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Period drama dominates box office over Lunar New Year holiday SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Director Jang Hang-jun's "The King's Warden" has attracted over 4 million viewers since its release earlier this month. According to the Korean Film Council, the period drama has topped the box office for seven consecutive days since last Friday, when South Korea's biggest Lunar New Year holiday began, drawing a cumulative 4.17 million viewers since its release on Feb. 4. Last Tuesday alone, it drew about 661,449 viewers, the highest single-day holiday attendance since March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic kept audiences away from theaters. It took 15 days for the film to reach the milestone, two days faster than "The King and the Clown," the first period drama to attract 10 million moviegoers in 2005, and last year's top-grossing film "My Daughter is a Zombie." The film tells the story of Danjong, the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty, who was exiled to Yeongwol, Gangwon Province. Meanwhile, director Ryoo Seung-woo's spy-action film "Humint," starring Park Jeong-min and Zo In-sung, was also off to a strong start, drawing over 1 million viewers in about a week since its release on Feb. 11. 2026-02-19 16:13:57 -
CLOSE YOUR EYES’ Jang Yeo-jun Diagnosed With Rhabdomyolysis, to Pause Activities Jang Yeo-jun, a member of the group CLOSE YOUR EYES, will temporarily halt activities due to health issues. Agency Encore said in a statement on the 19th that Jang recently visited a hospital after feeling unwell and was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis following detailed tests. Doctors said he needs inpatient treatment and monitoring. Jang is expected to be hospitalized for about a week and will be unable to attend scheduled activities this week. Encore said further details will be provided through each ticket seller, adding, “We will do our best so the artist can recover quickly with sufficient rest and treatment.” Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which damaged muscle tissue releases substances into the bloodstream. It can be caused by overexertion, dehydration or excessive exercise, and early treatment and rest are important, according to the agency. 2026-02-19 14:39:30 -
Stray Kids’ ‘S-Class’ music video tops 300 million YouTube views Stray Kids’ music video for “S-Class” has surpassed 300 million views on YouTube. The video for “S-Class,” the title track from the group’s third full-length album “5-STAR,” released June 2, 2023, reached 300 million views on the morning of Feb. 19. The milestone gives Stray Kids six music videos with more than 300 million views, following “God’s Menu,” “Back Door,” “Thunderous,” “MANIAC” and “Rock.” “S-Class,” the title track from “5-STAR” — Stray Kids’ third No. 1 album on Billboard’s main albums chart, the Billboard 200 — was written and composed by Bang Chan, Changbin and Han of the group’s producing unit 3RACHA. The song carries a message about standing out and shining among the unusual and the special. Set in Seoul, the music video highlights the eight members’ performance and polished visuals, drawing favorable responses from fans in South Korea and abroad. Stray Kids have added more milestones since the start of this year. They recently ranked No. 2 on the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s Global Artist Chart, the only K-pop act in the top 10. On Spotify, the group’s first full-length repackage album “IN生” surpassed 1.5 billion cumulative streams, and “God’s Menu,” the title track from its first full-length album “GO生,” topped 500 million plays — a first for a fourth-generation K-pop boy group. Their world tour concert film “Stray Kids: The DominATE Experience,” released on Feb. 6 local time, also led the global box office for the first weekend of February. Stray Kids will hold their sixth official fan meeting, “Stay in Our Little House,” four times at Inspire Arena in Incheon on March 28-29 and April 4-5. In June and September, they are set to headline major music festivals, including New York’s The Governors Ball Music Festival and Rock in Rio in Brazil.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 14:03:00 -
'The Man Who Lives With the King' Tops Lunar New Year Box Office, Passes 4 Million Admissions The period drama “The Man Who Lives With the King” led South Korea’s Lunar New Year holiday box office, setting the year’s top attendance mark so far. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network, the film, directed by Jang Hang-jun, drew 2,675,454 moviegoers from Feb. 13 (Fri) to Feb. 18 (Wed). Its cumulative total reached 4,174,928, holding the No. 1 spot for seven straight days. On Feb. 17, the day after Lunar New Year’s Day, it attracted 661,449 admissions in a single day, the highest daily holiday figure since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. The film crossed 4 million admissions on Feb. 18, its 15th day in theaters. That pace was two days faster than “The King and the Clown,” the first period drama to reach 10 million admissions, and “Zombie Daughter,” the top-grossing film of 2025, both of which hit the milestone on their 17th day. Set in Cheongnyeongpo in 1457, the story follows a village chief (played by Yoo Hae-jin) who volunteers to live at an exile site to revive his community, and a young deposed king (played by Park Ji-hoon). Spy action film “Humint,” set in Vladivostok, also gained momentum, surpassing 1 million cumulative admissions on the afternoon of Feb. 17. Total theater attendance from Feb. 13 (Fri) to Feb. 18 (Wed) reached about 4.52 million. Observers said “The Man Who Lives With the King” drew family audiences with an emotional narrative, while “Humint” delivered genre thrills, together boosting holiday moviegoing. A theater official said this year’s holiday season marked a full return of momentum for Korean films, led by “The Man Who Lives With the King” and “Humint,” after last year’s holiday box office was dominated by foreign releases. The official added that the traditional period drama’s fast run showed “the strength of Korean cinema and a new signal of hope,” and said the results reminded audiences why they return to theaters and “the essential value” of the big-screen experience. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 10:57:00
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Disney+ ‘Fate War 49’ Producers Say Family Approved Use of Fallen Firefighter’s Story Disney+ variety show ‘Fate War 49’ has drawn criticism for using a fallen firefighter’s death as material for a fortune-reading mission, prompting producers to issue a statement. In a statement released on Feb. 18, the production team said the personal stories featured in the program were provided “based on prior consultation and explanation” and with “understanding and consent” from the individuals involved or their families or representatives. The team said it informed them of the show’s concept and format as a survival program featuring fortune-tellers, and also obtained consent to provide related information and use images. “We fully recognized the sensitivity of the matter and carefully reviewed the content throughout the production process,” it said. ‘Fate War 49’ is a survival entertainment series in which 49 fortune-tellers compete through missions to test their abilities. Controversy centered on the second episode released on Feb. 11, which included a mission titled “Guessing the cause of death.” The show presented clues such as photos of the deceased and the time of birth and death, and shamans were shown inferring the cause of death from that information. Viewers particularly objected after the episode included a fortune-reading segment involving the late firefighter Kim Cheol-hong, who died in the line of duty at a 2001 fire in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. A social media user claiming to be a family member posted a protest message, saying the show “demeans the death of someone who died saving others,” fueling the backlash. Another user who said they are Kim’s nephew wrote that after listening to a recorded call between a writer and the user’s aunt, they understood the show had said a shaman would appear and that the segment would use fortune-telling to show what kind of person Kim was and honor his “noble sacrifice.” But after watching the broadcast, the user said, the shamans were trying to guess how he died while cast members reacted with amazement and laughter. “I don’t understand how this honors my uncle’s sacrifice,” the user wrote.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 09:42:00 -
HYBE America’s Big Machine Label Group Rebrands as Blue Highway Records, Names Jake Basden CEO HYBE America said Tuesday that its label Big Machine Label Group, or BMLG, has rebranded as Blue Highway Records and appointed music and marketing veteran Jake Basden as CEO. The company said Blue Highway Records will keep BMLG’s existing assets, distribution deals and roster. Its artists and songwriters include Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Justin Moore, Carly Pearce and Preston Cooper. Through Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, it handles distribution for Riley Green, The Band Perry and Greylan James. Valory Music is set to be folded into Blue Highway Records, while publishing company Big Machine Music will remain under HYBE America. Basden most recently served as president of Nashville-based Sandbox Management, overseeing artist management and business development. HYBE America said he has worked with artists including Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, Kate Hudson and Kelsea Ballerini. Basden previously served at BMLG as senior vice president of publicity, working closely with Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw and Steven Tyler, the company said. It also credited him with leading music campaigns for NBC’s “The Voice” and Fox’s “American Idol,” and noted that a song from the documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me” earned an Academy Award nomination for best original song. Isaac Lee, HYBE America’s chairman and CEO, said the company prioritized choosing “someone who puts artists first” and called Basden a strong fit with deep ties to Nashville’s music community. Lee said Basden’s experience and “modern sensibility” for the digital era will help Blue Highway Records grow and expand HYBE’s influence in North America. Basden said Blue Highway Records is well positioned to help define the future sound of country and American roots music. He said combining HYBE’s capabilities with global synergy would remove limits on creativity, and that he plans to work with current and future artists on music and projects that resonate with audiences. Scott Borchetta, who led BMLG, recently left the company and reacquired the brand rights to “Big Machine Records” from HYBE America.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 09:09:00 -
BTS’ J-Hope Donates 350 Million Won for Children’s Care and Animal Welfare on Birthday BTS member J-Hope donated a total of 350 million won on his birthday, Feb. 18, supporting children’s health care, student scholarships and animal welfare. He gave 200 million won to Asan Medical Center in Seoul. The hospital said the money will be used to improve facilities and the medical environment for pediatric and adolescent patients, support home-based care for critically ill children, and run psychological healing programs. Through the child welfare agency ChildFund Korea, he also donated 100 million won in scholarships for students at his alma mater. J-Hope also donated 50 million won to animal protection groups, adding his own money to proceeds from an earlier auction of collaboration items with Human Made titled “HUMAN HOPE: A JOOPITER Special.” The donation will support the work of “Animal Rescue 119” and “My Love Baduki With Companion Animals.” “I'm grateful to be able to share in a meaningful way on my birthday,” J-Hope said through his agency, BigHit Music. He said he wanted to help children receiving treatment, students pursuing their dreams and animals in need of protection, and thanked ARMY, BTS’ fan community, for its support. He added that he hopes 2026 will be “a hopeful and warm year for everyone.” J-Hope has donated a cumulative 500 million won to Asan Medical Center. He has also joined ChildFund Korea’s Green Noble Trinity Club, a group for donors who have given more than 1 billion won in total.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 08:18:00 -
BTS’ J-Hope: Main Dancer Who Built a Distinct Solo Career With BTS set to return as a group in March, anticipation is building worldwide. The comeback news, carried by Arirang, along with plans for a world tour, is prompting immediate reactions beyond the music industry, including in tourism and broader local economies. BTS is seen as both a force with global economic impact and a symbolic name that elevates South Korea’s image. Ahead of the comeback, this outlet is profiling the seven members in a “BTS Member Spotlight” series. <Editor’s note> J-Hope, whose real name is Jung Ho-seok, serves as BTS’ main dancer as well as a sub-rapper and sub-vocalist. Onstage, he is known for driving the rhythm early and anchoring the choreography. Choreographers and fellow members have cited him as the group’s top dancer. Since his trainee days, he has helped lead the members’ dance practice and is known for mastering difficult moves quickly, a responsibility that remains central to the group’s performances. Though he started as a dancer, his growth as a rapper has also stood out. He learned rap after joining the company and has shown clear progress with each album. Early tracks such as “BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER” from “DARK & WILD” and “BTS Cypher pt.1” from “O!RUL8,2?” captured a rougher energy, while “Moving” from “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life pt.1” showed a smoother tone and flow. His rap is marked by wide shifts in pitch and a distinctive flow, heard in songs including “Save ME,” “BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER” and “BTS Cypher 4.” His presence is also felt in vocal parts. His solo track “MAMA,” included on the second full-length album “WINGS,” foregrounded his personal story in a confession to his mother. He has delivered standout moments in songs such as “AWAKE” and “Whalien 52.” RM has praised him, saying he has “an excellent sense for creating popular melodies,” a line often cited to describe J-Hope’s musical instincts. J-Hope began moving as a creator relatively early. In December 2015, he released his first track, “1 VERSE,” signaling the start of more personal work. He followed with his first mixtape, “Hope World,” in March 2018. Its title track, “Daydream,” highlighted his bright energy and color, marking a shift from performer to an artist shaping his own world. That expansion continued with “Chicken Noodle Soup,” released in September 2019. The song borrowed the original chorus and drew attention through a collaboration with Becky G, gaining mainstream traction as a TikTok challenge spread. In 2022, he released his first official solo album, “Jack In The Box,” presenting a darker inner world and personal 고민 at the forefront. In March 2023, he released “on the street,” a warmer, lo-fi hip-hop track built around hope and comfort. Using the street as a motif, it looked back on his beginnings and the time since, with J-Hope participating in writing and composing to set the direction. The song reached No. 1 on iTunes in multiple regions and entered the U.K. Official Singles Chart and the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, underscoring his presence as a solo artist. On Spotify, it has continued to accumulate streams over time. In 2024, he broadened the “street” theme again with the special album “HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1,” tied to a documentary project. In March 2025, he released “Sweet Dreams,” an R&B-leaning love song centered on a dreamy sound and soft vocal lines, described as a signal of full-scale solo activity after his discharge. Later that March, “MONA LISA” paired hip-hop R&B with a more relaxed vibe and performance, carrying a message about each person’s uniqueness rather than outward beauty. In June, “Killin’ It Girl” pushed a more direct hip-hop track and stronger performance. He took part in the production of these releases as well, reinforcing his identity as a solo artist. Onstage, J-Hope remains a dancer who holds the group’s center. He is especially strong in choreography that demands technique, including “technical wave” and popping, and he also stands out in freestyle. His past experience as a street dancer still shows in his performances. His opening freestyle in stages such as “MIC DROP” is often cited as a signature moment. Known for bright energy and a diligent approach, J-Hope is an artist who helps lift the group’s mood while shaping both performance and music. Within BTS, he has long been the one to raise the temperature of the stage first. His solo work has shown that role extends beyond the group.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 06:03:00 -
CORTIS Debuts New Song at NBA Crossover Concert Series in Los Angeles 그룹 코르티스(CORTIS)가 미국프로농구협회(The National Basketball Association) 주관 페스티벌 무대에서 신곡을 깜짝 공개했다. 코르티스는 13일(한국시간) 미국 로스앤젤레스 컨벤션 센터에서 열린 ‘NBA 크로스오버 콘서트 시리즈’(NBA Crossover concert series)에 헤드라이너로 나섰다. 이 공연은 2026 NBA 올스타 주간에 열리는 ‘NBA 크로스오버’의 일환으로, 스포츠와 문화·음악·패션을 결합한 엔터테인먼트 행사다. 코르티스는 이 무대에 오른 첫 한국 가수라고 소속사는 전했다. 공연은 전석 매진됐다. 공연장에는 전날 새벽부터 코르티스 MD와 슬로건을 든 팬들이 몰렸고, 미국 각지에서 온 ‘코어’(팬덤명)로 인파가 건물 밖까지 이어졌다. 코르티스는 ‘What You Want’, ‘FaSHioN’, ‘JoyRide_’ 등 데뷔 앨범 수록곡과 함께, 이날 발표된 팀의 첫 OST ‘Mention Me’도 선보였다. 관객들은 노래를 따라 부르고 응원법을 함께했다. 마틴이 편곡한 리믹스 버전 ‘GO!’가 나오자 관객들은 포인트 안무를 함께 췄다. 앙코르에서는 신곡 ‘YOUNGCREATORCREW_’를 처음 공개했다. 코르티스는 “곧 컴백을 앞두고 있다. 이곳에서 신곡을 처음 들려드리게 돼 기쁘다. ‘코어’분들을 위해 오는 3월 ‘영크리에이터크루’ 무대를 보여드리는 색다른 자리를 마련할 예정이다. 계속 관심 갖고 지켜봐 달라”고 말했다. ‘영크리에이터크루’는 곧 공개할 신보 수록곡이다. 코르티스는 스스로를 팀을 설명하는 키워드인 ‘영 크리에이터 크루’라고 소개하면서도, 한 단어로 규정되고 싶지 않은 감정을 노래한다. 멤버들이 곡 작업에 참여했다. 코르티스는 14일 미국 캘리포니아 기아 포럼에서 열리는 ‘2026 러플스® NBA 올스타 셀러브리티 게임’(2026 Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game)에서 K-팝 아티스트 최초로 하프타임 쇼를 펼친다. 행사는 ESPN을 통해 미국 전역에 생중계되며, 한국에서는 쿠팡플레이에서 시청할 수 있다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-14 17:45:00 -
Wavve Unveils Lunar New Year Holiday Picks, From Originals to Blockbuster Films Wavve has released a Lunar New Year holiday watch list spanning originals, blockbuster films and animation. The lineup includes Wavve originals “Chefs of the Temple Kitchen” and “Reading a Criminal’s Letters,” along with food shows, bingeable dramas and movies. “Chefs of the Temple Kitchen” is a food reality series that follows six masters of Korean Buddhist temple cuisine as they prepare and share offerings, exploring the philosophy and meaning behind the food. The cast includes Sunjae, who made the Top 7 as “White Spoon” on “Black and White Chef Season 2,” and Jeonggwan, known internationally through “Chef’s Table,” along with monks Gyeho, Jeokmun, Daean and Uguan. The six appear together in one program for the first time. The series shows the monks sharing their approaches to cooking, episodes centered on traditional fermented sauces such as gochujang, soy sauce and doenjang, and moments of serving guests who seek out temple cuisine. The four-part series will be released in full on Friday, the 13th. “Reading a Criminal’s Letters” (also titled “Read”) is a crime-psychology commentary series that analyzes handwritten letters from people involved in real-life cases that drew national attention. Producers from “Unanswered Questions” and “The Day the Tail Caught the Tail” participated in the project. Lawyer and TV personality Seo Dong-ju and Park Kyung-sik, a producer from “Unanswered Questions,” appear with guests including profiler Pyo Chang-won, criminal psychology professor Park Ji-seon and attorney Park Jun-young, who specializes in retrials. The show covers letters tied to figures including Lee Yeong-hak, known as “Molar Dad,” Jang Dae-ho, dubbed the “Han River dismemberment killer,” Yoo Jeong-ho, described as a YouTuber with 1 million subscribers who became a fraud suspect involving tens of billions of won, and serial killers Yoo Young-chul and Jeong Nam-gyu. Episodes run about 30 minutes and follow an omnibus format, with a different case each time. The 12-part series is being released one episode at a time every Friday. Wavve also highlighted food programming for the holiday. MBN’s “World’s Best Baking: Bake Your Dream” is billed as South Korea’s first K-bakery survival show, with 72 contestants competing for 100 million won. tvN’s “Chagane” follows a “gangster family” trying to strike it big by developing a new spicy sauce, featuring Cha Seung-won and Choo Sung-hoon, along with Tommy, DinDin and Danny Koo. MBC’s “K-GIM Revolution” is a global documentary on the stability and competitiveness of gim, a major Korean seafood product, hosted by Michelin three-star chef Ahn Sung-jae and tracing the process from production to tables worldwide. MBC’s Lunar New Year special “Discovery of the Table” is a K-food road documentary featuring Jang Keun-suk and top chefs as they explore the taste, wisdom and beauty of everyday meals, including appearances by Yoon Nam-no, Fabri and David Lee. JTBC’s “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator since 2014” is also available on Wavve. For drama viewers, Wavve recommended three current hits. “Judge Lee Han-young” follows Lee Han-young (Ji Sung), a corrupt judge living as a servant to a major law firm, who returns to 10 years earlier and makes new choices to punish a powerful enemy; it has held the No. 1 spot on Wavve’s drama rankings. “Spring Fever” centers on teacher Yoon Bom (Lee Joo-bin) and Sun Jae-gyu (Ahn Bo-hyun), and has been gaining popularity as viewing time rises. The historical romance “Eunaehaneun Doduknim-a” follows Hong Eun-jo (Nam Ji-hyun), who becomes a famed thief, and Prince Yi Yeol (Moon Sang-min) after their souls are swapped. “Spirit Fingers,” starring Park Ji-hu and Jo Jun-young, will be released in full starting Friday, the 13th; it follows a girl who has lived without a distinct identity as she finds her own color. Wavve said several “10 million-ticket” films are also available for family viewing. “A Taxi Driver” (2017), based on events surrounding the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, stars Song Kang-ho, Ryu Jun-yeol, Yoo Hae-jin, Choi Gwi-hwa and Eom Tae-goo. “Extreme Job” (2019) is a comedy about narcotics detectives who open a chicken restaurant as a cover, starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Ha-nee, Jin Sun-kyu, Lee Dong-hwi and Gong Myoung. Other picks include “The Admiral: Roaring Currents” (2014), about Adm. Yi Sun-sin’s Battle of Myeongnyang, and “Masquerade” (2012), about a commoner who becomes king of Joseon overnight. Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” (2019), which won four Academy Awards, is also on the service. Wavve also said it offers works by Japanese animation director Makoto Shinkai exclusively, including “Your Name” (2016), “Suzume” (2022), “Weathering With You” (2019) and “5 Centimeters per Second” (2007). Wavve noted that “5 Centimeters per Second,” about Takaki and Akari’s love and longing as they move forward at different speeds, is set to be released as a live-action film on Feb. 25. Wavve said it will offer a wide range of content for the Lunar New Year holiday, including Wavve originals, films, animation and international series. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-14 10:21:00