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  Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi blockbuster set for world premiere at Berlinale SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho's new Hollywood film will have its world premiere at this year's Berlin International Film Festival. Slated for release here on Feb. 28, "Mickey 17" has been invited for screening at the festival, which kicks off its 10-day run on Feb. 13. This marks Bong's return to the festival after more than a decade, since his previous post-apocalyptic thriller "Snowpiercer," starring Hollywood star January 13, 2025
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  Netflix's megahit series 'Squid Game' tops non-English show chart for second consecutive week SEOUL, January 8 (AJP) - Netflix's megahit South Korean series "Squid Game" has remained at the top of its chart for the non-English shows for the second consecutive week after its release late last month, the U.S. streaming giant said on Wednesday. Despite mixed reactions to the dystopian thriller's second season since its release on Dec. 26, it garnered 58.2 million views during the week ending last Sunday, securing the top spot in over 90 countries. It has ac January 8, 2025
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  Seven Korean words newly added to latest Oxford English Dictionary SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added seven new Korean words and coinages to its latest edition, including dalgona, a traditional street snack made by melting sugar, as the country's rich cultural heritage is getting more recognized overseas. Other words that made it onto the OED also include noraebang (karaoke), hyung (a boy or man's elder brother) maknae (the youngest member of a group), jjigae (stew), tteokbokki (finger-sized rice cakes si January 7, 2025
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  BTS' J-Hope shares resolutions for 2025 SEOUL, January 6 (AJP) - J-Hope, a member of K-pop superstar BTS, shared his New Year's greetings with fans, promising to reveal much this year. "I hope 2025 will be a year where everyone blooms beautifully," the 30-year-old artist shared on Sunday on the social media platform Weverse. J-Hope also expressed a deep sense that this year would hold incredible significance for him. He also noted his intention to approach the year with a more mature mindset and a plan th January 6, 2025
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  Rookie girl band ILLIT's debut single sets record with over 500 million Spotify streams SEOUL, December 27 (AJP) - Rookie girl band ILLIT set a new record on Spotify with their debut single, reaching 500 million views on the global streaming site. The quintet's single "Magnetic" has amassed over 503.58 million streams, achieving the feat in the shortest time among debut tracks of K-pop acts, their agency said on Friday. Released in March 2024, the song captures the moments of magnetic attraction to a crush, portraying the journey of realizing and expre December 27, 2024
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  Historical spectacle 'Harbin' dominates Christmas box office SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - "Harbin" has attracted over 1 million moviegoers, just two days after its release on Christmas Eve. According to the Korean Film Council on Thursday, the historical espionage film drew about 847,819 viewers on Wednesday alone to reach the milestone, after attracting around 381,000 on the first day of its release. Set in Harbin, China, the film portrays the patriotic journey of independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Hirobumi Ito, December 26, 2024
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  Excitement builds as Netflix's megahit series 'Squid Game' returns for second season SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Netflix's megahit South Korean series "Squid Game" is returning with its second season on Thursday. The much-anticipated dystopian show centers on the last survivor of a deadly game from the first season, who returns to seek vengeance and faces off against the enigmatic "Front Man." The seven-episode series explores their intense rivalry and the restart of the game. Even before its release, the second season has already earned a Gol December 26, 2024
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  NewJeans defend support for impeachment protesters SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Members of K-pop group NewJeans on on Tuesday revealed the reasoning behind their recent support for fans attending protests against President Yoon Suk Yeol during a radio talk show. The group had previously paid in advance for food and beverages for 560 people at the protests demanding the impeachment of Yoon for his Dec. 3. declaration of martial law. "We wanted people to have warm food in the cold weather and share meaningful conversations with December 26, 2024
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  Stray Kids' latest album claims top spot on Billboard chart SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - K-pop boy band Stray Kids' latest album "Hop" made history for a South Korean act by reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart for the sixth time. Billboard said last Sunday that the album ranked first after earning 187,000 equivalent album units for the week ending Dec. 19 in the U.S. It praised the eight-member band achieved a historic milestone by securing the top spot on the chart with six consecutive albums, a feat unprecedente December 24, 2024
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  Historical espionage film 'Harbin' set for release in North America SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - "Harbin," starring South Korean heartthrob Hyun Bin, is set to hit theaters across North America early next month, film distributor Well Go USA Entertainment said. Slated for release in various cities including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle and Toronto on Jan. 3, the historical espionage film, revolves around the sacrifices and struggles of Korean independence fighters including Ahn Jung-geun, who fought for his country during Japan's imperial expa December 24, 2024