Koreans spend record 40 hours per month watching YouTube

SEOUL -- A recent study by WiseApp, a mobile app analysis firm, has revealed that South Koreans are now spending an average of 40 hours per month watching YouTube on their smartphones. This is the highest monthly usage time ever recorded in the country, and represents a significant increase from just five years ago, when the average monthly usage time was 21 hours. The study, which was conducted in January 2024, surveyed a sample of users from both Android and iOS platforms. The

March 4, 2024

Girl band TWICE tops Billboard's top 200 popular albums chart for first time

SEOUL -- Girl band TWICE has topped Billboard's top 200 popular albums chart with its album "With YOU-th." The nine-member band became the third K-pop girl group to secure the top position on the album chart, following BLACKPINK and New Jeans. The album, released on February 23, arrived atop the list on the Billboard 200 chart with 95,000 equivalent album units sold in the United States in the week ending February 29. The ranking is confirmed based on the number of a

March 4, 2024

S. Korean TV channel operator releases AI-produced variety show

SEOUL -- MBC, a major South Korean TV network that produced reality competition series Physical: 100, has showcased a variety show created by an artificial intelligence producer. The AI producer called "M-Phago" selected 10 human participants specializing in various fields, including a comedian, a rapper, and a doctor. M-Phago provides missions, edits videos, and determines wages. "This program is designed for outstanding members from a range of fields to carry out

February 28, 2024

BTS' Jungkook ranks 10th on global single chart by international recording association

SEOUL -- Jungkook, the youngest artist of BTS, has become the only South Korean singer named in the top 10 list of the global single chart published by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, a nonprofit organization that represents the global recording industry. The 26-year-old secured the 10th position with his first solo album "Seven." According to the Global Single Chart released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)

February 27, 2024

BTS' 'Dynamite' music video explodes past 1.8 bln views on YouTube

SEOUL -- K-pop wonder BTS' smash hit "Dynamite" has reached another milestone, surpassing a staggering 1.8 billion views on YouTube, the seven-member band's music label Big Hit Music announced today. This marks the first time a BTS music video has achieved more than 1.8 billion views on YouTube. Released in August 2020, Dynamite is a vibrant disco-pop anthem that embodies hope and positivity. The infectious track resonated deeply with fans worldwide, pro

February 23, 2024

BTS' agency HYBE to hold all-star music festival on western island in June

SEOUL -- HYBE, the entertainment company behind popular K-pop groups like BTS and TXT, will hold a two-day music festival called "2024 Weverse Con Festival" at the luxurious Inspire Resort on Yeongjongdo Island, located west of Seoul, on June 15-16. Originally launched as a year-end event in 2021, the Weverse Con Festival has evolved into a full-fledged outdoor festival designed to transcend genres and generations, offering a unique and immersive experience for fans.

February 23, 2024

Le Sserafim's mini album "Easy" sees surge in popularity in Japan

SEOUL -- Le Sserafim's mini-album "Easy" is experiencing a surge in popularity among Japanese fans. A total of 72,356 copies of the album were sold in Japan on its release date, setting a new record. According to the group's agency Source Music, this sales figure was recorded on February 22, marking about a 25 percent increase compared to the first-day sales of the band's previous album, "UNFORGIVEN." Through Easy, the five-member band delves into

February 22, 2024

'Stun Gun' Kim Dong-hyun participates in second series of Netflix survival show 'Physical: 100'

SEOUL -- Kim Dong-hyun, a South Korean UFC fighter better known by his ring name "Stun Gun," will appear in the second series of Physical: 100, a Netflix reality show featuring physically fit contestants engaging in games and competitions. The first season, released in January 2023, has topped Netflix's weekly non-English TV show chart and made it into the top 10 lists in 82 countries. Stun Gun is a legendary mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter with the highest number o

February 22, 2024

Crime thriller 'A Killer Paradox' tops Netflix's weekly non-English series chart

SEOUL -- South Korean crime thriller series "A Killer Paradox," directed by Lee Chang-hee, has topped Netflix's weekly TV series chart for non-English content. The thriller series depicts the story of a killer who accidentally murders without leaving any evidence, and a detective investigating the case. The over-the-top (OTT) media service said that A Killer Paradox garnered some 5.5 million hours of viewing between February 12 and February 18. The South Korean conte

February 21, 2024

BTS' J-Hope writes heartfelt letter to fans to commemorate birthday

SEOUL -- BTS member Jeong Ho-seok, known by his stage name J-Hope, has written a heartfelt letter to fans awaiting the discharge of the 30-year-old dancer from the military. Like any other ordinary South Korean man, Jeong is serving his country as a conscripted soldier. J-Hope began his mandatory military service in April 2023. He was the second BTS member to enlist after Jin, who joined the Army in December 2022. Due to South Korea's technical state of war with North Korea, a

February 19, 2024