BTS Management CEO Addresses Members’ Possible Exemption From Mandatory Military Service In Korea

HYBE, the label behind BTS, is set to launch ‘Now: Work Out With BTS’, a 5-day exercise programme featuring the K-pop boyband.Today (April 29), HYBE Edu announced on Twitter that it will be launching a new exercise programme titled ‘Now: Work Out With BTS’, where the boyband are expected to share their personal work-out regimes with fans and viewers.“BTS is always serious about working out. Let’s get energised just like them and start working out!” read the tweet.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentNetflix has dropped the trailer for “Money Heist: Korea — Joint Economic Arena,” a remake of its hit Spanish crime drama. The streamer also announced that the show will premiere on June 24.The 12-episode series is directed by Kim Hong-Sun (Voice, Black) and is headlined by high-profile actors, including Yoo Ji-tae (“Oldboy,””Healer”), Kim Yunjin (“Shiri,””Lost”), Park Hae-soo (“Squid Game,””Prison Playbook”) and Jeon Jong-seo (“Call,””Burning”).

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.

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.

Retail and media giant Amazon has unveiled a new way to stream TV shows and movies for free. Amazon is rebranding its IMDB TV service to Freevee which will go live on Fire TV devices, smartphones an tablets from April 27.

Big Hit Music is clearing up reports.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefCinemas in South Korea received the good news last week that anti-COVID measures, including reduced seating capacity and bans on consumption of food and drink, were to end. But audiences reacted gingerly.“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” led the box office for a second weekend with $1.63 million, a drop of 44% from its opening weekend, and a 12-day cumulative of $6.55 million.

BTS’ Jimin and former Wanna One member Ha Sung-woon have shared the collaborative track ‘With You’ from the OST of the Korean drama Our Blues.The track, which was initially announced last month, marks the first time that Jimin has worked on a soundtrack release.All but one verse of ‘With You’ is sung in English, with Jimin and Ha Sung-woon swapping lines filled with dedication and love. “I wanna be with you / And I wanna stay with you,” Jimin sings in a low register in the first verse.

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.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” dominated the South Korean box office on its opening weekend.The “Harry Potter” spinoff franchise film earned $2.94 million between Friday and Sunday, accounting for 72% of theatrical business in Korea, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). Over the five days since its Wednesday opening, the film grossed $4.09 million.The film’s debut was strong enough to lift the nationwide weekend aggregate to $4.07 million. That was the first time in eight weeks that the total had exceeded $4 million.There were thin pickings for other titles.

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.

According to South Korean law, every eligible male  aged 18 to 28 must serve a minimum of 18 months in the military, and have until age 28 to do so.

The subject of BTS‘ military enlistment remains a hot topic, and now, an executive from their agency is speaking out.

On a Wednesday episode of his podcast, consistently ornery Slaughterhouse rapper turned media personality Joe Budden expressed his distaste for the enormously successful K-pop septet BTS. "You can get mad at me… but I hate them BTS n—as,” he told his co-host, Parks Vallely.

BTS.On the most recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, was released on April 6, the 41-year-old rapper discussed his thoughts about the K-pop boyband with co-hosts Ice, Ish and Parks Vallely, during which he said: “You can get mad at me… but I hate them BTS n***as.”When asked by his co-hosts to elaborate, Budden said: “Do I need a reason? … I hate them n****s. I don’t have to divulge my reason to you, I just hate them n****s.

EXCLUSIVE: The Masked Singer creator Wonwoo Park is developing a Eurovision Song Contest-style format that will “bring people together regardless of nationality” and has addressed the Fox Masked Singer Rudy Giuliani controversy for the first time, stating it wouldn’t have happened in Korea.

BTS had a wave of support from their gigantic fanbase when star J-Hope, 28, unfortunately fell during a live performance at the Grammy Awards last night (Sunday, April 3). But as the hugely-popular Korean boyband, who are also known as the Bangtan Boys, wowed the audience, viewers were left raging that they failed to win an award at the prestigious ceremony. BTS also consists of members Jin, 29, Suga, 29, RM, 27, Jimin, 26, V, 26, and Jungkook, 24, and the group started their live performance with a bang as they took to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.