K-pop girl group aespa made a significant impact at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 ceremony held on March 29 in Los Angeles, California. The group not only won the prestigious Group of the Year award but also captivated local music fans with their unique stage presence. 

aespa has made history as the first K-pop girl group to have six songs, including their latest title track 'Whiplash' from their fifth mini-album, and double title tracks 'Armageddon' and 'Supernova' from their first full album, charted in the top 50 of the Billboard 200. This achievement further solidifies their global popularity and influence.

During their acceptance speech, the members expressed their gratitude, stating, "We are truly thankful to be alongside such inspiring artists. aespa supports all women chasing their dreams and hopes everyone gets the chance to unleash their potential. We have shared unforgettable moments so far, and we believe this is just the beginning. We will continue to repay your love and support with even better music, so please stay tuned." 

Following the awards, aespa delivered an impressive performance of 'Whiplash (English Ver.)', showcasing a remarkable intro and dance break that captured the attention of both the audience and fellow global artists present at the event.

aespa Shines at Billboard Women in Music 2025, Winning Group of the Year

On April 1, the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association announced that Sunghoon, a member of the K-pop group ENHYPEN (엔하이픈), has donated 30 million won to support recovery efforts in areas affected by recent wildfires. Sunghoon expressed his gratitude to all firefighters and relief workers, stating, "I sincerely hope that those suffering from the wildfires can quickly return to their daily lives." The donated funds will be utilized for emergency livelihood support, provision of relief supplies, and operation of temporary shelters for residents in the wildfire-affected regions, including Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam. Shin Hoon, the Secretary-General of Hope Bridge, thanked Sunghoon for his generous contribution and assured that they will do their utmost to ensure the donation provides real assistance to those in need.

엔하이픈 성훈, 산불 피해 지원 위해 3000만원 기부.."일상 회복하길"

ENHYPEN's Sunghoon Donates 30 Million Won for Wildfire Relief

On March 31, actor Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference at the Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Seoul, where he addressed ongoing controversies regarding his personal life. During the event, Kim's legal representative announced that they are seeking 12 billion KRW in damages from the family of the late Kim Sae-ron and the YouTube channel 가로세로연구소 (Garosero Research Institute). 

Kim Soo-hyun's attorney, Kim Jong-bok from the law firm LK Partners, stated, "We have filed criminal complaints and civil lawsuits to clarify the facts surrounding the allegations made by the family and the unidentified individual claiming to be an 'aunt' of Kim Sae-ron, as well as the operators of Garosero. We have submitted a lawsuit for damages amounting to 12 billion KRW to the Seoul District Court."

Currently, Kim Soo-hyun is facing significant challenges, having canceled a fan meeting scheduled in Taiwan and officially postponed the release of his upcoming Disney+ original series, 'Nok-off.' Additionally, he is experiencing a wave of contract terminations in the advertising industry.

The Garosero Research Institute has claimed that Kim Sae-ron was in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun since her minor years and that she suffered psychological distress after receiving a demand for repayment of 700 million KRW from his agency, Gold Medalist. The family is demanding an apology from both Gold Medalist and Kim Soo-hyun, as well as from YouTuber Lee Jin-ho.

In response, Kim Soo-hyun's side acknowledged that they did have a relationship but denied that it occurred while Kim Sae-ron was a minor. They provided detailed explanations regarding the demand for repayment. However, Garosero continues to release private photos, videos, and letters involving Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron.

Furthermore, Kim Soo-hyun's agency has filed a complaint against Garosero, Kim Sae-ron's family, and an individual claiming to be her aunt for violations related to the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes.

In addition to these issues, Kim Soo-hyun is also being asked for clarification by the family of the late Sulli. Sulli's brother has raised concerns regarding explicit scenes in the film 'Real,' claiming that despite the presence of a body double, he was pressured to perform high-level exposure scenes.

김수현 측 "故김새론 유족과 가세연 형사고소..120억 원 청구소송"

Kim Soo-hyun Addresses Controversy and Files Lawsuit for Damages

April 1, 2025, marks the 22nd anniversary of the passing of Hong Kong film icon Leslie Cheung (장국영). Cheung tragically took his own life at the age of 46 in a hotel room on the 24th floor of the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. His death on April Fool's Day led many to initially doubt the news, and once confirmed, it plunged fans across Asia into deep sorrow, with some even following him in death.

Cheung began his career as a singer in 1977 with the album 'I Like Dreamin'' and went on to become a symbol of Hong Kong cinema, starring in numerous hit films such as 'A Better Tomorrow' (영웅본색), 'A Chinese Ghost Story' (천녀유혼), 'Days of Being Wild' (동사서독), 'Farewell My Concubine' (패왕별희), and 'Happy Together' (해피투게더).

His popularity in South Korea during the height of Hong Kong cinema was immense, and the news of his death was widely covered by local media, causing a significant impact and shock.

In the wake of his passing, various theories emerged regarding the circumstances of his death. Questions arose due to Cheung's well-known fear of heights, his ability to manage a busy schedule up until his death, and a phone call he made just ten minutes before his passing, where he told a friend he would see them in five minutes. However, his family revealed that he had struggled with depression, and authorities concluded that he had taken his own life.

Even more than two decades later, Cheung remains a beloved figure, with many expressing their longing for him. The South Korean film industry continues to honor his legacy, with recent re-releases of his classic films. On March 26, the extended version of 'Farewell My Concubine' (패왕별희: 디 오리지널) premiered, followed by remastered versions of 'Youth' (열화청춘) and 'The Three' (대삼원) on March 31.

만우절에 떠난 故장국영, 사망직전까지 통화했는데..거짓말같은 22주기[Oh!쎈 이슈]

Remembering Leslie Cheung on the 22nd Anniversary of His Passing

Global hip-hop sensation Travis Scott is set to perform his first solo concert in South Korea this October. Known for his multifaceted talents as a rapper, songwriter, producer, performer, designer, style icon, and actor, Scott has made a significant impact across music, fashion, film, and culture worldwide. His innovative and experimental sound, characterized by dreamy flows and autotuned singing rap, has shaped contemporary hip-hop trends.

Scott's debut album, [Rodeo] (2015), which features the Billboard Hot 100 hit 'Antidote,' reached number one on the Billboard Rap Albums chart. His sophomore album, [Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight] (2016), which includes the Kendrick Lamar collaboration 'goosebumps,' also debuted at the top of the Billboard Albums chart in its first week.

In 2018, his third studio album, [ASTROWORLD], combined trap and psychedelic elements, receiving critical acclaim and achieving three weeks at number one on the Billboard Albums chart. The album's lead single, 'SICKO MODE (ft. Drake),' marked Scott's first number one on the Billboard Hot 100, with all tracks from the album charting as singles. He also won the BET Hip Hop Award for Album of the Year.

His fourth album, [UTOPIA] (2023), has been met with widespread praise, topping the Billboard Albums chart for four consecutive weeks and achieving its first number one on the UK chart, making it the best-selling hip-hop album of the year. All 19 tracks from the album entered the Billboard Hot 100, accumulating over 50 billion streams globally. His latest single, '4x4,' debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in its first week.

Travis Scott is renowned for his dynamic and energetic performances, featuring iconic stage setups, visual art, and special effects, making his large-scale concerts and tours highly successful. The upcoming concert in South Korea is part of his 'CIRCUS MAXIMUS' tour, which began in October 2023. This world tour has already sold out 76 shows across North America, Europe, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand, attracting approximately 1.7 million fans and generating a record-breaking $209.3 million in revenue, marking it as the highest-grossing rap tour in history. The tour will continue in Asia, including stops in India, China, Japan, and South Korea, starting in October from South Africa.

Travis Scott's first solo concert in South Korea (TRAVIS SCOTT – CIRCUS MAXIMUS in Korea) will take place on October 25 at Goyang Sports Complex. Tickets will be available for purchase exclusively through Interpark Ticket starting at noon on the 8th. A pre-sale for Hyundai Card members will occur on the 7th from noon until 11:59 PM. The concert is restricted to attendees aged 19 and older, allowing entry only to those born on or before October 25, 2006. Ticket buyers must complete an adult verification process before purchasing and present valid identification at the venue to confirm their age.

트래비스 스캇, 10월 첫 내한공연 개최..고양종합운동장 간다[공식]

Travis Scott to Make His Solo Debut in South Korea This October

On April 2, a production briefing for the occult action film 'Holy Night: Demon Hunters' (거룩한 밤: 데몬 헌터스) was held at Lotte Cinema in Kondae, Seoul. The event featured Ma Dong-seok, who plays the role of Bau, a dark problem-solver who uses his fists to exorcise evil, alongside Seo Hyun as Sharon, a special ability exorcist, Lee Da-wit as Kim-gun, a multi-player who tracks demons, Kyung Soo-jin as Jung-won, who seeks exorcism, and Jung Ji-so as Eun-seo, Jung-won's sister possessed by a demon. Director Lim Dae-hee also attended the event.

'Holy Night' tells the story of a city thrown into chaos by a cult that worships evil, with a team of dark problem-solvers taking on the task of eliminating the forces of evil. Following the success of last year's occult film 'The Cursed: Dead Man's Prey' (파묘) and this year's hit animated film 'The Exorcist' (퇴마록), 'Holy Night' is set to further explore the occult genre in theaters this April.

Notably, Ma Dong-seok, known for his signature fist-fighting action in the 'Crime City' series, adds an occult twist to his character in 'Holy Night.' After achieving a record of over 10 million admissions with 'Crime City 4' (범죄도시4), he faced criticism for the declining quality of the series. In response, he announced a hiatus for the 'Crime City' series to reinvent his image with 'Holy Night,' which incorporates elements of the occult.

Ma Dong-seok, who not only stars in but also produced and planned the film, expressed his excitement about working with director Lim Dae-hee, who specializes in horror films. He stated, "I thought it would be great to mix action and fantasy into an occult film. I watched thousands of horror films from various countries while planning this project, and I wanted to incorporate different elements that resonate with different eras."

Director Lim Dae-hee, who has even written a thesis on the occult genre, shared his gratitude for Ma Dong-seok's support during the filming process, especially since it was his directorial debut. He noted, "I still have a lot to learn, but I analyzed several occult films to write my thesis. I lacked experience in action scenes, but Ma Dong-seok helped me a lot. It was an honor to work with him."

Ma Dong-seok acknowledged the challenge of avoiding self-repetition in his character portrayal, stating, "While my character has familiar traits, there are also fantasy elements. I will be playing a dark problem-solver with hidden secrets. The film includes boxing action, wire work, and special effects, and we faced some injuries during filming. We aimed to find new aspects of the fist-fighting action that fans expect from me."

Seo Hyun, who received the casting offer and responded within two hours, shared her enthusiasm for the project, saying, "I couldn't hesitate. The script was so interesting, and I wanted to work with Ma Dong-seok. I feel like I'm dreaming. I'm grateful to be part of my first commercial film with him. I plan to watch it in theaters multiple times when it releases."

Jung Ji-so expressed her love for the occult genre and the challenges of portraying a character that instills fear, stating, "This is my first time playing a character that scares others, and it was tough. However, Ma Dong-seok was very considerate behind the scenes."

Ma Dong-seok praised the chemistry among the cast, saying, "The chemistry is fantastic. While the film has a horror element, our interactions are great. We're even working on a webtoon to build the world of the film, and I would love to work with this team again."

'Holy Night: Demon Hunters' features a talented cast including Ma Dong-seok, Seo Hyun, Lee Da-wit, Kyung Soo-jin, and Jung Ji-so, marking director Lim Dae-hee's feature film debut. The film is set to be released on April 30.

[SC현장] "'파묘'보다 내가 먼저"…마동석 뻔하다 뻔해 '거룩한 밤' 퇴마 유행 막차 통할까(종합)

Ma Dong-seok Takes on the Occult in 'Holy Night: Demon Hunters'

On April 1, global beauty brand Y.O.U BEAUTY GLOBAL announced the termination of its partnership with actor Kim Soo-hyun amid ongoing controversies surrounding his personal life, including grooming allegations related to the late Kim Sae-ron. 

Y.O.U BEAUTY had appointed Kim Soo-hyun as a beauty ambassador in 2022, praising him as one of the most successful actors in Korea and expressing confidence that he would inspire others to pursue their dreams with positivity and confidence. However, following recent scandals, the brand released a statement on its official account regarding the partnership. 

The statement emphasized Y.O.U's commitment to prioritizing the well-being and interests of all women, stating, "We encourage women to step forward with newfound confidence and a radiant life, and we do not tolerate any actions that undermine our brand values." 

After careful consideration, Y.O.U BEAUTY decided to end its partnership with Kim Soo-hyun and is taking immediate action to remove all materials related to him from their platforms, stating they will pursue all necessary legal actions if required. The brand has already deleted all photos and posts featuring Kim Soo-hyun from its accounts. 

Meanwhile, the family of the late Kim Sae-ron has made claims through the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, alleging that Kim Soo-hyun had a relationship with Kim Sae-ron from 2015, when she was a minor, for six years. They have demanded compensation of 700 million KRW for damages related to a drunk driving incident and have sent two legal notices, claiming Kim Soo-hyun was negligent in addressing the situation. They also released alleged intimate photos, videos, letters, and messages exchanged between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, demanding an apology and acknowledgment from Kim Soo-hyun's side. 

In response, Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference on March 31, tearfully denying the allegations, stating, "We dated for about a year, five years ago, before 'Queen of Tears' aired four years ago. I did not have a relationship with her when she was a minor." He also refuted claims regarding messages exchanged during Kim Sae-ron's minor years, asserting that the individuals in the conversations from 2016 and 2018 were different people. 

Kim Soo-hyun's legal representative, attorney Kim Jong-bok from LK Partners, announced that they have filed a defamation lawsuit against the family and the operators of Garosero Research Institute, claiming violations of the Information and Communications Network Act and seeking 12 billion KRW in damages.

Kim Soo-hyun Denies Grooming Allegations as Y.O.U BEAUTY Ends Partnership

On April 2, 2025, the K-pop group BABYMONSTER departed from Incheon International Airport to Osaka, Japan, for their overseas schedule. The group is currently on their debut world tour, '2025 BABYMONSTER 1st WORLD TOUR,' which has already seen successful concerts in cities like Seoul, Newark, Los Angeles, Kanagawa, and Aichi. They are set to continue their performances in Japan, starting with Osaka on April 3. Overall, the tour will cover 20 cities across Asia and newly added North American dates, totaling 32 shows to connect with fans worldwide.

BABYMONSTER Depart for Osaka as Part of Their First World Tour

The highly anticipated film 'Lobby' has officially premiered today, April 2. As of this morning, it has secured the top spot in pre-sales for newly released films, alongside 'Victory', marking the beginning of a vibrant spring for Korean cinema.

Just three days prior to its release, 'Lobby' achieved the highest pre-sale rate among all films, and it continues to lead the pre-sales for films debuting in the first week of April. Critics, including renowned film reviewer Lee Dong-jin, have praised 'Lobby' for its rare ensemble of major stars in Korean cinema and highlighted the growth of actor-director Ha Jung-woo, contributing to the film's explosive word-of-mouth buzz.

Audience screenings and VIP previews have generated enthusiastic responses, with viewers commenting on the film's humor, calling it "incredibly fun! I hope to see more comedies like this," and noting how the rapid-fire dialogue made the time fly by. Many have also remarked on the strong appeal of the characters, particularly praising Lee Dong-hwi's comedic performance, and applauding the cast's exceptional acting skills.

Currently, 'Lobby' is in a tight race for box office supremacy with 'Victory'. The two films feature Ha Jung-woo and Lee Byung-hun, who previously collaborated in 'Ashfall', making their joint return to theaters this spring particularly noteworthy. Fans are eager to see if the camaraderie between these two leading actors can bring a warm spring to the box office.

The plot of 'Lobby' follows Chang-wook (played by Ha Jung-woo), a startup CEO who knows little beyond research, as he embarks on his first-ever lobbying golf game to secure a 4 trillion won national project. The film is currently enjoying a successful run in theaters.

Film 'Lobby' Premieres Today, Topping Box Office Pre-Sales

On April 1, 2025, actress Park Han-byul made her long-awaited return to television on TV Chosun's show 'Dad and Me' (아빠하고 나하고) after a six-year break from the entertainment industry. During the episode, she shared personal stories from the past six years, which she had not even disclosed to her family. Park expressed her nervousness about being back on screen, stating, "I'm feeling anxious and shaky. I haven't done much variety show work, so it feels awkward. It's been a while, and I'm sweating a lot." When asked how she became one of the top five visuals, she humorously replied, "My student ID photo got circulated." 

Park had previously paused her career due to a scandal involving her husband, and she described the overwhelming pressure she felt during that time. "Every time I turned on the TV, it was all anyone talked about. No matter who I met, it was the same. I had to stay home and avoid my phone just to escape it," she explained. 

Reflecting on her struggles, she admitted, "I felt like there was nothing I could do, no way to resolve the situation. I often thought, 'Do I have to die for this to end?' I hardly slept, but I still had to film." 

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or difficult thoughts, please reach out to a mental health professional or contact a suicide prevention hotline for support.

Park Han-byul Returns to TV After Six-Year Hiatus

After 31 years in the entertainment industry, actress Kim Nam-joo is set to embark on her first solo variety show and YouTube venture. Following the trend of many actresses taking to YouTube, Kim's move comes after Han Ga-in's successful channel, sparking curiosity about her own content.

On April 2, it was revealed that Kim Nam-joo has created her own YouTube channel to engage with fans. The content will be unveiled through SBS Life's new variety program, 'Queen of Insight' (안목의 여왕).

'Queen of Insight' aims to broaden viewers' perspectives by sharing various aspects of Kim's life that she has not previously disclosed. Although Kim has hosted and appeared as a guest on numerous variety shows since her debut in 1994, this marks her first time participating in a solo variety format and her debut on YouTube.

Recently, several actresses, including Han Ga-in, Lee Min-jung, and Oh Yeon-seo, have ventured into YouTube, with Han Ga-in gaining significant attention for showcasing her daily life and unexpected side through her channel. Her fashion choices and beauty products have also captured the interest of netizens.

Known for her cool and sophisticated image, Kim Nam-joo has primarily interacted with the public through her roles in dramas and films. However, 'Queen of Insight' is expected to present a more relatable side of her, moving beyond her on-screen characters to reveal her everyday life.

Throughout her career, Kim has shared insights into her fashion style and dieting secrets, often sparking discussions about her outfits and accessories from various dramas. Notably, her rigorous diet to transform into the character Go Hye-ran in the 2018 drama 'Misty' received considerable attention. Fans are eager to see what tips and insights she will share through 'Queen of Insight.'

The show is set to premiere on YouTube in the first half of this year, alongside broadcasts on SBS Life.

aespa Shines at Billboard Women in Music 2025, Winning Group of the Year

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Kim Soo-hyun Denies Grooming Allegations as Y.O.U BEAUTY Ends Partnership

BABYMONSTER Depart for Osaka as Part of Their First World Tour

Film 'Lobby' Premieres Today, Topping Box Office Pre-Sales

Park Han-byul Returns to TV After Six-Year Hiatus

Kim Nam-joo Launches Solo YouTube Channel After 31 Years in the Industry

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Ma Dong-seok Takes on the Occult in 'Holy Night: Demon Hunters'

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