Actor Cho Jung-seok takes flight in cross-dressing comedy 'Pilot'

SEOUL, July 30 (AJU PRESS) - Actor Cho Jung-seok, known for his comedic prowess, returns to the big screen with his upcoming comedy "Pilot," set to hit theaters later this week, once again proving his exceptional talent in the genre. "I just watched the completed version of the film for the first time since filming, and I was very satisfied as scenes in the film were almost similar to what I had imagined," the 43-year-old actor said in an interview with Aju Press

July 30, 2024

Stray Kids top Billboard 200 albums chart for fifth time

SEOUL, July 29 (AJU PRESS) - K-pop boy band Stray Kids topped the Billboard 200 albums chart with their new album "ATE" on Sunday. The album debuted atop, making it the band's fifth album to do so, after "Oddinary" and "Maxident" in 2022 and "Rock Star" and "5-Star" in 2023. "'ATE' arrives with 232,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending July 25," said the U.S music chart. "Th

July 29, 2024

Actor Yu Ah-in booked on allegations of sexually assaulting man in his 30s

SEOUL, July 26 (AJU PRESS) - Police have booked disgraced actor Yu Ah-in on allegations that he sexually molested a man at a studio apartment in central Seoul earlier this month, it was revealed on Friday. Under Korea's criminal law, sexual violence against individuals of the same sex is classified as "quasi-rape." According to police in Yongsan, the alleged man claims he was sexually assaulted while sleeping at the studio. He said he became aware of what had happen

July 26, 2024

Girl band 2NE1 to reunite to celebrate 15th anniversary

SEOUL, July 23 (AJU PRESS) - 2NE1, one of the most popular girl groups of the early 2000s, will reunite this fall to mark the 15th anniversary of their debut, their agency YG Entertainment said Monday. The agency also released a couple of nostalgic teaser posters reminiscent of their heyday to build excitement among fans for their upcoming return. The quartet will kick off their reunion with concerts in Seoul in early October, followed by performances in Osaka and Tokyo th

July 23, 2024

NewJeans' latest song accused of plagiarism

SEOUL, July 19 (AJU PRESS) - K-pop sensation NewJeans' latest hit song has been accused of plagiarizing a track by the British long-running pop group Shakatak. Shakatak raised suspicions that NewJeans' song "Bubble Gum" plagiarized their 1981 song, "Easier Said Than Done," in a letter sent to the quintet's agency ADOR last month, according to multiple industry sources. The mixed-gender group reportedly claimed that the two songs are very similar in

July 19, 2024

JYP Entertainment to make foray into Latin America

SEOUL, July 19 (AJU PRESS) - JYP Entertainment is set to venture into Latin America, riding the waves of K-pop's growing popularity across the globe. "We plan to establish a subsidiary in Latin America in the third quarter of this year," it said Thursday. The exact location of the subsidiary was not revealed yet, but it apparently aims to make its presence in the Spanish-language market, starting with its global audition project called "L2K," which

July 19, 2024

K-pop impresario aims to captivate global fans with 200-member mega band

SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - A unique scene unfolded last month when a unit of rookie K-pop girl band BlingOne consisting entirely of non-Koreans, held their debut showcase in central Seoul. While foreign members in Korea's music scene are common, they are the first-ever K-pop girl band from South America incubated in Korea, aiming for global audiences. The three Peruvian members – Abigali, Kenny and Ruby -- were selected from dozens of contestants who participated in the

July 18, 2024

R-rated stand-up show to debut at Sejong Center in Seoul next month

SEOUL, July 16 (AJU PRESS) - A stand-up comedy will be staged at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul next month, offering Seoulites a refreshing escape from the sweltering summer heat, Meta Comedy said Monday. According to the Korea's independent comedy label which boasts 741,000 subscribers, the R-rated show, called "Comedy Assemble," features explicit subjects including jokes about sex, religion, and political satire. The show, scheduled for three

July 16, 2024

BTS' Jin carries Olympic torch in Paris

SEOUL, July 15 (AJU PRESS) - With the Paris Olympics just two weeks away, Jin, the eldest member of global K-pop sensation BTS carried the Olympic flame in the host city in France on Sunday. He appeared at about 8:00 p.m. in central Paris to serve as a touch bearer, while thousands of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of their idol. Jin in a white jersey carried the flame for 200 meters from the Rue de Rivoli to the Louvre Pyramid where he handed over the torch to French skier Sandra

July 15, 2024

Hong Sang-soo's latest movie invited to Locarno Film Festival

SEOUL, July 12 (AJU PRESS) - Director Hong Sang-soo's latest film has been invited to the Locarno Film Festival to be held in Switzerland next month. "By the Stream," also known as "Suyoocheon" in Korean, will compete at the international section of the festival along with 16 other films, the festival's organizers said Thursday. The film is about a university lecturer asking her unemployed uncle to direct a skit. The film is Hong's 32nd feature and

July 12, 2024