Make Way for Miky Lee: How the Super Producer Took South Korean Pop Culture Global

SHINee vocalist Onew is set to make his solo comeback next month.Earlier today (March 22), several South Korean news outlets reported that the K-pop idol is currently preparing to release new solo music sometime next month. This was later confirmed by SM Entertainment in a statement to MyDaily.“Onew is preparing his solo album with the goal of releasing it in April,” wrote the agency, which did not provide additional details on the release, as translated by Soompi.

Pachinko affected him.Based on the novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee, Pachinko follows the lives of a Korean immigrant family in Japan over four generations. Lee stars in the upcoming series as Lee Han-su, a Korean fish broker who crosses paths with a young Sun-ja (Kim Min-ha), the series’ central character, setting in motion her eventual move to Japan.In a recent interview with The Korea Times, the 34-year-old actor reflected on what he had learned about Korean-Japanese history while working on the series and how it affected him.

Angelique Jackson Korean superstar Lee Minho sent camera flashbulbs into a frenzy on Wednesday night at the premiere of his new Apple TV Plus series “Pachinko” at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles.Based on the bestselling book by Min Jin Lee, “Pachinko” chronicles a Korean immigrant family across four generations, with its story centered around matriarch Sunja, played by newcomers Yu-na Jeon and Minha Kim, as well as Oscar-winner Yuh-Jung Youn. Lee plays Hansu, whose romance with Sunja changes the course of both their lives.Despite his lengthy resume, and his worldwide celebrity, Lee Minho actively pursued the producers behind the show and auditioned for the role.

Pledis Entertainment has launched a new global audition programme titled ‘Wonder Teens’ for an upcoming group that will debut in 2023.The South Korean music label, which is home to groups such as SEVENTEEN and fromis_9, announced earlier today (March 18) it has officially launched a new global audition programme dubbed ‘Wonder Teens’. The auditions are open to all individuals born after 2003, regardless of gender or nationality.Taking place from March 18 through to April 17, successful applicants will be accepted as trainees under Pledis Entertainment, and will also be awarded a scholarship worth ₩3million (approximately £1,900).

Big Bang have reportedly wrapped up filming for a music video that will accompany their long-awaited comeback project.Earlier today (March 16), the boyband’s label YG Entertainment confirmed in a statement to South Korean media outlet SPOTV News that all four remaining members of the group recently wrapped up a shoot for a music video for an upcoming new song.“Big Bang’s G-Dragon, Taeyang, T.O.P and Daesung recently completed filming the music video for their new song,” YG Entertainment told SPOTV News, as translated by Soompi. “Big Bang’s comeback preparations are progressing smoothly.

Stray Kids have unveiled an energetic teaser for the music video of ‘Maniac’, the lead single off their upcoming mini-album ‘ODDINARY’.In the new visual, member Felix breaks through a layer of glass with a drill. The boyband explore various locations in a deserted ghost town, which seemingly sits on the edge of the world, by an open cliff face.“Maniac, going crazy, like I have a loose screw, maniac / Spinning, going crazy, maniac / Laugh like I have a loose screw, maniac,” they chant, stomping and shaking their heads in the accompanying choreography.‘Maniac’ is the lead single of the boyband’s upcoming mini-album ‘ODDINARY’, which arrives this Friday (March 18) at 1PM KST.

EXO member Suho is set to release new solo music next month, his label SM Entertainment has confirmed.South Korean media outlet News1 reported yesterday (March 10) that the K-pop would be releasing his second solo album next month. The report has since been confirmed by his label SM Entertainment, in a new statement to MyDaily.“Suho is preparing a solo album with the aim of making a comeback in April,” SM Entertainment said, as translated by Soompi.

Bae Suzy will reportedly be making her return to the small screen with a role in Netflix’s forthcoming K-drama, The Girl Downstairs (working title).Sports Chosun reported yesterday (March 10) that there are plans for Bae to star in the lead role of Netflix’s forthcoming K-drama series The Girl Downstairs. The show is said to be directed by Lee Jung-hyo, who was behind hits such as Crash Landing On You and Criminal Minds. Bae’s agency, Management Soop, later responded to the reports in a separate statement to Newsen, saying that the singer-actress had received an offer to star in the show and is currently “revewing”, as translated by Soompi. The Girl Downstairs will be based on the Naver webtoon of the same name by Min Song-ah.

heartthrob boy band BTS were gifted a creative loophole to show their love for the pop sensations, despite harsh COVID restrictions at Thursday’s Seoul, South Korea, performance.“Cheering loudly, yelling, chanting and standing up during ‘BTS Permission To Dance On Stage — Seoul’ is strictly prohibited according to government guidelines,” the band’s management released in a statement ahead of showtime, according to the Mirror.The outlet also noted the homecoming show — their first for the South Korean capital in over two years — had only 15,000 seated fans of an originally anticipated 70,000 allowed in the Seoul Olympic Stadium.However, those lucky enough to nab a spot inside were still able to share their love for the “Boy With Luv” singers — with good old-fashioned clapping.

Big Bang member T.O.P expressed his desire overhaul the K-pop system of training and creating idols and artists.In a new interview with Prestige Hong Kong, the South Korean musician spoke about the “harsh” K-pop system, observing how the current training regime affects younger K-pop idols and their mental well-being.“I, myself, am fortunate that I only spent less than a year as a trainee before I debuted – a relatively short time – but after, I saw all the trainees, the boys and girls, they’re under a very harsh system,” T.O.P said.“They’re told what to do and trained just like robots,” the rapper added. “They might get popular, they might get bigger, but in their heart and in ways we can’t see, they’re being isolated, and feel lonely inside.”To address this, T.O.P expressed his desire to change the system and establish a new type of K-pop record company.

Weeekly have returned with a fierce new single, titled ‘Ven Para’.In the stunning accompanying visual, the seven-member girl group take on a powerful new image as they set the world on fire. “Fire up, fire up, follow me, follow me / Come to me, chase away the shadows / Ven para aca,” they sing while performing the song’s intense choreography.‘Ven Para’ comes seven months after the release of their fourth mini-album ‘Play Game: Holiday’, which was led by the single ‘Holiday Party’.

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

aespa dominate the ceremony, with the quartet taking home the Rookie Of The Year award, as well as Song Of The Year and Best K-Pop song for ‘Next Level’. IU, meanwhile, bagged Best Pop Album for ‘Lilac’ and was one of the Best Pop Song awardees for ‘Nakka’, her collaboration with AKMU.In addition, BTS took home the Artist of the Year award for the third time in their career.

The 2022 Korea Music Awards winners are here!

Inspector Koo had donated and sent a letter in support of Ukraine.“We are very excited and touched by the letter and the great financial contribution of the famous Korean actress Lee Young-Ae in support of Ukraine and the demand to end the war as soon as possible,” wrote Ponomarenko, who attached images of a cheque and letter.

Variety, Yang discussed his vision for TVING – a streaming service backed by Korean media giant CJ ENM, search engine Naver and cable network JTBC – following a banner year of 60 per cent subscriber growth in 2021. The CEO also touched on the global growth of Korean content and how he plans on challenging Netflix, both at home and abroad.“It’s a game of capital,” Yang said of potential growth in the streaming space.

The first trailer for “Pachinko” has been released, offering a first look at the upcoming Apple TV+ adaptation of Min Jin Lee’s sprawling multigenerational saga chronicling how one family’s journey from Korea to America over the course of decades, told in three different languages: Korean, Japanese and English.

Partner Content Content produced in South Korea, also known as K-content, has been rapidly expanding its reach to resonate with global audiences. K-pop recording artists and K-productions, such as “Parasite,” “Squid Game” and “Hellbound,” have experienced immense success ranging from winning awards to breaking streaming records.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterCAA has signed Lee Myoungwoo for representation, Variety has learned exclusively. He continues to be represented by manager Chris S.