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  • Actor Lee Hee-juns directorial feature set for release later this month
    Actor Lee Hee-jun's directorial feature set for release later this month SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - Actor Lee Hee-jun's directorial debut feature is set to be released later this month. "Rectangle, Triangle," slated to hit local theaters on Jan. 21, tells the story of a family gathering meant to be pleasant but instead brings long-simmering conflicts to the surface. Beneath its comic setup, the film lays bare the emotional rifts that have built up under the name of family, leaving a lasting impression. The 46-minute film starring Jin Sun-kyu was also invited to this year's Jeonju International Film Festival, which will be held this spring in the southwestern city. Lee's upcoming film comes after his directorial debut with his 2018 short film, "Mad Rush." 2026-01-07 09:28:38
  • Excitement builds ahead of BTS full-group comeback
    Excitement builds ahead of BTS' full-group comeback SEOUL, January 6 (AJP) - Excitement is building for K-pop juggernaut BTS' full-group comeback in late March, with pre-events and other promotional activities already underway in Seoul. Promotional displays for the septet's fifth album, set for release on March 20, covered the staircases to the main hall of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts near Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on Monday. In a press release, their management agency Big Hit Music said, "BTS began in Seoul and have since expanded their presence globally. As they reunite as a full group after a long time, we arranged some offline events in the heart of Seoul, where their cultural roots are." The agency also plans to set up similar outdoor promotional installations and activities in major cities around the world including London, New York, and Tokyo. After completing their mandatory military service, the seven members of BTS will return with a new album after nearly four years of hiatus and embark on a large-scale world tour to promote the album, which contains 14 tracks. 2026-01-06 10:50:22
  • Final season of Squid Game wins Critics Choice award again
    Final season of 'Squid Game' wins Critics Choice award again SEOUL, January 5 (AJP) - Netflix's hit South Korean series "Squid Game" won an award for the Best Foreign Language Series at the annual Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California on Sunday. The third and final season of the dystopian thriller beat Apple TV's comedy "Acapulco" and Netflix's Japanese series "Last Samurai Standing" to claim its third Critics Choice honor, having previously won for its first season in 2022 and its second season in 2025. The latest series with six episodes continues the deadly, high-stakes saga that began with its first season in September 2021, once again revolving around hundreds of cash-strapped players who "accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games" for a tempting prize. Earlier in the day, Netflix's hit South Korean anime "KPop Demon Hunters" also won two prizes at the 31st prestigious awards which "honor the finest in cinematic and television achievement." 2026-01-05 15:37:19
  • Actor Ahn Hyo-seop to appear on US talk show
    Actor Ahn Hyo-seop to appear on US talk show SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Actor Ahn Hyo-seop will ring in the new year with an appearance on a popular U.S. talk show. He is set to appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Jan. 12, riding the wave of popularity from Netflix's hit South Korean anime "KPop Demon Hunters," in which he lent his voice. The 100-minute K-pop-themed anime became one of Netflix's most popular films, accumulating 500 million views worldwide within about 27 weeks of its June release, and also earned multiple nominations from the prestigious Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards, which are set to be presented early next month in the U.S. The soundtrack from the anime he participated in is also up for prizes at the annual Grammy Awards, slated to be held in February next year. Ahn is also gaining global recognition with the release of his latest film "Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy," which has been sold to some 113 countries around the world. 2025-12-31 17:10:12
  • Veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki in critical condition after collapsing at home
    Veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki in critical condition after collapsing at home SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki was rushed to a hospital in Seoul after his health suddenly deteriorated, his agency said on Wednesday. According to his management agency Artist Company, he was taken to the hospital in cardiac arrest after collapsing at home from choking on food the previous day. He is reportedly in critical condition. Making his debut in 1957 with director Kim Ki-young's "Twilight Train," he has appeared in more than 150 films over a career spanning roughly 60 years. He has been receiving treatment for blood cancer since 2019. 2025-12-31 10:56:51
  • New year to bring box-office hope for domestic films
    New year to bring box-office hope for domestic films SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - As the Year of the Snake draws to a close, a slew of domestic films stands ready to usher in the new year, after Hollywood blockbusters dominated the year-end box office. With no single standout hit seen among domestic films, "Zootopia 2," Disney's sequel to the 2016 hit animated film, and "Fire and Ash," the third installment in director James Cameron's epic "Avatar" franchise, have dominated the holiday season, drawing cumulative attendances of 7 million and 4 million respectively since their releases in late November and mid-December. But expectations are building for the new year, as a slate of domestic films such as "Once We Were Us," "Heartman," and "Project Y" awaits moviegoers. Released on the eve of the Year of the Horse, "Once We Were Us" starring Koo Kyo-hwan and Moon Ga-young, tells a nostalgic love story of a couple who reunite by chance after 10 years, retracing their past memories. Set for release on Jan. 14, Romantic comedy "Heartman" starring Kwon Sang-woo and Moon Chae-won revolves around a man who bumps into his first love and tries to win her back until a life-altering secret throws him into unexpected chaos. Following their releases, heist flick "Project Y" is set to arrive on Jan. 21 to keep the momentum. Much anticipation has been building for the female buddy movie starring Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, which was invited to the Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival last fall, and also won the top prize at the London Asian Film Festival last month. 2025-12-31 10:31:06
  • SHINees Key leaves TV shows amid alleged improper medical treatment controversy
    SHINee's Key leaves TV shows amid alleged improper medical treatment controversy SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - K-pop boy band SHINee member Key belatedly admitted to receiving improper medical treatment and issued an apology, announcing his departure from all the shows he had been appearing on. According to a statement released by his agency, SM Entertainment on Wednesday, Key had received treatment at a hospital in Gangnam, southern Seoul after being referred by a circle of his acquaintances and believed the hospital's practitioner, known by her last name Lee, to be a licensed doctor. While continuing to receive treatment from her, he sometimes requested house calls when hospital visits were difficult. The controversy arose after Lee posted photos of Key's pet on social media. Lee is also alleged to have treated comedian Park Na-rae, who recently stepped down from all her shows following multiple allegations involving her former managers including verbal abuse and physical assault. Key, who recently toured U.S. cities for his solo concerts, had remained silent on the allegations, with suspicions growing among fans. SM apologized for the delayed response, citing the need to coordinate with various parties involved in the overseas tour, adding that Key was shocked to learn Lee lacked a medical license. Key regularly appeared on MBC's popular reality show "I Live Alone" and cable channel tvN's "Amazing Saturday." 2025-12-17 17:26:14
  • G-Dragon included among American fashion magazines list of influential icons
    G-Dragon included among American fashion magazine's list of influential icons SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - K-pop singer G-Dragon has been included in American fashion and lifestyle magazine Hypebeast's year-end list of influential figures in a diverse mix of contemporary culture, fashion, music and sports for this year. The annual list of "Hypebeast100" recognizes "leaders in fashion - designers, artists, creative directors and entrepreneurs from all cultural and vocational backgrounds - who have taken up the mantle to challenge and define the future of the art form and its echoes into innovation, artistry and sustainability." Calling him the "king of K-pop" as well as a "cultural trailblazer," the magazine said, "His vast archives of rare fashion collectibles, contemporary art, design objects and memorabilia included his own works and custom apparel and footwear pieces." First included in the list in 2013, the flamboyant star has made it onto the list almost every year. This year's list also features several other South Koreans including Lim Dong-joon, a designer for Post Archive Faction (PAF), one of the most sought-after streetwear labels; K-pop girl band BLACKPINK's Jennie; and multi-talented designer, DJ, and producer Peggy Gou. 2025-12-17 13:46:41
  • Another BTS song hits 700 million views on YouTube
    Another BTS song hits 700 million views on YouTube SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - K-pop juggernaut BTS's another music video has racked up over 700 million views on YouTube, their management agency said on Thursday. Released in July 2021, "Permission to Dance" achieved the milestone the previous day, with the septet now having ten such videos under their belt. The upbeat dance-pop track offered comfort during the coronavirus pandemic, encouraging people to find joy and freedom through music. The English-language single debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time of its release and stayed on the chart for seven weeks. It also received a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 copies. All seven BTS members, now reunited after their mandatory military service, are set to return to the stage this spring. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-11 14:19:50
  • Mystery thriller debuts at No. 2 on Netflixs non-English chart
    Mystery thriller debuts at No. 2 on Netflix's non-English chart SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - Netflix's latest South Korean series "The Price of Confession" ranked to No. 2 on the American streaming giant's chart for non-English-language shows, immediately after its release last week. Since its release on Dec. 5, the 12-episode series has racked up 2.2 million views as of Wednesday. It also made the top 10 lists in nine countries including Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. The mystery thriller starring actresses Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun revolves around a woman accused of murdering her husband and another mysterious woman, as secrets and confessions and secrets unfold in a gripping pursuit of truth. Meanwhile, rom-com "Dynamite Kiss" starring Jang Ki-yong and Ahn Eun-jin topped the chart with 4.8 million views. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-10 17:23:20