BTS’ Jungkook releases ‘Still With You’ and ‘My You’ on streaming services

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Amid deep concerns about the risks posed by artificial intelligence, the Biden administration has lined up commitments from seven tech companies — including OpenAI, Google and Meta — to abide by safety, security and trust principles in developing AI. Reps from seven “leading AI companies” — Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI — are scheduled to attend an event Friday at the White House to announce that the Biden-Harris administration has secured voluntary commitments from the companies to “help move toward safe, secure, and transparent development of AI technology,” according to the White House.

EXCLUSIVE: Anonymous Content has partnered with New Europe Film Sales to handle North American rights for animated feature The Peasants, directed by Oscar-nominated Loving Vincent filmmakers D.K. Welchman and Hugh Welchman. 

BTS member Jungkook has opened up about what it means to be a “giant pop star” and where he currently sees his own music career.The South Korean singer recently made his solo debut with the single ‘Seven’, featuring American rapper Latto. The song, which was described by his label as the start of his “official solo activities”, comes a decade after the K-pop idol made his debut as part of the boyband BTS.Speaking to Weverse Magazine on the occasion of ‘Seven”s release, Jungkook touched on his ambitions as an artist, saying that his “one big goal” is to become a “giant pop star”. The singer’s response was met with bewilderment by the interviewer, who went on to ask: “You’re already a giant pop star, aren’t you?”“No.

The new music video from NewJeans features some A-list talent!

K-pop girl group STAYC are currently preparing to make a comeback next month.On July 17, South Korean news outlet Hankook Ilbo reported that the six-member girl group are in the final preparations of their next comeback in August. Later that day, their agency High Up Entertainment confirmed the news, telling EDaily: “STAYC is preparing with the aim of releasing an album on August 16.”At the time of publishing, the title and format of STAYC’s upcoming release has not been revealed.

BTS’ Jungkook has released two new versions of his recent single, ‘Seven’.On July 17, the K-pop singer unveiled the Summer and Band remixes of his new single, ‘Seven’ featuring American rapper Latto. Both new versions of the track are now available on YouTube and streaming services.The ‘Summer Mix’ opens with a jazzy horn solo, and features a more busy, dance-heavy instrumental.

YG Entertainment has given an update on the contract renewal progress for popular K-pop girl group BLACKPINK.Earlier today (July 12), South Korean news outlet Munhwa Ilbo reported that BLACKPINK member Lisa had yet to come to an agreement about a contract renewal with YG Entertainment. The outlet also alleged that it was likely that Lisa would not renew her contract with the K-pop agency following the expiration of BLACKPINK’s contracts in August.Munhwa Ilbo also cited an anonymous Chinese agency, who told the publication: “We have been working with Lisa and YG Entertainment to see if she can appear on our show, but they have told us that it is difficult to discuss any schedules past August due to uncertainty with contract renewals,” as translated by Koreaboo.Elsewhere in its report, the news agency also claimed that the contract renewal processes for the remaining three BLACKPINK members – namely Jennie, Jisoo and Rosé – are proceeding smoothly, citing an industry insider.YG Entertainment has since responded to Munhwa Ilbo.

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International “D.P.” creator Kim Bo-tong has signed with CAA for representation. The Korean screenwriter, who is also known as Kim Ho Yeol, is the creator and co-writer of the webtoon “D.P.” which was adapted into the Netflix military drama. The show, which premiered in 2021, earned multiple awards in various categories at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2022, establishing it as one of the top Korean dramas of the year. “D.P.” returns later this month for Season 2. The series follows a team of Korean military police who are tasked with catching deserters. (Military service is mandatory for men between the ages of 18 and 35 in South Korea.)

LOONA member Yves has shared that she is still looking for a new agency to sign with.On July 6, South Korean news outlet Hankook Ilbo published an interview with the K-pop idol regarding her future in the entertainment industry. In the interview, Yves shared that she is now living with her sister and has been working on writing music.She then revealed that she has also been meeting with several entertainment companies in search of a new agency following her departure from Blockberry Creative in June.“Because of circumstances I couldn’t control, there were things I wasn’t able to accomplish and while composing [music] and writing lyrics, I have a growing sense of wanting to create my own musical colour,” said the idol.

LE SSERAFIM have surprised fans with an English version of their hit song ‘Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife’.The new version of the track swaps out the original’s Korean verses for brand-new English lyrics. “Tell me what you waiting for / Cause I know what you wanna do / Picture perfect criminal,” they sing on the new first verse.The new version of ‘Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife’ was hinted at by LE SSERAFIM member Huh Yunjin on Instagram yesterday (July 6).

LOONA members Yeojin, Gowon and Olivia Hye have reportedly signed with the new K-pop agency CTDENM.On July 5, South Korean news agency ETNews reported that LOONA’s Yeojin, Gowon and Olivia Hye have signed exclusive contracts with CTDENM, citing industry insiders. The news follows the trio’s recent departure from former agency Blockberry Creative.While CTDENM has yet to comment on reports, the newly established agency had signed LOONA members Hyunjin and Vivi last month.

Margot Robbie was celebrating big at the premiere of her new movie, Barbie, in South Korea!

Jungkook of K-pop boyband BTS is set to make his solo debut next month with ‘Seven’.Jungkook’s label Big Hit Music announced the upcoming release through the fan community platform Weverse. ‘Seven’ will be released on Friday, July 14 at 1pm KST/12mn ET.In its press statement, Big Hit Music described the song as “an invigorating ‘summer song’ that is sure to have you experience the full breadth of Jungkook’s charm We hope that “Seven” will bring your summer fun to the next level.”The label also called Jungkook’s upcoming single as the start of his “official solo activities”.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of indie distributor Magnolia Pictures, has acquired North American rights to “Sleep.” The horror-thriller, which sounds designed to make you rethink your thoughts about sleepwalking, recently had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival’s critics week. It was directed and written by Jason Yu, who worked with Korean filmmaking legends Bong Joon-ho and Lee Chang-dong before making his feature directing debut with “Sleep.” Magnet will release the film early next year. The director’s previous collaborator, Bong, called “Sleep,” “the most unique horror film and the smartest debut film I’ve seen in 10 years.” So that’s some high praise from the director of “The Host” and “Parasite.”

Fall Out Boy have released an updated version of Billy Joel‘s ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’ with headlines from the past 30 years.Joel’s 1989 Number one hit, ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’, includes brief references to 118 significant political, cultural and scientific events between the years of Joel’s birth in 1949 and the song’s release in 1989.Today (June 28), Fall Out Boy shared a modernised version of the track, replacing the original lyrics with standout events from where the song left off in 1989 to 2023.“I thought about this song a lot when I was younger. All these important people and events – some that disappeared into the sands of time –others that changed the world forever,” shared the band on Twitter.“So much has happened in the span of the last 34 years – we felt like a little system update might be fun.

K-pop girl group FIFTY FIFTY have filed a lawsuit against their agency Attrakt to suspend their exclusive contracts.On June 28, South Korean law firm BARUN released a statement on behalf of the girl group, announcing that they had filed to suspend their exclusive contracts with entertainment agency Attrakt due to its violation of contract terms.“The four members filed an application for provisional disposition suspending the validity of their exclusive contracts to the Seoul Central District Court on June 19, and the trial is currently underway,” said BARUN, per eDaily and translated by Soompi. “This is due to the fact that Attrakt violated contract terms and took actions that resulted in the destruction of a relationship based on trust.”The firm also alleged that Attrakt had been “discrediting” the members of FIFTY FIFTY through its continuous media statements in recent days.

Dave and Central Cee prove it’s a marathon, not a sprint, as they enter a third week at Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart with Sprinter. 

During a three-day visit to Seoul, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the streamer is fairly compensating producers and nurturing new talent, after calls from some local lawmakers and industry figures for more profit-sharing with creators. 

committed to invest US$2.5billion on new South Korean TV shows and films.“[Korean content] is very often unpredictable and catches the American audience by surprise,” Sarandos said at the event, per Variety. “I think what’s brilliant is to see film, unscripted and series all grow according to the interests of our Korean audience.”He added that “great stories can come from anywhere and be loved anywhere [and] nowhere has this proven more true than here in Korea”, per Yonhap News Agency.Over the past two years, Netflix has released a number of hit Korean series and films, from the global phenomenon Squid Game, to the thrilling revenge series The Glory, to the reality TV series Single’s Inferno.Sarandos added that 60 per cent of all Netflix subscribers have watched at least one Korean title, while viewership of Korean content is up sixfold over the past half decade.During the event, the Netflix co-CEO also spoke about how the company is looking to use its US$2.5billion investment plan to “grow the industry” in Korea.

Manchester City have agreed a fee with Chelsea to sign midfielder Mateo Kovacic and the Croatian looks set to become the first new arrival through the door at the Etihad this summer.