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  • Na Hong-jin’s Cannes Competition Film ‘Hope’ Lands NEON for North American Release
    Na Hong-jin’s Cannes Competition Film ‘Hope’ Lands NEON for North American Release Na Hong-jin’s new film “Hope” (HOPE), invited to compete at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, has secured a North American release through a partnership with U.S. distributor NEON. Founded in 2017, NEON has handled North American distribution for high-profile international titles, including multiple Palme d’Or winners at Cannes and an Academy Award best picture winner. NEON has brought a run of Cannes Palme d’Or winners to North American audiences since 2019, including Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite,” “Titane,” “Triangle of Sadness,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Anora” and “It Was Just an Accident.” With the new deal, NEON is set to present six films at the 79th Cannes Film Festival across competition and noncompetition sections, including “Hope,” “Sheep in a Box” and “Suddenly Worsening Condition.” NEON also recently handled North American distribution for Park Chan-wook’s “No Choice,” continuing its role in expanding the global reach of Korean cinema. In a statement on taking North American distribution rights for “Hope,” NEON said it was “very pleased” to partner with the “one and only” Na, along with Forged Films and Plus M Entertainment, to bring the film to audiences worldwide, adding, “Please look forward to it.” “Hope” begins at a police outpost in Hopohang, near the Demilitarized Zone, where chief Beomseok hears from local young men that a tiger has appeared, putting the village on alert as he confronts an unbelievable reality. The film is Na’s first in 10 years since “The Wailing.” It is set to premiere as a world premiere at Cannes in May and is scheduled to reach theaters this summer.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 17:30:18
  • TXT Returns With 8th EP After Renewing Contract, Shifts to More Personal Stories
    TXT Returns With 8th EP After Renewing Contract, Shifts to More Personal Stories TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) returned with a new album that the group said reflects their own stories more directly, after passing a major career milestone: renewing their contracts seven years after debut. A showcase for the group’s eighth EP, “7TH YEAR: When the Wind Paused Briefly in the Thornbush,” was held Sunday afternoon at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul. The release is TXT’s first since all five members renewed their contracts with BigHit Music in August 2025. The group said the album compares the anxiety and uncertainty they felt over the past seven years to “thorns,” and looks back on that period while committing to a new start. Leader Soobin said, “We’re greeting you with our eighth EP. It feels new because it’s our first album after renewing our contracts. We’ll show you a great side of ourselves.” Hueningkai said the group “put a range of emotions into the music.” Beomgyu added, “We came back with a heartbreaking love story. It’s already our eighth year, and time feels like it flew by. Thank you for being with us as we grew.” Yeonjun said the group prepared “with the mindset of debuting” because it is their first comeback after renewing. Taehyun said, “As always over the past seven years, we’ll work hard.” The group also spoke about moving smoothly through what is often called the “seven-year hurdle” in K-pop, when many groups face difficult contract talks. Taehyun said aligning the members’ views “didn’t even take an hour.” “We wanted to keep promoting as a team, and we wanted to keep promoting with our fans, so it was like, ‘Of course we’re doing this, right?’” he said. He added that the group wanted to reassure fans quickly, and said they sought advice from BTS member RM, who “warmly” congratulated them and reviewed documents with care. Soobin said people told them coordinating among members can be harder than negotiating with the company, but the group reached agreement quickly. He said the company talks took longer than the members’ discussion, but he later learned the process was still considered early and that cases like theirs are rare. The members said the album marks a shift away from a “persona” toward more personal material. Taehyun said the group held long interviews with the production team and found their thinking was similar as they looked for “the most honest story” they could tell at this point. He said the change also raised questions about how to keep the work truthful when drawing from real life. Beomgyu said that while there were many happy moments, there were also periods of anxiety and worry, and he wanted to capture those feelings honestly. Yeonjun said that even after renewing and entering their eighth year, the experience is not “only glamorous,” and he still feels a desire to go higher. He said he once thought debuting would automatically make them global stars, but reality was different, and the process helped him learn and grow. Yeonjun also said he experienced a severe burnout during preparations, while also working on a solo album. “It was a meaningful time,” he said, adding that what he wants at the end of that process is “the team.” He said he hopes to keep the group together “as long as possible” and promote happily with the members. Soobin said discussing their seventh anniversary contract made the members feel especially precious to him. He recalled that the group struggled after COVID-19 hit about a year after debut, cutting off many experiences they expected to have, but said the members matured mentally and became closer through what they went through. The title track, “7TH YEAR: When the Wind Paused Briefly in the Thornbush,” continues TXT’s pattern of long song titles. Hueningkai said people see the long title and say it feels like a TXT song, calling it part of the group’s identity. Soobin said he was glad to have a Korean-language title again, and that fans saying it reminds them of the group’s early days felt like a compliment because TXT prepared with a debut-like mindset. Yeonjun said he suggested a hand-tutting move in the chorus and said the choreography turned out well. The EP includes six tracks: “Bed of Thorns,” “Stick With You,” “Take Me to Nirvana,” “So What,” “21st Century Romance” and “Next of Next.” Taehyun said that while achievements such as Billboard rankings matter, the group’s top priority is staying healthy and happy, and that the process should be enjoyable. “If we need something measurable, I want to be No. 1 on Billboard,” he said. TXT’s eighth EP, “7TH YEAR: When the Wind Paused Briefly in the Thornbush,” will be released worldwide at 6 p.m. Sunday. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 16:03:25
  • TXT Says All Members Renewed Contracts After Advice From BTS RM
    TXT Says All Members Renewed Contracts After Advice From BTS' RM TOMORROW X TOGETHER said all members have renewed their contracts. The group made the announcement Sunday at a showcase for its new album, “Seven Year (7TH YEAR): When the Wind Briefly Stopped in the Thornbush,” held at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul’s Seongbuk district. Taehyun said it took “less than an hour” for the members to agree. “We wanted to keep promoting as a team, and we also wanted to stay with our fans, so it came together naturally,” he said. He added that the group wanted to share the news sooner rather than make fans wait until the seven-year mark. Taehyun said he sought advice from BTS, including RM. “He spoke to me very thoughtfully, checked things one by one, and warmly told me it’s already been seven years and that we’ve worked hard,” Taehyun said. Soobin said others had told him aligning views among members can be harder than negotiating with a company, but TXT reached agreement within an hour. He said talks with the company took some time by the group’s standards, but he later heard it was still relatively quick. “I heard cases like this are rare, and thankfully it seems to have worked out well,” he said. The album’s title track, “One More Day a Day (Stick With You),” portrays the longing to hold on to a love that appears to be nearing its end, singing from the perspective of someone who cannot let go while the other person prepares for a breakup. TXT is set to hold a comeback showcase at 8 p.m. Sunday at the same venue to meet fans.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 15:36:54
  • TXT Releases First Album Since All Members Renewed Contracts
    TXT Releases First Album Since All Members Renewed Contracts TOMORROW X TOGETHER shared their thoughts on releasing a new album after all five members renewed their contracts. A showcase for the group’s new release, “7TH YEAR: When the Wind Stopped for a Moment in the Thornbush,” was held on the afternoon of the 13th at Korea University’s Hwajeong Campus in Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. The title track, “One More Day a Day (Stick With You),” sings of the longing to hold on to a love that is nearing its end. It portrays a heart that cannot let go, unlike a partner preparing for a breakup. Soobin said the album title is “really long,” adding that the group put a range of emotions into the music and prepared hard for the release. “It feels new because it’s our first album after renewing our contracts. We’ll show you a cool side of us,” he said. Hueningkai echoed him, saying, “The album is ‘7TH YEAR: When the Wind Stopped for a Moment in the Thornbush.’ The title is really long. That’s how many different emotions we put into the music. We prepared hard.” Beomgyu said the group, known for telling a coming-of-age story, has returned with a “heartfelt love story.” “It’s already our eighth year, and time feels like it’s gone by fast. Thank you for being with us as we’ve grown,” he said. Yeonjun said that because it is their first comeback since renewing their contracts, they prepared “with the mindset of debuting.” “I’m really curious how you’ll see it. We’ll work hard,” he said. Taehyun added, “As always over the past seven years, we’ll work hard.” The group will meet fans at a comeback showcase at 8 p.m. today at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 14:48:14
  • Actress Ji Ye-eun Confirms Dating Dancer Bada of Street Man Fighter
    Actress Ji Ye-eun Confirms Dating Dancer Bada of 'Street Man Fighter' Actress Ji Ye-eun and dancer Bada have confirmed they are dating. Ji’s agency, CP Entertainment, told Aju Business on the 13th that the two, who had been colleagues, “are seeing each other with good feelings.” The agency added, “We ask for your warm support.” The two are both born in 1994 and are said to have developed their relationship after working in the entertainment industry. They reportedly grew closer through a shared religion. Ji debuted in the 2017 web drama “How To” and drew attention through variety shows including the “SNL Korea” series and “Running Man.” Bada is the leader of We Dem Boyz, the dance crew that finished runner-up on Mnet’s “Street Man Fighter.” He has created choreography for Zico’s “Saebbing” and Jennie’s “Like Jennie,” among others.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 11:00:14
  • TWS VR Concert Film Rush Road Tops 40,000 Viewers in Korea
    TWS VR Concert Film 'Rush Road' Tops 40,000 Viewers in Korea K-pop group TWS has wrapped up its first VR concert film, “TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD,” after a successful run in South Korea. The film surpassed 40,000 cumulative viewers and posted an average seat occupancy rate of 79%. The results came despite a limited release in a single theater, outperforming previous VR concert releases and setting a notable mark in the K-pop VR concert market. From its opening week, screenings sold out repeatedly, prompting extensions and repeat viewings that sustained demand. After tickets went on sale, multiple showings quickly sold out, and the title rose to No. 1 on the Megabox box office. It maintained steady occupancy through the end of its domestic run. The group’s members were closely involved in production, offering input from early stages on performance composition and camera direction. They also met audiences at post-release stage greetings and continued interacting with fans through the Weverse community, helping keep attention on the project. Audience feedback continued on Megabox viewer reviews and on social media, with favorable reactions. The film drew not only the group’s fan base, known as “42,” but also a sizable share of general moviegoers and fans of other artists, suggesting VR concerts can serve as an entry point beyond dedicated fan-service content. “Rush Road” begins at a rock festival site and moves through settings including a rooftop and an aurora-themed space, aiming to heighten immersion. The production also emphasizes close-up performances designed for VR viewing. After ending its domestic run, “TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD” is continuing with sequential screenings in major cities worldwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 09:51:15
  • Horror Film Salmokji Tops Box Office in Opening Weekend, Nears Break-Even
    Horror Film 'Salmokji' Tops Box Office in Opening Weekend, Nears Break-Even Film "Salmokji" led the box office in its opening weekend, extending its strong run.  According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated box office database on April 13, "Salmokji" drew 536,452 moviegoers from April 10-12 to rank No. 1 for the weekend. The result put it ahead of competing releases "Project Hail Mary" and "The Man Who Lives With the King."  Its opening-weekend total was the biggest for a horror film since "Metamorphosis" drew 571,901 in 2019, and it far exceeded the 305,151 posted by "The Medium" in its first weekend in 2021.  The film also gained momentum on its third day in theaters, April 10, when it attracted 111,766 viewers, topping its opening-day figure of 89,913. Weekend attendance continued to climb. The break-even point is about 800,000 admissions, and the film is expected to pass that mark soon.  "Salmokji" is a horror film in which an unidentified figure appears on a road-view image, and a film crew heading to a reservoir for a reshoot encounters something in the dark, deep water. Lee Sang-min directed. The cast includes Kim Hye-yoon, Lee Jong-won and Kim Jun-han. 2026-04-13 08:36:20
  • BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ tops Billboard 200 for third straight week, a K-pop first
    BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ tops Billboard 200 for third straight week, a K-pop first 그룹 방탄소년단(BTS)의 정규 5집 '아리랑(ARIRANG)'이 K팝 사상 처음으로 미국 빌보드 메인 앨범 차트에서 3주 연속 1위를 기록했다. Billboard said in a chart preview article on April 12 (local time) that BTS’ fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” remained No. 1 on the main albums chart, the Billboard 200, for a third straight week. The group held off Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem” and Kanye West’s “BULLY.” It is the first time a K-pop act has led the Billboard 200 for three consecutive weeks. Among groups, it is the biggest run since Mumford & Sons’ “Babel,” which logged five nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 in 2012-2013. It is also the first album since Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” last year to debut at No. 1 and stay there for three straight weeks. For the latest tracking period, “ARIRANG” posted 124,000 equivalent album units, Billboard said. That total included 71,000 in album sales, 50,000 in streaming equivalent albums (SEA) and 3,000 in track equivalent albums (TEA). Driven by strong physical sales, it also ranked No. 1 for a third week on the Top Album Sales chart. “ARIRANG,” described as reflecting the group’s identity, contains 14 tracks, including the title song “SWIM.” “SWIM,” which ranked No. 2 on Billboard’s main singles chart, the Hot 100, last week, is expected to remain near the top this week, according to the report. BTS also held “BTS World Tour ARIRANG in Goyang” from April 9 to 12 at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Goyang, south of Seoul. The three-day run drew about 132,000 fans, marking the group’s first solo tour in about four years since 2022’s “BTS Permission to Dance on Stage.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 07:45:16
  • Kim Hye-yoon on horror film Salmokji: I want to be called a horror queen
    Kim Hye-yoon on horror film 'Salmokji': 'I want to be called a horror queen' Known for romantic comedies such as the dramas "Lovely Runner" and "Extraordinary You," actor Kim Hye-yoon is taking a sharp turn with the horror film "Salmokji," trading her bright image for a more worn, drained presence. "It’s a genre I love, and as a horror fan, I was excited to take on a horror project," Kim said. "When I first read the script, it was really fun, and the water ghost concept felt fresh. I also liked that Su-in is restrained and looks kind of worn down, different from characters you usually see in horror films." "Salmokji," directed by Lee Sang-min, follows a filming crew that heads to a reservoir to verify a mysterious figure captured on a road-view image, only to encounter strange events. Kim plays Han Su-in, a producer at Onroad Media who goes to the reservoir to investigate the unusual phenomenon. "As the director and I built Su-in together, we talked a lot about her fear of water and trauma, and that she lives with guilt," she said. "He suggested we start from a baseline where she looks exhausted overall because of the stress from that guilt. So I tried to look worn out, always tired, and like she’s with people but lost in other thoughts." A regular horror viewer, Kim said the film’s fear factor goes beyond jump scares, relying on tension built through images and sound — something she believes plays bigger in theaters. "There are a lot of shocking moments — scary images, and fear created by sound," she said. "Watching it at the press screening, I felt the fear grow not just from my own reaction but from the audience around me. The fear you share in the same room can stay with you like a memory. That’s why I hope people see it in theaters." Kim also spoke about working with castmates her age, saying the chemistry came naturally. "I like people, and I’ve been lucky to work with good people, so I often get close quickly without trying," she said. "This time, because we’re around the same age, we became close even faster. You can see that chemistry during stage greetings. I’m enjoying it now, and I really enjoyed filming, too." In the film, Su-in’s relationship with Gi-tae is not explained solely by the fact they once dated. They clash in everyday moments, but he is also one of the few people she can confide in. Kim said she discussed that delicate distance with the director. "Gi-tae calls Su-in’s name a lot," she said, laughing. "I even joked on set, ‘Stop calling my name.’ The set was upbeat, and I think some of that comes through in the movie. The director also said he wanted them to bicker more — to be more curt in daily life, since they’re exes. But Gi-tae is almost the only person Su-in can open up to, so in that situation, I thought she could speak more comfortably." Kim said she does not regularly rewatch her past work, but she sometimes runs into it through recommendations or when others bring it up. "Those projects feel like a diary to me," she said. "I think, ‘That’s what I looked like then, that’s how I expressed things.’ It was a different energy from what I have now, and it makes me reflect. Through that process, I think I’ve developed my own know-how. I’ve tried acting when I felt great and when I was tense, and now I feel I focus best when it’s a mix of both." She said the support she has received over the years feels more like motivation than pressure, pushing her to show different sides of herself. She added that she recently started raising a cat and finds comfort in holding it. "I’ve received so much love from fans, and it makes me want to show more variety — that becomes my driving force," she said. "I read somewhere that holding a cat helps relieve stress, and I think it’s true. Hearing it purr makes me feel calmer, and it feels like I’m recharging." With the release approaching, Kim said she hopes audiences experience the film together, arguing that horror is often more memorable when shared in the same space. Recalling watching scary movies with friends as a student, she said she hopes "Salmokji" can leave that kind of memory. "I felt it again watching it in a theater at the screening, and when I think back to watching horror movies with friends in school, building those shared memories was really nice," she said. "I hope people come to theaters and make those memories together. You have to see the ghost in person, too," she added with a laugh. "I hope many people come and respond well." While she remains grateful for the "rom-com queen" label, Kim said she wants a different description this time. "I’m truly thankful for ‘rom-com queen,’ but this time — even if it sounds a bit cliché — I want to earn the label ‘horror queen,’" she said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 00:05:53
  • Singer Lee Hyo-ri’s Father Dies; She and Husband Lee Sang-soon Keep Vigil
    Singer Lee Hyo-ri’s Father Dies; She and Husband Lee Sang-soon Keep Vigil Singer Lee Hyo-ri is mourning the death of her father. Her agency, Antenna, said April 12 that her father, Lee Jung-kwang, died that day. A wake has been set up in Room 1 of the funeral hall at Chung-Ang University Hospital in Seoul. The funeral procession is scheduled for 7 a.m. April 14. Lee and her husband, Lee Sang-soon, are listed as chief mourners and have been keeping vigil at the wake. Lee has spoken publicly about her father on several occasions. She included family stories in the song “Barbershop Daughter” on her July 2008 album “It’s Hyorish.” On tvN’s “Canada Check-In,” which aired in January 2023, she said her father was ill.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-12 16:57:13