• 
  BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 for Group’s Seventh Chart-Topper 그룹 방탄소년단(BTS)이 정규 5집 '아리랑'(ARIRANG)으로 미국 빌보드 앨범 차트 '빌보드 200' 1위를 차지했다. Billboard said in a chart preview posted on its website on the 29th (local time) that BTS’ fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, ahead of Luke Combs’ “The Way I Am” and Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem.” The result gives BTS its seventh No. 1 album on the chart. The Billboard 200 ranks albums by total album units, combining physical and digital alb March 30, 2026
• 
  Mideast War, Oil Spike Squeeze South Korea Pharma-Bio Supply Chains and Shipping Costs South Korea’s pharmaceutical and biotech industry is facing a double hit from soaring oil prices tied to a prolonged Middle East war: disruptions in raw-material supplies and higher logistics costs. Major drugmakers are expanding inventories and seeking alternative suppliers amid concerns over shortages of key inputs such as naphtha, while the government is stepping up supply-chain monitoring and exploring joint measures with the industry. Industry officials said Sunday that the Middle E March 29, 2026
• 
  Lee Sun-bin Tries to Deliver Party Invite to Park Bo-young on MBC’s “Manitto Club” Lee Sun-bin launches a mission to deliver an invitation to Park Bo-young on MBC’s variety show “Manitto Club.” Episode 9, airing today (29), follows third-generation members Cha Tae-hyun, Park, Lee, Hwang Kwang-hee and Kang Hoon as they carry out individual “manitto” missions. Lee, an eight-year friend of Park and her assigned partner, plans an “early birthday party” and prepares a special surprise for her. In a preview clip, Lee disguises herself as a part-time worker to hand Park the March 29, 2026
• 
  Lee Hi and Dok2 Go Live Together After Dating Rumors, Show Affection On Camera Singer Lee Hi and rapper Dok2 went live together shortly after reports sparked dating rumors. On the 28th, Lee Hi hosted a real-time livestream on her social media account. The two counted down to 6 p.m. with fans ahead of the release of “You & Me,” the first single from their jointly founded label, 808 HI RECORDINGS. Throughout the broadcast, they showed frequent physical affection, including putting an arm around each other and linking shoulders. They also showed match March 29, 2026
• 
  Actor Lee Dong-hwi on 'Method Acting' and Moving Beyond a Comedy Image 코미디로 사랑받았지만 더 이상 '웃기는 배우'로만 남고 싶지 않은 인물. 영화 '메소드연기'는 그 욕망과 불안을 메타 코미디의 방식으로 비튼 작품이다. 실제 이름을 그대로 가져온 캐릭터 '이동휘'를 연기한 배우 이동휘는 웃음과 자의식, 과몰입이 뒤섞인 낯선 얼굴을 꺼내 보인다. 영화 '메소드연기'(감독 이기혁)로 돌아온 이동휘를 만났다. "Director Lee Gi-hyeok was preparing a feature based on a different story, but it was halted for various reasons. Then he thought about which of his shorts could be expand March 29, 2026
• 
  Comedian Lee Hwi-jae’s TV Return on KBS Draws Chilly Online Reaction Entertainer Lee Hwi-jae’s return to television has drawn a cool response from some online commenters, according to reactions shared after his appearance. Lee appeared on the March 28 broadcast of KBS2’s ‘Immortal Songs’ for a special titled ‘2026 Entertainment King of Kings.’ After performing Choi Ho-seop’s ‘As Time Goes By,’ Lee spoke about his recent life. Asked whether his twin sons, Seo Eon and Seo Jun, are now in middle school, Lee replied they are first-year students. When asked if March 29, 2026
• 
  BTS Releases 'SWIM' Live Clip Filmed at Seonhyewon BTS has released a live clip for “SWIM.” The group posted the video at midnight on the 29th on its official YouTube channel. It was filmed at Seonhyewon, pairing a traditional setting with the modern choreography of “SWIM.” Instead of elaborate stage effects, the clip relies on lighting to highlight the group’s dance lines and the space itself. Lighting designed to evoke flowing water adds to the sense of immersion, and the members’ live vocals — down to audible breathing — are captured March 29, 2026
• 
  Han Kang’s ‘We Do Not Part’ sales surge after NBCC award Han Kang’s novel We Do Not Part won the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) award on March 27, fueling renewed interest in the author and a sharp jump in sales. Online bookseller Yes24 said sales of the title rose 407% from 9 a.m. to noon after the award news broke, compared with the previous day’s total. Kyobo Book Centre reported sales were up 4.4 times as of 2 p.m., compared with the day before. The surge also reshaped bestseller lists. On Yes24, the book climbed to No March 29, 2026
• 
  South Korea routed 4-0 by Ivory Coast in World Cup-year friendly, hits post three times Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup year with a lopsided loss, falling 4-0 to Ivory Coast in a friendly at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England, on March 28 (Korea time). South Korea, ranked 22nd by FIFA, had won three straight friendlies last year — beating Paraguay 2-0 in October, then Bolivia 2-0 and Ghana 1-0 in November — but struggled throughout against Ivory Coast’s pressure and conceded four times. Ivory Coast is ranked 37th. The all-time series between the t March 29, 2026
• 
  Fire Near Gyeongbokgung’s Sambimun Gate Put Out in 15 Minutes; Minor Damage Reported A small fire near Jaseondang Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace damaged parts of a nearby doorway, including a pillar and door, but did not spread further. The Korea Heritage Service said the fire started around 5:35 a.m. March 28 at a side door near Sambimun Gate in front of Jaseondang Hall. A safety officer on patrol spotted smoke and used a fire extinguisher and a hydrant to put out the flames in about 15 minutes. No injuries were reported. Officials said the fire was contained before it co March 28, 2026