Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • World AI Film Festival to Debut in Seoul as Asia’s First WAIFF Event
    World AI Film Festival to Debut in Seoul as Asia’s First WAIFF Event The World AI Film Festival (WAIFF), which highlights the convergence of artificial intelligence and film, will open in Seoul this month for its first event in Asia. Aju Media Group is participating as a media partner for WAIFF Seoul 2026, which is part of a global expansion linked to the festival’s main event in France. An opening ceremony and awards presentation will be held March 6 at Lotte Concert Hall, where winners in nine categories will be announced. The program will also include a special performance by singer Insooni and the Seocho Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Bae Jong-hoon, organizers said. On March 7, Lotte Cinema World Tower will host the Creative Intelligence Forum with global speakers. The forum will discuss production innovation using generative AI and future strategies for K-content, with additional events including special screenings of award-winning works and talks with directors (GV). The festival said Son Seung-hyun, CEO of Westworld, will serve as jury chair, with Nelson Shin, Nam Na-young and Jang Hang-jun among the jurors. Marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and South Korea, the festival said actor Gong Li will serve as honorary chair. ■ WAIFF Seoul 2026 at a glance ● Dates: March 6, 2026 (Fri) to March 7, 2026 (Sat) ● Venues: Lotte Concert Hall (March 6), Lotte Cinema World Tower (March 7) ● Host/Organizer: WAIFF Organizing Committee; KBS N (host broadcaster) ● Media partner: Aju Media Group ● Contact: WAIFF Seoul 2026 secretariat 2026-03-02 14:12:16
  • Jungkook’s ‘Seven’ Reenters Billboard Global 200, Extends Record 133 Weeks
    Jungkook’s ‘Seven’ Reenters Billboard Global 200, Extends Record 133 Weeks BTS member Jungkook’s solo single “Seven” has returned to the U.S. Billboard charts, extending what Billboard described as a record-setting run for an Asian act. According to Billboard’s latest charts dated Feb. 28, “Seven,” Jungkook’s first solo single, reentered the Global 200 at No. 192. The song has now spent 133 weeks on the chart, Billboard said, marking the first and longest such run for an Asian group or solo artist. On the Global Excl. U.S. chart, “Seven” ranked No. 103 to log a 136th consecutive week, setting what the report called an unmatched record for an Asian solo artist. The song also placed on Billboard Korea’s charts, ranking No. 70 on the Korea Hot 100 and No. 8 on Global K-Songs. On the Global K-Songs chart, Jungkook had three solo tracks listed at the same time: “Standing Next to You” at No. 43, “3D” at No. 62 and “Seven.” Billboard previously reported that “Seven,” “3D” and “Standing Next to You” each reached No. 1 on both the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts. It said Jungkook became the first solo artist worldwide to have three or more songs top both charts simultaneously within a single year. On Spotify, “Seven” has remained on the Weekly Top Songs Global chart for 136 weeks, the longest run for an Asian solo artist, according to the report. The song has surpassed 2.8 billion cumulative streams, it said, making it the first track by an Asian artist — and the first among songs released in 2023 — to reach that mark. “Seven” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s main singles chart, the Hot 100, and stayed on the chart for 15 consecutive weeks, the report said. 2026-03-02 10:21:17
  • SF9’s Yoo Tae-yang wraps solo fan meeting ahead of military enlistment
    SF9’s Yoo Tae-yang wraps solo fan meeting ahead of military enlistment SF9 member Yoo Tae-yang spent a day with fans at a solo fan meeting held ahead of his military enlistment. Yoo held two sessions of his fan meeting, titled “The Room: Together,” at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Grand Auditorium of Sungshin Women’s University’s Woonjung Green Campus. The event was held on his birthday, days before his scheduled enlistment on March 3. He opened by singing “Reality,” from the soundtrack of the film “La Boum.” After the song, Yoo smiled at fans and said he chose the opening number because he wanted to convey his feelings through the lyrics. Built around a “ROOM” theme, the fan meeting featured segments including “Play ROOM,” where he revealed fans’ votes for his “Top 4” cover songs they wanted to hear again and performed all four. He also played a telepathy-style balance game, took on multiple dance challenges and interacted closely with the audience. In the “FANTASY ROOM” segment, fans held a birthday celebration with songs and letters. Yoo posed for photos using various items and gestures. The show, backed by a live band, was staged in a mini-concert format. Yoo performed band-arranged versions of SF9’s “Melodrama” and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” and also sang cover songs and an unreleased self-composed track. During the second session, SF9 members Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon and Hwiyoung appeared as special guests. They performed together and shared lighthearted talk. Near the end, Yoo told fans, “I won’t forget the memories in this room today. I think I’ll miss it. Thank you for spending my birthday with me and for letting me make good memories with you.” The fan meeting ran about 120 minutes. After an encore, Yoo held a “hi-bye” send-off, greeting fans one by one before leaving. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-01 16:30:20
  • BTS’ Jung Kook builds solo success with ‘Seven’ and ‘GOLDEN’ ahead of group comeback
    BTS’ Jung Kook builds solo success with ‘Seven’ and ‘GOLDEN’ ahead of group comeback With BTS preparing to return in March, anticipation is rising worldwide. The comeback news, carried by “Arirang,” and plans for a world tour are expected to trigger immediate reactions beyond the music industry, affecting tourism and broader local economies. BTS is seen as both a force with global economic impact and a symbolic name that has elevated South Korea’s image. Ahead of the comeback, this outlet is publishing a “BTS member profile” series examining the group’s seven members one by one. <Editor’s note> Jung Kook, BTS’ youngest member, has carried one of the group’s broadest roles — main vocalist, lead dancer and sub-rapper. Onstage, he is known for steady live vocals paired with precise performance, and his work has extended into songwriting. His nickname, “golden maknae,” has become shorthand for that range. In 2023, his solo debut single “Seven” established his name beyond the group’s achievements. The song topped domestic and international charts and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 upon entry. On Spotify, it set a record as the fastest track by an Asian artist to reach 1 billion streams. The momentum continued with his first solo album, “GOLDEN,” which led in both sales and streaming and cemented his standing as a solo act. “GOLDEN” frames what the album calls Jung Kook’s “golden moments.” Built around “Standing Next to You,” the track order follows an emotional arc from the start to the end of love. The retro-funk title track highlights his groove-driven vocals and performance, while the album leans into pop-centered global sounds. Collaborations with world-renowned producers also underscored his positioning as a global pop star. Vocals remain his core strength. Rather than relying only on power, he shifts smoothly between chest voice and falsetto to shape a song’s mood. Even while executing BTS’ demanding choreography, he is known for stable live singing — a key reason he has long been central to the group’s vocal line. With performance added, he is often described not as a “dancing singer,” but as a vocalist who completes the stage. He has also steadily built a record as a creator. From “OUTRO: Love is Not Over” to “Autumn Leaves,” his solo track “Begin,” and the fan song “Magic Shop,” he contributed his own language to BTS’ narrative. Later releases such as “Still With You,” “My You” and “Never Let Go” showed a careful approach to emotion and melody. “Still With You,” in particular, has remained widely discussed beyond the fan base, highlighting his songwriting sensibility. His impact is reflected in streaming figures. On Spotify, “Seven” and “Standing Next to You” each surpassed 1 billion streams, setting a first for an Asian solo singer, and his cumulative streams on his personal account also reached a new milestone. Jung Kook is no longer defined only as “the group’s youngest member,” but as a solo artist proving himself through results in the global pop market. As BTS returns as a team, Jung Kook is set to resume his role as a central vocalist. At the same time, he has already secured a clear place as a solo artist — across performance, vocals and records — and remains one of the most direct examples of how far K-pop has reached.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-01 06:03:21
  • BTS’ V Builds Influence Through Image as Group Nears March Comeback
    BTS’ V Builds Influence Through Image as Group Nears March Comeback With BTS set to return in March, anticipation is rising again worldwide. News of the comeback and plans for a world tour, shared through “Arirang,” is drawing immediate attention beyond music, with ripple effects expected across tourism and broader economies. BTS is seen as both a force that can affect the global economy and a symbolic name that elevates South Korea’s image. Ahead of the comeback, this outlet is publishing a “BTS Member Profile” series, taking a closer look at each of the group’s seven members in turn. <Editor’s note> BTS’ V is a name that operates both inside and outside music. Within the group, he stands out for a distinct vocal color. In broader pop culture, however, the power that defines him is often closer to “image.” Across fashion, beauty, social media photos, exhibitions and other records, V is consumed not only as a person but as a mood. Commentators often say the atmosphere of a scene changes the moment he appears. In fashion and beauty, V established himself early as an icon. From stage styling to everyday outfits, what he chooses quickly becomes a talking point and is reproduced as a reference. Rather than relying on flashy embellishment or exaggerated staging, he has stuck to tones and textures that suit him — an approach summed up in the phrase “a V-like image.” By using his own taste as the standard instead of following a specific trend, he has been positioned less as a consumer of trends than as a producer of them. That image-making has expanded alongside his music. His first solo album, “Layover,” pushed “simplicity” as a consistent keyword not only in sound but across its visual concept. The tracks, including the title song “Slow Dancing,” emphasized mood and texture over showy devices. The five music videos were also built to focus on V’s face and voice without heavy explanation — a project designed so music and image shared a single tone. V’s influence has also continued through photography and documentation. His photobook “TYPE 非” focused on “non-fixedness,” crossing boundaries of form and genre rather than leaning on a staged concept. By taking part from the planning stage through the shoot and deciding how he wanted to be recorded, the work aimed to show the posture of “artist V,” not simply deliver a glossy photo collection. A related project that expanded into an exhibition also sought to turn the act of consuming images into an experience. His acting experience is another strand in that image narrative. His appearance in the 2016 drama “Hwarang” served as a moment when he stood before the public not only as an idol member but as a character. While his path afterward leaned more toward music and image-based work than full-scale acting, that single experience became a starting point for audiences to picture both “V on stage” and “V in a scene.” His starting point, however, remains music. His husky mid-to-low register and soulful tone create a clear color within BTS’ vocal line. Yet the core of how V is described now goes beyond a vocal position. The article argues he has largely designed for himself how he will be remembered — treating the way he is seen, from fashion and photography to music, documentation and his offstage posture, as part of the work itself. As BTS’ next chapter approaches, the question is what face V will present this time. What is clear, the article says, is that he can no longer be explained by a single genre or position. In an era when image becomes influence, the name V is functioning as a cultural signifier.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-28 06:03:33
  • FNC Entertainment Tops 100 Billion Won in 2025 Revenue, Posts Third Straight Quarterly Profit
    FNC Entertainment Tops 100 Billion Won in 2025 Revenue, Posts Third Straight Quarterly Profit FNC Entertainment, or FNC, said on the 27th that its 2025 consolidated revenue totaled 102.4 billion won, while operating results were around break-even, with an operating loss of 200 million won. Revenue rose 16.1 billion won from a year earlier, topping 100 billion won for the first time in eight years since 2017. Operating profit improved by 4.0 billion won from the previous year, reflecting both sales growth and stronger profitability. On a consolidated basis, fourth-quarter revenue was 35.0 billion won and operating profit was 900 million won, extending a streak of operating profit for a third consecutive quarter since the second quarter. On an annual basis, the company said it has improved operating profit by about 3.0 billion to 5.0 billion won each year since 2022. Net loss widened from a year earlier, but the company said the increase was due to valuation losses on derivatives tied to convertible bonds, reflecting a rise in its share price. It said the loss was a non-cash, book entry from revaluing the fair value of conversion rights at the end of the period and was not directly related to operating activities. Chief Executive Officer Kim Yu-sik said the company’s “selection and concentration” strategy and business restructuring, pursued steadily since 2023, have been reflected in results each year and brought performance to around break-even, adding that it expects to enter a “full-fledged profit phase” going forward. Kim said the music business will continue to expand domestic and global fandoms, support the growth of newer artists and strengthen core areas such as albums, concerts and merchandise. He said results from the drama production business are expected to become visible soon, and that the actor management business will also continue efforts to improve profitability through activities including acting and fan meetings. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-26 14:21:16
  • Park Chan-wook Named Jury President for 79th Cannes Film Festival, a First for a Korean
    Park Chan-wook Named Jury President for 79th Cannes Film Festival, a First for a Korean Director Park Chan-wook will serve as jury president for the 79th Cannes Film Festival, the festival’s organizers said. The Cannes organizing committee announced on Feb. 25 (local time) that Park was appointed to lead the competition jury at the festival in May. It is the first time a Korean has been chosen to chair the jury that decides the Palme d’Or winner since Cannes was founded. In a joint statement, Cannes President Iris Knobloch and General Delegate Thierry Fremaux cited Park’s “originality,” “remarkable visual style” and his ability to capture the inner lives of characters with unusual fates. They said they were pleased to honor his talent and to spotlight Korean cinema’s standing as it “grapples deeply with the questions of the times.” Park has a long history with Cannes. He won the Grand Prix in 2004 for “Oldboy,” the Jury Prize in 2009 for “Thirst,” and best director in 2022 for “Decision to Leave.” He also served as a competition juror in 2017, but this will be his first time returning as the panel’s leader. The 79th Cannes Film Festival will be held May 12-23 in the southern French resort city of Cannes. 2026-02-26 13:42:21
  • Jisoo and Seo In-guk team up for Netflix rom-com series Monthly Boyfriend
    Jisoo and Seo In-guk team up for Netflix rom-com series 'Monthly Boyfriend' “A rom-com goddess title? Yes, I want it.” Actor Jisoo is taking on her first romantic comedy, joining actor Seo In-guk in Netflix’s new series “Monthly Boyfriend,” built around the idea of a “dating subscription service.” A production presentation for the Netflix original series “Monthly Boyfriend” (written by Namgung Do-young, directed by Kim Jung-sik) was held on the morning of Feb. 26 at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Director Kim and lead actors Jisoo and Seo attended and discussed the project. “Monthly Boyfriend” is a romantic comedy about Seo Mi-rae (Jisoo), a webtoon producer worn down by real life, who “subscribes” to romance and tries dating through a virtual relationship simulation. Kim, known for his energetic style on “Work Later, Drink Now” and “Strong Girl Nam-soon,” directs the series. Kim Jung-sik said the series began with the question, “What if you could subscribe to dating?” He said he wanted to tell a story of a protagonist hurt in real life who finds healing by experiencing dates in a virtual world. “We put in everything you like,” he said, adding that he hopes viewers will feel as if they are trying a device that “is being developed somewhere.” For Jisoo, the series is her first romantic comedy and her first contemporary drama. She plays Mi-rae, a webtoon producer who hopes for a second chance at romance through virtual reality. Jisoo said virtual reality did not feel like a distant future but something relatable. She said she chose the project because the character is close to her in age, making Mi-rae’s struggles and choices feel familiar. Calling herself a homebody, Jisoo said she envied the idea of a device that could let someone “travel to different worlds” from home. She said it felt less like fantasy and more like something plausible. She described Mi-rae as someone who, after being hurt in love, throws herself into work and focuses on getting through daily life, but grows as she learns through the virtual world. Seo plays Park Kyung-nam, Mi-rae’s future co-worker, a capable employee with an appeal that is hard to pin down. Seo In-guk said he was drawn to the virtual-reality setting and was curious about the computer graphics and themes that could exist only in that world. He described Kyung-nam as someone who may look cold “like a robot” but is considerate and delicate inside, adding that viewers will want to see how Kyung-nam, who struggles to express emotions, changes after meeting Mi-rae. The two actors also highlighted their on-set chemistry. Both said the set was upbeat, with laughter from start to finish. Seo said Jisoo was “much funnier and more humorous” than he expected. He said the Mi-rae Jisoo played was more lovable than the character he first met on the page, adding that it made him want to hug her. Jisoo said she tried to follow Seo’s lead because of his experience in romance projects. Asked whether she wanted the “rom-com goddess” label, she answered shyly, “I want it.” Addressing concerns that have followed her acting, Jisoo said she discussed the role extensively with the director to show a better side of herself. She said she looked for a way to make the character fit her naturally, and that she hopes to hear viewers say she “found a role that suits her.” Kim said Jisoo worked hard, adding that the effort showed him “hard work can beat talent,” and that viewers will see her growth. He also said Jisoo wears 250 outfits in the series, signaling a range of looks. The 10-episode series, featuring special appearances by Seo Kang-jun, Lee Soo-hyuk and Lee Jae-wook, will be released worldwide on Netflix on March 6.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-26 13:09:00
  • BTS’ Gwanghwamun comeback show sells out fast as global interest surges
    BTS’ Gwanghwamun comeback show sells out fast as global interest surges Ticket demand for BTS’ return to central Seoul has surged ahead of the group’s March 21 comeback live show in and around Gwanghwamun, with seats selling out quickly and online queues swelling. When offline viewing reservations opened at 8 p.m. on Feb. 23, traffic from around the world flooded the booking site, NOL Ticket, which briefly crashed. Kim, a 29-year-old office worker, said he logged in 30 minutes early but the screen froze at the opening time. “All I could see was a notice saying there were about 30,000 people waiting,” he said, adding he ultimately failed to secure a ticket. The waiting number later exceeded 100,000, and all seats sold out in about 40 minutes. Despite the show being free, posts offering scalped tickets for hundreds of thousands of won appeared on social media soon after reservations opened. Organizers said the venue will be built around a main stage installed across from the Gwanghwamun Woldae platform, with about 15,000 seats in total. Standing and reserved sections will be mixed near the statue of Adm. Yi Sun-sin. Of the standing-area tickets closest to the stage, 2,000 will be allocated by lottery among those who preordered the new album. Large LED screens will be placed in limited-view areas, and some pedestrian movement will be restricted under safety guidelines. The event will also be carried online. Netflix will exclusively livestream the Gwanghwamun performance worldwide as its first live event in South Korea. A Netflix official said it would be “a true live moment” in which viewers around the world share the same experience at the same time, beyond language and cultural barriers. Ticketing also began Feb. 25 for “live viewing” screenings tied to concerts scheduled for April in Goyang and Tokyo, with organizers preparing to host fans at about 3,800 locations across 80 countries and regions. Travel indicators have also jumped. Hotels.com said that in the 48 hours after the tour plan was announced, overseas searches for trips to Seoul rose 155% from the previous week. Searches for Busan, which is set to host a June concert, surged 2,375%, driven by major Asian markets including Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Domestic searches also climbed sharply, up 190% for Seoul and 3,855% for Busan. The show is built around the concept of the new album, “Arirang,” with production designed to highlight Korean aesthetics around Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun. Organizers said the opening will feature the members marching along the “King’s Road” from Geunjeongmun Gate to the Woldae platform. The stage will use the Woldae, restored after 100 years, as a backdrop. A new-song performance with an Arirang traditional music ensemble and dancers is planned, along with an evening media facade projected across the Gwanghwamun wall. BTS will release its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” worldwide at 1 p.m. on March 20, the day before the concert. The 14 new tracks will be unveiled live for the first time at Gwanghwamun on March 21. A Netflix documentary, “BTS: The Return,” about the album’s production will be released on March 27. The group is then set to begin a large-scale world tour in April starting in Goyang, with 82 shows across 34 cities. 2026-02-26 12:03:27
  • The Cross’ Lee Si-ha Takes Office as Korea Music Copyright Association President
    The Cross’ Lee Si-ha Takes Office as Korea Music Copyright Association President Lee Si-ha, a member of the band The Cross, has been inaugurated as the 25th president of the Korea Music Copyright Association, known as KOMCA, and laid out a four-year plan centered on creators. Taking office, Lee said he would “change the center of the association,” signaling a push for practical reforms. Lee outlined four main tasks. First, he said the association will focus not only on expanding collections but on increasing the real income of Korean songwriters — shifting from headline figures to raising the amounts that reach creators. Second, he called for building a framework in which artificial intelligence and music writers can coexist. Rather than viewing the spread of AI only as a threat, he said the association will work to institutionalize a fair compensation system. Third, Lee said he aims to double the amount of copyright royalties flowing into South Korea from overseas by strengthening global collection networks and reorganizing rights-protection systems. Fourth, he pledged tangible improvements in creator welfare, saying the association will redesign its benefits system so writers can work in a more stable environment. “We will become an association that changes creators’ lives, not one that just grows numbers,” Lee said, adding, “I will prove it with results within four years.” Lee has performed with The Cross alongside vocalist Kim Hyeok-geon, who suffered an unexpected accident, and is known for hits including “Don’t Cry” and “For You.” He is also a professor at Sejong University’s Graduate School of Industry. Lee said he plans to pause his music activities for the next four years and focus on making KOMCA an organization that contributes in practical ways to South Korea’s national interest.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-26 08:28:20