N.Flying announce October comeback with eighth mini-album ‘Dearest’

EXO vocalist Chen will soon be making a solo return with his third mini-album ‘Last Scene’.On October 11 at Midnight KST, the idol announced via EXO’s official Twitter account that he would soon be releasing his third solo mini-album, along with an abstract drawing of a person sitting between a field and a forest. Titled ‘Last Scene’, the record is due out on October 31 at 6PM KST.CHEN 첸 The 3rd Mini Album 〖사라지고 있어 (Last Scene)〗 ➫ 2022.10.31 6PM (KST) #첸 #CHEN #엑소 #EXO #weareoneEXO #사라지고있어 #CHEN_사라지고있어#CHEN_사라지고있어_LastScene pic.twitter.com/2WIxEs9kFX— EXO (@weareoneEXO) October 10, 2022‘Last Scene’ will mark Chen’s first comeback since being discharged from two years of military service earlier this year.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Korean sales agent Finecut has added “Secret: Untold Melody” and “The Dinner” to its burgeoning Asian Contents & Film Market slate. Both titles are sourced from a deal with Hive Media Corp. (“Inside Men,” “The Man Standing Next”). An adaptation of 2007 Taiwan hit “Secret,” “Secret: Untold Melody” is a romance film about pianist and a student. While the original film starred Jay Chou and Gwei Lun-mei, the Korean retread stars Doh Kyung-soo (a.k.a D.O. from celebrated K-pop group EXO) who has acting credits including “Swing Kids” and the “Along With The Gods” franchise, and rising star Won Jin-a (“Netflix’s “Hellbound”). Now in post-production, the film is directed by Seo You-min (“Recalled”).

Rebecca Souw Independent Korean film sales agent, M-Line Distribution is bringing a total of 26 films to Busan’s Asian Content & Film Market (ACFM) this year. Eight of them are screening at the Busan International Film Festival and a handful have planned releases in the fourth quarter of 2022 or early 2023. M-Line is handling sales on “Jiseok,” the documentary feature about the Busan festival’s co-founder and former head programmer who died in 2018 and now has a festival section named in his honor. The film plays at the festival as a BIFF Special Screening. “A Letter From Kyoto” depicts the story of a widow who raised her three daughters after her husband passed away. One of her daughters chanced upon a letter written in Japanese which sparked her curiosity. As mother and daughter delved deeper into her mother’s past life, secrets buried for decades begin to surface. Directed by Kim Min-ju, this is her debut feature and stars Cha Mi-kyeong and Han Seon-hwa. The film was also selected for BIFF’s Panorama section. 

Hani has shared that she has successfully trademarked EXID‘s name, and that the members now operate the group as a company.The K-pop veterans made an appearance on the latest episode of South Korean idol variety show Weekly Idol, during which Hani shared that she had previously managed to trademark EXID’s name.Hani told the show’s hosts, Han Kwang-hee and SUPER JUNIOR‘s Eunhyuk, that she had acquired a trademark of the girl group’s name while preparing for their long-awaited comeback. “I got our ‘EXID’ trademark to be under our ownership, in order for us to be able to earn our revenue under [our group name],” she said.As a result of their artistic autonomy as EXID, activities like preparing for the group’s reunion comeback were managed and carried out by the five members of EXID themselves.

SF9 have announced stops in Seoul and North America for their upcoming ‘Live Fantasy #4 Delight’ tour, due to begin this November.South Korean music label FNC Entertainment made the announcement of SF9’s forthcoming tour earlier today (October 5) via social media, where it dropped a list of dates and locations. The ‘Live Fantasy #4 Delight’ tour will kick off with a three-night show in SF9’s home city of Seoul in November, before the group embark on a trek across the US with five shows scheduled in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles across November and December.Venue and other specific show information have yet to be made publicly available by the organisers involved.

Netflix has shared the first look at its upcoming K-drama, The Fabulous, starring SHINee’s Minho.The much-anticipated first glimpse at the new series was shared by Netflix on October 5, and features snippets pulled from The Fabulous encompassing the fast-paced, glamorous world of South Korea’s illustrious fashion scene. Freelance photo editor Ji Woo-min (played by SHINee’s Minho) is at the heart of its schemes, crossing paths and eventually developing a romance with PR manager Pyo Ji-eun (Rookie Cops’ Chae Soo-bin).It also features cameo appearances from several top South Korean models, most notably including Choi So-ra, best known as the winner of the third cycle of Korea’s Next Top Model. Slated to make its global premiere on the streaming platform on November 4, The Fabulous, set against the backdrop of Seoul’s fashion industry and will depict the stories of young men and women as they navigate their work, personal lives, friendships and romances, along with their struggles to stay afloat in a fast-changing and competitive fashion landscape.Other cast members previously announced to be joining Minho and Chae on The Fabulous include Kim Min-kyu, a past Produce X 101 contestant, as well as Byun Jun-seo (Woori The Virgin), Lee Mi-do (Kiss Sixth Sense, House Of Lies), Kwon Hae-sung (Cafe Minamdang, The Devil Judge) and rookie actress Ye Seon-ho, among others.The first official details of the upcoming romance series first surfaced as early as September 2021.

Brent Lang Executive Editor “Devotion,” a drama about a group of elite fighter pilots during the Korean War, will screen at the opening night of the Urbanworld Film Festival. The Sony Pictures and Black Label Media production was directed by J.D. Dillard and stars Jonathan Majors, who will serve as the festival’s official ambassador. HBO will return as a founding partner of the Urbanworld Film Festival, and Visa will serve as presenting partner. The festival will take place from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30. “This year’s slate is incredibly impressive,” said Karen McMullen, head of programming. “We have some of the top artists in the industry as well as exciting new voices premiering their films at Urbanworld. It has been a privilege working alongside this organization as we move into our 26th year as a festival. We can’t wait to see everyone in person in New York City to help us celebrate our dynamic films and filmmakers.”

There are so many excellent K-Pop releases in 2022.

Creating locally authentic content has been key to Netflix’s success in producing shows in Asia that have resonated globally, according to Minyoung Kim, Netflix Vice President of Content, APAC ex India, speaking at APOS, which is taking place virtually and in-person in Singapore this week (September 27-29).

Highlight member Yong Jun-hyung is reportedly gearing up to release his first solo material in three years.On September 27, South Korean news outlet OSEN reported that Yong is currently in the final stages of preparations for his upcoming solo album, which will mark his first release in roughly three years.Other details regarding the record’s exact release date, format, title and more were not disclosed by OSEN. Neither Yong Jun-hyung nor his representatives have officially responded to the report at the time of publication.If confirmed, Yong’s forthcoming return would notably mark his first music since he released the standalone single ‘Empty’ in 2019, featuring Suran. It will also be his first record since his debut studio album ‘Goodbye 20’s’ which dropped in 2018.

Blackpink has made history following the launch of their second album Born Pink. The South Korean girl group made up of four members, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa, topped the album charts with their latest release.

Money Heist: Joint Economic Area has been shared at Netflix’s TUDUM preview event.Today (September 24), the streaming platform is sharing first looks at some of its upcoming programmes around the world, kicking off with a section dedicated to its Korean slate.TUDUM Korea began with an exclusive new clip from part two of the remake of Money Heist. It was introduced by Lee Hyun-woo, who plays Rio in the series, and shows a fatal face-off between former comrades.“The Joint Task Force tightens its grip as the genius heist team unravels its plan,” reads the official YouTube description.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Full and proper confirmation of a second season of mystery horror series “Hellbound” was high on the agenda of Netflix’s consumer-oriented Tudum presentation. Korean shows have repeatedly achieved top ratings among the streamer’s non-English roster, and last November’s release of “Hellbound” was the show that finally edged aside “Squid Game” after several weeks of breakthrough success. (The Tudum presentation offered “Squid Game” fans some extra footage that confirmed the identity of the mysterious ‘front man’. Take a look here.) “Hellbound” is derived from a webtoon created by series director Yeon Sang-ho, who previously directed “Train to Busan” and “Peninsula.” It featured otherworldly angels who emerged to condemn individuals to hell at a specific future time, minutes or years away.

BLACKPINK have become the first-ever K-pop girl group to achieve a Number One album in the UK.The South Korean band hit the top spot today (September 23) with their second full length record, ‘Born Pink’, which was released last Friday (September 16).BLACKPINK previously peaked at Number Two in the United Kingdom with their debut album, 2020’s ‘The Album’ (via the Official Charts Company).Martin Talbot, Chief Executive at the Official Charts Company, said: “Congratulations to BLACKPINK.“Being any kind of chart first is a record which can never be taken away, so for their new album ‘Born Pink’ to become the first UK Official Number One by a K-pop girl group is a fantastic achievement – and puts them in the record books forever!”Back in 2019, BTS became the first Korean act to hit Number One in the UK albums chart with ‘Map of The Soul: Persona’.

BLACKPINK today become the first-ever K-pop girl group to achieve a Number 1 on the UK’s Official Albums Chart with BORN PINK.

Thania Garcia South Korean R&B singer Crush, who is in the midst of a comeback after a two-year military service hiatus, has recruited BTS’ J-Hope for his new single, “Rush Hour.” The celebratory song arrived on Thursday with an accompanying music video which also stars J-Hope and sees both artists skating through elaborate dance numbers in an alleyway. After Crush begins the track, he’s joined by the BTS member, who playfully raps, “Wherever I go now it’s a red carpet feel / Cameras snapping wherever I go like flash, flash,” as a crowd of camera flashes appears behind him. Crush told the Korean entertainment publication Soompi that his decision to collaborate with J-Hope was natural, as they are both going in a similar musical direction, and added that he “was so grateful for [J-Hope] when he helped monitor and provided coaching.”

Wonho has announced his sophomore single album ‘Bittersweet’, due out next month.The K-pop idol took to social media on September 21 to announce his impending return with new music through a teaser image containing the album’s title and release window of October. In the caption, it was announced the ‘Bittersweet’ will be Wonho’s second single album so far, as a follow-up to February’s ‘Obsession’ single album.

BTS’ Order of Cultural Merit awarded by former president Moon Jae-In in 2018 — should be allowed to serve an alternative form of military service.Korea JoongAng Daily reported on September 21 that Defence Minister Lee has since responded to the proposal, saying that it would be “difficult” to extend this alternative [military service] programme to BTS due to “aspects of fairness on fulfilling mandatory military service” during an interpellation at the National Assembly held on September 19.Kim Young-bae’s original proposal suggests that existing provisions in place for athletes, actors, directors and classical musicians who have made a significant international impact should be expanded to include decorated pop celebrities. “Korean pop celebrities active in the international field make unimaginable economic and social contributions,” said Kim, per The Korea Times.He also added that BTS’ recent appointment as ambassadors of Busan City is one way the boyband are actively serving South Korea’s national interests.

SM Entertainment on brand-new artist-themed attractions.According to a report from Korea JoongAng Daily earlier today (September 21), SM Entertainment announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Everland to introduce a space dedicated to content related to the SMCU (SM Culture Universe). The SMCU is a shared universe established by the music label featuring its artists engaged in fictional adventures.The collaboration will see the introduction of new SMCU-themed attractions and rides including “the Hurricane, Bumper Car, Amazon Express and Music Garden”.

Baek Yerin will soon be heading to North America to tour – find dates, cities and ticket sale info below.On September 20, the singer took to Twitter to announce her forthcoming 2022 North American tour, which will take place from November to December. Baek will be kicking off the 14-show tour in Atlanta on November 28, before heading to cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.<2022 Yerin Baek North America Tour>⠀Nov 28 : AtlantaNov 30 : HoustonDec 1 : Fort WorthDec 4 : Santa AnaDec 5 : Los AngelesDec 7 : BerkeleyDec 9 : DenverDec 11 : ChicagoDec 13 : TorontoDec 15 : BostonDec 17 : New YorkDec 19 : Washington DC— Yerin Baek (@yerinbaek) September 19, 2022Tickets to the concerts, which will be available here via Ticketmaster, go on sale on September 22 at 10am local time.