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  Vietnamese rapper becomes social media sensation in South Korea SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - Vietnamese rapper 7dnight is emerging as a new talent in the hip-hop scene as his song "Không Sao Cả" gains popularity on social media, crossing borders from his homeland to his second home, South Korea. The 23-year-old rapper has worked as a migrant laborer in South Korea for seven years, transporting steel at construction sites during the day while developing his rap skills at night. Despite a congenital condition that left him with only two fin February 3, 2025
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  Netflix adaptation of South Korean web cartoon becomes global hit SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - Netflix's South Korean medical drama "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" is gaining widespread popularity across the world. Released in time for the Lunar New Year holiday late last month, the eight-episode series ranked No. 2 worldwide among TV shows as of last week, according to FlixPatrol, which tracks global streaming rankings. It has also taken the top spot in 19 countries including Bangladesh, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Hong K February 3, 2025
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  Rosé's latest hit song racks up 1 billion views on YouTube, becoming fastest to reach milestone SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - The music video for Rosé's latest hit song "APT." has garnered over one billion views on YouTube as of the end of last month. According to her agency last week, the catchy song, by the member of the girl group BLACKPINK, reached the milestone on Jan. 31, about three months after its release in October last year, becoming the fastest K-pop music video to do so and the fifth fastest among all music videos worldwide. Her latest feat bro February 3, 2025
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  BLACKPINK's Jennie teases upcoming album with pre-release track SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - Jennie, a member of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, teased a track from her upcoming full-length solo album on Friday, ahead of its release this spring. "Love Hangover," a dance song featuring American singer-songwriter and rapper Dominic Fike, is part of tracks included in the album "Ruby," which is set for release on March 7. The song explores the inner conflict of trying to break free from someone who feels both toxic and healing, ca January 31, 2025
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  Netflix to release final season of 'Squid Game' in June SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - Netflix's megahit South Korean series "Squid Game" will come to an end with its third and final season in June, the global streaming giant said on Thursday. Netflix teased the dystopian thriller's upcoming season with a promotional poster, hinting at new competitors entangled in another ruthless contest along with the show's main characters including the enigmatic "Front Man." Scheduled for release on June 27, the final se January 31, 2025
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  K-pop band aespa kicks off world tour in Seattle SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - K-pop sensation aespa kicked off their world tour in North America and Europe with their concert in Seattle. The four-member band began their tour "2024-25 aespa LIVE TOUR - SYNK: PARALLEL LINE" on Tuesday at the Accesso ShoWare Center in Seattle. Despite opening additional restricted-view seats, all tickets were sold out. The girl band showcased hit songs from the past year, including "Supernova," "Armageddon," and "Wh January 30, 2025
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  Rosé hits No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100, sets K-pop record SEOUL, January 28 (AJP) - BLACKPINK member Rosé's "APT." reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on Monday, setting a record for the highest-charting song by a female K-pop soloist. The track, featuring Bruno Mars, rose two spots from last week, surpassing her previous record of No. 5, Billboard reported. The song has spent 14 consecutive weeks on the chart since its October debut at No. 8. "APT." also became the first K-pop song to top Bi January 28, 2025
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  BTS' Jin shares Lunar New Year's greetings and new OST release SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - BTS member Jin extended heartfelt Lunar New Year's greetings to fans on Saturday through the online fan community platform Weverse. The 32-year-old singer also announced the release of "Close to You," an original soundtrack (OST) for the tvN drama "When the Stars Gossip," starring Gong Hyo-jin and Lee Min-ho, set to drop on Sunday. In his Weverse post released Saturday, Jin wrote, "Hello everyone, this is Jin. How have you all January 26, 2025
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  Occult thriller 'Dark Nuns' tops local box office on debut SEOUL, January 25 (AJP) - "Dark Nuns," a Korean occult movie, took the top spot at the box office on its opening day, Friday, attracting over 163,000 viewers and accounting for 51.3 percent of daily ticket sales, according to the Korean Film Council. As of Saturday morning, the film had a reservation rate of 37.3 percent, with over 201,000 advance tickets sold, signaling its potential to dominate weekend box office rankings. The movie depicts nuns performing a f January 25, 2025
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  Hong Sang-soo's latest film invited to Berlinale SEOUL, January 24 (AJP) - Director Hong Sang-soo's latest film has been invited to compete at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, which opens next month. It marks the sixth consecutive year Hong has been invited to the festival since 2020, having taken home awards five times for his films including "A Traveler's Needs" (2024) and "The Woman Who Ran" (2020). Hong's 33th feature, "What Does That Nature Say to You," which wil January 24, 2025