On February 17, actor Jung Eun-pyo took to his social media to share updates about his son, Ji-woong, who is currently on a short military leave. He posted a photo of Ji-woong, who has noticeably slimmed down, having lost around 30 kg, showcasing a more defined jawline. Jung Eun-pyo reminisced about Ji-woong's first day of leave, mentioning that since his mother was away, Ji-woong spent time with his siblings and father before heading back to Seoul to meet friends and enjoy some drinks. He also shared that Ji-woong had a dental appointment and spent time with his parents before returning to his base. Jung Eun-pyo expressed that the family has grown accustomed to the goodbyes, but it still tugs at their hearts. He wished Ji-woong a healthy remainder of his military service and included a message of gratitude for all military personnel.

Actor Jung Eun-pyo Shares Son Ji-woong's Recent Military Leave

The controversy surrounding the late Oh Yoanna continues to unfold as her diary has been made public, shedding light on her struggles with workplace bullying. The diary, provided by her family, reveals her emotional turmoil, including a specific entry from February 2023 where she wrote, "My seniors gathered all my mistakes and reported them to higher-ups, and they constantly criticized me in the group chat." 

Just two days before writing this entry, Oh had met with MBC officials to discuss her contract renewal, during which she expressed her difficulties with her seniors. However, the MBC representative she spoke with remarked, "In any workplace, we can't always have a good face among seniors and juniors. Such things can happen," suggesting that internal issues should be resolved privately rather than through formal channels. This response has raised further suspicions about MBC's negligence in addressing her concerns, as the representative was not one of the four MBC officials to whom Oh had previously reported her issues.

Oh Yoanna's sudden passing in September 2024 shocked many, and a note found on her phone revealed her complaints about workplace harassment. Reports indicate that she had informed four MBC officials about her situation prior to her death, but her concerns were reportedly ignored, intensifying the allegations of MBC's inaction regarding workplace bullying.

In light of these developments, actress Kim Hye-eun, a former MBC weathercaster, recently spoke on the YouTube channel 'Now Baek Ji-yeon,' reflecting on her own experiences at MBC. She stated, "I worked as a weathercaster for nine years at MBC, and seeing the current situation, I believe that bullying exists in every organization. It shouldn't happen, but it does."

Kim also expressed her concerns about the treatment of weathercasters, questioning the value placed on them by the company. She recalled, "When I joined as a non-regular employee, my salary was decent, but I wondered how the company views weathercasters—whether they see us as disposable or commodified."

The family of Oh Yoanna is demanding the truth, calling for apologies from those responsible and a sincere public apology from MBC. The network has stated that it will investigate the circumstances surrounding Oh's death thoroughly and promptly through a fact-finding committee.

MBC, 故오요안나 방관 의혹 속 새국면 맞나..고인 '일기장' 공개 (Oh!쎈 이슈)

Diary of Late Weathercaster Oh Yoanna Reveals Workplace Struggles Amid Ongoing Controversy

Park Young-woo (박영우), the 70-year-old chairman of DaeYu Winia Group, was sentenced to four years in prison on February 19, 2025, by the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court. He faced charges of violating labor laws and embezzlement, specifically for failing to pay wages and severance totaling approximately 39.8 billion KRW to 738 employees from October 2020 to December 2023, as well as embezzling 1 billion KRW from company funds.

The court also sentenced Park's cousin, Park Hyun-cheol (박현철), CEO of Winia Electronics, to three years in prison with a four-year probation, while Kim Hyuk-pyo (김혁표), CEO of Winia, received a two-year prison sentence with a three-year probation. An Byung-deok (안병덕), former CEO of Winia, was sentenced to six months in prison with a two-year probation.

The judges emphasized the importance of timely wage payments, stating, "The wages of workers are tied to the livelihoods of their families. Many workers have petitioned for severe punishment for the defendant, and considering the suffering of their families, strict penalties are necessary." They noted that Park, as a business manager, should have taken steps to prevent wage arrears but instead attempted to evade responsibility.

According to prosecutors, Park was accused of withholding wages and severance payments from employees while receiving approximately 49.9 billion KRW in wages and severance from affiliated companies. Investigations revealed that he regularly received reports on wage arrears and made financial decisions through the group’s secretariat.

Additionally, Park and other executives are suspected of transferring 1 billion KRW to his personal account just 30 minutes before filing for corporate rehabilitation on October 4, 2023, without following necessary procedures for company fund disbursement. Prosecutors believe this was an attempt to misappropriate funds before the rehabilitation process began, which would limit their ability to use company money.

From July 2020 to May 2022, Park reportedly spent about 10.5 billion KRW on real estate purchases and construction of vacation homes using company funds. He also allocated 1.8 billion KRW for the interior renovation of a space designated for the chairman within the company. Furthermore, in December 2021, he used company funds to pay a 32 billion KRW deposit for acquiring Namyang Dairy Products, indicating misuse of company resources that contributed to the wage arrears.

Despite the ongoing wage issues, Park continued to receive substantial payments from the group, including 110 million KRW from the sale of the Montver CC golf course, which he prioritized for personal debt repayment.

The court acknowledged that Park received daily reports from the CEOs of affiliated companies and issued financial directives. However, they found him not guilty of embezzlement, stating that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to prove that the transfer of 1 billion KRW constituted embezzlement, as wage arrears began in earnest only in 2023 when the rehabilitation process was initiated.

‘수백억대 임금·퇴직금 체불’ 박영우 대유위니아 회장 1심서 징역 4년

DaeYu Winia Group Chairman Park Young-woo Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Wage Theft

Rosé, a member of the popular group BLACKPINK, has officially withdrawn from the Korean Music Copyright Association (KOMCA). According to KOMCA, Rosé submitted her request for termination of trust on October 31 of last year, and after a three-month grace period, her trust agreement was finalized on January 31. This marks the first time since April 4, 2003, when Seo Taiji ended his trust relationship with KOMCA, a span of 22 years.

The reason behind Rosé's departure is reportedly related to commission fees. In September of last year, she signed an exclusive contract with Atlantic Records, a label under Warner Music Group. Given her extensive activities in the United States, managing copyright separately in both the U.S. and Korea was deemed unnecessary, and moving forward, all of Rosé's copyrights will be managed by a U.S. publisher.

In other news, Rosé made waves globally last year with her collaboration with Bruno Mars on the track 'APT.' The music video for 'APT.' recently surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube, and the song is featured on her debut album 'rosie,' which debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, setting a new record for K-pop female artists.

BLACKPINK, of which Rosé is a member, is set to kick off their world tour on July 5 and 6 at the Goyang Sports Complex in South Korea. The tour will cover ten locations, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, London, and Tokyo.

“서태지 이후 22년만”..블랙핑크 로제, 韓 음저협 탈퇴 [Oh!쎈 이슈]

BLACKPINK's Rosé Withdraws from Korean Music Copyright Association

J-Hope (제이홉) of BTS (방탄소년단) is set to return as a headliner for Lollapalooza, marking his second appearance since he closed the 2022 Lollapalooza Chicago. He will take the main stage at Lollapalooza Berlin, scheduled for July 12-13, 2025, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany. This year, Lollapalooza Berlin celebrates its 10th anniversary and features an impressive lineup including Justin Timberlake, Benson Boone, and Armin van Buuren, generating significant excitement among fans.

The festival has praised J-Hope as a "pioneer and icon," stating, "He captivates the hearts of generations. His music blends hip hop and pop with boundless energy. His performances transcend boundaries with a powerful presence and musicality."

This will be J-Hope's first performance at a major European music festival, and notably, it will be his first concert in Germany since BTS's 'LOVE YOURSELF' world tour in 2018, nearly six years ago.

J-Hope made history as the first Korean artist to headline the main stage at Lollapalooza, delivering an unforgettable set in Chicago that included 18 songs over the course of an hour, captivating an audience of over 105,000. Media outlets hailed him as a "true solo artist with a historic headline set" (NME) and noted that he could "create a standout page in the history of music" (Consequence of Sound).

Before heading to Berlin, J-Hope will kick off his world tour with 'j-hope Tour 'HOPE ON THE STAGE' in SEOUL' at the KSPO DOME in Songpa-gu, Seoul, from February 28 to March 2, 2025. Following this, he will perform in 15 cities across North America and Asia, including Brooklyn, Chicago, Mexico City, Manila, Saitama, Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Macau, Taipei, and Osaka, totaling 31 shows.

방탄소년단 제이홉, 7월 '롤라팔루자 베를린' 헤드라이너 출격[공식]

J-Hope to Headline Lollapalooza Berlin 2025

On February 19, 2025, five major music organizations in South Korea, including the Korea Management Federation, the Korea Entertainment Producers Association, and the Korea Music Content Association, expressed concerns over the negative impact of public disputes, such as the recent controversy involving HYBE and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, on the K-Pop industry. They released a statement highlighting that individual conflicts, including Min's press conferences and NewJeans member Hani's attendance at a National Assembly audit, are escalating into broader issues affecting the entire K-Pop sector. A press conference titled 'Is K-Pop in Crisis? – Suggestions from Over 2,200 Record Producers / 'Without Producers, There is No K-Pop!' is scheduled for February 27.

The organizations emphasized that the public airing of conflicts between specific agencies and artists is leading to unverified allegations and subsequent regulations that could stifle the industry. They urged certain agencies and artists to cease reckless public campaigns and called on the National Assembly and government to provide policy support regarding these issues.

In November 2024, NewJeans members Minji, Hani, Daniel, Haerin, and Hyein held an emergency press conference claiming that Ador had violated their exclusive contract, unilaterally declaring its termination. Recently, they announced their new team name 'NJZ' through their official social media channels, furthering their unilateral actions.

The full statement from the five music organizations calls for an end to baseless public campaigns by some agencies and artists, urging the government to support policies aimed at eradicating 'tampering,' a key source of conflict.

1. To resolve these issues, it is essential to prioritize accurate fact-checking and thorough discussions among stakeholders over public opinion campaigns.

The ongoing disputes, particularly those involving Min Hee-jin and NewJeans, have not been resolved through private negotiations or legal processes but rather through public declarations and media coverage. This trend poses a significant threat to the K-Pop industry.

K-Pop, being a highly publicized industry, can easily be dominated by unverified allegations that spread across online platforms. Such claims can be accepted as facts without proper verification, leading to misconceptions within government bodies about the industry's self-regulatory capabilities.

For instance, following Hani's National Assembly appearance in October 2024, a bill prohibiting workplace harassment for artists was proposed. While it is crucial for artists to be respected in their work environments, there were also public criticisms suggesting that K-Pop artists were being used for sensationalism.

The organizations are advocating for a more effective system that considers the working conditions of artists and other K-Pop professionals, emphasizing the need for diverse voices in the industry to be heard.

If related legislation continues to pass without considering the entire industry, the K-Pop sector may face frequent regulatory impacts due to individual disputes, ultimately harming all participants in the industry.

2. They also called for the establishment of laws to prevent tampering in the music industry, similar to the semiconductor industry’s technology leak prevention laws.

The press conference held by NewJeans last year marked a significant moment where private disputes between artists and their agencies were excessively exposed to the media. This has led to situations where artists pursue independent activities before legal resolutions are reached, further complicating the industry.

It is crucial to address the issue of tampering, which can undermine agencies that have invested heavily in artists' future success. Tampering is often conducted discreetly, making it difficult to prove, and the lack of legal protections leaves the industry vulnerable to public opinion campaigns.

As allegations of tampering continue to surface, the K-Pop industry remains unprotected and susceptible to public scrutiny. It is time to recognize the serious threat that tampering poses to the K-Pop industry and to unite for its protection.

If successful tampering cases emerge, the entertainment management sector that supports K-Pop could collapse, leading to potential foreign capital interference that could strip the industry of its core assets and know-how.

Ultimately, the key to preventing tampering lies in the faithful execution of exclusive contracts. Just as laws have been established to protect critical technologies in other industries, similar measures must be taken to ensure the integrity of exclusive contracts in K-Pop.

The organizations stress the need for awareness among artists regarding their contracts. NewJeans, for example, has recently announced a new activity name while still under contract, raising concerns about the legal implications of such unilateral actions. If contracts are not legally protected and can be terminated by mere declarations, the foundation of the K-Pop industry will be jeopardized.

The National Assembly and government are urged to recognize that disputes related to tampering are not merely conflicts among industry stakeholders but represent a significant risk to one of South Korea's key industries, K-Pop. 

The K-Pop industry has successfully navigated numerous challenges, from illegal downloads in the early 2000s to the pandemic in the 2020s. The year 2025 could be pivotal for K-Pop to overcome internal divisions and emerge as a proud cultural industry for South Korea, provided there is support and attention from the National Assembly, government, and various sectors.

뉴진스 아닌 NJZ라니?..K-팝 관계자들, 27일 기자회견+호소문 발표 (전문)

K-Pop Industry Leaders Call for Resolution Amid Rising Disputes

As SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) marks its 10th anniversary, the group is set to engage with fans worldwide through a series of exciting activities. The new special unit, HoshiXWoozi, will release their debut single 'BEAM' on March 10. The title 'BEAM' symbolizes the light emitted by Hoshi and Woozi, showcasing their originality and self-love developed through challenges since their trainee days. As leaders of the performance and vocal teams, both born in 1996, they are expected to shine as representatives of the '96 line.

In addition to their unit activities, SEVENTEEN will host a large-scale fan meeting titled 'SVT 9TH FAN MEETING 'SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND'' at Incheon Munhak Stadium on March 20-21, a rare stadium-sized event for a fan meeting. They will also return to Japan for fan meetings after two years, scheduled for April 24 and 26-27 at Kyocera Dome Osaka, and May 10-11 at Saitama Super Arena, under the title 'SEVENTEEN 2025 JAPAN FAN MEETING ‘HOLIDAY’.

On April 4, SEVENTEEN will head to Mexico to perform as the headliner on the first day of the Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025 festival, the largest music festival in Latin America, often referred to as 'Mexico's Coachella.' This marks the first time a K-pop artist will perform at this festival. Last year, SEVENTEEN made history as the first K-pop group to perform on the main stage at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival and headlined the main stage at Lollapalooza Berlin in Germany.

The year began with the return of the special unit BSS (부석순), consisting of Seungkwan, DK, and Hoshi, who released their second single 'TELEPARTY' on January 8, delivering the message that 'if you are happy in this moment, everyone is young.' The title track 'Jeans' quickly topped real-time and daily charts on domestic music sites, and the album sold nearly 530,000 copies within a week of its release, showcasing the strength of the 'K-pop super unit' BSS.

The 'SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] WORLD TOUR,' which began in October last year, concluded its Asian leg in January and February, with performances in major stadiums in Bulacan, Singapore, Jakarta, and Bangkok. The tour received rave reviews from local media, highlighting SEVENTEEN's powerful presence and perfect performances, and attracted approximately 1,037,000 fans both online and offline.

A representative from Pledis Entertainment stated, 'As SEVENTEEN celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are preparing various activities to create meaningful memories with our fans. We hope everyone looks forward to this being 'SEVENTEEN's year.'

SEVENTEEN Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Special Unit and Global Fan Meetings

The K-pop group LE SSERAFIM (르세라핌), consisting of members Kim Chae-won (김채원), Sakura (사쿠라), Heo Yoon-jin (허윤진), Kazuha (카즈하), and Hong Eun-chae (홍은채), is set to release their fifth mini album titled 'HOT' on March 14 at 1 PM. This album will serve as the final installment in their trilogy, following the releases of their third mini album 'EASY' in February and their fourth mini album 'CRAZY' in August of last year.

Since their debut with 'FEARLESS', LE SSERAFIM has consistently infused their music with genuine thoughts and emotions, resonating with listeners. 'EASY' explored themes of inner struggles and anxieties, while 'CRAZY' encouraged embracing chaos rather than succumbing to fear. With 'HOT', the group aims to showcase a passionate attitude towards love, further illustrating their journey of inner strength throughout this trilogy.

The 'EASY', 'CRAZY', and 'HOT' trilogy has been in the works since 2023. During their performance at the 2023 MAMA Awards, they captivated audiences with the theme 'REVOLUTION ON THE STREET', where the phrases 'EASY', 'CRAZY', and 'HOT' were sequentially displayed on LED screens. Additionally, the track 'Good Bones' from their third mini album features the lyrics, "EASY, CRAZY, HOT I can make it," while the music video for 'Smart' also hints at the next album's title, 'CRAZY'. This has provided fans with numerous clues about the trilogy over the past year.

LE SSERAFIM will unveil the album trailer for 'HOT' on the 21st. Known for their stylish and impressive trailers, anticipation is high among K-pop fans for this upcoming release.

LE SSERAFIM to Conclude Trilogy with New Album 'HOT'

K-pop sensation BLACKPINK has unveiled the first phase of their highly anticipated 2025 world tour, which will feature stadium performances across various countries. YG Entertainment announced the tour on their official blog on February 20, revealing a poster that outlines the tour schedule, which includes stops in South Korea, North America, Europe, and Japan.

The tour kicks off with performances at the Goyang Sports Complex in South Korea on July 5 and 6, before heading to major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, London, and Tokyo. 

While the full details are yet to be revealed, all confirmed venues are large stadiums capable of accommodating tens of thousands of fans. Notably, BLACKPINK will be the first K-pop girl group to perform at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London, often referred to as the 'dream stage' for pop artists. Additionally, their solo concert at Goyang Sports Complex marks a first for K-pop girl groups.

BLACKPINK will share the stage with other global music icons, performing at renowned venues like SoFi Stadium in LA, Soldier Field in Chicago, Rogers Centre in Toronto, City Field in New York, Stade de France in Paris, Ippodromo Snai La Maura in Milan, Estadi Olímpic in Barcelona, and Tokyo Dome, further solidifying their status as a top-tier global group.

YG Entertainment stated, "We are preparing for a tour of unprecedented scale and quality, comparable to the historic [BORN PINK] tour that wrote a new chapter in K-pop history. We ask for your continued interest in the additional locations and dates that will be announced soon."

The teaser released alongside the announcement highlights moments from the previous 'BORN PINK' tour, which set a record for K-pop girl group world tours with over 1.8 million attendees. The explosive stage presence of BLACKPINK and the enthusiasm of fans worldwide are sure to elevate anticipation for the upcoming tour, with the phrase 'AND MORE' prominently displayed in the video, hinting at more surprises to come.

BLACKPINK Announces Massive 2025 World Tour with Stadium Performances

K-pop group ONF has made a remarkable comeback, soaring to the top of both domestic and international music charts. On February 18, they released their second full-length album, Part.1 'ONF: MY IDENTITY', with the title track 'The Stranger' hitting number one on the Bugs real-time chart on the day of its release. The album's entire tracklist has also charted, showcasing the group's impressive popularity.

Internationally, 'ONF: MY IDENTITY' has made significant strides, reaching the number one spot on Japan's iTunes 'Top Albums' chart and landing in the top 10 of the same chart in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan. Additionally, the album secured the 16th position on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart, highlighting ONF's strong presence in the global music scene.

With a successful comeback underway, ONF is set to kick off their promotional activities on February 20 at 6 PM KST on Mnet's 'M Countdown'. They will perform 'The Stranger' for the first time, delivering a dynamic performance filled with healing energy and impactful choreography that symbolizes the shape of a circle.

'The Stranger' is a pop track characterized by its funky rhythm and showcases ONF's impressive vocal range. The song conveys a positive message about pursuing dreams amidst a challenging world, with members Min-kyun and Wyatt contributing to its creation, adding a unique touch to the group's sound.

ONF Tops Charts with New Album 'ONF: MY IDENTITY'

NewJeans has encountered difficulties in their initial activities as NJZ. On February 19, five major music organizations in South Korea, including the Korea Management Federation and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association, issued a statement calling for policy support to eradicate tampering in the K-pop industry. They claimed that the actions of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin and NewJeans are causing significant harm to the industry and urged the government and National Assembly to establish anti-tampering legislation.

In response, NewJeans took a stand. A lengthy rebuttal was posted on accounts managed by the members' parents, asserting that HYBE and the organizations involved are engaging in misleading media play. They stated that their exclusive contract with HYBE has been terminated due to unfair treatment.

The group specifically claimed that HYBE's Chairman Bang Si-hyuk personally pressured U.S. contacts to cancel NJZ members' performances, as relayed by a representative from ComplexCon, who is assisting with the event preparations.

Ador countered this by stating, "We have never pressured the cancellation of NewJeans' Hong Kong performance. Chairman Bang has confirmed that he has had no contact regarding the Hong Kong concert."

Ador further explained that they requested the event organizers to use the official team name NewJeans, as previously requested by domestic media, and to conduct the performance through Ador based on the exclusive contract.

NewJeans maintains that their exclusive contract with Ador was terminated in November of last year and has declared 'NJZ' as their new team name. In response, Ador has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract and has sought an injunction against the group's agency status and advertising contracts. They argue that the official team name is not NJZ but NewJeans, asserting that the exclusive contract remains valid. The first hearing related to the injunction is set for March, while the lawsuit regarding the exclusive contract will begin in April. If the court rules in favor of HYBE, NewJeans' independent activities may be jeopardized.

Actor Jung Eun-pyo Shares Son Ji-woong's Recent Military Leave

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SEVENTEEN Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Special Unit and Global Fan Meetings

LE SSERAFIM to Conclude Trilogy with New Album 'HOT'

BLACKPINK Announces Massive 2025 World Tour with Stadium Performances

ONF Tops Charts with New Album 'ONF: MY IDENTITY'

NewJeans Faces Challenges in First Activities as NJZ

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Diary of Late Weathercaster Oh Yoanna Reveals Workplace Struggles Amid Ongoing Controversy

DaeYu Winia Group Chairman Park Young-woo Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Wage Theft

BLACKPINK's Rosé Withdraws from Korean Music Copyright Association

J-Hope to Headline Lollapalooza Berlin 2025

K-Pop Industry Leaders Call for Resolution Amid Rising Disputes

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