Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • TWS Builds Momentum With Seoul Fan Meeting and Sold-Out VR Concert Ahead of April 27 Comeback
    TWS Builds Momentum With Seoul Fan Meeting and Sold-Out VR Concert Ahead of April 27 Comeback Group TWS has extended its momentum from a fan meeting to a successful VR concert as it heads toward a comeback on April 27. Moving between live venues and movie theaters, the group has expanded its presence in the first quarter of 2026. TWS met fans from March 27-29 at Ticketlink Live Arena at Olympic Park in Seoul’s Songpa district, holding its second fan meeting, “42:CLUB” in Seoul (2026 TWS 2ND FANMEETING “42:CLUB” IN SEOUL). The three-day event ended to strong crowd response, underscoring the group’s drawing power. That interest carried into its first VR concert, produced with AMAZE. “TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD” sold out key sessions soon after ticket sales opened. During a second round of ticket sales, heavy traffic briefly brought down the server, organizers said. “RUSH ROAD” has continued to perform strongly. Based on high viewer satisfaction, it posted a perfect audience rating on Megabox and ranked No. 1 on the overall movie chart in its fourth week of release. With an extended run confirmed, it has been cited as an unusual box-office case for a VR concert release. The project is TWS’ first VR concert and has been described as combining the group’s fanbase with AMAZE’s production capabilities. TWS also took part in pre-shoot camera rehearsals, an uncommon step for VR concert artists, to improve the final result. TWS is set to continue fan meetings in April at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan, as it broadens overseas activities. The group previously released “YOU LIKE IT I LOVE IT,” a new song made in collaboration with U.S. artist 24kGoldn, and won two awards at the 40th Japan Gold Disc Awards. With a comeback scheduled for April 27, attention is on whether the momentum from the fan meeting, the VR concert’s performance and overseas activities will carry into the group’s next album. Meanwhile, “TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD” is being shown exclusively at Megabox COEX and will be available to watch through April 12.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-30 14:36:15
  • BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 for Seventh Career Top Spot
    BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 for Seventh Career Top Spot BTS has returned to the top of the U.S. Billboard 200 with its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” setting new weekly marks for a group album on sales and streaming. According to Billboard’s chart preview posted Monday on its website, “ARIRANG” debuted at No. 1 on the April 4-dated Billboard 200 with 641,000 equivalent album units. Billboard said it is the biggest weekly total for a group album since the chart began tracking units in December 2014. Pure album sales totaled 532,000. Billboard said that was the highest weekly sales figure for a group album in the past decade. Streaming-equivalent album units came to 95,000, a weekly streaming high for BTS. Physical sales were also strong. “ARIRANG” sold 516,000 physical copies, including 208,000 vinyl records. It marked BTS’ best vinyl week and the largest weekly vinyl sales for a group since Luminate began tracking in 1991. The album also led Billboard’s Top Album Sales and Top Streaming Albums charts. The No. 1 debut gave BTS its seventh career leader on the Billboard 200. The group previously topped the chart with six albums, starting with 2018’s “Love Yourself: Tear,” including “Proof.” The album also topped major charts overseas, including four categories on Japan’s Oricon, as well as the U.K. Official Charts, Australia’s ARIA and Germany’s official music charts, the report said. The title track, “SWIM,” rose to No. 2 on the U.K. Official Singles Top 100, the group’s best showing on that chart. In South Korea, it won four music show trophies without separate broadcast appearances. 2026-03-30 13:39:07
  • Lee Sun-bin Tries to Deliver Party Invite to Park Bo-young on MBC’s “Manitto Club”
    Lee Sun-bin Tries to Deliver Party Invite to Park Bo-young on MBC’s “Manitto Club” Lee Sun-bin launches a mission to deliver an invitation to Park Bo-young on MBC’s variety show “Manitto Club.” Episode 9, airing today (29), follows third-generation members Cha Tae-hyun, Park, Lee, Hwang Kwang-hee and Kang Hoon as they carry out individual “manitto” missions. Lee, an eight-year friend of Park and her assigned partner, plans an “early birthday party” and prepares a special surprise for her. In a preview clip, Lee disguises herself as a part-time worker to hand Park the invitation. Lee moves in as soon as she spots Park and passes along the invite, but Park quickly senses something is off and asks, “Are you my manitto?” catching Lee off guard. Lee keeps up the act, signaling that she was sent by someone else, and the show says she manages to fool Park. To maintain the cover, she continues doing actual part-time work to stay in character. The preview also shows Park checking the invitation and offers a look at the party venue, building anticipation for Lee’s surprise and Park’s reaction in the full episode. “Manitto Club” Episode 9 airs at 6:05 p.m. today.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-29 16:36:15
  • Actor Lee Dong-hwi on Method Acting and Moving Beyond a Comedy Image
    Actor Lee Dong-hwi on 'Method Acting' and Moving Beyond a Comedy Image 코미디로 사랑받았지만 더 이상 '웃기는 배우'로만 남고 싶지 않은 인물. 영화 '메소드연기'는 그 욕망과 불안을 메타 코미디의 방식으로 비튼 작품이다. 실제 이름을 그대로 가져온 캐릭터 '이동휘'를 연기한 배우 이동휘는 웃음과 자의식, 과몰입이 뒤섞인 낯선 얼굴을 꺼내 보인다. 영화 '메소드연기'(감독 이기혁)로 돌아온 이동휘를 만났다. "Director Lee Gi-hyeok was preparing a feature based on a different story, but it was halted for various reasons. Then he thought about which of his shorts could be expanded for a wider audience, and 'Method Acting' came to mind. Since the short was introduced mainly on the festival circuit, we brought in the more universal keyword of family and expanded it so audiences could relate," Lee said. '메소드연기'는 이기혁 감독의 동명 단편에서 출발한 작품이다. 장편으로 확장되는 과정에서 영화는 보다 보편적인 정서로 넓어졌고, Lee participated closely in that process as both an actor and a producer. Working with Lee Gi-hyeok, a longtime friend, he said he watched up close as a short film grew into a story meant to meet a broader audience. 무엇보다 흥미로운 건 영화 속 '이동휘'가 실제 배우 Lee Dong-hwi와 떼어놓고 보기 어려운 인물이라는 점이다. In the film, the character is also loved for comedy but does not want to be trapped by that image. Lee said the premise did not feel unfamiliar. "Whether it's a villain role or comedy, the public knows you for what they've seen. Once an image sticks, scripts tend to come in along those lines," he said. "There are seniors who broke out of those images over a long time and proved it through experience. I'm quietly following that path. I think it's arrogant to feel I have to solve it quickly. In an actor's life, I'm grateful for each opportunity. If there's a use for me, if there's value, I'm just thankful." He said he draws inspiration from athletes and musicians who train daily, pushing through boredom and fatigue, and tries to bring that discipline to his work. "I love comedy as a genre, and I have expectations about language and expression," he said. Lee also spoke about the gap between his friendly public image and what he described as a more sensitive private temperament, saying it once weighed on him but has eased with age. "Now that I'm 40, I think I'm becoming more rounded," he said. "The sharp parts and those worries soften, and I accept what I need to accept. I think I'm in the process of becoming an adult. If it were back when I was more hot-blooded, I might have been a bit prickly, but now I have chronic fatigue. Ha ha." On the surface, the project can look like a vehicle built for Lee: He uses his real name and plays a character that overlaps with his public persona. Lee said that made it harder, not easier, because he had to manage the distance between reality and fiction in every scene. "I vaguely thought it would be easier if I played 'me,' but once we started shooting, every day was homework," he said. "It shouldn't look like a documentary, and it's not a reality observation show, so you have to keep building layers." He cited a scene in which the character watches his mother from behind as she crosses a crosswalk. Seeing actress Kim Geum-soon from behind reminded him of his own mother, he said, and the emotion surged. "I thought, 'If the role gets too close to my life, it will be hard,'" he said, adding that he decided family material needed a more fictional approach to avoid taking a mental toll. The film also includes moments that recall a less mature period in the actor's life, including how the character treats juniors and approaches the set. Lee said the project prompted him to reflect on his earlier self, when he was focused on doing well but had not yet learned how to help carry a production as part of a team. "Looking back, I think I was only obsessed with running forward," he said. "My focus was only on 'I have to do well,' and I thought only, 'I have to be intense.'" He said he was struck by an acceptance-speech remark by actor Tony Leung, who wondered whether he could have worked with more smiles, and said he related to it. Lee said he learned by watching veteran actor Choi Min-sik on the set of 'Casino,' describing how Choi embraced the whole set and treated people warmly. "If there's a set I return to someday, I should approach it with more growth and maturity, shouldn't I?" he said. "It's a process of telling myself that." Lee said he was cautious about audiences overlapping the character with him as a person. He said he hoped it would be received as one person's story, but not reduced to only his private hardships. "I've kept challenging myself, but I still don't think I've achieved something," he said. "On set there are cries that don't remain as records, and inside that we're always chasing something. I wanted it to be received not just as results, but as a person's story. But I didn't want it to be limited to Lee Dong-hwi's personal struggle or difficulty, either." He added that some viewers may find parts of the finished film lacking in communication, but said he hoped his effort came through. He said he confronted family issues and other emotional matters during filming and came to see himself in difficult moments, which he believed could shape how the work is received. Still, Lee said he felt he had little choice but to put more of himself forward in this project, believing a purely fictional character would not bring audiences close enough. Even so, he said he ultimately hopes the film is received as fiction. "I hope this film is ultimately accepted as a fictional character," he said. "In this project, I had to find the courage, and I didn't think I could get close to the audience by only playing a made-up person. So I thought I had to put some of myself out front, and I challenged myself with that mindset. How it looks is up to the audience."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-29 14:57:20
  • BTS Releases SWIM Live Clip Filmed at Seonhyewon
    BTS Releases 'SWIM' Live Clip Filmed at Seonhyewon BTS has released a live clip for “SWIM.” The group posted the video at midnight on the 29th on its official YouTube channel. It was filmed at Seonhyewon, pairing a traditional setting with the modern choreography of “SWIM.” Instead of elaborate stage effects, the clip relies on lighting to highlight the group’s dance lines and the space itself. Lighting designed to evoke flowing water adds to the sense of immersion, and the members’ live vocals — down to audible breathing — are captured clearly. BTS released its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” on the 20th. Using “Arirang,” a song widely associated with Korea, as the title, the group said the album expresses its roots and the emotions felt by the seven members in 2026. The album also reflects a hope that, like the folk song that has endured across generations, the new release will resonate widely and be remembered for a long time. “ARIRANG” has gained traction on major charts worldwide. On Hanteo Chart, it set a new BTS record with first-week sales of 4,169,464 copies. The title track, “SWIM,” held No. 1 for eight straight days (20-27) on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart. On the U.K. Official Charts, “ARIRANG” debuted at No. 1 on the Official Albums Top 100 (March 27-April 3), and “SWIM” reached No. 2 on the Official Singles Top 100, setting another group record. BTS is continuing promotions with appearances on YouTube channels including “Insaeng 84” (Jin), “Hot Issue Ji” (Jimin), “Finding Kani” (j-hope), “Epic Kase” (RM, Suga) and “Ppadeoneoseu” (RM, V). At 5 p.m. on the 29th, an episode of “Fairy Table” featuring V will be released. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-29 10:48:22
  • CRAVITY’s Hyeongjun to Star in Interactive Short-Form Drama ‘Kill the Romeo’ on KITS
    CRAVITY’s Hyeongjun to Star in Interactive Short-Form Drama ‘Kill the Romeo’ on KITS CRAVITY’s Hyeongjun is set to show a new side as an actor in a first-person interactive short-form drama, built around viewer choices that determine his fate. Global K-pop short-form platform KITS said on the 27th it will exclusively release the interactive series “Kill the Romeo” starring Hyeongjun at 1 p.m. “Kill the Romeo” is an interactive, multi-ending romantic comedy in which the protagonist — “you” — lives a double life: a killer by trade and a devoted fan by persona. The story begins when your next target is named as your favorite idol, Hyeongjun. A newly released main poster heightens the premise with an on-screen prompt from the viewer’s perspective: “Do you want to eliminate the target?” The series uses the FMV (Full Motion Video) format, letting viewers choose options that drive the plot. Depending on whether the viewer carries out the mission to eliminate Hyeongjun or protects him out of fandom, the ending changes. Viewers can also collect Hyeongjun digital photo cards as the story unfolds. After a shared storyline, the drama branches at four decision points, leading to four endings: two versions of a happy ending, a bittersweet ending and a bad ending. Reaching one ending takes about 45 minutes, while seeing all outcomes takes about 90 minutes. The project marks Hyeongjun’s first lead role in a drama. Despite filming in a setup that required direct, one-on-one eye contact with the camera, he handled a wide emotional range spanning comedy, romance and action, earning positive feedback on set, according to the release. It also said he created choreography himself for a dance scene. KITS, which recently released “Wind Up” starring NCT’s Jeno and Jaemin and “Jumpboy LIVE” starring VERIVERY’s Kangmin, said it plans to further strengthen its interactive content lineup with “Kill the Romeo.” All episodes of “Kill the Romeo” will be released exclusively on KITS at 1 p.m. on the 27th. Episodes 1 through 6 will be available for free, with later episodes accessible via membership or paid purchase. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-27 11:09:20
  • Korea Music Copyright Association disputes audit criticism over AI works registration
    Korea Music Copyright Association disputes audit criticism over AI works registration The Korea Music Copyright Association, known as KOMCA, on Tuesday rejected a recent audit finding and related reports on artificial intelligence, calling them an interpretation that overlooks the specific nature of music copyright and the group’s response efforts. The Board of Audit and Inspection said in a March 24 announcement that 11 copyright collective management organizations, including KOMCA, were registering works and collecting and distributing royalties without separately verifying whether AI had been used. KOMCA responded in a statement Tuesday that it has reviewed internal policy while operating an AI task force team since 2023 and has officially implemented a “registration hold policy” for AI-used works since March. Under the policy, members seeking to register songs must check whether AI was used, and any work reported as AI-assisted is put on hold, the association said. KOMCA said the measure is a temporary management step meant to prevent confusion in the creative ecosystem and distortions of rights in the absence of legal standards. It said it is not denying copyright for AI-used works across the board, but taking a preemptive step to reduce disputes. The association also said there is no widely trusted technology worldwide that can perfectly determine whether AI was used. Given those technical limits, it said, the system inevitably relies on creators’ self-reporting, and a small number of false filings should not be treated as overall negligence by the association. As alternatives, KOMCA said its new chairman, Lee Si-ha, had proposed verification steps even before taking office, including requiring submission of DAW (digital audio workstation) files that can help show the actual creation process. It added that the association is accelerating development of a “Korean-style AI detection program.” KOMCA said it is also strengthening after-the-fact monitoring, including screening suspected AI-use cases found on platforms such as YouTube Shorts and withholding royalty payments while conducting additional analysis. The association said it is discussing national-level standards through the “K-Music Rights Organizations Coexistence Committee,” launched in February under Lee’s leadership. Topics include requiring transparency in AI generation processes and establishing clear criteria to distinguish human-created works from AI-generated works. “Even though management systems have not been established globally, the association has responded proactively,” a KOMCA official said. The official added that KOMCA will work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to help establish a fair copyright order.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 17:45:57
  • A Man Living With the King Tops 15 Million Tickets, Ranks No. 3 All Time in Korea
    'A Man Living With the King' Tops 15 Million Tickets, Ranks No. 3 All Time in Korea The film ‘A Man Living With the King’ has surpassed 15 million admissions in South Korea, reaching the milestone 50 days after its release. Distributor Showbox said Wednesday that the movie had topped 15 million cumulative viewers as of Wednesday afternoon. It reached 10 million admissions on its 31st day in theaters after opening Feb. 4, then hit 14 million on day 45 before adding another 1 million in just five days. The result makes ‘A Man Living With the King’ the third release in Korean box office history to cross 15 million, following ‘The Admiral: Roaring Currents’ (17.61 million) and ‘Extreme Job’ (16.26 million). It also moved past ‘Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds’ (14.41 million) and ‘Ode to My Father’ (14.25 million) to join the top tier of all-time Korean hits. Directed by Jang Hang-jun, the film is set in Cheongnyeongpo in 1457 and follows a village chief who chooses exile to revive his community and a young deposed king sent into exile. Strong word of mouth, driven by the on-screen pairing of Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon, has helped sustain its long run.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 16:31:06
  • TWS VR Concert Film ‘Rush Road’ Draws Fans With Quiet Energy and Meticulous Prep
    TWS VR Concert Film ‘Rush Road’ Draws Fans With Quiet Energy and Meticulous Prep Every production holds countless perspectives. People may share the same place and time, yet a director and performers can experience it in very different ways. looks beyond the on-screen “A-cut” to the vivid record of what happened off camera. By weaving interviews with directors and actors, it reconstructs “B-cut” moments that were often more intense than the finished frame. Among K-pop fans, the group TWS is often seen as “introverted,” known for soft-spoken interviews and a shy, rookie image. But in the close-up frame of a VR concert — where even a breath can feel inches away — the group showed a different side in the VR concert film “Rush Road,” which has continued to sell out. Director Kim Ji-ae, who helmed “Rush Road,” said the members’ focus stood out even on a set that could easily become dominated by technology. She said the shy boys carefully calculated their blocking in front of the camera and even adjusted choreography angles themselves. In an interview with this outlet, Kim described TWS and its fandom, SAI, as “above all, a big healing.” She said it was restorative to see the worries poured into the project — and the artists’ effort — turn into fans’ happiness. “These days, I take my vacation at the theater,” Kim said. “When I see people who came to watch a project we worked so hard on really loving it, it’s overwhelming. Being in the energy of people who came to see someone they like is healing. I had something stressful recently and went to the theater, and I came back healed after seeing SAI.” Watching “Rush Road” alongside SAI, this reporter noticed a contrast with other idol-fandom screenings. Where loud cheers often erupt the moment an artist appears close, SAI tended to respond differently. Even when a member reached out and stepped toward the viewer, the theater filled less with shouting than with quiet, bashful reactions. Kim said she saw the same pattern. “I felt like the fandom really takes after the artists,” she said. “Maybe because it’s an introverted group and an introverted fandom, they seemed embarrassed even while watching the film. Even with life-size standees, instead of taking photos up close, they zoom in from far away — it looked cute and shy. But on site they’re shy, and online they’re very active. When I read reactions on Twitter or communities, the feedback is so thoughtful, and I’m grateful. Some of the songs they suggested for the set list overlapped with songs we also regretted not being able to include, and I found it interesting — like, ‘We don’t think that differently.’” What drew that reserved fandom into the experience, Kim said, was the members’ relentless preparation. Amaze CEO Lee Seung-jun and Kim both praised the group for going beyond simply performing assigned choreography and instead working to find the best angles for VR. “TWS participated very actively in the preparation,” Kim said. “They kept studying how they should look by watching senior artists’ VR videos, and they practiced in a planned way down to fingertip details. Jihoon, Kyungmin and Youngjae — the so-called ‘Jakduz’ — are members who are very interested in performance directing. Even during choreography test shoots, Jihoon was watching the directing very closely, and the members all shared opinions, so it really felt like we were making it together. They were a team that thought through how each scene would look and what blocking would be better. Among the artists we’ve filmed so far, it’s rare to see anyone give input while even checking camera guides in such detail. It was a project filled with thought in every part, and it was my first time with artists like this.” Kim said it is not easy for artists to speak up on a set packed with technical staff. But she said TWS monitored rehearsal footage through VR headsets and traded immediate feedback. Even after realizing that a hand-holding jump move was hard to execute at “full power” because of the VR camera’s characteristics, she said, the group refused to coast. “It could have turned into a tech-driven set, but TWS never let go of their ambition for the stage,” Kim said. “They went into filming shouting, ‘This moment will never come back.’” Kim said the members’ off-camera shyness was matched, on camera, by a persistent drive to get the performance right. In the end, she said, the film’s impact was not only the novelty of VR but the clear connection left on screen between the artists and the fans who resemble them in temperament.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 15:16:17
  • Park Jihoon to Return as Singer With RE:FLECT Single Album on April 29
    Park Jihoon to Return as Singer With 'RE:FLECT' Single Album on April 29 Singer and actor Park Jihoon is returning with a new release for the first time in three years. YY Entertainment said it posted a coming-soon image for Park’s first single album, ‘RE:FLECT,’ on its social media accounts at midnight on the 25th. The album is set for release at 6 p.m. April 29. The poster features a white envelope and white feathers. The word ‘RE:FLECT’ and an angel illustration on the envelope create a mysterious, dreamlike mood. ‘RE:FLECT’ will be Park’s first new music since his seventh mini album, ‘Blank or Black,’ released in April 2023. The agency said the album reflects on time that has passed and the emotions left behind, as Park looks at himself in the present. Park recently appeared in the film ‘The Man Who Lives With the King.’ He will meet fans again as a singer with the new release. Ahead of the album, Park will hold a fan meeting titled ‘Same Place’ on April 25 and 26 at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District. ‘RE:FLECT’ will be available at 6 p.m. April 29 on major online music platforms.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-25 10:00:39