On February 10, 2025, Ador emphasized that the K-pop group NewJeans is not changing its name to NJZ. An Ador representative stated that the exclusive contracts with the members are legally valid and that claims of termination are unilateral. The company has filed for a court ruling to confirm the validity of the contracts and is awaiting the court's decision.

On February 7, members Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein announced their new name 'NJZ' through their official social media channels, following an emergency press conference in November where they declared the termination of their contracts with Ador. Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin showed support by liking their announcement.

The social media account used for this announcement was previously managed informally by the five members. With the name change, they also updated their profile logo to reflect their new identity as NJZ. Their first activity as NJZ is scheduled for March 21-23 at ComplexCon Hong Kong, held at AsiaWorld-Expo.

In response, Ador has taken legal action to assert that the exclusive contracts remain in effect. They filed for a preliminary injunction to maintain their management rights and prevent the members from entering into new contracts. The members have also appointed a law firm to represent them.

Amid this turmoil, Ador reiterated its request for the group to continue using the official name 'NewJeans' based on valid contracts.

Ador Confirms NewJeans Name Amidst Group's Rebranding

On February 7, 2025, 'Squid Game 2' (오징어 게임 2) was awarded the Best Foreign Language Series at the 30th Critics Choice Awards held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. This marks the second consecutive win for the series, following its success with the first season.

The Critics Choice Awards, organized by the Critics Choice Association (CCA) comprising film and television critics from the U.S. and Canada, saw 'Squid Game 2' compete against other nominees including 'Acapulco', 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', 'La Maquina', 'Lydia Poet's Law', 'My Brilliant Friend', 'Pachinko', and 'Sena', which are set in Mexico, India, Italy, and Brazil.

Notably, 'Squid Game 2' was not nominated in the Drama Series category. In contrast, the first season of 'Squid Game' received nominations for both Best Foreign Language Series and Best Drama Series at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, where it triumphed in both categories, with Lee Jung-jae winning Best Actor. This year, the Drama Series award went to 'Shogun', which also secured wins for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. In the film category, 'Anora' won Best Picture, while John Chu of 'Wicked' took home the Best Director award. Best Actor and Best Actress were awarded to Adrien Brody for 'The Brutalist' and Demi Moore for 'Substance', respectively.

According to Netflix, as of February 9, 2025, 'Squid Game 2' has become the third most-watched Netflix show of all time, following 'Squid Game 1' and 'Wednesday', with a total of 1.2819 billion hours viewed.

‘오징어 게임 2′ 美 크리틱스 초이스 외국어 시리즈 작품상

Squid Game 2 Wins Best Foreign Language Series at Critics Choice Awards

In the upcoming episode of tvN's weekend drama 'Ask the Stars' (별들에게 물어봐), airing on February 9, the chemistry between the characters Gongryong (played by Lee Min-ho) and Eve Kim (played by Kong Hyo-jin) intensifies. During a meeting with Kang Tae-hee (played by Lee El) to discuss a report, Kang advises Eve to avoid personal meetings with tourists, stating, "Even if you liked him alone, it’s not a good look for a commander." She warns Eve about the competitive environment, emphasizing that there are more rivals looking to undermine her than supporters, and insists, "Absolutely do not meet him." 

Later, Donna Lee (played by Lee Cho-hee) questions Gongryong about whether he has given up on his unrequited love, to which he cryptically replies, "I don’t do unrequited love anymore." This prompts Ma Eun-soo (played by Park Ye-young) to ask, "Why can’t mammals like mice reproduce yet? You’re a gynecologist, right? What do you think is the most important factor for life to be born in zero gravity?" Gongryong responds with a hint of mystery, saying, "A pretty baby mouse might have already done it; you just didn’t see it." Eve chimes in, "There are always those who don’t show it, the sneaky ones, the ones who pretend. They exist, right?" 

In a particularly revealing moment, Gongryong asks Eve if she regrets being the first mammal to do something, to which she playfully responds, "I don’t know. At that time, I forgot whether I was a commander, a tourist, in space, or in gravity or zero gravity. Completely." Gongryong then jokes, "I did well, right? I’m quite an amazing mammal, aren’t I?" showcasing their playful and romantic dynamic.

이민호, ♥공효진과 '우주 원나잇' 추억 회상 "나 잘했지?" ('별들에게')

Kong Hyo-jin and Lee Min-ho Share a Secret Romantic Connection in 'Ask the Stars'

On the February 10 episode of TV Chosun's variety show 'Joseon’s Lovebirds' (조선의 사랑꾼), Seo Jeong-hee revealed her plans to marry this spring. During the show, she introduced her boyfriend, architect Kim Tae-hyun, who is six years her junior at 56 years old. Seo shared her feelings about love, stating, 'I never felt my heart race when meeting someone until I met Tae-hyun. After our dates, when we hugged goodbye, my heart pounded for the first time, and my face turned red. Is this what it feels like to love someone? It was a strange feeling.' The couple is planning a small wedding in May, during the blooming spring season. They also shared a kiss on the show, prompting reactions like, 'This is Hollywood; middle-aged love is fearless!' Kim Gook-jin humorously remarked, 'Is this really the Seo Jeong-hee I know? This is the most shocking moment I've experienced; I’ll probably dream about that scene.' Seo Jeong-hee, who debuted as a CF model at 19, left her brief entertainment career to marry Seo Se-won. However, after revealing shocking family issues in 2014, they divorced in 2015. She has been in a public relationship with her younger boyfriend for four years now.

'62세' 서정희, 올봄 '6살연하♥ 건축가'와 재혼한다 ('조선의 사랑꾼')

Seo Jeong-hee Announces Wedding Plans on 'Joseon’s Lovebirds'

The latest episode of KBS2's 'Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears' aired on February 9, 2025, and featured a lively discussion among the panelists regarding MC Jeon Hyun-moo's rumored relationship with Hong Joo-yeon. Prior to revealing a video, announcer Eom Ji-in disclosed that Jeon Hyun-moo had met with Kim Jin-woong, Lee Kwang-yeop, and Hong Joo-yeon separately. Photos showed him enjoying a meal with the trio, prompting Lee Kyung-kyu and Park Myung-soo to humorously label Kim Jin-woong and Lee Kwang-yeop as 'scapegoats' and suggested they were merely a cover to distract from Hong Joo-yeon. They jokingly spread false news, claiming that the couple was in a common-law marriage and even had children. 

As chef Shin Jong-cheol joined the panel, the speculation about a March wedding resurfaced. After praising the buffet where he works, Park Myung-soo quipped that Jeon Hyun-moo might also have good news next month. Jeon Hyun-moo responded, bewildered, 'What’s with this March wedding rumor? My mom called to ask if I was getting married, and Chu texted to congratulate me. There’s so much misinformation out there.' When Park Myung-soo suggested moving the wedding date to May, Jeon Hyun-moo agreed but quickly added, 'If I say May, then another article will come out saying I confirmed it.' 

The March wedding rumors first emerged during the February 2 broadcast when Jung Ji-sun visited 'Gag Concert' with her son. The son jokingly suggested that his favorite comedian, Shin Yoon-seung, should marry Jo Soo-yeon, leading the panel to fabricate a story to trick Kim Byung-hyun into believing Jeon Hyun-moo was also getting married next month. Jeon Hyun-moo claimed he had been dating for about a month, completely fooling Kim Byung-hyun, who seemed to have seen the dating news on TV.

전현무, 최측근에만 밝혔던 홍주연과 3월 결혼…母 몰랐고 女가수는 축하 [종합]

Rumors of Jeon Hyun-moo's Marriage Spark Buzz on 'Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears'

Jeon Hyun-moo (전현무) and Hong Joo-yeon (홍주연) have found themselves at the center of marriage rumors, following a recent episode of KBS2's 'Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears' (사장님 귀는 당나귀 귀) aired on February 9, 2025. The speculation about their potential wedding was reignited after a previous episode on February 2, where chef Jung Ji-sun (정지선) mentioned Jeon Hyun-moo's rumored marriage in March.

During the show, Jung Ji-sun was recording a segment for the popular program 'Gag Concert' (개그콘서트) with comedians Jo Soo-yeon (조수연) and Shin Yoon-seung (신윤승). In a playful moment, Jo Soo-yeon jokingly claimed that Jeon Hyun-moo and Hong Joo-yeon would be getting married in May, which left the young fan, Woo-hyung, surprised.

This playful banter led to further jokes in the studio, with Kim Byung-hyun (김병현) and other cast members teasing Jeon Hyun-moo about his supposed upcoming nuptials. Jeon Hyun-moo even humorously admitted to dating Hong Joo-yeon for a month, prompting laughter from the audience.

In a segment of the show, Um Ji-in (엄지인) shared photos of Jeon Hyun-moo and Hong Joo-yeon dining together, showcasing their apparent happiness. Jeon Hyun-moo defended Hong Joo-yeon when Um Ji-in playfully scolded her, and he expressed a sense of nostalgia when he saw her wearing headphones, drawing parallels to his past.

As the rumors continued, the initial March wedding speculation was pushed to May. With the addition of chef Shin Jong-cheol (신종철) to the panel, who praised the buffet's offerings, Park Myung-soo (박명수) chimed in, suggesting that Jeon Hyun-moo might have good news next month. Jeon Hyun-moo responded with disbelief, stating that his mother had even inquired about the marriage rumors.

In a light-hearted exchange, Park Myung-soo suggested moving the wedding date to May, to which Jeon Hyun-moo agreed but quickly noted that this would only lead to more articles about the change. The conversation took a humorous turn when Shin Jong-cheol offered to help plan the wedding, mentioning various events he could assist with, which left Jeon Hyun-moo visibly flustered.

"사귄 지 한달" 전현무, 母는 몰랐고 최측근만 알았다…5월로 결혼 연기 (사당귀)[Oh!쎈 이슈]

Jeon Hyun-moo and Hong Joo-yeon Spark Marriage Rumors

Kai of EXO has completed his alternative military service and is set to reunite with his fans. He enlisted in May 2023, undergoing basic military training before transitioning to social service. At the time of his enlistment, Kai expressed his disappointment, stating, "I had a lot prepared, and it's unfortunate. I'm upset, but I can show you everything when I return." After serving for 1 year and 9 months, he is now gearing up for EXO's full group comeback. Fellow member Sehun, who enlisted in December 2023, is also expected to be discharged soon, raising fans' anticipation. Other EXO members have consistently mentioned their plans for a full group return. Suho and Chanyeol shared during an SM Town concert, "Kai will be back, and Sehun will join us soon. We are preparing to gather again for even better performances, so please look forward to it." In a recent interview, D.O. reassured fans, saying, "We are getting ready now, and I want to say you don’t need to worry. You will see the full group soon. We have been preparing since this year. EXO is still going strong." Kai debuted with EXO in 2012 and gained global popularity with his mini solo album 'ROVER' released before his enlistment.

EXO's Kai Completes Alternative Military Service and Returns to Fans

It has been 18 years since the beloved actress Jeong Da-bin, often referred to as the 'Second Choi Jin-sil' for her vibrant charm, tragically passed away. On February 10, 2007, she was found dead in her boyfriend's apartment in Samseong-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. While the police and the National Forensic Service concluded that her death was a suicide based on the autopsy, her family and agency have consistently argued that there was no reason for her to take her own life. To this day, the reasons behind Jeong Da-bin's death remain unclear.

Jeong Da-bin made her debut in 2000 with the SBS sitcom Don.com. She rose to fame with her role in the sitcom Nonstop 3 and showcased her adorable charm alongside Kim Rae-won in the 2003 drama Rooftop Room Cat. Her lovely visuals and refreshing acting style led many to anticipate her as the next 'Romantic Comedy Queen' following Choi Jin-sil.

However, after her appearance in the 2005 SBS drama The Summer's Hurricane, her career saw a decline. In 2007, she suddenly left her loved ones, shocking the entertainment industry. Even after 18 years, fans continue to remember her as a versatile actress capable of excelling in both comedy and romance.

Her colleagues share similar sentiments. In a 2018 MBC special titled 'Again, Twenty - New Nonstop,' Jo In-sung expressed his difficulty in attending her funeral, stating, 'It was hard to go to the mortuary. My heart was too pained. I felt so sorry that I wondered if I had the right to go. But I thought I should at least say goodbye on my way there.' 

Similarly, Jung Tae-woo reflected on the disbelief surrounding her death, saying, 'Everyone must have felt it was unbelievable. It was so hard to accept that Da-bin was gone. She had family and colleagues around her. We had good memories together. I still find myself talking to the air every time articles about her come out.'

Remembering Jeong Da-bin: 18 Years Since Her Untimely Passing

The popular K-pop group NewJeans has announced their independent activities under the new name NJZ. On February 9, they shared a group selfie on their official account, stating, "It's been a while since we took a group selfie." The photo features members Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein striking V poses and smiling brightly.

The members expressed their satisfaction with their day, saying, "We feel like we had a very fulfilling day. We hope our fans, Bunnies (the official fan club), are enjoying good music and staying warm."

On February 7, NewJeans revealed their new team name, NJZ, and changed their previously established account 'Jins for Free' to 'NJZ Official.' They also announced plans for their upcoming activities, including a performance at the 'Complex Live' event at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong in March. They will debut their new song on March 23, the last day of ComplexCon, and mentioned that they will soon have an agent.

In response, Ador expressed disappointment over the members' unilateral decision to pursue this path before any legal judgment was made. Last November, NewJeans declared the termination of their exclusive contract with Ador, citing contract violations. They stated that they would not be liable for any penalties and would continue to use the NewJeans name. However, due to potential trademark issues, they have refrained from using the name since then.

Ador, on the other hand, maintains that the contract with NewJeans is valid until July 2029 and has filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of the contract, along with a request for a temporary injunction to prevent the group from entering into advertising contracts.

As NJZ embarks on their independent journey, they face challenges ahead. A legal battle with Ador is set to begin in March, with a hearing scheduled for March 7 regarding the injunction. The first hearing for the contract validity lawsuit will take place on April 3.

Additionally, member Hani faces visa issues. As a dual citizen of Australia and Vietnam, she has been working under an E-6 (Artistic Performance) visa issued through Ador, which is set to expire soon. To renew this visa, she needs to submit various documents, including an exclusive contract, a business registration certificate, and a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Ador has stated they are preparing the necessary documents for Hani's visa extension, but if she does not return to Ador, they are unlikely to assist her.

Moreover, NewJeans must navigate public fatigue outside their core fandom, Bunnyz, allegations against former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, and industry backlash.

The future of NewJeans as NJZ remains a topic of great interest as they chart their new course.

NewJeans Launches Independent Activities as NJZ

The general ticket sales for 2NE1's 15th anniversary encore concert in Seoul will begin today, February 10, at 8 PM through Interpark Ticket. The concert, titled '2025 2NE1 CONCERT [WELCOME BACK] ENCORE IN SEOUL', is set to take place on April 12 and 13 at the KSPO DOME in Olympic Park, Bangi-dong, Seoul.

This event marks the group's reunion with domestic fans approximately six months after their last performance in Seoul last October, which saw overwhelming demand with all tickets selling out. Many fans who missed out on tickets have been eagerly requesting additional shows, making the competition for tickets this time around expected to be fierce.

Unlike the pre-sale for temporary fan club members, this general sale will be open to everyone. Fans can look forward to a comprehensive showcase of 2NE1's musical journey, as this concert will serve as the grand finale of their tour.

In a video released today, 2NE1 expressed their excitement, stating, "We are coming back to Seoul. We will meet you at the much larger KSPO DOME. The first concert in Seoul was truly moving, so we are even more thrilled for this encore performance. Let's all jump together one last time!"

Currently, 2NE1 is successfully navigating their 15th anniversary Asia tour, '2024-25 2NE1 ASIA TOUR [WELCOME BACK]', having already completed concerts in cities such as Seoul, Manila, Jakarta, Kobe, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei. They are now set to perform in Ho Chi Minh City and Macau, aiming to achieve a record of 27 shows across 12 cities, attracting a total audience of 220,000, including the Seoul encore.

2NE1 to Hold Encore Concert in Seoul for 15th Anniversary

On February 11, KBS2's show Celebrity Soldier's Secret (셀럽 병사의 비밀) aired its eighth episode, delving into the identity of the 'Purple Killer,' a figure that instilled fear in many celebrities, including Kim Gu (김구), Walt Disney, and Edvard Munch (에드바르 뭉크). The episode explored the mysterious deaths surrounding the famous painter Gustav Klimt, known for his iconic kiss scene, who passed away suddenly in 1918 shortly before his hospital discharge due to a stroke. Following his death, his protégé and rival, Egon Schiele (에곤 실레), also died, leading to a series of unexplained deaths where victims exhibited a purple discoloration of the face and pneumonia symptoms before dying within days. This led to rumors in Europe that the German army had released poison gas during World War I.

The fear of death spread rapidly beyond Europe, reaching Korea during the Japanese occupation in 1918, where notable figures like Kim Gu, Walt Disney, Mahatma Gandhi, and Edvard Munch also contracted the Spanish flu.

Interestingly, the first recorded outbreak of the Spanish flu was reported in the United States, not Spain. This led to a heated discussion on the show, with guest Jang Do-yeon expressing outrage over the naming of the virus, comparing it to being unjustly labeled as the 'Jang Do-yeon virus.'

ENT specialist Lee Nak-jun (이낙준), known for his work on the Trauma Center, provided medical insights into the various rumors and treatments surrounding the flu at that time. Lee Chan-won (이찬원) humorously questioned whether mixing soju with chili powder could actually cure a cold, leading to a light-hearted moment where he publicly apologized to friends who had tried this remedy instead of taking proper medication.

The episode also featured Professor Song Dae-seop (송대섭) from Seoul National University, who developed the world's first MERS diagnostic kit in 2015. He emphasized the importance of the broadcast, revealing shocking facts about the Spanish flu and its current implications, including research suggesting that up to 300 new viruses could emerge each year over the next 50 years, equating to a new infectious disease potentially appearing almost every day.

The secrets of the 'Purple Killer' that swept the globe in 1918 will be revealed in the Spanish flu episode of Celebrity Soldier's Secret, airing on Tuesday, February 11, at 8:30 PM. Meanwhile, Lee Chan-won has disclosed that he has over 30 events scheduled in a month, with his fee reportedly around 28 million won.

Ador Confirms NewJeans Name Amidst Group's Rebranding

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