BLACKPINK's Jennie sets new milestone with four RIAA certifications SEOUL, December 2 (AJP) - K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's member Jennie has earned another "gold" certification for a song from her first full-length solo-debut album. According to the U.S. Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)'s latest list released this week, "ExtraL" from her album "Ruby" received the honor. This brings Jennie's RIAA certifications to four, the most among K-pop solo artists, including three tracks from "Ruby." Previously, she received a "platinum" certification for "One Of The Girls," a collaboration with Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd and French-American actress Lily-Rose Depp, as well as “gold” certifications for "Mantra" and "Like JENNIE." The RIAA awards certifications based on album sales - gold for 500,000 units, platinum for 1 million, multi-platinum for 2 million, and diamond for 10 million. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-02 15:06:33

Stray Kids achieve eighth consecutive No. 1 on Billboard 200 SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) - K-pop boy band Stray Kids' latest album topped the Billboard 200 albums chart this week, surpassing American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl," which had held the top spot for seven weeks. "Stray Kids claim their eighth No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart as 'Do It' debuts atop the ranking dated Dec. 6," the American music chart said on Sunday, adding, "With an eighth No. 1, Stray Kids extend their record for the most No. 1s among groups this century (since 2000)." The album, which marks the octet's eighth consecutive No. 1 debut, contains five tracks that encourage acting boldly with strong confidence while enjoying the moment. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 14:39:51

Stray Kids earn six new RIAA certifications SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - K-pop boy band Stray Kids received six new certifications from the U.S. Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on Wednesday. They earned a "gold" certification for their latest album "Karma," after selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S. since its release in August this year, bringing their total certified albums to six, including the previous ones like "Ate," "Maxident," and "5-Star." They also received four more certifications for their singles such as "Case-143," "Chk Chk Boom," "Lalalala," and "S-Class." Additionally, "God's Menu," the lead track from their album "Go Live" released in June 2020, earned their first “platinum” certification after selling over one million copies there. Originally created to recognize artists and track recording sales, the certification programs "have come to stand as a benchmark of success for any artist - whether they've just released their first song or a greatest hits album," according to the RIAA. Meanwhile, Stray Kids continue to make history on the Billboard 200 chart, as "Karma" ranks 45th this week, marking 13 consecutive weeks in the top 100. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-27 16:46:08

Korea's acting community bids final farewell to beloved actor Lee Soon-jae SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Veteran actors and young aspiring performers bid a final farewell to their beloved teacher and role model Lee Soon-jae, whose passion for acting endured until illness forced him off the stage at age 90. The funeral was held at 5:30 a.m. Thursday at Seoul Asan Medical Center, attended by family members, fellow actors, longtime students, and colleagues from across the entertainment industry. Jeong Bo-seok, who played Lee’s son in the sitcom “High Kick,” presided over the ceremony before a crowd that filled the 120-seat funeral hall, including students from Gacheon University where Lee taught acting for decades. “How I wish this were just a scene from a drama,” said actor Kim Young-chul — often remembered for his kingly roles in historical series — as he recalled how Lee helped him stay grounded in his acting journey. “I’ll miss you dearly. I will never forget you, my dear teacher.” Actress Ha Ji-won also shared her tribute, remembering Lee as “a true artist” who constantly questioned, challenged, and inspired himself and those around him. A seven-minute memorial video featured Lee laughing in his signature deep roar when asked whether he enjoyed acting. “What do you think? I’m still acting,” he replied — a line that drew teary smiles from the mourners. Lee was laid to rest at Eden Paradise in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. Born in 1934 in North Hamgyong Province, Lee debuted in 1956 and rose to become a beloved “national actor” through iconic roles in “What Is Love,” “Hur Jun,” and “High Kick.” He was the oldest recipient of last year’s KBS Drama Awards. Even into his late 80s, Lee remained devoted to the stage, most recently performing in “Waiting for Godot.” The government posthumously awarded him the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit on Nov. 25, honoring his lifetime contribution to Korean performing arts. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-27 11:30:04

K-pop hitmaker Kim Hyung-seok bids to chair Korea Music Copyright Association SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Veteran K-pop composer Kim Hyung-seok (59), the creative force behind some of Korea’s most iconic ballads, has officially announced his candidacy for the 25th chairman election of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KMC). Kim, whose three-decade career shaped the sound of Korean pop through hits for Lee Moon-sae, Jang Hye-jin, Shin Seung-hun, Kim Gun-mo, Jo Sung-mo, Park Jin-young, Kim Kwang-seok, and many more, said he decided to run after reviewing the association’s internal reports. “It’s time to show results, not just talk,” he said. His campaign centers on restoring trust in the organization and ensuring fair, transparent compensation for music creators. “I hesitated at first,” he admitted. “But after examining the financial statements and reports, I realized the situation was dire. There’s too much leakage and too many outdated systems. ” He is pitted against composer Lee Shi-ha, best known as a member of rock duo The Cross and the creator of hits such as “Don’t Cry.” Lee currently serves as a board director of the Korea Music Copyright Association and recently appeared as a witness at the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit, where he addressed issues such as Chinese copyright fees, OTT royalty collection, and industry transparency and also argues for sweeping reform at the copyright body. Calling the KMC “a large organization burdened by antiquated structures,” Kim criticized inefficiencies that persist despite rising copyright collections. “The association should protect creators’ rights,” he said. “But the current system makes it hard to trust it with money.” If elected, Kim’s first priority would be commissioning external consultants to conduct an independent audit of the KMC’s finances and internal processes, with results made fully public to members. He also promised to open up major meetings through online broadcasts, mirroring government transparency practices. “The association feels like a closed room because nothing is disclosed,” he said. “We need sunlight.” Kim laid out a broad reform agenda aimed at positioning the KMC for a rapidly changing global music market. He stressed the need for updated standards in overseas copyright collection, arguing that the global success of K-pop is not reflected in the revenues actually returned to creators. To address this, he proposed establishing a Korean Music Licensing Collective to streamline foreign royalty management and help usher in what he calls a “1 trillion won collection era.” The candidate also pointed to ongoing conflicts with OTT platforms and domestic music services, arguing that revenue distribution should be tied to total sales, not simply the number of user accounts. “Fair sharing should match the actual value created,” he said. Looking ahead, Kim urged the KMC to prepare for the coming AI-driven music era. Without proactive measures, he warned, global IT platforms could end up defining how AI-generated music is managed—and monetized. “We must decide how to record and manage AI compositions,” he said. “If we delay, platforms will set the standards, and creators will pay the price.” Beyond structural reforms, Kim also emphasized the importance of creator welfare. He proposed establishing a foundation to support composers, nurture new talent, and strengthen global networks for Korean creators. “The goal is simple,” Kim said. “Creators deserve the royalties they have rightfully earned. That’s why I am running for chairman.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 07:29:33

Korea-Japan joint titles emerge as new streaming sellers SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - In October, Netflix’s charts delivered an unusual pairing at the top: the Korean film “Good News” and the Korea–Japan co-produced drama “Anonymously Yours”. Despite their different genres, both titles underscore a fast-rising trend — Korean and Japanese creators increasingly joining forces in writing, directing, casting, and financing. “Anonymously Yours,” a romance series adapted from the 2010 French–Belgian film Les Émotifs anonymes, is directed by Japan’s Tsukikawa Sho, written by Korea’s Kim Ji-hyun, and produced by Yong Film. Starring Han Hyo-joo and Oguri Shun, the series premiered on Oct. 16 and immediately climbed to No. 1 on Japan’s Today’s Top 10 Series, while also entering the Top 10 in Korea and Netflix’s global non-English TV rankings. The Korea Creative Content Agency’s Tokyo office notes that co-produced titles are now in structural demand across both markets. Japanese broadcasters are aggressively partnering with Korean studios to compete with global OTT players and to expand export pipelines, while Korean producers gain access to Japan’s stable primetime slots and extensive library of adaptable IP. As major OTTs and terrestrial broadcasters line up more joint projects, the “Korea–Japan collaboration” tag is becoming a recognizable programming category in itself. Released on the same day, “Good News” — a dark comedy loosely inspired by the 1970 Yodo-go hijacking — brought together Korean actors Sol Kyung-gu, Hong Kyung, and Ryu Seung-bum with Japanese stars Yamada Takayuki and Kasamatsu Sho. Directed and written by Byun Sung-hyun, the film satirizes Cold War-era bureaucracy between the two countries and entered Netflix’s global non-English film Top 10 following strong reviews. Netflix’s portfolio already includes multiple Korea–Japan collaborations, from crime thriller “Road” to the youth drama “Soulmate” and “Gas Human,” a new adaptation of the 1960 Japanese sci-fi classic. The trend extends beyond Netflix: Coupang Play recently released the joint drama “Love After,” while Disney+ is preparing “Merry Berry Love,” co-produced by CJ ENM and Nippon TV. The surge in co-productions reflects a broader shift in Northeast Asia’s content ecosystem — one where cross-border storytelling, shared financing, and mixed casts are emerging as strategic tools to reach global audiences. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 10:01:33

Another star couple set to wed next month SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - Acting couple Shin Min-a and Kim Woo-bin will tie the knot next month. Shin and Kim recently decided to marry after building deep trust over years of their relationship," their management agency said in a press release. Their private wedding will be held in Seoul on Dec. 20 with only family and close friends in attendance. Shin and Kim have been a public item since 2015 when they admitted their relationship. The agency asked for "warm support" for the couple's new chapter in life, as they continue to pursue their acting careers. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 15:51:52

Blue Dragon Awards: Power couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin make history with dual acting wins SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) -South Korea’s star couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin made history at the 46th Blue Dragon Awards, becoming the first married pair to win Best Actor and Best Actress on the same night. Their milestone moment lit up the ceremony at KBS Hall in Seoul on Wednesday, where actors Han Ji-min and Lee Je-hoon served as hosts for the live broadcast. The night otherwise belonged to “No Other Choice,” which swept major categories including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Music, and Best Technical Achievement. The black-comedy thriller, directed by Park Chan-wook, is also South Korea’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Park won Best Director, though he was unable to attend due to overseas commitments; actor Lee Sung-min accepted the trophy on his behalf. Hyun Bin earned Best Actor for his performance in Harbin. After hearing his name announced, he shared a brief embrace with his son—a moment that instantly ignited social media. In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to those who have served the country and thanked his wife and young son for their support. Son Ye-jin, honored with Best Actress for her role in No Choice, reflected on her first Blue Dragon win at age 27. She said she hoped to continue growing as both an actor and a parent. The couple also picked up the Popular Star Award, with Son calling it “an unforgettable day,” while Hyun Bin expressed gratitude to longtime fans. The pair married in March 2022 after co-starring in the global hit drama Crash Landing on You, and their dual wins added a rare personal narrative layer to one of Korea’s most-watched film events. Other major awards included Best New Actor for Ahn Bo-hyun (The Devil Came) and Best New Actress for Kim Do-yeon (Ameba Girls and School Ghost Story: School Anniversary). Kim Hye-young won Best New Director for It’s Okay, It’s Okay, It’s Okay!. Best Supporting Actor went to Lee Sung-min (No Choice), while Best Supporting Actress was awarded to Park Ji-hyun (Hidden Face). Performances by Lee Chan-hyuk, Choi So-yul, La Poem, BoyNextDoor, and Hwasa added flair to the evening. Actor Park Jung-min also made a surprise appearance during Hwasa’s stage set. The Blue Dragon Film Awards reviewed films released across theaters and major OTT platforms from October 2024 to October 2025, announcing winners in 18 categories. Winners List Best Film: No Choice Best Actor: Hyun Bin (Harbin) Best Actress: Son Ye-jin (No Choice) Best Director: Park Chan-wook (No Choice) Best Supporting Actor: Lee Sung-min (No Choice) Best Supporting Actress: Park Ji-hyun (Hidden Face) Best New Actor: Ahn Bo-hyun (The Devil Came) Best New Actress: Kim Do-yeon (Ameba Girls and School Ghost Story: School Anniversary) Best New Director: Kim Hye-young (It's Okay, It's Okay, It's Okay!) Best Screenplay: Kim Hyung-joo & Yoon Jong-bin (The Match) Best Music: Cho Young-wook (No Choice) Best Technical Achievement: Cho Sang-kyung (No Choice) Best Editing: Nam Na-young (High Five) Best Cinematography and Lighting: Hong Kyung-pyo & Park Jung-woo (Harbin) Best Art Direction: Lee Na-gyeom (Jeon, Ran) Popular Star Award: Park Jin-young, Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Lim Yoon-a Best Short Film: A Season of Rotary Most Audience Award: Zombie Daughter * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 07:42:48

TV personality Park Kyung-lim donates 200 million won to support children in need SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - Versatile TV personality Park Kyung-lim has donated 200 million Korean won (or about US$136,000) to support children from underprivileged families, a charity agency run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Tuesday. The donation came just a few months after she invited around 1,000 children and young people to her musical "Again Dream High," supporting them in pursuing their dreams and fostering their career development. At that time, she expressed her willingness to help them, saying, "Many helped me when I had nothing but passion. Now I want to help someone achieve his or her dreams." Park's philanthropic efforts and generous donations are nothing new, as she has participated in various campaigns and activities as a promotional ambassador for charity organization Save the Children since 2006, donating multiple times through different charities to support young children in need and those who suffer from rare diseases. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-11 10:59:26

'Avatar' sequel to get world premiere in South Korea in time for Christmas SEOUL, November 10 (AJP) - The third installment of director James Cameron's epic "Avatar" series will have its world premiere in South Korea in mid-December, just in time for Christmas, the film's distributor Walt Disney Company said on Monday. Expectations for the upcoming franchise "Fire and Ash" are already high ahead of its release slated for Dec. 17, as it is set to depart from the previous serene setting of its fictional planet Pandora to explore a fiery, ash-covered world, encountering new tribes along the way. The sci-fi fantasy film captivated audiences with its cutting-edge 3D technology, attracting a record 13.22 million viewers when its first installment was released in 2009 and remaining the highest-grossing film worldwide for 16 years. Its 2022 sequel "The Way of Water" also drew a record 10.8 million viewers here. Returning cast members include Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet, with newcomers such as Oona Chaplin and David Thewlis joining the lineup. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-10 14:28:37