SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - K-pop girl band LE SSERAFIM released their new album on Friday. Their fifth mini-album "HOT" consists of five songs with the theme of love, with the title track delivering a message about diving into what you love without holding back. The quintet held a showcase for fans the previous day, kicking off their promotional activities for the album. They will also embark on their first world tour in April, with stops in Japan and Taiwan.

SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Actor Kim Soo-hyun denied allegations of being involved in an inappropriate relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron, in a statement released by his agency on Friday. After a brief denial, the actor said the previous day that he would come clean sometime next week, but he apparently couldn't remain silent any longer as the controversy snowballed further with more evidence surfacing about his alleged long-term romantic relationship with the actress.

SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Cable channel MBN's upcoming reality show featuring young K-pop wannabes is set for release later this month. Some 59 contestants under the age of 15 from over 70 countries have been selected as finalists for "Under 15," slated to air on March 31, where they will compete for a chance to become K-pop's next big stars. But a teaser clip released on Thursday stirred unexpected controversy, raising concerns over whether it is appropriate for

SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) - Actor Kim Soo-hyun will publicly respond to allegations concerning his relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron, who took her own life last month, his agency announced on Thursday. Kim, 37 years old, is one of South Korea's most popular actors, known for his roles in hit TV dramas like "My Love from the Star.” Kim Sae-ron, who gained fame as a child star in the 2010 crime noir "The Man from Nowhere," later struggled to maintain

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - Actor Kim Soo-hyun is facing growing scrutiny after allegations about his romantic relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron recently surfaced. The family of the 24-year-old actress revealed earlier this week that Kim had been in a long-term relationship with her, allegedly beginning when she was 15 and he was 12 years her senior. Under South Korean law, any romantic involvement with a minor under 16 is considered a criminal offense. Shortly after

SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - With fans and others mourning the death of singer Wheesung, police said on Tuesday that they will ask the National Forensic Service to conduct an autopsy. The 43-year-old R&B singer was found in cardiac arrest at his home in eastern Seoul the previous day and was later pronounced dead. According to police authorities, no suicide note has been discovered, nor are there any signs of forced entry into the house, ruling out foul play. His agency Tazo En

SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - A video clip featuring actress and singer Suzy singing a soundtrack to Disney's upcoming musical fantasy film "Snow White" was teased on Tuesday. The roughly 40-second-long clip shows Suzy, draped in a red cape, braving a snowstorm as she ventures into an enchanted forest. Ahead of the American film's release here next week, Disney generated buzz with its online event "Guess Who?" last week, inviting fans to guess who will sing

SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho's latest film "Mickey 17" topped the North American box office in its opening week, making him the first South Korean filmmaker to achieve such a feat. According to tracker Box Office Mojo, the sci-fi film, released last Friday, earned an estimated US$19.1 million in its first three days at more than 3,800 theaters across North America. Despite a strong start, ticket sales fell short of industry projections

SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - Crime drama "Signal" will return for a second season nearly a decade after its first airing, cable channel tvN said on Wednesday. The 2016 hit series received critical acclaim for its compelling stories at the time of its release, with many viewers having been eagerly waiting for its return. Actress Kim Hye-soo, who captivated viewers with her portrayal of a cold case squad detective, reunites with actors like Cho Jin-woong and Lee Je-hoon, as the