South Korea Showbiz Latest News and Updates

BTS‘ RM has announced the upcoming release of his second solo album, ‘Right Place, Wrong Person’.Big Hit Music announced RM’s ‘Right Place, Wrong Person’ today (April 26) through BTS’ Weverse page. In its post, The K-pop agency also included a teaser image for the record, which features abstract, monochrome doodles of what appears to be an art gallery.Due out on May 24 at 1pm KST, ‘Right Place, Wrong Person’ is being described as an “11-track album that captures some of the universal emotions that we all experience at some point in life, such as the feeling of being an outsider who doesn’t fit in”.It also added that ‘Right Place, Wrong Person’ “falls within the alternative genre, boasting a rich sound coupled with frank, honest lyrics”.

Netflix has issued a huge update on the second season of its hit rom-com drama XO, Kitty.

Apink, Girls’ Generation and more have allegedly been “detained” in Bali, Indonesia after reportedly filming a show in the country without permit.Today (April 26), South Korean news outlet SPOTV reported that four K-pop idols – Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, Apink’s Bomi, Secret Number‘s Dita and ex-I.O.I member Nayoung – have been detained in Bali, alongside other cast and crew members of the upcoming reality television programme Pick Me Trip in Bali.According to the news outlet, the K-pop idols arrived in Bali on April 21 and were scheduled to leave on April 25. However, their departure from Bali was stopped after local authorities discovered that the show the was being filmed without appropriate permits.All of the cast and crew, which amounts up to around 30 individuals, have allegedly had their passports confiscated and are currently residing in a hotel while the case is under investigation.

Kep1er will reportedly disband in July after discussions about a potential contract extension fall through.Today (April 25), South Korean news outlet Star News reported that Kep1er will disband in July as originally scheduled, with the members returning back to their respective agencies thereafter. The K-pop act were in discussions for a contract extension earlier this month, according to Dispatch.The temporary girl group – comprising Yujin, Xiaoting, Mashiro, Chaehyun, Dayeon, Hikaru, Huening Bahiyyih, Youngeun and Yeseo – were formed through the 2021 reality show Girls Planet 999 and had a contract for two years and six months.Per Star News, the girl group will release new music and hold a concert to bid their fans farewell before their official disbandment.

AB6IX have announced the dates for their upcoming 2024 ‘Find You’ fan concert tour, featuring concerts in South Korea and North America.Today (April 25), AB6IX have revealed the South Korean and North American dates for their upcoming 2024 ‘Find You’ fan concert tour. It’ll kick off next month with a two-date performance at the KBS Arena in Seoul, South Korea on May 25 and 26.The boyband will embark on the North American leg in July, which will feature concerts across the US, Canada and Mexico.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief HYBE Corp., the biggest corporation in the South Korean pop music scene, has begun an audit into ADOR, the label responsible for K-pop act NewJeans. HYBE says that executives at the majority-owned subsidiary mya be attempting to break away from the conglomerate. “HYBE invoked the right to audit CEO Min Hee-Jin and top executives of its subsidiary label ADOR, called them to summon a shareholder meeting and sent an official letter to ask CEO Min to step down,” HYBE said in a statement emailed to Variety. Media sources in Korea have reported that the audit targets Min and one of her deputies and that computer assets have been seized and face-to-face statements already taken. They also report that HYBE suspects Min and her deputy to have circulated confidential information to outsiders in a possible bid to attract investors who would allow ADOR to gain its independence from the parent company. ADOR was founded in 2021 as a HYBE subsidiary and is currently 18% owned by Min, a renown hit-maker in the Korean music industry.

HYBE has claimed that it has found evidence that ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin is trying to “seize control” of the K-pop agency, while the latter has described such a move as “impossible”.HYBE and Min Hee-jin have been in an increasingly public feud and power struggle over ADOR, the K-pop agency that’s best known as home to K-pop girl group NewJeans. The dispute was made public on Monday (April 22), after South Korean media reported that HYBE had launched an investigation against Min over alleged plans to take ownership of the label.HYBE CEO Park Ji-won has since claimed that it has discovered evidence that Min and other ADOR execs had plans to “seize control of the company” in an email to employees, per Yonhap News Agency, adding that HYBE would “take appropriate actions after confirming more [of the truth] through this audit”.Park added that HYBE’s current top priority is on “keeping its artists and other members safe”.

ADOR and entertainment giant HYBE.This is according to a new exclusive report by South Korean news outlet Korea JoongAng Daily, which cited a source with “knowledge in the matter”. This comes shortly after news that HYBE and ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, the woman behind NewJeans, are in a power struggle over the K-pop agency.“NewJeans will make a comeback in Korea with a new single in May, whether or not ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin cooperates with HYBE,” the source told the publication.

HYBE and ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, the woman behind popular girl group NewJeans, are reportedly in a power struggle over the K-pop agency.Today (April 22), South Korean news agency Newsis reported that the audit team of entertainment giant HYBE had launched an investigation against ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and an unnamed executive of the company. The latter had reportedly been part of HYBE’s investor relations team.According to the report, the two ADOR executives were allegedly caught leaking confidential information in order to attract investors as well as induce HYBE to sell its ownership of the K-pop agency.

ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has accused South Korean entertainment giant HYBE of “undermining” the success of K-pop girl group NewJeans by creating a copycat version of the quintet.On Monday night (April 22), ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin accused HYBE, which owns the majority of the K-pop agency, of trying to “undermine” the success of its girl group NewJeans. The music executive’s statement came shortly after news broke that Min and HYBE were in a power struggle over ADOR.In her statement, the ADOR CEO accused HYBE of copying the “makeup, costumes, choreography, photos, videos and event appearances” of NewJeans for the new girl group ILLIT, who recently made their debut under HYBE subsidiary Belift Lab.“The cultural success of ADOR’s NewJeans is ironically being undermined by HYBE,” Min said, per Korea JoongAng Daily.

Britain's Got Talent fans were left demanding a 'missing' star return as the series' second episode aired on Sunday night (April 21). Millions tuned in to episode one which aired on Saturday night (April 20), officially kicking off the 2024 series.

Some Britain's Got Talent viewers have been left asking 'what's the point' as they made a complaint about the news series following its return over the weekend. The 17th series launched on Saturday night (April 20) with a singer and a South Korean martial arts troupe quick to be awarded the coveted golden buzzer.

Britain's Got Talent fans have jokingly demanded that the show should change its name after spotting a pattern. The hit ITV talent competition returned over the weekend with a double show extravaganza.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ retained its lead at the top of the South Korean box office on what was the quietest cinema-going weekend in more than a year. The animated franchise movie held up reasonably. It maintained a nearly 44% market share, dropped only 32% week-on-week and was untroubled by competition from new releases. The film earned $1.91 million between Friday and Sunday, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic).

Britain's Got Talent fans were left fuming after spotting an 'annoying' issue with the show's editing. The talent contest returned to ITV this weekend, with a double bill airing across Saturday and Sunday evenings (April 20 and 21).

Britain's Got Talent viewers have spotted an issue with the show's big return after an epic double-episode weekend. The hit talent competition returned to ITV with a bang as it aired on both Saturday (April 20) and Sunday (April 21) night.

SHINee singer Onew has opened up about his decision to leave long-time label SM Entertainment.In a new interview with (x)clusive Singapore, SHINee’s Onew spoke more about why he made the choice to leave SM Entertainment, after over 15 years with the K-pop agency. The singer left the company this March and signed to Griffin Entertainment earlier this month.“You could think of it as me taking on another challenge, as I aspire to be an artist who looks further ahead rather than being complacent,” Onew told the publication in a new interview, adding that “it was not easy to decide to start anew in a new place”.Elsewhere in the interview, the SHINee singer also spoke about how to keeps his passion for music after being in the industry for so long: “I have become flexible to different situations, and I think that’s the key.”Onew is the second member of SHINee to leave SM Entertainment, following Taemin, who has since signed with Big Planet Made.

Britain’s Got Talent has returned with an explosive launch episode which saw an incredible singer and a South Korean martial arts troupe given the golden buzzer and fast tracked to the semi-finals. Bubbly brunette Sydnie Christmas, 28, dazzled the judges with her voice, while Ssaulabi Performance Troupe impressed with their taekwondo skills during the first episode of the ITV’s show 17th series, which aired on Saturday, April 20.

EXCLUSIVE: US-Bangladeshi action movie MR-9: Do or Die, starring ABM Sumon, Michael Jai White and Frank Grillo, has been picked up by Quiver Distribution for a North American VOD/digital release this month.

ARTMS have announced the dates for their upcoming 2024 ‘Moonshot’ world tour, featuring concerts in the US, Asia and more.Today (April 19), ARTMS revealed the first batch of dates for their newly announced 2024 ‘Moonshot’ world tour, which will kick off in July with three concerts across South Korea and Japan.Thereafter, the girl group will embark on the tour’s US leg, featuring 12 dates over August and September 2024. It’ll kick off on August 16 in New York, followed by shows in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona and more.According to the poster for ARTMS’ 2024 ‘Moonshot’ world tour, more dates will be announced soon.

Super Junior have announced their upcoming 2024 ‘Super Show Spin-off: Halftime’ tour, with concerts in Thailand, Singapore and more.Today (April 18), Super Junior announced the dates and venues of their upcoming 2024 ‘Super Show Spin-off: Halftime’ tour. It comes about three months after the boyband first teased the tour in a statement to news outlet News1.The K-pop boyband will kick off their 12-date tour with a two-date performance on June 22 and 23 at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, South Korea.

Park Chan-wook is developing his acclaimed film Oldboy for the first time as an English-language series in partnership with Lionsgate Television. Park, who directed and co-wrote the original film, is set to produce the series alongside producing partner Syd Lim.

SHINee singer Key has announced dates for his upcoming 2024 ‘Keyland On: And On’ tour, featuring concerts in Thailand, Indonesia and more.Today (April 17), SHINee’s Key revealed four new dates for his 2024 ‘Keyland On: And On’ tour. They come about three months after the singer originally kicked off the series of concerts with a two-night performance at the Olympic Handball Stadium in Seoul, South Korea.Key will bring his ‘Keyland On: And On’ tour to the cities of Bangkok, Jakarta and Macau in July 2024, all of which will take place on either a Saturday or Sunday.

Next year, we’ll witness a unique venture from Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho (known for his Best Picture-winning “Parasite”) as he returns to the sci-fi genre with his upcoming film “Mickey 17.” featuring the talented duo Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo. But that’s not all the South Korean filmmaker is cooking up.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Disney has confirmed that Korean webtoon-to-screen adaptation “Low Life” is poised to begin production. When valuable treasure is discovered off the coast of Korea, the country’s biggest degenerates come crawling out of the woodwork in the hope of striking it big. Word spreads after a fisherman got lucky and kept a piece of the booty for himself.

Two months after revealing its Korean slate for 2024, Disney+ has unveiled another series from the country. Titled Low Life, the show will premiere on the platform next year and Hulu in the U.S.

John Oliver took a left turn on Last Week Tonight and imagined a scenario where Stanley Tucci would be the host of the HBO late-night show.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief “Kung Fu Panda 4” took top spot at the South Korean box office becoming the film that finally pushed aside local champion “Exhuma,” which had dominated for seven consecutive weeks. But it was an understated victory, rather than a triumphant one, and the exhibition industry’s $5.6 million nationwide haul was among the lowest scoring weekends this year. “Kung Fu Panda 4” earned $2.81 million between Friday and Sunday with a 50.1% market share. Over its full five day run since a Wednesday opening, it enjoyed a $5.96 million total. “Exhuma” slipped to second place in its eight weekend of release.

British holidaymakers have criticised a new rule brought in by Spanish lawmakers.

Concert film Suga – Agust D Tour ‘D-Day’ The Movie from Trafalgar Releasing took in $990k for Saturday alone, rounding out the North American box office top ten — testament to the power of concert films post-Covid and the enduring popularity of the K-Pop powerhouse. The band is currently on hiatus as members entered military service required in South Korea. But Suga, the youngest, got in one last solo concert in Seoul last year. It was beamed into theaters globally for two playdates on April 10 and April 13, for a cume of $2.2 million.

UK holidaymakers have expressed their frustration over a new £97 rule in Spain, with many stating they 'simply won't go' on holiday there anymore.

It’s being reported that K-Pop icon Park Bo Ram has sadly passed away.

Park Bo-ram died Thursday afternoon, the singer’s agency, Xanadu Entertainment, said.

Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer Park Boram, a South Korean singer who has steadily built her career over the past decade, has unexpectedly died at the age of 30, according to her agency Xanadu Entertainment. “We are here to share sorrowful and heartbreaking news,” shared Xanadu in a statement.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Korea’s second largest generalist film event the Jeonju International Film Festival has set eight fiction films by first or second-time feature directors, for its main competition. They are “Cu Li Never Cries,” by Pham Ngoc Lan; “Junkyard Dog,” by Jean-Baptiste Durand, “La Palisiada,” by Philip Sotnychenko; “My Endless Numbered Days,” by Shaun Neo; “Oxygen Station,” by Ivan Tymchenko; “Practice,” by Laurens Perol; “The Major Tones,” by Ingrid Pokropek; and “The Permanent Picture,” by Laura Ferres. Additionally, two documentary features also compete: “After the Snowmelt,” directed by Lo Yi-Shan and “Kix,” by Balint Revesz and David Mikulan. The COVID-pandemic continues to affect filmmaking and festival selection, organizers said. “Even films planned to be made beforehand had to extend their production period due to the pandemic, and many works highlighted the limitations of the production environments, such as smaller cast numbers and minimal locations,” said chief programmer Chun Jinsu. The festival runs May 1-10 in Jeonju, a major town on South Korea’s west coast.

aespa singer Winter recently underwent what is being described as a “preventive” surgery for a collapsed lung.In a statement today (April 12), the Winter’s label SM Entertainment confirmed reports that the aespa singer recently underwent surgery for a pneumothorax, which is also commonly known as collapsed lung.Speaking to South Korean news outlet Newsen, the K-pop agency said that because the condition is “prone to recurrence”, the surgery was “carried out as a preventive measure in accordance with her doctor’s opinion, and the decision was made after plenty of discussion”, per Soompi.SM Entertainment added said that Winter is “currently recovering”, adding that the aespa singer’s recovery is their “top priority moving forward” when touching on how the surgery would affect the group’s scheduled activities.aespa are expected to drop new music in the second quarter of 2024, according to a preview of upcoming music release SM Entertainment released in February. It is currently unclear how Winter’s surgery will affect these plans.The K-pop group have also announced their upcoming 2024 ‘SYNK: Parallel Line’ world tour, featuring concerts in Asia, Australia and more.