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최송희
alfie312@ajunews.com
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Netflix Confirms Production of Film 'Byeoljit' Starring Kim Min-ha and Noh Sang-hyun Netflix has confirmed production of the film 'Byeoljit,' starring Kim Min-ha and Noh Sang-hyun. Netflix announced the production and casting on the 23rd. 'Byeoljit' is a romantic comedy about a couple in a 10-year relationship who love each other intensely and also resent each other intensely, leading them to do all kinds of things in the name of love. Suhyeon (Kim) and Hyuntae (Noh) meet on an arts college campus and fall for each other at first sight. Even after a decade together, they remain a couple whose relationship swings between devotion and anger, and the film aims to portray their romance in a light, relatable way. Kim and Noh, who previously appeared together in the series 'Pachinko,' reunite in 'Byeoljit' as long-term partners who can read each other at a glance. Kim, known for roles in 'Typhoon Company,' 'A Week Before I Die' and 'Pachinko,' plays Suhyeon, a capable curator who strives for perfection at work but falls apart when faced with love and jealousy. Noh, who built his filmography with 'Love in the Big City,' 'Pachinko' and 'Genie, Make a Wish,' plays Hyuntae, an installation artist who holds firmly to his own beliefs and stubbornness. The film will be directed by Seo Jeong-min, a new director who graduated from the Korea National University of Arts. It is produced by Bom Baram Pictures, the company behind Namgung Sun's youth romance 'The History of Confession' and Kim Do-young's 'Kim Ji-young, Born 1982.' * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 09:27:16 -
WHIB Sets First Concert Tour Starting in March, Visiting 13 Cities in Japan and North America WHIB will launch its first concert tour of 2026 in March, starting in Seoul and continuing through 13 cities in Japan and North America. The tour, titled 'GO UP : Our era,' is scheduled for March 14-15 in Seoul; April 18 in Osaka, April 25 in Yokohama and April 29 in New York; and May 5 in Atlanta, May 7 in Nashville, May 10 in Chicago, May 12 in Kansas City, May 14 in Dallas, May 16 in Denver, May 19 in Salt Lake City, May 21 in Tempe and May 23 in Los Angeles. Now in its third year since debut, WHIB said it will use the tour to showcase a polished stage and the group's strong chemistry. The group recently released its first comeback as a complete seven-member lineup with the first mini album 'ROCK THE NATION,' setting a personal record for first-week sales. From November through January, WHIB also wrapped up its 2025 fan concert, 'AnD : New Chapter,' across five Asian cities. The Seoul shows that open the 2026 tour will be held at Blue Square's Woori WON Banking Hall at 5 p.m. on March 14 and 4 p.m. on March 15. Tickets are on sale through the online seller NOL Ticket.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 08:09:15 -
BTS’ Jimin’s ‘Who’ Tops 2.3 Billion Spotify Streams BTS member Jimin has extended his record run on Spotify, underscoring his global reach. According to Spotify charts dated Feb. 19, “Who,” the title track from his second solo album “MUSE,” has surpassed 2.3 billion cumulative streams. The milestone came 581 days after the song’s release on July 19, 2024. Jimin is the first and only Asian artist to reach 2.3 billion Spotify streams with a solo track that does not feature a collaboration with a foreign artist. Nineteen months after its release, “Who” continued to chart at No. 54 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart and No. 1 in South Korea, showing sustained popularity without outside collaborations or large-scale promotion. The album has also set a new mark. On Feb. 18, “MUSE” surpassed 3.8 billion cumulative streams, the fastest such total for a Korean-language album and the first and only Korean-language solo album to reach 3.8 billion streams. On U.S. charts, “Who” spent 33 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100, setting the record for the longest run by a K-pop male artist’s solo song. “MUSE” has also logged 34 weeks on the Billboard 200, extending the record for the longest-charting K-pop solo album and still holding that mark.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 08:00:17 -
Producer Kim Tae-ho Says MBC’s ‘Manitto Club’ Prioritizes Message Over Buzz MBC’s “Infinite Challenge” helped reshape the rules of Korean variety TV, and the generation that grew up on it is often called “Infinite Challenge kids.” Producer Kim Tae-ho’s new show, “Manitto Club,” is built around a familiar “manitto” idea — a secret gift-giver — with a twist: a club of people who split one thing into two and share it. The show debuted with a 2.1% rating before sliding to 1.6%, but Kim said the goal was never to chase hype. “Of course it was disappointing,” he said. “But we didn’t make it to squeeze ratings out of having Jennie, Choo Sung-hoon or Noh Hong-chul. ‘Manitto Club’ is an omnibus that keeps returning to the theme of sharing. I wanted it to feel like an omnibus movie you’d see around Christmas. From the start, we agreed to center the message, and I hoped the intent would land well and be sustainable rather than focusing on immediate results.” Kim said early feedback made him rethink how much information the show gave viewers up front. “I also felt we should have provided more information at the beginning,” he said. “The teaser set the overall direction, and we were a bit confused, too. Still, we want to stick with a show people can watch comfortably and relate to, rather than content that’s all dopamine. We originally didn’t design it as a highly variety-driven show because we were thinking of a weeknight or late-weekend slot. But when it was scheduled for Sunday evening, we decided we needed more variety elements and a faster pace. We’re explaining what needs explaining more clearly and adjusting the rhythm. People watch on broadcast and on OTT, so we’re also thinking about how to balance those two viewing experiences.” Kim said the casting followed the show’s core idea, which began with the keyword “gift.” “In August last year, Jennie said she wanted to do content that would feel like a gift to viewers around the year-end holidays,” he said. “That word ‘gift’ stuck with me and led me to think of manitto. Because of the first group of cast members, the chase element stood out and people said, ‘Is this a chase show?’ But what I wanted was a story about thinking of someone and giving a gift. The most important thing in our program is the secret manitto, and we cast based on who fits that.” “Manitto Club” rotates cast members by “class.” Class 1 featured Jennie, Dex, Choo Sung-hoon, Lee Soo-ji and Noh Hong-chul. Class 2 includes actors Go Youn-jung and Jung Hae-in, and entertainers Park Myung-soo and Hong Jin-kyung. Kim said Class 1 leaned more heavily into variety, while Class 2 is expected to have a more detailed, “handmade” theme. “Because there was a benefit for the first person to give a gift, the flow turned into something like a chase,” he said. “Maybe that made it hard to build details. So for Class 2 we chose handmade. If people make things by hand and show their effort, I thought a different flow could come out. I also wanted a consistent tone in how they give gifts to their secret manitto. When it’s handmade, you can see the sincerity more clearly, and you feel the group’s energy.” Kim also addressed why familiar faces such as Park Myung-soo and Noh Hong-chul — known to many viewers from “Infinite Challenge” — appear again. “With real variety, even if new cast members study hard, they don’t have experience data, so there are difficult points,” he said. “From a production standpoint, you mix a certain percentage of familiar people with a certain percentage of new people. That’s why people like Park Myung-soo, Noh Hong-chul and Kwanghee appear. And when you think about who fits the secret manitto concept, they naturally come to mind. I think Noh Hong-chul in Class 1, Park Myung-soo and Hong Jin-kyung in Class 2, and Kwanghee in Class 3 each did their roles well. It’s not only because of ‘Infinite Challenge.’ There are clear advantages to the data you get when you meet new people, like in ‘Earth Marble.’” Running a variety show by rotating “classes,” rather than fixed members, is a difficult choice because it gives up the chemistry and relationships that build over time. Kim said it is also an experiment in a different storytelling approach. “Because it’s class-based, I think it could develop into other forms of content,” he said. “People who form connections can continue across classes. Nothing is set yet, but I’ve imagined earlier classes influencing later ones or making special appearances. These days, many people don’t even watch all 12 episodes, so it could be fun to compress it into four episodes and end it. Fixed cast members build chemistry and make editing easier, but we chose a harder path. It was a decision to try a different way of speaking.” Asked about what comes next, Kim said he does not see “Manitto Club” as something he completes alone. “Our judgment matters, but I also think absorbing viewers’ reactions matters,” he said. “That’s the direction I want. Rather than deciding alone, I want to give viewers the ‘major shareholder’ seat. If people tell us what’s good or bad, we can reflect it. We’ve finished filming through Episode 12, and we’re trying to reflect opinions as much as possible.” Kim said it has been five years since he founded the production company TEO, and the market has changed. “These days people prefer concepts with strong dopamine, like survival shows or genre series,” he said. “In some ways, genres have narrowed compared with before, but if you don’t touch the sidelined genres, PDs might never experience them in their careers. That’s why we often talk about sitcoms at the company. I think junior PDs who haven’t experienced sitcoms need to try drama-style directing for new seeds to grow. That’s one reason I made the company. At first, I thought the OTT environment was so good that if you had good material you could keep working, but now we’re already in a different place five years later. Still, TEO has been putting out solid content while working with good platforms. I initially wanted to give younger staff opportunities rather than directing myself, but I’ve ended up working alongside them longer than expected. With our fifth anniversary this year, we’re rethinking the company’s brand image and setting a new direction.” He said TEO has focused on two tracks: producing content for global distribution and building intellectual property that can become company assets. “We have many great creators, and everyone is doing their part,” he said. “From next year, there will be content where seeds bear fruit, and we’re starting to see global results little by little. Profitability matters, but the biggest dopamine for a PD is hearing, ‘You opened a new era.’ Just as ‘Culinary Class Wars’ opened an era for cooking programs, what matters is opening a new era. So we keep thinking: What do we open next? We’ll keep a company identity, but we want as much variety as possible in genres and content.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 00:06:09 -
Seiko Matsuda Makes Long-Awaited Korea Concert Debut With 45th Anniversary Tour Japanese pop star Seiko Matsuda held her first concert in South Korea, 45 years after her debut, drawing fans across generations as renewed interest in her music has spread among younger listeners and longtime followers alike. The show took place on Feb. 22 at Inspire Arena in Incheon as part of the Inspire Concert Series #7, titled “Seiko Matsuda 45th Anniversary Concert Tour – Sing! Sing! Sing! in Korea.” It followed stops that included Saitama Super Arena and Japan’s Budokan, where the tour drew major attention. Matsuda debuted in 1980 with “Barefoot Season” and went on to set records in Japanese pop, including 24 consecutive No. 1 songs on the Oricon chart and cumulative album sales of 29.63 million. The article notes that at her Budokan concert last September, she expressed strong anticipation about visiting South Korea. She opened with “Blue Coral Reef,” one of her best-known songs among Korean fans, appearing in a white dress with pink ribbon details. She followed with “Heaven’s Kiss,” as the crowd responded with loud sing-alongs. Midway through the concert, she switched to a black dress and performed “Alice in the Country of Time,” “Pink Mozart” and “Cherry Blossom.” She also varied the staging by taking drumsticks and slinging on a guitar, prompting cheers from the audience. Addressing the crowd in Korean, she said, “Hello, I’m Seiko Matsuda. Have you been well? This is my first concert in Korea. Nice to meet you.” In an acoustic section, she interacted closely with her band and said she prepared the Korean greeting with longtime members for the Korea visit. The set included ballads such as “I Want to Be Loved,” “Eighteen” and “Seychelles Sunset.” During “Sweet Memories,” the venue fell quiet as the audience focused on her vocals. Near the end, she said, “I waited all day, excited to meet the Korean audience in person. I’m truly happy that you’re cheering me on with such warm eyes.” She then sang “Red Sweet Pea” with the crowd and closed with “Rock’n Rouge” and her debut song, “Barefoot Season.” The concert featured frequent audience choruses, underscoring the cross-border appeal of her catalog and leaving fans with what the article described as a long-promised meeting finally fulfilled. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 00:05:00 -
BLACKPINK receives Red Diamond for first artist YouTube subscription of 100 mln SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -BLACKPINK has become the first musical artist in the world to surpass 100 million subscribers on YouTube, setting a new benchmark for global fandom in the digital era. The channel exceeded the 100 million mark at 7:31 p.m. Friday, YG Entertainment said in a press release Saturday, nine years and eight months after it was launched on June 28, 2016. YouTube on Friday presented the group with its Red Diamond Creator Award to commemorate the milestone. The distinction is reserved for channels that exceed 100 million subscribers, placing BLACKPINK in a rare tier of global creators. Launched in June 2016, the group’s official channel reached the mark in about nine years and eight months. It has uploaded more than 50 videos with at least 100 million views each, while cumulative views stand at 41.1 billion. Guinness World Records has also listed the quartet as the “most viewed band on YouTube.” Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube and Google, described the achievement as “historic,” calling it the first time any artist worldwide has reached the 100 million-subscriber threshold. He said the figure reflects the depth of BLACKPINK’s bond with fans and underscores how artists can use digital platforms to build borderless fandoms. The Red Diamond Creator Award, featuring a dark red crystal play icon, is one of YouTube’s rarest honors. Previous recipients include major global creators, but BLACKPINK is the first official artist channel to claim the distinction. Debuting on Aug. 8, 2016, under YG Entertainment, the four-member act — Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa — rose quickly with early hits “Whistle” and “Boombayah.” Their 2018 single “DDU-DU DDU-DU” became a global breakthrough, expanding their international footprint and reinforcing their dominance on YouTube. Subsequent releases, including full-length albums “THE ALBUM” and “BORN PINK,” cemented their standing as one of K-pop’s leading acts. The group has also mounted sold-out world tours and performed at major international festivals, further broadening its global reach. Each member has pursued solo projects alongside group promotions, yet BLACKPINK’s collective brand has remained a formidable force. The group recently wrapped up its “DEADLINE” world tour and is set to release its third mini album, “Deadline,” at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 (Korea time). The upcoming album will feature five tracks: title song “Go,” along with pre-releases “Dwieo,” “Me and My,” “Champion” and “Fxxxboi.” YG Entertainment said the record will capture “the best moments that cannot be undone” and showcase “BLACKPINK at their brightest right now.” 2026-02-22 14:36:09 -
BLACKPINK Becomes First Artist Channel to Reach 100 Million YouTube Subscribers BLACKPINK has reached 100 million subscribers on YouTube, the first time in the platform’s history that an official artist channel has hit the mark. YouTube said on the 21st that it presented BLACKPINK with a “Red Diamond Creator Award” made to commemorate the milestone. The group’s YouTube channel was launched in June 2016, reaching the record in about 9 years and 8 months. The channel has produced 50 videos with more than 100 million views each, and its cumulative views total 41.1 billion. Guinness World Records has officially listed the group as the “band with the most views on YouTube.” Lyor Cohen, Google and YouTube’s global head of music, called the achievement “truly historic,” saying it is “the first record of its kind among artists worldwide.” “It proves how deep the bond is between BLACKPINK and their fans, and how unmatched their influence is on the global stage,” Cohen said. He added that the group is “a perfect example” of how artists can use YouTube to build a borderless mega-fandom, and congratulated BLACKPINK on the “monumental moment.” BLACKPINK will release its third mini-album, “Deadline,” at 2 p.m. KST on the 27th. The album includes five tracks: the title song “Go,” along with the pre-release songs “Run,” “Me and My,” “Champion” and “Fxxx Boy.” YG said the album, like its title, will be filled with “the best moments that can’t be undone” and “BLACKPINK’s present at its brightest.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 13:54:14
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'A Man Living With the King' Tops 5.26 Million Admissions, Leads Weekend Box Office 영화 '왕과 사는 남자'가 520만 관객을 돌파했다. The film “A Man Living With the King” remained No. 1 at the box office, drawing 581,184 moviegoers on Feb. 21, according to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network. Its cumulative audience reached 5,260,595. The film hit 5 million admissions two days earlier than “The King and the Clown,” the first historical film to surpass 10 million moviegoers, and is matching the pace of “Masquerade,” which drew 12 million admissions, the data showed. Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, the period drama follows a village chief who volunteers for exile to revive his community and a young deposed king sent into exile. It is directed by Jang Hang-jun and stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae and Jeon Mi-do. “Humint,” directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, ranked No. 2, selling 100,053 tickets over the same period for a total of 1,491,010 admissions. Set in Vladivostok, the film centers on people with different aims who collide in a place where secrets and truths are buried in an icy sea. It stars Jo In-sung, Park Jeong-min, Shin Se-kyung and Park Hae-joon. “No. 1,” directed by Kim Tae-yong, placed third. It drew 6,724 moviegoers over the same period, bringing its cumulative total to 223,399.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 10:57:16 -
BTS to Open Ticket and Viewing Details for Gwanghwamun Square Comeback Show BTS’ Gwanghwamun Square concert is 27 days away. HYBE shared additional details on Weverse, raising anticipation among fans. Access to the designated viewing areas will be limited to winners selected from Weverse Global reservation purchasers and to holders of advance-sale tickets. Areas outside the viewing zones may face partial restrictions under on-site safety guidelines. The audience setup will include standing sections and reserved seating. Some reserved seats may have limited views because of stage production and safety structures, though large LED screens will be available on-site for viewing. The show will be available both in person and online. Offline ticket reservations will be offered for free through NOL Ticket at 8 p.m. tomorrow (23). Those unable to attend in person can watch on Netflix. “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” will run for about an hour starting at 8 p.m. on March 21 in and around Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square. Traffic in the area will be controlled to support operations and safety, and nearby subway stations may pass through without stopping depending on crowd levels. BTS will release its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” at 1 p.m. on March 20. The 14-track album reflects the group’s identity and deep love, and uses the title of a well-known Korean folk song to express the team’s roots and the emotions felt by its members through music. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 10:21:16 -
BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Tops Spotify Countdown Charts Global for Fifth Straight Week BTS’ fifth full-length album, ‘ARIRANG,’ ranked No. 1 on Spotify’s ‘Countdown Charts Global’ for the Feb. 18 chart, extending its run at the top to five straight weeks. The album first reached No. 1 on the Jan. 21 chart and has held the spot since. The chart tracks pre-save totals for albums and singles, a metric widely used to gauge global listener anticipation ahead of release. ‘ARIRANG’ has surpassed 3.45 million pre-saves on Spotify, drawing attention to how it will perform after it is released. BTS will release ‘ARIRANG’ at 1 p.m. on March 20. The next day, the group will hold ‘BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG’ around Gwanghwamun Square, with the performance livestreamed on Netflix. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 16:16:02