Big Bang to make long-awaited comeback as quartet later this year

Wyatte Grantham-Philips editorBTS was named the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s Global Recording Artist of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, the organization announced Thursday.BTS (consisting of members RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook) has been on IFPI’s top 10 Global Artist Chart since 2018, when the iconic K-pop band entered the list in the No. 2 spot.

TXT and ENHYPEN are reportedly set to hold in-person concerts this year, according to HYBE officials.At the HYBE IR Conference call for the fourth quarter of 2021 held earlier yesterday (February 22), the management company’s officials announced that several artists under HYBE’s roster are currently making plans for in-person events. These events will “proactively adopt hybrid formats, combining online and in-person performance”.“Especially Tomorrow X Together (TXT) and ENHYPEN will hold their first-ever in-person concert since their debut to connect with more fans,” a HYBE official added, as translated by Koreaboo.

JYP Entertainment‘s new girl group NMIXX have made their debut with a head-spinning music video for ‘O.O’.The visual opens at a scene of a shipwreck, as an ominous fog clears to reveal the members of the new girl group. They launch into a fierce performance of the new track, entering a number of whimsical new worlds.“Eyes wide open like ‘OO’ / Watch out, baila baila baila / Watch it, how nice how nice,” they sing on the chorus, while performing the song’s intricate choreography.

Brave Girls are set to release new music next month.Today (February 21), the quartet’s agency Brave Entertainment confirmed that the group are preparing to make their return in March. Further details on the as-yet-unnamed release are expected in the coming weeks.The Korea Herald had first reported in January that Brave Girls were working on new music, citing an industry source.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefThe U.S.-made action adventure film “Uncharted” took a comfortable first place a the South Korean box office on its first weekend of release.“Uncharted” took $2.12 million between Friday and Sunday, grabbing 53% of the total Korean market, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). Over five days since its Wednesday opening, the film earned $3.00 million.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and Media“Uncharted,” a long-gestating film adaptation of a popular series of video games, racked up $3.7 million in Thursday previews. The big-budget adventure is a key test of Tom Holland’s bankability, coming on the heels of his blockbuster success with “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” The Marvel adventure recently topped “Avatar” to become the third highest-grossing domestic release in history. This time, Holland trades in Spidey’s spandex for treasure hunter Nathan Drake’s cream-colored v-neck and holster.

Red Velvet and (G)I-DLE have confirmed plans to return with new music next month.Earlier today (February 18), Red Velvet’s label SM Entertainment confirmed in a statement to South Korean media that the five-piece act are currently preparing for “a new album”, as translated by Soompi. The company also noted that the group are aiming to release the project in March, although a solid release date was not stated.The upcoming album will mark Red Velvet’s first music project since their August 2021 mini-album ‘Queendom’.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterThese days, Tom Holland is never too far from the top of box office charts.The “Spider-Man: No Way Home” actor is returning to theaters this weekend as a different kind of vigilante in Sony’s “Uncharted,” an action adventure based on the popular video game. The film is expected to make $27 million between Friday and Sunday and $30 million through President’s Day on Monday. Some box office prognosticators believe “Uncharted” could reach $35 million in its first four days in theaters.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterMere months after Tom Holland ignited box office charts with “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” the 25-year-old British actor is swinging back to movie theater marquees with “Uncharted.”Ahead of its domestic debut on Feb. 18, Sony’s big-screen adaptation of its popular video game series opened at the international box office to a solid $21.5 million from 15 overseas markets.“Uncharted” had the biggest start in the United Kingdom, landing in first place with $6.4 million.

Women In Animation today set students Anya Butler, Laura Alejandra, Anna Dinh, Elena Fazio, Bekka Goldstein, Meghan Graham, Yulong Jones, Jennifer Nie, Nomin Ochir, Chelsea Ortega, Daphne Reynolds, Vanessa Schneider, Lou Thoby, Jennifer Wu, Kaiyun Yang, Olli Yao, Irida Zhonga and Joy Zhou as the recipients of its 2022 WIA Scholarships, with another, unnamed set of 18 coming in as Honorable Mentions.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefAlmost two years since “Parasite” won a handful of Oscars, the impact of COVID has meant that the Korean theatrical sector has been largely unable to capitalize on the trickle-down effect of those wins. Its current malaise stands in contrast to the pandemic windfalls enjoyed by other parts of the Korean entertainment biz — think BTS, Blackpink, “Squid Game” and the latest streaming phenomenon “All of Us Are Dead.”The current year potentially holds great things for Korean film, with nearly all of the country’s top-name directors having completed works, but the prospect remains tantalizingly out of reach.And the longer the hard times continue, the less likely a return to the old normal becomes.

Bae Suzy is set to make to return to music later this month with a brand-new single.Today (February 10), the South Korean singer-actress took to her personal Instagram to share a new teaser image for her long-awaited musical comeback ‘Satellite’, featuring the singer’s side profile illuminated by a blue-tinged spotlight.Her agency Management Soop also announced that the former Miss A member is set to drop the song next week on February 17 at 6pm KST.

There are so many excellent K-Pop offerings in 2022 already!

Breaking records isn’t only for the slopes! Chloe Kim’s net worth proves that being a professional snowboarder can earn an athlete some serious dough—especially if they’re as talented as her.

OH MY GIRL will be releasing a new album next month, according to their agency WM Entertainment.Earlier today (February 7), South Korean news outlet SPOTV News reported that the seven-member act were currently preparing to make a comeback in March. The news was later confirmed by their agency, WM Entertainment.“OH MY GIRL are scheduled to return with a new album in March,” WM Entertainment said in a statement to Newsen.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefAfter a flurry that lasted only for the duration of the recent Lunar New Year holidays, theatrical box office in South Korea slumped again over the latest weekend. Nationwide, Korean cinemas earned just $3.22 million between Friday and Sunday. That was the lowest scoring weekend so far in 2022 and followed a disappointing holiday period.The Lunar New Year holidays – if measured from the previous Saturday until Wednesday (Jan 29- Feb.

Proud family. For Chloe Kim‘s parents—father Jong Jin Kim and mother Boran Yun Kim—their daughter is the definition of the American dream.

ASTRO’s subunit, formed by members Moonbin and Sanha, will be returning with a new mini-album this March.On February 4, Fantagio Music announced via South Korean news outlet Newsen that the duo are set to drop their as-yet-unnamed sophomore mini-album in March. The upcoming record will be preceded by a pre-release single titled ‘Ghost Town’ arriving later this month.“Moonbin and Sanha will be releasing their second mini-album in March, ahead of which they will be dropping the pre-release single ‘Ghost Town’ on February 11.