BTS Agency Responds to Reports of Jimin's Apartment Being Seized

Marta Balaga “Face Off” helmer John Woo will receive a Career Achievement Award during Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival, about to celebrate its 26th edition. The Hong Kong filmmaker is currently working on “Silent Night,” starring Joel Kinnaman and Kid Cudi.“I defy anyone to watch ‘Bullet in the Head,’ ‘Hard Boiled’ or ‘The Killer’ and not walk away wanting to break down the shots and make a movie.

James Acaster made quite the comparison between Squid Game and Celebrity Mastermind after appearing in front of host Clive Myrie. The comedian, whose topic of choice was ‘the history of ice cream’, managed to gain three points on his unique subject in the first round, with answers like ‘Creamy Boys’ and ‘Monsieur Ice Cream,’ before comparing his situation to being in Squid Game. The South Korean survival drama sees hundreds of cash-strapped players accept an invitation to compete in children’s games with a deadly twist – not quite the same as answering on Haagen-Dazs or Ben & Jerry’s.

EXCLUSIVE: Fernanda Andrade (Let the Right One In) has signed on for a role in Paramount+’s crime thriller, Finestkind. She joins an ensemble that also includes Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega, Aaron Stanford, Scotty Tovar, Tim Daly, Lolita Davidovich, Clayne Crawford, Meghan Leathers and Ismael Cruz Cordova, as previously announced.

As he prepares to leave office next week, South Korea’s outgoing Culture, Sports And Tourism Minister Hwang Hee has called on the country’s incoming new government to amend the law so to exempt BTS members – and other successful pop stars – from military service.“It’s time to create a system for [treating] popular culture-art figures as art personnel”, he said at a press conference in Seoul yesterday, according to Yonhap.The issue of BTS’s national service has been a hotly debated topic in South Korea for a number of years now. Under the country’s laws, all able-bodied men must begin serving around two years in the military at some point between the ages of eighteen and 28.

BTS‘ exemption from the nation’s mandatory military service.The Culture Minister proposed in a press briefing on May 4 that globally recognised male pop-culture artists should be allowed to substitute their compulsory two-year conscription for alternative programmes.“It’s time to create a system for incorporating popular culture-art figures as art personnel,” Hwang said, per Yonhap News Agency, in recognition of figures such as award-winning athletes and classical musicians and their roles in enhancing South Korea’s image overseas.“The [exemption] system has been operated meaningfully to give those who have enhanced the national status based on their excellent skills more chances to contribute to the country, and there is no reason the popular art-culture field should be excluded from this,” he continued.Under South Korea’s current Military Service act, all able-bodied Korean men are required to enlist for approximately two years of military service before the age of 30. This was after an amendment to the act was made in late-2020 where the age limit was raised from the initial 28.“I thought somebody should be a responsible voice at a time when there are conflicting pros and cons ahead of the enlistment of some of the BTS members,” Hwang added.

Thania Garcia South Korean entertainment giant HYBE has reported a generated revenue of approximately $226 million — an increase of 59.8% — for the first quarter of the year.In 2021, the music company announced a billion-dollar annual revenue for the first time, thanks largely in part to Scooter Braun‘s megamerger agreement (between Ithaca Holdings and HYBE). Since then, the return of live music and large-scale events has unequivocally propelled revenue.Two of the top contributors were HYBE America artist Justin Bieber, whose “Justice” world tour launched in February, and of course BTS, whose “BTS Permission to Dance on Stage: Seoul” screening made it big at the global box office; the limited release raked in $32.6 million from 3,711 cinemas in 75 worldwide theatrical markets.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefK-pop superstars BTS could be given exemption from compulsory military service in South Korea.“It’s time to create a system for incorporating popular culture-art figures as art personnel,” said Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Hwang Hee, at a press briefing on Wednesday, according to reports by the Yonhap news agency. Hwang said he aims to push a new law through parliament that would allow the stars of popular culture to serve their country outside the military.Under the present Military Service Act all able-bodied Korean men must enlist for roughly two years of military service before they reach age 30.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefAcclaimed Canadian nature documentary “Geographies of Solitude” was Wednesday named the best film in the international competition section at South Korea’s Jeonju International Film Festival. The parallel Korean competition was won by “Jeong-Sun,” directed by Jeong Ji-hye.The two previous editions of Jeonju were disrupted by COVID. But this year the festival, with 217 films from 52 countries, was held predominantly as an in-person event.

Lizzo has opened up about her friendship with member of K-pop titans BTS.On the latest episode of the Audacy podcast series, American singer-rapper Lizzo spoke about her relationship with the South Korean boyband, touching on her budding friendship with J-Hope in particular.“I got J-Hope’s number, so we be texting,” Lizzo shared, before adding that she enjoys her text conversations with the rapper. “He’s a great texter, expressive.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefThe South Korean streaming market is consolidating around five major players as it also emerges as a hub for premium local content.New research by consultancy firm Media Partners Asia and its AMPD Research platform show that the country boasted 14.1 million premium video streaming subscriptions at the end of 2021 and that usage of premium platforms accounted for a growing share of total viewing time.SVOD leaders Netflix, Wavve, TVing, Coupang Play and Disney+ captured an aggregate 85% share of SVOD subscriptions in Korea and 83% of SVOD streaming minutes.“Within Korea, nearly 70% of premium video consumption is driven by Korean dramas, movies and variety shows, while U.S. series and movies capture 14%,” said Vivek Couto, MPA’s executive director.

Chanyeol is the subject of recent headlines, and his agency SM Entertainment is clearing up reports.

EXCLUSIVE: Ismael Cruz Cordova (The Undoing) is the latest addition to the cast of Paramount+’s crime thriller, Finestkind. He’s set to star alongside previously announced cast members including Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega, Aaron Stanford, Scotty Tovar, Tim Daly, Lolita Davidovich, Clayne Crawford and Meghan Leathers.

MLD Entertainment, the company behind K-pop girl group MOMOLAND, is gearing up to launch a brand-new group soon.Today (April 26), CEO Lee Hyung-jin spoke to South Korean news outlet Star News in new interview, where he revealed that the agency is preparing to debut a new girl group sometime in June. The upcoming act, named LAPILLUS, will include members who speak Spanish, English, Tagalog, Chinese and Japanese.Two members of the forthcoming group have since been revealed, and they are Japanese trainee Nonaka Shana, who recently appeared on Mnet’s reality TV competition show Girls Planet 999, along with Chantal Videla (known as Chanty), a Filipino-Argentinian model and actress.The duo have been active on MLD Entertainment’s YouTube ‘NADOL’ series, where they had introduced themselves as foreign trainees hoping to becoming K-pop idols in Korea.

EXCLUSIVE: Meghan Leathers (Don’t Look Up) has signed on for a role in Paramount+’s crime thriller Finestkind, from Academy Award-winning writer-director Brian Helgeland. She joins an ensemble that also includes Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega, Aaron Stanford, Scotty Tovar, Tim Daly, Lolita Davidovich and Clayne Crawford, as previously announced.

Big Hit has responded to reports concerning the reported seizure of Jimin’s home. On Sunday, Korean news outlet Biz Hankook claimed that South Korea’s National Health Insurance Service took over the BTS member’s Seoul apartment on January 25.

GOT7 are set to return as a full group with new music next month, according to new media reports.South Korean media outlet JoyNews24 reported today (April 22) that the K-pop boyband will be making a “full group comeback” this May. The news site also claimed that the group are currently in the “final stages of preparation” for a “new album”, citing unnamed music industry officials.JoyNews24 also reports that, as a result of the group’s impending comeback, solo activities for all members will be “suspended for the time being” in order for them to focus on the group’s upcoming return to music.None of the GOT7 members have officially confirmed comeback plans, as of writing, however, member BamBam did hint at the possibility on Twitter.

Aaron Stanford (Perry Mason), Scotty Tovar (The Mosquito Coast), Tim Daly (Life & Beth), Lolita Davidovich (The Longest Ride) and Clayne Crawford (The Killing of Two Lovers) have signed on for roles in Paramount+’s crime thriller Finestkind, from Academy Award-winning writer-director Brian Helgeland. They join an ensemble that also includes Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Foster, Toby Wallace and Jenna Ortega, as previously announced.

BTS member Jimin is set to team up with former Wanna One member Ha Sung-woon on a new song for the ongoing K-drama series Our Blues.According to Nyam Nyam Entertainment, the company in charge of the soundtrack for Our Blues, the two artists have lent their voices for a new song that will be featured on the K-drama’s upcoming OST, per The Korea Herald.Jimin and Ha’s collaboration is slated for release on April 25. The song will reportedly be produced by Song Dong-woon, who is known for working on Ailee‘s chart-topping hit ‘I Will Go To You Like The First Snow’ and Crush‘s ‘Beautiful’.“Jimin’s soft vocal tone and Ha’s attractive, engaging tone are weaved together in this song and their harmony made it even more beautiful,” a representative from the label said, per The Korea Times.Jimin’s involvement in the Our Blues soundtrack was first announced last month, although officials from Nyam Nyam Entertainment did not disclose Ha’s involvement with the release at the time.

SEOUL, South Korea -- State media anchor Ri Chun Hi is one of North Korea’s most famous voices after announcing the country's major events of past decades — among them nuclear and missile tests and the death of a leader — in a resounding, booming voice filled with emotion.The anchor dubbed abroad as the “pink lady” for her bright, traditional attire was the topic of official North Korean media herself Thursday after leader Kim Jong Un gave Ri a luxurious residence and asked her to continue to vigorously serve as the voice of his ruling Workers’ Party.Experts say Kim is trying to boost his support from elite North Koreas while the country deals with pandemic hardships and a diplomacy stalemate.“(Kim) said it is the sincerity of the party that there is nothing to spare for the treasures of the country like her who has worked as a revolutionary announcer for the party for more than 50 years since her girlhood,” the official Korean Central News Agency said. Kim expressed “expectation that she would as ever vigorously continue her work in good health as befitting a spokeswoman for the party.”Kim met Ri at a newly built riverside terraced residential district that was inaugurated Wednesday in Pyongyang.