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최송희
  • Korean Anthology Film The Times of the Theater Invited to Moscow International Film Festival
    Korean Anthology Film 'The Times of the Theater' Invited to Moscow International Film Festival 영화 ‘극장의 시간들’이 제48회 모스크바국제영화제에 초청됐다. ‘극장의 시간들’은 Lee Jong-pil, Yoon Ga-eun and Jang Kun-jae taking part in an anthology of three short films. The work captures memories and emotions tied to theaters and movies, warmly exploring what the space of a “theater” means. The film was selected for the Francois Truffaut retrospective section at the 48th Moscow International Film Festival. The festival, Russia’s leading international film event, began in 1935 and will run from April 16 to 23. ‘극장의 시간들’ previously met domestic audiences after being invited last year to the Busan International Film Festival, the Seoul Independent Film Festival and the Mise-en-scene Short Film Festival. During its Busan screening, it drew attention after reports said President Lee Jae-myung and his spouse attended. Festival organizers said the film recalls the cinematic world of Truffaut, a leading figure of the French New Wave. Executive committee chairman Nikita Mikhalkov said, “This film, reminiscent of ‘Jules and Jim,’ is a notable example of contemporary directors superbly carrying on the traditions of film history.” A Tcast official said it was meaningful for the film to reach audiences beyond South Korea, adding that the company hopes it will renew appreciation for the value of watching movies in theaters despite the industry’s challenges. ‘극장의 시간들’ opened March 18 and is now showing in theaters nationwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 09:36:15
  • Jang Hang-jun’s ‘A Man Living With the King’ Tops 16 Million Admissions, Eyes No. 2 All Time
    Jang Hang-jun’s ‘A Man Living With the King’ Tops 16 Million Admissions, Eyes No. 2 All Time The film ‘A Man Living With the King’ has surpassed 16 million admissions, becoming the third release in Korea to reach that mark after ‘The Admiral: Roaring Currents’ and ‘Extreme Job.’ According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated box office database on the 6th, the movie drew 270,274 viewers from April 3 to 5, bringing its cumulative total to 16,000,697. It opened Feb. 4, crossed 10 million admissions on its 31st day of release on March 6, and topped 15 million on its 60th day on March 25 before adding another milestone at 16 million. With the latest tally, ‘A Man Living With the King’ joins ‘The Admiral: Roaring Currents’ (17.61 million) and ‘Extreme Job’ (16.26 million) as the only films to exceed 16 million admissions. Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, the historical drama follows a village chief who chooses exile to revive his community and a young former king who is forced into exile after being driven from the throne. It was directed by Jang Hang-jun and stars Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon. In the weekend box office, Ryan Gosling’s ‘Project Hail Mary’ ranked No. 1. It drew 328,750 viewers over the weekend for a cumulative 1,635,219. The science fiction film follows Grace, who wakes up alone in deep space with no memory and sets out on a final mission to save humanity. It is based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name. No. 3 was Bae Seong-woo’s return film, ‘Endgame Investigation.’ The movie, which opened April 2, drew 41,699 viewers for a cumulative 56,316. It is a crime investigation drama about a detective, Jae-hyeok, who is transferred to a rural post and heads to Seoul with rookie detective Jung-ho to catch the real killer in a murder case involving two suspects.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 08:18:37
  • BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ tops Billboard 200 for second straight week, a K-pop first
    BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ tops Billboard 200 for second straight week, a K-pop first BTS’ “ARIRANG” held the No. 1 spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 for a second consecutive week, setting another milestone. According to Billboard’s chart preview posted on its official website on the 6th, BTS’ fifth full-length album “ARIRANG” ranked No. 1 on the April 11-dated Billboard 200. Billboard said BTS is the first Korean act to remain atop the chart for two straight weeks. Billboard reported that “ARIRANG” logged 187,000 album-equivalent units for the week, including 114,000 in traditional album sales. Streaming-equivalent albums accounted for 65,000 units and track-equivalent albums for 8,000. The album previously debuted at No. 1 on the April 4-dated Billboard 200, becoming the group’s seventh No. 1 album on the chart. In its first week, it posted 641,000 album-equivalent units, the best weekly performance for a group album since Billboard began tracking units in December 2014. It also recorded 532,000 in traditional album sales, the highest weekly total for a group album in the past decade. Released on March 20, “ARIRANG” continued to perform strongly in its second week on global charts. On Spotify’s latest weekly charts updated on the 4th, BTS again led the global rankings for Weekly Top Albums, Weekly Top Songs and Weekly Top Artists, holding No. 1 in all three categories for a second week. The album also maintained momentum on major overseas charts. In Australia, it stayed No. 1 on the ARIA Top 50 Albums chart. It ranked No. 2 on Germany’s official music chart and on the French recording industry association SNEP’s Top Albums chart, and placed No. 4 on the U.K. Official Albums Top 100. In South Korea, BTS has also remained strong on TV music shows with the title track “SWIM.” Without appearing on broadcasts, the group has won a total of nine trophies across SBS’ “Inkigayo,” MBC’s “Show! Music Core,” KBS2’s “Music Bank,” Mnet’s “M Countdown” and MBC M’s “Show Champion.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 07:54:16
  • Korean Films Line Up for April Releases After 15 Million-Ticket Hit The King and the Man Who Lives
    Korean Films Line Up for April Releases After 15 Million-Ticket Hit 'The King and the Man Who Lives' The Korean box office has been buoyed by “The King and the Man Who Lives,” which drew 15 million moviegoers and helped bring audiences back to theaters. Attention is now shifting to April releases, with new Korean films rolling out across genres, from crime thrillers to horror and human drama. Leading the early April slate is “Endgame Investigation,” which opened April 2. It is director Park Cheol-hwan’s first feature film, after earning notice for the series “Grid” and “Dominant Species,” and is based on a real incident to heighten its sense of realism. The story follows Jae-hyeok, an “unlucky” veteran detective who was once a top performer in a metropolitan investigative unit but is repeatedly promoted and demoted as cases take unexpected turns, eventually being pushed out to a rural post — until what is framed as his last chance arrives. Actor Bae Seong-woo, known for roles in “Veteran,” “The King,” “The Great Battle” and “1947 Boston,” plays Jae-hyeok, portraying a detective whose work and life have become tangled. Jae-hyeok’s partner, Jung-ho, is played by Jung Ga-ram, who built a global fan base through “Love Alarm” and “The Interest of Love.” Jung-ho is depicted as a third-generation conglomerate heir and influencer who, after a bet with online users, finishes first on the police exam and shows up to his first day in a sports car. His by-the-book confidence clashes with Jae-hyeok’s instinct-driven approach, creating constant friction. That antagonistic partnership adds levity to what could be a heavy crime investigation film. Supporting actors including Esom, Jo Han-chul and Yoon Kyung-ho join the cast, with the plot built around “one case, two suspects” and a series of twists. The horror film “Salmokji” is set to open April 8. It begins with a modern urban legend: an unidentified figure captured on a map service’s road-view imagery. The film follows a production crew that heads to the Salmokji reservoir for reshoots and encounters a dark presence in the water, leading to a desperate struggle. It is director Lee Sang-min’s first solo feature, after short films “Hamjinabi” and “Dolrimchong” drew attention at domestic festivals. The film emphasizes unsettling audiovisual effects using the properties of water, from ominous ripples on the surface to sounds that should not be possible underwater. Kim Hye-yoon returns to the big screen after four years, playing Su-in as she fights to survive. Lee Jong-won, described as one of the most watched actors of 2026, takes on his first commercial film lead role as Gi-tae. The cast also includes Kim Jun-han, Kim Young-sung, Oh Dong-min, Yoon Jae-chan and Jang Da-a. The film uses experimental techniques including a 360-degree panoramic camera and motion detectors, designed to stand out in ScreenX and 4DX theaters with expanded visuals and heightened sound for an immersive experience. Closing out the month is “My Name Is,” scheduled for release April 15. The film is directed by veteran filmmaker Jung Ji-young and was invited to the Berlin International Film Festival’s Forum section, where it received international acclaim, before being presented to domestic audiences. The story follows 18-year-old Yeong-ok, who wants to erase what he sees as a tacky name, and his mother, Jeong-sun, who buried a secret from 78 years earlier in the painful history of Jeju in 1949. The film traces their journey as a sorrowful promise resurfaces beneath Jeju’s peaceful scenery. Actor Yeom Hye-ran plays the mother, Jeong-sun. More Korean films are also slated through April. They include “Nuruk,” the directing debut of actor Jang Dong-yoon, and “Jjanggu,” directed by and starring actor Jung Woo. Comedies are also in the pipeline, including “Mismatch,” starring Oh Dae-hwan and Oh Yoon-ah, and “Girl Referee,” featuring Chae Won-bin and Han Sun-hwa. With a mix of genres, established performers and new directing efforts, April’s lineup will test whether the momentum sparked by “The King and the Man Who Lives” can carry into another strong run for Korean cinema.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-03 00:03:55
  • ILLIT to Hold Seoul Children’s Grand Park Festival for ‘MAMIHLAPINATAPAI’ Release
    ILLIT to Hold Seoul Children’s Grand Park Festival for ‘MAMIHLAPINATAPAI’ Release 그룹 아일릿(ILLIT)이 미니 4집 '마밀라피나타파이'(MAMIHLAPINATAPAI) 발매를 기념해 오는 5월 5일 서울어린이대공원에서 축제를 연다. 빌리프랩은 2일 "일명 '아일릿 서울 어린이대공원 페스티벌'"을 소개하며 "이 행사는 아일릿의 신보 타이틀곡인 '잇츠 미(It's Me)'를 메인 테마로 꾸며진다. 가족과 친구 단위의 방문객이 함께 즐길 수 있는 다양한 체험 부스가 마련되고 아일릿은 신곡 무대로 열기를 더할 예정"이라고 밝혔다. 이어 "'아일릿 서울 어린이대공원 페스티벌'은 더 많은 분들이 아일릿의 음악을 여러 방식으로 체험하며 아티스트와 가까이 호흡할 수 있도록 기획됐다. 컴백을 기다려온 글릿(GLLIT, 팬덤명)은 물론 방문객 모두에게 소중한 추억을 선물하고 싶은 마음을 담았으니 즐겁고 신나는 시간이 되길 바란다"라고 전했다. 공연 관람을 제외한 모든 페스티벌 프로그램은 별도의 응모 절차 없이 현장을 방문하는 누구나 자유롭게 참여할 수 있다. 페스티벌과 관련된 자세한 사항은 추후 위버스에 공지될 예정이다. 한편 아일릿의 미니 4집 '마밀라피나타파이'는 4월 30일 발표된다. 앨범 타이틀곡 '잇츠 미'는 첫 데이트 이후 좋아하는 상대와 관계 정의에 대한 고민이 깊어지는 찰나, "너의 최애는 바로 나야!"라고 당돌하게 외치는 노래다. 개성 강한 싱어송라이터 유라(youra)와 더 딥(The Deep)이 작사에 참여해 아일릿과 시너지를 냈다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-02 17:45:18
  • Tiffany Young Signs Exclusive Deal With Pacific Music Group Korea
    Tiffany Young Signs Exclusive Deal With Pacific Music Group Korea Singer Tiffany Young has signed an exclusive contract with Pacific Music Group Korea, marking a new start. Pacific Music Group Korea (PMG Korea) said on the 2nd that it has signed Tiffany Young as its first affiliated artist. PMG Korea said Tiffany Young has built her career as a solo artist on stages around the world and pledged full support across her activities so she can continue expanding her global work. Tiffany Young said PMG understands her path, from her work with Girls' Generation to her music as a solo artist and her acting and musical theater performances. She said the company respects and supports the range of her music and artistic world, sharing not only in results but also in the intent and meaning behind them. She added that as she enters the next stage of her career, she is focusing more than ever on intent, detail and building an authentic connection with people through her work. She said she is excited and honored to begin a new chapter with PMG as she prepares activities and an album marking the upcoming 10th anniversary of her solo debut. She also said she hopes to share the moment with fans who have been with her and wants to share what comes next. Tiffany Young debuted in 2007 as a member of Girls' Generation and gained global popularity. She later continued in music as a solo artist and broadened her stage work through the musical "Chicago," among others. Most recently, she has remained active as a judge on SBS' "Veiled Cup." With the PMG Korea deal, Tiffany Young plans to continue expanded music activities, including releasing new songs. PMG is an entertainment company founded by U.S. R&B singer Ne-Yo, Sonu Nigam and Jonathan Serbin. It recently established a Korea branch and appointed Samuel Ku, a domestic music industry expert, as CEO. PMG Korea said it plans to expand efforts to discover Korean artists and pursue global collaboration projects, starting with Tiffany Young. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-02 14:15:56
  • Actor Woo Seung, Former KNK Member, to Hold First Solo Fan Meeting in Osaka
    Actor Woo Seung, Former KNK Member, to Hold First Solo Fan Meeting in Osaka 그룹 크나큰(KNK) 출신 배우 우승이 일본에서 첫 단독 팬미팅을 연다. 우승은 오는 5월 8일과 10일 일본 오사카 플러스윈 홀 오사카에서 ‘2026 우승 퍼스트 팬미팅 인 오사카 : 메이 비’를 열고 현지 팬들과 만난다. 이번 행사는 우승이 배우 활동을 본격화한 이후 일본에서 처음 여는 단독 팬미팅이다. 그는 무대에서 그동안 보여주지 않았던 새로운 모습과 다양한 매력을 선보일 계획이다. 주최 측은 팬들과 가까이에서 소통할 수 있는 코너도 마련할 예정이라고 밝혔다. 팬미팅은 양일 오후 2시와 오후 6시, 총 4회 진행된다. 자세한 내용은 플러스윈 엔터테인먼트 홈페이지와 소속사 공식 사회관계망서비스(SNS) 채널에서 확인할 수 있다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-02 10:57:15
  • Super Junior’s Donghae Reveals Track List for First Full-Length Album ‘ALIVE’
    Super Junior’s Donghae Reveals Track List for First Full-Length Album ‘ALIVE’ Super Junior member Donghae has released the track list for his first full-length album, “ALIVE.” Donghae posted the track list at midnight Thursday on his official social media channels. The album will feature double title tracks “Good Day (Feat. Jay Park, 1iL)” and “Haetteotne,” along with “ALIVE,” “EAST COAST,” “RACE,” and “HELP.” Also included are “ROCKET,” “Goodbye (Feat. TABLO),” “TOO LATE,” “FLOWER,” “To You(),” “HBD,” and “BEAUTIFUL,” for a total of 13 tracks spanning multiple genres, according to the posted list. The album includes guest appearances by Jay Park on “Good Day” and Epik High’s Tablo on “Goodbye.” The agency said Donghae took a leading role in writing and composing most of the songs, filling out the credits and shaping the album’s overall sound and mood. It is his first full-length album since debut. The release follows a previously announced timetable and news that all seats for his solo tour stop in Seoul sold out. The album’s music will be released April 20 at 6 p.m. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-02 09:36:51
  • PLAVE Releases Pre-Release Track Heung Heung Heung After Fan Mission, Builds Comeback Buzz
    PLAVE Releases Pre-Release Track 'Heung Heung Heung' After Fan Mission, Builds Comeback Buzz Virtual idol group PLAVE has released a pre-release song tied to a fan-completed mission, fueling anticipation for its comeback. The group recently ran a fan-participation event on its official promotional website. Fans joined as “secret agents,” played mini-games to collect “Star Shards,” and unlocked rewards once a target score was reached. The mission began at noon on March 28 and moved quickly with strong fan participation. The target score was reached at about 5:30 p.m. on April 1, prompting the reveal of “Heung Heung Heung (feat. SOLE),” a pre-release track from the group’s fourth mini-album, “Caligo Pt.2.” The video drew attention for its bright, lovable tone, distinct from previously released concepts, while incorporating PLAVE’s signature storyline. Fans responded strongly after the reveal. The track will be officially released at 6 p.m. on April 3 on major music platforms. The event also highlighted fans’ direct role in producing the outcome, strengthening ties between PLAVE’s narrative universe and its fandom. PLAVE has been building expectations by rolling out concept photos. With the pre-release now out, attention is turning to additional content as the comeback countdown begins in earnest. A pop-up store will also mark the album release. From April 8 to 19, PLAVE will hold “PLAVE 4th Mini Album ‘Caligo Pt.2’ Pop-up Store in The Hyundai Seoul” at Sounds Forest in The Hyundai Seoul in Seoul, featuring album-themed displays and various content. PLAVE previously underscored its digital strength with the release of its second single album, “PLBBUU,” in November. The group also sold out its Nov. 21-22 shows at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome for the “2025 PLAVE Asia Tour ‘Dash: Quantum Leap Encore,’” wrapping up its first Asia tour. PLAVE’s new mini-album, “Caligo Pt.2,” will be released on April 13 on major music platforms.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-02 08:33:17
  • LE SSERAFIM’s First VR Concert ‘Invitation’ Opens First Ticket Sales at Lotte Cinema
    LE SSERAFIM’s First VR Concert ‘Invitation’ Opens First Ticket Sales at Lotte Cinema LE SSERAFIM has opened ticket sales for its first VR concert, “LE SSERAFIM VR CONCERT: INVITATION,” drawing attention as bookings began. The first round of ticket sales, exclusive to Lotte Cinema, started at 6 p.m. on the 31st through the company’s mobile app and website. The tickets cover screenings from April 15 to May 5, and heavy traffic followed immediately after sales opened, reflecting strong interest. “Invitation” unfolds in a storyline where reality and fantasy intersect. It begins with an encounter with LE SSERAFIM in an elevator, followed by a mysterious frame card that pulls the viewer into an unfamiliar world. The program includes “SPAGHETTI (feat. j-hope of BTS)” set against a food truck amid floating ingredients, “Come Over” in a city where murals come to life, and “ANTIFRAGILE” staged at the center of a strange planet. The concert is billed as having the largest set list ever for a VR concert. It also features stage outfits and styling designed specifically for VR, with viewing designed to minimize blind spots and deliver the members’ performances more vividly. In an ID video released on the day ticket sales opened, the members highlighted viewing points. LE SSERAFIM said, “With 12K ultra-high definition, it will be the closest to how we look in real life among all the videos you’ve seen so far,” adding, “Even if it feels too close, don’t run away and don’t feel pressured.” Promotional giveaways are also planned for attendees during the run. All viewers will receive one random photo card from five types, with some receiving a limited-quantity special photo card. First-week attendees will receive one random transparent photo card from five types, while second-week attendees will receive an official ticket, both on a first-come, first-served basis. “LE SSERAFIM VR CONCERT: INVITATION” will open exclusively at Lotte Cinema World Tower on April 15. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-01 16:57:16