Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • SHINee’s Taemin Signs Exclusive Contract With Galaxy Corporation
    SHINee’s Taemin Signs Exclusive Contract With Galaxy Corporation Taemin, a member of the K-pop group SHINee and a solo singer, has signed with Galaxy Corporation. Galaxy Corporation said on the 11th that it has signed an exclusive contract with Taemin, adding that it will provide full support so his “unrivaled artistic capabilities” can create synergy with the company’s cutting-edge technology. Galaxy Corporation, which describes itself as South Korea’s first AI entertainment-technology company, develops “entertech” businesses that combine entertainment content with technologies such as AI and robotics. The company said the signing reflects a strategy to create added value by merging artists’ intellectual property with digital technology. With the move, Taemin joins a roster that includes singer G-DRAGON, actor Song Kang-ho and broadcaster Kim Jong-kook. Taemin debuted in 2008 as a member of SHINee, releasing hits including “Replay,” “Ring Ding Dong” and “View.” After making his solo debut in 2014, he released songs such as “Danger,” “Move” and “Want,” establishing himself as a solo artist known for performance. In August 2024, he launched his first solo world tour, “Ephemeral Gaze,” starting at Inspire Arena in Incheon, and held 37 shows across 20 countries in Asia, the United States and Europe. He is set to perform April 11 and 18 at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, becoming the first South Korean male solo singer to take the stage at the festival.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 17:21:19
  • J-pop Singer Vaundy to Hold First Solo Concerts in South Korea in September
    J-pop Singer Vaundy to Hold First Solo Concerts in South Korea in September Japanese singer Vaundy will visit South Korea for the first time since his debut.  Type Communication Co., the organizer, said on the 11th that Vaundy will hold two solo concerts on Sept. 19 and 20 at Inspire Arena in Incheon, titled "Vaundy ASIA ARENA TOUR 2026 'HORO' IN SEOUL." The shows will mark his first official meeting with Korean fans who have long awaited a Korea concert, the organizer said. Vaundy is known as a multi-talented artist who oversees songwriting, composition and arrangement, as well as design, video direction and self-producing. Backed by polished sound, messages that resonate across generations and strong live performances, he has built a following across Asia beyond Japan. The Seoul concerts are expected to feature hit songs including "怪獣の花唄 (Kaiju no Hanauta)" and "踊り子 (Odoriko)," along with a special set list prepared for the Asia tour. The concerts will be held at Inspire Arena, described by the organizer as South Korea’s first multipurpose arena. Tickets for Vaundy’s first solo Korea concerts will be sold exclusively through online seller NOL Ticket starting at 8 p.m. on the 11th.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 17:09:24
  • ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Song ‘Golden’ to Be Performed at 98th Oscars
    ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Song ‘Golden’ to Be Performed at 98th Oscars Netflix hit film ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ will bring its theme song, ‘Golden,’ to the Academy Awards stage. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said on its official website on March 10 (local time) that EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami — who provide the vocals for the film’s girl group, Huntrix — will perform ‘Golden’ at the 98th Academy Awards. The performance will open with a fusion segment combining Korean traditional instruments and dance. The academy said it will highlight the folk elements and cultural inspiration behind the film before the three Huntrix vocalists continue with ‘Golden.’ Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan called the film “a movie that sparked a global pop-culture craze.” On its official X account, the academy also posted: “Huntrix fans, light up your light sticks,” building anticipation for the stage. ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ is nominated this year for best animated feature and best original song. After winning at the Golden Globe Awards in January and the Grammys last month, attention is also on its Oscar chances. The 98th Academy Awards will be held March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 13:51:18
  • BLACKPINK’s ‘GO’ Enters Billboard Hot 100, Setting K-Pop Girl Group Record
    BLACKPINK’s ‘GO’ Enters Billboard Hot 100, Setting K-Pop Girl Group Record BLACKPINK is drawing attention for extending K-pop records on major U.S. and U.K. charts, including Billboard and the Official Charts. According to Billboard’s latest rankings released on March 9 (local time), “GO,” the title track from the group’s third mini album, “DEADLINE,” debuted at No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100. It marked BLACKPINK’s 11th career Hot 100 entry, the most ever for a K-pop female artist. The group also placed No. 13 on Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.). “DEADLINE” previously became BLACKPINK’s fifth career entry on the Billboard 200, underscoring the group’s continued presence in the mainstream pop market. In the U.K., “GO” ranked No. 44 on the Official Singles Top 100, while “DEADLINE” reached No. 11 on the Official Albums Top 100. Those results gave BLACKPINK its 12th singles chart entry and fourth albums chart entry, setting new records for the most appearances by a K-pop female artist in both categories. Sales charts also showed strong momentum. “DEADLINE” topped Hanteo’s weekly and monthly charts with just two and a half days of tracking, and it earned a triple crown on Circle Chart. The album sold 1,774,577 copies in its first week, setting a new first-week record for a K-pop girl group. Released Feb. 27, “DEADLINE” has also drawn praise from major international outlets. Rolling Stone wrote, “BLACKPINK is back at its best,” and Billboard called “GO” “the best song on the album and a track that truly represents BLACKPINK.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 08:33:32
  • ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ Tops 10 Million Viewers, Reviving Korea’s Theaters
    ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ Tops 10 Million Viewers, Reviving Korea’s Theaters A straightforward, traditional historical drama has become Korea’s latest 10 million-admissions hit. Director Jang Hang-jun’s film “The Man Who Lives With the King” crossed the milestone, becoming the first Korean movie in about two years to do so and giving a lift to a theater industry that has struggled to regain momentum. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated box office database on Monday, the film drew 203,027 viewers the previous day to remain No. 1. Its cumulative audience has topped 11,706,746. The film passed 10 million admissions at about 6:32 p.m. on March 6, its 31st day in release. It is the first 10 million-admissions film since the 2024 hit “The Roundup: Punishment,” and it is also the fourth historical drama to reach the mark, following “The King and the Clown,” “Masquerade” and “The Admiral: Roaring Currents.” Showbox, the film’s investor and distributor, said, “We sincerely thank all audiences who supported ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ and joined us in theaters.” A company official added that, with people increasingly watching movies alone, “the steps of audiences who came to the theater feel even more meaningful,” and pledged to keep working to release strong films. A Lotte Cinema official said the film’s run shows that “if a movie is well made, audiences are always ready to breathe together in theaters,” adding that the cross-generational turnout could be “a decisive turning point” for a rebound in Korea’s film industry in 2026. The Lunar New Year holiday period proved pivotal. From Feb. 13 to 18, the film drew 2,675,454 viewers and held the top box office spot for seven straight days. On Feb. 17, the day after the holiday, it attracted 661,449 viewers, setting a post-pandemic record for the highest single-day audience during the Lunar New Year period since March 2020. A theater official said Korean films including “The Man Who Lives With the King” and “Humint” reclaimed the holiday box office lead after losing it to foreign titles last year, adding that the traditional historical drama drew family audiences across age groups. Industry watchers also pointed to an unusual mix behind the film’s staying power: broad family turnout during the holiday, followed by a surge driven by actor fandom and in-person stage greetings. The cast — including Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Hae-jin, Yoo Ji-tae and Jeon Mi-do, along with special appearance Lee Jun-hyuk — took part in events that drew strong reactions, which spread through online communities and social media and encouraged repeat viewings. A female moviegoer identified by her surname Kim said she became curious after seeing the actors’ active stage greetings and the online response, adding that their sincerity was “the decisive reason” she watched the film multiple times. The milestone also marked career firsts and records for key cast members, the article said. Yoo Hae-jin, who plays village chief Eom Heung-do, now has five 10 million-admissions films. Yoo Ji-tae, who plays Han Myeong-hoe, earned his first 10 million-admissions title. Park Ji-hoon, who plays the deposed young former king Lee Hong-wi, reached the mark with his first commercial film. Film critic Kim Heon-sik called it significant as “a 10 million-admissions film nobody predicted,” saying an original historical drama expanded its audience during the Lunar New Year holiday and then gained additional momentum from voluntary fandom support. He added that theaters still show their greatest strength with films that multiple generations can watch together. The film’s run is being read as a symbolic signal for the broader market, with theaters hoping the momentum will continue in the weeks ahead.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-11 00:03:40
  • ‘Number One’ reunites Jang Hye-jin and Choi Woo-shik after ‘Parasite’
    ‘Number One’ reunites Jang Hye-jin and Choi Woo-shik after ‘Parasite’ Every production holds many perspectives. Even in the same place and time, directors and actors can experience the moment differently. “Choi Song-hee’s B-Cut” looks beyond the on-screen “A-cut” to the vivid record of what happened off camera. By weaving together interviews with directors and actors, it reconstructs the “B-cut” moments that were often more intense than the finished frame. <Editor’s note> Reunions can be risky, inviting complacency. But on the set of the film “Number One,” familiarity appeared to fuel growth. Jang Hye-jin and Choi Woo-shik, who played mother and son in “Parasite,” worked together again, while director Kim Tae-yong reunited with Choi a decade after “Giant” (2014). Instead of easing into old rhythms, they leaned into new demands, including the challenge of speaking in the Busan dialect and pushing through emotionally difficult scenes. Jang said the second collaboration with Choi brought comfort — and a new respect for him as a fellow professional. "People might think that’s why he was cast, but I think that’s a separate issue," Jang said. "Because it’s our second time meeting, there’s a comfort in thinking we know each other well. We don’t have to go through the process of getting to know each other like you do with actors you meet for the first time. Watching Woo-shik again, I thought he’d gained a lot of know-how. There were moments when I was watching the monitor and the thought popped into my head: ‘I want to do it like that.’ He also seemed to feel more responsibility for the set and looked after people around him. And he really looks like my real son, which helped me immerse myself. He really does!" Choi said Jang’s voice reminded him of his own mother, helping him connect more deeply in scenes where the two exchange emotions and dialogue more often than before. "She kind of resembles my mom. Even her voice tone is similar, so it was easy to immerse myself while acting," Choi said. "This time we had a lot more scenes where we traded emotions and lines, so it felt like we got closer, and I saw sides of her I hadn’t seen before. I think I’m just lucky. I’ve known the director since ‘Giant,’ and I’ve been close with Jang since ‘Parasite.’ The subject matter can be heavy, but on set we laughed a lot and had a really fun shoot." For viewers who remember “Giant,” the reunion between Kim and Choi carries added weight. Choi recalled meeting the director when Kim was 27 and Choi was 24, and said the director recognized how much he had changed over 10 years. "When we met on ‘Giant,’ the director was 27 and I was 24," Choi said. "Back then we shot with almost no rules, and it was really hard, but it was still enjoyable. This time I went in expecting a lot. The difference is we’re about 10 years older. The director would say, ‘You’ve grown so much, you’re all grown up, now you’re an actor.’ I think it’s because I didn’t have any of that back then. I had a pure heart that wasn’t worn down by the world, and that makes me trust him more." Jang described Kim as candid and upbeat, and said she would work with him again. "The director is honest and keeps the mood light," Jang said. "Because it’s a story about people, his own story inevitably comes through. ‘Giant’ reflected how he felt then, and now it’s reached ‘Number One.’ If he asks to do another project next time, I think I could do it anytime. It was a really good set." Behind the warm reunion, both actors faced a major hurdle: the Busan dialect. Choi said using the dialect while playing intense emotions felt daunting, but he wanted to challenge himself and relied on guidance on set. "I was most worried about the Busan dialect," he said. "I thought it would be really hard to use it while doing emotional acting. This time I wanted to challenge myself. A dialect has to tell you how that person has lived. Having to go to intense emotions on top of that honestly felt scary. When I actually did it, it was really hard, but thankfully the director and my senior were there, and a lot of people watched over me." Jang, who is from Busan, said the hardest part was balancing authenticity with clarity for viewers. She also pointed to costume details that helped complete her character, Eun-sil, including a light-blue fleece left behind by her son in Busan. "Because I’m from Busan, people told me that if I spoke in a real dialect they couldn’t understand it," Jang said. "The hardest part was adjusting how understandable to make it. I worried people might say, ‘You’re from Busan and that’s all you can do?’ But regional emotion is in your body, so I tried to go naturally. Costumes helped a lot, too. I wanted to keep the setup that Eun-sil comes out wearing the light-blue fleece her son left behind in Busan." Choi said he had long avoided what he called a “jinx” around heavy emotional scenes, fearing sadness would linger. On “Number One,” he said, Jang’s performance helped him face it directly. "I actually have a jinx about emotional acting," Choi said. "I avoided filming sad things because I felt like I’d fall into a swamp and become unhappy. But I couldn’t avoid that scene. Watching the mother change because of Ha-min was really hard. But Jang guided me well, so I just had to receive the emotion. I think that’s why the acting could come out naturally." The film’s foundation, they said, is the trust built over years — not the comfort of familiarity, but a shared willingness to test limits. Their reunion, shaped by long working relationships and new challenges, became less a return to the past than a push forward.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-10 16:15:25
  • Korean Film The Owner of the World Invited to Beijing International Film Festival
    Korean Film 'The Owner of the World' Invited to Beijing International Film Festival The film 'The Owner of the World' has been officially invited to the Panorama section of the 16th Beijing International Film Festival. According to the film’s representatives, it was selected for the Panorama lineup of the festival, which runs from April 16 to 25. Launched in 2011, the Beijing International Film Festival is one of China’s leading international film events, along with the Shanghai International Film Festival. The festival praised the film, saying it “densely portrays girls’ inner lives through director Yoon Ga-eun’s delicate, feminine perspective,” and that it “gently yet powerfully captures their choice to become the owners of their own lives when the world tries to define them.” The invitation follows confirmation of a Chinese distributor, a notable step as Korean films have faced headwinds entering China since the so-called Korean cultural ban. With interest from local audiences and the industry continuing, expectations for a China release are rising. The film won two awards at last year’s 9th Pingyao International Film Festival — the Roberto Rossellini Award jury prize and the audience award — and posted a 9.0 rating on China’s Douban platform, drawing strong local response. It also opened in Hong Kong in January and received a 4.6 out of 5 rating on major local review sites. Audience comments included: “A film that offers small comfort and courage to everyone living with wounds,” and “Seo Su-bin’s acting is truly outstanding. She perfectly expressed complex emotions.” 'The Owner of the World' centers on an 18-year-old high school girl, Ju-in, whose motives are hard to read. After she alone refuses to join a schoolwide signature campaign, she begins receiving mysterious notes. The film has continued a long run at the box office, surpassing 200,000 admissions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 17:03:27
  • TWS Wraps Sold-Out Stage Greeting for VR Concert Rush Road
    TWS Wraps Sold-Out Stage Greeting for VR Concert 'Rush Road' TWS met fans at a stage greeting for its first VR concert, “TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD,” offering a closer-than-usual experience for audiences. The stage greeting, held March 6, sold out quickly as soon as ticket sales opened, underscoring strong interest. Fans packed the theater and cheered as the members appeared, while the group actively engaged with the audience. Members highlighted the VR format’s immersion. Jihoon said he watched the VR concert himself and was surprised by how close it felt, adding jokingly, “We can’t be awkward.” Kyungmin said it felt “like they were sitting on my knees,” drawing a strong response. Some attendees said it was even better than seeing a live concert and that they had watched it multiple times. Asked which stage was most memorable, one response was, “All of them were good.” The group also shared behind-the-scenes details from filming. Youngjae said there were many scenes shot at very close range, so he paid extra attention to skin care “so I wouldn’t be surprised even when seen up close.” Shinyu said there was a moment in filming “Overdrive” where they “patted” 42 — the group’s official fandom name — and that he aimed for that part. Dohun added that there were close-up shots during the “OVERDRIVE” stage, so he prepared his visuals, prompting laughter. Hanjin said he tried to make eye contact by thinking of the camera as 42. The event also featured light exchanges with the audience. When Youngjae asked whether it made them think of popcorn, fans replied, “TWS is sweeter.” When Jihoon asked whether they needed a refreshing drink, fans answered, “Your faces are refreshing,” filling the theater with laughter. Jihoon also asked fans to join the chant during “First Meeting Doesn’t Go as Planned,” saying they should do it even if the person next to them does not. TWS closed by thanking attendees. Youngjae said he was grateful to hear the event sold out and that seeing people enjoy it made the hard work of filming worthwhile. “I’m really happy you enjoyed it,” he said. “TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD” sold out its first-week tickets shortly after sales opened and also reached No. 2 on Megabox’s overall movie chart, continuing to draw attention. The special stage greeting added to the on-site excitement through direct interaction with fans. The VR concert opened exclusively March 4 at Megabox COEX, with a second round of ticket sales set to open March 11. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 13:15:18
  • RIIZE Wraps First World Tour RIIZING LOUD With 420,000 Fans
    RIIZE Wraps First World Tour 'RIIZING LOUD' With 420,000 Fans 그룹 라이즈가 첫 월드 투어의 피날레를 성공적으로 마무리했다. RIIZE has successfully closed out its first world tour, drawing a total of 420,000 fans, the group’s agency said. The group launched its first world tour, “RIIZING LOUD,” in July 2025 and performed in 21 cities worldwide, from Asia to North America. The finale ran March 6-8 at KSPO DOME in Seoul’s Olympic Park, drawing 32,000 fans over three days after organizers opened even limited-view seats amid strong demand. Online livestreams on Beyond LIVE and Weverse were offered on March 6 and 8, with viewers tuning in from countries including the United States, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Japan, China and Thailand. A live viewing was also held March 7 in 143 movie theaters across 10 locations worldwide. RIIZE performed a new 27-song set over about 2 hours and 40 minutes, backed by a live band. The show featured band-arranged tracks, performances shifting between hard-hitting and bright moods, and concept-driven staging tailored to each song. Highlights included an opening run with “Bag Bad Back,” “Siren” and “잉걸,” along with “Something’s in the Water,” staged with a projection effect evoking an underwater setting. “Fame” used a moving crown-of-thorns set and a turntable lift, while “Combo” featured galaxy-like lasers across the ceiling. The concert also debuted a Korean version of “All of You,” with member Seongchan credited as a lyricist. The group introduced an outro for “9 Days,” made by member Anton, and an intro remix of “Impossible.” Other moments included a mic-stand choreography version of “Get A Guitar,” the musical-like staging of “Fly Up,” and close-to-the-crowd performances of “One Kiss” and “Inside My Love.” Near the end, the members looked back on the tour, telling fans, “What we realized during our first world tour is that wherever we went, BRIIZE (the fan club name) was with us. We felt the place we wanted to be most wasn’t any venue, but by BRIIZE’s side.” They added, “Everything was possible thanks to BRIIZE’s cheers, the moments we relied on each other even when it was hard, and the staff who worked with us behind the scenes,” offering thanks. They also said they sometimes wondered whether the group was “moving in a good direction,” but that seeing fans convinced them they were on the right path. “We should keep looking only at BRIIZE. Now we can’t do without BRIIZE,” they said, adding, “Thank you for loving the world of RIIZE. We’ll keep working so that world can grow in a great way, so let’s keep going together,” with some members in tears. Fans filled the venue holding orange light sticks, the group’s signature color, and staged events including a flash display during “Midnight Mirage,” slogan messages, card sections, sing-alongs and surprise cheers. In response, RIIZE performed the encore song “Happy! Happy! Happy!” from the animated series “씰룩” soundtrack. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 09:48:17
  • Netflix Releases Official Teaser for BTS Comeback Live: Arirang
    Netflix Releases Official Teaser for BTS 'Comeback Live: Arirang' Netflix has released an official teaser for “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang,” kicking off a global countdown to BTS’ return. The teaser, unveiled on the streamer’s official social media accounts and YouTube on the 21st, compresses Korean aesthetics and the group’s artistic narrative into a short clip. Jimin appears briefly in the video, drawing attention and prompting a strong fan response as the teaser highlights his dreamy, elegant style. Netflix said the event is expected to be its first live broadcast of an event held in South Korea, streamed in real time to more than 190 countries. BTS will release its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” worldwide at 1 p.m. on March 20, a day before the performance. On March 21, the group will debut stages for 14 new songs in Gwanghwamun. On the 27th, Netflix will release the documentary “BTS: The Return,” which follows the album’s production, before the group begins an 82-show world tour starting in April in Goyang.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-09 08:33:42