Journalist
Choi Song-hui
alfie312@ajunews.com
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IVE’s Leeseo Says All Members Are Adults This Year as Group Returns With ‘REVIVE+’ IVE’s youngest member, Leeseo, shared her thoughts on turning 20. On the afternoon of the 23rd, IVE held a comeback showcase for its second full-length album, “REVIVE+,” at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District. “The biggest change is that, starting this year, all IVE members are adults,” Leeseo said, adding that fans can expect a wider range of sides from the group. Leeseo, born Feb. 21, 2007, said returning with a second full-length album after becoming an adult makes “each day feel like a dream.” “But honestly, I don’t think much has changed,” she said. “I want to stay happy as the youngest in IVE forever. Since this is my first comeback as an adult, I really want to do well.” Member Rei said she noticed a shift during the group’s second world tour last year. “It was the same songs, but compared with debut, Leeseo’s vibe, expressions and gestures naturally changed,” Rei said. “As an older member, it felt amazing to see.” IVE’s second full-length album, “REVIVE+,” is set for release at 6 p.m. on the 23rd. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 17:33:16 -
BTS to Open Ticketing for Free Gwanghwamun Square Comeback Live at 8 p.m. 그룹 방탄소년단(BTS)이 오는 3월 21일 서울 광화문 광장에서 여는 무료 공연 ‘BTS 컴백 라이브: 아리랑(BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG)’의 예매가 23일 시작된다. 소속사 빅히트뮤직은 예매가 23일 오후 8시부터 온라인 예매처 ‘놀(NOL) 티켓’에서 진행된다고 밝혔다. 약 1시간 동안 열리는 이번 공연은 방탄소년단이 3년 9개월 만에 선보이는 새 앨범 무대다. 예매 대상은 메인 무대 오른쪽 스탠딩석과 이순신 장군 동상 앞까지 배치된 지정석이다. 돌출 무대 주변의 핵심 스탠딩석은 정규 5집 ‘아리랑’ 예약 구매자 중 이벤트 응모로 선정된 2000명에게 우선 배정된다. 티켓은 1인 1매로 제한되며, 예매 수수료는 관객이 부담한다. 주최 측은 일부 지정석은 무대 연출과 안전 구조물로 시야가 제한될 수 있지만, 현장 대형 스크린으로 관람할 수 있다고 밝혔다. 이번 공연은 온라인동영상서비스(OTT) 넷플릭스를 통해 전 세계에 생중계될 예정이다. 주최 측은 “매크로 등 자동 프로그램을 이용한 부정 예매는 관련 법령에 따라 엄격히 처벌될 수 있다”며 주의를 당부했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 17:03:44 -
IVE Expands Its Story With Second Full Album 'REVIVE+' IVE said it is moving beyond the self-assured, “me”-centered narrative it has built so far and expanding its focus to “us.” A comeback showcase for the group’s second full-length album, “REVIVE+,” was held Monday afternoon at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin district. Rather than a declaration of change, the album is framed as a rekindling — widening IVE’s perspective from “me” to “us.” Leader An Yu-jin introduced the album by saying, “'REVIVE+' carries the meaning of rekindling — lighting the fire again,” adding, “It’s not just about starting over; it reflects our strong ambition to spread the flames that burn under the name IVE even further.” Liz said, “This album includes a lot of new attempts. We took on a range of challenges in both performance and music, so I hope the public will see us with fresh eyes.” The title track “BLACKHOLE” is a shuffle-based song with a cinematic mood inspired by the film “Interstellar.” With expansive sound and film-like textures, it aims for immersion and a strong hook, using the image of a black hole — where disappearance and birth coexist — to symbolically express IVE’s view of the present and a point of change. The album includes 12 tracks. Along with the double title tracks “BLACKHOLE” and “Bang Bang,” it features “Hide-and-Seek (Hush),” “Malware (Stuck In Your Head),” “Fireworks” and “HOT COFFEE.” It also includes solo songs from all members: Jang Won-young’s “8,” Gaeul’s “Odd,” Leeseo’s “Super ICY,” Liz’s “Unreal,” Rei’s “In Your Heart” and An’s “Force.” Gaeul said the decision to include many solo tracks came as the group prepared for concerts. “We thought a lot about how to show new and diverse sides of IVE,” she said. “We believed the impact — and fans’ anticipation — would be big if we showed solo songs that capture each member’s charm. I’m happy so many people seem to be listening and loving them.” Jang added that the group’s concept has broadened. “If our previous albums focused on the subjectivity of ‘me,’ this time, as IVE has grown, we expanded into a worldview of ‘us,’” she said. “It’s a story of ‘us’ that includes not only the members but also listeners. I hope people feel positive energy from it.” Gaeul also pointed to “rekindling” as a key word. “We really wanted to show how we’ve changed and grown,” she said. “We chose the word ‘rekindling’ because we wanted to connect not only with ourselves but also with the public and listeners — and to offer comfort through that shared feeling.” Asked about future goals, Liz said she is prioritizing how the group is seen as artists over numerical achievements. “There’s a phrase I want to hear more than a record I want to beat: ‘an artist that makes you curious about what’s next,’” she said. “We’ve shown a princess-like image each time, but we tried something new this time. If people love these challenges, I think we can try even more in the future.” On measurable goals, Jang said it was too early to speak in detail before full promotions for “BLACKHOLE,” but added, “I want to fully feel the support and love that DIVE sends us. Since this album was made with fans in mind rather than numbers, we’ll promote it with a positive mindset.” IVE’s second full-length album “REVIVE+” will be released at 6 p.m. Monday on major online music platforms.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 15:48:06 -
IVE Returns With Second Full-Length Album 'Revive+'; Promotes Title Track 'Black Hole' IVE is making a comeback with its second full-length album, 'Revive Plus.' A comeback showcase for the album 'REVIVE+ (Revive Plus)' was held Monday afternoon at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin district. The title track, 'Black Hole,' is a shuffle-based song with a cinematic feel, featuring a wide sense of space and film-like sound textures meant to heighten immersion and deliver a strong hook. Using the image of a black hole—where disappearance and birth coexist—the group said it expresses how IVE views the present and change. Member Gaeul said it felt special to return with a full-length album after three years, adding, “We worked hard to show an evolved IVE that doesn’t stop at change.” She added, “We seem to be getting a lot of love starting with the pre-release track 'Bang Bang,' which makes me happy. Riding that momentum, we’ll promote 'Black Hole' as well.” Member Rei said, “I’m proud that we captured what we’ve built under the name IVE in a full-length album in a cooler, more IVE-like way. We’ll show our diverse charms, like our identity, so please give this album lots of love, too.” IVE’s second full-length album, 'Revive Plus,' is set for release at 6 p.m. Monday. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 14:42:16 -
Netflix Confirms Production of Film 'Byeoljit' Starring Kim Min-ha and Noh Sang-hyun Netflix has confirmed production of the film 'Byeoljit,' starring Kim Min-ha and Noh Sang-hyun. Netflix announced the production and casting on the 23rd. 'Byeoljit' is a romantic comedy about a couple in a 10-year relationship who love each other intensely and also resent each other intensely, leading them to do all kinds of things in the name of love. Suhyeon (Kim) and Hyuntae (Noh) meet on an arts college campus and fall for each other at first sight. Even after a decade together, they remain a couple whose relationship swings between devotion and anger, and the film aims to portray their romance in a light, relatable way. Kim and Noh, who previously appeared together in the series 'Pachinko,' reunite in 'Byeoljit' as long-term partners who can read each other at a glance. Kim, known for roles in 'Typhoon Company,' 'A Week Before I Die' and 'Pachinko,' plays Suhyeon, a capable curator who strives for perfection at work but falls apart when faced with love and jealousy. Noh, who built his filmography with 'Love in the Big City,' 'Pachinko' and 'Genie, Make a Wish,' plays Hyuntae, an installation artist who holds firmly to his own beliefs and stubbornness. The film will be directed by Seo Jeong-min, a new director who graduated from the Korea National University of Arts. It is produced by Bom Baram Pictures, the company behind Namgung Sun's youth romance 'The History of Confession' and Kim Do-young's 'Kim Ji-young, Born 1982.' * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 09:27:16 -
WHIB Sets First Concert Tour Starting in March, Visiting 13 Cities in Japan and North America WHIB will launch its first concert tour of 2026 in March, starting in Seoul and continuing through 13 cities in Japan and North America. The tour, titled 'GO UP : Our era,' is scheduled for March 14-15 in Seoul; April 18 in Osaka, April 25 in Yokohama and April 29 in New York; and May 5 in Atlanta, May 7 in Nashville, May 10 in Chicago, May 12 in Kansas City, May 14 in Dallas, May 16 in Denver, May 19 in Salt Lake City, May 21 in Tempe and May 23 in Los Angeles. Now in its third year since debut, WHIB said it will use the tour to showcase a polished stage and the group's strong chemistry. The group recently released its first comeback as a complete seven-member lineup with the first mini album 'ROCK THE NATION,' setting a personal record for first-week sales. From November through January, WHIB also wrapped up its 2025 fan concert, 'AnD : New Chapter,' across five Asian cities. The Seoul shows that open the 2026 tour will be held at Blue Square's Woori WON Banking Hall at 5 p.m. on March 14 and 4 p.m. on March 15. Tickets are on sale through the online seller NOL Ticket.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 08:09:15 -
BTS’ Jimin’s ‘Who’ Tops 2.3 Billion Spotify Streams BTS member Jimin has extended his record run on Spotify, underscoring his global reach. According to Spotify charts dated Feb. 19, “Who,” the title track from his second solo album “MUSE,” has surpassed 2.3 billion cumulative streams. The milestone came 581 days after the song’s release on July 19, 2024. Jimin is the first and only Asian artist to reach 2.3 billion Spotify streams with a solo track that does not feature a collaboration with a foreign artist. Nineteen months after its release, “Who” continued to chart at No. 54 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart and No. 1 in South Korea, showing sustained popularity without outside collaborations or large-scale promotion. The album has also set a new mark. On Feb. 18, “MUSE” surpassed 3.8 billion cumulative streams, the fastest such total for a Korean-language album and the first and only Korean-language solo album to reach 3.8 billion streams. On U.S. charts, “Who” spent 33 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100, setting the record for the longest run by a K-pop male artist’s solo song. “MUSE” has also logged 34 weeks on the Billboard 200, extending the record for the longest-charting K-pop solo album and still holding that mark.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 08:00:17 -
Producer Kim Tae-ho Says MBC’s ‘Manitto Club’ Prioritizes Message Over Buzz MBC’s “Infinite Challenge” helped reshape the rules of Korean variety TV, and the generation that grew up on it is often called “Infinite Challenge kids.” Producer Kim Tae-ho’s new show, “Manitto Club,” is built around a familiar “manitto” idea — a secret gift-giver — with a twist: a club of people who split one thing into two and share it. The show debuted with a 2.1% rating before sliding to 1.6%, but Kim said the goal was never to chase hype. “Of course it was disappointing,” he said. “But we didn’t make it to squeeze ratings out of having Jennie, Choo Sung-hoon or Noh Hong-chul. ‘Manitto Club’ is an omnibus that keeps returning to the theme of sharing. I wanted it to feel like an omnibus movie you’d see around Christmas. From the start, we agreed to center the message, and I hoped the intent would land well and be sustainable rather than focusing on immediate results.” Kim said early feedback made him rethink how much information the show gave viewers up front. “I also felt we should have provided more information at the beginning,” he said. “The teaser set the overall direction, and we were a bit confused, too. Still, we want to stick with a show people can watch comfortably and relate to, rather than content that’s all dopamine. We originally didn’t design it as a highly variety-driven show because we were thinking of a weeknight or late-weekend slot. But when it was scheduled for Sunday evening, we decided we needed more variety elements and a faster pace. We’re explaining what needs explaining more clearly and adjusting the rhythm. People watch on broadcast and on OTT, so we’re also thinking about how to balance those two viewing experiences.” Kim said the casting followed the show’s core idea, which began with the keyword “gift.” “In August last year, Jennie said she wanted to do content that would feel like a gift to viewers around the year-end holidays,” he said. “That word ‘gift’ stuck with me and led me to think of manitto. Because of the first group of cast members, the chase element stood out and people said, ‘Is this a chase show?’ But what I wanted was a story about thinking of someone and giving a gift. The most important thing in our program is the secret manitto, and we cast based on who fits that.” “Manitto Club” rotates cast members by “class.” Class 1 featured Jennie, Dex, Choo Sung-hoon, Lee Soo-ji and Noh Hong-chul. Class 2 includes actors Go Youn-jung and Jung Hae-in, and entertainers Park Myung-soo and Hong Jin-kyung. Kim said Class 1 leaned more heavily into variety, while Class 2 is expected to have a more detailed, “handmade” theme. “Because there was a benefit for the first person to give a gift, the flow turned into something like a chase,” he said. “Maybe that made it hard to build details. So for Class 2 we chose handmade. If people make things by hand and show their effort, I thought a different flow could come out. I also wanted a consistent tone in how they give gifts to their secret manitto. When it’s handmade, you can see the sincerity more clearly, and you feel the group’s energy.” Kim also addressed why familiar faces such as Park Myung-soo and Noh Hong-chul — known to many viewers from “Infinite Challenge” — appear again. “With real variety, even if new cast members study hard, they don’t have experience data, so there are difficult points,” he said. “From a production standpoint, you mix a certain percentage of familiar people with a certain percentage of new people. That’s why people like Park Myung-soo, Noh Hong-chul and Kwanghee appear. And when you think about who fits the secret manitto concept, they naturally come to mind. I think Noh Hong-chul in Class 1, Park Myung-soo and Hong Jin-kyung in Class 2, and Kwanghee in Class 3 each did their roles well. It’s not only because of ‘Infinite Challenge.’ There are clear advantages to the data you get when you meet new people, like in ‘Earth Marble.’” Running a variety show by rotating “classes,” rather than fixed members, is a difficult choice because it gives up the chemistry and relationships that build over time. Kim said it is also an experiment in a different storytelling approach. “Because it’s class-based, I think it could develop into other forms of content,” he said. “People who form connections can continue across classes. Nothing is set yet, but I’ve imagined earlier classes influencing later ones or making special appearances. These days, many people don’t even watch all 12 episodes, so it could be fun to compress it into four episodes and end it. Fixed cast members build chemistry and make editing easier, but we chose a harder path. It was a decision to try a different way of speaking.” Asked about what comes next, Kim said he does not see “Manitto Club” as something he completes alone. “Our judgment matters, but I also think absorbing viewers’ reactions matters,” he said. “That’s the direction I want. Rather than deciding alone, I want to give viewers the ‘major shareholder’ seat. If people tell us what’s good or bad, we can reflect it. We’ve finished filming through Episode 12, and we’re trying to reflect opinions as much as possible.” Kim said it has been five years since he founded the production company TEO, and the market has changed. “These days people prefer concepts with strong dopamine, like survival shows or genre series,” he said. “In some ways, genres have narrowed compared with before, but if you don’t touch the sidelined genres, PDs might never experience them in their careers. That’s why we often talk about sitcoms at the company. I think junior PDs who haven’t experienced sitcoms need to try drama-style directing for new seeds to grow. That’s one reason I made the company. At first, I thought the OTT environment was so good that if you had good material you could keep working, but now we’re already in a different place five years later. Still, TEO has been putting out solid content while working with good platforms. I initially wanted to give younger staff opportunities rather than directing myself, but I’ve ended up working alongside them longer than expected. With our fifth anniversary this year, we’re rethinking the company’s brand image and setting a new direction.” He said TEO has focused on two tracks: producing content for global distribution and building intellectual property that can become company assets. “We have many great creators, and everyone is doing their part,” he said. “From next year, there will be content where seeds bear fruit, and we’re starting to see global results little by little. Profitability matters, but the biggest dopamine for a PD is hearing, ‘You opened a new era.’ Just as ‘Culinary Class Wars’ opened an era for cooking programs, what matters is opening a new era. So we keep thinking: What do we open next? We’ll keep a company identity, but we want as much variety as possible in genres and content.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 00:06:09 -
Seiko Matsuda Makes Long-Awaited Korea Concert Debut With 45th Anniversary Tour Japanese pop star Seiko Matsuda held her first concert in South Korea, 45 years after her debut, drawing fans across generations as renewed interest in her music has spread among younger listeners and longtime followers alike. The show took place on Feb. 22 at Inspire Arena in Incheon as part of the Inspire Concert Series #7, titled “Seiko Matsuda 45th Anniversary Concert Tour – Sing! Sing! Sing! in Korea.” It followed stops that included Saitama Super Arena and Japan’s Budokan, where the tour drew major attention. Matsuda debuted in 1980 with “Barefoot Season” and went on to set records in Japanese pop, including 24 consecutive No. 1 songs on the Oricon chart and cumulative album sales of 29.63 million. The article notes that at her Budokan concert last September, she expressed strong anticipation about visiting South Korea. She opened with “Blue Coral Reef,” one of her best-known songs among Korean fans, appearing in a white dress with pink ribbon details. She followed with “Heaven’s Kiss,” as the crowd responded with loud sing-alongs. Midway through the concert, she switched to a black dress and performed “Alice in the Country of Time,” “Pink Mozart” and “Cherry Blossom.” She also varied the staging by taking drumsticks and slinging on a guitar, prompting cheers from the audience. Addressing the crowd in Korean, she said, “Hello, I’m Seiko Matsuda. Have you been well? This is my first concert in Korea. Nice to meet you.” In an acoustic section, she interacted closely with her band and said she prepared the Korean greeting with longtime members for the Korea visit. The set included ballads such as “I Want to Be Loved,” “Eighteen” and “Seychelles Sunset.” During “Sweet Memories,” the venue fell quiet as the audience focused on her vocals. Near the end, she said, “I waited all day, excited to meet the Korean audience in person. I’m truly happy that you’re cheering me on with such warm eyes.” She then sang “Red Sweet Pea” with the crowd and closed with “Rock’n Rouge” and her debut song, “Barefoot Season.” The concert featured frequent audience choruses, underscoring the cross-border appeal of her catalog and leaving fans with what the article described as a long-promised meeting finally fulfilled. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-23 00:05:00 -
BLACKPINK receives Red Diamond for first artist YouTube subscription of 100 mln SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -BLACKPINK has become the first musical artist in the world to surpass 100 million subscribers on YouTube, setting a new benchmark for global fandom in the digital era. The channel exceeded the 100 million mark at 7:31 p.m. Friday, YG Entertainment said in a press release Saturday, nine years and eight months after it was launched on June 28, 2016. YouTube on Friday presented the group with its Red Diamond Creator Award to commemorate the milestone. The distinction is reserved for channels that exceed 100 million subscribers, placing BLACKPINK in a rare tier of global creators. Launched in June 2016, the group’s official channel reached the mark in about nine years and eight months. It has uploaded more than 50 videos with at least 100 million views each, while cumulative views stand at 41.1 billion. Guinness World Records has also listed the quartet as the “most viewed band on YouTube.” Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube and Google, described the achievement as “historic,” calling it the first time any artist worldwide has reached the 100 million-subscriber threshold. He said the figure reflects the depth of BLACKPINK’s bond with fans and underscores how artists can use digital platforms to build borderless fandoms. The Red Diamond Creator Award, featuring a dark red crystal play icon, is one of YouTube’s rarest honors. Previous recipients include major global creators, but BLACKPINK is the first official artist channel to claim the distinction. Debuting on Aug. 8, 2016, under YG Entertainment, the four-member act — Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa — rose quickly with early hits “Whistle” and “Boombayah.” Their 2018 single “DDU-DU DDU-DU” became a global breakthrough, expanding their international footprint and reinforcing their dominance on YouTube. Subsequent releases, including full-length albums “THE ALBUM” and “BORN PINK,” cemented their standing as one of K-pop’s leading acts. The group has also mounted sold-out world tours and performed at major international festivals, further broadening its global reach. Each member has pursued solo projects alongside group promotions, yet BLACKPINK’s collective brand has remained a formidable force. The group recently wrapped up its “DEADLINE” world tour and is set to release its third mini album, “Deadline,” at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 (Korea time). The upcoming album will feature five tracks: title song “Go,” along with pre-releases “Dwieo,” “Me and My,” “Champion” and “Fxxxboi.” YG Entertainment said the record will capture “the best moments that cannot be undone” and showcase “BLACKPINK at their brightest right now.” 2026-02-22 14:36:09