Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • BLACKPINK receives Red Diamond for first artist YouTube subscription of 100 mln
    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
  • BLACKPINK Becomes First Artist Channel to Reach 100 Million YouTube Subscribers
    BLACKPINK Becomes First Artist Channel to Reach 100 Million YouTube Subscribers BLACKPINK has reached 100 million subscribers on YouTube, the first time in the platform’s history that an official artist channel has hit the mark. YouTube said on the 21st that it presented BLACKPINK with a “Red Diamond Creator Award” made to commemorate the milestone. The group’s YouTube channel was launched in June 2016, reaching the record in about 9 years and 8 months. The channel has produced 50 videos with more than 100 million views each, and its cumulative views total 41.1 billion. Guinness World Records has officially listed the group as the “band with the most views on YouTube.” Lyor Cohen, Google and YouTube’s global head of music, called the achievement “truly historic,” saying it is “the first record of its kind among artists worldwide.” “It proves how deep the bond is between BLACKPINK and their fans, and how unmatched their influence is on the global stage,” Cohen said. He added that the group is “a perfect example” of how artists can use YouTube to build a borderless mega-fandom, and congratulated BLACKPINK on the “monumental moment.” BLACKPINK will release its third mini-album, “Deadline,” at 2 p.m. KST on the 27th. The album includes five tracks: the title song “Go,” along with the pre-release songs “Run,” “Me and My,” “Champion” and “Fxxx Boy.” YG said the album, like its title, will be filled with “the best moments that can’t be undone” and “BLACKPINK’s present at its brightest.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 13:54:14
  • A Man Living With the King Tops 5.26 Million Admissions, Leads Weekend Box Office
    'A Man Living With the King' Tops 5.26 Million Admissions, Leads Weekend Box Office 영화 '왕과 사는 남자'가 520만 관객을 돌파했다. The film “A Man Living With the King” remained No. 1 at the box office, drawing 581,184 moviegoers on Feb. 21, according to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network. Its cumulative audience reached 5,260,595. The film hit 5 million admissions two days earlier than “The King and the Clown,” the first historical film to surpass 10 million moviegoers, and is matching the pace of “Masquerade,” which drew 12 million admissions, the data showed. Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, the period drama follows a village chief who volunteers for exile to revive his community and a young deposed king sent into exile. It is directed by Jang Hang-jun and stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae and Jeon Mi-do. “Humint,” directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, ranked No. 2, selling 100,053 tickets over the same period for a total of 1,491,010 admissions. Set in Vladivostok, the film centers on people with different aims who collide in a place where secrets and truths are buried in an icy sea. It stars Jo In-sung, Park Jeong-min, Shin Se-kyung and Park Hae-joon. “No. 1,” directed by Kim Tae-yong, placed third. It drew 6,724 moviegoers over the same period, bringing its cumulative total to 223,399.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 10:57:16
  • BTS to Open Ticket and Viewing Details for Gwanghwamun Square Comeback Show
    BTS to Open Ticket and Viewing Details for Gwanghwamun Square Comeback Show BTS’ Gwanghwamun Square concert is 27 days away. HYBE shared additional details on Weverse, raising anticipation among fans. Access to the designated viewing areas will be limited to winners selected from Weverse Global reservation purchasers and to holders of advance-sale tickets. Areas outside the viewing zones may face partial restrictions under on-site safety guidelines. The audience setup will include standing sections and reserved seating. Some reserved seats may have limited views because of stage production and safety structures, though large LED screens will be available on-site for viewing. The show will be available both in person and online. Offline ticket reservations will be offered for free through NOL Ticket at 8 p.m. tomorrow (23). Those unable to attend in person can watch on Netflix. “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” will run for about an hour starting at 8 p.m. on March 21 in and around Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square. Traffic in the area will be controlled to support operations and safety, and nearby subway stations may pass through without stopping depending on crowd levels. BTS will release its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” at 1 p.m. on March 20. The 14-track album reflects the group’s identity and deep love, and uses the title of a well-known Korean folk song to express the team’s roots and the emotions felt by its members through music. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 10:21:16
  • BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Tops Spotify Countdown Charts Global for Fifth Straight Week
    BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Tops Spotify Countdown Charts Global for Fifth Straight Week BTS’ fifth full-length album, ‘ARIRANG,’ ranked No. 1 on Spotify’s ‘Countdown Charts Global’ for the Feb. 18 chart, extending its run at the top to five straight weeks. The album first reached No. 1 on the Jan. 21 chart and has held the spot since. The chart tracks pre-save totals for albums and singles, a metric widely used to gauge global listener anticipation ahead of release. ‘ARIRANG’ has surpassed 3.45 million pre-saves on Spotify, drawing attention to how it will perform after it is released. BTS will release ‘ARIRANG’ at 1 p.m. on March 20. The next day, the group will hold ‘BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG’ around Gwanghwamun Square, with the performance livestreamed on Netflix. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 16:16:02
  • Period drama dominates box office over Lunar New Year holiday
    Period drama dominates box office over Lunar New Year holiday SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Director Jang Hang-jun's "The King's Warden" has attracted over 4 million viewers since its release earlier this month. According to the Korean Film Council, the period drama has topped the box office for seven consecutive days since last Friday, when South Korea's biggest Lunar New Year holiday began, drawing a cumulative 4.17 million viewers since its release on Feb. 4. Last Tuesday alone, it drew about 661,449 viewers, the highest single-day holiday attendance since March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic kept audiences away from theaters. It took 15 days for the film to reach the milestone, two days faster than "The King and the Clown," the first period drama to attract 10 million moviegoers in 2005, and last year's top-grossing film "My Daughter is a Zombie." The film tells the story of Danjong, the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty, who was exiled to Yeongwol, Gangwon Province. Meanwhile, director Ryoo Seung-woo's spy-action film "Humint," starring Park Jeong-min and Zo In-sung, was also off to a strong start, drawing over 1 million viewers in about a week since its release on Feb. 11. 2026-02-19 16:13:57
  • CLOSE YOUR EYES’ Jang Yeo-jun Diagnosed With Rhabdomyolysis, to Pause Activities
    CLOSE YOUR EYES’ Jang Yeo-jun Diagnosed With Rhabdomyolysis, to Pause Activities Jang Yeo-jun, a member of the group CLOSE YOUR EYES, will temporarily halt activities due to health issues. Agency Encore said in a statement on the 19th that Jang recently visited a hospital after feeling unwell and was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis following detailed tests. Doctors said he needs inpatient treatment and monitoring. Jang is expected to be hospitalized for about a week and will be unable to attend scheduled activities this week. Encore said further details will be provided through each ticket seller, adding, “We will do our best so the artist can recover quickly with sufficient rest and treatment.” Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which damaged muscle tissue releases substances into the bloodstream. It can be caused by overexertion, dehydration or excessive exercise, and early treatment and rest are important, according to the agency. 2026-02-19 14:39:30
  • Stray Kids’ ‘S-Class’ music video tops 300 million YouTube views
    Stray Kids’ ‘S-Class’ music video tops 300 million YouTube views Stray Kids’ music video for “S-Class” has surpassed 300 million views on YouTube. The video for “S-Class,” the title track from the group’s third full-length album “5-STAR,” released June 2, 2023, reached 300 million views on the morning of Feb. 19. The milestone gives Stray Kids six music videos with more than 300 million views, following “God’s Menu,” “Back Door,” “Thunderous,” “MANIAC” and “Rock.” “S-Class,” the title track from “5-STAR” — Stray Kids’ third No. 1 album on Billboard’s main albums chart, the Billboard 200 — was written and composed by Bang Chan, Changbin and Han of the group’s producing unit 3RACHA. The song carries a message about standing out and shining among the unusual and the special. Set in Seoul, the music video highlights the eight members’ performance and polished visuals, drawing favorable responses from fans in South Korea and abroad. Stray Kids have added more milestones since the start of this year. They recently ranked No. 2 on the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s Global Artist Chart, the only K-pop act in the top 10. On Spotify, the group’s first full-length repackage album “IN生” surpassed 1.5 billion cumulative streams, and “God’s Menu,” the title track from its first full-length album “GO生,” topped 500 million plays — a first for a fourth-generation K-pop boy group. Their world tour concert film “Stray Kids: The DominATE Experience,” released on Feb. 6 local time, also led the global box office for the first weekend of February. Stray Kids will hold their sixth official fan meeting, “Stay in Our Little House,” four times at Inspire Arena in Incheon on March 28-29 and April 4-5. In June and September, they are set to headline major music festivals, including New York’s The Governors Ball Music Festival and Rock in Rio in Brazil.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 14:03:00
  • The Man Who Lives With the King Tops Lunar New Year Box Office, Passes 4 Million Admissions
    'The Man Who Lives With the King' Tops Lunar New Year Box Office, Passes 4 Million Admissions The period drama “The Man Who Lives With the King” led South Korea’s Lunar New Year holiday box office, setting the year’s top attendance mark so far. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network, the film, directed by Jang Hang-jun, drew 2,675,454 moviegoers from Feb. 13 (Fri) to Feb. 18 (Wed). Its cumulative total reached 4,174,928, holding the No. 1 spot for seven straight days. On Feb. 17, the day after Lunar New Year’s Day, it attracted 661,449 admissions in a single day, the highest daily holiday figure since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. The film crossed 4 million admissions on Feb. 18, its 15th day in theaters. That pace was two days faster than “The King and the Clown,” the first period drama to reach 10 million admissions, and “Zombie Daughter,” the top-grossing film of 2025, both of which hit the milestone on their 17th day. Set in Cheongnyeongpo in 1457, the story follows a village chief (played by Yoo Hae-jin) who volunteers to live at an exile site to revive his community, and a young deposed king (played by Park Ji-hoon). Spy action film “Humint,” set in Vladivostok, also gained momentum, surpassing 1 million cumulative admissions on the afternoon of Feb. 17. Total theater attendance from Feb. 13 (Fri) to Feb. 18 (Wed) reached about 4.52 million. Observers said “The Man Who Lives With the King” drew family audiences with an emotional narrative, while “Humint” delivered genre thrills, together boosting holiday moviegoing. A theater official said this year’s holiday season marked a full return of momentum for Korean films, led by “The Man Who Lives With the King” and “Humint,” after last year’s holiday box office was dominated by foreign releases. The official added that the traditional period drama’s fast run showed “the strength of Korean cinema and a new signal of hope,” and said the results reminded audiences why they return to theaters and “the essential value” of the big-screen experience. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 10:57:00
  • Disney+ ‘Fate War 49’ Producers Say Family Approved Use of Fallen Firefighter’s Story
    Disney+ ‘Fate War 49’ Producers Say Family Approved Use of Fallen Firefighter’s Story Disney+ variety show ‘Fate War 49’ has drawn criticism for using a fallen firefighter’s death as material for a fortune-reading mission, prompting producers to issue a statement. In a statement released on Feb. 18, the production team said the personal stories featured in the program were provided “based on prior consultation and explanation” and with “understanding and consent” from the individuals involved or their families or representatives. The team said it informed them of the show’s concept and format as a survival program featuring fortune-tellers, and also obtained consent to provide related information and use images. “We fully recognized the sensitivity of the matter and carefully reviewed the content throughout the production process,” it said. ‘Fate War 49’ is a survival entertainment series in which 49 fortune-tellers compete through missions to test their abilities. Controversy centered on the second episode released on Feb. 11, which included a mission titled “Guessing the cause of death.” The show presented clues such as photos of the deceased and the time of birth and death, and shamans were shown inferring the cause of death from that information. Viewers particularly objected after the episode included a fortune-reading segment involving the late firefighter Kim Cheol-hong, who died in the line of duty at a 2001 fire in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. A social media user claiming to be a family member posted a protest message, saying the show “demeans the death of someone who died saving others,” fueling the backlash. Another user who said they are Kim’s nephew wrote that after listening to a recorded call between a writer and the user’s aunt, they understood the show had said a shaman would appear and that the segment would use fortune-telling to show what kind of person Kim was and honor his “noble sacrifice.” But after watching the broadcast, the user said, the shamans were trying to guess how he died while cast members reacted with amazement and laughter. “I don’t understand how this honors my uncle’s sacrifice,” the user wrote.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 09:42:00