Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • BTS to Livestream Goyang and Tokyo World Tour Concerts in Movie Theaters
    BTS to Livestream Goyang and Tokyo World Tour Concerts in Movie Theaters BTS’ new world tour will also be shown on the big screen. BIGHIT MUSIC, a HYBE Music Group label, said fans can watch live-viewing screenings of the “BTS World Tour Arirang” concerts set for April 11 in Goyang and April 18 in Tokyo. Live viewing refers to a broadcast service that lets large audiences gather in one venue to watch concerts or sporting events together. BTS are set to launch the tour April 9 at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex, beginning a large-scale run of 82 shows in 34 cities. The opening Goyang dates and the Tokyo concert, described as the starting point of the group’s global schedule, have drawn strong interest. The live-viewing plan will allow fans worldwide to share in the tour’s kickoff. The screenings will be held in more than 3,500 theaters across 75 countries and regions, the label said. Some locations will air the show on a delay because of time differences, and the number of participating countries, regions and theaters is expected to increase. In South Korea, screenings will be offered by the country’s three major multiplex chains: CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox. Ticket sales begin at 10 a.m. on the 25th. BTS have quickly sold out 41 North American and European tour dates, including Goyang. They will become the first Korean act to hold solo concerts at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa; Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso; Stanford Stadium; Gillette Stadium in Foxborough; M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore; AT&T Stadium in Arlington; King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium; and Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, they set a record for the highest seat occupancy for a single event. Separately, BTS will release their fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” at 1 p.m. on March 20. The label said the music reflects “BTS as they are now” and is expected to resonate with fans worldwide. From the album’s release date through April 12, the group will also run “BTS The City Arirang Seoul,” featuring experiential content combining music and media, with installations across Seoul designed to blend with the cityscape.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 08:15:00
  • Rookie Band AxMxP Win Two Awards at the 2nd D Awards
    Rookie Band AxMxP Win Two Awards at the 2nd D Awards Rookie boy band AxMxP won two honors at its first awards show since debut. The group attended the second D Awards (D AWARDS with upick) on Feb. 11 at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul’s Seongbuk District, taking home the D Awards Discovery of the Year and the D Awards Remark awards. In their acceptance speech, the members said, “Thank you for giving us this meaningful award,” adding, “We sincerely thank our fandom, DX, for always being our engine. Starting with this award, we’ll work even harder as AxMxP.” AxMxP also performed “PASS,” the title track from its recently released first mini album, delivering a specially rearranged version with a hard rock sound, live band playing and a headbanging performance. The group later teamed up with Choi Rip Woo for a special collaboration stage of “SEE YOU LATER,” an original soundtrack song from the drama “Spring of the Four Seasons.” AxMxP debuted in September last year and have continued promotions with their first mini album, “Amplify My Way.” The album topped 80,000 copies in first-week sales, a personal best, and ranked No. 1 on Hanteo Chart’s weekly album chart for the fifth week of January (Jan. 26-Feb. 1). The music videos for double title tracks “PASS” and “Thereafter” placed No. 4 and No. 15, respectively, on YouTube Music’s weekly trending music video chart (Jan. 30-Feb. 5). AxMxP are scheduled to appear on Feb. 21 at the 2026 JOY Concert - Voice of Spring and to hold a Rolling Hall 31st anniversary show, “DO IT MY WAY,” on March 7. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 17:51:00
  • ZEROBASEONE to Continue as 5-Member Group; Four Members to Pursue Solo Activities
    ZEROBASEONE to Continue as 5-Member Group; Four Members to Pursue Solo Activities ZEROBASEONE, the group formed through Mnet’s audition show “Boys Planet,” will continue team activities as a five-member act. Agency WakeOne said Feb. 12 that members Sung Han Bin, Kim Ji Woong, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae Rae and Park Gun Wook “decided to begin a new season as ZEROBASEONE” based on mutual trust. WakeOne said the decision followed sufficient discussions between the members and their respective agencies. Zhang Hao, Ricky, Kim Gyu Vin and Han Yu Jin, who are with YH Entertainment, will wrap up the group’s set project period and move into independent activities. The group will perform as nine members through a concert next month at KSPO Dome in Seoul’s Olympic Park before the four go their separate ways. WakeOne said it will fully support the five-member lineup and continue communicating so all members can keep growing as partners. ZEROBASEONE debuted in 2023 as a nine-member project group and have logged six consecutive million-seller releases. The group were originally set for a 2 1/2-year run, with their activities scheduled to end in January next year, drawing attention to whether contracts would be extended. In December, all nine members agreed to extend activities for about two months, including a new release in February and a Seoul encore concert in March. Under the new plan, ZEROBASEONE will continue as five after the March concert. WakeOne said all nine members will still take the stage together for the previously announced “2026 ZEROBASEONE WORLD TOUR ENCORE” shows.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 17:33:26
  • HYBE posts record 2025 revenue of 2.65 trillion won, eyes boost from BTS return
    HYBE posts record 2025 revenue of 2.65 trillion won, eyes boost from BTS return HYBE posted its highest annual revenue since its founding, with sales up about 18% from a year earlier. The company said its “multi-home, multi-genre” strategy aimed at global markets and strong growth in concert revenue drove the expansion. Operating profit fell year over year as HYBE reflected costs tied to upfront investment for mid- to long-term growth and changes to its profit structure. On a consolidated basis, HYBE’s 2025 revenue totaled 2.6499 trillion won, led by performance results. HYBE held 279 global events last year — 250 concerts and 29 fan meetings — generating 763.9 billion won in performance revenue, up about 69% from the prior year. HYBE said the momentum helped it climb five spots to No. 4 worldwide in Billboard’s “Top Promoter” category in the “2025 Boxscore Year-End Report,” placing it among the “big four.” Of the four K-pop acts listed in Billboard’s “2025 Top Tours,” three — j-hope, Seventeen and Enhypen — were HYBE Music Group artists, the company said. Despite a broader adjustment in the album market, HYBE said it maintained its influence in 2025. On the annual Circle Chart, cumulative sales were about 19.6 million albums, with an estimated market share of about 30%. HYBE Music Group artists logged a combined 3.7 billion streams, and their share on the “Global Spotify 200” was 3%. Digital music accounted for about 37% of HYBE’s total recorded-music revenue in 2025. Weverse, HYBE’s global superfans platform, turned profitable for the year after restructuring its revenue model and improving operating efficiency. HYBE said results were supported by adding more artists, upgrading e-commerce operations and expanding digital businesses. The company expects further improvement this year as BTS resume group activities and as e-commerce and digital businesses grow. HYBE’s 2025 consolidated operating profit was 49.9 billion won, down about 73% from a year earlier. The decline reflected early-stage investment tied to new artist debuts and one-time costs from business restructuring. HYBE cited debuts by multiple artists, including Japan’s aoen, South Korea’s CORTIS and Latin act SANTOS BRAVOS, which concentrated initial costs. HYBE said aoen’s debut single “The Blue Sun_” topped Oricon’s daily chart, CORTIS became a million-seller in its first year, and SANTOS BRAVOS sold out a 10,000-seat debut concert, with 70,000 people watching online. HYBE also reflected one-time costs tied to operational efficiency efforts. In North America, it is reorganizing to reduce volatility from a management-centered structure and shift toward a label-centered IP business model. After a conservative review of asset values aligned with the new structure, HYBE recognized about 200 billion won in impairment losses in nonoperating profit and loss in the fourth quarter, including in its management business. The company said the loss is an accounting item with no cash outflow. HYBE said the move was intended to improve accounting transparency and predictability, and that given HYBE America’s strengthened fundamentals, the risk of additional large write-downs appears limited. HYBE expects the effects of these steps to translate into a meaningful rise in profitability starting this year. HYBE pointed to the global impact of its label-centered model through the example of KATSEYE. As of the fourth quarter of last year, KATSEYE surpassed 36 million monthly listeners on Spotify, HYBE said, the highest figure among girl groups worldwide. The title track “Gabriela” has charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for 28 consecutive weeks, and the group recently placed two songs in the top 30 at the same time — a first for a girl group since Destiny’s Child, HYBE said. Its first solo tour, “The Beautiful Chaos Tour,” sold out all dates, and per-capita spending on tour merchandise exceeded that of existing pop artists, the company said. HYBE said it plans to expand its influence in the global music market this year. BTS are set to release their fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” on March 20. The group’s first full-member album in about four years will be followed by HYBE’s largest world tour to date, the company said. A schedule has been confirmed for 82 shows in 34 cities worldwide — the largest ever for a single K-pop artist tour — with additional dates in Japan and the Middle East to be announced later. In South Korea, a new girl group is scheduled to debut this year. In North America, HYBE plans to launch a follow-up global girl group based on KATSEYE’s formula. It is also accelerating preparations for a local boy group project in collaboration with multi-platinum producer Ryan Tedder, a four-time Grammy Award winner. HYBE said it will also introduce new IP combining storytelling and music through the Alan’s Universe project, which has 100 million YouTube subscribers, and plans to run projects tailored to local culture in India. HYBE also unveiled a new three-year shareholder return plan. It said it will introduce a “minimum dividend” guaranteeing at least 500 won per share, which it described as a first for a K-content company. HYBE will also change its dividend benchmark from net profit to consolidated free cash flow to better reflect cash generation and reduce volatility from noncash gains and losses. Under the new standard, HYBE plans to use up to 30% of free cash flow as return resources from 2025 through 2027.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 17:27:46
  • BNT Spotlight Global Fan Vote Launches With Times Square Ad Prize
    BNT Spotlight Global Fan Vote Launches With Times Square Ad Prize BNT News and global fan-voting platform STARDOM officially launched the rising-artist branding and marketing project BNT Spotlight on Feb. 11. Organizers said BNT Spotlight is designed as a marketing project that links emerging artists to a global stage, rather than a simple popularity vote. It combines media, content and fan participation, with voting results feeding real-time rankings, content production and wider international news distribution. The project uses a multi-platform voting system connected across STARDOM, MY1PICK and JK FANDOM. Sixteen teams are participating: PRIMROSE, LUN8, WAKER, ADAP, SAY MY NAME, n.SSign, NCHIVE, ALL(H)OURS, E11iVYN, JUST B, NEWBEAT, NouerA, In A Minute, We;Na, TEMPEST and X:IN. Preliminary voting runs through Feb. 23. The semifinals are Feb. 25 to March 4, and the final is March 6-16. Top finishers will receive global promotional rewards. The No. 1 artist is set to receive a large digital billboard ad in New York’s Times Square, distribution of articles to 600 global media outlets and 20 million views for Instagram Reels content. Second place is to receive articles to 300 outlets and 10 million Reels views, and third place articles to 50 outlets and 5 million Reels views. All participating artists will receive a BNT News article and Instagram Reels content regardless of ranking, organizers said. A BNT News official said BNT Spotlight is “a project in which artists, fans and media create a single growth story together,” adding that it will serve as “a new channel to expand the potential of rising artists in the global market.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 16:27:00
  • Court orders HYBE to pay Min Hee Jin 25.5 Billion Won in put option dispute
    Court orders HYBE to pay Min Hee Jin 25.5 Billion Won in put option dispute SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - A Seoul court has ruled that HYBE must pay roughly 25.5 billion won ($19 million) to Min Hee-jin, former CEO of ADOR and current head of OK Records, in connection with a put option dispute. The Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 31, presided over by senior judge Nam In-soo, partially ruled in favor of Min in her lawsuit seeking payment under a shareholder agreement. The court ordered HYBE to pay Min roughly 25.5 billion won. It also dismissed a separate lawsuit filed by HYBE seeking confirmation that its shareholder agreement with Min had been lawfully terminated. The court had reviewed the two cases in parallel, as the validity of the contract termination directly affected Min’s right to exercise the put option. In its ruling, the court acknowledged that Min had explored ways to make ADOR independent from HYBE. However, it determined that such efforts alone did not constitute a material breach of the shareholder agreement. After reviewing KakaoTalk messages exchanged between Min and her associates, as well as her performance and responsibilities as CEO, the court concluded that her actions did not significantly hinder ADOR’s growth or cause demonstrable damage to the company. HYBE’s claim that Min had intended to terminate NewJeans’ exclusive contracts and pursue an initial public offering (IPO) for ADOR independently was also rejected. The court stated that although Min appeared to have discussed independence strategies with external investors, those proposals were premised on HYBE’s consent and could not have taken effect without it. The ruling further noted that Min continued to carry out her duties as CEO during the dispute, including overseeing album releases in Korea and Japan. Allegations raised by Min including claims that ILLIT had copied NewJeans and their album sales had been artificially inflated, were also found insufficient to justify termination of the contract. The court emphasized that the financial harm Min would suffer if the contract termination were upheld was “clear and significant,” while finding that HYBE had not demonstrated a breach serious enough to warrant cancellation of the agreement. Accordingly, the court ordered HYBE to pay Min approximately 25.5 billion won. It also ruled that HYBE must pay a combined 3.1 billion won to Mr. Shin, a former ADOR vice president, and Mr. Kim, a former cheif director, who had jointly notified the company of their intention to exercise the put option. The dispute stems from Min’s notification in November of 2024 that she would exercise her put option rights. Under the shareholder agreement, the put option payout is calculated by multiplying ADOR’s average operating profit over the previous two fiscal years by 13, and then applying 75 percent of Min’s ownership stake in the company. Based on ADOR’s earnings during the reference period and Min’s shareholding, the court determined that the amount due to her totals approximately 25.5 billion won. Including the claims filed by her associates, the total payout sought amounted to roughly 28.7 billion won. 2026-02-12 16:16:08
  • Court orders HYBE to pay Min Hee Jin about 25.5 billion won in Ador put-option case
    Court orders HYBE to pay Min Hee Jin about 25.5 billion won in Ador put-option case A South Korean court has ordered HYBE to pay about 25.5 billion won to Min Hee Jin, former CEO of Ador and now CEO of OK Records, in a dispute over a put option, or stock buyback right. The Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 31, led by Presiding Judge Nam In Soo, ruled Thursday that HYBE must pay Min about 25.5 billion won in a stock purchase price lawsuit she filed. The court also dismissed HYBE’s separate lawsuit seeking confirmation that a shareholder agreement had been terminated. The panel heard the two cases together because whether the shareholder agreement was terminated was a prerequisite for the put-option claim. The court said it could accept that Min explored ways to make Ador independent from HYBE, but found that fact alone did not amount to a material breach of the shareholder agreement. Citing KakaoTalk messages between Min and associates, along with her performance as CEO, the court said it was difficult to conclude she hindered Ador’s growth or caused losses. The court also rejected HYBE’s claim that Min planned to terminate NewJeans’ exclusive contracts, take the group with her and pursue an initial public offering for Ador. It said Min appeared to have met outside investors to explore independence plans, but those options were premised on HYBE’s consent and would have no effect without it. The panel also noted that Min continued to carry out her duties as CEO during the dispute, including releasing albums in South Korea and Japan. It said Min’s allegations that ILLIT copied NewJeans and claims of album “push-out” practices were also difficult to treat as grounds for a serious contract breach. The court said the harm Min would suffer from terminating the agreement was relatively clear and significant, but that it was hard to find a breach serious enough to justify termination. The court therefore ordered HYBE to pay Min about 25.5 billion won. It also ordered HYBE to pay a combined about 3.1 billion won to two of Min’s associates — a former Ador vice president identified by the surname Shin and a former director identified by the surname Kim — who also notified the company they were exercising put options. The dispute began after Min notified HYBE in November 2024 that she was exercising her put option. Under the shareholder agreement, the payout is calculated by multiplying Ador’s average operating profit for the previous two years by 13, then applying an amount equal to 75% of Min’s Ador stake. Based on operating profit for the relevant years and Min’s ownership, the amount due to her was about 25.5 billion won. With Shin and Kim also seeking payment, Min’s side sought a total of about 28.7 billion won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 13:00:00
  • James Van Der Beek of Dawsons Creek Dies at 48
    James Van Der Beek of 'Dawson's Creek' Dies at 48 Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for playing Dawson on the hit U.S. TV drama “Dawson’s Creek,” died Tuesday, local time. He was 48. His family said on his official Instagram account, “Beloved James Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning,” adding that he “never lost courage, faith and kindness until the very end.” The New York Times reported that Van Der Beek had been battling stage 3 colon cancer since being diagnosed in 2024. Born in 1977 in Cheshire, Connecticut, he moved to New York to pursue acting and began his career on Broadway in the play “Sand.” He rose to stardom in 1998 as Dawson, a high school student in “Dawson’s Creek.” The series followed the love, friendship and growing pains of teenagers in Massachusetts and helped launch young stars including Katie Holmes and Jason Behr. It also aired in South Korea and was popular there. Van Der Beek later appeared in NBC’s “Mercy” as a womanizing doctor and played an FBI agent in the “CSI: Cyber” series. He continued acting through recent years, including a role in the romantic comedy film “Sidelined: QB and Me.” Van Der Beek married Heather McComb in 2003; they divorced in 2010. He later married Kimberly Brook, and they have six children.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-12 08:21:00
  • Disney-Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ to Open in Dolby Cinema After 4DX Release
    Disney-Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ to Open in Dolby Cinema After 4DX Release The film “Hoppers” has confirmed a Dolby Cinema release following its 4DX version, boosting anticipation among fans. “Hoppers” is a Pixar animated animal-adventure film built around “hopping” technology that transfers a human mind into an animal robot. The story follows a girl named Mabel, who becomes a robot beaver and infiltrates a vivid animal world, setting off on an unexpected adventure. With the Dolby Cinema release confirmed, the film also unveiled a Dolby Cinema poster. It shows Mabel connected to a hopping machine at the moment her transformation into a robot beaver is completed. Her bewildered expression suggests she can hardly believe what has happened, before she adapts to the animal world and is set to make an impact there. Dolby Cinema is expected to offer a different kind of immersion than 4DX, drawing audiences deeper into the adventure Mabel leads. The format’s sharp picture and realistic sound are also expected to bring to life the authenticity — and even the tactile feel — of the natural settings emphasized by director Daniel Chong, pointing to a theater-only cinematic experience. The film is directed by Chong, the creator of the globally popular series “We Bare Bears,” who also worked as a storyboard artist on “Cars 2” and “Penguins of Madagascar.” Newcomer Piper Curda voices Mabel. The cast also includes Bobby Moynihan, who appeared in “Inside Out 2” and “IF: Imaginary Friends,” and Jon Hamm, known in South Korea for “Top Gun: Maverick” and a Golden Globe win for best actor in a TV drama at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards for “Mad Men.” Three-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, who has recently been announced for “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” joins the voice cast. The film opens March 4. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 11:18:44
  • Kwon Sang Woo and Moon Chae Won comedy Heartman launches on IPTV and VOD
    Kwon Sang Woo and Moon Chae Won comedy 'Heartman' launches on IPTV and VOD The film "Heartman" begins IPTV and VOD service on Tuesday, bringing the comedy to home viewers. Starting Tuesday, "Heartman" is available on IPTV platforms including Home Choice and Skylife, as well as streaming and mobile services such as Wavve, Google, Apple TV and Watcha. A discount-coupon event for VOD purchasers is also being offered. Director Choi Won Seop and actor Kwon Sang Woo, who previously teamed up on the "Hitman" series, reunite for "Heartman." The film mixes comedy with fast-paced banter among its characters and a focus on family ties. Moon Chae Won, Park Ji Hwan, Pyo Ji Hoon and Kim Seo Heon also star. "Heartman" follows Seungmin (Kwon), a man who returns and struggles to keep from losing his first love again, only to find himself caught up in a secret he cannot tell her.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-11 08:42:00