Journalist

Yoo Joonha
  • BTS Live D-5 : Seoul turns into citywide festival as BTS makes comeback
    BTS Live D-5 : Seoul turns into citywide festival as BTS makes comeback SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) - Seoul is poised to burst into light and sound this weekend as a quarter million fans descend on the Korean capital for a comeback performance by the mega-group BTS. The concert in Gwanghwamun Square will be the first in four years, following the completion of mandatory military service by the group members. The performance will follow the release Friday of ARIRANG, BTS’ fifth studio album. All 22,000 concert seats sold out rapidly, underscoring global demand for the return of the world’s most influential K-pop act. Seoul is making the best of the global attention, with a city-wide “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL” campaign running from Friday thru April 19, and featuring fan events, cultural programs, and public installations across major landmarks throughout the capital. The city’s project effectively expands the concert from the stage to all of Seoul itself, turning it into spaces where visitors can encounter the music and themes of the new album. Foreign fans have already begun arriving in the Myeongdong and Hongdae areas of the city ahead of the concert week, filling K-pop merchandise stores and popular fan gathering spots. Landmarks lighting up across Seoul Many of Seoul’s most recognizable landmarks will be lit up in celebration of the BTS comeback. Displays will appear Friday and Saturday at 15 locations across the city, including the Sebitseom floating islands on the Han River. A 500-meter stretch of the walkway along the downtown Cheonggyecheon stream between the Ogansugyo and Beodeuldari bridges will turn into an “Arirang Light Walk” nighttime promenade featuring lighting installations and visual elements inspired by BTS and the new album. With the installation running from April 6 through April 19, visitors will be able to experience themed displays as they take a springtime stroll along one of Seoul’s most popular urban public spaces. Meanwhile, the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, one of the capital’s best-known riverside light shows, will stage special performances set to BTS music Saturday and Sunday, pairing the group’s songs with the nighttime skyline of the Han River. Across the city, ten large media facade screens will display welcome messages for visiting fans, while banners will line Sejong-daero, the main boulevard leading to Gwanghwamun Square. To assist international visitors, multilingual welcome messages will also appear at major tourist sites and traditional markets. Fan events and interactive experiences The citywide project also introduces several fan participation programs. At Yeouido Hangang Park, a riverside park along the Han River, there will be a temporary venue titled the “Love Song Lounge” Friday and Saturday. The space will host listening sessions, busking performances and fan activities linked to the album’s campaign theme, “What Is Your Love Song?” Fans can also take part in a stamp rally connecting multiple BTS-themed locations across Seoul. Meanwhile, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the landmark cultural complex designed by architect Zaha Hadid, will host additional programs including a music light show and live performances from April 6 to April 12. Events along the Han River Celebrations will extend beyond central Seoul to the Han River and surrounding districts. The 2026 Seoul Spring Festival will run from April 10 to May 5, while the opening performance of the Han River Drone Light Show is scheduled for April 10. Visitors can also explore the river with a one-day unlimited Hangang bus pass offered on Friday and Saturday, providing views of landmarks such as Sebitseom and N Seoul Tower from the water. Traditional and contemporary performances will also take place at river terminals in Mangwon, Yeouido and Apgujeong under the program “Arirang on Seoul Stage.” 2026-03-16 16:08:19
  • KPop Demon Hunters went Up, Up, winning 2 Oscars for Best Animated and Original Song
    KPop Demon Hunters went Up, Up, winning 2 Oscars for Best Animated and Original Song *Updated with additional information SEOUL, March 16 (AJP) -KPop Demon Hunters turned Hollywood’s biggest night on Sunday into a K-pop celebration, sweeping two trophies at the 98th Academy Awards — Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song — as the Netflix sensation outshone heavyweight Hollywood contenders including Zootopia 2. Nearly a year after its global premiere, the animated hit — blending K-pop spectacle with Korean folklore and fantasy action — capped a remarkable awards-season run that has propelled it into one of the most culturally influential animated films in recent years. “To all the fans who got us here, and for all of those who look like me, sorry that it took us so long to see ourselves in a movie like this,” Korean-Canadian director Maggie Kang said as she accepted the award alongside co-director Chris Appelhans and writer Michelle L.M. Wong. “But it is here, and that means the next generations don’t have to go longing,” Kang added. “This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.” Produced by Sony Pictures Animation and released globally by Netflix, the film premiered on June 20, 2025 and quickly became one of the platform’s most-watched titles. The story follows fictional K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey, who secretly battle supernatural threats while maintaining their global pop-idol personas — a concept that merges K-pop performance culture with animated fantasy storytelling. The film’s Oscar triumph capped a year-long wave of accolades, including major wins at the Golden Globe Awards, Critics Choice Awards and Grammy Awards. “Golden” captures Best Original Song The film also claimed the Best Original Song Oscar for “Golden,” a track that became a breakout hit from the film’s soundtrack. Written by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Teddy Park, the song was performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI. “Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop, but now everyone is singing our song,” singer-songwriter EJAE said in her acceptance speech. “I realized this award isn’t really about success — it’s about resilience. I’m incredibly grateful to our team, the amazing cast, all the producers, and of course my mom and dad.” Other nominees included “Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless, “I Lied to You” from Sinners, “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from Viva Verdi!, and “Train Dreams” from Train Dreams. Hanbok-themed performance lights up Oscars stage The song also took center stage during the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI delivered a live performance of “Golden.” The stage opened with performers dressed in traditional Korean hanbok, accompanied by narration that built anticipation before the singers emerged in white to perform the K-pop-infused number. The performance blended synchronized choreography with Korean cultural imagery — bringing the film’s signature mix of K-pop aesthetics and folklore-inspired storytelling to the Oscars stage. With Netflix already announcing plans for a sequel, the triumph of K-Pop Demon Hunters suggests the film’s global cultural impact may only be beginning. 2026-03-16 08:54:47
  • BTS Comeback D-6: Police brace for massive crowds with heightened security
    BTS Comeback D-6: Police brace for massive crowds with heightened security SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - With less than a week left before K-pop juggernaut BTS' massive comeback concert, security at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul will be heightened, with over 6,500 officers mobilized as part of a set of safety measures, police said on Sunday. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, all available personnel will be deployed to the concert venue and surrounding areas to manage traffic, prevent crimes, and maintain safety, along with more than 5,400 pieces of security equipment. These measures come after a meeting last Friday between police, security managers of large buildings near the venue, and local government officials to discuss building access, rooftop closures, and other safety arrangements. As hundreds of thousands of people including foreign visitors are expected to pack the area this Saturday, police will manage crowds through about 31 gates to disperse them and use metal detectors to stop anyone carrying dangerous items from entering the venue. If crowds become too dense, these gates will be temporarily closed. Police will monitor the area in real time through CCTV and on-site inspections. They will also remain on alert for potential vehicle attacks or explosive threats. Visitors will be asked to cooperate with safety checks and are encouraged to carry minimal personal belongings to speed up entry. After the concert, authorities will help disperse crowds gradually to nearby subway stations and will also be prepared with evacuation plans. Police are also preparing for the possibility of concertgoers and other revelers moving to nearby tourist spots such as Itaewon and Seongsu-dong for post-concert gatherings. Traffic around Gwanghwamun will be restricted before and after the concert. The main thoroughfare in front of the statue of admiral Yi Sun-shin, the renowned South Korean naval hero of the Joseon Dynasty, will be closed from 9 p.m. on Friday to 6 a.m. on Sunday, with emergency lanes remaining open for urgent vehicles. Details on traffic information and alternate routes can be obtained by calling 120 or other police hotlines. 2026-03-15 15:51:55
  • Trump calls on Korea, allies to send warship as Hormuz tensions rise
    Trump calls on Korea, allies to send warship as Hormuz tensions rise SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - United States President Donald Trump said Saturday (local time) that countries affected by Iran’s attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz should send warships alongside the United States to help keep the key oil shipping route open. Writing on Truth Social, the social media platform Donald Trump launched after leaving the Oval Office in 2021, nations affected by the attempted closure of the waterway would be "sending war ships" alongside the U.S. to keep the strait open and safe. Trump specifically named China, France, Japan, South Korea and Britain. "Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK and others that are affected by this artificial constraint will send ships to the area," Trump wrote. Trump also warned that despite heavy damage to Iran's military capability, the country could still threaten the waterway by launching drones, deploying mines or firing short-range missiles. "The United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline and continually shooting Iranian boats and ships out of the water," Trump wrote, adding that Washington would ensure the strait becomes "open, safe and free." The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil shipments. 2026-03-15 01:40:11
  • Asian stocks fall as oil nears $100 and tensions loom large in the second war week
    Asian stocks fall as oil nears $100 and tensions loom large in the second war week SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) — Asian stock markets ended lower Friday as oil prices climbed back toward the $100 mark and tensions in the Middle East continued to unsettle investors across the region with little sign of easing in the second week. The Strait of Hormuz remained severely disrupted, raising alarms about Asian economies relying heavily on crude imports from the Gulf. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude traded around $95 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude hovered near $100, keeping inflation risks firmly in focus. The cautious mood followed losses on Wall Street overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.6 percent, the S&P 500 dropped 1.5 percent and the Nasdaq Composite slid 1.8 percent as investors reacted to rising energy costs and prolonged geopolitical uncertainty. Technology shares led the decline. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell 3.4 percent, reflecting concerns that escalating tensions in the Gulf could disrupt supply chains and global demand. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 slid 1.4 percent to 53,693, with exporters and technology stocks under pressure following weakness in U.S. equities. Chinese and Hong Kong markets also closed lower. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.9 percent to 4,090.2, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 0.9 percent. Taiwan’s TAIEX slipped 0.5 percent. Malaysia was among the few regional markets to avoid the broader decline. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI fell 1.7 percent to close at 5,487.24 after swinging sharply during the session. The index briefly dropped to an intraday low of 5,392.52 before trimming some losses later in the day. Investor flows showed a clear divergence. Foreign investors sold 1.46 trillion won ($980 million) worth of KOSPI shares and institutions offloaded 1.03 trillion won, while retail investors stepped in aggressively, purchasing a net 2.45 trillion won and helping cushion the decline. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ edged up 0.4 percent to 1,152.96 after recovering from early losses. Institutions were net buyers of 275.6 billion won, while foreign and retail investors sold 108.2 billion won and 131.2 billion won, respectively. Trading activity remained heavy as investors repositioned portfolios amid global uncertainty. Turnover reached 22.97 trillion won ($15.4 billion) on the KOSPI and 14.25 trillion won on the KOSDAQ. South Korean equities have swung sharply in recent sessions as investors reacted to developments in the Middle East and rapid moves in energy markets. The KOSPI plunged 6 percent Monday to 5,251.87 as geopolitical tensions rattled markets, before rebounding to 5,532.59 Tuesday and climbing further to 5,609.95 on Wednesday. Among Seoul heavyweights, Samsung Electronics fell 2.34 percent to 183,500 won and SK hynix declined 2.2 percent to 910,000 won, reflecting weakness in global semiconductor shares. Battery maker LG Energy Solution dropped 3.9 percent to 369,000 won, while automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia slipped 0.8 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. Samsung Biologics also fell about 2 percent, adding pressure on the index. Internet platform operator Naver bucked the broader market trend, rising 0.5 percent to 223,000 won. Energy markets remained a key driver of sentiment. West Texas Intermediate crude rose from around $81 per barrel at the start of the week to about $96.7 by Friday, after briefly spiking as high as $115.4 during intraday trading. Brent crude climbed from roughly $85.1 to about $101, touching a weekly peak of $117. The surge revived concerns about inflation and potential disruptions to global supply chains, particularly for energy-importing economies across Asia. The Korean won weakened to 1,496.5 per dollar Friday, revisiting levels last seen in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. The U.S. dollar index rose from 99.17 to 99.89, underscoring stronger demand for safe-haven assets. 2026-03-13 17:30:11
  • BTS Comeback D-8: Downtown Seoul turns into a city-scale stage 
    BTS Comeback D-8: Downtown Seoul turns into a city-scale stage  SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) — Towering buildings along Gwanghwamun are wrapped in giant BTS banners and purple-lit billboards as downtown Seoul gears up for the group’s long-awaited comeback concert next week. Across the historic boulevard, the capital is already shifting into concert mode. Restaurants are fielding bulk reservations, retailers are expanding merchandise displays and convenience stores are stacking drinks and ready-to-eat meals as fans begin arriving from across Korea and overseas. With just days remaining before the performance scheduled for March 21, authorities expect as many as 260,000 people could gather across the historic district, turning the heart of the Korean capital into a massive open-air concert venue. While the concert itself will accommodate about 22,000 ticket holders, far larger crowds are expected to fill nearby streets stretching from Gwanghwamun Square toward City Hall, where giant outdoor screens will livestream the performance. Police plan to deploy about 4,800 officers across the area to manage crowds as authorities coordinate traffic control and safety measures ahead of the anticipated influx of visitors. The concert follows the release of BTS’s fifth full-length album Arirang on March 20, marking the group’s return as a full lineup after nearly four years. Businesses prepare for the crowds For businesses near the historic plaza, preparations began days before the concert. Restaurants around Gwanghwamun say demand has surged as fans begin arriving in Seoul ahead of the event. “We’ve been receiving a large number of group orders ahead of the free BTS comeback concert,” said the owner of a restaurant near the square. “At this point, we’re even considering closing the store to the public on the day and focusing solely on fulfilling those orders.” Convenience stores are also bracing for increased demand. “Myeongdong has always been crowded, so it’s hard to say whether the concert alone has brought more people,” said the owner of a GS convenience store in the district. “But we plan to increase orders of ready-to-eat meals and drinks starting Thursday evening.” The owner added that sales of convenience meals have recently been rising and that more foreign visitors appear to be arriving in Seoul ahead of the concert. Major retailers are also adjusting operations to accommodate the influx of visitors. The two Musinsa outlets in Myeongdong — the shopping district in downtown Seoul about a 15-minute walk from Gwanghwamun — have expanded merchandise and staffing in anticipation of a surge in foreign shoppers. “We’re filling staff with foreign speakers and realigning shelves with items popular with foreigners. Our focus is entirely on Myeongdong outlets for next week,” said Kim Jae-eun, a spokesperson for the country’s popular street and online fashion platform. Convenience stores expand services for foreign visitors Convenience store operators are also ramping up preparations as the event draws closer. CU, one of South Korea’s largest convenience store chains operated by BGF Retail, said it will significantly increase inventory at stores near the concert venue, with some locations preparing stock levels more than 100 times higher than usual for key items such as beverages, snacks and ready-to-eat meals. The company said stores closest to Gwanghwamun will focus on rapid restocking and additional staffing to manage the surge of customers expected during the concert. Meanwhile, stores located in major tourist districts such as Myeongdong and Hongdae are preparing targeted displays featuring products popular among foreign visitors. Items frequently purchased by overseas tourists — including banana-flavored milk, spicy instant noodles and fruit-based highball drinks — will be highlighted in dedicated product sections. CU has also expanded services aimed at international customers. Some stores now offer AI-powered translation services capable of assisting customers in more than 30 languages, while self-checkout kiosks allow shoppers to complete purchases using English, Japanese or Chinese interfaces. In tourist-heavy areas such as Myeongdong, the company has also introduced currency-exchange kiosks that allow visitors to convert foreign currencies including U.S. dollars, euros, yen and yuan into Korean won. The preparations reflect a growing number of international visitors traveling to Seoul for major cultural events such as the upcoming BTS concert. Fans traveling across continents The concert is drawing fans from around the world, many of whom have traveled long distances to attend the performance in Seoul. “I came from the United States mainly to see BTS perform,” said Joanna Zhao, who traveled to Korea with her fiancé. “I’ve been a fan for years but never had the chance to attend a concert before.” Zhao said she plans to stay in Korea for two weeks after the concert, including a visit to Busan, the hometown of BTS member Jungkook. “I love the ocean, and I know there are many BTS-related photo spots in Busan,” she said. Her fiancé, Kevin Liu, said the scale of the event was both exciting and somewhat intimidating. “I’m a bit nervous about how many people will gather in such a tight space,” said Liu, a software engineer visiting from the United States. “But it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to attend such a global event.” Fans from other parts of Asia are also making the trip. “Listening to BTS in Korea just feels different,” said Takuya Yamamoto, who traveled from Sendai, Japan. “The atmosphere here makes their performances more powerful.” Preparing for a city-scale gathering Local fans say they expect the event to transform the normally historic and political center of Seoul into a massive gathering of music fans. “Concert days in Seoul are always extremely crowded, so I’m a little concerned about how things will work on the day,” said Kim Beom-jin, a fan from Gyeonggi Province who plans to attend the performance with friends. Authorities say preparations are underway to ensure the event proceeds safely despite the unprecedented scale. Government officials have emphasized crowd-control planning and emergency response measures ahead of the concert as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather in central Seoul. For now, however, signs of the coming surge are already visible across the city center. 2026-03-13 16:22:07
  • Asian stocks weaken as oil prices climb toward $100 amid Hormuz attacks
    Asian stocks weaken as oil prices climb toward $100 amid Hormuz attacks SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) — Asian stock markets ended mostly lower Thursday as oil prices surged toward the $100 mark following renewed attacks around the Strait of Hormuz, heightening concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies. Crude prices climbed sharply after a series of attacks on commercial vessels near the strategic waterway, which carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil shipments. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose 4.8 percent to $91.5 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude gained 5.2 percent to $96.8. Geopolitical tensions have intensified after multiple tanker attacks near the Strait of Hormuz and escalating military confrontation between Iran and the United States. Iran has effectively restricted maritime traffic in the area since Feb. 28 following U.S. and Israeli missile strikes, raising fears of prolonged disruption to global energy flows. The International Energy Agency said Wednesday that its member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels from strategic petroleum reserves — the largest coordinated drawdown in the agency’s history — in an effort to stabilize global markets. The move, however, did little to calm investor sentiment. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI fell 0.5 percent to close at 5,583.25 after swinging between 5,629.07 and 5,527.47 during the session. Foreign investors continued heavy selling, offloading 2.36 trillion won ($1.5 billion) worth of shares. Individual investors purchased 2.23 trillion won while institutions bought 53.9 billion won. Large-cap semiconductor stocks weighed on the index. Samsung Electronics fell 1.1 percent to 187,900 won, while SK hynix declined 2.6 percent to 930,000 won. Automakers showed mixed performance. Hyundai Motor dropped 1.7 percent to 521,000 won, while Kia rose 3.1 percent to 167,000 won. Battery maker LG Energy Solution gained 3.9 percent to 384,000 won, while Samsung Biologics fell 1.9 percent to 1,625,000 won. Defense-related stocks advanced amid rising geopolitical tensions. Hanwha Aerospace climbed 3.9 percent to 1,465,000 won, while LIG Nex1 added 1.8 percent to 755,000 won. Nuclear-related shares also strengthened, with Doosan Enerbility rising 2.5 percent to 103,500 won. Shares of OrbiTech surged 29.9 percent to 8,160 won after the company announced a contract with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power related to radioactive concrete waste treatment. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ outperformed the main board, rising 1 percent to close at 1,148.4 after touching an intraday high of 1,150.65. Retail and institutional investors led buying on the secondary market, purchasing 507.4 billion won and 252.4 billion won worth of shares respectively, while foreigners sold a net 688.1 billion won. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.1 percent to 54,453 while the broader TOPIX index dropped 1.3 percent to 3,649.9. Taiwan’s TAIEX declined 1.6 percent to 33,581.9. Mainland Chinese markets were relatively stable, with the Shanghai Composite Index slipping just 0.1 percent to 4,129.1. The Korean won weakened, with the dollar rising to 1,481.6 won. 2026-03-12 17:21:36
  • BTS Comeback D-9 — Spotify sets Han River cruise for immersive SWIMSIDE fan event
    BTS Comeback D-9 — Spotify sets Han River cruise for immersive "SWIMSIDE" fan event SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - As BTS counts down to the release of its comeback album ARIRANG, Spotify is taking the anticipation off the screen and onto the Han River. The streaming platform is launching “SWIMSIDE,” an immersive fan campaign built around BTS’s upcoming title track “SWIM,” which is set for release with the album on March 20 at 1 p.m. KST. At the heart of the campaign is the “Spotify × BTS SWIMSIDE Cruise,” a themed evening program that will run on the Han River from March 27 to 29, departing from Yeouido Hangang Park. The cruise will operate three times each evening between 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., offering selected fans interactive experiences and exclusive content tied to the comeback. Fans can apply for the event from March 12 to 19, with winners to be announced on March 23, according to Spotify. The campaign also includes an in-app feature titled “Decoding ARIRANG,” designed as a countdown experience leading up to the album release. The project underscores Spotify’s wider effort to turn fandom into something more participatory than streaming alone. Beyond playlists and plays, the platform has increasingly leaned into artist-centered experiences through features such as Wrapped, Canvas and exclusive fan content. Few artists suit that strategy better than BTS, whose global fandom remains one of the most powerful in pop music. The group currently has 25.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and more than 82.9 million followers on the platform. Its 2020 megahit “Dynamite” remains BTS’s most-streamed song there, with more than 2.22 billion plays. Other tracks that have crossed the billion-stream mark include “My Universe,” “Butter,” “Boy With Luv (feat. Halsey)” and “Fake Love.” The members’ solo reach is formidable as well. Jung Kook leads with 15.3 million monthly listeners, powered by “Seven (feat. Latto),” which has surpassed 2.82 billion streams. J-Hope follows with 11.9 million, while Jimin has 5.5 million, Jin 4.2 million, V 3.9 million, Agust D 3.1 million, RM 2.6 million and Suga 1.6 million. Beyond its streaming pull, ARIRANG is drawing attention for its unusually expansive production roster. The 14-track album brings together longtime BTS collaborator PDogg with a wide range of international names, including Ryan Tedder, Diplo, Mike WiLL Made-It, Flume, JPEGMafia, Kevin Parker of Tame Impala and Teezo Touchdown. Tedder, the OneRepublic frontman and hitmaker behind songs for artists including Beyoncé and Adele, is credited on several tracks, among them the lead single “SWIM.” Diplo appears on five tracks — “Body to Body,” “FYA,” “Like Animals,” “One More Night” and “Into the Sun.” Mike WiLL Made-It contributed to “Aliens” and “2.0,” while Flume and JPEGMafia teamed up on “FYA.” Kevin Parker is credited on “Merry Go Round.” The album title itself adds another layer of intrigue. “Arirang,” one of Korea’s best-known traditional folk songs, has endured across generations in regional forms such as Jeongseon, Miryang and Jindo Arirang. As a musical emblem of Korean identity and collective memory, the title hints that the album may blend heritage with BTS’s global pop language. ARIRANG will mark BTS’s first major group project since the 2022 anthology album Proof. 2026-03-12 15:13:01
  • Miyeon, NOWZ set to perform at fashion-themed festival in Tokyo
    Miyeon, NOWZ set to perform at fashion-themed festival in Tokyo SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Miyeon of K-pop girl group i-dle and rookie boy band NOWZ will perform at Japan's "Tokyo Girls Collection," the island country's largest fashion-themed festival, according to their agency Cube Entertainment. Miyeon, along with five-member boy band NOWZ consisting of Hyunbin, Yoon, Yeonwoo, Jinhyuk, and Siyun will appear at the festival, which celebrates its 42nd year, scheduled for Thursday at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo. The festival, often abbreviated as TGC, is a biannual fashion event that has been running since 2005. The event blends runway shows highlighting Japanese street fashion with live performances by popular artists including NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, FIFTY FIFTY, TWICE, BLACKPINK and Tomorrow X Together. Miyeon, who debuted in 2018 as a member of K-pop girl group i-dle, released her second mini album "MY, Lover" in November 2025 and has built recognition through appearances at global festival stages including Dream Concert Abu Dhabi 2025. The group recently kicked off their fourth world tour starting with concerts in Seoul. Debuted in 2024, NOWZ recently released their Japanese debut EP and have been active in Japan. They are expected to energize the festival with their signature high-energy performance. 2026-03-11 18:00:38
  • BTS Comeback D-10 South Korea flags 1,800 resale listings for BTS concerts
    BTS Comeback D-10 South Korea flags 1,800 resale listings for BTS concerts SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Korea’s culture ministry said Wednesday it had referred four suspected ticket-scalping cases involving 105 BTS concert tickets to police after identifying more than 1,800 resale listings online. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it found 1,868 online posts offering BTS concert tickets for resale, including duplicate listings, while monitoring major Korean secondhand trading platforms such as Joonggonara, Ticketbay, Karrot Market and Bunjang. Authorities said the suspected scalping cases involved sellers who allegedly secured multiple tickets for the same show and attempted to resell them at steep premiums. The listings were linked to BTS’s comeback performance scheduled for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul and BTS' world tour set to take place in Goyang from April 9 to 12. Officials said resold tickets are unlikely to grant entry because strict identity verification procedures will be enforced at the events. According to organizers, the Gwanghwamun concert will use a mobile QR code system that blocks screenshots and prevents codes from being reused once scanned. Attendees will also undergo identity verification with designated identification and receive non-transferable wristbands upon entry. Random identity checks will continue inside the venue, and anyone found using a transferred ticket will be removed immediately, authorities said. The ministry warned that ticket resale posts and related scams could surge around 8 p.m (1100 GMT). Thursday when an additional round of ticket sales for the Gwanghwamun concert is scheduled to open. Korea has recently tightened regulations to combat ticket scalping. Amendments for the Performance Act and the National Sports Promotion Act, promulgated on Feb. 27 and set to take effect Aug. 28, will prohibit illegal ticket resale regardless of whether automated purchasing programs, or macros, were used. The revised laws will also allow authorities to impose surcharges of up to 50 times the resale amount and introduce reporting reward systems for illegal ticket sales. The ministry launched a public-private task force on March 5 to strengthen cooperation with ticket vendors and online trading platforms in tackling ticket scalping. Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said scalping disrupts the fair distribution of tickets and exploits fans’ enthusiasm for popular culture. “Starting with this investigation request, we will continue firm and consistent measures until ticket scalping is eradicated and a fair ticketing culture is established,” Choi said. He also warned fans against purchasing resale tickets, noting that strict identity checks make ticket transfers virtually impossible and could expose buyers to fraud if sellers disappear after the transaction. 2026-03-11 17:48:36