Ryoo Seung-wan, Zo In-sung lead spy action film “Humint” ahead of Lunar New Year Director Ryoo Seung-wan of “Veteran” and “Smugglers” is returning with the spy action film “Humint,” starring Zo In-sung, Park Jeong-min, Shin Se-kyung and Park Hae-joon, aiming for the Lunar New Year holiday box office. A press screening and news conference for the film were held Tuesday afternoon at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. Ryoo and cast members Zo, Park Jeong-min, Shin and Park Hae-joon attended. “Humint” refers to intelligence work using human networks — informants. Set in Vladivostok, the film follows people with different aims who collide in a place where secrets and truth sink into an icy sea. The movie highlights tightly coordinated shootouts and a suspense-driven plot. Park Hae-joon, who plays Hwang Chi-seong, North Korea’s consul general in Vladivostok, said Ryoo creates “creative action.” He added, “When I read the script, I thought it was absurd. I wondered, ‘How are they going to shoot this?’ But watching the process, I thought, ‘This really fits action.’ I was surprised to see action I’d never seen before.” Park Jeong-min, who shares action scenes with Zo, said, “Action scenes are dangerous. If you lose focus, you can get hurt, but (Zo) is so skilled that it felt like I was being protected.” He added that he practiced hard to match Zo’s energy “in every scene, every cut.” Ryoo said the production sought realism in its gunplay by consulting a military affairs journalist from the planning stage. “Instead of working only with the usual stunt team, we talked with a military journalist about how gunfire would work based on where characters are positioned,” he said. “These days, many viewers watch gun scenes with an expert’s eye, so we paid extra attention.” He said the crew counted bullets, tracked when characters could not fire more rounds, and noted when magazines had to be changed. Special effects staff also counted rounds “cut by cut,” he said. Zo, who plays a South Korean National Intelligence Service agent known as Manager Jo, said he visited the agency for shooting practice and basic training. “It was only one day, but I learned a lot by asking questions,” he said, adding he was taught details such as one-handed firing, shooting while moving and footwork. Park Jeong-min, who plays Park Geon, a section chief in North Korea’s Ministry of State Security, said even moments that might pass quickly on screen were mapped out in detail, including where a gun should point when held or not held. He said he practiced at home with a BB gun, including inserting magazines, and learned details down to eye direction when staying alert. Park Hae-joon said his character handled weapons more freely than NIS agents and that he studied North Korean-style grips to fit the role. Beyond gunfights, the film also centers on emotional acting between characters. A key thread is the relationship between Park Geon and Chae Seon-hwa, a North Korean restaurant worker played by Shin. Park Jeong-min said, “I think Park Geon’s purpose in this film is only Seon-hwa.” He said Shin opened up quickly despite it being their first time meeting on set, allowing them to discuss the project in depth. “I’m glad and grateful that Shin Se-kyung played Seon-hwa,” he said. Shin said the film felt different from the romance projects she has done. She added she was excited to work with Park Jeong-min and focused on making sure their emotional arc supported the film’s overall balance. Several South Korean films are set to open during the Lunar New Year holiday, including Jang Hang-jun’s “The Man Who Lives With the King” and Kim Tae-yong’s “Number One.” Ryoo said he is close with the directors and actors of the holiday releases and hopes audiences will support South Korean films during the long break. Focusing on “Humint,” Ryoo said he tried to create a stage where the cast’s appeal could come through on screen. “We did our best, within our abilities, to make a film that feels great to watch in a theater,” he said, asking viewers to look on it kindly. “Humint” opens Feb. 11.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-04 17:54:00

Rookie K‑pop girl group KATSEYE to appear in Super Bowl ad SEOUL, February 4 (AJP) - Girl group KATSEYE will appear in a massively expensive commercial during this weekend's Super Bowl match. Insurance company State Farm's commercial, slated to air during the coveted Super Bowl slot on Sunday, will feature the Los Angeles–based six-member group, alongside American actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld, American actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key. A preview of KATSEYE performing to American rock band Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" was teased on YouTube earlier this week, raising anticipation for the commercial. Last year's Super Bowl drew 127.7 million viewers across television networks and streaming platforms, driving costs for 30-second ads to a record US$10 million this year, with slots reportedly snapped up immediately. Ahead of Super Bowl, the sextet, who made their debut in June last year through a global audition project by K-pop behemoth HYBE, will make their first appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Wednesday. 2026-02-04 11:19:30

BTS Comeback D-45: BTS' 'Save Me' tops Murapop rival match with power of Army SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - Global sensation BTS has secured its dominance at the top of Murapop, a global K-pop matchup platform, once again underscoring the group’s sustained fandom strength. Murapop is a participatory platform that stages rival matches between K-pop and other globally popular music videos. Winners are determined by combining scores calculated by summing up view counts on the official YouTube music videos and votes casted by global fans within the platform. In the latest matchup, “Save ME” by BTS defeated BABYMONSTER's “HOT SAUCE,” overturning a disadvantage in view counts through overwhelming fan support. Although Save ME trailed Hot Sauce by more than 90,000 views, it secured 93 percent of the fans total votes, finishing with a total score of 3,548 points securing its first place, while Hot Sauce recorded 2,969 points landing at second place, resulting in a 579 point margin between two tracks. Save ME ranked second in both views and votes across the round, but placed first overall in total score. With the result, BTS extended its unbeaten streak on Murapop to 16 consecutive matches. Despite the loss, BABYMONSTER demonstrated strong content performance, with Hot Sauce ranking first in total views and fourth in overall score for the round. The matchup underscored Murapop’s competitive structure, where viewership metrics and fandom mobilization jointly determine outcomes. In other matches from Season 2, Round 4, Stray Kids, ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, Aespa, SEVENTEEN, and rookie group AHOF each secured victories. A total of seven matches were held simultaneously, reflecting a range of competitive patterns, including viewership dominance, concentrated fan voting, and generational matchups. Match results of Murapop are calculated based on the combined total of official YouTube music video views recorded during throughout the match and votes casted by global fan through the app. View counts, vote totals, and combined scores serve as key indicators in determining both match outcomes and overall round rankings. 2026-02-04 10:42:10

BTS Comeback D-46: Gwanghwamun comeback show to be livestreamed on Netflix SEOUL, February 03 (AJP) - BTS' long-awaited full-member comeback stage at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 will be livestreamed worldwide on Netflix, the platform's first live event broadcast globally from South Korea. Netflix and HYBE announced that “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG” will be streamed exclusively on Netflix at 8 p.m. on March 21. The concert will take place at Gwanghwamun Square, one of Seoul’s most iconic landmarks, in conjunction with the release of BTS’s new album “ARIRANG.” “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG” is a special event, celebrating the return of all seven members — RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — on same stage for the first time in nearly four years after their rotational military conscription, unveiling live performances of new songs from the album to audiences in more than 190 countries. “ARIRANG,” BTS’s fifth full-length studio album to be released at 1 p.m. KST on March 20 featuring 14 tracks, reflects on the group’s origins and evolving identity. Following the album’s release, BTS plans to embark on a massive global tour titled “BTS World Tour ‘ARIRANG’ (2026–2027),” spanning 82 concerts across 34 regions in Asia, North America, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. BigHit Music said the album “ARIRANG” reflects BTS’ starting point and identity, as well as what they want to convey now. “Given the symbolic meaning of the word ‘Arirang,’ we wanted to prepare the first stage in a place that represents Korea,” the agency said, explaining the choice of Gwanghwamun Square as the venue for the group's return. BTS previously staged performances at Geunjeongjeon Hall (The Throne Hall) and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (Royal Banquet Hall) of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 2020, as part of “BTS Week,” a special programming event on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". Netflix will also release a feature-length documentary, “BTS: The Return,” on March 27. Directed by Bao Nguyen — known for “The Stringer” and “The Greatest Night in Pop” — the film follows the group’s journey back to collective creation after a three-year-and-nine-month hiatus. Shot largely in Los Angeles, the documentary offers an intimate look at the members reuniting in the studio, confronting questions of how to move forward together while honoring their past without being constrained by it. The film traces the emotional and creative process behind BTS’s comeback, capturing moments of reflection, uncertainty and renewed purpose. 2026-02-03 10:27:55

Actor Kim Seon-ho denies alleged tax evasion SEOUL, February 2 (AJP) - Actor Kim Seon-ho has denied allegations of tax evasion after claims that he set up a corporation with family members as executives, paid fabricated wages, and used a corporate credit card for personal expenses. In a press statement through his management agency Fantagio on Sunday, the actor said he is fully complying with all required legal and tax procedures. The allegations come amid his regaining popularity recently with his Netflix hit series "Can This Love Be Translated?" after a break he took several years ago due to a controversy involving his ex-girlfriend. But Kim explained that the family-run company was established for his theater-related activities with no intention of "tax reduction or tax evasion." Since the business has been inactive for about a year, he is now closing it in accordance with relevant regulations. He then vowed to continue complying with all relevant laws and procedures so he can continue his work without "unnecessary misunderstandings. Separately, it was previously revealed that singer-turned-actor Cha Eun-woo, who also belongs to the same agency, allegedly evaded taxes worth 20 billion won (US$13.6 million) by diverting taxable earnings through a company established by his mother, which reportedly had little to no actual business activity. Fantagio said it is cooperating with an investigation by tax authorities and will take necessary action. 2026-02-02 15:44:37

BTS’ Jung Kook’s ‘Seven’ Extends Long Run on Spotify Weekly Global Charts BTS’ Jung Kook is extending a long run on Spotify’s weekly global charts with his solo debut single “Seven” and his first full-length album, “GOLDEN.” “Seven” ranked No. 77 on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs Global chart for the Jan. 16-22 tracking period, with more than 12.12 million streams for the week. Released on Nov. 3, 2023, the song has remained a steady presence on the global chart for more than two years. The track has logged 132 consecutive weeks on the global chart, a first and the longest run for a song by an Asian solo artist. Its cumulative streams have surpassed 2.7647 billion, also a first for a song by an Asian artist, and it is nearing 2.8 billion. Spotify recently also ranked it No. 1 among the most-streamed songs released in 2023. “GOLDEN” also continues to chart. It ranked No. 81 on Spotify’s Weekly Top Albums Global chart for the same period, marking 116 consecutive weeks on the chart — the first and longest run for an album by an Asian solo artist. The album has surpassed 6.6 billion cumulative streams on Spotify, the highest total for a full-length album by an Asian artist. On Jung Kook’s Spotify profile, his cumulative streams across all credits have topped 10.3 billion, the fastest such milestone for an Asian artist and a first for a K-pop solo artist. “Seven” has also charted for 129 consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Global 200 and 131 weeks on Billboard’s Global Excl. U.S., setting first and longest runs for a song by an Asian solo artist.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 08:12:29

Lotte Cinema Unveils February Exclusive “Lottepick” Animation Lineup Lotte Cinema has announced its February lineup for “Lottepick,” a series of exclusive theatrical releases. With animation emerging as a major draw at the box office, the chain said it curated three themed titles aimed at both families on school break and dedicated animation fans. “I Am Star! X Pripara The Movie -Miracle of Encounter!-,” a collaboration marking the 10th anniversary of “I Am Star!” and “Pripara,” will open exclusively on Feb. 4. The two franchises are long-running staples of girls’ animation, and the film brings to theaters a crossover project fans have sought for years. The children’s series “Octonauts” returns with a new season, “Land Creature Rescue Operation,” opening Feb. 12. Lotte Cinema described it as an adventure education animation in which the Octonauts and their agents set out to rescue land animals, expanding their missions beyond the sea to land and sky. “Baby Tyranno Devo: It’s OK to Be a Herbivore!” opens Feb. 25. The coming-of-age adventure follows Devo, a baby carnivorous dinosaur raised among a herd of herbivores, as he navigates mishaps and friendships. Set in the Cretaceous period, the film features Devo, his family and a range of colorful dinosaur characters. Lotte Cinema said, “To match the school vacation season and holidays, we selected three animated films that all generations can enjoy together. We will continue to introduce outstanding content across genres each month through ‘Lottepick.’”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 16:36:21

ADOR Says Min Hee Jin’s NewJeans Tampering Claims Should Be Settled in Court ADOR distanced itself from a news conference held by former CEO Min Hee Jin’s side over allegations of “tampering” involving K-pop group NewJeans. After the news conference on Tuesday, ADOR said, “If they have claims, it’s something to be argued in court.” Earlier Tuesday, a news conference titled “The truth about tampering by former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin and the Dabolink stock price manipulation case” was held at the Kyowon Jonggak Building in Seoul’s Jongno district. Kim Sun Woong, an attorney at law firm Jiam representing Min, attended. Min did not. Kim said the event was meant to “set the record straight” on the “NewJeans tampering allegations” raised during ADOR’s damages lawsuit and in contract termination and damages suits involving some NewJeans members. Min’s side argued the tampering allegations were orchestrated by a stock price manipulation group and were unrelated to her. They also raised the possibility of involvement by members’ families and a specific businessman, and claimed there were signs ADOR’s management and its largest shareholder knew of it but sought to use it in legal disputes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 16:27:00

Lee Jun Hyuk Cast in SBS Occult Drama 'Awakening' as an Exorcist Priest Actor Lee Jun Hyuk has confirmed his casting in SBS’ new drama “Awakening.” SBS’ “Awakening,” written by Jang Yoon Mi and directed by Oh Jun Hyuk, is an occult drama set in an exam-driven high school that has become a playground for evil spirits. An exorcist priest fights to save students. SBS, which expanded interest in Korean-style occult dramas with its 2023 series “Revenant,” is developing the new project with a goal of airing it in 2027. Lee will play Antonio, a new head priest assigned to Holy Spirit High School. Though he stirs students’ curiosity and anxiety, Antonio is an exorcist priest ordained by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Behind his detached exterior, he is portrayed as perceptive and empathetic. The character has endured terrifying situations alone and repeatedly prevailed in battles with evil spirits. Dispatched to the school to investigate, Antonio confronts a series of strange incidents and vows to risk everything to track down whoever is pulling children into a deadly race. SBS’ “Awakening” is scheduled to air in 2027.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 16:12:00

BTS Comeback D-52: Jin's solo run draws renewed spotlight in Mexico SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - BTS’ Jin has been named “2025 K-POP Artist” in Mexico for the second consecutive year, underscoring his rising solo profile in a country where even the president has publicly appealed for additional BTS concert dates on behalf of young fans. The title was awarded by House Radio, Mexico’s leading digital pop music station, as Jin’s solo work continues to gain momentum ahead of BTS’ full-group comeback. Jin’s global reach has been led by “Don’t Say You Love Me,” which has amassed 795.56 million streams on Spotify, marking the strongest international performance of his solo career and signaling sustained long-term listener engagement rather than a short-lived spike. The song’s impact extended beyond streaming platforms. At the BreakTudo Awards 2025 in São Paulo, it won “International Hit of the Year,” drawing heightened attention from Latin American fans and industry observers. Beyond charts and trophies, “Don’t Say You Love Me” has been widely noted for its emotional depth. International reviews have pointed to its exploration of relationship uncertainty and the difficulty of letting go, with Rolling Stone India highlighting the track’s melancholic tone and K-drama-style narrative in its music video. House Radio’s year-end rankings further reflected Jin’s presence in the Mexican market. He placed three songs on its list of the “50 Most Important Songs of 2025,” led by “Don’t Say You Love Me” at No. 4, followed by “Running Wild” at No. 5 and “I’ll Be There” at No. 19. 2026-01-28 11:55:06