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  Chang Han-na to lead Seoul Arts Center in first for musician, woman SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -Child prodigy-turned cellist-conductor Chang Han-na has been named president of the Seoul Arts Center to become the first musician — and the first woman — to lead South Korea's premier performing arts venue since its founding, the culture ministry said Monday. Her appointment comes as part of a broader reshuffle of leadership across Korea’s flagship arts institutions, signaling a push to bring more practitioner-led vision to the country& April 6, 2026
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  BTS becomes first K-pop act with multiweek No. 1 on Billboard 200 SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -BTS’ fifth studio album "ARIRANG" remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a second consecutive week, which is the first time a K-pop act defended No. 1 beyond one week. According to a chart preview released Saturday (local time), the album held off new releases including "BULLY" by Kanye West, which debuted at No. 2, and "HADES" by Melanie Martinez at No. 3. The Billboard 200 ranks albums based on a composite metr April 6, 2026
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  Two low-budget South Korean films invited to compete at Moscow Int'l Film Festival SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - Two low-budget South Korean films have been invited to compete at this year's Moscow International Film Festival, which opens in Russia next week. According to festival organizers at a press conference last week, "Journey There" and "Winter Light" will vie for the top prize in the main competition along with about a dozen other films at the 48th Moscow International Film Festival, which is scheduled to take place in the Russian capital fr April 6, 2026
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  'The King's Warden' continues successful box-office run, drawing 16 million viewers SEOUL, April 5 (AJP) - Director Jang Hang-jun's "The King's Warden" has attracted over 16 million viewers in about two months after its release in early February, the film's distributor said on Sunday. According to Showbox, the period drama drew about 153,000 moviegoers last Saturday alone to surpass 16 million in cumulative theater attendance since its release on Feb. 4, making it the third film to reach the milestone after the 2014 historical epic "The A April 5, 2026
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  BTS '2.0' MV channels Oldboy noir as cinematic callbacks spark global buzz SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - A few Korean films have left a deeper imprint on global cinema than Oldboy (2003), the brutal, operatic noir that propelled director Park Chan-wook onto the world stage — with a Cannes Grand Prix and admiration from filmmakers including Quentin Tarantino. Its side-scrolling corridor fight, shot in a single take, has since become one of the most imitated sequences in modern cinema. Now, that visual language has found an unlikely new interpreter: BTS. April 3, 2026
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  BTS to drop 'Come Over' on 'Arirang' deluxe vinyl SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - BTS will release a new single, "Come Over," as part of a deluxe vinyl edition of its fifth studio album "Arirang," its agency BigHit Music said Friday. The deluxe LP will include all 14 tracks from the original album along with the new song, bringing the total to 15. The track will be available exclusively on the deluxe vinyl edition. Suga participated in producing the track, while RM and J-Hope are credited as songwriters. According April 3, 2026
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  Nexon opens 'Maple Island' permanent theme zone at Lotte World Adventure SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - South Korean gaming giant Nexon has officially opened "Maple Island," a permanent story-themed attraction at Lotte World Adventure in Seoul's Jamsil district, bringing the beloved "MapleStory" franchise off the screen and into the real world. The roughly 2,000-square-metre zone, built within the outdoor section of the park, immerses visitors in the iconic landscapes of the MapleStory universe — including fan-favourite regions Hen April 3, 2026
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  NCT WISH to release first studio album 'Ode to Love' on April 20 SEOUL, April 02 (AJP) -K-pop boy band "NCT WISH" will release its first studio album "Ode to Love" on April 20, marking a key milestone for the rookie act as it continues to build its presence in the global market, its agency SM Entertainment said Thursday. NCT WISH, a six-member boy group consisting of Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo and Sakuya, debuted in 2023 under SM Entertainment. The group has been recognized for its refreshing, youth-driven concept and pe April 2, 2026
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  Grand homecoming for award-winning K-pop Demon Hunters team SEOUL, April 01 (AJP) - Singer-songwriter EJAE still lives in the surreal “Golden” moment of the Oscars night she stole by winning Best Original Song for the Netflix animation K-pop Demon Hunters and performing the famously high-pitched “up, up, up” at the 98th Academy Awards. “I used to be teased in the United States, but standing on the Oscars stage and seeing the audience wave light sticks, I felt a deep sense of pride,” she said, her April 1, 2026
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  Pearl Abyss' latest RPG sells 4 million copies worldwide in less than two weeks SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - Pearl Abyss' latest role-playing video game "Crimson Desert" has sold a cumulative 4 million copies worldwide, the game developer said on Wednesday. Over 2 million copies of the fantasy adventure game were sold immediately upon its release on March 19, surpassing 3 million just a few days later and reaching 4 million in less than two weeks. The game's success reflects its widespread popularity, achieving an unprecedented milestone for a April 1, 2026