in Film Korea

Women in Film Korea announced Wednesday that actor Ra Mi-ran of the comedy flick “Citizen of a Kind” and series “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born,” has been named this year’s recipient of the Film Artist of the Year award. Ra, known for her versatile and transformative performances, has been recognized for her outstanding contribution to Korean cinema, the association said. In her latest film “Citizen of a Kind,” she plays Deok-hee, an ordinary citizen fig

Dec. 4, 2024

Popular liberal YouTuber Kim Ou-joon claims to be in hiding

Kim Ou-joon, a liberal journalist and the popular former host of Traffic Broadcasting System’s "News Factory," said via phone during his YouTube news show on Wednesday morning that military troops had visited his home, prompting him to escape. Known for being openly left of center and publicly critical of the conservative government, Kim stated that he is now "in hiding at an unknown location" after being targeted by authorities. Kim hosted TBS’ radio podcast &quo

Dec. 4, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Ive logs 300m views with ‘After Like’ music video

Ive’s music video for “After Like” surpassed 300 million views on YouTube, said agency Starship Entertainment Tuesday. “After Like” is the title track from the group's third single album released in 2022. The genre-breaking hit swept all music charts in Korea and earned the group 14 trophies from television music chart shows. It also enjoyed 17 and 25 weeks straight on Billboard’s Global 200 and Global excl. US charts, respectively, peaking at No. 20 an

Dec. 3, 2024

Can 2025 be year of YG Entertainment?

YG Entertainment, once a dominant force in the K-pop industry with groups like Big Bang, 2NE1 and Blackpink, is preparing for what it hopes will be a transformative year in 2025. The company, which has faced significant challenges over the past five years, is now gearing up for an active schedule featuring its top artists and a potential new group debut. YG Entertainment Founder and Executive Producer Yang Hyun-suk hinted at an ambitious lineup for 2025 in a video shared on the company’s o

Dec. 3, 2024

[Herald Review] ‘One Win,’ a refreshing addition to sports film genre

Director Shin Yeon-sik’s sports comedy “One Win” differs from many other sports films that lean heavily into dramatic, tear-jerking moments. The movie sets itself apart by avoiding melodrama, instead filling the narrative with humor and relatable passion as it tells the story of an underdog women’s volleyball team in South Korea. It is also the first film in the country to center on women’s volleyball. Director Shin takes a fun, light-hearted approach to the story o

Dec. 3, 2024

Disney+ series 'Light Shop' hopes to replicate success of 'Moving'

Hot on the heels of the massive success enjoyed by "Moving," Disney+ is back with another poignant tale by Kang Full, one of South Korea's most celebrated cartoonists. "Light Shop" tells the story of individuals who are drawn to a mysterious light shop run by Won-young (Ju Ji-hoon). The visitors are all unusual in their own way, exhibiting strange characteristics such as dirt perpetually falling from their ears, nails growing on the backs of their hands, or having water

Dec. 3, 2024

Industry group sides with Ador in NewJeans saga

An organization representing road managers and entertainment agency officials has stepped into K-pop's latest industry-shaking drama, calling chart-topping group NewJeans' attempt to terminate their agency contract "preposterous" in a statement released Tuesday. The statement from the Korea Management Association comes days after the quintet announced they were pulling out of their contract with Hybe subsidiary Ador in a late-night press conference Thursday. Group members cit

Dec. 3, 2024

'Culinary Class Wars' season 2 seeking applications

The applications for the second season of Netflix's “Culinary Class Wars” is now open for aspiring participants, the global streaming platform announced Tuesday. The popular series, which features intense cook-offs between underdog chefs from the "black team" and star chefs from the "white team," as well as various individual challenges, made history with its first season. The show, attracting viewers from Korea and beyond, became the first Korean entertainme

Dec. 3, 2024

Seventeen to perform at Billboard Music Awards next week

K-pop boy band Seventeen is set to take the stage at the Billboard Music Awards in Los Angeles next week. According to BBMA's official Instagram page, the group will perform "Love, Money, Fame," at the ceremony next Thursday. The lead single, which features American music producer DJ Khaled, is from its twelfth extended play, "Spill the Feels." The group has been nominated for the Top K-pop Touring Artist category at this year's ceremony. This nomination follows its

Dec. 3, 2024

'Chairman Bang took on risk himself and agreed to put-back option,’ Hybe says

Hybe said on Monday that Chairman Bang Si-hyuk secured approximately 400 billion won ($285 million) during the company’s initial public offering in 2020 by executing what is called a put-back option at the request of one of its investors, adding that the arrangement does not violate the Capital Markets Act. “In 2018, STIC Investments came to us and strongly requested our IPO timeline, worrying about uncertainties. When we refused, they demanded a put-back option instead,” a Hyb

Dec. 2, 2024